Soul Of A Man (11 page)

He had held back last night, knowing she had no experience, allowing her to set the pace. Today, Jericho realized that he wanted her again, except this time, her innocence wouldn’t hold him back. She had wanted to have sex with him again last night and he had walked away. Now, walking away was the last thing on his mind.

Jericho stood up and pulled his jacket off, laying the rifle within easy reach. Then he proceeded to remove his boots. He saw the drowsiness leave her eyes and desire replace it within their blue depths. He bent down and opened the sleeping bag, noticing she was still wearing her jacket. Roughly he removed it then her shirt and bra followed.

Cara felt like she was dealing with a different Jericho. Last night, everything about Jericho had been slow and gentle, almost detached. Today, it was as if he couldn’t rid her of her clothes fast enough and there was nothing gentle about him. His normal, stoic expression was gone; his features drawn tight and fierce. Cara could see his Indian heritage and imagined that his ancestors were once feared. If Jericho was anything like them, then Cara could understand the terror that they had inspired.

He made her heart beat faster even knowing that he would never hurt her. She had a feeling his kid gloves were off, though. Thank goodness, Cara was tougher than she looked and she was more than his match. She came from a line of strong women who had never feared anything; in fact, it was others who feared them.

“You’re not a virgin anymore.” Jericho pulled off his shirt. Staring down into her eyes as he unbuttoned his jeans.

“No, I’m not.” Cara raised her chin, refusing to be embarrassed.

“I won’t be as easy on you as I was last night, even though I know you’re still sore.”

“I wanted you again last night. I still want you, Jericho.”

He had removed his jeans and stood in front of her completely naked. Cara’s breath caught in her throat. He was glorious. His bronze skin was highlighted by the dim light, giving him a pagan appearance.

“I want you to know that I don’t have any diseases and I can’t get you pregnant. I had a vasectomy when I was nineteen.”

Cara guessed that this conversation was a protocol between mortals before having sex.

“I don’t have any diseases either. Now, are we through talking?” Cara hid her sadness that Jericho had voluntary destroyed any chance he had of becoming a father.

Cara let Jericho lay her down on the sleeping bag after sliding her jeans down her shaking thighs. She couldn’t stop herself from trembling. The cave was cold and made goosebumps rise on her sensitized flesh, but Jericho did not let her feel the cold long. His body covered hers, his legs sliding intimately between her own, startling her as he immediately began making her ready for him.

His lips found hers in a kiss of exquisite fire that drew all thoughts of the cold from her. While his tongue thrust deep as his fingers delved within her, his other hand burrowed into her hair, tilting her head back to give him better access to her mouth. When she couldn’t suppress her moans of want any longer, his lips found an already taut nipple, sucking it deep within his mouth before releasing it to gently bite her neck, leaving a red mark.

Cara was sure she couldn’t stand his teasing any longer and pulled at his hair until he gave her what she wanted by returning to her aching breast and sucking the nipple deeper into his wet mouth. Before turning to give the other breast the same treatment, he placed another small bite on its peak, forcing a rush of liquid to escape her cunt.

Her hand slid down his taut stomach, marveling at the strength his body displayed. She investigated every glorious muscle as she slid her hand down to grip a buttock, pulling his hips closer, needing him desperately inside of her.

Jericho knew she was ready for him when she pulled him closer. He removed his damp fingers from her tight sheath and placed his cock at her moist entrance. This time, he didn’t try to go slow, pumping his cock inside of her with hard, firm strokes, giving her little time to adjust. Her moans of pleasure filled his mind as he pumped harder within her tight sheath. He looked down to see her biting her lip, so he leaned down and licked her lips until she started to hungrily return his kisses.

“I don’t think I can take anymore, Jericho.”

“Yes, you can.” He didn’t ask, he demanded. His strokes did not slow; instead, he raised her thighs until they now gripped his side tilting her hips upward at an angle to even further deepen his hard strokes.

“Jericho.” Her voice had grown tight, hesitant.

“Are you my woman?”

