Defiant (Battle Born Book 13)

by Cyndi Friberg

  “But the movie isn’t over.” He slid both hands up along the outside of her legs, circled her knees, then ventured higher. Her eyes widened, growing unfocused though she stared past him. He caught the sides of her panties and tugged. “Lift up, love,” he whispered. “I want to touch you.”

  “You are touching me.” Her voice trembled, but she obediently raised her hips.

  He slid her panties down and then off, setting them in plain sight so they wouldn’t forget them when they went to her bedroom. She glanced at him, smiled, then looked past him again. Stubborn female. Accepting the challenge, he eased her legs apart without raising her skirt. The illusion of modesty made his exploration even naughtier. If he heard someone approaching, he’d simply move his hands and sit down.

  His fingers teased her inner thighs, savoring the silky texture of her skin, thrilled that he finally had permission to touch her. She shifted restlessly on the couch and the scent of her arousal rose. He inhaled deeply, soothed by the unique combination of her grooming products and aroused female. Her scent soothed him, yet excited him, the contradiction dizzying.

  She fisted her hands on the sofa, her breasts rising and falling with each rapid breath. Needing to understand exactly what she was feeling, he lowered his mental shields. Her emotions trickled across their connection, the link needed to be fed on a regular basis or it would dissolve. He’d been so distracted by the conflicts surrounding them that he’d forgotten about the link. He quickly channeled energy into the connection and her emotions grew stronger, more easily identified. She was surprisingly aroused considering that he’d yet to touch her sex. Yet conflict still restrained her responses. She felt guilty for wanting him, as if her desire were some sort of betrayal.

  A bit of his playfulness evaporated. Did they need to talk this out, or would debate only focus her attention on the emotional obstacles?

  “Are you losing interest in the game?” She sounded disappointed.

  He looked up and found her gazing at him, confusion creasing her brow. Rather than clutter the moment with a bunch of unnecessary words, he eased his thumbs higher and brushed her damp folds. She inhaled sharply and moved her gaze back to the screen.

  Freed by her reaction, he rotated his hand and traced her slit with the tip of one finger. Her body was so responsive, so eager for the same things for which he burned. He watched her face, fascinated by the play of emotions so obvious on her features. Their link echoed what his eyes perceived, making the progression even more evocative.

  Her folds parted for him, welcoming his touch with a soft, wet embrace. He fought back a groan, not wanting to distract her from the sensations. Her body was so hot, so ready for him. He pushed deeper, right into the very core of her body. She was snug and wet, tightening on his fingers as she’d soon tighten around his cock.

  The thought catapulted his desire, making it almost impossible not to take her right then and there. But this was too important. She needed to learn to trust him with her pleasure, even when the situation was a little bit dangerous.

  He slid his fingers in and out of her passage, loving the sounds and smell of her desire. His thumb settled over her clit, accenting each smooth stroke. Every gasp and moan flowed like music through his senses, and her expressions were as beautiful as fine art. He could watch her forever, bringing her to peak after peak as she writhed helplessly before him.

  Her hips began to roll, increasing the pressure of his thumb and the depth of his fingers. She was close. He could feel it, smell it, and sense it. She surrendered to the moment, open physically and emotionally. She was so damn beautiful in her pleasure that it made his entire body ache.

  Wanting to prolong the moment, he lifted his thumb, but she caught his wrist with a breathless, “Please.”

  How could he deny such a pretty plea? He caressed her clit as he filled her core, giving her exactly what she needed.

  She came with a throaty cry, her fingernails digging into his arm. Her inner muscles rippled and pleasure surged across their link, nearly triggering his own climax. He fought back his orgasm with frantic stubbornness as he watched her float back to reality.

  She blinked, looking dazed and sleepy as reality refocused around her. “Now it’s your turn,” she pointed out with a wicked smile. “Do you want it here or upstairs in my bed?”

