Damn it, woman. You're killing me. He sounded harsh, his eyes hooded and heavy with the intensity of his desire.
He grit his teeth and caught her hips in firm hands, taking back control in one swift movement that robbed her of the ability to breathe. He began surging into her, over and over, hard, deep strokes that sent her into the wall, a counterpoint to his hammering body. Each thrust sent flames sizzling through her body. Tension coiled and grew. Heat turned scorching, searing her. Blood rushed through her veins and roared in her ears.
He didn't stop. He was relentless, forcing her beyond all comprehension of lovemaking. Her body just wound tighter and tighter, accepting the wild pounding, helpless to do anything but catch fierce fire and burn with his.
I can't stand it, Maxim. It's too much.
She'd thought that the last time, and this was far more. Everything about the situation was more and she knew she'd be forever craving this man and what he could do to her body. She felt her body gathering itself, her temperature soaring. Her breath came in ragged gasps and she became aware she was chanting something that made absolutely no sense, a litany of pleas.
You'll stand it. This is us, Airiana. You and me. Just like this.
His body was incredible, his strength beyond anything she'd imagined. His hands were hard on her buttocks, driving her up and down. Her inner muscles squeezed and gripped, the friction growing hotter and wilder. She hadn't thought it possible. Earlier she'd felt every bruise she had, now there was nothing but sheer glorious pleasure coiling to the point she was afraid she might lose her sanity. Fear skittered down her spine. How could she feel like this with him and if something happened and he couldn't settle . . .
Let go, baby. That's all you have to do. Just let go for me.
She was terrified. If she did and her body went up in flames, what would be left? She would be his on his terms, not her own. All along she'd been the one giving herself to him, but this was different. This was a complete takeover. She would need him. Crave him. Be lost without him.
Airiana. I said to let go. Let yourself go and trust me to catch you.
Her body responded to his command even when her mind was still questioning her sanity. She felt the first swelling ripple and she heard herself scream as the orgasm overtook her. It hit strong and hard, taking over her body from her breasts to her thighs, sweeping her up in a tidal wave, a tsunami of emotion and sensation all wrapped together.
Her orgasm was so strong that she took him with her, clamping down on him like a vise, milking the seed from him, so that jet after jet rocketed deep inside her. She actually felt the hot splashes like brands burning his essence into her for all time.
She clung to him, hearing his hoarse gasp of her name, feeling his body shudder against her, his fingers digging deep into her while their bodies rippled with life and rocketed with an intense pleasure that was shocking.
She wrapped her arms around his neck tightly and held on as if he was the only sanity in a world gone mad. Tiny stars burst behind her eyes, and she fought to get one single breath into her burning lungs. "I'm never going to be the same, am I?" she asked him. "Never. I'm lost somewhere inside you. Or you in me. It's like we melted together, and now I don't know where I am without you. How did that happen?"
Airiana sounded so lost his heart turned over. "You're safe with me, honey." He leaned her into the wall so his rubbery legs could hold them both. "That's exactly how I feel about you. I don't know how or why the connection is growing stronger between us, but it is."
"You can't get any better than that, Maxim, or I'll die. Seriously. I don't think my heart can take it."
He rubbed his chin on top of her head. "There's so much more, Airiana. We're only getting started."
"I don't think I can walk. Can you? Because one of us has to man up, and it isn't going to be me. Physically and emotionally I'm totaled. You scare the hell out of me."
He laughed softly, tightening his arms around her. "That's my line, not yours."
"Not this time. I need to go to sleep and dream about you again. A girl's fantasies, not a woman's. You're too much for me." She bit his shoulder hard.
He laughed again, a strange sensation that told him he loved her stronger than ever. He carried her back into the bathroom and set her down. "I'm going to arrange for breakfast, some clothing for you and a ride home."
She leaned against the sink, staring up at him with her blue eyes. They looked a darker blue, more turbulent, and just a little dazed. "I can't walk. I don't think I'll ever walk right again."
He frowned, suddenly concerned. "Did I hurt you? I was a little rough for your second time. I'm not a gentle lover, although I tried, Airiana."
"I don't think it has anything to do with how rough or gentle you were. Quite frankly, I love the way you make love to me, rough or not. It's your size. I think I've got permanent skid marks inside."
"I'll run you another bath."
"Put some bath salts in it. I saw some under the sink. By the time you come back with breakfast, I'll be feeling fine again." She gripped the counter as if she might really fall down.
Her eye was still swollen, although he'd saturated her body with air each time he woke throughout the night to promote better and faster healing. The bruises still stood out against her skin, but he expected that. Even with a healing session or two, the bruises would have to run their course. He just hoped the pain was gone.
He ran her bath while she twisted her hair into some intricate knot that women liked to do before getting into the water. The bath salts were in packets, and gave off a lavender scent when he poured two into the deep tub.
He'd been too long without recon and was a little nervous about leaving her, but she was far safer in the cabana hidden away. Evan's men had to be searching for them. The Greek didn't much care for his men failing him, and he'd especially be angry after losing his entire crew and two of his best customers and having his ship boarded by the coast guard. He had guns and drugs aboard as well as evidence of a human trafficking ring. He'd be livid.
