“It’s nice.”
“Thank you.”
Melinda watched him, her heart pounding in her chest at a rate that was absolutely dizzying. Being pressed up against him…his mouth so dangerously close to hers, was making her body vibrate with desire. This was all so insane, yet she couldn’t stop the rush of feeling that was coming at her like a force gale wind when this man was near her.
“So, how long do you think we’ll need to be here?” she asked, her voice nothing more than a breathy whisper.
“I’m not sure,” he replied, his gaze holding hers. “It just depends on how quickly I can find Roland and his family.”
“You mean you’re going to take them on alone?” she gasped in surprise, moving away from him and pushing herself up into a sitting position. He couldn’t be serious!
“I’ll be working with Max,” he replied, and Melinda wanted nothing more than to deck him. Actually to deck them both. “Melinda…”
“Wait,” she warned, shaking her head in disbelief. “You’re doing this to protect me? Right?”
“Yes.”
Melinda groaned, dropping her head in her hands. “That’s not fair,” she muttered. “Who in the hell asked you to risk your life for me anyway?”
“Your mother.”
Melinda felt her throat seize up on her. What? “My mother’s dead,” she choked out shakily.
“Your biological mother, Melinda,” he responded softly, the expression on his face warm and comforting.
Gads! She had almost forgotten that part of this entire mess. Her parents weren’t really her parents. “You know her?”
“Knew her,” he corrected gently, his expression somber. “She was killed by one of Roland’s brethren a very long time ago by a rogue who thought her blood would be able to do what yours does and wanted it for himself.”
“And…it didn’t?” she asked, a part of her experiencing an overwhelming feeling of loss for a woman she didn’t even know and another feeling slightly hopeful that this was all just one huge mistake.
Colin sighed and shook his head. “No. From what we can gather, this particular gift skips a generation. Your mother’s power differed from you and your Grandmother’s. Your mother had the ability to replenish life.”
“What?” she choked out, suddenly feeling as if her head were spinning. What in the good God could that mean?
“She could bring back the dead for short periods of time.”
Melinda shook her head in disbelief. “Wait…like, you mean like in zombies?” The words passed her lips with difficulty, leaving an extremely bad taste in her mouth. She had seen The Walking Dead for God’s sake! She hated anything having to do with zombies! What in the hell was next?
“No,” he chuckled softly, but there was an underlying sorrow in his voice. “A loved one would just appear as if they had never left and remain for a period of twenty-four hours.”
“How did you know my mother,” she asked. She suddenly had the overwhelming need to know. The sorrow in his expression had her wondering if they had been involved romantically, and that thought left her with an extremely creepy feeling deep down in the pit of her stomach. Who knew what the rules were in the strange new world of hers.
“We grew up together,” he replied, a small smile touching his lips. “She was once my best friend.”
“Oh,” Melinda murmured, nodding slightly as a small wave of relief washed over her. “Were you…were you ever a…couple?”
Colin watched her as she hedged around what she really wanted to know and fought back the grin that was threatening to curve his mouth. He carefully pulled her closer to him and snuggled her up against his side. He needed the contact. His wolf needed the contact…it needed its mate.
“No, Melinda,” he replied with a laugh as she settled herself firmly against him, and his wolf sighed. “We were friends. She contacted me years after she had given you up and asked that if anything were ever to happen to her that I would make sure you were protected once you came into your powers.”
“Oh. Okay…good,” he heard her mumble and he pressed his lips against her forehead, a vibration of longing running through him. “How did you know that I would be in the club that night?
“That’s where my witch blood comes in handy,” he chuckled.
Colin’s fingers curled under her chin and he lifted her face to meet his. There was longing there. He could see it in her eyes, and the thought that she perhaps wanted him as much as he wanted her sent a wave of pride rushing over him. This was his mate. A woman, who he was learning, was strong, and funny and compassionate. Who had a fierce spirit and a wicked temper, and he couldn’t have been happier. To think that this incredible woman was his made his chest swell.
He lowered his mouth just enough to brush his lips lightly against hers and felt a tremor run through him when she lifted her head to deepen the kiss.
He felt that quiver of longing roll across him as their tongues slid against the others, playing a sensual game of tag that had him fighting hard to keep control.
Her hand slid up his chest, touching and teasing his flesh, and he was sure he would explode. He broke their kiss and quickly pulled the sweat shirt and pants she wore off and tossed them away as if they were offending.
He gave her a grin before leaning forward and taking her mouth once more, but for only the briefest of moments before making his way down her throat, his lips kissing the marks on her neck gently, his tongue soothing the raised area. He felt her tremble as he moved down to her collarbone, loving the salty-sweet taste of her skin. His hand slid along her tummy and across her thighs as he kissed his way to her breast, his mouth hovering over her taught peak for only a moment before pulling it into his mouth and suckling greedily. He heard her groan and his lips curved. God, that was a sexy as hell sound, he thought with a growl of his own.
He shifted their bodies so that they were kneeling on the bed facing each other and cupped her face in his hands, his gaze locking with hers and holding tight.
