Surrender Her Touch

by Kari Thomas

  He felt her tremble beneath him, and didn’t know if it was a reaction to his kiss or the fear that was still present. He repeated the action. She trembled again. He held back his grin of satisfaction.

  “I don’t want to be so important to the Clan,” she whispered, lowering her gaze. “I’m not sure I can handle it. And I don’t want anyone to be hurt or die for me. I couldn’t bear that.”

  “Too late, baby.” He released her hand and grasped her chin forcing her to look at him again. “It was too late the day we met.”

  “You knew what I was, even then?”

  Tell her, his dragon urged. Tell her she’s important to you, not just to the Clan. But he couldn’t do it. He wasn’t sure what he really felt about her. Her beauty mesmerized him, her adorable-yet-sexy habits made him ache, her inner strength and spirit made him admire her more than any other woman he’d met. He felt more protective and possessive of her than he’d felt for anyone. Was it only desire that made him want her so much? Was it only lust that kept erotic images of making love to her in his thoughts day and night?

  He’d had his share of women over the years, but he’d never met one that would make him want to contemplate the idea of settling down. His job as Prime Enforcer for the Clan kept him busy, as did his day job with the police force. Aleta was enough of a handful to keep him otherwise occupied.

  Yet, the thought of letting her go, letting some other man claim her didn’t sit well with him. He bit back a possessive growl. He’d told Chen she belonged with him though his mind wasn’t ready to accept it.

  He had a feeling his soul already had.

  He stared into her beautiful eyes. He saw himself reflected back. God, he wanted her so much. “Are you trembling because you’re still in those wet clothes?”

  Her answer was soft, and coy, and it was the only answer he needed right then.

  “Maybe.”

  He released the hold on her chin and slowly lowered his hand to the vee in her blouse. The buttons were tiny and his big hands had a hard time popping them free. The entire time he kept his gaze locked with hers. Her mouth opened slightly, her breathing a little fast, but she didn’t stop him.

  He finished unbuttoning the blouse and slowly ran his hand down the center of her chest, from her bra to her naval. She had the softest skin. He could spend hours touching her and be satisfied.

  Well, maybe not completely satisfied. He grinned. Making love to her was a priority over all else. Later he could touch more.

  He glided his hand back up to the front clasp of her bra. With a single snap it came undone and so did he.

  Her handful-perfect breasts spilled out of the confinement, and he sucked in a harsh breath. Desire raced through his nerve cells, screaming with demand. Forcing himself to go slow, he cupped both breasts in his hands. Summer’s moan mixed with his. He couldn’t wait. He lowered his head and pulled one taunt nipple into his mouth, closing around it with a possessive suck.

  Summer arched up into him with a soft cry. She dug her hands into his hair, raking her long nails across his scalp. The slight pain was erotic, and he murmured against her breast, “That feels good, baby.”

  She tasted sweeter than the sweetest honey. He sucked on her rigid nipple, running his teeth over it and tugging it deeper into his hot mouth. She squirmed under him, making him harden all the more. Damn, he was so tight, he was ready to explode, and all he’d done so far was touch her.

  He moved his mouth to the other breast and gave it the same rapt attention, but her squirming was driving him wild. He lifted his head and caught her mouth with his. Then, he came fully on top of her again, letting her feel his hard need.

  He pushed his tongue deep into the sweet recesses of her mouth, craving the addicting taste of her and wanting more. She gave him back kiss for kiss, throwing his control to the wind. He lowered one hand and settled it against the zipper of her jeans. When she arched up into his hand, he pulled the zipper down.

  Still kissing her, he slowly moved his hand to the top of her panty line. He slipped one finger inside and ran it across the soft skin he found there. She trembled and moaned into his mouth. He lifted his mouth long enough to whisper darkly, “You’re safe with me, baby. Remember that.” And then he was kissing her again.

  Slowly, inch-by-inch, he pushed his hand down into her panties. When he reached the spot he was seeking, he stopped and just rested his palm there. She was gasping for air so he broke their kiss.

