by J. L. Madore
All the stress the kid has held pent-up over the past few days seems to release. In a flurry of greedy hands, he grabs me by the ribs and pulls me over top of him. Our mouths reconnect with fierce possession. Man, I didn’t realize he was so hungry for attention beyond Calli.
On a hard yank, Kotah goes for the hem of my sweats, pulls them over my ass and down my hips. My cock slips free and bounces against his groin.
I dismount long enough to do the same for him, yanking his pants inside out in the rush to get him naked. With both of us bare, I resume my place on top and let our cocks rub between us. We both groan.
We’ve been keyed up too long. Denied for days.
Skin-to-skin has me so fucking hot. I grind my hips forward and holy shit… it’s too much. The friction of our cocks pinned between our bellies… sliding in spurts of pre-cum and mirroring the wet heat of the tongue duel waging war in our mouths… his hands, his energy, the dark spice of his yearning filling my lungs.
My cat lets off a growl and my balls go tight. I come hard, my hips jerking at the same time Kotah’s head drops back. The wolf’s breathing hitches, and his face contorts in a mask of pleasure as white ribbons of cum cream my cock as well.
“Fuck, yeah,” I say, panting. I ride out our releases by licking my way across the inked fretwork banding his throat. His skin is salty and the mixed scents of our sex and sweat make my cat purr. “I like my mark on your skin, Wolf, but it’s going other places too. You good for what comes next?”
I hold my breath, searching Kotah’s wide, warm gaze for a hint that he might not be as eager to be fucked as I am to do the fucking.
“I am.”
“I’m not,” Calli says, above us. I roll to the side to see her and Brant and yeah, Kotah and I have made quite a mess. “What happened to no sex, puss? And if you think that counts for me while you two get off like that and keep me benched, forget it.” Her workout clothes plop to the floor next to ours. “Brant, make sure the door is locked and if there’s a do not disturb sign, hang it.”
Brant’s bear weighs in on that. “You’re not supposed—”
I chuckle, getting reacquainted with oxygen. “Relax, Bear, she got the all-clear. That’s what kicked this off. We were going to tease her.”
Kotah laughs. “The teasing got away on us.”
Calli lowers herself to join us, lying next to Kotah. “The only thing wrong with that is that I’m dying. You two are so damn hot together I almost lost it just watching you.”
I cup Calli’s mound and slip my fingers between her legs. She’s hot and wet and her core throbs against my touch. “True story. You’re ready to burst there, kitten. What would you like from your mates?”
She smiles and lays on her back. Dropping her knees open, the three of us get a glorious view of her glistening pussy. “You didn’t seem finished marking Kotah. Don’t let me interrupt. I’ll take what I can get. Got any ideas, alpha kitty?”
My purr rolls off my chest and I know exactly what I want. Swiping my hand across the moisture we left on Kotah’s navel, I gather the cream and smile. “Kotah, you get up close and personal with Calli’s aching core with some sweet kisses. Face down, tail up. I’m going to get you prepped and primed for the main event. You game?”
You gotta love a guy who takes direction.
Kotah rolls onto his knees and nuzzles and nibbles the inside of Calli’s thighs. She groans, digging her fingers deep into that glorious hair of his. Gripping tight, she positions him exactly where she wants him.
The wolf growls and it only takes the barest of touches for her to seize up. Her eyes roll back in her head and her smile is so fucking sexy. “Yes… gawd, this mating heat is wicked. And here I suffer for nothing. I told you I am perfectly healthy.”
I chuckle. “We’ll to make you suffer a lot more before we’re through with you, kitten. Except, this will be the good kind. Kotah, pop her legs over your shoulders, my man. Leverage her hips and go down on her good. Yeah, that’s it.”
I look over to where the bear has his hand down his pants and is working himself. “Brant, you can at least get in there and suckle her tits, can’t you? Consider it foreplay to your big mating plans. We’ve got body parts unattended here.”
Brant may have his own ideas of how he wants things to go down between the two of them on their mating night, but who could pass up those girls. Brant’s clothes hit the pile and he’s down on the mat in no time flat.
