He flopped down in his makeshift hammock, grumpy and frustrated. He had been so close to winning her over!! In fact, he was surprised how long she had held out. Most women would have given anything to bed a handsome male and end up as queen to some wonderful kingdom. It wasn’t that she didn’t believe him, either. It was the simple fact that she was afraid of rushing into things.
“So, some women do still value their virginity.” He huffed. “What were the odds that the one woman I happen across happens to be one of them?”
He turned, grunting at the creak of the vines beneath his weight and tried to settle, throwing a forepaw over his eyes to block out the dimming light from above.
He’d have a good sleep and then be out by morning. There was no point wasting anymore time with her. He doubted she’d come back and even if she did, she probably wouldn’t sleep with him until she’d returned to the pride with him…yeah…a non-existent pride.
The sound of movement distracted him momentarily from his sleep, an ear twitching to locate the source of the interference.
“H-hello?”
Both ears righted in an instant. It was Anya. But why was she here? She couldn’t be…could she? His excitement spiralled back upwards again and it took a moment for him to compose himself before descending to the leafy floor beneath his floating bed.
“Anya?”
She almost bumped straight into him, looking wild-eyed and frightened. She was in unfamiliar territory – a male’s territory no less. She seemed apologetic and nervous and she fidgeted as he looked at her.
“What’s wrong, Fair Anya?”
“Is it okay for me to…be here?”
“Of course it is! Oh, Anya. I just wasn’t expecting to see you again. That was all. The way I upset you earlier. I felt like the worst lion in the world. I was going to go after you, but you seemed so upset…I thought I would only make things worse.”
She took a small step towards him, hunkering down in an almost submissive fashion.
“Anya?”
“I’m afraid, Kirin.”
Something kicked against Riordyn’s chest then. Guilt, perhaps? He never usually got so emotionally involved. Even still, it had been fun and now…it seemed…he might get what he had wanted after all. He purred deeply and closed the gap between them, pressing the end of his muzzle against the top of hers.
“I’m so sorry, my dear.”
“Everything…everything happened so fast. I didn’t know it could be like that.”
“It?”
“Love!” She finished, sounding exasperated.
Another kick to the gut…Riordyn barely contained a flinch. Did he love her? Certainly not. Did he have any sort of affectionate feeling towards her? Well…yes, he supposed so. She was soft and pretty and warm and she was about to leap into his den. She was as good and fine as any other woman! But love? Pff, Rioryn didn’t believe in such an emotion. Love was boring and settled. He didn’t want that sort of tying relationship in his life.
“I thought love happened slowly…so slow you didn’t notice. But…but it wasn’t like that at all and I don’t know how to deal with it. I…I’m afraid.”
“Love is beautiful.” Riordyn replied softly. “But scary, yes, I’d agree. Would it make it scarier if I said that I feel I love you, too, Anya? I have never met a female like you, before. So gentle and kind and warm. Someone whose laugh makes my heart sing. I thought I’d come out here and find a female I’d have to put up with for the rest of my life…but no…now I see that we were meant to meet. It might be foolish but, what do you say? Will you return with me to my pride?”
“Or, Kirin…yes. Yes, I will! I can’t think of living a life without you!” She pressed her face firmly against his neck, purring as he began to groom behind her ears, down the line of her slender neck and then nipping and grooming at her shoulders.
“Kirin…”
“Don’t be afraid, love. I’ll take care of you.” He hooked his jaw firmly around her and began to lead her backwards towards the rocks. This would be her first time, no doubt, and she’d probably feel safer with rocks and undergrowth around them, keeping her safe and hidden from view.
He practically buzzed with anticipation, barely able to contain himself as he led her into the sheltered little spot that seemed almost carved out for the act. She lay at his paws and he set to grooming her, washing her face, her neck, her shoulders, her back.
“Do you trust me?” He asked softly, then.
She blinked up at him with large, wide eyes. “Yes. I do, Kirin.”
He smiled.
Perfect.
She was his – for a night at least.
Riordyn always got what he wanted…in the end.
/fin.
