by Ophelia Bell
His cock was nearly at full mast when he pushed through the doors into the old kitchen. Immediately her scent washed over him, and he realized it wasn’t just her—it was the entire kitchen. The room itself was infused with scents that reminded him of her, as though her presence filled the entire space. She had said she grew up in this kitchen, but it hadn’t hit him until now how much it smelled like her. More so now, since she was currently here.
He stopped inside the door to catch his breath, his need skyrocketing so high he lost focus.
She came into view and his vision tunneled, his bear’s instincts surging to the surface. His nostrils flared and his mouth watered at the sweet aroma of arousal he was already half-addicted to. She wore another dark, wraparound dress like she’d had on the night before, only this one was dotted with white circles, reminding him of the full moon they’d made love beneath their first night together.
She said something, but he was too far gone to comprehend words. He swooped down and lifted her into his arms, devouring her mouth like she hadn’t already fed him one of the best meals of his life.
Nessa didn’t protest or complain. She simply let out an impatient noise and scrabbled at his shirt until she had it yanked off over his head again like the night before. She had his fly open and her hand in his pants, stroking him within a few more seconds, her urgent touch making him dizzy from the loss of blood flow to his head.
Somehow he found a chair and sat with Nessa astride him, and a second later, he was encompassed in her delicious, tight depths, her fingers digging into his shoulders as she rode him. He freed her breasts, infinitely grateful for Nova Aurora ingenuity where women’s clothing was concerned. It was like her dress had been designed with the needs of rutting mates in mind.
Nessa fucked him even more desperately than the night before, slipping her hand between her legs to toy with her clit. Gaius clutched her full, round ass in both hands, spreading her and guiding her hips up and down his cock while he devoured her nipples with teeth and tongue.
The clenching pull of her sheath tightened and she arched her back, yelling his name as her body quivered and tightened in release. Gaius let out a curse into the soft hollow between her breasts, his cock erupting into her with sudden, violent spurts.
She slowed and then stopped, her breathing rough against his ear. Resting her forehead on his shoulder, she hummed in satisfaction. He held her tighter to his chest, more than sated physically, but somehow regretful that this felt so much like a secret tryst, and that the two of them would go back to avoiding each other except for these furtive, stolen moments.
Gaius nuzzled at her cheek and she sighed, turning her head just enough for their mouths to meet. The kiss felt desperate, needy, and the accompanying tightness around his cock awoke his bear’s hunger again. He twisted them both and rose, laying Nessa on the table beside them in one smooth movement as he spread her thighs and began to fuck into her again in earnest.
She did something to him; there was no denying it. The way he ended a round of fucking hungrier for her than when they started had to be abnormal, but he couldn’t get enough of her, and she clearly suffered from the same problem.
He fucked her harder this time, now that he had control and the leverage to pound into her. She cried out in encouragement, as demanding as ever, and he loved it. He especially loved it when her hands went to her head and she arched her back. She cried out as her gorgeous breasts bounced from the rhythm of his thrusts, and he couldn’t help but bend over and capture one dark nipple between his lips and suck hard. Her orgasm was harsher than before, and he climaxed immediately after with her heels digging in hard to his backside.
Curious how she’d respond this time, he pressed his lips to her shoulder and tentatively bared his teeth, raking his sharp incisors lightly over her skin just enough for her to feel them, but not enough to break skin. If he was going to mark her, he damn well wanted her fully on board.
But the way she jerked and pushed him up was a clear indication she wasn’t ready, even though the feral look in her eyes spoke directly to his bear. Her animal wanted this, but for some reason, she was holding back.
He gave her space, accepting a clean kitchen towel to wipe up with as she turned away and put herself back together. Her long, dark hair was pulled back in a thick braid, tendrils of which had come free in the midst of their wild lovemaking. She was utterly gorgeous like this, still flushed, her lips swollen from his kiss and his scent all over her. She looked for all the world like she could go again—and she smelled like it too—yet she leaned back against the sink with her arms crossed, looking everywhere but at him while he fastened his pants and found his shirt.
