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Shocked mute by such a bald-faced declaration of dominance, she narrowed her eyes and looked away, ignoring him.
Until the thing on her arms shifted.
Alarmed anew, she shuddered and tried to pull it off, frustrated to discover it wouldn’t budge. “Give me your knife.”
Obligingly, he unsheathed it and flipped it over, extending it to her hilt-first.
The symbiont flowed seamlessly around the sharp blade, not the least perturbed. The only thing she succeeded in doing was nicking herself.
Instantly the symbiont flowed over the bright s
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Scent of Danger 37
The challenger stabbed the end of his staff at Mathin, attempting to scorch his face.Without looking at his footing, Mathin shifted onto another post, delivering a wicked low swing that came close to cremating the warrior’s hope of future pleasure.If he was shaken, the man didn’t show it, coming back with a deadly rain of blows. So swift was attack and counter attack that Andrea couldn’t follow, could only tense in rising panic. Arcs of fire painted the gray morning, leaving a tracery of lighting over her vision. How could they see?A gasp rose from the crowd as the challenger suddenly flipped backward, coming to rest with perfect control on a pillar.
Scent of Danger 38
What she got was a raging beast.Andrea wanted him, needed him, more than she ever had. The sight of him in danger had broken down the last of her resistance. Now, right now, she needed the comfort of his touch, wanted everything he could give.But something was wrong. Mathin’s eyes had been dark, but now shimmered with golden heat. The tender lover had disappeared in a frightening tide of passion. Gentle kisses became hungry, devouring commands. Hands that had been easy in the past now ripped her nightie in half, feasting on the lush curves beneath with a touch designed to sizzle. Though he inflamed her with his ardor, it was too much, and far too fast. “I can’t!”His mo
Scent of Danger 39
She grimaced and rubbed her head. “Nice way to end a make-out session, wasn’t it?” She sighed. “At least it explains the mood swings.” Her mood brightened. It wasn’t nearly so humiliating if she could blame it all on PMS.Mathin let out his breath in a long, slow stream. “Thank the Deity. It wasn’t the way I’d wished to begin our marriage.” A tug sent her tumbling into his lap where he crushed her close. “I didn’t want to lose you, and I never, never want to hurt you.”Uncomfortable with the reminder of what giving herself to Mathin entailed, she squirmed. She’d been going on instinct, unable to consider the consequences. She’d love to blame it all on hormones, but was uneasily ce
Scent of Danger 40
“That and browse. Come.” With a smile for her disgust, he led her to a stall on the end and opened the heavy wooden door. When she hesitated, he tugged her gently in. “He won’t hurt you after I make the introductions.”Not exactly reassured by his remark, she nevertheless allowed herself to be coaxed through the stall and into the corral beyond. The stag within lifted its head and stared at them, then swished his clubbed tail. It seemed to measure Andrea, then its nostrils flared. It came forward and nudged Mathin’s hand on her shoulder.Mathin nodded.The beast wrinkled its nose, exposing its fangs. It jerked its head, then proceeded to rudely snuffle her, li
Scent of Danger 41
“Yikes! Find a room, guys.”The lovers broke apart with a curse and a gasp.“J-Jasmine?” Andrea panted, her vision still hazed. Keilor stood behind his wife, looking amused.Mathin muttered and jerked his vest back together as Jasmine tsked at them. “Kind of busy around here to indulge in that sort of thing, isn’t it?” Her tone was chiding, but she grinned as she said it.Keilor smiled as he wrapped her in his arms and whispered in her ear.Jasmine colored and darted a mortified glance at the lovers. &ldquo
Scent of Danger 42
Andrea dropped her eyes and stirred the remains of her lunch, no longer hungry. Everyone was looking at her.She’d just gotten somewhat used to this place; could she handle more adventure? “When would we go?”Relief surged through him. “I dislike waiting, and the storm season is close. Six days.”Her soft grunt was her only answer.“Good. I’ll help with the details,” Keilor offered. He stood and offered Jasmine his hand as Mathin did the same for Andrea.They toured the market. At Mathin’s insis
Scent of Danger 43
Andrea’s resolve crumbled at the sight of his sexy smile. Only a few more days and she could do something about the hot buttered rum he made of her insides. “Well...maybe this once.”The smile became dazzling. She felt a little faint. “Just don’t make a habit of it.”He stared at her red, full lips, very tempted to taste them. Had she used cosmetics? They were especially glossy and ripe-looking this evening.“A couple more days,” she warned him, breathless. He had to stop looking at her like that.Her scent curled around him, tried to mesmerize him as it played on his roused
Scent of Danger 44
“A bicycle?” she asked, frowning as they saw a group of riders in the distance. “A horse would be fine, too.”“Livestock from Earth dies here,” he said, grinning. “But a bicycle might be possible. I’ll see about it.”“What do you bring Jasmine?”The question caused him to cock his head in curiosity. “She wants nothing. The Dark Lands are her home now, and she’s severed the ties to her past. Says she’s happier that way.”Andrea thought about that. “What if something happened to Keilor?”
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