The Alpha's Touch Boxed Set (14 Book Bundle)

by Taylor, Tawny

  “Does this scare you?” he asked, lifting the whip.

  She watched him comb his long, tapered fingers through the leather straps. “A little.”

  “Usually the anticipation of the pain is worse than the reality of it. I’m not just talking about in a dungeon, either.”

  “Yes.”

  “It’s normal to be anxious. That’s what gets the blood pumping, the endorphins rushing. That can be good or bad. In this case, it’s very good. I want to build expectation.” He pulled his fingers through the straps again. Then he gave his wrist a quick flick, sending them flying toward her fanny, they struck with a quick and light snap. The pain followed, a dozen little stings.

  She gasped and tensed the muscles of her back.

  “Oh yes, very nice. Look how you’ve raised your ass. You want another? Perhaps a little harder this time?”

  The pain from the first strike was already fading. She nodded and stared at his hand, waiting for that quick motion again.

  One side of his mouth lifted into a crooked smile. He shook his head. “No, this time I don’t want you to watch. Turn around.” He motioned with an index finger. “It’ll be even more of a surprise if you can’t see.”

  What a delightfully naughty game he played! Trembling now from head to toe, she turned and leaned over the kneeler’s center support. She felt every tiny gust of air, heard every breath she took in. Her mouth still tasted of his kiss.

  A whoosh of air hit her backside and she flinched, expecting to feel the bite of the whip but it didn’t come. Her heart was pounding out a wild conga beat now, and she was tempted to turn around but before she could, the whip struck her ass. She jerked and yelped when the pain shot up her spine. She was shaking now, shaking and on fire and ready to collapse. Every nerve in her body was lit up. She felt like she was about to jump out of her skin.

  A third strike landed on her other buttock, sending yet another spike of pain blazing up to her brain. This time she cried out, “Ow!” She was lost to the world, to everything but what was happening inside her.

  She felt him kissing her burning flesh, stroking her sopping pussy. His hair tickled her skin, giving her a healthy dose of goose bumps. She shivered, even though she was so hot she was sweating.

  “Enough.” He walked around the kneeler and stopped directly in front of her. “I know you hunger for more pain but you’re not ready. Not yet.” He helped her stand up and wobble to a sex swing. She leaned back and waited as he strapped her into it, tied her knees out to the sides and wrists up over her head. The skin of her ass still stung but the burn only added to the already overwhelming mix of sensations charging through her system.

  “Have you ever fucked in a swing before?”

  “No, Master.”

  His smile promised her the kinds of delights she’d only dreamed about until recently, and she briefly reflected on how much things had changed over the past several nights. It was so cliché, but she knew her life would never be the same again. Burke and Miko had set her life on an entirely new and thrilling course.

  Still smiling, Miko gripped the straps rising from either side of her hips and pulled the swing toward him until the head of his erect cock was prodding her pussy.

  Just a little more. A few inches and he’d be buried deep inside.

  He gave the straps a swift yank and they were joined completely. His cock slid deep inside. Simultaneously, she moaned and he groaned. Then he set about driving her absolutely insane by alternatively pushing her away and pulling her closer.

  Tied as she was, she could do nothing but drop her head back and enjoy the ride. And oh what a ride it was! She was weightless, completely under Miko’s expert control and out of her mind with lust. With each rock back and forth, she was brought closer and closer to climax. Tension wound through her body, pulling muscles into tight knots. Heat spiraled out from her center, spreading up over her stomach and chest. Down to her toes.

  And then he stopped, pulled out and dropped to his knees.

  She knew what he was about to do, but it didn’t stop her from giving a whimper of pleasure when he parted her labia and flicked his tongue over her clit.

  The bliss was beyond words. He pushed two fingers into her pussy while continuing to stimulate her clit with his magical tongue. Climax came swiftly. It was like a warm wave as it rushed over her body, carrying away all the tension his sweet tormenting had sparked. The spasms hadn’t yet eased when he stood up and resumed fucking her. The added sensation of his intimate strokes in and out made her climax last for what felt like an eternity. She blinked open her eyes mere moments before he reached climax. And then, as she watched, the beautiful man making love to her changed into a hideous beast. No sooner did she gasp in surprise than he was back to Miko, the handsome man. He staggered as he pulled out of her and gave her a sated smile.

