“No, if your nose was plugged and you couldn’t smell a thing, you’d still want me. It’s the mating connection. It simply wouldn’t be as intense or as fast.” He slipped his hand beneath the back hem of her shirt and let his hand stroke her soft skin.
“So you say.” She lifted her chin.
“Do you feel as drawn to the other Zarain men? They have pheromones as well.” He waited for her to answer that, although just the thought of her being with any other male made a growl build in his throat.
Her eyes rounded and she swallowed hard. “No.”
The word sent a burst of satisfaction through him. He hadn’t known if she’d admit that. She wanted so badly to deny what was between them.
“My mate.” He leaned down and nuzzled the spot where her neck and shoulder met.
She shook her head, but her hands stroked down his chest to his stomach. The feel of her warm palm running over his abdomen sent a streak of hunger straight to his cock.
Chapter Nine
“What do you want, Ada?” Jagger tried not to pull her closer, but his hand continued stroking her back. He’d have loved to make the touch more intimate, but he didn’t want her to say he’d coerced her with sex. Not when she was so close to making the decision on her own. Then he’d show her that she belonged with him.
“I don’t like you.” One of her hands clenched on his shirt, but the other smoothed over skin just above his pants.
He grinned at that blatant lie. She more than liked him. He could feel the intensity of her emotions but couldn’t read her thoughts. Not that he’d ever be able to truly do that. He’d be able to pick up focused thoughts when she learned to send to him or the very strong thoughts when she was agitated.
She didn’t like that everything wasn’t her choice. He’d had a few thoughts about that of his own and he’d expected to automatically be drawn to his mate. For someone who hadn’t expected it, it would take time to get accustomed to the idea even if they could feel the attraction.
“Tell me what you need.” He let her other hand go and cupped her cheek. Her muscles had relaxed and most of the scent of anger had dissipated. Through their connection, he could feel a little frustration, confusion and anger, but more arousal.
“You know I want you. You said you could smell it.” Her eyes narrowed on him.
And her scent was driving him insane with the desire to fuck her, take her and make sure she realized that she was his woman. He was going to make her face facts now. He stepped close to her and hooking a foot behind her ankle, took them both down to the blanket.
“I can and I’m going to taste it as well. You’re going to admit you’re my mate, Ada, over and over again.” He braced himself over her and looked down at her.
Her curly red hair fanned around her head on the blanket. A pink tint highlighted her cheekbones and her brown eyes seemed to glow. She was gorgeous. He lowered his head and nipped at her full lips. He wanted to strip off her clothes and drive his cock deep into her pussy, but he needed to hear those words even more.
As he moved down her body, he realized he should have stripped her clothes off before he took her to the blanket. Too late for that now. He backed away, just enough so that he could tug her into a sitting position. She frowned at him, confused. Grabbing the bottom of her shirt, he pulled it up without a word. She lifted her arms to let him draw the shirt over her head. He dropped it to the ground and pressed her back to the blanket.
“My woman. My mate.” He nibbled his way down her neck. The lure of the reddened nipples drew him.
He’d get her out of her pants and shoes a little later. First, he wanted to give some attention to those hardened peaks. Her hands stroked his shoulders. He lifted his head. He wasn’t going to let her distract him. He gripped her hands and pressed them down beside her hips.
“Keep them there.” He gave a slight squeeze on her wrists before he released them.
He returned his attention to the plump mounds with the darkened peaks. He licked his way up the creamy white skin. Her breath hitched as he swirled his tongue around the stiff peaks. The taste of her skin lured him back just as the deepening scent of her arousal urged him to do more.
He rubbed his lips over the peaks, lightly brushing them, not taking them in his mouth as he wanted. As he knew she wished he’d do. Her back arched, lifting her nipples against his mouth in silent urging.
