by H. C. Brown
Rio dropped his hands to stroke her breasts; his cat roared with delight. He moaned, pushing back his cat to gain control. No, I will not take a female I've glamored, no matter how much I want to. She has no idea of her true emotions; I'll not damage her further. He pushed his mind to contact Nox. " Phone me before I do something I'll regret. Room 899."
He lifted his head when the telephone rang. "You'd better get that, Aria." She slid from his lap, her lips swollen from his kiss and her cheeks flushed with desire. His cock ached with need. He watched her face drop with disappointment as she listened to the call. She placed the phone on the receiver and lifted her chin.
"That was Mister Nox; he said you're needed immediately." Rio stood slowly, went to her, and kissed her gently, rubbing his hands up her arms.
"I'm sorry, duty calls. I suggest you order room service for dinner and get some rest. I'll see you in the morning."
"Would you like to have b-breakfast with m-me?" she stammered.
"Here?"
"I hate to eat alone," she replied, her cheeks red.
He smiled and ran a finger along her jaw. "I'd like that, Aria."
"What about Mister Nox?"Aria tipped her head toward the phone.
"He won't bother us in the morning . . . I promise"
Aria stood by the door and watched him saunter to the elevator. Holy cow, he made her hot. She touched her breasts, pinching the hard nipples, aching with need. Heading to the bedroom, she dragged her bathrobe from the suitcase and went into the sumptuous bathroom to run a tub. The vanity held bottles of luxury toiletries; she picked up a large orange bottle of bubble bath, sniffed it, surprised when it had no smell, and poured half of it into the massive marble hot tub. Bubbles grew in a mass of white foam. Grinning, she stripped off and slid into decadent delight. Warm suds tingled against her flesh as she sank into the hot water. She collected handfuls of the rich foam and coated her breasts, moving the suds around until the nipples peeked out hard and demanding. Pussy wet with need, she slid her fingers in a long caress to her apex and searched her folds to circle her aching clit. She closed her other hand around her breast, finger and thumb pinching the nipple. Her mind flooded with images of Rio, his scent, his deep, ravishing kisses. The heat spiraled in her belly ―
and the telephone rang.
Cursing, she turned her head toward the irritating noise. What is it with these damn phones? The phone sat within easy reach of the tub and she grabbed it, hands dripping with suds.
"Yes."
"Miss d' Lion, I have your father here in the lobby; would you like me to send him up to your room?"
Aria swallowed, but her throat constricted with shock. "Who?"
"He said Aldis told him where to find you. He said he came to finalize your debt."
Her mind swam with indecision. Her father, here, after all these years. She drew a steadying breath.
"Send him up."
She dried herself quickly then pulled on her robe. The long dressing gown covered her from head to foot and brushed the carpet as she walked. Running a hand through her unruly curls, she headed into the sitting room as a knock sounded on the door.
Chapter Nine
Rio stepped into the cold shower. Freezing needles cut into his flesh, removing the savage lust thumping through his body. He heard the bathroom door open and Nox's voice through the thundering icy torture.
"If she stirs you so, why don't you spend the rest of the afternoon with me and the girls? Chloe can't stop talking about her night with you. If I was a jealous faerie I might have wanted to kill you." He chuckled, leaning casually against the doorframe, naked to the waist and wearing black silk pajama bottoms. "You know you can't keep denying the affection we have for each other, Rio. Why don't you allow me to show you how much I care for you?"
Stepping out of the shower, he caught the towel Nox flung at him and wrapped it around his waist. Rio met the appraising look Nox gave him with a smile. Hell, this was not the first time Nox had offered him a night of passion, and not the first time he had considered just that. He had to admit a deep attachment for the King of the Faerie—the thought of sliding against his honey colored skin—gods! Being so close to his awe-inspiring magnificence made the temptation painful.
"I admit I care for you, Nox, and it's true I've lusted after you. Much as I would like to have you—and trust me, the thought has crossed my mind several times—I regretfully must decline. I plan to wait until I can have Tanz."
"You've not given a promise to anyone, Rio. I know you care for Tanz and I respect that, but you do know he's sharing a bed with Allure?" He flexed his massive biceps, stretching gold, shimmering skin across taut, defined muscle. Rio ground his teeth. "Tanz promised me he'd not give his ass to any other male."
