Taken: Blue Barbarian Series (Blue Barbarians Book 3) Read online

Naturally, she can’t. I hesitate. “Are you sure you do not wish to simply remember everything on your own?”

  She laughs. “No, silly. I want you to tell me everything.”

  I can tell her my version of the truth, I suppose. “When I first saw you, I thought you were the most beautiful thing I’d ever seen. It did not matter that you could not understand what I said. It did not matter that I could not understand you. All that mattered is that I knew one day you would be mine. So I waited patiently, exploring things with you, trying to express the only way I knew how that you were my choice. Each day that I was with you, I fell in love more deeply.”

  “You were patient.”

  “I was very. You were interested. And curious. But there were more males than females, and you had lots of options. It was time in your life to play the field.”

  “I’m so sorry if I hurt you.” Her eyes look stricken.

  I try to act nonchalant. “Are you kidding? I am the winner. I sit here with my beautiful mate, not them.”

  “What did you think the first time you saw me?”

  “My first sight of the human females was one of shock at your weakness. You were tiny creatures, barely reaching my chest. I thought your skin was odd-colored. Pink. In various shades.

  “The night before, a signal had lit the night skies, one from our king. Drakar. It had been many moons since we mourned his disappearance. As soon as we received the notice, our first hunting team was dispatched to investigate the cave where it was left. Inside, we discovered a message from him, telling of a strange tale. He’d been taken by strange gray creatures. Their magic flying vessel crashed back on the planet, and he was inside the ship. He told us there were six of the gray creatures total, so we brought twelve hunters to battle. The rest we left at the village to protect everyone else.

  “When we arrived at the vessel come sunrise, our king met us in the dry heat. He explained that not only were the evil ones dead, but that there were ten others stolen from their planet. All of a strange species. All female.

  “That was what we stared at that morning, on the ship. Skinny arms and legs peeked out from the strange material you wore, a material not of our land. It was so thin it could not possibly offer protection from the harsh elements. Or from the shape of your bodies. Despite how thin you were, you had round macciacas with hard nipples that jutted from the fabric like stones. And nothing hid the shadow between your legs.

  “But one lone female stood out from the rest. I was drawn to you, Miranda. Your hair was long and thick, and your eyes sharp with intelligence. Then I realize, humans were not completely hideous. Instead you were delicate and feminine, needing protecting. Especially you, the one with the curtain of glossy hair. This one, I decide, will be mine.”

  My Miranda smiles.

  “As I stare at you to let you know of my interest, you look as frightened as the rest of the skittish creatures. They all huddle in a corner of the room. I want to take you and explain that I feel the pull of mating, but I do not know if you are able to understand. So I back away.

  “But once you are all outside and we are given the instruction to fit you with sandals, I know I cannot bear to have another hunter help you. So I move toward you, hoping you will understand my interest.”

  “That’s when I noticed how sexy you were.”

  “It was frustrating not to be able to communicate with you.”

  “You still got in my pants.”

  “But I couldn’t make it clear how I felt about you.”

  “It was probably for the best,” she assures me. “I would have fought it before I could ever have given us a chance if I had known how serious you were. I’m so sorry. But I’m glad it worked out and we’re mated.”

  “Are you?”

  “Of course, baby. Have we talked about children?”

  I make up more of the story. “We have. We decided to wait until next year to try, because you want us to enjoy each other first. A selfish woman you are, my mate.”

  My teasing does what I intend, and she giggles.

  “Fine man like you, that sounds like exactly something I would do.”

  “I wish for a baby girl. One who looks like her mother.”

  “What would you name her?”

  “Randa.”

  I laugh. “That’s terrible. How about Ashley, after you?”

  “I prefer to name her after you. I can tell we must have more discussions on our future children.”

  “Instead of discussing it, why don’t we just practice?” Her hand slides up my abdomen.

  I freeze. Do I tell Miranda that we have not had sex since being mated? That the mating call has not hit? That she still has a chance of not being tied to me for life?

  I am but a man and I would rather trap my mate.

