Pleasure made him quake as she cried out his name again and the tight walls of her pu**y squeezed his dick, which was buried deeply. No pain showed on her face from his quick entry and he spread his thighs to brace. His arms shifted under her spread thighs and he cupped her ass to slam her up and down on his cock. Moans of ecstasy and the need to come urged him to f**k her faster.

Zandy’s head tipped back and her fingernails dug into his skin through his shirt. He wanted to kiss that mouth that panted his name but he was afraid he’d bite her. The desire to mark her was there. He didn’t care if it was by bite or his seed filling her but he wanted something to show that she belonged to him.

That urge grew stronger as her cl**ax hit and her vaginal muscles clamped down around his shaft almost painfully. He had to slow his thrusts as her body shook and he threw back his own head. A roar tore from his mouth as his h*ps jerked at every blast of his se**n filling the woman he held.

Tiger’s knees gave way and he collapsed onto them to land on the grass. His strength and agility kept them both from falling over as he adjusted his hold on her to keep them upright. Zandy’s face fell forward and she nuzzled his neck as her arms hugged him tightly around his neck. They were both breathing hard from their shared pleasure. They were still connected, his dick buried deep inside her and he didn’t want to separate them.

He shivered when she licked her lips and his throat in the process. He turned his head slightly to give her better access. Just the thought of her sinking her teeth into his skin and biting him made his c**k twitch. Desire gripped him again, although it was more manageable after the sex they’d just shared.

“Bite,” he demanded.

“You didn’t bite me.”

Her soft words startled him and he jerked out of his haze of after-sex bliss. “What?”

“You just whispered the word bite. You didn’t get me with your teeth.”

He knew that. But he had wanted her to bite him bad enough to say something he hadn’t realized he’d uttered. She wouldn’t leave a mark the way a Species could but it still tempted him to ask her. She could bruise him if she bit hard enough. Her marking him again with her teeth filled him with a mixture of emotions. Fear, confusion, desire, and longing.

The sound of her stomach grumbling roused him from his musings and reminded him they hadn’t eaten. A feeling of shame filled him next. He’d gone to the trouble to set up a nice outing for her but his passion had overridden his intentions. He’d taken her while standing in the middle of the woods. Her needs should have come first.

His hold on her eased and he forced his h*ps to move. The feel of withdrawing from her body wasn’t a satisfying one—he liked being joined with her.

“Stand up,” he urged.

She didn’t appear any happier than he was when she unlocked her thighs from around him and her feet lowered to the ground. He rose to his full height and released her in the process. He closed his pants.

“We didn’t make it to the creek. Are you ready for dinner, Zandy?”

Her face tilted up and she peered at him. A slight smile curved her lips. “I am hungry.”

Tiger didn’t ask permission but instead just leaned forward and scooped her into his arms. He spun, heading for his original destination. Her arms wrapped around his neck without complaint and she rested her cheek against his shirt.

She felt right in his arms and no amount of denial could change that. He didn’t act rational when it came to the human he held. She wasn’t typical in any manner, in his defense. He inhaled and muffled a purr. He could sniff her all day and night without tiring of her scent.

The sound of the creek led him to the spot he’d left an hour earlier. He admitted he might have gone a little overboard with his preparations but he didn’t regret it. He’d soon find out if she appreciated the effort. Human females were a mystery to him and he had no idea if she’d find it romantic or disturbing.

I’m losing it, he admitted silently. I have it bad for her. A mental image of him falling off a cliff flashed through his mind. Fuck. Maybe it’s just a temporary fascination. I’m not mate material. I enjoy my freedom too much.

Chapter Seven

Zandy admitted Tiger had a way of making her feel small and sexy in the cradle of his arms, as if he were the strongest man in the world and she the most feminine woman. It made her even more attracted to him.

“I went to a lot of trouble. Look,” his husky voice urged when he stopped walking.

Her head turned and a soft gasp escaped her parted lips. Tears filled her eyes next as she stared at the scene before her, deeply touched. An air mattress had been placed in the shade under a tree next to the moving water. Thick, comfortable-looking bedding had been neatly spread across it to make a romantic bed for them to share. Next to it a blanket had been spread out with a large picnic basket. A bucket of ice with either champagne or wine was placed next to the food. He’d even brought real plates, silverware and glasses. A pile of towels cushioned a camping lantern.

“What do you think?”

She turned her head to stare into his gorgeous eyes. There was no missing the worried look lurking there, as if he questioned if she would love the romantic gesture.

“I can’t believe you did all this for me.”

A frown curved his mouth. “I made you cry? I see tears. You don’t like it?”

“I love it. This is the best surprise ever, Tiger. No one has ever done something for me like this before.” She blinked back more tears. “Thank you.”