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

by Ruby Dixon

She wishes to become pleasure-mates? I am shocked. I thought she hated me. Is this why she asked about her sister? I gaze down at her upturned face, wondering if she is playing a prank on me. But there’s interest and arousal shining in her eyes, and her gaze flicks to my mouth. Her lips part.

She truly wishes to mate? I love that this human female is so fearless and bold, unlike her crying sister.

Did I think that kissing made today the best day of my life? My imagination was not ready for this. Nothing can be better than this.

It seems my imagination is a poor thing after all.

This female is fearless. I did not realize how appealing such a thing could be.

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.

Mah-dee makes a small noise of protest. “What? Why’d we stop? Is someone coming? Because I know it isn’t me, if you know what I’m saying.”

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.

Babes you have got to get some chill.

Oh yeah, I needed that. My toes curl, and I utter a sigh of pure contentment. Itch? Scratched. Antsiness? Gone. Worry about the future? Can’t worry about it when you’ve been boned into next week. Loneliness? Nah, I’m good.

“I am honored that you have chosen me to be your pleasure-mate.” It’s like I can practically hear the record-scratch in the air.

I fling my hands up. “Okay, see? So why do you assume we’re mates? Why can’t we just be fuck-buddies?” A possessive look crosses his face and he cups my breast again. “Because you are mine, Mah-dee. I am claiming you as my female.” “Whoa, whoa, back up. No one said anything about anyone claiming! We’re just going to be friends.” He scowls. “Do you do this with all your friends?” “Only the ones with magical spurs.”

“If it makes you feel better, you’re the only one I’ve pounced.” And now that I’ve pounced him, I’m disappointed that there won’t be future pouncings, because damn, that sex was amazing. But it seems that it also comes with a side dish of possessiveness, and that’s not what I want at the moment.

Well, poo. Looks like our lesson has been canceled by Hassen’s show of manly jealousy.

Okay, so maybe I’m moping a little over the fact that he turned out to be all possessive. Why couldn’t we just be fuck-buddies? Friends with all kinds of benefits? I don’t need a mate right now. Hell, I’m still figuring myself out. I don’t need to drag another person into my headspace, mostly because my headspace is way too much of a mess.

“You and Hassen woke me up.” Oh, god. Guess we weren’t all that quiet. It’s even more embarrassing to think about considering that the storage cave is a fair distance from my cave. Whoops. Guess that cat’s somewhat out of the bag.

The look she gives me is calculating. “Hassen is a poor choice in a lover.” “I don’t know if my girl parts agree with that.” I squeeze my thighs together because, mercy. I’m still all noodly on the inside from the sex. Poor choice in lovers? Not in my book.

“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’s not wrong. There’s a ferocity to Hassen, an almost brutal eagerness. He held me down on the furs and plowed into me like the world was ending around his ears and he had to get his rocks off right then and there. And as he held my hips, there was a wild possessiveness in his eyes, and so much damn satisfaction. Like half of him getting off was entirely due to the fact that he was possessing me. And not just any chick. Me.

Okay, for all that it’s not smart to toy with a guy that wants to be mates after one romp in the furs, he was hot as hell to play with.

I’ve been gone for maybe an hour when a large figure appears in the distance and starts stalking toward me, distinctive black hair fluttering over blue shoulders. Twin spears are crossed over his back. Yeah, I know that guy. It’s Hassen, and he looks pissed. Okay, he also looks pretty badass at the moment and it’s making me go sploosh in my non-existent panties. Because seeing that arrogant swagger? That angry stalking thing he’s doing? It makes me think of our intense little round in the storage room, and my body is screaming for round two.

Plus, out of this entire happy tribe of do-gooders and mommies, he’s an outcast. And boy, can I relate to that.

“I do not want one night of you in my furs. I want you in them every night.” He reaches out and caresses my cheek. His fingers are incredibly warm and feel delicious against the biting chill.

Gah. “People don’t sleep with other people just for fun in your tribe?” “Sometimes they do. I am not one of them.” No, I guess he’s not, considering he was a virgin until yesterday. Still, the whole ‘needs commitment’ thing could have come up before I had my hands on his dick. He could have said something and then I would have found someone else to play with. Except…I don’t think I would have.

Hassen’s perfect for my needs because he’s solitary. He’s not heading back to the hunter cave to bro-down with the others to gossip. And he’s an exile, so he knows what it’s like to be lonely. And with this timing…it just made sense.

