The Space Colonel's Woman (Dragonus Chronicles Book 1) by Jay Shaw Read Free Book Online Page A

enough to fight for us…and maybe the occasional fearsome dragon.”
    His gaze was completely focused on her, and she felt the prickly heat of a blush rushing to color her face, throat, and chest.  She quirked an eyebrow and smirked, but there was no way she’d ever be able to hide anything from the man before her.
    “Of course, it would help if he was a space pilot who wore a thigh holster and was really skilled with his hands.”
    “So Dante Jones is your man, then?” Mark grinned as he ambled back to Julia’s side and whispered, breath hot and shivery against her ear. “Or will I do?”
    Julia was distracted by the way he was cradling her in his arms. “Who?”
    “Space smuggler extraordinaire.” Mark stopped what he was doing to hold her at arm’s length, an incredulous expression on his face.  “You’ve never seen Galactic Battles ?”
    “No, can’t say I have. I’m liking the sound of this Dante Jones character though.” She squealed and thrashed her legs as Mark tickled the backs of her knees. “Is he good with his han-”
    Mark ended any further discussion by showing her just how skillful his hands were.
     
    ~*~
     
    “We didn’t go for our walk.” Julia said, a while later. “Shall we go now?”
    He stood in one lithe movement and stretched out his hand to pull her to her feet. “Yep.”
    They climbed down to the beach, Mark turning to draw her into his side when she reached the sand.  She knew he was feeling more at ease here because he only had his pistol with him.  The vest and T60 left by her backpack up on the island.
    It was a heady experience being with Mark.  Julia breathed deep, inhaling the fresh salty air and smiling with the pleasure of the action.  He laughed and she turned to face him; walking backward toward the drag of the ocean against the sand, reluctant to leave its lover’s side. “What?” 
    “You.”
    “What about me?”
    “Amazing.”
    “Thank y-oooh!” She squealed as her feet were lapped at by a freezing wave, foamy bubbles popping between her bare toes.
    Mark laughed, a deep belly-laugh that had him holding his sides and wheezing.  The next wave was bigger and splashed her to the rolled up hems of her jeans.  She raised her eyebrows at Mark when she heard yet more laughter and flicked her toes; salty droplets splattering him from pecs to knees.  The shocked look on his face was terribly funny and Julia snorted out her own bark of laughter.  Mark lowering his brows in determination was her only warning. 
    She turned tail and ran. 
    The thrill of the chase flared in Mark’s eyes as he took up the challenge.  With the ocean surging around her ankles Julia got maybe five meters.  She knew he was right behind her, could sense him closing in, but was too busy laughing to do anything about it.  He sprinted the distance between them in three seconds, his hands grasping air as Julia dodged and weaved. 
    Her heart pounded at the thought of what he’d do to her when he caught her.  The primal instinct grew hot and urgent in her belly, sparked by the cool fire of adrenalin.  She changed direction, lifting her legs as she waded over the incoming wavelets.  Mark feinted left, and lunged for her as she fell into his trap by running right.  He held her wrist in an iron grip, a devilish grin on his face as he scooped water with his free hand.  Splash after splash of icy water soaked her shirt, plastering it to her breasts and hardening her nipples as she gasped for breath. 
    But then it was Mark’s turn to be evasive.  Instead of pulling against his grip, Julia closed the gap between them, intent on pressing her breasts against his warm chest.  He walked back, hands raised as if to keep her away. 
    “No, Julia.”
    Excitement thickened his tone as he watched her unbutton her shirt.  She reached him where he had stopped still, and guided his hands to the sides of her breasts.  She rubbed her nipples on his, fitting her palms to the curve of his ass