Текст книги "Bonds of Fire"

Автор книги: T. A. Grey

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Текущая страница: 15 (всего у книги 20 страниц)

Her fingers flexed and it was then that she realized she’d curled them around his shoulders. The strong muscles underneath were hot, sinewy with strength.

“Tell me you think about me too.” It was a hoarse plea that did strange things to her heart.

“Thane, I-I...no.”

He growled against her neck, his hands tightening at her hips in warning. “That isn’t what I wanted to hear.”

He grabbed her hand from his shoulder and pressed it against his cock.

“Do you see what you do to me?” His eyes were wild with a dangerous light, one she’d never seen before.

“I didn’t do that.”

He laughed. “Your scent,” he said diving his nose against the hollow of her neck, into her hair, “follows me everywhere. I search for it when you’re not around. I want more of it when you are. Tell me don’t feel the same,” he challenged roughly.

Jackie’s sex, so slick with need, pounded in time to her rapid pulse. “I don’t.”

Suddenly she was cold. He tore away from her and slammed a fist into a tree. Whereas when she’d done it the tree merely shuddered and shook a bit, when Thane did it, branches fell and a hole appeared where his fist was. He was breathing hard as he turned back to her.

He looked like he was losing control...over her. Jackie had never felt more torn about anything in her life. She wanted him desperately, wanted to ease the frustration in him, to believe his words that he so intensely believed. But how could she face the other women? Dozens of them at least living right alongside her.

He took a deep breath that seemed to calm him. “How long do you think you can keep up this lie?”

Jackie had no words. He growled at her silence.

In a harsh voice he said, “Don’t lie to me. Tell me you dream about me, think about me.” He sounded so torn, desperate. Jackie’s heart panged in her chest. She tried rubbing it but it didn’t help. His eyes won her over, raw with the desperation.

She looked away from him to focus on a pile of fallen orange and red leaves. “I do. Haven’t been able to stop thinking about you since that...night.” Her heart pumped wildly in her chest at her admission. She heard him suck in a breath.

“Then what’s the problem?” He spread his arms open in frustration.

Maybe if she was just honest with him, completely honest, then he’d understand and back away from her. Jackie took an unsteady breath, leveled her gaze on him. “I can’t be with you knowing you’ve screwed half the females in the pack.”

His face became impassive like stone. “I can’t take back what I’ve done, Jacquelyn.”

This time she didn’t wince at the formal use of her name. He made it sound pretty, elegant even, something she never liked. But from him...she could almost like it.

“I know,” she said softly.

He stalked towards her, fists clenched in fury. Jackie stood her ground, a lump in her throat. He captured her face in his strong hands. His lips closed in on hers, stopping a breath away.

Her heart thudded so loudly in her ears. She waited, straining slightly towards him like a magnet.

In an agonized voice, he said, “Then I’ll wait for you to accept me.”

Then he closed the distance between them and kissed her like she’d never been kissed before. His lips matched perfectly against hers, covering her with his softness, heat. Strong arms banded around her back, her waist, pressing her against the strength of his body until she didn’t know where she began and he ended.

His tongue found hers and he wasn’t gentle anymore. It was as if the moment his tongue met hers, his control slipped. His breathing hitched and his tongue mated. Thrusting again and again until her mind ran with the image of his cock filling her in that same way...in her mouth, between her legs.

This kiss wasn’t anything like their first. The first had been sweet but powerful all the same. A taste between two new people. Not like this kiss. It was like he was trying to sear into her memory, her soul, the passion he held for her. And Jackie’s heart stuttered at it.

Her hands shot into his long thick hair, holding tight to the soft strands. He made a grunting sound and snatched her by her bottom to pull her against his hard cock. His erection was massive, harder than stone, and he rubbed her up and down it. She was losing control. Sweat coated her skin, her mind sang only one word over and again—yes.

She needed him, desperately, intensely. A soft moan left her lips and she pulled him even closer as her hips rocked against him. She was so close. Just a little more and her swollen core would explode in a flood of release.

