“Would I be too forward if I told you I’ve wondered about you?” He didn’t take his gaze from the cobblestone street they walked down.
“Yes,” she squeezed her elbow. “But I enjoy forward.”
“No praises of thinking of me as well, then?” He teased, humor drifting on the breeze the way it had done two years ago when she asked to hunt.
“I did not know a man such as yourself would need their ego stroked.”
“Men always require stroking – of more than their ego.” He spoke the final sentence in a low whisper.
Desire rushed through Maira as an image of him bare-chested, hands tugging his breeches down, flew into her mind. He is controlling you.
“Tell me, do you have angel blood in you?”
“Is the sun green?” He chuckled. “Why?”
“You … entice me.” She nodded back as the guard at the entrance to the small village tipped his head to her. Angels always enticed humans. It was why he made her so willing to share herself that intrigued her.
There was attraction, and there was lust. Maira knew the difference – this was lust. A man as handsome as Xander was useful for a bedmate. Angels did as they wished, took who they wanted, and killed when they were done. Still, most humans begged for time by an angel's side. Each had their reasons, but she had a feeling the man before her would not trade his life for a few orgasms.
“Perhaps you are attracted to men you wish to reform?”
“How so?” So he’s got more brains than you realized. She enjoyed a project. The triumphant feeling of having made someone better was a rush. Her parents taught her that amidst their teachings of peace and keeping to themselves.
“You changed your dress this time, but you are still highborn. You were paired with an angel king for the prospect of marriage. A woman such as yourself does not play in the dirt with a man whose hands are calloused and bloody.”
Without thought, Maira took his hand and lifted it to her face. Sure enough, hard blisters marred just below where his fingers attached to his hand. Scars traced over the palm, likely from grabbing a hot iron in the wrong spot.
Her lips pressed against his hand, gently, seductively. “I enjoy what I see.”
Xander stopped then, his Adam’s apple bobbing as he swallowed. “You are forward for a lady.”
“I know what I want.”
He cleared his throat and gestured for them to turn around the left side of the wall that enclosed his home. “You did not come here for travel, did you?”
Maira nibbled her lower lip as her body grew flush with desire. The human male wanted her as much as she did him, and she’d done nothing to entice it with her magic.
“I traveled.”
“Aye, for what reason?” Xander set the basket down by his feet but turned to face her, his bulky form invading her space in the most delicious way.
“To find you.” The truth slipped out easily.
“I see,” his head lowered, his mouth lingered so close to hers the warmth of his breath caressed his lips. “And what did I do to deserve that honor?”
“You saved me.”
You saved me. The truth dawned on Maira. Xander might have shot her down, but he cared for her as if she’d needed his help. He’d not made so much as a move on the single lady on her own. He’s a gentleman.
“I believe you saved yourself, hiding away in that tall tree.”
Her heart slammed so rapidly in her chest Maira didn’t know how she found the air to breathe, never mind speak. “You helped.”
Xander’s hand fell gently on her lower back, but he did not need to urge her closer. Maira stepped against him, letting her breasts crush against his muscular chest. Again, the deep scent of ash filled her nose. She could grow lost in the scent of a man who worked with his hands and created something from nothing.
“I don’t believe in instant attraction,” Xander whispered, his lips grazing hers.
“Then, what is this?”
“Lust,” the single word wrapped around her before he claimed her lips with his.
Heat washed through Maira. Her body responded as Xander’s hand pressed her closer against him while his lips danced against hers. Maira melted against him, acutely aware of the erection already trapped behind his pants.
He tasted of ash just as much as he smelled of it, and the richness drove her mad as his tongue danced across the seam of her lips. He paused, pulling back just as she opened for him, letting her lips part for him to deepen the kiss.
“Not like this. Not here.” His voice was ragged.
“I assure you, you will not be my first.”
Xander clucked and dropped another kiss against her lips. “I am not a rouge. While I could very merrily push your gown up, drop my pants, and plunge inside your willing body, I’m going to make you earn it. You ran away from me the last time, let’s see if you will remain this day.”
Maira whimpered as he pulled away from her, stepping back just enough to ease the pressure of his shaft against her thigh.
Again, she could control him, force him to put those sensual words to good use, and have him take her in the grass this minute.
You don’t want to. The same thought as the last time she’d seen him.
“Fine,” she cleared her throat but not before leaning against him one last time, her hand lingering over the hardness concealed by his pants. “I hope you can cook because we’re going to need to eat well.”
Chapter Three
“And that one?” Xander smirked as he pointed at a cloud as it drifted overhead.
“A dolphin,” Maira replied matter-of-factly as if the cloud couldn’t be anything else. “What do you see in that one?” She pointed to the left.
Xander squinted. He saw nothing save for a blob, but something told him there was a right and wrong answer to the question. “What do you see?”
“An angel bowing before another.” She stretched her arm up. “She the way the cloud flares out there and there,” she pointed toward two tips of the cloud’s edge. “Those are the wings.”
“And why angels?”
“Because only they can seek justice from one another.” She pointed quickly at another with a distinct tree shape. “And that one?”
“A tree.”
“A tree?” Maira craned her neck to look at him. “That is obviously broccoli.”
“Broccoli?” Xander laughed, squinting as if it would make a difference. “Does broccoli not look like a tree?”
“It does. It’s just much, much smaller, and that is a small cloud.”
Chuckling, Xander dropped a quick kiss to her lips before standing. “Come, we can’t do this all day.”
“And why not?” Delicate fingers patted the now empty spot on the black wool blanket. “Is there somewhere you would rather be?”
Feigning hurt, Xander clutched his chest. “Oh, no, my lady has figured me out. I would much rather slave away over burning coals than lay tangled together in the sun playing child’s games.” He stepped carefully over her head. “Some of us may not come and go as we please, seeking comfort and fun in the arms of a stranger.”
She pouted. “Is that what you are to me? A stranger?” Maira sat.