We stumbled, my back slamming against the closed door, crushing my quiver and bow. He sent his hands on an exploration of my body, pressing and gripping with no restraint. A moan slipped from my lips, and he growled in response.
“You were teasing me all day with yourpetting,” he whispered, sending shivers down my arm. When he gently nipped my earlobe, my breath shuddered. “I want to return the favor.”
I had no defenses. They crumbled the moment he slid his hand between my thighs and stroked. My bones turned to jelly, and I slumped completely into his possessive grip. I flung my arms around his neck, holding on for dear life, releasing a sensual cry.
“You’re agoddess,” he rasped. He rubbed and grazed until I couldn’t tell which way was up or down. The very air I breathed became ecstasy under his touch, and just when I found a rhythm, he pulled his hand away.
My jaw fell to the fucking floor, pulled down by the sudden drop in pleasure. He stepped away, creating an aching distance between us.
“What are you—”
“You didn’t think you’d get off that easy, did you?” He winked with an infuriating amount of charm. “You teased me all day.”
Left slack-jawed and wanting, I came to the unfortunate conclusion that this was neither the time nor the place, considering the other vandals voices were gathering outside. I straightened quickly, smoothing out the wrinkles in my clothes and cleared my throat. “Game on, Dae.” Oh, he’d regret that.
I strutted past, letting my shoulder brush against his. He chuckled and gripped my arm, lowering his mouth until it grazed the shell of my ear.
“I’m not going to make you wait very long. I don’t think a war with the gods themselves could keep me from you.” The sensual promise nearly had me bending over on the spot. Instead, I lightly ran my fingers down the first evidence of a growing problem in his dhoti. In a ploy of pure temptation, I released a small, feminine moan.
Dae’s eyes fluttered closed as he sank into my touch. Despite my throbbing clit, I pulled my hand back. “It won’t be the gods that bring you to your knees, Dae. It’ll be me, whenever, and wherever I choose.” I winked.
That dominating grip secured the back of my neck as he peered down into my eyes. Our breaths mingled, heavy with prolonged desire. His gaze slid to my lips. “I can’t deny how right you are.” He raised his other hand to gently tuck a strand of loose hair behind my ear, knuckling gently running over my cheek. He didn’t have to say it, that this thing between us surpassed the physical.
I already knew it did.
After indulging in a few more seconds of isolation from the rest, Braxius returned to my hood and we stepped into the night. Members congregated on a stoop a couple houses down the lane, and we joined.
“Forage whatever you can from the homes for your meals. Patrols will be two at a time. Roiden and I will go first. You all can sort amongst yourselves after that. Four hour shifts each,” Carmin dictated.
“But that leaves one group short a man,” Carr said. He’d been disgustingly near giddy this entire trip, rubbing his hands together in preparation for finding magic to steal. It was easier to hold back my sneers knowing he would return empty-handed. Still, I kind of wanted to unevenly shave that stringy blond hair of his.
Lost in thought, I almost didn’t notice when Carmin sic’d her predatory gaze on me, her lips pulling into a menacing grin. “The new recruit can handle a double shift. Isn’t that right?”
“Yes, ma’am.” I nodded, not letting a single second of hesitation pass.
She peeled me apart from head to toe, looking for something to use against me. I stood unflinching under her scrutiny. Her eyes searched mine for another moment, but finally tore away. “We’ll be back in four hours.” She and the other member of The Eleven, Roiden, strode off into the night.
“I call last shift!” one of the men exclaimed before darting into his claimed cabin.
“I’m with him,” the other said, not bothering to make direct eye contact before walking off.
Only Carr remained. “Guess that means I’m with you,” the thirsty magic-drainer stated.
“We’ll take the next shift,” I said, referring to me and Dae.
“Whatever. Get me when you’re done.” He left without negotiating, rubbing his neck as he walked away while horking a thick glob of spit.
“Nasty,”I thought.
“And he stinks,”Braxius added. My grimace flinched into a smile.
“Eager to work?” Dae asked once only he and I remained in the all too empty town, the others gone to claim sleeping quarters.
A wry smile was my confirmation.
55
Ro
