Rebel Obsession (All the King's Men)

by Donya Lynne

  And just like that, Miriam felt the oppressive ties between her and her father sever. Free at last.

  Thank God.

  CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE

  Io nearly leaped out of his skin when he heard the Suburban pull into the driveway. He shot to the door and opened it just as Miriam was getting out of the passenger side.

  Micah, Trace, and Sev piled out and went to the back as he rushed out to greet her.

  He was about to hug her when Micah turned and shouted, “NO!”

  Miriam and Io both stopped and looked at him.

  “You two need to be careful. Someone could be watching.” Micah spoke quietly. “You need to act like a concerned caregiver,” he said to Io. “And you,” he looked at Miriam, “need to act like a patient with an attitude problem.”

  Micah was right. Io couldn’t lose sight that this was the king’s daughter and at any moment, one of the king’s many employees could be watching.

  “Welcome back,” he said to Miriam, trying to keep his voice unaffected as he gestured toward his open front door.

  “Whatever.” She walked past him, brushing her arm against his.

  His blood boiled and his cock instantly hardened from the small caress, as well as her scent. Damn, he needed the boys to hurry and get her things inside and leave, because he didn’t know how long he could hold himself off going into full I-need-you-now mode on Miriam. He had felt the signs of the calling scratching at his insides for the past several hours and knew shit could go critical any minute.

  He hurried around to the back of the SUV and grabbed the last bag as if his ass was on fire.

  “Calm down, stallion,” Micah said. “We’ll be gone soon enough. Keep your pecker in your pants.”

  Trace chuckled and led them to the house.

  Sev pulled up beside him. “By the way, Ari says hello.”

  Io glanced over at him, eyes wide. “He does?” Why did he sound so surprised?

  Sev rolled his eyes. “Don’t get too excited. He’s still pretty sore.”

  “Well, tell him….” Io paused. “No, never mind. Just tell him I said hi, okay?” Io didn’t want Sev doing what he should do himself. “And save me a seat at the bar one night when all this is behind us. Can you do that for me?” He wanted to mend fences and make things right. He had to try.

  Sev nodded and fought back a grin. “I can do that.”

  Miriam waited inside for them and grabbed one of the bags out of Trace’s hand. The others set down the rest of her luggage, said goodbye, and turned to head out.

  Micah paused in front of Io. “Did you get what I asked for?”

  Io nodded. “Yep. Sent her a message a couple of hours ago. No response, yet.”

  Micah glanced back at Miriam then to him. “Well, after you two say a proper hello to each other, make sure you keep me informed on your progress with our special project.”

  Io grinned and looked at Miriam as she blushed and glanced down at the floor. A proper hello could take a while. He turned back toward Micah. “I’ll do that.”

  “Okay,” Micah gave Io’s cheek a light, affectionate smack and chuckled. “Now get to your female.” He waved to Miriam. “Bye, Miri. Be good.” He paused and grinned. “Fuck that. Be naughty as hell.” He walked out and shut the door, making sure it was locked first.

  As soon as the door closed, he and Miriam flung themselves toward one another, meeting halfway in a rush of fire. Her arms wrapped around his shoulders, and his wound around her waist, gripping her tightly. In a blaze of heat, their mouths fused together, their tongues dancing together in an erotic tasting that filled Io with relief, as well as lust.

  She felt perfect against him. Her body fit his like it had been made expressly for him. And, hadn’t it? She was his mate. They had been destined to be together from the inception of time.

  He brought his hand around and cupped it over one of her ample breasts, squeezing as his other arm tightened around the small of her back. She moaned and let her head fall back, displaying the elegant column of her neck.

  “I need you,” he said before nipping the tender flesh that she had so readily revealed to him.

  With every passing second, it became more and more clear that his calling would fully claim him within days if not sooner. He could feel its power building inside him, preparing his body to take hers in a fever of endless hunger that would leave them both spent and delirious for one another.

  * * *

  What Miriam felt for Io went far beyond need.

