With a silent chuckle, Tara knew she would have to show him how Runner women expected to be treated. At that point, she decided to end the kiss on her own, just to show him she could and take the lead.
It took more effort than she figured it would.
“You’re not my enemy,” Darius said, once their lips parted. “You’re my match in every way. I don’t want the likes of you as an enemy.”
She smiled at him and then went up on tiptoe and kissed him once again. “So, do you want to ride that motorcycle?”
“In a minute,” he said and pulled her to him. His hands reached under her clothes, down into her pants, and clutched her rear end. He shoved her into him and set her on fire.
She fell back, pulling him onto her. She needed to feel skin, wanted to explore this virile body that had grown to be more than a distraction. She yanked at his shirt.
He assisted by putting enough distance between them to take off the offending material. He reached for his pants.
But she stopped him. “I want to do it.” Her voice sounded husky, and he smiled. Tara pulled free the belt and then tugged down his pants. She placed kisses around the thick mass of hair that did nothing to hide his rock-hard arousal. She offered his erection no attention, but kissed her way down his legs as she pushed his pants to the ground.
Darius reached under her arms and pulled her back up along his naked and aroused body. He shocked her wherever he touched her, and the moisture between her legs soaked through all that she wore.
* * * * *
Darius didn’t take as long to remove her clothes. She was naked within seconds, and he held her as he rolled to his side, then placed her on her back. He took her hands and laid them above her head. Then, slowly, he began to kiss her. And slowly, so slowly, he moved down her, kissing every inch along the way. His hands caressed and stroked as he continued his exploration of her body.
There was no rush this time. The newness from the first time was gone. He wanted to explore and get to know, very well, every inch of her. He spread her legs, and she didn’t fight him. Instead she lifted her hips from the ground, and he let out a low chuckle as he blew soft air onto the downy hair between her legs. Tara gasped, and he enjoyed watching the quiver race through her body. He opened her up and could see the glistening moistness, proving how aroused she was. He kissed the moist area first, then ran his tongue up and down, tasting her.
Tara yelped and arched her hips further, grabbing the back of his head as she fought for release.
Darius smiled, knowing she was exactly where he wanted her to be. He licked his lips as he sat up, enjoying her taste on him.
Tara groaned and reached to pull him back to her.
He searched her fogged-over blue eyes as he situated himself above her, resting his erection on her saturated opening.
Tara arched again, as if trying to enclose herself around him.
His hardness felt engorged, and the blood racing through him wanted to slam into that heat. But he teased for a moment, until her blue eyes widened, and her mouth opened in a silent protest.
As she was ready to explode, he entered her. He moved with a steady pace, pushing into her heat until he felt intoxicated, and then pulling back as his body shook with need to return to the center of her heat. When he knew neither of them could handle the pressure built from his motions, he thrust hard, aggressively, and brought them to climax simultaneously.
She stared at him, breathing fast.
He’d controlled her, and he knew it.
* * * * *
Tara dressed in silence, almost disbelieving of the sex she had just experienced. No man had ever done to her body what Darius had just done. She felt numb, more than satisfied, and almost in awe. Her thoughts still floated in a fog of aftermath, and she couldn’t interpret how she felt.
Darius dressed and then pulled her close for a minute as they stared out at the beautiful land. It felt good being in his arms. He was strong, powerful, and still very dangerous. All of it excited her.
“I’ll ride that bike of yours now.” He got up finally and moved to the edge of the ledge they were on and shimmied down to the first set of rocks. He reached his hands up to help her down as well.
She laughed at him. “Didn’t you just say I was your match in every way?” She sat down as well and scooted down the rocks without his assistance.
Within seconds they were back at the motorcycles, and he eagerly climbed onto her bike.
She showed him the order in which to push the buttons on her handlebar to start the bike, and he watched eagerly. She could tell he looked a bit worried as his contented smile turned to a frown when she climbed onto his bike.
“Are you sure it’s not too big for you, my lady?”
“My papa’s bike is at least this big, and I have ridden it a time or two, my lord.” She stressed his title, sarcastically implying his superiority over her.
Side by side, they rode down the rocky road and back out to the meadow.
Tara enjoyed riding the big, noisy, cumbersome motorcycle. There was something raw and untamed about it, although it would be difficult to use in battle, she thought. However, the nature of the Gothman wasn’t to sneak up and attack their opponent but to roar into battle with screams and confidence in their victory; this bike suited their nature just fine. If anything, she felt she understood Lord Darius and his people just a little bit better after riding on the large bike that took each rut in the earth with a vengeance of superiority.
She wondered if Darius was concluding anything about her nature from riding her bike.
After winding past the first group of hills, he slowed her bike to a stop.
She pulled up next to him.
“Park my bike here and climb on behind me. I’ll come get it shortly. It’ll make it a bit easier to justify the story I’m planning to tell if we are seen, it will. When we’re back, you may take Torgo out to the field and give him his lesson. I daresay he’s quite eager, and there’s no reason to disappoint the boy.”
