Now completely naked as he swept the nightgown over her head to discard onto the floor so he could run his hands over the bare skin of her back while nibbling at her lower lip.
Pulling back a little, Tenia hooked her thumbs into the waistband of his pants. Hearing his breath suck in, she looked sultrily up at him. “It’s only fair, don’t you think, that you be as naked as I?”
“Aye,” he answered throatily.
Following instinct, watching his response of pleasure, she slid her lips down his throat and chest, pausing to press light kisses on his abdomen, hearing his breath hitch, peeking up to find his eyes closed and jaw clench a little. Emboldened, she knelt before him, skimming the pants down his lean hips and strong legs to pool at his feet.
Sitting on her heels, she looked up at him. Strong, broad-shouldered, heavily-muscled, his shaft thick and long as it curved up against his belly.
Beautiful. A beautiful male specimen. A beautiful man.
Her man. She had nothing to fear from him, ached to give him pleasure, to open herself to him, to welcome him deep inside her.
“Lift your feet,” she instructed softly, one hand at the back of his knee.
He did as bidden, watching her through half-closed eyes as she removed the pants completely and flicked them atop the nightgown.
Slowly she straightened, trailing her hands up his legs and hips as she did so until she stood upright before him. Lifting her eyes to his, she stated simply, “I want you.”
Eyes hot, Darvk swept her up into his arms and strode over to the bunk, dropping her down onto the mattress, following her down immediately, his heavy body pressing against her.
Every hard dip and swell of his body was a brand against her, his breadth and height covering her, making her feel unaccustomedly small and fragile beneath him.
Protected.
Wanted.
He kissed her again, tongue plundering deep as his hand slid between her thighs, long fingers stroking her skilfully, making her arch up in wanton need, his thumb brushing the small bud hidden within the folds of her femininity causing her to moan with heady bliss.
Caught up in sensations that slid like molten lava through her veins, blood hot and thick, her body both heavy and light in a head-whirling mix.
She clung to him, pulled at him, shoved her hips against his hand as aching pleasure seared through her, every nerve-ending tightening as all feeling centred on that part of her he tortured so sinfully.
Darvk slid lower, his mouth leaving a silken, damp path along her now hypersensitive skin as he licked, little wet darts of scorching delight, leaving her tingling and gasping, her breath catching as those teasing lips closed over her nipple, tugging deep, sucking with a strong motion at the same instant he slid one finger into her moist depths.
If he hadn’t been partly on top of her, Tenia would have flown up from the bunk, the feelings he aroused so intense she couldn’t lie still. Her hips squirmed as a second finger slid into her tight passage.
He played her, finger hooking deep, tugging, dragging, her sheath spasming when he skimmed over something at the front of her, still inside, a magical spot that had her shaking, whimpering, her hands sliding through his hair to clutch, her head arching back as a flash of lightening tore with wanton desire through her, snaking up from her very loins, from deep within her secrets to sparkle outwards in a myriad of hot need.
“Oh God, Darvk!” She gasped his name, almost sobbed it as he thrust his fingers deep again.
Dragged the tips of his fingers along her sheath, stopped at the entrance to massage the weeping flesh, his thumb pressing her nub at the same time, making her shudder with carnal heat.
“Darvk, please…” She fought for breath, wanting, needing so much more. “Please!”
Above her, he shifted, the hard planes of his chest rubbing against her tender breasts as he moved up her with lithe, determined, silky slide of his body until he was above her, his eyes burning down into hers. Strong fingers curled around hers to pin her hands down on the mattress each side of her head, the backs of her hands burying in the silken strands of her hair where it spread out across his pillow.
“So beautiful,” he whispered, his voice deep, harsh with need. “So mine.”
They were the sweetest word she’d ever heard.
One heavily muscled thigh slid between hers and she instinctively parted them, glorying in the unfamiliar sensation of a man lowreing between them, her legs widening as his muscled bulk settled more firmly.
The hot brand of his hard shaft burned against her belly, the thickness and length making her yearn for more.
Yearn for him to be in her, part of her, making her his.
The lean hips shifted, and her eyelashes fluttered as the hard maleness slid down her belly, lower, and lower still.
“Tenia.” Darvk’s whisper was dark, the carnal need that jagged through his tone making her meet his gaze boldly.
She didn’t hide her desire for him, parting her thighs further, bending her knees, watching his eyes darken with a small smile of satisfaction.
“Witch.” His laugh was unexpected.
Then she couldn’t think, her breath catching as he pinned her gaze as surely as he pinned her wrists, watching her with burning heat while entering her slowly but steadily, the sensation of him filling her unaccustomed, a little uncomfortable as he stretched her untried sheath, but she welcomed him, welcomed the fullness, her breath hitching as he slid in to the hilt, the root of him hard against her womanhood.
So far inside her there was no more room to progress.
So far inside her she could feel everything, the walls of her cavern snug around him.
As she sucked in a broken breath, he rocked against her, making stars splinter behind her eyes at the sensation.
“Darvk…” was all she could manage to whisper.
Slowly, he withdrew, making her shudder yet again at the turmoil crawling hungrily deep inside her at the feel of him sliding so tightly inside her.