  She leaned into him as he released her neck and pulled her up. With her forehead touching his, she closed her eyes and purred softly. Io’s arms tightened around her, and the most erotic moan vibrated through his throat. The sound encouraged her while chipping away any last remnants of logical thought and self-control.

  “Take me to bed tonight?” Her whispered words lilted like a question as her lips brushed against his as she spoke.

  She had never lain with a male, but the thought of going one more day without feeling Io inside her was intolerable. Miriam was ready to grow up and put her innocence behind her. She had made her choice, and it would be Io or no one.

  A low purr resonated from deep within his chest. His entire body seemed to bend and mold more snugly against every curve of hers as his fingers curled over the mound of her breast.

  “Are you sure?” He bent and licked her neck once more.

  She nodded and trembled, nervous, yet certain that she was making the right decision.

  “Yes.” She swallowed impulsively, shuddering as tiny crackles flamed her nerves. “I want you to.”

  The pit of her stomach clenched with an ache that felt both agonizing and delicious, and somehow she knew that having Io inside her would soothe the tightening knot in her belly.

  Until she met Io, she had merely been an empty vase sitting on a shelf, unfilled, with no purpose. But now Io was like water, filling her and flowing around her curves, giving her purpose, preparing her for a beautiful bouquet so she could become the glorious centerpiece she had always wanted to be.

  Not that she was vain. That wasn’t it at all. But she had been pushed into the shadows by her father and held back from her full potential for so long that she had forgotten what it felt like to mean something to someone. She had forgotten how it felt to be wanted and acknowledged, and she had never felt beautiful. Not really. Not until Io had wrapped her up in his gaze and dared to tread on a minefield to be with her.

  Io wanted her. She was important to him, and he showed her as much in the way he looked at her with pure adoration, in the way he touched her with reverence, and in the way he spoke to her with complete devotion. And all those things made her feel truly beautiful and important for the first time in her life.

  As Io murmured loving words against her neck and caressed her back as if she were made of delicate crystal, Miriam’s emotions got the best of her and tears broke in her eyes.

  Someone wanted her. Io hadn’t let royal titles and stupid laws scare him away. He treated her like she was simply a random female he had met in passing. The irony was that she had never felt more like a princess than she did when she was with him, and his lack of formality with her was the reason why. No one else had ever made her feel so exquisite and special, and it was by treating her like she was a commoner that Io had achieved what no one else had.

  “Miri?” Io pulled back, sniffing the air as if he had scented her emotional upheaval. When he saw her tears he frowned. “Are you okay?”

  She nodded and sniffled, swiping her fingers over her cheeks to brush away her fallen tears. “Yes. Never better.”

  The crooked, confused grin he gave her endeared him to her.

  “Then why are you crying?” he said, lifting his hand to her face and brushing the lingering moisture with the pad of his thumb.

  “Because you’ve made me feel things I’ve never felt,” she said. “I’ve never felt more like a princess than I do right now, and it’s all because of you.”
<
br />   She brushed the backs of her fingers down Io’s cheek.

  He grinned. “And I’ve never felt more like a prince.”

  “My prince?” She smiled and leaned in to meet his lips with hers.

  “Mm-hm.” Io’s mouth played softly over hers. “I feel like a better male since I met you.”

  They were good for one another. A perfect match. Impeccably paired. Both becoming better versions of themselves because of the other.

  “Let me feel how much better I make you, Io.” Miriam trailed her hand down his chest and torso, tilting her face against his and brushing their cheeks together as her hand slid seductively over the bulge in his pants.

  “Mmm, just as long as I can make you feel more that you’ve never felt before.” He reacted physically, reaching around and gripping her bottom tenderly.

  “Oh, I think you’ve got that covered, baby.” She nipped his cheek, then flicked the tip of her tongue over his skin.

  Without another word, he grabbed under the curves of her ass with both hands, hefting her up easily. She wrapped her legs around his waist and his gaze met hers.

  “You’re mine.” His deep voice announced his claim.

  He walked her to the stairs that led to his basement bedroom, and she hugged his shoulders tightly as she buried her face against the side of his neck.

