Just One Bite

by Barbara Elsborg

  Liv smiled.

  His hand closed over her breast, and when her nipple hardened to the point of pain under his palm, she whimpered. Cal licked and kissed his way down her throat and over her chest. He wrapped his mouth around a nipple, and when he sucked, Liv felt the echoing pull between her legs. She drowned in lust as if she’d been tumbled by a wave and pushed to the seabed.

  Want him, want him, want him.

  Yes, she knew this was crazy.

  No, she’d never contemplated doing this with any guy she’d only just met.

  Oops, a lie. She’d contemplated it, but never ever done it.

  But Cal kissed like an angel, looked like the devil, smelled of mint chocolate chip ice cream and she wanted to gobble him up.

  Cal moaned into her breast, and Liv arched back, letting the robe slip to the floor as he licked and sucked. His hands slid to her lower back and he held her belly against his as they rocked, his cock iron hard, with only the thin cotton of his boxers between them.

  The protesting voices in her head grew quieter and quieter. Liv was dimly aware of being lifted and carried to her bed, and then he was on her again, naked now, his hands stroking her arms, his tongue teasing a wet path down her body. He spread the lips of her sex with his thumbs and slid his tongue deep inside her. Liv’s hips bucked, but his hands held her down, kept her where he wanted her.

  Ripples of pleasure trickled through her, gathering speed. Every touch wound her tighter; the feel of his silky hair against her thighs, the roughness of his cheeks, his hot, wet tongue. How long is that tongue? He flicked it in and out of her and then circled her clit while her fingers scrunched and pulled at the cover on the bed, or threaded his hair, or dug into his shoulders.

  Liv could hear herself moaning and groaning and uttering the sort of noises she usually only made in private. Well, in semiprivate, and not as passionate, on the occasions when she invited Bob into her bed, a trusty friend who hid at the back of her top drawer and would break down in a sulk if he saw the size of his competition.

  Cal knew what he was doing, which was a good thing and a bad thing because Liv didn’t want to think that he’d done this with lots of other women and a good thing because she was on her way to her first manmade orgasm in longer than she wanted to remember.

  When Cal lifted his head, Liv had to fight not to knock it back down to where it belonged—between her thighs.

  “You’re so wet and you taste soooo good,” he whispered.

  Then his fingers were playing with her along with his tongue, and Liv’s eyes rolled back to some obscure place in her skull. Was this what sex was supposed to be like? I’ve been cheated.

  Whenever she felt she was getting close to coming, Cal did something different to take the edge off and she backed away from falling. As soon as Liv’s teeth unclenched and her body stopped shaking, he started again, driving her on like a wild horse, letting her have her head, and then when she began to run, he stopped her from bolting time after time, until gradually, much as she’d fought against it, she fell utterly under his control.

  Her only comforting thought was that two could play at this game, and when he’d fucked her stupid, she’d get her own back.

  It was when she felt the head of his cock press against the entrance to her body that sense sparked back into the one pathetic little brain cell still under her control.

  “Condom,” she blurted.

  Cal froze.

  Chapter Three

  “Condom,” Liv repeated in case it hadn’t sunk in.

  Cal’s face darkened. He didn’t look happy. Tough.

  She narrowed her eyes. “Hey, you were the one who said you had potent body fluids, and I can’t tell you how appealing that sounds.”

  “Don’t move,” he snapped.

  As his weight shifted from the bed, Liv took a deep breath. He was back before she exhaled, before she had time to change her mind.

  “Did you stop time or something?” she blurted.

  Cal’s mouth quirked in a smile. He rolled the condom on with practiced ease and Liv gulped, her heart pounding even harder. It might reduce her chance of a heart attack if she didn’t look at his cock, but darn it, she couldn’t tear her gaze away.

  Big, bigger, bugger.

  He leaned over and kissed her, his tongue slipping into her mouth as he rocked against her, and Liv’s head fogged. As Cal deepened the kiss, he nudged her knees apart and positioned himself so he could slide his cock back and forth over her folds. Each pass made her tremble. Each pass made her more desperate for him. She was gradually dissolving into a puddle.

