Revealed (4 page)

His nostrils
flared. He toed off his boots and shed his shirt, revealing an undershirt that
he left on as he settled down at her side. “I swear to you now—everything I’m
about to say to you is the complete truth.”

She felt the
certainty of his words wrapping around her and nodded. She was facing him. When
he moved to wrap his arm around her middle, she scooted closer, putting her leg
between his and her hands on his chest. “Okay. I trust you, Hector.” She didn’t
trust easily, but she had trusted him from the first moment she’d met him.
Because he had never lied to her.

He took a breath
as if he needed courage. “A little history first. Centuries ago, a goddess had
a man working with her, trying to stem the tide of evil, the monsters. They
were fighting a losing battle. As long as there is free will, evil—in addition
to good—has a way to sway humans.

“Unfortunately,
evil was on the brink of winning. They had to come up with something more, so
the goddess tasked the man, our first guardian, with finding warriors strong
enough to battle the growing threat. He began to hand pick those that
represented strength without being overbearing. Those that had a core goodness,
so evil wouldn’t win them over easily.

“He also had to
choose those who had just died, because that was part of the deal. Each warrior
chosen had to die to come back to a near immortality. Like me.” He paused,
staring into her eyes with worry.

“I was born over
two thousand years ago in a city called Troy. My parents were King Priam and
Queen Hecuba. I had a brother by the name of Paris, and a couple others not as
well known. I’m sure you know a little of how all that ended up going down,
given there was a movie made about it. Do have to say—at least they chose
someone to play me that wasn’t that hard on the eyes. The Achilles character
was a little off, but a very good portrayal, all in all.”

He paused again
and lifted a brow, likely waiting to see if she was still with him or about to
run for the hills.

Holy
hell.
That was
all she could think. “I don’t watch movies,” she whispered, then swallowed
hard. “It’s too hard to watch movies when I see the truth of things. I see the
actors as they are, I see the green screen instead of the set that there should
be. I know how odd this sounds but the simple fact is that I see the truth in
everything. I hear the truth in words, I see the truth in actions. All of it. I
do know history because of my love of books, however, and oh God.” She licked
her lips and reached out to touch his chest, just over his heart. “You were run
through with a sword?” She bit her lower lip. “I shouldn’t be so calm, I really
shouldn’t, but I feel the truth you are telling me. Good God, this is surreal.”
It was more than surreal. It was almost impossible to believe. “Weren’t you
married, though? You had children, too, right?” She wanted to know,
had
to know.

“I was married
at the time, yes. You know your history, I see,” Hector muttered. He made a
face and sighed. “We had a son. Named him Scamandrius, though everyone called
him Astyanax, meaning overlord of the city. His fate was sealed for merely
being my son,” he said softly.

After a moment,
he shook his head. “That is off track, and I’d rather not dwell on a past I
can’t change. The first guardian, Mercury, found me prior to the ritual bonfire
that would have turned me to ash. He planted the medallion in my chest.

“When I woke, he
told me what he’d done and the consequences of such action. I would have to
leave with him immediately, never to have contact with anyone I ever knew. I
would live forever unless my head was taken or the medallion destroyed. It was
a hard decision, but I feel I made the right one. Had I chosen not to leave
with him, he would have smashed the medallion, and I would have gone to the
funeral pyre.

“As it was,
another took my place and earned a prince’s memorial. The man had been killed
in an early attack against the city, so don’t look so worried,” he told her.

“Gaius was also
a recruit. You may now realize that his name is actually his name, not just a
case of some mean parenting.” He smiled when she flinched at that memory.
“Don’t worry, he always finds it very amusing to let others think his parents
were twisted enough to saddle him with it. The reality is—it is a very noble
name. One that has received some bad, and wrong, press. But, as Mercury often
reminds us, the victors always write the history books in their favor.”

