On Wicked Ground (Solsti Prophecy Book 4) (21 page)

She slapped the silver blade into his palm and he let out a low whistle. “Been a long time since I lifted anything this light.” He winked. “Except for you.”

“Was that supposed to make up for insulting my weapon?”

“Depends on if it worked.”

She angled her head at the packed dirt. “That depends on if you hit the target.”

“You drive a hard bargain, Boots. But you’re on.” He turned to the target and held the dagger as if calculating the trajectory it would take, given its weight and the speed he could put behind it.

He was such a warrior. It was ingrained to the core of him, yet…the way he kicked back and goofed off was unexpected. And it made her feel comfortable with him. More than that, she found herself craving his light-hearted approach to things.

Everything she did was planned and plotted, down to the tiny details of each job, weapon, and gadget. With Caine, she could let some of that worry go. Here at Watcher HQ, she didn’t feel like she had to keep looking over her shoulder in case she’d been seen stealing.

But being at ease around someone didn’t mean she should start thinking about daughters. And relaxing a little didn’t mean she could let down her guard completely. And the one thing she needed to guard above all was her heart.

C
HAPTER
S
IXTEEN

C
AINE
THREW
THE
DAGGER
AND
dropped his eyes to Alina, wondering what the hell just happened. Her entire mood had darkened in a heartbeat, though to her credit, she had only missed one throw. The other times she’d released her dagger it flew like an arrow and landed with unerring precision.

He didn’t need to see the weapon land to know it struck true. Years of practice with any and every type of blade had instilled that awareness in him, as well as the ability to realize when those around him were distracted. What he didn’t know was where Alina’s mind had gone. He jogged to grab the dagger and ran back to her. “What’s going on, Boots?”

“Nothing.” She folded her arms.

“Bullshit.” He stepped closer and caressed the length of her spine. “Something’s bothering you.”

“You did great. And I still hate to miss.” She flashed him a smile full of confidence but not happiness.

He folded his arms, not buying her excuse. But rather than call her out on it again, he’d try a different tactic. “So do I. And you’ve done well so far. So I think it’s time to up the game.”

She scrunched her nose. “How?”

He jutted his chin toward her double tiered dirt ball. “Just throw. You’ll find out.”

“Hmm. I’m not sure I like this,” she muttered, but shifted her attention to the target.

She drew her arm back. Moving fast, Caine was at her back, hands on her hips.

She gasped.

“Go ahead. Throw.” He dipped his mouth to the side of her neck, drawing in her moonflower scent.

Arm trembling, she squeaked out, “No fair.”

“You’ll have to fight when there are distractions. Now throw.” He licked the shell of her ear.

Her breath was shaky and she let out a moan, but didn’t move.

“I’m waiting.” He moved his hands up her torso, itching to feel her soft skin instead of the cotton tank top she wore.

“I…” She whirled to face him and held her dagger’s point to his throat.

“Fucking hell, Boots.” He started to shake his head, but that only drew his flesh across the sharp tip. “Touche.”

“Like you said, there can be distractions.” Green eyes shone with a wicked smirk.

He held up his hands and stepped back. “Well done. You pass.”

“Didn’t know this was a test.”

“Pop quiz.” He wrapped an arm around her shoulders. “Next assignment: a shower.”

She huffed out a breath but allowed him to steer her toward the building. Darkness had fallen completely and the twin moons were low in the eastern sky, pale orbs that barely cleared the tree tops. A pair of night hawks streaked overhead, circling and dipping in their own mating dance.

Whatever had been bothering Alina seemed to have faded, but Caine knew that didn’t mean it was gone. But for now, he’d take her confident self. There would be plenty of time to dig into all of the mysteries that made up his little Solsti. He intended to be at her side for whenever and whatever she was willing to share.

And right now, she was willing to let him lead her through the immense headquarters and down the wing to where his room was located. Her flip flops smacked softly against the marble in the quiet halls. Caine guessed most of the Lash were locked up with their mates, or in the nearest town slaking their seasonal lust.

