“Katharine, I have no doubt that you are well aware how to dance. You do everything perfectly.” Eyes twinkling, he took her terrible wine away and set it on a passing tray, pulling her out to the lounge where music played and couples twirled.
Oh, she hadn’t, though. She hadn’t danced in entirely too long.
Jared’s hand warmed her hip, their bodies fitting together so well. He was the perfect height. Too bad she didn’t like him.
They swept around the floor easily, the rest of the dancers no more than a blur. Jared smiled for her, the slightest hint of needle sharp teeth showing. “You never did answer me.”
“I didn’t? Are you sure?” She wasn’t even sure what the question was, exactly.
“No. What are we doing after this?” His smile shouldn’t put her so off guard. It really shouldn’t.
“We? I was going to go home and indulge in a long, hot bubble bath.”
“Oh, that sounds excellent.” His lips slid down beneath her ear as he twirled her, holding her entirely too close.
“Careful, pet. We’re in public.” She wouldn’t let him bite her again.
“We are. We should go where we aren’t.” His voice was low and smooth under the music, like honey under the buzz of bees, and he was very convincing. Very.
“Are you trying to seduce me, Jared?” That wasn’t the question. The question was, why was it working?
“Of course I am. I want you, Katharine. And if I can’t have you on my terms, I will have you on yours.” So reasonable.
“You are so sure you’ll have me.” She almost laughed, remembering the games they used to play together, the fun they invented.
“If I appear so then I am better at dissembling than I used to be.” They turned again, his thumb rubbing at her side, his legs sliding against hers.
“You were always good at dissembling.” He’d fooled her, made her believe for a moment that her kind could love.
“I was trying to be something I wasn’t. I think now I am more that man.” They waltzed right back off the floor as the music changed, Jared pushing her somewhere. He had the map, clearly.
“You’re still a child, pet.” A beautiful, seductive addictive child.
“Am I? Am a recalcitrant one? Are you going to put me over your knee?” Those eyes gleamed for her, laughing, inviting her to laugh as well, daring her.
“You would enjoy that wouldn’t you, pet?” She did laugh with him; he was infectious, under her skin.
“Oh, I always did. But I have learned to love being on the other end of the whip as well.” The world went quiet when Jared pushed her into a small, plush guest bathroom, the door closing with a quiet snick.
She refused to look away, to give Jared any ground. “My skin is entirely wrong for it. Yours warms beautifully.”
“I imagine yours would take a great deal before it even bruised. That’s the thing with you Katharine. It’s not how you warm. It’s how to crack the ice.” His lips slid down her throat, right to his bite, leaving her gasping even with the turtleneck in the way.
“I didn’t give you permission to...” She arched, a sudden, delicious heat flooding her. It enraged and shattered her in a single move. “...to mark me.”
“I know. I took a chance.” Sounding not the least bit repentant, Jared nosed the cloth aside and took her skin with his lips and tongue.
“Bastard.” Oh, heat. She hadn’t been tasted in years, decades, longer than she could remember and the promise of it was enough to make her wet, make her shudder.
“Mmmhmm. I am.” The last was a bare whisper before Jared’s teeth sank into her again, delicately, like he was finding the perfect spot to drink. Sex. It was pure sex distilled into the most delicious addiction. So long, so long she’d abstained, knowing she would love the sensations, crave them. Would beg for them.
It was as if Jared knew her secret, for he did not draw hard, simply long, pulling at her, drinking. Sipping, really. Katharine whimpered, the orgasm building within her belly, her hips beginning to rock unconsciously. His tongue rubbed against the spot as well, so good, so hot, rasping along her nerves.
She needed. It was deliciously unfamiliar, the memory long-lost. “Jared...”
“Yes. Katharine. I--oh.” There. He was no more in control that she was, his hips moving faster and faster as he pressed her up against the wall. She groaned, fingers digging into his shoulders. She wanted to feel him inside, pushing into her, filling her as he bit. It was as if he could read her mind, for Jared’s fingers slipped to the button of her slacks, working them open, pushing beneath to tease the skin of her belly.