  “Okay?” Despite the raging demand of his body, he didn’t want to rush this. It had to be perfect for her. He wanted that as much as he wanted completion right then.

  She nodded, her voice whispery and soft. “Your hand…it feels…good there.”

  Male pride and satisfaction deepened his voice. “It’s going to feel a lot better in another moment, sweetheart.” He moved his fingers in the soft downy hair his palm was resting against. “Damn, there isn’t a place on you that isn’t soft. I want to touch every inch of you.”

  She smiled, melting his heart with her adorable-yet-sexy expression. “I want that too.”

  Hellfire. She was going to kill him! He couldn’t stand taking it slow much longer. He gritted his teeth and tried to calm the raging fire deep inside him. His damn dragon simply stoked it higher.

  Watching her face closely, he ran one finger past her nether lips, slowly moving through the slit and then pushing into the small opening. He stopped, waiting for her reaction. She gasped and arched up. Her movement forced his finger a little deeper. Encouraged, he carefully added another finger. Her liquid heat felt like pure hot silk, caressing and coating his fingers. He had the sudden urge to taste her. His cock surged hard against his zipper, wanting to feel that sweet fire surrounding it too. He clamped down on the fiery need starting to overcome his senses.

  He wanted her to have this moment. Later it would be his turn. He gently wiggled his fingers and then pulled them out. Before she could take her next breath he inserted them again, deeper, a little harder. He repeated the in and out motion, fascinated with the emotions he saw cross her features as she accepted the small invasion. He increased his movement. Over and over. Faster and faster. At the same time, his erection mimicked the erotic action, pushing insistently, eagerly against her center. Her breathing escalated, her skin flushing a lovely rose. She was so damn beautiful, it took his breath away. He could feel the orgasm building inside her, felt it rushing up, and saw it in her eyes as she locked her violet gaze with his.

  Just at the right moment, he pressed his thumb against her clit, tapped it firmly once, twice. The orgasm broke over her like a tidal wave, and she cried out his name.

  It was the sweetest sound he’d ever heard.

  He gathered her into his arms and rolled to his back. She clung to him as she tried to regain control and her breath. He was stunned. He’d never experienced satisfaction like that from simply giving and not taking. It was a first for him, and he realized he liked it. A lot.

  They lay like that for a long time, and Summer finally calmed down. She kept her head nestled on his chest, and he was content to let her stay there for just awhile longer, despite the ferocious fire of lust and burning need building ever steadily in him.

  Abruptly the sound of a cellphone ringing broke their quiet moments. He cursed a blue streak. He eased her up and then sat up to look around. He had thrown his cellphone on the ground before he’d jumped in to pull her from the river. He spotted it a few yards away. “Sorry, sweetheart.” He lunged to his feet and stomped over to answer it.

  “What?” He knew his tone was angry, but he didn’t care. He’d like to strangle whoever the caller was. Talk about bad timing!

  “Slade, we have a problem. The monitors and alarms went off in the east section of the electric fence,” Calen told him. “The security cameras don’t show anything, but we’ve definitely had a break in. I’m on the way there now with several guards.”

  “Keep me posted.” Slade snapped the cellphone closed and frowned. “What
the hell now?”

  Summer came over to stand beside him. He noticed immediately that she had buttoned her blouse and zipped her pants. His libido did a nose drive. Damn it. Could the timing have been any worse?

  “What’s wrong?”

  He shook his head. No need to worry her. “Just security business.”

  She wrapped her arms around her waist. “As long as it’s not another stalker,” she said with a shaky smile.

  Slade was doing a quick scan of the area around them, his gaze flying to every shadow or unusual movement. Something wasn’t right. He could feel it. He turned to Summer. “Let’s get back to the house and get you out of those wet clothes.” He could protect her better there until he found out who their mysterious intruder was.

  “Again?” Summer smiled, her eyes dancing with shy-but-sensual promise. “Are we going to start playing that game again? I thought we were finished.”

  Slade grinned at her, his voice roughly husky, “Think again, baby. I haven’t even begun to finish that game.” He took her arm and started back.

