Reality Hero

by Ashlynn Monroe

  Dina reacted to the primal needs of her body. Her pussy ached for Zane to fill her. No other man fit her the way he did, or made her as comfortable in her own skin. With him, she could truly be who she was. Lust clawed at her womb, she needed to be with the man she’d always loved. Even if she could only be with him on a physical level, tonight it felt right. Sex was a reaffirmation of life, and Dina felt the need to reaffirm.

  She put her hand gently on his stubble covered jaw line and ran her hand over his face tenderly. He looked down at her. She couldn’t resist wiggling up just enough to reach his lips with her own. First, it was just a tender touch, a flutter of sweet, soft caring. Then the long caged finally burst free of its shackles, and for the first time in six years, she welcomed the passion she’d been trying to ignore. Dina pulled his zipper down and helped him peel out of the spandex. His abs were well defined. His hard chest was crisscrossed with scars she hadn’t seen before. Her breath caught, and she ran her finger lightly over the marks. How many times had he risked his life? She’d lost count. He grabbed her hand and kissed her fingertips lightly.

  “Don’t worry about those,” he whispered softly. His voice was husky.

  “How can I not? Oh, Zane.” She tried to keep her voice steady, but it still trembled, just as her body did. The idea of losing him turned her blood to ice. His eyes were so intense as he looked at her. Then he growled and she tilted her head, preparing for his lips.

  His devoured her mouth in a kiss filled with unspoken promises. He nibbled at her bottom lip just the way she liked. No one else kissed like Zane. She deepened the kiss while clinging to him, afraid to let go, afraid he was just a dream. Her arms twined around his neck, and he pulled her closer.

  His body felt stronger than she remembered. They’d been so young the last time they made love, she hadn’t realized how much more delectable he’d be now. She ran her hands over his chest, relishing the feeling of his body. The play of the night shadows across his skin caused her to marvel in the beauty of his masculine body. He rolled her on top of him and she straddled his stomach, all while the kissed continued. She pulled back and looked down at him. The lust in his eyes stole her breath.

  “Oh God, Zane, I’ve missed this. I’ve missed you,” she said with quiet honesty.

  His hands clutched her hair, and she heard him growl in a very primal way. His large hands slid down her neck and shoulders until he found her breasts. Gasping, she relished the feeling of his light rubbing on her sensitive nipples, heightening her desire. He brought one of them to his mouth and drew hard on the nipple. She cried out. He pulled away.

  “You taste so damn good. Dina, you’re my only addiction. God, I can’t get enough of you.” He brought his mouth to her other breast.

  She clutched his shoulders tightly and closed her eyes, and moaned. Her back arched. His strong, warm hands slid sensuously down her stomach, making her gasp from the subtle tickle of his skin touching hers. His hands were so large. She loved the sight of him touching her. He moved lower and began to massage her clit until she let go of another little moan. He started rubbing her with unnatural speed. She opened her mouth to scold him for using an ability, but the only thing that came out was a small gasp, then another. A moment later, she cried out, coming. Having a superman in your bed was amazingly awesome. He kept up until her shouts of pleasure turned into little whimpers.

  “You’re so wet, darlin’. You smell so fucking good, Di. I want to taste you.”

  His bedroom eyes were so damn sexy. Seeing his passion was a balm to her wounded heart. They’d lost so much. If he were really just a mild-mannered accountant, they could have this every day. He pulled her up so that he could have his way. She felt his tongue lap her clit and she moaned. He fucked her with his tongue and she was lost. Her sensations heightened from his hands on her breasts, he reached up, stroking them. Then he began lapping at her again. Being with Zane was so much more than being with any other man. Ecstasy overwhelmed her, and she came as she straddled his face. Dina threw back her head, crying out.

  When she’d finished she scooted back enough to see his handsome face. Leaning down she nipped his lip, tasting her own essence, and began to kiss a trail down his jaw, then neck, then chest. Dina slid down his body, leaving a trail of hot kisses in her wake.

