Not My Shifter/ Sinfully Cursed (Shifter Paradise) (Volume 1)

by Kate Allenton

  “Must be since I heard Casey asked you out just this morning. The crew working deep nights said you two worked a scene together the other night.”

  She felt Jameson stiffen beside her.

  “Yeah, we did, and so what if he did ask? No one said I had to say yes.”

  Bosworth just grinned like an idiot. “Well, point me to the body so we can get this show on the road.”

  Devlin pointed a thumb over her shoulder. “She’s in the bedroom. I’ll need pictures, and I’ll need you to fingerprint the whole place. I’m hoping our killer, or killers, got sloppy. I didn’t see anything out of place though.”

  Bosworth nodded. “We’ll get to it.”

  “Any uni’s coming with you? I’m kind of on a deadline with this one and want to keep my momentum, if you know what I mean.”

  “I think Becker and Standish are on their way. Why don’t you head out, and we’ll get started. I’ll be sure to email you anything we find.”

  “Sounds good.” She smiled. “Thanks, Hank.”

  She felt Jameson’s hand creep around her waist as he ushered her toward the door, and she found that she wanted to smile like some silly teen. What the hell was wrong with her? One kiss and she was cuckoo.

  Her wolf walked her to the driver’s side door of the Tahoe she was borrowing, and he helped her in, even going so far as to help her buckle so she wouldn’t hurt her ribs. After he made sure she was secure, he walked around to the passenger’s side and climbed in. Devlin wasn’t sure how to feel. She was touched by his thoughtfulness, but the sight and scent of him was driving her mad with lust, and she was fighting the urge to rip off his clothes.

  “I have a feeling the men responsible for this murder are the same ones who jumped you outside of O’Leary’s. Maybe we should go back to the station and go through mug shots, see if anyone stands out,” Jameson suggested.

  Or we could go to my place, and I could strip you bare, lick you from head to toe, and ride you like a cowgirl, Devlin thought. Her hormones were raging out of control, and she knew her tight leash was about to snap, and when it did, they were in trouble. The last thing they had time for was a sex marathon, and she knew that’s where they were headed.

  He lifted a brow. “Hello? Are you in there?”

  “Just thinking.” About fucking your brains out.

  There was a tap on Jameson’s window, and they looked out at a woman in a robe with curlers in her hair. Jameson rolled down his window.

  “May I help you, ma’am?” he asked.

  “You’re with that paranormal unit, aren’t you?”

  “Do you know something? Did you see something out of the ordinary today?” Devlin queried.

  The woman nodded. “That nasty Were, Amber, was here with two of those slimes she hangs around. I heard raised voices and then dead silence. A moment later, they walked out. One of them was cleaning a knife. It looked like blood.”

  Finally! A break in the case.

  “Would you be willing to come into the station later today and give an official statement?” she asked.

  The woman paused. “I’m getting ready for a bridge tournament, but I could come by in the morning.”

  Devlin paused. She really needed the woman’s statement, and by all rights could demand that she come in to the station immediately. But something told her she’d get more out of the woman if she waited until the lady was ready to talk.

  “That would be fine. I should be in by eight o’clock. Just ask for Devlin St. Claire.”

  Devlin fished a card out of her pocket and handed it to the woman. She watched as the woman tucked it into her robe.

  “I’ll be there.”

  Devlin smiled and thanked her before pulling away.

  “So now you can tie Amber to at least one crime. Are you going after her?” Jameson asked.

  “You bet I am!”

  “Might I suggest waiting until tomorrow, after you have the woman’s statement? If you arrest her before, that lady could disappear, if you know what I mean.”

  She had to concede that he had a good point. She didn’t want her one good lead to vanish before she could make her move on Amber. Devlin knew this was her one chance to clear Jameson and solve the case, and she didn’t want to blow it because she was antsy. But would one day really be enough time to crack the Were and put both women behind bars? She didn’t just want to clear Jameson. She wanted justice for the two victims. Well, three now, even if one of them had probably been in on the other two crimes.

