Raina wiped away the last of her tears as the computer announced her visitor. “Ashley Kane to see you. Shall I let her in?”
“Yes.”
The cabin Kotto had reserved for her seemed small after spending time in his spacious quarters. At least it was on the same deck as Ashley and Bandar. But then it was on the same deck as Kotto and Raylon too. The bed was tucked against one wall, a small sitting area arranged against the other with a food dispenser that she hadn’t quite figured out.
She quickly moved from the bed to the sofa as the door opened, admitting her friend. “Did you get everything all figured out?”
Ashley smiled despite Raina’s frosty tone. “The meeting’s over, but there are still countless details to be worked out.”
Rather than wasting an hour with frustrating small talk, Raina just blurted it out. “I didn’t want Kotto’s attention, but he’s much more charming than he likes people to realize. Raylon is…I don’t want to be alone with Raylon. He scares the shit out of me.”
Ashley sat in the chair facing Raina, her expression compassionate yet thoughtful. “Your reaction is completely understandable. The first time I saw Raylon and Kotto, I wanted to run for cover. They arrived in battle armor to relieve Kotto’s brother of command.”
“Kotto had to arrest his own brother?” Her heart lurched and more unwanted tears gathered behind her lashes. “That’s cruel.”
“Raylon did the actual demotion, but Kotto had to stand there and watch it. Anyway, that wasn’t my point. What I’m trying to explain is I thought they were both savage. Then I spent time with Kotto and realized he’s not nearly as bad as he first seemed.”
“I don’t want to spend time with Raylon.” She looked down as heat spread across her face. “I want Kotto.”
“Are you in love with him?”
Her gaze shot back to Ashley’s and Raina shook her head. “I can’t be. It’s way too soon.”
Ashley moved to the couch, a dreamy smile curing her lips. “I thought the same thing with Bandar. I didn’t really know him, so how could I possibly love him.”
“But,” Raina prompted.
“But Rodytes experience intimacy differently than humans. We have access to our partners in a way humans will never really understand.”
One of Raina’s brows arched at Ashley’s statement. She wasn’t surprised by the assertion, but Ashley’s tendency to include herself with Rodytes rather than humans was starting to annoy. “You consider yourself Rodyte now? Both of your biological parents were human. You’ve lived your entire life on Earth. One month in Bandar’s arms and you’re no longer human?”
“I’m a hybrid. So are you.” Ashley kept her tone even, but emotions Raina couldn’t quite identify sparked within Ashley’s eyes. “As for the rest, the last month of my life has been honest and illuminating. I’ve learned things about myself that finally made the rest of my life make sense.”
“I’m sorry.” Raina spread her hands, expressing her helplessness. “None of this is your fault. I’m just all twisted up inside.”
“Did Kotto share his emotions with you last night?”
Raina shook her head as memories flooded her mind. What they had shared had been nearly overwhelming. If she’d been able to feel Kotto’s emotions along with everything else, it likely would have been too much.
“Bandar and I have just started to bond, but it’s like nothing I ever imagined. We don’t just share our bodies with each other. We meld on a spiritual level.” She shook her head. “I know that sounds hokey, but it can’t really be explained. It has to be experienced.”
“That’s the problem. I can imagine allowing that sort of exchange with Kotto. With Raylon.” She shuddered and shook her head. “He’s too…mean.”
“I’ll let Bandar know how you feel and we’ll play chaperone, but I don’t think you can avoid him completely. Soul bonding is a permanent decision. You can’t even start deliberation until you have all the facts. You owe it to yourself to at least talk to him.”
With a frustrated sigh, Raina pushed to her feet. “This is so unlike me. I’ve always considered myself a strong, independent woman. I live alone, provide for myself and depend on no one for anything. I’m competent and driven, so why do these men make me feel weak and helpless?”
“I think they like it that way.” Ashley flashed a conspirator’s smile. “They can’t swoop in and rescue us if we’re doing fine on our own.”
