Phoenixburn: A Reverse Harem Romance (The Rogue Witch Book 3)

by KT Strange

  Finn let Darcy go with a sigh and she trotted off to bring forward a couple more girls.

  "You doing okay?" I asked him. His eyes were still glued to our girl.

  "Gonna be fine in about thirty minutes," he said with a wild grin. I wanted to ask if I could join in, but knew he'd probably bite my face off. Literally. Ruts were serious business.

  We somehow made our way through the rest of the meet 'n' greet without any further incidents of Finn going caveman, and he practically tried to throw Darcy over his shoulder and high-tail it back to the bus. We'd just moved our things into Glory Rev's space now that Chelsea's tour-bus had arrived, and I knew Finn was aching to try out that backroom and its private, comfy couches. He settled for slipping her hand in his and walking as casually as he could with her back to the bus. The rest of us followed at a distance, and nodded to the security guard who stood watch at the door of the bus.

  "You really want to go in there?" Eli asked as we all hovered outside. Our soundcheck had been done, the doors to venue were already letting people in, and two opening bands were ahead of us to warm up the crowd. We had about two and a half hours before we needed to be backstage and ready to perform.

  We all looked up the stairs into the bus, and heard Darcy's giggle float down to us, followed by Finn's low growl.

  "I'm good," Ace said, eyes wide. "Maybe let's go see what Glory Rev and Chels are up to?"

  Charlie's face was flushed and Eli scuffed his foot on the ground. He gave the security guard a look.

  "Nobody goes in," he said.

  "Please," Charlie added. I shook my head and smacked Finn on the back.

  "I think he's smart enough to figure that out himself." The security guard grinned at my comment before going sober-faced again, his eyes scanning the lot from behind dark tinted glasses. Darcy's laughing shriek echoed out to us and I felt the lurching urge to run inside, ignoring our plans to leave the two to themselves.

  Finn needed time, I reminded myself, besides, things weren't so good between me and Darce that she'd welcome me in the middle of one of her romantic trysts. . . yet. Soon though. I was gonna convince her that I wasn't the asshole I'd been before.

  Soon.

  Eleven

  Darcy

  My back hit the couch, the breath rushing out of my lungs. Finn was over me, a wild look in his eyes. We needed this moment and I wondered what it'd be like to have him when he was so hungry for me. He yanked at his hoodie, tossing it behind him, and nearly ripped his shirt when he pulled it over his head, messing up his hair. His shoes hit the floor a second later as he kicked them off.

  I thought he looked perfect, his lips kiss-swollen already. I inhaled a breath, my chest rising. I watched his gaze follow the lines of my body, and I wondered how far I could push him, how crazy could I make him?

  Running my fingers down the curves of my chest I saw his breath hiccup, his adam's apple bobbing. Wicked, insatiable power consumed me.

  "You want this?"

  He growled in response to my words, reaching for me. I sat up fast, and I squirmed back along the couch so he just missed me. He made a hungry noise and grabbed my ankle, his grip rough through the denim of my jeans. A clench in my belly told me just how much my body was reacting to the whole Finn-in-rut thing as he tugged me down.

  "You don't wanna play right now," he said, his voice gruff. My fingers ran through his hair, scratching down the back of his neck as he bent over me. His knee hit the couch and his eyes slammed shut as he groaned, arching into my touch.

  "Really? You're like a puppy," I teased, "All eager for a scratch."

  His eyes flicked open, and heat flooded my whole body at the intense look on his face.

  "Oh, you don't wanna go there," he growled and moved over me. His mouth caught mine, his fingers wrapping around my wrists to hold them down to the couch, above my head. My breath was stuttering out my lungs as he kissed me deep, the sudden, hot pressure of his hips grinding into mine.

  I could feel how turned on he was, his cock rigid through the layers of fabric between us. Electricity snapped under my skin, just out of reach as I squirmed. This was what I was meant for, to be in his arms, coming to life at his touch. Finn rumbled, that low, grumbly purr starting up in his chest as his kisses moved hot and fast down my neck. His fingers were tugging at my clothes. I let my hands wander up his back, nails scratching down his spine, and around his ribs. He made a whining noise when I hit a sensitive spot, and his teeth clamped onto the side of my neck.

