Slowly straightening up, Raul smiled. “You are right, and I know the first place we’ll be together. Soon.” He turned to look at his woman, and she shivered. Her nipples grew hard and her heated scent filled the car.
“Okay, enough.” Herme opened the door on the other side of the limo. The warm air washed inside, mixing with her sweet scent and Raul’s scent.
Bella’s door opened, almost sending her onto the ground. Raul grabbed her before she could fall. “Damn it, Rafael, wait until it’s okay to open a door,” he snapped, looking at Bella. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine, and you didn’t need to bite the boy’s head off. I was just surprised is all.” She patted his head as if he were a little kid before turning to smile up at his brother. “Hello, I’m Bella. I take it you’re the little brother Mario told me about?” she asked, getting out of the car before Raul wanted her to.
Raul followed her out and pulled her back into his arms, growling at Rafael. “Watch it, boy.” He bit her neck. “Have a little more respect.” He placed a little kiss on the mark he left on her.
She looked up, smiling. “Am I going to have little bite marks all over my body?” she teased.
“Oh, count on it for the first month,” Sunshine said, coming out to greet them. “But after that, the honeymoon phase ends.” She sighed.
“Really? Does someone need some loving?” Sergio yanked on the back of her hair, pulling her head back so he could stare down into her face. “Believe me, tonight you will have my full attention, baby. Raul, I didn’t expect to see you here.” He nipped Sunshine’s chin before turning to look at Raul.
“We wanted to make sure Karina was okay before we head home to wash up, and I was telling Maria and Herme about the house across the street.”
“Why don’t you go and see your sister. We’ll go over and check out the house,” Maria said, looking up at Herme. He nodded.
“We’ll meet you inside in a few minutes.” Herme wrapped his arm around Maria, and they moved toward the house.
“Come, Karina is resting on the couch. She didn’t want to be alone,” Sunshine said, moving toward the house with Sergio. Raul hadn’t been in his parents’ house in over two years, and going inside felt weird.
As if sensing his thoughts, his father looked over his shoulder at Raul. “You are always welcome here, Raul. You’re the one who chose to stay away.”
Bella looked up at him. “Well, then, we’ll make sure to change that, especially if Sunshine was the one who cooked that breakfast earlier.”
Sunshine laughed. “Yes, I cooked it. You know, we should have a family dinner tonight, since we know you can’t risk her eating at the pack house. Come here and eat first.”
They went inside and talked to Karina about normal things for ten minutes, giving her time to adjust and get settled in.
“Please come for dinner?” Karina asked.
Raul moved over to the couch and kissed the top of her head. “I think I’m going to lock you and Bella up in a tower. We’ll come, little sister, but you must rest. Watch some of those gooey movies you like. As a matter of fact, do you want us to pick you up some new ones?”
She grabbed his wrist. “There were others at that house. They weren’t just after me.” She looked at Bella. “They were trying to perform some kind of spell with my blood. They’re nuts, Raul. They wanted my blood because they said something about it would hurt Bella. They believe if she wasn’t here that only the strong would survive after the volcano goes off.”
“Spell? Did you hear a name?” Maria asked, entering the house with Herme. She walked up to the back of the sofa.
Karina shook her head and frowned. “Just something like repealing something. There was a wolf there, too. I could smell him, but his scent was different, like they were trying to mask it.”
“It’s easy to mask a scent, but the spell worries me. It sounds like an aversion spell, and if not done right, it could kill the person trying to perform it. I’d keep your family close. Others will come after you and them. And speaking of family, I think it’s time I called in mine.”
Behind her, Herme moaned. “No, not your sisters, please,” he said, earning a glare from Maria.
“Pay him no mind. He’s still pissed at my youngest sister for turning him into a toad.” She smiled. “But what we really need is my momma.”
“No! You will not bring that woman here! Do you recall the last time she visited us?” Herme growled as he stepped up next to her.
Bella burst out laughing.
