The Bloodgate Warrior Page 6

  Uh-oh. I was starting to realize exactly what he was doing. “Are you opening the gate again?”

  “Precisely. Not a traveling gate, though. Do you see anything in the water?”

  It’d never dawned on me that this fountain very well could be original to the palacio and Leonor’s secret safe. Could she have really hidden something here for over five hundred years? The bottom circular tier contained flood lights beneath the water. A smaller, higher tier spilled into the lower, providing a beautiful water feature for the garden. Perfectly trimmed hedges combined with palm trees and lush growth, a semiprivate oasis in the midst of Antigua.

  “No. If Alvarado’s spear really is here, why do you want it?”

  “Any weapon that bears my blood is a powerful tool. The spear that took my mortal life will possess a destructive force greater than any weapon your technology could create. With it in my hands, I could hold back all the powers of Xibalba.”

  I hesitated, wondering if he’d really thought about my heritage. I was a very distant descendant of his greatest enemy. “The woman who built this hotel was Alvarado’s daughter, and my great-great-something-grandmother.”

  “Did you ever wonder why Xicoténcatl came to be with Alvarado, a man all Maya despised?”

  I couldn’t help but wince at his choice of words. Turning my attention to the fountain so I wouldn’t have to see his reaction, I trailed my fingers in the water. Still warm from the day’s sunlight, the water felt uncomfortably alive, clinging to my skin like a glove. “I assumed she was tribute, given to him to save her people.”

  “She was given to their enemy to save her people, yes. But she possessed a secret that Alvarado never knew, which allowed her to protect and save as many people as possible.”

  I could feel his gaze on me, heavy and intent. His nearness made me think about our conversation earlier about fighting, but I didn’t really want to challenge him that way. However, tormenting him sounded like a pretty good idea.

  My cheeks and neck felt too hot, so I splashed a little water on me. He sucked in a breath, encouraging me to keep teasing him.

  “Xicoténcatl was a powerful sorceress specializing in a particular kind of magic.”

  I sat on the edge of the fountain and scooped more water to splash the tops of my thighs bared by my dress.

  “You do realize my blood is in that water?”

  I reached for him, threading my fingers through the belt loops of his jeans to bring him closer. “I don’t care. It’s just a drop or two.”

  “My blood carries magic.” His voice thickened, rough and low, doing terrible things to my insides. I felt shaken, stirred and more than ready to be guzzled down. “Mixed with her magic in the water, you’re playing with a veritable explosion.”

  I smiled up at him as I inched my fingers over to his zipper. “I’m counting on it.”

  His hands closed over mine. “You’re not worried about being seen?”

  I glanced up at the hotel surrounding us on all sides. The place had gone still and quiet after the zombie attack. According to José, there hadn’t been many visitors to the area thanks to earthquakes and the viral scare down at Lake Atitlán. If anyone was still here other than Natalie, I’d be shocked.

  I tugged at my fingers, but his grip didn’t lessen. My sultry smile slipped, my eyes narrowing. “There’s hardly anyone here and the trees are thick and tall enough that no one would see anything.”

  Soothingly, he rubbed his thumbs on my palms, even though he didn’t release me. “You’re affected by the magic of this place, whether you know it or not. I cannot take advantage of what you’re unaware of.”

  “I’m not…”

  “So you often play in fountains?”

  Without even realizing it, I’d slipped back deeper into the water. The lower half of my dress was soaked, my rump decidedly soggy. And I didn’t even feel it.

  Or maybe I did, because warm, molten heat flowed between my thighs. The more I looked up into the harsh angles of his face, the more I ached.

  He pulled me up out of the water. I clung to him, pressing against him even though I was soaked. His erection thudded against me and I groaned out loud. “I have some decidedly wicked things I want to do to you.”

  “And you may still do those wicked things, later. Right now, we need to free the spear. Alas, your magic is the key, Cassie. My own cannot free it.”

  “I don’t have any magic.”

