Adamant Spirits, page 168
He couldn’t help the wolfish smile that curved his lips and wanted to employ his next move of seduction. After lowering his head, he whispered in her ear, “Enjoying yourself?” The words weren’t important—the huskiness of his voice and the puff of his breath against her ear were.
She gave a gratifying quiver. “Y… yes.”
Her breathy voice inflamed him. Emboldened, he ghosted his hand over her shoulder-clad sweater. Would her skin feel like satin against his? His fingertips ghosted to the scoop neck that revealed an expanse of pale, creamy skin. He smothered the moan that sprang to his lips. She felt heavenly, as he suspected she would.
She stilled, and it seemed even her breath paused in the face of his touch. For an uncertain moment, he feared she might reject his caress. After a few seconds, the tension bled from her body.
He bit back a grin of victory and set about uncovering the mystery of her skin. Her breath quickened, but she offered no protest. He could touch her all day and never achieve his fill.
Her gaze flickered to the couple at the other end of the couch, so he followed suit. Kaiden and Ashlee appeared engrossed in the movie. Well, Ashlee did. The driade had reclined back, pulling his bondmate with him, and closed his eyes. Though the other faerin seemed relaxed, Ivander was not a fool. Both of them were highly trained warriors who could react quickly to any threat. Their strength was evenly matched, and though they sniped at each other, he knew Kaiden was no more eager for a true fight than he was.
The call of Riley’s warm skin ripped his attention back to one of the most enjoyable tasks he’d ever set for himself. Each glide of his fingertips over her sent sparks of sensation coursing through his veins. That should alarm him, but he found he couldn’t dredge up any worry. By her quiet sighs and the way she leaned into him, she appeared to feel much the same. Now, not one centimeter separated where their sides touched.
He wanted her relaxed and boneless against him. If he had her trust and her body singing under his hands, he’d be able to move that much faster with her. Though he knew such haste was unseemly, the bond drove him to those lengths. It chafed at his pride somewhat to be brought so low, but his desire to claim her overpowered any resistance.
Though she gazed at the screen almost exclusively, he caught the looks she kept darting at him. Some intuition, maybe even the forming link between them, told him that she was aware of his every move. That he might consume her mind to such a degree pleased him. He scowled. She certainly had that power over him, so turnabout was only fair play.
The way she bit her lip every so often nearly sent him over the edge, and he wanted nothing more than to kiss her. And he would. He just bided his time for the perfect moment.
The film ended too quickly for his tastes, and a dash of discomfort twisted his insides. Would she want to leave?
Ashlee smiled at him and Riley. “Do either of you have to go now?”
Riley blinked as if rousing herself and sat up a bit straighter. “It’s probably getting late.”
Wanting to encourage her to stay, Ivander shook his head at Ashlee. “I have nowhere to be tomorrow, so the night is mine to do with as I like.”
Everyone looked at Riley. She wet her lips and slowly nodded. “Sure.” She glanced at him and gave a shy smile.
Jubilation flowed like honey through him. He’d have more time to set his machinations into motion. That he also enjoyed her company was a bonus but not something he wanted to explore too heavily.
The next movie tended toward the action-adventure variety, not that it mattered to him. He took that time to rub soothing circles on her back and shoulders until her body was utterly limp. The press of her weight comforted him in a way he never thought possible. He’d never been a male motivated by softer emotions. Instead, power and ambition propelled him to never be content for long as the next challenge loomed. In her presence, some of that faded away, becoming muted so it wasn’t his only focus. He wasn’t sure if he liked that change, but he was smart enough to know he shouldn’t hinder it.
Halfway through the film, he stole a look at the other end of the sofa and blinked. When had the driade and Ashlee left? He hadn’t heard their goodbyes, so they must’ve snuck out.
That meant he was alone with Riley. A slow smile spread over his face while his mind whirled with possibilities. On one hand, they were in Kaiden and Ashlee’s media room, where anybody could walk in. On the other, it seemed as if everyone had purposely left them alone.
