Excerpt of Dillon's Claim by Callie Croix

Shock rippled through her at the sensual feel of his mouth
on hers. Her hands immediately went to his shoulders, palms
pressing against the contours of solid muscle. He didn’t
let go, the gentle pressure of his hand at her nape
reinforcing his control and heightening all her senses. The
kiss was hard, possessive, but his lips were soft and warm
on hers. A startled moan escaped, her body tingling with a
rush of pleasure.

She wanted this. Had craved it for so long. God help her,
her fingers curled around his shoulders instead of pushing
him away. Her lips softened and parted beneath his, the
tender stroke of his tongue making her sex clench in
anguish. He kissed her like he’d been dying to taste her,
licking and caressing all the sensitive places inside her
mouth, that strong hand cradling the back of her neck.

All too soon, he pulled back, leaving her hot, confused.
Wanting more.

Dillon raised a hand and trailed a questioning fingertip
over her cheekbone, holding her spellbound. "Something
spooked you the last time I did that," he said in a low
voice, his eyes far too knowing. "What was it? This?"

Before she could pull away, he threaded his other hand into
her hair and held her head still. Letting her feel a taste
of his authority, making her even wetter at the thought of
exactly how it would translate into the bedroom. The
dominant side of him frightened her as much as it aroused
her. She swallowed, hating the betraying stillness in her
body as she softened, wordlessly affirming her desire to
give up control. His steely eyes pinned her mercilessly,
gauging her reaction, watching for any sign of
vulnerability. This was the predator she’d sensed lurking
inside him, and this time there was no escape. She closed
her eyes to block out his scrutiny.

"Look at me," he commanded softly.

Fighting with herself, she drew a deep breath and forced
herself to meet his gaze. She swallowed again as his long
fingers rubbed against her scalp, his grip commanding, yet
so tender it tied her in knots. For the life of her, she
couldn’t make herself pull away.

"What were you so scared of, Charissa? Maybe this?" He bent
and brushed his mouth over hers. Gently this time, a
beguiling caress of lips and tongue that made her catch her
breath, press closer to him. Tempting her in ways a more
forceful touch never could have. The man was lethal with
his mouth. She could just imagine how well he’d use the
rest of his body.