  Had she just imagined that change?

  He must’ve realized something was wrong because his expression sobered. He tipped his head and gave her a questioning look. “Is something wrong, kitten?”

  She was still tingling all over and warm from Miko’s thorough lovemaking, but the horror of what she’d seen was sending chills down her spine. “I… I think I saw something.”

  He nodded and silently freed her from her bindings. After helping her to her feet and magically producing a robe, which she promptly put on, he motioned for her to have a seat on a bench. “You know we are a magical people by now.”

  “Yes.”

  “What you see, in that brief moment as I reach climax is what we call our Verus Corpus, True Body. Our magic is strong enough to maintain the form you see for all time, with the exception of a brief instant before we climax and at the time of our death. It is only then that you will see me as I truly am, as a monster to your eyes.”

  It was hard to wrap her mind around the fact that, in truth, she was making love to monsters. Great, tall beings with long, gangly limbs, skeletal bodies and gray-hued skin. Miko’s face had changed too. It had reminded her of that hideous deep-sea fish. The one with the blunt-nosed face and mouth full of long, needle-like teeth.

  The image was stuck there, in her head. It was frightening and repulsive and even knowing she didn’t have to see it again, if she simply kept her eyes closed during that brief instant when the shroud fell away, she wasn’t sure if she could get past it.

  Monsters. Burke and Miko were truly monsters.

  Since she’d first met Burke, she’d barely recognized the fact that they weren’t human. She was slowly accepting the fact that when either of them was around, her brain didn’t function. There was some kind of invisible erotic bond between them and no matter what was going on, in the world, in her head, wherever, if one of them touched her, she was ready to go at it like rabbits.

  And she’d become even more accepting of the perks of being with a man who could drum up a five-course meal or designer wardrobe at the snap of his fingers.

  But this… this wasn’t fun. It wasn’t even mildly annoying. It was spooky.

  She supposed she should’ve expected some kind of negative to the whole dating-a-vampire thing. Something that went beyond the difficulties of Burke having been wrongfully accused of committing a crime. Everyone who walked the earth had a good and a not-so-good side. Why should vampires be any exception?

  She supposed it would take some time to accept what she’d seen today. She could tell by the kind warmth she saw in Miko’s eyes that he was going to be his understanding self and give her some space.

  The man was really a sweetheart. Sexy and commanding in the bedroom yet sincere and kind outside. Perhaps it wouldn’t take as long as she thought to get over that scare.

  He snapped his fingers and the furniture changed into cozy, upholstered pieces. “I’m sorry I didn’t do this earlier. I hadn’t had the time to prepare the apartment for you, hadn’t expected to have you stay this long.” He swept his arm in a wide arc, motioning to the furniture in the room like a model in a game show. “How’s this?
Better?”

  “How about some books? If I’m going to be stuck here all by my lonesome for God knows how long, I sure would like something to make the time go by. Oh, and a nice, cushy bed to sleep in too.”

  He snapped his fingers again, and one wall of the living room was covered with bookcases. “How’s that?”

  “Better. But can you tell me why can’t you stay here with me? Why do you have to stay away?”

  He glanced toward the window and pursed his lips. “Because if I stay, we’ll never catch the killer.” He looked reluctant as he stepped closer and took her hands in his. And she admitted, she felt a little uncomfortable, having not gotten over the shock of discovering her hunky vamp turned into a hideous monster when they fucked. But she stayed put and gazed into his eyes as he kissed each of her fingertips. “Patience, kitten. When this is all over, we’ll be together.”

  “What about my bills? My club?”

  “They are all being taken care of.”

  “I don’t accept charity.”

