Dante pulled his T-shirt over his head in one swift movement and tossed it into the corner of the room. The sight of his broad muscled chest brought a rush of dampness between her legs, and at this particular moment, she was extremely glad the lights were on; she didn’t want to miss a single beautiful inch of him.
Her eye was immediately drawn to the star-shaped scar on his chest, and her heart gave a funny little flutter She nibbled on her bottom lip nervously as she reached up and ran her fingers along the dime-sized area of puckered skin. She knew he’d gotten that the night AJ had attacked her. He almost died for her, and she knew that he’d do it again if he had to.
She murmured softly, placed a tender kiss on his marred flesh, and smiled when he shuddered under her gentle ministrations. There was something powerful about the fact that she could elicit that kind of a reaction from him, that she could make him quiver, shake, and whisper her name.
It was evident that he could drive her into a horny frenzy with practically just a look, so there was a certain level of satisfaction to find that she could evoke the same response from him. Lips curved in a satisfied smile, Kerry rained tender kisses on his chest and lay back again to take in the glorious sight of him perched above her.
Her fingers brushed over the dark hairs on his chest and wandered down his washboard abs. She loved the feel of rough and smooth beneath her fingertips, and he moaned softly as she continued her exploration. Her eyes widened at the sight of the impressive bulge in his pants. It felt enormous beneath her hand, and if it was possible, it looked even bigger.
Her hands fluttered to the button of his jeans, and she fumbled briefly before he took her hands gently in his. A smile curved his lips as he shook his head slowly, and with great care, pushed her back against the pillows. Kerry smiled, but as nervous as she was, she knew she could trust him.
She was his, and he was hers.
Dante reached down, and with great tenderness, peeled the thin sundress from her heated body. As he removed the garment from her hot skin, he trailed delicate kisses along every inch of newly exposed flesh. She kept her eyes closed and focused on the breathtaking pleasure that whipped through her from head to toe. She lay now only in her panties. Her breasts felt full, and her nipples tingled as he showered kisses along her soft belly.
When he stood up, a chill passed over her as the warmth of his body left hers. He tossed the dress aside and swiftly divested himself of the rest of his clothing. Dante looked down at her with stark need stamped in his features. Her eyes grew wide at the sight of his huge shaft, and she watched with fascination as he stroked it slowly. She wondered how on earth she would be able to accommodate his size. Kerry’s tongue flicked nervously over her lips, but the moment her eyes locked with his, any apprehension she had melted away.
“You are spectacularly beautiful,” he whispered. “And you are all mine.”
Smiling, he leaned over her and covered her body with his. She sighed as his hot skin sizzled seductively along hers. He settled himself between her legs and paid thorough attention to her mouth once again. His strong hands tangled in her hair, teeth nibbled, and lips seared delightful kisses down her neck. Kerry’s breath came quickly as he took her nipple into the warm, moist cavern of his mouth. She arched her chest against him and mewled soft sounds of pleasure as he suckled her breast and rolled her other nipple between his fingers. She writhed against him. She had to get closer, needed… more. Something to satisfy the desire that threatened to consume her.
The pleasure burned low in her belly, and her womb clenched. He moved lower and sprinkled wet kisses along her waist and the full curve of her hip. Kerry grabbed his thick hair in her hands as his head moved down between her legs. She quivered and moaned softly as he brushed delicate kisses on the inside of her thigh and opened her to him.
Her body tensed, and panic bubbled up through the passion. She wasn’t quite ready for what she suspected he was about to do. Her fingers dug into his shoulders as she touched her mind to his. Dante…
Dante, sensing her fear and nervousness, murmured soothing words in hushed tones as he peeled the miniscule panties from her body. “Don’t be scared, princess,” he whispered between soft kisses on her hip. “We don’t have to go there yet.”
Relief washed over her as he kissed his way back up her body, placing soft, delicate butterfly kisses along her waist, over her breasts, and up to the hollow of her throat, ministrations that were so gentle they almost made her weep.
