Bred by the King Page 8

  “Do you know what you need?”

  “I need you. Please,” she said. There was no way she was going to hide from him. The lust flooding her body was because of him, and she wanted sex.

  There was no point denying her attraction, not for a single second.

  “I love seeing you like this. You’re so needy. It makes my cock ache. All I want to do is fill your cunt with my seed, pump it into you until you breed for me.”

  “Yes.”

  “You like it when I talk dirty?”

  “Yes.” She grew frustrated. Taking hold of his hand, she placed it between her thighs, letting him know where she wanted his touch.

  He could talk all night so long as he helped her with her release. He rubbed her through her clothing, and there was too much in the way. She pulled on his shirt, trying to take it off him, not wanting him to be dressed.

  Skin on skin.

  Touch.

  Draven.

  She wanted only him.

  He seemed to know what she wanted as he helped her to rid them both of their clothing. Within a matter of seconds, they were back on the bed, and she ran her hands over his erection. His heavy cock pressed against her pussy but not inside her.

  “How wet are you for me?” he asked, his hand skimming the inside of her thigh. He didn’t touch her where she needed him. No, he stroked over her pussy but not quite touching her.

  She whimpered.

  “Beg me, Ashley.”

  “Please, Draven, please, I need you.”

  “Who do you belong to?” he asked.

  She stared into his eyes. “You. I’m yours. Are you mine?” She hated how insecure she felt in asking the question.

  He kissed the tip of her nose. “You have me.”

  Chapter Eight

  Ashley didn’t want him to leave, and he didn’t want to leave her. Draven had no choice. Life was about survival, and without food, they wouldn’t last long. The peace in his community was in part due to meeting everyone’s needs. Once they got hungry, their ugly sides would emerge as they fought for every last scrap.

  Draven wouldn’t let that happen, not after all the work he’d put into his kingdom. Not with Ashley possibly pregnant with his child. He had a lot to live for now.

  They took the old wooden cart and two horses. It kept them off the radar more than traveling with a truck. Scavengers went crazy for gasoline or working vehicles. He’d decided just to take Luke. Two men wouldn’t rouse as much attention, plus he wanted as many bodies as possible protecting Ashley and his people.

  “You love her,” said Luke. The clickety-clack of the wooden wheels over the stony ground had lulled him the past hour. Draven was deep in thought, thinking to the past, and dreaming of the future.

  “You can tell?”

  Luke chuckled as he held the reins of the horses. “It’s written all over you. Some say you’re using her for her fertility, but I know better.”

  “Because you were in love.”

  He nodded. “That seems like a lifetime ago. It’s time for me to start over, too.”

  “That’s a healthy way to think. You’re still young. No sense spending the rest of your life alone.”

  “I remember, not so long ago, when you preached relationships were a waste of time.”

  Draven smirked. “That was before Ashley showed up.”

  “What is it about her? God knows you could have had your pick over the years. I see how women swoon over you.”

  Draven couldn’t really pinpoint it himself. “Maybe chemistry? Fate? I’m not sure why I fell in love with her, but it happened hard and fast.”

  “It helps that she’s marked. You can have a family together.”

  His hackles rose. Lately he’d been thinking more about Ashley having a baby. What if he was infertile? The virus had affected some males the same way. If he couldn’t have children, maybe she wouldn’t want anything to do with him. The possibility had been putting him on edge lately. He couldn’t lose Ashley.

  “Yeah.”

  “Oh, that’s not good,” said Luke.

  “Just another obstacle.”

  A forest was fast approaching. They’d have to go around with the wagon, adding more time to their trip. He only had a vague recollection of this route, but he knew it was the direction to the food storage facilities he’d used in recent months. Nothing was a guarantee, but it was the best lead he had.

  “Once we plant the new fields, we won’t be so reliant on outside food sources,” said Luke.

  “That’s the idea,” he said.