Cara’s head thrashed back and forth on the sleeping bag, her stomach muscles tensed, her hands lifted to brace themselves on his slick chest. She realized he was breathing heavily while his features blazed with a savage, pagan beauty. He showed every sign of a man being tortured by desire; none of these signs had been present last night. He had been gentle, easing her into sex. Now, the mask he always wore was removed, showing what he expected of a woman that could hold her own as his lover.

“Are you my woman?”

Cara understood what he was asking of her. To trust him to know that he would not hurt her, but would she accept him past her comfort zone? He was asking her to be what he needed.

“Yes.” Cara’s hand fell away to once again grip his buttocks and pull him closer within her tight depths.

“Then take all of me.” With those words he stroked his cock even harder and further within her channel. Cara forced her tight muscles to relax and tilted her hips until she felt the full length of him sliding deep inside of her.

He took control of her body, showing her how he enjoyed sex; what he expected of her if she was woman enough to give him what he needed. He liked it hard and deep. In return, he gave her the fuck of a lifetime, one that she would remember with a smile and a drenched pussy.

Jericho’s thumb played with her clit until its exposed hood rested against his cock. With every movement, the friction caused a rush of wetness, which allowed him to slide within her at an even faster pace. Cara had always hoped that sex would be great, but this went beyond greatness. It was a pleasure so intense she wasn’t sure she could stand it. The harder he pumped, the harder she wanted him.

The soreness in her pussy from last night left her tender, causing her to grip his cock tighter. She thought the small amount of pain would hinder her; instead, Cara was surprised at how it magnified her pleasure. Jericho could not go fast enough to suit her, so she started grinding her hips upward, meeting his strokes with a forcefulness of her own.

A series of hard thrusts had Jericho groaning and Cara screaming as their orgasms reached a peak neither had felt before. Cara saw the brief glint of surprise in Jericho’s dark eyes before he lowered them.

This time, when he rolled off her, it wasn’t to get dressed, but to pull her on top of him while grabbing the sleeping bag to cover them both.

When Cara looked down into his face, she did not see love or even affection on his face, yet what she did see brought a tender smile to her passion swollen lips. The air of detachment that always surrounded him was gone. What she saw was a man exhausted from pleasuring his woman. For all of Jericho’s tough talk, he still had ensured that she had reached her peak before he had allowed himself to come.

Cara lay her head down on his shoulder and snuggled closer to his warmth. If he hadn’t cared about her, he wouldn’t have been concerned if she had been satisfied. Cara’s hand traced softly across his tight stomach then lower until her fingers moved through the curls at the base of his cock before taking his still semi hard erection in her hand. His hand caught hers and moved it to his chest.

“Don’t even think about it,” Jericho grumped.

Cara smiled against his shoulder and wondered if he realized he had placed her hand over his heart.

***

Fate turned toward her sister. “Don’t push it. You came close to interfering.”

Destiny shrugged. “I couldn’t resist the temptation.”

“You’ve resisted until now. Don’t let your hatred of Rocque lead you to make a stupid mistake.”

Destiny turned away from the star-studded night to study Fate’s features. “Is that a warning?”

Fate turned toward her sister and shrugged. “It’s more than you gave me.”

Chapter Ten

Thor sat at the head of the huge table and looked around him. His warriors were as bored as he. They had drunk enough ale that the minor offense of knocking a chalice of wine over had led to a free-for-all brawl. Benches were thrown and food went flying in the pandemonium. Thor had to find something to keep them busy soon or he wouldn’t have a table sturdy enough to sit at. When one warrior pulled a hank of her opponent’s hair out, leaving a bloody patch of scalp, he’d had enough.

“Cease this fighting and leave me.” He did not have to raise his voice, he was immediately obeyed. As the warriors filed passed his chair, lustful looks were thrown towards him. The women were taking their boredom out in the bedroom. Working their frustrations out on him during sex had provided them with an outlet and him with a sore cock. He needed something to distract him and provide fresh meat for the Valkyrie.

Thor walked out to his stone balcony and called the one woman’s name he had sworn never to utter. “Fate.” He stared at the darkened sky. It wasn’t long before the hair on the back of his neck rose.

