Arctic Bite

by N. J. Walters

  If that was to be her fate, she’d at least have this day with Alexei. Her kind didn’t have lustful urges, but since she’d masked her gifts, she’d become very aware of her body. Everything was more vivid and exciting. She’d been fearful of giving in to the new urges that beckoned her, not only worried she’d hurt someone, but knowing she’d be irrevocably changed if she did.

  It was time to release fear and embrace all that was good in life before it was ripped away from her.

  He laid claim to her mouth, his tongue sweeping inside to challenge hers. He tasted slightly of whiskey and, oddly enough, pizza. A delicious combination. He was also more than a foot taller than her, making things challenging. She gripped his upper arms, jumped, and twined her legs around his waist.

  He gave another of those sexy growls that vibrated through her, settling right at the apex of her thighs. She didn’t worry about falling, not with him holding her. That allowed her to focus on more important things, like rubbing her breasts against his chest.

  Oh, that was lovely. The way her nipples peaked made her gasp. Her panties were definitely wet.

  Everything about Alexei appealed to her. Not just his physical appearance, which was superb by any standards. He was thoughtful and patient, but when he decided to act, it was swift and brutal. He knew exactly who and what he was and accepted that.

  She wished she could be the same. Or maybe he was just as confused as she was but better at hiding it.

  He ran his big, rough hand up her spine. She arched into his touch and moaned. It wasn’t enough. Not with layers of clothes between them.

  Both of them were panting. Sweat beaded his brow.

  “Let’s have sex?”

  God, she loved how blunt he was. “Yes, let’s have sex. Lots and lots of sex.”

  The slow smile that crossed his face made her heart expand. Her chest seemed too small to contain the swell of emotion.

  A niggling in the back of her brain warned she should tell him she’d never done this before. Then he brought his mouth back down on hers, and that tiny voice was lost in a tsunami of desire.

  They were moving, but she didn’t pay any attention to where he was taking her. That would mean she’d have to stop kissing him again, something she wasn’t sure she could do.

  She was committed now.

  Sadness welled up inside her. Why couldn’t she have him for longer?

  She made a sound of regret when he pulled away. “You okay?”

  They were standing beside his oversize bed. Somehow, he’d pulled the covers back. Or maybe he’d never made it to begin with. Maybe he hadn’t bothered. She didn’t know anything about him really. Only that he was extremely dangerous and was a hired gun.

  He’d also defended her with his life. If they’d been found, there’s no telling what might have happened. She had no idea just how much leeway Death had given those tracking her. The fact that someone had hired one of the Brotherhood and a vampire too… She couldn’t count on any of the normal rules to apply.

  “Cassie.” He held her as though she weighed nothing, even though she was no lightweight. She was tall and muscled but had nothing on him.

  Talking was overrated. It was time for action. Plunging her fingers into his hair, she pulled him toward her until their noses were almost touching. “I want this more than I’ve ever wanted anything.” Even more than her freedom, she wanted to experience his touch, to join with him in the most basic of ways.

  “Thank God,” he muttered before taking them both down onto the bed.

  Her top and bra went flying. There was no finesse, only speed. Before he could start on her jeans, she fisted the hem of his sweater and yanked.

  He lowered his head to help, and she tumbled back against the pillows, his sweater covering her face. Laughter filtered out from beneath the fabric.

  The edge of the garment lifted. He looked down at her and smiled. “Sorry.”

  She managed to swallow her mirth. “No problem. We’re both in a hurry.”

  Seemingly satisfied, he went to the end of the bed and peeled her jeans and underwear away.

  She wasn’t the least bit self-conscious. At least she didn’t have that particular hang-up. Her body was a tool, one she honed so she could work at peak efficiency.

  Now she was glad for her curves, her long legs, and her plump breasts. Most of her brethren were tall, which she was, but they were also slender. She’d always been different.

  Alexei stood at the end of the bed, his chest heaving as his eyes devoured her. Her breasts ached. The urge to touch herself was too great to ignore. She placed her palms over the mounds, enjoying the way her nipples poked her.

  A low growl made all the short hairs on her body stand on end. As Alexei watched her massage her breasts, he shucked his jeans. His shaft was long and thick. She swallowed heavily. She knew they’d fit, but uncertainty flickered.

  Before it could take root, he sprawled across the mattress, taking up most of the space. He bent his elbow and supported his head on his hand so he was looking down at her. Why wasn’t he touching her?

  “That is so fucking hot.”

  Funny, as often as she’d seen people copulating—it was surprising how many people died during or just after—and as much as she’d thought about it since she’d left her job, she’d never once considered that a man would enjoy watching a woman touch herself.

  “Really?”

  “Oh yeah.” He covered one of her hands with his, moving it so her palm brushed against her swollen nipple. The friction created a blast of heat that went from her breast to the aching spot between her thighs. Her legs moved restlessly against the sheets.

  She’d explored her body, giving herself pleasure before, but it hadn’t come anywhere near to the intensity of this.

  He leaned down and nibbled the side of her neck, sending shivers racing through her. Who knew the side of her neck was so sensitive? Then his teeth grazed her skin and her body almost bowed off the bed.

