Jude (sci-fi romance - The Ember Quest Book 5)

by Arcadia Shield

  His door was locked as she reached it. Octavia hesitated. Maybe he was asleep. She should let him get rest. He must be exhausted after what they’d gone through.

  She turned away. She couldn’t stay away from him. Her hand went to the alert button, and she pressed it.

  A few seconds later, a sleepy-eyed Jude opened the door. He only wore boxer shorts, his lean, muscular chest on display.

  His eyes widened. He grabbed hold of Octavia. “Is everything okay? What are you doing here? Why are you out of the medical bay?”

  His hands ran over her as he spoke, as if checking for injuries. His touch ignited a heat inside her. She only wanted that feeling to burn brighter and hotter.

  “To answer all of your questions, everything is fine. I’m here because I want to see you. And I’m out of the medical bay because I feel better. Can I come in?”

  Jude blinked, his fingers tightening around her wrist as he stopped his teasing examination of her body. “Of course.”

  He let her in. They stood together in the half-dark, their gazes locked. Jude’s fingers traced up Octavia’s arms again. This time, it didn’t feel like he was checking her injuries. He stroked and caressed her skin, pushing the sleeves of her shirt up as he did so.

  Her fingers splayed across his chest, tracking across the hard muscles of his stomach. “How are you feeling?”

  “Right now, I feel incredible.” His voice was low and thick with desire.

  “I mean, you got treated by Sophia after we got back?” Octavia licked her lips. Maybe he was still injured and couldn’t give her what she wanted. If so, she’d wait, even though her desire for him made her legs shake.

  “I got treated,” said Jude. “I’m fine. How about you?”

  Her gaze went to his mouth. “Never better.”

  He closed the gap between them, crushing her lips against his, his tongue slipping into her mouth.

  She wrapped her fingers around his neck, pulling him closer to her.

  Grabbing her thighs, Jude lifted Octavia off her feet. She wrapped her legs around his waist.

  He turned and carried her to his bed, easing her down onto her back.

  The whole time, their lips remained melded together as they tasted each other.

  Octavia’s hands grappled with his boxer shorts, yanking them down.

  Jude stood and kicked them off. He was naked before her. His hard cock rested against his stomach as his lust-filled gaze ran over her body. He reached down and unbuttoned her shirt, slowly, taking his time.

  With a frustrated sigh, Octavia yanked the rest of the buttons open. She didn’t want tenderness, she wanted him to strip her and take her. Her hands went to her pants, but he stopped her. “Is something wrong?”

  “No. Everything is perfect.” Jude eased her hands away and unzipped her pants. “I want to do this myself. I want to be the one to get you naked.”

  A shiver of desire ran through her. She watched as Jude eased her pants down. She wore no underwear, so once her boots, pants, and shirt were gone, she was naked.

  She lay on the bed, a swirl of pleasure running through her as she saw the eagerness in Jude’s eyes. His gaze trailed over her breasts and down to her thighs. She eased her legs apart and heard him suck in a breath.

  “I’m all yours,” she said to him.

  With a primal sounding grunt, Jude pushed her legs apart and ducked between them.

  A gasp shot out of Octavia as he tasted her, his tongue tracing across her sensitive folds as his hands caressed her thighs.

  She thrust her pelvis up, unable to stop herself.

  Jude held onto her hips and pushed his tongue into her, growling with pleasure, the rumble sending a shiver of heat into her center.

  He slid two hard fingers inside, looking up at her as his mouth landed on her clit. He sucked and caressed it with his tongue.

  Octavia’s eyes rolled back in her head. It had been such a long time since she’d felt desired. Seeing the lust in Jude’s eyes, and the way he devoured her, made her feel like the most beautiful woman on the planet.

  The stroke of his fingers inside her, coupled with his mouth on her most sensitive spot, sent Octavia over the edge. Her back arched and a cry shot from her lips as she climaxed.

  Jude didn’t slow. He kept on pumping her with his fingers, his tongue on her clit.

