Elemental Mating

by Milly Taiden

  “Uh, Hamel, I want to apologize for last night.” She held up a finger to stop him from interrupting. “I wasn’t thinking clearly and jumped to conclusions when I accused you of the break-ins and stuff.” He tried to say something again, but she stopped him with a second finger.

  “There were just so many things that seem off with you. And they were off because you weren’t who you said you were, but you weren’t who I thought you were, either. So”—he opened his mouth and she raised another finger—“it wasn’t all my fault, but it’s all right now. And I expect some answers.” She finished and looked at him. When he didn’t move, she said, “You can talk now.”

  He fumbled with words, looked down for a second, then up at her. “What questions do you have? Let’s talk and clean at the same time. You really are a messy person.”

  Her eyes popped wide. “I— This— My—” She wasn’t a messy person. Really.

  He laughed. “I’m playing with you, Melinda.” He brushed his lips lightly over her cheek as he passed. That was several times since last night that he’d touched her. She loved his attention, loved how he looked at her, loved to stare at his ass as it passed by right now. Her fingers itched to squish them beanbags.

  Hamel breathed deeply then stumbled over a bag of rice. She dove forward to catch him. “You okay, Hamel?”

  He slapped his chest, coughing a bit. “Yeah, sorry. Didn’t see the floor. I was distracted for a second.”

  He didn’t see the floor? Distracted by what? She looked around at the disaster that used to be her kitchen. Maybe she could understand his distraction. He probably wondered what in the hell he’d volunteered for.

  Melinda picked up the bag of rice he’d tripped over and asked him to put it on the second shelf of the cabinet. The next few hours flew by. She told him about her childhood and her parents. How she became interested in scientific research, but not about her past love and how he’d betrayed her. She didn’t want to admit to being so naïve and running when things got rough.

  She was afraid he’d see her as a loser. Someone who wasn’t worth spending his time with, and she really wanted his time. And more, as the day wore on. Every move he made rippled his muscles under his shirt and jeans. The way his biceps popped when he lifted something heavy to the way his ass bubbled when he stretched up on his toes. She had to check her chin several times for drool. That would be embarrassing.

  Then when it came time for him to spill about his life, she couldn’t tear her attention away for anything except to breathe. He made her laugh, made her smile. He was fascinating. She wanted to know everything. She wanted to be closer. She was on a slow burn.

  After fixing her balcony doors a while later, he got to his feet and brushed his hands against his pants. “As good as new. Now you can sit in your hammock chair and drink all the wine you want.”

  She cocked her head at him. “How do you know I sit out here and drink wine?”

  He fumbled with words until “You told me” came out. Something was up. This was the same way he’d acted when she talked medical jargon around him at the—

  She never finished the thought as he leaned down and took her lips with his. When he pulled away, she grabbed a handful of his shirt and brought him back to her. She wanted him. He’d been teasing her, flashing his gorgeous body when he knew she was looking. He was doing it all on purpose, and she loved it.

  Now she wasn’t sure what to do to let him know she was interested in more. She was totally great with kissing, but much further than that and she was clueless. Not just clueless, but self-conscious.

  He laid his forehead on hers and smiled. He was so gorgeous with the little crinkles radiating from his eyes and the dimple on his left cheek. “So, how about we call this place good enough and go into town for an early dinner?”

  She couldn’t help her huge smile. He wanted to spend time with her and not run away. “That would be fun.”

  He seemed to relax a bit. “Good. I want to change clothes first. How about I come back in thirty minutes and pick you up. Will that work?”

  Since she was a little-makeup and no-fuss-hair person, thirty minutes worked perfectly. He kissed her again. Damn, he was really good with that tongue! He walked away, leaving her high on life. Then she remembered the danger she’d been in and realized she’d let her emotions overrule her brain and getting the answers she wanted about so many things. Maybe they could talk about those things tonight.

  Later on, she picked a quiet eatery where she taught him about local cuisine and foods. He was surprised he liked so many dishes. Not sure of his palate, she was a bit hesitant to tell him what some of the meats he tried were, but he handled it well. No vomit on her shoes, anyway.

  They walked the local market, talking and asking questions. He spoke the native language flawlessly. Since Uganda had adopted English as one of its national languages, she never really learned anything else. She was impressed with his brain as much as his body.

  Past the market, close to the park, a soccer ball rolled toward them, escaped from the local kids’ game. Not only did he professionally dribble it back, he shared tricks with the young ones. Foot, head, and knee bounces that amazed her.

  As the sun set over the water, he took her hand and walked them along the trail toward a manicured beachfront. This day had been far better than any romance paperback she’d ever read. And it was happening to her. She wanted to cry she was so happy. But she couldn’t let him know that. If he planned on being out of her life by the end of the weekend, she couldn’t expose herself to such vulnerability.

  He pulled her into his arms. “What’s wrong, Melinda?”

  How did he always know when she was feeling down? Was she that easy to read? “I was just thinking I didn’t want this day to end. I’ve had a great time with you.” That was safe to say.

