Protector:A Scifi Alien Romance(21)
“So you did.” Lore threw his head back and laughed.
Everything in Madeline went still. It was such a good sound—deep and rich. She liked the sound of it. Her eyes went straight to his throat, the strong lines of him.
Damn. Against her better judgment, she liked him. Really liked him.
“Come on, gladiator,” she said. “Don’t get lazy. I want to hit you again.”
With a smile, he lifted his sword. “Just a little more. Don’t want you to overdo it.”
She moved, careful to watch his feet and how the muscles in his legs tensed. That was where she could read his next move. “Don’t tell me you’re afraid?”
With another laugh, he lunged forward. They sparred a little longer, Madeline getting in one more hit while he got in two. On her ass. Her bottom was stinging a little by the time he led her over to the arched walkway, where a table of drinks was set up.
“Here.” He held a glass out to her.
She took a sip of the water, thankful that she didn’t feel the burn in her stomach today. God, she had to admit she felt good after that workout—skin flushed, muscles limber, energy zinging through her veins.
Then Lore reached out, his thumb rubbing across her cheek. She froze.
“You have some sand here,” he said, his voice deep.
She stared into his silver eyes, and that far-too-handsome face. “I told you that you’re not my type.”
“I remember.”
“You have all kinds of beautiful women throwing themselves at you in the arena. You don’t need me.”
“You’re probably right.”
But he didn’t move away, and the heat of him licked at her skin.
Dammit all to hell. Madeline reached out, grabbed the leather straps on his chest, and yanked his mouth to hers.
Chapter Seven
Lore’s tongue demanded entry, and Madeline let him in, their tongues colliding. She sank her hands into his thick hair, lapping up the taste of him. Desire throbbed between her legs, and soon, the kiss took on a wild edge, their tongues dueling. She moaned, feeling the need to devour and be devoured.
“I’d heard the healers recommended light exercise,” came Galen’s voice from behind them. “However, I’m not sure this is what they had in mind.”
Madeline squeaked and tried to pull away, but Lore held her still, taking his time to finish the kiss with a final nip on her bottom lip that made her moan again.
Finally, Lore lifted his head and looked over Madeline’s shoulder. “You should try it, G.”
Galen snorted. “I have a message for you. From Vashto and Cerria.”
Madeline straightened and turned to face the imperator. Her heart had lodged in her throat. “What does it say?”
“Well, they snuck it in, trying to ensure I wouldn’t discover it.” Galen’s tone expressed how he felt about that.
“I made you out to be a pretty scary guy,” Lore said, grinning.
“I am a scary guy,” Galen said. “They’ve invited you to a party tonight, at the Glass Palace near the District.” He held up a small medallion stamped with an image of fighters. “This is your invite.”
“Glass Palace?” Madeline asked.
Galen nodded. “It’s a large building made entirely of glass. There’s a legal fight ring in there. They usually hold showy boxing or wrestling matches for the tourists.”
“The fights are usually rigged,” Lore added. “Glitzy fighters with fake, ostentatious moves.” He sniffed. “Not really fighting.”
“They said you’re welcome to take one guest,” Galen added.
Madeline spun back to Lore. “Take me.”
“No.” His face hardened. “I don’t trust Vashto or Cerria. I don’t want you anywhere near them.”
“You’ve already staked a claim on me in front of them. They’ll be expecting me.”
“They’re dangerous.”
“I’m not a delicate damsel, Lore. I have a brain and I can use it.”
“You’re not well. Not functioning at one-hundred percent.”
She thrust her hands on her hips. “I feel much better today, thanks to you.”
“I didn’t like the way Vashto looked at you.”
“Well, I didn’t either. And I especially didn’t like the way Cerria looked like she was going to take a bite out of you. But we’ll be there together.”
“She does have a point, Lore,” Galen said, although he didn’t look too happy about it. “They’ve seen her with you, and you didn’t act like she was just an arena flutterer. I suspect the addition of a guest was so you’d bring her.”
Lore cursed.