He didn’t wait for her confirmation before he left, and she wilted on the steps, sitting with her elbows on her knees. She cast a speculative look at the door of the study when the young soldier came back, took position outside the office door, crossed her arms, and gave Annora a pointed look.
Bitch.
Conceding defeat for the moment, Annora headed back up the stairs to her room. She went to the dresser, hoping to put on something more comfortable, pleased when she saw her own clothes waiting. They were meager compared to what everyone else was wearing, but she was glad to have them. When she reached for them, a hand clamped over her mouth, an arm wrapped around her waist, and she was swept off her feet.
Chapter Twenty-five
“Did you miss me?” Logan whispered in her ear, his voice husky.
Annora was so caught off guard, she hadn’t recognized his touch at first. She wiggled until he set her down, then threw her arms around him.
It was that or smack him.
He nestled his face in the crook of her neck and inhaled deeply, his arms like bands around her as he pulled her close.
“What the hell are you doing here?” She shoved him away, worry churning in her gut. When she saw the open balcony doors behind him, her anxiety threatened to choke off her air supply. She rushed over and peeked outside, expecting to find Daxion or the guards waiting for them.
Only to find the grounds clear.
A movement in one of the trees made her head jerk up, and she spotted Prem perched in one of the branches, hunched down to watch, no doubt reporting back to Edgar. Warmth filled her chest at knowing she’d never been alone. If she’d been in trouble, they would’ve come for her.
She glanced around again, hoping to catch sight of them, but they remained out of sight.
Except for Logan.
Sheer stone walls led up to her balcony, and she could only imagine how he got to her second-story room. Shifters were stronger and faster than any other species, so she didn’t doubt that he ran and jumped the distance, then pulled himself up the rest of the way.
The stupid fool.
She whirled to give him a piece of her mind, but he tugged her away from the window before she could say anything.
“I came to make sure you’re all right.” He closed the door and flipped the latch, pulling the curtains closed. “I saw Daxion leave, and he’s furious. So I was concerned.”
She bit her tongue against the need to scold him…for all of two seconds. “I can take care of myself. If he caught you…” She shuddered. “You mustn’t take unnecessary risks, not here.”
“I’ll always come for you, no matter what.” Shadows haunted his crystal blue eyes for a heartbeat, and her stomach clenched.
Annora walked toward him, stopping when only an inch separated them, not wanting to push his boundaries. Standing close to others used to make her stomach turn…until she met her guys. His breathing deepened at her approach, and she waited for him to adjust to her nearness.
Instead of being repulsed, he picked up her hand and placed it on his chest—and only then did she notice he was wearing a guard’s uniform. She plucked at the jacket and raised a brow at him. “And where did you get this?”
Logan gave her a smirk, keeping her hand pressed to his chest. “The guy wasn’t using it. He was taking a nap, so I thought I’d borrow it.”
Her eyes widened at his devilish grin, his daring stealing her breath. “Logan, when he wakes up—”
“He didn’t even see me, I promise.” He lifted up his hands, giving her his very best innocent expression.
Annora stifled her laughter at his antics, thrilled to have him near despite the dangers. “Are the rest of the guys safe?”
He gave her a brash, charming smile. “They’re leading Daxion on a merry chase.”
“What?!” she bellowed right in his face. When she went to pull away from him, ready to charge after the guys, he trapped her in his arms.
“Hush.” He rocked her side to side, running his hands up and down her back. “They know what they’re doing. They’re just keeping him busy and away from you. Let them.”
Annora didn’t like it, but it was much too late to do anything about it now. Anything she did would only draw more attention to them. “I don’t like it,” she pouted.
He ran his hands down her hair, kissing her forehead. “It’s a small island. They’ll be here soon.”
She nodded, smoothing her hand against his chest, his nearness calming her. When he went to kiss her again, she automatically lifted her face, and his lips landed on hers.
They both froze.
