by Susan Bliler
“You.” Cameron jabbed a finger in Monroe’s direction. “Get the hell out of here!”
The detective pushed the cell door open, only to be shoved out of the way as RedKnife rushed the room, lifting Cindy into his arms.
Instinctively, she curled into him and moaned when some of the pain eased at the contact. “R-RedKnife?”
“Shhh, my One. I have you.”
Being carried from the jail and into a vehicle was all a blur. Pain continued to wrack her body even as RedKnife attempted to soothe her. She only recalled bits and pieces of the ride back to StoneCrow, and she picked up even less of the conversation, words about RedKnife willing the affliction onto her. He didn’t take kindly to the accusation.
Entering the grounds of the estate, the vehicle rushed up the mile-long drive toward the main house.
“Take us to our home.” RedKnife commanded.
King glanced at RedKnife in the rearview mirror as he drove the winding road. “Shouldn’t she see Jenny?”
“What she needs, Jenny can’t give her.” Monroe smirked. “Do as he says and take them home. He turned to grin at RedKnife. “You’ll heal her. Won’t you?”
RedKnife growled and Cindy’s pussy clenched at the sound. When the scent of her need filled the car, RedKnife growled, “Drive faster.”
Chapter 29
God, how he wanted her. He craved her. He’d been dreaming of her slick, wet pussy wrapped around his cock since their night in the cell. He wanted it again. Wanted her again. No, want wasn’t the word. Need. He needed her with such feral intensity that it actually terrified him. He was addicted to her. After one taste, he couldn’t be without her. She could totally fucking end him! Worse, he’d let her.
He could barely restrain himself from stripping her in the car. The fact that his fellow Walkers would see her was all that stopped him. When they finally pulled up in front of his cabin, he had the car door open before King had even pulled to a full stop.
He was halfway out of the vehicle when Monroe halted him. “RedKnife?”
He didn’t respond, he simply stilled halfway out.
“She feels you betrayed her. Don’t let lust rule your head. Make sure she’s good before you claim her.”
He should have been grateful that Monroe was looking out for the best interest of his Angel, but he wasn’t. It was his job, not Monroe’s, and he didn’t need the Dominant poking his nose in where it didn’t belong.
“I’ll care for my mate,” he grumbled.
Once inside their cabin, he carried his feminine burden to the bedroom, even as she stirred in his arms.
“Where are we?”
“Home,” was his short reply. It earned him a small smile that had his cock pressing hard against his BDU pants. He went to place Cindy on the bed, but she gripped his shirt.
“No. It hurts to be away from you.”
“I know,” he murmured, turning to sit with her on his lap. “I’ll fix that. But first, I need to get these clothes off you.”
She smiled again and sat up. Taking the hint, RedKnife worked to free her of her clothes while she sat propped on his lap. While she was still sitting forward, he reached back between his shoulder blades, fisted his shirt, and pulled it free. Then Cindy was cuddling into his bare chest. The warm, satiny smoothness of her soft skin brushing against the hard contours of his body felt delicious.
He reached around her waist and undid his boot laces before toeing them off. Then he turned, ripped the covers back, and used his big body to move Cindy back onto the bed. Her hand on his shoulder beckoned him to follow, and he did so after shucking his jeans and boxers.
Naked in bed together, his world felt right.
“What’s wrong with me?”
“Affliction, he murmured, leaning up on an elbow to study her face as he brushed her hair back.
She remembered what Stoney said about only the Walker being afflicted. “Is something wrong with us?”
“No.” He smiled before his brows speared down. “It’s my fault. I am…different. I didn’t know it would be like this. I never wanted to hurt you.”
“It doesn’t hurt now,” she whispered.
“Cindy, I apologize for bringing Cody here. I only did it to protect you. And I apologize for ever putting in Monroe’s head that you were a threat. We’ve been through much, and I don’t feel that I’ve ever truly just apologized. I am sorry for all you’ve had to endure because of me.”
Tears filled her eyes. “Is Cody…”
“He lives,” he rushed to reassure her. “You are mine, and that makes your family, my family. Any injury or threat to you or them is an injury or threat to me. He won’t die for what he’s done, but he won’t be afforded the opportunity to threaten StoneCrow again.”
