Unleashed by Sara Humphreys

note of the way her body, soft and pliant, molded so easily against his.
    â€œWe have to go,” he whispered.
    She put her hand on his shoulder to ask him what the problem was. Before she could say anything, he took her hand, navigated the crowd, and pulled her out through the patio to the beach. As they emerged from the loud, sweaty throng, Sam pulled back on his hand. “Whoa. Easy there killer. I’m gonna need that arm for later.” She removed her hand from Malcolm’s grip as he continued scanning the beach.
    â€œI’m sorry. I just got a little overwhelmed by the mob and the noise.” He looked past her toward the restaurant. “It’s getting late,” he whispered. “I think perhaps I should take you home.”
    â€œRight.” Sam tried to hide her disappointment. “Nonie’s probably waiting up.”
    She turned to go back to the car, but Malcolm grabbed her arm and pulled her to him. His fear for her safety fueled his passion for her. He needed to keep her safe, to keep her with him. His mouth took possession of hers with a fiery intensity that took them both by surprise. The kiss was hard and hot, his tongue demanding entrance. She opened and welcomed him into the dark, velvety warmth of her mouth. He held her close, and his hands tangled in her long hair. He tilted her head back, deepening the kiss.
    Samantha had heard about kisses like this from friends. She had seen it in the movies, but she had never experienced it, until now. She reached up and put her arms around his neck. Her body melted against him. She never wanted this kiss to end. She felt like a woman who’d finally gotten water after being stranded in the desert. He tasted like wine and lust, and she was drunk from it.
    They stood there in the sand. Lips mating, tongues mingling, Samantha could feel his body responding to her, and it made her want him even more. She was drowning in desire. Desire that was going way too fast. She felt herself spiraling out of control. She pulled herself back, both of them breathing heavily, their mouths inches apart, her lips swollen from his kisses. She looked up and found herself looking into a familiar pair of glowing yellow eyes. She took an involuntary step backward and felt the cold hand of fear crawl up her spine. “Your eyes,” she stammered breathlessly.
    Malcolm blinked quickly, returning them to normal. “I must admit, I’m surprised that’s the body part you’re preoccupied with.” His smile was sexy. He reached out to pull her back, trying to hold onto the moment they’d just shared.
    Samantha stared at him through confused eyes. “I think you’re right.” She touched her lips, still tingling. “I think you should take me home now.” She began to walk quickly to the parking lot.
    â€œAs you wish.” His body was still pulsing from her touch. He followed her, reluctantly, and gave one last look around to be sure there was no sign of the stranger.
    They rode back to the house in a heavy silence. Her bewilderment vibrated around them both and tripped up his spine. He scolded himself. He’d been so caught up in his passion for her, so terrified by the thought of losing her, that he completely forgot to keep his eyes from shifting. His eyes instinctively shifted to their animal form, a symptom of his desire.
    She broke the silence as they pulled up the gravel driveway of her home. “Malcolm, who was that man you were talking to on the balcony this afternoon?”
    â€œYou mean Davis.” He hoped that may satisfy her curiosity, but knew it wouldn’t.
    â€œNo. You know exactly who I mean,” she said with steady resolve. “The tall guy with long dark hair. I saw you speaking with him today on your deck.”
    The car came to a halt at the top of the driveway.
    She looked at him, daring him to deny it.
    He saw the determination in her face and looked away. He couldn’t lie