Page 6 of Tornn's Mate
“Because I want you thoroughly covered in my scent to ward off all other males. I will not risk another male taking interest in you and trying to claim you.” I close the distance between us and cup her face in one hand, then trail my thumb across her cheek. “You belong to me, and I would kill anyone who tries to take what’s mine.”
My gaze falls to her plump lips, and the urge to kiss her until we’re both breathless assails me, yet I find myself holding back when her eyes glimmer with fear. Why am I holding back? She’smine.
“What is your name, human female?”
She steps away from me, but I follow her. I drop my hand from her face and pull her flush against my body. She gasps and wiggles in my hold, and the feel of her fighting activates my darker, more predatory urges.
I want to ravish her and conquer her.
I want to make her whimper and beg.
As though sensing I’m about to lose control, she freezes in my arms and peers up at me, her face still flushed, her eyes wide and pleading.
“Tell me your name.” I delve a hand into her silken hair, tangling my fingers in her locks and giving a slight tug. She will soon learn that I don’t like having to repeat myself.
“Ellie,” she says. “My name is Ellie.”
“Ellie,” I repeat, and my two cocks pulse harder against her stomach. I know she can feel the evidence of my excitement. Part of me hopes she resumes her struggles. How I would love to subdue her, tear off her clothing, and rut her in the middle of the floor.
An intoxicating scent reaches my nose, and I inhale deeply of the aroma I suspect is her anticipation. According to the team who’d visited theJansonna, human women become slick between their thighs when they are eager to be claimed, just as Darrvason females do.
My spirits lift, and my shafts thicken further. I ache to plunge inside Ellie and feel her inner walls contract around me.
“What are you doing?” She tries to wiggle out of my arms but ceases moving when her elbow pushes against my crotch, nudging one of my appendages. I nearly growl with the pleasure of it.
“I am smelling you, Ellie.” I savor another long, drawn-out inhale, and this time, I can’t suppress a growl. “The wetness that is growing between your thighs smells delicious. I can’t wait to taste it.”
She whimpers and shakes her head back and forth. “Please. I-I can’t breathe. I need to sit down.”
Concern for her flares inside me, and I promptly scoop her up in my arms and carry her to a large, plush sofa that overlooks the stars. From here, there’s a clear view of the numerous vessels in my fleet, as well as theJansonna, which will continue traveling with us until we deliver the humans to a habitable planet.
I set Ellie on the sofa and hurry to the kitchen for a cup of water. Once I return to her side, I press the cup into her hand and beckon her to drink.
She gives the beverage a wary look and sniffs it.
“It’s just water,” I assure her.
She takes a cautious sip and swallows. “Thank you,” she murmurs.
“Are you unwell? I can summon a physician.”
“No doctors. Please. I’m fine.” She sucks in a long breath and slowly exhales. “I’m just nervous. Um, when exactly do you plan to claim me? Right now? Later today?”
I sit next to her and place a hand upon her thigh. I try not to frown when she flinches at my touch. But I don’t remove my hand. She’s my mate and I have every right to touch her, every right to kiss her and claim her.
I open my mouth, preparing to tell her that I intend to fill her with my hardness before the day is over, but that glimmer of fear from earlier returns to her eyes, causing me to falter. “I wish to claim you today, Ellie, however—”
The visitor bell suddenly echoes throughout my quarters, and I jump to my feet and glance at the door with a snarl.
Who would dare to interrupt me at a time like this?
“Excuse me,” I say through clenched teeth. “I’ll be right back.”
I approach the door and give the individual on the other side a murderous look before I even realize who it is. Captain Varll.
“What is it?” I hiss in our native tongue. I enter the corridor and let the door shut behind us, not wanting Ellie to overhear our conversation. Even though she cannot speak Darrvason, she might be able to discern some meaning from our tone and gestures.
The captain clears his throat. “Forgive me for coming here, Admiral, but this is a sensitive matter, and I didn’t want to send a message over the comm system and risk others hearing it. I don’t wish to create a panic.” He pauses for the briefest instant, the color draining from his face before he continues. “Security Officer Paddax has been attacked by his new human mate. She injected him with something—poison or a virus of some type, we aren’t certain yet—and he’s in critical condition, though the physicians claim they can save him. I thought you might want to know, Admiral. The offending female has been placed in the brig temporarily.”
