“What happened next?”Interest shimmered in him, and despite the circumstances, she enjoyed his focus on her.
“Camryn managed to get Gabby to the finals.By then, they had all become attached to her and her foal.None of them wanted her injured, and Camryn decided she would ride Gabby during the race.You should have heard the fuss.The biggest upset in hell-horse racing history, but the rules never specified how the race should run.I believe the attendance numbers were the highest ever recorded.”
“Did you see the race?”
“No, women don’t generally attend.Not that I wanted to watch.Hell-horses are gruesome creatures.The races are a blood sport.Camryn won, and at the celebration ball, my father presented me to Ry.Ry had fallen for Camryn by this time and didn’t want me.He’d wanted to beat his brother, which he did, and the winner’s purse came as a bonus.He’d never wanted a wife.”
“So, how did you end up with theIndycrew?”
“My father took a liking to Camryn and had her kidnapped and placed in his harem.He also neglected to pay Ry his winnings because Ry didn’t want me.”
“Ry and the crew rescued Camryn, then came to confront my father.He refused to hand over the currency unless they took me.Ry agreed—finally—and Amme said she wouldn’t let me go without her, so we both went with theIndycrew.Once we were on the ship and on our way to Ibrox, Ry ordered me to remove my mask and never wear it again.My tattoo shocked him.It stunned the crew, but it worked out for the best.I found new friends.A family.”
“Phrull, Gweneth.”Ellard sought her mouth, and passion exploded between them at the first touch.
She poured all her feelings into the exchange.Her need for him, her desire and passion.His hand roamed her back and came to rest on her butt.The press of his hand ignited a storm in her, the thrust of his cock against her belly a welcome sensation.Ellard parted their lips, and she thought he’d retreat since he usually did.
“I didn’t realize,” he whispered.
“Why would you?I never talk about my past.I enjoy my present and dream of the future.I’ve learned it from Ry and Camryn, although they both say the past shapes us.We learn lessons and take that knowledge into the future.”
“You are wise beyond your years.”He kissed along her jaw and moved lower to nibble on the vulnerable skin of her neck.“I’ve tried not to want you, Gweneth.I’ve tried so fiercely but I’m so hard I hurt.This is your last chance.Please tell me if you’re playing with my feelings or want to use me to get closer to Jarlath and Lynx.I can’t take my heart getting ripped out again.”
Gweneth sucked in a harsh breath.“If you’re doing this because you feel sorry for me, I will—”
“I don’t feel sorry for you.”He kissed the upper swell of one breast, his breath warm and seductive.
A spike of pleasure lashed her nerve endings and sank to her pussy.Everything in her focused on the warm spot where his lips lingered.“Speak,” she said hoarsely.Stars, didn’t he understand?She was as vulnerable as he was in this relationship stuff.Apart from Ry and Camryn and Jannike and her men, she knew nothing of males.However, she thought her observations of her friends had helped.
“I admire you even more since you told me of your past.Could we…could we take one cycle at a time?At least until we get back to Viros?”
A howl echoed through the forest, and she puffed out a laugh.“You mean we mightn’t live to return to Viros.”
“Yes.”The stark truth.
“If we do not survive, I want to know you intimately.I want to feel what the sexual act is like with a compatible male.”Her gaze didn’t waver, although heat traveled up her neck and settled in her cheeks.
“I want to experience loving with you, Gweneth.”He gave her the same steady regard but didn’t blush.
“Yes, please.”
“Show me how to remove this clothing,” he said, his tongue tracing along the lace of her bra cup.“I haven’t seen one of these before.”
“It’s an Earth garment.A brassiere.Bra for short.The Virosian women have the little support tops that do the same job, but I favor the lace on my bras.They’re prettier.”
“They are,” he agreed, and the warmth in his green eyes sent her insides swooping.“Show me how it works.”
“They fasten at the back with small hooks.I’ll get it this time.I’ll show you in the morn once it is easier to see.”
The howl echoed again, and a shiver ran down her spine.Her hand trembled at the hook-and-eye closure of her bra, and she had to make two attempts before the garment loosened around her breasts.“What do you think that is?”
“Something high on the food chain.At least it doesn’t appear to be coming any closer.”
Gweneth stripped her bra down her arms and tucked it near her tunic.
Ellard sucked in an audible breath.“Phrull, Gweneth.”
She lifted her gaze and attempted to pierce the blacklight to see his expression.His glowing green eyes were all she could see.“Should I keep going?Take off the rest of my clothes?”
