He laughed. The rich infectious sound rolled over her, and then burrowed deep. “Is that your way of telling me that you find my appearance pleasing?” he asked, practically preening under her regard.
She winced when she realized that she’d unwittingly fed his already healthy ego. Despite his false modesty, Lynn had no doubt he was used to being ogled or at least stared at all the time. She, on the other hand, wasn’t. “Do you mind turning around?” She twirled her finger in a circle for emphasis.
His gaze sharpened. “Why?” he asked.
“Because I’m not exactly dressed for company,” she said in exasperation.
Something feral flashed in his unusual colored eyes. The blue appeared to be ringed with red, which was odd...and quite possibly a trick of the light. Lynn scrubbed the water out of her face and looked again. The color didn’t change, if anything it seemed brighter.
“I don’t mind.” He took a step closer and all thoughts about eye color fled from her brain.
Lynn frowned. “You may not, but I do,” she said, crossing her arms over her large breasts.
The man shrugged casually, then said, “From what I saw, you have nothing to be ashamed of.” He all but purred his response.
Lynn’s body flushed with warmth and she blinked. Was he flirting with her? Men that looked like him never flirted with her. Her first thought was to dismiss him outright, but what if he was really flirting with her? Would that be so bad?
She’d never been the type of woman who went for casual connections. Up until this moment, that hadn’t been much of a concern, since men weren’t exactly beating down her door. Sure, she’d taken care of her ‘needs’ when they’d cropped up, but she didn’t jump into anything lightly. It just wasn’t in her nature. She preferred to analyze, deduct, then once all the data was in—act.
Look where that’s gotten you? The pesky voice in her head whispered.
Maybe it was time to shake things up. Lynn stared at the man. He’d moved closer while she’d been contemplating what to do. Could she act without thoroughly examining the situation? More importantly should she?
“Don’t come any closer.” She held out her hand. The man stopped instantly.
“I will not harm you, I swear it.” Gone was all the flirty humor that had been there before. He seemed genuinely hurt that the thought of harm had even crossed her mind.
Something inside Lynn melted. Maybe he wasn’t quite as secure and egotistical as she’d first imagined.
“You never answered my question,” she said.
He visibly relaxed, causing the muscles in his abdomen to ripple enticingly. “What question was that?”
“What are you doing here?” she asked.
He tilted his head. “I wanted to spend time at my favorite spot in the canyon.” He spread his arms wide, giving her an eyeful of his extraordinary biceps. “This is it.”
Lynn swallowed hard. She watched a lone drop of water snake between his pecks and slowly make a B-line down the slight indent that bisected his perfect stomach. It disappeared into his nearly invisible navel. Lynn had the sudden urge to dip her tongue inside and taste that drop. Would it be salty like his skin or would it taste like the man?
“Okay.” Not the brightest response, but it was all she could manage as lust soaked her brain.
The man took a step closer and held out his hand. “My name is Talon,” he said.
She’d have to rise a little to take it. Did she dare? She hesitated.
A musky aroma washed over her. Lynn wrinkled her nose as the wild scent teased her nostrils, daring her to inhale. She did. A second later, heat swept through her like a flaming tsunami. Lynn closed her eyes on a moan and inhaled again, deeper this time, taking the enticing smell as far into her lungs as she could get it, then swayed.
“Are you all right?” Talon asked, watching her closely.
Lynn’s gaze flicked to him and she gave him another quick once over. The need that had been simmering below the surface shot to the forefront, threatening to buckle her knees. This would probably be her last time in the field. She had no idea when or if she’d ever get back to this spot. Why not make her last time here memorable?
The scientific part of her brain was screaming at her to stop, figure out what was happening. The woman in her quickly gagged that logical voice and shoved it into a dark recess of her mind. She wanted this man. And he miraculously appeared to want her, too. They were both consenting adults. As long as they kept things simple, they could both walk away satisfied.
