I cupped his cheek and pulled him closer to touch my forehead to his. “I know you, Aras. You were meant to live and thrive.” I eased back to meet his stare. “Whatever your parents went through, whatever they were fleeing, they did it for you. Your mother loved you, and I'm sure both of your parents would be proud of the man you've become.”
Aras blinked back tears. “I have no tribe. No people. No heritage.”
“And yet you became a sea captain. You clawed your life out of the ocean when the land offered you nothing. Damn, you're impressive. It's no wonder that you refused to back down when I was attacked. You don't have it in you to give up.”
Aras grinned suddenly and brilliantly. “Neither do you.”
“Then we make a good team.”
A knock came at the door.
Aras grinned. “I think so too.” He kissed my cheek and hurried off to get our food.
I was glad he left. It gave me a few seconds to compose myself. I was so overwhelmed by Aras and all he'd been through. He had conquered life despite the odds being against him, and I wouldn't let him experience defeat now. I took a deep breath and added another brick to my wall of conviction.
Chapter Nineteen
While Aras set my tray of desserts on the table, I slid onto the floor. He lifted a brow at me.
“Come here.” I patted the couch before me. “And take off those shorts. I'm starving.”
Aras grinned as he shoved his shorts down. His cock was flaccid, but as he sat down, as if by command, it emerged from its base, lengthening and hardening into a spear-tipped shaft. With a growl, I nuzzled it, then licked the pointed tip.
“Ly,” Aras sighed, his hand going into my hair.
I looked up and admired the way the firelight played over his fur and skin, warming him even as it turned his eyes into something darker and more mysterious. This man had fought harder than I, worked past obstacles I couldn't conceive of, and they had led him to me. All I could do was adore him for it. Appreciate this gift from the Goddess.
And maybe have a little fun.
“Let's see.” I leaned back to look at the tray. “Chocolate, of course. And this looks like strawberry cream. And that's a spice cake. Hmmm. I think the spice with that creamy frosting will go best with your flavor.”
Aras straightened his spine as I dipped my finger in the spice cake and hooked a dollop of frosting. Grinning wickedly, I smeared it over his cock. Aras flinched, then shuddered as I rubbed it in gently. Holding his stare, I sucked the remainder off my finger.
“Oh, fuck,” he whispered. “You are deliciously creative.”
“You're the delicious one now.” Then, to prove my statement, I devoured him.
Up and down that long dick, I sucked and licked and sucked some more. Aras writhed, but I held his hips down with one hand, growling occasionally at him as a young Dragon might at another who was trying to steal its food. But as he drew close to completion, I slowed, making sure to clean him thoroughly, then got to my feet.
Dazed, Aras stared up at me. His arms and legs were spread wide, his back hunched against the couch, and his pelvis lifted. In short, a beautiful, erotic sprawl. I bent down to heft him into a more upright position, then straddled his lap. With a goofy grin, Aras grabbed my hips. His stare went to my cock, then below it, as if he could see past my crimson curls and the sacs below. I reached back and under to hold him steady and found his shaft already drenched in his lubricant. That's how aroused he was. Licking my lips of his lingering sweetness, I descended and took him into my body. Made us whole. We moaned in unison, the sound a dark symphony of desire, rumbling up inside me to meet the vibration he offered and create our own song.
“Ly,” Aras whispered as his hands coasted up from my hips and over my chest. “You are so fucking handsome.” He drew my hair forward to drape over my nipples, the ends teasing myabs. “So glorious. That blood-red hair. Those black eyes. You look like evil incarnate and you can fuck like it too. But then you turn around and say things that make me . . . I—”
Fuck! He couldn't say it! If he said, I'd say it. Or if he said it, and I didn't say it, he would be hurt. That was not acceptable. I put my finger over his lips. “Not yet. I know, and you know. But let's not do this yet. Let's savor things as they are a little longer. No strain over what we could become or are. Just be with me.”
Aras grinned. “All right.” Then he moaned. “Could I just be with you as you ride my dick?”
I chuckled and rose to my knees. Then I slid down. Slow at first, then faster and faster. Aras's jaw fell open as he watched me, his breath coming in quick pants and his nostrils flaring. I gripped his shoulders tightly for balance, but then I saw his eyes glaze over just before they closed in rapture. I dug in with my fingertips. Aras moaned. I grinned.
Slamming down on my mate, I felt the bond between us tingle with joy. And as that joy intensified, so did the rapture that rose from where we were joined. I let it build and build until, at last, I tossed my head back on a victorious roar and gained my release.
As I came, I pinched Aras's nipples. Hard.
“Fuck!” Aras cried as he went into a spasm beneath me. His hips jerked up and hot liquid filled me, adding to my climax.
We rode it out together, bliss taking us over a high cliff that, once surmounted, tossed us down to reality. Panting, foreheads pressed together, I cupped my mate's face and silently thanked the Goddess for him. I couldn't tell him what he meant to me, not yet, but I could show him.
I angled my face to kiss Aras tenderly, then slid to the side and eased him into my arms. He dozed off as I held him. So warm and yielding. So silky. The satisfied, lazy curl and release of his tail against my thigh made me grin. Then I remembered the cake. I reached for it, but with Aras on me, it was too far away.
