He wouldn’t tell her that when he’d hunted, he’d gorged himself on his prey. He hadn’t been cruel or wasteful in his killings, but he’d filled his belly with as much meat as he was able, which, for a healthy phoenix, was substantial.
“I’ll grab a few bottles, then we can get to bed.”
***
Nickie entered the tent and stepped aside, holding the flap open for Zenon to follow. She set the small lantern and water she’d grabbed from the back of the SUV onto the ground at her feet. Her heart hammered away, making her almost as breathless as when it had given out. Had the tent shrunk? The two-man tent had seemed plenty big, but with his six-foot frame and extra wide shoulders, it was crowded. Even near the center, he was hunched over to keep his head away from the ceiling. The light shone up, giving his face a sinister look that should have had her backpedaling to get away, but she’d seen inside him. He wasn’t going to hurt her.
“Had I known how big you are, I would have bought a bigger tent,” she said, as she zipped the door shut, keeping insects out.
Zenon poked at material on the side wall, curiosity making his brows draw to the center. After a moment of silence, he glanced her way. “Nylon. And after so long under the stars, any relief from the elements is welcome. I appreciate your thoughtfulness.”
Her heart stuttered. As much as she’d been through, it was nothing compared to him. Living without shelter at the mercy of the elements had been his reality. One she’d never survive. It was hard to reconcile this man with the broken one she’d stumbled onto less than twenty-four hours before. He’d had no choices. No hope. Until now.
“I don’t know how any of this works or what you want,” she admitted, her cheeks flaming. She had a good idea—she wasn’t blind. She’d noticed his lust filled gaze on her chest when she’d fidgeted with her shirt before coming in. Her nipples pebbled again just thinking about it. Part of her—the one that hummed with need—wanted to offer herself to him like a banquet for a starving man, but the other part wanted to slow things down. She couldn’t say she didn’t know Zenon. She’d shared his mind and seen his horrors, but the disconnect to her heart was still there.
“The one thing I dreamed of more than any other over the years was relief from the never-ending loneliness. You can not imagine what it is like to spend each day with nothing but your weary thoughts for company.” Zenon reached for her hand, stroking her skin with his thumb. “What I wish for most of all is to hold you in my arms as sleep claims us both.”
She was already nodding before he was done speaking. That, I can do.
“I, uh, I can’t sleep in my jeans, but I have a T-shirt I can wear. I just need to change into it. You can sleep however you’re most comfortable,” she said as another wave of heat rushed into her cheeks.
Nickie ducked around him to where her bag waited for her and rifled through it for a sleep shirt. The air mattress and bedding were set up and waiting for them. She’d have to thank Jas for doing all this. It had to have been her. The other women weren’t nearly as thoughtful. Or maybe it was just that Jas got the jump on them. Either way, she was grateful not to have to deal with all of it after the tiring day they’d had.
“Since this is the only clothing at my disposal, I shall wear them to slumber,” he said, indicating the sweats. She didn’t know where the T-shirt was, but she didn’t mind that he didn’t have it on.
“That’s fine. As long as you’re comfy.” She turned her back on him but didn’t make a production out of hiding as she pulled her sweat damp T-shirt from her body. She only hesitated for a second before reaching behind to unhook her bra and pull it down her arms. Only once she had her nightshirt on did she wriggle out of her jeans and pull off her socks.
When she faced him again, his muscles were taut and his jaw clamped shut. She didn’t have to look straight at his groin to know the effect watching her change had had on him. Zenon took a deep breath through his nose and released it. His chest shone in the dim light of the lantern.
“Do you mind if I unzip one of the window flaps? It’ll get warmer in here with our body heat,” she asked rather than flinging herself at him and regretting it come morning. Lord only knew she was already getting hot. “We can always zip it up again if we get cold.”
“Not at all.” Although his voice remained tight, his jaw loosened, and the bunched muscles in his torso and shoulders relaxed.
