Tempting Ecstasy (The Guardians of the Realms Book 4) Read online

  She took a breath. What slayed her was his tenderness with Mia. She was falling in love with him, maybe already was in love, hearing his thoughts and feeling his unfailing certainty that she was everything he’d ever wanted in a mate for reasons beyond their animal lust. It was so soon it didn’t seem right or real, but that had to be it. She wanted all of him, wanted to stand at his side and never let him go. He was hers, and as unsettling as it was, it felt right.

  She felt guilty for being so lost in her own world. Mia looked miserable, and her heart ached.

  “Are you okay?” Dacia asked her sister, feeling bad that she was so happy when her sister was so damned miserable. She needed to find a way to help her.

  “Other than being humiliated? Yeah, I’m good. I’m exhausted from the emotional craziness. I need to get my shit together, but I can’t seem to do it. It’s like I need an Immortal version of Midol. I’m up, I’m down, and I’m not sleeping well. The sight of them fighting made me so upset I lost my mind. I never jump in, but I hated seeing them snapping at each other over something that wasn’t even their damned business. Hagen was making it out like you were a just some weak victim and Gunn was a piece of shit for not locking you in your room for your own good. I wish he would have stayed in Earth; I wanted to take a chunk out of his ass.”

  “I was right there with you,” Isa said to Mia with conviction in her voice. Their small sister seemed to relax at that along with Zoe’s wholehearted agreement that Hagen was a high-handed asshole and Mia was well within her right to be pissed.

  “How are you doing?” Zoe asked with interest and wagging eyebrows.

  Dacia smiled at her sister. “Good,” she said, smiling and feeling the flush of heat in her cheeks. She couldn’t wait for more time with her mate, and she hoped to hell Hagen wasn’t a big pain in the ass when it came to Conn.

  “Tell us everything.” Three sets of bright curious eyes focused on her, and even Mia smiled encouragingly.

  *****

  Conn took off first his flannel and then his tee. He was happy his anger was distracting his dick.

  “What the hell did you do to my sister?” Hagen snarled.

  “I’m pretty damn sure you know what she is to me, and don’t fucking snarl at me, pup. You’re standing because I allow it.” Calm smiling Conn was gone. “I’m also going to let you fight it out in the ring with no powers. I’m being a damned saint right fucking now.”

  He heard Jax laugh as Conn turned to the brothers. Gunn was still being quiet, but he’d shucked his shirt and readied for the ass kicking he knew he deserved.

  “So you abuse this power often by fucking innocent females?”

  “If you disrespect my mate one more time, I will rip something off that’ll be painful as shit to grow back. You don’t come here and start tearing shit up. This is my fucking home. I know damned well that you knew what was going on before you decided to show the fuck up.”

  “They said you were honorable,” the bastard growled.

  Conn blew out a breath and looked at Gunn, who was just standing there waiting, listening to his brother, but not saying shit. He turned to Jax. What the hell am I missing?

  Jax raised a brow. I saw him on the surveillance, sitting there like Gunn had been. You were busy, so I went to check it out. I realized you had another fucking relative and brought him over.

  Conn considered it. Did he try to fight it out?

  Some. Jax shrugged. He got butt hurt when he realized it wouldn’t fly. I’m thinking he’s having a come-to-Jesus moment where he realizes he’s not top dog. Jax grinned at his own joke.

  So a pissing match with his brother and snarling that I’ve taken Dacia against her will because he’s feeling helpless in protecting the others.

  That’d be my take, Jax answered. Bastian just nodded and stood quietly to the side.

  Hagen took off his shirt and stood there. He was a little taller but just as muscled as Gunn, maybe six foot three or four to Conn’s six six.

  “Let’s get a few things straight before I give you your beatings. One, you don’t hurt fucking females; I don’t give a shit if it was an accident. You can’t control your animal enough to know when one of your own damned sisters jumps in a fight, then we’ve got a problem. If that’s the case, you’ll be getting a shitload of training on fucking control before you even see the other clans. Two, your sister is mine. Mine to protect, and you do not get to tell her shit to do. She deserves more fucking respect than that from you assholes. You get me?”

