Chapter 8
CHAPTER EIGHT
Relda woke to dappled sunlight on her face and the sweet scents of fresh water, green grass, and jasmina blossoms. She opened her eyes, taking a second to orient herself.
She was dressed in a simple, white linen shift that was soft against her skin.
She lay nestled amongst a mound of pillows laid out on a blanket at the edge of Lake Gameelah.
She saw her small, tidy lake house with its lovely cream walls, black iron accents, and a green jasmina vine climbing up the side of the house.
The large glass doors were thrown open and white, gauzy curtains fluttered in the light breeze.
Energy was zinging through her. Physically, she felt great, but inside, her heart was broken.
She had to leave all this behind.
She turned her head and saw him.
Hunt reclined on the cushions beside her, reading one of his books. As always, he looked ridiculously masculine. He was everything she’d ever wanted in a man.
She had to leave him behind as well.
It wasn’t just to save herself. It was because she’d put him, and all the other people she’d grown to care for here on Souk, at risk.
She’d never regretted being Vega-Lyran. It was who she was.
But this was the first time she wished she were just an ordinary human with no extraordinary abilities.
Then she could be the lover of a handsome marshal, welcome him home every evening, take him into her arms every night.
She must have sighed, because Hunt turned to look at her.
He smiled. “You’re up.”
“Yes.” She was, and the energy in her was looking for release. This was her chance to have Hunt one more time before she left.
And she was taking it.
“The girls?” She glanced at the house.
“Gone back to the city. They wanted to fix things up at your house.”
The thought of never seeing the girls again left a pang under her heart. But Hunt would take care of them.
“Timothy Li, Westin, and Li’s men are all in custody.”
“Good.” She crawled over to him on her hands and knees. He watched her coming, tossing his book aside. His ice-blue eyes ignited.
No, she’d never tire of seeing the heated desire in Hunt’s eyes. The thought of some other woman in his future enjoying the sight made claws rake her insides.
“Relda—”
“Don’t talk.” She settled between his outstretched legs. Then her hands were at his belt and the fastening on his cargo pants, stripping them away.
He made a deep sound in his throat, but he helped her with a lift of his trim hips. His big cock spilled out into her hands. She traced the thick, pulsing vein on the underside, enjoying the hiss of breath.
She made a humming noise in her throat. “So long and thick.” She didn’t give him a chance to say anything else.
She leaned down and took his erection in her mouth.
She licked and sucked, felt the buck of his hips and his big hand cupping the back of her head.
But tough, protective Hunt Calder didn’t pull her hair or direct her moves.
He just held her there, supporting her as she pleasured him.
She took him into her throat, relaxing her muscles, and then swallowing against his cock. It took her a little while to adjust to his size. His deep, long groan made her smile. She pulled back, swirled her tongue around the head of him, before taking him back in.
The sun was warm on her back, the man beneath her hard, and the desire curling inside her incandescent.
But much as she wanted to make him spill in her mouth and lap up all his seed, she wanted him buried deep inside her more. She needed him to fill the aching emptiness inside.
She pulled back, licking her lips.
Hunt groaned again. “Nothing like seeing a woman who loves her man’s cock and isn’t afraid to show it.”
A hot thrill went through her. Her man. For now, in this moment, he was. She ripped the shift over her head. As he took in her nakedness, his gaze hot on her breasts, she’d never felt more beautiful or more wanted.
She straddled his lap, using her hands to position his rock-hard cock between her legs. Then she lifted her head. His gaze locked with hers and she sank down, taking him in, inch by hard inch. Her lips fell open, the delicious feeling of him stretching her was incredible.
When she’d taken him all, she gripped his muscled shoulders, while his hands clutched her hips.
“You are so beautiful. And tight,” he growled.
She rose up. “I’m planning to ride you hard, Marshal.” She sank back down.
The muscles in his neck strained. “You ride me anyway you want, Relda. I’m all yours.”
She knew—deep in her heart—that was true. She just couldn’t keep him.
Desire and pain drove her to set a punishing pace. Rising and falling on him, squeezing his cock with her inner muscles until he was swearing, his hands helping to slam her body down on his.
Her orgasm didn’t build slowly or give her any warning. It just slammed into her, bowing her back as her scream echoed over the lake. Her body convulsed, her nails digging into Hunt’s skin, trying to find some anchor in the overwhelming ecstasy.
