Page 78 of Stealing the Star Stone
“Nova,” was all he could utter.
“Come for me, Eli,” she whispered in his ear.
He did, again, the pleasure hitting him too soon, so unexpectedly.Waves crested, one after the other, before he’d had a chance to descend.
With a groan, she arched, her hips pinned to the back of his thighs.Another growl slipped past her clenched jaw, pleasure twisting her features into something primal.When a shuddering breath escaped her, she met his gaze then flopped onto him, catching herself in a push-up just before flipping them over.On her back, she adjusted him to warm her side.
“So, what did you think?”he asked, running his hand up and down her stomach before resting it on her chest.
“Good.”She smirked.“But Iknowyours was better.”
“Fuck,” he whispered.“I never realized a woman’s body is a massive erogenous zone.”
“An exaggeration, but sure,” she said, sinking deeper into the furs while keeping him close.
Being the snugglee was different to having the control of a snuggler.He liked it, cuddling into her.“Did you feel it?”he asked, keeping his voice low.
“The soul tie?”she asked, angling to meet his gaze before brushing her lips across his, gentle and unexpected.“I think so.”
She nudged him aside and sat up, swinging her legs off the furs.But not fast enough for him to miss the shine in her eyes.Her shoulders shook as a sob escaped her.
“Sorry, Eli, it’s not you,” she said, waving without looking at him.“It’s…just that I haven’t been with anyone since Seth died.”She leaned back to gaze at the ceiling, slapping her thighs in the process.“And it wasneverthis good.Sex was just a weekly chore.His mind and heart mattered, y’know.I loved him for that alone.”
Eli hugged her from behind, resting his chin on her shoulder.“Are you sad we did it?Wish we hadn’t?”
She shook her head.With a swipe of her palm across her cheek, she met his gaze.“This was bound to happen as determined as you were.”She chuckled, but it didn’t hide the sadness in her eyes.
“True.I don’t regret it, Nova.”
She flicked a dismissive wrist.“You, the hedonist, would enjoy multiple orgasms.”
He offered a soft laugh.“Want to stay rich, famous, sexy…”
“You asked me that before.”She cupped his cheek, running a thumb over his bottom lip.“My answer hasn’t changed.”
Eli’s bladder woke him, or so he thought.In the silence of the room, the scraping of the door warned him moments before Bigeeli poked her head in.“More of your people have arrived.Chief Amenkar has summoned you.First, I will take you to be purified.”
Eli scrambled to his feet and wiggled into his loincloth and chest strips while Nova did the same.Now wasn’t the time to reveal how he felt about her.Perhaps after this adventure…if she wanted to stay in contact.If she did, then he’d know whether he had a chance…to win her heart.
“Think it’s Orien?”she asked, combing his hair with her fingers.
“If it is, we need weapons.I’m not getting recaptured without a fight.Last time, when I denied knowing you, I didn’t think I could help you from within a jail cell.I meant to get you released by sweettalking the asshole.Little did I know, he was onto me from the start.”Eli gave her a rueful smile.“A hard way to learn I’m losing my touch.”
Her stroking slowed, and she tugged, pulling his head back to meet her gaze.Then she caught his lips for a sweet kiss.“Thank you for not giving up on me.”
His eyes stung, tears demanding release.He gathered her close and fought for calm.Now wasn’t the time to cry.“Bigeeli, where are our things?”
“Close to my chief,” she said.“Come.”
She led them into a narrow cave.A gentle waterfall tinkled down the sides and at the base were stone-carved stools.Beneath them was a channel with running water.
“Please, use.My chief awaits.”
Eli didn’t need to be asked twice.He peeled his loincloth down and sat.
Nova chose the farthest stool, relieved herself, then rinsed her hands in the waterfall.She wiggled the loincloth back on and waited for him at the entrance.
When he made to pass her, she touched his elbow.
