Arak's Love: A World Beyond Book 2

by Michelle Howard

Sylvie leaned in, legs weak and pressed her mouth to his jaw. “Pleasure.”

  More pleasure than she would have thought from such a simple touch.

  “Good.” Arak lowered his head and kissed her.

  It seemed as if she’d been waiting forever since he’d last put his lips on her. Now hours later she wanted to curl into his warmth. Her hands gripped his shoulders on a moan.

  Arak paused, his lids heavy with lust partially obscuring his blue gaze. “I want you, Sylvie. If you still need time, you should walk…no you should run from me.”

  “Run?” She’d be a fool to run away from this man.

  His mouth curled up in one corner. “Fair warning. I prefer you to run then I’d probably chase you.”

  Sylvie smiled. “Maybe you won’t have to.”

  On the heels of the teasing phrase, Sylvie dropped to her knees and reached for the fastening of his pants. Above her head, Arak groaned but didn’t stop her. She opened the zippered flap and slid his pants down. His shaft pulsed in front of her and Sylvie didn’t bother hesitating. Her hands gripped his hips tight as she mouthed the head of his long shaft.

  “By the gods, don’t stop.” Fingers dug into her hair to hold her head steady.

  Sylvie would have smiled if she could have. Instead she used her newly discovered feelings for this amazing man to guide her. She licked around and around before sliding him deep and sucking. Her tongue teased along the sides as his hips thrust forward. The thighs beneath her grip trembled.

  “Deeper. Take me deep, Sylvie.”

  Her head tipped back to comply. Sylvie used her teeth in a light grazing motion down his satiny length and back. She slid her fingers beneath and cupped his firm sac, fondling. Another groan then a jerk from his hips. The pleasure she gave him spilled over to her and moisture gathered in her folds.

  Closing her eyes, Sylvie concentrated on Arak and sucked his shaft with deep pulls followed by slow drags. He filled her mouth and set a rhythm that had her head bobbing along to keep pace.

  ***

  Usually a silent lover with his partner, Arak couldn’t help himself. “Yes. More. Your mouth feels so good.”

  Talking aloud aroused him further, made him desperate. Desperate for her touch, her lips, every inch of her rubbing against him. Arak groaned as she took him deeper and teased the head with the convulsive swallow of her throat. She licked and sucked, her head bobbing in slow motion with every stroke.

  Arak jerked beneath her touch. “Yessss. Make me feel it, Sylvie. That’s the way. Right there.”

  When her tongue lapped at the tip, Arak almost lost it. He pulled away, ignoring her moan of protest. Arak helped her to her feet and led toward his bed. Sylvie knelt on all fours at the edge of the mattress in front of him, his black shirt sliding up her back to reveal the slopes of her rounded bottom. Her torn clothes had been thrown away at the med center and obviously this included her underwear. The bare globes led to the crease between her thighs, tight blonde curls. A thin trail of moisture ran down and the scent of her arousal blended with the natural honey he associated with Sylvie. The sight ruined any control he’d managed to retain.

  He should give her more time. Let her recover from the experience but the fever burning within demanded assurance that Sylvie was alive. Here.

  “Stay like that.”

  Her head turned, glancing at him over the curve of her shoulder. She took in her current position, knees bent on the bed, hands braced before her and smiled. Arak removed his clothes uncaring of the fabric he tore and stepped behind her, hands gliding over her rounded flank. His fingers traced along her thigh. She was lean but muscled. Her legs looked like she ran in her free time. His cat stretched and preened at the thought of running side by side with his female.

  Arak leaned over her back, his fingers tracing along her arms until his palms covered her hands on the bed. He laced his fingers between hers and stretched her arms out further. The position placed them flush to one another, his chest to her back, his hips planted firmly against her plump butt cheeks.

  “Last chance, Sylvie,” he murmured into her shoulder, inhaling deeply.

  Another shiver racked her spine, their intimate embrace allowing Arak to feel her body as it shook. “I want you. Please.”