He swiped his tongue over the right bud. She moaned. He smiled. He loved her reactions. Blowing a puff of air over the moistened peak, he set out to make her even wilder than she was now. He wanted her desperate. After what happened yesterday and her insistence that she couldn’t be his mate, he was aching to claim her.
“Jagger, damn you, suck my breast or stop playing around!” Her voice cracked as he trailed his tongue over the peak again.
He looked up at her and found her glaring down at him. Judging by that searing glance and the scent of her arousal, she was heating nicely. He was pleased that her hands hadn’t lifted from the blanket. “In time.”
He returned to his ministrations at her breast. Dragging his tongue over the stiff peak, he tormented her nipple. She moaned and arched, but her hands remained clenched on the blanket. Her body shivered when he finally put his mouth over her hardened nub. He drew on it hard before scraping his teeth over it and drawing back. He moved to the other side and treated it to the same slow torment.
She was trembling when he began to move down her body. As he did, he gripped the waistband of her pants and began to pull them down. He wanted to see and taste her sweet pussy and this was in the way. In any other circumstances, he would have ripped the garment off her, but she didn’t have anything else to wear back to camp.
“Jagger.” Her hips lifted and her thighs parted.
The inviting move sent more blood racing straight to his cock but didn’t help him get the last of her clothes off. He tugged off her shoes and tossed them over his shoulder. After he pulled her pants and underwear off, he stared down at her curvy, long legs. They parted, giving him a glimpse of her pussy. The lips glistened with her juices.
He moved up between them and swiped his tongue over the plump folds. Her hips wriggled. He gripped her hip with one hand as ran his tongue between the folds. Her taste and her scent flooded his senses and he wanted more. He wanted to feel her climax beneath his tongue and then to experience the ripple of her pussy over his cock as he fucked her. Mates. He had to remind himself that he needed to hear her say the words. She’d believe it and know that she was his.
Balancing himself on his elbow, he parted her folds and ran his tongue from her entrance up over clit. He focused on her clit, wanting to make her wild and to lap up all that sweet cream she was creating. His hand gripped her hip, holding her still. He couldn’t stop her hips from moving completely. He was determined to get those words from her before she came this time.
One of her hands cradled the back of his head. He let it remain there. Earlier, he hadn’t wanted her to tear away his control with a few quick strokes on his cock. Her hands felt too good. As long as she could only reach his head and shoulders, he’d enjoy it.
Her hips tilted up as he drew his teeth over her clit. Her moan sounded a little ragged, but he wanted more than that. He kept his attention on her responses. Each sound went straight to his cock. He wanted to drive deep and feel the ripple of her inner muscles on his cock before he drove them both to a screaming climax. He sucked at her clit. Her fingers tightened in his hair, trying to press his head tighter to her pussy. Hearing her enjoyment urged him on. He kept the pressure just as he wanted it. He wasn’t going to let her take her pleasure yet.
He put one of her legs over his shoulder and released his grip on her hips. He wanted to be able to feel the small tremors inside her pussy. Her hips lifted against his tongue. She was close. He didn’t want to push her over. Pulling those words from her was going to be a torment for him. He’d get the admission though.
He stroked his fingers into her pussy
and left them there. Her inner muscles clenched around his fingers. He pumped his fingers into her cunt a few times. She gasped and he felt her muscles tense as she lifted against his hand. He stopped, lifting his head and pulling his fingers from her tight channel.
“Jagger, please!” Her fingers tugged at his hair, trying to pull his head back down to her pussy.
He glanced down at the slick lips of her pussy and the pink flesh between the folds before looking up at her and licking his lips.
“Tell me you’re my mate.” He drew the pad of his thumb over the swollen folds, being careful not to brush her clit.
She shook her head. “Jagger, fuck me.”
His eyes narrowed as he took in that blatant challenge. He leaned down and blew a breath over her pussy. He didn’t want to overstimulate her and send her into an orgasm yet. She shivered and her hips arched. He drew his fingers down to her entrance and traced the opening. He teased her with a little pressure, but when she began to lift into it, trying to push his fingers deeper, he drew back.