  “Oh my God,” she gasped out as a second orgasm hit. Her thighs shook, and she grabbed hold of his hair as she writhed beneath him, holding his delicious mouth in place as her body felt on fire.

  A satisfied-sounding grumble came from Jude as he slid up her body, his tongue tasting her skin and his teeth taking gentle nips as he traveled across her flesh. He stopped at her breasts, sampling the nipples, stroking them and sucking them into his mouth. All the time, his fingers remained buried deep in her, stroking her, encouraging yet another orgasm.

  He kissed her collarbone before traveling up her throat and joining their mouths together.

  She wanted to offer him the same kind of pleasure and show him how much she desired him. Octavia pushed herself up onto her elbows. “Lie on your back.”

  Jude’s nostrils flared, and he obeyed as he removed his delicious-feeling fingers from her center.

  She shifted to make room for him and to get a better view of this incredible man. He was so gorgeous. His sculpted abs and hard muscles were the stuff of fantasy. Now, they were all hers, and she would enjoy them.

  It felt good to have him in her control as she traced her fingers over his hot flesh and felt him shudder beneath her. Her hands stopped by his hard shaft and she traced her fingers down it, cupping his balls in her hands.

  A moan slid from Jude’s mouth. “Fuck! That feels good.”

  Straddling his legs, Octavia held the base of his cock in one hand and kissed along his upper thighs. Her tongue traced across his flesh before sliding up his shaft, teasing him with what was to come.

  Her mouth grazed the tip. “Do you like that?”

  “It’s so damn amazing.”

  Her lips parted, and she took an inch of him into her mouth before slowly sliding it out.

  The groan she received from Jude was long and deep.

  “More?”

  “Hell, yes.”

  She took in another inch and then another, continuing until he filled her mouth.

  Jude bucked beneath her. His hand stroked her head. She loved how he touched her scalp. It felt sensitive under his fingers.

  She pushed his throbbing shaft to the back of her throat before withdrawing and focusing on the tip, sucking the head while her hands stroked up and down his shaft.

  “Yes.” The word came out long and slow as Jude writhed beneath her.

  Octavia circled his cock with her tongue, pumping him with her hand as the other stroked his thighs.

  “You’re so fucking amazing.” Jude’s hands clenched the sheets.

  So was he. Octavia increased her rhythm, clenching her lips around Jude.

  He shook beneath her, his hand drumming on her shoulder.

  She slid him out of her mouth, working him with her hand. “Come for me.” She went to slide his cock back into her mouth, but Jude stopped her.

  “Ride me.” His hands pulled her on top of him. “I want to bury myself inside you. I need to look into your eyes when I come.”

  Giving his cock one last, long suck, Octavia slid up his body, straddled Jude’s thighs, and sank onto his shaft.

  Jude grabbed her hips and thrust up to meet her.

  Octavia gasped at the feel of Jude’s cock inside her. It had been too long since she’d been with a man, and he stretched her to the point of pain.

  He stroked a hand down her back. “I’ll go slowly.”

  “No, I want to feel you. I want to feel this.” Octavia thrust her hips, getting used to him, feeling the ripple of pleasure run through her as she moved with him inside her.

  Jude moaned. His hand tightened on her hip. “You’re too much.”

  She kissed
his lips. “We’re only getting started.”

  He pulled her close as his tongue thrust into her mouth.

  Octavia kissed him back, their tongues tangling, as Jude pumped into her—long, hard thrusts that grew gasps from her lips.

  His hand sank between them, and his fingers found her clit. He stroked and caressed her sensitive flesh, his fingers firm as he fucked her.

  “Jude.” Octavia was barely aware she was saying his name as her desire grew. Heat spread from her face down her body, meeting in her core as her orgasm hit. She cried out in pleasure as she continued to ride Jude, lost in the feel of his fingers and cock.

  He grabbed her and drove in hard as he came.

