by Marie Harte
“I want you, Darius. Here, now, my way.” Boldly taking the lead, Samantha made his heart stop when she knelt and took him into her mouth.
“May the Light grant me strength,” he moaned as she began to suck. Her mouth felt warm, her tongue excitingly rough against the underside of his head. He knew he wouldn’t last long, and when she stroked and sucked him deeper, it was all he could do not to come.
“Wait, love,” he gasped, grasping her silky hair to still her movements. “Let me.”
In a flash, he pulled her to her feet and lowered her onto the bed.
Surprise lined her lovely green eyes until she saw his intent. She swallowed audibly but made no protest when he spread her thighs wide and knelt between them. He lowered his head, the heady scent of her arousal luring him closer.
He blew a soft breath across her clitoris, satisfied when she moaned his name. Lowering his lips, he drank of her sweetness, fingering the opening of her vagina but not entering. She writhed and he increased the pressure of his mouth, dying to suckle her hard nub until she screamed with pleasure. Again and again he lapped her essence, rubbing her cream over her folds and back towards her anus, enhancing her desire. Her breath now came in pants, and he knew she was close.
“I need you,” she cried and wrapped her legs tighter around his head.
“You need me. Remember that,” he threw at her as he licked her clit and suddenly thrust two fingers inside her. She bucked up and he began sucking in earnest, determined she should find her pleasure.
He wanted her to come, to feel her body tense in a quivering mass of ecstasy. His cock hardened and he pressed deeper into the mattress, needing relief for his swollen shaft. But not before his affai found satisfaction.
Removing his fingers, he shoved his tongue into her channel and was rewarded with a high, keening cry.
“Darius,” she breathed, “I swear I’m going to kill you if you make me come without you.”
He looked up from between her legs, staring at her heaving breasts and flushed face, and knew he’d never seen a more sensual woman in his life.
“Yes, affai, as you command,” he said thickly. He crawled over her, resting the head of his cock between her soft, white thighs. Teasing them both, he coated himself in her cream and groaned at the exquisite sensation.
With one thrust he penetrated, the feel of her welcome indescribable. She immediately came, her walls closing around him, the sensation on his stimulated shaft bordering on pain.
“Samantha, love,” he rasped as he continued to drive into her, “you’re so tight. So wet.” He groaned.
“More, Darius,” she demanded and locked her ankles around his waist.
The action drew him deeper inside her and stars began firing behind his eyes. He pounded hard, riding her with a desperation born of worry, love, and need.
She cried out and squeezed around him harder, and he came in a gush. Over and over he spurted, flooding her womb with blazing hot seed.
He shuddered and cried her name, overcome with the lingering rapture killing him softly.
When finally he caught his breath, he felt her push his hair out of his eyes. Staring down at her, he saw satisfaction and if he wasn’t mistaken, a warm blaze of tenderness.
Her smile widened as she gazed up at him. “We’ve got to stop meeting like this. People will talk.”
He looked at her in surprise for a moment before he began laughing. He laughed so hard he almost cried, and his mirth caused him to physically withdraw. The loss of her body caging his finally sobered him enough to pull her close under him once more.
“You have a hell of a sense of humour,” he complimented, pleased when she blushed a pretty pink.
“I need one to deal with you.” She traced his lips with a finger, gasping when he sucked on the digit and nipped before letting go.
Samantha’s eyes clouded, the feel of his mouth over her finger as erotic as his mouth over her clitoris. Impossible, but there it was. She was a walking hormone around him, or under him, as the situation now dictated. She sighed with pleasure.
“You know you love me,” he said quietly, his eyes focused and intent on her face. “Why not admit it?”
“And you love me,” she gave, tit for tat. “Why don’t you admit it?”
She waited for him to deny it, to frown and dismiss her as an irrationally emotional female. Instead, he nuzzled her cheek with his nose and stared down at her, his eyes blazing red. Full, masculine lips quirked down at her and her heart seemed to stop.
