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 | Jaci Burton, Jasmine Haynes, Joey W. Hill, Denise Rossetti |
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 | Janet Chapman, Sandra Hill, Trish Jensen, Veronica Wolff |
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Excerpt As he'd been speaking, Nicolas walked toward her. Now he stood directly in front of her, and Chelsea felt an unwilling surge of excitement in his presence. This man frightened her, but he fascinated her too. He was like his painting; dark and mysterious, incredibly compelling. "You haven't answered me," he murmured, raising his hand to her cheek. "Is it to be yes, or no?" Chelsea inhaled, caught off guard by the touch of his hand. She felt the coolness of his fingers; felt his thumb trace the line of her jaw, then follow the contours of her throat, a sweet, tingling caress. "I...don't know..." "Don't be afraid of me, Chelsea. Don't fight me." His voice was quiet, his eyes hypnotic. "You and I were meant to be together, but I'll give you all the time you need. I won't take you against your will." Chelsea closed her eyes, lulled by the sound of his voice. Take her against her will? "I don't...understand what's happening to me..." "You will, in time." Nicolas's voice was low and soothing. "The dreams will tell you what you need to know. Listen to your dreams, Chelsea. Open your heart and don't be afraid, for they will remind you of what has passed between us." "How…do you know about my dreams? Who are you? His burning gaze held her still. "Who do you think I am?"
"I don't know." Unsteadily, Chelsea opened her eyes. "You keep telling me about my dreams, but I've never mentioned a word about them to you. You make...references to what's passed between us, but until a few weeks ago I'd never even heard of you." "Perhaps it will come to you in time. But you'll have to look into the past. Into your heart."
Chelsea shook her head. "I don't know what you're talking about. What am I supposed to remember? We don't have a past!" "Perhaps this will help bring the memory back."
Before Chelsea had time to react, Nicolas brought his mouth down on hers, his tongue tracing the outline of her lips, and then dipping past them to sample the sweetness of her mouth. Chelsea felt the hard strength of his chest against hers, smelled the musky scent of his skin, and felt her legs begin to tremble. "Nicolas!" "Hold me, Chelsea," he whispered against her lips, his voice hoarse. "Don't be afraid of me." Helpless to resist, she touched him, feeling his bare skin hot beneath her hands. She ran her fingers up his arms in a series of slow, sensual movements, touching his shoulders and feeling the muscles tense. All she wanted was to get close to him, as close as it was possible to be. Think back, beloved, the voice said in her head. Think back, and open your mind. I won't hurt you. I would never hurt you" Chelsea closed her eyes and let her mind drift away as his hands continued their exquisite exploration. His fingers were cool against the fevered warmth of her skin, and she shivered as he ran them down her arms, feathering them close to her body, his fingers resting just below her breasts, achingly close but not touching. She heard a roaring in her ears, felt her body floating in the brilliance of an azure sea. And through the mists she heard his voice again, deep, strong, and resonant with emotion. "Yes, beloved. You know who I am. The promise given so long ago cannot be broken, and though it was not you who gave it, it is you who must now honor it. You have no choice." Then he added in a lower, huskier tone, "I am your destiny." |
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