Tossing my blanket aside, I got up from the couch and headed for the small kitchen. My fingers wrapped around the cool metal handle of the refrigerator and pulled it open, blindly reaching in for my bottle of wine. I’d planned something a little more romantic, but the need to steady my nerves was greater than my desire for perfection. That illusion had already been shattered. Tearing the twist off lid, I didn’t bother grabbing a glass for my Moscato; I drank it straight from the bottle and took a long slug. Its fruity tang bit my tongue and the alcohol burned in my throat as I drank it down.
Grabbing a stool from the table, I pulled it out a bit and leaned against it without fully sitting down. I looked down at myself, frowning a little. My tank top and sleep shorts were faded from many washes; it wasn’t anything special, but I’d felt sexy in it. I’d wondered what Ivar would’ve thought and that’s when the realization hit that I would probably never know. Mists began to gather, and I was sure the breakdown I’d been waiting for was coming.
However, just as I was nearing my breaking point, a thud from the other room silenced me. I was on my feet before I had time to realize the possibilities. Depositing the bottle of wine of the table I strode for the front room and froze as soon as I stepped through the entryway into the living room.
Standing in the doorway of the cabin, Ivar froze as he saw me. He wore no shirt, only a pair of jeans. Water droplets dripped from his hair onto the floor. Thunder rumbled in the distance as though mother nature herself hailed our reunion. His gaze was hungry, almost predatory and I wondered if this was the same man who had gone into the lake a month before. A scar, still fresh and pink, was raised and broke up the darkened lines of Ivar’s tattoo. It was only one of many scars, but it was the first I’d witnessed.
“Hi,” I squeaked, and frankly, I was lucky to have been able to make that much noise with a mouth that could’ve given the Sahara Desert a run for its money for which was drier.
His body filled the frame of the door and his low-slung jeans hung just right on his hips that it gave me a glimpse of the muscular V which disappeared under the waistband of his pants. My core clenched with desire as I looked over the man before me who looked every bit like the fierce warrior I knew him to be. His eyes scanned over the room around me, taking in the small changes I’d made. The cabin was sparse, hardly lived in. I hoped we could change all of that, so I’d tried to make it as homey as possible. And then there was all of my belongings that I had transferred from where they’d been in storage in Maine. I was officially all moved as of the previous week.
Ivar had certainly spent his time healing and getting better, and I’d spent mine busy too. The latter he was realizing right at that moment.
“You’ve made yourself at home,” he said, not bothering with pleasantries.
His voice was low and gravelly, sending a chill right to my core. Stepping further inside, he gave the door a kick shut behind him. Straightening to his full height, his face relaxed a little and his eyes settled on my face.
“Does this mean you’re staying?” he asked, his voice hopeful.
Biting my lip, I nodded and weighed my words carefully.
“If you’ll have me,” I replied, my fingers seeking out the frayed strings along the hem of my sleep shorts.
The small bit of motion drew his attention and his eyes were glued to the movement. It was working like a trance. I watched as his gaze heated and grew darker. Ever the barbarian, he knew how to flip his opponent on their head and take the lead. Striding for me, his muscles flexed deliciously, and I could see the flash of his white teeth with his mischievous grin. Instinctively, I took a step back and the thrill of the chase set in. I could run…and he would give chase. He would catch me, there was no doubt of that, and when he did, there was no telling how merciful he would be.
Mercy, I wasn’t sure it was in Ivar’s vocabulary. I was pretty glad it wasn’t. Instead of running, I stood my ground and let him come. He was on me in an instant, closing the short distance between us like it was nothing. Ivar’s hungry lips sought mine out, capturing me in a punishing kiss. The rasp of his facial hair against my skin was the perfect contrast to his soft lips. He dragged my body flush against his with one hand and cradled my jaw gently with the other. I clung to him, my fingers exploring everything he was offering as I soaked up every second I had.
“I take it that’s a yes?” I giggled between his kisses.
“Giving you any doubt of that was my first mistake. My second mistake, I plan to remedy…if what all this means what I think it does?” he answered, his hands settled on my hips like he owned them.
