FallFury

by Jaci Burton

  She shuddered her next breath, unable to respond. Not that he expected her to, because he leaned in and pressed his lips against her clit, then licked her.

  Shannon couldn’t withhold the gasp that escaped her lips. Nor the whimper that followed when his exquisite tongue traced every contour of her pussy, diving between the folds of her slit to lap up the juices seeping freely there.

  This was nothing like what she was used to when it came to sex. Max had been right. She had controlled the men she’d been intimate with before. Maybe she’d purposely attracted men she knew she could dominate.

  But deep down inside, she’d never been satisfied with a man who took his orders from her. In business, she was in charge. In the bedroom, she wanted a man to master her.

  Max Devlin would never be dominated by anyone, man or woman. That she already knew. It was a strange thought to be having while he worshipped between her legs, but even this act showed his control over her, because she was quickly losing any she’d had. Or thought she’d had. She hadn’t been able to control a damn thing since the moment she’d met him.

  She tangled her fingers into his hair when he lifted one of her legs and placed it over his shoulder, then spread her wider, opening her sex to him. He slipped two fingers inside her wet cunt and thrust hard. Biting down on her lower lip to keep the cries at bay, she panted instead, overcome with sensations of blinding heat and a sweet ache that built fast and furious within her.

  He covered her clit with his lips and sucked, drawing out the mewling sounds that couldn’t possibly be coming from her throat, nor the guttural groans that made her sound like a desperate bitch in heat.

  But damn if he didn’t make her want, make her need this magical moment when he completely overpowered her and took her to a place she’d never been.

  A part of her fought against giving up that last thread of control. It became a battle then. Her holding back, wanting to prolong the inevitable, and him taking her completely over until she couldn’t help but surrender to his special magic.

  She felt the tightening, the spiraling between her legs and deep into her core as he fucked her with his fingers, licking the length of her. When he removed one finger from her pussy and slid it gently into her anus, she gave up everything to him.

  Despite the fact they were outside where all could hear, despite the fact her entire family lurked mere feet away from them, she screamed as her climax washed over her, trying to keep the wailing cries tucked inside, but unable to do so.

  Her powers let loose too, a maelstrom of wind swirling around them, nearly lifting her off the ground.

  She fought to manage it all as she rode out the torrential orgasm, finally succeeding in calming the wind as the last of the quakes inside her resided. But she was afraid she couldn’t stand on her own.

  Fortunately, she didn’t have to. Max rose and stared at her. He didn’t speak, just gazed at her with eyes that were so hot and filled with desire that she felt the flames lick to life inside her again. She heard the rustling of his zipper, but before she could reach out and grasp his cock he drove into her, thrusting hard and deep in one quick motion.

  He was huge. Long and thick, he could barely fit it all inside her. She’d never taken a shaft this big, never thought she could. But her juices poured over them both, her lubrication and prior orgasm allowing him easy access into her willing cunt.

  She cried out at the intensely pleasurable sensation of being completely filled.

  This time, though, Max covered her cries with his mouth. She tasted her pleasure on his lips and tongue and suckled, taking in his groans with an eagerness that surprised her. When he lifted her and cradled her buttocks in his hands, she wrapped her legs tightly around his waist and held onto his shoulders, not wanting him to pull away from her.

  Not yet. Already she felt the tightening, shocked to find that he could bring her so close again, so quickly after she’d just come.

  No words were exchanged, only whimpers and moans and a primitive language that had nothing to do with normal speech. Yet she understood Max’s desperate need, because she felt it herself, needed him to take her, to come inside her, to brand her as his.

  Later, she’d think about the ramifications of what they were doing. Now, she only knew she wanted whatever he gave her, accepting it gladly. If she could find the words, she’d beg him for it.

  As long as he didn’t let go, he could have whatever he wanted from her.

  His thrusts became harder, faster, his cock rubbing against the sensitive nub of her clit and shooting electrical sparks that made her shudder. She felt him reach deep inside her, stroking her high and deep, touching all the parts of her with intense pleasure.

