Not the worst idea I’ve heard so far. I glance around the cavern, looking for a familiar pair of horns and a man that stands slightly differently than the others. I spot him easily – he’s off by the central fire pit, helping to butcher the kill and chatting with Vektal as he does. They chat with Oshen, one of the elders, as he spits some of the meat for the humans. Even though it’s been a year and some change, not everyone can get used to eating their food raw, and kills are divvied up accordingly. I still prefer mine cooked, and I’m guessing that’s why Rukh is waiting nearby.
As if he can hear my thoughts, my mate looks up and makes eye contact with me. A possessive gleam shines in his gaze as he watches me. I bite my lip, wondering if I want to wait for food, or if I want to enjoy the time with my man instead.
I tilt my head at our cave, suggesting Rukh meet me there. I’m going to go with ‘mate’ instead of food.
I watch his response, as his nostrils flare and his body stiffens. He cuts Oshen off mid-comment and leaves the group, heading directly for me. Oshen looks confused but Vektal merely grins knowingly as Rukh heads across the cave.
I meet him halfway, admiring how handsome my mate looks. He’s come a long way since the first time I saw him. His wild hair has been tamed into long, sleek braids that keep his mane off his face. Instead of the loincloth I had to fight to get him to wear months ago, he now has leggings decorated with dyed quills running up each side and thick fur boots. He wears no shirt, but I don’t think he needs one. He’s got a gorgeous chest and I’m selfish enough to want to look at it all the time. Heck, I can’t seem to stop staring at it right now. My mouth goes dry as he comes closer to me, and I press my hands to that gorgeous, blue flesh. “Hello there.”
“Are you hungry?”
I smooth my fingers over his collarbones, fascinated by the way his velvety skin feels under my touch. Gosh, it’s been a while. I mean sure, we touch every morning and throughout the day, but we don’t touch. “It can wait.”
“Rukhar?”
“With Georgie for a few hours.” I look up at him and bite my lip. “We have some time alone.”
Around us, people laugh and pass skins of the fermented drink, and they celebrate loudly. We might as well be alone out here for all that we’re noticed.
He pauses, and my fingers trace small patterns on his skin. He looks down at my hands, then at me, and then knowing flickers in his gaze. “Not hungry?” he asks, and his voice is low and husky as he moves closer to me.
“Not for food,” I whisper.
Rukh places his hand over mine, pressing it to his heart. “Can we…”
I nod.
He grabs my hand and tugs me along behind him, heading for our cave. I suppress my laughter, overjoyed that we’re getting to steal this time together. Life is so wonderful, and I have my gorgeous mate and a precious baby and a tribe full of friends. I have my health. I couldn’t be more content.
We race inside our cave and Rukh releases my hand to draw the curtain securely shut over the mouth of the cave. It’s the closest we’ll get to privacy, but I’ve learned that when the curtain is shut? No one comes to bother you. It’s an unspoken law of the tribe, and a good one.
The moment Rukh turns around, I kiss him. Not the easy, quick peck of a morning kiss but a hungry, searching kiss that promises all the things we’ve been missing out on since Rukhar was born. He groans low in his throat and clutches me against his chest, his mouth devouring mine with equal fervor. And here I’d thought I was the only one feeling the need. The way Rukh holds me? It’s clear it’s been on his mind, too.
But then he breaks the kiss and gently nips at my mouth. “Are you sure you are…well?”
I nod, my hand sliding down his front to cup the bulge in the front of his leggings. “Maylak says I’m perfectly fine and more than ready for mating again.”
He groans. “You asked her?”
Is my mate shy? I giggle and stroke my fingers over his cheek. “Of course. I’ve been wanting you to touch me for forever. Don’t you think we’ve waited long enough?”
He catches my hand in his and gently kisses my sensitive palm. “Har-loh, I will wait forever for you if I must. Time does not matter as long as we are together.”
I blink several times to clear my eyes. Just when I think I can’t love this man more, he says something new that sweeps me off my feet. I grab one of his braids and wrap it around my hand. The other cups his bulge. “That’s a wonderful thing to say, but I hope you aren’t disappointed when I tell you that I’m ready to have sex now.”