She couldn’t
have stopped the question that had her interrupting him, even if she had tried.
“Do you miss them?” She cringed at the look on his face and shook her head.
“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have asked that. I just—I—” She moved her fingers over
the place above his heart where he had been stabbed. “Is there room in here for
me? With all you’ve lost in your life?” she asked quietly, looking up at him
with the inquiry burning in her eyes.

His hand trapped
hers to his chest as he nodded, his expression gentle. “It’s been nearly two
millennia since they passed. I’ve been alone for a long time. My marriage to
Andromache was a political arrangement. While I came to care for her, there
wasn’t love as you likely know it. I would protect her—did protect her—but it
was only because it was expected of me.

“You need to
remember that those times were very different, Riley. Marriages for love were
only permitted for those that had nothing to lose—the servants and working
class. For those above a certain standing, it was all about position, gain, and
money. If a couple came to love one another, they were truly blessed. But that
was a miracle, not the standard.”

Rolling toward
her, he pressed a kiss to her lips. “There’s always room in my heart for you,
Riley. The amazing part about the medallion is that it helps us to find the one
woman who is our true match in all ways. The only woman who can stand up to us,
keep us calm at our darkest moments. A woman who is the perfect balance of our
soul.

“She is the
light in the growing darkness. She may not be perfect—none of us are—but in her
warrior’s eyes she is nothing short of an angel. What I feel for you, little
Riley, is so much more than I ever expected. I’ve known the love of parents, to
a point. I’ve known the love for a son, but it was too short of a time. While I
will always hold their memories dear, there is so much room for you to fill
within me.”

That had Riley
grinning, and she nodded. “I’m glad. I’m very happy that there’s room for me
inside your heart, because as odd as it sounds, you are in mine,” she admitted.
“So, what happens now? Between us. You said that this medallion points you to
the woman that could complete you. Now that it’s pointed you my way, what
happens?

“Because I have
to tell you that what I’m feeling for you right now is incredible. It’s
something I want to know more of.” She had to have him in her life. Forever.
“And what is this thing I see between the two of us? This thin, golden thread?”

“The Fates
choose who our match is. They determine when we are born, the length of our
life, and when our death will come to be. The only thing left to chance is how
we die. Because the goddess—through Mercury, of course—brought us back, she had
to allow the Fates a boon for messing with the threads of the universe.

“What you are
seeing is the first bond between us. The closer we are, the more we feel that
pull to the other person. When we make love, we will bond our life forces
together. As mine is determined by the medallion, and keeping my head, your
life will be extended the same as mine has been. It’s also permanent—there is
no divorce, no walking away, no changing your mind. So you need to be very sure
you want this.

“It’s a huge
commitment—one that has had more than a few women in the past, along with other
warriors, racing for the hills. A few returned, but some never did. We don’t
know if they were ever offered a second chance, as they all became suicidal and
had their heads removed during battles. There are only fifteen of us left, not
including Mercury.”

“I’m not going
anywhere.” She wanted to know more. She wanted to feel just how good it would
be to have him making love to her. “How do we tie our life forces together? How
do we do any of this?”

“From what Gaius
has told me, it happens during climax.” He shrugged and grinned at her as she
squirmed. “What? Why are you wiggling around, Riley? Are you uncomfortable
discussing sex? If you are, we’ll need to get you over that, since I happen to
like being very graphic.”

“Not uncomfortable talking about
it, but I’ve not … well … and I want to, but…”
I’m blushing. Damn, I hate being so backward
. “I would be very
happy if you showed me. I’ve always learned better by hands-on training instead
of talking.” Which was true. She loved the hands-on part, especially if her
hands could be on him.

Chapter Four

He suddenly
rolled over her, his larger body pressing hers down into the bed. “I like being
very hands-on in my demonstrations. But it doesn’t mean that we won’t be having
a little discussion. After all, without a constructive and mutual exchange, how
can we learn what the other likes?”

Riley licked her
lips again. “I think we should definitely do hands-on.” She rubbed her leg
against the growing and impressive erection he was sporting. “I think we should
get undressed and figure out just how well we might fit together.” That was her
first thought, at least—getting naked with him.

