Bitter Black Kiss (27 page)

Chapter Thirty

Nicole tilted her head to stare up at him. The doorknob creaked under the strength of his grip.

She knew what she wanted. “Stay with me?”

Beads of water glistened on his shoulders and dripped from his hair. His stomach muscles were tight and lean. The towel rode low to reveal cut hips and a fine trail of hair.

“Not a good idea,” he warned.

Her attention slid all the way down his bare calves to his narrow feet.

Nicole’s heartbeat pounded in her chest. Not because she was frightened, but because a new awareness tickled her senses. Fascination crept over her. Brody was gorgeous and wet. Pearls of water ran down his chest and urged her to lick them from his body.

Her fingers twined with his. His smile faltered and he drew back.

“Get some rest. I’ll be in the other room if you need me.” He focused his attention on the door behind her.

She pulled his hand up to her lips to kiss the fingertips. The movement of his forearm against the silk caressed her breast with whisper soft warmth. Heat from his skin penetrated the thin material and she trembled. Brody turned in her direction and cupped her cheek. His thumb brushed against her full bottom lip and sent a quiver of lust between her legs.

The clean scent of his body mingled with the vanilla of the candle. A slight smile lifted the corners of her mouth. He was hard beneath the towel.

The idea of sex, especially after the night she’d had, surprised her. Yet the desire was there, warm and insistent between her thighs. Perhaps it was an after effect of the shot Aaron had given her. Or maybe it was some screwed up response to almost being killed. Her mind and body demanded some kind of affirmation that she was alive, really alive. A rush of exhilaration surged within her. If she were honest with herself, she knew Brody had always elicited this kind of emotion within her.

She leaned against him and his body tensed. He didn’t pull away so she laid her cheek against his chest. His heart thundered against her cheek. Was he afraid he’d lose control or was he as excited as she was?

The tip of her tongue snaked out to taste the underside of his jaw. She delighted in the groan of pleasure this brought from him.

Brody released her hand and took another hesitant step backward. A moment’s worth of regret filled her. She’d been too bold. He would leave now, afraid to share himself.

“Don’t go,” she said in a thick voice. “Please?”

He cursed beneath his breath. One of his hands gripped her shoulder while the other cupped the back of her head. The firm presence of the door was against her back. Nicole’s hand rested against his chest now, the other caught lower between them. Brody’s mouth closed over hers and their tongues slipped together and tasted each other’s desire. It was over far too fast.

“I can’t control myself with you.”

Desire throbbed within her. “I don’t want you to.”

She didn’t register the scrape of wood against her back. There were far more delectable sensations coursing through her. Nicole gripped the towel with the hand caught between them. Her fingers brushed against his smooth flesh and he shuddered.

She released him from the terrycloth. The damp towel slapped against the floor and she made a sound of appreciation.

He was beautiful, just as she remembered him. His body was perfect and in the candlelight, each nuance of his muscular frame was highlighted and drew her eye. She couldn’t look away.

Brody’s quick fingers untied the knot at her waist and pushed the silk back to reveal her breasts. His warm palms cupped them, weighed both. He caressed the hardened nipples with his thumbs and made an appreciative noise deep in his throat. “Beautiful.”

She couldn’t get close enough. Her body pressed against him, eager for his touch. He lowered his head to hers and kissed her deeper than ever. The sensation of his lips and tongue caressing hers made her toes curl. She wanted so much more from him than just a kiss or a sweet caress. Nicole needed to experience wild abandon with him once again.

A dark notion shook her, forced her to pull away. What if he really couldn’t control himself? Sure, she’d told him it was okay if he lost control, but she meant his sexual hunger. The idea of making love to him in wolf form was different. She couldn’t do it—wouldn’t do it.

With much regret, she tried to hide the hesitant fear that crept into her voice. “Brody?”

He peered at her through lowered lashes. Lust had colored his cheeks a dusky pink. He held his breath at her uncertainty and his hands tensed at her waist.

She couldn’t look him in the eyes. Her voice was low and wavered with guilt. “When I said you don’t have to control yourself, what I meant was…”

“For you, I will.” He lowered his mouth to her shoulder. His tongue danced over the old scar. His honey colored eyes searched her face for any reaction.

Pleasure rippled up Nicole’s spine when he captured her mouth again. His erect penis pushed between them, anxious for some attention.

Nicole touched him. Her fingers curled around his girth and she sighed in satisfaction.

Brody trembled and it made her feel powerful and in control. Her fingers danced across his silken skin. Brody placed hands on either side of her hips. He lifted her with what could only be animal strength. Her legs wrapped around his waist and she twined her arms around his neck.

