by Lisa Ladew
He could feel her climax pulsing against his tongue, the flood of wetness coating his chin as Riot kept licking, kept adoring her every nerve ending. Gemma shuddered and shook above him, her mouth open in a long, low moan. When it was over her legs gave out, but Riot caught her easily, bringing her body down to straddle his.
At once he felt Gemma’s hands scrambling into motion, reaching for him. “More. Now.”
It was all Riot could do to steady Gemma by the waist as her busy hands pulled at his cock and guided it to her slick channel, sinking down as they moaned in stereo. Then Gemma pulled her feet beneath her and wrapped her arms around Riot’s shoulders, pressing her body as close to his as she could.
He tucked his face in the curve of her neck and groaned in contentment. Nothing had ever felt this incredible in Riot’s whole life. Nothing. Never. He was buried inside the woman he loved, who maybe loved him back, and there was nothing to compare with that.
Riot pulled back, just enough to strip Gemma’s dress off her undulating body. Her bare breasts pressed against his chest when she came back into his arms, nothing but the belt holding her knife between them. Riot’s fingers gripped the bare skin of Gemma’s back, her gorgeous ass, and let her ride him. Agile fingers tangled in his hair as she held herself close and worked her hips on his, her hot breath in his ear. She bit his lobe and groaned desperately around it. “Harder. Fuck me harder.”
A patch of moss to one side caught Riot’s eye and he turned, laying Gemma down on it, pressing her knees back and crowding her, kissing her deep, digging his toes into the forgiving moss and hammering his cock inside her. Holy shit, this woman. He could feel her fingernails digging into his ass, her tight, warm core throbbing, pulsing around him in climax as he pounded Gemma into the ground. She screamed so hard it turned into tears and laughter at the same time. “Fuck yes! God, I love it!”
And just like that, Riot went down with her. His toes curled and his back arched, his body driving deep inside Gemma, wanting to be part of her, one with her. Wanting to believe she loved him, not just the way he satisfied her Prowl.
Gemma’s legs snaked around Riot’s, locking him tight against her body. Her hands left his backside and Riot felt slender arms wrap fully around his waist, not letting him back off, keeping him with her. Riot’s heart broke open, and he hoped it would always be this way.
Chapter 43 - Heart’s A-Riot
After a few moments of bliss, his face pressed against the tender, dewy skin of Gemma’s throat, Riot noticed there was something hard poking him in the nose. He pulled back just far enough for his puma’s eyes to focus in the dim light.
White freshwater pearls came into view, flecks of green spaced between them. The hairs on Riot’s neck stood up. Holy shit. Her necklace. But how-? Riot didn’t want to give himself away, so he asked a question. “Where did you get that?”
Gemma turned her head to look at him, a languid smile on her face that made Riot’s semi-hard dick twitch inside her. She gasped in delight, but she froze when she saw where his eyes were focused. Then she relaxed again, gave him a mischievous smile. ”I went snooping in your room for proof that you love me.”
Riot couldn’t help but cough out a laugh. She had what? But he sobered quickly, swallowing his nerves and meeting her amber eyes. “And what did you find?”
Slender fingers drifted to Riot’s bicep, where Gemma traced the checkerboard tattoo that had been among the first he’d gotten. Her voice dropped to an intimate murmur. “My photo in your yearbook. And my lab notes from our field trip, when you saved me from that wolf.”
Shit. Riot froze. Blinked. But before he could say anything Gemma’s eyes softened further, her lips curving in a half-smile. “You were my hero all along, Riot.”
Riot swallowed, his eyes never leaving Gemma’s, his heart so stunned it had shorted out his brain. But not Gemma. She blinked and touched the precious stones at her throat. “And this. My lucky necklace.” The thinnest film of tears slicked Gemma’s eyes, then gathered into pools that funneled down to her temples and into her curls. “I thought I’d lost it forever.”
Riot couldn’t help a cynical smirk, considering what had happened the last time she’d worn it. “I think you need some new luck.”
