Medora pinched him in the side. “What?”
She held her hand to his ear and whispered. “We’re in public. Don’t let anyone see you break. Wait until you’re in private, my love.”
Jerik let a smile slide across his face, and he kissed her cheek. He whispered back. “Thank you. And now I understand you a little better.”
Medora gave him a small smile and nodded. “Finishing school. Among other things.”
“Let’s get Caterina’s rooms ready,” Jerik said. “And be somewhere private for a little while.”
“Yes.”
Jerik would never tire of looking into her honest and open face. They left gawking patients in their popping wake.
Chapter Thirty-One
Medora paced while Jerik walked through her penthouse. She wrung her hands. “What if…”
“Stop,” Jerik commanded from behind her. He wrapped his arms around her shoulders from behind. “All will be well. Caterina will heal. She will be as good as new.”
Medora turned in his arms. “I’m sorry about the wedding.”
“We’re still getting married,” Jerik murmured into her hair. “I haven’t told you how fetching you look. I can’t wait to lick the entire length of your glorious dancer’s legs.”
She blushed furiously but squeezed him tighter. She had started imagining what she would do to him. She could never compete with his history, but she could be creative. At the very least, everything she tried would be a first for her.
“Caterina will be at our wedding,” Jerik continued speaking into her hair. “We’ll buy her a beautiful gown.”
Medora pulled away and looked into his face. “You’re—a more caring person than you let on.”
Jerik looked down at her and frowned. “I have had a lot of time to build walls around my emotions. When I began feeling things for you, I tried to burn the emotions all down. I was unsuccessful.”
Medora smiled, eyes twinkling. “You met a formidable opponent in me, Mighty Jerik of the Sex Clubs?”
He returned her smile. “I never saw it coming.”
Medora wiped an eye and walked to her kitchen counter. “I made something for you,” she said. “I hope you like it.”
She presented him with the item and tucked her hands behind her back, feeling girlish and unsure.
Jerik held the box with questions in his eyes. He turned it over and over, and finally opened it. With a deep frown on his face, he lifted the small canvas and held it out for his inspection.
Medora held her breath. Her heart raced a million miles a minute. She might pass out. Inhale through the nose, out through the mouth, she chanted to herself.
“The help you received from Sharkur,” he finally said. “I’m touched, Medora.” He looked up from the canvas to her face.
Did he like it? Did he know what it was? “I’m sorry it’s not much. Do you—like it?”
Jerik nodded slowly, eyes returning to the artwork. “I had no idea Sharkur could find this representation of my mate and child. I thought I had destroyed everything.”
“He said he had to ask many Krinar to get a hold of it. I used some artistic license to embellish it,” she explained and walked closer. She gestured to the mixed media. “I asked Sharkur if he could duplicate any items from those days with his nano-thingie. He reproduced this necklace and the kind of fabric used in your baby’s blanket.” Medora peeked at his face. He still wasn’t smiling. “I’m sorry if I overstepped. I know I feel closer to my clients when I,” she said and swallowed. Waved her hand at the memorabilia scattered around her living room. “You know, when I look at or hold these things. I thought maybe…” She blinked tears away.
Jerik grabbed her with one arm, crushing her to his side. He said not a word, but held her to him, and she could see out of the corner of her eye that he still held the canvas with his other hand and stared at it with ferocity.
“Forgive me,” Jerik uttered. “I cannot speak.”
Medora closed her eyes, relief and compassion flowing from her heart to his. She understood only too well.
A loud pop erupted in her suite, and they looked at Sharkur and her father and Rosela. Rosela’s expression was one of fury mixed with awe. Daddy was unflappable.
Reluctantly, Medora withdrew from Jerik’s arms, and Jerik turned away, fussing with the canvas and box it came in. Probably composing himself.
“Sharkur, thank you for bringing them here,” Medora said holding out her hand. Sharkur took it and pulled her into him. She was swallowed up in his size. She noted his glance toward his friend. “Daddy, Rosela, I’m sorry for messing up everything.”
