Page 27 of Game on Askole

Heat flared in Tihar’s eyes, and his mouth fastened on mine. His tongue slipped between my lips, stroking me until pleasure lit up my nerves like lightning.

Those sneaky tentacles slid over my breasts, delivering nipping stings. My pussy clenched. My skin burned for his touch, and I had a sudden, overpowering need to fuck Tihar blind. No. No. No. This was bad on so many levels. I had to stop this before I did something stupid.

I broke the kiss.“Whoa! Slow it down. You need to court me first, remember?”

“For a thousand nights and beyond, I will give you utter ecstasy. I will love you as you have never been loved before.”There was a tantalizing tenderness in his touch.

God, I wanted him so badly, but if I gave in, I would lose my humanity. How did you scare off an Askole warrior? Easy. Make him think you’re batshit crazy.“Don’t forget, before you show me the thousand delights, we need to get to know each other, exchange a few kisses, and you bring me gifts.”

“What type of gifts?”Tihar seemed to be interested in my answers.

“Flowers or chocolate or a knife or a skunk to put on Voss’s warbird.”

“Skunk?”

I sent Tihar a mental picture of skunk.“The little guy releases a spray that stinks so bad, it drives away even the most ferocious predator. Say, like a warlord.”

“You are a truly devious female.”

“Why, thank you. Could you put me down?”

Tihar set me on my feet.“Tell me more of this courting.”

“Human males find out what interests their potential mates. Me? I love antiquing— hunting for lost treasures. I want to explore all the ruins on this planet.”

“The surface of Tanith is a radioactive wasteland,”Tihar pointed out.

“The danger is what makes it so exciting. Think of how challenging it is to find historical objects in the charred ruins of a lost city.”

“You would risk facing the naugers for these relics.”

“Naugers?”

The image of a bulbous body with a long snakelike neck and the head of a raptor formed in my mind. The nauger’s mouth opened, exposing needle-sharp teeth. Holy shit!“I thought every living thing was killed in the bombings?”

“The Alliance unleashed the naugers on Tanith. They are immune to radiation poisoning and breed rapidly. The warlords hunt them for sport.”

“Doesn’t that sound like fun?”

Tihar’s tentacles stood up in surprise.“You wish to hunt them?”

I wanted to say,Are you nuts?Instead, I did my crazy warrior-woman act.“Mwah-hah-hah, I live for the hunt.”

A black blur zipped toward us.

I pointed. “You expecting someone?”

“It is my father.” Was there a hint of alarm in Tihar’s voice?

A very unhappy Detja appeared in front of us.“This is a breach of my hospitality, Tihar.”

“Sarah is my chosen,”Tihar stated firmly.

“She has been promised to Lothel. Do you wish to violate the treaty your father signed with the Overlord? Think hard. Do you wish to start a war over an ordinary female?”

There was nothing ordinary about me. Talk about insulting.

Tihar flashed his fangs in a blatant challenge.“I will fight Lothel for Sarah.”

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