by Ivy Barrett
He tensed then averted his gaze. “It was necessary.”
“Necessary?” Her laugh was harsh and humorless. “How can…that be necessary?”
Planting his hand beside her face, he met her gaze with absolute calm. “We were about to go into a very dangerous situation and she needed energy.”
“If that’s how mystics refuel, then I’d rather stay latent.”
“Sorry, sweetheart. It’s too late.” His free hand captured her crossed wrists as he swooped down for a demanding kiss. His tongue smoothly parted her lips and his warm breath filled her mouth. You’re one of us now, whether you like it or not.
Thrilled by the opportunity to release some of her pent-up energy, she tugged against his hold. His fingers were firm yet careful, exerting only enough pressure to prevent her escape. Let me up. She bucked her hips, rubbing her mound against his abdomen as the urgency inside her grew.
He tore his mouth away from hers and shifted his weight to his knees. “Is that what you really want?” His hand skated along her ribs, pushing up her shirt as he went. “I think energy is surging through you and you’re restless as hell.”
“I don’t want to be with a man who fucks his brother’s wife!”
His fingers closed on her nipple pinching hard enough to make her cry out. “Miranda knew exactly what she was doing. She wasn’t coerced or manipulated in any way.”
“And that makes it right?” She jerked against his hold, twisting and arching, yet all the while knowing she was safe within his grasp. “Sex should mean something. There should be an emotional connection, not just physical stimuli.”
“Are we still talking about Miranda?”
She didn’t know what the hell she was talking about. She wanted him. In fact she was terrified of how much she wanted him and for the very reasons she was defending. She felt an emotional connection with him, but she had no idea if he considered this anything more than his daily fuck.
“How often do you feed her? Is Drake always there or do you—”
“I fed her once. But be careful, you’re starting to sound jealous.” With a roguish grin, he raised her T-shirt and skillfully unfastened her bra. “Much better.” He bent to her breasts, sucking one side while he teased the other with his fingers. “Move your hands and I’ll tie you to my bed.”
His threat hung in the air between them, a plump temptation ready to be plucked. Grasping the loops had been exciting, but she couldn’t help wondering what it would feel like to be literally at his mercy. Unable to stay the rebellious impulse, Tamara lifted both hands and shoved against his chest.
Jericho narrowed his gaze on her face. Did she want him to bind her? He’d intended to be gentle and patient, build the intensity gradually. Give her the first time her stubbornness had taken away. She’d responded well to domination in the simulator, despite her obvious inexperience. Now he wasn’t sure what she needed more.
Well, he never made an idle threat, so she’d left him no choice. He climbed off the couch and pulled her to her feet. Then he bent and shoved his shoulder into her belly, lifting her off the floor.
She cried out and beat on his back, but her struggles were obviously feigned. She kicked until he wrapped his arm around her legs and slapped her upturned ass. “Behave or you’ll receive punishment before your pleasure.”
“P-punishment?” She stilled, but he could almost hear the frantic pounding of her heart. His little ingénue had a dark side, perhaps as dark as his.
He set her down at the foot of his bed and pulled his shirt off over his head. She didn’t run, nor did she follow his lead and undress. Good. He’d rather undress her anyway. He unfastened the top of his jeans and let them ride low on his hips. Then he grabbed several silk neckties from the rack in his closet and threw them onto the bed.
Her eyes rounded and she absently rubbed her wrist as she guessed the purpose for the ties. Her shirt had slipped back down, covering her breasts, but her unfastened bra created distinct wrinkles beneath the clingy fabric.
“Raise your arms.” She hesitated for half a second then lifted her arms overhead. He pulled the shirt off and she lowered her arms so he could rid her of the bra. “I should keep you naked when we’re alone. Clothes are such a bother.”
A smile played about her lips as she whispered, “I will if you will.”
Desire plummeted to his groin, lengthening his cock and tightening his balls. He fought back a groan, not wanting her to see how easily she threatened his control.
