“The same way I can be assured of your loyalty in return,” Nik says. “We are men of honor. Our word is good.” He can’t believe that, can he? My lungs empty around him, and he lets me up briefly to breathe. I get in a swipe of my tongue that makes him hiss before he’s filling my mouth again.
Zomah laughs without any humor. “I will need more assurance than words.”
“A contract, then. Have your scholar draw one up.”
“No. Your Alara, since you have no such weakness for females.” I freeze, and I feel Nik’s hand pressing me down, choking me on his dick so I won’t blurt anything out. Zomah hums. “You do not seem surprised that I know of her.”
“I listen to your comms, you listen to mine,” Nik says matter-of-factly. His thumb strokes the side of my neck, the only signal that he’s not the asshole he’s pretending to be.
“Then we are agreed. One female for many. She will be well-kept as long as you meet our agreement. The Eye will reposition near Usuri, and you will prepare your Alara and five crates of epylium in exchange for Chanísh’s concubines.”
Nik jerks a nod. “I will send coordinates and our scholars can work out the details.”
He ends the comm.
He lets me up to breathe.
And then he curls over me, holding my head as he thrusts into my mouth once, twice, three times before he comes in a hotflood, his cock so far down my throat that I don’t even taste him. Immediately, he pulls me off and drags me up into his lap.
Cradling me in his arms, he buries his face in the side of my neck. “Forgive me. Forgive me. I will never atone for that, but maybe you’ll be merciful and forgive me anyway.”
I wrench away, leaning back so I can look him in his stormy gray eyes. “What are you sorry for? That was amazing. You just saved a lot of people.”
“At your expense.” He sounds pained.
“Are you really going to let the Eye have me?” I ask, knowing the answer.
“Never. But I used your mouth like—”
“I owe you like a hundred more blowjobs for what you just did.” Not to mention, I liked it...a lot. I liked teasing him, I liked him taking control, and I liked himlosingcontrol, too.
“Blowjobs?” He sounds completely mystified.
I giggle at his understandable confusion. “That’s what we call it in my language. It’s more sucking and licking than actually blowing, though.”
“That is a terrible name for a beautiful act.” He pulls me back into his body, collapsing back in the comm chair, and slides one hand up under my layers of sveli to cup my breast. The brush of his thumb over my nipple stiffens it to a point and reminds me that I am still squirmy with want.
“I’m not sure beautiful is the word,” I say wryly, arching into his hand. He squeezes, sending a pulse of desire through me.
“It was beautiful. It was everything you have taught me so far. Trust. Asking and giving. Connection.” He brushes a kiss over my mouth, followed by a swipe of his tongue, then a hungry worrying of my lower lip before he pulls back. Damn, I hope he never kisses like a human.
“And you didn’t come too fast,” I point out, oddly proud of him for maintaining his control. He’d been so worried about it, but I knew he could do it.
His eyes narrow until they’re glittering slits. “You tested me.”
“Yeah, and you passed.” It’s my turn to kiss him. I follow the sharp line of his jaw to his ear, kissing along the curve to its point. “Maybe you’re not an apprentice anymore.”
His eyes snap open, hands tightening on my waist. “I have not practiced enough to be a warrior yet.”
“No?” I dip my head to press my lips to his, parting them with my tongue. I want more of him. I wantallof him. “Is there anything else you want to learn?”
Nik growls into my mouth, and I wrap my arms around his neck, giving in to the wild, chaotic exchange. His hands disappear from my body for a brief moment. It’s only after he scoops me up and stands in one motion that I realize he was doing up his pants. Then he throws me over his shoulder and barrels out of the comm room toward our quarters.
I have watched all my friends get caveman-carried by their alien husbands, and I rolled my eyes at the brutish behavior. I’m a feminist. I’m an independent woman. I can walk on my own two feet. But damn if it isn’t great be swept up by a powerful man who’s carrying you to bed so he can have his way with you. Especially when you really, really like him.
Chapter 21
Nik
