by C. D. Gorri
His eyes narrowed as he pondered. “I guess that makes sense. It’s tough for someone who’s never experienced misogyny to put themselves in the shoes of someone who has. But I’m trying, Siora.”
“I know,” she said softly, sliding her hands over his lower abdomen. He’d ditched his shirt a while ago, and his skin trembled beneath her palms. “You’re doing an excellent job, General.” Hooking her fingers over the elastic of his sweatpants, she began to ease them down his legs.
“I guess we’re done with training,” he muttered as she lowered to her knees, dragging his pants to his ankles before urging him to step out and tossing them against the wall. His impressive cock sprung toward her face, already hard and turgid as the veins swelled beneath the sensitive skin.
“Oh, we’re done with training,” she said, arching a brow as she gripped his shaft, “but there will still be lots of physical exertion.”
“Holy fuck,” he breathed, threading his fingers through her short hair and gently clenching. “You have no idea how hot you are kneeling in front of me like that.”
“Like this?” she asked, pursing her lips and rapidly blinking. “Or like this?” Lowering her hand, she gripped the hem of her sports bra and tugged it off, tossing it to lie atop his sweatpants. Her breasts sprang free above the yoga pants she still wore, and she felt a moment of self-consciousness. After all, she was stocky and muscular, and her breasts weren’t anything to write home about. But Garridan seemed enthralled by them, always spending time on each of her sensitive nipples when they made love, so she figured it wouldn’t hurt to bare herself.
“Like that,” he growled, inching closer and tilting her head with the fingers entwined in her hair. “Cup them while you suck me.”
Grinning, she palmed the small globes in her hands and widened her stance so she could balance more firmly on her knees. Pushing her breasts high, she tilted her head further and opened her mouth.
“You sexy little vixen,” he murmured, placing the underside of his cock on her waiting tongue. “Goddess, you’re so gorgeous.”
“Mmm…” was her sensual response as she closed her mouth around him.
He released a ragged groan as he began to slowly jut back and forth. Staring into his amber eyes, Siora pinched her nipples as she sucked him, sending pleasure through her frame as he loomed above her.
“Yesss…” he hissed, sliding the smooth skin of his shaft across her tongue and lips. “Play with those sexy nipples while I fuck that smart mouth.”
Her eyes narrowed, and he breathed a strained laugh.
“Don’t give me that look, Siora. You have the smartest mouth I’ve ever fucking heard. And the sexiest…and the fucking sweetest…oh, god…”
Figuring she’d let him off the hook since she enjoyed the spicy compliments, she began to move her head, maneuvering it around his cock as he shoved it inside her willing mouth. Saliva coated the taut skin, making it glisten as he fucked her lips in the quiet room.
“Yeah, honey,” he said, his fingers so tight in her hair they sent twinges of pain through her scalp, although they were pleasurable. They were reminiscent of a good workout, where her muscles were tired and sore but endorphins still coursed through her body. Holy shit. Watching Garridan pound her mouth while he gritted his teeth in ecstasy definitely sent endorphins through her rapidly heating body.
“Can I move your head?” he asked, making her heart swell. Although she chided him for being an unwitting misogynist, he was a stickler for consent, and damn, if that wasn’t sexy as hell. “I don’t want to hurt you.”
Popping his cock from her mouth, she flashed him a sultry grin. “I’m not some weak aristocrat, Garridan. Pull my hair and fuck my mouth. Use me however you want and come down my fucking throat. Do you hear me?”
A deep growl rumbled in his chest as he yanked her hair. “Goddammit, that’s sexy. Say it again.”
The corner of her lip curved before she extended her tongue, running it over her top lip and then the bottom one, slow and deliberate. “Garridan? Fuck my mouth. Hard.”
Groaning, he complied, sliding his cock between her lips as she closed around him. Gripping her short tresses, he began to fuck her in earnest, plunging toward the back of her throat as she reminded herself to relax. Opening to him, she felt so full when he began to push deep, pulling back so she could suck in breaths between the firm thrusts.
