Beyond The Veil: A Paranormal & Magical Romance Boxed Set

by Multiple Authors

  Not now. Not here. Not yet.

  He clamped his mouth on the soft skin inside her thigh as he tried to control his breathing and raging lust.

  Son of a bitch.

  How could he keep his distance from Marisol after this? After planting a long lingering kiss on her heated flesh one more time, he slowly scooted back up, pressing kisses on her quivering belly, breasts, and mouth. “Feel better?” he whispered.

  Marisol smiled languidly as she lay panting on the table, her chest still heaving. “Yes, I feel so…so...pleasured.”

  With tenderness, he hugged Marisol’s limp, soft, and curvaceous body. She sighed against his neck, her breath hot against his skin when reality dawned on him—he’d protect this woman until he drew his last breath. Until he knew she was safe from Atos. He kissed the side of her neck. In the meantime, what was he going to do with her? In a short period of time, she’d crawled right inside his skin. He couldn’t recall a time in his life when he’d wanted someone this bad. Someone he couldn’t have.

  “Baby, what did you do to me?”

  “I haven’t done anything.”

  Callum chuckled. “Woman, you have no idea how powerful you are.”

  “Guess not. Callum?”

  “Yeah?”

  “I’m a virgin, but I’m not naïve. You gave me what my body sought, but you didn’t get yours.”

  “Baby, I can’t mate with you.”

  “I know. But I want to please you, too. And there is another way.”

  “How did you know?”

  “I told you. I’m not that innocent.”

  “Marisol,” he breathed her name. “You don’t have to.”

  “I want to. It’s only fair.”

  He trapped her still flushed face between his large hands. “I’ll be fine.”

  “Tell me what to do. Tell me what you want.”

  “Damn, you’re one stubborn, beautiful human.” Growling low deep in his throat, he devoured her mouth. He only released his hold on her to unbutton and unzip his pants. His dick sprung. Relieved, he sighed in Marisol’s mouth. But he wanted a different kind of relief.

  Grabbing Marisol’s shoulder, he helped her sit up. He took Marisol’s hand and guided her toward his throbbing dick. “Touch me.”

  He trembled when Marisol’s finger made contact with the tip of his cock. A woman’s touch. Magical. Precious. And so fucking good. “Hold me.”

  Softer and smaller than his, Marisol wrapped her hand around his cock.

  Callum groaned. He leaned his forehead on her shoulder and savored the feeling of her hand slowly moving up and down the length of his shaft. “Fuck.” He’d be lucky if he lasted two minutes.

  With his hand on top of hers, he showed her how to pump his cock.

  “So velvety. You’re hard and smooth.”

  He thrust his hips in synchrony with her pumping hand. “Baby...” In his mind, he was moving in and out of Marisol, probing her tight passage. He was getting closer to his release. “Kiss me.”

  Marisol opened her mouth to him and kissed him without inhibition. “Hmm...”

  His desire overrode everything else. He pumped faster and faster. “Baby, don’t let go.”

  “Callum…”

  It was the way she uttered his name—sensual, loving, so sincere, that made him growl and release his seed in her hand. Another thrust, followed by a couple more and he emptied himself.

  Tired and satisfied—temporarily—he hugged Marisol tight. It was so damn good to be in her arms, to feel her soft curves, to feel her heartbeat against his, but he couldn’t let this happen again.

  “Are you okay?” Marisol asked, her voice laced with tenderness.

  “Never been better.” He nipped the smooth skin on the base of her neck. “Never been better,” he repeated.

  Chapter Nine

  Feeling better lasted exactly three hours.

  Marisol asked more questions about her family, his background, and complained that she wouldn’t be able to take her pet cemetery—the area in the backyard where she’d buried her parakeet, two cats, some hermit crabs, a bunny rabbit, and a hamster—before he was finally able to convince her to pack and then go to bed. He wanted to laugh when she pouted and grumbled her way into her room. He also wanted to follow. God knows all he wanted was to lie with Marisol, but he kept his feet from taking one more step and remained outside her door, watching her from there. “Pack light. Take only what you need.”

