Dalia took control of the kiss, sucking on his tongue, not allowing him a moment to pull back. She broke their kiss, her fingers digging into his chest. Pride and lust swelled his chest. His mate would give as good as she got. He slowly withdrew his fingers, her whimper of displeasure made him smile.
She kissed her way down his chest until she was bent down in front of him. She slowly unzipped pants, licking her lips greedily when his erection sprang free. Her breath tickled the tip and he prayed for patience. He closed his eyes to block out the sight of her mouth so close to his shaft. One false move, one more breath and he would ruin it.
He clenched his teeth and wrestled his beast.
She lightly trailed her fingers across his shaft and stood. Grabbing it at the base, she leaned over, pulling his ear into her mouth. “As much as I would love to taste you, I don't submit that easily.”
He jerked in her hand, his erection pulsing. Damn she knew how to push his buttons. Lifting Dalia, Bron dropped her roughly on the bed, moving over her body before she could shift her position. Her defiance excited him. The lion in him roared in approval at the strength of its mate. He used his knees to part her legs, his hands holding her down at her waist. Her dark brown eyes were lit with an inner fire, nearly sending Bron up in flame.
“Honey, I can have you begging to go on your knees for me,” Bron growled.
Dalia turned her body grabbing his waist, forcing Bron under her. He was shocked at her strength. It satisfied him on level he had no time to explore.
“I want to see you try,” she dared him, running her nails lightly across his chest and down to his groin.
Power saturated the room, as his beast broke through his controls. Dalia watched his eyes change, the irises glowing with chocolate fire, his pupils dilating. The growl that came from him tightened her nipples and raised the hair on the back of her neck. Bron flipped her again so that he was on top of her, kissing her, robbing her of any coherent thoughts. She laughed, further challenging him when he broke their kiss panting. Dark lust flared in his eyes, reacting to her challenge.
“Oh, rewà, you have no idea what I'm going to do to your body.” He promised. He chuckled, his voice deep, moving through Dalia’s body like thunder.
He hovered over her body on his knees, his hands on either side of her body, not one single inch of him touching her. Her breath hitched in excitement. Bron stared down at her body, his gaze searing her. Her skin tingled every place his eyes traveled. He leaned over and blew across her body, the warm air traveling across her breast.
As Dalia moved to wrap her arms around him, Bron pinned her arms at her side and she huffed out an impatient breath. He pressed a single kiss to her throat and growled. The vibrations traveled across her body, her sensitive skin feeling each vibration like a caress.
Bron rubbed his face into her chest. He rained small kisses down past her stomach right to the center of her body, his power trailing her skin in the wake of his breath. Her legs parted in expectation but he moved down her thighs, neglecting the throbbing center. He kissed her thighs on either side of her sex, close enough for her to feel the heat of his breath, but not close enough to ease the ache that was building. He used his power to build on that ache. Her breast swelled heavy with need, contracting her womb in pleasure. Her skin flushed, the nerve endings more sensitive than anything she had experienced. He pushed his fingers inside her tight sheath, moaning at the way her muscles clenched around them.
Bron studied Dalia, reading and using every nuance of her body language to drive her past her control. He kissed his way back up her body, grabbing her lips in a kiss that was all about dominance. She moved under him, her body seeking release but he wouldn't allow it. He would take nothing less than total surrender from his mate. He released her hands and immediately she wrapped them around his erection trying to take back control of their game. Bron lowered his body flush with hers and Dalia’s legs wrapped around his waist trapping him in place. His beast rode the surface, its power caressing her skin. He nuzzled at her neck, as his hips moved instinctively against her, seeking entrance.
“You tease,” she accused. “You know you want it as much as I do.” Dalia raised her hips, wanting more.
Oh Goddess, did he. 'Not until I hear you beg.' He challenged.
'I don’t beg', she snarled, trying to hold back her moans.
He brushed against the little nub at her center and a ragged cry tore from her throat. He ran his thumb over that button over and over until she was panting for air. The little sounds of pleasure called to him, pushed him and Bron cursed as he lost the last thread of control. He removed his fingers, adjusting his shaft to take their place.
