A smile burst free, feeling more natural than it had for a long time.“Give my body a chance to recover, woman.”
“Oh.I thought males could go almost straightaway.Kaya says there are pills and potions to help in that—”
“I don’t require pills or potions.”He bit his lip to contain his humor, gave her neck one final lick, and pulled from her snug body.
He reclined on their makeshift bed, the leafy surface hard and scratchy against his skin.He ignored the discomfort and drew her against his chest.She snuggled into him, her tongue darting out to lap across his chest.
“I can wait.A cuddle is nice too.”
“Nice?”
“It means I enjoyed—”
“I know what it means.”Phrull, this woman challenged him on all levels.His big body scared most females.His plain countenance—often arranged in a scowl, he had to admit—had them backing off in alarm.And his lack of one arm repelled the rest.He finally began to understand that none of this mattered to Gwen.It truly didn’t, and it…
A miracle, he decided.His eyes stung without warning, and he kissed the crown of her head.“Since I’m so much older and defective maybe—”
“You are not defective!”The fierceness in her brought warmth and pleasure.His champion.
“Poor word choice,” he said.“I meant that since I’m not quite ready for another go yet, maybe you would like to explore me.”
“I’d like that.It would be better than nice.”She pulled away to stare at him, even though he knew she couldn’t see him well.“It’s a pity it isn’t whitelight.”
One of those ghostly howls echoed through the air, still some distance away.Given that he and Gwen had intended to fly over, he hadn’t checked the possible dangers, the predators, and plant life.He’d never make the same mistake again.
“At least they’re staying away,” Gwen said.
“Yes.How are you at climbing trees?”
“I don’t know.I’ve never tried.Can we practice on the morrow?”
Ellard grinned, amusement releasing the pressure of anxiety about their rescue and the possibility of the howling predators drifting in their direction.“If we have a chance.”
“I like to learn new skills.”
“I’ve noticed.”
Gwen separated their bodies and pushed him onto his back.She straddled his hips, but instead of doing the obvious, she did the opposite.
She traced his face, her fingers learning the hardness of his jaw, the smooth cheeks thanks to a recent application of stop-beard.A sigh whispered free from him, and he closed his eyes.Fingertips danced across his mouth too fast for him to respond and suck one inside.Another time.
Her tongue flickered down the column of his neck and darted across the spot where felines placed their mark on their mates.The flash of sensation, the flash of sheer need, the flash of desire blindsided him.Temptation had never gripped him in this insistent manner.Gwen must’ve sensed his mood because she froze.
“Did I do something wrong?”
“No.”
“Then why have you gone as rigid as a board?”
Each breath was a warm puff against his mating spot, and he and his feline remained as immobile as Gwen.
“You know about the way felines mate?”
“Jannike told me.I liked it when you licked me in the same spot.”She sounded defensive now, and he hurried to make her understand.
“I do, too, but if we are to have a future, I want it to be a safe one.A happy one.”He paused, and Gwen spoke before he could voice his thoughts.
“You would prefer to enjoy our new closeness without any expectations.”