  Octavia fell forward, sated and happy. A smile crossed her face as she rested against Jude’s chest, feeling his heartbeat pound beneath her.

  His fingers traced up and down her spine, sending shivers of delight across her sensitive skin.

  “I told you it would be worth the wait.” Jude sounded like he was smiling.

  Raising herself onto her elbows, Octavia kissed his lips. “It was. You were. I’ve found you, and I’m never letting go.”

  With a satisfied growl, Jude rolled Octavia onto her back and showed her everything she’d been waiting for all her life.

  Chapter 21

  Tobias

  The tension seeping through Tobias Ember’s body made his shoulders rise and stiffen.

  It was the same reaction he got every time he entered this place. It wasn’t that he didn’t enjoy seeing everyone at the bunker in Old London, but the confined living set his teeth on edge.

  How the hell did people live here every day? Why weren’t they going crazy because they didn’t see daylight? If he didn’t feel fresh air on his skin at least once a day, he got grouchy. That was never a good thing.

  Tobias had put off this visit for long enough. If he avoided Sophia any more, she would blacklist him. That meant he couldn’t go on any active missions. There was no fucking way he could be stuck behind a desk. That really would do him in.

  He’d argued a dozen different ways with Sophia to get out of yet another assessment. But each time she’d shot him down, her gaze growing narrower and her sentences shorter. She wasn’t even a real doctor. Why did she think she had the right to head shrink him?

  Danni had insisted on weekly checkups to see how he was managing his post-traumatic stress. Tobias was sure he didn’t have it. Anyone would be jumpy having been buried alive under a building and left to rot.

  Still, Sophia and Danni kept prodding at him, trying to get him to confess his head was jumbled with dangerous thoughts. He’d prove them both wrong. He was fine. It was nothing that a few cold beers couldn’t fix.

  Sophia was the worst. That woman rattled him. She was super-smart and could pick up any skill she set her mind to. He’d heard people call her arrogant or cocky. He didn’t think she was either. She just didn’t hide the fact she was clever. She didn’t have time for small talk or polite conversation. That suited him just fine. If her bedside manner was on the abrasive side, it didn’t stop her from being incredible at her job. He had to admire her for that, even if her interference in his life wasn’t welcome.

  He stopped by the comms room door, which was propped open. His brother Jude was in there with Octavia. Octavia had run Flame radio ever since the State took over and ended public broadcasts. She’d been their eyes and ears at crucial times. Now, she was here, still broadcasting Flame, but working side by side with Jude.

  Her blonde hair, which had been shaved off when she’d been captured by the State, had grown into a cute, wispy pixie crop. The scars on her face had also faded thanks to the dragon serum she’d been using—a serum designed by Sophia. You could still see faint silver scars where the shrapnel had shredded Octavia’s skin, but they were much improved from the jagged red marks he’d seen when they’d met.

  “How are things?” Tobias walked into the room.

  Jude swiveled in his seat and smiled at his brother. “We’re sorting out the latest broadcast for when we go mobile tonight.”

  Tobias leaned against the desk and scrubbed a hand through his dark hair. Octavia and Jude had made it their personal missions to recruit more resistance fighters. They would go out in a Cobra, kitted out with all the equipment Octavia needed to spread the word about their fight. The two of them would venture out several times a week, broadcasting messages to other resistance fighters, encouraging them to join the bunkers.

  It was working. They’d been doing it for three months. Since then, over a thousand people had joined the bunker. That kept everyone busy, Tobias included. His main role was to find new, secure locations to house everyone safely.

  The work suited him. It meant he didn’t get to spend too much time underground, but he was always on the move. It made it hard to form proper relationships. He enjoyed a few one-night stands, but he was bored with them. He wanted more. His thoughts drifted to Sophia. He shut them down straightaway. There was no way Miss Spiky would have any time for him.

  “Are you here for your appointment with Sophia?” Octavia smiled at him.

  “If I put it off any longer, I’ll be in trouble,” said Tobias.