Tenia’s eyes closed, her head pressing back against the pillows as he slid leisurely inside her again, withdrew, all with aching slowness, driving her a little higher, a little wilder, each time. Her hunger flickered, licked deep, spiralled through her as his pace fastened gradually.
He squeezed her hands gently, flexed his hips, caused her to inhale sharply at the sensation it invoked.
Passion was turning to something hotter, something more carnal, and she whimpered, her hips pushing up into him, wanting so much more.
Silky black hair brushed her cheek, his mouth near her ear. “Come with me, my love.”
That was her last coherent memory. The rest of that magical time was a whirl of intense feelings as his thrusts became faster, his breath hot and damp on her cheek, his hands holding hers tighter, denying her when she would have wound her arms around his back, keeping her helpless as she panted, writhed beneath him, met him thrust for hot thrust.
Changing angle, hips pumping powerfully, he pushed them both towards the climax, ruthlessly pounding her along that erotic path, and all she could do was cling to him, trust in him, allow him to take her on the carnal ride as he thrust harder, made her heart pound faster, her blood sizzling so hot she swore she’d go up in flames, the ardour searing over her, through her, the heat of his body claiming hers burning her up.
Burning her up so deliciously, so hotly, so decadently.
Sweeping her along a fiery path that ended in an explosion of fire and decadence, shattering her thoughts, her body, throwing her out into a wild sky that swallowed her whole.
Dimly she heard Darvk growl her name, felt his fingers tighten around hers, felt those hard hips shove ruthlessly, felt heat fill her.
Heard his snarled, “Mine.”
And then she knew no more.
~*~
Tenia recovered first, cradling him as he lay slumped atop her, his face in her neck, and his panting breaths warm on her skin. Gliding her fingers through the thick, black hair, s
he twined the silky strands around her finger.
“I’m too heavy for you.” He made to move away but she tightened her arm where it lay across his back.
“Stay. Just for a few minutes.”
Settled comfortably against her, Darvk enjoyed the unusual sensation of being able to rest and not move immediately after making love, as he would normally do with any other wench. He tended to forget that she was a warrior, taller and stronger than other wenches, a perfect match for him.
A perfect match because he knew no other wench would ever be good enough now, not after Tenia.
Not after being with the lass he loved more than life itself. For her, he would do anything, risk anything. Do anything to make her smile and laugh and welcome him into her arms.
After a few minutes he rolled onto his back, taking her with him and snuggling her against his side, as he pillowed her head on his shoulder.
Neither spoke a word and time passed pleasantly. He fell into a deep, contented sleep with Tenia in his arms.
When he awoke he was alone, but he knew the hours during the night weren’t a dream, the faint scent of jasmine still lingering on the pillow and his skin.
Not wanting anyone to know that she'd been with him, she must have crept back to her cabin.
It was both endearing and, he admitted with a small sigh, a shame. No one would judge her, certainly not the Daamens, but mayhap her sister…
The closeness of the sisters was undeniable, as undeniable as the fact that Darvk would respect Tenia’s wishes, would take it slowly, not embarrass her or make her feel awkward. As undeniable as the fact that one day she’d be in his bed, his arms, his home, and wouldn’t feel the need to sneak away before anyone could see her.
One day soon, she would be his bride and her place would be by his side. Always.
~ * ~
Tenia was having breakfast in the dining cabin with her sister and some of the crew when Darvk entered. Her eyes flicked up when he appeared in the doorway, her cheeks pinkened, and she smiled before returning her attention to Cam’s conversation.
While he’d hoped to spend time with her, that plan was thwarted by the simple fact of having to attend to the various chores of being a captain. Though they were in space, there were still things to attend, oversee and decide. Trading didn’t stop just because they weren’t on a planet.
Tenia, for her part, spent a lot of time with Reya, and he saw her disappear with her sister up to the top floor of the ship.
They met at mealtimes, and he ensured he sat next to Tenia, giving her a wink that had her eyes sparkling with a mixture of delightful shyness and genuine amusement.
Maverk was intent on annoying Reya, which entertained the Daamens. Personally, Darvk thought his friend just might push the cold warrior a little too hard and find her dagger grazing his throat, but apparently Maverk didn’t have any such misgivings and happily baited her.
Reya’s replies, however - when she chose to even give a reply - were calmly monosyllabic. Nothing seemed to shake the coldly composed warrior.
Not that that deterred Maverk one iota.
Sitting beside Tenia, his thigh pressed against hers, Darvk watched his friend. There was no doubt he was entertained by the red-headed Reeka, but it went deeper than that, making Darvk wonder just how much deeper and what the outcome would be. He loved Maverk like a brother, and the last thing he wanted was to see him hurt.
Not that it had gone that far between them, but there was no doubting the light that lit Maverk’s eyes when Reya entered a room, or the way he watched her thoughtfully when she wasn’t aware.
Nay, his friend was intrigued by the beautiful Reeka, but just how far it would go, Darvk had no idea.
