by V. A. Dold
They only made it as far as the sidewalk before he pulled her around and dug his fingers into her hair. He kissed her hard, devouring her mouth. She gasped, and he slipped inside. She tasted like the sweet, chocolaty bread pudding she’d tortured him with.
Someone wolf-whistled, but that didn’t stop him from kissing her to within an inch of their lives.
He fisted her hair and pulled gently to angle her head just so, as he savored her taste. His body responded with fierce demand. He needed to get her home before he lost his tenuous hold on his wolf and took her right there on Bourbon Street.
He broke the kiss and took her hand. “Let’s go home.”
He heard her gasping as she walked faster than normal to keep up with him. “What just happened?”
He stopped dead, almost causing her to trip with the suddenness. “The way you enjoy chocolate is… enticing. I couldn’t take it a second longer. I had to kiss you.”
“Really? I wanted to kiss you too.”
Her words reverberated through him like the ringing of Saint Louis Cathedral’s bells on a Sunday morning. “You did?”
She nodded and bit her lower lip, her eyes bright with interest.
Marcus pulled her into his arms and kissed her again. Then he took her hand and all but ran with her the four blocks to the condo. Up the flight of stairs, he stopped only long enough to unlock the door and pull her inside.
She backed away as he stalked her until a wall stopped her retreat. Pressing his hands to the wall, he molded his body to hers until he felt her soft curves against his chest.
“What are you doing?” Her voice was breathless and sultry. A whisper that promised a night of pleasure.
Marcus shrugged casually when he was feeling anything but. “Courting you, of course.”
She felt a streak of heat down her spine as his hand left the wall and slid slowly down to the small of her back. She was acutely aware of his body, his scent, and her desire for… everything Marcus. She shivered with need when his other hand moved to massage the nape of her neck.
“This seems a bit more intense than courting. You’re trying to seduce me. I’m a take things slow kind of woman.” She lowered her gaze and frowned when her words came out as more of a statement than the accusation she’d intended. That was when she realized, Marcus wasn’t only a dating prospect, he’d penetrated the walls around her heart. Walls she’d painstakingly constructed since losing her parents. She had questions, lots of them. He was a freaking wolf shifter, after all. But they all took a backseat when he looked at her with desire in his eyes.
“I can’t lie. When you’re ready, I have every intention of seducing you.” His breath warmed her lips with every word. “But you’re not ready. When you are, you’ll come to me. I’m a patient man, but don’t wait too long. Even my patience has its limits.”
That brought her face and gaze back up to search his face for the truth she’d heard in his words. Was his desire for her as great as hers for him? What she found made her heart kick in her chest. His face was a study of intense need, and his eyes glowed with an inner fire.
“Your eyes—”
Her words were cut short by his mouth taking hers. His tongue swept in, demanding she reciprocate. She couldn’t think, couldn’t recall why taking things slow was a good idea. The kiss went on and on, wiping away her hesitancy and replacing it with sheer need.
Cassidy was his lost mate. His to love, to care for. To protect from Jones and everyone like him who would use her. He just had to convince her of that.
Marcus couldn’t stop himself. He had to keep kissing her. Like a mad man, he claimed her mouth with his. He kissed her roughly, urgently. Then leashing the need and desire pushing him to claim her, he forced himself to slow his assault and gentled the kiss. He reveled in her taste and sweetness.
When she didn’t pull away, his wolf rubbed against his mind to get closer to its mate. Her mouth was every paradise he’d imagined a mate would be. He poured everything he was into her, praying she’d accept him and his wolf. He’d been alone so long, and now that he’d found her, he couldn’t return to the lonely existence of keeping everyone around him safe while taking nothing for himself.
The sudden disturbance of Cade’s ringtone abruptly ended the moment. Frustrated with his eldest sibling, he lifted his head to answer the call. He couldn’t ignore his brother, because Cade wouldn’t bother him unless he had something important to say. But, damn it, her face was flushed, and her eyes were heavy-lidded with arousal and he was supposed to put on the breaks?
