by Cathryn Fox
Chapter Two
Katrina inhaled the salty sea breeze as cool ocean droplets dusted her hair. Lit only by the glow of the full moon, the waves shimmered as far as the eye could see. Their crashing sound against the sandy shore mingled with the call of the gulls overhead.
Drawing a contented breath, she moved toward the inviting water. After her doctor’s appointment earlier that day, she’d gone straight to the gallery hoping to finish her commissioned painting, but once again she’d found herself staring at her easel, reliving her nightly dreams. When Susan, her best friend and business partner, offered Katrina the use of her rustic cottage on the ocean, Katrina had jumped at the opportunity. Perhaps a nice, relaxing night on a real beach would help her eradicate Ranek from her thoughts and get her mind back on her wedding preparations, where it belonged.
Icy water rushed up to meet her bare feet, but Katrina didn’t mind the cold. In fact, she welcomed it. She squeezed her toes savoring the sensations of the cool wet sand beneath her flesh.
As she stood there overlooking the ocean, a feeling of peacefulness and belonging filtered through her. Having spent her childhood searching for something to fill the void that inhabited her heart, Katrina embraced the foreign, happy emotions and clung to them as if her very life depended on it.
Folding her arms across her chest, she tightened her shawl around her shoulders as she thought about her younger years.
Her life had been filled with an intense unfulfilled longing that she’d always attributed to losing her parents at such a young age. Recently, however, since Ranek’s nightly visits and the emotions he aroused in her, she’d begun to question her logic. Was the longing a result of losing her parents or was it something else?
Katrina’s mind filled with memories of her grandmother. Warmth flowed through her and touched her heart as she recalled how she had tried so hard to fill the emptiness inside Katrina.
Her thoughts drifted to James and his large extended family. Katrina hoped her marriage to him would help quell the longing that has always resided in her heart. James. Sweet, gentle James. A patient man who’d agreed to her wishes to abstain from sex until after they were married. She wasn’t sure why she’d always felt such a strong reluctance to sleep with James—or any of her previous boyfriends, for that matter.
She cared for James a great deal. He was a lovely man who treated her with dignity and respect. His family took her in and welcomed her as if she were their own daughter. She loved the idea of belonging to a family and prayed she’d grow to love James the way a wife was supposed to love her husband.
Katrina dug her toes deeper into the sandy ground and willed her mind to clear of the tension surrounding her work, her upcoming wedding, and all the preparations that were still needed. She breathed in the salt-scented air, and gazed at the twinkling stars in the dark night sky. As she drew in a deep contented sigh, her tightly coiled muscles began to relax and she actually found her smile widening. She untied her hair, letting it fall across her shoulders.
Katrina turned and made her way back to the cottage. Although far from a luxury hotel, it contained all the basic necessities anyone required, like a bathroom, bedroom, small kitchen and all the privacy she needed.
After heating the kettle, she poured herself a strong cup of caffeinated tea. She was desperate to suppress her dreams of Ranek, so tonight she would not sleep. Without sleep, Katrina was sure he couldn’t come to her. An unsettling mixture of disappointment and need settled around her heart.
What was it that attracted her so to this dream man?
Slipping into a comfortable reclining chair with her favorite historical, Katrina sipped on her tea, becoming lost in the characters.
Hours later, despite her valiant efforts, she was lulled to sleep.
* * * * *
The second her lids closed, Ranek brought her to him. She looked as beautiful and angelic as ever, standing on the shore waiting for him. The moon overhead danced playfully off her golden highlights. He loved the way her eyes darkened with heat and need when she watched him emerge from the ocean.
As he closed the distance between them, Katrina did what was expected of her. She slowly removed her clothes and positioned herself on the sandy ground. Her legs locked together, the way he liked.
She moistened her lips. “I’ve been waiting.” Her voice was a mere thread of sound.
He hovered over her. “You were fighting it.” His dark tone held an edge of danger. With such little time to work with, her resistance would complicate matters. Why did she constantly test him? Did she always have to be so strong-willed?