Tara obeyed and climbed on behind him. Her bike was not designed to carry two easily, but she enjoyed being as close to him as was required for them to ride together. She wrapped her hands around his waist and locked her fingers together. He held her two hands in his and skillfully drove her bike back to the shed with his other hand.
Chapter Six
A couple weeks of riding lessons proved very effective for Torgo, and Tara awoke one morning to the sounds of his bike cruising around in the meadow. She lay in her bed for a while listening to the rumble of the teenager’s motorcycle and remembering her first experiences on one. She’d felt so mature and independent to be riding by herself, free to go wherever she pleased. She knew the glory Torgo must be experiencing without even getting up to look out the balcony to confirm her thoughts. He had worked hard to get to the point where he could master the machine and ride alone.
She showered and dressed and was absolutely ravenous as she went down the stairs to help prepare breakfast. Hilda and Darius were in the kitchen talking about something, and she could tell by Hilda’s quiet tone that the woman was not pleased.
“I just don’t understand. It was you yourself that said it was final, you did.” Hilda wrung her hands then placed them on the counter nervously when Tara entered.
“I know, and it is. I have matters of ruling a country, Mama. It’s just not a good time.”
“But, son, the community expects this, there’ll be talk, there will.” Hilda reached for her son.
“Oh blast it all with your talk, woman,” Darius barked.
“Good morning.” She looked at the two of them questioningly.
“Tara, certainly you want…” Hilda looked at Tara as if relieved that she would side with her on whatever issue the two of them were talking about.
“Mama!” Darius interrupted her with a firm tone in his voice. “Tara, walk with me to my bike.”
Darius grabbed a bag from the counter and turned to look at his mama.
Tara watched Hilda grab a dishtowel and twist it in her hands. She seemed very upset.
His tone softened when he spoke again, “I’ll be back by tomorrow, I’m sure. Don’t you worry yourself, none, my lady.” He patted his mama’s hand as he spoke, but it didn’t appear to be soothing her much. “The Lord of Gothman must protect his country, I have my duties.”
“That’s right, son, you do at that.” Hilda looked up at her son and spoke quietly, as if she were making one final attempt to reason with him over whatever point it was they were discussing. “You have the duty to uphold tradition in this land and be an example to your people.”
Tara suddenly had the strongest sensation that their discussion had something to do with Darius and her. She stood quietly at the kitchen door and tried her best to keep her facial expression blank yet pleasant.
“You think I don’t know that?” Darius didn’t yell, but he was very close to it. He turned and headed for the back door. “Tara!”
She took that as her cue to follow. She glanced at Hilda who had crossed her arms across her ample middle and tightened her lips into a thin, straight line. She met Tara’s gaze without changing expression, but then focused again on her son. Grabbing a glazed roll from a plate as she passed, Tara followed Darius into the backyard. He walked quickly to his motorcycle, and Tara almost had to run to catch up with him. There were more guards than usual in the yard, all sitting on their motorcycles, as if they had been waiting.
“I’ll meet you out front.” He waved his hand at them, indicating they should go.
None of them said a word, although most took a good look at Tara before slowly driving down the driveway to the front of the house.
“What’s going on?” Tara tried to sound casual and indifferent knowing she felt anything but that. The conversation in the kitchen had spurred her curiosity. Now, the presence of the guards really had her interest piqued. The men on the bikes were armed with the long black bang sticks that made so much noise. She wondered what Darius was leaving to do. She also wondered if he would ever confide in her…that is, if she decided to stay with him.
Darius waited until all the men had moved to the other side of the house, then placed his hand on the back of Tara’s neck and guided her to the backside of the shed.
“You’ll tell my mama that you’re a Runner.”
“Why?” By the expression that quickly came over his face, she sensed he was not accustomed to having his commands questioned. His mama had exasperated him, and now she was questioning him.
“I don’t have time to explain everything to her. She’s asking questions, and the lady has a right to the answers, she does.”
“Where are you going?” Tara sensed some type of military excursion was about to occur and wasn’t accustomed to being left out of such things. “Your men are dressed for battle.”
“There are some rumors.” He twisted a strand of her hair between his gloved fingers. “Mind you, they haven’t been confirmed now. But possibly, the Sea People are preparing an attack.” He smiled and tightened his grip on her hair. “Ah, I see your eyes dancing, I do. You’re a wild one now.”
Tara didn’t smile though. She didn’t need to be protected from the harsh realities of whatever was going on. She felt that was what he was doing and realized she needed to be persistent. “What are the rumors?”
“Just that their armies are moving close to the Gothman borders. I intend to find out if this is true or not, I do.”
“I don’t think I could sit by and not fight if you’re invaded.” Tara showed all signs of the true warrior that she was.
Darius saw more than that. “I daresay, my lady, I do believe you’re showing loyalty to the Gothman.” He leaned down and kissed her. “Be a good lass for now. Go talk to my mama. I’ll be back soon.”
He got on his motorcycle and drove off and Tara walked back to the kitchen.