  “You’re right. Let’s grab a bite to eat then head back to the station. I’ll type up some notes, and we’ll figure out if you’re free to roam the city at night. I don’t know if I like the idea of you being on your own tonight. Those women could come after you if they know you aren’t under lock and key.”

  He smiled. “Are you worried about me, Devlin? Is that concern I hear in your voice?”

  She grumbled under her breath. “Don’t let it go to your head.”

  Pointing the SUV in the direction of her favorite restaurant, she tried to figure out what she was going to do with her sexy Were for the night. She had plenty of ideas, but she wasn’t sure if she should act on any of them. There was little doubt in her mind that he wouldn’t put up a fight if she jumped him the moment they cleared her door. He’d made it quite clear that he desired her.

  One thing was clear. Tonight, they would share a bed. What happened in said bed remained to be seen. She would either live out her wildest fantasies with a man who had claimed her as his mate, or she would suffer a long sleepless night. A glance at his strong profile had her second-guessing that sleepless night. If the man tempted her beyond reason in the light of day, did she really stand a chance of keeping her hands to herself at night, alone in her home? Doubtful.

  Chapter Eight

  Devlin sat at her computer typing up her notes from the crime scene while Jameson played with the items on her desk. She’d already discussed his situation with Needles, and it had been decided that Jameson would go home with her. According to Needles, he was her arrest and, therefore, her responsibility. The man had to know what would happen if she were left alone with Jameson, and yet he hadn’t batted an eye when he’d given the order. Oh well, who was she to argue with the boss? Well, this time, anyway.

  After saving her file, she stretched her arms over her head. Jameson’s gaze immediately zeroed in on her breasts, which she knew were clearly outlined against her shirt, and she felt her nipples pebble. So much for retaining pure thoughts for longer than sixty seconds. Maybe she just needed to take him home and fuck him already, get him out of her system so she could concentrate.

  “Are you ready to head home?” she asked.

  His gaze lifted to hers, the heat nearly scorching her. “Oh yeah.”

  It seemed she wasn’t the only one who’d been having impure thoughts throughout the day. She should’ve known he’d have sex on the brain after that mind-melting kiss they’d shared at the crime scene. Just remembering it made her cheeks flush with desire, and she wetted her lips, craving another taste.

  Jameson stood and lifted her from her seat. Her ribs still ached, but she figured they could work around that somehow. If he wanted a wild, rough ride, she’d deal with the pain just to experience the pleasure he could bring her. But something told her that wouldn’t be the case. He’d been gentle with her throughout the day, showing her kindness that few men ever had before. She had a feeling he would be a tender lover. The question was, had he been that way with every woman he’d ever been with, or was she special? It bothered her more than it should have. A man’s past had never meant anything to her before, but suddenly, she wanted to be different from the other women in his life, to be memorable.

  If someone had told her she had a sappy side, she’d have laughed in their face, but it seemed she would’ve been wrong. Who knew? Parker had always told her that she had hidden depths, that there was more to her than she let the world see. Maybe her friend had been right all alon
g. It seemed Devlin hadn’t just been hiding from the world. She’d been hiding from herself.

  When Jameson laced his fingers with hers, she allowed it, finally able to admit that he just might be “the one.” That elusive creature known as a keeper, something she’d never thought to have for herself, had never wanted for that matter. She’d been content with her life and her string of one-night stands and fuck buddies, but Jameson made her want more, and that scared the hell out of her. With her lust riding her hard, she only hoped she wasn’t making a colossal mistake, something she would come to regret some morning. If all else failed and he turned out to be less than he appeared, she could always go on that quest for a potion or spell to undo the mating. But, deep down, really deep down, she hoped she wouldn’t have to.

  The car ride home was quiet and filled with sexual tension. Jameson had placed his hand on her thigh and was rubbing small circles against her denim-clad leg, sending shivers down her spine and making her grow wet with need. As she pulled into her garage, she nearly sighed in relief, knowing that it was only a matter of time, possibly minutes, before he would give her the release she so greatly desired, so greatly needed. Next time they could go slow, take their time worshiping each other, but this time she needed him, and she needed him now.

