Page 230 of Gladiators of the Vagabond Boxset

“Correct, Sunder, there is another option,” the AI announced, and again I wondered if there wasn’t a hint of smugness in that otherwise flat voice.

As I held my breath to hear just what option there was, I realized that Sunder was clutching me so tightly to him that I’d migrated to being pressed entirely against his front.

My breasts flattened against his chest, his belt digging into my hip, and his wings spread out to cup us into a cozy cocoon against the console.

“What is it, Akri?” Sunder asked, one palm skating up my spine.

“We need to get out of here soon. The Crimelord Carator is in residence, and he’s taken an interest in Aggy.

” I wanted to scoff, it had been three days since I’d seen the terrifying Crimelord, and while he’d thrown out some kind of invite, he hadn’t called for me yet.

I was willing to bet he’d completely forgotten about me.

“I believe I can set a fake node to grant us access from in here,” the AI said.

“I’ve started building it now.” I was flooded with relief at the announcement.

A solution, a way out. How long until they got here?

When would Sunder and I have to sneak ourselves and the boys onto the landing strip?

The prospect of taking two kids and sneaking them past a ton of guards…

I was pretty sure Jett could be quiet, but Amar? He was too young to understand.

“That sounds perfect, Akri. Kitan, what’s the ETA?

We’ll plan accordingly,” Sunder responded, his hand returning to the console to fly across the screen as he checked whatever this AI had done.

“We might not be able to avoid a scuffle; they’ll realize the Vagabond isn’t supposed to be here the moment you land her. ”

There was a rowdy burst of laughter in response. “What do you think Da’vi has been up to all month? We’ll be armed and ready,” the first voice said in his thick, growly accent. He added, “Chloe says ETA is two days. Be ready. We’ll contact you directly when we’re coming in for that landing.”

Two days, that was so quick! I was suddenly rushed with nerves.

Were we going to be ready? Would we have a way out of the palace by then?

Sunder couldn’t fly all of us out in one go, but maybe he could take the boys.

Or could Jett fly on his own? I wasn’t sure if he had learned to fly yet with those gangly wings of his.

Elation also swept through me. Two days?

That was amazing news, the thought that soon we’d be out of here, that I could go on to live life with Amar somewhere safe.

I tried not to think about my extreme lack of a plan, but I hoped that Sunder and his crew would be able to take us somewhere.

All my meager credits had gone into buying the fake credentials that had gotten me in here.

It was going to be tough to start a new life.

I felt a pang of sadness, a sense of urgency falling over me too. In just a short while, Sunder and I might be parting ways. Just when I was starting to rely on his solid presence, his wry sense of humor, and the protective way he always cupped my shoulders with one of his wings.

Soon, Sunder had said goodbye to his friends and was unplugging his com device from the cable I’d unearthed for him.

We were about to leave our Trojan horse—so to speak—set up inside the software of this tower.

The responsible part of me wanted to go back to the kids and kick untrustworthy Uron from my room.

A bigger part of me, the impulsive part, wanted to claim a little more time with my winged guard.

Wrapping my arms around his stony neck, I rose on tiptoe as soon as he froze, his gray eyes locking onto mine.

“Aggy, what are you doing?” he said softly, and I stifled a laugh, tugging on his brawny neck to pull myself closer.

His eyes fluttered shut, his warm breath brushing across my skin as our mouths connected.

He groaned, a deep rumble in his throat, his chest vibrating against mine.

Then my rational, planner-of-a-man lost himself—finally.

Yanking me up into his arms, he dumped my butt on top of the console, pressing his hips between my legs.

His hands seemed to be everywhere, roaming across my back, my shoulders, and my belly, all the while holding me as close to him as he possibly could.

His mouth devoured mine, his tongue slicking into my mouth in an eager mimicry of sex.

His hips were pressed tightly between my legs, and despite layers of clothing and leather, I felt the heat of his erection burn against my core. Yes, more of that. I was shameless as I ground myself against that heated bar.

I held his head against my mouth, licking along one of his tusks. I dug my fingers into the back of his skull, the rough, stony texture of his skin abrasive and so sexy. I followed the crown of horns that sat atop his head, feeling the smooth, obsidian surface beneath my fingertips.

Despite how fiercely he was reciprocating the kiss, I didn’t expect him to tug on my shirt, I didn’t think he’d take it further. I was braced for another round of rejection, thinking I had to savor this intense moment, bask in it, until he abruptly came to his senses and pulled away.

Except in moments, this went from heated kissing and the heavy grind of his erection against my core to a rapid flurry of undressing.

His hands yanked my sweater and sleep shirt over my head, then I was in his arms and he was pulling my worn leggings down my hips.

As soon as my ass was bared, heated skin met cool metal when he sat me down.

I slid my hands over his chest, wanting to get to his belt so I could return the favor.

Sunder had different plans; he grabbed my hands in one of his big paws, holding them tightly so I couldn’t touch him.

“Okay there, my Fire?” he growled out, his gray eyes shining with desire.

I made a disbelieving sound in the back of my throat, curling my heels around his hips to try to pull him closer.

He laughed, unmovable as rock, hard as a rock too, if the big tent he was pitching was any indication.

He didn’t seem to need further urging, shrugging free from my legs and dropping to his knees, reversing our position from earlier. Finally, he let go of my wrists, his hands cupping my legs and spreading them wide, his eyes devouring my private places with a focus I had never experienced before.

“Sunder, what…” I started to say, but my question was quickly answered when he bent close, warm breath skating over the sensitive skin of my thighs.

His tongue lapped gently at my folds, locating my clit in record time so that he could tease me to orgasm.

A big finger swirled around my opening, then pressed inside, and the rough texture—the heat—was just the kind of friction I needed.

I exploded against his face, shouting out his name, digging my heels into the joints of his wings.

I was pretty sure I’d clamped my thighs around his face so tightly he couldn’t breathe.