Page 40 of Master
“I did not!” Tarook huffed, glaring at me.
"You did, too." I didn’t mask my amusement. “When we crashed and when that rat-snake thing attacked me, you ran your hands all over me. Not to mention all the touches when we walked through the forest, and you put your arm around me when you fibbed we were a couple.”
As the last word left my mouth, I froze in realization. Did I catalog every time he touched me?
Yes.
Yes, I did.
Even in the darkness, I could see Tarook's indigitation: "Those times were meant to ascertain simply that you were unharmed and protected.”
"Well, if that's the case. I think we need to reword your promise.” I suggested and grinned, hoping he could see my face. Not for one moment did I want him to think I didn’t appreciate all he’d done for me.
Tarook made a low humming sound as he considered. “Alright. I revoke my promise of not touching you until you ask and give a vow that I will not…." He trailed off, and I felt his gaze move down my body. “Touch your breasts or cunt unless you ask.”
Laughter gushed forth from me, a loud, raucous sound that had Tarook chuckling along in seconds.
“Buck and Lula think we're being loud and wonder if they'll get any sleep tonight," Tarook said after a few moments, trying in vain to control his chuckling.
“How do you know?" I squinted in the darkness, trying to see his expression.
“I hear very well, remember?”
Moonlight filtered through the lacy curtains, highlighting the shape of his head as he tapped the tip of an ear, where the cartilage curved upward to form a point. In the moonlight, he looked like one of those sexy elves from Lord of the Rings.
“Well, you told them we were a couple. We should keep up the ruse, I guess.” I sighed.
“Clara?” Tarook lifted his head off the pillow, moonlight highlighting his smirk and the waggle of his brows. “Are you asking me to touch your….”
Laughter barked out of me, a deep rolling sound that shook my stomach and left me breathless. Tarook joined in, and for the next bit, the sound of our amusement filled the room like a happy symphony. I wondered what Buck and Lula must think, and my cheeks flushed.
"Go to sleep, you pervert," I giggled, feeling the mattress shift as he moved.
"Goodnight, Clara." His voice was soft, a spoken lullaby.
I curled on my side, facing Tarook, his warm nearness more comforting than any blanket. The smile remained as I drifted off to the soothing sound of his deep, steady breathing.
Chapter 10
Tarook
My fingertips trailed down the center of my chest, coming across the sore spot at the center of my sternum. I must have aggravated something helping Buck yesterday.
That had to be it.
I’d claimed Clara as a mate to Lula, only to ensure her safety. Technically, the wordmatehadn’t left my lips. I’d used the human wordcouple. The goddess Valana, who blessed mating for my people, surely understood I only wanted to ensure Clara’s safety and that there were no true feelings between us.
Wouldn’t she?
Granted, I found it impossible to keep my eyes off Clara. It was torture to keep my hands off her, especially last night. I'd settled to sleep beside her, convinced that the pitiful excuse for a divider would dampen my desire. But in the cool air of night, she cuddled close. I’d savored those moments with her soft body pressed against mine until the early shards of daylight painted the sky. It hurt to let her go, but not wanting to embarrass Clara with the fact that her subconscious wanted me no matter whather conscious tongue denied, I’d slipped from the room before she woke.
I wanted her… still.
Normally, with a female, the more time I spent with her, the less I wanted her. Often, one taste of pleasure sated my lust. Any female I'd revisited boasted exceptional skill between the sheets, not because of any particular feeling she roused in me. I'd never wanted a mate… wanted no one who would be my master in the bedroom or otherwise.
Clara was different.
Wanting her felt as natural as breathing, and our time on the Hartouk Lenaii hadn't sated my lust, only flamed it hotter.
