Pride of the Lion

Chapter Seventeen

Araminta snuggled closer to Leander, loving the heat that radiated from his large body. She’d never look at the shower the same way again. She didn’t think she’d be able to step under the warm spray without imagining Leander’s strong arms around her and his thick cock inside her.

She shivered as another spasm raced through her body.

But how long would she have him? Surely he’d want to go to the other freed warriors as soon as possible.

“What is wrong?” The deep rumble of his voice vibrated through her cheek where it rested on his broad chest. She could hear the heavy thump of his heart and the sound brought such happiness to her. They’d both survived. They were alive. She had no right to wish for more.

Yet she did. She’d fallen in love with her immortal warrior and wanted to spend the rest of her days with him. “What now?” She turned the question back on him rather than trying to explain all the conflicting emotions swirling around inside her.

He tightened his arms around her and kissed her temple with warm lips. “Now you rest.”

She pushed away and propped herself up on one elbow, needing to see his face. He looked relaxed, his long hair feathered over her pillow. But even resting, the sharp angles of his cheekbones and jaw stood out, making him appear harsh. She knew better.

“But what about after that? What about tomorrow?” There, she’d asked. Better to know what was coming than to spend hours or days worrying about it.

He reached up and toyed with a damp lock of her hair. “Tomorrow, we contact Marko and Roric and find out if there is any way to locate the Lady and free Arand.”

“That’s the wolf, right?” And the only remaining creature left on the carousel.

Leander nodded. “Yes. Hades is not done yet. And though we might not be able to interfere in his destiny, I must try to help Arand if I can.”

She understood that. She truly did. He was a hero, after all. He wasn’t the type of man who sat back and did nothing when his friend was in danger.

“And I wish to see my friends again after all this time. We were together, but able to share very little these past centuries.”

She rubbed his chest, needing the physical connection. “That’s so sad.”

He offered her a smile. “It is done now.”

“Not really.” She’d written a plot summary for the series, so she knew better. “Hades isn’t done. He’s still going to try to take over the world.”

Leander cupped her face in his hands. “We will do what we can to stop him. It will not be easy. We have no idea where he will end up next or how soon Arand will be released.” He appeared thoughtful. “It’s happening faster and faster now. There were years between Mordecai and Stavros and Phoenix’s releases. There were only a few months between Roric and Marko’s release. Only weeks between Marko’s release and mine.”

She’d noticed the same thing. “Time is running out.”

He tugged her toward him, positioning her so she was lying on his body. Her breasts were pillowed against his chest and her pelvis was aligned with his. Her eyes widened. He was still majorly aroused. “But—” She broke off, not quite knowing what to say. He’d come. She knew he had.

He rubbed her lower back, pushing her more firmly against his erection. “I always want you, Araminta.”

Wow. That was a huge turn-on. But she couldn’t afford to get distracted just yet. “When are you leaving?”

He frowned, stilling his hand at the base of her spine. “What do you mean?”

She chewed on her bottom lip. “I mean. I know you’ve got duties and things to do. I was just wondering how long you were staying with me.” She was proud of the fact she’d gotten through her small speech without breaking into tears. Oh, she would miss him so much. Her chest hurt and she wanted to yell at the unfairness of it all, but that would be childish. She’d known going in what the score was.

He moved and she suddenly found herself flat on her back with him hovering over her. He did not look pleased. “You want me to leave you?”

Why was he making this so hard? She tried to look away from him, but he caught her face in his big hands. He smoothed his thumbs over her cheeks and deep sadness filled his beautiful gold eyes. “You do not want me?”

“That’s not it at all.” No way did she want him to think that. She took a deep breath and served up her heart on a platter. “I love you.”

The sadness retreated, replaced by a questioning look. “I don’t understand. If you love me, why do you want me to leave?”

Was he being dense on purpose? “I don’t want you to leave, but I know you have to. You’re an immortal warrior to a goddess. You have duties and responsibilities. I get that. I really do.” That sounded mature and confident even though she was dying inside.

He shook his head, his fluffy mane of hair brushing against her skin. “No. I do not go without you.”

“Really?” Her heart leapt at the possibility that their time together wasn’t done yet.

He sighed so deeply his breath ruffled her hair. “I love you. I have said it, have I not? I have never said that to another woman.”

“Ever?” She could hardly believe it.

“Ever,” he repeated. “You are my heart and share my immortality. You are mine. You belong to us.” He leaned back and allowed his face to shift until the lion appeared his golden eyes staring down at her. Then the lion retreated and Leander was back. “We both want you and will not give you up.”

Araminta meant to say something appropriate for the moment. Instead, she burst into tears. Concern and panic filled Leander’s face, his expression almost making her laugh.

“This was not meant to make you cry.” He leaned down and kissed her. “You must stop.” He licked a salty tear from her cheek.

“I must, must I?”

He nodded. “I do not want you unhappy.”

She sifted her fingers through his hair, loving the way it clung to her skin. “These are happy tears.” She sniffed and tried to stop, but another tear rolled down her face.

“I do not fully understand you, but I will.” It was a vow and a promise and she took it as such.

“I don’t know where this is going or what will happen, but I’m in this with you.”

“Forever,” he told her.

“Forever,” she agreed. She flung her arms around his neck and held on tight. “I love you so much.” It should have been impossible, but there was no denying what her heart was telling her. She loved the man holding her in his arms—lion, immortal warrior and man. She loved all parts of him.

“You are my gift from the goddess, Araminta. A prize for all my years of confinement and loneliness, for my years of service.” He shifted position slightly and parted her legs. She felt the heavy probing of his cock and wrapped her legs around his waist and lifted her hips.

He slid into her moist channel and they both gave a sigh of happiness. His lips found hers and they kissed as he made love to her again.