Filthy Beginnings, page 7
part #3.50 of Ruthless Warlords Series
“Don’t call me that.”
“How about I just call you mine?” He leaped to the mattress and scooped her up, his arm sliding beneath her legs while the other banded around her back, so he could grabbed her close, claiming her sweet mouth, relishing the way she melted against him, her soft tits pressing against his chest as their tongues tangled and he saw everything he wanted within reach.
Then, with a sigh, he ended the kiss too soon and tossed her easily into the air—and caught her once more, enjoying the way she laughed and threw her arms around her neck. She was light as a feather.
Holding her was almost as good as burying his face in her sweet cunt.
And hearing her laugh, that eased the tightness in his chest.
Which was why he then placed her gently on the center of the bed and followed her down, pressing kisses to her mouth, her jaw, and her temple in hopes he could erase some of the shadows she was trying so hard to hide. “I could stay like this forever.”
She blinked up at him, her smile still in place. “Soon.”
Throat tight, he nodded. “Soon.” And realized she was a hells of a lot better at faking being tough than he would ever be.
“Do it.”
Blowing out a breath, he grabbed the long ends of the restraints and shoved them beneath the mattress, his body hovering over hers. “One rotation, I’m gonna let you tie me up like this too.”
Her pupils dilated. “Oh, yeah?”
“Yeah.” He’d been joking—his attempt at another distraction. Now, however, given her reaction, he was one hundred percent serious. “You’ll tie me up, and when you have me at your mercy, you’ll climb on top and bounce that gorgeous body up and down on my cock.”
She shivered beneath him. “I won’t stop until you groan and growl and flood my pussy with your cum, and your knot swells so wide we’re locked together. Forever.”
Fuck. He was getting hard again. Click. He hooked the restraints back into place.
Then, before he could lose it—or stay too long and screw things up—he pulled away.
“It’s a date.” He pressed one more quick kiss to her forehead. “This… this is only temporary. Once I win the tournament, I’ll never leave your bed again. In my mind, you’re already mine.”
Then he spun and strode away, refusing to look back.
Soon enough, he promised himself, he’d win the tournament, and she’d be his forever. Nothing would ever separate them again.
8
Rotation one of the tournament…
“Keep those eyes shut.” Damien accompanied his command with a gentle slap to her ass, then a slow caress.
Scarlett pushed her bottom back into his hand and wiggled. “How about my legs? Should those stay open or shut?”
His grip around her tightened. “Now that’s just not fair.”
She giggled. Actually giggled.
“I like that sound. I waited impatiently all rotation to hear it again.” With a low growl, he corralled her forward, one palm clamped over eyes while the other refused to leave her ass. He used his big body to guide her while keeping her safe in his arms, her back against his chest. “Now, I will admit, Crex helped me with this. But only a little.”
“I can’t wait to meet this new friend of yours.”
He squeezed her tighter, possession deepening his tone. “After we’re mated.”
She smiled to herself. She had no idea where they were going or what his surprise was, but he’d come for her soon after Egan and the guards left her room for the night, and she’d been smiling ever since.
Even when he pulled her into the hall, rushed her into a small storage closet—not giving her time to sympathize over the bruise on his cheek or the state of his swollen knuckles—before he shoved aside a dirty heavy grate and leaped down, demanding she jump next.
He’d promised to catch her.
She didn’t hesitate.
Safe in the warmth of his arms, his broad chest against hers, she had never felt more sheltered, happy—and needy.
She’d waited all rotation to touch him again.
She’d been nervous for the morning medical examination, carefully washing away any trace of Damien’s scent and saliva before her appointment. But since there was no seed found on her and she explained away the faint irritation between her thighs as a product of her dancing, she’d passed the inspection without trouble.
It helped too that Egan was distracted with other tournament business, his attention more divided than usual.
Even better, his preoccupied state had allowed her more chances to sneak glances at Damien during the first official rotation of the tournament. She’d silently cheered him on while he fought and won each of his matches as she sat in the viewing box above, the prize to be won.
All rotation long, she pressed her thighs tight as his beautiful body flexed and bunched as he moved and dodged and wiped the mat with his opponents.
All rotation long, she ached for him. Craved his skin against hers, the feel of his calloused hands gripping her hips, the taste of him on her tongue.
If anyone would have told her a lunar rotation past that she could feel this kind of giddy happiness and raw, reckless hunger—even while still in the dome, the tournament trials raging on, Egan’s beady eyes on her whenever she was in her cage, still a prize for the consortium—she would have said they were mad.
But here she was, her steps light, her blood thrumming hot and wild and free.
All because of Damien.
He’d busted into her life and changed everything.
“You can look now.” His hand fell away.
She blinked, taking in the softly lit space. “What is this place?”
“I bribed a few of the guards to set it up for me. Apparently, it used to be part of the old underground city. Now, it’s storage. Or… as I like to think of it, our tunnel love den.” He laughed his smartass laugh, but there was another layer. “What do you think?”
Vulnerability. That’s what she heard in his voice. He’d done something big for her, and he had no idea if she’d like it or not.
