“No!” I screamed so loud and so long that it echoed in my ears.
Taroc's eyes went wide.
“I'm fucking tired,” I said, panting again. “I was at a breaking point tonight when Vexen started pushing me. I thought that being with you would make me feel better. But instead, I'm even angrier. Thanks for that, Taroc. Thanks for the support.”
“Hey!” Taroc snarled and grabbed my arm as I tried to turn away. He jerked me into an embrace, wrapped his arms around me, and held me tightly.
And then he started to sing.
I was so shocked that I just stood there, arms at my sides and face pressed against his chest. He rocked me, one hand sliding up to stroke my hair until my tight muscles started to relax. I sighed out my fury and crumpled. Taroc caught me, lifted me off my feet, and carried me to the bedroom. He laid me down on that woodland bed, lay down beside me, and settled me in against him—all while singing a sweet, velvety song about the wind. Or the air. I don't know. I wasn't really paying attention to the words. It was Taroc who soothed me. His voice. His hands. The kiss he placed on my forehead.
“Fuck,” I whispered.
“Better now?” he asked.
“Yeah. Still not apologizing,” I muttered.
He burst out laughing.
“Not funny.”
“Ember, I wasn't bringing my issues into our sex play,” Taroc said gently. “That whole dominant thing requires me to find reasons to punish you. I thought you knew it wasn't real—not the punishment or the issues. That's why I brought it upbefore we went to play. It was worked through already, but it also gave me something topretendto punish you for.”
“Wait.” I sat up and looked at him. “So, you aren't angry about the Vex thing?”
“No.”
“Oh.” I looked away.
Taroc sat up and took my hand. “I'm sorry you thought I was. But remember in the future, everything that happens during our playtime is a game. Not real. If you ever feel uncomfortable again in any way, you do exactly what you did tonight. You tell me to stop. And I will immediately. Remember, I want to take care of you. Never hurt you. I would kill anyone who tried to hurt you, Ember. Bonding with you was like a mating for me. And Tytra protect their mates with their lives.”
“Fuck, I love you,” I whispered and pulled him into a kiss.
Taroc growled into our kiss and pushed me onto my back. There was no playing now. It was serious. Seriously hot. His big body moved over me, muscles bunching. Pressing in. His broad warrior hands slid over my shoulders. Down my hips. Along my outer thighs. He ground his cock against mine.
I gasped away from our kiss, and Taroc took advantage of my bared neck. He bit me there, then along my jaw, all while he undulated against me. I bent my knees and pushed up, needing more.
“No,” he said. Just no. Then he moved down to suck at my nipples.
“Oh, fuck,” I groaned, fingers in his hair. “Fuck me.”
“No,” Taroc said again.
“Damn it, Taroc!”
“There's one more thing I need to tell you.”
I went still. “All right.”
“I understand that you're sad and under a lot of stress, but you've been taking it out on the ones you love, quick to react poorly. You need to remember who we are before you jump to conclusions.”
“You're right. I know. I should—”
“Shh,” he said, cutting off my words with a brush of his lips. “Just be more aware. And know that if you ever attack me like that again, I will spank you. Not playing. Real punishment. If you behave like a child, I'll treat you like one.”
I grinned at him. “Fair enough.Nowwill you fuck me?”
“Soon.”
