"No, I'm an OBI employee and I will fight to protect you. I'm an OBI employee and I will - stare at the most beautiful pair of breasts I've ever seen." He shook his head, but his gaze remained locked on her.
"I'm an OBI - your breasts will fit perfectly in my hands." Her skin warmed. "Why don't you make certain?"
He slowly closed the distance separating them, limping the entire way but never stopping. When he was in front of her, his arms reaching out to caress her breasts, Jewel shivered with anticipation. She wanted so badly to accept his touch, but she couldn't. Not yet. And so, she did something she never thought she'd do. She hooked her leg around Gray's knee and shoved him, hard. Weakened already, he fell, his expression shocked as he landed. He winced, staying on the ground, trying to catch his breath.
With Gray out of the way, she closed her eyes and raised her hands, willing the creatures to slow. Battle sounds receded, the air around her thickened and ceased all movement until there was only utter stillness.
Her eyelids fluttered open, an astonishing scene greeting her. The demon and vampire continued to war with each other, yes, but they moved in slow motion, their every action sluggish. A drop of black blood trickled from the demon and splashed onto the floor. She saw every inch of movement.
"Now, Gray," she shouted. "Kill them now." She was afraid to move her arms and help him up, afraid the creatures would leap back into lightning speed.
Gray rose determinedly, albeit shakily, to his feet. He rubbed a hand over his eyes in an attempt to clear his vision before he hobbled to the creatures. Then, with a deft, ingrained ability, he attacked. The creatures hissed and bit at him, even drawing more blood, but he fought, snapping both their necks and dropping their bodies.
He stood there, sucking in breath, his wounds open and bleeding.
Wave after wave of relief and joy swept through her. "You did it," she said, awed, her hands dropping to her sides.
"No, we did it."
Her lips lifted in a grin, and a sudden flash of desire filled his eyes - eyes that were staring at her chest Her own desire sparked to life - it had never really died - and she gasped, realizing her breasts were still on display.
"If I'm remembering correctly," he continued, stronger by the second, "you promised me a kiss before dropping me on my ass."
She ached erotically at the thought of his lips on hers. Of his hands moving over her. Perhaps rolling her nipples between his fingers. "You're not too weak?"
"For a kiss? Never." He stalked three slow steps toward her. "Are you too weak?" "Of course not."
He chuckled at her affront. His skin color was growing rosier, more bronzed. "You once said humans demand proof in everything. Well, you were right. Prove it. Prove you're strong enough to handle me."
She gulped, not knowing where to begin. By touching him? Tasting him? Perhaps both? Her words might have been bold today, but she'd never been with a man before. Her fingers itched to move all over him. Her mouth watered, yearning to lick every inch of him.
"Are you going to kiss me or not?"
"I don't know where to begin," she admitted.
His liquid silver eyes radiated the very hunger that rocked her. His head lowered. "We'll start here," he said, tracing his fingertips over the seam of her lips, "and work our way down." Two of his fingers circled her nipples, making them harden all the more.
Her lips parted on a gasp of sheer pleasure.
And then he was there, his arms locked around her waist, his lips meshing into hers. Because her mouth was open, he easily swept his tongue inside. He tasted of heat and man and the flavor intoxicated her.
She liquefied against him, his shirt deliciously abrading her chest, his touch fueling her dreams. Forging her fantasies.
"Kiss me back," he muttered.
"I don't know how. Exactly." She whispered the confession, unable to look at him. She'd seen kisses, but never experienced one herself.
He pulled slightly away, tilted her chin up, and stared into her eyes. Possessiveness radiated from him. "Just move your tongue against mine. Suck on it. Lick it."
Erotic shivers danced through her. The image his words elicited was heady, enthralling. Moistening her lips, she dropped