Glancing down at Tenia beside him, it wasn’t lost on Darvk that wedding her would mean Reya would be his sister-by-marriage. He didn’t mind, he actually liked Reya even though he didn’t quite understand her or what drove her to act and react as she did. The Reeka was a definite mystery and certainly not as open as the wench Darvk had fallen in love with.
But family was family, and any family of Tenia’s was his family and his protection automatically extended to include her sister warriors. Just as his protection automatically extended to friends.
The future was uncertain, promised turmoil, but he’d forge ahead without regrets or second thoughts.
As the day progressed, Darvk’s memories of the previous night’s intimacy had him waiting impatiently for the crew to settle for the night, the dimming of the corridor lights a sure indication that they had.
Time passed and when he deemed it safe he went to her cabin. He didn’t knock, swinging the door open to find Tenia stumbling back. Quickly he grasped her around the waist and pulled her up against him. “Going somewhere, my love?”
She blushed but her eyes twinkled. “To your cabin, actually.”
He grinned. “Do you have wicked designs on my person?”
“I thought you might be…in discomfort.”
“I see.” He swung her up into his arms. “Have you a remedy?”
Soft arms wrapped around his neck. “I may have.”
“Then I think mayhap we should try it, don’t you?”
The beautiful violet eyes sparkled with mirth and aye, answering heat.
Carrying her back to his cabin, he dropped her onto the bunk where she bounced a little.
“In a hurry?” she asked dryly.
“Just a little.” Grinning, he shrugged out of his vest and draped it across the back of the chair.
Sitting up in the bunk, she leaned back against the pillows, her gaze sliding over him, open appreciation in her face.
“I think you like me just for my body,” Darvk said.
She shrugged, humour dancing across her face. “What can I say?”
“How about, ‘No, Darvk, I love you, not your body.’”
“But you come as a package deal.”
“Not quite what I meant.”
She blinked innocently.
“Ah, me.” Shaking his head, Darvk hooked his thumbs into the waistband of his pants. “The things I have to put up with.”
“Poor little you,” she teased. “I’m sure you’ll bear up under the strain.”
Enjoying the easy banter, he rolled his eyes.
Laughing, she glanced away. Just as quick as the laughter appeared, it died away when her gaze stopped on something, a small frown replacing the amusement.
Turning, he followed her gaze to the robe, immediately seeing what she’d noticed. The robe door was open, the dull glint of a curved object catching the light. Crossing to the robe, he reached in and withdrew the object.
Her eyes widened and she came up onto her knees when he walked over to her and held it out.
“My death mask!” She traced the cold, familiar features.
He grimaced. “Must you say it like that?”
“Where did you get it?”
“From the slaver.” Observing the reverence with which she handled the mask, he sat down beside her. “I meant to give it to you before now, but we never seemed to have the right moment.”
As she laid it reverently in her lap, he studied her profile, the beautiful, warm lines of her face, the inviting curve of full lips. Reaching out, he pulled the ribbon from her braid and unravelled the golden strands. “Why is it so important?”
“It’s a tradition dating back centuries. The mask is placed on the face of the dead owner so that even though the body crumbles to dust, the mask would forever hold the likeness of the wearer to show future generations what they looked like, should the bodies ever be dug up.”
“Doesn’t sound nice.” He twirled a golden lock around his finger.
“It’s said that a part of the warrior’s personality lives in the mask.”
He bared her neck for his seeking lips. “Here in my bed I would rather have the personality; alive, warm, and eager.”
She shivered deliciously when his lips left a moist trail down the side of her t
hroat.
“The masks are important to us, to be buried with it is the sign of a Reeka warrior.”
“You have yours now.” He slid his hand up her arm, feeling the feminine muscle beneath the satin skin.
“Yes.” She set it onto the bedside table. “Many of my race are buried without their masks, but we honour them in our hearts.”
“I honour you.” He slid the thin straps of her nightgown down her arms. “I worship you.”
“You lust after me, you mean.” She laughed, then gasped as her breasts were bared to his magic mouth.
Carrying her backward onto the bunk, he reached down and pushed the nightgown past her hips and legs, dropping the scrap of material onto the floor. “I lust after you, aye. I can never have enough of you, my love.”
She arched up beneath his skilled hands and was lost in his heated embrace and hot kisses, the fire he brought to life inside her.
He marvelled at how natural it felt to have her in his arms, how she produced emotions and sensations inside him that he’d never experienced before, the closeness of two people made for each other, and he sought to share it with her, the wonder and love, the heat and closeness, making love to her with everything he felt.
This time the lovemaking was gentler, something between them that was softer. Though it was only their second time together, they moved in perfect unison, and he recognised that she was giving back to him what she felt. The softness of her eyes, the way she touched him and willingly followed where he led, touching him to the deepest part of his soul.
Her whispered, “I love you” as he rocked deep inside her had him gathering her close in his arms, cradling her as he pumped with long, firm yet gentle strokes, filling her so full of him that she would never forget how he felt inside her.
The lovemaking was deep, sweet, a commitment he made to her, and when a tear spilled free from her eyes, when she gazed up at him with such passion and desire and love, he knew he would willingly give his life for her.
His one true love.
They rose and fell together, rode the wave of ecstasy so fully aware of each other, floating gently back to earth wrapped in each others arms.
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