The Unexpected Bonding Vow - Michelle Howard Page 0,45

A small part of her would worry right up until they were safely far away. She ran her hands up Garik’s back, enjoying the sensation of the broad muscles rippling beneath her fingertips. He lowered his head to rest his jaw on top of her hair. They stood like that for a moment and Saedra allowed her body to soften against his.

“Trust me in this, sesi.”

And she did. It was her father Saedra didn’t trust. “I trust you, Garik. I know you’re doing the best to get us out of here.”

He squeezed her once then stepped back. “Good.”

Saedra clenched her hands in the folds of her skirt to resist reaching for him again. It was getting to the point where she only felt safe in his arms. That was ridiculous. She shook her head and straightened her shoulders. She’d gotten this far in life by herself and could handle this development too. There would be plenty of time to see if Garik truly meant they were to be together as bond mates.

She wanted to believe it. Needed to believe it. Her heart was already locked on to him. His gray stare, the confident way he carried himself—even when he’d been beaten in that dark cell. She wanted Garik Denikon

“If you want to rest, I’ll keep watch while you go lay down.”

His calm in the face of this new development caused Saedra’s heart to melt further. She pushed a smile on her face at his questioning look. “Sorry. This has all been a whirlwind. I’m out of sorts.”

A look of understanding flashed over his face. “Go rest.”

She turned to do just that when a question rose. “You won’t go anywhere, right?”

The corner of his mouth lifted. “I’ll be here.”

Saedra went to the dinky room Depphi had said they could use and a yawn caught her off guard. She really was tired despite getting a full night’s sleep. This entire week had been filled with doubts and stress. Her body demanded she give in to the need to take a little break. Nothing else on her mind, Saedra collapsed on the bed and was out in seconds.

Pleasant dreams for once followed her. She was deep in another world when the insistent voice interrupted her reliving the kiss and orgasm with Garik.

“Saedra.”

She rolled over, unwilling to leave the warm memory.

“Saedra.”

She didn’t want to wake and squeezed her eyes tighter in hopes the voice would go away. Soft lips landed on her scarred cheek. The mouth trailed along the edges and wisped along her jaw then the shell of her ear.

“You have to wake now, sesi.”

“Noo,” Saedra moaned and curled into a tighter ball.

Light laughter teased her ear and the sound sent shivers up her spine with its husky notes. Laughter. A sound she longed to hear from a certain man. Her eyes opened slowly. Garik leaned over her with a half-smile on his face. Saedra smiled in return, caught in the stage between awareness and the dregs of sleep.

“Are you up, petti coincin?”

“Mmhmm.” She touched the curve of his lips, tracing the small sign of amusement. He was so handsome. All dark and deadly.

Garik tapped her temple. “Not quite.”

A giggle tickled her throat and bubbled forth. Garik closed the distance between them and his mouth touched hers. Saedra looped her arms about his neck and tugged him closer. His weight fell against her with a muffled oomph and then they were kissing.

Lips and tongues tangling, their mouths clashed together in a torrent of passion. Much more at ease for some reason, Saedra melted into the bed and gave back everything she was feeling. Her fingers delved into Garik hair, twisting the soft ends. A deep, groan ripped from his throat as he tore his mouth away.

“Oh, sesi,” he murmured. “If only we had time for this.”

Before Saedra could ponder the meaning of his words, he was sliding into the bed alongside her and pulling Saedra into his arms. Their fronts were pressed tight from chest to hips to legs, the hard bulge of his erection an insistent throb on her thigh. Her core grew moist and clenched in need.

“You must leave now, Denikon!” called Depphi’s worried voice

Those were not words Saedra expected to here and she snapped upright. Garik caught her shoulders. Sleep and any thoughts of lovemaking vanished. “What?!”

Garik didn’t have the same level of confusion. Awareness clicked in his gaze instantly as he rolled to the side and off the bed. “We have to go.”

Depphi burst into the room, eyes wide