by Aliyah Burke
A lot of thoughts raced through his mind at the moment, and he’d bet everything he owned it wasn’t what Aida was talking about. Because his were along the lines of them naked and doing lots and lots of things that way. She thrust a plate at him. Dane sat and stared at the food she’d put before him. Placing the tin on the ground, Dane grabbed her around the waist and pulled her on top of him. Face to face they lay, his hands sliding up underneath her shirt while his lips teased hers.
“You’re a very bossy woman,” he grumbled playfully.
“Just noticed that, did you?” Aida rubbed enticingly against him. “You can’t keep doing this, you know. We need to get going.”
He snarled at that. Bewilderment rushed him when Aida chuckled and kissed him lightly before leaving him bereft of her body along his. Lifting up to his elbows, Dane watched in silence while she fixed a plate for herself and ate.
“Stop staring at me, Sidorov, and eat your breakfast,” she ordered without looking at him.
Dane sighed loudly and picked up his plate. Eating quickly, he finished the same time Aida did. It wasn’t very long before they drove across the park. Dane could feel the beast in him tearing to get out and run free. Lifting his head more, he closed his eyes, allowing the wind to blow over him more.
“Can I ask you something?”
“Anything, Aida.”
“Are your siblings…um…shifters, too?”
“Yes.” She didn’t say another word. “Why do you ask, Aida?” he questioned, opening his eyes to look at her.
“Curiosity. The woman you saved, can you get what you gave her back and restore your balance?”
He smiled softly. “No. That now belongs to Lady Nahia now.”
Aida frowned before she wiped it away. “If I told you to mark me, would you do it?”
Blood rushed to his cock, and his tiger roared in possessiveness. Dane couldn’t produce any moisture in his throat and had to swallow a few times before he could formulate a word.
“Aida,” he rumbled dangerously, the beast within perilously close to the surface.
“I’ll take that as a no,” she said on a sigh.
Dane stared at her. Her frustration such it was palpable. He ran a hand along his straining erection and swore. Damn it, Aida.
“Stop cursing at me, Dane. I’m just trying to help you.”
He sliced his gaze over to her. She continued to watch the road. Dane frowned. All his guards were up and in place. How was it possible for her to hear him? He could see the same thin path lingering below the mating bond that felt like the warmth Aida gave him, but without having marked her, it just didn’t make sense. He hadn’t put it there. Could it be possible she opened a link between them? They weren’t mated so there was no fully initiated mating bond there…was there? Could it look like it wasn’t joined between them and truly be completed?
Aida, look at me if you can hear me.
She turned her head and glared at him. “This giving me orders thing in my head, sooo not gonna fly, tiger-mine.”
He couldn’t understand how it was working. And yet, his lips curved up at the nickname. “You heard me?”
“Heard you tell me to look at you if I heard you.”
Dane ran a hand over his mouth, a smile on half of his lips. This could prove to be most delightful. And yet, he still wondered how this was working out this way. With a mind of its own, his hand reached across to settle upon her upper thigh. Blood pumped to his cock when he saw her teeth capture her lower lip along with her sharp inhalation.
Do you know how I long to taste you on my tongue again, Aida? To have the unique and addictive flavor of your essence coating my tongue.
Her entire body shivered. But she never looked at him, nor did she move his hand from her leg. Dane watched her form deliberately, wanting her to know just how deep his desire for her went.
Why are you tormenting yourself? You know you can’t have her without risking her future. Unless, the darkness tempted, you give yourself to us. Then enjoy her for as long as you like.
An ugly rumble of anger began to grow in his chest, and he closed his eyes, trying to shut out the demonic lure of the voices which belonged to the darkness.
Stop growling, Dane. I can’t stop the dogs when you’re scaring me.
He jerked open his eyes and found her staring at him with uncertainty in her gaze. Aida still reached out to touch the hand resting on her thigh and intertwined their fingers. Dane looked at the beautiful picture their combined skin tones created. And just like that, the voices faded into nothingness. Although he could no longer feel the mental link between them, he located it, hiding where it had been since his first noticing of it. Aida squeezed his hand then released him. He didn’t want to let go, but when she began to downshift, he settled for just touching her leg.