  His big palms settled on my hips and turned me away from him. I nearly sobbed at the loss, until he pressed against my back, keeping me flush against him. Now, this I could definitely get used to. I squirmed against him, grinding my ass into that hard cock trapped in his jeans.

  “You have great magic, especially in this place.” He’d crossed over to feral growl territory, making me burn hotter. “Especially here, at this fountain, where your ancestor’s magic dances in the water, fed by my blood.”

  He lifted me to kneel on the lower tier and then leaned against me, hard enough to push me forward. I gripped the upper tier to keep my balance. He covered me. Not holding me down in any way, but he was so big, so powerful, I’d have no chance of escape. Without exerting himself one iota, he’d be able to dominate me completely.

  My pulse skyrocketed and my heart thundered. Exactly the way I like it.

  “Sexual magic,” he growled against my ear. “She had the power to bring a man to his knees. Even a man like Alvarado. As do you.”

  I tried to laugh but it sounded more like a whimper. “I’m the one on my knees.”

  “I’ll gladly go on my knees for you, Cassie. See?” He planted a knee beside mine, dropping his weight even heavier against me. “Look into the water and tell me when you see the spear. It’s hidden from me—and hopefully all others who might seek it—by her magic.”

  I didn’t have to ask what he was going to do, because his palms slid up my hips, drawing my short skirt with it. I couldn’t even worry about my ass being bared to the courtyard, because nobody would be able to see me beneath him. He was too big, and God, that made me moan again, louder. He didn’t even have to touch me to make me cry out. What was I going to do when those fingers…

  His hand cupped me beneath the dress, and I shuddered. Biting my lip, I tried not to make any noise. If I was going to become an exhibitionist, I’d have to learn to be quiet. Even if I wanted to throw back my head and howl at the moon, I didn’t care to have an audience. The last thing I wanted was Natalie running down here threatening to beat him up.

  “Do you see it?”

  I pried my eyes back open and searched the water. “No. Are you sure we can’t…”

  He slid a finger inside me and all thoughts evaporated. I clamped my thighs tighter, trapping his hand right where I wanted him. His other hand kneaded my hip, his fingers digging into my flesh, hauling me back against his groin. What I’d give to have his magic dissolve those jeans too. I’d take him inside me right here, now, the water cascading over us…

  “Stop tormenting me with such thoughts.” His hot breath panted in my ear. “I’m trying to retain as much control as possible, but with you smoldering in my arms… I don’t want to ravish you in the flesh for the first time in public.”

  “Fine by me.”

  “So you say now. Later you may curse me when the magic fades, and I would rather a spear cleave my heart again than upset you.”

  “Then why are you doing this?” I couldn’t help the high pitched keen to my voice. I was so close. Every muscle in my body had clamped down on his hand, but with the dreams we’d shared, I knew how much sensual damage he was capable of. And damn it, I wanted it all—his force, his control, his warrior side unleashed on me.

  I wanted to rage and strain and sweat against him, while he forced me to take every inch.

  “Soon.” His own words came out strangled. “If I survive. Concentrate, Cassie. The spear is close. My blood sings. Listen for the melody and reach out to take it. Thanks to Xicoténcatl’s magic, it’ll only
come to your hand.”

  I couldn’t hear anything but the sledgehammer thud of my heartbeat reverberating through my skull. Panting, I fought his grip. If I could get turned around, I’d jerk open his jeans myself. I’d push him down on his back and take him for a change, clawing his chest and neck until his blood ran freely.

  I shuddered at the thought. I’d never hurt anyone like that. Why would I have such bloody violent thoughts about him? The man I… My brain hiccupped and refused to even consider the words. Only a dream, an incredible dream. Not real. I can’t really be falling in love with a man who doesn’t exist. He’s dead.

  “Ah, I should have known. Our magic always involves blood.”

  He cupped my chin, and I smelled something delicious, sweet, tropical fruit and decadent chocolate, like his mouth. The tattoo on my shoulder pulsed like it would leap out of my flesh and sink its talons into him.

  His thumb rubbed against my lips and I could almost taste the nectar.

  His blood.

  Revolted, I instinctively flinched away, but his arms were like iron.