Lynn kept one hand pressed against her chest in a poor attempt to cover herself. She reached out with the other and took Talon’s outstretched hand. A slight tremor ran through his body on contact and his nostrils flared.
An unexpected thrill shot through her. She’d never really turned men’s heads or made them lose control. What would it feel like to have that kind of power over a man like Talon? Lynn shivered as his large hand enveloped hers. His grip was firm, but not crushing, like he considered her something precious.
Wow, what a concept!
For someone standing in cool water, his skin was unbelievably hot like he was generating a fire from the inside out. Lynn knew exactly how that felt, since she was pretty sure without the water that she’d spontaneously combust if they got any closer.
“Nice to meet you.” She paused. “Talon? Is that a family name?” Before he could respond, she added, “Saddled with something like that, it must’ve been a challenge growing up.”
He shook his head and a few strands of dark hair fell into his face. He brushed them back casually. She watched the muscles in his arm flex. “Not so much,” he said, with a sly smile. “I’ve always been very good at taking care of myself…and anyone else under my care.”
Lynn blew out a breath. She just bet he was. Her body swayed toward him subconsciously, seeking that delicious fragrance that seemed to cling to his skin. “My name is Lynn. Lynn Regis.” And I want to jump your bones.
Talon grinned as if he’d read her thoughts. “The pleasure is all mine, Lynn Regis.” Her name rolled off his tongue in a savoring of syllables.
She blushed. “Um, I really need to get dressed. Do you mind?” Lynn turned to leave, but his next words stopped her.
“Sure you want to go back?” The musky fragrance came again. This time stronger, body slamming the last of her resistance. “I was hoping we could go for a quick swim together,” he said, a little too innocently.
Lynn glanced over her shoulder. There was nothing innocent about the look Talon gave her. His gaze scorched every inch of her exposed skin, drinking her in, devouring her without laying a finger on her. Lynn’s heart thudded hard against her ribs. Now she knew what Eve felt like when that wily snake offered her that apple.
“Unless you’re…chicken,” he added, all but daring her to act.
* * * * *
Chapter Four
Talon knew he was cheating a little. At the last second, he’d decided to test her reaction to his pheromones. The faint scent would only affect her if there were a possibility that she could be his mate. Talon knew he should’ve given her more time to get used to his presence, but time was something he couldn’t afford to squander. If Lynn turned out to be incompatible, then he needed to know before this went any further, so he could search elsewhere.
His body rebelled at the thought of walking away from her. He’d waited a lifetime to find her. She was everything he’d been looking for in a woman, yet the last thing Talon expected to find. Lynn was an odd mixture of shy, courageous, modest and sexy. The perfect woman. The perfect mate.
How had he grown so attached so quickly? Maybe he wasn’t the only one cheating with pheromones?
Indecision danced in furrowed lines across her forehead, before eventually smoothing. Her expression went from reluctant to euphoric in a blink. Lynn inhaled again and giggled. She slapped a hand over her mouth to stifle the sound.
“Sorry,” she slurred, flushing crimson. “Just thought of s
omething funny.” Lynn was definitely affected more than she was letting on.
Hope made his two hearts swell. Talon knew he was getting ahead of himself. More tests needed to be done, but it didn’t stop him from anticipating what was to come. He’d served his people well, along with the Atlanteans. Talon had never asked for anything in exchange. Now he did. He wanted this woman. Longed to pull her into his arms, lay her beneath his body and claim her for all time.
From the videos that had been created upon Queen Rachel’s arrival, he’d learned a lot about Earth. Talon had been keen to understand the customs. Being from the Winged Clan, he’d learned all he could about the flying creatures that populated the planet. He’d also learned the subtleties of the English language. He knew calling Lynn a ‘chicken’ would goad her into acting. Chickens were one of the few birds on this planet that really couldn’t fly—at least not far.
Talon tried to imagine what that would be like and his mind blanked. The thought was inconceivable. He’d never want to be a chicken. And to think, people on this planet actually ate them. He shuddered.
Lynn gave him a shy smile. “Race you to the other side,” she said, then dove under the water.
