Lilas’ breath caught as the fabric fell away, leaving her exposed to his gaze. She thought she’d feel self-conscious under the intensity of his stare, but she felt undone with desire. Warm wetness slicked between her legs as her sex readied for his cock to penetrate it. She shivered with a desperate need for him to touch her. Ifthiswas what bondmating was like at the Terian settlements, fewer females would need to be bound at the ankles so they wouldn’t run away.

The difference was that she’d chosen Razion and he’d chosen her. And now that the choice had been made, she wanted him to claim her in every way.

Razion didn’t make her wait. His hands gently cupped her breasts. His thumbs brushed over her hardened nipples, sending sparks of pleasure shooting through her body. Lilas let out a gasp, her back arching, pressing herself more firmly into his touch.

Razion’s mouth followed where his hands had been. His tongue lapped at her nipples, teasing them into even more sensitive peaks. She threaded her fingers through his hair, holding him to her as waves of pleasure coursed through her veins.

“Razion,” she breathed in a desperate plea for more.

He responded by lifting her off her feet. His hands gripped her backside as he carried her to the bed. They tumbled onto the mattress together in a tangle of limbs and heated skin. Lilas couldn’t keep her hands off him. She explored the contours of his body, his scales, the thick knots of muscles where his wings met his back.

Razion’s own hands were busy, stripping away the rest of her clothing, leaving her naked and vulnerable beneath him. But shedidn’t feel afraid—she felt powerful, knowing that she was the one who had driven him to this point of no return.

“I want you, Lilas,” Razion murmured. His gaze roamed over her body with a hungry reverence that made her feel like the most desirable creature in the galaxy. “I cannot hold back much longer.”

She reached for him, tugging at the fastenings of his clothing, desperate to feel his skin against hers. “Then don’t.”

Razion let out a ragged groan and helped her, shedding his clothing with practiced ease until he was as naked as she was. Lilas’ breath caught at the sight of him—powerful, awe-inspiring, and very, very aroused.

She reached for him. Her hand closed around the thick length of his ridged cock. Razion hissed in a breath. His hips jerked forward into her touch. Encouraged, Lilas stroked him. She explored the smooth, heated skin of his shaft and dipped her hand back to cup his heavy balls.

“Enough.” With a low growl, he caught her wrists in one hand and yanked them away from his body. His other hand slid down her body, slipping between her legs.

She heard his breath hitch as the slick heat of her desire wet his fingers. She was more than ready for him. Her body arched into his touch with a desperation that felt wanton, maybe even feral. “Razion,” she panted in a sultry plea. Her legs parted, inviting him in. She was done waiting.

He positioned himself at her entrance. The blunt head of his cock nudged against her slick sex. Her gaze met his and a silent communication passed between them—a question in his gaze, a fervent nod of agreement from her.

“Relax for me,” he whispered. “I don’t want to hurt you.”

“You won’t,” she said, but hewasrather large. She bit her lower lip and unclenched her quivering pussy. The lessons had said it would likely hurt, especially the first time with a male.

With a deep, shuddering breath, Razion pushed forward, sliding into her tight, wet heat in one slow, steady thrust. There was a pinch as her body took him in. Her body tensed around his invasion. She could feel every inch of him, stretching her, filling her in ways she had never imagined. Razion stilled, giving her time to adjust to his size, his heart pounding against hers in a rhythm that was both reassuring and wildly arousing.

“Okay?” he gritted out. His voice was barely recognizable.

“Yes,” she breathed.

He held still for a moment, then slowly—veryslowly—began to move. Quickly, pleasure exploded along her nerve endings. It built, becoming so intense it swamped her. He was so hot, so snug inside her, like they were made to fit together perfectly.

“Oh,fek.” She clawed at the mattress. “Don’t stop.”

She needed more. She needed to chase the growing ache that was building inside her. Razion seemed to understand. His hips drew back before thrusting forward with more force. He set a rhythm that was both demanding and tender, as if he wanted to consume her, to brand her as his, but he also wanted to cherish her.

Lilas’ body moved in perfect sync with Razion’s. Each thrust of his hips sent jolts of pleasure through her. She wrapped her legs around his waist, pulling him deeper, wanting to feel everything.

Razion’s rhythm quickened. His control seemed to slip as if the primal need to claim his mate was taking over. Lilas burned as tension built inside her—a sweet, aching pressure that was going to drag her under and pull her apart.

She clung to him. Her breath came in short, desperate gasps. Razion’s name was a chant on her lips, a plea for the release that hovered just out of reach.

Razion’s hand slipped between their bodies, his fingers finding the bundle of nerves at the apex of her thighs. He strokedher there, expertly, relentlessly, until Lilas felt like she was going to shatter into a million pieces.

“Razion, I—” She couldn’t finish the sentence. Couldn’t form coherent words as the first waves of her orgasm crashed over her.

Her entire body tensed, then convulsed. The most intense pleasure she had ever known consumed her. She shattered in a cry that echoed off the walls of the small cabin. Razion thrust with relentless abandon, muttering words that made no sense to her, curses, vows, nonsense. All the while he drew out her climax until she was boneless, spent. Gasping.

Razion’s own release followed quickly. With a final, powerful thrust, he buried himself deep within her and let out a guttural roar. He shuddered violently and Lilas felt the hot pulse of his seed as he came, marking her as his in the most primal way possible.

For a long moment, they lay there, locked together, their bodies slick with sweat. Their hearts pounded in unison. Razion’s wings enfolded them both, creating a private, intimate cocoon where nothing and no one else existed.