Chocolate Damsel

by A. C. Mason

  “Ready?”

  “Yes.” Her response was now but a whisper.

  “Tell me about you and your family?” A lick from her waist to her shoulder revealed part of a symbol.

  “I grew up in Mumford, New York.” The beat of her heart quickened.

  A desired effect, given the length of time since he’d last touched a woman he lusted for. He could still get their pulses racing.

  “My father was a Baptist minister in a small colored community. I was sheltered and nurtured there. I always loved to sing my heart out. I was the pride of the church.” She must have been a pretty child, and adored. “When I was two, my mamma died giving birth to my brother.” As he passed over her spine with his tongue, her breath caught, either from the pain of her loss or his touch, he didn’t know. “Pa died when I was eighteen, and not long after, I left with the little money I had. I made my way here about a year ago. I’ve been really lucky. Truth be told, it’s the kindness of others that has kept me safe.”

  He could not drown out the smell of her arousal. Lapping the edge of her back, he read, Cover blown. We must move up timeframe for cargo. Someone has tipped off SS. Meet. One good thing was word of his smuggling activities had yet to reach regiments in Paris. And the werewolf probably followed her to get to him. This also meant more of the message remained on the other side. What in the world had Griselda been thinking? Was he really expected to keep his head on straight with this kind of malicious provocation?

  “Please turn onto your back.” This would have been easier if he’d put her into a trance. Given her lack of recollection, Griselda must have. However, he wanted to know how his touch affected her.

  Obediently she complied, but did not look at him. Her nipples were centered on her full breasts. Dark curls formed a triangle between her thick thighs. What wouldn’t he give to taste her excitement, but if he gave into his desire he’d slip down a path he might not recover from.

  Once more, he started from her waist and moved up to the swell of her breast. She moaned. Her deep gasps of enjoyment made him thankful the top of the letter ended at the rise of her mound.

  Her nipples hardened further, and he wanted to lick the dark buds, but he pushed on. She shivered. The sparkle of her golden tone dampened, then she pulled the blanket over her face. Best he get this over with for both of them. He continued. Heavy breaths danced through the room. Her thighs pressed together. No doubt, she forced her juices from between her lower lips to the inside of her legs. He wanted to know her flavor, to start then devour her whole. When he reached the swell of her other breast, she grabbed onto the covers.

  “Please.” She tensed.

  A long stroke, then one more, and he gazed down at her glistening body. Her chest rose and fell between pants. All he could see was her magnificence, her breasts and nipples in need of his attention. He narrowed his line of sight to concentrate on the words hidden on her gorgeous tapestry. Le Locle, Switzerland, by sunrise in two mornings. Keep AP near and safe.

  Transforming back to a human nearing the full moon was never easy. Nature wanted them in Shunu form, top of the food chain, roused with a thrill of the hunt. A good way to ensure balance.

  Light and divine energy emptied from his body, paining his soul, and lifted him from the ground. As though the spirit of life drained from his very limbs, bright rays sucked from inside him. His bones contorted. Wretched agony gripped his being. The paws became his hands and feet once again. His fur vanished to reveal bare skin. The beast returned to his cage, angry and thirsting. He dropped to the floor, landing in a crouched position.

  Her teary cries ripped through him. Had his touch upset her?

  “Why are you crying?” He knelt forward and pulled her from the covers where she hid.

  She shook her head, then her gaze met his. Suddenly aware he hadn’t put his patch over his offensive scar, he pulled back.

  “What?” she asked.

  “I should cover up.” He turned from her.

  Her caress on his forearm was soft. “Please, don’t.”

  “You shouldn’t be forced to look at my--” He gestured to his disfigurement.

  “At your beautiful face, you mean.” How could she say those words and mean them? Yet, she did, he could sense it. A gentle tug from her hand stopped him.

  “I won’t hide if you don’t either. Agreed?” He met her gaze.

  Goose bumps coated her skin. “Yes. However, I do hope we can have covers, because I’m cold.”

