DarykCraving (7 page)

“Did you like it when I said you were beautiful?”

“I adored it.”

He grinned then sobered significantly. “I was very young,
too. I didn’t know how to tell you what I meant.” His eyes reflected
seriousness. He wasn’t playing games with her. “In my heart you were special. I
hurt for you when other people treated you with disrespect. If I’d been half
the man I should have been, I would have taken you in my arms and declared my
feelings. I didn’t, and I’ll regret that the rest of my life.”

The finality of his words shocked her. “No.” She shifted
until she sat near him. She clasped his shoulder. “You didn’t fail me. Please
never think that. Pian taught me a philosophy that I truly believe. It was
something I never thought about until I met him.” She hesitated only a moment,
and when she saw the receptive light in his eyes, she continued. “Pian said
that the more positive energy people show, the more positive life treats them.
Like begets like. If you are a whiny, grumpy, disagreeable person who only sees
the horrible things in life, that is what you get back. When I came to his
camp, I was all of that and more. I hated everything in our world.”

“Of course you weren’t seeing life in a good light after
what happened to you. It’s understandable.”

“Exactly. But as time went on, I decided to try Pian’s
philosophy. It started to work for me. When Xandra was brought to Pian’s
caravan, I realized I hadn’t let go of all my pain. I was hiding and afraid to
go back to living. I feared everything when I wasn’t in Pian’s caravan. Until I
came back to this compound, I half expected the people here to treat me with
the same ugliness of the past. When the caravan was attacked, I forgot everything
Pian taught me. Being here and remembering the good things about my life here…”

“Yes?” His eyes widened a bit, curiosity and his full
attention obvious.

“I remembered what I had with you. What I might still have
with you and everyone else here if I let it. When I ask for respect, I get it.
It’s only when I believe I don’t deserve it and when I treat others as if
they’ll harm me first…that’s when people treat me poorly.”

Marc nodded, understanding clear in his expression. A wave
of warmth touched her. “You are right. I’ve seen that at work many times. But I
only realized it two years ago, after you were already gone. If I’d have known,
I would have told you before you were kidnapped. You might have understood.”

“Would I? It would mean I’m mostly responsible for how
people treat me. That isn’t an easy pill to swallow, Marc. People do not want
to believe they are largely responsible for what happens to them.”

Marc nodded. “I know. It isn’t a concept many will follow.
But we do not need to worry if anyone else follows it. We only need worry about
us. If we do, perhaps our lives will be filled with everything we desire and
more.”

Her eyes teared up, but this time she felt happiness and
love for him fill her.

Love.

By the god Draconus, she had always loved him. Would always
love him.

It took everything inside her to speak her next words. “Can
I touch you again?”

“You can touch me anytime.” He smiled, and his eyes filled
with hunger. This time she welcomed the hunger. It gave her the strength to do
what she wanted.

“Take off your towel,” she said.

Chapter Six

Marc’s jaw dropped, and Aknada smiled. He hadn’t expected
this, and she liked throwing him off balance. It gave her a little power,
wicked as it was.

Without a word, he closed his mouth, stood and dropped the
towel. It pooled around his ankles.

She stared at his body for a long time, glorying in his
strength and beauty. With her love came new awareness. She didn’t care how long
it took—someday she would make love with him. She’d find the strength to open
her body to him.

“Sit down,” she said.

He did, sprawling with his legs widely parted, arms akimbo.
His eyes glittered with animal intent, and instead of frightening her, arousal
blossomed. She squirmed, loving the sudden feeling as liquid desire heated
between her legs. Her nipples beaded, hard points against her towel.

His cock rose quickly under her unrelenting gaze. She hadn’t
even touched him, but apparently it was enough that she admired him. Keeping
her towels secured, she knelt on the rug before him. She moved between his
thighs, and that’s when she saw his fists clench. Power flowed through her. He
was holding on to his control by a thread. She knew he wanted to touch her,
make love to her. But she trusted him. He wouldn’t do anything she didn’t want,
and for the first time in what seemed forever, she felt completely safe.

Rain sprinkled against the windows, the clouds darkening the
day to unnatural dimness. Thunder rolled as if heralding her next moment. Her
exploration.