  “What I need would require at least three suitcases.”

  “One bag. That’s it. Do as I say, Marisol. It’s for your own good.”

  Marisol’s brows arched high when she looked at him. Her eyes showed annoyance. “You’re not the boss of me.”

  Sheez, Mark raised a brat. The way she stared at him while chewing her bottom lip, Callum could almost hear her intentions of ignoring him. He shook his head in warning.

  In truth, deep inside he wished she would try ignoring him again. To give him reason to ravish her mouth again. Hell, with her bed only a foot away, he’d surely do more than just kiss. He’d make love with her in a hurry. And damn him to hell, his body screamed to touch her again. Finally, Marisol must have realized that no way he’d relent, so she pulled out an empty black hiker’s backpack from her closet. Leaning against the doorjamb, he watched her pack.

  “A small toiletry bag, underwear, shirt, boxer shorts, a pair of jeans, and my father’s medicine kit. How’s that for light packing?”

  “Good enough. If you need anything else, we can buy it later.”

  “Fine. I guess I don’t have to take a suitcase full of my things anyway. Surely, I won’t be gone long. Two or three days, tops?”

  Callum didn’t answer. Contradicting her would only result in more questions that required long-winded answers. And he wasn’t in the mood to explain. The quicker he distanced himself from Marisol, the faster he could forget about how soft she felt and how wonderful she tasted. There were demons lurking outside her cabin. He needed a clear head and he needed to stay focused.

  Marisol placed the backpack at the foot of her bed. He hoped it stayed there. Chances were it wouldn’t.

  “Go to bed. You need rest, Mari.”

  “You’re worried. You think something will happen, don’t you?”

  “I don’t know what will happen, baby. What we don’t know, could hurt you.”

  “Like Atos coming in the middle of the night.” Marisol glanced at the window. “That’s why I shouldn’t sleep. I want to be awake when he, or when they, arrive,” she muttered.

  Damn. He reached the spot where she stood in two quick strides. “Stop worrying.”

  Marisol looked up and met his eyes. “They’re coming.”

  Callum held her face between his hands, leaned down and kissed her. Hard. He kissed her to make her forget about Atos, but as soon as their lips met, the kiss overshadowed his purpose. He slanted his mouth and then plunged his tongue deep into the depth of her mouth.

  Marisol’s tongue touched his before she gently sucked him. Bam! His blood surged down his cock. He cupped her ass, splayed his fingers and then pressed her on his already hard cock. The kiss wasn’t gentle. It was as sensual as it could get. Deep, arousing, erotic. This woman was a raging fire in his blood. Her physical heat was too hot, too exciting—and God damn it, he liked that about her.

  He couldn’t get enough of her. Right that moment, he wanted her naked again, wanted to be on top, claiming and tasting her innocence. A flash of lightning lit the room; it jarred Callum’s mind back to the task at hand. He ended the kiss abruptly and looked at Marisol. Her lips were wet and swollen from his kisses. Keeping his hands on her shoulders to keep their distance lest he lose control again, he said, “Leave the worrying to me, baby. Get to bed. I’ll see you tomorrow.” He didn’t wait for Marisol to reply. Quickly, before his dick ruled his mind again, he walked out of the room and closed the door. He strode into Mark’s study, grabbed the back of the black leather chair, picked it up with one
hand, and carried it back outside Marisol’s bedroom. He shoved the chair in front of the closed door and then sat on it. Fuck! Not even a day and he’d already tasted Mari. Why in the fucking world did he let it happen? Hell, it happened because he let his cock dictate his actions. And Mari... Damn, he could smell her, like a bitch in heat.

  Callum rubbed his face with his hands, unable to believe what just happened. This wasn’t what he had in mind when he came running here. Okay, he’d been fantasizing about Marisol, but he didn’t think he’d actually get to touch her. Damn it. His brothers had given him the job of taking the sword from Marisol, not pleasuring her. They made an exception when he befriended Mark because he already knew about the shape-shifters’ existence and he was valuable to the clan. But getting physically involved with his daughter was a totally different story. His pathetic reasoning about finger-fuck and oral sex being okay wouldn’t fly. If his brothers found out what he’d done, they’d definitely kick his ass. And maybe kick him out of the clan. Ah, don’t borrow trouble, Callum.

