Chapter Five
Amy stared up at Bruno, mind spinning with a thousand uncertainties, but when he kissed her, she melted. She wanted this. She wanted him. They’d only just met, but she felt like she already knew him from the many interviews she’d watched obsessively over the years. She knew him through her best friend, Saige. And she knew him by the way he treated her: careful and kind, even while he obviously felt torn in a thousand different directions. He’d done a shitty job of explaining what he wanted, and she still didn’t quite understand, but she felt almost as if his emotions were reaching out to her. She felt his restlessness.
“Don’t be afraid,” he whispered, kissing her again.
“I told myself it was okay if all you wanted was a hookup,” she murmured against his mouth. “But now I don’t know if it’ll ever be okay. I want more than one night.” Even saying those words out loud felt wrong. Who was she to make demands on him?
He slid his hands into her hair. “Once I have you, I’m never going to let you go.”
Amy trembled. “You realize this is insane, right? People don’t do things like this. We’ve only just met.”
He nodded. “I know.”
She took a deep breath. “How long do we have before the world comes knocking?”
“I have no idea.”
“Well, then, you’d better blow my socks off,” Amy said. Inside, she couldn’t believe she was talking to Bruno Day like this. Hooking up with a celebrity was something other women did, not her. She drew his head down, savoring his strength. The other guys she’d been with were mere boys compared to this man. He’s the leader of the Sentries. He’s the most powerful man in the world, and he’s looking at me as if I’m precious. She shivered, not sure what to do with her hands.
“If we do this right, you’ll know everything I know,” he murmured. “But you have to trust me.” He leaned back, eyes glittering. “I would never hurt you.”
Amy shook her head. She felt his worry against her skin as if it were a palpable thing. “Don’t overthink this.”
He touched her cheek. “Come with me.” He led her to the stairs.
When they reached his private quarters, Amy gasped. The white Stronghold pillar sat in the center of the room, but beyond that lay nothing but glass walls and an enormous bed with an antique wooden headboard. Everything was decorated in pale grey and light blues, with a hint of earthy brown here and there. The polished floors gleamed white. “It’s a good thing I’m not afraid of heights,” she murmured, sliding her backpack off her shoulders. She’d brought a few toiletries and one change of clothes. Bruno had assured her that she wouldn’t need anything else.
“The glass is nearly indestructible, and opaque from the outside. You are perfectly safe here,” Bruno said. He picked up her backpack and set it on a low wooden chest at the foot of his bed. “Do you need to use the bathroom?” He waved to the other side of the room.
Amy turned, nodding as she saw the light grey walls dividing some of the space into what must be closets and an enormous bathroom. To the left of that section was an ultra-modern kitchen, facing south. The windows over the sink let in light. A comfortable sofa sat just beyond the kitchen area. “I bet you have windows for walls in the bathroom, right?”
Bruno smiled. “Of course.”
Amy snorted. “You’re taking this ultra-modern decorative thing a bit too seriously, aren’t you?” She eyed his bed. Even the soft pillows piled against the dark wooden headboard were aligned with military precision.
He shook his head. “The moment the technology existed to insulate my home from the clamor of the city, I did so. It can be overwhelming to deal with all the minds pressing in on you, twenty-four seven.” He glanced around. “I like the openness of this space. I don’t feel trapped here.”
Amy frowned. She hated the thought of him feeling cornered in a city with millions of humans. “You could leave. Set up your Stronghold somewhere else.”
“No. This is my home now,” he said quietly. “I’ve been here for a very long time.”
Amy hugged herself as she remembered he was two centuries older than she was. Everything about Bruno seemed huge. Overwhelming.
“Don’t worry.” Bruno stepped closer, then enfolded her in his arms. “I would never let anything happen to you.”
Amy tensed, and then let herself relax into his embrace. You’re here. There’s no going back, she told herself. Bruno felt strong and warm and steady. She liked the way he smelled. She liked the low tingle of arousal in her body. She knew that his talk of pairing with him meant some kind of commitment, but she just couldn’t bring herself to worry about it anymore.
“I can’t stand this starting and stopping thing anymore,” she murmured.
She wanted to get on with it. She’d made up her mind. He said he needed her energy, or whatever, for this pairing thing. Fine. He could have it. She understood how important it was to protect Earth. And if I get to make love with Bruno Day in the process, all the better. Saige seems more than happy with Isaac. Maybe I could have something like that with Bruno. It was time to take a leap of faith into the unknown.
