Taken By Desire (8 page)

Had the pain been terrible? Of course, but the sheer agony in his eyes, the knowledge there of what he was doing, and the abhorrent thought of it had been plain to see. If he could have saved her any other way, she had no doubt that he would have. She couldn’t be angry at him for trying to save her the only way he knew how. No. She loved him more, because he’d made the hard decision, not caring what it would do to him, for her. He’d chosen her needs over his own, and she’d seen that plainly. If that wasn’t love, then she didn’t know what was.

Slowly the weight around her moved, and when she opened her eyes, she saw they were limbs. She almost screamed until she say Rachel’s green eyes in front of her. The strawberry-and-crème colored wereleopard that looked like she should have been straight from Ireland, had come to her minutes before Ice had shown up in Cirro’s quarters. She’d explained that she and the three other women with her would be to Sasha as Beth and her girls were to Selene. Sasha had known that Cirro had sent them. If they were here then she had lived, Cirro had saved her life.

And she was no longer human.

“Cirro?” Sasha croaked and Rachael smiled.

“Passed out in the chair,” Rachael said pointing at Sasha’s slumped over mate. “He hasn’t left since you were brought in here.”

“How long have I been out?” Sasha asked, feeling her muscles protest her movements as she sat up.

“A week. That’s long for a conversion, but you had some serious wounds. Cirro’s was the worst, and was enough to convert you, but you suffered a lot of blood loss from the thigh and head injury. The bastard hit an artery in you thigh. If Selene and Cirro hadn’t acted, you would have bled out,” Rachel explained.

“I’m glad they acted.”

“So are we, Asfaleia,” Rachel agreed.

“Asfa-whata?” Sasha asked.

“Asfaleia. It means protector. As my mate, you are also the protector of the leap. You are afforded the same respect that I am,” Cirro said, his voice gravely from sleep. Sasha thought she’d never heard a sound more perfect.

“Cirro,” she whispered watery.

“You made it. You pulled through,” Cirro said.

“We will leave now. We will see you in the morning. You won’t be able to get rid of us,” Rachael said with a smile, directing the other ladies to the door.

“After seeing you fight, I think I’m fine with that,” Sasha said and laughed.

“Thank you,” Cirro said to Rachael.

“Of course. We are honored.” Rachael and the others left, leaving Cirro and Sasha alone.

“This isn’t our room,” Sasha said while looking around the room.

“No. Renovations are working to restore it. Between the gun fight and leopards it’s a complete mess. We won’t be in there for a while yet. Laius has given us our own area of the east wing until then.”

“Laius, Pietr’s brother. How is everyone?”

“Worried. But it will be fine. The first three days were touch and go, but after that we knew you were in the clear, we just had to wait for you to wake up.” His lips were amazing. How had she never noticed that before? Every nuisance as they moved had her mesmerized. She waited on bated breath for a glimpse of his sharp teeth. She wanted to feel his bite again, feel him against her. What was wrong with her?

“I’m sorry I worried you,” Sasha said, trying to break through the fog of desire fast engulfing her.

“Don’t be. I’m sorry that I—”

“Don’t say it. You did what you had to do to save me. Never regret that. I’m alive, thanks to you.”

“Sasha,” Cirro began.

“No. I’m alive. That’s all that matters.” Cirro swallowed hard and then nodded his head. He was magnificent, even in a rumpled shirt with blood splatter all over it. His guns and blades were on the nightstand next to the bed, and he’d removed his tactical belt. His harness hung on him haphazardly, his hair tousled as if he’d run his fingers through them multiple times. She purred.

Wait, did I just freaking purr?

“It’s a natural reaction of your cat. When you’re happy, satisfied, or afraid, you will purr.”

“Afraid?”

“The sound will sooth you. At birth a cat’s mother purrs at them and makes a sound only for them so they recognize her. It’s a throwback to the animal inside of us.”

“I’ve never heard you purr,” Sasha commented.

“Then you weren’t listening. Every time you touch me, I purr,” he answered matter-of-factly, and suddenly she wanted her hands on him. She slinked toward him on her hands and knees, stretching, luxuriating in the fact that she was alive. Cirro inhaled roughly, his eyes flickering gold. She saw his nostrils flare and she grew wet. He was so sexy. Her Cirro. Her asfaleia. She wanted him. Now. She ran her fingers up his thighs and listened. She felt his purr before she heard it. It thrummed through her like a pulse. It grew louder as her hands traveled over his rock hard thighs and abdomen. His purr rolled over her like lava, heating her flesh and making her nipples go hard. Cool air kissed her skin and she realized she was naked.

