by Honor James
Chapter Nine
Wiping his face with a towel, Laighean took the water offered from one of the Dragons. He was still trying to learn all the names and this one eluded him. “Thank you,” he murmured before taking a long drink from the icy bottle. He could feel Rimi watching him. Her gaze was like a sensual stroke along his every sense. The only reason he hadn’t yet jumped her delicate bones was because he wasn’t looking her way.
Rimi and Kat were up in the bleachers for yet another day of training as they had been for the last week and a half. Surrounded by snacks galore, and whispering softly between one another. Every now and again he heard one or both of them laugh, sigh, or groan before more whispering occurred. He did not want to look up and find out what they were discussing, also why he was staying out of Rimi’s thoughts. He knew that one peek, mental or physical, and he’d abduct her for the nearest lockable room.
Rimi shot Laighean a look, one that was of pure heat and need. In his mind she said, I need you Lee. I need you so very much that I think that I’m about ready to scream. According to Kat there is a locking broom closet or supply closet that’s just inside of the hall. How about you and I take turns getting there? Because she needed him dammit. She needed him now. No ifs, ands, or buts about it, she had to have him.
Licking his lips slowly, he wiped at his face again with the towel. Lean into Kat like you’re telling her you need to use the restroom and then head out. I will follow in about a minute or so. He would track her easily. He always could and would.
Sounds perfect to me. Rimi grinned and leaned in to Kat. Whispering in her ear, she said, “I need my man. Back soon, or not.” She laughed, and when Kat just winked at her, she moved down off the bleachers and headed into the base.
Grabbing another bottle of water, Laighean drank slowly as he watched the group. After a moment, he frowned and dug out his cell. He still didn’t fully understand the purpose of such things, but he was learning how to utilize such technology. Flipping it open, he pressed a couple of buttons and then shut it on a sigh. “I’ll be back in a few,” he muttered to one of the other Fae Guards. “Keep an eye on our Queen while I’m gone.” He slung the towel around his neck and moved to the door with an unhappy look on his face. Once outside, he let the mock look slide and followed the trail his bond-mate had left for him.
As soon as Laighean walked into the small room, she grabbed him so that she could kiss him. Hungry and desperate, she held onto him. Pulling back, she winked up at him. “So tell me, darling, are you learning lots of moves from those Dragons?” She hoped he was learning how to get naked faster.
“I’m learning how to put the hurt on someone damned fast,” he murmured, pressing a kiss to her neck as he shoved at his workout shorts. He’d gotten rid of the shirt early on. It had been too warm and had given his opponents something to hold on to.
“Good.” Her nails ran down his chest and she shivered. “Lord I love how you looked out there. You are so freaking hot.” She pulled back and winked at him. “I think you need to put a hurt on the clothes I’m wearing, because I have on far, far too many, darling.”
“You also need to have something to wear later,” he said quietly. “I’d love to tear them all off of you, but I can’t.” He nipped at her mouth lightly. Tugging at her clothes, he got them off as carefully as he could manage with all haste.
“There are sweats behind you that I could put on, baby. Tear them off,” she said with a grin. “I don’t care what it takes, just get us both naked.” She growled. “Because I need you inside of me. Now.” It was a desperate demand, pure and simple.
Groaning at her words, he gripped her shirt and tore it open, lowering his head to her breasts as he yanked the cups of her bra down. He truly despised modern undergarments, though she had many that had his mouth watering nearly constantly. Tearing open her pants, he shoved them down her legs and pushed them away.
Stepping out of the shredded clothing, Rimi rubbed her body against his. “Against the wall. Now.” Lifting her leg, she wrapped it around his hip and pulled him closer. “I need you.” She was determined, desperate. “Now.” It was a desperate growl.
Pushing her to the wall, he lifted her and slid into her waiting heat. “So wet,” he groaned as she enveloped him easily. Cupping her ass, he held her for his repeated invasion as he thrust into her over and over, pressing her hard to the wall each time.
“Baby, I’ve been wet since you pulled off your damn shirt,” she told him with a grin. Clawing at his back hard enough she was leaving marks on him. “Harder,” she growled. “More. Harder. Fuck me, Lee.”
