Temis stared after Gren with a disgruntled frown. Enough was enough. She’d tolerated his sulky mood for several days now and thought she might explode if they didn’t come to some agreement to restore the peace.
She’d been on tough assignments before, even with those less than professional, but she’d always managed to make the best of things. With Gren, her best was one step away from punching him in the jaw.
Fuming, she rechecked the autopilot, the messages, and the security measures encoded into the ship. Satisfied all ran as it should, she left the narrow bridge with a purpose.
Standing in the doorway of the berthing quarters, she watched the muscles of Gren’s chest ripple as he sought comfort in bed. Helpless to turn away, she could only stare in fascination at the strength he so effortlessly exuded.
Gren, though at the moment more a headache than a welcome diversion, was a warrior through and through. She recalled the way he’d bested two peacemakers on Mornio, the way he’d fought almost a dozen armed men on Lady Justice with an instinct that left her stunned in awe.
His arms were corded with power. The dim light of the hallway shone on the bulging muscles, and she had to force herself to swallow around the lump in her throat.
He froze at the sound and quickly turned on his side to face her, the golden expanse of his chest a temptation in the extreme. With effort, Temis forced herself to focus on his face, on the stubborn expression that didn’t fool her for a minute.
Though she could no longer feel Gren the way she had, she knew he still wanted her. She hadn’t missed the massive erection he sported whenever she walked by him. She knew she hadn’t helped by deliberately teasing him wearing the silken outfits. But honestly, something had to change before she went stark raving mad.
“What are you doing here?” His gravelly tone threatened, not at all welcoming.
“It’s past time to set things right, Gren. I can’t take much more of your surliness.”
His eyes glittered, and she looked forward to the battle about to begin. Her blood churned at the thought, and she deliberately set out to provoke him.
“My surliness?” His brows narrowed as he rose from the bed. “I’ve been more than polite to you, princess. I’m not here for your amusement.” He glared at her and closed the distance between them until they stood nose to nose.
She could smell his raw power, could see the control he fought so hard to master, and in an instant heat pooled between her thighs.
“But you aren’t amusing, Gren. I’m tired of watching you sulk when we have a job to do.” She took a step back and dropped the shirt from around her shoulders, gratified at his swift breath. The skimpy lavender set barely covered her nipples and mons. “This is what you need to be used to before we get to the auction. If you can’t handle being around me, then I doubt we’ll be able to pull off a rescue.”
She stared at him with scorn, elated when she noted the arousal straining his trousers. His chest heaved, and she wanted him more than anything. A fight was just the way to break down his barriers.
“I can handle you, Temis,” he said through clenched teeth. “I’m just tired of you throwing yourself at me. Enough already.”
Had he said those words without a desperate growl, had his body not stiffened noticeably when she neared, she might have taken offence. But Temis found the challenge of besting him too tempting.
Her decision to keep her distance had given her an objective viewpoint from which to reason the future. She was a peacemaker, a woman warrior in a man’s world. And like men, she had needs. It was time to stop ignoring her sensuality, time to exploit every aspect of her nature to the fullest. Only then could she begin to know and understand herself.
Funny that it had taken Gren at odds with himself to show her the way.
She stood facing him with her arms akimbo, the position thrusting her barely-clad breasts towards him, a motion he seemed determined to ignore.
“Enough already?” she repeated. “Enough of what, Gren?” She took a step nearer.
His nostrils flared and he clenched his fists. “I don’t want you in here, Temis. I’m trying to get some sleep.”
“Coward.”
His eyes widened in shock.
“You do want me, Gren. You want in here.” She cupped her mound, not surprised to find the silk wet between her legs. Taking a chance, she slid her finger beneath the silken triangle and pulled out a glistening finger. She held it out to him, waiting.
She didn’t wait long.
Between one breath and the next, he tossed her onto the bed. Then he lay on top of her, his weight familiar, domineering and altogether sexual.
“You’re playing with fire.” His voice was guttural. His erection bruised her hip. “You don’t know what you’re doing. I’m not one of your civilised lawmakers, Temis. I’m like nothing you’ve ever seen.”
His eyes flared, an inhuman green inferno that promised she would suffer the burn of his desire.
“Yeah? Well I’m like nothing you’ve ever had,” she dared, licking her lips in anticipation of his kiss.
