Page 62 of The Shadow Path
Unicorns and fae. Humans and even a few stoic wolves in uniform.
The sound of a woman’s voice rose in a heartbreaking melody that had violins weeping and Carys melting in Duncan’s arms.
“Carys?” Duncan held her close and leaned his head down to whisper in her ear. “We’re not what?”
She tilted her head, and the scent of fresh pine and whiskey made her head swim. “I don’t remember what I was going to say.”
“Then don’t say anything.” His voice was soft. “Just dance with me, Professor Morgan.”
Professor Morgan.How did the man make a title she’d heard a hundred times from a hundred different plaintive undergrads sound sexy?
She felt her body heat, and she didn’t know if it was from the heavy velvet dress, the exertion from dancing, or the aching need Duncan was stirring in her belly. She should have been concentrating on the complicated political tapestry weaving itself around her, but all she wanted was for Duncan to secret her away to a hidden corner, feed her, and kiss her senseless.
“You look stunning tonight.” Duncan moved effortlessly through the steps, guiding Carys even when she stumbled. “If I didn’t say so when I first saw you, it was because I nearly swallowed my tongue at the sight of you.”
Carys couldn’t stop her smile. “What a truly graphic compliment.”
“It’s true. If I’d tried telling you just then, I’d have squeaked like a twelve-year-old whose balls just dropped.”
A woman in pink who circled next to them gasped at Duncan’s words.
The Scotsman only tipped his head. “Madam.”
“My word,” the woman murmured before her fae partner swung her away.
Carys bit her lip to keep from laughing, but that only made her snort. “You’d better stop or you’ll cause a political incident.”
His eyes twinkled. “Too blunt for you?”
“With lines like that, it’s truly a wonder you’re still single.”
The music changed and Duncan pulled her close, leaning down to whisper into her ear. “Honey may not drip from my lips when I compliment you, but it’ll drip from somewhere else if I can get you alone.”
And now she couldn’t talk. Heat rushed to her face, and her cheeks felt like a dragon was breathing on them.
“Fuck me, but I cannae wait to find out if your tits flush like your cheeks do when you’re excited,” Duncan continued. “Give me a chance to find out, and I promise you won’t be worried about politics tomorrow.”
The orchestra finished the song just as Duncan stretched out his arm and turned her in a circle. The crowd around them clapped politely, and partners bowed to each other, murmuring polite parting words as they drifted to a new partner or away from the dance floor.
Duncan Murray tucked Carys’s arm into his own and guided her off the dance floor as if he hadn’t just planted a dozen sexual fantasies in her mind. “We should find our seats.” He scanned the crowd. “I tried to bring you a lunch tray earlier today, but the ladies’ maids ran me off.”
“I’m starving.” For several things at that moment, but food seemed to be the safest to bring up. “And they do.”
Duncan raised his eyebrows. “Do what? Chase off men trying to feed you?”
“No.” She looked up at him with an innocent expression. “My tits do get flushed when I’m turned on. If you look down, you’ll probably notice even in this light.”
Duncan’s jaw dropped.
And so did his eyes.
Carys saw him discreetly adjust himself as they walked through the crush of the crowd, and she didn’t try to hide her smile.
Good.
At least if Carys was going to be turned on and uncomfortable all through dinner, Duncan would be too.
“That’swhy it’s imperative for various shifter factions to policethemselves.” The fae woman spoke with an Éiren accent and a pointed tongue. She glanced at Cadell, who had positioned himself between her and Godrik, the North Wolf shifter. “Surely you must see the wisdom in that, Lord Dragon.”