  He moved closer, placed the duvet over her nude body and then his. “Why the tears?”

  “I saw you and a beautiful woman. There was a house, in the mountains. A little boy with big red cheeks.” Her eyes narrowed. “Men came, angry faces. They hurt, raped and murdered her. Screaming, you were forced to watch, then they drowned the infant.” She covered her ears. “Horror, pleading for death. They beat and stabbed you. Burned your face, leaving you for dead. But no such relief came.”

  He pulled away. A lump pained his throat. How did she know these things? Traumas of long forgotten times and lives snuffed. Retribution once consumed his every breath. So many of his people had been slaughtered in the cleansing. He’d been a fool to believe humans would let them live in peace as his father and Reeme had fought for. Eventually a knock always came on their door. They would never be seen as anything but animals.

  “That was many lifetimes ago. I’m sorry you were forced to witness the brutality they endured.”

  “Emmiline, you are my full moon every night, you would say to her. When Fritz was born, he brought you peace.”

  The words shredded him from the inside. “Stop!”

  She cowered away from him. “I cannot help what I see.”

  “Please don’t speak of them, ever. Promise me?” VanWolf grabbed her wrist and twisted her to face him.

  Vigorously she nodded with fear in her eyes. She could be a chieftain of some kind with powers to speak to restless souls.

  “Thank you.” He pressed his forehead to hers. As she couldn’t stop from seeing these images, he couldn’t bear remembering the indignity of those dark days. Of failing his wife and child.

  Tonight he needed to lose himself in the pleasure her body offered. Would she allow him his indulgence?

  Chapter 8

  Alexia didn’t know what to make of the memories she saw when with the pack. Was she picking up on deep scars buried inside them? The images only fueled anger in each of them. Why did they haunt her so, and how could she make them stop? She didn’t want them anymore than they did.

  As VanWolf molded his form to her back, his body heat penetrated her skin. Warmth stirred between her thighs. Covering one of her breasts with a hand, he rolled her nipple between his index finger and thumb. Then he kissed a trail of fire along the back of her neck, waking renewed sparks.

  She gasped.

  “Please, don’t ask me to stop. I won’t hurt you.” The deep tone of his voice moved through her, creating waves of ecstasy. He pressed his erection to the crevice of her bottom, and sliding a hand down between her legs, met with her wet labia.

  Sure, she’d agree to anything for relief from the throbbing between her thighs his tongue bathing had caused. Now he applied pressure to the pulsating nub, back and forth.

  She ground her hips to meet his caress.

  “See? Only pleasure. I swear.” He guided her to his hard penis, wrapped her hand around the width of it, then glided her fingers up and down. “As good as my touch feels, yours brings me equal enjoyment this way.”

  She liked the idea of causing him the same hunger, and moved her hand as he’d instructed. “Is this good?”

  “Yes, you’re doing great.” He nuzzled her earlobe and nipped and nibbled.

  In slow circles, he stroked between her drenched lips, but still the ache grew stronger. She shifted to seek fulfillment. “Lower.”

  He chuckled. The rumble of his chest against her back spread through her like the sun’s rays. “You need relief farther down, do
you?”

  “Yes.” What a strange effect he had on her.

  “I can help, but you’ll need to trust me.” He lifted his head and gazed down at her.

  The melted skin sealed his eyelid closed, but he was beautiful. “I do.” Wasn’t that obvious? She’d kept herself pure twenty-three years, and he had her naked and filled with desire. Never had she let a man do this. Given he was a Shunu, maybe this didn’t count, either.

  “Good.” He stroked her cheek with the back of his hand. “I want you to put one leg on each side of my face.”

  Definitely not what she’d expected him to say. She’d seen the mated pack members in such an embrace once, with a lover’s face between the female’s legs as she took his length in her mouth. At first she’d been horrified, but then had found the idea enticing. Bodies intertwined with lips in such intimate places had to be exhilarating.

  “Are you ready?” The lone eye held her gaze as though he read her thoughts.

  While she’d watched the mated pack members pleasure each other, the moans from the female had awakened an excitement between her legs.