  Gunn eyed him, and Conn got a hint of respect from the asshole who’d been cock blocking at every damned turn. He wouldn’t put up with these assholes thinking they had any say in what Dacia did.

  “Three, you try to treat anyone here like they’re your personal valet, you will get a lesson on manners. Anyone working here is under our protection. Do not test me on that; I’m not the only one that’ll school you if they think you’re not being a fucking choirboy where the staff’s concerned.” He saw Gunn nod, and Hagen gave a jerk of his head. “Four, you stay here because your sister is mine. She is the only reason you have that privilege. Do not forget that. Treat her as anything but a fucking queen and I’ll find you less than pleasant accommodations. Five, Mia’s having a tough fucking time of it; you’d know that if you were more worried about your sisters. You will apologize. Just so we’re clear, I don’t give a shit that you’re having a tough time. You can grow some balls and deal with it. I’m not going to coddle your asses. You’ll learn or you take a beating until you figure out how good you’ve got it. I’m not your daddy and neither are the rest of the Guardians. You want respect? You damned well earn that shit.”

  Gunn nodded, and Hagen just stared at him, trying to figure him out. The asshole had lived his entire life thinking he was the top of the food chain, and he was getting a rude awakening. Conn wasn’t going to hold the asshole’s hand. Life here could be fucking good for them; Gunn was getting a taste with Pela, and Hagen would fucking figure it out soon enough.

  “Gunn, get in the damned ring.”

  Gunn walked in shoulders high, no hesitation, and Conn admitted that he might like the idiot. They danced, and Conn knocked him on his ass over and over again. The brother got one hit to the gut that Conn hadn’t blocked. He bloodied the bastard enough to get the point. They went enough rounds that the wolf’s eyes were shining, and Conn knew the bastard was enjoying the excursion.

  “Out,” he told Gunn. “Hagen, get your ass in here.” The other male entered with graceful strides. He’d given the male time to watch. He’d never been one to strip a warrior of all pride; he’d given the other male a chance to get a taste of how Conn fought. Not that it was much of an advantage. Conn was a warrior in Hades army well before the pup was ever born. Fighting was in his blood, and he adapted to his opponent’s skill.

  They circled and Hagen lunged. Conn sidestepped it. He watched Hagen strategize and lead with a jab one way and a low sweep of his foot that had Conn spinning and jumping to avoid the takedown. Hagen had some martial arts training, and he was fast. They moved, and Conn anticipated hits and kicks. A few landed, but he still bloodied Hagen’s face to match Gunn and ended up without even a mark. Hagen had a few bruised ribs. The male would be fine, he was breathing harder than Conn, but that wasn’t surprising. Conn sparred with his brothers. Fighting an Immortal, even one with some God’s blood, wasn’t a challenge for him. He usually pitted himself against Jax, who was fast and strong. You had to move your ass and have fucking endurance to spar with a warrior-class Ailouros, and Conn got off on that. His new brothers-in-law were getting the beating he would have gotten if he was going against Drake, something no Guardian enjoyed. It was character building, he mused and grinned to himself. This was a valuable lesson they needed. They had skill and some raw and rare power from the small amount of Apollo’s blood running in their veins, but that didn’t mean shit in a world where males loosed their beasts freely and often.

  Chapter 30

 
Guardian Manor, Tetartos Realm

  Her brothers were bloody but not so broken they couldn’t walk as they strode into the courtyard. She expected pissed-off expressions, but they seemed calm instead, and she wondered what had happened. Bastian and Jax weren’t with them. They seemed to come and go.

  She didn’t care about the other Guardians. She was too focused on Conn. He was holding his shirts instead of wearing them, and her heart sped at the sight of his tanned chest and the dips and valleys leading to the vee of his narrow waist. Damn it. Why hadn’t he covered up? Her cheeks and chest instantly flushed, and his eyes snared hers when she took in his unmarked face. Her eyes didn’t settle there; she couldn’t help sliding them down his bare flesh. The damned frenzy was out of control. All she wanted to do was run her fingers all over his body. He came straight to her, and her breath caught at his intoxicating scent.

