Page 81 of Sublime Target

The outfit accentuated his strong features and his sharply pointed ears and provided a soft contrast to his overall harshness.

“You look very nice,” she remarked, her voice low and throaty. Seeing this very different side of him—all dressed up and refined—made her want to tear that elegant garment off his broad shoulders and jump his bones.

Seriously, what was this? She’d never felt this way before about anyone. She’d never been so quick to react to a man’s presence; so easily triggered to the point of arousal, craving his closeness, his touch, the feel of his body pressing against hers, his erection…

Dear lord, she could see the bulge in his silken trousers.

“Let me see you,” he commanded, stepping back and releasing her hand. His crimson gaze slowly traveled up and down, taking in every last inch of her.

She’d never felt so vulnerable before… and yet, she also felt powerful.

It was obvious she was having some kind of effect on him. He went very, very still, like a silver sculpture. His eyes were like embers in the shadows. His lips parted ever so slightly, revealing the points of his fangs.

He looked… hungry.

As if caught in a trance, Clarissa shrugged off her jacket and draped it on the chair. She tipped her head back, feeling the subtle weight of her earrings and the cool air against her neck and exposed back.

Jerik blinked slowly, like a cat.

Then his arm shot out, and he grabbed the back of the chair as if to steady himself.

A low sound escaped him: part whimper, part predatory growl, all primal.

Clarissa froze, like a deer trapped in a spotlight, only she wasn’t afraid.

Just transfixed.

And addicted to his undivided attention, which made her feel like a goddess.

“I thought you were beautiful the moment I laid eyes on you, but now, you’re transcendent,” he whispered, his voice cracking. “I’m so glad you came back to me.”

“I’m glad you sought me out… and I’m very willing to take this further,” she replied, suddenly understanding that she couldn’t expect this to unfold like a human relationship. They were moving at the speed of light, and that was fine. “And you scrub up all right too, commander.”

“My attire pleases you, then?”

“You’re a visual treat. I think… you look magnificent.”

His eyes widened in disbelief. His fingers dug into the chair, knuckles pale with tension, wrist taut.

He was trembling ever so slightly—as if he might explode at any moment. His expression became strained as he pulled his hand away from the chair. “Clarissa, I beg you, wait here a moment. I’ll return very soon.”

“A-are you all right?”

“I will be, in a moment.” And with that, he was gone, leaving her on fucking tenterhooks.

TWENTY-NINE

Caught up in the storm of the Mating Fever, in the blistering intensity of his lust, stoked so high he was on the verge of exploding into stardust, Jerik did the only thing he could.

He escaped.

He stormed out of the ship and headed for the very first warrior he spotted, a young lad called Hygar, who was standing guard at the edge of the docking bay.

“Come here,” Jerik ordered, his voice hoarse. It took every shred of willpower in his body to keep from committing violence on the poor kid without reason—the Mating Fever had intensified to the point where he was hardly sane anymore, and all he wanted to do was Claim her in the most ferocious manner…

If he didn’t have her in the next few moments, he would probably go insane for good.

But he honestly feared he might harm her.

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