“You should have seen Nana, oh my God. I never laughed so hard. Three of his men will never be the same,” Bella told Karina, then leaned down over her. “You see, her Charley’s grandma looks like a damn movie star. Let’s just say all three men followed her around until Gael, her husband-to-be, showed up. Oh, don’t get me wrong, she loved the attention and would have taken them on, but Gael is a little bit jealous.”
Karina smiled. “Now that’s my kind of woman.”
“Yes, Momma has the magic. Maybe that’s why she had 16 of us. Yep, time to call in the troops. Of course, we’ll need places to stay. The house across the way looks wonderful. Do you know how many rooms it has?” Maria asked.
“Five in one part of the house and six in the other half. The common room is in the middle. We were thinking of purchasing it, but it was a little big even for us,” Sunshine said.
“Perfect, get on the phone, mate. We need that house; family’s coming to town,” Maria said, moving toward the door.
“Why do I feel as if we’re being overrun here?” Raul grumbled and Bella giggled.
“Because you are. Even I haven’t met the whole family, so this is going to be good. Charley said they were all together one Christmas and it was a zoo. Yep, we’re never going to be alone now,” she groaned and he growled.
“I know the perfect place, and I’ll take you there tomorrow night if you rest up tonight.” Raul held out his hand, and she placed her small one into it without a thought. “Little sister, you rest. I’m glad you’re okay, that we got there in time.”
“He wasn’t interested in sex and wouldn’t let the others touch me. So that was a good thing.”
“Any attack is emotionally hard to get over. Talk to your mom, or if you want, you can call Raul. I’m also here to listen if you want. I’ve been where you’re at, so I know what it’s like,” Bella told her before looking up at him. “Ready?”
Chapter Twelve
The hot water was a godsend and so was the massaging showerhead in the master bathroom. The strong beads of water beat down on her back like a set of skilled hands, taking away the soreness in her muscles. With the slivers of wood all out of her skin, the dried blood gone, and the stench of death no more, the tension slowly eased from her.
With her eyes closed, Bella almost wished her life were normal. She didn’t know what would happen next and had never felt so lost. Hell, Bella even missed being online.
“What’s all that sighing going on in there?” Raul opened the shower door and stepped inside with her. His gaze traveled down her body. “Beautiful.” He wrapped his arms around her. “It’s been a rough day, hasn’t it? Hell, a rough week for you.” He rubbed her back, just holding her. Raul was tall; her head barely came up to his chin, and his arms were muscular and strong. Bella felt safe in them.
If Charley had told her a year ago that she’d be standing naked in a hunk’s arms, she would have laughed, but now, it just felt like home. “Why does this feel so right?” she asked before placing a kiss on his chest and looking up.
“Because we were”—he smiled—”destined to be together.” Raul laughed and cupped her face with his hands. “I look into your eyes and I see peace. The beast rests when you’re beside me, but my passion still burns inside. The things I want to do to you...” He shook his head. “I just don’t know if you’re ready, Little Mite.”
She ran her hand down his stomach to his cock and grasped it. “You say I’m yours; if that’s tru
e, then this is mine. No one will touch you or please you more than I can. Don’t judge me because I’m small. You don’t know me, just as I don’t know you, but we’ll get there.” She stroked his cock and dropped to her knees. “You like dark loving and I crave it too, but I have no one to guide me. Be my teacher, my master, Raul.” Bella put her heart into her request and took his cock into her mouth, staring up at him. It was a risk; her heart had been hurt so many times, and this man could shred her heart and soul so bad she’d never be able to recover.
His cock was almost too thick, and the length, well, she couldn’t possibly be able to take him fully into her mouth. Oh, he’d stretch her to the point of pain, but the pain only increased her desire.
He grabbed her hair and pulled her head back. “How experienced are you? Have you ever been collared?” The little growl at the end of his sentence had her smiling.
“No, I’ve never been collared. I couldn’t find the right person. Every time I tried, my body just wouldn’t accept them. I think, inside, I knew there was someone out there for me. I’ve done scenes, though, and I’m not going to lie, a bite of pain, well... You know.”
