Questionably, an amused smirk lifted the corners of his mouth. “That's ironic.”
“What?”
Mikail didn't immediately answer, jotting the word down in his own script before turning his head to say against her ear, “I can't think of anything else, either.”
His deep tone sent a shiver running down the side of her neck, and the sensation amplified when she turned her gaze to meet his, only to find their lips a bare breath apart.
In an instant, all of her questions faded away, logic relenting to the torrent of emotions rising up inside her. Maybe it didn't matter why Mikail had forfeited, or why he could only thinking of kissing, because kissing was all she could think of, too.
And she couldn't remember ever desiring to kiss a man more.
Her heart thumped against her sternum, breath hitching as he reached to tuck a lock of hair behind her ear. Knowing the type of strength Mikail was capable of made the gentle caress incredibly alluring, and she mindlessly whispered his name in question, still uncertain what was happening, and even less sure she cared to know.
Either way, it wasn't the time for answers as the sound of his name seemed to spur him into action. In an instant, their lips locked, his tongue boldly plunging into her mouth with a possessively erotic growl, muffling her gasp as the chart of letters and the book it was sitting upon tumbled off her lap with a thud against the floor when she jolted in surprise.
At the same time, his arms wrapped around her so tightly she almost thought he'd crush her. But there was care in his movements as well, particularly when he pushed his fingers through her hair to cradle the back of her head.
The movement made her feel cherished, every inch of her body tingling as she grabbed him in a tight hold. She'd never been kissed so covetously before—and she adored it. Mikail was clutching her with a type of care she'd never experienced. It didn't make his kiss any less demanding, however, his tongue insistently stroking her own with a possessiveness she couldn't ignore, and didn't want to.
Kivsey nearly melted, turning toward him as his big hands stirred the fire now burning its way through her veins by rubbing up and down her back and arms, greedily groping with a ragged groan into her mouth.
She tried to keep up, wanted to return the favor and make him experience the same gut wrenching desire he was evoking. But her confusion over his actions couldn't be fully silenced, an annoying spark of doubt dancing on the edge of her thoughts asking why?
Why was he doing this? Did he simply find her a convenient alternative to exploit until he located a true mate?
At the thought, she finally found the will to turn her head and break their kiss—a mistake. The movement put his lips at her ear, and he wasted no time nibbling it. Not there … !
Kivsey's eyes rolled back, so sensitive to the brushes of his lips she could barely think, let alone rasp the words, “What are you doing?”
The groan he let didn't help her concentration, nor did his deep, gruff response.
“You have the sexiest ears. Turn your head so I can give the other the same attention.”
She shuddered in his hold. There wasn't a single word of his statement that wasn't dripping with lust, which was fitting considering she'd reached the same state.
Sadly, it only made her next move that much harder to accomplish.
Gripping the edge of the chaise, she tugged herself out of his grasp and stood, thankful not to stumble in the process. Still, she had to grab a shelf near the door to keep herself steady after his dazing kisses, and turned to face Mikail with every intention of asking what was going on.
But he'd already stood, and it took a moment to adjust her vision before she inquired, “Seriously, what are you doing?”
“Kissing you,” he replied simply, coming to stand only a foot away.
Craning her head to look up, she muttered, “I know that. I mean why? You just left a competition designed to help you meet your mate, and now you're kissing me like you found her.”
He quirked a white brow up over an eye. “How do you know I haven't?”
Kivsey blinked, unable to determine his meaning for several moments before asking abruptly, “What? I thought you said you didn't dream of me last night.”
“I didn't. Why?”
“Well, if you didn't dream of me, then I'm obviously not your mate, right?”
At her question, his eyes lit with understanding, as if he'd just pieced something together while shaking his head.
“That's not how it works. First, I didn't dream last night at all that I remember. Second, we don't always dream of our mates just after meeting. So it could be you, and until I know for sure, I'm going on instinct.”
If that was the case, she'd completely misunderstood him earlier, and her heart skipped at the notion that, if he was going on instinct now, it was pretty damned clearly directing him to her.
“Wait a minute,” she interjected, ducking to the side before he could get any closer, then spun around to face him at the center of the room where she added incredulously, “We've known each other for three days, and you've spent half that time treating me like … well, basically an elf. Now, you're kissing me and suggesting I might be yours?”
Mikail grumbled under his breath, but didn't hesitate to turn and meet her gaze with his answer, proving his sincerity. “I won't lie about it, I didn't like the idea at first. But you've proven I was wrong, and I regret my behavior.”
That much was already clear—their time together that day alone was proof in itself. He'd been attentive and kind, which had her imagination wondering over things it probably shouldn't.
But it wasn't enough to lessen the impact of what he was saying.
Still and yet, she couldn't deny that part of her disbelief stemmed from her attraction to him, and the assumption that he'd never be interested. She'd been fighting her own inner workings, telling herself nothing would ever come of it, and now?
He was suggesting the very thing she'd tried to ignore.