  Draven wasn’t worried about the extra time going around the forest. Natural barriers were perfect ambush sites. Although they had weapons in the back of the wagon, it was impossible to know what they’d be up against. It was foolish to expect this food run to be uneventful. They always had to prepare for the worst.

  “Horses are getting antsy.” Luke had to shorten the length of the reins.

  “Go wide.” Draven reached for the binoculars and scanned the gaps between the trees, looking for any movement.

  He wasn’t worried for himself. Or Luke. For the first time in his life, he had a fear greater than death. He wanted to return to Ashley, because nobody could take care of her like he could. If he never returned, God knows what would become of her or his kingdom.

  “Anything?”

  “No.” Draven lowered the binoculars. “Hopefully it’s nothing.”

  When they drew close to the forest, they stayed to the far right. Only the sound of the horses snorting and wagon wheels struggling over the uneven terrain could be heard. He was on edge, not daring to say a word as he stayed focused.

  It felt like hours passed as they slowly crawled by the sprawling forest. The town he wanted to reach wasn’t far beyond these woods. It seemed to be going well when Luke noted something ahead. A natural barrier, maybe downed trees from the storm they’d just had. Draven saw a lot of damage during the ride, and one of the rivers was overflowing its banks.

  “Whoa.” Luke brought the horses and wagon to a stop.

  “I don’t like it. Doesn’t look like storm damage to me.”

  Luke shook his head. “Looks like a fucking beaver dam, but I don’t see any water.”

  His senses were firing off hot. Someone wanted to box them in, but so far, no signs of anyone.

  “Maybe it’s abandoned. We haven’t traveled this way in over six months.” Draven had to keep positive. The roadblock couldn’t be monitored every minute of the day.

  “Hands up.” A man shrugged off the carpet of grass he’d been hiding under. Several others followed suit. They all pointed weapons at them.

  “We’re just traveling through. We don’t want any trouble,” said Draven.

  “What do you have in the wagon?”

  “Nothing. We’re just looking around for food and supplies, like everyone else.”

  The big guy came closer. He didn’t look like he’d showered or brushed his teeth in years. “You must be coming from somewhere. There a settlement around here?”

  He shook his head. Draven’s heart raced. He’d never give up his kingdom. He hoped Luke didn’t rat them out.

  There were four men and only two of them, not to mention their weapons were stored in the wagon and out of reach. The ambush came fast and unexpected, not giving him a moment to react.

  “Just kill them,” said one of the men. “Less trouble down the road. There’s only so much supplies to go around.”

  The leader aimed at Draven.

  So many memories came flooding to mind. The days he’d nearly died in the war. Surviving this crazy new world. The future with Ashley he’d never know.

  “Lower the gun. Nice and slow, asshole.”

  Draven turned around. It was Luanna, standing in the wagon with one of his automatic weapons in hand. Ashley was behind her, aiming a shotgun at the other men.

  The men complied, dropping their guns to the grass. Draven and Luke immediately hopped out of the wagon and collected
the guns, and patted down the foursome to be safe.

  When everything had been secured, he walked to the wagon and looked up at the two women. “Is someone going to tell me what the hell is going on?”

  “Well, Ashley didn’t want you going without her, and since I know a lot of good places for food and medical supplies, I thought I could be an asset,” said Luanna.

  “And you’ve been hiding in the wagon all this time?”

  Luanna shrugged. “We were waiting until you got to town so you couldn’t send us home.”

  “I wanted you safe, Ashley.”

  She set the shotgun down and reached for him. He helped her down, swinging her around in his arms. “I’m glad I didn’t listen, or you could have been killed.”

  “I’m sure I would have found a way out of this mess. I always do,” said Draven.

  “You sure are smug, aren’t you?” said Luanna. “A simple thank you would have sufficed.”

  “Thank you. I still don’t approve of Ashley being at risk,” he said.

  “Well, we’re here now,” said Ashley, looking up at him with those gorgeous blue eyes. “Let’s get the mission done and get home.”

