Warlord Reunited: 3 (Barbarian Claims) (8 page)

“Escape pod two released,” the ship informed them.

“Ship,” Berke barked, needing confirmation. “How many beings occupied escape pod two?”

“One clone occupied escape pod two.”

“Tolui,” Berke and Ellie said in unison. She pressed her palms against his chest, her skin warm and calloused, the hands of a warrior female. “The escape pods move slowly. If we run to the bridge, we might be able to shoot him out of space.”

Berke suppressed the thrill of the chase, focusing on what was most important to him—Ellie. “My warriors have instructions to track any unidentified vessel.”

Ellie gazed up at him. “You’ve been chasing Tolui for solar cycles and you’d allow one of your warriors to capture him?”

“I’m not leaving your side,
gerel
.” He increased his grip on her delectable curves. “I almost lost you.” His voice broke, emotion constricting his throat.

Her eyes softened. “You didn’t lose me.” She cupped his cheek. “We fought our enemy and survived.”

“You were fierce.” He turned his head and kissed her palm, tasting the salt of her skin. “And frightening.” Berke carried her through the doors to their sleeping chambers and laid her carefully on the bed.

“Your days of taking risks are done, Ellie.” He glanced at the red marks on her neck and his mood darkened. “You’re not venturing off-planet again.”

“I’m not venturing off Dorian 2?” Ellie’s plush lips drooped, tempting him to kiss them.

“You’re not venturing off Chamele 1.” Berke leaned over Ellie and brushed his mouth across hers. “You can train your students underground.” He straightened, subduing his unruly desires. Ellie needed time to recuperate from her ordeal. “If you wish to see Zeta and Gale, they can visit you but you’re not leaving our home. Ever.” He crossed his arms in front of his body and leveled his iciest, most impervious glare on his rebellious mate, bracing for her protests.

“Are you claiming me, Warlord?” Ellie’s eyes sparkled, her response surprising him, her beauty blinding him.

“I claimed you moments after we met, foolish female.” Berke forced his severe expression, seeking to banish all her doubts. “You’re mine and once you’re recovered, I’ll prove that to you.”

She slid her hands along the bed. “I feel better already.”

Berke strode to an empty chair, away from the bed, away from his bruised and battered female, away from temptation. “Remove your body armor and sleep,
gerel
.” He sat down and picked up a personal viewscreen, avoiding her heated gaze, his cock hard and his soul needy. “I’ll be here when you wake.”

“The escape pod was found on Chamele 4 at the base of the
Khatagtai
Mountains,” Jochi, Berke’s best warrior reported, his grim face projected on the bridge’s main viewscreen. “A body wasn’t retrieved but it is unlikely any being survived that crash.”

“It is improbable that he survived but not impossible,” Berke replied, seated in the first officer’s chair, clad in tight leather leg coverings, boots and nothing else, his magnificent chest bare. “Tolui has accomplished the impossible before.” He turned his head and met Elle’s gaze. “Can any of your devices locate terminated life forms?”

Jochi raised his eyebrows, openly revealing his surprise upon hearing Berke’s request for assistance, and Elle smothered her smile, maintaining a cool Berke-like expression. “The ship logged Tolui’s genetic markers during his attack, but they can only be detected at close range.”

“Jochi, once my
gerel
has transferred the technology to you, search the area surrounding the wreckage,” Berke ordered. “Find Tolui’s body.”

The scarred warrior swallowed hard, his Adam’s apple bobbing. “Your
gerel
, my lord?”

“Elle is my
gerel
, your lady,” Berke explained curtly and Elle’s heart squeezed, his public acknowledgement of their relationship soothing the last of her lingering fears.

“She’s the best bounty hunter in existence and has already captured Tolui once.” Berke delivered the commendation without emotion, his words surprising and pleasing her. “Consider a command received from her to be a command received from me.”

Jochi appeared as astonished as she felt. “Congratulations, my lord.” The somber warrior studied Elle closely via the visual links. Lines appeared between his eyebrows. “Lady Zeta and Lady Gale have spoken to their warriors of an Elle, the leader of the bounty hunters, a strong female warrior with unmatched tactical skills.”

“Lady Zeta and Lady Gale have been too generous with their praise.” Elle’s face heated. “Some say your Warlord’s tactical skills match mine.”

“Some extremely loyal human bounty hunters might say that.” Berke’s dark eyes glinted. “But all Chamele warriors know my tactical skills surpass yours.” He puffed out his chest.

“Your Chamele warriors have no knowledge of my tactical skills.” Elle bestowed her haughtiest gaze upon him. “Zeta and Gale have a basis on which to compare.” She tapped her chin, contemplating how best to showcase her tactical skills. “Hmmm…”

“No.” Berke straightened in his chair. “The answer is no.”

“You don’t know what I’ve planned.” She grinned and he groaned, the sexy rumble tightening her nipples. “Are you threatened by my prowess, Warlord?” Elle leaned toward him and covered his hand with her palm.

