Page 35 of Loving Graystoke's Heir

Tamsin was nearly beyond words. She could barely pull a breath in as every deep slap of his body against hers chased her breath back out again.

“Donal, now-”

The rock-hard shaft pushed her over the edge. Tamsin tossed her head back on a shout, dug her fingers into the thick and flexing muscles of his shoulders.

And there he was, falling into the same oblivion beside her.

She felt the hot rush of his release fill her up and as her strength left her, Donal still had the will and presence of mind to lower her to the bed, cradling her against him.

Soothing her until she sighed and cuddled close.

They fell asleep with a light sheet draped over them by Donal’s caring hand, their bodies still connected and entwined together.

Chapter Eight

The sun hadn’t even stretched over the horizon when a soft rap on his door pulled him from Tamsin’s arms and taken him downstairs. Zenzile stood on his doorstep with a rather sullen Magheli behind her. The blond Afrikaner had made himself clear the last time they’d spoken.

One look at Donal’s naked form had urged the other man to knock him to the ground.

Donal had taken the hit and a few punches as well, but he’d easily shrugged off the other man and made it clear that he’d had his chance.

Now, as the two stood before him, he chose to focus on Zenzile and the pinched furrow between her brows. “What’s wrong?”

Her words were short and to the point and even as much Zulu as he understood and spoke, he was struggling to understand as Zenzile imparted her news like a stampede of information pummeling the air between them.

And when she stopped, waiting for his answer he didn’t understand the nervous pinch of her lips. He knew something was worrying her and that became all too clear when she chose to express herself in his native language. “We would understand if you decided to stay here with Tamsin.”

Donal felt the air thicken between them, and he reached out to her. She met his hand with her own and he felt grounded as if they’d closed the gap that had suddenly opened between them. “When do we leave?”

As Zenzile released his hand, Donal saw the tight pinch of Magheli’s shoulders release. He understood the protective nature of the other man.

“We’ll leave after noon. We’ll make more progress in the dark. We have the advantage of knowing the land. We’ll be able to get closer to them when they can’t see us approaching. Just get back to camp when you can.”

“I’ll be there.”

“And Tamsin?” Finally, Magheli had spoken. His eyes were full of challenge. “You’d leave her here alone?”

Donal’s gorilla roared forward and he had to quiet the fury in his head and the frantic drumbeat of his heart in his chest.

They both wanted the male to pay. Pay for questioning her safety. Pay for saying her name. Neither of his visitors could tell just how much turmoil was tumbling inside of him. They had no way of knowing how dangerous he was.

He had only begun to taste the renewed passion of his relationship with his mate, but he had yet to seal their bond. And until she bore his mark, had shared his blood and his body, any threat to that bond brought the wild rage boiling to the surface.

In a way, he was taken back to those days in America when he feared for the safety of those around him.

And one more distasteful and yes, distrustful look from Magheli may result in his blood spilled on the ground. Needless, yes, but the wild anguish and passion of the animal within him was looking to put down any and all dangers to their mate.

“She will be cared for, and you would do well to remember that she is my concern.”

The other man scoffed. “You sound like you’re a man from generations ago. If you don’t understand that she’s not your possession-”

Donal grabbed the frame of his door with such force that the wood groaned under his hands, and Zenzile stepped back, putting her hand on Magheli’s chest. Whether she meant it as a way to control the other man, or if she thought to give her his protection, Donal’s gorilla was moments away from tearing the other man to pieces.

It was only when he heard the soft shift of Tamsin’s body on the sheets in their bedroom that he felt control descend over him again.

He wanted his mate. Needed to be beside her, over her, and inside her.

With a nod to his friend he closed the door.

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