his skin on hers. Back then, she’d been embarrassed at her quick hop into intimacy with him, but knowing she was his mate soothed some of those feelings. It made sense mates would crave each other, would want to consummate their connection as soon as possible.
“We could skip breakfast and…” She raised her eyebrows, eyes flicking toward her bedroom door, and then back to him. Her skin itched, her body seemed to call for him, and she somehow knew she wouldn’t be satisfied until his hands—his lips—were on her body.
Another one of his frowns. It was wrong that she found that expression sexy as hell, wasn’t it?
“I wish to care for you, my Maris.”
Okay, that was sexier.
“I desire you, but I must prove I shall be a good mate, a good male.”
The tone, the hint of a lost boy that filled his voice, had her pushing to her feet and going to him. When he was within reach, she carefully tugged the bread from his hands, setting it on the table before wrapping her arms around his waist. She rested her head on his chest, her ear just over his heart.
“You are a good male, Vados. You wouldn’t be one of the prince’s trusted guards. You wouldn’t have helped your friend when he was injured, if you weren’t.”
“If I hadn’t helped him, I would not have lost you.”
She tilted her head back and rested her chin on his chest. “If you hadn’t helped him, I don’t think I would have wanted you.”
Vados brushed a strand of hair from her cheek, carefully tucking it behind her ear, and then cupped her face. “I would not have been worthy of you.”
“It’s in us both to care for others. You’re not the only one who left, Vados. If I hadn’t gone to help him, I would have been there when you returned.”
“The heart of the seas truly knows us both,” he murmured then lowered his head.
Her lips tingled in anticipation, anxious for even that small connection.
He brushed his mouth across hers once, twice, and on the third pass, he remained in place, tracing the seam of her lips with his tongue. He silently asked for entrance and she immediately opened for him. He delved into her and she welcomed him, accepted the salty sweetness of his innate flavors. She slid her tongue along his, letting the taste of him blossom over her taste buds, slide into her, and it felt as if she was coming home. He was comforting, arousing, making her need and welcome him without reservation.
As the kiss progressed, his touch transformed from one of gentle caring to increasing passion. It stoked their desires, urging her to change her hug to a passionate embrace. She caressed his back, fingers tracing the smooth line of his spine. She knew that by the time they were naked, his scales would be out and beckoning for her, his excitement pushing them to the surface. She reveled in the way he responded to her, the visible evidence of his need. It wasn’t relegated to his thick length, but the emergence of his water-based nature as well.
His hands drifted, tracing her back, fingers exploring her sides as he traveled south… and then he was cupping her ass. He kneaded her flesh, squeezing gently, and each press transferred to her inner-thighs, tormenting her with his indirect touch. She felt empty, desperate to be filled by him. She ached and her core clenched, silently begging for him. Even her clit twitched, tingling in anticipation of his fingers, his mouth.
Above all… she wanted his cock. Thick and hard, deep and firm, within her sheath.
He nibbled her lower lip, tugging on the bit of flesh with his teeth, and she whimpered with the tiny stinging pain.
Maris moaned against his mouth. “Vados…”
His hands remained in place as he released her mouth. “I believe we should find your bed, my Maris. Do you agree?”
Her nod was immediate. “Yes.”
Yes, yes, and yes again with an occasional ooh baby, ooh baby, do it harder.
Chapter Four
Vados balanced on the edge, his body threatening to spill