Standing up, he lifted her in his arms, cradling her to his chest. He ran the tip of his tongue across her lips before claiming her mouth and carrying her to the bed. With tender care, he laid her down on the soft comforter then stretched out beside her. Gazing into her eyes, he hoped everything he was feeling was shining through. He didn't want to leave any doubt in her mind as to how much he cared for her. He traced a path over the curve of her cheek with his fingertip and down the column of her neck, settling in her cleavage.
He molded his palm around the curve of one breast while he planted a kiss between them. Her nipple hardened at the slight touch of his hand, making him harder than he ever thought possible. He thought he'd burst through his pants if he didn't do something quick, but he wanted to take his time. Needed to burn this moment into his memory forever. Reaching around her, he unhooked her bra and slipped it down her arms then tossed it on top of the clothes already on the floor.
Lowering his head, he encircled one nipple with his tongue while he lightly plucked the other between his thumb and finger. Her skin tasted like heaven; silky, warm, sweet. He wanted to drink her in, meld her with him. He flicked his tongue down to her navel, dipping it inside as he tugged her panties down. She raised her legs to help him remove them, then took them from him and threw them aside. She looked at him with trust ... longing ... her heart in her eyes.
His heart swelled with emotion. She was growing to care about him, even if she didn't completely realize it yet. Climbing over her, he stood and removed his own clothes. She gazed down at his rock-hard cock, her eyes widening. He hissed as she reached over and ran her hand down the length of him. If she kept it up, he'd lose it completely, but he didn't want her to stop either. He wanted her to be able to enjoy their lovemaking as much as he did.
He pulled away from her touch. When she looked at him with a silent question in her eyes, he knelt down beside her on the bed. Gently, he spread her thighs and lowered his head. Her whole body shuddered when his tongue flicked across her clit for the first time. Her reaction only made him want her more. Her unbridled passion turned him on like nothing ever had. He delved his tongue inside her, dragging a moan from deep in her throat. She was hot, wet, and ready for him. Licking every ounce of moisture she had to offer, he ran his tongue the length of her opening. She arched her back and begged for more. He exchanged his tongue for his fingers and dipped first one, then two inside her, hooking his fingers upward to hit just the right spot. Christina cried out as her climax rocked through her, her inner muscles squeezing his fingers.
He rose up on his elbows, watching her face as he crawled his way up her body. Her eyes were glazed, her lush lips slightly parted, as he placed himself between her thighs. Just before he entered her, she reached to the bedside table and handed him a foil packet. Thankfully she didn't wait for him to use it since he didn't know what to do with it. She opened it with her teeth and slid it over his penis.
She settled herself back down and reached between them to guide him to her entrance. He took his time as he slid into her tight, wet warmth. The aftershocks of her previous orgasm continued to clench around him, almost sending him over the edge. Gritting his teeth, he held himself in check as he began to move within her. She wrapped her legs around his waist and gave him better access to all she had to offer. She guided his hands down to clutch her ass, then she wrapped her arms around his back.
"Don't stop.” She moaned every time he slid in, begging him to go faster. Harder.
He couldn't hold back anymore. He plunged into her again and again. She cried out his name. Her nails dug into his back. She clenched tightly to his body as he groaned his own release. Her muscles milked him, pulling every drop of strength from him. She held him to her chest, running her fingers through his hair as he came down from the soaring ecstasy. When she grazed her lips across the top of his head, he didn't think he could ever love her more.
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Chapter Ten
Hunter hadn't meant to fall asleep with Christina, but he'd curled his body around hers after making love and dozed off.
Pain seared his flesh as the shaman's power clutched him within its evil grasp—the nightmare as real as if he were reliving that night two hundred years ago. His body lifted high off the ground, his back arched and arms outstretched. Black Wolf's menacing glare pierced his soul. Falcon Hunter struggled against the hold to no avail. Immobilized, his body began to change.
An invisible force pulled his arms back as feathers prickled out from his bronze flesh.
"No!” His thunderous scream became the piercing caw of a bird of prey.
Black Wolf laughed with the glee of a madman. “You killed my beloved brother, taking away our chance to rule the tribe together. So I'll take away what you hold most dear. Never again will you be able to wrap your arms around your precious wife. You both will pay dearly for your crimes against me. And I will have what should rightly belong to me. A child from your wife's womb."
Hunter's squawk-like cry rent the night air, echoing off the trees. Flames from the campfire soared high, sizzling away anything floating within reach.
"For eternity, you'll roam the earth seeking the one you love; your soul mate. The reincarnation of your wife. Should you find her, you'll not be able to touch her ... except when she's hurt or in danger.” He paced back and forth in front of Hunter. Pausing, Black Wolf looked him straight in the eyes. “Only then can you take human form and save her from that which threatens her. You'll be compelled to protect her. You won't be able to stop yourself. But once safe, to flight you will return.” Black Wolf moved around the fire to face him.
Falcon tried to claw his way free, but to no avail. The shaman's power was too great.
Black Wolf's laugh was cruel and cold. “You'll have to watch from afar as she loves another, bears him children, and eventually you'll watch her die. You'll know every time she's reborn; it will burn deep in your heart. No matter how hard you try, you'll always seek her out and suffer the pain of separation."
