Part 20 (1/2)

He just couldn't bring himself to care.

John slid his hands down her neck and splayed his fingers out over the skin his loose sweats.h.i.+rt left bare. She was so slender and delicate. So soft. If he didn't kiss her again, he wasn't sure he'd survive. Still, he couldn't do this if she didn't want him.

”Do you want me to stop?” he asked, tensing as he waited for her response.

Her shoulders lifted and fell with each rapid breath. Her cheeks were flushed, as was her mouth. Her hands still had a tight hold on his head and he could feel her fingers moving over his scalp in indecision.

”No. I should but I don't,” she finally said, and John's world began to spin again.

A smile slowly filled his soul as he lowered his head to kiss her. She tasted of chocolate and the promise of hidden pleasure, and he knew in that moment that he'd never get enough of her.

Meghan never slept with strangers. Never. Until now.

John's clever fingers had them both stripped naked before she even knew it had happened. The worn fabric of the couch was rough against her back, but she didn't mind. Her body was singing and warm and the taste of John filled her head until there was no room for anything else.

His hands slid down her flank in a caress so soft it made her s.h.i.+ver. His mouth left hers, trailing a line of hot kisses along her jaw and down her throat. He nipped at her collarbone, then kept sliding down until his mouth covered her nipple.

Pleasure shot though Meghan, making her back arch off the couch. It was too good. Nothing real ever felt this good.

For one brief moment, she thought she must be dreaming, but then John parted her legs and pressed his erection against her hot center. She could feel the throb of his pulse against her c.l.i.t as he rubbed back and forth, sliding against her.

Meghan sank her fingers into his thick hair and widened her legs, trying to get him to give her what she needed.

”Please,” she heard herself say in the silence of the cabin.

John looked up at her, his hazel eyes dark with desire. He pushed himself up over her, making the delicious muscles over his chest and arms bunch with strength.

She grabbed his tight b.u.t.t and forced him forward. She was slick, hot, and ready, and he slid in easily, his aim just right. And he kept on sliding, sinking deep, inch by inch, until there was no room left for him to go.

Meghan forgot how to breathe as the pleasure of being filled consumed her. It had been so long she'd almost forgotten what it was like to feel the heady weight of a man atop her, to feel the steely length of him stretching her. Her whole body tingled and she knew it wouldn't be long before her o.r.g.a.s.m claimed her.

”So good,” he growled against her hair.

She was beyond words, so she simply clung to him as he moved inside her, stroking her higher with each gliding thrust.

His pace sped up and Meghan's toes dug into the cus.h.i.+ons. He slid his arms around her, holding her close as she felt the first wave of her climax break deep inside her.

She let out a gasping cry of pleasure and felt John's arms tighten around her as his own body clenched in o.r.g.a.s.m. They crashed together, their bodies locked inside the glorious intensity of their release. A deep, pulsing pressure let loose inside her, over and over as the last glowing remnants of pleasure began to fade.

Distantly, she realized that this was different from any other s.e.x she'd ever had. What they'd shared here tonight had somehow changed her life. She was simply too spent to care.

As she let fatigue take over, she felt John lift her and tuck her into his bed. He slid in behind her, wrapped his arms around her, and pressed a soft kiss against her temple.

Alexander slipped into John's cabin unnoticed. The strain of using his power to s.h.i.+eld his presence left a grinding hunger deep in his belly, but there was no help for it.

He moved to the bedroom and slid his hand under the blankets until he found the naked skin of Meghan's abdomen. With a mere whisper of power, he sped the course of time within her womb by a few daysa”just until he felt a tiny soul spark to life inside her.

His plan to unite John and Meghan had worked. Soon, another strongly blooded child would be born, adding to the dozen other successes he'd had this year.

As tired as he was, the urge to rest was nearly overwhelming, but there wasn't time. He had three more couples to unite, somehow.

He had to keep the faith, keep working, and believe that Project Lullaby was going to save his people from starvation.

Chapter 13.

Nika wasn't sure what exactly had just happened, but part of her was beginning to think taking that ring off had been a mistake.

Something about Madoc had changed. The way he looked at her now was darker somehow, more dangerous.

It made her body heat and sent a s.h.i.+ver coursing along the inside of her skin.

She splayed her hand against his bare chest, reveling in the feel of his muscles, tight beneath her palm. The branches of his lifemark swayed toward her touch as if reaching for her.

A spike of victory went through her. It was working. Finally, after all this time of knowing they were meant to be together, she had proof.

”That's supposed to happen, right?” she asked him.

Madoc looked down, saw the motion for only a brief second; then his green gaze went back to her, sliding over her face until it settled on her mouth. ”Don't f.u.c.king care. Lie down.”

His deep, rough voice sank into her and she had to stifle another s.h.i.+ver. She had to focus. She had a job to do. She couldn't simply do as he asked, no matter how nice it sounded.

Nika didn't move. She wasn't sure what to do now, but she knew she was supposed to take his luceria.

She reached for it, but Madoc was faster. He gripped her wrist and rolled them over so she was lying under him. He held her there, staring down at her with a look so hungry, she almost wanted to run.

Almost.

Running was no longer an option. Then again, it never really had been. She'd known this moment would come. She'd lain in bed at night thinking about it, dreaming about it, touching herself. After months of waiting for him, she was glad he was finally right here with her.

The feel of his weight on top of her made her body sing. She widened her thighs to make more room for his big body to settle between them. Madoc s.h.i.+fted his hips, rubbing his erection against her in a way that sent zingers of sensation rioting through her.

Nika sucked in a breath and let it out in a soft moan. ”Do that again.”

Madoc blinked several times, as if trying to clear his head. His body was still, his face contorted into a mask of painful restraint.

”Madoc?”

”This isn't the way it's supposed to be,” he said.

”What?”

He didn't answer her. He gave his head a hard shake and gritted his teeth.

”Let go of my wrists.”

”Mine,” he growled, tightening his grip.