Hearts of Ishira (Hearts of Ishira Saga)

by Bethany Aan

  “What about… hurting me?” she whispered a little breathlessly, linking her arms around his neck. She gently freed his hair from the leather thongs that held it. He shook his head, his slick black hair sliding from his back to hang over one shoulder. She sucked in a breath. He was so very handsome, so incredibly beautiful at that moment, as he stared into her eyes and stroked her hair back from her face, fanning her dark brown curls across the pillows.

  “I fear that not making love to you now will hurt you more,” he admitted, nipping at her lips, her nose, her chin. She tilted her head back, giving him greater access, and he took it, growling just a bit as he found and sucked on the skin over the pulse thrumming so violently there. She moaned softly, tightening her arms around him, widening her thighs to let him settle more fully against her center. When the hard bulge in his leather pants met her core, she cried out in sweet sensation. He pressed hard against her for just a moment, his body quaking in reaction. Then he gave a small grunt, heaving up so that he could drag her clothing completely away from her body and toss it to the side.

  When he laid her back down, naked but for the splint on her leg, he stilled and contented himself with looking at her for long moments. She fought the urge to cover herself. She was chubby, not the ideal back on Earth, but he didn’t seem to realize that. Instead, his eyes heated even more and he licked his lips. It seemed as though he was trying to decide which piece of flesh he wished to sample first. Catching her wide-eyed stare, he grinned and raised himself on his knees, looking down at her with passionate intensity as he slowly, agonizingly, undid the closure of his pants and began skimming them down his hips. His long hair slid and shifted over the muscles of his arm and chest as he did so, doing crazy things to her heartbeat.

  She gazed up at him, her breath kicking up a notch, watching as his cock sprang free, bobbing slightly with his movements. It was huge, bigger than any other she’d ever seen in real life, and though she had been waiting for this for more than a week, she was suddenly a bit apprehensive. What if it didn’t fit, after all? She knew that women were made to take a man into their body, but those were human women, with human men. This was a wee bit different. Okay, a whole lot different. But excitement soon replaced fear. She wanted to know, had to know, all of him. Reaching out a shaking hand, she touched him for the first time.

  They both cried out softly at the exquisite contact and he hissed when her fingers slid down his length and back up, curling around him and testing his rigidity. She tightened her grasp and slid her hand up and down once, twice. She looked up at him, breathing a bit heavily at the girth and the hot sleekness of his turgid flesh. He was slightly different from human males, in that he had several veins pulsing down his length, instead of just one. And he was ridged, gentle bumps of muscle ringing his cock most of the way down. She marveled at the feel of those differences, wondering with growing excitement how he would feel inside her. As her hand moved over the head of his cock, those rings bunched together then pulled apart again. He stifled a gasp and shuddered. Her eyes widened at that very interesting contraction. Her imagination went wild, wondering if it would do that inside her. She wanted to repeat the caress, see if the rings contracted again, but he wouldn’t let her fully explore him. He wrapped his hand around hers, stopping her after only a few moments.

  “I have had to wait too long, little warrior. If you continue, I will not be able to control myself,” he growled, falling forward and catching himself on his hands as he bent to capture her lips once more. She wrapped her arms around his shoulders, pulling him close, but he didn’t linger long on her lips.

  Instead, he began moving, shifting, his mouth exploring, nipping, tasting every inch of her skin. He lingered on her collarbone when she cried out softly at his kiss there, then moved down to the slope of her generous breast. He noted every little spot that seemed to excite her, each piece of flesh that tasted more like her, smelled more strongly of her essence. He wanted to catalog it all for further contemplation when he had time to focus on a more smoothly executed seduction. For now, he had to have her, had to know the taste of her.

  For a long moment, he merely looked down at her breast. Then he looked up at her, his eyes hot and his mouth wet with his explorations. She sucked in a breath at the feral look in his eyes. He held her gaze as he leaned down and kissed her nipple, ever so gently, as though he were worshiping her. At her shuddering sigh and tightened embrace, he sucked her strongly into his mouth. Her back arched and she shivered a cry, throwing her head back.

