Total pages in book: 165
Estimated words: 159487 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 797(@200wpm)___ 638(@250wpm)___ 532(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 159487 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 797(@200wpm)___ 638(@250wpm)___ 532(@300wpm)
She stared at him.
“So now it wants both?”
Severin’s jaw tightened.
“Possibly.”
Ravik gave a low growl.
“Cassie needs seed from both of us?”
“Don’t sound so excited,” she said, though the words came out weaker than she wanted.
Ravik’s hand tightened on her hip.
“Want to help Cassie.”
“I know.” Her voice softened despite herself. “I know you do, big guy.”
Severin’s body was rigid behind her—all that cool Blood Kindred control stretched nearly to breaking. Cassie could feel him trying to pull back inside himself, trying to become the scientist again instead of the aroused male with a rigid cock pressed along her spine.
“It doesn’t have to be now,” he said. “We could wait a while, if you feel uncomfortable.”
Cassie looked down at her arm. The pulse was growing brighter again—the reddish-gold glow flickering like banked coals under her skin. The ache inside her had deepened. It was no longer a scream but a steady drumbeat. Her body wasn’t panicking anymore—it was asking for what it needed.
No, she thought. It’s not asking—it’s demanding.
But as embarrassing as that was—as frightening as it was to know the virus had found this strange, intimate pathway inside her—at least Cassie could still think. She could still choose. The need was there, but it wasn’t driving her insane or making her mindless. It was pushing, yes, but she was still herself and she knew what she wanted…what she needed.
And what she needed were the two males on either side of her—both of them.
She turned carefully in Severin’s arms until she could look at him more fully. Ravik shifted behind her, giving her room but staying close, one big hand still resting on her hip as though he didn’t want to lose contact.
“Severin,” she said, “I know what I need.”
“Tell me.” He stroked her cheek. “I’ll give you anything you want, sweetheart.”
Cassie took a deep breath.
“I want you—both of you. I mean, I want to taste you both at the same time. But…I don’t know how you feel about that.”
His eyes went wide for a moment and he took a deep, surprised breath. There was a moment of silence and Cassie was sure she had asked for too much—pushed too far. She was about to take back her request when Severin finally started talking again.
“Scientifically, oral exposure would be the fastest way to introduce both sets of seminal proteins into your system without risking Bonding Sex,” he said, his voice coming out slightly hoarse. “Your mucosal tissues are already reacting strongly to Ravik’s seed. If your body is trying to combine Beast and Blood Kindred markers, then taking both of us at once may help.”
His words were scientific but she could feel how much harder his cock had gotten and his scent was stronger too—was that some kind of pheromone thing that Kindred males did when they were aroused? She thought she remembered other women aboard the Mother Ship talking about “Bonding Scents.”
He’s into this, she thought and felt a rush of relief. So she hadn’t asked for too much. Still, she wanted to be sure.
“And non-scientifically?” she asked, raising her eyebrows.
Severin’s fangs were fully descended now. He looked almost pained.
“Non-scientifically, I want your mouth on me so badly I can barely think,” he said in a low, strained voice.
Cassie felt a rush of need that nearly stole her breath.
Ravik rumbled behind her, but he didn’t sound angry—more like fiercely pleased.
“Sev tells the truth,” he rumbled.
“Yes, he does,” Cassie murmured. She looked at Ravik.
“And you?”
His golden eyes were heavy-lidded, his big body tense with need.
“Want to feel your mouth again,” he said. “Want to give Cassie what she needs. Want Sev with us.”
His last words made Severin go very still.
Cassie felt the same shock move through her. Ravik said it so simply, as though it made perfect sense. And in fact, it did. It felt right in a way she could neither explain or deny—the three of them belonged together.
Maybe that was the infection talking…but maybe it wasn’t.
Cassie didn’t know, and right then she didn’t have the strength to untangle it. All she knew was that her body was aching, the bite wound was glowing, both warriors were watching her with half-lidded eyes, and she didn’t want to keep pretending she didn’t need them.
“All right,” she said at last. “Let’s do this. Help me sit up.”
Severin shifted first, careful and controlled despite the hard ridge of his shaft still pressed against her. Ravik helped too, his big hands gentle on her waist as they moved her into a kneeling position near the center of the enormous bed. Cassie’s legs felt shaky, so Severin put a pillow under her knees without being asked. The little gesture made her heart flutter.
Then both warriors knelt in front of her. God, they were beautiful, Cassie couldn’t help thinking.
Ravik was huge and dark and golden-eyed, his black hair loose around his broad shoulders, his muscular chest so broad and hard. Severin was leaner but still enormous by human standards—pale and elegant and tense with hunger. His white-blond hair fell over his forehead and his fangs gleamed under the amber light.