So she had no idea how to respond, and he didn't make it any easier to figure out in adding, “Since we met, I've been drawn to you, and my instincts are only growing stronger. I didn't even want to sign up for the tournament, and I was dragging my feet over competing until Nevan told me she was bringing you.”
“Why?”
“Because you're the only woman I cared to impress.”
During his statement, he walked over and concluded, “Perhaps I should've told you earlier, but I wasn't sure you were ready to hear it. I'm not even sure you are now. But there's a chance you'll be leaving Satorala soon, and I wanted you to know the truth.”
His need to enlighten her was understandable, and she appreciated his consideration over her readiness to know of his interest. It certainly made his confession easier to deal with, though she wasn't at all prepared when he went on to admit, “I also want you to stay in the city until I have a solid answer.”
Her lips parted, and she started to ask if he realized what he was saying, but stopped herself short. Perhaps there was a lot left to learn about Mikail, but she did realize he wouldn't ask her to stay in the city without a good reason—he wouldn't even bring her from The Nexus without blindfolding her during their journey.
But a mate was important, and she understood his need to know if his instincts were right by asking her to stay longer.
Still, even if Kivsey wanted, she couldn't agree, pointing out, “Someone could show up for me any time, Mikail, and I can't just push them aside.”
Groaning, he admitted, “I know, and I realize you have a life in Terra you want to return to.”
Though true, returning to her old life wasn't the sole reason for her reluctance, or even a major one. It was the daunting prospect of being his mate, which raised so many concerns she didn't know where to start. First was the matter of Mikail's mortality, and whether or not she was even capable of bonding, and—
“But, Kivsey,” Mikail murmured on a soft, deep tone, drawing her attention by plac
ing a large hand against her cheek.
Gazing up at him, her thoughts scrambled again as he leaned in closer to add seductively, “I know this must be strange for you to hear, and don't get me wrong, I'm not saying we belong together. You've simply caught my interest, so I want more time with you, and I promise you'll enjoy every moment no matter what the future holds.”
The suggestive tone of his voice had her throat drying out so quickly it was surprising she didn't exhale dust. He was obviously trying to tempt her—and doing a damned fine job of it, too. To a woman who'd been alone for the past three years, his wicked promise was irresistible.
She also had to wonder if they'd ever get another chance to even explore the possibilities. I might never see him again after tonight.
The prospect was more distressing than expected. Until that moment, she'd only considered how visiting Satorala would be out of the question, not Mikail, and a pang of disappointment stabbed into her heart, proving her effort to keep from forming attachments hadn't been entirely successful.
But how could she stop herself from caring about the handful of people she'd interacted with personally? Nevan and Asasha were gracious, Vita was adorable, and the derision she'd encountered from others wasn't horrible enough to color her perceptions of friendly interactions with merchants and shopkeepers.
So leaving the city for good wasn't entirely appealing from the start, but never seeing Mikail again? The thought was like a quick jab to the gut, reminding her of the strange draw she felt to him. He'd just mentioned experiencing the same from the moment they'd met, and it made her wonder.
Could his instincts be right?
The idea that they were meant to be seemed unfathomable, and at the same time, curious. Stories of mated couples were always intense, and if this turned out to be the last time she ever saw him, what would she regret more; turning him away, or seeing where things might go?
What harm would there be in a little … exploration?
Maybe it was just a case of hormones clouding her judgment, or maybe there was indeed something forming between them that she wasn't seeing. Either way, it was impossible to ignore the draw she felt to this Dok'aal, and she asked suggestively, “Every moment, huh? Am I supposed to take that personally?”
A low, pleased growl sounded in the back of his throat that had her heart racing when he answered, “Very personally.”
Damn this man! The tone of his voice combined with the sinful glint in his eyes and that sensual smile had her powerless to do anything but lean up and kiss him just for making such a promise.
He let an approving groan in response, eroding her logic even more. Damned if she didn't want to give him a real reason to groan that way, wondering what her name might sound like on his deep voice when he was in the throes of pleasure.
With the fire he'd stoked burning through her body now, Kivsey feared she was only two seconds away from finding out.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
♦
Mikail had no idea if he was gaining any ground, but damned if he wasn't enjoying the attempt.
In response to his promise, Kivsey kissed him so passionately he was powerless not to respond in kind, slanting his mouth over hers possessively. Their tongues met, mating in a sinful glide, and he didn't resist the urge to slip his hands down and grip her firm ass tight in a clear display of desire.
Her arms clutched his body with a sharp moan into his mouth, the sound of her own desire quickening the thump of his pounding heart. Their embrace wasn't simply passionate, it was erotic, feeding his need to take things much further.
Still, without knowing her limits, he couldn't allow it to go too far, breaking their kiss to make a serious request.
“Tell me what you truly want, love.”
Breathless, she shook her head. “I have no idea. You've got me so twisted up I can't think straight.”
That didn't sound like a complaint, and he grinned. “I've twisted you up? Turnabout's fair play, as they say.”
For some reason, she peered up at him as if amazed, whispering, “That's so weird.”
“What?”
