Her Mate and Master (Zandian Masters 6)

“How did you know where to find water?”

“I’ve studied the geography of our planet.” His large palms coasted over her curves, slowing down, igniting a new sensation along her sensitized flesh. The slippery substance was gone. Tomis was just touching now for sport. One giant palm closed on her breast. He squeezed until she gasped, pain burning a twin flame with pleasure.

Hunger mingled with anger in his dark-amethyst gaze.

Oh right. She’d knocked him out with a rock and run away. There would be a reckoning now.

Their bodies tangled in the water, the stones beneath her feet slick and moving. She clung to him for footing.

Hooking her arms higher around his neck, she jumped up and wrapped her legs around his waist. Better to appeal to his hunger than anger. “I’m sorry, warrior,” she murmured.

He gripped her hair in his fist and yanked her head back with one hand while his other palmed her ass, fingers digging into her soft flesh. “You will be.” The promise in his tone wasn’t angry, only dark and sensual.

She sucked in her breath, but her pussy cle

nched with excitement. She couldn’t bring herself to fear this male. He’d saved her life three times over already. He wouldn’t do anything that couldn’t be undone.

He stalked out of the river. Water dripped from their twined bodies. His hulking form was warm and solid against her softer one. He deposited her under a tree, where he ripped a flowering vine down from a branch. He grabbed her wrists roughly and pulled them together, winding the vine around her them.

“What are you doing?”

“Making sure you don’t run,” he gritted.

She ought to worry, ought to be planning her next escape, but all she could do was watch in fascination. She liked him angry, dark purpose oozing from his swift, capable movements. This male could get them out of any situation. He’d come alone to an enemy planet with no weapon but his two hands and had busted her out of the dungeon. He’d navigated through underground tunnels and unmarked terrain with nothing more than his eyes. He’d known how to handle animal traps and carnivorous plants. Apparently, he knew how to handle her rebellion, too.

He looped one end of the vine over a branch and pulled it taut, lifting her arms over her head until she had to launch to her tiptoes to follow it.

“Ouch. You’re hurting me,” she whined, only because she knew he cared about such things.

His mouth remained firm. “You’ll survive.”

“I’m sorry about your head,” she offered quickly. “Are you all right?”

One corner of his mouth quirked in a wry grin. “I’ll survive.”

Were they smiling at one another? Was he over being angry now that he had her bound and on display? She danced on her toes closer to him, her nipples tight, pussy throbbing, but he ignored her and stalked away.

“Wait! Where are you going? Don’t leave me here like this! What if a beast attacks me? Or another being?”

He stopped long enough to turn and shake his head. “I won’t let that happen, starshine.”

I know you won’t.

This male was capable of anything. She sighed and sank into her bonds, spinning around to entertain herself. She tiptoed out, as far as her toes could reach then let go and allowed her body to swing.

“Now you’re the one hurting yourself,” Tomis said drily, appearing once more. He carried a thin reed like the ones from the riverbed and a handful of small brown fruit.

She eyed the items doubtfully. “What are those for?”

He smacked the reed against his leg. “I think you can imagine.”

Her bottom clenched. Ouch. The reed would hurt. No worse than any beating she’d received from Thurn, her former master, but somehow she knew this punishment would be far different.

Tomis’s mouth quirked like he was enjoying himself, for one thing. For another, Thurn had never stripped her of clothing or tied her up. Or worn such a wolfish expression.

Her nipples beaded up again as the breeze blew over them. Her skin had dried, but the acid had sensitized it.

Tomis dropped the brown fruit on a stone and used a smaller stone to crush them. A thick oily substance oozed out. He gathered it in his palm and approached her with glittering eyes. Yes, he definitely was enjoying this.