“I like it.”
He leaned forward and pressed his lips to hers. Her pulse quickened, a different kind of energy racing through her veins.
“That spark though,” he whispered, his mouth hovering over hers, “is only ours.” He winked and pulled away. “Do you have any more questions? Or is that enough weirdness for one day?”
She shook her head. That was definitely enough. “I guess I should talk to Alexis.”
“I can give you the number she registered with, if you want to call her.”
Macey nodded. “I can’t believe she’s a werewolf.”
“Technically, you are too. And so is your boyfriend.”
There was no explanation for the way she felt about this man, and she wasn’t going to question it anymore. If magic and werewolves were real, maybe this seemingly otherworldly force that drew her to him was real too. She gazed at the hopeful longing in his eyes as her heart flip-flopped in her chest. She’d finally found a place she belonged. “You’re my boyfriend?”
“I’d like to be. If that’s okay with you.”
“I think we can work something out.” Desire pooled below her navel, and her fingers twitched with the need to feel the sinew beneath his shirt.
As if he read her mind, he traced his fingertips along her jawline, leaving a trail of heat on her skin that tingled with energy. He hooked his finger under her chin and leaned in so close she could feel the warmth of his breath on her lips. He stayed there, letting the anticipation build until she thought she’d have to throw herself at him. She closed her eyes and inched closer to him. Electricity danced between their lips as he slowly leaned in and took her mouth with his.
His tongue slipped out to taste her, licking her upper lip, then moving down to trace her lower one. Every muscle in her body relaxed as she melted into his embrace. “I think that’s been enough talk.”
The corner of his mouth tugged into a wicked grin. “I agree.” He stood, pulling her body to his, pressing the evidence of his own desire against her stomach and taking her mouth once more. She snaked her hands over the ripples of his abs, memorizing every cut of muscle with her fingers. He was warm and hard. All over. Never in her life had she desired a man this much, and it was all she could do to keep her knees from buckling beneath her.
He kissed along her jaw, trailing his lips up to her earlobe, down her neck, and across her collar bone. She slipped her hands beneath his shirt, kneading the tight muscles as she worked her way up to his chest. When his lips caressed the top of her breast in the dip of her V-neck shirt, shivers ran down her spine. She dug her nails into his skin, and a soft moan escaped her lips.
He scooped her into his arms, frantically kissing her as if she might slip away if he stopped. “Bedroom?” he breathed into her mouth.
“Down the hall on the left.”
He carried her into the bedroom and stopped in the doorway. Soft sunlight filtered through the sheer white drapes covering the bay window, casting a golden glow on the alabaster bedspread. She slid from his arms and beckoned him into the room. Climbing onto the mattress, she held out her arms, inviting him in, but he stood by the bed with an expression of awe in his eyes. “You’re so beautiful, Macey. I could stare at you all day.”
“I can think of a lot more fun things to do, but that would require you climbing into bed with me.” She rose to her knees, hooked her finger in the waistband of his jeans and pulled him toward her. Her gaze fixed on the bulge beneath his zipper, and she stroked her palm across the mound. He sucked in a sharp breath, and she clutched the bottom of his shirt, yanking it up over his head.
He caught her wrists in his hands, and she dropped his shirt on the floor. “Are you sure you want to do this? You’ve been through a lot today.” His gaze was so intense, she almost second guessed herself. But his grip on her, though gentle, aroused a primal need inside her. His broad shoulders and perfectly chiseled stomach had her entire body aching with the need to feel him on top of her, inside her, becoming part of her.
“I want you to take me.”
He cocked an eyebrow and released her hands. “You don’t have to ask me twice.”
She unbuttoned her shirt and slid it over her shoulders. “I didn’t plan to.”
“And if I’d hesitated?” His grin widened as he climbed onto the bed and laid her on her back.
“You wouldn’t have.” Desire filled her to the core, tightening her womb and making her mouth go dry as she reached behind her back, unsnapped her bra, and tossed it on the floor.
