Total pages in book: 153
Estimated words: 141492 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 707(@200wpm)___ 566(@250wpm)___ 472(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 141492 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 707(@200wpm)___ 566(@250wpm)___ 472(@300wpm)
“I don’t know how the universe gave you to me,” he admitted. He trailed kisses from the tip of her nose to the corner of her mouth. “But I have no intention of giving you up for any reason.”
Her breathing changed subtly as he breathed warm air against her full lower lip. He nipped at the curve with his teeth.
“I’m a little obsessed with your mouth, Safia. I’ll confess my discipline doesn’t hold up very well when I look at you. I start getting fixated.” He caught her lip between his teeth and tugged, then used his tongue to ease the sting. He didn’t stop there, kissing his way down to her chin and then back up to her mouth. His kisses were brief. Light. Barely there.
“We are married.” There was seduction in her voice. She chased after his mouth.
His body tightened. It was impossible to stay disciplined when she was in his lap, and he could read the growing desire in her mind. She wanted him and thought seduction was far better than conversion.
“We are,” he agreed. “In the way of my people.” He kissed his way down to her chin again and then back up to her intriguing dimple. He had grown very fond of that dimple.
“Don’t you think it would be a good idea to . . .” She broke off, her body flushing with heat as he slid buttons open on her blouse.
He did it slowly, unwrapping her like a gift, because that was what she was to him.
“A good idea to what?” He encouraged her, allowing his knuckles to brush the swell of her breasts and her soft, amazing skin as his lips wandered down the side of her neck.
“Well, you know. Before we even think about the conversion, shouldn’t we complete the marriage?”
There was a hopeful note in her voice. A little shiver went through her, and once again, her hand was at the nape of his neck. Her fingers slid into his thick hair, sending streaks of white-hot lightning crashing through his veins, heating his blood. There was no keeping that reaction from her, so he didn’t bother to try.
“It is necessary to stay in control. The sight of you, your incredible fragrance, the memory of your taste, you are already too much of a temptation, Safia.” He had to give her something.
Her eyes darkened into the jeweled color he loved so much. “Aren’t I supposed to be a temptation?”
She tipped her head to one side and leaned into him to press little butterfly kisses down the side of his neck. Each one burned like a brand. Her tongue lingered over his pulse, and his heart nearly stopped beating. His cock swelled at an alarming rate, letting him know his woman had more power over him than he’d like.
“Ku Tappa Kulyak, you’re too much temptation, when I promised your grandfather and father I would return you tomorrow evening for the Imazighen marriage ceremony.”
She pulled back a few scant inches to look up at his face. “You did what?”
“I had a long talk with Amastan and Gwafa, and both felt very strongly that you should be married in the custom of your people. They understood that we had to follow the customs of mine as well, so they knew you would be staying overnight, but they were adamant we do not consummate the marriage.”
“You should have explained how necessary it was for you to complete your ritual. In our custom, the bride and groom cannot consummate the marriage for two days.”
She sounded very anxious, her frown catching at him in a way he didn’t expect. He realized, although she wanted him and she was doing her best to delay the conversion, her anxiety was for him, for completing the ritual to keep him safe. She was unsure what he needed. Her fingernails scraped along his scalp in a slow massage, sending more heat spiraling down his spine. She was slowly winding her way around his heart.
“It is our custom to invite our entire tribe. The marriage ritual can go as long as seven days, Petru, although that is much rarer in these times. While I love that you would give me such a beautiful gift, I don’t believe it is safe for you. We should do what is right for the two of us. If Lilith strikes at us and we’re not fully prepared for her, we could endanger everyone.”
Petru wanted to admit she had a point, but he knew he would only be doing so for selfish reasons. He desired her with every breath in his body. Truthfully, his motives weren’t all physical. He had no idea if being lifemates had added the tremendous pull to his emotional need of her. This wasn’t all about lust; it was about the way she wrapped herself around his heart when he hadn’t known it was possible.