Enticed & Seduced, page 8
part #7 of House of the Cat Series
“What are you trying to tell me?” Gryffnn asked.
Kaya sighed. “That the number of males I’ve taken to my bed is fewer than rumor might say.”
Gryffnn moved, repositioning their bodies to see her face. “Then why did you agree to share my bed? I’m not an act of charity.”
“No, of course not,” Kaya said, recognizing ruffled male pride when she saw it. “The truth is I’ve seen all my friends find mates, and I… Goddess, this will sound mean and full of self-pity, but the truth is I’m lonely. I-I like you, and lately, I’ve been twitchy.”
“Twitchy?”
“A word from my home planet. It means my body is craving sex.”
“Ah,” he said.
“I… Do you still want to have sex with me? Aideen already knows or suspects we haven’t been intimate.”
“But she knows we intend to do the deed,” Gryffnn countered. “Let me ask this. We’re friends. True?”
“Yes.”
“Our bodies want each other, so why don’t we go ahead?”
“But what if something goes wrong? What if we argue? I don’t want to lose your regard. One thing my time with Ry has taught me is that friendships are important.”
“Even if they’re with a male?”
“Ry and Nanu—I would risk my life for them without a blink. Jannike’s and Gweneth’s mates too. What I have learned since leaving home is that our Sitnam traditional ways are not necessarily right. I value our relationship as it stands, Gryffnn. I respect and admire the way you are dealing with Ransom’s illness. Your relationship with your son is special, and I hope I can do half as well with Lys.”
“Your points are valid,” Gryffnn said, his expression impassive.
Kaya pulled away, disappointed yet a realist. Gryffnn was right to stop this. She’d known it too, which was part of the reason she’d made her confession.
“It would be best if I returned to my usual chamber.”
“You didn’t let me finish. I am also lonely. We can help each other. I need someone in my corner while I deal with Aideen and Caley.”
Another thought occurred to Kaya, one she detested. A sharp pain dug into her chest, the phantom talons coated with a flash of jealousy. “Are you worried about your ex? Do you wish to rekindle your relationship?”
“Hell, no,” Gryffnn barked. “Caley is a she-devil coated with dragon scales. I sent my son away to keep him from her clutches. I have no intention of touching her. Ever again. She disgusts me, and she doesn’t have half the spirit and goodness of you. Not a quarter. We can help each other and stay friends. Please, I need you, Kaya.”
Kaya struggled to confirm their agreement because she knew of the Earth curve balls that struck when least expected, the way they hit so hard they pushed everything right and proper off course. She sensed Gryffnn had the power to hurt her, change her like one of these curve ball thingies.
“I won’t force you, Kaya. And I won’t blame you if you change your mind. Aideen will attempt to overthrow me—no matter which way you decide.”
“Huh!” Kaya snorted. “I want to help you. Aideen believes we have a weakness because Ransom isn’t available. She’s wrong. You’ll send her running with her tail tucked between her scaly dragon legs.”
Gryffnn’s chuckle lightened the tension between them, and she found herself smiling.
“I gave you my promise, and it’s still good, but if you end up hating me, I’m gonna poke you in the belly with my pointy sword and say, ‘I told you so’.”
“Deal,” Gryffnn said, and he kissed the tip of her nose again.
He seemed to enjoy doing that, and she found the innocent caress charming.
“Now about this twitchy business. Should we stomp that out?”
Kaya groaned. “I’ve talked way too much.”
Private Times, Sexy Times
Gryffnn rolled and caged Kaya between his body and the gel-mattress. He grinned at her, taking in her pale blue skin, her gorgeous bright blue eyes and her cute nose with the slight upward tilt. Her lips, too, held a tinge of blue, her high cheekbones carrying a deeper blue whenever her emotions got the better of her. Then there was her dazzling blue hair, which was as silky and soft as he’d imagined.
They had much in common with their pasts shaping them and still weighing on their decisions. Except with Kaya, he didn’t fear a bad outcome. Every part of him, every part of his dragon cried out to claim Kaya and keep her close. She carried so many qualities he respected. And Hallam liked her.
