Having this entire lake to myself? Having shampoo?

This is paradise.

I feel Kael’s pleasure before I even hear the rumble emitting from him. A moment later, his hands caress me under the water, sliding over my hips. I’m not even upset at his handsiness, because I like all the attention and affection. It’s probably wrong, but I’m not sure I want to be right.

What is it you are doing? he asks.

I continue to lather my hair. “Washing my hair with shampoo. It feels amazing to get clean again.”

This is another human thing? He caresses my slick breasts, thumbs teasing my erect nipples. I gasp and squirm at the touch, but…I don’t pull away. I don’t know if I want to. You are making the sounds that you made when I was between your legs. I like this. It brings me pleasure.

Does he have to keep bringing that up constantly? Or is he doing it deliberately to make me blush? “Yes, well, I’m enjoying getting clean. And if you’re going to rub your hands on me, why not soap them up?” That way I can be totally justified in allowing him to manhandle me. It’s totally for cleanliness, not because his big, strong hands feel good. Just cleanliness.

Show me how to do this soap.

I dunk my head to rinse it free of shampoo, then wipe the water from my eyes. “How about I show you how to clean up, okay, big guy?” I wade to shore and grab the bottle of shampoo, then head back out to his side and gesture at his thick shock of hair. “You’ll need to get that wet.”

He immediately flings himself into the water and resurfaces a moment later, hair dripping.

I can’t help it—I laugh. “You don’t do anything by halves, do you, Kael?”

He grins at me, showing a flash of sharp teeth. It feels good to relax with him for a change, to have a moment of relief amidst all the stress of the world. Right now, our world exists purely in the confines of an outdoor bath. I’m enjoying myself. I’m not thinking about tomorrow or what the future holds. I’m just having fun in the water with the guy I’m attracted to.

“Lean in,” I tell him, and when he does, I squirt a dollop of precious shampoo onto his thick hair. I re-cap the bottle and toss it aside, then begin to rub the shampoo into his hair, massaging his scalp. He rumbles with pleasure, his arms wrapping around me, hands moving to my ass. He pulls me up against his thick erection, hidden by the water. “No,” I say with a laugh. “Not right now, Kael. This is about getting clean.”

I wish to put my mouth on you and pleasure you, Claudia. It would bring me much pleasure. I hunger for your taste.

My laugh dies in a breathless gasp, and my mind fills with images of him, his big hands pushing my knees forward as he licks my pussy ravenously.

Oh, mercy.

“Bathing,” I remind him. “We’re bathing right now.” But the words come out breathless, and I can’t seem to stop touching him under the pretense of washing, even as he nuzzles at my wet neck, his hands flexing against my butt.

Can I not hold you while I bathe? I enjoy it.

“You can…” I breathe. He lifts his head, and I see that his eyes are swirling with the black of desire. He leans closer to me, and his mouth captures mine, even as he pulls me flush against him once more.

My Claudia. I sense your arousal. The scent of it hungers me. His tongue strokes against mine, a mimic of his cock, and I whimper. Let me taste you.

“You have shampoo in your hair,” I tell him softly. Even now it runs down his forehead into his eyes.

He releases me and dunks under the water again, shaking his head furiously. A moment later he pops up again and then clasps me close, water streaming down his big, golden body. Now I will taste you.

I tremble at the intensity in his thoughts. I run one hand down his shoulders, feeling his muscles and considering his big body. We stand in hip-high water, out in the open. Anyone could see us. More than that, I suspect that he wants more than just oral. He’s going to want sex, and this is a slippery slope.

I’m full of desire…and fear. “I don’t know.”

As if sensing my thoughts, Kael brushes his mouth over my cheek. “Claudia…” he murmurs aloud, startling me. Then, in my mind, he says, I wish only to bring you pleasure. There does not have to be pleasure for Kael in this joining. I simply want to taste my mate and enjoy her flavor. Let me do this.

I shudder, clinging to his wet skin as his hands settle at my waist again. I can’t decide…and yet, I’m not leaving. So maybe I’ve decided, after all. He waits a moment and then leans in to kiss me again. When he kisses me, I open my mouth to his, acquiescing to his dominance.

One big hand slides down my belly, gliding down my wet flesh. He finds my mound and cups me there and breaks the kiss. I gaze up at him, hardly daring to breathe. The look on his face traps my gaze, all delicious black swirls of intensity.

And he presses a finger in, stroking into the curls of my sex and between my pussy lips.

I moan, arching against him.

He continues to rub me, mindful of his claws, and I feel him dip into my core, where I’m aching with need.

You are hot and slick with mating juices, my Claudia. He rubs his finger up and down the folds of my pussy, wetting me with my own need. Feel how wet you are. That is not just water. That is my Claudia.

And he lifts his hand to his mouth and licks his fingers, his intense gaze still on my face.

I can feel the pleasure that rolls through his mind and whimper at the intensity of it. My Claudia, he tells me. Nothing tastes better than your sweetness. Let me lick you.

Here? Now?

Now, he agrees. He pulls me into his arms and heads for the shore of the lake. I will lay you down under me, spread your thighs, and feast upon your beauty.

My body trembles with the intensity of his thoughts, and his gaze pins me as he gently lays me down on the sandy shore. Then he looks down on me, full of admiration.

So beautiful, my Claudia. My mate is lovely.

He bends over and runs his mouth lightly down my stomach, caressing me. His big hands move to my thighs and pulls them wide, parting me for his attentions. His pleasure storms through my mind again, and I moan even before his hot breath fans over my pussy.

As I watch, he studies my folds and then leans in. His tongue snakes out and flicks over my flesh, giving me a quick taste. Then he rumbles with pleasure and sinks against me, his mouth burying between my thighs. I gasp in response, startled by the onslaught of sensations. Whatever I feel is being mixed with the thoughts he’s allowing to leak from his own mind, and it’s like my pleasure is being amplified by his. I can feel how erotic it is for him to taste me, how wild it makes him.