Hidden in Smoke (Phoenix Rising Book 2)

by Harper Wylde

  Trailing his nose up the side of mine, he brought his lips just an inch above mine. My eyes drifted shut as I waited for his lips to meet mine.

  “Baby, where the hell did you come from?” His voice was soft, and I could tell it was a rhetorical question, so I just hummed to him instead. “You came out of fucking nowhere, infiltrated my world, and now I can’t imagine not having you in my life.”

  My eyes flew open to meet the green of his. Neon, luminescent flecks were bright in his irises, and I knew his Puca was with him. My Phoenix rose, pushing to greet his creature, and I was sure my eyes would be glowing gold.

  “Annie.” My name was a whisper on his lips as he brushed his mouth over mine. Closing my eyes, I relished the small kisses he rained down on me. My body heated instantly.

  “Killian. My broody Celt.” I smiled when he chuckled.

  “You make me happy, Nix.”

  This time, when he kissed me, he wasn’t teasing me. Our lips slid together in a timeless rhythm that sang to my soul. Nipping at his bottom lip, I felt him growl before he deepened the kiss. His tongue swept inside of my mouth, teasing and taking. He drove me to distraction with his magical tongue, and I gripped his shirt in my hands, holding on. My core clenched, needing more. Sucking on his tongue, I heard as much as I felt the rumble in his chest and his hands wandered from my waist down my body.

  He took the movement slowly, but I wanted his hands on me, and I wasn’t going to flinch away from him—or this moment. This kiss was mine. I was starting to feel like Killian was mine. Only mine. I wanted this; I wanted him.

  His hands traced over my ass, palming and kneading me through my skirt before he dragged me tighter against him on a guttural groan. His arousal pressed against my stomach, and my pleasure skyrocketed as I leaned my body into him harder.

  It took me a minute to realize that Damien was in my mind, showing instead of telling me how sexy the scene we were putting on was.

  Breaking off the kiss, Killian looked over my head and spoke to the man behind us. “You always have to fucking interrupt, don’t you?” His voice was exasperated but tinged with humor.

  Damien’s low chuckle raced up my spine, making me shiver in Killian’s arms.

  “She’s fine. I’m not taking advantage of her,” Kill informed Damien, and it made me feel like they’d had this conversation before.

  “No, I never said you were. In fact, she’s quite enjoying you.” I heard gravel crunch as my Gargoyle moved closer.

  “Good, because I fully intend to kiss this woman into next week.” A glance upward showed me that Killian was smiling again, looking down at me, and I couldn’t contain a grin at his enthusiasm. I liked tipsy Killian. I wasn’t sure if I had ever heard him speak such forward words before.

  “Feel free to join me.” Wait, what?!

  Before I could utter a word—not that I would have protested—Killian bent down and hauled me up into him, eliciting a squeak from me. Nipping at my bottom lip, he restarted our kiss.

  Heat warmed my back when Damien stepped up behind me, running his fingers along the side of my neck. “Since you wouldn’t have protested.” His voice was low and smooth as he murmured in my ear, gently biting the lobe when he was done speaking. This was my second kiss with Killian— or should say it was my second make out session— but I hadn’t kissed Damien yet, and the idea excited me. The fact that I wasn’t skeeved out that they were both here with me told me how much I was warming to the concept of multiple mates like Rini and I had talked about. I’m sure the bit of alcohol in my blood and the encouragement coming from my Phoenix only helped to make me braver.

  The feel of Damien’s lips on the skin of my neck made me buck into Killian, and he groaned into my mouth as I pressed against his arousal.

  Bending his head down, Damien latched his mouth onto the back of my neck, sucking and laving a particularly sensitive spot with his tongue. Tingles raced through me as my body responded to all the sensations they were creating within me.

  “You smell so fucking good,” Damien whispered as he kissed his way up to my ear, sucking on the lobe while Killian plundered my mouth, battling with my tongue.

