Claws and Fangs

by Laurann Dohner

  “I’m prepared to seduce you.”

  That piqued her interest and her body started to ache in anticipation. “Really?”

  He smiled. “For as long as it takes. You’re stubborn and I’m it for the long haul. Forever.”

  “This is kind of nuts. We haven’t known each other that long, yet here we are. Talk about a strange relationship.”

  “Ever heard of sane love?”

  “Point made.”

  “Be honest with yourself, and me.” His hand traced the underside of her breast. “You love me a little, don’t you?”

  She stared into his eyes and it shocked her to see unease. He was afraid she’d say no. He really meant it. He loved her. She no longer wanted to keep quiet.

  “I do. I love you, Lethal.”

  His tension eased. “I’ll convince you that you need me in your life as much as I need you. I have a long list of ways to seduce you until you believe it without question.”

  “Really?”

  He grinned. “Oh yeah. I had a werewolf go shopping for us to ensure your pleasure. You said you like sex toys. I am willing to do anything to prove that I’m the man who can make you happy.”

  “You’re never going to let me forget what I said when we met, are you? So much for being a gentleman.” She grinned, enjoying the verbal sparring. Life wouldn’t be boring with Lethal.

  “No.” His hand caressed her skin. “You like me just as I am. What do you want me to do to you first, Lacey, love? Name it.”

  “Can we start with your mouth? I love that thing you do with your tongue.”

  “It’s a given. I love the taste of you but first you need to feed. I don’t want you passing out on me. If you refuse to drink blood, fair warning, I had the werewolf buy a marker.” His eyes sparkled with humor. “Don’t think I forgot that either. I’d love to write ‘mine’ all over my favorite areas of your body. You’ll take blood from me or risk waking covered in ink. We’ll get you drinking bagged blood much, much later.”

  “You’re killing the mood. Gross.”

  “You enjoyed kissing me.”

  “We’re exchanging blood that way again?” She could do that. She loved kissing him.

  “Nope. I’m going to fuck you hard and deep while you bite into my neck. Your fangs will slide out naturally. It won’t hurt. You’re going to come so hard you see stars when you taste my blood now.”

  “Okay. I’m game as long as I see stars instead of that ugly-ass chandelier. That’s got to go. I’m on top next round.”

  Lethal laughed. “You got it, love.”

  “Untie me. I don’t want to do this without my hands. I love touching you.” She wondered if he’d refuse.

  Lethal pinned her under him and she spread her thighs to accommodate his hips. She wrapped her legs around his waist and arched her back to flatten her breasts against his chest while wiggling her ass, hoping he’d enter her. The firm feel of his cock touching her was torment. She wanted him inside badly once he’d stretched out over her. The hot press of his body against hers, his clean scent, drove her a little insane.

  “Slow down.”

  “I’m really turned on. Is this a vampire thing?”

  “Yes. It’s a little bit bloodlust and just heightened passion.”

  “Help a girl out then. Untie me.”

  “Not yet.”

  “Why not?”

  “I just healed.”

  “What does that mean?”

  “You’ll shred my back. I don’t mind but this is our honeymoon, in a sense. I drank enough blood for both of us and don’t want to waste a single drop.”

  “Tease.”

  “How so?” He chuckled.

  “First you say you want me to draw blood, now you’re telling me you don’t want me to scratch you up.”

  He lifted a hand to his neck. “Ready, my love?”

  “You’re going to twirl your hair?”

  He laughed and tossed it over his shoulder, exposing the area under his ear. “Just go with your instincts.”

  She should have flinched, watching someone use his fingernail to carve a bloody line in his skin, but the second he did it, a wonderful aroma distracted her. The sight of red had her licking her lips and her belly clenched. Strong desire hit. It was confusing, which she wanted more—sex or to taste him. Her gaze was riveted on the fresh cut.

  He leaned in closer, keeping his head tilted. “Taste me.”

