Diamond Dust tw-3

by Vivian Arend

  So far the fighting remained focused far from her, but she had no guarantees it would stay there. A couple clasped together in a ball of bloody fur rolled toward her escape route, and Caroline’s hopes fell.

  A flash of fur appeared to her right, and she swung her knife hand instinctively, jerking the blade back as she recognized the smaller-than-a-bear silver coat.

  “Shaun, you idiot. I nearly skewered you.”

  He grinned briefly, his sharp teeth flashing white, then turned and stood as a sentinel between her and the bears.

  Great. If the bruins did decide to come her direction one of her favourite wolves could get hurt. There had to be another solution. She spotted Tyler systematically working his way through a mass of fighters, headed in her direction.

  He’d promised to come for her, and he was keeping his word. In the meantime? She wasn’t sitting on a tuffet and waiting.

  The beautiful dress she wore was about to become an issue, as would the shoes. She kicked her heels off then grabbed the skirt of her dress, wrapping the material around her waist to get the long swath of fabric out of her way.

  “Once I make it to a safe spot, you get out of here,” she ordered Shaun, returning her knife blade to the holster.

  He wagged his tail.

  What she had in mind was insanity of a new sort. She put a hand to the decorative brickwork behind her, caught the edge of a protrusion with a toe and made her first move up the wall.

  She figured using the light sconce, the bricks and a bit of luck she could make it to the ledge about twenty feet up. High enough no one should be able to get at her.

  Caroline reached for a hold when a set of hands closed around her waist, jerking a curse from her lips. She swung a fist, only to have it captured in a huge hand as she was twisted in place, held firmly against Tyler’s naked body.

  “You can beat me up later. Let’s get out of here.” A smear of blood on his face made him look like a pirate. He spoke quietly, keeping the attention off them. “I’m going to shift. Climb on my back and hold on as tight as you can.”

  Good grief, he was serious. The wall of muscle in front of her vanished as he dropped to all fours and simultaneously shifted. Instead of Tyler’s muscular chest and gorgeous…everything, there was a massive grizzly bear with a thick coat of fur. He glanced over his shoulder as if to tell her to hurry.

  The fighting remained loud and violent, and he didn’t have to warn her twice. She crawled onto his back and leaned down, fisting his fur, thighs wrapped around his torso as far as possible. Together, Shaun and Tyler shot forward, headed for the door.

  It was a strange sensation, riding a bear. Caroline had ridden horses, but every pace Tyler took involved his torso far more than a horse. As he moved, she moved, the room passing in a blur. To one side, Shaun leapt at an attacker, his teeth sinking into a forepaw and pulling a scream of anger from the bear. Tyler used the distraction to dodge the few bears standing between them and freedom.

  Caroline glanced back in time to see Shaun escape through a gap, his smaller body ducking easily around the bears’ larger forms. Tyler leapt over a fighting pair, and Caroline gritted her teeth as she clung for dear life, a grunt escaping her as they landed and Tyler increased his pace.

  They were out the front doors and into the darkness. Tyler turned them away from the main road, heading into the trees.

  Caroline held on, nestling tighter to the warm fur under her. There was nothing to do except wait and trust.

  Chapter Eleven

  It was the first time Tyler remembered leaving a fight before it was over. He slowed his pace, working to maintain a level surface for Caroline to rest on as he glided silently through the trees.

  He’d never left, but then he’d never had someone to protect before either.

  When the bear had charged across the room he’d been distracted, checking to make sure Caroline was still in the protected alcove where she and Lillie had settled. The short lapse of attention had been enough he’d found himself under his attacker, his tie the only thing he’d removed in time.

  Blast it. He had really hoped they could use diplomacy to end this thing. Instead, people like Ainsworth were calling the shots. From the bits and pieces Tyler had heard during the short visit, Clan Lucerne was being encouraged to be far too aggressive.

  Which put him here, in the bush, a shivering human on his back.

  They weren’t far from Whitehorse, not via the route he could take. He topped the ridge and found them a sheltered spot out of the wind, giving her a moment to crawl off before he shifted.

