Ride the Stars/once Bitten Read Online Free PDF Page B

her to an amusement park surrounded with a carefully maintained jungle of exotic fruit and spice trees. When her pink, full lips parted in wonder at the glorious scents and riotous colors, he quickly plucked a berry from a hedge and popped it in her mouth. It was either that or tip up her chin and slip his tongue between her lips.
    That gown was killing him.
    Laughing, she chewed the berry, then licked her lips, staining them an inviting red. Suppressing a silent groan, he quickly offered her another. To his surprise, she plucked it from his fingers and pressed it to his mouth. Slowly, he took the fruit between his teeth, trapping her fingers within his hot mouth for long seconds. Her eyes flared, and her chest began to rise a little too fast.
    "Um, your eyes are glowing," she said skittishly.
    He didn’t doubt it. He sucked lightly on her fingers, then reluctantly let them go. "Small wonder. We’d better move on." Before he led her off into the trees and explored the unconscious invitation in hers.
    Elegant and whimsical shops and concession stands lined the cobbled street. Domino let her browse, then escorted her to a building labeled, "The Crystal Gardens" in three languages. He slipped a token in the collection box and opened the door for her, his eyes on her face.
    Bali gasped. It was like a cave. Pastel lights illuminated an enchanted garden of hand blown glass and crystal. Fully detailed trees in colored glass lined the smooth path, and flowers on stems so fine she marveled that they didn’t break supported blooms of breathtaking design. Tiny lights like stars twinkled above their heads, and a yellow crystal half-moon slowly traced the sky. As they watched, the brilliant colors of dawn chased away the moon, followed quickly by a fuchsia sunset. Chords from a hidden symphony switched from the light, ethereal music of their entrance to wild chords mimicking nature’s power.
    Suddenly fire engulfed their feet and the path they walked. Bali screamed and backed into Domino, who wrapped his arms around her protectively. She felt him shaking, and whipped her head around to glare.
    "You could have warned me about the hologram, you slug!"
    He grinned wolfishly. "And ruin the effect? Watch." The flames slowly died and the path seemed to fall away, leaving racing clouds beneath their feet and a dizzying expanse of blue. She swayed with vertigo, and his arm tightened around her.
    The clouds transformed into a pink mist that curled around their legs and slowly colored the air. Tiny pink and lavender butterflies fluttered about them, joined by red hummingbirds. The music turned dreamy....
    Domino slowly turned her, smiling faintly as his eyes brushed her mouth. He tilted his head slightly, met her gaze.
    Icki was wrong; they do ask, Bali thought faintly. But was she ready?
    No. Abashed, she looked away and swallowed. Shame washed over her, and she didn’t understand why.
    His hand gently cupped her jaw. Respectful of her privacy, he didn’t force her to look at him, only offered comfort. "Easy, love. I’m not here to force your hand. I don’t mind when you tell me no."
    It was an aching whisper, a reassurance she’d never heard. Fighting the hitch in her breath, she nodded and hid her face in his hand, just for a moment. Slow heat flowed into her from the point of contact. Her reaction shook her. How could she want him mere seconds after fearing his kiss? Yet his scent, male, elemental, wreathed her head and made her dizzy. There was nothing coercing about the calloused hand cradling her cheek, and the knowledge intoxicated. No force, no pressure, just his fingers stroking lightly, encouraging without words.
    It went to her heart. Helpless to fight it, she turned her face and brushed her lips over his palm. Again.
    Emboldened by his low rumble, she let passion grab her hand and run. Greatly daring, she opened her lips and touched her tongue to his palm.
    Domino exhaled as if he’d been punched. Murmuring something in a