Free Red Mortal by Deidre Knight Page B

gesture to make it as tantalizing as possible. Her gaze never left his hand as it worked.
    Then he addressed his pants, eyeing her sensually as he lowered the zipper over his prominent erection. Her own eyes grew wide, fiery lust infusing her face with a crimson that rivaled that of his cloak. Swallowing hard, she stepped forward, wrapping the garment about his shoulders.
    “Like this, Adonis,” she murmured, spreading the crimson material about him. “I want to see you this way, adorned for me.”
    He finished the work of unfastening his pants, then toed his way out of both boots. The pants slid to his ankles, pooling there until he kicked them away. Never one for underwear, he now stood before her in his full glory of nature.
    She didn’t dare glance down, not this time, her gaze riveted on his face.
    He held his head high. “I’m supplying every component of your fantasy, my lady. So tell me—where would you have me stand? Or lie?”
    She swallowed, her pink lips parting softly on a light groaning exhale. Then she took his cloak from about his shoulders, draping it about his full body—including his protruding erection. Her hand lingered there for a moment, as she slid the material about his cock and began to rub it with exquisitely slow pressure. Back and forth, the rough fabric created an aching pleasure from the base of his arousal to the blunted tip.
    “My lady, this is your fantasy?” He groaned, pressing his eyes shut.
    Suddenly her lips were at his ear. “I’m good at improvising.”
    He caught her face in one palm, dragging her mouth to his. “And like every good military commander, so am I.” He slid his other hand behind her upper thigh, hiking the dress up as he did so. He brought it above her hips, only to discover that like him, she wore no form of underwear. There was only sweet Daphne, mere inches away from his jutting shaft.
    She lifted onto her toes, deepening the kiss, pulling him even closer. And then shocked him by bursting into light giggles. She leaned her head back, staring up at him. “Oh, Leo! You naked on the desk? That’s quite the temptation!”
     
    Daphne couldn’t help smiling at Leo’s vivid and erotic imagination. She’d seen into his mind the moment their kiss had grown so heated, glimpsing a series of flashing images and desires. Including the various ways he was contemplating presenting himself fully nude, wrapped in his cloak. The edge-of-the-desk flash was endearing and funny, but also as sexy as anything she’d ever dreamed up on her own.
    “You read my thoughts,” he acknowledged in a gravelly voice filled with need. “Not entirely fair, my love.”
    She shrugged, beaming up at him. “Hazard of the Oracle’s profession . . . and of taking one as lover.”
    “I’m willing to accept those risks.” He chased her mouth, capturing it once again. This time he thrust his tongue between her parted lips, sweeping it against hers with sensual pressure.
    And then she caught another image, vivid and sinful. He wanted her spread out before him, on the floor and naked atop his cloak. A role reversal; he wanted her to lie on the floor before him like an offering to the gods, a king’s bounty.
    She grasped his face between both hands, breaking the kiss. “Yes.”
    “Yes . . . what?” He pressed his forehead against hers, obviously trying to steady his breathing.
    She rubbed both thumbs across his bearded jaw. “Spread the cloak on the rug. And I’ll lie there, just like you want.”
    He barked a laugh. “Did I say I was willing to accept the risks of loving an Oracle of Delphi?”
    “You did, my lord.”
    “Then I wish to restate the matter. I am willing, most infinitely willing, to accept the rewards of this venture. Of loving you, my Daphne, my spritely nymph.”
    He kissed her almost chastely on the forehead, and then seemed to be considering something. She held her breath, unsure of what he planned. All at once, she found herself swept into his powerful arms,