Liana didn’t know whether to laugh, cry, or purr, she was so sexually confused. One thing she did know, her panties were soaked and she could smell her own arousal. Even without their mate bond intact, she could tell what her arousal was doing to Ryan’s own. To say he was simply turned on was to say that Earth’s Grand Canyon was only a small crack.
Only when they were at the foot of the bed did he let her slip to her feet, and then only for a second as he tipped her onto the mattress. Out of his pocket he pulled several thin long pieces of black leather cording and quickly tied one end to each of her legs before sliding her legs onto the bed. He accomplished all this in just a few short seconds. Liana didn’t know whether to be amazed or pissed, his speed and proficiency spoke of an excessive amount of experience in tying women up. Before she could open her mouth to chastise or even question him, he spread her legs wide open, first tying one, then the other to the end posters of the four-poster bed.
“I take it, when all is said and done I won’t be able to move either my arms or my legs?”
Ryan chuckled and gave Liana a lazy grin. “Well now, how did you guess?” he asked, as he straddled her body and made quick work of tying her arms the same as he did her ankles, this time making sure to add some padding between the wrists and the cording.
“Where are you pulling all of your supplies from? Do you have a magician’s hat or something in here somewhere? You certainly didn’t have any luggage with you when we transported in here, and you didn’t know ahead of time I’d ask for this room.”
Again Ryan laughed. “I have a confession to make. In case a miracle might happen—and you would agree to mate with me again—I made a promise to myself that I wouldn’t hide anything from you again. That included what I liked sexually, so I left standing orders that Contessa would send a pre-packed bag full of bedroom toys and whatnots to wherever we would end up staying for the night, as well as a specific menu for our meals for tonight and tomorrow morning.
“I want to show you that I can not only take care of you in a fire fight, but in bed and domestically as well. I can be everything you need, take care of you every way you need taking care of, if you’ll just give me that chance. I don’t want to lose you again. I don’t want to live through those minutes again where I thought I’d already lost you. They were the absolutely, most horrible moments I’d ever experienced in my life. There are no words to describe adequately what I felt when I thought you were gone from my life forever, and I never want to experience it again, so I’ll do whatever I must to stay by your side. You just say the word, and it’s done.”
“Oh, Ryan, don’t you know, I’d do the same for you. You’re my everything as well, moyo. When you turned me away, you gutted me. You destroyed me, absolutely and thoroughly killed something inside me but I know we can make this work. Now stop with all the serious talking. We have years for serious talk and only tonight to be alone, completely and probably only a few hours before the escort arrives if we’re lucky. So, let’s make the most of it, okay?”
Ryan bent down, nipped at her lips with his, nibbling and sucking at them hungrily. It seemed like forever since he’d had a taste of her, not less than twenty-four hours. How could he have been so foolish? He’d almost lost his only love? And why? Because he didn’t trust in his own happiness…well, never again. “I want you like hell, Liana. I burn for you. Only for you.”
“That’s a good thing, considering I won’t share you.”
Ryan chuckled, then nuzzled his nose where her neck and shoulder met, “Yes it is a very good thing. You smell absolutely divine right here,” he whispered against her throat, having taken a detour to place a mark at the juncture so everyone who saw her would know just who she belonged to. Of course, once they mated again, and their scents mixed, it would be obvious, but he wanted some other physical sign as to who she belonged to as a warning to others to keep away.
“Are you finished marking your territory, Lion-O?” she giggled.
Chuckling, Ryan shook his head. “I doubt it. There’s a lot of territory I haven’t covered yet. Who knows where I’ll want to remark my boundary lines.” As he made his way down her collar, he reached over to the nightstand where he left a small decorative dagger. Liana gasped when she saw it. “Are you afraid I’ll hurt you with this?” Ryan asked. He’d stop if she did. He never do anything to hurt her again, but she had to know that deep down this was about something else if she were going to get any enjoyment out of this game.
