ﮩ٨ـﮩﮩ٨ـ Tethered ﮩ٨ـﮩﮩ٨ـ

Chapter 27

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• Luna •

With one long finger dipped into Luna's body, Amir's mouth was on her, kissing her deeply. Being so worked up and restrained by his other hand at the same time was almost unbearable.

Her muscles spasmed when his finger began to circle, her nerves blasting into a million pieces, and her lips trembled against his. He massaged her until she gasped for air and nearly let go. His piercing eyes touched hers when he pulled back.

With one hand, he jerked his pants down and kicked them off. He moved forward, pinning her against the wall, and he threw her arms above her shoulders when sweet, mindless vibrations shook her. He again pressed against her core with his thick, long length.

Amir quickly brought them to the bed, laid her flat on her back, and tightened his grip around her thigh with his free hand.

He wouldn't let her touch him, even though her hands wanted to. He situated himself between her legs while running his tongue over her soft nipple.

Luna said breathlessly, "Hold on." He raised his head, and his expression said, "Seriously?"

She burst out laughing. "Are you sure we have enough time for this?"

Amir's lips curled into a smile. "You're asking this . . . now?"

She licked her lips. "Yes."

"I don't care if a tornado passed through here, Moon. While I make up for what I did, I'm going to make time for you."

"I don't hold it against you that you left me." She gave him a polite smile. "I guess I'm still a little shaken by everything that's happened."

"It's all right, baby." Amir traced the line of her neck with his fingers and then slipped them down between her cleavage to the line of her hip, causing her body to quiver. "If you want, we can stop now and get back on the road."

Luna yanked him tighter while she stared into his eyes, the tip of his penis brushing against her entrance. "No. Keep going."

"God, I love you," he said quietly, recapturing her mouth. "Everything about you is so . . . so beautiful."

When he touched her like this, she felt that way. "I'd like to touch you."

"I know. Your thoughts are . . . loud."

Amir kept his grip on her hands. Her breath stopped when he held them above her head, and it only froze more when she felt him pressing forward, inch by delicious inch. The initial stretch offered a sensual nibble.

He moved further and caressed her neck with his mouth. "You feel incredible, you know? So phenomenal."

She thought he was the extraordinary one.

"We're both phenomenal," he murmured near her ear, letting her know he heard her thoughts.

She tipped her hips up and completely embraced him. When her back stretched completely, she let out a gasp of pleasure that was drowned out by his whimper.

His massive presence stretched her once more, making her feel slightly full to the point where her toes curled up against the sheets.

"Oh, God, A . . ."

Amir held her very still despite her need to wrap her hands around his neck. His body trembled slightly, and his hold on her arms and legs became increasingly stronger until the sting was almost overwhelming.

"I get an A Plus, right?" He grinned, squeezing and pushing into her. "You said that to me. Back in St. Matthew's."

Luna sucked in air when she opened her eyes.

He was recounting moments that had occurred between them, ones that he'd forgotten.

Amir's features were more defined and coarse, and his eyes were coated with vibrant brown flecks. The temperature of his skin seemed to rise.

"Amir?"

She tried again because he didn't stop. "Amir, you're . . . you're hot. Like, really hot."

He finally whirled his head to the side, observing the strong outer cords of his muscles. "It's fine. My temperature will drop. I think."

Luna could tell he was fighting the darker need in him to kill once his eyes closed. It seemed like infinity after his lashes lifted. His eyes were warmer than usual, but his face had lost its brilliance. He began moving, pulling back until only the tip of his body was pressing in, and then he pushed forward until there was no more than an inch between them. The friction of each withdrawal and action created a crazy storm of sensations that soon turned into a pulsating knot of deep tension.

A fine coating of sweat formed on Amir's forehead and his hairy chest while he continued his slow, torturous pace. As the rhythm picked up, Luna came closer and twirled her fingers around his strands.

When he kissed her again while pinning one hand on her hip, he murmured, "You're so perfect," and she knew then that he had tamed the beast at that minute.

She responded by enveloping his waist with her legs, seemingly hauling him further. After he hooked her ankles, he let out a soft sigh.

'Don't stop . . .' she whispered in her mind.

Amir gave her lips a delicate nip, and then he whispered, "I won't ever leave you again, Moon. Ever."

He drove into her continuously, pausing between thrusts to grind into her before she could tell him he was already forgiven. Every time he did that, the friction seared through her like sweet embers.

Her husband moved into her again after lowering his head and capturing a rosy bud with his teeth.

Her release exploded throughout her body as she softly cried his name. He shivered around her and inside of her before joining her in an emotional rush over the edge. They needed to continue their trip, but she realized that right now, they needed to enjoy each other more.

Her breathing began to slow after a few minutes, although her heart continued to beat rapidly. Even after Amir had slid out of her, sparks of bliss continued to bounce inside her soul. He let go of her arms, but she was still unable to move. By then, her body was nothing but jelly.

