by Anna Hackett
She made a sound, and then shoved hard against his chest. Blaine stumbled back, and when she hit him again, he fell backward onto the mats.
She was on him in an instant, her strong body straddling him. Her mouth was on his again, hard enough to bruise. Blistering heat shot straight to Blaine’s cock, making him so hard it hurt.
He heaved his body upward, and they rolled across the mats. She fought, trying to get back on top. Blaine growled and managed to tear her shirt open. Her breasts were high and firm, with dark nipples that right now were perfect hard points. They rolled again. He managed to pin her beneath him, pressing his hard cock against her.
He pulled back enough to stare hungrily at her breasts. “Can you feel how much I want you, Saff?”
“Yes. It feels hot and hungry.”
Her torso was perfectly formed, and as he shifted his hands to cup the sweet curves of her breasts, she took advantage. She bucked hard, and Blaine was once again on his back.
Teeth nipped at his chest and he jerked upward. She moved, her teeth sinking into his flesh.
He grabbed a handful of her braids. She was smiling at him. Little witch. If she liked it rough, she’d get rough.
They wrestled again, and this time, Blaine did some biting of his own—those gorgeous breasts, her hard, flat belly. He pinned her down and ripped her trousers away. Finally, she was naked and spread out just for him. He delved a hand between her strong thighs and she moved shamelessly against him.
“You like that?” he growled, sliding a finger inside her.
“Yes!”
He pumped another finger inside her tight warmth, thumb moving through her folds. Saff didn’t have a clit like an Earth woman. He moved his fingers inside her, curling them a little. He took his time, smiling to himself, watching emotions cross her stunning face. Suddenly, her hips bucked upward. Ah, there’s the spot.
Blaine rolled again and pulled her up over him. He saw a startled look on her face. Then he settled her thighs on either side of his head and he saw faint color in her cheeks.
“I’m going to eat you until you come.”
She licked her lips. “I hate a cocky lover.”
“Then I’d better put my money where my mouth is.” He smiled, his hands sinking into her thighs. “Earth saying. Or maybe I should say put my mouth where my mouth needs to be.”
“Yes,” she hissed.
“Christ, you’re drenched. All for me.” He smelled her scent—a sweet, musky scent. He froze. God. “I can smell you, Saff.”
She gasped. “You can?”
“My sense of smell is returning.” He lifted his head and grinned. “I can smell you and it is so good.” He put his mouth on her, devouring. She tasted good, too. He licked at her before stabbing his tongue inside to find that secret spot. With each deliberate lick and dip of his tongue, she moved above him.
Her cries filled the room and he needed the sound of them. He needed the taste and feel of her. Right here, everything was perfect.
She was rocking her hips against him, her shoulders back and breasts bobbing gently. With another savage thrust of his tongue, her orgasm hit her. Her thighs tightened on his head and she screamed, the force of her release rocking her body.
Blaine rolled over, until she was sprawled on her back on the mats. His own desire beat inside him, loud and insistent. He’d never seen a more beautiful and wanton sight than a naked and well-pleasured Saff.
But reality crept back in as he watched her. She was smiling, her eyes closed, but there was blood smeared across her collarbone, and faint bruises forming on her skin. Marks in the same shape as his fingers and teeth.
Blaine reared back.
He’d never been rough with a woman. He’d always known he was bigger and stronger, and even during sex, he exerted all his control.
He scrambled to his feet and backed away from her.
Saff rose up on her knees, swiping blood from her mouth. Her brow knitted. “Blaine?”
“I’m a monster.” His gaze dropped to the bruises forming on her breasts. “You’re covered in blood and bruises.”
“I liked it.” She held out her hand. “I’m not breakable, and I gave as good as I got. You have a few bruises, too.”
He just shook his head.
“Actually, you gave and I enjoyed. I’d very much like to taste you, now.”
Blaine’s cock jumped, but he took another step backward.
