Operation: Marauder
Chapter 21

Rowan woke up to a rhythmic tapping on his door. He was so close to sleeping through the last of his Fever. This close to escaping the burn for another year. Groaning, regretting telling Mave to wake him up if anything changed, he clamoured out of bed and waved his hand in front of the sensor.

“What’s wrong?” The words came out of his mouth before he saw who was on the other side.

Zoey blinked up at him. “Nothing, I hope. Sorry, did I wake you?”

Grease smudged her forehead; Rowan could imagine her working up a sweat down below and wiping her forehead, forgetting she had grease on her hands. Despite the nighttime light setting in the ship, her eyes appeared lighter, like they always did when she looked at him. His hearts swelled at the sight of her; even covered in grease, hair falling out of her ponytail, she was beautiful.

Slowly, a pink hue coloured her cheeks, and Rowan realised he was staring at her, making this terribly awkward, but he couldn’t bring himself to say something that wasn’t stupid.

She scratched the back of her head. “Um, Maliki said it would be better if I told you the ship’s up and running again. He’s telling Mave right now, so we should be heading back soon.”

Heading back to Earth. Where Zoey awaited her punishment for disobeying orders. Where he would go back to hunting the Wraythe. A place so full of the unknown for them it made his hearts clench.

“Do you want to come inside?” he offered, stepping aside to give her space. She slipped past him, her breasts grazing over his chest in the tight quarters. He nearly lost all control in that moment. She hopped back onto the table, and images of her being naked and ready for him flashed in his mind.

“Do you have any of that Arthonian booze left?” she asked, folding her arms in front of her.

Did he detect a twinge of nerves from her? Had she been lying earlier when she said she wasn’t afraid of him? He was worried the Fever might be too much for her, that he would come on too strong.

“You’re frightened,” he observed, replaceing two glasses and pouring a splash into a cup for her.

“I’m not,” she insisted sternly.

He pulled back the glass before she could take it. “You’re lying to me.”

There’s nothing he hated more than people who lied to him and thought they could get away with it. His senses were too honed to let a lie slip past him.

“Am not,” she snapped, swiping the drink out of his hand, catching him off guard. “It’s just. . . I have so many questions and I don’t know where to start. It’s very overwhelming.”

A rumble vibrated in his chest. This woman was the tease of the century, coming in here late at night, wanting a drink in the midst of his Fever, now knowing what she did to him. She still wore his shirt, carried his scent, hopefully made any male think twice about touching her. All he wanted to do was tear it off and bury himself deep inside her.

He stepped towards her, gently nudging his hips between her legs. His hearts pounded in his ears, he could barely hear himself speak. “I don’t want to answer any questions.”

Those lips, so full, so inviting, quirked into a little smile for him. She took a slow, steady sip from the glass and didn’t choke on it this time. All Rowan could imagine was those lips being somewhere else and consuming every part of him.

“You wouldn’t force yourself on me, would you?”

By the Architect, she was going to ask her questions anyway. Because, as she put it, she wasn’t afraid of him and felt some sort of power over him. He’d be lying to say she didn’t. That didn’t stop the burn roaring inside him. Every fiber of his body yearned for her touch, demanding he take what was his.

“No,” he managed. Barely.

She finished her glass then licked her lips. She was a seductress and he was completely at her mercy. He swore she knew exactly what she was doing and was testing him to see how long he could hold off. Surely, she had to know what she was doing to him?

“You had to think about it,” she pointed out, placing the glass down behind her. She wasn’t disappointed, surprisingly, only trying to get the facts.

The thought of forcing her into anything had him seething and clenching the table on either side of her; his claws dug into the metal as if it was made of clay. It was infuriating how badly he wanted to do it, even when it was against his very nature to take advantage of people not as strong as him. This Fever was driving him mad.

“Fuck, Zoey, I am in Fever,” he rasped. “I want you so bad it hurts.”

Her hands grazed over his chest, the hairs on his markings barely stimulated through the fabric of his shirt. His mind spun in a whirlwind of euphoria and pain. “Take off your shirt.”

