Taming The Queen Of Beasts

<strong>RIKA</strong>

Rika sighed happily through her heaving breath. Pinned under Gar's weight, hands still splayed in his hair, she kissed the side of his neck. "That was awesome!" she puffed.

Boneless and still panting, Gar grunted his agreement.

A minute later when he lifted his head to look down at her, she stretched, grinning. "I told you it wasn't sex that scares me."

"You did." He gave that lopsided grin, pressing the smile lines into one cheek. Leaning on one elbow, he rested his temple on his fist, using the other hand to stroke a sweaty strand of hair from her forehead.

"You didn't believe me."

"Not quite," he said, cupping her face and stroking her cheek with his thumb. "I love seeing you that way. I've never seen you quite so… free."

She snorted. "Free isn't in my vocabulary, Gar. I was just relaxed and that was all because of you."

He frowned. "I want you to be free, Rika."

She shrugged and played a finger along the cord of his neck, down to his collarbones. "I'm sure I'll get there. Just give it time."

But his frown didn't disappear. Rika knew he was only worried for her, so she pulled his head down for a quick kiss, then urged him to roll off so they could cuddle. Soon Gar was on his back, one hand under his head, her tucked under the other, her head on his shoulder and her hand on his chest. She snuggled into him, sighing happily the way her dog used to when it found a comfy spot on a soft blanket.

Gar was oddly quiet, but his smile was warm, and he held her close. She hoped he wouldn't sleep yet—though in her experience, guys usually nodded off as soon as they stopped talking after sex.

It would be okay if he did, she told herself. She could just wake him up later.

But when his breathing had eased back to normal and she looked up at him to see if his eyes were closed, she found him staring at the roof of the cave where the firelight played on it, his face blank.

An uncomfortable thought occurred to her and she pushed up on an elbow to meet his eyes. He turned to look at her, his brows pinching.

"What's wrong?" he asked her, his voice husky and dark in a way that made her shiver.

Rika made herself be brave. "That was really good, Gar. Like, I really enjoyed it. More than I ever have before."

He nodded. "Me too."

"Really?"

Gar frowned. "Yes—sorry, is there a human tradition that I don't know about? I love you, Rika, having you that way is satisfying in ways I can't even describe."

She smiled. "That's good. Me too. I just… you're kind of quiet. I know I'm not one of these Anima Amazons. If things were better for you with one of them before, I mean… I can't grow a foot, but I can—"

"Rika, no, Don't." He put his hand over hers on his chest, his eyes pinched with concern. "I'm sorry if I didn't make it clear. I have never… never wanted a female that way before. And never felt such… fulfilment in the act. I'm sorry, I don't have pretty words for it. But I cherish this. Seriously."

"Okay, good," she sighed, dropping back down to rest on his shoulder. "Me too."

"Are you certain?"

"Yes! I love you, Gar. It makes your body… thrilling. And I have to say, the roaring was a nice touch."

He huffed and groaned, pinching the bridge of his nose as he shook his head. "Shit. I'm actually turning into my father."

Rika got thoughtful. "Is that a bad thing?"

Gar sighed and stared for a long moment at the top of the cave. "No, I guess not," he admitted finally. "I mean, no one's perfect, right?"

"Right."

Gar chuckled and Rika snuggled back into his side, surprised by the tears pinching at her throat. Happy tears. They lay quietly for a moment, but she was afraid if she didn't say what she felt, he'd fall asleep. So she cleared her throat and stroked his chest again.

"I really love you, Gar," she said, barely above a whisper. "I know I can be a little standoffish sometimes, but I want you to know. I'm so glad I'm here. I really love you."

His hand rested over hers again, and he curled his hand around hers, squeezing gently. "I really love you too, Rika. Are you sure you're okay?"

Rika snorted. "I'm better than okay. I'm ready to go again."

Gar huffed. "Give me a few minutes."

"It's okay," she said wickedly. "You get some sleep. I'll wake you up nice and early." Then she blew out a breath and slumped into his shoulder again. Gar began to stroke fingers up and down her forearm on his chest which raised her goosebumps and felt amazing.

She didn't think she'd ever felt more relaxed.

She was asleep in minutes.

*****

<strong>GAR  </strong>

Listening to Rika's breathing slow and go steady, feeling the last of the tension in her slide away as she settled into the crook of his arm, Gar was glad that she could rest, but he stared, wide-awake at the ceiling. The light from the fireplace was beginning to fade, but the orange glow still flickered and danced over his head. He watched without seeing.

His mind played back over their time—that horrifying first attempt. The fight. And then… then when things got beautiful.

His heart raced thinking of her, so open and intentional. And the way she pulled herself up against him at the end, the feeling of her mouth on his throat…

Fuck. He was getting hard again.

He sighed heavily and, careful not to move his body and possibly wake her, he turned his head, casting his eyes down to watch her face, so relaxed in sleep.

She was beautiful and bold and his. And he was so grateful. That was what mattered. That they loved each other, and they'd get through anything they had to face. He knew they would. And that was what was important, he reminded himself.

It didn't matter that the bond hadn't snapped into place.

It would come with time, he told himself.

But it took him a long time to fall asleep.