Authors: Leia Shaw
She exhaled a breath.
“Keep doing that and I’ll have to insist on it.”
He laughed out loud
then grabbed her legs and held on tight while he plunged into her.
A bite of pain made her cry out before she settled into the
fullness.
His brows drew together
in concern. He leaned forward and stroked her cheek while he
settled into her, moving back and forth to adjust. “You okay?”
She nodded and gave him
a shaky smile then reached up and stroked his wide shoulders. Yes,
her body was relaxing now.
Mmm…feels good
. And they fit perfectly.
“You sure? Tell me to
slow down and I will.”
He was almost reaching
her pleasure spot already. God, if he moved more forcefully, she’d
explode. She ground her hips beneath him impatiently. “I’m fine. Is
this what you call rough?”
He laughed again. “You
asked for it.” With a sharp bite, he latched onto her nipple and
she arched off the bed with a shout. But the sting flew straight to
her clit, morphing into pleasure.
Slowly, he moved inside
her. She was vaguely aware of the music changing to a different
song. Then he pulled out and thrust back in, pushing her up the bed
and touching on that sensitive spot inside.
“Ah! Yes. Keep going.”
She wrapped her legs around his waist, gripping him tight.
His rough growl echoed
through the room, making her even wetter. God, to be wanted so
badly! She could get addicted to this.
He moved in and out at
a relentless pace, harder and rougher every time. It hit that magic
spot over and over until she thought she might combust. Then,
faster than she could comprehend, he pulled out and flipped her
over onto her hands and knees.
“Wait!” she cried out.
She was so close.
She tried to flip back
over but he grunted in disapproval and slapped her ass. The bit of
pain made her freeze. He positioned her hips from behind.
“Head on the mattress,”
he commanded, uncompromising.
Shakily, she lowered
her upper body, leaving her ass high in the air. He plunged in to
the hilt.
“Ah!” It was even more
intense! She couldn’t hold on much longer. “Geo…more…” She panted
and gasped as he thrust in and out, grunting behind her. “I’m going
to explode.”
“Don’t you dare come.”
He reached around her and pinched her nipple.
A long groan escaped
her. He commanded her not to come then did that? When they were
done, she’d kill him.
“Don’t come until I
tell you.”
“I can’t hold
back!”
He slowed his pace and
she wanted to cry. “You can and you will. For me.”
No! Keep going!
She bit down on her lip
to keep from screaming in frustration. But she wanted to please
him.
He held himself tight
inside her then reached around to find her clit. His fingers
stroked her flesh. That plus his cock pressing up against her
g-spot had her gasping for air. She wiggled against him, willing
him to get moving.
“Please,” she pleaded.
She didn’t even care that she was begging.
“Yes,” he whispered
then began thrusting again. He worked her clit relentlessly and
thrust into her ruthlessly. The pleasure was so intense she
squirmed, not sure if she wanted to get away or entice him
more.
He looped his arm
around her waist to hold her still then pounded even harder.
Pleasure built…growing…intensifying. Her groans and cries grew
louder. Finally, it reached its peak. She couldn’t hold it anymore,
not even for him.
“Geo!” she cried.
“Yes, come.”
And she did. Loudly.
Her muscles tensed and every nerve danced as she rode the wave of
pleasure…falling, tumbling as she screamed into the blanket.
Geo’s breathing
quickened and then she felt him pull out and with a long groan, he
spilled his hot seed over her ass and thighs.
She collapsed onto the
bed in a heap of limp muscles. Geo rose from the bed and shuffled
around the room behind her. She couldn’t focus on what he was
doing. Her body was spent, her mind numb. She barely processed that
he cleaned her off with a towel and threw a blanket over her
body.
The mattress dipped and
he pulled her into his warm arms. Her head lay on his chest, his
rough hair against her cheek. His scent surrounded her and her eyes
drifted shut. He kissed the top of her head.
“Are you okay? Was I
too rough?”
She yawned.
“
Mm.
No. That
was the best sex I’ve ever had,” she mumbled sleepily. “I’m just
tired.” She turned to look up at him. “Was I okay?”
