by S. K. Yule
Obviously, jerk. She wouldn’t have risked her life if she didn’t care.
His next step sent a wave of searing pain through his side. He clenched his teeth and focused on taking a more gingerly pace.
He’d done some quick but deep soul-searching while Thad had been cleaning, patching, and cauterizing the hole in his side. He’d pushed Ellie away because he didn’t think he was good enough for her and then because she’d made a simple misjudgment about his tattoo. Yet she’d still risked her life for him. She apparently thought he was worth something if she was willing to put herself in danger for him. If she thought that much of him, why couldn’t he think better of himself?
Even if he never believed himself good enough for her, was that really worth losing what he believed they could have together?
Everyone followed him to his room and watched him root through his closet to get some clean clothes. “Seriously. Get out. I’m okay. You said so yourself, Thad. Stop acting like mother dragons.”
“You’ll be all right, but you need to rest,” Thad said. “I’ll watch over him.” Ellie’s mouth was set in a grim line that hinted at frustration and possibly anger.
What the hell did she have to be angry about? He was the one who’d been shot.
“Why don’t you go and see Molly, clean up, and get something to eat?” Thad shooed Ellie toward the door. “By the time you come back, I’ll make sure he’s in bed playing a nice patient.”
Bayden almost smiled at the way she kept craning her neck back to see him. “Go ahead, Ellie. I’ll be here.”
“Everyone out now!” Thad said after Ellie had gone.
Once everyone left, Thad sighed. “Don’t think I didn’t catch what you were implying to Ellie. Don’t split your fucking side open again. “You said I was fine. Quit worrying.” He held his side with one hand while putting his clothes on the end of the bed.
“You’re a lucky son of a bitch actually. I can’t believe it missed all your organs.”
“Yep. I’m lucky, and I’d like to be even luckier. Now get out, please.”
“Okay, but take these. They’ll take away most of the pain.” Thad handed him two small pills then started for the door.
“Thad?”
“Yeah?”
“Thank you.” Bayden popped the pills in his mouth.
“Anytime, nelo.”
“We need to locate Zaira before she tells Mykal about the satersine. If he finds out, we’re screwed. He can’t discover I’m a member of the Reapers either.”
“Do you think she will?” Thad rubbed his jaw.
“I’m not sure. I don’t think she has yet because she still harbored some sick notion that she loved me. After what happened, I’m pretty sure any feelings of love she thought she had for me are gone. Although, if I know one thing about Zaira, it’s that she doesn’t give up any information until it benefits her. She knows how Mykal is. If she’s working with him, she won’t tell him about me until it’ll either save her ass or gain her something she wants.”
“So it’s not a matter of if, it’s a matter of when. I can’t believe she double-crossed us. I knew she was a bitch, but I didn’t think she’d switch sides. She practically gloated when she told me that she’s working with Mykal now.”
“As soon as I leave you, I’m going to get with Conlan, Stryder and Rohoman and start a search for her. My gut tells me that she’ll stay in hiding for at least a few weeks before she feels comfortable enough to make a run for Koryan and Mykal. She knows we’ll want to get our hands on her.”
“Once we find her, I want her brought to me. Understand?” Bayden ground his teeth together.
“No problem.”
“We’ll figure it out. Get some rest.”
Bayden nodded. “I’ll get with you later to discuss what you and the rest of the team came up with.” He walked toward the bathroom, careful not to jar his side.
“It can wait until tomorrow. Please rest. I know you’re stubborn as hell, but do as I say on this one, huh, nelo?”
“I think I can give you one day.” Bayden smiled.
“I’ll believe it when I see it,” Thad muttered as he left the room.
Bayden groaned. Getting hit by a slayer hurt like hell, but the pain pills were beginning to do their job. He gritted his teeth and headed for the shower. After stripping off his clothes, he selected the temp he wanted. It felt good to wash all of the dirt, blood, and stench of Zaira’s hands from his body. He had a score to settle with that bitch, and one day she’d find herself at his mercy. If she’d kept Ellie out of it, he might’ve let her live, but…
Make that decision when it’s time. No reason to dwell on it now.
