he’ll be your mate for life, do you want a torrid affair with a goblin in your past?”
“Ben.” Rhianne stepped against him, her breasts to his chest. “I’m not throwing myself at you because I want a torrid affair. I’m lonely, you’re lonely, and no one else wants us for who we truly are.” She leaned into him and nibbled his earlobe. “And, I’m going to admit it.” Her whisper in his ear heated him through. “You’re beautiful.”
Ben cupped her waist. “I think crossing the gate has done something to your eyesight.”
“Improved it.” Rhianne touched his face. “You’ve perfected handsomeness, Ben. I bet in your true form, you looked amazing to other goblins.”
He shrugged, trying for a nonchalant tone. “They didn’t complain.”
Rhianne’s soft laughter shook her agreeably. “I’m not complaining either.”
Her next kiss took his breath away. Rhianne’s skin was warm from the sun and their exercise, plus she pulsed with a longing that matched Ben’s. The ground was soft here, and the magic from the house throbbed beneath them.
Ben swept Rhianne into his arms and lowered her to the cool grass. He’d prefer to cushion her with a blanket, but she didn’t seem in the mood to wait for him to fetch one. She wrapped one leg around his, pulling him down so his cock rested on the silken fabric between her thighs.
“Are you sure you’re not Shifter?” Ben asked her hoarsely. “’Cause I could swear you’re in mating frenzy.”
“You mean wanting to be with you so much it’s making my blood burn?” Rhianne’s eyes glistened, her smile hot.
“Something like that, yeah. ’Course, I’m not Shifter, and I’m feeling the same way.”
“Good.”
Their mouths met, this kiss still more passionate, Ben imbibing Rhianne’s frustration, need, and loneliness. He also tasted the magic of her, the incredible combination of her ancestry and whatever had been waiting to manifest. That magic poured into him, stirring to life his own, the one he hid from all others.
He freed her from the camisole, tucking it behind her to help shield her from the grass. This morning she’d stretched out on top of him, but now she appeared content to lie back and pull him down to her.
Ben held Rhianne’s gaze as he slid her underwear from her and worked his way out of his own.
What was this to her? A fling to pass the time? To scratch an itch? And why was he asking questions like that? If she had an itch, he’d happily scratch it.
But Ben knew, somewhere inside himself, in the place that spoke only the truth, that this would mean everything to him.
He silenced his inner voice by sliding his hand between Rhianne’s thighs, into her liquid heat. He’d touched her there this morning, bringing to life sweet joy.
Ben licked her throat as he let his fingers play. Rhianne moaned softly, smiles deserting her, and lifted her hips, greedy for his touch.
“You like that, do you?” Ben kissed her lightly. “Want more?”
“Yes,” she whispered. “Please.”
Goddess, if she didn’t stop looking at him in that sultry way, begging for him, he’d come without being able to stop it.
“If you’re nice, maybe I’ll do it some more,” Ben teased.
Rhianne arched against him, her body pleading. Ben smiled his power and rubbed through the warmth, laughing when she writhed.
Hot, strong fingers closed around his cock and squeezed.
“Shit.” Ben grabbed her wrist, shoving her hand away. Or tried to. Rhianne moved without resisting his strength, gliding her hand around to grasp him once more. He’d taught her that—he was a dumbass.
Rhianne squeezed again, compounding his problem by sliding her fingers up his shaft.
Ben pressed his face to hers. “You need to stop that.”
“Why?”
Because you’re killing me.
“I want to make it last, that’s why.” Ben winced as the truth came out. He wanted her to think him a powerhouse who could go all night, not a wuss who couldn’t hold it in front of a beautiful woman.
But he’d never been with Rhianne before.
Rhianne gazed up at him, golden flecks in her eyes starting to drown out the brown. “I don’t want to wait. I want us to do this now.”
“I don’t know. I think I should buy you flowers first.”
This mystified her. “Why? There are flowers all over the place here.”
“Human custom. I’ll explain later.”
Rhianne lifted herself to him. “We’re not human.”
“I think that’s abundantly clear.” Ben withdrew his touch from between her legs, liking that she whimpered. “Shh. We’ll take it slow, all right? I don’t want to hurt you.”
Rhianne apparently had no worries about