Hearts Unleashed: A Limited Edition Paranormal Romance and Urban Fantasy Collection

by C. D. Gorri

  “Do you want me to touch you?” he asked near my right ear.

  Curse him. I moved my face in that direction and felt his hot breath against my cheek.

  Yes, I want you to touch and lick every inch of my body. I thought.

  “Maybe,” I said instead.

  He chuckled, low and throaty.

  “You’re lying. Do you want my hands on your body?” Without waiting for a response, he placed his hands on my shoulders and they seared my skin. I felt heat beat against my back as he moved closer.

  Oh gods, I could die right now.

  “Maybe.”

  “You’re lying.”

  I was a complete trembling mess. To want attention from him was uncouth, but he sent all my senses ablaze as if my body knew what it wanted while I was only the passenger.

  Did I want him to touch me? Hell, yes.

  “Your body responds to me, Ava,” he whispered against the back of my neck and it sent all my hair to attention. Again he said my name in such a way it tightened my core. I shivered in anticipation.

  His hands burned down my arms, then he gripped my ribs and rubbed the sides of my aching breasts. My core muscles clenched, and I whimpered.

  “What if I moved my hands lower?”

  Tyler moved his hands down the sides of my body in a painstaking slow pace. My skin burned with desire. What I wanted him to do was rip off my clothing, fuck me with his fingers, then fuck me with his cock.

  He pushed my legs apart, and a yelp escaped my lips. I lost balance and gripped his shoulders; it was an odd position and my shoulders strained as I held onto him with my arms behind my back. My ankle ached and stars flashed before my dark vision.

  “Should I feel what’s between your legs, Ava? I know you have something I haven’t seen before and I can smell your arousal, and you smell divine.” He purred.

  Oh gods, I’m going to orgasm right here if he continues.

  He stood back, giving me space. I exhaled and let go. He held onto my hips again to keep me from falling. I felt his chin on my shoulder and I leaned into him.

  “How long has it been since anyone touched you?”

  A year.

  “A few weeks,” I whispered.

  “You’re lying,” he chuckled against my shoulder.

  His right hand moved from my hip and slithered down the front of my body to the apex of my legs. I moaned and melted into him. I didn’t want him to stop. He trailed his fingers down my shorts, under my panties until he found my slick folds. He grunted his pleasure at finding what he was looking for. He rubbed the swollen bud, sending a thousand volts through my body.

  I couldn’t believe this was happening. I wanted no one as much as I wanted him.

  I moaned as he played with me and I rocked into his hand. I couldn’t control my need as I sought release. I gasped when he shoved two fingers inside my heated sheath. He swore and pumped his fingers into me. His other hand snaked around the other side of my body and played with my pert nipple then the other, alternating between the two; ensuring each breast got the attention they deserved.

  Tyler pumped his fingers inside me, sending me over, and I flexed around him. I gripped his powerful arm, feeling the corded muscles move beneath his skin. The orgasm hit me so hard the dark room spun and my legs gave in. Tyler caught me in his arms and I felt his rock hard body against my side.

  “Do you want me to fuck you, Ava?”

  “God, yes.”

  I heard him smile.

  “Finally, you’re telling the truth,” he said while kissing my forehead. He gently lay me on the bed and settled between my legs, removed the blindfold and hovered above me.

  “Are you sure you want this?” He pushed his body against mine and I felt the hardness of his cock through his jeans.

  I wanted this, I wanted all he offered. Him, his body, his hard cock. I wanted it all. If this moment was the only time I had with him, I’d take it. I stared at his face, his kissable lips and I’d never wanted to kiss someone so badly and reached for him.

  “Kiss me?”

  It was the wrong thing to do.

  He sat up as if I’d slapped him and shook his head.

  “Get up,” he ordered. “Forget it. Let me take you outside. I have stuff to do, anyway.” He yanked on my left arm, I moaned but that didn’t deter him. He tied the blindfold tightly over my eyes and in one swift motion I was in his arms and out the door.

