Page 65 of Havik: Warlord Brides
Moving without thought, his hands ran the length of her arms. He traced the curve of her hip, the gentle slope where her lower back met her ass and returned up to her shoulders. The juncture where her shoulder met her neck fascinated him. Her slender neck held a deceptive strength, as did her entire body.
“Do you require another pain suppressant?” he asked.
“I’m fine. Nothing sleep won’t fix.”
Carefully, he checked her wounds. They did not appear to be inflamed. He knew Terrans healed slowly, but her wounds upset him. Clever and quick-witted, he hated the idea of her in pain. He wanted her to be completely healed, now. Worse, he found evidence of older scarring. “Who did this?”
“Which one? Oh.” She twisted to look. His index finger and thumb framed the circular scar.
“Which one? Which one?!” Someone hurt her multiple times and he wanted blood.
She flinched. For a second, he felt wretched, frightening her. Then she rolled to her knees and lifted her chin, ready to fight.
He loved her.
It hit him hard, slamming him right in the chest. Whatever pain happened to her in the past may have marked her skin, but it did not define her. She came through the crucible stronger. He marveled at her.
He cupped her face, his finger tangling into her ridiculous green and sand hair. He leaned in, watching carefully for signs of distress. “Come here and kiss your mate.”
She sucked her breath in, as if surprised, and then a wicked gleam hit her eye.
They had no more words as her lips crashed into his. He drank her deep, barely breathing. She yielded, opening so sweetly for him, and she tasted even sweeter.
Mindful of her injuries, he lowered her to the mattress. Sleep clothes vanished. In the dim light, her beigey-pink skin glowed.
Lovely.
Taking his time, he explored the curves and contours of her, caressing her. Savoring. Her breaths fit perfectly in his mouth as he teased the nipples. Her back arched, gasping in pleasure.
More.
He tasted her skin, licking and kissing his way down to the juncture of her thighs. Her scent grew stronger, the cool oasis water and desert blooms concentrated and heady enough to overwhelm. Spreading her open, he admired the slick beige flesh.
She moaned and lifted her hips, wanting him.
Her taste exploded on his tongue, musk, salt and her undeniable essence. Perfect. He consumed her with the fever of a starving man, gorging himself because he never had a partner he wanted to please so much.
Brought to the edge, she trembled and pleaded with the need for release.
He probed her with a finger, then two. Her tight flesh clamped around him. So hot. She lifted her hips, riding his hand, but it was not enough. His cock leaked, and he desperately wanted to bury himself in her heat.
“Please, Havik. I need you,” she begged.
Looming over her, he planted a hand on either side of her head. Their breath mingled. She reached up and stroked the glowing tattoos at his shoulders. “Gorgeous, like you’re carved of starlight,” she whispered.
He lowered his mouth in a feverish kiss.
“If we go further, I will claim you,” he said.
She licked her lips, tasting herself. “I want that.”
“I will bite you here.” His lips brushed the curve of her neck.
“Fuck yes,” she moaned.
“Tomorrow we have much to discuss.”
She lifted her legs, wrapping them around his waist. “You talk too much.”
