Shadow Play: Read Online Free Page A

Segue’s founder, asking if she was up to this. “Ask” was a mellow word for Thorne’s phrasing.
    Cam ranged closer, careful not to alarm. Even with him, Ellie could get jumpy. And when her shadow split from her flesh, he wanted the overriding, primal instinct to be less defensive and more … welcoming. God knew her shadow had reason to fear him.
    “One minute was too long for JT in Twilight,” he pointed out to counter Ellie’s haste. “We won’t waste time, but neither will I allow you to rush headlong into that realm unless you are rested and strong, or your shadow will get the better of you.”
    Cam stepped within reach, a slow advance, but one that made Ellie aware of him. She lowered her outstretched arm and retreated, only to back into the counter, her expression wary.
    “Cam.” One word conveyed a world of worries. She spoke into his eyes, a plea not to push her, when push her was exactly what he was going to do.
    He reached to stroke that soft skin at her neck. A light nudge to angle her head.
    Her lids lowered a fraction, her breath suspended.
    And then he kissed her, his favorite pastime, bar none. If they could get past this stage, he’d bet he’d discover another favorite—and he’d make absolutely certain it was also hers—but for now this had to satisfy.
    His mouth brushed over hers, settled in to seek and taste. Honey sweet. And she answered, her body rising to meet him, her hands feathering at his shoulders. He permitted no space between them, relishing the curve of her breast, the skim of her stomach, her legs trapped between his parted stand. She kissed him back, seeking too, and the rush of the waterfall filled his mind, its scent heating his blood.
    So he had to increase the pressure, had to, take more, damn it, turn carnal, when he would have held back and waited for that sense of gathering in her body that signaled controlled pleasure.
    Too soon. Damn, so fast. Accelerated by the proximity of magic.
    One drop of heat begat a wave of drowning want, him pulling her close, tight, diving into a sensory storm of denied and delayed craving. He’d tried too long to be careful, but now careful was dangerous, too.
    She gripped his shirt, arched to press her breasts against him, angled her hip into contact with his groin. All of which made his nerves buzz, his vision swim with stars. It felt so good and greedy, but the exchange was dominated by shadow.
    With a cry, Ellie pushed him away.
    He stumbled back, hard, ready, but raising a hand to stop the nude, dark woman who stepped out of Ellie and prowled after him, lust turning her skin from insubstantial transparency to solid, opaque presence.
    “Hello there,” Cam said, panting. It was taking too long to shut down his arousal and use his brain. Flesh and blood Ellie, the one now trembling with exhaustion, had cast her shadow out rather than let it take over and dominate the intimacy. It happened nearly every time they tried to make love. The rest of the time, the shadow split on her own out of impatience.
    But his point was well made. It had taken all of one minute for him to force Ellie’s two selves apart. She needed to be in control when she attempted Twilight and a rescue. The brevity of their kiss showed just how close to the edge she’d been. Or how much the waterfall, and therefore Twilight, could influence her. Influence both parts of her.
    The shadow wrapped an arm around his neck, her mouth grazing the bare skin at his collar, and she slid a satiny dark palm down his pants to clasp him. No blood was going where it was most needed. Nope, not one little bit.
    Steps away, the other Ellie looked at him, shame all over her face. They both knew that the desire of the shadow belonged to Ellie, but it wasn’t tempered by control, shyness, or inexperience. Her shadow didn’t hide what she wanted, didn’t lie about it, didn’t remotely acknowledge the standards of normal behavior. Didn’t feel shame.
    “I need you.” The shadow