Page 17 of Fennick’s Fortune (Sentinels of Apollo #2)

Akiva and I had traveled further than I expected, especially with her on foot as a human.

Once I obtained her acquiescence, I didn’t wait to contact my fellow Sentinels to ask someone to pick us up.

She was mentally and physically exhausted.

If we’d been close to civilization, I would’ve taken her to a hotel and let her sleep, but since we weren’t, I wanted to get her back to Needles as fast as possible.

I was afraid that if I delayed, she might talk herself out of returning.

I knew that getting answers to the questions in my head would have to wait until she was rested.

On the drive back, after Gunnar picked us up, I sat in the back and held her as she dozed.

I was too keyed up to sleep. Gunnar kept glancing back at me.

Not wanting to disturb her, we spoke telepathically.

“Did she tell you what she’s running from? Scared of?” he asked.

“No, but she didn’t deny it and said that I had no idea the mess it would bring. I think it may be more than a single issue or person.”

“She doesn’t smell of you, but you two seem connected. You didn’t claim her?”

“No, I didn’t. She knows that’s what Ripper and I want. Her bear Nova is open to it, but Akiva is scared. I told her I wouldn’t do it until she’s willing to be mine. There is no going back once that occurs.”

“Damn, I’m not sure I could do that, Fen. If I found my mate, I’d want to claim her immediately.”

“Believe me, I want to, but it’ll force her to run or resist more. I can’t have that. I feel that in the long run, this will be a shorter battle.”

The miles sped by. We didn’t only talk about Akiva and her problems. We also went over Sentinel work.

Even though we brought in a group of fifteen, more needed to hear the word and possibly be assisted to sanctuaries like we thought Needles was.

We believed that banding together was the way to survive.

I hoped she wouldn’t be upset when I had Gunnar drop us off at my house.

Even if she wasn’t ready to accept me as her mate, I wanted her with me.

And the only way we could get to know each other and Akiva could learn to trust me was if we spent time together.

Plus, there were no other houseguests at my place.

I carried her inside after thanking Gunnar. He waved it off and drove away. When I took a sleeping Akiva inside, I couldn’t stop myself from taking her to my bedroom. I eased off her shoes. Then I was hit with a dilemma.

Should I strip her down to her underclothing so she could rest more comfortably, or leave her fully dressed?

Akiva was so exhausted that she hadn’t moved when I removed her pack, shoes, and socks.

Deciding that her comfort came first, I quickly removed her main clothing.

Christ, maybe this wasn’t a good idea after all.

Seeing her body barely covered in her bra and panties made my cock come to attention even more, and Ripper to push at my restraint.

I fought us both back. I tucked her under the covers.

With her settled, I went to the bathroom, closed the door, and got in the shower.

As I stood under the pounding, hot water, the images of her in my bed, with hardly a scrap of clothing on, forced me to grip my stiff cock.

I started at the base and slowly stroked my soapy hand up the length, gripping hard.

When I reached the tip, I squeezed harder and twisted.

I had to bite my lip to hold back all but a tiny moan. I pictured Akiva in here with me.

She was kneeling at my feet. The water was running down her curvy, lush body.

Her eyes stared back at me as she stroked and sucked my cock.

The sight of her berry-colored lips surrounding my member made my entire body tighten in anticipation.

I wanted to see how far she could swallow me and then if she’d allow me to come in her mouth.

If she wouldn’t, I wouldn’t mind shooting my load all over her tits and then rubbing it in.

I’d take any way I could to cover her in my scent.

Ultimately, I wanted it inside and outside of her.

It was almost embarrassing how little time it took for me to come, shooting my cum all over my stomach and the shower wall.

I watched it wash down the drain as I slowly worked myself down. It wasn’t enough, but it would do.

When I was dried and dressed in sweatpants, I took up residence in the chair next to my bed.

As much as I wanted to slide under the covers with her, I knew that would be pushing it for her first night here.

Plus, she needed to see that even in her vulnerable state, Akiva could trust me not to take undue advantage.

It was a decent overstuffed chair that wasn’t half bad to sleep in.

I’d moved it from the living room into here when I got a matching set of living room furniture.

I hadn’t wanted to get rid of it. The best part was that it reclined.

I placed a spare pillow under my head and got another blanket out of the closet, though I doubted I’d need it.

It was almost two o’clock in the morning when I drifted off, staring at her bathed in the moonlight in my bed.

I knew the moment Akiva woke up. Her breathing changed and became faster.

And I swore I sensed the tension climb. Until then, she peacefully slept, and I was drifting, trying to surface.

I had been dreaming about us and didn’t want to leave it.

However, when I noted those had happened, I stretched and then yawned before opening my eyes.

I met her green eyes with a smile. “Good morning. How did you sleep? Well, I hope. That mattress is usually a comfortable one.”

I unconsciously scratched my hairy chest as I waited for her to answer.

When her gaze went there, I saw what I knew was desire enter her eyes.

I wanted to smirk, but I didn’t. Yeah, Akiva might wish to resist, but she couldn’t.

However, winning her on a sexual level was one thing.

I was after the entire package—her heart to go with it.

“I-I slept well. Actually better than I can recall sleeping in a long time. Where am I?” she asked as she scanned the room.

“You’re at my house. This is my bedroom.

It’s right through there when you’re ready to use the bathroom.

I showered last night, so don’t worry about the hot water.

I’ll show you where everything is, if you want to freshen up,” I pointed out, acting as if it was no big deal for us to be in the same room, partially undressed.

“Your house? Uhm, okay. The bed is very comfortable, but I feel awful for depriving you of it. I could’ve taken the chair or slept on a couch.”

“If I minded, I would’ve given you a guest bed. And this chair and I are old buddies. It’s a favorite.”

“Why didn’t you sleep in one of the other beds?” she asked.

“Because I wanted to be close at hand in case you woke up in the night. You were in a strange place, and to awaken alone would be scary. I know we stirred things up yesterday. I wanted to ensure you didn’t have any bad dreams due to that.”

Akiva’s expression told me she didn’t know how to handle someone being all about her or caring for her like I did.

Which, in the scheme of things, was nothing.

She had no clue how I intended to care for her.

I wanted to stare at each other, but I bet she needed to use the bathroom.

I knew I did. Tossing aside the blanket on my lap, I put down the footrest and rose to my feet.

Akiva stared at me, and even though she wasn’t being overly appreciative, I felt my cock stir.

“I’ll show you where everything is and let you get ready. Take your time.” I went toward my bathroom. Without hesitating, she threw back her covers, then squeaked in alarm before grabbing them and covering herself.

“Who undressed me?” she asked breathlessly.

“I did. I sure as hell wouldn’t let Gunnar,” I grunted.

“I would hope not, but why did you?”

“So you’d sleep better. I don’t know about you, but I hate sleeping in clothes of any kind. It was wanting you not to think I took advantage of you as you slept that I left anything on you or me. Naked is the preferred pajamas of shifters,” I teased.

I flashed her a grin and then went into the bathroom.

I pulled out towels and a washcloth, and found her an unused hand razor, a spare toothbrush, and toothpaste, in case she needed them.

By the time I was done and back, she was up and digging in her bag.

I again held back my groan at the sight of her.

She had her back to me, and I had an unobstructed view of her underwear barely covering her luscious ass.

My hands flexed, imagining I was squeezing both ass cheeks.

“It’s all yours. Yell if you need anything,” I told her before I slipped out. It took all my self-control to act nonchalant. It seemed another date with my hand was in my future. I walked bowlegged to the other bathroom due to the erection I was sporting.