Atlantean's Quest Volume 1 Page 13

  Friends. She’d miss Jac and Brigit.

  She had to go back, if only to see them. Her eyes were drawn to a streak of red on Eros’s arm. He’d been shot. The bullet meant for her had struck him.

  Rachel’s stomach clenched. “Oh, my god, you’re hurt.” She grabbed the remnants of her tattered shirt and dabbed at the wound.

  Eros stilled her hand, his eyes meeting hers. “I’m well, my Queen.” His hand began to glow and the injury disappeared.

  “H-How?” She knew she was in shock, but she hadn’t imagined that.

  “Sleep, one whose mind is active like the monkeys. We’ll discuss it tomorrow,” Eros murmured, his voice low and soothing. “You showed braveness tonight worthy of a Queen.” He stripped his loincloth off and stood before Rachel as naked as the day he entered this world.

  Magnificent, was the only word that came to mind as she gazed upon him at length. He leaned over and removed her outfit, like a patient father getting a child ready for bed. Soon they were both naked.

  Rachel held her breath, but he didn’t make a move. For a moment, she felt disappointed. Why hadn’t he tried anything?

  Eros lowered his body onto the furs beside her and covered his eyes with his arms. She turned on her side to look at him. Deep lines were etched in his face from worry and exhaustion. He smelled musky and sweet, sexy and hot, devastatingly male.

  Soon his breathing deepened and Rachel realized he’d fallen asleep. She listened for several minutes to the sound of his breathing, barely able to keep her eyes open. There was something about the man that made her insides squishy, made her consider childish things like fairytales and happy endings.

  Would they have a happy ending? Was there really such a thing?

  Not likely.

  Sooner or later reality always set in. One or more of the people in a relationship got bored and strayed. That was just the way it was in the real world.

  “Rest, my Queen. Ponder our future in the morning.” His voice sleepy, but strong, lulled her into a comfortable slumber.

  * * * * *

  Chapter Eleven

  Rachel woke, curled into warmth that equaled a furnace. She snuggled closer, burrowing deeper. Her butt found a perfect fit against a hard, throbbing cock. Rachel’s eyes flew open and she froze, afraid to move a muscle. The thick rod pulsed against her. The previous night came back in a rush. Eros had one arm thrown over her, holding her body in place, and his thick thigh had somehow managed to weave its way between her legs.

  He shifted and his leg brushed her clit, sending tingles spiraling over her skin like a thousand tiny butterfly wings caressing her. Rachel shuddered. Her body came alive. She bit down on her lip and tried to remember how to breathe. Eros moved again, this time slightly up and across. Her breathing caught and her sex drenched.

  “I see you’re awake,” he purred. His penetrating baritone seeped into her, going straight to her engorged nipples.

  Rachel blushed. Fighting her body’s need, she tried to pull away from him. It was like trying to escape a python’s grasp.

  “Do you not wish me to pleasure you?” The promise his voice held set her blood on fire.

  “I…a…” Was that a trick question? Rachel’s mind refused to function as Eros raised his leg higher until she fully rode his thigh. She groaned, closing her eyes. Her body trembled with desire.

  “I thought so.”

  Rachel couldn’t see his smile, but she heard it in his voice. Any other time, she’d call him on his arrogance, but not now. She needed this, needed him. Not that she’d ever admit it.

  Eros started a slow pulse up and down. He placed his hands on her hips and moved her back and forth at the same time. The sensation was pure torture. Rachel clamped her legs tighter around his thigh, riding it with reckless abandon. Pressure built inside her, fanning out, flooding her senses. Her clit throbbed as it made contact with taut muscles. He pressed her down, grinding the sensitive nub into his flesh.

  Rachel’s orgasm hit hard, knocking the breath from her lungs. She gasped, her body arching as the delicious spasms swept her away. Trembling, she collapsed back against Eros’s broad chest. He slid his fingers down to play in her wet folds, then stroked up until he reached her pierced nipples. He stuck a finger in each loop and pulled ever so slightly, the sensation sending another shudder through her.