“One thing before we take things further and cure your twitchiness,” he said. “If you’re going to do away with me after we have sex, please make arrangements for my son and make my death quick.”
“Idiot,” she said with a wrinkle of her cute nose. “I don’t subscribe to my planet’s traditions, and now it’s obvious I got this from my father since he’s alive and kicking butt, doing secret squirrel stuff with Tayte.”
“Secret squirrel?”
“From Camryn’s planet. A squirrel is a small fluffy creature that skulks and scuttles around in a furtive manner stealing and collecting nuts.”
“These words make sense.”
“I suspect my father and Tayte work undercover for important people. I don’t ask questions—not that I’d receive answers. And don’t repeat this conversation to anyone.”
“I know how to be one of these secret squirrel beasties. And this is the reason two men arrived and elderly women left. Can you shift your appearance?”
“No, I take after my mother.”
“Should you have taken over from her as ruler?”
“She never asked me, but by sending me away, she muddied the line of command. A new ruler will fear my sister or I might return to snatch back power.”
“Do you want to?” Her desire to rule might ruin his plans.
She shuddered. “No. If Lys wanted to do it, I’d support her, but the ruling and court intrigue isn’t for me. I relish my life now as part of Ry’s crew. Exploring new worlds and having dangerous adventures. Excitement. Our lives have changed since we settled on Viros. I never thought I’d enjoy staying in one place, having a base, but it’s fun. We go on mostly short jaunts to haul freight or work for your people or for Jannike’s men. It can still be exciting even though we’re strictly legal now and don’t take risky jobs because Ry and Jannike have children.”
“You’re responsible for children now.”
She groaned. “Don’t remind me.”
Her expression was so disgruntled, he had to smile. She didn’t see herself as a nurturer, yet she was. She worried about her friends, was protective of them with a she-dragon fierceness. He dipped his head and kissed her, giving in to the need coursing through him. He’d watched and waited a long time for Kaya Ignatius.
She sighed against his lips, and he deepened the contact, lost in her taste, her scent, her touch.
Lost in Kaya.
She kissed him back, demanding and taking, and he couldn’t help the small part of his mind that traveled back to examine memories of his first time with Caley. She’d lay there resembling a glittering, beautiful rock, not showing him compassion or anything except disdain. Pleased to the bone with Kaya’s participation, he shoved the viper from his thoughts and concentrated on the beautiful, courageous woman in his arms.
He savored her lips, drawing her flavor into him, the hint of the liquor they’d imbibed earlier and the tartness that was Kaya. He brushed his lips down the column of her throat and pressed them against a rapidly beating pulse point. Her scent washed through him. A trace of the spices and the smoky amber associated with dragons. The plant stink still lingered under the layers, but it was faint. He ran his tongue over the smooth flesh, the dragon part of him demanding he conquer and seize this woman.
Gryffnn knew better. Despite the urge to grab like a greedy thief, wooing Kaya and treating her as the special woman she was would pay dividends later. Even if the sensation of her hands stroking his back and darting lower to caress his buttocks played merry hell with his willpower.
Moving farther down her body, he explored her breasts. They were larger than he’d pictured, the nipples a similar shade of blue to her lips.
“Touch me, Gryffnn. Please. When I said I was twitchy, I meant it.”
“I am also twitchy,” he said, the idea amusing him.
“Then fix this,” she ordered, her brows drawing together in a frown to match her stern mouth. “Turn over. Lie on your back.”
Astonished, Gryffnn followed her directions.
“Ah, where to touch first.” Her gaze roved his body and her tongue darted out to moisten her lips.
Gryffnn stared, mesmerized by her open inspection of him, the concentration on her face and the lust shining through. Curious, he forced himself to lie still and watch for her next action.
“Your scales are cute. Will you let me see you and touch you in dragon form? I’ve only seen you from a distance and we were in a public place. It didn’t seem polite to go around stroking the dragons.”
“That would get you in trouble,” he agreed, trying to imagine the chaos on the training field.
