Fever Claim (The Sigma Menace)

by Marie Johnston

  Jace couldn’t believe he finally had her right where he wanted her. Needed her. He would make her his after the close call of almost losing her. He’d been watching her come into his club for months. He knew exactly who she was when he first saw her walk in, wearing her standard professional wear as if she had just come from the office. She was average height, with short hair that probably started the day with no-nonsense styling but ended up falling into a sassy do by the time she came into the club. She hardly wore makeup. She didn’t need to, having a clean, fresh appeal he didn’t see often working at the club. Both her hair and her eyes were chestnut brown, reflecting natural highlights from her surroundings, not needing cosmetic enhancements. She was a natural beauty and she exuded intelligence in everything she did.

  Mine, he’d thought then as he watched her, and that same friend she was with tonight, walk to an open table. The utter dismay he’d felt when he saw a man walk in after them, help her take her coat off, and sit next to her with his arm draped over the back of her chair, almost brought out his beast.

  He was a patient male and didn’t want to scare her off. Knowing his looks and the first impression they gave women, that he wanted to fuck them or kill them—or both—Jace decided to bide his time. Wait for her and Mr. Wrong to break things off. It would never work between those two, she’d have to feel how wrong it was eventually. She’d have to.

  But she didn’t. Jace remained patient, watching her discreetly each time she came in. He knew her scent by now, and even across the crowded club, she hadn’t smelled like Mr. Wrong. She smelled like she’d been around him, but not intimate. And that was the only thing keeping Mr. Wrong alive. Jace had to make sure he didn’t react first and think later, but knew that if he caught the musk of sex on her and it wasn’t from him, his beast would win. He had paid too much already, lost too much. He wouldn’t lose her, too. He had put his special ability to good use and influence her boyfriend… just a little. Whenever the guy came up to the bar for a drink, Jace looked him in the eyes and gave him a mental nudge to keep his dick away from Cassie.

  She never acknowledged Jace, never spoke to him. Fuck, she barely even looked at him. He seethed when he’d watch those two leave together and try not to imagine what rights Mr. Dead Meat might be granted to her body if his influence didn’t hold.

  Then her friend, Kaitlyn, had contacted the club manager about a bridal shower. Jace explained his situation to Christian, Pale Moonlight’s owner, and got the wedding date. With only weeks to spare, it was time Jace paid Mr. Soon-to-be-Ex a personal visit.

  When Cassie walked into the club tonight, Jace resolved he would not risk another close call. He would do everything he could to make her his. Her drinks had a more mandarin juice than vodka; he wouldn’t let her get drunk. He needed her acceptance, wanted her reactions to him to be real and not leave her feeling sick and empty the next day.

  Earlier, when she slid the keys across to him, his heart had soared. He’d controlled his reaction as he nodded to Christian, walked out, and opened the car door for Cassie. As soon as he folded himself into her sedan, he inhaled the scent that was uniquely her without the chaotic smells that flowed through the club. Her scent matched her natural beauty, a floral scent that made him think of running through green pastures dotted with wildflowers in full bloom. He immediately hardened, straining against his zipper, tempted to lean the seats back and take her right there in front of the club. But for what he had in mind, they needed to be where they could have space and plenty of interruption-free hours.

  Cassie had given him directions to her place as he raced through streets, doing the minimum to not get pulled over or have an accident. When they arrived, he parked in her garage and closed them both in. He hesitated. Was she ready for this, not going to change her mind? If he had to wait longer for her, he would. It’d fucking kill him, but he’d wait.

  She entered her condo and looked up through her lashes, almost shyly, at him and he leaned down to capture her mouth. Sweet Mother Earth, he had never imagined her taste. She was sweet from her fruity drinks and her mouth fit his perfectly. He groaned, his shaft hardening further, wanting release from his jeans. Not yet. Jace picked her up and she wrapped her legs around him, and he stepped across the threshold and kicked the door shut, then reached behind and locked it.

