“I don’t want to stop.”
Again, he kisses me, leaving me completely breathless while his fingers dip between my legs. I gasp when he touches me, having never been explored by another before. I know the mechanics of my body, what feels good and what provides relief, but to have Dion touch me like that—there—I melt into the bedding.
The next time he touches that spot it’s not with his fingers, it’s with the slippery tip of his cock. I’m excited and terrified and he must sense this because he takes my hand in his and says, “Breathe,” and uses his knees to spreads my legs apart.
I exhale and he hovers over me, kissing the nerves away. When he presses in, he forces my eyes to hold his. He moves slowly at first but then quick, his body used to this kind of movement. I’m grateful for his experience. I’m in love with the way his hand feels on my hip and the way his body fills mine. I shift, getting more comfortable.
“Good?”
I nod and when he bends to kiss me I clamp down on his bottom lip, wanting to claim him like he’s claiming me.
Dion adjusts his pace, increasing speed. The initial shock of pain slips away and I’m able to watch the man over me. He’s a glorious sight, muscles and beauty. His jaw tenses with every thrust. My hands grip his shoulders, his back; nails digging in for purchase.
That spurs him on and his breathing grows ragged. I hold on as his movements grow erratic, his face pinches and his cheeks redden. I’m fascinated by his loss of control—the lazy smile gone—he’s mine, body and soul, and when he tips over, losing himself in harder thrusts, I’m forced to hold on with both hands.
He groans and bites the flesh of my shoulder while his body slows. I feel the slippery heat and warmth between us and my body, like it’s just figured out what we’re doing, and tries to catch up. It craves more friction and I rock against him.
Dion glances down at me, the grin back in place. He kisses me on the mouth and says, “Don’t worry, love, we’re not finished yet.”
But he slips out of me as though he is, replacing the warmth of his body with his hand, fingers trailing in the mess left by the two of us until he zeroes in on the spot that cries for more. I lean back into the pillow and spread my legs, ready to experience everything this man has to offer.
34
DION
Pain lingers from the way her nails dug into my back. I owed her one, I think, knowing she felt it when I pushed inside. Holy Hel, she was tight, but like with everything else, Artemis is tough, and when she wants something she gets it and tonight, thank the gods, she wanted me.
She lays next to me now, eyes hot with want. She got a taste of it and it’s not uncommon for a female not to come the first time. Satisfaction is important to me, and I’m just as proficient with my fingers and mouth as I am with my cock. She spreads her legs eagerly and I find the spot that will send her to the stars. It doesn’t take much and she’s wet from before. I lean over her and kiss the shell of her ear, her neck, and down her shoulder. My goal is the rounded swell of her breasts and when I reach them I lick both of her nipples, working the flesh into a tight, hard pebble. Her hips jerk in reaction, her breath comes in short bursts. One of her hands twines in my hair and the other rests on her thigh. Her belly dips with apprehension.
She should be ready to burst, but her jaw is set tight. Artemis likes being in control and this is one place she’ll have to let go. I lift my mouth to her ear and speak low, “Relax, love, you don’t have to fight me.”
She turns her face and looks at me—green eyes filled with hazy desire. I nod and increase the speed of my fingers. A breathy moan comes from deep inside and her heels dig into the bed. My name trembles over her lips and my heart swells and my cock twitches. Fuck.
Her fingers tear at my hair and she pulls my mouth to hers and she pants against my teeth until her body explodes beneath mine.
Artemis rides my fingers until the wave passes, squeezing her thighs around my hand. She curls toward me, her cheeks red and her breasts fucking perfect. My cock gets hard just at the sight of her and I will it to behave. No need to scare her off just yet.
I laugh to myself. Like Artemis has fear.
She runs her fingers over my chest and I lean on an elbow, taking in the goddess next to me.
“That was very pleasurable,” she says.
“Yes, it was.” I can’t help but grin at her formality. She just came on my hand and cried my name to the gods. She’ll probably try to shake my hand when it’s all over.
A question comes to mind and I hope she’ll answer truthfully. “Why did you pick me? I won’t deny that the others are worthy.”
“You seemed like the most experienced. And you’re kind to me.” She tilts her head and her red hair shines against the white linen pillow. “But I also think you understand my goal, my political motivations. I care for you and I’m thankful you were gentle and supportive during my first time. It’s not that I don’t trust the others, I do, but I want to be on the same page with all of this. No confusion.”
She wants her harem, her revolution. Our lovemaking sealed me to her.
“Thanks for trusting me.”
She smiles devilishly. “I can’t wait to do it again.”
Artemis refuses my offer to walk her back to her dorm. She doesn’t want the speculation, she tells me, but I know better. The Academy will buzz tomorrow about our sudden departure from the party. Even if no one says a word, they’ll know. Gossip is one of the major pastimes at this school. Luckily, they’ll still be focused on the trial and talking about the one coming up next.
I secure the buttons on the back of her dress as she smooths her hair. Then I kiss her and she slips back through the tapestry. I exit the private room through a door that leads to my dormitory and find my three friends waiting.
“What?” I ask, but the grin on my face has been there for hours. Their attention does nothing to make it go away.
“You were in there for quite a while, mate, care to share?” Loki asks, eyes hard.
I drop in a chair, brushing at my wrinkled pants. “Ah, a god doesn’t kiss and tell, you know that.”
“So there was kissing?” Triton asks, leaning near me. I notice his nostrils flare. Is he smelling me? I shift away.
“Look,” I say, knowing I have to cut this conversation. They will each form their own relationship with Artemis, something different and organic. What we just shared together belongs to us. At least for now. “We spent time together. Nothing changes between any of us, got it?”
Thor nods, although I know his mind is running a million miles. His cheeks are red from celebratory drinks, but he’s not too drunk to consider what’s happening. There’s a new aspect to our bond with Artemis. She and Thor may have to learn to push aside their differences if this is something they want to explore.
“Is she angry I won the trial?” he asks.
“No,” I reply at the same time Triton says, “Yes.”
He shrugs. “She mentioned it in the training room. More angry at herself, you know how competitive she is.”
Thor chuckles in appreciation. “That, I can relate to. But we got the points. She’ll win the next trial. Assuming nothing gets in the way.”
His statement is punctuated with a glance at his brother. There’s no doubt Loki is sulking. But I have no interest in rehashing the event. I can still taste Artemis on my lips and feel the weight of our bodies combined. I stand and offer my goodnights.
“See you in the morning,” I say, hoping my swagger as I leave the room isn’t too noticeable. Even if it is, I don’t care. Bedding Artemis wasn’t a conquest, it was an honor, one I very much hope to repeat.
ARTEMIS