“As you command, affai. I love you.”
She could only stare at him, stupefied. Then a thought hit her and her eyes narrowed. “You’d better not be playing with me.” Not about this.
His lips were still curved in a half grin, but his eyes remained focused and unblinking on her. “I would never make light of such a serious topic.”
She didn’t know what to say. “Well, uh, okay then.” Should she really tell him the truth of her feelings? That even the thought of living without him could destroy her?
He grinned and shook his head. “Tsk, tsk, Samantha. I tell you what you want to hear and you think to deny me the same assurance.”
She glared. He’d been reading her mind again.
“I know you love me. I would only like to hear you say it. And as your king and overlord, I command it.”
“My…what?”
His stare grew hotter, the elemental fire at his command fusing them together. “I will soon be a king in one of Tanselm’s four corners, Samantha. And as my affai, you will be my queen.” He paused, as if to let his words sink in, for which she was grudgingly grateful.
Loving Darius and admitting it was one thing. She had just summoned the courage to do so when he hit her with news of her impending queenship.
“I’m not queen material.” Hell, I can barely manage my own life, let alone be responsible for the welfare of hundreds of others.
“And yet you’ve managed me since we met.”
“Stop reading my mind.” She wished he’d stay out. Trying to think and be honest with herself would be much easier if she didn’t have to guard her thoughts.
“I can’t help it, affai. We are bonded now. I have given you my heart. And you have given me yours.” He smirked, the insensitive clod.
“So what if I have?” She knew she sounded defensive and felt stupid for it, but old wounds still had yet to heal. “You have a kingdom to return to. A war to fight and people to govern. You don’t really need me.”
The teasing glint in his eyes faded. “You mean I won’t have time for you with so much else happening in my life. But you’re wrong.”
She felt vulnerable lying naked under him and reached out for the covers. A ball of fire suddenly appeared, licking her palm, stilling her movements. She watched in awe, still not understanding how the fire didn’t burn.
“You share my spirit, Samantha. Only a woman of great power and control could contain and withstand my fire.” He waved his hand and the fire vanished. “But only a woman as stubborn, intelligent and courageous as you could command my love.”
He blinked, as if surprised such words came out of his mouth, and she couldn’t help grinning like a fool. “Oh, God, Darius. We are alike! I can’t believe my arrogant overlord just said something so poetic, and neither can you.
“You’re bossy, too used to getting your way, and too handsome for your own good. You don’t drive a decent car and you’ll never make a believable bartender. You’re too intense.”
He grinned. “But you love me.”
She rolled her eyes. “I love you. Now I suppose I’m supposed to be so blindsided that you love me I won’t realise you’re asking me to leave behind everything I know to live with you in your foreign kingdom.”
His cheeks flushed and she saw chagrin in his eyes. “I, that is, I was just going to mention the necessary move to Tanselm.”
“Cad was right. You don’t know how to deal with women.”
His red eyes blaze
d. “I’m charming.”
“Like a rock. So are you asking me to leave with you or not?”
His eyes narrowed and she knew he’d hit her mental shields. “You aren’t close to your family, you have no ties here other than your job and you love me. What’s to decide? Once I can return to Tanselm, you’re going with me,” he almost growled the order.
Amazed at his gruffness after such amazing lovemaking and considering her heartfelt declaration, she gradually understood that her fiery bully was scared, nervous she might reject him.
Her comprehension stunned her.
“Besides, the wraiths are here now.” Satisfaction echoed in his words, as if he’d found the final straw to convince her to join him. “It’s not safe for you without me.”
She wanted to grin, instead she nodded soberly, as if considering that viewpoint. “Okay, I’ll come with you.”
Her easy acquiescence bothered him. She could see it in the dark scowl growing over his handsome face. “Samantha—”
“Can it, Darius.” She laughed at his anger. “I love you, and I wouldn’t dream of living without you. Besides, I have a feeling you’re going to need someone to help you manage your anger, especially if they really are going to let you run a small kingdom.”
