“Don’t sleep on the floor tonight; I don’t want to be alone.”
Pulling her down he wrapped her into his warm embrace. “Sleep, baby,” he whispered into her ear and she gave a slight shudder against him before closing her eyes, snuggling deeper into his warm body.
Lincoln held Lexia as she slept; he looked at her face so innocent in sleep. She was so beautiful with her perfect creamy skin, a soft, rosy pink lightly dusted her high cheekbones. He played with a curl that hung across her face. He loved her hair; she’d let it grow almost to her waist and he found himself thinking what it would look like hanging over her breasts as she stood naked before him.
He shook his head clearing his thoughts. He didn’t know how long he could hold his feelings in. He had completely lost control the other day and he knew she was affected by him, too. But once his panther had her, there was no going back. His panther wouldn’t let her go once he’d had a full taste of her and she was still so young. Could she handle that? Could she handle him?
The next day she ran with Lincoln through the forest. Lexia felt lighter; Lincoln’s voice spoke in her mind whenever she started to think about the darkness of her Hunter side. ‘Not a single part of you is evil.’ She smiled, picking up her speed and raced past him. “Catch me, pretty panther,” she called, her laughter singing out into the forest.
“You’d better run, my Little Wildcat!” she heard his voice call, his deep laughter making her giggle.
She raced through the trees exhilarated by their new game but then she felt something to her right. Slowing down Lexia tried to concentrate on any life forces in the forest. She couldn’t hear anything, the forest had grown deadly quiet; not even Lincoln’s quiet footfalls broke the silence.
About twenty feet away two Hunters walked quietly through the trees heading her way. She dashed behind a tree, concealing herself. Shit can I take on two? Lincoln where are you?
Lexia tried to clear her mind. It would be no good if she started to panic now, this was why Lincoln had been training her these past weeks, but now fear choked her. She considered running to the house, she’d gotten pretty quick now, but casting a quick glance she saw they’d closed the gap between her. Still she had about a ten yard start on them.
But as she was about to run an image of her Dad’s bloody body floated in her mind’s eye and the rage she had been keeping down surged through her, she had one goal—to kill.
Standing quietly with her back to the tree she listened as they approached. That’s when she sensed Lincoln up above her, she didn’t even need to look to know it was him. His musky, earthy smell drifted down filling her nostrils and the energy he gave off was uniquely Lincoln. Knowing he was with her gave Lexia the courage to step out from behind the tree. Striking the Hunter in the chest, he doubled over, all the air leaving his lungs and she curved her fist up into his face with pure fury.
Black velvet caught the corner of her eye as the panther dropped from the tree onto the other Hunter. She heard his growls fill the air as she blocked a punch from her attacker.
He managed to hit her in the face and she stumbled back, her vision blurring for a second. An evil smile spread across the Hunter’s face as he realized he’d hurt her. Lexia used his moment of distraction to pull the knife from her ankle strap and when he caught the glint of her knife, the smile left his face. Lexia moved with lightning speed slamming another kick into his stomach and then, swinging her knife upwards, she sank it into his heart and he stilled, falling backwards to the floor.
Spinning to the side she found the panther had already ripped out the other Hunter’s throat. He stood now in human form watching her. She forced her eyes to stay on his face and not run down his naked body; it made her so mad that he could stand there completely naked and not be bothered.
Lexia wiped the blood from her knife, sliding it back into her strap then looked back to Lincoln’s face to find he still stood watching her. Confusion crossed her face and he said, “You’re amazing to watch.”
“What?”
“Nothing... You okay?”
“Yeah, what are we going to do with the bodies? Someone might find them.”
“I’ll come back later and sort it out, let’s get you back to the house in case there’s more.”
Lexia followed the cat back through the trees feeling confused by his comment ‘you’re amazing to watch.’ She’d caught him looking a few times at her with that intense look since they’d kissed, not that he’d ever brought it up, and it made her think that she had maybe imagined the bulge against his jeans. Maybe she should just try and kiss him again? But what if he pushed her away? She didn’t think she could handle the rejection right now.
