by Donna Grant
Her answering moan was just what he needed to hear. He moved from one breast to the other. Her hands were in his hair, holding him close.
Court unbuttoned her jeans and then lowered the zipper. He slid his hands into the waist at her hips and pushed the denim down. His cock twitched as his hands traveled down one shapely leg and then the other.
When the pants were bunched at her ankles, he lifted each of her legs in turn to step out of them. With one swipe, he shoved them across the floor.
Court kissed first one hip then the other, smiling as he did when he saw the same blue with black leather trim. The woman was going to kill him with her seductive underwear.
But he loved every moment of it.
He looked up at Skye to find her watching him.
She ran her fingers through his hair. “I’ve dreamt of this moment. I knew it would be amazing, but I didn’t realize how much.”
“You’ve not seen anything, yet,” Court said as he stood.
He was about to lift her to lay her on the bed when Skye pulled his shirt up. Court raised his arms and helped her remove it.
Somehow he stood still while her hands roamed over his chest, arms, and stomach. Everywhere she touched burned hotter, his desire increasing at a rapid rate.
Skye didn’t want a single moment to pass by that she didn’t remember. She touched his skin, amazed at how warm he was. He stood unmoving and let her touch every inch of his upper body. She had no idea how long she stood there before she realized his hands were fisted at his sides and his eyes were closed.
She paused, her gaze fastened to his face.
His eyes snapped open, and that’s when she saw how he fought to remain immobile for her. Skye cupped his face with one hand.
Then she sat on the edge of the bed and reached for the waist of his jeans. She unfastened them and pushed them down. The jeans dropped to his ankles, and Court kicked out of them.
His arms were suddenly around her as he laid her back on the bed, kissing her as if there were no tomorrow. Skin to skin, they lay together, their bodies aflame with desire.
Skye was breathless when his mouth left hers and found her breasts again. They swelled once more, her nipples aching for his touch.
She opened her legs when he gave them a nudge with his knee. A gasp tore from her when his fingers delved into her sex and found her clit. His touch was light as he teased her swollen nub until she was panting and mindless with need.
He alternated between licking her clit and sinking his fingers deep inside her for a few thrusts. Skye was on the precipice of an orgasm for the longest time. Then it hit her.
Court watched her back arch, her mouth open on a silent scream as her body jerked with her climax. It was the most beautiful thing he had ever seen. And he wanted to see it every day for the rest of his life.
He rose over her, his cock at her entrance. She was so wet he slid in easily. Her eyes opened to look at him as he pushed deeper.
With his teeth clenched, he thrust deeper into her tight sheath that fit him like a glove. He moved slowly, savoring every minute until he was fully seated within, an overwhelming sense of completeness washing over him.
Then he rolled onto his back, taking Skye with him. She smiled as she straddled him and sat up. A second later, she was rocking her hips.
Court hissed in a breath at the amazing feelings rushing through him. There was a slight clatter hitting the windows and he realized it was raining.
Skye moved faster and faster, pulling Court with her. He rolled her nipples between his fingers as she rode him. It wasn’t long before she leaned down, her long curtain of black hair surrounding him.
He gazed into her dark eyes. As they made love, the attraction was strengthening into something much stronger. He could see it reflected in her eyes, and he knew she saw it in his.
Court pulled her down for a kiss and rolled her once more onto her back. Then he rose up on his hands and began to thrust hard and fast.
She gasped and ended the kiss as she clawed the comforter. Her legs wrapped around his waist, urging him faster. He didn’t look away from her as he took them both higher and higher.
He wasn’t ready for it to end when the orgasm claimed Skye once more. The feel of her body clamping around him was too much. He thrust twice more before his climax swept through him.
Emotion, deep and uncharted, filled Court when Skye wrapped her arms around him and simply held on. They lay with their limbs tangled, listening to the rain.
The night had changed him. Suddenly, he understood why Solomon kept his distance from women, because Court wasn’t sure if he could survive losing Skye now.
She was part of his soul, part of his essence.
Part of his heart.
He knew without a doubt that it was love. He had fallen in love and hadn’t even known it until that moment. Love had a way of sneaking up on people that way. It couldn’t have come at a worse time, but it only spurred Court to think of other ways he could keep Skye safe.
Because he would walk through Hell itself if that’s what it took.
Court stared out the window from the bed, watching the water run down the glass. He felt as tall as a giant with the love inside him. But he also felt as helpless as a newborn. It was a frightening situation he found himself in. Not that he would change a minute of it.
“The first thing we need to do when we leave this house is go find you more of that sexy underwear,” Court said, hoping to lighten his own mood.
Skye chuckled. “I had no idea you would like it so much.”
“I should’ve paid more attention when I opened that drawer of yours and tossed everything in a bag. I may have to go back.”
She didn’t laugh again as he had hoped. Instead, she let out a deep breath. “I’m really scared.”
He lifted his head from her chest to look at her. “Don’t be. I won’t let anyone get you.”
“Things happen.” She smiled sadly, her dark eyes holding a frown. “Accidents happen.”
