Primal Encounter

by Rebecca Airies

  “What has brought that smile to your face?” Rygar’s lips brushed against her ear as his arms came around her.

  She turned.

  “Certainly not them.” She shot a pointed look toward her two guards. They seemed to step forward or object to the smallest things.

  “Still pouting over not getting your way?” Rygar asked with a smile.

  Dari turned a narrow-eyed look on him. He found this entire situation too funny. Every look, every complaint she made gave another reason to smile. She’d like to know how cheerful he’d be with two guards who seemed to think everything was dangerous. She had a feeling that the only reason they hadn’t deemed walking dangerous was because it was still necessary.

  “Why don’t you tell me what could be dangerous about picking out cloth in an almost deserted market. Damn it, Rygar, I need that cloth. I only have two changes of clothes.” She put her fisted hands on her hips. By the end of the statement, she was nearly shouting at him.

  It didn’t do much good. He just chuckled and slipped his arm around her waist. She was getting tired of wearing the same clothing again and again. There wasn’t any reason for it.

  “It’s too open. Someone could easily target you.” He dropped a kiss on her lips.

  The fleeting touch was gone before she could decide whether to respond or hold herself away from him. His answer made her absolutely furious. The men hadn’t let her go into a busy market on another world. She could understand that and hadn’t made any comments about it. Now someone was so intent on her death that they’d lie in wait on some roof to get a shot at her. She couldn’t resist saying something now.

  “I wish you men would make up your minds. I couldn’t go into one market because it was too busy. One of those people could have easily slipped a blade between my ribs in the crush without one of the guards noticing. And it wasn’t that crowded.” She folded her arms across her chest and looked toward the quiet market.

  “It was too crowded and you know it. Today, it would be just too easy for someone to let an arrow fly from a hidden alley or rooftop by the time we knew anything was wrong, you could already be hurt or worse.” He leveled one of his unbending looks at her. She knew he wasn’t about to let her deny the truth of that.

  “Maybe the too-crowded market was dangerous but I’m not about to agree with your judgment about today. This isn’t about me.” She shook her head, knowing that was a dead-end discussion and tried another tack. “I had my personal wall of protection. You didn’t see it.”

  “Your personal wall?” Rygar gave her a doubting look.

  “My two guards. Every time I approached a stall, they moved behind and to the side of me. I couldn’t even take a step back without bumping into one of them.” She shot another glare at them. Just the thought of that made her want to scream.

  “And you didn’t find any cloth while you were there?” he asked.

  She turned her head and narrowed her eyes at him. Was he trying to make her angrier? His expression was genuinely curious as if he really didn’t know why she wouldn’t have found anything during her very brief foray into the market. She decided to give him the benefit of the doubt.

  “I had only visited three stalls and had finally found some decent cloth when those two had to drag me back to the main group. After that, I was lucky if I could see past the men around me.” Dari glanced toward the gate. She knew they’d be leaving as soon as the rest of the men returned from their errands.

  “Your safety and health are important to us.” His lips lowered to just above hers. “Now stop whining and give me a kiss. You know that I’m not going to risk your life for anything, much less a bit of cloth.”

  Dari gasped but before she could yell at him, his mouth closed over hers. His tongue slid between her lips. She leaned into him, relaxing and savoring the kiss. It had been too long since he’d kissed her with real passion. She stroked her tongue against his and twined her arms around his neck.

  “I’ve missed holding you, making love with you,” he murmured between kisses dropped on her lips and cheeks.

  “I’m sure we could have found a way to make love without it hurting me too much.” She’d been tempted to try a few of her own ideas in the past few days. Only the fact that they were surrounded by other people had held her back.

  “I wanted to try a few possible positions but even the climax would have caused you pain.” He combed his fingers through her curly gold hair.

  “It might have just been worth it. I’ve been feeling a little neglected.” She nuzzled his hair away from his neck and drew his scent into her lungs.

