by Aliyah Burke
“Stop whining and start climbing.” Roz practically bounced on the soles of her shoes.
Body screaming in agony, she made her way over the split rail fence then landed with decidedly less grace than Roz had. “Ouch,” she deadpanned.
Roz rolled her eyes and went on her way. Taylor trailed after her, praying they didn’t have to walk up that hill she’d noticed. Her muscles were better, not fixed. Thankfully that wasn’t the way she was led. She still wished she weren’t so sore.
They rounded a corner and Roz held up a hand, Taylor stopped and followed the finger she pointed with. Beneath a large oak were two foals and their mother.
They were dark brown with white blazes down their noses. Immediately awed by the cuteness, Taylor forgot about her aches and pains. The mare whickered and trotted over to them, the babies trailing after.
“How come they’re not afraid?”
Roz grinned. “I have an affinity with horses.”
Horse sign. Duh. They petted, stroked and played with the animals until the sun lowered in the sky. Taylor walked with one hand on the mare back across the pasture to the gate so she could avoid climbing over the fence again.
She smiled and shared a knowing look with Roz when they discovered a man waiting there for her. Cale. She clenched her fingers in the mare’s mane to hide her own reaction. Shorts and a shirt worked so well on him. The backwards ball cap had him coming across as even younger than he was.
Cale swung open the gate as she said her farewells to the equines. “Have fun?” he asked, latching it again. “Hey, Roz.”
“Cale. I’ll see you later, Taylor.”
“Thanks for everything.” She waved at her friend who headed off back in the direction of the barn. “Yes. I did.”
“You look a little sore.”
“We were playing with the foals. They’re strong.”
“Come on, let me help you feel better.”
Her nipples tightened behind her shirt and she had to struggle not to moan aloud. In her head though, she was dancing a jig. “What did you have in mind?”
“Bath and a massage.”
The groan slipped free this time, for that sounded spectacular and incredibly enticing. “Let’s go.”
“First things first.”
She stopped and looked up at him. “What’s that?”
“This.” He kissed her. His tongue swept through her mouth with dominance. In and out he stroked, before touching everywhere he could reach. When he broke away, her legs trembled even more.
“Oh,” she sighed.
“That’s one word for it.”
She slipped her arm through his and he led her inside and up the stairs—more mental whimpering there as her legs screamed for mercy—to her room. He left her to undress while he started the bath.
“Ready?” he called out.
She walked into the bathroom wearing nothing more than her shirt, which reached mid-thigh. She carried some more clothing to put on after. “Yes.” The aroma wafting up from the bathwater was soothing and relaxing. “What’s that scent?”
“A mixture of white gardenia and spearmint.” He glanced at her over his shoulder. “You’re a bit overdressed for this, babe. And you won’t be needing those clothes. You have a massage after the bath.”
“I’m supposed to walk around naked?”
A wicked grin. “Works for me.” One shoulder shrug. “In this room, anyway.”
She removed her shirt, grateful the grimace came when the cotton was over her face, then dropped it on the floor beside the sink, which she’d placed the folded clothing on.
His gaze darkened and his nostrils flared. In response, her clit throbbed and nipples tightened even more. It was a heady feeling, knowing someone wanted her so much. Correction—knowing Cale wanted her so much.
“Climb in.” His voice much deeper than it had been.
She walked closer, deliberately avoiding staring at the noticeable ridge in his shorts. Okay, so maybe she sneaked a few peeks. “Thank you for this.” Her own voice was huskier than usual as well.
“You’re my mate. It’s my job to make you feel better when you are sore.”
She dragged her nails along the blue shirt covering his chest. “Are you staying to wash my back?”
“Don’t tempt me. You’re deserving a soak, so get in and soak.”
“Or what?” She wasn’t sure where all this taunting him came from.
He leaned in closer and put the tip of his nose to hers. “Or I fuck you against the walls and in the tub and you get even more sore.”
She kissed him. “That could be fun.”
He gripped her upper arms and swore. “No, this isn’t about that. Get in the tub, Taylor.”
There was no hiding the strain he was under to control himself and she let it go. “Okay.” She climbed in, groaning softly as the heat penetrated her muscles. The heavy aroma sank in and when he put a folded towel behind her head, encouraging her to lay back, she didn’t fight.
“Thank you,” she said.
“I’ll be back in a bit to check on you.”
“Perfect,” she muttered. This was heaven.
Chapter Twelve
Cale paced out in the bedroom, continually shoving a hand through his hair and doing his damnedest to keep out of that bathroom. She needed to soak—he could see she was trying not to show him how sore she was. They must have played really hard with the horses. He would have been concerned for her but for the fact she’d been with Roz.
Now she was with him. Naked. A room away. His cock pushed harder against the material of his shorts. This was not fair.
“I believe you said something about a massage.”
He turned at the sound of her voice and promptly lost his breath. She stood there, a vision of loveliness. The steam from the bathroom hovered behind her in the doorway. The pink towel she wore wrapped around her, covering her breasts, and stopping mid-thigh. Her short hair was darker on the ends and he knew it was damp. She shone and he wanted to… Massage, he’d promised her a massage.