Gemma met his eye, gave him a sad smile. “I used to think so, too. But so far I’ve only worn it twice in my life, and both times my wish came true, so…” She squeezed his torso with her arms and his cock with her inner muscles, making Riot give an involuntary thrust. Gemma finished her sentence on a breathy exhale. “I don’t think I’m ever going to take it off.”
Riot was finding it difficult to concentrate on what Gemma was saying, it was so delicious to feel himself growing hard and long inside her, filling her. But something about her words stuck, and he groaned into her ear. “You went to the party looking for me.”
Gemma only nodded silently, her eyes wide as she looked at him. Innocent, honest, like she always had been. Riot couldn’t help but ask… “What did you wish for the first time?”
Gemma was moving restlessly beneath him, her hands drifting to Riot’s ass and pressing him deeper. Riot felt his cock throb again, urging him to move, but he steeled himself, waiting for her answer. Gemma breathed it on a sigh, as if she wasn’t even thinking. “For you to notice me.”
What the-? Riot halted his teasing and pulled back to look at the blinding splendor of the woman in his arms. “Notice you? Gemma, since the first moment I saw you I haven’t been able to take my eyes off you.”
Gemma laughed lightly, as if she didn’t really believe him, turning her head away. “Now, sure. I’m a glowing switch and my hair’s not a hot mess anymore and-”
But Riot was shaking his head before she’d even gotten the second word out. He held his body weight on one elbow and used the other hand to gently clasp Gemma’s jaw, turning her to face him. “Always. From the first day you sat down in class. You’ve always been everything I ever wanted.”
She didn’t say anything for a moment, just stared at him with wide eyes. Then she whispered, “You really did love me, all those years ago?”
Riot nodded, his heart clogging his throat as it tried to make a run for it, but Riot swallowed the rebellious muscle down. “I should have told you.”
Gemma cut him off. “I loved you, too. From the very first day in class, when you caught my book.”
Riot’s heart stuttered. She loves me. She said it. “You remember that?”
She nodded, eyes filling with tears again. “I remember everything. Oh, Riot, I’m so sorry. All that shit with Shain and the party, I never meant-”
But Riot couldn’t let her finish, couldn't hold back anymore. He’d heard what he needed to hear. “I’d do it all again. You're so worth it.” He flexed his legs and ass, pressing deeper inside Gemma. As deep as she’d let him go.
Her back arched and Gemma moaned, but her eyes stayed fixed on Riot's as the words spilled out of him with every achingly slow, thorough thrust. “I love you. I’ve always loved you.”
Gemma’s voice broke in a sob and she tucked her head to Riot’s chest, wrapping her arms tight around and clinging to him as he continue to slide inside her. No rush. Nowhere to be but where they were. Nothing more important than making her feel his love.
Riot pushed in deep again, groaning at the bliss of finally saying what he felt. It was like the words, once unleashed, wouldn't be put back inside him. They fell out of his mouth, tumbling down to the woman beneath him. “I can't believe I got another chance. Can't believe you're here, that I get to love you like this.”
Gemma was kissing his chest now, biting at Riot’s nipples and digging her fingernails into his back. “Love me forever, Riot. Just like I love you. Promise me.”
His puma rose up with her words, roaring to life with a blaze, with the possibility of a future he’d never considered an option. (it's yours) (she is yours.) Blinded by his need, his love, Riot didn’t even stop to think. He reared up to kneeling, keeping his cock buried
deep, and held Gemma’s legs together as he turned her body to the side then lifted her to her hands and knees. But that wasn’t close enough, so he slipped his hands under Gemma’s arms and pulled her up, back pressed to his front.
Riot indulged his passion, one hand slipping between Gemma’s legs as the other hand strummed her nipples, pinching, palming her whole breast and using the better leverage to push himself deep, hard, the way Riot knew Gemma liked. His hand at her clit slipped on the little bud of flesh, brushing ever-so-lightly at the hardness he could feel just with the tips of his calloused fingers.
He could hear the tremble in Gemma’s voice as she submitted to everything Riot gave her. Her thighs shuddered, pressed between Riot’s, held at the front by his sure fingers and at the back by his plunging cock. Her hands had nowhere to go and ended up in his hair, on his ass, pulling him closer.