  Jace coaxed her mouth open and used his tongue to mimic what he had planned for her lush body later. Cassie looped her arms around his neck and pulled his head closer. The little coos she made were almost his undoing. His hands roamed up her torso, loving the feel of her curves, and pulled her shirt up, caressing her soft skin underneath up to cup her breasts. They filled his big hands as if they were made for him.

  Breaking contact to lift her blouse up over her head, he had gone back to sampling her sweet, wet mouth. She tugged up his shirt, wanting to do her own exploring. He knelt down there in the foyer, and, still holding her, unclasped her bra straps with one hand while cupping her bottom with his other.

  Her breasts had bounced free and he groaned again, groping one, rubbing his thumb to tease her nipple. He’d love to give them the attention they deserved, but they would have to wait. Carefully, he laid her down, coming down on top of her, supporting his weight on his knees and forearms so he could finish undressing her while he still had her mouth captured with his.

  Cassie hands skimmed up and down his back, around and up and down his front. She was getting bolder, roaming closer to his zipper where his arousal strained to reach her. Just one touch and he’d be lost.

  He undid her pants and, still kissing her, peeled them down. Once he tossed them aside, he slid his hand between her thighs and found her wet and ready. She bowed into him as he slid a finger between her folds and swirled in slow circles.

  “Oh, Jace,” she gasped, as she arched in his hand again. Male pride swelled in him; there was no mistaking who made her feel like this. He inserted a finger inside of her. Her legs fell farther open and she matched his rhythm. He inserted another finger into her channel as he continued massaging her slick heat.

  The pressure built, both of them gasped for more. He pulled his hand away. “Flip over,” he commanded, as he used his other hand to unzip his pants.

  Desperate for her release, Cassie had immediately rolled over onto hands and knees, lifting her bottom into the air, stretching back to him. Jace looked his fill as he palmed himself and got into position behind her. Her curves were astounding—a firm rounded ass that tapered for her slender waist and flared back out at the bust to give her a perfect hourglass figure. Smooth, creamy skin softer than he could have ever imagined a woman could have slid under his hands as he held her in place.

  She looked at him over her shoulder, her dark eyes pleading with him to finish what he started. The complete ecstasy as his slowly entered her stole his breath. She was tight but wet. He gritted his teeth to keep himself from surging forward and hurting her. Her body was greedy for his length as he fed himself in inch by inch. Finally, he was settled in completely and he paused to let her body get used to his size. His kind was usually well-endowed and he was no exception.

  She made a mewling sound and stretched back against him. He slid out, and back in. They had groaned in unison. Perfection. It was then Jace allowed himself to thrust freely. He pounded a rhythm that would drive them both to heights only mates could experience together. This was what he waited months for and if he wasn’t mistaken, what she’d also waited months for.

  Cassie cried out and clenched further around him. Jace’s balls tightened and rose, he leaned over her bracing one hand on the floor, the other arm around Cassie’s middle, holding her close while he thrust behind her. When her orgasm overtook her and she bucked wildly underneath him, screaming, his own seed rose with his impending orgasm. At last he could lay claim to his destined mate. Jace opened his mouth wide and bit hard where her neck met her shoulder, sharp teeth sinking into her flushed skin.

  Cassie’s cries strengthened as her orgasm grew more powe
rful, both with the bite and Jace’s seed flowing into her, marking her as his forever.

  Breathing heavily, Jace’s body shook as his orgasm faded, almost taking the use of his legs from him. He gently helped Cassie stretch out on the floor beneath him. Still inside her, he licked where he had bitten her, and felt her shiver and sigh. He trailed tiny kisses across her shoulder as he slipped out of her and rolled her over.

  Her eyes were half-lidded, with a dreamy smile on her face. By the Sweet Mother, she was glorious. He kissed her hard and deeply. She returned his kiss, gliding her hands back up under his shirt. He pulled away and pulled his shirt over his head, and tossed it, loving the greedy way she was looking at him.

  Now he’d take his time, explore her with his hands and mouth. He looked at her body. Her large breasts were topped with rosy nipples that beaded under his perusal. He leaned his head down and swirled his tongue around the tip as he massaged her other breast. He settled between her legs and heard her gasp.

