LITMIR.BIZ

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to learn.

      “Thank you for agreeing to take me back,” Shaye said. “I know you don’t want to, and I’m truly grateful.”

      He’d never heard such a gentle, tender tone from her. She even wore an expression of gratitude, the sweetness of it softening her features and gifting her with bright radiance.

      He couldn’t allow her to entertain the false assumption any longer. “I’m not taking you back to your world, Moon. I’m taking you to your new home.”

      She jolted, her nails digging into his flesh. “You knew what I thought but didn’t correct me.”

      “I did correct you. Now.”

      “Yes, you’re practically a Boy Scout. If this is how you think to win my affections, well, good luck,” she spit at him. “You and Joachim should consider dating. You’re perfect for each other.”

      “Does she always speak this way?” Joachim asked, expressing his first doubt about his selection.

      “Always,” Valerian and Shaye snapped in unison.

      “By the way. I’m not staying anywhere near your room,” she informed Valerian. “I’d rather return to the sea and drown.”

      “That isn’t an option for you.” He had to drag her—gently, of course—the rest of the way.

      Joachim watched the interaction with an unreadable countenance.

      Finally they reached the outskirts of Valerian’s suite.

      Aeson exited the main doorway, his face flushed with pleasure.

      Having caught his scent, the three humans chased after him. Soon, they trapped him in a circle.

      “Be with me.”

      “No, me.”

      “I neeeed you.”

      Then, “Valerian! You came back for me.”

      All three swung around to beckon him over.

      Mated nymphs didn’t usually attract females with the same potency and fervor as unmated ones. Still. He pulled Shaye in front of him, using her as a shield.

      “Take one and go, Aeson.”

      “You’re taking me.” The black beauty stepped forward and clasped Aeson’s hand.

      He gazed at her with adoration as he led her from the room.

      The other two females pouted.

      Shaye humphed. “So. You’re a pimp as well as king.”

      He ignored her and waved in his cousin’s direction. “Joachim is in need of a lover. Any interest?”

      Both women sashayed to him without question.

      “You’re so big,” the darker skin woman cooed.

      “And strong,” added the delightfully plump redhead.

      Joachim backed away, determined to resist. “I’ve already made my choice?” he said, the words a question rather than a statement. “The...the pale one is to be mine, and I must guard her door this night. For that reason, you...cannot...touch...me. Touch me.” The last was an unrestrained moan of helpless capitulation.

      They’d reached him, their hands already stroking him.

      Valerian almost grinned. “Shaye won’t mind if you forgo standing guard at her door this night. A man has needs, and she understands.” Or rather, he prayed she understood.

      “Needs,” the lost-in-a-passion-haze warrior repeated.

      “I need your naked skin sliding against mine,” the redhead said, breathless.

      “I need you, hot in my mouth.”

      Joachim audibly swallowed. “Valerian,” he began, a tremor in his tone.

      Shouldn’t smile. “Go. I’ll see you in the morning.”

      “The pale one—”

      “Will remain untouched.” Tonight. Only tonight. “I’ve given you my word, and I’ll keep it.” Even if Shaye begged him for more.

      The thought caused him to harden painfully. He wanted her to beg.

      The redhead shoved her friend and jumped into Joachim’s arms. “I’ll make you forget her.”

      “I trust you, cousin.” Joachim strode away then, and the woman clung to him.

      “Wait,” Valerian called. “Take the other to Shivawn. If you’d like a man of your own?” he asked her.

      She brightened. “Yes, please.”

      Joachim held out his hand, and the other woman eagerly rushed over to claim it.

      The trio disappeared beyond the corner.

      Valerian allowed his grin to peek through. He had Shaye to himself, Joachim otherwise occupied.

      “Unbelievable,” Shaye muttered.

      He gripped her shoulders to twist her around. “Just what do you find so unbelievable?”

      “The amount of communal sex to be had, of course. Haven’t you people heard of STDs?” Her pique painted her cheeks a soft shade of rose. As if the moon would soon vanish in place of the sun.

      Lust boiled in his blood. He’d touched the softness of her skin today, but he had yet to taste her. He’d held her, but he had yet to make love to her. He wanted to strip her. To sink deep inside her. To pound, hard and fast, pleasuring her with long, demanding strokes.

      She looked at him, as if she herself had just realized they were finally alone, and her nostrils flared. With desire?

      He fisted his hands at his sides to keep himself from reaching out again.

      “Listen to me very closely.” The words were nothing more than a growl of barely restrained need. “I want you, but I can’t have you. If you don’t lock yourself inside the suite right now, I’m going to forget my vow to leave you untouched and use every weapon in my sensual arsenal to tempt you.”

      Her eyes widened, the rich velvet-brown flicking with sparks of arousal. Her breath caught, and she inched away from him.

      “If you exit the suite,” he added, “I’ll view it as an invitation to begin your seduction.”

      She spun on her heel and sprinted past the door. Click.

      For a long while, Valerian stood in place, desperate to follow her, willing the door to open.

      When his blood cooled, he scrubbed his face with a shaky hand. Having a mate was going to be murder on his body, it seemed, for he foresaw a long, painful night ahead—with no real end in sight.

       CHAPTER EIGHT

      SHAYE’S HEART THUNDERED in her chest, pounding so hard she feared her ribs would crack; her ears rang loudly, and she covered them with her hands to block out the awful sound. She sank onto the edge of a decadent made-for-sex bed with red silk sheets and a velvet comforter.

      Not daring to breathe, she stared at the door.

      She remained in that exact position for over an hour, anticipatory. Part of her wanted Valerian to storm inside the room to begin seducing her.

      Begin. As if he hadn’t already.

      Before she’d left him, his gaze had scorched her. If she’d remained with him, that heat would have burned her alive.

      A new card idea had taken root. We should probably have sex before we rush into dating.

      She gulped. If any man could tempt her...

      No! She wouldn’t be

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