  Eros lifted her off his leg and gently laid her on her back. He followed her down, pressing his body to hers, nipple-to-nipple, thigh-to-thigh, clit-to-cock. His eyes locked with Rachel’s, as if waiting to see if she’d accept him.

  Rachel wanted Eros inside her now. Buried to the hilt. Fucking her mindless. She clasped his head, trying to draw him to her. He hesitated. Her hips rotated in encouragement, tilting her moist channel to ease his entrance. Eros trembled and closed his eyes, then stilled her movements.

  “Soon,” he muttered before capturing her mouth in a scorching kiss. His lips explored hers, nibbling and caressing. His tongue plunged then retreated. He savaged her, tossing fuel on her desire until she went up in flames.

  Rachel’s fingers tangled in his long hair as she clamped her thighs around his trim hips. She growled, a completely animalistic sound that she couldn’t believe had come from her, and tried to get closer. She wanted him. Now. No more waiting. Her hands slid over his shoulders, digging into his back.

  Eros grunted and broke the embrace. His jaw clenched and unclenched as he fought for control. Sweat beaded his brow and the lines on his face looked strained. He closed his eyes and thrust against her once, his breath coming in warm pants.

  Rachel felt the slide of the satiny hardness against her. “Please,” she said, not caring that she’d resorted to begging. “I want you.”

  “Not yet,” he bit out, then slid down her body quickly as if to avoid further temptation. Rachel groaned in frustration. Eros spread her thighs apart with his broad shoulders, opening her wide.

  “What are you doing?” She glanced down. Her sex was swollen from all the friction. She tried to close her legs, but he kept them open, inhaling deeply. His aqua eyes glazed over and his hands quaked. The sight of him between her legs was beyond erotic. He rolled his tongue seductively, and Rachel nearly came on the spot.

  “My Queen,” Eros said, then plunged inside of her channel with his serpent-like tongue. He lapped at her, feasting on her juices like a man dying of dehydration. His tongue swirled around, stroking her flesh, driving in deeper and deeper, until her body convulsed with a second blinding orgasm.

  Rachel mewed. Her fingers convulsed, pulling his hair to draw him nearer as her thighs clamped around his head. Her mind shattered into a billion fragments of light. Never in her life had she ever experienced this level of pleasure. Her clit pulsed and throbbed as if charged by an electrical current. Her normally pale skin flushed bright pink as her nipples stabbed skyward. She could feel the ripples vibrating out, spilling through her senses as wave after wave rocked her.

  Only with Eros.

  * * * * *

  Eros licked Rachel’s juices from his chin, like a hungry predator savoring his prey. She tasted sweet and tangy, like the camu camu fruit. Her musk surrounded him, drowning his senses. He could easily gorge on her sex for an eternity and never get enough. His cock ached from staving off his orgasm. One more day to go and the mating ceremony would take place, then he’d finally be able to reach fulfillment. He had one more day to convince Rachel to accept him in her heart, as well as her bed. Her verbal proclamation of love would guarantee a successful union. Even as the words floated through hit head, Eros knew they were a lie. The union would be successful with or without her love. But he needed to hear the words. They were as essential as breathing to his Atlantean heart.

  He’d already claimed her body. Now he wanted her soul. Once they were joined, Eros would never let her go.

  Rachel showed signs of trust whether she knew it or not. The way she snuggled against him in her sleep, the way she looked at him, her gaze filled with longing. She allo
wed him to touch her any way he desired.

  She had even trusted him not to drop her as they swung through the trees last night, despite the fact that heights terrified her. It had killed Eros to wait as the Professor aimed the gun at Rachel, but for his own peace of mind, he had to see if she would remain loyal to him and the people of Atlantis. It was the hardest thing he’d ever had to do. In the end, she had proven loyal. His heart had nearly burst with pride and affection.

  He watched her beneath veiled lashes. Her brown curls were in disarray around her head. Her pouty lips were parted as she gasped for air. She had the look of a well-loved woman.

  Little by little her resistance was wearing down. He could see it in the way she looked at him.

  Soon she’d love him, as much as his heart loved her.

