by S. E. Smith
One of the not-so-surprising things she’d been dealing with was her growing feelings for Orion. While she loved his chivalry and protectiveness, she was ready for some serious, lets-get-the-sheets-dirty action. Over the past several weeks, she had learned that Orion was a master when it came to foreplay.
He would walk by her and leave a trailing touch that left her aching for more or give her a tender kiss when no one was looking. It was the heated looks and the promise in his eyes that almost destroyed her. After the one he gave her last night at dinner, she swore she wouldn’t care who was in the room because there was going to be some serious R-rated paybacks.
Of course, it was the nights that hit her the hardest. Exhausted from her daily training sessions, she tried to stay awake in the massive bed that they shared. Invariably, she would fall asleep before he came to bed. She knew that he slept beside her because the pillow next to hers would show evidence of his presence and the sheets would still be warm with his scent. How he managed to slip out before she woke frustrated the hell out of her.
“Jenny, behold your wave-maker,” Orion said.
A huge whale appeared out of the inky purple depths. It wasn’t alone. Beside it, a calf about a quarter of its mother’s size swam beside her. The only time Jenny had seen the creatures before was through the crystal dome of the city. She realized now that seeing them up close and personal was far different than viewing them from afar.
They were dark royal blue with a light blue underbelly. They looked very similar to the pictures she had seen of the blue whales except for the rows of fins along their backs, and these had back legs too. Jenny tilted her head back when the pair passed overhead, momentarily blocking the sunlight streaming down from above. A stream of bubbles escaped the breathing hole of the calf when it glanced down at them with curiosity, but it never slowed down. Jenny pulled free of Orion’s arms and turned to watch them continue on their journey.
“They migrate this time of year, bringing their young back to the coves where they were born. The young ones will play in the cove while the mothers sun themselves on the beach. Those without young will begin their courtship,” he explained.
Jenny was practically melting by the time he finished speaking. The fire was back in his eyes, this time hotter than ever—and they were alone for once. Unfortunately, they were also under the water.
Reaching out, she touched his check with her fingers, tenderly stroking his skin. Her body floated closer to his. A soft moan escaped her when he reached out and gripped her waist. His thumbs caressed her bare skin. The clothing that she wore was made of a material that allowed her to skim through the water. It also didn’t absorb water, so it was dry when they emerged from it. The problem was that the majority of the outfits consisted of a vest and a pair of trousers for both men and women with the vest being optional for the men. Orion had opted out today.
“You are driving me crazy. You kiss me, touch me, sleep with me, but nothing else,” she said, gazing into his eyes.
“I promised I would give you time, Jenny. Trust me, it has not been an easy promise to keep,” Orion replied in a strained voice.
“Two days—okay, one—would have been enough,” she said, leaning forward until her lips were almost touching his. “Maybe hours… I could have handled a couple of hours.”
“You wait until now to tell me this…,” Orion started to growl before she captured his lips and silenced him.
Now, it’s my turn, Jenny thought as she threaded the fingers of one hand in his hair and followed a path toward the hard evidence of his arousal with the other.
Sizzling… that was what his nervous system was currently doing—melting from the heat that he had tried to contain since he’d first seen Jenny. He had done everything he could to behave, but he couldn’t resist touching or kissing her when he passed by her.
The nights had been both bliss and torture. If he had been more noble, he would have given her the guest bedroom or even her own living quarters, but his desire for her kept him from those options
Unfortunately, holding her proved almost too much of a temptation for him, and he knew there was no way he would have been able to continue giving her the time he felt she needed to adjust.
In an effort to soothe his feelings of guilt at not being able to be separated from her, yet still find that balance, he had taken to training her with a ruthlessness he normally reserved for his personal warriors. He had worked her to the point of exhaustion each day.
