And the pain increased his desire.
He swam in her scent mingling with his. Her pussy creamed and grew wetter when his nails bit into her scalp. “Fuck, Ava. So pretty, so mine. Open that mouth wider around my cock. Your little treat, mate. Eat me. So fucking good.”
He arched up and pumped into her, jolted into a monstrous orgasm when she licked him hard with a raspy tongue just under his crown. Right where he needed it.
Tersch roared out as he came down her throat. He held her so tight, it was a wonder she could breathe. Her nose smashed against his belly as she swallowed loads of cum that he couldn't stop. Yet the slight woman drank him down, licking and sucking him dry.
“Shit. Ava. Baby.” He panted, watching as she slowly eased up off his cock. So erotic, so beautiful as her lips left his flesh. Those ripe brown lips glistened with his seed.
“You taste good too.” She licked the soft petals of her mouth as she knelt before him.
Unable to help himself, he leaned down and took her face between his large palms. He kissed her, tasting himself, and he purred louder. The scent of her need beckoned.
“Ava—”
She pulled back. “Man, I'm so sweaty and tired. Why don't you go back to helping Sheridan? I'll talk to you later after a short nap. Plus, I have a few ideas about Grayson. I talked to Anderson already. I'll meet you later, okay?” Funny, she didn't look tired. She looked aroused. He narrowed his eyes. “You planning on getting Price or Foreman in here to ease that pussy?” She blinked at him, and her mouth dropped open. “What?”
“You think I can't smell how wet you are?” He forced her back against the headboard and shoved his hand down the front of her shorts. Beneath her tiny underwear, a hot, aroused woman teased his finger. “I can get you off, baby. Let me.”
“No, I—”
“You don't want it?” he whispered, needing her to want him as much as he wanted her. No. I have to keep my distance. I’m too rough. Too brutal, too…
“That is so good. No fair.” She arched into his touch as he rubbed her hard clit with his thumb. When she tried to move away, he shoved her back against the headboard, too incensed to be gentle.
“Games again, Ava?” He shook his head. “Tsk, tsk. Honey, you're not going to play me. Uh-uh. But I have every intention of playing with you. Look at how hard your clit is. Bet I could bite it, and you'd come so hard.” She moaned and drenched his fingers just waiting at her swollen folds. Ava clutched his arm holding her back while he played with her.
Tersch teased her clit and shoved a finger inside her. Without warning, he added another and began pistoning them inside her.
Within seconds she came around him, clutching his arm for balance. The sweet cry of her release eased the berserker still riding too close to the surface. Hearing Ava's pleasure soothed him in a way he hadn't expected. Tersch slowly removed his hand from her sex and wiped it under his shirt, on his belly. He wanted her scent on him, bold and possessing.
Limp, Ava sank against him, her sweaty forehead pressed against his chest.
“Damn, girl. You need a shower. You smell like sweat and sex.” Add blood to the mix, and he'd be in heaven.
“Ass.” She yawned.
“Come on.” He sighed and carried her cute butt off the bed into… “You don't have a shower in here.” He'd forgotten.
“No shit, Sherlock.”
Grumbling under his breath, he dropped her back on the bed, put his pants back on, and carried her once more out of her room. Ignoring the snickers and comments from those he passed on his way upstairs, he took her to the guest wing and lifted his head. He smelled her soap, a citrusy scent that always made him think of her, and found the bathroom she used. He dumped her back onto her feet.
“Now clean up. You smell ripe.”
She frowned, shoved him into the hallway, and slammed the door in his face.
As soon as he heard the shower running, he sagged back against the wall and closed his eyes, reminding himself to leave well enough alone. She didn't want or need him in there, not if she knew what was good for her. He liked sex. Hell, he loved it. And he loved pain. He got what he needed from his teammates. The few times he'd needed tenderness, Olivia had sated him. A part of the pack, she fit his softer desires. He never lost his head with her, so he didn't fear hurting her.
Besides, he never came to her without Fallon present. And that bastard would never let him harm a hair on Olivia's pretty head.
His berserker had never bothered to come out when in the presence of the other females. Only when his teammates were in danger. And with Ava, he thought, uncomfortable all over again.
Thoughts of being with the others refused to leave him. Tersch literally cringed at the memories of his play with Olivia, which made no sense. She'd helped him, had drawn his pain while giving only pleasure, and at the bequest of her mate.
So why did he now feel guilty for having been with her?
The sounds of Ava's humming and the downpour of the shower reminded him that Ava stood naked behind a thin wooden door, one that wouldn't take any time to break down. Tersch considered wrecking it for a brief second before reason returned.
The berserker wanted Ava with a raging passion. But Tersch refused to give in to it. His beast had already had a taste of the stubborn woman, but that was as far as he'd let it go. He'd be damned if Ava and her stupid games would be the death of her. Hell, he'd protect her sorry ass from herself if he had to.
He stalked away from his nemesis, more confused than ever. And as he left the second floor, he wondered if he'd just been outplayed once again.
Chapter Six
An hour later, Gunnar, Jules, and Jesse waited in the conference room the team hated to use. None of them looked that thrilled to see her.
“Ah, I thought it was just going to be you and me,” Ava said to Gunnar as she took a seat across from the three of them.
He shot her a glare but refused to answer.
One step forward, two steps back. So much for giving her mate one hell of an orgasm to soften him up. The irony in her words wasn't lost on her, and she chuckled at the thought of Gunnar ever around her without a semierection. If that happens, I’m losing my touch.
His glare made her feel worlds better.
“So what's this about Grayson in trouble?” Jules asked, his deep voice soothing. She loved that about him. No matter the situation, Jules always kept it together. Even when his mate had been in danger, when Ava had appeared to be held in the arms of their enemy, or even when he'd learned about Jack and Melissa's treachery, he'd maintained that cool front.
Gunnar should take a lesson or two.
“Amen,” Jesse sent her with a cough to hide his grin. “You’re projecting, honey.
Just so you know.”
Ever since she'd revealed her Circ nature, she'd loosened up her defenses around the team. But it wouldn't do to give too much away. She clamped down on her inner shields, holding Jesse out without effort. Only when she dwelled too much on Gunnar did she lose her focus on keeping herself together. Lately, she couldn't think of anything but him. Especially now that she'd had a taste of what he'd be like in bed.
Gunnar squirmed in his chair. “Explain, woman. While we're young.” The husky throb of his voice told her he could scent her arousal, and the amusement on the others' faces didn't need explaining.
Ava flushed, wishing she could go back under that tight band of sexual numbness she'd forced herself to behave under this past year. But ever since letting her beast out of her cage, she'd lost her ability to remain unaffected. Hell, she wanted her mate with her every breath. And now that she didn't have to hide it any longer, she didn't want to pretend, no matter how embarrassing it might be.