He didn’t know where she was going with this, but he didn’t mind the direction and pulled his shirt over his head, letting it drop at his feet. Her eyes trailed over him curiously, an underlying, restrained desire hiding within. She lifted her hands to his chest once more and traced the outlines of his markings. He couldn’t stop the groan on his lips as her touch traversed from one mark to the next, catching the little hairs on the tips of her fingers. It felt so good, he could come.

Her smile grew. “Are those hairs sensitive?”

He could barely nod and keep his control in order. His hands itched to take her into his arms, kiss her until she begged for more.

She licked her lips. “How sensitive?” She leaned forward and dragged her tongue over his marks. Each touch sent his nerve endings on fire. He couldn’t help himself anymore, and curled his fingers into her hair.

“No.” She moved his hands down to his belt. “Take your pants off. I want to see all of you.”

This woman was going to watch him burn alive before he was allowed to give in to his desire. He liked it. Most females expected to receive pleasure, but there was something in Zoey’s eyes that told him she had other plans and he was curious what she would do.

This wasn’t Zoey’s first rodeo, but for some reason, as Rowan slowly--way too slowly for her liking--unbuckled his belt and dragged his pants down to the floor, she felt like she was in over her head. Probably because he was an alien, of which the markings across his chest and thighs were a clear reminder of that fact. She was disappointed he hadn’t taken his briefs off as well; his member was just begging to be freed as it stretched the fabric encasing it.

She crossed her arms, scowling at him. “You missed something.”

He grinned, leaning forward, bracing his hands on either side of her on the table. He was only a breath away, all she had to do was lean forward. . .

She resisted. The likelihood of ever having a night with him again once they reached Earth was slim to none, so she wanted to give him a night he’d never forget, no matter where in the universe his life took him.

“I’ll play your game,” he whispered in her ear, sending a hot flush through her body. Her legs opened up to him in response, but he kept his distance agonizingly close while not touching her. “But if you want these gone, you have to lose something first.” A claw slipped between them and tugged on the shirt he had given her. “I want this gone. Now.”

That wasn’t fair. She was supposed to be in charge here. When did it get reversed?

She hooked the hem with her fingers and pulled the shirt off, tossing it to the far corner of the room. She wasn’t planning on needing it any time soon anyway.

He drank her in with his eyes, smile growing wider, hungrier, while his eyes glowed as fiercely as any star. He seemed to have forgotten about the rules of her game, as he put it, when he stepped forward to wrap his arms around her. She gave him a stern reminder, slapping his hands away. Though, it was tempting to let him have his way.

“Not yet.”

He growled. Not angry, maybe a little frustrated, definitely eager for her to let him take over. “You vixen, what do you want from me?”

“Those. Gone. Now.”

Taking her completely by surprise, he ripped them off with his claws, discarding the scraps to the side, exposing the very erect member that had been hiding underneath. She was pleased to see he wasn’t all that different from any other human male, except for the hairs and markings lining the shaft. She could work with that.

“Now what?” he demanded, wanting to get her commands out of the way so he could have his turn.

Zoey couldn’t fight the grin; she was sure he wouldn’t want to rush things in a minute. “Step back. Give me some room.”

He was quick to hide it, but Zoey caught skepticism in his eyes and urged him back into the wall, making sure to caress his hairs as she did. Another heady growl rolled out of him.

She knelt in front of him. Curiosity sparked in his eyes as he watched her. In answer to his unasked question, she stroked his shaft, brushing her fingers lightly over the sensitive hairs.

Moaning, his head rolled back as his hands found their way into her hair. She allowed it, leaning in to lick a drop of his desire off the tip. He shuddered, knotting his fingers in her hair, nudging her a little closer. She obliged, taking him slowly, swirling her tongue over the hairs. She loved the way he, someone so strong and dominating, swayed against her and utterly succumbed to her touch. It was more empowering than she imagined and before she knew it, he cried out his relief as he filled her mouth with his seed.

Gasping, he sagged back against the wall, gaze locked onto her as she wiped her mouth and stood up. Something told her he’d never received a blow job before and couldn’t help feeling triumphant that she was his first.

Before she could turn for the bathroom to clean herself up, he caught her hand and pulled her to him. His hot hands grazed over her shoulders, sliding down her back and gripping onto her rear. Shockingly, he was ready for her again, his hard member pressing into her stomach with need.