  “Kill, did you know this is a fantasy of Nix’s?” Kill broke our kiss as he tried to focus on Damien, and before I knew what was happening—my kiss addled brain was simply trying to keep up— Damien stooped and lifted me off of the ground. With Killian’s hands still on my ass, Damien guided my legs around Killian’s waist, pressing my center right against his friend's hard length. The way I was now straddling Killian had my skirt bunching around my waist showing off the top of my thigh-highs, garter belt, and my red lacy underwear. When Killian shifted his hands down to my thighs, he grazed skin, searing me with his heated palms. Damien moved in behind me, pressing himself against my lace clad ass. I could feel the rigid arousal trapped between us, and I wiggled, eliciting moans from both of the men sandwiching me. I was wet and slick for them in an instant.

  “That’s it, sweetheart. Feel what you do to us.” Breathless, I tested out my new position, rocking my hips first into Kill and then back into Damien. Oh hell yes, a girl could get used to this. The alcohol burned warm through my veins, the liquid courage giving me the boost to do what I’d wanted to do. I wanted to please my men. I wanted to prove that I was enough for all five of them.

  Two distinct growls rumbled through me “You’re more than enough, baby.” Kill’s low voice was gruff and sexy.

  Two sets of lips landed on my neck, one on each side, and I keened in pleasure as they hit areas that made me flood my panties. I had a sensitive neck, and every suck, nip, and lick of tongue shot straight down my body. I felt my nipples pebbling beneath my bra, and each man trailed a hand up my body slowly, waiting for my permission. I could feel their desire through the connection that Damien had zinging between us.

  “Yes, please!”

  Killian claimed my kisses again as he cupped my breast over my clothing, palming the weight of it in his hand. Damien let his thumb graze over the hardness of my other nipple—pinching it to the point of pain which quickly melted into pleasure—and I started to rock between them. They were setting me on fire!

  I didn’t think I could burn any hotter, but the second that Damien scraped the fangs of his alter against my neck, I threw my head back on a moan, breaking the kiss with Kill who didn’t skip a beat as he bit down on my shoulder instead.

  I felt wild as they lightly marked me, and I wanted so much more. I don’t know where the thought came from, but I wanted to feel Damien sink his teeth into my flesh while Killian sucked his mark into my skin on the other side.

  “Thank fuck.” I heard Ryder’s voice holler, breaking the pleasure induced fog that rattled my brain. “I am so done with this party. I was trying to track her down, claim her as ours, and take her the fuck home. Looks like you two got started without us.” Ryder was equal parts relieved, jovial, and intrigued.

  My men didn’t stop their sweet torture; instead, they seemed to heat further under the watchful eyes of their brothers. Hiro’s eyes were glowing, and I could see the approval shining in them. Theo trailed after them, hands buried in his pockets as his eyes took in the sight of us. I hoped he liked what he saw.

  Killian started to give a little grunt with each thrust of his hips against mine, and each low noise raised my temperature.

  As the others drew near, forming a loose semi-circle in front of us, Killian and Damien lifted their heads, looking at each other as they communicated silently. With a grin, Killian slid me down his body as Damien stepped away. I couldn’t contain the small whimper that slipped from my throat. Were we done already? I was burning up and needed more.

  “Turn around.” The huskiness of Damien’s voice reverberated through me as I followed his direction. Stepping into me, he breathed deeply. Even I could scent the pheromones in the air. They were driving me crazy, increasing my lust, and turning me on more with each inhale. “I’ve been waiting a long time to do this.” He scooped me up
, my front pressed against his as his hands slid under my skirt, and when his hands wrapped around my upper thighs, I felt his fingertips grazing my pussy.

  “Wrap your legs around him, Nix,” Hiro commanded, and I gushed, willingly complying.

  When I spread my legs and wrapped them around Damien’s waist, he rotated my hips to rub against him seductively. The friction from the movement felt amazing on my clit, and I threw my head back and moaned. The guys all growled, reveling in my pleasure and scent. “That’s it, sweetheart. Use me for your pleasure.” He ground himself into me again as Killian stepped up to my back this time, pinning me to his friend—his brother. My body was on fire while my breasts felt heavy and tight. Reaching around me, Killian took both my breasts in his hands, caressing them. I had never felt need like this before. I felt like I wouldn’t survive if I didn’t have one of them inside of me soon!