“Oh, gawd, yes…” Calli says arching those delicious peaks into his mouth.
With Kotah well and truly occupied suckling Calli’s clit into his mouth, I caress the rounds of his tight and toned ass.
Calli
Brant slides over my chest, his bare skin cool against my heated flesh. His mouth slants over mine, kissing me slow and deep. He tastes like sin and succulence. My hands trace the banded muscles of his arms up to his unbearably broad shoulders and sink into his hair. He’s been holding out on me, but Jaxx’s alpha nature is in full swing and who could deny him anything when he’s like this?
The kiss is scorching and I’m already coming undone with Kotah working me over with his mouth… and then Jaxx speaks. His voice is erotically husky and hits me like a Pavlovian aphrodisiac right in my throbbing core.
“Just a finger or two to start, Wolf. Let’s see how good I can make this for you, shall we?”
Kotah’s labors pause and he stiffens. His body tenses only for a moment, and then he groans and lays his forehead against my abdomen. As he absorbs whatever Jaxx is doing behind him, he sags against me. I’m not forgotten, though. He brushes his thumb over my hypersensitive knot and slips two fingers inside me.
“Like that, do you, sweet prince?” Jaxx’s voice is choked, his turquoise gaze locking with mine over the prolapsed bodies of Brant and Kotah. “What about you, kitten. You look like you like it. How close are you?”
I swallow, my clenching muscles starting to keen and tighten inside me. “So close.”
“More, Bear. Make her come hard. Calli, reach between Brant’s legs. Didn’t you say you want to get hold of his big cock earlier?”
I did… and I do.
I close my grip on Brant’s erection and it kicks against my palm. His growls sends me careening. My pussy tightens viciously, then releases in a fiery burst of pleasure. A cry rips from my chest as my orgasm pours through me. Shattering, I arch and buck, held in place by Brant across my chest and Kotah at my waist.
It’s too much… and not enough.
“Slide inside her, Kotah,” Jaxx commands. “Crawl up her body and fill her greedy core.”
Brant rolls back and his eyes are practically glowing gold with his bear. I hate to let go of him but Kotah pushes inside me and my world tilts.
“Yes… that.”
He pushes to the depth of his pelvis and I cry out. For a late bloomer, he caught on fast. Pleasure ripples through me with every hot shove of his body into mine.
The pulsing of my orgasm doesn’t ebb and end. Without warning, it doubles back and builds again. Desperate and wild, I dig my nails into his pumping hips.
“So, fucking beautiful,” Brant growls beside me.
The moist slap, slap, slap of my bear jerking off registers. I want more of him, but I can’t think… I can’t breathe.
“Care to help a brother out,” Jaxx says. “I need more lube, Bear. Why don’t you drop that load right here?”
My eyes pop wide as Brant’s head drops back and his body tightens with the strain of his release. Creamy robes of cum spurt down on Kotah’s ass and Jaxx swipes it up and slicks himself up. “Perfection. Your turn, Wolf. Brace yourself. You are about to be thoroughly claimed.”
Hawk
With the first day of the Monster Rights discussions over, Lukas and I catch one of the limousines shuttling people back and forth from the castle to the compound. As we join the flow of traffic into the main lodge, I unlock the briefcase around my wrist and give it to Lukas. “Secure it in the safe here in the main
lodge, if you would.”
“Of course,” he says, his gaze puzzled.
I appreciate that he doesn’t ask, so I tell him. “I’m not using the safe in the FCO cabin because as you well remember, Jayne and I had a decisive parting of ways. I’d prefer not to underestimate the potential damage done if she feels inspired to retaliate.”
He nods. “Of course, sir. I’ll take care of it and name only you or me to claim it.”
“Thank you. I’ll be in the lounge when you’re finished.”
The lounge in the Bastion main lodge is upscale, elegant and provides plenty of dimly lit corners to have discreet conversations. Tonight, I simply want a rare Wagyu steak and a bottle of wine.
“Sir Barron,” the maître d’ says as I enter. “Your usual section, sir?”
