by Sara Page
“Please, Beast. Please, Drek,” I beg, struggling within his one-handed clutch on my wrists. If only I could grab him by the hair and pull his head up.
“Gods, Ameia,” he growls, and then I feel his hot tongue swiping across me, dragging across my clit.
I curse loudly, my body jerking back against the bed. He doesn’t give me a chance to recover, his tongue immediately swiping against me again. This time he’s paying extra special attention to my clit.
“Beast,” I growl and tighten my thighs around him. It’s probably the worst thing to do given I want him to stop doing what he’s doing. I want him to stop proving my body responds to him no matter how mad I am at him, but it’s my instinctive reaction to trap him. To lift my butt up, to shove his face further into my throbbing sex.
I can’t catch my breath as his tongue flicks and swirls against my clit. The air I’m getting comes in erratic pants. I feel incredibly lightheaded.
I swear there’s darkness bleeding at the edge of my vision.
“Mine,” he growls, the vibrations pushing me over the edge. I cry out, both loving and hating that he can do that. That with just a word I’m falling apart, all my little pieces tumbling into his hands.
“You taste so good, Ameia,” Beast groans, his tongue lapping me up. “Like milk and honey.”
I whimper, incapable of speaking, paralyzed by the pleasure of my throes.
“I have a mind to just tie you up in here until you forgive me,” he says just before his mouth covers almost all of me and he pulls back a hard suckle.
“Don’t you dare,” I cry out, knowing he could totally get away with it, if Striker didn’t stop him.
But would Striker stop him? Or ask for a turn?
Just the mental image of the two of them taking turns with me, coupled with the vibrating suckles, pushes me over the edge once more.
“Yes, come for me, Ameia,” Beast says, between laps of his tongue.
I explode, swept up in a burst of colors and sensation.
But it’s not enough. It won’t be enough until he’s inside me.
Until we’re connected.
“Beast,” I plead and he rises above me just as I begin to drift back down.
His eyes are so bright, so red, I can’t look him in the face. I have to focus on a spot at his throat.
“Your eyes,” he snarls and fumbles with his pants between us.
“My eyes?” I ask, confused. It’s his that are out control.
“They’re glowing,” he sighs and thrusts hard forward, filling me up in one stroke.
I don’t care. I don’t care about anything except for how it feels to be filled with him. He’s so big, so thick, he stretches me until I feel like I’m about to burst.
“Ameia,” he says tenderly, releasing his grip on my wrists and dropping his face to nuzzle at my throat. “I love you.”
“I love you too,” I sigh softly, my hands coming down to grip his shoulders.
“I only want to protect you,” he murmurs, almost ruining my moment.
I reach up, gently grabbing him by the hair so I can pull his face up. “Please, let’s not discuss it right now.”
“You won’t let me discuss it at all,” he growls while slowly withdrawing his cock.
I fight the urge to roll my eyes into the back of my head as each slippery inch of him slides out.
“This is so not fair,” I protest.
He slams forward, the crown of his cock bumping into the barrier to my womb. “I’ll never play fair when it comes to you.”
“Please.” I whine, my fingers grasping his hair as my body arches up to take him deeper. “Don’t.”
“I can’t bear your ire,” he continues, pulling back and thrusting back home. “I can’t bear not joining with you.”
Gah, he’s just not going to let it go. He knows I can’t think straight when he’s inside me. How could I? He feels too damn good.
I clench my teeth together and hiss out, “We’re joining right now.”
“Yes,” he grunts and his pace increases, the bed now rocking beneath us. “We are, and you feel so good. So warm and wet. It’s been so long it’s everything I can do not to let go right now.”
He wants to come already? I feel myself clenching down as my thighs tighten around him.
Beast curses and slams forward.
I wrap my legs around his hips, and dig my heels into his ass, urging him to lose control.
“Dammit, Ameia,” Beast rasps, his body colliding with mine so hard it’s jarring.
I wonder for a moment if perhaps I’ve pushed him too far.
His face is fierce; his eyes are glaring down at me. The way he’s concentrated on pushing his body into mine it feels more like we’re in a battle than making love.
But he has my clit trapped between us so I don’t even care about the roughness. In fact, the rougher the better.
I arch up, my nails scoring down his back. I have my own frustrations I’d like to take out on him, and I feel so damn close.
He shifts above me and then pushes in deep, until his hipbones are rubbing against my hipbones.
He’s so deep now, it’s like he’s trying his damnedest to push me down, like he’s forcing a joining of our souls. His chest presses against my breasts, so solid, so warm. Then he begins to purr, and I just lose it as the vibrations hit my nipples.
My nipples tighten and my walls squeeze around him. It’s a flood of such intense sensation all at once my mind shuts down from pleasure overload.
He pounds into me, ramming through my tight grip until he’s swelling inside me. He roars out as he jerks and twitches above me, pumping me full of warmth.
I don’t know how long it takes us to come back down. I only know the first thing I notice is him pulling me close.
“Ameia,” he sighs out, his arms wrapping around me so tight, like he never wants to let go. “I love you.”
“I love you,” I murmur and turn into his warmth.