His hands kneaded her cheeks with a strong sure touch. The second he sucked on her tongue her nipples reached a painful degree of hardness and her body began trembling. Still he rocked her, pressing her harder, quicker against his cock, rubbing her clitoris over it.

The kiss turned hard and so wet. She was sure the grip she had in his hair hurt him but he didn’t seem to care. He plundered her mouth with his tongue thrusting deep and thick inside. Jackie had to tear back her head to breathe. She panted wildly, sucking in gasps of air as her body reached to that peak. She quivered, core pulsing as it readied its climax.

He thrust her away.

Jackie almost collapsed. Her knees felt like they were filled with water. He stood more than ten feet away, breathing heavily, fists tight, lips flat.

“Remember what you almost had when you think about me. All you have to do is come to me, Jacquelyn. Come to me and say yes and I’ll give you the world.”

With those haunting words, he turned and walked away. Once he was out of range, Jackie finally let her knees give out. She rolled onto the ground and panted up at the bright silvery moon.

Confusion, anger, lust spiraled inside her, blending until she didn’t know what she felt. All she knew as she stared up at the sky was that Thane Vanner twisted her up inside like no other.

And he was her mate.

Chapter 28

Draven didn’t hesitate. He barged into the bedroom, ready to fight, to do whatever it’d take to get her back in his arms.

A week he’d spent away from her, punishing himself, telling himself not to make the same mistake. He must be a slow bastard because he finally realized...that he didn’t care. He’d laughed when the anti-climactic answer hit him. He didn’t care if she ever betrayed him or not. Because he needed her. Needed her sweet smiles, her easy conversations, and curiosity. She made him feel...good.

He had no idea how much groveling he’d have to do after the way he left but he was ready to beg. If he couldn’t spend a week without her and stay sane how was he supposed to be without her for a month—or longer? Impossible. One taste of her blood, her body, and he was a goner.

Looking around their shared bedroom, Draven realized two things very quickly. One, that the room was dark for once with neither the soft glow of the lamp or the light from the fireplace illuminating the room. Second, Lucinda wasn’t here.

Had she finally grown too bored and wandered around the pack seeking anything to alleviate the boredom? The thought flared a spark of jealousy inside him.

“Damn that woman!”

She was beautiful and sweet and around a bunch of horny shapeshifters. Draven started to turn to go find her but then something caught his eye.

A single piece of paper on the bed. Flicking on the light, he cautiously picked up the paper as a feeling of unease settled inside him.

The paper was thick like parchment, dry to the touch, and folded thrice. He unfolded it and found a message written in elegant, bold cursive letters. Each letter was perfectly formed and styled with a winding twirl. It was the kind of writing that spoke of the old days, where letter writing was a serious endeavor, a gift to receive.

Dearest Draven,

It took me many tries to think of the best way to say this.

Alas, all I have is this to say to you.

I relinquish you as my host.

Love tenderly,

Lucinda

Draven stared at the words in shock.

He read them again and again as a ball of lead formed in his gut like a bowling ball. She relinquished him? He was no longer her host?

“Love tenderly?” What did that even mean? His heart raced at a fearful speed as his mind tried to make sense of it all.

The letter crumpled in his fist. With a quiet calm he walked to the tall, antique dresser and swung open the drawers—empty. He flung open drawer after drawer, searched the closet, under the bed. All empty.

She was gone. She left him.

Draven heard a strange sound and slowed his mind enough to discover what it was. It was his own ragged breathing.

In slow movements, he flattened out the letter with the pretty, italicized writing. Then he folded it and pocketed it. He was out of the room a moment later.

The pack wasn’t very big and with his vampiric speed guiding him, he was able to track her scent to a single location—the pack’s bar. He entered The Wolf’s Den and headed straight for the barkeep.

“Where’s Lucinda?” All conversation stopped in the packed bar, gazes locked on him in open curiosity. The shapeshifters around here weren’t shy about nosing in other’s business.

The barkeep crossed his arms defiantly. “I don’t know no one by that name.”

