He let go of my shoulder and placed his lips against my throat, whispering, “In the best possible way.”
Godric lifted me into his arms as he stood, carrying me to his bedroom. He placed me gently on his bed and stared down at me with sensual hunger in his golden eyes.
I sucked in a harsh breath as he silently undressed me. His fingers brushed my sides, the tops of my breasts, my inner thighs, and the side of my neck. I trembled underneath his light touches.
The comforter was soft beneath my body as he lifted and resituated me, placing me in the center of the mattress.
He removed his clothing just as slowly as he had mine, standing on the side of the bed. His golden eyes devoured all of my skin on display, his chest heaving by the time he crawled over me.
I expected the soft touch. I shouldn’t have.
He grabbed a fistful of my hair and yanked my head back, his mouth landing on my neck.
I groaned in pleasure, “Godric.”
He nipped my neck softly, even while he kept his brutal hold on my hair. “You smell so damn good. Like home and sex and passion.”
“Cherries are better,” I moaned.
I ran my fingers down his flexing back muscles.
Godric chuckled and pressed his hard chest against mine. The heat from his skin was scorching, and the scent of him overrode thought. He ran his free hand down my side to pull my leg over his hip and ground his erection against my wet core, pressing against my clit with each thrust of his hips. His cock was soon coated in my wetness, and I trembled under him, wanting him now.
He moaned in pleasure, his fist tightening in my hair. His face lifted and hovered over mine, his breath fanning my face. Only pure carnal need etched his hard features as he touched his lips to mine, his tongue surging into my mouth, exploring his mate with abandon.
It was intoxicating.
I lifted my face up as much was allowed with his cruel grip in my hair, and shoved harder against his lips, craving the man who I was bound to forever.
The lion inside him growled, and he tipped his hips back, placing his cock at the entrance of my soaking core. Even while he ate at my mouth like he was starving, he pushed his cock inside me ever so slowly.
I rocked my hips, trying to get him inside me faster, needing to be filled and fucked with his large cock.
“So greedy,” he whispered, biting my jaw.
His hips pumped a little faster, almost all the way inside me. He was torturing and teasing me.
“Fuck me,” I begged.
He drew his hips back, retreating. Staying there.
“No,” I cried out, arching against his body.
He chuckled and thrust home with savage strength.
“Oh, yes!”
His teeth bit down on the side of my neck, and he pulled his hips back, only to slam back into me once more. Repeatedly, he pounded into my pussy, stretching me full of the most perfect cock in existence. He growled against my neck, his teeth biting harder, and his muscles bulging in exertion.
I gripped his shoulders and dug my fingernails into his skin, the wetness and heat of tiny drops of blood on my fingertips.
Godric shoved into my channel faster, his breath coming in hard pants against my neck. He released his bite and licked along my neck. His voice was breathless as he whispered, “My mate.”
I nodded my head, delirious with pleasure.
He slanted his hips, grinding against my clit with each plunge. His face lifted over mine, watching as the fever inside my veins started to boil. Sweat glistened on our skin. The slapping of our bodies joining was loud inside his bedroom.
“Godric,” I whispered, my mind tipping
“I’ve got you.” His lips kissed my cheek softly.
Jarring ecstasy slammed from within my body.
I shook with each pounding of the crashing waves.
My eyes locked with his as I sank into the warmth.
He shuddered over me, sinking his cock deep.
His teeth clenched with his climax. The muscles in his arms trembled, and his cock pumped his release inside my channel. His nostrils flared as he inhaled our scent together.
I jerked in aftershocks of tingling pleasure, and his large frame crashed down onto mine, his head hitting the pillow in the afterglow.
I angled my head against his, resting it there, and attempted to regain my breathing. I flexed my fingers, releasing the cutting hold I had on his shoulders. The tips of my fingers were red and damp with his blood.
I grinned and closed my eyes. “You’re good.”
His chest was still pumping heavily with much-needed oxygen, but it shook in humor as he laughed lightly, his words muffled against the pillow. “Thank you. So are you, pet.”
CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN
Godric and I stepped off his private train in front of the Military House, just as Finn was hopping down from his own train.
Finn slapped Godric on the shoulder. “Have a good night?”
Godric flinched and glared.
Finn’s brows pulled together. He moved with inhuman speed and pulled the neck of Godric’s simple t-shirt to the side. The white-haired tiger stared at the little puncture wounds on Godric’s left shoulder.
“Cut it out,” Godric growled.
Finn snickered and fixed his friend’s shirt. “It looks like you did have a good night.”
We’d had an excellent night.
Shifters could go all night long.
“That is private,” Godric hissed and pulled my body against his side with his arm protective around my waist. “What we do in the bedroom is none of your damn business.”
Finn smirked. “You’re already possessive as hell.”
“She’s mine. End of story.”
My face heated with a pink blush. “Let’s just go inside. It’s chilly out this morning.”
Finn opened the gate to the Military House with a touch of his bracelet against the lock. “What are you guys doing here this morning, anyway?”
“Picking up my stuff. Why are you here?”
