her eyes dropped to his chest and widened. The lick of her lips told him she liked what she saw.
CHAPTER FOUR
Tigh was more than muscular beneath his robes. He was downright beautiful. As finely honed as any man she had ever seen—though of course, she’d seen few outside of holos. Still, he had the perfectly honed chest of an athlete, which she hadn’t expected. Those fancy robes had hidden his warrior nature, and a band of bladed weapons worn familiarly over his heart.
“In my head, I knew you were of the warrior caste, but I never imagined…” Her fingers trailed over the warm leather, her eyes helplessly following the contours of his amazing chest.
“I trained with the Zenai priests for over fifteen years.” His deep voice purred through her, rumbling in her core. “It is a warrior priesthood. Every day, I trained my body for defense of self and others. It’s something I still do.”
“I can tell.” Her eyes devoured his muscular form as he sat up and unstrapped the band of bladed weapons, baring his magnificent chest completely. Every movement sent his corded muscles rippling, setting off similar shockwaves in her midsection as she watched his male perfection. He was amazingly potent.
“I’m glad my form pleases you. I already know I’m going to love your body as much as I admire your soul.” He held her gaze as he loosened the drawstring and pushed her pants down and off. His eyes never wavered from hers as his hands followed the path, stroking down her thighs and calves, caressing and enflaming her with his touch alone. “When I saw you in the Council chambers, I knew you were perfect. My warrior mate. I could ask for no better match in all the universe.”
“Then, you don’t mind women of rank? I thought you jit’suku warriors all wanted perfect little feminine dolls to obey your every command.” She tried to make light of her words, but inwardly, she’d worried about what he’d want from her. She was used to being in command of her own ship. It would be hard to subjugate her will to a powerful man, and she’d wondered how any sort of relationship between them could work.
“In lovemaking, I will want to be in charge. It’s my nature. But in life…in life, I want a partner. An equal. Someone to share my burdens as I share hers. I don’t want a weak woman.” He leaned in to kiss her lips, once, softly. “I don’t think you’re weak, Ginny. Not for a minute.” His whispered words made her catch her breath. “I like that you’ll challenge me, as I will challenge you. We will have a partnership in the truest sense of the word.”
Ginny gasped as one of his big hands slid between her legs. His hand was calloused, warm, and infinitely possessive. He was laying claim to her, quietly, and with few words, but he was definitely mastering her body. She could feel the wetness gathering in her core, responding to his slightest touch. Oh, this man was dangerous.
But she was loving every minute of it.
To have such a powerful, masculine being focused so totally on her was a new and exciting experience. It had been too many years since her first forays into lovemaking with Paul. They’d been inexperienced and very young. She saw now that Paul was a mere boy when compared to this exciting, intoxicating man who now dared to claim her. She’d loved Paul, and she always would, but Tigh was teaching her things about her body she had never dreamed. And they hadn’t even really started yet.
“When we join, you will understand the rightness of our being together.” His hand moved, one finger daringly dipping into her folds, circling lightly as she gasped. “Your body already knows me. It wants me.”
“Tigh…”
She couldn’t give voice to the shocking things she wanted to say. She wanted him too, but how could she feel so deeply, so quickly? She’d only just met the man, but already, she felt somehow a part of him. It felt as if a piece of her would be missing if, for some reason, he left. She would be incomplete. The very idea of it frightened her, but it also made her want to investigate where these foreign feelings were coming from. It was tantalizing. There was more there, waiting to be discovered, and she wanted to explore it all…with him.
“Yes, my love.” His strokes grew bolder now, more demanding, and her body