  The sound spurred him on, sending fierce triumph through his veins. Urgent now, his arms slipped beneath her body, arching her more for his tasting, and he suckled harder. His tongue circled her nipple then his lips closed hard on it, sheathing his teeth as he nipped her with exquisite delicacy. A shuddering sob escaped her, so he did it again. And again. Sucking, nipping, then a bite hard enough to cause that erotic ache to shiver through her body. She felt her core clench, hot and wet and empty, and cried out in dismay. She needed so badly for him to fill her.

  “Please, Hunter!” she begged him, but he simply switched his attention to her other breast, teasing and kissing, tasting and nipping, until she was writhing beneath him, making the sweetest mewling sounds, her hands moving over his back and arms restlessly, clenching in his hair when he bit gently down on the tip of her breast.

  “Gods, woman,” he breathed, rising above her for a moment, “You spin my head!”

  “It’s only… fair,” she panted back. Her hips bumped artlessly toward him then, and he felt the wet heat of her curls brush his cock. He shivered in reaction, staring down at her. Holding her gaze with his intense stare, he slid a hand down to those curls, his long, deft fingers sliding into her wet slit and opening her for his exploration. She nearly wept at the sensations that arrowed through her entire being when his fingers circled the little bud he found there, plucked it, then moved lower, seeking her slick heat. She sucked in a harsh breath when his finger found and entered her, sliding easily into her and sending bolts of electric current dancing along her every nerve ending.

  “You’re so small,” he whispered, testing her depths with his large, blunt finger, “But we shall take it slow.”

  She smiled up at him, holding his intent gaze as he shifted his hips slightly and allowed his hard length to graze down her cleft. She caught her breath when it lodged against her core, then let it out on a shuddering moan as he rocked forward just a bit, entering her only a little. Her walls tightened in reaction, clenching for him eagerly, wanting him. His eyes held hers as his fingers parted her folds, once more finding the little nub standing at attention there, and brushed gently over it.

  She cried out as sensation thundered through her. It was such a delicate touch, but she was already almost at her peak, so even the lightest touch was incredible. He growled his approval, using the spasm that followed his caress to gain a bit more of her. She panted, loving the feel of him, and relaxed so that he could push a bit further into her. She ignored the ache as she lifted her legs and widened herself for him, wrapping them around his waist. When he stopped moving, his fingers began to torture her again. He bent and took her nipple into his mouth once more. The combination of his fingers against her clit and his mouth at her breast were too much. Crying out, she held him to her as his hips shoved forward once more. He rocked back, dragging himself almost out of her, and she whimpered at the sudden emptiness. She tightened her thighs, clamping him to her even as her arms tightened around his head.

  “Hunter,” she whispered brokenly, pleading. His mouth moved to torture her other breast as his fingers danced against her clit, rubbing and tickling, plucking and twisting, urging her toward a peak she’d never imagined. With each delicate spasm that shook her, she grew wetter, slicker, and he gained more ground. When she felt his hot length pulsing against her g-spot, she cried out in exultation and held him as tightly as she could, her body throbbing toward completion. She needed him, fully within her, and it needed to hap
pen soon.

  “Hunter, now! Please!” she sobbed when she could take no more of the exquisite torture.

  Without questioning her, he reared up enough to slide his arms beneath her once more. She held a breath, waiting. For a long moment, he just held her gaze, letting her see the roiling passion within him, then he groaned and slowly slid all the way home.

  Her world exploded. Spasms more powerful than she’d ever known gripped her walls, tightening and releasing around him, pulling and pushing against the large intrusion at the same time. He held still for her, waited for her shivers and shaking to ease, then pulled back slowly and urged her to open her eyes. When she did, she found him grinning down at her, his eyes wild and smoldering. Locking gazes with her, he slammed into her fully with one powerful thrust. Her whimper of combined pain and pleasure spurred him on, and he delved in and out of her, slow, then fast and hard, never the same pace, building her quickly to another peak and holding her there for long moments.