  “Again?” she breathed.

  Jace chuckled, “Tinkerbell, I’m not even close to done with you yet.”

  Chapter Two

  Cassie slept in late. From the sunlight streaming through her bedroom window, it must be late. She didn’t know what time they’d made it to bed, once they did make it to the actual bed. But Jace hadn’t been done with her then, either. She’d finally passed out in utter exhaustion in the early morning hours, wrapped in his embrace.

  She sat up on the edge of bed and noted with dismay the other side was empty. Not wanting to dwell much on what happened last night yet, let alone the empty bed, she sat up and groaned, rubbing her eyes. She had a major cotton mouth she could contribute to the combo of shots and hours of screaming orgasms. A full glass of water rested on her nightstand. Cassie wondered what to make of the considerate gesture. He jetted before she woke up, but stayed long enough to leave her water? Gulping it down, she got up and stumbled to the master bath. On the way there, she snatched her favorite flannel bottoms and a tank top.

  The floor of the bathroom was still wet. Jace must’ve showered not long ago. At least he didn’t leave immediately, or hadn’t been worried she’d sleep through it. Between that and the glass of water waiting for her, she felt a little better about what she’d done last night with an almost complete stranger—a mind-numbingly hot, insatiable stranger, with a ridiculous body. Cassie turned on the shower and hopped in, memories of last night running through her mind.

  After Jace—would she ever be able to think of him without developing a full-body blush?—had his way with her in the foyer, he’d lifted her boneless body and carried her to the bedroom. He placed her on the bed and stood back to watch her through heavy-lidded eyes, and hardened again.

  The moonlight streaming through her blinds had showcased his body—muscle rippled from head to toes, eight-pack washboard stomach with firm buttocks and solid legs. He was a work of art, a bronze statue of male perfection.

  She had patted the bed next to her, desperate for her turn to pleasure him. His eyes darkened as he climbed next to her and stretched out. Cassie took her time roaming his chest with her hands and mouth. Jace groaned, now fully erect, and rolled onto his back giving her free reign over him. She eased further down, wrapping her hand around his fullness. He pivoted his hips up into her hand as she slowly stroked him.

  Getting up onto her knees, still holding onto him, she guided him into her mouth.

  “Cassie,” Jace breathed. She loved hearing him say her name, loved that she could drive him wild.

  She swirled her tongue over the crown and pumped her fist at the base, using her other hand to massage his heavy sac. Jace gripped the back of her head as she matched her mouth and hands in a synchronous rhythm. Soon he urged her to straddle him.

  Cassie took her time sliding down Jace’s length, with his hands guiding her backside. He watched her intently as she rode him. Her breaths came faster and faster as another orgasm quickly built. She leaned into him, arms around his broad shoulders, nuzzling his neck. Jace reached between them to rub her sensitive spot, while his other hand lightly held her head to his throat.

  The orgasm slammed into her. When she opened her mouth wide to cry out, she instead bit his neck. He tensed as his orgasm hit him and he roared, bucking wildly beneath her.

  Oh my God, I bit him. Cassie shut off the shower with a groan. It’d felt so instinctual and natural at the time, but it was so unlike her. She didn’t do random and wild like she had last night. Good thing he was gone or she’d have to look him in the eye and act normal instead of searching him for her bite marks. Bite marks! She turned to look at her back in the mirror finding his teeth marks from when he first took her.

  Her fingers trailed over the red marks fading at the base of her neck. She traced the impressions of two longer teeth, his canines. Tiny zings of electricity flowed through her each time she put pressure on the marks. The sensations were infinitesimal compared to the initial bite when her release was imminent, built up stronger than she ever thought possible. His mouth had closed on his mark and it was like lightening shot from her neck, to her center, to where he thrust inside of her.

  She gave a quick shake of her head in hopes it would cease the slow throb that started between her legs as soon as thoughts of biting ran through her mind. She combed her short hair, and climbed into her pajamas. When she opened the bathroom door, she stopped short. What was that smell? Bacon?

