Jade sighed. “I wish I’d paid more attention. We’re talking more than ten years ago, and honestly, I’ve forgotten most of her stories. Just little pieces remain. Nothing definite. I'd have to sleep on it a while.”
“About the gods?” Lauren reached for her drink and held it close to her chest for something to do. If she couldn’t refocus her attention, she’d start fidgeting and getting nervous. “Do you mean, like, a deity?”
“I guess. Unless you know something about gods that I don’t.” Jade shrugged.
“Do you remember anything else?”
“Grandma mentioned a gentle goddess who intended no harm and protected nature. Unless, of course, a dude goes after her with bad intentions or something she cares about.” Jade sucked her cheeks. “There was a guardian of home life and order, they could've been separate gods, now I think about it. I vaguely remember a peacekeeper. I guess. I always thought she sounded kind of boring when I was little. She was too goodly for my tastes. Some of them were warriors and that sounded a lot more exciting. But I guess whatever god rescued you, he's got a crush on you. Leaving you presents like that. He’s trying to woo you, Lauren. I wonder which one of the three it would be?”
Lauren blushed, which made Jade burst out laughing.
“God,” Jade said. “You are crazy. You’re getting worked up over my grandmother’s stories?”
“Jasper’s real, even if your grandmother’s stories aren't. I know it sounds crazy, but I promise, it’s true.”
“Then why don’t you go meet up with him?” Jade asked. “Go back to the woods and find somewhere you know he’s been. Demand he show himself. If he’s one of these gods, he’ll hear you. And if he’s into you, he’ll probably show up.”
“And then what?” Lauren asked. “What if he does show up?”
Jade winked and worked her tongue around her lips slowly and suggestively.
Lauren slapped her on the arm.
“And you can get to the bottom of why he’s courting you, for one. But seriously, a chance to meet a god isn’t reason enough? What else do you have to do with your summer, Lauren? So what if it’s crazy? If you think he’s real, what do you have to lose?”
Lauren couldn’t argue with that logic.
CHAPTER NINE
The pup boldly scampered across the forest floor. Lauren progressed with caution, picking her way through the raised roots as she searched for anywhere that looked familiar, hoping the dog would lead her to Jasper.
Jasper because he was the guy she kissed. They had chemistry between them. She’d woke up in his bed. If they were left alone, anything could have happened, instead they were chaperoned by the two others. That was Lauren’s latest interpretation, and she struggled to make sense of what happened.
She stopped abruptly, surprised by a cacophony of noise that erupted somewhere to her left.
It was only birds, but all of them judging by the din made by the squawking.
Certain she didn’t need to go in that direction, picturing a scene from the Alfred Hitchcock movie, she wasn’t going to go and investigate. She didn’t fancy bird poop on her shoulders either.
As she walked, Lauren considered Jade’s story.
If the walls between this reality and another world were thin in this place, did the men slip back and forth between dimensions as and when it suited? Or did another force control which side they materialized on?
Had Jasper taken Lauren to a rustic abode in another dimension? Were they warriors? Were they gods?
Truly, Lauren found the old stories too crazy to believe, even after her experience.
The pup came to a stop and howled—or, at least, it attempted to. Lauren stopped, recognizing the rotted tree stump as the same one that took the place of the fire pit on the morning she’d woken up in the woods.
“Jasper!” she called out. “Jasper, if you’re here, show yourself! I need to see you!”
Apart from the usual sounds of nature, and the distant squeaking of birds, the area remained silent.
Raising her chin, Lauren breathed in deeply. Her lungs filled with the peaty aroma of moss and the decay of seasons past. The earthy scent grounded her and making her one with the pulsing depths of the planet under her feet.
The air buzzed.
The hair on the back of Lauren’s neck stood on end, and her head lolled to the side, exposing the curve of her neck.
