Assassin's Honor

by Monica Burns

  "Can't?" she persisted. "Or won't?"

  "Emma, hunting for the Tyet of Isis isn't a game. It's not one of your sedate archeological expeditions."

  "Of course it's not a game. I almost died the night we found my father's notebook."

  Her words made him flinch as he slammed the door on the memories. She was still here--with him. And it was exactly why he couldn't do what she asked. His eyes met her astute gaze as she released a quiet gasp.

  "That's it," she exclaimed. "That's why you won't search for the artifact. You're worried you won't be able to save me the next time something happens."

  "That's right," he growled.

  "Why? Because I got hurt?"

  "Yes." Tension made his muscles taut. "I should have been there to keep that bastard from touching you. I didn't keep my promise. I didn't keep you safe."

  "But don't you see, amore mio? You did keep me safe." She touched his face with her fingertips. "I'm alive because of you."

  "I didn't--"

  "What would have happened that night if you hadn't sealed the blood bond and transferred the Sicari ability to me?"

  Ice slugged its way through his body until his heart rate was painfully slow. He remembered that helpless feeling that had lanced through his gut as he watched the Praetorian send his blade into Emma's side the first time. He'd leaped forward despite knowing he wouldn't be able to save her as that bastard's blade started its second descent.

  Powerless to stop the man, he'd known that his life would be over the minute Emma was gone. And then it had happened. Sheer terror had awoken her Sicari ability as a form of self-defense. An ability he'd given her. He met her determined gaze.

  "I wouldn't have been able to reach you in time," he said in a cracked voice.

  "And if you hadn't sealed our blood bond, I wouldn't have been able to save myself." She pulled his head down and kissed him. "You didn't fail me. You saved me, amore mio."

  The love and faith she had in him was humbling. One of the shackles chaining him snapped. She'd saved him. Her love had saved him not once, but twice now. Another chain broke as he lowered his head and kissed her. It was a long, deep kiss that silently expressed how much he cherished her. And as his mouth slanted over hers, he knew he'd give way to her request. He'd already taken so much from her that couldn't be returned. Her life, her work. The only thing he had to offer her was his love, but he knew she'd need more than that. She was too intelligent not to need something else in her life. He raised his head and met her sultry gaze.

  "If I were to agree to what you asked--"

  "Oh thank you, cuore mio." She tugged his head back down to her and proceeded to rain kisses on his face.

  "Deus damno id, Emma, I didn't say I would."

  "But you're going to, aren't you?" She looked up at him with a sense of satisfaction. "I can see it in your eyes."

  "The only way I'll agree to this, Emma, is that I have your word you don't take any unnecessary risks," he said sternly.

  "There are no risks, amore mio, only opportunities," she said with a mischievous smile then laughed at his groan.

  "Why do I think this is one of the biggest mistakes I've ever made?"

  "Are you sure falling in love with me wasn't the biggest?" She smiled up at him knowing she would never tire of hearing him say he loved her.

  "That wasn't a mistake, carissima. Falling in love with you is the one thing I've done right where you're concerned."

  Ares tilted her head and kissed her long and deep. It was a caress filled with love, and her heart expanded with joy. Here in his arms she'd found a love to last a lifetime. A familiar, lazy heat slid through her limbs, and she eagerly parted her lips to let him explore the warmth of her mouth. The moment his tongue danced with hers, she caught the faint taste of cinnamon from the baked apples they'd had at lunch. It only increased the warmth of his fiery caress.

  Hard hands grasped her waist, and he tugged her close. It was a possessive embrace that said she was his. His to love and protect. When his mouth slid off hers to feather its way to her ear, she trembled. But when he nibbled at her earlobe, she was ready to melt because she recognized the intimate touch of his mind as he caressed her lightly all over her body.

  She released a small moan as that invisible, yet familiar, pressure stroked her sex. She was going to have to do something about that habit he had of teasing her to the point of distraction with simply his thoughts. Perhaps a dose of his own medicine? Maybe it would reassure him that she could take care of herself better than he thought.

  "Hungry?" she murmured as she arched back from him.

  "For you, always."

  "Then I know a place where I can do all kinds of wicked things to appease your appetite, amore mio," she whispered as she grabbed his hand and pulled him toward the stairs.

  In less than a minute, they were in their bedroom. As Ares closed the door behind them and turned to face her, she envisioned him pinned to the door. The moment his back pressed into the door, his eyes widened with surprise. She smiled with mischief as she used her mind to slowly slide his T-shirt up over his abdomen then up over his chest.

  His surprise gave way to pleasure as her tongue darted out past her lips, and she imagined licking at his nipples. It was easier than she thought to use her mind when it came to pleasing him. And she loved the power and control her ability gave her. Desire etched its way across his face and he sucked in a sharp hiss of air. Just seeing his need for her was exhilarating. Intent on teasing him as much as possible, she released her hold on him. He whipped his shirt over his head to toss it aside. The instant he stepped toward her, she immediately pushed him back against the door. This time he narrowed his eyes at her.

