by Dana Archer
Protect him. She needed to protect him from her, not curl up next to his sated body.
Yes, she would, even if it killed her. Mira wanted him to find some happiness, in this life and every future one. No way did she want his soul to remember her, maybe long for her as she would for him. She didn’t want fate to dim his chances of falling in love with another woman. It wasn’t an outcome she wanted for either of them, but her hands were tied, first by the prophecy demanding she birth the children predicted to change the world, then by the Council’s unwavering order.
She dropped her gaze to his nose. “I enjoyed Aron’s kiss.”
Josh tipped her chin up. “I watched you. You looked pained.”
“That’s not true.”
He used his hold on her chin to expose her neck and pressed a chaste kiss to her throat. “You didn’t want his lips here.”
A breathy sigh escaped. She caught her upper lip between her teeth to stop more from slipping out.
He turned his head and focused on her mouth. The desire reflected in his expression spurred hers. She bit harder to stop her demand he kiss her.
“Or”—Josh tugged at her shirt, exposing her scar—“here.”
With a single finger, he slipped the strap of her bra over her shoulder. He leaned closer and bathed the old mark with his exhaled air. Shivers raced down her spine. She tensed in anticipation.
“Will you enjoy my mouth on the bite, sucking and nipping until you’re wild?”
Mira swallowed hard. “My nerves are deadened there. I don’t feel anything.”
“Still choosing to lie to me, huh?”
“No lies. Many males have licked that spot. I’ve felt nothing there.”
“I’m not just any man.”
She leaned back. Or tried to. Josh’s hold on her didn’t allow her much freedom. “I don’t feel anything more than lust for you. It doesn’t make you special.”
“That’s not what you said a couple of days ago.”
“I changed my mind.”
“Have you now?”
“Yes.” The lie squeezed her chest.
“That’s okay.” He shrugged. “You’re special to me. That’s enough.”
Josh bent toward her shoulder a second time. His breath warmed the old scar and awareness whipped through her. Before the feeling could take root, she slid her hand between her shoulder and his mouth so he ended up kissing her knuckles. The snap of his teeth resounded in her ears. She flinched.
“Move. Your. Hand.”
She shook her head. “I can’t. Please don’t push me.”
“I have to.” Josh turned his head. His dark, smoldering gaze captured hers. “I’m not letting you go. I thought I could play Kade’s game, watch you with other men. I can’t.”
She forced a small half-shrug. If she had to tick Josh off in order to save his life and his future, she would. “Then you’ll make a fool out of yourself. I got a taste of you. It proved you’re not enough of a male to intrigue me more than once.”
She held her breath and waited for his anger.
The corners of his mouth lifted, and he put a slight space between them. “Is that so?”
Unsure of what amused him, she studied him. His expression didn’t give her any clues. Finally, she inclined her head. “Yes.”
He closed the couple of inches between them. She leaned back to avoid coming in contact with his hard chest. Instead of matching the move, he reached around her and swiped his hand across the wooden desk. The sounds of fluttering papers, the tinkling of paperclips, and pens clanking to the floor were her only warnings.
He lifted her and dropped her bottom on the desk’s surface. Before she could scramble away, he pressed his hips into the space between her thighs, then drew her closer with his splayed palm over her bottom. She automatically widened her legs and linked her ankles over his backside.
“Then I guess I’ll have to prove you wrong,” he said before he claimed her mouth.
As dominant as any shifter male, Josh led the kiss, urging her to follow his example and accept his control. Their teeth banged, and her fangs descended, proving how much he affected her. The sharpened points didn’t deter him. He kissed her with more fervor, not so much as pausing when she nicked him.
Blood flavored the kiss—his and hers. She curled her tongue around his to enjoy the moment. He tasted good, better than she’d expected from a human. Still, she hadn’t meant to hurt him. She pulled back, but he followed, groaning as he deepened the kiss.
The primal sound ramped up her lust. She dug blunt nails into his shoulders to hold him in place and gave herself up to the passion consuming her.
