Oath of Challenge Conquering Kate (17 page)

She felt the wet slide of his tongue and trembled. It felt so good. Now if he would only suck on it. She had no sooner thought it than he complied. He opened his mouth and drew her nipple into it, sucking with gentle pressure. As she felt his moist heat sucking on her, she moaned louder.

He released her nipple and then used his tongue to toy with her again. It was maddening, delicious torment. She could feel herself losing focus. He switched to the other breast, subjecting it to the same treatment. He used his hand to gently tug and toy with her other nipple.

Finally, Kate gave up and arched into his mouth. She brought both hands up and grabbed the back of his head. Running her hands through his dark hair, she trembled and said, “Oh, that feels so good…so good…”

He licked around her nipple with gentle skill. Kate heard his voice as if from a distance. “Say it, Kate, and I will make you feel even better.”

She cursed inwardly. Of course. The Challenge. She struggled to find some semblance of control. Her voice when it emerged sounded angry. “No.”

His head came up with a snap. He stared at her a moment. Then he reached downward abruptly and cupped her sex. She was shocked at the swiftness of the move. As he fondled her gently, she closed her eyes.

He said, “On your back now,
sheka
.”

She leaned back until she felt the soft bed under her. Spreading her legs a little, she arched up into his hand. He was giving her just enough pressure to feel good, but not enough. She needed more.

He said, “Wider.”

She spread her legs further apart. In response he pressed the heel of his palm harder against her mound, right over her clit. Pleasure radiated outward from the spot. She groaned.

He pulled his hand away. She opened her eyes in surprise and protest. She wanted more. He moved over her until he was between her legs, half sitting. He said softly, “Close your eyes, Kate.”

She closed her eyes and waited. Finally, she felt his mouth on her mound through the thin fabric. As he licked and sucked her, she moaned and reached for his head. She felt him pull away in response as he ordered, “Hands by your head,
sheka
. I am the one in control here.”

Kate moved her hands slowly until they rested beside her head. She was past protesting. At this point, she wanted more of his mouth. If she needed to follow a few directions to get it, she would do it. No problem. She felt the hot swirl of his tongue through the fabric against her clit and trembled. He played with her for endless moments, and her arousal rose with each delicate lick.

Finally, she felt his hand tease along the edge of the teddy. She held her breath, waiting. He jerked and the snaps gave way. She opened her eyes in surprise and then shut them again quickly. She felt him lean over her again. He grabbed the teddy with both hands and ripped it apart like paper, leaving her completely bare.

Kate’s heart was racing and she was breathing hard. She kept her eyes closed even as she felt one finger play along her opening. She was so wet. She raised her hips, eager for more of his touch.

He moved upward teasing her clit. At that moment, she realized something that should have occurred to her long before now. He knew her, inside and out. He knew from previous lovemaking just what touches she liked and what really made her scream.

He knew mentally just what she liked as well. He knew how to push and when to back off. This game was one that she might lose. She felt the probe of one long finger into her sex.

Tair said softly, “I am going to scan you now, Kate. I will know exactly what you are thinking. I will know when you want more and what you want next. And I am going to push you harder than you ever dreamed you could be pushed.”

He stroked his finger slowly in and out of her. “And then you are going to surrender. You will say the word, but the word is meaningless really. You are going to give in to me, because it is what you want.”

He leaned down and hovered over her mound. She could feel his breath as he spoke. “It is what I want, too. Trust me, Kate, and let go.”

She felt his tongue lick around her clit and whimpered. He kept the movements of his finger slow as he teased and tormented her. He licked and sucked as she moaned. She shook her head no. She was not giving in.

He said against her sex, “Yes, Kate. You will.”

He added another finger and stroked her faster. She could feel him pressing upward with each movement, hitting the upper wall of her sex with just enough pressure. He licked and stroked her until she wanted to scream at the pleasurable torment of it. She felt out of control and close to the edge of release. Just a little more.

He withdrew his fingers and mouth suddenly. Before she could help it, she said, “Don’t stop.”

He moved upward and then rested his weight on his elbows. She felt the hard length of his cock against her mound and shuddered under him. He was making her crazy. She muttered, “You know what I want. Give it to me.”

He moved down a little until the head of his cock was probing her opening. She gave a relieved moan and arched upward to accommodate him. He moved abruptly and pinned her hips with his, but he did not press into her. He ordered, “Open your eyes, Kate.”

Kate opened her eyes. He was looming over her, his eyes staring into hers. They were dark with arousal and his face was nakedly hungry. He leaned down and placed a gentle kiss on her mouth. Rising back up, he said softly, “I want you. I need you. I love you.”