The very tip of him nudged against her core, the moisture from her coating him, beckoning him. Dalia lifted her hips and Bron sunk deep. There was some resistance, adding to the friction, robbing him of his breath. Dalia flipped him onto his back, no hint of submissiveness in her eyes. She rocked her hips on top of him, riding him.
Bron watched from beneath his lowered lids, allowing her the control, reveling in it. He bit his lip trying to hold back the eruption he felt starting at his toes. Her breast swayed as her hips undulated, the rhythm driving him closer. Bron sat up, grabbing her hair and tugging her to him. Her legs moved around his hips, pushing him deeper. Sweat ran down his body as he lifted his hips to meet hers. His hands slipped between their bodies, finding the small bundle of nerves and pinched lightly, sending her head back in ecstasy. He was relentless in his possession of her.
She ran her nails across his back and he growled his pleasure. She leaned over; bit his shoulder, screaming as he once again flipped her onto her back. His hips drove into her over and over, his eyes glazed in lust.
Pleasure built at her core and moved through her body. His fingers rubbed furiously over that sensitive bundle of nerves, pushing her nearly over the edge, but she felt him holding back. She bit him again to stop herself from screaming out, deliberately biting down hard enough to mark him.
She would not beg. She wanted him to give in to her first, but damn if it wasn’t a huge turn on having a man that could match her. His power moved across her skin again, electricity stinging her, tightening her body. Her heart beat matched his thundering rhythm, as her soul reached for him. She whimpered as he thrust deeper, running over a spot inside of her that turned her body to molten liquid. He fought his own orgasm, she could see it in the way his muscles tensed, but still he pushed into her over and over, taking her higher and higher.
'I can feel your body clenching around me, Dalia,' he said seductively.
His voice wrapped around her mind, taking over the little bit of coherency she had. Pleasure filled her head, and his voice amplified it. 'You only have to say one little word.' he teased.
'Never,' Dalia lied, biting her lips to keep the words inside.
His hands moved from their position at her center, forcing a cry from her lips.
'Don’t stop.' She panted.
Bron’s head lowered and he took one of the peaks of her breast into his mouth. His mouth pulled on her nipple, his tongue swirled around the tip stealing her breath. He moved his finger back to her center touching that nub lightly, tapping it to tease her.
“Please,” she whispered.
Bron kissed her deeply, taking the sting out of her surrender. The gesture was sweet and Dalia found herself drawn further into the man that was Bron. She gasped as he pulled out and turned her on her stomach. Pulling up her hips he slammed in to her wrenching a scream. She wanted him out of control and the forceful thrusts were her reward for pushing him. She arched her hips, moaning as it deepened his strokes. Bron moved her hair aside pulling a scream from her throat when his teeth gripped the back of her neck. The possessiveness of his bite reached past her body and into her heart. It was no longer a game, this man had claimed her as surely as she laid claim to him. She knew his bite would leave a mark, a mark she would wear proud.
Bron’s breathing was ragged as he drove into her body
, the heat of her sex surrounding him, pulling at his control. He used his fingers to drive Dalia over the precipice and he followed her. His hips thrust furiously as he did, the mating bond flaring between the two of them. The hormone from his teeth entered her body driving the heat between them to scorching. Dalia called his name as she splintered. Bron could not contain the roar from his beast as he came, the sound echoing off the walls in Dalia’s room. He looked down at his mate; pride and possessiveness both brightened his eyes. Dalia smiled sleepily at him, her satisfaction evident in the small love bites he had on his shoulder.
Bron lowered himself gently onto her and rolled to his side, to keep his weight from crushing her. He kissed her neck softly; satisfied with the mark he knew would be on her skin. It would tell the world who this woman belonged to. Contentment swelled his heart as he watched her. Before long they were both sleep.
