Claiming Valeria

by Rebecca Rivard

  His eyes met hers. “Thank you. I know I don’t deserve it, but thank you.” He framed her face and pressed a soft kiss to her lips, then moved his mouth to her eyes, placing a kiss on each lid, before laying his cheek against hers. “Amo-te,” he murmured in husky tones. “I love you. So much.”

  Something inside her shifted, loosened. She tried to recall her spurt of anger in the dining room at Rui and all his women, but he’d spent the last month focusing on her and Merry. He was polite to his past lovers, but he’d made it clear he belonged to one woman now.

  Her. Valeria.

  She lifted a hand and stroked his head. And in that moment, she realized she’d already forgiven him, already begun to trust him again.

  When he lifted his head, his eyes were wet. He blinked and turned his head, trying to hide it, but she saw.

  Her heart squeezed. “Come.” Rising to her feet, she took his hand and led him to her bedroom.

  CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

  As Valeria turned the lock on her door, it seemed to throw a switch in Rui as well. He took her by the shoulders and pulled her to him for a hard kiss. The apologetic man was gone and in his place was a dominant male fada intent on taking his woman.

  “Madre de Deus,” he muttered against her neck. “If you knew how much I want you—”

  Her stomach quivered. Oh, she knew. If it was anything like how she felt, she knew just how much he wanted her. Desire was a hot, liquid pulse in her core. Need was a red heat in her brain. If he’d asked, she’d have lain down on the floor right then and there and let him have her.

  His nostrils flared, and she knew he scented her arousal. He gave a rumble of satisfaction and turned his head, fitting his mouth to hers. She eagerly twined her arms around his neck and took his tongue into her mouth, sucking hard. He tasted of coffee and the sweet pastry and his own unique male flavor.

  He moved his mouth to her neck, nipping and licking the tender skin. Excitement raced up and down her spine. He brought a hand to her breast. “No promises, then. This is just sex, right?” His thumb traced a circle around her aching nipple.

  Her inner thighs clenched. She arched her back and pressed into his caress. “Sim,” she managed to say.

  “Bom.” A fist captured her braid, drawing back her head. “I agree.”

  “You do? I mean, good.”

  His teeth closed on the soft underside of her jaw, gentle but firm. Letting her know who was in control. “But it’s going to be all night. And if I want you again tomorrow night—and I will—I’ll have you. No going back to just kisses.”

  She swallowed. “Promises, promises.”

  Rui chuckled darkly and brought his mouth down on hers again. Pleasure rippled over her skin. She placed a hand on his arm to steady herself. Beneath the shirt, his muscles flexed under her touch. He muttered something incoherent and gathered her closer with one arm, the other hand holding her steady for his kiss.

  “Mm,” she said, fitting herself to him.

  He rumbled his approval and deepened the kiss, tasting her in slow, deep strokes. She brought her hands to his face, rubbing her thumbs over the black stubble of his night-beard, exploring the strong bones of his jaw beneath. He pulled her closer and she twined a leg around his hip, rubbing herself against his thigh.

  Rui bit out something raw and primitive. He raised his head and she saw his animal in his eyes, a rich, wild gold, and then the room spun and she was on the mattress, his big body covering hers, his erection pressing into the notch between her thighs exactly where she needed it. She closed her eyes and forgot everything but his lips on hers and the hard body pressing hers to the bed.

  His mouth moved to her breasts, nipping her through the thin cotton knit. She whimpered and gripped his nape to pull him closer. With a growl, he lifted his head and, taking her wrists in one of his hands, raised her arms above her head so she couldn’t touch him. Then he closed his lips over her nipple and drew hard.

  She gasped and arched her back, twining her legs around his body so that her aching center was pressed against his pelvis. He lifted his head, but rather than give her relief, he gazed down at her, one hand keeping her arms against the mattress above her head.

  She moistened her lips. “Rui?”

  His eyes were dark with some unnamed emotion. “You and Okeanos never…did you? I have no right to ask, but—”

  She glanced away. “No.”

  “Why is that, Valeria?”

  She shrugged, and he nuzzled her neck.

