“I need a distraction. Unless you’re lifting the no-sex limitation.” He wiggled his eyebrows and she laughed. His hands settled on her hips and she rested the toe of each shoe on the chair’s support rail.
“Angie has been my responsibility since we lost our mother. She was only fifteen at the time, so it’s been really hard on her.”
He pushed one hand into her hair and his thumb teased her neck and traced her jawline. “It had to have been hard on you too.”
Had he stumbled over the word hard or was it her imagination? The massive bulge in the front of his pants was definitely real. “Do you have siblings?”
“Only child.” He leaned down and kissed the side of her neck.
This was so not working. “I don’t want to talk. I want to—” He cut off her sentence with his mouth.
Hot and agile, his tongue traced her lips in a tantalizing spiral venturing a tiny bit deeper with each turn. His fingers tangled in her hair, holding her still as he slowly sank into her mouth. She clenched his shirt, concentrating on his scent and his flavor. He tasted like the spicy citrus drink she’d tried second. She’d enjoyed it from the glass. It tasted even better on his tongue.
He stood up and she automatically wrapped her legs around his waist. Their mouths clung as he walked across the room and into the adjoining bedroom. He squeezed her ass firmly then tossed her onto the bed.
She gasped then laughed as she bounced on the springy surface. It felt more or less like a mattress, soft yet resistant. He tore his shirt off over his head and all thoughts of her surroundings vanished. With hunger glowing in his eyes and all those muscles on display, he was the most desirable person she’d ever seen. Her panties were already damp, but she didn’t care. She wanted him to know how he affected her.
He tugged her shirt out from inside her jeans. It buttoned down the front, but he easily pulled it off without bothering to unfasten them. Her bra soon followed and then her shoes and socks, but he left her jeans in place. Did he still intend to honor her request? She wasn’t sure if she was relieved or disappointed.
Apparently having heard her mental grumbling, he placed his hands on her shoulders and pulled her toward the edge of the bed. With her kneeling and him standing, their faces were nearly on a level. “It will be better for you if we wait.”
“But not better for you?”
He kissed the tip of her nose. “I want no regrets. It will be better for me too.”
They kissed again, their mouths meshed together as their tongues tangled. She took full advantage of his partial nudity and ran her hands boldly over his torso. He felt amazing. His skin unbelievably soft compared to the muscles and bone beneath.
His hands were just as bold as hers. He caressed her breasts with one hand as the other stroked up and down her back.
“Naked.” She gasped into his mouth. “I want you naked.”
He stilled, likely battling for control. “I’m not sure I can push it that far. I want you too badly.”
“Even if we get each other off with our hands, maybe our mouths?”
“How is that any different than having sex?” He raked his hair with his hand, his chest heaving. “This isn’t a game. I don’t think I’ve ever wanted anything as much as I want you right now.”
“Then I’ll do you first.”
He growled and sprang, knocking her over onto her back. Her legs bent beneath her for a moment then he pulled up on her knees so she could unfold them. “I give you this night, but know this. Come tomorrow, I will do everything in my power to seduce you.”
She laughed, thrilled by the compromise. “I don’t think I’ll be very hard to convince.” His gaze narrowed and then he reached for the metal button at the top of her fly. “I thought I was going to do you first.”
“In my bed, the lady always comes first.”
She wasn’t sure if the pun had been intentional, but it made her smile. “If you insist.”
He effortlessly freed the button from its hole then lowered her zipper. She lifted her hips as he pulled off her jeans. It felt odd to be naked while he was still half-dressed, but he sank to his knees without removing his jeans.
His gaze returned to hers as he dragged her panties down over her hips. “Your scent is making me dizzy. I’ve wanted to taste you since our energy exchange.”
Taste? Oh no. If he went down on her, she would end up begging for more than his tongue. Nothing made her hotter faster than oral sex. “I don’t think that’s a good idea.” She tried to scoot back out of reach, but he grabbed the underside of her knees and yanked her hips to the edge of the bed. “I meant me on you, not—”
“Too bad.” He draped her legs over his shoulders and buried his face between her legs. His tongue swiped her crease several times before he zeroed in on her clit. He reached around her hip with one hand and held her open, giving his tongue better access to her most sensitive parts.
“Oh God.” The words were propelled from her throat by a groan. He was as good at this as he was at other forms of kissing. She was in serious trouble.
He took his time, licking and gently sucking on her folds as her clit twitched, desperate for similar attention. He circled her opening, accenting the ache.
“Please.”
“Please what?”
Please ignore my limitations.
He gave her clit a slow lick then raised his head. “You don’t mean that.”
Part of her did, but she covered her face with her hands and said, “Just ignore me. I stopped making sense a long time ago.”
Slowly fingers pushed into her aching center. She whimpered and squeezed the blessed fullness. It was only a hint of what she really wanted, but it felt much better than nothing.
“Better?” He slid all the way out then drove back in.
“Yes.” She lifted into each stroke, taking him as deep as his fingers reached.
He opened her again with his free hand and lowered his head. She stilled beneath him, savoring the steady slide of his fingers as his lips closed around her clit. Oh yes. That was what she needed. He sucked gently and sped the rhythmic shuttle of his hand.
