Gladiator Wolf (Gladiators Book 1)
Page 19
Then he wrapped his arms around her tightly, burying his face in her hair and inhaling deeply. His own spicy, masculine scent washed over her as she nuzzled his neck. As she wrapped her legs around him, digging her heels into his ass, Miranda marveled at how well they fit together. They were made for each other. She didn’t believe too much in destiny, but Miranda was convinced no other man in existence could be more perfect for her than her gladiator. Her proud, brave wolf.
Brand moved faster, urging her to rock her hips to meet his own thrusts. Even though she’d just climaxed, Miranda could feel another wave building within her. She clung to him tightly, needing to have him as her anchor when she came. Unable to catch her breath, needing the pleasure that continued to build, Miranda rotated her hips, putting more friction on her clit. It was just enough to give her the push she needed.
With a scream, she let her head fall back on the pillow, her head thrashing as her body quivered in Brandwulfr’s arms. His own harsh shout followed, his back bowing as he bellowed to the ceiling with his release. Hot seed seemed to bathe her womb, the erotic sensation building on the pleasure she was already receiving. Had anything ever felt so good? So satisfying?
After long moments of clinging to each other in the post-orgasmic bliss that seemed to drown out their other senses, Brand rolled them to their sides. He positioned her so she was draped over his chest, her head pillowed comfortably on the heavy muscles there.
“Sweet gods, I love you,” he rasped, his voice ragged and torn with both passion and emotion. “I’d live a thousand hells like the last five years if it meant I could have you at the end of my torment.”
“I love you, too,” she managed, tears of joy threatening to spill from her eyes. “I’m so sorry for all you went through. I just hope you never come to regret keeping me with you.”
“Never!” His denial was swift and vehement. “The only regret I have is the way I treated you in the beginning. You didn’t deserve my anger, yet you accepted it and helped me anyway.”
“I helped you because it was the right thing to do. Somewhere along the way, I realized the extraordinary man you are. I’m proud for you to call me your mate.”
They were silent for a long while. The lulling beat of his strong heart relaxed her in ways she’d never even realized she’d longed for. Funny that, as timid as she’d always considered herself to be, she found the ultimate peace in the arms of a battle-hardened gladiator wolf.
“Will your people go to war with mine?” She hated bringing it up now, but it had to be spoken of.
“Perhaps. I suppose it will depend on how determined they are to continue to keep us as slaves after we extend the hand of peace between us.” No hesitation on his part. He truly intended to attempt peaceful negotiations.
“Your people may not like that.”
He shrugged. “The king will help them see it is the right thing to do. From the ancient accounts, our peoples used to be great allies. Our societies thrived in harmony once. I believe we can do so again.”
“If not?”
Brand hugged her close. “Then they will see the true wrath of the gladiators they once called slaves.” There was no menace in his voice. Instead, he nuzzled her head, kissing the top of her head tenderly. “Hopefully, it won’t come to that. And if it does, we’ll make them understand why it is better to have us as friends than enemies.”
Miranda raised her head, leaning up to kiss his mouth tenderly. With a little flick of her tongue, she coaxed him to open for her as she stroked his tongue with her own. “I have faith in you, Brand. After all, if the two of us can find peace together, surely more of our people can.”
“Mmmm,” he grunted, not letting go of her lips now that he’d started kissing her again. “My woman.” His voice was husky, full of need and hunger. Would she ever get tired of hearing that particular note in his voice? She doubted it.
“My wolf,” she sighed. “I love you so much!”
Theirs was a savage love, one as full of heated, rough passion as it was tender caresses. There was still work to be done, but Miranda had no doubt that, together, the two of them could prove peace was possible. After all, anything worth having was worth fighting for. She’d learned that when they’d both fought so hard for each other.
War had never had such a sweet reward.