“My father was a full-blood Cherokee who liked his booze more than his family. Cusa Azure was a bastard when on the booze and tolerable when he wasn’t.” His eyes became clouded with memories. “But my mother loved him, and in his own messed-up way, he loved her.”
“Wait a minute.” Leda frowned. “Your last name is Whelan. But your father’s name is Azure.”
“Not many know my last name.” Taz eyed her with a cocked eyebrow. “How did you know it?”
“Oh, I have my ways,” Leda teased as she took a step closer. “Is he still alive?”
“Don’t know,” Taz replied, with absolutely no emotion in his voice. “After my mom died, my sister, Dawn, and I left while he was passed out in his chair. We finally found a pack to take us in. The alpha fell in love with my sister, and then….” He leaned down as he clasped her hand on his jaw in his.
“Then what?” she whispered, her eyes going to his lips, then back to his eyes.
“I came looking for you,” he answered against her lips.
His words melted her, completely made her weak to the point that her knees buckled. His strong arm wrapped around her waist, pulling her against him as his mouth ravaged her. Leda was hyperaware of their naked bodies pressed together, and it felt so right. Her skin was sensitive, sending the most amazing sensation through her body. Her arms wrapped tightly around him as if she couldn’t get enough, and she couldn’t.
“We need to stop.” Taz pulled his mouth from hers, but after he spoke the words, he kissed her again.
“No, we don’t,” she breathed against his lips as her hands began to roam his body. He started doing the same until he groaned and pushed her away from him.
“Leda” was all he said, his breathing deep and rapid.
“What?” She frowned, then tried to grab onto him again, but he kept her at arm’s length.
“We really need to stop.” His eyes defied his words as they once again roamed her body. As if realizing what he was doing, he shook his head. “Dammit, Leda. You’re not ready for this.”
That was like a cold slap to the face. Her head even snapped back at his words. “Says who? You?” She frowned, taking a step back. “You know, I’m getting really sick and tired of people telling me what to do and what they think I’m ready for. It was one of the reasons I went out on my own.”
“Listen, I didn’t mean it the way it sounded.” Taz went to reach for her, but she moved out of the way. “But are you really ready for this? I know you’ve never… you know.”
“Had sex? Made love?” Leda snorted with a roll of her eyes. “You can’t even say the words. You sure you’re ready?”
Taz growled at her, his eyes narrowing. “Oh, I’m ready.”
“Then do something about it.” Leda spread her arms wide. “Or do I have too much baggage for you? Is that what this is about?”
That time when Taz reached out to grab her, she wasn’t fast enough to move out of the way. She found herself once again plastered against his body, exactly where she wanted to be. He cupped her jaw, forcing her gaze to his.
“Any baggage you have, I will carry on my shoulders.” His mouth came down hard on hers. His hands were everywhere, and she couldn’t get enough. “Are you sure, Leda?” he asked between kissing down her neck, across her collarbone, but before he went lower, he gazed up at her.
“I’ve never been surer of anything in my life,” she whispered, then guided his head to her breast that waited bare for his touch. “I love you, Taz. I trust you.”
She moaned as Taz took control. Her head fell back as she welcomed the intense feelings this man evoked in her body. She gave herself to him freely, without any doubts or hesitation. It was the perfect time and perfect place with the perfect man. What more could she ever ask for?
Chapter 19
Taz felt like a kid having his first time with a female. He started out a fumbling mass of nerves, but after a mental talk down, he swore to himself that this woman in his arms would know exactly who she belonged to. She deserved the best from him, especially for her first time, and he would not let her down. Never would he let her down.
Her skin tasted sweet and salty, her scent of desire nothing like he had ever experienced in his life. Taz had wanted nothing in his life more than her, and to think she was giving herself to him freely had him soaring with a need that scared him.
She touched him like an experienced lover, but he knew different. She was not experienced, and that made her touch that much sweeter. Leda wanted him without reservation or fear. A little timid at first, but the more he tuned her body with his touch, she became bolder, and he liked it. Liked it a lot.