“If there’s an open table, yes.” I follow him through the sea of seated dignitaries. This is a globally attended conference and a hundred fae leaders have come to partake in the discussions. We weave our way toward the back, and I meet the gazes of a dozen different males. I dip my chin in greeting but don’t hold eye contact long enough to encourage conversation. The females sending out inquiring looks also get no response.
It seems my new status as one of the guardian’s mates makes random people bold enough to approach me to ask about personal details of my life.
I have no idea why people think it’s any of their business.
Even in the fae world, celebrity draws curiosity.
The females have been especially bold. Strange. As much as I hated the idea of being pulled off the market, the salacious invitations sparkling in the eyes of strangers hold no interest next to the wanton of a female determined to seduce me.
I chuckle. Who could’ve imagined a female like Calliope Tannis seducing me?
“Hawk,” a female says from my left.
My guard comes up and I’m about to blow her off when I recognize Jaxx’s mother rising from her seat. His father stands as well and offers me his hand.
“Mr. and Mrs. Stanton. It’s nice to see you both again.”
Jaxx’s mother chuckles and rounds the table to give me a polite hug. Close to my ear she pauses. “You’re mated to our son, dear. Maggie is as formal as you need to be. Mama’s even better once you’re comfortable.”
A sickening panic twists in my guts and tries to climb my windpipe. Okay, now I understand Calli’s nervous meltdown the night of the Bastion reception. I don’t do parents. Never really had them. Don’t understand what to do with them.
Pulling back, I swallow and project what I hope is a warm smile. “That’s kind of you. If you’ll excuse me,” I gesture to the maître D waiting to usher me to my table. “Have a wonderful rest of your evening.”
“You too,” Mr. Stanton says. “You did us proud today, son. Good on ye for taking the hard stand on the drow situation. After what happened to all y’all, Mama and I are behind you a hundred-and-ten percent. We need those rogue laws tightened.”
“Now, John. Let the boy loose. He’s got dinner waitin’ on him and he’s likely done with business for the night. You go on now, hon. Get yourself fed.”
I accept the out with as much grace as I can and go.
When we arrive at a table for four near the waterfall, I shuck off my suit jacket and fold it over the seat of one of the other chairs. I sit in the chair that puts my back against the wall and, with the help of a brick half-wall to my right, blocks me from general view.
“May I get you anything to start, sir?”
I was looking forward to a glass of wine before, and even more after my visit with the Stanton’s. “I’ll have a bottle of Burgundy. I believe you have a few bottles of La Romanee Liger-Belair?
“We do, sir.”
“Fine. I’d like it decanted at the table.”
“Of course, sir.” He bows and takes his leave.
With my back to the wall, I enjoy the sense of privacy for the first time in two days. I pull out my guardian phone and check for messages. Two contacts are awaiting a reply, Calli and Kotah. Curious about what our Prime Prince has to share with me, I open his first. He sent me a picture.
I tap on the image and expand it. Calli lays sleeping, with her hair disheveled and the champagne glow of sunrise warming her serene face. I’ve never seen her looking so at peace.
Funny, sleeping is when I feel the most vulnerable.
The accompanying text says.
Let her sleep for when she wakes, she will shake the world.
A Napoleon Bonaparte quote often misspoken. It’s nice to have a scholar among us to get it right.
I take another look at Calli’s image and go back to check the texts from Calli. I thumb the stream back to the first one from two nights ago when I arrived at the Bastion. She wanted to check that I settled in, that I wasn’t withdrawing because of the choking horror, and that Jayne was nowhere near me beyond attending the meetings.
FYI: I hate that bitch.
I don’t blame her. If one of Calli’s ex-lovers sucker-punched me for shits and giggles, I’d have him killed. Quietly, of course, and the body would never be found. Her skeevy uncle crosses my mind. I don’t feel an ounce of remorse, there.
He got what he deserved.
I skip over my assurance that my bed here is empty and smile at the one from last night.
How’d your prep day go? All set for tomorrow?
Ready for anything. Somehow, I wasn’t ready for you.
