Page 29

Since she’d been the one to explain to me—clinically and in detail—about the pleasure a male could bring a woman—I didn’t blush in embarrassment. Much . Still, I managed to shake off their teasing, accept a few other gifts, then hurry toward Vartok’s cottage.

Earlier today, when I’d felt Vartok approaching, Nan had explained ‘twas part of the Mate Bond. He’d told me he would be able to sense me, but I hadn’t realized I would be able to do the same. Either way, tonight was no exception.

The door opened before I reached it and Vartok was there, pulling the food from my hands.

“What’s all this?”

“Our friends thought we might need to keep up our strength.” I nudged the door closed behind me as he began to pile things on the table. “Apparently we are not expected to leave this building for several days.”

“Oh, thank fook,” he moaned, reaching for me.

I expected him to kiss me, but instead, he tucked me up against him and rested his chin on my head.

“Myra, love, I missed ye. Gods below, I’ve missed ye.”

I’d slept at his side the last two nights, but I knew what he’d meant. It had been days since we’d recognized the Mate Bond between us and hadn’t been able to consummate it. Now that we were here, alone, without responsibilities…

I realized my heart was beating in time with his.

Anticipation made my breathing shallow.

My skin prickled, attuned to him .

Why wasn’t he kissing me?

“Vartok?” I asked hesitantly .

“Once I kiss ye, I dinnae think I can stop.” His erection throbbed against my stomach. “Mate, if ye’re no’ ready for this now , tell me.”

Slowly, my smile bloomed and I nuzzled closer.

“Nan taught me the recipe for the special tea to prevent conception. I would like your kitlings, Vartok, but not until…”

“Until ye are ready,” he rasped, shifting so he could kiss me on my crown. “And ye’ve taken the tea?”

“I have, and I brought plenty with me for the coming days.”

“So…” He slowly straightened, his hands running down my back. “Are ye ready?—”

Instead of answering, I surged upward on my toes and pressed my lips to his. With a growl I felt in my own chest, Vartok wrapped his arms around me and lifted me so I could hold onto his neck. His hands cupped my arse as his tongue made love to mine, and I could feel my own arousal blooming.

When I tried to grip his hips with my legs, I cursed my skirts for getting in the way…but the movement pushed his cock against my core and I whimpered into his mouth at the burst of pleasure.

His lips moved to my jaw, then my temple, as I ground my hips against him. I wanted him. I wanted this .

“Tell me,” Vartok rasped in my ear. “Tell me what ye want, Mate.”

I— me ? I swallowed, even as I tipped my head back to allow him access to my throat and neck .

“I want ye.”

“No’ good enough.”

“I want…” I groaned, kicking at my skirts. “ Please , Vartok.”

I felt his lips curl against my skin as he hefted me with one hand and used his other to yank my skirts up. I wrapped my legs around him, his cock nestling against my core. Hot and hard and oh-so-delicious.

How could I be this aroused just by his kiss? This pressure right where I needed it?

And then his hands were against my bare skin. He’d pulled my skirts up high enough that when he held my arse, his fingers could dig into my cheeks, pulling them apart, probing…

“Oh God yes ,” I groaned, rocking against his cock as his fingertips brushed along my cleft. I could feel how wet I was already.

“Such a good lass,” he muttered, his tusk scraping along my throat. “Ye’re wet already, thinking of me fooking ye, aye?”

“Aye!” I gasped, my fingers tugging at his braids. “Please fook me.”

“Soon, my pet. My naughty human pet. Gods below, ye’re so wet.”

I thrust my arse back, trying to force him to touch me where I wanted it, but since that removed the pressure from my clitoris, I whimpered in confusion and thrust forward once more.

“That’s a good little plaything.” Vartok lifted me so his mouth could find the top of my breast as he rubbed me against himself. “Using my body like this. I’m so fooking hard, thinking about claiming ye, Myra.”

He used his hold on me to rub my hips against him in a circle once more, the sensation sending me soaring. He was using my body the same way I was using his, and the knowledge was so arousing I knew I was dripping over his fingers.

Lowering me slightly, Vartok’s mouth found my shoulder where my chemise had slipped.

“Ye’re going to come for me.” His command was a harsh whisper, his lips finding that sensitive spot at the base of my neck. “Ye’re a good little plaything, and ye’re going to come just from humping my cock like a bitch in heat, aye?”

“Aye, Vartok,” I moaned, half-dazed with need. “Please…”

“Please what, pet?”

Had there been a time I didn’t like him calling me that? Now it drove me wild.

“Please let me come while I hump you like a bitch in heat.”

