Her nerves had begun to calm thanks to the alcohol, so Mav let herself sink into the spell Colette was weaving. Mav stepped out of her pants and grasped the bottom edge of her shirt, pulling it up and over her head to reveal the furry expanse of her torso. She had only tried to sleep with a human once, and they had been a man. She had thought she’d chosen well, and that the man wouldn’t mind their differences, but he had seemed…less than enthusiastic about her fur once they were in the middle of things. She hoped this wouldn’t be a repeat of that experience. She wanted this to be different more than she had wanted anything in a long time.
All that remained now were her plain black cotton undergarments. Mav breathed through her nerves, enjoying not having to guess what her partner for the evening wanted. She met Colette’s heated gaze, and noted the deep flush on her cheeks. Colette was enjoying this.
“Take those off, too.”
Mav slipped her underthings down over her hips and pulled her snug cotton top up over her shoulders. She stood, fully bare before this beautiful stranger, and had never felt more alive. She surprised herself with her own excitement; letting Colette look at her like this made her feel wanted. The moment stretched, and Mav thought she might be dreaming.
“Has anyone ever told you how beautiful you are, Mav?” Collete asked, now prowling across the small space toward Mav.
“I doubt many have even thought it.”
“You should have someone tell you every single day until you believe it, and every day after.” Colette stepped behind Mav and began undoing the long braid of golden hair Mav always kept tightly bound. It had already loosened when Colette removed the tie, and now she worked her fingers through it until it flowed around Mav’s shoulders in thick, voluminous waves. Colette’s dainty fingertips brushed against Mav’s scalp; she increased the pressure, and Mav couldn’t help but let out a soft moan of pleasure at the touch.
Such a simple thing, but no one had run their fingers through Mav’s hair since she was a child. The pure bliss of it was erotic in an unexpected way, and exactly what Mav had needed to relax out of her nerves. She felt the stress of her investigation slipping away; that mess would be there for her tomorrow.
“There, just let me take care of you for the night, Mav.” Colette’s voice surrounded Mav, and she closed her eyes in bliss. “Why don’t you sit down here, hm?”
Mav opened her eyes as Colette stepped away from her and gestured to a simple wooden chair. Mav nodded and sat, though she thought it odd that they weren’t going to the bedroom. Colette disappeared for a moment, only to return with a bundle of fine rope.
“What is that for?” Mav asked, not worried, but a bit confused.
“I want to see how pretty you look all tied up for me, Mav.”
Chapter Seven
Colette couldn’t believe thiswas really happening. Every nerve in her body was alight with excitement and anticipation, but her job tonight was to make Mav feel incredible and safe enough to enjoy herself completely. She had to keep her composure and not dissolve into a giddy puddle on the floor. Or worse, accidentally let her identity as Mav’s thief slip somehow.
Mav studied the rope in Colette’s hand for a long moment before flicking her amber eyes up and nodding. With her mane unbound, she was breathtaking, her wings draped behind the back of the chair and her tail curled to her side. Her chest heaved; her lush breasts were like a human woman’s other than the fur covering them, and Colette couldn’t wait to close her lips around those rose-pink nipples.
“Remember, just use your word or tell me if anything feels uncomfortable, alright?” Colette wanted to make sure Mav felt safe first and foremost. Colette liked to be dominant with her lovers, but in many ways that meant giving them the power to control the situation. This tenderness she felt, though…thatwas new, and it surprised her. Mav could obviously take care of herself, but Colette wanted to take care of her instead, if only for a little while.
“I will, Colette.”
Colette’s knees went weak at the sound of her name on Mav’s lips. How unfortunate that she really should avoid seeing Mav ever again after tonight. It was reckless enough to be doing this once with her would-be captor; she certainly couldn’t make a habit of it. Colette did feel a moment of guilt over her hidden identity; the power dynamics at play here were complicated, but she found that she did not take joy in deceiving the Captain of the Guard. Despite her role in their city, Mav was a manticore, so Colette knew she hadn’t had anything handed to her. There was just something about Mav that made Colette’s heart twinge with guilt at her secret identity. She wanted this, though; her desire ached behind her sternum. She longed for it enough to risk the secret and ignore her own conscience.
Colette unwound the rope and began the process of securing Mav to the chair with a series of elegant loops that wound around her body, careful to avoid pinning Mav’s sensitive wings. As she worked, Colette savored the slow building of arousal in her own body. She admired every curve and plane of Mav’s powerful form, wanting more than anything to just run her hands through that expanse of soft fur.
When she finally finished her work, Mav’s generous breasts were rising and falling with her quickened breathing. Colette was overwhelmed with the sight of this glorious woman tied up and at her mercy; she couldn’t keep her hands to herself any longer.
“Is everything comfortable for you?” Colette asked as she trailed her fingers lightly along Mav’s collarbone.
“Yes.” Mav’s simple answer was breathless.
“Good. Now I’m going to touch you, Mav.”
Colette got on her knees in front of Mav and slid her fingers down to graze those pert nipples before she cupped a breast in each hand and began to knead and squeeze, savoring their weight. Mav sucked in a surprised breath, but her head fell to the side after a moment, her eyes closing in pleasure.
Colette smiled up at Mav from where she knelt, and continued her exploration of Mav’s body. Her hands caressed strong thighs, taking her time as she slowly moved up toward Mav’s most sensitive place. Mav watched her work, lips parted slightly. Mav’s pupils were blown wide; Colette could see the reflection of the fire dancing in them.
After a long moment holding Mav’s gaze, Colette finally guided her fingers into the lush golden curls between Mav’s legs, finding her seam and spreading her just enough to slip in. Colette couldn’t keep herself from moaning softly at the warm wetness she found there. This majestic woman deserved to be worshipped, Colette thought. She loved being on her knees before Mav. Watching Mav react to her touch feltrightdeep in Colette’s soul.
Colette started to move her fingers around, exploring. Mav sucked in a sharp breath when Colette brushed across a series of soft spines along one side of her opening. The little spines weren’t sharp, but they were pronounced. Colette found a similar pattern on the other side, and gently stroked to gauge Mav’s response.
The moan that tore from Mav’s throat was nearly Colette’s undoing. She pressed her fingers into the spines a bit harder, imagining how they would feel against her own sensitive core. Colette continued the motion, sometimes grazing Mav’s clit, but focusing on the spines.
The sounds Mav made as Colette stroked were carnal and delicious. Colette carried on, making her movements as identical as possible, never relenting, until Mav cried out in ecstasy, herrelease coating Colette’s hand. It was the most beautiful sight Colette had ever seen, and her entire body pulsed with the sensation of her own arousal.
Chapter Eight
