Barbarian's Taming (Ice Planet Barbarians, #8)

by Ruby Dixon

Everyone in the tribe adores her and they can barely tolerate me. I’m like a stinky fart that’s lingering in the cave and everyone tries to ignore.

I am surprised…and honored that she has chosen me as a pleasure-mate. “You wish me to fuck you? I accept.”

Because I don’t feel loved, or needed, or accepted, and I didn’t realize how badly I needed those things until now.

She truly wishes to mate? I love that this human female is so fearless and bold, unlike her crying sister. “I am bigger than you. You are not afraid, are you?” “Pfft. Nope. The whole size thing’s kinda doing it for me,”

This is what it is like to have a mate, I realize with wonder. Holding your female in your arms and pleasuring her. Knowing that she is yours for all time.

If she does not want me to be controlled, I will not be. If she does not want me to be patient, I will be an animal with her.

And the knowledge that this is my female, now and forever. Mah-dee gave herself to me today, and I am never going to let her go.

“He is a poor choice in a lover because he is going to want to claim you. That one desperately wants a mate and a family. He is lonely. He will not take whatever scraps you toss him and be content. He will want more.”

She has crept into my heart like a bolt of lightning and left scorch marks wherever she has touched down.

“I cannot change the past. But I also do not miss your sister.” I reach out and tap her mouth, indicating she should close it. “I do not look back because I cannot change the past. You should not, either. That is one of the first things you must learn as a hunter—do not regret what you do not have. Make use of what you do.”

It feels as if I am deceiving her, yet I will go along with it. The truth is, I have not changed my mind. In my mind, Mah-dee is mine. She is my mate.

By then, Li-lah will be carrying Rokan’s kit and all will have forgotten that I stole the weak, crying sister when I should have stolen the fierce one.

He grunts.

“You are my heart, Mah-dee. Without you, I am nothing. You saw me as an exile and still took me to your furs. You are kind and giving.”

“My happy does not wait for later,” he tells me. “My happy is now. Here. With you. I need nothing else.”