Silver Creek cocoa

his gaze remained steadfast on the moss hanging limp in the woman's jaws, but his mind... his mind had wandered. in a brief snapshot glimpse he had seen enough of her svelte form to know he liked it; a fanciful flicker stole across his vision as he thought of how her frame might look bent beneath him.

just as quickly, he steeled himself, steering his thoughts back to something less carnal. he thought of wilted flowers, of moss, of rot -- anything but the nubile curve of her hips, the light tuck of her slim belly. think of the conversation, think of nice and fluffy things -- "no, winter is not." he answered, an ear pulled back as if in neutral expression. "who are you?"

he hoped she was of grayson's clutch. a small monopoly of women had been collected by the industrious male, and iliksis naturally, was quite excited to be the only snake in the henhouse.