Page 17 of Stolen By the Berserker

“What can I do to help?” she whispered.

He leaned toward her and caressed her ear. His palm captured her chin. “You care about me,” he whispered, gripping her jaw.

“I don’t know you.” Her voice sounded breathless.

“You should get to know me.” He lowered his gaze to her lips while his hand glided to the back of her head. Gently, he pulled her closer. “I need you so badly. I don’t know how much longer I can maintain control over my berserker. It wants you. Now.”

When she felt his breath on her lips, a groan slipped past her lips. She felt his smile as his mouth met hers.

His grip on her jaw tightened, and his lips traced a featherlight outline of her mouth. The contrast between fierce and tender had moisture gather at the junction of her thighs. Cassie sighed.

Sten growled in the back of his throat. He moved his other hand to the back of her neck. She couldn’t move her head as he nibbled her lower lip, sucking it between his.

She knew she should break contact, but instead, her body leaned into his.

As soon as she’d relented, he deepened the kiss, increasing the pressure until she opened her mouth. His tongue found hers and enticed it to dance.

Cassie’s body burned. Every nerve ending focused on her mouth mating with his.

Sten groaned again. Hooking his other hand below her knees, he slid her onto his lap, tilting her back to nibble her jaw and then her throat with his lips.

His erection throbbed against her bottom through the double layers of cloth between them. His hardness, combined with his mouth finding the perfect spot between her neck and shoulder, crushed her resistance.

Cassie melted in his arms.

His hand now caressed her breast through her sweater. Her nipples hardened, and he pinched them lightly.

In the back of her mind, she knew this was dangerous. Sten’s berserker controlled him and she didn’t know what could happen. But the danger also turned her on.

His hands made her feel so good.

Those clever fingers found their way under her shirt. His calloused palms rasped deliciously against the tender skin of her stomach, her side, then just below her breasts. One of them snuck behind her back.

She heard someone panting loudly and realized it was her. A tug on her bra snap brought her back into her body. The garment wasn’t cooperating.

Lifting his head, Sten cursed.

Cassie’s enchantment broke. Swiftly, she scooted off his lap and stood as far away as she could in the small room. When she’d caught her breath, she said, “We should slow down.”

“Why? Didn’t you like it?” It came out in a growl. His beast still had control.

That should not turn her on. She swallowed.

“That’s not the point.” She searched her overheated brain for what the point was.

“I want you. You want me. We’re both consenting adults.” He stood and took the one step that brought him right next to her.

She held up her hand.

He stopped, frowning.

“I don’t know if I want you.” Liar, she wanted him badly. “I don’t know you,” she tried instead.

Sten chuckled. “But wearegetting to know each other. I want to know you even better.” He took another step toward her.

She backed up. “That is not a good idea.”

He threw back his head and laughed. “Nothing about us has been a good idea. And yet everything between is so good. So hot.”

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