Tempted By Fate

by Cynthia Eden

  He was pretty sure he was drooling. He’d always loved tasting her…right there. He remembered the way she’d liked it when he licked her clit. He’d loved it when her nails sank into his shoulders and her hips arched against him. Then when she’d moaned his name as she came for him, his control had always shattered.

  “Leo?”

  His gaze jerked up to her face.

  Uncertainty darkened her gaze. “Don’t you…still want me?”

  Still? He walked toward her, far too aware that his steps were like those of a stalking predator who was closing in on his prey. He felt big and rough, while she was small and delicate. He wanted to grab her and hold on tight. But…

  He was afraid his touch would break her.

  No, I’ll break her. I’m lying to her. I need to step away.

  But her hand rose and pressed to his chest. At her touch, his heartbeat changed its rhythm, going even faster and harder, as it beat for her. “I will always want you.”

  She smiled at him. “Then I want you to fuck me. Tonight. I want to feel…the way only you have ever made me feel.”

  Maybe he wouldn’t break her. But Leo was pretty sure the woman was going to break him. Fuck me. Once, she’d asked him to make love to her.

  But she wasn’t asking for love any longer. Just sex. Just pleasure.

  She should have asked him for the whole world. He would have put it at her feet. He would deny Mora nothing.

  “Leo?”

  “You didn’t want me close to you before.” She’d spent years running but…

  “Time is a fickle thing,” she whispered back, licking her lips. “Sometimes, you think forever is waiting. Plenty of days for the world to change, but that isn’t how things work.” She rose onto her toes. “I’m not looking for any kind of forever. I’m looking for tonight. With you.”

  He bent his head. His lips pressed to hers, and Leo knew there would be no going back. Not that he wanted to go back. He just wanted to be with her. Did she have any clue how much she obsessed him? Day and night? Every single moment?

  Her lips parted beneath his. His tongue swept into her mouth even as his hands flew to curl around her hips. Her bare hips. That pert ass. How he’d missed it.

  His dick shoved against the front of his jeans. He wanted his clothes gone, and so, with barely a thought, they were. He and Mora were both naked, flesh against flesh. And he wanted this moment to last, wanted to savor her, but desire burned in his blood, and Leo knew his control wouldn’t last long. At least, not the first time.

  Maybe he’d do better on the second attempt.

  He was planning for a busy night.

  I’m going to stay with her. Won’t leave her again. The hellhounds will have to go through me before they can hurt her.

  He lifted Mora in his arms, and her legs wrapped around his hips, a move that put her sex right against his cock. She was wet for him. Already. Sweet cream.

  He was pretty sure he was losing his mind.

  Leo carried Mora into her bedroom. He put her on the bed and when she reached for him, he pushed her hands back. “Need…taste…” Absolutely guttural.

  She gave him a fast, welcoming smile. “Please, go right ahead.” Then she eased back onto the covers. She parted her legs for him.

  He fell on her like a fucking starving man. His hands curled around her thighs, opening her even more as he positioned his body between her legs. Then his mouth was on her sex, licking and sucking and kissing, and her hands locked around his shoulders.

  Mora’s taste. Missed her taste.

  Her nails bit into his shoulders.

  Mora’s passion. Missed her passion.

  The thunder of his heartbeat filled his ears. His cock was heavy and swollen, and he wanted to sink balls deep into her. But…

  Mora moaned. A sexy-as-sin sound and then, “Leo!”

  She came against his mouth. Her body went bow tight as she lifted her hips up, pressing them hard against his mouth. He kept right on licking her. He loved the taste of her pleasure. Nothing was better.

  He let her ride out her release. His head rose as he licked his lips, still tasting her. Mora’s breath came fast and hard, and her nipples were tight peaks. He reached for her right nipple. Stroked it and plucked it.

  She gave another moan.

  His cock pushed at the entrance to her body.

  Not a dream. She’s real. She’s mine.

  “Look at me,” he ordered.

  Her long lashes lifted. Her stare—so much gold there now—met his.

  “You’re mine,” he told her. He needed her to understand. This wasn’t just fucking.