All right, the fact that he’s the hottest guy on the ice planet doesn’t hurt things, either. I mean, overall as a race, the sa-khui are good-looking. They’re tall, muscular, well-formed, and if you can get past the blue, the tail, and th...

“We could have fun together.” “Yes, we could.” He caresses my cheek, and his thumb skates over my lower lip. I have a feeling we’re not talking about the same thing. Damn it.

Seeing her here, her expression stubborn? It has just convinced me that she is the mate for me. I do not need a mate that wilts and cries. I need a strong, capable female who will challenge me and push me to be better. Mah-dee needs to let me love her.

Hassen hasn’t been treating me like an incompetent fat chick and I’ll be forever grateful.

He chuckles, and the sound makes my insides squeeze. I feel like it’s rare that I hear him laugh, and when I do it’s…nice. Real nice. He should laugh more often.

I hear Hassen take in a deep breath. No wait, he’s sniffing. Is he sniffing my hair? Oh, god, why is that so freaking hot?

I bite back my moan and sag against him as his fingers stroke my pussy. God, this isn’t fair…and I don’t want it to be. I should be pissed that he’s taking advantage of the situation, but all I can think is that this is exactly what I wanted, with a tease of voyeurism thrown in to boot.

Oh, god, he said ‘cunt.’ Oh, god, that’s so freaking hot that I’m pretty sure I juice just at the sound of his deep voice.

He nods. “If you wish to use me to scratch an itch, as you say, it is only fair that I use you to scratch mine.”

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. But being close to her and not being able to touch her is torture. I will not choose that. I will choose another route.

Instead, I’m thinking about Hassen. He’s all alone out there, and while he knows how to take care of himself, I can’t help but worry. All it takes is a twisted ankle and…I shake those thoughts free from my head, because I can’t go down that path. He can take care of himself. I just hate that no one has his back right now.

It is as you have said. There is no you and I. He’s right. I just didn’t expect it to bother me so much to hear. I’ve loved the last week—it’s been so much fun and I haven’t felt bored or lonely. In fact, I’ve woken up every morning eager to face the world and see what new things I can learn or discover. Is this how Lila feels?

Do I have enough bowls? That’s the weirdest question I’ve ever been asked.

Oh, shit. Is this flirting? Is Harrec flirting with me? About bowls?

I can’t get away from the tribe. Specifically, the men of the tribe.

“It is because you smile now. Before you scowled at everyone and threw things. Now you smile, and now they notice you.” Her look becomes sly. “They do not realize the reason why you smile, I imagine.”

Yeah, I know why I’m smiling now. It’s because I’m getting laid. Actually, it’s more than that. It’s Hassen’s company. It’s that I’ve found someone that really understands me and my situation. I don’t feel so abandoned. I feel like I have a partner in crime now.

I shouldn’t be judged by how I acted when I was stressed out and afraid…and I wonder that I’ve been judging Hassen all along.

After all, one reason why I hold him at arm’s length when it comes to our relationship is because of my sister. Because I don’t want Lila to be disappointed in me. I’m all mixed up and I’m not sure how to handle things.

I’m so utterly thrilled for my sister’s happiness. I love that my shy, scared sister is just blossoming out here on this ski slope of a planet. It makes me tear up, too. My sister’s going to have a family and a baby, just like everyone else. I’m so happy for her, and yet…I still feel the sting of losing her. And I feel alone all over again. Which makes me think of Hassen.

Actually, I decide I’m not going to share a lot with my sister. The look of horror she’s giving me tells me plenty. We’re just friends, I sign. Don’t freak out.

Oh, that is so cute. Considering that I took advantage of Hassen the moment he decided to hang out with me, my sister has the wrong one pegged as a predator.

Am I having Stockholm syndrome on my sister’s behalf? Hell, is that even possible?

Lately I’ve been feeling very, very lost, and I hate it. I’m tired of feeling this way. I’m tired of feeling like everyone’s got their shit together but me. Even right now, I’m out here in the wild with a damp wrap that’s not keeping me very warm, no snowshoes, and no weapon. If that’s not idiotic, I don’t know what is.

The look on his face is pure contentment, and for a moment my heart squeezes and I wish he wasn’t the asshole that kidnapped my sister. I wish there was no baggage between us and he was just another faceless hunter in the mix. Then maybe I wouldn’t be so reluctant to pleasure-mate.