  In less than a second she was lifted up against his warmth. He kissed her swiftly, just a taste, one that had her brothers snarling next to them. He broke the kiss and settled her into his side as he spoke to her brothers. “Remember what I said.” His growl was deadly serious, and she wondered what their conversation had truly entailed. She was flushed and embarrassed at being aroused in front of her damned brothers, but it wasn’t going to be easier anytime soon. They were officially in the frenzy, and she was fighting the need.

  “Hagen,” she said in an awkward greeting.

  Her brother just looked at her. Assessing. He ran his fingers through his hair. Gunn looked just as at a loss.

  Are you really okay, little sister? If it’s not your choice, I will fix it, her brother said through the family link.

  Her lips curved. I’ve made my choice. He’s what I want.

  Her brothers both watched her before Hagen pulled Mia into his big arms and cuddled her against his chest. Her little sister snuggled in and relaxed. Good. Gunn took his turn, but Dacia heard him softly ask Mia if she was okay. Dacia took a deep breath. She felt like everything might truly be all right.

  “I’m not having the others come until I’ve seen the cities and Lykos clans for myself,” Hagen announced. He still had an air of superiority, and that wouldn’t change probably, ever.

  “And that won’t happen until you have a better understanding of the way things work here,” Conn said, his rumbling voice vibrating against her body. They needed to get away before she embarrassed herself.

  Hagen stood there for a second before giving a brief nod.

  “We’ll be back tomorrow. Your sisters can get you settled in. There are plenty of rooms available near them, or you can couch it in their room like Gunn’s been doing. Both of you will meet me at the rings tomorrow afternoon.”

  Hagen’s eyes flashed at Conn’s obvious demand, or maybe it was that she was leaving with him. She knew it was going to take time for them to get used to the fact that Hagen wasn’t in charge here. She was a little surprised that her brothers hadn’t blustered more about her with Conn, but she was glad she didn’t have to fight them.

  “Jax or Bastian will be around, and we’ll be back tomorrow.”

  Chapter 31

  Conn’s home, Tetartos Realm

  They ported back, and she was in his arms and suddenly much happier with his lack of shirt. Dacia rubbed herself over his chest, still feeling the intensity from their bodies coming together in the air. Teleporting was an entirely new kind of torture, one that she didn’t mind happening when leaving her siblings.

  He growled and took her lips as he carried her inside. His home was beautiful, what she’d seen of it. It had several rooms with cozy fireplaces, and the wide porch wrapped around the entire home. Everything he did seemed geared for comfort. The living room had big overstuffed furniture and thick rugs for lounging in front of the hearth. The floors were wood, and the walls were a mix of rich browns and deep reds. He’d said there were six bedrooms, including the huge master with sitting room, but she’d yet to see them all. They’d only had a night and kept getting distracted.

  He tossed her to the bed and followed her down with a wicked grin. She loved the sight of it. He had one thing on his mind and so did she, and she had no intention of fighting the need when succumbing was so damned good. Her sweater was tossed to the ground, and she quickly shucked the jeans and panties he’d given her. Her own underwear had been cotton thongs, nothing lacy and pretty like what he’d bought. He obviously liked the idea of her in frilly pretty things, and she wouldn’t deny him. She was enjoying her new sexuality, and the thought of wearing sexy underwear under her clothes gave her a little thrill.

  She unhooked the front clasp of the bra, and her breasts spilled free to his gaze. She got off on his deep groan and moaned when his mouth descended on one tight peak and sucked. She mewled as he took the other one greedily, sucking the tight nub and sending tingles over her skin.

  I love these so much, but, fuck, I want your ass. I want to bury my face between those round, perfect cheeks. I’m dying to rim that sweet little hole and see what it looks like with my finger pumping inside. Just having my finger in there while my cock was in your cunt drove me crazy this morning. He seemed as wild and feverish as she was.

  A big standing mirror moved by the bed and tilted down. I have so many plans for you, he said, his eyes flashing with intensity. He was barely holding on, and she wanted him to snap. The look he gave her promised it would be a wild wicked ride that she’d never forget.