The first few days, he had felt like a bastard. His punishing regimen had drawn disapproval from Kapian, Coralus, and Kelia, left his sons refusing to talk to him, and Jenny so tired that he had carried her to their rooms because she could barely stand. Kelia had snapped at him to leave Jenny alone, that he had done enough, and had taken Jenny under her protective wing the moment they returned each evening.
Kapian and Coralus both threatened to beat the shit out of him if he didn’t stop. On the other hand, Jenny never complained or gave up. Each morning, she eagerly greeted him with a teasing smile and excited eyes that made him groan and feel even more like a heel.
Hearing the longing in her voice and the fact that he might have been torturing them both unnecessarily for weeks made him want to pull his hair out. His body, now fully inflamed and with nothing to stop it, was pulsing with anticipation. All thoughts of their first time together being tender and slow were quickly changing to hard, fast, and often. His mind reasoned that his body had weeks—if not years—to make up for. His body just wanted to make up for all of it right then and there.
Breaking the kiss, he held her tightly against him with his right arm. Raising his left arm, he snapped his fingers. Sea Fire, never far from them when they were away from the city, appeared out of the shadows. Orion turned, his arm still firmly around Jenny, and lifted her onto the stag.
“There is a cove above. We will have privacy there,” he said.
“You mean, up there?” Jenny asked, glancing up at the surface.
“Yes. I’m feeling very selfish at the moment, and I have no desire to share you with anyone else,” he said, pressing his heels against Sea Fire’s sides.
“I like selfish. Selfish has its place in the world,” Jenny said enthusiastically.
“Why did I not just tell you how much I wanted you weeks ago,” he groaned.
Jenny laughed. “You are a little slow if you couldn’t tell I wanted you when I had that meltdown in your arms,” she pointed out, glancing over her shoulder.
“Witch, you would remind me of that when I’m ready to come like a stag on the hunt?” Orion retorted.
Jenny’s response was to scoot back so that she could roll her hips. The feel of her soft buttocks against his swollen cock sent a mixture of pleasure and pain through him. He was so aroused that his ballsack felt like two stones covered by hard, crinkled flesh.
“Mm, I think this stag is ready to do some rutting,” Jenny teasingly observed.
“Ah, my fire-haired mermaid, you drive me insane,” he groaned.
He wasn’t exaggerating either. The feel of her in his arms was driving him crazy. He urged Sea Fire to increase his speed and whispered to the water to send a current to help. Jenny’s delighted laughter warmed his soul.
This is what it means to find your soulmate, he thought as they broke through the surface a few hundred yards from shore. This was a special place for him. A place where he’d come when he was younger to escape the responsibilities of his duties as the prince of his people and as an adult to deal with the responsibilities of being a king.
Sea Fire waded ashore. The stag’s large feet sank into the silky white sand. Once on the beach, he reined the stag to a halt and dismounted. Reaching up, he helped Jenny down.
“Let me take care of Sea Fire. If you follow the trail, you’ll find a treehouse where we will stay for the night. I used to come here often, but it has been a while since my last visit. I fear our accommodations may need a little work,” Orion said.
&n
bsp; Jenny glanced toward the path, then out over the small cove that opened out to the ocean. She turned to look at him. Orion caught himself staring at her hair. This was the first time he had seen it in the sunlight and he swore the strands glistened with fire.
“It is beautiful. I can see if there is anything I can do while you take care of Sea Fire,” Jenny offered.
“Thank you. I will bring food for us as well,” Orion said, finally giving in to the desire to touch her hair. “It changes color in the sunlight.”
Laughing, Jenny stood on her toes and brushed a kiss across his lips. Her fingers teased the flesh of his stomach, and she looked at him with mischievous eyes. His hope of providing food and lodging first was fast losing out to saying to hell with everything else and taking care of their primitive desires. Food and shelter are highly overrated at times like this, he decided. He would have abandoned the stag, food, and the offer of a bed for the sand, sunshine, and Jenny, naked, if Sea Fire hadn’t chosen that moment to push his head against Orion’s lower back.
