Relentless

  “Fine. I’m going to do my job. I’ll tell them the truth.”

  “Like what?”

  “What do you mean like what? Do you want me to send your office a copy of my comments before I go live or something?” She frowned at him.

  “That would be good. Then we could talk about it first.” Roman smiled like he wasn’t the biggest idiot in the ’Verse.

  “You’re joking, right?”

  “Well, no. Why can’t you meet me halfway on this? If the Council sees you helping me out, if I can tell them you’re vetting things through my office, they’ll be pleased.”

  “Roman, I will not ever vet my comments about something having nothing to do with you through your office.”

  “Why the fuck not? Why are you making this so hard for me? Don’t you want me to help?”

  “Oh, look at you, Mr. I’ve-Never-Been-Told-No! What do you mean ‘why the fuck not’? I’m not your employee. I’m not beholden to you because your son is allowing me to speak before the AC, and I am sure as the seven hells not beholden to you because you fuck me. No matter how good a job you do.” She moved away from him and began to pace. He pushed his chair back and she spun.

  “Don’t you move. I’m not done. I am not making this hard for you. This has nothing to do with you. I’m making a presentation. I don’t know what my comments will be until I see what sort of reception I receive. There will be no comments written out ahead of time to send you because how can I know what I’m saying until I say it?”

  “You don’t know what I’m dealing with here, Abbie. I’m offended you’d assume I asked because you owed me for having sex with you.”

  She sighed at the genuine hurt and confusion in his voice. “Would you ask Georges for this information? You’re asking me because I’m here, in your house. Because we have this intimate relationship. You’re asking me because of that. I shouldn’t have said fucking, that wasn’t fair.”

  “You’re making this more complicated than it is, and it’s already ridiculously so.” He pulled his bottom lip the way he did when he was tired and annoyed. It made her smile that she knew his habits that way. He frowned at her. “Why are you smiling? We’re in the middle of a fight.”

  “Didn’t you ever fight with her? With your wife? It’s a fight, not the end of the ’Verse.” She propped a hip against the counter and watched the light filter through the window, over the soft gold of his hair.

  “No. We didn’t fight. She—” He shook his head. “Back to the subject please.”

  “You’re saying it’s complicated. Tell me how. Tell me what you’re facing.”

  “You know there are factions within the Families on the Governance Council?”

  “I’ve assumed. There are many ’Verses and many ways of seeing the world.” She shrugged. “You’re certainly not House Licht or even your brother.”

  Roman made a face. “We’ll talk about that in a bit. My brother is an entirely different subject. Right now, as you might imagine, things are tumultuous. Some of the Families want to crack down until things calm a bit.”

  “Crack down? On who?” A chill went through her.

  “On anyone and anything they feel threatens the way things are.”

  “Like the MRD.”

  “Yes. We don’t all feel that way of course. But the Council is irritable, reactionary in some quarters, the Associated Families more so because they are closer to the unranked than most of us are. House Kerrigan is most troublesome.”

  “Troublesome.” She crossed her arms over her chest

  “Abbie, all of this detail is supposed to be a secret. Everything that goes on in the Council chambers is protected. I shouldn’t even be telling you this right now.”

  “I think we’ve crossed all sorts of lines already, Roman. Don’t you?” She sighed. “Look. I get it to a certain extent. You’re in a tough spot because the hard liners think the rabble is making trouble. I’m the rabble and you want me to try and keep it reined in so your opposition doesn’t have anything to use against me and you as well. Yes?”

  “I don’t think you’re rabble.”

  “But they do. And, I will be honest with you, I’m dealing with some internal issues of my own. I am the head of the MRD but there are other voices, and some of them are sick of waiting. So far I’m keeping things calm, but people won’t wait forever. The whole scandal with Families working with the Imperialists really affected overall perceptions of Family Rule.”

  He exhaled sharply. “Your father and his little protégé, Robin Moreland?”

  “How do you know that?”

  “I’m Roman Lyons, holder of House Lyons. Chair of the Governing Council of the Federation Universes. It’s my business to know these things.” His back was rigid and she chewed her lip, thinking on her response.

  She wasn’t offended, not really. She got as much information on him as she could as well. It was simply good strategy to know what your opposition was up to. But he could be such an arrogant prick sometimes.

  Roman also knew Abbie’s father was having an affair with his protégé but kept that to himself. That part wasn’t his business. That the man had been watching Abbie so very closely was. And the way he’d been meeting with the MRD whenever Abbie wasn’t around was also a problem.

  “Abbie, please don’t be angry. I have to check these things out,” he said gently.

  She waved it away. “I know. Gods, you are so new at this fight thing, aren’t you? What are your parents like? Didn’t they ever discuss politics? Didn’t they argue from time to time?”

  Gods, the woman confused him. One moment she was angry and out for his balls and the next she was asking about his parents.

  “My parents aren’t very close. My father has a mistress but he’s too old and frail to do much of anything with anyone. He’s been on the verge of dying since I was in my teens. People don’t argue with him. He’s a great and respected figure.”

  She snorted. “No disrespect intended, Roman, but arrogant men always need a woman who’s willing to kick them in the ass when they get out of line.”

