Taken by the South Wind Read online

  “You’re killing me.” His hips thrust forward. “I need to be inside you.”

  She released him and spun. Leaning her belly and hips against the wall, she arched her back and looked over her shoulder.

  “Take me, Dante. Calm the storm in both of us.”

  He ran his hands down her back, skimming her spine. One big hand ran down between her cheeks and touched her where she was wet and wanting. She leaned into him and moaned.

  “Dio.” He covered her with his body. His erection slipped between her legs, prodding her entrance, the large head nestling between her lips.

  She couldn’t survive any longer. “Dante! Now, please.”

  With one hard thrust, he was inside her.

  Samia cried out. She was caught between the hard rock pressing against her belly and the hard man against her back. He filled her, stretched her. They were one, and for the first time, she was no longer alone.

  He gripped her hips. He pulled out, then slammed back into her.

  “Yes,” she breathed.

  He started pounding into her with an unforgiving rhythm. “Mine.”

  “Yours.”

  The sensation racing through her rivaled the wildest storm. It was like being caught in a vortex, wild desire tossing her like an angry sea.

  He slid a hand under her, touching where his body thrust into hers. One long finger found the firm nub nestled there and a cry exploded from her. She thrust her hips back against him. She closed her eyes, lights exploding behind her eyelids.

  His teeth clamped down on her shoulder and she bucked wildly against him. Everything inside her became concentrated to a pinpoint of electrifying pleasure. His hips plunged again and she screamed as the explosion tore through her.

  Chapter Seven

  Dante gripped Samia’s hips as her body convulsed around him. He gritted his teeth and fought for control. He wanted to pound into her and take his release, but he wanted her with him again.

  His body demanded sweet relief—from the vicious pride and the brutal arousal flooding his system. When her contractions lessened, he started thrusting again.

  “Dante!” she cried.

  She felt perfect, her body clasping him, clamping down on his erection. He controlled the rhythm, made it fast and hard. He dragged her hips back against his, forcing her to accept every inch of him, everything he was, good and bad.

  The pride fought like a living thing, not wanting to leave him, but the warmth of her body, the strength of her, was too powerful for it.

  She’d been made for him. Her body fit his with perfection. He moved his hands up to cup her breasts. They fit his hands, the right size for his big palms. She calmed him, saved him, and in return, he would make the sadness in her eyes go away.

  He scraped his teeth over her shoulder. With every stroke of his body, she gave a little rhythmic cry.

  Her slim back glowed in the darkness and he couldn’t wait to make love to her on a big soft bed and stare into her bronze eyes as he loved her. He wanted to give her the tenderness and the care she deserved.

  Right now, he’d give her passion. But he promised to show her more.

  Her body contracted again. She gave an inarticulate cry and found her second release. He was helpless against the tidal wave moving though him. He pumped into her and this time his body shattered.

  As he poured himself inside her, he wondered how he’d ever survived a day without her. With his release, his body felt energized, cleansed. His soul, once edged with the darkness of pride, felt nothing but the warmth of his feelings for her.

  When Dante came back to awareness, he realized he was crushing Samia against the rough stone. He nuzzled her neck, then turned her.

  She looked up at him with huge, dark eyes. He was stunned at what she’d done for him. She’d offered herself up to help him, giving her body to stop the pride. He pressed a kiss to her lips. Where their loving had been wild and frantic, this kiss was slow and tender.

  He’d never wanted love, thought it wasn’t possible for one such as him. After all, finding a woman wasn’t essential for him. The duty of the WindKeeper line fell to the oldest. Luca would have the four sons to carry on the tradition. But now, this woman made Dante want things he’d never considered.

  How could he convince her to stay? What woman would take a chance on a man who’d battled pride all his life? He knew he had to give her a choice, but what would he do if she chose to leave?

  Her hand curved around his jaw. “How do you feel?”

  He pushed his dark thoughts away. “Calm, in control. Thanks to you.” His hands framed her face. “You are the bravest, most generous woman I’ve ever met.”

  Heat crept into her cheeks. “You don’t even know me.”

  His fingers slid into her hair. “I know the important things. You’re tough, intelligent, courageous. You grieved for a little boy and fought with everything you had for a man you barely know.”

  She gave him a small smile. “I know the important things about you. A man who’s suffered daily to control his power so he can protect everyone else. A man willing to sacrifice for others.”

  Her words sobered him. “Africus is still free.” If Dante didn’t stop him, he and Samia had no future. “I have to stop him.”

