Nate chuckled. “Those aren’t even high heels. Mmm, I bet you’d look amazing in high heels and nothing else.” He grinned at her and wiggled his eyebrows.
She ignored his comment. “Couldn’t I go barefoot…or not at all?”
“I’ll let you in on a little secret. Dinner is mandatory because the Rowans need a daily head count. They can’t be careless with vampires and the like prowling around. Right?”
Luna agreed by shuffling to the door. “Okay, fine, I’m ready.”
Exiting the elevator downstairs, Nate called to Cemil who stood in the lobby, “Evening.” When he was within elbow distance, he asked in a lower voice, “How is everything?”
“Good evening. Won’t you both join my siblings and me in the office for a few minutes before you head to the dining room?”
“Of course.” Nate glanced reassuringly at Luna, despite his apprehensive curiosity. He hadn’t forgotten Luna had broken her contract. He followed Cemil inside with Luna close to his side.
Rekkus, fully clothed, stood by the window with his arms crossed. Sage stood beside her sister’s chair. Sarka, regally seated, reigned behind a wooden desk. Cemil offered them seats and leaned against the desk.
Nate focused on Sarka. Her hair, dark like Cyrus’s, was piled on top of her stately head and secured by two pencils. Sarka and Cyrus were referred to by the staff as the dark ones while Cemil and Sage were called the light ones, likely because of their golden heads of hair and friendlier personalities. The four siblings shared the same vivid, ice-blue eyes and aristocratic good looks.
Cemil indicated the woman behind the desk. “Luna, this is my eldest sister, Sarka.” He swept his arm in Luna’s direction. “Sarka, this is Luna.”
“Hello,” Luna said.
Sarka nodded.
Nate already knew her, of course, and he’d made it a habit to stay clear of her. Sarka was the most intimidating of the Rowans. He’d heard of the legendary arguments between the siblings along with Sarka’s bad tempter.
Cemil began, “Luna, I’ve been selected to discuss your contract.”
At his words, everyone’s attention was on the siren.
“I only sang so Charlie wouldn’t get away, especially after what he’d done to Cyrus,” she said.
“Yes, Myron’s cards support your statement.” Cemil gave a half smile. “It is why we are willing to overlook the discrepancy. We are grateful to you, really.”
The monarch, Sarka, spoke to Luna. “Our brother Cyrus will make a full recovery thanks to you removing the dart before all the poison was injected. Can you tell us what happened?”
Nate listened to Luna’s story, realizing he had never even asked her the details. He’d been so relieved she was safe, he could only concentrate on her.
At the end of her recount, Luna asked, “And Charlie? Who is he?”
“That’s what we intend to find out. His background check was solid. Whoever hired him covered their tracks.” Rekkus prowled closer, and Cemil moved out of the way. Nate didn’t like the man’s hard expression as he drew closer to Luna. Rekkus added, “I’d like to ask for your full cooperation regarding this investigation.”
Sarka handed Rekkus a piece of paper.
Nate leaned forward in his chair, irate. “She’s not going to say anything.”
Sarka waved her hand in dismissal. “Of course not, it’s just legality.”
“Nate.” Luna placed her palm on his wrist to prevent him from snatching the paper. “I understand. I’ll sign it.”
Sarka almost smiled. “On behalf of our family, I want to thank you. You’ve both done us a service. I highly recommend you two take a walk through the southern forest tomorrow. Spend the whole day if you’d like—”
Rekkus cleared his throat.
Sarka added, “Until you find yourselves famished for dinner.”
Tomorrow was their last day full day on the island. With the capture of the assassin, Nate’s job was concluded. He was mated to boot. Now all he had to do was convince Luna to return home with him. Her place—under the sea—wasn’t a viable option.
Chapter Seven
“Good morning.” Sage smiled as Luna cleared the threshold of her room.
Startled, Luna stepped into the corridor, bewildered. “Hello, Sage.” She wondered why the willowy, fairy-like woman stood at her door and clutched a tray with two chilled shakes on it. Luna started to close the door behind her, but Nate’s fingers caught it from the inside and pried it open.