  “Open your mouth.”

  He pushed his finger deeper into me and I almost obeyed just because he asked. Almost. But I couldn’t wrap my mind around the reality of it. Blood. His blood!

  So why the hell was my mouth watering?

  “Trust me, Cassie. I’ll never ask something of you without a very important reason.”

  He shifted against me, driving me down harder, and I ached for more. Everything tightened painfully, so close, and his blood was right there, tempting, calling me…

  “I swear on my quetzal now living inside you that my blood will give you more pleasure than you’ve ever known before. Open your mouth for me, Cassie, and taste heaven.”

  He bit my earlobe, not hard, but the sharpness of it sent me cresting over the edge. Lunging forward, I wrapped my lips around his thumb.

  His blood filled my mouth eagerly and I thought for a moment I would retch. Surely I couldn’t swallow it once I tasted the metallic…

  But a candied sweetness dissolved in my mouth, melting like rich caramel. I swallowed him down, sucking on his thumb, gripping with my teeth. If I’d had his cock in my mouth, I might have maimed him, because I couldn’t stop. He tasted too good, and just as he promised, pleasure rolled higher, casting me to the stars.

  In the velvet blackness of night, something cried out to me like a dark ugly wound. I couldn’t hear that plea and ignore it, but until I stretched out my hand, I didn’t realize I could see it.

  A silver spearhead gleamed in the swirling darkness.

  “Take it, Cassie.”

  I didn’t want to touch it. Old pain screamed on that sharpened point, promising death. His pain and death, which made me flinch back. I couldn’t bear to touch such a foul thing, let alone bring it out where it might bring his death again.

  “I need it,” he whispered. “I need it as badly as I need you.”

  My fingers felt clumsy and stiff, but I forced them to wrap around the steel. Cold seared me, ice creeping up my hand to my forearm. My bones felt brittle, like I’d shatter if he touched me too hard, but I couldn’t let go. He needs it.

  I pulled the spear out of the hole. My ears popped and my vision tumbled wildly, as though the earth had been knocked off kilter. Dizzy, I didn’t try to hold myself up. I didn’t have to, because his arms were locked around me.

  “That’s right. I’ve got you, safe and sound. Don’t hold it too tightly, noyollotl. It’s still sharp enough to slice your fingers to the bone.”

  He gathered me up, smoothing my dress down. As he walked, he spoke to someone in a language I didn’t understand with my ears, but inside my head, I knew everything he said. Every thought that crossed his mind echoed in mine. Noyollotl, my heart.

  “Is your lady well, Ahau?” Lord. Or perhaps even more, the lord of the sun, lord of all.

  I tried to open my eyes or speak, but I was just too tired.

  “She’s more than well, just exhausted, wet and cold. She retrieved the spear.”

  From the other man’s fervent gasp, Técun might as well have said I’d found the Holy Grail. “Blessed be your lady. We stand guard, Ahau. The palacio is secure.”

  Chapter Six

  Before I opened my eyes, I soaked in the feel of him beside me. He still held me close, the heat of his chest blazing against my back. He enfolded me, hips, arms locked about me, his groin pressed full against my buttocks.

  Ah. He’d managed to eliminate our clothes.

  After months of dreams, he was here in the flesh. I couldn’t help but fear that if I opened my eyes, he would disappear once more, as he’d done every night for months.

  “Never,” he whispered against my ear.

  I burrowed backward deeper into his embrace. His erection dug into me, but he made no advance, as if he, too, was simply happy to breathe beside me. Yet I couldn’t completely relax. Something nagged at me. We were in bed, naked and comfy. There couldn’t be danger since his men were guarding the hotel. I was toasty warm beneath the blankets and no longer wet.

  The blankets. “Did you check the bed first?”

  I sensed his confusion, so I didn’t wait for his response. I leaped out of bed like he’d goosed me and ripped the bedding off toward the foot of the bed until only the fitted sheet remained beneath him. Layer by layer, I finally got down to the fitted sheet. I checked every inch of the bed before my gaze settled on him.