He smiled slowly
and shook his head. “Not yet.” Lowering his head, he nipped at her jaw. “There
are a couple things I should mention to you. Especially since you’re new to all
of this, I’m guessing, from your earlier reactions.”

His mouth moved
down to her neck, his lips and teeth lightly teasing her. “I’m very dominant in
bed. As a warrior, I need to be. I have certain skills that can be deadly in
any situation, so it’s just easier for me to be in control at all times. I’m
not saying that you won’t ever have a chance to be on top, as it were. Just
know that for the most part, I have to be in complete and total control.”

“I’m perfectly
fine with that.” She arched against him and bit her lower lip. “I think that I
was born to be submissive.” If her reactions were anything to go on. She was
happy to follow his lead and the idea of him being in complete control thrilled
her. She wanted more. Hell, she
needed
more. She had to have him.
“Because I know that no matter what, you will always make sure that I have as
much pleasure as you.”

“Definitely,” he
breathed against her pulse. When he sank his teeth into her neck, at the point
where it joined her shoulder, she jolted against him. The bite didn’t hurt—it
was just a bit of pressure from his teeth before he scraped them over her skin
lightly. “I think we’ll be just fine in all aspects, Riley. Now, I want you to
get naked, fast if you would, please.” He pushed up and off her and was
standing at the end of the bed before her brain even registered he’d actually
moved.

She wouldn’t and
couldn’t deny him. She stood and stripped out of her clothes as fast as she
could. Licking her lips, she watched him with her hands at the clasp of her
bra. “Why is it that I’m nearly naked and you aren’t even pulling off
anything?” She stood there in her peach-colored bra and panties, silk and
skimpy, with little bows at her hips and between her breasts.

He tipped his head and pulled
his undershirt off, tossing it to the side. His hands went to his pants,
undoing them before he bent to strip them down.
Interesting tidbit—Hector goes commando.
As he straightened, he
tossed them to the side with the rest of his clothing and cocked a brow as he
stood there, naked.

Riley’s gaze was
on his impressive erection. The man was hard and large all over. She tugged off
her bra and tossed it somewhere behind her. She pushed her panties down, then
moved back to the bed. Her body was aching for him. She wanted to touch all of
the scars on him, kiss them, and try to get him to understand that she hurt for
his past hurts. She ached because of the pain he had endured.

“On your back.
Arms over your head. Hold on to the headboard,” he told her. He stepped closer
to the bed but didn’t climb up as he watched her with hungry eyes. “I want you
to spread your legs, bending your knees up to show me all of you.”

Riley did as he
instructed, gripping the headboard tightly. She shifted her bottom just a bit
and allowed her thighs to open.

A low growl
sounded from him as he leaned onto his hands, climbing up between her legs. He
brushed a kiss to her inner thigh, meeting her gaze as he began to nibble down
toward her pussy. Not once did he break the connection, even as he lifted to
give her other thigh the same treatment.

Riley wouldn’t
allow her eyes to turn from his. She was drawn to the heat in his gaze. She
couldn’t turn away even if she wanted to. She lifted her hips slightly, biting
her lower lip and begging, “Hector, just a bit lower.” She wanted to let go of
the headboard and put her hands on his head, but she let him do with her body
as he desired.

Her words earned
her a sharp bite to her inner thigh. It hurt for a moment, but then he was
soothing it with his tongue. Sitting up, he pressed her legs wider as he
lowered his head, his gaze still on hers. She heard him inhale and saw the look
of pleasure that rolled over his face as he took in the scent of her body
calling to him. “You’re very wet. I like the way you respond to me, Riley.
Would you like me to touch you, or should I feast on your pussy first?”

She didn’t know.
She needed both, wanted both, and God help her, she was going to scream without
both. “Please,” she whimpered, looking at him with need and passion painted
over her features. “I’m yours. Do whatever you want.” She gave full control to
him because she knew, without a shadow of a doubt, that she would enjoy
everything he gave her.

