Skin Walkers: Taken (11 page)

Chapter 20

Nyree sat on the porch of her cabin, staring out at the glittering snow that was now about a foot deep.  The sun had only just buried itself in the horizon, but it’s presence that day had brought no warmth to the land.  She heaved another great sigh, and it escaped on a cloud.  It’d been eight days since she’d seen Rohm.  She’d told him she’d needed seven, and when he hadn’t shown up yesterday the rejection stung like a bitch.

She’d had her meeting with Fatal, and the ruling Keeper had eased her concerns that Rohm was only attempting to mate her because she’d offered herself to him.  Fatal had admitted that while Keepers typically did see what they wanted and act on that impulse, their claiming wasn’t without merit.  He’d told her that if Rohm had claimed her it wasn’t simply because he could, but because it was something he and his beast wanted.  He’d also informed her that because they were now mated, Rohm’s loyalty would know no bounds.  She was welcomed by Fatal into his Keeper family and surprisingly the Ruling Keeper had wished she and Rohm well in their new life together. 

She’d left feeling dazed which only heightened to apprehension when she’d immediately been summoned to the Monroe’s office. 

He’d inquired into her post-kidnapping status, then shot right to the heart of the matter.  He wanted to know if she needed Rohm removed from the Estate.  He’d seemed overly agitated, and much more curt than usual, even offering to have all Keepers removed. 

Everyone knew the Domina had been injured during the attack, and apparently she was still not well. 

When Monroe asked if she wanted the Keepers removed, he’d seemed almost hopeful.  She’d denied that they were a problem and assured him they shouldn’t be forced out.  Monroe verified—just as Rohm had stated—that he warned Fatal to keep his men in line, to keep them from touching
any
females on the Estate.  He wanted to know what happened between her and Rohm, and whether it was consensual or forced on her by either the Megalya or Rohm himself.  She told the truth.  Things were already tenuous between the Walkers and Keepers without adding any speculation to the fire.  It had been embarrassing admitting to Monroe that she’d asked Rohm to take her.  It was even worse when she had to explain the misunderstanding that he’d been trying to gift her Zavier and not himself.  To his credit, Monroe didn’t push for more than she was willing to give.  He did, however, ask that she keep him apprised of her situation with Rohm and the other Keepers.  Monroe had explained that, to his knowledge, no Keeper had taken a mate since they’d arrived in the States, and it was imperative that he know if there was any cause for alarm or further protection where the females on the Estate were concerned.  Like the good Sentry she was, Nyree promised to keep Monroe in the loop, via Dr. Arkinson, who she’d be visiting on a weekly basis for examination.  Monroe was more than a little curious about Rohm’s gifting of Zavier to her.  He wanted to know if she had been changed physically by the acceptance of the Soul Sentry, and Jenny would be completing tests to find out.

Now, Nyree stared out at the landscape and wondered if she’d lost Rohm for good by sending him away.  She believed him now, believed he meant every word he’d said about claiming her, about wanting her.  Fatal had made it clear that he’d been aware of Rohm’s interest in her from the start, but that he’d threatened not just Rohm, but all his Keepers should they go against his dictate and attempt to take a female.  Fatal said he understood Rohm’s defiance.  The circumstances were unusual, and had a female asked
any
of his Keepers to take her in the manner that Nyree described, he doubted there would be a one who could be strong enough to resist.

Keepers weren’t like Skin Walkers, they owned literally nothing.  Homes, money, personal items were unimportant.  They valued their hive, their brethren, and nothing….
nothing
…was more significant to a Keeper than claiming a mate.  They’d been denied that right since arriving, but the scent of Nyree on Rohm and him on her, the knowledge that she carried Zavier within her, had given Fatal’s Keepers hope.  She saw it in the way they’d looked at her reverently as she’d worked beside them to help rebuild the Estate.  It was present when she strained to complete a difficult job and Keepers rushed to her aid, shoving Walkers aside and nearly inciting several fights.  It was that reverence that had hope still lingering, that Rohm would come back to her.  Watching the sun set on another day though, had just a little of that hope diminishing.

Another pent up breath left her in a cloud as she rubbed her palms on her jean clad knees.  “Where are you, Rohmulus?”

Shoving up off her knees, she pulled her coat tighter around herself and was turning for the door when she suddenly stilled.  Something had her body going rigid, the fine hairs on the back of her neck standing on end, and her chest tingling with warmth. Turning, she eyed the grounds.

She saw pale snow gleaming with crystalline winks, and nothing else.  She held her breath and listened.  A great huff had her narrowing her eyes, looking harder as the snow ruffled in the distance.  There was something there, but even squinting she couldn’t make it out. 

Another chuff, and then she felt him before her eyes even registered Zavier’s great white form tromping toward her.