Gripping her chin in one hand, he held her for a kiss as he slammed into her harder. He was trying to keep from bruising her back, but at that point his thought processes were a little, well, shaky to say the least.
You aren’t going to hurt me, baby. Not now and not ever. I trust and believe in you, but harder. I’m not going to break, and you damn well know it. All right, so she liked their sex a little rough at times. Yes, she really liked rough at times like this, but there were also times she loved it when he simply made love with her.
Growling softly, he moved his mouth to her neck and bit her lightly, scraping his teeth to her soft skin. Lifting her one leg from his waist, Laighean draped it over his arm and pressed her open, bracing his hand to the wall as he moved his hips in an ever-increasing rhythm. Gone was style and panache. This was about fucking his mate.
This was what she needed, what she wanted. She needed and wanted him to lose control as he was now. She screamed in intense pleasure, her heart soaring and her body creaming so hard that she was sure that it was running down both their legs. At this point in time she didn’t care who the hell heard them. Right now she just needed him.
Thrusting hard, he bit her shoulder harder than he’d likely intended as he spilled into her body. Her inner muscles squeezed and clenched at him over and over, milking him for everything he had, and demanding more.
Rimi bit Lee just as hard as he bit her. She screamed against his shoulder where she bit him and knew true pleasure from that moment. She shuddered and within a half second was giving in to the pure need to slump in his arms. Yawning, she laid her head on his shoulder and shivered. “God that was amazing,” she whispered.
Nodding weakly, Laighean waited for his brain to start functioning again. Any time he got near her it seemed to short out, and he worked only on the most primal and basic levels. Taking a slow breath, he nipped her shoulder again lightly. “You are amazing,” he said, rather proud he’d managed to string three coherent words together in a manner that made sense.
That had her grinning, and she winked at him. “And I think that you are rather amazing yourself.” She nuzzled her cheek to his shoulder and sighed happily. “So how much of the base do you think heard us?” she asked in a tone that said she didn’t give a flying fuck who may have heard them.
“Easily half,” he murmured, letting her leg down. Lifting his head, he kissed her gently. “But likely even more than that,” he said softly. Letting her down to her feet as he slid free of her body, he kept his arm around her until her legs were steadier.
She shrugged. “I honestly don’t care,” she admitted. “It really and truly doesn’t bother me in the least. Does it you?” She knew that they would both likely receive some ribbing, but she really didn’t care. It was worth it to have him as hers and to know that everyone knew just how well-loved she was.
“Doesn’t bother me in the least,” he murmured with a slow smile. “I happen to love my bond-mate and like others knowing that fact. Ensures that they keep their hands and eyes to themselves,” he told her. Stroking a finger over her breast lightly, he smiled as she shivered, her nipple tightening more.
“I’m glad that it doesn’t, because it really doesn’t bother me either. I don’t care who knows just how much pleasure you give me.” She shivered. Biting her lower lip, she added, “And if you keep it up they will know just how much staying power you have and t
hey will become seriously jealous of you, darling.”
“Highly doubtful,” he murmured with a faint smile to her. “But it is an interesting thought at least,” Laighean said, dipping his head to tease her nipple. Cupping her soft flesh, he rolled the bud with his lips and tongue, teasing it because he hadn’t had enough of her yet. He likely wouldn’t ever get enough of her.
“I love how that feels,” she whimpered. “So good,” she told him with a moan. “To have you doing that to me. Keep it up and we will be fucking again. Please keep it up.”
Chuckling softly, he stroked his fingers between her legs as he nibbled on her flesh. Moving to her other breast, he suckled and toyed with her nipple. Thrusting his fingers deep into her body, he backed her to a desk buried under boxes. Thankfully there was an end empty for her to lean back against.
Leaning back against the boxes, Rimi opened herself to him. “Again.” Demand, pure and simple. “I already need you again.” Lord, Rimi would have to up her caloric intake to keep up with him, but she was totally and completely down with that.
