“I know who you are, Valen. None of this changes how I see you. If anything, it makes me love you more.” I place a finger on his lips when he seems about to reply, and then trail my hand over the old scars on his shoulders. “Do they hurt?”
He shrugs. “In bad weather, they pull. But they also remind me to empty my mind, to keep fighting.”
“And the tattoos?”
“It’s my world. The tales my mother told me. My anchor to this earth.”
“Gods, I love you so much,” I whisper. “I’m here. Not going anywhere.”
“I know.” His amber eyes find mine, a spark lighting in their cores. His lips tug up. “So… I answered your questions. I’ve been good. Is it time for my reward?”
I let myself be pulled into his teasing to lighten the moment. He’s laid himself bare for me, and now is struggling with dark memories, and Gods, am I going to reward that.
“You deserve everything,” I tell him. “Let me take care of you for a change. Trust me?”
“With my fucking life,” he growls.
“Lie back and let me touch you. Let me show you how much I want you, my wolf. You’re mine.”
“All yours,” he agrees on a breath, hands fisted against the headboard, his gaze fixed on my face. “Body and soul.”
Healing touch,I think. He taught me that.Healing pleasure. And I want him. I want him so badly. This will be healing for both of us.
“Touch me,” he whispers. “Don’t make me snap these stupid bonds and ravish you. My control is tenuous already.”
I lean to lick the corner of his mouth. “I want to see that control break.”
“You may get your wish,” he growls, “if you don’t?—”
I bow over him, letting my long hair curtain us as I kiss him. Lips dragging over soft lips, then his tongue tangles with mine, the metal piercing a hard counterpoint.
He sighs against my mouth. “Princess…”
Gods…Seeing him spread like that does things to my insides, turning up the heat in my belly, making me gasp with desire. He’s at my mercy, not because of the ropes, but because he decided to let me be in charge.
His body is mine to explore and arouse, caress and pleasure. Mine to make all better. To break and put back together. The thought makes me dizzy with excitement.
Now that I have him tied up, I undo the laces of his pants and pull them off him. Thankfully, he’s naked underneath, and I stare as his cock swings up, thick and rock-hard.
Good Gods.So impressive.
Then I use my hands to tease his small nipples and trace the ink and scars on his torso. Later, I replace my fingers with my lips, kissing and licking every scar until he sighs and murmurs my name.
Moving down, I dip my tongue into his navel, and then nuzzle his cock, inhaling the musky, nutty scent there. It nudges my cheek.
“Ah, little minx…” His cock jumps when I ghost my lips over its length, then over his knot. “You like tormenting me.”
“Just to clear your mind,” I tease.
A huff of a laugh escapes him. I gaze up the length of his body and take in the strain in his strong frame, in his jaw. He’s so beautiful, aroused and tied up, every muscle in his powerful body standing out in stark relief, lovingly carved.
Now I let my fingertips ghost over his cock, lightly encircle it. Lightly squeeze.
His hips jut up. “Godsdammit. Your mouth.”
“What was that?” I ask sweetly.
“Your mouth, Princess. I need your mouth on my cock.”
