Prideful Savage (A Warrior's Redemption #1) - Miranda Bridges Page 0,30

especially considering he thinks he needs me to break that curse. It’s the one subject I believe him to be completely honest about. This male doesn’t need some elaborate fabrication to get women into his bed because he is beyond gorgeous, well endowed, and savage.

Case in point: he’s currently in between my legs and just ate me out.

Bravik inhales and releases the breath slowly, the warm air skimming my cheeks. “My kind have killed people outside of our species, and not just once. In fact, most people do not like to associate with us for that very reason.” The corner of his mouth quirks up. “Well, the males do not, but their females are a completely different story. They don’t realize the danger we present, or if they do, our allure makes it hard for them to walk away.”

My mind races with so many thoughts that a headache forms, making me wince. “I felt that way at the cantina with your men, and it’s awful. That must’ve been the reason Niya saw warnings about some of your kind not too long ago.”

He nods but remains quiet. I’m not sure if that’s due to guilt or if he’s giving me time to process this information. It doesn’t matter either way as long as he answers my questions.

“So when you said earlier that you wouldn’t take more than I could give, you were referring to my life force,” I whisper, the weight of that truth hitting me like a slap in the face. I hug myself, crossing my arms over my bare chest, as if that will comfort me. “Have you taken someone’s life before? As in a past lover’s?”

“Yes.”

I close my eyes, and a blanket of disbelief woven with apprehension settles over me. I’m with a murderer. The stark, cold truth scares me, yet that emotion wars with the ones I experienced before this revelation. In Bravik’s arms I was freer and more myself than I’d been in such a long time. Since the Galactic Court enslaved the humans, I’ve done nothing except fight against the evil plans they have for us. Once they discovered that our women could give birth to alien offspring, they termed us “universal breeders,” and I was able to escape right before they took over our planet. I don’t mind sacrificing my desires, especially when my actions directly affect the lives of many, but being with Bravik causes my responsibilities to melt away for a levity that’s refreshing. However, I feel like an idiot for allowing what transpired between us, knowing how selfish my behavior was.

Bravik may be using me to get rid of his curse, but I’m using him too.

At the feel of his warm palm cupping my cheek, my eyes fly open. He rubs his thumb along the contour of my face and stares at me with an emotion I’m unable to decipher.

“Ask me what you will,” he says. “I can tell you want to.”

“Was it intentional?”

He slowly shakes his head. “We are told about our allure and its effects from an early age, but it’s one thing to know in theory and another to have experience. I was young and miscalculated the female’s fortitude, and I didn’t see the signs for what they were. It has not happened since then. I give you my word on that, Ella.”

I search his gaze long and hard before nodding, signaling that I believe him. I’m not choosing to be blind in this situation, and I won’t let our intimate encounter influence my decision to trust him, but I can recognize the truth for what it is.

“Thank you for explaining,” I say. He continues to observe me, and I shift as awkwardness fills the air. I’m half naked with this totally naked stranger lying on top of me, his cock ready and my sex damp. This is not conducive to having a deep conversation. I may have a lot more questions, but they can wait until I’m dressed.

However, when I make to sit up, he slides his hand from my face to my neck and keeps me pinned. My heart lurches behind my rib cage, and I slap my hands to his chest, ready to shove him, but his words, softly spoken, halt my intentions.

“Where are you going?”

I blink up at him. “To get dressed.”

“No.”

“No?” I repeat. “Why?”

“Because you are the first female that has lain in my arms but has neither withered from my allure nor manipulated me with hers.”

“Oh.” My response is more a sigh