The Unexpected Bonding Vow - Michelle Howard Page 0,35

Garik reached up to cover her mouth with his hand as a crazy display of lights blasted over his vision. He used his other hand to hold her tight as he watched her rock and pump in a frenzy.

Chapter 10

Shudders still rocked Saedra’s frame as she sat stunned atop Garik’s lap. She’d orgasmed. Not her first but greater than anything she’d given herself in the darkness under the covers in her room when curiosity had beat out misplaced decorum. Gasping for air, she glanced down at the man lying between her legs.

His eyes were closed, a fine sheen of sweat on his brow while his chest continued to rise and fall from exertion. The hand he’d used to muffle her sounds slid down clumsily to rest on her shoulder, where he squeezed once before his arm fell flat to the bed.

Heart pounding, Saedra didn’t know what to say or do. She unclenched her nails and slumped on her haunches. What had she done? She stared around her then back down and froze. Garik’s eyes were now open and watching.

Taking a deep breath, Saedra said, “I didn’t expect that to happen.”

His mouth twitched then curved up slightly. “Should I apologize?”

A snort-laugh burst forth. Saedra nearly groaned at the sound. Clearly, she was still giddy and riding on a cloud of endorphins. She was perched on his waist, which seemed inappropriate now and slid off of him and onto the mattress. The separation did little to calm the rioting emotions inside yet her answer to his question was instant. “No. But maybe I should?”

She wasn’t the most experienced but she was pretty sure he hadn’t come when she did.

Garik adjusted himself casually and stretched out on the bed with one knee cocked up. With his rough edges and the constant awareness of how deadly he was, Saedra shouldn’t have been the least bit aroused by his actions.

Except, everything about him was turning her on. Someone like him probably had dozens of women throwing themselves at him. She nibbled her lip and waited to see what his response would be.

“It wasn’t supposed to happen, but you don’t owe me an apology. I save regrets for things that can’t be changed. I assure you I have very few of them in the life I lead.”

Alright. Saedra wasn’t sure how he wanted her to take that. She rose from the bed, embarrassment searing her face and ears from the sticky feeling between her legs. She hurried over to the counter and the water unit.

“Saedra?”

She ignored Garik and turned on the water, searching the floor frantically for something to clean herself. Nothing. This was humiliating. She turned and retrieved the bag that had contained the clothes she’d given Garik and came up with a pair of dark-colored underwear. Underwear, he clearly wasn’t wearing. She smacked her self in the head then shook off her distress and went back to removing her own panties and washing vigorously.

Once done she let her dress fall about her ankles, unsure how to handle her damp panties and spun around. Garik was standing directly in front of her, his glaring erection impossible to ignore. He cupped her jaw and leaned down to kiss her forehead. “There is no reason to be uncomfortable. It was sex. If you need an excuse, blame it on the stress and danger of the situation.”

It was an easy out. Saedra’s breath eased out on a sigh. “It wasn’t the situation. Well, partly. But also, I’d be lying if I didn’t admit I was attracted to you.”

Garik ran his thumb gently over her chin before releasing her. She missed the contact instantly. He shrugged. “Not a bad thing to be attracted to the one you’re bonded to.”

Saedra blinked. She might not be well versed in sexual matters but she wasn’t completely naïve. “You didn’t come, though.”

It sounded accusatory, but now that she wasn’t blinded by her body’s demand for him, she could think clearly and felt guilty for not giving him the same release he’d given her.

“I did actually. But, I enjoyed watching your pleasure more.”

Embarrassing. She contemplated offering to do a better job the second time but the words wouldn’t come out, so she ended up waving her hand in the general direction of his crotch and the prominent bulge. “Do you...?”

“No. I’m fine, sesi. There are other things we should worry about and not whether or not I got off.”

She flushed, wondering if there was an insult in there. “I know you said you’ll protect