Page 19 of Healing His Mate
Nalba ignores her and shoots me a smile. “Greetings, Waldric,” she says. Unless I am imagining it, her tone is not the same as it was the day before. It has a slight rasp to it, almost like a purr when she says my name. My cock strains against my thigh, and I wonder if I should start wearing loose pants while I am here. Nalba’s mere presence makes me hard. If she continues speaking to me that way, I will spill my seed where I stand. I am sure of it.
“Morrivikka, Nalba, Cloh-ee,” I reply, turning toward my station, and strategically holding one of my bags in front of me to hide my obvious erection.
“Hey, Waldric,” Cloh-ee says as she moves about the space, gathering items from various boxes. “Nalba, these are the medium-sized orb skins. I think these will be the right size for Violet’s room.”
Nalba grunts in response as they get to work. I can feel her eyes on me as I light the fire pit and begin preparing therihlmeal. Flexing my back and clenching my backside, I cannot resist giving her a show. Simultaneously, I do my best to focus on the meal I am preparing. Rihlmeal is an easy dish to make in large quantities, which is precisely why I listed it as the first meal for the clan over the next three days. But what will be special about Nalba’s rihlmeal is the inclusion of b’fiko syrup mixed in––giving it a boost of sweetness––and a sprinkle of groundjibazi.
“There!” Cloh-ee exclaims. “We just need the leathery strings to tie off the top. I think they’re over there, bene—”
“Oh, it is no bother, Cloh-ee. I shall get them,” Nalba offers. Her footsteps seem to synch with the beat of my heart as she crosses the room. Then I feel her backside brush against mine as she passes me. “So sorry, Waldric,” she purrs. “That was completely unintentional, of course.” She places a hand on my back and traces my spine with a single finger.
“Liar,” I whisper.
She chuckles and leans up next to my ear. “A filthy one.” Then she sinks her fangs into my earlobe. It is so sudden and unexpected that I worry I will collapse from arousal. Instead, I proceed to knock the pot of boiling water to the floor.
“Uh, my apologies,” I stammer, panicked that I exposed myself as a bumbling fool. Tossing a towel onto the floor, I return the pot to its grated ledge above the fire pit and wipe up my spill.
“O fah! It is but water. There is no need for apologies,” Nalba says, shooting me a wink as she returns to her seat next to Cloh-ee.
If I was concerned about the kiss we shared being a fleeting moment of desire, she has proven me wrong. She enjoys touching me. I think she finds me pleasing to look at. This is good. It means I can follow through with my plan. I will kiss her this day, and it will be such a heated kiss that she will not be able to think of anything but me. No memories will interrupt us this time.
I wish for her memories to return, just not when I have her writhing in my arms. Any other time is preferable.
“So we put this liquid inside the skin, and it creates light?” Nalba asks Cloh-ee.
Stop listening to them.
I am trying to do as my subconscious instructs, but it is impossible for my entire body to not respond when Nalba speaks. It is as if her voice alone controls me. She has the power to ignite my soul with a single word, and just as easily, she can snuff it out.
“Yup!” Cloh-ee says. “It’s also safe for animals to consume, and it nourishes the soil. These are strung up all over the village, and they’re probably the most environmentally friendly object in the galaxy.” She lets out a proud sigh. “Andyoucreated them, Nalba!”
There is silence until Nalba asks, “When exactly did I create them? Do you know? And why?”
“Oh,” Cloh-ee starts, “that was long before I got here, so I’m not sure. Safe to assume you guys needed a source of light and this was your solution. I can ask Varrek, though.”
Nalba makes a sound of displeasure. “No, it is fine.”
“Okay, well I’ll just go deliver these to Violet,” Cloh-ee replies. “I’ll be back this afternoon once Vahla’s down for a nap. Varrek will be back on daddy duty by then.” Before she exits, she says good-bye to me, and the door slams shut behind her. Nalba rushes to the door and shoves the back of one of her stools beneath the door handle, essentially locking it.
She turns to face me, and her eyes swirl with heat. “Finally,” she mutters as she stalks toward me.
“Your meal is almost ready,” I tell her, nerves tightening my stomach. I hold up the pot of rihlmeal so she can see.
Her eyes never leave mine, though. She unwraps my fingers from the pot handle and takes it from me, setting it on the table next to the fire pit. “We can eat later.”
We.
Yes,wecan eat later. Right now,wecan do . . . other things. Feedotherappetites.
She wraps her arms around my neck and leaps into my arms, wrapping her legs around my waist. I turn her around and seat her in the center of my workstation. “Do you wish to kiss me now?” she asks in a husky whisper.
“Yes,” I reply against her lips before taking them.
She pulls back before I can kiss her. “And here I am pouncing onyouagain. I suppose I am too impatient.”
This time, she leans in, and I pull back. “You have no idea how long I have waited for you, Nalba. Never be patient with me. Pounce.”
She smiles, her golden cheeks darkening slightly before our mouths collide. Her tongue swipes at my lips, and I do not refuse her entry. The moment she sucks on the tip of my tongue, my sac tightens against my body, and I almost spill my seed.