Falcon's Mate 1(7)
His gut tightened. The way she said it, so knowingly, so finally, as if it
were fact. His kind had ruled without problem until the end.
21
Michelle M Pillow
Rurik didn’t know what came over him, but he was suddenly aroused
with passion like he’d never known before. It was a mixture of desire,
anger, the need to conquer once and for all. He didn’t stop to think as he
reached for her leg. Ari tensed beneath his hand, moaning softly. He
could sense the need in her, the swift rush of passion at his touch. She
was not immune to him.
When they were younger, he’d wanted to touch her so badly. He’d
dreamt of her, masturbated to her, was tortured when she thought his
love note to her was from another. How could he not lie about it though,
when she’d laughed in his face at the thought of it being from him?
All the feelings he’d suppressed as a young man came surging forth
and he had to touch her, had to show her he wasn’t the same person.
Rurik had to show himself. He would make her respond to his touch,
make her moan, make her fall in love before she ever saw his face and
then…
He couldn’t think beyond that part in his plan. The bed was soft, the
area dark. Concentrating, he tried to see, using his naturally superior
vision to pierce the darkness. It didn’t work. He couldn’t see through the
magical barrier the Chalice created.
Running his hand down to her ankle, he pushed up the thin material
of her gown. Even now he could picture her, standing by the throne, in
the seductive, clinging gown, her long hair an impossible mess of twists
to form a crown. He would’ve much rather seen the long red length down
about her shoulders.
She was naked beneath the gown and he lightly caressed his way up
her leg, her thigh, her hip. The texture of her skin was like a dream. This
couldn’t be happening. Ari’s breathing audibly deepened and the sweet
smell she emitted made his insides tense.
“Hold.” She sounded insecure. “A moment. Hold.”
22
Talons: Seize the Hunter
“You’re beautiful, Ari.” Rurik didn’t stop. He couldn’t. “When will we
ever get another chance for this day? Let it happen. Let your mind think
what it will.”
Lightly, he kissed her hip, trailing his lips along her flesh. There was
a bittersweet pleasure when she gasped. Would she be so willing, so
passionate if she knew it was his lips that kissed her? Rurik hesitated,
warring with himself. This was destined. The Chalice’s magic brought
him to her, gave her to him. But what if magic had gotten it wrong this
time? What if the potion had been tainted?
Then this would be his only chance to have Ari. Years had passed
and he’d thought he was over her, but obviously that wasn’t the case.
Being a warrior, he knew how to take what he wanted. Rurik would not,
could not back down.
Leaning back, he ripped her gown open along the front. The metal
band around her body would be too hard to take off as it was bent to the
shape of her chest and back. Tossing the material to the side, he closed
his eyes, picturing her naked body before him.
Ari made small noises similar to prey cornered by the hunter. Her
legs were restless. As he leaned over, she reached to touch his chest. He
stiffened, worried she might explore him and find the wings along his
back. They’d give his position away and she’d know he was a warrior and
that a mistake had been made.
Stretching his wings back, he was careful not to lean too far forward
as he kept his shoulders out of reach. Lifting her leg, he brought her
ankle to his lips, kissing a hot, wet trail along her calf. Ari pulled on his
shirt, tugging at the laces over his chest. When she couldn’t work them
free, but instead merely loosened them, she reached lower to his
breeches.
23
Michelle M Pillow
Rurik dropped her leg, angling his body between her thighs. Pulling
her down so her legs were bent over his, he caressed her hips and
stomach, rubbing in slow circles up toward her glorious breasts. They
were soft, pliable mounds in his palms, so big they overflowed in his
hands. The gown she wore had hid their true size from him and he
relished the discovery of her large nipples. The erect peaks begged for his
lips, but he held back, fearful she might discover his wings if he leaned
forward.
Her fingers skimmed over his clothed arousal, the touch so hesitant
yet unyielding that his cock couldn’t help but fill to the point of
explosion. By law, he knew she had only three lovers at most to minimize
the risk of jealousy over her position, so it was possible she was nervous.
When she didn’t free his erection, he reached for his own waistband