Talon watched her swim. It was easy enough to track her movements. Lynn surfaced a minute later to try to locate him. She frowned when she noticed he hadn’t followed.
“What are you doing?” she asked, treading water.
Talon grinned. “Giving you a head start,” he said, hoping the distance would diminish the effect his pheromones were having on her. He wanted Lynn sober when he took her.
She snorted. “I don’t need one,” she said, then swam hard for the other side.
He threw his head back and laughed, then slipped beneath the water. His strokes were clean and strong. It helped that he didn’t need to breathe as frequently as she did. Talon caught Lynn easily. Thanks to the water’s aqua blue color and overall clarity, he’d been able to spot her legs as she kicked her way to the shore. Oh, and what legs they were...
Talon reached out and slid his hands over her firm calves, following them up until he brushed the inside of her soft thighs.
Lynn squealed loud enough for him to hear her beneath the water.
He surfaced with a smile on his face. “Caught you,” he said, then pulled her into his arms.
For a second, Lynn struggled. The moment her back made contact with his hard chest, she gasped in shock, then her body sagged. He could feel her heart racing, but she didn’t try to pull away.
“What happens now?” she asked in a voice so quiet that Talon barely heard her.
He slowly turned her in his arms. “Now I do what I’ve been longing to do, since I laid eyes on you.”
“And what’s that?” she asked.
His gaze locked on her lips and Talon lowered his head. The first brush across her petal soft skin made every muscle in his body tighten. His hands flexed and he pulled her closer.
On the second swipe across her mouth, Lynn’s sweet taste hit him like an Atlantean energy blast to the groin. Talon groaned and sank into the embrace, deepening the kiss with a swipe of his tongue. His hands roamed over her lush curves, exploring every inch of her bare skin. He couldn’t wait to taste everywhere he touched.
She slanted her head, giving him better access. Talon didn’t think. He simply took, conquering her mouth, laying siege to her senses, while he sought to capture her heart. Their connection was greater than he’d imagined. Lynn was beyond perfect.
He growled, a habit he’d picked up from the Claw Clan on Zaron. Lynn quivered and her nipples stabbed his chest. Talon longed to take the hard kernels into his mouth and feast upon them. He knew he could bring her to orgasm by his mouth alone and he planned to...again and again and again.
Before he finished, she’d be begging him to take her.
* * * * *
Lynn’s head spun. She’d never been kissed like that in her life. Talon’s mouth didn’t just move, it teased, tasted, coaxed, and devoured. She’d tried to retreat, but he wouldn’t allow it.
Instead, Talon chased her tongue, pursuing it as he explored the deepest recesses of her mouth. His hard shaft dug into her soft belly as he rocked his hips forward. If the feel was anything to go by, then the rest of Talon was as impressive as his magnificent chest. Oh my…
The kiss became maddening. Talon’s wild flavor filled Lynn’s mouth, overpowering her senses until she craved it, craved him. The man was addictive. One hit and she was hooked. A little voice inside her head warned her not to take too much. If she did, she’d never get him out of her system. Lynn knew it was already too late.
His hands seemed to be everywhere at once, setting her body aflame with a gentle stroke here and a rough pinch there. He played her like a man familiar with a woman’s body, like a man who appreciated and adored pleasing women. A surge of jealousy struck out of the blue. At least that’s what she thought it was.
She’d never been jealous before and frankly, she didn’t like it one bit. Lynn pushed the unwarranted emotion away. As a woman of science, she wasn’t naïve enough to believe that a man like Talon hadn’t been with a stable of women. Her minor in anthropology served her well in that regard.
She knew the score going into this…this…whatever was happening between them. She wasn’t about to turn shrew and demand he give up his potential harem for her. Lynn might want to, but she’d never do it.
Talon’s grip on her tightened and he groaned deep like a man tortured.
“I need you,” he whispered, between gentle swipes of his tongue. “Goddess knows I want you.” His hot breath brushed her cheek as he blazed a trail to her shoulder and began to nibble in earnest. “Tell me that you want me, too.” It was a plea and a confession.
