Healing Fire

by Angela Castle

  In two steps he stood before her. Sinking to his knees, he brushed aside her hands and took over. He lifted off her top, tossing it carelessly over his shoulder. The edge of his fingers grazed her stomach along the top of her pants. Warm hands explored her waist front to back before tunneling up to trace her spine to the clasp of her bra.

  "I may need some help with this."

  She inhaled and arched her back as his magical touch sent shivers of delight dancing through her body. The rough callused pads of his fingers were surprisingly gentle against her sensitized skin.

  Her chest heaved, making her breasts move in her simple white satin bra.

  "There are two small clasps at the back." She leaned in closer. Her hands itched to touch him.

  Heat pierced her fingertips as they climbed the smooth muscles of his six-pack. Oh god, he felt so good to touch.

  Along the top of her shoulder running down the side of her arm, he saw the first of her scars. He leaned forward kissing from the tip of her scar down her arm.

  Goosebumps broke out over her skin, the hotter she grew. She moaned softy at his reverent exploration.

  Fire swept across her body when the silky touch of his lips dipped along the edges of her bra. Damn. Her nipples thrust up against the confines, and all she could think about was getting naked and enjoying this hulk of a man.

  "Stand up." He pulled her hips forward off the bed and she eased to her feet. He grabbed the fabric of her pants and slid them down.

  She gasped, realizing he'd taken her panties down along with them.

  They pooled around her legs. He set her back on the bed and removed her pants and shoes, shoving them aside.

  His hand on her knee made her jerk as she glanced down to find him studying the hideous criss-cross of white and red scars from her knee up to along the side of her leg.

  "I was pinned in the seat for hours, they had to cut me out of the car. It then caught on fire…"

  He bent and kissed her knee. "There is nothing here I do not adore. You are more beauty than one man deserves. I burn for my Summer, my protected."

  He straightened and pushed her thighs wide, knowing he now gazed upon the evidence of her lust.

  Gently he cupped her face, gazing in to her eyes with concern. "Are you alright? Does your leg hurt?"

  "No, I'm fine, really. I can't bend my knee too far back though."

  He ran his hand up to cup her right breast through the fabric of the bra. "You will tell me if it hurts, or if anything I do brings you pain?" He smiled, his head dipping to steal a woefully brief kiss. "I only want to bring you pleasure. I will go slowly."

  Slow was going to kill her. Summer shook her head. "I want you, like I've never wanted anyone before. Please touch me, kiss me, and make me yours."

  His eyes sparkled with desire. The lines around his mouth softened into a warm sexy smile. God, did he have any idea how gorgeous he was?

  He responded by laying his hands on her shoulders to draw her close. She didn't need any coaxing to lift her mouth to his as he kissed her again.

  After brushing her lips with his, a lock of his dark hair fell forward, tickling the side of her brow. She reached up, pushed it aside and let her fingers glide through the fine strands. He bent to nibble her neck, his warm breath heating everything in its path and quickening her pulse into an erratic thump.

  She inhaled his natural, masculine scent. His hands left her shoulders; one rested on her hip, the other slowly meandering along her arm past her waist and came to rest on her ass. He pulled her against his erection tenting his pants, causing her whole body to quiver in response.

  It had been too long since she'd felt a man's touch. He traced the lines of her breast, slipped a finger along the bottom of the underwire and tugged, allowing her breast to spill into his eager hand. Obviously he'd ignored her earlier advice, but it didn't matter.

  "Perfect and beautiful, just as I imagined them to be."

  He pushed up the other side and stripped it off over her head; it landed with the rest of the pile of discarded clothing.

  Summer felt the heat rise into her cheeks at his words, and while her insides melted at his touch, she relished every delicious stroke of his hands against her skin. Everything about him--being in her room, in her bed and touching her--seemed right. Even kneeling before her, he was a force to be reckoned with. Wide shoulders, strong chest and lovely smooth skin. Arms so large and muscled he could easily crush her, but they were surprisingly gentle when he held her close.

  Her hungry gaze took in every inch of him. She saw the red marks the bear had left on his shoulder and older scars running down the side of his chest. One she hadn't noticed before. They looked more like claw scratch marks. She gingerly touched the scar.

  "How did you get these?"

  "Our last battle with the Drac," he said nonchalantly as he leaned in for another kiss.

  "They look painful." She pulled her hand away, not wanting to cause him any undue pain.

  "Scratches. They heal." He grabbed her hand, placing small kisses on her knuckles. He turned her palm over, pressing his lips into its center. His tongue traced circles down along her wrists, and her head started to spin. He inched closer to her on the bed.

  "Please don't hold back because of me. If it starts to hurt, I'll tell you. I promise."

