Acting Out Read Online Free PDF Page A

wish to know.”
    “Flattery will get you everywhere,” she teased him slyly. “Though
it’s not enough to gain my compliance. I assume you will also want me to accept
their invitations and make the rounds to their homes, too?” When he nodded in
confirmation, she continued, “That means that I will be very busy over the next
few weeks. However, I wish to see more of your world and to meet more of your
people. I also want to see my warriors and spend time with Mahoney before I
have to leave.”
    His jaw clenched and his eyes hardened, but he tipped his
head sharply. “Agreed. I will arrange for an escort to accompany you-“
    Jessica cut him off with a pointed finger and interrupted,
“Oh, no you won’t. I am not a child to be babysat. I want to have fun while I am
here, and having one of your men report back to you my every movement is not
part of the deal. I will agree to a driver for the transport only, but he stays
with the conveyance.”
    Korian’s expression turned dark. “It is my duty to ensure
your safety, Jessica. Should something happen to you while under my
protection-“
    “Oh, have no fear, King Korian,” she cut him off again. “If
I am not with Mahoney, then I will likely be with one of my other warriors, so
I will be very safe. In fact, Zandar has invited me to view the stars from his
observatory.”
    “It is not the stars he wishes you to observe,” he snarled,
snagging her arm to pull her into his chest. “Surely you are not so naïve as to
believe such a tale.”
    Jessica’s body molded to the hard contours of his and she
peeked at him through her eyelashes. A wild and dangerous feeling sparked
inside her and she decided to see how far she could push the warrior king. “Who
said I believed it? Maybe I want to experience what he has to offer. He is a
handsome, virile man and I am an unattached female looking to have some fun.
Why shouldn’t I take him up on his offer?”
    His arm was like a steel band around her waist as he dragged
her up his body until their faces were aligned. “He will not touch you,” he
snarled. “I will challenge any of them that dare to try.”
    Jessica sucked in a breath at his savage words, but she met
him halfway as he crushed his lips to hers in a hard, punishing kiss. Her hands
trailed over his shoulders until her fingers tangled in the soft strands of his
black hair that feathered across his nape as his tongue forced its way into her
mouth to conquer and claim her own. Her pulse raced through her veins, sending
heat spiraling low in her belly, at the feel of his rough strength holding her
aloft from the ground. She could feel the thick, iron bar of his arousal
pressing against her and she arched against him to feel even more. He growled
low in his throat and nipped her bottom lip until she whimpered in need.
    “Korian, please,” she whispered into the night air as he
trailed his way down the fragile column of her neck.
    He shuddered against her and moaned softly against the pale
skin beneath her ear. “Tell me, Jessica. Promise me that none of them will
touch you this way. Tell me that none of them will taste the sweetness of your
lips or feel your breasts crushed against their chests. I do not wish to
challenge my men to combat over you.”
    She threw her head back as he continued to kiss and bite his
way down her throat. She reveled in his possessive attention, but she had to
hear the words from him, too. “Only if you are willing to take their place,”
she demanded breathlessly.
    His body froze against her and his exhaled breath gusted
hotly against her collarbone. “I cannot promise that, my thalia .” He
slowly released her and steadied her until she regained her equilibrium. “I
should not have taken such liberties with you as I just did and I apologize for
allowing myself to be carried away. I cannot afford to be distracted at this
time, even for a beautiful female such as yourself. There is too much at risk
and dangers are all around.