Tension coiled within her. She dug in her heels and lifted her hips. His tongue circled then his lips pulled, over and over, pushing the pleasure higher with each careful cycle. He twisted his wrist and added another finger. The additional fullness shattered her control.
She cried out as her inner muscles rippled and her womb clenched. The spasm was painful for a moment and then the tension released, shooting outward in bursts of blinding pleasure. She shook and moaned as her body surrendered completely to the sensations. He stayed with her, prolonging each pulse with the persistent stroke of his tongue.
The orgasm left her weak and sleepy. He lowered her legs then pulled off his boots before joining her on the bed.
“Let me catch my breath, then I’ll return the favor.”
He pulled her into his arms and tucked her head under his chin. “Not tonight. If you unzip these jeans, all bets are off. I know my own limitations.”
“But you’re still…” How could she still feel awkward after what he’d just done for her?
“I’ve been hard off and on since the energy transfer. I’m getting used to it.”
The strain in his voice said otherwise, so she tried one last time. “I won’t be able to sleep if you’re miserable. Please let me…do you.”
“Go to sleep, Tori. I’ve managed to keep my promise. Don’t ruin it for me now.”
She still felt like a selfish jerk, but exhaustion won out in the end. She settled against his side and drifted off to sleep.
* * * * *
Lor was dragged from sleep’s tranquil embrace by the warmth of lips closing around his cock. His eyes flew open and he found Tori bent over his crotch. She was still naked and the sight was so appealing he closed his eyes against the temptation. He was not going to take her until she had no reservations about their joining. This was payback. He had no doubt that it meant no more th
an that.
Rather than allowing the limitation to frustrate him, he concentrated on the blissful slide of her soft lips. Her tongue swiped his tip then she firmly sucked before taking him deep again.
His jeans were bunched about his hips. She hadn’t needed to take them off, just open them enough to draw out her target. Discontent with the arrangement, he lifted his hips and pushed his jeans lower, giving her access to his balls. She gently squeezed and the heat from her palm soothed the persistent throb he’d endured for the past day and a half. Gods, that felt good.
She moved faster, sliding up and down his shaft as her tongue continued its tantalizing swirl. He gathered her hair in one hand and slowly opened his eyes, needing to see as well as feel what she was doing. Her face was so flushed her cheeks matched her lips. He watched his cock disappear between those soft pink lips then immerge shiny from the moisture inside her mouth.
His balls tightened, threatening to release his seed, so he quickly closed his eyes again. He wanted to savor the experience, revel in her selflessness, but he’d waited so long, had been hard countless hours before this amazing surprise.
One hand stroked him as she concentrated on his sensitive tip. He groaned and shivered as tingles raced up and down his spine. “I’m close, Tori. If you don’t want me to…”
She redoubled her efforts to shatter his control, taking him so deep with each determined stroke that he bumped the back of her mouth. He clawed at the bedding with his free hand, unable to contain his rumbling sounds of pleasure.
He tried to jerk back before he went off, but she wouldn’t allow the retreat. She sucked him deep and kept him there until he surrendered to his long-neglected need. He arched off the bed and shuddered as pleasure rolled down his length and shot from his tip into her throat. He came and came some more, his hand lightly fisted in her soft hair.
Long moments later, she slowly released him and sat back on her heels. “Good morning.”
Her smile was almost smug, but he didn’t care. She’d pleasured him so well he was tempted to go back to sleep. “You didn’t need to do that. The way last night ended was my choice not yours.”
“I wanted to and now we’re even.”
He didn’t have the strength to argue so he just said, “Thank you.”
They showered together, but her mood was playful rather than ready for more. It was easier for him to allow her space now that he’d had relief.
“So what’s on the agenda for today?” She reached for the bottle of shampoo, but he snatched it out of her hand and told her to turn around. She obliged and he washed her hair as he told her what he had planned for the day.
“The High Queen will be here in about an hour. I’m not sure how long she’ll stay.”
“I’ve never met royalty before,” she reminded him. “Is there anything I need to know so I don’t embarrass you?”
“You could never embarrass me unless you set out do to so. Queen Charlotte will likely surprise you. She is very personable. She also spent the first thirty years of her life on Earth.”
“Really?” She turned around and let the spray rinse the suds from her hair. “Why was an Ontarian queen raised on Earth?” She grabbed the shampoo bottle off the shelf where he’d placed it and poured some into her hand. Wasn’t she satisfied with the job he’d done?
“She didn’t know who she was and everyone on Ontariese thought she had died long ago.” She reached up and smeared the shampoo across his hair then began to scrub. “It was a surprise to everyone when Tal returned from Earth with one of the royal twins in tow.”
She moved behind him as she asked, “Charlotte has a sister?”
“Yes, but she lives on Bilarri with her life mate. He’s one of the regional kings.”
“Are your parents still alive?”
He closed his eyes as her fingers continued their marvelous massage. “My father is.” He’d been dealing with the loss of his mother for most of his life and still a pang of sadness passed through him. Perhaps wounds that deep never healed. “I was a child when my mother died, but I still miss her.”
