The next round brought them in closer and he managed to land a blow that knocked Cardiff to the mat. Now they were even. But she leaped back to her feet and executed a flip and roll maneuver worthy of an Olympic gymnast. It ended with him on the ground with his left arm pinned behind his back. He used his legs to disengage her grip and regain his footing.
The back and forth continued, each scoring a blow only to have the other follow it up with an effective counterattack. Sweat rolled like tears down his forehead but he didn’t dare try to swipe it away. She’d be on him in a heartbeat. Her own face was fairly dry, no doubt because her acrobatics flung most of her sweat onto the mat. Their combined exertions had made the surface slick in spots.
The sound of their breathing filled the air between them as they circled each other. She made a movement to her left and he started to counter but paused when he saw her wince slightly and pull up just a bit. It was incredibly subtle, something most people wouldn’t notice, but he was trained to notice. She had a weakness in her left leg. If he exploited it, he could get the upper hand.
He anticipated her attack from her right side and was in perfect position to counter it, bringing his body in alignment so that he could deliver a powerful blow to her left leg. To his surprise, she didn’t collapse as he’d expected her to. Instead, she tucked and rolled before kicking out with the supposedly weak left leg. She sent him sprawling to the mat.
As he regained his feet, he stared at her in shock.
Her tight smile indicated he’d been had. “Don’t believe everything you see, Ellis.”
She’d set him up, and he’d fallen for it. She’d bruised his professional pride, but she’d also reinforced his resolve to win the match. “I’ll remember that.”
The intensity of the battle kicked up a notch, and Cade’s focus narrowed to one thought…bringing Cardiff down.
He held that focus as the relentless back and forth continued, right up until the moment Cardiff crossed directly in front of Aurora. His brain registered the expression on Aurora’s face, drawing him out of his tunnel vision. The last time he’d seen her looking at him that way, they’d both been naked.
His body reacted to the heat in her gaze at the exact moment a blow struck his midsection, knocking the wind from his lungs and driving him onto the mat. Cardiff pounced, holding him completely immobile. Tension and little stabs of pain pushed against his shoulder socket, alerting him that Cardiff could dislocate his shoulder if she chose to. But it was what she whispered in his ear that really caught his attention.
“Watch yourself, Ellis.” Her tone was cooler than a glacier. “If you break her heart, I’ll silence yours.”
His heart didn’t care for that threat. It banged against his ribcage as she briefly tightened her hold before releasing him. If he’d had any doubt as to the sincerity of her words, the lethal steel he saw in her brown eyes erased it.
He held her gaze as he rose off the mat and rolled his shoulders. He’d always considered Clarek the deadliest member of Aurora’s crew. He wasn’t so sure anymore.
“You two should give a master class at the Academy someday,” Aurora said as they walked off the mat. “That was incredible.”
A quick glance into her eyes revealed the fire still burned, though he saw concern, too.
“I’ve never faced a more skilled opponent.” Cade accepted the defeat as graciously as his pride would allow. And he meant it. He wasn’t one hundred percent convinced he would have won even without the distraction had Aurora presented.
The coolness had left Cardiff’s expression. With her warning delivered, she appeared to have returned to her normal demeanor. “Neither have I.” She held his gaze. “Sparring with you on a regular basis would take my skills to a whole new level.”
“And would pretty much ruin any chance I have of beating either of you.” Aurora studied them, her expression puzzled. She must have picked up on Cardiff’s emotional shift during the match, which was at odds with the behavior they were both exhibiting now. “Though after what I just saw, a win for me might never have been on the table to begin with.”
Cardiff smiled. “Maybe not. But the challenge with you is that you never give up. You can accomplish a lot with that kind of attitude. Even defeat a more skilled opponent.”
“Always dangling the branch of hope,” Aurora said with a small smile.
Cade caught Cardiff’s gaze. “I’d like a second chance sometime.”
A subtle smirk told him she understood the double meaning behind his words. Her past behavior indicated she respected him, and might even approve of a relationship between him and Aurora. After all, she hadn’t warned him off like Clarek would have. She’d just made it clear that, when it came to Aurora’s wellbeing, a misstep on his part would not be tolerated.
“Looking forward to it.” She grabbed a towel from the rack near the door. “See you two later,” she called out as she exited the room.
A small frown creased Aurora’s forehead as she glanced at the closed door. But her expression changed as her gaze met his. “That was impressive.”
Heat flickered in her emerald eyes, and his breath caught. “Glad you enjoyed it.”
“Unless you’re ready to call it a night, I have a few things I’d like to discuss with you.” The intensity in her gaze went up a notch. “In a more private setting. Would you mind joining me in the conference room for a little while?”
He’d never wanted to yell hallelujah so badly in his life. But somehow he managed to keep his tone casual, like they were discussing the weather. “Of course.”
CHAPTER FIFTY-SEVEN
WATCHING Cade spar with Celia had flipped all of Aurora’s switches, turning her into a walking searchlight. She’d always enjoyed watching his skill and agility against an opponent, and his talents had grown considerably since the Academy. She’d been tantalized by the strength and beauty of his body in motion. The way he and Celia had battled had been as much about their mental prowess as their physical abilities, and his focused intensity had been hypnotic.