Without another word he ravaged her mouth, his arms tight around her as he pressed into her. His weight was heavy but manageable, and soon forgettable. The pressure of his mouth took away every thought but mating with him.
His tongue plunged into her mouth, tasting and teasing as he brutally let free his passion. His savage need aroused her own, and she ran her fingers through his hair in an effort to urge him on.
He groaned and allowed her a breath, sighing at the feel of her hands touching him, all the while he stared at her through slitted eyes.
“I tried,” he rasped and nipped at her neck. “Now it’s too late.”
She shook her head, not wanting talk when her body wept, needing relief.
“I can make you come with a thought,” he whispered in her ear. He plunged his tongue inside, sensitizing her lobe with love bites and the sweet sting of soft lips. “I’m going to fuck you so hard you’ll beg me to never stop.”
“Never.” Never stop. She gasped, arching into his questing hands as he ran them over her taut breasts. With a hard jerk, he ripped off her miniscule clothing. Then he quickly divested himself of his own and lowered himself against her.
At the contact, an electric shock passed through her like an orgasm, and she caught her breath as she realised this had only just begun.
“Yes, sura.” Gren’s voice echoed strangely in the small room, his eyes sparkling. “You’re mine now.”
His lips scorched a trail from her neck to her breasts, his thick arousal straining, stroking wherever he touched. She wanted him so badly she shook, while he took his time pleasuring her breasts.
“Please,” she gasped as his mouth closed over one tight peak.
He sucked and pulled, earning moans and pleas she wasn’t consciously aware of giving. His large, callused hands caressed and petted her, moving steadily down her body from throat to waist.
His mouth closed over her other breast, the contrast of cool air on her wet and exposed nipple, as opposed to the hot tongue stabbing her with heated strokes, made her crazed with lust.
Then his hand teased her mound, rubbing and pressing, until she could no longer think, only feel. Even he must have sensed the same desperation, because he thrust against her thigh, humping her leg while he fucked her with his fingers.
“I need you now.” She yanked his head from her breast, angered and needy and frustrated all at once.
“Not yet,” he growled, the threat there in his striated gaze. Black threaded through green, making his eyes a spectral wonder she could little dwell upon. Instead her body clamoured for completion, hungry for him in a way that defied all logic.
He paused and withdrew his fingers until she begged him to finish. When she allowed the mental touch on her mind to enter, he inserted a thick finger once more.
She bucked and groaned. Another finger followed, stretching her, loving her, as he finger-fucked her with a rough tenderness.
“You won’t come, sura,” he promised. “Not until I’m deep inside you. It aches, that desire, but I’ll make it so much better.” He kissed her, absorbing her cries as they shared the same breath, the same heartbeat.
His cock slid over her leg, wet with his own arousal. The steely erection promised ecstasy, if only he’d give her every glorious inch.
She moaned when he let go of her mouth to return to her sensitive breasts. “Gren, please. Love me.”
“I do. I will,” he answered and finally settled between her thighs. He spread her knees wider, and she caught her breath. “Watch me while I enter you. Watch the joining and know.”
She did, wanting everything and more. She stared down and saw him long and thick, impossibly large. And so very, very needed.
He slowly entered her. Instead of the discomfort she expected, only fullness and an unbelievable rapture stole through her. The further he pressed, the hotter she felt, until her body seized with drugging pleasure.
“Yes, sura, so perfect,” he groaned and sank the rest of the way inside, until he reached her very womb. He gave her no time to think, to reason, and began thrusting, long deep thrusts that shook her with desire.
She needed him like she needed breath. Lights danced around them. The ship quavered with the power of their coupling, and she met him thrust for thrust, locking her ankles around his waist to take him deeper.
“Come with me, Temis,” he commanded, his voice thick. “Swallow my seed, sura. Give me the power inside you, your woman’s voice crying for more.”
“Yes,” she gasped. Anything he wanted, everything he wanted.
He pounded into her, conquering the one woman made for him. Temis knew without a doubt she’d never felt anything more right in her life.
“Fuck. Yes, Temis. Blessed yes.” Sparks showered them as Gren cried out her name and came hard inside her, pushing her into an orgasm that changed her very existence.
Lights danced and colours whorled. Her body shook as she clamped around his shaft, milking him of his cum. The tingling warmth of their joining lit a fire that now burned in her womb.