His chest rumbled with
a sexy chuckle. “You were perfect, love.”
Love? Or did he say
dove?
Unable to consider it
any longer, her mind went blank as sleep overtook her.
Geo woke to the roars
of a bloodthirsty crowd.
By Hades, do they ever stop?
He looked down at
Samantha, her limbs intertwined with his. Her pale skin and soft
features were such a contrast to this gritty world. Instinct tore
at him, stronger now, to take her away from here.
She should be home
safe with her kind.
Last night she’d been a
dream – responsive, trusting, sexy as hell. He almost groaned
thinking about her willing surrender to his commands. And when
she’d come, quivering under his body, open and unashamed, it was
the most beautiful thing he’d ever experienced.
He rubbed his bleary
eyes. Giving her up would be nearly impossible.
She deserves
better.
Better even than the
god realm. She deserved the heavens.
A soft moan escaped her
lips as she curled into him. Still sleeping, her small hand gripped
his arm as if she never wanted to let go.
By the gods, I want to
keep her.
He nuzzled his face in
her hair, inhaling the intoxicating scent of patchouli and sage.
With a sigh of regret, he slid out from under her. Time to procure
breakfast for his…what was she? Last night he’d slipped and called
her “love.” Was this love?
Samantha stirred on the
bed. The outline of her curvy body was visible under the thin
blanket. He pulled on his clothes, wincing as he tucked in his
erection. He was tempted to climb back in bed and wake her with his
tongue between her thighs. But they were fighting today. He
couldn’t risk her being tired or sore. And they needed all the time
they could get to prepare.
After he dressed, he
began the process of arming himself. In the random pouches he tied
to his belt loops were objects he could use as weapons in a pinch.
Sand, wire, arrowheads, and slate to sharpen his knives. He’d load
Samantha up with weapons as well.
“Good morning,” she
said sleepily from the bed.
He liked hearing her
husky voice first thing in the morning. At home, mornings were
filled with militant commands or, if he was lucky, a few hours of
solitude in his workshop. The sound of a female voice in his bed
and the smell of sex were far better than the buzzing of his tools
and the smell of sawdust.
She leaned up on her
elbows, keeping the blanket over her breasts. “It’s morning, right?
Impossible to tell here.” Her brows drew together. “Are they still
fighting?”
A particularly loud
groan of pain echoed outside the room. “It’s morning. And yes, the
Games go on all hours of day and night.”
She plopped back down
with a sigh. “I can’t believe I slept through that.”
He grinned. “I must’ve
tired you out.”
Rising from the bed,
she wrapped the blanket around her body and glared at him. “You
seem quite proud of yourself.”
Shamelessly, he looked
her over. “Why are you hiding? I’ve seen it all.”
She raised her chin. “I
know. But I have a feeling you won’t be able to keep your hands to
yourself if I walk around naked.”
He chuckled. Probably
true.
With the blanket tucked
under her armpits she walked across the room to retrieve her
clothes. When she went by him, he stepped on the blanket – a spur
of the moment decision he couldn’t resist.
It fell from her body.
“Hey!” she shouted and bent down to retrieve it.
He couldn’t help
himself. With that delectable ass right there in front of him…it
was too tempting. He gave it a playful slap.
She shot upright,
blanket in her hands. “Stop that!”
He bit back a
laugh.
She spun around, anger
burning in her eyes, her face bright red. “Now listen.” Her hair
fell in front of her eyes and she blew it out with an exaggerated
breath. “Last night was –”
“Wonderful.”
“A one time deal.” Her
expression remained stern. “The wine and…and…I was overtired…” She
looked down at the floor, frowning.
Damn. He didn’t want to
be a regret. “Samantha.” He stepped toward her, struggling with
what to say yet yearning to make her smile. But what could he do?
There was nothing he could say about the feelings he had for her.
They had no future together. Bedding her during the short time they
had then parting ways – that was as good as it could get. A pit of
despair grew in his belly. His arms hung limply at his sides.
With a deep sigh she
looked up at him. “Last night was fun but…I just can’t…we
can’t…”
Her hair fell into her
eyes again. This time he swept it back. “Don’t think about it too
much. What’s done is done.” He gave her a small smile. “I’m not
going to ravish you every time we’re alone. I promise.”
