Page 54 of Splintered Shadow
“Resting prince face. Right.” She sighed, then a smile tugged on her lips. She reached for him, playing with the buttons on his shirt but not undoing them.
Frustrating.
“Are we even compatible?”
“Very. Do you think anyone else would dare be so insolent to me? Or demanding? Or find me amusing? You are mine, Sarah Krasinski. How often must I tell you this?”
“More than you’re doing now, apparently.”
“Then I will tell you every day.” He pressed his forehead to hers, closing his eyes and breathing in her scent. Underneath the powder and perfume that tickled his nose, he found her scent. It was rain and summer heat, fresh earth, and an overgrown garden. “I will show you.”
“I mean, do the bits and pieces work together?”
“Conception may require the assistance of a medic. According to the reports on humans, Khargals have bred with humans without medical intervention. Arcosians can breed with Khargals, so I do not anticipate encountering difficulties when we breed.”
“Wow, breeding. You just jumped right to that.”
“That is a consequence of fucking,” he said, pushing back another unruly strand of hair behind her round ear. “Make no mistake, Iamgoing to fuck you. Hard. Gently. Repeatedly. Every way we can imagine. I do not think I will tire of it.”
She licked her lips. “Sounds like we might die of exhaustion.”
“An acceptable risk.”
He hooked a finger under the other strap and slid it down. Sarah clutched the front of the gown to her chest.
“I’ll show you mine if you show me yours,” she said in a playful tone.
Vekele took her hands in his, removing them from the gown. One strap caught on her wrist, unable to fall away with their joined hands. He growled, snapping the fragile strap. The fabric fell to the floor with a whisper.
She was stunning.
He would never tire of this sight. His gaze swept over her, taking in her curves at a leisurely pace. Moonlight caught the golden cosmetic powder, making her glow like a celestial being. She was his to worship, and he fully intended to express his devotion at her altar.
“Well, am I so different?” she asked, her voice sounding nervous.
“Smaller. Rounder. Pinker. Are they supposed to be that color?” His fingers twitched, wanting to touch her nipples. They were the color of crushed berries.
She glanced down. “Oh, yeah, that’s my normal color. What about you?” She reached for him and unbuttoned his shirt. “Lavender? Lilac?”
She pushed down his shirt, the fabric bunching at his elbow. Again, their bound hands prevented the shirt from being removed.
That could be a problem. He wanted the full range of motion with his mate, not to be restricted by clothing.
Sarah seemed to sense his thoughts. “We can untie our hands.”
“Not yet,” he said. “The ribbon stays until we consummate our union.”
“We’ll deal.”
He might tear the shirt to shreds, but yes. They woulddeal.
“May I?” she asked.
He nodded.
She stepped out of his field of vision, directly in front of him, and placed her hand on his chest. She leaned in; his breath warm against his skin. Her tongue, wet and hot, brushed against him.
He jolted.