A warm breath traced across it, and hands slid along her sides from behind and dipped toward her pelvis. The breath caught in Lauren’s throat, but it didn’t matter. At that moment, the air wasn’t enough. As if her cells had divided and she was suspended in space somewhere else.
Lips traced across her neck, following the passage of the hot breath before them.
Jasper? Lauren breathed.
There was no mistaking it. She didn’t need to see the man. It was no stranger. Her skin welcomed his touch. Her nose craved his scent. Her ears longed for his voice. And her mouth turned dry with the need of his kisses.
Lauren’s body throbbed with life in a way it had only ever done in the presence of those three men. It was as if Lauren had just awoken after sleeping for years.
The lips pressed against her skin, a warm and silent confirmation without words.
Lauren closed her eyes and let her body go slack. His solid chest met her back as he held her steady, his strong arms supportive and protective wrapping around her. And sparks arced across her skin at every point of contact.
The man didn’t speak. His lips pulled away from Lauren’s neck to kiss a spot just beneath Lauren’s ear, making her knees go weak. A tiny moan broke free of her throat, and she leaned against him, even more dependent on his support than before. She gasped as when hard teeth grazed the ridge of her ear, Lauren let out a shuddering breath.
“What do you want from me?” Lauren whispered, her breath already ragged.
By way of an answer, the hands sitting low on her pelvis pulled her closer. She relaxed her entire body against the solid figure behind her. Held in the man's powerful strength Lauren didn't question that he was both magical and strong enough to hold her. There was now no question whether or not the man wanted her from the way he touched her. The hard rod pressed against her back confirmed it.
She moved against it, aware of how much she'd like it against her skin to skin. She'd not seen him, so she only assumed he was wearing clothes. She reached behind her. Sure enough, she discovered a thick leather belt and jeans.
Her nether parts flooded with warm lubrication and desire.
She wondered how uncomfortable and hot he might be dressed like that. Her own cotton shorts were so small and the fabric so thin that if he kept pressing and rubbing his fingers against her clit, as he was doing, there was a high probability of a wet patch.
His oral attention departed her ear and his kisses coated her cheek.
As she turned her face toward him, her eyes closed while she basked in his rich intoxicating scent, it hinted of a burning open fire and fruity olive oil.
She felt so aroused and needy. In retrospect, it should’ve been obvious. His presence was an aphrodisiac, just as that night in the cabin.
Lauren had become addicted. And she had no reason to be shy; after all, she didn’t start this.
“Will you come with me?” His words just a breathy whisper wafting over her cheek.
Her eyes fluttered open and she caught sight of him from the corner of one eye.
Zander?
Even though she expected Jasper to come for her, she was thrilled, not disappointed when she realized it was Zander.
Now, two of the sort-of-hot, scary guys had kissed her. She probably shouldn’t want that but couldn’t help reveling in it.
Realizing it was not the man she thought it was, she had no instinct to call a halt, pull away or deny how her desires. So it was a different guy. He smelled good. He'd turned her on. She had nothing to feel guilty.
What was he asking? What did she want? It didn't take much thought. She was single
, and if she wanted to do this thing in the woods with a guy she knew nothing about she was old enough to make that decision.
“Will you come with me?” he repeated.
“Yes,” she replied.
In the strange in-between, the world bled away, and with it, things no longer of consequence bled away, too.
She turned in his arms to discover again he wore nothing on his upper body. She glanced down to discover he was barefooted too. And the bulge at the crotch of his jeans looked enticing.
Her clothes peeled away easily in the experienced, masterful hands of the man.
He undid buttons and clasps swiftly with ease. When her bra slipped away he brushed his hands gently over her breasts before squeezing them firmly. He lowered himself to flick his tongue over her hard nipples at the same time as he slipped his fingers inside the elasticated waistbands and tugged down her shorts and panties in one move.