  I groan when she captures my cock in her soft hands. My heart races. This will be our first time since we mated. I should tell her of the consequences. But her hands manipulate my cock rings, and all thought is lost in the pleasure that replaces it.

  Ash is breathing heavy as he turns me over on my back and covers me with his luscious blue body.

  “Ash,” I murmur, and slowly he moves even closer. His lips hover over mine, not yet touching. My nipples harden, and I want so badly to be touched. To have a release. To enjoy this intimate time with him. Need spirals down my body, swelling my sheath.

  “I need you,” I pant.

  “Miranda, you have no idea what you do to me. You’re ill, let me just pleasure you.”

  “No. I’m tired of being an invalid. I want things to get back to normal. I want to make love to my mate.”

  He closes his eyes, torn. “I would love to have you, but…”

  “No buts, Ash.” I move my hand over his beautiful erection, and the rings are fully engorged. I slide them up and down and when a couple bump together, he groans.

  I’m pinned under him in the next breath on the bed, staring into the face inches from mine. His mouth descends on mine and he ravages, forcing my lips to part as he sweeps inside, tasting me with long sure strokes. I’m panting when he pulls away.

  “Are you sure?” he whispers.

  “Never more so,” I assure him.

  My body responds to the passion he ignites. I shift my legs higher to his waist, and wrap him. My calves squeeze against his muscular ass, and he rubs the hard length of his cock against my heated flesh that parts so easily, but he doesn’t dip inside. Instead, he uses the head of his cock to massage my clit.

  I’m so turned on, I’m moaning into his mouth as he continues kissing me. Fire ignites inside my belly, burning upward from my sex, until all I want is completion.

  Ash’s strong hips rock against the cradle made by my thighs, firmly stroking his rigid shaft against my pussy. I’m trying to force myself to press against him, seeking even more contact.

  I break the kiss to pant, but Ash doesn’t pause his torturous masturbating against my clit. The sensations shoot through me and my swollen passage wets. I’m soaked and I can feel when his cock catches the slick liquid, rubbing the moisture between us.

  “I’m going to fuck you until I can’t move,” he mutters, and presses a trail of kisses to the side of my neck. Then he opens his mouth and scrapes his sharp teeth against my shoulder. A jolt of desire shoots through me. The biting isn’t painful but I can’t help but wonder what it would feel like to have that scraping against my nipples. They ache, along with the rest of me. I burn to be filled. I arch my back and his mouth trails down my collarbone. He uses his hands to mash my breasts together, lifting them up for his pleasure. Excitement runs through me, and then his scorching hot mouth takes a nipple. I cry out at the sheer pleasure as he sucks me. My clit is throbbing painfully, my vaginal muscles are clenching and releasing and damn if I don’t feel like I’m on the brink of climax from his mouth pleasuring the tips of my breasts.

  My hands clutch the back of his head. “Don’t stop, baby,” I beg. The silky strands of hair run through my fingers as I cup th
e back of his head to hold him against my nipples. He sucks harder and now the scraping of his teeth is sweet torture against the oversensitive bud. He’s rocking his hips with more force now, and the bulge of his dick feels hot against my pussy.

  Ash tears his mouth away and moves back up to hover over my face, staring down at me with those electric blue eyes. His features seem sultry as he breathes heavy. My gaze drops to his lips, swollen from our kissing. His hips still, and my body trembles on the brink. My inner passage twitches from wanting his hard, thick cock deep inside me.

  But, ever so deliberately, he lifts his body so nothing is touching but our sex. Then he grinds his cock against my pussy. He moves fast, his cock rubbing against my clit with every bump. My clit throbs and the intense pleasure makes my limbs tense. The thick mass of his dick is covered in my silky liquid and he’s rough, riding against me, sliding my tortured clit up and down. His dick grows even harder, and his nostrils flare. I know he’s desperately trying not to come.

  Pleasure torments me and I frantically fight against the looming orgasm. But resistance is futile, and the relentless slide of his slippery cock against my sensitive bundle of nerves is too much. The climax tears through me, shattering me with its intensity. My body jerks against him and I scream out with pleasure.

