Page 86 of Sublime Target

He consumed her.

Fiercely.

Reverently.

Until neither of them could stand it any longer, and at last, he was at his breaking point.

And when he finally found his release in her, fervently whispering her name, it was just like that word he’d used before…

Transcendent.

THIRTY-ONE

“Well, then,” Clarissa blurted, not really knowing what she wanted to talk about but needing to make some sort of exclamation all the same. “Huh.”

Still sitting in the comfy chair, she looked at Jerik, who was busy straightening his jacket and re-tying his belt.

“Indeed,” he agreed. His tone was mild, but the look he gave her was one of pure adoration.

She let out a sigh that was equal parts amazement and exasperation. How was it possible that this beautiful, deadly, warm, growly, gentle creature was hers now?

Because this was serious. The man was committed beyond committed. And she knew there was no going back.

This wasn’t some forgettable one-night stand or a fleeting lover’s tryst.

This was real.

She’d known that when she’d come up here—in fact, she’d expected it.

He’d given her a choice.

She’d made her choice.

And although there was so much she still didn’t know, she was willing to dive headlong into this relationship.

Wasn’t that crazy? She, who was always cautious…

But she was glad she’d taken the risk.

“Although I’m completely and utterly satisfied right now, I’m feeling a little bad about being late for the main event.”

“You’re not late,” he said. “I made sure you would arrive early.”

“You knew this was going to happen?”

“My habit is to be early for any important happening, regardless of the situation. I wouldn’t presume to know anything when it comes to you, but the thought did cross my mind, yes.”

She rolled her eyes a little in a good-natured way. “I can’t even fathom what it must be like to have your kind of confidence.”

“It’s not confidence.” He smiled, his grin as radiant as the sun itself, transforming him. She briefly wondered if he could smile that way at any other being in the Universe. She suspected it wasn’t possible. “I was desperate. You have no idea what you do to me.” His voice cracked a little, betraying the extent of the pressure he’d been under.

If things had been bad for her this past week, then what about him?

“I didn’t realize you were suffering so much. I might’ve paid you a visit sooner if I’d known.” She frowned. “But everything is all right now, I trust?”

“More than all right.” His smile widened even further, fangs and all.

“Well, I’m glad... you’re all right, I mean.” She didn’t understand much of their biology, but during her research into Kordolians, she’d come across a small amount of detail about genetically encoded attraction in Kordolians—a trait that appeared to be unique to them.

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