“Oh, good morning, Sage.” He stepped into the hallway and closed the door.
Sage inclined her fair head and presented her tray. “I finally had a chance to bring your shake.” She grinned at Luna. “I’m sorry I never got one to you yesterday, but I’m sure you understand.” She pointed to the other glass. “And I brought one for your mate as well.”
“I’d forgotten all about the shake after what happened yesterday. This is very thoughtful of you to deliver it to my door.” Luna accepted the shake and took a long sip. Did she say, “Your mate”? How did she know? She supposed it wasn’t a lucky guess.
Nate grabbed the pinkish drink and took a sip. “Mmm, raspberry, my favorite.”
“I remembered.” Sage tucked the empty tray under her arm. “Enjoy the forest. It’s an awe-inspiring place…and one of Sarka’s favorites.” She turned like a ballerina then hummed while she promenaded through the hallway.
The couple called thanks to her retreating form, and Sage waved a hand without turning around.
“I think we are in for a treat, besides these.” He held up his smoothie.
***
The trek across the island brought them to the forest by late morning. Vast woodlands were stocked with oak, birch, and cedar trees. Grinning, Luna gazed at her wilderness man, sensing he felt at home in these surroundings. He slipped the backpack strap over his chiseled shoulder and dropped the bag to the ground. He unzipped it, dug around then handed her a bottle of water.
The mighty trees towered and surrounded them, as the plentiful lavender waved around Luna’s thighs. After hydrating, Nate took her hand and strolled until he reached a cluster of massive oak trees.
“These are impressive,” he said.
Luna released his hand to explore while he continued his inspection. She delighted in finding a small circular pool at their base. Its vibrant teal color surrounded by a heady heather scent drew her immediately. Untying the string at her neck, she shimmied, and her gauzy dress floated to the ground. She stepped away completely naked, having never bothered to buy underwear.
“Let’s go in,” she squealed, then dropped to the grass and swung her legs in. In a moment, she dropped in to her shoulders. “Ooh, it’s deep and warm,” she enticed. The temperature didn’t matter to her, but she guessed at his preference.
Nate disrobed quickly with a ridiculous grin on his face. He fished something from his shorts’ pocket before sauntering over. He dropped in, sloshing the water, and taking up most of the available space. She didn’t mind, though.
“I have something for you.” He opened his palm, revealing his gift. Two charms winked at her in the sunlight.
“My heart charm,” she cried, thinking she’d never see it again after it came loose from her anklet and the cheeky squirrel stole it. “I’m so glad you still have it.” But he offered her more. “And what is this other one for?”
“It’s a key. You have the key to my heart, Luna.”
Nearly a week ago, her soul had been dark, but, since she’d let him in, it seemed the darkness was dissipating. She wanted to show him how much he meant to her. She wanted to make love to him again in the water. Could she pleasure this man and have no desire to sing—no desire to kill? Could her love for her mate truly cure her of her siren’s curse? Luna carefully set the charms on a cluster of moss. She swiveled to her mate and moved in to find out how her future would unfold.
Luna and Nate made love in the turquoise pool. To her a
stonishment and jubilation, the siren’s call had ceased.
Luna eventually left the pool to join Nate who had sprawled in the moss to dry. He seemed sated for the time being. She inhaled the woodsy scent, bringing her calmness, content to lie beside him in silence. When Luna got up to slip her dress on so they could continue exploring, she picked out leafy debris clinging to her yard of black hair. She added the charms to her gold anklet while pressing her lips together, hiding her deliriously silly grin. How did my luck change, mated to this amazing man? A question tugged at her, and she said, “I’ve been wondering. How did Sage know we mated?”
“I told Rekkus the night in the Fun Shack when we went up to the bar for drinks how I had found you—that my future mate was my current detail.” He tugged his shorts over his hips.
“Hmm…but we hadn’t done it yet—mated—until later that night.”