They slipped through the vegetation into the clearing and he shifted back to human form. Lexia walked past him as the cat broke out into golden sparks so she wouldn’t have to torture herself with his naked body but she didn’t get very far before a strong male arm pulled her back.
He crushed her against him. She blushed scarlet trying not to think about his naked body pressed against hers. “Lincoln?”
He responded by claiming a savage kiss that left her breathless, then he turned walking towards the tree trunk. She swayed on her feet before being pulled forward by the hand he still held. She followed dazed, heat flaring through her body.
“Climb on,” he commanded as they reached the trunk, she obeyed too stunned by his actions to object.
Fire flared through her body as she clung to him. Her mouth brushed over his smooth skin and she had an overwhelming desire to sink her teeth into his exposed fleshed. He let go of her legs as he landed on the veranda and walked into the house leaving Lexia outside feeling dizzy with need, all her nerve endings tingled from touching his bare skin.
“Lincoln... what was that?” He turned, stalking towards her, a panther in human form. She froze as his head dipped down to run his sharp teeth along her neck.
“A kiss,” he smiled.
“Lincoln, stop. You can’t keep playing with me.” Looking away from his heated gaze she whispered, “I can’t stand any more pain.”
“I like to play.” Cupping his hands around her face she looked into his beautiful eyes. “Let me take away the pain.” He bent his head touching his lips to hers in a soft, sensual kiss. Lexia melted as pleasure rippled through her body making her knees weak.
Then she suddenly found herself pinned to the floor under Lincoln, the soft rug tickling her bare arms; his rich earthy smell was all around her, intoxicating to her senses. So many thoughts raced through her mind. God I want him! What does this mean to him? Why me? Is it just about sex? What if he leaves me? What am I doing? But all that vanished from her mind as sharp claws grazed her skin, leaving her clothes in shreds and leaving her naked, exposed to him with her clothes in ribbons around them.
Before Lexia could even think about the fact that their naked bodies were pressed against each other, his hand ran up her body and cupped her breast, his fingers tweaked her nipple sending pools of sensation to her damp core. All thoughts of embarrassment were replaced with exquisite sensation.
Lincoln closed his mouth around her neglected nipple whilst still tweaking the other; she arched her back, a sharp moan escaping her lips. His big male hand ran down her body and cupped her boldly, making her gasp and she looked up into his eyes seeing an explosion of gold lights reflected from her own.
“So beautiful,” he murmured.
He started to rotate his palm slowly against her; over and over each rub more delicious than the last. A rush of sensation flooded her as his finger delved into her flesh. She screamed, arching her back at the jolt of pure pleasure; her muscles clenched tight as he pushed her nearer and nearer, and all she could think was more, more! Yes, more.
A harsh noise of protest escaped her mouth as he started to place little kisses, nips, and sucks in a trail down her body and as he passed her navel, Lexia’s mind suddenly kicked in. “Lincoln!” she cried, tugging at his hair.
Li
ncoln just chuckled at her, his golden cat eyes clouded with desire, and placed one long, slow lick onto her soft pink flesh; her mind went blank as a wave of pure heat washed through her nerves. He spread her thighs wider, parting her delicate skin with his fingers all the while exploring her with his knowing tongue.
He carried on lapping at her like a cat; she could barely breathe through the sensations. He pushed at her legs wanting them wider and she let him spread her, tasting deeper.
Her face was burning with heat and every muscle trembled as her loins clenched tighter and tighter waiting for the moment when they would snap. His mouth ravaged her with raw need and as his fingers thrust inside of her, her back arched and a scream tore from her throat as Lexia shattered into a million pieces.
“Mmm, better?” he asked. She smiled, incapable of words.
He skimmed back up her body, his hot skin creating sweet friction, claiming her mouth again kissing her savagely; need flared through her nerve endings again.
“I need you, Lex,” he whispered against her ear.