They reached his door. “Care to do the honors?” He leaned against the wall. “You did it the other night. Didn’t leave a scratch.”

She frowned and patted where her pockets would be, if she had them. But her form-fitting black yoga pants obviously didn’t. “I don’t have anything with me tonight.”

He chuckled and unlocked the door. “What’d you use, anyway? You don’t have your tools here.”

“A pen. Snagged it from the game room.” She shrugged as she walked ahead of him into the room and he swore she gave an added shake of her hips just for his benefit. Those pants hugged her ass perfectly, and the sliver of skin showing between her waistband and the hem of her top drew him like a magnet. He needed to touch her, now.

He kicked the door shut and crowded close behind her, sliding his hand under the back of her shirt. “Aren’t you the sneaky one?”

She turned and skated her slender fingers up his chest. “A girl’s gotta be creative.” She was so little in his arms. Her head was at the level of his pecs and she leaned in to lick a teasing path down his sternum and across his left side.

He groaned at the brush of her soft lips. His cock, which had been semi-hard as they’d neared his room, now stood at full attention. He rocked into her.

“Mmm.” She smacked her lips and grinned up at him. “You’re sweaty.”

He dipped his head and took her mouth in a savage kiss, need riding him hard and quashing the idea of going slow. But he tasted his own exertion on her lips. She was right. He pulled back. “Shower. Now.”

She stepped back and yanked her top up and over her head, revealing the blue bra she’d had on earlier. Sauntering toward the bathroom, she unhooked it and dropped it on the floor. “Ladies first,” she called.

Holy hell. He shucked his pants in a heartbeat and joined her. She was leaning into the large shower, adjusting the water temperature, topless and still in those tight yoga pants. He grabbed her around the waist and bent, pushing her further down at the waist but still supporting her. He licked her spine from her neck down as far as he could go.

Placing a kiss to the center of her back, he yanked her pants and panties off in one fluid motion. She shimmied to help him. One glance at her bare sexy ass and he didn’t know if he’d make it to the shower. She was feminine power and beauty combined, and the urge to please her and claim her trumped everything else in his mind.

The scent of moonflower filled his nose as his lips brushed her smooth skin, nibbling his way and enjoying how her stomach muscles clenched under his fingertips. Unable to resist the temptation of her breasts, he moved his hands to cup them. Her whole body shivered and she arched her back, which had the doubly erotic effect of pushing her breasts farther into his hands and pushing her ass up against his stomach. His cock throbbed, so close to where he wanted to be.

“In.” He grunted and thanked the gods she was on board with his monosyllabic sentences. He was too far into the crazed lust of the season to try to speak smoothly plus, having had a taste of her, his body wanted more. He had no desire to visit the cities and sleep with any of the Watcher groupies who’d offer up their bodies. No, all he wanted was the sexy female in his shower.

She ducked under the rainfall-style showerhead and tilted her head back to douse her hair. The movement pushed her breasts out, pink nipples hardening as rivulets coursed down, and he licked his lips. He bent to take one tip in his mouth and she sucked in a breath, then he felt the sweet pressure of her hands at the back of his head, holding him right there.

Hell, did she have any idea how sexy she was? He slid one hand to her lower back. With the other, he traced a line down her other breast, dragging it across her hard nipple, down her torso and around her belly button. He continued lower, slower, making teasing circles as he dipped closer to the heat between her thighs.

She whimpered as he dipped between her legs and delved into her slick center. Hell, if her quivering body hadn’t already told him she was ready, her slickness did. He released her nipple and moved to suck on the other one. Her hips arched toward his hand, an invitation he couldn’t refuse, and he slid one finger inside her.

Fuck. She was more than ready. His cock ached and he knew there was no going slow. “Need you,” he growled.

“Yes.” The word sighed past her lips, strained and urgent.

He cupped her ass and lifted her, aligning her on his swollen cock. She clutched his shoulders and wiggled, making a tiny sound of feminine frustration. Her core brushed across his plump head and they both cursed.

“Now Caine,” she begged.

With a low, animalistic rumble, he slammed her tight body down, burying himself to the hilt. She gasped, eyes widening.