Her heart somersaulted at his words. ‘You are mine.’ She wanted to ask him what he meant. Instead, she asked, “What will Monroe do?”
“He’ll make sure Cody knows exactly what he’s fucking with if he intends on going up against Walkers.”
Guilt crashed over her. Even after all Cody had done, she couldn’t help feeling like she’d let her parents down by not being able to save him from himself. After what he’d done, his attempt to implicate her, she knew it was the end of their relationship. “He’ll still need my help to pay off his debt. Even in jail, he won’t be safe from those men. He isn’t the brother he should be, but I can’t let him be harmed. He…”
RedKnife shook his head. “His debt has been paid. All of it. Once he’s out of jail, he’ll be starting fresh, with a clean slate. It’s up to him to keep it that way.”
She hated to ask, but had to know. “What do I owe Monroe for paying the debt?”
His eyes glinted. “Nothing. Monroe didn’t pay the debt. I did.”
“RedKnife, no!” She tried to sit up, but his hand found her shoulder and gently lowered her back to the mattress.
“It is my honor to help you in any way I can. If helping your brother means you’ll sleep easier, then it’s something I’ll gladly do.” He smirked. “Just this once. He knows there’ll be no help in the future.” He gave her a pointed look. “From either of us.”
Relieved, Cindy relaxed back into the bed, her gaze dipping to RedKnife’s chest. She’d seen the marks on him when they’d made love in the cell, but hadn’t wanted to ask then.
“What…” she tentatively lifted a hand and ghosted it over the raised marks on his chest. When he didn’t pull back, she pressed her fingers more firmly against his skin. “What are these?”
“Scars.”
Her gaze jerked up as a chastising smirk tilted one side of her mouth. “Obviously.” She lowered her eyes to stare at them again. “But what are they from?”
RedKnife lowered back to the bed when Cindy raised up on her elbow to study him. “Sun dancing.”
“Sun dancing,” she repeated, liking the sound of the word. She blinked, then met his eyes. “What’s sun dancing?”
He reached up and pulled her hand from his chest, but didn’t let go. “It’s a ceremony. It’s sacred.”
She didn’t move or respond, unsure how to proceed without offending him. When he didn’t continue, her eyes dipped back to his scars. “It looks like it was painful.”
He chuckled. “It is a sacrifice of blood as a prayer for the people.”
“Which people?”
He smiled, tucking a stray strand of hair behind her ear. “My people.”
Cindy’s face screwed into uncertainty. “Do you mean Walkers or Natives?”
“Both.”
She pulled her hand from his to glance over one scar. “And these?”
“We are pierced.”
“But why?”
He shook his head. “It isn’t something we talk about, my One.”
“Oh.” Her eyes dipped to his forearm. “What about these?”
Lowering his lashes, he watched as she smoothed a hand over the three bands that marked his skin. “I don’t know where they came from.”
> “What?” Her tone was incredulous. “I think you’d remember getting a tattoo, especially one so dark and filled in. Three bands of slightly varying sizes sat closely spaced where they encircled his forearm. It looked tribal, which made sense.
“They aren’t tattoos.” He frowned at the marks. “I was born with them. My Grandfather said they’d lead me to what I desired most.”
“What’s that?”
He swallowed hard. “You.”
“What happened to me at the jail? What does it mean?”
His dark eyes held hers. “It means you’re mine.”
“Stoney said the Walker is afflicted.” She lifted her hand and closed it around the halo, almost afraid to hope. “Can this be true?”
“What’s so hard to believe?”
