Light My Fire

by Jodi Redford

  “What are you talking about, you idiot?” Kinnit’s mouth practically foamed. Apparently his grieving period was officially done.

  Unperturbed by the hostility directed at him, the other man shrugged. “Aiden was willing to give up his title. That’s a sacrifice in my book.”

  Excited murmurs erupted and Aiden held his hands up in front of his chest. “I appreciate the sentiment but I’m out.” He glanced at Dana and gave her a smile that took her breath away. “I’m going to be too busy trying to keep my new wife deliriously happy and out of trouble to take on the responsibility.”

  She gaped at him. “You want to marry me?”

  He nodded.

  “Do I have to learn how to cook?”

  “Not if I want to be deliriously happy.”

  Maggie Fortune stepped forward and wrapped Dana in a warm hug. “Welcome to the family.”

  Soon enough, Dana found herself surrounded by well-wishers.

  Maggie extricated herself from the assemblage and strode to Jace. She slung her arm around his waist. “You know, it just dawned on me who would make a perfect candidate for Supreme Alpha.”

  Jace stared down at his mother. “Have you stopped taking your meds?”

  “Sassy boy. You’re a natural-born leader, just like your brother. Don’t you think it’s time to embrace your heritage?”

  “Mom has a point.”

  Jace glared at Aiden. “Hey, I’ve put in thirty-one years perfecting the art of laziness. Don’t blow it for me.”

  Maggie peered up at Jace with her big, luminous eyes filled with hope. Jace groaned. “Shit, this is really gonna impact my daily siesta.”

  Dana elbowed her way toward Jace. He grinned at her and she tossed her arms around him, squeezing hard. “They’re right. You’ll make a great Holy Alpha.” She joined in his boisterous laugh. Emotion welled in her chest as his hands slid along her back. She’d come to love Jace in a way that was different from what she felt for Aiden, but it was real nonetheless. How could she not after everything they’d shared? “I’m going to miss you.”

  “Me too, sweetness. Now how about a kiss for old time’s sake?”

  She tilted her face in offering. The kiss Jace bestowed on her wasn’t exactly chaste. By the time their lips parted, she was fairly certain she’d steamed off a few pounds.

  “You better have enjoyed that,” Aiden growled at his brother. He stopped beside them and planted his fists on his hips—though he looked like he’d much rather plant them on Jace’s nose. “It’s the last time you’re frenching my woman.”

  “Shit, can you blame me? You get the hot babe and I’m stuck with the old farts. I needed some kind of consolation prize.”

  Aiden’s scowl vanished, morphing into an expression of tenderness. “Guess I can’t argue with that logic. God knows, I got the best prize of all.”

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  “Baby, I’m just now getting off the expressway. Should be there before you know it. Jesus, I’ve missed you like crazy.” Aiden hung up his cell, a little disappointed he’d been forced to leave a message. They’d been separated for two long weeks while he’d taken care of business back in Washington. He didn’t want to talk to a damn answering machine. He wanted Dana.

  Determined not to take a second longer getting to her than he had to, he accelerated on the gas and the new SUV he’d bought for Dana bulleted down the deserted stretch of road. He couldn’t wait to surprise her with the car, after he made up for two weeks of no lovin’.

  Yep, he was especially looking forward to that part.

  Leaning forward as if he could make the vehicle go faster by sheer will alone, he barreled onto the road leading to Dana’s house. Correction—their house. The SUV rattled over the plethora of potholes, testing the car’s shocks and his bladder. He barely registered the discomfort. Five minutes later he swung into the drive and screeched to a halt next to POC. He wrenched the door open and almost forgot to shut it again during his haste to reach the house. After fixing the oversight, he raced up the steps and rushed inside the house.

  Ms. Whiskers greeted him with a welcoming meow. Scooping the cat into the crook of his arm, he hurried down the hall to Dana’s studio. Nada. He ventured into the bedroom and discovered a note on the bed.

  For one terrifying moment he worried she’d left him a Dear John letter. His hand shaking, he picked up the paper.

  I’ve missed you too. Come into the backyard. I have something I think you’ll like.