  When the exquisite pulses started, he pulled his mouth away and locked his gaze to hers.

  “Look at me, Shannon. I want to watch you when you come on my cock.”

  He moved his hips back, then forward, grinding against her inflamed clit. She wanted to squeeze her eyes shut, this intimacy more than she could bear.

  “Look at me, dammit,” he said, desperation tingeing his voice.

  She did, watching as his eyes began to glow a golden yellow. His jaw was clenched, sweat beading on his brow as he moved furiously within her.

  Clenching his arms, she held tight as the first spasms overcame her. Yet she kept her focus on his face, watching his features tighten. He opened his mouth and let out a howl as he shuddered, his hot come shooting high and deep inside her. She couldn’t hold back, her own climax pouring over him, yet he continued to ride her, pushing for more than she was capable of giving.

  More than she wanted to give. She couldn’t do this, couldn’t give up her soul to him.

  “Max, please,” she begged, knowing what he wanted, and also knowing she couldn’t do it. Not again.

  “Give it to me again, Shannon,” he commanded in a voice that would normally piss her off. But this excited her, this mastery he had over her senses. Relentlessly he moved against her until she felt it build within her once more. Her eyes widened as the shock of realization swept over her.

  “I’m coming, Max. Oh, sweet mercy, I’m coming!”

  He kissed her, hard, deep, plunging his tongue inside her mouth to match the rhythm of his still-rigid cock. And he came again with her, grinding his mouth against hers until she couldn’t tell which of them was groaning.

  Breathless, she dropped her head onto his shoulder, trying to calm the frantic beating of her heart. He released his hold on her buttocks and let her legs drift down, keeping his arms around her until he was certain she was steady on her feet.

  Yeah, right. Like she’d ever be steady on her feet again after what just happened.

  He held her like that for awhile, stroking her back, running his fingers over her skin and pressing light kisses against the top of her head. She wanted to stay in this position forever, without words, without reality creeping in and stealing away what had to have been the best sex she’d ever experienced.

  The most emotional sex she’d ever experienced.

  Which was precisely why she needed some distance from him. This had been way more than she’d expected and too much to handle.

  Now would come the part she hated the most. That awkward, not sure what to say after the sex part.

  Already, the realization hit that this had been a huge mistake, that having sex with Max would cause nothing but trouble. She barely knew him, they were supposed to be working together, and the last thing she needed was the constant embarrassment of being reminded what had transpired tonight.

  What was even worse, deep inside her lurked the theory that he’d done this, had gotten so close to her, because of some need to wriggle his way into her family, to get close to her brothers, her sisters, and her.

  She was certain this whole fucking thing had been business to Max.

  Well, she’d played that game before and wasn’t going to again. Never would she allow a man to trample her heart on his way to the top.

  T
rying to be as cool about it as possible, she fixed her dress and her hair, wishing she could summon up a cold bite of air right now to cool her aching flesh. Although she knew she’d just made an error of epic proportions with Max, her body was still flushed with the aftereffects of hot and fiery lovemaking.

  No, not lovemaking. Sex. Fucking. That was all it had been.

  Too bad it had been with someone she’d never want to be with. Max was too controlling, and she liked to reign over her own world. No, they definitely would never make a viable couple.

  “Well, that was fun. Thanks,” she said, hoping she came off relaxed and unaffected.

  Just treat it as casual sex, and it’ll be fine. Close your heart, keep things business-like and cool. Then, maybe it won’t hurt.

  Max had been adjusting his pants and glanced up, a confused frown on his face. “Huh?”

  “I said, this was fun. But I really have to get back inside.”

  “That’s it? It was fun? Thanks for the fuck, gotta be going now?”

  She refused to even consider the hurt look on his face. He was just annoyed because he didn’t get to say it first. “Um, yeah, that’s pretty much it.” When he didn’t respond, she continued. “Come on, Max. You know as well as I do that this was nothing more than two people with great chemistry who mutually scratched their sexual itch. Now it’s over. I hope you don’t think I intend to let this affect our business arrangement.”