“It's just hard to imagine you being interested in me.”
At that, his grin faded, the implication of her statement not at all to his liking. If she was having a difficult time imagining him being interested, it was due to his failure to show her how alluring she truly was.
That was problem he intended to remedy, starting by pressing two fingers beneath her chin and brushing his thumb over her bottom lip in replying, “Then you should know I think you're beautiful, and I wish you could've observed the competition tonight, but I can always give a private demonstration by pinning you down to make you scream in pleasure.”
Groaning loudly, she retorted, “Don't say that! I haven't had … I mean I'm just not ready to hike up my skirt and make waves, Mikail. Even if I was, we don't have any contraception, not to mention how uncertain everything is.”
Though her reasons were definitely valid, the phrasing of her statement was also curious. Was she about to admit to a lack of sex? He wanted to ask, but had the feeling she'd only remind him that it didn't matter because she wasn't ready anyway.
So he focused on her reasons instead, truly resenting how uncertain their immediate future was. Perhaps she'd be more willing to stay if there was an easier way to travel from Terra to Satorala without traversing such dangerous areas. But there wasn't, frustrating him to the point that he nearly announced his intentions of going to Terra with her instead.
Yet he hesitated, too surprised to immediately get the words out.
The idea of leaving his home for a mate had never occurred to him—particularly not to live in a realm such as Terra. He'd never visited there before, but knew the daylight was just as bright as in Ithelyon, which wasn't entirely comfortable for a Dok'aal and the sole reason they resided underground.
Furthermore, he'd have to find a means of hiding what he was constantly because of the unwitting humans inhabiting that realm.
Yet, even with the obstacles in their way, going to such lengths would be worth it in the end if Kivsey turned out to be his. She'd proven more than once that she was admirable, witty, and compassionate, and he'd be fortunate to have such a woman in his life.
So the conclusion was simple—she could stay in Satorala, or he could go to Terra. Until the truth was revealed, there was no other alternative.
“Kivsey, I know things are uncertain, but—ungh … ”
His groan came when her fingers slipped down his abdomen, then the front of his pants to his crotch, her hand finding his concealed erection to shamelessly grope in the most delicious manner.
His cock pulsed hungrily in response as she supplied, “But it would be nice to get a little taste of what could be, right?”
He growled, all thoughts of more serious issues fading as his mind instantly seized on her proposal, his grasp around her back tightening to the point that he feared injuring her.
Yet she didn't complain, and even smiled in adding, “I should tell you that I'm honestly uncertain about this mate business, even worried. But I'm also curious, and damned sure flattered you left the competition for me. So at the very least, you deserve something to show for it.”
Eager to have it, he immediately leaned to lift Kivsey from the floor and carry upstairs as she snickered.
“Geeze, you're so impatient, big guy.”
He grinned, reaching the foot of his bed where he proved her right by tossing her onto the furs.
The sound of Kivsey's laughter as she bounced was heartwarming, and he wasted no time removing his tunic with every intention of joining her.
But he found her sitting on her knees at the edge of the bed where she reached out and grabbed his belt, giving it a jerk to pull him down with her.
Landing to her right, he asked, “Who's impatient now?”
“I'm just following suit,” she remarked with a sly smile while working to open the clasps of his pants.
Mikail found himself lost in a stupor, unsure he wasn't having a dream now. His pulse quickened, watching in a daze as she sought her first glimpse of his erection while stating, “Besides, after what I just felt hiding in your pants, I'm extremely curious to—oh my god.”
Kivsey's remark came the moment her soft hand pulled him free of the confining material, her warm palm against his aching shaft so good a groan erupted from his throat.
He also didn't have to ask why she sounded so surprised—he knew he was well endowed. His size had actually been a problem in the past with some women who weren't used to men of his … caliber, making it necessary to take things slowly until they adjusted.
Such wouldn't be a problem this night, as he had no intentions of taking things too far, or pushing Kivsey into something she wasn't ready to experience. Indeed, he wasn't certain he was ready.
After all, there was much to be said for making a partner ache with anticipation.
Still, he wondered if his size might be an issue in the future when she muttered, “Okay, there's big, and then there's too big.”
“Which am I?”
“Definitely bordering on too big,” she returned, stroking his cock in one hand while the other curiously caressed his chest and abdomen in playfully adding, “This thing's big enough to need a name.”
Mikail managed a laugh through his heavy panting, but his mind blanked when she lowered herself over him and whispered, “So I guess the first step is finding out how much I can fit in my mouth.”
Had he growled? It was questionable, though he didn't care to figure it out, too busy holding her seductive gaze with bated breath as she parted her lips and teasingly dabbed her tongue against his navel.
The muscles in his abdomen tightened, his pulse racing as she dragged her tongue over the ridges and toward the base of his shaft. His fingers curled into the blankets in the process, his cock straining to feel the heat of her mouth wrapped around it, sucking for all he had to give.
A definite groan sounded at the thought, feeding his desire to give her the same attention despite feeling incapable of doing anything but allowing her to continue.
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