This doesn’t have to be awkward. Just get into bed with him. He’s your mate. She gave herself the mental pep talk as she tugged at the zipper, then rolled the flap, securing it out of the way. “There, that will be better.”
“Would you prefer sleeping alone, my Nickie?” he asked, proving once more that her thoughts were no longer private.
After all he’d been through, and having only moments before confessed his loneliness and his need to hold her, he was giving her an out. Yeah, that wasn’t going to happen. There was no way in hell she would deny him. It wasn’t that she wanted to be anywhere else. She just needed to get over her nerves. She wasn’t a virgin, but she hadn’t had many lovers, and not one in a while. Having a man in her bed wasn’t the norm.
“No, I want to be in here with you.” Rather than discussing it further, and allowing her nerves to keep building, she pulled the sleeping bag back and slid onto the mattress before scooting to the other side, giving him room to come in next to her. “Come to bed, mate.”
Chapter 11
Zenon lay on the soft platform where Nickie had indicated, his body stiff, and not in a pleasant way. Eyes open wide, his mate was as still as a statue, tension radiating from her. He should have kept his desire to hold her to himself. Had it not been for her expressing that she wanted to be with him, he would have left the tent and slept outside to ease her discomfort.
Minutes ticked by, and neither of them moved. Neither spoke. The soft whispering of her breath drifting past her lips was the only sound coming from inside the tent. On the outside, creatures he hadn’t heard in far too long chimed their happy sounds, lending music to the night. In his captivity, the only noise he’d heard were the anguished cries and groans of those brought to die—no doubt another effect of the powerful magic used to restrain him.
Nickie drew a deep breath, then another. “I think this holding-me thing would work better if we weren’t so far apart,” she said as she turned onto her side, facing him.
“I have asked too much. Being in your presence is gift enough.”
Even with the lantern off, he could see her in the dark. Uncertainty flashed in her eyes as she nibbled on her bottom lip. Then, as though coming to some great decision, she took a quick breath and closed the gap between them. “Is this okay?” she asked once she released the abused flesh from her teeth. She pressed her body to his side and rested her head upon his shoulder.
Every part of her was soft. Each beautiful curve fit against his like they were meant to be. Zenon wrapped his arm around her, tugging her closer still, and sighed.
The phoenix inside him shook out his feathers and settled. For so long, his beast had been lost to him. With no family and no phoenix, he’d been completely alone. With the woman curled so sweetly against him, it was almost conceivable that the Gods and Goddesses had not forgotten him in this wasteland of a planet. They had sent him an angel to ease the blow of the horrors of his past.
“This is perfect,” he uttered, unable to say more.
Nickie sighed and relaxed in his embrace as she draped an arm over his chest, resting her fingers above his heart. “Good.” She wiggled again, and if there had been any space between them at all, she eliminated it.
He made a soft sound, acknowledging her in the only way he could as he swallowed around the thickness in his throat. Nickie wasn’t ready for a full mating. Her nervousness and reluctance to share her deepest thoughts attested to that. Until that time when she was, he would keep her safe from harm.
***
Nickie hadn’t expected to fall asleep, much less do it so soundly that it
would be daylight when she opened her eyes again. But with Zenon’s warmth enveloping her and the tender stroke of his hand up and down her arm, she’d drifted off.
She should probably feel bad for using him as a mattress, but she didn’t. She was a snuggler and had no control over what she did while she slept. There was no getting around it. By the way Zenon had both arms wrapped around her, pinning her to him, she didn’t think he minded, anyway. The steady beat of his heart beneath her ear matched her own. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d had such a great sleep.
She lifted her head from his chest. With his eyes closed, and the relaxed, almost serene expression on his face, she could almost pretend he was still sleeping. The steady rise and fall of his chest would help her keep that notion up, too. But his eyes flickered behind his lids, and when she went to pull back a little further, his arms tightened around her just a touch.