  “Business arrangement,” he repeated, as if she was speaking some foreign language.

  “Yeah. You remember? Business? The reason we’re here tonight?”

  “I know why we’re here tonight. I also know that what just happened was a helluva lot more than a sexual itch. And I think you know that, too.”

  “Do I? We’re adults here, Max. I’m a big girl. Don’t feel like you have to bring me flowers or take me to dinner just because you fucked me.” She tried for a light laugh, hoping she succeeded. “You were fantastic, really. But I don’t need a man in my life. Well, except for the occasional…you know.”

  “Are you actually buying all this bullshit you’re spouting?”

  No, but she hoped he would. She blinked, trying to look innocent. “I don’t know what you mean.”

  “I admit that most men would fall for the let’s-just-have-sex-but-no-relationship line, and in fact would be grateful for the out. But I’m not that kind of man. We’re no way near to being finished, Shannon. In fact, this was just the beginning.”

  Okay, he may have been a fantastic lover, but really, did his ego have to be as huge as his dick?

  “No, Max. We’re finished.” She turned, intent on making her exit through the doorway, except she forgot that she’d slammed the wrought iron loveseat against the door and couldn’t possibly move it without using her powers.

  Powers, now that she recalled, Max had clearly seen. And hadn’t batted an eyelash over. Well hell, if he wasn’t going to ask about them, she sure wasn’t going to offer any explanation.

  “We’re a long way from finished, Shannon.” He stepped over and easily moved the loveseat out of the way, opening the door for her. She smoothed her dress, hoping she didn’t look near the mess she felt like, and sailed through the doorway.

  The evening had been winding down when Max had danced her onto the balcony earlier. Now, it appeared as almost everyone had left, with the exception of her parents and Kaitlyn, Logan, Melissa and Aidan.

  They looked at her and she read the knowledge in their eyes. Well she’d be damned if she’d offer any explanation. In fact, let Max explain to her brothers what he’d been doing to her out on the balcony. But she wasn’t going to stick around for the inevitable third-degree.

  “Night, everyone!” She smiled and waved as she strolled past them, grabbed her bag and walked out the door, desperately hoping that Max wouldn’t follow her.

  The late-night air had cooled as she walked outside and gave the valet the ticket for her car. Blissfully relieving cool air.

  Which swept right up her dress, reminding her that her panties still resided in Max’s coat pocket.

  Screw it. Let him keep them as a souvenir. She snorted. Yeah, right, like he’d even give a second thought to what they’d just done.

  But it had been fabulous. Admittedly, the best sex she’d ever had. And more. But the more part was nothing more than a flight of afterglow fancy. There was no connection between them. Never would be. Max was a driven businessman, and she was equally driven.

  They’d just be driving in opposite directions.

  “Are you all right?”

  She whirled around at the sound of her mother’s voice.

  “Of course I’m all right. It’s just been a long day and I’m tired.”

  “What happened with Max?”

  “Nothing.” The last person she needed grilling her right now was her mother. “Why aren’t you inside giving Max the third degree, instead of me?”

  “Max doesn’t need to provide this family any explanation. He’s talking business with Logan and Aidan right now, and that’s all.”

  Leave it to her mother to tell everyone to mind their own business. “Well, that’s fine. I’ll get an update from him tomorrow, then.”

  Her mother lifted a stray curl off Shannon’s shoulder and said, “I’d say you got something else from him tonight.”

  She’d never get used to discussing her sex life with her mother, even if they did have an open communication nearly unheard of in most families. “Really, Mother, I don’t want to talk about it.”

  “He cares for you.”

  “No he doesn’t. He doesn’t even know me.”

  “He knows more about you, about us, than you think.”

  “What do you mean?” How could he know? Then again, he hadn’t blinked twice when she’d summoned the wind to close the door and move the furniture. Most men would probably want an explanation for how that happened. Max hadn’t asked.

