Little Fire (Warriors of the Five Realms, #1)

by Hollee Mands

The smile on her face as he transferred the liquid sphere into her hands soothed something inside him he hadn’t realized was ruffled.

Then a small smile lit her face, and he found himself transfixed.

She whimpered, and the agonized sound made him want to dive into her mind and slay her demons.

She’d stroked the archmage like a housecat, and he’d fallen asleep with his head nestled on her lap.

“Relax,” he coaxed. One hand stroked her back while he tangled the other in her hair. “I enjoy touching you, little fire.” Another drugging kiss, his taste intoxicating to her senses. Cathartic. “Let me hold you. I won’t ask for what you can’t give.”

She was what he’d been missing all this time—the piece of sunlight he’d been trying to catch.

“Well, I can’t help it if the chocolate ones look the best.” She took another bite. “And this is really, really good. Are you sure you won’t even try it?” She dug up a forkful and waved it at him. “Just a taste?” “All right.” He leaned toward her, and she brought the fork to his mouth. Ignoring it, he tugged on her braid, tilting her face toward his, and ran his tongue over the seam of her lips. She gasped, and her fork clattered. He took full advantage, delving his tongue deeper. When he was done, he released her braid and licked his lips.

“You can have any other woman you want, Archmage. We both know that. Why are you really doing this?” He seemed to take a moment to consider his response. “Because you keep me . . . warm.”

Declan settled his glass on the table. Whatever it was Evangeline expected, it was not for him to clasp her hand from under the table, his grip strong and reassuring, as he leaned forward to regard her mother with all seriousness. “I will kill any monster who ever dares scare her again.”

He tasted like man, salt and spice. Absolutely divine.

She’s pure sunlight . . . and you, brother, have been living in winter for far too long.