“Are you sure about this?” Bruno asked her.
She scowled, then leaned back and threaded her fingers into his hair. “I’m here, aren’t I?”
“There’s no going back.”
She sighed, loudly. “I understand duty.”
His eyes darkened. “I hope you realize that this is more than duty for me.”
Amy pulled his head down and kissed him softly. “Whatever. Stop talking.”
He groaned into her mouth. “To do this right, you need to completely submit to me.”
She broke the kiss, panting. “What, you need to tie me up or something?”
Bruno shook his head. “No. It goes much deeper than that.” He picked her up and walked over to the bed. “You need to release the emotional walls in your mind so that we can bond.” His arms tightened around her. “We all have walls. Sentries have more than most.”
Amy shuddered as he placed her on his bed. The heat of him had already pushed her arousal past the low simmer stage and into a conflagration. She ran her hands down her hips, wondering if he could sense how wet she was already. “I don’t think I’m going to have trouble letting go.” She kicked off her shoes. “What about you?”
“I know what I need to do.” Bruno climbed over her. Amy sighed when he finally used his weight to press her into the bed. His erection slotted along her hip like a brand. “Bruno.” She dug her fingers into his shoulders. He felt so large and solid, like a force of nature. She wanted to pinch herself. Was she really here? What was she doing in Bruno Day’s bed?
“Shh,” he said, kissing down her neck. Just as he reached the top of her shirt, the buzz of a cell phone interrupted them.
Amy froze, heart leaping into her throat for just a moment. The ring of a phone never failed to trip her anxiety, even though it had been years since the phone call announcing her father’s death. She took a deep breath, willing her panic to subside. It wasn’t even her phone.
“Dammit.” Bruno slid his phone out of his pocket, looked at the display, and then powered off the device. He tossed it onto the nightstand.
Amy exhaled, slowly, still shaky. “Was it important?”
“No.” He shook his head. “It’s nothing that can’t wait,” he said, kissing her again.
Amy sensed his tension, despite his words. “This isn’t working.” She pushed him off. She wanted him desperately. The heat between her legs assured her of that, but at the same time, she worried that he wouldn’t be able to give her his full attention.
“Amy.” Bruno gently prevented her from sitting up with a hand on her abdomen. “There will be no more interruptions. I promise.” His eyes had gone bright with arousal. He eased back between her thighs and pressed his cock right up against her core.
Oh God. Amy choked back a moan. “You promise?”
He gathered her hands and drew them up above her head. “Yes. I promise.” He gently bit her neck. “Keep your arms above your head.”
Amy licked her lips. “Or what?”
Bruno shrugged, eyes darkening. “Or else I’ll have to punish you.”
Amy smirked and deliberately ran her hands down around his back instead of leaving them up. “Do your worst.”
Bruno growled and flipped them both over until she sat astride his waist. He impatiently pulled off her jacket and shirt.
“This isn’t a punishment,” Amy said, grinning down at him. “I like this position.”
“Just wait.” Bruno undid the button of her jeans, then smirked at her as he slid a finger under the waistband. “Patience.”
Amy leaned down and ran her hands over his chest. The sweater he wore brought out the intense color of his eyes. “Off.” She tugged at the material.
He leaned up towards her, flexing some extremely impressive abdominal muscles, and took off his sweater. Amy immediately pressed her palms into his pecs. His skin was fire hot. She wanted to roll all over him, preferably while naked, but before she could snuggle up, he flipped them again. She squeaked when he yanked off her pants. Her face flushed as she realized he could see all of her. She’d had a few hookups in college, but always with guys she’d already known. She’d never gotten busy with a man she’d just met. She drew breath to speak, and maybe slow things down, but one look at the depth of need on Bruno’s face had her throwing caution to the wind.
“No more interruptions. No more waiting,” he said, voice gone low with frustration. He shoved down his pants, and his cock sprang out, thick and hot.
Amy sucked in a breath when he put the tip right against her clit. “Bruno, God,” she muttered, trying to roll her hips for more friction.
He bared his teeth, then lifted himself up and shoved his pants down the rest of the way. Instead of moving back over her, he scooted down and put his mouth on her pussy.
Amy moaned when his lips closed over her clitoris. She twisted her hands in his hair, shocked by the heat of his tongue. Dear God, is this really happening? “Bruno,” she gasped.