  “I’m yours.” Her voice was a reverent whisper.

  Down they went, drawing nearer to her deflowering with each step.

  If she was a goddess, Io was her god. He even felt like one—magnificent and larger than life, all sculpted muscle and power.

  Funny how things worked out. If her father had actually behaved like a father, she never would have started using cobalt to get away from the miserable reality of her existence, which meant she never would have overdosed and met Io. But all the pieces had lined up perfectly, and she had finally found someone worthy to call her mate. Through the pain and hell of addiction, Miriam had found her prince.

  How would he feel making love to her? Would he be hard and forceful, full of lust? Or would he be gentle and tender? Either way, she didn’t care. Both sounded wonderful, and she could see the appeal of both.

  A small night-light plugged in a few feet away from the bed provided the only illumination in the large room, casting gentle shadows over the furniture.

  When they reached the middle of the room, Io stopped. She unfolded her legs from around his waist and he set her down then stepped back.

  She swallowed heavily. His gaze drifted down her body then back up to her face. Before, his scrutiny would have made her self-conscious, but not anymore. She wanted him to look at her, because the way his eyes glazed and he rubbed his lips together—slowly, thoughtfully…hungrily—lit butterflies in her stomach. Sexy, lusty, wanton butterflies.

  “This is your first time.” His words carried portent, a promise hidden just under the surface that tonight would forever change them. As he breathed, his gaze dropped to his fingertips as they outlined the curve of her breast, caressing her like a feather. “It should be special.” His fingers skimmed down her stomach, his hands disappearing under her shirt after a moment’s hesitation. He inched the fabric up to reveal her skin.

  She lifted her arms, moving just as slowly, and he tugged her shirt over her head before tossing it aside. It landed on the floor with a soft thwump, and his palms slid up and over her lace-covered breasts. His fingers played with the scalloped edges of her bra as she reached around and unfastened it. The material loosened, and his hands glided underneath and over her skin. She tossed the bra so it joined her shirt on the floor.

  Io seemed fascinated with her breasts, his gaze following his hands as he massaged, squeezed, and caressed them.

  “Are you okay?” she said.

  Without lifting his gaze, he nodded. “Yes. I’ve just never seen more perfect breasts, and to think they’re mine…they—you—all of you…you belong to me, and I belong to you. I just never thought….” He trailed off.

  “You never thought what, Io?” She placed one of her hands over one of his.

  He smiled, and this time his eyes lifted to meet hers. “I never thought I would take a mate.”

  “And…? How do you feel about that?” She smoothed her hand down his arm.

  “I can’t imagine ever going back to the way I was. You’re perfect, Miri. Perfect for me, and perfect in every way.”

  She felt the same way. Everything about Io screamed I’m your mate. He was bold and outspoken. He took risks and went after what he wanted. He refused to be intimidated by money, titles, or even her royal blood.

  “Claim me,” she said, whispering.

  His gaze blazed hot, and his full lips parted seductively. “Precious Miriam, make no mistake, your body will be fully and well-claimed by morning.”

  The tone of his voice heated her blood, and her breath quickened as he knelt in front of her and took off her shoes. She stepped out of them then he reached for the fastenings on her jeans.

  She had worn such casual clothes as a general fuck off to her father. He hated seeing her in jeans. But somehow she doubted her father would be happy about her taking them off, especially since Io was doing the honors.

  Io’s fingers made short work of button and zipper and peeled the denim down her long legs. He bathed her with a sigh that sounded like a half-moan as he leaned forward to kiss the teardrop of her left thigh, just above the knee.

  She was fully naked except for the lacy panty that matched the discarded bra, but even that had to go as Io hooked his fingers inside the delicate elastic at the sides of her hips and slowly pulled down.

  Now she was fully naked.

  Io leaned forward and buried his nose against the nearly hairless flesh of her femininity as he wrapped his arms around her hips. She gasped as his tongue forced between her lips and licked her just once, lingering against her hard nub for an eternity as he inhaled and exhaled over and over. Hot air rushed over her, then her skin cooled as he sucked her aroma back in, then he blew out once more, and then in. Repeat.