He held her there against the door, content to feel her wrapped around him. His tongue tantalized her, tracing a trail from her jaw to her ear. Nicole arched her back and reveled in the pleasure he brought.

His hands cupped her buttocks, holding her in place. His movement was rough, full of possession. She breathed his name, a soft whisper on a shaky breath. “Make love to me.”

Brody’s movements were fluid as he turned and lowered her onto the bed. Instead of following her down onto the mattress, he smiled down at her.

Nicole reached for him. Her body writhed on the sheets in an effort to touch him. She lifted her arms and beckoned to him in hopes of drawing him closer.

The candle beside the bed flickered and cast their shadows on the wall. Nicole watched in fascination when his dipped toward hers.

His mouth closed over her nipple, tongue traced the curve of her breast. Her back arched and she pulled him on top of her. Nicole needed all he could give her.

“I need you inside me.” She stared up into his eyes, willing him to see the love there as she wrapped her legs around his hips.

Each of his movements deliberately and completely filled her. His scrotum rested against her, heavy and full of pent up desire. Nicole shifted beneath him in an attempt to accommodate his length. She lifted her legs higher and wrapped them around his rib cage. It afforded him an even deeper seat.

They moved together, finding a rhythm that sent Nicole reeling. The sensation was almost too much. His hips thrust against her and filled her full of heat, lust, and the assurance of so much more.

Above her, Brody sucked a breath between his teeth. She cracked her eyes open. His ears had formed points and his teeth were sharp. He said he wouldn’t go furry and she believed he would keep that promise.

He thrust deeper and deeper still. It hurt so damned good. Her legs clamped around him and her fingers flexed against his back. Something deep within her tightened and every nerve sang in bliss. Nicole rocked her hips against him, using her legs for leverage. To force him deeper was her only wish, to deliver and receive as much pleasure as possible her only goal.

His hand tangled in her hair to force her head up and back. The action was rough, but not so much that it hurt or frightened her. Without warning, his teeth grazed across her throat. Sharp teeth fastened over the tender, exposed flesh. She cried out in pleasured pain. The action would leave a mark, but not draw blood. He had claimed her, she was his.

Her hips bucked beneath him and her legs clamped tighter. She cried out and arched her back. Nicole rode the frenzied rapture. Her teeth nipped the underside of his jaw. In response, Brody’s movement gained momentum and it drove him deeper.

Nicole writhed beneath him, mindless with passion. Her muscles tensed. Waves of euphoria overwhelmed her and a dizzying sense of gratification pulsed through her. Brody brought her to a climax that left her gasping and weak. His body stiffened and he cried out her name seconds later.

They lay tangled together, content in the aftermath of their lovemaking.

Brody pushed himself up onto one elbow. Nicole moved into the crook of his arm and snuggled into the warm curve of his body. After a moment, his arm encircled her waist and drew her closer.

Her eyes fluttered shut and she breathed in his fragrance. It was intoxicating, a mixture of soap and his natural male scent. Just below that, the exhilarating perfume of their lovemaking was detectable.

Brody’s fingers tickled over her skin and she became very aware of the devilish sensations that vibrated through her body. He leaned against her and his lips found hers. The kiss deepened and she smiled with delight. He was hard again.

Chapter Thirty-one

The thump of a drawer awoke Nicole. The floor creaked near the end of the bed.

Icy fingers of panic trailed down her spine. She calmed only when she spotted Brody’s bare back bent over a wicker cabinet. He hadn’t noticed that she was awake and continued to rummage through the items stored within.

Faint sunlight streamed into the bedroom and brought with it the memory of last night. Scratches ran the length of his back. Had it happened while he fought the others or had she done it? Heat pooled between her legs. She hoped it was the latter.

The knuckles on his right hand were raw and red. A canine shaped bite mark circled his left bicep. She noticed the discolored skin around his left eye. The skin was darkened just below it and on part of his cheek. Even his ribs were bruised.

She sat up and rubbed the sleep from her eyes. Brody crossed the room and opened the closet door. It was tiny, just a few sets of clothes could be shoved inside at a time. A t-shirt, two dress shirts and a pair of jeans hung inside. A pair of black New Balance tennis shoes rested at the bottom.

Brody shook the jeans from their hanger and grimaced. The right leg was spattered with white paint and the front pockets were frayed.

Nicole threw the shabby quilt off her legs, but didn’t stand just yet. Her body now reminded her of all the aches and pains she’d incurred over the past night. Fearful of what she might see, she avoided the mirror. Her neck was sore where Brody had bitten her.

Brody pulled the jeans on and zipped them. The denim hung loose on his hips to reveal his svelte body. Nicole moved toward him. His gaze swept up her legs, past her breasts then rested on her face.

He stepped in her direction. “Hey.”