;) Admission of weakness from Sir Barron. I’m psyched.
I chuckled at that and fell into bed last night with a smile on my face.
My server arrives with a wine cart and I pause to look up. “Are you ready for me to pour, sir?”
“Please.” He turns up the decanting lantern and uncorks the bottle. After wiping the mouth of the bottle, he passes me the cork. The color is good, it’s moist and intact and the aroma is heaven to my senses after a long day of tedium. “Very good.”
Pouring slowly, he holds the bottle over the lantern and drains all but the sediment into a crystal decanter. “Would you like to sample or let it breathe?”
“I’ll let it breathe a moment and pour myself when my guest arrives. That will be all for now.”
The server bows and retreats and I am once again left to my musings. She sent me one not long ago.
Missing your acerbic scowl. No one scolded me all day.
I hit reply and wonder if she’s up for some verbal sparring. I find I like our little duels of will more than I thought I would. Do you want to be scolded, Spitfire?
I wait… watching the screen. This sensation of playful cat and mouse is new to me and I admit, I like it.
Her reply comes. By you… yeah baby, I think I do.
I shake my head. She is absolutely not the female I thought her to be. And what naughty deed shall I scold you for?
I’ll think of something.
I have no doubt. Too vague. Raise your game. What naughty deed do you imagine getting a rise out of me?
Everything I do or say pisses you off. It won’t be hard.
Nothing will be hard until you learn to play. Think about it and get back to me. Lukas is here to have dinner. Later.
Lukas takes his seat opposite me, a foolish grin marring his usually serious demeanor.
I grab the neck of the decanter and pour us both a glass. “Why are you grinning?” I realize my brow is tight and I’m scowling. I jut my phone out to him. “Before you answer that, take my picture.”
Lukas chuckles and does as he’s told.
When he hands the phone back, I forward the picture to Calli. Because you miss my acerbic scowl.
I hit send and glance up to Lukas still grinning at me.
I roll my eyes and watch the tide of ruby liquid swirl in the bowl of my glass. “Go ahead. Get it off your chest.”
Lukas takes a sip and swallows. “No need. It’s as obvious as the smile on your face.”
CHAPTER TEN
Kotah
Calli and
I take advantage of having time to ourselves after Brant and Jaxx head out for their day. The two of them are working on a research project for the FCO and asked me to call down to the species registration office and award them access to the security logs pertaining to a couple of calls Brant made in the past year as an FCO Enforcer out on the west coast.
I do. The office is amenable, so poof, me and my mate are solo for French toast and strawberries.
“More whipped cream?” I ask.
She waves me off. “Nope. I’m stuffed. When and if I ever manage a full shift, I won’t be able to get off the ground if I keep eating like I do.”
“You’ll master a full shift. Give yourself time. And as for adding to your curves. I don’t think any of us mind.”
“You’re sweet. I swear I have never had an appetite like this before…” Her gaze widens as her panic flashes my way. “You don’t think I could be pregnant, do you?”
“No. It’s not that.”
“You sound sure.”
I smile and start cleaning up our mess. “I am sure. You’re a wildling phoenix now. Our metabolisms consume thirty-seven percent more calories to run our bodies than humans do. Add to that your increased level of activity with the morning training sessions and all the sex, your body needs more food than you’re accustomed to.”
“Okay, good points. I only hope you’re right.”
I top up her juice tumbler and then return the pitcher to the refrigerator. “I am right. Aside from you not being fertile, legend states that a phoenix will only conceive if all four of her mates are involved at the time of fertilization.”
She snorts. “Thank you, Dr. Spock.”
I pause at the sink. “Isn’t that the Vulcan man with the bad eyebrows on the television?”
She laughs harder and chokes on her pineapple juice. “No. That’s Mr. Spock. Dr. Spock was a famous baby doctor.”
I offer her the last two strips of bacon.
“No, seriously, I’m about to explode. You eat them.” She finishes wiping the last of the syrup from her plate and takes it to the sink to rinse. “And how do you know I’m not fertile.”