  The moonlight shone on the remains of her fancy dress, highlighting her shimmering hair. She was a wood nymph in the beams of silvery light.

  Caroline folded her arms. He held her to his torso to provide warmth. “You okay?”

  “I’m not the one who was being mauled.” She skimmed her hands over him. A light, delicate touch that turned him on far faster than it should.

  “Save that for when we’re somewhere warmer.”

  Her expression tightened as she otherwise ignored his suggestion. “Where are you hurt?”

  Fuck it. He grabbed her hand off his ribs. “Caroline, stop it.”

  Her other hand continued to torment him. “You were crazy. I thought he was ripping you apart. Oh…”

  If she wanted so badly to find something that was wrong, he’d help her. He pressed her fingers lower until her palm covered his erection. “This is the only thing hurting. I doubt you want to do something about it here and now. I stopped to find out where you want to go. The hotel, your apartment? Where?”

  She softened in his arms, cuddling in as she shivered. “I’m sorry, I should have known. Not the hotel—it’s too far into Whitehorse for you to make it in your bear, or as a naked man. The apartment is against the tree line. You really plan to carry me the entire way?”

  He cradled her to his chest, the flutter of her heartbeat making something inside him quiver. “If I head south we’ll be there in no time. The road had to curve around the mountain. We can go straight down. Look.” He pointed through the trees, and sure enough, the shimmer of city lights answered back.

  “That’s closer than I thought.” Her teeth chattered.

  Tyler caught her by the chin as he held her against him, savouring her warmth and the scent of her attraction that she was powerless to hide. “You’ll be okay. I’ll take you home.”

  He should have stepped away, should have moved immediately to shift, but this called him. The wild part inside him needed a taste, and as she caught his shoulders and lifted her head willingly, he brought their mouths together.

  Their last kiss had been violent. Rough, nearly a fight. This was surprisingly soft, shared warmth and passion. Exploring and trying to get closer to each other. He held her, his hands full of her ass, tempted to grind her over his erection but the steady thrill of her hands over his shoulders was enough, for now at least.

  They pulled back at the same moment, breathless. Panting. Caroline glanced away and brought her fingers to her lips.

  Tyler rubbed his thumb over her swollen bottom lip. “I’m glad nothing happened to you.”

  He let her go reluctantly, the cool wind whipping around them bringing a familiar scent. “If you get too cold while we’re moving, call out and let me know. I’ll stop to warm you up.”

  She smiled. “If you stop to warm me, we might never get home.”

  The light in her eyes had changed from the denial she’d given him in the lingerie shop. The passion and the fire were back and not directed at turning him away, but burning him up along with her.

  He shifted as fast as possible, the solid weight of his bear mind sending up reassurances that together they’d protect her. Care for her. Carry her to safety.

  His human couldn’t wait to get her home.

  The trees went dark with shadows, the moonlight playing peek-a-boo through the tall timbers. Somewhere behind him, a set of footfalls hit the dirt in a rapid rhythm. Her wolf
guard, the one he’d scented when they’d stopped.

  Good to know the man had made it out of the mess in one piece. Tyler had no desire to start a war with the local wolves. He’d actually been glad of the help in getting Caroline to safety.

  Only once they reached the outskirts of town, Tyler was pleased their shadow faded away, heading toward the Takhini pack house instead of staying on their tail.

  What he had hopes for needed no chaperone.

  He paused, not sure where the best place to shift would be. On his back, Caroline lifted herself upright, her warmth vanishing from where she’d been lying. “More to the right. There’s a path that leads to the edge of the yard.”

  He followed her directions, slipping farther into civilization than he’d usually go in his bear form. It seemed the lights had been deliberately aimed in this section, allowing him to see his way without being spotlighted.

  “Stop beside the garden shed.”

  He slowed, reluctant to allow her to crawl off, but eager to get to the next stage of the game. He shifted as she opened the combination lock and slipped inside the small building.