“No. I’m not afraid. I don’t think you’ll stab me with it. It’s just so gorgeous. It’s in the shape of a lion, the body looks like it’s made of pure gold, and the eyes like they’re oval emeralds. Even the blade itself looks to be made of some sort of liquid steel almost, absolutely unique, and priceless, too. Where did you get such a treasure?” she asked Ryan.
He shrugged. “Honestly, I do not know its origins. It came with the ship. There are many such items aboard Retribution that we’re uncertain how yet to use. But lucky for you, this one I do know what to do with,” he smirked bringing the conversation back on topic. “And yet, to me, your beauty far outshines the beauty of this single dagger. Don’t ever doubt that.”
Lifting the center of her shirt up just an inch away from her skin, Ryan slid the dagger tip below the top edge and slid the knifepoint downward, even catching the front clasp of the bra. With barely any pressure, Liana’s shirt parted like hot butter, leaving her entire front bare to the waist.
Ryan bit his bottom lip as he revealed his prize. He knew the knife was sharp, and even he was surprised at how easily it had parted Liana’s clothing, but nothing was as beautiful as Liana bare. Certainly not the golden dagger that he’d found aboard the ship several months ago. Seeing her breasts quiver as her limbs fought against the restraints in an attempt to cover them made his cock jerk inside his pants.
He wanted to bury himself inside her pussy so badly, the wait was sheer torture, but drawing this out was as much for her as it was for him. So he’d wait, for as long as they could both stand it before succumbing to their needs.
Again, Ryan bent down, this time suckling the skin above her breast, then down toward her nipples, nibbling and sucking. Heat spiraled between them like steam rising off the hot pavement. Ever so slowly, he cupped one breast, dragging his thumb over her nipple over and over, until it became a hard point. When she was gasping and writhing on the bed, he moved to her other side and began the same treatment of her other breast, leaving her a quivering mess moments later.
“Ryan, please, kiss me, Ryan. Kiss me.”
Ryan knew if he didn’t hurry to get Liana out of her pants, he himself would be too far gone, and it would be too late for either of them. He’d never needed to make love to a woman as badly as he needed to make love to Liana right now. He sought her mouth again and again, settling his lips over hers, tasting her unique taste. His tongue dueled alongside hers in an intoxicating battle, as his fingers went to work untying the string belt of the medical pants she still wore from the medical. When he still couldn’t get the knot undone and his cock felt like it would explode, he once again reached for the dagger. This time he cut through the knot at the waist, panties and all, before tossing the golden knife onto the nightstand and yanking the pants off her legs and tossing the whole lot onto the floor.
When she surged up from the bed, trying to get closer to him, Ryan groaned, just as desperate as she. “Please, Ryan, please, I can’t take it anymore. Don’t make me wait. Make love to me.”
“Then initiate the bond. Mate with me. Take a chance on me. I’ll never let you own on you again. Never.”
Liana looked into his eyes for a few seconds, bit her bottom lip, then nodded a slow nod before closing her eyes. Less than a minute later, a ferocious whip of desire rushed through him, then compassion, fear, sincerity, love, honesty, and so many other emotions it was hard to name them all, never mind contain them. Only now could he truly see how difficult every moment of every day must be for his mate, to
have to live in such an environment continuously must be hell. Well, she wasn’t alone anymore and he’d do what he could to ease some of her burden from her where he could.
Easing away, Ryan stood and undressed, dropping his clothes on the floor where he stood. He too was back on the bed, lying next to his mate within seconds, feeling as though they’d separated so much longer than that. As soon as flesh pressed against flesh, it felt like a heated electrical current pressed between them as he nipped his way down her throat, her shoulders, between her breasts and down, down her tummy to circle her navel.
Ryan’s hands ghosted down her sides in a whisper light caress, before moving up in a caress so soft and gentle it left goose bumps in its wake. Her skin pebbled at his touch and her nipples tightened when he leaned over and breathed on them. He gave a low throaty chuckle. I love how your body responds to mine, moya. Cupping one breast and kneading the other, he then flicked his thumb over the already hard nub, sending pleasure-pain along her nerve endings seemingly straight from her nipple to her clit, which he could already see filling with blood but had yet to touch. Leaning over, he kissed her abused nipple, while speaking to her using their newly reformed mental bond. One day, I’d like to see you wear some weights on your nipples while we make love. It would make the experience that much more intense for you, my love.
