by Tigris Eden
His other hand reached down to cup her sex and she arched off the bed with a loud cry. Damn, she was right freaking there! He sank a finger into her soaked folds. In and out, he fingered her until she was clenching, grabbing his finger for dear life.
“Gods woman, you’re so wet.”
“Hmm.” She was incoherent and had been reduced to sounds instead of words.
He started an erratic pace as he finger fucked her. She was starved for his attention, needed it. He took her mouth in a soul-searching kiss; as if he tried to get inside her. Like he wanted into her body, her heart. She could feel it on a visceral level. Draven didn’t want to merely pass by, he wanted to walk around in her, put his mark on her; embed himself sub-consciously into her soul. Damn, she couldn’t let him in, needed to keep this physical, not mental. But then her thoughts scrambled when his finger hit her sensitive spot. She bucked wildly beneath him, cried out with such longing, the force of it would have brought the walls down had they been made of less sturdy material.
“Oh, God!”
“Next time, it will be my name you call out Jesminda. Mine.”
# # #
Draven dragged a finger through her moist folds and groaned. The sweetest smell drifted out to settle in his nose. Her lips were soaked and glistened with her cream. She was tight, and he knew her grip would be the sweetest agony. She was flushed from her orgasm, her heat permeating the air with the tangy, musky scent of her need.
“Look at me,” he demanded.
Honey gold eyes slowly appeared. They were slumberous and dazed.
“I want you to watch me take you…I want you to know who’s taking you, Jes,” he whispered.
“I know…you,” she moaned.
“Do you?” he asked as he rose above her relaxed form, positioning the blunt head of his cock at her opening.
He’d dreamt of this, this woman. Night after night, he’d woken up drenched in his sweat, panting, needing release. Whether it was to be released from her haunting beauty or to release his seed into her waiting heat, he didn’t care. What was happening right now would not be undone. Slowly he eased inside her welcoming folds, watched as her lips parted to welcome him. So tight, so hot. He grit his teeth, trying to stop himself from slamming forward. Her gaze scalded him, melted him further into heated bliss. So many nights he’d wanted nothing but her. Nothing but this.
“Gods, you’re so fucking tight. I’ve missed this, missed it so fucking much.”
Draven leaned forward, pressing her into the mattress. He needed more leverage, wanted her to take all of him; not just his body, but also the man, the wolf, and his seed. He wanted to mark her as his own. As if she sensed he was on edge, she stilled him with her touch. Rubbed his face with her cheek and brought his lips to hers in a soft whisper of a kiss.
“Take your time…I’m not going anywhere, and neither are you.” Her voice was so sincere; his heart beat faster in anticipation. She kissed his brow and playfully traced the outer edges of his face with her mouth. Her pliant body writhed beneath him, allowing him to sink deeper into her softness. Small tremors ran up and down his body in preparation for what would come. The walls of her pussy grabbed him in a death grip, and he shuddered. She was heaven and hell. She took him higher than any bird could soar while dragging him down to the fiery pits of hell at the same time. A perfect combination of grace and rapture. She was everything, the only thing he needed and so much more. There were no words. He eased back and pushed forward, going as deep as he could. She melted further into the mattress as he set a slow, steady pace. He needed to build her up and crash down with her; it was the only way to go. The feeling of being buried in her softness had his skin crawling with need as his animal side fought for control. He grabbed the sheets beside her head in a death grip as his claws sharpened, scoring the mattress. He wasn’t going to lose control; he needed to keep his beast locked down. She went wild beneath him as he picked up the pace. She was biting his shoulder and gripping his hair. He welcomed the pain, would wear her marks proudly. She was pulling him further and further under her spell.
Draven willed his claws to retract as he eased his arms under Jes, lifting her to him. He hugged her tightly, trying to calm the storm as his animal emerged, wanting in on the action. He rolled them over so she was on top, giving control over to her. This way, his beast could let her have free rein, be just as amazed as he was. She was unraveling him, calling to his wolf. It wanted out, and it wanted to claim her, mark her with his scent, his seed. He closed his eyes for a moment, trying to calm himself down. When he opened them again, Jes wore a look of satisfaction on her face.
