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An Excerpt From: GUARDIAN OF THE ONYX EMPIRE
Copyright © VANESSA GILFOY, 2008
All Rights Reserved, Ellora's Cave Publishing,
Inc.
Before Lizeria could pull open
the door to the shop, a man’s broad hand closed over hers. Breath caught in
her throat.
“You’re a flighty little one,” he teased, as if he’d
guessed her age.
At nineteen, she looked the same as she always would. Immortal.
“We didn’t get to finish our conversation.” His hand
slid up her arm. Long, thick fingers curled into the soft underside of her
bare arm.
She should tell him to stop but only gasps sounded from
her lips. It felt too good.
His slow exhalation on her neck hinted at the nearness
of his warm lips. She expected his kiss but he firmly gripped her shoulder
and turned her about. His hard body pressed her against the door as he
leaned in. Hilts of sheathed swords thudded against the wood.
She felt like clay in his grip, ready to be kneaded by
his strong hands. Her legs would have given out from under her, if not for
his arm snaked around the small of her back. She couldn’t breathe. Reality
seemed to waver in a dizzying rush. What was wrong with her? “Stop,” she
finally found her voice but gasps weakened it. When she pushed against his
chest, she fell limp against him. What did he do?
Something like a moan rumbled through his chest and
against her. “Shhh. I just want to see your eyes,
little dove.” He palmed her cheek.
A jolt of energy pushed against the inside of her ribs
at the taboo sensation. His skin didn’t tingle like a fated’s
would, but it quickened her breath and made her ache for more.
But it was wrong. Lizeria
squeezed her glowing eyes shut and tried to turn away. She shouldn’t want
this. Elves and hybrids bind their fated mates this way. He wasn’t her
fated. Earth, this was wrong. He’d see her curse.
She opened her mouth to scream for Gray but Alexander’s
hand covered her mouth and nose. Only a muffled hum escaped through his
fingers. Oh no. How could she have been so stupid? A fluttering, sinking
feeling tugged on her gut.
“It’s all right, sweet princess. I promise I won’t bind
you to me.”
He couldn’t. She was fated a dwarf, a disgusting dwarf who
she’d never bind. Cursed by fate to either face eternity alone or live in
misery.
“Just open your eyes. I won’t hurt you.” Alexander
stroked her cheek with his fingertips as if he was a gentle lover.
Why couldn’t he just want sex? She’d always wanted to
feel a human climax. She could pretend he was her fated, that she had a
choice like humans did.
“Read me, dove. I’m not going to hurt you.”
His voice. If it had a flavor,
it would be chocolate, rich and smooth, melting on her skin.
Images flooded through her head of him licking her nude
body. Her back arched as if the thoughts came from her. Earth, he stole
control of her mind. Dizziness threatened to spill her into a pool of
unconsciousness. She couldn’t get enough air between his fingers. The
pounding of her heart drowned out whatever he said.
His puffs of breath burned her already hot and damp
neck. “Deeper, love,” he repeated, low and fervent. “Read deeper.”
She seemed to fall but it was only inside his mind. Warm
and snug, he fit like a cocoon that cradled and rocked her on a cooling
breeze. The hard thuds in her chest slowed and heat slipped from her face
and neck. His hope soothed her in ways she didn’t understand.
Before she could explore why, his mind closed off from
her.
“Your turn, sweet Lizeria.” Her
name rolled off his tongue like cream poured over warm cherries.
“I’ve never…”
“I know, honey love. I’m just going to touch you. You
don’t have to touch me.”
She suddenly wanted to, to feel his smooth-shaven cheek
beneath her fingertips and thumb the moist flesh of his thin lips.
His hand slid from her mouth to her cheek and heat
radiated from the touch. The scent of lilac soap nearly masked that of
freshly dug earth on his wrists and hands. Very masculine.
She leaned back against the door, wishing they were
hidden. Would someone see? A tiny thrill tickled her belly at the thought. She
licked her lips.
What if it hurt? She’d heard the touch hurt for some
people.
“I’ll be gentle, sweet princess.”
Did he hear that thought? She’d shielded it. How strong
was he? Wait, how did he know who she was? Was princess a pet name,
or did he know?
“Shhh. Relax and I’ll give you
ecstasy you’ve never imagined.”
If she had the strength, she’d push him over and pounce
on him right there on the broken glass and rubble. Instead, she gave him
what he wanted. Her eyelids loosened and amber light burst free from her
eyes. They blazed with the lust that heated and moistened her sex.
Through no command of her own, memories from her entire
life flowed from her mind to his. It felt as if he stroked her inside, as
if her thoughts were warm honey that slicked her entrance. A moan rose from
her chest.
She’d expected to explore his mind too but he somehow
shielded himself, an almost impossible feat during the touch. She pushed
but couldn’t concentrate on anything but the thrill of him inside her head.
CLOSE WINDOW
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