Deep breaths. “She was here. Where is she?” Her scent was too faint for her to still be here but she’d been here. Probably in a matter of hours before. She couldn’t teleport like he could but she could still get far. Away from him. The thought sent his gut twisting like a knife inside him.

“Like I said—”

“Tell me or I’ll tear your throat out.”

That got everyone’s attention. Male and female alike the shapeshifters stood and faced him with blatant aggression in their eyes.

“Lucinda’s a sweet gal. What do you want with the likes of her? ‘Specially if she don’t wanna see you?” the barkeep said.

Draven refrained from pointing out that he just admitted that he had in fact seen her, since he knew he had anyways.

“She’s my frimar. She belongs to me; I protect her. And right now with every second you string me along old man she is out there, vulnerable and alone.”

That got his attention. The old man frowned and uncrossed his arms. He looked around at the other shapeshifters as if searching for some kind of answer. He seemed to get it.

“She came in here looking for someone to give her a ride. She got a few offers when she said she was looking to get away from you.”

Draven slowly rolled his neck in a circle to release the bunched muscles trying to kill him.

“Who gave her a ride?” he gritted between clenched teeth. She was his! he wanted to scream. He’d slaked her virginity, claimed her with fangs and body. She didn’t get to run away. She’s mine.

“Don’t know if I wanna tell you that,” the man said slowly.

Draven clamped his mouth shut to keep from baring his fangs at the old shapeshifter. Didn’t matter what the race was, the older people got the more stubborn they did too.

He didn’t have time for this. “What do you want from me?” He felt useless, helpless—something he wasn’t accustomed to feeling. And he hated it.

The barkeep cocked a bushy gray eyebrow. “You gonna swear to keep her safe and protect her?”

“Yes,” he hissed.

“Don’t believe you. Hard to trust a vampire.”

Half-vampire, he mentally corrected.

“Aw, come on now Tom. Can’t you see how mad he is for her?” cried a woman in the back. She wore the silly expression of one who’d drunk way too much and would be ecstatic at anything.

“I’m not mad. She is mine and I need to get her back.”

A man leaning both elbows against the bar hollered, “He loves her. Look how desperate he is. We know how that is.” Several approving murmurs sounded.

Draven felt as though he’d just stepped into the Twilight Zone. “I do not love her. She is my frimar. I require her.” The bar erupted in laughter. Everyone except the barkeep who kept a close eye on him.

Draven was smart enough to keep his mouth closed as the crowd quieted down. While inside he was fuming like a steam engine. He had to find her. Had to get her back. He needed her with him. Dammit, she was his. Every second spent with these idiots was precious time lost.

“Alright well I guess I can tell you that she got a ride out the pack. Dunno where to.”

Draven’s fists curled. “By who?”

“Fella named Hank.”

Draven uncurled his fists. She was with another man! His muscles coiled, ready to strike. To strike this Hank. What a human name.

“Where is he?”

“Lives on First Street, third house on the left.” Draven turned to leave.

“Wait a second now. You touch that man and you’ll feel the pack’s wrath, vampire.”

Draven turned back with a flippant smile. “Half-vampire,” he corrected, then raced out the door.

Chapter 29

Willow paced nervously in the bedroom. Six steps to the door, six back to the bed. And repeat.

How did a woman dress for a mating ritual anyways? Lingerie? A freaking wedding gown?

And what was she supposed to wear with her belly showing?

The thought still set forth a barrage of panic inside her. She didn’t know anything about being a mother. Let alone a mother to a half succubus/shapeshifter baby. What was that going to be like half meat-eater/half slut? She still hadn’t talked to him about it. They formed a silent pact around discussing the baby and she was fine with that.

She rubbed at the throbbing in her temples. She caught her reflection in the mirror and rounded on it. It was like looking at someone else. Gone was the ponytail and comfortable hiking clothes and in its place was a white silk nightgown that fell to mid-thigh.

