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

by C. D. Gorri

  “I just…” Waving her hand, she searched for the words. “I thought being stuck in a four-wheeler with you would suck, but it’s not so bad.”

  “Why, Siora,” he said, resting his hand over his heart, “you have such a way with words.”

  She punched his arm, causing him to chuckle as he rubbed away the sting. “Ouch. Wait until we start sparring at least.”

  She’d never seen him like this, more relaxed than when they were training, and it melted something inside she didn’t know was frozen. Deciding to roll with the sentiment, she softly uttered, “Thank you.”

  He glanced over, thick hair ruffling in the wind of the open-topped vehicle, but remained silent.

  “For training me,” she explained as if he were daft. “You didn’t have to. I know I’ve been a huge bitch to you, and I’m…well, I’m sorry.”

  Full lips curved into a genuine smile, causing her heart to slam inside her chest. Keep it chill, Siora, she inwardly chided. Being friendly was one thing, but she could not let her arousal take over. He would smell it in an instant, and she would be mortified, especially since he was all but betrothed to Celine.

  “I appreciate the apology, and I’ll reciprocate with one.” Amber eyes shone in the newly risen moonlight as they approached the training center. “I’ve fallen into bad habits and needed someone to break me of them. I’m very glad you came along, Siora. Maybe you can rid me of my caveman habits once and for all. Or is it caveperson?” Parking the vehicle, he rubbed his chin as he stared at the sky.

  “Ha ha,” she chided, knowing he was making fun of her. “You haven’t called the troops ‘men’ in a while, so I’ll let that one go.” Jumping out, she slung her bag over her shoulder and fell into step beside him.

  Once they were inside, he illuminated the training room, and they walked to the corner where the floor was lined with blue mats.

  “I figured we can spar here,” he said, pointing to the mats. “They’re soft enough that if you throw me on my ass, I’ll survive.”

  “Good, because I’m planning on kicking your ass.”

  His resulting grin was so sexy she squeezed her thighs together, willing her arousal to stay at bay. “Can’t wait.”

  Setting her bag on the nearby bench, she pulled out the Slayer decanter, drinking before replacing the top. “I’d like to change into yoga clothes if that works,” she said, glancing down at her tactical wear. “Better for sparring inside.”

  “I brought a change of clothes too. Let’s change and get to work.”

  After changing in their respective locker rooms, Siora exited to find him stretching atop the center mat. He was barefoot beneath black sweatpants and a tight black muscle shirt. Although her eyes were dying to glance at the juncture between his thighs—which she may have noticed held a significant bulge for the scant moment she assessed him—she aimed her gaze at his stunning eyes and straightened her spine.

  “Okay, let’s work on this damn dropped hip I can’t seem to shake.”

  Approaching, she stood before him, noticing his eyes dart to the swell of her breasts, pushed high by the sports bra she wore beneath her loose tank top. Suddenly, she felt small in her bare feet beneath her capri yoga pants as he towered above her. The tactical gear she wore on the field added an extra layer that had now been shed. Feeling vulnerable, she glanced toward the weaponry rack that lined the wall, needing a break from his solid gaze.

  “Should we grab a sword or sparring stick?”

  “Let’s give it a go without the weapons first. We’ll pretend we have them so your body can move naturally, and I can point out the tell.” Crouching, he held up his hands, fisted as if he were holding a sword. “Ready?”

  With a nod, she crouched as well, and they got to work. They began a series of sessions where he attacked different parts of her body—shoulder, side, thigh, and so on—so she could analyze where she was dropping her hip. With each new set of motions, she began to understand her weaknesses. Garridan pointed out that she favored her right side, which made sense because she was right-hand dominant. It was something she’d tirelessly worked on in her early-morning sessions during her conditioning. She’d spend countless hours wielding weapons with her left hand to train it to be proficient, but there was only so much one could do when the body was set in its ways.

  “No,” Garridan said, stepping back and holding up his hands about an hour into their session.

  Panting, Siora fisted her hands on her hips and huffed. “I was balancing on my left foot.”

  “You weren’t,” he said, shaking his head. “You leaned back on your right foot for leverage before shifting your weight. That’s a tell. You have to learn to summon strength without anchoring on your right leg.”

