Page 19 of Marked for Vengeance
Letting go of her wasn’t easy, but it had to be done. He kept one hand on her hip as he turned and spilled the contents of his bag on the moss-covered ground. He spotted his blanket and snagged it with his claws. It was warm, soft, and waterproof, which made it perfect for what he had in mind. He tossed it down on a nearby rock and managed to get it spread out enough to create a dry, comfortable spot for Loris.
“What are you doing? I thought you said we were sleeping up there?”
“No one is sleeping yet.”
“Oh. Right. So…”
He pointed to her and then to the blanket. “You may undress yourself, or I will do it for you. Then you get on that rock.”
She locked her arms across her chest and glared at him. “Try again.”
He snarled. “Naked. Now.”
“You want me naked? You do it.”
That’s exactly what he’d wanted her to say. “It would be my pleasure.”
“You tricked me!” Her voice lilted with the barest hint of laughter.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about, stubborn female. Now hold still. I don’t want to tear your clothes. I do not believe you have many others.”
She relaxed her stance but held her ground, letting him do all the work. He took his time, forcing himself to go slowly and enjoy this moment. The long-sleeved top she wore was easy to unfasten, each undone clasp showing more of her golden skin. He slipped it off her shoulders and down her arms, placing it carefully on the blanket. Beneath the shirt she wore a pale pink contraption that held her breasts in place. He’d seen this in the vids the scrawnies let them watch. Some females used them to change their body shape. He didn’t understand why, and he didn’t like the way the straps dug into her shoulders.
He extended his claws and sliced through the fabric, pulling it away from her skin to avoid injury.
“Hey! I thought you said you didn’t want to tear my stuff!”
“This is unnecessary and looks painful.”
As the fabric fell away, her breasts came into view, heavy globes of soft flesh with nipples already tight with desire. Overcome, he gathered them in his hands and buried his face in them. Turning his head, he captured one nipple with his mouth and sucked on it.
A moan of pleasure told him he’d done it right. Another suck and then a gentle nip as he played with her other breast with his fingers. He had to take care not to let his claws prick her.
She set her hands on his shoulders, her fingers stroking his fur as she moaned and arched her body closer to his mouth.
When he pleasured her, she stopped arguing. This was important information, which he filed away for future consideration.
He didn’t stop what he was doing, but he did let go with one hand to continue undressing her. It was more difficult to undo her pants without looking at what he was doing, but he managed. Once that was done, he had enough room to slide his hand down her belly and over the mound of her sex. She bucked against his hand, her breath coming faster now.
She was ready. He moved fast, tugging down her pants and pulling her legs and feet free. Shoes were a problem, but he wrested them off her feet. He was in a hurry now, so he gathered up all her cast-off clothing and tossed it onto the blanket. Now, it was her turn.
She laughed as he walked her backward, his hands on the full curve of her hips. The scent of her drove him mad with need. He wanted to spread her out and explore every part of her body. But that would have to wait until he had her somewhere safe. Home, probably. Then he’d keep her in bed for days. Maybe weeks.
He lifted her onto the seat he’d made for her and then stood back to drink in her beauty for the first time. She looked at him with a mix of vulnerability and defiance.
Her curves were beautiful, lush and full. Parts of her body were marked with subtle stripes, especially across her breasts, belly, and chest. He traced his fingers over some of them. Curious. “Battle scars?” he finally asked.
“Nothing so glorious. Just signs of aging. Skin stretches. Things sag,” she said with a shrug.
“Youareglorious. All of you. Softness over strength. I like it.” He inhaled deeply. “I think it’s time I learned one of your secrets, little warrior.”
“What secret?”
“How you taste.”
She groaned and let her head fall back. “You really are too good to be true. I mean, apart from the cockiness.”
“I’m not cocky. I’m that good.” He moved between her legs, letting his hands run up the lush flesh of her thighs. The sight made him burn like a star, and he let himself fall into her heat.
