Rhianne regarded him in surprise, then delight. “How did you do that?”
Ben barely heard her. He wanted to linger at her breasts, warm through the silk, but he made himself release her and step away. Training. We’re training.
“Like this.” Ben rested her fingers on his arm once more. “You turn your hand when I start my journey toward you, so you’re catching my force on its back or on your wrist. Like so.” He gently glided their hands together toward her chest.
“Oh.” After a few tries, Rhianne’s movements became more fluid, she relaxing under his force, but aware of it. Whenever his hand reached her chest, she turned and flowed the energy back to him. “I’ve done training sort of like this when I was much younger. All Tuil Erdannan receive combat instruction, women and men alike. It wasn’t quite the same, but I remember how we learned to take our enemy’s strength and use it against them.”
“Exactly. This is slow understanding, as you feel my every move, using what I do to your advantage.”
They continued the back-and-forth exchange, Ben connecting to her and she to him. Ben felt the earth through her, the ley line reaching to the magic in her before feeding itself to Ben like an electric current through a wire.
Ben sucked in a breath. The magic in Rhianne was like molten lava, slow but searing.
Her energy didn’t simply come from the fact that she was Tuil Erdannan. Ben had felt Lady Aisling’s power, and it wasn’t the same. Lady Aisling was a bright light in a windowless room. Rhianne’s magic was more subtle, a tide of strength so quietly immense the world would never withstand it. Rhianne believed she didn’t have much magic, yet he felt it in her, potential untapped.
Rhianne began to smile, her focus fixed on their hands. Once she’d mastered the first move, Ben showed her more complex ones, and soon they were using both hands together.
His connection with her sang through him. What they did was like a dance, but even more intimate. An awareness crackled from her fingers to his and enveloped his body. Her smile widened as the rhythm grew smoother, each push and turn revealing more and more of her skill.
A defiant sparkle leapt into Rhianne’s eyes, and she suddenly pushed Ben in an entirely different pattern. Ben should have moved with it, continuing the dance, but he stumbled, clamping down on her and pulling her into him. She landed against his chest.
“Little shit,” he said.
“Seeing if you were paying attention.”
Ben hadn’t been, not to the training. He’d been distracted by her beauty, her relaxed strength, her smile. As soon as she’d made an unpredictable move, his expertise had evaporated.
He gazed into her black-flecked brown eyes, understanding now that they were the eyes of an eagle, proud, fierce, deadly.
Her breath on his lips made Ben forget all about the exercise, the training, the reason he’d brought her out here in the first place. He became aware that they were both nearly naked, nothing between them but a few wisps of fabric.
Rhianne’s face was misted with perspiration, her lips parted. Ben pushed back her heavy braid, traced her cheekbone with his fingertip.
Rhianne leaned forward and kissed him fully on the mouth.
A raw sound escaped Ben’s throat. His arms went around her as he parted her lips, not holding himself back from tasting her deeply. It had been only a few hours since she’d lain in his arms, and he hadn’t taken satisfaction for himself, leaving the bed hard and aching.
Rhianne skimmed her hands across Ben’s hips. Fingers moved under his waistband to touch the bare skin of his backside.
“Damn,” Ben murmured. “I’ve never done tai chi like this.”
“I don’t think it’s one of the moves.”
Rhianne’s whisper brushed his face before she kissed him again, Ben accepting that energy and answering it with his own. Her fingers played on his buttocks, and his already hard cock gave a throb.
“What am I going to do with you?” he asked. “That is, I know what I want to do.”
Rhianne licked his ear. “Why not? We’re not inexperienced and untouched.”
“Nope. Not spring chickens. Not us.”
Rhianne blinked at him. “Spring …?”
“Never mind. I mean you’re right. We’re not two innocent kids with no understanding of what we’re getting into.”
Her smile made him hot all over. “I believe I understand quite well.”
Ben gently removed her hands from his backside, though it nearly killed him to do it.
“I’m a goblin. A strange being from the deep past. You’re Tuil Erdannan, who can crush goblins like they were burned paper.”