  Chapter Twelve

  Ava

  I sat on the chair and stared off at nothing. I was dumbstruck at what had happened and how my body felt against his. I enjoyed how his hands burned against my skin, sending volts of sensual lightening throughout my body. And every time he neared, I couldn’t think of anything else.

  At least I was outside. I raised my chin like a flower and basked in the sun. The sounds of birds and insects calmed me, and the smell of the earth eased my busy mind. But not for long.

  Instead of enjoying nature, the only thing I had on my mind was Tyler.

  Tyler was very different compared to others I’d gone out with and even my ex. Although Tyler scared me he excited me; leaving me a trembling mess. And he frightened me in ways, the good thrilling kind I’d never experienced before. But. There was always a but… If he went further than what had happened, was I just another notch on his jeans. I didn’t want that. I’d promised myself the next guy would be different.

  Then, what threw me completely off guard was what didn’t happen. Knowing it was a mistake to try to kiss him. I’d never do it again. But was it a mistake to want him to touch me? Perhaps we were both in the wrong. In the end it was a good thing he didn’t go any further because I wasn’t thinking straight. He didn’t want a girlfriend, only a girl-for-right-now.

  I needed him to understand I’d never put him or his pack in harm’s way, then he wouldn’t have to blindfold me, and never have to touch me again. I didn’t know which flavor animal they were, and I wasn’t that type of person to hurt others. I’d been on the receiving end to know what not to do to others.

  While he’d carried me, I’d tried explaining I wasn’t here for them, but he ignored me. He’d stopped walking and set me down gently, it was very caring of him. I tried to say sorry about trying to kiss him and that I wouldn’t do it again, but he had already left by the time I removed the blindfold.

  A lump formed at the back of my throat, and I swallowed the tears. It was stupid to be so emotional. I felt bad and didn’t know how to let him know I meant no harm. And I’d never touch his face again.

  Tyler had placed my camera on the grass beside the chair and had left me at an area where I could see the river and the mountains; the view was magnificent, and I took a few landscape shots.

  To get over what had transpired, I kept myself busy. I watched out for any insects, small animals or birds to take pictures. I’d even taken a few decent photos, all the while trying to ignore the voice at the back of my mind, but it was difficult.

  Why did my body react to his? And so quickly? Why was I so emotional? A flurry of questions I had no answers to.

  Then anger settled in. His reaction wasn’t necessary. I crossed my arms and stared at the view. The rushing water didn’t calm me like always. He got me hot and bothered then dumped me like trash; I was overreacting, but still. It was rude. I wanted him and he just threw me away. That was his one and only chance at having any part of me. I wouldn’t allow him near me again. It was pleasurable in his embrace, but never again.

  I was still grumpy by the time the sky graced me with its bright colors at dusk. Nobody had checked up on me and I was hungry. From where I sat, the view of the mountain showed none of the huts, and I had no way of knowing which direction they were in. They had most likely built their huts between the trees and had made the roofs of branches as camouflage. The walk here was quick, which left me confused.

  Perhaps leaving me here was on purpose and Tyler wanted me to leave, but I only had my camera bag. I needed my backpack to get home as my car
keys were inside. And I hadn’t had time to take any painkillers because he distracted me. I grumbled. The right side of my body throbbed and my stomach made strange gargling sounds.

  “Are you ready?”

  I jumped in the wooden chair, spinning around, knocking my knee against the armrest. I whimpered. I hit the armrest so hard a bump had already formed—another one to add to the collection.

  “Yes, where have you been all day? I’m hungry.”

  “I was busy.” Tyler approached with purpose. The shadows played against his face and naked chest. My heart raced at his sudden mood change. He ripped the material out of his jeans pocket and forcefully tied it over my eyes. “You need to stay in your hut tonight, do not come out. Do you understand?”

  I nodded. “Yes.” My voice broke, feeling suddenly nervous again.

  He handed me my camera, and I clutched it to my chest when he picked me up. The heat from his body was comforting, and I relaxed in his arms.

