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The private room had the same layout as the last train with a cot mounted on the wall and a room with a toilet and sink. But this room had a few differences that captivated Arrow. On every wall were mounted objects and signs from the surface. On the cot were thick blankets with mounds of fabric and furs.
The room was bright and colorful. Arrow leaned against the door and stared at a gold-leafed clock blinking 2:05 a.m. He put the duffle down on the floor before he rested against the closed door. He exhaled relief as he took a moment to tame his jumbled emotions. Mentally spent, he was happy that he was finally away from everyone. The silence of the room was welcoming to his jingling nerves.
Nova entered and placed her bag and his duffle under the raised cot. She unfolded one of the blankets and covered the fabric pile. She made a place on the bed as if giving him time. He appreciated that. When she was done with the bed, she turned around to gaze at him.
“Do you want to talk about what happened?” Her tone washed over him like a warm shower of serenity. Even though he didn’t deserve her, he thanked the Great Spirit for her anyway. Without her, he would have never been able to make this trip to find his sister.
“It’s just... I shouldn’t have done that. I was out of control. I lost my head when Winsor touched you. I wasn’t thinking, and I acted crazy...” He faltered at a loss for explanations. He didn’t have the right words for what had come over him. He’d behaved recklessly. Now he didn’t know if he could ever untie Winsor from Raiden. Those ropes were way more complicated then he thought.
He knew nothing of his gift, yet he’d used the power anyway. The first time he got angry, he’d ignored his wise decision not to use his ability until he understood it more. What was worse was Raiden had paid the price for his actions. Raiden didn’t deserve what Arrow had done to him. What if Winsor made his life hell? Winsor had a complicated life and the strings told him that story. Raiden had helped them. Arrow should’ve been a friend to him and left him alone.
He wanted to excuse his actions, but his guilt wouldn’t let him. It was true, the ropes had wanted to connect as if they belonged together, but what he did wasn’t acceptable. He didn’t have the right to mess with other people’s lives. The ropes should have tied together naturally, or not, depending on their destinies. What did he know about who should be together? Especially since he couldn’t even get his own life figured out. Tying them together had been rash. Guilt doubled. He hoped Nova would understand. Maybe Raiden was correct. He was a terrible person.
“You were out of control you say?” She pretended to seriously consider that, but her eyes shone. “Oh, like, for example, yelling, ‘Get off my boyfriend’ and creating a riot in a bar full of harvesters?”
A smile grew inside his heart. “Yea, like that.”
“You like advertisement sayings? There is an ad that goes ‘Power is nothing without control.’” Nova gave him a soft understanding smile. “I’ve lost my temper and been irrational so many times I can’t even count it anymore. I lose control.” She took off her shoes, then her socks before climbing up on the bed of blankets.
“Emotions are hard to keep in check.” A strange warmth blossomed in his chest.
“Tell me about it.” She chuckled.
Maybe Nova understood as no one else could. She understood what it was like for him to not understand himself, or even the world around him. For him, living like this would only be until he got his memories back, but he realized for her, it was all the time. A new respect for her filled him. She navigated life taking on whatever was hurled her way. Nova did it with real strength.
“They say, ‘There is no way to peace. Peace is the way.’” He didn’t know where that came from, but that idea seemed true with Nova. She was both peace and the way. She was sanity in a world of insanity.
“They do say that. That’s an advertisement for World Peace Day. I say it when I’m struggling.” She spoke into the quiet space around them as she arranged the fabric as a pillow. “Sometimes you do things that are crazy or out of control, then you have to let them go and forgive. After that, you have to find the next peaceful moment. I think that’s the path. That’s how I live.” She knelt on the center of the blankets.
“Since I’ve met you, all I’ve seen is that you’re strong and in command. I think you’re smart and tough. I’m glad I’m with you. You’re my way.” As he looked at her, it was as if it all didn’t matter to him anymore. Nothing mattered but Nova.
“I have been pretty stable on this trip, but all I know is if I do crack, all I can do is take it as it comes, then forgive myself for my weaknesses. We have to forgive our mistakes and our failings.”