His cock was beautiful.

She never thought she’d believe that of a man’s sex again.
Marc changed that. Her earlier assumption about his size proved correct. He was
thick and long. Veined and so utterly powerful-looking. A new pulse grew to
life in her body. Yearning made her wet, an ache building that reached her
womb. She wanted to know him in the deepest, most intimate way possible. He
could erase her injuries, and her bad memories would lie like dust. She knew
it. She simply knew it.

First steps first.

She drew in a breath and touched his thighs. He twitched.

Good. She liked having this power over him. Not just any
man, of course, but him. But more than wanting his submission, she also craved
his approval, his acceptance, his love. In return, she would give him her
surrender as well, and the power they had over each other would be everything.

She smoothed her palms over his hair-roughened thighs and
down his calves. He sucked in a breath and moaned softly. “Draconus.”

She laughed softly. “Draconus has nothing to do with this,
Marc. Just us. This is all us.”

He smiled and groaned. “Yes. Never a more beautiful word has
been spoken. Us.”

She returned his smile and proceeded, eager to learn more.

She encircled his cock with her right hand.

Draconus, he was so hard.

He hissed in a breath. His nostrils flared and his lips
parted. His chest rose and fell with quick breaths.

With a slow and smooth stroke, she moved her hand up and
down. He grew even harder. Thicker. Longer. His hips began to follow her
movement. When she looked up at him again, his eyes showed her everything she
needed to know. He not only loved what she was doing, he was losing control.

She had control.

It was what she needed.

His jaw muscles clenched. “By the hells, Aknada.” His voice
was raspy, deep with desire. “Put me out of my misery.”

Triumph and power surged through. “How? How should I do
that?”

“Any way you want.” His voice sounded strangled.

“I want you to tell me.”

He threw his head back and closed his eyes. His strong
throat worked. His muscles clenched and released as his breathing quickened.
“Do it faster.”

She’d also heard that men liked a woman to suck their cocks.
Did she have the bravery for that?

Leaning forward, she moved her hand down to grip the base of
his erection. His eyes were still closed.

Her mouth enveloped him as far down as she could take him.
He tasted clean and the heat of him in her mouth created an unexpected warming
in her lower stomach.

“Ah, god Draconus,” he whispered, his entire body shivering.
“Yes.”

She hummed, pleased with his reaction, but that only made
him squirm more. He gasped, he moaned. Instinct took over and she pumped him in
time with the up and down movement of her mouth.

He cursed, words she’d never heard him use before. She
didn’t stop, fascinated with his unbridled reaction. His musky taste intrigued
her. She’d heard so much about sex all her life—Dragonians savored sex more
than food. Their traditions, religious books, all of it was colored with sexual
images and instructions. Sexual prowess, especially among Daryk Ones was highly
prized.

She put aside inadequate feelings and closed her eyes. She
would feel her way through and concentrate on Marc’s enjoyment. He groaned, the
low sound overflowing with pure sensual pleasure.

“Wait,” he gasped.

She looked up and stopped. Strain lined his face, his eyes
narrowed and his breath came fast.

“I heard that men like it when a woman lets them spill their
essence in her mouth,” she said.

“You don’t have to do that.” Thick with desire, his voice
compelled her to continue.

“Yes, I want to.”

The fact she did want to gratify him gave her a new freedom.
A delightful and amazing freedom.

She leaned in and continued, and Marc’s cock hardened even
more under her touch. She licked him from base to tip and smoothed her fingers
relentlessly over his skin. All her motions, tastes and caresses blended in
pure pursuit of his happiness.

“Draconus.” His gasps turned to moans. “Please.”

She moved faster, pumping him and sucking. Seconds later his
frantic moans turned to a feral, deep growl.

Hot, male essence filled her mouth. She swallowed it down,
wanting part of him inside her. His body quivered as she licked away all
traces. She released him and smiled with pleasure. She stood and watched as
Marc’s heavy-lidded expression told how much he’d enjoyed what she’d just
performed.

“Aknada.” His voice purred against her ears. “That was…”

“A gift.”

