I gasped for breath.
Declan reached for the waistband of my pants.
I’d never been so grateful for wearing yoga pants in my life. With a quick tug, they were dragged off and thrown to the floor.
I pushed him back.
Declan’s eyes fell, concern etching lines between his eyebrows, but only for a second.
Sparks ignited in his gaze when, with shaking fingers, I unhooked his belt and pushed his jeans down over his narrow hips, taking his briefs with them.
He pounced, and I fell back.
His eyes were liquid gold now. I bit at his lower lip and took pleasure in the want that thrummed through our bond.
He kissed my neck, my jaw.
My own desires were magnified by his. It was exhilarating and overwhelming all at once.
Sharp claws pressed against my skin, and fabric ripped as Declan slashed at my bra and then my underwear.
“Hey!” My complaint was cut short by another kiss.
“I’ll buy you new ones.”
I laughed. “You can’t just shred my clothes whenever you feel like it,” I told him, though my body seemed to like the idea.
The ache between my legs intensified.
“Watch me.” Declan parted my knees, and for a moment, just stared down at me. His gaze roved over my body with open possession.
I reveled in it. Something primal inside of me wanted to be his. To be possessed by him.
“Mine.” His voice was gravelly and pure sex.
Then those lips, that delicious mouth, were on the sensitive skin of my inner thighs.
His stubbled jaw scraped over my flesh.
Oh God.
Declan kissed his way up my thighs to my heated core, and before I could stop him, he licked me in my most intimate area.
A purr of deep pleasure rumbled in his throat,
My back bowed, and I arched into his kiss. “Please—”
Declan was power and strength. His eyes gleamed wickedly as he gazed up my body from his position near my core. He kissed me again.
God, yes.
My head tossed and turned.
“Look at me.”
He pulled back, enough for me to see the moisture now gleaming on his seductive lips.
“Please what?”
“I need you.”
“No more rules?”
I shook my head. Fuck the rules. I wanted him, needed him inside of me. Now.
Declan rose and leaned over me. He braced his hands on either side of my head. “Are you sure?”
“Dammit, Declan. Fuck me.” I inwardly cringed.
I hadn’t meant for it to come out that way, but it was getting harder to think clearly past the arousal and nerves.
Declan didn’t seem to mind. He tilted my head back and kissed me full on the mouth. His lips were demanding, and his erection pressed against my entrance.
There was something erotic about tasting myself on his tongue.
I whimpered into his kiss as one of his hands cupped my bare breast. Sensation prickled through every one of my nerve endings to pool between my legs.
Fire broke out along my skin.
Shit.
Declan jerked back.
“Sorry.” I covered my face, mortified.
“Hey.” Declan pulled my hand away and kissed my nose before resting his head against mine.
“Just breathe.” He fondled my breast and rolled one taut nipple between his fingers.
“Not helping.”
He smiled like a cat that’d caught the canary.
I sucked in breath after breath and tried to calm my racing heartbeat.
“There you go. That’s my girl.”
His girl? I liked how that sounded.
The flames receded, and Declan gripped my jaw and kissed me again like nothing had happened.
He was going to drive me to edge of insanity if he kept kissing me like that.
I bit down on his lower lip.
“Fuck!”
Less than a second after that one word, I found my legs wrapped around Declan’s waist as he thrust into me in a single, fluid thrust.
I cried out his name.
He filled me so completely.
He pulled out, and this time thrust into me slower, deeper. My head fell back.
I sank my nails into his shoulders and buried my face into his chest. Good. So good. Needed—
“More—”
Declan didn’t need to be told twice. His pace increased, steadily pounding into me. He was deep, relentless, and ruthlessly fast.
His chest rubbed against my sensitive nipples with every thrust.
I rocked beneath him, and wave after wave of pleasure built inside of me.
I clung to him tighter.
Declan reached down between our bodies, his fingers moved expertly over my clit, and I exploded. My body clenched beneath him. The bed shook. Pleasure rolled through me like a violent wave.
It was as if the entire room shuddered with my release, leaving me boneless beneath him.
Declan kissed me and increased his tempo. His driving need built inside of me, and I felt the sharp bite of his orgasm just before he came.
We both cried out again. “Love you. So good.” The words came out a growl.
My body gripped him as he pulsed inside of me. I felt taken. Possessed. Owned.
And I liked it.
Declan shifted beside me and pulled me against his chest, tucking my head beneath his chin.
He stroked my bare shoulder, and I made small circles in the thin dusting of hair on his broad chest.
“You are my heart.” He kissed the top of my head.
Contentment filled me.
7
The quiet never lasted. The incessant knocking on my bedroom door was indication enough of that truth.
I stretched my arms above my head and moved to see who it was, when Declan wrapped an arm around my waist and pulled me closer against his bare chest.
“Mmm … not yet.” His voice was a seductive growl in my ear and sent shivers down my spine.
Images of last night flooded my consciousness. His kiss, his touch. I sighed. This felt good. It felt right.
And there was that knocking again.
Declan growled. “Who is coming to your room at”—he peered over my shoulder to look at the alarm clock—“six in the morning?”
