Chase curved his neck to look back at her, the deep black eye wide and innocent. Then he began to amble toward the door at a pace so sedate, he could have been overtaken by a tortoise.
Connie rolled her own eyes at him. “Don't think I don't know what you're up to. But, if you insist…”
She kicked him hard in the ribs with her heels, like a cowboy in a movie. “Heigh-ho, Silver! Giddy-up!”
Chase snorted with equine laughter. She instinctively grabbed at his silky mane as his huge muscles bunched under his velvet-soft fur.
Then, he ran.
Connie shrieked, flinging herself flat against his neck as he went from a standing start to a flat-out gallop in barely a heartbeat. The instant they were clear of the hanger, his wings spread, each reaching primary feathers as long as Connie's entire arm. He leaped, his wings sweeping down as his back hooves left the ground.
It was nothing like flying in a plane. The wind roared all around her, whipping Chase's long black mane into her face as he soared upward. The ground fell away with dizzying speed. Connie clung to him for dear life, her arms wrapped around his neck so tight she worried she might throttle him.
Yet for all his terrifying speed and the lack of any sort of safety harness, he bore her up as smoothly as her own plane. She could feel the constant movement of his muscles, adjusting to match every tiny shift in her own body.
Gradually, Connie's hammering heart began to slow. She dared to sit up a little, squinting against the wind. Brighton spread out beneath them, sunset turning its old, stately buildings to gold. She'd never been able to look straight down while flying before. The whole world spread out at her feet, intricate and inviting.
She laughed out loud in sheer, surprised joy. Chase pranced on thin air, showing his pleasure in her delight.
Greatly daring, Connie let go of his mane. Chase stayed steady as a rock underneath her. Closing her eyes, she spread her arms wide. The wind streamed through her outstretched fingers.
For the first time in her life, she truly knew what it was to fly, like a bird, on her own two wings.
Chase tipped one wing down, banking. Connie shifted her weight, knowing from the subtle movements of his muscles under her bare thighs what he was going to do even before he started to spiral downward. She could see Chase's rooftop garden below them. Tiny, glimmering lights marked its edges, guiding them to the landing lawn.
Chase's hooves delicately touched down. He knelt again to allow her to dismount. She slid off his back, feeling a little regretful to feel ground under her feet again.
Laying her cheek against his gleaming hide, she hugged his neck hard. “That was amazing. Part of me wishes we could stay up in the sky forever.”
The pegasus's smooth, glossy fur dissolved under her hands—and became warm, human skin. Chase's arms slid round her. “Then I'd better make it worth your while to come down.”
Connie gasped, feeling his massive erection pressing against her soft stomach as he pulled her close. His eyes were dark pools of desire. Despite his clear need, he kissed her lightly. Connie closed her eyes, melting against him as he gently explored and tasted her mouth. His teasing tongue sent pleasure racing through her veins, and a surge of wetness between her thighs.
Hungry for more, she tried to deepen the kiss—but his hands closed over her shoulders, holding her back. “Slowly,” he said, hoarsely. “This time, we take things slowly. I want to learn every inch of you.”
Connie slid her hands over his chest, feeling the hardness of his muscles under the soft cotton shirt. She let her fingers drift lower, popping open the button of his jeans. “Do I get to do the same to you?”
Chase caught his breath as she lightly traced the bulge of his straining cock. “Yes. Oh, God yes.” He caught her wrist. “Though maybe you shouldn't start there.”
Backing off a little, he pulled his shirt over his head. Connie's breath sighed out of her. The fading sunset highlighted the beautiful planes of his torso, every muscle sharp and defined. Framed by lush rosebushes edging the garden, he looked like some classical statue brought to life.
Taking her hands in his, he lay her palms flat against his shoulders, wordlessly inviting her to explore. She slid her hands over his warm skin, hardly able to believe that this Greek god of a man could really be hers.
His chest rose sharply as she brushed over his hard nipples. Somehow, she could sense the shock of pleasure that went through him, as if it was echoed in her own body. She could feel how his skin sang to her every touch, how the light scratch of her nails made his desire rise, hot and urgent.
Wanting to see all of him, she pushed his jeans and underwear down over his lean hips. He clenched his fists, his abs knotting as she knelt to pull the rest of his clothes off. She could feel how hard it was for him to hold back, how badly he wanted to touch her.
His hard cock strained above her, thick and full. Even though she knew he wanted to take things slow, Connie couldn't resist tasting him, just a little. His breath exploded out of him as she ran her tongue up the thick shaft. He yanked her up, so hard and fast she nearly overbalanced.
“My turn now,” he said, a feral heat burning in his eyes.
As if unable to restrain himself any longer, his strong hands quickly undid the buttons at the front of her dress. He pushed the silky fabric off her shoulders, and Connie wriggled a little so that the dress fell to pool at her feet.
“So beautiful.” Chase's hand trembled as he traced the curves of her shoulder, sliding her bra strap off. “My beautiful mate. Let me see you. Let me worship you.”
His touch left trails of fire on her skin as he slid her bra off. His light, teasing fingers skimmed her curves, moving down to hook under her panties. Slowly, still looking up at her, Chase knelt, pulling her panties down as he did so. His touch on her thighs was exquisite torture, leaving her breathless with desire for more.
“Connie,” Chase growled, a rough catch in his voice betraying his own desire. He pulled her down, catching her in his arms and laying her back on the soft grass. His hands slid up her legs, spreading them wide so that he could kneel between them. “My mate.”