lips on my skin?”
“There’s something happening, Muriel.”
“You’re right about that.” I slid a hand down my belly and ran the tip of my finger over the damp lips of my sex.
He averted his gaze. “I’m serious, Muriel.”
“So am I.” I was seriously aroused.
“Something unnatural is occurring.”
“When isn’t there? For once, can’t I have a few months, maybe even a year, where someone isn’t trying to kill me or use me?” I sighed.
“I’m not trying to kill you, but I do want to use you.” How an angel could smile so naughty I’d never understand, but totally enjoyed.
My arms reached out, and I attempted my most beguiling feminine pout. “Can’t we just pretend I’m normal, you’re normal, and as normal people, we’re going to have afternoon sex because it’s fun?”
“But—”
“Please, Auric.” I didn’t want to discuss why I was acting so odd. I feared the answer. I wanted reassurance that some things were still the same, such as Auric’s love for me.
“We really shouldn’t,” replied my consort, in his Mr. Respectable tone, a tone that turned teasing as he added, “but I did lock the door. Seems a shame to waste this moment of privacy.”
His words were encouraging, but I enjoyed even more the fact that he yanked off his shirt before he’d finished talking.
Such a nice view. Auric might have once flown the Heavens as an angel, but he had the physique of a body-building god. Slabs of muscles, bulging biceps, that perfect vee that arrowed down below his waist into his jeans.
He put his hands on the button to his pants, and I licked my lips, anticipation making my body hum.
“So I was talking to the guys,” he said as he slid the button from the loop.
“What guys?”
“David, Teivel, Chris, your sister Bambi, and your dad.”
“My dad?” My eyes lost their focus, and I frowned at him. “I might have grown up in a twisted household, but even I have limits. Do you really think this is the time to be bringing up my dad?” Talk about a mood killer.
“We think there is something abnormal about your sudden urge to go on a beach vacation.”
“Ya think?” I didn’t hide my sarcastic lilt. My attitude was one of my best attributes, that and my long hair, of which I grabbed a strand and twirled nervously. I really did not like where this conversation appeared to be headed.
“We more than think. We know it’s fucked, which is why we’re going on a family vacation.”
“We’re what?” Forget looking sexy, I bounced to my knees.
He continued on, as if his gaze wasn’t riveted by my jiggling breasts. “We leave just before dawn, as a matter of fact. Your dad has given us permission to use his villa.”
“You didn’t sign anything, did you?” A valid question given my demonic overlord of a father tended to put in tiny, yet critical, sub-clauses that usually gave him a person’s soul.
The arched brow was the only reply I got to my question. Auric knew better than to sign anything in blood.
“Aren’t you worried about taking me to the beach? If we’re right, and this isn’t a natural urge, then doesn’t this play right into someone’s plot?”
“Of course I am worried. I never like it when you’re the bait.”
Bait? Some women might take offense at being dangled like a tasty morsel in front of the unknown. I loved it. The fact that it had even made it into the discussion showed Auric had faith in me and my abilities.
For him, I wouldn’t fail. I’d kick ass and cure this obsession with the icky ocean. But not right this minute. First, I wanted a piece of my man. A nice, long, hard piece.
“Strip.”
“Are you giving me orders, woman?”
“Trying to.” But while Teivel, the strong guy in public but submissive in private, trembled at my every command, Auric was much too alpha to allow me to control him.
But I loved to try.
“I think I’m going to keep these pants on, baby.”
“That might make things a little more difficult.