  Arak reached down and guided himself to her damp entrance. He had to grit his teeth to keep from biting her tempting curves as he slid into Sylvie’s moist channel. She cried out beneath him, fingers tightening and gripping the sheets. Once he seated himself deep, her inner walls clamped like a vise. Arak held still, sweat gathering on his brow. Being in Sylvie felt like coming home. When the urge to move overwhelmed, he pulled out and thrust forward. Sylvie arched her back, molding herself to him.

  “Yeah, like this,” he groaned as he buried himself again and again.

  “Don’t stop, Arak.”

  Her breathless plea spurred him on and Arak quickened his pace until he rocked into Sylvie fast and hard. Beneath him, she whimpered, her hips pushing back to meet him with every roll of her round ass. Arak eased back and glanced down. His thick length glistened with her excitement. The sight had him lunging back into her with a growl.

  “Fucking hot. You make me fucking hot, Sylvie.” His head fell back as he continued to pump into her heated depths.

  Sweat dampened skin made loud smacking sounds as he drove deep, his only thought to bring her to release. Every moan Sylvie made had him measuring his strokes, angling his hips, and tunneling deep.

  ***

  Sylvie came with a loud cry but Arak didn’t stop. Heat exploded between her legs as she bowed her head, panting for every breath.

  “I want to see you.” Arak moved, his shaft rasping along her sensitized center. “Ride me, mate.”

  Mate? He rolled her on top of him and entered her in one slick glide. From her new position, Sylvie glanced down. Her breasts swayed and Arak licked one before leaning back on the bed.

  “Move.” A loud smack followed as his palm met her rear.

  Sylvie flushed but lifted until she had his tip poised at her core. Lowering inch by inch she took him again and again. The deep rumbling sounds signaled his approval. Sylvie seated herself, awash with the feelings pooling in her middle. He pulsed inside and Sylvie almost came right then. She clamped her thighs at his waist and pumped, filling herself with his large staff.

  Her head fell back, neck arched as the pleasure unfolded. Up and down she rode him with all her pent up desire. Their hips lifted together. Strained toward one another. Arak rolled, placing her on the bottom, his knees sinking into the mattress as he balanced his weight. The position sent him deeper if possible.

  “Mine. My mate.” He leaned up and his fingers delved between them to toy with her hot button of nerves. “You can feel me, can’t you? How hard I am because I want you so bad?”

  His explicit words fell between them. Racy. Hot. Sylvie loved it. She grew wetter with each whisper.

  “Do you want it? Tell me how much.” His touch became fire burning with every slick glide of his fingers through her crease.

  “I want it.” A short moan cut off the rest of her words as she jerked and twitched beneath him.

  Finally he let go, driving into her with fierce pounding strokes. Sylvie held on as Arak rode her until they both cried out and waves of ecstasy rolled over them. Arak fell to the side with a groan, body shaking. Sylvie’s lower muscles continued to clench around his length sending shards of pleasure up her spine until her toes tingled.

  Chapter 19

  Pounding on Arak’s door the next morning woke them. His arms loosened and he kissed Sylvie on the nose before rising to answer. She listened to his muffled words and curled into the sheets. Seconds later, a loud shriek from the living area had Sylvie jumping up. She searched the floor until she snatched up Arak’s shirt and ran out of the bedroom.

  Moaning and mumbling, Faye faced the wall beside the door. “Torkel will kill me.”

  “I won’t tell if you won’t,” Arak teased.
<
br />   He hadn’t bothered with clothes and Sylvie took a moment to enjoy the sight of his flexing muscles and tight cheeks.

  “Just get dressed you…you cat.” Faye pointed behind her back.

  Sylvie laughed as Faye stared at the ceiling, blushing fiercely while he walked away. After peeking over her shoulder, Faye turned around.

  “He’s gone,” Sylvie reassured.

  An exasperated sigh curled Faye’s lips. “I wanted to invite you to breakfast.” She held up a cloth bag. “Joni sent clothing from your place.”

  Enthused about spending time with Faye, Sylvie showered and dressed in less than ten minutes. Arak sat on the edge of his bed, wearing only black pants as he eyed her frantic motions. A smile tugged at the corner of his mouth and his arm snagged around her waist when she tried to race by.

  “Arak! Faye’s waiting.” Her hands balanced on the smooth skin of his bare shoulders.

