Light My Fire (25 page)

About the Author

At the ripe age of seven, Jodi Redford penned her first epic, complete with stick figure illustrations. Sadly, her drawing skills haven’t improved much, but her love of fantasy worlds never went away. These days she writes about fairies, ghosts and other supernatural creatures, only with considerably more heat.

She has won numerous contests, including The Golden Pen and Launching a Star.

When not writing or working the day job, she enjoys gardening and way too many reality television shows.

Currently residing in Michigan with her husband and overgrown lapdog, she is a member of RWA national and Greater Detroit Romance Writers of America.

She loves to hear from readers. You can email her at
[email protected]
and visit her online at
www.jodiredford.com
.

From zero to naked at warp speed…

Taking Liberty

© 2009 Jodi Redford

Rini Campell’s one shot at keeping her field agent position with the United Galaxies’ repo department means bringing in the spaceship Liberty. Piece of cake. Except she didn’t count on the pilot still being on board. Or being buck naked.

Lucus Granger doesn’t have time to deal with a pain-in-the-ass repo agent. Not when he’s minutes away from dropping off a cargo haul for the psychotic alien dictator of Aquatica. Though he figures it’s just about the stupidest bargain he’s ever made, he allows Rini to tag along for the flight.

Big mistake.

Stranded in enemy territory, they find themselves fighting a battle on two fronts. Against a creepy dictator who’d as soon drown them as look at them. And against a blazing attraction hotter than the godforsaken planet itself. For these two wary hearts, love could bloom in the desert…if it doesn’t kill them first.

Warning: A feisty heroine and yummy hero getting sweaty in the desert. Squid aliens who bring new meaning to the word slimy. Oh, and some close encounters of the sexy kind.

Enjoy the following excerpt for
Taking Liberty:

She hoisted from the lounger and began walking towards the canvas-draped hole. Lucus got up and joined her. When he started to follow her outside, she shot him a narrow-eyed look. “I don’t think so, buster. You’ve seen enough as it is. I’m not adding to my disgrace by squatting behind a rock in clear view of you.”

He grunted before moving away. She stumbled outside and quickly ducked beneath the Liberty’s nose just in the nick of time. Feeling immensely better and lighter in the bladder, she crossed to the stone monument and rested in its shade. “God, I hate being this weak.”

A chirp sounded above and she glanced at the gelinka lizard clinging to the side of the boulder. “You be quiet. It’s partly your fault I’m in this predicament.”

The lizard twitched its tiny head and scampered off.

“Yeah, you better run.” She pushed from the rock and aimlessly wandered to the carton perched near the edge of the extinguished fire ring. Plopping her rear down, she surveyed the haze of heat shimmering between the clumps of far-off cacti. She didn’t bother turning when the unmistakable rustle of canvas sounded behind her.

“What do you think you’re doing?”

“Sitting.”

A growl came from Lucus. “I can see that. It’s too damn hot for you to be out here in your condition.”

“I’ve been cooped in that ship for more than a day.” She swiveled and gave him her best puppy-dog-pleading stare. “I need a change of scenery.”

“You’ll be more comfortable tucked on the lounger. Plus it’s cooler.”

“No.”

A brief glimmer of calculation simmered in his eyes before he masked it with feigned resignation. “Look, truth is I planned on stripping down and scrubbing off some of this desert dust.”

“Go ahead.”

A frown settled between his eyebrows. Clearly he hadn’t expected her to call his bluff. “You don’t understand. When I said strip, I meant all the way. The full monty.”

She lifted her shoulder in a half shrug. “I understood you perfectly. And considering you’re only wearing briefs, that’s what I assumed anyway. Unless you’ve got something else on under there.” No way would that be possible. There’d be no room.

“But…”

“You don’t have anything I’ve never seen before. Remember?”

Judging from his sudden dark glower, he’d overlooked that relevant tidbit. Grumbling a curse, he shucked his briefs and stomped towards the wash bucket.

She made no pretense at pretending not to ogle. Hell with it. She’d wanted a change of scenery and he was providing a perfect, gorgeous view. He snatched a rag hanging from a bent section of the front running light and dunked it before reaching for the tube of gel-wash. Turning his back to her, he began lathering his torso in stiff, jerky motions. She cleared her throat loudly and he glanced her way.

