He gazed down at me, tracing my face with his gaze as though to etch it into his memory. A rumble began in his chest. It was like a masculine purr and calm washed over me as though I’d been drugged, my muscles loosening.
“What are you doing?” I whispered, touching his chest, basking in his strength and the vibration of the rumble.
“It is a way we calm and soothe our females.” His gaze was bright as he pinned me with it. “I’m pleased it works on you.”
He laid with me for a few minutes longer, then he rolled away and got to his feet, padding into what I could only assume was the bathroom. I watched the light from the wall sconces dance on the ceiling, more sated than I had ever imagined being, close to sleep.
Arrazyl came back and I barely registered his presence before he spread my thighs and something soft and wet caressed my cunt.
“You don’t have to do that.” I was suddenly embarrassed, and I pushed myself up onto my elbows. “I can—” he pushed me back down onto the bed gently, spreading my legs apart again.
Gaze on mine, he lowered his head and laved my clit. I bit back a cry and jerked as pleasure pulsed through me, instinctively spreading my legs wider. His grin was wicked, and he kissed my thigh before resuming his cleaning. I trembled, clenching. I knew my body needed to recover from being stretched and fucked hard, but I already wanted him again.
The bed shifted as his large frame settled, and he pulled me to him. I turned until I was pressed against him, and wrapped my arm around his back, pressing my breasts against the hard lines of his chest. His erection was back, full and heavy as it pressed against my belly. Even as I drifted toward sleep, I wondered how he’d fit all the way inside me.
Chapter 27
I woke to complete stillness. The bed beside me was empty and I wished I could bury myself in Arrazyl’s arms again. I let my gaze drift around the room, really seeing it this time as morning light streamed through the window. Everything in Arrazyl’s room was lavish looking but cold, from the dark, heavy silk-like curtains to the large furniture made from wood that was black with a reddish tinge.
When I stretched, my muscles pulled, aching. It was the best ache I’d ever felt in my life. Better than the feeling after a strenuous exercise when I knew my muscles were getting stronger.
Jaron and Tatiana.The sudden thought of them made me bolt upright, wincing. I needed to get back to the house.
With my torn dress clutched around me, I got through the rest of the vorazka without encountering anyone and made my way back to the house.
Thankfully they were both still asleep, and I had a cup of coffee and wrote in my journal about some cultural things I’d noticed but hadn’t recorded.
Jaron and Tatiana came out around the same time.
“Oh Jacqueline, I’m glad to see you. I can’t believe you two had to endure something like what happened yesterday. I still hurt occasionally from being attacked by the jungle animal when we ran away, I can’t imagine you two getting beat up and threatenedagain.” Tatiana shook her head.
I didn’t comment. I had no nice things to say about the whole event.
“Where were you?” Jaron asked.
“I was just taking a walk. It’s nice not to be barred in here.” I said it as casually as possible and I hid my wince as I shifted in my seat, but Jaron’s keen gaze was on me. His eyes flicked to Tatiana. She seemed to read the room and stood. “Does anyone want coffee?”
I smiled, “another cup would be great.”
“I’d love some.” Jaron waited until she was in the kitchen, then looked at me, face tight with discomfort. “I don’t want to pry or know anything except if he…” he swallowed, “if he did something to you that you didn’t want.”
I knew my face must have shown my shock. I lifted my hands, palms toward him. “I’m ok, I promise.”
He didn’t look convinced. “If you’ve made some type of deal with him for our safety—”
“No! Jaron, it’s not like that at all. I—” how was I supposed to talk to mybrotherabout this? Still, I couldn’t leave him thinking that Arrazyl had assaulted me. “Anything that might have happened between us was consensual.”
He rubbed a hand down his face. “Thank God, because this has been the most uncomfortable conversation I’ve ever had with you.”
I laughed. “Worse than when you demanded to know why I had blood in my bed?”
He shuddered. “We were young when you got your period, I thought you’d injured yourself. That conversation is now a solid second place in terms of horror.”
I was still chuckling when Tatiana brought us coffee. I was curious about her and Kyvar, especially after what I’d seen at the festival, but I wouldn’t ever ask. It wasn’t my place. It was possible nothing had happened, I hadn’t seen her wincing and limping around like I seemed unable to hide.
“Do either of you have plans for today?” I asked. It was strange having our freedom again. We needed a purpose, something to do with it.
“I spoke with Thyra yesterday after the incident. She arranged for me to teach a class to some of their own scholars. It’s a great opportunity to collaborate.” Jaron said.