“Nonsense, Medora. Sharkur tells me you’re going to be a mother,” Daddy said. “I’m sure all will be well in a matter of days.”
“We will need to do much shopping,” Rosela said with folded arms and a special glare reserved for Sharkur. “No more trash in this house.” She looked at Medora. “Little children do not need sugary drinks to rot their teeth. We’ll keep the fridge stocked with fruits and vegetables. Plenty of water. Fresh herbs,” she listed tapping her fingers. “We’ll need boots, coats, hats, scarves, extra shoes…”
Medora giggled and Rosela shot her a look. Medora spoke. “Caterina will be in wonderful hands.” She turned to Jerik who stood aloof with hands in pockets. All better now. “We don’t have to live here, Jerik. We could live with you or wherever you like?”
Jerik allowed a smile. “Maybe we’ll ask Caterina.”
Medora laughed. “No fair! She’ll want to live with you, with or without me.” She pretended to pout. Worry nibbled at the back of her mind. “She’ll be okay?”
Sharkur and Jerik both snapped “Yes!”
She took a deep breath. “Okay. I’m changing. Rosela?” She looked at her housekeeper/quasi parent. “Let’s go shopping!”
Chapter Thirty-Two
Jerik only had eyes for Medora. Caterina held Rosela’s hand with one dainty hand and clutched a tattered teddy bear in the other; Douglas stood looking very dapper in his Armani, but—Medora.
Apparently, she had decided the white mini-dress was too inappropriate for Caterina’s presence. She was wearing a wide-skirted dress in a stiff white satin. Her waist looked tiny. The dress had a square neckline, and Medora wore a string of pearls around her graceful neck. She had on a boxy white hat with a tiny scrap of sheer fabric covering her eyes. She had dark sweeping eyeliner that enhanced her dark eyes, and dark red lipstick. She looked as composed as ever, an icon of grace and poise. She called it good breeding. Jerik smirked.
He recalled his previous mission. To make her come undone in his arms. He’d caught a glimpse of what would happen tonight when they’d kissed and sucked each other to completion just the other week. With clothes on.
With a tight clamp on his arousal—there was a child present after all—he imagined just how he would unravel the stoic beauty before him.
“The vows?”
Jerik snapped out of his carnal reverie and smiled at the Justice. “Of course, yes.”
He pulled out the vellum and began reading.
“I’ve seen tens of thousands of sunrises,
But none of them compare to your smile.
I’ve seen countless sunsets,
But none make me as sad as when you leave my presence.
I’ve had too many mistakes in my life
To ever be called a good Krinar
But if I can live up to the person
You make me want to be,
I will be happy.
I covenant with you, Medora, to be faithful
To only you. To be a father to
Caterina.
To hold you in my heart
Forever.”
He looked at his bride, and her smile blinded him.
Then she pulled out a mangled scrap of paper. “I’m sorry,” she murmured and unfolded it with shaking gloved hands. She cleared her throat.
“When I was a little girl, I thought the Krinar were angels co
ming to rescue my mother.
They didn’t.
But it set me on a journey that I will never regret,
Because of the people and children whose paths I’ve been privileged to walk along with.
I never expected that you, Jerik, would one day be the angel
That my little girl heart prayed to see.
Not only for Caterina.
You rescued me from a dull life, a life full of death, with only the barest
Breath of hope,
And brought me a life full of wonder and brimming with promise.
I covenant to be faithful to you, and a mother to Caterina,
All the days of my life.”
The Justice of the Peace finished the ceremony, but Jerik heard nothing. He looked deeply into Medora’s eyes.
True, the Krinar didn’t have weddings, but he thought he could understand the importance someone like Medora placed on the tradition. A quick glance to Sharkur revealed he held little patience for such things. Jerik winked at him. Someday.
He looked down at Caterina who stared at him with the biggest smile and the brightest blue eyes. They had already had some tearful nights, discussing the fate of her parents and her fears of the future. But together, he and Medora had comforted her the best they could.