With unfathomable strength, he lifted her as if she were weightless and lowered her on to her back on the soft mossy forest bed. She propped herself up on her elbows and watched him tackle her footwear. Though her clothes were lightweight for the summer heat, her footwear was sturdy, laced, and sensible for a landscaping job or woodland rambles.
The clothes, the forest, the world all dissolved into the ether. Zander stroked bare skin, his palm sinking down over Lauren’s crotch as if he already knew her. Like he’d known Lauren’s body since the dawn of time.
Never touched in quite way by anyone before, so slowly and with such reverence, Lauren never expected an experience like this with a stranger.
Yet, without apprehension, caution, or shame, Lauren didn’t attempt to stop it. Instead, she let herself give in to her desires. Her head fell back, and she spread her legs wider, showing him all she offered. Inviting his touch. Eager for his cock.
It didn’t seem as if he were a stranger.
She moaned, the sound stretching out around them like ripples through a pond.
Condoms.
She suddenly thought. Perhaps he had some, men carried stuff like that, didn't they? She didn't. If the worst came to the worst, there was the morning after pill as she certainly didn't want to stop.
Zander’s hand moved over her mound and pressed with greater pressure as his fingers slipped between her delicate folds of skin.
Her arousal lubricated the motion making it smooth and easy.
With a gasp, she tilted her hips, rubbing herself against him. Urging him on.
His fingers sank deeper into the hungry, wet heat, but not deep enough. Not penetrating her in the way she wanted.
Ever sure of himself, Zander's hands coaxed noises from her. Still, his palm held steady and firm against Lauren's swollen clit.
The sensation overwhelmed her. Lauren had never been so turned on before, never so wet, nor more eager to come.
“Zander.” Lauren gasped, writhing in pleasure. She’d never experienced such uninhibited and freedom with a stranger in an unfamiliar outdoor place. “Oh my God.”
“Shh…” Zander he smiled at her before lowering his face out of view to apply his tongue to the place places his fingers had already visited.
She wanted to watch him, which conflicted with her urge to squeeze her eyes tightly shut. More, though, she wanted him to enter her. To hit all those pleasant spots inside and make her come.
Instead, he took control like he owned her body, and she had no complaints because she had no idea a mouth could deliver such divine bliss. His tongue dipped between each fold of her labia and worked up and down from her clit to her ass. At the same time. A finger and then two slipped with ease inside her needy, wet tunnel.
She was losing control and knew she'd come any moment, but she didn't want this joy to ever end.
Right then she’d do anything, but Zander asked nothing of her. The man only gave and gave and gave with his tongue, his mouth, his fingers.
Breathless and silent, Lauren panted and gasped as Zander kept her on the edge of ecstasy.
Lauren longed for more.
As turned on as she was, she wanted to experience a deeper connection with Zander.
She longed to be filled, doubly filled, completely fulfilled by this man.
Tears gathered in the corners of Lauren’s eyes, as unfamiliar emotions surged and threatened to engulf her. She didn’t understand them. She’d never needed something or someone so much in her life.
She worked her hips in slow, desperate motions.
Lauren called out, “Zander! Oh, Zander!”
The pleasure didn’t stop. Wantonly, Lauren spread her legs a little and thrust her crotch forward against Zander’s face, encouraging the tongue, hot and wet, firm and soft, giving and exploring.
He responded to her body, fucking with his fingers, harder, deeper.
Such never-known pleasure became too much to bear.
After timeless minutes’ worth of willing endurance, Lauren succumbed to the inescapable pleasure. Each new touch became explosive. Lauren couldn’t imagine anything as good again.
She sucked in a breath. Tears fell down her cheeks as she strained her head upward and her entire body clenched tight and tense.
Bliss incarnate.
Parts of Lauren’s body that she never knew existed tingled and sparked with joy.
“Zander.” Lauren sighed. His name was the only word she could say.
She didn’t remember how she found herself lying down with her back pressed against something firm but soft and comfortable. All that happened in the lead up to wave upon wave of multiple orgasms blurred and faded from her mind.