Smiling, he let her nipple slip from his lips. “If I could stay buried inside of you every moment of every day I would,” he whispered. Moving between her legs, he slid into her as he withdrew his fingers. “I just don’t think either of us would survive without food for more than a few hours.”
“I think that this is true,” she told him with a whimper, moving closer to the edge and wrapping her legs around him. “So we will instead just simply take every single moment that we can and enjoy it while we can. I think that is the best of the best of ideas, don’t you?”
“I think I may need to arrange for a little time off.” He groaned out the words as he slid fully into her body. “I seem to be more distracted than normal.” Not that he minded in the least. Catching her by the nape, Laighean pulled her in to kiss her as he began to thrust into her.
Kissing him, she held him close and whimpered. I would love for you to have time off, but you and I both know that you can’t. It just builds the anticipation, she moaned. Lifting her hips, she met him thrust for thrust, desperate and needy. She had never before felt anything like this in her life. The pure pleasure of having him inside of her, the need that seemed a constant ache.
Bracing his hands on the desk, he smiled against her mouth. You just like being able to hijack me whenever you feel the need. He happened to like it as well. He never knew if he’d make it an entire shift before he was jumped by his delicious, sensual little mate.
Yes, I do. She loved being able to just come at him at any moment in time. Those times are just some of the best times. Especially when you are out on patrol, the night is our cover, and we are able to get just naked enough to be able to fuck like bunnies. Even though his men knew just what they did.
Of course they know what we are up to, he said with a smile, nibbling on her lip. “They can hear us after all,” he whispered against her mouth, thrusting harder, deeper as he pressed her back against the boxes more. “They claim the first warning is the forest animals all bolting for cover.” Laighean chuckled at her pink cheeks.
That had her giggling and shaking her head. “Only because they don’t want the babies to know about sex yet,” she teased. “God, enough talking.” She growled and grabbed him closer. “I think that we need another orgasm or two so that we can maybe get clothes on and make it back home so that we can play in the Jacuzzi.”
Smiling, he kissed her hard again as he moved faster. I love how amazing you are. You know just what you want and go for it. Thankfully he was one of those things. Sucking on her lip, he pressed a finger to her clitoris and rubbed it hard, all in time with his thrusts.
That had her grinning, but the moment that he rubbed her clit she came apart in his arms. She heard herself screaming, the sound muted by his mouth sealed to hers. Sobbing out in pure pleasure, she whimpered against him. Lee! Please, honey, now! she begged.
Thrusting harder a few more strokes, he came with her, following her over the edge into pure bliss and pleasure. Shouting her name into her mouth, he collapsed over her as his body spilled deeply into hers again and again.
She was completely limp in his arms. A silly smile covered Rimi’s lips and she breathed heavily. Goodness, I love you so very much, Lee, but you have worn me out. She teased with another yawn. “We should find some clothes and go home. I need a nap,” she insisted.
Snorting softly at her words, he pressed a kiss to her neck. “You need to find clothes. Mine are in perfect condition,” he whispered. “Just remember you did tell me to rip them from your body,” he murmured with a smile before he lifted his head. “If you need a nap you could borrow Quincy’s sofa. He does talk to himself while he works, so that may be an issue.”
“And I am perfectly fine with that.” She moved on shaky legs toward the shelving unit that held the spare scrubs and pulled a pair out for herself. Shaking them, she pulled the legs on and then the top. Winking at him, she also tugged on a jacket to help cover her bralessness and smirked. “All right, take me somewhere that I can have a nap then, darling.”
Finishing dressing, he grabbed his water and the towel. Taking her hand, Laighean led her from the closet and toward Quincy’s office. Knocking lightly, he stuck his head in. “Can Rimi crash on your sofa for an hour or two?”
“Uh, sure?” Quincy blinked up at the Fae as he tried to catch up with the conversation. “There’s a pillow and blanket in the closet, and as long as she doesn’t mind me yakking up a mile a minute, she’s welcome to it.”
“Trust me, it won’t even bother me,” Rimi murmured sleepily and yawned. When Lee passed her the blanket and pillow, she curled up on the couch and sighed. “You have a very comfy couch, Quincy,” she told him with a smile and rubbed her cheek to the pillow once more.