  It was an offer she couldn’t refuse even if she wanted to. She lifted her head and licked the spot. A moan came from her as her gums tingled, her entire body seeming to ignite into flames. She sealed her lips over the wound, sucking. He was better than chocolate at the moment, so sweet and delicious. So hers.

  “Bite me,” he rasped, his lips against her ear.

  She didn’t think, just did as he demanded. The feel of her new fangs piercing him was incredibly erotic and euphoria had her flying as high as a kite. Emotions slammed into her—all good.

  He shifted his hips and his thick shaft penetrated her pussy, driving in deep. Lacey screamed against his throat as she climaxed so hard her body convulsed. Lethal growled, his fangs sinking into her neck. Their bodies locked together as she squeezed him with her legs, his hips slamming into the cradle of her thighs as he fucked her hard and deep. His arms slid under her shoulders, gripping her and keeping her in place.

  There was just the two of them surrounded in bliss. She wanted to wrap her arms around his neck and hold him just as tightly as he held her but the restraints kept her arms above her head. Another climax hit, more intense than the last one. She was pretty sure she snarled—an inhuman sound. Lethal definitely growled in response. It barely registered in her sex-hazed mind that the headboard was slamming into the wall.

  Lethal suddenly released her throat, his tongue lapping where he’d bitten, and she screamed again. That minuscule touch was enough to send her over the edge again, her clit throbbing as if he were teasing it instead. The taste of him was suddenly gone and she realized her fangs were no longer embedded in his skin.

  “Lick it,” he panted. “Seal the wound.”

  She ran her tongue over his skin, the blood so good she wanted more. He jerked back a little though, out of her reach, and drove into her even faster. She threw back her head, crying out his name as she came again.

  Lethal tucked his head, his lips against her ear. “I can’t hold back anymore, love.”

  The sensation of him filling her with his semen was pure ecstasy. She could feel his pulse, every twitch of his cock inside her, as her vaginal muscles clenched around him.

  “Yes,” he rasped.

  They lay entangled, Lethal pinning her tightly, her legs still locked around him. Her heels dug into his muscular ass as they recovered, both breathing heavily until their rapidly beating hearts slowed.

  “Look at me. How did you like taking my blood?”

  “I’ll let you know once I remember how to open my eyes and talk at the same time. Is the top of my head still there? I think it might have blown apart.”

  He laughed. “You’re whole.”

  She peeked from beneath one eyelid. “Are you sure?”

  “Positive.”

  “Oh wow.”

  His eyes were glowing. “Now for the sex.”

  “What would you call what we just did?”

  “Feeding.”

  “You were inside me and we both came. Technically, that’s sex.”

  “That was the warm-up.” He released her shoulders, lifted up a little, and stared at her breasts. “I’m going to work my way down until my mouth is between those lovely thighs of yours.” His tongue slid over his lips to wet them. “And taste every inch.”

  She struggled with the silken ties. “Let me go. I’m a vampire. Why can’t I break free? Where’re my super-vamp powers?”

  He grinned, holding her gaze. “You’re still thinking as if you’re human.”

  “What does that mean?”

  “You expect not to get
free. You’re holding yourself back.”

  She frowned, looking up at her wrists. She pretended they were being held there by wet spaghetti instead of material—and was surprised when she ripped free.

  Lethal chuckled. “Push beyond what you believe to be your limitations.”

  She grasped his shoulders. “That’s awesome! Now weren’t you going somewhere?”

  He nodded, inching lower. “I was.”

  “Feeding was so fantastic I thought I might not survive it, so I can’t wait to see how great your version of sex is.”

  “You’re going to love it.”

  She had no doubt.

  Mine to Chase

  Chapter One

  The stench of death hit him the moment Chase crept inside the abandoned house on the outskirts of town. A human wouldn’t have picked up those slight traces, but he wasn’t one. His nose flared as another scent teased his senses—sweet feminine fear. His predatory instincts immediately rose to the surface as his fangs began to ache. He raised a hand, motioning for the two werewolves to circle the property.