Hector smiled at
her words, his head lowering as he settled his body onto the mattress. Riley
could feel his breath over the dampness of her pussy. “Since you asked so
nicely,” he said. Leaning in, he ran his tongue over her folds, his eyes
drifting shut for a moment. He groaned. “By the gods, you taste exquisite,” he
growled out. His eyes snapped open, and he pinned her with a look as he put his
open mouth to her and began to feast.

Riley watched
him for as long as she could stand it, but then the pleasure got the best of
her and she allowed her eyes to flutter closed as she moaned. She tried to lift
her hips to push closer to his face, but his large hands at her hips stopped
her from doing so. She whimpered again, her head tossing back and forth and her
hands gripping the headboard even tighter.

Suddenly, his
mouth left her body and only his breath brushed over her skin. “Riley, open
your eyes and look at me,” he ordered in a demanding yet soft tone. “I want to
see your reactions to everything so I know how you like what I’m doing to you.
You must always look at me, Riley. At least for these first times together. I
couldn’t ever bear to cause you pain.”

Riley nodded and
complied. “You would never cause me pain, not without pleasure to follow.” In
the deepest part of her soul, she knew that without question. This man would
always make sure there was a balance for her, a happiness and joy that only he
could give. “I want everything with you. I want to be everything you need,
because I know you’re going to be all I need, even when I didn’t know I needed
it.”

“I still need to
see your eyes, Riley. Until you’re completely comfortable with all I plan to do
to and with you, your eyes should be on me.” He stared at her a moment longer
before he lowered his head again. His lips found her clit and began to suckle
on the sensitive bud. His tongue flicked the end as he moved one hand to rub
his fingers through her slick folds, his other arm going over her hips to keep
her down.

Watching him
wasn’t a hardship. The play of emotions and intensity with which he observed
her made her wiggle and shudder. She heard herself whimpering his name, her
desperation kicking up a notch. “Oh God. There.” Riley sobbed when Hector’s
too-clever fingers and mouth found a very sensitive spot on her body.

The corners of
his eyes crinkled and she knew he was laughing, though that was the only tell.
His fingers drove into her pussy, curling to tease her as he thrust them in and
out. She felt the bite of his teeth on her clit, then a slow scrape before he
began flicking it over and over with his tongue.

Riley arched
back once more, her lower lip caught with her teeth and a sob tearing from her
throat. “Hector.” She could only cry out his name, beg for more, when his
fingers found that inner bundle of nerves deep inside of her core. The
intensity of her first orgasm with him rocked her to her core.

He went on to
lap at her pussy, then sucked on his fingers as he smiled at her. “You taste
absolutely divine.” A quick kiss to her mound, then he moved up and over her.
He settled onto her slowly, letting her take a little of his weight, but he
kept most of it off her by using his arms.

Riley’s vision
focused on Hector after several long gasps of air. She had a silly smile on her
face and asked, “Can I release the headboard?” She didn’t know when she could
let it go and didn’t know if she should ask or not, so she just did. She didn’t
want him to stop, after all.

“You may.” He stopped her,
though, his hands coming up to her arms as his weight pushed her down into the
mattress. “I’ll give you a lot of leeway since you’re new to everything, Riley.
One thing you should know, though—when you ask a question or answer one from me
when I’m in charge in bed, you should address me as
Sir
. I know it won’t come naturally, so I’ll correct you often,
until it becomes second nature. Do you understand?”

Riley nodded. When his gaze
turned dark, she bit her lip and said, “Yes, Sir.” She shivered. Her pussy
clenched, and her womb tightened at the word
.
“I trust you.” She hesitated then, cocking her head to the side, and added,
“Sir.” She bared her throat to him, rubbing her hands over his shoulders—after
releasing the headboard—and her leg up and down his. His tip nudged her
entrance and she wanted to weep. God help her, but she needed him more than she
needed her next breath.

