Awaken by Anya Richards Page A

when around her, and I wished I could see the same glimmer in his eyes when he thought of me.
    The same type of clinging leather pants molded against his powerful thighs. Muscle rippled across his stomach, partially visible through the open wood-colored vest. His chest was unmarred by hair. My fingers longed to trace the contours of his smooth skin.
    Heat spread through me to center at my nether regions. I squeezed my thighs together and looked down because I was afraid my cheeks were stained with shame. My attraction to him had grown, and my body refused to behave.
    His long legs brought him to me faster than I was prepared for. I stood, my legs wobbling as my breathing accelerated. His hands grasped my arms, steadying me with a strength that made me shiver. Not even the mightiest of my village’s fighters were so honed and muscular. I’d seen enough of his people to know none of the men in his pride were like the men I was accustomed to.
    “Thanks.”
    Thanks. Not only was it a naïve and foolish thing to say, but it came out with a meekness that made my mind scream at my blathering tongue. I’d thought of clever retorts and envisioned conversations with him about many things for the past few nights. I’d even fantasized about him.
    And all I had to say when he stood before me was “thanks”. A flicker of darkness appeared and disappeared in his golden eyes.
    Nalla shuffled a chair. The dragging sound across the bare floor of the eating area pulled me from my lustful thoughts. I focused my attention to where his fingers touched my skin. Tingles danced there and spread through me like molten fire. Heat rushed to my core. My pussy moistened. My nipples hardened.
    I fought the urge to tug on my dress or look down to see if it was apparent. I refused to sever my contact with him.
    “She’s been asking about you.” Nalla’s voice quashed the connection I’d felt. I stepped back enough to allow my heartbeat to slow, but his assessing gaze remained on me, and I was lost in the tumbling waves of desire his presence had incited.
    “Really?” His voice, filled with curiosity, made me smile. “I’ve been catching up on pride issues. Some of it is quite tedious. I’m sure your company would have broken up the monotony.”
    “She has a restless spirit, much like you.” Nalla chuckled. “Were she one of us, she’d be prowling in animal form.”
    Stephan grinned. I couldn’t understand their amusement, but I knew she had no ill regard for me. She sat at the table and regarded us.
    “Is her leg healing well?” he asked.
    I hadn’t realized how injured my leg was until Nalla had begun treating it. “Those poultices of hers don’t burn anymore. Surely that’s a good sign.”
    Nalla laughed. The rich tones of her wise voice soothed me. I hadn’t realized I missed my gran until that moment. They were too alike for me not to be drawn to her.
    “She’s been asking about your talisman and wanted to walk the village. Perhaps you can appease her.”
    “Sure.” His voice was low. “I’ll gladly tell her why she has our talisman and what it represents.”
    “Your father wouldn’t approve.”
    “Then it’s a good thing I stopped heeding his advice long ago. If anyone has need of me, send Fallon for me.”
    Fallon. “He’s your brother, right?”
    “I see you’ve been learning of my family. I trust Nalla’s delighted in telling you many stories of my foolish youth.”
    I wished that was the case. The woman had offered nothing.
    “I will, now that I see you approve.”
    Stephan chuckled and touched my arm. The contact made my skin tingle. “Let us go before she starts now.”
    His arm rested on my back just above my waist. Cool air whipped through my hair when we exited the home I’d been locked away in. Unable to contain my glee, I paused and took a deep breath.
    “I should’ve come sooner, but Nalla kept telling me you needed to heal.”
    “She’s very protective.”
    “It’s in her blood. Women in