“That this is real and…that it’s all mine.” She pushed up to an elbow to lean over him. “That you’re mine. This type of thing doesn’t happen to people like me.” Her eyes flooded with tears. “I’m terrified of you.” She accused and pulled back from him, rising to a sitting position and wrapping her arms around her knees as she pulled them into herself. “What if you’re not real? What if your words aren’t true? What if…”
Sitting up, he captured her hand. “I’m real, Cindy. This. Is. Real. I’m not leaving you. I am never leaving you. And if you depart this world without me, I’ll follow shortly after.” He gently gripped her chin and forced her eyes up to his. “I love you, my One. What’s more, I need you. I need you and want you more than you could ever possibly want or need me.” He reached for her other hand and lifted both to cup his cheeks as he bowed his head. “Please, give me the opportunity to prove my love to you. I won’t let you down. I won’t waste the chance. I swear to you on my word as a Walker. Let me make our dreams come true; let me carry the weight of our combined hopes. I am man enough for it.”
She turned and looked into his eyes, and he flattened his back on the bed, lying still and giving her the opportunity to choose. It didn’t feel right that he should take from her. She was the one afflicted. It’d be her doing the taking, she’d have to choose. “You are wearing my halo. My intentions are out there. If we consummate this, there’ll be no going back. This will be forever.” Not just taking her was the hardest thing he’d ever had to endure. So close to what he wanted most and he had to wait, to give her the chance to choose for herself. To choose him.
One minute Cindy was looking at him, and the next she was on him. Her soft body smoothing over the hard planes of his. One hand cupped the back of his neck, and she positioned her hips. No preamble. She didn’t even kiss him. Eyes locked with his, she slid him inside her. Inch by glorious inch, but it wasn’t enough. She was pulsing with the need for him to fill her, with the need for him to shoot his release deep inside her.
Shoving up so she was straddling him, she began to move. Her feminine honey coated them, aiding in the exquisite friction. She was a woman possessed, and after a few shy thrusts of her hips, she quickened her pace and rode him hard.
RedKnife threw his head back and hissed. “Fuck me, my One!” Then he growled. He couldn’t stop it as his teeth clenched. God, she felt good. Wet, hot, tight. She fisted him inside her, and his balls drew up as her pussy tugged on him, demanding his seed.
Large hands lifted to cup her breasts. She arched into the touch and moved faster, her hips slamming upward, taking him impossibly deep.
“RedKnife,” she moaned.
Unable to wait any longer, RedKnife locked an arm around her waist and rolled them. With her on bottom, he drove into her hard. His pace was frantic, and the sounds of their sex filled the room.
“RedKnife, I’m going to….”
She didn’t need to tell him. He could feel the desperate flutters in her channel. When she finally tipped over the edge, her fisted grip on him shot him into release. His body jerked hard as he pulsed his seed deep within her.
Hearts matched in tempo, RedKnife bent and kissed her lips before rolling again and sprawling her across his chest, his cock still firmly locked inside her. Heart beats slowed, their mingled breathing evened out, and both Cindy and RedKnife closed their eyes. Drifting into sated bliss, RedKnife’s heart swelled with the knowledge that he’d found his Angel, his One, and Cindy’s heart nearly burst with elation that she was no longer alone. Outside the window, the weeks-long storm broke and the snow finally stopped falling.
Exclusive Excerpt
Terr4tory
By
Susan A. Bliler
“What are you doing in here?” she hissed in indignation struggling to keep the small towel high enough to cover her breasts and low enough to hide her lady parts. Heat stained her cheeks as she watched Barron inhale long and slow, his massive chest expanding with the action. His eyes gently fluttered closed as if savoring the aroma. He was still a moment before his eyes snapped open to pin her in place.
Once hazel eyes were now dark and his lips slowly tilted up knowingly. “What are you doing in here?” His voice came out rough and deep.
He took a step closer and without any thought, Willa stepped back.
In that instant, everything changed. Too late, she realized what she’d just done and it was something she hadn’t before. Instinctively, she recognized the Alpha authority in Barron, the sheer maleness of him, and when he’d advanced she’d stepped back as if it were the most natural thing in the world. She, as Alpha, had just ceded to him.
In a feeble attempt to regain her ground she hurried forward and pushed him in the chest hard. He didn’t move, but caught her wrist and pulled her into him, holding her there.
“Get out,” she growled through clenched teeth.
