PrimalHunger

by Dawn Montgomery

  “I had a doctor use this stuff as a bone graph in the field.” Azros sat on a padded ottoman and gingerly raised his arm to expose his side for bandaging. The lines of his face deepening were the only indication of his pain.

  She brought the tray to the ottoman and set it down. “I’ve never heard it used that way. One of the ladies had an organ patched up with the stuff. It was the most amazing thing.” Kendra washed, disinfected, and dried the area with efficiency. Bob had done a great job of cauterizing the wound. It looked deep, but there was no muscle showing. That was good. If the wound had been more serious, she would have been notified. She tried to be gentle, but going slow would prolong the agony. Her gentle probing of the swollen tissue brought a soft grunt from his throat.

  “I hope the organ patch was a temporary fix.” He smelled like spicy male and fresh soap. A unique blend.

  Kendra peeled the patch loose and gently placed it over his wound. “It got her to an Exodus ship. Medic class.”

  Azros gave a low whistle. “That’s quite a distance. I’ll have to remember that trick.”

  Kendra laughed, smoothing the edges down. “Let’s hope you never have to use it.”

  Azros cursed and she clicked her tongue in sympathy. He visibly paled. The burn would stop once the bonding completed. An anesthetic would eventually seep in and keep the pain levels down.

  “Did you enjoy the shower?” She placed her palm over the patch and winced at the escaping heat. It would be over in a moment.

  “Yeah.” His jaw clenched and he released a breath. “Though mine wasn’t nearly as roomy as yours.” He gave her a mocking glare. His jaw clenched again and she could see the muscles of his side contract in agony.

  “Don’t blame me. This was the head scientist’s suite. Rank had its privileges.”

  “I bet. Sheon politics at its best, no doubt.”

  Kendra shook her head. The patch grew cooler and spots of color returned to his cheeks. It was almost done. “His family was isolated to a barren rock with fifteen months between supply drops. A luxury shower with water reclamation isn’t too much to ask for, is it?”

  Azros didn’t look convinced, but at least she’d distracted him a bit.

  She grinned. “Besides, no one else knows about it. So I sneak out here every now and then for some peace and quiet.”

  His lips twitched in the makings of a smile.

  She had only the sudden widening of his eyes as warning. His hands clenched on her arms. A full-body shudder racked his frame. Azros doubled over and gave an animalistic cry. Kendra instinctively gripped his forearms. What the hell? The muscles of his body tightened. “What is it?” Her mind raced. There was no way she could get him to medical. Was he having a reaction to the esskin?

  Sweat beaded his forehead. His intriguing scent surrounded them. “You need to get away from me.” Even as the words left his lips, his hands drew her closer.

  “Why, what is it?” His eyes were changing. The pupils dilated and the delicious scent unique to Azros surrounded her. Voracious lust clenched in her core. “Oh shit.” His hands slid up her arms. “Is this that mating thing again?” She knew it was. Her pussy ached to be filled, leaving her a trembling wreck. Keep him talking. She touched his face and his eyes closed. Her fingers touched his stripes and she was shocked at how soft they were. Like the finest cloth.

  He grabbed her wrist and held her hand against his face. “You don’t want to do that.”

  “Touch you?”

  “Tempt me.” The raw aggression in his voice sent her pulse into overdrive.

  “The bandage has set. It should hold for a while.” She gently brushed a thumb across his striped cheek. Azros had a rugged and wild beauty that she’d never seen before. It had to be the mating thing talking.

  Another shudder racked his body. The mating scent grew stronger. Kendra realized what Azros wouldn’t say…the mating was taking over his body. She dropped to a knee in front of him. “How does this mating thing work?”

  She watched his battle for sanity. A part of her wanted him wild, but she didn’t know enough about him to trust him not to go too far. The medscan had proven no diseases or radioactive contamination. They were consenting adults, right? She clenched her eyes shut. This was a very bad idea. Wasn’t it? The back of his hand brushed against her breast, and she clenched her teeth against the raw sensation.

  “Be sure. Once this starts, it will have to run its course, or I’m afraid I’ll…” He pressed his forehead against hers. His fingers ran down her arms, awakening another level of sensitivity.