He must be able to smell her need; she could scent his, rich and salty and male. It made her mouth water, made her expose her fangs as she moaned.
“Yes, love. Taste me, too.” He pulled her hands up above her head, pressing them against cool marble, his other hand staying below her waist to push her pants down, slipping beneath the waistband of her underwear.
“Touch me.” She tugged at his grip, moaning at his strength, his grip. The sensitive curve of his elbow was within striking distance, her teeth sinking into the flesh to taste. His arm nearly buckled, but he only grunted and held her tighter, his fingers pushing down between her legs to test her swollen, sensitive nub. Yes. Yes. He tasted sharp, male, richer than he had before, stronger. Her tongue slid over his skin, drawing the life in, sipping at him.
His chest heaved, his hips rolling, and one finger slid inside her, pushing strongly. He was forceful and yet gentle, and she was a little amazed at him, one corner of her mind forced to admire the man he was becoming.
She lifted her head, licked her lips. “More. Give me more, pet.”
“What do you want, love?” There was no triumph in his face, no sense of making her beg. Just need, his eyes cloudy and hot.
“You. Fuck me. Make me come.” No games, isn’t that what he’d said?
“Yes.” Turning, Jared hoisted her up on the sink, not the most comfortable perch but it allowed him to pull her pants and underwear all the way off, leaving her in thigh highs and pumps. Before she could blink, he had opened his own slacks and was pushing between her thighs, the heavy pressure of his cock pushing against her folds.
She wrapped one leg around him, tugged him in deep, her heel digging into his thigh. She gasped as the swollen head of his cock spread her, filled her perfectly.
Oh, it had been so long. So long since she’d felt him. He’d always fit her so well, had slid into her just like this on the rare occasions she’d let him. And this? This was more, harder, deeper. Katharine leaned in, the kiss wild and needy, both of them feeding off the other’s need.
His fangs pricked at the inside of her lower lip even while his hands shaped her bottom, pulling her forward so he could thrust. Pushing harder and harder, Jared took her completely, reducing her focus to nothing but him. She framed his face with her hands, holding him as she moaned into his lips, let him in, let him touch her.
They rocked together, both of them lost it seemed, and Jared simply consumed her. Inside and out. She could feel every inch of Jared’s shaft, thick and heavy, spreading her, filling her. Shudders rocked her, pleasure washing over her in one wave after another. She was caught in the sensations, completely lost to them.
Jared jerked within her, groaning, his whole body shaking as he shoved into her one last time, the words he said indistinct, distant as the last ripples tore through her. She moaned and let him hold her, face nuzzling into his throat.
“Katharine.” It was the growl of a sated animal. “Come home with me.”
“You’re too much of a temptation.” This was why she never made love with her own kind.
“Mmmhmm. And you drive me to distraction. It will be glorious.”
No doubt it would. This did not change the fact that she was standing half naked in Yvette Dublay’s guest powder room, clinging to him.
She was losing her mind.
“I have to go. I can’t.” Her lips snapped shut, r
efusing to let the threatening babble out. She would not embarrass herself.
Jared eased away and surprised her by thoughtfully turning his back so she might right herself. The sound of his zipper going up was like a shot. He sighed. “I’m sorry, darling. I got out of hand entirely. Not the best way to prove to you how suave and controlled I am, hmmm?”
“I--you’re fine, pet. Jared, I...” She dressed quickly, checking her face in the mirror, assuring herself that her makeup was, if not perfect, suitable. No reflection, her ass. The things humans invented.
She pulled a lipstick from her pocket, hand trembling a bit as she reapplied.
“Good.” He drew a deep breath, and his hand settled on her hip. “Shall I walk you out?”
His lips were stained with her—her blood, her lipstick—and she reached up, wiping them clean with her thumb. “I would like that very much.”
Offering one crooked arm, Jared smiled. “Lovely. Come on, sweet. Let’s leave, hmmm?”
She nodded, leaning into strength of his body for just a moment.
