Chapter 24

 

MARISSA WOKE AT the sound of the door handle turning.

Firbin was finally coming to bed.

She stretched her arms over her head. “Is the meeting finished?”

“For now.” Firbin shut the door with a quiet click. “We will continue in the morning once we have further information on how the other operations went.”

“So you’re free now?”

“Yes.”

“Good.” Marissa sat up. “Why don’t you get a shower and then come to bed.”

It had only been a few hours rest, but she was wide awake now. She watched Firbin go into the bathroom and once the door was shut behind him, she pushed the covers away. She jumped out of bed and clicked on the fireplace before lighting a few candles that were scattered around the room. She had the perfect romantic atmosphere.

When she was satisfied with the effect, she pulled the t-shirt she’d been sleeping in off and jumped back into the bed. She fluffed the pillows behind her head, pulled the sheets up under her arms and waited. Soon Firbin would be with her and then they’d have all night to decide how their bonding should proceed.

Marissa heard the water turned off and then listened to the sounds of Firbin as he moved around the bathroom. Her heart beat fast and her mouth went dry when the door opened. Firbin walked out drying his hair. His chest was bare, but his jeans were back on.

Marissa gulped back a groan.

He was all firm muscles and taut angles.

He was gorgeous.

He stopped when he saw her watching him. “I thought you’d go back to sleep.”

Marissa shook her head and patted the bed beside her. “I waited for you.”

Firbin frowned. “There was no need. I’ll sleep on one of the sofas.”

“Not on your life.” Marissa threw back the covers. “It’s time we made this mating permanent.”

Firbin dropped the towel. “This is not necessary.”

“It is very necessary.” Marissa motioned to the room. “When will we have such a perfect setting as this?”

Firbin glanced around the room before looking back at her. “I want you to be certain that this is what you want. A Hunter only mates once.”

“Most people enter into a relationship with that goal in mind.”

Marissa’s chest tightened as she thought about her past failed relationships. There had only been three, but she had been certain at the time that each had been the one. Looking back now, she realized that no one compared to Firbin. He completed her in a way no other man ever had and she doubted, ever would. All other men faded in comparison.

“You do not understand what I am telling you.” Firbin sat on the edge of the bed. “There will be no other but you for me.”

Marissa reached out and stroked a finger across Firbin’s chest. “Is that a vow?”

“It is more than a vow. It is what I have been bred and modified for. Once a Hunter finds his mate, the bond is forever.”

“Until death do us part.” Marissa whispered the words of the marriage ceremony.

“And beyond death.”

“I like that.” Marissa blinked back tears. “It is truly a beautiful thought.”

“It is a reality for a Hunter.” Firbin cleared his throat. “To be with a woman is forbidden and until we landed on this planet, it was only a legend that Hunters could mate.”

Marissa frowned. “That seems an awfully difficult rule to enforce.”

“We had implants that prevented us from finding a pair bond.” Firbin’s eyes were filled with sincerity.

Marissa sensed she was missing something. “What are you trying to tell me?”

“I have never mated before.”

Marissa tilted her head. “You have never been with a woman?”

“No.”

“How old are you?”

“I have seen twenty-two cycles of my planet’s sun.” Firbin touched her mouth with a finger. “You are the only woman I have ever kissed.”

A jolt of heat seared through Marissa at Firbin’s touch. “I suppose we had best take this slow then.”

“I’m known to be a fast learner.”

“Good.” Marissa brushed her lips across Firbin’s mouth. “I’m impatient. It’s one of my least pretty characteristics.”

“Nothing about you could be a problem.”

“Remember, I did warn you.”

Marissa didn’t wait for Firbin’s reply. She let her tongue roam over his lips and then she leaned into the kiss. Firbin gathered her close and with one hand on the back of her head, he kissed her until the world spun away and all that existed was the two of them. When he ended the kiss, he stared down into her eyes.

Everything she had ever wanted was in his gaze.

Love, loyalty, honor, and total adoration.

“I think you’d better get out of those pants.” Her voice was a hoarse whisper. “I need you now.”

Firbin’s fingers roamed over her face, brushing her hair away from her eyes and sending thrilling chills of desire through her. He lowered his head and kissed her again. He tasted of passion and promises and she couldn’t wait any longer. Her fingers went down his chest and pulled at the waistband of his jeans.

“Now,” she gasped when he pulled away.

“I never realized how wonderful impatience was before.”

“Get used to it.” Marissa leaned back on her elbows and watched as Firbin undid his zipper and let his pants dropped to the ground.

He was gorgeous.

And in full arousal.

She gulped at the size of him and then pushed aside any doubts. They were meant to be together. Everything was going to work out just fine. She patted the bed beside her.

“You’ll have to get closer.”

Firbin grinned. “As you wish.”

He bounced onto the bed beside her. “Is this close enough?”

Marissa shook her head. “Not nearly enough.”

She stroked a finger down one of his arms. There were some strange tattoos on the upper muscles. “What are these?”