I groaned. Six meant I’d only slept maybe four hours.
“I don’t know, but it’s probably important.” Shifters tended to keep odd hours. They stayed up late and slept well into the double digits.
I threw the blankets off and squeaked when I realized I’d fallen asleep naked.
Declan reached out a hand to capture my hip and tugged me close before I could cover myself.
“You’re beautiful.” He nuzzled my hair and boldly cupped my breast,
The knocking persisted,
Ugh. “Let me see if it’s important.”
He scowled but released me and folded his arms behind his head. His emerald eyes tracked me as I ran across the room and slipped into his discarded T-shirt.
Declan made a sound of appreciation in the back of his throat. One I chose to ignore.
The shirt fell to just above my knees.
Another knock.
“I’m coming!” I called and swung the door open.
Inarus stood on the other side of the door. His hair was mussed, his clothes were rumpled, and his blue-gray eyes were wild.
Shit. Something happened.
“She’s gone.”
I froze for a second.
“What do you mean she’s gone?”
He ran his fingers through his jet black hair and paced in front of me. “I mean she’s gone. I left her for five minutes to use the bathroom. She was unconscious. It shouldn’t have mattered that I left. But when I came back, her bed was empty.”
He placed his hands on either one of my shoulders and stared into my eyes. “It was only five minutes.”
&
nbsp; His gaze implored me to believe him. And I did.
Inarus wouldn’t have spirited her away. At least I really hoped he wouldn’t have.
I looked over my shoulder to see Declan already out of bed and dressed in his jeans. He pulled his phone from his pocket and made a call, but I couldn’t hear who he was speaking with. It didn’t take a genius to guess it was likely Brock—the Pack’s Head of Security.
I turned my attention back to Inarus. “Get to the main entrance and trace your way back to her room. After that, check the perimeter. She couldn’t have gone far since she can’t port.”
He nodded, but worry filled his gaze as he stared over my shoulder in Declan’s direction.
“If anyone else finds her—”
“They’ll use minimal and nonlethal force only. You have my word.”
His lips pressed into a thin line, but he nodded.
“Go.”
Inarus bolted down the hall toward the staircase that would lead him to the main floor and the main entrance. He could have ported there, but then he’d miss the chance to intercept her.
Dia didn’t know the layout of the Compound. It was a series of interconnected hallways in a seventy-four thousand square foot building made up of six floors.
The Compound had been configured like a maze, and being human without a shifter’s keen sense of smell, I knew just how easy it was to get lost in here.
With any luck, we’d find Dia soon. Before she could cause too much trouble.
I closed the door behind me and made quick work of getting dressed. I threw on a pair of faded blue jeans and a gray cotton shirt that said, My blood type is coffee.
“Brock’s been informed, and all the nurseries are on lockdown. We won’t risk her going after the children.”
The children.
Worry gnawed at my gut. Had that been the plan all along?
Inarus and I had rescued seven shifter children from the clutches of the HAC. Had Dia allowed herself to be captured to get inside the Compound and get them back?
I shook my head. No. That wasn’t possible. Because Dia’s aim had never been capture. She’d been trying to kill me. And she’d almost succeeded the first time around.
“Inarus is going to check the front entrance and the perimeter …” I paused as I waited for Declan to meet my gaze.
He looked up after shoving his phone into his back pocket.
“I promised him we would use nonlethal force.”
Declan’s upper lip curled. “If she—”
“I promised.” I kept my eyes locked on his. After a few seconds he nodded, but he didn’t look happy about it.
“If she has harmed any of our people, there will be consequences.”
I smiled. He’d said ours.
Not waiting a moment longer, we left the room in search of Inarus’ sister. We didn’t want to cause panic or alert Dia to our search, so we looked for her quietly.
Brock had all the Pack’s sentries on high alert, but we kept the hallways free of added soldiers. No need to sound the alarm.
In fifteen minutes we turned up nothing.
“Dammit.” I shook my head. “Where the hell could she have gone?” I was scratching the back of my head as Declan pushed open the double doors to the commons area, and we both came to a screeching halt.
“What the—”
Across from us was Dia. Seated in a leather lounge chair with a coffee table between her and her companion, Robert Yazzle—Alpha to Clan Canidae.
“Damn coyote.” Declan stalked forward.
I quickened my steps to keep up, and saw Robert’s wicked smile when he caught sight of us heading his direction. As a coyote shifter, he benefited from what most shapeshifters did. Lean bodies, sculpted muscles, and a glint in their eyes that would make any human swoon.
Robert was also devilishly handsome. Perfect lines, a cut jaw, blond hair, and startling blue eyes.
I had to remind myself not to let his good looks fool me, because he was still, as Declan said, a damn coyote.
And one hell of a sneaky bastard at that.
Before Declan could say anything, I placed a hand on his bicep and smiled in Robert’s direction. “We were just looking for you.” I flicked my gaze toward Dia, who glowered at me. “Would you mind if we borrowed him for just a moment?”
There was probably too much pep in my voice, but it couldn’t be helped. Full of sunshine and rainbows wasn’t my style, and it showed.