A glance down at Riley showed that she hadn’t likely noticed her friends’ absence yet. Though her head rested on his shoulder, her eyes were open and gazing toward the screen.
He nudged her gently. She lifted her head to stare questioningly at him. In the flickering light of the TV, she looked so beautiful. He drowned in eyes that appeared as if they were deep, dark pools of warmth and softness. Only half-aware of what he was doing, he traced a fingertip over the curve of her cheek. Their faces leaned in closer until only a whisper of a word separated their lips.
He wasn’t sure who first captured the kiss. All he knew was that his mouth meshed with hers until he forgot where she ended and he began. Their tongues dueled. The taste of her caused a moan to well up in his throat. How had he lived without this all his life?
Suddenly, his little plan of seduction whirled around to bite him for his arrogance. A fiery haze seemed to cloud all his senses. He thought he could be in control, but that vaunted quality fled in the face of her touch.
Every moment he spent with her meant a deepening of their link. Being intimate would only speed up the process. In fact, sexual activity, along with the correct vows, cemented it until nothing could shatter the forged bond. Not even death, or so he’d heard.
Her arms slid about his neck. She shifted her weight until she completely faced him, her legs straddling his lap. Her body pressed against his, and they both gasped into each other’s mouth at the sensation. The fullness of her breasts against his hard chest sent lust rocketing down below his belt buckle. He wanted her as he’d wanted no other, and he wasn’t one to deny himself. Especially not his bondmate.
Her gaze looked drugged, which was an expression surely reflected in his own. She was feeling the effects as much as he was. That sent primal satisfaction coursing through him like a burning shot of alcohol. Maybe he should feel a little guilty because the link sped things up and amplified the desire between them. But he wasn’t one to bear an albatross willingly. Anyway, the bond couldn’t force something that wasn’t there. Hopefully, she’d understand that once she knew the truth.
He slid his hands down her sides and back up, stopping at the swell of her breasts. It didn’t take much until he was cupping them. She gasped against his mouth. That was all the encouragement he needed. They fit perfectly in his hands, as if they’d been made just for him. Each squeeze of the flesh soared his desire to new heights. The firm peaks just begged for his attention. His thumbs ghosted over the areolas until he had her squirming against him.
Suddenly, he needed so much more. Without thought, he pressed her back. At first, she went willingly, but halfway down, her body stiffened. Her face cleared a bit of that drugged look, and she shook her head. “I… I can’t.”
He righted them instantly. They stared at each other, both breathing harshly. Her arms remained around his neck, but she made no move to further touch him. A twinge of panic burrowed under his skin. He started to shake as if deprived of his favorite drug. No, he’d been so close. While he would never force her—or any woman—he craved her, just as he knew she did him. Since the desire was so intense between them, why starve themselves of the pleasure of each other’s bodies? She was his One.
A cold truth intruded like an unwelcome guest as they both fought to regain some semblance of control. Yes, she was his One, but she didn’t know that. She couldn’t have a clue as to why she was so drawn to him. Though he doubted she was a virgin, he knew she didn’t sleep around.
He couldn’t push her too hard, too fast, but he ached for her. Once they joined a time or two, his fervor might fall to a manageable level. But until then…
At the idea of living with this pull festering under his skin, he shivered. That wasn’t something he’d wish on any except his most vile of enemies.
There was nothing for it. He had to convince her tonight if possible.
Riley couldn’t tear her gaze from Ivander’s as they stared at each other. The rasp of their breath was a reminder of what they’d been about to do. The sensual haze that he wrought in her was waiting to swallow her again. She could feel it swirling around them, just biding its time to tug her down. Heaven help her, she almost wanted it to.
