Arlen

 

He didn’t taste much of what he ate, too distracted. Angela was stunning and she looked so carefree.

She stared out over the river and the corners of her lips lifted in a small smile. It was one of the first times he’d seen her so happy. How had the creator thought to bless him with such a woman?

He found himself wanting more than he could hope for with Angela. Thoughts of what could be ran rampant through him. Their love, though young, would grow every day. She’d be the one person he could count on no matter what. She’d know his deepest and darkest secrets. He’d be everything she needed. He felt it with every fiber of his being. He wanted it more than anything.

Every time he thought of their future, he began to feel the tiny seeds of hope sprouting. And each time, they withered with the knowledge of what his future held. Brokk had given him a gift by allowing him time, but he was bound by his duty to the Fae.

Arlen knew it was something Brokk was taking personally. He’d likely felt betrayed by Arlen’s abrupt departure and lack of explanation. They’d been close as boys and he’d become Arlen’s second when they’d grown into men. Ultimately, he was loyal to the king and that was what had grown the fission of their rift.

When his time was up, he’d be marched back to Aravelle, the home of his people. If he didn’t cut Angela loose before then, she’d be taken with him and her fate would be much less certain. Being human and a woman, could win her a fate much worse than a prolonged stay in the palace dungeon.

He was so lost in his thoughts he almost didn’t realize Angela was speaking to him.

“Hmm?”

She glanced down as if she were suddenly shy and no longer had the courage to voice what she was thinking. Her hands twisted into the fabric of her skirt while she stayed quiet.

“You’re different, aren’t you?” she whispered, still not looking up at him.

He was caught off guard by her unexpected question and hesitated in answering. Normally, he’d not have to hide what he was from those around him. The only humans he tended to interact with were deeply entrenched in the paranormal world and didn’t give a second thought to the fact that he was Fae. It was the unofficial rule to keep the existence of such things away from the humans. They wouldn’t be able to comprehend it.

Angela had been through so much already, seen so much more than the average person. He couldn’t lie to her and hide what he was. She was special. Something about her had changed with the events of the past few weeks. He wasn’t sure what it was yet, but he knew that honesty would be his best option.

“Yes, I am,” he said, not explaining further. He didn’t give her anything more than she was ready for or wanted to hear. She’d ask when she was ready.

“Are you human?” she asked, as if it were the most normal question in the world.

Her eyes were full of curiosity, not fear. That was a good sign.

He shook his head. Angela’s mouth formed a tiny O.

They both remained quiet as the tension between them grew. The fact that he was something other than human was out in the open and Arlen didn’t know what more to say on the matter. He was waiting to gauge her response, afraid that she’d reject him before giving him a real chance.

He couldn’t control what he was anymore than she could control her species. Truthfully, they weren’t all that different. While humans weren’t magically gifted on their own, they did have something the Fae didn’t.

They could feel.

The Fae were a people who had somehow drawn the short stick in the emotions department. They tended to be cold and detached, with the exception of meeting their chosen partner.

Angela was different, too. More so than other humans. Her captors had done something to her. He’d noticed that she’d periodically have episodes where she was no longer with him. When she came back around, she flinched more and stayed quiet, usually not giving more than two syllable responses.

Arlen hadn’t had the heart to ask what was going on, but things were changing and it was information he likely needed to know. Hell, she was his and he wanted to know everything about her.

“What are you if you aren’t human? Are you like those beasts? The ones who attacked Maya and me?”

He could tell she was afraid he’d say he was. He was obligated to put the woman’s mind at ease.

“No, I’m not anything like them. I’m Fae.” Arlen could almost see the relief wash over her as her features relaxed slightly.

“Will you hurt me?” Her tone was quiet again and unsure.

He felt the pings of disappointment and guilt deep in the pit of his stomach.

“I promise that I’ll never physically harm a single hair on your head.” He was careful with his words.

“Physically?” she prodded, catching the subtleties of his statement.