Lost to pleasure, she wanted as much as he could give and he showed no sign of stopping. Playing her body, taking her on until she begged him to stop.
He stilled his movement instantly on request.
When he lay down beside her, the alien harshness of his denim jeans and belt buckle came as a jolt. How selfishly she'd enjoyed his touch when he was still dressed. She didn't have time to ponder or act on that thought as she sensed his arms moving beside her. She heard the unfastening of his fly. From the corner of her eye, she saw him arch his back and push his clothes down.
Barely did she register his massive erection with glinting metal additions when he rolled her body on to her side, facing away from him.
She hadn't expected that.
Behind her, Zander's hand adjusted himself. His huge shaft slipped against her ass and down, to nestle between her thighs. He thrust a couple of long, slow movements back and forth into the space. His thick, hard member felt incredible and erotic between her legs but didn't quite hit any of the right places for her.
She'd expected him to enter her and she'd never done anything like this before.
After a few long strokes, he wrapped a long arm around her and placed his hand on her clit.
“No, I can't take anymore.” She covered his hand with her own. “Not there. I'd like you in me.” She was satisfied beyond anything she'd ever felt. But was more than eager to share the ultimate experience with him.
He moaned. Loud incomprehensible words fell from his lips. She guessed he might be swearing in a foreign language. At the same time, he moved his hand to her hips and continued to jerk his own. His thrusts became faster. His breathing less controlled.
She stayed as still as he could and savored the way he held her. Not moving wasn’t easy; she wanted to buck, to rut, to do something.
Lips met the back of her neck. He kissed her wherever he could reach, each kiss lasting and passionate as if Zander had only ever loved her. Lauren let herself believe the fantasy. It was too tempting to resist.
His thrusts gained speed, and he moved between her accommodating legs faster than before. She pressed back against him and felt his body shudder and fall still the instant his seed shot out in front of her and fell to nourish the ground below them.
He'd come, she'd already come.
The world returned, slowly but surely.
Lauren saw the trees and felt th
e forest floor. The world must’ve always been there. Zander's arms wrapped around her and held her firmly in place. They were still joined, the hunter’s cock wedged between Lauren's thighs, neither of them wanting to move.
Lauren longed for a time they might be bound together even more intimately but also felt satisfied and elated to have experienced all of that with him.
She’d gone ahead and had sex with a man who she barely knew. She didn’t feel guilt, or fear, or shame. Only satisfaction. This Hunter was hers.
CHAPTER TEN
Zander ran a hand through Lauren’s hair like she was a precious thing to be coddled. Lauren closed her eyes and relaxed. With Zander there to protect her, she didn’t need to worry about anything.
The cub nosed Lauren’s face, and she opened her eyes and smiled. The pup play-nipped at her hair until Zander’s arm parted from around her to grab it by the scruff and set it a short distance away. The pup got the message and curled up against the tree stump again.
Lauren choked back a laugh.
“She’s from you, right?” Lauren asked. “All of it has been. The fish, the pouch, and the dog?”
“Gifts for you, as we are sworn together, yes,” Zander said. “She will be loyal to you.”
All this time, she’d been right. Lauren beamed, and she shifted her hips as the man relaxed. “Sworn?”
“There are old customs.” The man spoke quietly, but his words weren't drowned out by the sound of the woods. It seemed as if nature itself respected him. “Old tales. Old flames.”
“What about something new?” Lauren asked. She wasn’t old—just old enough to be an adult, really—but she couldn’t imagine life going back to the way it had been. “I mean if you want that…”
The man laughed, a heartwarming sound that rolled over Lauren’s neck.
She closed her eyes and relaxed.
“There is no need for the new.”
“Why no need for the new?”
“We've got new names, but really they are just modern versions of our old names. And in your world we wear these new clothes, but we're more comfortable in Spartan clothes.” He chuckled as if he'd told himself a joke.
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