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and defied his brothers. And there was that other identifier, the tender way he held her,
made love to her. Unless he was a helluva actor, the man was more than attracted to
her.
Feelings of loss, of disappointment that this would end and Shawn s feelings could
be hurt overwhelmed her. She felt her circle of control closing in on her. This wasn t
going to be an easy breakup for him or for her.
 Tonight is a masquerade ball. His voice deepened as he nibbled on her earlobe.
 Tatiana will show you the costumes that are available. It will be your choice surprise
me.
His hands floated down to the halter-top strap at her back and the material
snapped, coming undone. She startled and then softly moaned as he pressed his lips to
the hollow of her neck.  Are we going out or have you changed your mind? she
murmured.
 Out, he said slipping a finger down the back of her skirt into the cleft of her ass.
His soft, but firm lips slid down her chest between her breasts. He inhaled her scent.
 Out, she repeated on a sigh that forced her head to loll backwards.
He pulled away and stood staring at her for a moment, before he began to redo the
clasp of her top.  Out. Then he threaded his fingers through his blond hair.  But I can t
promise what will happen. You re too delicious to avoid. I can t seem to keep my hands
off you.
She laughed, not remembering when she had felt so wonderful, but at the same
time so lost and scared.
Should she confide in Shawn? Lord knew she needed someone to talk to. His palm
brushed up and down her bare arm. The warmth in his eyes as he leaned forward and
kissed her softly on the lips was all she needed to see to know she didn t want those
eyes looking at her with suspicion and doubt.
He grasped her hand and pulled her forward.  There s something I want to show
you. Almost like a child, he bounded down the stairs with her in tow. The soles of her
115
Mackenzie McKade
sandals slapped the marble floor as they moved through the large hall, while his booted
footsteps echoed. Reaching the front door, he pushed it wide and they exited.
The solar disk was high in the sky. Heat rays penetrated her skin, causing her flesh
to tingle, making her feel alive. She breathed in the fresh air, smelled the sweet flowers
sprinkled all around and listened briefly to the sounds of free-flowing water. Ecstasy
Island was truly a paradise. A place she could live forever.
Ciarra cut her gaze to Shawn. His nose tilted to the sky as if he too was taking in the
fragrance of the day. A peaceful, almost reverent expression softened his features giving
him a boyish quality. Yet he was all man. There was no doubt in her mind as she
reached and stroked the leather-clad bulge between his thighs.
What had come over her she didn t know, but it was exciting to feel his cock harden
beneath her touch. The growl that surfaced from his throat before he caught her in his
arms and kissed her passionately was worth her forwardness.
When their lips parted, he again took her hand and started off toward a dense
forest. How far they traveled Ciarra had no idea, but when Shawn halted, the sight took
her breath away. Slowly her gaze followed the waterfall that sprang out from a verdant-
covered mountain. The gentle splash as it spilled into a small pond created a prism of
colors that gave it a mystical halo effect. A flutter of wings made her turn her head. A
rainbow of parrots squawked and chattered, sitting in the branches of the trees. She
even saw a monkey swinging through the limbs on a vine.
 It s called Temptation Springs. The reverent sound in his voice made her realize
he had brought her to a special place his special place. The knowledge squeezed her
heart. This man was a mystery. He had so many layers to his character that Ciarra
wondered if a lifetime would be enough to discover all his intricacies.
 Why Temptation Springs? she asked.
A roguish grin raised the corner of his mouth.  Because it makes you want to tear
your clothes off and fuck.
She laughed then became quiet as she reached around and unfastened her halter
top. Slowly she let it drop on the grassy bank at her feet. With only a tug on her skirt,
the Glootium, a substance discovered in the mid twenty-first century that replaced
buttons and zippers, released and the material slithered down her legs. As she stepped
out of the skirt, his hand reached for his vest. [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]