CHAPTER 8
Zara
M y mate is stubborn.
I ignored the voice inside that was teasing me for calling Rudgar my mate while I also accepted the fact that I was the most stubborn female on Earth. The thing was, I wasn’t illogical. I understood that I was a walking disaster who ran before she thought things through.
I also knew that Rudgar was the exact opposite. He appeared to be the kind of male who put a lot of thought and planning into everything he did. With that in mind, I knew that I could rely on him to help me figure out a way to execute my plan.
I just needed to dangle the bait. I smothered the evil grin that wanted to make its way across my lips, pouting instead. His pupils dilated as his eyes locked onto my outthrust lower lip.
“The thing is,” I said with a dramatic sigh, reaching out to place my hand on his forearm. I watched his gaze dart to where I was touching him and then back to my lip. “I’d be really grateful if you helped me get back home so I can get what I need—” I saw his lips part to cut me off, his brow furrowed with consternation and I decided to jump to flattery. “And I know what you’re thinking. That’s the first place they might look for me, so it would make no sense to go there. But the thing is,” I added, sidling closer to him, batting my lashes. “I know you’re just the male to protect me. I need to get in and out. I won’t be staying. I promise.”
His narrowed gaze was now focused on where I was thrusting my breasts out toward him. They were straining against my blouse and his lips parted while a breath huffed out of him.
“Why do you need to go there?” he asked in a careful voice, his eyes darting to mine for a quick second before dropping back to my breasts. “Tell me exactly what you need.”
I have him.
Dropping all pretenses now, I released him and tucked my chest back to its normal position, my brain already flittering through everything I would need.
“The first thing I want to do is put a protection spell around this building. It would make sure that everyone’s safe. But to do that, I need my mom’s book and whatever ingredients she had on hand,” I told him.
It hadn’t taken me long to figure out that he was right , even if I didn’t want to admit it to him. I would be safer here with the clan. But I didn’t want anyone else to get hurt. So I’d need to make sure no one—especially Veron—could get to us.
Even if I didn’t have that much control over my powers—and they were still bound and manifesting—I could at least try the spell. I was also hoping that my coven would still be living there, and I would be able to speak to them and get them to safety.
I didn’t mention that second part to Rudgar. He didn’t know them the way I did. There had to be a reason they were selling their magick. They weren’t heartless and if they’d been able to help Rok, I’m sure they would have.
“You’d do the protection spell here ?” Rudgar asked, his expression suspicious. “And you won’t try to leave?”
I shook my head, letting him see the honesty in my expression.
“No, I’m going to make this my home base.” Satisfaction made its way across his expression and I couldn’t even get mad.
I wasn’t stupid. Just impulsive. I knew that I could protect them. My mom had been trying to teach me before she’d gotten sick.
Regret filled me, and I wished I could go back and talk to her more—spend more time with her and tell her how much she meant to me.
Swallowing hard, I turned away from Rudgar, but he wasn’t having it. He moved closer, pressing his face against my hair and wrapping his arms around me. The comfort that I needed, but didn’t want.
Tears prickled in my eyes and I tried to shake him off, but he ran a warm palm down my arm.
“It’s alright, Gul-ar,” he whispered in a voice that had me sagging against him. “Tell me what just happened.”
I let my head fall back against his chest and squeezed my eyes shut as he surrounded me with heat and comfort. “M-my mom,” I gasped, shaking my head, unable to continue.
He didn’t keep questioning me, letting me settle against him instead, tucking me close. The solace and protection that I hadn’t had since my mom died was finally within my reach.
“I miss her,” I gasped, turning and grabbing onto him as if he was my lifeline. “So much.”
He ran his huge hand down my back and up again. I hiccupped against him, sobbing for all I was worth. He kept rubbing big circles on my back while I cried in his arms and when I was done, I was drained.
He ran his tusks across the top of my head, and when he began singing a song in orcish—a gentle melody that sounded like a lullaby, I felt my eyes drooping closed.
Damn it, I might be falling in love with him.
I stirred, snuggling closer to the warmth under me. I nuzzled my cheek against the velvet I was cuddled against. The vibration of a purr was music to my ears, softening my body even more.
“Rudgar?” I whispered, and a gentle stroke of big fingers down my back told me it was him. “I fell asleep,” I told him, and his chuckle made his chest shake under my face.
“I know,” he answered, keeping up his gentle touch. “That’s alright. You’ve been through the wringer.”
