Page 31

I can’t quite let go. I can’t quite give myself to the beast of a man. I want to pull his shirt from him, to see his muscled body, his perfect abs, but I know those twin tattoos will stare back at me.

He breaks off the kiss, gasping. “Not like this. Not like this. Go, enjoy the grounds, but go!” He barks out the words, but as he says them, his hand grips tighter around my wrist, and he pulls me closer to his body. He licks his lips, his huge tongue red against the pale marble of his flesh, and I want that tongue all over my body, running up and down my being.

He breathes in, his nostrils flaring, and I know he tastes my lust. My right hand shakes as I reach forward to feel his manhood, while my left hand pulls away, unable to break free.

With every effort in his body, the vein on his neck twitching, he lets go, pushing me to the side.

“Go, Athena,” he snarls, his voice animalistic, on the knife’s edge of losing control.

I run. My bare feet slap against the ground, because if I’m here a second longer, he’s going to snap.

He’d never forgive himself.

He doesn’t want it to be like this. He doesn’t want me to give myself to him in return for something, I know.

He wants me fully willing, begging for his touch,crawlingto him with a smile on my face.

I rush into my room. A plain pair of pants and a loose brown tunic, the clothes the two servants wear, are neatly folded on my bed. I slam the door shut behind me, hyperventilating at how close it came.

Oh Gods.

I could be on all fours in the library right now, one of the huge beasts taking me from behind, pressing through my innocence with his alien strength. My body is on fire, fever in my veins, wanting to run back to them, to give myself to them, when I remember that awful brand on their chests, and gulp.

I pull the clothes on in a rush. They hang from my body, a little less than they would have yesterday, now that I have a few meals in my belly.

Heavy footsteps leave the library.

They stop at my door.

I freeze. I can’t even breathe.

All that separates me from the two alien warriors is a wooden door they could kick open…

And their honor, I still am not sure I believe in.

Do I want them to hold back?

Or do I want them to break down the door andtakeme?

12

Damian

Tarak grabs my arm in a strong grip. Any other man and I would have taken off his hand for the affront, drawing and activating my Orb-Blade in a swift, practiced motion.

He shakes his head as I reach to open the door.“Strength,”he telepaths, and I growl, turning roughly and stomping away.

He’s got back a shred of his old self. I’ve noticed it. Our Mate centers him. Restores what used to be him…

And he’s the one who is coming up with the ideas. I need to prove myself once more.

I am a leader, and I will lead.

I wanted her, more than life itself—but she’s so thin, so helpless, and most of all, she’s still scared. Part of her doesn’t want to give in…

Yet.

I willearnmy Mate. I ache to fill out her frame, restore the curvy femininity of her being, fill her with my seed and watch her breasts swell up, full of milk for my son. He will be a warrior. He will have my strength, and if the Gods shine on us, her goodness.