  His mouth covers mine, swallowing my scream. His fingers squeeze my hips and he lifts himself enough to plunge in. I’m soaked, and it paves the way for his massive, thick cock to sink into my depths.

  I’m so lost in the wonderful sensation of having him fill me that I can’t speak. He’s deep, so deep, buried inside me like we’re one. I’ve never felt so taken in my whole life.

  “Heaven,” he rasps. “Your sweet cunt is pure heaven.”

  “Play with my clit. Please?”

  He releases his grip from my hip and does exactly that. His fingers explore my pussy with utter reverence. He touches where we’re connected, moves upward, and locates the swollen bud he’d tortured earlier.

  “Oh, yeah,” I moan.

  “What do you want me to do?” He turns his head, and brushes a kiss against my forehead.

  “Small, tight circles,” I pant, letting him know of my need.

  “Understood.”

  He rotates his finger and pleasure sparks through me, the tension palpable because I’m so tightly filled. “Oh, God, Ash.”

  “Like this?”

  “Yes. It’s so perfect.” I wriggle my hips and he grins, then starts to move his hips, fucking me slow. “You feel so good, baby. Hard and thick. I can feel every ring as they rub against my inner walls.”

  “So do you. You’re tight and wet. You squeeze my dick with each movement. It’s the sweetest torture.”

  He rocks his hips faster, thrusting into me, and applies a little more pressure against my clitoris. He knows just how to touch me.

  “I’m going to come if you use those sharp teeth at my neck,” I moan. “And pinch my nipples.”

  He smiles, and his fangs gleam white. “I’m aware of how crazy you went with my teeth at your nipples earlier.”

  His finger taunts my clit one last time, pushing inward. I gasp at the instant shock as his mouth finds the column of my throat. His wet tongue teases, and his finger is wet from playing with my slippery clit. He uses his thumb and finger to pinch my beaded nipple.

  My hips go wild, bucking up and down, frantic now as I lose it. Pure ecstasy shoots through my body as I come hard, crying out his name.

  Ash curses as he releases my nipple. He grabs my hips, clutching them, and lifts me, slamming down into me forcefully. He’s moving fast, driving in and out of my quivering sheath as he reaches his own peak. He snarls as he starts to shoot his semen, and his body bucks uncontrollably against me.

  Hot jets fill me and I squeeze my vaginal muscles, milking him.

  He’s panting against my throat as he eases out, his arms wrapped around my waist, and he hugs me against him while we both try to catch our breath. I turn on my side and brush a kiss against his skin.

  “I love you.”

  Chapter Six

  For once, I sleep without dreaming. I’m warm, comfy, and perfectly spooned while wrapped in my lover’s arms. I slowly awaken and I know he’s awake, too.

  “Good morning, my mate,” he murmurs against my hair.

  I caress his warm, blue skin as we lay, our bodies pressed together. He’s strong and relaxed and the scent that wafts from him is so familiar. Even though I can’t yet remember most of our mated life, I’m so glad we are. There’s never been any real question that it was always Aschero for me.

  “Are you happy?” he asks.

  My hand stills. “Of course. Why do you ask?”

  “Just making sure. You are my life, Miranda.”

  It’s a strange thing to say for mated couples. I can’t imagine I would have mated him unless I was happy about it. Silly man.

  Maybe he’s insecure because I dated others. I twist in his arms to face him, wanting him to feel secure in our love. “You are the only one for me. You always were. I love you forever, Ash.”

  He gathers me close. Yes, I definitely love this man. I crave him, I realize. The scent of his skin, the way he touches me. The way the corners of his eyes crinkle when he laughs.

  His positive personality, his beautiful blue eyes. The way he makes me feel like I’m his entire world.

  All the other Blaedonians I dated were poor imitations compared to him. They were nice enough, but they weren’t my barbarian. Ash is one of a kind.

  “Never doubt my love for you, baby. I crave you like the air I breathe,” I tell him.

  He looks a bit satisfied as I yawn and rearrange so I’m in my favorite position, head on his chest, his hand stroking me back to sleep.

