Alex Wales: Promise

to magic, but if it made the sting and the ugly redness disappear, she was all for it.

“I don’t think it’ll work on this.” Damon seemed to be concentrating a little too hard on her hand.

“Can you at least try?” She met his eyes with the same intensity he used with her. Why would his mojo-magic only work selectively? Now, thatsounded far- fetched.

Damon nodded and lifted her hand to his mouth. He pressed his lips together and blew out a soothing breath, making her giddy.

Alex closed her eyes to once again enjoy the sensations travelling along her skin. She opened them in a rush and watched the open skin seal then split again within seconds. “What the hell just happened?”

“Whoever did this to you wanted to make sure it couldn’t be healed,” Damon answered, frowning.

“Why?” Questioning, or trying to understand, Sackor’s motivations seemed a waste of time. The bastard always had a reason for everything he did. No matter how corrupt or creepy.

Damon took a closer look. “This looks like a marking of some sort.” He leaned forward, and the proximity of his body made her nervous. He smelled so nice.

“Why would anyone want to mark me?”

“Maybe he wanted to keep you on his radar, so he can track you down whenever he wants to.” He was concentrating hard, as if he could see something she couldn’t. “I’m not sure why, but it feels strange. Almost like there’s something in there.”

“He put an actual bug inside me?” Why would Sackor bother? She’d delivered his crap many times before, and never needed any sort of tracking. Alex was good for the delivery. Well, except this time. Was it possible that he somehow knew this would happen? Was he responsible for messing around with her ship, so she would crash? Why here? Could such a petty thing really be his intention, or did he want to eliminate her for some other reason?

Like everything else, it didn’t make any sense. It was as confusing as the way Damon’s fingertips made her feel as they travelled up the underside of her arm.

“Maybe. Probably.”

“What are you doing?” she snapped.

“Don’t you like it?”

She made a move to pull away, but he didn’t let go.

“I can’t help myself, Alex,” he whispered, shifting in his seat until his face was close enough to feel his breath on her cheeks. “Whenever we’re together, all I want to do is touch you.”

“Stop it, okay?” She barely managed to get the words out, because her voice cracked. The tingly sensations he’d roused raced beneath her skin. He was turning her on so much. She wouldn’t be able to stop herself if he continued. Not a good idea when there was so much other crap going on.

“I can’t. Trust me, I’m trying to stop this as much as you are…but I find myself very attracted to you. It’s more than physical. Your magic is caressing mine.” His pupils were larger, darker, allowing his desire to shine through.

“I’ve already told you. I don’t have any magic.” How many times would she have to say this? Why doesn’t he believe me?

Damon pressed his mouth closer to hers, until their lips touched for just an instant. The softness of those full lips made her swoon, but he pulled away and gazed deep into her eyes. He paused long enough to return a second later, for a proper kiss.

She found herself opening her mouth to his and parting his lips with her tongue, so she could slip inside. The connection of their tongues stirred an indescribable sensation, like none she’d ever felt before.

Her hands remained in her lap, Damon’s at his sides. The only part of them touching was their mouths, and there was something very arousing about that.

“We’ll need to head out soon. The feast being held in your honor will be starting in an hour,” Damon said, breaking the kiss. “Aleena will be upset if I make you late.”

“What would Aleena say if she knew you were trying to seduce me?” Her breath was ragged. Alex dared to reach out, running her fingers over his smooth cheek. Her fingertips heated at the barest touch of his caramel skin. It excited her, encouraging her to give in to the undeniable rush of attraction she’d experienced since falling on this man. She might not believe in magic, but she believed in lust.

He shook his head, making the dreadlocks sway in front of his face. “I’m not trying to seduce you.”

“Why did you kiss me, then?” She wiped the strands of hair away from his face.

“Why did youkiss me back?”

She shrugged. “I don’t know. It just felt like the right thing to do.”

His eyes lit up. “So you do feel it, then? The magic flowing between us is affecting you, too?”

“How many times do I have to tell you that I don’t-”

“Do you believe in the magic of two bodies drawn to each other?” His voice was low and husky, more like a rumble.

She nodded. “Now, you’re starting to make sense. I definitely believe in that.”

The smile on his lips widened. The desire darkened his eyes. “Would you accept my advances if I pursued them further?”

Alex nodded. What was the point of lying to him? She wanted him as much as he obviously wanted her. After all this time of staying away from other men-the thought of eventually returning to Ulric’s bed had kept her company even during the loneliest of times-Alex felt it all slip away. The only thing that mattered now was being with Damon, with this stranger. She was prepared to throw caution to the wind, just like she used to, instead of dwelling on the fact she didn’t know a single thing about Damon or that they’d only met hours ago.

None of it mattered to her before Ulric, and it didn’t matter now.

Something she couldn’t even begin to put into words had taken over-a desire so strong and feral, she couldn’t wait to enjoy Damon’s body.

Damon pushed off the stool, kneeling in front of her. He lowered his eyes, staring at her chest while he licked his lips. He gripped her thighs and slowly spread them. She wasn’t sure what he was going to do next, but when he moved in closer, she wrapped her arms around his neck.

She was glad she’d unstrapped her thigh holster and left it on the bedside table. She wouldn’t need her blaster right now.

Damon clamped his mouth over hers. He ran his fingers up and down her bare arms, stirring her into a fevered frenzy. The warmth she’d felt near the wall-when she first thought he was going to kiss her- seeped from his skin and into hers. He kissed her soft and slow, and she couldn’t tear her mouth away. The buzz of pleasure swelled up inside her, as if he were caressing her into climax but hadn’t touched her intimately, yet.

“I want to pleasure you,” he whispered in her ear. His mouth closed around her earlobe. “I’m going to do it by using magic.”

This time, she didn’t bother correcting him.

Damon’s fingers were now running down her sides and had reached her waist. He gathered the fabric of her tank top enough to slip his warm fingers underneath.

She squirmed at his touch, pressing her breasts against him and trying not to let the discomfort of her hurt ribs show.

“I want to heal you, too,” he said, slowly kissing his way down her neck, shoulders, and arms. He lifted her tank top, and she leaned back into the armchair. His lips were now hovering above her abdomen. “Your ribs are bruised.”

She lifted her hips and rubbed up against him. Her breath quickened, but he shook his head.

“Not like this. Not yet.”

She stilled, wanting to know what he had in mind. He was driving her crazy with those expert