“Taz,” she moaned, her lower body pushing toward him, searching for something she didn’t understand yet, but what he knew so well.
Running his hand down her stomach, over her hip to her ass, then back to the sweet spot, he touched her gently with one finger, letting her get used to the feel of him in her most private area. He was determined to make this special for her, and by damn, he wouldn’t fail.
At least that was his thought until she unexpectedly ran her hand along his painfully hard cock. Clenching his teeth, he allowed her to explore his body, as he did the same.
“You feel so good,” she whispered, kissing his chest. He groaned as she looked down, watching her own hand gripping him.
Talking himself down, again, he braced himself and let her have a moment of freedom. He tried to take that time to scan their surroundings since they were out in the open. If he wasn’t careful, he could easily leave them defenseless just from being so distracted by her touch. Plus separating himself from what her small hand was doing to him gave him a chance to control not only the man but his wolf, who was excitedly restless.
Feeling her lips close to his navel, he glanced down as she sank to her knees.
“Can I taste it?”
“Fuck!” he growled, grasping her shoulders before she could do just that. If her lips went anywhere near his cock, he knew he would lose control and explode. “Let’s save that for next time.” Even the thought of her taking him in her mouth had his dick throbbing painfully.
She gave him a pout but took his hand as she stood, placing his calloused palm on her breast. “I like when you touch me.”
He pinched her puckered nipple between his fingers. His heart pounded as hard as his cock. To find his mate was one thing, but to find a mate who was sexual without experience was a score not many found. Even though their kind were sexual by nature, sometimes between two people, it just wasn’t there. Oh, they would fuck to appease their appetite, and he’d done that plenty, but to totally enjoy each other in so many different ways was something he’d always wanted. With Leda, he’d found that, but today, her first time, he would take it slowly. Even if it fucking killed him.
“Why do you get to taste me but I don’t get to taste you?” She touched her other breast, offering it to him. “Doesn’t seem quite fair.”
He knew she was ready for him. He could smell her. The way her body moved and wiggled told him her pussy was throbbing. Taz’s jaw ticked as he ground his teeth together, trying to keep control. “Soon you can do whatever you want to me and my body,” he said through clenched teeth. Taking her down to the ground, he positioned her on her hands and knees. “But first, before I lose all control, I’m going to make you mine in all ways a man claims his woman.”
Taz ran his hands up and down her back, past her nice firm ass, and then slid his finger inside her slowly. Oh yeah, she was definitely ready for him, slick and wet. He slipped a second finger inside, using his body to keep her still—his chest against her back with enough pressure to keep her locked in position.
“I can’t see you.” Leda tried to look at him over her shoulder. “I want to see you, touch you.” Her voice came out in gasps of pleasure as he continued to use his hand, getting her ready for him.
“Soon, but this way you will feel less pain for your first time,” Taz whispered against her ear. “
Trust me.”
“I do,” she whispered with emotion. “More than anyone, I trust you, Taz.”
Knowing he couldn’t take much more before he lost all control, he asked her one more time. “Are you sure, uwoduhi?”
“I love you,” she responded, her gaze meeting his over his shoulder. “I’ve been ready for a long time.”
“As have I.” Taz positioned himself at her opening as he straightened so both hands were free. Grasping her hips, he paused for only a second, hating the pain she was about to feel, but soon it would just be a distant memory. To know he was the first made him want to scream to the sky, but he refrained. His wolf was doing enough howling in his head that he felt somewhat restrained as a man.
With one solid thrust, he was buried inside her. When he felt the resistance of her virginity and then broke through, he growled with pure male satisfaction. Remaining still inside her was the hardest thing he had ever done in his life, but he was giving her body time to adjust.
She moaned, and he couldn’t tell if it was from pleasure or pain.
“Are you okay?”