  “Yes,” she said breathlessly.

  “I’m going to push you. Give you the animal you want. I won’t be careful. I’ll let your body and cries lead me unless you say it’s too much.”

  She moaned at how wet those words made her.

  He flipped her over a pile of pillows that lifted her hips.

  “Yes. Spread those gorgeous legs wide for me.”

  She panted into the bedding as she eagerly gave in to his demand. She turned her head and watched in the mirror, saw him crouched behind her, saw how tense his muscles were as he stared between her spread legs. She wished she could see it from his angle.

  He groaned and gave her the image of her ass and pussy tilted in the air. She hadn’t realized she’d asked through the link until he gave her more. Her eyes were glued to the mirror, seeing him lean in, and she felt his hot wet tongue on her ass. He circled and used his palms to spread her wide. Your sweet ass is so damned beautiful. It’ll be even more gorgeous stretched wide around my cock. He paused as she was awash with new sensations. Will you let me put my cock in your ass, love? Will you let me take the last bit of you? Let me own every sweet inch of your body like you own my fucking soul?

  She was gasping and writhing against his wicked tongue. “Yes.” She’d give him anything and everything as long as he made her come. She wanted every bit of pleasure he was willing to give her.

  Her pussy throbbed and pulsed as he spoke, and he lapped at her tight hole until it felt like he was slipping inside. His mouth was hot, demanding, and she was desperate for more.

  You’re so damned wet just from my tongue.

  She moaned and pushed back. He lifted up and slipped the tip of one finger in. It felt different without the distraction of his cock thrusting inside her pussy. It was pressure but not painful. Push against my finger, love. Push against it and it’ll suck me in. She did and groaned when his finger slid further. He leaned back down. Lift your ass high so I can get my mouth on your pussy while your ass is riding my finger.

  She arched as high as she could, wanting his mouth as her fingers dug into the soft bedding. He chuckled and circled his tongue over her opening and down to her clit until she was forcing her hips back for more.

  Not yet. I’m going to coat your ass with special cream. I want in there before you come. I want the anticipation to drive you wild until my dick is lodged all the way inside.

  She groaned. She wanted to come. So bad… and every dirty word he uttered drove her closer to climax.

  “See how pretty you are?” he said and gave her the image o
f her small hole wrapped tight around his finger while her pussy was slick and greedy for attention.

  She watched in the mirror as a jar came toward him, and a second later she heard the twisting of the lid. She waited until she felt the cool cream sliding over her ass, watching the sight of him on his knees behind her, his muscles all tensed and straining because he wanted inside her. Wanted everything. Her big powerful male was losing his mind at the thought of possessing her. It was heady watching him shake with the desire to take her, to claim every inch of her body as his alone.

  She felt beautiful, powerful, excited.

  The cool cream slowly sent tingles of pleasure over the nerves of her ass, making her gasp and cry for more. For him to do it, take her there.

  Feel good, love? he growled, leaning over her back and sliding her hair aside so he could kiss her neck and down between her shoulder blades. His lips trailed over her skin, leaving gooseflesh in its wake. He took his time licking and kissing the overheated skin of her spine. She keened for him to give her what she needed.

  “Please,” she begged into the bedding and dug her fingers in. She was close to destroying more than just the pillows. She felt so empty. She needed to be filled, needed to come.

  I’m going to take your ass, love.

  She moaned and pushed back for him to do it. She looked in the mirror to watch before feeling him run his cock between the mounds, teasing them both before positioning himself at her back entrance. She saw his thigh muscles twitch as he started pushing inside. Jesus, it was so damned intense. It felt incredible, a different, wilder kind of possession that her beast loved.

  The cream will make it so damned good for you. It’ll relax the muscles so you can take me. Your ass is so damned small and I’m so thick; it’s the only way it won’t hurt you.

  She didn’t care what made it good; the how didn’t matter. All that mattered was that she was desperate to come. Needed release. She pushed back for more, harder thrusts. She was dying to have him deep. All the way inside.