Total pages in book: 77
Estimated words: 72065 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 360(@200wpm)___ 288(@250wpm)___ 240(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 72065 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 360(@200wpm)___ 288(@250wpm)___ 240(@300wpm)
But Bear was certainly imagining it now. He was thinking of how soft and silky his new bride’s skin was, remembering how it had felt to hold her bare breasts in his hands during the ceremony. The soft moans of pleasure she’d made when he teased her nipples until they grew tight were still ringing in his ears.
“Waiting for you?” he finally got out.
“Well…yes.”
Aleena stepped into the room and came over to stand by him, in front of the fireplace. The flickering flames gilded her bronze skin and the firelight seemed to shine through her skimpy little garment, making it almost see-through.
“You see,” she said, putting a hand on Bear’s arm. “I thought maybe since you hadn’t come to me that I should go to you. I thought perhaps it was the custom of your people—of the Kindred—for a bride to offer herself to her husband on their Joining night. And so, here I am—offering myself.” She spread her hands and the movement made her large breasts jiggle slightly under the thin garment she wore.
Bear nearly groaned at her innocent invitation. She had no idea of what it meant to rouse the hunger of a Beast Kindred! Everything in him longed to take her and Bond her—to sink his shaft deep in her wet, willing pussy and fill her with his knot to tie them together for hours of breeding and Bonding! But somehow he had to stop himself from taking her.
“Aleena, baby,” he said, his voice coming out hoarse in his own ears. “Let’s talk.”
He sat on the leather couch and patted the spot beside him.
“Talk about what?” Rather than sitting, she knelt on the couch, facing him with her ripe breasts thrust out. The tight points of her nipples were tenting the thin, lacy fabric and the thin silk ribbon that tied the top part of her little dress together seemed dangerously close to coming loose.
“I don’t think that we should…that I should change the color of your eyes tonight,” Bear began, trying to keep his gaze on her lovely eyes instead of her ripe, beautiful breasts.
“You don’t?” She bit her lip. “But…but then, does that mean you don’t want me?”
“No, baby—no, that’s not true at all. Of course I want you—you’re fucking beautiful!” Bear protested. He ran a hand through his hair and nearly cursed. His shaft was aching with need—the Bonding Knot at its base was swelling with desire. Hell yes, he wanted her! But he couldn’t have her.
“But…if you want me, then why don’t you take me?” Aleena asked innocently. “You are my husband now—it is your right to do whatever you wish with my body.”
Bear felt his shaft throb against the tight confines of his black trousers. Gods, this was killing him!
“Look, this is just…not the way we Kindred do things,” he said, reaching for some explanation of his behavior. “We don’t take our brides on the first night we’re with them. We have a time of getting to know each other first—we call it ‘The Claiming Period.’”
“The Claiming Period?” She looked at him uncertainly. “What is that? What does it mean?”
“I’ll try to explain.” Bear was relieved that he’d found some sort of explanation that might satisfy her. Also, it was true that most Kindred warriors went though the Claiming Period with their brides before they took them. It was a time-honored tradition which was meant to let a warrior’s bride get to know him before she gave herself completely. That way both parties were certain when the Soul Bond was formed that they wanted to be together for life.
“It’s like this,” he said to Aleena. “The Claiming Period has four parts—the holding time, the bathing time, the tasting time, and the bonding time. And during each of those periods, the Kindred warrior and his new bride do…different things together.”
“What kinds of things?” Aleena asked, her eyes wide. She leaned closer to him so that her full breasts were brushing his arm. Bear had to fight the urge to grab her and kiss her and then to do more…much more.
Forcing himself to focus, he tried to explain.
“During the holding time, a Kindred only holds his mate. He can touch her over her garments, but not under them.”
“Oh…do you mean like this?” And lifting his hand from his knee, she put it on her breast.
Bear knew he ought to draw his hand away, but somehow he couldn’t stop himself from cupping her full globe and teasing the tight nipple gently with his thumb.
“Yes…like that,” he growled softly.
“Mmmm…” Aleena leaned closer, pushing her breast more firmly into his palm. “Tell me more, please my Lord Husband.”
Bear didn’t bother to correct her or ask her to call him by his name. He was too busy teasing her ripe nipple and watching her moan.
“Maybe it’s better if I show you,” he growled. “Here, come sit in my lap, baby.”