  Her face went blank and she stepped back. “I understand. Duty always comes first.”

  While Dante wanted to lose himself in Samia and in showing her what she was coming to mean to him, first he had to be a WindKeeper. “Samia—”

  She turned away, reaching for her clothes. “Later. Let’s finish this.”

  Si, they’d finish this. Dante swallowed his frustration. Then he’d show Samia just how important she was to him. After they dressed, they moved through the shadows.

  “He hasn’t gone far,” Samia said.

  “I know.” Dante sensed the taint of the Tempest Wind. He wanted to be found. “Do you trust me?”

  She looked into his face, her gaze steady. “Yes.”

  He tugged her to his chest and summoned the South Wind.

  His body dispersed, becoming the air. Samia’s did the same. He heard her gasp, knew she was experiencing the sensation of leaving the solid behind and embracing the wind.

  He directed the wind to follow Africus. They sailed after him, and even though they no longer had distinct bodies, Dante felt Samia’s calming influence beside him.

  As the wind, they felt no sense of time or distance. Hunter chased foe through all the hidden places of Rome, past the buildings and temples of old, past the modern additions of the present.

  Dante rematerialized in the Campo de’ fiori. The usually busy piazza was eerily silent. A dark wind swirled past the statue of the monk, prowled through the square.

  He held Samia steady as she found her feet.

  “Oh, God.” Her dark eyes were dazed, but a smile tilted her lips. “That was exhilarating.”

  He’d forgotten the wonder of the first time he’d ridden the wind. Looking at her face, he remembered it all over again. “I take it for granted.”

  “You shouldn’t.” She turned her face up to the statue. “Where’s Africus?”

  “Right here, assassin.” Africus stalked out of the shadows.

  Dante straightened. “It ends now, Vento Tempesta.”

  Africus laughed. “Was she good, WindKeeper? I can smell sex on both of you.”

  Dante lunged, lightning fast, but Africus dodged, avoiding the blow.

  “You can still join me. Let the pride make you strong.”

  “The pride is gone.”

  At Dante’s stark words, confusion flowed over Africus’s face. “It’s not possible. Only the…” He eyed Samia. His face twisted into a vile mask. “They were supposed to be dead. This was our chance to win, to rule the world!”

  Samia frowned. “Who’s supposed to be dead?”

  Dante grabbed Africus. Shock made the Tempest Wind slow and in moments, Dante subdued him and forced him to his knees. He twisted Africus’s arms up beh
ind his back.

  Samia looked to Dante. “What’s he talking about?”

  Dante took a deep breath. “Have you heard of the Aurae?”

  Her frown deepened. “Aurae? Why does that word sound familiar?”

  “They were women, keepers of the seasonal breezes.”

  Something dawned in Samia’s eyes, a spark of recognition.

  “The Aurae can control the vices of the wind,” he added.

  Her mouth opened, closed. “You’re saying I’m Aurae?”

  Africus jerked. “You should be dead.”

  Dante yanked the man’s arm, but never took his gaze off Samia. “I need your help to end this.”

  She didn’t move. He saw everything moving through her eyes—confusion, turmoil, wonder. Would she accept her heritage?

  With a small nod, she stepped up beside him. When her hand pressed against his arm, soothing him, he felt power well up inside him.

  Dante looked down at Africus. “My brothers will prevail. Soon the Venti Tempesta will be trapped again.”

  “I won’t go back!” Africus shook his head wildly. “I will not go back to the Keeper of the Winds.”

  “The choice is not yours to make.” Dante summoned the wind. He felt his power, magnified by Samia’s presence, fill the air around them.

  A great whirlwind built. It twirled through the square, coming closer.

  “No!” Africus screamed.

  With a vicious shove, Dante pushed his foe into the vortex.

  The Tempest Wind’s scream echoed across the square as his body disintegrated. Dante’s wind carried the Southwest Wind away and once again there was silence.

  “It’s over,” Samia murmured.

  “No.” Dante gripped her shoulders and pulled her to him. “It’s not over yet. For my brothers, the fight continues.” He prayed they’d defeat their winds soon. A part of him wondered if there were more Aurae out there. Women who could ease the burden of the WindKeepers.

  But he couldn’t fight his brothers’ battles. All he could do was give thanks his was over and somehow convince the woman who’d saved him to stay.

  His hand slid into Samia’s hair, brushing some dark strands off her forehead. “And it’s not over for us. For us, my sweet assassin, it’s just beginning.”

  She glanced down at the ground. “I don’t have much to offer. I only know how to kill.”