“You were holding it in,” Sasha said, realizing it at that moment.

“I tried. Lord knows I tried.”

“Don’t fight it now. Show me,” she whispered, leaning forward and rubbing her face against his chest. She inhaled and took his scent deep into her lungs. She didn’t understand what she was doing, but it felt right. She wanted their scents intertwined, wanted to stamp him as surely as he stamped her. She wanted to bite him. Sink her teeth into his neck so everyone knew he belonged to her. His warm palms cradled her face, forcing her to look at him. His golden eyes watched her with an unblinking stare.

“There will be some changes. I will teach you. But first, do you need anything?” Cirro asked, and the heat in his gaze awakened something in her. A rolling force stretched deep inside of her. She could feel it under her skin like living fur.

“It’s your cat,” Cirro said. “She needs her mate when she wakes. She knew I was on the other side.”

“Want is not the word, Cirro,” Sasha gasped, her body going liquid.

“As my mate desires, so shall I provide,” Cirro whispered.

Chapter Eleven

He came to her with a clash, their teeth hitting as he devoured her mouth. There was nothing soft and easy in his touch. She groaned, her fists bunching into his hair. He tasted so good. Her mate, her man. The love of her life. She wanted this, wanted him. They’d survived the realm of hell together, and had come out the other side. She wanted them to celebrate it, fight for the pleasure that only they could give each other. She needed the sting of his possession, the roughness that her body could now handle, more than ever. She needed his control.

“Please,” she whispered.

“How rough do you want it? What do you need? I would do anything for you. Anything,” he promised, nipping her lip.

“Take me, make me yours,” she said with a gasp. Cirro pulled away, watching her.

“Are you sure?”

“Show me. Give what you’ve been holding back.” Something in Cirro changed. He was colder, more distant, but she saw the love in his eyes. She’d follow him anywhere, do anything. She wanted this. Without a doubt. Her cat rolled inside of her, an odd sensation, but welcome. It meant she was alive. It meant she would stand beside Cirro for years to come. Cirro stood slowly and stripped, each move graceful and meticulous. He never looked away, ripping his shirt from his body when he reached it. Her mouth went dry. He was hers.

“I love you more than life itself. I’d die for you, anytime, anyplace. I pledge this to you, my mate, my woman. My allegiance, from her to the end of our lives.” Tears pooled in her eyes. She knew what he was saying. He’d told her that she would become more than his leap, he would protect her first. He was pledging himself to her, as he probably had to his leap. Now he was meant only to protect her, his leap secondary in all things. She was all that mattered.

“I love you, Cirro, more than I even though possible. And while I may not be able to fight like you, I will be the law to guide your hand. Is it enough?” she asked, nervous, but wanting to give him something back.

“For us, it will always be enough. I belong to you, even as I claim you,” he whispered. He offered her his hand and she grasped it, sure tonight would not be like any other in her life.

“I’ll be what you want, but if it’s too much just tell me. I’ll come back to you. I promise.” She trembled at his words. Whatever she had unleashed, she wouldn’t run from. Cirro was always taking care of everyone else. She’d sensed in him a need to let go, to be him when he didn’t have to fight for those around him. She wanted to give that to him now.

“I’ll follow you anywhere,” she answered and he exhaled. He led her through a side door out of the bedroom into the stark white of another.

“Pietr knows me. He had this built for me years ago, knowing I’d need it when I got a mate. We don’t ever have to go back, just give me tonight. I thought I had lost you. Give me tonight to know you are alive, that I can control what happens.”

And that was what it was. Cirro needed control, the knowledge that he had control over her actions. That control would let him feel she was safe. She nodded and took stock of the room. Nestled in the walls were chains and cuffs attached to hooks. They gleamed silver against the whiteness of the furnishings. Or should she say bed. It took up most of the ground, piled high with thick white furs. The softness beckoned her sore muscles.

“Please,” she whispered.

