CHAPTER 27
Saar’s inner beast roared, and he couldn’t stop the growl that rumbled in his chest. Seated across his lap, Kaelyn’s soft bottom pressed against his thighs. This tough, feisty female who hid her insecurities beneath her rough exterior had wormed her way into his heart, and underneath the shell she wore like a badge of honor, she was tender, loving.
He vowed to bring that side out, no matter the consequences. More likely than not, today would be their only time together, and he didn’t want to waste a moment with her.
His erection strained against his pants, the material cutting into his balls, squeezing them to the point of pain. He groaned and rasped, “Kaelyn, I can’t get enough of you.”
She placed her forehead against his, her soft breaths caressing the skin on his cheek. A soft sigh eased from her lips. “That’s a good thing.”
A rush of blood headed south, straining his already engorged shaft. “Ah, little bear…”
Kaelyn leaned back, her eyes flitting back and forth as she studied him. Her attention flicked to his scar then returned to his eyes. “May I…touch it?”
He knew what she meant, and his breath bottled in his throat. No female had ever wanted to touch him, not there, and that she did spoke volumes about her character. Surprisingly, his usual urge to shove a toothpick in his mouth was gone. Swallowing the centuries’ long impulse to deny her request, he gave her a quick nod.
She focused on his scar and her finger, soft and tender trailed over the taut skin.
Damn if he didn’t like her touch, his arousal jumping as if she’d caressed his erection instead of his face.
With tender care, she followed the thick trail from his cheek, over his upper lip, and around his chin. “It’s softer than I imagined.” Her gentle words bore into him, burying into his soul.
“Is this what you meant when you said you thought you’d already been tested?”
His throat was so tight he couldn’t respond, so he gave her another nod.
Something that looked eerily similar to respect flashed in her eyes. “How did it happen?”
His already rapid pulse notched up a level. “Noeh and I stayed behind our outdoor class to watch a couple of bucks fight. That was my fault, I encouraged him to remain with me.” He licked his lips, and her eyes riveted on them, her pupils dilating.
The sudden urge to kiss her again raced through him. He tugged her close. She didn’t resist, and he kissed her with a bruising intensity, one born of all the passion he’d bottled up inside. After a long moment, she pushed against his shoulders, breaking the kiss.
“I want to hear the rest, please, before I can’t think straight.”
The muscle in his arm trembled, his need to make love to her competing with his desire to honor her request. He exhaled. “Gossum arrived. We fought. One raced toward Noeh. He didn’t see it coming. I jumped in the way. The creature sliced its claw across my face before I killed it, but not before Noeh was injured.”
She inhaled. “But, he lived. You saved him.”
Frustration rippled along his nerves. “He was in a coma for a week. It was my fault the Gossum found us in the first place. I dishonored him and myself.”
“He chose to go with you, didn’t he?” Her lips pursed as she studied him. “You aren’t responsible for his choice.”
Noeh almost died because of you.
His father’s words echoed in his mind, reinforcing the guilt that plagued him. A hard ball formed in his gut. Suddenly, he wanted to stand, escape her interrogation, and he gripped his fingers around her waist to move her.
Kaelyn placed her hands over his. “Please, don’t. I want to stay right here, with you.”
The muscles in his arms tensed.
She didn’t reject him.
In that moment, the connection between them solidified into an unbreakable bond.
Saar couldn’t breathe. White spots threatened behind his eyes.
“Saar, look at me.” Her tender words were like an anchor, and he followed them from the depths as if they were his lifeline.
A ragged, rough breath burst from him.
She smiled and placed her lips on his cheek, near the edge of his scar. Her gaze flicked to his, and she held it as she trailed soft, gentle kisses along the marred tissue. When her mouth reached his, she closed her eyes, the elegant lashes gracing her creamy features, so clean, so unblemished, so unlike his own.
A shameless groan slipped from him as her light, feathery lips skimmed over his, teasing him. After a long moment, she continued along her chosen path, leaving soft kisses in her wake. At the base of the scar, she lingered a tad longer, pressing her lips firmly against his chin before peering into his eyes once again.
Her eyes glimmered with a caring appreciation he’d never seen before. His chest tightened around his heart, but there was no protection left. She’d broken through his barriers, owning him, claiming him completely. Where once stood a gaping hole now resided an undeniable love for a female that had stolen his heart.
“I think we shall have to agree to disagree on that topic.” Her voice brought him out of his trance.
His brain fogged. “What topic?”
A delightful giggle eased from her lips.
The sound was like a boon to his battered soul.
From outside, a loud crash echoed through the trees.
Kaelyn jumped, pulling away from him to a standing position in one quick move. She bolted to the window. He followed right behind, but before he could stop her, she peeked through the edge of the curtain. A beam of sunlight glowed against her skin.
He tensed. Visions of her flesh burning raced through his mind, but nothing happened. Then, he remembered…she’s on Zedron’s team. A crushing pain hit him in the chest.
No, she wasn’t the enemy, not anymore.
She was his.