  He abruptly stopped, spitting out a foul curse.

  “Damn it all to Hell! I’m not seeing this.”

  Summer looked in the direction he stared. She gasped.

  Chapter Nineteen

  The big mountain lion stopped a few yards in front of them and glared at Slade with a deadly stare that meant business. Summer knew instantly Slade had only a moment before Leo attacked. Heart in throat, she quickly stepped in front of Slade. Behind her he cursed.

  She couldn’t believe Leo was here. How had he tracked her? It wasn’t possible. “I can’t believe this.” She threw a glare over her shoulder at Slade, who was still spitting out foul words. “Stop it, Slade. You’re only aggravating him more.”

  “Get out of my way.” Slade grabbed her by the waist and shoved her behind him. “I’ve had enough of this cat. I don’t know how he got here, or got past our security, but he’s not staying. I’m changing to dragon and carrying him into the mountains and dumping him somewhere he’ll never find his way home.”

  “You dare touch him and you’ll regret it,” Summer threatened. “And if you change into a dragon in front of me, I swear I’m going to find a way to leave here, and you’ll never find me again.” She wasn’t sure she was ready to see his dragon side.

  They faced off. Slade’s features were dark and stormy. A nerve jumped in his jaw line, and she could tell he was grinding his teeth together. He kept clasping and unclasping his hands into fists. The electrical currents arcing between them were a mixture of rage and desire. A desire completely out of place at the moment, but nonetheless incredibly strong. She had to remind herself to breathe.

  Behind them Leo growled, and Slade swung back to face him. Summer was glad she didn’t hear what Slade muttered under his breath then. She hurried over to Leo. Going down on her knees, she wrapped her arms around his big neck and hugged him. He purred gently, easing her trepidation for a moment.

  Suddenly four men came out of the surrounding forest and circled them. They were each carrying rifles, and had various other lethal weapons strapped to their camouflage clothing. Summer gasped with fear and hung onto Leo to keep him from making any sudden defense moves. Her frightened gaze met Slade’s, and she abruptly let out a sigh of relief. He knows them. They were probably the security team.

  “This is our intruder?” The tallest man walked over to Slade, keeping his eyes on Leo and Summer. “How the hell did he get this far without being seen by our security cameras?”

  “Find out,” Slade commanded. “I want exact details, as in now.”

  The man saluted and then motioned for the other three. “Do you want us to escort you back?”

  “No.” Slade snarled directly at Leo. “I’ll keep an eye on him. He belongs to Summer and will behave as long as she’s safe.”

  After the four men left, Summer slowly walked back to Slade. Leo stayed where she’d left him. She could tell by Slade’s facial expression that he was fighting the battle to hold his temper in check. She reached out and touched his arm. He stiffened.

  “I don’t know how he got here,” she said softly, “but please don’t hurt him. Please, Slade. I love him.”

  “Damn it. I know that.”

  She hated begging, but she didn’t know what else to do to keep Leo safe. “Will you let him stay with me while I’m here?” At least then she wouldn’t feel so alone, so vulnerable. Besides, as soon as Reed realized both she and Leo were missing, he’d have the entire police force out looking for them.

  This presented another problem. Reed–or anyone else–couldn’t know about the Shamara Dragon Clan. Disclosure would mean death for them all. She couldn’t let that happen. She had no other choice. She had to try again to heal Ruliard and his son, and then convince Slade to let her go. It was the only solution to all this.

  Walking away from him was going to be the hardest thing she’d ever done in her life. As soon as she was free, she was going to disappear. Forever.

  Slade remained silent as he guided them back. Leo walked close to Summer, purposely keeping in between them. Summer hid her smile. He was the one constant in her life she could depend on. She also couldn’t help but like the fact that Leo’s presence had Slade simmering. If she didn’t know better, she’d swear he was jealous of the cat.

  On the way back to the house, she thought about what had happened between her and Slade before Leo had showed up. Instantly she felt the blushing heat flow over her face. If she thought his kisses were the most lethal weapon he had, she was wrong. His hands were pure magic. She’d never experienced an orgasm like that one.