  Frustrated, she sauntered over to the bench and grasped the water container, angrily chugging before slamming it down. “Damn it. I didn’t even feel myself do it.”

  “That’s why we’re here,” he said, shrugging. “You’ll shake the habit with enough practice. Come on. Again.” He beckoned to her with his fingers.

  Annoyed he was summoning her, she stomped toward him and set her feet. Lifting her hands, she mimicked thrusting a sword, and he charged forward. Attempting to sideswipe his thigh, she shifted her balance, and he landed a soft blow to her back, right above her kidney.

  “Fuck!” she yelled, stepping back and rubbing her forehead. “I did it again.”

  “Come on,” he said, encircling her wrist and drawing her back. “Keep going. You’re thinking too much.”

  Annoyance pervaded her veins as they began to spar again, and she reminded herself not to take it out on Garridan. Although his persistence grated on her nerves, he was attempting to help. Her knee-jerk reaction had always been to lash out at him, but she was the source of her anger. Hating that she couldn’t control her tell, exasperation bubbled within.

  “No, Siora!” he said, his tone gruffer than before. “You dropped the hip when I lunged at your side.”

  “Don’t yell at me!” she screamed, unable to control the irritation at her continued failure. “I’m trying—”

  “Trying doesn’t work in battle,” he interrupted, further inflaming her rage. “One false move, and you’re dead.”

  “Why do you care?” she asked, lunging forward to resume their sparring.

  Grunting, he blocked her blow and grabbed her wrist, whirling her around so her back slammed into his front. Emitting an “oomph,” he slid his arm around her waist, holding her in place so she didn’t strike him.

  The silken skin of his lips brushed the shell of her ear as he muttered, “Low blow, Siora. You know I wasn’t ready—”

  She elbowed him in the side, knocking the air from his lungs before trying to spin out of his grasp. Of course, she was no match for his strength and centuries of combined skill. Growling, he swiped her legs, causing her to yelp before she fell to the mat. He tumbled behind, his large body landing atop hers as he cushioned the fall with his arms.

  “You son of a bitch,” she uttered through clenched teeth, struggling beneath him. Somehow, she managed to turn flat on her back and jutted her fist through the air, determined to knock the fangs straight from his perfect face.

  “Damn it!” he gritted before grabbing her wrists and lifting them above her head. Pinning them to the mat, he held them there as he loomed over her, panting and breathless.

  Siora struggled, her body wriggling under his, causing him to settle more firmly between her thighs. And then, she felt him against her leg. His hard, throbbing shaft pulsed into the tender flesh through her thin yoga pants, and his grip on her wrists tightened.

  Lust blazed in his deep amber gaze before he closed his lids, his body stilling as he seemed to struggle to regain control. His erection pulsed against her skin, beckoning to her body even if her mind wanted no part of it. Knowing she was seconds away from gushing in her damn yoga pants, she emitted a soft whimper.

  Those gorgeous eyes slid open and assessed her, the orbs weary but si
mmering with arousal. Confusion coursed through her as her eyes darted between his. Why was he aroused? Surely not because he was attracted to her. She wasn’t beautiful like Celine. Hell, she was light-years from beautiful. Was it just a visceral reaction to a close female body? Of course, that had to be it—right?

  “Sorry,” he whispered, tongue darting out to bathe his full lips, and she wondered how in the hell she’d somehow entered the most erotic moment of her life. Goddess, but she wanted that tongue on hers, licking and stroking before he trailed it down the smooth skin of her neck and moved lower to lather her nipple…

  “You’re…aroused,” she said, realizing how lame the blatant observation must sound.

  A muscle clenched in his jaw as he gritted his teeth. “Yes,” he said, contrition in his tone. “I’m sorry. I just need a second. Fuck…”

  “Why…?” Struggling to find the words, she studied his flushed cheeks and mussed hair. “I’m not… I don’t understand.”

  “You’re not what?”

  She worked her jaw, trying to find the words. “I’m not…pretty…or womanly…or whatever Celine is.”

  Breathing a laugh, he shook his head. “You are certainly not what Celine is.”

