by Reagan Woods
Would making love alter their relationship? Certainly. But that was what she wanted, right? Right! Her brain cells bounced back from their panicked hiatus.
“No, I want this. I want you, Tiron.” She rotated her strong leg open and hooked it around his lean hip, pulling him closer.
“You shall have me.” He kissed her mouth lightly. “But, if you change your mind, I will stop.”
It was a vow, and she couldn’t help loving his determination to put her comfort, her pleasure first.
Reaching between them, she grasped his arousal. Good Lord.
“Ummm….Tiron?” She squeaked, unable to close her hand around his girth.
“There will be some discomfort.” He read her fear accurately. “We don’t ha-”
“We’re not stopping,” she snapped. By God, she would have this moment with this male and it would be special. Dammit.
Dipping his head, he kissed her as if they had all the time in the world. He slowly worked down to her sensitive nipples, nibbling and licking the aching buds, stoking the fires of lust deep in her core.
This next part would be awkward and painful, she knew, but she needed to know what it was like to intimately join with the one she loved. Because she did love him, Willa realized. She loved his gentleness, his kindness, his patience.
Reaching up with both hands, she cupped his face, locking her eyes on his, “I’m ready. Make love to me, Tiron.”
He slid one muscular arm underneath her waist, positioning her hips. Tenderly parting her folds, he tested her readiness with his strong fingers before he moved the broad tip into alignment with her clenching entrance. Pushing in slightly, he stopped, kissing her forehead and cheeks as if they had all the time in the world.
“Tiron?”
His elbow came to rest next to her ear, hand coming around to cradle her head. She felt secure, wrapped in his thick arms.
“Put your hands on my hips,” he commanded gruffly, golden eyes mesmerizing her. “We’ll go at your pace. Pull forward when you’re ready.”
She hadn’t expected to control their loving, but that measure of power was comforting. Tentatively, she pressed his tight, muscled buttocks. He followed her direction, forging inside her virgin passage.
Breath hitching, Willa waited for the burn to subside. The foreign sensation of throbbing pressure was a mental as well as physical adjustment. She’d felt so alone for so many years and this level of intimacy was almost unbelievable.
Fighting back tears of pain and frustration when the stabbing fullness became unbearable, she whimpered. Tiron instantly stilled.
“My brave little vril.” He kissed her forehead. “Should we stop?”
“No.” She clutched him, holding tight through the tense moments. Gradually, the fiery pain began to subside, leaving a different kind of heat in its wake.
Willa moved experimentally, eliciting a low groan from his throat.
“More, please,” she whispered.
He began to move in earnest, then. Her body recognized the ancient rhythm and celebrated it.
With each slow foray in and every long drag out, he rubbed hard against a sensitive spot inside, building pressure low in her womb. Tension coiled tighter and tighter, making her more restless and needy, different from anything she’d experienced before.
Her skin tingled, and her toes curled, seeking purchase to arch into his delicious thrusts. The tension snapped in a hot wave of pleasure that stole her breath, forcing her to bear down on his pistoning cock reflexively.
“Willa,” Tiron groaned her name, control breaking as he drove hard into her convulsing channel over and over.
Hot waves of his release pulsed forcefully deep inside her, bringing with it a rush of contentment, a sense of rightness. Things would never be the same between them again, Willa thought with a sated grin.
She snuggled tight against Tiron’s side when he rolled carefully off of her, enjoying the new sense of fulfillment he’d given her. It was too soon to tell him of her feelings, she knew, but she would cherish her secret, holding it close to her heart until the right time.
Chapter Seventeen
Willa woke slowly at her usual time, feeling happy and loose-limbed, if a touch sore. Questing hands sought her lover’s solid, reassuring warmth, but found cool bedding instead.
“Lights twenty-percent.” She pushed up quickly, a frown furrowing her brow. “Tiron?”