“I did.” Damn, when did my voice get so gravelled? “Come here.”
She padded barefoot to stand before him. Large eyes watched him and he loved her thick, curved lashes.
“Lie on the bed.”
“Stomach?” She paused. “Or back?”
Doesn’t matter. I can fuck you either way. “Stomach.”
She crawled up on the queen mattress and stretched out, arms by her sides. Her head turned to left so she could see him. In the depth of her gaze, he could see trouble lurking.
Willing his unruly cock to behave, he moved towards her and grabbed the oil he was going to use—the same stuff she put on her own skin after a shower. It might not be massage oil, but it would work in a pinch. He reached out and took hold of one end of the towel. A final prayer for strength left him and he pulled. The pink rectangle came off her body and he tossed it away.
Pouring some of the oil on his palms, he stared at her ass. Luscious. Plump. He wanted to bite it. I have to focus. He got to it, beginning at her feet and making his way up. Her occasional moans didn’t help his libido. When he’d made it to the nape of her neck, she was limp beneath his hands.
He turned her to her back and stared at the woman laid out before him. Breasts high and firm, just begging to be captured by his mouth. Flat stomach, and hips he loved to hold as he thrust deep inside her. Her pussy hair was neatly trimmed and he wanted to sink his tongue within the lips and taste her thick cream.
Dragging his gaze up further, he met her eyes. They were dark and swirled with desire and lust, but she didn’t move.
“Ready?” he asked.
“You’re really good at this.”
“I’ll have to take your word for it.” He began at her foot again.
“Why? Hasn’t anyone else said so to you?”
“Never given anyone other than you a massage.”
She smiled. “Glad to hear it. But then, how do you know what you’re do
ing?”
“I don’t. All I know is I want to touch you. Everywhere. Repeatedly. And make you feel good. That’s what I’m going with.”
“Mission accomplished.”
Her legs were firm and moving up them brought him even closer to her slit. Stay focused. His current mantra.
“Glad you’re enjoying it.”
“I am.”
He held her gaze and felt the reaction in his groin. So much heat, it nearly burned him. His hand faltered for a moment before he got himself back under control. He knew she was enjoying it, but he admitted to himself he liked hearing it from her as well. He could smell her arousal and that wasn’t helping him any.
He worked up her left side to her breast then moved back to do the right. She moaned and shifted on the mattress. Taylor took his hand and slid it back down to her pussy, rotating her hips, grinding against his hand.
Cale got the message. The massage was over. Slipping back down her body, he nudged her thighs apart with his shoulders and spread her open. He leaned in and flicked out his tongue.
“Shit, yes,” she moaned.
Up and down he lapped, avoiding her clit. One finger, followed by another, he sank inside her.
“Cale!”
Her heat wrapped tight around him and he wanted to be inside her with another part of his body. In and out he thrust his fingers, latching his mouth onto her nub. Her cry spurred him on. Nothing else mattered other than delivering her to orgasm. He grunted when she gripped his hair and yanked. Cale swapped his fingers and tongue, delving deep and taking all the cream she offered as she came. Her own honey poured on his tongue and he couldn’t get enough of it. She tasted so damn good.
“I could do this forever,” he said as she lay shaking beneath him.
“Inside me, Cale.”
“No. I want more.” He ripped off his clothing in record time. Lay on the bed and lifted her to sit on his face. “So much more.” He groaned in pleasure, trailing his tongue over her folds.
* * * *
They ended up taking another shower together, later on that evening. Dinner wasn’t attended and as they lay there, naked, limbs entwined on her bed, Cale stared out of the window. Taylor slept in his arms and he was perfectly content. Almost. If there was no threat he would be, but he was more content that he’d ever been.
“Billy? How are you doing over there?”
“I’m all right, Cale. How’s your woman?”
“Doing well. Are you safe there?”
“So far. I’ve found a woman they’ve been tracking and am going to approach her about it tonight.”
“A woman?” Cale heard definite interest in Billy’s voice. “Is she your mate?”
“Not sure. Haven’t talked to her.”
“But you feel something.”
“I’m a male and alive. An attractive woman makes me feel things.”
“Deflection is always an option, brother.”
“So is kicking your ass when I get back.”
“I need a good training session.”
“I hear your artefact is doing new things now.”
“Yes.” It wasn’t a shock to him that Billy had been informed. Lian told them to always share information, don’t leave the others in the dark. “It was freaky yet impressive. Still is. So what’s she look like?”
“Who?”
“Your woman?”
“I don’t know she’s mine. She’s just one they’ve pegged interest in. I’m obligated to help her.”
“‘Like I was with Taylor.”
“Shouldn’t you be paying her some attention?”
“I’m holding her right now.”
“Go. Enjoy. I will talk to you soon.”
“Stay safe, brother.”
“You as well. Oh, I heard about the attack from The New Order. Is she okay?”