  After practically leaping out of the vehicle, she hurried inside and turned off the alarm. The door had barely closed behind them before she launched herself at him, wrapping her legs around his waist, rubbing herself against him like a cat in heat. The pain in her ribs was still there, but she wanted Jameson more than her next breath. Her fingers tunneled in his hair, and her mouth crashed against his, her hunger for him completely out of her control.

  Jameson cupped her ass in his hands and leaned her against the wall, taking control of the kiss, forcing his way in, dominating her and taking what he wanted. As their tongues glided together, tangled, then retreated, only to repeat the gesture, she pressed herself tight against him, loving the feel of his muscles against her body. She was toned, yet still soft compared to her wolf. As their bodies fused together, she moaned in frustration. They had on too many clothes, way too many. She wanted him naked, wanted to see the perfection she knew lay under the tee and jeans currently obscuring her view of heaven.

  Breaking the kiss, she began tugging at his shirt, needing it off immediately. She wanted to get her hands on all of those muscles, to feel that warm skin over those hard pecs. He whipped the shirt over his head and dropped it on the floor before literally ripping hers from her body. There went her favorite shirt. She didn’t give the tattered remains more than a passing thought before she pressed her lips to his chest. She needed to taste him, all of him. Her fingers pulled the button of his jeans open and jerked the zipper down. Delving inside, her hand curled around his hard cock, and she was thankful that the man went commando. Nothing had ever been sexier.

  He groaned and thrust into her hand, his hips flexing as her hand slid up and down his steely length. She shoved him back and dropped to the ground, falling to her knees before him. Jerking down his jeans, her eyes clashed with his as she took him in her mouth, humming in delight as the taste of him exploded on her tongue. Salty, musky, and very much male. Her fingers dug into his hips as she sucked him down, greedy for more. His scent surrounded her, driving her to a frenzy. She gripped him tight as her mouth slid up and down his length, her tongue stroking, her lips pulling on him. Up and down, up and down, faster and faster, needing more and more.

  His fingers fisted in her hair, not in a forceful way, but in the way of a man who can’t help but touch his lover. She felt a tingle between her legs and knew she was going to come, something she’d never done before just from sucking her lover’s cock. As he exploded in her mouth, coating her tongue with his essence, she cried out around him as her own orgasm burst, her pussy clenching and unclenching.

  When she’d licked him clean, she kissed her way up his magnificent body and gently bit him on the neck. He claimed her lips hungrily, seeming not to care that he could taste himself on her lips; perhaps he even enjoyed it. Her body hummed, and even though she’d already come, she still felt restless, needy. Her jeans suddenly felt too tight, and she kicked off her boots and wriggled out of the confining material. Jameson did the same before shoving her panties down her legs.

  Lifting her onto the kitchen counter, he knelt at her feet then buried his face between her thighs, spreading them wide. At the first swipe of his tongue, she couldn’t help but thrust her hips forward, wanting to get closer to the incredible sensation. He gently sucked the lips of her pussy, and she opened her legs farther. As his tongue dipped inside gathering her nectar, she grabbed the counter in a white-knuckled grip.

  “Do you know how sexy it is that you’re completely bare for me?” he rumbled. “That I’m able to feel all of that silken flesh against my tongue? It drives me wild.”

  She groaned and arched her back. His tongue licked along her slit before delving inside once more. As the tip flicked against her clit, she gasped and felt her body tighten in response. Jameson sucked the bud into his mouth, drawing on it slowly, prolonging her pleasure. He lapped at her again before circling the bundle of nerves, driving her crazy. She wanted to come, needed to come. His hands caressed her thighs as he made love to her with his mouth. He sucked on her clit again, long and hard, and a tingle started in her toes and worked its way up her legs. As it settled between her thighs, she whimpered.

  “Don’t stop. Please, don’t stop.”

