by Bianca D'Arc
She knew most of the other people in town from their visits to the bakery, but this was the first time she’d seen most of them in what she thought of privately as battle mode. They were like bloodhounds on a scent, looking for any clue to pick up the trail of the monster that had attacked out of the water.
However, it soon became apparent that the answer wasn’t going to be found right there in the half-finished town square. It might not be found at all, for that matter. John took over the meeting again, filling everyone in on his plans for the evidence, and the calls he had made earlier that day.
“We’re shipping this thing to the Lords for examination by the High Priestess. She’s the best equipped to get to the bottom of the magical nature of this beast. I am going to keep a hunk of it to show to the Native shaman on my next visit. I’m also going to pass on the warning post-haste, in case this thing isn’t limited to the cove. It’s a big ocean out there, and our Native friends fish in it, same as us.” John waited for the nods of agreement to run their course before continuing. “I’m also talking to Master Hiram later tonight, after he rises.” This time, some of the shifters jerked their heads up in surprise. “He’s been around a long time, and his yacht was munched on—possibly by this thing, or one of its larger cousins. I want to compare his experience battling the beast to what we have here. Lou, Granger, I want you both on the intel side of this.” John pointed to two men sitting toward the back. They both nodded.
Tina knew them. Lou was an accountant who did taxes for most of the folks in town, and Granger was a bit of a recluse who was a wiz with all kinds of electronics. He’d fixed the bakery’s wi-fi several times already and had volunteered his services anytime the sisters needed tech help.
“Drew, Sig, I want you on the lookout from your boats, but I don’t want you out there on the water if you sense the least bit of trouble. In fact, I’d say the town can do without fresh fish for a bit, until this mystery is solved. I don’t want to lose either of you, even if you are both pains in my ass,” John groused good naturedly, drawing chuckles from the crowd and casual little salutes from the men in question.
Both men were commercial fishermen. Drew went out almost every day, catching all sorts of fish that he sold on to Sig, who owned the local fish market, bait and tackle shop. Sig fished closer to shore in the mornings, then opened the shop later in the day, while Drew preferred fishing out farther in the ocean and not dealing with people at all, besides Sig.
The meeting broke up with a few more tasks handed out and a general admonition to stay away from the water unless absolutely necessary. Everyone seemed to accept John’s advice with a sense of determination rather than fear. It was clear to her that these people were used to facing adversity and overcoming it. It felt to Tina like they planned to do so again with this obstacle.
Nobody looked afraid, which gave her a bit of added strength. If this community of hella strong bear shifters couldn’t deal with this little sea monster problem, she had the feeling nobody could.
* * *
The sisters went back to the bakery to wait for Brody and Zak. Both of the town’s lawmen had to deal with the evidence before they could knock off for the evening, and they all planned to meet up at the bakery.
A few of the locals decided to follow the sisters, and they spent an hour or two selling bread, sandwiches and sweet treats to their fellow cove residents. Talk was general, and only a few dared ask Tina more about her run in with the creature.
A single stranger drove up, just after dark, in a vehicle that had a Seattle courier firm’s logo on the side. Much to Tina’s surprise, it was a special delivery from Master Hiram. He’d sent three cases of the finest vintages the famous Maxwell Winery had to offer, and a note of thanks for helping him when he was in need.
Deciding she deserved a little treat after the day she’d had, Tina cracked open a bottle of merlot and shared it with her sisters. Before she knew it, Zak was back, Brody coming in right behind him.
Brody claimed Nell and took her off to their home in the woods. Tom and Ashley left next, only after asking several times if Tina was sure she’d be okay. She assured them she would be fine and sent a few pointed looks at her sister, making Ash finally realize Tina wouldn’t be alone if she had her way. She just needed her well-meaning sister to leave.
Ash gave her an exaggerated wink and a double thumbs up on the sly. So at least one of her sisters approved her of hooking up with Zak. That was good. If Ash thought Zak was okay, chances were Nell would too.
Finally, Ash and Tom left, and Tina locked up behind them. She didn’t ask Zak to leave, and—heaven be praised—he didn’t look like he was going anywhere fast.
Finally. They were alone.
Tina hit the lights as she walked slowly toward Zak, putting a little extra sway in her hips. She picked up the half-finished bottle of wine they’d been working on and let it dangle from one hand as she sauntered right up to Zak and put her free arm around his neck, drawing him down for a kiss.
No words were exchanged, but she told him as eloquently as she could how she wanted this night to end. His kiss was his agreement, and they spent long moments drinking each other in before he finally ended the kiss and turned toward the stairs.
He hit the final light switch before they entered the private staircase, heading up to the apartment together.
When they reached the top of the stairs, Zak was careful to lock the door behind them. He took security very seriously, and she appreciated his attention to detail. In fact, she hoped he’d give that same attention to something a lot more private in the very near future.
She led him toward her bedroom, the wine bottle still dangling from her hand. She had taken over the master bath when her sisters had moved out. It was right next to her room and boasted an extra large jetted tub. Perfect for what she had in mind.
