An Heiress For The Bear (Sarkozy Brothers 2)

by Meredith Clarke

  Kat laughed and hated that she began to flush. She never took compliments well, especially since most of her life, people had told her how good she looked, often when it wasn't warranted. She'd ended up never believing them. Mostly because they either said it because they were paid to, or because they wanted something from her.

  Someone came to stand beside her, and when she looked up, she had to smile at the sight of Lukas, his midnight dark tux stretched solid across his wide shoulders.

  Damn, he looks good.

  "I'd like to have a word with you alone, if that's okay?" His request was kind and gave her an out if she wanted it. She didn't.

  She nodded and gave Sam a farewell smile as she accompanied Lukas through the now-crowded room. He led her to a set of drapes that hid a pair of patio doors. She raised her eyebrows as he opened a door for her. "Mr. Sarkozy, abandoning your party already?"

  He let out a rumbling laugh and guided her outside with a hand on her lower back. The touch sizzled through her, and she wanted to stop and throw her arms around him, but she didn't. Lukas led her along the patio toward the stone balustrade. The light from the room shone in a long strip along the slate tiles, but Lukas took her to the edge of the balcony, a foot away from the light.

  He came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist. "You look incredible."

  "You're not so bad yourself." She grinned and leaned back, and his hands closed over her breasts. She let out a groan when he squeezed then released. She giggled. "You'd better stop. Someone will come."

  "Even if they come they won't see a thing. I have excellent hearing."

  She snorted then sucked in a breath as he drifted one hand across her stomach, gliding it lower until he cupped her between her legs, the thick fabric of the dress hindering him a great deal, much to Kat's frustration. She thrust against his hand, wanting more.

  And Lukas began grabbing handfuls of the fabric, murmuring something about Kat and her long skirts. He lifted them up, sliding his hand up her leg and gripping her thigh tightly, eliciting a husky moan from Kat when his fingers curled toward her core.

  Lukas gripped her thigh hard, but the pressure felt intense and glorious. He moved his hand away from her breast and she felt bereft. But then she gasped as he shifted his direction and slid his hand down the front of the dress, closing over her right breast. Skin against skin created a blazing heat that made her press herself to him.

  He was driving her insane.

  Beneath the dress, his fingers closed over her core. Pushing aside the flimsy lace of her thong, he thrust his fingers into her heated warmth, sliding along her slick folds, back and forth. His thumb circled her clit while his fingers pressed against her entrance.

  "Lukas." Her whispered voice was filled with frustration as she bucked her hips against his teasing fingers. When he slid two fingers inside her, she let out a soft cry.

  He stilled his movement. "Be silent, or I'll have to stop."

  "You're cruel," she whispered.

  He laughed against her back, the rumble of sound vibrating through her body.

  "I'm silent," she said, urging him to continue.

  And he did.

  He moved his fingers deep before withdrawing, then plunging inside again. When he introduced another finger, she leaned back against his chest and raised her hips. "What are you doing to me?" she whispered.

  "I'm making you mine."

  Her explosion was close, so close. "I already am," she cried softly as he moved faster, slamming his fingers deep inside her, his thumb still brushing against her sensitive nub.

  She felt her body tense, felt herself tighten around his fingers. With one last thrust, he brought her to the edge and threw her off the cliff into delicious ecstasy.

  He held her tight as she shuddered through the waves, his fingers not moving from within her. She shifted as reality slowly sank into her awareness, and when Lukas's fingers tightened between her legs, she knew they weren't alone.

  "Lukas. It's time we attended to our guests." Alana's cool voice pulled Kat from her delicious moment back into reality. But even as she pulled away from Lukas's hold, he followed and slid his fingers along her slick lips. She was wet again, just the mere touch of him making her ready.

  "I'll be there in a minute," Lukas said as he circled Kat's clit again, his movements hard and hot.

  Kat bit down on her lips to keep from crying out.