Frustrated as hell, he stepped away and growled into the phone, “There had better be someone dying.”
Cade chuckled. The bastard chuckled. “Am I interrupting something?”
Marcus growled low and mean. He had to calm himself before he frightened Cassidy. Taking a breath, he gave her a smile. “If you’ll excuse me, I’ll only be a few minutes.”
Then he turned on his heel and headed for the privacy of a bedroom. “What do you want?”
“Etienne and his men want in on the rescue. He was rather put out when I told him what Jones had done to your mate. He got really pissed when I told him about the contract on your life. He needs an answer tonight.”
Marcus stepped to a window overlooking the courtyard, not really focusing on the view. Movement drew his eye, and he spotted Cassidy examining the three-tiered fountain. She must have gone exploring when he’d left her alone. “We can use all the help we can get. Besides, they’ll come in handy cleaning up the mess when we’re done.”
“I’ll let him know—”
Then something drew her attention, and she leaned over the fountain. When she reached into the water, the neckline of her V-neck T-shirt yawned open and exposed the creamy curve of her breasts. Even though Cade was still talking, he abruptly ended the call and headed for the balcony overlooking the courtyard. As he reached for the knob, the french doors opened from the outside.
“Oh! You’re done with your call?”
“Yes. Some friends of mine want to help with the rescue. Cade wanted to okay that with me.” He took her hand and pulled her inside, then closed and locked the door. For good measure, he pulled the curtains shut.
“Come here, Cassidy.” His voice dipped low with desire.
She went willingly into his arms and raised her face to look up at him. “What?”
“This.” His lips came down on hers for the second time in less than an hour.
Marcus allowed his wolf to surface until the beast lay just under his skin. The rumble of contentment rose in his throat, and he felt her shiver in response. When he eased her head to the side and ran his tongue along her pulse, she moaned.
The sound and scent of her arousal fed the hunger of his beast. He kissed his way across her jaw and let her catch her breath but only for a moment. The need to taste her lips again was too strong. He reclaimed her mouth, but where the initial kiss was wild, this was gentle and coaxing. His wolf howled in triumph at her enthusiastic participation in their tangle of tongues.
Testing his theory that she was ready to allow a more intimate touch, he broke the kiss and nibbled her exposed neck. When she didn’t protest, he slid a palm up her ribcage to cup her breast. Cassidy overflowed his hand. Delicious. Perfection.
Cassidy’s common sense warred with her aroused body. She needed to concentrate on rescuing Colin, but Marcus’s draw was so strong. Her mind screamed that she should stop kissing him because he distracted her from her goal. But her body craved his hands all over her. She wanted to make love to him so badly she burned with it. And that brought her up short. She’d gone as far as third base with a couple of men to find she couldn’t take that final step. What would he think of her when he learned she was a virgin?
When his hand cupped her breast, her nipple tightened, aching for more. A small gasp escaped. She wanted this wolfman beyond reason. This didn’t make sense to her. Why was she so desperate for a man she barely knew? She had to stop this before it got o
ut of hand.
Pulling back from his touch, she stepped back. She had to put space between them, or she’d be kissing him again. “I should go to bed. I need to be sharp for the planning session tomorrow.”
His burning gaze moved over her face. “I’ll make sure you get enough sleep.” He reached out and grasped her hand. “Come to bed with me, mon amour.”
She nearly succumbed to the temptation. “That isn’t a good idea. If I get into a bed with you, the last thing we will do is sleep.”
Marcus grinned. “That’s the idea. Though I can control myself, I’ll only make love to you once. Then you can sleep in my arms.”
Her eyebrow shot up, and she tugged her hand away from him. “Seriously? I’m not stupid.”
He shifted subtly. Based on the tight bulge of his pants, he was no doubt easing the pressure. Then the glow of his eyes dimmed. “I’m not a man to force a woman. When you’re ready, I’ll be waiting. The bedrooms are upstairs. I’ll be in the one next to yours.” With that, he turned on his heel and left her to think about the choice she’d made.
