“No one said anything about sleeping,” I tell him, and step into the furs. Then, I turn and give him a sultry look and begin to peel my clothing off my body.
His eyes gleam with understanding. “Back to the furs, but not for sleep.”
“Bingo.” I undo the laces at my neck. I’m wearing several layers of warm clothing, and they’re not sexy, but it doesn’t matter. I feel sexy around him, regardless of what I have on.
“I shall not even ask what that word means,” he murmurs, and when my laces are loosened, he helps me pull the heavy outer tunic over my head. I have a second layer on underneath, and it comes off just as quickly, leaving me in my leggings and the wrap I use as a bra.
“It means you’re about to get lucky,” I tell him.
He snorts. “I already am lucky. Am I not here with you?”
He always knows just what to say to flatter a girl. “Then get naked so I can enjoy that fine body of yours, too.”
Salukh doesn’t need much convincing. He strips off his vest and the blades he wears strapped to his body within moments, and then starts to remove his pants. I pause to admire him – because how can I not? The most gorgeous man on the planet is stripping for me.
My mouth goes dry as he drops his leggings to his ankles and straightens. His cock is already growing erect, and it seemingly lengthens as I gaze at him. Damn. “I’m such a lucky woman.”
“I thought it was I who was to get the luck?” He finishes pulling his pants off with ease and tosses them aside. “My mate is beautiful, and smart, and eager to play in the furs. Surely I am the one with all the luck this day.”
I giggle, because he’s bastardizing the saying and it’s so darn adorable. I’m practically giddy with happiness. Is this all it took to feel whole? Acknowledging that I can’t let the past rule my life?
Wish I’d done it sooner.
No, I correct myself. I’m glad things happened as they did. If they hadn’t, I wouldn’t be here now with Salukh, alone and about to have what will surely be awesome sex. The only worry I have is Josie, and like Salukh said – she made her choice. She wanted to go. She assured me she could do the journey, and she was excited to test herself. I can’t keep second-guessing that, so I just won’t think about it any longer.
Time to get naked, instead. I undo the waist-band of my pants, but pulling them down is a bit trickier. With my injured ankle, my balance is crap and I wobble and pitch forward trying to remove my clothes, only to be caught by Salukh before I smack into the ground.
“Careful,” he tells me. “I do not want my mate to hurt herself undressing when I have two hands. Shall I undress you? It would be my pleasure.”
How can I resist that? I sit, perched in his lap as he gently pulls my tangled clothing from my limbs. He smooths a big hand down my newly bare legs, and I shiver at the feel of his touch. Even though the khui keeps me warm, his body still feels that much warmer than mine. It’s like snuggling with a heated blanket, and given that we landed on a planet of eternal winter? It’s addictive. I can’t stop running my hands all over that velvety skin, and he touches me everywhere he can in response.
Then he tugs at the band I have around my breasts. “Take this off.”
I undo the knot at the front and let the leather slide to the ground, and then I’m naked on his lap. He leans in and nuzzles my neck, licking and kissing at my skin. “My beautiful mate,” he murmurs. “Lovely in every way.”
In his arms, I do feel lovely. I feel cherished and whole. He’s been so good to me every step of the way, endlessly patient with my hang-ups and my worries. No woman is as lucky as me to have someone like him. “I love you,” I whisper again. “Thank you for never doubting me.”
He pulls back and gives me a surprised look. “Doubt you? You are mine. What is there to doubt? I know it here,” he points at his head, “even if this part of me does not realize it yet.” He taps his chest. “It will come in time.”
I nod. Even if it doesn’t, I don’t care. I have him and that’s all that I want. I can be happy, just like this, forever in his arms. I turn until we’re facing each other, and press my chest to his. My nipples scrape against his pectorals, and I moan when he puts a hand to my back and pulls me forward, capturing my mouth with his. This is not the lover that asks for permission before touching me – this is a man who wants to kiss and lick and caress and isn’t worried if his caresses are accepted.
I love it. And I love it because it’s him. With Salukh, everything is all right. Everything is acceptable, because I trust him. If he grabs me, I know I’m still fine because he would never harm me. So I kiss him back with equal intensity. Our mouths link and his tongue grazes mine. I give a small sigh of pleasure at the taste of him – he’s wild and masculine and yet utterly delicious to me. The flick of his ridged tongue sends ripples of pleasure through my body, along with naughty suggestions. Ridges all over – it’s like someone took a page out of my naughty-dream journal or something. I rub my nipples against his chest as we kiss, feeling the need to move against him.