The Bond That Consumes Us (17 page)

him didn’t want her to let go. He wanted to pick her up, throw her over his shoulder and carry her back to his rooms. He wished he could just let go—pour every pent-up emotion he’d locked up for years over her.

Instead, he bowed to Haylie and Sara and led Fallon out the door.

* * * * *

“Oh my god, did you see that?” Sara’s voice rose an entire octave by the time she’d finished her short sentence. “I knew there was something between them the second I saw her.”

“Briel don’t have casual relationships. You know that.”

“Haylie…I know you just had a baby, but you’re not blind nor stupid.”

No, she was far from that. Haylie shifted Orya to her shoulder, where she began to suck her thumb. She’d known Taber for a few years now and she’d never seen him respond to a woman like that before. It was almost as if they were bonded.

Did you see Taber?
Kamran’s voice was in her head the second she let her barrier down.

He just came and got Fallon.

How was he?

Why?

There was something…different about him.

She paused, not quite sure how to put what she saw into words. So instead she showed him a mental picture of the expression on Taber’s face.
Are you sure Briel don’t
have casual relationships?

Never. I’ve never heard of a single case. It’s not in our nature, our biology.

Then I think our friend is in love. How is that possible?

The stunned silence from her husband mirrored her own shock.

“Kamran doesn’t believe it, but I think you might be right.”

“Well, at least the next few days will be interesting,” Sara said with a grin. “I can’t wait.”

115

There was little to compare between Fallon’s quarters on the
Damara
and Taber’s luxurious quarters here on Eurus. There was so much space, she thought she’d get lost going to the bathroom. Taber stood just inside the door while she explored the room.

She did her very best to ignore the fact he was finally alone with her and she wanted more than ever to let him have his way.

Especially after meeting his friends and seeing his home.

“Thank you for giving me the tour. I haven’t seen anything like your bazaar since I left Earth. And that food was amazing. I thought I had it good on the
Damara.
”

Taber nodded, his eyes locked on to her as she moved. Very aware of how he was watching her, Fallon couldn’t help but tease him a little. Purposely knocking a data pad to the floor and bending from the waist to pick it up. She swore she heard him growl when she gave him full view of her ass.

“Problem?” she asked innocently when she straightened.

The muscles in his jaw and neck flexed, but he didn’t say anything.

“Your friends are very nice. Especially Haylie and Sara. It’s been a long time since I’ve had a chance to sit around and talk like that. Working at the bar, I do a lot of listening, but people rarely care about what I think.”

“They are kind but strong women. They remind me of you.”

His words caught her off guard and Fallon stopped her movements. “Really? You think I’m strong?”

Taber ran his hand through his hair and sighed. “You found the dead body of your friend in your bar and didn’t slip into hysterics. You have a serial killer obsessed with you and you’ve remained calm the entire time. I would say that is strength.”

Fallon shrugged and walked slowly over to him. When she was only a few inches away, she reached up and straightened the collar of his tunic. “It’s easy to be brave when I have someone like you protecting me.”

She rose on her tiptoes and pressed a kiss on his chin. She probably shouldn’t have pushed him, but she couldn’t help it. Instead, she licked the damp skin where her lips had been moments ago. She heard his sharp intake of air and the low growl that escaped him.

“What makes you think you’re safe?” Taber picked her up and threw her over his shoulder. “You’re a torment to men.”

Letting out a squeal, Fallon tried to smack his ass and still wasn’t able to reach as he carried her over to the bed and threw her on it. The tight black shirt she wore couldn’t hide her jiggling breasts as she bounced on the mattress, giggling.

116

“You think this is amusing?” There was a hint of madness in his voice as he let his body fall onto hers, pinning her securely. “I’ve been trying to resist the urge to touch you all day long, to keep people from knowing there is anything between us. And you continue to tease me.”

Taber’s breath was coming out in harsh gasps, his dark blue eyes practically eating her alive as he stared at her. Fallon tried to reach up to caress his face, but he held her hands tight to the bed. Always in control—it made her so horny.

“Let me touch you,” she whispered.

“No.”

“Please. I’m sorry.”