“Threatened isn’t what I’m feeling.” Berke flipped his palm over and threaded his fingers through hers, securing her to him. “And your prowess with battle strategy isn’t what I’m thinking about.” His gaze sizzled with heat.

“No?” Elle’s heart skipped a beat, her pussy moistening and her passion rising.

Berke flared his nostrils and his grim lips curled upward. “No.” His voice lowered.

Jochi cleared his throat, drawing their attention back to him. “We’re happy for you, my lord.” A crimson blush colored the warrior’s weathered visage. “And it’s a great honor to meet you, my lady.” He bowed his dark head.

“Jochi, we’ll continue this discussion at a later time,” Berke decided.

“Thank you, my lord.” Jochi’s visible relief made Elle smile. “End transmission.” The main viewscreen flickered and displayed a view of Chamele 4. Berke lunged to his feet, his movements smooth, sensuous, captivating Elle.

“Shouldn’t locating Tolui be your first priority?” She gazed up at him, admiring his broad chest, his tight abdomen, the noticeable bulge in his leg coverings.

“Tolui is likely dead and you’ve always been my first priority.” Berke gathered her into his arms, lifting her easily out of her captain’s chair. She slid her hands up his chest and linked her fingers behind his neck. “I promised to prove that to you once you recovered.”

“I’ve recovered,” Elle murmured, resting her cheek on his chest, his heart beating against her skin, the rhythm thrillingly fast.

“So you say.” Berke carried her across the bridge, through the sliding doors, down the corridor, his gait even, his feet soundless. “I’ll verify that for myself.” Although his expression remained stoic, tension and need radiated from him.

“Will you?” She pressed her lips to his skin, tasting salt and minerals. A shudder rolled down his big form.
He wants me…badly.
Elle smiled up at him, the power she wielded over her Warlord escalating her desire.

They entered their sleeping chambers. “I will.” Berke lowered her carefully to the bed. Elle drifted her fingertips over his chest, and his muscles rippled. “No.” He captured her wrists, pushed her back and stretched her arms above her head. “Keep your hands there.”

She obeyed, frowning. “But—”

“No buts.” Berke straightened her body, his hands gentle and his tone stern. “Stay still or I’ll use the restraints.”

The restraints.
Elle trembled with excitement. “Is your control lacking, Warlord?”

“Yes.” Berke surprised her by admitting. He extended his claws and leisurely ran the deadly tips over her body, grazing her nipples, her stomach, her mons, shredding her flight suit to strips of fabric, leaving not even a hint of pink on her white skin. “With you, I have no control. I’ve never had control.”

Retracting his claws, he brushed the remains of her garment aside, gazing upon her with heated eyes, and Elle sucked in her breath, Berke’ need, want, love for her fiercely reflecting in his scarred countenance.

“Never doubt how much you mean to me, Ellie.” He leaned over her and brushed his lips across her forehead, down her cheek, over her chin, avoiding her parted lips. “I would die for you.” Berke skimmed his teeth along her neck and tremors flowed over her. “Kill for you.” He traced her collarbone with the tip of his tongue and Elle arched, needing his lips on her breasts.

“For you, I’d give up everything.” Berke circled her right breast, coiling her passion around her, his mouth hot and his lips firm. “My family, my people.” His nose brushed against her nipple and she gripped her hands together tightly, fighting the urge to cup his head. “I’d turn my back on honor.”

“I’d never ask that of you.” Elle ached for him, for his touch.

“You wouldn’t have to ask.” He fastened his mouth over her nipple and sucked, the pleasure bowing Elle’s spine. “I’d do anything to make you happy.” Berke lavished her breast with wet heat, flicking his tongue over her skin, tormenting her with teasing strokes. “To keep you safe.” He dragged his lips to her other breast and repeated his slow, sweet torture.

“Berke.” Elle panted, gripping her fingers so intensely, her knuckles hurt.

“You can control this,
gerel
.” He slid the flat of his hand down her stomach, over her mons, dipping his fingertips into her juices. “You’re strong.” Berke caressed her folds as he nuzzled her breasts, his breath hot on her nipple. “The strongest female I’ve ever met.” He slipped one calloused finger into her pussy and Elle whimpered, her body clenching him.

“That’s it.” He pumped her, drawing more moisture, more tremors from her core. “Hold on to me, Ellie.” Berke added a finger, stretching her open. “Grip me with that tight little pussy.” He worked her hard, stripping her restraint with each deep stroke.

“I can’t,” she pleaded, unable to be the strong female Berke wanted.

“Not yet.” His command supplemented her resolve, his tone allowing no disobedience. He mouthed over her stomach. “You can wait for me.” His breath wafted on her inner thighs and she gritted her teeth, struggling for control.

“I want to taste your passion.” Berke withdrew his fingers, his skin glistening with her juices. “When I suck on you, you can come.” She twitched as he fastened his mouth over her pussy.