There was no answer, but she could hear him on the other side of the closed sleeping room door. He was speaking with someone, it sounded like a female. Her voice was slightly muffled.
Her brace lay at the end of the sleeping platform, where he’d left it for her, so she slipped it on. Creeping to the door, she pressed her ear to the chilly metal, listening. She felt a little guilty for eaves dropping, but didn’t let that stop her.
“We can find a suitable compromise,” the voice cajoled. “You just need to drop the Earther off on her trashy little planet and reopen negotiations.”
“That’s not an option,” Tiron responded easily. After what they’d shared last night, Willa expected him to sound more upset that someone would suggest such a thing to him.
“I’ll give you two children,” she purred. “Two full-blooded Corian heirs. Think about it. Your line will go on, your house won’t suffer any loss of prestige over this little…error in judgement you’ve made.”
Fuming, Willa bit the inside of her cheek. Just whom was she referring to as an error in judgement? Should she go out there and put an end to the conversation? That would probably undermine Tiron and cross a few lines of propriety in Corian society. But, it was her life that Corian witch was dismissing so callously.
“For the sake of our families’ long-standing relationship, we should forget this conversation,” he said, still not sounding perturbed in the least.
It dawned on Willa then, he was using her as a bargaining chip. If he really intended to end the conversation, he would simply disconnect the com call. Nausea roiled through the empty pit of her stomach.
“I will agree to the full terms of our original agreement.”
“I have to report for duty.” Tiron brought the conversation to an abrupt end.
Willa scrambled back to the platform, shedding her brace hurriedly. She didn’t want him to know she’d been listening in on his call. Again.
But Tiron didn’t return to the sleeping room to bid her goodbye.
The front door to their quarters made a beeping noise as it locked behind him.
Disappointed and more than a little upset, Willa set about getting ready for her day. She had to com Balcar to figure out what to do regarding her brace. Other than that, she wouldn’t alter her routine, she decided. Her regular workout as well as her lessons would have to be sufficient distraction.
Interruptions peppered her first session in the reconditioner. Tiron had been right about the interest she’d unknowingly stirred by being civilized last evening. Sixteen different warriors placed com calls and requests for her to present herself at the door of their quarters. Of course, the temptation to answer was hard to ignore. She’d wager that would bring Tiron back in a hurry, but, no matter how confused she was, she didn’t want to wound his pride – or damage his relationship with his Warriors.
∞ ∞ ∞
Tiron strode purposefully toward his cabin, heedless of the warriors scattering before him. He’d known they’d try to get Willa’s attention today, though they wouldn’t have attempted it as blatantly if she hadn’t smiled so invitingly the eve before. Not that he faulted her now that he knew why she acted as she had. And these warriors couldn’t be blamed for wanting her, she was gorgeous and sweet and affectionate and his.
Unlike many warriors, Tiron’s family connections weren’t entirely responsible for his rise to command. His propensity for aggression, second only to the D’Corian brothers, garnered respect throughout the ranks.
All the warriors in General Darvan’s armada had earned their bloody reputation fairly. A
s a result, they weren’t welcome on-planet in most systems, especially their own. Their competitive instinct combined with a strong penchant for violence, made these elite males the most fearsome in the universe.
Right now, though his eyes were narrowed slits, promising swift retribution to any who crossed him, fighting was the last thing on his mind. Though far too soon yet to try, he couldn’t wait to lose himself in Willa again. Early morning drills had pulled him from her warmth far too quickly after their coupling, but, in a few days, he might persuade her again. She’d seemed gratified by his efforts.
“Willa?” he called out, not seeing her upon entering their quarters.
She wasn’t in the food prep area, the bathing room or the sleeping room. Tiron began to panic.
“Willa!” Why would she leave? She knew the warriors in the corridor wouldn’t allow her to get far. Unless one of them took her…
“What’s all the racket?” her soft voice came to him from the far side of the sitting room.
“Willa? Where are you?”