“That, over there, is where you need to go.” She rolled to a stop and killed the engine.
Dane looked up, almost amazed to see the mountains so close. He’d thought they were farther away. Okay, so I’d hoped they were. He climbed out slowly, scanning his destination as his body went into hunting mode. Scratch that. He was damn near in full enforcer mode. And the beast within him right there, ready to join in.
Turning his head, he saw Aida in the back, digging into the container she’d asked him to put in the back. Leaning over the rail, he saw a small pack beside her. She handed it to him.
“It’s not much but it should help.” Aida sighed and closed the lid before looking at him again. “You should be there well into the foothills by dark.” A sad smile filled her dark face. “Take care of yourself, Dane Sidorov.” His body throbbed with want when she pressed a hand against his cheek. “I hope doing this brings you the closure you need.”
Dane captured her wrist when she went to pull back. He caressed her palm with his lips. Her skin tasted as good as she smelled, and he knew it was forever imprinted on his soul. He stared into her eyes and saw the sheen of unshed tears in her beautiful eyes.
“Aida,” he whispered against her palm.
“You should get going.”
I never knew parting could hurt this much. Dane had no desire to leave her. Ever. “Thank you, Aida. For everything.”
“Goodbye, Dane.”
He tried to read her thoughts but found an impermeable wall. This bears much more thought as well. Nipping the incredibly soft skin on her palm, he grinned wickedly at her. “Have we already forgotten what I said about goodbye?”
She pushed against his mouth lightly. “Don’t bite me.”
“Trust me, Aida, you’ll know when I bite you.”
Her pupils dilated, and her nose flared. She leaned closer, removed her hand from his mouth, and put them nose to nose. “Promises, promises,” she murmured. Her lips touched his lightly. The innocence of the kiss amazed him. “Bye, Dane.”
Her hand skimmed along his cheek before she moved back. Dane watched her stand and whistle for her dogs. He never moved from where he rested against the side of the truck, not even when the dogs jumped in the back and she in the front. Kamau ran and lay down on a blanket but Ruger stood before Dane. Those dark eyes held his before the canine walked away.
Pushing back from the side, Dane walked to the driver’s door and leaned in. Two fingers turned her face to his. Then he kissed her. Covering her mouth, Dane ran his tongue along the seam of her butter-soft lips before entering the warmth. He ate her whimper and delved in, stroking along her tongue before reaching for all he could. His cock hardened painfully, pressing against the material of his briefs.
Clenching his other hand in a fist, Dane slowly ended the kiss. The air permeated with the heady scent of her arousal, and he snarled low with the raw need for this woman that flooded him. Her eyes were smoky with desire.
“Keep yourself safe, Aida Roberts. We have unfinished business, you and I.”
She blinked once, slowly, and licked her lips. “That goes double for you, tiger-mine. You know where to find me. My house is always open for you
. You’ll always have a bed.”
He kissed her again, fast and hard. “I’ll remember that, solnyshko moyo.”
Dane shouldered the bag and stepped back. She started her truck, and he touched two fingers to his head in salute even as he winked. Aida blushed and waved before driving away. Dane watched until her vehicle became a small speck in the distance. Closing his eyes, he inhaled and held onto the scent which was pure Aida. He could feel the tiger struggling for supremacy within him. Tamping it down, Dane turned and headed into the foothills of the Roggeveld Mountains.
He moved until near dark. Sitting on a downed tree, Dane opened the bag and pulled out some food. There was a small envelope tucked on the side and he withdrew it. Dane was scrawled across the front in flowing script. Untucking the flap, he slid out a leather cord with a pendant on it; silver and formed in the shape of a teardrop. Inlaid in the charm, flowing with the curve of the amulet, were three different colored stones. A reddish-pink on one side, violet-pink in the middle, and a pinkish-red on the other side all separated by the lines of silver which also edged it.
