by Aline Hunter
And the most terrifying thing was the realization she didn’t want to.
He watched her closely, frowning. “What’s wrong?”
His concern touched her in ways his physicality never could. Hunger rose, but it wasn’t for blood. The promise of tasting another portion of him overrode any craving for the liquid rapture pulsing through his veins.
For once, she would experience the forbidden.
She urged him to his feet and gazed up when he stood tall above her with a curious expression on his face. Before he could figure her out, she went on her tiptoes and pressed her mouth against his parted lips. She slid her fingers over his shirt, bringing them to the top button at his throat. His breath caught, and his massive body tensed when she slid the button free to reveal a tanned thatch of skin.
“Don’t move.” With a sinful grin of her own, she whispered, “It’s my turn.”
Chapter Seven
Each brush of her delicate fingers against his skin was torture.
Too little yet just enough.
Up until now, Wolfe hadn’t known if Arden would accept him. Even with the attraction between them—even as his body produced the pheromones that enticed her to react and respond to him without hesitation—he wasn’t sure if she’d take things to the next level.
My female. My mate.
A peace came from the knowledge, a comfort he didn’t know he needed giving him a measure of calm. It was as it should be. They were two halves of one whole. Only together would they would find completion. He’d do everything in his power to make her happy. He wanted to see her smile, hear her laugh.
She would care for him and in turn, he would protect her.
Shelter her. Nourish her.
Love her.
“Your skin’s as warm as the sun,” she whispered in wonder, each delicate syllable like a spoken caress.
“It must be the lycae in him.”
Wolfe tried to stop listening to her thoughts, knowing she resented the invasion of privacy, but he couldn’t seem to help himself. Random portions still slipped past, revealing her intense yearnings and secret desires. She was excited but anxious, fearful of harming him in some way.
“For you, t’keeira.”
He hissed and gritted his teeth, forcing his body to remain still as the last button popped free. She slid the material away from his chest, her fingers flittering over his skin. Once the shirt was hanging over his shoulders, she lifted his hands one at a time and unclasped the buttons at the wrists. She pressed against him, her thoughts telling him she wanted to be closer, and removed his shirt. With a wave of her hands, she sent the material drifting to the floor. As she moved away, she finally touched him, giving him what he’d been only too eager for.
“You’re solid muscle,” she murmured, resting her hands on his chest, her fingers trembling. “I’ve never seen anything like you before.”
He inhaled, wanting to swim in the fragrant musk of her arousal. She was dripping wet, her pussy positively soaked. There was no fear in the air, only the maddening scent that was all Arden. If he reached down and slid a finger into her slit, she’d accept him with ease. He’d part her, stretch her out and get her ready.
“You live in the city with the largest population of lycae in the southern United States,” he teased, lifting a hand to remove a smudge of dirt beneath her eye. “I’m sure you’ve seen others who look exactly like me.”
She shook her head and tendrils of her hair drifted along his forearm. He watched as she brought her mouth to his chest. She nuzzled the skin above his heart and closed her eyes. After several passes, her tongue darted out. He hissed at the contact. She bathed his flesh in sultry laps. He felt the sharp edge of her incisors when she trailed them against his skin, never breaking the surface. The caress of her fingers became bold as her hands ventured lower.
She stilled at the dark hair just below his belly button. “I’ve seen sex demons, master Chimera and alpha lycae. But I’ve never seen your equal.” Her admission was quietly spoken, but he heard her loud and clear. His body went rigid, the length of his cock rising to full mast.
He started to repay the compliment when she grasped his belt and made quick work of the leather and metal. She placed her hands behind the rim of his slacks, turning her fingers until the top button popped free. The zipper slid down with ease, his pants parting and making way. She went to her knees and eased the boxers and slacks down his thighs. Cool air hit the portion of him that wanted her attention most. His throbbing cock sprang out, fully engorged and erect.
Arden’s eyes formed into enormous, sky-blue saucers. “You’re big all over.”
