Read Online Talson Temptations 3: Talson's Net by Marie Harte - Free Book Online Page B

Val shifted but didn’t pull out of her, and
her eyes widened. “You’re still hard, iriu .”
    “It’s fading, don’t worry. See, Quinn? You were wrong. She’s
not pissed at all that she’s linked to a Talson,” Val murmured. She felt like
heaven, liquid silk.“She knows she’s incredibly lucky to have me.”
    “Please. I think you have that backward.”
    Val snickered and withdrew from her. He needed rest. And he
knew Rowe felt the same.
    “Hell. I’m out of here. You two need some alone time, and I
need to make sure Keilor’s behaving.” Quinn rolled out of bed and staggered on
his feet.
    “Not tonight. Damn. Quinn?” Val sat up.
    Quinn waved him back. “Take care of her. I’m fine. Just
drained a bit.” He smiled. “But I’d do it all over again. Rowe, I didn’t know
what I’d been missing these many years.”
    Val frowned. “Look, Quinn, I—”
    “I’m just teasing.” Quinn walked slowly for the door. “I’m
going home to rest. I’ll be in to work tomorrow and I’ll report back. I’ll see
you two in a few days, okay? Stay here, and stay safe.”
    He left the bedroom before Val could remind him that he
didn’t take orders from Quinn.
    “I don’t feel Quinn so much anymore.” Rowe sighed. “So we’re
done now?”
    “He and you are. Yeah.” A surge of jealousy hit Val hard.
“You don’t want him back, do you?”
    “No. But I can’t deny being between you two was sexy.”
    He relaxed. “As much as I’d like to say something obnoxious
here, I won’t,” he teased. “But he’s right to give us some time together. We
have a lot to talk about.” He paused, wondering if he should bring it up or
not, then decided to mention it. “You could be carrying our child right now.”
    She flushed, her embarrassment adorable. “Oh.”
    They lay in silence until they heard the front door open and
close.
    Val gathered her to him, still amazed at how much smaller
she was. “Rowe, I realize we barely know each other, that we weren’t exactly on
great terms before all this, and we just had mind-bending sex that we’re going
to do it all over again. But I want you to know it’s real. All of it.” He
opened up his mind to her. No matter how confusing or scary or weird it
seems, it’s true. You’re mine, iriu . And I’m yours.
    The sudden silence felt like a huge chasm, until she
tentatively responded. Are you sure? Is this even possible for me?
    He sensed her need for acceptance at odds with the
exhaustion and fear that nothing tonight really mattered. Sex, some Otra
nonsense. Just another ploy to show her how undeserving she was. He’d leave in
the morning, and then…
    He needed to stop that line of thought right now and sent
her, Sweetheart. I’m not leaving you. Ever.
    “Val?”
    “Shh. It’s been a long day. Sleep, Rowe. I’m right here.
I’ll be here tomorrow.” He grinned against her forehead and kissed her. “No
matter how much you might want me gone, you’re stuck with me. Now and forever.”
    * * * * *
    Now and forever.
    When Rowe woke the next morning, she couldn’t get those
words out of her head. Val Talson ‘Or Ryi, a leader in her company’s rival
firm, and one of the most sought-after Otra bachelors on Werfal 7, thought he’d
bonded to her. He called her iriu , a name of value and deep emotional
meaning to Otra, both pure-blood and mixed.
    In the aftermath of the incredible fantasy that had occurred
yesterday, all her doubts and worries returned. Her cousin, the piracy in her
company. Her issues with self-worth notwithstanding, she didn’t know Val. How
could she have allowed him to do those things to her? She blushed. How could
she have let Quinn?
    She snuck out of his arms and used the facilities before
returning to study him.
    In sleep, he seemed more relaxed but no less dangerous than
he had the first time she’d been in his power.
    Iriu , come back to bed. I need you here. His drowsy
words shouldn’t have had the ability to melt her resolve, but