He recognized it. Aida had been wearing it around her neck since the day he met her. The metal warmed in his palm. A small slip of paper resided in the envelope, and so he removed it as well.
Dane,
Just a little something from me to you.
I hope you like it. It’s always made me feel safe and loved.
I hope it helps you in your quest to find peace.
~Aida
Dane immediately fastened the cord around his neck. He breathed deeply once the pendant settled against the hollow of his throat. A faint smile curled up his lips when he closed his eyes that night. He felt her with him even if she wasn’t physically there.
* * * *
Aida drove until her eyes screamed for a break. She parked on the road and, with a glance at the sky, quickly rigged her tarps. The heavy rains came a few minutes after she finished eating. The strong winds ripped along the waterproof material.
“Hope Dane is okay and dry.”
Double-checking the straps to ensure nothing would fly away, Aida stretched out, her dogs curled up on either side of her. They fell asleep to the heavy rain pounding around them, safe and dry in the makeshift tent. The rains had stopped come morning, and the rivers were swollen and faster. She headed out as soon as she could. Aida stopped a few times but kept in touch with Kgosi. That night, she had her evening meal with him.
“Where’s your friend?” Kgosi asked over dinner.
“Following the guy we were after.” She ate a bite and chewed slowly.
“You didn’t stay with him?”
“I was merely the vessel to get him closer. Besides, Kees needs my help, so I have to get home.”
“Why haven’t you married?”
“Kgosi, please. I’m going to have to go through this with my mom when she comes. Can we not discuss the fact I am continually getting older and have no kids nor prospects for them?”
He grinned wickedly. “I’d be happy to provide half the genetic makeup.”
She snorted. “Wow. Now that…that was romantic. What woman doesn’t want to hear a man offer up to provide half the genetic makeup.” Aida rolled her eyes and shook her head. In the dark recess of her mind lingered a man she wouldn’t mind for the job. Dane Sidorov.
Crying off, Aida went to claim some much-needed rest. With a groan, she slid beneath the blankets of the comfortable bed and drifted off to sleep.
* * * *
“Aida.” Her name flowed from his lips to her ear. The tone pure panty-soaking seduction.
She kept her eyes squeezed shut. The heat from his physique curled around like tendrils from behind, and she shook. Aida’s breath hitched while she waited for the exotic pleasure of his touch.
“You are mine, Aida,” he murmured in her ear.
Callused hands cupped her bare shoulders and slid down her arms and back up again. A gesture which created waves of desire deep within her. She could feel his hard naked hard body against hers. Light touches from his lips trailed along the sensitive skin of her neck, and her knees grew weak. Her pussy creamed, and her breasts were heavy with need. Even the light breeze garnered a reaction from her when it flowed over her hypersensitive skin.
He turned her in his arms and kissed along her collarbone. Then down. She whimpered, eyes rolling in the back of her head. Down her sternum over each pebbled nipple and toward her belly button, his tantalizing touch continued. Aida’s breath hitched when she felt his warm breath skim along the juncture of her thighs. She gripped his hair with her hands and bit her lower lip.
“Mine,” he rumbled gruffly against her pussy.
He ran his tongue up between the lips. Aida screamed when he sucked her clit into his mouth. She squeezed her eyes tightly and dropped her head back as he brought her swiftly to an explosive orgasm. Her lover kissed his way back up, and Aida could feel the large head of his cock teasing her slit.
“Please,” she whispered, shifting her hips to try and bring him where she needed him, wanted him, craved him. Deep inside her pussy.
He nipped her neck and placed her hand on his thick shaft. “Aida,” he murmured in a tone which triggered another flood of wetness to her core.
“Please,” she begged, her fingers stroking him. He felt so good in her hand. Hard and warm. Steel and silk. Iron and velvet.
He lifted her and brought her down slowly on his cock. She panted as the large head pushed in between the lips.
“More,” she mewled, craving the feel of him completely inside her.
