Page 40 of The Marriage Bargain

That face, that gorgeous mouth, was right above me.

“Alright?” the Overlord said, squeezing my hips a little and tugging me even closer.

Too late. His face was right there. His mouth was…

The hell with it.

Before I could stop myself, I took a half-step forward, closing the gap between us. Reaching up, I grabbed the back of his head and pulled his mouth down on mine. Instantly, electricity slammed me with the force of Thor’s mystical hammer. The chemical reaction that coursed through my blood was lightning. The heat that flushed every sensitive area of my body left me drenched with longing. The pressure of his mouth was firm, but not demanding. I groaned, wanting more, and he responded. I felt the tip of his tongue taste my lips. Moaning, I parted my lips, straining closer, grinding my hips against his, as well as our thick winter clothing would allow. I was all set for him to thrust his tongue in my mouth, all set to receive it, or else slide my tongue into his mouth, when he abruptly drew away.

“No,” he said, and his voice was rough, like speaking was difficult for him. “No,” he said shortly. “We can’t do this here.”

Icy cold slid over me, contrasting awfully against the body warmth I’d been eagerly soaking up.

“Why not?” I demanded, trying to step closer again. What gave? He’d just told me I could be the one to direct the level of sexual heat in our relationship. Well, making out seemed like a great place to start, and I definitely wanted to make out with him. Why was he drawing back now? He couldn’t have changed his mind already, could he?

Am I really that bad a kisser? Do I have terrible breath or something?

The momentary flash of fear was dispersed when he said—glancing all around the shadowy parking lot— “I doubt the Flight Commander would be lurking or would return. However, in case he has, we would be foolish to allow ourselves to be caught off guard.”

Oh. That made sense.

Reality returned, displacing the heated fever of a mere few seconds ago. Suddenly wary, I cast a few glances over both shoulders.

“You don’t really think…”

“I don’t. But neither can I say for certain.”

His silver skin gleamed softly in the parking lot lights. Have mercy. How had I ever thought the Asterions were odd looking? Abnormal? Sure, they had some features that were different. A lot, actually. But either my tastes had changed or I was realizing beauty could come in a variety of forms. And, boy, glancing at his form in that tight coat and pants…

Heat spiraled again. Groaning inwardly, I bit down on my lower lip.

“You’re right,” I said tightly. “We’d better get out of here.”

“Do you want to pick up your belongings at home tonight or wait and do it in the morning?”

Ah, the crux of the matter. Going home was certain to allow me some breathing space. Allow me to refocus on the enormity of what I’d done—marrying an alien—rather than how hot he looked or how sexy he tasted. It would let me cool off and re-think making out, which could potentially lead to sex. It would be the smart thing to do.

Did I want to be smart?

I was always smart and sensible. I was so smart and sensible that I was downright boring. For the first time in my life, I’d done something crazy. I felt crazy. And I was ready to let the crazy streak continue and see how far it went.

“Let’s do it tomorrow,” I said, squeezing my fists, hoping I wasn’t making a horrible decision but ready to cast fears aside and worry about it tomorrow. “Let’s go back to your place tonight. I can make do until morning.”

He tilted his head, throwing me a wink that made my mouth go dry. “Whatever my lady wants,” he said.

Have mercy.

CHAPTER 23

CAIDE

Whatever my lady wants, I had said, and meant it. What I stumbled at believing was that my lady, my wife, my human female, seemed to want…me.

What had changed in her? I could not tell. But the way she had kissed me seemed to indicate that she was not averse to physical intimacy with me. In fact, quite the opposite. I had been compelled to put a stop to the kisses before I was swept away by her charms. Much as it pained me to do so.

Literally.

My body was aching, reminding me of how long it had been since I’d lain with a female, human or Asterion. Delle could not possibly understand the power her kisses had on me, the power she wielded over me. My suspicions that she was more than a mere wife, that she was a mate, had only strengthened with that kiss. Breaking it off was truly the hardest thing I had ever done. However, I knew I hadn’t been wrong. With the danger the Flight Commander posed, I could ill afford to be distracted, even by my wife.

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