But they had lions tearing at the doors. Enemies after both of them and a world that depended on them to fight for it. She understood her calling. She believed in her cause. Yet right now, she wanted something for herself. A moment of peace and connection.
Was that too much to ask?
"You are so beautiful," Dev said as he slid his hand between her legs so that he could heighten her pleasure.
Sam hissed. "Are all bearswain so gentle?"
He laughed at her question. "I don't make a habit of sleeping with male bears, so how would I know?"
She joined his laughter. Then her laughter died under a wave of supreme pleasure. She let it flow through her, making her shiver and tremble.
Until her gaze accidentally fell to the door and reality interrupted her mood. It would be dark soon. She could sense it. Then she'd have to leave him and hunt the Daimons who were after her. For his sake as well as for hers. She couldn't afford for the Daimons to return to Sanctuary. Not when it endangered his family.
She wasn't worth it.
Why can't I have one moment of peace?
Because she'd sold her soul for the sake of the world....
Dev sensed that something about Sam had changed. A wall had come up between them even though they were naked in each other's arms. He pulled his hand back. "Did I hurt you?"
"No, baby. You definitely didn't hurt me."
But there was a shadow in her eyes. One of pain. How he wished he could take that from her.
Dev sat up so that he could hold her while she continued to grind against him. He buried his face in her neck and tasted her as he continued to stroke her in time to her thrusts. The scent of her made the bear in him feral.
Sam reveled in the sensation of Dev holding her. She ran her hands through his long hair, letting them tangle with his curls. Gods, he was gorgeous. It wasn't every day a woman was lucky enough to find a man like him.
With a sharp growl, Dev pulled back from her and gave her a look so hot, it made her blood sizzle. Before she could ask him what was wrong, he shifted their weight and had her on her side in the bed. He used his thigh to separate her legs and entered her from behind. Completely wrapped around her, he drove himself in deep.
She felt exposed and at the same time powerful. "What are you doing?"
He cupped her breast in his hand before he breathed in her ear. "This is how a bear takes his woman."
She couldn't think as he quickened his strokes and her pleasure mounted. She didn't know if it was his powers or what, but she'd never in her life experienced anything like this. Every thrust was a study in ultimate ecstasy.
And when she came, it was the most intense orgasm she'd ever had.
Dev laughed softly in her ear until he joined her. Then, still hard, he stayed inside her, holding her close as he breathed raggedly. His warmth enveloped her and made her feel blissfully safe and strangely sane.
Sam could feel his heart thumping against her shoulder blade as she savored this moment and his heat. "No wonder you're a horn dog. You're really good at what you do."
He brushed her hair back from her cheek before he placed a tender kiss there. "Don't cheapen this moment, Samia. I've never done that with any woman. It's something we reserve for our mates."
"Then why did you do it with me?"
"Because, as stupid as it sounds, I care about you in a way I've never cared about anyone else. As a rule, I don't really like people much. I tolerate my family, but at the end of the day I much prefer to be left alone. You're the only woman I've ever sought out."
Did she dare believe that? It seemed impossible and yet...
She wanted it to be true because she understood it too. She felt the same way about him. "Why?"
He kissed her nose. "I have no idea. Aside from my little sister and nieces, you're the most infuriating woman I've ever met. All I can figure is that I'm either sick in the head or a total masochist."
She elbowed him in the stomach.
"Ow!" he groused at the same time his phone started ringing. "See what I mean? I have to be addicted to abuse to put up with you." He reached over her to the nightstand to grab his phone so that he could answer it. His hair fell over her as he gave her a look that managed to be both adorable and vicious. "Be nice to me, Amazon, or I'll touch you with my phone and give you visions."