“You’re comfy,” I yawned, tucking my cold toes against his warm calf. He gave a slight jerk, before settling, his purr deepening in his chest.
I lifted my face to press to his throat, inhaling the comforting scent there. “I shouldn’t be doing this,” I told him, running my fingers through his long hair, playing with the strands.
“You most definitely should” he disagreed, his hand moving lower down my back, giving my ass a squeeze, rocking my pussy against his thigh where I’d wrapped my legs around him.
“This is a bad idea,” I responded, but I didn’t stop him, gasping as he kept up the movement.
“This is the best idea,” he told me, his hand moving to cup my breast. He released a groan, and I pulled at my dress, tugging it until it was off of my body.
He froze, watching as I sat up, stripping for him, his eyes huge in his face as he stared at every inch of skin I bared to him.
“Dear Gods,” he murmured, licking his lips, his hand trembling as he reached out toward me. “You’re fucking perfect.”
I hid a smile, preening under his gaze. No male had ever looked at me the way he did. As if I was something that should be worshiped instead of used.
“ You’re perfect,” I told him, licking my lips as I looked down at his body. His strong chest was still bare, his muscles bulging and intimidating. I leaned forward to swipe my tongue against his skin and he stiffened, a serrated groan leaving him. “I used to dream about you. And I’d imagined us doing this over and over. I never actually thought it would happen.”
“Gul-ar,” he whispered, running his fingers through my hair, his gaze churning with all the things he wanted to say—wanted to ask. I ignored him, nibbling my way down his body. It was about time that I took what I wanted, and I wanted him .
Veron be damned.
“Wait,” he murmured, gripping my shoulders, but I swatted his hands away, intent on my goal. I laved each of his nipples for a moment, making him shudder against me, his hands dropping away as he fell back against the bed.
Grinning, I continued my trek downward, licking each delineated line of his abs. Rudgar’s lips parted to speak again but when I gave the curve of his hip a little nibble, whatever he was going to say died on a groan of torture. His hands moved to my hair, burying his fingers in the curls—and making me wince a little as they snagged at the root.
“ Gul-ar ,” he gasped, his hips arching off the bed.
Just as I was eye-level with the goodies—still covered by those blasted, heaven-sent gray sweatpants of his—he reared up, tugging me off balance until I rolled onto my back. I yelped as he hovered over me, his eyes twinkling with a predatory gleam that I felt myself reacting to. My pussy clenched around nothing, telling me only he could fulfill the ache that was there.
“Rudg—ah!” I released a cry as he latched onto my nipple, a sigh of pure bliss leaving him. I grinned as he cupped my breasts, burying his face between them. The happy sounds he was making made me laugh. “Having fun there, I see.”
“Mine,” he growled, dragging his sharp fangs along my skin. I hissed, knowing it would leave a mark. Biting my lip, I arched harder into him, hoping he would mark me more.
The dark chuckle that met me told me that he knew what I was doing. “Do you like that? Knowing that you’re mine?”
I nodded, even though I really shouldn’t be telling him that. I needed to keep my distance—to hold my ground—but it was impossible when it came to this male. I just wanted to give in to everything he wanted. Everything I was realizing that I wanted.
“Touch me,” I gasped, arching my back even more and trusting him—something I hadn’t realized I was capable of after I’d been kidnapped by Veron and his men.
“I’m going to touch you,” Rudgar warned me, a smirk playing on his lips. “And you’ll be screaming my name before the night’s out.”
I have a feeling I’ll be screaming his name long before then.
I gave him a mischievous grin, grabbing his tusks and yanking him forward until my mouth crashed against his. The wild buck of his body against mine told me that was exactly what I needed to be doing.
“You’ll make me rut before I’m ready,” he growled, pulling away from me and flipping me to my stomach. I yelped as he smacked my ass, but I couldn’t stop the giggle that left me.
“Ooh, orc-handling at its finest,” I kneeled in front of him, spreading my legs and jutting my hips until I knew he was getting a full visual of everything . “How intriguing.”
I wasn’t ready for the male to pounce on me. I cried out as he gripped my hips, pinning me and keeping me in the exact position I’d placed myself in—rubbing his face against my pussy. His tongue dove inside me and I scrabbled my non-existent nails into the bedding—because I was a nail-biter even though I was trying to cut down on addictions. Although as I bucked against him, his tongue making me see stars as he fucked me with it—as thick and long as any cock I’d had before him—I wondered if I wouldn’t become addicted to this as well.
