Undaunted (Battle Born Book 6) (10 page)

Her chin came up a notch and her back straitened. “I’m my own responsibility and I don’t need a protector.”

Fighting back a smile, he casually unfastened his safety restraints. The harder she resisted, the more aggressive he’d become. It was the way of Rodyte courting, and she knew it. “With very specific restrictions, that might have been allowed. But the situation has changed significantly.”

She quickly freed herself from her straps and hurried past him and into the space between the center-facing seats. On the surface, it seemed like a retreat, yet she’d run exactly where he wanted her to go. “The situation has only changed if I allow it to.”

He stood and stalked toward her, advancing slowly, yet with obvious purpose. “Your opportunity to refuse me was last night. My scent is already on you, but it’s not strong enough to establish my claim. This is dangerous. It will encourage the more aggressive males to challenge me.”

She laughed, the sound sharp and nervous. “You’re General Nox. Who on Lunar Nine would challenge you?”

Closing the space between them, he placed one hand on her shoulder the other on her waist. “I appreciate your confidence in me, but you’re underestimating your appeal. There are many who would risk angering me for a chance at claiming you.”

“I’m not ready to be claimed by anyone.” She raised her hands and pushed against his chest.

He simply ignored her attempt to back him off. “I’m not going to claim you, just mark you.” He saw uncertainty in her gaze, but not fear. Good. He didn’t want her to be afraid, but he couldn’t allow her insecurities to endanger her. “You enjoyed what we did last night. Why are you so hesitant now?”

“I’m not stupid, Garin. I know how this works.” She slid her hands up to his shoulders then back down to the middle of his chest. The motion revealed nervousness not desire. “Each time you touch me, I’ll want you more. Rodyte males are addictive.”

He smiled, thrilled by the analogy. “It only works that way with potential mates. If we weren’t compatible, none of this would be so intense.”

She stepped closer, but lowered her head, hiding behind the fall of her hair. “So how would this work if I did accept you? Your entire life is in upheaval. The last thing you need is a mate.”

This was closer to agreement than they’d ever come before. Hope swelled his chest, so he chose his words carefully. “I disagree. Because my life is so turbulent, I need a mate to ground me, to remind me why this fight is so important.”

“You’re speaking ideologically and I want specifics.” She raised her head and tucked her hair behind her ear. “Where would we live? How often would I see you if you’re off commanding a war?”

“Officers are allowed to have mates aboard their ships. It keeps them calm and happy.” He wrapped his arm around her waist and drew her against him.

She locked her elbows, keeping her upper body angled away. “Why is it only the officers who are allowed female companionship?”

He’d honestly never thought about it before. “So few of the crewmen are mated that it’s not really an issue.”

“That’s going to change once the transformation program is in full swing. Will all of the human mates be expected to wander around Lunar Nine while their men go off to war?”

“This is an interesting question, but you’re avoiding the issue.” Frustrated by her continual evasions, he released her and walked to the panel controlling the center-facing seats. Their gazes locked as he triggered the conversion. The entire bank of seats slid forward and flattened until the interlocking seat pads formed one large bench. “Whether or not we join is still your decision, but you must wear my mark before I’m letting you off this ship.”

She started to argue, but he’d heard enough of her objections. He swept her up in his arms and laid her down on the bench. She stared up at him in conflicted silence while he tugged off his boots. Then he pulled his shirt off over his head and paused.

“If you’re ending our courtship, I’ll return you to Rachel.” It was a calculated risk. He was calling her bluff, but there was a small chance she wasn’t bluffing. Life as his mate would be difficult, at least until the war was over. “If you’re still interested in me, this is the next step.”

Desire rolled through Berlynn as she looked at Garin. She’d never seen him unclothed before, had only imagined how amazing he’d look. Fierce hunger sharpened his features and made his phitons gleam like priceless sapphires. His shoulders were broad, arms heavily muscled, and his chest was a work of art. Thank creation he’d left his pants on.

