As Long As (5 page)

By all the gods!

He’d forgotten the exquisite impression of touch. He didn’t even recognize it. Not like this. Nor with this much intensity. The ability to receive stimuli through physical contact sent everything into a primal gut-clenching realm. It was powerful. Almost painful. Just clasping to his mate was akin to being sliced open by a weapon. Her kiss could slay. The taste of her blood was the annihilating force. It eroded his control. Even his fangs had elongated despite every intention to the contrary.

He’d been told about mating. The warning should have contained stricter words.

He was afraid of scaring her.

Her?

That was the lesser problem. Sokar grew more worried by the moment. Somehow, he must gain command over massive need that was mixed with unbelievable want. Find a way to rein back hunger that spanned millennia. Thwart flames of passion that grew to consuming level. Slow the size and breadth of desire that demanded he take her, cleave with her. Possess her.

He’d been spinning with her in his arms. He forced the rotation to a halt. The room came back into view. A lightshow of sparks had been showering the floor. They jumped about before sputtering into nonexistence. It took a moment to decipher the source. The electrical outlets had exploded. Black spots marked the wall above each one.

“So...kar?”

The hesitancy in her voice was yet another projectile, aimed right for his reanimated heart. Then the sensation of her breath against his neck added further torment at her whisper.

“
Enta habibi,
” he whispered.

“You are my love?”

She translated it as a question. As if there was any doubt. Sokar threw his head back and laughed. And then he moved. They reached the bedroom before the echo of his voice even started. The coverlet had been turned down on her bed. It wasn’t enough. He ripped the comforter and top sheet off, leaving the bed surface covered with linen. He had his mate. Right
here
. Right
now
. He’d been dormant too many centuries. He wouldn’t allow anything to cover this. Filter it. Obscure it. He was shaking as he placed her atop the sheet. The mattress bounced.

And then he perched beside her. On his knees. Not touching. Just looking. His gaze devoured. Consumed. All sorts of alarms rang through his skull, in the event he needed more warning. The view was beyond heavenly. The dress she wore skimmed her form, outlining the tight nipples atop each breast before it grazed her slender waist...the swell of her hips. White satin molded to her curves like it had been sewn just for him. As if his long dormant-hunger needed more fuel.

At the thought, his restraint wavered. A monstrous surge of need slammed through him. Again. Sokar knotted his fists, pressed them to his chest, and hunched forward. Still, a howl of frustration escaped his lips. For almost four thousand years he’d been the epitome of strength. Power. Might. It was his whenever he needed. And at that moment, he realized it might not be enough.

“Hey. Big guy. Sokar?”

She didn’t sound afraid. She sounded...

Dare he hope?

Sokar lifted his head, narrowed his eyes, and fought against lunging for her; ripping the satin from her body; discovering every inch of her with his hands, his mouth, and his body. He tightened his muscles further. And still the force within him flexed. Flickers of fire-like pain hit his thighs. Arms. Buttocks. The fabric lining of his suit coat ripped. The bed rocked beneath them.

“Yes?”

He croaked out the word. Even to him it sounded brutal. Desperate. On the verge of hopelessness. It was the best he could manage. He was amazed his throat worked.

“I can’t see.”

His head shot up. He pierced her with his gaze. He had no trouble seeing. And evaluating. What had happened to his thrall over her? Had it worn off? Already? That didn’t seem possible. And yet...the answer was in front of him. She was definitely aware, her dark eyes intent and focused. She didn’t look afraid. Nor, did she sound it. His heart hammered throughout his chest in large painful beats.

“You wish...to see?”

The words were garbled. She nodded. And then she licked her lips.

Isis
be praised!

Sokar lunged upward. His head smacked the ceiling with a crunch, loosening tiles. He dropped back down. The mattress jumped. The platform creaked ominously. He lunged for a bedside lamp, connecting with the base with his forefinger. Thank
Heka
any damage to the electrical wiring hadn’t reached here. He sent a burst of energy through his finger. It was a learned bit of magic. There had been a time when he’d filled every waking moment with a search for knowledge. Back when that had helped. He’d been able to spark things to life many times. This was the first time it sent a sharp tingle shooting through his arm. That was a new experience. Not entirely pleasant, but he didn’t much care. It worked. The lamp immediately came to life, sending a mellow glow onto the bed surface...and his mate. The folds of her gown shimmered like pearls. And then his gaze reached her cleavage. Her throat.

Sokar heaved toward her, barely catching the motion to stab into her skin. He pulled back again. Went onto his knees again. Locked his hands in place across his chest, just like before. And then he pushed in until it hurt, certain to leave bruises.

She was so beautiful! So precious! So—!

He shook violently. His entire frame on edge. Hovering. Wary of even glancing toward her. This sensation was worse than any electrocution. And so much better.

“You all right?”

He shrugged. Something in his attire tore again, the sound loud.

“That looks like a very expensive suit.”

“What?”

He managed a one word answer. The word was guttural. Rough-edged. Pained. His fangs dug into his lower lip. The taste of blood filled his mouth. Blurred his vision. Rocked him backward before he snapped back upright. And then she was in front of him, a hand beneath his chin as she forced him to face her. He touched his glance on hers, and swiftly skittered it away. Toward anything. The lamp. The pile of bedding. A whoosh of sound hit his ears, drowning out most of her words. He barely heard the last portion.

“...replace it.”

She wasn’t afraid?

She answered as if he’d actually asked it. “Not remotely. Intrigued, yes. Frightened? Not for a moment.”

Sokar jerked his head back, yet hesitated before moving his gaze to hers. She had such amazing eyes. Deep. Mysterious. They filled his vision. Looming large. All-encompassing...and everything stopped. Sound ceased. His breath halted. His heart seized up within his chest. For a brief span, he thought he might be finding out what it felt like to actually die.