Chapter Fifteen
After he showered, Bayden eased on a shirt and loose pants and then climbed into bed. Someone knocked.
“Come in.” After the door slid open, his breath lodged in his lungs. Perusing her from head to toe, memorizing every detail of her damp hair lying in loose curls around her shoulders, full lips, pale pink shirt and shorts, shapely legs, he lifted his hand, beckoning her closer. “You’re gorgeous.”
Ellie’s cheeks turned a dark shade of pink. She took his hand and sat on the side of the bed. “I would’ve come sooner, but I had to wait for someone to get out of the shower.” She gently squeezed his fingers.
Her small hand radiated warmth that seeped into his skin, and sparked his need to claim her, notching his body temperature up. “How’s Molly?” He rubbed his thumb back and forth over her palm.
Her pupils dilated, and she swallowed hard. “She’s fine. I didn’t tell her anything about the trouble we had. I think she’s been through enough the past few months. She’s helping Sarek in the lab now.”
“Now that we’ve found the satersine, we’ll have to move quickly. Sarek’s a brilliant creeper. He’ll figure out how to turn that rock into fuel in no time.”
“We have such another meaning for creeper on Earth.”
He moved up farther to stroke her wrist. “Huh…?”
“Nothing.” Her eyes closed for several seconds. Suddenly, they opened. She balled up her fist and hit him in the shoulder.
“What the hell was that for?” He rubbed at his shoulder.
“For being a man. For not seeing Zaira was a traitor. For not realizing she was going to pull something, especially after she drugged me, and…and for getting shot.” Tears glistened in her eyes and spilled over her cheeks.
“Hey.” He pulled her into his arms. “I did know she was like that. I’d planned to have her watched…very carefully once we returned. What I failed to realize was how quickly she moved. I never imagined she already had a plan before we ever even left Cerbys.” He sifted his fingers through her hair, and massaged her nape. “And honestly? While it is a well-known fact that Zaira’s manipulative and vindictive, I never thought she’d switch sides as easily as she did after all the time we’ve spent fighting against Mykal. As far as the other thing? I can’t do anything about being a man, nela. Not sure I’d want to anyway. Not with you here in my arms.” He slid his hand down and rubbed small circles on her back, relishing the warmth and feel of her tiny body tucked against him.
“You got shot! I thought I’d lose you.” She sniffed.
“If you want to get the anger out, then I think we need to clear all the air between us. My getting shot was nothing compared to your foolish action of trying to trade yourself for me.” He cupped her face in his hands. “Don’t you ever risk your life for mine again. Do you understand me, Ellie Morgan? I’m not worth it, and I couldn’t live with myself knowing you did.”
She caught her breath, and her eyes shone with fresh tears. His heart thudded like drums in his ears. He’d nearly let his past haunts ruin what was probably a once-in-a-lifetime shot for him to be loved by someone who’d never betray him.
“You’re not worth it?” Ellie’s eyes widened. “You’re worth much more than my life. You’ve done so much for me, so much for Molly, so much for so many people.”
“That’s the other point. You were willing to leave Molly?” He pressed his lips together and shook his head. “I’m not worth that.” He feathered his knuckles over her cheek, and she stroked his jaw. Her fingers scraped along his jaw. His heartbeat pounded in his ears, and he leaned closer, savoring the tingle of fire from her touch.
“I didn’t want to leave Molly, but I made arrangements for her to be taken care of. Besides, if there’s anything that I’ve learned since the catastrophe on Earth, it’s that I don’t want to lose someone I love again. I couldn’t bear it if something happened to you or Molly…especially if I could do something to prevent it. You would’ve done the same.”
“Yes, but that’s different.” He smiled.
“No. It isn’t.” She scrunched her nose up. “It’s no different, and you’ll be wasting your breath trying to convince me otherwise.”
“Do you honestly?
“Do I honestly, what?”
“Do you love me?”
“Yes.”