He knew. She didn’t have to say “no” or reject him. He didn’t make her feel like some prudish little girl. He simply knew that she wasn’t ready for that and respected it.
Dante lay alongside her and slipped one arm underneath her back, cradling her against the shelter of his body. He brushed his talented, gentle fingers over her sensitive breasts, which sent her heart racing.
“Is this alright?” he whispered against her hair. Eyes closed, absorbing every sensation, Kerry shuddered with pleasure and writhed seductively in response to his delicate, seductive touch. His fingers wandered over the quivering flesh of her belly and stopped short of her most sensitive spot. “Do you want me to stop?” he asked as kissed her ear.
“Don’t you dare,” she whispered hoarsely as she ran her hand along his rock-hard thigh.
“Your wish is my command, princess,” he said as he slipped those talented fingers of his between her folds.
Kerry gasped with pleasure as he sank two fingers deep into her, while his thumb paid thorough attention to the sweetest spot of all. She gripped the sheets, her hands clenching furiously, as he continued to massage her to the brink. Her breath came quickly, and her body shuddered as she teetered on the edge of this newly discovered carnal need. Pleasure shot through her in lightning fast streaks, and she cried out his name as he brought her higher and higher. White-hot lights burst behind her eyes, and her hips bucked against his hand. Her head thrashed back and forth as he took her to the very edge.
Kerry reached behind her, grabbed the headboard, and held on as his talented fingers continued to torture her in the most delicious way. She writhed wildly, but he held her there, anchored her to the bed as he relentlessly brought her to the brink of orgasm. Just when she thought she couldn’t take anymore, as she was about to go tumbling over the precipice, he stopped, and his mouth captured hers eagerly, knowing that she was ready for more.
Kerry kissed him back with ardent fervor and wrapped her arms tightly around his firm body. Dante pulled back and locked his glowing eyes on hers. Their breath came in ragged gasps, both on the edge of an all-consuming lust and struggling for control. Their sweaty, heated bodies slid lusciously against one another.
“Are you ready?” he asked softly.
“Are you kidding?” she asked through a shaky breath.
The look on her face held nothing but trust. He tenderly captured her mouth with his and carefully positioned the head of his erection at the opening of her swollen, wet entrance. Slowly, inch by inch, he sank into her tight channel. Dante stayed there for a moment, giving her time to stretch and accommodate his massive size. She moved against him, impatiently urging him forward.
“Don’t tease me.” She dug her fingers into his flesh. “I want all of you inside of me.”
“As you wish, princess.” Dante sank into her with one deep stroke, breaking through her thin barrier. He kissed her deeply, swallowing her soft cry. Heat flashed brightly as their bodies joined. Desire crashed over them as he drove into her with slow, deep, penetrating strokes. Kerry thought she’d lose herself in the intense tidal waves of pleasure. Dante increased the tempo, and she raised her hips to meet him, needing to increase the delicious friction as he entered her. He rode her furiously, and Kerry cried his name as he arrowed into her time and again.
The white-hot bliss swelled relentlessly, and as the orgasm began to crest, his voice crashed into her mind. Nos es unus. Materia pro totus vicis. Ago intertwined. Forever.
They cried out in unison as the o
rgasm tore through them. Ripples of intense heat and raw passion flared as their minds and bodies joined. Colors burst around them in the air and swirled wildly behind her eyes. The explosive climax ebbed and pulsed, until only the tiny pleasurable aftershocks flickered through their exhausted bodies. They lay with their bodies intertwined, and Kerry didn’t think she’d ever catch her breath.
“That,” she said through huffing breaths against the hollow of his throat, “was well worth the wait.”
Dante chuckled softly and kissed the tip of her nose. “I’m very glad you approve.” He moved off of her and disengaged himself from the warmth of her body. Dante lay next to her and pulled the huge comforter over their sweaty nakedness. He wrapped her in his arms, and she rested her head against his chest. She noticed the way his heart beat exactly in time with hers.
“Now that we’ve completed the mating rite,” he said with a big grin, “I guess you’re stuck with me.”
