Page 39 of Tavarr's Mate
He grasps the end of my leash and tugs it until I’m pressed to his wet chest. He cups my face and delves his tongue between my lips, tasting and claiming.
I moan into his mouth, and sooner than I would like, he breaks away. A primal gleam enters his eyes, a look that promises he plans to claim me later. Hard. Plans to remind me that we’re both still alive, and I still very much belong to him.
I can’t wait.
Chapter Twenty-Two
The hovercraft is waiting.
Tavarr’s mother embraces me and whispers, “I’m sorry about what happened in the forest. I hope you are not too shaken.”
“I am fine, I assure you. Tavarr protected me.”
She smiles. “I look forward to your permanent return, my daughter. And, though I promised my mate I would not bring it up, I must tell you that I’m also glad you survived the atrocities my younger son committed against you. You are a strong and brave female, Katrina, and my grandchildren will be lucky to have you as a mother.” She gives my stomach an appraising look as we pull apart.
“Thank you, Treshna. I am looking forward to my return to Hehna as well. I-I never thought I wanted to mate with a Kleaxian. I was terrified of Tavarr when I first met him and feared he might be like his brother, seeking vengeance, but being claimed by him is the best thing that’s ever happened to me. I have a loving mate and a family.” When she gives my stomach another bold glance, I giggle and say, “I am not with child yet. Soon though, I hope. When I said family, I meant you, your mate, and your children and grandchildren. You’ve all made me feel very welcome these past two days, and I can’t thank you enough.”
An inquisitive glint catches in her eyes. “Do you miss your family back on Earth?”
“Honestly?” I give a slight shrug. “I can’t say I do. My relationship with my parents and siblings was very strained.”
She doesn’t ask more questions about my life on Earth, and I don’t offer any further details. Perhaps I shouldn’t speak badly about my biological family, but the truth is, it’s a relief to not be constantly put down all the time. Even while living in Capital Acres, I still occasionally received less-than-kind communications from my mother, because she thought I must’ve done something wrong for Harry to keep delaying setting a date for our wedding.
“Well,” Treshna finally whispers, squeezing my hand, “you have a family now.”
I give her a warm smile. “Yes. Yes, I most certainly do.”
Tavarr, who has already said goodbye to each of his family members, clears his throat behind me. Night has already fallen, and I know he’s anxious to return to Cempha. He has to be up early for training exercises.
I wave farewell to my new family one last time and approach my mate. He takes the end of my leash and guides me onto the hovercraft.
The journey back to Cempha is overcast. Clouds block out the stars and moons, and soon it starts raining. The droplets fall on the clear roof of the hovercraft and are barely audible over the hum of the moving vessel.
Tavarr scoots closer to me in the bench seat we’re sharing and puts his lips to my ear.
“Are you sure you are not shaken?” he asks.
“Thanks to you, I am quite well,” I insist. It’s the truth. I saw worse in Capital Acres, during the attack on the humans, so many months ago. And this was different. My mate killed to protect me. We’re both still alive and together because he fought for our lives. Warmth and light penetrate me when I breath in his familiar masculine scent. I don’t want him to treat me as if I’m fragile. I want to feel him inside me, want that reminder that I am his, and he is mine.
A rush of affection for Tavarr claims me with a force that steals my breath. He truly risked his life to save mine. Those horrid Urulian Brothers would have murdered me if he hadn’t killed them first. I gulp hard and let the waves of tender emotion for my mate sweep through me, flowing over me with almost the same power as when the mating bond formed between us. His deep voice finally pulls me back to reality.
“Do you remember what’s going to happen the moment we get home?”
Confused, I pull back to meet his lustful gaze. Then it hits me. We’d been so busy the last two days as he showed me around his village, that I’d almost forgotten.
“I-I re-remember.” A flush travels from my chest up to my face, and I gulp hard and try to mentally prepare myself for what’s about to happen.
My mate is going to claim my ass.
Shivers ripple over my skin, despite the heat of the night. Anticipation coils tight in my nether region, and I squirm on the bench in an attempt to relieve the sudden buildup of pressure in my center.
“Are you going to be a good girl and take all of my cock in your ass tonight, Katrina? Or do you require a trip over my knee first?”
I struggle for air. “I-I promise to be good.”
Though the lights in the hovercraft are dimmed, I can still see the hunger flaming in his dark eyes.
Hard. He plans to fuck my ass hard.