  “It’s over only when you say it’s over. You’re on vacation tomorrow, remember? You can stay up all night and run around with the other drunken party animals starting Halloween tonight.” He wrapped his hands around her waist and tossed her over his shoulder, then took off running toward the trees, imitating some of the younger couples. It was a strange custom, but she laughed the entire time.

  When he set her down, he slid her down his front. She laughed at his boldness. Like she didn’t know what he was doing. She wasn’t that naïve. He backed her against a tree, then brushed a finger down her cheek.

  “You’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen. The first second I saw you, I knew—” He stopped. If the light wasn’t playing with the shadows, she thought he might be blushing.

  “You knew what?” She held his face in her hands.

  He was quiet for a moment before he said, “I knew I’d fall for you.”

  That was it. Game over. Hook, line, and sinker, she was his. She wanted him like no one else. She’d been celibate for two years, and fuck anyone who thought she was crazy for sleeping with a guy she’d known less than a week. She would have him tonight. This sexy stud was hers.

  But she wasn’t telling him yet.

  Chapter Twenty-six

  Melinda handed him a glass of wine, and he wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her to him. On the balcony, the fresh lake air did little to cool his boiling need for her. She teased, touched, and kissed him into a tizzy of want.

  The amazing thing was she wanted him as badly as he wanted her. She’d been so shy and distant that he thought his jaguar’s mate detector could’ve been broken. His animal chuffed at him. Idiot.

  Her nervousness scented the air. His attention was fully on her now. Something was going through her head. He had to figure it out before she backed away from him.

  “Have I told you you’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen?”

  She looked into his eyes, questioning at first, then determination set in. She smiled. “I’d like proof of that. Can you prove it?”

/>   His cock went stiff at her throaty request.

  “For you? Anything.” He lifted a hand to cup her jaw, slipped his hand into her loose hair, and pulled her forward to press their lips together.

  She licked the seam of his mouth, sucked his bottom lip, and drove her tongue in. He slid her between the balcony doors, then closed each behind them, not once breaking their kiss.

  Then things moved fast, each of them fully involved in undressing the other. With all items of clothing out of the way, he was able to see her as he had in their shared dream. Only now she was in the flesh and he could touch her with his hands and not just his mind. He led her to the bed, desire controlling his every move.

  He laid her back with care, remembered her saying in their shared dream she’d been with no one in a long time so she might as well enjoy their time there. He’d make this perfect for her. He’d make it last even if it meant he ended up with blue balls.

  His erection throbbed at the mewling sounds she made. He sucked her breasts, licking and biting her nipples before sliding his way between her thighs.

  The scent of her honey called to him. She was slick and hot and so wet his mouth watered. One swipe of his tongue on her clit and she was shaking. Fuck! She was so responsive. So quick to moan and groan and call out to him.

  A dip of his finger into her sex and she was moaning. Fucking her with his finger and sucking her swollen nubbin with his mouth brought the ultimate response. She gasped, gripped his hair in her hands, and rocked her pussy over his mouth.

  “Oh, god! Oh, yes!”

  He added a second finger into the mix while licking circles around her pleasure center.

  “Dear god, that feels amazing.”

  He growled into her sex. She spasmed and dug her nails into his scalp. Her muscles tensed under his touch. He drove his fingers in and out of her pussy in tandem with the flicking of his tongue over her clit.

  In thirty seconds she screamed and her pussy gripped his fingers with her orgasm. The sight of her coming was beautiful. Perspiration coated her smooth skin as she shook with her climax. He continued to draw out her pleasure by slowly rubbing his fingers in her channel in the shape of a hook.

  One full-body shudder and she was still gasping for air. She tugged him up her body, curling a leg around his ass.

  “So, my sexy CIA man.” She licked his jaw and he slipped his cock into her wet heat. “I’d tell you to do me already, but . . .” She flipped them on the bed and he slid out of her in the shuffle. He was on his back and she straddled his thighs. “I think I’ll do you instead.”

  She was sexy as hell in bed. “Works for me.”

  There was a millisecond of insecurity. Like she wasn’t sure if her taking the lead was the right thing. So he did all he could to ensure she felt empowered.

  “My cycle works like clockwork, and I’m on the pill, so don’t worry about getting me pregnant.”

  He frowned. “Okay.”

  He’d give her time to get comfortable with him before discussing children. It was a good thing she knew her cycle, and that might keep her safe.

  “That’s it, beautiful. I want to watch you ride me.”

  She bit her lip and raked her nails on his chest. “Do you? I haven’t done this before. I don’t want to mess it up.”

  He grinned. “You couldn’t mess it up if you tried. You’re doing perfect. You’re perfect.”

  A wide, self-assured smile covered her face. She caressed down his chest, flicking her nails on his nipples. “You have such a sexy body.”

  Passion and something else filled her gaze, something that made his stomach clench. Her soft laughter made the beast inside him calm. His mate was happy.

  She placed the head of his cock at her entrance, met his gaze, and licked her lips. “I need you . . .”

  She took him in and slid down, taking all of him in one fell swoop. Her pussy tightened around him in a silken hold. He groaned. He might die of pleasure, but what a way to go.

