Roark
Every nerve ending jerked and I felt more alive than I had ever been in my life. I could feel Lara getting closer, and knew she was headed my way. Her exhaustion beat at me, draining my strength. I gave her what I could spare.
After a training session, I jogged to the edge of the arena in search of Voth.
“She is near,” I said simply. “Find her, but do not pressure her. Take her wherever she wishes to go.”
He nodded then drifted away.
I needed Lara to come to me willingly. Last night, I asked her what else I could do, and then it dawned on me. But the timing had to be perfect.
In the middle of sparring with Yei, I knew the moment she arrived. I felt her gaze burn with intensity, and hid my smile when I felt her desire flood my body. At least I didn’t get hard—that would have been embarrassing.
When the session ended, Lara and I locked gazes. She looked stunning, even more so than before, if such was possible. Her blonde hair cascaded over her right shoulder. The red cloak suited her.
I stalked over with a sure stride and one purpose.
What are you doing? she asked, surprised, glancing around at everyone watching.
What I should have done a long time ago! I declared, pulling her into my arms and kissing her deeply. I love you Lara, and I am so sorry that I hurt you.
Breaking the kiss, I stared in her wide blue eyes. We were nose to nose, and this time I chose to speak aloud. My voice boomed so everyone could hear. “I love you, ji’si. Please forgive me.”
I felt the last shard crumble from around her heart. “I love you, too, you big lug,” she replied, her voice thick. “Don’t ever do that to me again.”
“This I vow to you. Be my bond mate.”
“Are you asking me, or ordering?”
Throwing my head back, I laughed heartily. “I am asking.”
“Can you get down on one knee?”
My laughing quieted. Confused, I asked, “You want me to beg?”
“No, but that’s how it’s done on Earth. You kneel on one knee, take my hand and ask me to marry you.”
“Ji’si, if that will make you happy…” I dropped down, uncaring that everyone stopped to watch, and took her hand in mine. “Lara, will you be my bond mate?”
“I’ll have to think about it.” She grinned from ear to ear. Feeling her happiness and humor, I chuckled again. And then she shouted, “Yes. Yes!”
She pulled me to my feet, and I scooped her up in my arms. She squealed and threw her arms around my neck.
“Voth!” I shouted across the arena. “Take over!”
With Lara in my arms, I trotted to the air vehicle.
“Where are we going?”
“Home. I am taking you home, ji’si.”
I programmed the coordinates, settled back in the seat, and wrapped my arm around her shoulders, so we faced each other. I still felt self-conscious about the scars, but held still as her eyes roamed every imperfection on my face.
“It doesn’t hurt?” she asked, still looking at the damage left by the electrical currents.
“No.”
Slowly, and with a gentleness foreign to someone in the Royal Guard, she traced every inch of my scarred face with her fingertips. I wanted to flinch away, but instead, I closed my eyes and let her do as she wanted. Her lips pressed against the scars, kissing every inch.
“I can’t believe you thought I wouldn’t want you because of this.”
I found myself choking up, unable to speak aloud. I thought you deserved better.
There is none better than you.
Finally we landed on the rooftop, and I helped her out of the air vehicle.
“Oh, heavens Roark, it’s beautiful up here!” she cried, walking over to the edge. “You can see everything!”
The excitement in her voice and on her face made my heart swell with pride. Taking her hand, I tugged her away from the edge. I needed to get her inside, feel her soft body against mine, show her how much I missed and loved her.
Leading her down a few steps to the balcony, I pressed my hand against the glass door and waited until it dematerialized.
“That is so amazing,” she said, her voice filled with wonder.
“I am glad you like it.”
And then I spun her around, dipped her backward and seared her lips with a desire-filled kiss.
Open for me, ji’si.
Roark… She pushed at my chest. I want to trust you…
I promise that I will never leave you. We can have the ceremony tomorrow if you want, but you are not getting rid of me.
Hesitation shone in her icy blue eyes; I could feel her on the precipice and I needed to draw her back to me. Feel what I feel and then let go, trust in us.
Demonstrating, I opened mind, body, and soul, allowing her to feel my shortcomings, my love for her…everything that made me vulnerable and then I seared her soft lips with another kiss.
She released her reservations and opened to me, making us one.
Using my fingertips, I slipped the cloak from her shoulders, letting it drop at her feet. I shredded the hem of her shirt, tearing it in two. Her beautiful soft mounds seemed bigger than I remembered, the dark peaks standing erect, just like my cock. I sucked one into my mouth, my tongue twirling around the hard point.
“Roark…” she moaned, hands clawing at my back.
Her hand roamed around to my arms, my chest, down to the hem of my shorts. Reaching inside, it circled my cock, and my hips arched, a moan escaping from my lips.
I want to see you. She pushed on my shoulders till my mouth left her breast with a pop.
Sit on the couch, she ordered.
Her eyes held an intensity I hadn’t seen before. I didn’t know what she had planned, but I was eager to find out.
