Page 38 of Forbidden Desire
Elodie
It was insane and beyond ridiculous. I recognized the mists swirling and clouding my mind, knew their duplicitous intent, but as he released my hair, I acknowledged I would obey him. It might only be the passion burning for him in my veins that drove the submission, but it was there—a tangible reality—and for the first time, it wasn’t only fear and outrage guiding my thought process.
Lust. It had been my tutor on too many occasions, leading me down rabbit holes I could never climb out of. Here it was again, washing over me in a giant, uncompromising wave. I’d lied earlier when I’d told him he wasn’t my type. Jeemie was everything I looked for in a man. Tall, strapping, and blond, he had kind eyes and was by far the most sensitive of all the brutes I’d encountered so far.
Of course, I didn’t want to be stuck here with him. I wanted it even less than I wanted to be inside the blasted birdcage contraption, but I would certainly take a night or two in his bed, and if I could use our attraction to my advantage—to help Des and me get off this island—all the better. I had no qualms about exploiting any benefit I could get.
“So, that’s a yes?” I smiled, aware of the heat rising to my face.
“Aye, I want you naked.”
A shot of adrenaline burst through me, goaded by the dark glint in his blue eyes.
“But moreover, I want to guide you through this ordeal and see you safe on the other side, in my arms.”
In your bed. The words were right there on the tip of my tongue, and while I resisted the urge to say them, I wondered if my gaze conveyed my will.
“Okay.”
A part of me still couldn’t reconcile what I was agreeing to—to be nude in front of him and all the others, willingly ceding to the cage—but I couldn’t deny the rush of excitement the prospect garnered. I’d never thought of myself as being much of an exhibitionist before, but I was comfortable enough in my skin and could tolerate the strange structure for a while. It was rather like the cages I’d seen exotic dancers writhing inside at darkened adult venues. Maybe it would be fun to be on display for a while? I bet I could turn the heads of every man on this pathetic little island with my performance.
“I am glad you can be reasonable.” His expression softened. “Now, can you remain still while I strip you?”
“Allow me,” I purred, employing my most seductive tone as my fingers rose to the hem of my shirt.
“You wish to disrobe yourself?”
His brow rose as if he couldn’t believe my audacity. The women here were probably so well conditioned, they rarely thought for themselves.
“Aye.” I mimicked his lingo on purpose, enjoying myself as he shook his head with a smile.
“You shall do well not to deride, doe bheag.”
“I mean no offense,” I promised. “I just want to show I’m willing.”
“Go on then.” He took a small step away, one palm gesturing for me to continue. “Be my guest.”
Lifting one hand to my hair, I released my bun and ran my fingers through my silky lengths, allowing it to fall to my shoulders. If Jeemie wanted a show, I’d fucking give him one.
My fingers rose to the buttons of my shirt, releasing one, then the next as my hips swayed from one side to the other. In my head, I heard the rhythm of low bass music strippers danced to and allowed it to motivate me as I drew the two sides of the fabric apart.
“You are captivating,” he murmured, his eyes drinking in my creamy skin as I shook the shirt from my shoulders.
“You like?”
Of course, he bloody liked, the hungry gleam in his eyes alone was enough to tell me I drove him crazy with desire, but I couldn’t help but play the game and taunt him a little more. He had warned me not to tease, but as it turned out, it was more fun than I’d realized.
“Aye.” His reply was a low, throaty growl, the noise jarring somewhere deep inside until it collided with my clit. Christ, where had that sound come from? I couldn’t wait to hear it again, to inspire more of his primal noises, preferably once his no doubt enormous shaft was pounding me over the edge of a piece of furniture.
“There’s more.” Sweeping my hair to one side, I turned, shaking my ass at him as I unfastened the clasp on my pants. Offering him what I hoped was a seductive smile, I slid the material down over my thighs. I hadn’t given any thought about how I could remove my hiking boots with any hope of grace and allure, but it didn’t matter. I was having fun. Despite all the reasons I should have been frustrated and afraid, I was actually in my element as the fabric slipped to my ankles.
“Le na diathan!”
Leaning forward at the hips, I wiggled my backside as I glanced back to watch him.
“Is that good?”
“Aye!” he closed the distance between us, one vast palm skimming my hip. “Rasmie is right. You are sent by the gods.”