by Leela Ash
“Here, take this,” Cain said when he returned, handing her a little round pill. Kyna stared at it skeptically. “What, haven’t you ever taken a pill before?”
“Do you chew it? This doesn’t look like food.”
“It’s not. It’s medicine.”
“Not my kind of medicine.”
Cain smiled wryly. “I’m sure it’s not,” he said with a short laugh. “But this will help you feel better faster.”
“Are you sure?”
“Of course. Just swallow it with the water. Like this.”
Cain demonstrated with an invisible pill before handing her the water. Kyna sighed, keeping her eye on him as she took the pill.
“Good,” he said. “Now let me finish bandaging that up. Helping your head feel better is way more important than your arm.”
She gasped when Cain’s strong fingers wrapped around her again, sending a soft jolt of pleasure through her body. It was unlike anything she had ever felt before and she pulled her arm away reflexively.
“Hey, cut it out,” Cain said with a deep frown. “I need to do this. I’m sorry if it hurt.”
Cain gripped the arm assertively and Kyna closed her eyes, trying to ignore the pounding in her chest. He dabbed the wound gently with a cool cloth.
“Brace yourself,” he said, his low voice close to her ear. “This is going to hurt.”
Kyna hissed as he poured the rubbing alcohol over the cut and the stinging traveled up her arm.
“Here,” Cain said, pushing his broad hand into hers. “Squeeze it if you want.”
Kyna opened an eye to look at him, gauging whether or not he was serious. Cain’s eyes settled upon her, no humor in them, and she squeezed as he wrapped the bandage snugly around her wound. It was oddly sensual, despite the pain. When Cain was finally finished dressing the wound, he looked up at her with a small grin.
“There,” Cain said, his beautiful eyes locked on her. “All done.”
Kyna opened and closed her mouth, unsure of what to say with his face so near to hers. She wanted to speak, but her heart was hammering in her ears and there were no words for what she really wanted.
Cain lingered there for a moment. He also seemed conflicted about something, but he stood up and grinned down at her. “Lucky for you I found you on a weekend, so you’ll get to sleep in before I take you home.”
“Yeah,” Kyna whispered. She didn’t believe in luck, but she didn’t want to tell him that. “Lucky.”
Cain set to work bringing out sheets and blankets for her, making a comfortable bed on the couch. His condo had a beautiful view overlooking the city’s skyline, and he lay the pillow on the end of the couch so she could gaze at it as she fell asleep.
“Good night,” Cain said, dimming the lights and heading into his bathroom again.
Kyna heard the rush of running water as he showered, and stared at the night sky out the window. The lights of the city reminded her of Kaldernon, and she felt a sudden pang of sadness and panic. She was a failure. There was no way she would ever be able to convince Cain that she was telling the truth. He seemed set in his ways, and nobody would ever change that about him.
In a way, Cain’s firm grasp of who he was and what he believed was sexy. Conviction had always been highly revered by the Lonis. But on the other hand, inflexibility could make Kyna feel more frustrated than she knew what to do with.
Eventually the sounds from the bathroom ceased and Cain settled down for the night in his bedroom. Kyna sighed and closed her eyes. Maybe things would change for the better in the morning.
Chapter Nine
Cain thought he would finally be able to sleep after his hunting trip, but having the strange, bizarrely beautiful woman in his house kept him wide awake. He hadn’t been able to stop thinking about Kyna, and now that she was so close, he wasn’t sure what to do. He had to fight away thoughts of the things he wanted to do with her, to her maybe. It was hard being a man sometimes.
But wouldn’t it be a mistake to get involved with a woman who seemed to have something wrong with her? Still, that didn’t change the fact that she seemed to know things. Things most people overlooked. The idea of Kyna being a witch had stuck in Cain’s head ever since she’d brought it up. Was that the strange impression he had of her? Kyna had managed to articulate the level of strangeness that he had experienced when dealing with her. Should Cain be concerned that she was in his home? She seemed perfectly harmless, but what if she had friends? Those weird men that had stopped him in the forest?
