Champion(12)

His dark gaze turned considering. “That’s why you’re so good in the arena, and with the net. Your extra senses help you determine where to attack.”

She inclined her head. When she tried to move again, his fingers bit into her skin.

“What am I feeling now?” he murmured.

She felt his strong, bright desire wash over her, felt the echo of it in her blood. She shifted and pushed her stick into his skin, and he didn’t even react.

“I prefer pretty boys.” Young, energetic, and eager to please.

“Easy boys.” Blaine reached up, the fingers of one strong hand circling her neck. It was a hold that Saff never allowed anybody to do. But he wasn’t holding her hard, and one fingertip stroked the pulse in her neck. “They can’t be much of a challenge.”

“They know how to follow orders.”

“I’m a man, and one you can’t control.”

“But one that I beat.”

That sexy smile crossed his tough face. Drak the man for having such succulent lips. She couldn’t drag her gaze off his boldly masculine face.

“Kiss me,” he demanded.

“What?” Her heart started a crazy rhythm in her chest. “No.”

“Afraid?”

She snorted. “I don’t ever let myself feel fear.”

His hand slipped from her neck, his fingers tracing down her collarbone. She felt the scrape of calluses, and for some reason found that unbearably sexy.

“There’s always something to fear,” he murmured.

Saff heard the nightmares buried in his voice and that stabbed at her. “You don’t have to be afraid anymore, Blaine.”

He moved, catching her off guard. He rolled her beneath him, his big body pushing her into the mats, trapping her. “I think you’re afraid of your attraction to me.”

She reacted on instinct, slamming her elbow up into his chin. It snapped his head back. She wouldn’t be trapped beneath a man. Ever. She’d learned young not to ever let anyone pin her down, or control her, or own her.

He moved, and they rolled across the mat. She got her fist into his gut, and he grunted. He gripped her arms, and they rolled again, wrestling.

As they fought, Saff realized he was being careful not to hurt her. For some reason that made her mad again. She didn’t need someone to hold back. She was Saff Essikani, best net fighter in the arena. She rolled again and got on top of Blaine, jamming her knees hard into the sides of his body.

“I’m not afraid,” she spat at him.

“Prove it.”

With a growl, she leaned down and fused her mouth to his.

For a second, he lay frozen beneath her, then one big hand palmed the back of her head, and he opened his mouth.

His tongue invaded, dueling with hers. Sensation exploded through her, and she fought back a moan. He tasted so good.

Drak. All thoughts rushed out of Saff’s head, and pleasure rushed in to fill it.

The kiss deepened, and when Saff tasted blood, she realized she’d bitten his lip. He kissed her like he needed her to live. Needed her to breathe. Like he could find all the answers inside her.

Saff wrenched her mouth away from his and shot to her feet.

She stood there, her chest heaving, and looked down at him. This man who, for the first time ever, left her feeling undone. This man from a planet on the other side of the galaxy, with glorious dark skin and dark eyes filled with nightmares.

“If you want to fight tonight, we need to get back to training.” She spun and walked out of the gym, telling herself she wasn’t afraid, or a coward…but quite possibly a liar.


***

The two suns of Carthago were setting as Blaine tightened his harness and checked his sword again. Outside the tunnel, he heard the roar of the waiting crowd in the arena.

He blew out a breath. He’d fought hundreds of times, this was no different.

Except it was. This time it wasn’t just him and a battle of survival. This time, it was a show watched by thousands and he was fighting as part of a team.

“Hey, we came to wish you luck.”

Rory’s voice made him turn. She was standing with Regan and Madeline.

“Thanks.”

“You’ll do great,” Regan said with a smile.

He hoped so. He hoped he didn’t lose it and put the House of Galen gladiators—put Saff—at risk. He looked past the women to where Saff was chatting with Kace.

“Sooo,” Rory drawled, “you and Saff.”

When he looked back, Rory was wearing a wide, satisfied smile. “She’s training me.”

“Is that what they’re calling it these days?” Madeline said.

He blinked at his former commander. He was still adjusting to the fact that she was more open and friendly now.