Time Raiders: The Whisper Read Free Page B

had just about enough of them.” To emphasize her point, she pulled hard on his hair, yanking his head up so that she could see into his pale blue eyes, while she ignored the effect he was having on her.
    A smile spread across his face, even as he winced. “Could you loosen up on the hair?”
    With her insides warming at his every movement, Marisol couldn’t afford to let go of his hair or her anger. “Not until you tell me what’s going on.”
    “I would think that was obvious.” He stared down at her breasts, on eye level with his position across her body. His breath heated her skin beneath the wool dress.
    “Humor me and spell it out.” Marisol’s voice wobbled and sounded more breathless than before. Damn the man and his broad shoulders, naked but for the golden armbands around his thick biceps.
    “You’ve been given to Inti as a gift.”
    “And how do you fit into this picture?” With every breath Gunnar took, his chest rubbed against her belly, sending electrical currents coursing through her veins.
    His grin broadened. “Let me introduce you to Inti’s shaman.”
    Marisol frowned. “Go on.”
    “I am the Inti shaman.”

 

    Chapter Three
     
    “What?” The green-eyed beauty pulled harder on his hair.
    “Let go of my hair and I’ll explain,” he said.
    “Damn right you’ll explain.” Mercifully, she released her hold. “And get off me.”
    With his hair freed, Gunnar found he wasn’t in such a hurry to move from his current position between her legs. His cock strained against the fabric of his tunic as though rooting for the prize. He eased his way up her body until he leaned over her, his hands planted on either side of her head. “Who are you, fire angel? And where have you come from?”
    “I told you my name.” She expressly ignored his second question. “Now get off me.”
    “You seem to forget. You were a gift to me from our emperor, Pachacuti.”
    “He’s not my emperor and I am not bound by his word.”
    “While in Cusco or any province within the Tawantinsuyu you are subject to the edicts of Pachacuti.” The fruity scent of her hair tantalized him and he dropped low, his chest skimming hers so that he could drink in her fragrance.
    Marisol’s hands pressed against him. “What are you doing?” Her words came out in a thin whisper.
    “You smell of fruit.” He captured her earlobe between his teeth and nibbled. “I am but sampling it.”
    “What if I don’t want you to sample my fruit?” Her back arched, pressing her breasts more firmly against his chest, her hands caught between, providing little resistance. “Stop, please.”
    “You feel it, don’t you?”
    “No. I feel nothing. I don’t know you. You look like a Viking. And as far as I know, Vikings hadn’t explored this part of the world at this time in history.”
    His brows rose. “History? You don’t speak as the others of Cusco. Where did you say you came from?”
    “I didn’t.”
    “Perhaps you can tell me why you behave so differently than most women, and how you appeared before me out of thin air.”
    Marisol Vasquez gasped, her eyes rounding. “You saw that?”
    “Yes, indeed. At first I thought I’d imagined you, but when you spoke, I knew better. Teach me this trick.”
    “It wasn’t a trick and I’m wasting time. I need to get into Pachacuti’s chambers.”
    “Why? Just what are you looking for?”
    “Who said I was looking for something?”
    “It was a guess.” Gunnar lowered himself over Marisol until his lips hovered over hers.
    “Perhaps I can help you?”
    “No.” Her breath warmed his lips. “I need to find it on my own. Then I’ll be out of here.”
    “You don’t understand. Once you enter Pachacuti’s court, you don’t leave. The great emperor has bestowed a gift upon me. If I refuse or…lose…my gift, he will grow angry.”
    “But he thinks you are the Inti shaman, in direct communication with the sun god.”
    “And you don’t?”
    “No, of course not. You