by Kari Thomas
He wanted to laugh with the incredible, sheer joy he felt. It shocked him to his soul. Never had he experienced this…overwhelming rush of emotions…for any woman. Aiden closed his eyes for a moment and let that realization sink deep within him. The moment he acknowledged his true feelings, the beast within him roared to life.
Dominant. Demanding control. Wild. Possessive.
He covered her body with his and clasped her hands, bringing them to rest beside her face. He stared down into her eyes. Her look of wanton invitation, shot from under lowered lashes, was all he needed to see, to urge him on. Oh-so-slowly he parted her legs with his knee and settled between her thighs. He made one last effort to still the raging demand of his body, reminding himself that she was an innocent, untutored in love.
His beast hovered dangerously close to the surface.
Fire raced through his blood. His heart pounded in painful beats and a roar, like the sound of rushing wind, echoed through his head. He gritted his teeth. Not this time. I won’t let the beast free.
She realized she was holding her breath. Aiden’s large, hard erection was pressed heavy between her legs, scorching her with its silken heat. She couldn’t think straight.
Only feel.
And the feeling was beyond incredible.
He had his eyes clenched tightly closed. For one brief moment she panicked, thinking his sudden stillness meant he was having second thoughts. She couldn’t bear it if he stopped now!
“Aiden,” she whispered, “don’t stop. Please.” He choked out a harsh laugh and opened his eyes. A flash of red flared for one brief moment and she held in a gasp at the intensity of its flame. But she didn’t have time to dwell on it.
He released one of her hands and slowly caressed his way down her body to the pulsing part of her, now moist and waiting. She panted with intense pleasure as he slowly pushed one, then two fingers into her center. Her muscles clenched around them and she wiggled against the burning, intimate invasion. He withdrew his fingers and reached up to hold her hands in a restraining grip.
“Keep your eyes open, Kira,” he uttered roughly. “I want to watch you when I make you mine.”
Kira’s heart soared.
Aiden moved slightly and eased his hardness slowly into her moist passage. As he pushed himself into her incredibly tight channel, she automatically clenched her muscles around the invasive touch. “Easy, baby,” Aiden pressed a gentle kiss on her parted lips. “Don’t tense up. Let me in.”
“Yes!” Kira breathed out the heartfelt word and, in the next instant, gasped it again as Aiden lunged forward and sank deep inside her. The tearing pain was fleeting. She felt a pulsing fullness, breath-taking heat. The urge to move, to feel more, take more, was tantalizing.
Aiden went still, his breathing harsh. “Are you alright?”
Kira nodded, unable to talk past the breathlessness she was experiencing. She was more than all right. She was perfect. He was perfect. “You’re so…big. And so…hot. Hard…and perfect.” Her muscles clutched him with each panted response. A little laugh escaped past her lips. “So perfect.”
“Damn, Kira,” Aiden groaned out harshly, his body responding to her words with an eagerness to have her feel more, experience all he had to give. “You’re going to be the death of me.”
Kira felt his determined restraint in the tension of his muscles, heard it in his jerky breathing. He was still worried about hurting her and the realization touched something deep inside her, forever branding that part of her as his. “You won’t hurt me, Aiden.” She knew it in her heart that he wouldn’t physically hurt her. And, for this precious moment in time, she didn’t want to dwell on the other way he could.
At her words Aiden moved, sinking deeper. Kira gasped out his name, begging him for something she couldn’t put a name to. He answered her request with a growl so primal, so possessive, she lost her breath all over again. Then he was moving, slowly, aggressively. Withdrawing almost completely out of her body before thrusting forward into her, over and over again. Kira felt the restraint in his heated strokes as the pressure inside her built, and she knew she didn’t want his restraint.
She wanted all of him, the wildness, the passion. She pulled her hands free from his slippery grasp and tangled them in his long hair. She lifted her head and touched her lips to his, demanding, “Take me, Aiden. I’m yours.”