Just one moment.
Chapter Four
He was ridiculously nervous.
Ridiculous because he was far more mature than he had been the last time he’d been to Katharine’s home. And because he knew he’d gotten to her when she asked him to come by.
Still, there was a great deal of water under that particular bridge and Jared hoped he could let it go long enough to really enjoy the feeling of being back in Katharine’s life.
He had a deep, rich red wine he knew she’d enjoy, and a beautiful orchid she would like, and he knew he looked good in a pair of charcoal wool trousers and a soft shirt with a jacket atop. Now all he had to do was stop acting like an idiot and ring the doorbell.
A beautiful young oriental woman opened the door as soon as he did, slanted eyes heavily painted, dressed in cobalt silk. “Good evening. Madame’s afternoon appointment ran long. She asks that you come in and allow me to entertain you in her absence.”
Jared summoned a smile, knowing it would be incredibly impolite to the young lady to refuse, even though he really only wanted to see Katharine. It embarrassed him how much, in fact.
“Thank you,” he said, slipping his shoes off just inside the door.
“Would you like a drink, sir?” He was led to the formal parlor and he smiled. He remembered Katharine’s disdain for this room, for the cold perfection of the neutral walls, the carefully chosen furniture. He’d seen her inner sanctum, seen the color and passion and sensuality of it.
He perched on a sofa after handing over his gifts. “A gin and tonic, please.”
“Of course.” The orchid was placed upon the mantle, waxen and heavy under a single spotlight. The girl was talented, perfectly trained as she brought him his drink with a smile.
Jared returned the smile, but did not let it reach his eyes. “What is your name, sweet?”
“Rini, sir.” Little bunny. Clever. She knelt before him, short dark hair framing her throat perfectly.
Katharine must truly think she was testing him. “Well, thank you for the drink, Rini. I will wait here. I’ll call you if I need anything else.”
If Rini was offended, she didn’t show it, simply left him alone in the perfectly coiffed room.
Jared sighed and rolled his shoulders. The room had nothing to recommend it at all, save the gin and tonic. Still, he was in. He could wait.
And wait.
And wait.
It was almost an hour later and his ass was asleep from the all-too-fashionable, but incredibly uncomfortable divan, when an amazing din started coming in over the piped-in music. Five minutes after that, Rini scooted in, cheeks pale as linen and dark eyes wide. “I’m sorry, sir. The mistress is...unwell.”
A crash sounded, along with the slamming of a door. Lady Katharine must be having a snit.
“Is she? Perhaps I should see her. I was once...very adept at coaxing her out of her bad humors.” Grinning, he rose and wandered toward the source of the sound.
“I--sir--” she said...” That was the problem with keeping little ones around as assistants. They never knew how to stop someone with a will.
The kitchen was trashed, a tray of crystal shattered everywhere. The chaos continued in the morning nook, down the little hall and into a master suite where a telephone flew out the door, crashing against the wall.
Cautiously, Jared poked his head in the door, looking about, admiring the decor even as it was trashed. Scarlet and emerald, amethyst and a rich sapphire—the room was everything Katharine pretended not to be—sensual and warm, silken and wild and soft.
“...rip her throat out, the little bitch. Did she believe for a moment I’d allow that?” She was pacing, screaming into a cell phone, pumps and jacket already off, leaving her in a pale cream silk shell and a dark skirt.
If only her hair was...
Oh. The clip came out, was slammed onto the bureau, gold curls tumbling down. He admired the magnificence of her rage, and her hair, leaning in the doorway and crossing his arms. God she was lovely. The skirt went next, the curve of her ass perfect in the little lace panties, thigh highs clinging to her skin. “You tell that woman that she’s fired, Silvestri or I’ll visit her on my own. We do not appreciate espionage.”
Then that handset went flying, shattering against the marble tile around the little hearth. A fireplace in the bedroom. That was new. Impressive.
“Rip her fucking throat out…” Ah. No, Katharine did not accept anyone taking what was hers. Not at all. Jared smiled, thinking of whose throat she might want to tear out.
