Ruler (Wolves of Royal Paynes #2) - Kiki Burrelli Page 0,37

mind all the things I wanted to do with this man. I adored his grunts and gasps as much as I enjoyed the idea of spreading him out before me and tasting his body without boundaries. I wanted him moaning beneath me, his eyes clouded with desire as I rubbed my dick against his skin, leaving my scent behind for anyone who would challenge my claim to recognize.

Storri made a sharp growling sound and lifted his body, straddling my hips as he rocked into me. I tasted his ripe-cherry arousal in the air and on his skin.

"Mine." The statement of ownership burst from me before I could think to stop it. He'd once run from me after hearing me claim as much, and if he ran from me now, I didn't know how I could let him go. Not when he smelled so sweet.

His lips clamped over mine, inexpertly tasting my mouth. I didn't need him skilled, especially not when his innocence was paired with earnest, frantic energy.

I felt his hesitance the moment it rose between us. His legs braced against the ground on either side of my waist, offering endless handfuls of his curvy body. His hard dick pressing into my stomach made my mouth water. Would he let me taste him? Not now, obviously, but someday soon. If the only thing I was ever allowed to do was bring him pleasure, I'd die a happy shifter.

"Faust—" Storri gasped, ripping his mouth away. His eyes shone brightly as his lips glistened, swollen red from our kisses. He was gorgeous, but his apprehension was back. I could tell by the way his body changed, no longer liquid and pliant but stiff and unsure.

Though my cock throbbed and my wolf howled for me to continue, I had to read his body language, and right then, it was telling me to back off and take a breath. "I know," I whispered, but my words and my body were at odds. Thankfully, I'd mastered control of my body long ago. I wouldn't have lasted long as a mercenary if I hadn't.

My forehead pressed against his, and for several seconds, we breathed, not caring we were inhaling each other's air. "Thank you for that," I whispered. "For trusting me to share yourself."

Storri squeaked and buried his head in my neck. "That makes it sound so sordid."

"Not sordid. Beautiful."

Storri snorted, and while the sound was inelegant, the face it came from couldn't have been more perfect. "Now you sound like a romance novel."

"How would you know what romance novels sound like?" I hadn't seen any scattered around the tower.

"I—" His face burned bright red. "I heard."

I wouldn't mention the way his scent changed when he lied. I could be kind.

"Oh, you heard. I can add some to our collection if you want to give them a try—put them in the evening rotation."

He scrambled off me like a cat from a bathtub. "No, that's okay. I like the books you have."

He scurried back to the others but waited when he looked back and saw I was a few paces yet behind him. "Come on," he urged, clearly eager to put the current topic of conversation to rest.

My lips couldn't keep from grinning. My kitten was wanton in one moment and pure as the driven snow in the next. I chuffed at the thought that I'd brought that side out of him. These kisses he gave me weren't just gifts because they came from his mouth. They were his firsts, and I'd take every first he was willing to give me.

"Did you get it all worked out?" Jazz asked.

Storri's feet planted in the ground, and he jerked his face up, unable to hide the sweetest blush on his cheeks.

"The crows?" Jazz clarified, a single curious brow arched.

"Oh! Yes. They've agreed not to eat the seeds and will watch over the garden."

"We need to go hunting for meat," I added, not bothering to explain the statement to any of the confused faces as I went with Storri and Dog back inside. Knox would fill them in.

Chapter Seven

Storri

The moment I was aware, I reached to the other side of the bed for Faust. His pillow wasn't cold, but it wasn't occupied either.

Wiggling my legs, I heard Dog groan. If Faust let him, I was pretty sure Dog would sleep the day away if he could.

Too early, pup.

I checked the clock on the table, noting the double-digit morning hour with a wince. "It isn't too early. The rest of the