Skin Walkers: Monroe

by Bliler, Susan

  “You want something from me, Eden. Take it.”

  Her cheeks burned brighter. “I was just thinking,” she began but he cut her off abruptly.

  “Stop.” His hand on her throat lifted an inch forcing her head up and her eyes to meet his. “Don’t tell me what you want. Show me!”

  She turned her head to eye the gate. It was solid and no one could see in or over the too tall walls.

  “It’s locked,” he answered her unasked question. “We’re alone and won’t be disturbed.”

  Turning back to him she noted that his eyes had darkened. She watched him inhale deeply and his chest rumbled.

  Eden slowly stepped back and lifted trembling fingers to the buttons of her blouse. Her eyes didn’t leave his as she unfastened each button in slow succession until she shrugged out of the garment letting it drop to the ground.

  Monroe’s eyes dipped to her breasts encased in a see-through, black, lace, bra. His eyes were smoldering and under his scrutiny she swore her breasts grew swollen, heavy, even as the tips peaked in anticipation.

  She toed off her black flats and unbuttoned her jeans before sliding them over lean hips and down her legs. Stepping out of them she was glad she opted for sexy undergarments today.

  Standing in only her matching black lace bra and panties she reached up and unknotted Monroe’s tie before sliding it from around his neck. She held it up and frowned.

  “What?”

  Her lips tweaked, “It’s too nice for me to just toss on the ground.”

  He grabbed the tie from her fingers and dropped it before lifting his hands and fisting both sides of his crisp, white, business shirt then tearing it open. His belt was unbuckled and his slacks pushed down, all while he kept his eyes trained on her. It was almost as if he thought she’d disappear if he looked away.

  “I’m not going anywhere,” she soothed.

  He growled and she smiled.

  When he was naked before her she drank in the sight of him. His body was more than simply toned or well-muscled. His frame was so savagely hewn that it spoke of a primal grace that could only exist with a Walker male. He was the most virile and powerful creature she’d ever seen…and he’s mine! His thick erection, pointing straight at her, had her craving him with a need so strong that it was terrifying.

  His eyes dipped to her bra and panties and he growled low in displeasure. Smiling she challenged, “If you see something you want, take it!”

  His gaze jerked to hers and the glint of danger mixed with desire sent a punch of lust shooting through her. Had she ever wanted a man so badly? Never!

  In the blink of an eye, his arms were wrapped around her. He didn’t bother with the clasp, simply fisted the back of the bra with two hands and jerked it apart before peeling it from her. Her panties were ripped from her even more quickly and when his warm, soft, skin rubbed against hers in the glorious sunlight in the center of her secret garden she knew how the original Eden must have felt when tempted with sin because wicked sin with Monroe was consuming her thoughts. She wanted him inside her so badly that her sex wept in eager anticipation. Her nipples rubbed against his chest and she moaned in sweet agony. When his mouth found the curve of her neck and licked before sucking on her flesh she nearly came.

  Bending, Monroe scooped her up and then dropped to a knee, placing her on the soft grass as his lips trailed up her neck to capture her lips where he suckled and nibbled before pulling back. He growled. It was a sound so deep, so low, so primitive that Eden knew he was too far gone to even formulate words.

  His eyes held hers as he used a knee to spread her legs wide and settled between them. She felt the hard nudge of his cock probing her and she tilted her hips to grant him better access but he had other ideas.

  Two hands cupped her breasts as he eased down her body. There was no trail of kisses, no sensual preamble. One moment he was staring at her with heated desire and the next his tongue was sliding into her pussy as fingers clamped onto her nipples sending shooting sensations of ecstasy to her clit.

  Eden knew there was no way in hell she would last very long. Monroe feasted on her. Devouring her cunt like the ripest summer peach as she lay spread bare in the grass with the spring sun kissing her skin. His fingers rolled her nipples while his tongue laved at her weeping entrance before inching up to lap at the pearl of her clit.