  “Territorial madness, right? You’ll get possessive and angry? Sounds like a lot of my exes.” She ran her fingers through his still-damp hair, reveling in the silky texture.

  He gave a rough chuckle. “No man will be able to touch you, or I’ll kill them.”

  “Ah. That might be a problem in my line of work.” She swallowed. “How long does this insanity last?”

  “A week, maybe more. Involves lots of wild sex and devotion. Complete abandon. Wicked temptations. You know, the usual boring sexual depravity.”

  “Oh, is that all? What about my body’s reaction to the mating? Do you look for other females, because I don’t share well.”

  He shrugged. “It’ll be just you. Your reaction, however, I don’t know. I’ve never heard of a non-Valorian mating.” His lips brushed against hers. “It’s your choice.”

  My choice? “Mind-blowing sex for a week or more. Are you crazy? I’m overdue for a vacation anyway.” She hesitated. Some things were just too good to be true…right? “Just until the mating is over, right?”

  “You have my word.”

  She trusted him. And that was the most dangerous feeling of all.

  It was her hesitation. Mistrust in her gaze. “I won’t force you.” He brushed his thumb against her lip and abruptly stood. “You don’t trust me.” He nodded and scanned the area. “We need to find me a room I can’t escape from. Lock me up.” He doubted if this lab held anything that would be able keep him away from her.

  “Wait.” She growled the word, standing to her full height. Her voice shook and he dared not turn back.

  His cock was stiff and bulging, so hard he doubted his ability to go slow. To take it easy. The longer he waited, the more barbaric he’d become. Valorian past was peppered with tales of extended mating rites, and the death of one or both mates the result.

  “Do you blame me for doubting you?”

  He heard the tremor in her voice. He didn’t blame her, but fate. “I trust my instincts.”

  Her breathing was harsh. Rough, like his. He could taste her lust in the air. It grew more intense, more erotic every moment. She was killing him with her sweetness. “It’s not a matter of trust. I don’t even know you.”

  “This isn’t the way I would want to do this. I would wait if I could.” He could feel the heat of her body as she stepped close, the moment her hand would have touched him. “Don’t touch me unless you’re willing to continue this. Once I start, I can’t stop.” His body cried from the loss of her heat. “I have never had my control this close to the edge. Please don’t tempt me more than your delicious body already has.”

  “You don’t have to wait.” Her voice was husky.

  He turned, slowly, carefully. “Explain what you mean.”

  “I have never had this kind of need before. It’s terrifying.” She waved her hand in irritation, a movement that swayed her breasts in a delectable fashion.

  Azros clenched his fists at his sides, not trusting himself to touch her. Something burned deep inside her, something that spilled out into her gaze. A simmer. A simmer he wanted to turn into an inferno, to make her scream for him, beg, love what he could give. Need. “That’s likely from my mating urges, my lambyre.”

  “Is that what it’s called? I think it should be bottled and sold.”

  He couldn’t help the reluctant grin from spreading. “You like it?” A primal urge to mark her slid down his spine. Azros fough
t it with every ounce of his control. He wouldn’t turn feral. Not now. Not ever.

  Her head tilted and she dropped her heavy-lidded gaze to his lips. He licked his, wanting to taste that heat, let it drive him insane. This close he could see a light dusting of freckles on her nose.

  “Is there anything I need to know?”

  He grinned, stepping closer and waiting for her to touch him. Her hands on his body tortured him. “Well, when a male and female get together, there are certain urges…”

  She smacked his chest. He captured her hand and turned it so that he could press a kiss on her pulse point. “That’s not what I mean.”

  His tongue rasped against her wrist. “I know.” She tasted better than he could have imagined. He watched her eyes grow to storm-lined silver. Dark, beautiful.

  “Your tongue is rough.” Wonder and curiosity burned from her gaze. Wonder, curiosity, and no small amount of lust.

  He fought against the feeling of relief. There was a change in pressure, the increased frenzy of the wind outside. It mirrored the fire raging through his body. “I can’t do anything about that.”