She and Rosela had become fast friends and thick as thieves.
A good thing, because he was stealing Medora away right…about…now.
Chapter Thirty-Three
Jerik swept her away in a whirlwind. They traveled for some several minutes until they were on a tiny deserted island.
“What is this place?” She smelled the salt water and heard gulls screeching over the water. The temperature was balmy; a drastic change from the wintery mix Chicago was currently suffering.
“Heaven,” he answered her and began taking off his coat.
Medora blushed and took a step back. “Be careful with me,” she whispered. “I’m fragile.”
Jerik barked a laugh. “You’re amazing. I’m not worried.”
She felt her heart race, but she wasn’t afraid of Jerik. She knew he loved her. How could he not? He’d abandoned a very long debauched life for her. He never so much as glanced at another woman. Or man.
He reached into his pocket; she tracked his every movement with her eyes. He produced his nano-device and pointed it to the side. A cabana began constructing, complete with draped walls. When the breeze stirred the curtains, she could see plush pillows and a low mattress inside. Tables dressed with fresh food and dishes appeared after a few minutes.
“Come here, Medora.”
She swallowed but stripped her gloves from her now sweating hands. Her heels sank into the soft white sand. She stepped out of them. Watched Jerik as he stood with hands in pockets, a severe look in his eyes.
She tossed away her hat. Stepped even closer to him, then slowly turned around. “Will you unzip me?”
She could imagine the wicked gleam in his eye and the predatory smile he must now be sporting.
The dress ripped down the back with a loud rending sound and was thrown aside. He spun her with hot hands on her shoulders. She felt his amber gaze on every inch of her but lifted her chin in defiance.
She wore a soft pink bra and panty set.
“You little minx,” he growled at her and pulled her closer and used his teeth to tear the bra off. Her breasts sprang free before him, and he howled in pleasure. “So long I’ve waited,” he growled then began suckling one of her breasts.
Medora’s eyes rolled back into her head. She had never imagined the ecstasy this simple act could bring. He switched to the other one, and she gasped. He used a free hand to pluck her moist nipple while he used his tongue to bring the other one to its peak.
“Jerik!” She shrieked, and an orgasm ripped through her.
He pulled away, astounded. “Did you just come?”
Her eyes grew wide. She nodded. “I’m sorry! Did I do something wrong?” Her heart sped up. Did Jaz’s dire prediction come true?
Jerik’s smile grew wide with pleasure. “My beautiful Medora. I’ve never been with someone so responsive,” he murmured. He bent to suck her breast again, this time plying his tongue softly and slowly. He pulled away. “We’re going to have a wonderful honeymoon.”
Medora couldn’t answer; her head was thrown back in pleasure.
Chapter Thirty-Four
Jerik couldn’t believe it. Medora’s body was every inch as beautiful as he had imagined, and some. He traced her spine with tapered fingers as he toyed with her nipples and noted the gentle curvature. She had a mole above her left breast. She had a café au lait mark on the inside of her thigh. He memorized every glorious imperfection even as he tried to draw out her pleasure.
He felt like a God, bringing her to orgasm within seconds of sucking on her round breasts. He couldn’t wait to see what happened when he tasted her pussy. He picked her up and carried her to the elegant bed in the beach cabana.
“I’m going to make love to you, now,” he promised.
She moaned. “You already are.”
He chuckled and laid her out before him, a feast of sensitized human flesh. “Starting with your toes,” he whispered and began sucking them. Her toe ring clinked against his teeth. He groaned every time he heard her sigh or giggle or whimper. He licked her instep, brought his hands up her shapely calves. She flexed for him, and he appreciated her athletic muscles. With hands gripping her thighs, he worked his mouth up her legs, eyes on the prize before him.
Her virginal tunnel waited, glistening and ripening only for him. To think she had saved this—for one man. And she chose him—it staggered him. It was a gift more precious than almost anything. All of the events of his life had led him to this one pristine moment. The sound of the sea birds, the lapping waves, the hush of wind through the draperies, and this perfect human spread out before him. She made gentle little begging sounds and it stirred his arousal to a fever pitch. It was worth the wait.
