Gena Showalter - Forbidden Craving - The Nymph King / The Beautiful Ashes

“Yes.” Reaching out, he offered her a callused hand.

Suspicion suddenly darkened her features, but not even that detracted from her beauty. “Is this a trick?”

He knew she’d misunderstood his intentions; this was her new home. But he said nothing. Not yet.

“What makes you think I have a sense of humor?” he asked.

A smile bloomed, stealing the breath from his lungs.

Want to see that smile everyday—every hour!

“Thank you.” Tentative, she placed her palm against his.

Joachim offered his hand to her.

Seconds ticked by, every muscle in Valerian’s body knotting. If she took Joachim’s hand, simply to punish Valerian, she would encourage his cousin’s attentions and disprove the validity of Valerian’s declaration.

One heartbeat passed. Then another.

She kept her free hand at her side.

Triumph flared deep in his chest.

Valerian called to one of the remaining men. “You’re next.”

That man selected his prize quickly, leaving a single female in line.

Valerian called another name. The nymph cheered, taking the hand of the remaining female, while the other nymphs hissed with disappointment.

“Aeson,” Valerian said to one of the disappointed. “Prepare my chamber for Shaye.” Hopefully the loyal man would know what he truly desired—the removal of all traces of the human women he’d pleasured last eve.

The warrior nodded and rushed to obey.

“The rest of you are dismissed for the night,” he said. “Sneak into town, if you wish, but stay aware. Trust no one at your back.”

Off they went.

“This way.” He led Shaye out of the dining hall.

A few of the warriors, he noticed, hadn’t made it to their rooms. Couples were having sex right there in the hallways, leaning against the walls.

Moans, purrs and groans of delight echoed.

“My eyes,” Shaye gasped out. “My poor eyes.”

In a nymph household, such a sight was common. But he kept that fact to himself.

With her close on his heels, and Joachim close on hers, he ushered her past the kitchens, the training arena and the warriors’ barracks—where more moans and purrs abounded.

“Do they ever stop?” She’d probably hoped to sound exasperated. Instead she’d sounded breathless.

Primal excitement brewed within him. If she were his, he would have explored the reasons for her reaction. Namely—did she want Valerian to take her against a wall?

Soon, he vowed. Very soon.

His personal suite occupied the opposite end of the palace. An area he’d chosen for the large bathing pool and panoramic wall of windows that offered a breathtaking view of the Outer City below.

What would Shaye think of the luxuries?

Did she like antiques or modern furnishings? Bright colors or pastels? Did she prefer warmth to cold?

She was right; he didn’t know her well. But he wanted so badly to learn.

“Thank you for agreeing to take me back,” Shaye said. “I know you don’t want to, and I’m truly grateful.”

He’d never heard such a gentle, tender tone from her. She even wore an expression of gratitude, the sweetness of it softening her features and gifting her with bright radiance.

He couldn’t allow her to entertain the false assumption any longer. “I’m not taking you back to your world, Moon. I’m taking you to your new home.”

She jolted, her nails digging into his flesh. “You knew what I thought but didn’t correct me.”

“I did correct you. Now.”

“Yes, you’re practically a Boy Scout. If this is how you think to win my affections, well, good luck,” she spit at him. “You and Joachim should consider dating. You’re perfect for each other.”

“Does she always speak this way?” Joachim asked, expressing his first doubt about his selection.

“Always,” Valerian and Shaye snapped in unison.

“By the way. I’m not staying anywhere near your room,” she informed Valerian. “I’d rather return to the sea and drown.”

“That isn’t an option for you.” He had to drag her—gently, of course—the rest of the way.

Joachim watched the interaction with an unreadable countenance.

Finally they reached the outskirts of Valerian’s suite.

Aeson exited the main doorway, his face flushed with pleasure.

Having caught his scent, the three humans chased after him. Soon, they trapped him in a circle.

“Be with me.”

“No, me.”

“I neeeed you.”

Then, “Valerian! You came back for me.”

All three swung around to beckon him over.

Mated nymphs didn’t usually attract females with the same potency and fervor as unmated ones. Still. He pulled Shaye in front of him, using her as a shield.

“Take one and go, Aeson.”

“You’re taking me.” The black beauty stepped forward and clasped Aeson’s hand.

He gazed at her with adoration as he led her from the room.

The other two females pouted.

Shaye humphed. “So. You’re a pimp as well as king.”

He ignored her and waved in his cousin’s direction. “Joachim is in need of a lover. Any interest?”

Both women sashayed to him without question.

“You’re so big,” the darker skin woman cooed.

“And strong,” added the delightfully plump redhead.

Joachim backed away, determined to resist. “I’ve already made my choice?” he said, the words a question rather than a statement. “The...the pale one is to be mine, and I must guard her door this night. For that reason, you...cannot...touch...me. Touch me.” The last was an unrestrained moan of helpless capitulation.

They’d reached him, their hands already stroking him.

Valerian almost grinned. “Shaye won’t mind if you forgo standing guard at her door this night. A man has needs, and she understands.” Or rather, he prayed she understood.

“Needs,” the lost-in-a-passion-haze warrior repeated.

“I need your naked skin sliding against mine,” the redhead said, breathless.

“I need you, hot in my mouth.”

Joachim audibly swallowed. “Valerian,” he began, a tremor in his tone.

Shouldn’t smile. “Go. I’ll see you in the morning.”

“The pale one—”

“Will remain untouched.” Tonight. Only tonight. “I’ve given you my word, and I’ll keep it.” Even if Shaye begged him for more.

The thought caused him to harden painfully. He wanted her to beg.

The redhead shoved her friend and jumped into Joachim’s arms. “I’ll make you forget her.”

“I trust you, cousin.” Joachim strode away then, and the woman clung to him.

“Wait,” Valerian called. “Take the other to Shivawn. If you’d like a man of your own?” he asked her.

She brightened. “Yes, please.”

Joachim held out his hand, and the other woman eagerly rushed over to claim it.

The trio disappeared beyond the corner.

Valerian allowed his grin to peek through. He had Shaye to himself, Joachim otherwise occupied.

“Unbelievable,” Shaye muttered.

He gripped her shoulders to twist her around. “Just what do you find so unbelievable?”

“The amount of communal sex to be had, of course. Haven’t you people heard of STDs?” Her pique painted her cheeks a soft shade of rose. As if the moon would soon vanish in place of the sun.

Lust boiled in his blood. He’d touched the softness of her skin today, but he had yet to taste her. He’d held her, but he had yet to make love to her. He wanted to strip her. To sink deep inside her. To pound, hard and fast, pleasuring her with long, demanding strokes.

She looked at him, as if she herself had just realized they were finally alone, and her nostrils flared. With desire?

He fisted his hands at his sides to keep himself from reaching out again.