  “Well, that certainly sounds intriguing.”

  Ms. Whiskers purred in agreement. He lowered the cat onto the comforter and retraced his steps to the front door and outside. Rounding the corner of the house, he slammed to a halt. And swallowed hard.

  “Do you like it?”

  He almost couldn’t find his tongue to answer Dana. “Grrr.”

  She laughed. “I’ll take that as a yes.”

  Coming to his senses, he approached the wooden jungle gym she’d handcuffed herself to. She undulated seductively, rattling the short chain that linked the handcuffs to the overhead bar. “Since it’d be kind of hard tying myself to a tree, I opted for the next best thing. Plus I figure the play set is a good investment for when we have kids. In the meantime, we’ll get our money’s worth out of it using it for kinky dragon bondage.”

  His mouth crooking in appreciation of her brilliant thinking, he stalked toward her. She licked her lips. “You’re staring at me like you’re going to eat me alive.”

  “Amongst other things.” He could hear her sudden rapid inhalation. “I think you’re looking forward to it.”

  “God, yes.”

  “Me too.” The fact his cock could hammer a nail pretty much proved it. He fingered the virginal white, nearly transparent baby-doll nightie covering Dana. “Pretty. Is it a family heirloom?”

  “Nope. Bought it today.”

  “Expensive?”

  She snorted. “Come on. You know how cheap I am.”

  “Just covering all bases.” Shifting his hand into a talon, he shred the nightie down the middle.

  “Uh, is it going to be a waste of money me buying lingerie?”

  “Possibly. But I do have a fondness for garters.” He lowered his head and kissed her, sipping at her mouth, steadily stoking the fire for both of them. Journeying to her breasts, he teased her nipples until they were pebbled and glistening with his saliva. She trembled and swayed, driving him insane with her breathless moans. He dropped to his knees and gripped her thighs, swinging them over his shoulders. The ecstatic cry Dana made when he buried his tongue inside her was the sweetest music he’d ever heard. Almost as sweet as the taste of her honey.

  He could have spent all day just pleasuring her with his mouth but he worried about the strain on her arms. Giving a final lick to her swollen clit, he set her down gently and utilized his talon again to release her from the handcuffs.

  “I have keys to those, you know.” She dragged his shirt from the waistband of his trousers and frantically wrestled with the zipper of his fly.

  “But I’m quicker.” He kicked off his shoes and worked on the buttons of his shirt while Dana yanked his trousers down. Past all patience, he ripped the shirt off and tossed it aside. Her hot mouth closed around his cock and he about lost it.

  Tunneling his fingers in her hair, he succumbed to five seconds of blissful suction. Any more than that and he would have embarrassed himself with the shortest lasting power in history. Easing her onto their discarded pile of clothing, he spread her legs wide, bracing her thighs with his arms. The position opened her completely to him and he took full advantage, plunging inside her almost to his balls. She flung her head back, exposing the graceful column of her throat. Leaning forward, he licked its length. He felt her pulse in two places. Beneath his tongue and where his cock was deeply embedded.

  “Say it,” she begged, clawing at his wrists.

  “Mine.”

  Her pussy quivered around him. He pulled back, her juices making i
t feel like he was sliding through wet silk. Their eyes locked and he waited.

  “Mine,” she whispered.

  He down-stroked again, his balls so tight they ached and a tingle built at the base of his spine. Gritting his teeth, he blinked against a bead of sweat. “Mine.” The word resembled an animalistic growl more than anything.

  Dana cried out, her inner muscles spasming. The massaging clasp of her pussy was more than he could take and he bucked into her a final time, coming hard. He poured himself into her. Seed. Heart. Soul. She owned his very essence. Rolling onto his side, he cradled her against him. Their limbs tangled together and they held each other, content to kiss and cuddle. She nuzzled his nose and he shivered.

  Her fingertips trailed through the sweat coating his back. “You know, maybe one of these times we’ll actually make love in our bed.”

  “What are you talking about? We used the bed the morning before I left for Washington.”

  “No, that was the couch, dingdong.”