“You are exquisite,” he husked out, and watched as her cheeks burned with color. He kissed her again…hard, his mouth hot and demanding, silently conveying how very much he needed her.
She wrapped her arms around his neck and leaned into him, her chest pressing up against his, and he could feel that electricity coursing through his veins at the contact.
His hands moved, skimming along her skin and basking in the silkiness of it all. His fingers met the edge of the panties she wore and with a quick pull, they were torn away as if they were made of tissue paper and tossed across the room.
She giggled against his mouth, her own hands sliding down his body to the waistband of his boxers. She tugged and then growled in frustration when they didn’t budge and Colin had to bite back the laughter that was rumbling in his chest.
She leaned back and glared at him, but the fire in her eyes was desire, not anger. “So, I don’t have super-wolf strength,” she grumbled irritably and he chuckled, trying hard to disguise it as a cough. With a quick wave of his hand, the boxers disappeared and she huffed out a surprised gasp. “Handy.”
Colin’s hands slid up to her waist as he leaned back slightly on his haunches, lifting her effortlessly and burying himself to the hilt in her glorious heat as she straddled his hips. He heard her soft sigh as their bodies joined and felt as if he were home.
Melinda shivered as she straddled his muscular body. Good Lord! Just the feel of his rock hard body as he filled her was taking the very air from her lungs with a mighty whoosh and she fought hard to catch her breath. This man made her feel things she thought were impossible. He made her confident and brazen and a very large part of her wanted this to last forever. Nothing had ever felt so sublime before, and it was as if the world around them melted away and it was just the two of them.
She leaned back slightly and caught his gaze as she began to move her body, basking in the sensual delight of their heated flesh as it moved against the others. His, so muscular and firm;
the roughness of his hair brushing against the smoothness of her skin was glorious. It was as if every damned sensation she had ever felt was rushing back at her at lightning speed all at once and was heightened to dangerous proportions, electrifying her skin.
She gasped when he bucked his hips up, meeting her rhythm to perfection, and she let her head drop back.
She felt his lips touch her breastbone, his tongue licking a trail to the hollow of her throat nipping and she was acutely aware of her orgasm coiling around in her belly to the point that her knees were shaking and she thought she might go mad.
Colin’s hands gripped her waist tightly as he ground himself into her, taking her over that edge with a mighty slam. She cried out his name as she exploded around him and once again the room was filled with brightly colored streaks of lights, exploding and popping around them.
She tried to catch her breath as he kept moving and she thought she would truly lose her mind as she felt yet another orgasm slam through her as he met his own release with a mighty roar. He wrapped his arms around her tightly as they rode out the waves of their release, still deliciously joined.
After a few moments of utter and complete bliss and when Melinda was confident that she could actually form a coherent sentence and not just babble away like an idiot, she lifted her head and gave him a smile. “Wow,” she choked out, “I seriously think the top of my head just blew off.” Oh, crap, she thought with a cringe…coherent my ass.
Colin burst out laughing and hugged her to him, not wanting to leave her body for a moment. This was where he was meant to be, and for the first time in his life…he was completely content.
Finally, with a reluctant groan, he carefully lowered her back against the pillows and sprawled out beside her. He pulled the blankets over their cooling bodies and pulled her against his chest, where she settled in with a sigh.
“I hope you plan on fixing me breakfast in the morning,” she murmured against his chest, her warm breath whispering across his cooling flesh. “Did I happen to mention that I can’t cook?”
Colin grinned as he wrapped his arms around her. “That’s not a problem,” he whispered, his lips brushing against her temple. “I’d be more than happy to. I actually find it relaxing.”
“Good, because I don’t know where the nearest hospital is and I’d hate to think of you suffering because I gave you food poisoning.”
Colin chuckled as he pulled her closer, gently kissing the top of her head when he heard her stifle a yawn.
“Mmm,” she murmured sleepily, “I’m never going to want to leave.”
Colin was silent for a long moment and knew by her breathing that she had fallen asleep, and a sigh passed his lips. “That’s the plan,” he whispered.
Chapter 9
Melinda opened her eyes slowly, absolutely loving the feeling of waking up with strong arms securely wrapped around her. She felt warm and protected and so content.
Colin’s amazing scent tickled her nose as she lay there quietly, trying hard not to wake him. This was just too good to give up, and who knew what tomorrow would bring. For all intents and purposes he was her bodyguard for lack of a better term, and she supposed that sleeping with her just passed the time for him. She bit back the groan that threatened to pop out of her and gave herself a swift mental kick. No more analyzing everything. Her life was anything but normal at the moment and she was going to live it for once. She intended to throw caution to the wind and deal with whatever came at her. And what better way than spending time with a drop dead gorgeous man…even if he did need a rabies booster every now and again. She chewed on her bottom lip to keep from laughing and snorted instead.
She felt Colin move, his arms pulling her against his solid frame a little more securely, and she was suddenly aware of his morning wakeup call as it pressed intimately against her backside. She felt that now familiar fluttering in her belly. Oh, good gravy, what this man did to her!
“Morning,” he husked, moving his hips slightly, and her heart slammed against her ribs with a powerful whump.
“Good morning,” she responded softly.