  “We’ll have to take care of that soon,” Rygar whispered. His hot breath fanned over the shell of her ear.

  Dari didn’t have time to respond. The last of the men returned and they left the world. According to the men, it should only be a few days until they reached the Taivain. She was looking forward to that. The privacy of a room and also the comfort of a bed would be great. She’d really like to stay in one place for a while. Especially since they thought she was in danger. Maybe she’d be able to walk somewhere alone on their home world. She’d never thought she’d long for that simple pleasure. Within the walls of the Taivain even they should accept that she would be safe.

  The men stopped for the night on Elianea, the world before Ajiari pack’s home world. They’d have to travel to Vassair tomorrow and then overland for a few days to their Taivain. She sat with a few of the women who’d chosen to stay with the Zarain as the men set up camp. It’s not like there was much to do since there were no campaign tents. It was something she’d watched many times. She’d have liked to help but everything stopped any time she got near the men.

  Rygar walked over to her after the fire had been built and sentries had been posted. He extended his hand. She looked up at him and noted the warmth in his eyes. A quick sniff and she caught his scent on the wind. Wild, musky, aroused.

  She put her hand into his. Even on a walk, she knew they’d have no real privacy. She’d resigned herself to waiting a little longer but Rygar obviously had other ideas. She wasn’t going to miss this opportunity to kiss and touch him. Even if he stopped before they made love, it would be worth the frustration.

  He pulled her to her feet and led her away from the camp. She looked up at him and caught him glancing at her. She smiled and moved closer to him, her thigh brushing against his as they walked.

  His hand released hers but almost immediately his arm curved around her waist. She leaned against his shoulder, wanting to get even closer. Considerable less clothing would be wonderful. She knew it wouldn’t happen. He was still in that overprotective state that he’d been in since she’d been attacked.

  “Where are we going?” Dari asked.

  “Not far. Just a nice place where we can be a little more private,” the words emerged in low exciting rumble.

  The deep timbre of his voice almost reminded her of a purr. She absolutely loved it. The sound seemed to vibrate through her, centering low in her abdomen and pussy. It made her want to grab him and find a place where they could make love.

  He stopped in a small grassy area. Dappled light streamed through the leafy canopy above them. Thick bushes gave the small clearing a private, secluded feel. She saw a leather pad spread over some of the grass.

  Dari frowned but wasn’t worried, just confused. “What…”

  “I wanted some time with you alone. Holding you at night and not touching you has been making me insane. You cuddle against me at night. Do you know what the feel of your ass rubbing against my cock does to me?” Rygar urged her to stand in front of him and pulled her hips flush against his. The hard ridge of his cock pressed against her stomach.

  Her mouth fell open. They weren’t that far from the camp. Anyone could come along and find them. He couldn’t mean here, now.

  “We can’t.” She shook her head slowly, not sure if she was misunderstanding him.

  “We can. Let me show you.” He picked her up and carr
ied her to the pallet. He sat and then relaxed back, drawing her over him as he lay on his back.

  “There are people…” she began.

  He drew her down for a kiss and she couldn’t resist responding to the warm press of his lips. She slipped her hand beneath his shirt. She needed to feel his warm skin against her fingers even if it was for a short time. She’d stop him but she’d enjoy being held for just a little while longer.

  She pushed his shirt up, running her fingers over his flat stomach and up his ribs to his chest. Her fingers found the hard discs of his nipples. She plucked at the small hard buds.

  His eyes met hers and he drew his hands over her back. Sliding back around her waist, his fingers began working on the fastenings to her shirt. He pushed the fabric away from her breasts to his gaze and touch.

  “I’m just as eager to play as you are,” he said with a wicked smile. His hands stroked over her ribs to the rise of her breasts.

  She licked her lips and cast a look toward the bushes. There could be someone there, close enough to hear and see, but she wanted him to touch her. Nervousness and anticipation coiled inside her.