The organ inside her chest tingled.
Damien was so cocky. He might be younger than her, but he was more worldly and confident. Plus, he was such a gigantic wall of brawn, a mountain of strength and power. At least on the outside.
So, it comforted her to know he had his moments too. That inside, beneath the corded flesh, he was as vulnerable as she was to the bond deepening between them.
Their bodies and souls might have recognized each other instantly, but there was still so much to learn about their connection. Still so much trust to forge.
The reminder made her feel all the more protective. He might be physically stronger, but she needed to take care of him as well.
“What I think,” she spun in his hold and threw her arms around his chest, “is that I can’t believe you did this for me. I love it.”
He held her tight. “I would do anything for you, Scarlett.”
She was coming to believe him.
“I would do anything for you too, Damien Skolov.” She pressed a kiss above his heart. “Anything.”
A wave of ominous foreboding rolled through her, stealing her lighthearted mood.
She’d been on her best behavior when Egan was around. He’d even praised her after her first performance of the rotation, remarking how vibrant her colors had become. A comment that made her nervous—since she knew the new richness resulted from her connection to Damien—but Egan had done nothing else out of the ordinary.
Nor had he mentioned this mysterious investor with plans for Damien, though she’d been keeping her eyes and ears open.
Thankfully, Damien was staying alert too.
She’d told him about Egan’s reference to this mysterious male as soon as he’d come for her. In return, he’d told her about Olan Lundin, a family enemy who’d been hunting him and his siblings since they were younglings.
He suspected this might be who was after him—and he’d promised to be on guard.
She was still concerned.
“Scarlett?” Damien’s deep rasp rumbled by her ear—and she realized she’d gotten lost in her worries.
This was supposed to be a happy, stolen moment together.
“Let me look.” After placing another quick peck to his chest—she couldn’t resist—she pushed her palms against his torso and spun.
“So bossy.” He laughed, but let her go.
Throat tight, she took it all in.
There’d been an attempt to clear away the cobwebs and stack most of the crumbling rocks off to the side.
Candles flickered in strategic locations, adding a warm, romantic glow to the space. A space now separated into two sections.
Her gaze bounced from one area to the next, the purr she only made when he was near vibrating through her.
In one corner, he’d arranged two chairs. She was pretty sure she’d seen trainers sitting in similar ones in the arena earlier. Between the chairs was a stack of crates covered by a thin, emerald green blanket. A make-shift table. A candle and platter of food rested on top.
In another section was a mattress on the floor, with several colorful blankets stretched across it.
“Damien, I… I can’t believe you did all this.” Her voice shook. “It’s… incredible.”
No one had ever done anything like this for her before.
And it wasn’t just the sweetness of the room itself.
She’d never realized how easily she’d accepted the crumbs the consortium gave her, how passively she allowed them to keep her prisoner. But Damien had taken from them—raiding their supplies—and made something special for her. She’d focused so much on escaping the dome, she’d failed to see all the small ways she could push back and be free even here.
He was opening her eyes to a multitude of ways to fight back. There was a whole city, bequeathed to her by her mother’s kind, that she’d never dared explore.
It was yet another gift—and no matter what happened next, she’d always have it.
“I’m glad you like it.” Damien’s arms banded around her, the steady heat of him seeping into her as he drew her against him. “I wanted to give you a place that could be just yours. Away from the consortium. Where you could be free to let your colors loose.”
With those words, she tumbled head over heels into love.
Wild, reckless, foolish, beautiful love.
There was no part of her now that didn’t breathe and move and exist for this male—and she always would.
“It’s perfect.” She covered the big hands gripping her hips with her own. “And best of all, it’s not just mine. It’s ours.”
“Mmmm.” His jaw nuzzled her temple while the bulge in his leathers prodded the small of her back. “I thought of you all rotation. Of coming here. Of all the things we could do together… in our secret hideaway. No need to be quiet. Few use the tunnels and I picked a sanctuary in the deepest part of the old city—and set a few traps to let me know long in advance if anyone does accidentally come our way. So, until we hear those, there’s no need to worry about anyone finding us here. It’s just you and me—and all our secret fantasies.”
Need whispered through her, her body heating as her nipples went tight.
“I have so many.” She rocked back against him, her arms reaching behind her to grip his thighs and hold him to her. “You’re in trouble now—and that youthful endurance you’re so proud of. I only hope it’s going to be enough.”
He chuckled low and deep. “You know I like a challenge.”
“Then let’s get started.” Spinning in his hold, she pushed once more against his chest and broke free, stepping back and crooking her finger his way. “I have so many plans.”
But really, she wanted to know what he wanted. To touch him everywhere, kiss away every bruise, and hold his cock in her hands and watch him come apart under her tongue.
Because he’d made her come more times than she could count, but he’d refused to let her touch him. Or even take off his leathers.
She appreciated his thoughtfulness. She was, frankly, awed by his discipline, but enough was enough.