“Not to you. Not with me.”
She laid her palm on the side of his face. “I don’t want to freak you out, and I probably shouldn’t say this, but I care deeply about you.”
“I feel the same.” It was on the tip of his tongue to tell her he loved her, but not yet. The time would come soon.
“I’m glad,” she said with a nod, dropping her hand. “I don’t know what’s going to happen tomorrow, but no matter what, I want you to know this night has meant the world to me.”
Nothing was going to happen to her. Court refused to let her get hurt. She was his love, the woman he never expected to find.
“I read your article,” he said.
Her eyes widened. “Really? I kept waiting for someone to say something.”
“I knew you would send it in. It was good.”
She glanced down. “I was trying to fix what I did. Not sure I succeeded.”
“It’s a start.” He was proud that she had taken a step back from telling the world where the supernatural lived and what they looked like, to helping people understand the dangers of the unexplained around them. “What did Helen think about it?”
“She changed some of it to make it scarier,” Skye said with a frown. “She wanted me to rewrite it, but I refused. I’m surprised she even ran the article.”
Court propped his head up on an elbow. “You’re talented. You’ll find another job if you need to.”
“I’m talented, huh?” she asked with a smile.
“Extremely.”
Her smile faded as she became serious once more. “I hate that I wrote the article that got me in this mess, but it brought you to my door. That I’m most thankful for.”
“Not nearly as much as me. Whether you know it or not, Skye Parrish, you’ve changed me.”
He took her mouth in another kiss as thunder rumbled around them, desire taking them once more.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Skye woke to the sound of rain. She was lying on Cou
rt’s chest, his arm wrapped around her. She opened her eyes and shifted her head to look at him. A smile formed when she saw his other arm propped behind his head as he watched her.
“Was I snoring?” she asked.
He winked. “A little.”
Skye laughed as she ducked her head. “Great.”
“It was a cute little half-snore.”
“There’s no such thing.”
“There is now.”
He kissed the top of her head, and Skye didn’t think a day could start any better. His arm tightened, drawing her closer.
“How did you sleep?” he asked.
“Like the dead. How about you?”
“Good.”
She shifted to prop her head up on her hand to see him. “Liar. Did you sleep at all?”
“I dozed,” he admitted. “It was nice to hold you. Even nicer to wake up with you.”
Skye was going to die of pleasure. Court’s words weren’t false charm. She could see he meant them. “Can we stop time for a few hours?”
“If only I could,” he said and fingered a lock of her hair.
She fell onto her back and looked at the ceiling. “It’ll work. Minka’s idea is solid.”
“And puts you in danger again.”
“There’s no way around that,” Skye said as she turned her head to him. “They want me.”
Court sat up and leaned against the headboard. “I got you first.”
His jest made her smile again. “Keep talking like that and I won’t ever leave this room.”
“Now you’re speaking my language,” he said as he leaned over her with a sexy half-smile.
She could feel his arousal against her leg. Skye reached down and wrapped her hand around him, slowly moving her hand up and down his length.
He moaned low in his throat, his eyes closing. It didn’t matter how many times they had made love through the night, Skye wanted him again. He knew where to kiss, how to touch to send her spiraling.
Her body yearned for his touch, for him to fill her again. She loved his weight atop her. More than that, she loved him inside her, his rod sliding in and out, thrusting deep enough to touch her womb.
Skye never knew she was such a wanton. Then again, Court brought out many things in her she hadn’t known. It was because he was with her that she had slept so soundly.
Suddenly, she found herself flipped onto her stomach. Court’s large hands grabbed her hips and lifted her butt up into the air. Her hands fisted the covers as his fingers delved into her sex to make sure she was wet.
And then the blunt head of his arousal entered her. Skye closed her eyes in pleasure as he filled her, stretching her. Her body was pleasantly sore, but that didn’t stop her from wanting more.
She rose up on her hands and looked over her shoulder at him. His chest rumbled with another groan as he leaned over her. One hand remained on her hips as he thrust while the other cupped her breast and tweaked her nipple.
Skye moaned and rocked her hips back against him. Her body was primed, ready for another orgasm, and when his fingers found her clit, she instantly climaxed.
The force of it took her breath away. He held her until her body stopped shaking. Then he held her hips and began to thrust. He went deeper, harder. Faster.
He held her so she couldn’t move, so that she clamped down on him every time he entered her. Soon she felt him shudder as he orgasmed.
They fell to the side, laughing as the rain hit the window harder. Court nuzzled the back of her neck while her sated body relaxed against him.
“Should we go down soon?” she asked.
Court shook his head. “They won’t bother us, or think twice about us being up here the rest of the day.”
“But your brothers will need you.”
He sighed. “Probably.”
“I also know how you want to be in the middle of the planning.”
Court kissed her ear. “You know me well.”
She was beginning to, but she knew there was much more of him to learn. And she couldn’t wait to start.
“Why don’t you get in the shower,” he suggested.
Skye scooted out of his arms to the side of the bed. She looked back at him and smiled before disappearing into the bathroom.