  Thunder rumbled from a distance. He knew it wouldn’t take long for Atos to find Marisol’s home. The dipshit knew how to mingle with humans and get information. In fact, he wouldn’t be surprised if they already knew where Marisol lived. She must be the only vet’s daughter in this town. Easy to find, easy to track. It had been a month since Atos viciously attacked Mark—he wasn’t likely to wait any longer. Dust had already settled. Atos had already bided his time—he’d come for Marisol. Deep inside his bones, he could feel their presence. The Blood Robbers were near. Their foul smell spoiled the air.

  ***

  Less than two hours later, he heard three bastards break in and begin prowling around inside the barn. Callum wasn’t surprised. Behind a shelf full of pots, he watched the SOBs sniff and touch everything in the room.

  Surprise, surprise. What had taken them so long? He must let Mari know she had unwanted visitors. There must be a place where she could hide or run to. He’d fight these assholes, but not when Mari was around. Making no noise, he quickly went back to Marisol’s room.

  ***

  Marisol moaned and arched her back. The sun beating against her skin felt so good. It had been raining for weeks. She needed this break. Her body sank deeper into the sand when a hard torso pressed on top of her. Wet and warm mouth clamped on her nipple, while gentle expert fingers stroked her achy flesh.

  “Oh yeah.”

  “Marisol.”

  “Mmmm.”

  “Baby, wake up.”

  “Please. Don’t—” A hand covered half of her face.

  “Wake up.”

  Marisol opened her eyes. Sunshine, salty air, lapping waves quickly disappeared, displaced by darkness. What the heck? She didn’t have to look around to know that she wasn’t at the beach at all, but in a dark room, a dark shadow looming above her. Her heart thudded against her chest; she tried to scream, but couldn’t. She swung her fist instead and connected with something hard.

  “Owww! God damn it, Marisol. It’s me.” Callum buried his face in the pillow, muffling his groan.

  “Callum? Oh, I’m sorry.” She sat up and tucked her hair behind her ears. “I—I was dreaming...What a dream.”

  “You can tell me all about it later. I’m curious.”

  Marisol was glad the room was dark. At least Callum couldn’t see how embarrassed she felt. “Did I say something?”

  “Yes. Even in your sleep, you talk out loud.”

  “Well, it was a vivid dream.”

  “I bet. You were moaning.”

  “Oh God.”

  “You awake?”

  “I think so. What are you doing here? Did you have a nightmare or something? You scared me.”

  “Scared? I’ll remember to wake you up with a long stick next time.”

  Marisol smiled. She’d hit him so hard, she bet he’d have a shiner tomorrow. “Sorry. I think I have some steaks in the freezer. Don’t eat them though.”

  “Ha. Ha.”

  “Okay. Ice pack?”

  “No, thanks.”

  “Is it morning already?”

  “Dawn.”

  “Too early.”

  “It’ll be too late if you don’t get up now. Get up. Get dressed. Be quick, please.”

  “Are we leaving? I haven’t had my coffee. I need at least one cup in the morning to get me going so I—”

  “Later, baby. You need to get up. Hey, look at me. We have more important things to do right now.”

  “And that is...?”

  “We have to make sure we stay alive. Baby, Blood Robbers are here. Atos found you.”

  “What?” A strong cup of coffee in the morning to get her moving was nothing compared to that bit of news. She was wide awake now.

  Callum’s big hand clamped on her mouth again. “Quiet. Baby, they’re here.”

  “Whadintyouayso? Ohmygod.” With the help of the faint rose-pink light shining through her lacy curtain, she caught Callum’s smile before he moved his hand off her mouth.

  “Now you know. Is there a place for you to hide other than this room?”

  “No.”

  “Shit. Okay. No matter what you hear, you stay here. Keep your back against the wall and make sure whoever or whatever walks in that door stays in front of you. And baby, get your sword. Got that?”

  “Sword. Keep the whatnots in front of me. Got it.”

