My soul to yours, in this life and the next. We are bound.
The words welled out of memory, hoarsely growled, ripe with emotion, the one clear recall she had amid the chaos of that night. The spot on her shoulder burned hotter, as if it absorbed the energy of his emotion. She touched it. “Will you really die if I do?”
“Yes.”
“And if you die, I die.”
“Yes. I’m sorry.”
She waved the apology away. He had nothing to be sorry for. She hadn’t been any more ready to die then than she was now. He’d given her back her life. “And there’s no way out?”
“Do you want one?” He was always doing that. Answering her questions with another.
“I don’t know.” There was certainly a lot to admire about Daire, but there was that one little sticking point she couldn’t get past. “I don’t like that I didn’t make the choice.”
“You did.”
“When?”
“When my energy touched yours, you could have pushed me away or let go anytime afterward.”
“And if I had?”
“You would have died.”
He said it without inflection, despite the instinctive lash of denial she felt from his energy.
“You couldn’t force me to stay?”
“The will to live is a primal emotion. Too individual to force.” He pushed the hair back from her cheek. His fingertips lingered against her jaw. “The best I could do was try to persuade you you had something to live for.”
Him. The price for her life was a future with him. Handsome, sexy Daire with the will of iron, the core of honor that went soul deep, and the ability to love that was as deep anything she could have wished for. And he claimed it was for her.
“For the record, it freaks me out that you can pop in and out of my mind at will.”
“I know.”
Again that emotionless statement of fact. “I’m also jealous that you can be so certain about us.”
That gave him pause. It might be small of her, but she liked that she could do something to shake his confidence.
She started unbuttoning his shirt. “It’s grossly unfair and leaves me feeling like I’m missing out on something.”
“Werewolves are born with the knowledge that they will have instant recognition of their mate.”
“News flash.” The third button gave her trouble. “I’m not werewolf.”
“I’m aware of that.”
She imagined he was. She imagined that, since he was born with this knowledge, he’d made quite a few plans on what he’d do when he found his mate, imagined a few passionate scenarios that all led to happily ever after the wolfie way. And she probably wasn’t living up to any of them.
The button didn’t give. “This whole finding your mate thing didn’t go like you imagined, did it?”
He smiled ruefully. “I did think it would go smoother.”
She considered just popping the button off. “That’s because you’re a control freak.”
In the familiar way that heated her from the inside out, his fingers slid around the back of her neck and pressed. Such a sexy way to demand his kiss. Such a sexy man period.
“I think you’re sexy, too.”
If her smile was a little shaky, tough. What she was contemplating was scary for her. “A good place to start, don’t you think?”
His gaze searched hers, but to his credit, he didn’t probe her mind. She appreciated that. “What are you saying, seelie?”
She took a steadying breath. The button popped off in her hand. She closed her fingers around it, unsure if it was a good sign or bad. “I’m saying I’d like to start there and see where it takes us.”
Eleven
TERI held her breath. Daire didn’t. He smiled, his expression softening. Tenderness infused his touch as he took her hand away from her mark and replaced it with his lips. Heat suffused her body until she was burning.
“Thank you.”
“For what?” she managed.
His smile spread against her skin. “For giving me the chance you need.”
His lips slipped lower. Her pulse throbbed. Her breath caught. A squeak destroyed her knee-jerk “You’re welcome” as her breast swelled with anticipation.
“You won’t regret it. Please.” She arched her back, offering him her breast, offering him everything. “Please, don’t let me regret it.”
His lips closed over her pouting nipple, pressed . . .
“Daire!”
“I’m here.”
For now. The thought popped into her head, a legacy from the past where she’d never been the one wanted for keeps.
The pressure released. Cool air wafted over her skin as the bodice tore under the pass of his claw.
Forever.
The correction was immediate. She watched as he separated the edges of her blouse, letting gravity dictate the speed of its descent. Those deadly claws grazed her skin as he slid the delicate lace to the side. She should have been terrified. She wasn’t. Being touched by Daire was exciting, wonderful, different from anything else she’d ever experienced. He touched her with a reverence that was so much deeper than passion, but the passion was a close second. She closed her eyes and let it roll over her, absorbing the wonder of the connection, the perfection of his mouth closing over her nipple. Hot. Wet. Burning.
“Oh.”
Daire’s laugh vibrated down the sensitive nerve endings as she arched up. “Yes, give to me.”
She couldn’t help but give. Whatever he wanted. No lover had ever made her feel like this before. As if she was the most desirable woman on the earth. The only woman who could sate his passion. The only woman he wanted.
“You are.”
A curl of his tongue around the hard nipple jolted her forward. He was ready for her, taking more of her breast in his mouth, kneading the plump firmness with his hand as he sucked hard. Lightning shot down her spine. She cried out, twisting away. It was too much.
“Stay,” he growled.
That low rumble just excited her more. Everything about him was exciting, the brush of his hair on her skin, the addicting fragrance of his natural scent, the flavor of his kiss. Oh, his kiss. Tugging on Daire’s hair, Teri tilted his head back. From there it was only a slight shift to have his mouth on hers. He tasted so good. Like an exotic spice made just for her.