  Her back hit the cool sheets and his fingers slipped between her folds. She bucked into him and rubbed her swollen clit against his palm. Melor withdrew his fingers and stripped off his pants before he pulled her closer, pushing her legs wider, setting himself between her open legs.

  The inside of her thighs were already slick with her own need, but with his cock so close to her, she gyrated her hips in frantic anticipation of what was to come.

  She glanced up. She couldn't get pregnant but still, she had some old condoms hidden in the back of her side drawer.

  "Protection?" she managed to whisper.

  "With my life, my lady."

  Summer sucked in a ragged breath through her teeth as he entered her fully with one deep thrust, pushing aside her unused inner walls. He was large and thick, causing her to moan as she dangled on the precipice of almost pain. All thoughts scattered at the feeling imbedded deeply within her, forcing her to simply feel.

  He paused to savor their flesh against flesh melded together. This was what she needed, for him to take her and make her feel alive with burning passion. No longer the grieving crippled widow, he made her feel whole and worthy of life.

  His breath as quick as hers, he started to move within her, making her back arch and her fists clench the sheets under her. His hand skimmed down her arms until her found her hands, pushing them up bedside her head threading, his fingers through hers. Holding her steady with each powerful stroke, he leaned forward to take a hardened bud of her nipple between his teeth.

  She cried out at the dual pleasure coursing through her. The man above her arms was filled with power and strength, but in his eyes she saw his vulnerability and tenderness hidden behind his warrior visage.

  She inhaled his scent. His raw passion for her and the moment at hand melted her heart along with her body.

  His mouth moved to her neglected breast, sucking in time with his hard thrusts. It was all it took for her to peak. Her back arched, her body trembling with her potent climax.

  He clenched his jaw and shuddered as she writhed beneath his powerful body, her fingers tightening on his, tugging him closer as she quivered. Fast and frantic he moved to reach his pinnacle until he gave a deep guttural groan and collapsed beside her.

  He pulled her into his arms, whispering her name until he was breathless, sending waves of delightful shiver straight to her heart.

  Chapter Nine

  Little specks of dust floated through the air on beams of morning sunlight peeking its way through the blinds of Summer's bedroom.

  She blinked, drawing in a deep breath as her mind slowly awakened. She frowned in confusion.

  What was she doing sleepi
ng on the left side of the bed instead of her usual right side?

  Heat pressing along her naked back gave her the first clue, along with the warm masculine breath tickling the back of her neck. She wiggled a little, only to find a strong arm banded around her middle.

  Memories of last night came flooding back. A smile spread over her lips.

  Melor's arm shifted along with the pattern of his breathing. His hand slid up to cup her breast, molding it into his palm before his fingers brushed over her hardening nipple, rolling it between his fingertips and squeezing gently.

  Summer inhaled on a gasp and exhaled on a low moan as instant heat shot through her body. Her hips jerked back against his hard erection nestled in the crack of her ass cheeks.

  "Good morning, my lady," he whispered, his deep rumbling tone making her quiver with delight. He licked the shell of her ear before sucking her lobe into his mouth and lightly biting.

  Her lower belly clenched as her juices slicked her channel and her clit pulsed in need.

  Molten pleasure overrode the dull aching in her side and knee. His hand left her breast, coasting lower across her stomach down between the junction of her thighs.

  His thick finger slipped between her slicked folds, expertly finding her swelling nub, stroking it. She groaned and panted, her hips jerking back against his cock in a silent plea. She needed him to stroke her faster.

  His right arm slipped under her side until she was cradled completely in his arms yet still on their side. He took hold of her right breast, caressing the sensitized flesh as he mouth-teased and kissed the skin at the nape of her neck.

  His hard cock rubbed along her ass as he continued to manipulate her clit; her moans of delight grew louder the closer she came to release.

  Suddenly his hand left her heat. She growled her disapproval. She was so close to coming.

  A soft chuckle vibrated against her back.

  "Do you wish to come, my lady?"

  "Yes, please, Melor, please."

  "Not until I'm inside you." He gripped her right leg, pushing it slightly forward, so not to cause her any undue discomfort, giving him better access to connect the head of his cock with the mouth of her sex.

  He pushed forward as his hand pressed against her stomach to pull her back, impaling her on his hard length. Her eyes rolled back into her head at the sheer bliss of having him imbedded deeply inside of her. Their flesh melded together, making them one.

  Within a few strong strokes, the sudden climax slammed through her body; she cried out with the force, her every nerve ending zinging and tingling in delight.

  Melor's pace became frantic as he thrust faster, his breathing ragged as he strived to reach his own bliss, prolonging her own climax.

  He shuddered and groaned loudly, shouting her name as he came. He pulled from her heat and slumped onto his back. She rolled onto her front and he pulled her back into his arms.

  They lay in post sexual contentment as their heart rates and breathing slowly began to calm.

