He could read her so well? “You are correct.” Strength beyond comprehension. A lifelong dream realized. A future seized.
“What?” he persisted.
No help for it. “Sorry, but I’m taking a pass on that query. I don’t trust you enough to share such a personal detail. And before you insist on hearing it anyway, don’t. Remember my claim to never harm harpykind? I meant it. To my consternation, that vow now extends to the Astra. I will always do what I believe is best for my sisters and our allies.”
He absorbed her words and nodded. “Have your pass then.” His gaze fell to her lips, and he grinned. The action should have lessened his intensity. It didn’t. “I’ll have my kiss.”
15
Halo had the harpymph in his possession and within reach once again. She hadn’t been harmed yesterday, and he wouldn’t allow her to be harmed today. All was right in his world.
Glorious female. Wily enough to grind nine Astra under her thumb. Sensual beyond compare. Everything she said, every move she made, pointed to sex. Hard and wild. Soft and tender. Slow and thorough. Fast and explosive.
Already he was fighting the urge to fist those rich sable waves. To angle her head and devour her mouth, stealing the air from her lungs, replacing it with his own. Until she needed him and only him.
Eyes like polished emeralds set aflame, she exuded the most tantalizing carnality, and he could not look away. Utterly snared.
“Shall we start the countdown?” she rasped. Her scent sweetened, and he drank of it deeply. Was she closer to a needing?
His tension dulled. His shaft throbbed. “Not yet.” He leaned closer, drawing a new flush to her exquisite skin. “I’m planning my attack.” Let her keep her “personal detail” for now. He required something more important from her at this time. Her heart.
“Are you open to suggestions?” she asked, breathless.
In this? “I am.”
“Start with my lips.” She traced an index finger over the bottom one, then lightly bit the nail. “And, since you really, really wanted that answer, I should probably offer you more than a kiss.”
A bounty like no other awaited him... “Much more.”
“How about this? I won’t start the countdown until you touch my breasts or slip your fingers into my panties. Astra’s choice.”
Hands always rock-steady on a battlefield began to tremble. She wanted this—wanted him. “I find your amendment acceptable.”
He straightened, gripped his shirt, and eased off the material. “This is no longer needed.”
“Not even a little bit.”
Her gaze was rapt as he unhooked his artillery belt. Slowly. “Nor this.” The weapons thudded to the floor.
“What about the pants?” The tip of her tongue peeked out to moisten the dip in her sumptuous bottom lip. “They serve no real purpose.”
Though he would kill to free his erection, he tugged the harpy upright. They weren’t yet done with their discussion.
Clasping her waist and lifting her off her feet, he turned them both and eased upon the couch. Then, Halo settled her on his lap. The many slits in her skirt allowed her to straddle him without hindrance, fitting her core against his engorged shaft. The pressure was...good.
She mewled, a sound he wished to hear every day for the rest of his life.
“Much better.” He held her gaze as he hooked his fingers under the straps of her dress. “Did you like keeping me waiting yesterday, nymph?”
“Very much.” A languid smile bloomed. “Are you going to keep me waiting now?”
“I am.” Just not the way she might think. He had a plan. If he could survive it.
Slowly, he traced his fingers down her arms, pulling the straps, baring her breasts bit by bit. The perfect amber crests called to him.
“Notice I haven’t touched your breasts or put my fingers in your panties,” he rasped.
“Trust me.” She flattened her palms on his pecs, her claws curling, and undulated against him. “I’ve noticed.”
He fisted her hair exactly as he’d imagined and gripped her backside, forcing her to still. “You have no intention of stopping me, do you?”
She merely smiled with wicked intent. “Maybe, maybe not. Let’s find out together.”
Their gaze held. Heart rate jacked, he yanked her closer. She gasped. The next thing he knew, they were kissing, exchanging moans. An irresistible serenade as their tongues rolled together. Her taste, even sweeter than her scent. A drug.
He roved his hands over her nape. Her shoulders and spine. More of her backside, urging her masterpiece of a body into an unhurried rhythm. With her breasts smashed against his chest, her nipples grazed his skin every time she inhaled, the friction both a torment and a delight. A wild frenzy gripped him.
Nothing can be this good.
She wound her arms around him, clinging. The urge to move against her...with her... Can’t stay still.
They rubbed together again and again. The sensations... Almost too much but never enough.