She nodded curtly and took a drink from her mug, her attention now anywhere but on me.
“Robert?” I gave him my hard stare. The one that said do not fuck with me and get your ass out of that chair. Now.
He stood. “Of course. I’ll only be a moment.” He bent and kissed her hand before following us a short distance away.
I didn’t miss the blush that crept up her cheeks. Interesting.
When we were out of earshot, Declan did as expected. He let Robert have it.
“Of all the reckless things you could have done.” Agitation had his muscles bunching beneath his shirt. “Do you have any idea who that woman is? The threat she poses to our entire Pack?” His tone was full of fury and indignation.
I tangled my fingers with his.
He didn’t acknowledge the action, but his hand squeezed mine in a show of thanks.
Robert’s brows creased, and a tick formed in his jaw. “She was wandering the hallways without an escort. What did you expect me to do? Would you have preferred I attack, put her on the defensive, and thereby seal our fates in her eyes as the enemy?”
He kept his tone even as he spoke.
Smart.
Declan was on edge, and Robert knew he didn’t have much rope left with which to hang himself.
Declan chewed on Robert’s words.
“What have you two been talking about? Did she say anything about the attack or the HAC?” I interjected.
Robert shook his head and shoved his hands into his jean pockets. “We hadn’t gotten that far. My goal was to make her comfortable. Not interrogate her. She needs an ally here. She has enough enemies.”
I narrowed my gaze. “You’re manipulating her?” I shouldn’t have been surprised. And if I was honest, I was impressed.
Roberts smile was full of menace and wicked adulation. “Would you expect anything else from me?”
No. But … “She isn’t some toy for you to—”
He lifted a hand, silencing me.
Declan growled, and Robert took a small step back.
“I meant no offense.” Declan quieted enough that Robert continued. “I’m aware she is not a toy. She is the enemy. Your enemy. I will do what is necessary to ensure the safety of my people. If that means toying with one lonely human’s heart, so be it.”
He stalked away and left us staring at his retreating back as he retook his seat across from Dia.
She smiled warmly at him.
She was so screwed.
“She … likes him.” The damn coyote was infuriating most of the time, insufferable the rest. Yet he’d somehow wormed his way under her defenses.
“It would seem so,” Declan grumbled. “I’ll have Brock call off the search. I doubt Dia can trick our trickster. We’ll give them time, and see how this pans out.”
8
Inarus wasn’t thrilled when I told him where his sister was, but he’d agreed to leave them be.
For now.
He returned to Sanborn Place to continue managing repairs. With any luck we’d be back in business by week’s end.
The Compound teemed with activity. We had a guest, and everyone wanted to know her purpose. Who she was and how she’d ended up here was at the forefront of everyone’s mind.
Shifters had always been secretive, and prior to me, outsiders had never been welcome within the Compound.
Hell, everyone still didn’t welcome me, and I was mated to their Alpha.
But the interest in Dia hadn’t yet turned hostile. Though we couldn’t expect that to last. T
he Clan Alphas had already begun pressing Declan to do something.
They were overwhelmed with clan-mate questions, and had no answers to give them.
Someone would crack.
Declan walked up behind me and wrapped his arms around me.
For a brief moment I stiffened, but the heady scent of pine and mint that was unique to him had me relaxing into his embrace.
He nuzzled my neck, and I took comfort in his touch. He was warm. Safe.
A part of me rejected the notion. It was dangerous to get close to him. To get close to anyone. It would only put him at risk. If it wasn’t Marcella’s visions, then it was my mother.
There was always something.
“You’re worried.”
It wasn’t a question, but I nodded my head in answer anyway, unsurprised that he’d picked up on my emotions.
“Dia is the catalyst to what could be our end, and she’s walking the halls like she owns them. Of course I’m worried.”
Declan bit down on the sensitive skin between my neck and shoulder with blunt teeth. I shivered. He laved at the skin he’d marked, and then kissed my temple.
“Robert is a strategist. It’s why he rose to be his Clan’s Alpha. Trust him.”
I snorted. “Trust the trickster?”
Declan laughed. “I know how it sounds, but yes. Robert and I grew up side by side. We’ve always been rivals, but despite our differences, he has earned my trust. He will earn yours.”
I worried my lower lip. Nerves ate at my stomach.
“I just keep waiting for the next bomb to go off.”
He fell quiet.
“You’ve been through a lot. Have you spoken to anyone?”
I shook my head. “No.”
“You should talk to somebody. We have three therapists on the Pack’s payroll right now. Any one of them would be happy to help.”
Not happening. “I’m fine.”
Declan sighed and turned me to face him. He cupped my face in his calloused palms. “You’re not fine. The ground is shaking.”
I scowled, and then realized that tiny tremors racked the room. Dammit. I closed my eyes and concentrated.
The tremors ceased.
“See, I’m fine.”
“Aria, you’ve been through a lot this year alone. The mother you thought was dead came back into your life only for you to realize she’d abandoned you. You almost died during a battle with a Chupacabra. You were forced …” He trailed off, and I reached up on tiptoe to press my lips against his.
Consumed by Fire Page 4