Triumphant (Battle Born Book 14) Read online

  Tightening his fingers gradually, he anchored her head in place then lowered his mouth until it covered hers. He didn’t kiss her. Just let his scent fill her nose while his lips enjoyed the softness of hers. When she kept her mouth tightly closed despite his gentle assault, he nipped her bottom lip, a quick, sharp punishment for her stubbornness.

  She yelped, then shivered, her breath escaping in a soft hiss.

  He pulled back so he could see her face. “You’re my mate, Rebecca. It’s past time you admitted the fact. Now say it. To whom do you belong?”

  “Me.” She glared at him, but her breathes came faster and her hips began a subtle rocking.

  Fascinated by the contradiction, he eased into the transfer link and dissolved the shields keeping them apart.

  As soon as his emotions reached her mind, she went wild, arching and twisting until he released her wrists. “You selfish son of a bitch!” She pounded his chest with much more force, then crawled back nearly off the far side of the bed. “This is what I wanted this morning, what I needed, but you shut me out!” Tears gathered in her eyes and her chin quivered as anger, frustration and tenderness swirled through her being and blasted into his. “Mates share everything, Sedrik, not just passion and joy. If you want me by your side, then I’m there through good times and bad. I will not be locked away!”

  Stunned by her vehemence, he didn’t know what to say. “I… If you…”

  “Either I’m your partner, your equal, or I want no part of this. I will not be subservient to anyone ever again.” Tears escaped and she furiously wiped them away.

  “That’s not what I want from you,” he assured her. “I know we’re equals.”

  “Really? Then why have you been so careful, so restrained with me? I’m not that fragile, and I am nobody’s victim! You need to protect me from what’s out there.” She crawled closer. “Never try to protect me from what’s in here.” She placed her hand over his heart as she blinked back the rest of her tears. “Mates share their triumphs and defeats, their pleasure and pain. I want all of you, or I want nothing at all.”

  His heart lurched in his chest. She wanted all of him? Not just the pleasure they shared, but his emotions both good and bad? Not daring to believe her words, he lightly scanned her mind, and staggered back a step. It was true. Every word she spoke was reinforced with raw emotion. She wanted to share his life and build a future at his side. Words seemed superficial and undependable, so he stepped forward again and took her face between his hands, opening his mind as never before. He showed her the day just past, let her experience his shame and frustration. He held nothing back, laid himself bare before her, offering everything.

  She ran her hands up his arms and moved even closer. “Now was that so hard?”

  Still too choked up to speak, he bent and kissed her, letting his lips and tongue communicate all the hope and affection surging through his heart. She responded with equal passion, sharing her fear and anger, loneliness and admiration, and her need for him. Her being was open, clearly ready to blend with his. Excitement surged through his soul and he deepened the kiss, not yet willing to disrupt the perfection of the moment. Even by Rodyte standards, their courtship had been fast and frantic. Yet here she was ready to accept his claim.

  When he finally lifted his head, needing to catch his breath, she whispered, “It wasn’t your fault, you know.”

  He sighed, wanting the conversation finished so he could finally claim her. “Of course it was. Anything that happens in Earth-space is my fault.”

  “Garin and the Triad insisted you contact Arton. If you must lay blame, that’s where it should go.” He started to object again, but she placed her index finger against his lips. “However, blame is a useless waste of energy. We both prefer action to pointless justifications. Your investigators will find out where the Outcasts went and then your trackers will bring back Lily, Thea, and the other captives. It’s just a matter of time.”

  He couldn’t help but smile. She made it sound so easy, so logical.

  “And in the meantime, we’ll work together to stop the Evonti threat.” She eased his hands away from her face, then pulled her shirt off over her head. With a siren’s smile curving her lips, she looked into his eyes and asked, “Any questions?”

  Desire spiraled through his body, speeding his pulse and making his cock even harder. He’d never seen her like this, playful yet…powerful. He wrapped his arm around her waist and cupped her breast with his other hand. She was right. He thought of her as a victim and she was so much more than her past. She was brave and clever, passionate and giving. He would not underestimate her again.

