Soren's Bondmate by Mardi Maxwell Read Free Book Online Page A

came again, throwing him into his own orgasm. He tightened his hands on her waist and held her still while wave after wave of pleasure flowed through him and immediately his body cooled and hers warmed and the blue mist disappeared.
    Skye collapsed against him. He freed her hair then combed his fingers through the long strands until they covered her shoulders and the ends floated in the water. While she rested, he wet her hair with handful after handful of water then washed it with the gel he found in a jar on the side of the tub. After rinsing it he held a handful up to the light. Her hair was several shades of gold and platinum with a few dark red strands mixed in. He tied her hair on top of her head and finished bathing the two of them then rose and carried her into the bedroom. He didn't bother with drying them even though she mumbled an objection. After pulling the fur back he lowered her onto the bed, dropped down beside her and arranged her in his arms the way he wanted her and closed his eyes.
    # # #
    The last of the sun's rays lit the room with just enough light for Skye to see Soren's face. His arm lay over her waist, holding her against him as he slept. He was a fierce and relentless warrior but she wondered if he was forgiving. As soon as the thought went through her mind she found herself linked with his mind and catching small glimpses of his past. People, places and battles but they were jumbled together and she wasn't able to make sense of any of them. He moved and she realized what she was doing and pulled her mind from his then tried to roll away.
    He pulled her closer and opened his eyes. They were shielded and she couldn't pick up on what he was feeling or thinking. "Did you put these bands on me as a sign of ownership?"
    His voice sounded calm but she picked up on the threatening undertone. "No. They were on you when I found you." She squirmed, silently asking to be released.
    "Be still," he said and she froze. "Did you give me this mating fever?"
    "No." She shoved away from him, sat up and wrapped the fur around her shoulders. She dropped the fur and a nano-unit later she was clothed and walking away.
    He followed her, unconcerned with his naked state. "From here you wouldn't have been able to identify the ship or know it was occupied."
    Skye looked around the room then back at him and reluctantly admitted, "When I saw the crash I had to investigate it. I couldn't resist."
    "This has gotten you into trouble in the past?"
    "Yes. A few times."
    "Tell me how you risked your life to save me. In what way?"
    "It is thirty degrees below zero out there." She waved toward the window. "And, then there's the Groaners and predators. Any one of them could have killed me."
    Soren frowned. "From now on you will not risk your life. If you endanger yourself I will punish you."
    Skye took the statement as a challenge and met it. "Just how do you think you'd be able to do that?"
    "Are you challenging me, Skye?"
    "If I am?"
    "You'll lose and be punished," Soren said.
    Skye's curiosity kicked in and she asked, "How would you punish me?"
    "I—females are spanked." He grimaced then rubbed his temple.
    Skye hurried to him and laid her hand on his chest. "Are you in pain?" She brushed his hand away and pressed her palm against his temple while she called on her powers to heal him. After a few moments she felt him relax. "Better now?"
    Soren nodded. "Every time I remember something about my past I feel pain."
    "You remembered that females are spanked where you come from?"
    "Yes."
    "That's never going to happen to me," she said as she took his hand and led him to the chairs. "Sit down and try to relax. Are you hungry? Thirsty?"
    "You have been warned, Skye. If you defy me I will spank you." Soren held up his hand when she would have interrupted him. "I have more questions. You said an enchantress gets their energy from being cared for and cherished. Who does this before they have a mate?"
    "Family members. Parents and siblings