An Assassin's Destiny: A Reverse Harem Series (The Huntress Series Book 3)

by A. K. Koonce

  And I just told her I love her.

  My poor timing is starting to get as bad as Jameson’s. If I start calling her weird pet names like Kitten and Poodlepuff, I’m going to have to reevaluate this five way relationship I’ve fallen into.

  Her palm slides down my cock, stroking over the head before pushing down to my balls, and suddenly I don’t give a fuck if she wants me to call her Willopuss or Pussybaby or whatever else he fucking whispers in her ear at night. I’ll call her anything she wants in this moment if she keeps rubbing her palm across the head of my cock like that.

  The guilt of being with her like this instead of doing my job stabs through my stomach, and yet, I can’t stand to think about the threat that’s out there for another second today.

  Right now. It’s just us; Me and this beautiful, perfect woman.

  And her slick pussy that’s grinding along my cock in the neediest fucking way. I’ve never met a woman who needs a release as much as I do. She’s always my match.

  She’s always been mine.

  With that thought, I slam into her hard, feeling her heat slide across my cock, taking every single inch of me with the smallest cry gasping from her lips. She stiffens beneath me just as I stiffen above her from how fucking tight she is.

  Every muscle in my body turns rigid as I fuck her, her hips matching my pace with rough, perfect strokes that make the groan in the back of my throat catch.

  Sharp nails dig into the back of my neck, and she doesn’t ease the pressure until my lips are against hers again, her teeth dragging so slowly along my lower lip that it makes the pressure building inside me pulse unbearably.

  “Fuck,” I growl out, gripping her leg and locking it high around my hip to feel her soak my shaft even deeper.

  By the way her head tips back, I know I have her where I want her. And this, right here, with my cock thrusting into her pussy so hard she can’t catch her breath, is exactly where she wants me.

  The smooth feel of her skin, the way she’s trembling even around my shaft, the little breaths that are whispering my name—it’s all too much.

  “I’m gonna come,” I grind out, quickening my pace, even as she shakes her head back and forth like she’s going to somehow prevent the unstoppable.

  Fuck.

  She pulls me closer, her eyes captivating mine.

  And then the strangest thing that’s ever happened during sex happens to me.

  My back straightens on my next thrust and then every cell in my body halts. The hot breath in my lungs lingers, the arch of my spine as I prepare to sink into that slick, tight pussy never thrusts into her. The unbearable pressure in my cock never releases.

  I. Can’t. Fucking. Move.

  The smallest, devious smile tilts her fuckable mouth.

  “Not yet,” she whispers, pressing her soft lips slowly to mine.

  She slides herself over my cock, using me to stroke her right where I know she likes it. Energy thrums painfully through me, but I can’t return her thrusts. She works herself up and down, clinging to me and gasping those little sounds, and I can’t even fucking touch her.

  It makes me insane.

  All I can do is watch her sinful smile turn to complete bliss, her gaze never leaving mine, as I look down at the way she’s making herself feel as she uses that tight little pussy to make us both lose our goddamn minds.

  The seconds tick by. She rides me harder from below, and her lips part with a soundless cry of pleasure, her nails digging in hard enough for me to feel stabbing pain in my skin, my heart, my lungs, and my fucking cock.

  And then all at once, it releases.

  Her pussy clenches, milking me until I experience the most incredible pleasure in my entire life. My drilling heartbeat collides with the sound of my breath, my groan, and the endless string of curses that fall from my lips.

  My eyes close hard and I hate that I can’t see her orgasm steal away her constant composure.

  My arms are still locked in place, nearly shaking from what she just did to me.

  I don’t move until soft lips press against mine.

  “That was cruel,” I tell her with a smile.

  Another small kiss.

  “I couldn’t let you off,” she winks at her suggestive words, “without getting me off. I needed it, Mase.”

  Another slow taste of her mouth.

  When I lean into her, caging her in until she’s flat on her back, her mouth halts, and her big eyes watch me closely.