Kate shook at his words. She swallowed hard, but her mind was completely blank. She felt the hard pressure of him between her legs. His eyes were staring at her with desire and love. She whimpered and whispered, “I can’t…Tair…please…”

At that last word, he leaned down again and kissed her hard on the mouth. Then his cock plunged into her. She felt the hard pressure sliding into her aching sex and cried out. He was huge and it was too much. She tightened up without really meaning to do it.

He moaned and gritted out, “Relax, Kate. Please. You can take me.”

She gasped and struggled to relax her tense body. She felt him pull back a little inside her and then slide gently forward. He went a little further. Kate relaxed as a surge of pleasure went through her.

With the next stroke, he filled her completely. He paused, obviously giving her time to adjust to his intrusion. She shut her eyes at the intensity of the feeling, savoring it. Then she opened her eyes and smiled. “I didn’t think you were going to fit there for a minute.”

He smiled back at her, although the smile turned into a grimace toward the end. He pulled back from her and muttered, “I will.”

He drove into her and arched his spine. Kate let out a small scream in surprise and pleasure. It felt fantastic. He stroked out of her and then surged forward filling her again. On the inward stroke, he thrust into her mind.

Kate felt his desire and pleasure flood her and let out another scream, this one a little louder. Then she moaned and arched her hips upward, eager to meet his thrusts.

He swore and said, “That’s it. You are mine now. Mine!”

Kate moaned and grabbed his hips, digging her fingernails into his ass. He groaned. The slap of their bodies was loud in the silence of the room. Pleasure built between the two of them as Tair shared his and she shared hers. Kate was blind, deaf, and out of control. She clawed at him, wanting more.

Tair plunged into her with greater strength and speed. Finally, she hung on the edge of release and her body tensed. He muttered, “Now. Kate. Now.”

Kate screamed as wave after wave of pleasure ran through her. She was lost in it, beyond all thought. She could only feel. She heard Tair moan loudly and felt the liquid warmth of him flood inside her as his own release hit her. It was too much

She felt her breath catch and her vision grayed. She shut her eyes and rode the pleasure until it began to recede. Then, she took in great gulps of air.

Tair collapsed on her, and then rolled to her side. He was breathing harshly, obviously trying to catch his breath, too. Finally, they calmed. Kate began to think about what had just happened. She frowned a little, but couldn’t seem to find the energy to get truly angry. She turned her head, and found him watching her. She arched an eyebrow and said simply, “Congratulations. Although somehow I don’t feel like much of a loser.”

He merely smiled. She thought about it for a moment and then finally admitted, “You know, if you had pushed me that hard from the beginning I might have caved then. I don’t know.”

Tair chuckled. “No, you would not have surrendered in the beginning. You only surrendered now because of your feelings for me. And only because it was what you wanted.”

He placed a gentle hand on her forehead and smoothed back her hair. “You are quite a fighter,
sheka
. It is one of the things I love about you.”

Kate swallowed hard. Here it was. That moment. She had never said it before to a lover. She fought a sudden bad attack of nerves.

Tair’s eyes held a wealth of understanding. His hand traced the curve of her face. He said softly, “I know how hard it is to say it,
sheka
. I have lost loved ones, too. My parents died. I lost a friend once in my work. It is a great risk.”

His hand paused. His voice was still soft despite the intensity of his words. “The biggest risk. It is why I fought so hard to keep from loving you. I denied it, and pretended, and even waited, hoping it would pass. We are the same underneath, you and I.”

Kate gave him a shaky smile. Her heart was racing again. She took a deep breath and then choked out, “I..lo..loveyoutoo.”

Tair laughed as elation flooded him. She had said it. True, she had nearly choked on the words, but she had said it. She had admitted it.

He threw back his head and then laughed again. Finally, he placed a hard kiss on her mouth. Leaning back away from her, he grinned. “We will practice saying it,
sheka
. Why, when we have been pledged for many years, you may even be as good as I am at saying it.”

She narrowed her eyes at him. “Very funny.”

She felt his happiness and relief wash through her. She felt his love surround her, almost a tangible thing. She smiled. “I love you, Tair. Really. No games, no plots, and no hidden agendas. I love you.”

He looked surprised and even touched at her sudden words. “Thank you, Kate.”

He frowned a little. “You realize there are no real losers in this bed, regardless of the games that are played. Do you not?”

She laughed. “Oh yeah. I figured that out.”

The she leaned forward and kissed him softly. His mouth moved under hers in response and increasing interest. Finally, she rose and looked down at him. With a big grin, she asked, “Now, how ‘bout we go best two out of three?”

