Outcast (23 page)

With any other man, Bonnie would have slipped out of her robe and climbed into the shower with him, knowing that he would understand the gesture and respond in kind. She wasn't sure she could count on that with Lynx, who had undoubtedly seen plenty of unclothed females in his lifetime — what was one more? But if he truly felt differently toward her, perhaps it was worth the risk.

A quick listen at the door was enough to assure her that he was already in the shower; she could hear the water running, sluicing down his body before splashing against the tub. Opening the door a crack, she was relieved to discover that he hadn't locked it, and slipping inside, set his clothes on the cabinet. Selecting a soft, fluffy towel from the closet, she laid it on the stool near the shower. Even behind the frosted glass of the door, his body called out to her, telling her that she'd given up much too easily.

"Urn... need your back washed?" she asked. Not very subtle, perhaps, but it was one way of breaking the ice.

Lynx's answer surprised her. "I have already washed my back," he said. "But, if you wish, I will wash yours."

Bonnie knew she might regret it if that turned out to be all he had in mind, but it was still an offer she couldn't refuse. Getting out another towel, she dropped her robe on the floor, and stepped into the tub.

And let out a gasp of sheer astonishment. She tried desperately to remember some of Jack's more colorful expressions, but couldn't come up with one that quite fit. His cock might not have been erect, but it was still impressive — as was the rest of him.

Lynx had put on some weight since his arrival at Bonnie's farm, and it looked damn good on him.

No longer painfully thin, he was all strong bones, tanned skin, and sleek muscle, rippling with feline power.

"No wonder those women wouldn't leave you alone!" she exclaimed, staring at him in wonder. "Did they ever even let you get dressed?"

His curling hair had grown to the point that it almost reached his shoulders, and droplets of water scattered when Lynx shook his head. "No," he replied. "I wore nothing during the years I spent with them."

Bonnie began to quiver with excitement. "I just might rip all of your clothes to shreds myself," she whispered. She stared at him a moment longer before adding, "That's a joke, son. Come on now, at least give me one tiny little grin!"

It was genuine, but pretty tiny.

"Oh, you can do better than that," she scolded, advancing closer. "Are you ticklish?"

"Ticklish?"

"Yeah, ticklish," she said, running a finger down his chest. "Doesn't that make you want to laugh?"

"No," he replied.

"How about this?" she asked coyly, teasing his navel with a fingertip. "Sylor would double over and scream when I did that to him."

"It does not affect me," Lynx said, but Bonnie could see the effort it was taking to maintain his composure. Delving deeper into his navel, she brushed her other hand over his chest, skimming his nipples.

His shout of laughter nearly sent her into orgasm. She'd gotten her wish — though it might be all she would ever get. Then she decided that whatever she did get, she was probably going to have to take. Taking advantage of his laughter, she hooked an arm behind his head and pulled him down for a kiss. The heat where their skin made contact would have rivaled a fire, and the soft touch of his lips, strong hands, and warm body melted her. Bonnie slid her hands around him, delighting in the feel of his hot, wet skin beneath her fingers, and her body responded with a tight knot of desire deep inside her and a growing ache between her thighs.

"Mmmm," she moaned as he began to purr softly. "You feel so good. Like hot, wet silk."

"And you smell of desire," he murmured. Purring louder, he rubbed his cheek against hers, breathing in her scent, but felt a pang of disappointment at his body's lack of response. She felt so good...

"I thought that was a bad thing."

"No," he said. "It is something that I cannot respond to as I once did, but I never said it was bad."

"Oh," she murmured as his hands cupped her bottom and pulled her tightly against him. "I guess I didn't understand..."

"That is my fault," Lynx said, nuzzling her ear. "I am sorry to have hurt you, Bonnie. You are not to blame for anything that has happened to me. It has taken me a long time to realize that."

"And I can't judge you by what other men have done to me, either," she whispered. "But, please, Lynx, promise me just one thing. Don't shut me out. Tell me what you're feeling, what you like, and what you don't. Don't leave me in the dark."

"I will try," he said hesitantly, "but such things are very difficult for me."

