Phoenix Rising by Heather R. Blair

mine, remember?”
    “We aren’t married yet, Kels Bells.”
    She came to a stop just out of reach, feeling a bit…wicked. The vamp really seemed to be bringing out that side of her. Or maybe it was just Miles. Either way….
    “You're right. Damn, I guess I shouldn’t be wearing this then, huh?” She slipped the knot and shrugged his robe off. Kelsey saw him swallow once as the cloth pooled at her feet—leaving her clad in nothing but moonlight. Her nipples tightened as she watched his eyes darken. “I might get a little cold, though.”
    “I can help you with that.” He pushed away from the doorframe, reaching back to grab the collar of his shirt just behind his neck and pulling it off with one hand, something Kelsey found so incredibly masculine and sexy, it never failed to make her heart stutter a little. Especially when it bared his upper half to her, that lithe, muscular torso, the golden skin dusted with darker gold hairs that darted down the chiseled V of his stomach before disappearing into the waistband of his black pants. Pants that he was already unfastening as he moved toward her, the predatory gleam in his eyes making her mouth go dry.
    Kelsey danced back, pouting in mock consternation even as her heart started to race. “I fail to see how you getting naked is going to help me stay warm.”
    He did laugh now, a low, delicious growl that made her wet in the time it takes to draw a breath.
    “Oh, I would be glad to show you how it works.” She tried to back up again and her bare ass hit the silky paneled wall. Kelsey gasped in earnest at the sudden chill.
    Miles laughed again as she jumped forward into his arms, she could feel the rumble of it from head to toe. He wrapped one arm just under the curve of that bare ass and lifted her against him.
    Kelsey shivered as her nipples dragged over his chest.
    “Merde , maybe I am not doing this right.” Miles smiled into her eyes, the thick line of his cock nestled between her legs as he walked over to the bed.
    “I…what?” Kelsey said, trying to breath as her insides threatened to melt at the feel of him throbbing against her.
    He leaned in closer, his lips brushing the sensitive spot just below her ear. “You’re shivering. That’s not good.”
    “It’s not?” She sighed, distracted as he began to nibble lightly down the line of her neck. Then she shook herself when he chuckled against her skin. “I mean…no…. No, it’s not! You are supposed to be warming me up, goddamn it!”
    “Well, then, mon cœur , if you insist …”
    Kelsey squealed as he abruptly dropped her. It was only a short free fall before she landed in the lush softness of his…of their bed, but her eyes blazed as she looked up at him and swatted the goose down duvet with both hands.
    “Damnit, Miles!”
    He kicked off his pants. Standing at the foot of the bed like some delicious fertility god, all gorgeous golden skin, rumpled streaky gold hair and gorgeous, gorgeous cock. Standing at rigid attention just for her.
    Oh, now that was not fair .
    Kelsey sucked in a breath, holding it as he grabbed a bedpost in each hand, and leaned forward, the powerful muscles in his shoulders and chest rippling as he grinned down at her. “Warm enough yet?”
    She threw a pillow at him as he jumped on the bed, making her squeal again.
    Miles had never been this playful, not even before …well, everything.
    Kelsey figured that is what happened when you finally let go of your fears; happiness rushed in and filled all those shadowy, empty places. Kelsey loved this side of him. Hell, she loved all the sides of him, even the dark one he called ‘monster’. But she had a monster of her own now, so they would just have to learn to contend with their demons together.
    Miles slid on top of her, slowly, deliberately…skin on skin, taking her mouth as he pushed her arms over her head. Their tongues tangled together, champagne and wild honey. She arched up, wanting to feel him against her, but