  She glanced up and he was surprised to find humor bouncing back to him. “Why would you want to? That’s got to come in handy.”

  He opened his mouth to comment and she met his lips with hers. Her kiss was like wildfire, full of heat and lust, exploring his lips with delicate intent. His tongue sank into the dark velvet of her mouth, tasting the edge of need that was driving them both insane.

  “You are so delicious.” Her breathless words ended on a growl and he grinned against her mouth.

  “You taste even better.” Like warm honey and heat. Her kiss was addicting. “You’re going to burn me alive.” He buried his face against her neck and drew in a shaky breath. She wasn’t ready. He could taste the change in her body, the acceptance of the hormone. Something important scratched at the back of his mind, but he shoved it away. Her nails dug into his shoulders and he licked against the racing pulse point going wild beneath the skin. She shattered his thoughts with butterfly kisses along his jawline.

  His mouth watered and his teeth ached to sink into the sweet flesh. He growled, reining in the beast that threatened to overwhelm. “Are you sure you want to do this?” Her breath fanned across his neck. Teeth nipped at the skin. The stinging bites shot bolts of pleasure straight to his cock. It wasn’t too late to stop her change. Gods help him if he didn’t want to stop.

  “What are you waiting for?” She arched against him, begging with her body. “A handwritten invitation? Stop teasing.”

  “Oh baby, I haven’t even begun to tease.” His lips pressed against her temple. “Open for me, Desh’ra.” Dear one. His lips explored hers in a dance that had her moaning against his. Her flavor was fresh like summer rains and raw like the awakening fruit of his home world. “Tell me there is a more comfortable place to take this.” His mouth pressed kisses against her throat. Her moan made him smile, and then she dug her fingernails into his scalp, tugging him closer. His palm slid up her ribs and cupped the swell of a full breast, dragging her shirt with him. In a moment, her shirt came over her head and dropped to the floor.

  “The bedroom. Door.” His lips latched on to her nipple through the soft mesh of her under shirt. She gave a throaty moan. “Behind you.”

  “What was that?” His fingers toyed with her other nipple.

  “Door. Behind. You.” She gasped. “Oh yes.”

  She liked his touch. Male satisfaction rumbled through his body and mind. She arched against his mouth and held him against her.

  He needed her hotter. Wilder. He pulled away from her delectable breast and smiled at her. His fingers ran down her arm before interlocking with hers.

  Her eyes lit with surprise and gazed at their clasped hands. It twisted something in his heart to realize this kind of affection was alien to her. He pressed a light kiss to her wrist and dragged her toward the door. He couldn’t get enough of her lips, tasting and sipping with every step. Azros had her against the door and inside before she could blink. He walked her slowly backward, tugging at the mesh undershirt, pulling it over her head. Her body took his breath away. Perfect round breasts, rose-tipped perfection. Beautiful eyes lit with an inner fire.

  Her hands flattened against his chest and he could feel her warmth blazing all the way through his skin. “You’re going to burn me alive, love.” Her gaze was unfocused and full of desire. The sultry glow of her eyes was a window to the depths of her soul, rocking him back. Tiny nails dug into his skin and he wrapped his arms around her narrow waist. Pleasure nipped down his skin. Lips tasted the column of her sweet throat. His hands gently cupped her nape, keeping her still. Teeth scraped against the sensitive spot where neck met shoulder. Her soft moan was full of the same need that gripped him. Her hands explored down the planes of his stomach, scratching lightly at the sensitive stripes on his skin. Every nerve ending came to attention and he moaned.

  Her hands palmed his cock. It was like raw pleasure. She was going to kill him.

  Kendra’s body ached for him. He tasted so good. So hot.

  She craved his touch. The teasing scrapes of his nails against her skin kept her body in a constant sensual haze. His skilled lips drove her insane with sensation. What the hell was he doing to her?

  The hard length of his cock flexed under her palms. His fingers tugged at her nipples, and his hot mouth followed. She cried out, arching against him. Her fingers slid under the waistband of his pants, tugging gently. She stroked her fingers over the velvet length of his cock. Her thumb brushed over the head, spreading the slick essence of pre-cum around the tip. The groan torn from his throat was muffled against her breast.

