When he had run up to her, he’d been translucent. Now, as she gripped him, the sensation of something besides his power filled the clearing. Out of the corner of her eye, she could almost make out something, but it shifted out of her view before she could focus. She tried to look, but when she did, something held her head immobile. After a few moments, the sounds of the Xiruis screaming faded and an eerie silence enveloped them.
Ryne stumbled. Kalina held him up or he would have fallen. Staring at his wan face, she realised how weak he’d become.
“Christ, I remember why I don’t go ghost often. It hurts like hell.” His words were slurred.
Ryne’s eyes rolled back in his head and he pitched forward. Kalina grunted as his weight fell on her. Using her power, she held him up before gently lowering him to the ground.
“Ryne, don’t you die on me!” Kalina stared, worried, at his paleness.
I didn’t know you cared. His tired voice flittered in her mind.
The vice around her heart eased at the teasing in his tone. She slapped him on his chest. “Stop lying down on the job and get up.”
Oh sweetie, I wish I could. I need a place to rest to rebuild my strength.
“Where do you want me to take you?”
Home. His voice sounded even more strained, thin.
Frustration bubbling, Kalina glared at his still form. “I don’t know where you live.”
Pull the image from my mind and take me there.
Laying her hand on his chest, she did as he asked. She transported them and in moments they stopped. She glanced around at a beautifully decorated bedroom—it was plush, decadent and massive. A humongous bed covered with indigo and green pillows filled the centre of the room. She used her power to float Ryne to the bed.
Kalina debated whether she should strip him, but before she could decide, an indigo film covered him briefly then disappeared leaving him bare. Gasping, she turned away, closing her eyes and biting her fist before shuddering. She’d had a good look—the man was hard, lean and built everywhere.
If only I had the energy. His voice brushed wickedly in her mind.
Startled, she turned back and waved her hand, covering his luscious body with a sheet.
Spoilsport. I’m sure you’re wondering how I knew you looked. Your arousal increased. It’s smoky and sweet.
Kalina frowned.
Ryne continued to speak in her mind. You can go. I’ll be okay. I just need to rest. His voice faded.
He looked as if he were already asleep. She wanted to go, but couldn’t leave him defenceless. She spotted a chair and using her power, she brought it to her then sat before she leant back. She would keep watch—he’d saved her life. There was no way she could have taken out all those Xiruis. It was humbling to be in anyone’s debt.
Kalina slumped in the chair, but jerked from her sleep when she started moving. “I thought you needed to rest?” she exclaimed as she floated through the air to the bed, then came to rest against him.
If you’re going to be a guardian over me, no reason for you not to be comfortable. Ryne’s voice sounded tired but teasing.
She stiffened struggling to rise.
His voice growled in her mind. Lie the fuck down, Kalina, before I bind you, expending energy that would help me reenergise quicker. I’m too weak to attack you. God, woman, you’re a pain in the ass.
Kalina poked him in the chest, growling in return. “I don’t like orders.”
Ah, hell. Do what the fuck you want.
She could almost imagine him throwing up his hands in frustration. He sounded disgruntled and Kalina stifled a grin.
She settled against him and warned, “I’m still armed.”
Ryne snorted. Like I want you.
Kalina reached down and cupped his hard shaft. His heart rate sped up as his cock lengthened under her fingers.
Taking her hand away, Kalina replied, “Yeah, you do, but it isn’t happening until I say so.”
Ryne laughed. Now it’s when instead of never. I’m making progress.
Kalina stilled, startled to realise what she’d said. She looked at his face, then laid her head over his heart, listening to its steady rhythm, the beat lulling her to sleep.
* * * *
Kalina woke hot and achy. Murmuring, she sank deeper into the covers only to stiffen at the hard body under hers. She opened her eyes to the view of his bare tanned chest. Raising her head slowly, she prayed Ryne still slept. Heated indigo eyes met hers, and a sinful grin curved his lips. In that moment, Kalina realised where her hand had settled. She tried to slowly withdraw.