Ready to think about something else, anything else, Raina said, “Kotto said you agreed to be the first test subject. Is that true?”
“At first I agreed because I know how much it means to Bandar, but I spent several hours with Irron and he explained all the possible advantages there could be for me. Now I’m as excited for me as I am for Bandar.”
“Excited? Aren’t you scared? You’ll be literally transformed into someone else.”
“That’s not true.” It was obvious Ashley believed it, but Raina wasn’t nearly as convinced. “My genetics will go through a controlled mutation, but who I am won’t change. I’ll just live longer, be more resistant to diseases and maybe, just maybe, I’ll absorb some of the magic locked inside Bandar.”
Raina just shook her head. Trying to talk Ashley out of it was obviously a waste of time, but Raina couldn’t pretend to be happy Ashley had agreed to do this. “I won’t even buy a car the first year it comes out. There’s no way I’d be the first to undergo something like this.”
“No, you’re going to be the second.” Ashley stood and gave Raina a quick hug. “By the way, Bandar asked me about your relatives this morning. He wanted to know if you had brothers or sisters. I told him no, but it won’t take him long to work his way around to cousins. Is Indigo an only child?”
“She is. Aunt Laura had trouble conceiving. So did Mom. I wonder if that’s a side effect of being a hybrid?”
“Irron would know.” Raina accepted the suggestion with a nod and Ashley motioned toward the door. “We’re going to head over. Bandar has arranged for a work crew to get started on taming the jungle.”
“That’s great. I’ll be over in a few minutes.”
“Do you want us to wait for you?” Ashley hesitated by the door. “An escort isn’t required now that you’re marked, but I understand if you’d rather walk over with us.”
“I’m an adult.” Raina squared her shoulders and took a deep breath. “I need to start acting like one.”
“Got it.” Ashley waved goodbye as the door opened. “See you over there.”
Raina splashed some cool water on her face and worked her hair into a braid. Feeling more herself, she grabbed her datapad, the Rodyte version of a tablet computer, and headed out. The door parted and she found herself face-to-face with Raylon. Or more like face-to-throat. Damn these Rodytes were tall.
“Dr. Solano,” he greeted.
She had a PHD, so that was technically her title. But how had he known? Even Kotto called her Ms. Solano when they first met. “Just Raina is fine.”
“Raina.” His head dipped, but his expression didn’t change. He looked hard and assessing, yet not nearly as mean as he had earlier. “I came to apologize. What transpired between Kotto and me was inexcusable. I regret that you witnessed the exchange.”
Even spoken in his deep, commanding tone it sounded like a speech he’d been required to memorize. She stepped forward and the door slid shut behind her. “Do Rodytes frequently settle disagreements in the ‘training cage’?” With the datapad pressed against her chest, she headed for the nearest elevator.
He fell in step beside her, keeping as much distance between them as the hallway allowed. “It’s a popular option, I’ll admit.”
“Well, I’m sorry I called you an asshole. That wasn’t very professional.”
“I’ve made a horrible first impression.” He smiled and his features softened, somewhat. This was not a man who would ever be described as soft. “I hope you’ll give me another chance.” They stepped into the elevator and the doors closed. “Where are you headed?”
“To the jungle.”
“Deck four.” His command set the elevator in motion and he rubbed his nose.
She’d thought he was being polite in the corridor, trying not to crowd or frighten her. Was he bothered by Kotto’s scent? “How does it affect you?”
He looked at her quizzically. “How does what affect me?”
“The mark Kotto left on me?” She thought mark sounded less provocative than scent.
“It makes me restless and aggressive.” He held up his hand, palm toward her. “But not toward you. I want it clear that I would never hurt you.”
She’d felt an instant attraction to Kotto. Was his mark keeping her from feeling the same attraction toward Raylon? She could imagine how he’d react to that question, so she tucked it away in the back of her mind. She’d ask Ashley later, or even Bandar would be a better choice than Raylon.