It was a familiar move, one that made me want to melt into him. I hadn’t realized how badly I needed to hear him say those words, to hear them aloud…I didn’t doubt my devotion to him for one second more. A second rumble of thunder sent a chill through me that covered me in gooseflesh. Sensing sent slight shiver that went through me at his touch, he smiled wider.
No words could escape my lips, not a single one. Ivar was the first man who had ever truly rendered me speechless. Pressing onto my toes so I could reach him, I threaded my fingers into his hair and pulled his mouth down to mine. My tongue caressed the seam of his lips, begging entrance and he didn’t disappoint, returning my caress with his own assault. His hands slid down my hips to the backs of my thighs, grabbing firmly ahold and lifting me like I weighed nothing more than a small child. My legs wrapped securely around his hips; I was done waiting for him to claim me. I was claiming him. We both deserved to be happy and damn it, we could traverse the sea of bullshit better as a team than as a lone survivor.
Ivar was moving, heading straight for the bedroom, catching exactly where I was taking this. His powerful legs carried us to the bedroom. Never once did his lips leave mine until he threw me down on the bed and stood over me like a conqueror. Tight peaks formed as lust coursed through me and poked through the thin fabric of my tank top. My panties were soaked and there would be no saving them.
Resting a knee on the edge of the bed between my ankles, Ivar lowered himself slowly and climbed closer. With a swift swipe, he hooked his fingers in the waistband of the shorts and peeled them down my legs, dragging the evidence of my desire with them. Noticing the flash of bright blue, he fished the scrap of fabric from my shorts and held them up.
“Mermaid life?” he asked, reading the lettering, my inside joke.
It was close enough. It was actually #mermaidlife but I didn’t expect him to understand the intricacies of twenty first century social media jargon. His thick brow lifted questioning it, but now was not the time. I needed to get his attention. Sitting up, I scooted closer to him, my eyes locked on his and slipped my shirt over my head. It worked like a charm, too. He dropped the panties and his eyes were glued to my breasts, but he made no move to touch me and I needed more.
When I reached for the button of his jeans, he caught on and grabbed ahold of my fingers instead. It seemed Ivar liked being in control in just about all things. We’d have to see about that, but for tonight, I was just happy to have him any way I could. I’d let him have this one.
His fingers twined with mine and he lowered himself bringing our hands to his lips. One by one, he kissed the tip of each finger. Long dark lashes rimmed his eyes which were focused on me. I felt like I would combust at any moment under that intense watch. With his free hand, he popped the button of his jeans and drew the zipper down slowly. Ivar knew exactly what he was doing, the talented seducer. My eyes were glued to the tantalizing movement and I was practically salivating at the thought of him. Shoving his jeans down his hips, he freed himself, his sizeable length stood proudly at attention in the cool night air.
He had control of my hands, but Ivar would learn that I wasn’t one to be meek and submissive in any way. Leaning forward, my tongue flicked out of my mouth quickly and swiped over the swollen head of his cock, lapping up the dew which had begun to gather at the tip. Ivar hissed, and his head rolled back in pleasure, he urged me forward, his si
lent plea to continue.
Getting braver, I leaned forward and kissed the tip before sliding my lips over his pulsing shaft and caressing his sizeable length with my tongue. He flexed, driving himself deeper into my mouth, bumping the back of my throat. He pulled back a bit before pushing forward once again. This time when he pulled back, he tugged himself free of my lips and stared down at me with glassy-eyed lust and excitement.
“Your tongue is my new favorite kind of witchcraft,” he mused. “I’m afraid I’m but a mere man,” he said, biting his lip as his gaze zeroed in on the apex of my thighs. “You might consume me body and soul.”
I could feel the moisture between my legs slickening my thighs, begging for his attention. Ivar seemed to have a bit of a romantic side, even if he was still brutish. This was a different game of cat and mouse, one I could play and understand, but this mouse didn’t want to run any more. I wanted my mate.
“You’re so much more than just a normal man though, and I think you can handle it,” I whispered, leaning back and little to enjoy the view.
