Mending the Beast (Awakening Pride #10) - Lacey Thorn Page 0,49

the moving vehicle had her dozing. She’d seriously doubted she’d be able to sleep again, but the next thing she knew, she was waking up. Her head was resting on Daniel’s thigh, his fingers brushing through her hair. She sat up slowly.

“Where are we?”

“Rest area. We needed a bathroom break. I hated to wake you up, but you should probably go while we’re here.”

She glanced around. There weren’t a lot of people. Plus, there was a nice wooded area where she saw Aleksy and Lyra exiting. Aleksy seemed…relaxed, and Lyra was picking leaves out of her hair, smiling. Looked like Aleksy and Lyra had needed to stop for more than a bathroom break. And why was she suddenly back in that bed with Daniel, riding his thigh while he brought her to orgasm? It shocked her to realize she wanted his touch. When was the last time she’d craved anyone’s touch? Had she ever?

“Baby?”

Daniel’s voice had her blinking up at him. She’d always hated terms of endearment. Sneered when she heard one of the males in their pride refer to his mate by anything other than her name. She especially hated the term baby which implied weakness. Babies were defenseless, needing someone else to meet all their needs because they were incapable of standing alone. It did not denote a partner of equal standing in her opinion. But Daniel? God, when he gave her that look and called her baby, her heart melted. Butterflies took flight in her stomach. It didn’t make her feel inferior. It made her feel…too much, and it was confusing.

He took her hand, opening his door and pulling her out behind him. He stretched as he gained his feet, and she stared with greed as she watched the display of muscle and brawn. Mine whispered through her mind, and she jolted in surprise. Her tigress stretched against her skin, filling her with warmth as they watched the prime male specimen before them.

“Daniel.”

His name left her lips without thought as she stepped forward, stepped into him. Not giving herself a chance to think, she continued onto her toes and sighed when he lowered his head to meet her. Her lips brushed over his then pressed firmly. She’d never initiated a kiss, never kissed anyone prior to Daniel, and he’d been the one to lead her there. She was unsure, completely out of her comfort zone.

His hands loosely held her waist, and he seemed content to let her be in control. She sighed in frustration, and as her lips parted, he gently dipped his tongue along the seam, tracing and flicking, enticing hers out to join. He rubbed along hers, and when he slowly pulled his tongue back inside his mouth, she followed, exploring and relearning the flavor that was distinctly his kiss.

She lifted her hands, running her fingers through his hair and holding tightly to him. He kept his hold easy, gentle. She felt the press of his erection before he pulled his hips back, creating space between them. That’s when it hit her. He’d done that several times. Pulled away, hiding his body’s need, so it didn’t spook her. This man. This amazing man who put her first in ways she wasn’t always aware of. He opened her eyes and filled the broken seams of her heart, slowly mending the shattered pieces she’d feared could never be healed.

She purposely closed the distance between them. A shudder went through her as his erection pressed along her stomach. When he tried to move again, she dropped her hands to his hips and held him tightly against her.

“Ariel.” Her name was exhaled on a rough breath as his body shivered against hers.

“Is it too much?” she asked softly.

“I don’t want to scare you,” he murmured, his voice a guttural growl at her ear.

“I want to…” She paused, swallowing and trying again. “I’d like to feel you against me. All of you. Just for a moment.”

His hands fell to cup her derriere, fingers flexing along the bottom curve before he pulled her flush, giving her a slight lift so she felt the base of him against the juncture of her thighs. His shaft flexed and pulsed.

The past tapped at her mind, horror wanting to overshadow what she was experiencing with Daniel. As if he sensed the intrusion in her thoughts, Daniel began murmuring in her ear.

“Just the two of us. You and me. Only pleasure. Only love. And only ever what you want. That’s my promise to you.” He tilted