Page 25 of Caress of Fire
“Wake up, little firebrand.”
Marielle swallowed, then groaned in protest as she lifted her head from the comfort of his warm, soft skin. Blazing sunlight hammered over the desert, blanketing her body in searing warmth. She blinked, staring into two blazing silver eyes so beautiful, she couldn’t breathe. Fedryc’s mouth lifted in a devilish, sexy smile, and it transformed his entire face.
His eyes lit up with a humorous glint and a dimple creased his left cheek. His dark, almost black hair fell over his brow, softening his face, giving him a carefree, boyish appearance.
It was the first time she really took the time to look at him and see more than the High Lord, more than the all-powerful Draekon who descended from the sky on a beast of nightmares.
She saw the man he was. A man who wore his need for her plain on his face.
“I’m up.” She bent and kissed Fedryc’s warm chest, then pulled up her face, horrified.
“Yes, you drooled.” He chuckled, wiping the moisture from his skin as Marielle pulled away. “And you also snored.”
“No!” She protested in fake outrage. “You’re lying. I don’t snore.”
“Like an old drover.”
Fedryc lifted a brow high, and made an awful sound in imitation of her snoring, then he laughed. Then he laughed some more as Marielle sat on the sand beside him. She tried to be offended, but couldn’t. This felt too good, and Fedryc was too handsome. The laughter that came over her felt better with every second. A cold weight lifted from her chest and finally, both of them quieted.
Fedryc locked gazes with her, and his face lost all traces of humor. Instead, his eyes filled with heart-wrenching tenderness as he reached out to touch her face. His touch was light as he trailed a finger over her lips, up her jaw, then to her wild, tangled hair.
Marielle pressed herself against Fedryc’s warm body, sliding one leg over his. A hard response pressed against her stomach and she smiled. Arousal filled her belly, but Fedryc shook his head.
“We have to go back.” His eyes went to the horizon. “I can’t stay away from Aalstad too long.”
He moved and Marielle sat up on the sand. Fedryc’s eyes trailed over her naked body, his male hunger obvious, as was his impressive erection. He looked at her for a long time, then turned away and walked to his leather pants.
Marielle watched his powerful legs, the strong muscles in his thighs, rolling under his honey-colored skin as he walked, admiring his round buttocks and lean hips. He was, simply put, mouthwatering. He was a sculpture made flesh.
“I can feel your eyes on my ass.” Fedryc turned his head sideways as he grabbed his leather pants, then pulled them on.
“I can’t help it if you’re distracting.” Marielle chuckled. “It’s your fault.”
“And how is that?” He turned, his eyes still full of humor and hunger. “You wicked woman.”
“After all the pleasure you gave me this morning, I want more.” She leaned back on the sand, her hand trailing between her breasts, then down her stomach suggestively.
She knew the pleasure and safety she felt were just illusions, but she wasn’t ready to wake up from her dream just yet. Fedryc’s eyes flashed under the direct sunlight like mirrors, and his pupils went vertical and hungry as he looked at her. His mouth hung slightly open.
“I would like nothing more than to lie with you all day, but we cannot stay.” His voice was raspy and heavy, and it turned Marielle on instantly. She wasn’t scared of the beast in him anymore. She craved it.
“How come?” She frowned, sensing this was a rare time when Fedryc was opening up to her. “You’re the High Lord. You can do anything you want.”
He watched her, his face suddenly serious. He seemed to hesitate, then nodded, more to himself than to her. “My position as High Lord is precarious.”
“But you are Lord Aymond’s only son.” Marielle frowned. “You are the heir.”
“I am High Lord by the laws of our lands, that is true.” Fedryc nodded, his eyes far away although he was still looking at her. “But I am new to this land. Normally, a Draekon rules beside his father long before he is handed power.”
“That is why Lord Aymond summoned you, so you would rule at his side,” Marielle said. This made sense. The strange world of Draekon was filled with danger. “But if he wanted you, then why would he take a mate? It makes little sense to prepare to retire from power and plan to have more children at the same time.”
Fedryc smiled but it didn’t reach his eyes. His expression turned possessive as his stare trailed down Marielle’s body. “My father never intended to mate with you. You were mine all along, little firebrand.”
Marielle paused at the revelation. At what it implied. “Do you think this has anything to do with your father’s murder?” She chose her words carefully, watching Fedryc’s reaction.
“I have no doubt that the killer has Aalstad in his sight.” Fedryc’s expression turned feral and dangerous. “Lord Aymond was a powerful Draekon. Nissar was feared far and wide. No one would dare challenge him, but that doesn’t mean he didn’t have enemies.”
“The murderer wanted to take control of Aalstad?” Marielle sat up straighter and she reached for her discarded dress. This conversation had taken a turn she did not expect. “But why frame me for it? I’m no one.”