  His hands cupped over the mounds of her breasts. The pressure and warmth of his palms against the hard tips of her nipples seared through her. It seemed more intense than ever before. She gasped and felt the coiling desire low in her belly. Her muscles loosened and a warm, slick juice coated her pussy.

  “How much do you want me?” Rygar asked.

  “So much. I’m aching to have you but…” She stopped as his fingers gently touched her lips.

  “Think only of me and what you feel. Nothing else exists right now.” He drew his fingertips back and forth across her flesh.

  She nodded but she couldn’t forget entirely about the fact that someone could easily walk into this glade. The idea didn’t reduce her arousal, it heightened it. He’d protect her from any danger. The thought of someone watching caused a pulsing ache in her belly. She closed her eyes and enjoyed the sensation.

  He drew her down and his lips closed over one aching breast, drawing the hardened nipple into his mouth. Her head tilted back and a moan rolled from her lips. She loved the feel of his mouth on her. The way he feasted on her as if he couldn’t get enough.

  All the while his hands stroked up to her ribs and down to her thighs. That touch was as arousing, if not more so, than the drawing pull of his mouth at her breast. Every time his hands swept down, she’d draw in a slow breath, her mind centering on the feel of his hands. His palms brushed her hipbone and she waited for those blunt fingertips to trail inward. Her cunt clenched with the need to feel his touch.

  She shifted her hips restlessly. His hands tightened on her hips, holding her still. Her eyes met his as he allowed her to draw away from him for a moment.

  “Touch me, Rygar,” she ordered.

  His hands flexed at her hips. “I am touching you.”

  “You know where I need to be touched. Why are you teasing?” Dari dropped a kiss on his lips, determined to make him see how much she needed him if he’d somehow missed it. His tongue tangled with hers. She felt a wave of desire from him and smiled in satisfaction. His hands rocked her hips against his as they kissed.

  Slowly, Dari, I don’t want to hurt you. He couldn’t seem to stop kissing her long enough to actually speak.

  Not that she minded. The thoughts and feelings pouring through that connection only made her feel more like she was a part of him.

  You’re not going to hurt me. Touch me. You need me almost as much as I need you. She brushed her fingers across his cheek. It was the truth. She hadn’t felt so much as a twinge of pain so far.

  “You have to tell me. If it hurts even a little, stop me,” he said. His lips brushed hers with every word.

  She nodded. It would have to hurt a lot to make her stop him. She knew that no matter how much he wanted her, he wouldn’t hurt her. He wouldn’t have started if he wasn’t certain that she could do this without pain.

  He pushed the shirt off her shoulders, dropping it at his side. His hands glided slowly over her ribs and chest. She trembled at the light touch but it wasn’t what she needed. She began slowly rotating her hips against his.

  “That’s not slowly,” Rygar growled. His hands grasped her hips. His eyes narrowed and his lips formed a straight line. He looked almost like the typical stern man.

  She grabbed one of his hands and drew it down to her pussy. Pressing his palm against the cloth-covered mound, she moved against him. She wished she was wearing a skirt. His fingers curled against the damp fabric, pushing between the lips of her pussy and rubbing her clit. She moaned and savored his touch, expecting him to pull back at any moment.

  The ridge of his cock pressed against her, almost where she needed it. She tore at the laces of her pants, wanting them off so that she could take him inside her.

  He chuckled. His hands brushed hers away from the laces. Her lips pulled back in a snarl as she thought he was going to delay again. She didn’t think she could take any more teasing.

  He untangled the laces, loosening them and pushing the fabric down as far as it would go in their present positions. Without pausing, he worked on his own pants. She rose, frustrated as the pants seemed to bunch and tangle at her knees. Off balance, she tumbled onto her hip. Pulling off her boots, she kicked free of the clinging fabric.