Nothing made sense anymore. Cain groaned softly to himself and buried his head in his pillow. What was he going to do with that girl? Now that Kyna knew where he lived, she probably wouldn’t leave him alone. Should he go to the police? And did he really want to?
Her biggest crime was believing that Cain was something that he wasn’t. And he was a sucker for the mystique; the strange and beautiful way that Kyna presented herself. There was something that drove him to feel intensely attracted to her, beyond anything that she had ever felt with another woman. That was alarming in itself.
Cain was used to being cool and aloof, his feelings never on the line. But Kyna made him feel vulnerable. Unsure of himself. Unsure, even, of his own sanity.
All Cain really knew was that of all the things he had done in the past few weeks, having her climb into his truck so that he could drive her back to the underground tunnels and out of his life was going to be the hardest. Even harder than restraining himself from going back to her in the cover of night to tell her how she made him feel. He cringed as he felt an erection begin to creep against his leg and sighed deeply. It was going to be a long night.
***
Kyna couldn’t sleep. Her mind was scattered and seemed to be jumping all over the place. It went from focusing on the deep burning that she felt in her body whenever Cain was near and the terrifying close encounter she’d had with the men in the woods. Why did he make her feel that way? She was feeling much better after taking the medicine he gave her, but she missed being near him. It was making her anxious.
Her amber eyes were wide and alert after everything that had happened, and the artificial light from the city outside hurt her eyes. It was nice to look at for a while, but it was so bright compared to the underground burrows back at the Kersh clan’s settlement. It gave her a panicked feeling of claustrophobia. She longed to be able to lay down on her preferred spot on Earth and look up at the comforting lights of Kaldernon. But ever since they had started to pulse, taking on that unearthly hue, she hadn’t been comforted so much as puzzled and concerned.
Kyna tried hiding her face from the lights underneath her pillow, but that didn’t work. Not only was it still too bright, but it smelled just like Cain. It was driving her crazy to battle her longing. What would she even do with him if she had him? Play cards? Tell him how handsome he was?
She sighed in frustration, just about the same time she heard a similar sound come from Cain’s bedroom. Were they feeling the same way? She sat up and stared into the darkness in the direction of his bedroom. What was he feeling right that moment?
Kyna put her bare feet onto the floor, startled once again by the strange padding of carpet that she felt beneath them. She swallowed hard before she crept toward the bedroom. She put her hand on the doorknob and hesitated for a moment. When she heard another frustrated groan come from inside, she quietly turned the doorknob and walked slowly inside.
“What are you doing in here?” Cain asked, his voice hushed. He didn’t sound angry, just surprised.
“I can’t sleep alone out there,” she said, looking down at the floor, embarrassed. She was surprised by how immaculately clean he kept his bedroom. It was just like the rest of his home.
“What’s wrong?” he asked, sitting up.
A gasp caught in her throat as the blanket slid down his torso, revealing his perfect body, half naked in the silver moonlight. He noticed her staring, but said nothing.
“I’m not sure,” she sa
id. “It’s so bright. And I feel scared. Lonely.”
“Why do you feel scared? You’re safe here.”
“You wouldn’t believe me,” she said with a sad smile. He frowned.
“Maybe not, but I can help you feel safe,” he said, pulling down the corner of his blanket. “Come on.”
Kyna walked nervously to his bedside and tucked herself under the covers, holding her breath until it burnt in her chest the same way she might have done if she was going to dive into the deep end of the river. Cain smiled kindly at her.
“Now, whatever you’re worried about, just put it away from your mind. I know you think some interesting things about me, but just for now let’s say we’re both only ourselves and nothing else is going on in the world, huh?”
Kyna sighed inwardly. Cain would never be able to understand the danger her people were in. Never be willing to believe in their plight.
