Healthy Progress, page 20
“But?” I hedged.
“Not but. My fault. I’m a jerk and this is on me.”
“But,” I pushed.
“But I need you to help me at times. If you agree, I assume it’s fine. If you let me touch you—you don’t let the guys here who want to touch you do it. Why should that change for me?”
And then I understood. I was basically making him an extra bad guy by not drawing clearer lines.
“Fine, I’ll try. Really.” I shrugged when he went tense. “I have my issues too, Hudson. You met one of them tonight and why I don’t have the best emotionally healthy habits.”
“Yeah, okay, that’s fair, and I can be understanding of that when I’m asking you to be of me,” he uttered. “Okay, I got it.” He gave me a soft smile when I met his gaze. “If you’re not in the mood and I push or try, tell me to go get you donuts.”
“Donuts?” I sighed.
“Yes, because I know that’s a sensitive thing for us. I will hear you that something is going on. River too. I promise.”
I thought about that a moment, studying his eyes. “So it’s like our safe word that I’m not okay?”
“Yes, exactly that. Also that you need space, but you still want me to come back.” He sighed when I flinched. “Tams, needing space is okay. You tend to shut down, and that’s like cutting me off. River freaks then and yeah, he doesn’t handle it well.”
I tried to not smile, but I felt my lips twitch. “River does, huh?”
“Yes, it’s all River’s fault. For sure.” He rubbed his thumb over my cheek. “So just tell me you want donuts when you need a temporary break and I’m being stupid. I will hear you. I promise. Or if I don’t get it, I will tell Mother and she can beat me.”
“Yeah, okay, donuts.” I snickered. “Your poor baker is going to be busy and confused.”
He frowned. “I’m not that big of an asshole all the time.”
“All the time? No, not at all. But you were for months and then it got worse. Things aren’t remotely okay between us and I’m going to need a lot of time outs from you if we even try to fix this.”
He nodded, leaning his forehead down to mine again. “Don’t give up on me, Tams. I love you so much that it’s killed me to be apart and upset between us.”
“Me too, you stupid dragon.” I pulled away and he let me this time. I didn’t go back to the group, seeing Taeral standing off to the side watching the crowd for problems. “Care to dance?”
He did a double take and his face softened when he saw the state I was in. “It would be my honor, Tamsin.” He took my hand and kissed it before leading me back to the dance floor.
We dance fast and hard to the music, but it wasn’t booty grinding or anything typical for the club. It was more like swing dancing with a faster beat and crazy spins.
For both of us.
At one point we were waltzing at a clipped pace all along the outskirts of the dance floor. It was exactly what I needed. After about ten minutes, he spun me away harder than before.
I caught on when he clearly wanted to hand off the dance to someone else. I gave him a shocked look, but he simply shrugged.
“His father was my best friend and his mother like a sister to me. Of course I’m rooting for him.”
Neldor laughed so hard at my jaw dropping open but still wasn’t giving up the dance. He slid his arm around me as he moved his leg between mine. Then he pressed his hand against my lower back so I moved closer.
A bit too close.
He ran his nose over my cheek. “You look beautiful tonight, baby doll.”
“Don’t call me that,” I whispered. “We’re not together. We won’t be together.”
“I know you feel that way, but that doesn’t mean I’m going to stop trying.”
“You don’t want me. You want my power.”
He stepped into me more, his hand making me stay where he wanted so my thigh and hip felt every inch of him. “My dick is not hard for your power, Tamsin. It’s hard for you.” His breath was warm on my ear as he rubbed his face in my hair. “I’m always so fucking hard around you. It drives me insane. How did the baby I resented become the woman I crave constantly?”
“I don’t—this is—”
“It’s just a dance,” he promised, getting where my mind was before I could even form the words. “I checked with Darby first.”
“You didn’t check with me.”
“Then push me away,” he chuckled darkly. “We both know you’re stronger than me. Physically and magically.”