They reached level four and the elevator opened. He matched her step for step, so she finally stopped near the airlock and asked, “Was there something else?”
“I’ll see you safely to your destination.”
Rodytes had a habit of making statements rather than asking questions. “That’s not necessary.”
“I disagree.”
She’d already figured out that she had to pick her battles with these guys and this one wasn’t worth fighting. “Thank you.”
Rather than compete with the work crews restoring order to the commerce tiers, he waited until they reached the first residential village to ask, “How is your project progressing? Are you going to be able to restore the existing system or will you need to install a new one?”
“I’m not sure yet. I only received my language infusion yesterday, so I haven’t had time to go over the documentation.”
“I see.”
She answered his other questions as they passed through the outpost, but she couldn’t help remembering how different it had felt when Kotto had taken her on this same tour. Kotto made her feel comfortable or tingly, while Raylon just made her nervous.
They reached the entrance to the agricultural quadrant, but Raylon paused a couple of steps back from the door. “I want to spend time with you, Raina. I’m hoping we can get to know each other better. But until his scent fades, I’ll be horrible company.”
“I understand.” This was a stay of execution not an acquittal to put it in terms her mother would understand.
“Then I’ll see you in about a week.”
She nodded, acknowledging the statement. All this really meant was she had a week to decide how seriously she wanted to take Raylon as a suitor. If he was her genetic match and Kotto’s scent only affected other males, why hadn’t she felt an attraction toward Raylon?
Raina employed a familiar strategy to get through the next week. She worked so hard that by the time she stumbled into her cabin each night all she could think about was sleep. She quickly decided repairing the existing nutrient dispensing system would be faster and easier than ripping out all of the equipment and replacing it, even if newer technology offered more options.
As she entered her cabin on day two, the computer informed her that she had a holomessage.
“Please activate the message or show it to me or whatever.”
“‘Play message’ is the usual response.” It hadn’t taken long to figure out the computer in her cabin was in some sort of tutorial mode. She wasn’t sure if it was standard procedure whenever a cabin was assigned or if Kotto had anticipated her need for assistance. Either way, she was grateful.
“Play message.”
A beam of light dropped down from the ceiling then expanded into a life-size image of Kotto. “I promised to keep my hands off you. I never said I wouldn’t think about you night and day.” Heat rolled through her body and her heart swelled with emotions she didn’t dare name. “Knowing you’re only four doors away is driving me crazy. I want you with me, snuggled up next to me as we sleep. After we’ve exhausted each other, of course.” He smiled and slowly shook his head. “I don’t know how I’m going to last five more days.”
The image blinked off and Raina’s heart sank. “Computer, can I record a response?”
“Of course, Raina. Would you like to create a visual response or reply with audio only?”
She glanced down and frowned. She’d just returned from the jungle and her appearance reflected the day’s vigorous activities. Still, if Kotto was missing her as badly as she was missing him, it wouldn’t matter. “Audio and visual both.”
“Begin whenever you’re ready and say ‘end message’ when you’ve finished.”
She wasn’t sure where to look, so she just started speaking. “I miss you too, Kotto. It’s been less than two days. So why does it feel like forever?” She crossed her arms, rubbing her hands up and down. “I still don’t understand a lot of this, but we were starting to make sense.” She paused, not sure what else to say. “I don’t want to start over and I certainly don’t want to be with anyone else. I know that’s not fair to Raylon, but I can’t make myself care right now.” After indulging in a frustrated sigh, she added, “I know you promised not to touch me, so your honor is on the line. That’s the only reason I’m not knocking on your door right now.” Before she could sound even more desperate, she said, “End message.”
“Shall I send the message now or would you like to schedule the delivery for later?”
“Send it now.”
Silence descended on the cabin as Raina started to undress. It was still relatively early, but she didn’t feel like socializing. She’d meant what she said in the message, but hearing the words also made her feel guilty. They were being horribly unfair to Raylon. He hadn’t done anything wrong and yet he’d been shut out of a very important opportunity. What if she was the only female on Earth compatible with his DNA? It was hard to think about Raylon objectively when Kotto was already integrated into her system.
