by Gina Kincade
“My turn.”
***
Cortney nibbled on her bottom lip. “Are you sure that’s a good idea?” she asked him. She sure as hell wanted to keep going, but after last night, she wasn’t sure they should.
“It’s the best idea. Ever. I don’t know why I hadn’t thought of it before,” he told her with a wicked grin. “I’m not as desperate now. So I can take my time and enjoy you better.”
“Then what are you waiting for?” she asked as she tore her shirt off. If they could have sex and not worry about the claiming part, she was all for it.
He was on her in an instant, pushing her back onto the blanket, and covering her. He devoured her mouth, darting his tongue inside in an erotic rhythm designed to drive her mad. Her clit had been throbbing since before she’d started sucking him off, and she needed relief.
Draven had his hands at her waist, her jeans undone, then down and off in seconds before he covered her again. His hard body pressed into her, making her moan. Wrapping her legs around his waist, she thrust up, needing more contact. His cock nestled between her folds. All she needed was a slight adjustment, and he’d be inside her.
As amazing as the orgasms he’d already given her had been, it wasn’t what she wanted—what her body needed. She whimpered as she brought her hands down to his ass and dug her fingers into the firm muscles.
Draven moaned and thrust forward, rewarding her with the hard glide of his cock against her clit. But it wasn’t enough. Pulling her lips from his, she nipped at his chin. “I need you inside me. Now,” she demanded.
A sound she’d never heard before, raspy, and deep, rumbled from his throat. Sexy as hell. He tilted his hips back, reaching between them, and guided his cock to her entrance. She held her breath, still clutching his ass as he sank into her.
Cortney arched her back and moaned. His cock filled her so much it was just shy of uncomfortable. He stayed still, breathing in short, harsh breaths as her body adjusted to his length and girth.
“So fucking tight,” he said on a moan as he pulled back a little and slid back in. “So good.”
“Yes. More.”
He grunted and kissed down the column of her neck. Bracing his weight on one forearm, he brought his other hand to her breast, rolling and pinching her nipple through the material of her bra. How had they not taken that off yet? He tugged the lace to the side, and bent his head, capturing her nipple between his lips.
Draven moved slowly, pulling out, only to come sliding gently back in again, nudging her cervix with the head of his cock every time. Her clit throbbed strong and deep, as his pelvis bumped against it over and over.
Between the friction of his cock so snug inside her, and the pull of his lips on her breast, she was barely hanging on. Her pussy pulsed around him, but it wasn’t quite enough to take her over the edge.
“Please, Draven,” she begged, needing more.
He grunted again and thrust harder.
Yes, that’s what I need. “More.”
Letting go of her nipple with a pop, he took her mouth again in a hard, desperate kiss. His tongue dueled with hers as he plunged and retreated harder, faster. Her moans grew louder as her pussy quivered around him.
The sensuous lick of his phoenix’s flame teased at her legs, her arms, she watched as it danced along his shoulders and down his chest. Draven groaned, and in the next instant, the flames disappeared again.
He was holding back.
“Let it come, Draven. I want the phoenix, too,” she managed to get out between her panted sighs.
His bright amber eyes weren’t quite focused when he looked at her. He opened his mouth as though to say something but then moaned as flames erupted all over his body.
Cortney gasped as the feel of hundreds of tiny little tongues licked across her skin, leaving no part of her untouched—untasted. Her clit throbbed as the phoenix found her and concentrated there. Draven’s cock jerked and grew harder, bigger inside her. He thrust into her, hard, relentless, until all she could do was moan and clutch onto him as her pussy clenched around him.
The pressure on her clit grew stronger, more demanding. The sensation was too much, too intense. With a long, drawn out cry, Cortney climaxed. Her nails dug into Draven’s ass as he continued to plunge into her fast and hard.
When he moaned and all his muscles tensed, she expected him to come inside her, but he pulled out. Draven’s chest heaved, and he had his eyes screwed tight. Worry niggled at her for a moment, until he started moving again.