“Take your shorts off first.”
“As you wish.” I grinned, shucked off my shorts and sat sprawled out on the couch, my arms stretched across the back.
“What I need is some music,” she said, smiling. She slowly unbuttoned her pants, sliding them seductively from her hips while doing some sort of dance.
Standing gloriously naked in front of me, she dropped to her hands and knees and crawled over while holding my gaze. I had never seen a more exotic, more erotic act in all my life. And then she grabbed my cock, opened wide and took it into her mouth.
Lara! My hips arched upward, my hands slid through her hair. What are you doing to me, ji’si?
Showing you what you almost missed out on.
I could feel the humor as she tried to suck the seed from my body.
I am not going to last! I grunted in pants and arched my hips, needing her to take more.
She broke the suction with a pop, licking her swollen lips, which only made me want them around my cock again.
“Not yet,” she said, and then she turned around, her back to my front, and slid my cock inside her. Glancing over her shoulder, she said, “I like this position,” and her hips started moving.
Completely unable to help myself, I took over and started thrusting into her. My hands cupped her breasts as I licked the curve of her spine.
“Oh, heavens, Roark! I need… I need…”
I knew what she needed—she had shown me before. Instead of letting go of her breasts, I pinched her nipples and released my ha’us, letting it massage her tiny bundle of nerves.
“Roark!” she screamed as her body jerked and she opened to me, mind, body, and soul, our energies dancing and twirling together. I could not wait any longer and jetted my seed inside her soft body.
Her happiness bled into mine. We are not done, ji’si.
Lifting her up, I turned her around so I could see her face as my cock slid back inside her. I watched as it disappeared over and over.
Glancing at her expressive face, I knew her orgasm was building again. My ha’us plunged into her nether region, and I pressed my thumb against her tiny nerve bundle.
She threw her head back and moaned, “Oh, God, Roark! You feel so freaking good…” Her body tightened around my cock. “Oh, oh….”
And I knew she found her release again.
I carried her to our bed where I took my time and explored every inch of her body. Laying in the cradle of her legs, I hitched her leg up and thrust inside. I wanted to know everything about her. What made her squirm, what she didn’t like, and what drove her over the edge into pure bliss.
****
The sun streaked across the wall, giving off the perfect amount of light. Lara slept on her side, one leg under the crumbled covers, one leg thrown across the top. Her red lips were swollen, and pale eyelashes kissed her cheeks.
This one female had turned me into a softy in her presence. I understood why Zorvak refused to tell Cami that her cofa tasted like the drippings of a wild animal.
Last night, Lara had bared her soul and I understood and knew that she would be my greatest strength—and my greatest weakness. The thought terrified me, but I wouldn’t change anything. Lara was mine to protect.
You’re staring at me.
I thought you were sleeping. I gently swatted her behind.
Ooh, I like spankings.
Ji’si…
She laughed at my warning and opened her eyes.
Staring down at her sprawled out on my bed, I loved seeing her there. I could stay in bed with her all day, but I also needed to take care of her. “You need to eat.”
“I am a little hungry…” she admitted.
As she sat up, I tugged her hand and pulled her to her feet.
“No clothes?” she asked, as I led her back to the main area.
“No. If you are naked, I can take you anytime, anywhere.”
“How about on that rooftop of yours?”
I spun around, pinning her against my body. “And let the passersby see? Never. No one will see you but me. Now have a seat, and I will get us some food.”
Preparing the plates, I carried two and set one down in front of her. It seemed like such a normal act. I liked having her here with me.
Needing answers, I casually asked, “Where were you hiding all this time?”
Even though I asked casually, I desperately wanted to know.
“This older woman, Ersa, took me in. She let me sleep on her couch, gave me food, helped me to learn Standard.” I felt a slither of anger. “Did you know that nobody here has translators?”
“That had slipped my mind.”
“Yeah, that was a huge shock. Anyhow, there were two little girls Ersa’s raising. I helped out with them.” She took another bite of food. “That reminds me, I promised I would go back to visit. Want to go with me?”
“Yes. I wish to see where this Ersa lives, and thank her properly for helping you.”
“Good, when do you…” Lara’s eyes grew wide and she bolted. “Where’s the bathroom?” she cried, running from one room to the other.
I found her bent over, retching everything from her stomach. “How long have you been ill?”
She finished, rinsed her mouth and her watery eyes found mine. “I don’t know. A few days, but it comes and goes.”
“I am taking you to see Jasok.”
“I am fine, Roark. Really.”
“The healer can decide that.”
“Can we still visit the girls today? I promised.”
“As long as you are well.” A bad feeling settled deep inside. To my knowledge, Cami never had trouble eating the food here.
“I need to get cleaned up before I go anywhere. Is that a tub? Can I take a bath?”
“Yes.” Reaching over, I turned on the water, which cascaded from a spout near the ceiling like a gentle waterfall.
“Nice,” she said with a huge, cheeky grin.