The following morning, Raina was still restless and work was no longer an adequate distraction. Bandar was supervising the large work crew Kotto had assigned to help them tame the jungle, which left Raina and Ashley more or less alone.
“How much do you know about the physiology of Rodyte mating?” Ashley’s shocked expression made Raina laugh. “Not the actual mating. I’m pretty sure I understand that part. I meant the attraction phase. Kotto said males are drawn to a potential mate by her scent, but often touch is needed to ignite the attraction for the female.”
“You know more about it than I do.” Ashley set her datapad on the shelf to her right as she looked at Raina. They were cleaning out the largest of three storerooms and establishing an inventory. Raina couldn’t figure out what she would need to get this place running again until they determined which supplies were already on hand. “Bandar touched me moments after we met, so I never noticed the difference.”
“He touched you how?” It was easy to picture Bandar backing Ashley into the nearest wall and kissing her senseless. Rodytes had no interest in being politically correct. They celebrated their predatory nature and made no apologies for their aggression.
“There was nothing romantic about it. I was bleeding to death at the time,” Ashley reminded.
“That’s right. Letos stabbed you, so Bandar picked you up and took you to Dr. Irron.”
“Why the questions? I thought you’d pretty much made up your mind.”
“I have, but what if I only feel this certain about Kotto because Raylon hasn’t touched me yet?”
Ashley’s eyes widened and her mouth formed a dramatic O. “Don’t let Kotto hear you talk like that.”
“He might not like the idea of Raylon touching me, but he wouldn’t want to bond with someone who isn’t confident in the decision to join with him.”
“Or he’d work even harder to make you confident,” Ashley predicted. “Rodytes are tenacious. Trust me. Kotto wouldn’t let you go without a fight.” She chuckled then added, “Or should I say another fight?”
Raina knew Ashley was right, but none of this was helping Raina resolve the conflict. “Raylon stopped by my cabin after you left the other day and apologized.”
“Meaning, you’re not afraid of him anymore?”
“That’s part of it.” She moved a case of nitrogen-infused gel from one side of the wide shelves to the other. “But mostly, I don’t want to slam the door in his face without even giving him a chance. It just doesn’t seem right.”
Ashley nodded as she picked up her datapad. “I get it. If you don’t at least let him touch you, you’ll spend the rest of your life wondering what might have been.”
“This way, I’ll have no doubt that Kotto and I are meant to be together.”
The next few days flew by once Raina focused on her goals. The work crew had made incredible progress in six short days. The paths crisscrossing the jungle had been restored and about half of the sprawling plant beds had been tamed. Unfortunately, many of the original plants had been completely choked out by the overgrowth, so Raina would have to start from scratch. The setback didn’t discourage her, however. She used the loss as an opportunity to organize the layout more to her liking.
After responding to Kotto’s message each evening, Raina spent several hours researching Rodyte agriculture. One week on the ship had proven she didn’t know much about what Rodytes liked to eat. Other than their mates, of course. The wicked thought sent heat curling through her body and made her heart ache. Was this continual longing a side effect of the mark Kotto had left on her or was it just her body’s way of reminding her that she’d already found her mate?
Her mate. A permanent partner. Someone with whom she would build a future. The possibility wasn’t nearly as disconcerting as it would have been the week before. When one was inside the moon, renovating a sustainable food cave for a band of rebel aliens, it was hard to find anything surprising.
By the time Bandar dismissed the workers on day seven, anticipation had made Raina nearly giddy. They’d moved all the supplies into one storeroom so the other two could be scrubbed and the shelves reinforced. She locked the full storeroom and turned around, preparing to leave the area. But as she approached the main entrance, the doors parted for Raylon.
She fought back the immediate surge of disappointment. She’d hoped Kotto would come rushing to her side, desperate for their separation to end.