The lift doors parted on the command deck, the textured walls giving the impression of stepping into the forest that surrounded the Clarek compound. The planked pathways added to the illusion, winding in curving lines that led to Kire’s cabin to the right and the double doors of the conference room to the left. Her cabin wasn’t visible from the lift, but the pathway followed the curve of the corridor to the right and ended at her door.
Rather than heading for her cabin, she followed the curve to the left. The conference room doors swung open as she approached.
“We’re really going to the conference room?” Cade’s voice indicated his surprise, and more than a little disappointment.
She glanced over her shoulder. “I have a few things I want to clarify before things get…out of hand.” Although one look into his sea-green eyes raised her temperature to the boiling point.
The doors closed silently, sealing them in together. She’d never considered the conference room, with its massive circular table and carved wood chairs, as an intimate space. But as Cade moved closer, it suddenly felt as confining as a broom closet.
“What did you want to clarify?” His voice made her whole body tingle.
She cleared her throat. “I don’t want any misunderstandings. Our situation lately has been…complicated.”
“Agreed.”
“And it’s not likely to get any easier.”
“Also true.”
Talking wasn’t easy right now, either. The intensity of his gaze felt like a caress. She had an overwhelming urge to grab hold of him, sink her fingers into the silky softness of his hair and taste the fullness of his lips. But finishing this discussion was important. “I can’t make any promises.”
A touch of wariness shadowed his eyes. “Okay.”
“And I don’t want you to make any, either.”
Frown lines bracketed his mouth and he shifted away from her, creating physical and emotional distance. “Are you say
ing you’re looking for meaningless recreation?”
The idea obviously bothered him. Good. It bothered her, too. Their relationship had never been the kind that would allow for a casual fling. The attraction was too strong, the emotions they generated together too powerful. That’s why she wanted all the cards on the table.
She laid her hand on his forearm. “No. If we do this, it’s going to mean something to me. Maybe more than I realize. And I want it to mean something to you, too.”
His muscles flexed beneath her fingers and the heat returned to his gaze. “It will.”
Her heart thumped in response. At least they were clear on that. “But we both have a lot of responsibilities right now. And a lot of uncertainty.”
“True.”
“I don’t want to make promises I can’t keep.” She stroked her thumbnail across the fabric of his sleeve and his breathing changed. “But I also want to be open to all…possibilities.”
CHAPTER FIFTY-EIGHT
THAT WAS EXACTLY what he wanted to hear.
Aurora’s fumbling words had sprung the latch on his emotional lockbox. When combined with the temptation of her parted lips and the sultry look in her eyes, he was a goner.
His lips touched down on hers, brushing softly as electrical currents raced through his body, warming him in a way only she could. He shifted the angle and delved deeper, settled in for what was quickly becoming a truly excellent kiss.
She twined her arms around his neck, pulling him closer. But it was the touch of her energy field that drove him insane. It created instant full-body contact, more intimate and intense than anything he’d experienced with other women. This was one of Aurora’s gifts, and it belonged to her alone.
The soothing warmth caressed his skin while her lips and tongue set him on fire. He’d been dreaming about this during the long weeks on Burrow, craving it like water in the desert. But he’d never imagined his fantasy would unfold while standing in the Starhawke’s conference room.
She nipped at his bottom lip, setting off fireworks as she eased back and looked deeply into his eyes.
“Tell me what you want from me,” she murmured.
Something flickered in her gaze, and she tensed slightly. He paused, alerted by the subtle change. She wasn’t asking an idle question. He didn’t dare give a flippant answer.
He took several slow breaths to clear his passion-soaked brain as much as possible with her energy field continuing to caress him. He needed to consider his answer. His future might depend on it.
And that’s when he realized he already knew the answer.
Cradling her face in his hands, he gazed into her eyes. “I want whatever you’re willing to give me, Rory.”
Her breath hitched and her eyes widened. Apparently he’d surprised her.
“Rory. You haven’t called me that since…” She swallowed. “Since the last time we…” Once again she trailed off, but her gaze grew hotter than a volcano.
CHAPTER FIFTY-NINE
NO ONE HAD EVER CALLED her Rory except Cade. Hearing that name evoked a very specific reaction from her on an emotional, mental and physical level. Her body craved him with the heat of an O class star, and her heart was willing to make a leap of faith, at least for the short term.
Rational thought fled. It was time to move to a more appropriate setting. She clasped Cade’s hand. “Come with me.” She led him out of the room and down the pathway to her door.
“I’ll follow you anywhere.”
The comment made her tremble. His husky tone promised a night of pleasure, but her empathic senses picked up on the underlying emotions. There was more than just lust behind his words. How much more, she couldn’t say.
The door to her cabin was a masterpiece of woodcarving that had been crafted by one of Jonarel’s uncles. It depicted a family of hawks soaring on the wind, their wings spread wide. Normally she took a moment to admire the carving when she entered her cabin, but tonight she ignored it completely. As soon as the door swung wide, she hauled Cade inside and turned into his arms.