Her top fantasy? Watch the muscles in his body strain, the veins on his thick forearms and thighs flexing, as his legs shook, and her mouth bobbed up and down his shaft—until he poured his cum down her throat, his cock going deep.
And before they left this room, that was what she’d have.
Crimson and violet, turquoise and emerald green, smoky silver and vibrant orange splashed across the walls, a perfect portrait of all the need, tenderness, love, and filthy determination swirling inside her.
“I know exactly where to start.” She reached for the laces of his leathers, folding toward the ground.
“Soon. But first…” He caught her before her knees hit, swooping her up without warning. One arm under her legs, one at her back, he carried her toward the chairs. “I’ve plans of my own.”
The edginess running through Damien’s veins settled slightly as he held Scarlett in his arms, striding toward the make-shift table made from “borrowed” crates he’d snatched from kitchens near the fighting arena.
He’d been on edge all rotation.
He fucking hated leaving her. Hated seeing her in that crystal display. Hated hearing Egan bark out the word prize, snap his spindly fingers, and command her to perform. Hated the fighters who watched her with hungry eyes. Hated the worried look he occasionally caught in her stare and the tight smiles she sometimes threw his way. Hated every wasted heartbeat he wasn’t making her laugh or moan.
Fact was, he hated every fucking moment she wasn’t in his arms.
Once he reached the chairs, he placed her gently on her feet.
“Ah, I see.” She shoved him into a chair—and he let her—smiling a cheeky smile. “You want me to dance for you?” Those sexy hips of hers rocked from side to side. “A private showing?”
“Yes. Definitely.” Head bobbing up and down, he adjusted the bulge in his leathers. His dick was absolutely on board with the idea, but the greedy fucker would just have to wait. “But not before you eat.”
She stilled. “What?”
His hands fisted against his thighs. “You really want to know what I want more than anything right now?”
She raised an eyebrow. “Yes. Tell me.”
He blew out a breath. “I want you to come over here, sit on my lap, and let me… feed you.”
“You don’t have to do that.” She pressed a hand to her stomach, the colors on her skin and the wall dimming.
“I want to.”
Her lips pressed into a thin line, making the lines of her cheekbones all the easier to see. “I’m fine.”
He fucking hated that word from her.
He leaned forward. “You’re more than fine. You’re a warrior. You think I’m gonna forget how you almost dropped me on my ass when we met—with all that yellow color flashing and that clever leg sweep?”
Her lips lifted upward. “You better not.”
“I won’t. But you don’t forget that we’re a team.” He growled low, barely resisting the urge to grab her and force her onto his lap. “But all warriors need to eat and I know that fucker Egan is only feeding you once in the morning and again at night, while the consortium has round-the-clock-food, piled high on long tables, available for its tournament fighters. So,” he patted his thigh and tried not to sound like the hothead he was, “I’d really like it if you’d come here and let me feed you.” Then he brought in the big guns, flexing the muscles in his chest as he dropped his voice like he knew she liked—and winked. “Plus, after you eat, I’ll eat you.”
Her burst of laughter cut through the tension. “Well, when you put it like that. I am very hungry.” She leapt.
He rose out of his chair and caught her, curving her legs around his hips so that she straddled him as they sat back down.
Pure perfection.
Her skin pressed to his, her colors bright, her hot pussy rubbing against his leathers.
And when he took a doughy treat and slid it between her lips, her tongue coiling around his fingers, he got so hard he was sure his cock was about to break through his laces.
He forced himself to breathe deep—and keep it together.
Feeding her definitely eased the edginess inside him.
But it didn’t wipe it away altogether. Not by a long shot.
“Here.” He handed her one of the consortium’s energy drinks. “You’ve got to be thirsty too.”
“Thank you.” She took it, a wide smile stretching her face as she brought it to her lips.
“Hold up.” He slid his hand between her soft lips and the top of the cannister.
She drew back. “What’s wrong?”
He studied her—and the way the colors on her skin had dimmed. “Do you like the energy drink, Scarlett?”
She flushed. “I really appreciate you getting it for me.”
“That’s not what I asked.” He let a bit of his dominant Alpha command roll into his voice. “I want the truth.”
She shifted on his lap. Inhaled a deep breath. “No. It’s too bitter.”
She remained perfectly still, as if wary of what he would do next.
Which is why he forced himself to smile when what he really wanted to do was rip out the throats of every consortium bastard who’d made her afraid to say what she wanted. “Got it. No more energy drinks.” He placed the cannister back on the table and grabbed his water bottle instead. “Better?”
“Much.”
It was strange that she could be so bold about sex and shy with the rest of her wants, but he suspected he understood the contradiction. They’d trained her to be a pretty, carnal prize. She hadn’t yet fully learned she could be anything else.
He brought the container toward her lips.
She grabbed his wrist, stopping him just before the bottle reached her lips. “Thank you.”
He understood. “You don’t need to thank me, Scarlett. I should thank you for trusting me enough to tell me the truth. Too many fuckers haven’t listened to a word you say. Not me. You tell me what you want. I do it. That’s how we operate from here on out. That’s my vow to you.”
