Page 36 of Polestar (The Global Paranormal Security Agency #3)
T he sun blazed and Analiese Ortega basked in it like a contented cat, eyes closed, face upturned, worshipping the heat.
Stretched out on a lounge chair on Carson Perenga’s tropical island terrace, she enjoyed vacation time with her GPSA teammates.
Carson’s voice carried across the open space. “News from Pia Jensen.”
Ana turned her head toward the sound of his voice without opening her eyes.
“I called to give her the news that we closed the case, since she helped us out in Montreal, which she was incredibly pleased about and sends her congratulations along with an open invitation to her wedding next summer.”
Ana smiled, pleased by the news. The panther shifter was an excellent agent and deserved happiness.
“So, she and Renni Diaz decided to make it official. Good for them,” Ian said with a grin. “Silky soccer skills, that one.”
“Yeah, he’s a good guy,” Carson said.
Ana turned her attention away from the direction of their conversation as they continued talking about Renni Diaz’s soccer career and the signed jersey he sent to Ian at Carson’s request.
She sighed and adjusted her posture under her beloved sunshine.
A shadow loomed over her, interrupting her sunbathing.
She cracked an eye open to find Magnus’ head blocking her heat source. “You look like a sun god with all that glowing blond hair flowing around your shoulders,” she murmured, accepting the sweating glass of iced tea he’d brought her.
“And you’re my bronzed goddess.” He leaned down to kiss her before claiming the adjacent lounge chair. “How’s your shoulder?” He reached out, grazing his fingers over the healing wound he’d inflicted while in the astral realm.
“It’s fine, for the hundredth time.”
“I still can’t believe that was real.”
“Any regrets?”
He scowled at her. “You know there aren’t.” His lips compressed as he sighed.
It was obvious to her that he wanted to say or ask her something.
She sat up, worried. “I’ve never seen you so hesitant. What is it, Magnus?”
He reached toward her again, his fingers trailing along her bare shoulder next to her bikini halter strap, and cleared his throat. “It’s Barentian tradition for a priest or priestess to perform ritual body art on a mating mark. In our case, a shaman would do it.”
“Oh,” she said, rubbing a hand over her bare shoulder. She caught his fingers and squeezed, seeing how important the matter was to him. She dropped her gaze to his collection of beautifully drawn tattoos adorning his body. “And you think that would be… acceptable? For me to have such an honor?”
“If you like the idea…” he hedged.
“I do.”
“Then yes, I do think it’s acceptable. And I’d be honored that you would consider doing this.”
Ana stood from her lounge chair and slid onto Magnus’ lap, running her fingers through his loose hair.
“Aside from the fact I’d do anything for you, I think it’s a beautiful honor and look forward to having my first piece of body art created by a Barentian priest. How much more meaningful could that be? ”
He cupped her face and claimed her mouth, expressing how important her acceptance of the matter was to him.
“We should go to our room,” she murmured against his lips.
“We should.” His muscles tensed to stand.
“We got a hit!” Joey Kane said from somewhere behind Ana, excitement in her voice.
Magnus rested his forehead against Ana’s with a sigh, remaining as they were, but turned to give Kane their attention.
With her phone held aloft, Kane strode across the terrace, her swimsuit cover-up flowing around her slim legs.
“We’ve got a lead on a location for another gate!” she said again, eyes sparkling.
Ana smiled at her intense excitement. “That’s great news, Joey.”
“I’ve never seen her so animated,” Magnus whispered. “And I’ve known Joey for a very long time.”
Kane beamed. “Aaron called me with the information. I’m leaving in the morning to meet with him. When your time off is done, we’ll convene and plan the next steps.”
Ana breathed a sigh of relief and laughed. “I was worried you were going to send us all back this afternoon.”
“Don’t tempt me, Ortega,” Kane said with a wink as she maintained her energetic stride and skipped back up the steps toward Carson’s house, where Lirikai joined her.
“Let’s go before anyone else has an announcement.” Magnus set Ana on her feet, grabbed her hand, and tugged her toward the house.
Ana giggled, practically running to keep up with Magnus’ long strides.
“Ana!” Raya called. “Ian’s making scones soon if you want to join?”
“Not now!” Magnus growled, heading straight for their room.
“Maybe later,” Ana called, laughing as she flew down the hall in Magnus’ wake.
Pulling her into the room, he slammed the door shut and reached for Ana, intent on claiming her lips.
Magnus swooped her up into his arms, carried her to the bed, and lay her down without breaking the kiss. He pressed his body into hers and she wriggled beneath him, aligning his erection to her hot center.
Ana wrapped her legs around his clothed hips, drawing him closer.
His palm smoothed down her chest, over a breast, and continued on down her flat stomach. As his fingers hooked and tugged the band of her bikini bottom, his mouth slid along the same path, before finding her bellybutton.
“I’m going to worship you, Ana. Every inch.” He nibbled the tender flesh just above her bikini band.
“If you insist,” she moaned as his lips traveled lower, causing her to arch against him. “If you insist.”