Kyler's Justice (Assassins of Gravas Book 3) - N.J. Walters Page 0,52

“Better than I am. This is all one grand adventure to them. They finally went to sleep.” Rather than coming closer, she leaned against the wall. “Will they be safe?”

“Yes.” He could give her that now. “Gravasians protect children.”

Her shoulders slumped. “That’s good. Thank you.”

He gripped the arms of his chair and pushed upright. “Don’t thank me. I don’t want gratitude.” It was a bitter pill to swallow.

Her chin shot up, her blue eyes on fire. “Then what do you want?”

That was a loaded question. He prowled his way toward her. She stood her ground, magnificent in her anger.

“You.” Words escaped him. Not that he was eloquent at the best of times. No, he was more a doer than a talker. Placing one hand on the wall above her head, he leaned down. “You,” he repeated.

He’d planned to go slow, but she had a way of stripping away his control, peeling it back layer by layer until it no longer existed. When he took her lips, he tasted her desperation. She was slipping away from him.

He’d been on his own since he was a child, working, learning, training, becoming a killing machine without equal. Now he wanted more. Not only wanted, but needed it in a way he couldn’t truly comprehend. All he knew was that without her, he’d have to be put down. She soothed the savage parts of him, filled the lonely places, and gave his heart peace.

Her lips were warm and soft, yielding to him as he took and took, tasting, devouring. There was no way he could get enough. At first, she remained unmoved, apart from him. The coldness in him began to spread. Then her hand crept up his chest and around his neck. Relief spilled through him. It wasn’t too late for them.

“Let me have you.” He barely dared to breathe as he awaited his fate to be decided.

“I don’t understand you.” She shook her head and his heart sank. He straightened away and swallowed heavily. There was nothing he could think to say or do to change her mind. “But I want you,” she continued.

Heart racing like a fighter ship at top speed, he tilted his head to one side, not certain he’d heard her correctly. “You want me?”

When her eyes clouded and she nibbled on her bottom lip, he lowered his head and dragged his tongue over the abused area, soothing it. Her breath caught in her throat and was followed by a moan.

That was all he needed. He scooped her into his arms and carried her to his room. She initially stiffened but then relaxed, becoming pliant in his arms. She fit perfectly, substantial enough to give him something, someone to hold on to. “Computer, maintain course and alert to any threats.”

“Maintaining course. Full security,” the computer answered.

Unless they were under attack, he wasn’t needed. Usually, he remained in the control room to monitor things, read briefing reports, worked out, or slept. Not this trip. This time he planned on making love to Etta as many times as she’d let him.

When the door shut behind him, he lowered her to her feet. “The girls?” she reminded him.

He had to adjust his thinking going forward. He wasn’t alone any longer. His throat tightened, making it more difficult to speak. “Computer, send an alert if girls wake.”

“Monitoring,” came the reply.

With more haste than finesse, he dragged her shirt over her head. She was wearing another of those plain bras beneath, this one made prettier with a sea of pastel blooms that had been embroidered all across the cups holding her magnificent breasts.

Her glorious golden hair caught in the material and then cascaded around her shoulders. He ran his fingers through it, shoving the heavy mass away from her face. “You are so beautiful.” She truly was a vision. But it was more than her looks. It was her spirit, the purity of her love for her sisters, which shone through. That part of her would always remain luminous, no matter how many years passed.

A pink flush spread up her chest and over her face. “Thank you.”

Fascinated, he followed the path with his fingers. Her skin was normally so pale. There were dark circles beneath her eyes. Tiny lines fanned out from the corners. He was being greedy and inconsiderate, thinking only about what he wanted and not what she needed.

“You’re tired.” He rubbed the spot between her eyes. “You should rest.”

She frowned and took a step away, crossing her arms over her chest.