10. Davrik
CHAPTER 10
DAVRIK
I demonstrate the basic stance again, guiding Alice's feet into position with gentle nudges from my own. The station's small gym gives us just enough room to move, but the closeness means I catch her scent with every motion.
"Your balance is key. An attacker will try to throw you off."
"Like this?" She shifts her weight, wobbling slightly.
"Here." I step behind her, hands on her hips to steady her. Her breath catches. "Ground yourself. Feel how your weight connects to the floor."
She nods, and I can see the flush creeping up her neck. My thumbs trace small circles against her hipbones, ostensibly adjusting her stance.
"Now, when someone grabs you from behind—" I wrap my arms around her waist, pulling her against my chest. "—you need to create space to move."
"Right." Her voice comes out breathy. "Space."
"Drop your center of gravity and?—"
She attempts the move we practiced, but her timing is off. We tumble, my reflexes letting me take the brunt of the fall. She lands on top of me, hands braced against my chest.
"Sorry!" She tries to push herself up, but I keep my arms around her waist.
"Don't apologize. In a real fight, you use whatever advantage you get."
Her eyes meet mine, and the air between us grows thick with tension. A strand of her hair falls forward, brushing my cheek. I reach up, tucking it behind her ear.
"And what advantage would that be?" she whispers.
Instead of answering, I close the distance between us. Her lips are soft, yielding against mine. She makes a small sound of surprise before melting into the kiss, her fingers curling into my shirt.
I taste her hesitation, her curiosity, her want. It takes every ounce of control not to deepen the kiss, to keep it gentle when my instincts scream to claim her completely.
She breaks away first, breathing hard. Her pupils are dilated, lips slightly parted. Beautiful.
I lean up and capture her lips once more, the kiss deeper and more insistent this time. She surrenders to me completely, her body melting into mine as we roll across the gym mat. I find myself on top of her, our limbs tangled together.
"Davrik," she whispers between kisses, her voice breathy and full of desire.
I trail my lips down her neck, tasting the salt on her skin. She arches her back, giving me better access as I explore the curve of her collarbone. Her fingers tangle in my hair, pulling me closer.
With a growl, I tug at her gym clothes, desperate to feel her bare skin against mine. She helps me, her hands shaking with anticipation as she lifts her hips so I can slide her leggings off.
Once she's naked beneath me, I take a moment to drink in the sight of her. Her chest rises and falls rapidly, her breasts flushed and inviting. I lower my head, capturing one nipple between my lips and sucking gently. She gasps, her nails digging into my shoulders.
"Alice," I murmur against her skin, "you're so beautiful." Everything feels right. Being like this with my fated mate feels so completely right.
She responds by pulling me closer, urging me to continue my exploration. I oblige, moving to her other breast and giving it equal attention. Her hips buck beneath me, seeking more contact.
Slowly, I make my way down her body, planting kisses along her stomach and hipbones. When I reach the apex of her thighs, I pause, looking up to meet her gaze. Her eyes are dark with lust, her lips parted in anticipation.
"Is this what you want?" I ask, my voice low and rough.
She nods, biting her bottom lip. "Yes, please."
With a smirk, I dip my head between her thighs, running my tongue along her folds. She cries out, her hips jerking in response. I take my time, savoring the taste of her and the way she reacts to my touch.
As I bring her closer to the edge, she clutches at the mat beneath us, her breath coming in ragged gasps. I feel her muscles tighten around me, and I know she's close. With one final flick of my tongue, I send her over the edge, her body shuddering beneath me as she cries out my name.
I stand, towering over Alice as I peel off my shirt, revealing the hard-earned muscles that have served me well in countless fights and chases. Her eyes widen, taking in every ridge and scar. When I drop my pants, her gaze darts lower, and her breath hitches.
"You're... um, wow." She swallows hard, her eyes locked on my erection. "Davrik, I don't know if I can... you're huge."
A smirk tugs at my lips. "Don't worry, Alice. You were made for me. I promise, you're ready."
She bites her lip, uncertainty written all over her face. I lower myself beside her, propping up on one elbow. My free hand traces the curve of her hip, dipping between her thighs. She's wet, so wet that my fingers glide through her folds with ease.
"Feel that?" I murmur, circling her clit with my thumb. Her hips jerk in response. "Your body knows what it wants, even if your mind is playing catch-up."
She gasps as I slip a finger inside her, her walls clenching tight around me. "Oh, god," she breathes, her hands clutching at the mat beneath us.
"So tight," I groan, working another finger in, stretching her gently. "But you're taking me just fine, Alice. Relax. Let me in."
Her breath comes in quick pants, her chest rising and falling rapidly. I lean down, capturing her mouth in a searing kiss as I continue to work her with my fingers. She moans into my mouth, her body relaxing, her hips moving in time with my hand.
When she's ready, I position myself between her legs, the head of my cock poised at her entrance. Her eyes meet mine, trust and desire warring in their depths.
"Remember," I say, my voice rough with need. "You were made for me, Alice."
I push into her slowly, giving her time to adjust. Her eyes flutter closed, her breath hitching as I fill her completely. She's tight, so tight it's all I can do not to lose control right then and there.
"Davrik," she whispers, her nails digging into my shoulders.
"I know," I grunt, beginning to move. Each thrust is a test of my self-control, each withdrawal a lesson in restraint. But she feels so good, so right, that I can't help but lose myself in the rhythm.
Her hips rise to meet mine, her body moving in sync with my own. The gym mat beneath us squeaks in protest, the sound echoing through the otherwise silent room. I can feel her muscles tensing around me, her breath coming in ragged gasps.
"Close," she pants. "So close."
I reach between us, finding her clit with my thumb. A few quick circles, and she's crying out, her body convulsing around me as she comes. The sight of her, lost in pleasure, pushes me over the edge. I thrust into her one last time, my own release barreling through me like a storm.
We collapse onto the mat, our bodies slick with sweat, our breaths mingling in the air between us. I roll onto my back, pulling her with me so that she's sprawled across my chest. Her heart beats in time with mine, a steady rhythm that grounds me in the moment.
"Well," she says, a smile in her voice. "That was... educational."
A laugh rumbles through my chest. "Glad you thought so." I press a kiss to the top of her head, feeling more content than I have in years. This, right here, is what perfection feels like. With Alice, my fated mate, in my arms. Nothing else matters.