“You’re right. I can’t go over all my mistakes. I’d prefer to have every peaceful and wonderful moment I can have with you. Being alone with you seems to be a rare opportunity.” A steady warmth infused him.
“I’m always right.” She grinned. “And I positively can’t go over all my mistake or else we’d never get off this train.” Her eyes got wide like they’d be trapped on the train indefinitely. Her look of mock fear made him chuckle. She had that ability when he was with her. When he stared into her eyes, the world dropped away, and it was only the two of them. He turned around to lock the door then removed his boots and socks.
“I wouldn’t mind being trapped here with you... that is if it could be only the two of us, with no interruptions?” He let all his hope to have her chase away everything past this room. He let her see it all shining in his eyes. He didn’t care if he seemed needy. He did need her. She would make the world make sense again. Nova was the answers to all the unasked questions inside of him.
“No interruptions like a mob of harvesters?” Nova sat up on the cot so she could move closer to him.
“No women pretending to be men.” Arrow took a step to stand in front of the bed.
“No planning what to do next?” Nova scooted so she was directly in front of him with her knees on either side of his thighs. Her thighs squeezed his hips. “No CC or HOCs or H.S.P.C. agents.”
“No Dawn or Dan or...” His voice grew raw. He wanted nothing but Nova and him together. “No Troy or Sky.”
Nova leaned toward him. He could smell her scent of flowers again.
“No anyone,” she whispered. “But you.”
He inhaled deeply. He had no idea how Nova did that. The train had smelled like dusty metal and dirty men, but she smelled like flowers.
Once again, like when they’d been alone before, he experienced the dual sensations of fear and excitement. Both relaxation and stimulation floated over him. The mix of emotions was a heavy combination. Each feeling shimmered in the tiny secluded room. He could hear the beating of her heart, but then again, the pounding might be his.
Nova reached out to touch his hair lightly with a few fingers. His locks swished around his shoulders. His hands rose to braid the strands, but she stopped him, and he let his hands drop. With his arms down, her fingers strolled down his neck. His skin felt too hot and too tight. She wrapped a blanket of sensuality around him. He wasn’t sure what he should do. He hoped she didn’t try to stop him from touching her. He was pretty sure he wouldn’t be able to stop doing anything this time.
Running his hands up her arms gently, he waited to see her reaction. He checked whether she might push him away. She only sighed. Where she knelt in front of him, she was about the same height as him standing before the cot. She tugged on his hair and brought his lips to hers. He wrapped his arms around her as soon as they kissed.
There was no breaking away, or even hesitation, from either of them. This is what Arrow had waited for. Maybe from the moment they had met, or maybe from the moment they were born. He wasn’t sure nor did he care. Her soft skin was satin in his hands. His own skin felt overly sensitive. He sank into the wet hunger of her mouth, while he eagerly tried to press into her curves. His thighs bumped the cot. There were too many clothes. She was always just out of his reach. He needed to get closer, but he wasn’t sure how and not scare her. His head started to swim as his blood pressure rose. Her hot tongue slipped in and out of his mouth.
The kiss went on until he couldn’t remember anything else. If there had been a world outside of this room, he didn’t know. Nova lifted her mouth away. Her breath teased his ear.
“No interruptions, no stopping.”
“Yea, angel.” He wanted to laugh or cry. All his emotions tumbled together. “No stopping.” He desired her to the point of pain.
Nova tugged on his hand while she scooted over so he could climb onto the cot. She made room for him while he knelt next to her. As soon as he was on the cot, they locked against each other again immediately. They shared more heart-pounding kisses which made him feel like flying.
Noises of the train fell away as if they were on their own private cloud of passion.
As they kissed, her hands ran over his shoulders then down his back. As he struggled out of his coat, her fingers glided under his shirt to stroke his stomach. Yanking his shirt over his head, he inhaled sharply as she touched his nipples. If he could’ve spoken, he would’ve begged for more. She shifted against him as frantically as he felt. Her fingers unzipped and unbuttoned all of her clothes until she was down to only her underwear. Stupidly, he tried to help her, but his fingers were slow and their dexterity gone.