“Tomorrow. Give me tomorrow,” he quietly pleads, stroking back my wild curls.
My heart aches at the words. I don’t have to agree with him, or be happy with him, but I don’t have to push him away either.
“Tomorrow,” I promise softly. “And every day after.”
Chapter Five
Beast and I spend as much time as we are able to snuggled up in each other’s arms. Perhaps I’m being weak, perhaps I’m giving in too easily, but just being with him again feels so damn good. I’m enjoying every second of it.
All too soon though it’s almost time for Striker to pick me up.
Sitting up, I begin to straighten my clothes and sigh. “You know, sometimes I almost miss those days just after we were rescued from that planet.”
“Oh?” Beast asks, lifting a brow as he pulls on his boots.
“Yes. I know it was only a few weeks ago, but I swear everything was so much simpler, so much easier once I could finally understand you.”
Beast throws his head back and laughs. “Indeed.”
Standing from the bed, I take a moment to smooth down my skirt. Both boots on, Beast stands and strides over to me, filling my personal bubble up.
“What happened?” I ask, tipping my head back to gaze up at him. “How did things gets so complicated?”
Beast sighs and reaches down, brushing his knuckles across my cheek. “Striker and I talked, and I realized you were the Beacon.”
I close my eyes, just enjoying his touch. Just the soft caress of his knuckles feels like sparks popping across my cheek.
I hear the slight hiss of Beast’s door and my eyes reluctantly open. Striker begins to stride into the room but pulls up short. He glances between Beast and I, his brows crinkling in confusion.
“Striker,” Beast grumbles, stepping away from me.
“Prince Drek.” Striker nods at him, his eyes never leaving me. “Are you ready, Ameia?”
“Yes,” I answer, my lips curving into a soft smile. “I…”
M
y words are cut off suddenly as a loud alarm sounds.
The alarm is so loud I cover my ears with my hands and yell out. “What the hell?”
Beast and Striker share a worried look, and then the lights in the room flash from white to red.
This can’t be good… Everything is bathed in an eerie dark crimson glow. My eyes ache as they adjust to the dimness. The siren blares loudly three more times then the sound level lowers. Is it the emergency warning system? Is there something wrong with the ship? Shouldn’t there be an announcement or something to tell us what’s going on?
I look back to Beast and Striker, and my blood chills just from the looks on their faces. I don’t think I’ve ever seen either of them look so worried before. Whatever is going on must be bad if it’s scaring them.
“You take her,” Beast yells at Striker. “Get her out of here. I’m heading to the bridge.”
Striker nods in confirmation and walks up to me, grabbing me firmly by the arm. Beast rushes towards the door with Striker pulling me along right behind him.
“Wait? What’s wrong? What’s going on?” I ask.
“I’m sorry, Ameia, there’s no time to explain,” Beast apologizes over his shoulder.
Story of my freakin’ life.
“Let’s stick together!” I cry out in panic. I don’t know what’s going on but, “For fuck’s sake, let’s not split up. Every time we split up shit just goes wrong.”
We step out of Beast’s quarters and the hallway is complete chaos. Usually the hallways are calm and quiet, most of the ruckus kept to the mess hall or training center. Now, though, the place is swarming with tall purple guys, they’re everywhere. Some dressed up in their black armor, carrying blasters. Others frantically barking out orders as they rush around.
I only catch a word here and there of something incoming. But what? Another ship perhaps?
“Where are we going?” I ask, and Striker tugs me even harder, pulling me through the crowd.
Beast is ahead of us, was ahead of us, but there are so many Ravagers rushing around—and dammit they all look the same in their purple and black—he disappears in the crush.
“Please,” I protest, yanking hard on Striker’s arm. “Let’s stick with Beast, please.”
I don’t know why but right now I do not want to be separated from either one of them. There’s something in my gut telling me to keep them close. I have this intense irrational fear that I’m about to lose them. I need to just grab them both and hold on.
Striker looks at me with exasperation. “He’s going to the bridge, where he’s needed. We’re heading for the escape pods.”
I don’t know which I dread worse—being separated from Beast or the thought of riding in an escape pod again.
“Not without him, we’re not!” I protest.
Striker just ignores me, using his strength to propel me forward.
Everything is happening so fast. Striker is moving so fast, my heart and lungs are still struggling to catch up. I don’t like what is happening, I don’t agree with him, but I’m afraid I’ll get us killed if I put up too much more of a fuss.
I need to trust them, I remind myself. Trust Beast and Striker, until this is over. Then, when we’re all safe and sound, I’m going to chew their asses out.
The siren stutters for a moment and it feels like time freezes, everyone and everything just stops. Including us.
“Striker?” I pant nervously when I feel like I can move again.
That was weird. Like time got stuck then skipped a beat. The other Ravagers come to and they’re moving faster, everyone’s clearing out of the hall but us.
Striker’s eyes narrow and his lips pull back as he shoves me into the wall. “Stay still. Do not move.”
Fuck. This reminds me too much of the time he pushed me under the table and took care of Vrillum’s guards.
He crushes me with his body so hard I can’t move. I feel like I’m pinned, being smashed between the wall and him.