“Good morning,” she said when he opened his eyes and peered at her, not an ounce of sleepiness in them.
“Indeed, it is.”
She gave another half-hearted attempt at lifting herself off him, but he didn’t budge. “I’m squishing you,” she said as she smiled up at him.
Rather than release her, his arms curled around her more. “Ten of you piled on top of me would not squish me. You are so slight that a gentle breeze could take you away. Therefore, I must hold you to you to keep you with me.”
His words rang true as though he believed she might disappear if he didn’t hang on. She shook her head but let her body go pliant in his arms. If he wanted her there, she wasn’t going to deny either of them. She loved to cuddle. “I’m not going anywhere. Besides, there isn’t a breeze inside the tent.”
His grin surfaced, drawing her attention. It wasn’t enough to bring out his dimples, but close. And it was sexy as hell first thing in the morning. “I shall not take that chance.”
She wiggled against him, fighting the urge to reach up and press her lips to his, then froze when a soft moan rumbled from his chest. With her thigh nestled between his, it didn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out what the source for that moan was. “You sure I’m not making you uncomfortable?” she asked before licking her lips.
Zenon’s gaze darted to her mouth, and his pupils dilated. A muscle in his jaw leapt. His arms loosened around her, but rather than release her, one hand slid to her hip, making her hyperaware that her T-shirt had ridden up and nothing but her panties separated his hand from her flesh. He palmed the back of her head with his other, drawing her closer until their breaths mingled. “Perhaps a smidgen, but it is a discomfort I happily bear.”
With a small whimper, she crossed the distance, pressing her lips to his. His fingers on her hip dug into her skin. Why had she resisted him in the first place? They were meant to be together. It’s what the witch had said. Not only that, but the phoenix mates would be the perfect complement to each woman. Not without flaws, but perfect for them. The old hag had been clear on that, too. It had seemed farfetched, but the more time she spent with Zenon, the easier it was the believe.
When she teased the seam of his lips with the tip of her tongue, he opened with a groan, giving in to her silent demand. “You’re going to be hard to resist. I can already tell,” she whispered into his mind—at least, she hoped she did. The skill was too new to her for her to be certain.
His mouth firmed against hers in what could only be a smile, but he did not pull away. “Shall I lie and say I am sorry?”
She broke the kiss only to nip at his lower lip. “I have all the proof I need right here that you’re not,” she said as she wiggled over him. The hard ridge straining against her lower belly jumped at the caress.
Releasing her hair, he brought his hand to her other hip, stilling her movement. His eyes closed, and another moan tore from him. “I wish we could continue this exploration, my Nickie, but the others are close, and I suspect they are waiting,” he said out loud.
Sure enough, when she pulled her focus away from the man beneath her, feminine voices carried to their tent. The clang of pots and the scent of campfire a short distance away drifted to her ears and nose. As much as she hated to admit it, he was right. They had to get moving. It was early still, but the other women would want to break camp and head out. Their lives depended on it. She would have been happy to stay holed up in her tent with her mate all day, but the others would get antsy before long.
With a sigh, she pressed another kiss to his lips, then pushed against his chest. This time, he let her go. She rose and pulled on her socks, not bothering to try and hide. After having been draped over his body for who knew how long, the least of her concerns was of him watching her dress. She tugged her jeans over her hips, then put on her boots. He didn’t tear his gaze from her for a second.
“You can hang out in here for a few minutes, to collect yourself while I get started on our breakfast,” she said with a grin as she yanked a hoodie over her head. “Come out and join us when you’re ready.”
The cool morning air did nothing to stop the warmth glowing inside her, and she had no doubt where that heat was coming from. Zenon had been careful to keep himself locked away from her before they’d gone to sleep, but when she’d woken, he was there, inside her. Not literally, of course, but in the mental connection he’d forged the day before. Stronger than I than it had been.
She zipped up the tent and faced the campfire. The two larger tents were already coming down while three of the women worked at getting food ready. Jas was the first to spot her and came rushing toward her.