“Suck me, Little Mite, but keep your hands down.” He pushed his cock into her mouth. His grasp on her hair tightened as he guided her, watching as she took him as far as she could into her mouth.
“My Little Mite,” he mumbled and fucked her mouth but didn’t come. He backed away from her and lifted her up. “Not yet, little one, not yet. Soon, but the first time I come, it will be inside this pussy.” He covered her mound with a hand. “This is mine now, isn’t it?”
“Is it, sir? Am I enough for you?” she asked, feeling a little insecure.
“Aww, Little Mite, you are mine. I’m just afraid my dark needs will hurt you too much. But not to worry, we’ll take it slow. Soon, you’ll crave the touch of my whip, the feel of my mark on these beautiful breasts.” He pinched her nipple until her legs shook.
“Sir,” she whispered and closed her eyes, but they popped back open when he slapped her thigh.
“Eyes always on me,” he said. “They’re waiting for us outside. It’s going to be a long evening, but tonight, you’ll sleep in my arms, won’t you, Bella?” He bent his head and sucked her nipple into his mouth. She reached for him and he growled. “Hands down.”
“Please,” she whispered, then noticed the steam rising all around them.
“I see it too. The flame burns strong in you Little Mite.” He cupped her breasts and moved her back under the shower.
“What the hell?” she screeched as she tried to get away from the cold water. “Let. Me. Go,” she snapped and he laughed.
“Such a spitfire.” He nipped her neck and shut off the water. “Now that I have your attention, I need to talk to you. I’m not going to lie to you; tonight will be hard.” He stepped out of the shower and grabbed a big towel. “Come here.” He wrapped the towel around her when she stepped out.
“What’s going to be hard? I thought we were going to the pack house so I could meet everyone.” She frowned, staring up at him.
“You will, but I’m also laying my claim on you in front of the pack. I will not have another incident like I did with Neftali. Plus, I know you’re my mate; there’s no question about it.”
She walked over to the counter and grabbed her hairbrush, but he took it from her hand and brushed her hair gently, placing kisses along her neck.
“And what does this claiming mean? What will happen?” Bella asked, staring at his reflection in the mirror.
“It’s a public submission, Bella.” His gaze met hers.
“And? Spit it out, Raul, so I know what I’m walking into.”
“They’re going to want me to change you tonight. With them all there,” he said, watching her.
“You mean I would be like you? I’d be able to shift?” She smiled. “You know, that might be kind of cool. So what do you have to do to change me?” she asked, not liking the look in his eyes.
“You would have to be bitten by at least three wolves at the same time, and we’re not talking nips here.” He turned her and cupped her face. “I can’t be the one to do it; my second will chose three he trusts to bite you. We won’t know when it will happen.”
Bella stumbled and leaned back onto the counter as Charley shrieked, “They’re going to do what?” as she barged into the bathroom.
“You’re not going!” Charley yelled and crossed her arms, glaring at Raul then at Tank, who tried to drag her out of the bathroom.
“This is between them, Charley, just like it will be between us when you are changed,” Tank said.
Charley’s eyes got big, and Bella latched on to her arms. “Don’t!” she yelled and glared at Tank. “You are really going to have to learn how to talk to my sister if you want to keep your damn balls,” she growled as Maria ran into the room.
“I see you told them.” Maria shook her head. “You boys are really clueless about how to deliver news. Charley, in the living room now. Bella, get some clothes on before you flash everyone here. And, Raul, you have a nice body, but could you please cover yourself?”
“What?” Bella released Charley and jumped in front of Raul as Charley turned to stare at him. “Out,” she grumbled and glared up at Raul, who only laughed. He placed a kiss on her head and stepped around her, heading into the bedroom.
“Damn, Bella, his thing is big!” Charley said right before Tank growled and threw her over his shoulder.
“Woman!” he snarled, carrying her out of the bedroom, but not before Charley lifted her head and looked back at Bella.
