by Elle Lincoln
“I wonder…” Casseus sits back, spitting out his toothpick. Spittle flies with it and I give him a sour face. Seriously? “The Realm isn’t exactly another world, it a mirror of this one, right?”
“Hmm, Yes.”
“Then it makes sense.”
“How?”
“Think about it, it’s just kind of hovering there beside us. Is it any surprise that a creature born of both worlds can cross the two, even if only in a mental sense right now?” He seems pleased with himself.
I’m about to pop that bubble. “Casseus, so are we.” I point to myself, Balor, and Patrick.
“Yes, at the beginning, sure. And I admit it would make more sense if you could mentally communicate with a family member in the Realm, but...” His lips kick up annoyingly. “Werewolves are a physical birth.”
I sit back. That does kind of make sense. Werewolves are a physical consummation of magic and beast, creating a purely magical entity. I can’t think of the actual act, and I refuse to because I don’t believe it. Not for one minute. I have no doubt a god blessed his magic onto the beast.
I need to move on because physics has died many times over with this conversation. “Okay, so what did he say?”
“The local pack is forming again. They would be good allies to have, and they have reason to fight with us.” Balor leans forward. I dread what he has to say next and a sense of foreboding crawls up my spine. “The Realm is dying.”
I sit back, I didn’t even realize I had leaned forward. “How?”
“They cut us off!” Patrick yells, followed by several of us shushing him.
We all quiet down, looking to the loft, listening for movement, but all I hear is that gentle breath moving in and out of her lungs.
“They cut us off,” I repeat much quieter than Patrick.
“Think about it.” He leans forward, all of us closing in. “You block off the ones born from the magic of the land, the ones meant to keep her safe, and you lose that magic.”
Could it be that simple?
“Keeping me out of discussions, boys?” We all jump at Bette’s voice as it coats us in her sarcasm.
Like she caught us doing something naughty, we all turn to Bette and watch like ravenous piranhas as she walks toward us. No, that isn’t even remotely right. She saunters, the sway in her hips drawing the eye. Her oversized t-shirt rides up just a hair with each step. Giving us teasing little glimpses of what she does, or doesn’t, have on underneath. I want to reach out and lift the hem just to see above the junction of her thighs.
She comes up behind me, resting one delicate palm on my shoulder. Her sweet vanilla, citrus scent engulfs me and something between a groan and a growl slips past my lips without my permission.
“Hmm.” Her voice is low and sultry. The bottom half of my body flushes with desire and I clamp down on my muscles to keep from twitching in the seat.
A quick glance around shows me I’m not the only one affected.
I cough, breaking her spell that she holds over us. “We thought you’d like to sleep.”
“I smell cookies.” She leans forward toward an unopened bag and that freaking shirt rides up just enough to give me a glimpse of creamy, bare skin.
Oh fuck.
“Nope. I’m out.” Patrick gets up, adjusting himself in the process. His eyes linger on her ass for just a moment longer before he stomps off to the bathroom. No doubt to take a long, cold shower.
I’m only pissed off I didn’t think to head there first.
“Oops,” the minx states casually. She knows exactly what she’s doing. Her little monolog about taking things slow is thrown to the curb.
I reach out my hand and graze her inner thigh. I just want to feel the softness of her skin and damn I’m rewarded. The memory of her coming undone from Casseus has me growing harder.
“Fill me in.” She takes a bite of that cookie, one lone chocolate chip smearing on her plump red lips. Oh hell, I’m a goner. I look across to Balor and Casseus, and their eyes are tracking that cookie as well.
Then she surprises me even more by sitting in my lap. Her bare skin only separated from mine by the thin sweats I wear. My hands steady her hips, slipping just under that hem I wanted to lift only moments ago.
Balor speaks, probably filling her in on what he found. I don’t hear him. The blood rushes through my ears as lust permeates the air. My hands clench and heat spears my gut. I shift just a bit, my hand spanning her waist.
Then she wiggles back, shifting against my cock. Her ass cheeks cradle it like that’s where it has belonged all this time.