“I’ll be waiting and ready,” she promised before turning and walking across the sand toward the palm-lined path.
Orion reached up and scratched the stag under its chin when the beast placed his head on Orion’s shoulder. They both watched Jenny until she disappeared. Releasing a long breath, Orion looked at the stag and shook his head.
“I am one very lucky man,” Orion said to the stag.
The stag agreed with a loud snort. It was either an agreement that he was a lucky man or a reminder that he still hadn’t taken off the bridle and saddle.
Drawing in a deep breath and releasing it, he set to work. The sooner he took care of the stag and found some food, the sooner he could focus on more enjoyable things—like all the wicked things he planned to do with Jenny.
Chapter Seventeen
Streams of sunlight brightened the path while the cool breeze off the ocean and the shade of the trees made Jenny sure she had discovered a hidden paradise. The powdery white sand under her feet reminded her of the beaches along the Florida Panhandle. Spring Break never came fast enough after a long, cold winter.
The sound of water falling and birds singing made her think of the Swiss Family Robinson movie. Hopefully there wouldn’t be a tiger or pirates joining them. Rounding a curve in the trail, Jenny stopped dead in her tracks. Raising her hand to her throat, she gazed in awe at the humble accommodations.
A massive tree that looked very similar to a Banyan or an Australian Cathedral Fig tree supported the hut. One of the teachers had gone to Australia and brought back some incredible photos of unusual trees with trunks wider than some houses which grew to astonishing heights. The tree’s roots stretched from the limbs down into the ground, creating a curtain effect. Of course, the first thing Jenny thought about was how cool it would be to live in one.
“Hello, Mr. Robinson,” Jenny murmured, stepping onto an elevated walkway that bridged a creek and continued upward, winding around the tree to reach the dwelling above.
Behind the tree, water flowed from a narrow waterfall that ended in a deep, clear pool before flowing into the stream that led out to the cove. Tropical plants in a wide variety, too many to count, grew along the rocks and the edge of the stream’s banks. Flowers in every color under the sun dotted the landscape, while birds and insects buzzed from one to the other.
It was what was in the tree that drew Jenny’s attention the most. The treehouse was not as elaborate as the one from the Robinson movie, but it was pretty damn close. Along with the winding walkway spiraling around the tree, a hut made out of the thin limbs, vines, and palm fronds was situated near the top of the tree, partially hidden by its thick branches.
Jenny slowly climbed the elevated walkway. Her hands caressed the woven rope railing as she walked. Her gaze followed several colorful birds as they flew up to sit on one of the window sills. As she reached the house, she was surprised to see thin, almost translucent netting covering the windows and doorways. Pushing the door panel aside, she entered.
The interior was an open room. She had discovered as she climbed up that the dwelling was built in a circle around the tree. From inside, she could see three hundred and sixty degrees.
The furnishings inside the hut were sparse. There was a primitive cooking area that consisted of a grill, a sink fed with water from the waterfall, several empty shelves, and a small round table with two chairs made from bent limbs and woven palm fronds. On the far side was the sleeping area. A vine-net was stretched out and fastened at each corner to form a hanging bed. On top of it was a mattress covered by a thick weatherproof tarp.
Jenny crossed over and folded the tarp. Protected by the tarp was a thin comforter and pillows. She looked around for a place to store the tarp. She discovered that the empty trunks scattered around the room were also used for seating. She opened one of the trunks and placed the tarp inside. Straightening, she gazed out over the treetops. She could see the beach and cove from here.
She smiled when she saw Sea Fire playing in the shallow water. Orion was stroking the sea dragon and feeding it fresh seaweed. Once the stag was finished, he patted the creature affectionately on the neck and waded deeper. He stood looking out at the ocean before his shoulders rolled, and he dove into the waves. Jenny’s fingers curled along the polished wood. Her gaze skimmed the water searching for Orion.