  Chapter Nine

  As soon as the bedroom door closed behind Drex, Jenna attacked his clothes. The orgasm he’d given her in the family room left her warm and tingly yet anxious for more. She needed her mate deep inside her, filling her completely as only he could. He tugged off his boots while she took off his shirt. His undershirt followed, leaving him bare to the waist. His chest was too tempting to ignore, so she took a moment and appreciated the sculpted contours with her hands and lips.

  His need smoldered across the transfer link, revealing the energy he expended remaining in control. Touching her had excited him just as much as it had pleasured her. He ached for her, yearned on a soul-deep level. He wanted to claim his mate, to prove to the universe that they belonged to each other. She wanted that too, eventually, but she wasn’t sure now was the time. If they could just capture Abaddon, or expose his true nature to his followers, then things would be stable and… She shook her head and dismissed the thought. There would always be something or someone threatening their future. It was inevitable with the roles they played within their societies.

  She refocused on the present and unfastened his pants. Each time they’d made love, he had been determined to give her pleasure, often at the cost of his. Tonight would be different. It was time for her to pleasure him, and for him to lose control.

  His pants sagged low on his hips, showcasing his toned abdomen. The head of his cock peeked out from the V created by the open seam. She reached in and carefully grasped his shaft, amazed by his heat and hardness.

  Drex groaned at her touch and shoved his pants lower. Gravity did the rest. She stroked him, fingers sliding up and down his entire length as she debated how best to proceed. “Sit on the side of the bed.”

  He caught her wrist and shook his head, expression suddenly stern. “Not until you’re naked.”

  So much for asserting her authority. He clearly allowed only what he wanted to allow, and took back control whenever he chose. But she would see him tremble and hear his cries of surrender as she shattered his composure. She would have that much at least before she resumed the passive role.

  Stepping back, she raised her hands to the front of her dress and began freeing the buttons. She took her time, teasing him with glimpses and shy smiles before exposing anything important. Her sweater hit the floor first, then she turned to the side and slipped the strap of her dress down her arm.

  “The longer you take undressing, the longer I’ll take devouring you.” The sensual threat in his deep voice sent shivers down her spine.

  He’d already given her an orgasm with his fingers. She wasn’t sure she could wait through another round of teasing. Keeping the thought to herself, she pulled her arm free of the strap and let the material slip just enough to give him a glimpse of her breast from the side. She faced the opposite direction as she freed her other arm from the strap. Her breasts were bare now, but she kept her back turned as she pushed the dress past her hips.

  “Keep it up,” he growled. “I love teasing you.”

  Unable to fight back her smile, she bent from the waist to pick up her dress, knowing the provocative position displayed her lower body perfectly. Suddenly his hands were on her hips and his face pressed against the backs of her thighs. His warm tongue pushed into her folds, but she jumped forward with a startled cry.

  “No you don’t.” She spun around and pointed to the bed. “It’s my turn to devour you. I’m naked as you requested. Now sit down and behave.”

  A wicked smile parted his lips as he sauntered over to the bed and sat. He spread his legs and crooked his finger, then pointed to the floor between his spread thighs.

  She tensed. It ruin
ed the setup if she followed his orders. She looked at his erection, boldly jutting out from between his legs. She’d have to exert her authority in other ways, make him wait forever like he frequently made her wait. She moved into position and knelt, running both hands up the inside of his thighs. When she reached his sex, she wrapped one hand around his shaft and cradled his balls with the other. He moaned and his head dropped back as a ragged breath expanded his muscular chest.

  “I’ve dreamed about this for so long.”

  His admission thrilled her, as did the obvious tension in his entire body. She wanted to make this last, but he was already close to coming. Instead of immediately taking him in her mouth, she touched him, stroking his thick length and circling his tip lightly with her thumb. He was a study in contrasts, rock-hard flesh, covered in velvety skin.

  He clenched his jaw and lifted his hips, his message obvious. She pressed her teeth into her lower lip as feminine power unfurled within her. “Doesn’t this feel good?” She stroked him from base to tip.

  “Yes.” The word exploded from his mouth along with his pent-up breath. “But I want your mouth. Please, love, I need it.”