“Seelie.”
Another warning growl that excited her more. She scooted down on the chair, needing to be closer. Her knees hit the back. She tugged his hair again, this time in frustration.
He shifted down on the chair until she was riding his cock. Even through his jeans it was impressive. She moaned and rocked on him. He moaned and pressed up.
“Do you want me, Teri?”
“Yes. God, yes.” Her pussy spasmed; her womb clenched. She needed every inch of that thick cock buried deep within her. And the longer he kissed her, the more she needed. The more she wanted. Damn, she loved his kiss.
“Then take me.” He lifted, the ridge of his cock pressed into her clit. She cried out, bearing down, needing to be closer.
“Mine.” The claim welled out of nowhere. Primitive, possessive, hungry. So unlike her but now so right. Daire was hers. She’d waited her whole life for him to show up, and now he was here and the waiting was over.
“Always.”
Yes. He’d always been hers; she just hadn’t understood. But it was so clear now, with his energy wrapping around hers, his mind blending with hers. His body pressing into hers through the layers of clothing. The clothing. She reached down and unzipped his pants. He jumped and laughed, his lips biting into hers. “Careful.”
She noticed he didn’t pull away. “I’ll be very careful.”
She had to swing off his lap to work his cock free. When she tugged, he lifted and his jeans slid down. Looking at his boots, she decided that was good enough. She couldn’t wait until he got his boots off to touch him.
His cock was beautiful. Long and thick. She l
icked her lips. Maybe too thick. Unwelcome memories intruded. The pain of her rape. The devastation.
Oh, hell, no, Daire thought. Catching Teri’s face in his hands, for the first time since Teri had come awake, he overrode her mind, blocking out the memories.
“There’s no one here but us, baby.”
He looked around. There was a chair; no wonder she was having flashbacks. He couldn’t even keep his mind straight long enough to get her to the bed. Kicking off his right boot and then the left, he stood her by the bed, holding her with his mind while he shucked his pants. Releasing his mental hold, Daire scooped Teri up in his arms. She bit her lip and curled against his chest. When he laid her on the bed, her hands lingered on his shoulder, sliding down his chest. He came over her before they could drop away.
“It’s just us, baby, and we’re beautiful.”
Her fingers spread wide. “It’s just that you’re so big.”
He pushed the hair out of her face. “And you couldn’t help but remember.”
“Yes.”
“They will never be a threat to you again.”
“You can’t know.”
Yes, he could, because as soon as the Carmichaels were under control, he was going hunting. “Trust me.”
Her eyes were big as she stared at him. Her lips slid between her teeth, and there was that pause that said she was thinking on things. He pressed his advantage. “Just for tonight. Twelve hours, that’s all. You just have to trust me for twelve hours.”
“And then what?”
“And then you can make a decision whether you want to stay or go.”
“You’re giving me a choice?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Because you’re right. Every woman should have one.”
“What happens if I want to go?”
Sliding his hand under her nightgown, he cupped her hip in his hand. She was so delicate compared to him. His world, and he’d promised her the opportunity to leave him. He needed his head examined. “We’ll deal with that if it happens.”
“But you don’t think it’s going to happen.”
“No.” He tugged her gown over her head. “I have faith.”
“In what?”
He could see her pussy, the pink inner lips unfurling in wanton invitation. “Your common sense.”
“You’re relying on sex to hold me.”
She was sharp as a tack. Smiling, he circled her ankle with his palm and moved her leg to the side, improving his view. His tongue tingled as he crawled up her body, kissing her hard. He told her, “Yes, I am.”
On the way back down, he stopped at her breasts, kissing one hard peak and then the other before moving his mouth to the hollow between, breathing deeply of her scent. Feeling drunk on the pleasure, he ordered, “So just lie back and enjoy it.”
“Is that an order?”
Nibbling and kissing his way down her belly, he laughed at the bite of indignation. “Of course.”
The next kiss landed on the top of her mound. She arched up. “I should rebel on principle.”
“You should.” The crevice beckoned. He probed lightly with his tongue. The inner lips were silky smooth, fragrant with her juices. Delicious. She moaned and gasped. Her fingers knotted in his hair. Another invitation. He didn’t hesitate, just settled, sampling lightly at first, lapping gently at the delicate folds until she was pulling him in rather than holding him away. With the next flick he found her clit. Hard and distended, it accepted his caress with a little flex of joy. Teri cried out. He settled in to enjoy, cupping her buttocks in his palms as he propped her up for his pleasure, loving the taste of her on his tongue, her scent in his nostrils, her cries in his ears. Tension in her thighs told him she was close. He held her balanced on the edge, resting his tongue flat against her straining clit while she twisted and bucked, striving for the pressure she needed.
“Daire, please.”
It was what he’d been waiting for. Closing his lips around the tender bud, he bit down and drew it out, shaking his head as he did, letting the vibrations spread the tension, biting harder when she screamed, licking and lapping as she came, prolonging the moment until she moaned and dropped back onto the bed, thighs quivering.
His cock full to bursting, he rasped, “I love giving you that.”