Shifting his focus back to her, he unzipped her jeans and worked them past her hips. She pushed them down the rest of the way and kicked them aside. Neither of them had bothered with shoes, but he tugged off his socks before returning his attention to her.
He never undressed completely until he was ready for the main event. The pressure of his jeans helped him maintain control and subtly tipped the power scale in his favor. Allowing her to keep her panties for the moment, he pulled her into his arms and reclaimed her mouth.
Her head settled into the crook of his arm and her lips parted sweetly. He’d never tire of her unique taste or the soft sounds she made as her need escalated. Her breasts pressed against his chest and he slipped his hand beneath her panties to explore the silken curve of her ass. He couldn’t wait to see it striped with red or the imprint of his hand.
The thought rushed more blood to his cock and he moaned against her lips. “Down.” It was a struggle just to get the word out. He swallowed and tried again. “I need your mouth.”
She bit her bottom lip as she sank to her knees, feminine power glowing in her eyes. Her fingers teased him through his jeans as she slowly unzipped his pants. His breathing grew ragged, but he refused to help, needing her eager participation. She lowered his pants just far enough to free his cock and give her access to his balls. Unable to stand the passivity, he grasped the back of her neck and pulled her closer.
With a siren’s smile, she avoided his cock and stroked his hips instead. Her warm breath wafted across his sensitive tip and still she made him wait. Oh, he’d make her pay for this once he had her tied to the bed!
Pushing her hand between his thighs, she cradled his balls, her touch light yet sure. Then her other hand curved around the base of his shaft and she finally swirled her tongue around the tip. He fought back another groan, unwilling to reveal how deeply her touch affected him.
Her fist pumped while her lips sucked and he threw back his head, lost to everything but the pleasure. Wet and warm, her mouth felt almost as good as her pussy. His balls burned, more than ready to fire, but he had other plans for tonight.
“Enough!” He gasped and pulled back, dragging himself out of her mouth.
“You didn’t need to stop. I wanted to watch you come.” Her wide, earnest gaze was almost his undoing.
Damn it. He shouldn’t have to fight this hard for control. She was just a woman. Just an honest, sweet yet spirited woman he’d agreed to protect. His gut clenched at the thought, but the demand of his cock eclipsed his good intentions. He tried to zip up his jeans, but the pressure was painful, so he ripped them off instead. She obviously wanted this, needed it even. He was not taking advantage of her.
“Get on the bed.” His voice sounded harsher than he’d intended, yet she immediately did as he asked. “Lie on your back, arms overhead.”
“Are you really going to tie me up?”
He picked up the silk ties, having to pull one out from under her hip. “Yes. I really am.”
She followed his every move as he secured one end around her wrist then adjusted the angle of her arm and tied the other end to the bedframe. After binding her other wrist, he moved down her body and tugged off her panties. She lifted her hips to help him slide the scrap of material out from under her then pressed her thighs together in a belated show of modesty.
“Open. Your pussy is mine and I want to touch it.”
She hesitated, so he pushed her knees apart, splaying her thighs and exposing her soft, pink cleft. Wi
th his gaze fixed on her face, he traced her sex. Her lips parted and her lids drooped as passion smoldered in her gaze. Oh yeah, she was enjoying this every bit as much as he.
“Did you like having my cock in your mouth?”
“You know I did. I just wish you hadn’t pulled out.”
“Why?” He was playing with fire, challenging his control even more than he was pushing her boundaries.
Looking directly into his eyes, she said, “I want to know you as well as you know me.”
And he wanted to cover her, press her into the mattress and drive his entire length into her wet and willing body. Maybe there was a way they could both have what they want. He crawled onto the bed and knelt near her head. She looked up at him with wide, trusting eyes, ready for whatever he had in mind.
“Are you sure about this? You won’t be able to stop me once we start.”
Her hungry gaze focused on his cock as she assured him, “This is what I want.”
