Grace Samuels - Take me

An Elloras Cave Romantica Publication

www.ellorascave.com

Take Me

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Take Me Copyright 2009 Grace Samuels

Edited by Raelene Gorlinsky.

Cover art by Syneca.

Electronic book Publication March 2009

The terms Romantica and Quickies are registered trademarks of Elloras Cave Publishing.

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This book is a work of fiction and any resemblance to persons, living or dead, or places, events or locales is purely coincidental. The characters are productions of the authors imagination and used fictitiously.

Take Me

Grace Samuels

Chapter One

Lets play a game, his throaty voice said through the crackling of the long-distance phone line.

Hmmwhat sort of game? she asked.

Why dont you let it be a surprise.

* * * * *

Renault Museum of Art, Denver, CO

Beautiful.

Dianas gaze focused on the gold falcon. The necklace of Pharaoh Ramses gleamed in the glass-enclosed display.

The Jewels of the Pharaohs exhibit would have its premiere in less than an hour. In honor of the event, the Renault Museum of Art was holding a black-tie costume ball.

The museum staff had done a fantastic job in recreating an Egyptian garden in the center exhibit hall with faux temples leading into smaller rooms, each its own dynasty, where jewelry, trinkets and small statuary were showcased. It had been a year in the making and Diana was extremely proud to have been part of the museum team to help make this exhibition happen. Now if only she had someone to celebrate with

* * * * *

There she was, gazing at Ramses necklace. Diana was breathtaking. She wore a gold sleeveless gown that bared her arms while hugging her breasts and hips. Her shoulder-length auburn tresses were parted to the side in rippling waves that reminded him of a 1940s Hollywood starlet.

Because she was one of several of the museums representatives and required to maintain a more formal appearance, she wasnt in costume. He, however, wasnt representing anyone tonight and had dressed as the ancient lion-headed god Maahes , known as the Lord of the Massacre, the one who punished those who violated universal order. Thads body had changed over the years from that of the intern Diana had originally met. Dig work strengthened his muscles, tanned his skin. A particular dig down in South America had also garnered him a tribal tattoo circling his left biceps and a nipple piercing. He still didnt remember that particular drunken night terribly well. Without a shirt, he in no way appeared the PhD, and that in and of itself would help with this evenings seduction of Dr. Diana Anderson.

* * * * *

The gala had been underway for two hours. Diana was so proud the event was a huge success with the three hundred or so guests laughing, drinking, indulging in exotic delicacies and discovering the incredible intricate artistic talents of the ancients.

The guest list was a whos who smorgasbord of Denvers elite. There was an almost equal mix of those in costume and those in black tie.

Many in costume wore very familiar caricatures. Nefertiti and Cleopatra, the two most legendary beautiful women of Egypts past. Tutankhamen, the boy king. Anubis, jackal-headed god of the dead. Horus, the falcon-headed god of kings. Bastet , the feline-headed goddess. One bold woman dressed as Hatshepsut, the female regent who declared herself pharaoh. But the one costume that drew her attention each time it passed by was Maahes . He wasnt a well-publicized god. As a matter-of-fact, very few knew of him outside those with a strong interest in Egyptology.

The man behind the lion mask was fascinating. His body was long and lean with strong muscle definition. He looked at home in the linen kilt and knee-high wrap sandals. But what intrigued her most was the tiny glimmer at his nipple and the tattoo around his biceps. It set him apart, gave him a slightly exotic and dangerous aura.

She had noticed him glancing her way off and on. He would draw her gaze, devour her with his eyes then turn away, summarily dismissing her. It was equally frustrating and captivating.

Then Maahes tactics changed. As she conversed individually or within a group, Diana would see a shimmer of movement, feel the skim of a hand at her hip. A caress gliding across her silk-covered tummy. A finger whispering down her bare arm. Before she could respond, he was gone. She would turn, but all she ever saw was a retreating back. A tanned back that rippled with muscles with each step he took. Had a man ever looked so devastating in an Egyptian kilt? He was as Maahes would have been. Strong. Confident. Striding with pride. The tight curve of his buttocks was delineated through the linen. His thick, dark hair invited a womans fingers to run through it.

She smelled him before she saw him. She had incorporated his scent into her memory. His flirtatious dance of the evening had seduced her, enticed her, invited her to play. But play what? Was she really interpreting his touches, his glances correctly? Or was her imagination on overload?

His smell was earthy, fresh with a hint of spice. The man was standing much too close for her peace of mind. She could feel his heat. She wanted to reach out and touch the bare, toned flesh.

She turned to face him. Why are you standing so close to me?

Because you are beauty personified. You are enchanting and I am defenseless to resist. His low- timbred voice sent shivers coursing down Dianas spine, but his glib tongue and the hand grasping his bare chest over his heart made her want to roll her eyes.

She looked him straight in the eyes and felt a thrill like static electricity go through her. Blue eyes the color of lapis lazuli shining through a golden mask.

She tore her gaze away before she revealed how much the man was affecting her.

Are you following me? she asked when she moved to a headdress worn by Cleopatra and found him inches away from touching her, surrounding her body with his. Creating a private moment within a hall filled with chatter.

Youre not with anyone tonight, are you? Thad already knew the answer. Of course he knew the answer, but it was part of the game. He knew he would never tire of the little minx. Not when he compared every woman with her. It was how she made him burn with not just her body but her mind. How hungry she made him. With her, he never felt he was boring his companion with the mysteries of the past. With Diana, they would never run out of topics to explore or banter over, and bantering led to hot, sweaty bodies.

What kind of question is that to ask a total stranger?

Just tell me the answer then Ill explain.

Despite the slight wariness he could see, Diana was amused. No, Im not with anyone. Why do you ask?

Because Id like to seduce you tonight.

Seduce me? You dont know a thing about me, she told him in an incredulous voice.