One black brow quirked in arrogance. “Let me? Samantha, I am a Storm Lord. The Prince of Fire. I was born to rule Tanselm. Need I remind you how fortunate you are to have found me?” His lips quirked and she knew he baited her on purpose.
Shaking her head, she pulled him to her so that their lips almost touched. “I think you’re the fortunate one.” So saying she reached down and began fondling his growing erection, pleased to see she had such an effect on him.
“I do believe you’re right,” he said on a sigh. She began pumping him, stirring his desire all over again. “Samantha, ah, love, as my affai commands.” And he proceeded to make love to her far into the night.
Chapter Twelve
“How many for dinner tonight?” Samantha asked as she tossed a large green salad.
Darius stretched, loving the way she looked in his kitchen, in his house, in his life. “It’ll just be you and me, love. Cadmus is taking over at the bar for me fulltime. He thinks since I found you there, the place is lucky.”
She grinned. “It is. Make sure he spends a good amount of time in the basement. Who knows what he might find down there.”
“True,” he agreed in a husky voice, ready for another round of erotic play with his affai. It had been a month, but the more they touched and teased, the more they desired one another. Funny, but he never would have imagined it possible to be so satisfied and fulfilled outside of his homeworld.
His constant cravings for Tanselm no longer bothered him. Through Samantha he’d found an inner peace. He just hoped it hadn’t taken all the fire out of him. He’d never hear the end of it from his brothers if he turned into some kind of besotted moron.
“So Cadmus is working tonight. What about Marcus and Aerolus?”
“Marcus is working late again. I swear that woman he’s been working with has him in knots.” He grinned, recalling Marcus’ less than flattering comments about Tessa Sheridan. “I think he’s threatened by her.”
Samantha wiped her hands on a dishtowel. “Good. Marcus is too arrogant. You know yesterday he had the gall to tell me I didn’t dress ‘as befits a Storm Lord’s queen’?” she mimicked his haughtiness.
Knowing better than to agree with Marcus in front of his affai, Darius said nothing. Personally, he planned on buying her more extravagant gowns and silks when they journeyed to Tanselm. Jeans and T-shirts were fine for him here, but on her they were seriously wasted.
“I think it’s great a woman is giving Marcus a run for his money,” she continued, her eyes full of fire.
“Right, well, me too.” She beamed at him and he knew he wouldn’t have to wait long until they burned up the bedsheets. “Anyway, with Cadmus at the bar, Marcus at work and Aerolus holed up somewhere practicing the mystical arts, whatever the hell that is, it’s just you and me for dinner.”
She grinned and blew him a kiss from behind the kitchen counter. “Too bad. I wanted to talk to Cadmus again about how he controls his visions. I’m starting to get the hang of them.”
Thanks to Cadmus’ instruction, Samantha had begun strengthening her inborn gift. She’d been more than happy to resume using her extrasensory ability, having learned about Cadmus’ role in their rescue that fateful night near Golden Gardens. Only through one of Cadmus’ visions had he and Marcus known to arrive in time to save her and Darius from death and worse at the hands of the wraiths.
Thoughts of what might have happened still pained him.
“I love you.” He reminded her of that at least once a day and never failed to bask in the glow of her warm smile. She sent him a mental image, a scorching impression of bedplay that had him hard and ready at once. He wondered if they really had to eat dinner or if they might adjourn to the bedroom now…
A disgusted sigh sounded behind him and he whirled around to find Arim shaking his head.
“Can’t you think of anything else, Darius?” Arim asked in a mocking tone.
“Ever think of knocking, Uncle?” The anger he once would have felt for Arim didn’t appear, as enraptured as he was in thoughts of passion with Samantha. Despite no word on a return to Tanselm from the one man that could put them there, Darius smiled his welcome.
A pleased look appeared on his uncle’s face. “She’s made a true prince out of you.” Arim nodded. “Now it’s time to go.”
