by Jane Cousins
“About?”
“Sex.”
Brodie swallowed hard. “Sex? But I took it off the table.”
“And I’d like to put it back on.”
For some reason Brodie’s gaze shot to the table next to Fen. A hundred hot images flashing through her head, heat exploding between her legs, her heart beginning to speed up. “Um… I thought we agreed… what about your vow of abstinence?”
“It’s not like I’m breaking a pact I made with the Goddess. It was a self imposed vow.”
“I… why?” Brodie gulped as Fen got slowly to his feet. Closing the distance to sink down next to her on the large sun-bed. “Why would you break your vow for me?”
Fen couldn’t help himself, he reached out, trailing a finger along Brodie’s thigh, higher, and then higher still. “From the moment we met I’ve been fighting my attraction to you. I’m tired of fighting it.”
Brodie remained rigid under his touch as his finger continued upwards along the line of her body, brushing over her hip. “But…” She would be strong. “But what about the match maker, and refusing to be at the mercy of any of her sly machinations?”
“This time tomorrow you’ll be gone.”
“Yes, but-” Brodie sucked in a startled breath as his finger travelled up over her rib cage and then along the side of breast. “I…. don’t want to have sex with you anymore.” Even to her own ears her voice sounded weak and unsure.
Fen’s finger trailed across Brodie’s clavicle, up her ivory throat, coming to rest under her chin. “Prove it.”
She couldn’t look away, not with Fen holding her attention hostage. “Prove it? How? I don’t have anything to prove.”
Fen’s eyes were dark in the early evening shadows, cerulean fireflies sparking in their depths thanks to all the fairy lights. “You’re not afraid, are you?”
Brodie’s spine straightened, fractured snowstorm eyes glared at him from only inches away. Afraid? “That word is not in my vocabulary.”
“Let’s put it to the test, shall we?” Fen’s lips twisted upwards into a challenging smile.
“Test?”
“Simple. We kiss for ten minutes. If you still say no, then we’ll call a halt to things and go our separate ways.”
Brodie knew she was walking on dangerous ground. She shouldn’t… but the challenge on Fen’s face. “Five minutes.” She countered to show she still had some remnants of a backbone.
“Five it is.” Abruptly Fen flowed to his feet, unbuttoned his jeans and dropped them to the ground, kicking them away in one fluid motion.
Brodie bit back the alien squeak of alarm that threatened to escape. Desperately she tilted her head. Make eye contact, don’t look down, what ever you do. “What are you doing? Why are you naked?” She shifted backwards, practically reclining as Fen leaned down, placing one knee on the edge of the cushion. Suddenly he was looming over her… naked.
“We agreed on a five minute kiss, remember?”
“A kiss. No one said anything about being naked!” Brodie had no where to go as Fen’s hands came down to rest on either side of her.
Fen closed the distance, that sexy, challenging grin still clinging to his lips. “No one said anything about not being naked either. Five minutes starts now.” His lips descended onto hers.
Chapter Eighteen
Brodie wasn’t sure how to react to the fact that a naked Fen Valhalla was lying on top of her, kissing her senseless. He tasted like beer, heat and heady nectar. Flash fire ignited in her belly threatening to engulf and wipe out her ability to do anything but feel.
She had agreed to this silly test, so she couldn’t actively resist his advances, yet at the same time she certainly shouldn’t be enjoying the encounter. Or lifting her hands to sink her fingers into his thick, short, dark chocolate hair. Or spreading her legs wide to allow the solid length of his erect cock to rest against her needy, aching core. Only the thin material of her bikini acting as a barrier.
Well, at least she could take solace in the fact she wasn’t making those throaty, growly, encouraging sounds, no, wait, that was her too. Damn him.
The man kissed her like the world was ending tomorrow… and perhaps it was. All going according to plan she was leaving.
There would be no reason for her to ever venture to the Southern Sanctuary again. Oh, sure, she could make up some inane excuse, but what if she arrived only to discover Fen had moved on? Or, was once more leading the celibacy parade? Or worse still, had gotten over his sexual attraction to her?
