His eyelids drooped, his calm mask slipping. Just enough to offer a glimpse of the uncivilized beast lurking beneath the surface. “Feelings have no bearing on the situation,” he grated. “Overwhelming or otherwise.”
Adorable monster, with his long, curling lashes and freckles. Aggressive warrior, with his harsh features and big body, simmering hotter and hotter. Sexy body. The most muscular one in existence—a visual feast! Faultless.
How had he not exploded already? Better question: How far did she want this to go?
Voice low and silky, she asked, “No bearing on the situation? Not ever? Because I’m feeling a need to be kissed by you. Surely you’ve wondered how good I taste…”
A growl rumbled in his chest. “I owe you nothing, goddess. Not answers. Certainly not a kiss.” He settled his grip on her hips, lifted her, and set her a few feet away from him. Seconds passed, but he maintained his hold, never releasing her. He began to pant. “I should let the other Forsaken have you.”
“Do they put out? Because I might go willingly.” As she awaited his next move, cool air lapped at heated flesh. What would he do? “I’d do anyone right now. Obviously.”
He narrowed his eyes and tightened his clasp, squeezing before lifting her a second time and placing her directly in front of him. “You should curry my favor.”
“Or you should curry mine. I’m quite handsy when I’m happy. By the way, I’m happiest when I’m safe…and recovering from an orgasm.”
His gaze slid to her lips, and he gulped.
Oh, yes. He wants me. Awareness of him seared her brain, her every cell. Sizzling arousal rushed through her veins. Her limbs trembled. She should have undressed and showered for this male sooner.
In a day, perhaps two, Brochan would be so besotted, he’d do anything she asked, even acquire an energy boost for Fluffy. Then, they could work together to ensure the forever murder of the Forsaken.
Everything was falling into place quite nicely.
“I like this half-maiden, half-conqueror thing you’ve got going on,” she told him, dragging her blunt-tipped nails along his scalp. “Yeah, you’re right. You probably shouldn’t kiss me. I’d be super into it.” When she brushed the base of a horn, his breath hitched. A delightful reaction. “And you do hope to punish me, yes?”
“Hope? No. I will.” Moving too swiftly to track, he gripped her throat. A favorite hold, apparently. As he angled her chin higher, his claws pricked the length of her carotid. Why, why, why did the action thrill her? “Understand me, goddess. I’m not one of your conquests. I’ll never be one of your conquests.”
Are you sure, beast? “Very well. If you don’t want to bend me over that bench and slam into me from behind, that is your prerogative. Let’s hammer out the details of our partnership instead.” With every word she uttered, her throat moved against his palm, a shockingly erotic caress. “With my help, you can destroy the other Forsaken.”
“Choose my brother’s treacherous ex over my own kind?” He glared down at her, a man at war, the battlefield harsh and bloody. “Why would I ever?”
“For starters, I look better naked.”
“You…do,” he grated, grinding his erection between her legs. Tendons pulled taut as if he fought his actions. Fought and failed.
A gasp of delight escaped her. “Also, they are your competition. They, too, seek the key. Do you honestly believe they’ll share it with you, if they get it?” She pushed her advantage. “Plus, you crave me.”
“You speak of pleasure.” Narrowed eyes, strained tone. He grazed the pad of his thumb over her racing pulse point. “I thought we killed that line of conversation.”
“We did. But you brought it back to life with groin-to-groin resuscitation.”
His mask of civility slipped again. Holding her gaze, he moved his big, callused hands to her sides—his trembling hands. Her breath caught with the realization. He was a steady warrior…until she neared.
Trembling just as forcefully, she awaited his next move. One minute passed. Two. They stood still and silent, staring at each other.
“What are you waiting for, Brochan?” The neediness in her voice embarrassed her because it wasn’t feigned. She continued anyway. “Taste me already. I want your lips on mine.”
He shook his head, but the war inside him visibly intensified, his breaths coming faster. Strain seemed to coil in his every muscle. Then…
“This means nothing.” With a growl, he swooped down and slammed his mouth over hers. He wasn’t shy or tentative about kissing her, but he wasn’t finessed, either. He used force, thrusting his tongue against hers, conquering with abandon, taking everything and demanding more.
Viola kissed him back with equal fervor but far more gently. While his passion fueled her internal fires, she had no desire to speed to the finish line. She was a fine wine. She should be sampled slowly and savored.