Taking the bait, Ivar kicked out of his jeans knelt on the bed. Taking himself in hand, he stroked himself slowly like he knew my patience was thinning and he was going to push my limits. Ivar was a large man in all aspects, his cock was not an exception to that observation and right then, it was dripping pre-cum and my nipples pebbled tightly in response. Heat flooded my middle and my breaths were coming shorter and faster. I was seconds away from becoming a quivering mess and the man hadn’t even really touched me yet. I was simply putty in his skilled hands.
Grabbing ahold of my ankle, he lifted my ankle up to his face and ran his tongue from my instep to my knee before turning his attention to my other leg and tracing the same path with the tip of his fingers.
“Lay back. I want to look at you,” he commanded, his voice was low and gruff, and I did as he asked.
There was a presence about him that made weaker beings bend to his will and I wasn’t immune to it. Scooting up the bed, I kept my knees squeezed tightly together the whole way, obstructing any view he might have. I’d do as he asked, but I’d be doing it on my own terms.
Spreading my ankles slowly, I kept my knees shut until I was sure I had his attention and let them fall open wide, giving him a perfect view of my silken folds. Laying back onto the pillows, I pinched my nipple between two fingers and kneaded my breasts, imagining all the while it was Ivar’s hands, and let my other hand venture lower. I teased myself, never giving either of us the satisfaction of going further, that was his honor. Ivar tracked every movement and then, his hand began to move again, stroking himself proudly.
He accommodated my games, though only for a moment, his control over his baser instincts would only last so long. Spreading the layers of my sex, I showed him exactly what brought me to the edge. It was better he learn it sooner rather than later, however I’d have fun learning and teaching one another how to love. Plunging my finger into my depths to the knuckle, I massaged the needy nub and let out and pleased groan, feeling Ivar shuffle a little closer on the bed.
“Enough, I need to feel you. I can’t wait another second,” Ivar groaned, his heavy-lidded eyes mirrored my own needs.
Ivar climbed up me until he was poised at my entrance. He fisted his thick cock and ran it up and down my seam, coating himself in my juices and dragging it leisurely across my swollen nub. A needy mewl was sounded more like a wanton sex goddess than the trained medic, but as with everything to do with Ivar, I was finding there was a whole lot more to myself than I ever could fathom. He pressed forward just enough to give me a taste. His whole body was pulled taught like a bowstring ready to be unleashed. He lined himself up and with a single sharp thrust, he buried himself inside me. All of the air was pushed from my lungs with the force of his invasion. The sweet sting of his thrust brought every nerve to life.
He stilled for a moment, so I could adjust to the sudden invasion. My walls hugged him tightly, making both of us acutely aware of every twitch, throb, and wiggle. With a low groan, Ivar began to move. Latching onto my nipple, he teased it and suckled, driving me wild. Arching, I pushed my breast further into him, desperate for more. He was everywhere all at once, consuming me. Deep in my belly, I could feel the swell of my desire begin as Ivar worked himself in and out of me, pushing me higher.
His lips popped free of my breast, but he had only just begun his exploration. Velvet soft, but firm lips crashed into mine and Ivar tasted like the salty sea air and the fresh forests edging Aurora Falls. Reaching down between the two of us, Ivar gave my needy little nub a pinch before soothing away the sting with a gentle, teasing massage. I nearly came apart, bucking to drive him deeper. I held on tighter as he picked up his pace, my finger nails biting into the skin of his shoulders and lower back. Ivar’s pace was punishing, and I felt like I would burn right up, but he was pushing us both toward something big. I was helpless to fight what was building inside of me. It was so strong, so intense it would surely shatter me into a million tiny pieces.
Everything was being pulled tighter and Ivar had my legs pinned so I had to accept every delicious thrust without anything to shield me from him. My traitorous hips rose a little to meet every plunge, too. I could feel him swell as he neared his finish. Sweat slickened his skin and the light danced off the shiny green scales of his mate mark on his shoulder.
“Don’t stop!” I moaned, feeling the beginning of my climax, one that would undoubtedly destroy me.