"Don't use the phone," he cautioned.
"You already explained that wouldn't be safe," she pointed out, sinking down into the hot water. "Seriously, Maxim, I do have a brain as well as a good memory."
She sounded annoyed with him. He was all right with that as long as she listened and did as he told her. One phone call would bring the enemy down on them in a heartbeat. He just needed a few minutes to send an alert to his brothers on their private site. They used it rarely, but all of them checked it often.
Airiana watched Maxim take a brief shower, just rinsing off, and then pull on clothes. She was grateful he was leaving her alone for a few minutes. He took up space in every room--a lot of space. She was used to alone time and she was fairly certain he was as well.
Whenever he was near, she saw more patterns than ever in the air around him. He exuded danger. If she hadn't known he was a Prakenskii, she certainly would have known he was lethal to his enemies, just by the way the air displaced around him. His aura was dark, colors swirling beneath the darkness, but the inky black layer on top was nearly impenetrable.
She took her first breath of air without him in what seemed like days. She wanted him. She'd practically thrown herself at him, and she had no complaints. She just needed--space. He was wonderful. Magnificent. She felt so ordinary in comparison, yet he didn't view her that way at all.
Still, he was bossy. He often got a look on his face that told her if she didn't comply with his wishes, he had no problem with just picking her up and forcing her to do as he said. She wasn't exactly a "yes" person. She understood him and his need to keep her safe, but that didn't mean it was easy--or would be easy--when they disagreed.
She sighed and splashed the water at the other end of the two-person tub. Life with Maxim wouldn't be boring, although he might think it was. That was another thing she needed to consider. What if the farm was just too quiet for him? He was used to a high-octane way of life and one could g
et addicted to that. He could leave her for long periods of time. She had no doubt that he would come back to her--but how would she handle that?
She shrugged and carefully washed her legs and feet. She would have to. She wouldn't give him up. If leaving periodically was what he needed, she would find a way to adapt. He would have to find ways to make it up to her, to make himself invaluable around the farm, so everyone missed him when he was gone and welcomed him home.
Airiana wasn't the type of woman to go into something with her eyes closed, not after the disaster of her childhood school. She'd been so eager to learn, to explore every possibility she could that she hadn't taken the time to see what was happening around her. She hadn't considered the effect of her absence on her mother. Had she been paying attention to the warning signs, her mother might still be alive.
She hadn't gone into her relationship with Maxim without giving it a lot of thought. She knew what kind of man he was, but she knew, once the connection had grown into a telepathic form, that he was extraordinary. He might not ever see himself that way, but he would be loyal and unswervingly faithful. He would always try to make her happy. She could see that in his character, through his mind, as well as looking at his aura and the patterns in the air surrounding him.
She sighed again. He would be a bear when they disagreed and it was inevitable that they would. She pushed her hand idly through the water, glancing out the window. Clouds drifted across a startling blue sky. Her body went still. The clouds rolled gently, forming patterns impossible not to read. There was love there, but there was danger and violence swirling in and out of the love.
She closed her eyes, hoping and praying she was wrong. The mathematical equations swirling in the clouds told her the violence and danger surrounded her, that it didn't belong to Maxim nor was it between the two of them.
She took a deep breath. "All right then," she murmured aloud. It wasn't over just because she was going home.
She let out the water, stood up and quickly dried off. If she returned to the farm, she'd be bringing trouble to everyone she loved. The children waiting there might even be taken back to the life they'd escaped.
I can feel your unhappiness, Airiana. Talk to me.
She had reached out to him without even being aware she was doing it. He had to be close to the cabana. She didn't have much time if she was going to keep them all safe. Hastily she rummaged through his war bag and found the jeans she'd been wearing when he'd kidnapped her. They had a comfortable, homey feel to them as she pulled them over her hips.
This isn't going to happen. I'm looking at the same patterns, if that is what has you spooked.
I'm not taking trouble home with me.
Yes, you are--I'm going with you. There was a trace of humor in his tone. They all have a better chance with us there. We can control the situation. If we're not there, how can we protect them? "You're panicking for no reason, honey." He stepped into the cabana, his broad shoulders filling the doorway.
She paused in the act of pulling on her shirt. Was she panicking? "He's really going to send his men after me again."
"I figured he would. You're valuable to him and he isn't going to give you up so easily. Men like Evan Shackler-Gratsos tend to feel entitled to whatever they want. Anyone standing in his way will be mowed down. He doesn't mind selling children and murdering them afterward. He'll come after your family to get you."
She dragged the shirt over her head. "How can we stop him?"
Maxim smiled at her. "That's my girl. Now you're thinking again. We've got the advantage at the farm."
"How is that?"
"My brothers. We'll be ready for him this time."
"What if he doesn't give up and keeps coming at us?"
"Can you fix this weapon they all seem to want?" He leveled his gaze at her.
She bit her lip and shook her head. His gaze didn't waver. She let out her breath. "I don't know. Maybe. Probably. But I don't make weapons, not for any country. I'm not going back into that life."
"Not even if your mind is going a little crazy with inactivity?"
"I keep it active."
