Leaning down, Nola started at his knee and kissed along his thigh, slowly closing in on the object of her desire. Through the shield of her lashes, she watched his face. His features tightened; he looked like a man on the edge, the tendons on either side of his neck bulging, the veins in his biceps distended. Wet, his hair appeared darker than usual. He had yet to shave, a layer of golden stubble dusting his jaw.

His gaze remained glued to her face, as if he couldn’t force himself to glance away. He shook. Well, well. Sweet little Nola Lee had made this incredibly powerful male tremble, and the knowledge went straight to her head. Like a drug.

“Ready?” she purred.

Had he tensed? “Beyond,” he rasped.

Trembling with excitement, she licked the crown of his shaft, tasting a hint of salt. His body jerked, a ragged groan leaving him. The taste...that groan...perfection. Her lids turned heavy, her thoughts dimming. More.

“Nola,” he croaked, his fingers in her hair. “Don’t stop. Please, don’t stop.”

Now he begs me. Precious alien. “Never stop.” She sucked on the head for a bit, drawing ragged growls. Then she opened wide and devoured as much of his length as possible. The tip hit the back of her throat, and he jerked once again, white-knuckling the sides of the bench, as if he was afraid he would get too rough with her.

Nola wanted rough.

She gobbled him up, a little clumsily at first, but he reveled in everything she did, hoarse sounds spilling from him. Sounds that grew louder as she quickened her pace, working her mouth up and down, up and down.

“This is... Never knew... Need...every day...” The harshness of his voice only made her hunger worse.

Nola wanted him out of his mind with arousal. As I am. Her core ached, and her blood simmered. Did she detect his heartbeat along their bond, racing and pounding?

When she cupped his testicles—they’d drawn up so tight—he released his hoarsest growl yet.

“More,” he pleaded.

Up, down. Faster.

“Ah, dove, you make me... I need to come. If you don’t want—”

She sucked harder. Mine! She’d earned every drop, and she would settle for nothing less.

As she tugged on his balls, he threw back his head and bellowed his satisfaction, hot jets of pleasure lashing her throat. She swallowed, and oh, yes, yes, yes. Better than a cocktail of drugs. Instant high, her arousal soaring off the charts.

Nola relinquished his shaft with an audible pop. “Bane,” she said, his name a supplication. The act had been everything she’d hoped and more. Better. Lips tingling, she rocked back on her haunches. Tremors plagued her. Need overwhelmed her.

Expression infinitely tender, he gently stroked two fingers along her jawline. “You couldn’t be more precious, dove. Thank you.”