  “It’s not charity. Consider it a loan if you like. I know how much your business means to you and I wouldn’t want it to suffer. By staying here, you’re helping me catch the killer. I think that entitles you to something. Wouldn’t you say?” he asked, giving her a teasing, sparkly-eyed look.

  “I suppose so,” she said, not exactly sold on his reasoning, but figuring she’d go with the flow. Sooner or later, if things didn’t change, she’d lose her patience. For now, she was willing to wait. “Hurry. Please.”

  “I will.” After giving the back of her hand one lingering kiss, he bent, looking all noble and dashing, like a prince, and carried himself with long, purposeful strides to the door. “We will see each other very soon.”

  “I hope so,” she whispered as she watched him leave.

  Chapter Twelve

  It wouldn’t be long now. He’d finally solved the puzzle, found the missing piece, discovered why his prior attempts to raise his beloved had failed. It had taken him a while.

  He now knew what blood he needed, or more specifically whose. A bound Origo. That complicated matters a bit, since there was only one Origo he personally knew. And she hadn’t yet been bound to her Masters. Plus, there was the minor complication regarding what her death would do to her Masters. But he couldn’t think of that now. Not with the hunger inside him burning so agonizingly. He needed his beloved. He’d lived without her for too long. The end would have to justify the means.

  Unfortunately, he was going to have to do something to help move things along for the Origo and her Masters. It wouldn’t be easy, considering everything, but he needed them to complete the Iugum. And he needed them to complete the Iugum before sunrise.

  He’d suffered long enough.

  * * *

  “Sylvie’s in danger.” Burke dropped the newspaper on the floor and charged for the door, knocking Isabella’s hand away when she reached for him.

  “Wait!” she shouted to his back. “How do you know this isn’t a trap?”

  He stopped, turned and nodded. “I don’t know that. It could be a trap. But the bottom line is she’s not with Dvorak anymore, and if she’s not with him then she’s vulnerable.”

  “You’re overreacting. Think about it. There’s been nothing for nights. No murders. And you never did have any proof that she was the murderer’s next victim. Maybe he’s left town to track down the next victim? Maybe he’s dead. Who knows?”

  “Yeah, you could be right. But I can’t stand the thought of Sylvie not being with one of us. Do you know what her death would mean to us? What the hell is Dvorak thinking by leaving her alone like that?”

  “Exactly!” Isabella said, lifting a hand. “What is he thinking? And why is this in the newspaper? It rings of a setup. They’re trying to trap you, use Sylvie to coax you out of hiding. It’s all too convenient.”

  “Fine. So that just means I’ll have to be ready for them.” He scooped up the paper. “I need to find that ass, Dvorak, and find out where they have her.”

  “You’re being stupid.”

  “No, I’m doing what needs to be done to protect my Origo. If something happens to her…”

  “Hey, Dvorak isn’t going to want anything to happen to her either. Bound or not, there’s a connection between the three of you already. It’s just not quite as deep yet. He’ll still suffer if she’s harmed.”

  “Unless he can’t help it. Unless he can’t protect her.” He pointed at the article. “Do I need to read this to you again? According to this article, Dvorak’s been taken off the case. I need to get to him before he’s reassigned and find out what’s happened.”

  Isabella frowned and shook her head. She grumbled something under her breath as she walked past him to the door of their temporary sanctuary, an abandoned store in a strip mall, and headed outside. “I know I’m going to regret this. Let’s go,” she said on a sigh.

  Burke followed her to the rusted pile of bolts they’d bought off of a punk for a couple hundred dollars and they headed to Dvorak’s place first. He’d spent the past few nights going back and forth between local nightclubs and Dvorak’s house, unable to resist the temptation to try to get a peek at Sylvie. It had been several nights now since he’d seen her. He’d thought the pain of being separated from her would’ve eased with the passage of time, but it hadn’t. It had grown steadily worse. It was now a fierce, excruciating agony, a cramping in his gut and heaviness in his chest that was making it hard for him to think, to function.

  Isabella was probably right. This was a trap. But he was in such misery now, he didn’t give a damn. If he could just see her. Touch her.