“We will be talking soon.” She squealed the last word as Tank smacked her ass.
“Get dressed, Bella, and wear something you don’t mind being ruined,” Raul ordered, and her heart jumped into her throat.
* * *
Raul watched Bella pull out outfit after outfit until he could take no more. “May I make a suggestion?” he asked, coming up behind her and wrapping his arms around her.
“Please, I’m a nervous wreck here. Do I wear something to impress or go I don’t care clothes that get ruined?” Her voice shook, and he hugged her tight.
“Little Mite how about one of my shirts and maybe a simple pair of leggings ? I kind of like you in one of my shirts.” He kissed the side of her neck and turned her around.
“When I look at you, it’s like we’ve known each other forever, but it’s only been two days.” Bella rested her head on his chest. “Am I that much of a loser that I’m agreeing to all of this without putting up a fight?” She looked up at him. “What if you get tired of me? Is there divorce in your culture?” She threw up her arms and stepped away from him to pace. “See, I don’t know shit about any of this. I’m going into a pack house to meet how many wolves?” she asked, stopping to stare at him, and he flinched, not wanting to tell her now.
“Come here, Little Mite.” He held out his hand, and she glared at him.
“How many, Raul?”
“I have the second largest pack in the US. There are over 3,000 of us in Nevada,” he said, watching her to gauge her reaction.
She threw up her hands again and went for the door, but Raul was quicker. He lifted her and held her tight, then he sat on the bed, cradling her.
“I thought we were talking hundreds, but no, I have to mate a man with thousands under his command. This is not going to work.” She shook her head.
“Yes, it is. I’m not letting you go, Bella.” He took a deep breath and let it out. “The night you came here, I was talking to one of my best friends, Lucid. He’s a bloodsucker who doesn’t beat around the bush. We have a connection, and I would trust him with your life. He happens to operate the only private club for nonhumans. Anyway, Lucid knew I was having a hard time believing all of this stuff, so he took me below his club to where he’s recently found some tunnels. He showed me a room in one of them. It’s our room, Bella. There are pictures of you, me, Tank, Charley and Lucid. I will claim you in this room. L
ucid told me that in all his life—and he’s old—that he’d never seen such signs that we were to be together. That even if I didn’t believe in this destiny, Lucid could see how much the threats to your life had taken a toll on me. You are my mate; there is no question. No, Little Mite, I can’t let you go. Please, try to work through this with me. I won’t leave your side, baby, I promise.”
“How do that many people fit into a pack house?”
He laughed and squeezed her. “You are amazing. First, it’s not a normal pack house. This place has six wings, 55 rooms. In the center of this compound, we have a grand hall, which is where we hold our meetings and such. The whole place sits on about ten acres. We also have 20 small houses where families that need a place can stay while they get on their feet again. Yes, even we were hit hard by the recession.”
She shook her head. “If you leave my side, I’m going to hurt you. I might be a submissive”—she circled her hands round his neck—”but if you abandon me, I’ll get violent. I don’t have to speak, do I?” She glared at him, and he smiled.
“No, you’ll talk with the females another time. This is just to mingle.”
“Mingle and get eaten,” she mumbled and stood. “Okay, give me a shirt.” She moved to her suitcase, pulled out an old pair of leggings and slipped them on.
“No panties?” he growled.
“Nope. Why when I’m going to be stripping again anyway?” She dropped the towel when he handed her his shirt.
“No bra either? I’m going to be hard all damn night thinking about that.” He helped her button the shirt. “Just wear your flip-flops, baby,” he told her, stepping away from Bella when all he wanted to do was bury his cock in her. But he had been taught patience, and Raul would wait for the perfect time to claim what was his. He peered over his shoulder as she finished buttoning the shirt and slipped on her flip-flops. Her curly, long, black hair and blue eyes the color of the ocean aroused him.
“You are beautiful no matter what you wear, Little Mite.”
Vegas Is Burning Page 12