Tallusian Nights [Xihirian Shifters 2] (Siren Publishing Classic) (9 page)

“Your eyes are amazing.” She caressed the back of his head. “They’re so bright. Your pupils change all of the time. They’re beautiful.”

“You do make them change.” He nipped her ear playfully. “You bring out my beast.”

“I do?” She caressed his hair as she gazed up at him.

“Yes.” He rolled onto his back while still connected to her. “Zalora, let’s sit up with you facing me. I want to fuck you sitting up. Let me show you.” He helped position her. “I want to fuck you in every way. I love being inside you.” He ran his hand down her curvaceous back. “Your behind feels nice to hold.” He grasped it in his hands. He sat up, his legs out in front of him.

“You want to fuck me?” She faced him, grinning.

“Yes, you’re mine.” Their connection was still unbroken, her legs curled around him.

“I never heard anyone say fuck, at least not around me.” Her faced blushed.

“Are you blushing after what we’ve done?” He kissed her bottom lip. “You’re so beautiful.” He nibbled at her shoulder. “You just never heard them say fuck.” He smiled back. “Everyone’s mindful of your sweet princess ears.” He winked. She put her hands on his shoulders to help her move against him. His hands were on her soft behind. He helped her move up and down against him. He kissed her as she bounced her bottom on his legs. “You learn quickly.” He growled. Then he smiled with his canines fully revealed. She pulled back to look at him.

“Have you fucked a lot of women?” Carefully she kissed his dangerous-looking mouth. “You’re so handsome, I’m sure they chase you.” He moaned, helping her move faster against him.

“Oh, Zalora.” His body shivered, and semen poured out of him. He kissed her face, neck, and shoulders. She held him as he trembled, resting her head against his chest. He held her, his cock pulsing inside her.

“No, not a lot. I don’t let too many catch me.” He kissed the top of her head as he watched their fire flicker as the rain beat down on it. “I’m particular.” After a while, her breathing changed, and he knew she was asleep. He cupped her head, running his hand through her hair. Her curls were soft, bouncy. “I’ve fucked but never mated. You’re mine.” He lifted her off him, laying her down with great tenderness. She rolled to her side, continuing to sleep. She looked like an angel from his mother’s Earthen stories and art. For hours, he sat next to her watching her, listening to the rain. He played with her long hair. It laid across him. His body hummed with satisfaction of what they’d shared. “I can’t get enough of you.”

When it started to get brighter outside, he left their tent. He had to run, run off some of his wild emotions, which were ready to overflow. He could not fuck her as much as he wanted. She was delicate, new to this intimacy. He could not hurt her, his mate. Emotion gripped his heart as he thought of her. Never had he imagined the incredible power of mating. He’d heard stories. He’d seen his family members, friends caught up in their mates, even controlled by it. His strong-willed father as well as his grandfather were controlled by the mating, too. But it never dawned on him the level of the intensity. He never believed it would catch him like this. The satisfied hum of their lovemaking left him with an unquenched need. It had kept him awake, longing to be with her again. However, the fact she was his mate caused him to fight his temptation to take her again. He couldn’t cause her any discomfort. Zalora was more important than his riding need.

Icy drizzle still fell, coating everything, even his fur. The animals had returned to their dens for the day. The cold rain cooled his desire. Shifting and running eased his lasting erection as well as his driving need. Running through the woods, he heard her call to him. Her lovely voice incited desire, hitting him like a ton of boulders, swamping his body with need. It caused him to pause. After running to the edge of their camp, he shifted back to walk fully nude to their tent. Without his fur, the ice was annoying. She peered out of their tent. “Aren’t you freezing?” She frowned, waving him inside. “Why would you be out there in this cold?

“I’m freezing now.” He ducked to enter their tent. She handed him the other tent’s material to cover himself.

“Get warm. I’m hungry.” Her stomach grumbled. He grabbed the ration’s bag.

“Here, we have dried meat. It tastes pretty good.” He handed her the meat. “I can hunt, or we can cook some leaves.” He winked at her. “Those leaves do smell good. But eat this now. You need energy to stay warm and healthy.” He handed her the canteen of water. “We have two canteens. I’ll have to locate some drinkable water, too.” She drank some down then handed it back to him. “I have zelite. It dissolves in water, making it potable. But I don’t want to drink the swamp water even with a zelite pill.” He grinned. “It looks and smells nasty.”

