Bear My Soul: (Arcane Affairs Agency)

by Sophia Barron

  Her trembling sigh sent ripples of frustration through him. He wanted to take her to her room, make her forget everything that had gone wrong today. Or lock her behind the solid door of the cabin and go hunting whoever, whatever was stalking her and her family. Either was acceptable to the beast. Anything to put a smile back in her eyes and voice, ease the strain she was under.

  But they couldn’t. Not completely, anyway. “When you’re ready, say okay. I’ll go first, make sure everyone is safe.” Devlin whispered against her hair, fighting the urge to surround himself with her sweet scent, forget the rest of the world for a while. Her slow nod tickled his nose, made him want to sneeze. Finally, her whispered ‘okay’ gave him permission to go find at least one answer.

  Devlin tried the doorknob, let out a long, relieved breath when it didn’t turn. Locked. He chose to take it as a good sign, raised his fist and rapped twice. “Honeys, we’re home,” he shouted.

  The door flew open, and three cheerful faces peered out at them.

  “Took you long enough, Auntie.” Eli’s grin was contagious, his tousled hair testament to the fun he’d had.

  “You missed a great time, boss. Got yourself a treasure in these boys,” Shaundelle shooed the boys back from the entrance so Devlin and Michaela could enter without tripping over eager kids.

  “I won, fair and square!” Jack fanned himself with a handful of Uno cards, and smirked.

  Devlin ruffled the boy’s hair, gaze intent on finding anything out of place. “Good job, son,” he whispered on the way past. Jack’s hand rose high and Devlin couldn’t resist a resounding high five. The kid needed some light in these dark days. That contact was enough to appease the kid’s need for attention, freeing Devlin to finish his search.

  The soft mutter of voices and clinking of glasses and plates as the crew cleaned up and chattered was a soothing reminder to Devlin’s beast that no matter what they’d found outside; all was well inside the homey cabin. And he was by damned going to keep it that way. No matter what. He went methodically from one room to the next, one ear tuned to any untoward sounds from Michaela and the boys. Their voices remained bright, cheerful. Hopeful, even as Devlin’s hope of finding a clue faded fast.

  Nothing. Not a single thing out of place inside the cabin anywhere. Damn. Now he’d have to ask Shaundelle, and he didn’t want to do that in front of the boys. No point to scaring them further, or adding to the stress the kids were under.

  Shaundelle’s tone caught Devlin’s attention as he headed back toward the living area. Her words were bright, but he could hear the exhaustion beneath that shine. Her calm ‘time for me to go, boys’ brought groans of protest, demands for just one more round.

  Devlin saw his chance, and chimed in with a stern word. “Sorry boys, but Miss Shaundelle needs to get home. And you two need to get some sleep,” he pointed toward their room with a grin and a wink.

  The complaints died fast, as the two headed off to get ready for bed in silence. At least they’re smart enough to know when they’ve pushed the limits, Devlin sighed. Now to convince Michaela’s friend that walking in the woods at night alone was a bad idea. He needed a chance to talk to her away from prying ears, and this might just be it.

  “Let me escort you to your car, miss.” Devlin kept his tone calm and even. Ignored the wide eyed what-the-hell looks he got from Shaundelle and Michaela. “We saw some pretty dark stuff out there earlier, I’d hate to send anyone out alone tonight.”

  Shaundelle shrugged. “Fair enough, I won’t turn down the company. Those boys are exhausting, I dunno how you manage Michaela.”

  “One minute at a time, Shaundelle.” Michaela’s words were light, a stark contrast to her rounded shoulders and dragging feet as she walked. Exhaustion dogged her every movement, soul-deep if Devlin’s guess was on point. “Now go, get some rest. Might need you back on duty here tomorrow.”

  Shaundelle grinned and waved as she headed out the door. Devlin made sure to close it tightly behind them as he walked her to her car.

  “You’re not really worried about my safety, are you Agent Quinn?”

  Devlin kept his eyes moving, scanning for threats. “I’m worried about everyone’s safety. And I had a few questions I didn’t dare ask in front of the boys.”

  Shaundelle paused, one arm flung across the open driver’s door of her hatchback. “Questions? About what?”

