The Warlord (Rise of the Warlords 1)

“Please do,” she rasped. “I’m not shy, coy or modest. Maybe I’ll like getting off in front of our audience.”

“I think you’ll like getting off, period.” Again, he ran her earlobe through his teeth. “Feel how wet you are for me.”

Smug warlord. She should respond. She shouldn’t continue staring at the arm pressed against her belly, marveling as soft, golden light illuminated his tattoos. He was so much darker than her, so much bigger, and the contrasts proved hypnotic.

Whoa! Hypnotic? Had she lost her freaking mind? She must have. Like a fool, she rolled her hips, greeting his next inward plunge. Convince him to stop that. Never stop that. Argh! The ache!

“If you’re giving free orgasms, I’m placing an order for two. Make me come right now. Prove you can.” He would fail, and she would gloat. He should know by now—Taliyah refused to break. “I’m sure your men will enjoy the show. Maybe they’ll do me a solid and record it. I think I’ll enjoy watching it later.”

One warlord pulled at his collar and another shifted in his seat, as if uncomfortable. The third grinned and glared. But none looked away.

Alaroc’s inhalations grew more labored. But so did hers. Soon, they were panting. Did he halt those wicked strokes between her legs? No. Her aches intensified.

Finally, he demanded, “Have you no shame?”

“Why? Are you hoping to give me some of yours?” She wouldn’t moan. She wouldn’t! I. Will. Not. Break. Upping the stakes, she reached up to cup her breasts. “I noticed you looking at these. Do you want to see them? Or do you prefer sensation to sight? Go ahead. Cup and knead them. I want you to...”

Would he do it? Come on, Astra. Cave.

He gave her clit a firm press, and unrivaled pleasure shot through her. Hot shivers cascaded down her spine, her hips arching of their own accord, seeking more of him without permission from her mind.

Growing desperate, she asked, “Do you think your men are lusting after the Commander’s wife?”

He must have made a face at the others, because they looked away from her in unison.

Another chuckle left her, huskier than before. “Jealous Astra.”

“Tell me why you’re pushing for this,” Alaroc demanded. Did he project more strain? “What do you hope to accomplish, exactly?”

“Besides a happy ending, you mean?” Taliyah lifted just enough to flutter her wings. A boost of strength allowed her to maneuver his hand out from under her skirt and spin.

Time to take this up a notch.

She straddled him, grinding her sex against his. The sudden pressure shocked a groan from both of them.

Had she just made a huge mistake? She wanted to rub against him. She needed to rub against him. Remaining immobile required every ounce of her willpower.

“There. Isn’t that better?” Excellent. She’d sounded teasing rather than needy. She gifted him with another wicked smile. “Now we can come together.”

He knew what she knew. Either he did as he’d threatened, suffering the consequences right along with her, or he retreated yet again.

“Feels so good,” she breathed, rocking against him.

He stared at her with those blazing irises, as intense and motionless as a predator about to strike. What would he do next?

What did she want him to do?

His heat tempted and lured. His intensity delighted. Finally, he moved again. Gaze steady, he gripped her hips and urged her into a steady grind. She gasped, struggling to remember why she must resist him.

“You are—” He shifted, grinding on her right back. “You...”

Just as she softened, he gave another growl, lifted her and put her back in her chair.

Disappointment blended with satisfaction, the combination sparking anger. She’d won another round. She should celebrate. And she would, as soon as she stopped aching.

He slammed his palm on the table, rattling the dishes. Dark red liquid splashed from the rim of his cup, but he didn’t seem to notice as his gaze revisited her.

“Such a drama queen.” Taliyah tsked, feigning irritation.

He pursed his lips. “I’m not—”

“You are.” She donned a disapproving expression. “You’re a tease, too. Sorry to tell you this, but no one likes a tease.”

“Are you sure?” He lifted his hand to his mouth and licked his fingers. The two wet with her essence. “I think you liked it very much.”

Sexy, sexy Astra. Did he like the taste of her?

His eyes hooded. Oh, yes. He liked.

Taliyah squirmed in her seat, the urge to return to his lap a shocker. In a moment of self-preservation, she concentrated on the food, doing what she’d sworn she wouldn’t: withdrawing from battle. Maybe he wouldn’t notice.

“Now that we’ve established my leverage,” she said, “I want my people released. Today.”

“You won’t win the war against me, harpy.” His smugness returned, making a mockery of hers. Meaning, he’d noticed. “Your leverage is already disappearing. As I told you, I’ll release the harpies on the thirtieth day, when my enemy can no longer use them against me.”