Warrior's Surrender (Warrior Hunger, Book Three)

by Marisa Chenery

  “Fine. How about yours?”

  “It went all right, but I missed you.”

  He took her in his arms and pulled her against him. Chyna put her head on his chest and listened to his heart beat beneath her ear. She wished she could come home every day like this from work, to the waiting embrace of the man she had strong feelings for. After being with Jaxon during her lunch hour, she really hadn’t been able to stop thinking about him.

  No matter how many times she told herself there wasn’t any guarantee she could keep Jaxon, it didn’t change how attached she’d become to him. Chyna realized she set herself up for some major emotional pain if things went sour, but there was no reasoning with her heart. It refused to listen.

  Chyna pulled slightly back and turned her head to look at Jaxon. “So, what are your plans for the night?”

  He smiled and kissed the tip of her nose. “First on the list is to get some dinner. Then I thought we could try out the shower together.”

  She licked her lips at the thought of running her hands all over Jaxon’s wet body. She was definitely on board with those plans.

  “I’d say that’ll be an enjoyable evening for both of us. Where do you want to eat? Here in the room or should we go out?”

  “Would you mind getting room service again?”

  “I’m fine with that.”

  They sat on the couch as they looked over the room service menu. Once Jaxon phoned in their order, Chyna settled closer to him as they watched some TV. She felt pampered, sitting in a luxury hotel with room service on the way. The elegance of the place outdid her apartment any day. Though she had to admit Jaxon’s home was even nicer than the hotel.

  Their meal of beef tenderloin with bordelaise sauce and grilled fresh market vegetables was perfectly done. And the bottle of merlot Jaxon had picked to go with it was a perfect pairing. By the time they finished, they’d eaten everything on their plates and the bottle of wine was empty.

  Chyna sat back on the couch and sighed. “That was really good. I wish I could eat like that every night.”

  “Why don’t you?”

  She chuckled. “For one thing, I wouldn’t be able to afford it, and another, I’m sure the rich food would end up giving me a huge butt.”

  Jaxon ran his heated gaze over her. “I doubt you’d have to worry about that. But since you mentioned it, I’d better make sure your bottom hasn’t increased in size because of the meal.”

  Chyna sucked in a long breath. “And maybe I should check you out to make sure you haven’t gotten…larger…where you shouldn’t.”

  “There is one part of me that is growing as it should. I’d be more than happy to show you.”

  She glanced down at the crotch of Jaxon’s jeans and saw the noticeable bulge. “Yes, I definitely think I should check that out.” Chyna leaned in and brought her lips to Jaxon’s. She kissed him and dropped her hand to the front of his pants. His cock jerked under her touch.

  Once she released his mouth, Jaxon asked, “Shall we continue this in the shower?”

  “Yes. I think that would be best.”

  Jaxon helped her to her feet, then guided her to the bathroom. Inside, her gaze landed on the large marble shower with glass doors. Both she and Jaxon would have plenty of room to move around in there.

  They wasted no time in stripping each other. Now naked, Jaxon stepped into the shower first and turned it on. Chyna waited until he had the temperature adjusted, then joined him, shutting them both inside.

  The water was warm where it hit her skin but Jaxon was warmer. He took her mouth in a possessive kiss that left her breathless. She rubbed herself against him, glorying in the feel of his hard cock pressing against her stomach. At lunchtime, they’d been in a rush. Now she intended to take her time, to explore him how she wanted.

  Chyna glided her fingers down Jaxon’s hard body until she reached his erection. She wrapped her hand around it and pumped. He moaned into her mouth, causing more wetness to pool in her pussy.

  Breaking free of his kiss, she nibbled her way down to his chin before she pressed her lips to the hollow of his throat. His pulse beat there at a rapid pace. Chyna continued to stroke Jaxon’s cock as she worked her way lower to his chest. She licked each of his flat nipples.

  She continued to explore him, learning every part of him as she went. On her knees before him, Chyna set her sights on what she held. Jaxon was fully engorged, his shaft standing straight out from his body. She licked every inch of his cock, then took him inside her mouth, sucking him hard. He rocked his hips, sliding himself in and out. She bobbed her head, matching his strokes, taking him as far back as she could manage.

