Free Paige's Warriors (Bondmates Book 3) by Ann Mayburn

right down the street, so I can walk.”
    “I would rather escort you so you are safe.”
    She laughed, the joyful sound awakening his soul and bringing an answering joy to his heart. “I think I’ll be okay. I grew up around here, I know everyone, and we keep an eye out for each other. I’ll be fine.”
    He’d have her followed every moment of the day by some of his most trusted men, but he didn’t need to let her know this. “I understand.”
    The beep that came in his head now was so strong it made him flinch. Lord of Life’s balls, it was from the High Council and marked Urgent. He could no longer ignore their summons. The last thing he wanted to do was leave Paige’s side, but they’d agreed to meeting again tomorrow, and he had to give her time to adjust and himself time to regain control of his newly reawakened emotions.
    “Tren, are you okay?”
    Meeting Paige’s concerned gaze, he touched his temple and gave her the partial truth. “Headache.”
    Instantly her demeanor softened, and she stood on her tiptoes so she could reach his temple, brushing her fingers soothingly over his skin. “You should go lie down.”
    Leaving her made him want to shout and throw things, but he could not afford such childish displays of temper. “I shall. Will you give me a kiss goodnight?”
    He could see the indecision warring on her face, and mentally scolded himself for pushing her, but when she whispered ‘yes’ he wanted to roar with victory.
    “You’re too tall. Lean down a bit.”
    The feel of her small hands gripping his shoulders made him think of what it would be like to have her nails embedded in his skin as he rode her to orgasm after orgasm. The women of Earth were different from women born in the Bel’Tan galaxy. Their sheaths did not seal shut after a man orgasmed in order to keep the seed in. Earth women could have as many climaxes as she and her partner wanted during intercourse. The very idea had him eager to test out how much cock his bride would desire, but he forced himself to stay perfectly still as she slowly closed the distance between them. The first kiss, where he bit his tongue and shared his blood with her, had to come willingly from the bride. It was one of the absolute laws of the Reaping, and he could not break it.
    Especially with so many watching them, and no doubt recording this moment via their crystal implants.
    As much as he hated that, he wasn’t going to do anything to interrupt or scare off Paige. To his great dismay, she didn’t kiss his lips, instead trailing soft kisses down the scarred length of his jaw. The tenderness of her touch, the soft sounds of her breath on his skin, the perfume of her faint desire all sent him into a spiral of pleasure that went beyond himself, and into her. Ever so faintly he could sense Paige, his mind and body burning as the first strands of their bond snapped into existence, mentally linking them together. Sexual touch seemed to be the key to establishing the mental bond between mates for Earth women, but Tren had no idea it could be forged with so little contact between partners.
    Ever so briefly her lips brushed over his, and she moaned softly against his tingling mouth before pulling away abruptly.
    “I-I have to go.”
    She spun around and started to run off, but before she could get far he yelled out, “Tomorrow, Paige Grant.”
    Pausing, she looked back over her shoulder and gave him a huge smile that hit him like the kick of a reether . “Tomorrow, four o’clock. It was nice to meet you, Tren.”
    She gave him a little wave, then disappeared around the side of the house with her friends Kimber and Dawn trailing behind her.
    While he wished he could stay and gather information about Paige’s feelings for him, but duty called. He strode into the house to the transport room and stepped over to the side of the entryway before activating his mental shield then reading the message. When he did, he let out a roar of rage that made every man