Homecoming (12 page)

She pulled him down for a kiss.

Satisfied with her answer, he shed his restraint. His fingers slid home, and she lost track of time. The man was magic, and he was everywhere. She’d never known it was possible to be undressed without her awareness, but suddenly she realized that she was naked. Jayems had lost his shirt, one leg was between hers, riding against her as he slid down and tasted her breasts like a prisoner on his last meal. Or maybe his first real meal since being released. His hot, open mouth moved down her body, shocking her into sudden realization. She grabbed his head. “Wait! I … I’ve never done that.”

“Good.” He actually growled as he shook his head free and deliberately lowered his mouth.

She could not lie still. Sucking in air, she gasped in pleasure, the sounds coming from her mouth getting louder and louder until she was shouting, a prisoner pinned between his hot, slick mouth and the couch.

Finally he slid up and ripped open his fly. He fell over her and looked her in the eye. “I told you I wouldn’t ask again.” He slid inside.

She arched up and dug her nails into his back. It was so tight, and he was huge. It hurt, and a hell of a lot at that, but he worked his way in, kissing her neck, running his tongue over her ears, massaging her thighs and breasts. The look on his face was mindless, but it was obvious he knew what he was doing. Desire built and built inside her, though he was barely moving. Just the thought of him there, of what he was about to

do … she threw back her head and screamed in climax.

Jayems shook and then pumped into her, driving her deep into the couch. With a roar, he climaxed inside her, joining his seed to hers.

* * * *

She slept hard that night, so deeply that it was well into the morning when she woke. Then she remembered and sat bolt upright. “Jasmine!”

Sore muscles between her thighs made her wince. It was then, as the sheets slid against her naked skin, that she remembered what else had happened that night.

Jayems was already up and dressed. He walked into his bedroom moments after her exclamation. “She’s still resting, but we’ve transferred her to her room. If you’d be willing to eat some breakfast, I’ll take you right over.” He leaned over and kissed her good morning. It was a gentle hello, nothing like the flaming kisses of the night before.

She looked down, tugging the sheets around her. There’d never been a morning after for her. She didn’t know what to do.

He made a low sound, much like a growl. “Don’t tempt me, sweetheart. I’m a newly mated man--I can’t see you in my bed and not want you.”

Fire licked her cheeks as she scooted around him. Walking was uncomfortable, but she assumed it would heal quickly, maybe in time for that night …

She shivered and got dressed in record time.

* * * *

Jasmine was so pale, but when she finally opened her eyes, they were lucid.

Wiley put a hand to Jas’ brow and found it cool. “How are you doing, Jas?” she asked softly.

While better, Jasmine was still tired. After a short conversation and a visit to the bathroom, she drifted back to sleep. Still worried, but relieved, Wiley let the nurse take over and went back to her room. Seeing Jayems, she said with a smile, “She just went back to sleep, but she’s feeling better.”

He smiled and slid his hands around her from behind, pulling her close. “I’m relieved. I know how worried you were.” His hands wandered.

She couldn’t help a low moan. “What are you doing?”

“Expressing my relief. Appreciating your amazing breasts,” he said as his fingers closed over the right one.

She choked on a laugh. “Amazing, huh?”

“Mmm.” He eased up the back of her skirt and bent her gently over the back of the couch. He made a noise of impatience at the sight of her satin panties. “Why do women wear these things?” He slid them down to her thighs and left them there, nudging her legs apart. Kissing the back of her neck, he slid the dress over her shoulders, kissing skin as he bared it. With her breasts hanging loose over the couch, he took his time teasing them, lifting and pushing them together, gently pinching and rolling the ruby tips.

He bent over and whispered in her ear, “Open yourself for me.” He breathed in her ear and licked the rim.

Matching heat spiraled down between her thighs. Shocked, she whispered, “What?”

With a wicked laugh, he took her hands and guided them back, placing them on either side of her slick opening. Naughtily, he pushed the tips of two of them just inside her.

She gasped and tried to pull away. “Jayems!”

He chuckled and firmed her fingers on either side, making her spread herself.

Giving her clit a wicked little tweak that made her squeal--he had to retrieve her hands again--he slowly slid home.

Wiley quaked. The man had spent too much time reading those books. He was killing her.

“Ah, sweet,” he purred, rocking her softly. “I want to lick you so badly, sweetheart, but I can’t stop moving inside you.”

Unable to focus, she groaned and gripped the couch. A whimpering sound trembled on her lips as he gripped her behind and rotated. She started to pant.

“That’s it. Feel me. You know what I’m going to do to you. I’m going to climax inside you, Rih. I’m going to give you my baby.”

The climax hit her like a sledgehammer. She went crazy, bucking against the couch, screaming until she thought she would black out. He joined her, driving into her like he’d been shot up with molten lightning.

As she trembled with aftershocks, he slipped a hand under them and pressed. She splintered into another climax, jerking uncontrollably.

She didn’t know where he found the energy, but he carried her into the bedroom and shed the rest of their clothes.

The first time must have been a warm up, because he slid into her again, pinning her arms above her head, lacing his fingers with hers. His kiss was wild and tender, restrained yet ardent. He drove her crazy with his kisses, yet made her take it slow even when she begged. His self control drove her wild, and in the end, he joined her.

Even as they lay there, his fingers continued their play between her legs.

It was somewhere after the third time and a nap that she woke up, feeling his body lying against hers. His arm was draped possessively over her waist, and she could tell he was awake.

