out as her nipples tightened to painful nubs and moisture gathered between her legs.
She wanted to use the tip of her tongue to trace every fascinating tattoo that danced over his skin. She wanted to skim her hands over the chiseled muscles that made him look as if he’d been sculpted by an artist. She wanted him to lift her onto the nearby table. To spread her legs so he could step between them and ease the unbearable ache.
But even as the X-rated fantasies flared through her mind, she was forcing herself to remember that Levet was upstairs and they were standing in the middle of an open doorway.
With a satisfying groan, Baine was lifting his head, staring down at her with a brooding gaze.
“You’re right,” he muttered, a startling color blooming along the line of his prominent cheekbones. “This is not the place.”
She studied his beautiful face as he wrapped his fingers around her wrist and made a slashing motion with his free hand.
Was he embarrassed?
That seemed…unlikely.
Baine was one of the most lethally gorgeous creatures to ever walk the earth. Women no doubt tossed themselves at his feet. Not to mention the fact that he had harems filled with countless courtesans.
Why would he be bothered by a few kisses?
She on the other hand, had every reason to be shamed by her response. The man was her captor. He was forcing her to become his concubine.
It didn’t seem right to be considering how quickly she could get him naked so she could finish what he’d started.
A thick darkness surrounded them as Baine tugged her into his waiting portal, then, without warning, they were stepping into bright sunlight.
She blinked, lifting her hand to shade her eyes as she took in their new surroundings. Her breath locked in her lungs.
It was magnificent.
Truly magnificent.
In a daze, she allowed her gaze to take in the rolling meadows filled with wildflowers that danced on the slight breeze. In the distance she could see the silhouette of mountains capped with snow, and the sparkle of sunlight reflecting off a nearby lake. But it was the small cottage with a thatched roof that was directly in front of her that captured and held her attention.
It was perfect.
Painted a pristine white with green shutters, it was framed with daisies and pretty pink tulips. A flagstone pathway led from the terraced porch toward the narrow road where Tayla was standing. Heck, it even had a picket fence.
It screamed ‘Home’ with a capital H.
“What is this place?” she breathed.
Baine stood at her side. Close enough to wrap her in his comforting heat, but not touching her.
A shame.
No. Bad Tayla, she silently chastised herself. There was no lusting over the yummy dragon.
“Your fantasy,” he answered, his dark brows arching as a blush stained her cheeks.
Damn. He couldn’t read her fantasies, could he?
“Mine?” she squeaked.
“My magic will conform our surroundings to the desires of my guests.”
She blinked, her attention returning to the cottage. He was right. It was like something out of her dreams. The quaint sort of place where an imp could live in peace.
“It’s an illusion?” She couldn’t hide her faint pang of disappointment.
“No. It’s real.” He stepped forward to push open the gate that was bordered by roses. “Just a matter of perception.”
Okay. That made sense. Sort of.
“But where are we?” she pressed.
“We’re hidden between dimensions.” He glanced around, as if as if to make sure they were alone. “No one should be able to track us here.”
His assurance reminded her of their abrupt departure.
“Why did we have to leave your lair?”
“A story for later.” With a hypnotizing grace, he turned and without warning scooped her off her feet and cradled her against his chest. His very bare, very lickable chest. “You’re tired,” he announced.
She shivered. She was never going to get used to the electric tingles that raced through her when this male was near.
“Are you asking me or telling me?” she demanded in wry tones.
He carried her up the flagstone pathway and onto the porch. “I can sense your weariness.”
On cue her head dropped against his chest, her muscles aching.
She had no idea what time it was, but it felt like an eternity since she’d been slipping on her nightgown and preparing for bed.
“It’s been a long night,” she conceded in weary tones.
“Yes.”
There was a strange tingle in the air, then abruptly the sun disappeared and they were standing beneath a velvet black sky spangled with distant stars.
Holy crap.
“That’s quite a trick,” she muttered, impressed in spite