“You dare to speak to me that way?”
“Tell me I’m wrong.”
His fists opened and closed, and his temper broke. Suddenly he was storming toward me, rage and power let loose. He stopped in front of me, still careful of the everlass plants but not careful of me. A fast movement, and his fingers curled around my throat. I didn’t have my knife. I did have my foot.
I hopped up so that he would take my weight, all of my body held up by one of his hands. My air completely cut off, but I didn’t waste the opportunity. I swung my foot as hard as I could.
My boot smacked between his legs. His breath swooshed across my face with the impact. He squinted in pain and nearly crumpled, groaning as he lowered.
My feet hit the ground, and then I threw his hand off me. Normal people would’ve run away, but normal people didn’t have a kingdom resting on the strength of these everlass plants.
“Keep standing,” I commanded, and my animal swirled within me, lending power to my words.
His wobbling knees locked straight, jerking him upright. His upper body still bowed, though, as he cupped his balls.
“Do not crush these plants.” I hooked my arms around his middle, and he draped over me, his weight a bit more than I could comfortably handle. “Get a hold of yourself. It’s just your dick. Deal with the pain.”
He issued a shaky laugh before coughing. “That was a damn good kick.”
One of his big, scarred hands rested on my shoulder, and he straightened up painfully. He looked down at our feet before pulling one of his back a little, giving the everlass plant more room. His gaze then tracked up my body, searing heat following in its wake. His smell delighted my senses. His other hand traveled up my arm and over my collarbone to the base of my neck.
“So fierce,” he whispered, tracing his thumb across my heated flesh. “So strong.” He breathed out, our breath mingling now. His fingertips brushed my jaw line before applying pressure, making me look up at him as he bent. “So powerful.”
I braced my hands against his chest to push him away even as my eyelids grew heavy and desire curled through me.
His lips neared my ear. “Do you want me to touch you, Finley?”
His tongue traced the edge of my earlobe, and I shivered.
“Tell me,” he commanded softly, and my stupid animal surged power through me. Tried to take over.
“Hmm,” he groaned, tightening his grip on my jaw, keeping my head tilted up to him. “That’s right. Let your animal feed your arousal. I can feel her in you. I can feel how much you want me.”
The hand on my shoulder slipped down my collarbone and over the swell of my breast. His thumb pressed against the bud of my nipple. A shock of pleasure speared me.
I clenched the fabric of his shirt and willed myself to push him away.
His thumb moved in lazy circles, stroking my inner fire. My lips opened wider as I panted.
“Where do you want me to touch you?” he coaxed, pulling away from my breast so he could push the fabric off and down my shoulder. The neck was so big that it slid down easily. His tricky fingers edged down again, gliding across my bare flesh. At the top of my binding, he ran his finger just under the fabric.
I jerked my fisted hands a little, yanking him a bit toward me. I gritted my teeth and stopped myself. My animal tried to surge up, but I was ready this time. I pushed her down, suppressing the power that rolled through me, trying to keep my head.
His chuckle was dark and sinister as he worked my binding lower. His other hand held my face, and he bent until his lips grazed mine. A shock of electricity lit me up as our lips touched.
“I want to taste you,” he murmured.
I clutched his shirt tighter and braced myself, in a battle for control. Logic said to push him away. My animal had me locked up tight, though. She wanted this, and she was about to take over and get it.
His tongue darted out, skimming the seam of my lips. I opened my mouth before I could stop myself. His lips curled, and he finished pulling my breast free, now reaching in my shirt. He pulled back, our gazes locking, as he pinched my taut nipple.
I whimpered at his touch as he manipulated the hard bud with the rough pad of his finger. His pupils dilated, showing his delight in the effect he was having on me.
“Um…sir?”
The voice was insistent. Anger kindled within me that anyone would interrupt. My animal beat power through my blood.
Nyfain pulled my shirt farther down. Fabric ripped, giving him more access. He bent and raked a hot tongue across my nipple.
I groaned, lost in the sensations now.