“Use me,” he rasped. “Use me like a good Mate.”

And with that, his mouth closed around my shoulder. I felt his teeth bite my skin, felt his tusks dig into my sensitive flesh—and I gasped as pleasure shot through me.

Immediately, my core began to spasm, my climax triggered by his bite and my need.

It didn’t feel as good as it might, had his cock been inside me…

but by all of his gods, it felt good . As my inner muscles clenched, he pressed his fingertips into me, giving them something to hold onto, as his little finger played with my arsehole, making me feel even more wicked .

Bless me, but I loved this male and how he could make me feel.

It took a moment for me to begin to breathe again, to realize Vartok was kissing the spot where he’d bitten me, kissing and licking and murmuring words I didn’t completely understand.

Slowly, he lowered me, dragging my pulsing core along his hardness until my feet touched the ground. When had I lost my shoes? And why couldn’t my legs support me? I clutched at him, not wanting to leave him.

That had been quite nice, but not enough .

My knees were weak and core aching after losing his hardness. I looked up at him, pleasure still coursing through my veins, but my blood thrumming oddly. Was this the Mating Heat?

Although Vartok’s eyes glowed fiercely, he shook his head.

“Mate, if I’m going to claim ye?—”

“Please?” I moaned.

“I need to ken ye like what I’m doing.”

But now ‘twas my turn to shake my head.

“We have a deal, Vartok. You tell me what to do, and I will tell you if I am uncomfortable.” Half-desperate now, I realized I was rubbing against him again. How could he maintain such discipline?

He stared down at me for a moment too long, then sighed and looked away.

“Just today I was thinking how glad I was no’ to have to make decisions that will affect the clan’s future. ”

And suddenly, the truth slammed into me.

“Oh God,” I whispered, clutching at his forearms, willing him to look at me again. “Are you saying—all this time, I have forced you to take command in our tupping, but you did not like that responsibility?”

Dread pooled in my stomach, because I had loved that aspect of our love-making. Still, I never wanted to do aught which would make the experience less than pleasant for?—

His slow grin stopped my desperate over-thinking, and he bent down to brush a kiss over my lips. Soft. Over too soon.

“ Dkaar , I ken ye appreciate being forced to give up control. Ye need that in bed, aye?”

My gaze flicked across his face as my heart pounded in my chest. “I—I…”

“The truth.”

I swallowed. “I do like it, Vartok. I…I need it. But I do not want you to be uncomfortable?—”

His hand rose to the back of my head, cupping me, pulling me closer. “How could aught ye do make me uncomfortable? I love ye, Myra, and I love the way ye give up control to me.”

“But you just said?—”

His lips twitched up on one side. “I dinnae like being in command of the entire clan, making decisions which result in life or death.” Slowly, his grin turned wicked as his claws lightly scraped my scalp. “I like kenning that if I take control in bed, ye’re going to enjoy it more. ”

I would, but… “You are certain, Vartok?” I whispered, looking for clues. “You do not mind…?”

“Mind? I love our dynamic, Mate. Would ye like me to prove it to ye?”

“Please,” I breathed, eyes wide with hope.

But to my surprise, he released me, stepped back and planted his fists on his hips.

“Then undress me, my innocent little human plaything.”

The command sent a thrill through me and I jumped to do his bidding.

My heart raced as I approached him slowly, savoring the moments before I touched him.

My fingers trembled as I reached for his belt, my mouth already watering in anticipation for what I knew lay beneath the plaid.

With a deft tug, I let his kilt fall away from his powerful thighs.

I watched him, gauging his reaction, and the glint in his eyes told me he was enjoying this.

I took a moment to admire the powerful muscles of his torso, the way they flexed beneath his skin, before I reached for his cock. ‘Twas thick and hard, jutting invitingly toward me. I wanted to stroke him, to taste him.

But he grabbed my wrist, and my gaze snapped to his.

"Good, pet," he rumbled, his voice thick with desire. “But it’s time for ye to undress now. I want to see all of ye, bare and ready for my cock.”

Those crude words caused my core to spasm, and I knew I was wet again for him .

“Yes, Vartok,” I gasped, my fingers fumbling with the laces of my bodice. My gown was easy to pull over my head and I let it drop to the ground then gasped at his low growl of approval.

“Show me yer body, pet,” he commanded, his voice like gravel. “Strip for me. Show me every inch of yer pretty flesh.”

The urgency in his tone fueled my eagerness. I reached for my chemise, my fingers clenching the linen as I drew it from my shoulders, baring my skin to his gaze. I could see the hunger in his eyes as I revealed my curves, and every inch of my skin seemed alight with anticipation.