Provoked

by Rebecca Zanetti

  Arousal followed the heat.

  His eyes opened slowly to focus on Amber, who faced him, her eyes opened wide.

  Nothing in the world could’ve stopped him from reaching for her. Grabbing her arms, he settled her on his lap, straddling him.

  Her mouth opened in a silent oh. “I felt your brain—the headache—the tenseness leave you.” Wonder lifted her lips.

  “Yes.” His mind, warm and strong, completely blanked as his gaze dropped to her mouth.

  She shifted her weight on him, rubbing against his cock. He became instantly and inexplicably hard as a rock.

  Her throat cleared. “Ah, I didn’t, I mean, well . . .”

  Tangling a hand in her silky hair, he tugged her head to the side. All focus, all concentration, centered on that pretty pink mouth. She opened it to say something, and he stopped her with a strong grip on her jaw. The sharp intake of her breath only spurred him on.

  Slowly, wanting her to know he was fully in control, he tugged her mouth to his. A small sigh escaped her when they touched. She softened, her body leaning toward his, accepting him.

  He nibbled at her lips, tasting and coaxing. Her hands slid to his shoulders, the fingers flexing.

  His hold tightened on her jaw, and she obeyed the silent demand by opening her mouth. With a low growl, he went deeper, taking and claiming. His eyes shut, and the world narrowed to the woman he’d so effectively trapped. She couldn’t move an inch without him releasing his hold. Yet, as her mouth opened wider, as she matched his kiss, he wondered who’d been caught.

  As her tongue touched his, the thought disappeared. The woman held passion tight, and he wanted to be the one to let it loose. To unleash the fire inside a gifted female. To bare her and claim every single inch . . . so she’d have no question who she belonged to. The marking on his palm pulsed hard in agreement.

  She moaned into his mouth, her nails biting his shoulders. So soft, so willing, so damn hot.

  His mind spun. His slacks became beyond confining. Tugging her closer, he fought a groan as her hard nipples scraped against his chest. She pressed against him like a hungry kitten, struggling to get closer. The heat from her core cascaded right through his pants and warmed his groin.

  Jesus. She’d kill him.

  He wanted to lay her out and feast for days. Take her slow . . . take her fast . . . just take her.

  Keep her.

  Drawing back, he looked his fill. Her eyes had darkened so the pupils melded with the irises—no distinction. Sexual need flared hot and bright in those dangerous orbs. Her mouth was swollen, looking properly kissed, and a high flush decorated her fine cheekbones. But there was vulnerability along with need on her face.

  The combination of the two made the night inevitable. “You’re beautiful.”

  She started, blinking several times.

  No . . . no regaining reality. He kissed her hard, pressing deep until she was moaning and kissing him back. Keeping her mouth busy, he cupped her ass and stood. Satisfaction surged through him when she wrapped her legs around his waist in acceptance. Several strides had them around the couch and in his bedroom, where he laid her down. She scooted up on the bed, her gaze on him.

  He was so damn tired of planning, so tired of thinking. For just a moment, he wanted to steal some peace. To get out of his head.

  The world focused to one small, sexy, dangerous woman.

  The hunger in her eyes sparked a primal possessiveness deep within him. “Take off your shirt.” Her tongue darted out to wet her lips, and he fought a groan. “Now.”

  Her hands shook when she reached for the hem of her T-shirt and slowly, so damn slowly, tugged the cotton over her head. The saucy smile she gave as the shirt landed on the floor guaranteed she’d teased him on purpose.

  He had no doubt his answering smile was predatory. “Be careful who you tease, darlin’.”

  She reached up to cup her breasts through a flimsy bra. “Why is that?”

  A whisper of sound and he was on her, both hands encircling her wrists. The swift intake of her breath had his dick surging for relief. “Let me show you.” Quick as that, his fangs dropped into her neck.

  She cried out, arching against him, an orgasm sweeping through her body.

  The taste of wild heather and honey exploded in his mouth. His cock howled in protest. Two swipes of his tongue closed the wound, and he lifted to smile at her bemused face. He nipped her lip and that feminine mouth opened in surprise. Wandering his mouth along the soft skin under her jaw, an overwhelming need to protect almost banished the desire to possess.