DALIA WOKE AN HOUR OR SO BEFORE DAWN, as she felt the bed shift. Bron sat on the edge, head in hands. She ran her hands over his back reveling in his smooth brown skin. Tension radiated from him, his muscles bunched. Her heartbeat quickened, he was a sight to behold. She frowned as her heart continued its fast pace, she had fed hours ago, and her heart was still racing, his power flowing through her. She shelved the issue as his pain reached out to her. It was vivid, almost as though she were in pain herself. She hugged his tense form, laying a small kiss on the base of his neck.
'What’s the matter?' She touched his mind cautiously.
His arm reached back and pulled her head to his for a soft kiss. 'It’s nothing, mi okan. It will be dawn soon; I should leave you to rest.'
He lied smoothly. Dalia pushed down on his shoulders as he tried to rise. 'I should worry about how easy that lie slid past your lips, but I'll let it go for now. I feel your tension, Bron; tell me what’s wrong.' She demanded.
Bron chuckled, but there was no amusement in the sound. 'You’re really bossy. You shouldn't worry about me.'
Dalia pushed down the hurt. He obviously didn't feel the same closeness, she wouldn’t let it get to her. Pulling the sheet up to cover her naked body she shuffled from the bed.
“Fine then,” she said aloud. “You can leave now. I don’t sleep with people who don’t trust me.” Pissed at the emotion in her voice, she ignored the little voice that told her she was being hypocritical.
Bron flinched. “Dalia, I trust you. I just don’t want to talk about it.” He didn't move from his spot on the bed.
Dalia stared at him, not buying it. They stared each other down, a silent battle of wills.
“If you’re not going to talk, then you should move and get dressed,” she snapped.
“I've only been thinking of the past.”
“That clears it right up, thank you,” she said bitingly. “You need to work on your communication skills. When someone asks you a question, they usually are looking for more than a quick ‘screw you’ answer.” She moved to her dresser and pulled on a t-shirt and underwear.
'Dalia, don’t. Come here.' Bron called to her.
She turned to him, careful to keep her face blank.
'I'm not used to having these types of conversations.' He tried to lighten her mood.
Not gonna happen. She shook her head and turned her back to him.
'Come here, mi ôkàn.' He called again, his voice deeper, reaching inside her.
Dalia bit her lip to keep herself from answering his call. The compulsion to turn and soothe him, made her hands shake.
“This isn’t going to work, Bron.” She told him, her back still to him. She turned and slammed right into his naked chest. A small shiver of fear went through her; she didn’t hear him come up behind her. She cursed this thing between them that caused her to let her guard down around him.
“You can’t just walk away from this, Dalia,” Bron growled at her.
Damn him. Her temper sparked. “I don’t take kindly to people telling me what I can or can’t do.” She poked his chest.
“What do you want from me, Dalia?” Bron asked her quietly, staring down into her expressive eyes.
“I only want you to respect me, Bron. If you can’t tell me what’s going on with you, then give me the respect of not lying to me about it. We don’t know each other well, so I get that we'll be wary with each other, but there has to be some level of trust between us.” She had her own issues, but his lack of trust in her hurt.
Bron cupped her chin, kissing her lightly. He embraced her, deepening the kiss. “Let’s sit. I will tell you about me and my tribe.” He whispered, nuzzling her neck.
Dalia nodded. Bron sat on the edge of the bed, pulling Dalia onto his lap. He lay his head on top of hers, inhaling her hair. A small purr rumbled her back and she melted.
“Once upon a time…” Dalia prodded.
Bron chuckled nervously. “There is a goddess named Oya. She's the goddess of Wind, of magic. She's responsible for helping souls pass from this life to the next. Every person who possesses magic is said to belong to her. There is a temple beyond the veil where she collects and stores the earthly magic of these souls before they are allowed to pass to their place in Orun, our afterlife. When they pass on, they meet in the passing room.”
“What happens there?” A memory flickered across her mind but was gone before she could make sense of it.
“They stand before her record keeper, who stores the magic in a stone and records the family it belongs to.”
“Why?” Images of blue stones flittered across her mind.
