Read Online The Fae Ring by C. A. Szarek - Free Book Online Page B

her.
    Xander had lifted her onto the mattress as soon as he’d conjured it. He’d taken it from a guest room he’d been in once. Hopefully its disappearance went unnoticed. It’d taken all his willpower not to lay her down and settle on top of her. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to hurt you. I just wanted to make sure it’s not broken.”
    “I’m well.” The words were strained, but his lass didn’t cry out.
    By the gods, she’s strong.
    Beautiful.
    Mine.
    He caressed her ankle, then closed his eyes, calling magic to him. “Won’t be long now.” Xander whispered spellwords.
     
* * * *
     
    His hands were warm, and even though his touch wasn’t inappropriate, Janet’s stomach flipped. “Okay.” She forced the answer out, borrowing a word she’d learned from Claire. Her sister-by-marriage said the word a great deal.
    Xander’s hands started to glow. She watched, fascinated as his skin brightened, lighting from the inside out. Like the magic lanterns he’d borrowed .
    He caressed her ankle, her foot, and even her calf.
    Warmth spread up her leg, but then it kept going, heating her belly, her chest, her arms. Her heart picked up speed and her cheeks burned. The place between her legs started to throb and she wanted to squeeze her thighs to make it stop, but her fated husband was still chanting words she didn’t understand.
    Janet started to pant, and imagined his hands moving higher on her body. His fingers teasing, feather-light touches all over her form. Her breasts felt heavy, her nipples hard and achy. She swallowed a moan. Wanted to lean back into the soft mattress he’d called from the palace.
    Touch me. The words played on the tip of her tongue, but she couldn’t muster the courage to say them.
    Pain faded from her foot, but she was so distracted by the desire consuming her, she couldn’t tell if whatever magic Xander was using was the cause.
    If he didn’t get on with—
    “There. Better?” He looked up. When their gazes collided, his violet eyes went wide and his nostrils flared.
    Janet moaned.
    What’s wrong with me?
    Xander’s fingertips slipped from her foot, and he scooted backwards. The apple of his throat bobbed. “Lass…” The word was a croak.
    Her eyes trailed his form, and she didn’t miss the tented linen at his crotch. Thin fabric that could be gone in seconds. The arousal she’d felt against her stomach when he kissed her on the beach was before her now. Her desire had fed his, through their bond, no doubt.
    Some of the haziness clouding her brain faded now that they weren’t touching, and embarrassment settled over Janet. She tore her gaze from his body, heat creeping up her neck. Different from the warmth of passion, this left her mortified that she’d stared at a half-naked man, even if he was supposed to be her mate.
    “What type of a word is mate for people, anaway?” she blurted. Janet still couldn’t look at him.
    When he’d shed his tunic, she’d caught herself staring. From all the recent times in his arms, against that chest, she’d felt his hard muscles. But to see their beauty…
    The Fae man was gorgeous. His chest was hairless, but then Alana had told her Fae didn’t have any body hair. Xander was broad and defined, with a tapered waist and many lines she wanted to explore.
    Trace.
    Kiss?
    Janet cleared her throat. She’d seen tons of shirtless clansmen. Even MacLeods she had no blood tie to. Never had she been tempted, to…touch…kiss any of them. Nor had she been attracted to any of them in a physical way.
    Is this magic?
    Our bond?
    “ Mate is an old term, of course.”
    His words jolted her, and she fidgeted on the soft mattress. “We’re no’ animals.”
    Xander’s deep chuckle appealed as much as he did, and she looked at him. Couldn’t help herself. The smile that curved his full mouth made her heart miss a beat.
    “Nay. We’re not. Fae use the same terms as humans. Husband, wife. But mate has hung on when it comes to these rare