The Mating Ritual
Chapter 4

Yes. It was practically a grunt. You tried to run.

Oh. Then she had to ask the obvious, hoping he had a sense of humor. You aren’t going to drown me, are you?

He snorted, his lips softening. Mesmerized, Toni reached up and ran her thumb over his bottom l*p. She couldn’t help feeling as if she were living a dream, that she would wake up any moment and her Viking would be gone.

What did you say to Malik?

His gaze touched hers briefly. That I will kill him if he touches you.

Toni was glad Cormac wanted her for himself. I thought your way of life allowed other men to have me until the mating ritual.

Cormac’s jaw clenched before he said, Yes. Malik can take you, but it will be the last pleasure he will know.

She didn’t want to think about what that meant, recalling how rapidly and sufficiently he’d taken care of the men who’d been chasing her. What about the others?

They will not touch you. As their chief they honor my right to claim you.

But not Malik, Toni reminded him.

Malik is young and headstrong, he replied as if that explained everything.

Toni watched as they neared a small pool. Without hesitation, Cormac removed the hide from around his waist, and walked down a rocky formation that looked like a crude set of stairs. As he stepped into the water he kept Toni close to his chest, soon she felt the heat of the water on her bottom, and the knowledge that it was a hot spring thrilled her. She m****d as he lowered them up to their necks.

His arms slipped away from Toni, and she found that her feet didn’t touch the bottom as his did. She reached for the side and held on, letting the heat soothe away the grime, dried cum, and achiness of a rough loving. A couple of times she ducked beneath the surface, scrubbing her scalp and hair, before replaceing a flat enough rock to cross her arms and lay her head.

She closed her eyes. This is heaven. She felt like she had entered another world. So much had happened in such a short time, and there was so much she wanted to ask Cormac, but there would be time for that later when he was taking her home.

Toni could hear him swimming behind her, and she gasped when his body touched her backside and his hands came around and covered her breasts. She sighed and let her head drop back as he tweaked her nipples until they burned. Pain and pleasure racked Toni’s body at the same time, and she responded by bumping her a*s against his hard-on.

Oh. My. God! Toni was the one who paid the price for her little move. Cormac’s c**k slipped between her legs, gliding over her p***y with a teasing sweep. The friction caused a shiver down her body and then his hand was there, his fingers tugging on her pubic hair. He was making Toni want him all over again!

His low grunt was against her ear, which he tugged on with his teeth. Toni turned so that she could reach his jaw with her mouth; giving him a sharp enough bite to convey her need for him. He in turn kissed her roughly, thrusting his erect member against her backside, at the same time burying his finger inside her. Sweet God, Toni didn’t realize how aroused she was until he brushed against her clit. She’d reached that plateau fast; amazed that he could get her there so fast.

Cormac!

Toni’s eyes bolted open when she realized she’d spoken out loud. His c**k was moving hungrily against her, as though seeking entrance to her straining body. His low g****s revealed he was highly aroused, they were both breathing heavily. Just when she thought he might turn her around and f**k her, he lifted her slightly out of the pool until she was on her belly.

What was he going to do? With her p***y close to the edge of the spring, Toni tensed when she felt Cormac’s head between her legs, and then his tongue where his finger had been a few seconds ago. She relaxed immediately, quivering with wild abandon and moaning every time his tongue burrowed deeply into her. She felt his hands spread the cheeks of her butt, and then nearly lost it when his tongue left her cunt to tease the opening to her anus.

Shit! Toni jerked forward when his tongue moved back and forth, teasing the two openings. Is he trying to kill me? She was certain that’s what he had in mind, because she couldn’t take much more. The pleasure building inside of her was nearing the breaking point, and she was almost past the point of no return. As Cormac pushed against her G-spot, Toni felt her o****m burst through the dam, and then it was all she could do to remain conscious.

She cried out, shaking violently with her release. Oh, my God! Oh, my God! She chanted to herself, gasping for air, amazed at the intensity. As the tremors weakened, she became aware of Cormac’s warm breath against the inside of her thighs, and his tender k****s. How had he learned the secrets of her body so fast?

Oh damn, Toni whispered weakly, turning to face Cormac with his assistance. But she shouldn’t have worried, because he apparently had the same idea. Before she could guess his intentions, he pulled her h**s forward, impaling her on his c**k.

Groaning low, Toni’s head fell back as the feeling of being filled by Cormac’s massive shaft was almost too good to bear. Still extremely sensitive and weak, all she could do was hold onto his shoulders and let him control their movements. His powerful hands dug into her h**s as he guided her back and forth onto his s*x.

The water churned around them, and it was clear Cormac wanted another quick, hot f**k. His expression was taut with desire, his grunts escalating every time he entered Toni’s body. Their eyes met and clung when he picked up speed, and then he was coming with a roar of satisfaction. He arched, forcing Toni tightly against his groin.