Of course she did, he thought wryly. Some things never change. A slight smile touched his lips as he recalled the way her independence, strength, and determination had got her into trouble on more than one occasion as a young, rebellious girl.
“I can’t fight the inevitable.” She widened her legs in anticipation.
Ranek could see her damp pussy shimmering with silky, wet excitement. Using her fingers, she parted her swollen sex lips wide allowing her pink clit to come out to play. When she brushed her thumb over it, his blood boiled with intense need and he fought to control the primal, untamed animal in him. His body vibrated and his nostrils flared as a growl rumbled from the depths of his throat.
Katrina’s welcoming invitation nearly made him unleash the lustful beast that stirred within.
He shook some clarity back into his mind. Tonight he was on a mission and he needed all the control he could summon.
“Stand up, Katrina.” His voice came out harsher than he meant.
Her eyes flickered. “Have I done something wrong?” Nervously, she assumed a sitting position.
Her aroused body glistened in the moonlight spilling over her naked flesh. His whole body trembled at the sight before him.
Aching to find solace in her mouth, in her heat and in her welcoming sheath, Ranek had to fight the powerful urge to drop to the ground and sink into her. That pleasure would have to wait. Tonight he needed her to drink his seed—seed that would slowly penetrate her subconscious with the life and love they’d once shared.
He reached for her hand and pulled her to her feet. “You’ve done everything right. And for that you will be rewarded.” Slipping his hands around her slim hips, he anchored her to him. She felt so good. So right. “In time.” He grabbed her fingers and inhaled her delectable female scent. His body ignited and he fought to keep his voice controlled. “Tonight we are going to try something different.”
For a brief moment she looked at him in confusion, then slowly nodded her head in agreement. “What is it you wish from me?” she asked. Her tongue skated across her bottom lip and he nearly fell to his knees.
Before he did anything else, he had to taste the sweetness of her succulent mouth. He tangled his hands through her hair and brought her lips to his. His mouth came down on hers. Hard. Forceful. Possessive. She eagerly responded. Sinking into his mouth with the fire, passion and ferociousness only a Bandara could achieve.
He eased back and looked at her. Rubbing his thumb over her satiny lips, he guided her hand to his swollen sex. “I want you to drink from me.”
Startled by his suggestion, she opened her eyes wide as though she’d never considered such an idea. Her small hand quivered as it closed around his thickness.
“I’ve never done that before.”
Skittish eyes glanced downward and examined the length of his cock. “It’s…it’s so big. I’ll choke on it.” She ran her fingertips lightly over the head of his shaft and he lubricated in response.
He watched her eyes zero in on the liquid pooling on the engorged tip. Small teeth tugged on her bottom lip. She looked mesmerized, entranced.
“Taste it,” he whispered. His voice was husky. He watched the pulse on her neck leap. “Taste my juices, Katrina.” He brushed his mouth over her warm, pink cheek.
His cock pulsated in her hand and grew another inch. The jerking movement elicited a small moan of appr
oval from her. He watched her look of shock transform slowly into curiosity, intrigue.
Ranek guided her fingers to the dripping slit at the end of his cock. “Go ahead. Tell me if I taste as sweet as you do,” he encouraged.
She dipped her finger into the milky substance and drew the liquid to her mouth. “Mmmmm.” He watched her lick her finger clean then look down as though searching for seconds.
Ranek dropped to his knees and pulled Katrina down with him. He lay her small body on top of his. Silky blonde hair spilled over his face. Bringing her lips to his, he grazed a kiss over her mouth.
“Put my cock into your mouth,” he coaxed.
“Okay,” she agreed softly, eyes gleaming in anticipation.
She kissed him lightly, his mouth, his jaw and the damp hollow of his throat. Her tongue skated across the pulse in his neck and his whole body stiffened in response to her slow seduction.
