Lion's Heart (Blood Moon Book 4)

by Natalie Aejaz

  He brought his lips to her ear. “I need to fuck you again.”

  She shivered at his words. “Perhaps I should help you cool down…”

  He glanced around the crowd, grinning. “How are you going to do that here?”

  “I’ve an idea.”

  It was as if her hands moved of their own accord as she pushed at his chest, so he fell back into the pool.

  What have I done?

  But laughter rang out around her. She turned to see Blade and Alyssa chuckling and Shaun bent over in amusement. She also laughed when she turned to Junaid. He had a big grin on his face as he swam toward the edge of the pool and held his hand out. “At least help me out—”

  “No way! As if I’m that stupid—”

  But before she could step back, he reached out and grabbed her wrist, pulling her into the water with him. There was an uproar of laughter around them as one by one more people jumped into the pool, regardless of whether they were wearing swimsuits.

  Junaid kissed her again. “One hell of a way to cool down, isn’t it?” he murmured against her mouth.

  She pushed back and splashed his face with water. He responded by splashing her back. Suddenly, there was splashing around them, and the music was turned up even louder, filling her with joy. Many guests were in the pool now, and Blade dunked Shaun’s head under the water as if they were adolescent teenagers and not mature businessmen. Ivy splashed Junaid with water again, laughing at his half-hearted protests as she fell into his arms to kiss him.

  It was nearly an hour later when they got out of the water. Apparently others, like Shaun and Angie, had been wise enough to bring an extra set of clothes with them. As guests headed into the villa to change, Ivy shivered.

  “I’ll get you some clothes,” Alyssa offered.

  Ivy shook her head. “Thank you, but I think it’s best if we get going.”

  “I agree,” said Junaid, and then he brought his mouth close to her ear. “I think we need to get you out of these wet clothes.” She nudged him in the ribs, and he released a fake sound of protest before turning to Alyssa. “I’ll give Ivy’s clothes to be dry-cleaned so they’re ready for the morning.” Blade lifted his eyebrows but said nothing, suppressing a smile. “And I’ve got another change of clothes in my office. There’s nothing to worry about.”

  As Alyssa glanced between them both, Ivy stepped forward to give her an impulsive hug. “Thank you. It’s been an awesome party.”

  “It’s been wonderful having you here.” Alyssa’s smile was genuine. “You have to come to the next one.”

  A pang of regret pierced the ecstasy. There wouldn’t be such a party for her again, would there?

  As if sensing her change of mood, Junaid held her hand, intertwining his fingers with hers and bringing her comfort. After Angie and Shaun emerged from the villa, Junaid and Ivy said their good byes.

  Outside the villa gate, Junaid gave her another kiss before staring down at her with eyes so warm that they caused an ache inside her. He truly cared for her, didn’t he?

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  * * *

  WHEN IVY SHIVERED AGAIN, Junaid held her hand and then ran through the garden with her. She laughed out loud, spreading joy through him. This was freedom…the wind blowing against his face and Ivy by his side, with nothing to bother or disturb them…

  Could life always be like this?

  Inside the hotel room, he dragged her into the shower cubicle. She pulled off her dress and chucked it outside the cubicle, and by the time she was naked, so was he. He turned on the hot rainfall shower, and as they both stood under it, he turned her around so her back was against him. She immediately pushed against his erection until he moaned into her ear. He reached across her to a bottle of shower gel and soaped up his hands before sliding them over her wet body. He paused at her nipples, rolling them both as his erection pulsed against her backside. She gasped, her head falling back over his shoulder. Keeping one hand at her breast, he shifted the other to between her legs, rubbing her clit and making her moan in pleasure. He then stuck two fingers into her, a gasp escaping her mouth as he thrust into her. He rubbed her nipples hard, one and then the other, and her core shuddered around his fingers. So damn passionate and responsive. It wasn’t long before she came with a loud cry.

