Total pages in book: 81
Estimated words: 75388 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 377(@200wpm)___ 302(@250wpm)___ 251(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 75388 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 377(@200wpm)___ 302(@250wpm)___ 251(@300wpm)
Hassen rolls onto his back, and instead of moving off of me, he holds me in place, and then I’m lying on top of him, his cock still deep inside me. Our bodies are slick where they’re joined, and I can feel his come on the inside of my thighs. He holds me close, though, panting, and gently brushes the hair off my brow. The look on his face is pure contentment, and for a moment my heart squeezes and I wish he wasn’t the asshole that kidnapped my sister. I wish there was no baggage between us and he was just another faceless hunter in the mix. Then maybe I wouldn’t be so reluctant to pleasure-mate.
But I suppose if things were truly like that, we never would have come together in the first place. Because Hassen would have gone on the hunts with the others, and I would have still felt like lonely, lost Maddie. Funny how the only time I don’t feel lost is when I’m with him.
He plays with a few strands of my hair and then raises his hips in what feels like a slow, delicious thrust. “Do humans mate in this position?”
“Yup.” I put my hands on his chest and prop up. He feels hard and ready to go again, which is insane, considering he just finished a minute or so ago. “If you can think of it, humans have tried it.”
“Mmm.” He twines my hair between his fingers and then regards it, the gold stark against the blue of his skin. Then his gaze focuses on me. “Tell me more about the males bothering you.”
I skim my hand over his chest, teasing his rock-hard nipples. That’s one sa-khui trait that’s taking me some getting used to—nipples you could scratch glass with. But it’s strange, because on him, they seem right. “It’s not important.”
“And your sister?”
I don’t want to think about Lila. I’m too confused when it comes to my sister. “She’s not important, either.” I rock my hips over him. “Right now, all that is important is you and me.”
His eyes gleam, and on that, I see we are both agreed.
HASSEN
I haul a large dvisti carcass over one shoulder as I head toward the tribal caves. The large kill is more than duty—it is a peace offering and a show of strength all at once.
This day, I will go to my chief. I will show him that I am a strong, capable hunter. I will tell him of the tireless work I have done to feed the tribe, of the many caches I have filled while in exile. I will tell him of the endless traps I have set and let him see that I am a strong and worthy hunter. Despite spending my days with Mah-dee, I have been hunting at night to ensure that I do not slack; now, when I feed the tribe, I feed not just companions and family, I feed Mah-dee.
It has been two long days since I have seen my mate, and I keenly feel every moment. Even though I made her swear not to go to the trees and wait for me, I still check there regularly, just in case. My Mah-dee is passionate and loving…but she does not listen to orders well. But she has stayed away, and I must believe that it is because the cave is full once more. She cannot slip out to see me.
I expected this.
I did not expect to be gutted by it. Even now, the ache of her absence gnaws at me. My mate should be at my side, in my furs. She should be in my arms at night, pressing her small face against my chest and holding tightly to me. I should be at her side, giving her more lessons on how to hunt and take care of herself, and comforting her when she is sad. The fact that I cannot be there for her makes me crazed.
I think of Vaza, and Harrec, and angry, fierce Bek—are they comforting my Mah-dee? Offering to dry her tears with gifts?
I bare my teeth as I think it, and my steps speed up.
Today, I go to my chief and demand he end my exile. The brutal season will be here in a few hands of days, and I want to make a cave with Mah-dee. She is my mate, even if we do not resonate, and I must care for her like any good hunter.
It does not matter if Mah-dee is not convinced. I will not give the others time to persuade her otherwise. If she is not yet sure, I will use my cock, and my tongue, and my spur to convince her that she is mine.
And I will do whatever Vektal asks as long as he gives her to me.