His eyes flicked to hers at once.
“Only if you’re comfortable doing so,” he said quickly.“Youcan stop at any time.”
“Well, thank you for that.”Cassietried to sound sarcastic, but the words came out shakier than she wanted.“ButwhyexactlydoIneed to take him deeper?Forscience?”
A faint flush touchedSeverin’scheekbones.
“For science, yes.”Hisvoice was strained, but he held her gaze.“Alsofor healing.Lookat him—his pupils are responsive again, his speech centers are reactivating, and the film over his eyes is nearly gone.Yourscent brought him partway back, but your mouth seems to be doing something stronger.Itmight be the saliva contact, or the emotional association, or the pleasure response.Mostlikely all three.”
“The pleasure response?”Cassierepeated.
Severin nodded, clearly grateful to have something scientific to cling to.
“TheHungerVirussuppresses higher cognition by over-stimulating predatory appetite and blocking mate-recognition pathways.ButKindredbonding biology is extremely powerful.Pleasure—especially pleasure given by a femaleRavikrecognizes as his mate—may be flooding his system with counter-signals.Endorphins, oxytocin analogues, bonding hormones,BeastKindredmating pheromones.”Hiseyes dropped briefly toRavik’sshaft and then returned toCassie’sface.“Thestronger his pleasure response, the more likely it is to push the virus back.”
Cassie stared at him.
“So you’re telling me that giving him a better blowjob might fight the zombie virus?”
Ravik made a low, hungry sound.
“Cassie’s mouth feels good on my cock,” he rumbled.“Goodmouth healsRavik.”
Cassie’s face went hot.OhGod, she couldn’t believe she was doing this…and yet, she didn’t want to stop.
Severin closed his eyes for a second, as though praying for patience or self-control or possibly both.
“That is notpreciselyhowIwould have phrased it,” he said at last.“But…yes.Possibly.”
“Of course.”Cassielet out a breathless little laugh.“Ofcourse, that makesperfectsense.”
“You don’t have to continue,”Severinsaid, though his voice sounded like the words cost him something.“Thechoice is yours—always.”
Cassie looked up atRavikagain.
The bigBeastKindredwas watching her with golden eyes that were clearer by the second.Hishand was still in her hair, but gentle—so gentle.Hischest rose and fell with deep, uneven breaths and his massive body seemed to be holding itself completely still for her.Asthough every instinct in him wanted to move, to take, to thrust, to chase the pleasure she was giving him, but his honor—hisKindrednature—wouldn’t let him.
“Ravik?”she said softly.“Areyou all right?”
He nodded slowly.
“Cassie makesRavik…makes me feel better,” he said, his voice rough but clearer than before.“Pleasesuck more.Iwon’t hurt you.Iwon’t push.”
The shift from third person to first madeSeverindraw in a sharp breath.
Cassie heard it and felt something warm uncurl in her chest—there he was.Herbig, half-lostBeastKindredwas coming back—she wasbringinghim back.Howcould she possibly stop now?Besides, his precum—which had been flowing since she started sucking him—tasted a little like salted caramel, which was delicious.
“All right,” she whispered.“ThenI’llkeep going.Justhold still and let me suck you.”
She bent her head again before she could lose her nerve, very aware that both males were watching her eagerly.
This time, she opened her mouth wider and took him deeper.Nottoo far—because dearGod, he washuge—but enough that she felt the broad head slide further over her tongue and toward the back of her mouth.Shehad to breathe through her nose and relax her jaw, reminding herself that she was the one in control.
Ravik groaned, a deep, broken sound that seemed to vibrate through the floor beneath her knees.
“Feels so good!Suckme.Suckmy cock,Cassie,” he begged.
“Gods,”Severinwhispered.
