Page 74 of Sun Warrior

She looked up at him again. “The Clan’s attitude is that it’s natural and good to mate—and to have sex. But it is always the woman’s choice.”

“That does make sense, with what happens to Clansmen with Night Fever.”

Mari nodded. “Women make all of the major decisions for the Clan. Our men are our protectors, our Hunters, and our Builders, but theyrarely live within the women’s burrows. Women congregate together, raise children together, plant and harvest crops, weave and trade with other Clans, while our men, in comparison, lead solitary lives. Of course there are some men who prefer to take other men as their mates, as well as women who prefer women, which is accepted by the Clan.”

“That seems sad to me.”

“That some men prefer men and some women prefer women?”

Nik chuckled. “No, that’s not sad. Same-sex matings are accepted by the Tribe, as they should be. Love is love. I was thinking of the solitary lives your males live. Seems sad and lonely.”

“I have to admit it never seemed sad to me until now. I used to think it was a good thing most of our women choose to live in burrows without their mates.”

Nik took Mari’s hand, turned it over, and began gently tracing a spiral circle on her palm. “Why does it seem sad to you now? What changed?”

“I changed. You changed me.”

“Tell me how,” Nik said.

“First, you tell me about losing your virginity.”

“Can I just say it was an awkward, underwhelming event and leave it at that?”

“No, probably not,” Mari said.

Nik sighed. “Okay, let’s get this over with. Ask me anything.”

“Have you only done it that one time?”

“No. I did it more than one time. And, yes, it got a lot less awkward and a lot more fun.”

Mari chewed the side of her cheek and tried to get a handle on her rising jealousy, though she knew being jealous of what Nik had done before they met was illogical and unfair. She stared at his finger as it continued to trace a circular pattern on her skin, sending ripples of heat from her hand through her arm and the rest of her body. “With more than one woman?”

“Yes, with more than one woman.”

“At the same time!”

“No! Not that that’s a terrible idea.” At Mari’s wide-eyed expression, he bumped her shoulder with his and added, “Hey, I’m kidding you. Mostly. Mari, in the Tribe we’re encouraged to experiment with different partners, especially when we’re young. How else are we to find the right mate? And there is the lust that we share with our Companions. I haven’t experienced it, but I’ve watched what it does to canines and their humans. It can get very interesting during estrus, especially as canines who live in close proximity tend to come into season at the same time.”

“But you’re not mated?”

“Mari! Of course I’m not mated. I wouldn’t be here with you if I had a mate.”

“You haven’t ever almost mated?”

His finger started tracing its way up her smooth forearm. “Well, I thought I might be almost mated. IhopedI might be. But I’ve just learned that’s entirely up to you.”

Her gaze flew to his. “Me?”

“Yes, you. You and no one else, Mari.” Nik leaned into her, finding her lips with his as he pulled her gently into his arms.

Mari returned the kiss, at first nervous and tentative, but the heat building within her body had her forgetting nerves and second thoughts. The kiss deepened with Mari’s breath. Sensations sizzled through her body, following Nik’s touch as his clever hands explored her. Without knowing exactly how, Mari found herself beneath him as he pressed to her, his body hard, straining against hers. But when his hand slid up under her tunic and began stroking the bare skin of her breast, Mari froze.

Nik had to have felt her hesitation. He lifted himself so that he could meet her gaze. “Everything okay?”

“Yes. No. I’m nervous, Nik,” she admitted.

He lay next to her, brushing the hair from her face. “I’m nervous, too.”