“I’m not sure I know what that means?”
...
Olivia held her breath, her fingers clasping the back of Mal’s neck. Why was he looking at her like that? Was he going to kiss her? And why was she so excited about the prospect of being kissed by some dangerous naked man in the middle of the woods?
“I am dreaming,” she murmured.
“You are,” he agreed.
The pad of his thumb traced her lower lip, mesmerizing her with its warmth and texture. Her lips parted, drawing a sharp hiss from Mal. Had she done something? Everything was liquid and hot—in a good way. Breathing was becoming a challenge. But the way he was looking at her… The flare in his dark eyes made her forget about the shooting pain in her leg.
“Mirrors are overrated,” he said.
Her heart thumped. “Are they?”
He nodded. “But, since you’re dreaming, I?
??m going to kiss you.”
“Properly or improperly?” Her voice shook.
The corner of his mouth curled up. “I only do improperly.”
“Oh good.” Her fingers slid back into his hair and tugged him down.
She thought she saw a flash of surprise on his face, but then his lips were on hers and she didn’t care. Feather light—her turn to be surprised. But there was nothing soft about his kiss. From light to demanding, his mouth descended, his tongue sweeping her lower lip and invading her mouth. He devoured her, and she never wanted him to stop. Breathing wasn’t necessary, but holding on to Mal was. Not to push him away, but to draw him closer.
She liked the feel of his arms cradling her, the slide of his hands under her shirt and along her back. She wanted to arch into him, to be closer… It wasn’t enough.
His teeth nipped her lower lip before he sucked it into his mouth. He pressed kisses up the side of her neck, along her throat, then latched on to her earlobe. She moaned at the feel of him, of her skin, engulfed in his warm, wet mouth.
“Dammit,” he bit out.
Seconds later, the world was cold and painful again.
“What happened?” she asked, her hand searching for him.
“Stop,” he growled. “You need to stay still. You’re bleeding again.”
“I am?” she asked, still dizzy from the effects of his mouth and hands and…everything.
“You are.” He sounded angry—and breathless. “We need to move again.”
“You’re mad?” She was all tingly and euphoric, and he was angry and ready to hit the road? That was disappointing.
“I am.”
“Oh,” she murmured.
He sat with his back to her, illuminated by the moon. The moon was enormous. It was missing a slight sliver, just the edge. But out here, it was like a second sun. Of course, the light of a thousand stars helped. She blinked. And…it was snowing? Why wasn’t she cold? Right, she was dreaming. “I’m ready to wake up now,” she whispered.
He looked back at her and stood, swinging her up into his arms.
“I didn’t mean to make you mad.”
He started walking. “You didn’t. Pissed myself off just fine.” He paused. “You asked earlier where we are. I have no idea. Someplace up north, far north. Maybe Alaska.”
“I go to school in Alaska,” she said. “I just started.”