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  His dark eyes seared hers. “If you let me in your bed, I’m not leaving.”

  She nodded as the heat inside her built again. A deep throb pulsed between her legs.

  “Ever. Do you understand?”

  She nodded again because she didn’t trust her voice. This is what she’d always wanted from him.

  “And we’re not bringing anyone else into this bed.” The possessive note in his voice made her toes curl.

  Something primal inside her she’d forgotten existed flared to life. She could feel years of evolution being stripped away as he devoured her with his eyes. She’d always wanted to welcome him into the bedroom with her and Gage, but with Linc staring at her now, she didn’t want anyone else to touch her. “I understand.”

  Linc couldn’t believe Saroya stood in front of him offering herself and he wasn’t going to pass up this opportunity. Part of him wondered if she was using him as a way to get over her grief. She’d had time to mourn but the woman was very guarded sometimes. It might be selfish to take advantage of her vulnerability but he didn’t care. He just wanted her. Wanted to sink inside her and lose himself for hours. He was starving for her touch, for the comfort only she could give.

  With trembling hands he reached for her robe and pulled it open. She tensed for a moment but when he pushed the practically see-through piece of clothing off her shoulders, she let out a long breath.

  Her hard nipples and erratic breathing spoke volumes. She wanted him. Even if she tried to deny it, she couldn’t.

  His cock felt like a heavy club between his legs. Every instinct he possessed told him to take her fast and hard. To rut like an animal. The fear of hurting her was the only thing that made him hold back.

  Her long, dark hair fell over her shoulders in soft waves. The locks fell on either side of her breasts, framing her perfection. As he drank in the sight of her, his hips jerked toward her with insistency. Yeah, his cock had a mind of its own.

  Before he could change his mind, not that there was ever much fear of that happening, he covered her mouth with his.

  His kisses were forceful, demanding, and she returned them with equal urgency. Her almost frenzied state surprised him. She tasted sweet, better than he’d fantasized about. Her hands dug into his shoulders and as their tongues danced, she moaned into his mouth.

  The moan was what set him off. Still holding her hips—maybe out of fear she’d change her mind—he lifted her and carried her to his bed. A place he’d never thought to see her. So many times he’d thought about seeking her out but it had always seemed too soon to make a move. Seeing her touching herself tonight was too much to ignore.

  Though he loathed tearing his mouth away from hers, he deposited her onto the bed. He tried to be gentle but it was hard when he had her naked and willing in front of him.

  She didn’t stay on her back. Sitting up, she grasped his belt and fumbled with it. He could have stared all day watching her try to rip his clothes off but that would mean he wouldn’t get to feel her naked body against his.

  As she worked to get it free he grabbed his tunic and peeled it off. When he did she paused and stared at his chest.

  Something inside him swelled as her mouth dropped open slightly. She stared at him unabashedly and with complete hunger. The pulse point in her neck increased wildly. When she ran her tongue over her lips, his cock jumped.

  He needed inside her. Now. Without wasting any more time he covered her mouth with his once again. She let out a surprised yelp as he pinned her to the bed and it only made him hotter. As he covered her body with his, he shimmied out of his trousers.

  Once his cock rubbed against her bare mound he growled. The sound was primal and tore from him unexpectedly. The feel of her soft pussy folds against him was too much.

  He, who was known for his stamina, wasn’t going to last long before he came.

  Saroya arched her back, rubbing her soft breasts over his chest. The feel of her hard nipples made him ache all over. His cock throbbed between his legs. If he didn’t get in her, he feared he’d come on her stomach.

  That thought brought up horror inside him. A tiny voice in his head told him to give her foreplay but he couldn’t. Something primal in him worried she’d change her mind. Tell him this was all a mistake.

  With a low growl, Linc grabbed her hips and plunged inside her. She was wet and very willing but so fucking tight.

  Saroya’s eyes widened and she expelled a small gasp as he filled her. Her inner walls expanded and molded around him. For a moment her breathing was shallow and erratic.

  Instead of pulling out and slamming back into her as his body demanded, he held very still. Shit. Had he fucked up or what. He should have tested her slickness. Played with her pussy until she was ready. What kind of animal was he?

  Her legs widened around him and for an agonizing moment he thought she was going to push him away. Instead, she wrapped her legs around his waist and rolled her hips. She moaned softly as he pushed into her again.

  Linc lost it.

  The harder he moved in her, the louder she cried out. His brain threatened to short circuit at those damn sounds.

  After covering her mouth again, his tongue danced and intertwined with hers in a way he’d only dreamed about. There was nothing soft or delicate about the way she returned his kisses.

  As he moved in and out of her, she dug her fingers into his back and held fast. With each pump into her, his ball sac pulled up tighter. The feel of her pussy gripping him, holding him, was too much. She milked him harder and harder until he couldn’t restrain himself any longer.

  Holding back a cry, he emptied himself into Saroya. Spilling his seed into her filled him with a pleasure he didn’t understand.

  But there was one thing he knew. She hadn’t come with him. Breathing raggedly, he lifted his head from her shoulder and stared into her blue eyes.

