Provoked

by Rebecca Zanetti

  The world tilted, and she found herself upside down over his broad shoulder. “Hey,” she yelped.

  The smack to her ass flared need to life in her entire body.

  He chuckled low. “If this is going to happen, we’re doing it right. In bed.”

  Air kissed along her bare skin as he deserted the warm fireplace, stalking through a hallway to the dimly lit bedroom. Her mind spun as he flipped her over to place gently on the bed.

  The world narrowed to the two of them. She couldn’t look away from the amazing specimen of a male standing buck-assed naked at the end of the bed. Vampires were truly a spectacular race.

  One of his knees pressed into the mattress, his head dropping to plant kisses along her abdomen, tracing her hip bones, his hands opening her thighs.

  She let go of all insecurity and fear, opening for him. This was a moment, one of a kind, and she was taking it.

  His tongue ran through her slit. The sensation spiraled through her, and she gave a strangled cry, arching into his mouth.

  Inflexible hands clamped down on her hips, holding her in place.

  Oh God.

  He shoved two fingers inside her while his mouth went to work. A spiraling started deep inside her and she shoved the sensation back, not ready. Not nearly ready to break.

  Chuckling against her mound, his fingers started to play. “Stubborn little demon destroyer, aren’t you?”

  Hell yes. A smart retort sprang to her brain, but her mouth would only emit a tiny gasp of need. Then he found that hidden bundle of nerves inside her, and her mouth snapped shut.

  Every muscle in her body tightened in anticipation.

  His lips enclosed her clit and he sucked. His fingers stretched her until nearly the point of pain.

  And it wasn’t enough. Not nearly enough.

  The orgasm started to roll through her. She shoved it back again . . . not wanting to stop. She never wanted this to stop.

  Her heart roared between her ears, and sweat slicked her body. He was killing her. His teeth scraped along her clit. Her thighs began to tremble in earnest.

  “Kane.” The man had a wicked hot mouth.

  “Now, Amber.” His heated lips clamped down on her clit just as he shoved a third finger inside her.

  She broke with a sharp cry, her body stiffening, the world stopping. The room sheeted white as waves of intense pleasure pummeled through her body. The orgasm went on for what seemed like minutes, and all she could do was ride it out.

  The powerful spasms finally ended, and she sank back to the bed with a soft sigh. The orgasm was spectacular, yet her body still hungered. She needed to be filled.

  An arm beneath her thighs and one under her back flipped her over onto her hands and knees. She gasped, her hands clutching the bedspread as she tried to balance herself. Her core was wet and ready for him.

  Hot, strong hands gripped her hips.

  Coarse leg hair caressed the back of her thighs.

  She stiffened, her body going on full alert.

  He slammed into her, the force strong enough to send the bed crashing into the wall.

  Her eyes opened wide in shock and her nails dug into the sheet. Pleasure ripped into every nerve she owned. Arching her back, she took more of him.

  He filled her completely, the hard ridges of his cock stretching muscles already primed from her climax.

  “Kane.” She whispered his name, needing to hear it out loud. Needing to acknowledge what was happening.

  His hold tightened, and he began to pound. Harder, faster, deeper than ever before, he hammered into her. His fingers bit into her flesh, and even the hard muscles of his thighs bruised her tender skin.

  And yet, she wanted more. Needed more. “Harder.”

  He pressed down between her shoulder blades, shoving her chest against the bed and her face against the pillows. The bed beat rhythmically against the wall. His knees nudged her thighs farther apart.

  She couldn’t move if she wanted to.

  This was beyond sex, beyond claiming . . . it was a true branding. She hadn’t realized the difference until now.

  He held her completely at his mercy.

  At the thought, energy coiled deep inside her. A glimpse of ecstasy.

  His palm slapped down on her tailbone, a heated burn making her cry out in startled pain. Oh God. The marking.

  The world exploded. A white-hot release pulsed through her in devastating waves of climax. She screamed his name, her body shuddering through the release. She rode the fine edge between pleasure and pain for what seemed like an eternity. Finally, she came down, gasping for breath.

