Page 16 of Yasmin and the Yeti (Alien Abduction #25)

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

Y asmin studied Rhaal’s face in the firelight. Something had changed. The fierce passionate male who had claimed her at the market was gone, replaced by a stoic, distant version of her yeti.

He looked almost… sad. The firelight reflected off his fur and his blue eyes as he stared into the flames, his shoulders slumped. Why had his mood changed?

The trip to the market had been enlightening in more ways than one.

The alien town had been a chaotic, noisy place filled with beings of every possible shape and color.

She’d seen furry males, both large and small, a massive male with horns and red skin, and several strange, insectoid aliens that scuttled about on multiple legs.

But she hadn’t seen any other humans. Was she the only one who’d been taken?

“Yasmin,” he said at last.

“What is it? What’s bothering you?”

He hesitated again, then gently touched her cheek.

“Hooman.”

It took a moment for her to recognize the word, then her breath caught.

“You knew?” He quickly shook his head. “Then how?”

He moved his arms up and down, mimicking the four-armed male who’d tried to buy her.

“The trader knew,” she whispered. “That means there are more of us.”

Her knees started to tremble and he immediately reached out to steady her, but then his hands hovered uncertainly over her waist. Did he not want her now that he knew?

She immediately dismissed the thought. The desire to touch her was in every line of his body.

She put her hands over his guiding them to her waist, his touch anchoring her—anchoring both of them she suspected.

“I guess I’m not really surprised,” she said. “It didn’t seem likely that I was the only one. But why does it bother you so much?”

He studied her face, clearly trying to understand what she was asking him, then raised a careful hand to her face.

“Yasmin look hoomans?”

“That’s what’s upsetting you? You think I want to leave you and look for other humans?”

He gave a quick nod, his glowing eyes hopeful and afraid.

She considered the idea, then immediately discarded it. She was right where she wanted to be. She understood the uncertainty in his voice now. He thought she might want to leave him. Her heart ached for him, for his fear that she would leave him as his sister had done.

“I’m not going anywhere,” she said firmly.

“You stay?” he repeated, his deep voice hesitant.

“Stay. Here. With you.”

She leaned forward and kissed him, putting all of the longing she’d felt since the last kiss into the press of her lips against his. He froze for a long moment before his arms wrapped around her, pulling her so close she could feel the warmth of his body, even the rapid beat of his heart.

His mouth opened eagerly beneath hers and he groaned, a low, desperate sound that made her own heart race.

She slid her tongue into his mouth, exploring him.

His fangs were sharp and dangerous, and the knowledge of that danger made her heart pound, even as she trusted him to keep her safe.

He growled again and his tongue tangled with hers, his taste flooding her senses.

He tasted like the snow and the mountains and something indescribably male.

Her nipples tightened, aching for his touch as liquid heat gathered between her thighs.

She moaned, pressing her body against him as she let herself go, let herself savor his touch, his taste, the feeling of his big, strong body against hers.

She could feel the huge ridge of his erection pressing against her stomach but when the kiss finally ended and she looked down, there was nothing visible beneath his fur.

“Where…”

She blushed, unable to complete the question, but he seemed to understand.

He gently took her hand and guided it down to his erection, then pressed her fingers at the base.

His cock sprang free—a huge purple column that glistened in the firelight, perfectly smooth except for a wide ring of darker skin around the base.

“Oh my God.”

He shook his head, misunderstanding her words.

“Kotra.”

She reached out a tentative hand, and he shuddered as her fingers curled around the thick shaft. She couldn’t resist a quick stroke, delighting in his shiver of response.

“I like it,” she whispered and he groaned again.

Without warning, he stood, lifting her effortlessly in his arms. The sudden movement startled a small gasp from her, but there was no fear in it—only anticipation. He carried her across the cave to the bed platform, his steps slow and deliberate, giving her every opportunity to object.

She didn’t. Instead, she wrapped her arms around his neck, pressing her face into the warm fur of his shoulder, breathing in his wild, musky scent.

He laid her gently on the soft moss-covered platform, then hesitated, looming over her, his expression torn between desire and uncertainty.