  Reality sank back in as the throbbing in her leg grew. Summer gritted her teeth. Her once lax muscles tensed against the pain now overriding everything else.

  "You need your potions." Melor's chest rumbled as he spoke.

  "I'm sorry. I didn't want to ruin the moment."

  "Do not apologize, my lady. It was thoughtless of me to take advantage of you before seeing to your needs first."

  She propped her chin on his chest, admiring the handsome face, gazing into his dark sexy eyes.

  "I thought you just did see to my needs." She flashed him her best seductive grin. She pressed her lips against his upper abdomen, smiling in delight when she felt his muscles contract under her lips.

  She shifted a little higher splaying her fingers over his, exploring every dip and hollow as she flicked her tongue over his dark flat masculine nipple. A thrill ran through her when he groaned, running his hand up through her ruffled hair. Knowing she could affect him as much as he did her.

  "Have care, my lady, or I may not be able to control what happens next."

  She smiled. A new sense of freedom and belonging settled around her. Lying in Melor's arms felt wonderful; it felt right.

  No guilt lingered over their night and morning of lovemaking. She got the sense that Tyler would want her to be happy and move on with her life. Right here and now, for the first time in three years, she actually felt content.

  The sharp twinge pain shot through her right leg making her gasp. If not for her constant pain, and the fact Melor still thought himself an alien, life would be pretty darn perfect.

  He shifted, gently moving her aside. She turned over as Melor shoved away the sheets, rolling out of bed. His gaze searched the room.

  "Your potions?"

  "In my side drawer."

  She took in the delicious view of Melor's naked body as he bent to yank open the drawer and pull out a little orange bottle, handing it to her.

  She unscrewed the cap and fished out two pills, accepting the glass of water. The bed dipped under his weight as he sat down, leaning across to grip her shoulder and lift her higher. He placed a few pillows behind her back. She smiled gratefully before threw back her meds and swallowed down the water.

  He took the empty glass, setting it aside. He frowned in concern, reaching out to brush a stray strand of hair from her face.

  "Thank you. The painkillers will start working in a short while."

  "You have no need to thank me. It is my duty to care for you now."

  "Your duty?"

  His lips twitched up in a smile, showcasing his dimples. He lifted her right hand, the gold and gems set into the bracelet gleamed and sparkled in the sunlight.

  "When you accepted this, you promised to be mine. I take my duty seriously, which is why I must insist on you coming to L.A city. It makes my heart ache to see your suffering when I know I can help you."

  "And if I refuse?"

  "Then I will care for you the best I can here. I'll not leave you, nor Blossom. I will be here for you both, always."

  The leap from sex to always was a little unsettling.

  "Melor, don't you think this is moving a little too fast. Maybe we should…"

  A soft knock sounded at the door. "Mom, Melor?"

  "Oh cripes, it's Blossom. Quick, put some pants on!"

  "Aye, my lady." He snatched the pants off the floor, giving her a view of the most perfect ass she'd seen on a man. Was there anything of Melor's body that wasn't perfect? She sincerely doubted it.

  Summer gripped the sheet, tugging it up over her breasts. "Come in, baby."

  Blossom swung open the door, a big smile on her face as she bounded into the room and straight up to Melor. He caught her as she jumped into his arms.

  "Good morning, Melor." She kissed his cheek.

  "Good morning, little Blossom." He grinned, planting a kiss on her cheek.

  Summer smiled at the pair.

  He turned Blossom round to sit her on the bed. She threw her arms around her mother.

  "Now Melor is sleeping in your room, does that mean he's gonna be my new daddy?"

  Summer inwardly winced. "Baby, just because two grown-ups sleep in the same room doesn't mean…"

  "Yes, I am honored to be your new father."

  Summer glared at Melor, not only for cutting her off but for assuming she would simply accept him as a permanent fixture. Yes, they had great sex, but a full on relationship was a big step.

  "Melor, I think we should talk about this…" She smiled, trying not to show her annoyance at his assumption in front of Blossom.

  "Why tell lies?" Melor leaned over and took Blossom out of her arms. "I am here to stay. I told you that, and I am always a man of my word. Now, Blossom, I do believe we have new boxes of Fruit Loops."

  Summer groaned as he carried Blossom out of the bedroom. What the hell was she going to do now? She shook her head. She didn't want him to leave, but at the same time she wanted to know who he really was. She sighed, resting ba
ck on her pillows, knowing what she had to do.

  ~ * ~

  "There are two weeks left of summer holidays, perhaps we can take a road trip," Summer announced as she finished her toast.

  Her plan was simple; if Melor wanted to be a part of their lives, then it was up to her to learn all she could about him. If he wanted to go to L.A so damn much, then maybe there she would find the truth about who he really was.

  Apart from being sweet, protective and fantastic in bed, there had to be more to him other than his crazy stories about a land called Kell.