The Lost

by K. A Knight

  “Like when you are peeing? Is that hard to do when you have wood?” I inquire, and he groans, pressing his face to my shoulder as he shakes with laughter. “Hey, I’m curious, Evan would never answer me.” I huff and he rolls his eyes up to see me.

  “Yes, it’s not easy,” he deadpans.

  “Huh, I think I would like to have a cock just for a day, you know? To try it out.”

  “Piper,” he mumbles, shaking his head as he effortlessly pins me to the tree. I expect to freak out, but maybe because I can see who is holding me and I know Jago will never hurt me, I don’t.

  “Okay, okay, I’ll stop talking about cock.”

  “Please stop saying cock.” He groans, his eyes pinching in pain.

  “Is me saying cock making your cock wish I was talking about it? Also, we should stop calling it cock, I still think I need to name him. What about Beast Jr.?”

  He shuts me up by kissing me, making me moan into his mouth as he sweeps his tongue inside and tangles it with mine, switching my attention from his cock to his hands and mouth. His fingers dig into my hips, holding me up with one hand as the other roves up my chest and grips my chin, clutching me to him as we clash.

  My hands go to his hair, tangling in the long locks and scratching his scalp, making him jerk between my legs and break free, both of us panting as we stare at each other. “Princess Beast?” I offer breathlessly, and he starts laughing, shaking against me again, his cock still pressing against my leg.

  “Brawler, my life was dull before you,” he says softly, his chuckles dying off. “Come on, let’s get you washed so we can feed you.”

  “Will you wash my back? And that isn’t slang for sex….it could be though.” I wiggle my eyebrows at him and he stumbles as he laughs.

  “Dear God, has that fighting riled you up or something?” he deadpans.

  “It could, you know how wet I used to get when we fought. It was like trying to fight with a shower between my legs,” I tell him. “The gushing.” I shake my head. “Truly, no one ever tells you how hard it is to fight when your vagina is demanding attention.”

  “Please stop,” he begs, and I snap my mouth shut with a grin.

  “Missed you,” I say instead, as he carries me to the lake.

  He drops me to my feet and I kick off my shoes and shimmy out of my jeans and top, wearing my panties and bra. I don’t bother with modesty and when I see his eyes running over my body. I wink at him and dive into the shallow pool, popping back up and slicking my hair away from my face.

  “Come on in, big guy, I promise not to touch Princess. I’ll be good.”

  “Wish you wouldn’t.” He sniffs, but strips off as well, and I whistle, checking him out because hey, I missed his body. I definitely missed him more…okay, no, I missed his body more. Those thighs…that ass…that cock. Dear God, cocks aren’t pretty, but if they had a beauty competition, I think his would win. I would give it first place, my vagina as its prize.

  “Stop staring at my cock,” he grumbles, and slips into the water. He swims my way and grabs me, hoisting me up. I wrap my legs around him. He isn’t the only one who has missed this, missed touching him, like if I let go he might disappear.

  “I was thinking about making a ribbon for him if you must know.” I huff.

  “I’m not even going to ask, Brawler.” He sighs, wrapping his arms around me as I lean into him, the water warm and washing over us.

  We float there for a bit before washing each other and getting dried and dressed. Once we are, we head back to see others sitting around eating. I grab some nuts and berries for us both while Jago grabs drinks and we head to the tent. I want to see if the patrols are back yet and if they have heard anything.

  “I think that one’s even scarier than the last shadow you had,” Maria jokes as we pass, and I giggle and wave, ignoring Jago’s questioning look. I’m not ready to talk about Archel yet. I haven’t heard anything from him in a while, and to be honest, I’m scared something has happened.

  Archel can look after himself, but everyone can make mistakes. So instead, I distract myself by nibbling at the food as we duck into the tent to see Trev talking to Simon in hushed whispers. They silenced when they spot us, but welcomed us in with a friendly smile.

  “Hey, heard you were whooping people into shape and I missed it,” he calls.

  “Yeah, we missed you there, were you out on patrol?” He nods and Trev gestures towards the seats, so we all take one as I lean forward. “What did you learn?”