As soon as she got her sweater and shirt off, however, he helped her remove her bra. His hands finally stopped shaking. With her breasts barred to him, he cupped both—one lush globe in each hand. He touched them tenderly, reverently, not sure what she wanted, but willing to do anything to please her.
Upon hearing her sigh, he gained more confidence. Listening to her breathy gasp was like his favorite song on repeat. He wanted to make her feel what he felt. Her breasts were small. They fit perfectly in his hands. He liked how he could cover them completely and feel the beat of her heart like a drum in his palm. She guided his head down to her breast. This time, he was thankful she let him touch her. He’d wanted to do this so badly on the last train. A giddy sensation made his stomach flutter. Her dusty-pink nipple was taut and looked like it waited just for him.
Inhaling deeply, he nuzzled her soft skin. When she lightly tugged at his hair, he understood the silent command. He opened his mouth to lick at the begging tip then latched onto her skin. Nova cried out against him as she arched. He felt powerful to make her react so strongly. His fingers played with the waistband of her panties. They needed to come off.
Arrow shifted to her other breast as her hand dipped into his pants. When had she opened his fly? Now her fingertips brushed the inside of his legs. As she gripped his erection, a spiral of passion swept down his entire body. They needed her to finish what they’d begun back on the other train. His skin throbbed with stark yearning. She slipped her fingers along his shaft as if toying with him. He wanted to pull away to make the torment end. At the same time, he bucked his hips forward so she would touch more.
“Do you want to make me crazy, angel?” His words came out in short pants as he tried to force her hand to tighten on him. If only she would ease the ache.
“Yes, just like me.” She shoved his pants off urgently, and he helped her get them to the floor. He’d already lost everything else he wore, but he didn’t remember how that happened. As soon as he was naked, he knelt back in front of her hard, gulping for air and ready for whatever she wanted.
“You’re right. I’m crazy for you.”
For once she didn’t try to get in the last word. She simply slipped off her underwear. The moment was scary and magnificent all at the same time. He didn’t want to disappoint her, but he wasn’t going to stop because of his lack of knowledge.
As if in slow motion, she bent her head to kiss him lightly on the lips. The touch wasn’t nearly enough, but before he could draw her into his arms, she moved so she could place kisses down his neck. Her hot wet mouth floated down to his shoulders then to his chest. When she stopped at each of his nipples, he shivered. She continued to follow some type of path along his skin.
Reaching out to her shoulders, he skimmed his fingers along her skin toward her spine. When her kisses reached his stomach, he let his eyes close. He leaned back as her tongue licked playfully first right above his hard cock, then she nuzzled the skin between his legs.
He planned to reach out to grab her to make her stop. His intent was to tell her he wanted to touch her, but he didn’t. Instead, he opened his eyes again. He wasn’t sure if he wanted her bent over in front of him. He wanted to hold her. The second before he opened his mouth, her tongue reached the head of his dick. All his thoughts vanished. He bucked his hips up groaning. She licked him as she moved her mouth from his tip down to the base. He felt the swish of her tongue all the way to his toes. His head fell back. His bones quit their job. Was she going to do what she’d done to him that first time in the room? He felt like he wouldn’t last for even a second if that were true. Even now he might be close to exploding.
“It’s your turn now.”
His eyes popped open. Nova leaned back. She no longer knelt, but sat before him with her legs slightly spread. Her legs were bent at the knees. Licking his lips, he cleared his head enough to remember what she’d done.
He tipped forward to place a light kiss on her mouth. Then he pressed kisses down her neck, smelling her unique scent. He let himself feel all the parts of her body he’d wanted to touch before and couldn’t. His mouth travelled over her chest to her nipples and she wiggled for him. All her movements fascinated him. He explored her belly button, and the soft skin which led to the small triangle of hair between her legs.
As her hand combed lightly through the small mound of damp curls, he saw her uncover a little nub of pink flesh. She used her fingers to circle the spot as she moaned lightly. He swallowed his feelings of inadequacy. Now would be a good time to have a memory or two.
