Page 82 of Decadence

But now he also knew that he could withstand the terrible torture of the Mating Fever, no matter how bad it became.

Even when he knew without a doubt that she wanted him, too.

Because what good would he be to her if he let himself succumb to temptation; if he ended up fucking dead because he couldn’t control himself?

Patience.

Soon.

Soon she would truly understand what it meant to be Claimed by a Kordolian male.

And he would make sure that she never wanted for anything or anyone else ever again.

Chapter Twenty

Hand in hand, they walked through the dark, sloping, winding corridors. Sienna became lost in a maze of curves and shadows, drowning in the dark heat of Ikriss’s gaze.

They had a small entourage now; Jaxis, Rykal, and Arin, the trio staying far enough behind to give them a little privacy.

If Sienna were a suspicious kind of person, she would almost think this accidental encounter with Ikriss in the corridors had actually been very intentional.

Ikriss’s warm fingers closed possessively around hers.

She could hardly believe she was here; that this powerful alien male was actually… courting her.

“You don’t have to be so worried about me,” he murmured, his voice a low, deep rumble that sent a ripple of goosebumps across her arms and down the back of her neck.

She glanced up at him in surprise. Ikriss met her eyes and smiled, flashing his fangs in a way that she found strangely adorable. “Believe me, I’ve endured much worse. And it’s nothing. I would do it a thousand times over.”

Oh.

Nobody had ever pledged themselves to her like this before.

How was this man such a walking contradiction? He could be ruthless and cruel and violent, and yet he could say and do things that made her feel like she’d been wrapped in a warm cocoon of ovary-melting, protective Kordolian male goodness.

“It’s not nothing,” she growled as they walked through yet another unravelling doorway. “Don’t you dare downplay it just because you’re a big tough warrior guy. I am allowed to take care of you.”

“A thousand times over,” he repeated, still smiling as he effortlessly switched to speaking English. “Come, now. The more time I spend with you, the more excruciating it becomes, and yet I am somehow learning to tolerate it.” He leaned in as they passed through a small antechamber type room, momentarily disappearing from the scrutiny of their little entourage. “If I had my way, I would claim you right now, my sweet little human.” He took a deep breath, his nostrils flaring. “You are so ready for me. I can smell it on you.”

She glanced down and saw the bulge in his trousers. From that glimpse alone, she got the feeling he was… huge.

Sweet stars.

What on Earth had she done to deserve this total wet-dream of a male?

She trembled a little as he caressed the small of her back and gave her a quick, cheeky kiss, his warm lips searing the delicate spot just behind her earlobe. “I want to taste you so badly,” he murmured, his lips grazing her ear. “I want to see your sweet little face scrunched up in pleasure just the way it was when you made yourself climax in front of me. Only next time, I will be certain to make you scream.”

As his breath feathered her cheek, Sienna peered through a short dark hallway, catching a glimpse of the glistening dark water beyond. “You’re something else, Kordolian,” she hissed as she caught sight of two figures silhouetted against the vast backdrop of space. “Stop teasing me. There are people all around us. I swear to god, there is no privacy on this damn ship.” She was blushing again.

His scent surrounded her, taunting her with its potent promise.

She was aroused as all hell. Being this close to this man was driving her insane.

She walked forward, lost and totally disorientated, with no idea of what lay in wait in the cavernous space beyond.

But she didn’t care, because she had Ikriss by her side.

She was in the safest place in the Universe.

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