  “You’re so wet,” he mumbled into her mouth. “So soft, so hot, so sexy.”

  And Cal was hard and hot and sexy. Liv was committed now, no turning back and she didn’t want to. If he walked out of here without a backward glance, then at least she’d had one night of extraordinary passion in her life.

  Cal started slow and gentle, pushing the tip of his cock inside her before pulling back. Liv could feel the tension in his body, the tremor in his bones, and then in one sudden move, he thrust all the way into her with a deep groan, his face transformed by pleasure. Liv cried out, not just with the delight of the throbbing fullness inside her but the look on Cal’s face.

  He kissed her harder, talking into her mouth between kisses. “Sorry, sorry—oh God,” he blurted, but didn’t stop moving.

  She wrapped her arms around him, dragged her legs higher around his waist, gripped him harder, and with the next thrust, he sank a little deeper so that their bodies were pressed close together. They groaned in unison. Liv could already feel the familiar tightening between her thighs, the tingling low in her belly, the fluttering in her chest. Their breathing came in harsh gasps, and in between their ragged breaths and kisses, Cal kept saying he was sorry. Liv didn’t know what he meant and hadn’t the voice to tell him to shut up and fuck her.

  Then he began to pound into her, to surge and withdraw in long, deep, driving movements, twisting his body, shifting to find the place she liked the best. His balls slapped against her butt, the sensation changing as they tightened and drew up closer to the base of his cock. And at the same time, Cal’s kisses grew greedier and more desperate, teeth clashing, nipping her mouth until he was almost biting her. Then he wrenched his lips from hers, pressed his mouth to her neck and he did bite her. Liv yelped and beat at his back with her fists.

  “You’re not supposed to be a vamp,” she gasped, but as fast as the pain had come, it disappeared and he was licking her, kissing her, soothing her, still fucking her, still muttering that he was sorry, sorry, sorry.

  And now she thought she understood why.

  He’d done something primal. Marked her as his. Which in one way made her feel good.

  But if those bites on her arm hadn’t infected her, what he’d just done definitely had. Which made her feel not good at all. Fuck, fuck, fuck.

  But even as fury rose inside her, so did her orgasm, the two things battling for supremacy. Too angry to come, too desperate not to, orgasm won, racing along her veins, tearing through her nervous system, gathering everything in its path until it swept her up like a tornado, spiraling into the air and breaking her to pieces.

  Liv had never come like this before, as though she’d been caught in some gigantic firework display. She exploded in color, time after time, clenching around Cal’s cock as her body spasmed. And as her pleasure began to wane, Cal stiffened and then shuddered as he spurted inside her, whispering her name, over and over.

  And it was all perfect and it was all wrong.

  “Oh God, Liv,” he gasped. “Marry me?”

  There was a moment of stunned silence while Liv wondered if he’d actually said what she thought he’d said. When he didn’t say anything else and instead nuzzled into the junction of her neck and shoulder, she decided she’d imagined it.

  What if I didn’t?

  But marriage? Was he crazy? Of course he was. Hadn’t she already decided that? She wasn’t
going to think about how he’d convinced her he was a wolf. He’d probably drugged her.

  Light bulb moment for dumbest girl in the world.

  He had drugged her. The steak had some hallucinogenic substance injected into it. Or the wine. Maybe both. Oh damn.

  Liv’s feeling of comfortable, satiated pleasure flowed away faster than water cascading over Niagara Falls and left her stranded on the shore. This was probably some joke, maybe even a bet and she’d fallen for it. Sucker.

  “Can’t breathe,” she muttered.

  The moment his weight lifted, Liv rolled from the bed to her feet and almost fell headlong. She straightened and hobbled to the bathroom. Clinging hold of the washbasin, Liv raised her head to the mirror. Flushed face, mussed hair and a smear of blood on her neck along with the beginnings of a bruise. Bastard. She spotted Cal behind her, leaning on the doorframe. He looked nervous. He should.

  “You bit me.” She fingered her neck.

  “I’m sorry.”

  “I don’t believe you.” Though Liv had to admit he sounded contrite, but then she’d been taken in by guys before.

  “I know this is hard to believe,” he blurted, “but it’s because you belong to me.”