  “So perfect,” he said, then growled against her.

  He dragged his mouth up her stomach, rising with deliberate ease to stand in front of her. Her fingers pushed into his thick, dark hair. He was so damn sexy. He gazed at her breasts again, sighing, admiring, making her tremble as he bent down. When his mouth closed over one rosy, tight nipple, Miriam dropped her head back so that the ends of her hair swayed over the rounded top of her buttocks.

  “Io.” She breathed out his name.

  “Mmm.” One hand spanned the small of her back while the other molded to the round softness of her breast and squeezed to pucker her nipple more deeply inside his mouth. His wicked tongue flicked the hardened flesh as he sucked the expanse of her nipple between his lips. His teeth nipped just once then he sucked again before pulling away to release her breast with a gentle, yet erotic, pop.

  “God, I love your breasts!” He rose to his full height and brushed his lips over hers, urging her toward the bed.

  When the backs of her thighs met the edge of the mattress, she climbed backward onto the bed, her lips separating from Io’s as he pulled away. Poised on her knees, she froze. Io was a god, more virile than Zeus. His muscles stretched and bunched as he untucked his shirt and drew it up and over his head. Best show in town. She reached to help him.

  “No,” he said, grabbing her hand. If looks could start a fire, she’d have been a blaze. “Just lie down.”

  “You don’t want my help?” She grinned as he shook his head in a way that let her know tonight was all about her, and that he wanted her to watch. “Fine, I’ll wait.” She sprawled back, propping herself up on her elbows, swaying her bent legs back and forth. Funny how last night she had been nervous, but now all she wanted was to feel him. Amazing the difference twenty-four hours could make.

  Io tossed his shirt to the floor, razing her with his gaze, then went to work on his belt. “You’ll get plenty of opportunity to help. Don’t w
orry.” He pulled his belt free and unfastened his jeans.

  Biting her lip, Miriam hardly moved, hardly breathed, and could only stare as he pushed down his jeans and stepped out of them.

  He didn’t have on underwear, and his erection jutted out in front of him, full and heavy and large. Suddenly, her nerves made a marked reappearance. How was he going to get that large rod of flesh inside her? Would it hurt? She had heard that first times hurt for a female. Now she understood why. Sure, she had seen him yesterday. She had even wrapped her hand around him. But for some reason, she hadn’t thought—really, truly thought—about that going in there until just now.

  Miriam didn’t want it to hurt with Io. She wanted it to be perfect.

  “Sshh,” he said. He had rightly sensed her worry. “Just relax. Roll over.”

  Huh? “Roll over?”

  “Trust me, baby.”

  She did as he said and rolled onto her stomach then felt the bed shift as he crawled up over her. The inside of his legs rubbed against the outside of hers and she shivered when she felt the head of his erection brush over her ass. What was he doing? Was he going to take her from behind?

  Then his weight settled over her as he straddled her hips and sat on her bottom.

  “Am I too heavy?” he said.

  She shook her head. “No.” What was he doing?

  His hand combed aside her hair, then his fingertips skimmed the length of her back from the arch down low up to her shoulders then down again. Over and over, he lightly caressed her back, then her shoulders and down her arms.

  “Mmm, that feels good.” She relaxed into the mattress as he increased the pressure of his touch. When had a massage ever felt so good? And been so unexpected? She wouldn’t have taken Io as a foreplay-savvy kind of guy. Several minutes passed before Io shifted his concentration to the lower portion of her back, and he scooted down.

  She stiffened, his erection sliding down her ass. But he didn’t try to open her. He didn’t push her legs apart. Instead, he slowly drew his palms down over her ass then kneaded her cheeks before caressing further down to the backs of her thighs. As he pushed his hands back up her legs, his thumbs pressed against her inner thighs and made contact with her labia as his fingers reached her buttocks. Repeatedly, he rubbed up and down her thighs, always pressing his thumbs against her tender flesh at the end of every ascent.