She nipped first his tongue then hers. The symbolic joining of their blood—hers sweet, his with a tang of iron—made what they were doing more intimate than any kiss she’d ever shared. He didn’t give her the chance to revel in it. The way he commanded her mouth scattered her thoughts.
Each rolling stroke of his tongue weakened her. She clutched him tighter.
Josh was everything she could’ve asked for in a male—aggressive, desirable, and passionate. She wanted to keep him and enjoy ecstasy at his hands every day for eternity. She never wanted to lose him.
Marry him. Soul-bond to him. Join them any way they could so she never existed without him.
But she couldn’t mate him. She couldn’t even share his short human life with him. If she did, he’d die.
Kade had described the vision the goddess had bestowed in vivid detail—Josh sprawled on a wooden floor, mouth and eyes open, with blood covering his body and her clawed hands.
She turned her head, breaking their wicked kiss. “Wait, I need—“
“Me. You need me.”
Josh took her mouth again, capturing her tongue and sucking. Energy whipped through her body, and she moaned. He swallowed the sound with another rumble of approval.
Hearing his enjoyment pleased her. She wanted to do so again. The urge to pleasure him was one she couldn’t deny, not when he hit every trigger point. That both amazed her and scared her, especially with the desperation lingering in her mind.
As if sensing her inner turmoil, he broke the kiss and studied her for a long moment. With slow, controlled movements, he wrapped her locks around his hand, and the gentle tugging of her strands sped her pulse. He held her immobilized with the section of her hair and a palm over her lower back.
Time stretched. Finally, he gave her hair a hard yank. She arched into him, and he leaned over her body so each breath she took pushed her chest against his hard muscles. Unable to break the spell he wove around her, she panted and awaited his next move.
He trailed a single finger across her shoulder. His teasing stroke left a path of heat and sensitivity in its wake. He inched his calloused fingertip closer to her old scar. His intent was clear. She sucked in a rough breath, unsure if she wanted him to caress it or not. The reminder that he could never be the one who awakened it was one she didn’t need.
Thankfully, he didn’t touch the mark. He skimmed the length of her neck, distracting her from her grim thoughts, then dragged his fingertip across her cheek to her lips. Her pent-up air escaped in a rush. He took advantage of her breathy exhale. He slid his finger between her lips and stroked her descended canines.
Sensations skipped through her, igniting the fire deep inside her, the one that only burned for Josh. Her eyelids drifted shut on a moan.
“I love your fangs. They look incredibly sexy and make kissing you even better.”
She glanced at him to judge his words. Sincerity shone in his eyes, along with lust. “But I shouldn’t have nicked your tongue.”
A lopsided smile graced his face. Her heart flipped over.
He leaned in and pressed his lips to hers. “Then the proper thing to do is kiss it and make it all better.” He traced her lower lip with the tip of his tongue before sweeping it across the upper one. “Kiss me this time, Mira.”
She wanted to do that and more. She couldn’t. Every enco
unter they shared reaffirmed her feelings toward him, but nothing had changed. The goddess’ vision hung over them, along with the prophecy surrounding her. All she’d done by giving in to her lust was tease them both.
“No, I don’t want any more kisses from you.”
She felt his smile against her mouth. “Don’t you enjoy them?”
She turned her head, and his lips skimmed over her cheek with the move. A shiver ran the length of her spine.
“They’re okay.” Why couldn’t Josh react the way she expected? His amused tone confused her. She shrugged, feigning nonchalance. “I’ve had better.”
He trailed the finger still wet from her mouth down the column of her throat. She bent her head to give him room to explore. A long moment passed before he hooked his finger around the collar of her shirt. Her pulse raced. With a tug, he exposed her upper chest. She froze in anticipation. He bent closer and pressed an openmouthed kiss to her skin.
With his lips brushing lightly against her, he asked, “How about that one?”
She swallowed hard. “Nothing special.”
He sighed, but the way he licked his lips warned her he wasn’t done with her yet. Excitement built within her. She silently berated herself for the eagerness, but she offered no resistance when he lifted her arm.