  It was as close as he’d ever come to begging, but she wasn’t quite satisfied. “Like this?” She leaned down and circled his tip with her tongue.

  “No. Yes!”

  She laughed and did it again. “Which is it?”

  “Yes, but more. Put me inside.” His eyes opened, phitons burning. “Suck my cock, Jenna. I want your hot, wet mouth.”

  The rawness of his tone and explicit words eroded her determination. Their gazes locked as she slowly wrapped her lips around him. His chest heaved and his hands pushed into her hair, but he didn’t try to control her. He watched her with rapt fascination as if he’d never seen her before. She slid her lips lower, taking more and more of his flesh into her mouth.

  “Yes, oh gods, yes!” His eyelids lowered then he arched his neck, his legs shaking.

  Thrilled by his response, she grew bolder. Desire blazed across their link, making her dizzy. She bobbed her head, taking him as deep as she could. Her fist encircled the base of his shaft, squeezing and sliding in tandem with her mouth. His taste grew stronger and his scent was reestablished with each deep breath. Mine. Her spirit affirmed. This male is mine!

  “I can’t wait,” he cried, then lifted her straight up, his big hands under her arms.

  She quickly folded her legs as he settled her astride his lap. She’d really wanted him to completely lose control, but it was hard to argue when her entire body ached to be filled by him.

  He positioned himself at her entrance, then his gaze bore into hers as he slowly pulled her downward. She opened for him, stretched around him, welcoming his thick length with wetness and heat. He didn’t stop until she’d taken all he had to give.

  Their harsh breathing was the only sound as they stared into each other’s eyes. There was no hiding from the emotions now, no guessing what the intense expressions meant. He pulled her head down to his, their eyes slowly closing. Their mouths meshed, aligning until there was no space between their lips. He caressed her with his tongue and she responded, showering his mind with tenderness.

  Ride me, love. Drive us both crazy.

  He was indulging her, but his willingness to give her back some measure of control surprised and pleased her. He was dominant to the marrow of his bones. Surrender in any form ran against his basic nature. She flexed her knees, sliding her body up until only his tip remained inside her. She paused for a passionate kiss, then slid back down, filling herself completely with her mate.

  Her gasp momentarily separated their lips. He adjusted the angel of her head, then reestablished the connection of their mouths. Desire and affection surged back and forth between their minds. The scalding emotions sent pulses of sensation tingling all through their bodies. She tightened around his shaft and braced against his shoulders, her hips moving faster and faster.

  His tongue moved boldly as she found a rolling motion that maximized the slide of her body over his. By arching her back, she increased the pressure of his shaft against her clit. Each sensual rotation brought her closer to orgasm. He grasped her hips and thrust upward, increasing the penetration of his cock. She cried out and twisted her face away from his, not wanting to come without him. But it was too late. The pleasure was too intense and her body was too responsive. She threw her head back and dug her nails into his shoulders as an orgasm pulsed inside her.

  Before the last ripple faded, he rolled, sweeping her beneath him, then drawing her hips to the edge of the bed. He stood on the floor and her legs were draped over his forearms. His gaze drilled into hers as he took control of their movements.

  “My turn,” he whispered, his need scorching through her mind.

  Her breasts jiggled as she panted and moaned, her nipples tight and dark. His gaze focused on the inadvertent display and he narrowed his eyes. His hands grasped her waist and pulled her even closer to the edge of the bed. Then he bent forward, forcing her legs higher on his arms. His thrusts slowed, but didn’t stop as his lips captured one of her nipples. He drew on the sensitive crest hard enough to make her gasp. Her inner muscles clenched and she arched, taking him deeper. He moved to the other side, using just a hint of teeth as he filled her with sharp thrusts.

  When her nipples were pebble hard and bright red from his intense attention, he lifted his head and concentrated entirely on the motion of his hips. Her legs had caught in the bend of his elbows, keeping her pelvis angled up. He filled her deeply, staking his claim with each forceful drive. She couldn’t really move, could only surrender and revel in the pleasure he unleashed in her.