  “What about them?” asked Luke.

  The part of him holding onto his humanity demanded he show mercy. But it was a small part. The rest of him knew these bastards wouldn’t stop until they found their compound, and they’d try to kill them on their return trip.

  “Why don’t you and Luanna handle this? We’ll keep heading around this damn road block. I’m sure you’ll be able to catch up on foot.” Draven kissed Ashley and helped her up into the front of the wagon. He climbed up beside her, this time with a weapon near his foot.

  He didn’t want Ashley to think he was a monster, but he also knew Luanna was almost as ruthless as he was. She’d never allow the men to go free with their lives.

  These were difficult times, and survival of the fittest had become a way of life. Those men were going to kill them for no reason except they were breathing. Nothing could be more ruthless than that.

  ****

  Ashley scanned the area as they rolled along. The town was desolate, like a ghost town from old television shows. There was even tumbleweed crossing their path. As she’d recently learned, it wasn’t a sign of safety. Man had become their biggest threat. It was ridiculous when food, shelter, and survival should be number one on everyone’s mind. People turned evil way too easily. It was disheartening.

  “It’s too quiet,” said Luanna. She stood behind them with a rifle in hand.

  “It’s deserted. Just be on alert. We’ll get what we need and get the hell out,” said Luke.

  Draven squeezed Ashley’s knee, offering her a bit of comfort. She wasn’t used to this. Life in the kingdom had spoiled her, giving her a sense of false security. If only it was real.

  “Do you think there will still be food here?” Ashley asked.

  Draven nodded, giving her a little smile. She was so lucky to have found him. Ever since the virus, her life had been turned upside down. He alone managed to give her balance.

  “Over there,” said Luanna.

  They stopped the wagon, and everyone got out. “Stay close to me,” said Draven. They all had weapons, sweeping the area as they moved in on the store. If they could find the stockpile of food, Draven would have no reason to leave the kingdom. They could be safe and focus on living life and loving each other.

  She placed her hand over her lower stomach as they walked, wondering if she was growing a child at this moment. More than ever, it was essential they find what they were looking for.

  Luke kicked open the back door in the store, Draven moved in and did a sweep.

  “All clear.”

  When they entered, the defeated look on his face told her everything. The room was ransacked, empty boxes and spilled bags of food strewn across the floor.

  “Oh God,” Luanna whispered.

  She held onto Draven, holding back tears. Ashley needed to be strong and not make Draven feel worse. “We can start the planting, prepare new fields,” she said.

  “We need food now, baby, not next season.”

  They left the room, dragging their feet.

  “Let’s split up. There could be a few things left to scavenge,” said Luanna. “I’ll go with Luke and head east.”

  “We’ll go west. Meet back at the wagon in twenty minutes. Fire a shot if there’s trouble,” Draven said.

  They held hands as they walked up the sidewalk. It was surreal, everything frozen in time. Most of the people died from the virus. Of the remaining women, most were left infertile. Her thoughts scattered in so many directions. She wondered what became of the people who lived here. A tricycle lay in the dirt by the sidewalk, an eerie reminder of what used to be.

  “If it wasn’t for the virus, I never would have met you,” she said. “I must be a monster for not wishing I could turn back time and ensure it was never unleashed.”

  “You’re not a monster.”

  “Can I tell you something?”

  He stopped, leaning against the wall of a hardware store. Draven holstered his gun and held her waist. “What is it?”

  She swallowed hard, determined not to cry. “This all feels like a nightmare I want to wake up from. The death, the shortages, the hate. It’s killing me from the inside out. Those books I read at home aren’t just entertainment, they’re my only escape.”

  Draven cupped her face, and his eyes appeared glassy. “Tell me what to do. I’ll do anything for you, Ashley.”

  “I just want to pretend. Even for one day. To forget everything and feel like a normal man and woman in love.”