  “I only have one question.” He lightly teased her nipple with his thumb. “Do you accept me as your mate?”

  Her brows arched and she slowly licked her lips. “Maybe. Are you strong enough to claim me?”

  With a feral growl, he swept her legs out from under her and flipped her onto her back. “I say we find out.” He bent her knees then opened her legs, making room for him between her thighs. He stood beside the bed, staring down at her as he decided where to start.

  He wanted her naked, now. But her breasts quivered, drawing his attention to the soft mounds. Her nipples were tight and flushed, but he wanted them harder and wet from his mouth. His lips caught one, sucking hard while he unfastened her pants. She squirmed, moaning softly as desire surged inside her.

  Moving back and forth between her breasts, he teased her mercilessly. She arched and gasped, her hands stroking up and down his arms. Their link hummed with desire and anticipation, the emotions so convoluted he could no longer tell where they originated.

  Suddenly anxious for more, he released her nipple and dragged her pants down, then off. She lifted her hips and bent her legs toward her chest until he’d completed the maneuver, then returned to her earlier position, feet resting on either side of his hips, arms slightly raised. The silent message was obvious. If he wanted her he had to claim her, incite her senses and emotions until she had no choice but complete surrender.

  He arched over her, pressing his aching shaft against her wet slit as he kissed her deeply. Her lips parted softly, but she didn’t respond. He entwined their fingers and dragged her arms above her head, then eased his tongue into her mouth and flooded her mind with burning desire.

  She gasped and bucked, rubbing her sex against his. Stubbornly ignoring the demands of his body, he focused on her. He explored her mouth, greedily absorbing her taste as well as her emotions. Her need equaled his, compounding the ache he’d come to know so well since he met her. She was just as ready, just as eager to be filled as he was to fill her. Still, he held back, determined to prove his worth.

  He kissed his way along her neck as his hands swept down her body. Tingling anticipation rolled across their connection. She knew what he was about to do and couldn’t wait for the heat of his lips and the stroke of his tongue. Knowing how badly she wanted it, made him smile. He knelt on the floor and pulled her hips right to the edge of the bed.

  Without encouragement, she spread her legs and opened herself for him. It was the first response she’d offered and he rewarded her with a warm rush of tenderness. “You’re so beautiful,” he whispered as he bent between her thighs. He lightly traced her crease, reveling in the slick heat of her arousal. Already she was wet and ready, but he wanted to hear her cry out his name and feel her world shatter before he was distracted by his own pleasure.

  He circled her clit with the tip of his tongue, feeling her startle and shiver as he adored the sensitive knot of nerves. She pushed up with her heels, rubbing herself against his mouth. Despite her obvious eagerness, he wasn’t ready to let her come. So he draped her legs over his shoulders and clasped her hips with both hands.

  His lips pressed against her folds and he pushed his tongue into her core. She stilled, trembling as tension coiled deep inside her. Slick heat surrounded his tongue, intensifying his body’s ache. She was his, every soft curve, every gasp and tingle belonge
d to him.

  “Please,” she whispered, head tossing against the bedding. “Oh, Sedrik, please!”

  Unable to ignore such pretty begging, he closed his lips around her clit and carefully sucked. Her back arched and she cried out sharply. Pleasure burst inside her, sweeping through her body and flooding his mind with euphoria. He kept the rippling spasms going, dragging every pulse and shiver from her before he slowly raised his head.

  Her eyes were closed, her body limp as he pushed to his feet and positioned himself at her entrance. “Look at me.”

  She blinked several times then focused on his face with a dreamy smile.

  “Do you accept me as your mate? Do you welcome my claim?”

  She stretched and wiggled, then raised her arms toward him. “I am your mate and you are mine. I welcome your claim.”