" If you agreed to his ultimatum, and we both know how that worked out. It's likely he's found another favorite by now. Rio, he's lived a long time and his needs are as great as mine. I know you care for me, Rio, and you have declined my advances out of respect for Allure's feelings. You've a lot to learn about the Fae; we give our love unselfishly. I have no mate and until I do, I'll share by love with whom I choose," he replied and folded his arms across his bare chest defensively. His hair crackled, sending tiny blue sparks into the midnight silk waving around his hips. Knowing this stance to be one of acute annoyance, Rio dropped the towel and inclined his head. What the hell . . . he's correct; Tanz made me no promise. And, if he's sharing Allure's bed, I mean little to him. Nothing has changed . . . and I may never see him again.
"I'm sorry; I didn't mean to be disrespectful. I'm not sure what's wrong with me; my cat has been pushing me in every direction."
He sighed with relief when Nox unfolded his arms, dropped his emerald gaze to Rio's cock, and slowly back up to meet his eyes. He stood still and watched a slow smile cross Nox's full lips. The faerie's look of seductive hunger sent a shiver down his spine, filling his shaft until it stood out with want.
"Just you and me, Rio. I want all of you . . . complete surrender," Nox said and stepped forward, cupping Rio's face.
He fell into Nox's sultry eyes and saw flames licking in the emerald depths. A tremor skittered down his body. "I'm an alpha; it's natural for me to be dominant."
"Complete surrender . . . is natural . . . when you're with me . . . alpha," Nox said, running his tongue up Rio's neck and biting his earlobe.
Rio relaxed, unable to prevent his mind from filling with images of Tanz. My dearest Tanz, one day you will know . . . it's you, not Nox, I crave. Nox covered his mouth, his kiss rumbling through his senses like thunder. Lightning flashed behind his eyes at every thrust of his tongue; each nibble of his lips brought a surge of uncontrolled passion. Nox dropped his warm hands from Rio's face. Knees weak with the thrill of his kiss, Rio fell against him. His body thrummed with Nox's dominant power and for once in his life, he trembled with emotion . . . or was it fear?
He followed Nox into his spacious bedroom and his belly quaked with a strange euphoria. Unable to concentrate, he dragged in deep breaths. Nox took control of the situation by ordering him to stand before the roaring fire. He watched Nox disrobe, spread a towel on the leather chair and place a jar of aphrodisiac lube within reach. The faerie's body glowed in the firelight, tall and massive; his cock stuck out from his body like a giant steel phallus. Lady's blood, he had never seen anything that big before. He swallowed hard. Nox sat in the wide, padded leather chair and beckoned him.
"Straddle me, kneel on the arms, and grasp the back of the chair." He ordered. Rio bit his lip; his knees pushed into the soft leather arms of the chair, spread so wide, his ass caught the warmth from the fire. Nox caressed his buttocks and kissed a tantalizing path up the inside of one thigh and then the other. Heat rushed through him as Nox licked a wet path to his balls and then suckled his tight sac. Open and exposed, he dropped his head to watch Nox's bobbing head. He gasped. Nox looked up at him with demon's eyes, black and empty. Then Nox dropped two needle sharp fangs and Rio flinched in pani
c. Nox ducked between his legs to sink his teeth into the soft spot behind his balls. Faeries do not have fangs. Oh dear Lady, I'm going to die in bliss. Rio shook as flames of exquisite feral need rocked his body. Nox took him deep inside his hot, wet, mouth. Fixing his eyes on Nox, Rio rocked to the rhythm of his expert sucking. Hell, just how far could he take his cock down his throat? Nox reached for the lube and massaged the tantalizing salve around Rio's hole, then over his balls. The bite flamed, driving him into a euphoric dream. The room moved in and out of focus as Nox caressed and then pushed oiled fingers deep into his ass. Nox plunged his fingers repeatedly inside, all the while scraping his teeth up and down Rio's shaft. Rio gripped the back of the chair, panting with delight. Groaning in sheer bliss, he tipped his head back and gave into the pleasure. His legs trembled, and he pumped himself into Nox's willing throat.