  “Whatever happened at Paradise, it is still there, quiet as well for now. We couldn’t see much from where we were, which is normal, but there was no blood or bodies like usual with an attack.”

  I frown. “So what are we thinking?”

  “I think if there was an attack, it’s over and they have moved on. The rest of the Paradise people probably took cover inside and rode it out.”

  I nod then, staring at the nuts in my hand, and I feel them watching me, so I blow out a breath and sit back. “Then it’s settled, I’m going to see for myself.”

  “Piper,” Simon starts, but Trev holds his hands up, his eyes on me.

  “Are you sure?” he asks calmly.

  “I need to know,” I whisper, and then clear my throat. “First sign of trouble, I will get out of there, but it’s better we know what happened. If people are being attacked, we need to know why and how so we can prepare.”

  “Then we support you,” he tells me, reaching across and laying his hand on mine. “Be safe, say goodbye before you go, and I will make sure they keep sparring like you did today. The precautions we outlined are already in place, so don’t worry about us.”

  “Good, stay safe here. Make sure to keep the fires low at night, increase patrols, and have the sniper out on the mountain to give you a long enough warning, okay?” I advise him, worried about leaving. Not that I can do much when I’m here, but I feel responsible for these people now. They are my tribe.

  “We will,” he agrees with a grin, pride shining on this face. “If you are leaving today, you are better going at night, less people to see where you are coming from and going to, but beware of hunting parties.”

  I nod and we stand as I look at Jago. “We better get packed and I need to let some people know we are leaving.”

  “I’ll join you, I need to check out your leg before you go,” Simon interjects, standing with a stretch.

  I nod once again at Trev, but his voice stops me. “Show them who they messed with,” he calls, and I laugh as we duck back out.

  Jago takes my hand and I squeeze his. This feels like the right decision. I need to know for sure what happened and to ask about Evvie before I can ever think about moving on with my life and starting a future here with my people.

  We head back to my hut and I begin to pack up, making sure to take my weapons and some extra clothes the tribe’s people gave me. I also stick Archel’s shirt in the back, unable to help myself. I find my tin of coffee on the side and pick it up with a smile.

  Don’t come back while I’m gone, I think. He will panic, even if he says he won’t.

  Maybe he’s right, I do get into trouble when he’s gone, because I’m heading directly into trouble right now and I’m choosing to.

  “What’s that?” Jago queries behind me, packing his own stuff, not that he really unpacked in the first place.

  “Just a present,” I tell him, and then put it back before turning to him. “You sure about coming with me?”

  He looks up. “Brawler,” he warns, and I smile.

  “Okay, okay, looks like J and P are back together again,” I joke and he chuckles, coming up and wrapping his arms around me.

  “I guess so. He’s right, we will leave tonight. I have a bike stored before the tunnel entrance.”

  “Tunnel?” I echo, and he raises his eyebrows. “I’ve never left.” I shrug. “And I was passed out when I was brought here.”

  He sucks in a breath and squeezes me tighter. “You’ll see, unti
l then, let’s get some food and you should try to get some sleep.”

  “Yeah, you’re right. Wanna nap? I’ll let you be big spoon, no forking though, I’m afraid.”

  He grins down at me. “You can be big spoon, get in.” He jerks his head at the bed, and I kick off my boots and crawl in, slipping under the quilt. Jago follows me, facing the door as I wiggle until my front is to his back with my arm over his middle.

  “Does this make you feel like a girl?” I laugh.

  “Actually, it makes me hard and feel precious all at the same time, I can feel your entire body pressed against me.”

  “Precious,” I repeat, choking on laughter. “It makes you feel precious.”

  He huffs and my laughter tumbles out as I bury my head in his back. “Go to sleep,” he rumbles.

  “Sure, sure, will do, precious.”

  “You aren’t going to let that go, are you?” he grumbles.

  “Nope, just like I plan to find out which princess really makes you hard.”

  “Sleep, Brawler,” he orders, as I snigger into his skin.

  “Night, precious.”