  “Did anyone stop in to visit?”

  She shook her head vehemently. Devlin took careful note of her wide eyes and steady gaze. He couldn’t scent any nervous sweat or fear, and her expression was confused, maybe concerned more than anything else. “Nobody stopped in. We stayed inside all day because Eli said the woods felt ‘bad’.”

  Bad, huh. That was interesting. Neither of the boys had mentioned being able to sense magic or shifters or anything supernatural before. Still, didn’t answer the rest of his questions. Just gave him another source of information, if he could make sense of what the kid had to say. Probably best to wait til morning so the boy didn’t talk himself into night terrors.

  “Did you hear anything suspicious or unusual?”

  Shaundelle stared hard at Devlin, then shrugged. “Nope. Nothing I can point to and definitely say ‘that doesn’t belong’. Typical sounds of floors creaking and wind and such. Nothing more.”

  “You’re certain.”

  “I didn’t hear a thing other than the boys cheering every hand I lost.” Shaundelle shook her head and plopped into the driver’s seat and shut the door gently. She rolled down the window, and leaned out. “I don’t know what you’re looking for Agent Quinn. But I hope you find it, soon. You don’t want to hurt those boys or Michaela.”

  “Is that a threat?”

  “An observation. I’ve seen the way you look at Mike, like a starving kid in a candy factory.” Shaundelle turned the key and the engine hummed to life. “Please, keep them safe, Agent Quinn.”

  Devlin nodded solemnly as he reached into his inside pocket. “One last question, Shaundelle.” He pulled out the amulet he’d pocketed earlier and unwrapped it carefully, eyes glued to every minute twitch in expression the woman made. He’d hoped and dreaded the results of this last question. “Do you recognize this?”

  Confusion flooded her eyes as she stared at the cursed thing. “Is it a bracelet? It’s not mine, never seen it before.” Shaundelle’s voice rang with pure truth. Damn.

  Not that it was all bad. He’d have felt worse if they’d left the boys care in the hands of someone who’d recognize the magic artifact for what it was at first glance. Just meant he’d be making that phone call earlier than he expected. “Thank you for your time, Miss Shaundelle. I’m sure Michaela will call you if she needs your help tomorrow.”

  Shaundelle smiled and waved, then drove carefully out of the yard.

  Devlin pulled his smart phone out with a curse, then turned back toward the house. He wasn’t looking forward to this conversation at all.

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  Michaela finished tucking the boys in, planted soft kisses on their salty foreheads and whispered good night. She wandered back out to the living room, intending to Netflix and chill until her brain stopped spinning. Instead, she peeked out the door, curious. Devlin wouldn’t have left her and the boys alone, would he? Not after finding the cursed amulet hanging from the front door, so where the hell was he?

  A deep part of her roared jealously that her man was spending time with another woman, but she shoved that thought aside with a nervous laugh. That ‘other woman’ was her good friend and one third owner of the greenhouse. Shaundelle would never… but that small voice persisted.

  Michaela finally gave in and snuck a peek out the front door. Cracked it just enough to see the porch and the drive beyond. Which was empty except for her own truck and Devlin’s agency issued sedan. So where was Devlin?

  The soft scuff of boots on hardwood drew her attention to the far end of the porch. A dark shape leaned against the porch rail, phone held tight to one ea
r. White teeth flashed in a grin when she flipped the light on, flooding the shadows with soft blue light and chasing away the dark fear that had taken hold of her heart.

  Devlin’s wave didn’t settle her racing heart, but it did ease her worries. He wasn’t gone, was in fact still watching over her and the boys, phone call or not. His wry chuckle as he stabbed a finger at the screen piqued her curiosity.

  “Who called?” She hated the tremble of nerves in her voice. Too late to retract the question.

  Devlin crossed the length of the porch in several long strides, eyes wary and searching for trouble. “No one. Everything alright?”

  Michaela nodded, “Fine. The boys are all tucked in. You’d been gone so long—”

  “You thought I absconded with another woman,” he winked. Embarrassed heat flooded her face, and Michaela ducked her gaze, refused to look at him. She couldn’t bear to let him see that truth. Hadn’t expected that flare of jealousy at the thought of him spending time in the company of another woman in the course of doing his job. Don’t have a claim on him anyway Mikey-girl, she chided herself.