  It was her turn to give him pleasure. He hissed when she took the head of his very hard cock in her mouth and twirled her tongue. Zane’s cock was perfectly formed. He was beautiful. He wasn’t the only one who remembered what buttons to push. Holding the base of it in her hand, she began to suckle the remainder of him. Then she took him as deeply into her mouth as she could.

  He groaned. “Oh fuck, that’s hot, darlin’. Di, Christ, if you don’t stop that I’ll come. If you don’t plan to finish me off with that sweet, little mouth of yours, you’d better stop. God, I’ve missed you. Damn, I’m so close.”

  Glancing up at him, she couldn’t stop the rush of pure feminine delight knowing she drove him to the edge of his control. Zane was a man who always wanted to be in control. It was nice to see he was still just a mortal man.

  * * * *

  The heavy look of desire mixing with her amused expression brought out the primitive man within. Zane flipped her onto her back, holding her hands above her head. He moved so quickly she gave a startled yelp. Then a short laugh burst out of her. He loved the way she was in bed. She never took herself, or him, very seriously. He could let his guard down with her. She didn’t expect anything from him. He’d been with other women since Dina, but none had made him feel like she did.

  Zane had a new ability he hadn’t told her about. He could read minds, not just control them. He occasionally probed the edge of her thoughts to make sure he was on the right track, but her expressive face told him more about what she needed. He loved how real it was with her. In all his life, she was the only person who’d ever made him feel human. His mouth kissed, sucked, and nipped her everywhere. Her hands roamed his back and gripped his shoulders reflexively.

  When he reached the nub of her clitoris, she bucked her hips. He took the little pleasure point between his teeth and suckled it until he felt her mind telling him she was at the very precipice of her breaking point. His Di was so close. A surge of primal response filled him when she gasped out his name. Zane looked up at her beautiful face and saw how very ready she was for him. Lying down next to her, he took her in his arms and began to kiss her. As he did, he hoisted her up, rolling, so that she was straddling his hips. Smiling, she wiggled down and impaled herself on his cock. He groaned. She found a rhythm that left her panting.

  Flipping her onto her back, he slammed his cock into her. He fucked her hard and fast. Zane was careful not to hurt her, but his abilities gave him an advantage over most men. Her body clenched his as her orgasm began. He was so close, but he didn’t want the moment to end. As she cried out his name, he wanted to hold onto her forever. Her pussy contracting against his hard cock, sending pleasure from the tip to the base, made it almost impossible to hold on. Her tight body didn’t allow him to hold back. He came, groaning her name and collapsing on top of her.

  Zane held her to him tightly, relishing her satin skin as he clutched her in his arms, afraid to let go. They fit perfectly. Holding her made him whole and happier than he’d felt in years. Zane hoped Dina felt the same way, but he knew he still had a long battle ahead if he wanted to keep her. He still felt resistance when he probed the edges of her thoughts.

  * * * *

  Dina slid off him, and left the bed. Picking up her robe, she put her arms into the sleeves and tied the sash, leaving the room without a word. The look on his face was making her resistance to his charms crumble. That couldn’t happen for both their sakes. Yep, she was already arming herself for battle. With a huff of determination, he got up, still totally naked, and followed her into the small space of the kitchenette. Shame filled her. She’d put her needs ahead of his well being once again. She shouldn’t have slept with him, even if it had been
amazing. They couldn’t be together.

  Zane grabbed her by the shoulders and turned her around. He tilted her chin up so they were looking directly at each other. “Di, don’t do this. It’s good between us. I’ve always loved you. I can’t seem to stop loving you, but you have to let all your worry go. Whatever keeps you from trusting this thing we have, this emotion between us, just let me in and accept that you love me as much as I love you.”

  Stricken, she couldn’t deny the truth of what he said. She did love him. To endanger him or prevent him from doing the good work he’d been doing would’ve been the ultimate act of selfishness.

