Merrick didn’t answer. He still looked relaxed—or at least most of him did. His shaft was rock hard and solid, thrusting up from between his thighs like an invitation.
What does it feel like? Before she could stop herself, Elise had leaned forward and cupped it in her hand.
Merrick let out a ragged gasp but he didn’t pull away. He just laid there, his big body tense as Elise touched him. The long shaft was much too thick to encircle with her fingers but she tried anyway. To her surprise the skin of his cock felt like velvet—or maybe rose petals. But it was hot too, much hotter than the rest of his body. Elise enjoyed the sensation. It was like holding a living creature in her hand—solid, hot, velvety and very, very male.
“Gods, baby,” Merrick groaned hoarsely when she slid her fingers up to the blunt, plum-shaped head and all the way back down to the swelling at the root of his cock. “Your sweet little hands are so soft.”
Elise spared a glance at his hands, bound helplessly behind his back by the shock cuffs and wondered what they would feel like on her bare skin. Big and callused but gentle was her guess. Gentle and very warm.
“What’s this?” she asked, trying to push the forbidden image out of her head as she stroked the swelling that ringed the base of his cock. “Is it a Kindred thing?”
“A Beast Kindred thing, yeah. Like my fangs are Blood Kindred.” He grinned briefly, showing the fangs in question. Half the time Elise forgot he had them—they really only showed when he smiled and he hadn’t had reason to smile much lately, she guessed.
“What is it?” she asked, determined to keep the conversation going, to keep things as normal as possible.
“It’s called a mating fist.” He caught his breath in a sharp hiss as Elise let her fingertips trail lightly over it. “It’s only used during sex. Bonding sex.”
“What does it do?” she asked curiously.
“Swells inside your pussy to tie us together,” he growled softly.
“It does? Why?” She shifted, parting her thighs slightly. Hearing him talk dirty made her feel hot and achy.
“That way the sex lasts longer and I could come in you again and again and make you mine. Bond you to me forever—the right way.” He groaned again. “Goddess, baby, you’re driving me fucking crazy.”
Elise felt a surge of empowerment. Merrick was a big, powerful male yet here he was, literally helpless in her hands. She was the one touching him, not the other way around. She was the one calling the shots—giving him pleasure, doing whatever she wanted. It made her feel strong and sexy in a way she never had before—in a way she’d never even imagined. Then his words began to register.
“Swells inside? How?” she demanded. “That would never fit in…in most girls.”
“Compounds in my precum help get you ready.” His deep voice was hoarse as she continued to stroke him. “Makes you able to stretch—to accommodate the fist with no pain. Just pleasure.”
“In your precum?” Elise let her fingers trail from the mating fist at the base of his shaft, up to the flaring crown, which was now shiny with clear fluid. Carefully, she rubbed her thumb over the satiny smooth skin, spreading the slippery precum over the sensitive head of his cock.
Merrick groaned again and thrust up into her hand. “Look baby, I love the way you touch me but you’d better stop now,” he warned. “Not unless you want me to come.”
For a moment Elise considered it. But it seemed to too much—going too far. She’d sworn to herself this wasn’t going to get sexual and now here she was, practically jerking him off. I’m engaged, she reminded herself guiltily as she reluctantly pulled back her hand. I shouldn’t be doing this. I should only do what I have to in order to satisfy the hunger.
The only problem was, the hunger was in no way satisfied. Elise wanted more, somehow, but she didn’t know what. More touching? More sexual touching? Maybe I just need to use more than my hands, she thought a bit desperately as the hunger gnawed at her middle. Maybe if I pressed against him…
The idea had upset her at first but now that she felt more familiar with Merrick’s big body, she was also more comfortable with the idea of a completely naked hug. Slowly, carefully, she moved forward, putting her arms around his neck and pressing her chest to his.
“Nice,” Merrick rumbled softly. “I like the feel of you against me.”
“I…I like it too,” Elise admitted a bit breathlessly. The warm sensation of his hard, muscular chest beneath her own soft breasts felt wonderful. She could feel his heart drumming too, a slower, deeper cadence than her own lighter, faster beat. His scent—the warm, masculine musk that reminded her of smoke and fur—seemed to pervade her senses completely, making her feel safe. It was better—much better…but still not quite good enough. She wanted, no—needed—more contact. More of his skin against hers. But how?