“Down here,” he heard her say as he rounded the furniture.
Sprawled on the spongy beige floor, she held a small holoscreen that broadcast a live feed of Earth as seen from the planet’s single moon.
“What are you doing down there?” he scowled, angry that she’d scared him, at the same time, knowing he was overreacting.
“I fell asleep,” she answered quietly.
“Ah.” He nodded his understanding. This was normal, he’d exhausted her with his attentions, of course. “In that case, would you like to continue in the sleeping room, or would you like to eat last meal?” He wouldn’t leave his female to sleep on the floor like a servant, the very idea was distasteful.
“I think we need to talk.”
“Let us talk and eat.” He reached down and gripped her by the waist, lifting her easily from her prone position. Though he knew it was unseemly, he couldn’t resist bringing her curvy little body close and plundering those generous lips. Surely, one little ‘hello’ kiss was acceptable. Or two kisses. He’d definitely stop after three…
She moaned into his mouth, wrapping a leg around his hip and all of his blood rushed into his cock. In a few quick steps, he had her pinned beneath him on the plush chair, stretchy black tunic shoved up to reveal her delectable breasts.
“Tiron!”
As his mouth closed over one hardened peak, she gasped his name, filling him with masculine pride. His female knew that he would please her, and she welcomed him back into her arms. That trust was heady for any male; but Willa’s acceptance, especially so soon after her first time, felt incredibly triumphant for Tiron.
Following his instinct to satisfy some of the lust burning between them, he pulled at her clothes. “How do I remove this?”
She quickly discarded the brace.
Tiron’s hard, scarred hands celebrated the unimpeded access to her lustrous brown skin. Mouth following questing fingertips, he worshiped her feminine shape, luxuriating in her distinctive taste.
Finally, the temptation became too much. The need to watch her beautiful face as she reached the pinnacle of fulfilment urged him between her silky thighs. He left no part of her feminine core unexplored by his teeth, tongue and lips. She came with a keening cry, back bowed, nipples tight and eyes open…focused directly on him.
Chapter Eighteen
Willa felt conflicted, still, about the morning’s events, but her hormones didn’t care, they had ideas all their own. And she liked them. In fact, as soon as she regained her eyesight, she was going to explore her lover’s hard, muscular body. Thoroughly.
Tiron plucked her out of the chair and clutched her against his broad chest. “I’m sorry,” he breathed against her ear despondently, throwing a hitch in her lascivious machinations.
“What for?” Willa looped her arms around his neck as he carried her into the sleeping room.
Laying her down, he disengaged her grip, firmly putting her away from him. His golden eyes avoided hers and suspicion reared its ugly head. Had he reached an agreement with Beandra after he left this morning?
Face tight, he finally answered, “I should leave you alone.”
“I don’t understand what you’re talking about.” She frowned up at him, rolling her head back and forth on the pillow.
“I shouldn’t have forced my attentions on you like that.”
“Forced - ?” That wasn’t at all what she’d expected.
She groaned, covering her face with both hands. He wanted her to excuse him for making her come so hard she lost IQ points?
“I will endeavor to do better,” he promised stiffly. “Er-that is, if you’ll pardon my behavior?”
“Exactly why should I forgive you?” Feeling unsure, she gave him the opportunity to clarify what he was sorry for.
“I thought only to taste your lips.” He cleared his throat, refusing to meet her eyes. “What I mean is, I know it’s not proper to initiate intimacy again so soon.”
“Lay with me,” she patted the pillow, rolling onto her side to make room. “Please?”
Appearing wary and uncertain, Tiron settled next to her.
Willa cradled his square jaw in her hands, feeling the marked textural difference between the two sides of his face. She needed to find the right words to reach him. It wasn’t lost on her that this was a good opportunity to encourage open, honest communication between them.