When she could breathe again, Hunt’s arms were tight around her, holding her still. And his cock was still lodged deep inside her, hot and hard. “Hunt?”
“You done?”
Her legs felt like water and her skin was flushed. “Yes.”
“Good.” He moved, throwing her back on the pillows, his big body coming down hard on hers. Her legs fell apart, his hips falling deeper into the cradle of hers. Then he started pounding inside her.
Infinite energy. Her eyes threatened to roll back in her head. He powered inside her, filling her up. It was too much, too good.
“Mine.” He tilted her hips, forcing himself deeper. “You’re mine, Relda. Not letting you get away from me.”
She couldn’t respond. Crazily, she felt her body tightening again, another release about to crash over her.
He thrust again and they both shattered. She bit his shoulder, her teeth sinking into hard muscle. Hunt’s groan was loud as he poured himself inside her.
They were both panting on the cushions, clutching each other like survivors of a starship crash.
“I have to go, Hunt.”
“No.”
She squeezed her eyes shut. “Yes. Not just to keep myself safe, but to keep the people here safe. From my powers, and whoever comes looking to use them.”
His arms tightened around her. “No.”
Stubborn man. She pressed her lips to his chest. “You saw the way they looked at me. They’ve known me for years and still—”
“They were in shock, Relda. Give them a chance.”
She started to shake her head, and he cupped her cheeks. “When they heard you were in trouble, they all refused to stay behind. They wanted to help find you—”
“Then they saw what I could do.” She gripped his wrists, drank in his strength. She’d need it to tear herself away. “How long before one of them talks to the wrong person, or needs e-creds like your deputy? I have to go. Don’t make this harder than it already is.”
He let out a long sigh. “Okay.”
She pushed her curls back over her shoulder. “I need to get back to the city, get some things from my house.” She hid all her churning emotions behind a cool face.
His tough features were so composed she had no idea what he was thinking. His glittering gaze traced over her face. “I’ll take you.”
He wasn’t going to fight her. Relda felt her lips tremble before she firmed them. Stupid of her to want him to shout at her, fight with her, fight for her.
When he pushed her back on the cushions, her eyes widened. He was on her before she could move, running a hand up her bare thigh.
“But first, I have something else I want to do.”
As his hand dipped between her legs, found her wet and slick, her eyelids fluttered and she arched, pushing herself into his hands. Just one more time.
Relda watched the scenery whizz past as they approached Medina in Hunt’s transport. The vehicle was running on anti-grav, skimming across the landscape silently and smoothly. It had come as no surprise to her that he preferred driving it on manual and not auto-pilot.
She turned away from the farms that were now giving way to more houses and stores as they approached the city. Hunt’s big hands held the wheel with ease, hands that had not long ago touched her, caressed her, and brought her to three mind-blowing orgasms.
The thought of leaving him gutted her. She curled in on herself, suddenly very cold.
Soon, they were in the streets of the city. He parked at the Marshal’s Office, and they walked toward her house.
He didn’t say anything. Maybe there was nothing left to say.
They turned into her alley, and Relda stumbled to a halt.
It was packed with people.
Stall owners from the market, her employees, Hunt’s deputies, the girls, and even the street children were running and dancing through the group. Probably picking pockets.
“Relda!” Alia spotted them and hurried their way. She threw her arms around Relda’s neck. “We’re so glad you’re okay. We were so afraid.”
When the girl drew back, Relda stared at the crowd. Even her neighbors were here.
She glanced at Hunt. “You arranged this.”
He just stared at her, a small smile on his lips.
“Relda.” Lars, a food stall owner, came forward, a smile visible in his eyes that looked like cracked ice. “This is for you.” He held out a small basket filled with pastries and sweet rolls made from recipes from his homeworld of Perma. “I thought you wouldn’t be up to cooking right now.”
She took the basket, staring at it blankly. “Thank you, Lars.”
“Relda, Relda!” One of the street urchins ducked past Lars. The boy held up a small bouquet of wilted wildflowers. “To make you feel better.” He smiled shyly and dipped his head.
Hunt’s big body brushed hers from behind, his lips tickled her ear. “Looks like I have some competition.”
An older woman, one of Relda’s neighbors, bustled forward. “We’ve all left you some things, dear. To help you rest and recover after your ordeal.” She took the basket from Relda and passed it to Alia. “Your girls have put them all inside.”