  White, hot pleasure shuddered through my frame at the bite, and my hands stilled on him. We stayed there for a moment, heavy breathing the only movement.

  "You gonna be good?" he asked, his voice still low, and so, so dangerous.

  "Can't make any promises," I gasped when one of his hands left my wrist to cup my breast, his fingers digging into the cup of my bra through my shirt. He shook his head at me, licking his lips as his thumb and forefinger found the hard bud of my nipple through the thin jersey knit.

  "I am gonna damn well wreck you," he swore. He pinched and I cried out, hips jerking up. I believed him. I wanted that. I wanted him to wreck me. Finn teased me for raw, broken minutes, his one hand wrapping around both of my wrists to hold me still.

  "You were busy in there, driving me crazy, flirting with all those guys," he grumbled into my neck as he kissed and licked at the half-healed mark Ace had left on me, and at the spot that he himself had bit those weeks ago.

  "I was. . . not." Why was breathing so hard? My thighs rubbed together and I felt my shivery, wet reaction to Finn's rough treatment and his jealousy. If he had a habit of being possessive I wasn't sure if I'd like it but right then?

  His hand flicked open my jeans and squirmed inside. Oh. . . oh. Maybe the possessive, jealous side of Finn wasn't altogether a bad thing. His hand was big, warm, and insistent as it nudged aside my underwear and stroked along the proof of how turned on I was. A wicked, broad smile spread across his face.

  "Oh well then, what do I got here?" He bent down and kissed me, flicking his tongue into my mouth as I moaned and arched against his fingers. He teased me for a moment, one finger stroking into me. I cried out and wriggled my hand out of his grip that kept me pinned, reaching down to stop him, or urge him on, I wasn't sure.

  "Right there, sweetheart?" He kissed me again, stealing my answer before I could speak it. "You want it right there?" His finger slipped into me again and again, curling inside until my hips were rocking up to meet him. The palm of his hand ground heavy and hard over my clit. God, I wanted it so bad, I needed to come so damn bad—

  He pulled his hand out of my jeans and I cried out, trying to follow with my body.

  "Gonna have you, take you. . ." His words were mumbled and clumsy as he slid out of his jeans and underwear in one go. He stumbled for one moment, going from hot and urgent werewolf to the fumbling man I'd fallen head-over-heels in love with. It gave me a second to push my jeans down, but I was still wearing my shoes—

  "Finn!" His name startled out of me as he flipped me over, rolling me onto my stomach, even with my jeans still around my ankles. My hips arched up to meet him when I felt his finger trail down the curve of my ass, right along where my underwear lay flush against my skin. He pressed a soft, hot kiss to the small of my back, his tongue sliding out to lap at me.

  He made a noise, it sounded like the word mine, and then he was over me. I kicked my feet but his weight held me down, his cock sliding along the cleft of my ass, dragging skin on skin. I reached for him, and his hand grabbed mine, twisting it up and behind my back. I was stuck, pinned, and hot arousal flooded through me at the thought.

  I was his. He was taking what was his.

  There was the hot catch of his cock between my legs. I squirmed to part my thighs, and he growled, mouthing at the back of my neck as he held me still.

  "Mine." The word wasn't quiet that time as he thrust against me, and I jerked at the hot, hard pressure of him sliding inside me. My hips rolled, Finn mo
aned; we were together and it was perfect. His hand left my wrist, his palm sliding underneath my belly. He pulled out almost all the way and I tried to follow, struggling to get up, needing more of him.

  My fingers slipped on the leather couch, and he caught me, holding my hips up so he could thrust back inside me as he took me from behind.

  After that, it was all I could do to hang onto the edge of the cushions as his hips slammed into mine, and I knew that I'd have bruises from the way his fingers dug into my belly. His breath puffed hard on the back of my neck and I whimpered, trying to angle my hips to get him pressing inside me at just. . . the right. . . angle. . .

  "Finn!" His hand pressed up against my lower belly, making the feeling of him inside me somehow more. More intense, more everything. I cried out, back arching. His hand slipped down, middle finger grazing my clit.

