Total pages in book: 98
Estimated words: 91775 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 459(@200wpm)___ 367(@250wpm)___ 306(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 91775 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 459(@200wpm)___ 367(@250wpm)___ 306(@300wpm)
Rem’eb never lets go of me, and when I have my boots off, he shuts the flap to the tent. In the privacy of the interior shadows, he lets out a long sigh.
“I am just as torn as you are, my sweet mate,” he murmurs.
Immediately, I feel guilty. He’s keeping to his side of the bargain and I’m making it worse by grieving. Of course he’s hurting, too. I reach for his face, caressing him. “No,” I say softly, because there are few words I can be certain won’t be misconstrued. “No sad.”
“How can I not be?” His arms go around my waist and he holds me tightly, trapping me against his chest. “You think I will be glad to leave you behind? You and my child, both? My heart will remain here with you. I will not take a single breath that will not be in your name. This agony you feel? It is mine, too.”
Tears slip down my cheeks, and I hold him tight, pressing my face to his front. The leather ties rub against my skin and I suddenly want to feel him against me without all these layers. I pull back and tear at his clothing, jerking it off of him.
Rem’eb growls and pulls at my clothing. “Yes,” he says, and then his mouth is on mine in a hot, achingly sweet kiss. I cling to him as he shoves my pants down, and kick them off when they pool at my feet.
“Sit,” I tell him, tugging him down to the blankets. He does, and I immediately straddle him, my naked pussy pressed against his dick. His pants are still around his ankles, but it’s his poncho that bothers me because it keeps me from rubbing myself all over his warm skin. I shove it over his head, and the leather gets caught in his tall horns, like a veil.
I’d laugh, but I kiss him instead, rocking my hips against his shaft. I want this moment of desperate connection more than anything. Our mouths meet, over and over, mutually devouring each other. He lifts me up just enough to settle me onto his dick and I tremble as he sinks into me. Locking my legs around his waist, I let him lift me up and down upon him, shuttling me over his dick. Our movements are frantic with need, and when he unfurls inside me, the pleasure’s so intense that I burst into tears.
Rem’eb clutches me against him, rocking our joined bodies back and forth.
Here I’d wanted a release with quick, frenzied sex, and I’ve just made myself more miserable. It’s reminded me of what I’m going to be missing, and I clutch him tight, wishing for things to be different and knowing they can’t.
Chapter
Thirty-One
TIA
Morning comes far too early, and there are no more signs of sky-claw. Since we’ll be climbing, we decide to keep the rope ties and after breakfast, head up into the ship. My eyes feel gritty and hot from a night full of crying, but I pin a bright smile to my face. If anyone asks, I’ll just blame hormones.
Rukh goes up the long rope ladder first, ensuring that it’s safe before he allows his mate Harlow to come up. Once she disappears into the ship, Rukh heads back down and picks up his daughter Daya. Rukhar is old enough that he wants to climb on his own, so Rukh ties the two of them together, and they go up slowly. After they reach the top, the two brothers go up the side of the ship speedily.
“That sure is high up,” Colleen comments as Noj’me ties herself to Colleen again. Colleen’s hands are on her hips as she gazes up at the entrance to the ship fifty feet into the air. “Has anyone tested the weight limit on these ropes?”
“You don’t have to go up,” I say as Rem’eb secures our ties around my waist. “You have the language chip already. There’s nothing up there for you to learn.”
“Yeah, but I have to see for myself.”
“See what?” Natalie asks, unblinking, as Chalath ties her tightly to him, perhaps on a shorter lead than normal. Natalie doesn’t object, though, and I don’t have the mental strength to argue about it. Maybe I’ll say something to Harlow if he starts getting possessive of Natalie on the return trip.
Colleen bites her lip. “If there’s no hope of going home, ever.”
“You don’t have a home,” Chalath points out, securing Natalie to him. “You’re a clone. This is your home now, and you should be glad for it.”
“Oh, fuck off,” Colleen tells him, a scowl on her face. “No one asked you.”
“Must one be asked before one offers common sense?” He gives her a menacing smile full of sharp teeth. “I am not afraid to go up. Are you, Natalie?”