Raeve releases a low growl. A savage incantation I respond to by straightening my spine. Broadening my shoulders.
Her eyes widen as I squeeze the excess water free. Humming through a wordless part of the song, I bring the sponge to Raeve’s shoulder and sweep it along her collarbone, clearing off the gathered filth. Beads of water dribble over her breasts, kissing her peaked nipples.
The line between her brows deepens. The only warning I get before she jerks against my hold with such might, our bodies smash together.
She reaches behind my head and tries to pull me down. Tries to reignite our kiss.
I gather her long messy locks, fist them, and tug her head back until her breasts press into my chest.
Her breath catches, eyes flashing. The surprise is fleeting, followed by a snarl that scatters a flock of nearby birds.
“I know words seem unnecessary to you right now, but they still mean something to me,” I rumble with gentle firmness. Maintaining eye contact, I posture over her. “And I will notfuckyou until you ask me for it.”
Her sound softens, that line between her brows returning.
Again, I lift the sponge.
Her gaze flicks to the motion.
I drag water up her arm, across her shoulder, down over her breasts. Clearing away the blood, the grime, Líri’s strong musk. “Just a few small words, Raeve. That’s all I ask.”
Teeth bared, she smacks my hand away and lunges forward despite my fierce grip on her hair. Coming for me with the feral force of a broody Moonplume.
In three swift motions, I have her hands pinned behind her back. Have her body pressed so close I feel the tense of her muscles as she wrestles to get her wrists free.
“Use. Your. Words.” I keep my voice calm, posture rigid. “That’s all I’ll respond to.”
I sweep the sponge over her arms while she continues to jerk and jolt, snarling. With each fervid motion, she seems to grow more frustrated, her nipples so tight I feel them dragging against my chest. Her breaths coming faster.
Heavier.
I lean forward, swiping the sponge down her spine—
She sinks her teeth into my shoulder.
I snarl, toss the sponge, then whip her around. Bend her over the spring’s moss-covered edge—the rocks smooth and cool to the touch. Muscles flexing, I push against her. “Is this what you want?” I growl. “For me to fuck you like an animal?”
She moans.
Spine arching, she widens her thighs, cheeks spreading in open invitation. But she doesn’t say the fucking words or so much as hint that she’s actuallyhere.
All of her.
I shove back and thread my hands through my hair, frustration thrumming. Wishing I could pry my chest wide, rip out all my thoughts, feelings, unsaid words, and pass them to her like a bloody feast. Something she’s more likely to understand in her current state of mind.
She arches up, looking over her shoulder at me—core flushed pink and swollen with desire. Ready and wanting.
Another hungry, animalistic whine almost undoes me.
“No, Raeve.” I shake my head, lips tight. “Not until youspeak to me.”
Turning, I stride through the water, moving with the slow current. Make for my clothes left piled on the pool’s mossy edge.
I’m just reaching for my shirt when the air shifts.
I spin as she lunges, lips curled in a feral snarl. We smash together like two dragons battling for dominance—all swift motions and gravelly sounds while we wrestle for purchase. Though she’s fierce and formidable, I have the strength of a much bigger beast pulsing through my veins.
Bolstering me.