A low growl vibrated deep in his chest, making Fallon’s nipples grow hard. She gasped when he buried his face against her neck and lightly nipped at the sensitive skin.

“You drive me wild. I’m sure everyone knows.” His words were hot against her cool skin, sending shivers through her.

“No one will know, Taber.”

“What if I want them to know?”

His body froze, the weight of his mass pushing her as what he said finally sank into her head.

“What?” she said in complete disbelief.

He paused and she could feel him squeeze his eyes shut. “What if I want them to know? Claim you as mine.” He finally lifted his head and looked at her.

She could feel the hardness of his cock pressing against her belly, but it was the look of hunger in his eyes that felt overwhelming. Taber’s intensity could be too much to handle at times, but at least now she had an out. Once they caught whoever was stalking her, she’d be free to return to her life on the
Damara
or even return to Earth. She had no doubt Kamran would help her find safe passage home. Haylie had said as much.

But to belong to Taber…that was a tempting proposition.

Fallon sucked in her bottom lip as she let her eyes travel over his face. He was the most handsome man she’d ever met. But regardless, he was an alien. Just because Sara and Haylie seemed to have made love matches with men from this galaxy, Fallon wasn’t sure if she was ready to join the club. She had a life waiting for her back on Earth—a business license for a bar and her uncle’s house would be hers as soon as she got back. It had been her dream for so long, it was hard to get her mind to accept other possibilities.

Still, he was really fucking gorgeous.

“I want you,” he said, rocking his cock against her. “And I’m going to have you.”

She moaned, arching her back as much as she was able to. “Yes.”

117

“I’m going to drive my cock into you so hard you’ll scream my name.”

“God, Taber. I love it when you talk—”

His mouth crushed hers, his tongue invading, teasing her into silence. Fallon’s eyes slid shut and she let her body simply feel, enjoying every sensation he stirred in her. He was unlike any other man she’d ever been with. He took what he wanted, strong, confident. But she knew he would give her pleasure beyond her ability to ask. He seemed tapped into her soul and she was getting comfortable with him being there.

Fallon flexed her hands trying to twist them out of his grasp, but she couldn’t. He pulled them up above her head, forcing her breasts high.

“I’m in control, remember.” His eyes sparkled as he spoke. “You’ll do as I say.”

Never a question when he spoke. Fallon’s insides began to melt from the heat of her desire. She nodded her head, keeping her gaze locked on his. His body stiffened above her before he bent his head and placed a kiss on her forehead.

“Spread your legs as wide as they will go.”

It was harder to comply than she thought. The pressure of his body on her limited her motion, but she managed to do what he asked. Her pants were pulled tight against her, putting added pressure on her already sensitive clit. When she tried to rock her hips to increase the pressure, Taber shifted to the side and pressed a hand on her stomach.

“You know the rule. I get to tell you when to come.” He shifted his head to her breast and lightly bit her nipple, making Fallon’s body shudder. “I get to say.”

“You say.”
God yes!

“Don’t move.”

He pulled himself up, rising to his knees. It didn’t take him long to discard his clothing, leaving him gloriously naked standing beside the bed. Fallon almost forgot to breathe as she stared at him. Her nipples grew hard and her pussy flooded her panties with her cream as she could only look at the object of her desire. The smoothness of his skin, tight over his lean muscles, was mind-numbingly beautiful. Taber’s gaze traveled over her body, making it incredibly difficult to hold still.

“I want to see you naked, Fallon. Put your legs together.”

Once she complied, his fingers worked the opening of her pants, sliding them with ease over her hips. He left her black panties on, instead shifting his attention to her shirt.

“Your breasts are perfect,” he muttered as he pushed her shirt and bra up and over her head. “I would never have you cover them in my presence if I could.”

She gasped as his fingers played with her tight nipples. He rolled them around, each trapped between his forefinger and thumb. The repetitive motion shot tendrils of pleasure to her pussy, making her wetter than she thought possible.

Taber slid his hands over her breasts and down to her hips. They were so large, his fingers easily encircled most of her waist, binding her down to the bed.

118

“I lose my control when I’m around you,” he whispered, keeping his gaze locked on her stomach.