  Almost.

  He licked the soft spot behind her ear, enjoying her sigh of need. Her hands tugged for release, and he tightened his hold. The pulse in her neck increased its pounding in response. He kissed the life-giving vein in approval.

  His fangs dropped again, and he cut her bra in two.

  “Hey,” she protested, “that’s my only bra here.”

  He lifted his head and slashed through the straps. “If you were mine, I’d never allow you to wear a bra.”

  She frowned. “Allow—” Then she made a strangled whimper as he flicked one nipple with his tongue. She sucked in a breath to try again, and he flicked the other nipple. She went silent.

  Man, she had gorgeous breasts. Full and tipped with strawberry-colored nipples, she tasted like summer and smelled like forever. He swirled his tongue around a nipple, his mind spinning when she arched against him. They had too many clothes on.

  Releasing her hands, he removed her jeans and panties in two seconds.

  Her nimble fingers went to the buttons on his silk shirt, making quick work of them. He shrugged off the shirt.

  “Your pants,” she murmured, dark gaze watching her palms sliding along his chest. A pleased smile lifted her swollen lips.

  “What the lady wants . . .” He unbuckled his belt and removed his pants, kicking them with his socks across the room. He traced a hand from her knee to her inner thigh. Toned muscle trembled under his touch. Ignoring her sound of need, he played with her skin, marveling at the softness. When she arched her mound toward him, he bit back a smile and ran his fingers along the other thigh.

  Would she taste as good as she had in the cabin? Had his imagination taken control?

  She shifted on the bed. “Kane, I . . .”

  “What, sweetheart?” He lifted up just enough for his breath to brush her clit. Her very bare clit. He did appreciate a woman who waxed.

  Her gasp of breath filled the silent room. “You’re killing me.”

  “Not my intention.” He licked smooth skin, and she almost came off the bed. “Now tell me what you want.”

  She stilled. “Um, well, what do you want?”

  His woman was shy in bed. Interesting . . . and not what he’d accept. “I want you to tell me what you want.” Oh, she was wet and primed. He knew exactly what she wanted—but she’d have to ask. Nicely.

  “You’re kind of an asshole in bed,” she moaned.

  A sharp slap to her clit had her crying out. Need and intrigue filled the high sound. She liked this. He rose to pin her with a look. “Is that what you wanted?”

  “No,” she panted out.

  “Then you’d better ask nicely.” Her thighs had dampened even more after the quick slap. Interesting.

  “Please put your mouth on me.”

  He smiled. “Gladly.” Thank God she’d asked. He couldn’t have held back much longer. He ran his tongue through her slit, nearly humming in appreciation. She tasted even better than he’d remembered. Sweet and slightly salty . . . and all his.

  Her breath came out in pants, and her body gyrated on the bed.

  “I love your responses,” he murmured against her skin, smiling as her thighs began to tremble harder.

  He pressed a finger into her and easily brushed the bundle of nerves that had her whimpering. The sexy sound came from deep in her throat. Gently, way too gently, he pressed a kiss on her mound.

  She pushe
d up against him, and his free hand flattened on her abdomen to keep her in place.

  A frustrated hiss came from the woman.

  Lowering his head again, he scraped his fangs along her thigh with just enough pressure to still her movements. Then he returned to licking her . . . never in the same place twice.

  Her body drew tight in need. “Kane, please . . .”

  “Please, what?” He sunk his teeth into her thigh with enough force to leave a small mark.

  “I, ah . . .” She sounded almost mindless with want.

  Exactly how he wanted her. Needed her. “You want something, sweetheart?”

  She stiffened, no doubt biting back a sharp retort. Smart girl. “You know I do.”

  “Ask for it.”

  She huffed in obvious exasperation.

  Kane gently drew her engorged clit in his mouth. Then he released her.

  Her whimper almost made him give in. But instead, he nipped her thigh again. “Ask me, darlin’.”