  Her lips parted.

  He sank into her. Drove in on a long thrust and his control was gone. Leo caught her wrists and pinned them on either side of her head. He withdrew, then thrust into her, again and again. Her legs rose and circled his hips as she arched to meet him. Her passion had always been a perfect match for him.

  Just as she was his perfect match.

  Her body was tight and hot and so wet. His sanity was gone. Nothing could have stopped him right then. He had Mora. He had everything.

  She came again. Her head tipped back against the pillows as she moaned his name. He took her left nipple, lashing it with his tongue, and then he erupted into her. Pumping and pumping, the release didn’t seem to stop. Her sex squeezed him, contracting with her release, and Leo was pretty sure that his mind fucking exploded.

  The thunder of his heartbeat, the smell of her skin…that was all he knew.

  Leo held her tight and understood she was his fate.

  ***

  Mora couldn’t get her heart to slow down. It raced in her chest and her whole body seemed to shake with aftershocks of pleasure. She’d had plenty of lovers in her time. She enjoyed sex but…

  When she was with Leo, it was different. So much more intense. Consuming her—body and soul.

  He pressed a kiss to her temple as he pulled her close against him. His body was warm and strong, and she wanted to just stay there, wrapped in his arms, pretending that they were a normal couple.

  Humans had a perfect life. Did they realize it? They could fall in love, get married, and have a family. They could be happy, never knowing about all of the monsters and the evil that lurked in the darkness.

  She didn’t have that luxury. She knew too well what waited.

  But she wanted to pretend, for just a little while. What was the harm in pretending?

  The monsters would be at her door soon enough. But for this moment…

  Her eyes drifted closed.

  I’ll pretend.

  She’d pretend that Leo loved her. That they had a future waiting.

  It was such a pretty fantasy.

  And as she drifted to sleep, Mora was sure the scent of ash followed her.

  Chapter Twelve

  “You’re needed.”

  Mora’s eyes flew open and she gave a gasp—a gasp of absolute shock and fury because a strange man was at the foot of her bed. He was tall and golden—golden tan skin, blond hair, and even golden eyes.

  His golden eyes were also dipping over her naked body.

  Shit. What is happening here?

  A low growl sounded beside her even as the bedcovers were suddenly flying up to cover Mora’s body. “Get your fucking eyes off her!” Leo snarled.

  Leo—still with her. Well, he had been in bed with her. But he was currently lunging up and going for the blond in a serious attack move. Only…the blond flew away.

  Literally flew.

  Because he has wings. Not the scaled dragon wings that Leo possessed. But soft wings. White wings. Angel wings?

  Her heart thudded hard in her chest. She’d never come face-to-face with an angel before. But she was pretty sure she was staring at one right then.

  The guy lowered his head to Leo. “Sorry, but I had to see you. There’s trouble, and you’re needed. Humans are under attack by a paranormal force just north of Vegas. Your brother is up to his old trick
s again.”

  Leo’s back was tense and his shoulders were stiff. “I’m dealing with an emergency right here, Ramiel. You’ll have to take care of those humans yourself.”

  Ramiel? The name was oddly familiar, but Mora couldn’t quite place it. She was sure she hadn’t met his guy before.

  He looked up and she saw the angry flash of his gaze. “Obviously, she’s an emergency.” Bitterness laced his voice. “Your priorities haven’t been where they should be in a very long time.”

  And just like that, the guy had pushed Leo over the edge. Mora saw it happen—wings burst from Leo’s back and he grabbed the angel, holding Ramiel by the neck and shoving him against the wall.

  “Stop!” Mora yelled. She scrambled from the bed, wrapping a sheet around her body. “Don’t—don’t beat up an angel!” That seemed wrong.

  Leo slowly turned his head and his gaze—bright with power and tainted by a slow rage—met hers. “You are my priority.”

  She swallowed.

  “You are what matters. I will not leave you defenseless.”

  Okay, that was pretty intense. And it made her nervous. Mora held her sheet tighter. “Why do I need a guard? Is there some threat you haven’t told me about?”

  His claw-tipped fingers were still around Ramiel’s throat. Leo’s jaw hardened.