My heart thudded in my ears and my throat was suddenly ridiculously dry as I swallowed loudly.
“You want me too.”
“My body does,” I corrected, mentally wincing that I’d even admitted that.
“I’ll take that. It’s a good start. Hell, relationships have started from a lot less.”
“Can you just not tonight?”
He nodded, smirking at me as he spun us and got into the dancing more. He was good, like good, and it made my body heat up a lot.
More than I would ever admit.
I noted his eyes were a bit glazed over and let go what he’d said. He was getting friendly when drinking. Nothing more, nothing less.
Sure it wasn’t.
“I don’t want your power, Tamsin,” he murmured in my ear as we dipped low together, completely plastered against each other. “I don’t want to be the boss anymore. You will save our world in a way I can’t. I see that now.”
“It’s hard for me to believe such a quick change.”
He snorted. “That’s not been quick. It’s been slowly happening, but I get it. You have too much always going on. I do too.” He spun me under his arm several times until I actually got a bit light-headed and he pulled me back against him. “You feel so perfect against me. It’s like yin and yang with us.”
“Leave it alone tonight, Neldor.”
“I can’t. It kills me you still think I want power. I would never use you like that. I thought we were going to be an alliance mating and fine, I wanted to take over. That is different than having feelings for you and betraying you. I couldn’t ever do that. I’m freaked out enough that I want you because—” He snapped his mouth so fast that he winced when he bit his tongue.
I stopped dancing, catching him when he went off balance. “Why? What is freaking you out about wanting me?”
He cleared his throat and moved away. “You said not tonight and you were right. Thank you for the dance.”
I stood there shocked as he slipped through the crowd away from me. The Dark Prince was just always going to give me a migraine if I let him. I wanted a break though and took the opportunity to go get some water, noting the line of frowning fairies. “What?”
“The boy just can’t get out of his own way sometimes,” one of the guys tight with Onas said, shaking his head. He shrugged when I kept staring at him. “A lot of us are rooting for him, Your Highness.”
“Not because of why you’re thinking,” Taeral cut in before I could snap at the fairy. “It’s not about him taking over. He’s been clear things have changed and for a while now.”
“A lot of his backers are pissed that he was soft and truly developed feelings for you,” Rafe added. “Neldor told them all to fuck off.”
“What am I missing then?”
Rafe shrugged. “You make him a better man, Tamsin. He truly cares for you.”
“Plus, it’s funny to watch him get knocked down a few pegs tripping over himself trying to be smooth with you,” Dalyor added. “It always annoyed me how damn smooth he was with people, and especially women ate him up.”
“You’re salty that healer wouldn’t even look at you because she was so into Neldor,” Rafe ribbed.
“No, I was salty he was such a damn flirt she was swooning, but he never had any intentions to be with her. I don’t like that shit.”
“Yeah, but when we shut people down or draw lines, we’re the assholes. It’s not easy and honestly, if I could figure it out better, I might be the same,” I defended. “Then again, I would just be a slut when he can be a smooth stud.”
“You’re right, it’s sexist, but I also understood it from Neldor’s side. That doesn’t mean I won’t enjoy him tripping all over himself trying to be with you who he has real feelings for.”
I didn’t agree that was what was really going on, so I left it alone and accepted a water from Taeral. I found myself glancing across the club and wondering if Neldor’s feelings could ever be real for me.
I didn’t think so nor would I ever be able to trust them.
How sad.
18
I did end up dancing with Lucca too, so he wasn’t left out.
Well, I more danced on him. The huge bear wasn’t really cut out for dancing in a club. I was shocked when he could waltz but yeah, the dance floor wasn’t his scene.
However, after a lot of shots, I was determined to get him out there. So I danced all around him and on him while he sort of… Bounced? Wiggled? He found the beat but yeah, he sort of just moved his shoulders. At one point I moved his arm out so I could spin and twirl under it, and I thought everyone was going to die laughing.