It wasn’t difficult to figure out what was on his mind. Nicole smiled. So, last night wasn’t just about the pheromones. Brody still wanted her and it wasn’t just because some chemical was shot into her body.

“Hi.” A smile twitched at the corners of her mouth. She supposed she should be embarrassed by her state of undress, but wasn’t. Brody made her feel secure, at ease with herself and with him. She reveled in this newfound state of mind.

His fingers curled around her wrist and tugged her toward him. The kiss they shared was mind-numbing and made her knees quiver. Her fingers danced across his bare chest then tickled lower. She needed to take him back to bed, but now in the harsh reality of the morning, she knew she couldn’t. There were things to attend to, music to face.

The memory of the silvery-white wolf face down in the moon-dappled water made her stomach do nervous flips.

“I—I think you killed Sean.” The words tumbled from her tongue, eager to escape. She’d wanted to handle the fact with more tact, but there it was. Not yet ready to face what had happened to Aaron, she decided not to mention it. There was so much malice, so much hatred in the attack. She shuddered to think those traits were just below Brody’s calm exterior.

Brody released her. His jaw tightened and his eyes narrowed with suspicion, followed by betrayal. Without a word, he turned to rummage through the cabinet again.

Did he think she cared for Sean Stone? It was ridiculous, of course. The man had tried to kill her. He’d used her for whatever vile reason then cast her aside like yesterday’s news.

Brody withdrew a light blue sundress from a wicker drawer and handed it to her. He returned to the closet after she accepted the thin scrap of material and yanked a shirt from its hanger.

She slipped the dress over her head. Her hands smoothed the wrinkles, but it didn’t help. The thin straps cut into her shoulders and her breasts were squished into a too-tight bodice.

Nicole went to him. She placed a hand on his chest and breathed in his scent. The heat of his skin, the steady beat of his heart offered solace. “I don’t want to hide how I feel about you anymore, Brody. I can’t imagine my life without you in it. I don’t want to.”

His mouth found hers in a gentle kiss. “I don’t want you to either.”

Nicole smiled up at him. It wasn’t an admission of eternal love, but it definitely was a start.

“I don’t care about Sean. But if he is dead, that would make you the pack Alpha, right?”

“You look wonderful in that dress.”

“You can’t ignore it, Brody.”

“I know, but I don’t want that kind of responsibility.”

“You might not have a choice.” She ran her hands across his chest.

He hung his head and considered this turn of events. Judging by his grimace, he wasn’t too thrilled.

“We should go find the pack. I’m sure you have to claim your title or something.” She tilted her head to smile up at him. He looked stricken, like a teenaged father who had just received the bad news. Her heart ached for him. She knew what it was like to be given something you didn’t want. Her Lycanthropy and his new title as pack leader weren't quite the same, but neither wanted the fate they’d been given.

“If you become leader, I’ll even consider joining the pack.” Her joke didn’t have the effect she’d hoped it would.

Nicole placed her hands on either side of his face and guided him toward her. Their lips met, tongues found each other. She melted against his body and his arms enveloped her. Awareness warmed her and she hooked fingers the waistband of his jeans. If he didn’t want to face the pack just yet, it was fine with her. She could think of more pleasurable things they could do instead.

Brody broke the kiss. He removed her hands from the danger zone. “Keep that up and we won’t leave anytime soon.”

“We have to.” She didn't want to be the voice of reason right now.

"Fine." He bent to grab the shirt from the dusty floor. She hadn’t even noticed that he’d dropped it. He shrugged it on. “Let’s get this over with.”

They made their way down to the water. Brody was quiet while they walked along the edge. His fingers were twined with hers.

Worry gnawed at Nicole’s gut. Sean’s body was not in the water. It wasn’t at the water’s edge and it wasn’t on shore. She cast a quick glance at Brody. He returned her gaze, but remained cool and collected. Her grip on his hand tightened.

They passed Aaron’s lifeless body. His lower limbs were covered with sand and mud. Brownish blood stained his chest and arms. The bones and muscle of his face were naked and exposed. Unnamable bits had spilled from his splayed stomach. Seagulls had taken notice and were beginning to feast.

Bile rose in Nicole’s throat and she had to tear her stricken gaze away.

Brody passed the time by asking questions. “What did you think of your wolf form?”

“It hurt.” Pebbles bit into the soles of her sore feet and she stumbled over a chunk of driftwood.

“It gets better if you learn to control it.” Brody squeezed her hand. “Do you want me to carry you?”

“No, I’m okay. Does it hurt when you change?” She tucked her hair behind her ears and wished she had a rubber band to pull it back with.

“Yes, a little.” He glanced at her and smiled. “It hurts worse if you try to hold it back. It’s a much smoother transition if you just allow it to happen.”

