by Susan Arden
“I want to see you undress,” she whispered in a hoarse voice. Her fingers swiped down her knickers. She’d better be ready for what he had; they were at the point where he’d be unable to turn back once he returned to the bed. Pulling down on the waist of his jeans, he watched her expression flicker as he stepped free of his clothing. Her eyes went from wide to disbelieving. He stood before her naked, no way to hide his package.
“You’re quiet, love.”
“You’re huge.” She gulped.
He climbed onto the bed. “I won’t hurt you. If you’ve worries, better tell me now.”
She bit her lush lip, her skin glowing warmer. “None come to mind,” she whispered with a waver to her voice.
For all her silent worries, he already knew her responsiveness meant she’d be a wildcat in bed. God, the incredible way she smelled teased his willpower. She moved, and his reflexes had him lunging, laughing as he caught her. “What do you need?”
“Just putting my earrings on the nightstand.”
“Mmm.” He buried his face in her neck, nuzzling the soft skin, kissing and sucking satin against his tongue. He lightly nipped her neck, and she bucked her hips against him. He moved his hands down her body, rubbing his hand over her knickers, then lower—between her legs. “Give yourself to me completely. No holding back.”
“I can handle you,” she returned, opening her legs.
“Don’t want to rip these from your amazing body.” He eased her knickers down her thighs, then off her calves.
She was naked before him. His desire sharpened uncontrollably. He gently wedged her legs open. Holding her gaze, he slid his fingers up her thighs, grazing the velvet V-shape where her legs met her body—her eyes brighter than an exploding star. She turned the tables on him by reaching out and taking hold of him.
“Baby,” he groaned incoherently.
Her hand curled around his cock. Gripping him hard, Mari stroked downward, then up again. “I want to touch you.”
“Damn, that feels good. Just. Like. That.” His cock twitched in her palm, and he couldn’t help rocking back and forth in her grasp. Electrical bursts powered his nerve endings. His nuts hiked up tight against this body.
“Got to get inside you.” He moved and pulled open her legs, exposing her pink folds. He ran the pad of his thumb against her pussy, swirling a tight circle around her clit. She arched against him, tugging on his cock, priming him. Pinpricks of sweat broke out across his back. A sign he was about to detonate. “Fuck.”
He flexed his hips. His engorged cock seeped droplets, moistening the skin of her hand. He pumped harder, ready to blow apart in her hand. He was nearly pushed past the point of no possible return. “I’ve got to taste you.”
To claim her, he had to know her intimate scent, and he had to mark her. He bent his head, his hunger to taste her overriding everything in him. This was primal. Carnal. He licked his tongue across her slick pussy, devouring her with his mouth. She bucked, arching against his tongue. Starbursts exploded in his head from the sensation. She was his. No question. His mate.
He hungrily moved, widening her legs as he leaned down and moved his shoulders in between her trembling thighs. Lightly, he trailed his mouth down her sensitive skin, and then he captured her. This time more demanding when he found her swollen clit. She was hot and so damn wet. He sucked her clit into his mouth. Grasping her swaying hips, he grazed down her pussy with his tongue.
She responded by whimpering and pulling wildly on his hair. He licked across her clit, then alternated sucking and lapping, tasting her. Memorizing her. Her body heated. Melted. Sweetness spread into his mouth as he sucked more and more of her honey-flavored juices over his tongue.
A wolf growl formed at the back of his throat, and he snarled the powerful sound. Fuck, he had to claim her right now. He grazed his teeth over her, feathering his tongue along the seam of her pussy. She swayed her hips and he nipped her thigh. A fierce growl reverberated from his core. He pushed his tongue into her opening, running his hands over her skin, returning again to hold onto her hips when she arched.
Conrad worked his mouth over her, sucking and scraping his teeth until she tunneled her fingers into his hair, roughly yanking this time. “Please, please,” Mari pleaded.
“Give it all to me,” he demanded. “You’ve got the sweetest tasting pussy.”