“Right. But what we did later was more of a final act—a consummation. I knew you were my mate from the moment I saw you. It’s kind of a big deal when a true mate is discovered. There’s no question Rekkus told the Rowans. Also, on another note, it is why they understood when I fully resigned from the Para Elite reserves.” He knelt on one knee to load his shoes and T-shirt into the pack.
“You resigned? Why?” She’d learned he’d had a long career with the Syndicate. They obviously valued him.
Nate, already down on one knee, set the pack aside and reached for her hand. “Well, I was hoping you would come with me to Canada. I have a house in Iqaluit on Frobisher Bay, which opens to the Atlantic Ocean, so you’d have easy access to the water. I mentioned my sled dog business—I prefer it over soldiering. But, mostly, I have the desire to spend my life with you and make you my wife—in the human sense.”
“Like marry me?” she burst out.
He chuckled. “Yes, Luna, will you marry me?”
She stifled her gasp. The symbolic ceremony was a nice touch!
“I hope the charm will do for now, but you can have any ring you want—”
“Yes, Nate, I will marry you!” She fell into his arms to cover him with kisses.
“Luna, my beautiful Luna, I want to hold you in my arms forever.”
This man had given her so much in such a short time. She wanted to make him feel the same wild happiness she felt. Leaving his embrace and giving him her most alluring smile, she cooed, “If you catch me, you can do whatever you want to me.”
Slowly parting his lips, he ground his teeth together. “Run!” he growled, then cloaked.
Luna squealed as she raced off. She dashed behind a massive twisted and knotty tree trunk catching her breath. Noisy, stomping feet alerted her to his presence even though she could see his shimmering form. The ancient Dragon’s Blood trees stretched out like an umbrella over her head, allowing the noon sunshine to only penetrate in streams of golden light. The pink-and-red blossoms looked like baby dragons flying and frolicking in the breeze. Never had she run free across the land, with joy and happiness in her heart. It was invigorating.
Their cat-and-mouse chase didn’t last long. He uncloaked before her as she skipped around the trees. She screamed with surprise and excitement. Eyes blazing with lust, he cocked a brow asking for one more challenge. But, before she could sprint away, he clasped her thin wrist and jerked her against him. This one motion moistened the apex of her thighs. She placed her fingertips on his hairy chest, itching to run them through the long, dark strands. In one swift move, he had her hands behind her. He held them tight. She was his captive—and she liked it. She sighed, waiting for more. He lowered his head as if to kiss her. She parted her lips in anticipation. But, to her frustration, he teased her by tracing her lips with his tongue. She squirmed, craving for his tongue to do more. Nate’s mouth came close to hers again, but he moved lower, kneeling in the grass and pressing hot kisses along her collarbone. While his free hand palmed her breast, pinching at the nub through the thin fabric, his mouth moved to the other breast and nipped. She arched and moaned.
He crouched lower and ducked his head under the hem of her dress, all the while holding her prisoner. He pressed his nose to her inner thigh and inhaled with gusto. She swayed. He followed with one quick lick from her knee to the junction of her legs. Tiny quivers shook her body.
“Mmm, tasty.”
“Pleeease, Naaate…ahhh.” She wanted him to release his hold. She was dying to touch him—give him pleasure.
He unbuttoned and unzipped his shorts with one hand. When he stood, the fabric pooled at his ankles. Turning Luna around, he released her bound wrists. After he untied the dress strap at her nape, he guided the fabric over the tight points of her breasts and down over her narrow hips until it dropped freely to the ground. He palmed the underside of her breasts and bounced them playfully. He growled in her ear, “I love your tits.”
Drawing his palms upward, grazing her pointed nipples, he then crested her shoulders and started down her back, applying pressure and bowing her torso. His knee pushed between her thighs, and she was forced to separate and widen her legs. He held her captive, bent over, as he adjusted his stance preparing to enter her. Luna gathered her hair to one side and twisted to watch him.
He stared at her ass. “You have the most beautiful, tight ass.”
She winced as he squeezed it, but she didn’t mind because the thirst in his eyes was priceless. She folded over the rest of the way, placing her hands in the grass. He groaned in response to the total access, and lightly brushed his fingers over her—everywhere intimate exposed to him. She shook with tension, waiting for him to enter her.
