“I don't know.” Viper grinned, his slit-pupil eyes brightening as he glanced down at his hardening member. “I might need just a little more convincing.”
I licked my lips as I moved to straddle him. “I think I might be able to put more effort into my apology.”
I angled Viper inside me and dropped down onto him, sighing in pleasure. Spreading my knees wide pushed Viper even deeper, and I stretched out until my legs were as horizontal as they could go. Our pelvises ground together, and I began a gentle undulation. Heat rose from where we were connected, flushing my chest and tightening my nipples. Viper made a growl of delight as he lifted his hands to my breasts; fingers massaging and thumbs circling my nipples.
“Can I confess something?” Viper asked, his hands moving to my waist.
I went still.
“Fuck,” he groaned as he pumped up into me. “Don't stop; it's not that serious.”
I laughed and brought his hands back to my breasts. “Then you don't stop either.”
“You got it.”
“Now, what does the Viper need to confess?”
“I wanted to tear them apart,” he whispered solemnly. “Your lions. When I saw them watching you, touching themselves while you did the same, I... I've never felt such anger. Rage.”
“And you don't think that's serious?” I asked as I slowed.
“No.” Viper rolled me so that he was on top. He started a steady rhythm and kissed me tenderly. When he lifted his face, he added, “I not angry anymore. I just wanted to tell you how it made me feel to find you that way.”
“I'm sorry,” I murmured.
“Don't be.” He stroked my cheek. “I liked it.”
“You liked being furious?” I asked softly.
“No.” Viper hung his head and stared down at the place we were joined. “I thought that maybe this magic you have”—he lifted his stare to mine again—“this lioness magic, had dampened my feelings for you. But it hasn't. It's only made me accept your husbands, it hasn't changed anything else. Today proved that.”
“So, you've felt furious with other men before?” I couldn't understand what he was saying.
“I've felt as if you were mine from the beginning, Vervain. My star. My destiny. I feel it very strongly.” His hands bracketed my face. “Strong enough to defend it with all that I have. But then you brought me here, and I felt a kinship with your husbands. I feel as if I'm a part of your family.”
“You are.” I stroked his cheek.
Viper went still inside me as he turned his face into my palm and kissed it. Then he lifted me, pulling us both up into a sitting position with me across his lap. His arms went around my waist and he laid his head on my chest.
“I know, sweetheart. That was the problem,” he kept his face pressed against my breasts as he spoke. “I worried that this new happiness had somehow muted my passion for you. That the wild, clawing, animal inside me, the one that belongs to you, had been tamed.” He lifted his head to look at me. “But it's not. It's still wild. Its claws are still sharp. And it still belongs to you. I will tear Marduk to pieces before I let him hurt you again.”
Something hard inside me softened. Went mellow and mushy. I smiled but it was tremulous, as if even my lips couldn't function after such a declaration.
“I'm glad that your wild heart still roars for me,” I brushed my lips over his. “As mine does for you.”
I got to my knees and started another tempo, one aligned with both of our hearts. With my arms wrapped around Viper, I drove our heartbeats higher, slamming down over him with the fury of our love. Yes, tenderness is a treasure but so is savagery. Viper's declaration had set all of my beasts to purring. They swirled inside me, primal passion spinning into a vortex that swept me up with Viper. Our bodies pressed tightly together as we writhed into rapture and, finally, our voices lifted in roars that began within our ferocious hearts. We clawed each other closer until the pleasure drained away and we were left lying slack in each others' arms.
I laid my cheek on his thick shoulder and sighed. When my eyes opened, I focused on the pile of our clothing, tossed off to the side. Something about his shirt caught my attention.
“Baby?” I asked sleepily.
“Yes.” Viper stirred and lifted his head.
“Where did you get that T-shirt?”
“Oh!” Viper brightened as he glanced over his shoulder. He rolled onto his back—holding me to his chest as he did so our bodies wouldn't separate—and stretched out an arm to grab the discarded shirt. “This was what I was coming to show you. Pan had it delivered to Moonshine for me. One of the Froekn just brought it by.” He sat up and laid the shirt on the mat beside us, smoothing it so I could read the bold script on the front. “Trevor said that you're not really a part of the Squad until Pan makes you a T-shirt. What do you think?”
“Tall, dark, and venomous,” I read aloud and chuckled. “I think it suits you.”
“Me too.” Viper grinned and wrapped his arms around me again.
“Aw, come on!” Aidan shouted as he strode into the gym. “This isn't your time, Tima. What the hell? And with the snake? Really?” Aidan turned on his heels and stormed out, muttering to himself. “A fucking snake. Of all things. That's so gross! Why did he have to be a snake?”
“Is it wrong that I'm getting aroused again?” Viper asked as he hardened inside me.
“Yes, it's absolutely wrong,” I confirmed but then started to move over him. “Now, ask me if I care?”
Chapter Eight
“Do I need to read you more ancient poetry?” Viper laid back on a lounger beside mine.
It was the day after our strenuous workout, and I was still out of sorts.
