“But this doesn’t mean I have to be happy about it.” Bridget crossed her arms over her chest. “And so help me, if I find out you’re all lying and this is a government testing facility, I’ll go ballistic on your merman ass. Got me?”
“You wish to do what to my ass?” he asked, letting a sexy half grin curl his lips. When he looked at her like that, it was too adorable for words. Damn it! There he was being all sexy and desirable again!
Her cheeks flamed in mortification to be reminded of what they had done—what she had so wantonly done. Only, he didn’t appear repulsed by her at all. Seeing he desired her wasn’t helping her overactive libido.
“Tell me,” Caderyn said, grinning happily at her side as he again started walking. “Why lie to go to the borderlands?”
“Because I want to see them,” Bridget bit her lip, falling into pace. It was nice, being at his side without the tension of a fight between them.
“Then, why not just ask me to take you? Why try and deceive me.”
“I was afraid you would say no.” Bridget stepped closer to him as the path narrowed, glad to see they still walked away from the palace.
“Why would I deny you this very simple thing? You never ask anything of me. I would be glad to do it if it means so much to you.”
Was it just her, or was there a little bit of an accusation in his tone. “So, you’d be fine with me going to the borderlands to see Deep Ocean in the hopes of studying the sea life?”
“Aye, you may study anything you wish,” Caderyn allowed with a shrug. “I’ll bring you back sea creatures from my dives if you so desire. Just tell me what it is you would like.”
Bridget couldn’t help the burst of excitement in her. She stopped, bouncing lightly with contained enthusiasm. This was what she’d worked toward for so long. Deep Ocean study. She believed him when he said he’d bring her whatever she wanted from the ocean. It maybe wasn’t the way she’d planned on studying it, but it was what she wanted to do. She wondered what her parents would think if they were still alive to see her.
Babbling uncontrollably, she bombarded him with a rush of questions. “Really? You’ll bring me live specimens out of the Abyss? Like the fish at dinner? I would love to see them up close and personal, I mean one that wasn’t dead already and cooked. Are they aggressive toward you? Do they attack the Merr underwater? What are their lifecycles? How many species do you estimate are out there? Has anyone categorized them? Do you have arecord of their mating habits? Do you…?”
Caderyn studied his wife, pleased to see her so happy. He didn’t understand half of what she asked him, but was content just to let her talk. Never had he thought that offering to bring her live fish would have broken through her icy barrier, and so quickly.
“I definitely want one of those giant lobsters. I don’t know if that is what you call them, but it was the big thing with the pinchers. Is it a scavenger or does it hunt for food in...?”
Caderyn’s smile widened. She kept going, talking nonstop in her excitement. At that moment, he knew he’d gladly tackle the most hideous of ocean creatures just to make her happy.
“...and I once saw a picture of a vampire squid, vampyroteuthis infernalis. It means vampire squid from hell. I would have to say it is one of my favorite cephalopods. It can turn itself inside out and is covered with photophores to give it a blue bioluminescence. Have you seen them while out hunting? I have always dreamed of seeing one of those up close, but they only last a few months in captivity. Oh, and...”
By all the gods! Bridget was cute when she talked about her science. Caderyn’s body stirred to her, was always stirred to her. Her eyes lit up, sparkling like gems from the Crystal Cave walls. He’d never thought about all the ocean creatures, well at least not since they first were cast below the water. They were there and he usually swam on by.
“...jellyfish, gulper eel. I’d love to know if sperm whales come down this deep to feed on giant squids. I’d love to see both a whale and a squid—a huge one, the biggest out there, though I’m not sure you would be able to bring such a specimen back. We know the two species fight because we’ve seen scars on the whales. And did you know that the squids have the biggest eyes of any creature on Earth, and we’ve never been able to capture one alive. Can you imagine? I mean, well you probably can, but—”
“Bridget?” Caderyn interrupted.
“Yeah?” she asked, blinking rapidly as she looked up at him.
“You’re talking fast. Are you all right?” Caderyn studied her flushed cheeks.
