Page 6 of Resisting the Wicked Orc (Silvermist Mates #4)

CHAPTER SIX

RAVA

Z ral’s lips curved into a triumphant smirk I felt more than saw. “Tonight,” he echoed.

He traced my jaw, fingers calloused and gentle against my skin. When he touched me, he didn’t grab. Didn’t clutch. Didn’t brand. He caressed and coaxed the fire in my very core.

The kiss was different this time. Not the urgent clash of subterfuge at the market, not the calculated seduction at the inn. This was deliberate. Slow. His lips brushed mine with exquisite patience, asking rather than demanding. My breath caught in my throat as his hand slid to the nape of my neck, fingers tangling in my wet hair.

I melted against him, my tail coiling tighter around his leg as if afraid he might vanish. The hard planes of his chest pressed against mine, his skin burning hot despite our dip in the cool water. I tasted blackberries on his tongue as it swept into my mouth, claiming me with a thoroughness that made my knees weak.

I’d spent my life running from chains. From Kaz’s overprotective grip that squeezed tighter the more I struggled. From Javed’s possessive stare that reduced me to property before we’d even exchanged vows. From the destiny scripted for me by men long dead, their plans for my body outweighing any dreams I might harbor.

But Zral... he saw me. Not the princess, not the baby sister who needed protection. Just me. Stubborn, reckless, somewhat capable me.

For once, I didn’t fight the circumstances or deny what I wanted. I chose this. I chose him.

I deepened the kiss, my hands sliding up his chest to his shoulders. I climbed onto his lap, straddling his legs until my core pressed against the hard bulge in his pants. He groaned against my mouth, strong hands cupping my ass and pulling me tighter against him.

“Feel that?” he growled, rolling his hips upward. “That’s what you do to me.”

I gasped, grinding down against him. “Good to know I’m not suffering alone.”

His laugh rumbled through me. “Oh, Red. We’ve barely started suffering.”

He captured my mouth again, this kiss deeper, hungrier. His hands slid under my shirt, palms hot against my chilled skin. I arched into his touch, my body singing with need.

“Off,” I demanded, tugging at his shirt. “I want to feel you.”

He complied, breaking the kiss just long enough to pull the wet fabric over his head. I drank in the sight of him—broad shoulders, powerful chest covered in intricate clan tattoos, abs that rippled with each breath. Green skin gleamed in the silvery moonlight, making him look like something carved from jade and shadow.

I reached for the hem of my own shirt, wincing as the movement pulled at my wound.

“Let me,” Zral said, his voice dropping to a growl that sent shivers down my spine.

He eased the wet fabric up slowly, his knuckles grazing my ribs, the undersides of my breasts. I lifted my arms, letting him pull the shirt over my head. Cool air kissed my skin as his gaze devoured me.

“Fucking hell,” he breathed, hands hovering just above my skin. “You’re even more beautiful than I imagined.”

“You’ve been imagining me naked?” I arched an eyebrow, fighting the urge to cover myself.

His grin turned wicked. “Since the moment you told me to fuck off this morning.”

“That’s what does it for you?” I snickered, the sound bouncing against the stone walls. “Being shut down?”

“No.” He dragged a line from the hollow of my throat, down between my breasts, to my naval. “What does it for me is a woman who knows exactly what she wants and isn’t afraid to say it.” His palms finally made contact, settling on the curve of my waist. “So tell me, Rava. What do you want?”

What did I want? Freedom. Power. Control over my own destiny.

But right now, with water streaming down our bodies and the roar of the falls drowning out the world, what I wanted was much simpler.

“You.” I hooked a finger under the waistband of his pants, tugging him closer. “I want you.”

He hooked a hand behind my neck and pulled me against him, capturing my mouth in another soul-searing kiss. His hands roamed my bare back, exploring every dip and curve like he was memorizing me. Like he couldn’t get enough of touching me.

Need pulsed inside me, driving out thought and doubt. I buried my fingers in his hair, arching against him as he closed his mouth over my nipple. Fire sparked low in my belly as he sucked and nibbled, teasing me with teeth and tongue. My hips bucked involuntarily, seeking relief, pressure, anything.

“Greedy little thing, aren’t you?” His chuckle vibrated through my chest as he switched to my other breast.

