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An Excerpt From: ZARIUS
Copyright © L.A. DAY, 2007
All Rights Reserved, Ellora's Cave Publishing,
Inc.
“Excuse me.” His
deep, sultry, almost musical voice held just a trace of an accent.
Steadying her with a
hand on her arm, he stepped back. In heels, she was six feet but he towered
over her, blocking the sun from her eyes. As he moved, she got her first
glimpse of the whole package, and what a package it was. Long, jet-black
hair, shining blue-black in the midday
sunlight, hung below his impossibly broad shoulders. It was a look that, on
some men, might appear feminine, but on him it was breathtaking. Golden
skin accentuated high cheekbones and a strong jaw. Full, generous lips
suggested a sensuous nature. Put all that together and his face was too
perfect for a man.
“Oh my,” Star
murmured, not realizing she had spoken the words aloud. Her gaze quickly
skimmed the rest of him. He was what she would describe as the perfect
specimen of a man. Her heart pounded against her rib cage and her arm,
where his fingers rested, sizzled. She expected her flesh to ignite at any
moment.
She smiled
nervously. “Sorry, I couldn’t see for the sun in my eyes.” Pulling her arm
from his grasp, she unconsciously rubbed the spot he had touched.
“Your brisk pace
bespeaks a female upon a mission.”
“I suppose.” She
raised one arm and pointed at the deli directly in front of her. “Lunch.”
“Ah, I have no wish
to keep a female from her feast. Perhaps, I might join you to partake of a
meal?”
“I was just going to
grab a sandwich at the deli. You can come along if you want,” Star said
nervously as she quickly thought to check out his left hand for a ring. She
studied his long, golden, unadorned finger. Thank goodness, there wasn’t
one. Not that it meant anything, but it was a positive sign.
“Yes, I want…” he
seemed to hesitate briefly, “to join you.”
Turning, he extended
his arm and she wrapped her hand around his massive biceps. His skin was
smooth and silky yet very taut. She had to resist the urge to squeeze his
muscled arm. He seemed to exude raw power. She trembled slightly, the newly
aroused feelings so overwhelming she thought her knees might buckle beneath
her.
So engrossed she
was, she didn’t notice her coworkers gawking at them as they walked by. The
feel of his warm flesh beneath her fingertips and his clean, male scent
seemed to inebriate her soul.
Zar’s first thought upon feeling his mate pressed
intimately against him was that she was even lovelier up close than at a
distance. His second was decidedly more carnal and
prompted him to take a step back before she felt his reaction.
From a distance, he
had admired her. But up close, her radiant beauty caused his body to throb
with desire. This he had expected. However, he had not expected what he
thought was his heart turning over in his chest.
Zarius quirked a
brow, unsettled by his own reaction but decidedly pleased with her response
to him. This might be easier than he’d anticipated. After observing a few
females of her kind, he had been concerned that she might be too
independent to conform easily to Rejan ways.
As they entered the
small restaurant Zar cast a suspicious gaze
about, taking note of their surroundings. There were many Earthlings jammed
into the small establishment. Out of habit, he scanned the occupants.
Discovering nothing out of the ordinary, he led his mate to the counter.
Having partaken of a
meal at several places since his arrival, he had found most of the foods he
had ordered edible and some delicious even. He ordered the same as his
mate—a tuna sandwich. What he received was mush on soft bread. He hoped the
taste exceeded the smell.
“Oh my gosh,” Star exclaimed as she took her seat in a booth
at the back of the crowded deli. “We haven’t introduced ourselves. My name
is Star. Star Elliot.” Luminous eyes turned to him expectedly.
He had just taken a
bite of his mush, which was not as bad as he feared. Hurriedly he chewed
before responding. “I like your name.” He thought it very appropriate. “I
am named Zarius. My closest friends address me as Zar.”
“Hmm, I like it. It’s
different, like you. What’s your last name?” Her vivid green eyes danced as
she spoke.
Her apparent
innocence entranced Zarius. “El Kyr.”
Their eyes met and
he observed a shiver shake her small frame. Her already rosy checks
flushed. He knew his stare was making her uncomfortable but as long as
their eyes met, they forged a connection. In his mind, he could see them
together at his home on Reja. He could feel the warmth of her flesh beneath
his. He could almost taste the sweet cream he knew gathered between her
thighs.
Tearing his gaze
from hers, he was not surprised to hear a small gasp escape her lips. He
wondered if the connection was as strong for her. Could she feel his wants
and desires, their need of each other? Did she understand their connection?
Zar watched her intently, reading the many
expressions as they crossed her radiant face. Without Rejan shields, her
emotions were transparent and he easily read confusion, desire and a little
fear. She watched him silently as she nibbled her sandwich.
“I wish very much to
see you again,” Zar whispered hoarsely. His
heated gaze followed her petal pink tongue as it darted out to lick her
pouty lips. Reflexively, the muscles in his stomach tightened. His cock
began to rise as his balls constricted at the thought of licking those ripe
lips.
“You would?” Star’s
exclamation was a mere whisper.
“Of course. How can
I resist the most beautiful creation on Earth?” Zar
stated curtly, and then winked mischievously.
Sensing her
hesitation, he slid his hand across the slick tabletop and tightly enclosed
hers. He smiled crookedly. “Do not distress, you will enjoy my company.”
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