“Mm-hum,” she hummed softly. Her eyes dipped down to his mouth. Her breathing deepened noticeably. “Yeah, I’m fine. I’m...”
Caderyn stiffened in surprise when she swung her arms around his neck and kissed him hard. She moaned softly, rubbing her tongue along the seam of his lips, urging him to part his mouth to her. He did and was rewarded with the warm, silky glide of her tongue along his. Her hand dug at his clothes pulling at them.
Warmth and desire spread through him, lifting the mass between his thighs. He doubted he’d ever get enough of her, of the silken feel of her pussy wrapped around his hard length. She grasped at his clothes, trying to lift the toga and expose his body.
They were in the middle of the forest. He knew he shouldn’t stop, that they should continue walking, but his hands had minds of their own as they slipped the red cloak off her shoulders. Her supply pack fell away with it and he slipped his own from his shoulder.
“What was that for?” he asked when she let him breathe.
“Because I get to have a life,” she said, leaning back up to capture his mouth with hers. “I’m happy not to be just a housewife mending clothes and cleaning all day.”
Bridget couldn’t help herself as she kissed him. She was so happy. Right here, right now, she was happy. Pleasure exploded beneath her skin every place he touched. His strong hands were tugging on her gown, pulling it up, exposing her legs before letting it drop to cover her once more.
She felt the press of his erection to her stomach, bound from her by their clothing. Already his cock was so full, so hard and thick and powerful. She became wet in response, her pussy practically throbbing for the feel of him inside her. He hadn’t even touched her there and she was so very wet for him.
The draped toga fell from his shoulders to hang from the belt around his waist. Bridget instantly went to work pulling the tunic shirt over his head. The shirt trapped his arms up, crossing them over his head. She kept him trapped, only his mouth exposed from under the shirt.
She loved the muscles of his chest. They were so firm, so smooth and warm. Bridget kissed his nipples, playfully biting her way from one to the other as he was trapped before her. His mouth opened, straining wide as he tried to shake his face free from the tunic covering his eyes. She nipped his jaw and throat, licking him, kissing him, sucking on his flesh. He tasted so good and smelled even better. His lips lowered, capturing hers and she finally let go of the shirt so he could pull out of it.
His strong arms wrapped around her once more, pulling her close. Running his hands over her wool gown, he touched her sides, her back, her breasts. Soft moans escaped her. It felt too good. She’d thought being with him under the euphoric spell for a week had been sensational, but feeling him while she had a clear mind was so much better. But with the clarity came small shreds of fear.
Bridget tried to slow their lovemaking. She pulled back. “Caderyn, I…”
“Shh,” he said against her throat, kissing her pulse. He took advantage of the distance she put between their bodies and lifted her gown over her head. When she was naked, he pulled back, glancing over her flesh with heated eyes.
Bridget glanced back and forth over the forest path. Caderyn didn’t seem to care where they were as he leaned over to pull a breast deep into his mouth. He sucked her hard, not seeming to need air as he twirled his tongue around her erect nipple. His lips created a seal on her breast, sucking vigorously. It was an odd sensation but felt so good s
he thrust her hands into his hair and kept him latched on. The pressure of his deep kisses shot arrows of need straight down her body to her wet pussy.
Caderyn was so tight with muscles. Each movement of his firm length was well defined. Warm palms glided down to her butt, kneading the cheeks, spreading her apart. In frustration, she thrust her hips closer to him only to find the toga was still caught around his waist by the cloth belt he wore.
Her nails scraped his back as he unlatched his mouth and continued the same gratifying, sucking torture on the other breast. She threw her head back in ecstasy, calling out as spasms worked from her breasts down to her clenching sex. Looking down, she watched his mouth on her body. The abandoned nipple was so hard, it pointed like a beacon for more.
When Bridget brushed his hair back, she saw the purple shading next to his eyes. It reminded her of just how different they were. Instead of repulsing her, it excited her. As a Merr, he’d proven himself to be virile, graceful and strong. She moaned, so close to orgasm from just his mouth and hands on her body.