In an instant, he was on her, pressing his body against hers, taking her mouth in a passionate kiss. He trailed his lips down her neck, his tongue flicking out to taste her skin as he explored her breasts with his hands.
He moved down, tasting and caressing every inch of her bare skin. Every nerve in her body sung with electricity as his lips inched closer to her navel. He looked at her with passion-drunk eyes as he undid the button on her pants and slowly slid down the zipper. He worked the clothing over her hips, tossed it on the floor, and sat up to look at her. “You are the most beautiful woman I have ever seen.”
He said it with such conviction, she believed every word. She bit her lip, anticipation tightening in her core as he removed his jeans. He cupped her breasts, teasing the sensitive nipples with his thumbs, and her breath hitched as he slid his hand down her body to caress between her legs.
She took his length in her hand, and he moaned.
She stroked up and down, reveling in his masculine groans and the way his body reacted to her touch. Who knew she could derive so much pleasure from making him feel good? His eyes closed as he tipped his head back and let his breath out in a hiss. He put his hand on hers to still her stroking. “If you don’t slow down, this is going to be over before it starts.”
She released her grip. “Well, we wouldn’t want that now, would we?”
“No, we wouldn’t. Let’s take it slow this time.”
She craved making him orgasm as much as she craved feeling her own, but she relented, lying back and letting him take the lead.
He trailed his lips from her belly button, across her hip and down her inner thigh, his velvet touch raising goose bumps on her skin. She spread her legs, offering herself to him to do with as he pleased, allowing herself to be vulnerable if only for the moment. As he flicked out his tongue to stroke her folds, fire shot through her core.
Fisting the sheets in her hands, she let out a soft moan. She’d have to let him have his way more often.
“You taste even better than I imagined.” His voice vibrated across her sensitive center, tightening her stomach, making her ache for more.
Gripping her hips, he circled his tongue around her clit, sending waves of ecstasy pulsing through her body. He slipped one finger inside her, then another, moving them in, out, and around until she lost control.
She cried out, tossing her head back and tangling her fingers in his hair as the orgasm ripped through her body. “Oh my God, Luke! I need you inside me.” She heaved heavy breaths as he slowed his stroking and gazed up at her hungrily.
“Yes, ma’am.”
She reached across to her nightstand drawer and grabbed a condom.
He slid the rubber down his shaft and pressed it against her opening. His smoldering gaze locked with hers, and he pushed inside slowly, deliberately, stretching her to the point of pleasurable pain. She gasped as he filled her, and he slid back out, until only the tip remained inside her. He held it there, staring at her with so much adoration in his eyes her breath stilled in her chest. A thousand thoughts rushed through her mind, but she couldn’t form the words she wanted to say.
He crushed his mouth to hers as he plunged inside her, and she gave herself to him. Fully. Utterly. Completely. She was done holding back. She’d spent her entire life guarding her heart, but from this moment on it belonged to Luke. She had to relinquish it because she wanted every part of him—body, heart, and soul.
He moaned, hooking his hands beh
ind her shoulders and thrusting his hips. Each plunge sent electric tingles pulsing through her middle. He roamed his tongue over her shoulders and up her neck until he found her mouth again. He groaned against her lips as his rhythm increased, pushing her closer and closer to orgasm.
“You’re incredible.” His breath tickled her ear.
She tried to utter a response, but hearing his raspy voice, thick with passion, sent her over the edge again. Her orgasm overtook her, sending wave after wave of pulsing pleasure rocketing through her body.
As he found his own release, he relaxed on top of her and nuzzled his face into her hair. With a deep inhale, he rolled to his side and pulled her into his arms, grazing his lips across her forehead, her nose, her mouth.
“You are amazing.”
She nuzzled into his chest and sighed. “You were pretty awesome, yourself.” Though awesome didn’t begin to describe what she’d just experienced. Astounding. Incredible. Mind-blowing. The best sex of her life. But it had been so much more than sex. So much raw emotion. So much…dare she say it? Love.