She bit down on her lip
and nodded.
“Though gods know
you’re tempting enough,” he muttered, rubbing a hand over his
horns.
She chuckled. “You
weren’t so bad yourself, big guy.” Her eyes twinkled with laughter.
“I give you an eight out of ten.”
Eight out of ten? He
was tempted to show her just how “bad” he could be right there on
the floor. Or maybe up against the wall. “Don’t get sassy, love, or
I’ll have to try for a ten.”
Her lips curved in a
flirty grin, all awkwardness gone. “Sassy is my middle name.”
“I know. I should’ve
made you the Sassy Phoenix.” Her grin widened and it warmed him
straight to his soul. He needed to tamp down these irrational
feelings or it’d only make things harder for both of them. With a
sigh he told her, “Get dressed. We have a lot to do.”
He turned around and
picked up the paper with the Underworld Games rules. Quickly, he
memorized them while Sam got dressed behind him.
“Why did you pick
Phoenix anyway?” she asked.
He shrugged. “Reminded
me of your spirit. Always rising up from the ashes.”
It was silent behind
him.
His mouth curved in a
smile. “Your
stubborn
spirit.”
“You can turn
around.”
He did and his breath
hitched in the back of his throat. He’d never get over seeing her
in skin-tight leather.
With her hand placed on
her hip and her brow quirked in challenge, she said, “So you named
me Red Phoenix cause I’m stubborn?”
He swallowed hard. “And
cause you’re beautiful. Like a phoenix.”
Her face flushed that
lovely pink. It made him want to strip her to see the rest of her
flushed skin.
He sighed. “Come on,
Sassy Phoenix. Arm yourself. It’s time to go meet our fate.”
Inside Samantha was
grinning like an idiot. She woke up thinking they’d be awkward
after last night. But as always, Geo made her feel comfortable –
like they’d known each other for years.
And he’d called her
beautiful. Well, stubborn and sassy too, but in an affectionate
way. As she walked the corridor to the stairs, she could barely
hear the violence around them, lost in her private thoughts about
Geo.
Man, he’s sexy.
She trailed behind
him, enjoying the view of his firm backside. She wanted to smack
it, like he did hers. The spot where he’d swatted her still tingled
from his palm.
And last night…she
shuddered. It was probably a mistake – no, definitely a mistake.
Her heart kicked up a notch. The best mistake she ever made. His
masterful command of her body, his rumbling voice and sensual
promises…
mmm
....
Maybe she’d just use
him for sex while they were stuck here.
Then the world opened
up around her – a scream for mercy then the gurgling sound when an
opponent showed none and the savage crowd laughing at his misery.
She shook her head, hard.
What the hell was she
thinking? Lusting after Geo when her sister was in danger? How
selfish and irresponsible. She deserved to get her ass kicked in
that ring. Maybe that’d be a fucking wake-up call.
Get your head in the game!
After they descended
the stairs, Geo turned and took her hand. “Let’s get a seat then
we’ll go over the rules.”
“Okay. And I’m going to
ask around if anyone’s seen my sister.”
“No. Not yet.”
She grunted. “Do you
have a better plan?”
“Yes. Survive the first
day.”
Halting, she pulled her
hand from his grip. “Don’t forget what we came here for! It’s not
to win a stupid game.”
“I know it’s not,” he
said patiently, motioning to an open seat.
With a close-up view of
the large dirt arena, they’d be able to see every little spurt of
blood and hear every groan of pain.
Oh goody
.
Geo slid in next to her
and placed his hand on her knee. “But we’re unlikely to escape with
her in the next few hours. Between the first and second match we’ll
have some time to explore and come up with a plan. Right now, we
need to focus. Survival first. Your sister second.”
He had a point, damn
him. She glared stubbornly.
He rubbed his hand up
and down her thigh as if to soothe her. She wanted to shake him off
except she did feel herself start to calm down. Damn him,
again.
“You know I’m on your
side.” His eyes were full of sincerity. “You must trust me.”