Why, oh freaking why, did I declare celibacy after Morgana? I’m about to spill my load right here and right fucking now like a goddamn, hormonal teen boy. All those years could have been a practice in control.
I’m literally older than dirt. I should have more discipline than this.
“Mac?” Bette’s looking at me with that coy smile on her face. “There you are. So nice of you to join us.”
“You’re gonna kill me smalls.”
She leans in and her breath flutters over the bundle of nerves at my ear. “That’s the point.” Her teeth bite down and I can’t decide if I should lift her up on the table and bury myself inside her teasing heat, or dump her on the floor and head to one of the other bedrooms on this floor.
I need to focus on anyone but her. I look at Casseus and his dark eyes are heavy-lidded. One glance down to the bulge in his pants and I know he is enjoying the show.
What’s the etiquette here? Because I know what I’d do if we were alone.
“Bette. Stop teasing him.” Balor’s voice is no more than a damn growl, and somehow that makes the lust thrumming through me even worse.
She freaking pouts. Oh yes, does she pout. Those dick sucking lips pull down in disappointment as she gets up. Grabbing the cookies as she goes.
I have no idea how much time passes after she’s gone, but Balor gets up and heads to one of the other bedrooms, leaving Casseus and me to stare at each other.
Nothing has died down. I haven’t felt like this in years and I’m so far out of my element that I don’t know what to do.
Bedroom, I need to find a bedroom.
I get up and walk to one of the last bedrooms on this floor. I open the door, listening as it creaks like old wood. Stripping off my shirt I turn to close the door and stop, lost in my course.
My body floods with adrenaline. Casseus is standing there. His mouth parted, his chest panting. My body is frozen. The rush of emotions is too much. I’m feeling everything more than I have in far too long. He stalks me like prey. I back up.
One step. Two. I fall onto the bed.
He descends on me, his lips claiming mine in a fury of tongue and teeth. Every nerve comes alive and I moan into his mouth. Pulling away long enough to rip the shirt from his body, I marvel at the ripple of muscle, lean and toned. My hands run the length of his torso, watching as he shutters under my touch.
“Lay back.” My elbows fall to the soft mattress at his command, leaving him to straddle me. One finger runs a lazy trail from nipple to nipple, through the hair on my chest, where he teases me with pleasure and pain, tugging on the fine strands. “Tell me. Have you thought about this?”
“Yes.” His hand palms my cock through my sweats in reward.
Perspiration beads on my forehead. I’m about to explode so quickly. I grind my teeth, holding on to the last threads of control I don’t have.
“Do you want my mouth here?” He tugs the band away from my waist, yanking the cloth down my hips.
“Yes.” His lips tug up into that teasing smile of his, those dark eyes full of lust. I’m panting as he slowly lowers his head. His eyes never once leaving mine.
The pink of his tongue peeks out, coating those lush lips in saliva. “I’ve wanted to do this for a long time.”
“What’s that?” My voice is nothing more than a low moan and I can’t look away. I need to watch him touch me as much as I need to feel it
.
“Taste you.” That tongue flicks out, teasing the ribbon of nerves at the tip.
I can’t hold back my moan and I don’t even freaking try. Let the whole damn house hear me. Our eyes stay locked in that intimate battle I’m losing as his mouth descends upon me. The warm heat surrounds my cock, and his tongue lies against me as he takes me completely, rubbing just the right way.
I reach for him, my hands wrapping in the overgrown lengths of his mowhawk. He sets the slowest pace as his mouth keeps just the right suction.
“Stop freaking teasing me,” I grind out. Enough is enough, if he wants to play we can do so later. But right now?
Right now I need that sweet oblivion of a release.
He releases me with a pop only to stand before me. His thumbs hook into the band of his own sweats and he moves it down his hips, exposing the hard line of his groin muscles. That V leading down to a cock I’ve only ever dreamed about.
Nothing compares to the reality that is exposed before me.
