n

n

nRETH

nShe stayed naked. It was glorious. He vowed to bring her up there every day if she'd do that. After the very inconvenient entry of Behryn and the men when the Silent One was close, he understood why she didn't feel comfortable in the cave without clothes. So it was a special treat to have her out there, the sunlight kissing her skin—and Reth kissing it too.

nThey lounged on the blanket for a while, talking about nothing important, then her stomach growled, and Reth grabbed the picnic basket.

n

"It's getting very late. My Queen needs her lunch.

"

n

"I'd like some more desert,

" she said cheekily, and ran a finger down the center of his chest. His breath came faster and he grinned at her, his cock twitching because she'd rolled onto her elbow, and with her other hand extended towards him like that, it pushed her breasts together. She noticed and raised an eyebrow at him.

n

"Down, woman, or I'll never get you fed,

" he said, letting the heat he felt show in his eyes.

nShe giggled and the noise was so perfect, he wanted to tickle her and make her do it again. But he forced himself to start unpacking the food. There would be time for tickling—and other things—later.

nWhile he did that, she rolled onto her back and stretched. Reth bit back a groan.

n

"You aren't helping me focus,

" he grumbled. With an exaggerated eye-roll, she rolled onto her stomach so her plump bottom was just right there for the taking, and he growled.

"Still not helping.

"

n

"Seriously?

" she said, rolling back to her side and leaning her head on her fist, which made her waist dip and her breasts hang together, which was definitely worse from Reth's perspective.

"Men. Y'all are weird.

"

n

"Says the woman who gets breathless every time I take off my shirt.

" He turned his eyes to the food, but knew the sight that would greet him when he looked up.

nHe looked up.

nShe snorted.

"There isn't a woman with a pulse that wouldn't get breathless when you take off your shirt, Reth,

" she said. He handed her a grape without breaking eye-contact, and she popped it into her mouth. When her lips pursed his body tightened. He lay back down on his side and scooted over so he was right in front of her, bringing the grapes with him. She kept her chin down, but looked at him through her lashes and a purr of approval rumbled in his chest.

n

"Open up.

"

nWhen she dropped her jaw he put the grape in her mouth and she closed her teeth on his finger. The picture of her like that, her teeth bared, eyes hot, and breasts pressed together made his entire body light up. With a soft growl, he pulled his finger free, but cupped her neck and pulled her in for a kiss, stealing the grape in her mouth. Then he pulled away with a grin and ate it.

n

"Brute,

" she said, but her cheeks were flushed.

n

"I'm wounded. No really. Your words stab me right here, Elia,

" he said, tapping his chest.

nShe giggled again and put her hand where his had been.

"Poor baby. So touchy. Let me make it better.

" She leaned in and kissed the spot, right at the center of his chest, but instead of pulling away, she stayed close and let her hand drift down between his legs where his growing arousal was hard to miss.

nReth rumbled and rolled onto his back, pulling her with him. She didn't stop kissing his smooth skin, and as they lay flat, her hair spread over his chest like a golden blanket. He buried both hands in it, letting the soft strands pull between his fingers and flutter on his chest. Then she gripped him and stroked hard and his fingers tightened in her hair.

nShe brought her head up, her eyes bright and cheeks pink.

"You like that?

"

n

"More than like,

" he rasped, gently pulling her up by her hair to kiss him properly. But she didn't release him, didn't stop stroking and soon he had to drop his head back and breathe, or this was going to get messy.

n

"Elia… dear Lord…

"

nShe answered by kissing her way down his jaw, to his throat, stroking hard again just as her tongue laved that V between his collarbones and he threw back his head, arching into her, his entire body rigid.

n

"Stop,

" he gasped, pulling his legs up and pulling her towards him.

"Stop, or I won't be able to do this right.

"

n

"You don't have to do this, Reth, let me do this to you.

"

n

"Not on your life. I'll see you gasping or we both go home sad,

" he said and pulled her to his chest, flipping them both over so she shrieked and let go of him.

n

"Reth!

"

n

"Mmmmm?

" he purred, his face buried in her neck, using one knee to nudge her legs apart so he could rest between them.

n

"I…

"

nHe dropped to suck on the peak of her breast and she shuddered.

n

"Oh… nevermind,

" she said breathlessly.

"I forgot what I was going to say.

"

nReth chuckled, her nipple still in his mouth and she shivered again.

nThen Reth froze and lifted his head suddenly. Elia went still, looking around.

"What?

" she hissed.

n

"Your list!

" he said.

"We forgot about the list!

"

nElia made a pffffft noise and slumped back onto the blanket.

"You've got to be kidding me,

" she groaned into her hands. Reth laughed and pulled her hands away from her face.

"Tell me! We're here. We're outside, I know that was one of them. But… there must be more?

"

n

"Reth, this isn't the time—

"

n

"I don't know a better time,

" he said, nuzzling her neck.

"I do have to go back to work eventually, but you have my full attention, My Queen. Please… tell me… what is on your list?

" He nibbled on her earlobe and she shivered, her skin pebbling from her neck, all the way down her arm.

"Please, Elia?

"

nShe groaned, but turned her head to look at him, her cheeks flushed and her eyes sparkling.

"Most of the others would need to be inside, I think,

" she said, and Reth's ears perked, his mind flipping through all the wonderful ideas she might be having.

"Well, that could be arranged,

" he said and waggled his eyebrows.

nShe laughed.

"No! I love this. I love being here alone and in the sun. There was one that it wouldn't matter either way where we were, I think?

"

n

"And what was that?

"

n

"I wondered about… being on top.

"

n

"Your wish is my command,

" Reth said hoarsely, flipping them over again. Elia gasped and clung to him, but he held her securely against him until they were turned and she had found her balance, leaning on his chest, straddling his hips. His hands braced her hips and his eyes started making promises she was determined to make him keep.

nHer hair fell forward over her face, her mouth open wide with the sudden shift, but her eyes twinkling.

n

"Are you ready, Elia?

" he said in the low voice she had come to love.

n

"For what?

"

n

"To tick something off both our lists,

" he growled.

n*****

nWant more hot men, and strong women? Check out my *NEW* book--Updating twice daily:

nTAMING THE QUEEN OF BEASTS: Elreth is about to challenge her father for dominance--and win! But as the Anima's first ever Alpha Female, she has a difficult road ahead. Her best friend, Aaryn, is a disformed wolf. Definitely not the people's first choice for the new Queen's mate. Can love conquer all? Or will their bond be the end of Elreth's rule?

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