“I’m afraid I can’t make a promise I’ll never hurt you in another way. It tends to be something I do to those I care about most. I hurt them,” Arlen explained, turning his gaze away from her. It was his shame to carry and he wasn’t prepared to make her witness to it.

“You sound like you could be dangerous to me.”

He leaned closer to her, drawn in like a moth to a flame.

“You have no idea.”

He breathed in her sweet scent. It held the pungent essence of desire. Like a band pulled beyond its limits, he snapped and threw caution to the wind. Arlen closed the distance between them and crushed his lips against hers.

She responded immediately, parting her lips as he explored her mouth with his tongue. He pulled her into his lap, needing to be as close to her as possible. His hand snaked up her body, caressing her sides and loving the feel of her. She was perfect.

There was almost no telling where one of them began and the other ended. Arlen’s member stiffened almost painfully as he ground his groin against Angela. He felt like a damn horny teenager with the way he was practically dry humping her, but he found he didn’t care much. He wanted her and there were too many layers of clothes separating them.

Angela’s small hands gripped at his shoulders and her fingers twisted in his hair as she pulled at him desperately. Needy sounds escaped her lips in between feverish kisses.

Things were escalating quickly. Arlen’s hand roamed over her curves and came to a stop just above her perfect ass. As much as he wanted to push forward, he wouldn’t do it against her wishes. He needed to calm down before things got out of hand and something happened that one of them could regret.

Arlen mustered the entirety of his will power and sipped Angela’s lips one last time before leaning back a couple of inches. He was silently asking permission, his gentlemanly upbringing shining through despite his attempts at covering it up. The haze she had cast over him was slowly receding, allowing a clear thought here and there to slip through.

He was going against everything he had planned, but how could he stay away from her with her big blue eyes drawing him closer? It could very well put her in just as much danger as she’d been in before. She’d be facing the full force of the Fae, and Brokk, neither were to be taken lightly.

Angela’s brows knit together at the space that was between them and the abrupt stop. He lifted his hand and brushed his thumb along her cheek tenderly. Her skin was as smooth as silk and reminded him of rich cream.

“Did I do something wrong?” she asked, unsure of herself.

Internally, Arlen wanted to kick himself for ever making this woman doubt herself.

“No, of course not.” He didn’t know what more to say. How could he explain his internal struggle with whether or not to pursue their relationship further? She wouldn’t understand what she could mean to him, not as a human. He was afraid if he explained he’d scare her away for good.

“Oh, um, okay then-” She started towards the door looking defeated.

However, she only made it a foot or so before. Arlen’s strong hand rested on her shoulder and she stilled.

She turned back to him, appearing hopeful and curious. Her lips were parted slightly and puffy from his rough kisses. He was as stiff as a steel rod and he silently prayed she wouldn’t notice. What the hell was going on with him?

He searched her eyes. In one swift motion, she took him by surprise and closed the distance between them. She seemed ravenous like she couldn’t abide by the space between them. He took it as her granting him permission and responded immediately. Who was he to deny his woman anything? Especially himself?

He pushed thoughts of the future aside, determined to live in the moment with Angela. No matter what was coming, they’d always have that night.

Arlen’s fingers ran down her back and over her backside to her thighs. Gripping tightly, he lifted her into his embrace, never breaking the kiss. She gripped his shoulders, clinging to him tightly and folded her legs snugly around his waist. Angie rocked her core against Arlen’s straining erection. It set him over the edge and he was acting on pure instinct.

He began to move, stepping over to the wall. Angie’s back hit the solid surface and she became a wild cat unleashed. She let out a breathy moan, which spurred Arlen on.

Their first time together would not be against a wall on a warehouse roof. He’d do it properly, though, he wasn’t sure they’d make to a bed. Indoors and away from prying eyes would have to suffice.

His hand left Angie and found the door knob. He pulled it open and carried Angie along with him. His feet carried them swiftly back to the apartment. As soon as the door shut securely behind them, he let her down and swooped in to capture her lips again. Angie’s fingers were working their way under his shirt, tracing over the hills and valleys of his abs. Slowly, her exploration grew braver and ventured further north, taking the shirt along with it. She pushed it up over his head and let it fall freely to the floor.