Court waited until the door closed behind her before he fell back and put his hand over his arm. He had run through Minka’s plan over in his head all night. It was a solid plan. But there were still things that could go wrong. Every time he thought of one of them, his heart felt as if it were encased in ice.
He rose and wrapped a blanket around his waist as he walked from the room down the hall to Solomon’s room. He didn’t stop until he reached the master bath and shut the door. Then he took a quick shower, not bothering to shave.
In less than ten minutes, he was out and dressed in fresh clothes. He paused beside his room and listened to the shower running. Quietly, he walked inside and got his boots. Then he walked back out and down the stairs.
He was putting on his shoes on the bottom step when Kane walked from the back of the house into the foyer. Court nodded to his brother.
“I’m glad you took my advice,” Kane said. “You look better.”
Court finished with his boots and stood. He punched Kane in the shoulder with a grin. “Mind your own business.”
A small smile began to form but didn’t reach its full potential. “Minka’s plan is in action. Griffin and a few of his men spread the rumor through the Quarter last night.”
“There’s no going back now,” Court said, glancing back at his room.
Kane grunted. “This needs to be taken care of now.”
“I know.”
“Nothing will happen to her,” Kane stated.
Court ran a hand through his still-wet hair. “Yeah.”
He and Kane walked to the kitchen where Myles, Addison, and Riley were. Myles was stuffing the last of his breakfast in his mouth when they walked in. He kissed Addison and waved at them as he hurried out the back door.
“Morning,” Riley said.
Court pulled out a chair and sat at the table. “Morning. Smells good, cuz.”
Riley flashed him a bright smile. “That’s because my cooking is awesome. I’m nearly as good as Beau.”
Everyone knew that her brother was one of the best cooks around, hands down. Court watched Addison look worriedly out the back door.
A moment later, Solomon opened the door and walked in. He stopped at the entry and shook water from his hair and clothes. Riley threw him a towel, and he wiped as much off as he could.
As soon as he spotted Court, he walked to the table and took the chair opposite him at the rectangular table. “Did Kane fill you in?”
“He did,” Court said. “How do you feel about it?”
“We’re all ready.” Solomon stared at him intently. “And you? How do you feel?”
Like he was about to puke. “Good.”
“I keep telling him he’s not a good liar,” Skye said from behind him.
Court turned and instantly held out his hand to her. Her lips turned upward in a grin as she came to him, their fingers sliding together. Court pulled out the chair next to him with his foot and she sat.
“He’s worried,” Kane said.
Skye lifted one shoulder in a shrug. “So am I. But it has to be done. None of us can continue like this.”
“We could call in our cousins,” Solomon offered.
Court looked at Riley to see her shoulders stiffen. Then she turned to them. “If we need them, then do it. Now.”
“And give Delphine another go at them?” Court asked. “I don’t think so. We’ve got the Moonstone clan helping. That should be enough.”
Solomon ran a hand down his face, the weariness showing. “It better be. We’re putting a lot of faith in the witch.”
“Minka knows what she’s doing,” Addison said.
Kane nodded. “I agree. It’ll work.”
Court wasn’t willing to bet Sky
e’s life on it. Then again, if he didn’t, her life was still in jeopardy. It was a no-win situation, and it sucked. Royally.
“Y’all didn’t have to get up so early,” Riley said with a wink to Court and Skye.
Skye laughed. “We were hungry.”
“All you had to was shout from the room,” Addison said with a big smile. “We would’ve brought some food up.”
Court looked around the kitchen. This was his family. It kept growing, and he was glad of it. It added more worry, but the more of them that joined together, the stronger they were.
He wondered if Kane would ever get past what had happened and be happy again. Until he could, he would never make room in his life for a woman.
Then there was Solomon. His eldest brother was beyond frustrating most days. Yet, Court held out hope with Minka. The way the two of them rubbed each other raw could be because they both fought their desires.
Or it could mean they really hated each other.
Minka walked in at that moment. Solomon didn’t even look at her as he poured himself some coffee. Minka smiled at everyone, but she also refrained from looking Solomon’s way.
The back door opened and Griffin came inside. His attention was instantly on Minka.
“I could hear you, you know,” she said to Solomon. “If you don’t like my plan, then come up with another one.”
Solomon kept his face averted. His lips peeled back in a sneer. “Do you think we weren’t trying to come up with something?”
“With you, I don’t know,” Minka replied sarcastically.
Griffin smiled at Minka. “Solomon might not like your idea, but I think it’s a good one. Anything else you need help with?”
“No, thank you,” Minka said sweetly.
Court slid his gaze to Solomon to see a muscle twitch in his jaw. Riley put the bacon and eggs on the table, along with sausage and biscuits. Everyone had a seat except for Minka, who was pouring herself some coffee.
She turned around and saw the only open chair was next to Solomon, putting her between him and Griffin. Court shared a secret look with Skye, who also noticed the situation.
Skye leaned over. “Do you think she knows Griffin is into her?”