  “You’re so responsive,” he murmured, his deep voice rumbling right next to her ear. “Do you like this?” He captured the dangling part of her earring between his teeth and lightly tugged.

  The ache low in her belly increased.

  “Yesss.”

  “Hmm, what about this?” He ran his tongue over the whorls of her ear, teasing and arousing.

  All she could do was moan, which was answer enough. He was torturing her, right? There couldn’t be any other explanation. But it hurt so good.

  I need to touch him.

  He was finally naked. She’d seen him naked after he’d shifted, but this was completely different. This time she could explore to her heart’s content. She ran her hand over his chest, down his washboard abs. It was like petting a wild beast.

  She kept going and finally struck gold, or in this case, a very erect penis.

  It was his turn to moan, but it was combined with a growl. His fingers manacled her wrist, but she wrapped her fingers around his erection, unwilling to let go. “Let me touch you.” Without waiting, she stroked over the surprisingly soft skin. What was beneath it was harder than stone, but the covering was smooth as velvet.

  When she reached the top, she circled her thumb over the slit, coaxing moisture from him. His body went rigid. She thought that was a good thing until she found herself flat on her back with him looming over her.

  “Did I do something wrong?” For the first time, doubts crept in. Her knowledge about lovemaking was all theory. For a woman used to knowing exactly what she was doing, she wasn’t used to feeling this inadequate.

  She didn’t like it.

  “Too good.” He was frowning but didn’t seem angry. “I’d come before I got inside you if you kept that up.”

  “Really?” With those few words, everything was fine again.

  He held her hands over her head with o
ne of his. The other he used to cup her face. “Really. There is nothing you could do that would be wrong.” His reassurance relaxed her even more. “This is all about pleasure,” he continued. “You tell me if I do something you don’t like.”

  She nodded, her movement making a swish sound on the pillowcase. It was difficult to imagine he’d do anything she wouldn’t like. So far, everything had surpassed fantasy. “And you’ll do the same.”

  He shook his head, his hair falling around his shoulders and tickling her chin. “I want your hands on me any way I can get them.”

  “Then why did you stop me?”

  “Too much.” He pressed his lips to her forehead, her cheeks, nose, and chin. Tears welled in her eyes. He made her feel precious, as though she mattered. “After.”

  “After?”

  “After you come. After we take the edge off.” He nuzzled her neck. “We have all day.”

  All day. Oh yeah, that definitely worked for her. They should be relatively safe here. Once the sun came up, those searching for her would be more circumspect. They wouldn’t stop looking, but they’d keep their presence cloaked.

  They certainly wouldn’t expect her to spend the day making love. It would never occur to them. If they scanned Alexei’s house, they would assume it was a normal couple.

  That hadn’t been why she’d chosen to do this, but there was no denying it was a benefit.

  “Promise?” He was so masculine, so intriguing, she wanted to run her hands all over him, discover what made him growl with pleasure.

  His laugh was part chuckle, part chuff. “Oh yeah. That’s one promise I know I can keep.”

  His lips weren’t demanding but coaxing, his beard soft against her skin. She tugged on her hands, but he kept them above her head. Giving in to the inevitable, she relaxed them.

  She’d have her turn. And payback would be a bitch.

  Chapter Nine

  Get a grip.

  Not easy when his balls were practically crawling into his body. The last time he’d been this desperate to get inside a woman he’d been a teenager.

  When it came to sex, he’d enjoyed his fair share of partners, but he’d always been aware of their being human. He’d only had sex once with another shifter. That had been before he’d been bitten, before he’d changed.

  His fellow shifters had been able to smell it, sense it. And they’d shunned him.

  He couldn’t blame them. They had no idea what he was, any more than he did. They also had cubs to protect.

  Now he had this amazing woman in his arms. She knew what he was. Not all of it, the voice of his conscience prodded him.

  She knew he was different. Yet she hadn’t run, had welcomed his touch. He wasn’t about to screw this up by spilling all his secrets. Maybe when he had her totally sated. Yeah, maybe then. Or maybe not.

  Having her hands on him had been a revelation. Whatever was between them, it heightened every touch, every stroke.

  And speaking of stroking, she was doing a really good job running her tongue along his. She threw her entire being into it, as she did with everything she undertook.

  It was hot as hell.

  Not wanting to rush things, he kissed her until his dick was ready to explode, and he could barely breathe. He nibbled her jaw, loving how she turned her head to give him access to her neck.

  Her moan had his balls crying for relief.

  Paying attention to her every intake of breath, every motion, he licked and sucked her neck, nuzzling his beard against the curve where it met her shoulder.

  She squirmed and pleaded and cursed him.

  Laughter bubbled up inside him. No one who knew him would recognize him. He was usually serious. She’d helped him recapture the lighthearted side of himself. It was a huge gift, one he would always cherish.

  Bloodlust whispered in the back of his head. He shoved it aside.

  Not here. Not now.

  He’d fed last night, should have been fine for weeks since he didn’t require blood that often.