Mari held onto his head as he thrust his tongue into her, the flash of her release hot over his mouth and tongue. Her body quivered, and his lust roared. This delicious space of her body was his. He would fill her. Claim her. Possess her. He pressed his canines into the delicate skin at the juncture where her body connected with her thighs, pressing the tips into her skin, marking her body as his. She moaned, bracketing her hands on either side of his head, holding him against her. He sucked her skin, deepening the bite.
A film of perspiration covered her body, and she shivered on the fringe of her explosion. She was his now. No matter where she went, he’d find her. Her scent mixed within his body. And now his was equally in hers.
He lifted up and moved over her body, kissing the skin over her stomach. He bent his body, bowing as he laved one of her pert nipples. Holding open her thighs, he planted himself between her legs. He switched breasts, blindly swiping his hand over the nightstand. Having found the foil packet, he lifted upward and tore the end. Swathed in latex, he swiped the blunt head of his cock against her hot wet opening. They both shuddered. He positioned his cock at her entrance, and pushed forward. God. Damn.
She was tight, and he thrust into her, seating himself deep inside his mate. The feeling of a being wrapped in warmth enveloped him. Tight heat. A few more inches, and he was there. Her pussy squeezed around him. He moved over her body to claim her mouth, hot skin rubbing against hot skin. Bracing his arms on either side of Mari, he devoured her lips as he flexed back, reaming her entrance, only to pump his cock back inside. Deeper.
He barely held back from slamming fully into her. She felt so fucking unbelievable writhing underneath him. He pumped his hips, moving his cock slowly in and out of Mari. Her tight pussy encircled his dick. He trailed kisses along her jaw, and he pushed forward again. “Baby, you’re incredible.”
Mari arched her body to meet his. Her tits grazed his skin, driving him berserk. He forcefully thrust into her. This time he plunged deeper, harder.
Moaning, she dug her nails into his arms. “More. Give me more.”
“Okay. No more holding back.” He began rocking his hips in powerful gyrations, slamming his full length into her. He flexed back and repeated driving his length back into her. Sweat trickled down his face, a firestorm swept over his body, and he was so close to a mind-altering explosion.
A couple more thrusts, and he’d unleash. “How close?” He asked, griping her hips, hurling forcefully inside her.
“I can’t hold on much longer.” She squeezed his cock. Using her muscles, she milked him, pumping her hips to meet each of his thrusts. She cried out, “Conrad, I’m coming.”
He let go, giving himself to Mari. “Baby, that’s it.” His body tightened, contracted, and then ricocheted in his release. Waves crashed down upon him. She cried out his name; the sound filling him. He jetted once. Then again. It felt like white lightning shot from his balls out his dick. “So. Good.”
“You feel wonderful inside me.” She kissed up his neck, sucking and nuzzling.
“Baby, kiss me. I got to taste your lips.” He kissed her soft mouth, trembling against his lips. “Mari, baby. Mine.”
She reached up, her fingertips gently tracing the contours of his face. “Mine, too,” she murmured.
Rolling on his side, he pulled her close and wrapped his arms around her. Together they lay entwined. The sound of their heartbeats and breathing filled the room.
* * *
Sunlight filtered into the room through the slightly drawn curtains. He closed his lids, realizing the scent he inhaled was the aroma of fresh coffee. He patted the space next to him, his bra
in reconnecting. Damn. The bed was empty. The sheet cool to touch where a warm body should be snuggled. Next to him. Conrad bolted upright.
Mari came into view at the doorway. Naked, silky skin and leaning for a beat. Observing him with shimmering eyes. His body tensed, ready for another round of claiming his mate. Hell, they were well past that, but he enjoyed the idea of making love to her. Slowly, this time. Deliberate.
“Cup of coffee?” She had her hands wrapped around a mug. “I didn’t know how you took yours.”
“Black with a dash of cream.”
“This one has sugar. I’ll grab another.”
“Doesn’t matter. Come back to bed with me.”
He watched the swing of her enticing hips, and the way her breasts moved in rhythm had him wide awake, counting the steps until she settled under him.
Mari set the mug down on the nightstand next to her earrings. Smiling down at him, she tumbled into bed with the slightest tug to her arm. “Lover mine,” she whispered.