Finally, he dipped in a finger to test her readiness. She moaned, and her eyelids fluttered closed. He withdrew his wet finger and, a moment later, said, “Mmm, delicious.”
She caught her bottom lip between her teeth. He bumped his cock against her smooth ass, prolonging her anticipation. She hung her head in total submission and waited.
When his wide tip filled her opening, she licked her lips. He pressed his cock in farther and farther; he gripped her waist and pressed even farther. She opened her mouth, but no sound came out until he withdrew. She clenched her teeth and sucked air through them. With each stroke, he plunged into her longer and deeper, rocking her forward. She reached up and grasped the nearest and lowest tree branch, curling her fingers around its hard bark. From this position, his momentum was mind-blowing. Luna half-screamed, half-sang as wave after wave of pleasure flooded her. The spasm in her cervix soon rippled throughout her whole body, leaving her trembling. Panting, she tensed under his continued thrusts, riding the swelling of his cock. The sound of his roar sent birds scattering from the treetops. Nate’s hand joined hers on the tree branch when he came into her, his hoarse exhale at her ear.
He eased out of her and stepped into the cool grass to stretch his arms over his head. She stood and mimicked his stretching, gratified by the flexing. She grinned as she admired his glossy cock, stretching long in her direction.
“I may need a nap. Come here, beautiful.” He led her to a mossy patch, leaving the clothes where they lay. He sprawled against the cushioned ground, and she rested her head in the crook of his arm. “There is no place to better enjoy you than the great outdoors.”
“I agree, and, out of the water, I like it when you take me from behind,” she admitted.
Nate chuckled, but then said with a serious voice, “Oh, my little siren, I have other ways to make you sing.”
***
At the dock, Luna hugged Selena and glanced at the Rowan siblings who had all turned out to wish her and Nate farewell. What pleased her most was that Cyrus was recovered enough to have made the effort.
Luna now had a new, dear friend for life. “Thank you for helping me heal. I promise to return soon. Perhaps for a swim every now and again?”
“I’d love it. Come anytime.” Selena held Luna’s hands giving them a final squeeze before she let go. “I’ll alert the underwater patrol in case you decide to swim as
hore again. Rekkus is sure to make some changes since you managed to breach security.”
“I’ll be adjusting those details right away,” Rekkus said as he walked up.
Luna offered him a feeble shrug, but he ignored it. Rekkus didn’t seem like the type for lengthy good-byes.
He confirmed her suspicions when he said curtly to Nate, “Enjoy your retirement and congrats on the engagement.” The weretiger strolled away and joined the Rowans.
Luna and Nate boarded the ferry, her fingers tucked into his. Apprehension churned in her as she remembered the last boat she’d sailed on. She had been a prisoner of the tribe with a muzzle around her mouth. She shivered—an unnatural occurrence for a siren. Nate pulled her close, wrapping his arm around her slender shoulders. The latch was secured for departure, and the boat vibrated away from the dock. They waved to their friends, under the deafening blast of the ferry’s horn.
Nate moved to a bench seat, the stiff breeze tugging his hair from his handsome face. He gently placed his duffel bag onto the deck and sat. A squeak sounded from within, and she wondered at her new pet. She’d gotten used to catching a glimpse of the squirrel all week, and she forgave the little thief since her charm had been thoughtfully returned. Besides, Nate had sworn the squirrel was responsible for leading him to the cliffs the day he’d found her on the beach with an assassin. Okay, one tiny squirrel isn’t bad. But then she remembered his dogs. How am I going to feel about them? Only time would tell.
He guided her onto his lap until they were nearly nose to nose. The pine-green color of his eyes calmed her.
He brushed a soft kiss on her lips and murmured for her ears only, “I forgot to mention I play guitar and sing a little. When we get home, I want to play you a love song.”
“You sing? Oh, Nate, how could you possibly get any better?” She basked in his attention to her every need, gloriously happy.
“Luna, I love you. No one will ever harm you. I will personally see to it. All I wish is to make you happy.”
Legends Mate Page 9