  Oh, crap. There is a threat. “You said you killed the men who took me.”

  “I did…”

  Ramiel was dead silent. Probably because he couldn’t speak with Leo’s hand around his throat.

  “I did…” Leo muttered. “But they’re coming back.”

  Coming back? Now her heart was pounding too fast. “Even most paranormals don’t come back from the dead.” Vamps could…but that required some serious special circumstances.

  Leo slowly released Ramiel’s neck. The angel made no move to slide away from the wall. He just stood there, watching Leo, his gaze hooded.

  “I burned them to ash,” Leo revealed quietly.

  Ramiel licked his lips. His stare shifted from Leo to Mora, then back again. When he stared at her…

  He hates me.

  Mora took a step back, shocked to see such fury on an angel’s face. But in the next instant, the rage was gone, and she almost wondered if she’d imagined it.

  Almost.

  “But apparently, that wasn’t enough,” Leo continued grimly. “Not when you’re dealing with hellhounds.”

  “Let’s go over that part again.” She shook her head, certain she’d misunderstood. “Dealing with what now?”

  “There are no hellhounds on earth,” Ramiel snapped, speaking before Leo could. “They’re just tales to frighten weak-minded paranormals.”

  Uh, oh.

  Leo’s head turned, a bit snake-like, toward the angel. “Do I look weak-minded to you, old friend?”

  Ramiel swallowed. He gave a quick shake of his head. “Your brother…Luke is just tricking you. You know how he works. There are no hellhounds, and even if they were here, Luke couldn’t control them. He couldn’t—”

  “He isn’t controlling them.” Leo blew out a rough breath. “Someone else is. The same someone who sent the bastards after Mora in the first place.”

  Her mouth was hanging open in shock. “There are hellhounds after me?” Dammit. Not good. Actually, very, very bad. Because she knew about the hounds, unfortunately. They could shift into the form of any beast…Oh, crap. That’s why they looked like angels at first…and then one of the bastards turned into a panther.

  They could die again and again, only to come back from the fire.

  Leo said he burned them to ash, but that won’t stop them. Hellhounds can never truly die. Not if the stories I’ve heard are true. She’d even deliberately sought out information on hellhounds because their power terrified her so much. And everything she’d learned—every whisper—had just made her more fearful.

  She lurched forward and grabbed Leo, whirling him to face her. “Why didn’t you tell me this sooner? If hellhounds are coming for me, you should have told me—”

  “I was going to tell you.” His gaze swept over her face. “I came back because I’m staying by your side. I will protect you, I swear. When the hounds come again, I’ll stop them. You will never face them on your own again.”

  “Who is going to protect the humans?” Ramiel demanded. “They are your charges, not her! You’re the Lord of the Light! You’re supposed to take care of humans and good paranormals. Fate isn’t for you!”

  Fate isn’t for you. Mora flinched. So the guy knew who she was. Unfortunately, he was also spouting some hard truths. Her fingers slid away from Leo’s arm. “You should go protect the humans. They’re under your shield, right?” I’m not. “Human lives are so delicate. So easily lost.”

  Leo’s eyes narrowed as he closed the small space between them, pulling her against his body. “You matter more than any human. More than anyone else. Understand that.”

  Her own eyes widened.

  “I will never forsake you again. You will never know pain while I am near.”

  Her lower lip wanted to tremble. She pressed her lips together so he wouldn’t see the telling movement.

  “The hellhounds will come again,” Leo stated flatly. “Luke told me they will be coming, and you will not be alone when they attack. I vow it.”

  Behind him, Ramiel let out a cry of disgust. “Then the humans die so your lover doesn’t get a bruise on her flesh?”

  A muscle jerked in Leo’s jaw. “Tread carefully, Ramiel,” he warned.

  “I’ve seen her future! She can’t die! We both know that!” Ramiel shouted back. “She can suffer. We all suffer. But Fate doesn’t end. The humans will! We can help them! It’s your duty to help them!”