I’m not so sure I can handle more, Ryan. I’ve about reached my limit already and we’ve barely started.
You just need to build up some tolerance, love. No worries. We won’t rush with everything today. As a matter of fact, I’m going to untie you, because you’ve been tied up long enough for your first time. But you did wonderful, moya. Just wonderful.
Th-Thank you, Liana stuttered.
Ryan couldn’t help but chuckle at the small moment of normalcy when this was a not-so-normal moment for either of them. When he finally sucked her nipple into his mouth, she arched her back, coming off the bed the most she could with the ties still holding her down. “Ryan, I thought you were going to cut me loose.”
“Oh yeah. One second, love,” he murmured.
Again, he reached over, this time partially shifting his hand into claws and ripping the leather straps until they were dangling around the arms of the bed. He did it to all four posters of the four-poster bed before returning to his sprawled position atop Liana. When she just gaped at him, he scrunched up his brows and wondered aloud, “What?”
“Well, why didn’t you just do that in the first place with my clothes?”
Chuckling, Ryan answered, “Because the dagger is prettier and I thought you’d be less frightened of it then my claws.”
“Why would you think that when I have claws of my own, you idiot?” Liana asked, laughing as she showed him her own impressive set.
“Um, good point. Maybe we should get back to the kissing and lovemaking before we’re interrupted by the royal guard’s arrival.”
Liana nodded. “Another good point. So, where were we?”
We were right about here, he mentally whispered as he swirled his tongue around Liana’s other nipple, bringing it to a hard nub to match its sister.
Reaching up, Liana threaded her fingers through Ryan’s silky brown hair, holding him to her breast. “By the Goddess,” Ryan groaned, “another minute of that and I wouldn’t have lasted long enough to even get inside you love. Who knew my hair was an erogenous zone all its own,” he joked.
He should have remembered though that as an Empath she could tell when something was truly turning him on and not tried to make light of it, because she immediately sank her fingers back into the silky thickness. Apparently, I’m going to have to distract you, moya.
Again, he rolled them over, this time gathering her hands in one of his, so that she couldn’t reach out and touch. “I could just eat you up, love. But first…”
Reaching down, he used his other hand to cup her sex, stroking the outer lips before delving between the folds to find her clit. When she gasped, sucking in a deep breath, Ryan smiled. As he stroked over the sensitive bud very gently, he inhaled the intoxicating scent of her arousal as it continued to thicken the air. Soon, his baby would be more than ready to take him again. Very soon.
“Now, Ryan, Please.” Make love to me, my moyo, please.
Of course, I will, Moya. Of course, I will. I love you, moya. I will always love you.
Shifting slightly, Ryan slid his cock along her gate, moaning when he met the silky wetness, the proof of her arousal, as he pushed himself inside of her. The feel of her tight flesh squeezing his shaft as it enveloped him ever so slowly—too slowly—sent waves of pure pleasure whipping through his system, down through the mate bond and back again on a feedback loop. Even though they’d only been without the bond a day, he’d forgotten how glorious lovemaking could be while bonded. There was nothing like it. Nothing at all.
By the Goddess, Ryan, so amazing. So amazing.
They were both slick with sweat, as they surged together, thrusting to meet, each other, pressing deeper, harder, faster, needing to get that much closer to the other.
You’re so tight, moya. So tight, my love.
Oh Goddess, so good. So right, Ryan.
Her sex clenched tightly around his cock at his words, quivered and spasmed as it milked pre-come from him. Ryan’s heart rate jacked upwards and hers did the same as their bodies took on the same rhythms. He had to get closer, just another inch deeper. It has never been this good. Never.
For me either, Ryan. For me either.