  “He has powers of his own, ma douce.”

  “What kind of powers?”

  “That is for you to discover on your own.”

  Well, hell. Nothing like being completely in the dark about things. Now her mother knew more about Max than she did. “I don’t want to know any more about Max Devlin than I already do.”

  Angelina laid her hand over Shannon’s heart. “Your heart and soul speak louder than your denials. You feel something for him.”

  “I swear if one more person tells me that tonight, I’m going to scream.”

  “Don’t be ridiculous. You can’t run from your heart, Shannon. You know that. Give Max a chance.”

  “No.” Where was her damn car, anyway? She did not want to have this conversation with her mother, and absolutely refused to think about Max anymore tonight.

  “He is your destiny.”

  “I’ll decide what my destiny is.”

  “Mon dieu, are all my children as thick-headed as their father?”

  Shannon laughed at her mother’s frustration, and placed a kiss on her cheek. “Probably. I’m sorry, Mama, but I don’t buy into that destiny stuff. I make my own choices. Always have, always will. Max doesn’t fit into my life. He never will.”

  Patting her daughter on the cheek, Angelina gave her one of those I-know-something-you-don’t-know grins. “We’ll see, won’t we? Your car is here now. Get some rest. Je t’aime, ma belle.”

  “Je t’aime, Mama.”

  After Angelina stepped back inside, Shannon shook her head and headed to her car, more confused than ever.

  Try as she might to ignore what happened tonight, her body still burned for Max, her heart squeezing her chest in a funny way that she’d never experienced before.

  No. She would not feel for him. She was stronger than her emotions. She’d prove it to herself and to her family that she was going to create her own destiny.

  Right now, she needed a bath, a stiff drink, and her bed.

  Where, with any luck, she wouldn’t be dreaming of Max and wolves.

&n
bsp; Chapter Seven

  “You’ve been avoiding me. I wanted to talk about the party, but I didn’t see you at all Sunday. And today you’ve been holed up in here with your door closed. What’s going on?”

  Shannon looked up at Kaitlyn, who leaned casually against the doorway to her office. Damn. She’d managed to avoid her family the entire day. Hell, she’d even managed to steer clear of Max, who fortunately had been busy with Aidan. “I was tired Sunday. I ran some errands, then I went to bed early.”

  Kaitlyn walked in and sat in the chair across from Shannon’s desk. “Tired, or didn’t want to talk about what happened with Max?”

  “Nothing to tell.”

  “That’s not what I saw. Or felt.”

  Sometimes having magical family members was a royal pain in the ass. “Butt out, Kait.”

  Jeweled bells tinkled against Kaitlyn’s wrist as she shifted in the chair. “Now, you know me better than that. How can I butt out when I sense something special between you and Max?”

  The pounding headache she’d awoken to this morning intensified. She rubbed her temples and glared at her sister. “There’s nothing special between Max and me. We had sex. That’s it.”

  Kaitlyn’s eyes widened and she leaned closer. “Sex? Really? Out on the balcony?”

  “Yes.”

  “How exciting! And then what happened?”

  “Then I went home.”

  “Shannon!”

  “Really, Kait. It was nothing. Obviously, Max and I have chemistry. We had great sex. End of subject.”

  “So what happens now?”

  “Now we get back to work and try to forget what happened.” And if she was really lucky, she’d actually be able to do that.

  “I don’t think it’s that easy.”

  “Sure it is. What? You’ve never fucked a guy and promptly forgotten about him?”

  Kaitlyn stared at her fingers. “No. It’s not in my nature to be that callous. And neither are you, despite what you say.”

  Okay, that one stung. But Shannon and Kaitlyn were different. Like night and day, spring and fall. Where Kaitlyn was warm and nurturing, Shannon preferred to bury anything emotional under layers of cool indifference. Safer that way. “Much easier all around if you’d quit taking these kinds of things so seriously.”