Page 53 of The Alien Warrior's Mate

Her fingers grazed quietly. Up the loop. Down over the rugged hills. Swooping over a complex design.

So beautiful.

As her quiet exploration lengthened, she felt Korben’s body turn even hotter. Her gaze lifted to his. Desire and tenderness mixed beneath those violet irises. He made no attempts to hide how much her touch stirred him, but he also didn’t try to touch her in return.

She noticed the way he was clenching his jaw as if every vein in his body was focused on keeping his hands away from her. That rigged expression screamed that he was putting her first. That he would exercise restraint even if it killed him.

Had she ever met a man on earth who would be so principled? Who would deny himself that much when they both wanted the same thing?

Something about Korben’s dedication to waiting made her feel both powerful and protected. Even with all her doubts, she trusted Korben. More than she'd trusted anyone. More than shewouldtrust anyone.

She’d been missing him all day. Now he was near enough to touch and she needed her fill. She needed to experienceallof this big blue alien.

Screw the consequences.

Korben must have read the intent in her eyes because he snatched one of her wrists and held it in place. His gaze was dark and firm as he stared down at her.

According to Ga Eun, Korben wanted to mate when they could talk, but Sara feared talking would ruin all chances of getting to be with him like this. She could deal with the reality of the world tomorrow. What if they just got lost in translation tonight?

Sliding her free hand up his shoulders, she gripped him tight and made her wicked intentions known.

Twenty-Two

Korben

The grazeof Sah-ah’s fingertips against his tattoos made Korben’s muscles taunt with longing. Still, he dug his fingers into the bed and kept his arms at his sides. The conversation with Rune had dredged up a host of worries. Doubts swarmed like a rizera pack unleashed, charging through the planes of his mind and tearing him limb from limb.

Even now, while he enjoyed the privilege of staring at his beautiful Sah-ah, his brother was being held in the Heronas camp, chained and shackled, subject to untold torture and pain. While he got to feast his eyes on this darling creature, Clavas saw nothing but the vile Heronas officials and their putrid Rulari guards.

Right now, his brother had the utmost confidence that Korben would rescue him. If he were in Clavas’s position, he would think the same. The bond between them had been forged by fire and turned to stone by battle. Clavas had saved his skin so many times he was losing count. And Korben had returned the favor many times over.

They would die for each other.

Kill for each other.

They were family.

His heras twisted in guilt even as his body filled with raging desire. His family had grown with Sah-ah’s arrival. Though she had not agreed to be his mate, she was already his. Korben’s heras had claimed her just as his mouth had claimed her body. He would live to serve and protect her because his heras declared it so.

On the other hand, Clavas required his total attention. Lately, he had given little thought to his brother because of his desperation for Sah-ah. Now, not only his brother’s life but the entire survival of his species hung in the balance with the Healer’s kidnapping.

Denizi.

The opposing forces clashed.

Tangled.

Gorged each other.

Each one fought for prominence. And in the center of the chaos, there was Sah-ah. Inching ever closer. Heating him up with the warmth of her sweet-smelling body.

Denizi.

She had changed out of the wrinkled tunic. Now, she wore a soft gown that fell to mid-thigh and left her legs open for his thirsty admiration. Her hair lay in tighter coils, like the springs in the innards of his zapten, each one a unique and unruly corkscrew.

His fingers itched to dive in and rake through that glorious hair. To part her thighs and make her scream. To get drunk on her sweetness. Guilt crawled into the bed. Korben heard Rune’s voice.Will you sacrifice Sah-ah for your brother?

The truth pulsed between them, ugly and oozing.

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