A knock sounded at the door and they both jumped like they’d been shocked. Levi popped his head in. “Ness, ready for some more planting? We’ve got fruit trees!”
Gaius glared at the young cheetah shifter, whose eyes widened and mouth popped open in a prelude to an apology.
“I’ll be right there, Levi,” Nessa called to him before he could say anything.
Levi nodded and disappeared, leaving Gaius feeling like a total ass.
“He isn’t a threat,” Nessa said. “I think you scared him.”
Gaius grunted. “I’ll make it up to him by putting his ass to work. That boy has too much energy for his own good.”
She gave him a weak smile, her eyes far too troubled for a woman who’d just come twice in a row. “I’d better not leave him alone up there for long or he’ll dig a hole to Earth.”
Gaius blinked at her, then finally got the hint that she was waiting for him to leave. He started for the door, then stopped, turning abruptly and catching her by the arms before she ran into him.
“Ness, please come to the house tonight. Moonrise just isn’t right without you.”
She looked taken aback by his emphatic tone. Her mouth fell open and her eyes widened as she struggled to find words. “I—I’ll try. That’s all I can offer, all right?”
With a sigh, he nodded. “Then I guess I’ll take it. Have fun in the dirt, baby.”
He gave her a peck on the cheek and opened the door, following her out.
* * *
She didn’t come that night, nor the next or any after, despite Gaius’ repeated invitations. What she did do was send him breakfasts and lunches daily with the same subtle suggestions that had him running down to the kitchen the very second he thought the coast was clear. He had her naked and moaning so many times he lost count, and Levi pretty much avoided popping his head in after getting it bitten off a few more times, which was more than fine with Gaius.
In the evenings, he would return after a few hours working on his own house to find her somewhere in the new kitchen, admiring the latest additions as it grew closer to completion. If he couldn’t have her in his bed, he resolved to have her on every bare surface of this kitchen he was building for her, and in the one he’d be taking away when it was done.
Something had to give, but he was never good with words. He relied on his instincts in the arena, and his opponents had always been easy to read. Even out of the arena, he had no trouble reading any of the cues Ig or Bry or Levi gave off. They’d all taken to leaving the room as subtly as possible whenever Nessa came in, shooting him both hopeful and warning looks in equal measure. She meant a lot to them, it was clear. But she meant more to him. If only he could figure out what to say to get through to her . . .
His heart got in the way, though, and all that ever came out was another invitation he knew she’d avoid. The words he couldn’t speak wound up channeled into his house—by the end of the second month, the interior was mostly completed. Doors and windows had been installed, floors finished, furniture either built or delivered. He’d installed a lighting system similar to the one in her kitchen at Ig’s house that adjusted to the time of day and would shift on command.
The only thing he hadn’t finished was the kitchen. All that existed in that section of the house was an unfinished floor with va
gue, faded chalk lines where he’d marked its boundaries. Goddammit, he needed her to just come look to tell him how to finish it, because all he saw when he looked at the empty space was the old kitchen he’d made love to her in countless times over the past several weeks.
He glanced out the window and cursed. It was well past moon rise already, meaning he’d lost track of time, thanks to having actual lights in his house now.
His need for Nessa surged to the surface, a sudden craving for her sweet, curvy body beneath his own. She may have gone back to her cottage by now, but there was no way he’d get through the night without a taste of her.
Seventeen
Nessa wandered through the new kitchen, admiring all the shiny surfaces. The equipment was installed, and she’d already begun moving supplies into the new pantry and the adjacent cooler.
She paused at the kitchen island with both hands resting against the cool, steel surface. Her body warmed and her mind filled with images of Gaius from the night before, making love to her against the island as she bent over with her bare breasts pressed against the cold, smooth metal. It had been yet another of many trysts they’d engaged in for weeks. The frequency was such that they’d almost become routine, except for the fact that her body ached for him whenever he wasn’t around.