The gleam in her eyes matched the hunger stirring within him. He wanted her, needed her and he was seconds away from losing all control and having her.

He began pushing her shirt up, but she stopped him and broke their kiss.

“Not that, please?” Angie begged.

Arlen didn’t know why she wanted to hide from him, although he wasn’t about to push the subject. His attention turned south as he made quick work of her leggings and thong. He pushed them down her hips and luscious thighs. She stepped out of them and grew a little bolder. He stood back, his gaze raked over every inch of her exposed flesh, hungry to have her.

Her nipples were drawn up into peaks, making them visible through her shirt. He reached out and took one into his palm. She filled his hand perfectly. Gods, she really was made for him, he thought to himself. He rolled her nipple between his fingers until she was writhing against him, needy. It was his own form of slow torture. He could smell her arousal pooling.

“Need to feel you,” he groaned, trailing his fingers up her thigh to her center. She was practically dripping just for him.

Arlen traced a finger up and down her slick folds, dipping into her just barely before retreating again. He found a rhythm to it. It was enough to drive her to the edge, yet never enough to push her over it. She quivered in his arms, but he wasn’t nearly finished with her.

“Ah! Arlen…” she whispered, begging for him to have mercy on her.

However, he was only just getting warmed up. The real fun had yet to come.

He honed in on her sensitive little nub and massaged it until she was shaking and grinding herself against his hand, trying to gain some friction and relief.

Her hand shakily found the button of his pants and popped it free. Arlen gave her nub a quick pinch before dipping a finger into her depths while she worked to free him.

“Shhiitt, yesss. Right there!” she panted, abandoning her attempt to free him in order to grip something, anything, to help her ride out her impending orgasm.

He withdrew his touch, leaving her frustrated and twitching. Her eyes popped open and stared at him, full of confusion and something he knew all too well.

Shame.

This sight of it did something to him that he couldn’t explain and he had to reassure her that this was just a part of his game. A test of sorts. He wanted to know if she could handle him. Something about her made him want to test her and push her past her limits.

Arlen scooped her into his arms and marched to the bed. He tossed her down on it. He followed her down, crashing his lips against hers. His large hands wrapped around her hips as he tugged her towards him, allowing her to feel his arousal. He wanted to worship every inch of her, but didn’t think he had the restraint to wait that long.

He was going to draw out her pleasure and make her beg for him, then he’d tease her until she was half crazed with need. The corners of his lips curled up at the idea.

Arlen scooted a bit backwards and kneeled down in front of her. He buried his face between her legs and lapped at her sensitive sex. The mewls leaving her lips damn near made him spill his seed. Angie’s back arched sharply and her fingers grabbed tightly to his hair. He dipped his tongue into her before retreating and flicking it against her swollen clit. Her legs shook around his shoulders and he briefly thought about granting her mercy and letting her come.

However, Angie did something unexpected and took him by surprise. She pulled herself back away from him and sat up. Mischief glinted in her eyes. She shifted herself around until she was on all fours facing him.

Angie crawled forwards, nudging Arlen back until he was the one laying down with her in the position of control. This was new for him. He liked control, but his interest was piqued and he wanted to see where she’d take things.

She kneeled above him, raking her eyes over his body. Reaching out, she grabbed ahold of his waistband and tugged his pants down. He lifted his hips to help her get them down. With a final tug, he sprung free.

Her lips descended and wrapped around the head. She gave it a hard suck before her lips popped free. She flicked her tongue out and gave the underside of his shaft a stroke and then repeated it again. Her mouth was like heaven. Arlen found himself flexing with the rhythm she set, wanting to lose himself in her.

It would seem she was almost as skilled at the game of cat and mouse as he was, but that would change. Or at least get much more interesting.