Her “what” held only a shadow of her previous vehemence. She was only half with him, which was fine. He wanted her in a haze of pleasure when he took her. He’d rather have her focused on the pleasure he’d just given her than on the past.
Walling his hands up the mattress on either side of her body, he confessed, “I love making you come. You make such sweet sounds.”
“Oh, God!” She covered her face with her hands.
Her nipples were berry red and distended, too tempting to pass up. The right received the first nip, the left the second. While she soothed the sting with her hands, he kissed her mouth. “You are a very sexy woman, Teri.”
Her lips parted at the pressure of his. “I have to be to keep up with you.”
He liked the thought of that, the two of them feeding each other’s desires. “Good.”
He moved between her legs. His cock fell heavy and hungry against her clit. He watched closely, looking for distaste. Instead, he felt the bolt of pure lust that went through her. With small pulses, he made love to her center, letting her juices ease the friction, increasing the pressure gradually until her heels dug into the mattress and she arched up. “Daire, please. I need you.”
He needed her, too. Needed his cock in her body, needed to feel her pussy clasp him hard as his aching balls gave her what they both needed. An end to the uncertainty.
Tucking his cock along her clit, he rubbed it back and forth as he ordered, “Put your arm around me, Teri.”
As soon as she did, he pulled back, letting his cock slide down the slick channel until it tucked into the well of her vagina. So hot, so wet. He wasn’t going to last long. Replacing his cock with his thumb, he rubbed her clit in slow circles as his cock pressed in, parting her tender muscles. He went slowly because she was right—he was big, thick, too, and she wasn’t going to take him easily. She twisted and cried out. He pumped and rubbed. Her muscles gave and his cock slid in. He felt the shock wave go through her as her muscles spread over the head of his cock. Felt the bite of pain with her pleasure. His claws dug into the mattress as the urge to thrust, to claim, welled.
“Easy.”
“You’re so big.”
“And you’re going to enjoy every inch.”
She shook her head. He didn’t know whether it was in denial of his size or her ability to take the pleasure he intended to deliver. In the end, it didn’t matter. He was past the point of stopping. His balls were full, his patience shot. She was his. Only his.
He pushed in. Her pussy clenched around his cock in a velvet fist rippling with the impact on her senses, drawing him further into the maelstrom of her passion.
More. The order, feminine and strong, slid along his desire.
Yes, he needed more. Pulling out, he thrust back in, winning another inch, another cry. The hot sting of Teri’s nails on his back drove him on, thrust after thrust, always deeper, always harder, seeking that perfect point where it would all come together. Teri leaned up and sank her teeth into his shoulder. The pain rode the fine edge of lust, driving deep to his core, and suddenly he was there. Grabbing Teri’s hips, he arched her up, driving into her, grinding his groin against hers until she had all of him, groaning as her climax slammed through her mind, her body. Her channel milked his cock, taking his seed from him in a mind-blowing explosion that left him mentally limp, but physically ready to go again.
Pumping slowly, Daire dragged out both their pleasure, kissing her eyes, her nose, her chin and finally her mouth before asking, “Think you might want to stay?”
Her right eyelid cracked open. He could see the glitter of her iris behind. God, she was beautiful with her swollen lips and passion-heavy eyes.
“Maybe.”
“Damn, woman, what’s it going to take to convince you?”
“A repeat performance?”
Peace flowed over him. “I can probably manage that.”
Her other eye opened. Tenderness infused her expression. “Maybe more than one.”
“You’ve got me confused with Superman.”
Her hands cupped his cheeks as her thumbs stroked over the ridge of his cheekbones. “Then I guess you’ll have to work up your stamina.”
“How long are you giving me?”
“How about the next sixty years?” Her calf slid up his thigh. “We’ll renegotiate then.”
“Renegotiate.”
She shrugged. “If necessary.”
His breath caught in his lungs. “What are you saying?”
Her thumbs tucked into the corner of his mouth in an imitation of the pre-kiss caress he’d given her. “You want me to spell it out?”
He turned his head, catching her thumb between his teeth. Yes, he did. This was too important to leave to chance. “Yes.”
Her fingers pressed into the back of his neck, pulling his mouth to hers, his heart to hers. For the rest of his life he’d remember how she looked in that moment as she put her mark on his soul with four little words.
“I’ve made my choice.”
Curran
One
HE was out there.
The superhuman someone that had cut through her evasive tactics with the smooth slide of a hot knife through butter. The someone that had dogged their footsteps with tireless determination. The someone who chased them, defended them, wouldn’t give up on them.
Rachel grabbed Josiah and shoved him behind the boxes in the corner of the small storeroom in which they were hiding. It was a dead end, nowhere to hide. He never would have found her if she hadn’t overslept. But she was so tired and her dreams were so vivid, portraying the inevitability of this moment in staccato bursts of events, not telling her if it was good or bad, not letting her see the ending, just telling her he was coming.
Rachel glanced at the door, feeling the stranger’s energy as tangible as any touch. He knew they were there. He was playing with them. A devilish game of cat and mouse. She slipped into the small space behind the boxes.
Wild Instinct Page 20