  Stiffening, she tried to pull her hands free. “Let me up—”

  “Wait,” he said, clenching her wrists above her head with one hand as he slowly lowered the other. “That came out wrong.” Gently cupping her face, he inched closer. “You aren’t what anyone else is, Siora. Don’t you know that?” His throat bobbed as he searched her gaze. “You’re so much more than anyone I’ve ever met.”

  Tears stung her eyes as emotion welled within. “No, I’m not—”

  He placed the pad of his thumb over her lips, stopping the words as her body hummed below him. “You are,” he said, running his thumb across her now quivering lips.

  Heat began to curl in every crevice of her body, and she knew hiding her arousal was about two seconds away from being a lost cause. Throwing caution to the wind, she asked softly, “You want me?”

  With a harsh laugh, he pushed his erection against her thigh. “I think the answer to that question is obvious.” Sliding his hand behind her head, he threaded his fingers through her short hair, gently tugging and urging her closer. The slightly possessive act made something roar inside, and the dam broke free, sending a surge of arousal to her core. Slickness flooded the walls of her deepest place, and his body tensed above her. “The real question is, do you want me?”

  Blood pounded in every cell, preventing her from answering.

  “Holy shit,” he breathed, closing his eyes and inhaling deeply. Lifting his lids, he stared into her soul. “Goddammit, Siora. Your arousal smells so fucking good.”

  Shallow breaths mingled with his as her body opened beneath him, inch by slow inch as he settled further between her thighs.

  “Yes,” she whispered, realizing her body had already accepted the inevitable even if her brain hadn’t quite caught up. “I want you.”

  His fingers tightened in her hair before tugging once again, causing her to purr in anticipation. “If I kiss you, I won’t be able to stop there. Do you understand, Siora?”

  Nodding, she arched her hips, causing him to hiss.

  “You little vixen,” he murmured, lowering his head. Touching his lips to hers, he gently brushed them back and forth, driving her wild. “Do you want me to touch you, Siora? Tell me what you want.”

  “Oh, goddess…” she moaned, undulating beneath him.

  “The goddess isn’t here, sweetheart,” he murmured against her lips, “just you and me. Tell me. I don’t want any lingering doubt that we both want this.”

  “Let go of my wrists,” she commanded softly, and he released his grip. Gliding her hands around his neck, she slid them into his thick brown hair. “Garridan, shut the hell up and fuck me.”

  His resulting smile would’ve melted her panties if she’d been wearing any underneath her yoga pants. Instead, she grinned back before he slid his lips over hers and consumed her as if she were his last breath.

  Chapter Six

  Garridan had no idea when he’d become the luckiest son of a bitch on the planet, but he sure as hell wasn’t going to squander the moment. Pushing Siora’s lips wide with his own, he plunged his tongue inside, tasting her for the first time. She tasted like rain and honey, damp but sweet, and he was overcome by her essence. Her words were direct, which drove him wild, but there was a vulnerability in her embrace, and he longed to earn her trust. Her words about Celine had all but broken his heart, and he would do everything in his power to show her how gorgeous and sexy she was.

  Sliding his tongue over hers, he drank her moans, sipping them as he felt her pounding heartbeat beneath his own. Longing to touch her, he broke the kiss, chuckling when she emitted a frustrated whimper.

  “Take this off,” he murmured, tugging the tank top from her body and tossing it aside. Her pert breasts jutted from the tight sports bra, and his shaft pulsed in response to the trembling globes.

  “They’re small,” she said, glancing down at her breasts, although they looked fine as hell to him. “The bra makes them bigger, I think, because they’re all scrunched up in there.”

  Laughing, he lowered and kissed one of the swells, causing her to toss her head back on the mat and thrust her fingers in his hair. “Yessss…” she hissed.

  “Is it one of your favorites?” he asked.

  “The bra? Not really.”

  “Good.” Gripping the top of the garment with both hands, he ripped it in half. Her pert breasts sprang free, all but popping in his face, and he felt his release pulsing in his shaft. Goddess, he could come just from staring at her sweet, succulent breasts.

