Chapter 9
Chapter Nine
Garrak
I sat there on the couch, holding a sleeping Stevie, for a long time.
Every light in the condo was on, and the detritus of our weekly poker game was still spread around.
But the table was a mess, with half the chips and all the cards on the ground…
and I could see the marks of Stevie’s ass on the table.
I’d lost count of the number of times she came on my cock.
Each time had felt fucking remarkable. I’d been able to feel her inner muscles squeezing me, her desire leaking from her body, covering my poker table.
I was never going to be able to play at that table again without thinking of her writhing beneath me, was I?
It had been addicting as fuck, to feel her climax on my cock.
The first time, I’d almost lost control and come as well, but had become distracted by the incredible sight of Stevie spread out on the table, experiencing ecstasy.
I’d told myself that from now on, I would only fuck her with the lights on.
But then I’d realized that I didn’t have to wait; I could make her come again. So I did.
And then again. And again.
It was addictive. I think I’d gone into a sort of trance, just pulling out and spearing her again, obsessed with the scent and sounds and sight of her coming on my cock.
Each time, I wanted to begin thrusting. To claim her.
To spill inside her and make her mine. Mine.
But then Hendricks’ debt would be paid. This had been about her pleasure, and it was easy enough to pull out and slam back in again, watching her climax again and again until she’d sobbed and begged for me to stop.
Gods below, I’d wanted to continue. Fucking addicting, I tell you.
The daze hadn’t ended. Had I ever woken? My heart was still pounding, my Kteer still howling, and my chest still ached with the effort of holding everything in place. I clutched her to me, my lips pressed against her blue hair, staring across the room but not seeing…
Mine. Mine. Mine.
I wanted Stevie. Not just for the night, not just because she needed my protection…but forever. Was she my Mate, as Korrad had said? Is that what this connection was?
Hendricks isn’t my pimp. He’s my father.
Father.
Father.
Hendricks had called her a whore and sent her to pay his debt.
He was her father. The male who was supposed to protect her, care for her. He’d turned her into a whore for him, out of fear of retaliation.
But now? Now Stevie was mine, and I would protect her from that bastard’s retaliation. I didn’t know how, but I wasn’t going to send her back to him.
I didn’t know much, but I knew that.
Decision made, I stood with a grunt, lifting Stevie easily.
My cock still throbbed against her ass, desperate for release, but I had more important things to do.
I carried her into my bedroom, then went to fetch a large glass of ice water and a soapy warm washcloth.
She was curled on her side when I returned, so I knelt beside the bed.
“Stevie. Sweetheart, I need you to wake up.”
“Mmmm.”
I grinned, knowing I’d worn her out. “Stevie. Open your eyes now.”
As expected, my female responded to the command. Her eyes flashed open, and I helped her sit up. “Drink this.” Obediently, she gulped the water, and I pressed a kiss to her temple as I held her upright. “Good girl.”
Gods below, I loved the way she flushed happily whenever I praised her…just as much as I loved the way she went wild when I called her a slut and scraped her nipple with my tusks.
While I was busy being lost in that memory, Stevie finished the water. “Good girl,” I whispered again with another kiss, then laid her gently on the pillow once more. As I wiped her thighs and cunt with the warm cloth, her eyes closed.
I told myself I didn’t want to wash my scent completely from her, but I had to take care of her. Of my Mate. Is that really who she was?
I couldn’t claim her if she was merely Hendricks’ attempt to settle a debt. But if Stevie was my Mate…then there was no way I couldn’t claim her.
She was asleep again by the time I finished, and I limped back to the bathroom to throw the cloth in the hamper and strip out of my jeans and boxers.
I’d fucked her still mostly clothed, and I couldn’t regret it.
Strip poker had been inspired, and I’d realized just how good a poker player Stevie was.
My clever little Mate had lost on purpose, hadn’t she?
Mate.
The longer I considered it, the more I thought of how it had felt to sink into her, the more I suspected it was the truth.
But Mate or not, Stevie was mine.
Mine to cherish, mine to fuck, mine to protect.
I sat under the hot water in the shower for a long time, unconsciously massaging my left knee. Eventually, I remembered that Stevie was waiting for me in my bed, and that seemed like a good reason to get my ass into bed with her, huh?
