Page 37 of On a Rogue Planet
If he were a ship, it’d be a massive warship. Big, tough, unstoppable.
Suddenly one of Xander’s hands came up and curled around her throat, thumb flicking over her fluttering pulse. He tugged her harder against his body and his other hand slid down, teased the hem of her tiny skirt and then, to her absolute shock, his hand disappeared under the fabric, trailing up her thigh.
She jerked against him.
“Steady.” Another husky murmur. “I have to brand you as mine.”
She realized the Rahl was no longer looking at her but had locked gazes with Xander.
Fingers teased, running lazy circles on the sensitive skin of her inner thigh. Then higher, tracing the edge of her tiny panties. Her breathing went wild, air rasping in and out of her chest. His touch was electric, making something heated twist inside her.
His finger toyed with the edge of the silk. So, so close to where she was wet and wanting.
“Xander.” This couldn’t be happening. She couldn’t be turned on by him touching her in a crowded room, with another man watching.Stars.
He paused. “You don’t like it?”
She heard the faintest hesitation in his voice. She bit down on her lip, trying to get her brain working. “I like it too much.”
“You feel even softer here, Malin.” His mouth brushed against her earlobe. “And so wet.”
Through the silk, his rough finger brushed over her clit, and she jerked against him with a cry. The sensations were outrageous. She wanted to rub against him, make the delicious ache go away.
Then tear his clothes off and explore his hard, oh-so-intriguing body with her hands and mouth. Wrap her hands and lips around his?—
“He’s gone.” Xander’s hand slipped away.
Gone? “Who?” She opened her eyes, the bright lights spearing into them.
Across the pit, the Rahl had disappeared.
Mal stiffened. She’d completely forgotten where they were. She squeezed her eyes closed. But Xander hadn’t. No, the damn CenSec didn’t look the slightest bit affected from touching her.
She turned and slipped under his arm. “We should look around. Find the Taskmaster.”
Xander gripped her arm. “Stay close.”
She managed a nod, then pulled away. She needed a minute alone.
She made it away from the crowded edge of the pit and leaned a hand against the wall. What she really wanted was a drink. Kila, pure and potent, would do.
What was she thinking, messing around with a man who would never, ever feel for her what she wanted? Turning back, she instantly found Xander. Her gaze drawn to him, even in the crowded room.
He was surrounded by women.
Her mouth flattened. Jesus, they swarmed around him like gaudy butterflies. Some tittered and laughed. One pressed her mostly bare body against his side, and another stroked his bicep through the metal sleeves he wore.
Then he smiled at them.
Her heart spasmed. His face was transformed. If she thought he was stunning before, now he appeared godlike; an idol to be worshipped. Dismay crashed through her. Not once had she ever seen him smile. And now he gave his gorgeous smile to a bunch of…
Spinning, she looked for a bar. She really needed that kila.Now.
Hands gripped her waist and lifted her off the ground. With a gasp, she twisted around to look at her captor.
The man was clearly a fighter. He was Xander’s height with wide shoulders and a bare chest roped with muscle. He wore simple fighting leathers and a huge belt with a rectangular metal buckle.
“I will make a challenge for you, woman.” He backed her against the wall, forcing his big body up against hers. “I like the look of you.”