Turning to the side, she pressed her hand to her belly and looked at the small bump there. Her heart constricted in her throat, tears blurred her eyelashes. She blinked fast, her heart racing erratically.

When she looked back up at the mirror, she was smiling softly. Something inside her spoke to her. She’d never really thought about having a baby before. Since she’d never pictured herself really mating with anyone, the thought never even crept up in her psyche. But now...now things were very different. She was pregnant with Lyonis’ baby and there was no undoing it.

Willow didn’t know what surprised her more, that the thought didn’t send her into another panic, or that she actually softened.

She stood straighter and this time saw things different in her reflection. Gone was the lost young woman and in her place was...herself.

“I’m Willow Bellum. I can do anything,” she said.

It was the truth.

She started laughing as she realized how upset she’d been. Over what? A baby? Women had been doing this for a long time, she could handle this. Looking at her belly, her eyes going soft, she thought to her future baby: I’ll be the best mom to you.

She thought about Lyonis. It wasn’t hard to picture him as a father. She’d already seen his generous, kind nature. His protectiveness which might need a little loosening up. But maybe this wasn’t all so bad. Maybe with a father like him then they could both make strong kids, a daughter who wouldn’t lower herself to someone like David. Like she did.

Sometimes you have to take the hand you’re dealt and just play with it.

She heard the front door open downstairs and her heart started racing. He was here!

Running back into the bathroom, she checked her reflection one last time. Her shift was simple but sexy; her hair was down around her shoulders and shining. He still hadn’t told her exactly how the mating ritual would go, but her stomach fluttered at the unknown.

His footsteps sounded on the stairs. Willow stood in the room, panicked. She glanced at the bed, then the door. Did she lay on it and pose or open the door for him and smile all sexily?

As she debated, the door swung open. Lyonis smiled at her, the same smile she’d seen the first day they met. A small lifting at the corner of his right cheek, cocky, and a lot sexy. A handful of bright, yellow sunflowers were in his hand. Willow hesitated, unsure what to do. He came into the room and without any ado, pulled her in for a long, searing kiss.

When he finally released her, she rocked on her feet.

She had to clear her throat before her voice would work. “Erm, flowers?”

His smile turned wicked. “They remind me of you.” He put the vase of sunflowers into her hand. “Strong, tall and proud. Bright with happiness, feminine.”

Willow flushed with pleasure at the compliment. Unnerved by the praise she found herself staring pointedly at the lovely flowers in her hand, unsure what to say or how to say it.

With his lips at her ear he whispered, “And filled with a center I want to eat.”

Willow jerked at his words. Heat flooded through her veins.

“You look...wonderful,” he said, his eyes traveling over her body.

Willow shivered and let him take the flowers from her and set them on the dresser. He came back to her and she launched herself in his arms. If she was going to do this, then she was doing it her way. Laughing, he caught her, swinging her in his arms. He kissed her long and deep before pulling away with a smile that curled her toes.

“I’ve never been happier, Willow.”

She smiled at that and could have done a fist pump. She did that. She made him happy and admittedly, he made her wild...and happy. If she wasn’t careful, she could love this man.

Even as the wild, out of nowhere thought careened into her mind, he carried her to the bed and laid her on it. He followed her down, his hand trailing lazily up and down her arm.

“I’ve waited to find you for a long time, mate.”

Willow’s heart did a wild flip in her chest at the yearning in his voice, at the way his eyes tracked over her body.

“Couldn’t have asked for anything more.”

His lips covered her breast, wetting the silk and sucking her nipple into his mouth. Gasping, Willow grabbed onto his short dusty hair.

Her nipple budded in his mouth and he nibbled on that peak. Hot shards lanced through her body, shooting straight for her clitoris. Her legs scissored anxiously.

A hand trailed up her leg, pushing the white silk with it until he cupped her bare hip. He pulled back sharply from her nipple to look at the bare skin he’d revealed. His eyes darkened with arousal—his animal side close to the surface.

“I told you you’d never need to wear panties around me. Glad to see you’re obeying me. You’re perfect just like this.”