“Do you like swallowing my cock, sweetheart?” he rasped, eyes locked with hers as he possessed every crevice of her mouth. “God, you’re driving me wild. Every part of you feels so good.”
She purred around his sensitive flesh, wondering when making him feel pleasure became so important to her. Damn, but she craved to hear his deep moans and growls as he loved her. His caresses were always so passionate—and surprisingly tender—and she longed for these nights with him. What would happen now that she’d improved? Would he stop making love to her?
Gliding her hands up his thighs, the tiny hairs prickled her palms as she slid them to his buttocks. Clasping the firm flesh, she helped drive his hips toward her mouth, showing him how much she desired him…hoping he understood she wasn’t ready to stop their passionate trysts.
“Fuck!” he gritted, slamming his cock in her mouth. “I’m going to come… Suck me dry, honey…oh…god…”
Warm pulses of release began shooting down her throat, and she moaned, closing her eyes as he emptied himself inside her wet mouth. Shouts of pure ecstasy escaped his lungs as his large body pulsed beneath her hands. Spearing her nails in his buttocks, she grinned when he shouted her name.
“You fucking vixen,” he groaned, jerking as his body shook from the orgasm. “Damn it, that feels good.”
She pushed deeper, knowing he enjoyed the slight pleasure-pain as much as she did, and he shuddered before tugging her hair.
“Enough,” he murmured, and she relaxed her hands. “Sheathe your claws, woman.”
Smiling, she sucked his sated cock, loving the feel of him relaxing against her tongue. Eliciting a deep sigh, he gazed down at her while he stroked her jaw.
“Siora…” he whispered, the word reverent upon his lips.
Releasing him from her mouth, she smoothed her hands over his thighs. “You look like you’re about to collapse.”
His lips formed a sexy, sated smile before he lowered to the mat, drawing her into his arms before collapsing on his back. Siora shimmied into his side and rested her chin on her fist as her elbow pushed into the mat.
“I like making you feel good,” she said, trailing her finger over his cheek.
Encircling her wrist, he lifted her hand to his lips and kissed her palm. “Sweetheart, if you only knew. I swear, I’m going to make you feel good too. I just need to catch my breath.”
She made a tsk, tsk, tsk sound. “That’s unacceptable, General. You need to be in tip-top shape for our upcoming battle.”
Laughing, he arched a brow. “Is that supposed to be an impression of me telling you to perform better on the field?”
Closing an eye, she glanced at the ceiling. “Maaaaaaybe.”
“Okay, I’m a tyrant. I get it,” he teased.
“You’re not, but it was fun to hate you just a little.”
His lips formed an adorable pout, sending her heart into overdrive. “You don’t still hate me, do you?”
“Debatable,” was her cheeky reply.
Breathing a laugh, he shook his head against the mat. “No way. You couldn’t destroy me like you just did if you detested me. No one is that good of an actress.”
She mimicked flicking her hair over her shoulder. “Maybe I missed my calling.”
“Okay, Meryl Streep. Let’s leave the acting to the humans.”
Grinning, she relaxed into him as they softly stroked each other. Finally, he broke the silence, a slight hesitancy in his tone.
“It’s up to you if you still want to spar in the evenings. You’ve corrected the tell with your hip, but I’m happy to keep training you. I think it�
�s helping to improve your overall performance on the field.”
Contemplating, she traced a finger over the scratchy hairs on his chest. “Are you saying that because you want to keep fucking me?”
Sliding his fingers under her chin, he gently lifted it to claim her gaze. “Yes. I don’t want to lie to you. I love the time we spend together training and fucking. I don’t think there’s anything wrong with that.”
“It would hurt my career if anyone finds out,” she said, fangs toying with her lower lip as she searched for the words. “We have to keep it secret until it ends.”
An unreadable reaction flickered in his eyes. “If that’s what you want.”
Feeling her eyes dart between his, she asked, “Isn’t that what you want? Once the conflict with Bakari is over, there will be no need for me to train this vigorously for combat.”