Rhianne shook her head. “We’re Rhianne and Ben. Exiles together.”
“But what happens when you aren’t exiled anymore?” Ben brushed his thumb across her lower lip. “I always will be.”
Her eyes held need mixed with anguish. “Does it matter?”
“It might. When you meet another Tuil Erdannan and know he’ll be your mate for life, do you want a torrid affair with a goblin in your past?”
“Ben.” Rhianne stepped against him, her breasts to his chest. “I’m not throwing myself at you because I want a torrid affair. I’m lonely, you’re lonely, and no one else wants us for who we truly are.” She leaned into him and nibbled his earlobe. “And, I’m going to admit it.” Her whisper in his ear heated him through. “You’re beautiful.”
Ben cupped her waist. “I think crossing the gate has done something to your eyesight.”
“Improved it.” Rhianne touched his face. “You’ve perfected handsomeness, Ben. I bet in your true form, you looked amazing to other goblins.”
He shrugged, trying for a nonchalant tone. “They didn’t complain.”
Rhianne’s soft laughter shook her agreeably. “I’m not complaining either.”
Her next kiss took his breath away. Rhianne’s skin was warm from the sun and their exercise, plus she pulsed with a longing that matched Ben’s. The ground was soft here, and the magic from the house throbbed beneath them.
Ben swept Rhianne into his arms and lowered her to the cool grass. He’d prefer to cushion her with a blanket, but she didn’t seem in the mood to wait for him to fetch one. She wrapped one leg around his, pulling him down so his cock rested on the silken fabric between her thighs.
“Are you sure you’re not Shifter?” Ben asked her hoarsely. “’Cause I could swear you’re in mating frenzy.”
“You mean wanting to be with you so much it’s making my blood burn?” Rhianne’s eyes glistened, her smile hot.
“Something like that, yeah. ’Course, I’m not Shifter, and I’m feeling the same way.”
“Good.”
Their mouths met, this kiss still more passionate, Ben imbibing Rhianne’s frustration, need, and loneliness. He also tasted the magic of her, the incredible combination of her ancestry and whatever had been waiting to manifest. That magic poured into him, stirring to life his own, the one he hid from all others.
He freed her from the camisole, tucking it behind her to help shield her from the grass. This morning she’d stretched out on top of him, but now she appeared content to lie back and pull him down to her.
Ben held Rhianne’s gaze as he slid her underwear from her and worked his way out of his own.
What was this to her? A fling to pass the time? To scratch an itch? And why was he asking questions like that? If she had an itch, he’d happily scratch it.
But Ben knew, somewhere inside himself, in the place that spoke only the truth, that this would mean everything to him.
He silenced his inner voice by sliding his hand between Rhianne’s thighs, into her liquid heat. He’d touched her there this morning, bringing to life sweet joy.
Ben licked her throat as he let his fingers play. Rhianne moaned softly, smiles deserting her, and lifted her hips, greedy for his touch.
“You like that, do you?” Ben kissed her lightly. “Want more?”
“Yes,” she whispered. “Pl
ease.”
Goddess, if she didn’t stop looking at him in that sultry way, begging for him, he’d come without being able to stop it.
“If you’re nice, maybe I’ll do it some more,” Ben teased.
Rhianne arched against him, her body pleading. Ben smiled his power and rubbed through the warmth, laughing when she writhed.
Hot, strong fingers closed around his cock and squeezed.
“Shit.” Ben grabbed her wrist, shoving her hand away. Or tried to. Rhianne moved without resisting his strength, gliding her hand around to grasp him once more. He’d taught her that—he was a dumbass.
Rhianne squeezed again, compounding his problem by sliding her fingers up his shaft.
Ben pressed his face to hers. “You need to stop that.”
“Why?”
Because you’re killing me.
“I want to make it last, that’s why.” Ben winced as the truth came out. He wanted her to think him a powerhouse who could go all night, not a wuss who couldn’t hold it in front of a beautiful woman.
But he’d never been with Rhianne before.
