“This is what they are waiting for,” Titus said to the room. “Our enemies are waiting for us to fail, for the kinks in our system. We need to make sure that there aren’t any and that we’re able to send these people to prison. All it takes is one dead man, and our position could be compromised.”
Sol nodded. “Just tell me what I need to do.”
* * *
Erica moved freely around the kitchen, searching the cabinets for something to snack on. She had been surprised to find the fridge fully stocked but wrinkled her nose at the excess of healthy food.
Right now all she wanted was a bowl of cereal, and the one she could find tasted like rabbit pellets. Didn’t this man have a tiny craving for something sweet? She opened the freezer, hoping for something there. Meat, meat and more meat. Erica snickered. Not breaking any stereotypes there.
In a last ditch hope, she slid open the drawers under the counter. Bingo! A package of popcorn and a chocolate bar. Dinner of champions.
She hummed a little as the popcorn cooked. When it was ready, she took the bag upstairs along with the chocolate. She placed them on the bed and turned to look at the room across from hers.
Erica chewed her lip. A little peek couldn’t hurt. After all, she was staying in the house of a man she barely knew who had basically said he was attracted to her. Knowing more about him couldn’t be a bad thing.
She cautiously walked into the room. The moon lit up the place to the point where she really didn’t need to turn on a light. It was better that way, as he might come back soon.
The walls had several paintings landscapes that didn’t really match the feel of the room but still felt comfortable. She sat on the edge of the bed and looked at the photo on the side of the bed. A pretty woman stared back at her, and Erica wondered who she was. Turning it to the light, she noticed small print at the bottom.
Erica might have laughed if it didn’t seem so sad. To have a picture in the room because it seemed normal but no picture to fill it. She placed the frame back on the stand and stood. Really, she didn’t need to know any more about him. This was a man that had come to her rescue twice. He might still be a mystery, but she had no right to go through his things.
She crept out of the room and went to her own. With the door shut, she set to work hanging up her clothes and munching on the goodies.
* * *
Sol groaned as he climbed out of the chair. Every part of him ached, and he just wanted to go home and sleep a good ten hours. He turned and caught sight of Apollo as he slipped out the door. Before sleeping, he had to settle things with Apollo.
He raced from the room into the hall and caught the other man just outside the building.
“What the fuck was that earlier with Erica?” He rounded on Apollo.
“The other was asleep and things looked fine.” He shrugged. “Besides, you were there.”
“She wasn’t supposed to know that.” He stepped forward. The two stood nearly nose to nose. He knew this wasn’t that big a deal, and things had worked out, but the irrational side of him just kept going over what could have happened.
Apollo stepped back and held his hands up. “I’m sorry that happened to her, but if you were really that concerned, why did you let it go for so long?”
Sol swayed back from the verbal blow. He poked at the guilt that wracked his chest.
“You had doubts, I get that, but you can’t get mad if the bait you set out gets manhandled.” Apollo stepped around him, hopped into a jeep and drove off.
Angry and guilt laden, Sol climbed into his own car and drove home.
His mood didn’t improve when he entered the house. What he expected, he couldn’t really say, but the scent of her was all over, and yet she was nowhere to be found. Sol climbed the stairs only to find her door shut. The glow of light crept out from under the crack.
He stomped the last few steps up and into his room. After clicking on the lights, he ripped off his shirts and tossed his boots to the side. Despite their attempts to fit in however they could, he really preferred to be barefoot. Shoes were clunky and slowed him down if anything.
The plush carpet squished between his toes as he padded over to the bed and plunked down.
Her scent enveloped him. He could nearly taste her. His hand moved to the front of his pants as he felt himself grow with need. Sol rolled to his side and breathed her in. Slowly, he began to stroke himself through the barrier of his pants. When he breathed in again, faint hints of popcorn hit him. He froze.
Chapter Nine
Erica heard him come home and wondered if she should go out to chat, but his heavy steps up the stairs stilled her. She backed away from the door and listened as he banged into his room.
She rolled her eyes and went back to her bag. When she was packing earlier, Erica had been so nervous with him in the room she just threw a pile of undergarments into the suitcase. She groaned when she realized the only nightgowns she had packed were the ones Kate picked out for her. Totally not practical and not at all what she should be wearing. Not with someone like him around.
She sighed and tossed off her clothes and bra. The silky green material slipped over her head, and she smiled. Kate could be persistent, but she was usually right when it came to clothes. The way the material fell on her body hid the areas she really didn’t want to show and showcased her breasts. Erica snorted. Not that anyone but her would get the benefit of seeing it.
She spun in front of the mirror and admired the color on her. Apparently emerald was something she should think about wearing more often.
Erica looked up when the door across the hall banged open, and Sol stomped into the hall. Within seconds, her door banged open.
She stared in shock at a very angry Sol. Despite herself, she stared at the solid expanse of his chest. Before, in his arms, she had felt parts of muscles, but here, they were on full display, rippling as he breathed heavily in and out. Her eyes drifted to the trail of hair that stopped at the top of his pants. She licked her lips thinking about what she’d like to do to him if given the chance.
