“Not in a gym. I used to do a lot of construction, like lifting wood and heavy cement blocks.”
She smiled. “Don’t stop.”
He laughed. “Now that I have an incentive, I’ll be sure to stay fit.”
Ella slipped his shirt down his shoulders, and extra warmth radiated off his body. “Is your dragon acting up, or is that the heat from the fire?”
He cracked up. “I’m suspecting a little of both, but you are the main cause of my heat.”
“Good to know.”
He kicked off his shoes, and she followed suit. Tanner stood and pulled her to her feet. He then sat back down and threaded his knees between her legs. “You are so beautiful.”
His sincere words buoyed her spirits. “Is that so?”
“And sassy too.” Tanner grabbed her rear and guided her to his lap.
He then drew her close enough to suck on her right breast while he massaged the left one. Every animal cell in her body surged with lust and passion. He groaned, setting off spikes of need to shoot up her spine.
Ella ran her hands over his head, and the fullness of his hair on top soothed her palms. She leaned closer, loving what his lips did to her. When he lightly pinched her nipple, she let out a squeak.
He stopped. “Too hard?” he asked.
“No, just right.”
Tanner continued until she decided she wanted more. While she enjoyed the heat from the fire, she wanted Tanner’s fire inside her more. With one quick move, she stood, unbuttoned her jeans, and slipped them off, leaving on her pink panties.
He whistled. “How did I get so lucky?”
Tanner was just being nice, but she appreciated his comment, nonetheless. “How about a little reciprocal action?”
“About time you asked.” He winked.
He jumped up and then stripped, taking off his jeans and briefs with one tug. Staring was rude, but she couldn’t help it. He was magnificent. The fire crackled, and Ella jumped. He stepped closer and pulled her near. “It’s not that scary. I’ll take it easy.”
She punched him in the chest. “I’m not scared. The fire startled me.”
“Keep telling yourself that.” Tanner swept her hair from her neck, leaned over, and kissed her tenderly. “What you do to me,” he murmured.
Ella was tempted to ask if he believed they were mates, but she didn’t want to spoil the mood. As if her leopard had a mind of her own, she reached between them and grabbed his cock.
His hand clasped her wrist. “Turnabout is fair play, you know.”
“I was hoping you’d say that.”
He leaned back, slipped a hand under her butt, and lifted her up. “In that case, let’s find a more comfortable place to engage in our exploration.”
She laughed. “I didn’t know you could be so eloquent.”
“Oh, sweetheart, I have a lot of hidden talents. Just give me time to prove it to you.”
“I can’t wait.”
He carried her into his bedroom, and Ella didn’t recall ever being carried before—other than the one time she’d injured her ankle and some ski patrol guy wanted to play hero. Even though Tanner didn’t turn on the light, her excellent vision could see just fine. The room was large with a big bed dominating the space—make that an unmade bed. At least no clothes were strewn on the floor.
With care, he set her on the mattress and crawled on top of her. His lack of apology for the condition of his room was sexy as hell. Ella loved a self-confident man.
“First off,” he said. “These panties have to go.”
“In a moment. I want to continue what I started. After all, I am the guest.”
He laughed. “The fact we are naked, or rather one of us is, implies you are slightly more than a guest.”
She grinned. “Good to know.”
Ella rose to her knees and motioned for Tanner to lie on his back. Thankfully, he obliged. She wanted to make this experience something he’d remember. Because she had long hair, she gathered the ends into her hand and dragged them up and down his cock.
“That tickles.”
“But does it feel good?” she asked.
“It’s amazing, but I’m thinking maybe you could find something else to drag across my dick.”
That was rather bold. Understanding what he wanted though, Ella leaned over and slid her tongue across the underside of his cock—or was it the top side? Anyway, it was the one exposed to her. She’d crossed the surface maybe three times when she found herself flat on her back.
“Now it’s my turn,” Tanner said with way too much satisfaction in his voice.
“I barely began.” She wanted to lick him until he begged for mercy.
He smiled. “I know, but this assures that you will return to finish the job. I know how much you dislike unfinished tasks.”
The man was impossible, but adorable at the same time. He slipped off her panties, and when he spread her legs and crawled between them, waves of desire filled her. Ella only now realized that from the first second she’d seen his magnificent wings and powerful body, she’d wanted to make love with him.
The first lick short-circuited her brain. Her nails sharpened, and when she grabbed his shoulders to hang on, she nearly drew blood. Crap. After letting up on the pressure, she then latched onto his head with more care.
The next lick sent her soaring and nearly made her come. How embarrassing to be this easy, but it had been a long, long time since she’d been with such a virile man. Hell, she’d never been with anyone quite like Tanner.
That’s because he’s your mate, her leopard said.
I can’t think about that now, but I believe you are right. At least she wanted it to be true.
When he lowered a hand and slipped two fingers inside her, she lost all control and came hard and quick. Once the surge ebbed, her body sagged.
“Don’t go to sleep on me, beautiful.”
“Never.” That might have been a lie. Her muscles just needed a moment to