  Part of me was still stunned every time I looked at him.

  A magnificent, naked warrior lay in my bed.

  I ran my gaze up his long, powerful legs, his impressive erection, chiseled abs and broad chest and shoulders. They didn’t make men like this any longer outside a gym.

  “How have the blankets displeased you, Cassie?”

  I swallowed hard and forced my gaze up to his face. “I always have to check and make sure there’s nothing nasty in my bed. I got a bad spider bite when I was a kid because Nana didn’t check my bed first. It’s habit now. I have to know the bed is safe before I can go to sleep.”

  Despite my best intentions, my gaze wandered back to his groin. Dear Lord, he got bigger every time I looked at him.

  “I am the only threat you face in this bed. Is the reality all I promised in your dreams?”

  Amusement laced his voice, but the deep thrum still made my insides quiver. I tried to shrug nonchalantly. “I thought you’d be bigger.”

  Luckily he possessed a sense of humor as big as the rest of him. Laughing, he rolled over on his back, making sure to give me a full view. “This is all for you, Cassie. I said you possessed great magic. Don’t you believe me now?”

  “What I believe is that you haven’t had sex for five hundred years.”

  “Very true.” He curled a finger at me, his eyes narrowing with intent. “Come, lady, and let us end this fast. When this need remains hard for you after hours of pleasure, then perhaps you’ll believe me when I say the power is yours.” When I hesitated, he arched a brow at me. “Do you want a chase first? So be it.”

  He threw a leg over the side of the bed and started to get up, pausing only as I stepped closer. I didn’t want to admit that I hurried just a bit, but I didn’t want him chasing me. Not this time.

  “Then what do you want, Cassie?” Gentle fingers traced the curve of my cheek, but he didn’t touch me intimately.

  “I don’t know. It’s just so strange to have you here. Like I said earlier, I don’t really know what to do with you if it’s not a dream.”

  “Ah,” he breathed out, his lips quirking. “Your body knows exactly what to do, but your mind rebels. I understand.”

  “I mean, do we need to use protection?” He stared at me, telling me he had no idea what I was talking about. “I don’t want to get pregnant or catch some horrid jungle disease.”

  “Oh, yes, the dreaded jungle rot.” He was laughing at me. “Never fear, lady, I am immune to all earthly diseases. I never died on this earth from any hum
an plague. If you wish to someday carry my child, we would have to take extra steps to accomplish the feat. Our species are very different, though we may look the same on the outside. Do you have any other concerns?”

  Hell yeah, I had concerns. Like whether I could actually deal with his aggressive personality. Memories of the dreams fluttered inside me like wild birds. Him, holding me down, taking me so hard I screamed, chasing me as I threatened, running me down…

  “I see.” He lay back on the mattress and for a moment, I was afraid I’d angered him, or at least cooled his ardor with my hesitation. Yet he smiled at me invitingly. “Your speed, your control, Cassie. Take me as you will. I will do nothing but lie here and let you have your way with me, whatever that means.”

  “Are you serious?”

  “Deadly serious.”

  I stared at him doubtfully. After all the dreams we’d shared, the last thing I’d expected was to have a passive Técun in my bed.

  “Take me as you wish, Cassie. The control is always yours.”

  Now, that was an invitation no sane woman would refuse. My confidence returned enough for me to tease him back. “Are you sure? Maybe I should tie you up.”

  “If that’s your wish, but I think you’d rather have my hands at your beck and call, would you not?”

  Oh, definitely. Along with that wicked mouth and most insanely thick and long erection. He didn’t appear stressed, as though his control might be at its limits, not like he’d been at the fountain. Remembering how he’d held me so tightly brought my desire roaring back full force. “This time I want more than your finger filling me.”

  “As my lady wishes.” As I crawled up his legs, his voice thickened but he didn’t grab me and haul me where he wanted me. So I decided the least I could do was torment him a little. I wanted to see how far he’d let me go.

  I hovered over him, staring down at his cock, letting my breath flutter over him. A tremor shook his thighs but he kept his hands away.