  He gripped her hips and squeezed her ass. “Feel free to repay me this way for anything I ever do for you in the future.”

  She giggled and dropped again. And again. The heat built from the friction of their mating. She rocked over him, wiggling her hips and jerking his cock with her tight sheath.

  “Fuck!”

  Her rhythm increased in tempo. He helped her ride him. She laid her palms flat on his chest and thumbed his nipples. His cock was getting a serious sucking by her pussy.

  She rocked harder, faster, faster, until she gasped and her body’s grip on his dick tightened.

  “Keep going, baby.”

  Her mouth dropped opened. She puffed in and out while gliding on his cock. He slipped a hand between her legs, rubbing a finger over her tight little nubbin.

  One choked moan and her body turned stiff. He pinched her clit and she groaned. Her pussy rippled over his cock, sucking him deep with each contraction of her climax.

  He lifted her by her waist and dropped her hard on his steely shaft while she was still coming down from her high. Pleasure blasted down his spine. He jerked inside her body, filling her with his seed.

  She dropped on his chest. He stayed inside her, even after his dick softened for all of thirty seconds before he went hard again. She hugged him tightly while they each caught their breath.

  Chapter Twenty-seven

  Hamel woke up completely in love and satisfied. Last night was the most amazing everything he’d ever had. All due to his beautiful mate. He lay on his back while she snuggled to his side, leg thrown over his. This is how he wanted to wake every morning for the rest of his life. Wouldn’t that be fucking awesome? Man, the guys just didn’t know what they were missing. Hopefully his friends and team members would find their mates and be as happy as he was.

  Her arm over his chest moved. She started to pull away, but he’d have none of that. His arm wrapped around her back and pulled her closer. Her breast pressed against his side, making him harder than he already was. Morning wood was now a gift instead of a curse.

  “Morning, beautiful,” he said.

  Her head tilted back to see his eyes. She smiled while her cheeks turned red, then buried her face into his shoulder. “Good morning to you, too.”

  He laughed and scooted to the side to bring her face into view again. She was a bit resistant, but gave in. “Are you embarrassed?” After she nodded, he smoothed her mussed hair back and kissed her. He wanted all his love to go into that kiss to tell her she needn’t be shy around him. In fact, the bolder the better. With time she’d get there.

  When he pulled back from her, she sighed and kept her eyes closed as if trying to hold on to the bliss. No worries there. Plenty more where that came from. She gave a little laugh. “I’m surprised you’re still here. Most men would’ve been gone before the first hint of light.”

  “First off, I’m not most men. Secondly, I’m here to protect you. No place better than your bed to do that.” He slid his finger along her smooth cheek and jaw. “Thirdly, I really like you, Melinda.” His finger pushed her chin up so he could see her eyes. “I really, really like you, Melinda.” Her eyes showed happiness, as did her smell. But what would she say?

  She gave him a peck on the nose and rolled away before he could grab her. “I like you, too, Parish. I’m taking a quick shower. Alone, for right now.”

  He knew what that meant, hopefully.

  He threw off the covers and dropped his legs over the side of the bed. It was nice to sleep in a bed. Luckily the cat enjoyed sleeping outside, or these past few nights would not have been very fun. His phone flashed a red light indicating he had a message waiting. Probably the office checking in. They needed updating after Thursday night’s fiasco.

  He listened to the voice mail then speed-dialed the boss.

  “Hey, Tumbel. Got your message.”

  “Good. Ho
w’s it going?”

  “Thursday night we caught the thief and learned a lot of backstory that they neglected to share with the agency before we took this job. But it was still the right move to come down here.”

  “What kind of backstory?”

  “Seems this same virus was first discovered forty years ago then quickly destroyed because of its effect on the human brain. Seems Kintu was part of the original story. He mentioned witch doctors and the ‘other side.’ I’m really hoping that doesn’t mean some spooky shit. What do you think?”

  Tumbel was quiet for a minute before responding. “I see.”

  Hamel didn’t like the tone in his boss’s voice. “You see what?”

  A sigh met his ear. “We received more intel, but pretty much dismissed it as bogus because, at the time, it didn’t fit with what we had.” Hamel waited for the man to continue. “Lately, women and a few men have turned up missing after visiting or talking to certain people.”

  “Certain people as in witch doctors?”

  “And voodoo priests, spiritual guides, anyone connected to what’s on the other side.”

  “Is there really a complete ‘other side’? Ghosts and shit don’t just float around in our world waiting for some poor sap, there’s actually a world of their own? I thought the full-blown monster world was all bullshit made up to scare kids into eating their broccoli.”

  Tumbel laughed. “That doesn’t work anymore. You have to threaten to take their phone away, then they’ll listen.” Hamel needed to research how to raise kids. His would be coming soon. Once he mentioned to Melinda she was his mate. A sting touched his chest. Would she love him back? What if she didn’t want him? What if she couldn’t understand or accept the fact that he was different? That he was more than human. He was a shifter. And his animal wanted her love just as badly as he did.