Nyree placed a hand on her chest, where warmth emanated in a gentle wave as she stepped down off the porch, sinking to her knees in the snow. “Zavier?”

He kept stalking closer and closer, then her eyes picked up movement behind him.  She watched as wind whipped Rohm’s white hair back, his crystalline eyes locked on her.  He looked like a great God of the snow.  They belonged here in this Northern wonderland, he and Zavier.  She felt a tinge of sadness swell within her as she thought of them having to exist in the tropical climate of the Philippines for as long as they had.

As if in response to her thought, Zavier lopped through the snow in clear delight, stopping to roll to his back and squirm before rising back to his feet as snow shed down off his fur.  When he got closer to her, Zavier bumped her leg with his head, chuffing a beastly breath against her before looking back over his shoulder at Rohm.  Zavier turned just as Rohm approached, romping back to play in the deep snow.

Unsure what to say, Nyree offered, “Hello, Rohm.”

He responded with, “Time’s up Nyree. I gave you what you wanted.  Now, it’s my turn.”

One second in his in his presence and she was feeling vulnerable and needy.  Her body was aching to give him what he wanted, and she hoped beyond all hope that it was her,
all
of her.  The time away from him had solidified one thing for her, and that was the knowledge that she wanted Rohm.  She wanted him whether she knew him or not, whether he knew her, or even wanted to get to know her.  Her body was desperate for his, almost as desperate as her heart was for the man…the Keeper. “Wh-what do you want, Rohm?”

“I want to see you naked,” he replied.

Nyree blushed.  “You’ve already seen me naked…mostly.”

“No.  I haven’t.”

She frowned.  “I’m sorry it was so unmemorable, but we have slept together.”

Now he was frowning.  “I’ll never forget the gift of your body, Nyree.  It was the single most significant moment of my existence, but that’s not what I’m talking about.  I’m talking about seeing
you
naked, not your skin.  I want to know your dreams, your hopes, your fears.  I want to know where you grew up, what your favorite things are, what’s wounded you.  I want to know what you love and what you hate.  What inspires you, Nyree?  What scares you?  I want to know what makes your blood boil, and what makes your heart sing.  This.  This is what I mean when I say I want to see you naked.”

Her knees nearly buckled with the admission.  How did he know?  How
could
he know that that was all she’d been waiting for, hoping for?  She’d wanted him to want more than just her body, and that’s what he was asking for. 

She’d been afraid he wasn’t coming back, afraid she’d scared him off.  Just as she’d felt he’d denied her, she’d denied him by sending him away, by not believing his words.  Not wanting anything else between them, she had one more question she needed answered.  “Did you tell Fatal and Monroe what had happened before or after you discovered they already knew?”   She watched his expression tighten, his eyes narrow.  She saw it the second he understood what she was really asking.

“I didn’t come clean because I was cornered into it.  I confessed, and then Fatal revealed that he already knew.  I’m done hiding you, Nyree.  I’m finished hiding what you are to me.”

“And what’s that?” she challenged, wanting to slap herself when his expression darkened. 

“Don’t pretend you don’t know.”  His voice was deep the sound visceral as it cut to her core, sending arousal dumping into her belly.  A zing of excitement tore through Nyree and she backed up a step, knowing what it would do to the predator in him. 

“Nyree,” he warned on a growl.  “Run from me this time, and I will chase you.”

The threat had her heart racing even as a wicked grin took her lips.

Chapter 21

Nyree’s jerked her gaze to Zavier.  “What about him?” she challenged.  “He’s part of me too, right?”  She grinned.  “You wouldn’t let Rohm get me, would you Zavier?”

As if torn, Zavier glanced between her and Rohm before snorting a confused sound.

Rohm threw his arms wide and his chest shimmered before Zavier stood and leapt for his chest, disappearing as Rohm growled and closed his eyes, seating his Soul Sentry within him.

“Aww,” Nyree pouted.  “Big cheater.  Why’d you do that?”

When Rohm dropped his chin and opened his eyes they gleamed with wicked promise.  “Because I don’t doubt for a second whose side he’d take, and I’m not letting anything get between me and my Light again.  Not Zavier, not Fatal, not Monroe.” His eyes slid up and down from her toes back to her eyes.  “Not clothes.”

“I haven’t said I’ve forgiven you yet, Rohm,” Nyree countered, but there was no power to her words.

The corner of Rohm’s mouth lifted as he made a show of inhaling deeply, closing his eyes with the action, then slowly reopening them on the exhale.  “You don’t have to say anything, my Light.  Your body is telling me all I need to know.”

“My body is a traitor,” Nyree teased, walking up the stairs backward. 