He gently captured the corners of her face, raised her chin, and gave her another long, passionate kiss that felt more like staking a claim than any other gesture. She expected him to jump up and get dressed once he rolled off her, but he instead dragged her along by tucking her body against his side.

Luna put her hand on his warm chest and was shocked to feel how heavy his heart was thudding beneath it. Among other things, it was one of her husband's most remarkable features.

She uttered, "That . . . was incredible. The way you . . . and the way we . . ." She stuttered and closed her eyes.

"That was amazing." Amir lingered a hand over her hip, slightly circling it along her torso. "We were more in tune with one another this time. When a few memories started to come back to me, I think they helped."

That made her smile. She had so many questions in the back of her mind about what he was going through. Did making love spark more memories? If so, why now and not at other times? Would more memories reemerge, and could they do anything differently in bed to help them recover? Will he remember the first and second times they met, as well as the moments they spent together in the hospital? Had his sudden desire to make love to her in the middle of a global disaster have anything to do with his encounter with the bounty hunter? Did the hunter have a high sex drive?

But she wasn't ready to address those questions. Amir's memories will resurface when he is ready.

Luna moved in closer, slipping her leg along his. "I'm wondering about something."

"Just one thing?" The amusement in his tone broadened her smile.

"Why would someone in our Resistance join forces with the enemies?" she said. "It seems that they want to keep things as they are."

Amir rolled onto his side and turned to face her. "I think the person or persons are in a position of power. Maybe they can help people on the opposing side obtain a high power once the war is over. History repeating itself."

She was captivated by the entire Tethered Souls and other superhumans' drama, along with the democracy between them.

"But what if the enemy already gained authority? General Davenport told us that. Let's say they are a senator. It seems like a pretty powerful gig to me."

"Being a senator is nothing compared to a corrupted organization that has governed this world for hundreds of years." He reached out, his large hand resting on her shoulder. "Not to mention, some government officials believe they are at the top of the food chain. They expect more than they are given. And it is their ignorance that has kept them from seeing what they could do to make a difference."

Luna shivered, partly because of what Amir said and partly because of how softly he touched her arm. She stared into his eyes while the back of his knuckles brushed over her shoulder blades. His sex was stiff again, or perhaps it had never softened. Between them was his thick and demanding proud length.

Did he swallow a pill or something?

She almost wanted to throw the covers over her face after that thought had crossed her mind. And she prayed he didn't hear it.

When Luna refocused on Amir's smile, she flushed at his knowing smirk. "Do you think there is someone in a position of power after us?"

"I do." His hand brushed against her navel.

"They'd take us out if they wanted to," she pointed out.

"Do you believe that, Moon?"

She let out a small gasp when he snatched her against him.

"That it would be simple?" he proceeded, and she gave a lopsided shrug. "There had been plenty of opportunities. Especially at the base and the asylum."

"That's true."

"I think whoever it is didn't come after us directly because they needed us to figure out where the other people are hiding," Amir clarified, his gaze shifting to the clock on the nightstand. "They had the bounty hunter following us."

His finger had crept around the curve of her back, his mouth close to her.

"What about the Resistance?" she asked.

"Do I believe the majority of them aren't who they claim to be?" She had been lying on his other arm, which grew tighter around her hips, and he continued. "Everyone in this world has hidden agendas of some kind. Trusting our gut feelings about the people we interact with is crucial."

Her brows rose at that.

"Speaking of that, we need to get on the road. There's someplace I want to check out before we head to Chicago."

"Oh."

"But we still have a few minutes." He brushed against her delicately.

Heat cascaded through her veins. "For . . . ?"

Another smile tipped Amir's lips, and then he rolled her on top of him in one quick motion, reclining himself in one hard push. "Us."

He grabbed her thighs and she arched her back, resting her hands on his shoulders to keep her balance.

"I sure love your body," he whispered.

"Mmm. . ."

"And your soul," he said. "It's just as beautiful."

When Amir lifted her and slid her back down, she saw him watch through partly closed eyes where they were joined physically.

Then, he glanced up and stared at her. As corny as it sounded in her head, the world seemed to stop in an instant, and all that was left was them. She was lost in him because there was nothing else.

• • •

• Amir •

It had been a long while since Amir had felt such pleasure from sex. Instead of expressing a need and getting off, it turned into an exploration of a different kind of boundary. Even when he held Luna for the first time, he was aware of how different this experience was from their previous occasions. When he thrust into her again, he grew even more eager to stay inside her and never stop. The task was no longer important.

While watching his wife change into a pair of jeans and a tee shirt, he wanted to take her again. From behind.

Across the desk. On the floor. Anywhere and everywhere.

If he kept thinking like this, they would never continue their trip and they needed to badly. He knew danger was coming at them in every direction and that it was only a matter of time before they came across another problem. Why he thought making love to her all morning was beyond him, but he wasn't overplaying their hand.

"Do you have everything?" he questioned, his eyes focused on Luna.