  Possessive hunger swept through him followed by a surge of joy. He was half afraid to move, afraid to shatter the illusion or wake up from the marvelous dream. But the heat of her body beckoned and his cock jerked, drawing his being back into the physical. It wasn’t real until he claimed her, body and mind.

  He took a deep breath and thrust with his hips, driving his entire length into her wet channel. She gasped, then groaned, her legs loosely encircling his waist. Blissful heat and rippling pressure gripped him like a fist. He arched his back, pushing deeper, wanting all of her. But the lack wasn’t physical. He closed his eyes and slowly dissolved the transfer link. It had served its purpose, but it was no longer adequate.

  “Wait,” she sounded panicked, but he could no longer sense her emotions. “Where’d you go?”

  “Relax, love. I’m just making room for the real thing.”

  She didn’t understand what he meant, but he didn’t stop to explain. She’d feel the difference as soon as he formed the soul bond. Needing to calm her fear, he covered her mouth with his and kissed her tenderly. Her mind was open now. She trusted him. So the link was easier to form even though it was a more significant connection. He took his time, weaving their souls together as intricately as possible. Her emotions, thoughts and sensations became clearer as he entwined their colorful soul strands, creating a beautiful pattern as well as an intricate link.

  She tore her mouth away, panting harshly. “Oh, wow. I can really feel you now.”

  Capturing her mouth with his, he cautioned, This part will sting.

  He anchored the link, but her sharp cry was muffled by their kiss. Overcome by possessive demand, he pulled back his hips, then slammed forward, driving his shaft deep inside her. Feral need surged through his body, making it impossible to remain still. He moved over and inside her, staking his claim on her body while their minds entwined.

  She gasped into his mouth, her hands clutching his back, eyes tightly closed. Gradually passion eroded her uncertainty. Even though they’d made love before, this was new and different. Not only could they sense each other’s thoughts and emotions, they could flow into the other’s mind and experience life—or sex—from their mate’s perspective.

  Knowing she was confused by the new input, he gently guided her into his mind. Then he filtered the sensations coming from her body, helping her focus on his.

  She gasped and her eyes flew open wide. “I can feel… It’s as if I’m… How are you doing that?”

  He grinned, filling her with slow, steady thrusts. “Soul bond.”

  Staring deep into his eyes, she absorbed the new sensations and his emotions like a sponge. “It feels so different, so—animal.”

  Not surprising, he was feeling particularly animalistic at the moment. He suddenly pulled out and flipped her over onto her belly. She laughed, quickly folding her legs beneath her as he pulled her hips upward. He curved his hand around the back of her neck and urged her head and shoulders down as he thrust back into her.

  She cried out as her body stretched around him. The position allowed him deeper than he’d been before. He steadied her hips and sped his rhythm, pulling nearly out before he drove back in again. Her submissive position thrilled his aggressive nature, but the interruption had disrupted her arousal. Without slowing his forceful rhythm, he reached around and found her clit with his middle finger.

  Holding back his release with stubbornness and discipline, he waited for her to catch up. It didn’t take long. Soon she was rocking with him, or actually opposite from him, creating a delightful countermovement to his demanding thrusts.

  Her moans and muffled cries thrilled him, and the rolling pressure of her core propelled him closer to release with each deep stroke. It felt so good to be inside her! He wanted their joining to last forever. Then he realized that it would. Their bodies would climax and this passion would temporarily fade, but their joining would go on and on. She was his mate now, his to love and protect, his to spoil and adore.

  Needing more than the firm grip of her core, he pulled her up off the bed and pressed her back against his front. Moving was awkward now, but it didn’t matter. He caressed her breasts as he turned her head so he could kiss her. Then he returned his hand to its earlier position between her thighs.

  She twisted toward him, fitting their mouths more closely together. Her tongue curled around and slid against his. He moaned into her mouth, knowing he wouldn’t last much longer. She was wet and hot and her scent spiked his already blazing desire. He wanted to lick her, drown in her cream, but there was no way he was pulling out now.