He chuckled. “Same reason.”
“I’m leaving mine here.” Godric shrugged. “They can donate it. I didn’t have anything of importance with me. Just clothes.”
“That’s very generous of you, kind leader.”
“Fuck off, Finn. It’s too damn earlier.”
He blinked. “You were up all night, weren’t you?”
Godric’s golden eyes speared his. “What did I just say about my sex life being private?”
Finn smirked. “It is so fun to tease you when you’re sleep deprived.”
“Well, stop it,” Godric groused.
“Okay…I bet you didn’t get the chance to snore.”
Godric’s fist shot out, punching his friend’s shoulder hard enough to knock him back a step. “Keep teasing. We’ll see who’s laughing at the end of the day.”
We ambled up the walkway, the birds chirping nearby once again near the Military house. There had to be a nest somewhere. At least they didn’t poop all over the walkway.
Major Wilcox was waiting for us inside the foyer.
Her eyes wandered over Godric and me.
But she didn’t comment on the way he held me close.
The white splint on her nose was garish. With her broken nose, it sounded like she had a bad cold while she spoke. “Ms. Carvene, I need to give you the forms for your official invitation to the Corporate Army.”
I grinned, my cheeks pinching. “I’m very excited.”
Her lips twitched. “You’re the only recruit to ever break an instructor’s nose. You deserve to be in the CA. You’ll do just fine with us.”
“Thank you.” I bounced inside Godric’s embrace. “When can I take the exam for the intelligence unit?”
“There’s actually one tomorrow. The one after that isn’t for another two months.”
My eyes widened. “I don’t think I’ll be prepared for an exam tomorrow. I’ll need to study.”
“S
mart, Ms. Carvene. You don’t want your enthusiasm hindering your test score.”
“I’ll sign up for the one in two months then.”
Godric glanced down into my eyes. “Do you want me to go pack your bag while you take care of your business? I need to be at work in an hour.”
I nodded. “Thank you. That’s helpful.”
He bent to kiss my lips gently, and then he slammed his hand down on Finn’s shoulder. “You have to be at work in an hour too. Let’s get this shit done.”
They began walking up the stairs.
I snapped my finger, saying, “Don’t forget my hat.”
He waved a hand behind him, exhaustion apparent in the set of his shoulders. “I know. I know.”
The major watched the exchange in silence.
When they were all the way upstairs, she whispered in confusion, “How the hell did that happen?”
I shrugged a shoulder. “Magic.”
* * *
I poked my head up off Godric’s couch. There was a tapping at the front door. I rubbed my eyes and stood. I tapped my bracelet, making the image of the intelligence unit’s study material disappear.
I tapped it again. “Order: Call Godric Leon.”
I needed to change his name sometime on there.
Maybe, Sexy Beast.
“I’m in a meeting,” he said by way of answering.
The man needed sleep.
I wouldn’t deprive him of a full night again.
“There’s someone at your door. Are you expecting company?”
“No,” he answered. “Don’t answer it.”
Tap. Tap. Tap.
“They aren’t leaving.”
“I’ll look at the cameras. Just a second.”
Tap. Tap. Tap. Tap. Tap.
Godric grunted. “Fuck. It’s your father.”
My eyes widened. “I thought he would call first and meet us somewhere!”
“You’re not thinking about the important part.” He growled. “He’s got a tracking device set in your bracelet. That’s the only way he would know where to find you right now.”
Bang. Bang. Bang.
“He’s getting upset. I need to answer it.”
“I’m already on my way. I’ll be there shortly.”
The call ended.
I pushed my shoulders back. “I can do this.”
By the time I answered the door, I swear he was kicking it. I opened it wide, a smile on my face. I said in a sweet voice, “Hello, Father.”
His features instantly calmed, relief showing.
“I wasn’t kidnapped. Settle down.”
“When you have a girl, I hope she gives you hell.”
I snorted. “Are you going to come in?”
“First, whose house is this?” he asked, and then he pointed to the statue next to him. “And who the fuck puts something this ridiculous outside their home?”
I laughed for so long, I had tears rolling down my cheeks. I moved and grabbed him in a hug. He may not win any awards for tender parenting, but he was my blood.
I whispered, “I missed you, Father.”
His arms wrapped around my back, squeezing me tight. “I missed you too, darling dearest.”
When I finally let go, he released me.
He stepped backward and tipped his head up, surveying the structure. “So, answer my question. Whose home is this?”
A train landed on the plot past the walkway.
I pointed a finger at it. “It’s his.”
My father swiftly turned around.
Godric’s form appeared in the doorway.
He stared right at us.
My father groaned. “God, I hate him.”
CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT
“This is awkward. One of you two need to speak,” I muttered in frustration. The kitchen was sunny and bright, perfectly acceptable for positive moods. “It’s been ten minutes, and all we’ve done is stare at one another.”
Godric grunted.
My father stared hard at him.
“I’m going to take a nap if no one is talking.”
Godric scowled directly into my eyes. “If I don’t sleep, you don’t sleep.”