  “Who said I was done with you?” I ask slowly.

  Her head tilts curiously. With all the pain we’ve felt lately, I need her as much as she needs me.

  Maybe more.

  And then my hips grind, sliding my dick slowly out and then ever so gradually back in, over and over again, until her spine arches beneath me and those pretty lashes of her flutter closed with complete alleviation.

  She’s right. She needs it.

  And I need her.

  Just like I always have.

  A Note to The Reader

  Thank you guys so much for reading Alexa’s journey. We’ve loved working on this project together and bringing these beautiful imperfect characters to life!

  And Scarlett has always had a little—big—place in our hearts since her very first page. Her reckless journey through The Alliance Academy starts soon! Keep a lookout!

  Love you guys!

  Ashley & Harper

  For more updates, sneak peeks, and giveaways, follow us in our Facebook groups or join our newsletter!

  AK Koonce’s Newsletter

  AK Koonce Reading Between Realms Facebook Group

  Harper Wylde’s The Wylde Side Facebook Group

  We’ve included a special sneak peek into Harper’s latest release, Shadow Touched! Turn the page to start the series today!

  Shadow Touched

  Harper Wylde

  Chapter One

  Lorn

  I had never been normal. It was a fact I’d known about myself my entire life, and one I’d learned to live with. So I guess it stood to reason that like my life, my death would be anything but mundane.

  I stood riveted to my spot as dark red eyes stared down at me, boring into my flesh like burning lasers. The breath of the beast was rancid as it bared its blood-red fangs, the unearthly slits in its eyes widening as a puff of hot breath washed over my face, chest, and arms. Magick tinged through my veins as I narrowed my gaze and assessed the enemy, looking for the best way to end it before it ended me.

  Everything about the creature was unformed, its edges undefined. Instead, its body was a pitch-black mass of thick, swirling, cloudlike whisps, but that did nothing to detract from its deadly appearance. It did, however, make it hard to figure out where the beast was most vulnerable. Lethal claws tipped each of the creature’s long fingers, and horns jutted out from the top of its wide, triangular shaped head. When it blinked, the beast’s eyelids lifted from both the bottom and the top, meeting in the middle in an unsettling, otherworldly display that had panic squeezing my heart in a vice-like grip. A piercing, all-encompassing roar unleashed from the beast spurring me into action, and I raised my hands, letting go of the carefully guarded magick that I always kept locked away. Adrenaline coursed through my body and my heart started racing just before I jolted awake on a scream.

  Panting from my subsiding nightmare, I groaned as awareness seeped back into my body. It took a few moments for my thoughts to find their way to the present, and I pushed myself up, my palms meeting the rough texture of what could only be the forest floor. The sticks, stones, and leaves of my impromptu bed stuck to me as my shaking arms lifted my upper body off the ground. Every muscle ached, giving homage to a wicked workout session that I knew I hadn’t done. I was completely exhausted down to a soul level, but I forced myself to crack my eyes open. Bright, blinding daylight greeted me, filtering down through the trees, their green, swaying leaves dancing in a cheery display that did no match my pre-coffee mood.

  “Shit. No. Not
again!” The adrenaline that was dying off after my nightmare surged back to life within my chest as reality crashed over me. My cheek stung from the sharp stone I must have used as a pillow and dirt clung to dark hair that tumbled freely around my shoulders. My very naked shoulders.

  Wincing, I glanced down before shutting my eyes again with a disheartened sigh. Totally. Naked.

  This is not happening. Not today! I scrambled to my feet while embarrassment ate at me and my worry became nearly tangible. The possibility of being discovered like this made my stomach drop and my pulse race much like it had during my overly realistic dream. Getting my bare ass into motion, I hurried through the thick forest, hoping the trees would offer up enough camouflage that I’d make it home unnoticed. The soles of my feet were sore after only a few steps, but I pressed on anyway, heading to the extra stash of clothing I kept outside for exactly this occasion.