  Finally, when she was thrashing beneath him and he could sense how close she was to a last climax, he could take no more. He thrust himself as deeply into her body as he could go, captured her scream of pleasure with a deep kiss, and pumped, fast and hard, until his own orgasm tore through him, ripping a triumphant cry from his throat. He emptied himself into her, barely aware that she was coming again, too, her thighs tight around his hips, her head thrown back in a silent, breathless scream of ecstasy, her body shuddering and shaking beneath and around his, her inner muscles milking every drop of his seed and wringing every ounce of sensation from him. Energy spiked, a brilliant flash that moved through both of them as she came. Taken by surprise, Hunter jerked against her, his own orgasm more powerful than he’d ever experienced before. His energy joined hers and enveloped them both, crackling and whipping through them as their bodies bucked and shook against each other.

  Finally, as though his orgasm had drained all of his life force from him, he collapsed on her, too weak to hold himself up any longer. She breathed heavily, sighing his name against his ear and stroking his sleekly furred back. When they could breathe again, he levered himself slightly off to her side, and, still joined to her, wrapped her in his arms. They fell asleep like that, entwined and still connected, her face buried in his chest, his hands buried in her hair, holding her to him as though he was afraid to let her go.

  When they awoke, minutes or hours later - neither was sure- he smiled down at the warm, snuggly bundle in his arms. She was so soft, so… substantial. The women she had been captured with were so tiny. Like older children, really, more than women. They had yet to gain the stores of womanly fat that would provide cushioning for their men and warmth for them both during the long winter months. And so many of them were far skinnier than Hunter would have liked. Jace had even verified that most were malnourished. They needed to be fed, encouraged to build up the needed protection against winter’s cold and hunger that was sure to come. He wondered at a society that could see almost child-like forms like those of the girls, as preferable over the curvy, soft form of one such as his Arianna or Trey’s Beverly. She had obviously been subjected to ridicule for her extra weight, her natural, womanly curves, and he wished that he could wring the necks of those who’d made her feel so inferior. She was perfect as she was, beautiful and delightfully plump, just as a woman should be.

  He absently stroked her smooth back as he thought about the love they’d just made. It was, perhaps, the most incredible experience of his adult life. She was remarkable… giving and sensual, uninhibited once he got her going, and so very sweet. He worried a bit about her leg. She hadn’t made any noises to indicate he’d hurt her, but then again, they’d both been a bit distracted. He worried that he could set back her healing, but when he delved gently into her mind, all he found was contentment, happiness, and a deep satisfaction that was a surprise to her. He grinned rather smugly to himself and kissed the top of her head, closing his eyes and breathing in the scent of her.

  His embrace tightened as he thought of her pain, her obvious desire for a family of her own, the incredible amount of love she had to give. He’d seen her with the younger ladies of her people, watched as she quietly taught them the various arts she knew. She was patient and kind, not mocking or mean when she needed to correct them. And he’d felt it when she’d sent waves of reassurance to the few who were having trouble grasping simple concepts to make yarn and clothing.

  He wondered if she was even aware of doing so, of helping them let go and relax enough that their hands could remember how to do the basic tasks that were apparently known throughout the universe, at least to humanoids. If she wasn’t doing it on purpose, he would teach her how. It was one of the reasons battalion commanders were always Readers. They were able to send out reassurance or strength to their men when needed, to help them get past mental walls or to overcome fatigue or pain.

  She shifted against him, breathing deeply of his scent as she stirred to wakefulness. He looked down at her as she opened her eyes and glanced shyly up at him. His tender smile was apparently all the reassurance she needed. She reached up and cupped his jaw, memorizing the details of his face. He let her, enjoyed watching her, as well, and reveled in her admiration of him. He opened his mind, allowing her to sense his feelings toward her. She sucked in a soft breath then let it go as she leaned up to plant a soft little kiss on his chin. It was as far as she could reach. He chuckled and met her for the next touch of her lips, drawing her into a kiss that was more tender than passionate, more lips than tongue. A kiss of joy, instead of rising heat.