  Figures that’s what her opinion would be. She wasn’t of the quiet helpmate school of wifery, he was damned sure.

  “Did your parents argue a lot?”

  “At first, when we were young, they argued and laughed, and then they went into their bedroom for hours.” She smiled. “But over time, she got sick and he just checked out. He lives in her house, she does everything it takes to keep it all going, but they don’t share passion anymore on important things. I don’t think I’ve seen them have a political discussion in about fifteen years, maybe longer.” She moved to Roman, straddling him to sit on his lap and putting her arms around his shoulders. “It’s really too bad you and I can’t be together. You need a woman like me to keep your arrogance in check.”

  He kissed her. She tasted like snow and laughter—and regret. “You’re a puzzle, Abigail. Are you angry? Sad? Happy? Do you like fighting with me?”

  “I’m angry that the Council is messing with me when I’m trying to do something basic and right. But I understand why. People don’t like change, they don’t like what’s different and it’s a threat to share what’s yours, what’s been your sole possession for all this time.” She caught his bottom lip between her teeth and pulled until he moaned.

  “I’m happy to be with you and to be sharing this thing we both believe in so much. We’re not that different, you and me. We approach it in different ways, but we both want what’s best for Ravena and her people. I don’t like fighting with you, but I’m not afraid of it. I fight with you in your kitchen because I trust you. I trust that you’re doing this from your heart and you won’t harm me, at least not with what you know about me as Abbie.

  “And I’m sad because people in power are stingy and they would rather threaten me and mine than open their damned eyes and realize the biggest threat is a disgruntled and betrayed populace who do not have a voice and who are tired of it.” She massaged his shoulders.
“And because I can’t be with you and that’s really what I want.”

  She touched him in a way he’d never been touched before. Boldly, but with great care and thought. She gave herself to him knowing they couldn’t be together but it gave him courage to enjoy her fully as well and not to hide behind any just sex notions. He felt for her and she for him. That’s what made it all the more sweet, and painful.

  “Take off your sweater. It’s time for the fucking. We can continue to argue afterward if you like.”

  She crisscrossed her arms and yanked the thick sweater off, exposing a soft tank top underneath with no bra to shield very hard nipples.

  “What can I say? I can’t hide how pleased I am to be here, half naked, on your lap, about to be ravished.”

  He stood, sitting her on the edge of the table, and removed his clothes. She leaned back on one arm and watched as he did, that smile on her face. The smile that told him she knew he’d fuck her and soon and that she’d enjoy every moment of it.

  He pulled off her boots, her socks and the soft pants she wore, humming his pleasure when he noted she had no panties on. “I do like this trend of no panties.”

  “When I’m with you, it seems rather pointless.”

  “I completely agree,” he murmured, whipping the tank off and moving his mouth to her nipple and latching on. He stepped in between her thighs and thrust into her pussy, which was already soaking for him.

  He thrust until the bowl of fruit on the table fell off, until her breasts bounced ever so delightfully, until he nearly came and then he pulled out and stepped back.

  Holding a hand out, he pulled her upright. “Come to the couch. Ride me and look into my face as you come. I want to look into your eyes.”

  Roman Lyons was an experience she’d never regret or forget. Abbie watched the muscles of his body flex and bunch as he moved and then sat. The man was spectacularly beautiful. And hers for the time being.

  She never took her gaze from his as she straddled his thighs. Reaching around her body, she grabbed the slick root of his cock and guided him true before sliding down his body with her own. He stretched her, filled her, sent shockwaves of sensation flowing outward from the center of her.

  Abbie loved this position with him. Looking at his face, at his body while she rose and fell on his cock, the sensory pleasure of it was the perfect addition to the physical pleasure.

  He pressed a palm against her lower stomach while she moved on him. The broad, fat head of his cock brushed against her sweet spot with delicious agony. Right on the point of pain over and over, hovering but never falling. Shivers of delight and intense sensation rode her flesh.

  “Yes, that’s the way. Inside you feel so right, hot and so tight. It’s the best thing I’ve ever felt, your cunt wrapped around my cock this way, your body right here for me to wonder over, to look at and never forget.”

  His hands slid up her stomach, over her ribs and to her breasts. He took their weight, those big, soft thumbs of his flicking over the distended nipples slowly. Each pass sent little sensations to her clit. She needed more purchase so she gripped the couch behind his head, her arms bracketing his shoulders so she could increase her speed as she rode him.

  “Some days I’m at work, sitting at my desk or in a meeting and I can’t get you out of my head. The feel of your pussy sucking my cock back into your body, not wanting to let me go on the upstroke. The feel of the vee of your thighs, hot and wet when you fuck yourself onto me like this. The long line of your body as you rise above me, arching back. Your spine, each and every beautiful bump. The way your tits move as I fuck you from behind. The O your mouth makes right before you come, like you’re surprised. The look in your eyes as you give yourself to me, even knowing this will end. You’re written into me so deep, Abbie. Indelible.”

  She couldn’t stop the gasp his words evoked or the swell of emotion in their wake.