The pounding in his ears became louder as his heartbeat kicked up another notch. His breathing quickened as warmth spread throughout his chest. A calm he hadn’t experienced for years spread throughout his body. He closed his eyes for several seconds, then opened them. He couldn’t remember the last time he cried, but the tears gathering in his eyes made it clear that now was the end of the dry spell.
“I’m sorry I pushed you away. I haven’t had good experiences with women in my life who actually mean it when they say they love someone.”
“It’s okay.” Did he finally believe he was good enough for her? Was he finally done pushing her away? She reached and wiped away a tear from the corner of his eye.
“It’s not okay, but I plan on making up for it. I love you, Ellie. Have from the first moment I laid eyes on you, right after you punched me in the nose.”
Laughter bubbled from her throat, and she flung herself in his arms. When he grunted, she sat back. “I’m sorry. Did I hurt you?” She lifted his shirt to search for his injury.
“I’m fine, Ellie.” He gently restrained her prodding fingers. “Thad gave me some pills for the pain. It’s almost gone now.”
WHEN ELLIE LOOKED into his face, her tummy flip-flopped and slowly filled with heat. His gaze scorched her, and she burned for him in a way she never thought possible.
“It’s been a long time since I’ve been with a man,” she blurted. “An-and I’m not sure we should be doing this…any of this considering the condition you’re in.”
“We have all the time in the world right now. We can take it as slow as you like. As for my condition?” She followed his gaze to the bulge straining against his pants. “My condition will be much more painful if we don’t continue.”
He pulled her against him, and his lips descended upon hers in a sensual kiss that heated more than just her belly. His tongue slid along the seam of her mouth, then slipped inside where he coaxed her to a fevered pitch blended melodiously with want and need.
When he broke the kiss, her breaths came in ragged pants and a moan escaped her at the loss of his lips.
“I’m not very good at this.” Bayden kissed her on the forehead.
“I beg to differ,” she said.
He smiled. “No. I meant the relationship thing, but I’ll try my damnedest to make you happy, Ellie.”
“Bayden?”
“Yeah?”
“Shut up and kiss me again.”
His grin widened, and his eyes turned dark with desire. “I can do that, but I don’t want to stop there.”
She leaned closer and whispered against his lips. “Good. I don’t want you to.”
His mouth descended upon hers once again, and she melted against his hard chest. This connection between them was deep, more than she’d ever thought possible. She’d longed to find love one day but had lost hope until she met Bayden. And she’d be forever grateful to whatever force had brought them together.
He groaned and palmed one of her breasts. Her nipple tightened, straining against the fabric of her shirt. She closed her eyes and let the torrent of emotion slam into her, welcoming it as a storm welcomes the wind. His fingers were magic and elicited a deep-seated need for his possession.
He was the one her soul had been waiting for. Its other half.
Her pussy throbbed, and she squeezed her legs together, squirming at the deluge of warmth and moisture. He leaned in and nuzzled the neck of her shirt aside, then took one hardened nipple into his mouth. She cradled his head, encouraging the wicked flicks of his tongue and gentle scrapes of his teeth. A tremble shook her, and she moaned.
Pressure built inside her, and her skin tingled on the precipice of pain, making her body scream out for him. While she understood what was happening, the intense surge of need overwhelmed her.
Digging her fingernails into his shoulders, she straddled his lap. He tongued and nipped at her nipple, and the throbbing between her legs turned to a dull, restless ache. His hands roamed her back and moved down to cup her ass. Nudging his hips up, they nestled between her thighs. His hard cock pressed against her, huge and hot, seeking entry. Realizing just how big he was, she whimpered. “I’ll try not to hurt you,” Bayden whispered against her skin before kissing the top slope of one breast.
“I know.” She smiled at him before taking his face between her hands. “Let’s not worry about that.”
“I can’t help it.” His fingers tightened on her ass, pulling her closer.