“A bit shaken up for a short time, but she’s fine now.”
“I knew she was a fighter. Later.”
The connection vanished and he slid his lips along her forehead. She stirred in his arms and woke.
“We missed dinner, didn’t we?”
“Yes.” He took another kiss from her full lips. “Are you hungry?”
“I wouldn’t say no to some sustenance.”
“Let’s go then.”
They dressed and made their way down to the kitchen. It wasn’t empty—Dracen and Aminta were in there fixing bowls of ice cream.
“Oh, so you do live,” Dracen said to Cale. “We weren’t sure when you didn’t come down to fix dinner.”
Oh shit! “I totally forgot it was my night. Who took it for me?” The look she gave him answered that question. “I’ll take your next one, when is it?”
“Tomorrow.”
Taylor buried her head against him and he leant down to her ear. “What’s wrong?” he asked.
“You were supposed to be cooking down here for everyone and instead we were up there…you know.”
He grinned. “Oh yeah, I know. Trust me, I know exactly what we did. How often and in what positions.”
She punched him and he captured her hand, kissing it. “Can you behave?” she admonished.
“I don’t think so,” he said. “Want some ice cream, or something more?”
“Ice cream works.” She looked at the women. “What are y’all up to?”
“Watching a movie. Care to join us?”
“I’d love to.”
Cale wanted her to stay with him, but he was grateful to them for including Taylor in their activities. “Is this a movie I’m invited to as well or is it women only?”
“You can come if you want,” Aminta said, her lips curved up at the ends.
He knew that look. Holding up a hand, he shook his head. “No, no. You three go have fun, I’ll find something else to do.”
“You sure?” Dracen asked.
“Positive.” He slid a bowl of ice cream to Taylor, who’d finally moved away from him to stand closer to Aminta. “I’ll see you when your movie is over.”
She gave him a smile that kicked up his heartbeat a bit more. “Sounds good.”
He walked to her side, kissed her then left. Instead of going to another game room, he made sure no child was near then took the passageway down to the room where they had the prisoner. Tiarnán was already there and the man behind the bars looked like he’d seen better days.
“Has he spoken?”
“Yes.” The deadpan way Tiarnán spoke sent chills up his spine. This man didn’t mess around.
Cale thought about the woman who was destined to be Tiarnán’s mate and prayed she would be strong. A weak woman wouldn’t survive Tiarnán’s intensity.
“What can I do?”
They both looked in the cell and the man cringed, afraid of what was to come.
* * * *
“Better.”
Taylor would take it. Coming from Dracen, it was high praise indeed. Bent over at the waist, she sucked down air and balanced her hands on her knees. They’d been training daily, always at a time when Cale was occupied with something else.
“Thanks.”
Standing upright again, Taylor looked at the woman she’d dubbed the ‘dragon warrior’ and shook her head. Dracen didn’t even look winded. No sweat dotted her brow, her chest didn’t heave in meek attempts to get more air. Bitch.
“You have good instincts,” Dracen said, flowing towards her in a way Taylor was willing to admit she was jealous of. The woman was the epitome of grace.
“But?”
“You try to outthink yourself.”
Hands on her hips, she tilted her head. “I do what?”
“You try to outthink yourself.”
“Which means what?”
Dracen looked around. “When an attack comes at you, your body automatically begins to do something. Then, your brain gets in the way.”
“So I’m harming my own training.”
“Essentially, yes. You need to trust your body. Your instincts.” She crossed her arms
and braced her feet shoulder-width apart. “This last spar, what were the things that went through your mind?”
She moved her mouth like a gaping fish for a few seconds. “I’m not sure. I was waiting for you to attack then I was thinking…”
“Tell me.”
She was embarrassed to admit it. “I wanted to impress you so you’d think I was making progress.”
Dracen didn’t respond for a couple of moments. “You are improving. What you need to remember, Taylor, is this is war. It’s not a competition where you are going for points in a ring with observers. When you’re called upon to use what you are learning, it will be in a life or death situation. Don’t think about impressing me or anyone. Think about staying alive. Listen to your body. When you think about anything else, you try to do what you think I want to see you respond with. I don’t care how it looks—if it works and keeps you alive, that’s our goal.”
She’d not thought about it like that before. “So, just because you showed me a roundhouse, doesn’t mean I need to use that the next time.”
“Exactly. I’ll flood you with moves, help you hone them, but you, your instincts need to play a bigger part. This isn’t a movie, there’s no script here. And when you’re fighting, there’s no reset button. Some people are better with kicks than punches. Some vice versa. You have to discover your own talents, strengths and weaknesses.”
“Discover my own weakness?”
“If you know it and are comfortable with it, no enemy can use it against you. A weakness isn’t necessarily a horrible thing. You just need to know what yours are. Same thing with weapons. Swords are some’s preference while the bow is others.” A smile. “Like, I don’t think I would give you nunchuks. Just a hunch. But a staff, I think you’d excel at.”
“Who excels at the bow?”
“Roz likes to use the bow, but we all know how.”