Read Online Claws by Karolyn Cairns - Free Book Online

Vivvie moaned and bit into his shoulder to
keep from screaming, her body moving with his in a slow, hungry
pattern. The euphoria made it even more intense, the colors before
her eyes changing and blending together.
    Jericho made love to her, removing
little doubt about his reputation within the tribe as a lover was
well-founded. By the time he lay still within her, she stared up at
him sorrowfully. She had few regrets given what she knew of her
husband’s actions. A part of her was always curious about Jericho.
Eli abandoned her now. She felt no guilt to know she enjoyed
this.
    “I know you still love Eli, Vivvie,” he
told her as he kissed her lips softly. “You needed someone tonight.
I’m glad I was here for you. Don’t feel guilty.”
    Vivvie stared at the ceiling of his
room, knowing a pang of remorse she was no better than Eli, turning
to the first person who offered comfort.
    “I don’t know how I feel
anymore.”
    Jericho laughed naughtily and his hand
slid down, finding her hot and wet with knowing flicks of his
fingers, making her gasp. He stared down at her
intently.
    “Then let me show you, Vivvie. Let me
show you what we are,” he said as he pulled her knees up around his
hips, staring into her eyes with a gentle expression.
    She gasped as Jericho drove into her
with a slow grinding pressure, his teeth scoring her neck and
breasts, reminding her she was flesh and blood as the desire grew
unbearable. She dug her fingers into his back, urging him on with
soft plaintive sobs.
    He growled at her throat, his body
pounding relentlessly into hers until she was nearly screaming. She
couldn’t deny the way he made her feel, her hands winding into his
long golden hair, her mouth hungry as it met his. The feel and
taste of him was intoxicating and made her crazed wanting
more.
    They were dazed and sweaty much later
as they lay still among the twisted bedding, his teeth nibbling at
her shoulder. His body still jerked inside her from his orgasm.
Vivvie should have felt regret but there was none. This was what
she needed and Jericho would never press for more. This was all he
wanted, she was sure.
    His short goatee tickled her neck, his
lips giving her random hickies everywhere he touched her. His eyes
were lit up and met hers with satisfaction in them, knowing he had
brought her to the height of sensual awareness. She felt safe and
nurtured and wholly sated when the elder moved away with
reluctance, looking at her with glowing eyes.
    “Come to me again, Vivvie. I’m here for
you as long as you need me.”
    Vivvie felt ridiculous for starting to
cry at that moment.
    “I should be ashamed of this,” she
mumbled and squeezed her eyes shut, hot tears forcing their way
through. “Even if he doesn’t care anymore; I still do! I’m no
better than him now.”
    He smiled and reached out to caress the
hair away from her face. “There is no shame in embracing your
nature, Vivvie. This is what you are. We’re animals, my friend. We
hunt, we fight, we fuck, and we love.”
    “We also have to get up early,” she
joked as she sat up and wiped at her tears, embarrassed for losing
it again. She reclaimed her pajamas on the floor, unsteady from
more than just smoking the catnip with Jericho. Jericho watched her
leave with glowing eyes. There was no need to say anything more.
They both knew she would be back; seek him again in her dreams or
his.
    Vivvie awoke in her bed and bit her lip
hours later. The delicious aches in her body aside; she felt no
remorse anymore. Her husband wasted no time moving Tania in and her
out. The pain and disillusionment aside; she needed someone right
now.
    Jericho offered that and nothing more.
She was certain he gave what they did little thought. Besides, it
wasn’t like it was real, even if it felt that way. She grimaced as
she felt sore as she got out of bed.
    She watched the multiple bites and
hickies on her neck and chest fade before her eyes in the vanity
mirror, choked with emotion