“You have no idea.” I reached between us, palming him through his wet jeans. He was huge, thick and hard against my hand. A shiver of anticipation ran through me. “Take these off.”

He lifted his hips, helping me tug his pants down his thighs. His cock sprang free, jutting proudly from a nest of dark curls. My mouth watered at the sight. He was magnificent—thick and long, with a prominent vein running the underside and a glistening drop at the tip.

I wrapped my hand around him, stroking slowly from base to tip. His breath hitched, hips jerking up into my touch.

“Rava...” His voice was rough, almost a groan. He threw his head back, exposing the strong column of his throat. I leaned forward, unable to resist the temptation.

I pressed a trail of kisses along his jaw, swirling my tongue against the pulse point in his neck. His stubble scratched my skin, deliciously rough. I nipped at his collarbone, relishing his moan. His hands slid to my ass, gripping my curves like he couldn’t get enough of me.

“I want to taste you,” he murmured against my ear, his breath hot on my skin.

Before I could respond, Zral shifted, lifting me slightly and setting me beside him on the ledge. He slid off the rocky overhang and back into the water with barely a splash. My tail flicked with anticipation as his gaze traveled slowly up my legs to the apex of my thighs.

“May I?”

I nodded, and he deftly popped the button of my jeans. He peeled my soaked jeans down my legs, taking my panties with them, both landing in a wet slap next to me. Goosebumps raced across my damp skin, though the heat still pumping through my veins kept me from shivering.

His hands skimmed up my thighs, spreading them wide. I braced myself on my arms, watching pure, naked hunger darken his eyes.

“So fucking beautiful,” he murmured, pressing a kiss to my inner thigh.

My breath hitched as his mouth moved higher, trailing hot kisses along sensitive skin. His tusks grazed me lightly, the slight edge of danger only heightening my arousal. When he reached my center, he paused, looking up at me with a wicked grin.

“Ask nicely,” he said, his breath hot against my core.

I narrowed my eyes. “Fuck you.”

“That’s the plan, Red.” He chuckled, the vibration teasing against my skin. “But first...”

He leaned forward, his tongue flicking against my clit in a feather-light touch that had me arching my back. Just enough to make me want more, not enough to satisfy.

“Zral,” I growled, my tail lashing behind me.

“Yes?” He repeated the motion, slow and deliberate, his eyes never leaving mine.

“Don’t tease me.”

“Then tell me what you want.” Another slow lick, slightly firmer this time. “Be specific.”

I tangled my fingers in his wet hair, tugging him closer. “I want your mouth on me. Now.”

His grin widened. “That’s a start.”

Then his mouth was on me, licking, sucking, tasting. My eyes fell shut, head falling back as pleasure arced through my body. He was relentless, gripping my thighs and holding me open as he devoured me. A string of curses fell from my lips, interwoven with gasps and moans.

I clutched his head, burying his face against me. My hips rolled instinctively, grinding against him. One large hand slid up to cup my breast, pinching my nipple between his fingers. Pleasure built inside me, winding tighter and tighter, threatening to snap at any moment.

“Fuck,” I gasped, my head falling back as he slid a finger inside me. “Zral!”

He hummed against my clit, and the vibration sent shockwaves through me. A second finger joined the first, stretching me deliciously as he curled them inside me, finding that spot that made my vision blur.

“That’s it,” he murmured against me. “Let go, Red. I want to feel you come on my tongue.”

When he sucked my clit between his lips, the sensation sent me tumbling over the edge. White-hot bliss crashed through me, my body clenching around his fingers as waves of pleasure crashed through me. He didn’t let up, licking and sucking until I was trembling, oversensitive and gasping.

Only then did he pull back, looking up at me with a self-satisfied grin. He rose from the water, droplets streaming down his muscular chest. Fuck, how I wanted to explore him. Trace the contours of his muscles. Learn every tattoo and scar. Map all the sounds I could pull from his lips.

“Amazing, Rava.” He kissed the corner of my mouth. “You taste fucking amazing.”

I grabbed his wrist, drawing his fingers to my lips. “If you think I’m done with you yet...” I drew his fingers into my mouth, swirling my tongue around them. His eyes darkened, pupils dilating with lust.