“My only issue with this evening’s activities is that you stopped,” Willa began with a rueful smile. “This morning, however, I was hurt when you left without saying goodbye.” She skated right up to the edge of bringing up the com call she’d overheard, hoping he’d tell her what was going on.
“I never meant to upset you,” he said gruffly. “I was ensuring that you had adequate rest. If you were Corian, disturbing you would have ensured a very long wait before we were intimate again.”
“That’s it? There’s nothing else?” She tried to keep her disappointment from showing. He wasn’t going to tell her about Beandra.
“No.” He held her gaze now, but his smile didn’t reach his eyes. “I just…want you.”
Willa would give her body to him freely. She could demonstrate the reasons he shouldn’t give her up in favor of the cold, calculating female.
Warmth, affection and mind-boggling sex were things that Willa wanted to share with Tiron. She wouldn’t withhold the things he clearly craved. Hopefully, he would understand that she was offering her love. And appreciate it.
“Tiron?”
“Yes?”
“You should take off your pants.”
What she could only describe as a carnal look passed over his features. “As the lady wishes.”
∞ ∞ ∞
The next few days passed in a blur for Willa. It still bothered her that Tiron hadn’t told her about his conversation with Beandra, but she refused to worry. She had this time with him now, and she wasn’t going to waste it.
No matter what happened in the future, she knew she’d look back on these days as the happiest in her life. Tiron came home to her for every meal and com’d to check-in frequently. She could see that he was starting to care for her, and she hope that he would come to love her as she loved him.
According to Tiron, they weren’t the only couple who were overcoming differences to be together. Willa knew it was true because she often heard the neighbors enjoying vocal and energetic romps. It took her a while to realize that if she could hear them, they could hear her. When she’d told Tiron she wanted to keep the noise down and why, he’d taken it as a challenge, making her scream his name while he sensually tortured her. Now, she was glad that she didn’t know the neighbors.
It was also a good thing that the CGA’s boring black uniforms were nearly indestructible, they frequently tore one another’s clothing off in their sexual frenzy. Just after mid-meal today, Tiron had cornered her in the food prep area and stripped her roughly before teaching her a new use for the high countert
op. The images of her feet propped on his muscular shoulders, his mouth slick with her juices, his hard thighs and rippled abs flexing as he thrust between her thighs played on a loop in her head.
Willa fanned her hot cheeks at the sensual memories, nearly stumbling when the little brown gopher-like creature popped out of a hole in the orange sand in front of her. She needed to focus on completing the obstacle course on this arid desert world, not her steamy memories of Tiron. The last thing she wanted was to injure herself; she’d miss out on too much hunky alien sex.
She hopped agilely aside when the next gopher popped out of the dune. The little buggers were harmless for the most part, but they tunneled by secreting a corrosive acid from the ends of their porcupine-like quills.
It was tempting to cheat on this simple-looking obstacle course. If she had her canes, she could cover the slightly rising, ever-shifting dunes much faster, but her joints wouldn’t improve if she did that. So she had to be content to plod along at her regular pace.
In reality, Willa didn’t care if she could ever walk without the brace or canes. The lack of pain in her day-to-day life made suffering through Balcar’s torturous regimen of shots completely worth it. If her progress ended now, she would feel satisfied with her capabilities.
The holoprogram ended abruptly, startling Willa. The mirage faded away leaving her standing on a tall box-like structure as it quickly sank back into the floor of the little hologym.
“Please proceed to your emergency evacuation route.” The Trident’s emergency broadcast system had hijacked her workout. Slow flashes of green light and a high-pitched buzz accompanied the announcement. “This is not a drill. Please proceed to your emergency evacuation route.”
Willa hurried to grab her canes and rushed to the door. She’d drilled this scenario in the reconditioner weekly since boarding the Trident. The first step was to form an orderly queue and file into the pod bay, but what she saw in the corridor brought her up short. Pandemonium reigned as Earth women of every size, shape and color darted past in various stages of panic. The ruckus they made was nearly deafening.