Multiple times she had been called oblivious, but today she was not. Of course, if she had managed to miss the bulge at the front of his pants, it would have been near miraculous. One thing was certain, the question as to his size was thoroughly solved. Sol was, indeed, large all over.
She blushed as her nipples hardened and tented the front of her nightgown. His eyes roved over her barely clad body. Erica crossed her arms over her chest as her eyes darted back to his face. His blond hair had fallen to the side of his face. Even the muscles there were hard and unyielding. She watched as his nostrils flared and wondered if he could smell her excitement.
It shouldn’t have made her even more excited, but the idea he might know sent a thrill through her. She moved toward him, uncertain of what she planned to do. The satin material rode up her thighs with each step. She stopped a few feet from him.
His arms twitched at his sides, and she ached to feel them wrapped around her, pulling her toward the bed and pressing her into the mattress. Her heart kicked into her throat as she thought about it.
Sol stepped forward, and his arms skimmed the slinky material. Her skin prickled at the touch, and she nearly moaned from the close proximity.
“Did you go into my room?” he growled quietly.
Erica looked away from his searching eyes, embarrassed that she had invaded his personal space.
“I did,” she said. Her eyes came back to his. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have. I didn’t mess with anything.”
She searched his face for any sign of forgiveness.
He leaned forward. His breath swept her face. “You really shouldn’t have done that.”
Erica sucked in a couple shaky breaths. His nearness to her was causing havoc on her system. She shook with need as she leaned closer, her lips so close to his neck. She licked her lips and tried to fight back the need.
“I really am sorry,” she whispered and chewed on her bottom l
ip.
Sol groaned, a low rumble from deep in his chest.
“Fuck,” he whispered and swooped down to capture her mouth.
His forceful lips took control of hers, molding his mouth over hers and devouring her. She moaned into him and laced her fingers along the back of his neck. The silky hair there slipped through her fingers and made her want to pull him in even closer.
She moaned at the feel of his mouth on hers. His wicked tongue played with hers, swirling and nudging.
Sol’s warm hand slid around her back and pulled her closer. Her pointed nipples rubbed against his chest and turned to little rocks under the thin material. His hard chest was unyielding on her aching nipples. She gasped when he whirled them around and pinned her against the wall, lifting her thigh so her center aligned with his hard length.
He growled loudly when she ground her hips into his, her slippery folds soaking his pants through the thin scrap of material separating them. They broke the kiss, and she stared into his glowing amber eyes. Feeling bold, Erica leaned forward and nipped the skin at his neck. When he moaned, she smiled. Her hips found a rhythm of grinding and bumping her clit against him.
She gasped when his mouth came back to her, this time in pure domination. She held on to the back of his head as he moved his hips against hers, pushing them further and further to the peak. Erica groaned when the hand holding her thigh inched up her back, his fingers getting closer and closer to the one spot she wanted to feel them.
He pulled back, and she huffed in irritation. When she opened her eyes, he was staring down at her, confusion evident on his face. One hand behind his head slipped onto his cheek and gently caressed the skin. Her hand skirted down his chest. Erica enjoyed the feel of the hard muscles beneath her fingers. They twitched as she moved along, and it pushed her excitement even higher.
Her fingers wound through the trail of hair above his pants. She could feel his hot breath pick up the lower she moved. It tickled the hair on her neck. Erica stopped briefly at the top of his pants and looked up to him. He gasped when she skimmed his hard length lightly with her fingers. The head was hard and hot in her hand. She gasped at his size.
In a flash, the light in his eyes flickered out, and she was standing on her own.
Sol stood in the doorway, his hair still ruffled from her roaming hands.
“I, we,” he stammered and looked in any direction but hers. “Stay out of my room,” he said gruffly and stomped his way back to his room. She jumped when the door slammed shut and stood still for a moment, absorbing what had taken place.
Breathing hard, she tried to calm her heart. She could still feel him pressed against her, his hard length bumping her clit.
Erica groaned. She had been so close. It had been ages since she’d had sex, and never had it been so hot. So dirty. Sol made her want to strip them both naked and do things she’s never even thought of doing before.
The spark between them was more than anything she had ever had experienced before, and whatever it was, she wasn’t against exploring. He might be different from other men, but in this case, that was a good thing. She’s take different any day if it meant she got to have hot sex with someone like him.
Erica climbed into bed and tried to ignore the ache between her legs. It wouldn’t help taking care of it herself. Besides, he’d hear anything that she decided to do. One thing was certain, whatever pain she was in, his was twice as bad.
* * *
Erica hummed at the stove as she flipped the last of the pancakes and turned all the bacon.
Opting for decency, she had pulled on jeans and a blouse. Well mostly decent. She had left a few buttons lower than normal, her cleavage prominently on display. Sometimes you needed to play up your assets, and today was one of those days.
All night she’d thought about his warm hands moving over her. By the time morning came, she was so worked up that she’d had to help herself out in the shower and to hell if he heard.
