Exiled excerpt

Part two - you can find part one at My Other Haven

He took a step back as if she’d struck him, and laughed nervously. “You don’t waste time, do you?” Still facing her, he continued to move away.

“Is there a point to doing so?” Nadia dropped her shoes and followed his backward progress through the sand. Now that she knew what the night had in store, she was very eager to get on with it. First some blood then she’d see if the naughty glint in this man’s eyes matched his sexual prowess. She certainly hoped so.

He retreated and she stalked, until the soft sand gave way to sharp gravel and his back connected with the wooden surround housing a rather primitive looking shower head. His eyes widened when she didn’t break stride, but lost much of their unease the moment her body melted against his.

He gripped her shoulders briefly then slid his hands deep into her hair to yank her face back. “What exactly are you after?”

Nadia lowered her gaze to his mouth, then further still to his neck. She licked her lips and let the hunger seep into her voice. “I’m after you, and everything you have to offer.” She expected him to say something, or ask more questions, but he did neither. Wrenching her head back again to see her eyes, he smiled and captured her mouth.

He did not taste like the ocean after all. Oh no, he was much more delicious than that. She sipped the minty flavor from his tongue as he shoved it into her mouth. The taste, along with the coconut smell of his skin, made her liken him to a decadent after-dinner treat. Yes, it had been a very long time since anything resembling food had melted in her mouth, but she could still recall the joy of savoring a good dessert, and this man brought all those memories back.

Originally, she’d been unable to think of anything but getting her fangs into his veins, but now she wanted to lay him out on the sand and nip at him from head to toe. Or maybe she’d start at his feet and work up? And maybe she’d lick him instead. At first anyway, then she’d sink her teeth into him, perhaps starting with the hard muscles of his shoulder, which currently flexed under her hand.

A groan built at the back of her throat but never had the chance to form as the kiss deepened. Any noise she might have made, he immediately took into his mouth and swallowed before thrusting his tongue over hers again. The depth and ferocity of the kiss staggered her, and she had to clutch at his shoulders to keep her spine from bowing. She couldn’t recall the last time her knees had been weak, but they barely supported her now.

Clearly, she’d been without blood for too long. What other possible explanation was there?

Finally, he pulled back, keeping his mouth just above hers. He opened his eyes, but only enough to peer at her through long, dark lashes. “Wow.”

Nadia smiled at first, but then gave into the swell of laughter racing up her throat. It burst out and echoed around the deserted beach. Horrified, she slapped a hand over her mouth and ducked her head to hide from the amusement on his face but his grip on her hair easily forced her gaze back up.

“Sorry.” He smiled around the apology and shrugged one shoulder. “I didn’t think any other word really applied.”

Nadia shook her head and finally lowered her hand. “No, don’t apologize.” She brushed her index finger over his lips. They were still warm from the kiss and a deeper pink than before. “You’re mouth is stunning.”

It was his turn to laugh, though he did so with a bit less gusto. “Thank you, but yours isn’t too bad either.”

She knew how beautiful she was, but still she smiled at the compliment. “Before you came along, I was heading back to my motel to take a shower. To be honest, I despise the smell of the beach, and I can’t imagine taking this little encounter further until I’ve washed it away.”

“That’s an easy fix.” He released her and positioned her a few steps back, until she stood on the sand once more. Grinning, he reached behind his back, and in a matter of seconds a narrow stream of water gushed out of the shower head. “I think this will do just fine, don’t you?”

She opened her mouth to answer but held her tongue as he stepped away from the spray of water to take his tank top off. Muscles stretched under his skin as he flung the shirt far from where they stood. She’d barely registered the full glory of his torso before he reached for his shorts. They were so baggy, once he undid the first button they simply fell to his feet, leaving him clad in the smallest bathing suit she’d ever seen on a man. At least she thought the scrap of white was a bathing suit. Whatever it was, she liked it. A lot.

Despite the minuscule size of the swimsuit and the impressive package within, she dropped her gaze to his thighs as he backed up again. Muscles danced under his skin then tightened as the first drops of water hit. Following the stream of water upward, she watched as it cascaded between his pecs, down his tight abdomen and past the suit to finally reach his legs. It was as if the water taunted her, silently provoking her to let her mouth follow the path it took. The sight, the thought, all of it made her knees weak.

With a quiet but tortured groan, Nadia quickly took off her clothes. The priceless silk blouse deserved better than being tossed onto the sand, but she didn’t care. Her jeans were next, followed by her bra and panties. Naked, she stepped forward, too impatient to allow him any time to gawk and enjoy the view.

Flattening her hands to his warm chest, she moved him aside just enough to let the water splash over her. It was cold but felt surprisingly good as it streamed down the line of her spine. “Mmm.”

“It’s pretty cold, isn’t it?”

Nadia shifted slightly so she could lift her head without getting water in her eyes. “It’s actually freezing, but I like it. Very invigorating.”

He chuckled and took hold of her shoulders to plant her back against the rough wooden wall. The water fell unchecked between them but then bounced off his shoulders as he moved toward her. Pinned by his body, she felt the trapped line of his erection and suddenly hated the sinfully tiny bathing suit. She wanted him naked.

Lowering her hands, she slid her fingers into the waistband and brushed against the hidden drawstring. She coiled the cord around her first two fingers and pulled it free, using it to ease the suit away from his body. With her other hand, she pushed at his chest until he took the hint and stepped back. Water ran down the center of his body to disappear into his suit.

His stomach muscles contracted as he sucked in a shocked gulp of air. “Fuck, that’s cold.”

Nadia used the drawstring to pull him forward again and clucked her tongue. “Such language in front of a lady. Shame on you.”

“Forgive me for saying this, but you don’t look or kiss like a fucking lady.”

His intentional cursing made her smile. She’d always liked the spice of rebellion in her men. It made their blood taste oh so yummy, and the taking of it a great deal of fun. “Lucky for you, right?”

“Yeah.” He bent down to brush his lips across hers. “I feel pretty lucky right now.”

Hopefully he’d feel the same tomorrow when he woke up with vague memories and a little bit less blood.

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