  “You can never beat Sophia,” said Jude. “Don’t waste your breath trying. If she wants you here, you’ll be here.”

  Tobias shook his head. “She drives me crazy. She’s always asking about how I’ve been sleeping, if I’m eating regularly, what my mood is like. I half expect her to ask me what I’m thinking about.”

  “She’s trying to help,” said Jude. “Anyone would be messed up after what happened to you.”

  “It feels like an age ago.” Tobias inspected a scar on his knuckle. “It’s not a problem for me.”

  “Maybe Sophia’s asking you here for another reason?” Octavia raised her eyebrows and grinned.

  Tobias snorted in response. “The only thing she wants to do is make sure I don’t go bat-shit crazy on her watch. She’s covering her own ass.”

  “And it’s a fine ass,” said Jude.

  Octavia slapped his arm. “Are you checking out other women?”

  Jude grinned and planted a kiss on Octavia’s lips. “Absolutely not. Whenever I’m around you, you’re all I see.”

  Octavia squirmed as he wrapped his arms around her, laughter drifting from her lips as he continued to kiss her.

  Tobias smiled and looked away. Those two were crazy about each other. Ever since Octavia arrived at the bunker, Jude had been lost to her. Maybe even before then. The guy was obsessed, but it was a healthy obsession. They worked well together, combining their expertise and passion to make the perfect couple.

  A pang of loneliness hit Tobias. He pushed it away. He had everything he needed. He was busy helping others, and he had his brothers around him. What more could he want?

  “Do you fancy company out on the road tonight?” he asked Jude.

  Jude grabbed a final kiss from Octavia before turning his attention back to Tobias. “You’re welcome to join us. We’re heading to Alpha zone eight. We heard rumors online that there’s an isolated dragon hybrid community there. We thought they might appreciate knowing what we do.”

  “I might just do that.” Tobias pushed away from the desk and headed for the door. “That’s providing Sophia lets me go anywhere.”

  “Don’t be too hard on her,” said Octavia. “She’s looking out for you.”

  “She should focus on people who need her,” said Tobias. “Sophia’s wasting her time with me.” He raised a hand in farewell before leaving them to their work and making his way slowly toward the medical bay.

  If it hadn’t been for his slip in control when they’d blown up the vaccine plant, none of this would be necessary. Sure, he’d panicked when he’d woken up under all that rubble. It brought back hellish memories. That was all it was, though. A few nasty flashbacks taunting him. It was nothing he couldn’t handle. He handled it just fine without some smart-mouthed wannabe doctor telling him how
things should be.

  Tobias slowed as he reached the double doors that led into the medical bay. It was more than that. Sophia unnerved him. It wasn’t just her bluntness and how direct she was with her questions. She wouldn’t leave things alone. She sensed something was off with him and kept on digging. He wanted to tell her to go to hell and mind her own business. What went on in his head was his concern, no one else’s. What gave her the right to interfere?

  Sophia confused him. If she wasn’t so damned hot, maybe this wouldn’t be so difficult. Mix her smarts with her sassy attitude and those big, dark eyes, and Tobias struggled to control his feelings. Something urgent and desperate stirred in him. It made him want to lose control again, but this time with her. And when she gave him a stern look over the top of her glasses, something inside him shifted. He hated to admit it, but she got him going.

  His wrist comm signaled an incoming comm. He opened the link, sighing as he did so.

  “Tobias, it’s Sophia. You’re late.”

  “No, I’m not. I’m right outside.”

  “Then get in here,” said Sophia. “I don’t have time to waste hanging around for you.”

  “If you’re too busy, we can reschedule. How about in six months’ time?”

  He heard footsteps approach the door. He suppressed a smile. He loved to push her buttons.

  The door to the medical bay was yanked open. Sophia stood on the other side, her head tilted to one side and anger glinting in her eyes. “What are you doing out here?”

  “Trying to think of a good enough excuse to get out of this.”

  She gave a slight shake of her head. “I’m not doing this for my health. Tell me why you’re here.”