Page 9 of Claim My Soul

Seeing Alexia’s naked torso had him hard.Aching.Yearning.

He’d wanted to rip the covers from the bed in order to expose all of her glorious body.He’d wanted to drink in her beautiful sight before he claimed her, marked her, and made her his for all eternity.

Where the hell were these feelings coming from?He’d lusted after women simply for sex, but this intense, dare he say,emotion, was baffling.Disturbing.

Consuming.

“Herleif!”

The bark of his name pulled him out of his lust-induced haze to see her standing, fully clothed, two steps from him.

“Why are you in human form?”she asked again.

He smirked.“Is this not more appealing?”All other women he’d encountered preferred it.

She frowned.“No.”

That one word gave him pause.Dare he believe she’d rather see him as a troll?He instantly shifted back to his true form, earning a happy yip from Nonia.He didn’t know how he knew the wolf-dog’s name, he just did.He’d learned Alexia’s name from the dream walker who visited him earlier, no doubt the same one who had come to her.

Herleif studied her face as her gaze raked over him, all expression masked.That is, until her emerald eyes met his, and in them he saw a flare of longing.But in the next instant, she blinked and turned away, hiding from him.

“Alexia,” he called, but received no response as she left the bedroom, Nonia at her heels.He followed her into the kitchen area where she’d turned on dim lighting.

“Would you care for anything?I’m having tea.”

“Being cordial now, are ya?”he teased as he leaned against the archway.

Alexia whirled and glared at him “Do not start with me, Herleif.You were disrespectful earlier, and now you come into my home uninvited as if you have every right to do so.I should put you out on your ass again, you big jerk.”

She’d marched right up into his personal space and poked him in the chest, not the least bit intimidated by him.He wanted to laugh at how cute he found it, instead he took hold of her hand, wrapped an arm around her waist, and hauled her against him.Her breath rushed out, and he felt its warmth on his chest.When she began to struggle, he groaned at the feel of her body wiggling against him.His cock ached and his grip tightened.

“Stop,” he barked.

She fought even more, trying to free herself.“Don’t yell at me!”

Nonia gave a low growl, but Herleif ignored her.“Then do as I say,” he ground out.

“Like hell I will.Let me go.”

He whispered in her ear, “And if I don’t want to?”Her movements stilled, but he felt the shiver run through her body.“I happen to like you right where you’re at.In my arms.Against my body.”He dared to lick the shell of her ear and delighted in her soft moan.His hand caressed her low back, and she pressed her body closer.

“W-what are you doing to me?”she whispered as her free hand clutched his shirt.

He leaned back to look at her face and saw no fear, only curiosity.“Seducing you.Trying hard not to ravage you like the beast I am.”

“You ...you want me?”Her face held genuine surprise, perplexing Herleif.

“Is that a joke?”When Alexia shook her head, he asked, “Has no one ever desired you?Stated their interest in you?”

“No.I...”She lowered her head.“I was never around men until I came to New York.”

Herleif gently touched her chin and raised her head so their eyes met.“How is that possible?”

“It just is.I remained close to my family, my parents, on our island.”

Nonia had settled, seemingly satisfied her mistress was fine.

Herleif stroked her cheek, loving the silky feel of her skin.“Were you never curious about men?About sex?”

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