Surprised at her hunger for this wild panther she clawed at his back, drawing blood and wrapped her legs around him, pulling him closer. “I won’t let you go if we do this,” he said, pulling back, looking into her eyes.
“I need you, too,” she whispered.
He let out a growl as the end of his hot hard cock brushed against her damp entrance. “Mine,” he murmured, pushing into her wet core.
He felt so big stretching her to the limit. “More,” she moaned. He thrust deep into her, filling her up. She clawed at him, needing him closer. More! God yes, more!
Lincoln pulled out excruciatingly slowly making her whimper and then she sank her teeth into his neck. He growled, picking up speed and she pushed back against him moaning as her need for him flared once more, tightening deeper this time, the sensation painfully sweet.
His teeth closed over the soft curve of her neck; the sting of his teeth only made her more aroused. She could no longer keep pace with him, instead she melted against him, accepting his hunger and as the pressure built she screamed out, scratching at his chest as her body shuddered underneath him.
He pulled out, twisting her onto his lap and she stared into his eyes seeing only panther as he slid her slowly down over his throbbing cock. She gasped; he was so deep inside of her, her limbs felt drugged with pleasure. Being like this with him felt so intimate; as if she felt his every emotion along with him. Lexia had never felt this way about anyone and never had she given herself over so completely to a man. She bared her soul to him and relished in the wonderful, intimate dance she was taking with this panther.
Lexia felt possessed, overtaken with need she pushed him, pinning him to the floor with a wicked smile. Riding him hard, digging her nails into his flesh she dragged them across his chest and he growled, eyes flashing savagely wild as his claws dug into her bottom. She twisted her hips riding him faster, tipping her head back and feeling the rush of sensual pleasure streaming through her veins.
Lincoln tried to pull her back beneath him but Lexia resisted, he felt the rush of power flow through her veins and watched as she smiled wickedly at him, her eyes turning to gold. His panther rose to the surface of his mind, his claws breaking through his skin and a growl rumbled up in his chest. She arched her back further and he felt her clench around him as she came.
Lexia collapsed forward and he flipped her over, claiming her mouth as she moaned, clenching her loins tight around him and that was his undoing. His eyes stared into hers, flashing brightly as he cried out. Clutching her to him, he sank his now-sharp panther teeth into the curve of her neck, marking her, claiming her as his.
Chapter 23
When Lexia woke later she found herself in bed, Lincoln wrapped around her sleeping. She felt so relaxed and happy. Her neck throbbed slightly reminding her of the moment he’d lost control and marked her. Goddam possessive cat! she thought, smiling.
But what did it all mean? He said he wouldn’t let her go if they did this but Lexia struggled to let go of the past and a fresh churning of anxiety started in her stomach.
Looking at him now so young and innocent whilst asleep, his soft brown hair had fallen across his forehead, skin smooth and relaxed like nothing in the world was wrong. Oh god what are you doing with this man, Lexia! He’s 23! Why would he ever want you?
“Stop thinking, Lex,” he murmured, eyes still closed.
Lexia sighed, how she wished she could turn off her brain. If she wasn’t having nightmares about her dad, she was daydreaming about Lincoln, and not to mention feeling overwhelmed with being a Hunter! She needed to escape from his arms; she couldn’t lie here anymore with these thoughts swirling around her head.
“Where do ya think you’re going?” he chuckled, locking his arms around her.
“Lincoln... I need space to think.” He opened his eyes now and looked into hers. Lexia looked away.
“Lex, look at me.” When she didn’t, he growled low until she obeyed.
“What’s on your mind? You can talk to me.”
She looked into his golden-brown eyes, into the human eyes of a man who had come for her when there was no one left. He’d shown her how to hunt, how to kill, but he’d also brought her laughter and joy again. He made her forget the death and the people hunting her and made her just relish in the fact that she was alive and happy. If she was honest, she was terrified that one day he wouldn’t be there to keep the darkness away but no matter how happy she felt, she just couldn’t forget that he’d set out to kill her.
