Moon Kissed (9 page)

She stood before him, covered in nothing more than the black lace panties and bra she’d purchased a month before. She’d figured if she was going to engage in heavy petting with Michael, purchasing come-hither lingerie was the least she could do. Surprisingly, the garments fit better than her less-than-heat-inducing underwear. She had better movement and support. As a result, she’d ditched the old and decided to run with the new.

Sadly, things hadn’t gone according to plan with Michael.

Not only had he not noticed her attempt to be sexy, he’d acted as if every woman came to bed in expensive undergarments. He’d stripped her bare and didn’t give her carefully chosen underwear a moment’s notice. She’d been too embarrassed to mention it, telling herself it was one other thing she’d never understand.

Her life hadn’t been—and would never be—normal.

This time around, her lover actually took her in, looking his fill, appreciating the view. It was as if he was putting her to memory, learning her body before he touched her. The approval in his lusty perusal was evident, his green eyes shifting from light to dark. His warm hand touched her knee and drifted up. He palmed her ass through her thin panties. She found herself unnerved and aroused by the intimidating male at her feet. His lips moved but his words didn’t register, muffled by the blood drumming in her ears.

“What did you say?”

“Your skin’s so fucking soft,
t’keeira
.”

He hooked his fingers in her panties, his callused hand making contact with her bare flesh. Portions of his ink-black hair fell over his face as he bowed his head and placed a kiss on her inner thigh. Undercurrents spread through her erogenous zones, her nipples beaded and her clit throbbing.

She trembled in anticipation, flying high on raw need.

At that moment, there were no vampyren, Thymeria or battles to be waged. Tomorrow would have consequences—ones that would make or break her. She and Wolfe lived separate lives and had different goals. But until the sun disappeared and the moon crested, it was just him and her, alone and eager with nothing to stop them.

When he reached for the sides of her underwear, she captured his hands in hers. He peered up, desire and need evident in his strained features. She didn’t know much about lycae aside from the tales of old, or the things she learned from Greyson. They were a fierce and proud race, secretive and loyal to a fault. But every immortal knew one truth. Werewolves only mated once, and it was forever. They lived and breathed for those they were intended for.

Somewhere deep inside she felt an inexplicable bond taking hold, a dangerous shifting in her heart that revealed the insecurities and fears she fought so hard to conceal. Terror at discovery had always prevented anyone from seeing inside. Until she’d met Wolfe, who knocked down her walls and barreled into her life. She couldn’t hide from this beast among men, who rested so reverently on his knees before her.

And the most terrifying thing was the realization she didn’t want to.

He watched her closely, frowning. “What’s wrong?”

His concern touched her in ways his physicality never could. Hunger rose, but it wasn’t for blood. The promise of tasting another portion of him overrode any craving for the liquid rapture pulsing through his veins.

For once, she
would
experience the forbidden.

She urged him to his feet and gazed up when he stood tall above her with a curious expression on his face. Before he could figure her out, she went on her tiptoes and pressed her mouth against his parted lips. She slid her fingers over his shirt, bringing them to the top button at his throat. His breath caught, and his massive body tensed when she slid the button free to reveal a tanned thatch of skin.

“Don’t move.” With a sinful grin of her own, she whispered, “It’s my turn.”

Chapter Seven

Each brush of her delicate fingers against his skin was torture.
 

Too little yet just enough.

Up until now, Wolfe hadn’t known if Arden would accept him. Even with the attraction between them—even as his body produced the pheromones that enticed her to react and respond to him without hesitation—he wasn’t sure if she’d take things to the next level.

My female. My mate.

A peace came from the knowledge, a comfort he didn’t know he needed giving him a measure of calm. It was as it should be. They were two halves of one whole. Only together would they would find completion. He’d do everything in his power to make her happy. He wanted to see her smile, hear her laugh.

She would care for him and in turn, he would protect her.

Shelter her. Nourish her.

Love her.

“Your skin’s as warm as the sun,” she whispered in wonder, each delicate syllable like a spoken caress.

“It must be the lycae in him.”

Wolfe tried to stop listening to her thoughts, knowing she resented the invasion of privacy, but he couldn’t seem to help himself. Random portions still slipped past, revealing her intense yearnings and secret desires. She was excited but anxious, fearful of harming him in some way.

“For you,
t’keeira.
”

He hissed and gritted his teeth, forcing his body to remain still as the last button popped free. She slid the material away from his chest, her fingers flittering over his skin. Once the shirt was hanging over his shoulders, she lifted his hands one at a time and unclasped the buttons at the wrists. She pressed against him, her thoughts telling him she wanted to be closer, and removed his shirt. With a wave of her hands, she sent the material drifting to the floor. As she moved away, she finally touched him, giving him what he’d been only too eager for.

“You’re solid muscle,” she murmured, resting her hands on his chest, her fingers trembling. “I’ve never seen anything like you before.”

He inhaled, wanting to swim in the fragrant musk of her arousal. She was dripping wet, her pussy positively soaked. There was no fear in the air, only the maddening scent that was all Arden. If he reached down and slid a finger into her slit, she’d accept him with ease. He’d part her, stretch her out and get her ready.

“You live in the city with the largest population of lycae in the southern United States,” he teased, lifting a hand to remove a smudge of dirt beneath her eye. “I’m sure you’ve seen others who look exactly like me.”

She shook her head and tendrils of her hair drifted along his forearm. He watched as she brought her mouth to his chest. She nuzzled the skin above his heart and closed her eyes. After several passes, her tongue darted out. He hissed at the contact. She bathed his flesh in sultry laps. He felt the sharp edge of her incisors when she trailed them against his skin, never breaking the surface. The caress of her fingers became bold as her hands ventured lower.

