Because if I tell her, she will hate me. She will reject me and leave me in these darkened tunnels alone… and I’m not sure I’ll find the strength to go on without her by my side. I can’t lose Maya now. I need this female more than I need to live.

I just want one more day with her. A chance to see her smile again, to hear her laugh. Is that too much to ask? One day to enjoy her company before I reveal it all?

“Volan, are you okay?”

Maya asks. Her hand caresses my arm, soothing.

She trusts me...

If I am to be worthy of that trust, then I must earn it. I may have lost my honor, but I can restore it. If Maya has taught me one thing, it’s that we define ourselves in the moments of our desperation.

I’ll give her everything she has ever asked for, everything that she deserves. I’ll show her my kingdom. I’ll make her my Queen, and then, I’ll order my armies to free her beloved people from their corrupt leaders. I’ll see to it that this little female who has been so poorly treated throughout her life will become the most respected on Atraxis. No one will ever wrong her again, otherwise they will face me personally.

“Can you do something for me?” she asks.

“Anything,” I reply without hesitation. I’d give her the entire planet if I could.

“Kiss me.”

“Kiss you?” I blink down at her. I had expected her to ask me to wage war or to personally seek out her enemies… Instead, her cheeks have the faintest color to them, barely perceptible on her dark skin.

“Just once, I want to feel lo—cared for. I trust you Volan. Please, take care of me,” her plea is whispered, her voice husky.

“You are,” I tell her. My lips press against hers. Not hard and demanding, but soft. I have a tendency to push people around me to their limits, and Maya has met hers today. She’s far stronger than I ever imagined. I couldn’t admire her more. So when she asks for me to show how much she means to me, her request couldn’t be easier to fulfill.

She means more than life.

She moans as my tongue grazes her teeth. It’s nearly my undoing. I’m always hard around her. Always needy. Her little pants and gasps threaten to take me over that edge of pleasure. But not without hers first. She will always come first.

“I’m going to take such good care of you,” I groan into the warmth of her mouth. I take her kisses from her, demand everything from her…

My lips move from hers to her neck. I nip at her with sharp teeth, enjoying the way she gasps. She’s completely willing and trusting in my arms, tilting her head back to reveal her slender neck. So vulnerable. All mine to protect and savor. Mine to pleasure.

My hand wraps around her breast, squeezing. I want to tear the fabric away, but some level of sanity remains. I can’t parade her through my city later naked. I refuse to allow another male to gaze upon her soft flesh, coveting what is mine. If she were in my chambers, it would be a different matter though—her clothing would be rags already.

Maya must sense my urgency, or feel it herself, as she’s quick to peel her clothing off. I pause long enough for the fabric to be removed, before I’m latching onto her perky nipple. It’s already a hard little bead, just begging for attention.

She whimpers, her hands threading through my hair as I feast upon her.

“Yes, Volan,” she mutters as my other hand plucks at the other lonely bud. Her scent floods the room, ripe with her arousal. I breathe it deep into my lungs, imprinting it to memory. This is what she asked for. This is what she deserves—her every pleasure given to her. I won’t stop for anything. Not even when she begs. By the time I am done with her, she will be the most thoroughly loved female in the universe.

My teeth graze down her stomach, nipping at the soft flesh. I glance up at her when she raises herself onto elbows. Her wide eyes are heated. They flutter when my heated breath ghosts over her lower lips. Beneath my hands, her thighs quiver. She’s so very close already.

I gaze down at her slickness with pride. She’s ready for me. I’ve made her feel this way. Me.

I dip my finger into her, catching her arousal and bringing it to my lips. Her sweetness explodes upon my tongue. I could feast upon her for the rest of my life and never grow thirsty.

“I’m ready,” Maya declares. Her hips buck beneath me, unfulfilled need running through her veins.

“I plan to take my time with you,” I tell her. Her eyes glare at me in return, which only brings an answering smirk to my lips.

Maya’s fingers grip my hair, tugging painfully at my scalp. It only heightens my own pleasure, my desire to pin her down and have my way with her.

“Oh, my little halvi, you thought you were in control, did you?”

I run my tongue through her folds, giving her clit a light suck. Maya arches beneath me so violently that I am nearly thrown off. Her climax washes over her. A breathless cry echoes around us as her legs quiver, squeezing against my ribs. She practically sobs her pleasure.

I grin up at her. Next time she explodes, it’ll be around my finger. And maybe I’ll have her mouth wrapped around my cock, sucking me dry. Only once she’s begging me, will I give her what she truly needs. Of course, she’ll be on her hands and knees. Maybe later on her back too.