Toni marveled at the thick, corded muscles of his arched neck, and the defined power of his shoulders and chest. There was nothing soft or weak about Cormac. As his convulsions wound down, and he straightened, he pulled Toni against him for a passionate k**s.

Toni liked kissing Cormac. She willingly opened her mouth to his tongue, letting it mate with hers. His hands smoothed up her sides to her breasts, where he caressed them vigorously. Another squirt of cum gushed inside her cunt, causing her to m**n loudly beneath his masterful mouth. She was amazed at the amount of semen he released every time they f****d and the force of it when it exploded from his shaft.

She m****d when his c**k glided out of her s*x.

Come. Wash again.

He didn’t have to ask her twice. Toni sank back into the hot water, watching him wash off his lower body. Lord, she was in trouble, even that turned her on. She glanced up to see that he was watching her, too. What’s he thinking? Toni knew he was a passionate, s****l man, but his expression wasn’t always easy to read. When he left the pool, she followed suit.

He picked up the pelt he’d discarded earlier and fixed it around his h**s.

Toni saw something fall to the ground and realized it was her ruined thong. She bent, picked it up, and arranged it over her mound as best she could. It wouldn’t make it through another ripping off.

Do I get something to cover up in now?

No.

Toni’s eyes grew round, recalling what Lila had told her earlier. But I thought once I was, ah, mated in front of your people I would be allowed─

I must take you in the way of Oh-Mah tradition, he explained. And claim you before the whole clan.

Toni wondered where the rest of his people were, and what was going to happen next. What if I don’t want to be your mate?

The briefest hint of a smile covered his sensual lips. Too late.

It’s never too late. I want to return home to my own people, will you take me?

No. He turned to leave.

Then I’ll replace my own way.

Cormac swung around and towered over Toni, his eyes snapping like the flames in a fire. You are mine now.

If he’d been anything like the last man she’d been involved with, Toni would have given him a piece of her mind, but Cormac wasn’t a normal man, and just because they’d had s*x several times didn’t mean that she had any power over him. Until she knew him better, and knew how far she could push him, she would be wise to tread carefully. When the time was right, she would make a run for it. She couldn’t see giving up her normal life to live in the mountains with descendants’ of Bigfoot, no matter how attracted she was to their leader.

Toni decided to change the subject, calm Cormac down, and continue to plan her escape. Where are the rest of your people?

In the mountains. He began to walk again, and Toni had no choice but to follow him.

They were in the mountains, so she could only assume that he meant further up the mountain. North Carolina had an abundance of unexplored forests, mountains, and caves. She remembered walking into a convenience store once and overhearing two of the locals talking about the few who ventured in and were never seen again. She understood now what they’d been talking about.

She dreaded rejoining the others and steeled herself for her reception from the men, but when they stepped into the main cave Toni was glad to see that they were all engrossed in eating. That didn’t keep them from following her with their gazes, and she was careful not to make eye contact with any of them for very long, especially Malik. The sounds of grunts and g****s from within the cavern warned her that not everyone was eating. Apparently, these people were highly s****l in nature and not afraid to grab someone and f**k wherever, and whenever, they wanted.

Cormac took Toni by the upper arm and pushed her in the direction of where Lila and another woman sat. He forced her down next to them. She glanced up and met his eyes.

You eat now, and then sleep.

Sleep? It has to be the middle of the day.

He exchanged a commutative glance with Lila and left. Without speaking, Lila got to her feet and walked to the fire. Toni watched her pick up a wooden plate and put some food in it. She handed it to Toni before sitting back down.

Thank you. The food looked and smelled good, but Toni was too nervous to enjoy it. She ate because she needed nourishment and strength, and glanced around to see what the others were doing. Is this where you all live?

We spend some winter months here.

Spring was right around the corner. Where do you live in the summer?

Deeper north, further into the mountains, the other woman answered.

She looked a little older than Lila and was dressed in the same way. Instead of a braid, her graying hair was pulled back into a tight bun.

My name is Didi, she said. Lila and I are sisters.

Toni could see the resemblance. Were you both born with the Bigfo–Oh-Mah? She put a piece of fish into her mouth, surprised to replace that it cooked to perfection.

Yes. They answered simultaneously.

Finish, Lila commanded. Then we sleep. We have many miles to travel after dark.

What? Toni glanced around, and her stomach fell. The children were already sleeping, curled against their mothers. More than one couple were engaged in s*x. She met the eyes of Malik. He was staring at her while f*****g his partner, the same young woman he’d taken earlier. It seemed that doggie-style was his favorite position. Toni quickly looked away. She searched for Cormac, surprised to replace him relaxing against the wall, his eyes trained on her, too. What was he thinking?

