by Vella Day
A minute later, Carlton headed west and Julie went north. As much as he wanted to follow her, he needed to be with Anna more. With each increasing hour, his ability to focus on anything other than her had deteriorated. On the drive over, the air had been redolent with late summer flowers, reminding him of his mate. Hell, when a woman with a tattoo on her shoulder had walked across the street, his thoughts had shot to Anna’s tattoo. Fearing he might shift, he didn’t dare think about those butterflies on her sexy hip.
No doubt about it. She was his drug, and he had to have her. Again.
Putting his car in gear, he took off. On the way back to town, he called Anna to make sure she was home. The moment she answered, his bones cracked, which would be hell to explain to any passing motorist if he actually shifted.
“Hey, you,” she said, sounding happy.
“Just wondering if you wanted some company?”
“Are you kidding? Of course I do. I was hoping you’d call.”
He smiled, but then sobered knowing he’d have to work hard to make sure she didn’t think he was only interested in sex. Unfortunately, his tiger didn’t seem willing to hold back for much longer. “Be there in five.”
Kalan was right. Being mated had ramped up his desires, which Dalton never thought possible, given his strong yearning for her already.
As soon as he turned toward Anna’s apartment, the facts of the murder case faded in his memory, and the image of his beautiful mate surfaced. Now he wished he’d purchased a home when he’d arrived in town, so the two of them could discuss moving in together. He would ask now, but both her apartment and his were way too small for the both of them. He preferred to live together in a permanent residence anyway, rather than a rental.
His heart swelled as he pictured the two of them pouring over house designs, trying to decide how big to make the kitchen, and whether to have two, three, or four bedrooms. He hoped Anna wanted a ton of kids. As for decorating and picking out the right shade of countertop, he’d leave that to her, though without a doubt it would be quirky.
He parked behind her brick building, and once she buzzed him in, Dalton took the steps two at a time. Before he even had a chance to knock, she pulled open the door, and the mere sight of her made him growl. The she-devil was barefoot, wearing shorts and a top so thin he could spot her nipples poking out. Grr.
Anna grabbed him by the front of his shirt, hauled him inside, and kissed him silly. With their lips in contact, Dalton swung her around, her scent invading every cell in his body.
Anna broke the kiss and laughed. “Whoa. Where did this enthusiasm come from?”
He set her down. “What do you mean? Can’t a guy hug his mate?”
She lifted a brow. “Yes, but you’re not usually this expressive.”
“In the past that was true, but you’ve inspired me.”
Anna plastered her body against his again. “Aw, that’s sweet.”
As much as he wanted to carry her into bed, he should give her the present first, so she didn’t think he was single-mindedly focused on sex. Stepping out of her grasp, he dug the stone from his pocket. Oh, crap. In his hurry to see her, he’d forgotten the candle and oil in the car. He’d have to get it later. Dalton handed her the pink stone. “This is for you. It’s to help when you’re feeling ill if you happen to be around sardonyx.”
“Really? It’s so pretty. I didn’t know there was something that could combat my bad reaction.” She chuckled. “I wish I’d had this a few hours ago.”
He stilled. “What do you mean?”
She waved a hand, plopped down on the sofa, and then patted the seat next to her. “Relax. Come. Sit on the sofa, and I’ll tell you what happened earlier.”
Given how cheerful she seemed, the experience wasn’t a bad one. “Did Jackson ask you to scope out a place?”
She smiled. “He did, and I found some sardonyx—or at least I became woozy in one spot, which I guess meant I found the stone. Jackson told me that while the Clan wants to locate the sardonyx, they aren’t planning on doing anything about it until the Changelings make their move.”
“That makes sense, but should you need to be around the stone again just touch this quartz and the affect will go away.”
She rubbed it on her face and then smiled, her pretty eyes lightening. “I’m feeling calm already.”
He wasn’t. That little action ramped up his libido. Just as he was about to draw her into a kiss, she jumped up. “I forgot. I bought you a present too!”