“My clan, creation date, and battles.” Firbin took her hand in his and kissed her fingertips. “I was fortunate to get assigned to the High Council’s elite guard. That meant I’ve been able to learn from the best Hunters, including our leader, Ardal.”

“Somehow I don’t think luck had anything to do with you being chosen for that unit. I’m just glad that you were, otherwise we would never have met.”

“We have been lucky.” Firbin’s voice took on a husky tone that sent a shiver through Marissa. “You will have to show me what you want.”

Marissa’s throat went dry.

Here was a man that could kill without a blink of an eye, and yet he was willing to take direction from her. It was a unique situation for her. She was used to powerful men who demanded that a woman stroke their ego and comply with their wishes.

Clearly, she had been associating with the wrong men.

She pushed Firbin back on a pillow.

“We’ll start with touching.”

Her fingers caressed his broad chest. A twist of excitement settled in her lower abdomen at Firbin’s groans of approval. She let her hand trail past his stomach until it rested on his hardened arousal. She grasped him and stroked down.

Firbin’s body arched in the air.

“Did you like that?”

“Very much.” Firbin’s voice was a low whisper. “I think I understand what you mean about touching.”

He sat up and brushed her hair away from her face. “It’s my turn.”

Marissa was about to protest when Firbin shook his head. Instead, she let him ease her back against the pillows. His first touch brought a sharp inhale of breath and then she relaxed into the luxuriating feel of his fingers feathering across her cheek, neck, and breasts. His lips replaced his fingers and excitement built within her.

Wonder and beauty were in every touch and caress.

She stopped herself from demanding release.

Anticipation and denial were sweeter.

Firbin kissed and licked every inch of her body. His fingers continued to stroke and tease. She floated in a sea of euphoria, as elation filled her. Wave upon wave of sensation washed over her until she could stand it no more. She took his hand and guided him to where she ached most.

Firbin didn’t disappoint.

Strokes of pleasure built until she exploded with ecstasy.

When she opened her eyes, Firbin was grinning down at her. “Should I touch you again?”

Love filled her.

Firbin never failed her. His eagerness for life and pleasing her was addictive. He might be younger than she, but that didn’t make what they felt for each other any less real. They were bonded. It was a sacred connection. Now, she needed to show him that pleasure wasn’t just for her.

“It’s my turn.” She leaned up onto her elbows.

Firbin frowned. “Did I not do it right?”

“You were perfect.” Marissa pushed him onto his back. “There is more to the lesson.”

“There are more ways for us to connect?” Firbin’s eyes widened. “You must show me.”

“That’s what I’m trying to do.”

Marissa lay across his chest and ran her fingers through his hair. “You have to promise not to interrupt me.

Marissa kissed him, letting her tongue twirl around his until she felt his heart race. When he tried to shift her onto her back, she ended the kiss.

“Remember your promise.”

“As you wish.” Firbin tilted his head. “Does this give you pleasure?”

“Immense.” Marissa ran her hand over his chest. “Being able to arouse you, gives me joy. Loving each other physically is not one-sided.”

Marissa silenced any further conversation by kissing Firbin again. This time she let her hands roam over his chest and abdomen as she tasted and teased him with her lips and tongue. When she’d worked them both to a fevered pitch, she moved her hand lower and clasped his manhood. She stroked him. He was definitely ready.

She released him and straddled his chest.

Easing closer to him, Marissa let her lips and tongue roam over Firbin’s muscular chest. When she could handle the tension no longer, she moved into position and then guided Firbin inside her.

He filled her completely.

Edging lower, she let the sensation of their union wash over her.

It was heavenly.

A shiver of joy raced through her. “Now we are truly one.”

“We are forever joined and mated.” Firbin’s words whispered through her mind.

He was right. Their bond was strengthening with every minute they spent together.

Physically.

Mentally.

Spiritually.

“I love you.” Marissa whispered as she tilted her hips and moved.

“You are my one and only.”

Marissa rocked back and forth.

Firbin grinned. “I like this.”

“I thought you might.” Marissa eased forward and with deliberately slow movements she began a leisurely dance of loving her mate.

Firbin clasped her hips and thrust upward as she moved down. They found a rhythm that had Marissa spiraling into a climax within minutes. Firbin held her close as she descended from the heights of ecstasy. When her breathing had eased, he flipped her onto her back and took control of their lovemaking.

He thrust deep.

Withdrew and lunged again.

He brought her to the brink within seconds. She was suspended there for what seemed like ages as he continued to move within her, building her tension until she reached the screaming point. Marissa shuddered into another orgasm when she felt Firbin’s release. Together, they floated down from the heights of euphoria.

It was several minutes before either of them could move. Firbin eased away from her and flopped onto his back beside her. She pulled the covers over them and snuggled close to him, letting his body heat warm her. She considered herself experienced in the ways of lovemaking, but never before had she ever been this wholly satiated.

They completed each other.

They were bonded now and forever.

“That was wonderful.” Firbin stretched his arms over his head and then pulled her into his arms. “Let’s do it again.”