“Is this what you want?” He grips his hard length, pulling down to release that salty little pearl that makes my mouth water.
“Right now? I want to come. Later, I want to spend hours learning every curve and hard line.” There is no drawing this out, I won’t last. Instead, I knock his hand away.
I give in, my tongue licking the head of his cock and tasting him. Like the ravenous god I am, I swallow him whole, giving him no warning or adjustment. Our moans entwine together and I’m lost. Setting a rhythm that’s faster, needier than his. Hands grip my hair as he mumbles incoherently into space.
I reach down and grip myself, mimicking my tongue and mouth on him. Every stroke and every teasing little movement is a promise to slow it down later. Because right now, lightning is coursing through my entire body, burning at the base of my spine. My balls draw up tight and I clamp down around the base of my cock. Not freaking yet.
I work him harder until I feel that buzz in his cock, telling me he’s about to lose control. That his walls are falling and I’m the one making it happen. I pull harder trying to suck the come from him, demanding he gives it to me.
My reward is his groan, those hands tightening in my hair, and the jet of his salty cum shooting into my mouth. I swallow every freaking drop, not once giving up my suction. His pleas become desperate and he yanks himself away from me. His face flush with lust and desire.
Our eyes meet over the distance and I grip myself once more. One stroke. Two. Three, and thick ropes of cum shoot out of me. My hips rise off the bed and my eyes dare to flutter close. I don’t let them. I need him to see what he’s done to me. How he makes me feel without words.
His sexy smile says it all and he walks to the door then shuts it. I can’t help the laughter that sneaks out. Oops.
Chapter 6
Bette
Nevermore
The soft melody of rain pattering on a window pain eases the tension in my shoulders. The lulling cadence is a balm to my soul that teases me awake from my restless slumber. My eyes feel gritty and pasted shut. That achy soreness that bleeds into my bones from oversleeping has taken over my body.
I stretch before burrowing my head under the pillow. One pant leg has ridden halfway up my leg, a sock is missing from my foot, and my shirt is riding high up my torso. I knew it was pointless to dress after my midnight snack. My hair is slowly strangling me with the still damp strands from last night’s shower.
In one smooth move, I roll from the bed and land with a thump on the floor. Sheets tangle around my feet, threatening to hold me hostage in the squishy comfort of the bed. The battle between sheet and woman is futile. I’ll lose. I know I’ll lose. Dare I say they are cognizant?
I roll, riding the sheet farther up my body in a Bette burrito. I’m not sure why this is all I can do at the moment, but my legs are too achy to function. Who am I to question their demand for relaxation and a bit more rest?
Without thought, I roll to the steps, daring their danger with my laziness. Feet first, I caterpillar my body until I teeter on the top step. As my body caves into gravity, I remember one vital detail.
These are wooden steps.
I slide down like I’ve been buttered and fried. There is no stopping me, since I’ve mummified myself to perfection. All I can do at this point is hold my breath and let the ride take me.
My head thumps and my body slams over and over again into the steps, until I reach that blessed bottom stair and glide right across the wooden floor, shining it to show my stupid reflection.
Heavy thuds come running over to me as I do nothing but stare at the skylight and listen to that patter of raindrops. Oh, the irony. I should have stayed in bed.
“You eejit. What were ye thinking?” Patrick is the first to reach me with his arms crossed, and I dare to study the freckles that accent those beefy biceps. He’s got those grey dress pants on, a white t-shirt, and suspenders. He’s so fucking dapper.
I’ve clearly lost my mind. “Well. It was too quiet.”
“Too quiet?” He crouches down just as Balor comes into view wearing that kilt and a tight black shirt.
“What did she do? Why is she wrapped in a sheet?” Balor frowns, his entire face pulling down to scour at me.
“She thought to spice things up a bit.” It’s a poor excuse and they know it. But I mentally thank Patrick anyway.
“Bette, are you okay?” Mac crouches down on the other side of me. His face is glowing and Casseus is directly behind him. Staring at his ass. Well, that’s a new development I’d like to watch... um, talk about later.