“Is that it?” Her voice sounded disappointed, and he cursed but grinned at her question.
“No, not at all.” He reached around, plucking at her hardened nipple before cupping her full breast with a squeeze.
“Thank God,” she hissed, that time he could tell in pleasure. “Then yeah, I’m good.”
Shocked that he could love this woman any more than he already did, he moved inside her, only small amounts at a time. Her head hung low as she grew accustomed to the movement inside her. Soon her body became curious, as did the woman, and she rocked with him.
Watching himself slide in and out of her was more than he could stand, so he looked away. “Damn,” he hissed as she slammed back against him. “Careful, don’t hurt yourself.”
“I need more, Taz.” She cried out when he stopped and pulled out of her. “No!”
He flipped her over and she spread her legs, silently begging him to slide back inside her. He did so immediately and pumped harder and faster. Her full breasts bounced with each thrust and he couldn’t look away, mesmerized. Taz’s cock swelled inside her even more. Putting his hand flat on her stomach above her pussy, he found the sweet nub with his thumb just begging to be touched. He needed to move her along; he only had so much control. He had dreamed of this moment, pleasured himself many times thinking of being wrapped in her wet heat, but now that it was a reality, he was about to lose all control. And no man worth a woman like Leda would come before her.
When she looked up, their eyes met, and hers begged for something she didn’t understand, at least not yet. He would teach her things about her body and very soon, and without a doubt, he knew she would be a damn enthusiastic student.
“Come on, Leda.” His whisper was hissed. “Let go. Give me everything you have.”
She met him thrust for thrust. Her mouth opened, but nothing came out. She was on edge.
He flicked her nub hard and fast, enough to cause pleasure with a tiny bit of pain. She grabbed her own breast, trying to find release, and he loved every single fucking minute of it. Watching her play with her own tits was almost too much for him to take. Grabbing her hands, he clasped them together with his larger one and trapped them over her head as he pounded into her. Her legs wrapped around his waist, his free hand going underneath her ass. His legs took the weight and balance as he fucked her hard. He had lost it. This girl who freely gave herself to him as her first had caused him to lose all control.
“Jesus!” he growled as his body pumped into hers and she finally broke over the edge. Her scream of pleasure echoed around him as he shot his cum into her over and over again until they were both spent.
They lay together, neither saying a word as they tried to regain themselves. He was still inside her, semihard, and felt her pussy spasm around him. He moved slightly, causing her to moan with pleasure.
“Can we do it again?” she begged, greedily angling her hips.
He raised his body off her and moved inside her, shocked when his cock began to harden. That time, he took her slowly, kissing her until she spasmed again and his cock emptied inside her for the second time in less than five minutes.
“Wow,” she whispered, looking at him in awe. “I didn’t think guys could do it again so quickly.”
Her words penetrated his sex-crazed mind, making him frown. “And how the hell would you know something like that?”
She gave him a flirty smile. “Girls talk about sex, you know.”
He chuckled, pulled out of her slowly and moved partially off her so he could stare down at her. “It’s usually different with men, but you have a way of bringing the best out of me.”
Leda laughed, then kissed his chin. “That was… amazing.”
“It was,” he agreed, moving a strand of hair from her eye. “You’re going to be sore. I should have been gentler.”
“Ah, no you shouldn’t have.” Leda sat up, glaring down at him. “What just happened was perfect, so don’t ruin it.”
With his heart speeding up at the gorgeous, fiery woman before him, he grabbed her and kissed her hard. “You are mine.”
“And you are mine,” she countered with a sigh.
“I am yours.” He gave her a nod and pulled her into his lap as they waited to watch the sunrise before it was time to face reality, as well as four men who looked upon Leda as a father and brothers. He just may get his ass kicked today.
Taz held her tightly against him. It would be totally worth it—she was totally worth it. Nothing and no one would keep them apart now.
“I love you.” At her whispered words, his heart soared.