  She leaned back against him for a moment before turning. Her bright eyes were on him as she now reached for the shower gel. She moved her soaped hands over his broad chest, lingering on his tattoo before moving down across his abs and to his pulsing erection. A deep animal-like sound left his throat when she wrapped her hand around his shaft, sliding it up and down, and his jaw clenched before he pressed her back against the wall. Grabbing her hips, he lifted her and pushed her against the wall so it supported her. He positioned her so he could ease her on to his waiting cock and then thrust hard, filling her in one go. She wrapped her legs around him tight, her arms clutching his shoulders as she pushed against him, moaning into his mouth about how much she wanted him.

  Fuck, he wanted her, too. As he drove into her, her soft body trembling against him and both of them moving in sync with each other, there was an urge to tell her how he felt. Seeing her tonight in the party, happy and free of restriction like the Ivy he had first met, made him realize how much he wanted to be with her. Just watching her tonight had brought him so much joy… She had forgotten she was among supernaturals as she laughed and danced with them, which meant that in the long-run, she might adjust to him being a shifter.

  We could be together.

  As he filled her again and again…when she told him how much she needed him…the words left his mouth. “I love you.”

  She froze against him at his words, but before she could reject him, he pushed inside her hard, gripping her hips to grind her around his cock…wanting her to think of nothing but the pleasure he was giving her. As stars burst before his vision, she came around him, and his own release followed. Keeping his hold on her, he rested his forehead on the wall, just above her shoulder, panting until his breathing returned to normal. He then lifted his head to look into her face. She smiled up at him before giving him a soft kiss on the lips, but she said nothing. He got it. She wanted to pretend he hadn’t said what he did. And for now, he would go along with what she wanted.

  He left the cubicle and grabbed a fresh towel before offering her his hand. When she stepped out alongside him, he ran the towel over her body. Her eyes were bright, a wide smile on her face as she closed her eyes, enjoying the experience. If only she could stay with him longer than one night…

  There was no point dwelling on that and spoiling the time they did have together. He grabbed a bathrobe from the cupboard in the corner and wrapped it around her. Taking another towel, he wrapped her hair in it. He then toweled off before shrugging into a bathrobe. They both returned to the bedroom and settled on the sofa with each other. She leaned against him, and he placed his arm around her, kissing the top of her head. A silence descended around them…that of a couple together so long that they didn’t need words to fill the space between them.

  Eventually, she spoke. “I didn’t know you were a martial artist.”

  “I trained for years. These days I do some teaching. And of course, I practice every day at my place.” He had converted the largest room in his apartment for the purpose. He would love to show it to her one day, even if it was completely different to what she was used to…in fact, that might be a good reason for her to visit.

  “It must be so great,” she murmured, “Being able to look after yourself. Defend yourself against attack…”

  “It certainly doesn’t hurt to have such skills.” After a pause, “Fancy learning?” Not just because his personal belief was that everyone should know how to defend themselves, but because it would give him the chance to spend more time with her.

  She chuckled. “It’s a bit late for me—”

  Something a lot of potential students worried about. “It’s never too late. All these doubts are in
your mind—in fact, defending yourself against your own mind is one of the most useful practices learned in martial arts.”

  “I don’t need it,” she murmured, “I have people around me to take care of me.”

  The Association. He bit back the words that came to his lips. She was dependent on them, which wasn’t the same as someone looking out for you. But once she learned to take care of herself… “Well, if you ever change your mind—”

  She shook her head. “Such activities are not encouraged among our women…”

  She didn’t finish what she was about to say, but he understood. He could only imagine how a man like Michael would react if she became interested in martial arts. He’d probably consider it a personal affront…see it as a slight on his manhood. Junaid pulled his arms tighter around her, changing the subject. “You enjoyed the party, didn’t you?”

  She smiled against his chest. “I certainly did. Angie and Alyssa are great, aren’t they?”

  “They sure are. Perfect for Shaun and Blade.”

  “Even though they’re human?”

  “That doesn’t matter when you want to be with someone…does it?”