  “Hey, babe. I was joking, alright? Don’t get all riled up now.” Soft lips pressed against her forehead, and strong arms held her close.

  Michaela kept her gaze on the worn porch floor. Her words tripped over each other in her haste to explain. “Sorry, it’s not my place to worry about who you call,” or who you spend time with, she added silently. Some slight tension in her posture, some change in her must have given that silent thought voice because Devlin didn’t let it stand unanswered. Soft fingers caressed her chin, gently turned her face up until her tear-filled gaze met his possessive one.

  “You have every right to question me, mate.”

  The growl in his words sent shivers of need pounding through Michaela’s veins. “You keep calling me that. Mate. But I don’t feel like it’s true…”

  The subtle growl grew in volume until her ears rattled, but Michaela stayed pressed tight against Devlin’s chest. She didn’t mind the way his strong arms pulled her even tighter against his chest, didn’t fight when his hot mouth slammed into hers, demanding answers, demanding entrance. Her lips parted, and his tongue delved into her mouth, tasting and claiming her kisses with insistent heat. The pressure of his lips eased, and he nibbled along her bottom lip then drew back with a growled ‘mine’.

  Michaela’s knees went weak, and her pulse raced at the flare of desire, of need she saw etched on his face. No way she was letting him set all the rules. She wanted—needed to taste him, to touch and kiss and nibble every inch of him until he begged for mercy. His large, calloused fingers linked with hers and she tugged him through the front door and toward her bedroom. He barely paused long enough to shut and lock the door, then quick-stepped to her bedroom. Michaela stood on tiptoe, stole a long, bittersweet kiss, then sent him backwards onto her bed with a gentle shove.

  “My turn,” she smirked. Devlin’s eyes were wide, and filled with a quicksilver light. His chest rumbled, and if she didn’t know better, she’d have said he was purring. Last she’d checked though, bears didn’t purr. No matter, he’d be screaming her name soon enough.

  Michaela ran sharp nails up the insides of his jeans, over the bulge in his pants. She paused at his belt, just long enough to undo it and untuck his shirt, before continuing her trail upward. She took a moment to undo the buttons of his shirt and admire the solid wall of muscles that met her gaze. His hard stomach jumped and quivered under the gentle rasp of her fingers across his washboard abs. She couldn’t resist, leaned in to kiss and nibble his belly button, then trailed hot kisses and soft licks and nibbles up to his chest. A quick pause to suckle and tease first one nipple, then the other until her Devlin was moaning, begging for more.

  She silenced him with a long, lingering kiss. His desperate need for her brightened his gaze, and that heat spilled out, sent shock waves of want, of need everywhere he looked at her. It was like he was touching her without using his hands.

  “I owe you for last night,” she whispered against his neck in between nibbles. “And you— owe me, because I never got to taste you, or see you come.” His answering groan was all the encouragement she needed. Damp heat pooled at her center, begging her to take everything he had to offer. God, she needed to feel him inside her, but his insistence on waiting until ‘later’ had hit her hard. She couldn’t disregard that request, no matter how desperate she was.

  That didn’t mean she couldn’t taste every inch of him, until he gave her everything she wanted.

  The taste of him was salty on her lips, and his hips bucked against her mouth as she teased him. His shaft twitched under the slow swirl of her tongue around his head, thrust toward her throat as he pleaded for more. God, she had to give him the more he wanted, wanted to taste him, wanted him to fill her until he came. Instead she licked and suckled until his whole body trembled at her softest touch. Strong hands tangled in her hair, cupped the back of her head in a gentle urging for more, faster, deeper.

  She gave in to his desperate need, heat rocking through her as he filled her mouth until she could barely breathe. She couldn’t take all of him, but it was enough.

  He bucked, and thrust deeper with every motion, but his gentle grasp never wavered. Never insisted or commanded. He accepted what she gave, and loved every minute of it. God how she wanted to feel him filling her to the core, but this would have to be enough for now.

