Alpha Hunter by Cyndi Friberg

sounded uncertain and fear crept back into her eyes.
    “If he had your gift, angel, we ’d never have escaped him.”
    “Comforting thought.”
    She’d had plenty of time to calm down. He needed to start her training. There was no telling what her first vision would reveal. She needed to control the images and not be overwhelmed by the sensations. He held up his hand and smiled. “Come here.”
    “Why?”
    Her automatic stubbornness made him smile. “Because you can’t touch me way over there and you must touch me if you want to learn how to transfer energy.”
    “Why do I need to know how to transfer energy?”
    “A newly activated gift will drain your energy stores. Your body will not be able to metabolize food fast enough to keep you strong. Now come over here or I’ll come over there, and if I come over there, I doubt I’ll stop with a simple liplink.”
    A smile curved the corners of her mouth as she pushed to her feet. “What if I don’t want to stop with a simple liplink?”
    She used seduction as a defense mechanism. He’d seen her do it too often not to recognize the fear in her gaze. Rather than respond to her provoking question, he remained seated and tried to focus on the task at hand. But her hips swayed and the subtle shift of her breasts hinted at her lack of undergarments. Did the woman even own a bra?
    “Now what?” She stood directly in front of him, her jeans brushing against his knees.
    “Straddle my lap.” He ignored the odd catch in his voice and kept his hands firmly planted on the chair’s padded armrests.
    “Should I undress first?”
    “Only if it will make you more comfortable. You need to be able to touch my skin, but complete nudity isn’t necessary for this exchange.”
    “Too bad.” She pressed her teeth into her bottom lip as she climbed onto the chair. Her knees pressed into the corners and her rounded behind rested lightly on his knees. “Like this?” She placed her hands on his shoulders and stared into his eyes.
    “Push up my shirt and place your hands against my chest. Skin -to-skin contact creates a stronger connection.”
    Awareness pulsed between them, hot and electric. It was all he could do to keep his hands on the armrests and maintain his professional façade. She pushed up his shirt and ran her hands over his chest and abdomen before curving her fingers around his shoulders. He swallowed hard, praying she didn’t notice his rapidly hardening cock.
    “For a mind to absorb energy it must be open and accepting ,” he told her. “Until you learn how to intentionally lower your shields, a distraction is needed.”
    “Are you going to kiss me again?” She leaned in and caressed his lips with her warm breath.
    “No. You’re going to kiss me.”
    She required no other prompting. Her lips brushed over his, warm and soft. He closed his eyes and scanned her mind, assessing her emotional reaction to the exercise. Desire, dark and consuming, had overtaken her fear. She used sensuality as a shield against less -welcome emotions, but she was a genuinely passionate person.
    He sank a bit deeper, establishing a stronger connection. Then he gently pulled tendrils of energy into his being. Did you feel that ? She nodded without completely breaking the kiss. Try and do it to me. See if you can pull my energy into you.
    Her lips settled over his and her tongue stilled. She framed his face with her hands and inhaled deeply. Energy swirled within his mind then surrendered to the gradual suction of her will. She tore her mouth away. “I did it, didn’t I?”
    He pulled her back down and took control of the kiss. Push your thoughts into my mind. You must concentrate on the metaphysical.
    I’ll try.
    He chuckled. You did more than try. Your mental voice was strong and clear. For a moment he just kissed her, enjoying the slide of their lips and the playful stroke of her tongue against his. Then his conscience stirred, reminding him that there was a purpose to their