  “Hunter,” she sighed, laying her head back down against his chest, rubbing her cheek over his muscled pec. He gathered her closer, drawing the blanket up over them both. “That was… amazing.”

  “You are not hurt?” he asked gruffly, thinking of his size, her lack of it, and her leg. She grinned up at him, her eyes brilliant green and dancing with happiness.

  “I feel wonderful. My leg and ribs ache a bit. I’m afraid I wasn’t paying much attention to being careful.”

  “Nor was I,” he said apologetically. He couldn’t seem to stop touching her, sliding his hands up and down her smooth back, rubbing the soft muscles there, exploring her spine and the dimples at the bottom of it. He nipped her lips once more, then shifted so that he was resting on one elbow, able to look down and take in more of her.

  “Hunter… I’m falling in love with you,” she admitted, her voice soft, a little scared, a little hopeful. He started in surprise, his heart thundering fiercely as he grinned at her.

  “I think that is a very good thing, little one,” he breathed, leaning down to kiss her. This time it was hungrier, deeper, and turned into something hot and carnal. After a few moments of delightfully energetic tongue-dancing, Ri shoved at his chest. He immediately pulled back, breathing heavily.

  “What is it?” he asked. She grinned up at him, then kept pushing at his shoulder until he rolled off of her. Before he could ask what she was doing, she sat up. Her warm gaze moved over his naked body, the late-morning sun gilding his olive-toned skin and burnishing it with gold. Realizing that she wasn’t putting an end to their play, Hunter relaxed and smiled up at her, tucking one arm up and behind his head.

  “You’re so… beautiful,” she murmured, tentatively reaching out to trace the small valley between muscle groups on his stomach. Her touch was electric, sending sensation through his body and stealing the air from his lungs. With a fierce hunger, he recalled that incredible moment of shared ecstasy, when their energies combined and soared, and his body hardened in a nearly painful rush. But Ri was being playful. Sensing that she wanted to explore, feeling her curiosity and her desire to caress him, Hunter stayed still. It was a monumental effort when all he wanted to do was to grasp her hips and shove himself into her. She choked out a laugh at that, narrowing her eyes on him.

  “Just chill, big guy,” she chuckled. “I want to see you.”

  And she did. Her hand smoothed over his bare flesh
, dragging goose-bumps from his skin. When her fingers delicately explored his hips, she found a tickle-spot that made him gasp and squirm. Delighted, she tickled him again, then again, until he reared up to his knees, grabbed her shoulders in his big hands and growled, “Enough!” at her. She grinned impishly up at him, her hair a sexy tangle over her shoulder, her eyes a pure, sparkling green. Hunter stilled, staring down at her. His finger traced over the line of her eyebrow.

  “So very green this morning,” he murmured. She blushed.

  “They do that when I’m really happy or… aroused,” she admitted shyly. She was adorable when she got flustered.

  “Do they change to other colors?” he asked curiously. She met his gaze, nodded once.

  “They become a mossy green when I’m thinking really hard, a lighter green when I’m tired.”

  “What about when you’re sad?” he asked softly, remembering the night before, and how they had gone almost blue.

  “Blue. Very blue.” She chuckled, her hands moving to rest on his hips, her fingers moving restlessly, as though she couldn’t help but touch him. “When I’ve been crying, they’re almost sapphire.”

  “What is ‘sapphire’?” he asked, drawing her closer, bringing her breasts to brush lightly over his belly. Her breath stuttered out in a way that made him feel very much like a conquering hero.

  “It’s a jewel, a gemstone, back home. It’s my birth-stone.”

  “Ah,” he said softly, leaning down to kiss her eyes shut, to trail little kisses down her nose, nibble on her lips a bit. “I would like to see a picture of these sapphires sometime. They sound beautiful.”