“Hurt?” Through sheer force of will he kept his body still. Had to make sure she was okay.

She shook her head. “No. You’re just so big. Need a second to get used to you.”

He wanted to grin and make a smart comeback to her compliment, but all he felt was lust and the need to ensure her pleasure. So he kissed her, claiming her mouth with slow deliberate strokes of his tongue. Above them, the shower poured down like summer rain, making their bodies slip and shift together. And when he felt her heels dig into his ass, felt her little teeth nip his lip, he knew she was ready to take all he could give.

He turned them so her back was against the wall and braced her there, then pulled out almost all the way only to slam in hard. She moaned, gazing at him through heavy-lidded eyes. “God, that feels good. Harder.”

Harder.
A new wave of arousal jacked through Caine at her demanding words. He pumped again into her tight heat. Her body stretched to accommodate him, as if she were made for him. Every inch of her sheath held him in a grip of perfect friction, offering relief to his aching shaft and at the same time ratcheting his need up farther. Her fingers dug into his biceps and her face radiated pleasure, alternating between a lazy smile and a sexy moan delivered through teeth-bitten lips.

She dropped one hand to his chest, tracing a finger down his pec and across his nipple just as he had done to her. It was like a shot of fire to his groin. He growled and thrust harder, making her back shift against the shower wall. Her breasts bounced in time with his vigorous pounding and he wondered fleetingly if he was too rough, but the wanton expression on her face told him all he needed to know.

Her naughty hand dipped to their connection, just like she’d done earlier in the day.
Gods, this woman is incredible.
“More?” The word tore from his lips on a sex-crazed snarl that he wasn’t sure she understood.

But she did, nodding. “More. I love how you feel inside me.” Her fingers, slick with fluid, caressed her flesh and then his in a wicked dance. “Caine, I’m so close…”

He grabbed her hips and slammed her down in time with the furious pace of his thrusts. She wanted more? She’d get more. The need to satisfy her short circuited his mind. All he knew was his woman wanted, no needed, to be fucked senseless.

Everything faded to the background as he controlled their movements. He was no longer aware of the running water, or the steam billowing around them. All he saw was her naked writhing body. All he felt was the overriding desire to sate them both.

“Caine!” she screamed and her eyes closed as she convulsed around him, every muscle seemingly attuned to his cock.

He kept up his pace, unrelenting, as his own climax built. Tiny moans and breathy whimpers fell from her lush lips. She opened her eyes and the look she gave him was pure sexual sorcery. Satisfaction and wickedness rolled together, pulling him toward the edge of sanity. “Your turn, baby. Come for me.” She slipped her hand down to cup his balls.

She may as well have lit a rocket in his heart. With a roar, his body detonated, pounding into her as he came. He thrust over and over, lost in the allure of her eyes and the heat of her body.

Finally, his body stilled. Breath sawed in and out of his lungs and he dropped his head against the wall next to her head.

She trailed her fingers across his back, her own breath coming in short gasps. “That was incredible,” she sighed.

He slanted his head to meet her eyes. “You’re incredible. I could stay here all night.”

“Mmm, we just might use up all the hot water.”

“Nope. We have enough ley lines warming the pipes, that’s not gonna happen.”

She sighed. “Wow. It really is nice here. You guys have everything.”

All this stuff doesn’t mean much without someone to share it with.
But he wasn’t about to say that out loud. Not yet, anyway. “Perks of the job.” Slowly, reluctantly he withdrew from her body and set her down under the spray. He reached for a washcloth and soap and began to wash her delicate skin. Maybe one day, and maybe soon, he’d voice that opinion.

Alina sighed as Caine’s strong hands massaged soapy circles on her back and legs. She was a little wobbly after that mind-blowing orgasm. She’d never had sex with a Watcher before. She wondered if it was more intense because this was their fertile time—

She gasped and clapped a hand over her mouth.

“What’s wrong?” He turned her around, eyes worried and searching her face.

“We…we forgot a condom,” she whispered. The staggering possibility of what might happen sent her heart rate soaring. She’d never even thought about children in her future.