Free Pure Desire [Pure 3] (Siren Publishing Allure) by Carolina Barbour Page A

said softly.
    Mortimer patted her arm kindly, giving it a gentle squeeze. “I was speaking metaphorically, of course,” he murmured.
    “Even though I don’t subscribe to Channing’s profligate behavior toward females, surely he is not as bizarre to get entangled with Caroline,” Allura said.
    “Unfortunately, with the entire town aware of his voracious reputation for attending to females, your father would be remiss in his duties not to give Matt Graham an audience.”
    “Channing’s past aside, the issue is Caroline made the accusation and now I must address the matter, regardless of Channing’s propensity for getting himself into unfortunate situations.”
    “Hello, I’m standing here and my hearing is exceptional,” Channing said, sarcasm apparent in his tone. “And if anyone is interested in listening, my past amorous liaisons aside, I wouldn’t be stupid enough to bed—engage with the girl,” he said earnestly.
    “I don’t intend to have this discussion presently, Channing,” Mortimer said firmly.
    Noor understood the look passed between father and son, a silent acknowledgment their conversation about trivial tryst, a prosaic male affliction, required the absence of females.

    * * * *

    He admitted to himself that he was pleased when Allura hadn’t immediately followed him outside. He needed a moment to get his bearings together and snap back into reality. His thoughts were beyond rational, even after he found out her heritage. His head remained filled with insane thoughts of assuaging his lusty desires between what he imagined were silken thighs.
    Out in the open, with the stagnant air and damned pesky little creatures buzzing around, he could concentrate on something else besides bedding the temptress. That would be a major fax paus, and a regrettable mistake that would not only end his career but possibly his life if he touched her.
    Noor swiped the air, capturing the winged-tipped nuisance. He examined it closely with interest. Having never seen such a creature, Noor was intrigued. He searched the database and learned it was an insecta on his planet, or bug, by Texas terms. He reviewed the origin and habits, wanting to know why it felt the need to follow him around like a honing device.
    “It’s a fly.”
    He spun around, and the sweet fragrance of femininity drove his scent sensory into overdrive. He shut down the history module and faced Allura.
    Allura pointed to his fist. “Haven’t you seen a fly before?”
    “What makes you think I haven’t?” he said, and then opened his hand and let the bug free.
    “You were staring at it like it was the first time you saw an insect.”
    “They don’t come so big where I’m from,” he said. He turned his back to finish gathering his things, acutely aware if she didn’t run and persisted, he could possibly do something irreversibly stupid.
    Allura moved closer and invaded his personal space. “Where are you from, Noor? You never said.”
    “I thought I did.”
    “Maybe I didn’t ask. Is it a secret?”
    She came within touching distance, and he found himself stepping back as if he meant to take flight. It was a first, and he was amused she had the affect on him. He felt like fleeing before he gave her what her large captivating eyes silently pleaded for. Maybe it was what he wanted, to lose himself in unbridled debauchery until he died from pleasure. Regardless, he had to remind himself—sternly—he couldn’t just fuck the next intended to Oridus and walk away whistling.
    She touched his arm, and it felt like searing heat blazed beneath his skin.
    “Are you always this brazen?” He intentionally sounded affronted, hoping she became intimidated and scared. She didn’t move.
    She dropped her hand, and he instantly wished she hadn’t. “A man has his right to privacy. You intrigue me, Noor, and I’m afraid my curiosity was unavoidable. I didn’t mean to pry and make you uncomfortable.”
    Too fucking late . “Nor did I mean to be