Lynn’s breathing hitched. Had anyone ever needed her? She truly couldn’t recall. Did she dare admit that she wanted him, too? Would that scare him if she did? She didn’t know. This was all foreign territory for her. Lynn wasn’t used to dealing with feelings, unless they were directed toward birds.
“Kiss me,” she said, instead of admitting something that she might later regret. She knew it was the coward’s way out, but Lynn wasn’t feeling all that brave. An unfamiliar vulnerability had crept in when she wasn’t looking and was currently doing its darnedest to derail her normally robust confidence.
Fortunately, Talon didn’t need to be asked twice. His lips latched onto hers and pulled her into a maelstrom of sensations, wiping away her concerns and insecurities with a swipe of his tongue.
Lynn’s skin felt too hot and far too tight for her body. Her fingers dug into his shoulders. It was like trying to cling to granite using thumbtacks. She wrapped a leg around his thigh and whimpered when his hard cock brushed her sex.
The last thing she wanted was to put a stop to this, but they needed to get back to her tent before this went any further. Lynn didn’t want someone to wander by and catch them mid-performance. It was one thing to act upon her racy thoughts in private, quite another to put on a show for strangers. Talon was turning her into an exhibitionist. Lynn giggled as the thought crossed her mind.
Who would’ve ever thought that she, Lynn Regis, a shy, science bird geek, would be jumping a stranger in the Grand Canyon? Certainly not her friends, who liked to tease her with the name ‘Rigid Rules Regis’, back home.
She forced her lips away from Talon. It was hard, but one of them had to keep a level head. At least until they got back to her camp. “We should go. Someone might see us,” she said, gasping for breath.
* * * * *
Talon was panting, his chest rising and falling rapidly as he blinked to clear his head. He hadn’t heard a word Lynn said, his mind and vision remained too fogged with lust to concentrate. “What?” he asked, praying she hadn’t asked him to stop.
“My tent. Let’s go back to my tent where it’s a little more private.” She licked her body lip.
Talon followed the movement with his eyes, longing to capture the pink tip with
his teeth before sucking it back inside his mouth. He shook his head again and looked around. They were exposed to the elements. Exposed to anyone who happened to stumble by.
The idea of Lynn being seen naked by another male sent a surge of possessiveness through him. It was followed by a wave of aggression that left him trembling. Talon knew in that instant that he’d kill any male who came near her. He grasped Lynn’s hand gently and led her into the deeper water.
“Care to race back?” he asked, his voice gruff to his own ears. “Winner takes all,” he added before she responded.
Lynn hesitated only for a moment, then smiled. “See you on the other side,” she said, then slipped into the water, swimming hard for the shore.
Talon watched her go. Her lush bottom broke the surface with every other stroke. His mouth began to water at the thought of tasting the rest of her. Already, she’d left her gentle scent upon his skin and her sweet flavor in his mouth. Talon planned to do the same and more once they reached her dwelling. He smiled, then slipped in behind her, his gaze tracking her progress like the predator he was.
* * * * *
Lynn reached the shore first. She knew Talon had let her win, but she didn’t care. She pulled herself out of the water and grabbed her clothes, drying off as quickly as she could before slipping inside her tent.
There wasn’t a lot of room to maneuver, but at least she’d remembered to bring a small blowup mattress to tuck beneath her sleeping bag. Not perfect, but a whole lot better than messing around on the rocks.
She picked up her backpack and rummaged inside. There had to be a condom in there somewhere. She usually used them to keep her memory cards dry. As soon as she found one, Lynn set the prophylactic aside and tossed the backpack through the narrow opening.
She expected to hear a thud as it landed on the rocky shore, but the sound never came. Lynn poked her head out of the tent and saw Talon holding her gear. Her journal had fallen out of the bag and was in his hands. He had a strange expression upon his face as he stared at the sketch that she’d made yesterday of the giant bird.
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