“When?”
“The full moon.” James lightly stroked her cheek with his, the stubble on his jaw scratching her skin. “If you…” he paused, restarting his words, “you will change every twenty-nine to thirty nights when the lunar cycle repeats itself. It is called the synodic period.”
“Synodic?” She closed her eyes, sure he’d kiss her soon.
“From the Greek word that means coming together, referring to the sun and moon’s positions with respect to each other as they shift together in the heavens.” Lips brushed along hers with each word but didn’t press.
“You know a lot about the moon.” She pursed her mouth slightly, hoping to entice him to kiss her.
“I should. It’s been a big part of my life for,” again he paused, leaning back as if weighing his words, “many, many years.” A small amber glint lit up in his eyes.
“Because you’re controlled by the moon?”
“I was born as I am, influenced by the moon, not controlled by it. You will not be so lucky. You will change whether you wish it or not.”
Claudia swallowed nervously, nodding her head to signify she understood. Everything he said seemed so bizarre, yet when he was near her like this, she didn’t worry. “I don’t want to hurt anyone. I couldn’t live with that.”
“I won’t let you. I found you and I will take care of you. That I promise.” James stroked her cheek, his lips finally finding hers as he kissed her. The tip of his tongue drew across the seam of her lips, probing as it passed back and forth. She opened herself to him, moaning as his tongue slipped inside her mouth. Pleasure flooded her, shooting sensitive waves of desire throughout her body. Tingling erupted along her nipples, making them hard, erect points that reached for him.
The slick folds of her pussy ached to be filled by him until she could think of nothing else. Claudia ran her fingertips up his arms, gliding them beneath his t-shirt sleeves. James broke the kiss. Gripping him tight, she pressed her hips forward, only to dig her shoulder blades into the hard wall. A small burning sensation filled her eyes and when it stopped, the shadows covering his face didn’t seem so deep. Details sprung to life—the texture of his skin, the sharp cut of his stubble, the shifting color in his eyes.
“I’ve had many thoughts while alone with you but I feel as if I haven’t said anything I’ve meant to say to you.” His soft, whispering breath hit her in a gentle caress. “Or those things I should say before such a moment.”
“Like?”
“I think you’re beautiful.” The honesty in his gaze took her by surprise. He continued, “I’m sorry I was too late to save your mortal life. I selfishly am glad you’re here with me, even though a great part of me wants to send you away to keep you safe.”
Claudia was taken aback by the frank admission. Most men she’d dated tried to be mysterious and would never outright admit to liking a woman without being goaded. “I don’t think I would feel safe if you sent me away. When I sleep, I like knowing you’re there taking care of me. It’s almost like I can feel your presence and you make the dreams easier to bear.”
Where did that streak of candor come from? Whatever it was that made her feel safe was also making her want to trust him implicitly. Her grandmother would have said to listen to the emotion. James smiled, a true smile that reached his dark eyes. Her stomach tightened at the sight.
“I want you to…” The unfamiliar “dirty” talk wouldn’t come naturally to her lips, even though it was what she felt. The vague memory that she’d ordered him to fuck her before tried to surface but instead of “Fuck me until I can’t walk”, she said, “Make love to me again.”
“Take off your clothes.” James stepped back. Pulling at his own shirt, he threw it aside and unbuttoned his pants before sitting on the bed.
Her heart thumped loudly. The glow in his gaze had not lessened. If anything, it seemed to burn brighter when she reached for her shirt. Tossing it to the floor, she slid her pants from her hips. The loose material pooled soundlessly around her ankles. James kicked off his shoes and socks, taking in every curve of her naked body. Somehow she wasn’t embarrassed, not when he looked at her like that, like a starved man about to devour his favorite meal.
She stepped toward him, kneeling before reaching the bed. The stiff carpet pressed into her knees, uncomfortable but easily ignored. She ran her hands along his thighs. “Take these off.”
