“Yes, but…I can’t, we can’t.” Panic surged through her as he pressed his body over hers. “You’re meant to fill the…the…oh!”
He lowered his head and the hot, wet rasp of his tongue slid over her collar bone. She felt his hardened erection press against her thigh through the fabric of his sweat pants.
“Taste good. You are mine. Fill cup later. Here now, I claim you, bind you to me. Understand?”
Her mind battled with the fire in her body. The fear, the years of rejection, the pain of loneliness came screaming to the surface.
“Zelron, no! Stop, please.”
He paused and raised his head, concern in his eyes. He reached out and gently stroked her cheek, wiping away the tears she didn’t realise were sliding down the side of her face.
“I will not hurt you, and I will never leave or abandon you. We are together forever, now. Do you not trust me to protect you?”
She drew in a shuddering breath; his words making her heart swell. Did he really speak the truth? He didn’t know the truth about her; however, she had to tell him, it was only fair.
“Zelron, it will hurt. I’ve never been with a man. No man has ever touched me because I am undesirable.”
Anger darkened his features. “I am not man, I am Kelon Warrior. Yes, here I am captive, but you are a precious female. I desire you, I desire to claim you for mine, we be marriage.”
Why couldn’t he understand? Why couldn’t he see it was their circumstances which made him want her? Anything beyond their time here and now would crumble, and she would be left devastated and heartbroken.
“But what about when we escape and you see for yourself how I am, compared to other women? I don’t think you know much about human women, how different we are. There are more beautiful ones than me, thinner ones—”
A low growl emanated from his chest, an angry frustrated sound. He cupped her head in his hands; his nose nuzzled hers while he drew in slow, measured breaths, as if struggling for control. “You wound me, to reject my claim. You say I am not repulsive. Did you tell lie?”
“No, of course not. You are handsome, big, strong and wonderful. But—”
“I choose you, Providence, no other. No matter where, inside these walls or outside beyond the stars. All human men are foolish to not see what I see, to feel what I do. I must protect and make you mine. It is good no human man has touched you. Only I will touch you. I will kill anyone who tries to touch you. Is this not enough for you to believe?”
Was it? Oh, god, her head swam with the upheaval of her emotions. Deep down, she did want this. Why couldn’t she throw her hat into the ring and take a leap of faith with him? What would the future hold for them?
“I see your face; you think too much. Let this happen. I give you all I am. Be everything to me.”
What did she really have? The shadow of a life she waded through day-by-day, pretending to be tough and not utterly miserable—rejected by everyone, even her own father. Zelron was offering her a lifetime of companionship, if nothing else.
Don’t be a fool and deny what you really want. You want him, take him. Let him take you.
“Yes,” she said, her voice but a whisper. “I… I will be yours.”
His chest heaved in a gusty sigh. “You will not regret; I promise by the Fire of Elron. I will claim you now. Do not fear, I will be gentle.”
She swallowed hard and nodded, her heart pounding, her body heating, knowing what was to come. “Okay.”
* * * *
The depth of pain in her lovely, blue eyes tore at him. She was a victim of horrible battles, but from within. He wanted to hunt down and tear apart the flesh of those who gave her such deep wounds.
She is mine, now. I will possess her and prove with my every touch she is beautiful and desired.
A warrior can fight battles on many fronts, but this battle he knew would be a tough one. However, he was determined to win her full trust and affection.
Her body trembled under his. He pulled away to gaze down at the lush, pale skin. Lifting his hand, he traced the line of the white fabric covering her breasts.
“Take them off. I do not want to tear them.” He sincerely doubted the humans would provide her with replacements.
Startled, it took her a moment to comply. He let her sit up slightly to reach around the back, her little hands trembling.
Zelron climbed from the bed, turned and sat back down, pulling her between his thighs, his head almost level with hers. She squeaked in that adorable little way she did when surprised.
“Shhh, be calm.” He ran his hands from her hips up to the back of her shoulder blades. The softness of her skin pushed him to the brink of control, but he remained in control for her sake. “My touch will never bring pain; know this my little one. Trust my touch.”