  He cocked his head, considering. “Oh yeah.” Recalling in Technicolor detail the lovemaking session that nearly made him late for his flight, he started to go from semi-soft to granite.

  Dana obviously noticed because her eyes widened. “Again?”

  “Mmm, is it too soon?”

  “I don’t know. Will you let me handcuff you this time?”

  He stood and stretched, pretending to mull the idea. Instead he sprinted away. “You’ll have to catch me first.”

  “Don’t you know better than to challenge a sacrifice?” she yelled, evidently in hot pursuit.

  Aiden laughed, his heart thumping with adrenaline and joy. Oh yeah, they were going to have a lifetime of fun challenging each other.

  About the Author

  At the ripe age of seven, Jodi Redford penned her first epic, complete with stick figure illustrations. Sadly, her drawing skills haven’t improved much, but her love of fantasy worlds never went away. These days she writes about fairies, ghosts and other supernatural creatures, only with considerably more heat.

  She has won numerous contests, including The Golden Pen and Launching a Star.

  When not writing or working the day job, she enjoys gardening and way too many reality television shows.

  Currently residing in Michigan with her husband and overgrown lapdog, she is a member of RWA national and Greater Detroit Romance Writers of America.

  She loves to hear from readers. You can email her at jodiredford@jodiredford.com and visit her online at www.jodiredford.com.

  Look for these titles by Jodi Redford

  Now Available:

  Lover Enslaved

  Taking Liberty

  From zero to naked at warp speed…

  Taking Liberty

  © 2009 Jodi Redford

  Rini Campell’s one shot at keeping her field agent position with the United Galaxies’ repo department means bringing in the spaceship Liberty. Piece of cake. Except she didn’t count on the pilot still being on board. Or being buck naked.

  Lucus Granger doesn’t have time to deal with a pain-in-the-ass repo agent. Not when he’s minutes away from dropping off a cargo haul for the psychotic alien dictator of Aquatica. Though he figures it’s just about the stupidest bargain he’s ever made, he allows Rini to tag along for the flight.

  Big mistake.

  Stranded in enemy territory, they find themselves fighting a battle on two fronts. Against a creepy dictator who’d as soon drown them as look at them. And against a blazing attraction hotter than the godforsaken planet itself. For these two wary hearts, love could bloom in the desert…if it doesn’t kill them first.

  Warning: A feisty heroine and yummy hero getting sweaty in the desert. Squid aliens who bring new meaning to the word slimy. Oh, and some close encounters of the sexy kind.

  Enjoy the following excerpt for Taking Liberty:

  She hoisted from the lounger and began walking towards the canvas-draped hole. Lucus got up and joined her. When he started to follow her outside, she shot him a narrow-eyed look. “I don’t think so, buster. You’ve seen enough as it is. I’m not adding to my disgrace by squatting behind a rock in clear view of you.”

  He grunted before moving away. She stumbled outside and quickly ducked beneath the Liberty’s nose just in the nick of time. Feeling immensely better and lighter in the bladder, she crossed to the stone monument and rested in its shade. “God, I hate being this weak.”

  A chirp sounded above and she glanced at the gelinka lizard clinging to the side of the boulder. “You be quiet. It’s partly your fault I’m in this predicament.”

  The lizard twitched its tiny head and scampered off.

  “Yeah, you better run.” She pushed from the rock and aimlessly wandered to the carton perched near the edge of the extinguished fire ring. Plopping her rear down, she surveyed the haze of heat shimmering between the clumps of far-off cacti. She didn’t bother turning when the unmistakable rustle of canvas sounded behind her.

  “What do you think you’re doing?”

  “Sitting.”

  A growl came from Lucus. “I can see that. It’s too damn hot for you to be out here in your condition.”

  “I’ve been cooped in that ship for more than a day.” She swiveled and gave him her best puppy-dog-pleading stare. “I need a change of scenery.”

  “You’ll be more comfortable tucked on the lounger. Plus it’s cooler.”

  “No.”

  A brief glimmer of calculation simmered in his eyes before he masked it with feigned resignation. “Look, truth is I planned on stripping down and scrubbing off some of this desert dust.”