Saff stood, seemingly unconcerned that she was naked. She took a careful step toward him. “Blaine, I loved it. A lot. Didn’t you hear me scream your name?”
He tried to process her words, but everything was swirling inside him, beating hard like a drum, crashing and banging. He felt like he did after a shot of the drugs the Srinar had given him—confused, out of control.
“I didn’t want to hurt you,” he murmured. “I don’t know who I am anymore.”
“You are who you choose to be,” she said. “And I like you, Blaine, as you are. Even though I know you’re struggling to sort things out. I want to fuck you, suck you, kiss you.”
It was so tempting. The oblivion he wanted was right in front of him. He was so turned on by the image of driving himself inside her body, losing himself inside her.
But just like the fights, he knew he’d wake up and have to deal with the aftermath.
He shook his head. “I’m on edge. I…I don’t want to hurt you.”
She let out a quiet sigh. “Okay.”
“I need to keep training. I need to be ready for the fight.” He needed this fight, to hammer this horrible darkness out of his blood.
Suddenly, Saff’s face went blank. She clasped her hands in front of her. “About that…”
He frowned at her, “What? I’m fighting. I need it.”
“Galen hasn’t included you in the fight tonight, Blaine.”
“What? Why?”
Saff drew in a deep breath. And in that instant, he knew. “You told him I was out of control.”
“It was on my recommendation, yes. Since what happened in the desert…I can sense you have some stuff to work through before you step back out on the sand.”
He let out a vicious curse, betrayal cutting through him like a knife.
“Blaine.” She held her hand out to him. “I only want what’s best for you. I don’t want you to get anyone else killed. I don’t want you to kill yourself.”
He let out a rage filled-roar, then spun and stomped out.
Chapter Seven
Saff lowered her spear, letting the rumble of the crowd around her echo in her ears.
The House of Galen had won the battle in a hard fight against a good house. The House of Rone was a strong ally of the House of Galen, and always provided a good challenge in the arena.
She tossed her braids over her shoulder and took a breath. She should be humming with energy. Instead, she was worried about Blaine.
He’d avoided her for most of the afternoon, and she hadn’t seen him before the fight. She thought back to that moment in the gym, his hard, callused hands on her skin. His clever mouth moving between her legs until she’d shattered.
Drak, the man hadn’t just driven her to the edge, he’d catapulted her over it. No man had ever done that before.
She sensed someone come up beside her on the sand and turned her head. It was one of the House of Rone gladiators. Calix was smooth and handsome, not a scar on his sculpted body. He was also a hell of a staff fighter.
“Saff, are you free tonight?” There was a glint in his eye. “I was thinking a private party.”
She and Calix had enjoyed a tussle before. He was a fun, energetic bed partner. But right now, she didn’t feel a flicker of interest. “No.”
“Do you already have plans?” Calix reached out and touched her shoulder with a gentle skim of fingers. “I can meet you later.”
Saff lifted her head and looked toward the stands and the House of Galen seats. Her gaze locked with Blaine’s. He was sitting beside Rory, Madeline, an
d Regan, and was staring at her.
“No,” she said to Calix again.
The gladiator followed her gaze. “Ah.” With surprise on his face, he dropped his hand. “The great Saff Essikani is taken.”
Saff made a scoffing noise. “Run along, Calix.”
“Never thought I’d see the day.” He shot her a smile and jogged off.
When she looked back at the stands, Blaine was gone. She sighed and followed Raiden and the others back to the showers at the House of Galen. In the open shower room, steam billowed.
She knew that there were many women who envied Saff the chance to watch the House of Galen gladiators strip off their fighting leathers and step naked under the water. But seriously, the men were all like brothers to her. She didn’t see the sleek muscles and ripped abs. Well, mostly…
As she let the water pound over her head and wash the sweat away, all she could see was Blaine’s hardened body.
“We have a party to get to,” Thorin called out from under the neighboring showerhead. “I’m ready to drink and kiss my woman.”
Raiden lifted one arm, soaping down his side. “It’s just a small party with the House of Rone.”