Toni pulled her gaze away, but something compelled her to return her gaze to him. A flashback of their intense lovemaking made her pulse race. Cormac was a thorough, skilled lover, and saw to her every need as well as his. He liked s*x, there was no doubt about that, and Toni was astonished at how fast she’d given in to him. In the few relationships she’d had, s*x had never been that important to her, but now she was suddenly craving it.

She lowered her gaze and finished her food. The empty plate was taken from her hand without warning, and she was left alone with Didi.

Come, child. Didi was staring down at Toni.

Toni reluctantly got to her feet. She was led to a spot against the wall, where several soft pelts were spread out. Thank goodness there were extras, because she was beginning to feel cold.

You sleep here. Didi turned and walked away, rejoining Lila, and both women lay down without a word.

Toni slowly sank down to the soft fur bed, pulling one of them over her body. It didn’t cover her all the way, but at least she didn’t feel so exposed. Sighing, she knew there was no way she was going to be able to sleep, not when the only thing on her mind was escape.

She turned on her side to face the wall. She was surprised by how cool and dark it became once they’d put out the campfire. Light noises indicated that some were still moving about. Heavy breathing and m***s told her that others were engaged in their favorite past time. She tried to tune them out, her thoughts going to Cormac, and she was suddenly hungry for him.

Toni couldn’t understand why she felt horny all the time. Just thinking about the Oh-Mah leader aroused her. It was an impossible situation. She didn’t belong with these people, and as soon as the chance presented itself, she was going to make a run for it. And go where? She didn’t know where she was, and if they moved deeper into the mountains, she was really screwed.

People went in there, never to be seen again.

Without warning, Toni felt a presence settle behind her. She opened her mouth to scream, but a hand covered it before she could get out a squeak. She was flipped onto her back, and the hand was replaced with a firm mouth as the man settled his weight on top of her. Thinking it might be Malik, Toni struggled and twisted, but he easily subdued her by pulling her arms over her head, and pinning them to the ground.

Don’t fight me, little one, Cormac said against Toni’s lips. She relaxed, accepting his k**s when he returned his mouth to hers. As his k**s deepened she m****d, kissing him back, hating herself for showing such weakness when it came to him.

Cormac released her wrists, letting Toni lower her arms. She caressed his wide shoulders and back roughly, arching beneath him with renewed desire. Oh, my God! Her body was a prisoner to his unquenchable demands. What was she going to do? She came alive with a wanton l**t when he touched and kissed her. Now, with his hands on her breasts, he was igniting a fire inside her b***d that only he could extinguish.

Their tongues battled for dominance. Toni raked her nails down Cormac’s back, feeling his muscles tense beneath her attack, but to a man like him it was a sensual prelude to the kind of pleasure he craved. She sensed that. He liked it rough and raw and he gave it the same way. His hands moved over her curves as though discovering them for the first time. Then he tore his mouth from hers and began kissing his way down her straining body. Without warning he pushed Toni’s bra up over her full breasts, and for the first time she felt the intense effect of his warm mouth, tongue, and teeth against her bare flesh.

Toni m****d with rapture, bowing beneath Cormac’s hot, exploring mouth. As he neared her pelvis, she quickly removed her thong and automatically parted her legs in silent invitation. He teased her clit, sucking it into his mouth, and then rolling his tongue over it. Toni bit her bottom l*p to keep from crying out with pleasure, putting her hands on his shoulders, and trying to urge him up her body.

Cormac! She twisted and wiggled beneath him, gasping for breath, feeling an o****m spiraling through her body at record speed. Please…!

Comprehending her need, Cormac jabbed his tongue over her clit several more times before crawling up her body. His mouth covered Toni’s again as he positioned his d**k at the entrance to her buzzing p***y. Toni m****d deeply, swallowing his tongue, and waiting impatiently for sheer bliss to overcome her. It happened when he thrust his h**s forward. His enormous s*x parted her plump p***y lips, slid over her clit, and tunneled further beyond.

He seemed content to lay there unmoving. Toni felt his c**k pulsing inside her, filling her completely. She thrust up, encouraging him to f**k her. His grunt was followed by a return thrust down. Then he began to plunge in and out, slow at first, building to a speed that took Toni’s breath away. His climatic release fueled hers.

Cormac’s bear-like roar drowned out Toni’s cry of release. He held her by the h**s, pulling her tightly against him while grinding his c**k as deep as he could. Overcome with blinding, toe-curling pleasure, she lost control and bit Cormac on the chest. He hardly seemed to notice, and once their convulsions had stopped, Toni collapsed, feeling his rapid heartbeat against her breast.

She was caught off guard when his lips brushed against her mouth in a feather light caress.

Sleep now. Cormac rolled, bringing her with him as he settled on his back. He dragged a hide over them before wrapping his arms around her.

I have become a nympho overnight because, God, help me, I want Cormac all over again. What’s wrong with me? Toni began to wonder if there was something in his semen that made her feel that way. No, that was silly, wasn’t it?

Eventually she slept.