As their eyes locked, she was afraid to move and scare him off. The taste of him was addicting, the yearning more like a craving, but she forced herself to remain still.
He had to make the next move when he was ready.
When he gently nibbled on her lips, she couldn’t stifle her gasp…and said a silent prayer of thanks. Lust darkened his eyes…along with worry, and she pulled away. “We don’t have to—”
“No, I want to. Gods, do I want to, but…” He clutched her close, squeezing his eyes shut.
“Someone once told me that not all touch is bad. Why don’t we see what you can handle?” She lifted her face up to his, waiting for him to open his beautiful, tormented eyes. When he didn’t, she took it as permission and reached up and trailed her fingers down his neck, immediately lifting her hand when he shivered. “So any touch is too intense?”
Annora leaned down, brushed her lips against the same spot, and felt his breath hitch. She reluctantly pulled back. This time, his eyes were open. Desire swirled in their depths, and she smiled up at him. “So I can’t touch you, but I can kiss you. I can work with that.”
He gulped, then sucked in a sharp breath. “Annora—”
“Wait!” She pulled away from him and held her hands out at her side. “What can you do without causing a reaction?”
He scanned her body, licked his lips, and took an involuntary step toward her. His eyes flashed toward hers, as if seeking permission, and she nodded to him. “This isn’t just for you, it’s for both of us. We need to learn your limits, then once we’re comfortable, we’ll push you for more.”
He edged closer, the heat of him making her skin tingle. He lifted his hand, resting a single finger right below her ear, then dragged it down her neck, his touch tentative, then it was her turn to forget how to breathe. He smiled at her reaction, gaining confidence, and lazily traced her collarbone.
“So you don’t have trouble touching others,” she murmured, her voice husky, and she tipped her head back to give him better access.
He ran the backs of his fingers across the top of her breasts, along the edges of the dress, a single finger dipping below the material to brush over her nipple, and she arched into him.
“How fond are you of this dress?” It took her a moment to process his question, and she barely held back a groan.
Annora concentrated until the darkness swirled up from the material, draping around her until she wore nothing but a see-through black teddy that barely covered her curves. “Is this better?”
His jaw dropped, hunger swirling in his eyes. He couldn’t take his gaze off her. Then he lunged toward her, dipped his head, his mouth latching onto her breast through the flimsy material. She couldn’t stop the groan this time, her knees going weak. She reached for his shoulders, only to have him pull back.
He gave her a naughty smile, his expression more confident. “No touching.”
She immediately shoved her hands behind her back, clenching them together. As she shifted, the wet silk made her breast ache for more, and she wanted a taste of him. “Take off your jacket.”
His eyebrows shot up, but then he flashed her a devilish grin, stepped back, and slowly began to unbuckle his belt. He pulled it through the loop, his movements exaggerated and sensual, his hips moving in a way that made her think of sex.
He watched her reactions as he reached for the top button of
his jacket, and she couldn’t take her gaze off him as the first button popped free. He whirled, gave her his back, flipping the coattails up, giving her a perfect view of his ass, and she was torn between smiling and wanting to plaster herself against him.
He straightened abruptly, pulling the jacket over his shoulders, revealing that he was naked underneath. His eyes twinkled, and she couldn’t resist teasing him back. She reached for the hem of her black teddy, running her hands up her thigh, pulling the fabric up with it. She played with the tiny strap on her hip, sliding her finger underneath, and batted her lashes at him, biting her lip.
“Fuck.” The jacket hit the floor between them with a thump, and he turned toward her, lust darkening his face. “You don’t play fair.”
Her smile turned sultry as she gained confidence, and she ran her hand up her stomach, giving him a glimpse of a lot of skin, exposing the underside of her breast, letting her thumb brush against her nipple. “I want your hands on me.”
He dove across the distance between them, sweeping her up in his arms, and she ended up pressed down on a small, round table, sending the bowl flying, the fruit crashing to the floor a second later before rolling away.