With his cock nestled between her folds, he thrust against her, creating little after shocks of pleasure deep within her body. The way he held himself stiff against her told her he was holding back again, and unless she was way off base, it had to do with mating her.
She released his ass and wrapped her arms around his neck, bringing her lips to his ear. “That feels so good, Draven. Don’t stop,” she whispered before nipping at his lobe.
He moaned and thrust harder against her.
“Do you want to come on me like that? With your hard cock sliding between us?” she nipped at him again.
“Fuck, yes,” he ground out. That sexy, raspy sound at the back of his throat sounded again.
“I can’t wait to feel your hot come all over me.”
He ground onto her clit, making her moan along with him. Her words, meant to tantalize him, had her throbbing again. His uneven breaths teased her shoulder, and he grazed his teeth over her neck.
“Yes, just like that. Your cock on my clit feels so good.”
He brought a hand down under her ass and pulled her up, forcing more friction between them. “I want you to come for me again, little bird.”
Her pussy clenched at his words. He thrust harder against her, rubbing his entire length up and down her clit. She moaned and arched her back. “Yes, oh God, yes!” she cried as a wave of pleasure broke over her, sending her tumbling into another orgasm.
Draven moaned and jerked on top of her, his whole body tensing as he came all over her belly.
She welcomed his weight as he collapsed on top of her. Their breaths mingling as each struggled to get enough air into their lungs.
“Is that all you’ve got,” she teased when she was finally able to speak again.
He lifted his head from her shoulder, his laughter filling the garden.
“Just give me a few minutes, and I’ll show you.”
Chapter FOURTEEN
Cortney waited in the living room, fighting off sleep. After they’d gone back inside and showered, Draven had been called away by Ryland. He’d returned a short while later with a frown marring his handsome face, telling her he would be back in a a few hours. With a quick kiss, he’d handed her the keys to his car, and suggested she and Trista go for a ride and get the stuff she would need for her month at the Odyssey.
That had been hours ago. The sun had set, and her eyelids were heavy, but she didn’t want to go to bed without saying goodnight. She’d already made up her mind that she would go to his room, but she didn’t want to make herself at home. What if he didn’t want her in there when he got back?
She pulled her sweater tighter around her, stifling a yawn. When she and Trista had gone out, she’d had Trista drop her off at her parent’s house so she could fill them in on what was going on. Their reactions to her news about spending a month with the phoenix shifters went over about as well as she’d expected. Her father had yelled and screamed, threatening to go to the Odyssey and shoot every last one of them. Of course, he never would. He was a pacifist through and through. He didn’t hunt, and when he fished, he always released his catch. Her mother had gasped and cried, and then called her sister, who also joined in the drama over the speaker phone.
By the time Trista came back an hour later, she was more than ready to head out. She’d managed to calm her parents, if only just, with the promise to see if she could arrange for them to come to the Odyssey and meet Draven. She didn’t think it would be an issue, but she’d ask j
ust to be sure. Besides, giving them a few days to digest the idea of her possibly mating a phoenix would give them all a bit of peace of mind.
Cortney looked down at the unopened book sitting on her lap. Reading wasn’t going to happen. She was just too tired. Grabbing the throw from the back of the couch, she covered herself. She’d just close her eyes for a few minutes, and if he still wasn’t home, she’d go up to her room.
***
Every one of Draven’s muscles ached. When he’d opened his door to see Ryland standing there, his heart sank. He knew even before the man spoke that something had to have happened. Otherwise, Ry would never have interrupted his time with Cortney. One month wasn’t nearly enough time when so much was at stake. He needed every moment he could get for the budding feelings she might have for him to grow. He already more than liked Cortney. She was strong and spunky. She gave him attitude, and he loved it. There was no doubt in his mind she was meant for him, but he had to convince her of that.