Finally, he seized her at the juncture and almost blacked out from her flavor. He heard her moan his name, but he was focused on forever. With a tentative kiss on her tender bud, he then began to plunder her depths with his tongue, swirling amidst the creases and folds, feeling the velvety soft texture of her wet skin, and tasting her musk on his tongue. He groaned and increased his pace, feeling her tremors at his disciplined tonguing. He returned to the bud and swirled around it, and she began to keen higher and higher. With a wet, preoccupied smile he continued his assault, coaxing the bud out from hiding, and then she pulsed and stiffened, followed by a halting shout.
“I’m com-ing-com-ing-com-ing Jerik!”
He chuckled and swiped her with his tongue, hauling himself up to his elbows so he could see the aftereffects of her pleasure. Her pale skin was now flushed with heat everywhere he looked. Her pussy now purple, her nipples now almost red, her erogenous zones pink. She panted, her neck and back arched until she came down.
“Jerik,” she whimpered. “Oh Jerik.”
He thought about prolonging his own pleasure. What if he waited a few more days? He would never get this chance again, to deflower her for the first time. But no. He wasn’t a monk. He licked his way up her belly, dipped his tongue into her navel to her laughter, continued upward to her breasts. This time he was much more cautious. She would come from his lavish attentions to her tits later. But now, he wanted her mouth.
“Kiss me, Medora.”
She opened for him, and he dove into her mouth, wanting her to taste herself on his tongue and lips. He devoured her, sucked her bow lips into his mouth, nipped them, inhaled her breaths. “You’re mine.”
“Yes, Jerik. Now and always.”
He bent to suckle at her neck. He might have to change his ban on blood-sex. Maybe once a century wasn’t enough anymore. Maybe once a month? He would have to be oh so careful. She gasped when he went lower, and his cock tried bursting out of his pants.
“You have too many clothes on, still,”
she scolded him. “Take them off.” Then she surprised him when she ripped at his shirt, popping buttons.
He grunted as she yanked, and he helped by unfastening his trousers. Finally, his dick sprang forth in its gigantic glory. He snuck a look at her, catching the surprise and concern that passed over her eyes before she masked them again.
Ah, that good breeding. He wasn’t having any of it.
“I’m huge, Medora.”
She smiled at him. “I’m your girl,” she said. “Do your worst.”
He walked his fingers down to her clit and began swirling her juices around and around. Her eyes grew round, and then he wickedly seized a nipple in his mouth. Sucking unmercifully, she began to whimper and plead, louder and louder, and when her orgasm crashed over her, he plunged his cock deep into her tunnel, feeling the tear and the tightening.
She screamed and froze, her mouth working, but no sound coming out. He stilled, a kernel of worry tugging at him. Was she okay? He gently began sucking her other tit, but as much as he wanted to ride her, he waited it out. Finally, she began huffing again, and slowly gyrating beneath him.
“That’s my girl,” he murmured between her breasts and then all of the torment, all of the waiting, all of the temptation accumulated inside his balls until he could wait not one second more. He rode her for all he was worth, grunting with each push, listening with half an ear to her pleas for more, but focused almost solely on his own pleasure. “Waited.” Grunt. “So.” Grunt. “Long.”
“Jerik, I think I might,” her voice, high-pitched with need, spun a web around his heart. She was going to come again? This human woman was going to be the death of him. His wife. His charl.
He gave a final deep thrust, anchored deep inside her, and unleashed his orgasm with a beastly roar. He flooded her insides, and she screeched with an orgasm all her own, her breasts pearled and jiggly, tempting him to suck and lick again.
“No, oh no,” she whimpered. “I can’t go again.” She cried and grasped him around his back, holding him tight to her. “You’re the most wonderful creature in the universe,” she whispered into his ear.
The Krinar Chronicles_Krinar Covenant Page 11