She was a Valkyrie. They lived in the here and now, took what they wanted. And she wanted Fen Valhalla. Had from the first moment she laid eyes on him and he quite literally knocked the wind out of her. And whilst she had made it clear she was physically attracted to him, she had been less than truthful about how deeply that attraction ran.
Stupid feelings. They got things muddled and threatened to ruin everything… even now with Fen, she could push him away. Probably should push him away.
But what would happen instead if she pushed away the feelings? Not the physical attraction. But the silly, useless romantic notions that kept bubbling to the surface. Wanting Fen to think she was pretty. Wanting Fen to like her. Wishing that he would make some insane declaration that she was special to him.
Tonight, here and now, he wanted her. She wanted him… and Valkyries always took what they wanted. She grabbed Fen by the shoulders and rolled him so she could be on top. It was time she showed Fen Valhalla what it meant to be with a Valkyrie, and if she ruined him for other women… so be it, that would be his problem. Yet the thought brought a wide smile to her face as she stared down at him.
Fen fought to control his breathing. Okay, so the whole five minute test idea had been a wild Hail Mary pass. But Brodie had taken the bait, and yes, shedding his jeans had been a bold move. But one that had obviously paid off big dividends. Their passionate make-out session had been incredible, but he wanted more, so much more, he wanted all of her.
Lying beneath her now, Fen waited for Brodie’s next move. That wide smile on her beautiful face kicking him hard in the gut, damn, the woman was gorgeous. He couldn’t help himself, he reached up, cupping the side of her face before arching upwards to plant a brief, heated kiss on her smiling mouth.
Something about that kiss had Brodie breathless. It had been insanely brief, the lightest of pressure, yet the look in Fen’s eyes, she could feel her heart thudding in her chest, her skin felt feverish hot and she ached for him down to her very soul.
“Five minutes is up. What’s it going to be, Brodie?” Fen lay back, relaxed, palms resting casually on her hips. He hadn’t allowed his hands to wander any further than her velvety smooth back during their five minutes of heaven. Doing no more than tracing his fingers up and down her narrow spine. Even so, with that limited exploration he’d have to Portal to Antarctica if she denied him at this juncture.
“Freyja, enough with all the talking.” She could have used magic to disappear her bikini, but there was something much more wicked about watching Fen as she reached up to slowly undo the tie.
Fen was forgetting something, something important. Oh, yes, breathing. He took in a big gulp as Brodie undid her bikini top, letting the material drop away. Bloody hell, the woman was magnificent. He reached up, palming her full, coral tipped breasts, arching his upper body so he could capture her lips once more.
He needed to taste her. Claim her. Or, as Brodie responded passionately, pushing him back down against the soft mattress, let her claim him.
His male pride should have been dented as she captured his wrists, pressing his arms back against the cushion. Trapped, he was her prisoner. Damn his pride, he couldn’t have been happier as her hard nipples rubbed across his flesh, scoring it, like a match being struck against flint. Her impressive thighs gripping him tightly as she rubbed her hot core back and forth along the length of his cock. Even through the bikini material he could feel her arousal.
It had been too long s
ince he’d had a woman. And Brodie, she tested his control like no other. “I’m not going to last… oh, Goddess… if you keep that up.”
Brodie tilted her head, a knowing, sexy smile gracing her full lips. “I know.” She turned her head and breathed heated air over his right nipple. Crap, she was evil. Delightfully evil, as her soft pink tongue darted out to lick his hardened flesh. “Grr… Brodie.”
Brodie couldn’t believe how much control Fen was willing to give up. How much trust. The man was fit to burst and yet he allowed her time to play… to explore. Perhaps he deserved a reward. She kissed her way down over his tights abs, delighting in the way they spasmed and tightened under her touch.
Hmm, she’d been wondering since she met him what he would look like naked, and her imagination hadn’t done him justice, as she paused for a moment to admire the length of his erect cock. She puffed warm air over the sensitive column, grinning as Fen groaned in response. She hadn’t even touched it yet, what would happen if…?
Fen practically arched off the sun-bed as Brodie’s wicked wet tongue licked the length of him. Shit, when had she stopped holding him down? He was free, he could… his eyes practically crossed as she kissed the head of his super heated cock. He should… no, huh, what… his hands came down to grip her shoulders as Brodie sucked him into her mouth.