All thoughts of Kaldernon vanished suddenly. Kyna inhaled sharply as he wrapped his strong arms around her and her body was surrounded by his warm, masculine scent. It conjured a deep longing within her and she tried to think of anything else. She had no idea what to do with herself as Cain tugged her close to his chest, attempting to soothe her. It was both exhilarating and comforting.
“I know it’s been a long night. If you want to go to the police in the morning, I will drop you off. Could you try not to tell them I was there, though? I can’t afford to get into trouble.”
“Why would I go to the po–?”
The idea was absurd to her. Half the police force were people who had been paid off by the Guardians. The rogue officers had joined their corrupt movement. They would recognize Kyna as a Loni from a mile away and take her into custody. There were surely Guardians left in the world plotting an uprising against the Kersh clan, and there was no doubt that they would love to make an example of her.
“No, I don’t want to go to the police. I’m sure the men won’t find me again. You seem to have taught them a lesson when you started– “
She cut herself off. The last thing he would want to hear was the truth. How when Cain was angry, his eyes had turned from the beautiful human blue-green to the lethal reptilian eyes of a dragon shifter. Kyna had been shocked, just as she was sure the men he had attacked were, but he was completely oblivious. The strength Cain’s temporary shifting lent him had been more than enough to wipe out the men who had been messing with her. And yet, she couldn’t truly thank the shifter for what he had done without him thinking she was crazy.
“I’m sure they won’t do anything like that again,” Kyna said instead, shifting nervously. It felt too good to be so near his body. She wasn’t sure what to do, but Cain didn’t seem to have any expectations.
“They better hope they don’t,” he said, his voice low and serious.
“Cain?”
“Yeah?”
“Why were you out there? Right when I needed you? Like fate.”
“Fate?” Cain said with a nervous laugh. “I don’t know about that. I just couldn’t sleep so I went out for a hunt. I didn’t get anything last time I went out, if you’ll recall.”
“I’m sorry,” Kyna said sheepishly.
He stroked her back gently. “Don’t be.”
Cain wasn’t sure what to think and had no idea what was going on with Kyna, but he couldn’t deny how he had felt for her since they had met. She seemed to unleash something deep within him that he couldn’t get away from. Whether she was a little odd or not, he couldn’t lie to himself about how much he wanted her. Having her in his bed was like a dream come true, but he wouldn’t let himself go too far. He would just try to help her feel better until she could sleep.
Kyna’s back tensed up under his fingertips, and she inhaled softly as the pleasure began to course its way throughout her body. She had never experienced anything like it before and felt frozen as the warm feeling began to creep into areas she had never paid any attention to.
Kyna was dismayed when Cain pulled his hand away and curled up on the other side of the bed. She snuck a glance at him, her body buzzing in a billion different ways. He had his hands behind his head and was staring at the ceiling, his cheek pressed lightly against one of his firm biceps. His eyes flickered back to her and he smiled gently.
“It can be hard to fall asleep in an unfamiliar place. Would you like me to move to the couch instead?”
“No,” Kyna whispered. “I want to be with you.”
She crawled to his side. Cain smiled, though his face was creased with concern. As if following some unseen thread of fate, Kyna found herself climbing on top of him. She wasn’t sure what to do now that she was up there, but he raised his eyebrows and seemed just as surprised as she was.
“I guess I have no choice but to stay right here then,” Cain said quietly, his handsome face staring up into hers. They stared at each other for a moment. Soon, Cain’s eyes grew dark and he gripped her by the waist, flipping her onto her back, reversing their positions. Now he was on top of her and she stared at him, nervous but excited.
Cain didn’t speak any more, but slowly took her lips. They both moaned from the unexpected surge of ecstasy that their lips ignited. Kyna closed her eyes, savoring every sensation. This was nothing like what she had thought would happen when she set out to look for the handsome stranger. But she wasn’t disappointed.
“Are you okay?” he asked when he pulled away from her, breaking the sensual contact. He stared dubiously into her eyes and she smiled.