But Riot had to know. Needed to hear her say it. “You want all of me?”
Gemma turned her head and kissed him, sucking Riot’s tongue deep into her mouth, then panting against his lips. “All of you. Forever.” Her amber eyes locked on Riot’s and he knew there was no going back. Not for either of them. More than anything in Riot’s life, this was meant to be.
He kissed Gemma deep once more, keeping up the relentless rhythm of his thrusting body as he found her elbows, pulled them behind her, locked them tight with one forearm. No telling what’s going to happen. Riot released his puma, inch-by-tightly-controlled-inch, feeling the shadows in the forest around them thicken as his fangs lengthened and his lips pulled back. He used his free hand to slip the soft curls away from Gemma's neck, and eyed the pulse point next to her collarbone.
Riot hesitated. Would she be frightened? Would he hurt her? One instant of pain, and then you'll never leave her, never let her be hurt again.
Riot struck.
Gemma lost her mind.
* * *
It was just like her dream, only so much better.
Gemma had already been halfway to gone just based on everything Riot had said to her tonight. He loves me? He’s always loved me? Couldn’t take his eyes off me from the first moment he saw me? Her heart hadn’t stopped going pitter-pat.
But somehow she’d known, when Riot asked her in that husky growl if she wanted all of him. Gemma had known she’d been declaring even more than she understood, but no more than she wanted. Riot. All of him. Forever.
She felt the stretch at her shoulders as Riot braced her arms behind her, still giving, giving, giving her that hard cock in a steady rhythm that made Gemma leave her mind behind in a way that nothing else could. His strong hand brushed the hair from one side of her neck and Gemma shivered as she felt him hesitate. What is he waiting for?
Then he pounced and Gemma had the impression of him kissing her throat, just above her collarbone, and then a searing pain she couldn’t place. But it didn’t matter, because as fast as it had been pain it was pleasure. Frantic, blinding pleasure that made Gemma’s body buck against Riot’s, take him deeper, squeeze him tighter.
She shook and moaned, maybe even screamed, as the shimmering bliss grew and moved through her. Buzzing like a current from one joined spot to the other, cycling up her belly and over her puckered nipples before returning by way of her spine.
But even more drastic than what was happening to her body was the effect on Gemma’s soul. I can feel him. Riot. Inside of her being, her essence. As indelible as if he’d carved his slash-marks into the dauntless mettle of her.
The two of them. Together. Fucking unstoppable.
And through it all, Riot held her close. So close Gemma was sure he would take her inside of him, if that was what was required. He will never let me go. Never again. Her Riot. Her love. Always. Gemma had all the proof she needed.
He kept loving her, kept holding her, kept thrusting inside of her until the soul buzz made its way back to Gemma’s body and ramped up, centering on her clit, her nipples, on the place where his slick, hard body stroked hers deep, deeper, as deep as he could go. Her mouth opened on a silent scream as she came, clenching and pulling at the hard flesh inside her. Gemma heard Riot’s grunts of exertion, felt the satisfaction as he pumped every drop of himself inside her and slowed.
Finally, but really probably only a couple of minutes later, the buzz started to fade. Gemma felt the oddest sensation as Riot pulled back from her throat and kissed her tenderly in the same spot, gently releasing her arms so that the ache didn’t overwhelm her.
He held her close as they breathed in sated rhythm. “Now I’m the man I always wanted to be. Yours.”
Chapter 44 - Riot’s Squad
They gathered the next morning, everyone who was part of The Cause, in Resperanza’s barracks rec room. Most everyone was dragging ass after the night before, Riot and Gemma included.
He and Gemma had made love once more in the woods after their Claiming, then come home and done the same in every corner of their bedroom. Riot said ‘their’ bedroom because as soon as he’d walked in he’d been confronted with a wall full of the climbing gear he’d left at the twins’ place, carefully hung on pegs or organized into bins on a low shelf next to Gemma’s wardrobe office. Not to mention his toothbrush had turned up, all the way from Blossom’s house. It had been the most meaningful night of Riot’s life, in every way. Full of so much joy his face ached from smiling, not to mention a few other choice parts, from… other happy things.