  A final, gentle suckle and a flick of her tongue against that most sensitive spot just beneath the ridge of him and he exploded. Michaela was so close to following him, but she had to swallow, and swallow again and again as he kept coming.

  Her body clenched in an echo of his desperate need and release, but she wasn’t quite there; just hovered on that edge between wound too tight and complete release. Not even the subtle relaxing of Devlin’s body beneath her gentle touch was enough to push her over the edge into free-fall.

  She reached down slowly, soft mewling sounds begging for release. Before her searching fingers could find that perfect spot, Devlin rolled over with a growl.

  “Mine, and don’t you forget it,” his eyes flashed in the dim light as he lowered his mouth. His beard rasped against her sensitive thighs, and she flinched back with a giggle. Strong hands grasped her hips, lifted her off the bed and pulled her tight to his oh-so-talented mouth. His hot breath and quick fluttering tastes as he licked her clit just right drove her up to the edge of the cliff. Tremors built in her core and threatened to spill out and consume her whole body.

  “Devlin, please—”

  “Almost there, babe,” he hummed against her clit. So close her whole body was tense as a guitar string ready to break but she just could not find release. Not until his too-clever tongue delved into her channel. His thumb kept swirling against her clit, driving her ever closer to orgasm, and his tongue filled her but not enough. She needed more.

  Cool air whispered across her overheated skin, goosebumps pebbled her whole body as Devlin settled her hips gently on the bed. His hot mouth trailed nibbles and kisses up the gentle swell of her stomach, hovered over her heavy breasts, flicking over first one nipple, then the other. He sucked and nuzzled until she could bear no more and tugged him back gently. Fever-bright silver eyes met hers, and she could see his canines peeking out. God how she wanted him to make good on the implied promise in that word. Mate. But she didn’t dare ask him too, not after he’d all but vowed to find the warlock and save her sister first.

  “Please, Devlin I need—”

  The feel of him against her entrance, just there, barely touching, damn near drove her crazy. She grabbed his hips and pulled, pleading with him wordlessly to no avail.

  Instead of sinking himself into her, he slid inch by agonizing inch, with long pauses between every gain to kiss and nibble and tease. “You want that?” His whisper was harsh against her ear.

  “Oh god, please. I need you,” she begged.

  But it did no good. He continued his stead
y progress, slowly easing into her an inch at a time. Tension quivered through his body, she could feel him shaking with the effort to hold himself back. Finally he seated himself into her full depth, and the pleasant stretch of him was better, but still she needed more. Needed him to move, to take her hard and fast. She could feel that need rippling through his muscles. “Please, make me yours,” she whispered.

  “Soon.” Sharp teeth grazed her neck, nibbled along her collar bone and nipped gently at first one nipple, then the other. His thrusts came ever faster, and her body bucked to match him faster and faster until with a final clash her world shattered. He pulsed inside her, his hot seed spurted deep within her, filled her to the brim.

  Her body was limp, quivering with exhaustion, but she couldn’t let go of that desperate sense of something missing. He hadn’t bitten her, hadn’t claimed her as his. All that talk about being his mate, and when the chips were down he refused to make that claim. If she weren’t so worn out from his attentions and the stresses of their search for Sam she’d have kicked him good and retreated to the couch. Before she could consider the merits of that train of thought, sleep claimed her.

  She sighed at the soft, gentle kiss on her forehead, shifted restlessly as his whispered ‘rest well, love’ wove through her dreams, and then the world was gone.

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  Devlin stumbled out of Michaela’s room, rubbing the sleep from his eyes. His bears low rumble of recognition at the rap, rap on the front door sent his heart racing. He bee-lined for the door, fumbled with the locks and pulled it open with a grin.

  “Ash, good to see you. You made record time.” Devlin grinned. “Tired of ogling the hot nurses?”

  His partner’s warm chuckle brightened the dark morning. The sun had yet to rise, but Ash’s presence eased Devlin’s worries a bit. “They’re all off limits—married, engaged, single with four kids. No fun in that. Figured it was time to spice things up again,” he said with a smirk. “Besides, I’d bet the local ladies are falling all over you. Only fair I get a turn.”