“Time to rest now.” I murmur and she nods, so I take her to her room and tuck her into bed. Then I bring her a cup of my special spiced tea to soothe the nerves.
I place it on the bedside table, but she doesn’t stir, and I’m certain she’s asleep.
I’m about to tiptoe out when a small voice says, “Otis?—”
My scalp tingles at her tone. I turn slowly and walk back toward her. “Yes?”
Her little face peeps over the coverlet and then she says, “I think I need another hug.”
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
CLEM.
Truth is, I probably am through the worst of my overwhelm.
I’m no longer shaking and weeping, but I sure must look a mess with my swollen eyes. And yeah, my body feels like it’s been through a wringer, but after the initial sleepiness, I’m suddenly buzzing with a different kind of energy.
How wonderful it felt to be rocked in Otis’s huge arms. Held tight, cared for. I calmed almost instantly.
I’ve known him less than twenty-four hours. But already I trust him wholeheartedly.
That’s why I ask him to hug me again.
Maybe not the only reason, though.
If I’m honest, it isn’t a totally innocent request. It feels suddenly like a horny little demon has taken over my body and is pleading for much more than a hug.
Just looking at Otis standing next to the bed, gazing down at me, makes that place between my legs feel swollen and needy. My clit hums with anticipation, my nipples peak.
My eyes alight on his crotch. Well, it is in direct line with my gaze, so…
My breath catches as I see the bulge in his pants literally growing in front of my eyes.
“Are you sure?” he growls.
“Yes. I need you to hold me.”
He lands on the bed next to me, his weight indenting the mattress, then stiffly lies alongside me.
I snuggle into him, and his huge arm comes around my shoulders. I let myself inhale his scent. He’s like no human I’ve ever smelled, sweet and pungent. And yummy beyond words.
I lay my head against his chest and circle my fingers over his shirt, letting my fingertips dip between the buttons of his shirt, flicking them open until his chest is bare. And then I roam, over the hard contours of his muscles, his pecs, the soft patch of dark green hair between them, then lower, to his abdomen. His muscles are more an eight-pack than a six-pack.
His breath has grown ragged.
“Is there anything else I can do that would help?” he husks against my ear.
“This,” I say, and in an act of pure daring, I stretch up and plaster my lips to his.
For a second he freezes, and then with a low growl, he returns the kiss.
And oh, goddess on a stick, this is heaven. I feel his tusks slide either side of my cheeks as his mouth envelops mine and I open on a gasp to feel his tongue tentatively exploring.
And then I meet it with mine, and the kiss explodes to another level. Our tongues tangle and duel, and I’m almost clambering on top of him to get more purchase.
Otis lets out an expletive.
Then, in a lightning move for someone so big, he’s flipped me onto my back and he’s lying over me, gently holding my wrists. His red eyes blaze into mine. Maybe I should be frightened, but I’m not. Theboom-boomof my heart is elation, not fear.