  I’ve seen her future. Was it possible? “H-how?” Mora asked and she pulled from Leo to stare at Ramiel. The stranger…the angel who’d broken into her home and slipped into her bedroom. The being who’d stared at her with hate in his eyes. “How can you possibly know what happens to me?”

  Ramiel offered her a cold smile. “You think you’re the only one who can see the future?” He laughed. “Tell her, Leo. Tell her just what I can do.”

  Leo gave an angry growl, but then he said, “Ramiel has visions. He can see what’s coming.”

  Her stare slid back to Ramiel. He was smirking at her. “Thought you were the only one gifted this way?” Ramiel asked and there was a hard edge in his voice. “I’m a creature of the light. My visions aren’t tainted.”

  Her hands fisted. I don’t like Ramiel.

  “I can change the darkness that comes. I have changed it for centuries.” His golden eyes seemed to bore into her. “What about you? Do you change the darkness or do you just make it worse, Fate?”

  Her chin notched up. “Leo, get your angel out of here.”

  Shock flashed on Ramiel’s face. Then he shot toward her.

  Bad mistake.

  Before he could touch her, Leo grabbed the angel, once more locking his fingers around Ramiel’s throat. “You forget your place,” Leo snarled. He shoved Ramiel back.

  Ramiel’s wings spread wide behind him. He pointed at Leo. “And you forget yours. You’ve been under her spell for centuries. Always hunting her. Always lusting for her. And when I find you now, when humans are being attacked by your brother’s forces, you’re fucking her. You wear her scent like it’s some kind of honor.”

  “Get the fuck out, Ram!”

  “She’s never been what you think. She’s no all-seeing power. She’s a demon. I’ve told you that before. My opposite. There are always opposites in this world. My visions help the humans. Hers do nothing but destroy. She isn’t fate.” His lips twisted. “She’s just another bad paranormal who should be locked away.”

  Leo drove his fist into Ramiel’s jaw. Once, twice. Unprepared for the attack—didn’t your visions tell you that would be coming?—Ramiel stumbled back. Leo’s claws became longer, sharper, and he slashed out, cutting into Ramiel.

  An
gel feathers drifted to the floor.

  “You turn on me…?” Shock was in Ramiel’s voice.

  “No one will hurt her.” Leo put his body in front of Mora’s. She was rooted to the spot, as shocked as Ramiel. Leo was hurting an angel…for me? “And you don’t fucking insult her that way. Mora isn’t dark. She. Is. Mine.”

  “The humans—”

  “You help them. There’s an army of angels who can aid the humans. My place is with Mora, and this is where I’ll be.”

  The room was heating, the temperature literally rising as the tension in the air increased. She heard the blast of thunder in the distance.

  This is so not good.

  Ramiel gave a jerky nod of his head. And then he was flying up and away—flying—

  “No!” Mora yelled. But it was too late. The guy had just flown through her roof, leaving a big, gaping hole in his wake. One final…screw you…to her. Why did everyone seem to always fly right through a roof? Could Leo and his group not use a door?

  “You aren’t dark.”

  Her breath heaved out as her head whipped back toward Leo. He was standing there, claws bursting from his fingertips, and his wings spread behind him. “The angel is wrong. You aren’t evil.”

  But…but staring at him right then, seeing the bright red of his gaze, the claws, his fangs…

  Are you, Leo?

  He frowned at her. “Mora?” The red of his gaze dimmed, the normal golden color bleeding through once more. “Don’t be afraid. No one will hurt you, I swear.” His hand reached for her. She tensed, but the claws didn’t touch her skin.

  His claws had vanished in a blink, and his fingers slid over her cheek. “I will not leave you unprotected again.”

  Her breath was heaving. Her knees were locked so that she wouldn’t fall.

  “You’re looking at me as if you’ve never seen me before,” Leo murmured. “Mora, what’s happening?”

  Something very bad. “What about the humans?”

  “You heard what I told Ramiel. The angels can protect them. I won’t be taken from your side.”

  But his job was to protect humans. That was what the Lord of the Light was supposed to do. For him to turn away from that job…so easily… “I’ll go with you,” Mora blurted. “We’ll stay together. We can figure this out.”