She shivered. Not just from his closeness, but from the chill of his words. It wasn’t lip service; he meant what he was saying. Tanin didn’t see someone at the end of his weapon as a person. They were an obstacle to be taken down.
“Are you scared?” He asked softly.
Garnet didn’t answer immediately. Mulling the question over.
Wasshe scared?
It was hard to tell. Shewasuneasy, but maybe not for the reason he thought. She wasn’t exactly comfortable with de-humanizing – for lack of a better word – the person at the other end of a gun. The fact that he could so easily, that the ‘safety’ tips she had been given were based more around who she killed rather than keeping her from killing, spoke to a darkness in their past deeper than she even suspected.
But that darkness didn’t repulse her. It didn’t deter her like it rightfully should. What did that say about her that she felt safe in the arms of a male so harsh and cold?
She pulled the trigger.
Chapter 17
Tanin
The plasma pistol in Garnet’s hands didn’t really have much kickback. For as dangerous as it could be, it was quite easy to use. The ‘shot’ was a holo recreation of actual plasma fire. But it acted the same, firing at the same speed, opening up a fist sized, virtual hole in the target. Not quite in the center, but she’d hit it, and in the real world, you didn’t need much more than that.
It was her answer to his question, and it said enough. She might be scared, but she was going to fire her weapon anyway.
He turned, brushing his lips against her temple. Not quite kissing her but hinting at it. Silently speaking his approval. His was a dangerous life, but she was proving that not only did she want to stand equal to it, but she had the ability to do so.
Dangerous, but Tanin had never shied from danger.
“Keep your shoulders in,” he said. “Arms up. Try again.”
She fired. Closer to the mark, but still not dead center.
“Try again. They’re coming for you. They’re going to catch you.”
Another shot. Closer.
“They’re going to hurt you. They’re going to rape you. If they get their hands on you, it will be too late. This is your only chance to protect yourself.”
She shot. No closer. It might be further.
Tanin put his lips right to her ear. “They’re going to hurt your sister-”
Bam! Bam!
Two direct shots, dead on target.
“Perfect,” he praised, stroking her hands as she shivered. He rather liked the feel of her shaking in his arms. He wanted more. He wanted those tremors to be stronger. If he made her scream her pleasure, would she shake like this for him? Would she go wild for him?
He wasn’t just stroking her hands now. His fingers trailed down until he had his arms wrapped around her. One hand at her belly, pressing her against him, the other arm around her chest. Slowly grinding his hardening cock into the soft swell of her tempting ass.
“Keep your arms up,” he reminded her as her elbows began to bend. “You’re doing well. But do you know the very first thing you do when you think you might need to kill someone?”
“Tanin…” She panted, her arms shaking with the effort of keeping them up, even as she pressed herself against him. Her head fell back onto his shoulder.
“What’s the first thing you do? The most important thing you do?”
“A-Ask for your permission…” Her voice was breathy and weak.
“Good,” he praised, earning another full body shiver. Even stronger than the last. Oh, she liked that did she? “You’re a clever female. That’s exactly what you do. Unless killing is the only way to save your life immediately, you always ask me for permission first. And I will determine if your reason is good enough to earn their death. Although…”
He trailed off, reaching up to pluck the gun from her hands. She let it go easily. Submitting to him without question. He slid it into his belt, tucking it carelessly away, turning his attention fully onto her.