“Hi.” She tried to sound more enthusiastic than she felt.
He started to speak then his eyes narrowed and he moved closer. “When was the last time you saw him, touched him?”
They both knew who he meant, but the implied accusation shifted her right back into defensive mode. “In the conference room seven days ago. Kotto promised he wouldn’t touch me and he hasn’t. We’ve exchanged messages, but they weren’t even interactive.”
His lips pressed into a disapproving line, but she saw frustration not accusation in his eyes. “I need to touch you to be sure. Will you allow it?”
“Of course.” She waited until he looked into her eyes to add, “I’m not intentionally sabotaging you. I know how important this is.”
“And yet all you think about is him.” It wasn’t even a question. They both knew it was true. He raised his hand slowly, giving her plenty of time to turn away. His warm knuckles brushed her check and followed her jawline down to her chin. Then he stroked her bottom lip with his thumb as tension pulsed between them. “The only reason his scent would still cling to you after seven days is because you don’t want it to fade. We might be genetically compatible, but it’s obvious you’ve made your choice.”
Rather than deny it or give him false hope, she lowered her gaze. “I’m sorry. This is no reflection on you. I just—”
“Want Kotto.”
She nodded and he lowered his hand. “Then go to him. I wish you all the best.”
She looked up to make sure he was sincere, then her heart fluttered and she could no longer fight back a beaming smile. On impulse, she rocked to the balls of her feet and kissed his bristly cheek. “Thank you,” she whispered then rushed from the jungle to search for her mate.
Kotto tore off his uniform top and stuffed it into the recycle bin. After scrubbing under his arms and washing his face, he retrieved a fresh top from the closet. That was as far as he got when the visitor chime sounded.
“Raina Solano to see you, sir.”
Raina? What was she doing here? Didn’t she realize Raylon would expect equal time with her now? “Let her in.” It was dangerous to be alone with her. He wanted to see her, touch her, claim her so badly, he wasn’t sure he trusted himself. He struggled into the shirt as he waited for the door to open, but had only secured the top fastener when she flew across the cabin and into his arms.
“Oh Kotto.” She pushed to her toes and kissed his mouth. “I missed you.”
Unable to resist such an enthusiastic welcome, he picked her up and she wrapped her legs around his waist. He took control of the kiss as she released the fastener on his uniform top and tugged the garment off his shoulders. “You shouldn’t be here.”
She raised her head and smiled at him. “Your scent still covers me. Raylon said—”
“You’ve already seen him?” Jealousy stabbed into his soul, but he did his best not to let it show.
“Yes. He said the only reason your mark would survive our separation is if I wanted you and only you.”
Everything within him shouted with joy, but he needed to hear the words before he acted on the implication. “Did he accept your choice?”
“He understood that it was pointless to pursue me, so he released us to be together.”
“Is this what you really want, to be mine and mine alone?”
She squeezed him with her legs and caressed him with her warm hands. “I’d think that much was obvious. I’m not being exactly subtle here.”
“Say it, Raina. I need to hear you say it.”
“I want you and only you.” She took his face between her hands and reinforced the claim with a passionate kiss. When their mouths finally parted, she nipped his bottom lip and added, “But I desperately need a shower before we play.”
“I think that can be arranged.” He carried her through his bedroom and into the utility room. Though larger than any other bathroom on the ship, the area was still compact and functional rather than decorative.
They quickly undressed each other, leaving their discarded garments in a dirty heap on the floor. The shower enclosure wasn’t really big enough for two, but they didn’t care. They clung to each other as the cleansing mist rained down upon their bodies. Their mouths moved hungrily and their hands never stopped exploring. They washed each other with the same breathless urgency. Kotto was anxious to spread out on his bed where they could take their time and learn every contour and texture of each other.
He wrapped her in a large drying cloth as she stepped out of the shower. Gods she was beautiful, so delicate and feminine. “Do you understand what’s about to happen?”
