Shadow Warrior (Shadow Riders 4)

She stood in front of him in just her jeans and a lacy bra. She was on the thinner side and lately, because she wasn’t eating much, her ribs tended to show. She knew that bothered him because he traced each one with his fingers, a small frown on his face.

“The doctor said you needed to eat more, gattina. I think you’ve eaten less. Every tray brought to you, no matter what Merry fixed, had most of the food still on it. Is there something you prefer to eat that I haven’t thought of?”

Her pulse jumped and then began pounding. His hands were at the waistband of her jeans. She tried to be casual, as if she’d been stripped naked by a man every day of her life. He was looking down and the wealth of gleaming, thick black hair, a little on the shaggy side, was an invitation. Tempting her like the devil when she knew she should be good. She didn’t want to be. She wanted his touch. His kisses. She wanted the two of them to be as intimate in the bedroom as they had been when talking together.

He looked up and her heart contracted. “Gattina?”

Grace ruthlessly pushed away the need to sink her fingers in his hair and shook her head. “The food is wonderful. Truly. Merry is a great cook. I just haven’t had much of an appetite lately.”

His gaze dropped again to her jeans and the task at hand. He hooked his thumbs in her waistband and slid them over her hips, taking the little lace panties with them. She knew they were damp, and her face flamed a wild rose. There was no stopping the blush and she knew it was covering every inch of her body.

He put the jeans and panties aside and reached around her to unhook her bra. “Grace, wouldn’t it be more comfortable for you not to wear a bra until your shoulder is healed?”

She stood completely naked in front of him and when he dropped his gaze, she saw his chest rise with a swift intake of breath. His eyes lifted to her face. There was no hiding the raw desire etched into his expression. It darkened his indigo eyes until the blue was nearly black. He pinned her hair on top of her head and stepped back.

“You’re so beautiful, woman. You take my breath away.” Abruptly, but gently, he removed her sling and the brace that supported her arm in between her physical therapy sessions.

Grace wanted to hug the knowledge to herself that he still wanted her. She might be too thin, but he still found her beautiful and desirable. He slipped the casing on her shoulder and arm and then unexpectedly cupped her right breast. One thumb slid over her nipple, stroking caresses until she thought she might go insane.

“I’m not above seducing you to get what I want,” he confessed.

She didn’t tell him, but his voice alone could seduce her. Having his hands on her was beyond exciting. Exhilarating. She wanted more. She wanted to feel as if she belonged to him.

“I’m not above letting you,” she admitted, tearing her gaze from the mesmerizing and rather erotic sight of his big hand claiming possession of her breast, stroking her nipple into a tight peak.

The expression on his face was extraordinary. Once again, he was wholly focused on her. On her body. On the way she reacted to him. His expression was cut into sensual lines and the look sent a shiver of excitement coursing through her.

“This isn’t safe.” He bent his head slowly, giving her every opportunity to step away.

She couldn’t move, not if her life depended on it. She had never wanted anything more in her life. His hair brushed her skin. If felt like a million strands of silk heightening every nerve ending. Then his mouth was on her left breast, his tongue teasing her nipple. She gasped at the fire spreading through her, rushing to pool low. She felt the empty clench of her sex, the sudden slickness between her thighs. He suckled gently at first, but then the fingers on his other hand began to roll and tug her nipple. His mouth worked her mound harder, teeth scraping and sending little strikes of lightning arrowing downward.

Then his teeth tugged on one nipple and his thumb and finger did the same to the other. She arched her back, giving him better access. Her arm slid around his head, trying to cradle him to her. Her knees went weak, legs turning rubbery, threatening to give out on her. Her body turned to fire. Flames raced through her veins, and a fireball grew in her core, spreading need and hunger through her until she was no thinking person. Only pure feeling, every nerve ending alive.