“Nova, I don’t remember.”
Nova’s red eyes hugged him. The look she gave him was humbling, but also made him feel like he could conquer the world.
“I trust you. Touch me like you want to. If I want you to stop, I’ll tell you.”
Air whooshed out of his lungs. He wanted to bring her exquisite pleasure. She should feel all the things he felt. To know she trusted him with her body was a heady aphrodisiac.
Dipping his head, he licked tentatively at the lips she exposed. He was surprised at her reaction. She tipped her head back and moaned for him.
Feeling braver, he bent his head to discover all of the flesh between her legs. He savored the flavor of her in his mouth. Lazily, he licked then sucked at every piece of turgid flesh. He uncovered what made her pant and moan out his name. She wiggled her hips beneath his mouth as hunger grew in her eyes. Arrow placed his hands on her thighs to hold her still.
Lifting his head, he looked up at her. His mouth was slick with her cream. Her taste burst on his tongue. Isn’t that what she’s told him when they sat on the bench? She said she wanted him to taste her. If he’d known this is what she’d meant, he would’ve gotten hard the second after she said it.
After Arrow tipped his head, immediately, she wrapped her arms around his neck. She held him so tight he struggled to breathe.
“I’ve never come with anyone, but it doesn’t matter. I want you.”
Arrow had no idea what she meant when she used the word “come.” She’d used the term before but it wasn’t ringing any bells. Was that important? He didn’t dare comment in case he said the wrong thing. The one thing he did understand was that she wanted him.
When he didn’t say anything, she yanked his body hard toward her then fell backward onto the bed. He pinned her. Arrow tried to hold a part of his weight up so he wouldn’t crush her, but the feel of her beneath him was heavenly. His arms gave. He wasn’t even sure what he was doing anymore. Mindlessly, he blanketed her with his body. He kissed her chin, her throat, her ear. He let his mouth move wherever his lips wanted.
Her nails dug into the thick muscles of his ass while she licked his neck. He felt her teeth on his shoulders nibbling him. Nova shifted in his arms and her legs spread wider. Her heels rested on the back of his calves as her eyes turned a dark red. The red orbs were heavy with craving.
Slowly, as if his body knew what he should do, he brought his cock closer to the junction of her legs. His shaft nuzzled the welcoming curls. An animal part of him, which was dormant or forgotten, came to life.
Inch by inch, he entered her warm channel. Her slit, made even wetter by his mouth, opened like flower petals. Nova arched her back as their bodies joined. Moving carefully at first, he felt the pressure in his balls build. He slipped in and out, shallow thrusts. Then he got greedy. He drove forward until he was deeper inside of her, until he was buried all the way to his balls.
He loved the feel of their bodies with nothing between them. No clothes, no outside world, nothing to separate them. He was completely inside of Nova which was where he should be.
Entranced in the moment, he felt her hips squirm and buck. She silently demanded he move. He matched the rhythm she created. Together they rocked back and forth. He drove more deeply until she belonged to him totally, just as he belonged to her.
With Nova under him, he lost himself in the blossoming frenzy that developed between them. Nothing else mattered except the intensity of the exquisite pleasure. His hands slid beneath her ass. He lifted her to fit her even more tightly to him. He wanted to force his shaft into her very core. She accommodated him and opened her legs even wider for his hips.
In a sexual haze, he tried to understand the strange feeling growing inside of him. Ripples of pleasure cascaded over him. Thoughts vanished. Nova stiffened under his body. The muscles inside of her kneaded his cock. She shuddered in his arms while she cried out saying his name over and over like a prayer. His head spun. His balls tightened to his body. He trembled from head to toe. His whole body shook as some overwhelming and unexpected response overtook him. His body was no longer his to control.
Instinctively, he flexed his hips pressing her harder into the cot. A wild hot wave of power pumped through him like a living creature swimming in his veins. He bucked once, then twice, and then emptied his entire life and soul into her for safe keeping.