“It allows the magic to pass down to the next child born into their family.” He answered.
“So the magic stays in the family?”
Bron nodded “Not every soul that passes through the temple is pure. There are those who corrupt their magic while they're living, changing it in a way that Oya is unable to touch. The record keeper stores that magic in red stones and keeps it separate from the pure blue stones so that it would not pass back through the family. It was a strong deterrent for the villagers. There's no worse shame, than not being able to pass the family magic down.”
“Your tribe is big on family,” Dalia commented.
“Family is everything.” Vehement. Firm, leaving no doubt of his feeling about family. “One day Oya noticed the red stones were being stolen from her temple. Angered, she went to the other gods to demand help. They refused, so she gathered the strongest warriors of the tribe, gave us the gift of the lion and created a woman, chosen to lead the village. The oracle’s purpose was to guide us and keep us connected to Oya. I was a temple warrior along with my brother and four other warriors. Our job was to protect the oracle and Oya’s temple.” Bron swallowed heavily. “We lost the first oracle. My twin brother Nuru, died trying to protect her. He was alone in the temple with her.”
“I’m so sorry Bron. What happened?” Dalia rubbed her arms. She had goose bumps from his story. Muddled memories bombarded her, eerily similar to the temple Bron described.
“A group of Ajo attacked the village.”
Dalia shivered at his statement; it explained his obvious distrust of her. The pain and bitterness in his voice made her wary, and held the weight of a long-seated hatred for those like her.
“The Ijoye, our leader, took the temple guards down to the village to help them. Nuru and I were left to guard the oracle, healer and the álà-írín. The oracle was giving birth and she was having complications. The healer sent me to the village for the midwife, she felt she couldn't handle the birth on her own.” Bron eyes welled but not a single tear fell.
Dalia wrapped her arms around him tightly. Tears clogged her own throat, rendering her mute. His pain was tearing at her.
“When I returned from the village with the midwife, they were dead.”
“Oh no,” Dalia whispered. She didn’t bother with empty platitudes; she could feel the guilt he carried, and knew firsthand how hard it was to release that kind of guilt.
“Oya’s wind whipped through the temple, her anger worse than anything our l
egends prepared us for. She blamed us for leaving the oracle unprotected. The villagers had the ability to defeat the Ajo that attacked them, but called to the Ijoye instead. Oya punished them for it and took their powers. I spoke up for the villagers. I thought taking their magic would leave them too vulnerable; there was already war between the villages. Oya punished me for both leaving my post and defending their cowardice.” Bron buried his face in Dalia’s neck and took a deep breath. “When I tell you I haven’t had to interact with people for years, I mean it literally. My sentence was confinement to our temple in Africa. I've been there, alone for over five hundred years.”
Dalia’s eyes widened, that certainly explained his lack of tact.
“Were it not for the task assigned to me by Zahra I would still be there.” He finished quietly.
Dalia didn't have anything to say, it was unbelievable that he was made to suffer for so long.
“What happens if I don’t go?” Dalia questioned.
Bron shrugged. “I will not think of that outcome.” A small smile turned up his lips. “This is no simple task, Dalia. Failure is not an option for me.”
“Who were the other women you spoke of, the healer and álà-írín?” How many people would she face if she went with him?
His look chilled her, and she stood from his lap.
“The oracle is part of a trinity that allowed our tribe to return Oya’s stolen magic.”
“So I would have to meet these women as well?” Her mind churned.
Bron watched her intently. He wanted to know what she was thinking but she had her mind blocked to him. He could feel her confusion and fear, but the reason was hidden behind the wall.
“What do you guys want with me, Bron?” she asked. “From your story there is no love lost between the Ajo and your tribe, why would the oracle send you to purposely seek me out?” Her eyes were turbulent, tugging at his heart.
“That’s something the oracle will have to answer, Dalia.” Frustration and anger flickered across her face but there was nothing to be done. It was the oracle’s job to explain everything to her. He couldn’t risk her running if he told her the wrong thing.
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