  Still, he pounded.

  His grip tightened, his thrusts increasing in power. His much larger body angled over hers. Sharp fangs pierced her neck.

  With a low growl, he came.

  Her entire body relaxed, save for the fiery ache of her lower back.

  His fangs retracted, and he licked the wound.

  The mating was complete.

  CHAPTER 28

  He’d never make it back to Kurjan headquarters in time. Kalin leaned against the side of the barn, stretching his legs over the hay. The kill had taken longer than he’d expected, and he’d missed his window to run home in darkness. But what a kill it was. The woman had fought well for a human—and she’d tasted like blueberries. He’d rather have found a witch, but sometimes things just didn’t go his way.

  As usual, his victim had been a petite blue-eyed brunette. He didn’t need a shrink to draw a connection to Janie Kayrs.

  Stretching his neck, he finished licking blood off his fingers.

  Appeased for the moment, the beast within him relaxed into slumber. Finally. He’d been pissed off since losing the older demon destroyer.

  The damn demons.

  The bastards had somehow traced his call and taken the demon destroyer from the wolf compound. Of course, the idiots had allowed the Kayrs family to retake the old broad from their temporary location. His enemies were truly morons.

  He scooted away from the outside wall as the sun slowly rose in the sky. Someday he’d stand in the sun. But not today.

  Once again his nights were free so he could hunt. Years ago he’d led a group of werewolves, true beasts who loved to kill, and somehow had found an odd relief dealing with them.

  He actually missed the monsters.

  The Kurjans had created Virus-27 without knowing the full potential of the bug. The virus had turned many of the shifters into hairy werewolves before Kane Kayrs had created a cure.

  Kane Kayrs. Supposedly the smartest man on the planet. Kalin would bet his left arm the Kurjan scientists were smarter. They had created the virus, after all. Even after all this time, the vampires hadn’t figured out the true purpose of the disease.

  Why did all important matters take so much damn time?

  Shutting his eyes, Kalin searched for calm. He slipped into a dream world, not very surprised to find himself walking in a tree-filled park. He’d known Janie would call at some point.

  The grass was short and green, while the sun poured down with a gentle touch. He lifted his face with a hum of appreciation. Birds squawked in the distance, while a gardenia-scented breeze rippled over his skin.

  “I tried to make the sun as realistic as I could,” Janie said, her voice melodious in the dream world.

  He turned to the side, finding her perched on the back of a wooden bench, her feet resting on the seat. White tennis shoes covered what had to be size four feet. “Are your feet that small in real life?”

  She glanced down and shrugged. “Sure. You met me in person. . . don’t you remember?”

  Of course he remembered. He’d saved her life by throwing his knife into the eye of a werewolf who would’ve killed her. “Yes. You owe me.”

  “Not really. You attacked my home in the effort to kill my dad.” Fire flashed in her pretty blue eyes. “I’d say we’re even.”

  There probably wasn’t a reason to inform her he still planned to kill T
alen Kayrs. “All right.” As he studied her, he realized the woman from the night before didn’t come close to Janie’s beauty. Curly brown hair fell to Janie’s slim shoulders. Pale skin, smooth as alabaster, covered her fine features. Her body was tight, her breasts high, her movements graceful. But it was the deep blue of her intelligent eyes that haunted his dreams. In all his hunts, no woman had ever come close.

  Janie swung one jean-clad leg back and forth. “I need a favor.”

  Interest sizzled through his veins. “Go on.”

  “While you greatly disappointed me by not finding the location of my Uncle Jase, I know you have connections in the demon world.”

  Sure. The same bastards who had set up him so neatly before. He faked a confident smile. “Yes, I do.”

  Her pretty face paled even more. “I need you to find out if he’s dead or not.”

  The woman’s pain was palpable. Kalin had the oddest urge to stroke her shoulder. Shaking his head, he shuffled his boots. He was the leader of the Kurjan military, for God’s sake. “What’s in it for me?”

  “How about you just do the right thing for an old friend?” she asked soberly.

