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I finished packing up the supplies and stood to put them in my pack when Kaga grasped my hand. He tugged until I fell to my knees in front of him. “Hey!” I exclaimed, frowning.
He wrapped his strong arm around my back, pulling me closer, while his hand went to my cheek. Hey what? he said. He stroked my skin, and I shivered, despite the warm flames at my back. Do you want me to stop?
“Stop what?” I whispered, not quite knowing why. He drew me closer to him until his hard chest was right against mine, the heat of his body radiating against me. I ran my hands up his arms, loving the way his muscles tightened under my touch.
Don’t play games with me, Allura. You know what.
“Don’t you dare stop,” I said, my voice barely a breath. With that, I threaded my hands into his hair, gripping the silky strands, and planted my lips on his.
Chapter 22
His lips were soft, much softer than I expected, and I slid my lips over his. It was different than in the sea, with water on us at all times. He sat still, unmoving, as I kissed him. He smiled against me, then tilted his head away.
He wrapped his hand in my hair, tugging it until my head tilted. No, Allura. I’m not kissing you like a chaste bodyguard. His lips scrape my jaw and my eyes widen. You drive me crazy. It’s only fair I return the favor.
Before I could argue back, his mouth was on mine. He wasn’t kidding. This was no chaste kiss. He devoured me. I’d been kissed plenty of times before in my life, but nothing like this. I felt like he would consume me where I kneeled.
His lips moved against mine with an urgency. My heart raced with anticipation as his tongue pushed my lips apart. My breath hitched as I let him in, his tongue stroking mine, a promise of what else could stroke me. Heat pooled in my abdomen, and I grasped his smooth hair tighter, wanting him closer.
I pressed against him tighter, moaning as my breasts strained against my shirt. His lips traveled across my cheek to my ear. He bit my earlobe, caressing my skin with his teeth. My hands left his hair to travel down his sides. I wanted his skin under my hands.
My hand moved down his bandage, and I jumped back. What’s the matter? he asked.
I held up the hand, showing him the blood. “You’re bleeding again!”
He shrugged, trying to kiss me again. Kissing makes it better.
I pushed him away, my hands lingering on his shoulders. “No. You need to rest.”
Kaga grumbled, but didn’t protest when we started cleaning up our camp. He stacked the fire with more wood, since it would keep away most predators during the night. The light of the quarter moon kept us company until we were finished. Good. We had at least a week before the full moon.
I crawled into my bedroll and Kaga joined me, moving his bedroll exactly next to mine. These can combine into one bedroll, if you’re interested.
I hesitated long enough for Kaga’s laughter to fill my head and I flipped so my back was to him, muttering about arrogant humans. It wasn’t until I sensed his warmth at my back that I relaxed the tension in my shoulders. Just don’t attack me in the night, he said.
“You’re more likely to attack me, you pervert!”
Speaking of perverts, how do mermaids even have sex?
I snorted. “Wouldn’t you like to know?”
I’m hoping to find out in person.
My heart jumped, and I sputtered. I chose not to respond, instead blew out a huge sigh, then threw the bedroll over my head. That would show him. It conveniently covered the huge grin on my face, too.
Sometime before dawn, I woke with a start. With a yawn, I slid out of bed, careful not to wake Kaga. I took care of business behind a bush, then checked Squiggles. He had enough water and was happily snug in his jar.
Inside the tent, I quietly got back into my bedroll. Instead of facing the wall, I turned toward Kaga. He was sleeping heavily, his chest rising and falling with each breath. I reached forward and brushed a lock off his forehead, marveling at its softness. Did he wash it with a special soap?
Daring to touch him more, I put my hand on his cheek and stroked it with my thumb.
His hand snaked up and grabbed my wrist, and I let out a tiny squeak. I thought he was asleep.
“Sorry,” I whispered.
Slowly, his eyelids opened, and he stared at me, desire smoldering in his eyes. I sucked in a breath.
Don’t be, he said. You can touch me anytime.
