Warrior's Pain (Cadi Warriors Book 4)(65)

Riley sighed again, and adopted a wane smile.

“I’ve been hurt a lot, Cyprian. What you did doesn’t even come close.”

“I wanted to force you to give in to me, but what I did is not acceptable,” Cyprian growled, a scowl marring his face.

“Are you telling me you’re not usually a domineering beast in bed?” Riley wagged her brows playfully.

He couldn’t understand how she could be joking after what happened.

“I have never treated a female the way I treated you.”

Cyprian’s thumb ran over her damp cheek.

“I think I’ll take that as a compliment,” Riley replied with another smile.

Cyprian’s frown broadened. Every time they came together there were fireworks. Cyprian had never been so engaged or aroused by any female. It was unbelievably euphoric when their bodies were joined, but in the aftermath, he worried what he was unleashing.

“Don’t beat yourself up. I know it doesn’t look it, but I enjoyed what we did.”

“Again, I find it hard to believe you,” Cyprian scowled.

Riley laughed and brushed her small hand over Cyprian’s chest. The way she snuggled into him as they talked was unexpected. Cyprian expected derision, but that’s not what he got. He sighed, letting some of the tension in his body go.

“Cyprian, I’m not a normal girl. I have a feeling that goes double compared to what you’re used to.”

“That is true. You aren’t physically that different from a Cadi female, yet your personality is almost polar opposite.”

“It’s all in how we were raised, I guess. Life has taught me to be tough.”

“I imagine being on Distraho has been hard on you.”

“Yes, but my whole life has been a rollercoaster. When I was very young, my father left. My mother started drinking to cope. She would get mean, and lash out at my brother and I. Jay was too old for her to frighten, but I wasn’t. He used to stand-up to her, but he was just a kid. Thankfully my grandfather learned what was happening, and we went to live with him. Now, I think I’m the healthiest of us, even though I suffered the brunt of our mom’s fits. I channeled my angst into taking photographs, getting piercings, and tattoos. Jay, on the other hand, became a drug addict. Maybe it’s messed up, but I don’t hurt easily, and I even enjoy you being rough.”

Cyprian didn’t like hearing how hard Riley’s youth was. He couldn’t imagine a male willingly abandoning his young, or a mother laying a hurtful hand on her babes. It was unthinkable.

“I am sorry about your family,” he frowned. “My sire was strict, and often cold, but he never abandoned me.”

“With everything that has happened, I’m still worried about my stupid brother. I shouldn’t be, since he got me sent to prison. But after he tried so hard to stand up for me, I really wanted to be there for him.”

“Your brother got you sent to prison?” Cyprian asked, recalling what Riley mumbled in her sleep.

“Yeah. I thought he was off drugs, only to learn he was selling them. The authorities found them in my vehicle. I got arrested and sentenced to prison.”

Cyprian could understand how protecting a sibling from a parent might lead someone down a dark path, but the male let it hurt Riley. That was unacceptable.

“Did you tell your authorities they belonged to your sibling?”

“No. It would’ve sentenced Jay to life behind bars.”

“So, you were willing to have your liberties removed for your brother?”

“Well, yeah.”

“You are too kind. It was dishonorable for your brother to put you in that position,” Cyprian growled.

“You sound like my grandfather.”

“Wise male,” he grunted.

Cyprian hated what Riley’s family had done to her. She bore the brunt of their abuse, and still showed them kindness. It made him feel worse for adding to her burden. Cyprian pulled Riley into his arms and squeezed her to him.

“It wouldn’t have mattered. Where I’m from, I was considered guilty anyway.”

“That sounds unjust.”

Cyprian got up, cradling Riley in his arms, and headed to the bathing stall.

“None of it matters. I was abducted by aliens before they could lock me up.” Riley said this as if she were now in a much better predicament, as his slave.

Riley said Aculus offered her freedom. Why didn’t she accept the offer? Cyprian debated the question as he turned on the water. Riley was a mystery he couldn’t make sense of. It was unnerving how quickly she had burrowed under his skin.

“You know, you are trouble, Little Manx.”

“Yes, and so are you, General.”