  This wasn’t the first time I’d found myself outdoors, naked, with no idea how I’d gotten there. And it probably wouldn’t be the last. These ‘episodes,’ as I called them, were happening more frequently. The fact I’d had one last night, just two days after my previous one, was more than a little concerning, but I needed to handle getting home before I let myself freak out. They’d never happened in such quick succession before, and deep down I recognized this change for the bad omen it was.

  After a year full of dealing with them, I was still no closer to figuring out what the ‘episodes’ were about, or what happened when I was ‘under.’ As far as I could tell, there were no patterns or commonalities. The one thing I did know was that I couldn’t blame them on alcohol and bad decisions. At nearly twenty, I was still under drinking age and a strict rule follower. You had to be when your adopted father was a warlock on the High Coven. Eyes were always turned in our direction, and as the blemish that already stained the Kentwell name, I did everything in my power to stay as unnoticeable as possible.

  The sun was well over the horizon line, and I knew there was a possibility it would be too late to sneak back into the house and pretend nothing unusual had happened. Especially if my absence had been noted. So far, I’d been able to hide these weird occurrences from my family, but today might require some creative storytelling.

  A whoosh sounded, and a hawk flew overhead, deftly moving through the branches before extending its wings and gliding to perch in a nearby tree. My heart nearly leapt from my body as I momentarily freaked out, throwing my hands over my nude body while a scared, embarrassed shriek left my lips. I skidded to a halt just as the ground beneath my feet trembled with unrestrained magick that slipped out unwarranted, taking advantage of my heightened emotions. It was a dangerous oddity of mine, this magick I wasn’t supposed to possess. I looked around frantically while I calmed myself and processed that the noises had simply come from a bird and not a person. Working to retract the free reign energy, I mentally contained it all back in the box I kept it hidden in. With sharp movements, the creature watched me through it all.

  “You get off on scaring people?” I scolded the hawk with an icy glower. It simply tilted its head—like it was actually listening to me. I knew hawks were known for being incredibly smart, but it seemed impossible that it actually understood the accusation I’d thrown at it.

  Thoroughly shaken by the entire morning, my rising anxiety had my feet moving again as I sped toward home. The very last thing I needed was to be discovered by an actual person in the state I was in. I had no way to explain any of this, and if word got out, it would probably mean the ruination of the sliver of reputation I had left.

  Taking in my surroundings, I knew I was getting closer to my house. Almost there. At least this time it seemed as though I’d stayed on my parents’ property. A few nights ago, I had ventured far enough away that I’d ended up in the state game lands. Easily a five-mile hike from home. If there was one shining bright spot in having returned home from the Witching Academy—a two-year, college-like program all witches and warlocks had to attend—it was that these odd occurrences were easier to hide here than they had been when I lived in a dorm room full of other students.

  I drew a lungful of clean—albeit humid—air, while the unsettling dream I’d had buzzed in the back of my mind. It wasn’t the first time I’d awoken to the nightmare, either. The eerie creatures stalked my sleep, and while it wasn’t the same monster every night, each was just as deadly and creepy as the last. Despite the summer heat, a shiver raced down my spine, but I suppressed the memory of those eerie red eyes and buried the haunting remnants away as deeply as possible.

  “Well hello there.” A deep, masculine voice washed over me, freezing me in my tracks. I whipped around, which I realized too late was a terrible, terrible idea. The dark, handsome stranger let out a low whistle, openly appreciating the curves I was flashing him. Quickly crossing my arms over my chest, I darted behind a tree and used the trunk for cover.

  Peeking around the bark, I let myself study the guy. He was tall, tanned, and sexy, and my cheeks, which were already heated with embarrassment, blazed as I realized just how good looking he was.

  Holy bad luck batman! Humiliation burned through me and I decided the earth could officially open up and swallow me whole. I’d never seen such a handsome man before and, of course, out of everyone in the entire world fate dictated that he was the one to stumble across me while I was in such a state. Such a bare-naked state. Karma was definitely a bitch, I just had no idea what I’d done to deserve her wrath for all these years. It seemed to be cruel and unusual punishment.