  “Damn it. I’d like to come.” Her voice came out fast and hoarse.

  He figured she’d sworn more in the short time she’d known him than ever before. Poor thing. He lifted up, resting his chest on her thigh. “I’d like to end the war and make it mandatory for all people to take driving tests every year.”

  Her eyes narrowed. If the woman had a gun, he had no doubt she’d shoot him. So he wiggled the finger inside her, brushing against her G-spot.

  Her eyelids fluttered shut.

  Stubborn little thing. He added another finger, working the spot until a light sheen of moisture covered her forehead, and a fine blush covered her beautiful breasts. “Ask me nicely, and you get what you want.” His cock was ready to explode. “Keep being stubborn, and you won’t like the result.” He slid his fingers through her folds, barely brushing her clit before plunging back inside her.

  “Please let me come,” she whispered, her entire body trembling.

  “With pleasure.” Rising up, he sucked her clit into his mouth, flicking the little nub with his tongue while also working both fingers inside her.

  She arched off the bed, crying out as the orgasm whipped through her. He helped her ride out the waves, prolonging the sensation as long as he could. Finally, she collapsed against the bedspread, her eyes opening on his.

  Dragging his fingers free, he smiled as her body jerked in response. Thank god she liked to play the same way he did.

  One by one, he licked his fingers clean.

  Her eyes darkened. Then she reached out and took him in both hands.

  Fire ripped up his spine. He wasn’t going to last long. Moving forward, he climbed up her body to press a kiss against her moist neck.

  Grabbing both her hands, he held them immobile at the side of her head. “Ready for round three?”

  Her knees widened while her legs encircled him, ankles crossing at his butt. “More than ready.”

  His heart pounded hard.

  A determined shove forward, and he embedded in her, balls deep. Heat swallowed him. She was so tight his eyes almost rolled back in his head. “You’re perfect.”

  She blinked in surprise.

  Odd. The woman wasn’t used to compliments. Even with his body raging for relief, his mind wondered at the fact. The woman was perfect. How could she not know it? “I’ve lived for more than three centuries, and you’re the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.”

  Her eyes widened, and a shy smile played with her lips. “You confuse me.”

  “I do my best.” He couldn’t help the answering smile. “Keep your hands where I’ve put them.”

  Releasing her palms, he grabbed the back of her thigh with his unmarked hand and withdrew, plunging back in. The exquisite friction almost put him over the edge. He pressed the palm with the marking against the sheets. The animal within him, the one he never let loose, howled in protest. The hunger to mate clawed with rough nails through his entire being.

  Ignoring the animal, Kane plunged out and back in. Holding her thigh, holding her open, he began to pound with a ferocity he’d never succumbed to. Faster, harder . . . the only thing in existence was that pinnacle he needed to reach. With Amber. Only Amber.

  Her thighs tightened and she gasped.

  He shifted his angle to slide over her clit, and she exploded around him.

  The waves crashing through her gripped his shaft so hard he saw stars. Increasing his speed, he raced for the end and broke, coming with a low growl.

  The need to mark her—to mate her—shot fire through his arm. Coming down, taking a deep breath, he glanced at his hand. The mark pounded in angry pain.

  The branding was darker than ever.

  CHAPTER 17

  For once in Kane’s life, the lab failed to provide him with a sense of purpose. What was the fucking purpose? He’d spent years trying to cure Virus-27 with limited success. Mates were still vulnerable. Witches were afraid. And now, the one species he’d been able to save was in danger from faulty vials.

  The brand on his palm burned with jagged demand and had for several days. The marking burned when he trained Amber, when he touched her, when he sensed her. Hell, it burned even when he was just thinking about her.

  “Fuck.” He threw a beaker across the lab, closing his eyes as glass smashed near the open window.

  Walter the monkey screeched from his high-end cage. Then he frowned, much too serious for a monkey.

  “Sorry.” Kane had escaped from the earth to his largest lab so he could open the windows and smell the ocean. Aboveground he always seemed to get more accomplished.

  Not today.

  Today completely sucked.