  Dante shook his head, his fingers brushing over her cheeks, forcing her gaze up. “That’s not true. You’re Aurae, with many skills to explore. And what you did for me before…you took care of me, you saved me.” He tugged her closer. “Now it’s my turn to take care of you.”

  Her lips trembled. “No one’s ever cared.”

  “I do.” His power wrapped around them and carried them away on the breeze. Moments later, they materialized on the balcony of Luca’s apartment. Dante swept Samia into his arms and carried her inside. “I’ll show you.”

  In the bedroom, he set her down. He tried to be gentle, but as he removed her clothes, baring her beautiful body, his control faded. His hands shaped her, cupping her breasts, sliding along her limbs.

  “Dante,” she whispered. Her hands slipped off his shirt, fingers running over his shoulders. Then she loosened his belt and soon they were both naked, hot skin pressed to hot skin.

  He kissed her, their tongues tangling. The exotic taste of her seeped into him. Now he would love her with no pride present. Just man and woman.

  He’d hoped to make this loving slow and easy, but fire ignited in his veins and scorching desire stormed through him. He needed her and slow was beyond him.

  Lifting her, he backed her against the wall. Her long legs wrapped around him. He watched the moonlight play over her face. “You’re so beautiful, cara.”

  Unable to wait any longer, he pressed his erection to her slick folds and pushed inside her.

  She moaned, her hips rising to meet him. He drove into her with strong, measured thrusts.

  “I’ll never let you go. I wanted to give you a choice, but please say you’ll stay with me.”

  She gasped, her bronze gaze moving over his face. Her once sad eyes now only showed pleasure.

  He thrust into her again. “Stay, fall in love with me, be my anchor.”

  “Yes. I choose you, Dante.” Her hands gripped his shoulders, then slid down his back, nails scoring his skin. “I’ll stay. Always.”

  She was his. He knew it just as he knew his own power. This woman had been made for him, was destined for him.

  He’d spend a lifetime proving to her she came first, that she was making the right choice to take a chance on him. He’d ensure she never regretted being his.

  Feelings, bright and hot, welled up inside him. He continued moving inside her, savoring her hot, welcoming body. Her damp skin pressed against his. He felt his release building and felt her body coiling, ready to explode.

  His grip on her tightened. Pride was gone and in its place he was amazed to find love.

  Raw heat scorched through Samia’s body. Dante’s possession took her higher and beyond everything she’d felt before.

  She loved the feel of his big body against her, inside her. She loved him.

  Oh, God. How could she be in love with him?

  Dante’s hands gripped her hips, then he spun and carried her to the bed. Never once breaking contact, he sat. In this new position, he felt huge inside her. They were face-to-face, and she was shocked by the storm of emotion in his eyes.

  He urged her to move her hips. “Ride me, Samia.”

  She rose, then lowered. She was in control, his big body hers for the taking. He would stand by her, give her the closeness and love she craved. He would help her leave the Hashshashin behind and discover what being Aurae meant for her. He hadn’t said he loved her yet, but she vowed she’d hear the words from him.

  She quickened her pace, felt the deep heaviness growing in her belly. Faster, rougher, she moved her body, reaching for the fever of pleasure she knew was coming.

  She lowered herself again and heard a groan tear from his throat. As he emptied himself inside her, her own release ripped through her. Her back arched and pleasure swamped her.

  Body still tingling, Samia opened her eyes.

  His hands slid into her hair. “I’m falling in love with you, Samia Hassan. I hope you’ll let me.”

  Mesmerized by his eyes, she felt her chest swell. All her life she wanted to mean something to someone, to be loved. Now it seemed this beautiful man was offering her the chance. “I’ll do everything I can to make it a fast trip.”

  He tugged her face closer. “For both of us.”

  She’d already fallen a long way. Who wouldn’t fall for a man like this one? “Yes, for both of us.”

  He pulled her close, his hands smoothing up and down her spine. Her face was pressed to his chest and she heard the steady beat of his heart.

  A heart that now belonged to her.

  She smiled. A new life. From now on, there would be more than death for her. With him by her side, she would never be alone.

  Read about Rafe and Livia, Keeper of the Winds, in the first WindKeepers story Wind Kissed, Fire Bound by Anna Hackett, on sale now wherever eBooks are sold.

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  WIND KISSED, FIRE BOUND

  SAVAGE DRAGON

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  ISBN: 978-1-4268-4179-8

  Taken by the South Wind

  Copyright © 2009 by Anna Hackett

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