City Of Tears

by Cyndi Friberg

  Are you sure you’re ready? Evan’s voice sounded in her mind. This was the first time she’d worked with a Mystic operative. She wasn’t used to voices erupting in her head. He could only hear her thoughts when he intentionally created a telepathic link. The channel was obviously open now.

  What choice do we have? she responded. He’s testing you.

  “The cabins are monitored,” Evan said to Kort. “She won’t perform for an audience.” He pushed his fingers through his hair, sending the blond waves into appealing disarray.

  “And I won’t take advice from a pussy-whipped Ontarian.”

  Leaning forward, Evan brought his face within inches of Kort’s. “I’ll take care of my woman if you arrange a meeting with Stromn.”

  “You take care of your woman or I’ll show you what women are for.” Turning his head, Kort swept Dro Tar’s body with a lecherous glance.

  Evan shoved Kort back and crossed the cabin. Fight. If you suddenly give in, it will seem suspicious. He closed his hand around her upper arm.

  She jerked out of his light grasp. “If anyone touches me, I’ll show them what knives are for.”

  Grabbing her with both hands, Evan pulled her against his chest. “Kort’s right. I’ve indulged you long enough.” He bent and shoved his shoulder into her belly, easily lifting her off the floor. She kicked and squirmed until he banded her legs with his arm. Snatching her knife from the sheath strapped to her thigh, he tossed the weapon to Kort. The Linusian gasped but managed to catch the weapon. “No more excuses. Contact Stromn.” Evan stormed from the cabin before Kort could reply.

  Dro Tar shoved against Evan’s back. He smacked her on the butt. “This is not going to happen,” she yelled. “I saw you with your hand down Lissa’s pants.”

  “Her hand was down my pants and that’s as far as it went. I told you that three weeks ago.”

  “Why the hell should I believe you?”

  Several crewmembers chuckled as they passed, but Evan entered their cabin before he replied. “Have I ever lied to you?” He slid her down against his body until her feet touched the floor.

  “How would I know?” She struggled against his hold, glaring up at him. “I trusted you until I found you with—”

  “Nothing happened!” He pushed her back and pinned her against the wall with the weight of his body. His hands framed her face. “I’m tired of aching, nephri. Look me in the eyes and tell me you don’t want me anymore.” She’d never heard the strange word, but his tone caressed it, made her certain it was an endearment.

  She stared into his smoldering gaze and felt her insides melt. They might not be longtime lovers as they were pretending, but attraction had sparked between them from the very start. His confidence appealed to her. His sense of humor kept her from going insane. Pretending she wanted nothing to do with him had been harder than surrendering to desire. Licking her lips, she lowered her gaze to his mouth. Finally, she’d feel the heat of those sensual lips.

  “You’re still an arrogant jerk,” she whispered.

  He chuckled. “I can work with that.”

  His mouth covered hers and he pulled her away from the wall, pressing her tight against his body. With frantic urgency they touched each other, too impatient to fully undress. He slipped his hand beneath her uniform top and unfastened her undergarment, freeing her breasts for his eager exploration.

  She tugged his shirt up and found bare skin, stroking his back and sides with ravenous hunger. She’d dreamed of this, imagined their joining, yet he’d seemed reluctant to touch her.

  I knew they’d watch us. I didn’t want to put you through that. Even in her mind his voice sounded breathless and edgy.

  I don’t care. I want this. I want you.

  He drew her breath into his mouth and traced her lower lip with his tongue. His hand cupped her breast, his thumb teasing her nipple. I don’t want to share this with them. I want—

  They can only intrude if we let them. Look at me. Think only of me.

  Sweeping her into his arms, he placed her in the middle of the bunk and quickly undressed before joining her. “I’ve missed you,” he whispered as he pulled her uniform top off over her head then tossed her support garment aside. She sat, exploring his broad chest as he knelt between her legs. His body was masculine perfection, lean, toned and sharply defined. She squeezed his thick upper arms and broad shoulders. Her pulse raced as each touch brought them closer to fulfillment.

  He touched her with reverent care, his hands skimming her fevered skin. His patience tormented her, coiling tension between her spread thighs. She trailed her fingers downward, reaching for his thick cock, anxious to feel his hardness and his heat.

  “Not yet.” Grasping her wrists, he guided her hands to the bed behind her, arching her back provocatively. He bent to her breasts, capturing one nipple between his teeth while he firmly rolled the other.