  Alana clicked her tongue. "Lukas--"

  "I'm in the middle of a discussion with Kat regarding our donor," he said as he moved his fingers along her length, then slid inside her again. "I'll be in as soon as we're done."

  Kat arched her hips against his fingers. Was this going to happen again, even with the ice queen standing a few feet from them?

  Lukas withdrew his fingers, then plunged inside again. Kat began to shudder.

  Okay, so maybe he is going to make me come again.

  As Alana's heels tapped against the tiles and she went back inside, Lukas shifted around Kat, his fingers moving briefly from her core as he sank down in front of her. Lifting her skirts, he closed his mouth over her clit, sucking hard, then slid his tongue deep inside her.

  His mouth did things to her that made her want to scream out loud, that made her knees want to fall away beneath her, but all she did was slide her fingers into his hand and hold him close as he drove her over the edge a second time.

  She was gasping, her legs feeling like jello as he gripped her waist, preventing her from falling to the ground.

  Lukas was grinning as he got to his feet and let her dress fall back into place.

  "You are a dangerous man, Mr. Sarkozy." Kat smiled.

  26. LUKAS

  KAT HAD NO IDEA HOW dangerous he was.

  Lukas walked to the podium and addressed his guests in a blur, speaking automatically while he turned his feelings for Kat over and over in his head.

  It was too late. He'd fallen for her, and his bear had been right all along. He'd had little choice in the matter too. Not that he minded, because she was perfect for him.

  Now, the only thing that he had to do was to tell her the truth about himself and see if she could live with it.

  The evening drew to a close, and the firm scored four more donors, which gave Lukas some comfort in knowing that even if Mr. Anonymous turned out to be a creep, they could still manage without his money.

  As the guests left in pairs, Lukas's phone rang.

  When Dominik's name flashed onto the screen of his phone, he expected to hear an update regarding the dive for the Relic. Alana walked toward him, and he pointed a finger at the door to the study.

  Instead of leaving him alone, she seemed to think he was calling her to join him, but he was forced to answer the call as he entered the study. Thankfully, he'd taken the call in the privacy of the small room.

  Dominik's voice was harsh over the line. "They took Marko." He didn't waste time with the preliminaries, just launched into a detailed description of the Legion's abduction of Marko Sarkozy from his offices in New York. Marko was well-known for his supremely successful jewelry design company, and his disappearance would make waves unless they kept it under wraps.

  "I'll let Marek know." Lukas rang off, and sat back for a moment.

  "What's wrong?" Alana stepped toward the desk, and he was startled for a moment. He'd forgotten she was there, but it was for the best.

  "It's Marko." When Alana's face whitened, Lukas realized she wouldn't take it well. She and his cousin Marko had grown up together, their fathers close even as first cousins. He waited until she sat down before explaining.

  He left Alana to cry softly and made the call to Marek. "They've got Marko," was all he said. He gave Marek a brief description, unsurprised to hear the dead tone of his brother's voice.

  Marek grunted. "We go to ground. Tell everyone." He let out a deep sigh. "Until we have a good strategy for protection, we can't take any risks."

  Lukas agreed and rang off, his spine tense as he cut
the call and dealt with Alana. For once, she wasn't vocal when told to go up to her room and rest.

  With Marko's disappearance on his mind, he'd driven everyone home, dropping them all off at the office. Alana had taken off, her face white, her expression strained.

  Sam had disappeared too, and now he watched Kat as she sorted through papers on her desk.

  "Are you sure I can't drop you off?"

  She smiled and threw her bag over her shoulder as she hurried over to him. He was sitting on his desk, and when she stopped between his legs they were eye-level with each other.

  "Thank you, but I can manage."

  She was turning to leave when he grabbed her hand. "Kat, I... There is something I need to tell you. It's about me. Something you need to know about me." She turned back and stared at him, a question in her gaze. "We... this," he waved a hand between them, "It's everything I've ever wanted. But I have to be fair to you. You need to know what you're getting into with me."

  She laughed and put a finger to his chin. "You mean as a Sarkozy man? You are trouble. I know that already." Her eyes were shining as she studied his face.