Darius blinked. He couldn’t mean…“Tanselm?” he croaked, not able to believe it.
“Well, I’m not here to whisk you off to Disneyland.” He turned to Samantha. “You’re ready?”
She nodded. “I packed yesterday when Aerolus told me you’d be coming.”
Darius blinked, shocked. “You didn’t tell me about it.” Anger stirred. “Neither did Aerolus.” When he found that grey-eyed traitor, he’d pound some sense into him.
Arim rolled his eyes. “It was too good to hope she might have permanently disabled that streak of rage within you.”
Samantha joined Darius in the living room, worming her way under his arm. “Now why would I do that, Arim? After all, it’s that spark of impatience that lights his fire.” Her eyes sparkled. “And we wouldn’t want that fire to go out now, would we?” She kissed him on the mouth with enough force to make him consider the merits of lovemaking on the couch, regardless of Arim.
“Save it,” Arim grumbled, a hint of humour tingeing his curling lips. “I’ve already informed your brothers of your departure. It’s best you leave now, while they attend to their affai.”
Both Darius and Samantha stared, openmouthed.
Darius was the first to regain his tongue. “You’re telling me they’ve each met their affai?”
“Yes.”
“Do they know?”
Arim’s brows rose. “Did you?”
“Well, I—”
“Exactly. Let them flounder on their own. You don’t need a Knowing Crystal to find love.” He smiled. “Of course, a small spell cast here and there to hasten love’s journey can’t hurt.”
“Arim!” Samantha looked shocked. “You can’t put a spell on someone and expect them to find love.”
“Why not? It worked on Darius. My spell only speeded the process. The love itself came from Darius. Ever wonder where that blue fire came from that tried to destroy you two?”
He turned to Darius. “Once you finally admitted to yourself deep down that you loved Samantha, the Wraith’s Kiss was unlocked within that tainted charm stone. It was you and Samantha all along. All I did was cast a spell to let fate find its way into your lives.”
Darius stared at his devious uncle in astonishment. “I thought you didn’t believe in interfering with free choice and all that bullshit.”
“Nicely said,” Samantha murmured under her breath.
A firm look from Arim had he
r biting her lip. “I haven’t impacted your choices. But with Tanselm hanging in the balance, do you really think I’d let you four Storm Lords dally with love? The women you choose and who choose you are out of my hands. The timing of your found mates, however, indicates how serious the situation with ’Sin Garu has grown.”
The laughter left them at mention of the evil one’s name.
“The spell I cast was designed so that the Storm Lords would find their mates in time to prevent a divergence of destiny. Apparently, ’Sin Garu has found that which he needs to retake Tanselm. Hence your sudden return to our world.”
Turning to face the window overlooking the mountains, Arim threw out his hands. He closed his eyes and began chanting, and soon a large black void appeared where the window had been.
“Are you sure, Samantha?” Darius had to know she felt comfortable with the move. He’d promised, and he meant it, that she came first with him, kingship or no.
She nodded. “I’ve said my goodbyes weeks ago. I’m ready to begin a new life.”
“Then step through the portal, hand in hand, and be ready to face an uncertain future,” Arim warned. “Aerolus will transport your bags when he returns to the house.”
“He can teleport things now?” Darius asked. His eyes widened. “Across dimensional space?”
“Yes. You’ll be surprised at how much all of you can accomplish with the aid of your affai.” Arim smiled, a dazzling grin that dazed Darius, and, he frowned to note, Samantha.
He hugged her to his side and she grinned slyly.
“Don’t worry,” she teased, “I’m not into tall, dark and handsome. I love you.”
“Very funny. Come on then.” He held her hand tightly and led her to the portal, Arim trailing them. “This is it, Samantha. This is the path to our future.”
She nodded. “To our future, and the future of Tanselm.”
He laughed suddenly. “I only wish I could be here to meet the woman made for Marcus.” He shook his head, grinning. “She’s got to be a doozy.”
Arim smirked. “You can say that again.”
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