Without warning, she tensed all over; her body arching off the bed so only her head remained on the pillow as her orgasm completely overwhelmed her. As she collapsed on the bed, she continued to clamp down and milk his cock. Panting for breath, gasping and wheezing, he dug his toes into the bed and forged his way deeper, finally reaching his own peak, which sent Liana into another mini-orgasm. Relief, profound and draining, went through them when their bodies finally ceased to convulse. Panting and gasping for air, he dropped his head to his pillow, before collapsing completely on his side, and dragging Liana into his arms.
Looking toward his mate, he was relieved to see that she was already blissfully asleep, a smile on her face. That was good because tomorrow they’d have to talk about the future, and about what to do about the past, and neither of them would be smiling during that conversation.
Chapter Twenty-One
Liana woke feeling oddly refreshed, her mind a tranquil pool. The normal chaos of emotional bombardment upon waking appeared absent this morning. She would have been terrified of this new development if not for the large arm wrapped snuggly around her waist, the obviously male knee wedged between her spread thighs, and the very large hand holding her breast. It all served to remind her that a lot had changed in the last few hours, and the mental quiet was the very least of it.
When Ryan’s thumb began to lightly stroke over her right nipple, she smiled into her pillow. Apparently, she wasn’t the only one awake and enjoying the early morning quiet.
I’m enjoying the cuddle more, my love.
Liana’s brows rose. She’d forgotten all about the bond that would allow him access to her thoughts as well as her feelings. That could get embarrassing.
The bed jostled as Ryan, spooned behind her and chuckled at her last thought. Once he had himself back under control, he leaned forward, and reached for Liana’s chin, turning her face toward his. “Do you regret taking me as your mate again, after everything you suffered because of me?”
Liana shook her head and smiled as she looked deep into his eyes. Reaching up, she cupped his cheek. “I know, deep in my heart and soul, you are where my future lies. Everything else, all the other crap, it’s just stuff to get through, and we’ll do that…together.”
Ryan smiled, leaned down and pressed a tiny kiss to the corner of Liana’s mouth. “You absolutely amaze me, moya. Now as much as I want to stay here in bed and celebrate our mating…again…we have to figure out who the traitor is inside the rebel army, and rem
ove him. Immediately.”
“Or her.”
Or her
“Why do you men automatically assume it’s a man when you think traitor, well, except when you broke our bonding, but usually you say him. Women can be just as treacherous you know—think about the Black Rose and your own history with her.”
Ryan smiled, not even bothered anymore about his history with the Black Rose. Somehow, during the night and via his bonding with Liana, her Empathic ability, her compassion, helped ease the worst of the pain of his past. That’s an argument for another time, but you’re right, he whispered into Liana’s mind using their Mate Bond. Slowly, he continued to lavish small kisses and nibbles down the column of her neck and shoulder, leaving red marks of passion in his wake.
Liana rolled over, facing Ryan, and slipped her hands into his hair, looked deep into his chocolate brown eyes and gave him a slow, sultry smile. Ryan’s heart skipped a beat in response. He could feel warmth and joy, happiness and love pouring through their bond and it made him feel complete for the first time in his life.
Leaning down, he whispered a kiss across her lips once, twice, three times, before sinking into a tongue-thrusting scorcher of a good morning kiss that had every nerve ending in his and her body singing. All he wanted to do was stay in bed and make love to her for the next thirty-six hours but they had a job to do—a very dangerous job. They had to smoke out a traitor, track down the Black Rose and somehow, shut down her entire breeding operation. Which, if rumors were true, would be nearly impossible because over the last couple of years he’d heard through several sources that she wasn’t the head of the snake, just the public face of it.
You know how much I want to continue kissing you, but it’s time for us to get ready to meet the others. Ryan wrapped his arms around her waist, squeezing her as tight as he dared. If only he could keep her wrapped in his arms under his protection until they eliminated the Black Rose and her cohorts, but Liana’s skills would be essential in determining who and where their enemies were.
Worlds Apart 4: Ryan's Hope Page 13