He glided the tip of his forefinger from her wrist to the edge of her sleeve. His barely-there caress undid her. She closed her eyes, but not seeing his exploration didn’t dim its effect.
He took her hand in his and pressed his lips to her skin. She focused solely on the sensation of his kiss. He brushed his open mouth over her knuckles, then turned her hand over to tease her inner wrist. The soft scrape of his stubble weakened her knees, and the swirls of his tongue over her skin fanned the desire raging through her.
“Better?”
“No.”
Her breathless answer brought another rumble of laughter from him.
“You’re tough on a man’s pride.”
“I’m just telling the truth.” She inhaled deeply, hoping to lessen the lust adding a husky edge to her voice. “Your kisses are nice.” Another inhale filled her lungs with Josh’s rich scent. “That’s it. Nice, not spectacular.”
He dropped to his knees. She tensed. With her skirt pushed up, he had a perfect view of her panties, blue to match his eyes. He didn’t peek or try to touch her intimately. He lifted her calf and kissed his way to her knee, teasing the crease with quick flicks of his tongue before moving higher.
Her heart knocked hard against her rib cage. He couldn’t mean to kiss her…there.
“What are”—she dragged in a shaky breath—“you doing?”
“Trying to rebuild my self-esteem, kitten.” He raised his head. With his heated gaze on her, he caressed her inner thigh. “I can’t let you walk away from me unsatisfied, now, can I?”
“You don’t have to…I mean, this isn’t…”
“I do.” He pressed a firm hand to her belly. “And I need more room if I’m going to kiss you properly. Lie down.”
“I saw Josh lying on a wooden floor. Blood covered his gut. His eyes were vacant, and his mouth was open. He appeared dead. And you, Mira? I saw you standing over him with blood dripping off your claws.” Kade’s words came back to her.
No! She refused to allow the vision to become reality.
She shook her head. “Josh, wait. I—”
He leaned over her. Desire-ridden eyes met hers. “Why, kitten?” He traced her lip with his finger. “Do you want me to stop?”
She opened her mouth to say ‘yes’ but shook her head. Weak. She was so weak.
Another lopsided smile spread over his face.
Josh made love to her with his mouth, and she writhed for him. This moment was for her. He made sure she understood that with every touch, every kiss,
Finally, he eased back. His chest heaved. The muscles of his arms bulged. He looked strong, primal, and pleased with himself. Meeting her gaze, he gave her a smile. The sight of him, a gorgeous male who’d worshipped her as if she were his queen, reignited her desire. She wanted him to kiss her again, love her, anything to ease the flames burning deep inside.
A smile lit up his face, the kind a male wore when he knew he’d sated his woman. “Was that kiss any better?”
The sound of muffled screams stopped her admission. Josh jumped back.
He cursed. In one quick move, he grabbed a flannel shirt draped over his desk chair, wiped his chin, and turned for the door. She sat there, too relaxed from Josh’s attentions to move. The loud thump of a body hitting something and the sound of splintering wood brought her back to reality.
A shifter’s roar rang out. She knew that enraged call. Aron’s bellowed curse confirmed her suspicion. The fight was her fault.
Chapter 16
Mira followed Josh down the hallway to find chaos had taken over the bar. Humans scrambled to get out of the way of the two huge males fighting in the middle of the dance floor. Both remained in their human forms, but Kade’s softly glowing eyes betrayed how close he was to losing it.
She rushed forward.
Josh grabbed her. With his hands on her hips, he lifted her and dropped her into the waiting arms of the bouncer. “Stay here, kitten. I’ll handle this.”
The human wrapped his beefy arms around her. “Josh is right, Mira. You don’t want to get in the middle of this one. That new guy tossed me clear across the room when I tried to stop them.”
He meant Aron. Kade was well-known at the Black Widow. She didn’t bother fighting to break free of the human’s hold. The male was as stubborn as Josh. She also didn’t want to hurt him. Not all mortals were as tough as her beloved human.
A few feet away, Josh shoved the fighting shifters apart. “Break it up.”
