Free Hero Unmasked: 3 (Heroes of Saturn) by Anna Alexander Page B

don’t think there will be a soul outside now that the sun is setting. It will be too foolish. My time is my own, for now.”
    “Oh.”
    She turned away to prevent him from seeing the delighted grin stretching her lips from ear to ear.
    Crap, he probably sensed the zing of excitement that shot through her. Relax. Relax. Relax. Do not think about Cam and you. Alone. In a blizzard.
    Hysterical laughter tickled her throat, threatening her attempt at appearing blasé.
    “What’s so funny?”
    Damn. This empathy thing was maddening. “Nothing.”
    “Tell me. Your humor feels like bubbles against my skin. What is it?”
    “It was nothing, really. Just a silly cliché.”
    “I don’t not know this word, cliché. What does it mean?”
    “Well, it’s a phrase or idea that has been overused so when it’s spoken, everyone can finish your sentence for you.”
    He leaned forward in his chair and rubbed his hands together. “Now I am curious. What was this cliché?”
    “It was stupid.” As she talked she felt her cheeks burn as if she set them directly on the hot hearth. “Just. You know. Here we are. A girl and a boy.” Boy. She mentally snorted. Ha! “Trapped in a storm. Whatever shall we do?” she finished in a singsong voice.
    “Hmm.” He stroked his chin. “I know I’d like to have sex with you.”
    The poker dropped from her hand and bounced as it hit the carpet with the same boy-oy-oying sound that echoed inside her skull. White dots floated in her vision and from a distance she barely heard his sharp command.
    “Breathe, Fiona. Breathe.”
    Like a goldfish flopping next to its bowl, she sucked in a mouthful of air and warbled out a weak, “What?”
    “I am certain you heard me.”
    “But—uh. Why?”
    He rose to his feet and stalked toward her with slow, lazy steps. “Ah, Fiona. I heard you were a woman who liked a man who was direct. I thought it was because you are a person who likes to get right to the point, but now I realize it’s because you don’t believe what is right before your eyes.”
    “And what is that?”
    The flames in his eyes glowed brighter than the candles surrounding them. The pads of his thumbs ghosted across her lower lip as he cupped her face. “A man who wants you so desperately, I swear I can already taste the salt of your skin on my tongue.”
    Yeaaahhh. That’s so hot.
    His lips settled on hers in a kiss that was as a far cry from the hastiness of the night before. He supped on her mouth as if she were a fine brandy, savoring her flavor. He cradled her in his arms as if he had all the time in the world and intended to enjoy her for every one of those seconds.
    She let out a surprised gasp as her back met the wall, so lost was she in his kiss she didn’t realize they had moved. Before her next breath, her shirt was up and over her head and her cotton-covered breasts were cupped in his hands. Chills raced down her arms as he peppered the exposed tops with biting kisses. Between the fireplace and his heated touch, a fine layer of sweat began to bead on her skin.
    He buried his face in her cleavage and inhaled deep. “ Jesu , you are so soft. Like a marshmallow.”
    The sentiment was sweet, but not exactly sexy. She pulled in her stomach and held her breath, fighting to regain the confidence she had only a moment before.
    “The fire of your desire has dimmed.” He pulled away and brushed the loose strands of her hair off her cheeks. “What are you thinking in that pretty head? The truth.”
    “I,” she croaked then cleared her throat. “I want you to find me perfect.”
    “Silly girl.” He kissed her cheek. “You are perfect. No, wait.”
    A sharp tug ripped the front of her bra open, the shredded fabric fell to the floor without a further thought. He pulled the band from her hair and fanned the tresses over her trembling breasts.
    “Now you’re perfect.” He twisted a straining peak with his fingers. “You have no idea how long I’ve dreamt about seeing you