“Not yet. And do not speak without permission again.” He was strong. Could snap bone between his fingers. It should have made her afraid. Should have driven her to caution. Yet she could not look away. She was stronger now too, could survive so much.

“You are so beautiful,” he said then, tilting his head slightly. “I’ll never think of you as weak again.” He pushed her back toward the wall with the chains. He braced her body against the wall with his and then snapped a collar over her neck. She tried to move, get free, but nothing but her limbs would budge. For a moment she panicked.

“Stop.” She didn’t listen to him. She continued to struggle. Blindly she flailed her arms out into thin air. Cirro was gone. She couldn’t turn her head and see where he had moved to.

“Do you want me to stop?” Cirro asked, and she stopped. She could do this. It was what she wanted. She may not have expected this, but she could do it. For the both of them. She shook her head as best she could.

“Good.”

Cirro grabbed one of her thighs, pulling it up until her leg wrapped around him. He clasped her other ankle with his opposite hand, locking her in place. Then she watched as his hand lifted. Sting after sting flared over her ass. With each strike her pussy rubbed against the velvet steel of his cock. It brushed again and again in her against her clit. Her eyes widened as pleasure zinged through her system. The calluses on his hands accented the sting. Her ass felt full, throbbing under each slap. He messaged a hit in, spreading the burning ache. Rubbing her clit harder against him. She nipped her lip to stop the moan.

“No, never stop a sound of pleasure. I demand this of you. Do you understand?” She nodded in answer and his brow rose. Just as swiftly as he stopped the slaps started again. The throb turned into an inferno. Her flesh rippled under his fingers. Moisture leaked though her pussy lips. He stopped again, going perfectly still. She was robbed of his slaps, the rub against her aching clit, and his warmth.

“Do you understand?” he asked again.

“Yes,” she cried, needing more.

 “Good.” He let go of her ankle. Her leg dropped woodenly to the ground. She could feel moisture leaking down her thighs as he moved away. A moment later he returned, holding small clamps in his hands.

“Push those pretty tits closer.” She arched her back without hesitation. She desired him. Wanted his fierce touch. Wanted to feel his cock deep inside of her. She wanted him. He gave her a small smile, showing firm white teeth. She melted.

“Breathe in,” he said. She did as asked. “Breathe out.” When she followed his command he opened the clips and placed each one on her puckered nipples. She sucked in breath. The pinch bordered on pain. She arched farther, not use to the unfamiliar sensation.

“Don’t worthy, énteka, I’ll soothe it.” He came closer to her. Her eyes slid close as scalding lips touched her neck. He kissed and sucked his way down to her collarbone. His tongue dipped into the hollow there before moving on. His hands cupped the bottom of both breasts, molding the flesh until the nipples ached for release. Cirro’s mouth trailed over the top of her breasts, sucking his way farther. His tongue rasped over the buds with aching precision.

Locked into the wall by her collar she couldn’t escape his attention, but she didn’t think she wanted to. He sucked one pebble into his mouth, clamp and all, playing with it with his tongue. She cried out, feeling wetness from his cock seep over her lower stomach. He groaned into her. With a rough hand he tugged at the opposite nipple, twisting the clamp. He released her breast with a pop, leaning back to look at the glistening tip.

“Beautiful. Spread your legs as far as you can and hold it.”

She complied, her limbs shaky. The look in his eyes was amazing. She was doing this for him, sending them both into a thunderous pitch, and he wasn’t even inside of her. This was the best decision that she’d ever made. He kissed his way down her stomach. Sasha held her body as still as she could. She felt his warm breath in the curls concealing her thatch and felt herself shift involuntarily. She wanted him to taste her, to lick her juices clean. She wanted him to fuck her. She wanted to taste him. So many wants spiraled through her mind she couldn’t grasp on to any one of them. As his breath soughed over her clit and she tensed. The first blazing rasp of his tongue felt divine. Thick fingers spread her lips open and he delved further. He ate her like he was starving. Slowly he drug his tongue down her, pushing inside her pussy with ruthless abandon. She couldn’t hold the moan in.

“So pretty,” he whispered against her, going back to her clit. One thick finger pushed into her body and she tensed. He gave her no give, no softness. He sucked her clit hard, pushing another finger into her. Pumping his fingers he sucked harder on her clit. She rode his face, grinding her flesh into him. Her limbs shook as she ground harder.