Annora looked up to see Logan leaning over her. His hungry eyes searched hers, the wildness in them making her squirm. Afraid he’d pull away, she very deliberately reached out and gripped the edges of the table. Like a predator, he latched onto her movements, then licked his lips.
He breathed deeply, a groan rumbling in his chest, the sound tingling against her nerve endings. His voice was a low rasp, tiny fangs peeking out between his lips as he spoke, “Don’t let go.”
Annora wasn’t sure if it was because he didn’t want her to touch him or because his beast was riding him hard. Then thoughts became unimportant when he kissed and nipped a path down her stomach…then lower. His teeth grabbed the strap of her panties and snapped it, dragging them down her legs, leaving her bare to his hungry gaze.
“So wet.” He brushed his fingers along her center, humming his approval at her readiness.
He didn’t give her a moment to catch her breath before he lowered his head and dipped between her legs. At the first lick, she couldn’t stop from arching into his seeking mouth. He growled like he couldn’t get enough of her, and she gasped his name as her orgasm took her by surprise.
He eased back and looked at her, his fingers replacing his tongue, keeping his strokes light. His eyes were heated when he gazed down at her. “Again.”
Annora shook her head, her body too sensitive, but he kept the strokes slow and light, building her back up faster than she thought possible and sending her over while he watched.
“Beautiful,” he whispered, leaning up to kiss her lightly on the lips.
When he straightened, Annora caught a glint of metal on his chest and glanced down. And she gasped, unable to peel her eyes away.
She’d forgotten about the piercings.
“Gorgeous,” she murmured, reaching out to touch, but pulled back before she could follow through with the movement.
“Your suggestion to reclaim my body helped.” Logan ran his hand over his pecs, then glanced at his shoulder. “I was thinking about getting a tattoo.”
He rocked on his feet, as if hesitant, and she smiled up at him. “I think that’d be sexy as fuck.”
He stilled and gazed down at her, his eyes brightening. “Really?”
“Really.” Annora sat up, keeping both hands locked on the edges of the table. She considered it a win when he didn’t back away. She leaned forward and licked his nipple, her tongue playing with the little dumbbell, gratified when his fingers sank into her hair and he pulled her closer.
His hips pressed between her legs, his erection nudging her in just the right spot, and she squirmed to get closer. He gripped her hair, his hold just short of painful as he tugged, but she was reluctant to release him, his guttural groan making her hungry for more.
He grabbed the backs of her thighs, pulling her legs up, and she was forced to release him as she went sprawling back on the table. He reached between them, ripping open the buttons on his pants, his erection springing up between them.
And she gawked when she saw the tip of his cock was pierced through as well. “Fuck!”
When he grabbed his erection and began to stroke it, her thoughts came to a screeching halt, and she watched in rapt fascination.
He grinned at her. “You’ll have to let me know if it’s something you’d like me to keep.”
“Huh?” She glanced up to see his amused smile, then she was distracted again when he gave another stroke, twisting his fist slightly at the end.
“Place your feet on the edge of the table and spread your legs for me.” It was a demand.
Annora bit her lip, uncertain for the first time, then did as he said, feeling very exposed under his gaze. He rubbed the edge of his cock against her, the piercing hitting her clit, and she sucked in a startled breath as pleasure stole her ability to do anything else but feel.
Without warning, he grabbed her hips in a brutal grip and slammed into her, seating himself to the hilt. Annora groaned at the twist of pleasure and pain. He remained still, allowing her time to adjust, his grip on her hip firm so she wouldn’t slide across the table’s smooth surface. Then he flexed his cock, hitting something inside her that made her arch against him.
Then he did it again and again, setting up a rhythm that made her body quake.
Only then did he really begin to move, dragging his cock slowly out of her, before plunging it back home. She didn’t think it could get any better, but fuck…she was wrong. He put up a punishing pace, leading her right to the peak, then shoving her over when the piercing hit her just right.
