Leandros(8)

“No. They’re spirits that live anywhere they choose. I haven’t seen an ancient in years.”

As her gaze moved downward to the plunging slopes, a vision of chiseled ridges and thick boulders, his fingers traced a path from the small of her back to her hair and slipped underneath to brush her nape. A delicious shudder danced over her skin.

“What lineage are you from?” It was a nervous question, an attempt to distract her from his touch.

“Poseidon.”

Vicky had good knowledge of Greek history. Poseidon was the god of the ocean and brother to Zeus. A shiver went up her spine. Leandros was a descendent of one of the most powerful Olympians, which put him in a higher-ranking class of demigods.

“Do you speak any Greek, Vicky?”

Her lids closed a fraction. “Very little.”

He made a low sound in his throat as he pushed her hair out of the way, exposing her neck and her upper back. Her body tensed, a sigh of anticipation hitching in her throat.

His warm breath touched her ear. “Se thelo.”

It took a few seconds for his meaning to register and then her knees almost buckled. I want you.

His fingers curved around the side of her throat before sliding across her shoulder, pushing the thin strap of her dress away. “Do you understand, sweetness?”

She’d understood from the moment he looked at her with dark heat in those blue eyes. She gave a faint nod. It was the main reason—likely the only reason—she was standing thousands of feet above ground in this house. She wanted him. Vicky didn’t suffer from delusions. With Leandros, it would last as long as they were here. Three days, he’d said. After that, they’d go their separate ways. Immortals never took human mates. And humans could never be made immortal.

He’d unzipped her dress, his fingers drawing an erotic caress over her spine that made her fingers curl against the glass. Nerves had moistened her palms.

“Why me?” she finally asked the restless question.

An amused chuckle sounded in his throat. “You don’t strike me as the kind of woman who fishes for compliments. Which could only mean that you’re the kind that doesn’t know how terribly desirable she is.”

Her heart fluttered. No man had ever riled her composure like Leandros, and right now, two emotions tore at her. Uncontrollable desire and anxiety. She let out a gasp as the dress fell to the floor around her feet, leaving her naked except for a matching pair of white panties and bra.

“Um, I’m not…I don’t sleep with strangers…normally,” she mumbled.

His teeth grazed her earlobe. “Even better.”

Before she could respond, she sensed he no longer stood behind her. With a frown, she stepped out of the crumpled dress, slipped off her shoes and walked toward the kitchen at the far end of the large room. Leandros emerged with a small plate and as his gaze scorched down her body, she made an awkward move to cover her breasts. He was fully dressed yet she was too exposed.

“No. Don’t hide your loveliness from me,” he ordered gently and motioned for her to join him at the cream sofa.

Vicky closed the distance and looked at the open, fresh figs on the plate, their centers dark pink ambrosia. She’d had dried figs, but not fresh ones. “So, we’re going to eat.” She cocked an eyebrow.

He made a sound of acknowledgment.

A smile tugged her lips. “I could have done so with clothes on.”

“I prefer my appetizer half naked,” he purred, sending a hot tingle through her body. He lowered himself onto the sofa and took her hand, pulling her closer. “Straddle me.”

When she hesitated, his hands grasped her hips and brought her down onto his lap in a way that she had no choice but to bend her knees and straddle his hard thighs. His scent reached her, ocean and earth. No trace of cologne. The man was delicious. Vicky had no doubt he would please her like no man ever had and that he would push her past her sexual inhibitions. He would indulge in her the way his ancestors enjoyed their ambrosia. Her gaze fell to the sensual curve of his mouth and she slid her hand to his nape, fingertips pushing into his thick hair.

“I’ve fantasized about men like you,” she murmured without much thought. Her statement incited a pleased purr.

His gaze lingered on the rise of her breasts in the bra and then dipped to her belly and the junction between her thighs, sending a sizzle of heat to those parts. He slid a hand up her thigh and about her waist while he picked up one half of the fig.

“You’re so lovely. Now, open that luscious mouth of yours and take a bite.”

She parted her lips and bit into the juicy core of the fruit. A sweet explosion of flavor awakened her taste buds and she couldn’t help the moan of pleasure. Goodness, this is delicious! She took another bite and closed her eyes. The texture was luscious and silky except for the delightful crunchiness of the tiny seeds at the ends.