He was kneeling on the bed now and she could feel his legs trembling. Fallon swallowed and took a chance. She moved her hands, still high above her head, down and cupped his cheeks.

“I feel the same way.”

Still, he didn’t look at her. “Does it not…”

Without him finishing, she knew what he was thinking.

“Yes. It scares the shit out of me. I’ve never…surrendered myself like this to anyone.

Taber lifted his head, his eyes shimmering with unshed tears. Fallon gasped and pulled herself up, moving close to him.

“Why me?” he asked softly. “You don’t know me, can’t know my mind.”

“Bullshit I can’t. I see what you do, how you act. You’re a good man.”

“My mate didn’t think so.”

“Then there was something wrong with her. You hear me,
her
—not you! And if you don’t stop this self torture, you’ll be the one losing control for good. She’ll always have it over you.”

Fallon kissed him hard—even when he tried to pull back, she didn’t relent. She drove her tongue into his mouth, running it over his, caressing his lips, doing her best to push all thoughts of his dead wife from his mind. And from hers.

It took a minute, but she finally felt his body relax, so much so she was able to push him to his back and climb on top. Her pussy kissed the tip of his cock and caused him to twitch beneath her.

“I think it’s time you felt what it’s really like to give up control,” she said with a grin. “It will do you some good.”

“And what do you have in mind?”

She’d barely had time to get settled before he’d thrown her on the bed, but she’d brought something with her that would hopefully show him what he meant to her.

Pressing her hand to his chest, she rubbed her nose over his.

“Don’t move.”

It took her a second to find what it was she was looking for, but she eventually found it buried under the clothing she’d hastily shoved into her bag.

“I bought it years ago before I left Earth. I don’t know why, but there was something about it I really liked.”

She pulled the black metal chain from the small black box and held it up for him to see. Dangling from it was a large silver clasp that held a midnight blue stone. Taber didn’t move as she walked back to him, the chain held out in front of her.

119

“I don’t think it means anything, to be honest, but there was something about it that drew me to it. I’ve kept it with me wherever I go for years now.”

Fallon bent down and slid the chain into position around his neck. It took her a moment to fasten the clasp because of how badly her fingers were shaking. When she was finished, she sat up, staring at her handiwork.

“I want you to have it.”

She watched as he reached up with his hand and touched the stone. It looked so small beneath his fingers, reflective of how she must look under him.

“How does this make me lose control?”

“My uncle told me once that when someone takes something from you, they’re never really able to touch what’s really important. You still have the control. Only you can choose to give that to another person. I’m giving you mine.”

“I don’t understand.”

She smiled. “You will. Now make love to me. Tell me what you want.”

The rise and fall of his chest increased in tempo and Fallon knew he was waging an internal battle. It made her think of Haylie and Kamran. What it must be like to be that close to another person. To hear their thoughts in your head. How wonderful and terrifying at the same time. It would take the pleasure out of surprises—but she’d be so close to him.

Taber picked Fallon up by the waist and lifted her back on top of his body. He paused only long enough to pull her hair free of the bun.

“This. I want you like this.”

Shivering, she smiled and bent down to lick his earlobe. “Like this?”

“
Cha terma shi semeta
.”

“That’s so fucking hot when you talk like that. I wish I knew what you were saying.”

Taber squeezed her hips with his hands, moving her pussy to the tip of his cock. “I said
I want to fuck you
.”

Without any further indication, he bucked his hips forward, filling her cunt completely. Fallon cried out, dropping her face to his shoulder. He didn’t move again for a moment, not until she tightened her pussy around his shaft.

“Please,” she begged softly

“You want me. I don’t know why I’ve been so blessed, but I thank the goddess that I have. Take what you want, Fallon.”

It was then he released her hips, moving his hands to his sides. She realized what he was doing, knew he was beginning to see what she’d meant. The one giving up the control had the control. But for the first time in their time together, she was the one who could have her way with him. Biting down on her bottom lip, she had to think of what she wanted him to do.

120

“Reach up and grab the headboard. Don’t let go.”

Taber didn’t pause, his large arms stretched above him, expanding the multitude of muscles in his chest. She knew what she wanted him to do next.