9
Malin capturedSurah's lips even as his free arm slid around her waist, pulling her as close as possible in the tight confines of the transport. His lips stroked hers, subtly lengthened fangs nipping at her mouth, just shy of drawingblood.
Surah shuddered, not bothering to control the movement. Malin’s lips were soft against hers, the skin smooth and slightly salty, in contrast to the hardness of his chest pressed against her softer curves. For once she felt free to show what she felt. What she wanted, and needed. But with freedom came doubt. She tore her mouth from Malin’s, hands rising to hischest.
“Malin, if you’re playing games withme….”
The gargoyle’s lip pulled up over a fang. “Am I the court jester? I am tired of the barrier between us. A barrier of our own making. Tonight, it comesdown.”
“For how long?” Surahwhispered.
Malin inhaled sharply, exhaled slowly, a steely look coming into his eyes. “For now. For always. Do you understand? I claim you as mine. There is no one else forme.”
The walk to her unit was silent. Their hands brushed, they walked that close. Surah wondered if Malin would change his mind, rethink this first consummation of a relationship they’d both foolishly denied for so many years now. And knew that thought was stupid. Malin didn’t change his mind, once he said it was made up.Ever.
As Surah pressed her palm against the plate to unlock the door, she turned to Malin. “If you’vechanged—”
The gargoyle stepped into Surah, forcing them to back up into the apartment. “Don’t insult me. What have I always said about making adecision?”
“Just do it,” Surah said, darkly. She remembered the advice well–usually given when she was too slow on a training field. And realized what a hypocrite Malin was. How long had the male avoided speaking of his feelings? She would have called him on it, but the look in Malin’s eyes warned her notto.
Malin slowly backed her into the couch, a large, plush leather sofa good for extended naps and, well...now, fucking,evidently.
“What kind of lover will you be?” she asked, voice unsteady. “Slow and gentle? Or hard andrough?”
He caressed her lips with his thumb, face impassive, eyes hot. “What kind of lover do you want?” Hooking a foot around her heel, Malin tumbled her onto the couch, covering Surah so that the view of the apartment was completely blocked out by the gargoyle lying atopher.
She smoothed her hands along the hardness of his chest, the muscles flexing under her touch, echoing the pulsing hardness pressing against her abdomen, evidence of a desire let loose to ravage. She lifted her head and tried to kiss Malin, craving the feel of his lips. Malin evaded the kiss, instead trailing the tip of his tongue along her throat, Surah tilting her head to give him betteraccess.
“I know about Geza’s parties,” Malin said, mouth pressed against Surah's ear. Hot breath wafted into the orifice; Surah shuddered, the air sending tingles along her spine, her clit sparking to life. Malin buried his hand in her hair, jerking her head back to look at Malin. “I know about thetoysGeza delights in providingyou.”
Surah stilled, her wandering hands clenching around Malin’s biceps. She’d never pretended to be a complete innocent. Geza’s sister had to remain virgin in case he wanted to marry her off, but her little brother wasn’t a complete hypocrite–he’d made sure she had plenty of lovers to choose from who knew how to provide pleasure without complete penetration “Malin, they meant nothing. It wasonly—”
Malin shook his head sharply. “I don’t care what you did then. But now–no more. I won’t be able to control mytemper.”
“So you’ll be a jealous lover?” Surah asked, taunting himsoftly.
“Not be, am. And I am your mate, will be your husband, not just yourlover.”
Surah's hands resumed their leisurely explorations. Sliding under his shirt, she felt hot, silky smooth skin as perfect as a marble statue. Her stonelover.
The second kiss was even better than the first. Their tongues thrust in and out of each other’s mouths, teasing and seeking to conquer. His tongue competed with her own, the mingled taste of wine and heat and male an aphrodisiac. Surah ran her fingers through the inky strands of his long hair, loving the feel of the slick strands between herfingers.
She looked up into his eyes even as the gargoyle rose up slightly and began to tug on the waistband of her buttery leggings, fear clamping down on her heart. If Surah had felt motivated before to perfect her research, find a cure, it was no comparison to the clawing sense of urgency she now felt. She couldn’t find Malin only to lose him when it was in her power to prevent theloss.
“Whatever you’re thinking,” Malin said, tossing her leggings away, “stop. Think only of me and what I make youfeel.”
His head was between her legs, strong hands splaying her legs wide, tongue controlling her pleasure as he licked andteased.
“So much time wasted,” she gasped. “God, that feels so good. Why didn’t you speaksooner?”
Malin lifted his head, watched the play of emotion over Surah's face, a deep, dark satisfaction in his eyes. “I wasn’t certain of your...regard.”
She stifled a moan as Malin moved down her body, teeth nipping sharp little bites on the inside of her thighs. “Are you surenow?”
The Prince said nothing, allowing his actions to do his talking. All Surah's doubts, her fears, evaporated. There was nothing but the couch underneath her and Malin above. Nothing but the realization of a dream. Surah only hoped it wouldn’t turn into a nightmare–the kind where she was given a taste of heaven only to have it snatched awayagain.
“Take my clothes off,” she said, fingers tracing the bones of Malin’s face. The Prince had the harsh, wild beauty famed in his family. Stark, chiseled bones combined with shapely mouths, and they always kept their bodies honed. Malin pulled back, pushing Surah's hands away from his chest and beginning to unbutton her blouse. He pushed aside cloth, unhooking her bra and nearly ripping it from her if she hadn’t shrugged out of it. He stared as her breasts swung free, then cupped her flesh in his hands, teasing her nipples as she hissed from thepleasure.
