Raven's Return - Ruby Dixon Page 0,24

of smokes.

So yeah, someone caring for me is…different. Nice.

"You kept looking for me even after the others gave up?" I let my hand creep over to his arm and touch his bicep. Oh god, it's so big. Hard. I scoot a little closer and rest my head on it, and his scent envelops me, as does the heat of his body.

U'dron stiffens at my side, but he relaxes after a moment. "I would never give up looking for you, R'ven."

My eyes prick with silly tears. Why is that the sweetest? Why does it make me ache so badly? "Because we're friends?"

"Because I would be your pleasure mate if it was allowed." He reaches over and gently takes my hand in his, and it's warm, callused, and so big and strong. "You are the only one on this beach in my eyes."

His confession startles me. I sit up, looking down at him in surprise. "U'dron…"

"I know." The big man grimaces, a show of sharp fang. "You do not wish to hear such things from a male such as me. But it is important to me that you know how I feel anyhow. It does not feel right to carry such a thing and not share it."

I'm stunned. I know we've been flirting around having deeper feelings for each other, but for him to confess like that? To just admit it out in the open all the while giving me that utterly earnest look? I like it. I like it far too much.

"Oh, U'dron," I whisper, moving even closer to him. I lean over his chest, my sandy, messy hair falling over my shoulder. His eyes are glowing beacons in the darkness, highlighting his proud features and the way he looks at me so possessively yet tenderly. Like I'm the most special thing in the world worth saving.

I should tell him I can't be with him. That I'm a big liar with an ugly past. That I'm not the Raven he thinks he knows.

Instead, I lean over and kiss him.

8

RAVEN

I press my lips to his, sucking lightly at his lower lip as I do. His beard is soft and not scratchy as I thought it would be, more downy like the forearm fur he has. His lips are warm and his breath surprisingly sweet. He also doesn't move as I gently kiss his mouth again, coaxing his lips apart. He doesn't pull away, either, and I start to wonder if U'dron has ever been intimate with anyone at all. No one ever talks about life back on the island, and I suspect they're still in a grieving process over having lost it…but now I'm curious. Was his tribe full of women? Has he ever been touched? Or has he always been lonely?

Funny how I'm no stranger to sex or touching, but I've always felt so very, very alone.

I don't feel alone in this moment, though. U'dron came for me. He won't let Juth leave with me. Even if Juth stole me a hundred times, U'dron would be there a hundred and one to rescue me.

"Thank you," I whisper to him, even as I pepper his mouth with small kisses. "Thank you for caring."

He reaches up and touches my cheek in the most tender of gestures, and that look in his eyes is so bright. Before he can say anything else, I lean in and kiss him again, tentatively swiping my tongue into his parted lips. His breath hitches, and then he pulls me against him, and his tongue meets mine. One big hand clamps at my waist, holding me, as I lean over him and just kiss and kiss and kiss. They're achingly sweet kisses, with teasing flicks of tongue and do nothing more than flirt at a deeper intimacy. I want to grab him and drug myself with the taste of him, but I'm well aware we're on the beach with Juth, so I kiss him a few more times, and then lift my head.

"R'ven," U'dron murmurs, voice hoarse. "We should not…"

Right. Because Juth will get the wrong idea. Because we aren't resonating to one another. Because he doesn't know my secrets. There's a million reasons not to, but I find myself leaning forward and sneaking one more quick kiss, just because. "Maybe when we get back," I whisper.

The look in his eyes is so full of heat and yearning that it makes me eager all over again. I reach between his legs and caress his cock through his loincloth. Maybe