  He was chuckling as she knelt astride him. His hand guided the thick head of his cock to her slit. The rounded head nudged into her. She threw her head back and closed her eyes as she slowly sank onto his shaft. The skin wrapped around his shaft felt tight, stretched, but the prickling sensation arcing through her was pure pleasure. He curled his arm around her shoulder, drawing her down to him. She shivered as the change in position caused sharp pleasure to burst through her.

  He kissed her and used a hand at her hip to guide her movements against him into a slow, smooth rocking motion. At first the sensation thrilled her but soon the unhurried pace frustrated her. The need inside her coiled tight but the gentle rock of his hips into hers only served to frustrate her. A fine sweat coated her skin and she braced her hands on his shoulders.

  Dari strained against his restraining hands. Desire built but she couldn’t reach the peak. Her inner muscles clenched as she tried to drive her hips against his. His fingers tightened, holding her still.

  The clenching muscles at his jaw offered the only sign that the slow pace affected him. “Slowly, gently.”

  There was nothing gentle about the feelings tearing through her body. She couldn’t do this the slow way, not and keep her sanity. The arousal built with each stroke. She knew she’d have to take over at least until he felt as desperate as she did.

  Leaning down, she nipped his neck as she slowly moved her hips in a circle. It was the only direction she could move without his hands tightening. The sound of him drawing a ragged breath thrilled her. She wanted to ruin his control.

  She sucked and licked at the small red mark she’d made on his throat. Her hands swept up his chest. She flicked her nails across the flat disc of his nipple. His hips arched up, lifting her. She tensed her legs, holding still as his hips slowly lowered. She circled her hips and slowly pressed down. She felt his hands shake.

  Taking advantage of that, she rose and sank onto his hard shaft again. She couldn’t restrain a moan as sensation streaked through her. Her hands braced against his chest. As the heat built, she quickened the pace. He no longer held her back. His hands urged her hips in a faster rhythm. Each time she lowered her hips, his arched to meet hers in a grinding, pounding rhythm.

  Fire raced up through her, exploding in fierce intense climax. Her fingers curled and her nails scraped over his chest. He pulled her head down, capturing her lips and her scream as she came. He rocked her against him. His groan was muffled against her lips as he came. The second climax rolled over her, leaving her shaking. She collapsed onto his chest.

  She lifted her mouth away from his, a little reluctant to lose his to
uch. In truth, she’d like nothing more than to lounge against him and savor the feel of the wind against her body.

  As the passion cooled, she remembered the nearby camp and the possibility of men wandering the area. The thought sent a jolt through her. If he hadn’t had a hold on her, she would have jumped up and grabbed for her clothes.

  He held her easily as she tried to get up. A huge smile spread across his face as he looked up at her.

  “Your face is so red I can hardly believe this is the same woman who tried to rip off her clothes.” He traced her lips with his tongue. His laughter started softly but then shook his body. He held her close, hugging her to him until the last chuckle faded.

  She could feel the heat in her skin and knew she was blushing brightly. “They could have heard us. Someone could have come upon us as they walked.”

  “No one was in the area.” His hand cupped her buttocks, rocking her against him.

  “How do you know, they could have taken a walk just as we did.” Dari lifted her head and stared into his eyes. He’d sounded much too certain for that to be a simple assumption.

  “Because they know we’re here and that I wanted some privacy,” he explained.

  “What?” She levered up suddenly and the words came out at a near-shout. She almost couldn’t believe what she heard. “Tell me that was a joke.”

  He shook his head. “No, everyone knows that we’re newly mated and of our recent difficulties. They know we needed some time alone together.”

  Nudity and sex weren’t hidden in a pack but Dari couldn’t stop a wave of embarrassment that hit her. She knew it wasn’t because the others knew what she and Rygar had been doing. If that had been the case, her face would still be glowing red from the first encounter. No, it was her reaction to being discovered. That hadn’t shocked or appalled her. It had aroused her.

  “Don’t worry about it. No one will say anything.”

  She wasn’t worried about anyone saying anything. The only ones likely to comment were the few human females. The easy attitude might seem strange to them.