  “Sex is sex. I thought guys liked it when a girl didn’t read anything into sex. You’re a big boy—a very big boy—and you should know when a girl only wants your hunky bod. Get over yourself, sweetie, because I don’t have to love you to fuck you.” It tore her heart out to say those brutal words.

  He looked surprised but managed to keep his expression blank. She knew him well enough to know when he was bluffing, and her words had hurt him. With so many mixed up emotions flowing through her, being cold to him was very difficult.

  Zane went back into her room. She stood quietly, staring down at the water glass in her hand before walking into the bedroom. She wanted to try to soften what she’d said, but when she entered the room, he and his clothing were gone. Glancing at her cellphone, she debated calling him to apologize. With a tired frown, she decided to leave the situation alone. Hopefully, he’d return for the mid-day filming, and she could try to give him her apology then. Dina lay down and curled into a tight ball of misery.

  Chapter 9

  The camera crew had caught many arguments and whispered alliances among the contestants. Dina sat in the crew’s mobile studio reviewing some footage and making notes. This group was perfect, and she felt glad she’d chosen to put the sisters in the same cabin. They seemed to bicker worse than any other pair. Some of it was very funny, and definitely making her final cut. She began to get nervous. Zane hadn’t shown up at the time she’d been expecting him. She prayed her little act hadn’t made him change his mind about helping her.

  The crew began setting up the props for his selection of his three favorites. If he didn’t show, she had a few things she could shoot, but it would really hinder production. Frowning, she looked down at her cellphone. She’d hoped that Ella would’ve replied to her text. She wanted to know that her sister was okay. The only message she had was from Ervin.

  Sweet asses can be fired! Why have you ignored my email?

  She didn’t reply. Dina scrolled to Zane’s number and hit send. It rang and rang. Just when she thought she’d have to leave him a voicemail, he answered sounding muffled and terrible.

  “Zane, are you all right? Do you need help?” Her voice rose with her concern.

  A grumble, and then a snort, came over the line.

  “What was that?” she asked, seriously worried.

  “I’m fine.” His voice was a little louder, but he sounded strange.

  “Where are you?”

  Snorting again, he gave her another muffled reply. The reception wasn’t perfect there, but she didn’t think it was the phone.

  “What? Zane, are you hurt?”

  He just mumbled again. She heard him groan, and then the sound of him shifting to sit up. Zane was never sick. Have those damn abilities finally hurt him?

  “You’re scaring me.”

  “Dina, I’m still a little drunk. Just leave me the hell alone.”

  “You’re drunk? You don’t drink. Why are you drunk?”

  He chuckled as if he found humor in her incredulous response. He sighed. “I’ve just lost one of my best friends, and then there’s you…us, whatever. Di, I’m too tired to fight with you today.”

  “Zane, I’m so sorry,” she whispered softly. She’d driven the man to drinking—she felt awful.

  “Hey, I get it, all right. You don’t love me. Fine. Like you said, I’m a big boy.”

  “I just don’t want you to get hurt.”

  His annoyed growl let her know what he thought of her.

  * * * *

  She was the only one who truly held the power to hurt him, and she wielded it mercilessly. She had the power to strip his soul bare, leaving him on his knees before her.

  “Don’t try to stop me. Keep your powers to yourself. I’m going. I’m done living here with you—all of you. It’s time I found a life.”

  He stared at her. Dina took off her ring, grabbed his hand, and slapped the gold band into his palm. She was actually leaving him.

  “You should be with Ella. She’s like you. I’m not.”

  A chill went through him. How could she tell him she was leaving him because of what those mad men had done to him in the lab? He hadn’t been able to fight it like she had.

  “Go save the world. I don’t need you.”

  She turned and walked out the door. For a very long time, he stood looking at the faded, peeling paint. She was really gone.

  * * * *

  Dina wished they’d slept wrapped together, fingers intertwined in their sleep, just like the old days. But she’d not been able to give in to the need, so they found themselves here. How could he have gotten drunk? Zane was a total control freak, and because of his abilities, he feared what might happen if he wasn’t in control. In addition, his memories of his mother made him dislike alcohol on principle.

