Free Flickering Light (Return To Avalore Book 0) by Elianne Adams Page A

notion of Clay with another woman had roused its possessive instinct. Barbara surrounded the dragon within with light, as though the pale energy would coax it back from the pit in which it dwelled, but, satisfied no other woman had been in Clay’s home, it retreated once more. Shivering, Barbara wrapped her arms around her middle. She would never get used to the cold, empty void deep in her core.
    Standing at his front door, she hesitated. He had told her to come anytime. Day or night, she was always welcome. She’d depended on his strength over the past few months—too much, and it had taken its toll. He had never complained, not once, but his energies didn’t lie. The darkness he took from her latched onto him with a wicked grip, and she could no longer allow his suffering just to ease her own. The last few days without him had been hell, and had she not promised to come to him before allowing herself final rest, she still would not seek him out.
    Taking a steadying breath, she gathered her courage and rapped at the door. When nothing stirred inside, she blinked back the tears threatening to spill down her cheeks again. Where was he? She hadn’t considered he might not be home to console her. She couldn’t go back there. She just couldn’t. The grief tore at her soul even from a distance. She was too close. She wouldn’t be strong enough to go back and not be among the fallen come morning without Clay’s help. A small sob slipped past her lips and she knocked a little louder. Maybe he slept and hadn’t heard her knock.
    “Barbara.” Clay’s strained voice came from behind her.
    She spun to find Clay racing up his front steps toward her. He devoured her with his eyes, his elongated pupils proving he wasn’t quite in control. His wheat colored hair was messed as though he had run his fingers through them. The unruly, shoulder length locks he always tried to subdue tumbled around his head.
    “I went to your house looking for you. When I found your door open, and no one had seen you, I thought…” His broad chest rose and fell with labored breaths. A muscle ticked in his jaw, and then he had her in his arms, crushing her to his hard body as though he would never let her go.
    She wrapped her arms around his waist, her need for strength and comfort overshadowed by the need to ease his fears. “You had only to speak to me, I would have answered.”
    His arms tightened until she could hardly breathe. “I couldn’t face the possibility…” He choked on the words. “It doesn’t matter. You’re here.”
    His warm breath tickled her ear. Their energies mingled and melded together, sliding over her like a warm, silken hand caressing every inch of her, making promises she had never been brave enough to accept. Promises she wanted to take him up on, here and now, before her chance slipped away forever.
    Clay’s moan reached her ears, just as his hand burrowed in her hair, pulling her head from his chest, and turning her face to his. The yellow flecks melted away, leaving his eyes the color of pure jade. She couldn’t stop, not this time. She didn’t want to. His mouth hovered over hers for a fraction of a second before he claimed her lips with a moan. He devoured her with his kiss, demanding her response. When she melted against him with a sigh, he slid his tongue into the moist recesses of her mouth, deepening the kiss. Holding her close, he lifted them both from the ground, and took her inside.
    Without breaking contact, Clay slid his hands down her back to cup her backside, pressing her flush against him. “Tell me what you want, Barbara, that I’m not alone. Tell me you want this as much as I do.” His voice slid into her mind in the telepathic way of their people. The want and need behind the words curled around her, pulling her closer to the edge.
    It was her choice. He would be gracious and put a stop to it regardless of his own discomfort. He always did. All she had to do was say the word. They