FireDrake by Bianca D'Arc Page A

But surely you can spare a few minutes to share a meal with me now and again? I won’t deny your right to choose the man you want, but I’ll do everything in my power to convince you I’m the right man.”
    He squeezed her hands, drawing her closer. She knew he was going to kiss her, and try as she might, she couldn’t work up enough outrage to push him away.
    His lips were gentle at first, coaxing a response. Desire flooded her as his tongue swept inward, invading, conquering, but in the most delightful way. He pulled her into his arms and she felt at home there. Dangerously so.
    They were on a public thoroughfare but she was oblivious to the movement around them, the rest of the city just starting to stir from their homes and begin the day. Drake plundered her mouth, stirring her to passion even as his hands swept down to cup her backside. His hands were indeed talented and she longed to know what they’d feel like on her skin.
    The thought roused her enough to push away. He let her go, drawing from her lips at the last possible moment. His blue gaze questioned, but she had no answers.
    “I have to go, Drake.” She patted his broad, muscular chest with open palms, then pushed back. “Thank you for breakfast.”
    She turned and ran off before he could say another word, the hounds of guilt and confusion snapping at her heels.

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    FireDrake

    The garrison was built around a central courtyard that served as assembly area and training ground, among other uses. Drake arrived just as the new recruits were being put through their hand-to-hand training by none other than the talented Jinn warrioress, Krysta. He couldn’t stay away. After that hot kiss, he knew there was something between them, though she tried to deny it.
    He marveled at her lithe grace as she demonstrated take downs, avoidance techniques and strikes to the newer guards. She drilled them with efficiency and taught with clear words and actions. He realized he was watching an expert at work as he lounged against a support column a floor above the courtyard, hidden by the shadows of the arching wall. The offices and a few of the living quarters were behind him, but the place was designed so that the inner wall was open to the courtyard—one long hall off which the outer rooms lay.
    Curiosity had brought him here. That, and a desire to see Krysta that would not be denied. He had to make contact with some members of his network today, but first he couldn’t resist visiting the garrison. He knew the building well and was able to find an out of the way place to spy the mysterious woman who haunted his thoughts.
    He watched her move, envious of the young men she taught, for they had all of her attention and focus. She touched elbows and patted shoulders as she passed each practicing pair, offering words of correction and praise in equal measure. She was a gifted teacher.
    “You want her, don’t you?” The deep male voice surprised him. A quick look to his side, revealed his childhood friend Mace, now fully grown and much brawnier than Drake had expected. His old rival had changed since they were teens, but then, so had Drake.
    Mace had somehow discovered Drake’s hiding place, though he kept to the shadows himself. Drake spared him a glance, not liking the way the knight’s eyes were trained on the lithe woman moving around below.
    “Am I that obvious?”

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    Bianca D’Arc
    “I intend to win her, so if you’re just playing around, I’d appreciate it if you’d back off. Even when we were boys, I never stood a chance with a girl if you were interested in her too.” Drake was floored by Mace’s words, but the knight continued right on, not giving Drake a chance to speak. “This girl matters a lot to me, Drake. More than any other woman I’ve ever known.”
    Drake caught the note of dismay in Mace’s tone, as well as the wonder. Could it be he’d found his mate? Drake could hardly believe it,