“Baby,” he murmured, pressing his mouth over hers. Her heartbeat thudded rapidly, and her body was a click from the relaxed, yielding mate he’d grown accustomed to for hours last night ’til the first rays of sunlight this morning. “What’s running through that mind of yours, sweetheart?” he whispered, outlining her lower lip with the pad of his thumb.
She ran her hand over his chest. “You’re alpha. How come you’re not with another alpha?”
He had expected this topic to come up. Over the hours they’d spent together, he’d reached a decision. One if she agreed to would give them what they needed to find their footing and break from the past where pain had tainted their perspective.
“‘Alpha’ as a term doesn’t mean diddly. Shifters evolve into rankings. You were right. Not everyone is born with a silver spoon or alpha rank. Doesn’t mean when two mate, there isn’t some recalibrating. Easy for me to see, you’re a natural to step up and lead. As parents of our own brood, automatically you are the alpha female, my love.”
“Are you saying you’ve no intention of staying within your family?”
“None. You’ve made me think about reconnecting, but not that close. I want to start our own pack, unless you’re bound to remain with yours. I didn’t get the feeling that you’re unequivocally attached.”
“You got that right,” she agreed. “I’ve never fit in with them. I love them, but it’s like I’m constantly out of step.”
“Sounds like your potential has been untapped. It’s the reason why children leave a pack. To form another. My instincts tell me you’re a born leader.”
“This time your instincts might be off base.”
“Don’t think so, darling.” He pressed his hands over her legs, running his palms across her skin, which had broken out in chill bumps. “I want you, and I hope you want me half as much.”
“Silly man, you must know I long for you.”
“After last night, I believe our two hearts melded.” She stared at him without blinking. Butterflies swarmed in his stomach, but hell, he’d been in tighter situations. If she didn’t feel the same, he’d never know without taking a risk. She was worth more.
“I’ve never experienced anything like it.”
“Sweetheart, I love you. From the moment we met, I felt an instant connection,” he said.
“So I’m not the only one. Darling, I love you too. I saw you coming down the hall last night, and it was like being struck by lightning. At first, I was afraid. I wanted it to be true—”
“It is true. Today and forever. You’re my destination. The one I’ll come home to and seek out. Love. Protect. Mari Dunhill, marry me.”
“How do you know?” she asked.
“I know. And so do you. It’s what we feel. Just say the word, love.”
Yes.” She said and added, “My love.”
“God, that sounds perfect coming from your lips.”
“We’ll marry and one day we’ll start our own family. A new wolf pack in Denver.”
“Do you really want to wait to start a family?” He skimmed his hands down from her waist and wedged open her legs. Conrad moved in between her thighs, a low growl rumbling from his lips.
“Um, we’ll have to wait until after we’re married.” She laughed, fanning her fingers over his cheeks.
“You know what they say, practice makes perfect.”
“Overachiever much?” Mari arched a brow at him.
“Baby, where you’re concerned…always.”
Thank you for downloading and reading Alpha Speed Dating (Book 3) from the Rocky Mountain Shifter series. Enjoy another tale featuring Quinn, Sherry, Dark Fae, Sonya, Tristen and Fin. An exclusive preview of HER LYCAN LOVER follows.
Her Lycan Lover
Preview
He glared at the back of the man’s head, then noticed the rippling of the driver’s skin. It wasn’t the sign of shifter. This type of creature existed, but he had not seen one for years. Quinn sniffed, inhaling deeply while pushing aside the sickening cherry odor mask. He locked onto the underlying scent. Pervasively rank, and there was only one type of creature that had this stench. He tapped on the glass separating the compartments and the driver peered into the rearview mirror. The eyes that stared back were not human and they were not shifter. Hell, vampires didn’t even possess eyes like those. No whites. Complete black cavernous pits stared back at Quinn, but then the driver looked forward as the car in front braked.
The cab skidded to a stop. Quinn opened the cab door on the opposite side from the driver and chugged forward onto the street.
“Shite,” he swore, skidding to a stop as a car flew in front of him. He sprinted across the two-lanes of oncoming traffic. The screeching of breaks behind him got his attention. The driver U-turned the cab, staring at him as though memorizing him. Absorbing.