Oh well. Everyone has their vices.
I whimpered as he pulled out, but only long enough to jerk in his arms when he gave my clit a hard suck. My eyes rolled back in my head and my arms gave out. Not that I had much faith in my upper body strength in the first place, but we were right in the middle of it, damn it.
I lay on my face, my breasts crushed under me as I mewled with each suck of his lips.
Dearest Goddess Mother, this male is a God.
I shook in his arms as pleasure coursed through my veins. Lightning was gathering as he brought me closer and closer to the edge. I couldn’t see, I couldn’t breathe and then with one last, strong pull of his lips, I fell apart in his arms, coming harder than I ever had in my life.
My screams were muffled, but my entire body shook under him. He didn’t stop lapping at me, drinking my juices, until I was mewling under his tongue again.
He groaned against my pussy, flipping me until I was flat on my back, tucking my legs over his huge, strong shoulders until he could reach up and cup my breasts, a happy sigh leaving him as he pinched my nipples.
My back arched, and I ran my fingers through his long, thick hair. “Rudgar,” I gasped, my heels digging into his back. “Please.”
I could barely get the word out as he swirled his tongue, finding spots that I didn’t even know were sensitive. It didn’t feel like he was trying to make me come. It felt like he was exploring and tasting for his own pleasure. The way he groaned against me should be illegal.
He released one of my breasts to press a huge finger into me and I gasped at the intrusion, my hips canting to take him deeper.
Oh dear Goddess Mother, if this is how it feels with just one finger. I’m in for the ride of my life.
I rocked my hips as he lapped at me, the dual sensations of his tongue and his finger making me dizzy. I was certain that I was losing my mind as I whimpered under him. He drank all of my juices like it was nectar to him, and I was lost to the pleasure.
I’d never been so wild with a lover before, but this was unlike anything I’d experienced in the past. This male. Our connection. It was too strong to deny.
It was as though he knew what was happening to my body before I did. It took one more hard suck on my clit for me to crash over the edge, the orgasm taking over my body in waves of rolling pleasure.
My scream was too loud in my ears—and I couldn’t imagine how he felt with his sensitive hearing. I bit my lip, tilting my head back on the blankets under me, keening as he kept up with the gentle tug of his lips.
“Wait,” I gasped, trying to pull away from him.
“One more,” he purred, rubbing his face across my pussy, spreading my moisture across his skin. I frowned, my eyes wide as he lifted his head with a grin. His talented tongue swept across his lips. “You can give me one more.”
I shook my head, in awe of this male, greed for his body overtaking me. I was tired of saying no to myself. I wanted him and I wanted him now.
“I want to touch you,” I gasped, scrambling up to face him. His brow furrowed and he watched me with caution.
“You can touch me after,” he cajoled, his gaze moving over me with lascivious intent.
“Nope,” I denied, reaching out to point at the bed next to me. “You’re going to lie there and let me touch you.”
His smile was amused, and he hovered over me—almost twice my size. “Am I?”
“Yes, you are,” I said in a stern voice, wrapping my arms over my breasts until they were covered.
He frowned, his gaze flicking between my mulish expression and my hidden breasts. A small pout played across his face and I hid my laugh, tilting up my chin and letting him see that I could be just as stubborn—and probably more—than him.
He threw himself down on the bed and I watched as his huge cock bobbed with the movement before straining upward toward his navel. I swallowed hard, eyeing it with trepidation.
Holy shit, it’s a monster.
“Uhh,” I told him, canting my head to the side before biting my lip. “This might take some time.”
He huffed out a little laugh, moving to his elbows. “We can go back to what we were doing before—” he started, eyeing me with a grin, but I shook my head and moved to settle between his legs.
“Shush,” I told him, running my palms up his abs, absorbing the feel of his hard muscles under his skin. I could get used to touching him.
And that was hard to accept. That I liked touching him. That I liked him . I almost preferred if this was only lust between us, but I could already tell it was so much more. Biting my lip, I dragged my palms downward, and he groaned as I ran them over his Adonis belt and further down to wrap around the girthy base of his cock. I gripped him with both my hands, my eyes wide as I wondered how the actual fuck he was going to fit inside me. Then I swept my hands up, trying to span the length of him.
Oh shit. He could actually kill me. With his cock. Death by dick. What a way to go.