Izzy and I danced a few more times, and I was excited when I saw her dancing with a woman. She finally got the chance to ask a woman to dance and was accepted. That alone made the night amazing.
I’d danced out so much of the booze and drank a lot of water, so I only had a slight buzz when we arrived at my house.
“Put up a barrier, agra,” Darby demanded the moment we were in our room.
I glanced over my shoulder at him in confusion but did what he wanted. “I always put a protective barrier over the house. So does Lageos.”
“You’re still a bit buzzed,” he chuckled as he molded his body to my back. He kissed my shoulder. “Put up a sound barrier. We’re going to need it.”
“Oh. Oh,” I gasped, hurrying to do that too.
“It’s my night, right? I get whatever I want?”
“All weekend. I said all weekend.”
“Damn right, you did.” He moved his hand from my stomach up to cup my breast and then possessively touched my neck. “Undress for me. All those feckin’ men wanted you tonight and drove me insane. Show me you’re mine, agra.”
I did one better. I pulled away and turned to face him as I touched my body. Smirking at him, I started singing for him as I danced as well. It was slow and seductive as I lost my skirt. Then I unwrapped my top but used my arms to cover my breasts while still swaying to the song.
“Show me the tits that are mine,” he demanded.
I shivered, loving when he got so possessive and pushy with me. He rarely did it and it was our fun in bed, so I loved it.
I lowered my arms and ran my hands up my neck and into my hair, flipping it one way and then another. “Whatever my mate wants.”
“Really? I want a lot tonight, some of what we haven’t done.”
“Whatever you want tonight, Darby,” I promised.
“Turn for me.” He moaned as I did. “Perfect. You are so fucking perfect, agra.”
“What else do you want?” I asked, excited and ready for what came next.
“Show me that pert ass. Take off those shorts while showing your ass to me.”
I nodded, turning around and slowly pulling them down as I bent at the waist. I stepped out of them that way and went to stand back up.
“Don’t move,” he ordered, swallowing loudly when I stayed there. “Shit, this is a lot of fun. I really should get into law school more often.”
“We can play this without something so big,” I offered. I gasped when he was suddenly behind me, running his fingers over my skin. “Tell me what to do, Darby. I’m your obedient mate tonight.”
“Shit, I’m going to explode if you keep saying stuff like that.” He moved his fingers over my pussy and then pushed two in. “Is this cunt hot and wet for me?”
“Yes.”
“Is it all mine?”
“Yes, I swear yes.”
“Don’t come until I say.”
I whimpered but nodded, still bent over so my hands were touching the ground with my ass pushed up for him. My legs started shaking as he moved faster, brought me closer, and gave me everything I needed.
Until he stopped.
Huh?
I heard the disappointed groan come out of my mouth before I could stop it.
“Turn and kneel, agra,” he whispered, not being as forceful this time so I knew he was okay if I said no.
I did it. I had planned on giving him a blow job anyways. I spun around and dropped to my knees with the heels still on. “Do you want me to suck you?”
“Aye, suck me off and swallow it. Show me how much you want my cock in your cunt.”
Fuck, he was really turned on to talk such Irish dirty to me.
I kept his gaze as I undid his belt and jeans. I reached into his boxer briefs and pulled out his hard dick, not hesitating at all as I leaned in and licked him.
“That’s it, lick it like your favorite lolly before sucking me good.”
I shivered, his accent thicker as his dick grew in my hand. The desire in his eyes practically drowned me, and I was still on edge since he hadn’t let me finish.
He cleared his throat when I ran my tongue around the head. “Can I touch your hair? I won’t push or shove you.” He waited until I nodded, smiling at me. “Thanks for trusting me.”
I winked at him, not sure what else to do before focusing back on my task. I took as much of him in my mouth as I could and remembered to breathe through my nose. I was so focused on my form and trying to get it right without scraping him with my teeth I hadn’t realized how ready he’d been until his body went stiff.