  "Are you trying to tell me something, carissima?" he asked in a casual manner, but she heard the underlying note of arousal beneath his question.

  "Possibly," she said with amusement as she moved toward him. "I seem to recall you saying that I'm a babe in the woods when it comes to my ability."

  She visualized the belt he wore coming undone, followed by the snap on his jeans popping open and the zipper sliding ever so slowly downward. As usual, he'd gone commando and a quiet noise of pleasure echoed out of him the minute his erection jutted forth in all its hard, thick maleness. Only a foot away from him, the sight of his aroused state sent her heart racing. The result was a slip in her concentration, and she almost missed his attempt to grab her. She quickly shook her head the minute he made his move and pictured his arms pressed against the door. With a satisfied smile, she met his frustrated gaze, delighted to see the desire and hunger in his stormy blue eyes.

  "Tch, tch, tch. I told you I was going to do wicked things to you, Ares DeLuca, and you didn't believe me."

  "If you're trying to prove you know how to control your ability, dolce mia, you've done that," he growled.

  "I'm not trying to prove anything, amore mio. But I do have to admit that I like being the one in control."

  She smiled up at him as she went down on her knees. The excitement and anticipation in his eyes said he was enjoying himself, and she watched him as her thoughts guided his jeans downward and off his body. When she'd finished, he stood naked, his back braced against the door. With only inches between him and her mouth, she blew a gentle breath over his hard erection. He released a soft groan.

  "Christus," he rasped. " Inamorato, I want you."

  She had to admit that she was enjoying herself almost as much as he was. Another smile curved her lips and she envisioned her tongue laving up the hard length of him. His entire body went rigid against the door. She blew on him again, before allowing her invisible touch to stroke his staff then circle around the cap of him.

  "Nam amor de Deus, Emma." His voice was rough and unsteady. " Carissima, please."

  "Shall I stop?"

  The mischief in her voice made him strain at the invisible bonds that held him pressed to the door. He groaned. "No, Christus, no."

  "I didn't think so."

  He
stared down at her as she resumed the exquisite torture she'd been inflicting on him for the last few minutes. Eyes closed, her forehead was furrowed in concentration. A fraction of a second later, his sacs drew up tight beneath his rod from the heat sliding over the top of his cock and then downward. It was as if she were really sucking on him. A groan rolled out of him.

  It was the most incredible sensation he'd ever experienced. Then he felt the warmth of her physical touch. Her hand enveloped him as she slid her body up against his. The invisible restraints holding his hands immobile slipped slightly, but not enough to capture her in his arms. In reality he knew he could use his ability to manipulate her as well, but he didn't want to. He was enjoying her playful control far more than anything else he'd ever done in his life.

  Her thumb stroked the top of him as her fingers tightened around him in a squeeze that was exquisitely pleasurable. She pumped her hand over him while her mouth worshiped his chest and then the base of his throat. Christus. He'd married a seductress of the first order. Her teeth nipped at the side of his neck before she suddenly pulled away from him.

  What the--if she thought she was going to just walk away without finishing this, she was going to learn a thing or two about Sicari males. With a growl, he broke one arm free of her hold. She'd put about three feet between them and was watching him with surprised amusement.

  "Are you sure you want to do that?" Her voice was husky with desire as she met his gaze.

  "What I want is you."

  "And I want you."

  The soft murmur promised untold pleasures as it filled his ears. It wasn't just an invitation--it was a proclamation that there was more in store for him. He tried again to free himself from her mental hold, but failed. There were few Sicari women with telekinetic powers, and to have a wife whose abilities almost matched those of a Sicari male was going to prove more provocative than he could ever imagine. Her gaze locking with his, she ran her hands down over her breasts, pausing briefly at her nipples to circle them with her fingertips.

  Enraptured, he didn't even try to move again as, one by one, she slowly undid the buttons on her blouse. The material parted slightly and revealed her black silk bra. The one with the lace in all the right spots. Deus, he loved seeing her in nothing but that black bra and panties. He swallowed hard. The woman had learned the art of torment well.

  The speed at which she undid her jeans and slipped them off her body would have lost a race with a snail. Black lace peeking out from under her shirt hugged her delicious thighs and clung to their apex with aching temptation.

  He was ready to explode. He couldn't deny he loved the fact that she was in control. It was the most arousing thing he'd ever experienced, but she'd made him so hot he didn't think he could hold out much longer, and what he wanted most was to be inside her. Joined with her so they were one.

  Her fingers drifted along the edges of the blouse and his mouth went dry. That's it, inamorato, take the shirt off. Take it off. As if she heard his thoughts, she smiled and shrugged out of the blouse. He barely noticed it fluttering to the floor, because his blood was thundering in his head as he stared at her. The black silk against her peach-colored skin was the most beautiful thing he'd ever seen. Bella e rotica.