“You’re going the wrong direction. It’s a little lower.” The teasing in Ryne’s tone also held an underlying challenge.
Watching his eyes, Kalina stroked her hand firmly down his erection, the skin hot and silken against her fingers. His eyes went opaque, then unfocused and his breath hissed out from between clenched teeth. She held him firmly and he swelled even more.
Ryne looked back at her, a dare in his gaze. “Be sure this is what you want. I don’t do casual sex.”
She stared at him, mouth agape. “You’re turning me down?”
He smiled a mirthless grin. “No, I’m demanding it all.”
“We’ve only known each other a day.”
Ryne placed his hand over her heart. “Your soul recognised mine from our first meeting. We know each other in here, where it counts.”
Kalina’s heart thumped in response.
Ryne looked at her and gently removed her hand from his cock. He kissed her nose, then moved her off him and slid from the bed. She watched his firm ass as he walked away.
Narrowing her eyes, she waved her hand. He disappeared only to end up right where she wanted him. Rolling over, she then brought him back under her, before straddling him.
“I don’t like people walking away from me.” She put her finger over his lips when he opened his mouth to speak. “Shh… I only do casual. And I only do it because it’s all I could afford to let myself give.”
Ryne gently kissed her finger before pulling it off his lips. He held her hand and twined his fingers with hers.
“You have to make a choice. Accept what you feel and what I am, or walk away.”
“Why must it be all or nothing with you?” Frustration filled her.
“That’s all it can be. We can finish this case together, then walk away. Or we can see where this leads. Firebirds only mate for life. I’d rather not have you than have to live without you.”
Kalina’s heart stalled before speeding up. “Mate? This is only about sex. No one said anything about mating.”
Ryne’s look of understanding made tears well in her eyes, emotion clogging her throat. He reached up and stroked her cheek. “Ahh… Kalina, you can try to lie with your head, but in here, you know the truth.” He lifted her hand then put it over his heart after he laid his over hers.
His heart sped up to match hers. She slowed down her heartbeat, and his matched the rhythm. Realisation dawned, unveiling what she already knew with her soul.
“I don’t know if I can give you what you need.”
His smile was bittersweet. “Then let me go.”
Kalina’s heart clenched at the thought.
Ryne watched her, a calm expression on his face, and a sensation filled her. It warmed her inside and flowed outward. Instinct drove her to speak in the tongue of her people.
“Ju Illioes brimye L usrne crilos yile polin spirieeh un illioes. Li eiien crnu L eiem eney enxy fudy dkeoel sikdk fik ejleoe. Sjkil sksk djjh dudidkdnn zi sui juemmee.”
Ryne looked at her and repeated her words. “My soul mate, I join with you body, soul and spirit. In your care, I place all of these for now and evermore. Life, blood and fire, we are bound.”
A sense of expectation filled in the air, then something inside her shifted and settled.
“I’m not easy to live with,” Kalina warned, looking down at him.
Ryne smiled. “Neither am I.”
She laughed, leaned in and kissed him. Placing her mouth on his, she tasted him for the first time. His lips were soft under hers. Licking along the line of them, she then delved inside, stroking her tongue against his, then lay against his hardness. Kalina gasped as he settled between her thighs, then pressed his erection against her aching wetness.
Ryne purred, making her tongue vibrate and her pussy clench in reaction. She roared sinking her hands into his hair, feeling the hair band that held it give. Gripping the strands, she held him still as she kissed him hungrily. A fire filled her, making her skin burn. She slid her hands deeper into his hair, before swirling her tongue, then she bit down gently on his tongue and he jumped. Stroking it, She stroked it before humming, then slowly mated her tongue with his. A weird sensation filled her mouth. Kalina murmured sucking harder.
Liquid heat burst across her tongue, scorching her. Kalina groaned then a shudder started from within her soul, spreading outward until her whole body shook. Fire burst over her tongue, scorching down her throat, bursting under the force of her moan. Still gripping his hair, she closed her eyes and ravished his lips. Ryne growled, setting off another flood of heat.
