Assassin

by Cyndi Friberg

  No doubt the animals that summoned her ordered her around, demanding whatever they wanted without even thinking of her pleasure. He bent and kissed her mouth, his movements slow and tender. “Indulge yourself,” he whispered against her parted lips. “Gods know I intend to.”

  She tugged his shirt out from inside his pants and pushed it up along his torso. Just the brush of her fingers made his breath shudder in his chest. When she reached his armpits, he raised his arms, but she wasn’t tall enough to complete the maneuver. Urgently, he ripped the garment off over his head and tossed it aside. His impatience brought a smile to her lips, making it even harder not to wrap his arms around her and kiss her senseless. Instead, he tugged off his boots while she opened the front of his uniform pants. Her warm little fingers slipped inside the opening and curled around his cock. He froze, groaning with pleasure.

  He let her stroke him a few times, then gently guided her hand to his chest. “I need you too badly for that.”

  Her gaze followed her hand, and she ran her fingertips across the large tattoo centered on his upper chest. “This is Earth writing. Why does a Rodyte hybrid have human markings?” Her fingers drifted down his arm, which was also heavily tattooed as she waited for his explanation.

  Her simple touch was making him breathless, and he could barely think beyond the pressure in his balls. “I’ll tell you later.” It was as close as he could come to a coherent sentence.

  He pushed his pants down, then kicked them aside and stood before her naked. His breath caught as he watched her react to her first sight of his naked body. Her gaze moved curiously over his form but almost immediately returned to his face. “Is something wrong?”

  “Am I allowed to look at you?”

  Determined to rid them of this ghost once and for all, he stroked her cheek with the back of his knuckles. “You are allowed everything with me. If my body pleases you, then look. Or better yet, touch.”

  Her brows scrunched together, and she licked her lips. “But you asked me not to touch you.”

  She was right. He’d stopped her from touching him before. “I was wrong.” He took her hand and brought it to his chest. “If you want to touch me, then touch.”

  Clearly thrilled by the offer, she explored his chest and arms, abdomen and hips. He stood still, with his teeth clenched, and focused on breathing. She needed this freedom, and he was determined to give it to her. Even if it killed him.

  She reached back and squeezed his ass, then laughed at her own boldness. “Your body is quite impressive,” she concluded.

  “I’m glad you approve.”

  It was finally his turn to undress her, and he wasted no time. She kicked off her shoes while he unbuttoned her sweater. He lowered the sliding fastener, and she wiggled out of the skirt. His gaze swept down her body, then back up much slower. The mellow light from the outer room made her pale skin gleam with its unique pearlescence. Her legs were well-proportioned for her dainty height, and her hips were nicely rounded. Perfectly round and full, her breasts were crowned by small blue nipples. “Gods above, you’re gorgeous.” And he hadn’t even gotten to her perfect features or extraordinary hair.

  “As are you,” she whispered, reaching again for his straining cock.

  He caught her wrist again but used it to pull her toward the bed this time. She crawled onto the sleeping pad and immediately lay down on her back. With a tentative smile, she bent her knees and opened her thighs.

  Desire slammed into him with enough force to make him moan, but bitter sorrow threaded through the longing. She was behaving as she’d been taught to behave, offering her lovely body for his pleasure. He refused to mount her like an animal and lose himself in the bliss.

  Instead he knelt on the floor and pulled her right to the edge of the bed. Her eyes widened and filled with confusion. Without a word, he brushed both hands down her inner thighs and eased her legs even farther apart.

  “What are you...”

  He teased her folds with his thumb and flashed a wolfish smile. “I’m going to lick you until you come at least twice.” He lowered his head and covered her slit with his lips.

  She gasped and wiggled, her feet pushing lightly on his shoulders. “You do not have to...do you really want to...”

  Her voice trailed away on a moan as his tongue found her sensitive clit. He took his time, savoring the softness of her silky flesh and the salty-sweet taste of her building arousal. Her folds were blue, just like her sweet little nipples. Her exotic coloring fascinated and excited him. He sucked gently on the delicate flesh, then went back to teasing her clit.