Lynx wasn't even sure what he did like. His own preferences had always been deemed insignificant in the past. He had emerged from slavery craving only peaceful solitude, but this was clearly not the time for that.

It was second nature for a Zetithian man to entice women, to be seductive and teasing, but Lynx had been sure he'd forgotten how until he watched Bonnie move toward him in an intoxicating blend of soft curves and sleek muscle. He'd never beheld anything he considered more beautiful, but knew that what he could see with his eyes went much deeper.

Bonnie had longed to let her hands roam all over him, but wanted to understand his own desires.

"Any good spots?" she inquired. "Any places that are off limits?"

Barely able to breathe, his arms encircled her, seeking contact without conscious effort and when he opened his mouth to speak, though he had no idea what he was going to say, long-buried patterns of behavior resurfaced. "You may touch any part of me you like," he said, his voice dropping to a deep, seductive purr. "Unless you tickle."

"Didn't like that, huh?"

Lynx shook his head slowly. "There are better ways to make me laugh," he said with a suggestive lift of a black-tipped eyebrow.

Bonnie stared at him as though seeing him for the first time. "Well, you'll have to clue me in, Lynx,"

she said hoarsely, "because I'm at a complete loss."

Leaning down, he murmured, "Lick the tip of my ear."

Bonnie took a cautious swipe at it with her tongue, and Lynx laughed even harder than he had when she'd poked him in the belly button. Then she tried sucking on it, and he practically screamed. She relished the sound, only stopping when she remembered that they should at least try not to wake Ulla.

"Well, that's certainly effective," Bonnie remarked. "What else do you like?"

"I like many things," Lynx said mysteriously. "But I will let you discover them."

Bonnie could scarcely believe this was the same man; he'd suddenly gone from someone she should have disliked to someone capable of melting her down to a puddle.

"Who are you, and what the hell have you done with Lynx?" she whispered.

A smile tugged at the corner of his mouth, but all he said was, "I will wash your back now."

With soap-slick hands, Lynx not only washed her back, he caressed her entire body, driving her desire to a fever pitch. Gazing hungrily at his cock, Bonnie waited for some reaction, but though it was thick and long, the head never even peeked past its foreskin. She toyed with the idea of doing a bit of exploring to see what was hidden underneath there, but cautioned herself that this might be one of those places he would rather she not touch.

However, after he'd massaged her nipples to the point that her milk was about to let down, Bonnie decided that if Lynx didn't want her playing with his dick, he was going to have to slap her hands away. Wet and aching with need, she took his balls in her hands, washing them thoroughly before slipping her fingers along his shaft, teasing back his foreskin.

"Wow," she whispered, gingerly touching the scalloped edge of the head. "I'd sure like to see this thing in full bloom."

"I do not believe you will," Lynx said with marked regret. "It has not functioned in many years."

Eyeing it hungrily, she asked, "Is it okay if I suck it anyway?"

"You may do anything with me you like," he said, putting that soft, deep tone in his voice again — something that Bonnie didn't think she would ever tire of hearing, nor would it ever lose its effect.

"Unlike the way it has been with others, I long for your touch."

"Then I'll touch you as much as I can," Bonnie promised. "I'll massage you, tickle you, fondle you, and caress you. I've wanted to do all of those things for so long — you've no idea."

Lynx couldn't help but laugh at this. "I have been inhaling your scent since I first came here," he said. "I know what you want, and I know just how long you have wanted it."

No secrets there. "Nasty of you to deny me, wasn't it?"

"I will repay you," he said seriously. "You will never want for anything, ever again."

Which was quite a promise for a man who couldn't get it up.

B onnie's mouth went dry as she remembered where Lynx had received his "training." He'd probably already forgotten more about pleasuring a woman than most men ever learn to begin with — and undoubtedly still knew more than any man alive. Oddly enough, Bonnie wasn't interested in anything fancy; all she wanted was Lynx.

After toweling each other dry — which was an intensely erotic experience in itself — Bonnie combed out Lynx's tangled curls and dried them. Stepping back to view her handiwork, she shuddered with excitement, thinking that with a hard cock he'd have been absolutely perfect. She thought if she sucked it long enough it might get hard — if she was lucky.

