My entire being protested the thought. Could I do it? Be near him and not want him? No. I already knew the answer. Knowing Thor was right about that—that I’d probably forgive Nix just about anything if he could get me back in bed—made my rage percolate a bit faster, not with anger at Nix, but at myself. I was stronger than that.
Wasn’t I?
Nix planning, even thinking, that I was not going to participate in the plans to raid the meeting tonight, was beyond ridiculous. Ludicrous. And insult to every cell in my body.
I was going. I was finding Mom and then beating the shit out of whoever it was screwing with all of us. I was going to destroy them slowly and with a whole lot of glee. Nix was not going to deny me a reckoning with the people who were trying to destroy my family.
I thought for a few moments as he finished his conversation and an idea formed in my mind. I smiled, mentally preparing myself for the attack of total hotness when he returned. He wanted a biddable, meek mate? He’d get one.
I listened as the other men walked away. I didn’t care where they were headed, only that Nix was coming back in the room. When he saw me sitting up, he smiled.
“I’m surprised you’re awake,” he murmured, coming to sit beside me on the bed. He leaned in and kissed me gently, sweetly, as if he hadn’t just been plotting against me.
Two could play that game.
I ran my lips over his, soft and sweet. I felt anything but.
The traitor. He was a mate traitor. We were a team, or so I’d thought. He wanted to be sly and devious? He wanted to leave me out? Fine.
Game on.
“I missed you,” I replied. I had, actually. It was why I’d woken up to begin with.
He stroked my hair back from my face. I was sure it was a total wreck, but I didn’t care. I wasn’t all that much for vanity anyway.
“I know we just… well, fucked a few days away, but I still want you.”
He frowned, studied my face. “I thought the Ardor was gone.”
I gave a slight shrug and the sheet fell a little bit. With my knees tucked up in front of me, he couldn’t see all that much, but I couldn’t miss the way his eyes heated.
“It is. I can think clearly now.” Very clearly. “You’ve always been the one to dominate, if you know what I mean.” I glanced up at him through my lashes, gave him a little smile.
He grinned in return.
“I thought maybe I’d have my way with you this time.” I slid a finger down his cheek.
“Oh?”
I nodded. “Can I be on top?”
He glanced at the door, even though it was closed, and I could hear no one was there. I knew he was thinking about how much time he had, that he’d promised to meet the others in the armory in a half an hour.
We’d never had a bout of fucking last that long. We’d gone at it one time afte
r another for hours, but I’d been so feverish they’d all been quickies.
He stood, opened his pants, tugged out his glorious cock. “I’m all yours.”
I shook my head. “Naked, mate,” I replied. I shifted and swung my feet over the bed, the sheet falling away entirely. He took in my nude body for a second, then tugged off his clothes.
I grinned, glad an Aleran male was like all others. None could say no to sex. Ever.
Tilting my head, he moved around the far side and dropped onto the bed, his head on the pillow. I turned, crawled up and straddled him. I intentionally settled onto his length so he parted my slick folds, then rolled my hips.
His hands came to my hips.
“Ah ah,” I said, scolding him. “I’m in charge, remember?”