She licked a path down his chest, stopping to lave one nipple with her hot tongue. Her heat seared his skin. The velvety sweep of her lashes against his body sent flames surging through him. He moaned and threaded his fingers through her hair, guiding her head down further.
With a panther-like stretch, her exploring fingers grazed his inner thighs, purposely brushing up against his swollen cock, making it pulse in response.
He reached down and thumbed her nipples, evoking low groans from her that grew louder and louder until her moans of pleasure drowned out his.
She positioned herself between his legs and wrapped her delicate fingers around his thick shaft. Her pink tongue snaked out and caressed the tip of his sex. She ran her lips down his tight skin as though she were testing, tasting and savoring the texture.
His head lolled to the side. “Ah, Katrina, my sweet. You are a quick learner.”
“You like?” she whispered from somewhere deep between his thighs.
“Yes, my love, I like.”
Encouraged by his moans of approval, she drew the head into her succulent mouth. “Mmmmm…” With greed, she laved the soft folds underneath the tip and drank the dripping fluid.
Her moans of pleasure pleased him. He remembered how much she had once liked the taste of cock. Her fingers sifted through his tangle of dark hair and grasped his heavy sac below, gently massaging and cupping his tight balls in her hand.
His breathing grew labored. She teased and seared his cock with her hot mouth, taking time to savor every inch. Ranek’s mind began spinning and soon he was panting.
The first delicious flick of her tongue inside the slit of his cock awakened the jealous animal in him. He felt his eyes darken with uncontrollable rage. “Don’t you ever kiss another man this way, Katrina. For if you do, I will kill him.” His voice was thick with desire, need and danger.
His harsh words didn’t startle her. “I will only do this for you, Ranek.” Her voice was as warm and smooth as the sand that provided them their nightly bed.
It was the first time she’d spoken his name out loud. He loved the way it rolled off her tongue. His eyes softened.
“Now, I will drink from you.” She placed his engorged head on the tip of her tongue and plunged forward, sinking the entire length of him down her throat.
“Dear God, Katrina!” he yelled, his breath coming in a ragged burst. A wave of passion nearly took him over the edge. His muscles clenched and he fought to hang on.
“Come for me,” she whispered breathlessly. “Let me taste you.”
She buried his cock in her throat, and then slowly began to rock back and forth, his erection sliding in and out of her hot, tight mouth.
A tremor rippled through him and he knew he was close. Her hands caressed his balls then slowly inched downward. She massaged the tender flesh inside the slit of his ass cheeks. He drew a sharp breath and threw his head to the side.
“Yesssssss, that’s my girl.”
The exquisite sensations she evoked drove every sane thought from him and he knew his time had come.
“I’m there, my love,” he cried out, fisting her hair as she drew him deeper into her mouth.
His explosion was fast, intense, sending his liquid heat down her throat.
She drank from him, swallowing until every last drop was safely nestled in her mouth.
He grabbed her in his arms and pulled her on top of him. Her dark eyes were lust-filled, her lips wet from his juices.
He smiled at her as he held her tight.
Now the memories would come.
Chapter Three
It was dark. Murky. Dangerous…
An eerie, foreboding sensation crept up her spine as she looked around the partially submerged, abandoned ship. Sparks of fear ignited her nerve endings causing her body to involuntarily shudder.
Apprehensively, she bit down on her lip and brushed a wayward curl from her eyes. Darkness had begun to fall, making the walls of the ship feel as though they were closing in on her.
“Kohan, stop fooling around. You’re scaring me,” she cried.
Except for the muted sounds of creaking metal mingling with her footfalls, silence enveloped her. Reaching into the blackness, she wrapped her fingers around the ship’s railing to help guide her forward.
“Kohan, where are you?”
Her senses were assaulted with the pungent aroma of aging rust, rotting algae and palpable fear. Her own fear. A fresh wave of panic prickled her skin.
She took a cautious step forward. Crystals from a fallen chandelier crunched beneath her feet. The abandoned ship shifted and Katrina screamed as she lost her footing and she crashed to the floor.