  “I carry this thing between us, like a weight. A good weight, in my pocket. I reach out and hold it from time to time like a wonderful secret. I will always have that. I will never feel this way about another woman, ever. My heart will be yours forever, no matter who shares your bed, no matter whose children you bear. I’m here.” He tapped her chest. “And you’re here.” He tapped his own.

  Touched beyond words, she leaned in and kissed him softly against his temple. “You mean so very much to me, Roman. In so many ways, on so many levels. You’re important in my life. I wish things were different.”

  The sun set against her back in a riot of reds and purples as she undulated on him. The light was brilliant as it reflected off the lake, off the snow, and refracted from millions of beads of water. Their union was magic at that moment, a gift she’d never wish away. She gave and he received. He gave and she received.

  For the longest time they traded sweet and heady kisses until he reached down and slowly circled her clit, ramping her up steadily until she broke around him and dragged him down with her.

  “I love you,” she murmured as she came.

  “Oh gods, Abbie, me, too. How can I give you up?”

  She curled into him, her face in the crook of his neck. “You don’t have to yet. Let’s not think about it for now.”

  Chapter 22

  The sound of the snow crunching under her boots still echoed in her ears as she walked down the hallway. She’d left Roman two days before, after three of the most remarkable days of her entire life.

  When she’d returned home, she’d buckled down and continued to prepare for her presentation. She knew it backward and forward at that point, had done a few practice runs with her sister and brothers as her audience and they’d responded well.

  Now it was time for the real thing.

  Ever since her first time before an adjudicator, Abbie hadn’t been nervous. Once she’d entered the room anyway. Until the point where the door closed behind her and she focused on presenting her case, she was a mess of nerves.

  But she’d already thrown up in the bathroom down the hall and had brushed her teeth and freshened up. Nerves rode her, but with each step closer to those larger double doors ahead, she began to fall into that place, that place where her brain simply took over and did all the work.

  That Abigail Haws loved the challenge. Loved the way she could sway an audience with her words. The power of it was intoxicating, and she wasn’t above admitting to herself that it was a huge ego boost.

  She’d been allowed to bring one person with her, and at her side stood Josef Sheen, her first mentor, a respected barrister, a feared adjudicator and her biggest fan. He was a Walker on his mother’s side, a powerfully connected man. That he’d be her support on such an important day meant the ’Verse to Abbie.

  “I have every confidence I will not have to yell at you until you cry after this is over,” he said shortly before the doors opened.

  She’d never been inside such a grand chamber, and this was just the Auxiliary Council. High ceilings covered in majestic carvings rose above them, high into the air. There were carvings featuring lions, the symbol of not only House Lyons, but of Family Rule. Big windows cast light against the pale stone columns supporting that grand ceiling.

  And at the head of the room, a large table that looked as if it were carved from a single tree. And she knew it was. The table was millennia old and had come through with the Lyons from Earth. This was the little brother to the one in the Council chambers.

  An ombudsman stood, waiting just inside.

  “Barrister Haws? Please do have a seat just here.” He looked to Josef and bowed deeply. “Mr. Sheen, it is my pleasure to have you in our chambers.”

  Josef nodded once and made a gruff sound. That was all the ombudsman would get. Josef was a man of very few words, and the few he parted with were mostly critical anyway. She held her smile back and simply let herself fall into the place she needed to be.

  Roman sat behind the frieze, just above the chamber floor. There was a small viewing space where guests, or spies originally,
could sit and watch the proceedings. He intended to see just how Abbie did.

  She looked hard and determined. He recognized Josef from the pictures and vids. He’d met the man once or twice at larger Council functions. Back when Roman had to take the mandatory classes on Family and ’Verse history, Josef taught three of them each term. He’d made Roman stutter a few times; no one else had ever managed that feat. If he was Abbie’s observer, things were going well for her already. Josef was a revered man, respected and trusted.

  Deimos came in with the rest of the AC. Roman smiled. His son was a man, and he wasn’t sure just exactly when it had happened. It seemed like it was just months before when Dem had taken his first steps, had gone to school, begun to date. And here he was leading the AC, readying himself, along with the rest of those assembled, to take over the next generation of leadership of the Federation ’Verses.

  Marcus settled in beside Roman and handed him a mug of kava.

  Abbie looked up, standing when the AC filed in. Deimos looked quite handsome in his long, wine-colored robes. A lion decorated each lapel.

  “My brothers, today we have a guest speaker, Barrister Abigail Haws. She’s going to present a petition regarding an advisory council. I will let her explain it to you. Please hold your questions until the end of the presentation when there will be an open question period.” Deimos looked down the room at Abbie and nodded to her. “Barrister Haws, please approach the podium and address the Auxiliary Council.”

  She was within it by then, sliding calmly through the current of her power as she walked to the podium. She took a sip of water, adjusted the microphone and began to speak.

  “Esteemed members of the Auxiliary Council, I’m here today because I was invited. If I hadn’t been, I wouldn’t have even been allowed in this building, much less this chamber. I’m Abigail Haws, I’m thirty-two standard years old, I’ve been a barrister for six years. I was mentored and apprenticed by one of the finest legal minds in the Known Universes and I was born right here in Ravena.