  Liv clenched her teeth, yanked a towel from the rail and wrapped it tight around her body. “I don’t belong to anyone.”

  Cal took a step toward her. “You belong to me in the same way that I belong to you. It’s the werewolf way. I’m crazy for you, but my wolf is even crazier. It’s battling to get out. A full moon, lying next to you, and I’m clinging to control with the tips of my fingers. I’d rather die than hurt you, Liv.” He dropped to his knees in front of her. “Marry me.”

  So she hadn’t misheard.

  “I don’t even know you,” she whispered. “You don’t know me. How can you want to marry me?”

  “I just know.” He rose to his feet, and Liv couldn’t help but notice his cock was erect again. Bloody hell.

  “You’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me,” he whispered. “Without you, I’m incomplete. I need you. Please.”

  When he reached to twist her hair in his fingers, Liv didn’t move away. Despite her common sense screaming warnings in her head, his words were burrowing deep into her heart.

  “When I look at you, my stomach does cartwheels.” He brushed her cheekbone with his thumb. “You make me feel happy and I want to spend the rest of my life making you happy. We belong together.”

  Oh God. Liv didn’t protest when he unwrapped her from the towel, didn’t push him away when he tugged her close, kissed her and herded her back to the bedroom. It was all too much, too soon, too fast, but Liv wanted him.

  Cal spread his hands on her back and traced patterns with his fingers as he gently kissed her. When Liv slid her tongue into his mouth, it was like licking mint chocolate chip ice cream. Something velvety stroked the crease of her butt, and Liv shivered and hummed with pleasure. Then froze.

  Ten fingers drew loops and whirls on her back so what the hell was— Liv looked over her shoulder and squealed. She bucked into Cal and he hugged her.

  “Wha—t—gah—wh—” Liv gave up.

  Cal lifted his head from her mouth, his eyes glazed. “No more crying wolf.”

  “Furry thing,” she blurted.

  “I can think of better terms of affection.” Cal kissed and licked her neck. “I quite liked super stud. Christ, you taste and smell so good. Licorice. Did I tell you how much I—”

  “Oh God, I have a t-t—”

  “I adore licorice.”

  Liv grabbed his ears and twisted until he yelped. “I have a tail.”

  Cal peered over her shoulder. “Yep. Wow, that’s unusual.”

  “Un-bloody-usual? Of course it is. It’s a tail.”

  “And what a lovely tail it is too.” Cal smiled at her.

  Liv opened her mouth to let out a torrent of abuse and instead screamed with pain. Lightning crackled down her spine and she jerked. It felt as though a creature with sharp teeth had begun to crunch its way down her back. Pain radiated along her ribs, flared in her chest and she doubled over in agony.

  “Argghh. Something inside me,” she gasped and fell to her knees. Hurts, hurts.

  “Your wolf.” Cal dropped down beside her. “You’ll be okay. Don’t fight it, sweetheart.”

  “Poisoned me. Hospital,” she gasped.

  “Let your wolf out, Liv.”

  “Need—help—please.” Her skull was about to explode.

  Cal held her hand. “Let her out. You can do it. I know you can.”

  Suddenly this wasn’t something Liv could laugh at or pretend wasn’t happening. She felt her bones shortening, twisting and reforming. Muscles ripped, rippled and flexed. She sensed her organs changing. Heat boiled through her and fur spouted from every follicle. Fear and pain raged but Cal held her face, made her look into his eyes, and listen to his words.

  “Everything will be all right.” He repeated the same thing over and over.

  How could it be all right? Liv’s life had shifted onto another path from which there was no way back.

  She stopped fighting and closed her eyes. This is not happening to me. If she kept saying that, could she make it so?

  When Liv opened her eyes, a familiar black wolf sat watching her. Liv lifted her muzzle—eek—off silvery paws—eek eek—and whimpered—eeeeeeek.

  She stood on shaky legs. Oh God, four legs. I need to pee. How do I pee? There’s no lamppost. Can I squat on the toilet? What if I slip?

  Cal laughed.

  Liv met his gaze. Oh damn it, you’re in my head.