Nox sunk his fangs into the base of his shaft, branding him with hot, supernatural lust. Rio's eyes rolled up in delirium. Trembling from head to foot, he tried to pull himself back to reality. Nox gripped his thighs tightly and pulled his legs out from under him. Wide open, Rio straddled Nox, suspended above his massive cock. Soft leather pressed under his thighs, his legs stretched to their limit, and his toes dug into the soft rug.
Nox found his mouth, and he sighed. He tasted his own essence as their tongues danced. Nox bit his bottom lip and pinched his flat nipples and he groaned in pleasure. Delirious, Rio rested his head on Nox's firm shoulder, as he rubbed the head of his massive shaft against his ass.
"I've never taken anything that big."
"If it doesn't fit, I'll force it. Later, I'll swallow you down and use my fist. Do you know what it's like to have two up your ass at once, Rio?" Nox groaned, grasping Rio's hips and pushing the head of his massive cock into him, in one hot, delicious slide.
"Oh yeah, open for me, Rio . . . burn for me." Nox panted, holding Rio steady while he impaled him.
So hot. Rio dug his fingers into the back of the chair, head spinning as Nox's shaft burned a sizzling path deep inside. Nox lifted his hips repeatedly to drive into his stretched ass, spreading him wider with every delightful thrust. Gasping for air, Rio clung to him, his own cock filling with blood at every delectable pass of his pleasure spot.
"Kiss me," Nox demanded. "Give yourself to me . . . complete surrender." Lifting his head, Rio closed his mouth over Nox's lips; the King of the Faerie groaned into his mouth and increased the pace. Rio's body tingled as Nox's magyck thrummed through his body with each sublime thrust, his vision turning a kaleidoscope of colors. Nox shuddered to conclusion. Long, hot spurts shot inside him, throwing him into a spiral of pleasure. He broke the kiss and bit his lip hard to prevent screaming Tanz's name with his own fervid release.
* * * * *
Aria opened the door with the intention of peering cautiously through the gap when it flew open with such force it knocked her down. She pushed up from the floor and sat staring into Aldis's red, swollen face. He slammed the door behind him and stood over her, fists clenched.
"So, you little whore, have you opened your legs for him yet?" Scrambling away on her hands and knees, she screamed. He lunged at her, grabbed a handful of hair, and dragged her around to face him. Her robe fell open and Aldis grabbed her exposed breast, squeezing the nipple cruelly. She battered him with her fists. "Get away from me; don't touch me."
"You belong to me, bitch." He screeched, sending a stinging slap across her face. Aria fell back, tasting blood on her lips, tears flowing down her cheeks. He drove forward, crushing her to the floor, sending her breath out in a whoosh. Gasping for air, she screamed at the top of her lungs but this did nothing to stop him. His large, pudgy hand closed around her neck and squeezed. The room went in and out of focus. She fought, desperate and terrified, to take a breath, then his ribcage rolled across her, squashing her under his immense weight. She dragged air in through her bloodied nose and caught the strong smell of whiskey and sweat. He squeezed tighter and the pain sent her into freefall. Her sight blurred. Suddenly aware of his stinking heavy body between her legs, pinning her to the ground, she pulled desperately at his hand. One breath, just give me one breath.
Her ears rang like a million bees buzzing inside her head and blocked out the sound of his rasping, foul breath. She dug her nails into his thick, fleshy cheeks as her sight began to go black around the edges. I'm going to die. The door exploded into a thousand pieces and Rio burst into the room. Aldis's hand left her neck and Aria sucked in painful gulps of air. Rio lifted Aldis with one hand and flung him effortlessly against the wall. The wood paneling cracked like a gunshot under Aldis's weight and he slid to a crumpled heap on the floor. She could hear Rio growling and then he swung around to look down at her. Gasping for breath, she looked up into his eyes, not soft amethyst now, but a burning amber. Her body shook uncontrollably; she tried to look away but her gaze fixed on Rio. Naked to the waist, wearing only a pair of jeans, his entire body flexed in rage. He roared and lifted Aldis high in the air to bring him down with a sickening crunch across one knee. She froze, uncomprehending the shocking scene playing out before her. Rio tossed the body across the room, like a cat playing with a mouse. She gagged at the spray of blood shooting from Aldis's mouth and she rolled back on the floor, sinking into glorious darkness.