Without warning, he gripped my hips and lifted me from the ledge. A shocked laugh bubbled out of me as he dragged me down into the water. My legs locked around his waist, my arms around his neck as our mouths crashed together again.

The cool water felt heavenly against my flushed skin, but it was nothing compared to the heat of his body, the hard press of his cock against me. His hands roamed my body, cupping my breasts, squeezing my ass, exploring every inch of me. I rocked against him, biting back a groan. I felt empty without him. Hollow. Need clawed at me, consuming thought and reason.

“Are you sure about this?” he murmured against my mouth.

I met his gaze, seeing the restraint in his eyes. Even now, with desire coursing through both of us, he was giving me a choice. Offering, not taking.

“Yes,” I said, cupping his face in my hands. “I want this. I want you.”

He captured my mouth in a fierce kiss as he pushed inside me, stretching me slowly. I gasped against his lips, the slight burn of his size giving way to pleasure as he filled me inch by inch. I rocked against him, urging him on. His breathing grew ragged, fingers digging into my hips with bruising intensity.

Our eyes met when he finally bottomed out. Something passed between us, a connection formed by the softness in his gaze, the gentle brush of his thumb on my hip. All those raw and real emotions that would be so simple to acknowledge if I wasn’t bound by promises made for me.

“Rava...” He exhaled my name like a prayer, and I knew I was lost.

Lost in him. In this moment. In the hope that there would be a lifetime of tonights to claim for myself.

I kissed him again, pouring all the words I couldn’t speak into the kiss. Words of hope and fear and need. Then I began to move.

He met my rhythm, thrusting slowly, savoring every roll of my hips. The drag of his cock sent sparks of pleasure through me with every stroke. I clung to him, wrapping my tail around his leg for leverage. My fingernails dug into his shoulders, scoring his skin, but he seemed to revel in it, groaning into the crook of my neck.

“You’re incredible,” he panted, adjusting his grip to support me as the water splashed around us. “Every inch of you.”

He pressed hot, open-mouthed kisses to my throat, tusks grazing sensitive skin. I cried out as he drove into me, hitting all the right spots. Pleasure built inside me, radiating outward from my core.

“Zral,” I gasped, the friction of him moving inside me coiling tighter with every stroke. “Fuck. More. Faster. Harder.”

His laughter rumbled through me, tightening the tension even further. “So bossy.”

“Always.”

But he obliged, speeding his strokes as his grip tightened on me. The sudden shift from sweet torture to breathtaking intensity drove the breath from my lungs.

“Yes,” I hissed, matching his pace with equal urgency.

“Come for me, Red,” he growled, one hand sliding between us to find my clit. “Let me feel you.”

His fingers circled the sensitive bundle of nerves, pushing me ever closer to the edge. Every nerve ending sang, body primed to explode at any moment. And then I was there, crying out as I tipped over the edge, clenching around him as he thrust deeper, faster.

Zral’s rhythm faltered as my pussy clamped down on him. He groaned, his thrusts becoming erratic. “Fuck, Rava. I can’t?—”

“Don’t stop,” I begged, riding the aftershocks of my climax. “Don’t you dare stop.”

The slap of flesh against flesh echoed through the cave. The world became a blur of water and sensations—the weightlessness of buoyancy, the slip of his skin against mine, the smooth, cool rocks beneath my knees, and the throbbing pulse of him inside me.

“Again,” he demanded, his fingers still working my clit. “Come for me again.”

Release hovered within reach, taunting me with its promise of oblivion. Zral buried himself deeper with each thrust, reaching parts of me no one ever had. Again and again, tearing a scream from my throat. Zral followed me over the edge, his cock pulsing inside me as he came with a roar that echoed off the stone walls.

We collapsed onto the rock shelf in a heap of sweaty limbs and ragged breaths, laughing like idiots. He stroked my hair as the sound faded to silence broken only by the falling water and our slowing pulses.

“You’re something special, Rava Kadhan,” Zral said quietly.

My chest tightened at the words. There were things I should say, conversations I should initiate. But it was too easy to pretend that they were waiting for us, on the other side of the night we’d just shared. So instead, I peppered his jaw with kisses, mapping a path from chin to earlobe.

“So are you, Zral Shieldthorn,” I murmured into his skin. “So are you.”

Whatever came tomorrow, this perfect moment was mine. And for tonight, it was enough.