He inhaled slowly.  “Two weeks Nyree, I’ve been dreaming about burying myself in your body, locking my cock so deep inside your tight pussy and filling you with my seed.”  He grinned.  “And even now, you’re hot and wet, ready for me.  Your breasts grow heavy with need, your pussy flooding with juices in preparation for my size.  I’m going to taste those juices, Nyree.”  His eyes glided over her.  “I’m going to taste every inch of you, and when I’m done you’ll be begging for me to penetrate you.”

His words had her womb clenching.  True to his words, her panties were already soaked and she was having trouble keeping her breathing steady.  Still, she wouldn’t give in to him that easily.  She was a warrior after all.  “If you want me, Rohmulus, you’ll have to convince my heart as well as my pussy.”  With that, she turned and raced into her cabin, slamming the door hard and locking it on the deep snarl that rumbled behind her.  Laughing excitedly, Nyree kicked out of the unlaced boots she’d slipped into earlier and raced for the hallway.  She ripped her coat off, dropping it on the floor, then yelping as she heard the front door crash open. 

“NYREE!”

In the hall, she whipped her belt off and dropped it on the floor, sliding in socked feet as she tried to turn into her room, but overshot her mark and had to scramble, fingers clamping on the door frame to help haul her into her room where she ripped her shirt over her head and tossed it on the bed.  Turning she slammed the bedroom door and locked it.  Chest heaving and heart racing, Nyree backed up as she unzipped her jeans and shimmied out of them.  She kicked them to the side as she heard a thump on the door that startled an excited cry from her lips.  Clad now in only her bra and panties, Nyree crossed her arms in front of her, lacing her fingers together as she held them clamped to her lips.

“Nyree,” Rohm growled from the other side of the door.  “If I have to break this door down to get to you…”

What?
She wanted to know, even as her heart rate tripped at his sensual warning.  She’d expected immediate action, but when the door wasn’t just kicked in, her heart rate soared with an anticipation that was almost too much.  There was shuffling on the other side of the door, then a jiggling of the door knob.  Seconds later, the door knob moved again, and this time she heard the snapping of metal before she watched the knob drop to the floor. 

Slowly, her bedroom door opened to reveal Rohm, standing gloriously naked with his thick erection pointed straight at her.  This was the first time she’d ever gotten to look at him like this, and he was magnificent.  Her eyes slid from his down his muscled chest and the ridges of his abs to his engorged cock.  It was pulsing, a bead of moisture glinting on the tip.  Her belly quivered, and she knew that if she hadn’t already fucked him, she wouldn’t have believed she could take his size.

Mesmerized by his body, she wondered if she could have the same effect on him.  Reaching behind her, she unhooked her bra, dropping it to the floor before shoving the wisps of lace over her hipbones and down her thighs before stepping out of her panties.  She looked up and watched Rohm drink her in.  His expression held the same reverence she imagined hers had held only moments earlier.

“Nyree,” he breathed, sounding helpless. 

It was heady having that effect on such a behemoth.  It made her feel powerful, but still, it was one thing to excite her body.  Another entirely to excite her heart.  “If you touch me this time, Rohm, you have to mean it.  You have to want it.”

“Know this, my Light.  From the moment I met you, I have wanted you.  Every time I’ve touched you, I meant it.  And the gift of your body,” his eyes tracked up and down her frame leisurely, “is one hell of a bonus, but it comes second to your heart.  I want
all
of you Nyree, and I’ll settle for no less!”

His words sent shivers coursing down her spine, which only intensified when he pointed to the bed.  “Lie down and spread your legs.”

Part of her wanted to defy him, but the promise of what would come by obeying had her crossing to the bed and lying flat on her back, then lifting her knees and letting her legs fall open.  She heard a snarl, and that was the only warning she got before his tongue was sliding through her wet folds.  She jerked at the suddenness and the throb in her clit.  An ache began to blossom in her womb as Rohm worked his tongue over and then into her.  That need built into a fiery inferno the longer he ate at her.  When his tongue pulled from fucking her and he flattened it against her clit, her body exploded with orgasm, and Nyree screamed his name.  “ROHM!”

Fisting his hair, she thrashed when he continued to assault her tender clit with his tongue.  Unrelenting, Rohm kept applying pressure, then in a move that stole her breath, he sucked her clit into his mouth, humming with the movement to send more pleasure coursing through her.  Whimpering in distress, Nyree thrashed, unsure she could take any more as Rohm’s mouth continued to fuck her.

“R-Rohm,” Nyree wheezed breathlessly.  “I…I can’t. Please!”  She needed more, she wanted him inside her, filling her with his own release, because she knew there was no way she’d have another orgasm, she’d never had more than one at a time.  She quickly discovered she could though, as a second orgasm began building inside her. 