  It was Cassie, his need to claim her. A bead of sweat rolled down his temple as he fought the darker appetite.

  “Alexei.” The desperation in her tone allowed him to drive back the hunger. No way was he going to do anything to screw this up.

  He licked a trail between her full, firm breasts. Not too large, not too small. She was a tall, curvy woman. Perfect for him.

  He finally released her hands so he could cup both mounds in his palms. Her pert nipples were red from where she’d rubbed them earlier. He flicked his tongue over one tight bud.

  “So good.” Tangling her fingers in his hair, she tugged him closer. “Do it again.”

  Following her lead, he took the tip between his lips and sucked. Then he did the same to the other.

  The musky scent of her arousal teased his senses. He inhaled deeply, unable to get enough. His dick was hard. If he didn’t get inside her soon, he was going to come on the sheets.

  She protested when he left her breasts and worked his way down her slender torso, paying attention to her ribs—which were ticklish—and the curve of her hips. Her legs thrashed. His scalp stung until she finally released her grip on his hair.

  Too bad the bed wasn’t bigger, but he’d make it work.

  With his torso still between her thighs, he knelt on the floor at the end of the bed. He pulled her down a short distance, until she was in the perfect position for what he had in mind.

  She raised her head and peered down between her spread legs. What a wanton picture she made with her skin dewy and her nipples hard and wet from all the attention he’d given them.

  “What are you doing?”

  Rather than explain, he spread her thighs wider. When he licked his lips, her eyes widened. Her hair was damp, the strands stuck to her forehead. She nibbled on her lower lip.

  Hoping to stave off his orgasm a while longer, he pressed his shaft against the end of the bed. The aching hunger gnawed at him, but he wasn’t giving in. Not until he got a taste of her.

  “I’m going to eat you up. I’m going to lick and suck your clit until you scream.”

  She swallowed and nodded. “Okay.”

  He chuckled and lowered his head, ready to enjoy himself. It felt as though he’d waited forever to have her, even though they could count how long they’d known one another in days, even hours.

  He ran his tongue over her slick folds. She tasted both spicy and sweet. Underneath her arousal bloomed the scent of wildflowers. Now it was tinged with the perfume of wild roses. It was a part of her, not something artificial.

  Arching her back, she offered herself to him. “More. Like that.” She squirmed beneath him, sighing and moaning.

  He loved it. Loved how she wasn’t afraid to let him know what she desired. His bear side required a strong woman.

  A mate.

  Sorrow washed over him. It wasn’t to be, no matter how much he might wish otherwise. She was a reaper on the run, and he was a paranormal hitman. Both of them had problems and responsibilities that weren’t going to leave them alone. But they were here now, and he was going to make it memorable for both of them.

  …

  She’d had a moment of worry when he’d said he was going to eat her. The way he’d nibbled her neck had given her a moment of panic. Something had changed; something dark and dangerous had permeated the air. But then it had all gone back to normal, leaving her wondering if she’d imagined it all.

  She’d had more than a brief second of concern when he’d knelt on the floor and positioned himself between her legs. That couldn’t be particularly comfortable for him, but he didn’t seem to mind.

  When he touched his tongue to a particular spot, every nerve ending in her body jolted. “Do it again,” she demanded.

  It was pure magic as he licked and stroked, driving her pleasure r
ight to the edge where it teetered. Fingers tangled in his hair, she yanked him closer, unable to stop. “Alexei.” It was right there. Just out of reach.

  He caught her clit between his lips and sucked on the sensitive nub. His mouth was amazing. She gnawed on her bottom lip to keep from screaming, drummed her feet against the mattress.

  Then he eased one thick finger inside her. Every cell inside her exploded. Stars flashed behind her eyes, momentarily blinding her.

  She’d had self-induced orgasms, but this was in a whole different category. They were vanilla ice cream. This was a hot fudge sundae with extra chocolate and sprinkles.

  She spasmed when he inserted a second finger, stretching her. She clutched his upper arms and held on for dear life as she rode out the sensual storm.

  Then he was gone. No, not gone. He was kneeling back on the bed, licking his lips. God, he’d taste like her. She had to find out.

  His attention never wavered as he lowered himself over her, supporting his weight on his forearms. His cock nudged her leg, leaving a damp spot behind.

  She hooked her arms around his neck and licked his bottom lip. Her essence mixed with his unique flavor. The sweet and sultry taste sent a delicious heat rushing to every part of her.

  She opened her legs in silent invitation. Finally, she was going to experience sex firsthand. Even though she’d just orgasmed, she was empty inside. Only he could ease that ache.

  With an instinct she didn’t even know she possessed, she curled her legs around his thighs, and angled her body so the tip of his shaft was positioned against her opening.

  He threw back his head, the thick cords standing out, his expression a mixture of both pleasure and pain.

  “Do it,” she ordered.

  With a roar, he shoved forward, forging his way inside her.

  Pain jolted her. She’d expected some discomfort, but not this. It hurt. More than she’d thought it would. Still, he’d given her pleasure so she would do the same for him. Gasping for air, she hung on, her short nails gouging into his skin.