Pride of the Lion: Hades' Carnival, Book 3

by N. J. Walters

  Hades was pulling out all the stops, tempting both him and Araminta. Leander wondered if he’d done the same with all the other warriors who’d been freed from the carousel or if this was a new development. He so badly wanted to talk to them but had no idea how to find his friends.

  Araminta made a small mewling sound that fired his blood and made him forget everything else. She was alive and so was he and nothing else mattered. He slanted his mouth over hers, deepening the caress, and tasted mint and desire upon her lips.

  Animal instinct was riding him hard, and he had the need to claim her, to mark her as his so that all who came in contact with her would know who she belonged to, would know she was his.

  He gripped her thighs and pulled her closer. Fisting his hand in her braid, he held her still as he plundered her mouth, leaving no dark corner unexplored.

  She was panting heavily now, her eyes slightly dazed when he pulled back. He loved her stormy-gray eyes and sucked in a breath when she licked her moist red lips. Satisfaction roared through him when he tugged at her top and she didn’t stop him from removing it. She was wearing a lacy bra that barely contained the bounty of her breasts.

  He covered both mounds with his hands, testing their fullness and weight with his palms. She gasped and then moaned when he rubbed his thumbs over the puckered tips, caressing them through the thin fabric.

  Leander lowered his head and pulled one pert nipple into his mouth, sucking on it. He rubbed his tongue over the lace-covered nub, loving the breathy sounds of arousal Araminta made.

  Slowly, he tugged down the straps of her bra, pulling the restrictive garment from her so he could release her breasts. Magnificent. There was no other word for her or them. The mounds were firm and large, the nipples pink and lush. He reached behind her, unhooked the bra and tugged it away.

  Her long braid fell over her shoulder so he took it in his hand and brushed the end of it over one of her nipples. “Leander.” The way she moaned his name made his cock throb.

  He leaned inward and rubbed his hair and face over her breasts, much like a cat showing his favor. A loud purr escaped him. He sensed her surprise and then she dug her fingers into his scalp and twined through the thick mass of his hair. Like any cat, he loved having someone rub his fur or, in this case, his hair. He purred again and turned his head to latch onto one of her nipples.

  She jumped and then groaned as he sucked and rubbed and carefully raked his teeth over her sensitive flesh. His balls drew up tight and his pants were becoming more uncomfortable by the second so he willed himself to be naked. His clothing disappeared and his cock sprang free, giving him a moment of temporary respite.

  He had to get her naked.

  Leander attacked the fastening of her jeans. It only took him a moment to yank down the zipper. “Lift up,” he ordered as he pulled down her jeans, taking her panties with them. Araminta supported herself on her hands as she raised her bottom off the bed.

  In two seconds flat, he had her completely naked, her shoes and socks tangled with her jeans. He grabbed her legs behind her knees and tipped her back. She gave a small squeal as her back hit the mattress. He spread her legs wide, licked his lips and lowered his mouth to her lush core.

  Araminta couldn’t seem to catch her breath, not with Leander watching her, a predatory gleam in his molten-gold eyes. This man was so different from the one who’d coldly killed a demon in her office. This man was all passion and fire. Both sides were part of him and helped make up the man she was quickly coming to care deeply for, which wasn’t smart considering the situation. But, at this moment, she didn’t care about curses or gods or immortal warriors. There was only Leander and Araminta, a man and a woman.

  He looked determined and very aroused. Her pussy throbbed just watching him. He licked his lips and leaned inward, pressing his mouth against her slick folds.

  She fisted the comforter in both hands, needing something to hold on to as he explored her in the most intimate manner. He probed and licked and teased every crevice, every nook with his tongue. The rough texture stimulated every nerve ending and sent her arousal rocketing through the roof.

  “Leander.” She breathed his name and moaned when his tongue probed her channel, driving as deep as he could go. Her breasts ached so she covered them with her hands, wishing it were his hands on her once again. His fingers were long and broad, his palms huge, and he’d had no trouble covering all of her with them.