Quinn did not have the luxury of pondering that messed up ride. It was the past. The present mattered. Getting his head on and back to the Den paramount. He had to get his bearings. The park was up ahead along Mile High Circle. He was about five kilometers from the Den. He took to the sidewalk and dialed Sherry’s number while keeping tabs on the traffic and people on foot.
When she answered, he nearly shouted, “Can you leave? Right now? Weird got a whole lot weirder. What type of creatures flicker?”
“Is this some warped game of twenty questions?”
“No joke. Do you know? I’ve had some experiences. I got out of the cab it was concerning enough.” He didn’t want to sound an alarm if he were wrong. The Unseelie hadn’t been seen in Denver in fucking forever. He had to be wrong.
“You said flicker?” Sherry’s voice rose. “Do you remember my last request? Quinn, words travel beyond the cell lines. Do not say another word on the subject. Where are you? I’ll pick you up.”
“Meet me at Bryant and Mile High. There’s a hotel on the corner.”
“I’m leaving now.”
“Lock your door.” A sharp chill tore through his nerve endings. The Lycan in him wanted to howl. He was supposed to be the one protecting Sherry. Not the other way around. This was all wrong. If he shifted, he could make it back to the club. His instincts rallied. No. His name had been on the court sign-in. It was no secret he was part owner of several LoDo businesses. Easy to track. This made sense. Sher had to leave the Den. “Do you have a gun?”
“Flickering skin? We’ll need more than a pistol,” she whispered. “You need to take care. I’m on my way.”
He hung up, glancing both ahead and behind him. Ever since he’d kissed Sher, his world had come undone. So much for the magic moment of meeting his mate. He should have known the fates would kick his arse.
The Dark Fae were jackals coming to prey during times of weakness. What had happened for them to appear in Denver? So far, none were wielding any copper weapons. A sign that he was marked. Only one of his uncles had been a protector to a spellcaster. Quinn had heard tales. Not a pretty end. It was the only time a Lycan could be killed. A solitary death.<
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All other Lycans were clannish unless they were called as guardians. Not all, but some had the instinct. Luck of the draw! His DNA had him hungering for a spellcaster unlike his parents who had the run-of-the-mill Lycan attraction for other Lycans. They’d married, had children, and now enjoyed sailing as their latest hobby. They hob-knobbed with royalty and had been invited to the upcoming christening of the new prince. His brothers and sisters were exactly the same. Boring sods. Not him. He spent years wandering the Earth in search of a conjurer. Talk about being the black sheep of the family. This was all more than likely a glorious mistake. One he would gladly enjoy living down with Sherry.
No sooner had he finished that thought than the sunshine disappeared under rolling grey clouds accompanied by sharp winds. His jacket whipped against his body. The howling in the distance, baying wolves were enough for him to toss his briefcase aside. The warnings were tossed by the wind. Yips and a few long trills echoed. The eerie déjà vu of his dream last night hijacked his senses. His body tensed, his skin tightened, and his wolf urge to shift crept closer to the surface.
Gone were the other people walking across the street. They were more than likely intelligent enough to get out of the weather. In the middle of spring, this was well beyond typical—it was Biblical.
Honking horns blared up ahead. With a squeal of tires, two cars collided. Quinn inhaled the rush of scents blasting past him. In a second he’d be shifting unless he consciously held back. He loosened his tie, his fingers freezing in the plummeting temperatures. His teeth clattered. Christ, he had to maintain control.
“Wolf,” the voice came from behind him.
Quinn turned to stare into two pairs of eyes. The men from the parking lot stood in back of him. Up close, it was easy to tell that they weren’t human. Castings really. They possessed another form of a flickering outer body. One that vacillated between human and creature. Clothed men, and then in a blink, their masquerade disappeared and they were hulking, naked beings. These ones had taken on horrid features. Sores covered their grey skin. They bore the defining hieroglyphic markings similar to tattoos all over their bodies. They were Dark Fae all right. A wholly dismal lot; not the beings he remembered from years ago.