Therian Promise(57)
“I’m the youngest network Prime in recorded history.”
“How old are you?”
“Thirty-four. But my father’s illness incapacitated him four years before he died, so I was barely thirty when I began acting in his place.” He had to raise his voice to be heard over the motor, but she appeared to be attentive and interested. “My mother’s supporters were thrilled to have another voice on the Prime council, but Father’s allies expected me to continue his positions.”
“Another voice on the council? Who else supports the changes?”
“Ian.”
“So the Rocky Mountain cats and the Minority Network are for changing the Charter while the Canines and the Southern cats want things to stay the same?”
“Exactly. Canine Prime is Nate Fitzroy, father of the wolf who tried to abduct you.”
“I see. And the Southern Prime?”
“His name is Fredrick. Ian and I have some hope for converting him, but Nate is hopeless. He has a massive chip on his shoulder and he’s unwilling to compromise on anything.”
“So you never know when someone is genuinely interested in you or when they’re trying to further some political agenda?”
“Basically. I’ve learned to search for ulterior motives and expect the worst. Unfortunately, people seldom disappoint me.”
She pushed to her knees then crawled toward him, the bubbles clinging in the most distracting places. “What ulterior motive could I possibly have? You came after me, not the other way around.”
“I never said you deserved my suspicion. I’m trying to explain why I reacted so strongly, even though you’d done nothing wrong.”
“Careful.” She straddled his hips, her warm ass cheeks lightly resting on his thighs. “That sounds precariously close to a genuine apology.”
“I’m sorry I didn’t trust you.” He placed his hands on her hips, not wanting to risk the progress they’d made yet unable to go without touching her another minute. “You’ve given me no reason to doubt your…” He wasn’t sure how to end the sentence. He didn’t want to put words in her mouth.
“Attraction to you?”
He accepted the suggestion with a stiff nod. He felt far more than simple attraction to her, but this was a good place to start. She wasn’t glaring at him anymore.
“I’m not attracted to Ian or Jake.” She pressed her hand against the side of his face and smiled into his eyes. “I only want you in my bed and in my body. Are you okay with that?”
Rather than reply with words, he drew her head down and fit his mouth over hers.
Chapter Eight
Ava parted her lips at the first touch of Kyle’s tongue. She ached for him, needed his fullness inside her core and his blazing presence inside her mind. Their bond strengthened and expanded each time they made love, yet she didn’t feel encumbered by the connection, she felt protected and whole.
The kiss was slow and gentle. Their lips slid and pressed while their tongues tenderly stroked. His taste spread through her mouth and his scent filled her nose, more appealing to her senses than the expensive bubble bath.
She pushed her fingers into his hair as his hands drifted across her back and teased the outer swell of her breasts. His erection bobbed in the water between them, brushing against her belly as she began to roll her hips.
“I was going to wash your hair,” he murmured against her parted lips.
“After.” She nipped his bottom lip. “I want this more.”
He chuckled then bent to her breasts as he whispered, “I’m at your command.”
His lips fastened on to her nipple and sparks of pleasure zinged from her chest to her core. She arched her back and combed his hair with her fingers, noticing each texture and relishing each sensation. His hands were so strong, yet he touched her with such care. She felt special and adored in his arms.
She’d sensed desire smoldering in him, threatening to boil over and control his actions, but he’d restrained his need and shared more of himself with her. She rewarded him with open responses to his caresses. Not that she’d been able to hide how much she wanted him in the past, but now it was a conscious decision to bask in the heat of their desire.
Shifting back far enough to make room for her hand, she reached between them and found his cock. The shaft rose hard and thick, nearly breaking the surface of the churning water. She carefully squeezed him near the base then stroked from base to tip, sliding up and down with steady pressure.
His groan was muffled by her breast then his lips pulled harder on her nipple and she gasped, surprised yet excited by his aggression. His hands never stopped moving, gliding across her damp skin in hypnotic patterns.