  She rocked her hips, mewling softly as her core grew wetter. “Come for me, Arrista. I want to feel you come.”

  A startled cry tore from her throat as she instinctively obeyed his command. She arched, head thrashing as her core pulsed against his lips.

  Prolonging the spasms with his tongue, he milked every possible tremor from her before lifting his head. “Now do it again,” he whispered, slowly pushing two fingers into her snug passage.

  “Torrin, please.” She squeezed his fingers with her inner muscles. “I need you, not just your fingers.”

  He grinned at her. “You don’t just have my fingers. You’ve got my mouth too.”

  Then he lowered his head and she whimpered.

  Sliding his fingers in and out, he gave her a teasing hint of what they both wanted. Then he pushed in deep and held still as he focused on her clit. She bucked, trying to create the motion he withheld. He ignored her efforts and caressed the puffy little nub that clearly drove her crazy. She gasped or groaned each time his lips drew on the tender nub, then cried out when he suddenly let go.

  Her second orgasm claimed her almost violently. He raised his head and watched her surrender to the pleasure. Unfocused, yet shimmering, her gaze stared up at him. Her lips were kiss-swollen and parted as she panted for breath. Iridescent color swirled across her cheeks and crept down her chest, deepening the blue of her nipples. He prolonged the spasms with his thumb, loving the way her passage rippled around his fingers.

  Gradually, her gaze cleared and she focused on his face. “Now, Torrin. Please, I need you now.”

  Chapter Seven

  Arrista didn’t understand Torrin’s hesitation. Clearly she wanted to join with him, or she wouldn’t be naked in his bed. Yet he seemed content to...play with her senses, bringing her to one shattering orgasm after another. She understood what the pleasure was. Self-exploration was encouraged by the Sarronti. Still, she’d never shared these sensations with another. Males found release during coupling, but females generally brought themselves pleasure after the male left. At least, that had been her experience.

  But Torrin wasn’t going to leave. That was the difference. He wanted to be her mate, to remain at her side and help rear their children. He thought they would eventually grow old together. The concept was so far removed from the life she knew that it didn’t seem real.

  He finally crawled onto the bed with her and lay down on his side. Slipping his arm under her neck, he bent and covered her mouth with his lips. His breath was warm and smelled of her arousal. A tingle dropped down her spine as she realized why. He had selflessly given her pleasure, while his body ached. He brushed against her lips, tongue teasing, but didn’t force his way inside. She slowly parted her lips, an obvious invitation. His tongue eased into her mouth, and she moaned. She didn’t know how he learned to kiss so well, but his skill was undeniable. With nothing more than the press of his warm body and the caress of his mouth, he made her entire body ache for him.

  The kiss stayed light and gentle, but his free hand began to wander. He stroked her arm and side, making her squirm as he found a ticklish spot along her ribs. She could barely lie still as he continued to explore. Why did he persist with this torturous pace? She was anxious to feel him inside her. Instead, his fingers slid across her hip and along upper thigh, then reversed direction until they closed around her breast. He squeezed her nipples, moving his h
and back and forth until both sides were tightly beaded.

  Their lips finally parted, and she stared up into his gray-green eyes. Passion shone back at her, but she also saw tenderness and a hint of concern. Why was he worried? He knew she’d done this before. Likely, that was the reason. He didn’t want their joining tainted by her past. Well, neither did she.

  Taking a deep breath, she tried to reassure him, “I’m not afraid, if that’s the reason you hesitate.”

  Rather than respond with words, he bent and sucked one of her nipples into his mouth. She gasped and arched her back as the firm suction sent sensations spiraling from her chest to the secret place between her thighs. He released her with a satisfied smile and said, “Precious things must be savored. I will not let anyone rush me tonight, and that includes you.”