She had to approach this with some sanity. She had to hold firm or—
His mouth swooped down on hers. Her mind stilled at the onslaught before a smidgeon of sense resurfaced. She meant to yank her arms from his neck, but the slide of his tongue between her lips quickly stopped any protest. He tasted of wine and mint. The flavor seemed so Ivander, and that cloud of desire and fascination she so often experienced around him quickly grabbed her.
Suddenly, she didn’t care about her inhibitions or her promise to herself. Lust, like nothing she’d felt before, shot to her core and spread out until her whole body shook with it.
Her arms tightened around his neck, and she threw her body weight against him. That was enough to make him tumble onto his back, and she fell on top of him.
His eyes widened in the dim light, and a savage gratification hit that she could so take him by surprise. Propped up on one arm, she crashed her lips down on his as her fingers went to the front of his shirt.
He stilled her, even as his erection nudged against her stomach. “Are you sure?”
His voice came out a strained growl, something that turned her on even more. Hell, yeah, she was sure. She nodded and licked her lips.
Apparently, that was all he needed because he reached for the hem of her sweater. She sat up and straddled him. In a hurried motion, he ripped the article over her head, leaving her torso bare except for the cream-colored bra she wore.
He reached up and cupped one breast. “Beautiful.” Then he thumbed the nipple that strained against the fabric.
She moaned, and he grinned wolfishly. “Like that?”
With practiced ease that would’ve made her jealous if she thought overlong on it, he reached around and flicked open her bra. It slid down her arms. He lost no time in yanking it off and pulling her down enough so he could kiss the tips of her breasts. His warm tongue lapped and rasped at them before he took turns sucking each into his mouth.
Gasping, she clasped his head to her. The sensation was pain and pleasure mixed, and her body quivered as if it were going to implode. Maybe it was.
When he finally released her areola with a pop, his hands went to the waist of her jeans. She stopped him with a shake of her head. “Your shirt first.”
Both worked on opening enough buttons that they could pull the shirt over his head. With a sigh, she threw the garment on the floor. His muscular chest was perfect—manly but not bodybuilder big. And best yet, he didn’t have much chest hair, if any. Though with the low light, she might well be missing some.
Desire fogged her mind. Though some part of her was screaming she was never so forward, so wanton, she trailed her fingers up and down his chest. Only a few stray hairs poked against them. She watched in rapt attention as his nipples hardened under her touch. Were they as sensitive as hers? She lapped one with her tongue, and his hands wound into her hair, pulling her closer. More heat flooded between her legs at his reaction. She guessed she had her answer.
Needing him now, she stood up, and he followed her. Their pants and underwear joined the growing pile of clothes on the ground until nothing separated them. Ivander stared, his gaze roaming over every inch of her.
“Beautiful,” he breathed, his hand coming out to stroke along her waist and hip.
Her throat grew thick with emotion. No, he was beautiful. He was undeniably handsome, but somehow it was so much more than that.
With more forethought than she currently possessed, he grabbed a blanket from the back of the couch and spread it over the cushions. They reached for each other at the same time. Before she could take another breath, he lowered her back. His knee slid between her thighs, and she let them part.
Soon, he was cradled between her legs. As he kissed the side of her throat, he pressed into her. Her breath caught. It’d been so long since she’d been intimate with anyone that she felt stretched to her limits.
Once he was fully seated within her, he paused. His gaze sought out hers, and as she fell into his eyes, he started a slow rhythm of thrust and retreat. Her hips eagerly met his in their dance. After long minutes, their tempo sped up, and the only sounds filling her ears were that of ragged breaths and skin slapping against skin.
He gasped near her ear. “So good.”
That pushed her closer to the edge. All her nerve endings seemed to tingle and tighten, waiting for their release. Everything coalesced into a tiny pinpoint before it exploded outward, taking her with it. She dug her fingers into his back, needing something solid on which to ground herself.