Moving with the utmost care, he maneuvered his knees in between her head and her upraised arms. Then he arched over her body and tucked her legs under his arms, spreading her wide as he lowered his head between her thighs. Her mouth was open and ready for his cock as he lowered his hips.
He parted her folds with his tongue and she swirled hers around the head of his cock. Closing his eyes against the rush of ecstasy, he pushed deeper into her pussy and her mouth. Over her, in her, and against her, he maximized the contact of his body and hers. She was passive yet responsive, revealing her excitement with muffled gasps and subtle tremors as his hips took up a slow, steady rhythm.
His mouth centered over her clit, licking and sucking as his fingers explored her folds. She was soft and wet, oh so ready for his cock. He pushed two fingers into her snug passage and felt her inner muscles tighten. Her lips tightened as well, sucking with renewed tenacity.
It became a challenge then, each determined to make the other come first. He pumped steadily into her mouth, savoring the velvety slide of her tongue and the firm ring her lips created against his shaft. His balls tensed and pleasure rolled up his spine. He wouldn’t last much longer, but there was no way he’d come without her.
Leaving his fingers deep, he rotated his wrist and brushed his thumb over her anus. She wiggled, her cry of protest muffled by his cock. No mercy. He’d given her every opportunity to demure and she’d insisted this was what she wanted. Coating his thumb with her cream, he teased the tightly puckered opening. He closed his lips around her clit and sucked as he carefully pushed his thumb inside.
She cried out sharply, the added stimulation catapulting her over the edge. Her pussy and ass contracted together, massaging his hand. He released her clit and prolonged the spasms with steady flicks of his tongue.
As her orgasm receded, he gently withdrew both his fingers and his thumb then focused more completely on attaining his release. He pushed deeper, thrusting faster into her willing mouth. Her lips tightened and her tongue slid against his shaft. Urgency gripped his balls and pleasure rocketed down his cock. He drove to the back of her mouth and came in long, shuddering spasms.
Her lips drew on his twitching shaft and her tongue swirled, collecting every drop of his release. He groaned and shook, his mouth still pressed against her damp folds. She swallowed again and again, hungrily taking everything he had to give her. And when his climax was complete, she pulled energy into her ravenous body, sending heated aftershocks ricocheting through him.
Stunned by her ferocity, it took him a moment to realize the cause. Mystic energy emanated from her in rhythmic pulses. He quickly disentangled their bodies and turned around. Her breathing was steady though fast, and he sensed no imminent danger, so he untied her hands and gathered her into his arms.
He’d learned long ago the futility of trying to bring someone out of a psychic trance. It was better to let the vision play out and offer a ready source of energy. Each time she drew energy from him, pleasure curled through his body. He accepted the stimulation, unashamed of his body’s reaction, despite his recent orgasm.
Brushing her hair back from her face, he waited for the vision to release her. She looked young and helpless, and so achingly beautiful he was almost afraid to touch her. It was hard to believe this was the same woman who shivered every time he mentioned something sexually provocative yet respond without shame each time they touched. She was an alluring combination of innocence and curiosity. He had never been this attracted to anyone.
Her long lashes fluttered then she opened her eyes. “How did I… Is that going to happen every time I come?”
Charmed by the unexpected question, Jericho laughed then leaned down and kissed her mouth.
Chapter Eight
Tamara’s head buzzed and her skin felt sunburned. Energy zinged through her body accenting the restlessness her recent orgasm had barely begun to ease.
“What did you see?” Jericho asked, his lips drifting over her features as he laid her back across the bed.
“Later.” She parted her legs and urged him between them, needing him over her and in her, unwilling to wait any longer for the fullness of his cock. “Come here.”
He smiled as he obeyed, but he laced his fingers through hers and pinned her hands to the bed. “You’re not giving me orders, are you?”
“No games, Jericho. I need you now.”
