“What’s with the overhaul?” she asked, quashing the urge to jump up and down, clapping with excitement. “And did you get those all-access passes I mentioned?”
“I wanted a change. And, yes, I did.” He said no more, just hauled her into the bathroom.
Reaching over her head, he pushed the door shut behind her. His chest brushed against hers, a stream of pleasure flowing straight to her core. Mmm. More. She wanted more.
Be leery, Distrust whispered. Why would he help you? Must be trickery of some sort.
Yes. Trickery. Disappointment set in. Did Bjorn hope to torment her with what she couldn’t have? He—what are you doing? Listening to the demon always ended with blood and pain.
Needing a distraction, she cast her gaze up at Bjorn. Whoa, whoa, whoa. The glint of arousal flared to life in his eyes, promising a whole lot more. More shivers. Another stream of pleasure. Goose bumps broke out.
She must be mistaken, right? “Are you hoping to watch me shower…or join me?”
He crossed his arms over his muscular chest, highlighting the broadness of his shoulders. “Which would you prefer?”
What!? Her heart kicked into warp speed, fluttering as surely as her stomach. He’d just implied he wanted to have sex with her. Had he…accepted his desire for her?
Gulping, Fox shifted from one bare foot to the other. Did she want to sleep with him? Yes. Could she trust him? No, not really. Did she appreciate his unwitting willingness to help her seduce him? Absolutely. But, damn it, what had brought about the change? She needed to know!
“Are you horny and looking to bang and bail?” she asked.
“Yes?” he said, a question rather than a statement. A moment later, he smacked his lips as if he tasted something foul.
Interesting. He’d given himself permission to score…and then what? “Before I decide what to do about your, uh, offer, I should make a confession. Two, actually.” Voice ragged, she said, “One. I—I’m sorry for what I did to the ten. If I could go back, I would send Galen to the temple and stay home.”
Admiration lit his eyes, surprising her. “And the second thing?”
“Alana came to see me today.”
His muscles seemed to petrify right before her eyes. “Tell me.”
Nope. No one had seen her. Otherwise, Bjorn would have come running. “She sensed your sexual arousal and came for a visit, hoping to get busy with you. Then she scented me on your sheets and returned to the dungeon. She tried to get past the bars but couldn’t. She wanted to kill me.”
The muscle began jumping under his eye again, only faster.
But Fox wasn’t done. “If you leave me defenseless, and she returns…”
He narrowed his eyes. “I suppose I’ll just have to keep you by my side. Now. About that shower…” He took a step toward her, though it seemed like so much more. The space between them shrank considerably.
New shivers plagued her. “Let’s say I invite you to join me. What happens next?”
Another step. “I will be on you…and I will be in you.”
Stronger shivers. He wants to be seduced.
Trembling with excitement, Fox gripped the hem of her T-shirt and yanked the material overhead. Cool air caressed her warm flesh. Naked, she lifted her chin and squared her shoulders, letting him look his fill. And look he did. He sucked in a breath when his gaze found her breasts. Her nipples hardened. He looked lower…
Heat pooled between the apex of her thighs.
“Never have I seen a body as fine as yours,” he rasped. “Your curves…your tattoos…”
Jungle scenes covered prime real estate on her torso and back, a butterfly in the center of it all. The mark of Distrust. “If you look close enough, you’ll see little foxes hidden throughout the foliage. ‘Fox’ is the nickname my mother gave me as a little girl.” A woman she’d loved with every fiber of her being. “After she died, I hoped to feel close to her again, so I dropped my given name.”
His stance softened. “And what is your given name?”
“No way I’ll—”
“Tell me, and I’ll let you watch reality TV all night.”
“With popcorn?”
“Multiple bags of popcorn.”
“Desdemona,” she rushed out, her cheeks already burning. “My given name is—was—Desdemona.”
He blinked, shook his head. Then, a full-blown smile broke out, lighting his entire face, and he laughed. A laughing Bjorn…
Eyes wide, jaw dropped, she stared at him, unable to look away. He. Was. Gorgeous. Incomparable. Perfection. She found herself blurting, “My middle name is Anastasia.”
“Desdemona Anastasia.” Now he threw back his head, his laughter booming.
The door burst open, shoving Fox forward. Bjorn caught her, stiffened, and shoved her behind his back, acting as her shield.
“Out,” he ordered.
“I thought she’d harmed you,” Thane said, and he sounded shaken. “But you were laughing.”
“Laughing,” Xerxes echoed.
Ugh. They’d both come running. But why were they so surprised about his merriment, anyway? Were they unable to amuse him or something? Uh…it just happened to be the ea
siest job ever.
Ignoring both males, she cupped Bjorn’s ass.
He released a soft puff of air, almost a moan.
High on feminine power, she rose on her tiptoes to peek over his shoulder and make a kissy face at his friends.
They narrowed their eyes.
Grinning now, she pressed her breasts against his back and ran his earlobe between her teeth. “Get rid of them,” she whispered. “I made my decision. I want you in the shower with me.”
“Out,” he repeated, the word like a detonated bomb. “Out now!”
Though the pair hesitated, they did leave in the end. Footsteps sounded. Hinges squeaked. A soft snick rang out.
Bjorn spun around, facing her. He looked predatory and aggressive, and her body loved it, aching for his.
“You want me?” he demanded.
“I want you,” she confirmed. “And I’m going to have you.”
Chapter Twelve
Desire seethed inside Bjorn. Earlier, he’d wondered if he’d been playing it safe with Fox. At this moment, he could play nothing safe. Fox…naked… She stole his breath. Though slim, she possessed the sweetest feminine curves and the most sublime muscle definition. A magnificent combination. Dusky nipples crested pert breasts. Passion-flushed skin highlighted the freckles on her nose. Between her legs, there was a small triangle of dark curls.
Her body is a treasure map; triangle marks the spot.
Though, to be honest, a battle seemed most likely. He wondered if she had a plan: feign arousal and knock him out as soon as he got her into bed. Perhaps not. Either way… He fought the urge to sink his fingers into her core. Would he find her wet?
Never wanted anything so badly… Would risk everything for this woman.
Bjorn removed his robe, baring his entire body to Fox. She watched as he stripped, her sizzling gaze as arousing as a caress. Did she like what—?
“Look at you,” she said, breathless. “A walking aphrodisiac.”
Oh, yes. She liked.
She flattened her hands on his pectorals, her fingertips resting atop his nipples. Her flesh burned as hot as her gaze, her palms callused from handling weapons. Every point of contact maddened him, sharpening his lust.