  “She can wait.” He pressed his face to her shirt covered breasts. “We need to talk about last night.”

  Though muffled, Sylvie understood him. Her hands went to his hair. Soft. Silky. “Do we need to talk about it?”

  Their lovemaking gave Sylvie hope and a new found lease on love. Being with Arak brought back the initial dreams she’d had when she’d joined the Singles Program. She didn’t want to ruin that with a conversation she wasn’t prepared for.

  “You’re my mate. My other half.”

  She remembered the frantic words he’d whispered during their lovemaking. “Mate?”

  His head moved up and down against her front. “I didn’t think I’d have one. I’m not full Argoran.”

  Sylvie’s heart clenched. She didn’t fully understand the mate thing but he’d mentioned that it was a big deal for his mother. Hands stroking his hair, she asked in a timid voice, “Are you upset about this?”

  The arms around her waist grew taut. “No! I’d never be upset about finding my other half. You mean everything to me, Sylvie.”

  Her breath released on a rush. “You mean a lot to me too, Arak.”

  “Come on, Sylvie.” Faye’s voice interrupted. “You don’t have time for a quickie or nooner.”

  Arak eased back, head tipped up and a smile playing about his lips. “Quickie? Nooner?”

  Fiery heat scalded her cheeks. “Not important.”

  Wicked humor glinted in his eyes. “I think I can guess the one but why would we want to be quick?”

  Sylvie shoved at him until he released her. His laughter followed her all the way out of his apartment.

  ***

  Faye argued all the way to the dining area.

  “It’s not really funny,” Faye said, brown eyes narrowed on Sylvie.

  Sylvie chuckled. “You didn’t see your face.”

  Lissi joined them, adding her plate to the growing spread of food on the table. Faye speared a piece of fruit and waved her utensil between them.

  “Lissi, tell Sylvie it’s not funny.”

  The Enotian beauty crinkled her brow. “What is not funny?”

  “Doesn’t matter,” Faye announced airily, biting the fruit. “Take my side and agree.”

  A smile curved Lissi’s mouth as she dutifully repeated by rote. “It’s really not funny, Sylvie.”

  “If you had seen Faye’s face when Arak answered the door naked, you would have found it funny.”

  Lissi snickered, her gaze shooting to Faye’s. “Truly?”

  Red stained Faye’s cheeks anew as she ducked her head and ate her fruit. Sylvie laughed.

  “Did I miss anything?”

  Glancing up at the familiar voice, Sylvie jumped to her feet. “Joni!”

  They hugged and squeezed one another. Joni held her shoulders firmly and leaned back. “Never, ever scare me like that again.”

  “Not exactly like I planned it.”

  Joni yanked on the loose strands of Sylvie’s hair and joined them at the table.

  “You look good for a girl who almost got blown to bits.” Joni slid Sylvie’s plate in front of her and picked up a piece of buttered bread.

  “We can thank Arak for the bloom in her cheeks,” Faye shared.

  All eyes went to Sylvie, who glared at the now smirking Faye.

  “You slept with the cat man?” Joni squealed then hugged Sylvie again. “How was it? Wait don’t tell me. Okay, tell me.”

  Sylvie rolled her eyes and snagged her plate back. “Get your own, funny lady.”

  Joni hopped up, not the least offended to fix something to eat from the food unit on the counter.

  Faye cocked her head to the side. “Does this mean you’ll go through a presentation and choose Arak?”

  Sylvie nibbled on the vegetable stick covered in a sweet glaze. “I’m not sure. We didn’t talk much about it.”

  “Arak can’t have a Chosen.” Lissi’s statement rattled them.

  Joni returned with a sandwich of some sort on the tail end of the conversation. “Why can’t the cat guy have one of the chosen deals?”

  “Because of everything with his maman. When she severed the relationship with her Chosen, the Commission banned all Argorans to prevent something similar ever happening again due to their mating heat or cycle.”

  Sylvie’s heart kicked up a notch. “Does it matter? I mean, we don’t have to choose each other or whatever. He says I’m his mate.”

  Lissi’s eyes bugged. “A Chosen is the only legal relationship recognized on Enotia.”

  Sylvie sat back, stunned but Faye chimed in. “It’s like marriage. Or their version of it anyway.”