And dragged him right over the edge with her.
He collapsed against her, his chest heaving. As if he didn’t want them to be separated, he gathered her against his chest and fell back into a chair. She landed in his lap, her legs on either side of his hips, him still inside her. Annora sighed in contentment and snuggled against his chest.
He didn’t flinch away from her touch.
Being face-to-face and cuddling with him was more intimate than she expected. When he hardened inside her again, she shifted, inhaling sharply at the change of position, feeling him deeper than ever.
He flexed, the piercing making her shiver, and he chuckled. “Oh, we’re definitely keeping it.”
She smothered a laugh against his chest, and he ran his hand possessively up and down her spine. He seemed completely relaxed for the first time since he’d returned after his stay with her uncle.
Oh, she didn’t mistake that he was fully mended, but he was on the right path.
He would heal.
His hands began to roam, and she arched into him, offering her lips up to his for a kiss, when a movement on the bed made her stiffen. She jerked her head up, surprised to see Xander reclining back on the pillows, watching them with a hungry gaze. He rose slowly to his feet, his erection straining the front of his jeans, and her breathing hiccupped in her chest.
Logan noticed the change, twisting to look behind them, tugging her protectively to his chest. “Dude, what the fuck?!”
Xander bent, and retrieved the jacket on the floor, carefully draping it over her shoulders. She wasn’t sure if she was embarrassed at being caught in the act…or turned on by the idea of him watching. Before she could duck away from his penetrating gaze, he caught her face in his hand. “Did he pleasure you?”
Logan went still at the question, studying her face as if his whole existence hinged on her answer.
Heat burned her cheeks, but she answered honestly. “Yes.”
Xander gave a nod and released her, turning toward Logan, who was grinning like a fool, his chest puffed up with pride. “The sun is about to set. The rest of the guys will be returning soon. You might want to get dressed.”
Then Xander ran the backs of his fingers down her cheek. “Unless you want company.”
> Annora couldn’t hide the blush that heated her cheeks. Thankfully, Xander dropped his hand and took a step back. “Maybe next time.”
Annora ducked her head, suddenly shy despite what she’d just been caught doing, and clutched the jacket closed as she rose to her feet, Logan helping her stand when her legs wobbled. Only when she was steady did he nudge her toward the bathroom.
She took a single step and found Xander at her side, holding out her clothes. He ducked his head, whispering in her ear, “You’re absolutely gorgeous, love. I very much enjoyed watching.”
Her breath caught at his husky tone, and she looked up at him, the heat in his eyes taking away her embarrassment and turning it into curiosity. Which seemed to please him. He smiled, then nudged her toward the bathroom, and she hurried away, needing a few minutes alone to clear her head and try to get rid of the image Xander planted in her mind.
Knowing the guys were nearby, Annora washed and dressed quickly, anxious to make sure they were all right. She didn’t like the idea of them playing with Daxion, afraid they might be underestimating the monster.
Taking one last look in the mirror, she smoothed down her hair, then exited the bathroom. And instantly spotted all the guys loitering around the room. Prem was ensconced on a stack of pillows, his feet twitching in his sleep. She smiled and cast a quick glance over the others, noticing the smallest details.
Mason looked a little rumpled, Camden had a bruise darkening near his cheek, Edgar was a little pale, but they were all safe and whole. The vise around her chest loosened a little. Logan stood a little behind them, fully dressed in his normal clothing, and she stifled her sigh of disappointment, shaking off the lingering effects of his nearness.
Her relief that they were okay only lasted for a few seconds, then her anger took over, and she planted her fists on her hips, glaring at them. “Of all the stupid, idiotic things to do. You guys can’t possibly think playing games with Daxion will end well. If he finds out you’re here, he’ll use you against me to get what he wants. We can’t take that risk.”
Ransomed to the World Page 25