  After a quick nap, I stretch out. The cave is empty, so Aschero must be out bathing or getting us food. I move from the nest, taking a fur to drape over me. There’s a basin of water on the small rock ledge in our cave. A small soapcake has been left near it. A fire burns low, with another basin of water warming on it. I take it and add it to the basin of water on the ledge, warming the water enough to wash with. The room is toasty warm, but I touch the glow rock anyway, feeling the need for more light. I’ve been sleeping far too much and I’m ready to join the land of the living. Light will regulate me.

  After I’m clean, I realize I’m starving. I dress quickly, tidy up the cave and slip outside. Noise comes from the main area, it’s apparently a meal time. I decide to surprise Ash there.

  The room quiets when I walk in, and suddenly there’s a ton of people there, greeting me and smiling that I’m up. Aschero approaches from across the room, carrying two plates. I see his eyes dart around the room quickly.

  “Miranda, there was no need to come. I was going to bring you a plate.”

  I smile at him. “I know you take care of me, baby. But I’m ready to come alive. Maybe this will force me to stay awake.”

  “I do not want you to exhaust yourself.” He looks worried.

  “I see that. Now.” Just mingling with friends has taken a lot of energy. That and the magnificent lovemaking last night.

  He brings me to a table to sit. I see we’ve begun using the tables that we all worked on so hard during the holiday season.

  “Everyone’s been eating out here now? Since we built the tables?”

  “Yes,” he says. “It has been the gathering place. We used to sit on the floors or take our food back to our individual caves. Humans have changed things.”

  “In more ways than one, sexy,” I say, and offer him a piece of fruit. It’s a tiny little round thing, like a grape, but it’s yellow. He sucks my finger when he takes it. His mouth is hot, and I shiver.

  Wow. The wet dreams have changed something in my libido. I’m horny suddenly.

  “Do that again, and I’ll climb on your lap right here on the table,” I whisper. “I want you so badly right now. Maybe it’s the tea.”

  “It’s the mating, my love. We crave eac
h other. This is the season of baby-making, remember?”

  That’s right. We must have reached a true mating, and I didn’t know with my overdose. I must be getting healthier.

  “So my strength is returning?” I ask. “That makes sense. With strength comes horniness.” I giggle, and lean in to kiss him.

  “I am glad to be the only one you crave, mate.”

  “Oh, me too, baby.”

  “Knock it off, you two,” Lucie says, as she and Rayhaan sit next to us. “Do you remember those honeymoon times of all-day nookie?” she asks Rayhaan.

  He raises a brow. “We will be having all day sex today, my wife. And tomorrow. And every day until I have to go back out to hunt.”

  Lucie’s cheeks turn pink. “Shh. You don’t have to announce it.”

  “I do not need to, my love. You are what Jezebel calls a screamer.”

  “She’s one to talk!” Lucie sputters, as Ash and I laugh.

  His muscular leg is pressed up against mine. I turn to feed him a small berry. His teeth are bright white when he opens his mouth. He’s so sexy.

  “As soon as the weather warms, we’d like to take a hunting crew to the origins of the ancestors to explore the caves at the deeper section Lucie and I discovered. Would you two like to join up?” Rayhaan asks.

  “I’d love to. What’s the next season?”

  “Fall,” Lucie says.

  “Hey, how’s your pet?” I ask her. “Is he still hanging around inside the village gates?”

  The pet had followed her inside the gates. He’s a strange little cross between a monkey and a teddy bear. He has a fascination for Lucie.

  “Jacques? He is. I take him meat now and then. He doesn’t come out until I leave though. Rayhaan says he’s ashamed to accept the scraps because he has no pistachios to trade.”

  “Aww. Poor guy.”

  “I imagine when the weather warms he’ll go out and climb trees for more nuts.”

  “I can hardly wait until it warms. I wonder if he has a family?”

  Rayhaan snorts. “Great. We’ll be overrun with shallgas.”

  Lucie giggles. “We’ll have lots of nuts.”