  For a moment, he just stood there staring at her, completely oblivious to the fact that she'd freed him of her mental hold. A slow smile of temptation curved her lips as she crooked her finger and beckoned him to her. At the same time, the warmth of her thoughts caressed his cock with loving skill. His body tightened as one sensation after another slammed into him like a sledgehammer.

  A raw sound rumbled out of his chest, and in a flash of movement, she was lying on the bed beneath him. His hand slid up a silky thigh to the fragile lace panties. The surge of primitive heat raging through him made him snap the thin lace and tug it from underneath her. Hazel eyes widened with surprise before they narrowed to a sultry, come-hither look.

  He dragged in a sharp breath of need as he stared down at her. He'd never thought it possible to love a woman so deeply that giving her up was tantamount to giving up his soul. If she hadn't saved him that night in the Order's Council chambers, he would have never known what it meant to be truly alive.

  His palm slid across her thigh and came to rest at her apex, where he slid a finger into her slick folds. He watched her eyes flutter shut as he stroked her. Then, when he found the small nub of flesh hidden in her creamy depths, she arched her back with a soft cry of pleasure. In seconds, she climaxed. Deus, it had been good before, but today was something completely different.

  There was something unique about this experience. Maybe it was because he knew she'd finally come to accept her Sicari ability or perhaps it was the equal footing they were on now. Whatever it was, it was the best it had ever been between them. He lowered his head and pressed his mouth to the small indentation of her stomach.

  With careful deliberation, his mouth worked its way up to her breasts. She quivered against him, and he stared into her eyes as he closed his mouth over one breast and sucked at her nipple through the lace. The pleasure sweeping over her lovely face served only to heighten his enjoyment. Deus, she was beautiful.

  The fact that she loved him at all amazed him, but she did. She mewled with pleasure as he abraded her nipple with his teeth. His fingers unclasped her bra and it went the way of her panties. The moment there was nothing left between them, he opened the flood-gates. A powerful craving filled his limbs as his hands cupped her buttocks and he thrust deep into her. Hot and creamy, her folds contracted around him with a mind-numbing pleasure. He withdrew from her slowly, but her hips bucked in protest. Once more, he pressed deep into her with a leisurely stroke. She cried out her protest.

  "Oh God, Ares, please. Now. I need you now."

  The ragged plea pulled him over the edge into an abyss of pleasure. He answered her cry with one thrust after another, reveling in the sounds of her excited cries of passion. She climaxed first, sending ripple after ripple of sensation across his cock. He hadn't thought it could get better between them, but it had.

  "Deus, Emma," he rasped. With another shout, he plunged into her one more time and throbbed as her contractions milked him completely. He stayed arched above her for a long moment, enjoying the way her body fit his so seamlessly. His gaze swept over her sated expression, and when her eyes fluttered open, his heartbeat slowed to almost nothing at the love shining in her eyes. It humbled him in a way he'd never experienced before.

  "Ti amo, Emma. Ti amo con tutta l'anima," he said in a hoarse voice. He kissed her gently then shifted his body until he was on his side next to her.

  "I love you with all my heart, too."

  The quiet response made him trail his fingers across her cheek. He rolled onto his back, and with a happy sigh, Emma snuggled up against him. Her mouth trailed a small path across his side, while his fingers curled through her hair.

  He must have dozed a little while because the light outside had changed. The shadows indicated it was late in the afternoon. Nestled against him, Emma's arm lay draped across his chest.

  "Ares?"

  "Hmmm." He was half-awake, but the sound of her voice made his cock stir.

  "Are you awake?"

  "It depends on why you want me to be awake." Eyes still closed, he smiled at the memory of their last lovemaking session. She playfully slapped him.

  "Stop it," she said with a hint of laughter in her voice. "I'm trying to be serious."

  "About what?" It sounded like she intended to broach a delicate topic. She hesitated. That sealed it. Whatever she wanted, he was certain the Tyet of Isis was involved. He released a patient sigh. "What is it you really want, carissima?"

  She pushed herself upright, and he opened his eyes to look up at her, unable to help noting how beautiful her rose-tipped breasts were. "I thought we could picnic at the towers tomorrow."

  "That's all?" he asked with a skeptical arch of his eyebrows.

  "Well, I was going to save it for a
surprise, but I guess now's as good a time as any. Atia sent your sword back."

  "What?" He stared at her as she nodded slightly.

  "She said it had been in your family for such a long time, it seemed a shame to let it just rust in her office when you might need it for slaying dragons."

  "Praetorians she means." Deus help him. He wasn't sure who was going to be the death of him. His godmother or his wife. Still, the thought of having his Condottiere back sent a rush of pleasure through him. He couldn't deny having it back made him feel good. He arched his eyebrow at Emma, and she smiled with triumph.

  "So, since you have your sword back, I thought we might walk to the towers."

  "Okay, we'll walk." Relief swept through him. If all she wanted to do was go to the towers he could live with that. And with his old sword in hand, he felt even more confident in his ability to protect her. He groaned as he saw a mischievous twinkle suddenly sparkle in her beautiful eyes. "Now what?"