Instead of doing as she commanded, he lifted his head, his nostrils flared as he inhaled again. Just as before, his eyes closed and Willa swore her heart was going to pound out of her chest at the nearness of him. To her own mortification she felt her still sensitized clit throb in demand as her pussy seeped its heated moisture. She was ready for him.
As if reading her mind, Barron’s grim set lips parted on a pant.
Willa felt her body arching into his and she was on barely able to stop herself from rubbing against him invitingly. Jerking back she stumbled and righted herself in time to avoid Barron’s hands as he reached out to steady her.
“Get out!” she demanded and didn’t wait for his response. Turning she stalked to the bathroom with a tossed, “And the next time you feel the need to enter my room without permission or invitation, don’t!”
She closed the bathroom door behind her with a resounding slam and fell against it. One small fist went to her mouth as she huddled in her towel. What had she done? She’d shown submission to Barron, a newcomer! What must he think? That she wasn’t worthy of her title, that is what he’d think. Anger surged to the fore followed closely by shame as she pushed off the door and dropped her towel. Her eyes snagged on her image in the full-length mirror and she was horrified to find her breasts had grown heavy, her nipples flushed bright with arousal and peaked. Worse, her eyes slid down the smooth glide of sheen coating her inner thighs.
She turned from her image in disgust and blasted on the shower. She didn’t want his scent on her and she sure as hell didn’t want him or anyone else catching wind of her clear sexual interest in Barron Kane.
About the Author
My pack territory is in Central Montana, between Stone Crow Estates and the North Fortress. Born and raised in an untamed location that bridges the gap between rolling prairies and majestic mountain peaks, I am born to a family that also bridges the gap between cultures. My father’s people boast a fiercely proud Scottish ancestry while my mother’s tribes descend from two savagely beautiful and unique nations that inspire my Skin Walker series.
I'm a huge fan of MMA, boxing, hockey, 30 Seconds to Mars, DMX, the Killers, and 21 Pilots (“…sometimes quiet is violent”). I also love to read because it encourages me to write. (I hate it when authors add that they love coffee and chocolate. Really? Who d
oesn't love coffee and chocolate?) Anyway, I love beer...kidding. I don't love beer but we are engaged in a very serious relationship. (Mom, please don't call me when you read this.)
Check me out at www.susanbliler.com
Thanks for reading my books and thanks to my awesome fans for all the support and positive feedback. A’hau.
Other Books by Susan A Bliler
Territory PrequelTerritory: Prequel: Susan A. Bliler: 9781477694046: Amazon.com: Books
TerritoryTerritory: Susan Bliler: Amazon.com: Books
TerrIIItory http://www.amazon.com/TerrIIItory-Territory-Book-Susan-Bliler-ebook/dp/B00OSLHZZU/ref=la_B0064C7QPU_1_11?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1414596144&sr=1-11
Prince of Cats Amazon.com: Prince of Cats (9781481106757): Susan A Bliler: Books
Furious Amazon.com: Furious (9781481171663): Susan A Bliler: Books
King: Skin Walker Series (Book 1) http://www.amazon.com/Skin-Walkers-King-Susan-Blilerebook/dp/B00GX1PC9E/ref=la_B0064C7QPU_1_8?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1385501595&sr=1-8
Conn: Skin Walker Series (Book 5) Skin Walkers: Conn: Susan A Bliler: 9781479127917: Amazon.com: Books
Leto: Skin Walker Series (Book 6) Amazon.com: Skin Walkers: Leto eBook: Susan Bliler: Books
Monroe: Skin Walker Series (Book 7) http://www.amazon.com/Skin-Walkers-Monroe-SusanBlilerebook/dp/B00EQJL8FM/ref=la_B0064C7QPU_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1385501563&sr=1-3
Gauge: Skin Walker Series (Book 8) http://www.amazon.com/Gauge-Skin-Walkers-SusanBlilerebook/dp/B00IOB8NFQ/ref=la_B0064C7QPU_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1397747215&sr=1-1
York: Skin Walkers series (Book 9) http://www.amazon.com/York-Skin-Walkers-Book-9-ebook/dp/B00KO9F8J0/ref=la_B0064C7QPU_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1412025276&sr=1-1