Rhianne gazed up at him, golden flecks in her eyes starting to drown out the brown. “I don’t want to wait. I want us to do this now.”
“I don’t know. I think I should buy you flowers first.”
This mystified her. “Why? There are flowers all over the place here.”
“Human custom. I’ll explain later.”
Rhianne lifted herself to him. “We’re not human.”
“I think that’s abundantly clear.” Ben withdrew his touch from between her legs, liking that she whimpered. “Shh. We’ll take it slow, all right? I don’t want to hurt you.”
Rhianne apparently had no worries about this. She tugged him closer, catching his cock again. She rubbed it, sending fire through him that burned away everything he’d ever thought important.
As he came down to her, wanting her mouth, Rhianne gasped. “Goddess, help me. I’m going to shift.”
Ben jerked as Rhianne’s skin rippled, downy feathers blossoming across her skin. They were tiny, giving her a softness that Ben suddenly found incredibly sexy.
“Don’t fight.” Ben pinned her with his hands on her shoulders. “Remember what I just taught you. Take the energy, turn it around. Don’t resist.”
“But I don’t want to hurt you.”
Ben gave her a feral smile. “Lucky you, sweetheart. I’m the most resilient thing you could ever be with.”
Tears formed in Rhianne’s eyes. The feathers spread, thickening. Ben wondered what he’d do if she suddenly sprouted that killer beak.
Rhianne’s face remained her own. She struggled another long moment, then she took a deep breath and slowly, slowly made herself relax.
“That’s it, love,” Ben said. “You’re stronger than you know. Strength doesn’t have to force. It can give.”
Rhianne drew another breath, eyes closing. Her hands came up to press Ben’s chest, and he realized she was trying to do the moves of the pushing hands. Ben knelt back, meeting her wrists with his, once more falling into the flowing pattern.
The feathers receded, Rhianne’s skin smoothing. She shivered, hard, then opened her eyes, silent tears flowing from their corners. Ben leaned down and kissed them away.
Rhianne embraced him. Her strength hadn’t diminished, but her desperation had calmed. Her need had not gone away, he could tell, but she rocked against him gently, caressing instead of grabbing.
Ben slowly lowered her to the grass. “You see? You can control it. But the feathers—nothing to be ashamed of there. I bet your half-beast is wicked sexy.”
She gazed at him, perplexed, and Ben smothered a laugh. He had so much to teach her.
Ben leaned to her and nipped her lips, sliding his hand between her thighs to loosen her once more. Then he positioned himself and slid his cock straight into her open, welcoming heat.
Chapter Fourteen
Rhianne couldn’t stop her sharp intake of breath as Ben filled her, and filled her. She’d wrapped her hand around his very large cock, but as it slid into her, she realized just how large it was.
His eyes went soft, the darkness of them pulling at her. There was so much in his gaze, most hidden behind walls he’d built over centuries. Rhianne wanted to reach those walls, tear them aside, and look into the heart of the being called Ben.
For now, having him inside her, both easing and increasing the hot ache of her need, was incredible. A cry escaped her, all her worries, fears, and sorrows fleeing as the joy of locking together with Ben became a reality.
He stilled himself as he studied her, letting her grow used to him. The weight of him was soothing, protective.
Ben ran his hand along her braid. “You are the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen.” A smile tugged at his mouth. “And I’m not just saying that to get into your pants.”
Ben used the most entertaining expressions. She wanted him to teach them all to her.
He’d called it mating frenzy. Rhianne decided that was a very good word for it. She felt frenzied as she lifted herself to him and twined herself around him, urging him to continue.
Ben laughed softly, a sound of satisfaction. He withdrew slightly then slid back in, opening Rhianne wider, eliciting another gasp.
She wanted more. Faster, harder. The words came out of her mouth, in her own language, her grasp of other tongues fleeing.
Ben’s laughter died, a groan escaping him as he began thrusting into her. There was an ache inside Rhianne that needed to be eased, one that grew hotter and more acute as he loved her.
