Текст книги "Ties That Bind"

Автор книги: T. A. Grey

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Текущая страница: 10 (всего у книги 25 страниц)

CHAPTER 21

A brisk knock came at the door.

Arianna closed the journal she'd been writing in and went to answer it. She recognized the steward from the other night and instantly her gut tightened.

“Yes?”

“King Alrik has commanded your presence.”

Oh, God. “Well, I will have to change.”

The steward shook his head. “I'm afraid he's ordered your presence immediately.”

Arianna nodded, feeling like this couldn't be happening to her. Oh, but it was. She closed and locked the door behind her then followed the steward down the hall. She still hadn't recovered from their last dinner together, and it was too early for dinner now. Maybe he wanted to have breakfast with her. Or maybe he wanted... No, she couldn't think about that. That's all she'd been thinking about since he told her.

And now things had changed. She'd seen Telal, her betrothed, for the first time since the war. His appearance was like seeing someone brought back from the grave, she'd been shocked beyond belief and excited to see him. Then he'd publicly denounced their marriage. And that was that. Her opinion made no difference on the matter. Now Alrik wanted her for...sex. Even thinking it made strange feelings grow inside her, made breathing difficult. Who could have thought that such a simple task could be so troubling?

The steward led her down the hall to the royal dining room again. She sighed with relief. Whatever he had planned, he wouldn't be doing it in the dining room. Or would he? Her eyes widened. He'd touched her the first time in there, had made her feel...strange and exciting feelings. If she were honest with herself, she'd admit she wanted to explore those feelings. See just how much he could make her feel. But it all felt so wrong. If this had been before the war when he was a different man, things would be so different. Now he was dark, his heart black. He was not a good man.

The steward opened the double-wide doors. “After you, Lady Arianna.”

She walked inside and mentally checked to make sure her small smile was in place, her hands resting neatly at her sides, her chin up. Alrik was nowhere to be seen.

Arianna turned back to the steward just as he was closing the doors. “Where's the king?”

“He shall arrive momentarily, my lady.”

Arianna flinched as the doors closed. From the last booming echo of the door shutting, she felt as though her fate had been sealed. Silence filled the air. The chandeliers were lit and flickering over the grand table, but no plates were set for a meal. Unease trembled through her. Unsure what to do, she walked to the table then crossed back to the door. Again and again. What did he want with her? Why bring her here now? Without a formal appointment? Her gut twisted and churned. Her fingers began to tremble and she wrung them together to hide it.

The servant's door burst open and she stifled a yelp. King Alrik strode through it looking more tense and angry than usual. His brows were pulled down, his lips flat. He started towards her and she back up until her back hit the door. He stopped at the table and tossed down a packet of papers.

“There,” he said.

Her brow arched. “There what?” she asked, breathless.

“Read it.”

With no other choice, she obeyed his order. She had to come close to get the papers, and he didn't move, which put her much closer to him than she wanted to be. It was inappropriate of him to stand so close to her but then again he'd had his hand down her dress last time. Her breath caught and she quickly starting reading over the papers. She shouldn't be surprised at what she read, but she was.

“So it's complete,” she said finally, her tongue dry.

“Yes.”

She nodded slowly then set the papers back on the table. “I am now officially...single.”

He shook his head. “No.”

Her brows pulled in confusion. “But this said I am not betrothed to anyone. Wouldn't that make me single?”

“Normally, but I have claimed you.”

She swallowed hard and closed her mouth to keep from panting. “What-what does that mean?” If he meant claim in the savage sense of the word then he certainly hadn't done that. She'd never lain with a man but she was certain she'd remember it. Especially by the dark king.

“It means that you are mine now.” He pulled out the chair beside him and dropped into it. He stared up at her with a lazy expression on his face, almost like he was bored. She tried to ignore his big legs kicked out and spread before him but she couldn’t help but notice how strong his legs were, how long. A blush crept over her face.

“But in what way? If we are not, that is, if we are not betrothed...” she whispered the last.

“Come here, Arianna.”

She stiffened but didn't move. Fear kept her immobilized.

“Come. Here,” he said again, an edge to his deep voice.

Arianna closed the space between them until she stood by his chair. His hand reached out to grab hers, then he yanked, and she fell into his lap. No lessons on manners or teachings of etiquette ever taught her how to deal with this. She stiffened awkwardly, and tried to keep her back straight but her bottom rested atop his spread thighs and her feet dangled off the side of the chair.