  He winced. “I don’t work that way, Janet. I want something else.”

  She took a deep breath. “What do you want?”

  Now that was a loaded question. “How old are you now?”

  “Almost twenty-one.” She tilted her head to the side. “Why?”

  Just how far would she go for her precious uncle? Kalin moved before she could react, grabbing her by the waist to stand on the bench. For once, they stood eye-to-eye.

  She stopped breathing, her gaze on his.

  For once, he was glad his green eyes were nearly human. “I want a kiss.”

  Surprise opened her mouth in a small O. “You can’t be serious.”

  He was deadly serious. Sure, they were enemies. Someday she’d hate him. But she was also right that she was the only friend he’d ever had. He wanted one kiss given willingly before all hell broke loose. “Just one.”

  While he usually saw fear in a woman’s eyes, he could swear curiosity filled Janie’s. She truly wasn’t afraid of him. Yet.

  Her gaze dropped to his lips. “Let me get this straight. I kiss you, and you contact the demons to find out if Jase is really dead or not.”

  “That’s the deal.” Now he held his breath.

  “Okay,” she whispered. Sliding her hands up to his shoulders, she leaned in and pressed her soft lips against his.

  Electricity shot down his spine.

  Her mouth was tentative and much warmer than his. She tilted her head to the side, opening slightly.

  He reacted instantly, grabbing her hips and yanking her closer. Plunging his tongue in her mouth, he took. She tasted like honey and heaven, a mixture he’d never even imagined.

  She began to struggle, and his fangs dropped low. One nicked her.

  The first drop of her blood ignited a hunger beyond belief.

  She sank her teeth into his bottom lip, drawing his blood.

  Shock made him step back. They both breathed heavily, staring at each other. She wiped blood off her lips.

  He licked his.

  A low growl rumbled up from his chest. Her blood was the sweetest thing he’d ever tasted—probably tasted like pure sunshine.

  She took a deep breath. “Happy now?” Her eyes were wide, her hair mussed, her cheeks pink.

  “Not even close,” he said honestly. “I’ve always known someday I’d have you, but I’d never realized how very much I’d truly want you.” The woman had bitten him. Really bitten him. Mating her would make her immortal—his for eternity. “Prepare yourself because I’m coming for you soon.”

  Sadness and wisdom filtered through her amazing eyes. “I’d give myself to you in a heartbeat if you’d choose the right path.”

  He shook his head, his long black hair flying. The woman didn’t know what she was saying. “Your path isn’t the right one, Janet Isabella. Only one species can rule the earth, and it’s my time.”

  “You’ll rule with death and fear.” She shook her head, her shoulders straightening.

  “Of course.” Something told him deep down he’d never kill her. Not like those other women.

  She jumped from the bench, her tiny shoes not even sending up dust as she landed. “I’ll expect the information from you shortly.” Turning on her heel, she walked leisurely down the path toward the edge of the park, her perfect ass swaying in the tight jeans.

  He smiled. The woman had guts. What an excellent battle it would be.

  “My Janet.”

  Janie sat up in the bed and swallowed several times to keep from throwing up. She had Kalin’s blood. While she didn’t know how it worked yet, she knew getting his blood would give her a power over him. One she’d need someday.

  Of course, she hadn’t planned on his taking her blood.

  Damn it.

  Now both Zane and Kalin had her blood. While they could all work together to end the war, neither man seemed interested. They both had their stubborn plans, and her destiny was to thwart those.

  Life truly wasn’t fair.

  Not for a second did she trust Kalin would discover the truth about Jase. She’d just needed the Kurjan’s blood.

  It had been so much easier to get that blood than she’d thought it would be.

  Her stomach ached when she thought about her Uncle Jase. She’d heard about the video from her father, and his face had been shadowed with pain as he’d prepared her for the worst. Uncle Jase might be gone for good.

  For now, she needed to clear her head.

  Swinging her legs over the bed, she yanked on sweats. Hustling into the bathroom, she brushed her teeth and washed her face.

