It was worth it, though, when she turned back to him, all her fears and doubts shimmering in her gaze, hidden no longer. “The pain you felt, the shame, it went away?”
“The wounds stopped hurting me long ago. The pain’s still with me every rotation. My sister’s empty eyes the last I see before I go to sleep.” He wished he could tell her otherwise, but it was the truth. “I still hate that I failed her, but I turned that pain into rage and action. It’s why I want so badly to be a leader among my people and bring those missing females home and make sure you’re safe.”
He swallowed hard. “Remember that kill I told you about? The one I said was my first and that I never forgot? That was father. I wasn’t able to save my sister. She refused to run away with me. She refused to leave him even after all he did to us both.” He shook his head. “I kept hoping I’d reach her and it would be enough. It never was. She took her own life when I was thirteen. I killed him that very night. Too damn late to save her, but at least I stopped him from hurting anyone else. I made it my business from there on out to do for others what I could never do for her.”
Another frown crept across her pretty face. “That is why you come for me? Because you see me like sister?”
Now it was his turn to frown. “There are parallels, for sure. But you’re nothing like my sister. And don’t make the mistake of thinking what I feel for you is in anyway brotherly.”
Lust flickered in her gaze. “Good. I don’t want pity. I want…I want respect.”
“Then, don’t ask, Nayla. Take. Forget all the times Talg forced you to be silent, and go for what you want,” he growled. “You asked for my honesty. I gave it. Now it’s your turn. You want my respect? Be truthful about what you need from me right now. That fire between your legs is not going to go away on its own. I put it out for you once. I can do it again.”
Her chest rose and fell as if she battled herself even now.
“Refuse to let Talg and all his lies get in the way. Take what you need, wild thing. For both our sakes.”
She straddled him.
He thanked every goddess in the universe as she sank onto him, her heat nestled sweetly against his cock, her thighs tight around his hips as her fingers dug into his shoulders.
Eyes bright with a mix of excitement and nerves met his. “This. This is what I want.”
“Then we’re a perfect match.” He nuzzled her nose with his. “Because there is nowhere else I want you to be.” And nothing he wanted more than that look of open vulnerability and need in her gaze. It lightened the darkness in him as nothing else could.
At his words, some of the worry in her gaze cleared and he wanted to pound his chest with pride.
He loved seeing the confidence creeping into her stare. It turned him on like nothing else, his cock hardening even more beneath her sweet ass and turning his voice to a deep rasp. “What else do you want?”
The lines at the bridge of her nose deepened. “I…I don’t know.”
Lucky for them both, he did. “Rock against me, beautiful. Use my cock to make you feel good. Let’s learn together what you like.”
The slow drag of her hips as she followed his command almost sent him over the edge. “Yes, that’s so good, wild thing.”
Her eyes sank shut. Her head lolled back. “V-very good.”
Hands still behind his back, he dragged his teeth across the sensitive tendon at her neck, her low moan all the reward he needed.
Was it wrong to use their desire to hammer down the last of her walls once more? He had no clue. All he knew was that he needed this and so did Nayla, and ruthless did as ruthless was.
The slow grinding circle of her hips sent the cloth rubbing against his dick and her clit.
They moved in unison, together, their breath coming faster and faster.
Her fingers tangled in his hair.
He let out a groan.
“Grif,” his name was a plea, a sigh. “I-I don’t know how to put the fire out alone.”
“You’re not alone, baby.” He pressed kisses to her neck, her collarbone, her gorgeous breasts. “You won’t be ever again. Stand up.”
She stilled.
He knew instantly where her mind had gone. “We’re nowhere near done, Nayla. This is just the beginning—and it’s all your choice. You decide if you want to follow my commands or not. I can only guarantee you’ll like it if you do.”
The tiny lines at the bridge of her nose deepened.
“Trust me. Stand up.”
She swallowed hard, then stood.
“Take off the shirt.”
Another brief hesitation.
He waited.
Her hands might have been shaking, but she did as he said. The shirt floated to the ground, leaving him staring up at her in all her golden pixie beauty.
He’d been so scared he’d never get to see her again. All his bullshit about keeping his emotions in check and not sharing his own messed up shit with her seemed so idiotic now.
“You are so gorgeous.”
She didn’t believe it. He saw the flicker of doubt in her gaze.
“Come here and I’ll prove it,” he commanded. “Put your pussy against my mouth, wild thing. I want to taste all the golden honey on my tongue.”
She started. “No one ever—”
“Don’t think. Do.” He tipped his chin up. “You want that fire between your legs out? It’s what we savages know how to do.”
Another long hesitation and then, she glided forward.
With a growl, he met her halfway.
He kissed the inside of her thigh. Inhaled deep. Fucking ambrosia.
She quivered against him.
He pressed slow kisses into the V of her legs. Dragged his teeth across her mons. Sild his shoulder between her legs so that one thigh straddled him and she was bared to him completely.
Her fingers tangled in his hair, the slight tug making him even harder.
He loved when she let her defenses down. When she stopped hiding her need. It left him wild. Savage. Hungry for more.
“You ready, baby? You think I showed you pleasure before? Just wait.” He trailed the flat of his tongue along her slit.
She shuddered. Moaned.
Knowing she was too lost to passion to notice much else, he caught her as her legs went weak. It was a risk, but one worth taking.
He grabbed her ass, half holding, half cradling her in place, controlling her hips while he flicked his tongue against the swollen, sweet nub that needed him.
They’d worked each other up so bad before, this wasn’t going to take long.
“Grif.” She panted his name, her fingers twisting in his hair, her hips rocked against his mouth.
Sexiest. Thing. Ever.
“That’s it, gorgeous.” He purposely growled the commands against her clit. “Ride my tongue. Take what you want. How you want it.”
She shuddered. Moved faster.
He gripped her tighter, using his hold to force her to slow, moving her up and down against the tip of his tongue. Deliberate. Controlled. He knew exactly how to send her higher.
“P-please.”
“That’s it, Nayla. Come for me, beautiful. Don’t hold anything back.”
“Grif!” She came apart, screaming his name, shattering beneath his tongue. The sweetest golden cream spilled into his mouth as she shook and panted.