Harper was under the next shower. “Can’t say I feel much like celebrating.”
Drak, Saff understood. Any thought of the women or her confrontation with Blaine made her stomach churn.
“At least we don’t have to worry about explosions or betrayal,” Lore said.
No. The alliance between Magnus Rone, Imperator of the House of Rone, and Galen, was solid.
The party would be a good way for the House of Galen to let off some steam after everything that had happened. Although, most of the men had women now, and Kace had even gotten Rory pregnant. Saff knew her fight partner was feeling extra protective and territorial about his lover. She shook her head. It appeared their wild partying days were now behind them, since the men had all gone and fallen in love.
Love…Saff had seen her mother’s version of love. She wanted nothing to do with it.
She flicked the shower off and grabbed a drying cloth. After she’d dried off, she found her outfit left for her by the house staff. She slithered into a clean set of fighting leathers, topped with a black leather halter top decorated with studs. It was one of her favorites.
Together with the others, she headed up to the living quarters. As soon as she stepped inside, she spotted Madeline bustling to and fro, organizing things for the party. Saff shook her head. The woman was always organizing something. Lore made a beeline for Madeline. He’d gone a long way to easing the woman’s tension, and she was starting to relax in her new home.
Saff grabbed a drink, scanning the room. No sign of Blaine.
Soon, the party filled with people. There were several mid-level gladiators, House of Rone guests, and even a few arena flutterers. Saff talked to friends and kept an eye on the crowd.
She spotted Galen—wearing his usual black—standing beside a tall, muscled man. Magnus Rone, the Imperator of the House of Rone. The man cut almost as imposing a figure as Galen. But where Galen was a force of nature, Rone was something very different—he was a cyborg.
His dark hair was shaved short and while he was a little taller than Galen, he was a few years younger. His left arm was made entirely of silver metal and she’d heard rumors that his legs were mechanical as well. When he turned, she saw his strong face—with high cheekbones, well-shaped mouth, and one eye that glowed a neon blue. People eyed Rone with one part fascination and one part fear. Saff always felt cautious around the man since he didn’t give off a single emotion she could sense.
Finally, the crowd parted and she saw Blaine. He was nursing what looked like an ale, but even across the room, she felt the tension radiating off him. He was wearing a crisp, white shirt that looked gorgeous on his skin, and black trousers. He stared at her, his eyes stormy, and lifted his drink to take a long swallow. Her gaze fell to his strong throat.
Saff was filled with conflicting emotions. For the first time ever, she wanted to comfort a man, to soothe his pain, and she wasn’t even sure how to go about it. And right now, she wasn’t even sure he’d welcome it.
Suddenly, a pretty flutterer flitted up to Blaine, leaning in close. The woman wasn’t much bigger than an Earth woman, and wore a wispy scrap of pink fabric, and had a fall of blonde-and-blue-streaked hair. He looked down at the woman, and whatever she said made him smile.
Saff felt a kick to her gut. It was a full smile. Not the tiny tweaks of lips she’d gotten from him.
He said something and the flutterer threw her head back and laughed.
Something in Saff snapped. She set her drink down and stomped over to them. “Go.”
The flutterer looked startled, then pouted, and opened her mouth—
Saff bared her teeth. “Go. Now.”
With a huff, the woman turned and stormed off in a cloud of scented perfume.
Saff glared at Blaine. “I don’t play games.”
“No, you just went behind my back and got me taken out of the fight.”
She leaned in close, pushing against his anger. He was wearing some sort of woodsy scent that suited him. “To protect you.”
“I don’t need protection. I’m the champion of the underground fight rings, remember?” His voice was bitter.
“Your head isn’t in the right space.”
He leaned down, his nose brushing hers. “You calling me crazy? Or just an animal?”
His mouth was a whisper from hers. She felt the heat pumping off him. “Stop the careless risks.”