  He sucked harder, his mouth soft and hot against her, drawing out her pleasure until she thought she would scream. Just when she thought she couldn’t take it another moment, that it was too much, she shattered, crying out her release, her body tight, bowed off the counter as wave after wave of pleasure crashed over her. His talented mouth drew out the pleasure, wringing every drop from her until she collapsed, gasping for breath. She couldn’t remember a time she’d ever come that hard. After licking her once last time, he rose, and she noticed his cock was standing long and proud once more.

  Before she could question what he was doing, he pulled her ass nearly off the counter and slid inside in one slow, smooth motion, stretching her, filling her, making her complete for the first time in her life. He felt so incredible that she couldn’t speak, couldn’t do more than moan. She wrapped her legs around his waist, taking him in deeper. As he withdrew, she wanted to cry out in dismay, but he quickly filled her again, and she sighed in relief. His hips drew back and plunged forward again, his cock rubbing the inside of her pussy in the most delicious way. She was still sensitive from her orgasm, and the slow slide of his cock in and out of her already had her on the cusp of another one.

  His thumb stroked against her clit, the nub so sensitive that she nearly came from the contact. As he rubbed her in slow, agonizing circles, his cock thrust into her again and again. She pressed her body against his, angling her hips down so that she rode him, their hips slapping together. She knew she was going to fly apart at any moment, and she wanted to take him with her.

  She nipped his ear. “Come for me, Jameson. Fill me, mark me as yours.”

  He growled low in his throat and increased his pace. She tried to hold out, but it was too much, and she was crying out his name as her body trembled in release. As her pussy gripped his cock, she felt him bite her shoulder and come inside of her. Something inside of her clicked into place, a sense of rightness. Here, in Jameson’s arms, she was finally home.

  He kissed her as he lifted her off the counter and began walking through the house, their bodies still joined.

  “Where are we going?” she murmured against his lips.

  “Shower.”

  She smiled. “It’s at the back of the house in my bedroom.”

  Entering the small room, he set her on the bathroom counter and withdrew from her body. He turned on the shower and studied her intently.

  “You’re glowing.”

  “If you’d just had three amazing orgasms, you would b
e too.”

  “Amazing, huh?” He grinned.

  “As if you need to fish for compliments.”

  “Let’s get cleaned up and figure out where we go from here.”

  Her brow furrowed. “Go?”

  “Well, obviously you’ll need to put your house on the market. Unless you’re renting?”

  “Whoa, whoa, whoa! Who said anything about getting rid of my house?”

  “How else are you supposed to move in with me? My home is bigger, so it makes sense that you’d be the one to move.”

  “I didn’t say anything about moving in with you. I think you’re moving a little too fast.”

  He tipped her chin up. “Just think about it. All the orgasms you want, anytime you want, in any room you want.”

  She bit her lip. It did sound awfully tempting, but she wasn’t sure she was ready to give up her independence. Besides, it didn’t seem that he was going anywhere, so there was time to take that step later. Right now they needed to get to know one another better. Her gaze caressed his body. Much better. She wondered how long before he’d be ready to go again. The man had come twice already, after all. She figured he’d need some downtime.

  Jameson lifted her into his arms and stepped over the edge of the tub and into the shower, closing the curtain behind him. The warm spray washed over her already heated skin. It felt good, but not half as good as being in his arms with all of those muscles pressed against her. She’d known at first sight that one time with him wouldn’t be enough, and it seemed she’d been correct. If she’d thought she could exorcise her demons, she’d been sadly mistaken. She wasn’t sure she’d ever get enough of Jameson.

  He set her on her feet, and she splayed her hands against his chest. He towered over her, making her feel small. She found that she liked his power, his intensity. Especially when that power was thrusting between her legs, driving her to the point of insanity. Gathering some shower gel in her hands, she rubbed it into his skin, memorizing every firm inch of him. She wondered if he minded the feminine scent. Her Scarlet Blossom body wash, a patchouli blend, was her one weakness. It was an exotic scent she just hadn’t been able to pass up when she’d found it in the store.