  But he grabbed her finger and drew her hand to his lips. "This is much more than being a Sarkozy."

  She touched the side of his face with her other hand. "Then tell me. You can tell me anything, Lukas."

  He cleared his throat, fear ripping him apart as he wondered if she'd end up being wrong. "I've told you about the Sarkozy family, how our genes have given us the curse of a dying line. But there is more to us than just a dying breed."

  "Is this about you being gypsy? I read that in the company profile."

  Lukas shook his head and took a breath, and Kat smiled and waited. She was being incredibly patient with him, letting him take his time. He saw concern in her eyes, but he saw strength, too. Maybe this wouldn't turn out as bad as he suspected.

  "Two hundred years ago, a Sarkozy man betrayed his lover. He'd promised to marry her, when in reality, he'd been betrothed to someone else. She found out and put a curse on him and all his descendants. That every generation shall decrease in number until none are left. She cursed the Sarkozy seed because her lover had lied to her. She'd accepted his species but his betrothal drove her over the edge."

  "Species?" Kat laughed, her tone a little uncertain. "You aren't going to tell me you're a Carpathian vampire now, are you?"

  Lukas laughed. "No. But it comes a pretty close second."

  Kat paled, and she scowled. "Lukas." Her tone held a note of warning that Lukas heeded.

  "For thousands of years, my forefathers have lived hidden from the rest of the world. Not many people know we exist." He paused and sucked in a harsh breath. "Kat, I'm a bear shifter."

  Kat's eyes widened, and she laughed. "Gosh, you almost had me worried, Lukas." She was laughing, but Lukas tightened his grip on her fingers.

  "I'm serious, Kat." She stopped laughing. "Our line is dying, which is why I am never concerned about getting a woman pregnant, but I owe you the truth about who I am."

  "Bear shifter?" Kat asked, shaking her head as she tugged her fingers free from his grasp and stepped away from him. He felt the distance between them grow, even when they were still only mere inches apart.

  Lukas nodded. "We shift on occasion when the bear needs release, but mostly, we remain in human form and live within human society. Few people know what we really are, and we prefer to keep it that way."

  "Lukas. Why are you telling me such things?"

  Lukas took a step toward her but she stumbled back. "Kat, please listen to me. We mate for life. Our bears choose with us who will be our mates, and once we're mated, we remain so until we die. If you want a life with me, you will have it. I will never leave you. I will forever be devoted to you. You are my mate, Kat, and I owe you the truth. I can't lie to you. Not now, not ever."

  Kat stiffened, her pale eyes going dark. She was shaking her head, stepping back across the threshold of his office. "This doesn't make any sense, Lukas." Then she stiffened. "That's why you looked all strange when I called you a big bear."

  She narrowed her eyes.

  "And your shower? It's freaking huge." He nodded. "The noise I heard when I came to your apartment..."

  He frowned. "You heard me?"

  "That's why I came to investigate. It sounded like a wounded animal." Kat's eyes were wide. "Is this the reason Carson left Marek?"

  Lukas shrugged, averting his eyes for a few seconds. "I can't say. Marek hasn't spoken of why she left." He gave her an apologetic smile.

  "It must be. That's why she looked so strange when we were talking about--" Kat's eyes widened.

  "About what?"

  "Ursus Major." Kat laughed coldly. "And I was rattling on, explaining constellations and crap while the poor woman's heart was breaking."

  Lukas shook his head sadly. "Kat, all I know is Marek loves Carson, and he is hurting too. I hope they sort things out soon, because the man's like a great big hulking bear with a thorn in his paw." Then Lukas sighed. "And things have just progressed to a dangerous level with our family. I should be telling you to run, because even being with me can endanger your life."

  Kat was watching him, her expression wary now, and he saw that she probably believed they were destined to end things the same way that Marek and Carson had.

  Lukas walked to stand in front of Kat, taking hold of her shoulders. When she didn't flinch, he let out a relieved breath. "Please, tell me what you're thinking."