  The vibrations his sudden growling caused had Eden writhing in the grass. Her hips jerked, needing to push closer to the source of her greatest pleasure. Long hair flowing around her shoulders, she bucked her hips repeatedly, riding Monroe’s face like a twenty-first century Lady Godiva in naked splendor, out in the open, for all the world to see.

  She felt shudders coursing through her and knew her orgasm was imminent. She pushed her pelvis higher, and nearly cursed aloud when Monroe’s tongue abandoned its task mere seconds before she was about to explode with rapture.

  Opening her mouth to protest, she tunneled her fingers into his hair with the intention of guiding his mouth back where she wanted it when his tongue began thrusting into her pussy. It was hot, wet, bliss!

  Then something happened that Eden couldn’t explain. One minute she was being tongue fucked in heaven and the next she released his hair and her body jerked, both knees bent and her back arched until her hard budded breasts thrust into the air and she screamed! Suddenly it felt like his tongue had grown, lengthened. It pushed deeper inside of her then it ever should have been able to reach and it didn’t just thrust, it swirled. It licked and bathed the inside of her with such completeness that she exploded into convulsive ecstasy.

  Her fists curled into the grass and she could feel it tearing free from the earth as shocks continued to rock her body. Instinctively, her legs tried to slam shut when the orgasm tore through her, but Monroe’s broad shoulders kept her spread wide.

  When her body’s quaking finally began to subside, she felt the long, thick, length of Monroe’s odd tongue sliding out of her with torturous leisure. The friction sent her into another orgasm and she screamed his name, releasing the grass to fist his hair. “Stop baby,” she barely breathed. Sweat glistened her body and her chest was heaving from spent passion. It was too much, she couldn’t take another one.

  His tongue finally free of her, Monroe smiled and kissed her pussy lips farewell before he rose above her to smile down at his angel.

  She expected him to prop her open and fuck her hard to find his own release, but he didn’t. He dropped to her side, pulled her still-shuddering body into his arms, and kissed the top of her head.

  “Mmmm,” she moaned against his chest.

  “I was supposed to be teaching you to take what you want from me, not the other way around.”

  Her voice was still a little breathy. “If you’re still offering, I know what I want.” He’d said it, she had to trust him. She loved him. Forcing back her fear, she waited.

  He pulled back to stare at her with a replete grin. “Name it.”

  Staring up at him, she held his gaze, “What I want is for you to claim me. Mate me fully, Monroe.” Her eyes dipped to his halo, “Bind me.”

  The hand caressing her bare hip stilled and he sobered, “What?”

  She smiled demurely from under sooty lashes. “I love my garden, but when you said you had a gift for me,” she reached up and locked slender fingers around his halo. “I thought it would be this.”

  His expression hardened.

  “Why Monroe? Why haven’t you given it to me?” Delicate brows furrowed, “I know you want me.”

  He was silent so long she didn’t think he’d respond when he finally said, “It feels like a trap.”

  Whatever she’d been expecting him to say, that certainly wasn’t it. Her hand dropped and she recoiled as if she’d been slapped. “What!” Arms crossed over her chest as she sat up and curled her legs trying to hide her sex.

  “Stop,” one large hand gripped her forearm. “That’s not what I meant.” He forced her back beneath him and used his naked bod
y to pin her beneath him.

  Eden refused to meet his gaze.

  “Look at me!”

  She did, not attempting to blink back the tears that flooded her eyes.

  “What I mean is that I couldn’t have ever done anything in this world to deserve you. You’re so pure Eden, so true and I’m…” he sighed wearily. “I’m a merciless bastard. I’ve killed and I’ve done so gladly and I will again. There’s no way in hell a gift like you and those kids could ever be meant for me.” His voice lowered, “I’m fucking terrified. What if I claim you and something happens? What if you’re taken away? What if you leave? What if the kids don’t accept me? I only ever go into situations that are a sure thing, where I know with all certainty that I’ll come out on top.”

  Sincerity shone in her chocolate eyes, “Those are the same risks I take. You could get bored with me, sick of the kids.”

  His eyes flashed dangerously, “Never!”

  She smiled, “Well, you get what I mean. Love is a risk. You just have to decide if…” She looked down, uncertainty flashing in her eyes.