“Mmm, do you like that?” he asked, looking up her body, eyes bright.
She would’ve rolled her eyes—he knew exactly what he was doing—but then his tongue danced over her sensitive nerves again and she lost the ability to speak.
“You taste divine,” he said, sliding a finger into her body.
Amy bucked, shuddering. His finger massaged inside of her, curling up to hit her G-spot, and she never wanted him to stop. He added a second finger, and then a third danced around her anus. Amy felt her orgasm roll into her, but just as she was about to peak, he stopped, lifting his hands away.
“Oh, no,” she groaned, grabbing at him. “Don’t stop.”
Bruno climbed up over her, placing her thighs up over his shoulders. “Not yet, darling,” he said, wiping at his mouth. “Hang on to me.”
Those are my juices all over his lips, Amy thought, blurred with pleasure. The man whose face she’d seen on television countless times had driven her to the cusp of orgasm, and now he knelt up above her, as if all of this were normal. She licked her lips, suddenly weirdly nervous. She put her hands over her face.
He pulled them down. “Oh no. Do not get shy now.” He growled, tilting his hips until his cock slid down her pussy. “Hang on,” he gritted out.
“Hang on to what?” Amy asked. With her legs up like this, she couldn’t move an inch. The tendons in her legs burned, but she loved it.
“Hang on to me,” Bruno replied, and then he pushed inside with a violent, delicious thrust.
Amy cried out. Energy blazed along her nerves, and she thought she might pass out. When her eyes found Bruno’s face, she realized that it wasn’t just her feeling this insane cascade of pleasure. Bruno’s eyes had brightened even more, almost as if sparks of power lit them from behind. “Your eyes,” she said, fingers going to his face.
“Amy,” he groaned, thrusting again.
She trembled. Her skin felt hot and tight, and then suddenly she shivered. Emotions battered at her mind, and she clutched at him, frightened. “What’s happening?”
“Sweetheart, it’s okay.” Bruno slowed his thrusts, making sure to slide against her clit with every movement. “Let me in.” He eased down her thighs and cupped her face. His warm hands somehow comforted her.
Amy shook her head. “What are you doing to me?”
“This is affinity. We are paired mates, and this is how we bond,” he replied, eyes glowing. “Let me in, Amy. Submit.”
Amy licked her lips, but despite her fear, she let her body go limp. She sensed his emotions rolling over her. Through her. He felt like a tsunami that had hit the shore. Years and years of loneliness flashed by, as if she was watching a movie of his life on fast forward. Her fear subsided as he stroked her temples with his thumbs. “Your brain is a huge, scary place, Bruno,” she whispered.
Bruno went still. “You can feel me?”
She nodded, tears pricking at her eyes. She saw centuries slide through her mind, one after the other, implacable and strange. Pain slammed into her, even as her arousal spiraled higher. “Oh my God, Bruno.” She wrapped her fingers around his wrists. “Yes. Yes, I can feel you. Jesus.”
“I know, sweetheart. I’m so sorry,” he murmured, speeding up his thrusts.
Pleasure ripped through her, and she arched her back, wrapping her legs around his torso. He grunted, thrusting faster. More emotions crashed into her, and she felt his arousal pushing hers to new heights. Her mind was on fire, and light flickered around them as his brain seared itself onto her DNA. She saw his childhood, mostly happy. She saw his brothers’ births, and then she saw his growing realization of responsibility. Battles with the Spiders and battles with humans slid into place in her skull. When his memories reached his parents’ death, she froze. The twisted emotions of that moment hurt more than anything else. She saw madness, and a horrible choice, kept from his brothers.
Suddenly, Bruno growled, forehead pressed against her shoulder. “No. This is not for you to bear.”
Amy curled her fingers around his biceps. “Let me in.” She sensed pain, and a mental wall that seemed impenetrable. She knew she had to dig in and get past it, or this would all be for nothing. Duty requires sacrifice, she reminded herself.
“No. You don’t need this burden,” Bruno told her, voice broken. “It’s too much for you. Sometimes it’s too much for me.”
Amy tightened her grip. Bruno sucked in a harsh breath as his erection swelled in her body, and she gasped as her orgasm suddenly peaked. She screamed, or maybe she sobbed, but the crashing wave of her climax twisted their minds together. Bruno’s orgasm triggered another wave, and she felt him crying against her skin as his hips jerked. Pleasure and pain mingled as her brain opened, and an onslaught of new emotions slammed into her skull. She couldn’t decipher any of them.