Sighing regretfully, Bonnie decided that if it didn't feel good to him, it was pointless to try. It would be hard leaving it alone, though, because while she knew very well that he could use his hands and mouth to have her writhing in ecstasy in no time, what could she possibly do for him? With other men, she'd always gone straight for the dick and, generally speaking, they didn't complain. But with Lynx, Bonnie knew she'd have to be more inventive.

Bonnie had never met anyone who didn't like having their back rubbed, and though it wasn't much, he seemed to like it — at least he wasn't complaining. Just lying in bed with Lynx was a treat in itself — one Bonnie had gotten a taste of when Ulla was born. His warm, purring body had felt wonderful then, but this time he was there because he chose to be, not because it was required of him, and the difference was shocking.

Bonnie still couldn't understand what had changed him. Lynx had been smitten with Ulla from the start but had barely tolerated Bonnie. Was this merely his way of ensuring that he would get to see Ulla more often? The idea was painful, and Bonnie hastened to assure herself that Ulla was not the only reason he'd kissed her. She tried to play it all back through her mind, trying to remember what he'd said, something — anything — that would prove that he was there because of her and not just her child.

Lynx felt Bonnie's hands falter and heard her wistful sigh. Being well versed in feminine moods, while he might not have known the exact nature of the problem, he was well aware that one existed.

Looking up at her, he asked: "What is troubling you?"

Storm clouds and lightning had been replaced by a pale moon, but Bonnie didn't need it to see his eyes, for they had a glow all their own. Oh, he s very good, she thought ruefully, wishing she could be as insightful. Always a total failure when it came to guessing the thoughts of men, Bonnie knew that Vladen had been quite correct in suggesting that her own attitude was the greatest impediment to a closer relationship with Lynx. Men mystified her, and she didn't like being kept in the dark.

"Too much on my mind," she sighed, wishing she could stop thinking and just be, just feel, and not care...

Cocking his head to one side, he speculated, "Is it that you do not understand why I would want you when we cannot mate?"

There was no point in denying the truth. Bonnie blew out a pent-up breath and nodded.

"Bonnie," he said gently, "if I wanted you, but you could not feel any physical pleasure yourself, would you deny me?"

"What?" she blurted out, not understanding him at first. After a moment, she ventured, "You mean like if I was paralyzed or something?"

"Yes."

Bonnie considered this for a moment. Having sex without feeling anything? It would be strange, she decided, but if it was important to him... no, she wouldn't refuse. In fact, the mere thought of being able to look up at his face while he thrust into her bordered on orgasmic, whether she could feel anything or not. "No," she replied. "I wouldn't. Just having you close and knowing that you wanted me would be enough. You could do anything you wanted."

"And have I not said that you could do anything you wanted with me?"

"Yes, you did say that, but — "

"You do not believe me?"

"Yes, but how will I be able to tell whether you like what I'm doing or not?" she asked, the words seeming to burst from her. "A hard, dripping cock is a pretty hard signal to miss, you know."

To her surprise, he laughed. "There are others, as you will soon discover."

"Well, you'd better make them really obvious," she said roundly, "because subtleties are pretty much lost on me. I have to know for sure or this just won't work! In fact, you'd better tell me what to look for right now."

"How will I know if you enjoy what I do to you?" he countered.

This wasn't something Bonnie had ever given much thought to. "Sighs, maybe?" she ventured. "And — and I probably moan a lot, too."

"I do that as well, and I also purr." Cocking his head to one side, he added, "Is that enough?"

"Yes, but you purr for the damned enocks, Lynx!" she grumbled. "It couldn't mean very much if you can do that!"

"But when I purr for you," he said in a voice filled with sincerity, "it will mean something else."

His tone should have been enough to reassure her, but Bonnie still had doubts. "Well, okay," she said uncertainly. "If you say so."

Chuckling softly, he asked, "Do you require a demonstration?"

"Yes," she said with a firm nod. "Yes, I believe I do."

"Then lick me."

"Where?"

He didn't reply, but the look he gave her said quite clearly: " Where do you think? "