Carpathian 22 - Dark Predator

fingers behind his head. She leaned her body against his, her breasts rubbing tightly against the towel as she turned her face up to his throat and kissed him. Her heart felt as though it was melting in her body when he simply stood there for a long moment as though shocked by her action. Then his arms came around her, locking her against him and it felt like—home.
    I know I did not ask permission to touch you, but I couldn’t help myself. She deliberately pushed a teasing note of mischief into his mind. I know how important these rules are to you, but that particular one is very difficult for me and may take some time for me to fully obey it. I ask for your patience.
    His hands immediately swept down her back to her bare bottom, shaping and kneading her firm muscles there. He lifted her a little, tilting her hips so that she rubbed against his thick groin. “Perhaps I will have to overlook your need to touch me.”
    Butterflies took wing in her stomach at the small note of happiness edging his voice. Thank you, Zacarias. I have a great need to touch you often. I know I would always forget to ask first. I appreciate you relaxing your rule.
    “Just the one,” he pointed out, a hint of laughter creeping into his eyes.
    Her heart stuttered. For one brief moment, there in the steamy room, with the soft light of the candles, his eyes, always so black, appeared a dark sapphire. As his smile faded, so did the deep, true color from his eyes. She had been looking at the real Zacarias as he should have been before the world shaped him into a killing machine.
    She held him tight to her, resting her head against the steady rhythm of his heart. He didn’t seem in the least impatient, he simply held her close. She waited until the silly emotions choking her were firmly under control before she lifted her head.
    I’d better get dressed. I need to check the animals and see what’s going on.
    He buried his face in her hair, nuzzling the top of her scalp. “I suppose I did agree the other evening when I spoke to Cesaro. I do not like you endangering yourself. If the animals are as vicious as the workers claim, letting you around them is inconceivable.”
    I love my horses, Zacarias. I need to ride every day. It clears my head and makes me feel so free. You’ll have to try it so you can understand.
    His hand rubbed her buttocks, lingered, so that her body began to heat. She hugged him tighter and then stepped back.
    “No horse has ever tolerated me that close and I refuse to use mind control on them.”
    You won’t have to, she assured with confidence. I know you like skirts, but when I ride, I prefer jeans. It’s safer.
    His smile was a small quirk of his lips, but the action sent her pulse tripping. It also gave his eyes that dark sapphire glint that robbed her of her breath. His eyes were beautiful in their true color. She couldn’t stop herself from tracing that small smile.
    You really are beautiful, Zacarias.
    He caught her wrist and pressed her fingers to his mouth. “Men are not beautiful. And you are simply trying to distract me from the fact that you are trying to break another rule.”
    She sent the impression of laughter into his mind. I wish that were true. I wish I wasn’t so enamored with you that I could think so quickly on my feet. Was dressing in a skirt really one of your rules?
    “I prefer feminine clothing. You are to please me in all that you do. So dressing in skirts is naturally preferable to men’s clothing.”
    She went up on her toes and brushed a kiss across his mouth. She loved his sensual mouth. She was afraid she could stare at it for hours and just fantasize. She didn’t even care that he was in her mind reading her thoughts. I could you know, just make up fantasies for hours. But I think men’s clothing can be quite sexy as well. Let me try.
    “I will not have access to you.”
    She smiled at him, rubbing his shadowed jaw. Fortunately you can do that thing with your mind.
    “What thing?”
    Make my clothes vanish. I rather like that little perk.
    “This is seduction, Marguarita. Pure seduction to get your way.” Once again his hand shaped her bottom. “I suppose I will have to get used to you occasionally getting your way. Men’s pants are more practical for riding, although a divided skirt would work.”
    She stepped away from him and deliberately walked to her dresser, her hips swaying. Just reserve judgment.
    She took a pair of lacy thong underwear, the sexiest she had,