by Stone, Piper
Talyn opened his mouth then shook his head. “That is for Zacon to tell you. Just know that what you call a chip on his shoulder is very large, perhaps the size of a planet. Try and remember that, my friend. Kristina loves you. I can see that in her eyes every time she looks at you. I can only hope one day that she will feel the same with me. Don’t shut her out because you’re afraid. You are the bravest man I’ve ever known, including a life spent working with Shandar. You have to find the courage to let the past go, much like Zacon does.”
I truly had begun to admire the man and I knew he would die for Shandar and for all of us. Sadly, I wasn’t the man she needed, no matter how convincing Talyn sounded. “I appreciate your effort, but right now, I need to focus on hunting down a killer. Take care of her right now. She needs someone.”
“Did you ever stop to think that she needs all of us?”
“Maybe.” I had no decent answer for that.
“Just remember that whether you’re Cenzan or human, love can conquer all. Your wife will always be in your heart and maybe one day, when you have another baby of your own, you can forgive yourself. Honor her memory by becoming the man Kristina needs and the one she loves. If not, you’re going to fall into an abyss that no one will be able to save you from. Courage. Patience. Love. Something to consider.” With that, he smiled again before walking out the door.
The words hung in the air like a noose wrapped around my neck. Hissing, I shoved the self-pity away, determined to find Damen.
The camera was one housing an older style sim card, something that had been used for decades, even after the Great War. I had no idea if the telescan unit, a Cenzan development would be able to read the card, but I was certainly going to try. After placing the card on the scanning portion and moving my fingers across the screen, the telescan began to go through a series of data conversions and given the file size, I knew this was going to take a few minutes.
I took another sip of my drink, finally resigned that nothing was going to mask the bitter taste in my mouth. Not now.
Maybe not ever again.
A fresh wave of guilt slithered its way into my mind, infusing the anger. I couldn’t go on like this. That much was the truth. I slammed my hand on the desk, watching as the glass skittered off the edge, smashing into dozens of pieces. “Damn it.” This wasn’t how I’d seen the rest of my life going and certainly Kristina didn’t need the crap.
I closed my eyes briefly then knew she at least deserved an apology. Storming out of the office before I changed my mind, I moved quickly to the bedroom, pushing open the door. Kristina was on her side, her eyes closed. Deep sadness swept through me. I almost left then couldn’t do so without making certain she was all right.
Crouching down, I was thankful her breathing was even. Very gently I eased one of the braids from her face, brushing the backs of my fingers lightly across her heated cheek, still wet from tears. What kind of a monster spouted off something like what I did then leave?
Bastard.
Asshole.
Worthless fuck.
That’s exactly what I was. “I’m so sorry, Kristina. You have no idea the joy you brought into my life. In truth, I’ve already fallen in love with you in just these few days, but I’m terrified. I can’t lose you, which means I shouldn’t stay with you. I thought I could fake this perhaps, fulfilling a duty, but that’s not possible. Not around you. You are... my light. Just know that I will do everything I can to make certain you are safe and protected. Always.”
Leaning over, I kissed her lips, praying that she didn’t awaken. When I walked to the door, my heart was heavier than ever. I gave her one last look before leaving.
And I left a piece of my soul, what little was left, with her.
Adjusting my mind, much as I was forced to do in the Marines, I walked back into my office. The pictures were splashed across the screen in vivid color. I leaned over at first as I scrolled through then, finally getting to what had to be photographs of the various villagers. There was nothing of interest.
Until the very last one.
There was no anger left inside of me, nothing but a frigid blackness filling every cell.
I’d found him, the fucker, the Marine I’d seen twice in my life.
Once, during a training exercise.
And the second?
The day he murdered my wife.
Chapter Thirteen
Kristina
Brooding.
Arrogant.
Frustrating as fuck.
