Cannon

20

Cannon sat back against the wall of the cave, watching her ruminate. “Why do you think your father wanted you to be in the military? Wasn’t being in it himself enough?” Or was it because of another reason?

Ryver crossed her legs and looked directly at him. Eye contact with Ryver was intense and beautiful. “It’s a single-child syndrome. Parents want their children to follow in their footsteps to achieve the dreams they never could. He said I could do so much with my creative thinking.” She rolled her eyes. “But it always seems far too conniving for me. Every country claims their military exists for some patriotic reason, but really, it’s all about violence and manipulation.”

Cannon nodded. She wasn’t wrong, but being a mercenary was really all Cannon knew. A life of benevolence was so far outside his understanding.

As if hearing his thoughts, Ryver’s eyes widened. Maybe it had escaped her mind for a moment that Cannon was a part of the military. “It’s not that I think everyone who is a part of the military is like... bad. I know there are people with good intentions.”

Cannon smiled. “I know what you meant. And you aren’t wrong. It often attracts gun-toting lunatics more so than the Mother Theresa types.”

Ryver nodded and crossed arms. “What about you? Why was the military a draw to you at first? Why not become a dentist or office worker?”

Cannon sighed. No one had ever deeply inquired about his military background. And if they did, he would usually lie or change the subject entirely. But he wanted to be open, for the first time in his entire life, with Ryver. “It was something I could do on my own. Any other career path seemed absurd to me, so I thought perhaps I could use my shifting abilities to help people who needed, I guess, ‘extreme intervention.’”

Cannon tossed the stick he had been using to stoke the fire. “It has its advantages, being a shifter. Other than just flying around wherever I want.”

“Such as?” Ryver stood and made her way to Cannon. He felt his heart slamming against his ribs. His vision also went slightly blurry as she sat next to him. The rush of emotion for her was getting harder to ignore.

“Well, there’s the strength, of course. The abilities to sense things that humans can’t.”

“Can you read minds?” Ryver lifted a hand and placed it over his. It was warm, soft, and glorious. Cannon breathed in deeply to keep himself together. “No, but I can catch people’s scents easier. I can know what’s coming before it gets too close.”

Ryver smiled, then began touching his face once again. He closed his eyes against it, falling deeper and deeper into her spell. She leaned in close, and he felt her breath, her scent, pouring over him like a soothing waterfall. “Did you see me coming?”

Cannon could no longer control himself. He decided it was pointless to resist. He touched her hand that was on his face and gave her a deep, sincere look. “I never saw you coming.”

This time, Cannon pulled her body close to his, and he plunged in for a passionate kiss. She ran her hands through his hair and gripped his body tightly. He moved his hands all over her glorious ass, moving them upward toward her breasts. But he stopped and asked kindly. “Are you sure you want to do this?”

She nodded and bit his neck playfully. “More than anything.”

RYVER

Ryver had been waiting for this moment ever since she first saw Cannon. His body was rippling with muscles but smooth and warm to her touch. His smile took her breath away. It was strange to feel so aroused in a situation where she should be worried about surviving, but it was a welcome break from the fear.

They kissed passionately, and she allowed herself to wander all over his body. She grabbed his hair, then moved down his bare shoulders, all the way to his torso, to just below his belt. She felt wild as his powerful hands moved from her ass all the way up to her breasts, and she ached for him to touch her. But he leaned back just before touching them, asking her if this was what she wanted.

She nodded ferociously. “More than anything.”

He smiled, then lifted her face by the chin. “It can be a little difficult with a human and shifter, but I will be careful with you. Just tell me if there’s anything you don’t like.”

Ryver groaned. Being with him had made her body burn hotter than the Sahara desert in the middle of summer. “Don’t worry,” she stroked his face again. “I want you, Cannon.”

They began kissing again, softly and slowly. His hands remained on her waist as they explored each other’s mouth, tongues wandering in and out, touching lips and gliding over skin. Cannon kissed her from her lips to her cheeks, to her eyes, then moved down her neck. It was soft and delightful. Ryver closed her eyes and moaned. Cannon moved his mouth along her neck to her other shoulder, once again lightly marking her lovely skin. Ryver brought him back to her mouth, then gave him a long, slow kiss.

When she pulled away, he was smiling, his eyes gleaming. “I think you’re wearing too many clothes,” Ryver said and licked her lips.

Cannon looked down at himself, then stood. His shadow was huge in the firelight. Ryver laid herself down in front of him, keeping eye contact as she removed her pants and T-shirt. Cannon laid out his shirt and hers on the ground so she would be comfortable. As she lay on her back, Cannon gazed at her with concern. “Is that okay? The ground isn’t exactly mattress-like.”

Ryver nodded, her gaze all over his body. “It’s fine.”

Then she pulled him by the arm, so he lay on top of her. She remained in her bra and underwear, and he was still in his. She pressed her body against his tough and beautiful skin as they kissed in a warm embrace. She could feel his erection pushing against her through his underwear. The anticipation for his entry made her feel like her body was on fire.