She looked like a siren as she rose above him, hands planted firmly on his chest, a contented look blanketing her expression. Her cheeks were heated with a plum flush, her lips swollen from his rough kisses. She eased up slowly on his cock, all the way to the tip and then pushed down with such force they both let out a ragged moan. Knocked down was the only way to describe the feeling as she did this to him again and again. She was trying to pull his seed from him. Not without her, he thought. They would go over together, to the moon and back. She could milk him for everything he’d stored up, just for her.
Draven reached up and pulled Jes to his chest, holding her tightly as he tunneled up into the heat of her body. They both struggled for dominance, but he wasn’t going to let her get the upper hand, she was coming with him and that was that. One hand slid into her hair and the other grabbed her hip in a bruising force. He moved up and pushed her down, grinding his pelvic bone into her clit with every thrust. She grasped and clawed at his shoulders, tearing a wounded sound from his lips. His clawed hand dug into her side and he knew it had to be painful. He’d only have to draw her blood once and it would cement her to him forever. This could be that time, would be if she were willing. But she wasn’t ready, and he wouldn’t take it from her. Yet. He could only tolerate so much before his animal instincts took over. His wolf would demand the mate he was promised.
Her hoarse cry of his name and the clamping of her inner walls signaled her release as she held on to him. There was no stopping the river of fire as it raced from his balls into his cock, filling her up. He couldn’t stop thrusting. He tried, but his animal side had taken over, and the head of his cock swelled inside, releasing more of his seed. She was wringing every drop from both man and beast. Fuck, it felt good. Glorious. Glorious? He didn’t have time to dwell on his unmanly use of frilly, frou-frou words. He was with his woman, which was good enough for him. Sweat soaked bodies cooled from the air in the room and tremors shook them both. He still held her as his other hand reached for the blanket and pulled it over them. This is what he had to look forward to. This stuff right here.
“I told you you’d say my name,” he whispered into her shoulder, gently grazing her with his teeth.
“Shut up and let me sleep. I’m beat.”
Draven’s laugh filled the quiet of the room as he pulled her tighter and they drifted off into a peaceful sleep.
13
A day and a half later, they were pulling up the drive to Jesminda’s friend’s house. The journey had been quiet and strained. Their shared night in the motel hadn’t been discussed, and it didn’t look like it ever was going to be. She’d drawn into herself and remained in the back seat the entire duration of the trip. Did she regret what had happened between them? Draven wanted to talk things out, tell her everything was going to be all right. He knew she was embarrassed by her actions. That was the only thing that could explain her behavior. He hadn’t hurt her, and thought she would have stopped him if he had. There were things that needed to be said, things that still needed to be done. The strings of his wolf imprinting pulled him closer and closer to the edge. There were still items on his plate with his ex, things that needed to be resolved. He and Melissa weren’t together, but she deserved to have the details of why their relationship wasn’t going to work laid out for her. It wasn’t just because Jesminda was in the picture. She was part of it
, of course, but the bigger part of it was that he felt complete in Jes’s presence. There was nothing lacking in his life when Jes was around. He’d imprinted, and there was no hope for him and Melissa, ever.
He’d never expected his wolf to imprint on a female. Mate, yes. Imprint? No. But it had happened. Maybe because his wolf had started to bond with her all those years back. However, because the coupling was so brief, it didn’t have time to take hold. He had been so sure it was nothing, their time together. But now, as he thought back to that night in the jungle, he realized maybe he’d known all along. He’d just been too stubborn to admit she was his. Now there was the situation with her child, too. He didn’t really want to have pups. Not this soon in the game. It would make his mother and father happy. They’d wanted him settled and tied to a house full of babies. Even if he sired a child with a human, he knew his mother would be over the moon. He’d wanted to wait until he wasn’t taking dangerous assignments any longer. It wouldn’t be fair to his mate or their child. Now he’d have to talk to Dravaggio once this was over. See about a desk job. Maybe Gabe could switch roles with him. He would explain to Jes that although the little girl wasn’t his biologically, she would be his in every other way possible. Draven pulled the keys out of the ignition, and Royce, who’d been surprisingly quiet, got out of the car first.
