Page 26 of Shielded Heart

Her face heated. Despite her position on top, he was entirely in control, and she felt more vulnerable than ever.

Without looking away from her, Alkorin said, “Drop us off at one of the entrances to the Ventrillian Mall, Drakkal.”

“Don’t you think that’s a bit crowded,boss?” Drakkal asked.

“We’ll be fine. I’ll take every precaution to avoid standing out.”

Samantha couldn’t imagine Alkorinnotstanding out.

Alkorin slid his hands down to her thighs, and Sam’s breath hitched as he tugged her closer. “My little terran has seen some of the worst this city has to offer…she deserves to see some of the best.”

Samantha heard a soft creaking sound from up front, as though Drakkal were tightening his grip on the controls, before the hovercar angled into a gradual descent.

She leaned forward slightly and whispered, “I don’t think he likes your idea.”

“He’s just upset because I woke him up earlier than usual today,” Alkorin squeezed Sam’s thighs gently. “I’m far more worried about whether I’ll be able to bring myself to exit the car once we’ve landed.”

Samantha frowned. “Why? What’s wrong?”

“I’m not sure I’ll have the willpower to let you go.” He lifted his pelvis slightly, rubbing it against hers.

Her breath hitched. She curled her fingers into the back cushion as realization struck her. Lowering her gaze, she took in her current position, and desire flared within her.

Never in Sam’s life had things escalated so quickly between her and a man—she couldn’t evenimaginethings moving this fast. She’d only met Alkorin the night before last! Why wasn’t she panicking, why wasn’t she freaking out and darting for the opposite door to escape?

Because for some inexplicable reason, despite how strong he’s coming on…I feel safe with Alkorin.

As much as she should’ve wanted him to release her, shedidn’t.

Their bodies swayed gently as the hovercar slowed to a stop.

“Here,” Drakkal growled.

Alkorin made no move; he just stared at Sam, his eyes and the markings on his skin brighter than ever. “I suppose we should step outside. Drakkal would only put a damper on the mood if we stayed in here.”

I’m straddling him while his driver isright there.

Samantha—her skin so heated that she might’ve mistaken it for a sunburn had she not known better—reached for the door and pressed the button to open it.

The pure light of the quasar—the sort of natural light Sam hadn’t seen for days—flowed into the cab through the open door, making Alkorin’s long, straight hair shimmer.

Alk’s tongue emerged briefly from between his lips. “After you, then?”

Sam hesitated for an instant before she hurriedly, but carefully, climbed off his lap and stepped out of the hovercar.

“I’ll let you know when we’re ready for you to pick us up,” Alkorin said to Drakkal as he exited the vehicle.

“Be careful,boss,” the azhera replied.

“Don’t worry, Drak. I’ll be fine.”

Drakkal uttered another guttural, untranslatable oath before Alkorin closed the door.

Standing up straight, Alkorin turned to face Samantha with a wide grin. “Well then, here we are. I don’t know that anyone can see the entire city in one lifetime, but this seems a good place to start.”

Six

Sam quickly lost track of time as Alkorin escorted her through the Ventrillian Mall, a huge pedestrian area filled with all manner of shops, eateries, gardens, sculptures, and performers. The sights were alien, wondrous, andbeautiful, and the open air and ample lighting gave the area a sense of oddly comforting immensity. They sampled strange foods from several places, most of which were delicious, and stopped to watch a troupe of alien acrobats perform an amazing show using palm-sized hoverpads to levitate high over the audience.

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