Aiden threw his head back and roared, released from his torturous self restraint. He gripped her hips, tilted them up, and plunged into her hard and fast.
Kira tightened her body around him, clinging to his shoulders as she instinctively rose up to meet thrust after thrust. The incredible, intense pleasure-pain built to a crescendo, rushing over her like an all-consuming wave. Immeasurable sensations, soul-touching emotions overwhelmed her, stealing her breath, taking her heart.
Claiming her soul.
The pressure wave built, centering from deep within her and rising higher with each possessive stroke. Aiden plunged deep, hard, touching the very center of her womb. She cried out as her sharp, breath-stealing orgasm ripped through her. The waves rolled over and over, leaving her clenching Aiden tight within her and shuddering with aftershocks that seemed to go on forever.
He pushed deep and stilled for one, long, tense moment. With a hoarse shout, “Kira!” he thrust deep into her with a rough, hard stroke that brought another cry of intense pleasure from her. His body shuddered violently, releasing his seed into her pulsing womb, and Kira’s muscles clenched tight, unconsciously clinging to his hot essence. Their rough breathing mingled as the fading tremors of rolling orgasms eased. Aiden lay heavy on her but Kira didn’t want him to move. Not yet.
She wanted this moment to last forever.
She loved him.
And now…how does he feel about me?
Aiden withdrew from her still-clinging sheath and raised his head to look at her. Trepidation settled instantly in the pit of her stomach. The last thing she expected to hear from his mouth were angry words, spoken rough and low.
“We forgot protection.”
Chapter Fourteen
Aiden bit back the cutting, foul words that came to mind. How stupid was he…forgetting about something that important! Damn. This had been wrong from the beginning. His head knew it but his body had refused to listen.
But making love with Kira had been more than a ‘want’ for him; it had been a need that had demanded completion. So he’d done what any normal male would have done in his place – claimed his mate.
And now he’d risked everything he held dear…
His body still pulsed with the deep, aching need to take her again. Once hadn’t been enough. He groaned.
Hell, a hundred times wouldn’t be enough!
He rolled off her warm, soft body and stared up at the ceiling. He listened to her catchy breath, could feel her body trembling from the aftermath of their lovemaking, and he mentally cursed. He’d promised her he wouldn’t hurt her and, now…now he was about to break that promise.
They couldn’t be together. Nothing could ever change that. She didn’t know his secret…and the truth would horrify her. It had been sheer willpower that had kept him from changing during the ecstatic moment he’d claimed her for his own. He’d been so close…but his survival instincts had reared to the forefront and he’d remained in control.
Barely.
It was taking every ounce of willpower he had right now not to reach for her again. He thought about the reasons they couldn’t be together: She’s a witch...just like her sister. I can’t take the chance that she’d betray me...later. What if it turns out that she does have something to do with all that’s happening to my people? Does she have it in her to be as evil as Sonia? Her sister killed my brother. How can that be forgotten? And, there’s Marissa. She’s innocent and must be protected at all cost. I can’t risk everything I hold dear, everyone I’ve vowed to protect. Not even...for Kira.
No matter how much I wish I could …
Aiden’s
silence made Kira’s heart ache. What was he thinking about? Did he regret making love to her? It was so...consuming. So powerful. How could he regret something so...perfect? Hadn’t he felt that incredible moment when their souls had touched at the peak of their tumultuous union? No. It was what had happened after, that now had Aiden cold and aloof. She clenched her hand into a fist and chewed on her bottom lip. His cryptic words still echoed in her mind: We forgot protection.
The thought hadn’t even entered her head. All she had thought about was Aiden, the way he made her feel. She’d wanted him to make love to her and had purposely closed her mind to any consequences. Her shaky hand drifted to her taunt stomach.