  “Thank you,” he said in a thick voice. “I don’t deserve it, but—”

  “No, you don’t,” she agreed, but her words lacked force.

  “Ah, baby, you’re such a gift. So precious…I swear I won’t ever forget that again.”

  Long, work-roughened fingers pushed up her skirt, exposing the tiny black panties that were all she had on underneath. He cupped her mound. Just cupped her, without moving, his fingers firm, possessive. He bent forward to press a reverent kiss just below her navel.

  “Bonita,” he breathed against her skin. “So pretty. So very, very pretty.”

  Her eyes drifted shut. He rubbed a single finger over her center, a teasing caress through the silky cloth, and her eyes flew open again. “That’s better,” he said. “I want you looking at me, remembering who you belong to.”

  Her head moved back and forth against the sheet. “No,” she moaned.

  “No?” He drew a slow circle around her clit. “That’s not the answer I want to hear, querida. Now keep those eyes open or I’ll tease you until you’re pleading for release.”

  She stared at him for a moment and then her lips curved in a slow smile. She almost chuckled when he eyed her uncertainly. He’d always been in control of their lovemaking, which was fine with her. He was a hard, aggressive male, and she had no desire to change him. But he wasn’t going to have it all his own way.

  On his knees begging.

  She traced her tongue over her lower lip. “Maybe,” she said, “I want you to tease me.”

  * * *

  Rui’s whole body went taut. Damn, it made him hard, hearing her husky voice asking him to tease her. He was so attuned to her that he could swear he heard her heart speed up. Her cheeks had a pretty flush and her brown eyes were nearly black with desire. But she still found the will to resist him.

  This doesn’t mean I’m agreeing to the mate claim, she’d said.

  Not because she didn’t want him—she couldn’t hide how aroused she was—but because she was afraid he’d hurt her again. Deus, that tore at him. But he’d already resolved to do whatever it took to make it up to her. He’d just have to pray she had a heart big enough to accept him, flaws and all.

  Meanwhile, he’d make sure this was a night she’d never forget.

  Maybe I want you to tease me.

  “Yeah?” His smile was all teeth. It was her turn to look uncertain. “Well, then, let’s start by taking this off.”

  His hands went to her shoulders, helping her to sit back up. The dress’s zipper was on the back, so he turned her sideways and eased it down, pressing a kiss to each vertebrae in turn as he gradually exposed her smooth, toned back. When he reached the base of her spine, he rose back up to press a kiss to her nape. She was so soft, so ready, her musk filling his nostrils.

  His need ratcheted, fierce and primal. He jerked the wide black straps down over her shoulders, trapping her arms. “So you want to be teased,” he said, this time in a growl against the back of her neck.

  “Yes.” Her throat worked. “But…not too much.”

  “Oh, no, boneca. You don’t get to set the rules. Just be prepared to beg—and maybe I’ll take pity on you.” He pulled the dress down a little further so that her breasts popped out. He fingered a taut, rose-brown nipple. “I think I’ll tease these pretty breasts of yours for a while.”

  She moaned and dropped her head back against his chest. He brought his other arm around her so that he could play with both of her breasts. She was swollen, s
ensitive. Even his tiniest touches elicited a whimper.

  “Please, Rui—”

  He lightly squeezed her nipples. “Sim?”

  “I—I need more.”

  “I know, sweetheart. But if I give it to you too soon, it wouldn’t be any fun.”

  “Says who?” she muttered, and he gave a bark of laughter.

  But he released her breasts to cup her jaw in one hand and give her a leisurely kiss. While he was distracted, she managed to wriggle the dress off her arms so that she could bring them up to clasp him closer. Her head turned, seeking his mouth. He groaned against her lips and then somehow managed to pull himself back.

  He reached for the dress bunched around her hips. “Lift your arms.”

  When she obeyed, he pulled the garment over her head and dropped it onto the trunk at the foot of the bed before standing up to shuck his own clothes. When he turned around Valeria was seated cross-legged on the bed, wearing nothing but those tiny satin panties, her thick braid falling over one shoulder.