  She glanced up at him. “I might not have agreed not long ago, but now…” Again, she didn’t finish what she’d been about to say. But it was enough for him that she was beginning to change her mind on the subject. And now it was her turn to talk about something else. “Alyssa…I couldn’t help but notice her arms…” Her voice trailed away. “Sorry…it’s none of my business.”

  “Her scars?” When she nodded, “It’s all right. It’s not a secret. Alyssa went through some shit before she met Blade. Like a lot of sex workers.”

  She tensed in his arms. “Alyssa used to be a sex worker?”

  “She’s still the same person you thought was great just a few minutes ago.”

  “Yes, I know…but—” The struggle was obvious in her expression. “I hugged her…shared food with her…” Fuck. The hope that had risen in him a few moments ago crashed again. Was he stupid for imagining her mind could ever be free of that organization? “Blade…he doesn’t mind?”

  “Mind what?”

  “That she’s sold her body to all those men…done God knows what with them…”

  He curbed his irritation at her words. She came from a different world, so how could he expect her to feel the same way as him on the subject? “Why should it make a difference?” Junaid palmed her face and lifted it so he could look into her eyes. “It was a job. Not a pleasant one, but despite all the crap and torture she went through, she’s making a go of things. We all have a lot of respect for her.”

  “Respect? But in my world, such a woman would be irredeemable.”

  He could imagine. “It’s interesting how Association members badmouth sex workers and blame them for society’s ills, yet they were happy to back James, the mobster who put Alyssa and others to work.” And now he couldn’t prevent his voice from hardening. “He was personally responsible for many of her scars, and you’ve no idea of what he was about to do to her when we stopped him.” Thank fuck; they got there on time.

  She snuggled closer to him, as if for comfort. “Let’s not talk about it…”

  Good idea. There was enough to separate them as it was. Tonight, they would make the most of being together.

  He stood and lifted her in his arms, carrying her to the bed. He lay her back on it and opened the belt of her bathrobe, pulling it away from her. After removing his own, he got into bed with her, pulling the covers over them. She snuggled against him, her head resting against his chest as if she belonged there. And part of him hoped she did.

  Despite their differences, that part of him believed they could be together, not just for tonight, but always…

  SLEEPING IN A MAN’S ARMS…she’d never thought it could be so wonderful. Spending the night cuddled against Junaid had felt so right, his arm wrapped around her as if he wanted to protect her even in sleep.

  And waking up nestled against him…paradise.

  It was still dark outside when Ivy awakened. She edged closer to his warm body, and even though his eyes were still closed, his arm tightened around her, pulling her close. And his words returned to her.

  I love you.

  Last night, it had been so tempting to say it back to him. For a moment, the words nearly slipped from her lips, but she held them back. After all, she couldn’t love someone like him…

  But was that her belief…or that of others around her? She’d been brought up to distrust and stay away from anyone whose way didn’t match her own…to fear difference.

  It was why she’d been so quick to judge Alyssa…Alyssa who had been so welcoming and didn’t care whether she was human or supernatural. Junaid said the mobster James was attacked to save her, but according to John, the supernaturals had wanted to prevent him from doing the lord’s work. Deep down, she believed the shifter. The Manhattan leader had lied to defend a man who did terrible things to women like Alyssa…and then he spoke of truth and morality in his weekly sermons. For a moment, she felt embarrassed…that she belonged to such an organization. And to think she’d thought Junaid wasn’t good enough for her…

  “What is it?” he asked, startling her.

  “You must have a pretty low opinion of me,” she murmured, “For belonging to an organization you hate.”