Opening her eyes, she stared at Ryne, drunk on his kiss. The flames in his gaze reflected back showing her own. She rose slightly, accepting his cock within her heat, and sank back onto him with a slow, deliberate motion.
Ryne groaned, causing the muscles in his neck to bulge.
She clenched her pussy around his hard shaft, sucking him inside, revelling in the slide of his erection moving against her inner walls. Her wetness made his way easier, but still he stretched her. Kalina dropped her head back, pushing down and down until he was inside her.
The sensation made her moan. Ryne cupped her, pulling, then held her against his hard shaft.
Kalina! Ryne’s urgent voice echoed in her thoughts.
A fierce smile curled her lips at the sound. Looking him in the eyes, she rocked forward again. Ryne grunted as she tightened around his cock. The sound broke her control. Kalina rocked back and forth in a quick motion, riding him hard and fast.
Ryne gripped her ass, urging her on.
She dropped down and kissed him. He sealed his lips over hers and locked his arms around her, pinning her tight against him. She rubbed against his muscular form. Heat shot through her with each stroke going right to her clit. The scrape of his cock buried deep inside overwhelmed her.
Ryne murmured, bucking his hips, then undulated them in a motion that made the breath stall in her lungs. The movement touched all her hidden places, setting off a firestorm. He increased his movement, and cupped her ass, pushing her down on his cock, making her gasp.
“Ummmm. Yess… Pppplllle—” She screamed soundlessly as his cock heated inside her.
As her orgasm overtook her she slammed her eyes closed then gripped his sweat-soaked shoulders, digging her nails into his skin. Pleasure swelled, knocking her over the edge with the ferocity of a five-alarm blaze. The air rushed out of her lungs. The sweet, sharp pain of her release held her in its greedy clutches. She arched her hips forward, feeling all of him. The knot inside her burst under the pressure of her orgasm.
“Kalina!”
At the urgency in his voice, she opened her eyes watching as his eyes flamed. The fire lighting them swallowed the indigo colour. Ryne stiffened as his hips arched under the force of his release. Shudders racked him, setting off more pleasure. She watched him watch her. Seeing the amber light of her gaze in his eyes, Kalina raised up her legs around him higher. He sank deeper, making them both groan.
She rotated her hips and he roared in pleasure. She sealed her lips to his and accepted the guttural sounds he made. He pumped his cock into her as her pussy greedily clenched around him. Holding him tight, she did the motion again. His release continued to pulse, filling her up and up.
Ryne watched the lust shimmering in her eyes, and the lines of pleasure etching her face while she took him. The combination of her look and pussy gripping him made him gush with cum. Kalina changed movements, sucking him deeper. She took him with a demand he found intoxicating. She used his shoulders to pull herself forward before slamming back onto him in one hard motion. Fire lit his eyes, casting her in a luminous glow.
His vision wavered. Arching his back, Ryne stroked deep. Kalina grunted and bore down, clenching around him. His cock pulsed and pulsed. She sped up, her slick walls creating delicious friction, pulling his shaft back and forth inside her. Clamping his hands on her lush ass, Ryne held her still and ground against her. Kalina screamed, countering the motion. Her pleasure poured over him while he filled her.
Ryne held her tight as she milked him, demanding more while her release rode her.
She collapsed against him, her heart beating fast, and Ryne thought his own heart would pound out of his chest. He stroked her hair, which fanned over them. Kalina moaned, rubbing her face against his chest. As their breathing calmed, he took in her closed eyes and smug smile, portraying her contentment.
“You’re pleased you have devastated your mate.” Ryne cleared his throat, surprised at the emotion welling in his voice.
Kalina jumped, then her smile widened. She opened her eyes and looked at him. “Give me a minute to recover and we’ll do it again.”
Ryne pumped lazily and her eyes heated, then dropped becoming slumberous. He kissed her, swallowing her gasp as his revived shaft filled her pussy.
