Free Shadow Hunter (The Execution Underground) by Kait Ballenger Page A

you have a blow-dryer?”
    If he hadn’t been too busy raking his eyes over the gorgeous hourglass figure beneath the towel, he would have chuckled. He ran his fingers over his buzz cut. “I don’t have much hair to dry.”
    She met his eyes quickly, then lowered her own gaze to the floor again. “Do you have any more towels, then?”
    He pointed to the bathroom. “Under the sink.”
    She hunched her shoulders, curling in on herself as if she were embarrassed to stand before him, barely covered. “I didn’t see any.”
    Exercising every bit of self-control possible, he walked past her to the bathroom. He reached under the sink, feeling for the stray towels. Finally he found one tucked far in the back corner. He pulled it out, stood and turned, ready to take it to her, only to find her standing directly behind him. Her large amber eyes examined his torso again, lingering on the line of highly defined muscles leading from his chest to his hips.
    He couldn’t resist. “Like what you see?” he said playfully.
    The deep red blush that bloomed across her face sent his heart racing into overdrive, and he knew that if she dropped her gaze she would see his excitement.
    “Sorry,” she said, starting to turn away.
    He held the towel out toward her. “Don’t be.”
    She reached for the towel, and her soft, delicate fingers brushed against his hand. She met his eyes and stared up at him, her expression innocent and perfect. She bit her lower lip. He thought of the perfect taste of her mouth on his own. Being honest with himself, he had to admit that she’d tasted delicious when he’d kissed her, just like he’d always dreamed she would.
    Another blush crossed her cheeks. She glanced toward the floor before she met his gaze again. Her desire was palpable. He hated himself for it, but he couldn’t hold back any longer.
    * * *
    T HE FIERY LOOK in Damon’s normally icy-blue eyes sent Tiffany’s heart thumping hard against her chest. He stepped toward her. She didn’t care if she didn’t know him. He was handsome, strong, intelligent—and dangerous. Dangerous to the monsters they hunted. Dangerous to her. Her mind, her heart. And worse, he was hell-bent on protecting her. For a woman who’d been on her own for so long, been alone for so long, here, finally, was a man who knew her secrets. Understood her on a level no one else ever had. No one except B.
    And, boy, did that spark a fire inside her.
    He reached out and toyed with the edge of her towel. She wanted him, and from the look in his eyes, he wanted her, too.
    She balled up her courage and dropped the towel to the floor.
    Within seconds he was pressing her against the tiling of the shower as his lips met hers. The delicious masculine taste of him flooded her mouth as he kissed her deeply. No one else had ever kissed her, but there was no doubt that Damon’s abilities were mind-blowing. His tongue danced with hers in sensual, soft movements.
    Gently, he suckled on her lower lip. She moaned and bucked her hips against him. Heat rushed to her center. Every inch of her body longed for a man’s touch, for Damon’s touch. She ran her hands over his shoulders and onto his strong muscled chest. Her fingers crossed the hard ridges of his abs before her hand slipped into his jeans.
    A growl rumbled in his throat as she stroked the length of him, feeling the power that came from touching him, knowing she was pleasuring him. His lips trailed from her mouth, and he nestled his head beside her neck so he could kiss the sensitive skin of her collarbone. Shivers rolled down her spine.
    His hands slipped behind her back and cupped her ass, then lifted her with ease so her hips were up against him. He pulled back from her neck, taking in the view of her naked form. Supporting her with one arm, he trailed his hand along her skin and down to the juncture of her thighs. A wave of excitement rushed over her. No one had ever touched her there before. Should she tell him?
    His warm