One strong arm slid around her back and instantly the strain in her back and abdomen lessened. His other dark hand came to rest on her stomach which clenched hard in response.

“We are not betrothed. You are mine now. I'd recommend that you don't let any males pursue you, Arianna. Now that the whole kingdoms heard what's happened, the males will come out to try to claim you.”

Her eyes darted to his gaze, and then quickly stared ahead at the wall. He meant to what, then? Keep her as some sort of concubine? The notion was absurd, degrading, and she hated him for it. A part of her wanted to say that if you don't want any males to claim me, then do it yourself, but that would only lead to huge, huge problems. Like what if he agreed? No way. No way could she be his wife.

The hand at her stomach flattened until she could feel the heat of his fingertips as though he was touching her skin to skin. “Why are you doing this?”

“I told you. I've waited a really, really long time for you, Arianna.” The hand around her back curled around her hip.

Her breath stuttered out from her lips as little zaps of pleasure shot inside her like fireworks. Somehow she found the strength to look him in the eyes. “But you've changed so much,” she said softly.

His eyes froze over, the heat in them disappearing like a receding wave on a shore. The hands on her body tightened in what felt like a warning. Then in a flash of movement, the hand at her back vanished and cupped her neck, pulling her face towards his. Wild excitement, panic, and fear all combusted inside of her. She could feel his breath on her lips she was so close. Her stomach trembled. She wanted to feel the wicked heat he lit inside her last time. Wanted to see just how far he could take her; discover what exactly he could make her feel.

His eyes narrowed on hers. “Then remember me how I was.”

His mouth came down on hers hard, demanding. Her inexperienced mouth didn't know how to keep up. One thing she did notice was the metal loop in the corner of his bottom lip. It felt surprisingly cold but smooth and not very noticeable. He deepened the kiss, his hand moving to cup her jaw, and his thumb pressed down on her chin, opening her mouth. And then his tongue delved inside, thrusting, creating a stir of riotous feelings inside her.

A fog drifted over her at the different sensations. Warmth pervaded her every cell until her clothing felt suffocating. The hand at her stomach moved, curling around her hip and squeezing gently. A soft gasp came from her, out of nowhere. He seemed to eat it up because he groaned, thrusting his tongue inside her faster, hungrily. An all new sensation came forth, like the one he'd made her feel last time.

She suddenly had the need to spread her legs and pull him on top of her. She craved the heavy weight of his body—only he could ease the needy ache building inside of her.

He pulled away from her mouth. “Kiss me back,” he ordered, his deep voice ragged with something she was starting to understand. She felt the hunger inside of her, it made her feel strange. Deep in her belly felt empty as if something was missing from there, and her body leaned closer to his to get more of his touch.

She nodded quickly then wrapped her arm around his neck. His lips parted and their tongues met. A beam of electricity passed between them at the touch. She struggled to breathe and kiss him at the same time, but somehow she managed it.

She slid her tongue against his rougher one and a burst of feelings erupted inside her. She squirmed in his lap feeling hot, needy, tight, and achy all at the same time. Her breasts felt taut, nipples hard and chafing against her dress. She parried her tongue against his thrusting one and wondered, if she asked, would he put his hand on her again.

He pulled back, breathing rough and ragged. “You are beautiful.”

She might have blushed if her cheeks weren't already flushed. “Thank you, King Alrik.”

“I told you to call me Alrik.” His thumb rubbed up and down next to her lips, distracting her.

“That's right. I'm sorry.”

He stood, taking her in his arms. “You taste so good.” His lips slid across hers, then pressed deep. When her mouth opened on a sigh, he slid deep and provoking. He set her on the table and stepped between her legs, but her long dress restricted him from pushing deep. He growled and grabbed the hem and started shoving the gown up to the tops of her thighs.

Arianna couldn't find her tongue long enough to voice her protest, because it felt thick and clunky in her mouth.

He pressed into her, his body warming her. He was just so hot. His hands settled on her waist and then, with a jerk, he scooted her forward pressing himself to the vee of her legs. She gasped, startled, as a flood of wetness escaped her. A fiery blush stole over her cheeks.

“This is inappropriate,” she whispered.

His lips found her neck, wreaking havoc with lips, tongue and teeth. Arianna couldn't hold her head up, it was too heavy, and it fell to the side. Not only that, but suddenly her entire body felt too heavy. She just wanted to fall back against the table and pull his heavy body atop hers and rub the spot aching between her legs against him. Just thinking such wild thoughts made her flush down to her toes.