  Instead he caught her clit between his fingers and thumb, gently teasing the ultra-sensitive nub like a musician would pluck a delicate string. She tensed, arching her back to take him deeper. He sped the motion of his hips, echoing each thrust with a careful caress.

  Tearing her mouth away from his, she cried out sharply, her inner muscles rippling around his shaft. Her release blasted into his mind a millisecond later and his control snapped. Their combined pleasure shattered reality and all he could do was feel. He wrapped his arms around her, cock buried deep inside. He clung to her, shuddering violently as his seed pulsed from his body in rhythmic spurts.

  She collapsed onto her stomach and he followed her down, then rolled so they both lay on their sides. For a long time they just stayed there panting, replete and slightly sleepy. He slipped one of his arms under her neck, then angled it across her upper chest. His other hand stroked her hip and side, soothing her and relaxing him.

  “I’ve never been this happy,” she said softly as she reached up and squeezed his forearm. “But being this happy makes me feel guilty as hell.”

  “Why do you feel guilty because you’re happy?” Humans could be so strange.

  “Thea and Lily,” she whispered. “They must be so scared.”

  He understood her concern. Thea had helped Rebecca escape and now Thea was in danger, which made Rebecca anxious to return the favor. And Lily, without Lily the Outcasts had no chance of establishing their own transformation program.

  Rather than offer pointless platitudes, he pressed a kiss behind her ear and asked, “What more can we do to help them? Everything I can think of is already being done.”

  She rolled in a tight circle, separating their bodies, but remaining within the circle of his arms. “I’ve been thinking about that off and on all day—when I wasn’t ready to strangle you, of course.”

  “Of course.” He kissed the tip of her nose.

  “Is unleashing your power still an option, or did we close that door when you formed the soul bond?”

  His heart flipped over in his chest and tingles spread across his skin. Her accepting his claim had been a dream come true, and now she was offering more. Emotion tightened his throat, momentarily robbing him of speech, so he pushed affection and gratitude across their link.

  She smiled broadly, eyes shining. “I’m glad you like the idea, but that didn’t answer my question.”

  Swallowing with difficulty, he freed up his voice. “Expanding the window of opportunity has been Dr. Mintell’s focus now that the actual transformation is working smoothly.” She still loo
ked confused, so he added, “Yes. It’s still an option for the next four-to-six weeks.”

  “And how long would it take for your abilities to kick in?”

  “It depends on the person. I’ve always had access to a small portion of my power, so I suspect it will happen fast for me.” He studied her gaze for a moment, searching her emotions as well as her expression. “You’re serious about this.”

  “I am.” Conviction rang through the simple phrase. “We’re stuck. I’ve told you everything I know about the Evonti and we’ve looked at all of Jim’s memories. If the key to stopping them is in those fragments, like your mother said, we didn’t understand what we saw.” She propped herself up on her elbow, her expression intense. “And the Outcast situation is even worse. We don’t need a lucky break to bring those females back. We need a miracle.”

  He didn’t disagree with her. The situation was dire. However, transformation was a permanent decision with inherent risks. Those risks had been minimized by the best scientific minds on his planet and hers, but there were still risks.

  “I think we should do it—tonight if possible.”

  His gaze narrowed as concern for her swelled. “This isn’t something that should be rushed, love. We need to make sure—”

  “I’ve already committed the rest of my life to you. That life won’t mean much if the Evonti invade or destroy Earth utterly. What do we gain by waiting?” She sat up and tucked the sheet under her arms. “The Evonti are up to something serious, and your mother is convinced that we’re quickly running out of time.” After a short pause, she added, “And doing this is Thea and Lily’s only hope.”

  He sat as well, unconcerned with his nudity. Pausing to analyze the emotions flowing from her mind, he tried to find a compelling argument against transformation. She was determined and a bit unsure, but he didn’t sense desperation or recklessness. Rebecca was honestly convinced that undergoing transformation was their best option. She wanted to fight the forces threatening her and she knew this would potentially give them access to their strongest weapons.