She laughed and a pretty flush crept across her cheeks. “I’m not a virgin, Kotto. I know where everything goes.”
“I mean the bond.” He framed her face and guided her gaze to his. This was important. He needed to be sure she understood their options. “We can just have sex. It will feel incredible and help ease this ache, but it won’t satisfy for long. Or I can claim you. I’ll anchor the link between our minds while our bodies are joined. That’s the way it’s supposed to be between Rodytes.”
“That will make us soul-bonded mates?”
He nodded. “It’s the first step in that process, but it takes more than once for the link to solidify. You would still have weeks, maybe months, to change your mind, depending on how often we do this.”
“Can we share our emotions without anchoring the link?”
Trying not to let his disappointment overwhelm the moment he just nodded.
She smiled up at him, mischief sparkling in her eyes. “Don’t look so devastated. I want the link as badly as you do. But doesn’t Irron need to start the transformation procedure before our link is formed? He was grumbling about Bandar and Ashley jumping the gun.”
With a shaky smile he pulled her into his arms. “I’d forgotten all about that.” He released a tight laugh. “How selfish of me.”
She snuggled against his chest. The drying sheet pooled around her ankles as her breath warmed his skin. “I’ll take that as a compliment.”
“If you’re still considering participation, I guess this will have to be a trial run.”
“Or several trial runs.” She grinned. “I’ve needed you for so long, I doubt I’ll be satisfied after only one try.”
“Then I’ll keep trying until you beg me to stop.” He scooped her up in his arms and carried her out into the bedroom. The area felt cool after the humid closeness of the utility room. She tensed in his arms as they neared the bed. He nuzzled the side of her neck and whispered, “What’s wrong?”
“I know babies aren’t an issue without a soul bond, but what about STDs? I know I’m clean.”
He nipped her jaw then lowered her feet to the floor. “The immune system of a Rodyte is capable of eradicating most diseases. And whatever our biology fails to destroy our medi-bots neutralize.”
“That must be handy,” she muttered.
“You’ll know soon enough. I’m pretty sure medi-bots will be part of the transformation procedure when and if we decide to participate.”
She seemed pleased by his answer. “I’m glad we’re both clean.” She glanced away before she admitted, “I don’t want anything separating your body from mine.”
The hushed confession sent desire spiraling through his body. He swept her into his arms again, kissing her deeply as he placed her in the middle of the bed. His dominant nature surged as he crawled on top of her. She wasn’t the only one who had been aching for the past seven days. It was all he could do not to shove his cock deep inside her and stake his claim right then and there.
Her legs parted, making room for him between her thighs, but she wasn’t ready for him. Not really. He arched over her, skimming her nipples with his chest as he caught her wrists and drew her hands over her head. “Don’t touch me.”
“But I want to, I need to touch you.”
He tightened his fingers around her wrists and made his voice snap with authority. “Not yet. I’ve waited too long and I want you too badly. I’ll let you touch me all you want next time.”
“I’ll hold you to that.”
Gradually, he released her hands and breathed a sigh of relief when she kept her arms positioned as he’d arranged them. He brushed his fingers along the underside of her arms then along her sides. She wiggled and twisted, obviously restless. Her nipples were already beaded, but he needed to see them even more tightly peaked. And more importantly, he needed to know that his mouth had produced the response in her body.
He kissed his way down the side of her neck, pausing every so often to enjoy an especially soft patch against his lips or drag his teeth across her skin until she gasped. She was so wonderfully responsive, so surrendered to the pleasure. He took his time and learned her sounds, exploring until he discovered every sensual trigger along the way.
Finally his mouth reached her breast. He circled her nipple with the tip of his tongue then caught the stiff peak between his lips and sucked. She arched, groaning in wonder as her body responded to the firm suction. Already a beguiling flush was spreading across her chest and along her neck. Would her entire body turn rosy and warm by the time he finished with her? He couldn’t wait to find out. Maintaining the progress with his fingers, he moved his mouth over to the other side. She gasped then shivered as her other nipple received the same treatment.
