Chapter Eleven
Aimee whirled around so fast, she clunked her head against Roric’s chin. It was like hitting a chunk of stone. The man was hard everywhere. “Ouch.” She rubbed the top of her head and glared at him.
“That’s just great,” she muttered. “Not only is my life a mess, but Hades himself wants me dead.”
“I’ll protect you,” he promised.
“Sure.” He’d do his best, certainly, but she never doubted for a moment if it came down to a choice between her and his fellow warriors, she’d be on the losing end. And why not? She was nothing more to him than a way to be released from the carousel and a hot roll between the sheets. She’d do well to remember that.
His lips were set in a grim line, his dark brows narrowed as he scowled at her. “Do you doubt me?”
She shook her head, ignoring the headache brewing behind her eyes. “You’ll do your best.” Aimee glanced away, unable to bear the intensity of his gaze any longer. Those pale blue eyes were like laser beams cutting through every layer of her defenses. She was very afraid he’d sense her growing feelings for him, which were incredibly stupid when she thought about it. Still, there was no accounting for the human heart. Somehow, some way, he’d broken through the ice surrounding her and made her feel again. Deeply.
Maybe it was his ability to live in the moment. To enjoy their time in bed together, to savor their simple meal, to put Sandra out of his mind the moment she was gone. Perhaps it was because he was immortal and these things really were just a brief second in time to him. Not important in the grand scheme of things
To her, they were precious moments of a life that would not last more than another fifty or sixty years tops, much less if Hades and his crew had their way. She would always remember the way Roric touched her. The way he made her feel as though she was special. The fierce, yet gentle way he’d made love to her.
It’s just sex, she reminded herself. You had good sex—no, phenomenal sex—for the first time in your life. Don’t confuse it with love or any other tender emotions. She bit her bottom lip, thankful she wasn’t blurting this stuff out loud.
Roric was watching her face intently. She stepped away from him, but he caught her arm. “Aimee…”
She shook her head, not wanting to talk about them. They had bigger problems. “There is a time limit on this, isn’t there?” She was tired of dealing without all the facts.
Roric nodded. “According to the spell the Lady placed on us, Hades has the turn of one day to kill us and take our souls or bring us over to his side. If neither of those things happens, we’re free from the curse and Hades cannot touch us. Truthfully, I remember little of the last part of the spell. I had begun to change into my tiger form and lost all ability to move. I know little of what she said in the end. Only that there was one day involved. I was too busy fighting to escape.
“None of us paid much attention to that part of the curse. We never expected to be set free.”
“Twenty-four hours,” Aimee muttered. So short a time to decide so much. “What happens next?”
He frowned and lifted his hands to her face. Tenderly, he stroked her cheekbones. “Now we figure out Hades’ next move and try to counter it. We need to find out why exactly he needs us. It’s not as though he doesn’t have legions of demons at his disposal. I’m not buying that he simply needs us to lead his troops. There’s got to be more to it than that.”
His voice was hoarse as he rubbed the pad of his forefinger over her bottom lip. A zing of pleasure shot straight to her core. Her lips parted and he dipped his finger inward. She brushed her tongue against the tip of it, tasting his salty skin.
A low, purring sound emanated from deep in his chest, reminding her he was more than just a man. He was the white tiger as well. It was exciting and scary as all get out at the same time.
He angled closer and she took a step away. Her back hit the wall, and he crowded closer until his chest flattened her breasts. Aimee sucked in a deep breath, inadvertently drawing his finger deeper into her mouth. The purring sound grew louder, vibrating up and down her spine before delving deeper into her very core. Her panties grew damp.
She shifted her weight from one foot to the other. The slight movement caused her breasts to slide against his muscular chest. Her nipples tightened and she moaned. Her skin was hot, her clothing uncomfortable. She wanted to strip naked and rub herself all over Roric.
He pulled his finger away from her lips and leaned closer. His nose brushed against hers. His long, soft hair fell forward, stroking her face in a sensual caress. He dipped hard, callused fingers beneath the band of her sweater and teased the band of flesh above her navel.