“We’ll both still be in the army, Siora. I’ll still see you unless you’re dead set on avoiding me.”
She wrinkled her nose. “I know. But you’ll be back at Valeria and will resume your life there. I’ll hopefully become head of security at Lynia, but I’ll still just be Luthor’s daughter from a meager farm on a rural compound.”
“That’s not how I see you,” he said, running the backs of his fingers over her cheek.
“How do you see me?” she asked before she could stop the words from tumbling out of her mouth. Goddess, she sounded desperate and realized with each vibrant pound of her heart how important his answer was to her.
“As a beautiful, fierce warrior. One who will partner with me to protect our people in the battle against Bakari.”
Her lips twitched. “I guess Latimus told you.”
Nodding, he cupped her jaw. “I’m proud to have you as my first-in-command at the final battle. I can think of no one I’d rather have by my side.”
Tears burned her eyes, making her feel vulnerable, and she willed them away. Sentiment and feelings had no place between them. They were teammates who gave each other pleasure, and she would do well to remember that before she did something completely stupid like fall in love with him.
“Well, I’ll do my best to make sure you don’t get bludgeoned,” she teased, attempting to lighten the heavy mood. “And then, we’ll both go on to build our lives on Valeria and Lynia. It will be nice to be free from war for once.”
Deep brown eyes skated over her face as he studied her. “If that’s what you want,” he repeated, running his thumb over her lip.
Lifting a shoulder, she grinned. “I think it’s just how it is. In the meantime, I’d like to continue training with you at night. I’ve learned a lot and definitely see an improvement. I mean, if you have time. I don’t want to drain you.”
“I’ll always have time for you,” he murmured, the tender words squeezing every ounce of breath from her lungs. “You know that, right, sweetheart?”
Swallowing thickly, she commanded her heart to slow the fuck down. “Thank you.”
“In the meantime, there’s something I need to take care of.”
Lifting her brows, she shot him a questioning look.
He lurched, encircling her with his arms and flipping them over as she yelped. Looming over her, he smiled. “You took my cock like a champ, honey. Now, I need to suck you dry. You ready?” Waggling his brows, he began to trail wet kisses down her neck, between the valley of her breasts, and over the quivering skin of her abdomen. Pressing his hands to her inner thighs, he gently spread them apart.
“Are they your favorite?” he asked, running his hands over the soft fabric of her yoga capris.
“My yoga pants? Not really.”
“Good.” Gripping the hem, he ripped the pants in half, destroying the garment before tossing it aside.
“I really like this whole ‘ripping my clothes’ thing you’ve got going on,” she said, smiling down at him as she made quotation marks with her fingers. “Not great for my workout attire, but really sexy, General.”
His lips curved into a sexy grin as he palmed her thighs and pushed them wide. “If I have it my way, I’ll rip every damn piece of clothing you own.” Blowing on her drenched core, his eyes swam with amused desire. “Now, be a good little vixen and let me taste you, honey.”
He dove into her pussy, causing her back to arch as she thrust her fingers in his thick hair. And then, she closed her eyes and let him return the very pleasurable favor.
Chapter Nine
A week later, Garridan stood in front of the mirror straightening the bow tie that went with his tuxedo. He hadn’t dressed up in ages and could barely remember how to tie the damn thing. Deciding it looked fine, he gave a sigh and leaned down to grab his tuxedo jacket. Sliding it on, he assessed his reflection.
He looked like the aristocrat his father had always wanted him to be, and something about that rankled the hell out of him. If he weren’t escorting Celine, he would’ve just worn a suit and called it a day. But tongues wagged throughout aristocratic circles at Valeria, and he didn’t want to hurt her reputation. She was still looking for a bonded mate, and he wanted to look his best to support her.
Once he was fully dressed, he headed out, locking the door behind him and trailing down the front porch stairs. Glancing at his parents’ mansion, he noted the windows were dark and assumed they were already at Valeria’s main castle.
