Page 100 of Kiss of Light

His heart gave that peculiar double thump as she melted against him.

“Then that’s settled. Let’s seal the deal.”

He loosened the towel from around her body and brushed his lips over her shoulders, her throat. She smelled of fire and rain.

She kissed him deeply and ran her fingers lightly across the X-shaped scar and down to his abdomen. When she got to the waistband of his trousers, she gave it a meaningful tug. His mouth curved into a smile against hers.

“Not this time, beautiful,” he told her. “This time it’s all about you.”

He pushed her back among the pillows. He trailed down her body and settled between her legs. At the first flicker of his tongue she let her thighs fall apart to give him full access.

He fastened his mouth to her, lapping at her pleasure spot until she was clutching the pillows in delicious abandon. And then he did it again.

And when at last she was sated, she drifted to sleep in the vampire’s arms, lulled by the rocking motion of their strange transport.

Forty Three

Lemar woke the next evening to find Tala fully dressed and staring out of the window. The tension in her shoulders and the alert watchfulness of her posture had him out of bed immediately.

“What is it?”

“We’re being followed.”

“Can you see who?”

“No. They’re staying back for now.”

“How many?”

“At least a dozen. Can’t be sure. But I’ve been watching since this afternoon and the sun was reflecting off a lot of armour.”

“Salaq’s men?”

“Hard to tell. They’re keeping pace with us which means they’re moving fast, whoever they are.”

Lemar pulled on a shirt and went to the forward window. He could see the line of trees in the distance which marked the end of Nush’aldaam’s territory.

“We’re coming up on no-man’s land,” he said. “Maybe another twenty minutes.”

“If they’re planning an ambush, they’ll need to intercept before we get there.”

“But why? I don’t get it. If Salaq’s men attack us, my father will never form an alliance with him.”

Tala smiled grimly.

“My guess is they’re going to make it look likeIdid the killing. Or that we killed each other. Everyone in Nush’aldaam knows I work for Shadeed.”

“But they’re not attacking us. They’re staying behind us.”

“You’re right. I need to figure out their plan.”

“And how do you propose to do that?”

“Catch me.”

He leapt forward as her essence vacated her body, and she was gratified to see he caught it before it hit the floor.

“Dammit, Tala,” he muttered as he laid her body on the bed. “Give me more warning next time.”

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