“I need one thing first.” Another few inches in then he withdrew.
Synapses firing out of control, Aida tried to pull him completely in. But he, being so much stronger, held fast. “Yes. Anything. Just stop teasing me.”
He grabbed her hair and held her head still. Burning her with the primal intensity of his gaze. In a dark sensual timbre, he demanded, “Say my name!”
“Dane!” Aida gasped, bolting up in bed, her body slick with sweat and extremely aroused.
The empty darkness mocked her. She shifted; the cotton of her sheets inflamed her even more. Swallowing hard, Aida got up and walked to the kitchen for a glass of water. Not that it will ease the heat or longing within me. And she should know. She’d been home for a week, and each night her dream turned into extreme sexual play between her and Dane Sidorov. And each time, she woke, empty, horny, and alone.
Placing her cup down, Aida padded out to her hammock and sat in it, using one foot to start the gentle swinging. The air, although cool, did little to control the heat surging within her. This is insane. I need some sleep. I can’t be doing this when my parents arrive.
Aida threw an arm over her eyes and groaned. She couldn’t get Dane out of her head. Five minutes later, Aida got up, knowing full well she wouldn’t be sleeping again. So she got a huge jump on cleaning. It was late afternoon when she heard a bush plane flying overhead. Waiting outside, she squealed with joy as her parents climbed out. Joe and Skylar Roberts.
“I’m so glad to see you both,” she squealed, jumping first into her daddy’s arms then her mom’s.
“Aida. Baby, you’re looking so well. I’ve missed you,” her mom said, holding her close.
“Me, too. Come in, I have dinner almost ready.”
Her dad and she grabbed the bags and carried them in. Aida left her parents to get settled and went to the kitchen to check on the meal.
“How are you doing, baby?” Her mom’s voice broke the quiet.
“I’m good. Saw Christopher and Kgosi both recently. And, of course, Kees. You know he swings by every few days.”
“How are they?”
“Wonderful.” She covered the pot and said,” How are you and Daddy doing?”
“You know your father.”
Aida chuckled. “Good to know some things never change.”
A knowing smile filled her mom’s face. “Some don’t, yet I see some things do. You’re not wea
ring your necklace.”
Absently, she reached for the teardrop pendant which was no longer there. “I know.” She licked her lips. “I gave it to a friend.”
“Must be a very special friend.”
Leveling a look at her mom, Aida said, “Stop prying, Mama.”
Skylar held up her hands. “Just calling it like I see it. That necklace brought you such peace and strength.”
It had. That necklace had been the one thing she had left from her cousin. “It did, but that was something someone else needed more.” Tawny green-gold eyes stared at her from her mind’s eye, and she swallowed.
“Did he now?”
Aida shook her head. “Nice try. You’re still fishing.”
Her mom laughed. “I’m a mom. I’m supposed to.”
“I see.”
Dinner was great, and afterward, they sat around, talking some more. Aida’s grin was in place when she went to bed. It wasn’t there when, yet again, she woke sweaty and desperate for the man whose name had been bursting from her lips.
“Damn it!” she bit off while her heart continued to pound erratically. “I can’t keep this up.”
Flopping back to her pillow, she stared up at the dark ceiling. She was exhausted. When the dreams ended and she woke, her body always felt drained. Aroused but when that faded, so did any energy she may have had. Aida lay there, ignoring her body’s loud cries to be given release. Ten minutes later, Aida whimpered and rolled over, trying to cool the flames within her. Nothing was working.
Frustrated, she swung out of bed and ran a hand through her hair. Walking to the window, she stared out across the dark horizon. Leaning on the sill, Aida sighed.
Dane.
Why so sad, solnyshko moyo? His warm voice filled her head, and a sense of peace and comfort flowed over her on a link she remembered from the last time he had talked to her this way.
How is this possible?
Many, many things are possible, Aida. Tell me why there is such sorrow and tiredness in your tone.
A smile spread across her face. How’s your hunt going?
Don’t worry about it. Answer me.