“Not with you all the way over there,” she said, sitting up and pulling his face close to her own. They kissed again, long and languid laps from their tongues that brought a moan from deep within her. He pulled away suddenly and looked at her, his eyes filled with worry.
“Are you sure you want to do this?” he asked. “I mean…”
“You’re not taking advantage of me,” she said, immediately understanding his reservation. Sometimes it was good to be an oracle. He thought she was some crazy woman. “Even if it’s true that I’m insane like you think I am, I’m still an adult. I can make decisions about my own body.”
“Okay,” he said, though he still didn’t seem convinced. She pulled him back down to her and kissed him again. He seemed to lose his reservation as her touch grazed his body, and they held each other tightly as he began to move himself against her, pressing the hardness of his groin against her middle.
She gasped, surprised by the unexpected pleasure that suddenly electrified her. Her dress was lifted to her waist and their bodies were separated by only thin layers of fabric.
Cain looked at Kyna again, as if looking for approval. She wasn’t sure what was going to happen, but she nodded. She would have given in to almost anything if it meant exploring the feeling Cain gave her.
He gingerly pulled the dress over her head and stripped himself, allowing a moment before moving again so that her eyes could roam him in the moonlight while he did the same. Kyna gasped softly when Cain took her hands in his and kissed them. The small gesture brought goosebumps to her flesh.
Suddenly, Cain was on top of her again, devouring her body with his mouth. He kissed Kyna with gentle urgency, and she gasped when she suddenly felt the length of his shaft press firmly against her. Immediately, she bucked against him as her nerve endings were electrified with pleasure, inviting him to see just how far he would go.
Kyna’s body was abruptly pried open as Cain pressed himself gently against her opening. He stayed there, finding her nipple with his hot mouth and sucking gently. A surge of pleasure jolted her and Kyna bucked her hips against him again, forcing Cain to push more of himself inside. He grunted in pleasure as he slipped in deep, and they both gasped as his shaft continued disappearing inside her.
Cain hadn’t expected anything like this to happen, and even more surprising was the fact that he wanted it so badly. He had never been so invested in a woman before. She hadn’t left his mind for more than five minutes since the moment they met. He would protect h
er. He would pleasure her. Even if she did turn out to be a little mentally ill, he would stand by her.
Kyna was writhing beneath him, her eyes closed as the ecstasy consumed her. Cain tried his best not to grunt in pleasure as her body constricted around him, engulfing him and sending a shot of pleasure through his cock and into his abdomen. It lit him on fire with a consuming need for release. But he wouldn’t give in to it. Not yet. She wouldn’t be able to handle his all.
“Are you a virgin?” Cain breathed as he gently rocked his hips against her.
“Yeah,” Kyna gasped. “You too, huh?”
Cain was surprised by her assumption. Most women, because they were generally so interested in him, figured he was a playboy; even when he denied them. It didn’t matter to him what they thought, but none of them had what he was looking for. Somehow, this woman did, and she could see right through him.
“I’ve done a few things,” Cain laughed. “But nobody’s held my interest long enough to get to this point.”
Still, he seemed instinctively to know exactly what to do to please her. They were both in rapture as her body enveloped him. He was losing his self-restraint, but clung to it desperately. He didn’t want to ruin the moment or make her experience difficult.
“Don’t hold back,” she said as if she could read his mind. Her amber eyes flashed at him and she grinned, challenging him. It brought a rush of adrenaline surging through him and suddenly he was no longer able to control himself.
He pushed her legs apart and rammed himself inside of her. She cried out loudly. For a moment he was worried it had hurt her, but the corners of her mouth were curled in a smile of satisfaction. He took it as a good sign and rammed powerfully into her again.
Kyna’s eyes were closed in ecstasy and Cain held her milky hips as he gave in to the power of his longing. He coaxed the head of his cock as deep inside of her as he could. She gasped with pleasure, panting hard, and he waited for her insides to constrict around him again before he released the first wave of power. Her fingernails dragged hard down his back as he hammered into her, and he could feel himself building her up to what would surely be a satisfying release.