  Not only had he left the earth, he’d left a sleeping beauty in his bed once again. She’d moved right into his quarters because he’d pretty much insisted on it. An innocent, softhearted beauty he had planned to use against demons.

  He felt Dage’s anger and worry before hearing the king arrive. Shit. Now Kane couldn’t even control his empathic abilities? No. Absolutely not. Shoving his face into calm lines, Kane turned to face his brother.

  Dage took a deep breath. “The demons have Hilde.”

  A roaring filled Kane’s ears. He swallowed hard. “Are you sure?”

  “Yes.” Dage frowned, pacing to the window to stare at the ocean. “Satellite pictures are hours old, but there was some fight between the demons and Kurjans at the wolf compound in Utah.”

  Kane scrubbed both hands down his face. “What the hell?”

  “I don’t know. Best guess? Whoever is messing with the inoculations tipped the Kurjans off about Hilde. How the demons got involved, I have no clue. But there was a bloody fight and the Kurjans lost.” Dage leaned against the wall, facing Kane. “Talen is in the armory suiting up—we need to go.”

  “We have someplace to go?” Now that was finally some good news.

  “Yes. We traced their movements to the Mexico border—it looks like a temporary stronghold. They won’t keep Hilde there for long.”

  “Let’s go, then.” The idea of storming any demon stronghold had adrenaline ripping through Kane’s veins. “I wish Conn were still here.” Conn had taken off for Ireland already.

  “Yes. He’s halfway across the ocean by now.”

  The question lurking in the king’s silver eyes had Kane’s chin lifting. “Amber is not going.”

  “Your call.” Dage headed for the door.

  Kane ignored the relief shooting through his veins. “Is Talen trying to bring Terrent up via phone?”

  “Terrent isn’t at the wolf compound.” Dage headed into the hallway. “The Council went after a hoard of werewolves outside of Seattle yesterday morning.” As the head of the Bane’s Council, the group responsible for killing all werewolves, Terrent was always on the move. “The Kurjans probably knew he’d taken off before they attacked.”

  Kane hustled behind his brother through headquarters to a room hidden behind a blank wall. Sliding the door open, he took the cement stairs down to a tunnel that
led to the underground labyrinth.

  Dage shot into the darkness. “Are you sure you don’t want Amber to come with us? We should test her skills.”

  “No. I’ll mate her and get her skills.” The words emerged from Kane’s mouth before his brain caught their meaning. With a short nod, he acknowledged mating was the only way to both protect Amber and find Jase.

  Dage stopped in the dark tunnel. “That’s quite a decision.” He didn’t turn around.

  “Yes, it is. And it’s my decision.” Kane’s steps slowed.

  The king shook his head and resumed jogging. The clomp of his boots echoed through the rocks. “Are you going to lie to yourself that you feel nothing? That branding Amber is all about duty?”

  “No. I like her—a lot. She’ll make a good mate.” And a good mother to their children someday. The thought of Amber swollen with his son made Kane’s heart skip a beat. Pleasure filled him. “I’d like your support in this.”

  “You always have my support.” Dage shoved open a door to reveal an armory sporting every type of weapon imaginable. “Even when you’re being an obtuse dumbass.” He stalked inside and stopped cold.

  Kane barely kept from running into his back. “What?” He stepped to the side.

  Amber and Emma stood near Talen wearing identical “don’t fuck with me” expressions on their faces.

  Emma glared at Dage. “You’re the king—you don’t need to go fight demons. That’s why you have soldiers.”

  Kane ignored the argument. It was an old one, and Dage always put himself in danger if he asked soldiers to fight. As the royal family, they were the first to go if necessary. He eyed Amber. “I’ll bring back your grandmother.”

  Amber paled, her gaze wandering along the myriad of swords lining the west wall. “I’m going with you.”

  “No.” Out of the air, Kane snatched the bulletproof vest Talen threw, quickly securing the Kevlar over his head. “You don’t have enough training.”

  “And yet, I’m the best you’ve got.” She reached for a smaller vest hanging on a hook. “Either tell me how to wear this thing, or I’ll go without a vest.”