  “What’re you going to do?” Isabella asked once he’d cut the car’s engine.

  “I’m going to knock on the door and ask him where she is and what the hell he thinks he’s doing leaving her unprotected. That’s what I’m going to do. And if he’s lucky, I won’t kick his ass before I leave.”

  “This isn’t going to be pretty.” Isabella followed him up the front walk.

  “Yeah, but at least he’s been pulled off the case. I doubt Hadrian expected me to come knocking on his brother’s door, so there won’t be a trap set here. They’re probably waiting wherever they’ve hidden Sylvie. Dammit, I wish they’d catch the bastard who’s really committing the murders.”

  “You and me both.”

  He rang the bell. Within seconds, he saw a shadow pass across the window. He readied himself for a battle and, senses alert, took a step back from the door. “Watch my back,” he whispered.

  “Got it covered,” Isabella answered.

  Miko looked like he’d seen Dracula himself when he opened the front door. “What the hell are you doing on my porch?”

  Burke didn’t give him time to react. He charged at him like a pissed off rhino, shoving him back until they were both in his living room. Burke held Miko pinned against the wall. Their noses were nearly touching.

  He could smell Sylvie on his skin. In agony, he dragged in several deep breaths. “Where is she? And what the hell do you think you’re doing abandoning her with no protection?” he demanded on a growl. He had to give Dvorak credit. For a guy pinned against a wall by a vampire who could rip him like tissue paper, he was calm, icy cool.

  Miko lifted his chin and glared. “What the fuck are you talking about? She’s safe.”

  “If she’s not with you and she’s not with me, she’s not safe.”

  One side of Miko’s mouth curled into a cocky smile. Damn, he wanted to smack that fucking grin off Dvorak’s face. “You’ve lost it, friend,” Miko said.

  “No, but I will lose it if you don’t tell me where she is. Right now.” He punctuated the last two words with a hard shake of the bastard’s shoulders. “There’s a fucking killer out there.”

  “Yeah. Why don’t you tell me about him? Huh?”

  “No, why don’t you take a ride with us? Since you don’t seem to be in a hurry to get rid of me. Is Hadrian on his way in with a fucking arm
y?”

  Miko shrugged. “No.”

  “Yeah. And I’m the Pope. Let’s go.” He took Miko by the shirt and shoved him toward the door.

  “Where are we going?” Miko asked as he strolled through the doorway.

  “How about we do a double date?”

  “Okay. This’ll be the last date you’ll be on for a long, long time, once my brother gets his hands on you.”

  “We’ll see about that.”

  * * *

  Someone was at the front door. Sylvie knew that someone was not just any someone either. This someone was special. This someone was making her hot and they hadn’t even opened the door yet.

  Curious. Very, very curious, indeed.

  Neither Burke nor Miko had stirred this kind of reaction in her, at least not without touching her. Was something going on that she didn’t understand? Had the bond between Miko and her somehow strengthened after their last lovemaking?

  Expecting to find Miko on the other side of the door, she hurried to it, but it swung open before she reached the middle of the living room.

  She halted mid-step and nearly fell over.

  Burke and Miko. Together. No wonder she was on fire!

  She did something she hadn’t done in many years -- she squealed like a little girl who’d just been told she could shop till she dropped at Toys-R-Us. Then she hurled herself at the guys, determined to show them both exactly how thrilled she was to see them.

  Miko slammed the door at the precise instant Sylvie landed in Burke’s arms.

  She cupped Burke’s gorgeous face in her hands. “Are you okay? Is everything all right? I’m so glad to see you.” She didn’t wait for him to respond before peering at Miko. “You came here together?”

  “He sort of kidnapped me,” Miko admitted, sounding sheepish. His face was the shade of a ripe tomato.

  She adored that face.

  Compelled to soothe Miko’s bruised ego, she took one of his hands in hers and squeezed it. She met his gaze. He didn’t just look embarrassed. He also looked troubled. Deep furrows cut across his forehead. “What’s wrong?” she asked.