  “That’s it, Nix. Rock between us. Let all your mates see your pleasure,” Damien rasped, and I turned my face from the heavens back down to him. My hands were on his shoulders, but I brought them up to his jawline, running my thumbs over the ridge as I took in his features.

  Lost in his eyes, I had slowed my movements, instead letting the rock of Killian’s hips drive me into Damien. The idea of Killian controlling our pace, pleasuring Damien and I as well as himself, had me spiraling higher. My breathing was ragged as I dropped my lips to Damiens. I wanted him to kiss me more than I wanted anything else in that moment.

  “That’s the thought I needed to hear,” he whispered. He must have communicated with Killian, because when his hands left my thighs, Killian grasped my hips to steady me. Plunging his hands into my hair, Damien pulled me slowly to his lips, searing me with his controlled intensity as he claimed me as his with his mouth.

  I moaned as his tongue sought entrance, sliding like silk across my own. His flavor was dark and rich, and I wanted more, but the grip he had on my head told me he was in complete control. Pulling back, he held my head still as he lightly rubbed his lips back and forth across mine, teasing me, before he pulled me back down to deepen the kiss once more. I felt like he was branding me with each suck on my bottom lip, each swipe of his tongue, and each silent command he made as he led me through our first kiss, and I loved it.

  “Uh,” Killian’s little grunt as he thrust himself against my ass again had me dragging my head away from Damien and gasping for air. That one little sound went straight to my clit, and I rocked quickly between my two men, enjoying the weight of three more sets of eyes on us as I worked my body. Knowing Hiro, Ryder, and Theo were watching—hopefully turned on from this little show—only fueled my passion. This was the best sex I had ever had, and no one was even inside of me yet.

  That thought must have made its way through all of the guys because Ryder laughed out loud.

  “I think it’s time we take our girl home.” My gaze swung to Hiro as he spoke. He was going to end my fun? I pouted a little—on a complete high thanks to the buzz of alcohol and the intoxication of pleasure.

  “Don’t worry, sweetheart,” Damien drawled, his eyes heavy and molten hot. “We’re not nearly done with you yet.”

  Killian groaned his agreement. As my feet touched the ground, Ryder strode up to me, waggled his eyebrows—as he always did when he was up to mischief—and swept me up in his arms in a fireman's carry.

  Squealing, I tried to cover my ass, which I was sure had been on display thanks to the flare of the short skirt, giving everyone a good view of the curve of my ass covered in red.

  “Don’t worry, babe. That view is only for us.” He playfully smacked my ass, and the small sting quickly morphed to pleasure. I groaned.

  “She likes it.” Hiro’s eyes were on fire as I lifted my head to see him from my upside down position. “That opens up so many possibilities.” His words were full of desire and promise, and I knew I wanted to find out what dirty images were running through his mind. Maybe not tonight, but someday.

  Theo closed his eyes tightly. “Home. Now.” My fearless leader didn’t sound so in control at the moment, and I giggled, feeling powerful and wanton.

  “Yes, take me home boys, and show me who I belong to.” After this night, filled with powerful forces trying to keep us apart, I wanted to show them that I only had eyes for them. I knew we needed time to develop our relationships naturally, but we were shifters, and I was learning that things worked differently in this new world. I was trying to embrace this side of myself I never knew I’d had, and I was more than ready—and very willing—to stake my claim on my men, because I’d be damned if I lost them after having finally found them.

  Thirty-One

  Nix

  “Ours,” Killian growled as he carried me through the doorway. “Don’t you ever doubt that.” I’d never been happier to be home, alone with my men. My men. My body was thrumming, ramped up by my claim of them.

  Damien was all too happy to project the thoughts loudly to the others and growls, groans, and curses echoed around me as they soaked up my declaration.

  Stepping through the door, Killian made it as far as the living room before setting me down and letting the rest of his brothers surrounded me. The buzz I had going provided the courage I needed to relax, and I welcomed them as they pressed into me on all sides. I looked around at the five men standing before me. The heat in their eyes only increased my libido, and I squirmed, legitimately worried about my arousal running down my thighs.

