"That it's one hundred and two degrees out, with one hundred and ten percent humidity. I didn't want him to die of heat stroke."
"Ladies, please," Julian said, placing himself between them. "It's far too hot to stand out in the street fighting over something as trivial as my clothing." He swept a hungry look over Grace, then smiled a smile that could make any woman melt. "And I'm not a Greek god. I'm just a minor half-deity."
Grace missed what he was saying for the fact that the sound of his voice captivated her. How did he do that? How did he make his voice so erotically charged?
Was it from his deep, rich accent?
No, there was more to it than that, but for her life she couldn't figure out what.
In truth, all she wanted to do was find a bed somewhere and let him have his way with her. To feel his luscious skin beneath her hands.
She looked at Selena and caught the way Selena stared hungrily at Julian's bare legs and rump.
"You feel it, too, don't you?" Grace asked.
Blinking, Selena looked up. "Feel what?"
"Him. It's like he's the Pied Piper and we're all mice enchanted by his music." Grace turned about and noted the way women stared at him, some even craning their necks to get a better view of Julian.
"What is it about him that just pulls us against our wills?" Grace asked.
Julian arched one arrogant brow at her. "Against your will?"
"Well, honestly, yes. I don't like feeling like this."
"And how do you feel?" he asked.
"Sexual," Grace said before she could stop herself.
"Like a goddess?" he asked, his voice dropping an octave.
"Yes," she said as he took a single step toward her.
He didn't touch her, but then he didn't have to. His very presence overwhelmed her. Intoxicated her as he dipped that magnetic gaze to her lips, then to her neck. She swore she could already feel the sensation of his lips buried in the hollow of her throat.
And the man hadn't even moved.
"I can tell you what it is," he all but purred.
"It's the spell, isn't it?"
He shook his head as he reached one hand out to gently drag his forefinger down her cheek. Grace shuttered her eyes as a wave of fierce desire scorched her. It was all she could do not to turn her head and capture that finger between her teeth.
Julian leaned closer and nuzzled her cheek with his. "It's the fact that I can appreciate you on a level the men of your age cannot."
"It's the fact he has the tightest gluteus rumpus I've ever seen," Sunshine said, interrupting them. "Not to mention a voice and accent to die for. I really wish someone would tell me where I could get one of those."
Grace burst out laughing at Sunshine's unexpected comments.
Looking less than pleased, Julian turned to face Sunshine.
"Look at him." Sunshine gestured toward Julian with the pencil in her charcoal-covered hand. She also had a smear of charcoal across her right cheek. "When was the last time you met a man so well toned that you could actually see the blood pumping through his veins? Your boyfriend is... well, way buff. Monster buff." Then with a serious face, she added, "Lord, king buff."
Sunshine turned her sketchbook around to where Grace could see her rendering of Julian. "See the way the light brings out the golden color of his skin? It's almost as if he were really kissed by the sun."
Grace frowned. There was some truth to that.
Julian leaned down at her, his blue eyes searing her with their heat. "Come home with me, Grace," he whispered in her ear. "Now. Let me take you into my arms, strip your clothes from your body, and show you how the gods meant for a woman to know a man. I swear to you, you'll remember it for the rest of eternity."
She closed her eyes as the scent of sandalwood filled her head. His breath tickled her neck while his cheek was so close to hers, she swore she could feel his whiskers touching her.
Every part of her wanted to surrender to him. Yes, please, yes.
Her gaze dropped down to his shoulder. To the hard sculpting of his muscles. To the hollow of his throat. Oh, how she longed to run her tongue over the golden bounty of his skin. To see if the rest of his body tasted as good as his mouth.
He would be splendid in bed. There was no doubt.
But she meant nothing to him. Nothing.
"I can't," she breathed, taking a step back.
Disappointment filled his eyes. Then, his look turned hard, determined. "You will," he assured her.
Deep inside, she knew he probably spoke the truth. How long could a woman turn down a man like him?
Shaking off the thought, Grace glanced across the street to the Jackson Brewery. "We need to go buy you some clothes that fit."
"Can I help it if he's a head taller than Bill and twice as broad?" Selena asked. "It was your bright idea for me to bring him along."
Grace screwed up her face at Selena. "Fine. We'll be in the Brewery if you need us."
"Okay, but be careful."
"Careful?" Grace asked.