  The mysterious stranger took me in equally while I regarded him. His posture was casual—in complete contrast to mine—and nothing about him immediately screamed “danger Will Robinson,” but I wasn’t about to let my guard down. If there was one thing I’d learned as a witch, it was that looks could be deceiving.

  The man smiled at me and the crooked slant of his lips and the sparkle in his eyes were enough to have me squirming in place, but I willed myself to hold still and stand up straight. My mother’s words ricocheted through my head ‘appearance is everything.’ The non-loving lecture had come after a particularly bad day of teasing when I was in middle school, and the lesson stuck with me through all these years. It was probably the only one that had ever actually been helpful rather than degrading or mean mannered.

  Narrowing my gaze slightly, I tried to appear in charge. He didn’t need to know that inside I was a quaking mess. “Who are you and what are you doing on our property?”

  The stranger glanced away, rubbing a thumb under his lower lip before his gaze found mine again. The motion almost seemed like a nervous tick, but then he responded.

  “I’m working here today.” It was all he offered, but I closed my eyes and pressed my forehead to the rough texture of the tree. Of course, he was. It was a valid excuse. The grounds of the Kentwell estate would be crawling with extra help today in preparation for the Summer Solstice event this evening.

  I sighed.

  Now what? This guy was well within his right to be here and my leverage was exactly zero. How was I going to get out of this situation relatively unscathed? I’d long given up giving people the benefit of the doubt and I prepared for the worst as I opened my eyes. I wasn’t sure what I expected to see, but his mischievous smirk and the intense glimmer of interest reflecting in his gaze caught me off guard.

  The man couldn’t have been much older than me, but he was quite a bit taller. Dark hair hung across his forehead, making him flick his head to swish the locks back. His eyes gleamed in the sunlight, and while there were a few feet of distance between us, I could see the varying shades of brown that made up their depths. They reminded me of roasted coffee beans, the color dark yet warm. His tanned arms were perfectly muscled, just enough not to be overwhelming but plenty to make a woman swoon. He looked strong. The black tee-shirt he wore stretched across a broad chest and covered a set of rippling abs that I could barely make out under the fabric. Dark jeans hung off of his hips and I knew if h
e turned around, he’d have a perfect ass to accompany his toned physique.

  Holy shit. He is beautiful. Something about him had me swaying closer. His warm gaze was glued to mine, and I could have sworn I saw a flash of heat flare to life within making the breath catch in my lungs. The strength of his magick was like a magnet, the pull of it drawing me in, the tingling power mingling with my own in the space between us.

  I’d never reacted to a guy so strongly before and I mentally filed the interaction away for later inspection as a slight breeze tickled across my skin, reminding me of the precarious situation I was still in. I redirected my attention elsewhere before I started drooling, stammering, or blushing. I wasn’t known for my prowess around the male species, and I was sure I’d make an idiot out of myself if I continued to ogle him. Besides, I was pretty sure I looked like some crazy swamp thing right now. I quickly reached up and plucked a leaf from my hair. Definitely not the best first impression.

  “The question is,” he continued in a low, sexy drawl, “what are you doing outside sans clothing… not that I’m complaining.”

  “That is…” I floundered for what to say. “… none of your business,” I stammered, realizing that I probably sounded rude. It had been ingrained in my upbringing to be respectful, but everything about this day was turning out utterly wrong. Trying to save myself, I pushed through the awkwardness and pretended like I wasn’t naked… outside… hiding behind a tree. This wasn’t my life. Or maybe this was exactly my life. My luck had always been non-existent. If I could have dropped my face into my palm, I would have. Instead, I responded to the magick I could feel thrumming through the air. “Which coven are you from?”

  He chuckled. “So, you can dish out the questions, but you can’t take them, huh?”

  I arched an eyebrow at him with a small smile curving my lips. “It’s a simple question.”