She gave him a quick glance and nodded. "Yep."

Even though it was now late afternoon, the cold was increasing, signaling that a long and dreadful drive lay ahead.

After taking a short look around the property, he climbed into the Explorer, while Luna buckled herself in.

He looked back and saw Greer stretched out in the backseat, his mouth slightly open and drooling a little.

Amir mused, "I guess he was awake all through the evening and the morning."

Luna chuckled. "I think so. He said he was exhausted. I don't blame him."

After a moment of silence, and Amir increased the heat, she asked, "Where did you want to go?"

He peered toward the front of the motel and answered, "To a place outside of Rapids City, Illinois. That's a couple of hours away from us."

Her brows raised. "What's there?"

"Something that could help us."

"Really?" She lowered her arms, pinching a smile on her face. "And what would that be?

When they passed a stretch of abandoned buildings, he smiled. "Tanzanite."

Confusion swept across her face. "Wait. Tanzanite? How do you know it's there?"

"Because I accessed the Defective's memories."

Luna stared at him as if his head twisted around in front of her.

A small smile pulled at his lips.

"The cabin he owns is there, and his name is Eric. I have a gut feeling that we might need a few ankle bracelets, and he has a whole stockpile of them embedded with Tanzanite." Amir paused to catch his breath once he took a left turn. "The stone messes with the Engineered Souls, giving them a headache instantly when they are near it."

Luna's brows furrowed as if he were speaking in tongues. "I thought it would be harmful just for the Defectives."

"Only when they're sliced with it like they were at Ramsey, but the majority of the chemicals created by BARDA can be toxic to any superhuman. It's a shame that Tanzanite is useful for everybody, which is why BARDA had it in their possession."

"Yeah."

He placed his hand over her knee and squeezed.

"What did you see from . . . Eric's mind?" she wondered.

While Amir recounted the Defective history, the Explorer's tires ate up the miles after he took the exit to the major highway heading east. He didn't want to talk about the bounty, but he knew things she didn't. And he planned to tell Greer everything once he woke up.

"Eric was born in the early nineties to a single mother from Ghana. She gave him up for adoption without realizing he was going to The Biological Research And Development Agency. They then subjected him to countless experimental tests and programmed him to do whatever they wanted." Amir slowed down a little and looked at Luna.

She was puzzled.

He sniffed. "He wasn't the only one who was raised by them, but his abilities grew when he was four. Eric, like Titus, began reading large words and sentences early in life and presented signs of rebellion. They were furious."

Luna's brows pinched. "What did they do to him?"

"To keep him in line, they implanted a chip in his brain before he was thirteen. They let him live in Illinois after he began cooperating. He agreed to it shortly after he turned eighteen."

She let out a low whistle. "Where . . . where is he now?"

Amir stepped on the gas, surpassing the speed limit by fifteen miles. "I took him to a room at the motel. I could have ended him, but I didn't."

"No. You did the right thing," she told Amir while holding his free hand.

"Maybe, but Eric followed us first. That motel is where they keep the people they capture."

Her eyes widened after he looked to his right.

"They what . . . ?"

Amir nodded. "Yeah. They bring their captives there until they can find the nearest uncrowded outpost. There are a number of them scattered across the United States and Canada. Work camps."

He felt her eyes on him again after a short pause. "That explains why the motel looked clean. So decent."

He glanced at her when she tipped her head back and stretched her legs.

Amir didn't need to read her mind to know that she was worried. "Do you know of any other outposts set up before we get to Illinois?" she asked.

"Eric's mind was fuzzy, and I couldn't locate most of them in the Midwest. But I could see there will be many of them."

"You think we may run into more agents and Defectives?"

"I don't know, Moon. Hopefully, we won't have any other problems and will have a smooth ride from Eric's cabin to the airport."

"That's highly unlikely," she groaned. "But we can handle it. They can throw anything at us, and we'll stand strong."

Amir shook his head and bit his lip. "But there's one problem. And it has to do with me."

Their gazes met after he passed a sign stating that Illinois State Line was fifty miles away.

"What is that?"

Now seemed like a proper time to tell her everything and not hold anything back. His grip on the steering wheel tightened.

"The organization outfits their superhumans with Tanzanite, the ones who can withstand it. Helps keep them better under control when they aren't running wild, causing problems for everyone."

"That's good, then."

He shook his head. "Not really. Defectives are driven to hunt and kill anyone they come across without the stone."

"I'm confused. What does that have to do with you?"

Amir cast a sidelong glance before returning his attention to the empty and frosty road. "I consumed Eric's abilities."

"Oh god. So you could potentially kill us?"

"No, Moon. I'll control myself, but if the desire to hunt and even kill becomes too strong, I won't be safe. Around anyone. Including you."

He looked at his wife again. Luna's face was pale, and she was stunned.

He didn't lie.

"If I don't get my hands on the stones, I'll soon have the same urges as a Defective. I'll want to hunt, then kill. They've slowly turned you and me against each other."

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