A muscle ticked in his cheek. “I can’t regain my control, my discipline. No matter how hard I try. I thought you understood—”
She pressed a palm to his chest, feeling the heat of his skin through his white shirt. “I do. But you’re trying to be who you once were, and that man is gone, Blaine. You need to embrace who you are now.” His big body vibrated and she saw denial in his dark eyes. “Do you want to find Dayna, Mia, and Winter?”
“Yes. But I need to be who I was before.”
“And pretend nothing happened to you?” She lowered her voice, her finger toying with the fastenings on his shirt. “You can do better than this.”
The muscle in his jaw ticked. “Maybe I should let loose and really enjoy the party.”
Drak, he was so stubborn. She stepped back. “You want to fuck a pretty little flutterer? If that helps, then go for it.” She waved a hand. “I’m not wasting my time anymore.”
She turned away, but a second later, a big body crowded in behind hers, forcing her forward. He sank a hand into her braids, hard enough to sting her scalp. Saff checked the urge to jam her elbow back into his gut and take him down.
He maneuvered them out a doorway and onto the balcony, pushing her all the way to the end until they were swallowed by shadows. He didn’t seem to notice the view of the sparkling city spread out before them, or the bright sprinkle of stars in the night sky.
He spun her, and tugged her head back. “I want you so much it’s driving me over the edge.” His voice was guttural.
“So take me.”
Torment crossed his face. “I…don’t want to hurt you. Before—”
“A few scratches and bruises don’t even rate on the injury scale, Blaine. I liked what we did in the gym. I wish you’d get that through your thick head.”
“I have this…darkness inside me.”
Her poor Earth man. “We all do. Everyone in the arena does.” She hooked a leg around his hip and leaned forward. She sank her teeth into his chest until he grunted. She liked the wet patch she left on his shirt. “Let it loose. I’ll help you deal with it.”
With a growl, he leaned down, his breath on her lips.
A discreet cough echoed softly in the darkness. “Sorry to interrupt. I seem to be making a habit of that.”
Saff let out a shaky breath and looked over Blaine’s broad shoulder. Galen stood there, hands in his pockets, a cool look on his face.
Blaine stiffened and turned, Saff’s leg slipping off him. “The women? You have their location?”
“Perhaps.” Galen’s single pale-blue eye was stormy. “Rillian called me. He’s the owner of the Dark Nebula Casino in the District, and an ally. He’s well-connected, and knows a lot of people across Kor Magna. He also owns a lot of property.”
Galen paused for a second, and Saff knew her imperator well enough to know that what he had to tell them wasn’t good.
“G? What’s happened?” She gripped Blaine’s arm.
“The body of a very small woman was found in one of Rillian’s warehouses on the outskirts of the city.”
Blaine went stiff. Saff closed her eyes and gripped him tighter. Oh, no.
***
Blaine kept all his thoughts and emotions locked down as their group headed toward the outskirts of the city. The gladiators kept a tight formation, Raiden and Galen in the lead. Everyone’s hands rested on the hilts of their weapons.
Kor Magna felt like a different place in the darkness. There were lots of people headed into the well-lit streets of the District, but here, it was more industrial. By his guess, they weren’t far from Varus’ stables. Most of the buildings here were large warehouses, and every now and then, he spotted movements in the shadows.
Why the hell would the Srinar bring the women out here? God. A part of Blaine prayed that it wasn’t one of their women they’d find out here tonight.
“Galen.”
A smooth, liquid voice came out of the darkness. A tall man stepped out of the shadows.
He was wearing a dark suit with a snowy-white shirt beneath, and his dark hair brushed his shoulders. Blaine recognized someone at ease with wealth and giving orders, but something about the way the man moved said he was just as comfortable in the shadows.
“Rillian.” Galen clasped hands with the man. “Thanks for getting in touch.”
The casino owner inclined his head. “I wish it was under better circumstances.” Rillian led them toward a huge stone warehouse. A team of black-suited security guards stood nearby, laser pistols holstered at their hips.