Was…pregnancy…a possibility? And what would she do if…
She turned to face him, to watch as Aiden lunged up off the bed, bent down and grabbed his jeans, roughly shoving them on. He left the shirt on the floor. Kira slowly sat up, her heart beating so hard and fast she was sure he could hear it. “Aiden…”
“Don’t, Kira,” he interrupted harshly. “I take the blame for this tonight. I knew better.” He stared down at her, his expression dark, his eyes gleaming with a faint red fire. “I can’t take back what happened tonight but that doesn’t change any thing. We’re both consenting adults and neither of us made any promises to the other.”
Anger surged deep within her. “You sound so callous. Didn’t what we share mean anything to you? Are you so…dead…inside, Aiden, that you can walk away from this?” She wanted to hit him. She wanted to cry. And she was mad enough that she couldn’t make up her mind what she wanted to do more. But hitting him was sounding better every minute she waited.
She wasn’t going to let him know that his callous attitude was breaking her heart. She wasn’t going to give him that satisfaction. “Fine. Walk out of here as though tonight meant nothing to you.” She glared at him, lifting her chin. “And don’t worry about…not using protection. I’m sure pregnancy isn’t even a probability.” Aiden’s glacial stare said it all. Kira choked back tears. “Go.”
“If…there is…? You will tell me.’’
“There won’t be.” Kira pulled the coverlet up to her chin, covering her nakedness. “Don’t worry about it.” It took everything she had to keep from calling him back as he stomped from the room, slamming the door closed behind him. She curled up in a miserable ball under the blanket, seeking warmth she didn’t think she would ever feel again.
Goddess help her, but she desperately wanted to hate him.
“I can’t.” She covered her eyes with her hands as the scalding tears began to fall, and wept for what she had lost. What they both had lost.
*****
Aiden’s hostile rage had everyone avoiding him for the rest of the week.
Even Gavin didn’t dare provoke him, having an idea of the ‘who’ if not the ‘why’, behind his brother’s foul mood. He left Aiden alone and took care of the day-to-day responsibilities while his brother fought his inner demons, searching for a way to conquer them. But, when events escalated, Gavin knew he had to ignore his brother’s demand for privacy.
He went in search of him, locating him prowling in the forest, ready and willing to take on any sparring partners foolish enough to challenge him.
You know you’re scaring the forest animals, Gavin, now in wolf form, admonished mentally as he strode up to Aiden’s pacing cougar form. Even the shape-shifters are avoiding you. Great ego trip, brother.
Aiden turned and glowered through feline eyes that shone with seething anger. Back off, Gavin. I’m not in the mood to spar with you. Go bother someone else.
Sulking isn’t going to change anything, Aiden.
Sulking? Aiden’s cougar ears lay flat against his head and he bared his deadly teeth in a feral snarl. He took a menacing step toward Gavin. Damn you, Gavin.
Any other time and I’d let you fight me. Even welcome it, Gavin retorted before continuing in a tone that demanded Aiden’s full attention. But we have more important issues to contend with right now, far more important than your tender, delicate feelings.
Tell me, Aiden growled.
First off, Jem returned from his scouting and reported that the ‘Venus Poppy’s van was seen on the property…again…two days ago. He’s been keeping a head count to see if anyone is missing and will be reporting back to us this afternoon. Second, Riana had another episode. The pain was worse this round and she is running out of time. Gavin made a sighing sound. Aiden, I can feel it getting harder for her.
Aiden wanted to roar his frustration and rage, but managed to stay in control. Damn Sonia. And damn all witches to hell!
Gee…that attitude helps a lot.
He exposed his teeth in a warning grimace. Drop the sarcasm, Gavin. He glanced around and gauged how long it would take them to make it the north side of the estate We still might be able to pick up some scent, or trace of whoever was in the van. That would give us a starting point.
Why bother taking the time to do that much? Gavin scoffed. We should just go straight to the Venus Poppy and confront them. Now.
No. He wanted hard facts, positive proof before he made any accusations. If it turned out Kira was involved, he didn’t want any mistakes made. He wanted...needed to be sure. The thought of facing her again, after that last painful time, made his fur stand on end... and his body ache.