“Let me check this out. Then bring her in,” he said.
Draven nodded and turned to the back seat to stare at Jes. She had her hands in her pockets and looked out the window, trying to catch a glimpse of Royce.
“Hey,” he patted her knee and she looked up and smiled at him, it wasn’t a fake smile, but it wasn’t warm and inviting either. It was hesitant. She didn’t know what to say and neither did he. It’s not over between us. She wouldn’t want to hear that at the moment. Didn’t want her to think she was next choice beef on the list, that wasn’t the case at all. She was everything and so much more. She was the air that allowed him to breathe. She was a fire in his blood. A bold, strong flavor he’d never want to be without. Words were hard to come by, but that would have to suffice for now. It wasn’t like he was Shakespeare and shit.
“We need to talk after this trip is over.”
She nodded her head in agreement; she didn’t fight, she didn’t argue, truly a first for them. A loud crash sounded in the dark and Royce was cursing. They both rushed from the car at the same time to see a tall, statuesque woman with violet eyes standing over a fallen Royce.
Draven held his stomach in and laughed. Served him right.
“Who the fuck are you?” It was Bells, Jes’s friend from the beach. She’d known who and what Draven was from the first time she’d seen him. He knew she was immortal, as well, he just didn’t know what kind. He couldn’t get a read on her, and he could read most anyone who gave off the right scent. Hers was something he’d never smelled before.
“Damn, did you have to hit me in the face, it’s my best feature!” Royce stood and wiped the blood from his mouth. Blue blood, Draven still couldn’t get over that. No one else seemed to notice because his friend was quick enough to catch it with his tongue.
Jesminda and the woman locked eyes and ran to embrace each other.
“How’s Faith?”
“Fine, she’s asleep in the bedroom. I heard the noise and came out to see el stupido coming through the front door.” She glanced over at Royce. “Boy, you are all kinds of dumb.”
Royce grunted as they entered Bells’ home.
“Bells, I would like you to meet Agent Draven Stone. He’s the gentleman I was with five years ago in Belize, and this is Agent Royce Zarides. They are the men who escorted me from The Shadow Unit. Sorry we frightened you.” Her introduction was choppy, and he could sense her nervousness. They’d reached her daughter; maybe she was worried now that the child would be traveling back with them.
“Shit, I wasn’t scared girl, you know me.” Bells graced them with a no nonsense grin. “I got this on lock. You know we do it gangsta around here. I’m going to make us all some tea. Make yourselves comfortable… not at home, but comfortable. Act like you have some home training.” Bells glared at Draven and Royce. Royce leaned forward and whispered in Draven’s ear,
“Dude, I’m so getting her back for that punch. Enjoy the show.” His grin was mischievous, and Draven could only guess at what he had planned.
Jesminda excused herself to the bathroom and went to wash up. When she came back, she had on a black tank top and dark blue jeans with sneakers. Her friend came out from the kitchen with a tray of tea and some toasted bread. She eyed Draven briefly and sniffed in his friend’s direction. Royce flashed his best grin and she snorted, not even giving his friend the time of day. This, of course, stabbed Royce in the stomach on a molecular level. Royce stood and attempted to help her with the tray. He was by no means a gentleman. He was an arrogant bastard, the ultimate lady’s man as Draven and the others liked to call him. His ego was inflated on a galactic level. Seriously, it could wrap around the entire galaxy at least a million times and there’d still be some left over.
“I got this, fool.”
Royce bowed low. “My apologies.” He tilted his head to the side and Draven could see the mischievous intent in his eye. Jes had returned in time to see Royce at his best, or at his worst, as it would be. Bells wasn’t interested in him in the slightest. Draven watched as Jes sat on the couch across from them. He didn’t want the distance. He wanted her right next to him, skin-to-skin. Let her breathe.
Royce cleared his throat. “Okay, Bells, I just need to say something to you. If you don’t like it, you can just give it back but I am going to lay it on you.”
Draven covered his face with his hands and groaned. Was his friend really going to do it? He sat forward, waiting for Bells to say something. This was going to be good. Really good. Or… really bad.
“Well, get on with it,” Bells sighed.