Rolling them over until she was beneath him, Ryne whispered, “I’ll do all the work this time.”
“Ohhhh,” Kalina whimpered as he pumped into her.
Ryne grinned, and set out to drive her out of her mind. He thrust deeper then kissed her swallowing her moan.
* * * *
Ryne stared at the landscape before them, hands clenched into fists. Their numerous searches kept leading to dead ends.
He shivered with desire at the gentle touch on his back. He put his arm over her shoulders, bringing her close to his side. Kalina wrapped her arm around his waist, put her hand over his heart and settled next to him.
His heart slowed until it beat in time with hers. He glanced into her face, viewing the passion shimmering in her eyes, as well as the same frustration he felt. Ryne lowered his head, kissing her gently, and she sank into his kiss with a naturalness he found was a big turn-on.
She was his—his mate. It was humbling to have a soul mate after all these centuries. Raising his head, he studied the area again. The days were passing by and still they had not found The Book of Terra. He touched Kalina’s wrist, he brushed his fingers against the bracelet still there. Fear choked him.
If Eve wakes and Kalina is still wearing the bracelet, Eve will destroy her. He wouldn’t allow it.
“Stop worrying so much,” Kalina growled.
Ryne looked down at her. “I must take care of you.”
She pinched then twisting his nipples. Ryne jumped.
“I can take care of myself.”
He gripped her hand over his heart and stared at her. “I know, but it’s in my nature to want to take charge.”
Kalina snorted. “Get over it before you piss me off.”
She pulled away and strolled across the clearing. He shook his head, watching her go before following.
A shimmer appeared between them, becoming a form. The man looked over his shoulder with a grin that chilled Ryne to his core. His heart stopped as the man turned back to Kalina. Light glinted off the man’s raised sword as he slashed down.
Chapter Four
Ryne took a step forward. Kalina turned and caught the sword in one hand, punching the man with the other and knocking him down easily. Ryne didn’t look away from her as he continued his approach. He stifled a grin at the unfriendly look on her face. Ignoring her gaze that shot daggers, he touched her shoulder.
“Your prickly nature is so sexy,” he teased.
Kalina’s lips twitched. “You’re turned on very easily.”
Ryne smirked then took the same han
d she had hit the man with and kissed the fingers. She shuddered. He watched her out of lowered eyelids as he stepped closer. “I’ve never reacted to anyone like this before. Only with you.”
Her gaze softened. He enjoyed flustering her. Leaning into her, he spoke against the side of her face. “You should have screamed for my help so I could rescue you.” He said it just to see her reaction.
Kalina jerked back. Narrowing her eyes they heated, then flashed. She pulled away, turned and stomped off. He heard her muttering about neutering him, fury in every line of her body.
He stared after her while stifling a laugh, then Ryne called, “Kalina!”
She turned swiftly and opened her mouth to speak. He cut her off before she could. “I would scream for help so you could rescue me. So it’s only fair you do the same.” He rocked back on his heels.
Kalina opened her mouth then closed it, before she crinkled her eyes devilishly as she chuckled. “I’ll rescue you anytime, since I know how soft your sensibilities are.”
Ryne chuckled. She turned and continued to walk away. He had to increase his pace to catch up with her.
“I’ll show you soft later.” He came abreast of her.
He stroked her ass. Kalina looked at him and grinned, wiggling her butt beneath his palm. Laughing, he put his arm around her waist.
Kalina gave him a pointed look. “Since I took him out, you can carry him back to headquarters.”
“Who?” His thoughts of making love to her made him too distracted to follow the conversation.
Exasperation crossed Kalina’s face then she sighed. “That is all you think with.”
He grinned in agreement.
She stopped and gestured back to the man. “Go get our prisoner, so we can take him back to headquarters.”
Realisation dawned. He glanced back at the prone man on the other side of the clearing.
“He’s still alive?” Ryne started across the clearing with the intention of killing him for trying to kill Kalina.
Indigo Rain (Phoenix Intelligence Agency) Page 4