  At least his cock was still hard inside her. Considering how he felt, it would never soften again. “I’m sorry,” he whispered. In all his fantasies, making her climax had been his number-one goal.

  Her smile was soft, understanding, and it pissed him off. She should be reaming him out for treating her so roughly and not taking care of her first. He’d never felt like more of a barbarian than he did in that moment. But he intended to make it up to her.

  Staying deep inside her, he reached between them and ran his thumb around her clit. When he did, her eyes glazed over slightly.

  “Tell me what you like,” he murmured.

  “This. I like this.” Her eyes were closed and her voice unsteady.

  As he teased and tweaked her clit, he began moving inside her again. This time his movements were slow, steady, and by the feel of her contracting pussy, exactly what she wanted.

  Her inner walls tightened with each flick over her sensitive bundle of nerves. Watching the pleasure play across her face made him ache. He could watch her until she came but he desperately wanted to kiss all of her.

  Keeping his movements even, he leaned down and grasped one of her pink nipples between his teeth.

  She jerked at the tugging action. Worried he’d hurt her, he stopped. When he saw the erotic expression on her face, all his concern disappeared.

  “Don’t stop. I like that.” Her words were barely a whisper.

  Switching breasts, he kissed and licked her other nipple before tugging on it. Her entire body reacted to the caresses. Her back arched and her vagina tightened around him in rapid contractions.

  The little vixen was definitely sensitive there. He continued his assault of teasing her nipples then blowing on the moist, hardened buds while he strummed her clit.

  He could feel how close she was. Her body was tense and primed and ready to come. Somehow he knew she was holding back, though he didn’t know why.

  Shifting forward, he leaned close to her ear. When he did, she wrapped both her arms around him.

  “Come for me,” he whispered and simultaneously pinched her clit. Not hard, but with e
nough pressure to push her over the edge.

  “Linc.” She moaned his name as her pussy tightened around his cock. She milked him as her climax tore through her with no restraint. When she moaned his name again he thrust harder and faster.

  He hadn’t thought it possible but another orgasm roared through him. Not as powerful as before but with startling intensity.

  As they both rode through the waves of their climax, he finally collapsed on top of her. Using his elbows to prop himself up, he hovered above her.

  Saroya’s bright blue eyes were wide with almost wonderment. As if she couldn’t believe what they’d just done. His throat seized at the thought that she might regret it.

  Carefully he eased out of her even though it was the last thing he wanted to do. They were both sticky and he knew she’d want to clean up but for now he just wanted to be close to her. He stretched out next to her and placed a hand on her flat abdomen. For only a moment her muscles clenched then relaxed under his touch. She hadn’t said anything or made a move to leave and her breathing was still erratic and shaky. The silence wasn’t uncomfortable but he still wanted to hear her voice.

  In the short amount of time she’d lived with them she hadn’t slept in his brother’s room. He hated that he’d noticed or cared. But he had. She’d always returned to her room on the nights they were…together. Something he shouldn’t be thinking about. It would only torture him.

  “Stay with me tonight.” The words were out before he could stop himself.

  She rolled on her side to face him and smiled. Reaching out, she placed her hand on his chest and stroked her fingers over his taut skin. “Okay.”

  That word was all he needed to hear. They weren’t done for the night. Not by a long shot. He’d wanted to get her in this position for too long and he wasn’t going to waste the opportunity. By the time the night was through he planned to kiss, taste and touch every inch of her.

  Chapter Two

  Saroya stretched her arms above her head before opening her eyes. As she glanced around the room she realized Linc was gone. She reached out and touched his side of the bed. If she had to guess she’d say he’d left a while ago because it wasn’t warm.

  She’d known he had training today but she’d expected him to wake her up to say goodbye or…something. After the night they’d shared she’d thought things would be different between them. A hollow ache settled in her chest.

  Shoving aside her hurt, she got out of bed. Dwelling on it wouldn’t do her any good. The instant her feet touched the stone floor she realized how stiff she was. Her entire body was sore.

  A good sore, but she’d be feeling Linc all over her the entire day. He’d been a machine last night. She didn’t even remember falling asleep. They’d rested after the first time but he’d been insatiable.

  Hungry and lusty and exactly what she’d needed. No man had ever touched her the way he had. The last time he’d taken her from behind and he’d actually nibbled and lightly bit her neck. Like he was claiming her. The action had pushed her into another orgasm. Thinking about it, she reached up and lightly rubbed the tender spot.

  He might not have talked a lot, but considering how talented he was with his mouth and hands, he didn’t have to. That didn’t explain why he hadn’t woken her to say goodbye this morning.

  She hated that she cared but she did. The way he’d held her and taken her, she’d never experienced such a heated coupling. A shiver rolled through her and she forced herself to move toward the shower. Instead of taking one in his room she returned to hers and quickly got ready.

  Even though she was tired, she still had to teach today. Her students were at that perfect age where none of the boys had gone to Samio training yet. When they turned ten all males were sent to what basically amounted to warrior training.

