Page 133 of Beasts of Mine

“Still good?” Malek asked against my neck, his purr vibrating through my back while he waited for a clear answer.

“Yes…” I assured Malek as I pressed back carefully against him. “Keep going.” He did. The movements remained small because the knot wouldn’t allow anything else, but each one dragged pressure through me at an angle none of my previous partners had ever bothered to explore. Malek’s hand slid between my thighs again while his mouth returned to my gland and his purr surged against my back.

“I know.” Malek murmured against my skin when another helpless sound escaped me, his hand keeping a steady pace while his body moved carefully behind mine. I lost whatever composure I had left. The next climax hit hard enough that I buried my face against the blanket, the sound that left me muffled but raw. My entire body tightened while Malek held me through it, the knot making every aftershock sharper, each pulse drawing another shudder from me while his arm stayed locked around my waist. I felt him come with me, the deep groan of my name against my shoulder followed by another rough growl.

“Evie.” Malek said my name into the back of my neck, the word almost disappearing beneath his purr. I couldn’t answer yet, and he didn’t ask me to. Malek simply held me until the trembling eased, his hand gentling between my thighs before moving away. His mouth pressed several soft kisses against the back of my neck while his breathing gradually slowed. When I finally lifted my head, he was still locked inside me, still surrounding me with heat and cedar.

I turned far enough to catch his expression and immediately regretted it. He looked far too satisfied with himself.

“I hate your face right now.” I told Malek, but the breathless laugh underneath the words ruined the complaint.

“No, you don’t.” Malek answered as one corner of his mouth lifted, his eyes warming with quiet amusement.

“That confidence is becoming a serious personality flaw.” I informed Malek as I let my forehead rest against the blanket again, too tired to give the accusation much force.

“You encouraged it.” Malek reminded me, his palm smoothing slowly down my spine. Unfortunately, he had evidence. We stayed like that for several quiet seconds, joined and breathless while the creek moved beyond the overhang. When I finally relaxed more fully against him, Malek’s purr grew louder.

“There it is.” I muttered to Malek, hearing the satisfaction in the sound before I even looked at him.

“What?” Malek asked as his thumb brushed slowly along my shoulder, his expression turning almost suspiciously innocent.

“That pleased sound.” I settled my cheek against the blanket. “You’re going to become impossible.”

“I already have Tavian for an example.” Malek replied dryly, the hint of amusement in his voice making me laugh despite myself. Only then did the frantic edge finally drain away. Malek shifted us carefully onto our sides, moving slowly enough that the knot stayed comfortable. He tucked one arm beneath my head and pulled me against his chest, then immediately reached for the water bottle with his other hand.

I started laughing again.

“What?” Malek asked as he uncapped the bottle, his brows drawing faintly together while he looked at me.

“You are extremely predictable after sex.” I told Malek as I accepted the bottle, still laughing under my breath.

“You need water.” Malek replied, holding the bottle toward me with the same practical seriousness he had used earlier.

“I know.” I answered Malek before taking several long swallows and handing it back. Malek watched me drink, not subtly either. He only seemed satisfied once I had taken enough that he apparently no longer considered dehydration an immediate threat. Then he reached for the remaining food, and another laugh escaped me.

“You’re mocking me.” Malek observed as he opened the wrapped portion left from lunch, his expression mildly offended despite the purr still rumbling through his chest.

“I’m appreciating your commitment to being exactly who you are.” I corrected Malek, accepting the fruit he offered because I had no intention of starting an argument I knew I would lose.

“You’ve barely eaten since lunch.” Malek reminded me as he settled back against the blanket, one arm sliding beneath my head again once he was satisfied I intended to eat.

“See?” I gestured toward Malek with the fruit before taking a bite. “Predictable.” Malek gave me a look, so I ate another piece. His purr returned to its softer rhythm when I shifted closer and rested my cheek against his chest. The knot meant there wasn’t much distance available anyway, but I could have settled differently. I didn’t want to.

Malek’s fingers moved slowly into my hair, no longer sexual now but grooming and affection. I recognized the gesture from yesterday’s conversation immediately, and my eyes drifted closed as he separated a damp strand from the others.

“This is courtship too.” I murmured to Malek, the slow movement of his fingers making it increasingly difficult to keep my eyes open.

“Yes.” Malek admitted as he smoothed the strand away from my face, his voice warm and matter-of-fact.

“You really have been doing this for a while.” I opened one eye and looked up at Malek while his fingers continued through my hair.

“Yes.” Malek replied without apology, his hand moving carefully through another small tangle.

“And I thought you were an unusually needy leopard.” I muttered, and his chest moved beneath my cheek with a quiet laugh.

“You kept coming back.” Malek reminded me, his hand slowing at the back of my head while his expression softened.

“So did you.” I answered Malek, the humor fading naturally from my voice.