“What?” Kerry propped herself on her elbow and looked at him as though he’d lost his mind. “That’s it? We go at it like a couple of sex-starved teenagers, you mutter some kind of nonsense I don’t understand, and we’re mated.”
“Yes,” he said in that irritatingly calm manner. The one that made her want to punch him in the nose. “And it’s not nonsense. It’s Latin.”
“I see.” She narrowed her eyes. “Well, Tarzan, would you mind telling me what you said?”
He laid his head back and adjusted the mountain of pillows as he played with one long strand of her black hair. “Basically: ‘We are one. Mates for all time. Lives intertwined. Forever.’ I said it in Latin though, because that is the formal language of our people.” He shrugged one shoulder. “We use it for our formal ceremonies.”
Kerry nodded slowly and held the covers over her naked and still highly sensitized breasts. “Forever is a very long time. What if you get bored of me? Or I end up thinking you’re a major asshole? Then what? Huh?”
Dante laughed loudly. “I’m sure I’ll make mistakes from time to time and qualify for asshole status. But I promise I’ll do my best to keep that to a minimum. My goal in life is to keep you safe and make you happy.”
Kerry opened her mouth to respond, but before she could utter a word, he took her face in his large, warm hands and kissed her deeply. She wanted to protest and tell him this whole thing was ridiculous, but he kissed it right out of her. The scary truth was that somewhere along the way she had fallen in love with him. As Dante wrapped her in his arms and ran his talented hands over her eager body—forever sounded pretty good.
***
The Punisher walked along the creaky porch of the huge old house. This was the place. This would be where everything revealed itself and where the traitor would pay for his sins. First that traitor would watch the bitch die, and then his own private hell would begin. The Punisher went inside the house and took stock of the exact layout on the first floor. All rooms opened into each other in an almost circular layout.
Once the downstairs had been evaluated, the Punisher went up to the second floor and perused the various bedrooms. The door at the end of the long hallway led to a room that revealed much more than any of them would expect. A sick, twisted smile spread across the Punisher’s face as the smooth glass bottle rolled between two gloved hands.
“Everything is going to go exactly as planned.” The words came out in a hissing whisper. “Once I have him bound in his animal form—he’ll be trapped there for eternity and mine to do with as I please.”
“But what about the others?” a male voice asked quietly. “Is there enough binding power for all of them?”
The Punisher had practically forgotten that he was there. He was a means to an end. Nothing more. He would certainly be easy enough to dispose of once his purpose had been served. The Punisher turned quicker than a snake, grabbed him by the throat, and shoved him against the wall.
“Are you questioning me? Because you do realize that I could crush you like a bug. Just a bit more pressure and—snap—you’re dead.” The Punisher laughed as the stupid fool’s eyes bugged out, and his face turned bright red while he attempted to shake his head and deny the accusation. The Punisher’s fingers dug deeper into his neck, which elicited a wretched gurgling noise. “I didn’t think so.” The vice-like fingers loosened their grip and sent him to his knees. Gasping for air, he attempted to utter an apology.
“Silence!” The Punisher pinned him there with a piercing stare. “You can be certain that my end of the arrangements will be perfectly taken care of. You just worry about your job.” The Punisher squatted down and took his chin in a gloved hand. “Do your job, and you will receive all that I promised you. Understand?” The man nodded wordlessly, and the Punisher helped him to his feet. “Now, run along, and prove to me that you’re worthy of the rewards that you seek.”
He bowed quickly and scurried out the door. The Punisher sighed and took one last look around the carefully arranged room. Tomorrow. Justice would be served tomorrow. The Punisher stuffed the bottle back into the pocket of the long trench coat and walked downstairs. Stepping into the dark Louisiana night, the heavy black boots crunched insistently along the gravel driveway. Even the creatures in the swamp seemed fearful and silenced themselves to avoid the Punisher’s wrath.
Chapter 12
After a decadent afternoon of lovemaking, all Dante really wanted to do was sleep with Kerry’s naked body wrapped tightly around his. However, their meeting that night could not be ignored. They met Sam and Malcolm downstairs as planned, and the four walked over to the Zankoff’s bar.