  While she’d come to love Lumineta, it was a planet full of warriors and it had taken some getting used to. She’d seen enough war and violence during her twenty-eight years on her home planet to last four lifetimes. Her people had destroyed almost all their natural resources and if it hadn’t been for the Luminet warriors on a scouting mission, she and her band of friends would have died.

  Thankfully the Luminet warriors treated all people with respect and didn’t go out of their way to start wars. But they protected their unique planet with twelve moons and their limited number of females with a vengeance.

  After showering and dressing she didn’t bother using the transport platform. Her studio and classrooms were behind the house in one giant building. Something Linc had actually had built for her. Gage had told her later that it had been his brother’s idea to let her teach art to the younger members of their clan and he’d convinced their leader to give her permission. She even had a few students from one of the mountain clans sign up this moon cycle.

  The moment she entered her classroom, she smiled. Seeing the ten students in her first class already waiting in front of their easels instantly brightened her dark mood. If she’d stayed home, she’d have definitely gone mad.

  The day went by in a blur. One class blended into the next until she found herself rinsing out her brushes alone and dreaming of putting her feet up and letting Linc have it for leaving this morning the way he had. The more she thought about the way he’d practically sneaked out, the angrier she got.

  A sharp knock at her door startled her. When she turned, she found Aeron, another warrior, taking a tentative step into the room. The tall, muscular blond was a little bigger than Linc, maybe six foot seven, though somehow more approachable. He definitely had that warrior thing going on but his young son was in her class and she genuinely liked him.

  “Hi, Aeron. Finn left a while ago,” she said, referring to his son. On Lumineta there wasn’t much crime and children traveled through the transport pods or shuttles freely. She turned off the water valve and wiped her hands on her paint-stained apron.

  “I know. I came to see you.” His dark eyes were unreadable and his face impassive.

  “Ah, okay. Want to walk me home?”

  He nodded stiffly, as if being there was uncomfortable for him then moved back so she could pass him. Once outside a cool breeze rolled over them. Where they lived it was lush and warm year round and the wind was always welcome.

  When he still hadn’t spoken, she glanced at him. “Are you going to say what you came to say or make me play the question game?”

  He cleared his throat. “Are you okay? I know your mourning period is officially over.”

  She didn’t know him well enough to discuss her feelings with him. “Is that why you came to see me? To check on me?”

  He shook his head as they reached the back door of the house. Clearing his throat again, he looked suddenly nervous. “You’re friends with Brianna, yes?”

  Saroya nodded, suddenly understanding where he was headed. “Yes.”

  “My brother and I are looking to take a mate and—”

  “She’s not interested?” She already knew what he was going to say before he said it.

  He nodded. “Yes. We’ve both tried to visit her, court her, but she refuses both of us. She doesn’t act like she’s interested in anyone else either. I don’t know what to do to convince her we are serious about her.”

  “I don’t doubt she knows you’re serious. That might be the problem.”

  He frowned at her.

  “You and your brother want a mate but you also have a son. I don’t know but she might not want to be just a substitute for your deceased mate or even a mother, or…it’s possible she doesn’t want to be with two warriors.”

  “Why wouldn’t she?” He stared at her incredulously.

  Saroya sighed. Not all of the women who’d been saved from her planet had adjusted to the cultural differences and Aeron didn’t seem to understand that. She tried to take a different approach. “Have you thought about starting off casual first?”

  His scowl deepened. “Casual? I don’t want anything casual with her. And she would never be a substitu
te.” His words had more force than she expected.

  Saroya bit back a smile because she knew he wouldn’t appreciate it. Many Luminet males were similar in that manner. When they wanted something, they went after it with single-minded determination. She’d seen more than one of her friends succumb to the charms of Luminet warriors. Even though she’d been happy for her friends she’d always felt a sadness that Linc had never wanted her. Until last night anyway. She shook those thoughts away and focused on the man in front of her. “What I’m trying to say is be more subtle in your approach with her.”

  He stared at her in confusion, as if the word was foreign. “Subtle?”

  “Yes. Subtle.”

  “Huh.” He slowly nodded. “Okay, subtle. Thank you.”

  “You’re welcome. Do you need to use the transport platform inside?” She motioned with her hand toward the back door.

  He shook his head. “No, I took a shuttle.” Surprising her, he reached out and cupped her cheek.

  She nearly jerked back until she realized what he was doing.

  “You’ve got a couple smudges of paint,” he muttered as he swiped his thumb across her cheekbone.

  The touch was completely nonsexual but for some reason she felt odd having anyone but Linc touch her. Which was crazy considering they’d just made love for the first time last night.

  “Thanks. I—” Before she could finish Linc appeared from around the side of the house and came at them fast.

  He slammed Aeron against the giant wood door and held his arm against his throat. “Touch her again and lose your hand, warrior.” The words were said low but she still heard them.

  “Linc! He was just wiping paint off my face.” She rushed to them and tried to tug on his arm. The man was completely immovable. Like hard steel.

  Aeron’s face was turning red from the pressure of Linc’s arm but he didn’t fight back. He nodded once and Linc let him go.

  “What is wrong with you, Linc?” She tugged his arm again but he refused to look at her. He still glared daggers at Aeron who hadn’t moved from his position by the door.