  Her pussy slickened. She rubbed her thighs together to ease the rising ache of lust. “Azros. I need.”

  With little effort, he lifted her up and took them the rest of the way to the bed. Kendra’s heart did a little flip. A woman could get used to being hauled around. He set her on the edge and spread her bare thighs apart. The scent of her lust mixed with the spicy essence of his. She dragged her fingers through his silky hair.

  “Open for me, sweet.” His lips burned a path down her throat.

  “Oh fate.” The curse left her lips and his teeth scraped against her stomach.

  Deft fingers dipped between the lips of her moist flesh and stroked the tiny nub of her clit. Sparks of light exploded behind her closed lids. She cried out and arched against his fingers.

  His teeth nipped at the curve of her breast, tugging gently before soothing with that amazing tongue. A part of her tried to hang on to reason, but it was a losing battle. His tongue swirled around her nipple before he took it into his mouth. She cried out, weakness flooding her body. He suckled hungrily, tugging at the tender flesh. Pulses of pleasure arced down her spine. Her pussy clenched around his fingers, and his resulting purr against her breast sent spikes of ecstasy down to her core.

  “What are you doing to me?” She pressed fevered kisses against his forehead and temple, tugging at the soft curls of his hair.

  His tongue rasped against her nipple. “Wicked temptations and complete abandon. Remember?”

  Her mind blanked. How the hell was she supposed to think when he was destroying her? The words were familiar, and his voice was raw, carnal need. Alive and full of intensity, making her hotter than she thought possible.

  “I have to taste you.” His hot mouth burned a trail down her sensitive stomach to the vee of her thighs. “So beautiful.” His breath teased across her moist flesh. He pulled his fingers gently from her body and gazed at her with eyes glittering in lust.

  When his tongue lapped at the tips of his fingers, hunger clenched her pussy. She ached for his touch. Azros could easily become an addiction.

  “You taste like fire and sweet cream.” His lips pressed reverent kisses against her sensitive folds, and Kendra’s hips arched involuntarily.

  His hands spread her thighs and his talented tongue lapped leisurely at her cl
it. Sparks of need had her pussy aching to be filled. Azros’ rich scent surrounded her, burning her from the inside while his tongue sent already hot flesh to the heights of pleasure. It had to be that damn hormone. She craved it, knew its taste. Fate, would she crave it for the rest of her life? She clenched the sheets in tight fists, desperate to ease the flames he stoked.

  Primal cries tore from her throat. His tongue and mouth ate her with single-minded focus. Clever fingers explored and teased, driving her higher with every stroke.

  His arms hooked around her thighs and pulled her pussy closer, as if she were a banquet for him to feast on. He purred against her clit and all thoughts shattered. The vibration of his mouth against her had her crying out in desperation. All that remained was the aching lust knotting and coiling in her core. Pleasure spikes had her gripping his hair and tugging. He growled against her and purred again. Her hips rose to meet him, giving small, desperate counterstrokes to his talented tongue.

  His mouth ground against her clit and his tongue flicked. There! Orgasm crashed over her, tightening her channel in rhythmic pulses. He didn’t give her time to gather her thoughts before his body covered hers. His cock rubbed against her slick entrance, nudging the folds open.

  “Yes.” She arched against him and he held her still. Feral temper struck. She snarled at him.

  “Tell me.” He trapped her wrists above her head. The heat of his body scorched along her nerve endings. Already she could feel her body rising again. She tried to tug free of his hold, but he held her easily. “Tell me, Kendra.”

  He wanted her to think? “Tell you what?”

  “Tell me you want this.” From his gaze burned lust and something darker, something feral. She realized at that moment just how alien, how untamed he was.

  She couldn’t think. Her body moved against him, needing. “Don’t make me beg. I can’t.”

  His teeth nipped at her bottom lip, tugging gently. “Tell me.”

  A knot born of tension weighed heavy in her chest. Something was changing inside. Her body burned with lust for this man. It was too intense. “Take me, damn you. Fuck me.”