“Good girl.” He
put his mouth on her throat and nipped. “For that you will get a reward. What
would you like as your reward, Riley?” He asked the question while rocking his
hips forward, his cock sliding through her slick folds to bump against her
clit.

“You. All that I
could ever want, all I could ever need is you, Sir.” Her eyes glazed over.
“Please,” she whispered, then quickly added, “Sir, take what has always been
yours.” She knew it now. She’d been his from the moment she’d been born. She’d
had to wait for him to come into her life.

“Then I’ll have
to think of a reward,” he said softly. He nipped at her throat again, scraping
his teeth down as he pressed his torso up a little. The move rubbed his cock
over her clit again while his head shifted to a point where he could lick her
nipple.

Riley’s fingers
bit into Hector’s shoulders. She arched against him, her head falling to the
side to give him better access to her neck. “Hector,” she moaned. In this
moment of pure bliss, she couldn’t remember to call him anything other than his
name. She shuddered. “Please, Sir.”

He bit her
nipple, then sucked it into the heat of his mouth. Each one got the same
treatment before he returned to her neck, his nose rubbing along the length.
“You’re a delight, Riley. I could never have expected someone like you had I
tried.” His arms slid around her, his hands under her shoulders as he lifted
her just a little. He bit that spot between shoulder and neck, all the while
rocking his cock through her folds in a slow, agonizing tease.

Riley smiled and
looked up at him. “You’re everything that I ever could have dreamed of,” she
admitted with absolute truth in her eyes. Her hand moved from his shoulder to
his cheek. She ran her thumb over his lips and bit her lower one. His amazingly
beautiful teasing was killing her. “Please, make me yours,” she whispered, her
heart in her words. “Forever with you isn’t long enough. Will never be long
enough.”

“Definitely
not,” he agreed. Leaning in, he kissed her gently, his body shifting until he
was pressed against her entrance. “Put your legs around my waist, Riley,” he
ordered against her mouth. “Then I want you to hold on to me as I slide into
your sweet, hot pussy. If it’s too much at any time, say something, and we’ll
pause. Okay?”

Riley nodded. “I
trust you, Sir.” Her ankles locked just above his incredible buttocks. Her
nipples were rock hard, and every time he moved and they rubbed against his
hard chest, she wanted to sob in pleasure.

Hector lifted a
little so they were able to see one another without going cross-eyed. Slowly,
he entered her. Not once did he blink as he filled her, creeping deeper,
stretching her wider.

Riley wasn’t
able to last. “A second, please,” she begged, her fingers tight on his
shoulders. “That burns, just a bit.” She was wet, and her pussy continued to
weep its honey to cover him, but he was too large.

“Shh,” he
whispered. He’d stopped as soon as she’d tightened her fingers. “Take slow,
deep breaths, Riley. I’m not going to move until you say the word.” He pressed
kisses to her jaw and over her neck. “We have all the time in the world,
sweetheart. There’s no reason to ever rush making love. Well, there is, but
that’s a whole other discussion for another time and place. In this case, it
doesn’t apply.”

Riley nodded and
squirmed, bringing him deeper into her body. Her eyes wide, she looked up at
him. “Again,” she said. That had felt very, very good. “Please?” She let her
hands trail down his shoulders and to his arms, then back up again.

A little bite to
her chin and he pressed in more. “You can take me, Riley. We were meant for one
another, which means we fit perfectly. I know it seems like it’s impossible
right now, but you know I wouldn’t lie to you.”

“I know.” Riley
felt him bumping up against the barrier of her innocence once more. “Will you
kiss me and fill me completely? Take my mind off the pain and show me I can do
more. I can take more.”

One of his hands
came up to cup her cheek. “I’ll do anything you wish, sweetheart. All you ever
have to do is ask.” Then he kissed her, sweetly at first, but it soon began to
heat up. His tongue stroked over hers while he tipped her head to one side to
take the kiss deeper. All the while, his hips never once moved.