  A strong hand gripped her chin and forced her eyes up, “What?”

  “If,” her voice was so soft it was barely audible, “I’m worth it?”

  His hand slid from her chin and strong fingers clasped the halo at his throat. Pulling it off slowly, Eden’s eyes jerked down to watch as the halo branded his throat a second time.

  “Don’t worry, it only brands the male.” He stopped just short of placing the halo around her neck. “Eden StCloud, will you do me the immense honor of becoming my angel until my life on this earth ends?”

  She swallowed hard and his face blurred when more tears flooded her eyes then slipped free. Her lower lip trembled as she confirmed on a whisper, “Until the end.”

  His lips sealed over hers as the halo clicked in place permanently. Her eyes rounded and she gasped against his lips as her body was sapped of all energy and went lax. Her eyes fluttered closed to the sight of Monroe StoneCrow, her mate, smiling down at her with love misting his eyes.

  Chapter 18

  The next few weeks for Eden were paradise. She and Monroe shared his suite at night and their days were spent with the children in the living quarters that had since been attached to his office suite with a private door. The family’s living quarters now took up nearly the entire third floor of StoneCrow and the kids absolutely loved it. They also loved that they were enrolled in the classes taught by the Skin Walkers on the estate.

  All three of the boys thrived on having classmates and taking up general studies as well as being taught how to hone their Walker gifts. Little Peyton, still too young for school, spent a great deal of time on play dates with Walker women and their young daughters. Eden laughed whenever she saw Peyton being carried around the estate by King. The Chief of Security had all but abandoned his position as Monroe’s personal Sentry to become Peyton’s.

  Micah was following the Sentries around like a star-struck fool, with a particular idolization of RedKnife, who to Eden’s relief, didn’t seem to mind being badgered by her teenager. When Monroe had originally told her that RedKnife didn’t speak often, she’d worried that Micah would provoke his wrath. On the contrary, Cindy KillsPrettyEnemy had assured her. RedKnife was reportedly enjoying the attention and was supposedly harassing Cindy about a son of their own.

  The younger children on the other hand harassed everyone indiscriminately. Peyton spent hours on end with Shy, Leto, and their young Lyon. Shy had jokingly told her that Leto was convinced that Peyton was little Lyon’s angel even though the girl was three years older. The thought was worrisome, but when she’d informed Monroe he’d told her with fatherly authority that no Walker would be claiming his daughter.

  Sitting in his office now, she set aside her magazine to frown at him as he cursed into the phone.

  Typically, while Micah, Cole, and Ransum were in class and Peyton went down for her mid-day nap, Eden spent the lunch hour sharing a light meal with Monroe at the Crow’s Nest or in his office. Today, she’d been waiting for him to finish his business before they could find sustenance.

  When Monroe slammed the phone down and curled his hands into tight fists, emitting a low feral growl, Eden knew something was wrong.

  “What is it?”

  The door behind her opened and King stepped in followed by Bishop and Leto. King’s expression was tense. “Crow?”

  “That was York,” Monroe bit out as Eden turned back to face him. “Seems he’s had some trouble in the Philippines.”

  “What kind of trouble?” Bishop asked.

  Monroe’s eyes locked on Leto. “He’s found Shy’s sister and something else.”

  “Is she safe,” Leto rushed to ask knowing his angel would kill him if he didn’t find out at least that much.

  “She’s safe. She’s not the problem. York’s encountered a new...species! He’s invited their Alpha to accompany him here.” Hard eyes glinted as they narrowed on King. “Prepare the estate and inform the Sentries. Whatever is coming with York isn’t human, it isn’t a Skin Walker, and it sure as hell isn’t Megalya.”

  “What is it?” Eden prompted, suddenly terrified.

  His expression softened when his eyes touched on her. “Don’t be afraid, angel. They call themselves Keepers. They’ll not get near you or our children.”

  “Shifters?” King prompted.

  “No. Something else. Apparently they project a lone spirit animal they refer to as their Soul Sentry. They want to form an alliance.”

  “Alliance? Why on earth would they need an alliance with us?” Bishop asked.

