His Human Slave (Zandian Masters 1)

She shook her head, still pressed against his neck, and wept in ragged, heart-wrenching sobs. Her arousal rate had dropped back down to thirty percent.

He stroked her back and held her tight, rocking slightly. “Does it hurt too much? Should I call Daneth?”

“No,” she croaked immediately.

“What do you need?”

“You!”

He stilled once more, drawing in a shocked breath. His heart beat erratically.

This was the wildness she inspired in him. A starstorm of emotions, needs, and desires.

“I’ve missed you, too, little human.” He buried his face in her hair, rubbing his horns through the silky strands, breathing her in. She smelled both sweet and sensual, the fresh lime-citrus of her soap blending with her natural feminine musk.

He loved her.

He stood and walked on his knees up the sleeping platform, settling with his back against the wall, and his little human cradled in his lap. “I can’t live without you—I don’t want to. I need you here, in my chamber, between my sheets.”

“I’ll tell you,” she sobbed. “I’ll tell you everything. I promise. You may not believe me, but I’ll tell you what you want to know.”

He caressed her nape, pried her head from his shoulder to see her wet face. Using both thumbs, he mopped her tears. “Tell me,” he murmured. “I’ll believe you.”

She hiccupped, trying to regain her breath. Her hand came up to cover her face from his view, but he caught her wrist. “Don’t hide from me. No more lies, little slave. I want all of you—your honest truth. You’re mine. Even your tears are mine.”

She drew in a long, terraced breath and dashed her tears with the back of her hand. “Thank you”—she sniffed and gave a laughing sob at her own tears—“for my mother. Thank you so much.”

He pulled her in and kissed her forehead. “You’re welcome.”

She leaned her forehead against his, looping one hand behind his neck and stroking her delicate fingers lightly over the skin there.

His body prickled with heat.

“Sometimes…” She drew in another shuddering breath. “Sometimes, I know things. About people. Not usually about the future.”

“You’re psychic.”

Her eyes locked on his, startled. “Yes. Claircognizant. I know things I shouldn’t. But since I’ve come here, it’s been more—now I see things and hear things, too. I think it’s your crystals—they’ve amplified the trait. You believe me?”

He traced her eyebrow, caressed her temple with the pad of his thumb. “I believe you. Your mother said something earlier today that led me to have Daneth examine your brain activity. He compared it to the Venusian brain and there were similarities.”

“Do you think I have Venusian blood?

“Daneth could probably test it to find out.”

“So…” She held his favorite expression—the pleading one, with her green eyes wide. “Am I forgiven?”

He adjusted her, pulling one of her legs around so she straddled him. Her hot core pressed against his cock through his trousers, dampening them. Palming her luscious ass, he squeezed it and rocked her into him.

“I’m sorry—” His voice sounded rough—whether it was from lust or regret, he wasn’t sure. “For so many things. For the times I hurt you. For—”

“No.” She touched his face, stopping him. “You’re a prince—the leader of your species. You were right to be cautious. Zander…”

She nibbled her bottom lip, making him want to claim her mouth, to suck that lip between his, to taste her.

“I’ve seen something...about us.” Her gaze was intent, as if measuring whether she could tell him or not.

“Tell me. From now on, you will tell me everything. No more secrets. No, wait. I understand why you were afraid to tell me, but I will never turn you in to the Ocretions. I will not let anyone touch you—ever. You belong to me, and I protect what’s mine. Understand?”