He would have laughed if he didn’t scent her nervousness. If he wanted to make their first time together something she’d remember and dream about, he had to put her at ease. Determined to calm her and move things along, he ran his hand over her head.
“Don’t stop. Take what you want.”
She licked her lip, the tip of her pink tongue gliding over plump skin.
Fuck.
One innocent action and he couldn’t think straight.
An unbridled surge of lust and need crackled through his body. He wanted to bend his female over the counter and lick her honeyed slit until she screamed his name. Then he wanted to bury himself so deeply inside her that she’d never be rid of him. He’d brand her with his body, cover her in his scent.
“I don’t want to do this wrong.” Her voice broke but he didn’t detect fear, only hesitance. Her eyes drifted past his stomach and she gazed up at him. Her blonde hair was mussed, her blue eyes large and radiant. She was the most beautiful creature he’d ever seen. A paragon intended to ease centuries of loneliness.
He resisted the urge to kneel down to reassure her. “I’ll like it, t’keeira. Just thinking about those soft lips of yours around my cock…” Reaching down, he skimmed the back of his hand across her cheek. “You can’t do it wrong. Believe me. Your mouth is going to feel like heaven.”
She lowered her gaze, shifted forward and lifted her hands. He held his breath when she wrapped a hand around the base of his cock and gave it a squeeze.
Fucking-A.
Her skin felt like silk, her palm softer than a rose petal. She brought her hand to the head and swirled her thumb around the crown. Instinct and impatience had him rocking his hips, working in tandem with her touch. Her fingers stroked in harmony with the motions, her hands caressing his length from root to tip.
“That’s so good,” he groaned, tossing his head back as he closed his eyes.
Had any other brought him this level of pleasure with a mere touch? He couldn’t recall anything that had felt so good. His thoughts folded on themselves, disintegrating into nothing when he felt a firm lick across the head of his cock. His eyes flew open and he looked down. Arden had collected the semen in the tip, taking it into her mouth.
Holy shit.
She licked her lips again, humming as she swallowed. If the sensation wasn’t enough to bring him to climax, the expression on her face would certainly see to it. She pulled away to gaze up at him, lush strands of blonde cascading down her back.
“I was right.”
“Right?” He exhaled the word, chest heaving as he struggled for breath.
The smile she gave him was pure, delicious sin. “You taste incredible.”
If she was nervous before, she was eager now. Her mouth returned, but this time she took the entire tip into the warm, wet crevice. He groaned, trapped in raw sensation. She ran her tongue along the bottom of his shaft as she sucked, plunging him into pure, undeniable ecstasy. He shifted his feet and she gently cupped his balls.
Damn.
He didn’t want to make her feel rushed, but he couldn’t help himself.
Winding his fingers in her hair, he palmed the back of her head. The wet heat of her mouth deprived him of oxygen, bringing him so close to orgasm he felt stuck between pleasure and pain. She sucked him hard, taking his cock until he felt the soft wall of her th
roat. He waited to see if she’d panic or stop, watching as she pulled back. She tried again, taking more of him in her second attempt. Her deep moan sent a tingling current up the length of his dick.
“Hell yes. Suck me. Take me deep.”
She moaned again, giving him what he asked for. There was no hesitation. No nervousness. Her behavior had become something he recognized. In fact, lycae were told to wait for this very thing when claiming their mates. He slipped into her thoughts, and found precisely what he was hoping for.
Relief poured over him.
Thank fucking God.
The claiming instinct was taking over, an allure so powerful it would worm its way into her very soul. His pheromones would guide her, creating an inner voice that instructed her to entice him to mate. He’d feared the instinct wouldn’t occur since she was half vampire and not human or lycae. Matings with vampires had occurred in the past, but they were extremely rare. No one knew much about the pairings, except the pull—like with any other mating—was undeniable.
Keening moans vibrated up his cock, ecstasy so intense he had to struggle for control. Her fingers surrounded the base, moving in rhythm with her lips and tongue. She was desperate for release. He could hear, smell and sense her readiness. When he tried to pull away, she wrapped her hands around his ass.