He groaned my name as his hand tightened on my hair, but he didn’t move me at all. I basically pulled my own hair when I took more of him deeper, and it kind of turned me on.
I swallowed what he gave me and then sat back on my feet when his dick got sensitive and he pulled away.
“Shit, that was fucking ridiculous,” he panted as he raised his hands to his neck and laced his fingers behind his head. “I really saw fucking stars you made me come so hard. That’s—fuck.”
I cleared my throat. “Glad you liked it.”
His gaze immediately met mine. “What’s wrong? Did I do something? Did I thrust? I didn’t—”
“No, no, it’s fine,” I hurried to say.
He bent down and grabbed my arms, pulling me to my feet and studying my face. “Something happened. Your heart is racing in—”
“I think I want you to pull my hair,” I blurted, hating I was ruining the fun.
He blinked at me for several moments and then I practically saw his mind explode. Thick heat filled his eyes as they also glazed over. “Lay on the bed, agra. Spread those toned legs and lay on the bed. On your back.”
I nodded, stepping away from him as he quickly got undressed. He was on me the moment I lay on the bed.
And grabbed my hair. He pulled me to sit back up by my hair.
“Fuck, you do love that,” he groaned. “Ya nipples are hard and ya cheeks flushed. Is your cunt dripping?”
“Yes, but from before. I don’t know it’s my hair,” I admitted. “I just thought…”
“Tell me,” he demanded.
I didn’t. I got embarrassed, so I showed him instead.
“Fuck, yeah, we’re doing that. On your hands and knees.”
I swallowed loudly. “Really?”
“Now,” he bit out looking like he was about to lose his mind.
The second he let go of my hair, I rolled over on the bed and moved how he wanted me. I moaned as his fingers found my pussy again. Then he grabbed my hair and pulled me up on my knees as he kept finger fucking me. I whimpered when his fangs ran over my neck.
“I’m gonna fuck ya cunt all night, agra,” he hissed in my ear. “I’m gonna fuck ya with ya toys too. Ya gonna soak the bedding and it only stops when you pass out.” He licked the shell of my ear. “Use that rune.”
“Which one?”
“The one I know ya want to try.”
I whimpered and nodded after I put it on. I had been mortified when he’d seen that I’d flagged the rune that allowed my partner to control my orgasms. Darby only had to tell me to climax and my magic and body would listen. It had shocked me because I wasn’t a passive or submissive woman, but there was something about Darby that just… I trusted him enough to play like this.
“I love you,” I whispered as my body felt like I was going to orgasm. “Thank you.”
“Oh, this is a gift for me, agra,” he chuckled as his fingers moved faster.
“Thank you for loving me so much I could feel this comfortable with you,” I clarified.
“Thank you for loving me so much you’ll let me explore what I want as well.” He kissed my neck before running his fangs over my skin again. “I can’t make you hold out when you’re being so perfect. Climax.”
I did. Fuck, did I ever. I tightened around his fingers and ground my hips against his hand as best as I could.
When my orgasm was over, I figured he would have taken me next, but he grabbed a toy out of my nightstand and told me to lie on my back. He spread me wide and fucked me with the toy until I about lost my mind with the orgasms he kept ordering me to have.
“Lick me again, agra,” he said as he finally shut off the toy. He chuckled when I gave him a shocked look. “No, I’m not asking for another blow job. I just want you to give me a lick and make me leak for you.”
Okay, I could do that. I even went further and took him fully in my mouth.
And then he used another toy on me.
Then he had me give his dick kisses before sucking on his balls.
Another toy and more TLC for his dick with my mouth.
Yeah, I liked this game. Whatever it was, we should totally play it again.
I was a complete mess and exhausted by the time we ran out of toys. One look at Darby and it was clear he wasn’t remotely done with me.
“Where did that prince touch you, agra?” he demanded as he moved over me, groping my breasts as he leaned down closer. “Where?”