His gaze narrowed as his cock pressed against her opening. He didn’t argue or make her wait. With one firm stroke, he pushed his entire length into her aching pussy. She clenched her teeth and drew her legs up against his sides, trembling with the effort it took not to go wild beneath him.
He released her hands and grasped her hips, holding her steady as he pulled his hips back. Their gazes locked, his so passion darkened they appeared black. He understood the hunger raging inside her, somehow he understood.
Reality narrowed to their entwined bodies and the ravenous need arcing between them. He lunged, hard and fast, filling her again as she gasped his name. She squeezed him with her knees and her core, bucking, desperate to take him deeper and keep him longer before he pulled back again.
A few slow strokes were all it took to shatter his control. He settled on his knees, jerking her hips up as he drove down. Her heels found purchase on the bed and she met him thrust for thrust. She took him as he filled her, each as demanding as the other.
They were beyond words or roles or expectations, lost in sensations both overwhelming and inexplicable. Their bodies understood, so they surrendered, no longer trying to rationalize.
He lowered himself over her, sliding against her with each firm thrust. His mouth captured hers, his tongue echoing the steady rhythm of his cock. She wrapped her legs around his waist and tangled her fingers in his hair, wanting him closer, needing him deeper. They moved together and breathed as one, energy flowing freely across their psychic link.
The first telltale pulse of an orgasm formed within her core. She fought against the sensation, not ready for the pleasure to end.
Jericho had other ideas, however. He caught one of her legs and spread her even farther, pounding into her with breath-stealing speed. She cried out as each jarring penetration pushed her closer to the peak. His jaw clenched and his eyes squeezed shut as he focused entirely on the goal.
Straining against her and stabbing into her, he battled for release. She watched his face, captivated by the savage beauty of his struggle. She was with him yet separate from him, until he opened his eyes. His lids lifted and she dove into the boiling intensity of his gaze.
His desire rolled across their link, shocking in its concentration. She drew the energy deeper into her being and pushed her pleasure across the link into his mind. He groaned, thrusting deep as his body shuddered then shuddered again. His pleasure cascaded through her, triggering her orgasm as his cock gently bucked inside her.
She came in powerful spasms. Pleasure rippled along her inner walls and expanded through her abdomen. Her fingers tightened in his hair and she stared unblin
king into his eyes, stunned and a little afraid of the power they generated together.
Long moments passed in silent wonder as they savored the lassitude. Then he leaned down and kissed her parted lips. The kiss was warm and tender, intimate in a way it had never been before.
“You okay?” His mildly smug smile ruined the thoughtful question.
“I’ll be fine as soon as you get off me.”
He wrapped his arms around her and rolled to his back, taking her with him and managing to remain securely embedded inside her. “Better?”
She folded her legs on either side of his hips and sat up, feeling powerful yet vulnerable at the same time. “I could sense your emotions toward the end. Is that supposed to happen?”
His hands stroked up her legs, coming to rest at the tops of her thighs. “There are no set rules. I felt you scan me earlier, but I’m pretty sure you didn’t intentionally search my mind just now.”
“I didn’t. I felt energy passing across our link, and then I could feel what you were feeling.”
“Could you feel my physical sensations or just my emotions?”
“People can actually feel someone else’s physical sensations? Like astral projection or something?”
“Different people call it different things, but yes, some mystics are able to project a portion of their being into another person’s body. It allows them to experience everything the person is experiencing.”
Experiencing sex from the male perspective was oddly intriguing, but that wasn’t what had happened to her. “No astral projection. Just…empathy?”
“If you didn’t intentionally seek out the sensations, I’d call it passive empathy,” he clarified.
Her body wasn’t sure if it was supposed to settle down or prepare for another round of blistering sex. His cock was still buried inside her, yet they were conversing as casually as if they sat at the kitchen table. She started to crawl off his lap, but he grasped her hips and shook his head.
“I like you right where you are,” he insisted.