  She nodded, rose and crawled over to his face, and straddled him. “Like this?”

  “Yes, exactly what I meant.” A tender touch caressed her thigh.

  Despite the exposed position, she felt safe with him. She lay down on his warm chest.

  The smell of his arousal was next to her face. Once more, she took his erection in her hand and stroked up and down. The tip glistened.

  Then slippery silk met with her slickness. She whimpered. He pressed his tongue to the aching area, then down to her pulsating nub.

  “You taste so sweet.” His words caused a flood between her legs, which was licked away with long leisurely strokes. The more he worked his magic on her the more she wanted to give him the same.

  She lapped over the fluid at the head of his penis. Rolling the flavor on her tongue, she swallowed. Salty.

  He groaned.

  Given his approving sounds, she repeated, licking off more.

  “That feels good.” He buried his face deep between her thighs, slid his tongue in and out.

  She in turn wrapped her lips around his cock and slipped down the length and back up.

  “That’s it.” He angled his head to the side. “You look so beautiful tasting me.”

  She too enjoyed savoring him. Again, she moved along the shaft and sucked more of his offering, wanting all of his liquid desire.

  He rested his hand at the back of her head, guiding her mouth up and down. “Just like this.”

  The room spun from this crazy delight he showed her. As his lips reconnected, her thighs quivered. A flow of fluid filled her mouth, causing her to swallow, and more spilled. The withdrawal of her mouth came with an elation of her own. She trembled with each pass of his tongue. A burst of bliss clenched her inner muscles.

  “That’s it, come for me.” He pressed his wicked tongue to her labia as he suckled.

  “VanWolf,” she cried out as a tremor shot through her.

  More gushed from his tip, and she lapped up the trail from the base to the head.

  He lifted her to his lap and kissed her. “Absolutely amazing.”

  Wrapping the duvet protectively around her, he lowered her next to him. What did this mean? She’d shared something utterly wonderful with VanWolf, the untouchable.

  “I’ve left you pure.” He cradled her near. “You need not worry about disappointing a husband on your wedding night.”

  The thought hadn’t even crossed her mind. But his words saddened her. Did he not want her innocence, and if so, why not?

  “Would you be unhappy if your bride came to you spoiled?” She flipped onto her tummy and stared up at his thoughtful expression.

  An edge of annoyance appeared in the corner of his eye. “I’m an Alpha, so yes. No other male of the pack can pick their mate until I’ve given them permission.”

  “Hmm.” She twisted her lips from side to side.

  “What?” he huffed.

  “Yet you’ve picked no female. The others, they speak of you as a legend. VanWolf the untouchable. The cubs ogle you and you keep a distance from them.”

  “I’ve not touched a female of the pack since…” He clenched his jaw shut.

  Interesting, how he distinguished them from human women. Did this mean he’d had companionship, just not one of his kind? Was this why he’d so freely had his way with her?

  “What’s with the long face?” The hand wrapped around her, squeezing her near.

  Once again, her expression was giving away her thoughts. “I’m just wondering if the reason why you made such advances on me is because I’m human.” Moments ago, she’d been scorching in a fire of passion and now sharp, damp coldness filled the room, and her.

  “Honestly, it didn’t cross my mind.” He rubbed his forehead. “I wanted to taste you, your innocence, and so I did.”

  “Why do you avoid the pack females?” As she lowered her chin onto his chest, she sensed his displeasure from her question.

  “You know, you ask a lot of nosy questions.” He sat up.

  This wasn’t the first time she’d been told that in her life. As always, this meant the person wanted her to back off.

  “I’m sorry, it’s just that Griselda told me it’s very uncommon for an Alpha to live away from his charges or be without a companion. The ‘Treiama’, the link between his soul and heart.”

  “She talks too much.” He exhaled.

  “Okay.” No more probing questions, given his tone and the sharpness of his look.