Cassidy blindly paced her room. Back and forth, back and forth. Her body hummed with desire for the man on the other side of the wall, and she didn’t know what to do about that. Should she walk the few feet and knock? Guilt flared in her heart. What about Colin? What did it say about her if she got her groove on while he suffered in a cell?
She shook her head and returned to pacing. Uninvited images of what Marcus looked like under that immaculate suit he always wore filled her mind. Thinking about him naked gave her all kinds of ideas. Ideas like running her hands over him, kissing and licking the salt from his skin. The thoughts made her hotter and achier.
She wanted to kiss him again. She wanted to learn his body with her hands and mouth. Her mouth watered at the thought of what that bulge in his pants had hidden. Licking her lips, she hung her head in defeat. Who was she kidding? She was going to walk those few steps and climb into his bed. Damn it.
Cassidy had no idea how to be the aggressor in a relationship, but sexy lingerie was as good a start as any. Although there was little to no chance he’d turn her away. He’d asked her to go to bed with him after all. Before she could chicken out, she dug through her clothing bag for the one nightie she’d packed. When she’d added it to her bag, she’d wondered why she’d need such a frivolous thing while on a job. She smoothed her hand over the slinky material. Now she was thankful she had.
She had retired from her old life and was starting a new one. Acting on her attraction to Marcus was as good a place as any to begin. Possibly the best place. At least she hoped so.
The sexy night slip was an impulse buy about a year ago when she was purchasing her trusty plain cotton underwear. To be honest, it was a little rebellion against the hold Jones had on her life. He was the one who mandated that the women of his squad wear nothing womanly or arousing. Well, screw Jones. Marcus told her she was womanly and sexually exciting with every glance her way.
Decision made, she stripped off her clothing and pulled the nightie on. Smoothing the satin of any wrinkles, she smiled. Just putting on the gown made her feel sexy. More, it gave her the courage she needed.
Next, she went to the bathroom across the hall and brushed her hair until it shone. Finally, taking a deep breath, she knocked on Marcus’s door.
“Come in.”
Cassidy opened the door and stopped just inside his room. His eyes widened and then went heavy-lidded as he took her in from head to toe. She fought to find her courage and stand firm under his blatantly sexual perusal. Then he smiled.
When he raised his eyes to hers, they were two bright orbs, burning with such desire, her breath caught in her throat.
“Your eyes—” was all she could manage. Swallowing hard, her courage wavered. She stiffened her spine, determined to stay put.
“A shifter’s eyes glow when they’re… aroused.”
The pleasure in his eyes at seeing her in next to nothing was lethal in its impact. Her inability to stay away had proven that she was vulnerable to his appeal, but with just one look, she realized she would always want him. For the rest of her life, she’d compare every man to Marcus, and he’d win every time.
For a moment, she was overwhelmed by their intense chemistry. Then he pulled the bedding back. Her eyes widened a little more with each new inch of glorious naked male flesh revealed. A thousand wings fluttered excitedly in the pit of her stomach. She licked her lips to ease their sudden dryness, never taking her eyes off the sheet moving back, exposing bare skin.
When his erection came into view, her heart nearly stopped. Her lungs froze up, making it impossible to breathe. Stop panicking. I can do this. At least she hoped she could. She blinked several times, trying to come out from under the bout of anxiety brought on by sexual inexperience.
Marcus was stunned into silence. Utterly mute. Gazing at her, he knew he was the luckiest man on the planet. He took a moment to look his fill, knowing she was his other half and would be his in time.
Need slammed his body hard, a rush of heat he barely held in check. Every muscle was taut and straining. He and his wolf craved her, mind, body, and soul, with every fiber of their being.
He reveled in her scent. Letting it wash over him. He had to go slow and easy, or he would scare her away again.
Then she nervously licked her lips, unconscious of the sexual effect of her innocent behavior. He groaned. Her breasts rose and fell with each nervous breath, drawing his gaze to her peaked nipples. His woman wanted him. Still devouring her with his eyes, he pulled the bedding back and patted the mattress. “Come here.”