Every day, he’d arrive in the downstairs kitchen like clockwork after breakfast. Sometimes he’d simply bend her over the counter, lift her skirt, and ram into her while she encouraged him with eager moans. Other times he was slower about it and let her take control, so she’d push him to the floor or onto a chair and climb on, riding his cock like she couldn’t get enough of him.
Then after supper was done and she’d finished prepping for the next day, she’d always wander up to the new kitchen, where Gaius would find her again. He’d arrive fresh and clean, yet still smelling faintly of sawdust or varnish or some other building material, and they’d make love somewhere in the new kitchen.
The new kitchen island was only the latest location. He’d turned her around for their second round, hoisting her up and climbing fully onto the broad, flat surface and making slow, deliberate love to her. He lay beside her afterward, half-naked as though this was a bed and the kitchen their bedroom. She supposed it was the closest they’d get to sharing a bed again, and she would take it. He rarely said much, but always invited her to come home with him, something she still couldn’t bring herself to do, knowing their affair had an expiration date.
Nessa slid her hand along the smooth edge of the steel counter, already nostalgic for the previous evening. She supposed it was finally time for her to let him take out the dumbwaiter. She would mention it to him when he came.
If he came.
He was usually here by now, half-naked and buried inside her. She waited another half-hour before a sinking feeling settled in her belly. The suns had set and the moon was rising. He wasn’t coming. For the first time in two months, he wasn’t coming.
She left the kitchen with a sick feeling. It was bound to happen eventually. This wonderful affair they’d had all summer couldn’t last, and she knew as much, but hated it anyway. She should have prepared herself for it better, but she’d wanted him so much she couldn’t say no when he came to her every morning and evening. His absence now was all the more telling for how consistent he’d been for the last several weeks.
It was over.
Nessa sank down onto her sofa in the cottage and reached for her communicator. Even though her mother was rarely the voice of reason and would have nothing helpful to say by way of advice, she still found comfort talking to her. Her mother was the closest she could get to her father outside of his old kitchen, but the old kitchen was now filled with memories of all the trysts she’d had with Gaius, which meant it was the last place she’d find comfort.
“Mom, hi,” she said when her mother picked up.
“Nessa, honey, I was just about to call you! This is so exciting. I have amazing news!”
Nessa sighed as some of her tension eased. Her mother was a wellspring of juicy gossip about the Hill Clan nobility. This was just the distraction she needed.
“I’m all ears,” she said.
“All three of the clan leaders’ sons are in the market! Rumor has it that they’ve all contacted Gerri Wilder recently. I told you it would happen, sweetie, and it has! It finally has!”
Nessa frowned, worried by the direction the conversation was going.
“Well, good for them. I’m sure the matchmaker will find them all wonderful mates.”
“Oh, honey, you don’t understand. She just called me! I literally ended the call right when you rang. She didn’t want me to say anything yet, but I have to tell you. She has found you a mate, sweetie. It has to be one of them! I don’t know which one, though . . . She only told me he was shifter nobility, but there’s no way it could be anyone else. The timing is too perfect.”
Nessa blinked at the floor for a second, not sure if she’d heard correctly.
“Ness, honey, are you there?”
“Y-Yeah, Mama, I’m here. That can’t be right.”
“Would I lie to you? This means you need to come home right away. I’m already planning a party to celebrate! Mrs. Wilder will be bringing the guest of honor and you can meet him then. Isn’t this exciting?”
Nessa struggled to bury the surge of panic and confusion of emotions bubbling up. “Of course it is,” she said, hoping she sounded convincing.
“You don’t sound happy, honey. Don’t you want this? You know that woman is a miracle-worker. She matched your father and me, and your uncle Alton with your aunt Julia. Now it’s your turn.”
