She stopped rubbing a perfectly clean table and found Stark’s gaze riveted to her face.
“I think you are perhaps the most admirable female I’ve met outside of the Goddess,” he said.
“You met your Goddess? You met Icela? Like in person?” Topper asked in surprise.
Stark nodded and smiled. “Yes. In the ice fields, she and her warrior found me one day. She gave me a gift of power to make my job easier. She said it was because I had been careful not to kill any Glacier creatures I didn’t have to kill. She said I had a pure heart despite the warrior’s blood that ran in my veins.”
“What power did she give you?” Topper asked.
“Seeing into the soul of every creature I meet,” Stark answered carefully. “And some other useful things. Nothing as spectacular as being able to create an intergalactic space portal, but I appreciate the gifts regardless.”
Topper straightened and walked back to the sink. She suddenly felt exposed. What had Stark seen in her soul?
“I guess it’s my turn to shower. Then I think I’m going to bed early. I want to be fully rested for whatever we have to do tomorrow. I’ll see you in the morning, Stark.”
Still thinking about all he had said, Topper left without saying goodnight.
***
Stark paced in his assigned sleeping space listening to the running water and imagining Topper standing naked under it. When the sound stopped, he couldn’t take the pressure any more. He was afraid of being rejected again. But he was more afraid of not asking and never getting a chance to be with her.
How had the Earth witch reduced him to this level of hesitation? He was never afraid—not of anything. His bravery was legendary. He simply refused to be afraid of Topper now no matter how powerful she was.
Walking out of his space and stopping in front of hers, he opened her bedroom door and walked blindly into the room. All his senses were aware Topper was naked under the scant strip of drying cloth she’d donned before leaving her bathroom. Her natural fragrance was beckoning him, but he made himself resist its call.
“Stark, you can’t just come in here because it suits you. Maybe being nude in front of people is normal for you, but I require privacy while I dress.”
“This won’t take long. I just needed to ask you a question,” Stark said softly, walking a bit closer. He reached out and touched a tendril of damp hair that rested against one of Topper’s soft, pale shoulders. “What kind of pleasuring techniques do you like best?”
“What?” Topper stumbled away, pulling her wet hair from his fingertips.
Techniques? Was he for real?
Her pulse fluttered at his closeness. Stark was large, attractive, and extremely intimidating. Double that when she was naked and clutching a towel.
But they were in her bedroom, not his. She could disappear easily enough, but she wasn’t using her magic up just to run from what he was making her feel. Stark was obviously used to females being more receptive to his arrogant sexual attention, but that was no reason to expect Earth women to be easy.
“It’s none of your business what I like,” Topper said, clearing her throat.
“That’s why I came in here. I wish to make it my business. I wish that very much,” Stark whispered, closing in until he was close enough to touch her. “Do you like a small show of aggression to titillate your senses?”
Topper’s mouth dropped open in shock. Before she could stop him, Stark hooked two long fingers down the front of the material she was wrapped in and tugged her closer.
“I know some females like the male to inspire their lust. I’ve already risen to the challenge you offer. Are you aware of that, Topper?”
His mouth hovered over hers while he growled low and deep. Goddess, he could feel Topper’s erratic heartbeat thundering under his fingers. Her rising excitement made him hard as a Glacier male half his age. When she still didn’t answer, Stark tightened his hold and leaned down to her mouth. Topper melted against him when he used his sharp, deadly teeth to gently nip her bottom lip.
When she sucked in air trying to catch her breath, Stark spun Topper around to face away from him as he stripped the fabric from her body. Normally, he didn’t have to work so hard to seduce a female, but Topper seemed insecure about her appeal. He would like nothing better than to show her just how appealing he found her.
“Maybe you would prefer more physical closeness and perhaps some stroking. I’ve been dying to touch you since the first time I saw you, so I think I would like that too,” he whispered.
Topper’s panicked squeak as breath left her body again made Stark growl in answer. He suddenly had greater empathy for all the beasts he had dragged away from their mates for a time.
He covered Topper’s generous breasts with both hands and pressed proof of his arousal against her back. When she hissed, he slid one hand down until it disappeared between her legs. She instantly made his hand wet with her readiness for taking. His muscles strained and trembled against her, wanting fiercely to do just that.
“Or do you prefer a little jolt to wake up your sleeping libido? I could wake you up, Topper. I could wake your body up from its long sleep.”
He released her, but before she could stumble away from his hands, Stark gently grabbed a handful of hair at the back of her head to restrain her in a different way. Then he used his much larger body to bend her forward until her hands had no choice but fall to the bed as a brace.
Leaning to one side, he gave her already quivering buttock a tiny, sharp slap before stroking his hand over it to soothe the slight pain he’d caused.
“Stark…”
“Yes, Topper?”
Stark slipped his hand around the front of her again and between her legs just before they tightened. Topper’s muttered swearing as she called her deities for help made him smile.