I had countless words that had formed in my mind for Killer. Hearing his real name at least made the man seem more real, less like a... killer. Drake Michaelson. The angst and horror in his voice had catapulted me into the very moments of discovery with my family. I understood him a little better, although in truth, the fact he shut down completely remained unacceptable.
But I’d dreamt of him, soft words of comfort, even loving remarks as if the man gave a damn. I knew better. He couldn’t actually fall in love with anyone. I yanked back the covers, storming toward the bathroom in search of any kind of robe. Thank God there was one positioned on the back of the door. I had no desire to be completely naked and vulnerable any longer.
And definitely not around Killer.
The two hours of sleep did little to make me feel any better, my head pounding. The early morning stream of light also did nothing for my mood. I was the only one in the room. There were no sounds, no telling statement if the three men were even in the house. I walked toward the window, peering outside. The sun was just coming over the horizon, highlighting the golden hue of the leaves on the trees. Fall had always been beautiful in Virginia, one of my favorite times of year.
What did it matter any longer?
Would the Cenzans care to celebrate holidays or fall festivals? The thought gave me a short-lived laugh, my nerves ragged. Folding my arms, I leaned my head against the window, my hot breath immediately fogging up the glass in small ringlets. For some insane reason, I blew out, creating a larger ring. Using just my little finger, I drew a heart, writing the word love in the center.
Jesus. I must be over the edge, exhaustion dragging out all the tendencies I used to have. Yep. I’d been a romantic once, a very long time ago, before my world had turned to shit. That girl had been banished from my life, replaced with a shell forged from steel. I closed my eyes, trying to remember what she was even like, trusting and full of life, adventurous while being able to make fun of herself.
“You’re awake.”
The deep voice was like soft velvet trickling down every inch of my body. Still, I jumped and opened my eyes wide, almost immediately slapping my hand toward the glass to wipe away the ridiculous figure.
A hand wrapped around mine, warm fingers intertwining in a gentle but firm manner. “Don’t. Love is beautiful.”
“And stupid. Blinding. Painful.” The words left my mouth easily. Seeing Talyn’s reflection in the glass—his shaggy and very sexy hair falling just over his brow, his imploring eyes searching for answers, and those damn succulent and irresistible lips—was enough to send a quiver straight into my pussy. He was insanely gorgeous, features that could make traffic stop. Dressed in a tight-fitting pair of pants only, his carved physique and rippled muscles made my mouth water.
Very slowly he brought my hand to his mouth, kissing each one of my fingers, his eyes never leaving mine.
I was at a loss for words, trying to shut down every emotion, but this damn alien was yanking them all to the surface. “Talyn, I...”
He took his time, languishing over the action, making very low growling sounds. He was fully aroused, his cock pushing hard against the dense material. “I know about Killer’s wife and child. He’s hurting.”
I wasn’t surprised, merely taken back to another damaging moment. “He’s riddled with guilt.”
“Just like you are.”
Swallowing, I studied his eyes, shivering as my nipples hardened. “He’s hardheaded and I don’t think I ca
n do this... the four of us, I mean.”
“He adores you.” Talyn pulled me closer, sliding his hand under the robe and cupping my breast. “Give him time alone. Telling you was so difficult for him.”
That much I knew. Nodding, I wanted nothing more than to talk to Killer, to make certain he knew how much I did care about him, but Talyn was right. The man needed time to process and think.
“Just like Zacon and I do,” he whispered.
The wave of heat sweltering between my legs increased, leaving me breathless as he fondled my nipple, pinching until I let out a strangled moan. “Why?”
“Why?” he repeated as his other hand untied the sash on my robe. He lowered his head, pressing his lips against the side of my neck.
Red-hot sensations rocketed through me, stars floating in front of my eyes. His touch was much gentler than the others, although just as demanding. I belonged to him. “Uh-huh.”
“Because,” he whispered, dragging just the tip of his tongue to the base of my ear, nipping my earlobe, “you’re an incredible woman. Beautiful. Sexy. You drive me crazy with desire.” He pinched and twisted my nipple again before crawling his fingers down, caressing my stomach then sliding his hand between my legs.