Oh, why had she ever followed Kohan outside the protected walls of their kingdom and into forbidden territory?
Because he’d dared her and she’d wanted to prove her fearlessness.
“Kohan,” she cried, grabbing a railing to right herself. “Where are you?” Her fingers gripping the slippery rails, she pulled herself upward.
They needed to get back home before their absence was noticed. Punishment for venturing outside the concealed kingdom walls would be harsh. She shivered to think what the elders would do if they ever found out.
“What’s the matter? Are you chicken?” he taunted, sneaking up behind her.
His hands skimmed her full breasts as he reached for her. She spun around to look at him. Her senses went on full alert as she caught his lambent gaze and suggestive smile.
“It’s getting late. We should head back before someone notices we’re missing.” Her voice wavered and her stomach dipped. She didn’t care for the way his eyes traced the pattern of her body. She took a guarded step backwards.
He matched her step. “What’s your hurry?” He yanked her into his embrace and brushed his lips over hers.
Planting her palms onto his chest, she shoved him away. “Stop fooling around.”
His smile was dangerous, wolfish. “Come on, Katrina. You know you want it.” He pulled her closer, his breath hot on her neck.
“Kohan,” her voice grated in warning. “Stop.”
She watched as something deep inside him shifted. Her heart beat wildly as he glared at her for a long moment. When she made a move to go, he gripped her arm harder and slammed her against the wall.
She looked around frantically, wanting to scream for help, but knowing her cries would go unanswered. There was no one around for miles. “You’re hurting me.” She tried to twist away but with each movement he tightened his hold.
He crushed his body against her. “Come on, Katrina, stop fighting it. It’s what we both want. Admit it.” He closed his mouth over hers, jamming his tongue down her throat. “Let me fuck you. It’ll be real good. I promise,” he whispered harshly.
She gasped and squirmed, freeing herself from his grip. Anger flashed through her veins. “What is the matter with you?”
His eyes blinded with lust, he pushed his swollen cock hard against her legs. Deftly, he slid a hand between her thighs. “Do I make you wet?”
She clenched her legs together an
d pushed his hand away. “No!” she yelled.
His nostrils flared. “I bet if I were Ranek you wouldn’t hesitate.” The dark tension in his voice frightened her.
She knew he envied his older brother. Knew he envied Ranek’s authoritative position in the kingdom, but he’d never displayed such blatant jealously before. At least never to her.
She opened her mouth to speak but the rage in his eyes cautioned her to remain silent. Fisting her hands, she prepared for his advances. Not that she would be any match for a man destined to follow in his brother’s footsteps and become a warrior.
A deep insidious growl caught in his throat. “That’s what I thought.” He snarled and stepped back. “I see the way you look at him.”
There was no denying his accusations. But, she wasn’t the only one who looked at Ranek with adoring eyes. Ranek’s virility, power and confidence drew the attention of every unclaimed girl in their kingdom.
Ranek had yet to take a mate, and although it was foolish for Katrina to think he’d ever give her a second glance, she clung to her girlish crush.
A movement beyond Kohan’s shoulders caught her eye. She blinked, focusing her gaze, and came face-to-face with Ranek. His dark eyes were hooded, dangerous. His mouth set in a grim line. Katrina wilted under his powerful, angry gaze. A strangled cry caught in her throat.
How long had he been there? What had he heard?
In two easy strides, he closed the distance between them. He stood over Kohan. “If you touch her again, it will cost you your hand.” His tone was controlled, deep and dangerous. Ranek grabbed Kohan by the shoulders and pulled him from her, sending him sailing in the opposite direction.
Kohan clambered to his feet and lunged for Ranek, but he neatly sidestepped his advances.
Dark brows quirked over black eyes. “Don’t test me, little brother,” he warned, wrapping his large fingers around the dagger anchored to his side. Tension lines bracketed his mouth.