His gaze met hers, his eyes dark with desire, and he sucked hard on her clit. Elle screamed his name, bucking into him, throwing her body forward, trusting him to catch her as she splintered into a million different parts, blasted apart by passion. She shook, writhed, the tug and release, tug and release of his mouth prolonging, deepening her orgasm.

Drained emotionally and physically, she collapsed on the bed, unable to stop the quivering in her limbs, her legs spread, her arms remaining where Berke had placed them. Her dour Warlord speared his tongue into her pussy, licking and sucking, drinking the moisture of her release with a gratifying gusto.

“I love you, Berke,” Elle whispered, overcome with emotion.

Berke raised his head, the lights reflecting off his wet lips. “But do I love you?” Elle hesitated and he smiled grimly. “I see I have some more proving to do.” He moved up her body, his skin sliding along hers, his lower body remaining encased in tight black leather.

“I don’t know if I can survive more proving.” She bent her knees, cradling him between her thighs, his weigh comfortingly heavy.

“Touch me, Ellie.” He swept his lips over hers, teasing her with his light caress, his mouth tasting of her intimate juices.

“Yes.” She dropped her hands to Berke’s shoulders, his muscles pulling taut under his tanned skin. “I love touching you.” Ellie kneaded him, rubbing her fingertips into his warmth. “You’re so strong, so powerful.”

He covered her lips with his, rocking his hips, the hard ridge in his leather leg coverings rubbing against her pussy. She opened to Berke, allowing him into her mouth, their tongues tangling, dueling for dominance.

His chest rumbled and the sound rolled into her, moving down her throat, connecting them. She lifted her hands to his long, black hair and buried her fingers into the soft tendrils.

I love her.
Berke moved against Ellie, his plans for multiple rounds of mind-blowing pleasure blown to bits by his need for her, this small human female he couldn’t live without. She tasted of those sweet rations she ate upon waking, the special servings she guarded with the ferocity of a mother
unee
, allowing him only a nibble from her slender fingers.

“Claim me, Berke.” She raised her hips, pushing against his throbbing cock. “Claim me completely.”

“Yes.” He couldn’t deny her anything. He reached between them and yanked the leather from his hips, tearing his constrictive leg coverings, removing that last barrier between them.

“Yes,” Berke repeated with satisfaction, sliding his hard shaft against her moist feminine folds, bathing his skin her delectable juices, her flavor lingering on his tongue. He skimmed his teeth over her white neck, her blood pumping strong and true in her veins, and she tilted her head to the side, submitting to him, offering more of her skin to mark, to brand, to own.

Berke mouthed along the scars on her neck, the pink skin serving as a lingering reminder of how fragile life was, how precious and rare their love was. The fear of losing Ellie, the urge to protect her continued to possess him but he was the only male he trusted to safeguard her, to put her safety first.

“Fill me.” She arched, flattening her soft breasts against his hard chest. “Berke.” She tugged his hair, the pinpricks of pain along his scalp exciting him.

“Be still,” he ordered, driving her hips back with his, pinning her ass against the bed. Rebellion flashed in her brown eyes and he struggled to suppress his grin, his female’s strength equaling his. “You need to learn patience.” He probed her pussy with his cock head, searching for her entrance.

“Patience?” Ellie scoffed, angling her hips, assisting him. “I’ve waited to be claimed for far too many solar cycles, Warlord. I’ve been patient enough. Fulfill your vow.” She lunged forward, clamped her blunt teeth over his bottom lip and pulled, her aggression pushing him over the edge.

“Ellie,” he bellowed, filling with her with one long, hard thrust, her inner walls holding him, squeezing him. He gritted his teeth, his control compromised by her heat.

“Berke,” she cried, wrapping her legs around his waist, digging her booted heels into his ass. His
gerel
was white skin, pink lips and leather boots, curves and strength, beauty and intelligence, female and warrior, everything he could ever want, his fantasy come to life.

Berke eased out of her hot pussy, his cock head blazing along her inner walls, and he pushed back in. He forced himself to move slowly, concentrating on Ellie’s needs, rebuilding her passions stroke by stroke. She undulated under him, her nipples teasing his chest, her hips rolling, urging him to thrust faster, harder.

He ravished her pussy with his cock and her mouth with his tongue, her lips becoming slick and swollen with his ardent attentions. She sank her fingernails into his shoulders, searing his skin with the small crescents of pain, blood and sex scenting the recirculated air.

They merged, meshed, becoming one, a being stronger, more powerful than their individual selves. Berke grunted, brushing her delicate, white earlobe with his lips, and she panted, her warm breath washing over his skin, their rutting sounds echoing in the small sleeping chamber.

Berke slammed into Ellie’s pussy harder and harder, eager to please her, his
gerel
, the force of his thrusts banging the bed against the metal wall panel. She rose into each surge forward, embracing his savagery.