His need to claim her, body and soul, had not diminished. He wanted her, if possible more than before, but he refused to give in to his beast, to follow her siren’s call.
Again.
*****
Kira slowed Lena’s mustang down to a crawl and tried to keep a bit of distance between her and the van she was following. She’d just returned from the attorney’s office, after officially petitioning her custody suit for Marissa, when she spotted Venus Poppy’s van pulling out of the driveway and heading out of town.
Lena hadn’t said anything about using the van later and she knew her cousin wouldn’t close the shop unless it was an emergency. Uncle Warren had stayed in Phoenix for another conference, so she knew he wasn’t driving it. Kira tried to call Lena on her cell phone but the battery was dead.
She wanted to kick herself for forgetting to recharge it.
It’s a wonder I remember to do anything right lately.
She’d been having problems focusing on things that should matter rather than things that couldn’t matter. Had been having that problem all week. As hard as she tried, she couldn’t get Aiden’s all-consuming, hotter-than-fire ardent lovemaking out of her mind. Or her heart.
It was playing hell on both her concentration and her temper.
With the mind-fog she had been in, giving the wrong packages to the wrong customers (it just got more embarrassing every time it happened), and her normally genial “shopkeeper” temperament being unusually volatile (she should not have snapped that delivery boy’s head off), she knew she had to get herself straightened out fairly quickly or both she, and the shop, would be in trouble.
Kira brought her mind back to the task at hand and watched the familiar van drive out of town and turn north. She frowned when she noted the direction, then the landmarks. This road looked like it led to the Calhoun estate.
Who in the world was driving it and what were they up to?
Fifteen minutes later Kira parked the small car off into a side dirt road after the van drove past the Calhoun estate gates. She turned the car around so she faced the main drive past the estate. That way she could still see the van and the smaller car stayed tucked off the path, hidden by some overgrown brush.
She couldn’t see much and decided to move a little closer. She left the car and cut through the thick brush that bordered the highway, dodging from brush to bush until she was much closer to the van. A few yards away, still concealed by the bushes, she saw the front doors open and two men step out.
She ducked down, making sure she was well hidden, glad she had worn jeans instead of a skirt. She wondered what the men were up to and why they were dressed in d
ark, army-type camouflage clothes. She couldn’t see their faces because of the low-brimmed caps they wore. From where she stood, she could barely make out a few of the words they were saying.
What she heard made her heart race in fear and confusion.
“She’d better fall for the bait. Would hate to have to try this a second time.”
“She will. She’s desperate. That’s what he said.”
“We gotta make this quick. It’s too dangerous to be standin’ out here in broad daylight like this.”
“Wouldn’t have stood a chance at her if it was night, idiot. She wouldn’t come then. She ain’t no dummy.”
“Ok then…where is she now?”
“If you’d shut up and stop making such a fuss, maybe we’d stand a better chance a’ grabbing her when she does show up, stupid.”
“I’ll be glad when we’re through with this mess. Makes me itchy.”
“Shut your grumbling. I thought I heard something.”
Kira froze when they turned halfway toward her, hoping that she hadn’t made any noise. The last thing she needed to do was attract their attention. But when she saw what had made the noise, she was barely able to hold back an audible gasp of dismay.
A brown bear sauntered slowly out of the bushes, lolling toward the men as if out on a Sunday stroll. Kira immediately recognized the markings of Marissa’s ‘guard pet’; the same bear that had protected her that night the lion had tried to kill her. That bear had helped save her life, and she’d never forget that debt.
It was that gratitude that had her moving forward to stop whatever scheme the two men had in mind for her furry friend. She knew they meant the she-bear no good, and she needed to find a way to stop them. But how?
Think, think! She worried that if she rushed forward she would do more harm than good. No! Stop! Why are you going near them? Can’t you feel the danger? She sent the mental thoughts psychically toward the bear, hoping against hope that she’d somehow understand the urgent warning.