“Choose.” There was no rancor in his tone, just firm authority.

“This doesn’t mean I’ll let you claim me. It only means I’m still thinking about it.”

A slow, sexy smile parted his lips as he joined her on the bench. “Then let me give you something more to think about.” He slipped one arm beneath her neck as his knees wedged her legs apart. Soon he covered her from shoulder to hips, though his knees and forearm took most of his weight. “I lay awake last night imagining this.”

It was the only warning she got before his mouth slanted over hers and his tongue teased her lips, urging her to open. She surrendered with a sigh, knowing she was fighting her own desires as much as she was fighting him. His lips slid and pressed, caressing her before he deepened the kiss.

She touched his shoulders and arms, amazed by the heat of his smooth skin as it stretched over rock-hard muscles. He looked damn impressive fully dressed, but this was a cruel temptation. How was any heterosexual female supposed to resist such a male?

He let her explore with her hands as he kissed her senseless. She grew progressively more restless, stealing breaths as his mouth repositioned over hers. He reached down with his free hand and pulled her skirt up until her entire leg was revealed, then he switched to the other side and did the same. She still wore her boots, but her legs were bare from knee to hip.

Balancing on his knees, he gathered her wrists and drew her arms over her head. She wasn’t resisting anymore, but apparently he was ready to increase his control over her. “Your touch excites me,” he warned. “I’m not sure I can behave if you keep petting me.”

She had been petting him. She couldn’t help it. His strong, warm body felt amazing beneath her fingers and palms. “But I like petting you.”

He growled and buried his face in the bend of her neck. “Work with me, B, or you’re going to find yourself with a mate whether you want one or not.”

His breath warmed her skin, making her tingle. “All right.” She gasped as his teeth lightly nipped her neck. “I’ll keep my hands to myself.”

“Good girl,” he whispered as he pushed up, dragging his chest off her. “Skin on skin. That’s how this has to be.”

If he was waiting for her to object, he’d be disappointed. She wanted his amazing body rubbing against hers, wanted much more than that if she were honest with herself. He reached for the buttons on her blouse as his gaze bore into hers. Her breath hitched and her heart thundered. His agile fingers quickly freed each button from its hole, then he parted the blouse and cupped one of her breasts through the lacy cup of her bra.

“Thank the gods,” he muttered as he discovered that the undergarment fastened in front. He quickly freed the clasp and moved the cups aside. His gaze lowered to her breasts and his phitons shimmered. “So beautiful.” Then his mouth fastened on to one of her nipples while his hands memorized her form, sliding from her shoulders to her waist over and over in a mesmerizing pattern.

She desperately wanted to touch him, so she clenched her fists and closed her eyes. His lips were warm and insistent as he drew on her breast. And his hands were even warmer.

“Oh gods, B, you smell so good.” His lips moved against her damp skin as he formed the words. “And your taste.” He paused for a hard suck and she trembled. Sensation darted from her breast to her clit each time his lips released her nipple. “I need more.”

He scooted down along her body and Berlynn tensed. “Garin?” Lovers had gone down on her before and she’d enjoyed it, but everything Garin did was so much more intense. She wasn’t sure she’d be able to stop him from—that wasn’t true. She was afraid she’d beg him to take her if he touched her with his mouth. “I don’t want that. Not yet.”

His head came up and he looked at her. “I’m just going to mark you. I promise.”

“But…”

He crawled off the bench and knelt on the floor, drawing her body toward him. One of her legs hooked over his arm, so he shifted it to his shoulder. Her legs were sprawled now, opening her body for his pleasure, but she still wore lace-trimmed panties. His hand covered her mound then rotated slightly so he could slip his thumb beneath the satin still covering her sex.

His eyes closed and a carnal growl rumbled through his chest. She knew she was wet, but his blissful expression sent a fresh wave of arousal cascading through her body. His thumb stroked over her folds, teasing without parting her slick flesh. He seemed content just to touch her for a long, tense moment, then something inside him snapped. He attacked the offending barrier with single-minded determination. She gasped and wiggled, but it did no good. After tearing the side seams apart, he drew the material out from under her and threw it over his shoulder, his ravenous gaze never leaving her squirming body.

