She’d had enough of being watched during intimate moments at the Compound to last her a lifetime, thank you very much.
But V’rex was frowning.
“How can we tell which of us wins the contest if we’re separated and can hardly see each other?” he demanded. “Not that I don’t trust your Excellency, but I’m wagering an awful fucking lot here,” he added.
“Of course, I understand.” The Fox’en Chieftain nodded. “Here are the rules—after a few minutes of private foreplay, a bell will ring that signals it’s time for penetration. You must then enter your mate—as I will enter mine—all the way to the root of your shaft. At that point, my servant will come and make certain both of us are fully thrust inside our mates.” He winked. “And then the timing begins.”
“And then we just see which male can hold out the longest?” V’rex raised an eyebrow.
Swift Tail nodded.
“Exactly so. The first to spend his seed inside his female is the loser. Agreed?”
V’rex nodded. “Agreed.”
“Very well, then—let us commence. Which corner do you prefer?” The Fox’en chieftain made a sweeping gesture, inviting them to choose a corner in the plush, sunken grotto.
“We’ll take the far one. Come on, sweetheart.” V’rex took Penny by the hand and led her to the farthest corner of the grotto where they stopped by a jumble of the big, round cushions that actually looked more like puffy, multicolored boulders to Penny.
“Well, sweetheart?” V’rex growled softly, looking down at her. “What have you gotten me into?”
“Me.” Penny winked at him just as Lady Bright Coat had winked at her mate but then she blushed. “I think,” she added.
“Let’s see, shall we?” the big Hybrid murmured. “But I think the first thing we need to do is take off these damn fur suits.”
Penny thought it was a good thing she’d gotten used to the big Hybrid seeing her naked during their time at the Compound or this would have made her blush. She also thought it was a good thing she had so much of his lust-honey in her system because otherwise she would have frozen to death, getting naked in the cold grotto.
But as it was, she felt pleasantly warm despite the temperature. Of course, pleasantly warm turned to burning up the minute V’rex took her by the shoulders and brought her in for a kiss.
Penny gave herself to the kiss wholeheartedly, melting against his big, muscular, naked frame with shameless eagerness. God, it felt so good to have his bare skin against hers! To taste his mouth again…to feel his big, warm hands rubbing up and down her back and exploring her body. To—
Her thoughts cut off as something truly massive pressed against her, branding her belly
Breaking the kiss, she looked down uncertainly.
“Problem, sweetheart?” V’rex inquired.
“Wow, I guess I kind of forgot how, uh, big you are,” Penny admitted. “And I guess I’m just wondering if you’re going to…going to fit.” She raised her eyebrows at him uncertainly.
“You forget, sweetheart—I’m half Beast Kindred,” V’rex reminded her. “I have compounds in both my saliva and my precum that will help you open up for me.”
“Even enough to take the, uh…your…” Penny gestured to the base of his shaft which was encircled by a thick swelling all the way around
“My mating fist?” He frowned. “Technically, yes, but I don’t know if I ought to put that in you, baby. If I do…”
He hesitated so long that Penny prompted him.
“If you do put…put your mating fist in me, then what?” she asked.
“Well, if I do that, I’m only one step from bonding you to me.” He looked into her eyes. “And that might be…dangerous.”
“You…you mean all you’d have to do is…is sting me, right?” Penny asked.
The memory of the fiery pain his last sting had caused her was still fresh in her mind, but for some reason she was no longer afraid. She kept thinking of the verses the invisible chorus had sung to her while she was under the influence of the Silka. Had they been right?
“Yes, I’d have to sting you.” V’rex frowned. “And I know how you feel about that.’
“Let’s just…get started and see where things lead us, all right?” Penny suggested. More than anything, she wanted his big, naked body against hers again.
The big Hybrid seemed to feel the same because he gathered her into his arms once more and leaned down to kiss her neck.
“Mmm, you’re so sweet and soft and you smell so damn good, baby” he growled softly. “How about if