“What did you mean when you said you wanted to give me a baby?” she asked tentatively. Though he’d kept her too busy to pursue it, his words had consumed her.

He yawned and let his hand trail down her thigh, gently stroking. “You want one, don’t you?”

“I – I’m not sure right now. I mean, in theory, yes, but now? With you?”

“It’s what husbands and wives do.” He rolled her over on her stomach and began to massage her back. “I like the idea. I especially enjoy the practicing part.” He nipped her shoulder playfully.

Happiness made her throat tight. The man was offering her a child. He couldn’t have offered her anything more precious. “You ought to be tired.”

He just laughed and showed her otherwise.

Jasmine was weak for some days, and spent most of that time asleep. While Wiley would have preferred spending most of her time with her, she wasn’t left in peace. Her mother wanted to spend time with her and she was a stubborn woman.

Wiley came back to her room the day after Jasmine had woken up, in search of her guitar. She was going to play something soothing to help Jas relax. Granted, Jas had just slid into sleep, but she was fretful when she woke up, with little appetite. Wiley had to admit she wouldn’t want to eat much, either, if she were forced to live on liquids.

Her mother was waiting for her when she entered the room. She’d ordered tea. It was only when she saw the food that Wiley realized she was hungry.

“Come, join me, daughter. Do you care for honey in your tea?” Rhapsody was already pouring a cup, a look of pleasant determination on her face. “We’ve barely had a chance to visit in the last few days.”

Casting a wistful look at her guitar, the one instrument she’d managed to keep in the suite--Jayems had banned the drums to the music room--Wiley reluctantly joined her.

“I’ve been busy looking after Jasmine.”

“So devoted of you. I understand she sleeps most of the time?” Rhapsody took a sip of tea.

“Good thing, too. She feels terrible when she’s awake.” Wiley devoured a dainty sandwich in three bites. She restrained herself from burping. The anger she felt for her mother hadn’t resided.

“How sad. Keilor visits her often, I hear.”

Wiley pursed her lips. “Twice is not often.”

Calmly buttering her toast point, Rhapsody observed, “For a man such as he?

Depend on it, the gesture has been marked. He’s always been an unconventional man, but I do hope he realizes what he’s doing. Tongues are busy.”

Wiley stared at her, hard. “Whose tongues? Why would anyone care?”

Rhapsody set her toast aside, untouched. “Your friend is a Sylph, my dear. The older generation still remembers the destruction they brought. Why, your own father was nearly captured by one, before we crossed over.” Her face contorted for a moment, then resumed its careful mien. “Human is bad enough. Sylph … well, you have seen the lengths some people are willing to go to eliminate her.”

Wiley’s hand tightened on her cup. “She’s no threat to anyone.”

Rhapsody canted her head in acknowledgement of the comment. “As you see it, my dear, but even those of our people who would see you kindly still consider her a danger. The fact that our Lord of the Hunt visits her … there are whispers she has him in her thrall.”

“They’re fools, then.”

“Very well. How do you propose to influence them?”

Caught off guard, Wiley blinked at her. “What?”

Rhapsody patiently considered her. “You’re the daughter of a very old, respected
house. If you would learn to use that power and influence, you’d gather support--or at least, tolerance--for your friend. Learn to trade on your social influence, my dear. Gain allies. Only by changing the political climate will you ensure her safety.”

Wiley considered. She was making a lot of sense, but … “I don’t know how to do that.”

Rhapsody just smiled. “Leave it to me, my dear.”

* * * *

Wiley would later remember that smile with misgiving. Sadly, it was not before she’d made another visit to the dressmakers. Somehow, her mother also saddled her with a hairdresser who insisted on grooming Wiley every chance she got. Between her history tutor, her mother’s unending discussions of politics, the round of visits, luncheons and shopping excursions her mother convinced her would help both Jasmine’s and Jayems’

popularity, Wiley barely had time to breathe, let alone visit Jasmine. To her mother’s eternal annoyance, she took the time to check on her friend every day.

Jasmine was first surprised, then amused that Wiley had accepted Jayems as her lover. “Didn’t think you’d go there, Wi.” She was sitting in an armchair when she made the comment, propped up more by force of will than anything else.

Wiley could see she was getting tired. “Well, I’m glad you’re amused. Shouldn’t you go back to bed?”

Jasmine glowered tiredly at her and moved her chess piece. “All I do is lay in bed.

I can rest after I finish this game, and stop trying to lose on purpose so I’ll go there quicker. At least Keilor doesn’t do that.”

Wiley smiled and deliberately moved her queen into jeopardy.

Jasmine ignored the queen to take a pawn instead. “Stop grinning. He feels guilty.

That’s all it is.”

“Hmm. Okay, I’ll humor you. Is this better?” She put Jasmine’s king into checkmate.

Jas grunted. “I hope your mother makes you shop for hours. Here, give me a hand up, will you?”

Wiley settled Jasmine in bed and then went home to find Jayems. It was after dinner, and he was reading in his library. Not one of his racier books, she was relieved to see. Taking the opposite chair, she frowned at him. “Who do you think tried to poison Jasmine?”

He marked his page and set the book aside. “I don’t know. I’m sorry, but we could not trace the poison. Is she very weak tonight?”

She shook her head. “No, she’s getting better every day, but slowly. It’s just that my mother is constantly telling me she’s in so much danger …”