The need increased rather than abated. Ben was thick and hard, unlocking sensations she’d never experienced. The few lovers of her past—and the last was so very long ago—hadn’t touched her like this, hadn’t released what Ben was unleashing.
A wildness Rhianne had always sensed in herself but never acknowledged rose screaming to the surface. It wasn’t the same as the shifting instinct—this was more primal, reaching back to what the Tuil Erdannan had been in the dawn of time. Fearless, untamed, unstoppable.
A bright heat flashed through her, but this one didn’t come from her. Where she and Ben joined was unbearably hot, and at the same time exhilarating. Her body throbbed with it, the ferocity emerging from her as shouts of joy.
Ben glowed. Not literally—he was the same handsome midnight-eyed man who’d towed her to safety and given her warm, tasty food and new experiences. The man who’d made her laugh, dance, and forget the dangers of her life.
Somewhere inside him was the glow of what he truly was. Not the affable Ben who preferred friends to enemies, or the massive goblin who tore apart metal and stone with terrifying strength.
Beyond both of those lay what he hid, a being of incredible potency that gentled itself for everyone and everything around him. If he brought that potential out of him, he could devastate the world.
The thought that so much power lay in her arms increased Rhianne’s excitement. She laughed with it.
Take care of him, Tiger had said. He is the last warrior.
Perhaps she was seeing the warrior in him, the deadly fighter Ben was in truth. She wondered if he even knew the extent of his own power.
Her thoughts dissolved on a wave of pure pleasure. His weight on her, his movement, the rise of his chest with his rapid breath, ripped away the last of her constraint. Rhianne heard the screams coming from her mouth, Ben’s laughter as he caught them on his lips.
“That’s my love.” Ben’s rumbling voice found dark spaces inside her and yanked them open. “Almost there.”
Rhianne reached up with one hand as though trying to grasp the stars. Crazed sensation flooded her, the amazing peak she’d reached this morning when he’d played with her becoming nothing. This peak was all, bursting from her depths, an incredible wildness she’d never before experienced.
She was laughing, screaming, groaning, crying Ben’s name, crushing him to her as though seeking absolute oneness
with him. Frenzy.
Ben groaned, fist pounding the ground. His hips moved harder and faster, hot seed spilling into her. “Coming fast. Fuck.”
Rhianne held him as joy crashed through her. Their mouths met in frantic kisses, Ben’s hips pumping, Rhianne rocking up to him.
The deluge of passion began to recede, little by little, becoming ripples of contentment. Ben kissed Rhianne’s hair, her face, his touch tender, eyes warm.
“Damn, that was good,” Ben whispered, and then Rhianne was tumbling into a dark abyss of sleep that snapped over her and ended all sound.
* * *
Ben swam to wakefulness from the depths of profound blackness. So much for cuddling Rhianne afterward and whispering sweet nothings into her ear. He hoped he hadn’t drooled on her.
Rhianne slept beneath him, her face slack in complete relaxation. Soft September air kissed her face, rustling the leaves of the live oaks, wind chimes on the veranda tinkling.
The wind chimes had awakened him, Ben realized. Their note increased as he rolled from Rhianne with reluctance, though the wind remained steady.
A warning, Ben understood as he came fully awake.
Without moving, he scanned the house and what he could see of the grounds. Had Rhianne’s father come for her, or sent other beasts to retrieve her?
A voice floated to him. “The architectural style is typical of the late eighteenth century, when plantation owners strove to emulate the English villas of the Georgian era, but with a unique design to reflect the climate as well as the personality of its owner.”
Ben was on his feet, shaking Rhianne. He pressed his fingers to her mouth as she woke with a start.
He quickly helped her up and gathered their underwear. “Tour guide,” he whispered.
“Tour?” Rhianne grabbed the panties from him, sliding them on. “You said there were no tours today.”
“They must have changed the time. Or maybe I just don’t know what day it is.” Ben pulled on his underwear in frantic jerks. “Hide behind those bushes. I’ll try to get the rest of our clothes.”
The Last Warrior: Shifters Unbound Book 13 Page 15