He stood at the edge of the bed and finished lifting her dress to her waist, baring her naked sex to him. His breathing deepened at the sight and Willow couldn’t help herself, she bent her knees and spread her legs open.

A harsh groan left him like all the air had been knocked out of him. His hands stroked up and down her inner thighs getting closer and closer to her wet, hot center. His eyes never left her core.

“Take off your shirt,” she said.

She had to see him. Wanted to see all that tanned, hard muscle she’d soon be licking and touching. He seemed hesitant to look away from her but eventually he reached behind his neck to pull it off.

He leaned down to press a hot, open-mouthed kiss at the inside of her knee. Willow’s breath caught as he did the same to her other knee. Then he worked his way up, taking his time to press hot, wet kisses to each inch of her inner thighs, slowly, lazily, getting higher and higher.

“Lyonis,” she murmured.

Her body flowed hot like lava, her skin tight and excited. His hands followed the path of his lips, slowly pushing up and gripping her thighs. His touch was strong but reverent as if he was learning her body to etch into his mind. It made her heart gallop wildly and again that word, love, came back into her mind.

“This,” he said holding her very inner thighs in his hands, “is the sexiest thing. I want to hold you open like this and watch my cock slide in and out of your sweet little pussy.”

Willow looked him straight in the eye and said, “Do it.”

Surprise fluttered over his features, then he closed his eyes as if in pain and buried his head between her legs.

Willow squirmed and panted trying to get closer. She was wet, swollen, and burning up with heat. She needed his touch more than she needed to breathe. And if he didn’t give it to her...

He simply kissed her. First her inner thighs, then her outer lips. His hands pinned her thighs in place leaving only enough room to thrust her hips at him.

“Lyonis,” she groaned. “Please.”

One little touch and she’d explode, she knew it. He must have known it too because he chose to go as insanely slow as possible. He kissed each side of her. Kissed her aching bud with the lightest of touches. Again and again, he repeated his torture while his hands pinned her, holding her with sexual dominance.

Sweat matted her hair to her temples before he finally, finally, darted his tongue out to taste her. Mutual groans escaped as he licked her center. He thrust his tongue inside her and Willow arched against the covers.

She moaned his name, caught in the waves of pleasure he bestowed upon her. The hands upon her thighs tightened and he settled in on her most neediest part in earnest, circling her bud repeatedly.

She knew it wouldn’t take her long, and she was right. A choked scream caught in her throat as her body tightened to a near painful point then exploded. The shaking in her limbs still hadn’t slowed before he rose up, dropped his pants, then mounted her.

“My Willow,” he groaned.

His chest flattened against her needy breasts and then his cock nudged her wet entrance and slid deep in one powerful thrust. His harsh breathing met with her shallow pants as he began thrusting into her again and again.

“Can’t wait,” he said.

His lips found her throat, tasting her, wetting her as his thrusts hammered into her. She felt the pressure of his teeth, stronger than before and tensed, her hands curling around his shoulders for support.

The pressure became nearly unbearable, shards of pain had her struggling to pull away from his bite, but then something broke through. The pain evaporated and his mouth fully latched over her neck.

He was drinking her.

Her belly pulled hard with pleasure. Her nails scraped against his back, hips thrusting back against him over and again. The shaking started in her stomach then flowed down to her thighs, locked tight around his hips.

With each pull her body coiled tighter, hotter, wetter. She was making high-pitched noises she’d never made in her life. Her vision blurred until finally she gave up on trying to see and simply closed her eyes and welcomed his pleasuring touch.

He pulled back from her throat and she moaned at the loss, tried to pull him back to her but he shook his head roughly at her.

Willow’s eyes fluttered open to watch him. She opened her mouth to tell him she was finished. It was too much for her; she was about to fall over an endless cliff, and she wanted him to catch her. But no words left her throat.

He reared back at her throat, his hips now pumping so hard, so fast, he was pushing her up and into the mattress.

Then his teeth bit down on her again. The mark of the Alpha. He let out a purring growl that brought hard shivers over her body, curling her toes.