  It was enough, it was perfect. Pleasure rolled through me as the tension that had been building inside me snapped and I shuddered through what felt like the most intense orgasm.

  I tried to catch my breath on the other side, a weakness suffusing every muscle as Finn fucked me right through it, his hips not slowing.

  When his finger nudged my clit again, I whimpered in protest.

  "No-o-o," I whined. His hips hitched and his finger didn't move. I heard him catch his breath.

  "Darce?" he asked, sounding less arousal-fogged than before.

  "Uh," I swallowed and clenched down on him inside. He groaned. "Don't stop," I half-whispered, half-admitted. Tension left him and he dropped a kiss down onto the curve of my spine.

  "Love you." His lips dragged over my skin and he pulled away, his hips rolling into me, cock spreading me open and so deep. Each thrust drew a small, ragged cry from the back of my throat until I closed my mouth tight and hung on, turning my head to the side. Everything felt so good, right down to the curl of hair that clung to the swell of my cheekbone. My breath rushed out of my lungs, his finger rubbing quick, short circles over my clit and urging me hard and fast toward another orgasm.

  I felt him come inside me, even before he made a noise, a twist between my name and a wordless moan. His fingers squeezed my clit between them and I bucked, sensitive and so close to the edge.

  Even as he shuddered into me, he kept touching me, just right, until my back arched hard and I breathed out his name in one long, shaking exhalation. The damp-hot feeling of pleasure spread out from where he touched me to every inch of my body and it felt like it would never end and then it was done.

  My stomach muscles gave out first, my legs shaking, and I collapsed down onto the couch, taking Finn with me as he hung onto me. His weight was so heavy, but I needed the warmth. A shivery, desperate emotion was yawning inside of me, demanding that I be wrapped up in his arms, smothered in love.

  Finn seemed to sense exactly what I needed though, because he stayed close, his hot breathing almost a comfort.

  "I don't say it enough," he was out of breath. "I love you. I love you so much, Darcy." He buried his face in my curls and inhaled, his big form wrapping around me as much as possible. I lay there, under him, and wondered how the hell I was going to live through five werewolves rutting.

  They really were going to kill me with sex. God.

  I left Finn to sleep, because he had curled up and tried to drag me in for a big snuggle, but my stomach was protesting a lack of food. I hoped that our mini sexathon had satisfied his rut and I wandered out of the bus in search of food.

  The security guard gave me a pleasant, professional smile, and I felt my face go hot.

  He’d probably heard our sex noises. Great. That was one nice thing about the little tour van that we’d had before. No security guard meant no witnesses other than the pack.

  The boys, Max, and Chels and her guys were all sitting around outside Chelsea’s big bus. Aaron and Seth were playing hacky sack, cursing each other out when one of them missed. Max was slumped in a lounge folding chair. I felt a pang of guilt. I was supposed to be hanging out with her, and we needed to fix her head. She waved at me though, eyes bright under the brim of a clearly brand new Glory Rev snapback.

  “You look hooked up with merch,” I said as I walked up, hoping no one would notice if my gait was a little stiff. Finn had never been so rough with me. Not that I minded, the whole thing had felt amazing.

  “Yeah, these guys are amazing,” Max replied as she gazed at the Glory Rev dudes with fondness in her expression. She looked so relaxed; well, she should have been considering how long she’d slept for. I shot a quick look at Chelsea, who gave me a brief smile in return. Yeah. We’d work on the memories thing, and telling Max, soon. Like, tonight if I had any say about it. Maybe Chels and me could sit with Max and the boys could all ride in the other bus for a few hours. I had a feeling we were going to need some serious girl time.

  “I’m surprised Finn let you out of his sight.” Cash was right beside me, and I looked up, startled. I smiled.

  “Yeah. . . he was something else.” I fished out my phone from my pocket. There was a wistful hunger in Cash’s eyes that I didn’t want to unpack just then. I was acutely aware of the presence of the unicorns, and the buzzy feeling of being so close to them was like being in the sun. I could recognize it now that I knew what to look for, and if I wasn’t cautious I’d be spilling my heart right in front of everyone, just emotional word vomit all over the place.