Her pussy already flooded with her release, she writhed as Rohm devoured her greedily, moaning as he lapped at her, and just as she was about to detonate, he pulled his mouth from her and rose, tucking his cock against her wet folds.  He stared into her eyes, not blinking, as in one powerful thrust, he surged into her.  Nyree cried out as he seated himself inside her, her eyes fluttering closed as he began to work his length into her.  She remembered this, the feel of the velvety steel of him stretching her as she clamped onto him.  His pace quickened, and his hands were everywhere, stroking, feeling, petting. When they found her hipbones, he gripped tightly and forged deep into her.  One hand left her hip to work circles on her clit as he pounded into her, jarring her body with the force.

Thank God her orgasm had her dripping wet, because the thickness of him had her stretched to capacity.

“So fucking tight,” he groaned.

“Please, Rohm!” she begged, needing more, wanting him deeper, harder.

He hooked one of her legs with his arm, and this time when he forged into her she felt him hit that deepest part of her.  She cried out as her body arched violently, her channel beginning to seize around him.  Bending, Rohm gripped the back of her neck and pulled her mouth to his.  “Suck me,” he demanded, before thrusting his tongue into her mouth.  She did.

His cock buried to the hilt inside her, Nyree closed her lips around Rohm’s tongue and sucked.  Her eyes slammed open when that familiar heat in her chest from their last coupling returned.  It was brighter this time, more intense.  Her eyes rounded when she saw a bright, ghostly light passing from his lips to hers.  It tasted like liquid frost.  She sucked harder, drinking in whatever essence this was as Rohm groaned in satisfaction, his tongue pumping into her mouth, mirroring his cock surging into her feminine heat.

Hooking her other leg, he impaled her even more deeply, and she had to release his tongue to gasp as ecstasy tore through her.  He drove into her once, twice…and then she exploded, tossing her head back as her body clamped onto him, milking him greedily as his eruption blasted from him, filling Nyree with his seed until it overflowed and spilled out of her, coating her inner thighs.

Both breathing hard and spent, Nyree expected him to pull from her, but he didn’t.  Still fully seated inside her, he rolled with her on top on him, pulling her chest to his as he held her tight, rubbing his hands down her back, cupping her ass, then drifting back up to curl his palm over her shoulder.  Finally, after long moments of simply holding one another, Rohm pulled back.

“Look at me, Nyree.”

She did and started at the intensity in his clear eyes.  She watched as Rohm’s brow furrowed. “Until my bones are but ash, I will always come for you, my Light.  You are mine, and I am yours.  Nothing on this Earth shall part us,
ever
.”

She sighed a relieved sound. “Ever,” she repeated, and almost chuckled at the look of utter hope on Rohm’s face.

“You accept my claim?”

The smile left her lips and she nodded, mirroring his words.  “You are mine and I am yours.”

Rohm grinned as he took her mouth in a savage kiss.  She felt his soft cock harden within her and smiled into their kiss.  “Again?”

Rohm broke their kiss.  “I’d die to stay buried inside of you for all the minutes of my life if I could.  You are my home, Nyree.  You are where I belong. You are my life now and the children you gift me will be
our
life.”

Tears flooded her eyes. 

“I saw the look on your face when Dr. Jenny told us there was no child.”  He smoothed his hand over her cheek, brushing his thumb under her eye.  “When you are ready, I want to have a child with you.”

She hadn’t ever expected to find this with anyone, and certainly not a Keeper.  So little was known about them, but she knew enough about this one,
her
one.  She knew there’d be explaining to do to Fatal and Monroe, but she no longer cared.  She could no longer deny what existed between her and Rohm, and she’d run from it no longer.

A strong finger traced between her brows and down her nose.  “What are you thinking about?  What has you worried?”

Schooling her features, Nyree didn’t want to ruin the moment, but she didn’t want to lie either.  No more lies.  “Our future.”

He frowned hard.

She didn’t hesitate to offer, “A future that is no one’s business but our own.  A future that we’ll build and defend together.” 

That had his frown slipping as he rolled to pin her beneath him.  “Know what I was thinking about?”

“Hmm?” She traced her fingers over his biceps, then up his chest to rest her palms on his shoulders. 

“That first meeting with all the Keepers.  The one where you said you’d never tried anal.”

She slapped his chest playfully.  “
Rohmulus
!”

He grinned wolfishly.  “Yes, my Light?”

She blushed as she said, “That’s something we’re going to have to build up to.”

He grinned and hugged her tighter to him, nipping her shoulder then moving to nuzzle her neck, sending a shiver coursing through her before he got to his knees and flipped her to her stomach, eliciting a startled gasp as he tucked the hard length of his cock into the cleft of her ass and prodded gently.  “Then let’s get building.”