“I want you.” Her voice trembled and her hips rocked upward in blatant need.
That tremor nearly pulled away all of his control. He wanted to give her what she needed. He took a deep breath to regain control, but it didn’t help. The enticing scent of her arousal increased, only making it harder to resist her urging. He let his thumb just graze her clit.
“Tell me you’re my mate and I’ll give you what you need and more.” He looked up at her.
Her hips arched up and she groaned. “Jagger!”
“Tell me or I’ll keep you just like this. Aching and needy for the pleasure you know you want.” He didn’t give in to her pleading. “As long as it takes.”
“You’re my mate.” The words came out fast.
He wasn’t sure if she even knew what she’d said, but it didn’t matter. The words had a power of their own and she would remember it. He lowered his head and stroked his tongue over her clit as he pushed two fingers deep into her pussy. Her inner muscles clamped around his fingers, pulling at them.
He sucked at her clit and flicked his tongue over the sensitive flesh. When she stiffened, he lifted his head and watched the pleasure take her. Her head tilted back and her body bowed forward. Her thighs tightened as she cried out. Her body trembled. He waited until she’d quieted and lifted her head a little. Her pleasure-glazed gaze rested on him.
“You’re mine and I’m not going to let you deny what we are to each other.” He held her gaze for a moment longer before lowering his head once again to her sweet cunt.
He licked and sucked at her clit as he fucked his fingers into her pussy. Her moans and the rocking of her hips urged him on. His own need drove him to make her ready, because he wanted to feel her cunt gripping him as he thrust deep. Her fingers clenched in his hair tugging. His mouth moved down to taste the juices spilling from her.
When she was shivering and near her peak, he drew back. He roughly jerked at the seal on his pants. It parted. At the moment, he didn’t care if it tore. His cock pushed out of the parting material. He thrust his pants down, quickly pulled them off and then moved up her body. His cock brushed against her wet folds. Her legs lifted, circling his hips and urging him closer.
Taking a deep breath to try to maintain a little control, he guided his cock to her cunt. He slowly pushed into her channel even though he wanted to drive deep and fast. Her inner muscles rippled over his cock and she lifted against him. He closed his eyes and gritted his teeth, trying to make a better showing than thrusting deep and losing all control. She was not making it easy for him. Finally, he was fully inside her pussy. His body pressed against hers from chest to groin. Her hard nipples pressed against his chest.
“Move, Jagger.” Her nails dug into his lower back.
He kissed her. His tongue thrust deep, claiming her mouth just as surely as he filled her pussy. She met his aggressive demand with one of her own. Her tongue brushed and her teeth nipped and scraped. Her wildness only incited his own.
He drew back and rocked into her, the need for his release increasing. The move tore his lips from hers. His patience and control were almost gone, but he tried to hold on a little longer. He wanted to savor the sight of her wild for him. Her hips bucked up against his and her nails scored his back and side. That ripped away the last of his restraint. He thrust deep and hard into her.
The feel of her hips lifting to meet his and the sound of his name on her lips thrilled him. His eyes locked on her face. Her breath caught and her eyes widened as her climax hit. He felt the inner muscles clenching and pulling at him even as her body trembled with the force of the pleasure. He continued to drive his hips against hers. His balls tightened along with his muscles. His head lowered to the curve of her neck and shoulder. Plunging his cock deep into her pussy, he came on a long groan. The sound rumbled against her skin.
Her inner muscles clamped on him again. She shook as the re’kai sent her reeling over the edge into pleasure. Her low moan was music to him.
That had felt so good, but he knew that it wouldn’t solve all the problems between them. Even though the attraction sizzled and grew, she refused to acknowledge the connection between them. She felt the intensity but denied what it meant.
