She could have killed me multiple times over, and she didn’t. But that wasn’t what had been haunting me.
No, that was because of how I was feeling. Fucking emotions. There weren’t many people I loved—my family, to be specific—so I knew how those softer emotions felt. But the love that she wrought from me was amplified, and with the sexual aspect stacked on top, it left me on edge.
Partially because I was in the middle of nowhere, and certainly nowhere near the Zonu Rainforest. This place was different. I’d been here longer than a day, and the sun hadn’t risen. Then there were the two moons.
“Are there any others of your kind out here?” I stayed still, not breathing, waiting for her response.
“Yes.” She cocked her head.
“Will they come here?”Would they take you away from me?
She shook her head.
“Are you okay?” I asked, giving in to the urge.
She cocked her head in that cute, heart melting way. I flexed my stiffened hands and rubbed my fingertips into her skin. I’d never been the touchy sort. Quite the opposite.
There had to be truth in what she’d been saying. About being ‘mates’. It was such an odd statement, but nothing that had been happening was normal. I gave in and cupped the side of her face, running my thumb along her high cheekbone.
A low thrum accompanied by vibrations started in her chest. She was purring . . . like a fucking cat.
I closed my eyes and leaned my head back.Why was warmth spawning in my stomach?I smoothed my palm down the back of her head. She nestled closer against me like she was trying to get inside my skin, and fuck if I didn’t want it too.
She climbed onto my lap, her woodsy scent clinging to her. Wholly hers. I inhaled harshly, turning my head into her hair. A flutter, a foreign, strange feeling started in my gut. Holding her in my arms was right. I flexed them around her, as if I could fuse her to me. That was the best way I could describe being near her. I would have her crawl inside me if I could.
Goose bumps rose along her arms. She’d been living out here, cold, alone . . . I gritted my teeth, a swell of protectiveness urging me to get her home, to get her comfortable.
“We have to head north.” Determination to get her safe had me by the balls.
“North?” She pulled back and cocked her head.
I swept my gaze around and pointed in the right direction. She wouldn’t have been able to see from here because of the thick, compact foliage. “To that damned tree.”
She growled. She seemed to know exactly what I was talking about.
“You want to leave Jungle,” she spat in accusation.
I grunted my affirmation.
Her upper lip curled. “Fine,” she hissed, suddenly stiffening.
Instinctively, I wrapped my arm around her waist, keeping her pinned against me. She writhed and hissed but didn’t budge. Soleil could kill me as a panther, but like this, she was weaker. She continued to thrash, trying to leave.
Panic set in and tightened around my neck. It was a sudden searing sensation that refused to let go.She can’t leave me.
“Soleil,” I snapped.
She stopped writhing and stared at me, anger clear in her eyes. “Free me.”
The bridge of her nose remained bunched cutely. I didn’t know how or why, but I wouldn’t be parted from her. Once we returned home, we could figure it out.
I grabbed her suddenly, pulling her closer, and kissed her. I plunged into her mouth, claiming it with thrusts while she remained frozen, her body becoming limp. Her tongue curled around mine hesitantly, the rough texture shocking me. It was different. Very fucking different, but somehow better.
Her movements remained brash and unskilled. She hadn’t kissed before. If she’d been out here the entire time, she likely hasn’t fucked before me either.
There was only one way to take that. I exhaled, relieved. My cock throbbed at the thought of her being purely mine. It was hypocritical to want her to only be mine when I fucked my share of women, but the thought of her writhing over another man like she did to me made me want to kill things.
I surfaced to breathe, my heart thundering in my ears. “You’re coming with me,” I ordered, breathless.
