Read Arak's Love: A World Beyond Book 2 for Free Online

shuttle hovering outside. Glass crinkled beneath her feet and stung in tiny pricks as fragments cut her bare skin. Sylvie ignored the pain as she’d done in the past.
    Arak’s actions became hurried as he eased his arm from Sylvie. “I’ll take this one up, Kyele and you grab the other.”
    Arak reached through the opening and snagged the swinging, black rope to drag it inside. His fingers expertly worked the belts and harness. When he turned toward Sylvie, he dropped to one knee on a groan. Hands gentle, he twisted a thick loop over each of her legs and notched it at her waist. Sylvie blushed at how close he came to her thighs and the brush of those gloved hands on her sensitive flesh.
    He rose, towering over her slight frame. The pad of his thumb brushed over her bottom lip, outlining the tender skin. “Hold on to me, Sylvie. I’m going to take you to our shuttle. You’ll be safe.”
    Sylvie took in the belts, metal hooks and bits dangling about her waist. Some of it looked familiar from her indoor rock climbing days although way more complex. Still.
    “We’re climbing out there?” She hiked a thumb over her shoulder at the silver craft waiting for them.
    Arak nodded.
    Sylvie checked with Joni. “We’re doing this?”
    Joni nibbled on her lip, glanced at Kyele then back to Sylvie. “Can’t be worse. I hope.”
    The man’s scar twitched as he approached Joni. He cupped her friends face in his palm. Joni flinched but the man moved in closer until his legs brushed hers. “I promise you will be safe with us.”
    He held up his other hand and offered Joni the Marenian knives. Her fingers trembled as she accepted the blades.
    Arak sighed. “Good. We’re all in agreement.”
    Sylvie nodded. “Ready.”
    Blue eyes softened. His arms curved around her. The silk of her dress was no protection against the heat of his touch. “Hold tight.”
    Sylvie latched her arms to his shoulders and heat scored her cheeks as she entwined her legs around his hips. The erection bumping her center was hard to miss. Her gaze jumped to his.
    His brow quirked. “Sorry?”
    Sylvie tucked her face in his neck and didn’t answer. The truth was he was too handsome for his own good.
     
    ***
     
    Arak couldn’t do anything about his arousal. Between the adrenaline pumping through him and her enticing frame, his body had a mind of its own. Full breasts pressed into his chest and even through his combat gear, her nipples stabbed at him. Her silk-covered ass filled his palms as he adjusted his hold. The scent of her filled his nostrils, taking away the odor of blood and death. He wanted to bury his face in the gentle curve of her shoulder but she beat him to it when she planted her face in his neck. Moisture dotted his skin from her panting breaths.
    The sweet weight of her in his arms almost made him forget his pain. Almost. Blocking out the tempting thoughts, Arak focused on getting out of here. He made sure he had a firm grip on the female in his arms and bent low to climb through the window, the rope gripped tight in his gloved fist. He hissed out a breath at the agony of putting their combined weight on his injured leg as he straddled the sill.
    Her thighs tightened around his waist and the added pressure brought to life the slicing pain from his protesting ribs. Black crowded his vision and spots danced in front of him.
    “Are you okay?” she whispered.
    The sensuous sound of her voice in a purely innocent question dragged him back from the abyss. Arak attached the specialized clip from his belt to the cable as they prepared to swing in the air hundreds of feet from the ground. He’d probably survive a fall from this height but she definitely wouldn’t.
    “I’m fine.” Contrary to Kyele’s claims, they didn’t have to actually climb the cable.
    Arak depressed the red button on the clip and the whirl of the automatic winch as they were tugged through the air caused her to jerk. Arak hissed, clamping his free arm tight to her