“Can’t breathe,” I gasp, squirm and wiggle, but the crush is unrelenting. It’s like fighting against a stone wall.
“Whatever you do, be quiet and do not move, Ameia,” he says gravely, his weight not letting up.
I want to keep asking questions but his mouth covers my mouth. He kisses me deeply, passionately, as if he’s making some great gesture of his love. And I’d probably be really into it if I wasn’t so freaked out and had half a clue of what’s going on. What the fuck is happening? Why are we not running for the escape pod now?
What the fuck is he so afraid of?
Striker pulls away as if it pains him to do so and before I can get a word in, he’s back to urging me. “Whatever you do, be quiet. Do not speak. Do not draw attention to yourself. Do you understand?”
I… I can’t even. His eyes are full of such worry, such concern for me, I’m too choked up to speak.
What could possibly scare him?
Are we going to crash and die? If that were the case, why would it matter if I spoke or not?
His eyes flash and he asks impatiently, “Do you understand?”
I answer him by slowly nodding my head, overwhelmed with fear because he’s afraid.
Something is very, very wrong.
“I love you, Ameia. Hold on.”
I love you, too, I say with my eyes since I’m not allowed to talk. I grab onto his shirt, and grip tight.
Everything goes black.
Did I pass out?
No. The lights went out, I realize as my vision adjusts, quickly sharpening.
There’s this weird sensation, like we’re being lifted up.
Then the ship drops.
We’re falling.
Oh, stars, we’re falling.
I cling to Striker but holding onto him doesn’t make any of it stop.
I know this, I know what’s happening. We’re going to crash. The ship must be dropping through space…
But that doesn’t make any sense, dammit.
I can feel Striker on my front and the wall against my back, so it’s not the babies messing around. I haven’t fallen through a hole into the other side… Yet ships don’t just fall out of space. It defies all logic and reason.
Something must be pulling us down. It’s the only explanation that makes sense. But what could pull a ship the size of us down? A black hole?
A scream bubbles up in my throat as the g-forces become so intense they’re unbearable. I feel like my skin is hanging on to my bones by threads. There’s so much force, I’m going to break into pieces. My particles are screaming, threatening to come apart.
Striker begins to pepper my face with small kisses as if he can sense what I’m going through.
Our speed increases. The ship groans against the force.
I have no idea how he can even move. I feel so heavy, like gravity wants me to become one with the floor.
This is the fall that never ends.
It just goes on and on.
Oh gods, if we’re being sucked through space, will we ever stop? It’s not like space has a bottom for us to hit!
I can’t hold the scream in any longer. The sensation is too much for my body to contain. Unlike drifting on the other side, I’m in pure physical anguish. My body just can’t handle this.
I open my mouth, needing to let just some of it out before I burst.
Striker immediately covers my mouth with his. He swallows my scream for me, but it’s not enough, there’s just too much I need to get out. I scream and scream, but if anything it feels like we’re gaining speed.
I’m going to break apart. I feel myself sagging against Striker and still his lips press against mine. Swallowing my screams in this demented kiss.
The more I let out, the more the force fills me up. The more I let out, the less of me that is left.
I scream and scream, but it does no good.
Finally, blessedly, my mind gives up. I feel myself passing out, going limp in Striker’s arms against the wall.
* * *
“Don’t move. Don’t look,” Striker whispers into my ear, his voice leading me back into consciousness.
I open up my mouth but nothing comes out, my words muffled by his hard kiss.
“And whatever you do, do not make a sound. I’ll be back for you, my love.”
Gently he leans me against something then his warmth leaves me. I listen to him walk away, boots pounding the floor.
A door hisses shut and the dark swallows me back up as I stare into the blackness.
* * *
It’s cold, so cold. I hear their screams, the screams of the guards, and I cover my ears. Please, someone just make it stop. Why am I reliving this again?
Screaming, dying. They’re all screaming and dying.
He’s killing them.
I let out a breath and feel it frosting against my lips.
“Stop, Striker! Stop it!” I yell out, then I remember I’m supposed to be quiet.
Dammit.
I’ve officially lost it.
There’s a loud roar off in the distance, and then the screams grow louder.
Where am I? When am I?
I open my eyes but there is only blackness. Panic creeps up my spine but I quickly shut it down.
Relax, Ameia, relax. Focus.
My heart is pounding a mile a minute, my pulse thundering in my ears.
Remember what happened. You’re no longer on Terrea, you are on the Harpy and something went wrong with the ship. A malfunction? A crash?
I take a deep breath, then another. It’s cold, but after what I just went through I can handle it. Anything is preferable than that fall.
I quickly take stock of all my parts. Nothing hurts. I don’t feel like I’m in any pain. I touch my belly; I think my babies are alright. I don’t know how I know, I just do. Something just tells me they are. Intuition perhaps? If only I knew the same of Beast and Striker.
No, don’t panic. Focus, figure this out, then find them.
Shifting around, I discover I’m sitting on a floor, in a corner. I reach out my arms and immediately hit two walls. I must be in something small. I reach up, I can’t touch the ceiling. A closet? Thankfully not an escape pod. There would be a screen, some type of controls for my hands to hit.