She bit back a moan as his hand traveled down her thigh and he lifted her leg up and over his hip, nuzzling her neck as he did. Oh, God this was torture! Sweet, mind-blowing torture that she wanted to last a lifetime.
His hand slid back up and around, skimming along her belly to the juncture of her thighs, and he slipped his fingers through her silky folds, causing that moan she had so valiantly held back to come rumbling from her throat with a vengeance.
“Christ,” he growled, the words vibrating through her entire body. “You’re so wet.”
Melinda didn’t know how to respond to that. Never before in her entire life had a man made her feel like this. Just his voice had her ready to pounce on him like a cat in heat. She knew she wasn’t model thin. She had a pudge in her belly and her thighs were thick, but this man made her feel beautiful.
She lifted her arm and wrapped it around his neck, her fingers toying with his thick silky hair as he moved his body and slowly, torturously entered her.
“You feel so good,” he rasped as he began to move his hips in a strong, steady rhythm, his fingers moving up and fanning out against her stomach, holding her securely against his firm chest as he took her. It was amazing.
Her orgasm hit her hard, causing her muscles to tighten around him…bringing him to his own release, and she thought the sound was the most beautiful thing she had ever heard. It was deep, primal…earthshattering. She whispered his name as he kissed her shoulder, his mouth traveling down her back as his hands freely roamed her body.
He turned her over onto her back and smiled down at her, and she swore that she saw something in his eyes…something that caused her heart to skip a beat, but she couldn’t be sure if it was because it was something good or bad. She swallowed the lump that had suddenly formed in her throat and returned his smile.
“Morning, again,” she said as lightly as possible, but for some reason she felt that he was troubled about something.
He took her lips and kissed her…hard, demanding and almost possessively, and she returned his embrace for all she was worth.
He cursed loudly when the ringing of his phone blasted through the room and reluctantly pulled away, giving her a grin that nearly stopped her heart right there in her chest.
“That’s most likely Max,” he growled before throwing the covers back and storming over to the dresser.
Melinda shifted so she could get a better view of this amazing man as he grabbed his phone and barked out a gruff greeting. Oh, sweet Baby Jesus, she inwardly sighed as she took in his perfect form.
He caught her watching him and that grin reappeared on his incredible mouth in an instant, causing Melinda to flush with embarrassment.
She slipped off of the bed and gathered up her sweats, slipping them on to the vigorous shaking of Colin’s head. She burst out laughing as she headed for the bathroom and some much needed toothpaste.
Colin watched as Melinda disappeared from sight and chuffed softly. Damn it! He had planned on spending the day in bed.
“What in the hell did I interrupt?” he heard Max ask, the amusement in his tone more than obvious.
“What?”
“Good, God, man…” Max snorted. “Pay attention!” His voice suddenly grew serious. “Word is Roland is not sparing any expense or favor to locate the two of you. My contact told me that he is desperate to get his hands on her.” He grunted in disgust. “I guess once her blood is out of the system it’s almost like going through a form of withdrawal and you know Roland; he doesn’t like to be uncomfortable.”
“Great,” Colin sighed. “Just freaking great.”
“I also checked on her friend, but there’s no sign of her whatsoever.”
Colin rolled his shoulders, hoping that Melinda’s friend Stacy had taken his advice and disappeared. “Where are you?”
“A little flea bag hotel near town,” Max chuckled. “I’l
l stop by at sunset before I head back out. Make sure to let your mate know…I’d hate to be staked by that little she-devil.”
Colin grinned and turned toward the door to the bathroom when he heard the water in the shower start.
“Yeah, no problem,” he replied and once again his friend burst into laughter.
“I will never understand this whole mate thing,” he laughed. “I hear the shower. Go enjoy yourself. I’ll brief you later.” Max hung up and Colin headed for the bathroom.
Chapter 10
Melinda was relaxing on the sofa at Colin’s insistence, enjoying a glass of wine as he busied himself in the kitchen, when she suddenly felt a cool breeze hit the back of her neck. Sitting up a little straighter, she quickly glanced around, only to find Max standing in the doorway. Oh, this was just freaking fabulous!
She had a moment of panic hit her as she watched him and opened her mouth to call for Colin when Max looked her up and down, his lips lifting in a grin. It was cock-sure and predatory and that ripple of fear skittered across her spine causing the sudden pops of white light to begin.
“Easy there, beautiful,” he murmured, taking a tentative step toward her. “I promised Colin…no nipping. So you can do away with the magical fireworks.”
“Easy there, beautiful,” he murmured, taking a tentative step toward her. “I promised Colin…no nipping. So you can do away with the magical fireworks.”
Melinda closed her eyes and took a deep breath, trying hard to get the pounding of her heart to settle down. If she lived to be a hundred she didn’t think she’d ever get used to vampires.
She heard the popping die down and opened her eyes to find Max sitting across from her, his brow lifted as he studied her closely.
“Did you get your stakes made?” he asked with a laugh and Melinda glared at him.
“In fact I did,” she lied. “So I would watch my step if I were you.”
Wolf Bane (The Anthology Novella Series Book 3) Page 7
