I climb him like a tree, arms twined around his neck, legs wrapped around his waist, face buried in his shoulder. His smoke-and-pine scent coils around me, and the ache easesjustslightly.
Zev walks us back, fingers digging painfully into my thighs as he clutches me to him, but I don’t care. I lean my face toward his, trying to capture his lips with mine, but he tilts his head out of reach, his gaze fixed firmly on the path ahead.
Undeterred, I trail open-mouthed kisses along the column of his neck, scraping my teeth against his skin. He swallows hard, his throat shifting beneath my lips. My hips grind against him, my center rubbing against the ridges of his abdomen.
“Are we there yet?” I whisper in his ear, my teeth nipping his lobe.
“Almost, baby,” he rasps, his voice ragged. “Almost.”
“I’ve pictured it a thousand times at night, you know. When I’m beside you under your tidesdamned cloak,” I breathe against the salty skin of his neck. “That you’d reach over and touch me. Taste me.Takeme.”
Zev makes a sound that sounds like he’s dying.
Minutes later, we’re back at camp, and Zev sets me down. I sprawl across the blanket, legs spread wide in invitation. His dark gaze is hooded as he stares down at me, belt jingling as he unbuckles it.
“Face down, baby.” His voice is hoarse as he tugs his belt loose.
I roll onto my stomach, cheek pressed into the blanket, bracing myself on my forearms, ass in the air. “Like this, Zev?”
“Yeah.” His voice is a guttural groan. “Just like that.”
And then, his weight settles on top of me.
It feels so mind-numbinglyright, I nearly cry. A loud, panting moan escapes my parted lips.
I’m eager.
I’m ready.
His hands smooth over my hair, gliding down my back and skimming my sides. I squirm beneath him in anticipation.
“Zev.” His name is a prayer, a plea.
His fingers trace long lines down my arms, and I reach behind me, desperate to touch him. He gathers my wrists in his large palm, his breath hot in my ear.
“You’re driving me insane, Mayah,” he growls. He spits my name like a curse.
And then his weight on me is gone.
I try to reach for him, but I can’t move my arms.
“Wha—”
He holds my ankles together tightly, binding them with rope.
“Zev, what the fuck?” I snap. I writhe on the floor, managing to roll over and face him.
He’s a towering mountain of rage, chest heaving, tendons bulging, eyes flashing. “I’m just a man, Mayah. I only have so much restraint.” His voice is low, angry. “You are not going to say another word. You are not going to make another sound. You are going tosleep. Skies help me, don’t make me gag you.”
Tears prick my eyes. I want to scream. He’s so tidescursedselfish.
I can convince him. Ineedto convince him. He’s so close to breaking, I can taste it.
“I’m a virgin, Zev,” I whisper huskily. “You can be the first to—”
A pained, guttural growl claws from his throat. He stalks over to me and violently tears off a strip from the blanket. His eyes are wild, but his hands are gentle as he presses the cloth between my teeth and winds it behind my head. His fingers tremble as he ties the knot—too tight, then too loose, then too tight again. He curses softly under his breath.
“I’m sorry,” he says, when it’s done, dragging a hand through his hair. Tears stream down my cheeks as he tucks his cloakover me. He swallows hard, once, twice, then rises and sits a few paces away.
