Aeress

"I expect better results by midnight." Click.

Aeress woke up to her face smashed into a very muscular thigh. She wiped the sleep from her eyes, groaning obnoxiously. She hated waking up when her body indicated she could use a couple more hours of slumber.

She peeled herself off the most likely numb legs and sat up to identify the body as Warricks. He was typing away on his laptop, dressed head to toe is his usual dark attire.

"Take it easy," he commanded as she flopped back down onto the mattress. She propped her feet on his legs and stared up at the extravagant ceiling. A room fit for a queen. What was new?

She brought her arms over her head and stretched, so much that her back cracked when she arched her spine. "That was a good one."

His hands immediately gave attention to her legs. "You've been asleep for a full day. I am sure you are stiff."

"I'm not the only one who's stiff," she muttered, sighing as she soaked in the art sewn into the design of the ceiling.

He paused his hand movements. "What was that?"

"I said!" she sat up. His eyes were trained on her religiously. "I," she pulled the laptop from him and placed it on the side, "said," she moved until she basically covered him with her hands propped on either side of his hips, "I'm not the only stiff person in this bed." She looked up into his blue gaze. Such a serious man.

Her eyes travelled downward to his pale lips. "Can I kiss you?"

"You never have to ask."

Aeress didn't wait and pressed her lips to his. She held herself there for a few lasting seconds and pulled back. "That's it?" he demanded when she put some distance between them.

She leaned back onto her elbows and tilted her head forward just enough so she could see him. "You never just want a peck? I personally think they're cute."

Warrick got out of the bed. She watched him move so gracefully in amazement. He moved as a predator would: silent and quick. For a man of his size, it was strange to see him move as a one danced through water. He didn't shake or tremble. He was totally composed. It drove her nuts!

He looked down at her with a frown. She batted her eyelashes. His tone was accusing. "A kiss is not a kiss if it is shorter than a moment."

Aeress laughed. "Says who?"

"I do."

She threw her legs over the edge of the bed and sat up to look up at him. "Oh, right, because what you say is law. My bad, I forgot."

"I am Premier."

"Can you be any more cocky?" she demanded, grabbing his hand and tugging him downward. "Proper kiss coming right up," she muttered as she used her other hand to slid over the back of his neck. Their lips connected, but this time it was not a peck, this was a kiss, or at least to Warrick's liking.

This time she opened her mouth and explored him with equal fever. His body possessed her as he got on top, a place she was beginning to believe his favorite. Her back was against the blankets then, and she wrapped her legs around his waist as he leaned over. It just felt natural.

"Is this better?" she demanded between kisses.

"Much," his lips travelled down her neck. She felt his hands rub down her hips before curving both hands under her bottom and kneading her flesh. He urged her closer, lifting her by the strength of his hands alone.

As a woman who wasn't exactly thin, she was surprised to find that him lifting her did not make her conscious of her own weight. She had felt the hard curves of his body and knew he could handle her heavier weight just fine.

Her hands kept him in place right as he tore off her t-shirt. Luckily there was no bra.

"I'm a terrible person," she moaned when his mouth began to express attention toward her breasts, "I'm using you to distract myself."

"Then use me."

______________________________________

"Don't look so smug," Aeress demanded as she dried off her hair with a fluffy towel. She could feel the steam from the bathroom hitting her back. In a bra and panties, she still felt the warmth of his mouth more than anything.

He was sitting at the desk which was stationed across the room. This room was massive, more similar to a suite than anything else. Even with all the extra lavish furniture, the space appeared expansive.

And there Warrick was, typing on his laptop. To many others, his face was stone cold, but she knew better.

"Smug? Why would I be smug?" his eyes lifted from the screen to assess her attire. She appreciated the hunger there.

She threw the towel down and put her hands on her hips. "Just remember that I used you. I don't understand how you could be proud right now." She went over to one of the various doors and revealed an endless closet.

"You came in record time... Multiple times. Why would I be smug?" Ugh, she could strangle him!

Aeress blushed as much as a tan person as herself could. She also rolled her eyes. "We haven't even had sex yet, what happens then? A freaking parade?" She plucked a pair of joggers from the ceaseless supply of clothes. She attempted to put them on, grunting as she struggled to pull them on past her thighs.

"Why don't we test that theory?"

The thought was appealing. But she had a feeling going farther than they already had would mean more than she was ready for. "Shut up."

He sighed. "No one has ever said that to me. Most would be executed for doing so."

She shrugged even as he couldn't see her. "Get used to it. Just because I am new to this whole fucking mess doesn't mean you are excluded from making adjustments too!" She sucked in her tummy and the pants finally pulled up to her waist. That was a lot.

"You're asking for a spanking, Aeress. I'd be happy to teach you a lesson." She would be the world's worst liar if she claimed to hate his dominating personality. It was fun to mess with.

Next was a shirt. "Has anyone ever complimented your sense of humor?" Aeress asked, settling on a simple white t-shirt.