  After a while, I cleared my throat to apologize again. “I didn’t mean—”

  “Shh.”

  “Get her out of the way. We need to finish,” said another man I hadn’t heard before. He sounded older and grumpier.

  “Give me five.”

  A door opened and hit the wall. Tyler stomped into the hut and dropped me on the bed. My ankle hit the side hard enough to draw a cry from me. He yanked off the blindfold so violently a piece of the material stung my cheek.

  “Jeez, what’s wrong with you? You don’t have to hurt me,” I moaned and tried to sit comfortably but no matter how I sat my body ached. On a table that wasn’t there before, was a plate with meat, bread, and an apple. A bottle of water stood beside it. “Thanks for dinner,” I mumbled.

  He glowered down at me with conflict in his eyes. Without replying, he slammed the door shut, and I heard something tighten against the door, locking me inside.

  Never mind, I didn’t want to go anywhere, anyway. I didn’t want to see their stupid clan or whatever they were doing. It was probably stupid anyway. All I wanted to do was eat, take painkillers, then sleep. I might shower, but I’d see if I had energy.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Tyler

  I spent the entire day miserable. When she lay beneath me, I stared at the delicate slope of her nose, her fair skin and wild, curly hair, I had to have her—not only her body but I felt the need to claim her. But then something stopped me. I couldn’t continue until I knew for sure. Was it something she even wanted? Did she even want me that way? If I claimed her, would she want to live with me, here? It frustrated me, but that wasn’t the primary reason.

  After I’d left Ava at her secluded spot, I helped with preparations for the evening. Cheryl wordlessly slapped me then draped herself over Blaze, who shrugged. He knew the deal and besides; I wasn’t the jealous type, and not over Cheryl—she was welcome to go for any guy who’d have her. And I’d accepted the slap—I deserved it, I really did. She was trying to make me jealous but I ignored them.

  My mind raced as I chopped wood. Miles felled five trees and dragged them for me to chop into usable chunks for the fire tonight. With so many hikers the weekend our fire wouldn’t be detected. Miles only glared at me, but knew better than to ask why I axed the wood with violence.

  All I thought about was Ava. How her body reacted to mine, and I hadn’t even done anything to elicit that type of response. And her smell, oh my gods—I was rock hard just thinking about her. And her warm slick slit begging for me to plunge into. But then she had to ruin it by wanting to kiss me. I overreacted, I should’ve just kissed her and every inch of her body, but then I stopped because my mind raced. I wanted to claim her lips and claim her body. My beast roared inside my head. He wanted her too.

  And besides, Ash would’ve skinned me alive. She was not like our kind; she had no flavor animal to bond with; she was human.

  I wanted to trust that she’d been hiking to take pictures of the wildlife. My gut told me it was the truth, yet I needed to remain vigilant. We couldn’t sacrifice the clan because of one female or how I thought I felt about her.

  My mind ached from the confusion and I hated it. The axe smashed through the wood, splintering it.

  “Easy.” Miles dropped a felled tree. “What’s got you so riled up?”

  “Nothing.” I glanced in the direction she was in, lifted the axe above my head and struck the wood, cutting a sizable chunk.

  “Man, I’ve never seen you like this before. You like her don’t you?”

  “Shut up.”

  “I call it as I see it. You might be my future chieftain, but right now we’re friends and I know your moods. You’ve never acted like this before. Why don’t you claim her before you break the axe?”

  “I can’t. It would be pointless. Ash wouldn’t allow it.”

  “So what, ask for forgiveness after.”

  I narrowed my eyes at Miles. He may be the runt of the litter, but he spoke wise words.

  A low guttural sound came from the base of my throat.

  Miles raised his hands. “I’m just saying. Claim her before someone else does. You know once the moon is above us someone will sniff her out, then you’ve lost your chance. And I guarantee you Claw will try his luck with her.”

  I stared at Miles for a heartbeat. Knowing Claw, he would. And if he knew I liked her, he’d do it just to spite me. I glanced in her direction again and my beast pushed to the surface.