I lie. I want to watch.
“Balor,” I whisper.
“Aye?” He crouches before me right at my head.
Ah, yeah, right there. His knees are bent and I’ve got the most perfect view of his dangling bits and they are fit for a king.
“Are you perving on his cock woman?” Yes, I am Patrick. I don’t answer since it’s obvious where my gaze is. “Ye hit yer head one too many times.”
Probably.
Mac grunts and I turn, and watch him walk away, but not before running his hand across Casseus’ chest. Damn. Missed that.
Patrick marches off to the kitchen, leaving just Balor and I, and I smile up at him like a damn fool.
“If you wanted a look, all you had to do was say something.” He leans in close, whispering in my ear, and sending all my nerve endings a fresh outlook on life. “I’d be more than happy to oblige.”
Then the fucker walks away. My body is on fire and well... sore. I did just slide myself down the damn steps. But they all just walked away, leaving me here to fend for myself in this sheet burrito.
I wonder if we have breakfast burritos, not of the human variety either, but of the cheese, egg and bacon variety. Although, I haven’t eaten a soul in a while either. I can make that my desert.
My mind made up, I begin the arduous process of rolling out of my sheet, which takes me toward the kitchen and the guys. All of whom don’t even bother to look at me. Am I not amusing to them? I should be. What’s a girl got to do around here to get a little attention? Strip?
That is a possibility. Shame I have two left feet and I’d just look like a zombie squirrel.
“Bette, get off the floor,” Balor chides from his seat up on his stool. I wonder if I can knock him off, but I realize he’s a big guy and I don’t want to hurt this beautiful flooring.
I slither up the stool like a snake, winding my way around until I park my ass on the cushioned surface.
“Burritos,” I demand, with a slap on the counter. Casseus and Mac are at the stove top, where the sound of bacon hitting the pan sizzles with the scent of fried pork.
“You can have bacon and eggs.” Mac doesn’t even turn around as he whisks eggs in a bowl.
“Want a burrito.” Really, I have no idea what is wrong with me today. Is it the win from yesterday freeing my mood? Or just the need to be light and airy for a while before some emotional anvil lands on my head? I rea
lly want that burrito now, since I’m feeling the need to emotionally eat.
I watch as Casseus runs a hand under Mac’s shirt and I officially can’t hold it back any longer. “Alright you two, when did you get all handsy?”
“Last night when they forgot to shut their bedroom door. Ye sat on Mac’s bits and had ‘em all riled up. Had to release the tension.” Patrick’s heat envelops me from behind as he steps in close, and leans down to whisper in my ear, “Shouldn’t tease a bloke like that. Payback and all.” I damn near moan out his name. He hasn’t touched me, not really, but his breath fans out over my ear and down my neck where he moves my hair out of the way. I feel the press of his lips on the top of my back where his lips linger. His tongue peeks out and licks that salty skin that resides there.
Then he’s gone. But not far, no, he plops his ass on the seat beside me with a pleased grin on his face. My voice sputters as I struggle to get the words out. “I did not tease him.”
Mac groans and I jerk my head toward him. He’s leaning on the bar, and his usual light green eyes are now dark and cloudy. His hair is in disarray as it falls over his forehead. “You sat on my lap and wiggled.”
Oh, I know what I did, and it was definitely intentional. I even took my pants off before I went downstairs, but that backfired because I thought he’d come to my bed! My cheeks grow pink. “Well—” I begin only to get cut off.
“You thought he’d come to you.” Casseus is grinning like a damn mad man and Patrick’s laughter is way too loud in my ears.
“Of course not.” I so did.
“You did.”
“You definitely did.”
“Oh, aye.”
“I agree.”
Outnumbered. See this is the problem when everyone learns your quirks too fast. I snort. I’m going to have to keep them on their toes a little more. “Burrito.” I have no logical comeback. I’ve already lost.
From my peripheral, I catch Balor pinching the bridge of his nose and Patrick’s shoulders shaking. See, I’m funny.