Maxim smirked at her, but left it alone. He walked all the way into the room, placed a small pile of folded clothes on the end of the bed and took her hand. "Let's go outside. It's beautiful. The waves are rolling gently and everything is an amazing shade of blue. We've got our own little private strip of beach. I'll wrap us up in air to protect us from anyone spying."
She went with him, liking the feel of her hand in his. He made her feel safe and loved. It was that simple. The woven chairs under the shaded table were comfortable and she sank into one, still feeling a little shaky.
Maxim leaned down and kissed the top of her head. "Do you have any idea how many times I've sat outside in a beautiful place and never managed to see it? Until you. Waking this morning with your skin next to mine changed everything for me. I never thought I'd ever have the chance to have a home of my own."
He dragged his chair around to place it next to hers, so they could both easily view the ocean as it rose and fell. Dolphins chattered and leapt out of the water in a joyful dance, almost as if they could hear Maxim.
"The point I'm trying to make is, I'll protect our home and family with everything in me. I know its value far more than most men. Evan isn't going to take a single family member from us. It doesn't matter how long or how often he keeps coming at us, he won't get any satisfaction. We'll close ranks and protect our own."
"Judith travels. Rikki dives."
He nodded. "I understand that and we'll do the best we can to make arrangements to keep them safe, but sometimes they'll have to compromise."
Her gaze jumped to his face. "You meant that for me."
"Airiana, you're the main target. You'll need someone--preferably me--with you at all times until this is over. You'll have to be realistic about what your life is going to be like. You have a gift and everyone wants it. I can't protect you if I'm not with you."
She nodded. "I'm not going to argue with you. I've seen what Evan's men are like. And I'll convince my sisters."
"Levi and Thomas will take care of Rikki and Judith. They'll see to it that both women cooperate, but Levi tells me that Lissa and Blythe may be our biggest worries. Lexi stays on the farm most of the time anyway except for her trips to the farmer's market. We can handle that."
Her breath caught in her throat. "You talked to Levi? Today?"
He nodded. "Everyone is okay, and they were relieved to know you were okay and with me. The children are very quiet, he says, and are anxious we return. They don't trust anyone enough to talk about what happened. As far as they can tell, the children really don't have any relatives. Levi and Thomas have shored up the paperwork and are giving the children histories with us. If anyone tries to trace them they won't be able to."
Airiana felt the burn of tears and quickly blinked them away. Home seemed far away. Maxim had actually spoken with Levi. "Are they coming to get us?"
Maxim nodded and took her hand. "They'll be here today. We just have to relax and wait for them. They'll land at Jorge's private airstrip and fly us home."
"It feels as if I've been gone a year," Airiana said.
He rubbed her fingers over his jaw. "Jorge is bringing the food, honey. Why don't you slip inside and wait for him to leave." He kissed her hand. "I like Jorge. I think he's a good man, but he has a family to feed and to protect. I'm not going to risk trusting him with your safety. Evan's men will be spreading money up and down the coast, eager to pay for a sighting of you. If Jorge never catches a glimpse of you, there's no risk of temptation. I'd really hate to have to kill him."
Airiana obeyed instantly. She understood. Maxim liked Jorge, but if Jorge betrayed them and put her in danger, Maxim would kill him in a heartbeat. She retreated to the cabana, wrapping her arms around herself, happy to know she would be going home in just a few hours.
She danced around the room, unable to contain her excitement. She was goi
ng home to her family. Things might still be up in the air and frightening, but she'd have her sisters around her to help and she knew, from experience, that when they were together, they were formidable. Now, with three Prakenskiis as well, she felt they had every chance of being successful in fighting off their enemies. She was going home.
18
AIRIANA was crying again. Maxim leaned on one hip with deceptive laziness and watched his woman while she sobbed. The five women around her hugged and kissed her repeatedly. He studied each one as a potential threat to his relationship with Airiana.
Lexi, the youngest, was too sweet for her own good. She showed signs of intense trauma, much like the children he'd sent to the farm. She was a pretty girl, with too-old eyes and delicate, soft features. Her hair was a deep auburn and would burn bright in the sun. She was definitely an earth element, and from what he understood, she ran the farm. He found just looking at her made him feel protective--the younger sister he'd never had. He had the feeling she would be on his side. There was far too much compassion in her than was good for her.
Blythe was the oldest and clearly the one the others turned to and listened to the most. She was tall and blond with shrewd eyes and a runner's lean body. She had looked him over carefully when they'd arrived, and even now was sizing him up. She was a potential problem if she thought he might hurt Airiana in any way; otherwise, she would reserve judgment. Clearly she had gifts, but he couldn't see them, he couldn't feel the tie that bound elements together, yet there was something subtle there he couldn't quite comprehend. She was a question mark to him.
Rikki was different and definitely would have a difficult time with him, but not necessarily because he was with Airiana. He knew from what his brother had told him that she was autistic and had a hard time adjusting to change, yet he watched her with the children and she seemed open to them. She was the water element, and a very strong one, according to Levi. She was fiercely independent, but very loyal to her sisters. She would come to accept him, he was certain, as long as he didn't push the relationship on her. She would have to accept him in her own time.