“I am not as stupid as I look, dear lady. I’ll have you know I have an extensive library with mahogany wood and leather bound books that will have your head spinning in delight. Furthermore, and pay attention as this is most important, I know you want me. I can feel it in my bones.” He bowed his head, looked up with a sincere expression. “I wanna be on you.”
The room was silent, and Bells’ face held no emotion or expression. For a minute, Draven thought she was going to melt right there in her chair, most women did when it came to Royce. She did the complete opposite. She and Jesminda were both so distracted by his Ron Burgundy speech, which, of course, Royce added his own flare to, that neither of them saw him nick his palm with his pinky and drip a drop of his orgasmic blood into Bells’ teacup. A few more seconds, and the ladies looked between each other and died of laughter. Bells was laughing so hard Draven thought she was going to die.
“He’s got jokes,” she giggled to Jesminda, taking a deep breath.
“Apparently. I had no idea you had such a sense of humor, Royce, it’s cute.”
“Laugh all you want ladies, but I got all the game; my moves are solid. Ladies love me. In fact, they beg me for attention. Besides, my moves are impeccable. All women cream in my presence.”
Bells huffed, rolled her eyes, and cracked a smile. There it went, the smile that all ladies gave Royce. Draven almost felt bad for her. Almost. He watched as Bells poured the tea in each cup and handed out napkins. Royce sat up straighter and held his cup mid sip while watching Bells over the rim. She took a sip and sighed into her cup. She looked at it a couple of times and sat it down. Draven thought that maybe because it was diluted with the tea it would take a while to take effect. And so he and Royce watched and waited.
# # #
Jes looked over at the two men who were staring seriously at Bells. It was like they were waiting for something. What were those two up to? She looked over at her friend who was drinking her tea and thought, what if they knew what she was? Royce looked her over sharply and bowed his head. He was trying to figure Bells out, but why? Her friend got up an
d walked over to the sink. She followed.
“How’s Faith?”
“I thought I told you she was fast asleep,” Bells looked her over worriedly. “You sure you’re okay, honey? Did these two Neanderthals do something to you? I will fucking wipe their asses out. Swear to the heavens.”
“No, I’m fine. Really.” Bells would definitely try if she had the slightest inkling Jes was lying. There were far more pressing matters that needed Jes’s attention. First and foremost, Draven was about to meet his daughter.
“Can’t believe you brought Faith’s father here, does he even know?” Bells mouthed the words. The men in the living room would be able to hear it clear as day if she had spoken.
Jes shook her head no. Royce had already read her mind, knew what Belinda was, knew everything. Her friend needed to know big mouth could read minds. She popped her head around the corner of the kitchen wall and both men had their heads together, speaking quietly. They were too engrained in their own conversation to be worried about her and Bells.
“Royce is a mind reader.”
“I figured one of them would be. The Unit doesn’t think the immortal community knows everything about them, but my mother pays good money to be kept in the know. So I knew they’d send someone that was sensitive in the mind reading department or an Empath. Don’t worry, I got my game face on, chica,” her friend mouthed. When they’d made it back to the living room, Royce stood abruptly and headed for the door. Before he reached for the handle, he looked over his shoulder in confusion and dread. Bells grinned and gave him a pinky wave. Royce always smiled, threw out snarky comebacks, something. Instead, he said he was going to check the perimeter of the house and if anyone needed him to call. The door slammed shut behind him as he left, and Bells looked between Jes and Draven then politely excused herself to the bathroom.
“We need to talk, Draven,” Jesminda hesitantly whispered.
She watched as he adjusted his watch and patted the place beside him on the couch. She didn’t know if being next to him was a good thing or not. He confused her on all levels - emotionally, physically, and mentally. As she sat down, there was a small squeak over in the corner and then a very sleepy, very happy little girl was running and jumping into her lap, almost stumbling. Perfect. The conversation she needed to have now sat sleepy and soft in her lap. Draven hadn’t said a thing, wasn’t even looking at the little girl. His nostrils flared and his expression was blank. His hands were fisted so tightly his knuckles were white. He took another series of breaths and seemed to calm himself. She wasn’t prepared to have this conversation in front of her daughter, but Faith had other plans.