He pulled Topper’s head back by her hair and twisted her face back up to his until he could devour her mouth. It was a brutal first kiss and yet more relieving than he had anticipated. She moaned around his tongue thoroughly exploring her mouth. She quivered and shook, and then pressed her hips back against his until he believed madness would result for them both.
Finally, he tore his mouth away, stunned to find himself breathing as roughly as Topper was. His demonstration of his power over her body had him reeling with both success and failure.
Maybe that was Topper’s problem with him. He wanted to be the aggressor with her.
“Tell me Topper—are you one of those females who needs to have all the control? I can do that also, but it is much harder for me. I am used to pleasuring females who barely move beneath me. After doing all the work for so long, my first inclination is to be in charge.”
Stark let go of her hair then, kissed the back of her neck, and pulled Topper upright with an upward stroke of the hand he eased from between her thighs. Ignoring the taut, taunting nipple he’d grazed on his travels, he stepped away while the female he desired remained frozen where she was.
He walked around to stand beside her where Topper could see the full effect she had on him, even through the clothes he wore. He lifted a tendril of her hair, but didn’t really touch her again. Her bed was too close and her nipples were still hard buds begging to be appreciated.
“I want to be yours, Topper. I want you in a way I can’t recall wanting any female before you, even though I have enjoyed my fair share of them. I do not understand the origin of the fierce urge I have to be with you, but I accept it for the gift it is. I want it even if it is as temporary as all other such connections have been for both of us. What I don’t want is to regret not making my wishes clear.”
Stark bowed his head and then left her to consider his proposal. Leaving Topper was a torture. He wanted to stay, but not if she didn’t want him back as desperately as he wanted her.
He stopped at the door of her room and turned back briefly. He didn’t want to leave Topper thinking that all he saw in her was a bed partner.
“Thank you ag
ain for feeding me. It was very pleasant to share a meal with a companion so easy to converse with. I’ll be in my room if you decide you want me. If you don’t, I promise I won’t keep pressuring you. That would not be honorable male behavior where I come from.”
Still in shock, Topper turned just in time to watch Stark’s prime jean-covered ass clearing her bedroom doorway. She looked down at herself, stunned at her own brazen nudity, including her protruding nipples. Her girls hadn’t done that trick in a very long while. She didn’t even know they still could.
Stark’s sexual talent show had woke all of her up, and it had made her wonder just what he could make her feel if she let him have his way.
Topper shook her head and sighed. His power over her was not something to take lightly.
When in Fates name had she developed an affinity for love taps on her ass? Never—that’s when. Now she was thinking about a good many things. All of which were highly possible with the male sleeping in the bedroom on the other side of hers.
And all she had to do was march in there and tell him she wanted him.
But could she really believe all that stuff Stark said about her being different than the other females he’d known? Of course not. She might glamour herself, but in reality she knew how she looked. Her breasts were mature, as was the rest of her. She didn’t really mind her aging because she liked herself. That didn’t mean she expected some guy who looked like Stark to desire her.
Maybe his planet of Glacier had different ideals about body image.
Bloody hell… why was she even thinking about this?
She was not sleeping with someone who would be leaving in a day or two. You couldn’t miss what you never had. Sure, most her relationships had been temporary, but she hadn’t entered into them knowing they were going to be. She’d always retained some hope they might turn out to be… well, more.
“Aliens. Can’t sleep with them. Can’t get them out of your freaking head,” Topper groused, as she collected her towel from where Stark had flung it.
Then she headed back to the bathroom for a necessary cold shower.
CHAPTER 6
Three hours later, Topper pulled a pillow over her face and thought about screaming. The second shower hadn’t helped. She was still wide awake and failing to get Stark’s arousing touch out of her mind. She pulled the pillow away. She was too old for this. Women her age shouldn’t cower in the face of their obvious needs. They should act and not worry so much about the costs.
She climbed from the bed and yanked on a robe over her naked body. Walking briskly out of her bedroom, she walked through the connecting hallway to the room where Stark was sleeping.
Only he wasn’t sleeping. He was sitting naked in a chair by the window, staring out at the stars. Stark turned and smiled when he saw her. “I couldn’t sleep for thinking about you.”
Topper nodded. “Same here.” She walked slowly across the room to him. “I have many reservations, but if we don’t do this, I think I’m going to die of frustration.”
Stark held out a hand. “I know. Come sit with me. We will adjust to the idea together.”
“Doubtful. I’ve been trying to do that for the last three hours without success,” Topper snickered, but she let Stark pull her into his lap. He adjusted her body until she was draped across him. Then he tucked her chin into his shoulder and ran a hand down her arm. A sudden rash of cold shivers made her tremble. Beneath her, Stark went very still.
“What’s wrong?” She raised her head to see Stark staring at his fingers resting against her wrist.
“What is it?” she demanded again.
Stark shook his head and ran his fingers up and down Topper’s arm again. He watched the crystals form designs. “Icela has a habit of surprising me, but she’s outdone herself this time,” he whispered. He lifted Topper’s fingers to his mouth for a reverent kiss. “Now I know why I was so determined to do this mission myself. You are the female the Goddess has chosen for me. I should have guessed that when I could not control my arousal around you.”