She swirled her tongue around the head of his shaft and then pulling him in deep. Arlen could feel the back of her throat, yet she forced him deeper. He hissed through clenched teeth at how tight her mouth was. It was incredible. She gripped the base of his shaft and began stroking him, never breaking suction.

Arlen’s teeth were clenched tightly together and he began bucking deep into her mouth with each pump of her hand. He wasn’t going to last nearly long enough at that point, especially if he let her have her way. Pulling back, he popped free of her mouth and pushed her back down. Snaking his fingers around her ankles, he pulled her towards him and hooked each leg around his hips. He slid himself up and down her slickened folds.

He was at her entrance, trying to hold himself back as long as he could. His arms were taut on each side of her head. He could feel her slick warmth and he wanted nothing more than to lose himself in it. With a quick thrust, he buried himself deep within her and froze.

She gasped at the sudden intrusion. Once he began to move again, her small pants and squeaks turned needy.

Angie’s small hands slid up his arms and around to his back before digging them into his flesh. His vixen had claws and it seemed she liked to use them, too. The sting of the scratches along his skin sparked with his arousal as he picked up the pace, pounding into her over and over again.

With a quick shift, Arlen lifted Angie from the bed so she was spread before him on his lap, still at Arlen’s mercy. He pushed in further, his control slipping.

Angie gasped as he hit a spot deep within her, a spot so deep, she couldn’t form coherent words, only garbled pants. He could feel her walls squeezing him so wonderfully tight.

Arlen’s lips crashed down onto Angie’s, hungry to taste her. Though, he didn’t stop there. His lips traced the edges of her lips and trailed down her jaw to her neck. His tongue lapped at her sensitive junction between her neck and shoulder.

Angie’s moans grew louder with each thrust. Arlen’s steel-like grip kept her splayed wide open, allowing him deeper and rendering her helpless to escape the sweet torture. She could do nothing more than to absorb the pleasure.

Angie clung to Arlen’s frame as his breaths grew ragged. Arlen was close, really close.

“More,” Angie demanded, desperate to be filled by him.

Angie’s body tensed and her pussy hugged him tighter than he thought possible. Her head tipped back and cried out in ecstasy. Arlen grit his teeth together as the tingling in his belly intensified. The blood rushed to his pelvis and coursed through his dick. Before he could stop himself and pull out, he came. He swelled inside her and groaned, emptying himself completely. He was blind to the fact that he was inadvertently tying their souls together.

What had he done? How would she react when she found out how big of a fuck up he’d just made?

He didn’t give himself time to think about it. He’d worry about the ramifications of what had transpired in the morning when they’d have to go back to reality. For the time being, he decided that he’d let the both of them enjoy it.

He loosened his grip on Angie and laid her back onto the bed. His gaze dipped quickly to her sex where he could see his seed spilling out of her. He could feel the beginnings of their bond forming and wondered if she could feel the change, too. Arlen slipped from the bed and padded to the bathroom before returning with a towel.

Angie’s face was flushed with the excitement and exertion of their lovemaking. Her eyes never left him as he climbed back between her legs to clean her up tenderly.

He leaned in and placed a gentle kiss on the inside of her thigh.

“So beautiful,” he said, crawling up to lay beside her.

“That was…wow.” She sighed with a heavy breath.

Her nipples were drawn up into tight points under her shirt and she flopped one arm over her eyes and crossed her legs. Arlen frowned slightly, bothered that she felt the need to cover herself around him. Nudity was natural and nothing to be ashamed of, especially not from her chosen one.

His brows knit together and his lips turned down barely in a frown with his disproval. He picked up her dainty wrist which was thrown across her face. His face softened when he spoke.

“No, don’t hide from me. There’s no running or hiding now. Not with us.”

He pressed a soft kiss to her temple and pulled her against him as he rolled to his back, dragging Angie along.

She didn’t say any more. She didn’t have to.

Something big had shifted between them and a sense of understanding had passed over each of their features. They lay like that, not speaking and just being in the moment for hours before eventually drifting off into a deep, calm sleep.

Something neither had known with others.