The feel of his hand against my wet pussy lips was like a shock to my system. I jutted my hips forward as I clung to him, arching my back in a blatant offering of my sin. I was aware his knee was kicking my legs apart, knew he was tugging the robe off my shoulders. Everything about this seemed so forbidden, as if I wasn’t allowed to enjoy any moment of intimacy without the others.
Then I remembered the passionate exchange with Zacon, the wild need the Cenzan had in consuming me. This was no different, Talyn’s way of expressing his own needs. I wanted to break free, to pretend that I wasn’t attracted, but my body and intense moans gave away all my raging desires.
I wanted this man.
I craved this man.
And I longed to have his thick cocks buried deep inside.
The robe dropped to the floor, leaving me completely bare and open to him.
“The taste of you,” he murmured, brushing his lips across my jaw, kissing the edge of my lips. “The feel of you,” he continued, dancing two fingers around my clit. “The scent of you.” Inhaling, he let out another ragged breath as he swirled his finger around my sensitive tissue, driving me into a primitive state of hunger.
“Yes. Yes...” I eased my hand down his chest, kneading every nip and tuck then venturing to his swollen cocks, stroking him through the material in a flagrant manner.
“Seems like you’re famished.”
“Mmm...” I fumbled with the fasteners on his pants, finally able to slip my hand inside, trembling the second I was able to touch his hardness. Both cocks radiated extreme heat, the same as the man touching me.
Teasing me.
He rubbed his fingertips up and down the seam of my pussy, gently pressing my outer lips apart. The moment he slid them just inside, flexing his fingers open, I peeled away the material of his pants, jerking the strict confines past his chiseled hips.
His subtle dark laughter showered over me, matching the hard thumping of my heart. I was shaken to the core, the desire burning so brightly within that I no longer cared about whether this should be considered a sin. I had to have him.
Pumping in long and even strokes, he buried all four fingers inside my molten pussy and captured my mouth. As he thrust his tongue inside, his own ragged sounds muffled, it was as if we became one, our combined yearning electrified.
The kiss was powerful, rocking my entire world and within seconds, his carnal nature took over, so dominating that I was taken aback. He drove his fingers in hard and fast as he thrashed his tongue together with mine, taking full control.
I was lost in the sea of wanton cravings, now using both hands to stroke the base of his cocks. The tingling sensations from the nubs rubbing against my hand were incredible, more intense than ever before.
He broke the kiss, keeping his lips hovering over mine, darting his tongue back and forth. “I’m going to fuck you.”
I kept my mouth open, controlling my breathing, struggling to keep from shaking.
“I’m going to devour you,” he continued.
I lolled my head back as he cupped my chin, digging his fingers into my skin. I slipped one hand under his delicious cocks, squeezing his balls, rolling them through my fingers. He was so full, so hungry.
“I’m going to feast on every inch of you.” Talyn moved his lips to my chin then my neck, biting down. He emitted another chuckle as he brushed his open mouth to my breast, moving the tip of his tongue around my nipple before sucking.
I could no longer feel my legs, yet my pussy clenched to the point I was thrown, the sizzling crackle of our longing unbridled.
When he picked me up into his arms, cradling me against his chest, I couldn’t take my eyes off the man. I felt safe in his arms, protected in a manner I hadn’t anticipated. I also felt something else and even more shocking.
Love.
Every action emitted the early stages of love, as if he could never live without me.
He eased me down onto the edge of the bed, lifting my legs as he dropped to his knees. He took a deep breath, his upper lip curling as he spread me wide open then blew across my pussy. His fingers danced along my thighs, brushing with the lightest touch before gripping my legs and keeping them in place.
The feel of his tongue swirling around my clit burned deep within my core and I arched my back, my hands fisting the sheets. “Oh...” I stared up at the ceiling as he repeated the move, the whisper of his breath keeping me on the very edge of what limited sanity I had left.