“Me either.” She made a face. After searching for her undergarment and work shirt, she put them on. Val dressed in his uniform. When he was close to her, he leaned over kissing her. She blushed, looking away. He decided not to press her, at least not right now. She was shy of him. It made him want to chuckle.

“When it stops raining, we’ll look for water. I’ll catch dinner for later.”

“Okay.” She slipped her pants on. “How do you catch dinner?” She was nervous around him, skittish almost.

“I’m an excellent hunter.” He put their rations pack back away. “Did you have enough to eat for now?” He watched her.

“Yes, I don’t think I can eat much of it.” She shook her head. “My stomach doesn’t feel so great. The meat does not agree with me.”

“The rain has stopped. Put your coat on. Let’s take a walk.” He grabbed his gun. “Put your hood up, stay warm.” She pulled it up on her head. Val walked over to her to help her secure it. When he snapped it closed, he kissed her nose. “Don’t be shy of me, Zalora. Never be, there’s no need.” Taking her hand, he led her out of their camp.

“Have you seen any of saraguys or other animals?” She looked around.

“Yes, they’re just curious of us. They won’t challenge me.”

“You’re confident. I’ve heard they’re vicious.” She squeezed his hand.

“Don’t worry.”

“I need some privacy. Will they bother me?”

“No, you smell like me. Go on over there.” He pointed toward large tree. “I’ll wait here. Yell if you need me. I’ll look away to give you privacy.”

“I smell like you?” She gazed up at him with her mouth open.

“Yes.” He nodded.

“I guess I stink.” She sniffed herself.

“Why, because you smell like me?” He pouted.

“No. But, I guess I do stink. I’ve not had a bath for a while. We made a mess. My thighs were sticky.” She looked down. “I feel awful.”

“You don’t stink.” He kissed her cheek. “You smell like me. I like how you smell. But we’ll find a way to wash up soon. We both will need to wash up.”

* * * *

Zalora walked far enough away to be private. However, she didn’t want to get too far from him. Regardless of what he said, she wasn’t sure how smelling like him or not would keep animals away from her. She did smell like sex for sure. When she was done, she made her way quickly to where he waited. She watched him as she walked toward him. He was not looking in her direction, but she knew he heard her approach. Tall and big, he made her feel miniature next to him. The top of her head barely came to his mid-chest. When he was on top of her, at first she’d worried he would crush her. Instead, his weight against her was marvelous. She flushed at the thought of him against her. He’d been wild last night, almost as an animal. She’d loved it. She’d been wild, too. Uninhibited, she allowed him to have his way with her. He’d fucked her hard, passionately. He’d growled with satisfaction as he came inside her, his body trembling as he released. Her effect on him had thrilled her. She’d abandoned all restraint with this sexy stranger. Surprisingly, her womb still quaked and pulsed from what they’d shared. It was as if she could feel his seed moving inside her. The thought of being with him made her tingle all over with renewed energy. At this moment, she could climb a mountain.

This morning, when she watched him walk back to camp nude, fascination mesmerized her. His male physique was flawless, powerful. When he caught her staring, shame washed over her. Guilt of her brazen behavior swamped her emotions.
I’m a princess slut.
Fortunately, her father had spoken often of the amazing Xihirian people. Therefore, she didn’t feel as unfamiliar with his kind. She shook her head, amazed by her unusual conduct.

When she saw Val waiting for her, her heart raced. She wanted to feel him again and hold him close while he plunged inside of her.
I’d do it right now.
Without him inside her, she felt empty. He looked even bigger today. His eyes were wild still, and his teeth had not returned to their more humanoid size. He no longer hid them from her, at all. Even his facial features were harsher, but handsome in a different way. When she was close to him, she sensed he was different somehow, more animal. She liked it, craved it.

“Val,” she called to him. He fully focused his eyes on her. His gaze could unnerve a person who feared him. She did not fear him. Instead, his look sent sizzles of desire to her womb. “What are we going to do now?”

“Look for water then go check on our ship. The ship is how we’ll be found. They will search for it then send rescue.”

“Just as long as the Realmist don’t send rescue first.” Zalora sighed. “I’m tired of being afraid.”

