Page 95 of Theirs to Crave

Revik and Litha pushed up, levering themselves out of the water, and Zaf followed, carrying me with him.

He lifted me high, pressed tight to his chest.

I yelped, gripping the wet fur covering his shoulder with both fists as he started running. I fell forward over his back, disgruntled. Between bouncing strides, I yelled, “Not want...food...in my mouth!Rek!”

Their laughter rolled through the jungle.

Zaf’s hand came down on my ass, sending a sharp crack of sensation down to my toes. My pussy clenched. Brat mode activated, I braced myself against his back with one arm and reached down with the other. My slap wasn’t as loud, thanks to the fur, but his affronted sound made me giggle.

He growled playfully, flicking me on the back of the head with his tail as his hand—still cupping my butt—tightened.

Dizzy joy filled me.

Silly, feral, sensitive Zaf. Thoughtful, poetic, sensual Litha. Broody, tender, bossy Revik. All mine. This was going to be so much fun.

Here’s praying I didn’t fuck it up.

Chapter 28

Revik

“Ineed your help.”

Naryanuh stared at me,aibrowsbunched together, looking just like his sister. She’d worn the same expression at the end of the morning meal, when Litha’d shaken her head at Estrayuh’s suggestion we continue the sexual exploration she and Zaf had started.

“Wayt, wayt, wayt, oll aye doo iz wayt!” our little Hyunan had wailed, collapsing into the cushions. She’d shaken one tiny, clawless finger, and snarled, “Yore saydists, thahts wut yoo arr. Yoo theenk its funny too mayk maye ohvarees bloo azsoru.”

Her words had been incomprehensible, but her feelings were obvious. I’d fought to hold back my laughter as I’d offered her a juicy bite ofsoru. She’d shoved it away as if it were moldylellek, a disgusted pout pushing out her lower lip. When I prowled over her, caging her with my body, her expression had shifted—eyes going wide as that sweet little mouth parted.

“We’ve made promises. People are expecting us.”

“But before—” she’d whined.

“No.” Desire had been pumping from her, and I’d had to have a little taste. The flesh of her throat was tender, the pulse beneath a tempting flutter. “I will not be satisfied by a quick mating,Lelesha. Not in any way. I need to soak in your cries of pleasure and whimpers of pain. See you come apart, pinned between the three of us.”

Estrayuh had made a high, wavering noise. “Fukk,Revik. Jeezus. Ohkai.” She’d craned her neck, catching Zaf’s heated stare, and continued in Teterayuh. “We go. You carry me. We go fast. Come home. Fast.”

“What you want?” Naryanuh demanded belligerently, shattering the memory.

My lip curled before I controlled myself. This was myLelesha’sbrother. I was asking for his aid. Snarling at him because I’d rather be balls deep in his sister than talking to him wouldn’t get me what I wanted in either case.

Kurz laughed, his dancing eyes missing none of my struggles. He clapped me on the shoulder, cupped the back of Naryanuh’s neck with significantly more gentleness, and strolled away towards the village food stores, a brace ofikfritbumping against his back.

Naryanuh’s eyes followed him, one side of his mouth curled up.

Curiosity pinged, momentarily distracting me. The last time we hunted together, Kurz shared his confusion about the distance that had grown between the two men. Something had shifted in Naryanuh, and my friend was concerned he’d offended him—perhaps broken an unknown Hyunan rule of behavior.

Whatever had risen between them seemed to be gone now, and I was glad to see it. After everything Kurz had endured lastseason cycle, it was good to hear him laugh with his heart behind it again.

Estrayuh’s brother turned back to me, his face growing stony as he crossed his arms over his chest.

I didn’t blink. Saytireka’s disapproval bore sharper teeth, and I’d long since learned to stand my ground against her.

Besides, it was easier this way. Since I would not earn his esteem, I need not worry about diplomatic maneuvering. I kept my voice flat.

“I desire Estrayuh for my mate.”

“No.” Naryanuh’s refusal was just as blunt.

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