Desperate to have him naked, she fumbled with the remainder of his clothing, trying to find the belt in the deep folds. His hard erection bumped her hands. Instantly, she grabbed him, massaging him through the wool folds. He made a soft noise, unlatching his mouth from her breast. It would be so easy to pull the material to free him, but she didn’t as she continued to run her hand up and down, feeling every inch of his cock.
Caderyn rocked his hips against her hand as he dug for the belt at his waist. She saw slight bumps forming on his forearms where his fins would rise up. Then, with a sound of triumph, he found the belt and pulled it loose. The material slid from his tight hips, freeing his arousal.
Bridget grabbed his taut ass hard and it flexed beneath her hands. He grunted in approval before sweeping his arm under her legs and laying her on their discarded clothing. She was amazed at the swiftness with which he moved, the ease with which he lifted her about as if she weighed nothing at all. Almost instantly, he had himself between her spread thighs.
The wool material wasn’t enough to soften the hard ground beneath her back. She didn’t care. Reaching between them, she wrapped her hand around his shaft. It was so daunting in width that she felt a moment of fear and excitement burning within her as she guided him to her body. She tensed, waiting for that first thrust, the moment when he would fill her up and stretch her smaller body to fit him.
Bridget had enjoyed being with him while under the euphoric spell, but this moment was much more intimate and special. Her inhibitions were back and she realized how much was at stake. She wanted to please him, to be pleased by him, and was afraid that he might not enjoy himself.
“You’re thinking about this too much,” he whispered, kissing her forehead. “I can see by the look on your face. Just enjoy the moment.”
She moaned. He was right. Analyzing and over thinking had always been her problem.
“Just feel me, Bridget.” His voice was so light, so soft that she barely heard his plea. His mouth came down on hers, coaxing and gentle. “Make love to me. Know that I think you are beautiful. There is nothing to worry about, nothing for you to consider.”
Bridget moaned, his words stirring within her mind. This was what she wanted and the look on his face said he wanted it too. She pulled at his body, arching slightly into him. His shaft pried her open, as he thrust confidently inside her. It felt so good. Her pussy was so ready for him that he glided easily in her cream.
“Ah,” she cried. “Caderyn.”
“Aye, you’re so tight,” he groaned softly, bracing his weight on his hands. “I love how your body squeezes me.”
“And you’re so big,” she said almost timidly, naturally spreading her thighs wider at his urging. If memory served, he liked when she talked to him, vocalizing her desire. He kissed her, making animalistic noises of pleasure into her mouth.
Bridget ran her hands over his back and shoulders, reaching up to touch his silky hair. Her feet dug into the rocky earth, bracing her body as she pushed up to meet him. When he was fitted deep, he began to pull out.
“It feels so good,” she whispered, closing her eyes briefly only to open them again. She loved watching his strong physique, flexing and moving, the muscles rippling beneath the surface of his tanned skin. In that moment, it felt like heaven.
Caderyn really knew how to control the thrust of his hips, obviously from his years spent swimming under water. He kept his cock deep, working it in fast, almost vibrating circles. Pressure hit against the sweet spot in her passage and he reached between them, touching her clit. Bridget clutched at his arms, holding on tight as her first hard climax hit. It was soon followed by a second. He kept moving deep and fast, the rhythm inhuman in its intensity. She came a third time, her body jerking uncontrollably. Caderyn finally released himself inside her, grunting and panting wildly. His body tensed above her and he leaned his head back. The soft waves of his hair brushed over his shoulders.
As their breathing came back to normal, Caderyn leaned back down. Not rolling off, he kept the bulk of his weight off her by leaning on his elbows, trapping her beneath him. He pulled out, nuzzling her neck with kisses, moaning in soft contentment.
Bridget shyly turned her face from his as he moved to kiss her. His mouth brushed the corner of her lips. She shivered in pleasure, but still couldn’t force herself to look at him.
“What is it?” he asked gently, nibbling her earlobe before licking at her ear. The sweet caress sent shivers down her spine. She was too weak to stop him, and yet the simple touch was causing her to slowly heat once more even as her body needed a break as it settled. His large form kept her warm, even as the breeze cooled the light sheen of sweat from her skin.