  He purred and the sensation was like having a warm, living vibrator caressing her skin. “Don’t stop,” she ordered. She’d never experienced anything like this before in her life. Leander was an incredible lover.

  In answer to her command, he captured her clit between his lips and tongued it. The sandpapery texture of his tongue sent lightning bolts of pleasure shooting through her. She closed her thighs around his head. No way was she letting him go, not when she was so close to coming.

  He reached up and pushed her hands aside until his palms were covering her breasts. It was perfect. While his mouth and tongue teased and tormented her pussy, his clever fingers played with her breasts.

  She’d never felt so alive before. Maybe it was the specter of death that surrounded them. Maybe it was simply Leander himself. Araminta didn’t know and didn’t care. She reached for her orgasm, wanting it with every fiber of her being.

  She cried out, balanced on the edge of orgasm, but it slipped away once again and she moaned in frustration. She was so close.

  Leander released her breasts and moved one hand between her thighs. She tensed, waiting for him to touch her. When it came there was nothing subtle or tentative about it. Like Leander himself, his touch was bold and overwhelming. He thrust two large, thick fingers into her core, stretching her to her limits.

  Araminta dug her heels into his shoulders and cried out as her vaginal muscles loosened and tightened in a rhythmic pattern. He sucked hard on her clit and her body clenched and spasmed around his fingers, squeezing them hard.

  Head thrown back, she rode out the wave of pleasure, tasting every last drop of it before her body went lax. Leander removed his fingers from her core, drawing a moan of pleasure as her channel contracted around them. He paused long enough to lap at her cream, making another one of those rumbling noises that she loved so much. He was like a big cat, his pleasure a tangible thing.

  He stood and she blinked at the very visible reminder that he hadn’t come yet. His cock was huge and hard, the reddish tip wet with his arousal. The heavy veins that ran up and down his length were pulsing with power and barely restrained lust.

  “On your knees.” He started to roll her over and she knew what he wanted. She’d never had a man take her from behind before. The thought was exciting, and though she’d just come, she felt passion rising within her once again.

  She was a normal woman who liked sex and had enjoyed a select few partners over the years. But this was more elemental, a raw ache that went beyond the physical. She was on fire for Leander. Only he could satisfy the clawing need inside her, fill the emptiness.

  “Spread your legs apart.” He tapped the inside of her thighs and she widened them. He gave a rumble of approval. She felt hot breath on her core a moment before his long tongue stroked over her pussy, making her jump. “So hot and tasty,” he murmured.

  Araminta could feel her face heating. No other man had ever been so blunt about his sexuality, had never said such earthy things to her, but she liked it, liked the way he wanted her so much. It was a complete turn-on.

  He gripped her hips and he slid his cock between the folds of her pussy. Rubbing back and forth, he coated his erection with her juices while teasing her clit with each stroke. She moaned and undulated her hips for maximum pleasure.

  He put his knees on the bed beside hers and fitted the head of his cock at her slick opening. It was a tight fit, but he pushed steadily inward until the thick head was inside. Before she could take a breath, he powered all the way in.

  In this position he went de
ep, stretching the sensitive tissues as she struggled to conform to his length and girth. He held himself steady, both of them breathing heavily. After a moment, he leaned down and nipped at her nape, making her jump. The motion drove him deeper, making them both moan.

  “Okay?” he asked.

  She nodded and shoved her butt toward him. He surrounded her with his massive body, impaled her with his large cock, but she’d never felt safer.

  He wrapped one arm around her midsection and began to move. His thrusts were short and hard, and she was glad he was holding on to her or she would have probably fallen face first onto the mattress. Leander gripped her nape between his teeth, keeping her pinned in place as he took her.