Erica blushed at the thought. It wasn’t that she didn’t ever but never like this. She came so hard that, for a few seconds, she literally saw stars. Part of her hoped he had heard and would come in and finish the job. She certainly wouldn’t have minded.
“What are you doing?”
She turned to see Sol standing at the door of the kitchen, his face hard and unreadable.
“I decided to make breakfast.” She smiled at him. “There wasn’t much else to eat, and there was no way I was going to eat the rabbit pellet cereal you’ve got.”
Her heart picked up when the corner of his mouth lifted.
“Do you have syrup?” she asked, flipping the last of the pancakes out of the pan and scooping out the bacon.
When she turned, she found him looking directly at her ass. Her face flamed as he narrowed his eyes. It wasn’t like she didn’t know she had ten or fifteen pounds to loose, but he wasn’t supposed to be looking there. She’d given him something to look at.
Erica slapped the plates on the table and began rummaging through the cabinets. In one little look, he’d managed to ruin her sexual high and good mood. She pulled up on her tiptoes to reach the top shelf. She could see the bottle and even touch it, but the damn thing wouldn’t come her way.
Sol’s warm body pressed up behind her as he reached around and grabbed the bottle with ease. He placed it on the counter in front of her. She felt him lean forward, his breath hot on her neck before pushing away.
When she turned around, he was already at the table, dishing the pancakes and bacon onto his plate. She sat across from him, shaking slightly from his nearness.
They sat quietly for some time before the lack of sound drove her crazy.
“So,” she said between bites. “Where am I going today?”
Sol looked up at her, and she felt the heat rise in the room.
“You’ll be working with Marius. He’s been trying to keep things moving for some time, so I’m sure he’ll be happy to have the help.” Sol went back to eating his breakfast in silence.
“So,” she began and smiled when he looked up. “About last night.”
Sol jumped out of his chair and set his plate on the counter.
“Thanks for the breakfast,” he said, speeding through the kitchen. “Marius should be here soon. I’m off to work.”
And just like that, he was gone. She sighed. He was just so confusing. She threw her head back and laughed at the situation. She’d never seen a man move so quick. The only thing that might have cleared him out faster was if she had mentioned marriage.
She busied herself with cleaning the kitchen before Marius showed up.
Chapter Ten
Erica glared at the computer screen as if her eyes would suddenly turn into lasers and cut the stupid thing in half.
“Finding anything?” Marius asked from next to her.
“Yes, but it’s not telling me anything.” She sighed and rubbed her eyes in irritation.
She turned to look at Marius. Whatever she had in mind, Marius was about as far from that as she could have imagined. Meticulous was the best word to describe him. Annoying might be another word.
He had spent the first half of the morning fighting her at every turn. Now he was expecting results immediately. It wasn’t her first time dealing with someone like this, but she wasn’t really used to having the accounting department able to take down a bear if need be.
“Maybe we should go to lunch,” Marius said.
Erica nodded and shut her screen off. As she followed him through the halls, she couldn’t help but smile. When he shut his mouth, Marius wasn’t bad to look at, with a sort of sandy-haired boy next door look, but amped up with super muscles. She giggled to herself. He turned around and shot her a glare.
She followed him through another hall near the main lodge. Construction was in full force to bring the place back to its former glory. At the end of the hall, stood two large doors. Marius pushed through, and she was surprised to see it was the lunch hall. Tables dotted the room f
illed with workers of various kinds.
Soldiers and hybrids sat amongst themselves, a clear divide. She frowned at this. If they never tried to talk to anyone, it was no wonder the hybrids had no people skills.
Several people looked up and whispered as she walked by. She couldn’t help but wonder what they thought of her. One of the only tables with any women stood in the back of the room. Erica hoped that Marius would take her there to eat. When he stopped at another, she cleared her throat.
“I think it might be good to sit over there,” she said, pointing to the two other women.
Marius glanced around, and she wondered if he might bail on her. When he got up silently and walked with her, she was surprised.
“Take a seat, and I’ll get us something to eat,” he said stiffly.
Erica nodded and made her way to the women.
“Would you mind if we sit here?” She smiled brightly at them.
“Oh we’re so glad to have you,” a bubbly blonde said.
The other woman, a raven-haired beauty, smiled at her warmly. “It’s nice to have the testosterone knocked down a notch or two.”
She grinned. They were already on the same wavelength.
“Noticed things seem to be kicked into high gear here.” She smiled at them and stuck out a hand. “I’m Erica, nice to meet you.”
The raven-haired women shook hands with her. “I’m Rachel Miller, one of the doctors here.”
The blonde smiled. “I’m Hannah Fields, the events coordinator.”
“Does this place have many events?” Erica asked.
Hannah grinned at her. “Not yet, but I plan to change that. First they have to finish the repairs to the front. Just terrible what happened.”
Erica nodded. “I was here when it happened.”
“Oh honey, we all know you were here. It’s all anyone can talk about. Sol certainly seems to have taken to you.” Hannah gave her a sly smile.
Luna Lodge: Sol Page 7