Rise of the Gryphon (Belador #4)(20)

She hugged him.

Her fingers inched up to hook his shoulders.

Sweat beaded on his forehead. He had to be careful with his next move. Someone had hurt her physically in the past, to the point that she avoided intimacy. She was afraid of losing control of her beast and killing him. He’d intended to spend hours when the time was right, taking it slow, halting the minute she showed any sign of panic.

But not here.

With natural and unnatural creatures roaming this mountain, this was the last place he would lower his guard to put all his attention on her.

On the other hand, if he stopped her now, she’d feel rejected.

She kissed his back and moved her fingers down to toy with his nipples. Erotic chills skittered across his skin. He shook with the effort of holding back, caught in indecision. His heart thudded each beat, a fist pounding his chest. If he got any harder he’d burst out of his jeans.

Easing away from the truck, he lifted his arms and turned slowly until he had her wrapped up against him.

She laughed and the sound floated around him, warming his heart when she hugged him back.

This was the woman he wanted with all his being.

When she lifted her head, her eyes were hidden behind the dark sunglasses. She could take those off with so little moonlight filtering down through the trees above them. But he didn’t need to see her eyes to know she was happy. Pleasure flowed from her, wafting across his empathic senses.

Then her desire rushed around him, flooding his senses as if released from a gate.

Hell, yes, he wanted this. Wanted her.

She licked his chest and he shuddered.

Protecting the hellion came first, but that didn’t mean they couldn’t indulge in a few minutes of play. He’d scent anyone long before they got close.

Slowly, carefully as always, he lowered his head and kissed her. His lips melded with hers. His kisses had been the one pleasure she’d taken to enthusiastically from the start, even when they’d first met as adversaries. Holding her head, he turned her gently for better access, deepening the kiss little by little.

Energy surged through his veins. His jaguar growled for more. To mark her as his.

To mate.

But Evalle’s skin was hot, so hot it felt combustible, and that had him thinking about combusting.

Evalle’s passion ignited suddenly.

She grabbed his hair, yanking him closer and kissing him as though fire roared through her blood. She ground her hips against him, rubbing the rigid erection already aching inside his pants.

He clenched his jaw and groaned at the throbbing.

That was his Evalle, never halfway in on anything. She finally trusted him enough to let go and explore what had sizzled between them for weeks. Felt like eons.

He loved her mouth, gorged himself on her.

Don’t rush her.

Just one more step forward for now. Holding her head with one hand, he moved his other to tug the bottom of her T-shirt free and slide his hand up silky skin. She shivered as he caressed his way up to . . . her sweet breast. No bra. Mercy.

His thumb brushed across the beaded tip and she sucked in a harsh breath. “Oh, yesss.”

Damn right. He kissed her with raw passion, no holding back. A kiss that told her everything he wanted to do to her, and more. Her tongue danced with his in a sensual tangle. His fingers played with one breast then the other until she was shaking with need.

Hell, he was shaking with need.

An earthy moan escaped her. Another sound like that and he’d drop to his knees and give her everything she wanted. She hissed and arched her hips forward, and every muscle in his body clenched when she brushed his erection with bold intention. She bit his lip gently, then licked it, soothing any pain. Heat built low and pooled in his balls.

She was so potent that touching her was killing brain cells by the second.

He had to slow down or he’d rip her clothes off right here and now. Just as he lifted his head to catch a breath and suggest they make plans to go horizontal in a comfortable spot at home, she unsnapped his jeans and shoved her hand inside to grasp him.

“Holy shit!” He couldn’t breathe.

Wicked intentions bubbled in her laugh.

She stroked up and down.

He shuddered, fighting against the climax threatening to explode through him, and grabbed her wrist. Hold it, Houston. We’ve got a problem.

Pulling her hand up, he understood the meaning of agony when her fingers released him.

Lust clouded his mind.

He had to think. Hard to do when not a drop of blood stayed in his brain with a party going on in his crotch.

“What’s wrong?” she demanded.

At least she hadn’t sounded hurt, like he expected. He grabbed her by the shoulders and gently, but firmly, pushed her arm’s length away. “Hold on a minute.”

“I had a good grip. You’re the one who made me let go.” She reached toward his still unzipped pants again, a smug smile curling her lips.

He tightened his grip and shook her. “Whoa.”

Damn, he couldn’t believe he was stopping her, but Evalle wouldn’t be this aggressive.

Not the first time.

She shoved away from him. “Make up your mind if you want it or not. I don’t have all night.”

Who was this woman, and how did she get inside Evalle’s body? That damned bone had to be influencing her. He’d know whether or not he was talking to his Evalle if he could see her eyes. “Take your glasses off.”