“Oh, God,” Bruno croaked.
Amy groaned, twisting to get away from the agony. Bruno caught her hands. “Focus. Put up a wall, sweetheart.”
Amy shook her head, unable to speak. It hurt so bad.
“Amy!” Bruno shook her.
Another wave of pleasure rushed through them. Amy sobbed as the pain in her skull threaded through and into the pleasure of feeling Bruno climax again. They moaned together, and Amy sucked in air, feeling simultaneously exposed and suffocated.
“Focus,” Bruno whispered, sounding like someone had ripped out his vocal cords. “Please, darling.”
Amy grabbed at him, grounding herself with his body. His hot skin was the only thing that felt real. His eyes glittered as he stared at her, direct and determined. She exhaled sharply as pain slammed into her skull, piercing through her eyes, and then she painstakingly began building the mental barrier she needed to survive in the middle of Manhattan. She took the knowledge of how to do it out of his memories, and finally, after too long of a moment, her spine relaxed. The pain retreated behind a transparent wall inside her head. She poked at it with mental fingers, then winced, not entirely sure what she’d done. Aftershocks of pleasure still sparked through her body, and she swallowed, trying to get her heart to stop tripping against her ribs.
“Amy, I’m so sorry,” Bruno said, kissing her gently.
She blinked, then willed herself breathe in and out. In and out. After a while, the pleasure stopped fizzing through her bones, and she felt like she could think clearly again. Sadly, being able to formulate thoughts coherently did not mean she had a clue about what had just happened to her.
“What the hell just happened?” she croaked. She forced her fingers to uncurl from Bruno’s shoulders, then winced when she realized she’d drawn blood. His skin looked like a cat had gone feral on him.
“Shh. It’s okay. You’re okay,” Bruno murmured.
“Are you okay?” she asked him. The wall she’d created in her mind didn’t seem to work on him. She felt every last one of his emotions: regret and joy, terror and satisfaction. The joy colored everything, which surprised her, because the regret he felt was so overwhelming. The pain in his skull throbbed hotly, and she winced from the secondhand echo of his headache. Her head didn’t hurt, thank goodness, but it didn’t matter. Bruno was in pain, and that hurt her.
“Just a little headache,” he said, like an idiot.
Amy stared at him. “You have a debilitating migraine.”
He shrugged, then rolled to the side, tucking her in against his body. “It happens sometimes.”
Amy scowled. The most astonishing sex of her life, and the guy ended up with a headache? No. She poked him. “What aren’t you telling me?”
He sighed, but didn’t speak.
Determined to root out the cause of his pain, she sifted through the memories he’d given her. His responsibilities made her cringe mentally—how did one man handle all the things he had to in any given day? She saw how he’d personally seen to the creation of the Stronghold net, building on his father’s first attempts to create the technology. She saw how he’d nurtured Solomon until his younger brother could take over the tech maintenance. She watched him teach Greyson how to create things, and she watched him teach Isaac how to fly. The problem was, she couldn’t see what happened to Bruno when his parents died.
“Your mother was kidnapped. The separation from your father killed them both,” she said, thinking to spur him into admitting his role in that tragedy. “Because they were paired. Bonded.”
“Isaac blames himself for their deaths, but his hesitation had nothing to do with it,” Bruno said slowly. “He couldn’t have saved them, even if he’d killed the kidnappers when they first took my mother.”
Amy inhaled slowly, and then let the air out again. “They were already dying, weren’t they?”
Bruno nodded. “Yes.”
“What happened?” She went up onto her elbow. Compassion for this incredibly gifted and strong man filled her. She understood now why he needed her. No man should have to bear the burdens of an entire world alone.
He shrugged. “My father had dementia. The illness damaged the bond he had with my mother.”
“You never told your brothers.” Amy knew this in her bones.
“No.”
“Why not?” she asked, putting a hand on his cheek. His stubble scratched her palm. “Why deal with this all by yourself?” Her heart hurt for him. This pairing thing had rocked her equilibrium, and pushed her way past anything she thought she’d have to deal with, but she was adult enough to understand the larger picture. Bruno had too much to deal with. She could help him. She let the compassion welling up from somewhere inside of her take focus. She could deal with her insecurity later. Right now, Bruno needed her to be strong.
He looked away. “They didn’t need to know.”