  When I can stop giggling, I eventually fall asleep, only waking up when I hear the chatter and laughter of the tribe, the smell of cooking meat hitting me and making my stomach roar.

  “Fucking hell, what a wakeup call.” Jago huffs, turning over and pulling me closer, all with his eyes closed.

  “Go back to sleep and I’ll touch Princess to wake you up.” I snicker, blinking open my eyes.

  “Stop calling my penis Princess or you won’t get to climb his tower anymore,” he grumbles, his arms tight around me, his legs entwined with mine.

  “Aww, won’t he let me play with his crown?”

  “Fucking hell, woman.” He puffs, rolling on to his back, and I laugh when I spot his cock begging for attention. It sends a pulse through my pussy too, and soon my laughter cuts off as I watch his profile.

  I want him.

  I realise it all of a sudden.

  Not in the future, not in general, but right now, right here.

  I want him to touch me, to fuck me and love me, and to replace any lasting feelings I have from those…

  I can’t even think of the word.

  I know he is trying to look after me and protect me, and probably doesn’t think I’m ready, but that’s my decision and maybe I will freak out, maybe it won’t work out well, but I want to try.

  I trust him implicitly.

  I know unless I make the first move, he never will again, despite how much he wants me. Letting my natural instincts—or crazy radar, as Evvie used to call it—guide me, I slip closer before flinging my leg over his lap and straddling him.

  He grunts, grabbing my hips and then stilling as he looks up at me. His hair is spread across the pillow, his fire eyes low and simmering, but heating up as he watches me.

  “Piper.”

  The way he says my name, like a caress, like a plea, undoes me like nothing else.

  “I need you,” I confess.

  He searches my gaze, obviously noting my resolve. “Are you sure?” he asks, not judging. After all, I know my own body.

  “Never been more sure in my life. I love you, I don’t want to spend another moment apart. I still crave you, ache for your touch, and lying next to you without it is killing me,” I admit, and his hands clench along my waist and his lips part.

  “Do I need to sing to get you in the mood?” I tease, and he groans, his eyes closing for a moment.

  “I know you’re joking, but you know I’m always in the mood for you. It’s like walking around with a tent pole in my pants.”

  “You know how to make a girl wet.” I laugh and then gasp when he drags me forward, pressing his cock to my pussy through my pants, the pressure amazing.

  “You were saying?” he purrs, cocky as hell. “Because from where I’m sitting, I think if I touched your pussy right now, you would be drenched.”

  “Oooh, dirty talk,” I taunt, “but not a lot of action.”

  His hands skate up my sides and cup my breasts through my shirt, his eyes watching me the whole time as he rolls my nipples between his fingers. Gasping, I rock against him, my head falling back as he plays with them, and then suddenly, he is ripping the shirt over my head. I lift my arms to help, the cool air hitting my chest and tightening my nipples as he leans up and sucks one into his mouth. I groan again, my hands digging into his hair, holding him to me as he catches his teeth on the bud before swapping to the next and giving it the same treatment. Like shots of pure, unfiltered lust, the sensations shoot from my nipples to my pussy with each suck. Each rasp of his lips and chin across my skin, his touch—God, I feel starved for it.

  My whole body trembles from his hands, from the simplicity of it, it feels right. It feels good, and that last barrier breaks down inside me, the one that thought I would never be able to do this again, that thought every touch would bring imaginary pain, would make me curl up in a ball and wish I was the way I was before, but it doesn’t…it feels good. So good.

  “Don’t stop,” I beg, my head tilting back as he kisses across my chest and up my neck, open-mouthed and wet. Again and again, my rocking picks up speed with each touch of his lips, almost unable to take it, it’s too much.

  My eyes shut of their own accord and a flash of mocking laughter floats through my brain. Swallowing, I push it away and anchor myself in his hair again, but it comes again, phantom hands following this time, and I freeze.

  “Stay with me,” he orders, his voice rough and demanding, pulling me back from the brink until all I see is him, all I feel is him.

  No one else is allowed here, this is for us.

  They had my past, he gets my future.