  “Are you at home?” Dina asked with concern.

  “Not really your concern, Di. I guess you’re just worried I’m going to hold up your production. Don’t worry, no matter how pissed I am, I won’t let you down. A promise is a promise.” He ended the call abruptly. She gazed down at the phone in her hand, feeling a wave of shock engulf her.

  He wasn’t going to be fun to contend with. She continued watching the prop setup for the day, but gave her phone one last look. Quickly disregarding the idea of calling him back before leaving the mobile studio, she slipped her phone into her pocket. She’d just shoot the other footage.

  Then she saw him. Zane stood a few feet away in full costume, glaring at her. He looked ready to go and gave no indication he’d just rolled out of bed. It was weird to see him after the night that they’d shared. Her body yearned to partake of the pleasure playground that was Zane Blair, but she managed to restrain herself. Today was going to be a long and awkward day.

  As the filming began, Dina wasn’t sure which of the contestants Zane had chosen. She thought she had a good idea, but wasn’t positive. Purity held immunity from going home, due to Zane’s cheating.

  “Purity, please step over and take your bouquet, you are safe from being asked to leave.”

  Purity smiled sweetly and took a few steps forward so she could take the flowers.

  “Mind Man, you must choose the lady who will be leaving the show now, before you tell us who will be joining Purity with a bouquet.”

  Dina could tell he’d never considered he’d have to hurt feelings and crush dreams. His words were totally unscripted for this, and she held her breath, wondering what he’d say.

  “I have to make a choice on who’ll be going home. I’ve not had the chance to get to know most of you, so this decision isn’t an easy one for me. You’re all beautiful women. Candy, I just don’t think we’d be a very compatible match. I’m sorry. You’ll be the one leaving.”

  Candy began a hysterical crying jag. The cameraman gleefully got a close up of every sad tear. Zane seemed disturbed. Dina didn’t need to read minds to know that he hoped her reaction wasn’t going to be the norm. Hugging the pouting girl, all of the women said their goodbyes. Susan appeared relieved, but Dina could tell she was trying to hide it. From the cabin footage she’d seen, it was obvious Candy wasn’t a very considerate roommate.

  After Candy went to a waiting limo, the rest reassembled. Zane now had to make his two selections of whom he’d like to get to know better. Dina felt a little surprised by his selection of Virginia. He also picked Amber. Vinny, h
er favorite cameraman, looked positively gleeful as he zoomed in on Nelly’s sad pout. Dina knew there would be cabin drama with the sisters tonight.

  Dina planned for the three contestants and Zane to go sailing together on the lake. Zane liked boats, but had no experience sailing, so they sent an experienced person along to do the actual navigating. Dina had to admit that in his costume, in broad daylight in a boat, he looked ridiculous, even if his body was great. She hid her smile behind her planner. Once the cameraman, captain, reality superhero, and smiling ladies boarded the boat, she opened her planner to note the departure time. They’d be back in two hours, and she’d review the footage when they returned to see what was useable.

  She watched the remaining contestants play volleyball for a while and directed her crew to shoot some footage of the recreation. Dina returned to the dock just before it was time for them to come back. She indicated to the cameramen to take their places. She didn’t feel prepared for what she saw. Zane appeared positively devoured by the women. Her sailor seemed like he was enjoying the show, and the cameras on the shore, as well as the one on the boat, seemed to leer forward in an attempt to get every sloppy second of debauchery. Dina was shaking with anger at Zane. He’d just made love to her the night before, and now he was partaking in a floating orgy. Dina cleared her throat to get the group’s attention. She felt irritated that the camera caught her blushing as she tried to sound natural, but her words caught on the lump in her throat.

  “Our captain needs to be returning, and we need to have you disembark. The way you’re rocking the boat has me worried you’ll capsize. Can you all swim?” Her comments went largely ignored.