Page 18 of Resisting the Wicked Orc

His laugh rumbled through me. “Oh, Red. We’ve barely started suffering.”

He captured my mouth again, this kiss deeper, hungrier. His hands slid under my shirt, palms hot against my chilled skin. I arched into his touch, my body singing with need.

“Off,” I demanded, tugging at his shirt. “I want to feel you.”

He complied, breaking the kiss just long enough to pull the wet fabric over his head. I drank in the sight of him—broad shoulders, powerful chest covered in intricate clan tattoos, abs that rippled with each breath. Green skin gleamed in the silvery moonlight, making him look like something carved from jade and shadow.

I reached for the hem of my own shirt, wincing as the movement pulled at my wound.

“Let me,” Zral said, his voice dropping to a growl that sent shivers down my spine.

He eased the wet fabric up slowly, his knuckles grazing my ribs, the undersides of my breasts. I lifted my arms, letting him pull the shirt over my head. Cool air kissed my skin as his gaze devoured me.

“Fucking hell,” he breathed, hands hovering just above my skin. “You’re even more beautiful than I imagined.”

“You’ve been imagining me naked?” I arched an eyebrow, fighting the urge to cover myself.

His grin turned wicked. “Since the moment you told me to fuck off this morning.”

“That’s what does it for you?” I snickered, the sound bouncing against the stone walls. “Being shut down?”

“No.” He dragged a line from the hollow of my throat, down between my breasts, to my naval. “What does it for me is a woman who knows exactly what she wants and isn’t afraid to say it.” His palms finally made contact, settling on the curve of my waist. “So tell me, Rava. What do you want?”

What did I want? Freedom. Power. Control over my own destiny.

But right now, with water streaming down our bodies and the roar of the falls drowning out the world, what I wanted was much simpler.

“You.” I hooked a finger under the waistband of his pants, tugging him closer. “I want you.”

He hooked a hand behind my neck and pulled me against him, capturing my mouth in another soul-searing kiss. His hands roamed my bare back, exploring every dip and curve like he was memorizing me. Like he couldn’t get enough of touching me.

Need pulsed inside me, driving out thought and doubt. I buried my fingers in his hair, arching against him as he closed his mouth over my nipple. Fire sparked low in my belly as hesucked and nibbled, teasing me with teeth and tongue. My hips bucked involuntarily, seeking relief, pressure, anything.

“Greedy little thing, aren’t you?” His chuckle vibrated through my chest as he switched to my other breast.

“You have no idea.” I reached between us, palming him through his wet jeans. He was huge, thick and hard against my hand. A shiver of anticipation ran through me. “Take these off.”

He lifted his hips, helping me tug his pants down his thighs. His cock sprang free, jutting proudly from a nest of dark curls. My mouth watered at the sight. He was magnificent—thick and long, with a prominent vein running the underside and a glistening drop at the tip.

I wrapped my hand around him, stroking slowly from base to tip. His breath hitched, hips jerking up into my touch.

“Rava...” His voice was rough, almost a groan. He threw his head back, exposing the strong column of his throat. I leaned forward, unable to resist the temptation.

I pressed a trail of kisses along his jaw, swirling my tongue against the pulse point in his neck. His stubble scratched my skin, deliciously rough. I nipped at his collarbone, relishing his moan. His hands slid to my ass, gripping my curves like he couldn’t get enough of me.

“I want to taste you,” he murmured against my ear, his breath hot on my skin.

Before I could respond, Zral shifted, lifting me slightly and setting me beside him on the ledge. He slid off the rocky overhang and back into the water with barely a splash. My tail flicked with anticipation as his gaze traveled slowly up my legs to the apex of my thighs.

“May I?”

I nodded, and he deftly popped the button of my jeans. He peeled my soaked jeans down my legs, taking my panties with them, both landing in a wet slap next to me. Goosebumps racedacross my damp skin, though the heat still pumping through my veins kept me from shivering.

His hands skimmed up my thighs, spreading them wide. I braced myself on my arms, watching pure, naked hunger darken his eyes.

“So fucking beautiful,” he murmured, pressing a kiss to my inner thigh.

My breath hitched as his mouth moved higher, trailing hot kisses along sensitive skin. His tusks grazed me lightly, the slight edge of danger only heightening my arousal. When he reached my center, he paused, looking up at me with a wicked grin.

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