  God help her, but she wanted to experience more, with him, from him.

  Aleta met them as they reached the courtyard encompassing the area between the six houses. She took one look at Leo and a grin spread across her face. Summer wondered, not for the first time, why the woman had taken such a liking to the cat.

  The answer shocked her beyond anything else.

  “Why the hell the grin?” Slade demanded at Aleta. “Are you responsible for this mangy cat being here?”

  Aleta shook her head and then broke into a laugh. “You had to have known he would follow her, Slade.”

  “He’s just a cat, Aleta,” Slade snarled out. “What he did was impossible. So, tell me the truth. Did you bring him?”

  Aleta made a tsking sound. “Hmm. I know you’ve been…uh…preoccupied lately with Ruliard’s and Ansel’s illness. With Chen’s arrival.” She grinned again, raising her eyebrows in mischief. “With…um…Summer. But honestly, Slade. I would have never guessed you would be that…unobservant.”

  “Aleta, I swear I’m going to clip your wings. What the hell are you talking about?”

  Aleta walked over and knelt down beside Leo. She petted his head and he purred. Slade growled. She laughed.

  “Male egos,” she muttered with a grin. “Haven’t you wondered why Leo doesn’t want you around Summer? Haven’t you even wondered why he’s so intelligent?”

  “Aleta…” The sound out of Slade’s mouth would have made even the bravest man cringe. She just laughed at him again.

  “Okay, Leo. Stop being stubborn, and let’s have some fun in shocking Slade.”

  Summer’s head was swimming with confusion. What was she talking about? She didn’t have time to figure it out. Leo stepped away from her, and there was a sudden swirl of misty colors circling him. The aura was thick, like an impenetrable fog.

  When the mist cleared the cat was gone.

  In his place stood a man almost as tall as Slade, with long, thick brown-blond hair, golden skin, handsome with aristocratic features, and a muscled build that rivaled most wrestlers’.

  Summer choked. Slade swore hard and rough.

  “Duh, Slade,” Aleta announced with mischief. “Leo is a lion shapeshifter.”

  Summer felt her whole world tilt. This was one shock too many. Is this real? She swayed. Before she could hit the ground both Slade a
nd Leo simultaneously dashed to her side. Slade reached her first. He gathered her up in his arms and turned on the other man with a dangerous snarl, baring his teeth.

  “Back off,” he growled. “Touch her and I’ll kill you.”

  “Slade…” Head clearing, Summer tried to protest, but he wouldn’t let her.

  He swung away from Leo and Aleta and stomped to the house. Instead of carrying her into Ruliard’s home, he carried her to a two story Spanish style sitting next to it. The way he confidently moved through it, she was sure it must be his home. She didn’t get a chance to see much of it because he stopped in the large circular living room and then gently placed her on the long sofa.

  Summer stared up at him as he towered over her. The look in his eyes made her breath catch. She’d never seen that look before. It was a mixture of rage and uncontrollable lust. Her heart raced. Out-of-place, erotic shivers danced over her skin and then deep into the most sensitive part of her center.

  “Did you know?” His tone was guttural, growly.

  Never! In all the years Leo had been with her, she’d never suspected. She’d put his incredible intelligence down to being simply a smarter animal than most.

  “Of course not,” she told him, angry he’d even think it. “What part of my life history did you not understand? Hello! Stupid, scared, woman here who spent her entire life hiding from anything remotely supernatural.” Although why I bothered is a mystery to me now. Hiding sure hasn’t saved me from all this.

  “I’m going to kill him.”

  Slade uttered the words with finality. Her heart stopped. She grabbed his hand and held on. “Slade, stop. This is ridiculous. Why would you want to hurt him?”

  “Why? He’s a damn fraud. He’s been with you all these years and never let you know what he was. And why the hell was he even with you?” He pulled his hand free and swung around. Summer jumped up and then moved in front of him preventing him from taking another step. She put both hands against his chest and braced her feet apart.