Kade paid no attention to the order. He tried to sidestep him to get to Aron. Josh flung an arm out, stopping him. Kade turned his angry gaze from Aron to Josh. Kade’s lips lifted in a silent snarl. Josh backed the enraged shifter to the wall and got up in his face.
She was too far away to hear what Josh said to Kade, but she could guess. No doubt, Josh was warning Kade to control himself, that they were around humans.
Another bouncer held Aron back. Aron towered over the human male but didn’t use his strength against him. He turned his head. She followed the direction of his gaze. Zoe stood off to the side, eyes wide and arms banded across her chest.
“Let go.” Mira pushed at the hand holding her. “Fight’s over.”
The male released her, and she hurried to the frightened female. “What happened?”
Zoe peered past her to where Josh spoke in hushed tones with Kade. “I was dancing with Aron one minute. Then, Kade pulled him away from me and started pummeling his face. I don’t know what started it.”
Mira knew. Jealousy. Zoe was Kade’s beloved human. He might not want to be saddled with her, but no way would he let another shifter touch her.
Poor Zoe. She didn’t know what she was in for. Guilt welled within Mira. If it hadn’t been for her insane jealousy, Kade wouldn’t have had to lick Zoe’s wounds in the first place.
“I’m sorry, Zoe. This is all my fault.”
Zoe frowned, the confused look so similar to the one Josh wore on occasion. Up close, she could see the similarities between the siblings. They had the same eyes and straight nose, only Zoe’s features held a delicate edge. A cleft dimpled her chin too.
How could she have ever thought Zoe was Josh’s lover? Mira asked herself the question, but she knew the reason why. She’d been clouded by her primitive side that wanted to defend what she considered hers. It wasn’t an excuse, just the truth and one that shamed her.
“It’s not.” Zoe shook her head. “You didn’t tell Kade to act like a Neanderthal.”
“It is. If I hadn’t hurt you in the first place, Kade wouldn’t have made you his beloved human.”
“Oh, please. Don’t be ridiculous. Kade didn’t have to do anything. I was fine on my own.” Amusemen
t glinted in Zoe’s eyes. “Between you and me, I think he was looking for a reason to get his mouth on me.”
Not likely. Kade avoided commitments to anything that extended beyond his family. In his eyes, the pride came first. Even if he had been attracted to Zoe, he wouldn’t have acted on it because of Zoe’s tie to Josh. No, it wasn’t lust that drove Kade to lick Zoe’s cuts. It was honor. Maybe guilt. It had been his order that kept her from seeking out human medical intervention.
Kade stepped next to them, forehead creased and mouth pressed in a thin line “And I hoped you enjoyed it because it’ll never happen again.”
Zoe’s grin returned. “We’ll see, my pretty kitty.”
“Stop calling me that.”
Zoe blinked innocent eyes at him while Mira hid a smirk behind her hand.
“But it’s true. You are pretty, and you’re my kitty.”
“I am not pretty nor am I yours.” Kade growled the last.
Zoe tilted her head and pursed her lips. “So did you succeed in defending my honor, my pretty kitty?”
Kade bared his fangs, a sure sign Zoe was getting to him. Thankfully, no humans were close enough to see. If Josh’s sister wasn’t careful, she’d find herself on the receiving end of a focused shifter’s attentions. Something told Mira that Zoe wouldn’t want that. There was a wildness about the human. She’d resent being caught.
Aron pushed Kade out of the way. He inhaled deeply and turned furious eyes onto her before flicking his gaze to Josh who stood several feet away, talking to his bouncers.
“Did you bring me here to shame me?” Aron looked down at her, derision on his face. “So be it. You’re on your own.”
Mira grabbed his arm. He glanced at where her lightly tanned fingers were wrapped over his darker skin. “No, don’t leave. I didn’t want this to happen.”
Aron’s expression hardened. The intensity of his fury was easy to see, even with the contacts hiding his unique black and gold eyes. The color combination matched his blond hair with its single black stripe. After a moment, he turned his head slowly to settle his piercing glare on Josh. The muscles under her fingers rippled and the faintest prickling of fur tickled her palm.