And then she reached for the top button on his jacket.

An infusion of bass notes filled the chamber, reverberating off the walls with a bestial throb. Sokar didn’t know its origin until it tore his throat, and he didn’t care. He snatched her to him, and slammed his lips to hers. She lost her grip on his clothing. Her fingers moved instead up his chest, about his shoulders, and into the hair behind his ears. She held to him as they kissed. Sucked. Licked.

And he needed more.

So much more.

He couldn’t seem to get enough. She tasted wondrous. Her blood became a succulent meal from which he feasted. She was matching him, her continual moans creating a deep well of sound about them. Contact sent fire. Even through clothing. It burned and then it branded, as though marking him. For all time. As if he’d existed all these years for but one thing: this.

He moved his kiss from her mouth. Trailed his lips to her chin. Down her throat. His tongue slid along the vein there, skimming over the dual puncture wounds he’d made before. He daren’t drain any more. Not yet. Not until she knew what it meant. But oh! It was so tempting. So exquisitely...torturous. He grabbed the back of her gown and pulled outward, shredding fabric, and—

She didn’t wear anything beneath her gown!

His hands shook as he caressed her nakedness. Learning. Experiencing. Sense of smell bombarded him. Touch was right behind it. He inhaled deeply, filling his newly awakened lungs with his mate’s essence. Her scent exuded warmed spices, a hint of frankincense, sandalwood...an undertone of musk. Her skin was as pure and smooth as carved alabaster. Her skin was a realm of wonder, the spot where her spine curved into her buttocks a place of mystery and delight. She was so youthful. Strong. Nubile.

And experienced.

She’d unfastened his coat. He didn’t know how. Or when. It was enough that she undressed him, pushing the garment from his shoulders and down his arms. She was stopped by his elbows unless he released her. He clutched her close with his left arm in order to release his right. Repeated the move for the other sleeve. She pulled his coat off and tossed it somewhere, despite how his hand explored her, scooping up one of her buttocks.
Ah
. His mate was perfection itself. Lush. Womanly. Her fingers fussed with his tie. Unfastened it, and then unwound it from about his neck, her movement swift. Efficient. Without a hint of hesitation, or even the shakiness that plagued him.

Sokar’s shirt had been tailored to his exact measurements. It had been a perfect fit. Now it restricted. Clung. Made it difficult to grab each breath without ripping a seam. Geena’s fingers trailed down the hidden button placket. Without even bothering to look.

She certainly knew her way around a man’s attire.

That should bother him.

No.
It should anger.

Enrage.

Sokar sucked on a canine, aware that her lack of innocence did the opposite. Her knowledge emboldened and enervated and excited. He needn’t concern himself with hurting her. All he needed to worry over was satisfaction. And...by
Horus
! She knew how to do that as well!

She’d plucked his belt open, unlatched his waistband, and delved downward. Her move shocked him into complete stillness as she found him. Hefted. Her fingers tried to encircle. He sucked in a breath. His belly jerked back from her searching fingers. She looked up at him, a stunned look on her features. And then she smiled. Her expression sent a burst of warmth through him. He nearly preened. But she needn’t be so surprised. It stood to reason. Sokar was an extremely large man. Everywhere.

“Oh, Sokar. Oh, my. Oh. Oh!”

She shoved his pants down. His briefs followed. And then she had both hands wrapped about him, delivering eons of pleasure with her touch. Endless amounts. Beyond imagining. Sokar began vibrating with an excruciating amount of pleasure. The bed became an extension of it. The platform beneath the mattress creaked in concert.

She increased her strokes, delivering even more sensation. More energy. More vitality. Each move hastening him to paradise. The remnants of her gown drooped forward, alternately revealing and then concealing with her motions. The sensations she created were unbelievable. Vivid. Thrilling.

And wrong.

As if this was the extent of what he wanted with her. His pleasure. Not hers.

Sokar caught her wrists, stopping her. And for some reason, it felt like she debated something...like fighting him. Then, she looked up. Caught her lower lip between her teeth. And smiled.

That small gesture was the equivalent of an arrow being sprung from a bowstring. Sokar grabbed her and dove forward. And down. Her back hit the sheet. His weight followed. He brushed the remnants of her gown aside, slid his hands along her thighs. Separating them. Positioning.

But it was her movement that joined them.

She’d gained strength and agility by sharing blood. He hadn’t expected that. Her body writhed wildly against him. She grabbed and held. Sleekly muscled legs encircled his hips. And then she lunged upward, taking all of him with the first thrust. Sokar’s jaw dropped. His head went back. And he yelled. Something in the room broke. Several things fell.

Sokar smacked both hands to the linen-covered surface beside her and started pumping. He’d never felt such heat. Such suction. So much moisture. Such extreme pleasure.
Shu,
the god of air, controlled breathing. The goddess
Tefnut
granted them her moisture for lubrication. Geena’s moans filled his ears. The beauty of her body encompassed his vision. He rammed in harder. Each one a little faster. Deeper.

And he wanted more.

So much more.

Geena’s cries of satiation added to the pleasure. A sensation of something sparked to life deep within him. Something wondrous. Solid. He felt it enlarging in a series of waves. Sokar’s back muscles clenched tight. His arms and shoulders joined in. His chest. Belly. Her hands caressed the musculature there. And he couldn’t move his eyes. She was such a vision. A wonder. An amazement.

His mate.

Sokar’s thrusts increased, gaining even more power. The bed swayed in rhythm, while the base creaked and groaned. And then the platform failed. The sound of splintering wood might have been loud. He didn’t notice. The center of the mattress dropped, the sides bowed, creating a well of wonder. Surrounding them. Enveloping....as if
Geb
, the god of earth, knew how much this meant and had decided to assist.