  He scooped her up to his waist. The scent of his arousal waited just beyond. He wanted the pleasure of her body again. She whirled with confusion. Could she be a woman he called on for release? Already attached to his fiery interior, what if she fell in love with VanWolf? She simply couldn’t let that happen.

  “While you clean up, I’ll prepare things. We’ll head south to the rendezvous point under the cover of night and hide during the day.”

  How would they get through the ‘no refugees’ zone? Or were they going to Vichy where the government and residents willingly rounded up and handed people over to the Nazis? The southern roads were dangerous, but if he traveled with her, she believed they’d get to their destination. She shuddered at the brutality. How did the citizens and government of the southern region live with themselves?

  The warmth of his strong arms reassured her this night hadn’t ended with her death. She rose and went to the water closet.

  Chapter 9

  VanWolf alerted Jean to leave Paris this night, hung up the telephone and poured another brandy. Twice in one night he’d held back from marking her. Why the sudden urge to claim? Not once since the murder of his Treiama and child had he experienced such feelings, and now he hungered for a mate. He rubbed the back of his neck. This didn’t make any sense. He’d never come so fast, not even with his beloved. The traces of wolf lineage in Alexia were faint, but present. By nature, she’d be more attracted to a male with wolf ancestry than a human one. In the shower she sang, reminding him of her lush lips, which furthered his anguish. His penis throbbed with need. She had come to him so willingly. No fear of what he might do. He could have claimed her--and her innocence.

  No doubt, this night took its toll on the brave creature. Had he taken advantage of her emotional state? Would she regret what she’d shared with him?

  He huffed. It mattered to him, more than he cared to admit.

  He gathered things for her to wear and prepared a bag with some food and water for the journey, then dressed. Given her complexion, she’d never pass for German, so hiding in plain sight wouldn’t work.

  The shower stopped and she emerged in a towel. Loose curls cascaded around her face, past her shoulders.

  “Alexia.” Hunger laced his voice as he moved closer.

  “Yes.” She placed her hand on his forearm.

  The silky touch woke a volcano beneath his skin. Too easily he could fall i
nto this with her. Whatever this was.

  “Here, put these on. It’s time for us to go.” He handed her a young man’s light brown trousers, a beige dress shirt, belt, socks and shoes and a newspaper boy’s cap, then shifted away to give her privacy. While she wrestled with the clothes next to him, he took the money he’d hidden in the wall.

  Despite the clothing, her breasts and hips curved the fabric. The prettiest boy he’d seen stood before him with her bright eyes and pink cheeks.

  “I’m going to put you to sleep until we get out of the city. The general told me to dump your body in the river, and that’s what I’m going to do to get us out of Paris.”

  “Thank you.” She hugged him.

  “What for?” He pressed his lips together at her sweetness.

  As she glanced up at him, her curls bobbed. “For not doing so without speaking to me first.”

  Her words fluttered inside him. If she’d been a member of the pack, he wouldn’t have explained. The idea he treated her different because she was human wasn’t as off as he wanted to believe.

  “You’re welcome.” He tucked her hair underneath the cap, then pulled her close. Easing into her mind, he pushed her deeply to sleep. He slowed her heart until she didn’t appear to be breathing. Tossing her on his shoulder, he carried her limp body out to the boat. The scent of the werewolf grew stronger. An unmated, unattached female to a pack with wolf traces was a little like finding a diamond. Would their stalker risk a public struggle for the girl? If this outcast picked a fight, it would be his last. Griselda had asked him to keep AP safe, and he intended to honor the request. Adjusting his patch with a finger, he was reminded of the one time he’d failed those he loved. Never again.

  The river lay eerily still, as though someone had cleared the path and led him deep into a trap. He relaxed onto the seat of the skiff and steered.

  When they reached his sister, he needed to part with Alexia. Would she want to go? A little protest couldn’t hurt. This wouldn’t be the first time he’d had a sexual encounter with a woman, then vanished. So why did he feel uneasy about doing so to her? She wore her heart on her sleeve. He could speak to her before he left, but what would he say? The entire thing was ridiculous. She was a grown woman. She’d understand.