  “It seems the Megalya followed Shy’s sister to Asia. The Keepers were unaware of the existence of Walkers and Megalya. Understandably, they don’t want to chance that once the Megalya learn of their existence that they’ll be left in peace. According to York they’ve only just now revealed themselves, come out as it were. They are more aggressive than Walkers and are still learning to socialize and assimilate with society. To say they’re rough around the edges is an understatement.”

  “When do they arrive,” King questioned.

  Monroe waived a hand dismissively in the air while his eyes darted nervously to Eden then back to the papers that sat on top of his desk. “We’ll discuss the matter later. Right now, there are more pressing issues.”

  Eden watched him warily. Why did she suddenly feel an impending sense of doom? She rose slowly from the buttery softness of the leather sofa that sat in front of Monroe’s desk to face him.

  As if sensing the sudden vibration in the air, King, Leto, and Bishop inched closer to stand beside Monroe’s desk. The CEO never took his eyes from Eden.

  “I found our children’s mothers. They are all human. Most are disinterested in reunion and are willing to sign paperwork terminating their parental rights.” He stalled a moment before forging on, “Peyton’s mother, however, would like to see her.”

  His tone was firm, but the way he dipped his head at the end of the statement indicated to Eden that he was worried about her reaction.

  He should have been.

  Suddenly, it felt like the ground beneath her opened up and she was falling. Her heart constricted painfully, and for long moments she could only stand and stare at Monroe in dazed shock. Finally, she lifted a trembling hand to her chest and asked a breathy, “What?” She was certain she’d misheard. She had to have misheard him! Panic, anger, fear, sadness, and betrayal all bloomed within her and fought for dominance. She was in turmoil and her eyes glassed as tears flooded her eyes.

  “Stop!” He shot out of his chair to lean over his desk. “Angel, I did what I had to do. This isn’t an attack against you. You’re taking it personal when it’s not.”

  “Not personal?” She ground out in incredulity as she fought to slow her breathing. “My children are as personal as it fucking gets! Not personal just means it’s not personal to you!” Her voice cracked at the end as she stared at him accusingly. “You swore you would
n’t do this.”

  “I didn’t swear,” he amended as he slowly rounded his desk. “I said I’d protect you and the children. That’s what I’m doing.”

  “How!” she demanded angrily, forcing down her agony, “How did you find them?”

  He paled slightly. “Jenny ran blood work.”

  “WHEN!”

  “When I discovered you were my mate.”

  “You sneaky fuck!” The words came out on a sob that she tried to control. She’d been betrayed!

  “Eden,” he took a step toward her but she backed up just as quickly. His tone grew angry. “I did nothing wrong!”

  “Are you certain,” her eyes glittered with undisguised fury as it fought to the fore, “because I’m still moved by the whole ‘eat a bullet before every using or lying to you’ thing!”

  Her anger and pain were so great that King, Leto, and Bishop fidgeted nervously, beside Monroe’s desk, wanting to leave the room. Walker men hated the scent of pain and tears, especially those of a woman, child, or angel, and especially when steps could have been taken to avoid causing them.

  “Eden, I…”

  “No!” she held up a shaky hand and then used it to quickly swipe the tears that slipped free. She was so hurt and betrayed that fury came swift and had her trembling with the need to hit something. “You’re not going to explain this away. You’re not going to fucking lie to me!” Her eyes narrowed on him and she crossed the office quickly to poke him in the chest hard as all three of his Sentries took a step back. “You’re going to fix this!”

  He sighed in frustrated resignation. This wasn’t what he’d wanted. He expected her anger, but not to this extent and worse, the scent of her soul wound caused by what she interpreted as betrayal was fucking killing him. “It’ll be done.”

  “No!” she barked again. “You are not going to farm this out to one of the Sentries. You fucked this up. You brought…,” her voice broke and as hard as she was fighting, she nearly lost the fight to push her emotions aside. She wanted to cry. She wanted to scream at him and beg him to undo the pain and betrayal gripping her, but it was too late. The damage was done and no matter what, there would be residual consequences forever.