Chapter 21

Awarm yellow glow marks the slow ascent of the sun, the first rays shining dully through the cave. Ali's lashes flutter in sleep, her mouth parted and her breathing steady. During the night, she rolled closer to me, burying her face against my neck and burrowing her body into mine.

I woke at first light and cannot tear myself away from the sight in my arms. The trust I've somehow earned back, her face sweet and slack in slumber. Her silvery hair tumbles across my arm, a whisper of color in the early light. My arms hold her close, and I'm addicted to her scent.

And her taste.

I stifle a groan as memories of last night wash over me, hot and vivid. My cock strains painfully, bobbing against her stomach. I close my eyes, as though I can will the desire away, with her in my arms.

As though I can ignore the relentless tug of the mate bond between us, amplified now that I've touched her body. Tasted it.

I inhale slowly, carefully, trying not to disturb her. She needs sleep. I let my eyes wander over the walls of the cave, tearing my attention from her peaceful form, trying to reassert control over my raging desire. I do not understand why she's suddenly decided to trust me, to give herself to me, but I swear on all the stars above and below that I will never give her cause to regret this choice.

"Hi," she says. Her eyes blink open, sleepily, and she stretches slightly against my body, a small yawn opening her mouth.

"May the stars light your way this day," I tell her, unable to stop myself from pulling her closer.

"Huh?" Her palms press against my chest, her chin tilting back, her lovely blue eyes finding mine. "Is that what you guys say? What happened to a simple good morning?"

I chuckle reverberates from my chest, and I tuck her under my chin, loving the way her warm breath fans against my bare skin. "Good morning, then, little huntress."

"Nah," she says, her fingers tickling across my stomach. "I like the other one better. You sound sexy when you say it."

"May the stars light your way this day and all days," I repeat, pitching my voice low. Her cheeks raise as I feel her smile against my chest.

"Oh," her body tenses. "You're naked. Like, ah, really naked."

"Does it bother you?"

"No, I mean, yes, wait—" she shakes her head, her hair falling against my chest. "It just surprised me."

I should have put on a night shirt or trousers. My nose wrinkles, and I twist my lips. "I do not wish for you to feel uncomfortable around me. With me," I amend, because she is much closer than just around me.

Stars above, how I want her to be all over me. I swallow hard, my dick jerking.

A small laugh tinkles out of her. "It seems like you're the one who's uncomfortable."

My body stills as her hand teases across my stomach, my hips. "Ali," I grunt. "Do not feel as if you must—" My words cut off with a groan as she wraps her soft hands around my cock.

"I don't feel as if I must anything. You should know that about me pretty well by now." Her fingers make a ring around my shaft, and she pumps it slowly, causing my hips to grind against her. "You're so big," she murmurs, and shocks me as her blunt teeth scrape against my chest.

"Ali." I squeeze my eyes shut, so worked up for her that I know it will not be long until I come. I am mad for this woman.

"Does it feel good?"

Instead of answering, I nudge her head until her face tilts up to mine, pressing a rough kiss against her lips. Her mouth falls open, welcoming me, warm and wet, her tongue teasing mine with tiny strokes as her hand works me.

Mating frenzy begins to claim me, and I slow the kiss, pulling away. I cannot rush her, I will not take her now and bond with her before she has every chance to feel comfortable with me. We must finish our task, complete our oath and receive the markings that will keep us both safe from?—

Her hand grips me more firmly, pumping me hard now, and I grit my teeth, trying to hold off and enjoy her hand on me longer.

Then she takes it away, and I stare down at her in confusion.

An impish smile plays across her face. "Where do you want me to touch you?"

"You devious woman," I groan. "This is not a fair game you play."

She cocks an eyebrow. "Tell me about it."

She scooches down a little, my cock rubbing against her stomach. Her hands skim the edge of her night dress, and then she's lifting it off, baring her glorious body to me. Her breasts are small but full, tipped in dark pink nipples that set my mouth to watering.

The blanket tumbles away from me as I sit up, pulling her into my lap. "Ali, you are the most wondrous creature I've ever beheld."

I'm rewarded with a blush and a small laugh. "No one's ever called me that before."

"They were idiots," I growl, not wanting to hear about her others. Knowing I will be her last; knowing that we cannot seal the bond yet. My honor will not let me.

My hands wander over the smooth silk of her back, the firm curve of her ass, her breasts pressing against my chest and fitting into me perfectly. It would be so easy to spread her legs wide, to fit her on top my cock and thrust deeply into her. My name would tear from her lips, her eyes closed in ecstasy as I take her.

I press my face into her neck, shaking with the effort of resisting the siren call of her body and the bond between us.

"You need it as badly as I did last night, huh?" Ali slips off my lap, and I ache with the loss of her body. "Stand up," she commands.

"What?"

Impatient, her hands push at me, and I do as she wishes, her eyes turning molten. She licks her lips and watches me for a moment, then rises to her knees. Her hands bracket around my thighs, her mouth mere inches away from my cock.

When she sweeps her tongue over the head of it, my back bows. I put my hands on her shoulders to steady myself, then stiffen, worried I'll hurt her. When she places my hands onto her head, I growl, my desire for my woman only growing.

Then she slips her lips around my cock, and I lose myself in the wet heat of her mouth as she moans.

"You like this?" I ask her, the question more rough and guttural than I intended.

She moans again, then her eyes lift to mine, blue flashing. The sight of her, my hands woven in her blonde tresses, her pink mouth full of my cock, is something I will never forget, something I never thought possible.

"Mmhmmm." Her noise of assent sends vibrations down my cock, and I groan again, thrusting slightly against her face. I stop, not wanting to hurt her, or scare her off. But stars above, now that I have her here, I want to fuck her mouth, fuck her hard and fast.