Energy-fuse in all its glory.
A wonder to behold.
Murmuring her name, Rannock wrapped both arms around her. He caressed the back of her thigh and hooked her knee over his hip. Face nestled against her throat, he settled in. She sighed, pressing close, making room for him as his packmates moved away from the bed.
He heard the quiet creak as two males settled in chairs near the hearth. A door clicked as another left the room.
Body exhausted, but mind working better now, Rannock started compiling a to-do list. First and foremost—thank his mate the second she woke up. She’d saved his life, dragging him away from certain death. Without her, he’d be nothing but dragon ash drifting on a night breeze. In a foreign country, a place he couldn’t wait to leave.
He wanted to go home. Needed to introduce Cate to the rest of his pack and get her settled into her new life. One they would spend a lifetime building together.
Lovely thoughts. All worthy of his time and attention.
Too bad none of it had any chance of happening until he managed to haul his arse out of bed. The second Rannock regained his strength, Rathbone and his kin were in for a nasty surprise. One that included his fist in their faces and lots of broken bones. After that, he’d deal with Cate’s sire, do what he could to soften the blow and lessen her pain.
An impossible task.
Mourning a loved one was never easy. Missing one never went away. No one knew that better than him.
23
Sun warm on her skin, Cate lay in a cocoon of endless comfort. Images flashed across her mind. Piercing blue water. A long stretch of golden beach. Palm trees above her head. Cushioned lounger at her back. Paradise with unending supplies of iced glasses full of fruit-flavored drinks. Perfect with just the right amount of punch.
A hot breeze drifted over her. Gentle strokes. Heated swirls. Light mist landed on her belly, feathered over her breasts, and drifted over her thighs.
Relaxed beneath the soothing rise and fall, she sighed. Such a pretty place. Picture perfect. Full of sun, fun, and the wash of gentle waves. A spot without barriers as she lay naked beneath the noonday sun.
The breeze drifted over her again. Her skin came alive. Her body warmed even more. Lifting her arms over her head, she arched into the sensation and—
A pulsing wave of pleasure throbbed through her. As bliss crested, her tropical cocoon tore open. She rocketed from fast asleep to somewhat awake and mostly confused. Struggling to get her bearings, she twisted as another blistering wave rolled through her.
Her back arched. Her eyes popped open and—
“What?” she mumbled, looking down her body.
Naked in the middle of a big bed. Knees spread wide. Rannock, big hands holding her hips, with his dark head buried between her thighs. Hazel-orange eyes met hers over the mound of her sex. She rasped his name. He licked over her clit, bathing her in heat, killing her with pleasure.
“Shit,” she gasped, reaching down to fist her hand in his hair.
He laughed.
The vibration tweaked sensitive nerve endings. Her core throbbed. She whimpered a second before he drew her into his mouth. Hot breath. Gentle suction. A tease. A taunt. With a curse, she arched. As the back of her head pressed into the sheets, she raised her hips, begging him for more. Lashing her with his tongue, he gave her what she wanted. More pressure. Blistering heat. Beautiful intensity.
“Ran…”
He stroked over her again, using the flat of his tongue.
“Ran!”
With a growl, he sucked… hard.
And she went off like a bomb, coming so hard he dragged a scream from the back of her throat.
“Beautiful, lass. Go again.”
Chest heaving, body pulsing, Cate snarled at him. “Make me.”
He smiled against her.
Spreading her wider, he licked deeper. The sharp edge of his teeth grazed her. Her knees jerked as she moaned. Holding her down, he added two fingers and thrust deep. Zero hesitation. No mercy. Nothing but ecstasy as he found a sensitive spot deep inside her. Working her hard, he drove her higher. Inch by inch. Over tsunamis of cresting waves, finding new territory, making her twist beneath him.
Out of breath, desperate with need, she begged without words.
He eased the pressure. “Tell me, Cate.”
She moaned in protest.
Backing off even more, he kissed the inside of her thigh. “You know what I want tae hear.”
She shook her head.
“Give it tae me.”
“Please.”
“Good, Bellmia… and?”
“I…”
“What?”
“Love you,” she rasped, struggling to breathe.
“Aye, Catie-mine, you do.” Using the tip of his tongue, he circled her clit. One rotation turned into two, then more, keeping her on edge, driving her wild, making her writhe beneath him. “I love you too, and now, you’re gonna come for me again. This time, though, you’re gonna say my name when you do.”
Another gentle lick.
Head tipped back, Cate shuddered.
“You gonna say my name, Bellmia?”
“Yes.”
“Aye, you are,” he growled, settling back in, giving her what she needed while she gave him what he asked, coming hard, doing it calling his name.
“Gorgeous,” he murmured, shifting between her thighs. Notched against her, he pushed deep, filling her full. “Fuck, but you’re good. Unbelievably sweet.”
“Ran,” she whispered, wrapping her arms and legs around him.
“Been waiting so long, lass. So bloody long for you.”
One orgasm rolled into another. With a gasp, Cate clenched around him.
He groaned and started to move, giving her his weight as she gave him her mouth. Hands buried in his hair, she tangled her tongue with his, needing his taste in her mouth, enthralled by the beauty of him. Kissing her back, he rode her gently, rocking deep, retreating slow, sharing his love without words, allowing her to feel every inch of him—mind, body, heart, and soul.
Trailing her fingers down his back, she broke the kiss.
His eyes opened.
“Rannock,” she said, holding his gaze as he moved inside her.
His breathing hitched. The orange in his hazel eyes started to shimmer. “Catie-mine.”
Cate raised her head and brushed his mouth with hers. “I am yours. Do you doubt it?”
“Nay.”
“You sure?”
“Aye.”
“Good,” she whispered, rolling her hips, meeting his deepening thrusts.
“Goddess,” he said, heart thundering, voice rumbling. “I’m close, baby… so close.”
“Take me rough. Take me gentle. Take me any way you want, Ran.”
“My mate.” Upping the pace, he hammered her with powerful stokes. “So beautiful.”
Gaze riveted to his face, she met and matched him, watching pleasure overtake him. Lips parted, head thrown back, he shook in her arms. Memorizing every nuance, Cate held on tight as he careened over the edge, throbbing deep inside her.
Unable to hold himself up, Rannock folded forward, relaxing into her. Taut muscles went lax. His body grew heavy against hers as he nestled his face in her throat.
Skin to skin, as close as two people could get, Cate wrapped him up. Closing her eyes, she pressed her cheek against his temple. His scent enveloped her, surrounding her with spice and sandalwood. Decadent. Delicious. One hundred percent Rannock.