His teeth caught at the juncture of her throat, imprisoning her. Pleasure bloomed from the bite, spreading to her chest, stomach, and legs. Strange things were happening in her body, tightening, heating, spasming; all from his simple touches. Her mouth opened to try to suck in more air.

“You are so soft, Ari,” he said, sounding pleased.

He called her Ari, the little nickname he used to. Her heart panged in her chest.

Before she could voice, or try to, some kind of response, the hands on her hips tightened and he rocked himself against her. A strangle cry escaped her. Her hands flew to his shoulders and held tight. More, more of that, she wanted to say, but her tongue had long abandoned her. He rocked against her again and this time she concentrated on the feeling. He was hard, rigid, and long as he pushed against her. That one touch eased the empty hole inside her and brought forth a new feeling. This one she was familiar with. She'd pleasured herself before, but none of those times were nearly as exciting as this was.

Hot lips trailed down her collar bone, kissing, licking, then down further to the edge of her bodice. Yes, yes! Her breasts were tight and full. They needed to be squeezed to alleviate the pain inside them.

Her hands bunched and squeezed at his shoulders in an unending kneading rhythm. “So eager.” His deep voice had gone husky with passion. The sound made her tremble.

She thought she nodded but couldn't be sure. Everything around her was happening too fast and too slow. Tentatively, she pushed her hips against him and moaned deliriously. She pushed against him again and another moan escaped. It felt so good. It pushed the neediest part of her against him and brought forth those intense clenching feelings in her womb, the ones that would send her shuddering with hot bursting sensations in her belly and flying outward.

“Fuck,” he cursed. And then something happened. Something was let loose inside him.

Alrik pushed her back against the table, following her down. Her heart jumped then started racing in an erratic pattern.

He reached behind her, gripped the back of her dress and tugged. She gasped as small pearly buttons shattered across the table. He was ruthless like a conqueror, pulling her dress down to uncover her breasts.

He kissed her lips hard then made his way down to the slope of one breast, pressing kisses around the rim of it. She trembled as her nipple pulled even tighter in response.

“Hold on to me,” he said between clenched lips, and she did, gripping the fabric at his shoulders in tight fists.

His tongue flicked out, tracing a path around her puckered tip over and over again. She squirmed beneath him, chest rising and falling in great heaves. Unable to contain herself, she lifted her chest, her nipple, to his mouth. His lips parted and she thought he was finally going to take the bud between his lips, but then his eyes trailed up to meet hers.

What she saw there made her gasp, made her hips pump up and meet his hard cock. Possession, burning need, barely leashed. She wondered at the look. Did her eyes reflect the same, because she surely felt the same simmering passion inside her right now? Then he closed his eyes and sucked her nipple between his lips.

“Aaah!”

The first touch felt heavenly and awful all at the same time. It brought relief to her aching breast as he pulled it between his lips, but made the empty ache in her belly her grow much much bigger.

They became wrapped up in each other as a sensual fog clouded over them. A primitive rhythm between man and woman locked them together, blocking out the world around them.

He worked her breast until she cried out, then he pulled away and molded it with his hand, squeezing and shaping until she craved his mouth on her again. But he didn't return. Instead he switched to her other breast, making her realize just how much she needed him there.

“Alrik.” She sounded like a completely different woman. Husky and sensual, so not like the usual polite person she was.

“I can't wait anymore.”

Her eyes flew open. What did that mean?

He reached down to grasp the end of her dress then shoved it up to her waist. While her stomach sucked in and her legs naturally closed at being bared to a man, her heart did a rapid thump thump.

Pulling back, he stood between her legs, his hands clasping her inner thighs in a possessive hold. He looked so...raw towering over her. His eyes were wild and dark, his breathing fast and heavy. And it was her he gazed down at with such passion. She had to admit, he was sexy when he was like this. He made her feel powerful, even though logically she knew she was anything but, especially compared to the king.

“Beautiful Ari,” he said, stroking his strong hands up and down her legs. With each pass, she gasped as he went higher and higher. Moving closer to the needy center of her.

The place between her legs begged to be touched in some way, and when one of his hands reached up to grasp her linen underwear, she lifted her hips easily so he could pull them off. Strangely, she found herself captivated by him. With one arm crossed across her chest in a form of half-modesty, she watched him look at her with growing hunger.