His chest squeezed tight. Dalton couldn’t remember the last time someone other than a family member had given him anything. When she bent over to pick up his present, his tiger nearly roared. Down boy. Wait a little longer.
Anna returned to the sofa and curled one leg underneath her as she handed him what looked like a box.
“You wrapped it?” Now he felt bad he hadn’t taken the time to gift-wrap his.
She shrugged. “It makes it more special that way.”
Now he really felt like a cad. His other gift was in a Crystal Winds Spa bag, but he couldn’t do anything about that right now. Dalton carefully lifted off the tape.
“Just rip it,” she said, chuckling.
Aw, what the hell. He tore off the paper and pulled out the book. “Alien Nomad,” he said, reading the title.
“I hope you haven’t read it.”
“No.” He turned it over and studied the blurb on the back. “This looks great. Thank you.”
Anna lifted up on her knees and his tiger went wild. “I know how you could thank me.”
He smiled. “Tell me.”
She straddled his legs. As her scent seeped deep into him, his body went crazy. When he ran his palms down her bare shoulders, sparks flew off both of them. Anna leaned over and kissed him, causing his cock to press painfully against his zipper. His nails grew. As he delved into her sweetness, the world seemed to disappear and only goodness existed.
Anna threaded her fingers through his hair then gripped his head, and when she ran her tongue along her lips, his animal clawed his insides.
“Fuck me,” she whispered.
He groaned, loving a woman who knew what she wanted. With her on his lap, he slid his hands under her luscious butt, leaned forward, and stood. Her eyes widened as he slid her to her feet. “I want you naked.”
“I can do that.”
He was about to add and spread beneath me, but when she lifted her top off and exposed those perfect tits, his tiger roared, and he lost the ability to speak for a moment. Dalton dropped to one knee, and slipped her shorts down her legs, exposing a thong that made his mouth water. “I didn’t stand a chance, did I?”
“No. Because you can be rather reserved at times, I knew I had to take drastic measures. In fact, I haven’t been able to think of anything all day but having you. Your bite seemed to have unleashed every latent desire in my body, and I didn’t want you to deny me.”
He stood and hugged her. “Oh, baby, that will never happen.”
Her pretty eyes sparkled with flecks of amber. “That so? Then how about dropping those pants Officer Garner and showing me?”
“You don’t have to ask twice.” Never in his wildest dream did he expect a woman this amazing to want him. He kicked off his shoes, stepped out of his jeans, and pulled his T-shirt off over his head then dropped it. Anna then helped rid him of his briefs, but in the process she nearly drove him mad with lust. Needing her totally naked, he slipped her panties down her legs. “Step out of them.”
Once she did, he lifted her up, and supported her by wrapping an arm under her butt. Walking them a few feet to the nearest wall, he then pressed her back against the door. The kiss that followed spoke of hope, acceptance, and pure passion. Anna planted her feet on his thighs and leaned back, offering him her tits. He couldn’t refuse that invitation. Dalton dipped his head, and as he tugged on each pert tip, Anna squealed in delight.
When she wiggled against his cock, his vision narrowed. The image of his
tiger running wild with her right beside him came to his mind’s eye. Together, they charged forward, and slowly transformed into humans once more.
“Hurry,” she begged.
That plea was his signal to unleash his inner animal. With one hand under her butt, he lifted her up. With the other, he aimed his dick right at her entrance. Her blue orb grew as her breathing increased. Needing her now, he drove into her, and heaven descended.
She lowered her head to kiss him, and he greedily drank her in. With her arms around his neck and her legs wrapped around his waist, he plunged into her and savored her sweet lips. No matter how often their tongues entwined, he needed more.
Anna moved her feet to his thighs again and joined in the creation of their wonderful rhythm. Her moans grew, as did her glow. Her heat surrounded him, and he had to draw on all of his control not to come until Anna had been fulfilled. With the way her orb was growing, it would be soon.