Her scent grew stronger, more evocative as her arousal built. He kissed his way across her abdomen, his hands moving to her hips. “Your skin is so soft. I want to rub my entire body against you.” As if to prove his point, he pressed the side of his face against her belly. But her scent drew him onward, downward and he was helpless to resist.
“Kotto.”
She sounded uncertain, so he looked up and into her eyes. “You liked this before.”
“And I’ll like it now. I’m just not sure I can wait.”
“Then don’t.” He lowered his head and pressed his lips against her mound, surrounding himself with her scent. “Let go.” He traced her with his tongue, greedily absorbing her taste. “See how many times you can come.”
He shifted her pelvis to the perfect angle then caught the back of her knees and spread her legs. She tensed for a millisecond then accepted his sensual challenge and let go of her inhibitions. He teased her folds, gradually parting the slick flesh until he found her opening. Soon, very soon now he’d feel these snug walls caress him, embrace him, as only his mate could.
She pulled her knees toward her chest and rested her feet on his shoulders. This freed his hands, so he made no objection. He circled her opening until she lifted against his mouth, then he pulled back and slid up, teasing her clit instead.
“Oh!” She tensed, heels pressing down on his shoulders as pleasure burst inside her.
Desperate for a closeness they’d yet to share, he eased into her mind. Possessive hunger urged him to anchor the link, to bind their energy and align their souls, but he stubbornly held back, keeping the link light and temporary.
Her orgasm was fading, but he felt her contentment and the affection warming her heart. He drew in a sudden breath. He hadn’t realized her feelings for him had already grown so strong. She still appeared uncertain so much of the time. This felt too much like spying, so he gradually expanded the link, allowing his emotions to flow into her mind as well.
She gasped. “I can feel you.” One of her hands stroked his hair, the caress so sweet he didn’t reprimand her for touching him.
I can feel you too. And I can see you, and taste you. Hoping to draw her back into the moment, he caught her clit between his lips and carefully sucked on the ultrasensitive nub.
A soft cry escaped her and then she shivered, but her distraction didn’t last long. Can you hear all of my thoughts? How long will this last?
He raised his head and smiled at her. “How long would you like it to last?”
“Don’t tempt me.” She moved her hand back to the bed above her head. “Irron would kill us both and you know it.”
Parting her folds with his thumbs, he leaned down and circled her clit with his tongue. Right now all I care about is you.
Her second orgasm hit almost as suddenly, but he felt the entire progression this time. She tensed, back arching, then firm spasms rippled along her inner walls. As the last spasm passed, he slowly pushed two fingers into her silky core. She cried out again and another set of tremors tightened her body around his fingers.
That’s right, love. Come for me. He slid his fingers in and out while his lips and tongue adored her clit, driving the pleasure higher.
“No more. Please. I need you inside me.”
I am inside you. He curved his fingers to intensify the pressure. He wanted to drive her to the point where nothing else mattered, not her pride, not her modesty, just her demanding hunger for her mate. Say it, Raina. Tell me what you need.
Raina knew what he wanted her to say, but the words caught on her tongue. She’d already begged like a sex-starved fool. Wasn’t that enough?
But his fingers kept on sliding and his mouth, oh God his mouth! She rocked against his hand, concentrating on the steady rhythm of his fingers. Tension coiled inside her, making her pant as the urgency escalated.
She was almost there. Her inner muscles clenched and lights sparked in front of her eyes. One of her legs slid down from his shoulder and her heel dug into the bed. She pushed up against his mouth, forcing his fingers deeper.
With a wicked chuckle, he raised his head and stared into her eyes. You don’t come again until I’m inside you. Now stop being so stubborn and say it. Tell me what you need. His mouth was free now, but the command sounded even sexier inside her mind.