“No more.” He groaned, prying himself away from her sweet little mouth. “You’ll make me come before I’m ready.”
The eyes that met his were cloudy, her pupils dilated. Her forehead creased, eyebrows furrowing together. Confusion and a newfound want consumed her. He didn’t try to piece together her thoughts, using her distraction to his advantage.
He peered around the small space, taking everything in, and frowned as he studied the room. There was no bathtub, fluffy towels or candles. There also weren’t any flowers or decorations on the wall. Nothing indicated a woman lived in the residence. A basket nestled next to the walk-in shower held soap, shampoo and clean washcloths. So basic and simple. His female deserved better than this, surviving but not living.
No more of that shit. I’ll get her everything she needs.
He walked to the glass door, slid it open and turned the stainless steel nozzles affixed to the wall. The spray was heavy, the water turning hot quickly. Satisfied, he pivoted to face his mate. She sat in the same place and position on her knees. Wolfe brought her to her feet and claimed her trembling lips in a chaste kiss.
He extended a claw and cut the lace in the center of her bra. Her panties soon followed, leaving her as bare and ready as he was. Her breasts were like the rest of her—perfectly formed. The rounded swells were crowned with pink nipples, each pebbled and hard. He skimmed his thumbs around one areola, experiencing a thrill at her throaty moan. Steam surrounded them as he guided her into the shower.
Wrapping his fingers into her hair, he forced her head back. Water coated the strands and dripped down her neck, traveling in a winding path to her breasts. He washed her slowly, starting with her head and working his way to her feet. He discovered she had one feminine indulgence. The delectable scent of honeysuckle came from her shampoo; the sweet aroma covering her skin was caused by her milk soap. With each caress, he learned her body, placing her lean curves to memory. He’d recognize this woman even if he were blind, deaf and unable to use his keen sense of smell.
Once he finished with her torso, he knelt to soap up her ass, belly and hips. Here and there, he felt jagged and uneven skin. A simple inspection confirmed his suspicion. Scars. She had some that were so long and deep they marred the perfection of her alabaster skin. He traced one of the ragged lines with the tip of his finger.
“How did you come by these?”
“I wasn’t always immortal. The change didn’t come until I was eighteen.” She gasped when his hand drifted to her sex and he teased the outer folds. “I wasn’t nearly as quick or balanced before the transition, so training didn’t come easy. I caught the sharp end of the blade on more than one occasion.”
Fury distorted his vision. “These are marks from the Thymeria?”
“Yes.”
Taylor had mentioned Arden’s involvement in the faction, but Wolfe hadn’t had much of a reason to consider the implications until then. “Why didn’t they wait to train you? Why did they take such an enormous risk?”
“They thought I was like everyone else,” she replied quietly.
“You could have gotten yourself killed.” He detested the harsh edge to his voice, the way his anger seemed directed at her. But he couldn’t prevent his reaction. “You should have told them.”
“I couldn’t.” She shied away from his touch, wrapping her arms around her waist.
“Why the hell not?” Thinking of her engaged in combat while vulnerable infuriated him. His mate could have been killed for nothing more than petty games in the vampire war for supremacy.
“I didn’t know.”
How is that possible? She had to have known. Unless…
Sympathy and a dawning understanding overpowered outrage. “You didn’t know? You had no idea what you were?”
“My mother died when I was a child. I never had the chance to know her. If she was going to tell me anything about my father, she never had a chance.”
Things started falling into place. Orphans were the Thymeria’s recruits of choice. “That’s how they found you, isn’t it?”
“Yes.” She eased her arms from her waist and reached out, brushing her fingers over his temple. “The past doesn’t matter. I survived.” Her fingers slid into his hair, her touch sending goose bumps up his neck. He met her gaze just as she asked, “Are you all right?”
