I surge forward, pinning Gwen against the mattress with enough speed to make her gasp. I immediately press my lips to hers.
She makes a soft noise that nearly undoes me, and she delves her hands into my hair, threading her fingers through my long locks, even touching the base of my horns.
I deepen the kiss, savoring her whimpers and moans, basking in the tremors affecting her body. She’s quivering beneath me, aching for my touch.
I allow my hands to roam over her, carefully tracing the contours of her body, pleased she’s not nearly as malnourished as I once feared. That urge to provide for her and always protect her claws through me, along with the familiar sharp surge of possessiveness.
With my center situated directly between her thighs, I grind forward, letting her feel the hardness of my cock through my trousers, as I continue kissing her savagely. I bask in the little noises she makes, the sweet whimpers, the desperate moans, as I wonder what she will sound like in the throes of a climax. Gods, I cannot wait to find out.
I finally break the kiss and start moving down her body, dragging my sharp teeth over her flesh through the thin nightdress she’s wearing. She arches into my mouth when mytongue darts over the dark outline of her nipple. I sink my teeth around the bud, clamping down just hard enough to draw a shaky gasp from her throat.
I growl against her, then I speak directly into her mind.Didn’t I tell you that if I ever bit you, you would enjoy it? I always keep my promises, Gwen. Always.
The little whimper that escapes her throat makes my cock harden further.
I pay her other nipple the same careful attention, once again clamping down and laving the peak with my tongue through the thin material of her nightdress.
For a moment, I consider tearing the garment from her body, shredding it and leaving her with nothing to wear at night.
My hands tighten on the fabric and I start to pull… only for a fragment of restraint to surface at the very last second.
I growl and release my grip on her nightdress, then continue moving down her body, kissing and nibbling her through the garment.
Our bond is strengthening, and I don’t want to scare her.
Above all, I must earn her trust.
Gwen deserves more than a captor who takes what he wants. She deserves gentleness, patience, and choice.
Gods help me, I want to be the male to give those things to her.
Finally, I reach her core, and I draw back slightly to gaze openly at her slick center. Fucking fires, she is perfect. Her quivering legs are spread wide, revealing her pink, swollen nether lips. Her engorged clit protrudes from her folds as though beckoning me to suckle it. I lean closer and inhale deeply of her sweetness. Another growl rumbles from my chest.
I glance up to meet my mate’s eyes.
She’s staring at me with flushed cheeks, her eyes heavy-lidded and dazed, her lips slightly parted. Her chest rises andfalls rapidly, and she’s trembling with desire. Through the bond, I feel the force of her burgeoning need.
But I also sense her nervousness growing alongside that need. She’s eager for my touch—eager to feel me lapping at her clit just as I promised—but she’s a tad apprehensive about what I’m preparing to do.
Until today, no male has ever kissed her or touched her intimately in any way. This is all new to her, and though she craves it, desires it to the point of aching breathlessness, she can’t help but feel a little nervous.
I instantly soften toward her.
Mine. She is mine. I resolve that I will care for her and guide her to the best of my ability.
I give her what I hope is a gentle, patient look.
You need not fear anything, my dearest, I say through the bond.You are mine, just as I am yours. What we are about to do is just the beginning of the intimacy that is already growing between us. Trust me to give you what you need. Trust me to take care of you.
Holding my breath, I await her response, her precious consent. When she holds my gaze for a moment too long and I sense her residual nervousness, I endeavor to send her a wave of comforting warmth through the tether that binds us.
Her eyes widen, and she emits a small gasp.
Then she settles back against the pillows, her hands curling into the covers. Her trembling lessens somewhat, and her eyes briefly flutter shut before opening as she focuses on me.
I trust you, she finally says down the bond.Gods help me, but I trust you, Merak. I truly do.
I hold her gaze for a moment longer, then I slowly lower my mouth to her pussy.