Ivar roared, stilling deep inside me. My muscles spasmed, milking him as thick ropes of his seed exploded forth from him, sending me spiraling over the edge. I twitched and screamed his name over and over as I tried to take as much of him as I could. I could practically see fireworks as I came apart and then there was nothing. I’d blacked out.
When I came back around, Ivar was leaning over me, his muscular leg was draped over mine and I could feel the slickness of our lovemaking between my thighs.
“That’s a hell of a lot prettier on you than it is on me,” Ivar grinned, leaning down and pressing a tender kiss against my shoulder.
As I glanced down at what he was referring to, I caught the shimmer of green, like Ivar’s, on my shoulder. Rich, iridescent green scales wrapped over my shoulder, matching my mate’s perfectly. Now, the Cursed Ones would be able to recognize the two of us as a mated pair. It was my mate mark, thankfully, one that wouldn’t be able to be seen by any humans.
“I’m not really sure how you’re able to talk right now. I’m pretty sure I’m scrambled,” I sighed, stretching out against him.
Spent, I relaxed into the bed and let all my muscles go lax. I made no move to get up, not that I could if I tried. My legs would be jelly under me. Instead, I ran my fingers over the lines of Ivar’s tattoos until I came to the break in the ink, a new pink scar thanks to Crazy Joe. I pushed up onto an elbow and looked him in the eyes.
“I thought I’d lost you,” I admitted, feeling my chest tighten with the possibilities. “I know this is new and we’re still practically strangers, but I want this to work more than I’ve ever wanted anything. I’m not naïve, either. I know this isn’t going to be a walk in the park, but I hope that the good times we might have together could outweigh the bad.”
He didn’t shy away from my words or an emotional situation like I’d known some men to. Instead, he listened intently and tucked stray pieces of hair back behind my ears. I was beginning to get the impression he had a thing for playing with my hair, not that I minded. I loved it actually; it was so relaxing.
“I’m sorry I didn’t welcome your arrival in my life like I should have. This life has been very long and since coming to this land, I haven’t really been living. I merely existed, passing the time without any goal in place. I’m not saying it’s an excuse, but I never in my wildest dreams thought I’d have a second chance. I shouldn’t. My fuck ups have been big, and I shouldn’t get to know happiness for the things I’ve done in this life, but I’ve been given one and I won’t ta
ke that miracle for granted again,” Ivar answered, letting his hand trail down the length of my hair to my shoulder and around to the side of my breast.
Biting my lip to keep myself from giggling, I let my eyes fall shut for a moment, listening to his words. After everything that had just happened, I didn’t know it was possible to want him again so soon. He was making it damn difficult to listen to him with his caresses. The bastard knew exactly what he was doing too. Peeking through my lashes, he had that wicked glint in his eyes and the growing pressure against my hip told me he was thinking the same.
“I’m sorry I didn’t get the chance to tell you before my time was up, but I choose you. I was dumb to think I had any hope in hell of resisting you. Hurricane Makenna,” Ivar teased. “I failed my family before and I can’t promise you you’ll live like a Queen, but that’s what you’ll always be in my eyes and I will not fail my family again.”
I knew he would stay true to his word. Odin’s honor. Ivar’s honor. Leaning in, I kissed him. It wasn’t the hungry, lust-fueled kisses we’d shared before. This was binding, the beginning of something truly beautiful. His whiskers rasped against my skin, making the kiss sweeter. If I didn’t slow things down, we were going right back to bed and I still had to tell him something. Breaking the kiss, I opened my mouth to tell him exactly how I felt, but his finger was over my lips, hushing me.
“I love you, Makenna James,” he said simply.
It was the five most beautiful words I’d ever heard all strung together to make music to my ears.
“I love you too, Ivar…shit, I don’t even know your last name. Who the hell am I mated to?” I giggled as I realized just how little I really knew about him.
“Bjornson,” he answered, his thick Norse accent shone through.
“Well, I love you too, Ivar Bjornson. I’m really glad you didn’t let me drown,” my touch grew a little bolder. His eyes dipped lower, catching my meaning instantly and beginning explorations all his own.
Warrior’s Kiss- Mountain Mermaids Page 9