Her ni**les pressed into the cloth and her cl*t throbbed in anticipation as she stared at him. Shirtless. God, couldn't he even wear a shirt? The only thing saving her from panting in lust was the fact that he was in shadow and she couldn't really see details. But she could smell. And the smell of him was off-the-charts hot. Desert heat and stormy winds. The combination had the glands at her tongue swelling further and the sweet taste of arousal spilling to her mouth.
Great. Just great, she thought. She had managed to keep this mating heat stuff under control for two days, just to be blindsided by a bare chest and the scent of him.
"Are you just going to stand there?" She stalked over to the nightstand, flipping on the light to at least give herself the advantage of seeing him. Unlike most Breeds, her night vision wasn't exactly exceptional.
Maybe she should have left the lights off.
He shifted as he watched her, hard chest muscles rippling, his abs tightening as the unbuttoned band of his jeans drew her eyes.
"You're soaking wet with sweat," he observed. "Is lying in here working out like a demon better than being in my bed?"
"Yes!" No.
His expression turned chastising as he wagged his finger at her. "Little girls who lie get their butts spanked," he warned her.
That did not turn her on. It didn't.
She crossed her arms over her chest and glared back at him.
"I wouldn't try it if I were you," she grated out.
"What? Spanking you?" The crooked smile that tugged at his lips was one of pure lust.
"I promise, baby, you would enjoy it."
She was two seconds from a true growl. And she so hated playing into the stereotype of the Breed.
"Exactly what did you want?" she asked between gritted teeth.
"Exactly?" He arched a brow mockingly. "Are you sure you want me to answer that?" She glanced at the clock.
"It's half past midnight. Don't you have to work in the morning?"
"Don't you?" he replied, his voice silky dark, stroking over her senses with nearly the same effect of his calloused palms on her flesh.
As he stepped into the bedroom, the air around her pulsed with hunger. God, what was she going to do about him?
"Lance, please." She stepped back, staring at him desperately now. "Go to bed."
"Come with me, Harmony," he whispered, coming nearer, the dark teak of his flesh gleaming. "Let me hold you while you sleep again. I'll watch over you, baby." The temptation of it had a shiver racing over her skin. He had held her while she slept the other night. She had been unable to help it, couldn't hold back. She had meant only to doze, but before she could stop herself she had fallen into the abyss awaiting her. And she had done so dreamlessly.
She shook her head, feeling her hair brush over her shoulders, stroking skin already sensitive, reminding her of his touch.
He came nearer with each second, until he stood only inches from her, the heat of his body surrounding her. She hadn't even known she was chilled until his heat enfolded her.
"You're wet, baby," he whispered, his hand gripping her shirt and pulling it up. "Let me help you out there."
The shirt cleared her head as Harmony blinked up at him in confusion. How did he do this to her?
"Lance." Her hands pressed against his bare chest, then she groaned, realizing defeat was only seconds away as she felt her palms soaking up the heat from his body.
"Yeah, feel that," he crooned. "Let me warm you, baby." Harmony felt her lips part helplessly, her entire body tensing, preparing for the wild heat of his kiss. Instead, he merely caressed her lips with his mouth.
His hands slid over her waist, calloused palms stroking with fiery pleasure until they cupped the heaving mounds of her br**sts. His thumbs stroked her ni**les and she felt herself panting.
She was panting for his touch. Her hands gripped his wrists as she felt every nerve ending in her body throbbing, waiting.
She jerked as his thumb and forefinger applied erotic pressure to the hard tip of her nipple, sending a burning surge of pleasure to race through her stomach. Her breath caught at the sensation as her nails pressed into his wrist.