  “We found him,” one of them confirmed before he disappeared, skirting the porch to make sure no one escaped out the back.

  Yes. We did. Rage gripped Chase instantly. Rogue vampires were the enemy, risking discovery by humans of all Others. No one wanted that. It would mean the beginning of a war if the killings didn’t stop. Humans far outnumbered Others. It was better to live in peace, their existence nothing but myth and entertainment, than the alternative.

  A board above him creaked, betraying where the enemy hid. A smile curved Chase’s lips as he stealthily maneuvered through the lower floor to the open stairwell. One whiff assured he was close to the enemy and he withdrew two blades. His knees bent slightly before he leapt, effortlessly sailing over the upper railing to land gracefully on booted feet.

  The vamp sitting in the chair appeared surprised as his eyes widened. The book he held fell from his hand in the open lofted area. “Who are you?” He paused, nostrils flaring. “What are you?”

  “Your worst nightmare. You’ve been found guilty.”

  Chase moved before the rogue could react, the speed he’d inherited from both sides of his bloodline assuring the outcome. With the slash of his hands, steel sliced into skin and bone, and then he jumped back to avoid any dust touching his trench coat.

  The body exploded into gray ash, slowly falling onto the carpet. In seconds, feet pounded up the stairs. He turned to give his pack orders.

  “Find a vacuum and get rid of any trace of what happened.”

  “Damn, Chase.” The wolf smiled. “That was fast. You didn’t even let him try to make a run for it.”

  “Should we burn down the house? I smell rotting bodies.” The other wolf breathed through his mouth. “Multiples. He probably hid them in the basement.”

  “I’m aware.” Chase sighed. “It’s best to dispose of them without drawing notice. Fire and police would come if we torch his lair. They’d investigate and discover remains in the rubble.”

  “Gasoline would probably take care of it if we soaked the corpses first.”

  Irritation rose, and so did a menacing growl deep within his throat. “You heard my orders.”

  Both wolves dropped their gazes in submission. “Yes, Chase.” They rushed to do his bidding.

  He wiped the blades clean on his kill’s clothing before putting them away to use his cell phone. The call connected as he walked downstairs. It was answered on the third ring.

  “We located the rogue who murdered Lacey’s sister. She’s been avenged, Lethal. Give her a kiss for me.” He disconnected with an amused grin when his friend snarled, more than a bit possessive of the woman he loved.

  Chase’s job was done. He inhaled but then winced. Almost done. The bodies of the rogue’s victims would have to be disposed of. He located the basement door right off the kitchen and paused, bracing for the worst. Running security for his vampire friends could sometimes get messy, but corpses were rarely involved, unless it was those of the bad guys. This was different.

  The stench intensified to a nauseating level when he jerked open the door. He regretted killing the rogue so swiftly. It was clear humans had been slaughtered to feed the bastard. A needless waste. It was easy for vampires to get blood without murdering their food sources—just a quick mind swipe would clear their memories—but the rogue obviously enjoyed taking lives.

  Chase could guess why. The sick bastard got off on tormenting them first and watching them suffer.

  He breathed through his mouth to suppress some of the offensive odor as his eyes adjusted to the darkness below. The stairs creaked under his weight as he descended.

  The unfinished basement had piles of dirt in at least six locations, the corpses under the thin layers of earth too obvious to be anything else. “Fuck.” His voice rose. “Get six body bags.” He didn’t wait for a response, knowing his pack heard him. Their hearing was almost as keen as his.

  He scanned the room for something to dig with, not a job he wanted to do with his bare hands. The level of decay he smelled promised to make it a messy task. The rogue had to have used a shovel to bury them.

  Jasmine held very still, her gaze locked on the tall, massive man standing at the bottom of the stairs. Light from above revealed enough of his features to scare her into absolute silence. A very masculine face turned just enough to make out full lips and a strong chin. It wasn’t the man who’d taken her, but he appeared just as dangerous. Perhaps more so.