  Jaxon’s harsh breathing filled the enclosed space. He gently pulled away. “I think you’ve done enough checking for now. I need to have a turn.”

  Chyna stood and smiled. “Should I turn around? You did say you wanted to look at my bottom.”

  He nodded. “Yes, and put your hands on the wall.”

  She turned to the marble wall closest to her and placed her palms on its smooth, cool surface. Chyna looked over her shoulder at Jaxon. “Like this?”

  His gaze seemed to eat her up. “Perfect. Don’t move.”

  Jaxon shifted until he stood directly behind her. Chyna turned her face back to the wall. A shiver of anticipation went through her as he ran a finger down her spine in a soft touch. It stopped at her tailbone. Then two large hands squeezed her bottom.

  “No,” Jaxon said in her ear, “it didn’t get any bigger. Your ass is still perfect. Now to check out the rest of you.”

  His hands lifted and covered her breasts as he used one of his legs to spread her feet farther apart. He pinched and pulled the taut nipples. Jaxon’s cock slid along her pussy, making her wetter for him. She pushed back, trying to take him inside, but he kept tormenting her, pushing her arousal to higher heights.

  Jaxon continued to caress her, leaving her breasts and skimming down to her stomach, which quivered at his touch. He didn’t stop there. He trailed his fingers along her skin and placed his hands on her hips. With a small tug, he pulled her a little away from the wall so she was slightly bent over. Her hands on the wall kept her balanced.

  The tip of his cock entering her had Chyna pushing back to take more of him. He pulled back, then thrust again. With each stroke, he sank deeper. She moaned once he’d sheathed himself completely. He filled her to capacity, the head of his shaft butting up against her cervix.

  Still keeping hold of her hips, Jaxon took her in long, powerful thrusts. Chyna met each of his strokes, her pussy squeezing his cock, increasing the pleasure for both of them. Jaxon let out a groan that was close to an animalistic growl. The sound did delicious things to her insides.

  Jaxon’s cock grew even harder as he pumped his hips. Chyna felt an orgasm steadily build, coiling tighter. She panted, knowing it wouldn’t take much to have her going over the edge.

  He thrust in and out. Jaxon let go of her hips and leaned over her, his chest covering her back. He placed his hands over top of hers. Chyna felt completely surrounded by him. She turned her head and took his lips. His kiss was hot and carnal, his tongue mimicking his cock plunging into her pussy.

  Chyna broke contact with Jaxon’s lips just as the first wave of her release hit her. With a keening moan, she dropped her head forward, riding out the intense pleasure that tore through her. Her inner walls clutched Jaxon’s cock.

  He stroked faster, his lips trailed down the side of her neck to the place where it met her shoulder. Jaxon sucked on her skin before she felt the scrape of his teeth across it. That soon turned into a nip. Chyna turned her head to the side to give him better access as he bit her a little harder, an animal-like growl rumbling out of him.

  Jaxon’s movements became jerky as he held her in place with his teeth at her shoulder. His grip on her hands tightened just before he bit her hard enough he’d surely broken through the skin. Usually Chyna wasn’t into the kinky stuff, but Jaxon biting her threw her into another
intense orgasm. He pumped his hips twice more, then came as well. His cock pulsed deep inside her, filling her with his cum.

  With his teeth still holding her, Chyna felt what she could only describe as something snapping into place between them. Almost like a bond. The feelings she had for Jaxon instantly intensified. It was as if she’d stepped off a cliff and fell into love. There was nothing logical about it. It just was.

  Trying her best not to show that anything had happened, she leaned back against Jaxon and fought to catch her breath. He released her completely, allowing her to stand straight. Chyna turned to face him. He stared at her with no emotion showing on his face. She opened her mouth to say something, but Jaxon spoke before she could.

  “I’ll wash up first, then you can have it,” he said in an even tone.