James stood, obeying, as he pushed the unbuttoned pants from his hips. She grabbed the sides, helping the stiff denim off his legs. When she looked up, the tight, defined planes of muscles caused her thighs to tighten. Each piece of tanned flesh was carved to perfection.
The thick mass of his cock stood erect, the root buried in a soft thatch of hair. She touched his thighs, scratching her nails over the taut flesh before cupping his balls in her hand. Rolling them gently, she squeezed the soft globes, eliciting an excited groan of masculine pleasure. He still stood, so his shaft protruded above her. Claudia reached up, taking his cock in hand. Her thumb traced a protruding vein, following it from the base to the ridge of the mushroomed tip.
James trembled and he sat down on the bed, falling so hard he bounced a couple of times before settling. Claudia thrust his thighs apart, moving them aside so she could reach his cock and kiss a leisured trail down the side of his shaft. Keeping the touch intentionally light, she tormented him with her teasing caresses. After making several passes, she finally took the broad tip in her mouth.
James stiffened, jerking as she sucked him to the back of her throat. She grazed her teeth along the sides, bobbing her head up and down. Still, he was too large to take fully into her mouth, so she brought her hands to his shaft. Wrapping her fingers around him, she pumped her fists in time with her mouth.
James grunted in satisfaction. His hands dove into her hair and pulled her down hard, nearly gagging her with his length. She pushed on his knees so she could breathe and held her ground when he tried to pull her down again. As she sucked and blew in turn, their passion became a struggle for control over her movements. Animalistic growls echoed over her as he came, releasing a stream of seed down her throat. She swallowed the salty essence of him, enjoying the intimacy of it.
Suddenly James took hold of her arms and lifted her up, tossing her onto the bed. Her heart fluttered as his beautiful body crawled over her. His eyes narrowed and his jaw lowered, the beast stalking its prey. She wiggled on the bed, brushing her legs against the inside of his.
He lifted a finger and she watched in amazement as a claw grew from the tip. Lowering it to her chest, he drew a haphazard line over the valley of her breasts. The dangerously sharp claw didn’t hurt but she knew if he wanted to he could instantly kill her with one slash of his hand. He traced a pattern around her breasts before circling in on a nipple.
Claudia gasped, closing her eyes, nearly mindless with the euphoria of his nearness. Her body called to him, begging for more, and his fingers willingly answered. He made a small sound of pleasure and the stroke of his claw became the stroke of his hand. Heated flesh massaged her chest, sending a tiny shiver over her entire length.
Soon lips followed his hand, kissing an erect nipple before biting it gently. James licked a hot trail along her form, exploring her fully. The taste of him was still in her mouth and his potent, raw smell filled her until every sensation she had was because of him. She explored his chest, running her hands over every inch she could reach. There was something primal about the way his body moved and tensed against her fingers and mouth. Before she realized it, she was biting at his flesh. His muscles contracted beneath her lips and he groaned, speaking to her in a rough tone in a language she didn’t understand. The more she bit, the louder he cried out, his head falling back on his shoulders. A knee worked its way between her thighs. She licked a hard nipple, discovering that he liked it when she showed aggression.
Claudia trembled under the fire of his predatory gaze. His large body came closer, lowering until his heat seared her. Another thigh mo
ved between hers, spreading her legs. Each and every sensation built and magnified. Cream seemed to pour from within her in a way she’d never imagined possible.
“I want to be inside you,” he whispered hotly against her neck, even as he kept his hips away from hers. She searched for his cock, wanting him to fill her like he’d done before. His shaft was already aroused again and as she massaged its length, it began to harden even more. She stared at it in wonder, amazed by his quick recovery.
“James, please,” she begged.
“Do you want me?” His very touch made her want to bend to his will, not that she ever thought of denying him.
“Yes,” she panted, closing her eyes.
“How do you want me?”
At that, she opened her eyes. Passion burned within her but she wasn’t one for vocalizing what she wanted. In fact, none of her very limited past lovers had ever asked her what she wanted. James looked like a reined beast, struggling for control. His boldness excited her, as did his confidence. She wanted this, wanted him.