Even though the PMAC brought the mates together, it didn’t guarantee a thing. If the female chose, at the end of the month, she could walk away and never look back. Nothing bound her to the phoenix other than intense sexual need, and even though that was a powerful thing, it wasn’t enough to build a future. Luckily, suitable mates usually had personalities that meshed well with the phoenix.
He smiled as memories of their picnic rose to the forefront of his mind for the hundredth time since he’d left her after lunch. He made his way to his room, hoping like hell she’d chosen to sleep there for the night. Disappointment flared when he found his bed as he’d left it that morning. Empty.
What he needed was a shower, then to find his mate, and then sleep. In that order. The cuts and bruises he’d received while engaging the leader of the trespassers were all but healed, but he didn’t want to go to her with dried blood on his hands, smelling of sweat, and filth.
His muscles ached with the tension balling them up. The phoenixes had refused to speak to him in human form. After a half-assed battle, they had retreated. Something told him this wasn’t over. There was no reason for them to be encroaching on the Odyssey lands. None other than two human women who had yet to be claimed.
Fear for Cortney’s safety filled him. Neither she nor Trista had the phoenix within them to help speed healing or to bring them back to life if need be. Had the strangers made their way to the Odyssey, they would have been vulnerable.
By the time he was done with his shower, most of the tension had washed down the drain along with the water. He toweled off and slipped a pair of track pants on and made his way to her room.
Opening the door, he padded to the bed, only to find it empty as well. His heart stuttered. She’d gone back to town. Had she not come back? She hadn’t wanted to be there initially, but after the time they’d spent in the garden, he’d thought that maybe she was softening to him a little.
Rushing down the stairs, he glanced in his study on his way to the kitchen. Maybe she was hungry and needed a snack. Heaven help him, if he found her, he’d make her a damned bowl full of peas just to see her smile.
He was about to step into the kitchen when a glow of light coming from the living area down the hall caught his attention. The sight that greeted him when he walked in had his heart melting a little. The afghan that was normally on the back of the couch lay on the floor. Cortney was curled up in a little ball on the sofa. She had the hood of her sweater pulled over her head, and her hands tucked into her sleeves The only thing covering her ass was a pair of silky shorts, and on her feet were the brightest, fuzziest pink socks he’d ever seen.
Grabbing the blanket off the floor, he tossed it to the other end of the couch before scooping her up into his arms.
“Draven?”
“Shhh, go back to sleep. It’s late,” Draven told her as he carried Cortney out of the room.
She pressed a soft kiss to the side of his neck and sighed. “I must have fallen asleep while waiting for you.”
“You didn’t have to wait up,” he whispered and kissed the top of her head.
“You know I can walk, right?”
“I’m already there,” he told her. The fact was, he didn’t mind carrying her. If anything, it gave him an excuse to hold her close—one he would use every chance he got.
She pulled her head off his shoulder as he reached the top of the stairs. “Where are you taking me?”
He knew where he wanted to bring her, but it was her call. “Wherever you want.”
She hesitated and glanced up at him. “Your room, please.”
“My room it is.” He didn’t stop until he reached the bed before setting her on her feet so that he could turn his comforter down.
Cortney gave him a little grin, then pulled her hoodie over her head and set it at the foot of the bed. The pajama top she had on was covered in tiny yellow ducks. The same, he now noticed, were on her shorts. He chuckled as she scooted to the middle of the bed, giving him a view of the ducklings on her ass.
“You’re not laughing at my ducks, are you?” she asked as she snuggled under the blankets.
“They’re adorable. Just like you,” Draven said as he flicked off the lamp and climbed in after her. “I’d love to hold you…and your ducks, if you’ll let me.”
She giggled and slid closer. “My fingers are cold,” she warned just before she placed them on his belly.
“Lucky for you, I’m a phoenix, and I tend to run warm. That feels nice.” Yeah, no. Her hands were like ice, but if she wanted to put them on his body, he sure as hell wasn’t going to say no. “Good night, Cortney.”
He felt her grin where she rested her cheek against his shoulder. “Good night.”