  Energy still sizzled through her veins from trying to trick Kalin. She definitely needed to go for a run.

  The smell of pancakes tempted her as she headed for the door. Poking her head in the kitchen, she found a slice of peace at the sight of her father flipping chocolate chip pancakes. He wore black combat clothes and flak boots with a pink apron tied around his waist.

  “Sit and eat,” he said, turning around.

  He was still the biggest man she’d ever seen. Broad across the shoulders, he had fierce features and hands bigger than dinner plates. She adored him for the hero he was. He’d saved her from monsters when she was four years old and had given her a safe home since. The world had instantly become safer the second Talen became her father.

  She slid into a chair at the large table and reached for a plate. “Why are you cooking?”

  “I miss your mother.” He tossed the apron to the sink, sat, and passed the syrup, his golden eyes dark. “She always makes pancakes on Sunday.”

  “Today is Tuesday.”

  “I don’t care. I want it to be Sunday—and I want them to come home.” A dark frown settled over his broad face.

  “Mom and Garrett will be home next week.” Janie took a big bite and closed her eyes as the chocolate warmed her throat. Her dad always put in twice the amount of chips than her mother did. “These are awesome.”

  “I’m a good cook—almost as good as my mate.” Talen took a bite.

  Janie chuckled. “Some of the shifters think you sound possessive and archaic every time you call Mom your ‘mate.’ ”

  He swallowed his food, his eyes thoughtful. “I guess I was so happy to find her, and so proud to make her my mate, I say it to make myself happy.” He grinned. “And to remind her every chance I get that she’s mine.”

  Okay, that was possessive and sweet. Would Janie ever find somebody who loved her that much? Would Zane ever love her? “You’re one of a kind, Dad.”

  “Thanks, sweetheart.” Then Talen frowned, studying Janie’s face. “What happened to your lip?”

  She coughed and wiped her mouth on a napkin. “I bit myself when I was training yesterday.” The lie heated something in her stomach, probably guilt. But her father couldn’t know she’d just kissed a Ku
rjan in her dream. Talk about explosions.

  Concern wrinkled his prominent brow. “You should put some ice on it after breakfast.”

  “Okay.” Then Janie sat back and studied her dad. “You didn’t sleep last night again.”

  He sighed, tossing his napkin on his half-eaten pancakes. “I kept seeing that video with Jase.”

  Janie nodded, pain catching her heart. “I haven’t had a vision regarding him, but I’m still hopeful the video was a trick.”

  Talen rubbed both hands through his hair. “I hope so, too. We usually rely on Kane for logic, but he’s definitely off his game, so I’m just not sure.”

  Janie shrugged. “Kane’s confused about everything right now—give him a break.”

  “What’s there to be confused about?” Talen growled. “He met his mate, the mark appeared on his hand, and now he needs to follow his path. Why does he have to think everything to death?”

  “Because he’s Kane,” Janie said gently. “He blames himself for failing to find Jase, and he doesn’t trust his feelings about Amber. He’s fighting himself and his feelings.”

  “I don’t see why.”

  “He’s not you. Give the guy a break—you’re his older brother. Be on his side.” Janie shook her head. Uncle Kane and her dad couldn’t be more different, but they needed each other now more than ever. “I haven’t had a vision dealing with Jase in the future for some time, and Kane could be right. If Jase really wants to die, he’ll figure out a way. Kane is going to need you.” Heat filled her head as she said the words . . . if Jase truly died, her heart would break. She’d adored her uncle from day one.

  Talen smiled, the dark circles under his eyes standing out. “What are you up to, Janet Isabella?”

  Sometimes she forgot her father was a genius, too. “Nothing. Geez.”

  He lifted an eyebrow and gave his stern look. The worry marks under his eyes detracted slightly from the menace. “Are you dating another shifter?”

  For goodness’ sake. Like she had time to date between manipulating Zane and Kalin as she tried to end the war. “No. I’m not dating anybody right now, Dad. But I promise, you’ll be the first one I tell when I find someone to date. Not.” She snorted.