  He caressed her breasts with his hand and his lips. She ran her fingers through his hair and rolled his words around inside her mind. Did he really find her precious? He’d risked his life to rescue her from the world below. No, he’d risked his life for Heather. Arrista had just been in the wrong place at the wrong time.

  The discouraging thought cooled her arousal somewhat, so she closed her eyes and tried to recapture the urgency. He kissed his way back to her mouth and lingered there until she grew restless and achy again. He finally separated their mouths and ran his hand down the front of her body. She opened her thighs, allowing him to feel how wet she’d become, how ready to accept him.

  She expected him to crawl on top of her and take her as the others had, fast and hard. But as with everything tonight, Torrin had something different in mind. With her shoulders still flat on the bed, he rolled her hips up and pressed his groin against her behind. She didn’t understand the position until he eased his hardened length between her thighs.

  “Last chance,” he whispered into her ear. “If you let me inside, you’ll never be rid of me.”

  She smiled, soothed by the thought. “I want you. I’m sure.”

  Green fire erupted in his gaze, burning away the gray, then he slowly pushed into her wet core. Her body opened for him, inner walls slowly stretching as his thickness slid deeper and deeper. “Oh.” She scrambled for something else to add, but he reached around her hip and found her pleasure bud with his fingertips, and all she could do was moan.

  “Relax, love. You’re really tight.”

  No, he was really big. But she squeezed her eyes shut and nodded, determined to do as he said.

  “Arrista, look at me.”

  It took some effort, but she opened her eyes and looked into his. He caressed her gently, and he wasn’t trying to move, so she soon felt the tension melt from her muscles. But another kind of tension gradually coiled through her abdomen. His clever fingers encouraged the reaction as his lips explored her jawline and the side of her neck.

  Slowly, he drew his hips back, pulling nearly out. She whimpered needfully when only his tip remained. Then he arched and drove inward with a little more speed. He filled her so completely that the motion seemed exaggerated. She gasped and pressed against him, taking him deeper in the process.

  Encouraged by her response, he thrust faster, shuttling in and out with a steady rhythm. All the while, his fingers caressed her bud and a fresh wave of arousal cascaded through her, making it hard to think. Her nub twitched beneath his fingertips, and she threw her hips back, needing something she didn’t quite understand.

  His arms tightened around her, drawing her up until her back pressed against his chest. The change made it easier for him to thrust, but it left her feeling alone and uncertain. “Please, I need to see you.”

  Immediately, his arms loosened and he rolled her shoulders back down. “I’m right here, love.”

  She touched his face and tightened her inner muscles, hugging him the only way she could.

  He groaned, eyes drifting close for a moment. “Do that again,” he whispered as his lids lifted. The green in his eyes intensified and began to slowly rotate.

  She’d seen this once before, though the spinning was more pronounced this time. “Are you doing that intentionally?”

  He laughed. “It’s hard to do unintentionally.” As if to prove his point, he thrust especially hard, drawing a soft gasp from her.

  “Your eyes are s-spinning.”

  His hips slowed but didn’t stop. “Ontarian blood. Always happens when I’m about to come.”

  She knew nothing about Ontarians, so she didn’t question him further.

  He moved his hand to her hip and thrust in earnest. Each forceful drive made her gasp and jostled her breasts. She canted her hips, offering him a better angel. His tip rubbed against some point deep inside her with his next stroke. “Oh gods,” she cried, startled yet tingling.

  “Finally. I was starting to think the Sarronti don’t have an internal trigger.” He repeated the precise motion, effortlessly finding the spot again.

  She gasped even louder as the sensations built, electrifying her entire body. Vibrations ricocheted between his fingers and that hidden area inside her core, pinging off her nerve endings like sensory hail. Her nipples tightened and her hips rocked, matching him stroke for stroke. Soon her entire core was pulsing with pleasure, and she cried out sharply with every stroke.