She reached up and put her hand on his cheek, echoing the way he had touched her before. “It’s okay,” she whispered. “I want this. I want you.”

Something in his expression broke open at her words.

A raw hunger burned in his glowing eyes as he lowered himself down next to her, careful not to crush her as he pressed against her side.

She could feel the throb of his kotra against her stomach, a searing brand of need and desire that left her breathless.

He stroked his hand down her body, his touch gentle despite the sharp claws that could tear through her clothes with ease.

Instead, he carefully removed the clothing he had just acquired for her, his touch reverent as each layer was pulled away.

She was acutely aware of his intense gaze following every movement of his hand, drinking in each new inch of bared flesh.

The firelight danced over her skin, casting golden shadows across her body.

He traced the edge of one shadow, his touch achingly light and unbelievably erotic.

She shivered, and he growled, the sound vibrating through her and stoking her own desire.

When she was completely naked, he paused, his gaze roaming over her from head to toe.

His expression was a mixture of awe and desire that made her feel beautiful and powerful.

She arched her back, pushing her breasts up, and was rewarded by a low groan.

His hands came down to cover the small mounds, and she trembled at the warmth of his touch.

He bent his head and took one taut peak into his mouth, sucking gently while his tongue flicked back and forth across the tight little bud.

Her back arched, and she cried out, her fingers digging into his fur.

He growled again and the vibrations only intensified the sensation, sending pleasure rocketing through her.

She was dimly aware of the other nipple being tugged by his fingers, adding to her arousal.

Her pussy throbbed and ached, desperate to be filled, but when she tried to reach between them, he grabbed her hand and shook his head.

“Yasmin. Mine.” There was no mistaking the possessive satisfaction in his tone. “I pleasure.”

She understood what he was saying. He was claiming her, not just in word but in deed.

She relaxed back onto the bed, letting him take control.

He returned his attention to her breasts, his fingers and mouth leaving her breathless, until her entire existence was centered on her aching nipples.

Just when she thought she couldn’t stand anymore, he released her breasts.

She sagged back down into the furs, panting.

He moved between her legs, spreading her thighs with a hungry look that had her squirming.

His hands covered her breasts again, and his mouth…

oh god. His tongue flicked across her clit, once, twice, a third time, and she exploded, arching up off the platform as she cried out her pleasure.

He growled and continued licking her throbbing flesh, his tongue delving into her empty entrance.

Her body shook, the pressure building inside her all over again.

“Please, Rhaal. I need you now.”

He lifted his head to look up at her, his eyes still blazing.

She couldn’t resist reaching down and running a finger through the slick heat coating her folds.

His eyes followed her movement, then he grabbed her hand and licked her finger.

The sight of his rough tongue on her skin sent an aftershock of arousal through her, and he growled again before positioning the head of his cock at her entrance.

But then he looked down, and his body went still.

“What? What is it?”

She followed his gaze down to where the admittedly intimidating length of his cock pressed against her. She shivered in a confused mixture of anticipation and trepidation.

“Not hurt,” he said, and she suspected that he was talking to himself as much as he was talking to her.

His eyes were wild, his breathing harsh, and for a moment, she thought he was angry. Then she recognized the expression on his face—not anger, but a desperate struggle for control.

“Rhaal?” she questioned, reaching for him.

He caught her hand, pressing a gentle kiss to her palm. “Not now,” he growled, his voice strained.

Before she could respond, he was gone, slipping from the bed and striding toward the cave entrance. The heavy hide curtain fell back into place behind him with a soft thud, leaving her alone in the suddenly empty cave.

The cold air from outside rushed in, raising goosebumps on her heated skin. She sat up slowly, pulling one of the furs around her naked shoulders. She wasn’t hurt or offended by his abrupt departure—somehow, she understood. This wasn’t rejection. It was fear.

She settled back against the furs, her body still humming with unfulfilled desire, but her heart oddly at peace. He would return when he was ready. And when he did, she would be waiting.

Outside, the wind howled across the snow-covered landscape, carrying away the deep, frustrated growls of a male fighting for control.