Several minutes passed before he resurfaced. She understood what he was doing when he waded ashore and dropped a handful of long tubular stalks on a rock. He was gathering food for their dinner.
She watched him for several long minutes, admiring the sunlight on his tanned shoulders. His muscles rippled along his back when he turned to gaze out at the water again. Her eyes widened in appreciation when he bent over to pick up a shell. The form-fitting material of his trousers showcased his tight buttocks. Jenny’s fingers itched to run her hands over that firm ass.
He must have felt her scrutiny because he turned and glanced in her direction. She wasn’t sure if he could see her or not, but the idea began to form in her mind that she could surprise him with a romantic setting. She reluctantly turned her gaze away and glanced around the large room. It wasn’t that dirty. The ultra-fine netting had protected the interior. A little dusting here and a sweep there and their accommodation would be fine.
She would finish exploring and cleaning the hut, then help find some food for their dinner. She had seen several varieties of fruit trees she recognized. She could pick some to go with their dinner.
First things first, though. She must to do a quick inventory and clean up. Opening the trunks, she discovered extra bedding material, towels, and clothing. The sealed wooden containers did an excellent job of keeping everything clean. A short cabinet in the kitchen revealed the cleaning items she needed.
Jenny quickly set to work. She dampened a cloth and wiped down the polished wood counters in the kitchen and dusted the shelves. She retrieved dishes, cups, and utensils from one of the trunks and placed them on the shelf.
She discovered a unique feature between the bedroom and kitchen, the staircase to the bathroom! She had been wondering if there was one. She had also been curious as to why there was a railing along that single section of wall. Now she knew.
Curious, she descended the spiral staircase to the lower level. The bathroom took up the entire lower level. Jenny was impressed with the beautiful design and engineering it took to create the primitive, but very functional room. She would have to ask Orion how he was able to create plumbing that couldn’t be seen.
Walking around the room, she saw a free-falling shower. She twisted the single knob and held her hand under the falling water. It was surprisingly warm to her touch. Of course, now that she had transformed, all water felt good, no matter the temperature. She twisted the knob again and turned off the water. Like the room above, this area was open with just the screening to protect it from the outside elements.
A toilet, sink, shelves, and another storage trunk filled w
ith wood-scented towels finished off the room. She laughed when several small, brightly colored birds landed on the outside edge and peered in. Their orange, red, and purple feathers reminded her of some of the fish she had seen. Each one had a crest on its head that rose and fell when it chirped.
“Carly would have loved you guys. She was always a sucker for birds and dragons,” Jenny informed them. “Ah, well, this isn’t putting my plan to seduce Orion into action. Let’s see if I can dazzle the clothes right off of him.”
The birds chirped again, as if agreeing with her plan. Jenny laughed and took it as a good sign. She laid out some clean towels and the block of soap. Humming under her breath, she returned to the upper level, set the table and pulled the covers back on the bed.
“All night long… Mm, mm… All night long…,” she sang.
She picked up a basket and danced down the spiral walkway, picking fruit that hung from the vines to go with their meal and flowers for the table. By the time she reached the bottom, her basket was overflowing. Placing it on a table near the walkway, she followed the stone path to the deep pool.
“I thought we could rinse the salt from our skin in the pool, or there is a shower up in the hut if you would prefer that,” Orion said from behind her.
Jenny turned around in surprise. “Oh! I didn’t hear you come up. I was going to…,” she said before clamping her lips together.
“What were you going to do?” he asked.
Jenny’s lips parted on a moan when she saw the fire burning in his eyes. She took a step toward him and reached out to touch him. All the weeks of longing suddenly came to a head. She wanted him—now.
“I was going to surprise you,” she admitted.
“How?” he asked in a soft, seductive voice.
“By getting naked and jumping your bones. I hadn’t thought much beyond that,” she murmured, leaning into him. “I figured I’d see where it took me.”