  He reached between her spread thighs with one hand and rubbed his thumb over her swollen clit. She cried out, her pussy squeezing his cock. Leander released his hold on her neck and roared. There was no other word for the sound he made. It was the powerful roar of a lion that almost deafened her as it echoed in her ears. His cock pulsed inside her, his release flooding her core. He kept coming and that set off another round of spasms within her.

  Araminta’s arms gave out and she fell forward onto the bed with a groan. He was still so hard and hot inside her, still coming. She had no idea how long it lasted, but finally he gave a grunt and removed his arm from her waist. She flopped onto the mattress, limp as a noodle.

  Leander hissed as he carefully removed his shaft and stretched out beside her. She didn’t know what to say, not after such earth-shattering lovemaking. Well, it was earth-shattering for her. For all she knew it might be normal for him.

  She stroked her hand over his shoulder and his entire body arched in pleasure. His tattoo. She’d forgotten all about it, but suddenly wanted to see it again. “Roll over.”

  He stared at her a moment, unblinking, but came to some internal decision and turned onto his side, his back toward her. A majestic lion stared back at her, his eyes the same color as Leander’s. No, not the same color, the same eyes.

  They were one and the same.

  She reached out and touched the creature’s head. Leander’s shoulders stiffened and then he rubbed his head against the pillow. It was fascinating how the two were connected. The lion was a part of him, the relationship totally symbiotic.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Leander wanted to roar again but desperately swallowed back the aching need to voice his pleasure, not wanting her to think he was more animal than man. He loved the feel of Araminta’s hands on his back, touching his tattoo. It was as good as having her stroke every inch of his body. He knew she had no idea how sensitive his tattoo was.

  His entire body was still humming from making love to her. His cock should have been limp after the orgasm he’d just had, but he was still hard as steel and ready to go again. But he wouldn’t do that to Araminta, didn’t want to make her sore. He could fuck all night long, but her body was much more delicate and fragile than his. He had to remember that she was human and he was not.

  It frustrated and angered him that even if they survived today he would lose her in a few short decades. No, not if, but when they survived. Araminta would live no matter the cost to himself. She was too precious to him.

  Funny how in the long millennia before the war with Hades, none of them had ever considered taking a mate. They were warriors. They fought when necessary, they ate when they wanted and fucked willing women when the urge was upon them. But that was all secondary to their task of protecting the Lady.

  Maybe it was the long years in captivity that had changed him, had made him appreciate the warmth of a woman’s body, her laughter and softness, made him want more than he’d had.

  She stroked her hands over the lion’s flanks and his hips bucked, his cock jerking as if urging him to roll over and reach for her. If she kept this up he wouldn’t be responsible for what he did.

  A muscle jumped in his jaw, and he clenched his teeth to keep from rolling over and taking her again. He didn’t think just any woman would have him feeling this way. He knew himself too well to believe that. He’d had his fair share of women in the days before the curse. Fucking was fun for both parties, but he’d always been ready to leave once it was over.

  Not so with Araminta, and not just because he was honor-bound to protect her. No, he wanted to be with her. Her intelligence, her courage and her subtle beauty all drew him. It was as if the universe had created her just for him.

  And he would not fail to protect such a treasure. He would not fight fate, nor would he question his good fortune. They were meant to be together, but if that could not happen, he would die protecting her.

  She slid her small hand across the lion’s back and down his left flank.

  Leander could take no more torture. He rolled and pounced on her in one motion, her shriek turning into a moan of pleasure as he shoved his way inside her. She was still wet from her earlier orgasm and took him easily. He purred, loving the way her pussy closed around him like soft, wet velvet.

  “Again?” Her eyes were wide and her lips parted.

  He leaned down and kissed her, twining his tongue against hers. When they were both breathless, he pulled back, letting his lips hover an inch away from hers. “Again.”

  Araminta locked her thighs around his hips and moved with him as he fucked her. Her slick channel spasmed around him and he knew she was as close to coming as he was. This time was gentler than the last, but it didn’t take long. He rocked them both, supporting her back with his hand, leading her into each deep stroke.