Black Wolf's wicked grin grew wider, his eyes wilder. “Only when her spirit is reborn in one of our native people, and only with her love restored to you, will you be free of your curse."
Hunter jerked awake, sitting upright.
"Are you okay?” Christina turned to him, worry darkening her eyes. “You cried out in your sleep."
He smiled and hoped he dispelled her worries. She had enough to fear from Kyle without adding his nightmares. If she only knew how much of a threat Kyle was. He had to tell her who he really was ... who she was. She had to believe in and understand their connection. He only hoped that, once all was revealed to her, she would return his love once again. He didn't want to live out eternity without her. If she didn't fall in love with him again and confess it, then he'd be doomed to continue on without her. She would never be reincarnated again. She was in her seventh and final life; there was no other opportunity for him. But how did he even begin to tell her? It was damn near impossible.
Christina watched the man beside her. He'd thrashed so much in his sleep that she'd awakened. She didn't know how to tell him she'd known what he'd been dreaming. When she'd touched his forehead to try and calm him down, she'd somehow gotten pulled into his own personal hell. She'd witnessed firsthand the curse that had been placed on him ... the pain he'd gone through. She knew it had only been a dream, but something about it niggled at her brain, almost as though it were familiar to her ... a memory. But that was completely impossible. The way they'd been dressed was more like that of their ancestors. But she couldn't shove aside the fact that the falcon he'd turned into in his dream had looked exactly like the bird following her around now.
She couldn't tell him what she'd seen, though, because then he'd think she was either nuts or he'd believe she was some kind of witch. Either way, it couldn't be good. The last thing she wanted was for him to pull away from her.
Putting a hand on his shoulder, she asked, “Do you want to talk about it?"<
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He slowly shook his head. “I'll be okay. It was just a nightmare."
The look in his eyes told her there was more to it, but she didn't want to press him. If he wanted her to know, he'd tell her.
"If you ever want to talk about it, I'm here. Lord knows you've listened to me enough the past couple days.” She moved to the edge of the bed, taking the sheet with her. “The least I could do is return the favor."
He laughed and nodded his head. “I'll keep that in mind."
"I'm going to get something to drink. Do you want something?” She paused at the door.
He nodded. “Water."
She nodded and headed to the kitchen. She couldn't get Falcon Hunter's dream out of her mind. What if it hadn't simply been a nightmare? Could it really be a memory? Maybe a past life? She didn't really believe in past lives, but she knew the majority of Native Americans did. If it were a memory, it was a hell of one. That would be an awful experience to go through. How could anyone place a curse like that on someone else? She couldn't conceive of the idea. And if it were a memory, had he really killed another man?
Running some water into a glass, she drank until she was no longer thirsty then refilled the glass for him. She looked out the window and expected to see her ever-present bird, but he was nowhere to be seen. It wasn't like him to be missing this long. Had Kyle made good on his threats and harmed him? A sense of loss infused her heart. She couldn't stand the thought of going on without her falcon friend. He'd been her constant companion for many years. She didn't want to lose him. She knew it seemed silly, but for a long time, he'd been the only friend she'd had.
Sniffling, she tried to regain her composure before returning to bed. The last thing she wanted was for Falcon Hunter to see her upset again.
"Christina?"
She jumped and turned to find the gorgeous man from her bed standing at the foot of the stairs in all his naked glory. He definitely wasn't ashamed of his body, not that he had any reason to be. The man was a bronze god. She swallowed the lump in her throat as her gaze traveled up and down the sexiest man alive. His body was chiseled to perfection, almost as if it were carved in stone. Definitely not a body attained in a gym. This was the type of body someone got from good old-fashioned hard labor. And it was all hers to enjoy.
He must've been having thoughts along a similar line, because his erection grew before her eyes. Moisture pooled between her thighs. He stepped toward her and took the glass from her hands. Setting it down in the sink, he picked her up and set her on the edge of the counter. The devilish gleam in his eyes promised her a climax she'd never forget. He untangled the sheet from around her and let it puddle around her waist.
She ran her fingers through his hair and over his broad shoulders, memorizing the scar on his right one. Whatever had caused it must've been painful. He soon made her forget about it when his warm, wet mouth enclosed over her left nipple. She moaned as sensation after sensation vibrated from her breast straight to her vagina. God, she wanted to feel him inside her now.
"Falcon Hunter—” Her words came out in between gasps of pleasure. “I can't wait. Now ... I want you in me now."
He took her at her word and scooted her forward, sliding deep within her. She cried out as she almost came on the spot. Slowly, he slid almost all the way out then pushed his way in even deeper, taking everything she had to offer.
"Christina, you feel so good.” He moaned his own pleasure.
The way her name rolled off his tongue only added to the pleasure teasing her nerve endings. The pressure kept building within her as he pumped into her. Putting one hand behind her ass, he slid his other hand between them and stroked her clit. Shudders of pure desire shook her legs. She wrapped her legs around his waist to bring him even closer to her. She tugged his head toward her mouth, delving past his lips with her tongue. So close. Right there. Now!
