Shielded Heart (The Infinite City, #2)

by Tiffany Roberts

“Come here,” Drakkal said, spreading his arms wide. “I’ll hug your pain and bitterness away.” “You are not my mother, azhera.” Drakkal’s mouth curled into a smirk. “Stop acting like a child and you won’t trigger my maternal instincts.”

Samantha was a timid female, but she was learning to trust him.

While her back was turned, he shifted his tail, guiding it under the couch. It slithered beneath a piece of cloth, and he curled its tip to hook the fabric. He kept his central eye on Samantha and dipped the other two to his lap as he withdrew his prize, depositing it in his waiting hands. A white pair of panties. Her panties. Arcanthus grinned, and for a few seconds, had to restrain himself; he had the overwhelming urge to raise the panties to his face and inhale her scent—her intimate scent—but that was too risky. He

“I know, little terran, I know. Just remember that this”—he took hold of her wrist and smoothed her palm over his chest—“is yours, whenever you are ready.”

Intending to push him away, Samantha flattened her palms against his chest—his warm, hard, enticing chest. Something small and hard pressed against her hand; his nipple piercing. Her will to resist suddenly faded.

If she wanted a new life, she needed to make the effort. She needed to change. She…needed to let go of the past.

“But he’s not gone. You’ve carried him with you across the universe, Samantha. Even if he were dead, which he deserves to be, you haven’t yet left him behind.” Samantha looked away from him in shame. Arc was right. She had carried James with her. “You don’t have to hold on to him anymore, little terran. Cast him into the void.” “I’m trying, but—” Arcanthus turned her face toward his again. “Let me help you, Samantha.” “How?” “You deserve pleasure. You deserve ecstasy.”

“Command me,” he rasped. “Take from me.”