Because it felt wonderful to know hewantedto do this.BecauseSeverinwas holding her and talking her through it like she was precious—not broken, not too old or too curvy or too much.Becauseher body, which she had thought was becoming a problem to be managed, was being treated like something worthy of worship.
The bite wound pulsed again, hot and bright, but this timeCassiedidn’t panic.Thistime, she let the pulse roll through her and into the pleasure building between her thighs.Itgathered there, winding tighter and tighter asRavik’stongue circled her clit and his fingers filled her.Severin’sfingers tugged her nipples in the same rhythm, and the three sensations braided together untilCassiecouldn’t tell where one ended and the other began.
“Severin,” she gasped, reaching back blindly for him.
“I’m here.”Hishand closed over hers at once.“I’vegot you.”
“Ravik—don’t stop.”
“Never,”Ravikgrowled against her.
The word vibrated through her clit and that was all it took—the orgasm that had been building inside her suddenly let go.
Cassie came with a cry that echoed through the mating chamberHerback arched againstSeverin’schest, her thighs clamped aroundRavik’shead, and her fingers twisted inSeverin’sas wave after wave of pleasure crashed through her.
It was so intense that for a moment she couldn’t breathe…couldn’t think…couldn’t do anything but shake and cry out while the hot, aching need inside her finally broke.
And as she came, the bite wound blazed.
Severin swore softly behind her.
“Goddess—look at it,” she dimly heard him murmur.
Ravik groaned against her, still licking gently, coaxing every last tremor from her body.Asthe pleasure peaked and receded, the glow in her arm flared bright reddish-gold, then suddenly shifted.Theangry color faded, softening to warm gold, then dimming until only a faint shimmer remained under the skin.
Cassie sagged back againstSeverin, limp and trembling.God, she’d had several orgasms since she’d come here—mostly thanks toRavik, since the bigBeastKindredcouldn’t keep his hands off her.Butshe’d never experienced and climax like the one she’d just had.Itwas both gentler and more intense than any other she’d ever felt.
For a long moment, no one moved—the three of them just breathed together.
Ravik rested his cheek against her inner thigh, breathing hard.Severinheld her close, one arm across her chest and the other around her waist, his lips pressed near her temple.Cassielay between them, naked and panting, feeling like every bone in her body had dissolved.
The horrible clawing need was gone.
Not completely, though—there was still a low warmth inside her and a tenderness between her thighs—still a lingering desire for both males.Butthe sharp, frantic desperation had faded a bit.Thepressure in her blood had eased and the glowing bite wound no longer pulsed like a warning signal under her skin.
For the first time all day, her body felt quiet…at peace.
“Oh,” she whispered.“Oh, that wasamazing.”
Severin’s hand moved carefully to her arm.
“MayI?”
“Hmm?Oh, sure.”
Cassie nodded, too tired to object.
He examined the bite site with gentle fingers, turning her arm toward the amber light of the room’s glows.Hisexpression was intent, but beneath the scientist focus she could see something else…relief.
“The inflammation has decreased,” he said quietly.“Theglow is almost gone.”
“Does that mean…mean that it worked?”Cassieasked, her voice still breathless.
Severin looked down at her.
“For now, anyway.”
Well,thatwas ominous—Cassiemight have said so if she’d had the energy.