The orgasm kept on, a continued conflagration of need and want that opened barriers and closed an impenetrable wall around them.
“I’m with you now, sura. Forever,” Gren rasped as he slowly withdrew, only to slide forward again. He was still hard, and suddenly she felt all of it, his thoughts and desires, his incredible power.
Overwhelmed, she struggled to free herself from the onslaught of sensation but could only drown in his feelings. She dimly heard him groan her name and felt him coming again, this time bringing her with him. His fierce orgasm triggered her own, and he stole into her soul, bonding with her until she could no longer tell where she stopped and he began.
When he finally withdrew, he left her shaken and confused, and too tired to care. Spent, yet sated down to her bones, she reached for him, needing his touch.
“Shh, go to sleep now, love,” he murmured and curled her into his warmth. The loud beat of his heart calmed her. Instead of demanding answers to more questions, she fell asleep, replete and protected in his strong embrace.
* * * *
When Gren awoke, he felt refreshed and for the first time in his life, truly whole. Temis stirred in his arms and he soothed her, knowing she needed more rest.
“Sleep, sura. I’m here.”
She immediately snuggled closer to him, and his heart thumped at the contact.
It was too late now to change things. Having experienced utter wainu, he wouldn’t change his circumstances even if he could. Never had he thought to find a woman like Temis, a woman to join him in all ways possible.
He felt the oneness between them, could sense her breathing, her heartbeat, just by searching within himself. Her thoughts he would respect, and he would teach her how to shield them. She already had the innate knowledge, since she’d kept herself apart from him for the past several days. But now that they’d joined, she would be susceptible to him at all times.
Worry reared its ugly head, but he ignored his responsibilities for once and took comfort in the woman beside him. Temis had just entered into a sacred bond, whether she knew it or not, and he intended to take advantage of her loving for as long as he could. Reality would be upon them all too soon. For now, he would love his mate and share with her Theshan pleasures few would ever know. Satisfied with his decision, he let drowsiness take him into the dark, his arms locked around his woman.
Hours later he felt the heat of warm breath on his shaft, waking him to unbearable pleasure.
He opened his eyes. Temis lay between his thighs, waiting for him to waken. The minute she saw him blink, she closed her mouth around his engorged cock, licking and sucking while she watched with a swirling lavender gaze.
He thought it the most erotic thing, watching her pleasure him. She knew just how to stroke him, how to lave the sensitive spot beneath his glans, to fondle his sac while she consumed him.
His breathing quickened until he was panting, and still she continued.
“Wait, sura,” he breathed, not wanting to come in her mouth when he’d been waiting for what seemed like forever to spill inside her. “I want to come inside your sweet pussy.”
She smiled, like a cat toying with prey, and crawled up his body. She dragged the tips of her nipples over him, exacerbating his need.
“More,” he growled and mentally showed her what he wanted. Her eyes glittered with promise. And soon enough, she straddled his face.
He grabbed her hips and lowered her until her clit danced over his lips. He hungrily licked her nub as she rode his tongue. So good, he never wanted to stop. She cried out as she came hard, her moisture flooding his tongue as she convulsed. Near to bursting himself, he hurriedly pulled her away to sit atop his erection.
She slid down his rod with ease and bounced over him with the help of his hands guiding her hips. The heat engulfing him mirrored the perfection of wainu. And that quickly, her orgasm built again. He pushed her further, a burst of Theshan bliss causing her to gush around him.
Her scent fed his excitement and he shot hard, grinding against her as he came. The sexual energy flowed between them like ethereal gold. Power lit the room, so that he could see every nuance of her voluptuous body. Her full breasts heaved in the aftermath; her tight belly quivered with satisfaction.
She stared down at him with eyes cloudy from lusty energy. Her irises were a glowing combination of purple and silver that he’d never forget. To his amazement, he remained hard.
“Oh, yes,” she breathed and rocked over him once more.
“You won’t feel sore after,” he promised. Had her first time been with anyone else of his size, she would have hurt after making love. But Gren refused to allow anything to harm his woman. He sat up, hugging her curves to him as he pushed deeper. “I’ll make sure of that.”
“And you’ll explain why I can’t stop wanting you,” she ordered. She didn’t give him time to answer but plastered her mouth to his.
They didn’t speak until much, much later.