Then he lowered his head between her thighs and pushed his tongue deep into her creamy slit. She held perfectly still, afraid to shatter the razor-sharp tension pulsing between them. He inhaled deeply, obviously saturating himself with her smell. His lips brushed against her sex as his tongue began to move. Her heart fluttered in her chest and her nipples tingled. Everything he did felt so much better than—she pushed comparisons away. Garin was her mate. He was awakening her senses and preparing her soul for an eternal bond. There was nothing in her past even faintly similar to what was happening now.

He pressed closer, slipping his other arm under her leg so he could caress her breasts as he devoured her cream. She arched into his hands and crossed her ankles behind his neck as his mouth grew more possessive in its exploration. His hands moved boldly over her body, spreading his scent to every pore he could reach.

Tension gathered low in her abdomen, making her inner walls clench. Never before had she needed the fullness of a male so badly that it was painful. “Garin, please.” She wanted him over her and deep inside her, sharing the pleasure as she burst apart.

He eased one of his hands back down and pushed two of his fingers into her core. She cried out and tightened around him, teetering on the brink of release. But his hand didn’t move, nor did his mouth return to her needy clit. Frustrated and restless, she pushed against his hand, driving his fingers deeper.

“Look at me.”

His deep voice penetrated her muddled brain, drawing her back from the edge. Panting harshly, she slowly opened her eyes.

He stared down at her, his stark features framed by her bare legs. “Show me your pleasure. Share it with me.”

She wasn’t sure what he meant, but his fingers began to slide in and out of her aching body. Each slow stroke reignited her desire, quickly building the flames higher than they’d ever burned before. His thumb covered her clit, stroking her each time his fingers filled her. She stared deep into his eyes as she responded to the sensations he unleashed with each forceful thrust of his hand. Her breasts jiggled and sharp cries escaped from between her lips. It was still a poor substitute for what she really wanted, but she surrendered completely to the building need. With her arms overhead and her legs open wide, she offered him her pleasure.

He pushed his fingers deep and circled her clit with his thumb, gradually increasing the pressure. “Come for me. Now.” He pinched her nipple with his free hand, ensuring her obedience.

Berlynn cried out, arching clear off the bunk as pleasure exploded deep inside her. Her inner muscles rippled around his fingers as if they would draw him deeper into her body. Points of light danced before her eyes, but she never lost sight of his handsome face.

As the nearly violent spasms receded, he quickly shucked his pants and crawled back onto the bench. Then, with just as much intensity, he rid her of everything but her boots. Out of breath and still tingling, she stared back at him in silent confusion. If marking her was all he intended to do, why had he taken off the rest of their clothes?

He settled on his knees between her thighs, but made no move to push inside her. Instead, he pressed his pelvis against hers, and arched over her body. His fingers entwined with hers as his lips slanted over her mouth. She could feel his hard length pressing into her belly, which sent ripples of desire echoing through her core. Still, he only kissed her and rubbed against her.

She curled her tongue around his, shivering as the taste of her pleasure spread through her mouth. He’d just given her the best orgasm of her life and still he controlled his own needs, proving how much he wanted her to trust him.

Releasing her hands, he slipped one arm beneath her neck and whispered, “Touch me. Cover yourself in my scent.”

Happy to obey, she stroked down his upper arms and squeezed his shoulders. His hips began to rock, pressing his cock even harder against her belly. She bent her knees, rubbing her thighs against his sides while keeping her boot heels off his back.

Her core ached as she imagined him filling the emptiness, joining their bodies as they were obviously meant to join. She arched, increasing the friction against her breasts and still swollen folds. The hand beneath her neck tangled in her hair, holding her head still while he plundered her mouth. She ran her nails down his back and locked her ankles around his hips, no longer caring if her boots scraped him or not.