A Mate's Submission: (Hot Paranormal Shifter Romance) (Ozark Mountain Shifters Book 4) Read Free Page B

stared at him through slitted eyes. This was crossing the line she’d drawn between them, but he couldn’t give a fuck. She needed water.
    “Open. Your. Mouth.” His command contained too much dominance. He’d pay for it later.
    Avan obeyed, parting her lips just enough to take his finger inside. The tiny amount of water helped enough to make her want more. She sucked the drops off before twirling her tongue around the tip. Twice . As she might do to a… lollipop. Then she bit the tip lightly. A fair and careful warning.
    Fucking Hell. He was already growing hard.
    Shame was his best friend in that moment. Here she was, beat to all hell, yet the feel of her tongue left him shaking for more. The miracle of his arousal was definitely overshadowed by his moral compass. Damn thing was set to north at all the wrong times.
    Quickly, he dunked his finger into the glass for more water. This time, he didn’t give her a chance to play games. He repeated the process again and again until she’d gotten enough.
    “Try the straw now?”
    “No. I’m good.”
    Lexar set the glass back on the table.
    “What makes you think I trust you?” Her voice wasn’t as rough as when she’d first awakened.
    He looked at her quizzically, not following the sudden change of subject.
    “How are you different from any of my other guards?”
    Oh. She was trying to lump him in with the rest of them. Understandable since she’d known him for less time. But it was also bullshit. She knew he was on the up.
    “Well, first off, I’m here.” He stared into her pale eyes. “Where are they?”
    “They—” she coughed, “weren’t allowed into my room.”
    Lexar grinned. “And I was. What’s that tell you, princess?”
    Her eyes drifted closed. “Call me that again,” her words slurred, “and I’ll make sure… it’s your jewels I wear as my crown.”
    Lexar’s face spread in a grin. Trying to bite his head off while falling asleep. She was cute when she was multitasking. He wondered if she realized she’d just threatened to wear his balls on her head. He could think of worse punishments than having his balls near her face.

Chapter Three
    The rhythmic bump of her heart was the only thing she could hear. Everything still hurt, but this time, she could feel her way out of the fog.
    Damn, healing sucked.
    For a split second, she mourned the fact that she’d never have a way around this pain. And the next time she was hurt, and every time after, it would be the same. There was no mated healing to be had. Not unless she wanted to give away her pride to achieve it.
    No fucking thank you.
    Avan peeled her eyelids open to find Lexar parked in the chair next to her bed. His arms were crossed over his chest, causing the muscles to expand more than his tight t-shirt wanted to allow. He’d stretched out with his legs crossed at the ankles, chin touching his chest. Asleep.
    He was a beautiful man already, but resting, he looked like a god. His dark skin was flawless and perfectly rippled where his muscles bulged. His jaw was sharp and strong, leading to high cheek bones that she’d love to trace with her fingertips. Long, sweeping lashes rested there, shielding the dust brown of his eyes.
    His eyes. They were the first thing she’d noticed when they met. They were a frozen tundra that she’d wanted to set fire to. Except they weren’t as chill as she’d assumed. No, Lexar was hot. Maybe even molten. He was hard, like her. They’d be like two rocks rubbing together to make sparks.
    No good would come of a fire like that.
    Avan tried to sit up, but that proved more difficult than she’d hoped. All she achieved was making the bed squeak.
    Lexar’s eyes opened, looking alert.
    “Some guard you are,” she muttered.
    He didn’t seem fazed by her ribbing. “I know right. I’m so devoted I’ve slept in a chair for two days.”
    She froze. “Two days?”
    He nodded. “Your mama needed sleep, and your sister…” He frowned. “I don’t