Chapter 3

The tension was back, his lip lifting in a snarl. "I don't understand the game you're playing, Kadan." His use of that special word, an endearment for her ears only, nearly melted her resolve. But the trepidation in his eyes reinforced her will, he needed help, someone strong enough to take on his fears with him, to help him fight back.

"You told me once that there are Tamassrans who pop your cork whenever you need it, that it's like going to a healer and that sometimes it can take all day and leave you walking funny. That's what this is going to be like, Bull."

His lips curled up into an enticing smile. "You don't need restraints for that, I can give you what you need without these." He pulled on the chains again, although it seemed more of a test of strength to see if he could get free.

"There's the problem. You focus so much on my pleasure that you don't take anything for yourself." Now he looked genuinely perplexed. " Kadan, I know you're usually a bit dazed after riding the Bull, but I can assure you, I do come," he grinned, "Long and hard."

She couldn't resist responding to that cheeky grin, and leaning forward she pressed a kiss over his heart. She could feel the thump of it beneath her lips, knew it was beating faster than usual. In that moment, she knew he was running scared, regardless of his smartass remarks.

"Oh I know you do Bull, believe me I know. But that's a physical release, in the end, you haven't let go of anything. You keep a tight rein on your control throughout the whole scene. Whereas I leave the bed feeling lighter, my worries and responsibilities once more clear, you leave still carrying the weight of the world on your shoulders."

Her fingers played at his nipples now, scraping across them gently with a short fingernail, circling the hard peaks in a teasing manner.

"I don't want that for you Bull, I want you to shout out all your worries, roar in anger at the fear that invades your dreams at night. Push it back to where it came from, get it out of your system. Just let go."

His head was turned away, staring out of the long window at the side of the room, his gaze distant, seeing things that she couldn't. She stretched herself over his body, holding him. Her hand soothed his brow as her lips pressed to his neck, finding the pulse and nipping, then licking away the pain.

"Stay with me, Bull." He blinked, once, twice, and she could see the herculean effort it took for him to pull back from where ever he'd gone to. She felt his throat move in a hard, rough gesture, proof that his emotions were rising up. He turned his head to rest against hers. "I don't seem to have a lot of choice." He nodded to the manacles gleaming in the moonlight.

She smiled against his skin, knowing he could feel the shape of her mouth. "No, you don't. I'm not going to let you run from what's chasing you any more, Bull. It's time to turn and face the tiger."

She positioned herself between his thickly muscled thighs, noting that his erection had flagged since she'd last checked, no doubt due to the conversation they'd been having. Well, that just wouldn't do.

She wanted to strip away that veneer of civility, take away his inhibitions and leave only the raw, primal part of him. Leaning forward she braced her hands on his hips, her fingers spreading over twitching muscles. She put her mouth mere inches away from his large cock, so that when she spoke he felt each warm breath caress the sensitive flesh.

"You said you don't understand this game, so let me make it clear. This isn't a game, Bull," her eyes lifted, steadily meeting his, "This is a battle, a fight to help you regain what you lost at Adamant." His body tensed so tightly she thought he might strain something.

She blew across the flushed head of his cock, then licked up the full length. "Easy, you're safe here, love."

He let out a long breath, and slowly relaxed, her skilful mouth sucking on the head of his cock aiding in the release of tension. She sat back on her heels, her hand taking a loose hold of his shaft as she continued speaking. "When we first met, you told me that for those you care about, you give them what they need." Her movements were unhurried as she stroked his steel erection, the heated, silken skin moving easily in her light grip.

"So, the answer is easy. I don't only care for you, I love you and I will give you what you need. I will fight the darkness with you." Her voice trembled at the end and she realised how close she was to tears, but she couldn't lose him, not now, not ever.

"Come here, Kadan." His voice, so masterful and melodious pulled her towards him. "I won't ask you to release me so that I can hold you, but just give yourself a moment." She nodded, too emotional to speak, and laid her head on his chest, her hands following the lines of his pectorals.

She felt the press of his chin against the top of her head, his way of comforting her while he was bound. It brought another wave of emotion that closed up her throat, but it also settled her enough to carry on. Because she couldn't fail him, this strong man who had given her so much, who held her heart in the palms of his large and capable hands.