“You know what, big man? You have been a sourpuss all day. If I had known you were this big of a baby without a little shut-eye, I would have slept on the damn couch.”
My father raised one brow. “So other than the fact the two of you are having sex, you’re now staying here, Poppy?”
I nibbled on my bottom lip. “Um… I can’t answer that.”
Godric glared again. “Why not? You know you’re staying here. This is your home now.”
I threw my hands up into the air. “Because you haven’t asked me yet! I told you yesterday you needed to ask.”
“Really?” he droned.
“Yes, really.”
He ground his teeth together, his golden eyes scanning my face. “Fine. Do you want to move in with me?”
“Yes. Thank you for asking.” I smiled sweetly.
Godric peered down his nose. “You didn’t eat yet, did you?”
“I was studying. I lost track of time.”
“You look like shit. Get something.
“You’re such a sweet talker.”
His brows furrowed. “Really, get something to eat.”
I blinked. He was worried about me.
And I was immortal.
He might be more overprotective than my father was.
“Do you want something?” I asked.
He rubbed his forehead and sighed. “Actually, a cup of coffee would be great.”
I nodded and walked to the counter, glancing at my father. “Do you want a cup?”
My father blinked. Twice. “I’ll take something a little harder if it’s available.”
Godric rested more comfortably on his chair and tossed his arm over the back of mine. “I’ve got a bottle of whiskey.”
My father looked back to where I was working on the coffee machine. “I want the whole bottle.”
I chuckled. “I’ll get you two shots of whiskey and a cup of coffee.”
“I guess that’ll have to do.” My father turned his attention to the person he really wanted to speak with. “Tell me, Mr. King, how in the hell do you think this is actually going to work? While it appears you two have fallen head over heels for each other, you and I are still on opposite sides of every world view. Ideals, I might add, my daughter also agrees with.”
Godric cracked his neck, the popping noise like wood breaking. “I’m doing what I believe is best for the entire populace of the world—”
My father jerked his hand up in a stopping gesture. “I don’t want to talk business, Mr. King. I want to know how you actually believe this personal relationship is going to work.”
Godric stared into his eyes. “Like any other relationship does. With bumps and bruises. I can’t tell you a perfect fix for this situation.” He shook his head of tawny curls. “I’ve fallen for a woman who is funny and intelligent and strong and beautiful. I didn’t want to. My parents’ marriage was so fucked up that I never wanted a relationship. But as soon as I met Poppy, I started falling. I won’t let her go now. I care too deeply for her to do that.”
I slowly shut my gaping mouth.
My hand looked a little ridiculous halfway up in the air with a spoonful of cold macaroni, so I quickly stuffed the food into my mouth. I chewed and aimed a direct glare at my father.
He was upsetting Godric. I didn’t like that.
My father rubbed his chin, glanced at me, and then looked back to the man across from him. “You two are very different. Do you believe it will work long-term?”
“Are you asking if I’m going to marry her?”
I froze in place, another bite of macaroni caught in mid-air.
My father shrugged. “Is that a possibility?”
“When I think she’s ready, I’ll ask her.”
I ate my bite, chewing slowly.
My father looked into m
y eyes.
I nodded. I approved of his answer.
My father raised his eyebrows in surprise, but he glanced to Godric. His features shut down, his expression stone cold. “I have one personal question of my own. One I’ve never asked you, and perhaps I should have. Did you know there was a glitch in your system? Were you just cutting corners to make more money?”
I held my breath.
Godric didn’t flinch. He stated, “I didn’t know about the glitch that failed your wife. I would never have held back lifesaving supplies. There are plenty of cities now that continue to receive medical equipment, even when they are millions of units behind in payments.”
I exhaled heavily, a lifetime of accusation lifted from my shoulders. I poured the brewed coffee and the whiskey. The two men were quite still as I set the multiple cups on the table.
On my way back to the counter, I squeezed Godric’s shoulder in appreciation. My father and I had both needed to hear that. He grabbed my hand and squeezed it back, letting my palm slide out of his grasp as I walked to get my food.
Godric murmured respectfully, “I’ve never said this before either. And I should have. I am truly sorry for the loss of your wife, General Carvene.”
My father sucked in a large breath.
I put my macaroni down on the table and instantly rushed to my father’s side. I leaned over and threw my arms around him. My father trembled in my arms, tucking his head against my shoulder, and held me with strong arms.
A tear had slipped down his cheek.
I had only seen him cry once—by my mom’s hospital bed when there was nothing left to do to save her.
My eyes burned as I rubbed his back.
“I think I have an idea, Father,” I whispered. “A way to make everyone believe you accept our relationship on a personal level but not on a professional level.”
His head lifted, and his eyes were thankfully dry now. “What has my darling dearest come up with now?”
“You’ll see.”
* * *
“I cannot believe you talked me into this,” Godric whispered the next day through a fake smile plastered on his face. He lifted his hand and flicked his wrist in a small wave to the photographers outside the restaurant’s window. His eyes returned to mine. “How many times do we have to do this?”
Trigger (Origin Book 1) Page 16