  Even in the kingdom, he was constantly protecting her and restricting her movements. She knew he was trying to keep her safe, scared to lose her. But it would be so nice to close her eyes and pretend there was nothing to hide from.

  He glanced up and down the street, then opened the door to the hardware store. “We have twenty minutes, sweetheart. Time to start pretending.”

  Draven hoisted her up on the low check-out counter, then tugged off his t-shirt. Her body immediately reacted as she raked her eyes over his hard-muscled frame.

  “Are you sure about this?”

  “You’re not the only one who needs an escape. I thought I’d never see you again when those men had us at gunpoint. I’ve never felt so desperate before. I have something to live for now, and I don’t want to lose that.”

  She ran her fingers along the stubble on his cheek. “I love you,” she said.

  “You’re my everything.” He lifted her shift off and unclasped her bra. “There’s a lingerie store in town. We’ll stop by before we leave, get everything you need.”

  Her tits felt heavy, her nipples aching for stimulation.

  Draven leaned over and suckled her breast. She closed her eyes and groaned. Ashley needed a release in the worst way. All the fear, tension, and stress had turned purely sexual.

  “I love these tits.” He sandwiched his face between them. “Fucking perfect.”

  He made all her insecurities disappear, made her feel like a queen.

  “I need you,” she said.

  They kissed, hard and desperate. His tongue was teasing, tasting. Nothing else mattered except them and the bubble of time and space they occupied.

  He helped her wiggle out of her pants from her perch on the counter. When she was naked on the cool laminate, he spread her legs wide. Her body began to heat from the inside out. She felt so exposed, even if it was a store in a ghost town.

  “It’s just you and me, baby. Nothing else matters right now.” He squatted down, then lapped at her folds. She dropped back to her elbows, savoring his wicked mouth on her pussy. God, she needed this, needed Draven. He was born to give her pleasure.

  He suckled her clit, slow and methodical, driving her crazy. The pressure in her cunt grew by the second, higher and higher, until he had to hold her thighs to keep her from squirming.

  Right when she b
egan to see stars, he pulled away, leaving her breathless.

  “More,” she whimpered. Didn’t he realize how close she was?

  Of course, he did.

  “I want you to come around my cock, hot and tight, milking every last seed from me.”

  She panted, reaching for him. He only tutted as he unbuckled and pulled down his zipper. His erection was thick and huge, bobbing once he released it. Ashley watched with rapt fascination.

  “Is it all mine?” she asked.

  “All yours. I’m only for you.” He smirked. “And this?” Draven impaled her with two fingers, hitting her G-spot in just the right way. He finger-fucked her until her eyes lolled back in her head.

  “Yours!”

  His cock replaced his fingers, filling her so full of meat that she gasped and begged for it all. He fucked her on the counter, holding her hips to keep her stable. Only the wet slapping sounds of sex could be heard in the abandoned store. Draven was a machine, taking away all her thoughts and worries. Some things fell off the counter, scattering on the tiles. Nothing mattered.

  “You like it, baby? You like my cock deep inside you?”

  “Yes.”

  “I’m going to keep fucking you until you’re ripe with my baby.” He pulled almost all the way out, then slammed back in. Every time he filled her, his pubic bone rubbed her clit. She was so close to coming all over his cock.

  “Breed me,” she chanted. Ashley knew he loved the words. Being bred by her king aroused her effortlessly. He wasn’t being forced on her. She wanted him, wanted his love forever.

  She combed her hands into his hair, now nearly down to his shoulders. They kissed as they fucked, making love, forgetting the world.

  “Come for me, Ash.”

  She was so close, balancing on a precipice. It only took a few more hard thrusts for her orgasm to burst forth, her entire body jolting as she pulsed around him, forcing him to come inside her. She felt it all, his thick release, his fingers digging deep into her flesh as he came.

  They slowed down, the beautiful release still surrounding her. She never wanted this time to end, never wanted to return to reality.

  “I like pretending with you.” He gave her a kiss and picked up her pants. “We should do it more often.”