The little shell was lifted, exposing her belly, then she turned, nostrils flaring, eyes burning with fury. “I told Rini to show you out.”
“She’s very young. Did you think I would let you renege on our date, love? After I made it into the inner sanctum?”
“I’m not in the mood for games.” No, she was in the mood for war, and he was strong enough to face her.
“I can see that. What are you in the mood for, Katharine?” He moved in close, grabbing her hands when she made to push him away, luxuriating in the feel of her skin under his fingers.
A piece of the cell phone skittered across the floor as she kicked it, growled, the sound deliciously feral, sexual and hungry. “You were supposed to leave.”
“When have I ever done as I was supposed to?” He pulled her to him and kissed her, his mouth slamming down on hers in a gesture as old as man and woman.
Flames seared him balls to bones as she kissed him back, all that fury slamming into him, crashing over him in rough waves of need. Her nails scraped along his spine, her nipples rock-hard against his shirt. Growling right back, Jared kissed her, biting her lips, his fangs sliding out to prick at the delicate skin on the insides. She tasted so fine, boiling up under his tongue.
“I’m angry...” Her head fell back and he could see the hints of his marks, pink on her pale skin. His. He’d marked her, made her come for him.
His breath hitched and he all but came right there. Control was a thin thread, stretched so tight, but he held it, his hands sliding down her back, thumbs along either side of her spine to hold her closer. The thin silk hid nothing from him, just highlighted her curves, the swell of her breasts.
“So beautiful, love.” That was no false flattery. He just adored her. Lifting her a little, he bent to lick at her breasts through the cloth, make her nipples even harder.
“Don’t try to distract me...” He wasn’t trying. He was doing. It was heady that it worked.
“I’m not. I’m trying to make love to you. You can take it out on me all you like.” He groaned as her nails raked down his back, sharp even through the shirt.
“You.” She groaned, pulled away from him, hair loose and wild where it framed her and he could see it, see her trying to gather her control.
“I what?” That would never do. He had to get her back to that need, that hot eyed want. Jared kissed her again, her swollen mouth openi
ng to him. Little sounds pushed into his lips, her fingers digging into his arms, holding on. That was more like it. He stepped up between her thighs, pushing them wide. Her scent came to him, heady and hot, sweeter than the perfume that she’d designed, and he could feel her heat and wetness.
Her bed was right there, rumpled and mussed, mounded with pillows to lounge on, to spread her over. How could he resist? Jared pushed Katharine back, tipping her down, not bothering with gentleness. She needed a firm hand, not a soft one.
She growled as she bounced, legs spreading, one knee caught on a pillow. “Daring, daring, pet.”
“I am, hmm?” One hand slid up her right thigh, above the line of her stocking, right up to where her leg met her torso. “You’ve always made me that way.”
“Don’t do something you’ll regret.” Her teeth flashed, control slipping again.
“I’ll never regret being with you.” The tiny scrap of underwear she wore ripped under his hand and Jared spread her wider, slipping down between her thighs, his chin nudging her golden curls.
Wet and sweet, she wanted him, hips rolling instinctively to rub up against him. It was an offer he had no intentions of refusing. Using his thumb and forefinger, he spread her open, licking his way to her core. His lips found the tiny nub at her center and closed around it as her taste overwhelmed him.
“Jared!” No control, no struggle, just pure, unadulterated need and passion. For him.
It enflamed him, made him ever more determined to give her nothing but pleasure. He licked down father, his tongue pushing deep inside her before he pulled back, then pressed forward again. So wet for him. Calling his name. Spreading for him. It was a wet dream, a fantasy he’d been working on for years.
It had him humping the air like a naughty puppy, but he focused on her, on her taste and texture and on everything he could do for her.
She began to shake, fingers tangled in the sheets, hips rocking up and demanding that he give her what she needed. She needed more, he gave more. Two fingers slid into her, delicately, easily, slipping along her wetness, her heat until she closed about him tightly.
Eagle of Ice, Scorpion of Fire Page 5