Chapter 19
CHAPTER 19
L othar’s heart pounded in his chest as he looked down at Jana, her dark eyes filled with trust and desire. The scent of her arousal drove him wild and his Beast clawed at his control, demanding he claim what was his, but he forced it down, waiting for her answer.
“Yes,” she whispered.
“Are you sure?”
She reached up and traced the line of his jaw, her fingers ghosting over his tusks.
“I know I can trust you, Lothar. You’ve proven that over and over.”
The simple words nearly broke him. This fragile female had placed her trust in him. Unable to speak, he caught her hand and pressed a kiss to her palm. Her pulse fluttered beneath his lips like a trapped bird but her gaze didn’t falter.
“You don’t understand what you do to me,” he growled. “How close I am to losing control.”
She shifted against him, the heat of her core against his cock sending fire dancing along his spine.
“I trust you,” she repeated.
“Then may I taste you, my little valai? Will you let me pleasure you?”
“Taste?” Her eyes widened, but she didn’t move away.
“Yes.”
He leaned forward, pressing a kiss to the exposed skin above her collar. Her head fell back, granting him access and he fought the urge to mark the smooth skin of her neck. Instead he kissed his way down her throat, her rapid pulse beating against his lips.
She was so fragile, and the knowledge that she trusted him sent his blood racing.
“Tell me if I scare you,” he murmured against her throat.
She didn’t answer, just threaded her fingers through his hair, holding him close. His hand drifted lower, gently cupping her breast. The nipple pebbled against his palm and he brushed his thumb across the sensitive bud. She moaned, arching into his touch, her hands clutching at his shoulders.
He drew aback enough to see the tight outline of her nipples beneath the delicate lace.
“Such a pretty gown.” He rubbed his thumb across the stiff peak again and smiled when her breath caught. “But it’s in my way. May I remove it?”
Her eyes widened, and then she nodded.
“Good girl,” he whispered.
The nightgown had no fastenings, just a simple bow securing the front. He slipped his fingers under the edges, then hesitated, searching her face.
“Please,” she begged, and his Beast purred with satisfaction.
The tie gave way easily and he peeled the gown away, revealing her slender form. Her nipples were a dark dusky pink and the sight of the stiff little peaks made his mouth water.
“Beautiful,” he growled.
“You’re staring,” she whispered, her cheeks flushing a darker red.
“And you’re lovely.”
She squirmed in his lap and he couldn’t resist pulling her against his cock again. Now only the fabric of his sleep pants separated him from the damp heat of her core and he groaned.
Her slight weight felt perfect against him, like she was made to fit there. But even as desire coursed through him, he watched her face intently for any sign of fear or hesitation.
Instead of tensing or pulling away, she melted against him. Her fingers traced patterns on his bare chest, sending sparks of electricity through his body. His Beast purred at her willing submission, but he forced himself to gentle his hands.
“You make me feel safe,” she whispered, tilting her face up to his. Her dark eyes held trust and something deeper that made his heart stutter. “Kiss me again?”
The simple request shattered what remained of his resistance. But even as need consumed him, he maintained enough control to be careful of his tusks as he lowered his head to hers.
The kiss was slower, sweeter, but no less heated. His tongue swept her mouth, and when her tongue brushed against his, he nearly lost control. Her hips shifted against him, pressing her core against his hard cock. Once again his hands tightened before he forced himself to release her.
“Fuck, I want you,” he growled. “Will you let me taste your sweet cunt, little valai?”
The pink in her cheeks spread down her throat. The delicate flush made his beast rumble with satisfaction, and his cock flexed against her.
“Oh.” Her eyes widened, her pupils dilating. “Yes. Please.”
He gently lifted her from his lap, placing her on the bed, and slid down between her legs. She watched him, her eyes wide with a combination of desire and nerves.
“Have you ever done this before?” he asked and she shook her head.
“A female’s pleasure is not important.”
She sounded as if she were quoting someone and he frowned.
“A female’s pleasure is more important than anything else.”
He shook his head at her skeptical expression. She would find out soon enough that he meant every word. He lowered his head and stroked his tongue along the delicate folds, tasting her wetness. Her back arched as she gave a startled cry.
“Too much?” he whispered, letting his breath wash over the damp flesh.
“N-no. No,” she repeated more firmly. “Please do that again.”
Smiling at the polite little demand, he repeated the caress, savoring her sweet intoxicating flavor. Her body responded to his touch, her hips rocking upwards, and this time he could hear the pleasure in her soft moan.
“Mmm,” he murmured, pressing a kiss against the crease where her thigh met her hip. “So sweet.”
Her skin tasted like salt and honey and he wanted more. He returned his attention to her cunt, seeking the sensitive bud that gave human females pleasure. The tip of his tongue found the tiny nub and her hips bucked off the bed.
“There it is,” he purred. “That’s the spot.”
“Oh. Oh!”
The startled exclamation turned into a soft moan as he teased her bud with gentle flicks of his tongue. She trembled, her breath coming in sharp gasps. He wanted to hear those noises forever.
“Does that feel good?”
“Yes.”
“And this?”
He sucked her bud gently between his lips and was rewarded by a long moan and her fingers digging into his scalp.
“Oh yes. Don’t stop.”
Never , he thought, but his mouth was occupied with pleasuring her. He lapped at the slick folds, teasing and stroking her bud, listening for each change in her breathing, each whimper, each soft moan. He had never performed this act but she was so responsive it was easy to tell what pleased her.
Her body quivered beneath him, her breath coming in gasps, and he could feel her pleasure building.
“Please…”
“I have you, my mate,” he murmured, and focused on the small bud, increasing the pressure until she cried out, her back arching off the bed.
He lost himself in the sweet sounds of her pleasure, his Beast purring with satisfaction as she shuddered against him. Her body arched, her fingers digging into his shoulders as waves of release washed over her. His heart swelled with pride and possessive joy at bringing her such bliss.
But then he caught the sharp scent of salt. His eyes snapped open to find tears streaming down her flushed cheeks. Horror crashed through him, dousing his passion like ice water. Had he hurt her? Frightened her? His Beast whined in distress.
“Jana?” He started to gather her close, to comfort her, then froze. What if his touch was the last thing she wanted? “What’s wrong? Did I?—”
She shook her head, but sobs continued to wrack her small body. He hovered uncertainly, desperate to hold her but terrified of making things worse.
“Please tell me what’s wrong.” He kept his voice gentle, fighting back his rising panic. “Whatever it is, we’ll fix it. I swear it.”
But she only cried harder, her whole body shaking as she curled in on herself. The sight of her tears felt like daggers in his chest. His Beast howled in frustrated anguish, unable to protect their mate from whatever caused her such pain.
“You’re safe,” he whispered, his voice hoarse with emotion. “No one will harm you here.”
He forced himself to rise, though each inch of distance felt like torture.
“I’ll leave you in peace.”
His Beast clawed at him, desperate to stay with their mate, but he forced himself to take a step toward the door. Then another. The sound of her crying followed him, each sob another wound to his heart.
He had thought - hoped - that she was starting to trust him. To want him. But clearly he had pushed too far, too fast. Had misread her signals entirely. The thought of leaving her alone while she was hurting tore him apart, but staying would only make things worse.
His hand closed around the door handle.
“I’ll be right outside if you need anything,” he managed past the tightness in his throat. “Just call and I’ll come.”