“No need for haste on my account.”

His eyebrows slashed towards the bridge of his nose. “What do you want me to do, give you a show?”

An amazingly wicked thought entered her brain. “Actually, I’ve got a better idea.” She lifted from the carton and smiled at the wary set of his face as she approached. “I believe a quid pro quo is in order.”

“A quid what?”

“You know, tit for tat. Returning the favor?” She stole the rag from him before he could hold it out of reach. “It’s the least I owe you.”

“Rini—” He broke off with a surprised yelp when she smacked his right butt cheek.

“There’s plenty more where that came from.”

“Didn’t realize you’re so kinky.” Despite the sarcasm lacing his words, there was no mistaking the rise she’d gotten out of him. Literally.

Licking her lips, she stared at his growing erection and slicked the rag down the center of his chest.

“I already did that area.”

“What are you, impatient?” Just to torment him, she ran teasing little whorls over his abdomen, playing with the line of silky-fine hair arrowing towards his groin. Stopping short of touching the head of his cock, she rinsed the rag in the bucket and wrung it. This time when she resumed, she focused on the firm globes of his derriere. He stood silent but she could feel the heat of his scrutiny lasering into the crown of her head. Fighting back a giggle, she dragged the cloth along the curve of his hip, testing how far she could taunt his barely leashed patience. He lunged sideways. She had just enough time to jump out of the way as he upended the bucket over his head.

He shook himself like a big dog, sending water droplets flying everywhere. Grinning, he grasped her against him. “Now that’s dispensed with…” He lifted her, hooking her legs around his waist.

“You big brutus, you’re getting me all wet.”

“Baby, I plan on getting you
very
wet.”

“Pervert.”

Chuckling, he buried his face in the crook of her neck. “Mm, you’re delicious. I could eat you like a giant truffle.”

His husky voice and the innuendo hidden in his promise caused her to squirm in anticipation, making him laugh. He licked a path along the side of her neck until he reached her ear. Rumbling a sexy chuckle, he gave her lobe a teasing bite. “Now who’s the impatient one?”

“Fine, I admit it.” Gasping, she wiggled in his grip. “Now let’s get inside and get the feasting started.”

He practically ran into the side wall of the Liberty trying to hustle to the canvas closure. She loosened her hold around his rib cage. “Maybe you better let me tackle the climb on my own.”

Setting her on her feet, he assisted her up and followed after her. The second he cleared the opening, he swept her into his arms and beelined for the lounger.

She kicked the tousled sheet out of the way and reclined in an inviting pose. “Boy, you’re insistent on keeping me contained in this darned thing, aren’t you?”

His hands sliding in a lingering caress along her calves, he stretched over her. “Maybe it’ll actually work this time.” He lowered his head and skimmed his lips across her cotton and lace-covered nipple. The bud tightened, eagerly seeking more attention. With a deft flick of his tongue, he generously delivered it. She arched her back and he tugged off her tank top before unhooking her bra. Pushing the cups aside, he licked his lips. “Come to papa, pretty babies.”

He scraped his teeth gently over one nipple and she bucked, her nails digging into his broad shoulders. “Lucus, please…”

“Hmm, last time you begged this sweetly, you trapped my hand between your legs.”

“I did?” Jeez, talk about pushy.

“Yep, and I’m planning a return trip there real soon. Only this time, you won’t be coming around my fingers.”

His frank and raunchy pronouncement made her clitoris throb. As if he’d somehow gotten a direct transmission from the tormented nub, he roamed the valley of her stomach, edging his way south. Nibbling the sensitive hollow where her thigh and hip met, he hooked his fingers in the elastic of her bikini. He lifted to his haunches long enough to free her of her panties before resettling between her legs. He spread her labia and studied her, the rugged planes of his face set in rapt concentration. Just the faint touch of his breath down there threatened to send her rocketing over the cliff. When his tongue traced from her entrance up to her clitoris she jerked and grabbed the side rail for dear life.