“Hey sleepy head. How’s everything this morning?” she tried to keep the worry from her voice, but they’d known each other far too long for her to hide it.
“Great so far,” she admitted.
Jas blew out a breath. “I should have stayed up and made sure you were okay. I mean, we don’t really know the guy, right?”
“I know him well enough,” she said, steering her friend away from the tent and closer to the others.
Jas glanced in her direction, her mouth gaping open. “Did you really do it? You guys just met. You must have. You’re glowing,” she exclaimed loudly enough to turn a few of the other women’s heads.
Mandy, the jokester in the group who always made everyone laugh, came prancing over. The woman smiled wide and bounced on the balls of her feet.
Oh crap, this is going to be bad. It was a good thing Zenon was still in the tent and wouldn’t be subjected to what was coming.
“So?” Mandy asked, waggling her eyebrows at her as though that would clear up whatever question she had brewing in her mind.
“So what?” Nickie braced herself.
“So? How’s the equipment? He’s a big guy. I bet he’s huge. Did he remember how to use it? I mean, he’s been without a woman for so long, I can’t imagine it took him long to finish, but did he make it worth your while at least?” Mandy spoke fast before anyone could stop her. Not that anyone would. The other women had dropped whatever they’d been doing and were now listening as though her insight would help them figure out some great universal mystery.
Did they really expect her to answer a question like that? Not going to happen. She’d glimpsed his cock at the clearing, and again the previous evening when he’d arrived at the lake. So had the other women. A pang of jealousy zinged through her. They already had way too much information on that part of her mate’s anatomy, as far as she was concerned. She wasn’t going to share anything more.
Of course, none of them would ever touch him as she would. Laying on top of him, with his shaft hard and ready under her belly, was already more than they’d ever get. Mandy wasn’t wrong. He was a big guy. All over. And when it came time that they made use of his equipment, that would be between them, too.
“Mate, that line of thought is not helping me prepare to exit the tent,” Zenon whispered into her mind with a throaty chuckle.
Heat raced up her neck and into her cheeks. “It’s not my fault. You scrambled my brain this
morning. And you’re not supposed to be listening in. Remind me to figure out how to block them later,” she said, only half teasing.
“Oh crap. Look at her blush. He totally rocked her world last night,” Mac said, joining in on Mandy’s teasing.
Nickie gasped and headed toward the fire. She was not having that conversation. “I’m not talking about this with any of you. If you guys are done, I’ll let him know he can come out. And if you embarrass me in front of my mate, I will keep tabs, and I can tell you, I will give ten times worse when you find yours, so be careful what you say,” she warned.
“We’re just goofing around. Go ahead and get him to come out,” Mac said. “We’ll behave.”
Nickie looked each woman in the eye. “You’d better. We have a lot to talk about.”
Before she could mind-speak Zenon again, each one of the women’s gazes swept past her. She didn’t have to look to know he was coming. Their gaping mouths said it all. One of the women, she couldn’t tell which, made an appreciative sound. Had he come out naked? She spun around to have a look, but no, he still had his sweats on. They were riding low, and all his chest and abdominal muscles were on display. As annoying as it was to have them all gawking at him, she couldn’t blame them. Her mate was hot as hell.
Even though all eyes were on him, his focus was on her. The closer he got, the wider he smiled. Was she drooling?
“You’re not drooling,” he assured in her mind.
“So why the goofy grin?”
“My mate finds me attractive. Unless I’ve mistaken the meaning of the words ‘hot as hell’. This pleases me.” When he reached her, he pulled her into his arms and brought his lips down to hers. Toes curling in her hiking boots, she kissed him right back, ignoring the cat calls from the women around them.
“Good morning once more, mate,” he said before pulling back and facing the gaping women. “Now, which of you is Jackie?”
Rising Darkness_Book One of a Phoenix Shifter Fantasy Romance Page 8
