• INTRODUCTION
  
  
• MEET THE CONTESTANTS
  
  
• MEET THE JUDGES
  
  

"Well." Gabriel winked at her. "I could show you how I love you in a very special way."

"Sex? You mean when we are having sex?" Lily couldn't believe she'd just said that.

He laughed. "If I use my powers while making love to you, it'll be a whole different experience."

"Show me." She stared at him with intensity.

"Aren't you a little afraid? I'm very powerful." A twinkle shone in his eyes as he linked her fingers through his. "I'm a sorcerer. I'll make you entirely mine." He still radiated the unnatural power she'd felt earlier.

"Show me." She was very curious now, and she had to admit, a little fearful. But the hint of fear crawling through her bones made her body tingle with lust. She flirted with danger and she knew it, finding that speckle of darkness in Gabriel strangely enticing.

Keeping his fingers intertwined with hers, she got up and led him to his bedroom.

He followed without protest, then sat on the bed.

As she stood facing him, he looked at her eagerly, waiting.

Her emotions had boiled in turmoil ever since she'd seen him on the beach and she felt compelled to show him her love. As if possessed by an uncontrollable force, she wanted to be naked for him, wanted to let herself feel vulnerable in front of him.

Where did this wild feeling come from? A sorcerer, he was a sorcerer, immortal. What would he do to her, what would his love feel like with magic?

With her gaze fixed on his handsome face, she worked the buttons of her shirt, one at a time. She wiggled out of her jeans while he sat on the bed, hands together, his expression full of desire.

Clad only in a lacy black bra and matching thong, she noted her boldness. She loved the power she held over him, loved seeing the admiration in his eyes. Stripping in front of him made her feel extremely feminine and untamed.

She brought her hand to her back, unfastened her bra to let it fall at her side. Her nipples hardened at the cool air and at the intense emotions running though her.

After sliding her fingers under the lace at her hips, she pushed the thong down to her feet. She stepped out of it and stood motionless, letting his gaze trail over her entire naked flesh. She was all ready for him, for his magical power.

Conscious of her nakedness and his fully clothed body, she kneeled down to his level and cupped his head in her hands.

"Make love to me, sorcerer. Show me your powers." Her voice purred in a whisper as her body heated with anticipation.

He grasped her wrist gently. "As you wish my lady, as you wish." He sounded unusually solemn.

Still sitting at the edge of the bed, he pushed her up to her feet and eased her to stand between his legs. He pressed his lips to her belly as he pulled her closer.

His jeans felt rough around her naked thighs, the warmth of his bare muscular arms encircled her waist and his soft T-shirt brushed her navel.

He cupped her naked buttocks. "You're so beautiful. Your skin, perfect." His voice was hoarse while a passionate fever burned in his eyes.

"Don't you have to say some weird words like hocus pocus or something like that?"

Gabriel laughed. "No, it just comes to me as I go along." He got up to her level, then guided her to his bed so she could lie on the immaculate sheets.

He then stood, all strong muscles and raw power, admiring what she had to offer.

She felt his physical power but also something more, something about his will, as if he wanted her to submit to it. She was not scared but awed and a little docile about what may happen. This was Gabriel, whom she loved and trusted.

She remained motionless as he knelt by the bed and held one of her ankles. He brushed the top of her foot with a kiss.

"Reizh leski," he whispered, his breath warm on her sensitive skin. He then blew softly on her leg. A tingling started where he'd kissed her. It spread along her leg, an incredible sensation flowing upwards, first though her thigh, her hip, then to her belly. It ended between her legs in a hot and teasing explosion.

She moaned with pleasure. How did he do that?

He then grasped her other ankle and pinned her with the strength of his grip.

"You're all mine now, baby." He flashed her that wicked smile again, then laughed. His laugh was playful but with a hint of something inhuman in it.

There was no turning back now.

Christopher knelt before Rebecca and grasped her hands. "Look at me."

