Page 25 of Offering Herself to Darkness

But a moment later, Xarex’s eyes opened and the strange gold color was gone—they had gone back to silver.

“Forgive me,” he said again and released her wrist. “It’s just…very difficult when I’ve wanted you for so long. The W’rx half of my DNA calls to me to take you but I won’t—I swear it. Not until you’re ready.”

The sincerity in his eyes made Nora believe that he meant it. But for now, she just wanted to get out of the shower.

“I think we’re both clean enough now,” she said. “Do you think it’s time to get out?”

“Yes.” He nodded and reached to turn off the water. “Let’s get ready for bed. We have a long journey ahead of us tomorrow.”

They got out of the shower and dried off in silence but Nora couldn’t help thinking that she had a thousand questions to ask…and wondering if it was safe to ask them.

13

NORA

“Is the, uh, W’rx part of you the other half of your DNA? I mean, besides the Kindred half?” Nora asked, once both of them were dried off and dressed for bed. Xarex was wearing a pair of long black sleep trousers but his muscular chest was bare.

As for her, she was wearing a little white nighty set that Kat had gifted her for her honeymoon. The short little nightdress barely came down to her thighs and the thin material was nearly see-through, which showed the tight points of her nipples clearly. The panties that went with it had a slit down the middle—apparently for easy access.

Nora felt a little shy in such a revealing outfit, but of course she’d been naked with her new husband in the shower, so she supposed it wasn’t a big deal.

“Yes, I am half Beast Kindred and half W’rx,” he rumbled as he got into the huge, Kindred-sized bed. “The W’rx are a savage people,” he added. “They tie their females down and take them by force—it’s part of their mating ritual.”

“Oh,” Nora said faintly. She’d been about to get into bed beside him, but now she wasn’t sure she wanted to.

Xarex seemed to see her hesitation.

“Please, don’t worry,” he said earnestly. “I would never hurt you, Nora. I have control of the W’rx side—I can curtail my urges. You just caught me by surprise in the shower, that’s all.”

“All right.” Slowly, she climbed into bed beside him. “But…I have to ask, is that why you like all that porn where the women are, you know, tied down?”

A look of shame crossed his face and she almost felt bad for asking. But she had to know if she was going to feel comfortable with him.

“Yes,” he murmured. “But though I am drawn to the bondage part of the porn you saw, I would never want to hurt a woman or take her by force. I just like the idea of restraining a woman while I pleasure her.”

“Oh, well…” Nora felt a little shiver run down her spine. She could see it in her mind’s eye—the big Kindred tying her down with her thighs spread wide so he could touch and tease and taste her.

“Forgive me.” He turned towards her, his eyes remorseful. “Have I frightened you?”

“A little, in the shower,” Nora admitted. “But so far you’ve been gentle and respectful. I just need a little time to get used to everything, I think.”

“You can have as much time as you need,” he promised. “But for now, can I hold you?”

He held out his arms and Nora found she couldn’t resist. She scooted over and he pulled her close. Nora slipped an arm around his waist and pillowed her head on his chest. His warm, spicy scent filled her nose and she felt immediately soothed. How had her scary Dark Kindred boss turned into such a big teddy bear, she wondered sleepily.

But there’s a monster inside him—you’d better be careful, Nora! whispered a little voice in her head.

Nora did her best to ignore it. It was late and she was tired. Also, they had a long trip ahead of them tomorrow. Apparently they were going all the way to a different galaxy.

Still, she couldn’t help asking one more question.

“Tell me something,” she said, looking shyly up at the big Kindred. “All that porn I saw on your computer—most of it was guys going down. I mean, tasting women. Is that really such a fantasy of yours?”

His silver eyes were suddenly half-lidded.

“Of course. I’m part Kindred—we have a biological need to taste our females. Besides which, what could be more pleasurable than tasting the sweet, wet pussy of the woman I care for? Hearing her call my name and feeling her tug my hair as she comes for me…”

Nora shifted against him, feeling both awkward and aroused.

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