  “Don’t leave this room. I’ll be right back.”

  “Okay.”

  “Stay here, beautiful.”

  Callum gave her a quick no nonsense kiss. Before she could say anything, he was gone. Bounding off her bed, she knelt on the floor, reaching under the belly of her bed. Her fingers touched the cold leather scabbard of the sword; it hung on hooks her father had installed. It had been months since she’d unsheathed the weapon, or practiced wielding it, but she was nowhere near being rusty.

  A loud crash reached her ears.

  Atos. If it’s you in my house, you won’t get out of here alive.

  Quickly, she removed the scabbard off the hooks and from its hiding place. Gripping the handle, she pulled the sword out of its sheath. The metal gleamed in the dark. Holy mackerel, why did it feel so great to hold this sword? Was it because of the magic it held? Whatever power this thing possessed, she’d use it to her advantage.

  She took up a stance in the farthest corner of the room, her back plastered against the wall, doing what Callum had instructed. She directed her eyes to the door and waited. If someone other than Callum walked in, she’d kill him.

  A couple of heartbeats went by. Still, Marisol waited. She cringed at the awful sounds of something breaking. What if there were a dozen Blood Robbers trying to turn Callum into minced meat? Oh my God. He could be bleeding again. She hoped not. Damn it. She hated standing here, not knowing what was happening. More than that, she hated waiting.

  I don’t have to, do I? Why wait here when I can go down and help?

  ***

  He could smell their stench. They reeked of blood. And not the blood of animals either. From where he stood, Callum watched the three Blood Robbers—Atos’s brother, Pic, and his runners. The fucking assholes had made a kill before coming here. It was dark in the barn, but he could see them as if the sun was high and shining. These pricks were good fighters. Fuck. This is gonna be one hell of a fight.

  Callum came out of his hiding place. “You won’t find carcasses with maggots here.”

  The bastards stopped sniffing around and turned to look at him. It never failed to amaze him how these motherfuckers were born to look like angels. Women were often blinded by their charm and wit. Little did they know these Blood Robbers were evil creatures straight from hell. Fuckers. The one asshole closest to him dropped a vase on the floor.

  “Oops. Shit happens.”

  The crash sounded so loud Callum was sure Marisol heard it. “Stop fucking touching anything. You’re leaving filthy imprints all over the place.”

  “Ah, what a surprise. Ca
llum Dyrdek is alive. Fancy meeting you here. Survived the cut, huh? Oh, let me guess. The vet’s daughter helped you live?”

  Callum wanted to wipe away the smugness on Pic’s face with his fist. “Unlike you, Pic, I don’t give up easily.”

  Simultaneously, the three let out a laugh that sounded more like a snarl.

  “Good. I like when I have to fight for my food.”

  “Who the fuck are you fooling, Junco?” He smirked at the dark-haired, muscled shifter. “You never fight for your food. You prefer rotten meat. I can smell the stink coming out of your pores.” He’d fought the bastard before. Unfortunately, he’d escaped. Not this time. He’d dared to come into Marisol’s barn. Now it’s personal.

  The three started to move toward him, like predators ready to make a kill. They were sylphlike, easily as tall as him, and without a doubt they’d had their share of experience in battle. These Blood Robbers were fast and skilled in capturing their victims.

  “You talk too much, Midnight Howl. Like the drunken whore I just had for dinner.”

  “Shithead. You’re pathetic and a coward. You only go after those who can’t defend themselves.”

  “Boss, want me to make him howl for his life?” the longhaired, dark-skinned shifter asked.

  “No, Raul. I don’t want this one howling. I hate the sound.” To Callum, he said, “This time, Midnight Howl, I’ll make sure no amount of poultice can save you. Right here, right now, you will die.” Pic’s tone of voice could freeze even the hottest part of hell.

  “Not if I lop your heads off first.”

  Suddenly fluorescent lights came to life. Through his peripheral vision, Callum could see Marisol, still wearing her camisole, her nipples visible. Damn it. Well, at least she wore her jeans. He should have known she wouldn’t listen to him. Stubborn woman.