  “Never.” He kissed her on the lips. “I love you, Ivy, as you are.” She shook her head, not wanting to hear the words that would tear her resolve apart…because she was beginning to suspect she felt the same about him. He lifted his head to stare down at her. “I don’t understand it, but this feeling…it can’t be anything else.” He went to his back and took her with him, holding her against his chest, close. “I’m not going to ask how you feel about me. I know you’ve been through some shit…and I don’t know what’s made you so scared, but take your time to figure out how you feel about me. For now, the fact that you reached out to me is enough.” She lifted her face to look into his eyes. Despite his words, she sensed that hope inside him. As if to confirm her suspicion, he whispered, “I hope you’ll come around to the idea of being with me.”

  She already had…but what difference did it make? She didn’t have the choice to be with him. Burying her head against his chest, she experienced a peace in his arms she had never thought possible. She trailed her fingers along the length of his arm, and he smiled when she pressed her palm against his.

  He flipped her so she was on her back and then he was on top of her again, his lips curled up in a smile, his thumb trailing over her bottom lip. “You’ve no idea of how much I want that, Ivy. The chance to be with you.” He slanted his mouth over hers as his hard chest crushed her breasts. His fingers wrapped in her hair as he parted her lips with his tongue so he could slip it inside…stoking her passion and sending sensation racing through her. Her skin tingled wherever he touched her. “I’ll keep saying it until you believe me,” he murmured against her ear. “I love you.”

  She must have dozed off, because when she awakened again, it was light outside. Junaid was resting on his elbow as he stared down at her, a smile on his lips, as if he’d been waiting for her to awaken.

  “Sleep well?” he asked, trailing his fingers across her jawline.

  Over his shoulder, she glimpsed the clock on the wall. 7.30? Resisting the invitation in his brown eyes, she pulled away from him…how had she slept in so late?

  When she scrambled from the bed, he growled, his eyes traveling over her naked body as she reached for her clothes, which room service had returned clean and dry last night. She stepped out of his way. “I have to get ready.”

  As she pulled on her underwear, he lazed on the bed, his arms above his head as he relaxed back and watched her get dressed. “Come on…tell me you don’t want a shower together.”

  That thought nearly made her return to the bed. Another shower together…their bodies wet and lathered…

  “I’ll have a shower at home,” she said. �
��You’ve no idea of what mother will be going through.” And God help her if John paid one of his surprise visits while she was out…how would mother answer when he asked where she was? A plea entered her tone. “Come on, Junaid. I need to get home. Please.”

  His smile faltered, and he instantly got up and dressed so fast that he was ready before she was. She fastened her coat before stepping toward the door and reaching for the handle, but he took her hand and pulled her to him to kiss her lips. As he brushed his mouth across hers, she sighed, soft. And when he deepened the kiss, his taste forced her to melt against him.

  No, she didn’t want to go back to that soulless existence. She wanted to stay here with Junaid, lose herself in his passion as she forgot about the world outside…

  Suddenly, he stepped back, smiling down at her. “Come on. Let’s get you home.”

  Their arms linked, they left the hotel. By the time they reached the gate, Junaid’s car was already there. They got inside, and before he started the engine, he leaned over and gave her another kiss, as if he couldn’t get enough of her. His eyes kept flitting to her as he drove, and when they waited to board the ferry, he held her hand, trailing a finger across her palm, his eyes on hers. When someone sounded their car horn behind them, they both jolted in their seats, realizing that the vehicles had cleared ahead. She returned his grin as he drove on to the ferry.

  Too soon, they were outside her place. When he leaned over to kiss her, she pulled away, glancing around, but the street was empty at this time. His smile faltered as he leaned back in the seat, sighing. “Sorry. But after last night, I forgot you’re a bird in a cage.” She thumped him, playful, and his smile returned. “See you soon?” he asked.

  It wasn’t right, behaving as if they were a couple that was dating, but she couldn’t let go of this fantasy, not yet. “Yes. I’ll call you.”

  She left the car, and as she approached the large doors of her house, it was as if they reproached her. She unlocked the doors and entered the corridor. Fareeda stood there, her eyes wide as they landed on Ivy. She got the feeling the maid had been stood there a while, waiting for her to return. And now Fareeda’s eyes went to the dining hall. “Your mother is in there.”