Through a Crimson Veil by Patti O'Shea Page A

“Sorry,” she apologized, “I’m touchy about being weak, because some alliances in Orcus leave the lesser demon little more than a serf.”
    He firmed his hold on her. “You don’t have to worry about that, honey. I’ll make sure that doesn’t happen to you.”
    Mika froze at the endearment and her heart stuttered. Then guilt overwhelmed her. She’d been lying, searching his house, was prepared to steal the incantation when shefound it, and here he was telling her he’d keep her safe—not merely from the fictitious demon for which she’d hired him, but from others as well. And after she’d deliberately enraged him. She couldn’t speak around the lump in her throat. Taking his hand from her stomach, she brought it to her lips and pressed a kiss in his palm. It was the best she could do to convey how much his offer meant to her.
    When she released him, he rested his hand below her collarbone, his fingers spread above the swell of her breasts. Conor’s heat warmed her heart and her eyes drifted closed as she immersed herself in him, in the essence of his being.
    It wouldn’t last, but she decided not to worry about that. Not today. Conor had his arms around her, his body at her back, and she felt as if she’d finally found somewhere that she belonged. It was more than she’d expected.
    And for right now, Mika decided it was enough.

Chapter Five
    It was the muttered curse that woke her. Mika blinked and took a minute to orient herself. “Conor? What’s wrong?”
    “Nothing, go back to sleep.”
    His gruffness told her it wasn’t nothing, and she forced some of her drowsiness aside. Somehow, while she’d been sleeping, she’d ended up sprawled atop him. She suspected he was responsible for that. As narrow as the couch was, Mika didn’t think she could have moved on her own without falling to the floor. His heart raced beneath her cheek, and for a moment, she let herself be lulled by its rhythm.
    It wasn’t until she shifted that she realized he was aroused and that her body was perfectly aligned to feel every inch of him. Since she herself felt all tingly, she figured they must have been in this position for a while. Involuntarily the muscles in her legs tightened, sliding her pelvis against him. Conor made a choking noise, and Mika gasped as his erection found a strategic groove.
    Surrendering to desire, she turned her face and bit his chest. His reaction was immediate. His hands went to her bottom, and he rocked her against him. Her panties were damp and so were his shorts; she could feel it as he pushedagainst her cleft. She wanted exactly what she’d taunted last night: for him to pull the lacy cloth aside and drive himself inside her.
    When he stopped the movement, she groaned in protest, but she quieted as his fingers slipped beneath her underwear and grasped her bare bottom. Mika propped herself up on his chest and gazed into Conor’s face. His green eyes burned, and he was so tense that a muscle jumped in the corner of his jaw.
    She’d done this to him. Her, the weakling half-breed no real demon wanted. But Conor wanted her.
    With a smile, she leaned forward and lightly nipped his lower lip. One of his hands left her rear end and his fingers splayed through her hair, holding her in place so he could kiss her. His mouth was hot, hungry, and his tongue stabbed against hers, demanding absolute surrender.
    Conor didn’t have to worry. Anything he wanted, any way he wanted it, she would give it to him. Mika rocked again, needing to feel that friction between her legs. Conor broke the kiss and she started to complain, until she felt him grip the hem of her camisole. She lifted as he drew it up, helping him remove it, and he tossed the scrap of lingerie aside.
    As she started to lower herself again, he stopped her. “Wanna look at you,” he growled.
    His eyes were glued to her breasts and her nipples grew harder under his stare. When his sex pulsed between her thighs, Mika smiled. “Yeah, I feel