She’d also learned to compartmentalize.
Death was for another day. This was all about life.
She placed her hand on his chest. Warmth seeped into her. His skin was smooth and hairless. She skated her fingers over the well-defined muscles. Outwardly, he appeared calm, but his heart was pounding.
Her lips curved up into a smile.
“You do like to live dangerously, don’t you?” He curled an arm around her waist and yanked her against him so their bodies were flush, her breasts pillowed against the hard planes of his chest.
She walked her fingers upward, skimming them over his neck and along his jaw. “Is there any other way?”
His laugh, gruff and quick, caught her off guard. “Not that I know of.” His arm tightened a fraction of a second before they went airborne. When they hit the bed, he rolled until she was under him. Her first instinct was to extricate herself and move to the top position.
And damn him, the bastard knew it.
With his weight on his forearms, he watched her with a knowing glint in his eyes.
She tugged none too gently on the ends of his hair. It wasn’t black, but a dark, dark brown and thick. He leaned down and nuzzled her jaw before skimming his lips over hers. They were firm and warm.
The man was as hot as an overheated blaster.
He traced his tongue over the seam of her lips. She parted them and he slipped inside. While she was no virgin, she’d never been kissed like this before.
Like he did everything else, Spear was totally focused on the task at hand. His tongue stroked hers, inviting her to play. When she teased him back, he groaned and deepened the caress. He tasted vaguely sweet, like the mint candy she loved whenever she could get them.
She’d always had a sweet tooth.
Fisting her hands in his hair, she held him as she turned her head one way and then the other, wanting to experience every angle.
The muscles in his arms bunched and flexed. His erection pressed against her stomach, hot and hard. A pulse started deep in her core, a yearning for him. Not any man, but Spear.
She tore her mouth from his. “This is crazy.” There was so much she didn’t know about him. She had no idea who he really was and what his endgame would be. He believed he’d get the items up for auction and seemed to have some code of honor. Too bad she didn’t. She couldn’t afford one.
“Do you want to stop?” He was panting heavily, a lock of hair lying across his forehead. A slight sheen of sweat covered his skin. He was big and tough and aroused.
“No, don’t stop.” Come what may, she wanted him.
He reared back and yanked down the fastener. She helped him, shoving the tight leather pants and underwear down her legs, frantic to be naked, to be skin to skin with him. He stared down at her, his eyes darkening. A muscle twitched under his eye. His jaw tightened a fraction.
Her body was muscular and hard rather than curvy and soft. He didn’t seem to mind in the least.
“You’ve done this before, yes?”
Why would he ask her something like that? She tilted her head to one side, trying to read his expression. “Of course. I assume you have, too.”
His jaw tightened even more.
She sat up and pulled her knees to her chest, wrapping her arms around them, her ardor cooling under his questioning gaze. “It’s really none of your business.” He had no right to make her feel as though there was something wrong with her. She was a grown woman, an assassin. If she wanted to have sex with a hundred men, it was totally up to her.
No way was he a virgin. He was way too good at kissing. Not to mention he oozed sex appeal. Women would be falling all over themselves to climb into his bed.
“You’re right.” He dragged his hands through his hair. It was the first sign of real frustration he’d shown, and it intrigued her. “But I hate the idea of another man having his hands on you.”
“Make me forget them.” She tossed out the challenge, wondering if he’d rise to it.
Her other encounters had been meaningless, fleeting couplings in darkened corners and dingy back rooms. The reality was she’d only had sex twice before. The first time had been to distract a target long enough to save her life. She didn’t like to remember the physical invasion and pain, the sense of helplessness. The second time had been to see if there really was something to recommend sex.
She hadn’t been impressed.
Nor had she been tempted to try again. Until now.
They could keep to themselves, dock in Oasis, and go back to being enemies in a race to the auction. That was the smart thing to do. But sometimes taking a risk was more important than doing the smart thing. She had too many regrets to want to live with another.
He gripped her ankles and slowly straightened her legs, pulling so she was flat on her back again. “When I’m done,” he promised, his voice a deep rumble, “there won’t be room in your memories for anyone but me.”
“Big talk.” But if anyone could do it, he could.
“A guarantee.” He ran his hands up the fronts of her calves, over her knees, and then inside her thighs, gently easing them open.
She swallowed hard. Her nipples were so tight they hurt. And she was wet, her core throbbing. She’d never been this ready to have sex. “Do it.”
He shook his head. “There’s no hurry. I plan to enjoy myself.” Licking his lips, he lowered himself to the bed so he was sprawled between her legs, his broad shoulders wedging them wide open.
No man had ever done this before. He’d be the first. She bit her lip rather than blurt that out. He was cocky enough as it was.
His breath was warm against her heated flesh. Then he dragged his tongue over the slick folds. The pleasure was so intense, her eyes rolled back in her head.
He really might kill her. But what a way to go.
****
Calm. He needed to be calm. Not easy when he wanted to track down all the men Sass had been with, slit their throats, and bathe in their blood. They’d had no right to touch her.
She belongs to me.