She gasped his name one last time as her body pulsed with unimaginable pleasure. She bucked against him, his name a scream torn from her throat. She couldn’t move as the hard waves milked through her sex, squeezing him tight. He kept her pinned by the throat, hands holding her hips in an unbreakable hold.

She was still coming down from the fall when she heard him whispering her name over and over again, his cock sliding in and out of her faster, harder. He finally pushed deep, and with a bellow that shook the ceiling, he came inside her.

Neither of them moved for God knows how long.

His body rested on top of hers, though he lifted enough off her not to suffocate her...or the baby.

Threading her fingers through his sweat-slicked hair, Willow said, “I know I’m pregnant, Lyonis.” She didn’t know if that was the end of the mating ritual but she was his now. That made talking about this baby business much, much easier.

He lifted his face from her neck with great effort and gave her a soft, satisfied smile. His eyes turned serious though.

“You’ve made me happier than I’ve been in my whole life since you’ve come here, Willow.”

He leaned on his side and pressed a hand to her softly rounded stomach. His hand was so much larger than hers was. It almost engulfed her belly, protecting their baby.

“I now have my Queen, my mate, and a baby on the way. And are you pleased, my sica tawicue?”

Willow eyebrows shot up. That thought had never really crossed her mind. Was she happy? Her heart tugged tight at the soft look in his eyes and she felt as though she was melting into the mattress.

“Yes, I believe I am.”

His smile widened, a mischievous gleam shining in his eyes. “I believe I told you this would happen. I always get what I want.”

He sounded so cocky Willow couldn’t help but laugh. He laughed with her then tugged her up on the bed so she could rest her head on the pillows.

“So what does this ‘mate’ thing mean for me?”

He nuzzled her breast, a hand trailed idly over her knee and up. Willow heard the catch in her breath.

“It means, my wife, that you are now Queen of this pack. You’ll run it with me, counsel the women, help with pack arguments. You are a litigator of sorts.” His lips pressed kisses around her breasts, her collarbone, and the valley in between.

“Anything else I need to be aware of?”

His hand curled around her hip in a possessive touch. “You’ll never touch another man.”

She laughed at the threat in his voice. He lifted his head to glare at her and she laughed harder.

“As if I could want anyone else.” She was laughing as she said it but the stark truth of her words had her laughter dying quickly. She stared at him...in amazement.

“You’re surprised, wife, but I’m not. I knew it from the moment I saw you desperately trying to escape me in Spain. The bond between us in irresistible. Think of us as two magnets, forever stuck together.”

“Magnets,” she said dumbly. He chuckled and resumed nuzzling her breasts.

“Worry not, sica tawicue. I will love you for the both of us until you realize it.”

Her mind had still been processing “magnets” when what he said broke through the haze in her mind.

“What!”

He laughed against her nipple, then sucked it into his mouth. Wet and hot he flicked his tongue across her mercilessly.

“What...what do you mean?” she panted.

He gave her one last, lingering lick then crawled up her body, his lips mere inches from hers.

“It means, my Willow that I love you and I’ll wait for you to realize it too. But not for long.”

He curled his hand under her backside, cupping her cheek and lifting her. In a smooth move, he spread her legs with his, then thrust inside. She was still wet from her orgasm, from his seed, and from the fresh cream he created while suckling her. He slid in deep and stayed there. It was hard for her not to order him to move, but she was still so focused on what he said to her.

“You love me?” she repeated softly.

He kissed the corner of her mouth. “I’ll wait for you, Willow. But don’t take too long to realize what you feel. I’m a jealous, possessive man and I want to hear it now, want to see it glowing in your eyes.”

Willow didn’t say anything else as he made love to her. And that’s exactly what he did. With slow, powerful thrusts he swept her up, made her chant his name, then followed her over until they were shuddering together.

As they lie curled together, sleep making her eyes heavy, she listened to his heavy breathing mix with her own. Before sleep caught her she looked down at the arm wrapped protectively around her stomach and thought: I already do.