  “Go ahead.”

  A frown settled between his eyebrows. Clearly he hadn’t expected her to call his bluff. “You don’t understand. When I said strip, I meant all the way. The full monty.”

  She lifted her shoulder in a half shrug. “I understood you perfectly. And considering you’re only wearing briefs, that’s what I assumed anyway. Unless you’ve got something else on under there.” No way would that be possible. There’d be no room.

  “But…”

  “You don’t have anything I’ve never seen before. Remember?”

  Judging from his sudden dark glower, he’d overlooked that relevant tidbit. Grumbling a curse, he shucked his briefs and stomped towards the wash bucket.

  She made no pretense at pretending not to ogle. Hell with it. She’d wanted a change of scenery and he was providing a perfect, gorgeous view. He snatched a rag hanging from a bent section of the front running light and dunked it before reaching for the tube of gel-wash. Turning his back to her, he began lathering his torso in stiff, jerky motions. She cleared her throat loudly and he glanced her way.

  “No need for haste on my account.”

  His eyebrows slashed towards the bridge of his nose. “What do you want me to do, give you a show?”

  An amazingly wicked thought entered her brain. “Actually, I’ve got a better idea.” She lifted from the carton and smiled at the wary set of his face as she approached. “I believe a quid pro quo is in order.”

  “A quid what?”

  “You know, tit for tat. Returning the favor?” She stole the rag from him before he could hold it out of reach. “It’s the least I owe you.”

  “Rini—” He broke off with a surprised yelp when she smacked his right butt cheek.

  “There’s plenty more where that came from.”

  “Didn’t realize you’re so kinky.” Despite the sarcasm lacing his words, there was no mistaking the rise she’d gotten out of him. Literally.

  Licking her lips, she stared at his growing erection and slicked the rag down the center of his chest.

  “I already did that area.”

  “What are you, impatient?” Just to torment him, she ran teasing little whorls over his abdomen, playing with the line of silky-fine hair arrowing towards his groin. Stopping short of touching the head of his cock, she rinsed the rag in the bucket and wrung it. This time when she res
umed, she focused on the firm globes of his derriere. He stood silent but she could feel the heat of his scrutiny lasering into the crown of her head. Fighting back a giggle, she dragged the cloth along the curve of his hip, testing how far she could taunt his barely leashed patience. He lunged sideways. She had just enough time to jump out of the way as he upended the bucket over his head.

  He shook himself like a big dog, sending water droplets flying everywhere. Grinning, he grasped her against him. “Now that’s dispensed with…” He lifted her, hooking her legs around his waist.

  “You big brutus, you’re getting me all wet.”

  “Baby, I plan on getting you very wet.”

  “Pervert.”

  Chuckling, he buried his face in the crook of her neck. “Mm, you’re delicious. I could eat you like a giant truffle.”

  His husky voice and the innuendo hidden in his promise caused her to squirm in anticipation, making him laugh. He licked a path along the side of her neck until he reached her ear. Rumbling a sexy chuckle, he gave her lobe a teasing bite. “Now who’s the impatient one?”

  “Fine, I admit it.” Gasping, she wiggled in his grip. “Now let’s get inside and get the feasting started.”

  He practically ran into the side wall of the Liberty trying to hustle to the canvas closure. She loosened her hold around his rib cage. “Maybe you better let me tackle the climb on my own.”

  Setting her on her feet, he assisted her up and followed after her. The second he cleared the opening, he swept her into his arms and beelined for the lounger.

  She kicked the tousled sheet out of the way and reclined in an inviting pose. “Boy, you’re insistent on keeping me contained in this darned thing, aren’t you?”

  His hands sliding in a lingering caress along her calves, he stretched over her. “Maybe it’ll actually work this time.” He lowered his head and skimmed his lips across her cotton and lace-covered nipple. The bud tightened, eagerly seeking more attention. With a deft flick of his tongue, he generously delivered it. She arched her back and he tugged off her tank top before unhooking her bra. Pushing the cups aside, he licked his lips. “Come to papa, pretty babies.”