Nicole shook her head, but didn’t reply. He’d been right about a lot of things. She allowed her mind to wander. Last night, she wasn’t given the benefit of learning how to change in a controlled manner. Aside from that, it was thrilling and frightening all at the same time. To run wild and free, even if it was for her life, had given her a giddy sense of exhilaration. To feel the wind on her face, to be able to see and hear, to smell things her human form couldn’t was beyond belief.

She glanced Brody’s way and noticed his eyes slide in the opposite direction. He’d observed her struggle to accept what she was, but said nothing more in regard to it. She slammed the lid down on her emotions. It was ridiculous. To dissuade any assumptions he might have formed, she said, “After this business is finished, I’m going to make an appointment at the clinic.”

“Going to try the legal route this time around?”

“Yes, but maybe I could get in touch with my inner wolf on occasion.” She smiled wistfully. “If you’ll show me how.”

She stopped walking when a dark thought rocked her. Brody misread her hesitation and jerked his head up in search of danger.

“There’s something I have to tell you.”

He looked wary but took both of her hands in his. “You can tell me anything, Nicole.”

Her eyes stung with tears. There was no delicate way to say it, so she just blurted it out. “I didn’t mean to hurt your feelings or make you feel like a monster last night.”

Brody cupped her cheek and wiped a tear away with the pad of his thumb. “I would never force myself on you, Nicole.”

“I know.”

He crushed her against him and buried his face in her hair. His words were full of sorrow. “I wish you’d never been dragged into this.”

“It’s not your fault. You’re not the one who tried to kill me. You didn’t inject me with BST and pheromones.”

His face clouded. “I took advantage of you last night… I’m sorry.”

“I wanted you, Brody. I didn’t do anything I didn’t want to do. What we did together had nothing to do with the drugs Aaron gave me.”

He kissed the corner of her mouth. His words carried vehemence. “If he weren't already dead, I’d kill him.”

Her hands framed his face and she stared into his beautiful eyes. “And for the record, I think it was me who took advantage of you. I've wanted you since the moment I met you.”

“I’m not complaining.”

They reached the crowd of people much faster than they’d left them last night. She glanced at Brody, who tensed at the sight of them. Some of the members were injured. Their moans carried to them over the sand. There were fewer people gathered than there was the night before.

Tony sat cross-legged on the sand. His broken arm was tucked tight against his side. He rocked his body as a grimace puckered his face. It was obvious he was in a lot of pain. He paid them no attention. Like most of the others, he was focused on something that had happened at the front of the group.

Dave’s younger brother shoved past a cute brunette and knocked her down. He gripped Brody’s shoulders and snarled, “You’ve got a lot of nerve showing your face.”

“What’s going on, Mike?” Brody shrugged his hands away then tucked Nicole tight against his side.

There was movement at the head of the group. The sea of bodies parted and a sickened feeling twisted Nicole’s gut. A familiar head of white-blond hair headed their way.

Sean remained well out of reach. “Well done. I see the two of you made it through the night.”

He looked frightful. It wasn’t the open shirt or the torn pants. It wasn’t even the cuts, bites or scrapes decorating his body that lent him this appearance. It was his smile that worried her the most.

Brody surged forward. The other man’s name was growled through clenched teeth. “You mother f—”

Sean took a harried step backward. He wasn’t fast enough to avoid Brody’s fist. A bright spurt of crimson trickled from his nose and stained his upper lip. Brody swung again, this time he knocked Sean down. The new Alpha scuttled backward to avoid another punch. His eyes conveyed shock that his newly acquired wolf pack allowed him to be attacked.

“Do something!” he yelled at the crowd in a strangled voice.

Brody didn’t back down. A few of the more responsive members grabbed him to thwart his attack. Even Tony lurched to his feet.

Mike grabbed one of the men who held onto Brody. “Let him go!”

Sean spat blood from his busted lip. He stood and waggled a finger at Brody. “You had your chance last night. Now you’ve got to wait until next year.”

Brody struggled to break away from the men. “You drowned.”

“No, I played dead. It was more important to be Alpha than continue to fight for an overused piece of ass. We both got what we wanted. I’ve got control of the pack and you got to fuck my girl. Thanks for keeping her warm for me.”

Brody hissed a warning, but it was disregarded.

Sean’s eyes roved over Nicole’s body in the tight dress. He raised his hand, palm up and beckoned to her with a curl of his fingers. There was expectation and threat in his gray eyes. “Your place is beside me, Angel.”

Nicole recoiled. The idea of his touch, especially after he’d tried to rape and kill her was infuriating. She brushed her fingertips against the bite mark at her throat. "I'm Brody's mate.”