Kate stood outside the health building. The night air was cool, but she was enjoying it. She and Tair had spent hours with Gage in his health center room. She had been kicked out so that the two men could talk privately. She laughed, trying to imagine that conversation.

She started walking along the path that led around the health building grounds, enjoying the air and the quiet of the night. Tair and Gage were arrogant and annoying alike in some ways. They would either become friends or kill each other.

Of course, they had one really big thing in common. They both loved her. With the thought, she laughed again, this time with pure joy. It was a beautiful night.

Gage was going to be fine. She and Tair had begun making plans to start their life together. They had a lot to figure out, but they would do it. Well, if they could stay out of bed long enough to do anything.

They had spent the day all over each other. They had called the health center every few hours until she was given permission to visit Gage again. He was doing a lot better today. For once, everything felt right. She felt on top of the world. Nothing could stop her now.

Hearing a rustle from behind her, she stopped and announced in frigid tones, “If you’re a mugger, you’re in trouble. I’ve had one hellava time lately. I’ll kill you simply for the emotional release. If you’re Jadik, quit slinking around back there, you stalker.” She spun around and put her hands on her hips.

Jadik stepped into the light and said indignantly, “I do not
slink
. I was watching over you. I do not
stalk
either.”

Kate laughed, amused by his affronted male pride. Walking forward, she placed a brief, hard kiss on his mouth, and said, “Hello, Jadik. I’m headed back toward the health center. No need to get me angry by being overprotective. You’re welcome to walk back with me if you like.”

Jadik grinned at her. He studied her radiant face for a moment, deducing the reason behind it. As the two of them began walking, he said with genuine pleasure, “You have figured it out.”

Kate shot him a quizzical look and asked, “Figured what out?”

He said, “You and Tair are in love with each other. It is obvious to all.”

Rolling her eyes, she complained, “Nothing like being the last one to know.”

They laughed and continued walking in companionable silence until Kate said with concern, “You know, Jadik, you seem to be walking with a slight limp. Are you okay?”

Jadik grimaced. “Yes, I am fine. It was nothing.”

Hearing the male defensiveness in his voice, Kate wondered at the cause. “How did it happen?”

He paused and looked down at her concerned face. Shaking his head at his own foolish pride, he said, “I have found my pactmate. I spoke with her yesterday.”

Jadik smiled at her excitement. “I have the ability to show you what happened. It will feel like a memory for you. One of my more useful abilities. With your permission, I will show you.” When she nodded, he focused and replayed the entire incident for Kate.

Kate saw what happened like a memory in her mind. At the end, she threw back her head and laughed. She couldn’t help it. “She knocked you on your ass.”

He shot her a glare. “My thanks for your sympathy.”

Kate was trying to control her laughter, but it wasn’t easy. “And she’s such a little thing, too.”

Jadik gave her a lethal look. She said solemnly, “But mean. She’s very mean.”

He rolled his eyes at her and she laughed once again. She grabbed his arm and said, “Come on, tough guy, you’ll have to walk it off.” They walked companionably, joking and enjoying each other’s company.

Finally, they reached the outside door of the building. Kate stopped and turned when she realized Jadik was not coming in with her. She studied him a moment.

He looked so alone, standing there in the dark. She took a step toward him. “Jadik, I know you’re leaving, and I won’t insist you come up with me. But I’d like you know something important. I wish you well. I want you to be happy. I want you to find the kind of happiness I feel with Tair.”

He smiled his beautiful angel smile at her and said simply, “Thank you, Kate.”

Something was nagging at her. It had to do with him, too. A chance remark Tair had made at one time…something about Jadik being able to find anyone.

Jadik turned to go, but then stopped when Kate called out quickly, “Oh, Jadik, wait! I meant to ask. How did you find me? I didn’t tell anyone I was going for a walk. It was an impulse.”

He turned around slowly and flashed her a smug smile. His next words were heavy with emphasis. “I am a Tracker. Finding people is my profession.”

His words registered and then several things clicked into place. Kate winced as she thought of his running pactmate. “Uh oh. Does Cass know that?”

Unholy amusement shone from Jadik’s face. “If she does not know it now, she will know it very soon.” He winked at her and walked off, blending into the dark night.

Kate opened the door and spotted Tair coming toward her. She smiled at him and walked into his arms, but her curiosity was killing her. Raising her head, she asked, “Just how good a tracker is Jadik?”

Tair looked confused for a moment and then he laughed. “He is the best tracker I have ever known. He is relentless. I would not want to attempt to escape him.”

Kate shook her head. “Somehow I knew you were going to say that.”