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20
She didn’t see Keilor’s expression as he entered the room, but Wiley did. Jasmine might have hesitated if she’d seen the rawness of his gaze. He looked like a man who’d been pushed too far, and was ready to snap at the bait.
Worse, Wiley had not known Jasmine was going to say that. She had a feeling Jasmine was making it up as she went along, and screwing it up, too.
Jayems looked at Wiley out of the corner of his eye.
Her eyes narrowed. “Forget it.” She was not participating in this lunacy.
“I don’t know, I think the idea has merit,” he answered smoothly.
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She hadn’t had an interest in exploring that section of the room before. Now she looked at the polished red bookshelves warily. Every book was handsomely bound, and many of them had gilt lettering. Normally that was a turnoff for her, because she always figured those kind of books were boring old classics. Deprived of her TV, however, she was willing to investigate closer.A book on the side table caught her eye, and she picked it up. It was titled, “Her First Time.” Her jaw went slack. Glancing to make certain Jayems wasn’t in the room, she hastily set it down and moved to the shelves to blankly study the spines.It was a few moments before she actually read the titles. He’d been thinking about her first time? Their first time? Flames lic
Dark Lands Homecoming 22
Wiley blinked, but it didn’t clear her head. The light gleamed off his chest, reflected shadows as he turned the page, illuminating every line of muscle. He’d wound her so tightly, his every move was pure temptation.As if her body weighed a thousand pounds, she turned and slowly walked to her room. It was like a nightmare where she wanted to run, but was unable. If she went in that door, she was going to become a wife.She couldn’t be a wife. She couldn’t.***Jayems watched her slow retreat. Not tonight then, but soon.
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She took a deep breath. “We were attacked, as you know. The two of us were riding a stag together. When they came, our stag shied and threw me. You stayed on for a moment longer and fell off the other side. I assumed you’d run into the brush when I couldn’t find you, but I couldn’t get to you. Our own guards pulled me into their circle to protect me…” She let out a shaky sigh. “Most of them died in the battle, too.”Wiley watched her mother, and then turned her eyes back to the cup. That was not what happened.Something made her look at Jayems. Whatever he saw, he gave her the faintest of nods. Knowing Jayems, he wanted to talk. Maybe the nod meant he would listen, too.
Dark Lands Homecoming 24
Wiley exited the salon with her hair in a French braid, a mild concession to her mother’s quest for a new look. Of all the good luck, a merchant was selling guitars across the street. Brightly enameled and oddly shaped, they drew her like cotton candy to a child. Picking up a hot pink and red model, she tuned it by ear.“Oh, you play?” Portae said curiously, seeming relieved. Maybe she thought she was about to hear some ladylike ditties she could show off to her friends at teatime.Wiley grinned wickedly, played a few warm up chords, surged into a couple of hard rock riffs, and opened with Van Halen.Rhapsody’s eyes got big. She looked left, then right, paling as she real
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The manic shopping was wearing her down. To escape, she said, “I’m starving. Is it lunch time yet?”They had lunch in a classy, energetic café that catered to an upscale crowd. The walls were white and decorated with flowering plants, mirrors and stained glass lamps. Green wrought iron chairs graced each table, and the seats were upholstered in red-and-white striped canvas.Wiley had to admit the food was good, though her mother was doing her best to give her a bellyache. It wasn’t anything she said, it was the way she watched Wiley’s posture, scrutinized the way she ate. Wiley had never been accused of being Miss Manners, but she’d never seen the point of having no elbows on the table or chewing her food one hundred times. Co
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Jasmine was poisoned that night.They’d been at dinner with Wiley’s family. Jasmine had taken one drink of Wiley’s wine and stiffened. The delicate glass had shattered as her hand convulsed, and moments later she’d been screaming, doubled up on the floor.Keilor and Fallon had worked frantically to help her, and somebody had called the medics. Jayems had dragged Wiley back from the scene, calming her frantic struggles with gentle force. Even now, after they knew it had been Jasmine’s dessert that was poisoned and not the wine, Wiley couldn’t shake the feeling that she was responsible. Jasmine wouldn’t even be here if it weren’t for her.Wiley sat i
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She could not lie still. She gasped in pleasure, the sounds coming from her mouth getting louder and louder until she was shouting, a prisoner pinned between his hot, slick mouth and the couch.Finally he slid up and ripped open his fly. He fell over her and looked her in the eye. “I told you I wouldn’t ask again.” He slid inside.She arched up and dug her nails into his back. It was so tight, and he was huge. It hurt, and a lot at that, but he worked his way in, kissing her neck, running his tongue over her ears, massaging her thighs and breasts. The look on his face was mindless, but it was obvious he knew what he was doing. Desire built inside her, though he barely moved. Just the thought of him there, of what he was about to do…she threw ba
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The climax hit her like a sledgehammer. She went crazy, bucking against the couch, screaming until she thought she would black out. He joined her, driving into her like he’d been shot up with molten lightning.As she trembled with aftershocks, he slipped a hand under her and pressed. She splintered into another climax, jerking uncontrollably.She didn’t know where he found the energy, but he carried her into the bedroom and shed the rest of their clothes.The first time must have been a warm up, because he slid into her again, pinning her arms above her head, lacing his fingers with hers. His kiss was wild and tender, restrained yet ardent. He drove her crazy with his kisses, yet mad
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