  “How do we get into the apartment?”

  She pulled a Rubbermaid tote forward, popping open the lid. “Emergency supplies. Here…” She handed him a dark blue robe. “You’ll have to go in bare feet, but at least you won’t be arrested for indecent exposure.”

  He slipped on one sleeve before catching her staring, her cheeks rosy red. “Are you blushing or cold?”

  She ignored him and fumbled in the bottom of the tote. “Don’t distract me. I need to find the extra key.”

  He stepped behind her, wrapping his arms around and pressing their bodies together. “Distract you? How could I do that?”

  She had this crazy habit of growling that turned him on. Hard. The wiggle of her hips did nothing to discourage him either.

  “Found them.” She lifted a key ring in the air in triumph.

  He pressed his lips to her neck as he slid a hand over her belly, loving the way she trembled under his touch. “Congrats. That’s wonderful news.”

  She shivered and moaned, laying her head on his shoulder. “God, I want to hit you with something. But I also want you to throw me on the ground and fuck me blind. I’m an idiot.”

  He controlled his rush of excitement at her words. “You’re reacting to the danger of the evening and the attraction between us. How about somewhere between the two options?”

  “I throw you to the ground?”

  He helped her ease the tote back into position, curling his hand around her fingers and the key. “Invite me upstairs. We’ll work out the details as we go.”

  For one horrid moment he thought she would refuse, she stood silently for so long, ignoring his caresses.

  Then she turned in his arms and smiled. “This might be a huge mistake, but come on.”

  Her desire had a flavour. Sex. Addictive sex. The entire way across the lawn to the backdoor entrance of the apartment, Caroline wondered if she’d caught some kind of moon fever.

  Silvery light shimmered off his dark hair as he waited for her to punch in the combination to the security door. His hand on her lower back burned, a furnace-like source of heat.

  She’d admit it. She’d been scared, but fear had switched far too quickly into resignation. Bears rampaging in a dining hall? Yawn. Simply another situation to deal with.

  Maybe her life had held one too many unpredictable shifter event after another. Nothing surprised her for long, not anymore. Nothing shocked her. It wasn’t a human trait to be so nonchalant about death and dying, but she really couldn’t muster anything more at this moment than a pulse of erotic desire.

  She was turned on, and that was nearly as appalling as her lack of fear. They’d survived, and now all she could think of was the size of his muscles and the heat radiating from him as they stood nearly skin to skin.

  He followed her to her sister’s apartment. Allowed her to open the door. There wasn’t the same kind of instant up-against-the-wall response from either of them like had happened the last time. Instead, he marched in and looked around carefully.

  Her feet were sore, she was cold to the core from being outside in a sliver of satin for over an hour, and she still felt as if she were on fire.

  He was a rather potent animal.

  Tyler turned back to her, his expression unreadable. “This isn’t your apartment. You don’t live here.”

  Strange thing to comment on. She flipped a hand in the air. “My sister’s. She’s gone north with her partner. I needed a place to stay, and she won’t mind.”

  He stalked closer. “Why do you need a new place to stay?”

  “Does it matter?” His eyes flashed, and she hurried to explain, not wanting to lose the edge of passion burning in the air. “I’m not being a smart-ass. I meant that for real. It doesn’t matter why, only this is a safe place. I want to see to your injuries.”

  He scooped her up and carried her protesting body into the back of the apartment. “I have no injuries. Between Justin, your guard and a bit of good luck, I’m unscathed.”

  When he ignored the bedroom and took the bathroom door instead, Caroline was disappointed. Until he lowered her to the floor and flipped on the shower. “Strip.”

  The dark blue robe she’d loaned him was already coming off. Caroline untied the knot at her waist, swallowing hard at the new expression in his eyes. The one that said she was a bowl of oatmeal at just the right temperature.

  Taking off the diamond earrings and necklace gave her a moment to breathe. She fidgeted as she placed them on the bathroom counter, attempting to regain her composure. “I’m glad nothing happened to these. I seem to have ruined the gown.”