Oh shit, no, he’d never last… but it wasn’t like he could dislodge a Valkyrie who was acting as if she’d just discovered a favourite new toy.
Fen groaned, arching his back, bloody hell, his eyes rolling back in his head at the feel of her mouth claiming him in such an intimate act. It was too much… and still not enough. He needed… had to be inside her. But his Valkyrie was going nowhere. He tried one last attempt. Groaning her name, but that only seemed to spur her on, the level of suction increasing until it was just the right side of painful. Damn the woman. And if she was damned, he wanted to join her in hell.
Oh fuck. Oh yes, yes. His entire body bowed upwards as the sweet release came. Heaven help him that was the best he’d ever had.
Brodie swallowed him down like she would the ale from Freyja’s own banquet table. Collapsing next to Fen, she was surprised at how good she felt. Sure her whole body still ached for relief, the throbbing need between her legs pulsing in time with her racing heart. But at the same time, Brodie felt as if she’d stepped through a barrier, the intimate act giving her a connection to Fen that she had never craved, or wanted to experience with any other man.
Fen smiled at the sight of Brodie sprawled beside him. Her hair, a black rippling velvet mass, her cheeks flushed with exertion and her eyes, heavy lidded with passion. He wanted her so damn much, right here, right now. But even with his warrior bloodline he needed just a few more minutes of recovery time. Of course he still had his air magic on tap. Time for a little payback, he wanted his Valkyrie writhing in need, just like she’d had him writhing only a moment ago.
Brodie sucked in her breath as a warm breeze played across the sensitive skin of her tummy, brushed across her rib cage and circled back around. Heavens, it felt like a hundred of the softest feathers were caressing her flesh, teasing the tips of her breasts before easing down her body to slide across the delicate skin of her inner thighs. Stroking over her flesh like the softest of fur pelts. Hmmm, she bit back a moan. Fen. Somehow Fen was doing this to her.
She found herself panting, looking over at him, to find his eyes brimming with intensity. The words demanding he stop froze on her lips, as the gentle breeze changed direction and danced across the material of her bikini bottoms. Hmmm, it felt strange but oh so good, she bit her lip to halt the groan that threatened to erupt. Watching as Fen’s calloused hand shot out to glide up her thigh, until he reached the bow riding low on her hip keeping her bather bottoms on. Her breath sputtered in the back of her throat in anticipation as he pulled on the tie and it came undone easily.
She expected him to touch her, take her, claim her. But instead he withdrew his hand, a soft blast of air blowing back the material of her bathers, exposing her to his eyes. And then in the next breath, that soft, heated breeze was back, tickling her exposed heated core. Ruffling the curls between her legs and then dancing over her clit. “Fen.” She breathed his name out, even as her body bowed at the startling sensation.
Fen’s breath was coming in ragged pants, watching Brodie writhe was the best kind of torture. Damn, he couldn’t not touch her, rolling so the full length of his body came to rest against hers, one of his hands snaking around her waist to bring her closer still.
“Are you finished playing?” Brodie demanded in a husky, breathy voice that she barely recognised.
Fen chuffed a breathless laugh. “I’m just getting started, Xena.” His nimble fingers found the tie at her other hip and pulled on the cord, grabbing her bathers he flung them away. “You got a problem with that?”
“Big words, Fireman Fen. What did I tell you about less talk and more-” Brodie bit her lip as Fen slid his stubble adorned jaw across the sensitive skin of her right breast. Scraping and igniting all her nerve endings before capturing her nipple between his lips and suckling gently. Nipping and nibbling at her flesh.
Brodie clenched her teeth together tightly, she would not beg, would not plead. Although, she couldn’t prevent the occasional whimper. But who could blame her as Fen ran calloused fingers slowly down over one thigh. His fingers sliding across the back of her knee as he switched all of his focus to her other breast. Brodie dug her fingers into his back but the man was enjoying his explorations too much to pay attention to her non-verbal cues.
