SUMMER

I sigh blissfully as I curl up against Warrek’s sweaty chest in the furs. We’re both still breathing hard, moments after we’ve both come. I’m a little sore between my legs, and I’m sure I’ll feel it in the morning. I’m also sure I don’t care in the slightest. That was beyond amazing. No wonder all these human women have the happiest smiles on their faces. They’re getting spur every night.

Spur, and a big, ridge-covered dick.

This must be heaven.

“Hea-fen?” Warrek murmurs, rubbing his big hand down my back.

Oh, did I say that out loud? “Just commenting on how good that was,” I tell him with a little yawn. I stretch, feeling catlike and sexy, and I love that he watches my boobs as I do. I’ve never felt particularly sexual in the past, but around him, I feel like a vixen.

And I’m also pretty sure I could go for that again, as soon as I catch my breath.

“I am glad it was pleasing to you.” He slides his hand up my side, moving to my front to cup my breast, as if he can’t help himself. “I wanted you to enjoy it.”

“Oh yeah,” I say dreamily. “You could say it was pleasing, all right.”

He chuckles at my expression. “I am glad we took tonight for ourselves. It will help in the nights to come.”

I smile at him and snuggle against his chest. It takes a moment to realize what he just said, and when I do, I sit upright. “Uh, what do you mean, it’ll help in the nights to come? What’s coming?”

Warrek looks at me thoughtfully. Oh, damn, a man should not look so sexy with strands of his own hair plastered to his skin, but he does. I want to lick all the sweat off his body. Maybe I will…once I find out what the heck he’s talking about. “The upcoming journey back to the ship.”

“There’s an upcoming journey back to the ship?” I echo. Then I realize what I’m saying. “Oh, duh. Of course there is. We have to retrieve the others and figure out what to do with the pod people.” I groan, resting my chin on his chest once more as I press up against him. Really, I can’t stop rubbing up against the man. He’s just so touchable with all those muscles and that blue suede skin. “Can’t say I’m eager to go back out on the trail, though.”

“Then it is good you are not going.”

Say what? I sit bolt upright again, frowning at him. “What do you mean, I’m not going?”

He reaches out and lazily traces a circle around my nipple. “It will be hunters only. Vektal will not risk an unmated female going to the others or getting captured if another ship arrives. We will need to move fast, and we will need our strongest, bravest warriors.”

“I’m strong,” I protest. “I’m brave.”

“You are both, my mate,” he agrees, pulling me down against him. “But that does not change that you will not be coming.” He rubs his nose against mine. “I will be happier knowing you are here and safe and dreaming of me and my spur every night.”

A joke? Warrek made a joke? I’d find that downright adorable if I wasn’t so miffed. “I don’t want you to go,” I tell him. “Isn’t this kind of like our honeymoon? Can’t you go on the next trip?”

He shakes his head. “My chief will need me. I am one of the few hunters that has no kits to feed. I am more free than the others. I would not be surprised if Harrec stayed behind, with Kate newly resonated to him. Bek will go, I think. He is eager for revenge against those that frightened his mate. And some of the long-mated hunters, I think. The swiftest ones.”

So…everyone that’s going has already resonated. And there are sixteen hot human ladies just waiting for their chance at big, blue-ridged dick and spur.

Oh, hell no. This one’s mine. “I want you with me,” I tell him stubbornly. “I need you here.”

He touches my cheek. “I would love to stay and roll in the furs with you for days on end, my lovely Suh-mer, but the tribe needs me.”

“And what happens if you leave my side and you resonate to someone else?” I protest. “What then?”

I’m surprised at the possessive look that comes over his face. He frowns and pulls me down against him. “Do not think such things.”

“I can’t help it. I—”

My words are cut off by his kiss. Hot, fierce, and utterly sensual, he slicks his tongue against mine and kisses me until I’m weak in the knees…and wet between the legs once more.

“You are mine, Suh-mer,” he murmurs as he moves me underneath him and pushes my thighs apart. “My mate. No khui will determine this for us. You are mine and mine alone.”

I can’t argue with that.