  I open my eyes and look down at him, getting lost in those fiery depths. “Feel me, taste me, it’s me, only me. No one else will ever touch you, I will never hurt you,” he whispers against my skin, placing a gentle kiss on my racing heart. “You are in charge, see?” He lies back then, taking the heat and his mouth with him.

  I fall forward, catching myself with my palms against his chest as he looks up at me, his hands held above his head, his eyes watching me hungrily but patiently, his body rock-hard and almost rolling beneath mine.

  “I want to be able to—fuck, why is this so hard?” I whisper, looking away as tears fill my eyes.

  “Look at me,” he says strongly, and I shake my head.

  “Look at me,” he demands, his voice harsh, and my head snaps around. “It isn’t hard. It’s just you and me, that’s all that matters, we can take as long as you need. I’d wait forever for you, Brawler, and if I never get to touch you again, that’s fine with me, this is enough, being with you. Seeing you every day, knowing you are safe and by my side, I can take it. What I can’t take is being away from you. What I can’t fucking stand is that regret and pain in your eyes. You are so fucking strong, stronger than you even know. You can beat this, you can beat whatever this world throws at you, and I will be at your back the whole time. You aren’t alone, never alone. You don’t need me, Piper, not to fight with you. You don’t need me like I need you, but you aren’t getting rid of me. So when you’re ready, or if you never are, know that it doesn’t matter to me. I’m yours. No dead men, scars, or ghosts will stop that. Yours.” He nods, each word hammering into my heart and helping seal up the cracks as I swallow hard, a tear rolling down my cheek. He leans in and captures it, kissing it away. “I will always catch you when you fall, you and me against the world, Piper. We can make it, we can do it. You lean on me and I’ll lean on you, that’s all we need.”

  He cups my face then. “Say it.”

  “Us,” I whisper, my eyes closing. “You’ll always be there.”

  “Not even the fucking dead themselves could tear me away from you, so stop being so goddamn scared that whatever you say, whatever you do, will push me away. I want to know when it hurts. I want to know when you need to scream and fight and rage against the world because this
planet isn’t fair, baby, and it kills the best of us, but it won’t kill you. You are Piper motherfucking Smith, you take the hits and you get back up with that goddamn smile on your face and a smart ass comment.”

  “Knew you liked my ass,” I tease, unable to help myself.

  “Mask it with humour, I don’t care. I see your pain, Piper, and I promise I will make it mine, we will fight those ghosts together.”

  Licking my lips, I roll my hips again, making him gasp, and that fire comes back. Steady, slow almost, like a frog in a hot pan. Until they don’t realise they are boiling. “Together.” I nod.

  Leaning down, I seal that promise with a kiss, losing myself in his mouth and taste. Letting him wash it all away, letting him catch me as I lose myself in his touch…

  Gasping, I pull back slightly, his hands on my hips now, digging in, anchoring me to this world and keeping me with him so I don’t float back to the past. I don’t know if it’s his words or the fact that I’m on top and in charge, but suddenly, all I can think about is riding him, fucking him, showing him how much I love him. Not just for him, but to prove to myself that I can. That I can be with the man I love, because he’s right, he will wait, I know that. But I won’t.

  I’m a greedy fucking bitch, I want his everything, even as my heart cries for two others, I want all of his.

  “I want you so badly,” I admit, and he groans, low and deep, almost thrusting upwards to meet me.

  “Brawler, please don’t tease me,” he whispers.

  “I’m not teasing, I’m not that cruel…only did you remember the wet wipes this time?”

  He rolls his eyes and tickles my side, making me laugh as I jerk on top of him, then we both gasp. “Fucccck,” he moans.

  He closes his eyes, breathing heavily, and I watch him, watch the utter need and devotion on his face, so I lean up and yank my panties off, settling back over his trousers, and when they open, I’m naked before him.

  “Well, you just going to lie there? How lazy,” I whisper, as I trace my hands up my chest and cup my breasts while he watches.

  His eyes narrow and he pushes my hands away, replacing them with his, covering my breasts completely and squeezing. “I want to watch you come,” he growls, his voice rough.