“How?” he repeated.
“I want you to…fuck me.” She tried not to hesitate when she said it but her voice wavered. James merely smiled, kissing the corner of her mouth. “I want to feel you inside me.”
Her pussy ached, desperate for contact. James lowered his chin, lightly kissing her breast. “That will do for now.”
Claudia spread her legs, ready to be dominated. His large size didn’t frighten her as much as the first time. She wanted him to fuck her. His cock brushed her thigh and she tensed, sure he’d give it to her. Instead he worked down her stomach, rimming her navel before dipping between her legs. He nibbled the flesh of her inner thigh, making his way to the soft thatch of glistening curls guarding her sex. She looked down, meeting his eyes, and watched as he flicked his tongue toward her clit. Deep inside, she knew he wanted her to watch. The knowledge seemed a clear thought connecting them in a flash of transparency.
Gasping, she tensed as he discovered her with his mouth. His warm tongue stroked her, working along her folds, twirling around her clit. She pushed up from the bed, watching his head between her legs, mesmerized by the beauty of his form. She felt his desire, his every motion—in the way his eyes took her in, the way his mouth curled at the sight in contentment. Somewhere, in the fog of her building need, she heard her own voice begging for more, saying things she’d never before voiced in such moments of lust. She squirmed, clamping down tight against his head, but he only forced her legs farther apart. He growled, making her pussy vibrate with the raspy breath. It was too much, felt too good. The tension built and she came with a jolt. The intense shock waves flowed over her in a cascading rush of extreme pleasure. He groaned, noisily lapping up her cream.
Claudia was still breathing hard, her heart hammering in her chest, when he lifted himself above her. His full, erect cock again brushed along her thigh, but this time it kept coming at her, finding her wet, trembling center. His penis brushed against her slit and she cried out. She’d just come but her need for him to fill her was more urgent than before. He pushed, entering her, stretching her body wide. She gasped, the sensation more stunning than anything she’d ever experienced.
She held on to his shoulders. James worked in shallow thrusts, letting her adjust to his size. Then her body loosened, accepting him with ease. His hands braced on the bed, holding his weight. Their bodies strained toward each other, moving in perfect unison. The force of his claim drove her body up on the bed, sliding her back with each plunge.
James’ eyes glowed more than before, the brown completely replaced by the amber color. When he opened his mouth, fangs protruded from his gums. Somehow the sight of his beast pushed her over the edge again. She tensed, her orgasm hitting hard as he brought his mouth down. To her surprise, he bit her and his teeth sank into the flesh of her neck. For a brief moment of complete clarity, she felt as if she saw inside him, heard his thoughts. The instant was over so fast, she didn’t have time to memorize what she’d seen and the sensations slipped away before she could grab hold. With pleasure and pain drawing a course through her at the same time, she couldn’t concentrate, didn’t think to fight it. The perfection of the moment became too much. Darkness consumed her and she fell into it, drifting into a dreamless sleep.
Chapter Five
Claudia opened her eyes. She was naked on the bed but James was gone. A dull ache radiated over her muscles but it wasn’t enough to keep her in bed. Pushing up, she stretched her arms toward the ceiling. Suddenly the door opened behind her and she spun, covering her naked breasts with her arm as she automatically fumbled for the blanket to hide her nudity.
Sunlight illuminated James from behind, giving a golden firelight effect to his brown hair and shadowing his face. She blinked several times, having been away from the sunlight for a while, awakening only at night. A cool breeze drifted in, bringing with it a hint of bacon and ham. More meat. Even as her mind frowned at the idea, her stomach growled, loud and long.
James laughed, shutting the door behind him. He set the bag on the table. “I’m pleased to see you are up. I brought breakfast. After we eat, we should get on the road. I’d like to make it to Atlantic City by tonight and I must admit the drive will go easier with someone to talk to.”