Your cock. Whispered mind to mind, the word sounded intimate and naughty rather than crude. It made her bolder. Push your cock deep inside me. Please.
“Happily.” He surged up along her body, catching her knees with his elbows. His cock found her opening and their gazes locked. “You are mine and mine alone.” He pushed into her slowly, driving the breath from her lungs as he filled her inch by blissful inch.
Wrapping her legs around his hips, she pulled him even tighter against her, taking him deeper. “You are mine and mine alone.” She accented the claim by tightening her inner muscles.
His hands slid up her body, briefly cupping her breasts before continuing their ascent. He found her hands and entwined their fingers as he slowly pulled back. She loosened her legs, easing her hold on his hips and allowing him to move. His thickness stroked her inside as his chest rubbed against her breasts. She was surrounded by him and filled with him and she had never felt anything so wonderful.
Everything seemed to be happening in slow motion as if the universe itself had stopped to watch their first joining. His energy flowed through her mind as his strong body moved over and into her. Hunger, longing, and fierce protectiveness, his emotions were easy to identify. Each burned with an intensity she could never match.
It was humbling to be so desired. It made her wild, determined to offer him more, to surrender herself more completely. She lifted her head, briefly pressing her lips against his, hoping he’d follow her back down. He did. His mouth sealed over hers and his tongue pushed into her mouth, but this wasn’t what she’d had in mind. She wanted to kiss him, needed to actively participate rather than just respond.
He wouldn’t stop kissing her long enough for her to take control, so she tightened her lips around his tongue and sucked on him in an unmistakable parody of an even more intimate act. He groaned, his body shuddering as his mind registered the sensations.
Are you trying to kill me? He sounded breathless and tense.
She smiled inwardly and continued the sensual slide up and down the length of his tongue. Then let me kiss you. Or better yet, let me touch you. She tugged against his restraining hands.
Next. Time. His hips sped, each stroke now deep and hard.
His desire blasted into her mind, reigniting her smoldering hunger. She gasped, inadvertently releasing his tongue. He flexed his arms and arched his back, taking his face just out of reach. He needed this. His dominant nature wouldn’t be satisfied unless he was in control.
But tenderness wove through his aggression. He shared his emotions freely, showing her how much she meant to him and all the ways he wanted to please her. The contrast made her dizzy. How could such ferocity also be so gentle?
Each of his steady thrusts dragged his shaft over her clit and sent sparks zinging along her nerve endings. The pleasure sped across their link and echoed through his body. She drew her legs up along his sides, offering him a longer range of motion. He didn’t hesitate. Pulling nearly out with each stroke, he maximized the slide and the impact as his pelvis met hers.
She gasped and squeezed his hands, the tension overwhelming. Emotions inundated her mind while sensations vibrated through her body. Her back arched and her inner muscles clamped down around his cock as if she’d never let him go. His next thrust sent her over the edge, shattering reality into rippling waves of euphoria.
He cried out, violently shaking as his control finally snapped. Thrusting his entire length deep inside her, he came with a muffled shout. Pulse after heated pulse shuddered through him and radiated into her. They clung to each other, unable to speak or even think as they rode out the storm together.
Long moments later, he rolled to his side, taking her with him. He brushed the hair back from her damp face as tenderness warmed his gaze. “I know that wasn’t as interactive as you wanted, but I was honestly afraid I’d hurt you if you challenged me.”
She shook her head, more than content with the outcome. “You’d never hurt me. I don’t think you’re capable of it.” She silenced his objection with her fingers on his lips. “I didn’t say you weren’t capable of violence. I’m well aware of how aggressive you can be. I said you would never hurt me.”
“Not intentionally,” he agreed. “But you’re more than half human. I wasn’t willing to take the chance.”
She pressed a light kiss to his lips then smiled. “It feels good to be protected, just remember you promised I could do whatever I wanted with you as soon as you catch your breath.”
He laughed and shifted his hips, letting her feel how quickly he was recovering. “Bring it on, baby. Bring it on.”