AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I felt I did not deserve a mate after failing to protect Sam,” he says, running a hand along my thigh and up my side, brushing past my breast as he moves to cup my face. That teasing touch isn’t nearly enough and I find myself arching towards him, seeking more. “And Lina granted me a fearsome warrior mate who would not need my protection.”
“I thought no guy would ever want a soldier like me, and Lina granted me a mate who values me for everything I thought made me undesirable. Sounds to me like she knows exactly what she’s doing.”
“Because she wants us to be happy, not just produce younglings for her own nefarious ends.”
He’s smiling, but it reminds me of the still unresolved issue between us.
“About that,” I say.
“Linasha, you do not have to…”
I press my lips to his, cutting him off. It’s not a deep or passionate kiss. My first. His first. It’s just a meeting of mouths, but his lips are warm and soft and feel delicious against mine, and when I pull back there’s a dazed look in his eye, and he runs his tongue over his lips as if to capture the taste of me.
“I don’t know if I’ve changed my mind,” I say. “I don’t know if I ever will. I’m just saying - my feelings about kids are connected with the breeding program and Mercenia. I need to do some thinking about all of that before I can decide what my feelings are about kids without it. If that’s even possible. If we had a kid, we’d be giving Mercenia what they wanted, what they wanted from me fifteen years ago. If they still want that, then that’s something I need to consider before making any sort of decision. It’s something you need to consider, too. But things aren’t as black and white to me as they were when we first met. I’m not saying definitely yes, but I’m not saying definitely no, either. Does that make sense?”
He presses his lips to mine in answer, kissing me like someone who doesn’t know how a kiss is supposed to go. I wonder if it’s something raskarrans don’t do, and find the thought surprisingly delightful. Before I can show him, he draws back.
“I understand your feelings on this, linasha, and think you are wise in your thoughts. Mine run to the same conclusions. I have wanted younglings all my life, but I think the tribe needs you as a warrior now, far more than I could ever claim to need a youngling. When we have overcome our Mercenia problems, when the tribe is happy and our future is secured, then we shall take the time to think on it together.” He fixes me with a roguish grin. “But know that I will do everything in my power to persuade you.”
He moves, grinding his hips against mine just a little, his erection pressing against my core in a way that sends a shock of need and pleasure through me, enough to make me gasp.
“Keep that up, and I doubt I’ll take much persuading.”
His grin widens, the heat in his eyes deepening. When he looks at me like that, I feel like the most beautiful person in the universe.
“You like that, do you, my sweet Brooks?” he says, bringing his face down to nuzzle at the sensitive skin of my neck.
“Mmm,” I manage, words a bit beyond me while he nips lightly on my shoulder, before soothing over the same point with his tongue, his hips keeping up a constant circling pressure against my core. I feel ready to explode and we still have all our clothes on.
“When we wake, I will show you just how good I can make you feel, my perfect linasha. And you will never again doubt that there are any thighs I would rather be between than these.”
He squeezes my leg, fingers biting into my flesh just a little. A low moan escapes my throat. A sound I’ve never made before.
“Then can we wake up now?”
He chuckles, and then grabs me by the hand, pulling me to my feet. Abruptly, the scenery changes, and we’re atop some cliff somewhere, looking out over a vast ocean.
“I am told by my mated brothers that taking a fall is the best way to startle out of the dreamspace,” Maldek calls to me over the whipping sea wind.
Then he holds out a hand. I know taking it means more than just trusting him in this moment. It means trusting him with everything. With my life, with my body, with my future.
In Mercenia’s world, it would be ridiculous to even consider it. But here, in the dreamspace, everything feels good. Right.
I reach out, take his hand.
Jump into a future with him feet first.
CHAPTEREIGHTEEN
Maldek
Iwake with a jolt, my veins abuzz with alertness, the sensation of falling echoing over my skin. Then a new sensation rises to replace it - my Brooks’ body against mine, and the burning desire I feel for her, my linasha. My beautiful mate.
I stroke my hand from her temple down her neck, feeling the flutter of her pulse beneath my fingers as she stirs. My cock already strains against my leathers, a deep, unrelenting need filling me, and I have to resist the urge to grab her, haul her against me, tear at her clothes until she is bared to me.
Then she turns in my arms so she is facing me, looking up at me with eyes dark with her own need. Her hand presses to my chest, resting over my thundering heartspace for a moment before sliding up to my neck and drawing my mouth down to meet hers.
In the dreamspace, the kisses we shared were warm and delicious, but flat and unmoving. Now, my Brooks teaches me new ways to use my lips, moving hers against mine, coaxing them apart until our mouths are sliding together. Slow and savouring one moment, fast and needy the next. Her hands sink into my hair as I run my palms over her scalp, gliding over the soft fuzz of her short hair, before moving to explore other parts of her. She is all contrasts - firm muscle and soft curves, uncertainty and boldness. I love that we have learned so much of one another, and yet there is still so much left to learn and explore.