  “You okay?” Cash’s voice dropped low and he reached a hand out, his fingers smoothing over my bare arm. I tried not to shiver, my over-sensitive nerves reacting strongly.

  “I’m good.” I nodded and Cash’s eyes lingered over my arms.

  “You’re cold.” He slipped out of his hoodie and slid it onto my shoulders. I sighed as his warmth sank into my skin, the subtle scent of petrichor wisping up around me.

  “What’s with you guys and the mother hen routine?” Not that I minded, not very much anyway. Cash shrugged and shoved his hands into his pockets.

  “Just trying to look out for you. Wanna walk?” He nudged my shoulder and I blinked up at him.

  “Oh, okay.” We stepped away from the circle of camp chairs. Max’s eyes caught my gaze as we went and a tiny smile played on her lips. I made a face at her. I knew exactly what she was thinking, that I was getting back from sexcapades only to sneak off with another one of my guys.

  I stuck my tongue out at her and turned back to see Cash looking at me with his own amused grin.

  “You girls talk without speaking.”

  “Maybe. It’s woman magic.”

  He laughed with a shake of his head.

  “It reminds me of Finn and Eli, actually. Speaking of which,” We had just gotten out of earshot when Cash’s eyes swept down my body. “You okay? He was in rough shape when we got done with that meet ’n’ greet.”

  Heat crept up my neck.

  “Yeah, I’m good, he’s no animal.”

  “You sure about that?” Cash’s eyes flickered, and I wondered what they’d look like when he shifted, if they’d still be deep blue or if they’d be wolf-yellow. We stared at each other and I glanced away. The parking lot of this venue had a temporary fence keeping any would-be crowds out, but most of the fans were inside for the opening acts or milling around the merch booth. A few girls hung at the edge of the fencing, fingers wrapped in the links, watching us.

  “I deleted Finn’s Tweet,” Cash continued. “While you guys were—heh—busy.” A definite burn was slipping up my face.

  “Thanks. He’s really gotta watch that PDA stuff online.” I crossed my arms, thinking of all the mistakes I’d made over the last few weeks. Namely running to my family, and leaving all of my personal effects behind. I was still grateful I managed to command my way through the TSA with my power as a witch, convincing the agent I’d shown my ID. My heart had been hammering in my chest the entire time. If my family looked up the band online, as long a shot as that was. . .

  “Where’d you go?” Cash’s voice broke through my thoughts.

&n
bsp; “Huh?”

  “You didn’t answer me.” His expression was gentle.

  “Oh sorry, caught up in my thoughts. What did you say?”

  “I know Finn lost it on you, but I did kinda wanna know what you have against you being his, publicly. The fans that spend time at our shows have noticed who you are, and it’s not going to take them long to figure out what’s going on between you two. Is it that you’re worried about the rest of us, Darce? Cause yeah, we get jealous, but we don’t get jealous like that.” He started worrying his lower lip between his teeth, and I felt a small flare of annoyance.

  “I just don’t think we should be broadcasting things all over the internet. It’s not like we’ve talked about it, or really, this seems kind of like one of those things that needs to be discussed first, as a group, as a pack, right?” I couldn’t keep the edge of irritation out of my voice and one of his eyebrows rose up high.

  “Yeah, talking things out is a skill you sure do employ more than clamming up and taking off.” His tone was flat, and I could see in his face as he said it, the instant regret.

  But there it was. I inhaled sharply.

  “That’s not okay—”

  “You’re right, he shouldn’t have done it without talking to you, he should’ve asked you, or the rest of us first, but he didn’t.”

  “Yeah, he should’ve, especially because he has no idea who’s watching him, or us, online, My family gets wind of this and—” I fell silent. Cash stared at me hard.

  “Your family. Is that what those fireworks were about?” Each of his words were measured, tense and cautious. We had strayed so far into dangerous territory, and again, I was cut loose, not sure how to get back to safe and solid ground.

  “I just don’t like Finn talking about me publicly without asking me first.”

  “Uh huh. You gonna ever tell us what’s up with your family anyway? What happened while you were gone?” Cash’s eyes narrowed, ever so slightly and a breath bubbled in my throat. Creston’s hands on me— I jerked back to the present.