He made a sound low in his chest that vibrated against her palm. “S’kara.”
“Kiss me.”
For a moment he just stared at her, like he couldn’t quite believe what she was asking. Then his hand came up to cup the back of her head and he pulled her close, claiming her mouth with a hunger that made her gasp. The kiss wasn’t gentle or careful. It was need and want and grief transformed into something fierce and demanding. His tongue swept into her mouth, tasting andexploring while his other hand settled at her waist, pulling her closer.
She went eagerly, climbing into his lap with graceless enthusiasm and wrapping her arms around his neck. The kiss deepened, turned almost desperate, and she could feel the vibration in his chest intensifying as she pressed against him. His tail wrapped around her waist, holding her secure while his hands roamed over her body. The thin fabric of her sleep tunic provided almost no barrier, and she could feel the heat of his palms through the material. Every nerve ending sparked to life, drowning out the anxiety and fear that had kept her awake in favor of this overwhelming physical awareness.
She’d never felt like this with David. Their kisses had been pleasant but chaste, their intimacy comfortable but unremarkable. This was fire, consuming and intense and absolutely addictive.
He pulled back just far enough to look at her, his face open and vulnerable, both of them breathing hard.
“We should stop,” he said roughly. “You are vulnerable right now. Seeking comfort after fear. I do not want to take advantage?—”
“You’re not taking advantage of anything.” She pressed kisses along his jaw, feeling his whole body tense with restraint. “I want this. I want you. Not because I’m scared or vulnerable, but because I’ve wanted you since the moment we met I’m tired of pretending otherwise.”
“S’kara—”
“Do you want me?”
“You know I do.”
“Then stop being noble and kiss me again.”
He groaned, something between frustration and surrender, and claimed her mouth once more. This kiss was even fiercer than the first, all restraint abandoned in favor of pure need. She met him with equal intensity, threading her fingers through the ridges along his skull and holding on while the world narrowed to just this—his mouth on hers, his hands on her body, the solid strength of him surrounding her completely.
His tail tightened around her waist, pulling her more fully into his lap. She could feel his arousal, hard and insistent beneath her, and the knowledge sent heat pooling low in her belly. This wasn’t just emotional connection or companionship. This was raw physical attraction, mutual and overwhelming and demanding satisfaction.
She rocked against him, chasing friction and pressure. He made another of those deep rumbling sounds, hands sliding down to grip her hips and guide her movements.
“If you keep doing that,” he said against her mouth, “I will not be able to maintain control.”
“Who says I want you to maintain control?”
“Corinne.” Her name came out strangled. “I have not?—”
“I know.” She pulled back just enough to meet his eyes, making sure he understood. “And I have never felt anything close to this. So unless you’re going to tell me you don’t want this, stop talking and touch me.”
Something shifted in his expression. The careful restraint cracked, replaced by hunger so intense it should have frightenedher. But she wasn’t afraid. She was exhilarated, drunk on the knowledge that she could affect him this deeply.
“I want to be clear,” he said, voice gone rough and dark. “If we do this there is no going back. You will be mine, Corinne. My mate. Mine to protect, mine to pleasure, mine to keep. If you give yourself to me, I will claim you in every way that matters.”
The possessive declaration should have triggered her independent streak, but instead, it sent a thrill straight through her core.
“Yes,” she breathed. “God, yes. I want to be yours. I want you to be mine. I want this connection that terrifies me and exhilarates me and feels more real than anything I’ve ever felt.”
“You are certain? There is no obligation, no pressure?—”
“I’m certain.” She cupped his face between her hands again, holding his gaze. “I want you, Selik. All of you. Everything you’re willing to give me. And I want to give you everything in return.”
The last thread of his control snapped.
He stood in one fluid motion, lifting her with him. She wrapped her legs around his waist on instinct, trusting him to keep her secure. He gave the narrow bunk where he’d been sleeping a frustrated look, then laid her across the large conference table instead. For a moment he just looked at her, sprawled across the table with her tunic riding up and her hair escaping its braid. She fought the urge to cover herself, to hide the soft curves and imperfect body she’d never been entirely comfortable with.
But the way he looked at her drove away any insecurity. He looked at her as if she were beautiful, as if she was exactly what he wanted.
“I need to hear you say it one more time,” he said roughly. “Tell me you want this. That you understand what it means.”
“I want this. I want you. I want to be yours in every way.” She reached for him. “Make love to me, Selik. Please.”
