121 Strife and Stipulation (1/2)

The night had grown dark and silent except for the faint chirp of insects and the even fainter break of waves against the rocky shore of the beach. An occasional laugh or muffled voice from the living room could be heard ever so often signaling that the others were still awake and moving about outside. Jos breathed out a heavy sigh of contentment as Russ traced patterns across her arm with his fingers. A blush spread across her cheeks as her stomach let out a loud growl that seemed to fell the silence of the room.

Russ chuckled softly. ”We've been in here for nearly the entire day, maybe we should go grab a bite to eat.” He said as he slid both their bodies up in the bed. He kissed the top of her head before pushing the sheets back and standing up.

Jos's eyes watched the flex of his ass as he bent to retrieve his discarded shorts. Her palms tingled with the memory of the way his glutes felt under her tight grip as they flexed with every pump of his cock inside her. A moan slipped past her lips, and her hand shot to her mouth as to stop it.

Russ chuckled as he turned toward her, her clothing now in his hand. ”Keep that up and we'll be spending another couple hours in here.” He teased as he set the clothes on the bed beside her. He leaned down planting his knuckles on either side of her hips and kissed her lips deeply pulling another heated moan for her throat.

”Ummm, Russ...” She moaned against his lips sweeping her fingers through his hair at the sides of his head the outer edges of her hands brushing the velvety arch of his ears.

He smiled against her lips before wrapping his arms around her waist and pulling her to the edge of the bed. He pressed himself against her center as he thighs spread wider to accommodate his wide hips. He bit and pulled at her bottom lip with his teeth then let it pop back into place teasingly. His eyes sparkled with mischief and love as he reached beside her and retrieved a baggy tee and hooked it over her head. ”Get dressed, baby. We have all night for this, for now let's get you fed.” His smile widened at the confusion playing across her wide eyes. He gathered the material of each leg of her shorts and bent to slide them over her long, lean legs. He placed light teasing kisses to each knee before standing, taking her hands, and pulling her up from the bed.

Russ stepped in behind her, holding her gaze in the mirror as he trailed his hands over her rib cage and up cupping the mounds of her breasts. ”You are so fucking beautiful.” He growled huskily behind her.

One of his hands had barely slid past the waist band of her shorts when her stomach let out another embarrassingly loud growl. She cupped both of her hands over her middle in a failed attempt to drown out its protests. When his hands released her and he took a step back placing a light kiss on the top of her head. She met his eyes apologetically in the mirror. ”Sorry...”

He smiled down at her taking her hand. ”No need to be sorry, baby. Come on.” He pulled her hand to his mouth and placed a kiss across her knuckles before leading her from the room.

Five sets of curious eyes meet theirs from the living room as they moved to cross it. Jos's breath caught as her gaze fell on the tiny woman sitting in Raven's lap by the fire. She froze panic. ”Isha?” Jos asked.

Isha nodded as she pushed away the tight grip of her wife's arms and stood. ”Kraken.” She address Jos and slightly bowed her head in acknowledgement and the standard greeting of the courts.

Jos gripped Russ's arm tightly. She could feel the stiffening of his tight muscles flex under her grip at the name Isha had used to address her. She drew in a shaky breath before stuttering. ”Are... Are you here to visit with Raven or... or... by order of the council.”

Isha's dark brow eyes met her sadly, ”Both...” She brushed her hands over her short but elegant dress as she cleared her throat. ”I came with information...” Her cheeks heated as she glanced back a Raven. ”Granted I could have sent word by other means, but I have missed my wife... especially since we only recently made up...” Her eyes moved to where Jos and Russ's arms linked. ”I see you two have as well made up...” It was more of an observation than a question.

Jos nodded loosening her grip slightly on Russ's arm. ”We... we... have...” She stuttered, unsure if it was wise for a member of the council to know they were together.

Isha nodded. ”If you would like to speak in privacy then-”

”If you have something to say to her, then you can say it in front of me as well.” Russ growled cupping his hand over the two tiny hands gripping his arm.

”We can discuss it as a group, he means. Everyone here are close enough to speak freely I assure you, Your Majesty.” She blurted, glaring up at Russ as she addressed Isha by title.

Isha nodded. ”Isha, please. As you said, we are all acquainted here.” She sat back down beside Raven this time and crossed her dainty legs as she sat back.

Jos sent her a nervous smile as she too nodded. ”And you may call me Jos, please.” Her cheeks heated as she glanced quickly over to were Ry and Arei sat, their expressions tight as they tried masking their apprehension. ”I haven't went by 'that name' for a very, very long time.” She said her head still bowed.

”As you wish.” Isha said as she glanced from face to face around the room, her dark chocolate cheeks heating with a deep scarlet as her eyes quickly darted past the twins and Shelly who laid on a cushion by their side. ”This should prove to be... interesting...” Her eyes widened and returned to Raven as Raven squeezed her knee.

”I'll get you something to drink.” Raven said as she pushed herself up from the chair they shared pausing only long enough to give Isha a tender kiss on the lips. Raven nodded to Russ and Jos as she walked past them and toward the kitchen.

Russ and Jos followed her inside. ”What is she really doing here?” Russ whispered roughly as he leaned against the counter crossing his arms over his chest.

Raven shrugged. ”She wasn't lying, we made up... Ask Ry and Arei if you like, they walked in on us up stairs earlier.” She pulled a glass down from the cabinet before moving her attention to Jos and her eyes softened. ”I would love to say she doesn't still hold a contemptment for you... but I'd be lying.” she said on a heavy sigh.

”What does she have against Jos?” Russ growled pushing away from the counter and stomping after Raven as she moved toward the fridge.