  With a grunt, he tore the bra from her body and focused on the mounds. Cupping them in his hands, he squeezed, forcing her nipples high. The tight little buds were several shades darker than her pale skin, and he yearned to suck them.

  “Garridan,” she moaned, spurring joy inside his desire-ravaged frame.

  “You sound so sexy when you say my name,” he rasped, licking his lips before blowing on one of her turgid nipples. “Say it again.”

  She complied, sending him to heaven as he lowered his mouth to her breast. He trailed soft kisses around her nipple before nudging it with his nose.

  “Look at me.”

  Those stunning blue eyes lasered into his before he extended his tongue to lick the sensitive bud. Her body bucked, jutting into his erection as he groaned. Gazing into those gorgeous eyes, he closed his mouth around her nipple and began to suck.

  “Oh…yesss…” she purred, fingers clenching his hair as she watched him devour her. “That feels so good…oh…god…”

  “Mmm…” he murmured, knowing the taste of her nipple against his tongue was one of the finest delicacies he would ever savor. He sucked her deep, tugging the sensitive nub, before flicking his tongue against it as she squirmed. Determined to please her, he kissed a path to her other breast and repeated the ministrations, overcome by her tiny mewls.

  “Get inside me,” she groaned, tugging at his pants while her other hand fisted in his hair. “I need you.”

  The words sent shivers of pleasure through his frame, and he lifted, yanking off his shirt and pants before dragging off the rest of her clothes.

  “I want to make you come first, but I don’t know if I can wait—”

  “Goddammit, fuck me!” she gritted, frustrated amusement in her tone.

  Settling between her thighs, he slid his hand behind her knee and lifted her leg high. “Do you want it hard?”

  “Yes!”

  Positioning himself, he rubbed the head of his shaft through her slick folds. It felt amazing, and he longed to surge inside her. “Should I grab a condom?”

  Vampyres couldn’t transmit disease through sex due to their self-healing abilities, but they could still get pregnant.

  She shook her head, her short hair fanning across the mat. “Sadie gave me
an IUD years ago. I’m set.”

  Aligning his shaft with her opening, he drew back his hips, ready to claim her. She stared back at him, eyes glazed with lust, and he suddenly understood he needed to slow down. Garridan had fantasized about fucking Siora for months, and he craved her reaction. Pushing her leg high, he began to ease inside.

  “Faster,” she demanded, and he shook his head as her tight folds enveloped him.

  “I need to watch you take me, sweetheart,” he murmured, sliding deeper before withdrawing and pushing into her wetness. “You look so pretty.”

  Confusion entered her gaze as he glided inside, and he was desperate to reassure her. “You have no idea how gorgeous you are. I’m in heaven right now, don’t you understand?” Thrusting his hips, he buried himself to the hilt, clenching his teeth as she surrounded his sensitive flesh. “Fuck, you’re tight, honey.”

  “It’s been a while.”

  “Not anymore.” Drawing back, he withdrew until only the tip remained inside her sweet body. Steeling himself, he surged inside, the pleasure almost unbearable as her taut channel swallowed him whole. “You’re mine now.”

  “I’m not anyone’s—”

  Leaning on his forearms, he thrust his fingers in her hair and captured her lips as he began to undulate his hips. Consuming her in a passionate kiss, he began to fuck her in long, hard strokes that set his body on fire.

  “Mine,” he growled into her mouth, thrilled when she wrapped her leg around his waist, opening her sweet pussy to his invasion.

  “Oh, god,” she groaned, head tossed back on the mat as she accepted his deep pounding.

  Garridan hammered inside, his cock covered with her essence, as she shuddered beneath. The slickness was everywhere, drenching his aching skin, and he pressed his cheek against hers, needing the connection.

  “Can you come like this?”

  Shaking her head, she speared her short nails into his back, the pleasure-pain driving him mad. “I need my clit rubbed. It’s fine…still feels good…don’t stop…”

  No way in hell was he going to get off without ensuring she did too. Lifting his hand, he licked his fingers before sliding them between their bodies. Pushing her folds apart, he searched for her sensitive bud as he continued to fuck her. Lifting his head, he assessed her reaction, elated when she gasped.