Her sex bared to him, he groaned, a shuttered look crossing his face. His tongue darted to wet his lips and then he leaned down and rubbed his cheek across her thigh, up to her hip. He pressed his lips against the bone there and she whimpered, her legs kicking. He'd caused this fire inside of her and now she needed him to do something about it.

“Please.” It was all she could say. But in that one word she voiced everything she was feeling inside, all the raw erotic energy twirling in her body.

His smooth cheek rubbed against her as he made his way back to the center of her legs. Hard, demanding hands pressed against the inside of her thighs and pushed. She resisted, startled, and clenched her thighs. A more useless effort had never been made. He easily overpowered her and pushed her thighs apart, opening her to him in one powerful move.

A surge of embarrassment came over her. She turned her head to the side, squeezing her eyes shut, hands curling into fists. A stream of cool air came over her heated, wet flesh. She gasped, hips jerked. She wanted to know what it was, what he was doing but couldn't, no, wouldn't, open her eyes to see. Having sex, dare she say, making love, was one thing, but this...this was complete debauchery. Men and women did not do this.

A finger passed over her, starting at the top of her hair then trailing over her wet lips. The touch was so light it could have been a feather he trailed. She knew it wasn't though. It was him and his hands touching her.

“Very, very beautiful, Arianna. I've wondered for years what you looked like, smelled like...tasted like.”

Her stomach muscles clenched hard. Tasted?

Suddenly, something very soft and fluttery passed over her lips in a gentle caress. She wanted to look, wanted to know, but not that badly. Whatever he was doing was wicked and wrong.

Something wet and firm passed over her, twirling around her flesh, sliding between it. A deep, groan reverberated out from his chest and she swore it made her body tremble.

His tongue. She knew it. It flattened, passed up her sex from the needy, empty part of her until a faint tremble began in her stomach, and shook out from to her thighs. His tongue stiffened, then thrust between her folds and found the magical spot she'd played with many times before.

Her gargled cry echoed in the massive room around them. The cries wouldn't stop because he didn't. Twirling, circular sensations stirred at the touch of his tongue against her spot, teasing and teasing. In a rush, her breasts pulled tight, nipples puckering, and her entire body trembled on the verge of something she desperately wanted to feel. A burning fire smoldered inside her, making her lungs burn with each panting breath. Her head swished side to side, her face drawing tight as he brought her closer and closer.

She finally reached the precipice, trembling on the edge of a crumbling cliff when he pulled away. Staggered, shocked and shaking, she looked up at him panting. He had a pained look in his eyes, and for some reason it turned her on even more.

“Why?” she panted. “Why did you stop?”

His hands reached for his pants and started to untie the laces. Her gut clenched. “Because we're going out together, Ari. The first time together.”

Her heart fluttered with panic...and excitement. He was going to take her? Here and now? Yes! She wanted it, she actually, really, desperately, wanted it. The ache inside her actually hurt since he left her hanging. The building surge she'd reached didn't fade but fell back into the background as she watched him. His pants dropped in a whoosh of fabric. She glanced between his legs then quickly turned her head to the side as a fiery burned blazed up her cheeks and nose. Improper, this was beyond improper!

From the corner of her eye, she watched him grip the stiff dark cock between in his legs. He wrapped his fingers around the shaft and stroked it up and down.

“Look at me,” he said. She shook her head, squeezing her eyes shut. “I said look at me, Arianna.”

She hesitantly obeyed the order, peeling first one eye open then the other. He leaned forward, resting his arm next to her hip as his wicked hand moved up and down that dark shaft.

“Do you want my cock inside of you, Ari?”

A hard pang throbbed inside her at his question, but she shook her head. He chuckled, the sound deep and husky.

“Don't lie to me. You're so wet you're practically dripping.”

Another blush blew over her, flaming her face, but she didn't look away. Instead she pursed her lips and glared at him until she saw the laughter floating in his gaze.

“Sit up, Ari.” She did. If it meant reaching that incredible precipice with him again, she'd do anything. “Now touch me.”

She froze, her fingers twitching, palms itching. She knew exactly what he meant, and she did want to do it. She wanted to know what he felt like in her hand, but she had no clue how. It didn't matter though because he took her hand and wrapped her fingers around his shaft.

Some internal, feminine response inside her made her moan at the feel of him. He was hard, thick, and long but soft as velvet. His breathing stuttered as she trailed her hand up and down him feeling the soft skin glide along her palm.