  Their link vibrated as they both neared completion. Desire and hunger, tenderness and longing, swirled through their minds and cascaded through their bodies. His features tensed and his thrusts sped, becoming almost frantic. He looked savage, utterly engrossed in the joining of their bodies and souls. His urgency released the same in her. She lifted to meet him, offering him everything, body, mind and soul.

  He came with a strangled cry, buried deep inside her. The heated pulses of his release triggered her final orgasm. They shuddered and moaned, clinging to each other as wave after wave of pleasure crashed over them.

  She recovered first, watching as awareness gradually returned to his passion-muddled gaze. “We’re getting good at this.” She smiled at him and he chuckled in return.

  “I don’t want to leave you, but my legs are about to give out.” With obvious reluctance, he separated their bodies and crawled onto the bed beside her.

  She glanced at the alarm clock on the nightstand and laughed. “It’s barely nine o’clock. No wonder I’m not sleepy.”

  He reached over and cupped her breast, thumb lightly teasing her nipple. “However shall we pass the time?”

  “Actually, I’m starving. Popcorn isn’t much of a dinner.”

  His gaze heated and swept down her body. “I can think of other things I’d rather eat.”

  With a carefree laugh, she scurried off the bed and quickly found her bathrobe. “Let’s find something for me to eat, then I’ll let you have desert. As much of it as you want.”

  “On the kitchen table?” he suggested with a roguish grin.

  “I had no idea you were such an exhibitionist.” She laughed. “Desert will be served up here in the privacy of our bedroom. However, I won’t rush you. I’ll revel in your attention and patiently wait until you’ve had your fill.”

  “I’ll never have my fill of you, sweetheart, but I accept your deal, and suspect you’ll enjoy desert as much as I will.”

  She just smiled and pointed to his discarded uniform. “Better put on your pants. Our housekeeper/cook’s bedroom connects with the kitchen.”

  * * * * *

  Sated and exhausted from the night before, Drex and Jenna slept much later than they’d intended. It was nearly ten when they stirred and eleven thirty by the time they left the bedroom freshly showered and re
ady for the day. As with the day before, Drex dressed casually. Today he chose dark brown pants and a pullover shirt with a subtle earth-tone pattern. Still, the garments complemented his sophisticated good looks and lean body just as much as his customary power suit. Jenna followed his lead, donning a casual summer dress of forest green with a full skirt and wide straps that gave it a retro feel. Rodytes preferred their women in “female” clothing. Still, she tried to convince herself she wasn’t doing this entirely for him. She’d always enjoyed the freedom of flowing skirts and slip-on sandals. While Jenna completed her preparations, Drex contacted General Lux and Morgan Hoyt, but neither of the leaders had anything encouraging to report.

  Jenna and Drex ate brunch in the kitchen, wanting to prolong the intimacy as long as possible. But they weren’t on holiday. They’d returned to Earth for a reason. After Jenna indulged in a second cup of coffee, they finally left the kitchen in search of Lenore and/or Thea. Neither was anxious for the conversation about to take place.

  They’d just reached the main corridor when Drex suddenly stopped walking. Jenna collided with his side and turned sharply to face him, but her playful remark evaporated when she saw his tense expression. He stared off into space, obviously communicating with someone.

  “This is Drex, go ahead.”

  A long pause followed. Had one of the investigative teams learned something new? Had Thea’s grandmother, Helen, been found? Please God let that be the case. Drex’s expression remained tight and unhappy, so her tiny flicker of excitement sputtered out before it could build into hope.

  “How dependable is the witness?” he asked.

  A witness? But a witness to what?

  “I see.” He spoke out loud, so he was probably speaking with Morgan or one of her agents. Rodyte com-bots could send and receive transmissions without any verbalizations. With humans, his com-bots emulated a cell phone or radio signal, so it was still necessary to speak.

  “Understood.” He sounded discouraged. After another long pause, he added, “Thanks for the update.”