Nox stepped through the broken door in time to see Rio pounce toward the Ram's body, morphing in midair into a black leopard. Turning quickly, he repaired the door and stepped back, flinching with disgust. The massive cat lowered its head to rip out Aldis's throat. Blood splattered the walls and flowed across the carpet in a sticky, crimson tide. The big cat swung its head around and went to Aria, dripping its victim's blood beside her inert body. The cat tipped back its head, opened its mouth and let out a triumphant roar then flopped down to lay at her side. This loss of control could only mean one thing; Rio's cat had bonded with the traitor. Lady's blood, as if I haven't enough problems right now.
"Rio, you'd better take control or I'm going to get Blaise. I'm going to have enough trouble clearing up this mess. I don't think Blaise will be too happy you killed the Ram; he can't interrogate a corpse."
The air shimmered and Rio stood slowly, shaking his head. His senses were on full alert and he could smell every scent in the room. Intoxicated by killing the Ram, the glory of the kill, and the smell of blood, he lifted his head to savor the feminine scent he had searched for all his life. Spinning around, he fell to his knees beside Aria. He groaned and reached out to cover her crumpled, naked body with the robe. Touching her bruised face, he pressed his fingers to her throat. No pulse. He swore under his breath. He had broken his promise to her and Aldis had hurt her again. Lady she's an innocent, it's my fault, I didn't protect her . . . please . . . I beg you . . . help her. Rio saw her draw a ragged breath before her chest began to rise and fall in normal rhythm. He bent down to kiss her cheek and her feminine scent flooded his senses. His cat sighed. " Mine" His stomach clenched and tears stung the backs of his eyes.
"Rio, listen to me. Take her into the bedroom, put her on the bed. I'll clean up this mess and send him back to Druik Void . . . they'll get the message. I'll have to wait here and glamor anyone who comes to the door," Nox said.
Rio opened his mouth then stopped when Nox held up a hand to silence him.
"I'll send you upstairs. Get dressed and I'll let you know when to come back. Don't worry about Aria; she's only fainted." He walked over to the flat screen TV and turned up the volume. "I'll convince them the volume is stuck on full. Hurry now; put her to bed."
Rio collected Aria up in his arms, the scent of her filling him with the Lady's magyck. He could see her clearly for the first time and a wealth of love, passion, and desire welled up inside him. Sitting beside her on the bed his fingers brushed curls damp with tears clinging to her bruised cheek. He thought of Tanz and smiled; he loved him too, and finding Aria had not changed that. They would be together, the three of them. Nox stepped into the room and he lifted his gaze; he could hear som
eone banging on the door and raised voices in the hall.
"Don't glamor her; she belongs to me. I'll explain everything to her and bring her and the book to Dryad in the morning."
Nox narrowed his eyes and snorted in anger. Rio suddenly found himself in the middle of his hotel room. He dressed quickly then glanced around and impulsively decided to pack his clothes and send them back to Feltich Castle. He smiled at the thought of mating Aria and pushed his clothes into the thick leather bags. Well, he would mate Aria, as soon as he could explain the situation. Confident she would accept him as her mate, he pushed his bags through the Circle of Light. Yes, tonight, he would sink his fangs into her soft peach fuzz skin and she would transform overnight. He would take her home and then find Tanz.
Chapter Ten
Aria awoke and looked into Rio's soft, velvet eyes. Her hand lay encircled in his large golden fingers. "Rio, I'm not sure whether to run away or thank you."
"Thank me, honey; the brute was trying to kill you. How do you feel?" She tensed, aware of her nakedness beneath the bathrobe. He smiled sweetly and bent to brush his mouth across her lips. She relaxed, his delightful scent seeping into her senses. She brought her hand up to touch her nose and winced at the pain.
"I can breathe okay, and I can smell your aftershave. I was sure he'd broken my nose. I can't believe what you did; it was as if you were a different person, like Jekyll and Hyde."
"I'm not sure who Jekyll and Hyde is, but yes, there are two sides to me. We've much to discuss, Aria. First, though, be honest and tell me if you like me."