“A lot have things have happened lately, Linc. Some things I don’t ever think I’ll get over. I sometimes wish they’d just killed me, too, so I wouldn’t have to deal with the pain of losing him. The darkness, Lincoln... it...it follows me and I am so scared of letting it consume me but when I’m with you, the pain, the darkness is bearable but there is always that voice in my head reminding me of what you are, that you’re my enemy and that you set out to kill me.” Her voice trailed off into a haunted whisper. She felt like the world had stopped, staring into his unreadable eyes waiting for his answer.
“Lex, I will never forgive myself for doing that to you and I will always be here to keep the darkness away. You’ve lost so much but you’ve come back stronger. Have faith in yourself and have faith that you alone can fight the Hunter within you.”
Lexia let out a breath she didn’t realize she’d been holding, but still she felt confused, the little voice in her head still nagged with questions.
“But why? You set out to kill me and now this... What’s changed? What makes me so different?”
“Lex, you’re over thinking things,” he laughed. “Okay, yes I set out to kill you the first time I saw you. You were ripping vampires apart with your bare hands.”
“What! You were there that night?”
“My panther was drawn to something that night and before I’d even realized I was in town, I heard your cries but then I saw your eyes and... you’ve got to remember, Hunters are the enemy. When I was a kid we had to hide who we were. We were told to fear the Hunters, how they killed our kind without a second thought, but for me it’s personal.”
“What do you mean?”
“When I was six my parents left me with my grandparents. They were going out into the mountains to run, be panthers, but they never returned. They were killed by a group of Hunters and when I saw your eyes turn gold all I saw was the race that had killed my mom and dad, that had taken away my childhood.”
Lexia sucked in a breath as she looked into Lincoln’s sad, haunted eyes. Her kind had killed his parents; how could he ever love her?
“Lexia, I never told you this because I knew you’d do this.”
“What? What am I doing?”
“You’re blaming yourself for something you had no control over just because you share some of their DNA. Yes, the Hunters killed them and I had set out to kill you; I’ve spent my whole life wanting revenge for their deaths. But I never cou
ld, I had so many opportunities to but I couldn’t. I told myself I was just getting to know your weaknesses but I just wanted to know you, everything about you fascinates me.”
“But you attacked me, kidnapped me?”
“Okay, I kidnapped you, yes; can’t you just forget about that? It’s hard to explain... I was so conflicted and I suppose I thought if I took you, you’d show me your true side.”
“So you hoped I’d turn into a monster and make things easy for you?”
“Maybe.”
“Don’t think that smile’s going to let you off the hook!”
“Lexia, I never could have killed you. You’re not just a Hunter... you’re human, you feel. You were mine from the moment I watched you first kill...so beautiful.”
“I’m yours?”
“Mine.”
“Possessive, aren’t you!” Lexia smiled.
“Very,” he drawled, pulling her down. He pinned her under him. “That’s better,” he laughed.
“Lincoln!” But she couldn’t keep the smile from her face.
Fire flared throughout her body as she felt the hard end of him brush against her. He kissed her hungrily until she gasped for air. He explored her body lazily this time, loving her with slow torturous strokes. She felt every inch of his thick hard cock as it rubbed against her swollen flesh. The pressure built slowly, somehow deeper, and when he finally pushed her over the edge, deep waves of pleasure rolled over her until she couldn’t think.
She fell to sleep feeling sated; every muscle heavy and weak with Lincoln wrapping his limbs around her, protecting her.
Lexia woke later knowing she was alone, rolling over she noticed a note on Lincoln’s pillow.
Lexia, I’ve gone to take care of our friends, I hope you don’t wake. I’ll be home soon, sleep my Wildcat, sleep, L x
Lexia smiled at the note; the heavy weight on her heart lifted. She rolled over breathing in his smell, remembering their wild lovemaking; pleasure swirled deep down and she shivered. She had never been with anyone who made her feel so much; his every touch drove her to madness and the orgasms were the best she’d ever had. His body was—Lexia snapped upright as all her senses went on high alert; something was wrong.
Lexia (The Deadwood Hunter Series) Page 16