She broke the kiss and lowered her mouth to his neck where she sucked on the spot right below his jawline. He nearly lost it as his own blue orb expanded. When Dalton moved his lips to the delicate part where her neck met her shoulder, he couldn’t resist her any longer. With swift precision and a strong mating call, he bit her. Their blue glows encompassed each other, and an overwhelming sense of freedom filled him. Dalton held her tightly, hoping to gain a modicum of control, never wanting to let her go.
It was not to be.
Anna lifted up and then dropped back down with such force, his cock exploded just as she screamed her release. Their heart beats matched in intensity, and they remained cocooned until their Wendayan glow began to fade.
Dalton was relishing this moment of holding his mate when his cell rang. He groaned, refusing to release his grip. As he buried his face in her neck again, the damn thing continued to chirp.
“Go ahead and answer it,” she urged right before lifting his head and kissing him again.
“I don’t want to. I’d rather hold you.”
“It might be someone important.”
He chuckled. “Okay, okay.” The moment he set her down, Anna dashed to the bathroom, and he had to blink at her speed. What the hell? She returned a moment later with a wet washcloth.
The phone was still ringing, and he needed to answer it. Dalton stepped over to his pants and thrust his hand in his pants pocket to retrieve his cell. “Garner.”
“It’s Jackson. Rye wants us at the bookstore tonight.”
He had to be kidding. “Why tonight? We have a lot of things we need to figure out first, like how to bypass the alarm system, and how to make certain no one will notice us.” He didn’t remember the store having shades.
Jackson chuckled. “Don’t worry. It’s taken care of. Remember, this is what we do for a living. Besides, we shouldn’t have much trouble from the Changelings. Yesterday ended their time of being able to perform their super feats. As for keeping watch outside, Rye asked the Clan to help out.”
Dalton’s heart squeezed. He’d never had a Clan or even felt like he belonged to any group. If only he’d been born a wolf or a bear, he would have these Weres in his corner. Then again, he wasn’t sure he could handle being as slow as a bear or as small as a wolf.
“What time?” he asked.
“Seven forty-five. Meet us behind the store by the loading door and tap twice. We’ll let you in. And bring Wonder Woman.”
Wonder Woman. The name fit though he really didn’t want Anna anywhere near the place. “Why? You already know where the sardonyx is.”
“We want to be sure. Don’t worry. Nothing can happen to her surrounded by a bunch of Clansmen.”
Dalton had to agree that he’d worry more if she remained alone at her home. She’d be safer with him and the rest of the group. “Okay. We’ll be there.”
Once he disconnected, he faced her. “You heard?”
“Some of it.” She walked over to the table and waved the stone. “With this, I’ll be fine. Besides, I’d feel safer being with you than staying here alone.”
“That’s why I agreed.” Not having had his fill, Dalton moved closer. “Do you promise to do as we ask?”
Anna pressed against his body and ran her nails over his shoulders and down his arms. “As long as you do what I ask afterward, I’ll obey.”
He laughed. “Don’t I always do what you want?” That was because he wanted the same thing.
“Well, you were willing to let me seduce you.”
“True.” He nodded to the kitchen. “Did I just see you rush to the bedroom in a flash?”
Her jaw lowered. “Did I?”
Dalton remembered the first time he’d moved from one place to another while his sister had watched, and Jillian had said she’d barely seen him. He, however, didn’t think he’d moved that fast. “Yes. I think you have a touch of my speed in you.”
She grinned. “You think? Let me try again.” She stepped away from him. “Okay, time me.” She was at the kitchen before he could count to two. Anna faced him. “Well?”
He stroked his chin, loving her enthusiasm. “How about racing back here and see if you can do better?” She was in his arms before he had the chance to inhale.
“Well?”
“You are fantastic.” Dalton couldn’t resist tasting her again. Their lips met, and this time, he promised himself he’d take it slow even though his body was still highly aroused. Goddess, how the feel of her long, brown hair in his fingers made the sparks fly. Clutching a handful, he tugged as he dipped and savored her sweet mouth.