  Joni, in tune as always to Sylvie’s emotions, clasped her hand. “You should talk to him. I bet the whole mate thing is more important than being a Chosen.” Her gaze flickered to the other two women. “Not to knock what you both have.”

  Faye gave a negligent shrug. “Love is love if both parties claim one another. If all I had was a lifetime with Torkel and no name for it, I’d still consider it worth the money I paid SP.”

  Sylvie did too. If she and Arak were officially a couple. They hadn’t exchanged vows of love although his words earlier hinted at the same feelings she had for him.

  “I didn’t mean to hurt you, Sylvie. Maybe you should ask Arak. I’m sure he’d have a better answer.” Lissi’s eyes begged for understanding.

  “Don’t upset yourself, Lissi. I want to get back to my place but let’s plan another girl’s night soon.” Sylvie would talk to Arak about mating and the whole Chosen deal.

  By the time she left the table everyone’s mood was restored and Sylvie went in search of Arak. In her haste to return, she hit the down button instead of up on the elevator and the doors opened on the first floor of the cavernous lobby. She caught a glimpse of blond hair and a black uniform and almost called out but they appeared to be arguing. Whoever it was stood with his back toward her in conversation with a hooded man.

  Sylvie squinted as the hooded man grabbed the blond by the shirt sleeve and whispered something in his ear. The ding of the elevator had both spinning around. She felt the heat of a malevolent stare from the stranger despite his hidden features. Sylvie’s scalp crawled. Brushing off the unsettled twitch in her stomach she waved in acknowledgment to the Jutak as the doors closed and jabbed the correct button heading up this time.

  Chapter 20

  Arak groaned as Sylvie rubbed along his front, her hand unerringly going for the bulge in his pants. With great restraint, he cupped her cheeks and broke off the kiss. “I’ll be back to pick you up later. I want to go over a few things with Torkel.”

  She licked her already wet lips. Her blue eyes darkened with longing. “Promise?”

  Arak leaned in and kissed her, quick. “We have dinner plans. I promise I’m coming back.”

  She stroked him one more time, gaze teasing then released him. Arak adjusted his stance with a laugh. Her playful nature appealed to him more than he ever would have guessed possible.

  “How are things with your father?”

  Arak slid his han
ds to her waist, content holding her in his arms and having her scent surround him. “My papa is doing well. Repairs on Santagos will start soon and he’s eager to update the equipment to prevent a similar occurrence in the future.”

  Sylvie caressed his hair and Arak leaned his head into the touch. Having her hands on him guaranteed his inevitable reaction. He closed his eyes and purred.

  “I love that.”

  He smiled and lowered his head to the top of hers, dislodging her hand. “I love you touching me.”

  She responded by reaching up to knead his scalp. The pressure from her fingertips sent sensation flicking up his spine. Arak’s grip tightened and he pulled her closer, his hips thrusting against her to ease the ache. He was tempted to take her back to the bedroom.

  “Sylvie,” he murmured and straightened.

  She smiled, fully aware of her effect on him. “Hurry back. I can’t wait to go out with you.”

  If he didn’t need to get back, Arak would have blown off his responsibilities for the chance to stay right where he was. “You’re mine, Sylvie.”

  “Oh, yeah?”

  He couldn’t help a rough chuckle and rested his forehead on hers. “Mine.”

  Her delightful laughter spilled out. “Are you gonna be mine, too?”

  “Absolutely.” He wouldn’t have it any other way.

  Arak dropped his arms to his side and stepped back. He needed to leave before he lost his restraint. “Later.”

  Arak ran a hand over her head, fingers sliding through her hair then let himself out of her place. His cat protested the whole way.

  ***

  The buzzer on her door interrupted Sylvie’s plans to take a long soak in preparation for her night with Arak. Her mouth tipped up at the corners as she opened the door. “I guess you couldn’t stay away.”

  “Hello, Sylvie.” It wasn’t Arak as she’d expected. “May I come in?”

  Arak’s teammates stood on the other side of the door, blond hair ruffled and his grin rueful.

  Sylvie peered down the hall before moving back. “Sure. You just missed Arak if you were looking for him.”