The Mammoth Book of Paranormal Romance

the leaves for me, but yes.”
    “I’m surprised Dream Catchers aren’t captured for that skill instead.”
    “It only works with the leaves from one of the Dream Catcher’s own trees. How long do you think it would be before the trees were harvested and the Dream Catchers imprisoned?”
    “Not long.”
    “Your kind has their medicines of their own making. We have our leaves.”
    “I’m just surprised no one knows about it.”
    “They only see us as bringing their fantasies to life,” Ochen said. “They’ve so closed themselves off to joy and pleasure that they can only see us as a way to live their dreams. That is more important than healing to them.”
    Natalia looked at her clean skin. “Thank you.”
    Ochen pushed her back into the pallet. The leaves were soft, fragrant, embracing. Ochen nuzzled her, his kisses lazy.
    Natalia moved one bare foot along his leg, loving the sensation of his firm muscles. His kisses turned intense, bruising.
    “Please stay with me,” he whispered.
    “You are very demanding. My guide must be worried about what happened to me.”
    “I sent one of my brothers to explain and make him comfortable.”
    “Very civil of you.”
    His smile returned. “Do you want more persuasion?”
    “I wouldn’t mind.”
    Fire shot up and down her limbs as he dropped kisses onto her mouth, her throat, her breasts. She moaned, arching to him, wanting him.
    He pulled off his loincloth, and now there was nothing between them. Skin met skin, body met body, for the first time in Natalia’s life.
    Ochen’s silver eyes were intense, watching her. “I don’t want to hurt you.”
    “You won’t.” Natalia had been to the clinic, had her maidenhead removed when she went through her coming of age ceremony. Not that anyone ever expected her to actually have intercourse.
    “I don’t ever want to hurt you.” Ochen closed his beautiful eyes, and suddenly, she was filled with him, his large arousal spreading her wide, making her catch her breath.
    “All right?” he murmured.
    “Very, very all right,” Natalie tried to say. It came out garbled.
    He still looked concerned, so she grabbed his face between her hands and kissed him hard. His face relaxed in passion, and he began to move, slowly, inside her.
    This was desire. This was lovemaking. At last, at long last.
    Natalia drew a breath, then her body went tight and hot, his hard, blunt arousal pressing inside her. “Ochen. I’m going to ... I don’t know. Fly apart.”
    “Let it happen.” His eyelids were heavy. “Let it happen, my love.”
    Natalia wasn’t sure what would happen, but black waves of sensation suddenly swamped her. She twisted and writhed, sobbing his name, her nails scrabbling for purchase on his back.
    “Yes,” he whispered. “Yes, love.”
    They climaxed together. She’d read of climax, but the scientific description fell flat. This was joy, love, power, strength. Ecstasy. It was better than she’d ever imagined it could be.
    She landed on her back, Ochen heavy on top of her. His laughing mouth met hers, and they kissed and rocked and laughed some more.
    “Stay with me,” Ochen said when they quieted again. “I love you, Natalia.”
    “Yes.” Natalia smiled up at him, the man who had showed her passion without judging her. He’d seen her innermost fantasies, her hopes and dreams, and they pleased him. “Do you know what my fantasy is now?”
    Ochen let his gaze bore into hers. Natalia felt herself spinning, but she knew she lay under him safe and sound.
    “You are naughty,” he said, his smile wicked.
    “Only with you.”
    “Yes, I know. Your fantasy is to stay with me and make love with me always.”
    “Pretty much.”
    “Then stay. Do not go back to that empty world.”
    Natalia looked around at the strange, green, living place that seemed to match Ochen. “I’ll have to tell my mother, and pack a few things. But yes, I’ll stay.”
    He nuzzled her neck. “What changed your mind? Our love-making?”
    “My mother always told me that, when I found my heart’s desire, I should hold it with both hands.” Natalia gripped Ochen’s shoulders. “So I am.”
    Ochen took her hand in his and kissed it. “Your mother is very wise.”
    “She is.” Natalia gave him a lazy smile. “I always listen to her.”

Author Biographies
    C. T. Adams and Cathy Clamp
    Award-winning USA Today bestselhng authors have written nearly a dozen paranormal romances, including the Sazi Shapeshifter series and the