Barbarian's Prize(56)

Of course, perving on Salukh makes me feel another stab of guilt that we’re here, perfectly safe in the Elders’ Cave with a nice fire, food to eat, and a roof over our heads. We’re out of the wind and the snow while Josie and Taushen are out in the elements. I think for a moment and then look over at Salukh as a new thought occurs to me. “I’m surprised Taushen didn’t put up a fight, you know.”

He looks over at me, eyes gleaming in the firelight. “A fight? Over what?”

I refuse to let his confusion stab at my ego. “That he didn’t protest when you told him you were staying with me. It’s odd he didn’t say a thing, considering how excited he was over this trip.” He was the only one excited. Well, maybe Josie, until we got here and the surgery machine was broken. Poor Josie.

Salukh shrugs his wide shoulders. “He did not complain because he knew he had lost.”

I frown. “What do you mean, he knew he’d lost?”

“I told him that you were my mate.”

My jaw drops. “You what?”

The gaze he focuses on me is utterly serious, utterly heartfelt. “You are mine, Tee-fah-nee. You are my woman and my mate. I know this to be true.”

I stare at him, and then I sputter for a moment when no sensible words spring to mind. Eventually, I manage a shocked, “B-b-but we didn’t resonate! We can’t be mates!”

“We have not resonated yet,” he says. “Patience. It is only a matter of time. Our khuis must simply catch up with our hearts.”

He’s utterly serious. There’s no question in his mind that I’m his. It doesn’t matter that the symbiont that plays matchmaker hasn’t kicked in. To him, I’m his just as surely as if our chests were purring in unison.

My heart aches. I’m not sure if it’s aching with love for him and his confidence, or sadness that we haven’t resonated and he might be wrong. I don’t want to love him only to lose him.

“Oh, Salukh,” I say softly. “You should have said something to me.”

That sexy half-smile curves his mouth. “I have always known this, my mate. I was simply waiting for you to realize it.”

It dawns on me that one of the things I find so irresistible about Salukh is this: his utter confidence. He truly has no doubt in his mind that I’m his mate. That if we wish hard enough, everything else will just fall into place.

I wish I possessed the same confidence.

But I smile and extend a hand to him. He takes it and presses my fingers to his mouth. I feel such love for him, but I’m terrified of it, also. I’m terrified of everything.

“It is all right.” He moves to my side and caresses my cheek. “I see the worry in your eyes.”

I shake my head and slide out of the chair, moving into his arms. “Then make me think of something other than worry.”

A playful smile of arousal curves his mouth. He gazes at me, and then leans in so his nose can rub against mine. “Do you think to distract me, Tee-fah-nee?”

Absolutely. It’s not just to distract him, though, it’s for me, too. I want to forget about everything but him for the moment. I want the world to go away for a while. I want nothing to exist except for us for a while.

I slide my hand down his chest and then lower, caressing the erect bulge in his leggings. “Looks to me like you are quite willing to be distracted.”

“I am a simple man,” he murmurs, then nips at my lower lip with a sexy little bite. “If my woman wishes to play, who am I to say no?”

His woman. The title feels unsettling. I do want to be his, but I’m…afraid. I smile brightly at him to hide my worry and rub his cock through his leggings. He’s hard as rock, already, and my mouth waters at the thought of a new round of teasing pleasure. Salukh is so wonderful; I want to do more for him than just teasing kisses and petting. And I know just what I can do to blow his mind.

I kiss him hard, my mouth on his, our tongues twining. Then, I give him a gentle push on the shoulder, indicating he should lean back. He does, his eyes gleaming with interest as I crawl over him. I’m going to seduce this big, beautiful man, and suck his cock until he cries out.

Just the thought gets me wet with excitement, and I straddle him, my hips over his. In this position, I feel small against him. His entire body is much bigger than mine, but I still feel safe. Salukh would never hurt me, never lose his temper. He would never take me against my will or try to punish me by forcing me to do things I don’t want to. Which is why I want to do this for him. I want to lick him all over and drag my mouth over the ridges of his cock. I want to tongue his spur. I want to see the look on his face when I blow his mind as I blow his cock. I want to give him this, because he’s given me so much. He’s loved me and never doubted me, not once.