“I don’t want you to think I’m a… a… that I am a…” Bridget stopped, making a sound of embarrassment. She just knew her face was beet red.
“A what?”
“I don’t want you to think I’m a whore,” she grumbled under her breath.
Caderyn lifted his head from her neck and laughed. “You must sleep with many men for payment to be a whore. Why would I think such of you? You have not thrown yourself at any others, have you?”
“Well, no,” she said, narrowing her eyes to study him. He lightly kissed the corner of her mouth as she tried to talk. His tongue flicked over her bottom lip, thoroughly distracting her. “But, mm, I’ve been—”
“Perfect,” he said, silencing her with a deep kiss. When he pulled back, he brushed his nose along hers, looking deep into her eyes. The purple once again struck her with its beauty, and she couldn’t look away. “You’ve been perfect, Bridget. Utterly and completely perfect.”
Bridget felt heat rising to her cheeks, but it was with pleasure this time, not embarrassment. She forgot all about her insecurities as she pulled him back for a kiss. This moment was as he said.
Utterly perfect.
Chapter 19
After they managed to stop kissing and talking long enough to get dressed, they once more continued on down the path. Caderyn’s hands constantly strayed to her body, pulling her hip so she was close to his side, wrapping his arm around her shoulder to naughtily drape a hand over her breast. She didn’t mind that he touched her in such open possessiveness, nor did she mind the sensations of pleasure she got when he did it.
When it came time to eat, Caderyn pulled food out of his pack, rolling fish and the green cheese into flatbread. Smiling, he said, “You’ve inspired a new eating style. Everyone is wrapping their food now.”
Bridget laughed. “Surely someone thought of it before now.”
“It’s so simple, you would’ve thought so,” he agreed, taking a bite. “Sometimes when you do something one way for so long, you can’t see any other options.”
Bridget watched his face as he chewed before looking at the green cheese. It still seemed wrong. Slowly, she touched the tip of her tongue to it. When she didn’t gag, she braved a small bite. It tasted like an odd cross betw
een Swiss and provolone.
“Aye?” Caderyn asked, nodding at the food expectantly.
“Not bad,” Bridget agreed with a satisfied nod. “So long as I don’t look at the color. Where I’m from, this stuff is either white or orange, and green means it’s gone very bad.”
His smile widened. She finished her meal in silence, as she was too busy eating and enjoying the quiet beauty of the forest. There were no insects, but she did think she heard the sound of a few birds. Caderyn picked some herbs and gave her several to chew before popping some in his own mouth. They tasted like mint and removed the fish taste in her mouth.
Afternoon faded to evening. They talked for a long time, mostly about unimportant things, but it was good. The tension between them was gone, and the day seemed to go by so fast, that she hardly realized it was time to stop walking.
It became darker and Caderyn stopped for the night along the path in a small, grassy clearing. Bridget watched the sky in curiosity. There was no vivid sunset, but more of a subtle shifting of colors across the underwater heavens. Then, to her amazement, what looked like stars began to dance around in the dark blue-black heavens. Occasionally, the lights would part, showing a black streak going across.
“What is that?” she asked, glancing at Caderyn as he started a small fire.
“We call them sea stars. They are little glowing fish that are attracted to the heat of our dome and they brighten the night.” He smiled, looking up briefly. Then, taking his cloak he laid it on the ground next to the fire. “Here, lay beside me. You can watch them better. The dark streaks are usually ocean creatures that swim too close and scatter them.”
Bridget glanced down. It was cooler now, but not bad. Orange firelight glowed over his trim body. The tunic shirt fell to his thighs, but it didn’t hide the slight bulge forming. She took off her cloak and stretched out beside him, resting her head on his folded arm.
The beauty of the sea stars paled. Her eyes looked up, but every ounce of her concentration was focused on Caderyn. She felt him shift and glanced over as he turned on his side, keeping her head on his arm.
The Mighty Hunter Page 12