As her climax held her in its grip, Ivander turned erratic. He thrust sharply a few times. One of his hands grasped hers, and the feel sent a slight shock through her. How could he be so strong as to support himself on one hand? Their eyes met. In that second, she forgot where he ended and she began. It was as if they were somehow merged into one—not only their bodies but also their spirits. An odd, warm sensation sprouted in her chest.
But then something even stranger happened. His face turned feral, and for a moment, it was as if a lion’s mien was superimposed over his human features. Gasping, she crashed back to herself and blinked.
The image was gone, but that strange sensation seemed to settle under her heart. It was one largely forgotten as the last of her release carried her away.
He collapsed against her, his head settling into the crook of her neck. She didn’t have the energy or desire to push him off. Her thundering pulse slowed, and she tried to dislodge the cotton balls from her mind. Now that her body was replete, the strange occurrence of their shared climax broke through the haze.
She shook her head. It was funny what fantastic sex could do to the mind. She’d never hallucinated before, but then, neither of her past partners had been anything like Ivander. That strange feeling that had taken up residence during their lovemaking was still there—muted but foreign. She frowned, sure she was merely tired. Yeah, that had to be it. Anyway, she’d sound insane if she said anything.
His muffled voice drew her back to the present. “That… that was spectacular.”
A happy sigh burst from her, and she raised a languid hand to finger-comb through his hair. “That almost feels like an understatement.”
His weary chuckle vibrated against her throat, and she couldn’t help the sappy smile that crossed her lips.
Some part of her knew she should be freaking out, but sleep crept over her, taking all worries away. The last thing she knew was Ivander’s strong arms enveloping her.
Four
Riley slowly slid into consciousness. Yawning, she ran a foot over the silky sheets. For some reason that sounded odd, but her groggy mind refused to work properly. Sleep nearly took her again, but finally, two words penetrated. Silky sheets? She froze. Flannel ones were on her bed.
Panic built in her chest as she turned onto her side and hit something hard—and masculine. Her eyelids popped open to take in the sight before her. Ivander’s face, peaceful in sleep, seared into her retinas. For a moment, shock and dread held her immobile as hazy memories of the night came crashing back. She clamped her eyes shut and swallowed hard. Oh, God, they slept together? How did they get up to one of Kaiden and Ashlee’s guest bedrooms?
Even if she could discount the images rolling through her mind, she was still naked and ached in places she shouldn’t. So that’d be a great, huge yes. Though she hated to face this upsetting situation, she needed to make sure it was real—make sure Ivander was real. Her eyes were weighted down as with lead, but she managed to spring them open.
Ivander was still there, but this time, sleep most definitely didn’t claim him. Her stomach dropped to her toes. She hadn’t been hallucinating. Disappointment in herself shot like a barbed arrow through her.
He regarded her with an intense gaze that stole any remaining breath she had. In spite of that stare, his tousled hair lent a softer edge to his face. Her heart clenched. He looked so beautifully bad for her, like everything she could ever want but shouldn’t have.
How could she have had sex—amazing, wonderful sex—with a man she barely knew? He turned her into mush but still… And what did that weird experience she had during their climax signify? That she was nuts?
A moan slipped from her throat. She shot up in bed, looking anywhere but at him. The sheet covering her form fell to her waist, so she snatched it back up. She wanted to run and hide, but mortification soldered her to the bed. The light-gray walls seemed quite interesting. She looked at them as if they might offer her an escape route.
Ivander sighed. “Regrets already?”
She looked at him through the curtain of her hair and wished she hadn’t. His muscled chest was way too distracting. She ripped her gaze away before it could head southward. “You don’t understand. I don’t do this.” She waved a hand between them. “How did we get up here?”
“I carried you. And you think I do?”
His low voice sent a shiver snaking down her spine. She stared down at her hands. At least he hadn’t left them naked in the media room. “I wouldn’t know. How would I?”
“And that’s a problem?”
She scowled at nothing in particular. “Well, yes.”
“Then we can get to know each other. There’s no reason not to. After all, we know we’re sexually compatible.”
