The Shifter's Kiss Read Online Free Page A

freezing.
    Nali ran the cloth across his flushed skin once again, trying
to offer him comfort, but as the tremors in his body grew stronger and stronger,
she knew it would take more to break the fever. When he glanced at her, those
sea-colored eyes wide and pleading, she had to help him.

Chapter 5
    Placing the basin with the water and washcloth within
easy reach, she whipped off her dress and slipped beneath the sheets. Cuddling
close to him, she offered up her body heat to quiet the tremors in his. His skin
was hot and dry beside hers, and she took hold of the damp cloth, passing it
along as much of his body as she could, trying to lower his body
temperature.
    As she passed the cloth along his forehead and cheeks—as red as
if he’d run a race—a ghost of a smile passed across his hard, masculine lips
before they trembled with imagined cold once more.
    “Thank you,” he said and placed his hand at her waist, urging
her close. They were almost the same height, so every part of their bodies
touched.
    The tender act gripped her heart hard. It had been so long
since she’d been touched like that. So long, and never by a man as handsome as
this one. Not even the scars could diminish his beauty or the strength in the
lean body tucked beneath hers.
    She once again dipped the cloth in the basin, the action
dragging the pebbled tips of her breasts along the wall of his chest. Against
her thigh came the jump of his erection, responding to her even with his
weakness.
    Wetness erupted between her legs, but she fought the need.
    “I’m sorry,” he said and tried to move away, but she pressed
him down to keep him still.
    “You are a man. I’m a woman. It’s to be expected,” she said
because that was the natural order of things. The logic of nature had guided her
people. It was only with the advent of man into their area that things had
gotten out of whack and her people had been virtually exterminated.
    “You’re a woman now, but you weren’t before,” he said, gently
rubbing his hand up and down her side as she did the same with the damp cloth,
cooling his heated flesh.
    She could have denied it, passed it off to the effects of his
wound, but something about him made it impossible for her to deceive him.
    “Not before,” she confessed but then urged him to rest.
    With a nod, he closed his eyes while she continued caring for
him. As the hours passed, she was pleased as the tremors in his body gradually
abated and his skin cooled. Soon after, the slight sheen of sweat on his body
confirmed that the fever had broken.
    Tired from all that had happened and loathe to leave him, she
tucked herself against his side to rest, but her inner spirit swam within her,
alert and restless as was the way of the shark.
    It was that spirit that detected the change in his body—the
awareness of her and the arousal that rose up in him. The smell of it, so richly
masculine, awakened her desire.
    As he stirred and went to move away, she rose and lay a hand on
his chest to keep him near.
    “Why do you wish to go?”
    She sat up slightly and her breasts brushed against him. The
action tightened them immediately and, for a moment, his gaze dipped down, his
look as powerful as a caress, before jerking back up to her face.
    “I don’t want to take advantage of your kindness.” His voice
was stronger, all traces of weakness gone. The flush on his skin now was from
passion and not fever. Her one concern was that he might reopen the wound with
anything too strenuous, but she relished the idea of his touch against her.
    “I think I’m the one who owes you thanks for saving me.”
    With a shake of his head, he said, “Do you really want me to
believe—”
    “My name is Nali. You know what that means in Kuna,” she said
and for a moment he furrowed his brow, searching for the word. Recognition
slammed into him.
    “Shark. Nali means shark.”
    “When you are better, I will show you. It’s the least I can do
as thanks.” After she