She covered his lips with her fingers. “Shhh. Stop worrying about me. If something’s uncomfortable, I’ll let you know, okay?” When he continued to stare at her with dark brows knitted, she continued. “Besides, don’t you know that you shouldn’t talk about your other relationships when you’re making love with the woman who loves you more than anything? It’s possible that I might get jealous.” She moved her fingers from his lips and ran them along his neck.
“I certainly wouldn’t want to make you jealous.” He trailed one hand up her back, running his fingertips over her spine, and then returned to cupping her ass. “You might punch me again.”
“Mmm. I’m not really in the mood to punch you right now.” She trailed kisses along his jawline before rubbing the hard expanse of his chest. “Let’s not worry about anything but”—she kissed him again—”this right now.”
He trembled under her hand. “I can’t argue with that.”
She ran her thumb over his bottom lip. “Now will you please make love to me?” she whispered.
Without another moment’s hesitation, he reached for the hem of her shirt. He rolled the fabric, touching every inch of exposed skin. He stared at her, gaze roaming over her face down to her breasts, then back again. Exhaling, he covered one breast with his hand. “You’re beautiful,” he murmured.
She pulled at his shirt. Her shaky fingers fumbled over one another as she tugged the fabric over his head. “Oh.” She touched his wide chest, marveling at the definition of muscle and sprinkling of dark hair. She feathered the tips of her fingers over his small, flat nipple and delighted in the way he trembled under her touch.
He tumbled her to her back and covered her mouth with his lips. His tongue slid against her tongue, and wanting more, she wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him closer. He cocooned her with his huge frame but kept the bulk of his weight from crushing her. His hands roamed her body, setting her skin aflame wherever they touched. His tongue slid deeper, and she strained against him, needing to be even closer.
His fingers slid along her neck, shoulder, down her arm, over her stomach. Anticipation shivered through her, and she clenched the sheets in her hands. He tugged her shorts and panties off her legs then followed the trail of exposed skin with his lips. He nipped at her inner thigh. His warm breath fanned over her labia, and she shivered.
He looked at her. Desire burned in his lavender eyes, and she rubbed her heel along his side. He groaned and wedged his shoulders between her thighs. He spread her wide and b
lew softly on her clit. She trembled and then bit her lip…waiting.
His tongue glided over her folds and landed on her clit. Nerve endings she never knew existed burst awake. A ball of lava flickered to life low in her abdomen. The glowing sphere seared her insides, and a tingling sensation made her skin prickle. She looked at him, unable to resist watching what he was doing to her. He gave her another long, slow lick and then swirled his tongue over her clit. She went boneless, flopping back on the bed, and moaned. He repeated the action again and again. She jerked with each touch of his tongue, writhing while small currents of electricity jolted through her. She clutched at the sheets, frantic to keep from flying off the bed, and arched her hips.
He splayed one hand over her stomach to hold her still for his delicious assault, and euphoria became her essence. The pressure inside her built with each thrust of his tongue, and soon she thrashed her head from side to side while her body perched on the precipice of the tsunami of bliss threatening to rush her at any second.
Within seconds, the pressure gave and exploded. She bucked against him as flashes of fire ripped through her, and a strangled cry struggled past the tight muscles in her throat. He continued to lick and suck and nibble, coaxing every aftershock of her orgasm to its peak.
The waves began to subside, and she was just beginning to catch her breath when he slid two long fingers inside her. He rested his head against her thigh and breathed deep. “So slick and warm,” he murmured, before easing out and back in. Her skin itched from the inside, and warmth flushed her skin. Her lips fell open, and she fought for air. With each stroke, he spread his fingers enough to stretch but not hurt her. She arched, and the stretch of her skin sent tingling ripples from her clit to her nipples.
“Please.” Her skin tingled again, and the pressure had already begun building again. The restless need for his cock to slide deep inside vibrated through her pussy.
He stood and hooked his thumbs in the waistband of his pants. Her mouth went dry as he eased the fabric over his hips. Butterflies danced in her stomach, and she moaned when the part she craved was finally bared. She’d never grow tired of looking at his incredible ripped body. The effects of her orgasm pulsated through her, emboldening her, and she spread her legs open in blatant invitation.