Chapter 169: Love in the Dark

RETH

"My stunning mate," he whispered, then tangled their tongues, his hands following her shape, stroking and rubbing. "My magnificent lioness."

He could hear her heart pounding, feel her pulse thrumming under her skin as he stroked down her back, and his responded, his heart calling to her as she called to him.

"Reth, I…" she whispered, but then got lost in the kiss.

"What, love?" he asked, kissing his way down her neck, to the spot where the scarf was, then purring when he found it. He let his fingers dance up her spine until he found the tie at the back, pulling it to reveal her skin underneath, and the spot where he'd marked her. He laid his lips to it, licked it, purred into it, and she dropped her head back to give him better access, her breath coming faster.

"I just…" she said in a small voice, her face pinched, half with desire, half with pain. "I am just terrified of losing you…" she admitted in a breathless rush.