The Louisiana air had cooled, and a warm, comfortable breeze seemed ever present. The moment they stepped outside, Dante sensed Kerry’s energy shift as she eyed the various pedestrians nervously. He reached out and took her hand in his. She looked up at him with a mixture of gratitude and trepidation.
It will be alright. Remember to practice shielding your mind. It should help you shut out any unwanted visions.
She smiled and squeezed his hand, clearly grateful for his reassurance but still wary. Now that they had completed the mating rite, their connection held stronger than ever. Dante hoped it would help her manage her abilities, but the truth was he didn’t know. He could only hope, and it was ridiculously frustrating to feel so helpless. All he wanted to do was to fix everything and make it all okay. The truth was that he was as uncertain about how this would play out as she was.
The two couples navigated the bustling French Quarter quickly and easily. Malcolm and Dante stayed particularly alert, scanning their surroundings periodically for any threat that might be hiding nearby. They walked all the way down Royal Street in order to avoid Bourbon Street for as long as possible. Royal Street was not quite as busy at night. Antique shops and art galleries dotted the narrow street, and it found more pedestrian traffic during the day. After several blocks, they turned left onto Ursulines and finally found their desired destination, The Den.
The Den sat at the corner of Ursulines and Dauphine. It was a tiny bar in one of the oldest buildings in the quarter. Dante couldn’t help but notice that the bar’s emblem was a snarling tiger. It made sense. They were both members of the Tiger Clan, and two more Amoveo who were hiding in plain sight among the humans.
They stepped inside the understated dark space and found it surprisingly empty. The walls were lined with old-fashioned muskets, paintings of pirate ships, anchors, and other seaworthy paraphernalia. Two crusty old men sat at the long wooden bar on stools that they likely frequented on a nightly basis. A few people peppered the tiny tables, but all in all, it was quiet compared to the rest of the quarter’s watering holes.
Dante caught the young bartender’s eye. He was Amoveo, and in all likelihood, Boris Zankoff. He motioned for them to meet him at the end of the bar. They approached him cautiously, and Dante sized him up more like a potential enemy than an ally. Boris had long dark hair, and like most Amoveo men, he stood well over six feet. Based on the size and strength of him
, he hoped he wouldn’t have to fight him. Tigers were known for incredible strength and skill in battle.
Boris smiled broadly and extended a hand. “Welcome to The Den,” he said as he shook hands with Dante and Malcolm. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.” He turned and delivered a devastating smile to the two women. “A great pleasure.”
Dante cleared his throat and wrapped his arm possessively around Kerry. “Boris. I’d like you to meet my mate. Kerry Smithson.” He put extra emphasis on “my mate.” “This other lovely lady is Malcolm’s mate. Samantha Drew.”
The women smiled politely. Their uncertainty of Boris was glaringly clear. Their energy waves pulsed with nervousness.
Boris raised his eyebrows in surprise. “Really?” A huge smile spread across his face, and he leaned in so the other patrons wouldn’t hear him. “You’re both hybrids?” he whispered with genuine excitement. “Aren’t you?”
Dante and Malcolm exchanged a look and pulled their women closer.
“This is wonderful news.” He beamed. “Please go upstairs. We have the private room set aside. Steven and William are already up there. I will join you shortly.”
They nodded their thanks and went to the wooden staircase at the back. As they passed the two drunks sitting at the bar, one of them grabbed Dante by the arm. “Be careful,” he slurred through whiskey-tainted breath. “There’s a tiger loose around here somewhere. I saw it, you know.” He hiccupped loudly and almost fell off his stool.
Boris reached over the bar and grabbed the old man. Effortlessly, he hoisted him back on his seat before he landed on the floor. “Okay Bill. That’s enough fish stories out of you. There’s a tiger on our bar signage, big guy. Sit tight. I’ve got some coffee brewing now.” Boris gave them an apologetic look. “I’ll explain later. Please go on up. Make yourself at home.”
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