“Damn straight I do. I spend more than a little time napping on it,” Q said with a frown.
“I’ll come and get you after training is done,” Laighean said to her as he tucked her in. Pressing a kiss to her lips, he stood up and looked to Quincy, who was trying to figure out why she was so tired. Waiting patiently, he rolled his eyes as the bulb went on and nodded. “Thanks, Q,” he told the man again and headed back to the training center. He had to tell Kat where her cheerleader buddy was and get back to work.
Katherine grinned up at Laighean when he passed her in the hall. “Hello, boys,” she murmured happily to both Lee and Q. “So since the two of you are together I’m going to assume that Rimi is sleeping on your couch, Quincy?”
“Yup, and I just couldn’t remember what I was working on, so I figured I’d come and keep you company while your bestie is snoring,” Quincy said, settling in at her side. “So, where are you going, and why do your guards look like they are scrambling?”
“Oh, likely because they are trying to figure out how to slip word to my bond-mates that I hurled again. I guess they think that my men are clueless even though they haven’t even brought up the fact that I keep puking my guts out and I’ve begun eating meat more than they do.” Shrugging, Katherine looked up at Quincy and asked, “How are Maya and Viren?”
Shaking his head at her words, he watched Laighean move over to the others and calm them down. Sitting on the bleachers next to her, he kicked out his feet. “Maya is amazing and wonderful, and Viren is growing like a weed and so damned smart. The little guy is keeping her on her toes day and night with all he’s trying to pull on her.”
Katherine grinned. “He is your son. That boy is going to be even smarter than you are, I believe, and that’s going to be one serious trouble for you, Mister Quincy. Has he developed a sweet tooth yet?” Quincy and his Skittles and Maya and her gummy worms. Katherine could only shake her head.
“Nope, he’s only on all the nice healthy stuff he needs to grow up big and strong. But he’s also not practicing any magics either,” Quincy told her honestly. “Maya and I both agreed we want him to be older so he understands how it all works before we introduce him to it. So for now we a
re a magic-free household. Even my slipstreams I open into the backyard in a safe zone we constructed that no one can enter so he doesn’t see any of the magic.
“That’s actually a very good idea,” Katherine said and leaned back against the bleachers, turning her face up to the sun as she did so. “But with as intelligent as he is it’s going to be very hard to keep it from him for too long.”
“Yeah, I know,” Quincy said, grabbing a handful of Skittles to chew on, and held the bag out to her automatically. “But for now I want him to have a nice, normal childhood, to be whoever he is without any of the pressure. Besides, he has two magical parents who will teach him the right way when he’s old enough.”
Taking some of the Skittles, Katherine smiled. “Thank you. Hopefully I won’t upchuck these, too,” she told him. “And I know that the two of you will. You will both make sure to teach him everything that he needs to know. Partially because he’s your son and partially because he is the next in line for the Throne.”
“Quit reminding me,” he muttered, tucking his bag back into his pocket. “It’s bad enough I have to sit on the Council, but subjecting my son to that one day in the future, not at all happy about it.” Sucking on one of the candies, Quincy shot her a look. “Got a question for you, and you can tell me I’m crazy or a conspiracy theorist if you want to, won’t upset me. But have you noticed some odd undertones and looks between some of the Council members?”
Katherine popped another of the candies in her mouth and thought about it for a moment. “There are some that won’t come near me,” she finally said. “I just figured it was because of whatever the grandmother did way back when, but yeah, there are some that will literally turn and walk the other way if they see me in the same hall.”
“Because of who you are,” he said leaning back, elbows braced on the seat up and behind him. “That and you have really good instincts, darling,” he pointed out with a grin. “They either have secrets they don’t want the Ear to hear or…Or they are hiding things that they shouldn’t be,” he murmured, thinking aloud more than talking to her. “Alliances maybe, outside of Council purview, maybe some sort of coup on the horizon. Talon has ruled for a long time and often with an iron fist I’m sure many don’t appreciate,” Quincy muttered, tipping his head thoughtfully.
