CLARA'S POV
Taki's eyes narrowed as the air vibrated around him. "You will not shake your head at me." His command was quiet compared to the drumming rain outside, yet held more danger.
My pulse quickened. "I will do what I damn well please, Taki." I welcomed the onslaught of my rushing temper as a relief from the unfulfilled aching in my lower body. "We may be temporarily married, but I am not one of your people, and I do not take orders from you."
He stilled, his unique eyes sharpening to burnt gold. Absent of even a hint of mercy, they captured mine.
"I had hoped to wait until we were home before taming that temper of yours, mate." His voice softened in warning, a predatory light enhancing the green flecks in his eyes. "But I am all right with taking care of it now, if you so wish."
I could only stare at the large man before me. A rushing desire warred with my hefty temper. Danger swirled around me. This should not turn me on, damn it. I bypassed the nearest movable object, an old cast-iron pot, and went for the knife block instead.
He moved faster than possible. His much larger body pinned me against the lower cupboards, one hand tangled in my hair, the other around my small waist. I never even touched a knife handle. He easily picked me up with one arm and plopped me on the counter. His hips forced my knees apart. With a twist of his wrist, he tugged my head back to stare down into my eyes.
"You are not the only one with a temper, mate." Churned gravel coated his voice. He lowered his chiseled face to within an inch of mine, and his hardened groin pressed firmly against my softness. "You should best remember that."
The rush of heat was unwelcome, and I struggled furiously in his firm grip. My hands pushed uselessly against his rock-hard chest. My breasts thrust out as he held my head still. "Stop calling me 'mate,' and let me go." I stifled a groan against the desire pooling between my thighs.
His lips tickled mine before he spoke. "You are my mate," he brushed my lips again, "and there is no fucking way in hell I am letting you go." With a groan, he took my mouth, his lips firm and unrelenting. He delved deep into the warm recesses of my mouth, the arm around my waist pulling me against his straining erection. There was no issue of me refusing him. He did not ask. He took.
I froze against the demanding heat of his mouth, fighting the liquid fire rushing through me. He angled my head, delved deeper than before, taking exactly what he wanted, and apparently what I wanted as well. The rain and wind clamored outside while the erotic savagery of his kiss ruthlessly conquered any remaining resistance.
With a whimper, I stopped trying to wrestle control over my new reality and gave myself up to the fire rising fast and burning hot inside me. What could one kiss hurt? The scent of man filled my head and suddenly, I craved. I returned his kiss with all the passion I had kept at bay for years. The amazing strength of him, the sheer maleness of him, overwhelmed me. My palm splayed against the solid granite of his chest, and I moaned deep inside my throat.
Heat filled me. He began to draw away, and I nipped at his bottom lip, wanting more. His eyes darkened to molten fire. The hand in my hair tightened and his wrist twisted again, exposing the graceful column of my neck. He lifted me off the counter by my buttocks. I ran wet as he easily balanced me against him with one hand, my knees clasping the sides of his hips. Giving a smart shake of my head, I waited until he relaxed his hold and pressed my mouth to his neck. Salt and spice exploded across my taste buds.
Moaning, I reached down to his abs, tracing hard muscle with my hands. Perfect. Male. Strong. I leaned forward, swirling my tongue around one nipple, and fought a smile as he trembled.
"Clara?" The hand in my hair tugged until my slumbering gaze met pure liquid gold.
"Hmm?" I reached for his belt buckle, sliding the clasp free. I had never felt such arousal. It may be temporary, but I was not going to miss out on this.
"Clara." He tightened his hold on my hair, sending erotic pain down my scalp. "I need to know, darling."
"Know what?" I yanked his belt free and dropped it to the ground, trying to press my aching core harder against him. I was ready, damn it—and now he wanted to talk?
He leaned closer, his breath brushing my skin, his gaze boring into mine. "That you accept me, that you accept us. That you want this."
Warmth spread through my heart to match that in my loins. "I want this."
He grinned, the hand in my hair sliding to cup my scalp. "And?"
I inhaled his spicy scent and my mind spun. "I accept you right now—the rest we'll have to see." Man, if I do not get him naked soon I would die. Or he would.
"Good enough," he said.
Then the world shifted as he tugged my head back, lowering his mouth to my vulnerable neck. "Did I tell you my people mark our mates?" His hot breath feathered over the soft skin, his hand kneading the supple flesh of my rear.
"Um," I could feel only the delicious friction as he rubbed my core against his.
The hand in my hair tightened in warning as he stilled our movements, "I asked you a question, Clara." He raised his head to pin me with a look that dared me to lose focus again.
"Um …" I struggled to find his words in my mind. "Wait. Did you say you mark your mates?" I stopped moving.