  Cassie rushed from her bedroom to the kitchen. Surprised, she took in the scene before her. There was Jace, with his back to her, standing at her stove scrambling eggs. He wore his jeans from last night but that was all. The muscles in his broad back rippled, his biceps flexing each time he scraped the spatula. Jace, standing at her stove with bare feet lent more to any intimacy between them than anything they’d done in the last twelve hours. She should be spooked. Instead her heart fluttered at the possessiveness and domesticity of him cooking for her.

  Jace flicked the stove off and glanced at her over his shoulder. His pale blue eyes soaked her in, his hungry gaze hinted that if didn’t have a hot pan full of food in his hands, they’d be repeating one or two of their previous performances. She nervously shifted her weight.

  “You okay?” he asked.

  “Um… yeah… I’d thought you’d left.” She hadn’t realized how much it would have bothered her had he been truly gone.

  “Nope. I thought we could have a bite to eat. How you feeling?”

  On cue, her stomach rumbled. She pushed her bangs off her face. “Yeah,” she said slowly, “no, I’m good. Good. Thanks for the water.” Stellar conversation, Dr. Stockwell.

  He nodded toward the table with two glasses of orange juice and two plates, each with a pile of bacon. “Have a seat. The eggs are done so we can eat.”

  Apparently, he was better at this morning-after stuff than she was. She walked stiffly to her little table and sat a bit gingerly. She wasn’t as stiff and sore as she thought she should be. It’s not like she had a sex life like that with Grant.

  Ah, fuck—Grant! The memories of why she was in this situation flooded back. Well, there went reconciliation. She wouldn’t want to enter a marriage after a day’s break in the relationship that included a long, passionate night with another person. Long and passionate weren’t words she’d use to describe her love life with Grant. They’d been… compatible. At least in the beginning. Lately, even make-out sessions were few and far between. He just hadn’t seemed interested. She used the excuse they were saving up for after the wedding. To make it more exciting, right?

  Cassie took a deep breath to slow her thinking and organize her thoughts. Her engagement was good and over. She’d figure out Grant’s reasons later. It was only Saturday; she’d worry about canceling wedding plans and notifying guests come Monday. Now all she needed to figure out was this bartender, who normally oozed malice and danger with his disconcerting eyes and shaved head, but thoughtfully left her water and cooked her breakfast.

 
He emptied the pan onto their plates and set it on the counter, then took a seat across from her. He quietly watched her, gauging her reaction. “Go ahead and eat Cassie.” Her name on his lips warmed her, the sensation moving through to her core… impossible that after last night she could be ready to go again so easily.

  Jace inhaled sharply, his gaze darkened and he readjusted himself under the table. “Let’s eat, first. Then we’ll…” he eyed her breasts, her nipples hard under her top, “talk.”

  She nodded dumbly and picked up a bacon slice. After the first bite, she inhaled the food, completely famished. She was swallowing the rest of her orange juice when she looked back up at him. His plate was also empty, his hands folded in front of him, quietly watching her, amused.

  Searching for something to do that wouldn’t betray how nervous and awkward she felt, she picked up her glass and plate, and collected his dishes, too. His eyes trailed over her body and she swore she could feel the heat of the path they took.

  What was it she said at the bar last night? It’s lust, nothing more. This felt like more. He’d always made her aware she was a woman with a healthy sex drive. She was conscious to never stare at him at the bar, telling herself she didn’t want to get on management’s bad side. She also felt it was rude to Grant to ogle other men, especially if he was with her. Grant never cared for Pale Moonlight, he only went with her knowing how much Kaitlyn meant to Cassie. And since Cassie hardly went out otherwise, he was happy to oblige. Reminiscing about Grant’s kindness sent a pang of remorse through her. She’d analyze those thoughts later, too.

  Cassie set the dishes in the sink. Think Dr. Stockwell. Analyze the situation. What are the important points you’re missing? It helped her straighten her thoughts out when she referred to herself by her professional title. It reminded her of all the blood, sweat, and tears she put into her education, and that she was more than equipped to figure out any situation she found herself in. She just never expected to find herself in a situation like this.