He shook his head, shrugging off the irrational thought. She was his, for now. Once they reached Oasis, they’d go their separate ways. That was how it had to be. For both their sakes.
He’d already decided he’d keep her name out of the report after he retrieved the auction items and gleaned whatever information he could from the auctioneer. Nothing could be allowed to happen to her.
Mine.
He ignored the voice urging him to find a way to keep her and concentrated on the woman naked and open before him, a feast for his senses.
And, yes, he understood how illogical it was for him to rage against the men she’d been with when he’d been no eunuch. But she was different from any other woman he’d ever been with. Something about her stirred the primal urges inside him.
Her taste was spicy with a hint of sweet. Her hips rolled up, urging him deeper. Exploring, he traced his tongue over every inch of her slick folds, mapping out every crevice and reveling in her moans.
He pushed one finger into her core. It was his turn to groan when the inner muscles clamped down hard. She might have had sex before, but not often. She was too tight.
He added a second finger, parting them slowly to stretch her. Her feet thumped on the bed, her hips undulated wildly.
“Spear.” The sound of his name filled with such longing had his balls trying to climb into his body.
As an assassin, he’d been trained to have complete control over himself at all times and in every situation. All his training deserted him as he ate at her flesh, drank of her essence.
“Yes. Yes. Yes,” she chanted.
He wanted her to come, needed to give her a pleasure so deep he’d be indelibly marked on her memory for all time.
Her core clamped down on his fingers as he thrust them in and out. She threw back her head, the cords of her neck clenching. She cried out, her voice ragged. Chest heaving, breathing hard and fast, she came.
He wanted to ro
ar to the heavens, to proclaim her as his. It physically hurt him to swallow it back. His heart was like a fist trying to punch out of his chest.
Easing away, he hung his head and sucked air into his starving lungs. Her arousal filled his nose, the taste of her lingered in his mouth.
Sheer perfection.
Sass was long and lean with more muscle than curves. This woman would not shrink from him, but stand toe to toe. She’d fight alongside him if she chose to stay.
“That… That was amazing.”
He raised his head and smiled at the sight of her. Lips slightly moist and swollen from their earlier kiss and where she’d bitten them. Skin covered in a sheen of sweat. Cheeks flushed a pretty pink. Breasts rising and falling with each breath she took.
His cock flexed and throbbed, a visceral reminder that he’d yet to find release. Moisture leaked from the tip. One wrong move and he’d come.
He shoved her legs apart, fitting the broad crown of his erection against her opening and pushed. She gasped and clung to his biceps, her short nails digging in.
“You’re too big.” She was panting harder now.
“I’ll fit.” She’d been made for him. Warm and wet from her orgasm, her body welcomed him. The inner muscles flexed around his hard length, squeezing before relenting and allowing him in.
He closed his eyes and began to recite every Gravasian law he could think of in order to keep from spilling his seed.
“Are you okay?” The concern in her voice had his lids flipping open.
“Yes.” His voice was rough and hoarse. He eased back an inch and thrust forward. “Almost there.” He rocked again, going further each time until he was buried to the hilt inside her.
It was like coming home to a place he’d never known existed but had dreamed about.
Lying over her, he buried his face in her neck and licked along the fluttering pulse. Her sex fluttered around him. He could stay like this forever.
Her nails skated down his spine, the stimulation sending shards of pleasure radiating out to his limbs. When they dug into his butt, he was lost.
He began to fuck her fast and hard, needing to mark her, claim her, to do as he’d promised and drive thoughts of any other man from her mind.
“You’ll never forget me.” He took her hard and fast.
Need to get closer. But it was impossible. Tension built at the base of his spine. His balls drew up tight. His release exploded, sending his seed shooting into her, marking her.
No protection.
The warning flashed in his brain, but it was too late.
He thrust again and again, wanting her to come, too. She shivered beneath him, her core tightening rhythmically around his shaft, milking him dry.
Collapsing, he rolled to one side, taking her with him so they were facing each other.
Not once in his thirty-two years had he taken a woman without protection. Given his occupation and his position as a royal prince, he couldn’t afford any surprises. “Are you protected against pregnancy?”
Her pliant and relaxed body tensed. “I’m fine.” She started to roll away, but he curled his arm around her and pulled her back.
“I’ll take care of you.” If she was carrying his child, all bets were off. No way would he ever abandon a child. The idea of Sass being pregnant didn’t bother him in the least. It would be another tie to her.
She snorted. “I can take care of myself. We both have an agenda and it doesn’t include living happily ever after.”
Having it put so bluntly soured his mood and reminded him of his mission.
“Who is Zaxe?”
****
Every one of Artemis’s female assassins was inoculated against disease and had a birth control shot, which was the only reason she wasn’t panicking. Yes, she should have had a booster before she’d been sent on this mission, but she should be fine.
Not that it mattered, as she’d likely be dead long before she’d know one way or another.
As much as she’d dreamed of having a real life outside Artemis’s domain, she was realistic. If she survived and had a child, Artemis would take it from her and raise it to be a killer.