He dipped his mouth for her ear. “I liked that, and you’re definitely going to do that again, but for now it’s my turn.”

She shivered from his overwhelming strength and the promise it came with. He lifted her, carrying her to the bed, and gently set her down. She shifted uncomfortably on the thin mattress, holding his shoulders for support.

“Sorry,” he murmured in her hair. “The military is cheap when it comes to comfort, no matter where in the universe you serve.”

She cupped his cheek, touched by his concern for her comfort. It was more than most of what her past lovers had ever done. “It’s better than the chair and couch I’ve been sleeping on this past week.”

His lips brushed over the skin of her shoulder; her heart leapt into overdrive at the simple touch. “You deserve better than a couch, better than this bed.”

The glint of his claws flashed in the corner of her eye. She knew exactly what he was doing and caught his wrist. “Hold on, buddy. What you do with those claws is sexy as hell, but only when I have spare clothes.”

Grinning, he put the claws away and unclasped her bra in the front. Taking his time, he dragged his tongue over her breast and hummed as he caught her nipple between his teeth. She bucked under him, digging her fingers into his back.

“I suppose you’re going to tell me, I can’t tear these off.” He slapped the side of her thigh, ever so tempted to dig his claws in and rip her pants off.

She looked down at him as he moved his mouth down to her navel, so he knew how serious she was. “Don’t even think about it.”

His grin grew cheeky. “I already have. For many, many nights now. But I will do as you wish.” He hooked the waistband and tugged both leggings and panties down to her ankles. She slipped off her tennis shoes so he could free her legs. He came up flush over her, his erection throbbing desperately against her stomach. He met her gaze. “I’ve imagined you naked before me for weeks. I want you to know this isn’t happening because you’re the closest means to relieve my Fever. I’ve wanted you since I first laid eyes on you.”

He edged away any sense of doubt she had about him. She didn’t know what to say, so she smiled and brought him to her lips. His mouth was rough, demanding, and felt so good against her skin.

And then he slid inside her, slowly, allowing her to get used to his girth. Those little hairs probably did as much for her as they did for him as they caressed her and took her on a ride of pure pleasure. She came sooner than she expected and cried his name, holding him tight. He thrust deeper, harder, and joined her, growling into her shoulder as he shuddered.

Then he kept on shivering violently and clenching the pillow around her; she touched his cheek, concerned. “Rowan, are you okay?” She wasn’t sure if it was normal for his species, but he looked like he was in pain.

He stopped suddenly, gasping for breath; he was covered in sweat. When he lifted his gaze to meet her, his eyes glowed so bright, they filled the small alcove his bed sat in with light. Just as she was about to shield her eyes, the blazing light faded, leaving them to the shadows of the alcove once again.

“Rowan?”

“Are you okay, Zoey?” he asked, lifting his gaze to meet hers. His voice was twinged with concern. “I didn’t hurt you, did I?”

"Me?” She couldn’t believe he was asking about her after what happened to him. “What about you?? Was that. . . normal?” His eyes hadn’t done that the first time he came, nor did he quake like that.

“I’m fine,” he dismissed quickly, clearly still only thinking about her. “You didn’t answer my question.”

She couldn’t understand why he was pressing the subject of her safety until she glanced at the wall behind her. He had dug his claws into the metal while he had convulsed and bent it into a gnarly shape.

“Oh. Um, I’m okay.” Now she was wondering how she hadn’t been crushed by him sooner.

He cupped her cheek, drawing her attention back to him, then kissed her sweetly.

Despite how tough his skin was, how easily he could crush her with one hand, she never felt so treasured and cared for than in this moment. It almost brought her to tears, knowing that she would never feel this way again.

She shook her head, shoving down her silly feelings. She should be enjoying this moment, not thinking about her future.

She broke the kiss to gaze at him then down to the hardened member pressing into her hip. She knew some guys recovered quickly, but this was ridiculous. “Are you always this. . . ready?” She wasn’t sure to be impressed or intimidated by his stamina.

Chuckling, he kissed her once more then slid off the bed. “Only during Fever. Tomorrow, I will slow down, I promise. But tonight? I’m going to have you in as many ways as I can until you’re spent.”

It sounded like a night she would never forget, so she let him pull her off the bed and guide her to the shower.