“I am happy,” Nessa said, straining through the tightness in her throat just to get the lie out. She should be happy, because if the matchmaker had finally found her a mate, that meant it shouldn’t be long before she found the right woman for Gaius too. The woman who would finally inspire him to finish his house and be happy himself. That was all she wanted . . . for Gaius to be happy.
She let out a long sigh and repeated, “I am happy, Mama, I mean it. I just don’t know if I can get away yet . . .”
“Nonsense. I know Ignazio will let you leave for this. In fact, I think I’m going to call and invite him to the party. All your friends should come. This is a wonderful event!”
Nessa’s mouth fell open as she started to protest, but her mother kept going on about the party without a pause for breath. It didn’t matter anyway; Ig and Bry were close enough to their extended circle of friends that they’d find out one way or the other, and her mother was right—they’d want to be there.
Finally, she assured her mother that she would plan to be there the next evening and hung up. She flopped down onto the sofa, her chest aching with a sense of loss for something that had never really been hers to begin with. How could she even explain to Gaius what had happened? Would he understand?
No, the fact that he hadn’t shown tonight was enough of a sign that this was right. As much as she hated the idea of leaving, now was the time to go. She would leave a note for Gaius in the morning with his breakfast, which she would prepare early before leaving for home.
She roused and bathed, then slipped into her nightgown, but was too agitated to climb into bed. She needed something to channel this pent-up energy, and her thoughts went to the crate of Precious flowers still sitting outside her door in their pots. They were the final touch to her garden and would give her the outlet she needed.
Not even bothering to change out of her nightgown, she headed for the door. But the tightness in her chest wouldn’t ease, and by the time she reached for her doorknob, her eyes had blurred with tears and her throat burned with rising emotion.
The sudden knock on her door shocked her and she froze, blinking the tears from her eyes and sniffling slightly. “Who is it?”
“Baby, I’m sorry I’m late. Can I come in?”
“Gaius?” Nessa opened the door, her heart pounding, and he was there, dressed in clean jean
s and a t-shirt, his hair still damp from the waterfall bath he’d taken. He looked way too good for her sanity. “I—I thought you weren’t coming.”
“Wild stallions couldn’t keep me away from you, Ness. You gonna let me in?”
She hesitated, glancing over her shoulder at the little cottage’s interior. So many nights over the past month she had considered inviting him to her bed to spend the night, but ultimately avoided it. Sleeping in the same bed together again would be too real, too much like they were a couple when she knew they could never be.
“Baby, it isn’t a hard question,” Gaius said, bracing his hand on the doorframe and leaning in. His scent overwhelmed her as his beard brushed her cheek and his lips found the sensitive spot beneath her ear. One big hand gripped her hip and squeezed. “I can’t sleep at night if I don’t have a taste of you first.”
Oh god, she couldn’t think with him that close. His sweet, woody scent made her forget all her boundaries, and the brush of his lips against her throat had her entire body awash with thrumming desire.
“You need me as much as I need you, don’t you, Ness?” he murmured, crowding closer and looking down into her eyes. He hooked a damp strand of her hair over her ear and cupped her face, studying her for a moment with a look of wonder before he closed the distance and covered her mouth with his.
He hadn’t given her a chance to answer his question, for which she was grateful. Yes, she needed him, but what good would it do to admit it?
Against her better judgment, she let him guide her backward and shut the door behind him. She could have one more night. Just one.
The next thing she knew, Gaius had lifted her in his arms and carried her to the bed. He released her mouth and drifted his lips down the center of her chest, inhaling deeply as though her scent gave him sustenance.
Nessa combed her fingers through his damp, dark curls, enjoying the way the light caught the shimmering silver strands that were most prominent at his temples. He tugged the straps of her nightgown down her arms, freeing her breasts and cupping them in both his callused palms. With singular focus, he lavished her breasts with attention, licking and sucking until she’d entirely forgotten why she’d ever had a reason not to let him into her bed.