A surge of protectiveness rolled through her. She would no more abandon a child to such a fate than her mother had abandoned her.
What kind of a future would a child have?
Don’t borrow trouble.
“Well?” Spear demanded. “Who is he?”
Cooler now that the heat of passion had subsided, she shivered and yanked on the blanket. He didn’t move, keeping it trapped beneath him.
Fine. It was time to get dressed and put some distance between them, anyway. She started to roll off the bed, but he grabbed her arm and pulled. When she was flat on her back, he threw one muscled thigh over hers.
Did he really think he could keep her down if she didn’t want to be here?
“Is that what this was about? You figured sex would make me more talkative?” And damn it, he hadn’t even given her time to enjoy the warm glow before breaking the mood with questions. Not that she expected cuddling or anything, but the closeness had been nice. Her entire body had melted beneath his touch.
And she’d had her first orgasm. Now she’d never forget him, the bastard.
The scowl on his face deepened and his brow drew down. “No.”
She waited. And waited. “That’s it? Just, no?”
“I wanted you and you wanted me.”
And he still wanted her by the feel of his cock pressed against her hip. She tried to ignore it and the way her entire body throbbed in anticipation.
“It was a mistake. It muddled things. I just need a ride to Oasis. Then I’ll go my own way.” And pray theirs never crossed again. He’d gotten under her skin way too quickly, faster than anyone else ever had.
He rolled on top of her and caught her face between his hands. “It was not a mistake.” He said each word precisely, and was so close she could see individual eyelashes and feel his breath on her. “Tell me who Zaxe is.”
When she remained silent, disappointment flitted over his face before his expression became unreadable. “Keep your information.” He rolled off her and reached for his battlesuit, exposing his strong back, firm buttocks, and muscular legs.
He’d utterly dismissed her.
The sharp pain in her chest made her catch her breath. She rubbed her hand over her heart and ignored the stinging in her eyes. Then her eyes narrowed and fury drove out the pain.
“How the hell do you know about Zaxe?” She sure as hell hadn’t mentioned him, a fact that her sex-muddled brain was just realizing. “You listened in on my conversation.”
He finished pulling on the battlesuit, his face implacable. “Of course, I listened. You’re an assassin. I need to know who sent you and why you’re here.”
Betrayal hit like a blade to the heart. What had she thought? That he’d be so enamored of her that he’d forget who and what she was?
Because that was what she’d stupidly done for a few minutes. Pleasure was fleeting. She’d forgotten that tenet and the rest of her training. And for what? An orgasm.
It was more than that.
She ignored the small voice in the back of her head until it went silent.
It was time to be calm and cool. To be a professional.
She shot off the mattress, launching herself at him. “You bastard,” she screamed as she tackled him.
Chapter Six
Spear threw his arms around Sass to keep her from gouging his eyes out.
There was no more yelling or accusations. She fought him in silence. He barely avoided a knee to the balls. It would have hurt but wouldn’t have capacitated him. Damn good thing he’d put on the battlesuit.
She shot her hand out toward his face. Only his fast reflexes kept him from a broken nose, or worse. With the force she put behind it, if she’d connected, she might have driven the bones back into his brain, killing him instantly.
Their battle continued with him bloc
king and her attacking in a flurry of strikes from both hands and feet. She was a killing machine, but he was better. When she finally realized that, she glared at him, the space between them more than physical.
He didn’t think she realized she was naked, but he did. Her skin glistened under the dim room lights, and her breasts rose and fell with each heaving breath. She rolled to the floor, grabbing her pants. Not to put them on but to retrieve two blades. She held them easily in her hands.
Not wanting to hurt her, he stepped back and crossed his arms over his chest. “You can’t kill me.”
“Wanna bet?”
“No, but the controls of the ship are calibrated to my biometrics. They will only answer to me.”
“But you set them to go to Oasis, so I don’t need you anymore.”
“Ship, halt all operations except life support.”
“Halting operations except life support,” the mechanical voice responded.
“Now what?” he asked.
Her mouth tightened and her jaw clenched, sure signs of frustration. “I could kill you and take my chances.” Her eyes were flat, her weapons held at the ready.
“You could try,” he agreed, “but you’d end up dead. What about Zaxe and Delphi?” Like any assassin, his skills went beyond the physical. Sometimes the best way to defeat someone was mentally or emotionally.
The tips of her daggers sagged toward the floor.
“Tell me about them.”
With a roar of frustration, she flung the knives at him. He didn’t flinch as the blades whooshed by either side of his head and buried themselves in the wall behind him.
“You really are a bastard.” Turning her back on him, she grabbed her clothes and made her way to the bathing chamber. As soon as the panel shut behind her, he released a breath. It had been close. He’d been concerned she’d actually keep attacking until he’d be forced to hurt her, or worse. It had also been fascinating to watch her eyes, to see her calculating her odds and options before finally deciding he held the upper hand.
For now.
There was no doubt in his mind she’d keep searching for a way to beat him.
“Computer, resume course to Oasis. If I don’t check in every two hours, halt all operations except life support and contact Gravasian command.”
Spear's Search Page 5