“I love and cherish you,” he whispered back, feeling content with his woman wrapped in his arms.
Chapter 20
Leda couldn’t wipe the smile off her face. They had stopped at one of the shelters where clothes had been stashed before heading back home.
When Garrett’s house came into view, Taz asked, “You nervous?” as he helped her over the wooden fence.
“Nope.” She grinned as they walked around the small pond. “You?”
“Depends.” Taz raised her hand, placing a kiss on her knuckles. “Whether they come at me one at a time or all at once.”
Just as they rounded the side of the house, the back door slammed open and out walked Garrett, followed by Hunter, Marcus, Dell, Steve, Jared, Slade, Blaze, and Sid. All of them had different expressions on their face.
“Go in the house,” Taz whispered out of the corner of his mouth.
“No, I’m standing beside you,” Leda argued, noticing only the wolves looked pissed. The rest were grinning like idiots. Steve wore the biggest cheesy grin of them all as he leaned against the porch rail. He held up his hand, giving them the naughty finger shake. Leda was about to give him a finger of her own until Garrett’s bellow stopped her.
“Where in the hell have you been?”
“Garrett,” Janna’s voice warned from inside the house.
“She’s been with me,” Taz answered, not offering anything more.
“That’s all you got?” Hunter growled, his eyes narrowed. “She’s been with you?”
“That’s all you’re going to get,” Taz replied, and Leda actually flinched.
“Taz, maybe we should, erm—”
Hunter started down the steps, but Marcus stopped him. “Cool down, brother.”
“Leda, get in the house.” When Leda remained next to Taz’s side, staring and defying Garrett, he reared his head back. “Now!”
She jumped but stood her ground. “No.” Her voice shook a little, so she cleared it. “No!” she said louder, with more authority.
Janna walked outside, pushing the men out of the way. “Leda, come inside and let the boys talk.” She held out her hand, waving her on. “Come on.”
Leda glared at Garrett before turning. She tiptoed up, kissing Taz on the mouth. Taz kissed her back, even going as far as
wrapping his arm around her waist, pulling her to him. She fell into the kiss, wishing she didn’t have an audience and that they were back on the clifftop.
After reluctantly pulling away, she stomped toward the porch, stopping in front of Garrett, Hunter, and Marcus. “Hurt him and I will never talk to you again,” she warned, then pushed past them, going into the house. She grinned when she heard Janna’s warning.
“Play nice or don’t come back inside,” Janna hissed, following behind Leda.
Leda peered around at Ross, Emily, Katrina, Jill, and Jamie, who were all grinning at her. “You mated!” Jamie squealed excitedly as she ran up and hugged her.
“Oh damn.” Emily grinned as she also hugged her. “Congrats. I just hope Taz is getting the same reception out there.”
Raised voices clearly indicated that was not the case. All the women looked at each other, then rushed toward the windows to watch.
“I have to go out there.” Leda started for the door, but Janna stepped in her way, shaking her head.
“Let your man be the man and answer up.” Jill gave her a knowing wink. “He can take care of himself.”
“Ah, he’s a little outnumbered.” Leda frowned, not feeling right letting Taz take all the heat. She had a say in what happened between them.
“For now he is,” Ross said as she looked over Jamie’s head, giving her a knowing grin. “If he needs saving, we’ll have his back.”
Janna gave her a tight hug. “He’s a lucky guy.”
“I’m the lucky one.” Leda hugged her back, then looked out the window. Her eyes found Taz, and he didn’t look happy.
Taz stood his ground, knowing this confrontation was going to happen. He didn’t expect it this soon, but then again, that was his misjudgment. He would stand up to a thousand men for Leda without a second thought. Because of his respect for the men now glaring at him, he wished it would have happened differently, but it hadn’t. He hadn’t planned on mating with Leda that night, but he had, and he wouldn’t change it if his life depended on it.
Forbidden Secrets (Lee County Wolves Series) Book #5 Page 12