The air in the barracks was sober by contrast when Gemma and Riot turned the corner at the bottom of the staircase to join the meeting. Dario and Aven sat at the bar, as usual. Bryce leaned against it a few feet away, a surly look on his face. Even Darby had come, sitting on the opposite end of a sofa from her sister, twirling her pink hair and looking at her phone.
Riot was trying to play it casual, one arm wrapped around Gemma’s shoulders to hold her close, make it completely obvious they were together. Claimed, motherfuckers. I belong here.
Riot was sweating this meeting. Just a little. He figured he had some digs coming for the way he’d deserted the Cause the last two days before the raid on the gold mine, and he bet the other shifters would be only too happy to dish them out. Real question was whether anyone was going to hold a grudge afterwards.
Flint was the first to approach, his brown eyes locked on Riot’s as he strode purposefully over to them. Round one. Here we go. “Aven says you sniffed out the trap, saved our asses. Glad you were there, Lio.” The big grizzly held out his hand.
Say what, now? For a second Riot just stared. Flint’s welcoming words and the handshake he offered were so foreign to Riot’s experience of the Cause, he wasn’t sure how to react.
Flint must have taken his hesitation for refusal, because he rubbed awkwardly at the scruff on his chin and continued. “I, uh, I also know why you went so hard on Shain at sparring. I shouldn’t have given you shit about that without knowing the whole story.”
Holy shit, that almost sounds like an apology. What do I do with that? But Riot clearly heard the echo in his head of the voice that had told him yesterday to trust. He unwrapped his arm from Gemma’s shoulder to grasp Flint’s hand with his.
Flint nodded a hello to Gemma, then turned and made his way to sit between Goldie and Darby. Riot watched the petite blonde switch bounce up to kiss her mate’s cheek and then settle back in her seat, tilting her head to rest it on Flint’s shoulder, a contented smile on her face. He also didn’t miss the adoring look Flint cast her in return - at least I’m not the only one - nor the lip-curl that Darby threw them both.
Riot and Gemma found a spot on a sofa, next to Shiloh. Ryder leaned against the wall behind them. Jameson called the meeting to order. “Lots to cover. For starters, how the fuck did the vampires get a trap by us?”
Aven spoke up, sitting near Dario at the bar in the corner. “My fuck-up, boss. I got distracted by the woman that ran. Turns out that’s what they wanted.” He clacked his teeth. “Fatherborne was a lippy motherfucker. His driver called him Vlade.”
Goldie jolted upright. “That’s the one that attacked Flint at the duplex!”
Aven nodded. “He’s setting up to be a Grade A pain in our asses. Got to cackling about how we were so easy to control with the right motivations.” Aven looked sharply away before adding, “They let that girl run so I’d see her and bring everyone in. The last truck was a decoy.”
Jameson’s jaw bulged with his grinding teeth. “Change tactics; we start operating as if they know everything we do. And we need a better way of getting in touch with each other than fucking cell phones.”
Beside Riot, Gemma spoke up. “The shifter ceremony should take care of that, right? At least for the covenbound.” Riot's gut gave a roll. He'd almost missed the ceremony yesterday.
The Keeper tilted his head in acknowledgement. “It should. We’ll figure out something for the rest of the coventwined. I’ve been reading the Keeper’s Book ever since we got back from the mine-”
Cora interrupted him with a raised eyebrow. “Not ever since.”
Jameson blushed as he gave Cora a stern glance and she winked back. Riot laughed to himself. He’d never seen The Keeper blush until his mate came along, her modern womanhood frequently calling out his old-fashioned modesty. He’d also never seen Jameson happier than he’d been since their Claiming.
And now, as he looked at Gemma out of the corner of his eye, Riot understood why. The longing he’d felt when J and Flint had Claimed their switches had pushed Riot out of The Cause because he’d been scared it wouldn’t happen for him. That he’d be covenbound for the rest of his life and never find a switch who excited him like Gemma did. And Riot wasn’t scared of much, but he felt sick at the thought of missing out on that.
The Keeper went on. “So if nobody’s got anything else?”