“But you’ll let me touch you?”
“Any time.”
“No time like the present,” she said cheerfully and grasped his cock. “Ooh! You’re right. They’re softer than I imagined.” She ran her hand up and down his shaft as she squeezed and experimented.
Gryffnn groaned, and her gaze flew to his.
“Did I hurt you?”
“No, but you’re determined to cure this twitchiness of yours in a hurry.”
“Yes.” She cupped his balls, examining the minute scales that covered them and squeezed them too. “Interesting. They’re changing color.”
“Yes,” Gryffnn said in a strangled voice. To halt his escalating arousal, he counted, from memory, the items of jewelry in his wealth hoard. One, two, three…
By the time he reached forty-seven, Kaya had clambered onto him and straddled his hips. Her feminine essence wafted to him, the scent rich and heady. He lost his tally and grimly, began his count again. All it took was a tiny wiggle by Kaya and his current total flew out of his head and his control snapped.
He flipped her off him, flinging her onto her back. Secs later, he pushed his thigh between hers and parted them, pleased—thank every goddess his mother had ever taught him about—with Kaya’s obvious arousal.
“Yay!” Kaya said, her blue eyes full of laughter.
Gryffnn released a growl as he guided his cock into position. He pushed his hips forward, the snug walls of her sex squeezing and welcoming. A slice of paradise. With another shove, he rocked until he was balls-deep in her. A groan slipped free as Kaya clasped him to her, lifting her lower body in welcome.
“Yes. Goddess, Gryffnn. Move. Please move.”
He needed no urging, every particle of his body ordering him to withdraw and sink back into heaven. Desperate to taste her again, he crushed his mouth to hers, stroking their tongues together. She curled her legs around his hips, her urgency spreading to him, making him increase the pace of his hot, easy glides. Sensations poured through him with each thrust. Pleasure. Happiness. Joy.
Hungry little noises escaped her as he rolled one nipple between his fingers and pushed deep into her.
“Yes. Hit me there again,” Kaya demanded.
And he laughed, following her direction because he wanted to please her and every time he drove into her it felt so damn good. He withdrew and surged deep. Her channel clenched around him, and Kaya gasped.
“Gryffnn, so good. So, so good.” Her fingernails dug into his shoulders as she took her pleasure.
He gritted his teeth and held back until the spasms rocking her tapered off. Her eyes, which she’d closed, flicked open, the same clear blue of the swimming pool beneath the waterfall. Her lips curved.
“I am officially no longer twitchy.”
“Excellent, then I can have my turn,” Gryffnn said.
“Sounds fair.” Laughter shaded Kaya’s voice as Gryffnn let lust take him over.
With a convulsive heave of his muscles, he surged into her heat, shifting the angle a fraction to increase the friction as their bodies slid together.
“Again.” Kaya sighed happily. “Oh, yes.”
Gryffnn nuzzled her neck, his balls drawing up tight until he balanced on a point between pain and ecstasy. Despite the heavy fog of desire clouding his mind, driving him to take his pleasure, he slipped his hand between them and stroked her nub.
She mewed secs before he reached the point of no return. His release rampaged through him, destroying him yet building him back up again. His seed spurted from him as he writhed in the heat of his lover. Each breath emerged in hoarse rasps, his lifeforce muscle pumping extra hard.
Kaya pinched his biceps. “You’re more relaxed now too.”
Gryffnn smiled and leaned closer for an affectionate smooch. Lazy satisfaction filled him as he withdrew from her and sprawled on his side. He wrapped his arms around her and drew her against his chest. When he inhaled, their scents had blended—not fully, but enough to bring a surge of contentment, enough to warn other dragons that Kaya belonged to him.
The Guests Make Trouble
“Gryffnn. Gryffnn! Sir, you need to wake up.” The muffled demand along with hammering on his door dragged Gryffnn from the best sleep he’d had in quarter of a rotation.
Kaya stirred and peered over his shoulder in aggrievement. “What is that goddess-awful racket?”
Gryffnn slipped off the gel-bed. He ripped open the door to scowl at one of his trusted servants. “What?”