  Kat opened her mouth, then closed it again. "I need time to think about this."

  "Of course," said Lukas. He hadn't expected her to even take the opportunity to think about it.

  Then she took a step back, turned, and left the office, her red gown swishing as she hurried to the elevator and punched the button.

  Lukas sighed.

  And the lady in red ran from the bear.

  27. KAT

  KAT HURRIED OUT OF THE building, pushing the glass doors open as she ran for the steps. She had to get to her car, and it was much later than she usually walked the streets. She'd always been nervous in the dark, and now the sound of breathing at her back made her move faster.

  A hand flew around her waist, and Kat screamed, fright drawing the sound from her throat. Her attacker didn't seem to care; he just gripped her tighter and spoke into her ear. "Where is she?"

  Kat kicked her legs, frantic now as he slid his hand around her throat and began to squeeze. His breath stank of cigars, and he reeked of expensive cologne.

  "What do you want?"

  "Where is she? Tell me."

  "I don't know what you mean," Kat spoke, choking on the words.

  "Maria Hernandez." The man growled the words in her ear, and she flinched as his breath clouded over her cheek. "If you don't have her back home to her husband by tomorrow morning, you will be sorry."

  "I have no idea what you're talking about," Kat croaked, scraping at the fingers at her throat.

  The man shouted, "If you want games, I can play. Maybe this will make you remember." He let go of her neck, and she was so relieved, she realized too late what he'd intended.

  He slammed a fist into the base of her spine and sent her flying off the top stair. Kat tumbled over, hit her head, and felt her skull slam into the edge of a step. There were twenty steps on this level. Kat couldn't help recalling the number, and some part of her brain registered that a fall down twenty steps would be painful.

  But Kat was in shock, and pain didn't register.

  She landed in a heap at the foot of the stairs, choking as she struggled to breathe, her throat swollen and constricted. Her skirt had ripped from the seam at her side and she lay on her back, stunned, unable to stop him as he sank beside her.

  But he wasn't interested in her body. His black eyes gleamed as he stared at her.

  "You have until morning, bitch. Then I'll be back for you and--"

  He didn't finish the sentence.

  Something slammed into his side, a hulk o
f a man, who grabbed the assailant by the throat and lifted him off the ground. "Don't you ever touch her again." The words were growled, feral and filled with fury.

  Kat blinked. He sounded like Lukas, but her profile view obscured his face. And the black claws sprouting from his oddly shaped fingers made her certain this man was not Lukas.

  But the claws... bear claws.

  She barely registered the glint of the barrel of a gun as her assailant produced a weapon or his maniacal grin as he glanced at Kat, standing on trembling legs a few feet from them. His finger was already on the trigger as he aimed the weapon at her, but the large man's claw-tipped hands moved so fast it blurred. When the gun went off, the barrel was pointed at the man's own gut, his eyes wide in shock and fury.

  Her rescuer had twisted the man's hand around and made him shoot himself. His fast thinking had saved Kat's life.

  And for the first time in all her years, Kat almost fainted. She was surprised when warm arms closed around her and she felt herself rise from the ground, as if she was floating.

  When her rescuer headed into the elevator, Kat lifted her head and stared at his face.

  His gold-flecked green eyes gleamed, and Kat gasped.

  She uttered only one word before she finally did faint.

  "Lukas."

  28. LUKAS

  LUKAS LAY KAT ON THE bed, unable to hide the quaking of his hands. Marek touched his shoulder, drawing him out of the room as a woman with dark, curly hair slid between them to enter the room.

  "Carson will take care of her."

  Marek led Lukas to the private lounge and poured him a brandy. Lukas wanted to tell Marek that he though Carson was a knockout and that his brother was a very lucky guy. He wanted to say congratulations because he knew well enough the scent of a woman carrying a bear shifter's baby.

  But no words left his mouth as he downed the drink and set the crystal glass back onto the coffee table a little too hard.

  "She's fine, Lukas. She's not hurt. From what Carson said, Kat is a tough girl."