  Hiro chuckled. “Looks like our girl is more than a little turned on.” He breathed deeply, taking the scent of me into his lungs. The action was so predatory, so animalistic that I gushed again. “Good girl. That’s it, get nice and wet for us.” Hiro challenged.

  Hands found my back, stomach, and shoulders, and I drank in the feel of their hands on my body. Leaning forward, Hiro nipped my earlobe as he whispered. “May we touch you, Nix?”

  Swallowing hard, I nodded. I wanted this. I wanted them.

  Slowly, torturously, Hiro slid his hand up to palm my breast, and I arched into his touch. As I moved, my ass brushed against the two sexy men at my back, Killian and Theo, and I felt how hard they were. I luxuriated in the knowledge that they were hard for me. How I had been lucky enough to fall in with them I didn’t know; I just knew I was happy Killian had been the one to pick me up from the airport over a month ago. I felt Theo’s hand snake around to the front of my stomach as he pulled me to lean back into his chest. His fingers slid along the sliver of skin showing between my skirt and my top; back and forth. “You smell delicious. I can’t wait to flick that little clit with my tongue before I plunge it into you, making you scream.” Holy fucking hell! I shook from the intensity of my pleasure.

  “Have a taste Ryder,” Hiro demanded. “You know you’ve been dying to have those lips on yours.”

  I watched as Ryder’s eyes dropped to my lips. His hands were running up and down my arms over my sweater, and I reached out to bring him in closer to me. He was the only one I hadn’t gotten to kiss yet, and I wanted him fiercely.

  “Do you hear that Ryder? Fiercely.” Damien joined in the teasing as he ran a hand over my back while he pushed my musings to my Ceraptor.

  “Doesn’t she smell fucking amazing?” Killian’s voice was gravel, deep and rough—just the way I fantasized about them taking me. I wasn’t sure it was something I could handle anytime soon, but that was why they called it a fantasy right?

  Ryder groaned from the direct connection he had to my mind, and it went right through me. I couldn’t explain the intense desire that gripped me, and somewhere in the back of my head, I knew there must be a reason for my deep seeded need. It felt supernatural, strong and unstoppable, but I was tired of the growing sexual tension. I wanted release. My nipples throbbed with the thought.

  “Go on, Ryder. Kiss her.” Theo dipped his fingers under the waistband of my skirt, and I silently begged for them to continue their trek south. Reaching for Ryder’s shirt, I fisted the front and gently pulled him toward me, my nipple
s grazing his chest through all the layers of clothing. Why were there still so many of them?

  His eyes were on my mouth, and he bit his lip. Watching my tongue sneak out to wet my own lips, he swayed toward me. Slipping his hand into mine, he raised it to his mouth, pressing a kiss to my palm, and then my wrist before he froze and cursed.

  “What?” Hiro straightened and dropped his hand. My Phoenix cried in protest.

  “She’s ovulating, but it feels supercharged somehow. This is the first time I’ve gotten my hands on her skin tonight. Do you smell that?” He looked around at the dazed expressions of his brothers.

  Inhaling and scenting the air, each man made deep inarticulate sounds as they picked up on what Ryder was babbling on about. I blinked, trying to make sense of what he was saying while my body burned, aching for their returned attention.

  “No wonder, we’re all drunk on her pheromones!” Damien tilted his head to the ceiling, nearly shaking.

  Ryder nodded. “It’s one of the reasons she’s so turned on right now. It’s not a normal cycle for her. It’s almost like she’s in… some sort of heat? Something’s going on. First her bad cramps, and now this.”

  Nuzzling into my neck, Theo started mumbling to himself, keeping his hands still as he tried to reason out an explanation for my high sex drive. “I don’t believe there are any documented cases of a female shifter going into heat—at least not that I’ve read—but I’d have to check my resources to verify it. I’m not going to lie; I’ve been having doubts about the accuracy of some of our texts since I started feeling so drawn to Nix. The pull is indescribable, too strong to call it merely a compatible match between our alters. I wonder if this may factor in? Perhaps we’ve set something off in her? In each other? Or it could be attributed to her shifting so late?” His mind was furiously calculating, trying to find an answer. My brain felt muddled, driven by my need. Seriously? Couldn’t a girl just be turned on?