Zak quirked an eyebrow at her when she led him into the bathroom instead of her bedroom, but smiled, letting her lead. At least for now. He was very easygoing that way, and she liked that about him. His slow, almost lazy, smile did things to her insides that probably ought to be illegal.
Man, the guy was lethal.
She shivered, knowing they had the whole apartment to themselves. Blessed privacy. The perfect setting for debauchery of the finest caliber. At least, as much as she could make up in her somewhat limited imagination. The inner bad girl hadn’t had all that much experience at letting loose, but she was trying to cultivate the vixen a bit more. Zak had a way of bringing it out in her.
She left the wine bottle on the countertop and turned to Zak. Her fingers got busy on his buttons, so she could shove his shirt out of her way and freeing his lovely tanned skin. She kissed and nibbled as she went along, baring his torso rather quickly with his help.
She spent a little more time on his lower half, drawing out the scene as much as she could. She wanted him to enjoy this as much as she was. She wanted to make him pant, to make him sweat, to make him want her as much as she wanted him.
Judging by the bulge in his trousers, her plan was working. She smiled as she unzipped him, pushing the pants down over his hips.
He kissed her, moving close, his hands grasping her upper arms as he moved her back toward the wall. She was still dressed, and that couldn’t be allowed to continue much longer. She wanted to feel his skin against hers. The fabric between them was annoying. She didn’t want anything to keep them apart.
She tugged at her clothes, as he did, the tempestuous kiss making them both a little clumsy. Eventually though, she felt the shirt go, and the bra. And then, he was crushing her chest against his, even as he continued to kiss her like there was no tomorrow.
Her nipples hardened and practically begged for his touch. He drew away, moving downward, his hands making short work of the rest of her clothing. Soon, they were both bare, and he was kneeling at her feet, her back against the wall.
He smiled up at her, and she caught her breath. What was he…?
Oh. My. God.
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Zak had leaned in and applied his mouth to the apex of her thighs, zeroing right in on the little nub that made her entire body clench in pleasure. Her head went back, rolling against the wall as he brought her to a quick, breathless peak. Sweet heaven above, he was good. He seemed to know exactly what she needed to drive her straight out of her ever lovin’ mind.
“Zak!” she cried out when things got a little too intense. She didn’t want to move this fast. She’d had big plans for him—what she wanted to do with him and, especially, to him.
Zak chuckled, and she felt the rumble of it against her clit. He drew away with a last lingering lick, only to stand and take her into his arms.
“That’s what I like to hear,” he said, smiling even as he lifted her over the edge of the big tub. “My name never sounded better, honey. You say it that way every time, and you can have anything you want. Guaranteed.”
“What if all I want is you?” she challenged, letting her inner vixen out to play.
“You got me, baby. Any way, any time, any place. I’m yours.” He held his hands out to his sides almost comically, but his eyes were serious. Something big was happening here. She could feel it.
And she wanted it. She wanted it all. She wanted him…forever.
“Same goes for me,” she dared to whisper.
But she chickened out before he could respond, grabbing the bottle of wine off the counter and taking a hearty sip. Dutch courage? Maybe. But she had a few other ideas about what to do with this fine vintage.
He took the bottle gently from her hands and took a long sip of his own. Then he put his thumb over the top, pouring out a little bit on her shoulder, letting it drip down her chest, onto her breasts.
Apparently, their minds had been thinking along the same lines. She giggled, realizing he’d reversed her fantasy. She’d thought she would be doing this to him, not the other way around, but she was willing to go with the flow. It felt too decadent not to see where he was leading with this imaginative foreplay.
“This is one of the finest vintages from one of the finest wineries in the world, you know,” Zak said, almost conversationally, as he allowed more of the wine to dribble down her body. “It is spectacular on its own, but on you, my dear, I think it’s going to be even better.” He licked his lips and grinned at her before leaning down to capture her nipple—and the droplets of wine that had caught there—in his warm, wet, welcoming mouth.
Tina’s knees went weak as he licked his way over her chest and eventually down to her belly button. Her knees gave out when his fingers swept into her body, pulsing and rubbing against that secret spot inside that only he had ever found.
Zak caught her, bringing her down beside him in the large tub. He placed the wine bottle on the floor, then reached behind himself to turn on the taps, mixing hot and cold until he found the perfect temperature.
The big tub filled quickly with them both in it, and he flipped the switch to make the bubbles come on. They’d both had a long day, and a quick soak was probably a good thing. Especially considering the bruises she could now see forming along her leg. Zak noticed the direction of her gaze and lifted her abused leg out of the water, placing it over his shoulder as she reclined against the back of the tub.
“My poor baby,” he whispered, kissing the booboos that were a harsh reminder of everything they’d been through today. As far as eventful days went, this was one for the books. “Does it hurt a lot?”
“Not really,” she answered as he examined each bruise in minute detail. “Just when you press on it. Or when I move the wrong way. Otherwise, I think it’s just going to be colorful for a while.”
“Yeah, I hate to say it, but these are going to look worse before they get better.” He lowered her leg back into the effervescent water. “You’re in for a colorful few days.” He held her gaze as he moved through the water to take her into his arms. The giant tub was big enough for them to move around a bit. “You’ll tell me right away if anything we do hurts your leg, right?”
