Chapter 11

CHAPTER 11

G emma’s heart thundered against her ribs as she entered the cavern containing the hot springs. Steam rose from the water’s surface, creating ethereal wisps in the dim light cast by the bioluminescent crystals embedded in the rock walls. The air held a mineral scent, rich and earthy.

Her fingers trembled as she started to unbutton her shirt.

What am I doing?

This boldness wasn’t like her at all—and yet it felt right. She wanted to be with him, not simply because of the desire that raced through her whenever he touched her, but because of the kindness hidden behind the gruff facade, and the sorrow that clung to him.

The warm damp air caressed her skin as she shed her clothing piece by piece, laying them carefully on a dry ledge. Goosebumps prickled across her exposed flesh, more from anticipation than cold. She dipped a toe into the water, testing its temperature. Perfect.

The hot water enveloped her body like silk as she moved to a natural bench formed in the rock, submerging herself up to her shoulders. The heat seeped into her tired muscles and she couldn’t suppress a sigh of contentment. Steam curled up from the surface in lazy spirals, catching the blue-green light from the crystals above. The soft glow painted shadows across the cave walls, creating an otherworldly atmosphere that matched her racing thoughts.

Time passed with excruciating slowness as her eyes darted to the entrance for the third time in as many minutes. The empty archway mocked her boldness. Had she pushed him too far? Had he retreated again?

She sank deeper into the water, letting it lap at her collarbone. The warmth seeped into her bones, but did nothing to calm the flutter of nerves in her stomach. She traced patterns in the water’s surface with her fingertips, trying to distract herself from counting the minutes.

Her gaze swept back to the entrance. Still empty. She took a deep calming breath. If he didn’t come tonight, she wouldn’t let it discourage her. She would keep trying to reach past his defenses, to let him know that it was okay to be happy.

The sound of quiet footsteps made her pulse quicken. She took another deep breath, gathering her courage as she waited for him to appear.

Steam swirled around his massive frame as he stepped into the cavern, and her heart skipped a beat. The blue-green crystal light caught his silver eyes, making them luminescent in the dim cave. Her mouth went dry as stalked towards her, the heat in his eyes sending a shiver down her spine that had nothing to do with the temperature. She couldn’t look away as he began to undress, his movements deliberate and unhurried.

The play of muscles beneath his white fur captivated her. He was built like a warrior, all power and strength, yet she’d seen those huge hands handle delicate machinery with incredible precision. She’d felt their gentleness every time he touched her.

Every inch of her was aware of his gaze on her body, of the raw hunger that smoldered there. Her nipples tightened into hard peaks, and she fought the urge to cover herself, to hide her arousal. She arched her back instead, giving him an even better view.

Rather than feeling exposed or vulnerable, excitement coursed through her veins as she admired every inch of him. He was different from any man she’d ever known -but that only added to his appeal. The steam wrapped around his form like a lover’s caress, and her fingers itched to trace the same paths.

He shed his pants, revealing a thicker patch of fur across his groin, but not the cock she’d expected. She was sure she’d felt his erection beneath her but there was no sign of it now. Perhaps it was sheathed behind the thatch of fur. She couldn’t tear her gaze away as he moved toward the pool. His thigh muscles bunched and rippled with each step, making her breath catch in her throat. Her eyes drifted back to his groin, wondering what was hidden there.

The water surged around his powerful frame as he stepped into the springs. Her skin tingled as he moved closer, his silver eyes catching the crystalline light. The ripples lapped against her breasts, teasing the erect peaks.

“Thank you for inviting me,” he said quietly, but she heard the hesitation beneath his words.

Without speaking, she raised her hand to him. He took it immediately, wrapping his massive arms around her and drawing her against the solid wall of his chest. The soft fur of his body tickled her skin as she pressed closer, letting the heat of him and the springs cocoon her. Steam rose around them, creating an intimate sanctuary that shut out everything beyond this moment.

She tilted her face up to meet his gaze. Her heart raced at the intensity in his eyes, vulnerability and desire mingling in those luminescent depths. The water swirled around them, and she felt suspended in this perfect space where nothing existed except the two of them.

“I’m glad you came,” she whispered, and kissed him.

His lips were firm and warm beneath hers, and a thrill raced through her at his groan. His arms tightened around her waist, pressing her against the hard length of his body. She gasped at the delicious friction of his fur against her nipples as she twined her arms around his neck.

The kiss deepened, their tongues tangling in an intimate dance that left her breathless and aching. Heat bloomed between her thighs as their bodies moved together in the water, every touch heightened by the hot silk of the water. She lost herself in the moment, drowning in the sensations coursing through her.

When they finally broke apart, panting and flushed, the raw need in his gaze mirrored her own. His massive frame surrounded her, protective and possessive, and her pulse quickened at the knowledge that this powerful male could have her at his mercy. But he didn’t. Instead, he treated her with a tenderness that made her heart ache.

She brushed her fingertips along his jaw, tracing the curve of his cheekbone before burying her hand in the thick mane that fell across his shoulders. Her fingers sank into the fur, finding the warm skin beneath.

“Tell me what you need,” she murmured. “I want to please you.”

“No one has asked me that for a very long time,” he said, and she heard the vulnerability in his voice. “I…I don’t know.”

She brushed her lips across his again, feeling the tension in his muscles.

“Then we’ll figure it out together.”

She took his hand and drew him towards a low ledge. He followed willingly, letting her guide him up onto the flat stone. Water streamed off his body, and she let her eyes roam over him, drinking in every detail. The muscles rippling beneath his fur, the lines of his powerful limbs, the way his mane tumbled over his shoulders. Every part of him was magnificent, but her gaze kept returning to his groin.

Her fingers trailed through the thick patch of fur, feeling the heat beneath. He sucked in a breath at her touch, but didn’t pull away.

“May I?” she asked softly, and felt him tremble as he nodded.

She slid her fingers into the silky thatch, searching for his hidden erection. She found the thick sheath and ran her fingers gently down the length of it. When she reached the base he jerked and she pressed more firmly against that spot. His cock sprang free, hot and hard against her palm, and he groaned.

The swollen length was as white as the rest of his skin, glistening in the dim light, but a thick red vein spiraled around the shaft, pulsing at her touch.

“You’re magnificent,” she whispered, tracing that tempting red line. “I want to taste you.”