  Silently, Chyna watched him run the bar of soap over his body in short, jerky motions. He didn’t meet her gaze. Not even once. After he rinsed off, Jaxon walked out of the shower and shut the glass door behind him. She stood under the water as he toweled off then left the bathroom.

  Had she done something wrong? She didn’t think so. As far as she was concerned, this last bout of lovemaking had been the best they’d had. Whatever she’d felt had to be only one-sided. The way Jaxon acted, Chyna had to wonder if he’d had the opposite happen to him.

  * * * * *

  Jaxon pulled on the pair of sleep pants he’d packed before he sat on the bed and put his head in his hands. He’d done it. He’d bitten Chyna. His eyeteeth had grown longer and sharper, and he’d sunk them into where her shoulder and neck met. Then he’d felt a bond form between them. He had tried to fight the urge. Had fought it to the bitter end, which he had a feeling had been his undoing. The harder he’d tried to push it away, the harder it had ridden him until he’d lost all control.

  And the bite had the end result Anubis had told him about. Chyna was as immortal as he. Jaxon had watched as the bite mark he’d given her healed in a matter of seconds. A sense of horror had washed through him. But with that emotion had come others he’d never wanted to feel for a woman—love and the need to always have her at his side.

  Unable to handle what coursed through him, Jaxon had shut down emotionally. He’d seen the hurt in Chyna’s eyes when he’d distanced himself from her, but he couldn’t snap out of it. This was the only way he could cope with it right now.

  Jaxon heard the shower turn off. He lifted his head and scrubbed his face with his hands. No matter how much he hadn’t wanted it, Chyna was now his mate. It wasn’t her fault. She had no idea what had happened between them. He supposed he had to tell her the truth about everything, but not today. He was already having a hard enough time of it and didn’t need to throw that into the mix.

  Chyna stepped into the bedroom area dressed in the clothes he’d stripped off her in the bathroom. It looked as if she’d finger-combed her damp hair. She stopped just inside the entrance to the room and stared at him. Her features were guarded.

  “This isn’t going to work, is it?” she asked in a quiet voice.

  “I never said that.”

  “No, but you don’t have to. What happened in the bathroom, I got the message loud and clear. You’re not comfortable with us.”

  Jaxon stood and walked over to Chyna. “No, I’m not, but that doesn’t mean I want to end what I have with you.”

  “I don’t know if I can handle too much more of your roller coaster emotions. You’re obviously still having issues with having a relationship. Maybe it would be better for both of us if I let you go.”

  Something that felt an awful lot like fear shot through Jaxon as Chyna spoke. She couldn’t leave him. He took hold of her upper arms and bent his head to look directly in her eyes. “No. You’re not letting me go. I can work through this.”

  “And how long will that take? Days? Months? Years? I’m going to be blunt here. I’m thirty years old. I’m getting to the stage in my life where if I don’t find a man to settle down with soon it’ll be harder and harder to do so. Sorry to say, I’m not going to waste valuable time on you if you can’t give me what I want. I’ll find someone else who will.”

  The thought of Chyna in the arms of another man had Jaxon fighting back a growl. She was his mate. He’d claimed her as his. There would be no one else for her. Neither one of them could back out now.

  He pulled her stiff body against him. It was time for him to be a little truthful with Chyna. “While making love in the shower with you, I felt something pass between us. I don’t know if you felt it too. It brought you closer to me. I’ll admit it scared the crap out of me, but I’m not going to run away. I know I hurt you when I put some emotional distance between us. I didn’t mean to. That was my first gut instinct.”

  Chyna put her hands on his chest. “I felt it as well. And now? How do you feel?”

  He took a deep breath. “The thought of losing you scares me more than my feelings for you.”

  She lifted a hand and placed it on his cheek. “I’ve fallen for you, Jaxon. Please don’t break my heart.”

  “I’ll do my best to keep it in one piece.”

  Jaxon took Chyna’s lips in a kiss that he poured how he felt about her into. He couldn’t say those three little words yet, but the emotion that would allow him to was slowly taking over the part of him that was scared shitless.

  He lifted Chyna off her feet and carried her to the king-sized bed. He took his time stripping her out of her clothes, then proceeded to make love to her, letting his actions show her what he couldn’t say in words.