The male servant scanned his body, noticed his naked state and raised his gaze to Gryffnn’s face. “Our visitors are causing trouble. They are trying to enter the family area. They say they are guests and should have access to you and the rest of the family.” His gaze slid past Gryffnn to the gel-bed and Kaya.
Gryffnn growled, a low, testy rumble that had the servant redirecting his eyes. “We will dress and come down to handle Aideen and her people.”
As soon as Gryffnn shut the door, Kaya sprang off the gel-bed and hustled into the bathing room. The water started, and Gryffnn strode to the doorway. His woman. Pleasure swept through him as he watched her bathe. He allowed himself a few more secs to soak in her loveliness and her natural sexiness before forcing himself into action.
Aideen awaited, and he couldn’t expect his people to deal with their guests’ bitchiness. It was time to discover their scheme and squash it before they gained momentum.
He strode to Kaya and ducked his head under the stream of water.
“Is Aideen making trouble?”
“Right first guess.” Gryffnn reached for cleanser and scrubbed his chest. Every part of him wanted to grab Kaya and spirit her away to a quiet place where he could spend quality time with her and deepen their ties. It irked him that instead he had to deal with his ex-clan. He eyed Kaya as she dried and left the bathing chamber.
His brother wouldn’t have hesitated.
He always did the right thing.
After scrubbing his body, Gryffnn rinsed off. “Water off. Drier on.”
When he walked out to the main chamber, Kaya had set out his clothes. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
He pulled on the trews and a scarlet shirt. “I don’t wear dressy clothes.”
“These aren’t normal circumstances.”
Gryffnn mulled over that and agreed with Kaya’s strategy. Make Aideen think he was trying to impress her. Make her think he lacked the experience to lead. Make her think she could intimidate him and his people.
He sat to tug on linings and boots, then stood. “Let’s do this. How long until the Indy makes a return?”
“I’m guessing Nanu would’ve pushed the trip back to Viros, but it will still be at least three cycles,” Kaya said as they left his chamber and headed for the stairs leading down to the ground floor.
He’d figured on that length of journey but had hoped he’d miscalculated since he could do with the extra help. Strength in numbers and all that.
“Oh, thank goodness. You’re awake.” Sable bustled toward the stairs before they’d fully descended. “I hope you have a plan because, brother, you need one.”
“Where is Aideen?”
“Last I saw of her was when she was stomping around the garden and bitching about the lack of hospitality and pondering if the Drake clan have secrets to hide,” Sable said with a trace of disgust.
Gryffnn grinned at his younger sister. “No need to make them too comfortable. After all, we didn’t invite them to visit.”
“True,” Sable said.
“But I’d better calm our visitors. I’ve decided to organize competitive games between the two clans, followed by relaxation at the waterfall pool. Can the kitchen arrange cold foods to feed everyone once we’ve finished swimming?”
“I’ll make the food happen,” Sable said. “The kitchen crew has already started baking extra supplies.”
“Excellent.” Gryffnn held out his hand to Kaya. “Where is Ry?”
“He went for a walk, or at least that’s what he told me.” Sable leaned closer. “He wanted to keep an eye on developments. Oh, and there was an argument between our soldiers and Aideen’s. Ry ended up refereeing the disagreement. One of Aideen’s dragons is complaining about Ry biting him. Ry shifted,” she added.
Kaya’s brows shot upward. “It takes a lot to rile Ry.”
Gryffnn grimaced. “I’ve never seen him lose his temper. Frag, Ry shouldn’t have to step in between the clans. I’d better find him and apologize.” Gryffnn sucked in a quick breath. “Right, let’s do this.”
Gryffnn led Kaya outside, and they almost bumped into Aideen and an entourage of guards.
“Where have you been?” the dragon woman demanded, her voice close to shrill.
“Kaya and I slept late,” Gryffnn said. “I understand you’ve broken your fast. Would your people enjoy a friendly competition between your clan and ours? We could start with wrestling and cool off at our swimming hole afterward.”