He unhooked her legs from around his waist and then rolled to his back, taking her with him. In spite of the change in position, he didn’t withdraw from her, but kept her hips pressed tight to his, wanting to enjoy their closeness and privacy while they had it. She rested against his chest before pushing herself into a sitting position. He drew in a breath as the clench of her inner muscles began to stir an interest in him. His hands went to her hips and held her still. There were still a few matters they needed to talk about.
“You’re a ruthless bastard, Jagger.” She glared down at him.
It took him a moment to realize she was talking about the words he’d made her say. He held back a smile. It wouldn’t help his cause. He didn’t regret it in the least.
“I’m not going to let you hide from the truth. We’re mated. It’s not going to change and you will be staying with me. There’s more that we’ll need to talk about.” He let his eyes drift down to her breasts. He wanted to take one of those hard red nipples into his mouth and suck until she was clawing at his back and begging for more. Resolutely, he lifted his gaze back to her eyes.
“What more?” Her legs tensed as if she was trying to get up.
He wasn’t letting her get up and walk away from him. He had a feeling that once he released her she’d head straight back to camp so that they wouldn’t be alone and she wouldn’t have to face what he said. She needed to know. He didn’t want the sudden appearance of the stripes on her ribs to scare her.
“You’re changing.” He started out with the most important part of the information. The information that would probably draw the most reaction from her.
“Changing? What do you mean I’m changing? Nothing’s changed except that I’m having sex with you and you’re under the delusion that we’re mates.” Her brows lowered and her eyes narrowed.
He held back a laugh at her stubborn response. “It’s more than sex, but what I mean is that you’re transforming into a Zarain. You’ll be a shifter as I am.”
Her mouth opened, but no sound emerged. She swallowed, took a breath and then another. “I thought that was some kind of rumor.”
“No, it’s not a rumor. The bite injected an enzyme into you that began the transformation from human to Zarain. It won’t be much longer until it’s complete and I didn’t want you to be afraid when the markings appeared on your rib cage.” He let his right hand stroke up her side and back, trying to soothe and relax her. Slightly more than a Zarain, but he’d get into that later, after she’d become more accepting.
“Markings on my rib cage?” Her voice was almost whisper soft.
For a moment, she went completely still. Her muscles tightened and she exploded into movement. She tensed and pushed against him. Her hips wrenched to th
e side. Jagger held on to her as she went wild in his arms. His cock slipped from the sheath of her pussy as she fought him, but he didn’t let her bolt.
“Ada,” he said firmly and with just enough force to get her attention.
Her head lifted and she locked eyes with him. She stared him down. Her chest heaved as she drew in rapid breaths. The fire in her eyes told him that the struggle was far from done in spite of the fact that doing so hadn’t accomplished anything other than to aggravate her and arouse him.
“Let me go before I hit you.” She wriggled in his grasp.
“Fierce, aren’t you?” It wasn’t the way to calm her down, but he couldn’t hold back his smile. He loved that show of spirit.
Her hands balled into fists.
“There’s more I need to tell you.” He pulled his lips down into a serious line so as not to rev her anger to a higher level. Even though it was fun.
“More. There’s more than I’m changing from human to something else? Something I’m not even sure what it is.” She took a deep breath and glared down at him.
“You’re changing into a Zarain, not something,” he clarified softly.
“As if I know exactly what a Zarain is or does. I know, in general, shifters are stronger and faster. I have no idea what other things you can do.” Her fisted hand rested on his chest. “What is the more? Tell me now. I don’t know how much more I can take.”
“I’ll show you when it’s time. I wanted to explain mating to you, and the rest can wait until you’re in a more receptive frame of mind.” He was fairly sure that he’d pushed as much as he could. “A mating is not just sex. It’s something similar to a marriage and much more binding. All the Zarain here consider us a mated pair already. There are no words to be said that would make it more binding although we can have a ceremony. There are some ancient ritual binding words that once took the place of a ceremony.”
“You said you’d let me go now.” She took a deep breath and stared down at him waiting.
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