“I’m assuming this is the next morning? Not a month later?” The same room she’d woken up to earlier now surrounded her.
“Yes, it is the next morning. I’m glad to see you are awake. It’s a good sign.” He opened the bag and began pulling out cartons of food, laying napkins and plastic forks next to them.
“A good sign of what?” Claudia glanced around, seeing her shirt on the floor. Grabbing it, she pulled it over her head. Next, she slipped on the pajama pants.
“That you are getting better.”
She detected that he hid something from her in his too-easy tone. “Can I ask you something?”
He arched a brow.
“Yeah, stupid question, sorry.” Claudia walked toward him. “Where do you live?”
He chuckled. “Out of hotels. Occasionally I’ll crash at one of my brothers’ houses.”
“You don’t have a home of your own?” she asked in surprise.
“No, not really. Since I’m a tracker for our lycan clan, I keep moving around too much to settle in one place.” He shrugged. “Actually I might have a few homes but I can’t remember if I sold them or not.”
Claudia sat down at the table. “What do you mean, you can’t remember? How can you not remember selling a house?”
James took a deep breath, studying his hands. “I’m older than you might think me. Along with being a lycan, we’re granted a very long life. It’s part of our genetic makeup. Our cells regenerate, healing wounds and illnesses, keeping us strong and in,” he paused, glancing down his chest mischievously, “perfect physical shape. With more years comes more time to learn.”
“How many years are we talking about? Hundred and fifty? Two hundred?”
James jerked his thumb toward the ceiling, indicating more.
“Three? Four hundred?”
“Let’s just say I have vague memories from the Middle Ages.” He grabbed a piece of bacon, biting into it. Pointing at her, he said, “This doesn’t work as good as the steak but I love it.”
Claudia was less enthusiastic. “How long will I be on this protein diet?”
“A few months.” He wiggled the bacon in her direction. The words If you live past your first shift hung unspoken between them. Claudia forced a weak smile, hoping to keep the moment light.
“Because I really, really like eating carbs,” she grumbled, taking a piece of bacon from him and biting into it.
* * * * *
James wasn’t joking when he said they had a long drive. Imagining him to be centuries old became a little too incredible, so she focused on the fact that he looked like a man in his mid-thirties. He allowed for minimal stops, once to order an obscene amount of plain hamburgers from which he took away the buns,
another time they stopped for a restroom break and another still for fuel and drinks.
After they’d eaten, she felt the fire burning inside her and couldn’t help but move closer to him on the seat. But who was she kidding? She felt the burning desire without the aid of protein. The meat was only an excuse. One look at him and she had to have him.
First, she kissed his neck, eliciting deep, sexy moans. Soon her kisses traveled down, sprinkling across his stomach while she lifted his shirt before finally settling around the cock jutting from his opened pants. She’d never given head in a moving car before but the erotic magnetism of James’ body was too much to resist. But it was more than his body. It was the look in his eyes, the sound of his voice, the smell of his hair. They all made her want him.
The thick length of his cock nearly choked her as she sucked. James’ hand rested firmly on the back of her head, pressing down. She felt the car swerve a few times but he didn’t run it off the road. A passing car honked and some man on a motorcycle screamed in approval. He came hard, grunting and breathing heavily. She drank him down, moaning softly. Wiping her lips, she sat back in the seat, highly aroused.
“You amaze me,” James whispered, reaching to cup her cheek.
The tender expression on his face made her heart melt. How did this happen? How did she find him? And how was it she felt as if she knew him better than she knew herself? “I amaze myself sometimes.” She smiled back at him and their eyes held each other for a few seconds.
Claudia felt her heart leap in her chest. Her feelings tried to rush forth in words, desperate to proclaim her emotions in bold declarations of love and desire. She held back, not trusting herself. With all that was happening, how could she know what she felt was real? So instead she gave him another small smile and lowered her lashes seductively over her eyes, letting him see by their expression how much she wanted him.
Call of the Lycan Trilogy Bundle Page 21