  He came to stand before her. She flashed him a smile and scooted to the edge of the mattress, where she placed a hand on his abdomen. Her thumb caressed his scar, which had healed into a thin pink line.

  “Did I ever thank you for what you did that day? If you hadn’t been there—”

  He shrugged, his gaze on her hand. “I don’t need your thanks.”

  “What do you need then? This?”

  Her thumb moved lower and his cock jerked, eager to be inside her. She stroked her fingers lower, then curled them around his hot, hard length. His breath hissed out. Her fingers were cool and a little rough from crabbing. That hint of roughness on a woman made his balls tighten deliciously.

  “That’s a start,” he managed to say.

  But he wanted to draw this out for both of them. Taking her hands, he pressed her down onto the mattress and removed her panties, then brought his hand to the tight black curls that shielded her mound. He moved his fingers in a slow circle, careful not to touch her slick, swollen nub.

  She raised herself on her forearms to watch him. He continued to touch her. Light, easy touches that had her tensing and moaning.

  “More, Rui. Oh, please.”

  “But you want to be teased.”

  Her head dropped back onto the mattress. “I’m an idiot.”

  “No, you’re right. You want this to be slow…perfect—and so do I.” Her legs were dangling off the bed. He lifted her hips and shifted her so that she was all the way on the mattress before climbing on top of her and straddling her thighs. “Now let me see—I can tease you here…” He cupped her breasts and played with the rosy furled nipples. “Or here…” He slid his hands lower, stroking down her ribcage to her hips.

  She moaned and closed her eyes, the lashes an inky fringe against her cheeks.

  “Or maybe here…” He lowered his mouth to her belly, kissing and nipping the soft skin.

  She made a low sound and reached for his shoulders, trying to pull him closer.

  He nuzzled her palm. “Eu te adoro, querida. Accept the mate claim. We belong together.”

  She stilled and didn’t reply. He tightened his jaw but didn’t press her, turning his attention instead back to her abdomen, moving lower until his mouth was poised above her warm, moist center. He licked a circle around her clitoris, careful not to touch it.

  “Rui—” Her hands clamped on his head, trying to pull him to her.

  “Oh, no.” He removed her hands and placed them on the mattress. He raised his head and gave her a stern look. “Remember who’s in charge here. Or do I have to tie your wrists?”

  She shot him a heated look. “No.”

  He grinned to himself. He loved Valeria’s fiery side. “Good girl,” he murmured, just to taunt her, and then licked up her moist, tender slit, savoring the salty musk. He was rewarded by her moan. He slid a finger inside her, then two, still licking and sucking her, until she broke and her hands gripped his head again. This time he let them remain there, intent on helping her reach the climax he sensed was just seconds away.

  “Please, please, please…” She writhed beneath his hands and mouth, her heated core clamping on his fingers.

  “That’s it,” he encouraged. “Beg me.”

  “Yes, anything.” Her head moved from side to side on the sheet. “Just—”

  “Taste you? All right.” He suckled her swollen pearl of flesh.

  She let out a little scream, dug her heels into the mattress and came.

  He rode it out with her, bringing her down with soft, easy licks before raising himself up over her. “On your knees.” Both man and animal needed it this way, his body covering hers, making her completely his.

  Her gaze caught his, the brown overlaid with aqua. He knew his own were golden; both their animals to the fore. He held his breath, waiting to see what she would do, knowing that if she tried to run or fight, his animal would take her down—although gently, because she was the mate.

  Then she smiled—a decidedly feral smile—and turned over, presenting her bottom to him.

  “Deus.” His throat closed. He placed his hands on her hips and sat back on his haunches, taking her in as he tried to catch his breath again.

  She was every man’s erotic dream. His gaze traced greedily down her body: the strong, elegant shoulders…the graceful dip of her back…the lush curve of her ass. Some of her hair had escaped its braid, wispy curls forming a soft brown halo around her head.

  Something about those delicate wisps made his chest clench; a hot, sweet ache. Damn, he loved her.