Maybe she should consider begging, just this once. No, she had more backbone than that. Speaking of which, her body arching as Fen’s hand trailed down her spine.
That was it, two could play at this game. She swept her leg out over his hip, hooking an ankle behind his leg and bringing her lower body flush up against his. And then she tensed her thigh.
Fen moaned. Goddess save him. Brodie had a grip on him like a vice, forcing his cock hard up against her hot, needy centre. All thoughts of continuing to explore her fled, as his lower body surged forward to meet her.
Brodie released a soft breathless sound as the length of Fen slid back and forth across her clit. “Fen.” It was as close to a plea as she could get. Damn it, Valkyries took what they wanted. And she wanted Fen too badly to wait. Brodie grabbed him by the shoulders, rolling them so she could wrap her other leg around him, squeezing, demanding.
Fen groaned, a fantasy come true, those mile long legs wrapped around him. His Valkyrie ready, wet, and willing beneath him. “Brodie.” He roared her name as he surged forward.
Brodie held on tight, revelling in the feel of Fen’s cock filling her deeply. It was as if they were two fire-fronts meeting, clashing, melding, fighting for dominance and at the same time feeding from each other to burn even brighter. Flames shooting higher, consuming and devouring everything but them.
By the Sword, she would rend and tear the world apart to burn even hotter. Or worse, she might tear and rend Fen. She tried to relax her grip, dial down her frantic response. If she hurt him…
“Grrr.” Fen broke their kiss, growling insistently at Brodie. He wanted her all, no reticence, no barriers, gripping at her even tighter. Letting Brodie know with the fierce glow of his cerulean eyes that he would accept nothing but everything from her. Issuing her an outright challenge.
Brodie’s tenuous thread of common sense was blasted away. Bah, the man was of warrior of blood, he would heal… eventually. Arching up she slammed her lips against his, flexing her thighs, riding him hard and fast. No holding back. No fear. No tomorrow.
Fen grinned even as they kissed. Brodie grappling at him, wanting more. Her fingers digging into his back, his buttocks, her thighs squeezing him vice tight. All the while his cock surging into her tight, hot core, like she was the lock and he was the perfect key. Made for each other.
More, he wanted more, all of her, for this moment to never stop but every fire b
urned out, no matter how bright, no matter how high it soared. It felt as if he and Brodie were scorching the sky, and he didn’t care that the fall back to earth, to reality, would probably end up costing him.
“Brodie.” He breathed out her name. Liking how responsive she was beneath him. Feeling her flex, grip, and grapple at him as if she was determined to never let him go. Goddess, this woman was perfect. Perfect for him. He groaned as she dug her nails deep into his ass, urging him on harder, deeper.
Brodie cried out Fen’s name as he reached down between them and flicked her clit, immediately her core muscles tightened in response. Then he flicked it again. Oh Higher Plains, her eyes rolled back in her head even as her core clamped down on to Fen’s cock as he surged forward, once, twice and then roared out her name.
White hot inferno heat swept through them both, burning away everything, leaving nothing left. It was like being consumed, in the best possible way. They collapsed, Fen rolling to the side. Their breath coming in hard, matching pants. Sweat glistening on their skin. The roar of their own racing heartbeats drowning out momentarily the sound of the nearby ocean.
“Goddess.” Fen reached up with a visibly shaky hand to wipe his brow before running his fingers through his damp hair, causing it to spike up in all directions. “That was…” He needed the right word. Stupendous? Fantastic? Surprising? Special?
Brodie heaved herself onto her side, her body felt heavy and replete. She hadn’t felt this boneless, this relaxed… this happy… ever. Alarm bells sounded in the back of her mind. Don’t go soft now Valkyrie. She fought the bizarre instinct she had to roll over a few inches and snuggle against Fen.
Snuggle? She’d never snuggled in her life. She tamped down hard on this alien feeling, her training kicking in automatically. Never let anyone get the upper hand. Never reveal weakness.
Fen was still searching for the right descriptive. “That was…”
“Mostly adequate.” Brodie finished for him.
“Mostly adequate?” Fen’s left eyebrow rose in query, unsure whether Brodie was making a joke or being deadly serious.