"I have never been funny a day in my life, Aeress. You are hallucinating."

"See this is why werewolves are weird. I dish out such nice compliments and what am I rewarded with? Attitude."

His voice was closer. "I have an attitude?" He sounded amused for the first time since they met, and she was enjoying every second of it.

"Every once in a while when you speak longer than a sentence, yes." She bent over to put on her socks and shoes. When she came back up, he was standing in the doorway, leaning against the frame. "What, too much?"

He sighed and just looked at her. "How long since our first encounter? And you manage to drive me insane like you have been doing it for centuries."

She smiled and put her hands on her hips. "I guess I am a Scented then. You would think my talent would at least be something more useful!"

He crossed his arms. "You still don't believe you are my mate?"

She wondered if he was fishing for an argument or just curious. She would answer anyway. "I believe you. But it means nothing if we don't make something of it. Do you even like me besides when my clothes are off, be honest?"

He came off the doorframe. "It's true, I do like you without clothes... But it isn't a tragedy when you are in pants and a shirt."

Aeress laughed. "See besides when you turn into the cold person I first met, I like you too. I used to think you were so quiet, but I think I am beginning to see that I was very wrong."

He quirked up an eyebrow. "I am the leader of all werewolves, I couldn't preform as Premier without my voice. I have just learned that silence is the best tool when in unknown situations."

Aeress scooted past him and back into the bedroom. "What else have you learned? I want to know more. You intrigue me, Warrick." She had a seat on the couch. She practically sunk into the lavish cloud of a cushion.

"My stories aren't lighthearted like you," he responded, trailing after her, just a couple steps behind. "It would be hard for you to understand."

She frowned. "I'm sure my little 'ol female mind can handle it."

He rolled his eyes, actually rolled them! "It's not about being a frail woman. Werewolves don't have the same rules you do, especially in regards to our stance on gender, another reason why we wouldn't mix well. I mean as a human, it would be difficult for you to comprehend the life I have lived."

Aeress slumped back and tilted her head to the side. She understood to a certain extent what he was trying to say, but it still felt like she was being dismissed. "I get it, werewolves are awesome and far more advanced than mankind. Humans suck. Tell me something simple I can understand then, like your favorite food when you were a child? What was your favorite sport? Who was your best friend?"

He shook his head and her, releasing a soft scoff that made her smile. "Fine, if this will appease you, Aeress..." he was quiet for a while, deep in thought. She was enthralled by Warrick, the way his brain worked so quickly and deeply. She could only imagine the complexity inside his mind she was sure he was reluctant to share. Perhaps he knew she was dizzy because of him, but she could handle it... at least she thought so.

"It's a secret dish. I wasn't allowed to eat outside of the very strict and very bland diet assigned to me. There was this cook. I never bothered to learn her name." His lips had a secretive curl to it. "We never spoke a word to each other. Not once. But every once in while, she'd slip me this piece of... Well I'd call it cake, but it was a little thicker than that. On top was this golden brown crust of sugar with a chocolate glaze of some sorts." His brows furrowed. "That didn't last long."

Aeress sighed, wishing the storm in his gaze would just blow away. "She was fired?"

He shook his head. Her heart broke. Even just those couple of sentences, and she was beginning to see what kind of childhood his was. "Oh, I'm sorry... Next question."

Warrick looked at her briefly and nodded. "My favorite sport. I enjoy contact sports, if that is what you call them," his look of satisfaction made her laugh.

She gazed down at his scarred knuckles and thought back to the boxing match he was enjoying all on his lonesome. "So you're the guy who gets a broken nose for fun?"

"Sometimes..."

"And the last question?"

He nodded. "I didn't really have companionship back them... Sir-" his brows furrowed and she could tell he was supressing the urge to shut down the conversation. "She made it impossible to have anyone around."

She wanted to prod but had a feeling whoever 'she' was could not have been a good conversation turn. "No girlfriends?" she casually threw out, but she was all kinds of curious.

His eyes cut at her. "Would that make you jealous?"

"Answer the question and we'll find out."

He paused. "I'm not a virgin, if that's what you're wondering."

Aeress laughed. "Obviously! So is that a no?"

He nodded. "No, never. I'm not a man who can enter and exit relationships whenever he wishes."

"Yeah, I gather that. Just so you know, I'm not your girlfriend." She crossed her arms over her chest and smirked at him.

"Is that so? I'm just a man you use for you own personal pleasure, huh?" He stood up and began to approach her as she lay on the couch.

"Don't do that," she demanded playfully, putting her foot against his chest to stop his approach. "You can have me when you earn me."

He had her legs wrapped around him in no time. He picked her up and held her close with his palms right on her bottom. She could drown in his eyes. "What if I'm too impatient for that? What if I want you now?"

Aeress lain her arms around his shoulders and adjusted her legs around his waist. She leaned forward and kissed his neck. She let her head lay there for a while. "That depends."

"On what?"

"How persuasive you can be."