“Don’t worry. We’ve got it!” Kee shouted back.
I disabled my comm implant. If they needed to get ahold of me, they could use the ship’s intercom. The door to my quarters slid open at our approach. Torran glanced around at the office, then unerringly strode for the bedroom.
Despite my desire, the nerves that I hadn’t experienced earlier decided to make their presence known. I wanted Torran and he wanted me, but getting completely naked with someone for the first time was always a little awkward.
Rather than placing me on the bed, Torran let my legs down and carefully set me on my feet. He ran his hands from my shoulders to my fingertips, then held my hands. “I would very much like to take you to bed,” he growled, his pupils blown. Silver spread through his irises, brightening his eyes.
“I would like that, too,” I assured him. I glanced up at him from under my lashes. “I seem to recall a certain former general making some very bold promises a few days ago.”
Torran gave me a look of such intense, searing yearning that I nearly combusted on the spot. “And I plan to keep every one,” he ground out, his voice gravel and sin.
I reached up and wrapped my hand around the back of his head. I played with his short hair for a moment, loving the soft feel of it against my palm, then I drew his head down and met him halfway. Firm and warm, his lips glided over mine with gentle pressure.
Until I licked him.
Then the kiss changed, deepening and heating. His tongue slid into my mouth with greedy little licks, sending shivers down my spine. I arched into him and his arms supported me and clutched me close. I felt desired and protected.
And so very, very hot.
Torran’s hand crept up my ribs and glided over my breast. My nipples tightened, and I sucked in a breath.
He pulled back and met my eyes. “Okay?”
“So good,” I assured. I tapped his armor. “Let’s peel you out of that, yeah?”
I helped Torran remove his armor and base layer, and he helped me remove my shirt and pants, leaving us both in our undergarments. I wished I had worn something sexier, and I wished my skin wasn’t marred with scars, but based on the heat in Torran’s eyes, he didn’t mind at all.
I ran my hands up his chest, something I’d wanted to do ever since I’d seen him in the pool. His skin was flawless once again, thanks to Havil’s healing ability, and his muscles tensed and flexed under my exploring fingers. I pressed a kiss to his pec and let my tongue flicker out for a taste. He groaned deep in his chest.
He guided my mouth back to his, kissing me deeply before sliding his lips across my jaw and down my neck. He fingered the edge of my bra. “May I remove this?”
Rather than answering, I unclasped it and let the fabric slide down my arms. He tossed it away and then his hot mouth closed around my nipple at the same time his power swept down my body, phantom fingers against my skin. Pleasure exploded and I arched into him, holding him in place.
My legs turned wobbly. “Bed,” I gasped.
Torran lifted me and I wrapped my legs around his waist. Two thin pieces of fabric were all that separated us, and his length nudged exactly where I wanted him. Maybe beds were overrated.
Torran turned his attention to my neglected breast and I briefly wondered if anyone had died of pleasure—right before I lost the ability to think at all.
I rocked against him, mindless and wanting, while he whispered Valovan endearments against my skin.
“What are you saying?” I asked with a moan as he hit a particularly fantastic spot. I slid against him again, chasing bliss.
“My darling, my love, my precious heart,” he murmured, his voice dark with an edge of a growl. “So beautiful and desirable. I want you so much.”
“Then have me,” I demanded. “Now.”
“Patience,” he growled.
“Patience later. Satisfaction now.” I let my legs drop from around his waist and shimmied my underwear off, beyond awkwardness. The proof of his desire was unmistakable, and his words had driven me to the edge.
His power swept down my body again, and it felt like he touched me everywhere. I sucked in a breath as invisible hands caressed my breasts. I glanced up and found Torran watching me closely.
“Are you okay with me using my ability like this?” he asked.
I nodded, beyond words.
He tipped my head back, his thumb tracing a burning path across my skin. “Will you allow me to share your pleasure?”
“Like in the shower?” At his nod, I shivered, remembering the feel of his desire. How much better would it be now that I could touch him? My stomach clenched, and I demanded, “Yes.”
His mind brushed against mine with a cool rush that couldn’t disguise the burning desire he felt. “You are so lovely,” he murmured.
I could feel the truth in the words, and in this moment, with his power swirling around us and his fiery gaze tracing over my body, I felt like it. And I wanted him to feel as good as I did right now.
I touched his waistband and waited for permission. He nodded, his jaw clenched, and I slowly slipped the last piece of clothing down his legs. He was perfect, long and thick, and I found some patience after all.
I slid to my knees before he could stop me and licked him once, twice. His groan sounded like it was torn from the bottom of his soul, and fiery pleasure burned through our connection. I gasped against the onslaught as every muscle tightened.
“Bed,” he growled. “Now.”
The demand brought me back to myself, and I grinned up at him, pleased by how the tables had turned. But before I could lick him again, he picked me up and tossed me onto the bed as if I weighed nothing. I bounced once and then he was there, caging me with the lean, hard strength of his body.
His hand slipped down my chest and over my belly until he found the proof of my desire, slick and hot. He stroked me with light teasing touches, feeding my desire back to me tinged with the scorching heat of his. His power skimmed over my skin, until I writhed under him and threatened him with death if he didn’t give me what I wanted.
Only then did he slide a finger deep, hitting a place that made the world explode with pleasure. Torran groaned against my shoulder as he shared the shattering bliss through our connection.
I was still riding the ripples when he was there, hard and broad against me. I could feel the iron band of his control, and I wanted nothing more than to drive him past it. I lifted my hips and he sank home, one delicious centimeter at a time.
My desire ignited anew, stoked by his, and I shifted under him, chasing the friction that would push us both over the edge. He groaned into my neck, then his lips covered mine in a fierce, frantic kiss. “Open your eyes,” he whispered.