Courting Claire Excerpt:

Slowly, he reached for her. She stood very still. The corridors were very cool, and the air smelled stale. His hand was as big as her face. He reached past her, skimmed a fingertip along the curve of her ear. Her breath eased from her in a long sigh as instant lassitude seemed claim her muscles.

He shifted a bit closer, and his hand floated over her hair to rest on her braid at the back of her neck. His eyes focused on hers. He had black eyelashes to go with his black hair. His eyes were a warm brown, though, complimenting his tan skin.

He held her still with his eyes while his arm curled, and her hair tightened. His arm twisted again and her braid drew up out of her suit. Her lips parted and his gaze dropped to them. His forearm flexed, and she realized he was coiling her braid around his fist.

"Oh..." The heat from his arm near her neck seared her. "Jariel..."

"Hello, Claire." He bent his head and kissed her.

The feeling of living flesh against her was absolutely shocking after hours trapped behind the silky fabric of the suit. His lips were soft, almost cushy. He pressed his mouth against hers, angling her head with his grip at her nape. They both seemed to freeze after that first contact. Then his lips moved, and his tongue licked at the edge of her teeth, and his breath was warm and damp.

It was the best kiss of her life. She let her head fall back. He caught and cradled the weight, his other hand coming up to hover just over the other side of her face. His energy crackled across her skin. He shifted her jaw with his and he was inside her mouth, drinking her, licking her. Their wet heat combined, drugging her. His tongue was strong, and agile, alternating between delicate and demanding.

Her hands fluttered over his torso, so much hardness revealed by the black strappy thing he wore.

Breaking away, he poised above her, looking down with heavy-lidded eyes. "Tonight."