She stilled at the dark hair just below his belly button. “I’ve seen sex demons, master Chimera and alpha lycae. But I’ve never seen your equal.” Her admission was quietly spoken, but he heard her loud and clear. His body went rigid, the length of his cock rising to full mast.

He started to repay the compliment when she grasped his belt and made quick work of the leather and metal. She placed her hands behind the rim of his slacks, turning her fingers until the top button popped free. The zipper slid down with ease, his pants parting and making way. She went to her knees and eased the boxers and slacks down his thighs. Cool air hit the portion of him that wanted her attention most. His throbbing cock sprang out, fully engorged and erect.

Arden’s eyes formed into enormous, sky-blue saucers. “You’re big all over.”

He would have laughed if he didn’t scent her nervousness. If he wanted to make their first time together something she’d remember and dream about, he had to put her at ease. Determined to calm her and move things along, he ran his hand over her head.

“Don’t stop. Take what you want.”

She licked her lip, the tip of her pink tongue gliding over plump skin.

Fuck.

One innocent action and he couldn’t think straight.

An unbridled surge of lust and need crackled through his body. He wanted to bend his female over the counter and lick her honeyed slit until she screamed his name. Then he wanted to bury himself so deeply inside her that she’d never be rid of him. He’d brand her with his body, cover her in his scent.

“I don’t want to do this wrong.” Her voice broke but he didn’t detect fear, only hesitance. Her eyes drifted past his stomach and she gazed up at him. Her blonde hair was mussed, her blue eyes large and radiant. She was the most beautiful creature he’d ever seen. A paragon intended to ease centuries of loneliness.

He resisted the urge to kneel down to reassure her. “I’ll like it,
t’keeira
. Just thinking about those soft lips of yours around my cock…” Reaching down, he skimmed the back of his hand across her cheek. “You can’t do it wrong. Believe me. Your mouth is going to feel like heaven.”

She lowered her gaze, shifted forward and lifted her hands. He held his breath when she wrapped a hand around the base of his cock and gave it a squeeze.

Fucking-A.

Her skin felt like silk, her palm softer than a rose petal. She brought her hand to the head and swirled her thumb around the crown. Instinct and impatience had him rocking his hips, working in tandem with her touch. Her fingers stroked in harmony with the motions, her hands caressing his length from root to tip.

“That’s so good,” he groaned, tossing his head back as he closed his eyes.

Had any other brought him this level of pleasure with a mere touch? He couldn’t recall anything that had felt so good. His thoughts folded on themselves, disintegrating into nothing when he felt a firm lick across the head of his cock. His eyes flew open and he looked down. Arden had collected the semen in the tip, taking it into her mouth.

Holy shit.

She licked her lips again, humming as she swallowed. If the sensation wasn’t enough to bring him to climax, the expression on her face would certainly see to it. She pulled away to gaze up at him, lush strands of blonde cascading down her back.

“I was right.”

“Right?” He exhaled the word, chest heaving as he struggled for breath.

The smile she gave him was pure, delicious sin. “You taste incredible.”

If she was nervous before, she was eager now. Her mouth returned, but this time she took the entire tip into the warm, wet crevice. He groaned, trapped in raw sensation. She ran her tongue along the bottom of his shaft as she sucked, plunging him into pure, undeniable ecstasy. He shifted his feet and she gently cupped his balls.

Damn.

He didn’t want to make her feel rushed, but he couldn’t help himself.

Winding his fingers in her hair, he palmed the back of her head. The wet heat of her mouth deprived him of oxygen, bringing him so close to orgasm he felt stuck between pleasure and pain. She sucked him hard, taking his cock until he felt the soft wall of her throat. He waited to see if she’d panic or stop, watching as she pulled back. She tried again, taking more of him in her second attempt. Her deep moan sent a tingling current up the length of his dick.

“Hell yes. Suck me. Take me deep.”

She moaned again, giving him what he asked for. There was no hesitation. No nervousness. Her behavior had become something he recognized. In fact, lycae were told to wait for this very thing when claiming their mates. He slipped into her thoughts, and found precisely what he was hoping for.

Relief poured over him.

Thank fucking God.

The claiming instinct was taking over, an allure so powerful it would worm its way into her very soul. His pheromones would guide her, creating an inner voice that instructed her to entice him to mate. He’d feared the instinct wouldn’t occur since she was half vampire and not human or lycae. Matings with vampires had occurred in the past, but they were extremely rare. No one knew much about the pairings, except the pull—like with any other mating—was undeniable.

Keening moans vibrated up his cock, ecstasy so intense he had to struggle for control. Her fingers surrounded the base, moving in rhythm with her lips and tongue. She was desperate for release. He could hear, smell and sense her readiness. When he tried to pull away, she wrapped her hands around his ass.

“No more.” He groaned, prying himself away from her sweet little mouth. “You’ll make me come before I’m ready.”

The eyes that met his were cloudy, her pupils dilated. Her forehead creased, eyebrows furrowing together. Confusion and a newfound want consumed her. He didn’t try to piece together her thoughts, using her distraction to his advantage.

He peered around the small space, taking everything in, and frowned as he studied the room. There was no bathtub, fluffy towels or candles. There also weren’t any flowers or decorations on the wall. Nothing indicated a woman lived in the residence. A basket nestled next to the walk-in shower held soap, shampoo and clean washcloths. So basic and simple. His female deserved better than this, surviving but not living.

No more of that shit. I’ll get her everything she needs.

He walked to the glass door, slid it open and turned the stainless steel nozzles affixed to the wall. The spray was heavy, the water turning hot quickly. Satisfied, he pivoted to face his mate. She sat in the same place and position on her knees. Wolfe brought her to her feet and claimed her trembling lips in a chaste kiss.