  Each touch, each nibble wound the coil tighter. She squeezed her eyes shut, blinded by desire. Her legs trembled and her core pulsed. She needed him there, needed him now! “Please.” The word escaped on a ragged gasp. Weeks of anticipation and the ever-present sense of danger sharpened her emotions and fueled the flames.

  “Lie back.” The husky command robbed her of strength, made her hot and boneless. He tugged off her boots and unfastened her pants. She raised her hips so he could finish undressing her. “You made me wait. Don’t think this is going to be easy.” She trembled at the tender threat, reminded of their unwanted audience. “Open your eyes. Look at me. Think only of me.” The possessive passion gleaming in his gaze took her breath away. This was more than a mission. The emotions etched in his face were stark, elemental, real. “Raise your arms above your head and leave them there or I’ll bind you.”

  She obeyed, her gaze locked on his passion-flushed face. He touched her boldly, building her need to the edge of orgasm only to pause and refuse her release. After lavishing attention on her nipples, he wandered across her quivering abdomen. He scooted down, forcing her legs wide to accommodate his shoulders.

  Her lids started to droop as the throbbing became painful. “Look at me.” Their gazes collided and he pushed two fingers into her core. She cried out, arching off the bed.

  “Please.”

  He flicked his tongue across her clit twice then grinned. “You refused me for weeks. Why should I show mercy?”

  “I thought…I’m sorry. Please stop teasing me.”

  Dragging his fingers nearly out of her slick passage, he narrowed his gaze and covered her clit with his thumb. “I like teasing you. I like hearing you beg. Beg some more. Beg me to taste you.”

  A hard, needful spasm constricted her inner muscles while tenderness softened her heart. “Please taste me. Fill me with your tongue.” She’d never wanted anything more or needed anyone so desperately. He parted her folds with his fingers and traced her slit over and over. She bucked and swayed, trying to bring his tongue into contact with her aching clit. He was punishing her for her stubbornness, she understood that, but a certain gleam in his eyes warned her that this was not all for show. Evan intended to devour her, claim her, overwhelm her in ways she had yet to imagine.

  He pressed his lips against her, sinking his tongue deep. She gritted her teeth and whimpered, sensations welling up inside her. His warm hands on her thighs, his intimate kiss, his gaze burned into hers, it was all more than she could take. She cried out sharply and came in hard, shuddering waves.

  Prolonging the distinct spasms with his clever tongue, Evan dragged every last tingle from her body before he raised his head. “Turn over.”

  Lethargic and replete from the shattering orgasm, she didn’t move fast enough. He flipped her over onto her stomach then pulled her hips up until she understood what he wanted. She folded her legs beneath her, resting on her knees. He nudged her thighs apart and entered her in one forceful drive.

  She cried out, surprised by his sudden aggression and the stunning fullness of his thick length filling her. He reached a
round and found her swollen clit, pairing each deep thrust with a circular motion until she was gasping and rocking to meet him.

  “Mine.” He growled the word against her hair, his hands firm on her hips. “Say it, nephri. Say you’re mine.”

  Her body squeezed him greedily as he thrust into her. The intensity built. Her heart pounded against her ribs.

  “Say it!” He increased his speed and force until she cried out with each demanding penetration.

  “I’m—yours.” A pulse of Mystic energy burst from him and she screamed. He buried himself to the hilt, his arm wrapped around her hips. Wave after scalding wave crashed over them, sweeping them beyond the ship, beyond the danger, beyond reality.

  They clung to each other. Their harsh gasps the only sound. Wrapping her tight in his arms, he rolled them to their sides, his body still lodged deep inside hers. He pressed kisses against her neck and shoulder, one of his hands cupping her breast.

  “What does nephri mean?” she whispered.

  “It’s an ancient Mystic term.” His warm breath teased her ear. “It means beloved.”

  About the Author

  Anything-but-Ordinary is Cyndi’s creed and her writing reflects her dedication to the concept. She writes in a variety of genres, but seems happiest in outer space. Her books have been nominated for numerous awards, and Taken by Storm was named Best Fantasy/Science Fiction Romance of the year by Romance Reviews Today.

  She lives in Colorado with her high school sweetheart turned husband of many years. With a pampered cat curled on the corner of her desk, she dreams of fascinating words and larger than life adventures—and wouldn't have it any other way!

  Website / Blog: http://www.cyndifriberg.com