Sweet ecstasy reverberated through her body as her orgasm took her over the edge. She screamed into his mouth. His climax followed right behind hers. Throwing his head back, she'd never seen anything more beautiful than the look of pure heaven etched in his strong features.
They leaned their foreheads together, gasping for air. When reality set in, Christina realized they hadn't used protection.
"Oh, hell."
Falcon Hunter's glazed eyes suddenly looked serious. “Not exactly the reaction I was hoping for."
She smiled through her worry. “Oh, no, baby. You were wonderful. There's just one problem."
"What problem?” He slid out of her and set her on her feet, wrapping the sheet back around her. “I don't see a problem."
"We forgot to use a condom."
* * * *
Anger raged in Kyle as he witnessed Christina having sex with that damned Falcon Hunter. There was no way in hell he could allow that to happen again. She couldn't get pregnant with his child. Her future child belonged to him and only him. Falcon Hunter couldn't produce the future leader of their people. No leader as strong as her heir would be should belong to that man.
He had to figure out a way to keep those two apart. Even if it meant killing her lover. How the hell had he remained in human form so long? The threat he'd made earlier to him when he'd been in bird form came flooding back. “Shit.” He hadn't counted on that being enough to transform him since he hadn't actually harmed Christina ... yet. He'd have to be more careful next time.
Skulking back to his car, he knew what he had to do. He had to show Christina how a real man did it, and he had to do it soon or it would be too late. He only hoped it wasn't already. For her sake, it better not be.
* * * *
For a minute, Hunter didn't have any idea what Christina was going on about. Then he remembered the thing she'd placed over his manhood before he'd entered her the first time. She was worried about getting pregnant. Nothing would make him happier than having their lovemaking produce a child. It would be a wondrous thing to happen. How could it not be when he loved her so much? He suspected her feelings were growing deeper for him, too, even if she wasn't willing to admit it yet.
"Do you think you could've gotten pregnant?"
She gazed down as if thinking back. “Anything is possible. I had my period last week so it's not likely, but..."
Reaching down, he wrapped his hand around hers. “Christina, if you are, then it'll be okay. We'll be okay. I promise."
Her eyes welled with tears. “Are you sure?"
"Do you not want children?” He hoped with all his heart that she did, because he wanted a family. A family with her.
She swiped at her eyes with her free hand. “I've always wanted children.” Tugging her hand away, she moved toward the stairs. “Look, we may not even have anything to worry about. The possibility of me being pregnant is very slim.” She took a deep breath. “We'll worry about it if or when that time comes."
He wanted nothing more than to comfort her, let her know that no matter what, he wasn't going anywhere. But he feared if he pushed her too hard, she'd pull away from him. That was the last thing he wanted or needed. He'd just reconnected with her again, and nothing was going to spoil that. Least of all him.
Nodding his head, he said, “Fair enough.” He smiled at her. “How about we get cleaned up, get dressed, and grab a bite to eat."
Her shoulders drooped as though she was relieved at the change of subject. “Sounds good to me."
* * * *
While in the shower, she'd thought she heard the phone ring. After getting dried off and redressed, they both went downstairs. The red light on the answering machine flashed. Christina pushed the button to get her message in case it was the reservation or her grandmother.
"Christina ... I know you're there. Tell your lover he better watch his back. I'll be coming for him and then for you.” The machine clicked, signaling the end of the message. But the fear it instilled in her made her collapse to the floor in a trembling heap. She was afraid the hell was just beginning.
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Chapter Eleven
Falcon Hunter wanted to get his hands on Kyle now, but Christina needed him more than he needed to hurt Kyle. Bending down, he cradled her to his chest and sat down with her on the couch. He held her on his lap and stroked her hair.
"Christina, you have to know I won't let him hurt you."
She looked up and met his gaze. “But he threatened you. I don't want you to get hurt."
It warmed his heart that she was more concerned about him than herself. “Don't worry about me, sweetie. He's not going to hurt me either.” Although, since it had never been tested, he didn't know how far the curse would hold. Could he be killed? He didn't want to find out. He had too much to live for.
"I wish I could believe that.” A single tear fell from her eye as she shuddered against him.
He hated seeing this fear in her. He'd never wanted her to experience this type of horror again. Not after that night two hundred years ago when she was almost raped in her first lifetime. It was wild how that one event was what had gotten them to this place to begin with. If he hadn't killed Black Wolf's brother, maybe they never would've suffered this curse.
He lifted her chin and made her look him in the eye. “Know this, baby. No matter what that ass threatens, I will be fine, and so will you. He can try all he wants to make you his, but unless you want to go to him, you don't belong to him."
A knock at the door made her gasp. “What if that's him?"
"I'll get it.” He moved her off his lap to sit on the couch, patting her to let her know it would be okay.
"But—"
He peered through the small window at the top of the door. “It's a small Indian child.” Opening the door, he said, “Can I help you?"
Christina's brow furrowed, a puzzled look crossing her face. “There must be something wrong. The children never come to the house.” Jumping up, her face all but clear of her earlier fear, she looked out the door. “Snow Bird? What's wrong, sweetheart?"
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