Warrior (Relentless #4)(229)

My heart threatened to burst from my chest as I rose up to look into her eyes. “Sara Grey, you’ve owned my heart from the moment I met you. My body and soul are yours if you’ll have them.”

Her eyes welled. “Yes, if it means forever with you.”

I groaned and kissed her hungrily as my hand slipped inside the lacy material of her bra to cup her soft breast. She made a small sound of pleasure against my mouth that nearly drove me out of my mind.

My fingers moved to the front of the bra, lingering there for what seemed like forever before I released the clasp. Gently I eased the cups aside, baring her breasts to me. Khristu, she was as perfect as I’d imagined. I lowered my mouth to one breast, cherishing it slowly, then moved to do the same to the other.

Her soft moans brought a smile of pure male satisfaction to my lips and stoked my own desire even higher. My hand shook as it moved down her abdomen to the top of her matching panties. She made no protest when I hooked my fingers in the material and slid them off her. Then I lifted her easily, freeing her from her shirt and bra as well.

I looked up at her to make sure she was okay, and her passion-glazed eyes told me all I needed to know.

“You good?” I asked huskily.

She nodded and bit her lip. “I’ve never…”

“I know.”

I leaned in, and my tongue traced the soft fullness of her lips before dipping inside. God, I could never get enough of kissing her.

When I lifted my head again, I saw uncertainty in her eyes. I took her hands and placed them against my chest.

“I…don’t know what to do,” she whispered.

“Just touch me any way you want. Whatever you do will be heaven for me.”

Her coy smile almost pulled a growl from me. Then her hands began to explore me, and I was lost.

Her touch was tentative at first as she caressed my chest and shoulders, and ran her fingers along my arms. I made a sound to let her know how much I loved her hands on me, and she grew bolder, letting them trail down my spine. When her hand grazed my backside, I groaned, forgetting for a moment that I was supposed to be the one pleasuring her.

Knowing I couldn’t last much longer with her touching me that way, I resumed my exploration of her body. My hands and lips worshiped her soft curves, kissing and touching her until both of us were panting and covered in a fine sheen of sweat.

“Nikolas,” she whispered desperately.

I rose over her, covering her body with mine, and resting my weight on my elbows. She shifted so I lay between her thighs and gave me the most beautiful smile I’d ever seen.

“I love you,” she said softly, entwining her arms around the back of my neck.

I brushed my lips against hers. “I love you, too.”

“Then make me yours.”

I joined with her, whispering over and over how much I adored her as I made slow love to her. When our bodies found release, our bond opened like a flower blossoming in the sun. In that moment, I was undone by her and remade into a new man. A warrior still, but a mate and a lover first. And I felt complete.

Later, I lay beside her, gazing down at her as she slept. Her hair was spread across the pillow, and her cheeks still bore a slight flush from our lovemaking. I pulled the quilt up over her chest to keep her warm, and she snuggled against me, whispering my name.

I wanted nothing more than to kiss her awake and make love to her again, but she needed her sleep after today. I held her close and listened to the storm raging outside. A few times, I heard the wyvern walking around on the roof, and I knew we were safe here for tonight. But I stayed awake just in case. I wouldn’t relax completely until we were home.

When the fire began to die down, I eased out of Sara’s arms and added more wood. Then I draped our wet clothes over two chairs and moved them closer to the fire to dry.

All night, I lay awake with her in my arms, wonder filling me every time I looked at her sleeping face. What had I done to deserve this beautiful woman? She was everything I could ask for in a mate: loving and passionate, brave and strong. And she was mine, forever.

Mine, my sated Mori whispered.

The storm blew itself out in the early hours of the morning. When I peered out just before dawn, everything was coated in a thick layer of ice. I noticed the wyvern had left, probably to hunt. Or he thought Sara was no longer in danger.

As I dressed in my dry clothes, I watched Sara, who still slept soundly. If we were at home, I would wake her up slowly and spend our first day as a mated couple making love to her. But daylight was approaching, and Tristan would be searching for us. I needed to get her home, and then we’d make up for lost time.

I let her sleep as long as I could, and then I lay beside her. Raising myself on my elbow, I caressed her face softly, reluctant to wake her, but dying to kiss her again.

When my finger touched her lips, she stretched and a sensual smile curved her lush mouth. Her eyes opened sleepily, and I smiled as I lowered my head to kiss her.

“Morning,” she said in a husky voice.

I rose up to meet her eyes. Good morning, moy malen’kiy voin, I said, testing our bond for the first time.

Her brow furrowed, and then her eyes widened. Nikolas?

Pleasure filled me at hearing her voice in my mind. I smiled at her. One of the perks of being mated.

“Mated.” She stared at me, her face full of the same wonder I’d been feeling all night.