“What is it about you?” She pulled his head down and made contact with his lips. Finally.
His intensity matched hers. He eliminated the space between them as his arms locked around her. He broke the kiss and began nipping his way down her throat. “You tell me.”
His hands stroked along her back to the band holding her braid. As he slipped it free, he used his fingers to comb through the interlocking strands so they framed her face. She shuddered. He was treating her like a present, one he was taking great pleasure in unwrapping. Much more of this and they wouldn’t make it to her sleeping nook. She’d drag him down onto the floor.
“You drive me insane.”
His chuckle was full of manly pride. “Is that a bad thing?”
“Not right now.”
She allowed her hands to explore, becoming re-acquainted with the texture of his sculpted physique. At twenty-one, he’d had a nice body, but her memories paled in comparison to the tactile pleasure of running her hands over the well-developed muscles crafted by his ten years with the Elite Unit. Apparently he enjoyed the sensations as well, because a groan escaped his lips.
Then he put those gorgeous muscles to good use as he scooped her up in his arms and carried her to where her bed nook awaited.
“How do you seem to know what I want before I do?” she whispered as he lowered her to the mattress.
His smile was sexy as hell. “Maybe because I pay attention.”
Oh, did he ever.
CHAPTER SIXTY
SOMEONE WAS CALLING HIS NAME.
Cade squeezed his eyes shut. He didn’t want to wake up. He’d had the most incredible dream featuring Aurora, and he wasn’t ready to let it go. In fact, as the voice grew more insistent, he even made it sound like Aurora. How pathetic was that?
Sighing, he flipped to his back and opened his eyes. His brain registered two things immediately. Unless he was still dreaming, the person calling him was Aurora. And he was in her bed. Naked.
She stood beside the nook, dressed in what he considered her captain’s uniform—long tunic and pants, her pale skin and blonde hair standing out in bright relief against the browns and greens of her clothing. She resembled a wood nymph, and in his current mental state, he almost expected her to sprout wings and fly away.
“Good morning,” she said with a bemused smile. “I was beginning to wonder if I’d have to douse you with water to get you up.”
He was really here. It hadn’t been a dream. His mind finally grasped that fact and hung on for dear life.
Concern flashed in her eyes. “Cade?” She stepped closer. “Are you okay? You look a little dazed.”
As he focused on her kiss-swollen lips, the memories of their night together flooded him. He rolled to his side and tucked the sheet a little more firmly across his hips before running a hand down his face. “I’m fine. Just a little disoriented.”
Her gaze traced his bare chest and her smile widened. “Yeah, I guess you would be.”
He had no idea how long he’d been asleep. He lifted his forearm before he realized his comband wasn’t there. He spotted it sitting on top of a neat pile of his clothes on the nearby table. “What time is it?”
“Still a couple of hours until the day cycle begins.” She picked up the stack and placed it on the bed next to him.
“How long have you been awake?” He was amazed he hadn’t noticed her moving around the cabin. Her hair was damp, so she’d even showered.
“A couple of hours. I brought you something from the kitchen.” She gestured toward the archway that led into the main room. “But that’s not why I woke you.”
He went on alert. “Is there a problem?”
She shook her head. “Justin was looking for you.”
His mind latched onto the key noun in that sentence. “You talked to Justin?”
She nodded. “He tried reaching you via comband, and when you didn’t respond, he checked your cabin.”
“Bingo.”
He watched Aurora closely, unsure how she felt about the turn of events. He’d figured they’d keep this night a secret from his team and her crew. Now that might not be possible. “What did he want?”
“To know if your unit would be on rotation with my crew. I told him we’d discuss it.”
“Was he surprised that I was with you?”
The corner of her mouth quirked up. “Not as much as I expected him to be.”
Yeah, well, Justin was the one who’d given him a push the day before. He made a mental note to thank him later. “And how do you feel about that?”
Instead of answering, she sat on the edge of the bed. Her expression was open, but cautious. “That depends on you.”
“Meaning?”
“How do you feel about it?”
This was what they referred to as a golden opportunity. Given the amazing night they’d just shared, he wasn’t about to pass it up. Reaching forward, he took her hand in his and gazed into the emerald depths of her eyes. “You’re the empath,” he said softly. “Can’t you tell?”
Her expression softened for a moment as she tuned into her empathic senses. Then she gave a little jolt and focused on him like a laser.
He tightened his grip on her hand. “I know I’ve made a lot of mistakes in the past, Rory. Mistakes I regret, more than you’ll ever know.”
She tensed and her brows drew down, but she didn’t interrupt him.
He pushed on. “But I’m tired of regrets. Last night you gave me an incredible gift.” His thumb stroked the back of her hand as he searched her expression for a clue to how she was feeling. “I’m foolish enough to hope this is only the beginning.”
He waited, trying to gauge her reaction. But as the seconds ticked by and she continued to stare at him without saying anything, he began to feel like an idiot.
The Chains of Freedom (Starhawke Rising Book 2) Page 21