Chapter FIFTEEN
Cortney chased Lex down the beach. The dog had gotten hold of one of her flip flops and wasn’t giving it back. As usual, when Ry had shown up, Trista had disappeared, leaving Cortney to deal with the frisky puppy. Oh, she had no illusion that they’d gone very far. Since the day Draven had chased the other phoenixes off their land, one of them always stayed close. And since Draven was dealing with Odyssey issues, Ryland was hanging around. Not that she minded. He was nice, and he made Trista smile.
Lexie dashed into the water, only to realize she was getting her paws wet, then bounced back onto the sand. A few of the children who had been playing on the beach came rushing over, giggling at the puppy’s antics.
“We’ll get your shoe for you,” one little girl squealed as Lexie bounded past, shaking her wet fur as she went. And off they went, chasing the dog, who went faster, carrying the flip flop with her.
She sat on the beach, looking out over the lake. She’d already been at the Odyssey for close to three weeks. She’d even had her family over two days ago. At the time, when she’d suggested it to her parents, she would have sworn it was just a formality. That at the end of the month, she’d be going back to her old life and leaving the Odyssey—and Draven—behind. But now, she wasn’t so sure.
The tension between Draven and her father had been thick, but then Draven asked her dad if he knew anything about cars, and the men had been off to the garage. By the time they came back in, it was like the tension had never existed. Her father had laughed and joked with Draven and Ry. When they’d hugged at the door before her parents left, her mom had smiled and told her she was happy for her.
She couldn’t help but smile right back. Cortney had never been with a man more thoughtful of her feelings, or more in tune with her. They laughed at the same stupid jokes on TV, and both seemed to know when the other needed space. Even the sex was out of this world. Maybe letting him claim her wouldn’t be such a bad thing.
Lexie barked at something in the sand, hopping around like only a puppy could, making the children laugh. Propping herself on her elbows, she glanced up at the cloudless sky. The late summer sun was still warm on her skin. She closed her eyes, enjoying the heat when a shadow crossed over her.
Shielding her eyes with her hand, she looked up
at the two phoenixes who had swooped low and flew high up into the sky again. She didn’t recognize them, but then, she hadn’t seen everyone in the Odyssey in their shifted forms. Even if she had, she wasn’t sure she’d be able to differentiate them all.
“Cort!” Trista yelled as she ran down the beach toward her.
Standing up, Cortney brushed the sand from her ass. “Your stupid dog made off with my flip flop,” she called out to her as she held the single sandal in front of her as proof.
The way Trista ran told her something was up. She started going toward her when a loud screech from up above had her turning her head to glance at the sky. One of the phoenixes swooped low, coming straight for her. Cortney put on a burst of speed, barely avoiding the large fire bird’s flapping wing as it dove for her.
The phoenix screeched again as it flew higher.
A flash of blue went shooting through the air toward the others. Ryland. What the hell was going on? Now a distance down the beach, the children were whisked off their feet and rushed to the shelter of the nearest home.
“Run, Cort!”
Like she wasn’t already running. The sounds coming from the sky had her heart pounding against her ribs. She didn’t look back. A second later, she spotted Draven. His phoenix burned brighter than the others as he flew to help Ry.
“What the hell is going on?” she yelled as she reached Trista, who grabbed her hand and started pulling her along.
“I don’t know. Ry said to get you into the castle and stay there. Those weren’t our phoenixes up there.”
They didn’t stop until they were inside, but even then, Cortney couldn’t stop shaking. “Why the hell was that thing after me?”
They hadn’t made it ten feet when the door crashed open, and Jasmine came rushing in. The pretty blonde they’d met on their first day at the Odyssey locked the door behind her. “Go lock the garage up. I’ll get the door on the west wing,” she ordered as she ran.
Trista took off for the garage. Upstairs. She had to lock the turret doors. They never bothered locking them since none of the phoenixes from the Odyssey would use them to gain entry, but something told her that the two attacking the village wouldn’t have the same reservation.