Lord, she didn't want to. It hurt too much.

"Talk to me," he insisted, as his fingers nudged her chin higher. "Let me help you. You could have been killed tonight."

The eerie groan of the ship's hull echoed the emptiness in Rebecca's chest. "What does it matter? No one would care."

"Don't say that." His voice rasped, and his palm smoothed over her cheek, the touch so tender, she nestled her face into his work-worn skin. "God help me, I care."

Tears slid down her cheeks, as his words seeped through the numbness and revived her aching heart.

"Don't cry." Christopher's lips grazed her face, kissing her tears away. "You're safe now. I won't let anything happen to you." Large hands cradled her head, and his mouth settled lightly on her lips.

With a shuddering sigh, she kissed him back, refusing to listen to the doubts in her head. Drawn to the comfort he offered, she slipped off her seat and knelt before him on the cabin's floor.

Without hesitation, his arms engulfed her, clutching her to his chest. "When I heard you scream I almost went out of my mind. My God, I thought I was going to lose you."

Her skin tingled from his quiet confession. Never had anyone spoken to her with such devotion. She clung to him, drinking in the safety of his arms. "Thank you for saving me," she whispered. As the flickering glow of the lantern cast shadows around them, her lips brushed over his. The dreams she'd held at bay drifted through her mind as his mouth responded to her touch. Achingly sweet, his lips trembled, and his hands caressed her back.

The world outside the ship disappeared, washed away by the constant lap of waves against the hull. The dangers they'd escaped, society's god-forsaken rules, even her father faded from her mind. For this one night, she would allow herself a moment of happiness.

Her hands skimmed up his solid chest. The heat of his body radiated through the fine fabric, warming her fingertips. With a boldness that sped her heartbeat, she unknotted his necktie and slid the cloth free, dropping it to the floor.

"Rebecca, I don't think ... "

Shrugging out of her cloak, she lifted a finger to his lips, halting his words. "I want to touch you."

Under his watchful eye, she removed his vest and unfastened the buttons of his starched, white shirt. Her hands smoothed over his hot skin, exploring the unfamiliar contours of his bare chest, her fingers floating over the taut muscles of his abdomen. She reveled in the restrained power beneath her fingertips and the swift beating of his heart.

"You're beautiful," she breathed.

Impulsively, she bent forward and tasted the bared hollow of his throat, and he sucked in his breath. The mild saltiness of his skin tantalized her tongue.

Christopher lifted her chin and captured her lips in a hungry kiss, his mouth feverish, demanding. A thrilling tremor raced from her stomach to her toes, and she parted her lips to his probing tongue, eager to experience more.

She shivered as Christopher freed her dress buttons with a practiced hand, each small tug a flutter in her chest. The hooks of her corset followed with a few well-placed yanks, and soon the cool, damp air touched her flesh. A breathy moan escaped her when his warm palm cupped her breast through her cotton chemise.

Nowhere in her mind did she think to stop him. Heaven help her, she craved his touch like a dying woman given a last chance at life.

With a low growl, he pulled down the top of her chemise, and his mouth explored her bare breast. His firm lips claimed her nipple, and she arched back, the intensity of sensation so strong, her body seemed to hum.

A sensual smile warmed his face. "You're more lovely than I ever imagined."

The tone of reverence in his voice touched her like a soft caress, and a mist of tears dampened her eyes. Her pulse sped as his hand crept up her skirts, skimming her leg to the curls nestled between her thighs, leaving a tingling trail in its wake.

Boldly, she nibbled the curve of his mouth when his probing fingers touched her most sensitive place. A current like lightning bolted through her. Her eyes flew open, and her teeth bit down on his lower lip.

Jerking back, Christopher ran a hand over the abused skin.

"I'm so sorry," she cried, reaching out. What had she done?

His mouth quirked into a devilish grin. Lifting her skirts, he grazed his teeth over her knee, sending a quiver down her limb. "Never has revenge tasted so sweet."