“We may need to move our camp.” He seemed suddenly agitated. “My people will be able to track us once they find our ship. Don’t fear. I will protect you.” As if suddenly changing his mind, he took her hand, leading her back to their camp. “Let’s pack up. We’re moving, now. I can’t afford for the Realmist to locate us. We have to make it harder for them. We’re going deeper into the forest.”

“Are you sure your people will find us?”

“Once they find our ship, they can track us anywhere. They know my scent well.” Val rushed them back to their camp. Within minutes, he tore down their tent and put out the fire pit, covering any evidence of its existence. “Here’s your backpack.” He put both survival bags on his back. With gun in hand, he motioned to her with his head. “Let’s go. We need to make some distance and fast.” His expression was even harsher. “I wasn’t thinking. Damn! We should have left sooner.” He frowned. “I’ve been thinking with my cock.” Heat rushed to Zalora’s face.

“Are we going to your ship?”

“No. I’ve changed my mind.” He led her in the other direction. Walking was easy. The forest was clear, flat, and she had immense energy. The green trees mixed with the amber trees were lovely even though the day was dreary. Everything was covered in ice.

“Are you mad at me?” She struggled to keep up.

“No, not at all. You please me very much.” He paused to watch her. She continued to take in her surroundings as she struggled to keep up with him. The ice was actually pretty, just deadly to the trees’ leaves. She was amazed at how the bombing had so quickly changed their climate. They walked for what seemed like hours. From time to time, Val would stop, look, and listen. Then he’d decide on a direction to proceed. Neither one of them spoke for a long time. After walking for several more clicks, Val stopped. “We’ve made good time.” He looked to her, his expression more relaxed. “You tired or hungry?” He seemed to examine her from head to toe as if checking for any injury. “I’ve walked you too hard.”

“No, I’m fine. Amazingly, I’m not tired at all. I feel full of energy. It’s weird.” She shrugged. He nodded his head.

“Yep, I hear that happens.” He circled the area. He raised his head as if sniffing the wind. She stood still as he did his thing.

What happens?
He’d called himself a predator, and he acted like one. More and more she could see how he resembled a wild animal. “I am hungry.”

“Okay.” He tossed one of the bags down and hung his gun over his shoulder then he pulled out their rations. He handed the pack of rations to her.

“What do you smell? It looks like you’re sniffing the air.”

“I am sniffing the air. Eat as much as you need. I want you to be satisfied. Have some water, too.” He handed her the canteen. Drink what you need. I smell water nearby. Hopefully, it’s a lake, pond, or creek.” Gathering their tent material, he covered an area of ground. “Sit down. Rest, we have time to rest for a while. I don’t want to wear you out.” He sat down, laid his gun next to him, and motioned for her to do the same. Zalora sat down next to him. He made a feast out of their dried meat.

“This meat tastes good now.” She smiled, handing him a piece. “I guess I’m hungrier.”

“You eat all you want first. I’ll eat what’s left.” He waved his hand.

“Don’t be silly. We can share. You need your strength, too. I need you to be strong to protect me.” She patted his leg. He moved his leg. “I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be sorry. I like your touch. Never be sorry for touching me.” He leaned closer to her. She giggled as he playfully nuzzled her neck.

“I act so bad around you.” She looked down at her meat in her hand.

“I know. I like it when you’re bad. ” He kissed her cheek. She turned to kiss his mouth. She couldn’t help herself, she had to taste him. Val pushed her onto her back. She pulled him closer, wrapping her arms around his neck. He moved toward her, hovering over her. The flavor of his kisses was addictive.

“You taste so delicious.” She sighed slightly, spreading her legs, allowing him to lie between them. She loved the feel of his warm weight on her.

“You’re so nice. You’re delicious, too.” He ran his hand up inside her coat under her shirt. Fondling her breasts, he kissed her with fervor. In turn, she found his enlarged penis beneath his pants. Its hard ridge pushed against his uniform. She molded her hand over it, fondling him. Finding its tip, she steadily rubbed him through the material. What sounded like a purr resonated from his chest. He nuzzled her neck, nipping her ever so softly. She remembered he’d bitten her last night. It seemed completely healed. She felt no evidence of a wound, just a tingling sensation increased by his kisses and nips.