“I’m sorry.” She guided him back into the spray as she moved around and faced him. “I know how painful it is to lose a mother or anyone you love that much. Are you and your father close?”
“We are not. My father is not a nice person. Master Tal has been far more of a father to me than my biological father.”
“It’s hard to think of Tal as anyone’s father. He doesn’t look much older than you.”
“He is older than he looks. Another advantage of being a shapeshifter. His twin daughters are in their twenties. In fact, there had been some talk about a match between Echo and me, but Varrik had other ideas.”
“Who is Varrik?”
“One of the Shadow Assassins. The alpha sweeper.”
That caught her attention. She smoothed the hair back from her face and looked up at him. “One of Tal’s daughters is married to a Shadow Assassin? How in the world did that happen?”
“The usual way. He captured her and… It doesn’t matter. Their romance is what led to the disbanding of the Shadow Assassins, so I suppose I should be grateful.”
After a tense pause she asked, “Are you in love with her?”
He shook his head, but the subject still annoyed him. “It would have been a highly beneficial union and we liked each other enough to make it pleasant, but it was never love with Echo.”
She seemed pleased by this, but she wiggled away when he tried to pull her back into his arms. “I need to get dressed.” She snatched a towel off the rack and stepped out of the shower enclosure.
She was right. They needed to be presentable for High Queen Charlotte. Still, it felt like Tori was running away from him.
* * * * *
Lor had nearly married a princess. The realization pestered Tori as she dried her hair. How could he even consider a serious relationship with someone like her when he was obviously meant for greater things? Even on Earth she was nothing special. She had an interesting job, earning a better-than-average salary, but Lor was nobility. She didn’t know much about the Ontarian social structure, but it was obvious that Lor was from the highest echelon.
After braiding her hair, she slipped into the clothes that had been left for her. The length of the top indicated that it wasn’t meant to be tucked in and the pants were a simple slip-on style with a drawstring waist. The geometric pattern in muted jewel tones kept the outfit from being utterly boring. Still, she felt like she was wearing scrubs. Oh well, the only option was to put her dirty clothes back on and that would never do.
When she stepped out of the humid bathroom she found Lor seated at the table dressed in robes similar to the ones Tal had been wearing. The Head Master’s outfit had been pale gray. Lor’s was chocolate brown edged in turquoise. Though the color combination picked up the gold tones in his hair and perfectly matched the color of his eyes, she couldn’t help thinking of the clergy.
“Do all Mystics wear dresses?” she teased.
“When they’re at the Conservatory, most do. It’s a choice not an obligation. Our ‘dresses’ are remarkably comfortable.”
“What are you wearing underneath?” She flashed a saucy smile then joined him at the table.
“If the High Queen weren’t on her way, sweet thing, I’d show you.” He motioned toward the covered platter. “You still have time to eat, if you hurry.”
She lifted the cover and let out a happy cry. “French toast? How did you… Were you reading my mind in the shower? I’ve been craving French toast ever since I woke up.” She giggled then clarified, “Well, ever since I finished my appetizer.”
He smiled, his gaze warm and caressing. “There’s fresh coffee too.”
“I think I’ve died and gone to heaven.” She inhaled deeply as she filled a large mug from the insulated pot. “I like the smell of coffee even more than the taste.” She took several sips before turning her attention to her food. “Aren’t you eating?”
“Already did, but I’m always ready for more.”
Somehow she didn’t think he was talking about breakfast anymore.
“The results arrived while you were primping.”
“I do not primp. You’re vainer than I am.”
He arched his brows at her “Do you want to know what the tests determined or not?”
“You know I do.” Her pulse leapt and her belly tensed. She felt like an Oscar nominee waiting for her name to be announced.
“You are in very good health. They detected no diseases or even any serious risk factors.”
She glared at him. It was obvious he was intentionally drawing out the suspense. “You’re being a jerk.”
“Your father was Ontarian. You, my love, are a human/Ontarian hybrid.”
“I wonder if my mother knew.” The thought of having a faceless alien in her family tree had been unsetting enough, but the culprit was her father.
“We have no way of knowing for certain.” He paused, compassion clear in his gaze. “Was her death sudden?”
“No. She had cancer.”
He reached across the table and squeezed her hand. “It seems unlikely that she would have left you and Angie without ever having spoken about your origins if she knew the truth.”
Her mother seldom spoke of the man who had fathered both her children. When she did comment on him, she frequently referred to him as the sperm donor, which pretty much said it all. At times Tori thought her mother had been so heartbroken by his abandonment that she had never recovered. Other times she thought he had honestly not been that important in her mother’s life.
“According to Mom, Angie and I were fathered by the same man, but she should probably be tested as well. No need to freak her out if she’s a regular old human.”
He nodded then reached for his coffee mug. “You’ll have a lot to explain to her when we return.”
“But I thought you said I wouldn’t be able to talk about any of this.”
“We’ll protect her from the truth as long as we can, but I suspect she’ll need to know at some point.”
Knowing they didn’t have much time before the High Queen’s arrival, Tori only nodded and concentrated on devouring her breakfast.
Mystic Militia Page 12
