Emma’s right. If I mess up, if she gets sold, she’ll never be found.
“Don’t…” I close my eyes, screwing them tightly shut against the mere idea that someone might hurt her, or lay a finger on her, let alone rape and murder her.
I should walk away. I should put distance between us and pretend this conversation never happened.
Instead, when she goes to speak, I step forward, fitting myself between her thighs, putting one finger against her lips to stop her from speaking, while I struggle to regain control. But my mate, because apparently she doesn’t understand theconcept of backing down, kisses my finger slowly, her plump lips pressing into my skin enough to make me hard in an instant.
It’s hardly racy. It’s barely a kiss, but it’s enough to send my brain and my libido haywire.
My hands slam down on either side of her hips, forcing her legs wider and pulling her hard against me. My erection rubs her core and just knowing that the scent of her desire is going to be on me, painted onto the crotch of my trousers, is enough to make me almost come right here.
“Bodhi.” Her delicate fingers travel lower, trailing over the zipper in a manner that’s designed to drive me wild.
“You’re playing with fire, Emma.” I lean in close, my lips brushing her ear. “Don’t push me if you don’t mean it.”
“I just…” Her low moan is nearly my undoing, and I growl, pressing my hand over her mouth, both of us too loud, even as I wish I could hear her fall apart. “I only have a few days.”
One of her fingers slides down behind the top button of my combats, stroking my skin and dangerously close to the head of my cock that’s stretching up to meet her. When her other hand presses against me, cupping my balls and sliding up my length, I groan, my chest heaving, all self-control rapidly evaporating.
Towering over her, I press my forehead against hers, breathing in deeply and letting the scent of her arousal fill me up.
“You have no idea how tempting you are.” My hands trail up her thighs, pushing her skirt higher, fingers digging into soft flesh. “Or maybe you do.”
Fuck, I know this is wrong. She’s scared, vulnerable. I’m supposed to be protecting her.
“I don’t want to die without knowing, without experiencing… you know…”
“Fuck.”
Her words barely register as she slides her hand down and up, her movements shaky. Her chin tilts up, bringing her mouth closer to mine, mere inches away, as our breaths mingle, tingles dancing across my lips at just the thought of touching them to hers.
“It’s not an act.” Her voice is barely a whisper, tinged with self-deprecation as she pulls her hands off my swollen cock. “I don’t know what I’m doing. I’ve never... I haven’t...”
She trails off, cheeks flushing, but I understand. She’s a virgin, and she’s throwing herself at me, trying to rid herself of that precious thing that now seems like a curse.
I rock my hips, smug as hell when she whimpers, and her scent blooms. Her hands fist in my shirt to pull me closer as she rolls against me, seeking more friction, more pleasure. “I’d rather it be with you than one of them.”
The thought of anyone else touching her, being her first, taking what should be mine, is more than I can stomach.
She’s right. It should be me. Itwillbe me.
“But that’s up to you,” she continues, holding my gaze as we rock together, moaning and groaning our pleasure. Her hands slide up my abs and over my chest and shoulders before gripping my hair. When she tips her head back and tugs hard, stars dance before my eyes.
“No.”
I can’t do it. Can’t risk her doing something she’ll regret because she thinks her virginity is some kind of ticking time-bomb she needs to rid herself of. I’d never forgive myself if she did it out of fear more than desire. I have to know she wants it, needs it, craves it with every fibre of her being.
Defiant and fiery as ever, she locks eyes with me and pulls my face down to hers by my beard. There’s no hesitation as she utters the words that cleave my heart in two and send my bear into a frenzy.
“If you won’t, I’ll find someone who will.”
Red floods my vision.
When she goes to wriggle away, I grip her hips, sliding her back on her perch, the movement sudden enough for her to grab my biceps to keep from falling off.
“No.”
I can’t trust myself to say any more than that. Even that single syllable comes out sounding barely human.