  It had been days since Jasmine had slept, too terrified to close her eyes. The madman who’d kidnapped her was pure evil. He hadn’t given her food and had savagely bitten her a few times. It wouldn’t surprise her if she had become delusional from the wounds being infected.

  No tears filled her eyes. She’d passed that stage already. First she’d been terrified, pleading for her life. It had pleased her kidnapper. Then she’d hit the acceptance phase that her death was imminent. The bastard had watched her cry as if it fascinated him. The bruises along her arms still hurt from where he’d viciously pinched them, making her kick and hit him in a weak attempt to protect her body. He liked that too. It was the only reason he hadn’t killed her outright. He admitted to being bored, said she amused him.

  There was something familiar about this man but she figured it was her mind playing tricks. Then he lifted his face, turned toward the door at the top of the stairs—and Jasmine recognized him.

  Chase Woods. A very memorable client from almost a year before.

  The striking features were his. He was the man she’d dreamed about—muscular and big, with the sexiest brown eyes she’d ever peered into. He’d bought some land on the edge of town as an investment. She’d tried to tell him that the two hundred acres of forest were too dense for building. The cost of clearing and leveling the land would be extreme.

  She’d liked him a little too much, despite it not being mutual. He had never flirted, though she’d given him green lights to do so. He’d ignored her subtle hints that she had been interested.

  He’d claimed his work didn’t allow time off and had wanted her to show him properties after hours. She probably would have been terrified of meeting a man in such remote locations at night, but her attraction to him had made her shove common sense aside.

  A memory surfaced in her mind. They’d been surveying a parcel of land after dark and she’d been distracted, a little unnerved by the odd request that she show it to him at night, but there had been something about Chase that she couldn’t resist. Something different...

  ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

  She never saw the tree root and nearly fell. His strong arm wrapped around her waist and suddenly she was in the circle of his arms, held against his body.

  “Careful.” His deep voice was sexy.

  “I don’t know how you see anything. Wouldn’t it be better to return in the morning?”

  “The moon is almost full, and I have great eyesight.”

  She grab
bed onto his biceps. Her hands didn’t come close to encircling the thick muscles. He was strong, much bigger than her, and smelled wonderful.

  “I’m almost blind out here.” She realized she should release him, but he kept hold of her. It seemed only fair to touch him back. She lifted her chin to stare up into his face. She couldn’t make out much but she could tell he wasn’t looking at her. He had turned his head to the side. “Are you okay?”

  “Yeah.” His voice came out even deeper. “I told you to wait in your car.”

  He had, but she’d wanted to spend as much time as possible with her client. There was something about him that drew her. It wasn’t just his handsome face. She’d dated men who were good looking before and had learned the hard way that some of them had less-than-stellar personalities. It could be how fit and muscular he was. Every woman would notice Chase Woods when he walked into a room.

  She discarded that as well. It was just him. He was sweet, mysterious, and looking into his eyes always did something funny to her entire body. She’d never been more attracted to a man in her entire life.

  “I wouldn’t be doing my job if I made you view the properties alone. You might have questions.”

  He chuckled—a deep, rumbling sound. “Can you identify all the tree varieties? There are plenty of them out here.”

  Jasmine glanced to the side, seeing nothing more than a lot of dark shapes. “Um, no,” she admitted. “I can tell you how long it’s been on the market and how much we could haggle on the asking price.”

  He drew her closer when the wind suddenly picked up, shielding her from it. He really did smell wonderful, and she suddenly had an urge to rest her head against his solid chest. Other thoughts came to mind as well. Wild, naughty ones that were shocking. Stripping naked in the woods with a man she barely knew wasn’t something she’d ever considered before. It didn’t stop the images from filling her head though.

  She wanted him to kiss her while lifting her higher into his arms. The skirt she wore would be easy to shove up to her waist after she discarded her panties. Chase was strong enough to hold her up during sex. His jeans would be simple to unsnap to free his cock and then nothing would be between them. They’d be skin to skin. Her knees weakened slightly just imagining the way he’d feel entering her body.