  You’re beautiful. You’re funny and I love you.

  * * * * *

  Liv bared her teeth, pinned him with her gaze and her hackles rose. Cal cringed. She was seriously pissed. His joy that she’d survived the first change slipped away. When she snarled, he backed off. Not that he intended to let his mate get the better of him, nor any other wolf, come to that, and if any of the pack had been around, Cal would have definitely—well probably—stood his ground against Liv, but he wanted to let her find herself. She’d eventually struggled through denial and had moved into anger. Only bargaining and depression to go before she reached acceptance.

  Cal hoped the anger part didn’t last long because he really didn’t want to have to— Oh shit. Liv leapt at him, bowled him over and went for his throat. That was embarrassing. Cal had to call on every ounce of restraint not to fight back. Liv hovered with her teeth inches from his neck.

  Liv, honey, can we talk about this?

  She growled.

  This isn’t appropriate behavior. Cal wondered whether to transform. You’re moon drunk.

  She growled louder.

  Cal let his wolf go and turned back to human form. Liv reeled in surprise.

  “I know you’re angry, but God, you’re the most beautiful wolf I’ve ever seen.” He risked twisting her ear in his fingers and sighed with relief when Liv pushed her head into his hand.

  You’re not going to get around me like that.

  Cal bit back his smile and took his hand away.

  Did I tell you to stop?

  He sniggered and tickled her again.

  Oooooh. Is there a guide book I need to read? Table Manners for Werewolves? A Hundred and One Ways to Howl at the Moon? How to Shit in the Woods. Oh, that one really is a book. I’ve read it.

  He laughed. “I can teach you everything you need to know.”

  Like how to turn back into a woman?

  He didn’t miss the plaintive note in her voice and it reminded him they were only halfway there. “You need to be patient this first time. It will just happen.” Please let that be true. “Remember how you feel when it does, and then the next time you change, search for that sensation inside you.”

  Liv jumped up onto the bed and lay down, head on her paws. Cal settled beside her and pushed his fingers into her thick fur.

  The bang on the apartment door made them both jump.
r />   “Open up right now,” someone shouted.

  My landlord. Creepo. Ignore him.

  “Creepo?”

  He wanted me to give him a blowjob this morning in return for letting me off my rent.

  Cal rolled off the bed, went looking for his pants and shirt and tugged them on. Anger roared down every vein and artery until his body thrummed. He strode to the door and yanked it open. A short, ugly, bald guy with a beer belly widened his eyes in surprise and then glared at him.

  “Where’s Liv?” Creepo asked.

  Cal felt Liv brush up against his legs. He glanced down and saw her looking up at her landlord.

  “Aha. I knew I’d heard a dog. Pets aren’t allowed. Hey, what kind of dog is that? It looks like…”

  The low rumbling from Liv made Cal smile. He tickled her ear. “Want me to rip his lungs out through his throat, honey? Or maybe you’d like to.”

  Cal turned his smile back on Creepo, though the guy didn’t seem to find it very cheery. He backed away, his face losing color with every step, and then turned and ran. Cal slammed the door.

  Just in time. Liv was changing back. Wow, so soon? Cal gritted his teeth as he watched, his fingers digging into his palms. Please, please, please let her be okay. After each limb returned to normal, and the fur disappeared back into her body, Cal breathed out. Finally, Liv lay sprawled on the floor, panting. Cal scooped her up into his arms, kissed her on the cheek and carried her back into the bedroom. Thank Christ.

  Liv was unbuttoning his shirt before he’d lifted his hands from her.

  “Sex. Now,” she blurted.

  Her hormones were all over the place, but then so were his, and Cal wasn’t going to argue. Except as he pulled his pants off, he thought maybe he should have done. The look in her eyes was almost scary.

  “Liv—”

  “Don’t talk.”

  She pulled him down and kissed him, and Cal forgot what he’d been going to say. He vaguely remembered it was important, but as Liv’s tongue explored his mouth and her hand wrapped around his cock, that seemed pretty important too. And when her mouth deserted his and her hot tongue licked a path down his throat, over his chest by way of each nipple, only to linger on his navel—well, by that time he’d forgotten his own name.