  Today he would show Rachel the village and introduce her to his people. Perhaps if he explained to her the significance of her being here, she’d understand and want to stay. The Seer might be able to help. He’d take Rachel to talk to her this afternoon. For now, he just wanted to enjoy the taste of her on his lips. Explore her curves, until he had them memorized. Record her sensuous moans in his mind. More than anything, he wanted to fuck her until she grew hoarse from calling out his name. But his needs would have to wait. First he must see to hers.

  Eros rose from the furs. He held his hand out to help Rachel up. She rose onto her knees, tugging her hand free from his grasp. Her brown eyes sparked with sensuality and her pink tongue darted out to wet her bottom lip. Eros narrowed his gaze.

  What was she up to now?

  He was about to ask when she slipped her small hands around the base of his cock. “By the goddess, what are you doing?” he bit out, his voice strained from the effort.

  She arched a delicate brow in challenge. “You want me to stop?”

  “No!” he bellowed. He’d dreamt about the feel of her small hands upon him, he didn’t want her to stop now.

  “I didn’t think so.” She laughed, the sound rich and pleasing to his ears. The sparkle in her eyes disappeared, replaced by burning desire in its stead, as she gazed longingly upon his staff.

  “I’ve wanted to do this ever since I met you in my dream.” With that she licked the underside of his cock from end to end.

  Eros blew out a heavy breath. He wasn’t sure what dream she talked about, but if she wanted to touch him, he would not protest. His gaze dropped to her full lips as she sucked the crown of his cock into her mouth. Her fingers took on an intoxicating rhythm, sliding seductively around his girth. Eros was so busy watching her hands that his knees almost buckled when she took him to the back of her throat. Her mouth could barely accept a portion of his length, but it was enough. Warmth surrounded him, enveloping, firing off every instinct to claim and conquer. His cock was cradled while she sucked the very life from his body.

  His palms sought her head. Eros rested his fingertips in her silky hair, following her bobbing movements. She suckled and licked, swirling her tongue around his cock, playing with the eye. The moist lashing drove all rational thought from his mind. He tried to focus on her goddess-like face, but his vision began to blur. His need rose like an inferno. Blood roared in his ears.

  Eros labored for every breath, trying to draw out the pleasure she gifted him with. His legs shook and his body trembled. A thin sheen of sweat covered his golden skin as he tried to hang on. He wanted this moment to last. His grip tightened of its own accord. He was a warrior damn it, a King. He should last longer than a mere boy…but her lips were wreaking havoc on his good intentions. His shaft strained to gain deeper entrance, seeking the heaven-like release her ministrations would bring.

  Rachel cupped his balls and sucked hard at the same time. Eros thrust in her mouth, unable to stop himself. He felt his heavy sac rise up against his cock, pulling him over a precipice.

  “Yes!” he bellowed. His body jerked as his seed spilled down Rachel’s throat. He tried to pull back, stop her, but she held him firmly. She gripped his buttocks with one hand, his cock with the other, and proceeded to swallow every drop. Eros thrust a couple more times against her mouth, his loins aflame. He couldn’t seem to catch his breath as he watched her delicate mouth devour him.

  Rachel ran her tongue along his length once more, catching the last few pearly drops easing from his body, and sat back on her heels. A satisfied smile spread across her face, warming his soul.

  Eros dropped to his knees before her. Their eyes met His breathing still hadn’t returned to normal. “You truly are a sorceress, for you have stolen my heart, and yet I continue to live.”

  He brought his mouth to hers, kissing her hard, tasting his own essence on her lips, then dropped his head to place a quick peck upon each of her nipples, resisting the urge to suckle, before rising.

  Eros carefully pulled her off the furs as if she were fragile. He dressed her in the traditional outfit and then slipped his loincloth on.

  Food had already been set outside the door, as was the custom during the preparation period. He lifted the hide blocking the door and grabbed the bowl of fruits and fresh bread.

  “Let us take nourishment. You have much to see today.” Eros set the food upon the table. They sat and ate companionably. He tore off pieces of fruit and fed them to her. She did the same with the bread. Yes, whether she realized it or not, Rachel was beginning to trust him.