  “There’s one last tree then you can go fetch her.”

  *.*.*.*

  I doubted she’d run off, and hadn’t bothered asking a youngling to watch over her. And after Miles had said that about Claw, I was glad I didn’t—they’re would be inclined to tell Claw everything about her.

  When I neared the area, I leaned against a tree and watched her. She sighed and fisted her hands. Then she rubbed the bridge of her nose as if counting to ten.

  I chuckled, it was mean to laugh at her expense, but I was glad I wasn’t the only one having a bad day.

  Unfortunately, the moment I remembered Ash’s words, my anger flared just below the surface. He wanted her gone. He wanted nothing to do with humans. I should’ve asked Windtalker how I should approach the issue with Ash. Perhaps he had a magic potion I could use.

  And if Claw wanted to claim her, he would rip her apart shortly thereafter, like he did to his other play-things.

  I needed to protect her. I needed her healed and gone. I couldn’t claim her, I couldn’t keep her here—she wouldn’t be safe. I’d have to leave the clan, or I’d have to fight. The others might not accept her if I won, then what would I do?

  It wasn’t worth the risk; I’d rather remain alone than to risk her life.

  Ash was a mean bastard, but Claw was evil.

  *.*.*.*

  I was still angry when I fetched Ava and ended up being a little rough with her. I felt bad but I had to. It was better for her if she hated me, but her body responded to mine which drove me crazy.

  After I locked Ava in her hut, the sun had already started to set. My beast pushed to the surface, eager to run. ‘Down Boy. You’ll get your chance soon.’

  He sniffed the air—smelling the female.

  ‘I want her, and I know you do, too,’ Beast moaned in his saber voice inside my head. He rarely did that since I sensed his emotions and thoughts. We were part of the same being. It was only when he thought I was stubborn would he speak to me—like now.

  ‘Ash would kill her. Claw will abuse her. We need to protect her by claiming her.’

  I grunted, ignoring my saber voice.

  ‘If anyone tries to stop you, you fight. We’ll kill Ash. Then we’ll kill Claw. You know you’re better. Besides, Ash has had his time. It’s your turn to take over the clan. And you know, once you do, the clan will grow. We need fresh blood, and you’re the one to get us there.’

  ‘I know…, I know…,’ I mumbled in my mind, hoping to calm the saber down. He was right, but Ash was my father. I could kill Claw without thi
nking about it, but then Darla would be on my case along with Ash. They’d force me to leave and they might still go after Ava. I couldn’t allow that.

  “Tyler,” Miles jogged toward me. “Ash is calling you.”

  “Speak of the devil.”

  “What?”

  “Nothing. Where is he?”

  “His hut with his mate.”

  Darla was Ash’s lover and Claws mother. She was nothing of mine. My mother had died giving birth to me and it didn’t take Father long to find a replacement, but I’d never called her anything other than Darla and her bastard son was not my blood brother. She also had the squeakiest voice I’d ever heard—which meant she was utterly and completely annoying.

  I found Ash sitting on the ground with Darla hanging on his back like a monkey. I didn’t want to know what she was doing with her hands in his pants. I saw her naked flesh and cringed.

  Something to the side caught my eye, and Claw sat against a tree. His gloomy gaze told me he was unhappy—and most likely plotting something. When things didn’t go his way, he lashed out. And usually at my expense. And they never allowed me to fight back as hard as I wanted to. I shot him one of my meanest stares to put him in his place. He flinched and averted his eyes. Just as I thought, he was still a whipped little boy trying to play with the big cats. Claw was only a year younger but very immature. And although he was nowhere near as strong as me, he was devious and evil. With each passing day he was giving in to his thirsty animal side, and losing more of his humanity. He was not only a danger to humans, but to our clan as well. He needed to be managed carefully.

  “You wanted to see me?” I stood in such a way I couldn’t see Darla’s naked body.

  “I’m giving the human two days, Tyler. She needs to leave first thing Monday morning before the humans exit the trails. It will be quieter. Do you understand? The others are complaining.”