Excerpt from Second Sight
Copyright Debbie Mumford 2007
Publisher: Freya's Bower
Zach strode through the door the next morning and Jenny’s determination stumbled.
“Good morning, Jenny.”
His predatory gaze traveled the length of her body and her heart raced, excitedly rushing blood through her veins. Her skin tingled and her face flamed. Selfless service to mankind sounded great—when she was alone. Her mind understood the fine distinction between love and lust, but her body quivered in anticipation of his touch.
Zach prowled around her office like a big cat. Lithe and powerful, he brimmed with constrained sensuality. Her knees weakened and resolve liquefied. The man reeked masculinity. A primeval god returned to life to sport with mortal women once more. And he’d chosen her.
She sighed, the rush of breath echoing the rush of blood through her veins. Mere mortals didn’t demand love from a god. A mortal woman accepted his favor, drank every drop of exhilaration and subsisted on its sustaining energy for the rest of her life.
He didn’t love her, still clung to Angie. So be it. He wanted her. Lust might not provide the nourishment her soul required to flourish, but she would survive. She’d savor the ecstasy of his passion and treasure the memory for eternity.
“Come away with me, Jenny.”
His softly spoken words echoed her fantasy so closely she wondered if she’d imagined them.
“What?” She stared at him, her face hot with embarrassment. She must look like a frightened fawn. She wanted to appear serene, a woman of the world.
He leaned closer and she inhaled the heady combination of spicy aftershave and musky male. “Come away with me,” he whispered again. “Things are too complicated here. I want you to myself, at least for the weekend.”
She licked her lips, worked to push air past frozen vocal chords. “What…what about the police? Your investigation?”
A hint of annoyance flickered across his features. “I’ll deal with all that, but I need a reason to bother. You haven’t said you’ll come.”
Jenny stared into the chocolate pools of his eyes. Warm, liquid depths enticed her to take the plunge, to join him.
“Of course, I’ll come,” she said. As if she’d had a choice.
She broke the seductive eye contact. He reached out and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. He straightened, his manner suddenly brisk.
“Good. I’ll make all the arrangements. We’ll have dinner in town and then drive out to the coast. Can you be ready by six?”
Jenny nodded, unable to resist the gale force of his masculinity. Why would she want to resist when those winds were blowing her to a romantic weekend with the man she’d dreamed of all her life?
She stood, walked around her desk and said, “I’ll be ready.”
I’ll always be ready, she thought, standing on tiptoe to kiss his provocative mouth.
She’d intended to give him a soft peck on the lips, but his growl of desire, the swift heat of his mouth opening to devour hers, the steel of his arms embracing her, turned her intentions upside down. A momentary instinct to struggle died under an avalanche of pleasure. Jenny pressed herself against Zach and gave in to the sensory overload of passion. Sensations too numerous to catalog rushed to seal a bargain for intoxicating adventure.
Zach released her lips suddenly and pushed her away, but continued to hold her arms in a vise-like grip. A very good thing. His kiss had turned her legs to rubber and she needed his support to stay upright.
“I’ve got to go.” He said the words, but his body stayed rooted to the floor. His hands continued to grasp her arms. He shuddered, released her and dropped his hands to his sides. After a moment, he strode to the door where he turned and studied her a final time.
“I’ll see you tonight,” he said.
“I’ll be ready,” she repeated, her fingers tracing the imprint of his mouth on her lips. She laughed.
Who am I kidding? she thought with giddy embarrassment. I’m ready right now!