  Suddenly he pulled her back against his chest, and his big body tensed against her. He drove deep one final time, then shuddered violently. The warm gush of his seed triggered her orgasm, and she bit back a scream. Powerful spasms of pleasure surged through her, curling her toes and trapping the breath in her lungs. Her core rippled around him, drawing him deeper. He growled in response and leaned down to nip her ear. Then a stubborn aftershock made him shake all over.

  For a long time, all they did was pant. His body contoured to her back, his arms wrapped securely around her. Then his lips brushed against her ear. “You okay?”

  “Of course.” She still sounded breathless and stunned. “Aren’t you?”

  “I wanted this to be really special for you, but I needed you too badly to make it last.”

  She laughed, feeling buoyant, almost giddy. “If this disappointed you, I’m not sure I would have survived what you had planned.” He stroked her from shoulder to hip, and her skin tingled. She’d yet to catch her breath from their first joining, so she ignored the sensations. “Tell me about the markings on your chest and arms.” Needing to see his face, she reluctantly wiggled away, then rolled to face him.

  He growled as their bodies separated but didn’t seem angry. “To escape from the Rodyte military, I became a fugitive. I’d heard of Earth and knew it was secluded enough that no one would look for me there.”

  Quickly placing one of the pillows against the wall, she situated herself so she could see him without twisting her neck. “Were the markings done to help you blend in?”

  A smile bowed his lips, but he shook his head. “I joined a private security company that offered protection to and solved problems for...visiting dignitaries.”

  The odd timbre in his voice made her ask, “Were humans aware of these ‘visiting dignitaries’?”

  “Not generally,” he admitted, his tone anything but contrite. “I kept crossing paths with an ambitious human named Morgan Hoyt. She tried to—”

  “She? Morgan is more commonly used as a male’s name.”

  “Her name is not important.” He propped his head on his hand as the conversation lengthened. His naked body spread out before her was a delightful distraction, but she really wanted to know more about him. “Morgan convinced me to work with the team she was building.”

  “What sort of team?” And why did she feel threatened by this human female? “Was she beautiful?”

  He grinned. “Jealous?”

  She tensed and squared her shoulders. “Is that not my right as your mate?”

  His eyes widened, and he sat up. “Are we now mates because of what we just did?”

  She laughed, unable to tease him the way he deserved. “You should see your face. You look horrified. I
thought you wanted to life bond with me?”

  “I want to claim you badly, but I want you to be certain it’s what you want when I do.” His expression smoothed as he added, “I don’t think you’re there yet.”

  After thinking about it for a moment, she admitted, “You are right. I definitely have feelings for you, but I’m not sure what I feel will last a lifetime. My life has changed drastically in the last few days.”

  “That’s fair, and I’ll try not to pressure you too much. Besides, you’re adorable when you’re jealous.”

  “I am not jealous of this Morgan.” She tried to sound assertive but failed. “I was simply surprised that she was female.”

  His eyebrows shot up, challenging her, but all he said was, “Morgan is very beautiful, but our relationship was strictly business.”

  “What sort of business?” she prompted. “You’ve yet to explain.”

  “She was in charge of identifying unauthorized visitors and ensuring that even those who were authorized behaved appropriately during their stay on Earth. My targets were always the worst of the worst, so our goals aligned from time to time. When this happened, we were able to assist each. She’s the one who introduced me to the battle born, which eventually led me to the Outcasts.”

  “Were you still...” She couldn’t bring herself to say it. Her mind refused to ascribe the hateful title to the amazing male who had just given her so much pleasure. How could a man who risked his life to rescue females he did not even know be a ruthless assassin? It made no sense.

  “Yes. I was still an assassin at the time, but reluctantly so.” Clearly, he had no trouble saying the word. “I also hunted bounties and assisted Morgan in apprehending criminals. My way was faster and more decisive, but I wasn’t opposed to turning them over to her.”

  “How long were you on Earth?”

  “Six years.”

  That surprised her. If her studies were accurate, Earth was still rather primitive. “And the markings? Are they symbolic of something, or simply ornamental?”