“Not now, Kaz,” I called, lifting my head. “We’re busy.”
“It’s important.”
“So is this,” I shot back. “I’ll find you later.”
A moment of silence, then: “Fine. But don’t take all day.”
Footsteps retreated down the hall, and I let out a breath. Zral’s hand cupped my cheek, turning my face back to his.
“Take us back,” he said, his voice low and intimate. “To our waterfall.”
Ourwaterfall. The words sent a thrill through me. A place that was ours, away from prying eyes and overprotective brothers. A space where we could be just us, without titles or expectations.
I smiled, leaning down to brush my lips against his. “Hold on tight.”
Crimson smoke swirled around us, and then we were there—the thundering rush of water drowning out all other sounds. The spray kissed our skin as we materialized on the stone ledge behind the falls.
Zral blinked, adjusting to the sudden change. Then his eyes found mine, and the heat in them stole my breath.
“Better?” I asked, my voice barely audible over the roar of the falls.
He didn’t answer with words. Instead, he surged forward, capturing my mouth in a kiss that scorched through my veins. His hands tangled in my hair, angling my head to deepen the kiss. I melted against him, opening to the demanding sweep of his tongue.
I tugged at his shirt, breaking the kiss long enough to pull it over his head. I traced the contours of his chest, following the patterns of tattoos that marked his skin. The bruises had faded to yellow shadows, but they were still visible and terrible reminders of everything I stood to lose.
“No more thinking about that,” he said, reading my expression. “We’re here. We’re alive.” He nipped at my earlobe. “And I want to fuck my mate until she can’t remember anything but my name.”
The crude words sent a jolt of pure lust through the cloud of fear. I lifted my chin in a challenge. “Then get to it, orc.”
Zral’s grin turned wicked. He caught my shirt hem with his thumbs and skimmed higher and higher. I lifted my arms, letting him peel the fabric away. His eyes darkened as he took in the sight of me, bare except for my bra. Large hands cupped my breasts, thumbs brushing over the sensitive peaks through the thin material.
“Beautiful,” he breathed, bending to press his lips to the swell of my breast.
Heat pooled between my thighs as he unhooked my bra with practiced ease, letting it fall away. The cool mist from the falls raised goosebumps across my skin, quickly chased away by the warmth of his mouth as he captured a nipple between his lips.
I arched into the sensation, a moan escaping me as he sucked and teased. My fingers dug into his shoulders, holding on as pleasure spiraled through me. His other hand kneaded myneglected breast, rolling the nipple between his fingers until I was panting.
“Zral,” I gasped, grinding against him. “More.”
He chuckled against my skin, the vibration sending sparks of pleasure straight to my core. “Impatient.”
“Always,” I admitted, wrapping my tail around his wrist to guide his hand lower. “Slow is for round two.”
He took the hint, fingers skimming down my stomach to the waistband of my jeans. He flipped us, laying me back against the stone and claiming my mouth in another dizzying kiss. With deft movements, he unfastened my jeans and slipped his hand inside.
“Fuck,” he groaned, his finger circling my clit. “So wet for me already.”
I bit my lip, fighting back a whimper as he teased me with light, maddening touches. “Don’t act so surprised.”
His grin was wicked as he slid a finger inside me, his thumb continuing to circle that bundle of nerves. “Never surprised. Just appreciative.”
My hips bucked against his hand as he added a second finger, stretching me in the most delicious way. He curled his fingers, finding that spot inside that made stars explode behind my eyelids.
“That’s it,” he murmured, watching my face as he worked me higher. “Let me see you fall apart.”
The pressure built, a coiling tension that wound tighter with each stroke of his fingers. I clutched at his shoulders, nails digging into his skin as I chased the release hovering just out of reach.
“Zral,” I panted, my voice breaking on his name. “I need?—”