Talyn licked in circular motions, moving up and down as if he had all the time in the world. Every few seconds his guttural sounds were a reminder that he was also my master, capable of bringing me to the brink of an orgasm then pulling back.
That’s exactly what he did, his rough tongue lapping my cream, feasting on my pussy. He moved his head back and forth as he sliced his tongue past my swollen folds, plunging in rapid motions.
Oh, God. Oh... I could only take scattered breaths, praying I wouldn’t come quickly. I wanted this to last. Just watching him, the ravaging lust covering his gorgeous face was scintillating.
He moved his mouth up to the base of my stomach, peering at me with lazy eyes. “Pinch those beautiful nipples of yours. Hard. I want you to feel the burn.”
His tone was gravelly, the kind of deep husk that commanded attention, absolute obedience.
And I did just that without question, sliding my hands to my breasts and pinching my nipples between my thumbs and forefingers. The anguish was exquisite, awakening every nerve ending. I panted as the pain swelled, sending a shower of quivers down the length of my body. “Fuck... I...” I tossed my head from side to side, biting back the moans.
Only then did he resume licking, dragging his tongue all the way up and down, savoring every drop. His rubbed his hands down my thighs, using his thumbs to open my pussy lips even wider, allowing him complete access. Everything was fuzzy, wonderful, and warm as he licked in a ferocious manner, his tongue driving so deep inside that I couldn’t stop shaking.
Every barbaric growl, every scattered heavy breath only fueled the fire raging deep within. I was dangling on that precipice, ready to explode into his mouth. Unable to think clearly, my hands slipped away from my breasts, my disobedience immediately chastised with a hard slap against my pussy.
Whimpering, I bit my lower lip and pinched my aching buds, twisting and pulling in a brutal manner.
“You will learn to obey,” Talyn stated with another smack of his open hand. I was shocked at his aggression but every part of me was so damn turned on. I wanted more.
I wanted everything.
“Yes. Sir.” I was surprised how easily I offered the words, the affirmation that I’d accepted his command. Everything was topsy-turvy, my life in shattered remains, but for this beautiful mo
ment of joy, everything was... perfect.
He drove several fingers in beside his tongue, moving in a titillating orchestration, the sweltering heat forming around my jaw and cheeks intensifying. He curled his long fingers, the tips slicing against the most intimate spot.
I lifted my head, unable to hold back the scream. “Oh. God!” My body bucking, I struggled to obey, a climax racing to the surface. “I’m going to...”
He picked up the pace, nipping and licking, his savagery continuing.
There was no holding back, no concept of even trying. I pinched harder, wincing from the agony as the orgasm rushed into my very core. “Yes. Yes. Yes!” Every sound echoed; the beating of my heart, the blood pulsing through my veins, and the animalistic sounds the two of us were making. The single climax turned into a wave and I jerked all the way up from the bed, this time my mouth open in a silent scream.
Talyn refused to stop, his tongue and fingers driving in even deeper.
Taking me.
Claiming me.
Just as the others had done.
Very slowly I fell back onto the soft sheets, exhausted and oh-so wet. I gazed down with hazy eyes, enjoying the way his tongue lapped every drop. When he eased down my legs, I thought for certain he would mold his body against mine, shoving his cocks inside. Instead, he grabbed both arms, pulling me into his, forcing my legs around his upper thighs.
“Oh!” The whimper left my mouth as the wind was knocked out of me. I eased my hands around his shoulders as he swung me around.
“We’re not finished yet,” he whispered and held me aloft.
I hadn’t been prepared for the other set of hands sliding along my backbone. A single whiff and I knew Zacon had joined us, ready to take his prize.
Zacon rubbed his hands down to my buttocks, cupping my ass cheeks as he nuzzled into my neck. “Are you ready for a hard ride, little human?”
“Mmm...” was the only answer I could give.
The two hard smacks against my bottom stung, the reminder of my place burning into my brain. “I mean, yes, sir.”