The request almost sounded like an order, but she understood his concern. Zak was nothing if not thoughtful. She thought it was sweet that he didn’t want to cause her any more discomfort than she was already feeling.
“I promise. But honestly, when we’re together, I only feel the good stuff,” she assured him, patting his chest and smiling up at his handsome face.
“I like that,” he said, holding her gaze. “With you, Tina, there’s nothing but good stuff. And I have to tell you, that’s new for me.”
“For me too,” she admitted shyly.
He stopped talking, diverting his attention instead to lathering up her body and his own, cleaning them off, one limb at a time. He paid special attention to her damaged leg and, much to her surprise, seemed to be very serious about getting them both clean. He might’ve stroked her skin a bit more gently than strictly necessary, but he didn’t allow her to touch him, even when she tried to give him a bit of what he’d already given her.
“Patience,” he counseled, moving her roving hands away from his cock. “I’ll give you everything you want, honey, but I want to do it in a bed this time. You deserve gentle care after everything you went through today. Bathtub sex isn’t for wounded girls. There’s too much potential for further injury. I’m going to keep you safe tonight, Tina. And that means a soft bed under us.”
Her heart melted right then and there. What a great guy.
A few minutes later, after he’d dried every inch of her body with one of her fluffy towels, he carried her into her bedroom and placed her on the bed. He wouldn’t let her lift a single finger, convincing her that he would do all the work tonight.
“Aren’t you going to let me do anything?” she asked.
“Nope.”
“Ever?” she wheedled.
“Well, maybe some other time, but not right now, okay? I’m enjoying this too much.”
She didn’t argue. It was enough to know that at some point, in the future, it would be her turn.
“Okay, but I have plans for you when it’s my turn, big guy,” she told him with teasing promise.
He agreed that sounded like a whole lot of fun, but for tonight, he would be calling the shots. The first of which seemed to be getting inside her.
She wasn’t objecting. She’d had plenty of foreplay in the bathroom. She was more than ready for him to be inside her, but after he slid in…slowly…inch by inch…he just…stopped.
He stopped and looked deep into her eyes. It was like their hearts were beating in time. Like the whole world had stopped spinning on its axis for this moment out of time.
“This is something special,” he said in a voice so low and rumbly she almost came right there on the spot. “Tell me you feel it too.”
“I do,” she whispered. “I feel it.”
Something that looked like triumph entered his gaze. “Say you’ll be only with me, Tina. I want this to be exclusive.”
Oh, hell yeah! She smiled up at him. “If you promise the same, I’m yours, Zak. I don’t want to share you with anyone else.”
His grin lit his face. Damn, he was so incredibly handsome. How in the world did she manage to catch a guy like him? What pagan god had smiled on her and given her this amazing man, who wanted to be exclusive with her…whatever that turned out to mean down the line?
She wasn’t going to look a gift horse in the mouth. If they were taking this one step at a time, he’d just taken a big one. Exclusivity after only one real date? Yeah, by human standards, they were moving fast. By shifter standards? She wasn’t sure. Those boys her sisters had brought home had moved awfully quick from dating to mating. But if Zak wanted to take things a little slower, she wasn’t going to argue.
“I’ll be true to you, Tina. My bear doesn’t know any other way to be. And it likes you a lot. It wants to wrap you in our arms and keep you safe from anything that might ever possibly hurt you. It was so angry at what happened today, and so proud to be able to free you from that thing’s clut
ches.”
“I loved seeing your bear, Zak. I loved that you saved me.” She almost admitted she loved him, but that would never do.
If he wanted to go slow, she was going to abide by his rules. He was calling the shots. At least for tonight. She’d agreed to those terms, and she’d stick with it.
He let out a sound that was like a low rumble through his chest, like the bear was growling, although it wasn’t a scary sound. It was more like purring. A happy, satisfied sort of rumble.
“The bear likes what you said. It likes when we make love, and it really enjoys when I lick you.” His grin turned devilish, and his eyes glinted with naughty amusement.
“You don’t say?” She caught his teasing mood, willing to go with the flow. “I wonder what he’ll think when I lick you.” She felt his cock jerk inside her, and she chuckled.
“Not tonight,” he cautioned, almost as if he was reminding himself as well as her. “Not until your leg is healed.”
“Spoilsport.”
She stuck her tongue out at him, and he swooped down and caught it in his mouth.
He kissed her as he began a steady, increasing pace that ultimately led them to the oblivion of a pleasure so great she passed out for a few seconds right there at the end.
That had never happened before.
It was scary good.
Zak stayed inside her almost constantly that night, waking her every few hours to make love again. She loved every scandalous, delicious, overwhelming moment of it. And she wanted him like a drug she had just become addicted to.
Zak was lethal in the sexiest way possible, and she wanted more.
She woke him in the morning, dragging him into the shower for a quick wash before she finally convinced him to let her go down on him. She wasn’t taking no for an answer, even though her leg had stiffened up a bit overnight. She simply made him stand in front of her while she sat on the bed—after their shower but before they were dressed—and she licked him like a lollipop. A hard, long, devastatingly masculine lollipop.