I dried myself off, brushed my teeth, then used my cane to hobble my way into the bedroom. My cock had finally deflated in the warm shower, but it stirred again when I climbed into bed and Stevie rolled into my arms.
She was asleep. She didn’t even know she was doing it.
But last night she’d slept in my arms on the couch, and it had been a good night for both of us. Hopefully tonight would be the same.
Mate.
I woke with the sunshine coming in through the window, flat on my back with a cockstand…
and Stevie spread across my chest. I thought she was asleep, but she was rocking her hips against my pelvis, making these erotic little sounds.
It was a simple matter of pulling one of her legs over mine and scooting her up a little, so my cock was pressed against her clit.
Judging from the way she gasped and undulated, she liked that.
Gods below, how could this female smell so enticing first thing in the morning?
Stevie’s hands went to my arms, anchoring herself as she straddled me, and I moved my hold to her ass, letting her know I was awake.
When she slowly slid down my cock, I knew she was as well, and we both groaned in pleasure as her cunt slowly enveloped my ridges. Then I was fully seated inside of her, and she jerked with a gasp, her climax slamming into her.
I held her as she rode out her pleasure, then collapsed, breathless against my chest, and I realized my Kteer was purring in contentment. Yeah, my cock ached, needing release, but the rest of me? Pretty fucking content, knowing my female had just pleasured herself on me.
“Good morning, sweetheart,” I rumbled, squeezing her ass.
“Mmm, good morning.” Stevie pressed a kiss to my chest, then raised her head. “That was a hell of a way to wake up.”
I grinned and flexed my cock, still inside her. “I agree.”
But with her on top of me, she had all the power. With a wicked little grin, she began to move, sliding that tight channel of hers over my ridges, then back down again. I could feel my control slipping, feel myself growing even harder, closer to the edge…
If you come, if you let yourself experience pleasure, then the debt will be paid.
So I moved my hold to her hips and clamped down. “Are you hungry?”
Her expression shuttered so suddenly—from ecstasy to uncertainty in a blink—that I silently cursed myself. Her gaze flew to the pillows over my head, and when she lifted herself off my cock, I helped her—reluctantly, because she felt so damned good, but knowing it was the right thing to do.
“Uh, yeah, I guess so.” Stevie’s grin was weak. She was clearly embarrassed by my rejection, and I hated myself for that. “Big day. Long drive.”
I sat up, watching her roll to the other side of the bed and look for something she could use to cover herself. With a grunt, I hoisted myself out of bed and leaned toward my dresser. “Here,” I told her, pulling out one of my t-shirts.
She caught it. “Thanks. I’ll go…um…” She shifted back and forth on bare feet, not meeting my eyes. “I’ll take a shower and get ready to go.”
“Let me grab my leg from the bathroom before you do.”
Stevie was backing toward the door. “Oh, I can do it for you—”
“No.” I picked up my cane. “You don’t need to do anything for me, I’ll do it.”
Was it my imagination, or did her expression fall a little at that?
“Garrak, it’s okay to accept help—”
“I can do it,” I repeated harder, swinging past her. I’d learned that lesson years ago. “It’s my responsibility to take care of you.”
Stevie didn’t say anything, but I thought I could feel her disapproval, and I shook my head in irritation. Frowning, I pushed the thought aside as she followed me.
There were more important things to worry about. I hobbled to the bathroom and scooped up my leg before backing out. Just before she shut the door, I planted my palm on it, holding her gaze.
“Stevie?”
She stared up at me, her breath stuttering.
I smiled arrogantly. “I’m not driving you to Raleigh today. You’re not getting on that plane.”
Her blue eyes had widened. “I’m not?”
“You’re not going back to that bastard. I’m keeping you.”
You’re mine, whether you know it or not.
The vow echoed through my mind as I began breakfast, preparing a feast for my female. She’d had a big night, and I needed to ensure she was healthy. Eggs, sausage, fruit, and of course a donut.
When she emerged from the bathroom—warm and wet and smelling of my soap—I poured her another big glass of water and placed it beside her coffee, and nodded in approval when she drank it all. She blushed, her slight smile matching the sweet scent of her arousal.
“So…” Stevie poked at her eggs with her fork. “You’re not driving me to Raleigh?”
“You’re not going to Raleigh. You’re not going back to Hendricks—to your father.” When she looked up at me, her expression wary, I asked the question I’d been wondering. “Where do you live? Where’s your ticket taking you?”