Each tremble of her body echoed within him and the need to possess her, now, took over his thoughts. He drew away, sucking in his breath at the way her heavy-lidded eyes fluttered open, revealing her need. Pride that he'd been the one to cause such passion gave him the strength to hold back. He wanted to hear her beg, plead for her release. He wouldn't oblige her, not until he was deep within the warm depths of her body and he could watch and feel her come undone when he drove her over the edge.
Stepping away, he took her hand. "Come."
She followed quietly when he drew her down to the furs. Easing her to her back, he stretched out beside her, propping his head up on one arm. Her dark eyes remained fixed on him and he had the errant thought he could drown in their depths. Leaning over, he pressed a soft kiss to her lips, then trailed his mouth along her cheek down to her neck.
A soft sigh escaped her, but to Ari's ears, it sounded like a roar. He slid his hand across her breast, relishing the way she arched against him, as if seeking greater contact. He held back a grin and continued the teasing caresses, finally catching her nipple in his fingers. She moaned, reaching for him. He grabbed her wrist, halting her, enchanted by her confused gaze.
"I want to touch you."
Her husky words shivered through him. If he allowed that, he feared he might not last long enough to be inside her when he came. He shook his head.
"No."
"Why?"
Some of her bewilderment faded, replaced with a hint of hurt. The need to assuage it rose up swift and sharp.
"If you do…" Telling her he feared losing control and acting like an untrained lad seemed somehow a weakness. "I want no distractions while I take my pleasure."
A sharp intake of breath accompanied the tensing of her body. "And what of my pleasure?" Anger sharpened her tone and she tugged against his restraining hand.
"You'll receive plenty of pleasure,ástin minn, I promise. But my pleasure comes before yours."
Sparks of annoyance flared in her eyes and she pulled her wrist free, sitting up. Ari placed his hand on her chest and pushed her back down, straddling her. He barely had time to duck the hand flying toward his face before again catching her arm. Her cry of frustration accompanied another attempt to hit him, but once more, he stopped her, pinning her arms above her head with one hand. She bucked against him in an attempt to dislodge him, but he leaned heavily atop her, holding back his groan when his cock came up against her damp sex. Her eyes widened as she also realized the position they now held and she stilled beneath him.
"Release me," she demanded.
Heart racing with excitement, Ari shook his head, grinning at her cry of outrage.
"I agreed to repay the debt as you wanted, but I'll not be treated like a lowly thrall!"
Her full lips, still swollen from his kisses, drew his focus and he lowered his mouth to hers. When he slid his tongue along her lips, a sharp nip sent him reeling back. She'd bitten him! He held back a laugh. This feisty hellion promised him great satisfaction.
"I like your fire. Taming you will be a delight." He spoke slowly, watching her eyes closely for her reaction. She didn't disappoint.
Fury flashed in her dark gaze and she again tried to buck him off. He held firm.
"I am not an animal to be broken! Let me go!"
Again he shook his head. "You owe me, remember? And I set the terms."
She looked past him. Toward the wolves. Would they attack if she called them? He dared a glance over his shoulder.
Both animals remained where they were, the female still weak from her wounds, the male hovering protectively over her. But Ari knew Kati watched them. He turned back to Thora.
"Don't. You will regret it."
"I already regret agreeing to this madness. Let me go!"
He shifted his hips, his cock achingly hard against her wet pussy. The movement drew a sharp gasp.
"You don't want me to let you go."
She closed her eyes and looked away, a clear refusal to admit what he already knew. With his free hand, he reached for his discarded belt and wrapped it around one of her wrists. The moment she realized his intention, her eyes snapped open, her shout echoing in the clearing. Before she had a chance to break free, he secured the belt firm around both her wrists. He leaned back, his cock still hard against her damp heat. He pulled on the trailing end of the belt. She swung her bound hands toward him but he tugged, halting her movement and drawing her flush against him.
"Until your debt is fully paid, you belong to me, and I will make the decisions. You agreed, but insist on fighting me. So be it."
"I should have known you are no better than those foul outlaws you "saved" me from."
