Aris: A Sexy Romance Novel (Thief of Hearts Series Book 1) by Elody Knight Read Free Book Online Page A

slung between two of the palm trees.  On the beach itself was a ring of some sort.  As she drew closer she could see that there had been logs burned in the center with a few sticks still sitting on the rocks suggesting someone had been roasting something.  The bay rippled quietly with the breeze blowing in off the water.  It was beautiful like a scene from a computer wallpaper.  Turning back toward the house she sat down in the middle of the hammock looking at the stars rising over the water.
    “You know, you could have waited til I burnt something before deciding I can’t cook.”  Aris took a lighter from his pocket starting the torch next to the hammock as he set down a plate of fruit and cheese on the small table. 
    “If that’s typical of what you burn you need to see someone about your cooking methods.” Saoirse was still looking at the water.
    Aris smiled.  Her sarcasm was at his expense, but she was at least talking to him.  He straddled the hammock sitting down facing her.  Reaching over to the table he grabbed the knife handing her a piece of cheese. 
    She looked down at the knife and slice of cheese in his hand,  “You’re really that intent on my eating?”
    “The knife is for the apple, of course.  The sour of the apple goes nicely with the cheese.  It’s a little boring without it.  Here, you’re going to need more water before you go to sleep or you’ll have a headache tomorrow.”
    Saoirse took the glass he handed her, “Really.”
    “You don’t have to take my advice.  You were in the dry air of a plane for more than a couple hours.  Most people find its effects dehydrating.  Maybe you’ll have no effects at all tomorrow.”  Aris shrugged his shoulders as he cut another section of the apple for her.
    She took the apple piece he offered to her knowing he was going to have his way.  She looked up at the sky exploding with stars the way she’d only seen in pictures.  The breeze picked up making the night air chilly.  Without realizing it, she put her hands on either arm.
    Aris stood up leaning across her as he pulled a light blanket off the ropes of the foot of the hammock.  He sat back down wrapping the blanket around her pulling her into his arms.  She considered saying no, but decided it wasn’t worth fighting about.  Besides, if he got grabby she’d be more than happy to let him have it.  He unwrapped the blanket further putting it around all of both of them as he pulled her into his chest laying down with her between his legs. 
    The hammock swayed gently in the breeze.  Aris kept one arm around her, while his other hand ran his fingers through her hair.  She could feel his cock getting hard under her side, but his breathing was slow and deep.  She could hear his heart beat beneath her head as she laid still listening to his body.  She moved her feet to get more comfortable, but Aris misunderstood, pulling the blanket closer around her feet with his.  He ran his hands up and down her arms a few times assuming that she was still chilly.  Her eyes closed.  She was listening to him breathe.  The last few times he had touched her she wasn’t aware of him the way she was now.  He smelled good, like the ocean breeze itself, but warmer.  She knew he looked good in his suits, but it was only now that she was laying against his chest, that she noticed how tight his body was, even his abs in this position were tight.  He wasn’t a big guy.  He was just sort of ‘functionally athletic’ she thought to herself.  One of those guys who have the muscle to do what they need to get done and nothing more.  His presence exuded power and control, yet he was easy going in his attitude.  There were moments where she felt completely intimidated by him.  It wasn’t intentional on his part; if it were, Saoirse would have had no problem fighting him back or staying angry at him.  It was something about the way he didn’t seem to know that he was incredibly sexy or