Topper leaned away. “What are you talking about?”
Stark smiled. “It doesn’t matter tonight. All that matters in this moment is that you came to me—that you want me back. It was more than I hoped would happen after I left you.”
Topper started to pull away, but Stark’s hand slipping inside her robe to cup her breast wiped away the urge. Instead, she marveled again that he could pull such a fierce, nearly instant reaction from her. She leaned toward him, pressing her breast into his large hand.
“Now kiss me, powerful witch. Make me feel wanted. I crave it from you,” Stark ordered, pinching her nipple firmly until Topper’s mouth opened in a gasp.
Despite the dizziness he was causing, Topper managed to find his mouth with hers. She dragged her lips across his, stopping to nip along the way. He groaned against her and she let her tongue slip out to look for his. Suddenly, she was lifted and spun around until she straddled him. Her hands held his face while she tormented his mouth. Her knees slid down on either side of his hips as she leaned into him.
She pulled her mouth from Stark’s and kissed her way down his neck as her hands slipped between her legs to stroke what had risen against her.
“It’s been a long time for me and the last few men… well, let’s just say they were not like you,” Topper whispered.
Stark leaned forward to kiss her eyes. His fingers went to her robe and undid the tie. He spread it open and grabbed her hips to move her closer to him. Topper moaned as he slid her already wet entrance across his erection. She had reason for concern. He was harder for her than he’d been since a youth.
“I will be as gentle as I can be—at first. Once inside you, I know I will not be able to constrain myself. You will have to stop me if you are uncomfortable.”
Topper laughed. “Stop you? I don’t even know why I’m here. I’m nothing but confused about why I feel like I have to do this.”
“Let me show you why then,” Stark said. He slid one hand under her and lifted her up so he could kiss her again. His other hand slid between her legs, two fingers gently slipping inside her.
“You are ready for me and I am honored by the fact,” he whispered against her mouth. “Take me inside you, Witch.”
“Yes, oh bossy one,” Topper declared, biting his bottom lip and liking his groan. She reached between them, gripped his hard length, and then braced a hand on his shoulder as she slid down on him.
“Open your eyes while you do it,” Stark ordered.
Her startled green gaze flew to his dancing silver one as she eased herself further down on him. His eyes nearly crossed when he was completely sheathed.
“Now ride me,” he commanded. “I need to be taken by you. I need to know I am who you want.”
Topper shook as she rose and fell until Stark was seated deep within her and breathing hard. She rose again, this time rocking her hips forward as she came down. Stark hissed beneath her. She watched his face as she rode him, watched his bliss take him over. She rode him lightly, reluctant to change what felt so good for her.
Until Stark grasped her hips and growled in her ear. “Harder. Don’t make me keep you up for the rest of the night getting my fill.”
Topper lowered herself and rocked her hips forward and back. She heard herself panting but couldn’t care. Stark’s commanding whispers were driving her on… but they were also driving her crazy.
“Shut up,” she ordered back. “I can’t concentrate with you barking orders at me.” His husky laughter made her stop mid-slide. “And now you’re laughing… okay, I’m done.”
“No, we’re not. Far from it. I don’t think we will ever be done,” Stark declared.
He stood with Topper wrapped around him. He buried his face in her shoulder. She had to wrap her legs tightly around his waist to keep from sliding down his body. He loved every second of her desperate clinging.
Then her back hit the bed. Topper stared up into Stark’s eyes as he s
tared back. “I’m sorry I couldn’t finish you off in the chair. I’m out of practice.”
Stark chuckled at the least of his concerns. “You won’t be by tomorrow morning,” he promised. “We will be experts on each other by then.”
“You are so damn arrogant. I hate that in most men,” Topper whispered.
He took her mouth ruthlessly, his tongue seeking hers as his body surged forward to bury his mating organ in her depths. Topper moaned around his tongue and her legs quivered as they tightened around his waist. He chose a rhythm and held it, knowing it might take his out-of-practice lover a while to find her pleasure. That was fine with him. There was a perfect bliss from just being inside her. In time, he would find a thousand ways to please her. But this first time was about raw need and their acceptance of it.
When Topper hissed and arched her hips, he wanted to yell like a warrior, but instead he bent his large body enough to bury his face in her throat.
“Stark,” she said, panting in bliss.
“Goddess, I love to hear you say my name so desperately.”
Unable to hold back anymore, he raised up on his hands and drove into her hard, Topper’s body giving with every push until she shattered around him. He kept on moving until his body found release and then he slid arms under her to hold her to him, unwilling to let her escape.
He was still kissing her face when Topper’s breathing returned to normal. Her hand moved to his face and her fingertips traced his lips. He smiled against them.
“Now I get why all those alien women stand in line for a turn with you,” Topper teased.
Stark shook his head. “Not really. But eventually you will understand. Tonight was rough. It was a hard won concession for both of us to give in to each other. Now we can focus on more pleasurable pursuits of our bliss.”
Tangling With Topper Page 5