“That didn’t take long.”

“I have been waiting for your permission to speak to you.” Fate tried to keep the reprimand out of her voice, yet was unsuccessful.

Thor turned to face the powerful Moirae with a raised brow. Fate lowered her head in deference.

“My father asked me to give you an audience. Don’t make me regret my decision. What is it you wish to speak to me about so urgently?”

“I humbly ask that you retrieve my daughters from the portals they were forced into when they were attacked.”

Thor leaned back onto the balcony and looked at the woman’s tired face. Thor couldn’t remember when she had ever looked less than perfect. The worry about her daughters must be eating her alive because she was unable to help them.

“Why ask me? You know I would never do anything to help you. I think it is fitting that you have now lost the only things that held any importance in that cold heart of yours.”

Fate’s voice softened, “I love all my children.”

“Tread carefully, Fate. I am in no mood for your games.” Thor’s face hardened further. Fate’s heart nearly burst with pride. She had created this warrior and he was a sight to behold. His golden beauty was stamped with a male arrogance that merely enhanced the muscled body which only a Valkyrie was permitted to touch.

“I can understand you not wanting to help me, but, Thor, they are your sisters, and whether you want to admit it or not, you are the only one who can help them.”

Thor turned once again to study the sky. As much as he really did not want to help his mother, he would not allow his sisters to be harmed. “Very well, I will go to Broni first. Her danger is more imminent than the others.”

Thor started to gather the thunder in which he would travel when Fate’s sharp voice stopped him. “No, you must first go after Cara. She must be returned here at once.” Fate pointed to a portion of the sky that Thor had not noticed, a dark cloud was insidiously advancing towards Cara and was almost within reach of touching her.

Thor turned to look at Fate, surprise in his eyes. “I see why you are a master at your work, Fate. I did not see the threat advancing so quickly toward Cara. What about Broni?”

Fate stiffened her spine and ignored the ache in her heart at the pain Broni would have to brave, but she was her mother’s daughter and she would survive, whereas if Cara wasn’t helped soon, she would be beyond their reach forever.

“Broni would be the first to insist that you go after Cara. She will understand. I will provide her with what assistance I am allowed.”

“Very well.” Again Thor raised his hand to gather the thunder. As the lightning grew closer and the thunder louder, he turned to look at the woman who gave him birth. “I do this for my sisters, never for you. And know this, Fate, whatever deal you struck with my father, I will see that it is met.”

“I agreed to Odin’s demands. I will not go back on my word.”

“What if she doesn’t want to leave her human?”

“Kill him.”

***

Cara and Jericho headed back to the cabin at nightfall. He kept her close as they walked through the forest, straining to listen for any sound that would betray an assailant waiting in the dark forest. When they reached the cabin, Jericho made her go through each room with him, not wanting to leave her alone as he searched.

“It’s all right; whoever took that shot at you is gone. I didn’t think they would be waiting for us here, but I wanted to make sure.”

Cara shivered. “Do you think whomever it was will come back?”

Jericho gave her a hard stare. “You tell me? Whoever it was, they were shooting at you. Do you have any idea who it could be?”

Cara shook her head. “No, the one who tried to destroy my sisters and I was an immortal. Who shot at us today was obviously human. They want to hide their identity from those watching us and want their identity to remain secret. They know my family will retaliate as soon as they find out who tried to harm us.”

“What do you mean, those watching us?” Jericho looked around the room as if they were surrounded by invisible entities.

Cara laughed at him. When he turned his cold expression back to her, she guessed he had no sense of humor. “No one is in the room with us, but my family can look at us from time to time. Sort of like your reality TV.”

“Is there a way to turn it off?”

Cara couldn’t help laughing once more. “No.”

“Were they watching when we were having sex?” Again, he looked around the room as if he could see those watching them.

“There is an unspoken rule allowing us privacy at such times, but,” Cara bit her lip to keep her laughter contained, “we do have the occasional voyeur.”

“Tell them to cut it out.”

Cara spread her hands out. “How do you propose I do that? I can no longer communicate with them.”