  Leaning forward, he feathered his lips over the smooth skin between her shoulder blades, grateful just to touch her, to be pressed against her, skin to skin. She shivered and he recalled she was ticklish there. His lips curved and he did it again.

  She moaned his name.

  “Sim?” He rose back up. “Do you want something, love?” He slipped his hand between her thighs. She was warm and wet. His balls pulsed with the desire to take her. He inhaled raggedly and caressed her with a single long finger.

  Her breath sucked in. “Yes. No. Rui—” Her fingers clenched on the sheets.

  “Acalme-te, querida. I know what you want.”

  He played with her a few moments more and then unable to wait any longer, came back onto his knees. Gripping her hips, he nudged his tip against her opening. She made a little sound of pleasure and, reaching beneath her body, took hold of him and slid him back and forth through her hot, moist silk, teasing them both until his teeth gritted with need.

  “Enough,” he growled. “Put me inside you.”

  When she obeyed, he tightened his grip on her hips and stroked the rest of the way inside. Electricity buzzed up and down his spine. He groaned at the sheer wonder of being inside her after all this time. She arched her back and pressed back against him, and his whole lower body tightened.

  “Sim,” he encouraged. “That’s it, love.” He pulled partway out and slid slowly back inside. “Is this what you want? Tell me.” He flexed his hips and moved back into her again, a little harder this time.

  Her fingers dug into the mattress. “Yes. That’s it. Please, Rui.”

  He settled into a rhythm, stroking in and out of her slowly at first, and then faster. She came down onto her forearms and he groaned again. The angle was so perfect, his entire length buried deep inside her. But he wanted her with him. He reached under her and, wetting his fingers in her juices, rubbed and teased her swollen nub until she was whimpering.

  “Ah, sim. That’s it…right there…”

  And then it happened. Something in her opened and he sensed her need pulsing through the mate bond. A fierce triumph filled him. He went wild, slamming into her, hard and deep.

  “That’s it, Valeria. Take me. Take all of me.”

  She arched up to take him as deep as she could, meeting his wildness with her own. He stroked into her again and again, and then she was convulsing around him, milking him with tight little muscles.
His balls drew up hard against his body. He thrust another few times and then light sparked behind his eyes and he groaned and emptied himself into her in an orgasm that seemed to go on forever.

  When he came back to himself, she was flat on her stomach and he was resting half on, half off her, breathing hard. He rolled onto his back and pulled her into his arms.

  “Amo-te, querida. I love you.” He pressed a kiss to her hair.

  She stroked her fingers through the wiry hair on his chest. But she didn’t say she loved him in return and to his dismay, when he reached for her through the bond, she’d closed back in on herself again.

  He wanted to say something—plead, argue, demand—whatever it took—but when he raised his head, her eyes held a wariness that made the words dry up in his throat.

  But if she wouldn’t accept the words, he could love her with his body, and he did, twice more, until they both fell into a heavy, satiated sleep.

  CHAPTER NINETEEN

  “Mama Ria?” A small hand shook Valeria’s shoulder. “Wake up. I’m hungry.”

  “Go to breakfast without me,” Valeria mumbled without opening her eyes. “You can sit with Tia Sabela.”

  Merry whined. “But I want you to come, too.”

  Valeria sighed. “Okay, okay.” Then she remembered Rui and her eyes flew open.

  But his side of the bed was empty and his clothes were gone. That was good, she told herself. She wasn’t ready for Merry’s questions. Still, a part of her was disappointed that he’d gone without waking her, even though she was the one who’d insisted on no commitment.

  Merry waved a small, beribboned box in her face. “What’s this, Mama?”

  Valeria pushed herself up to sitting. What with one thing and another, she’d never gotten around to opening Rui’s gift. She smothered a grin. Not that she was complaining.

  “Tio Rui gave it to me,” she told Merry. “Do you want to help open it?”

  Merry nodded eagerly and scrambled onto the bed. Valeria held the box while she untied the gold ribbon, the tip of her tongue sticking out as she concentrated on loosening the bow. When she was done, she lifted the lid. Nestled inside was a hand-carved dolphin attached to a brown leather cord to make a necklace.