His eyes, so filled with passion moments before, cooled. “A
gift?”

Confused by the chill, she tucked her towels closer around
her. “Yes.” Self-conscious, she backed up several steps. “I thought you liked
it. Consider it payment for all the trouble I’ve caused you.”

His eyes turned icy, the blue reminding her of cold waters
in Imekland. “Payment. You just took something special and trampled on it,
Aknada.”

A hundred conflicting emotions swelled inside her. She
covered her face in her hands for a moment. “This is all wrong. I didn’t mean
payment. I mean because I’ve given you such trouble. You’ve been kindness
itself since I came back into your life.”

“So you thought sucking my cock was payment for that?”
Contempt laced his voice, and his anger bit into her with icy teeth. She’d
never heard him use this tone of voice with her before. Before she could speak,
he launched in with, “Perhaps you were right to stay away from me all these
years, Aknada.”

Shock slammed her broadside. “What?”

He stood slowly, his nakedness a bold statement that still
drew the breath from her lungs and made her knees weaken. Strong thighs,
rippling muscles and big cock—all of it made her weak with a craving so
profound she couldn’t articulate it.

“I thought Daryk Ones married for life,” he said. “If that
were so, your connection with Braxis should make our union impossible. You
would still mourn your true mate.”

She swallowed hard around the truth. “I lied to you.”

His eyes darkened with discontent and stronger emotions
she’d never seen on his face before. “About what?”

She sank to the edge of the bed. “Braxis wasn’t my true
mate.”

Before he could speak to her, she rushed into the bathing
room and redressed. She couldn’t help those damn tears again. She’d destroyed a
tender moment with her clumsy words, but he’d trampled on her feelings and
chose to misunderstand her. Damn him too. Anger rushed inside her like a
swollen stream. After she dressed, she hurried from the bathing room.

Marc had dressed as well. He sat on the bed, his eyes dark
and almost blank. Where had all the tenderness gone?

He glanced up, but before he could say a word, she shook her
head. “Perhaps it’s better if I go for now.”

She left without him managing to say one word.

Chapter Seven

Marc stalked the grounds outside the compound two mornings
later. By the god, at least the rain had stopped yesterday. Everything, though,
was a bloody mess. Mud covered almost everything, and the jungle was as
saturated as he’d ever seen it. More than that, his mood was sharp, tangled
with murky emotions. He couldn’t seem to control his mouth—he’d snapped at
people, treated them far more harshly than they deserved. He couldn’t seem to
stop it. All day yesterday he’d avoided Aknada and she’d avoided him. In truth,
even if they had wanted to spend time together, they’d spent too much time
helping other people who’d come to the compound for shelter. He’d worked
himself to the bone until sleeping last night came easy.

As he watched people leaving the compound, a sense of pride
and accomplishment mixed with his despair. He’d taken care of people. He felt
good about that. But the ecstasy of those last few moments with Aknada had been
destroyed by what she’d said to him. At least at first. He’d thought about it
yesterday. All day yesterday in fact. He hadn’t given her time to explain.
Still… What if she did suck his cock just to appease him? To pay him for
anything? His stomach tumbled at the thought. Gritting his teeth, he surveyed
the area and tried to put aside personal feelings for the moment.

Vendors hadn’t set up their carts or booths yet. Everyone
was still trying to sort out individual situations. Xandra and Aknada helped as
many people as they could, giving those who didn’t live in the area as many
rations as could be spared for their travels back home. By midday things should
have returned to somewhat normal. Before long his muscles eased, his stomach no
longer knotted with concern for those left over at the compound. People would
find their way. They always did.

Now he had to bloody well sort out his own life.

Moments later he heard a clash and clang that stopped his
breath.

The sound of swords crashing together.

He turned away from the drawbridge and rushed into the
compound. There, in the great hall, Aknada stood like a sentry. Her attire of
tunic, trousers and boots looked plain and practical. But that was where it
ended. The rest of her screamed warrior. A Daryk One ready to defend. She held
a sword at the ready, her stance self-assured. She wasn’t the vulnerable,
tearful woman he’d seen recently. She was in her element, a strong person ready
to defend and protect.