Uh oh. She watched that expression of male offense cross his face. Now, how the hell had she managed to wound his poor little ego?
“My psyche is not the problem,” he informed her with an overload of pride.
Merinus rolled her eyes.
‘Then what is?” She pulled weakly at the other side of the comforter as a chill began to replace the warmth of her body.
“I lost control,” he said again.
“And I said: So?”
“I hurt you.”
Merinus lo
oked up at him. He was perfectly in control again, if still a little horny. He sat beside her, his amber eyes glittering with regret.
“You didn’t hurt me,” she argued. “I liked everything you did.”
“Dammit, Merinus, I smacked you,” he bit out, dragging his hand roughly through his hair. “I do not hit women.”
Merinus smiled. She remembered well the pleasure of that particular little spanking.
“Yeah, I know,” she sighed in contentment. “Cuddle me for a while and you can do it again.” The shock on his face would have been comical if she had the energy to laugh.
“You wanted that?” He seemed confused by it.
Merinus sighed. “Callan, I want all of you. I want you wild and growling, purring and contented, and even roaring in release. I don’t just want a small part of you. I love you. The whole package.” He shook his head as though to deny her claim.
“But you are mine, too,” she told him firmly. “Remember that. Or I really will neuter you. Or I’ll have Kane do it. And I bet he won’t use anesthesia.”
He winced. Good. Then he brought his hand to her face, his expression filling with tenderness. Damn, he better not make her cry. She really didn’t have the energy.
“You humble me,” he told her roughly.
“And if you make me cry, I’ll smack you.” She kissed his palm though, and sighed peacefully before whining. “Now please get me warm and comfy so I can sleep. I’m killed here.” Callan moved hesitantly, pulling the blankets from beneath her and getting in beside her. Merinus moved against him instantly, his extra body heat a balm to her cooling body.
His arms went around her, holding her close to his chest, his chin resting atop her head. He was thinking, she could tell. She didn’t consider that a good thing, considering it was the incredible sex of moments before that he was thinking so hard about.
“I did it deliberately, you know,” she finally said in exasperation as he reached over to switch the lamp out.
“I know you did.” He wrapped his arms around her once again.
“So why are you so damned put out over it?” She frowned.
“I could have hurt you, Merinus,” he bit out. “I know how. I was beyond all control with you. That’s dangerous.”
“Evidently not.” She shrugged. “Callan, I’m not your enemy, nor am I threatening your life. Get over it.
You did an amazing job of making me submit and I’ll be eternally grateful. Maybe later we can even play again.”
“You will drive me insane.” His voice was resigned.
Merinus was quiet for long moments. Funny, her father and brothers used the same tone of voice and the same words often. What the hell did she do?
“I’m going to sleep.” She would figure it out later. “Men are just too confusing for me to figure out right now.”
She thought she heard him chuckle, but it could have just been the vibrations of the soft purr she could hear beneath her cheek. Definitely more soothing than snoring.