  Eros listened as she regaled him with the adventures in shopping that she had with her friends Jac and Brigit. Had he not read her thoughts, he wouldn’t have known what she meant. Rachel talked of parties and luncheons, even holidays. The love she had for the two women was great. She choked up while talking about them, pretending that a piece of fruit got lodged in her throat.

  Eros didn’t question her, but felt guilty that he’d caused her pain. One thing became clear, Rachel wouldn’t willingly leave without telling them goodbye.

  As they ate, she shared her ambitions with him and explained to Eros in great detail what her field of study entailed.

  He listened intently, hanging on her every word. Gripping the table, he hesitated, then asked, “Can you interpret symbols?”

  “What kind of symbols?” Rachel mumbled over the bite of banana she’d taken.

  Eros sat back. He knew in order to gain trust, first you must give it. He looked at his future mate. She was adorable in her mussed state. It was time to trust her with more than his heart.

  “We have a transport here that no one has been able to interpret since the sages were lost. Would you be interested in seeing it to see if you understand the symbols?”

  “Transport? You mean like a plane?”

  “Something like that,” he said, evasively.

  Rachel’s eye lit up with excitement. “I’d love to.” She took another bite of banana. Her gaze fixed on the discarded peel, obviously lost in thought.

  Eros picked up pictures of flying winged transports buzzing around the skies from her scattered thoughts. None of the images made any sense to him.

  Slowly she raised her eyes to meet his. “What happened to the sages?”

  “Some were killed, some escaped to Zaron, our home planet.” The ache of loss flooded Eros. Over two thousand years had passed since the great disaster, yet the pain felt fresh every time he spoke of Atlantis.

  “Did you say planet?” She held up her hand. “No, don’t tell me, I don’t want to know. It’ll only ruin this moment.”

  He nodded and watched as her brows furrowed. Her disbelief was as transparent as her emotions. When she changed the subject, he decided not to push the point.

  “What about your parents?”

  “Lost…” Eros looked away from Rachel. He didn’t want to see pity on her face. He wanted only her understanding, her love.

  Rachel cleared her throat. “How old were you when they died?”

  “I was thirteen of your years.”

  “I’m sorry,” she gulped. “My folks are dead, too.”

  He turned back to prevent her from sa
ying any more, but stopped as her words registered. Tears pooled in her brown eyes, covering her lashes, a moment before they spilled down her pale cheeks.

  Eros reached out and captured some of the wetness on his fingertips. He leaned across the table and placed a kiss on each cheek, feeling the salt upon his lips. Pulling back to frame her face with his large palms, he tilted her chin up.

  “Please don’t cry, my Rachel. We have each other.” He brought his mouth to hers in a tender kiss before releasing her.

  Rachel swiped at the fresh tears with the back of her hand. “I don’t know what I would have done if I’d lost my parents when I was growing up. It was bad enough losing them at twenty-one. If it weren’t for my friends, Jac and Brigit, I’d be alone in this world. They are my family now.”

  * * * * *

  Eros’s eyes flashed at her words, but he said nothing.

  He had experienced the worst kind of loss as a child. Rachel tried to imagine him as a boy. His hair golden, those aquamarine eyes flashing with mischief. He was probably a handful for his mother and father. She wondered which one he most resembled. The truth was, she’d never know.

  She sniffled. “You were so young.”

  “I was not the only one who lost loved ones that day. Many have suffered.” Eros’s jaw tightened and he crushed the piece of fruit he’d just pick up from the table. “Their only hope was that the Seer’s prophecy of your arrival, our impending union and ultimately the conception of our child, would prove true.”

  Rachel blew out a ragged breath. “Prophecy? Baby? This is too much. You know that don’t you? How do you expect me to believe all this? Look at me. Do I look like I’ve been chosen for anything?” She stood and twirled around in a circle. “I’m an average woman, in every sense of the word. There is nothing special about me.” She stopped and faced him. “And motherhood? No offense, but I’m not ready to be a mother. That’s a huge responsibility that I don’t take lightly.”