  “You didn’t ruin anything.” Tyler grasped the neckline and ripped the garment the rest of the way so it gaped open at the front. “I like unwrapping my presents.”

  Steam filled the small room, wafting past his thick torso and covering his solid body. He pushed the fabric from her shoulders and observed closely as it puddled to the ground.

  A delighted grin erupted as she stood in the new panties and bra he’d bought her—was it only earlier that evening?

  Instead of caressing the bits of lace and satin still covering her, his fingers trickled over her thigh and the knife strapped there. “A woman of many talents and surprises. I like this, Caroline Bradley.”

  She shivered, this time from his touch, not the cold. He dropped to his knees and took his time undoing the buckle on the sheath. He touched his lips to her skin and branded her, a shot driving from where his mouth landed straight into her core.

  Before she found the power to speak, he’d removed her knife, laying it carefully on the counter before turning back to examine her.

  “Tell me this is a one-night stand.” Caroline cursed the words even as they escaped. If he stopped she’d self-implode, only she didn’t want fancy promises given or assumed.

  “This is whatever we make it.” He caught a finger in the edge of her panties and tugged them lower an inch at a time, his gaze fixed on her sex.

  Good answer.

  Gazing down at him, she was distracted enough to let this happen. Forget being tough and reacting on impulse to fix things. Forget planning and plotting to do the right thing. She wanted to feel alive and excited, and the man kneeling at her feet was sexy enough to have her panting before he’d done more than caress her skin.

  He touched his lips just above her mound, breathing deeply. “This is what you want. What your body wants, what I want to give to you.”

  Another open-mouthed kiss, this time on her curls, and Caroline caught his head in her hands in an attempt to stay on her feet.

  He hummed in approval. “So eager. I am as well, but first things first.”

  She stifled the whimper wanting to escape when he stood, but he didn’t leave her. Simply reached around, and her bra vanished.

  “You guys are good at that. Undressing, I mean.” Caroline swallowed a
s he let the material fall to the floor, hands remaining to cradle the sides of her breasts.

  “Occupational benefit.” He lifted her breasts, his thumbs teasing her nipples. The tips were already tight peaks, and his caress made them tingle.

  She wanted more. Wanted to watch him lean closer and use his mouth. His lips. His tongue. Anything that would increase the pressure building inside her.

  What she got was a quick ride through the air into the shower, the heat of the water smarting as it warmed her chilled toes and hands. “Oh, Lordy, that feels good.”

  Tyler chuckled as he stepped into the tub beside her, his bulk barely fitting into the normal-sized enclosure. “Those are the kind of noises I want to hear when it’s me causing them, not a simple shower.”

  He was a fine, fine looking man. Caroline stepped back to give him room and allow the spray to break over her shoulder onto his chest. The water poured down his torso, rivulets teasing through the trail of hair leading to his cock. His very erect cock.

  Tyler outright laughed this time. “You just sighed again. Like what you see?”

  She wasn’t going to lie. “You make me crazy, Tyler. I shouldn’t want you so badly.”

  “Who says?” Tyler caught her close, water streaming between their torsos. His erection tight to her ass as he turned her and settled her against his chest. “Who says it’s wrong for me to want to admire your beautiful body? Like your breasts—damn, tonight when you walked across the room I wanted you to be naked so I could enjoy these.” He cupped her, this time able to hold her completely, thumb and forefingers playing lightly with her nipples.

  Caroline rested her hands on his hips to keep her balance, her head on his shoulder. “You bears are insane. Do you think anyone got seriously hurt?”

  His teeth caught the rim of her ear, and she shuddered. “No more politics. Forget them. Tomorrow will be soon enough. Your guard is safe, so is mine. That’s all we need to worry about. Concentrate on us.”

  “Forget politics, hmm?” She really shouldn’t interrupt him when he was caressing her breasts so perfectly. Not when he adjusted position to reach farther down her body, no doubt aiming at her sex. She’d never been very good at making herself shut up, though. “Is this Political Necessity, what we’re doing right now?”