Island Tango (Silver Goddess Series, Book One)
Page 10
She shot him a stubborn and sullen look. “Yes, that’s what I said.”
Kent shook his head in exasperation. “And how do you figure we’ll get our bearings in the dead of night?”
“I don’t know, Kent!” Herculea cried, rapidly losing patience. “Nothing about this entire trip makes sense, and the sooner you accept that, the sooner you can help me rather than trying to sabotage me with your incessant logic!”
Kent couldn’t resist a chuckle. He knew very well that his logical mind was both gift and flaw. Perhaps this whole ludicrous experience would serve as a test for him. Was he incurably rigid, or could he manage to let go? Could he tap into his spontaneous and daring side---if such a side did indeed exist?
Without another lucid thought, he grabbed Herculea and thrust her against his chest, nearly knocking the wind out of her. She stared up at him with those wild dark eyes and parted her lips in surprise. He took advantage of the vulnerable moment to press his lips against hers in a reckless, emotive kiss that bordered on savagery. To his delight, she relaxed against him and reciprocated the kiss with her own intoxicating brand of passion. Eagerly, she allowed him to slide his tongue into her mouth as he gripped her hips and moved them in circles against him.
Her body felt more fiery than the sunstar that blazed over them relentlessly, baking their flesh and elevating their temperatures to feverish levels. Herculea moaned femininely as his hands continued to work her hips in a globe-like motion while he plundered her mouth desperately. She could feel his hardness pressing into her hips as he lifted her slightly off the ground in his capable embrace.
She yelped in protest as he suddenly broke off the kiss. Herculea opened her eyes to behold Kent staring intensely at her swollen lips.
“Nothing logical about that.” He muttered hoarsely as his breathing came in ragged puffs.
Both speechless and breathless, Herculea merely nodded her assent. Her body felt shockingly hot and moist. She wanted more than anything for him to rip both their clothes off and make love to her on the burning sand. She didn’t care if the sand scorched their bodies or if the sun burned them to a crisp. All she wanted in this moment was to feel the weight of Kent’s strong torso bearing down on her own as he penetrated her and thrust away all their worries.
That kiss had been nearly seven years in the making, she thought. The chemistry she had sensed between them had not been imaginary. Every passionate look in his eyes, every soothing touch of his hand---everything had been real. She basked in that knowledge, not taking her eyes from the crystal blue orbs that sparkled even more brilliantly against the backdrop of the ocean. She could swim in those oceanic eyes, swim all the way across the Atlantic as the earth tilted on its axis and rendered her heart a glorious, helter-skelter mess.
Regaining a modicum of control over his breath and voice, Kent explained, “You have no idea how long I’ve wanted to do that, Herculea. I’ve always wanted it to be the perfect time, the perfect place. In the middle of the San Francisco rain on New Year’s Eve. Ice skating in New York on winter break. At home in London on a Thames River cruise. But of all the times I’ve fantasized about kissing you, it never felt as good as that.”
Herculea loved the raw honesty and vulnerability that Kent evoked. “I’ve been wanting you too.” She admitted slowly. “I’ve been daydreaming about us since we left California.”
“Damn it, why can’t we be speaking these words under different circumstances?” Kent ground his teeth in frustration.
Herculea raised a soft hand to caress his face. “This is the perfect time. This is an adventure.” She grinned. “How many other women would you ride on a helicopter with to storm the island of an immortal Silver Goddess and search for a Golden Orca?!”
Kent pressed her hand to his lips and returned her grin. “Just you, Herculea. Just you.” He pulled Herculea back into his embrace, but just as he leaned in to kiss her, the drone of another aircraft startled them both.
They looked into the sky and saw a luxury private jet swooping in for landing shockingly close to where they stood. The wind picked up strength from the approaching jet, whipping Herculea’s hair and nearly lifting her off her feet. The jet landed a moment later, and out walked Pedro, donning dark sunglasses and a matching European suit. Herculea gasped in shock as Kent stood stiffly, rage fueling his body forward to confront Pedro.
“Kent, stay here!” Herculea urged, but Kent had already advanced on Pedro.
The two men stood face to face, both wearing masks of wrath, as Herculea stood in the background holding her breath. She would not allow Kent to fight Pedro. She wanted to fight him herself! Lunging towards the insolent man, Herculea let out a shrill battle cry.
Lowering his sunglasses slightly and looking down at her arrogantly from his nose, Pedro laughed mockingly. “You are not a warrior, so don’t try to beat me. I am invincible. And I have all the time in the world to win.”
*****
Dear Reader:
Thank you for reading Island Tango! I hope you enjoyed reading about Herculea’s adventures as much as I enjoyed writing about them. The good news is that Herculea’s journey has just begun. The Silver Goddess Series continues with Orca Dance, available now as an e-book.
Orca Dance picks up where Island Tango left off, showcasing Herculea’s blossoming romance with Kent and sizzling battle with the Silver Goddess. Will the Secret Keeper finally be young again? Will Pedro meet his downfall? Find out in Orca Dance!
Cordially,
Anisa Claire West
PS I love to hear from my readers. Please write to me at anisaclairewest@yahoo.com.
About the Author
Anisa Claire West graduated with honors from Yale University and also holds a Master of Arts degree in Literature and Teaching. Learning about cultures is Anisa’s passion, and she has studied more than half a dozen languages including French, Arabic, and Italian. A certified yoga instructor, Anisa embraces mind-body fitness, animal advocacy, and a vegetarian lifestyle. Anisa Claire West is also the author of the historical romance Eternal Melody and the romantic suspense Northern Moonlight.