His shoes clacked against the pavement as he took the fifteen-minute walk to Celine’s home. It was a nice evening, and he figured it was best spent in the fresh air rather than driving a four-wheeler. In truth, he would’ve much rather spent it with Siora, training her before they fell into one of their earth-shattering lovemaking sessions. But the army needed his father’s donation, and he would escort Celine to ensure it happened.
It was the first night he hadn’t spent with Siora since they began their sessions almost two weeks ago. Although it was a short time, it somehow felt like an eternity. Not in a bad way, he thought, grinning. Goddess, no. In the best way, like the fairy tales that spoke of the eternity of peace and goodness that existed in Etherya’s realm before the War of the Species.
Like the kind of eternity you wanted to continue…long as you both shall live…
The inner thoughts were serious and ones Garridan had never had about another. Sure, he’d courted women off and on over the centuries, but none had even come close to taking up residency in his brain like Siora. At this point, her face was emblazoned in his mind, and he’d even begun to dream of her at night.
“You’re getting sentimental in your old age, soldier,” he muttered, inwardly chuckling at his sappiness.
But the truth was, he had lived for ten centuries, blazing a path as a competent soldier and advisor to Commander Latimus. When the War of the Species ended two decades ago, they had a brief moment of peace in which Garridan considered settling down…before Bakari appeared and upended that notion. Now, if they vanquished Bakari, he would finally have an opening to consider settling down and having children.
He’d always thought of having kids one day, but it seemed a faraway dream—one he would consider when he met someone compatible enough to understand his desire to protect the kingdom would always rank highly as he built his family. Siora sometimes uttered her belief he would bond with an aristocrat one day, but Garridan didn’t see that making him happy. Aristocratic women wanted patrician bonded mates who held prominent positions in their kingdom, not soldiers who worked tirelessly and didn’t give a damn about rank or privilege.
If he were honest, he could see himself settling down with Siora. She was a bit rough around the edges, but damn, that was one of the things he admired most about her. She was honest and straightforward, and it was so refreshing after being raised in a stuffy society where people only spoke their minds in dark corners behind others’ backs.
And there was one other thing: Siora was achingly beautiful and hands-down the best lover he’d ever had. If he could stare at her stunning face and hold her until the world turned to dust, it wouldn’t be long
enough. She sometimes spoke of how she wasn’t pretty and her body wasn’t womanly, and he longed to reassure her. To him, she was the essence of beauty. Much more so than someone like Celine, who seemed more like a porcelain doll than the real, visceral woman Siora was.
Unfortunately, Siora had made it quite clear she didn’t see a future between them. He couldn’t tell if it was because she didn’t want to settle down, didn’t want to share a future with him, or truly just saw their trysts as a fun outlet to let off steam. Every time he had the urge to tell her he would consider trying to make their arrangement more serious, she shut him down. Not in a mean way. No—it was more…resigned, if anything. As if she simply couldn’t contemplate them having anything more than the scant moments they stole after their training.
It frustrated Garridan, but he didn’t want to push her, knowing her well enough to understand that would make her close up even more. She responded to his stern urgings on the field, but on a personal level, she didn’t receive them the same way. Since he longed for her to be open with him, he usually conceded, allowing her to steer the direction of their conversations…allowing her to assert they didn’t have a place in each other’s lives.
“Well, hello. Is this my handsome date?”
Celine’s wispy voice dragged him from the depressing thought as he trailed down the sidewalk to her house.
“It is indeed,” he said, offering his arm. She wore the long, red gown of a Vampyre aristocrat and looked stunning as she slid her arm into his.
“I hope I don’t fall. I’m wearing new heels, and I already want to burn them.”
Laughing, he escorted her down the walkway and onto the sidewalk so they could stroll to the castle. “You look lovely, Celine. Are you trying to impress anyone in particular?”
Red splotches appeared on her cheeks as she grinned. “I fear you know my secret, so let’s just get it out in the open. I’m hoping Sebastian asks me to dance even though he’s bringing Mila.”
