Mated To An Enemy

Ashleigh petted Caleb’s hair gently. They stayed as they were for just a few minutes. She convinced him to shower with her, and once they were clean and dried off, they got under the covers, and she curled into the curve of his body.

She had tried to argue for pajamas, but Caleb insisted on wanting to feel the warmth of her skin against his. In truth, it didn’t take much convincing.

Caleb enveloped her in his protective embrace. He kissed the back of her neck and held to her as though she would slip away if he let go.

Ashleigh ran her fingers gently over his arm.

“Caleb,� she called to him gently.

“Hmm?� he replied, burrowing his nose into her hair.

She giggled, feeling the vibration of his voice tickling against her neck.

“Stop,� she laughed, turning to face him.

He gave her a warm smile.

“What?� he said. “You don’t like it?�

He leaned forward and pressed his lips to her throat, once, then twice.

Ashleigh already felt the warm embers of her desire stirring to life once more.

“Wait...� she whispered. Though the soft moan she let out made it less than convincing.

“Hmm?� he replied, nuzzling against her throat with his hot breath as his hand slid along the curve of her body, resting on her hip and gently squeezing it.

“Caleb...� she breathed out, trying to regain her thoughts.

“Yes...� he said as his teeth grazed her throat.

Caleb’s hand moved from her hip to her lower abdomen and kept going lower.

Ashleigh’s breath quickened; her heart raced as she anticipated his touch. But she had an important thought that she needed to get out.

She grabbed his hand just before he reached her. Truthfully, a part of her was very disappointed in her actions.

“What’s wrong?� he asked.

“That’s what I want to know,� she said, looking into his eyes and touching her hand to his cheek. “You’re not acting like yourself.�

“Ash, I’m fine,� Caleb smiled. Grabbing her hand and kissing her wrist. “I just want to be with you.�

Caleb continued to kiss down her arm.

“Caleb,� Ashleigh said firmly, pulling her arm back.

Caleb laughed.

“Most women crave attention from their husbands,� he said.

“I very much do,� she replied. “But I also know you and that something is going on.�

Caleb sighed, turning to his back and looking up at the ceiling of their room.

“Let me ask you this,� he said. “How do I feel to you?�

Ashleigh furrowed her brows.

He glanced at her and saw the look of confusion. He laughed.

“Through our bond,� he clarified, “how do I feel?�

Ashleigh swallowed, focusing her thoughts on him.

She felt his warmth, his love. There was a deep longing, a desire for comfort and affection. But as far as she could tell, there was nothing obviously wrong.

“There’s nothing wrong, Ash,� he whispered. “I just... feel needy.�

He laughed again, this time a little softer.

“You said earlier that you knew where I was. Is that true?� he asked.

Ashleigh nodded, giving him a look of sympathy.

“You were in the simulation, listening to your dad’s message again,� she said gently.

Caleb nodded.

“Yea,� he sighed. “I have, mostly, come to terms with his death. But, hearing his voice again. I... I don’t know... It was hard.�

“Of course,� Ashleigh said.

Caleb turned to face her, and he smiled.

“There’s nothing wrong, I promise,� he said. “I just... you are the most important person in my world.�

He reached out, slipping his hand behind her ear and into her hair.

“Knowing that my father approved of us long before we even knew about our bond was... really great to hear.�

Ashleigh smiled.

“For me, too,� she said.

“Ash,� Caleb called gently.

“Yes?�

“I love you,� he said, leaning forward and kissing her.

“I love you, too,� she replied when the kiss was done.

“Feeling the loss of my father again,� he continued. “As well as Wyatt and all these horrible things that have been building up around us lately....�

He paused, taking a deep breath and then licking his lips.

“It just makes me want to hold tighter to you,� he whispered. “Does that make sense?�

Ashleigh nodded and smiled. She leaned forward and kissed him.

The kiss started gentle and loving but quickly became full of need. Ashleigh moved closer to Caleb; their bodies pressed against each other.

She moved her hand to his chest, running her nails over his skin, sending shivers running wild through him.

She surprised him, stopping her soft touch as she reached his stomach and suddenly, with a firm grip, wrapped her fingers around him.

Caleb pulled away from their kiss, taking in a shuddering breath as Ashleigh began to move her hand along his shaft.

With each stroke, she felt him growing and his desire burning hotter.

Ashleigh leaned forward and ran her tongue along his shoulder, finding her mark, her claim to him, their bond. Though Caleb had moved gently and tenderly, Ashleigh had no interest in waiting, in moving slow.

She had taken far too long to get here, to be with him.

Continuing to stroke him, Ashleigh pulled away from the mark long enough to position herself over him. Now when she looked into his eyes, she was satisfied to see his hunger staring back at her. She smiled as she lowered herself just enough for his tip to enter.

They both let out a gentle moan. Caleb put his hands gently on her hips. She could tell he wanted to thrust into her, but he was waiting to see what she wanted. Ashleigh grinned mischievously.

She leaned forward, still holding herself from allowing more of him inside. Her lips gently touched the mark.

Caleb couldn’t help himself. He rolled his hips, pushing just a little further.

Ashleigh gasped softly and smiled as her tongue flicked out over the mark. Once more, Caleb groaned and moved just a little. Her breathing grew ragged as her anticipation was pushed to her limits.

Ashleigh licked her lips and then bit down on his mark.

Caleb growled and plunged himself to the hilt inside her. He didn’t wait. He wasn’t gentle. He thrust into her over and over.

Ashleigh’s entire body stiffened and shook as the force and friction of his thrusts sent wave after wave of heat and pleasure cascading over her body until she couldn’t take it anymore.

She leaned her head back and cried out as she found her release.