After cleaning up and snuggling under the covers, Luke dozed off in the warmth of Macey’s embrace. The way she fit in his arms. The way he fit inside her. Everything about her was so…right. He had no doubt in his mind that she truly was his fate-bound. His soul mate. They were destined to be together.
As he lay on his back, she traced the cut of his muscles with her soft fingertips, and he opened his eyes sleepily and smiled at the beautiful creature in his arms.
A werewolf after all.
I love you. The words trembled on the tip of his tongue, but he bit them back. She’d been through so much today, he didn’t want to overwhelm her.
“I’m curious.” She propped her head on her hand. “Since I’m not a full werewolf, would our…” Her cheeks flushed pink, and she pretended to inspect her fingernails. “Never mind.”
Rolling onto his side, he rested his hand on her hip. “Would our children be full werewolves?” His heart pounded, a smile stretching across his face. She was already thinking about their future; he couldn’t imagine a life without her.
She pulled her hair over her shoulder, nervously combing it with her fingers, avoiding his gaze. “Yeah. I mean, not that I’m thinking about stuff like that.”
“It doesn’t matter whether or not you can shift. You’ve got were blood, so our first child would be full. The second would be like you.”
Drawing her eyebrows together, she looked at him. “The second?”
He shrugged. “And the third and fourth.”
Her eyes widened. “Four?”
He chuckled. “How many kids do you want then? Five?”
She playfully hit him in the face with a pillow. “Stop it. I don’t know.” She snuggled down into his side. “What time is it?”
He kissed her head before glancing at the clock on her nightstand. “Seven.”
“Ugh. I have to go to work soon.”
He held her tighter, unwilling to let her go so soon after he’d finally made her his. Lying there naked with her warm body pressed against him…he couldn’t think of anywhere he’d rather be. If only he could make the moment last forever.
She sat up to stretch, and the sheet fell away, revealing her creamy breasts and perfect pink nipples. His cock went instantly hard, and he pulled her on top of him for another kiss. He could get used to waking up to this every day.
Chapter Twenty
“Well, our rapist has definitely gotten smarter,” Bryce said to Macey as they left yet another hotel room. “He’s getting them out of the alleys, anyway.”
“Yeah.” It didn’t make sense. This victim had given the same description of the attacker—he appeared completely human aside from the red eyes. And these weren’t random attacks like the others. This guy met his victims in bars, charmed them, seduced them into trusting him. Maybe the incidents were unrelated. Maybe this attacker wasn’t a demon.
Bryce cracked his knuckles as they stepped onto Bourbon Street. Later in the day, rap and hip hop music from various bars would mix with classic rock to form a cacophony of drunken sound, and inebriated tourists would stumble through the street in search of their next drinks. But this early in the morning, the only people milling about were the locals on their way to their jobs and the workers washing the streets.
“You pick up anything with your spirit sensors?” he asked. “Any paranormal theories about this one?”
“I think it’s just a man. Probably wearing contacts. You know how people like to let their freak flags fly here. Normally, no one would bat an eye at a pair of red eyes.”
Bryce rolled his neck as if the stress of the case was getting to him. It was getting to all of them. “And the ones from the alleys?”
She shrugged. “Same. Probably a group of men…a cult or a fraternity.” Now that she knew the truth, she understood why Luke had tried so hard to cover it up. She’d be on a fast track to the looney bin if she tried to convince the police they were searching for demons. Better to play it down and let the werewolves take care of the problem.
“So, no evil spirits or monsters then?”
She forced a smile. “Come on, Bryce. You have to think logically. Those things don’t exist.”
“I’m glad you’ve come to your senses. Hey, want to grab a bite to eat before you head home?”
An icy breeze snaked up her arm, wrapping tightly around her neck. She froze. For a moment, she couldn’t breathe as frigid tendrils of dread encased her racing heart. Then the entity released its hold and whispered in her ear. “Did you think I’d forgotten about you?” The sinister voice was unmistakable—the same spirit that had tormented her before. It had to be connected somehow.