No, he wasn’t all right. He wanted to hunt down each and every Thymeria who had placed Arden in danger and snap their heads from their bodies. “I’m fine.”
He lowered his head, taking measured breaths. Things were different now. If the Thymeria came after his female, he would kill them. Lycae or not, she was his mate.
That made her pack.
He forced aside images of her being harmed in battle and finished washing her body. Although he was eager to have her return the favor, he decided against it. If she touched him, he would lose the last of his control. His rock hard cock ached, his balls so full they felt as though they might burst.
Taking her fragile hips in his hands, he placed kisses along her belly and ventured to her breasts. He snagged a taut bud between his lips and laved the flesh with his tongue. Arden’s soft cry hit him like a freight train. His sac tightened and his cock jerked. He’d never wanted to fuck like this—hard and fast, without consideration for his partner.
Slow the fuck down, asshole.
“Your mouth feels so good,” she breathed.
He nuzzled her hard, wet nipple. “I’m going to make you fly, baby.”
Her fingers wrapped in his hair and she tugged. “I don’t want to wait.”
Claim her. Take her.
She wants this just as much as you do.
He carried her from the stall, placed her in front of the counter and went to work toweling her dry. The beast inside him raged for what it needed, demanding to be heard. It wanted to sample her cunt, to taste her as she came. Her scent was too much, shattering his restraint. Tossing the towel aside, he lifted her onto the counter. She reclined, letting him do as he wanted. He pushed her back until her shoulders rested against the mirror, situating her so her ass was nestled carefully against the surface. Then he moved forward and pressed close, taking up the space between her thighs. She gasped when he placed her legs over his shoulders and gazed at her body, taking her in.
Fuck, she’s beautiful.
“W-wolfe,” she stammered and clutched the edge of the counter. “What are you doing?”
He brought his hands around and cupped her ass. “What I’ve wanted to do since I first smelled you.”
Her sex was hairless, and he marveled at the silken skin beneath his mouth. Her swollen labia were pink from his petting in the shower, the slick folds
inside visible and glistening. He spread her outer lips and lifted his eyes. As soon as their gazes met, he flattened his tongue and tasted her in a long, deep stroke. She shuddered, resting the back of her head against the mirror. Her taste was better than his fantasies, absolutely cock-rocking.
Fucking hell.
He would never get enough of this woman.
Not now. Not tomorrow.
Not ever.
Chapter Eight
This is heaven.
Wolfe sucked and licked at her pussy with abandon, waggling his head from side to side. Arden released the counter and clutched his hair. He growled, bathing her crease with warm laps of his tongue. She jerked when he penetrated her with one of his thick fingers. He pressed his hand forward, stopping only when his knuckle met the softness of her sex.
“Are you ready for me?” His voice changed, becoming hoarse and throaty. He withdrew his finger and returned with two, forcing her pussy to stretch to accommodate him. She groaned, parting her thighs. “Your body says you are. You’re hot as fire and as sleek as satin, so tight and warm around my fingers.”
She didn’t have a chance to answer him, set off balance as those hard fingers drove into her. It felt too good, too incredible. A wondrous vibration spread from her belly, traveling to her nipples and clit. He thrust into her again and rotated his fingers until he found a spot that had her seeing stars. She tried to reach for what she wanted, shaking hard as she lifted her hips, pushing her pussy against his hand.
“You want to come so badly, t’keeira.” He rubbed the tender area in her pussy and lowered his head. “Relax and let go.”
Unpleasant memories kept the promise of pleasure at bay, a harsh reminder of the last time she’d allowed herself to take the risk. A climax came with bloodlust, the need so strong she couldn’t overcome her thirst. Wolfe was strong but a vampire had the potential to cause serious harm. If she got a good latch on him as she fed, she could drain him dry in minutes.
The pinnacle neared again, promising the most intense pleasure if she’d allow herself to fall. She writhed on the counter, pressing against his hand. Her conscience tried to steer her body away from orgasm, continuing to fight what she wanted yet feared.