Electric Moon
Page 33
What hurt the most was it would only ever be a fantasy.
She rubbed her eyes, banishing the dream as best she could. She had work to do. Sunlight streamed through the room, and she was surprised at how deeply she’d slept. A few more nights rest like last night, a couple of meals, and she’d be back to normal.
But first she had to do her job.
She scooted to the edge of the mattress and found that her feet dangled nearly a foot from the floor. She dropped down, the plush rug warm under her toes. She walked around the bed to grab her pack, probing her ribs, taking measure of her injuries.
Or where her wounds should’ve been.
She ripped off the bandages, wincing at the tug of stubborn tape. Deep bruises made the whole side of her body sensitive to even the slightest touch, but the open lacerations she’d sustained last night had closed. Smooth skin met her fingertips. Though she was thankful, the rapid healing didn’t bode well for her.
It meant the bindings were weakening. How much longer before they broke all together? A small part of her, the little girl who’d lost her powers just as she found them, cheered at being able to defend herself. The adult trembled.
What did she know about magic?
If she reversed the process and stopped her magic from unraveling, she could buy herself some time. She was halfway bent down to kneel and grab her bag when she saw him.
The same man from her dreams.
A very naked man.
Merrick.
Her mind rebelled. She couldn’t have had a sexy dream about the man who might very well destroy her. Vampires had been inside the Den not a day ago. She couldn’t forget that, no matter how much her body wanted to be worshiped by him.
Merrick lay stretched out, dwarfing the extra-large couch. He didn’t look comfortable, but that wasn’t what captured her attention. The sun highlighted the golden color of his skin. It was just how she imagined his animal would appear.
The only thing blocking her view was the sheet draped haphazardly over his slim hips. Her brain short-circuited at the thought of him completely nude.
Him sleeping within a few feet of her and all without a stitch of clothing on struck her dumb, and her emotions jumbled at the conflicting emotions.
She swallowed hard and fanned her face. No matter how much she might have wished it, there was no way that image would ever be far from her mind. Every time she saw him now, she would picture him stretched out as if for her pleasure.
It didn’t matter that she was a doctor, that she’d seen hundreds of naked bodies. She knew layers of skin and bone, but nothing in her studies had ever shown a man structured quite like him, with muscles quite so defined and begging to be stroked.
Doctor.
She shook her head at the reminder, as if she could banish the impulse so easily. She needed to get a closer look at him to decide what was the best course of action...for medical purposes she told herself sternly when her pulse betrayed her and sped up.
She just didn’t know if she’d survive it.
One thing would help...getting him clothed.
But she couldn’t tear her gaze away from that sheet. Or more precisely, what it hid. Where was a gust of wind when you needed one?
Her fingers itched to explore all that exposed flesh, but she feared it had nothing to do with science. Her body urged her to touch, while the sane, sensible part of her mind seemed to have taken a vacation.
Then she saw the lines of strain, the stiff way he held himself even in sleep. She needed to see his back.
“Merrick, roll over.”
Trina found herself sprawled across the floor with a lion, in all but animal form, half sprawled over her with his face just inches from hers.
She hadn’t even seen him move.
Was it her imagination or were his teeth sharper, his body larger, and his eyes shaded just this side of golden?
She gave a tentative smile, knowing better than to try and escape. “Hello.”
“Are we under attack?” He blinked as if confused, finally recognizing her. His sleepy expression sent her heart thumping hard against her ribcage. The rumpled appearance only made him more attractive, more approachable and more touchable than was good for her.
Especially when she felt the sheet tangled around her feet.
No matter how much she told herself not to do it, it was too late. Her eyes flickered downward.
Yup, naked.
And such a nice naked backside, too.
It was her turn to blink when she felt his arousal.
“Attack?” It sure felt like it, and she was unarmed.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Stacey Brutger lives in a small town in Minnesota with her husband, son and an assortment of animals. When she’s not reading, she enjoys creating stories about exotic worlds and grand adventures…then shoving in her characters to see how they’d survive. She enjoys writing anything paranormal from contemporary to historical.
Other books by this author:
BloodSworn
A PeaceKeeper Novel
The Demon Within (Book1)
A Raven Investigations Novel
Electric Storm (Book 1)
Electric Moon (Book 2)
Coming Soon:
Coveted
Electric Heat (Book 3)
Watch for her next paranormal romance called Coveted
or her next urban fantasy called Electric Heat.
Visit Stacey online to find out more at www.StaceyBrutger.com