He growled then wrapped his hand around her neck and brought her in for a kiss. He kissed like a man out of control. Her reckless spirit jumped up and down that she’d made him feel so. That she’d done this to him. His tongue thrust into her mouth and she moaned as more wetness spilled between her legs. Touching his shaft and feeling his thick tongue thrusting inside her mouth created a heady sensation. Made her think wild thoughts about what it would be like to have that shaft between her lips.

He tore his mouth away and buried his face in her neck. The touch came, surprising, but sure.

A hot palm cupped her between her legs, fingers sliding, gliding across her wet flesh in stroking moves. He sucked at her neck, pulling her skin between his teeth until she shivered beneath him.

“Keep stroking me,” he growled, his words so low she barely heard him.

She followed his order and forced her hand to move up and down like she'd seen him do. But it wasn't enough and she needed to be closer to him, so she wrapped her free hand around his neck and held him close. He must have liked it because he groaned and bit her earlobe.

The hand between her legs parted her folds then circled her needy bud again and again, the touch light and gentle. It didn't matter; she quivered like a freezing woman. But she felt anything but cold, far from it. She burned inside, perspiration coated her skin from the heat of it. He slid his fingers along her, so easily from her wetness. Yet he wasn't embarrassed about it, in fact, he seemed to like it.

“Sweet, sweet woman.”

When his fingers trailed around her entrance, the place where no man had ever taken her, she tensed, her fist clasping him tightly. Another deep soul-shaking groan left him as he slowly, carefully, eased a finger inside of her.

She cried out, little moans coming again and again as she took in the sensations. It felt good, amazing, her flesh enclosed around him as he slid his finger out and back in again in a rocking motion. Her whole body loved it, wanted more of it, because while it brought something powerful out inside her, the empty ache inside her throbbed deeper. In a place where his finger couldn't reach.

“Touch me,” he demanded and his hand came up to cup the back of her head, threading through her hair and probably ruining the work she'd put into it today. But none of that mattered in the least because his thick finger pumped inside her again and again making her pant like a dog.

She moved her fist as her own passion went wild. Her grip tightened and her strokes came faster. It was as if through the pleasure she received she could give it back to him mindlessly. A sticky wetness covered her fingers, wetting them and she didn't know what it was, but it excited her.

The arm around his neck tightened, her breathing came in loud pants as her eyes squeezed closed. The finger inside her became two and she kicked out her legs, wrapping them around his thighs so she could rock her hips against him. His breathing stuttered against her neck as he came back at her mouth to claim her again.

She was lost in him. In his tongue dancing in her mouth, the hot rigid flesh in her hand, the tortuous pleasure he stirred between her legs. She must look like some kind of animal clinging to him, making gaudy noises, but she didn’t care at all. She only wanted one thing.

His palm flattened against her sex and began squeezing against her as his fingers worked—in and out, in and out. Pump, pump, squeeze.

The pleasure rose inside her like a great wave. Moans and gasps cried out from her throat and her hand worked him up and down, faster, faster. He kissed her harder and she knew they were both on the same wave length, riding the rising tide together.

And when it peaked, her entire body froze for a long moment, everything blanking, time seeming to stand still. Then it all came rushing back down in a great heave. She screamed as crushing pleasure exploded inside her. His lips pulled back and he shouted, the stiff member in her hand pumping, growing thicker, getting much hotter, and then warm wet splashes landed on her waist, her hip.

The fingers inside her slowed until they barely moved. Alrik breathed in ragged, jarring breaths just like she did.

He pulled away slowly and looked down at her legs. She followed his gaze. One brow flew up at the white substance covering parts of her hip to the thatch of hair between her legs. She reached out and touched it, finding it warm, creamy, and a little sticky.

His hands stroked up her thighs and hips. “Perfect.” She didn't reply because his voice sounded far away like an afterthought.

He pulled a white kerchief out of his pocket and wiped the substance off her stomach. After, he helped her to stand and let the dress fall down around her. As she leaned heavily against the table, her legs not quite stable yet, she watched him pull up his pants and tie them. She had to hold the top of her dress together. The table was littered with the small buttons that had held the back of the dress together.

A chill ran over her at his distant expression. She didn't know what to expect in regards to him with anything. Was he going to peck her forehead and bid her farewell now? Then call upon her when his need arose? Bitterness filled her, anger made her stiffen. If that was the case...then he'd be sorry.

He finished dressing then looked at her. Shock resonated through her core. His eyes...they looked almost violet like they used to. He cupped her cheek, his thumb rubbing her. She swallowed hard and when he leaned down to kiss her, she savored it.