Needing more, Dalton broke the kiss and cupped both of her breasts. “I can’t ever get enough of them.”
She grabbed his cock. “And I can’t get enough of this.”
Dalton slid her hand away. “Be careful.”
He lowered his head and drew one nipple into his mouth, twirling his tongue around and around the tip until the sensitive peak hardened. Anna groaned, and he switched to the other side. Each pull had her pumping her fist on his cock, and her aura glowing brighter by the second.
“Why do I need you again?” she panted.
“Because we’re mates,” he said between sucks.
She let go of him and pressed her hands to his shoulders. “Then take me again, please.”
Dalton stepped back and smiled. “Do you want to ride me this time like you did before?”
Anna wrapped her arms around his neck. “I thought you’d never ask.”
Chapter Eighteen
‡
Anna had spent the last few years cutting and arranging flowers, never imagining she’d be involved in anything as clandestine as breaking into a bookstore and helping to steal something valuable. While Dalton wasn’t pleased she had to be there, the fact Kalan appeared to be okay with the mission seemed to help calm Dalton somewhat.
Right on time, they arrived at the loading dock behind the store. Even though the Clan’s Alpha said he would have backup, she felt a pervasive sense of doom hovering around her.
“Are you sure this is safe?” she asked. “I mean what if the cops come?” She’d asked him this before, but she wanted to be certain there wouldn’t be any last minute hiccups.
Dalton ran a hand down her arm. “Don’t worry. When Kalan called, he told me that Brant Thompson and Drew Compton have our backs. They both work at the sheriff’s department and both are shifters. If someone calls in anything about the store, they’ll volunteer to investigate.”
That made her feel a little better. “Okay, but what if those Changeling creeps show up?”
“We’ll fight them and probably end up killing a few.” He smiled down at her. “I’ll make sure nothing happens to you.”
“You better, though I could just hide.”
“Or else run. No one can catch you.”
Run. That was a plan she could embrace. Dalton knocked twice on the back entrance, and a few seconds later, someone she didn’t recognize opened the door.
“Rye and the group are meeting in the back corner,” the ma
n said. Once they stepped inside, he then headed out, she guessed to keep watch. Given how many were there, they most likely were the last to arrive.
Dalton placed a hand on her back and led her to where four men had gathered. All of them had been at the McKinnon and Associates’ meeting Rye had taken her to. Besides him, Jackson was there along with Connor and Kalan.
As she walked back, Anna couldn’t help but glance to the spot where she’d first become ill. Some of the bookcases between the front of the store and the science fiction section had been moved, presumably to prevent anyone from figuring out what they were up to. The bookcases near the science fiction section had also been slid to the side.
As soon as they reached the group, Rye stopped talking and turned to her. “Thanks for coming.”
“I want to do whatever I can to help.” Being part of such a wonderful group thrilled her. Her whole life, Anna had believed she was alone in this world. Not only hadn’t she known shifters existed, she also wasn’t aware of Wendayans. Anna had always assumed that the marking on her back had been some form of birthmark.
Rye nodded. “All I need from you is to walk over the spot outlined by the tape. Because we want to find the stone with as little disturbance as possible, we’d like you to tell us if your reaction is strongest where we’ve marked.”
While she wasn’t looking forward to it, as soon as she moved away from the designated area, she’d recover. “I can do that.”
“Dalton, how about helping her?” Rye asked.
“Sure.”
He led her over. Anna inhaled, and when she stepped across the marked area on the floor, a tight band squeezed her chest. Her vision blurred, and if Dalton hadn’t steadied her, she might have fallen.
“That’s enough,” he said keeping his voice low.
Rye came over. “So this is the spot?”
“Most definitely.”
“I hate to ask this of you when you reacted so strongly, but the three foot by three foot square is rather large. Is there any way you can place your hand on the surface and tell more precisely where the stones might be located? Any guidance would be helpful.”