Marcus saw her eyes round in shock and uncertainty at the sight of his naked body. Shit, he hadn’t thought about his lack of clothing, he’d just reacted. Now he feared she’d cut and run again.
“Don’t.” One word. But a command that said it all. Don’t be afraid. Don’t run. Don’t reject me again. Don’t deny us.
When she took a step toward him, he exhaled in relief. He extended his hand to entice her closer. When she didn’t move, he shook his head so that hair fell over his left eye, wiggled his fingers, and grinned. Silliness did the trick. She smiled and slid into the bed.
Stretching out beside her, he gathered her close, molding her curves to him. Keeping his hands to himself, he leaned in and gave her a gentle kiss. She was as skittish as a hunted deer, and he wasn’t going to scare her away a second time. No, his mate would set the pace, and he’d follow her lead.
When he pulled back and didn’t make a move to take things further, she gave him an odd look. Disappointment? He was about to ask when she wrapped her arm around his neck and pulled his head closer again. He took the hint. He wasn’t stupid.
She pressed her lips to his, tentative at first. Then her body molded to him, and the kiss deepened. He took that as permission to take things further. Stroking her tongue with his own, he swallowed the moan that escaped her lips.
Marcus buried his fingers deep in her mass of blonde hair, taking a fistful, he angled her head for better access. He gently explored the depths of her mouth, invited her to play. His tongue danced with hers when what he wanted to do was plunge deep.
Rumbles vibrated in his chest. Her eager response pleased his wolf. He pressed his other hand against the small of her back, drawing her flush against his body. Nothing felt as good as holding his mate in his arms.
He reveled in the growing connection with Cassidy. She had come to him. Given herself freely, and he’d be damned if he’d ever break her trust in him. She was his mate. His to protect and love. He just hadn’t told her everything he needed to, but he would. Later.
He trailed kisses down her jawline and ran his hands up and down the satiny smoothness of her arms. Her head fell back as he sucked and gently nipped her neck before swirling slow circles over the spot where he’d leave his mark. His wolf’s eyes went languid when her entire body shivered.
Figuring he’d pushed her as far as she’d go, h
e pulled back and braced himself on one elbow. He grinned because he couldn’t help himself. He was just so pleased to have her in his bed. Gazing down at her flushed face and heavy-lidded eyes, he slowly brushed a finger along the neckline of her nightgown. Damn, she was gorgeous.
Thirteen
A little frown line appeared between Cassidy’s eyes. “Marcus?”
“Hmm?”
“What are you doing?”
“Looking at you.”
The frown line deepened. “Why?”
He cupped her face and gazed into her expressive eyes. His heart bloomed even more with the emotions he felt for the woman in his arms. “Because I can.”
She continued to frown and dropped her gaze. Apparently, his answer didn’t satisfy her. Then her hands skimmed down his back, and she used her nails all the way back to his nape. He shivered. “Harder.”
Her gaze jumped to his. “Are you sure?”
“Hell, yeah.”
A pause. Then her nails dug deeper. “Like that?”
“Mmm.” He closed his eyes and rumbled. When she swept her nails back to his nape again, he wrapped an arm around her and pressed her heat tightly against him. But he didn’t push for more, even though the scent of her was arousing as hell.
The touch of her fingers on his face pulled him from his thoughts. He kissed her tempting lips, stroking his tongue over her full lower lip, tasting that hint of citrus that was Cassidy alone. She sighed in reaction.
Marcus shielded his thoughts from her. If she knew how desperate he was to make love to her, she’d jump from his bed and run. Mastering the impulse to take her, he kept his touch gentle and mostly nonsexual, even though his wolf wanted to ravish her.
Just as he got his halo firmly in place, Cassidy wriggled against him, cradling his erection deeper into her damp heat. Groaning, he thrust his tongue into her mouth. He tried to control the thrust of his hips, but that quickly became a lost battle when she rubbed her body against his.
Growling, he tore his lips away. “Damn it, Cassidy. I’m not a saint. I’m desperately trying to respect your boundaries and be a gentleman. Help me out, baby. Please.”