“I’m coming for you.” The spirit’s energy circled her one more time before flitting away on the breeze. She reached out with her mind to find it, but the entity’s essence dissipated as quickly as it had formed.
“Macey?” Bryce waved a hand in front of her face. “Did you hear me?”
She blinked. “Yeah. Sorry. I was…lost in thought.”
“Everything okay?”
She forced another smile and nodded. “I’m fine. I’m not very hungry. Thanks for the invite, though.”
He arched an eyebrow and looked at her skeptically. “No problem, boss. Take care of yourself.”
The sun barely peaked above the horizon as she made her way toward St. Philip and O’Malley’s Pub. Why a bar needed to be open at six in the morning was beyond her, but Luke asked her to stop by when she got off work. She quickened her steps as the anticipation of seeing him again built.
The spirit had rattled her, but since Roberta had helped her develop her powers, she was confident she could keep it out of her head. Still, she needed to let Luke know what was going on. She should have mentioned the spirit before, but it took a while for her brain to catch up with everything he’d revealed to her. Maybe he could figure out what the dead guy had to do with the demons.
She entered O’Malley’s and made her way to the bar. The place sat empty, except for the tattooed bartender slicing lemons on the countertop. Her mind flashed back to the night she met Luke, to the image of his biceps flexing and contracting as he did the very same thing. She remembered the first time she’d felt that magical jolt of energy from his touch—a feeling she’d grown to love so much. Her stomach flitted at the memories, and she shivered.
“Not much business in the early morning, I guess?”
The bartender grinned. “Not of the human variety. I don’t think we’ve been properly introduced. I’m Chase.”
“Hi. I’m Macey.”
His grin widened. “I know. Luke’s told me all about you.”
Heat flushed her cheeks, and her heart did a giddy little flip-flop. Luke was talking about her? She regained her composure before she spoke. “All good things, I hope.”
He winked. “Of course. Luke’s in the back. I’ll call him for you.” Chase picked up the phone and made the call as
a dark-haired man with deep brown eyes entered the room. He narrowed his gaze at her and strode toward the bar, stopping two feet in front of her.
“Well, well. If it isn’t our fearless leader’s new plaything.” He raked his gaze over her body and cocked an eyebrow as he stared at her chest. “I can see why he likes you.”
Refusing to take the bait, she fisted her hands at her sides and counted backward from ten. She would not let this asshole get to her.
Chase hung up the phone. “Dude, that’s Luke’s girlfriend. Show some respect.”
“Oh, I could respect her all night long.” He slinked past her, his serpent-like gaze boring into her as he stepped behind the bar.
She locked eyes with the snaky brunet, daring him to make another comment. She’d dealt with plenty of men like him before. Misogynistic jerks who thought they needed to keep women in their place. If he was trying to intimidate her, it wasn’t working.
Chase shifted uncomfortably, his gaze flicking between Macey and the man. “Luke’s finishing up. He’ll be out in a few minutes. Can I get you anything while you wait?”
She ignored the snake and beamed a smile at the bartender. “Thanks, Chase. I’m fine.”
The jerk ran his tongue over his teeth. “Yes, you are.”
“Stephen…” Chase’s voice was heavy with warning.
Stephen straightened his spine and eyed the bartender. “You need to remember your place.” He returned his sickly stare to Macey’s chest. “If you ever want to know what a real man tastes like, you come give me a lick, darlin’.”
Her stomach churned in disgust, but she maintained her poise. She smoothed her hair into her bun and leaned her forearm on the bar. “Stephen, I’d sooner lick the sludge off the Bourbon Street sidewalk than get my tongue anywhere near you.”
Chase laughed and slapped Stephen on the shoulder. “Sounds like you need to remember your place, buddy…and your mate.”
He balked, but she was just getting started. Her entire career, she’d had to deal with disrespect. Condescension. She was sick of trying to prove her worth to men. “Luke is more man than you’ll ever be. He—”
Werewolves Only: Crescent City Wolf Pack Book One Page 16