  She dug her fingernails into his shoulders and her eyes never left his. They came at the same time, neither of them looking away. Leander felt his heart lock and knew no other woman would ever own it. He belonged to Araminta and she to him.

  Tears filled her eyes and he leaned down to lick away one salty drop that escaped from a corner. “Don’t cry.” He hated to see her upset.

  She swiped at her eyes. “I don’t know why I’m crying.”

  He kissed her, not knowing what else to do. He continued to thrust in and out of her hot depths, wanting to comfort her, loving the way her pussy squeezed him as though it would never let him go.

  But time was moving fast and they’d already taken a big risk by making love. He reluctantly shifted off of Araminta. “We need to get dressed.” He played with the messy tail of her braid, sweeping it over her skin. “We don’t want to be TSTL,” he teased her, remembering her earlier reference to her writing.

  She gave a watery laugh. “No, I guess we don’t want to be that.” She sat and grabbed the comforter as if suddenly realizing she was naked. He pulled it away from her, not wanting her to hide her body from him.

  “Go get cleaned up.” He stood, and in the blink of an eye was clothed in leather pants and boots again.

  “That’s just not fair.” Looking disgruntled and totally adorable, Araminta climbed off the bed, bent down and grabbed her clothing off the floor and left the room. His eyes almost rolled back in his head when she bent down and he got a glimpse of her glistening pussy. His lion roared, wanting to feel her juices filling his mouth and flowing down his throat before he fucked her again.

  But that wasn’t going to happen. He’d already risked her safety as it was. The clock was ticking and Hades wasn’t done yet. The next few hours would be a fight for their lives and their very souls.

  He clenched his hands at his side, his fingers morphing into giant claws before he got control of himself. Hades would not have his Araminta. He’d follow the demon god into Hell itself and slaughter him if he tried.

  Araminta stared at her reflection in the mirror and shook her head. She looked totally debauched, her cheeks were red, her lips swollen and her hair a mess. Her limbs were loose, her body relaxed.

  Under normal circumstances, she’d be very happy, but these were anything but normal times. Hades was waiting to kill them or turn Leander to his side. She really had to get her act together before she ended up being a TSTL heroine. Not exactly how she
wanted to be remembered if she didn’t make it through the rest of the day.

  She looked longingly at the shower but knew there wasn’t time. She quickly pulled on her clothes and decided, what the heck, there was time to redo her hair. She took out the braid, ran her brush through the tawny mass and made fast work of braiding it again.

  It was only as she was reaching for the bathroom door handle she remembered what she’d meant to tell Leander. She pulled open the door and hurried back into the bedroom. “Leander.”

  He appeared in front of her so fast she almost stumbled into him. He caught her in his strong arms. “What is it?”

  His unusual features no longer seemed strange to her. He’d never look totally human, his facial structure was too strong and broad, his nose too wide and his hair such an unusual color, but he looked perfect to her. He was simply Leander and she loved him.

  She sucked in a breath and averted her gaze. When had that happened? She couldn’t love him. He wasn’t staying. Couldn’t stay.

  He caught her chin in his hand and lifted it until she was staring at his face. He looked worried so she tried to smile. “I remembered something while you were…chatting with Luna.” Araminta didn’t quite know how else to phrase it. “I think I know what Hades’ demons were looking for when they wrecked my home.”

  “What is it?” His amazing eyes were intent on her, his entire focus on what she was saying. And what a turn-on that was.

  She forced herself to get on with the job at hand. “I got an email a while back from a reader. I ignored it, thinking the person wasn’t quite playing with a full deck, if you know what I mean?”

  Leander frowned, making him appear forbidding and menacing. “You mean you thought she was lying?”

  “I thought she was lost in the story, thinking it was real when it was make-believe.”

  Leander caught on quickly. “But it is not make-believe.”