  Chapter Seven

  It had been incredibly hard for Chyna to drag herself out of Jaxon’s arms and go to work the following morning. After the fiasco in the shower, he’d done everything he could to show her he wanted her to stay with him. He’d made love to her, not holding anything back. Even though he hadn’t said the words, she’d felt loved.

  Now she was stuck at work, waiting for the day to be over so she could see Jaxon again. They made plans before they’d left the hotel to see each other after it was her quitting time. Jaxon would pick her up at her apartment, then take her to his place. He didn’t know it yet, but Chyna had booked the rest of the week off, using up some of her vacation time. Joy would work at the reception desk while Chyna was away. Her friend was more than happy to get out of the mailroom, which wasn’t her favorite job.

  Chyna had figured her days away from the office would give her more time to see Jaxon since he had to work nights. Spending the days together should help him get over his commitment phobia. At least in theory that was what Chyna hoped would happen.

  Once her work day ended, Chyna hurried to her place to change. She’d just finished when Jaxon buzzed up to her apartment. After telling him she’d be right down, she went to meet him in the lobby.

  During the drive to his house, she told him what she’d done when he asked her how work had gone. “I decided to use up some of my vacation days and took the rest of the week off. That way we can spend more time together.”

  “I still have to work tonight, but I want you to sleep over.”

  “I didn’t bring a change of clothes.”

  “That doesn’t matter. I want to come home to you in my bed.”

  “All right, I’ll stay.”

  For dinner, they ordered pizza. Chyna watched Jaxon eat almost an entire extra-large all by himself. She had no idea where he put it all. There wasn’t an inch of fat on him anywhere. If she ate the way he did, she’d be four hundred pounds. Along with the pizza they had beer. Usually when she drank it, two would have her feeling good. This time that wasn’t the case. She was already on her fourth and felt completely sober. Jaxon had already had six and he was in the same condition as she.

  Once it grew dark, Jaxon prepared to leave, telling Chyna she had the run of the house. He also kissed her as if it would have to last him for days instead of hours. She’d noticed a difference in him. Ever since the night before when she’d told him she thought they weren’t going to work ou
t, Jaxon seemed to want to know more about her. After they’d finished eating, they’d done nothing but talk.

  Since Jaxon had given her run of the house, Chyna decided to check all the rooms she hadn’t seen. She loved his sprawling bungalow. Living here would be no hardship, not that she was getting ahead of herself. It was just if she and Jaxon ever reached that stage where they wanted to live together, she would be more than happy to give up her apartment.

  Chyna went to the wing that had the bedrooms. Two of the three spare rooms had their doors wide open. Inside each one was only a queen-sized bed and a dresser. No personal items were to be seen.

  The third guestroom’s door was shut. Her curiosity getting the better of her, Chyna tested the knob and found it unlocked. She turned it and pushed open the door. She stepped into the room, her gaze taking in all the pieces of what appeared to be ancient Egyptian art. Everywhere she looked there was a depiction of the jackal-headed god, Anubis. There were paintings of scenes from what looked to be tomb walls, even a few pieces carved in stone.

  Chyna walked over to one of the smaller statues that sat on a shelf along a wall. It looked as if it could be the real deal, a piece from Egypt’s past, but she had her doubts. She didn’t think Egypt would allow any of their antiquities out of the country, no matter how much the buyer was willing to pay. All of the items in the room had to be well-made replicas. They also tied in with the tattoo of Anubis that Jaxon had on his chest.

  The sight of what appeared to be a small altar at the end of the room caught Chyna’s eye. She walked over to it and frowned when she found a couple of slices of bread and a glass of beer sitting on it. They almost looked like offerings. She couldn’t see Jaxon coming in here and leaving them because he was too lazy to get rid of them. She’d yet to see him leave any kind of food sitting around once he was done with it.

  Chyna touched the bread and found it not too dried out, so it couldn’t have been sitting there for longer than a day. Thinking she’d take it and the beer to the kitchen just in case Jaxon had mistakenly left them in the room, she reached for them.