An idea came to her as she entered the kitchen, and she approached Hilda with enthusiasm. “My lady, if I’m quick with my chores this morning, could we invite Reena over for the afternoon? I haven’t seen her in awhile, and I have something I want to tell you. I would like her to be here for it.” Tara hoped the old woman would be agreeable.
She didn’t have to worry.
The old lady’s face lit up. “Ah, a splendid idea, that one is.” Hilda grinned broadly and then opened the pantry to inspect the shelves. “While you’re doing your morning chores, I’ll drive to the grocer’s and pick up a few things. Ah, and the blueberries are good and fresh. We’ll have some of those, and I’ll whip some cream. Cold cuts will work well, don’t you think? Ah, and set some potatoes to boil. I’ll make a hot potato salad to go with the sandwiches. You might want to pick some fresh flowers for the vases, I’d think.”
Tara smiled as the old woman hurried upstairs to change for her trip into town. It felt good to know she’d made the old woman happy. She grabbed a walkntalk and placed the call to Reena who also thought the idea was splendid.
Tara sat in the kitchen by herself and decided to have another frosted roll for breakfast before starting her housework. She felt bad about not telling Reena she’d only been invited for moral support. Mulling over in her head the speech she would give to Hilda, Tara remembered that she hadn’t asked Darius what questions his mama had been posing. Seeing the guards had completely distracted her. She thought about the fact that Darius was out in some field going over military tactics while she sat here preparing for a luncheon. The irony made her chuckle. Her life had changed so much since she’d come here.
But that was why she came, right? Tara nodded to herself. She had yearned to experience a different way of living, a different kind of lifestyle. To immerse herself in new societies in order to see how they lived. Firsthand. Yet, had she planned on changing her life forever? She knew for a fact that she definitely had not when she started on this adventure. She merely wanted to come into the civilization and observe.
Tara smiled as she realized she’d done a lousy job of that. Here she’d been prepared to remain an outside observer, and instead she’d fallen in love. She was sure of that now. As she thought about it, goose bumps traveled across her body.
Jumping up, she quickly cleaned the kitchen and then moved to the other rooms of the house. Energy soared through her, and she didn’t question its source. Her thoughts focused on each room as she entered it, wiping down woodwork and making sure glass sparkled. Tara had never lived in a structure like this. Although its newness had worn off a bit over the past cycle, the place’s magnificence still hung in the air. She would make the place look absolutely immaculate for Reena. She wanted Hilda to be proud too. Both women had taken her in and allowed her to explore their people, even though Hilda hadn’t realized that was what she had done. And Tara knew a clean house meant something to both of them. She hummed an old Runner tune as she worked.
The house began to sparkle, but Tara’s thoughts remained a tangled mess. She couldn’t change who she was. She was proud of being a Runner. How could she live here with Darius and maintain the heritage that ran thick through her blood?
Hilda came home and interrupted her thoughts. She’d taken her frustrations out on the house until it was spotless. Hilda was pleased with her work and told her so.
Torgo entered the house, instinctively knowing that food was being prepared.
“What’s for lunch?” he asked, as he hovered around in the kitchen and sampled the blueberries and cold meat as it was laid out on the serving dishes.
“With that appetite, you will be as big as your brother before the new winter.” Tara laughed and poked the boy in the stomach. “Why don’t we let him eat now, so he isn’t bored with the conversation during lunch?” Tara didn’t want him there when she explained herself to Hilda.
Hilda nodded her agreement. “I’ll fix you a plate, my boy.” She smiled, showing a mama’s love, as she grabbed one of the porcelain plates from the cabinet and began assembling his meal. “And mind you, give us pea
ce while we have our repast. I won’t have you chattering and underfoot while I enjoy the gossip.”
Reena showed up punctually, carrying one of her wonderful pies. The three women sat to a table of scrumptious food.
Tara listened as the two chatted away about mutual friends. Tara cleared the dishes from the table as the two women continued to chat and knew the time for her revelations had come. She wasn’t sure how to steer the conversation, and was almost relieved when Hilda suddenly changed the subject as Tara entered the room after moving the dirty dishes to the kitchen.
“Ah, my dear, this was a grand idea of yours, it was.” She sat back and patted her large stomach. “I’m full to the brim, I am. Now then, you said there was something you wanted to tell me. Plans on the claiming, I’m thinking.” The old lady smiled and looked at Reena.
Reena looked up at Tara with curious eyes.
“Well, in a way, you could say that.” Tara hesitated. “If you’ll excuse me, I will be right back. I think if I show you something, it will be easier.”
Tara ran up the stairs, forgetting the ladylike manners that had almost become instinctive. In her room, she reached under her bed for the bag Reena had given her and pulled out her Runner clothing. For a moment she just sat there, holding the articles. She hadn’t seen them in over a cycle. She could smell the leather. The embroidered symbol of her clan made her feel warm inside. This is who she was and that would not change.
Reena’s mouth fell open as Tara entered the room with the clothes in her hands. “Child, what are you doing?” she whispered in amazement.
“What do you have there, girl?” Hilda looked up, not seeing the expression on Reena’s face.
Nuworld: The Saga Begins Page 11