Ryder slipped inside of her mouth, the sweet and salty taste of him sending her taste buds into overdrive. His musk was heady and natural. His fingers dove into her hair, holding her in place as the thrusting motion of his hips increased in tempo.
“Natalia…”
Fierce and greedy, Cage fucked her hard, his hands gripping her hips in a display of ownership and downright possession. He withdrew and surged back inside of her channel, reaching beneath her to tease and torment her erect clit. The pain from the welts on her back blended with the pleasure unspooling throughout her body, sending a crescendo of sensation through her.
Soon, the three fell into a rhythm, Ryder the first to experience his release. He bucked against her lips and jerked, his hot seed filling her mouth. She swallowed his gift, licking him and sucking him until he was clean and he slid out of her, shaking and spent.
Natalia groaned as Cage maneuvered inside of her, the length of him laying claim to every part of her pussy. She was so close. A whimper escaped her lips and she hung her head trying to keep the telltale tremors from taking her over the edge.
“Not yet, Natalia.” Cage warned, his voice deepening with his beast even as he picked up the pace. He kept going for a few more minutes, finally succumbing to his own body’s urges. “Now. Come now.”
Her body seized, relieved at last to let her release fly. She cried out, a wave of warmth rushing through her lower body as she soared. It was bliss. Cage wrapped himself around her and, even through the pain, she smiled. Ryder held her hand, and she pressed her lips against his skin. The blur of light crept over his skin and she moaned again as any residual feeling of discomfort was gone.
Then, time blurred. The door from the hallway opened and out of the corner of her eye, a man in black burst inside of the room.
He looked like someone she had seen around the club at first glance.
“Ace.” Cage leapt up from the bed, trying to cover her. “What…”
Gunfire filled the small space, and Cage was gone. His movement was sudden, leaving her exposed and shivering. The sound of something heavy falling to the floor made her cry out.
Her head whipped around. It was Ace. They’d never actually spoken, but he’d been in the main room of the club a number of times.
“Cage…” She turned her face toward Ryder. He shook his head.
“Mistress, be still.”
“You shut up.”
That voice. She knew it. It was him.
Motherfucker.
“I’m getting up.”
“Go ahead. Then you can watch your other pretty boy die.”
Panic threatened to seize her but she fought it down. She had to be calm. Her cat hissed and she knew when the light hit her eyes and her fingernails shifted to claws.
“Ryder. Please climb off the bed and go sit on the floor.”
“But…”
She shot him a warning look. “Please. Do as I say.”
He started to climb off the bed, deftly reaching beneath the pillow and removing his phone. It took one press of the phone’s emergency button and they would be on the radar. Only he never got that chance. The shot fired out, knocking Ryder from his perch, sending him tumbling over the side of the bed. He landed on the floor next to Cage, the phone tumbling from his grip.
“Ryder!”
Shit.
She’d anticipated this when she’d chosen this room. Her partner, Holt, was out in the parking lot, ready with backup. She had to get to the silent alarm. It was her only other chance. If she could manage that, the Dungeon Monitors would be alerted faster.
Kill him. Her cat hissed. He hurt our mates.
But then she saw it. The black armband of a dungeon monitor. The bastard had been on staff here the whole time. Somehow, he’d gotten by Cage’s security. That fact alone was horrifying. He looked nothing like he had seven years ago. The only similarity was the cold look in his eyes and the ugly sneer twisting his mouth.
“Down on the floor, bitch.”
She edged toward the side of the bed on her hands and knees, deliberately slow, and she used the nightstand to steady herself. Her finger brushed across the silent alarm as she gripped the small table in a show of her discomfort.
Natalia stood, her body screaming from the kiss of the cane. From this vantage point, she couldn’t see the men. But that also meant he couldn’t, either. Naked, she faced their intruder.
“So, you found me.” She turned to Ace, cold dread churning in her insides. It was up to her to protect Ryder and Cage. Too many people had died at the hands of this asshole. Now, it was time to make things right. He was more tanned than she remembered, and he’d dyed his hair black. “Nice dye job.”
He leveled the gun at her, a sneer spreading across his features. “I could say the same, but I won’t. It merely cheapens you more.”
She pressed her body along the bed for support, her fingers brushing the rattan cane.
If she was fast enough, she could use it. If she wasn’t, they’d all be dead soon enough.
No.
She was the strong one. She’d survived. They were under her protection now. Natalia took a deep breath and stared down the demon who had stolen her life. “I won’t let you do this.”
“You don’t have any say in the matter.”
“I’m afraid I don’t agree.” All the images of the girls swam behind her eyes. The feel of his hands on her skin and the foul whisper of his voice every night when she closed her eyes. The terror thrummed underneath her skin and vibrated through her body. Then the Domme part of her took hold, and her fingers wrapped around the cane.
She thought of Cage and of Ryder. Of the possibilities. Of the future.
He was expecting someone weak, but he was a fool.
“You destroyed my life, bitch.” He stood glaring at her with dead eyes, the tiny scratches covering his face adding fuel to her quiet rage.
Niggles.
A bitter laugh exploded from her lips. “I destroyed your life?” She swung the cane up, keeping it level with the inside of her arm and let the end of the rattan fly against the side of his head. “You hurt my mates and my fucking cat, you asshole.”
The Ripper screamed, the gun discharging into the wall.
“Mates?”
Natalia snorted, and let her cat show herself. Whiskers popped and fur sprouted and Ace’s eyes grew large.
“It took?”
“Yes. It took.” She hissed, slicing at him with her clawed hands.
He yelped, stepping back, and then his own change began. She couldn’t allow him to complete it or everything would be lost.
Natalia moved fast in her stocking feet, her mind visualizing the movement of the Shibari artist and Mistress Gia and her lessons in caning. Firm footing would make or break her. She much preferred it would break him. Natalia angled the cane again, letting it fly. She aimed for the bridge of his nose, and following immediately with another attack to the other side of his head. She repeated the motion, knowing full well the repercussions should she strike too hard.
Then she decided she didn’t give a flying fuck.
He cried out, sinking to his knees, half way between his shift.
She twisted on her feet to strike again, and a hand reached out from behind, holding her hand over the cane. Natalia yelped in surprise and turned to find a wounded Cage at her back. Pale, he took the cane from her trembling hands and enveloped her in his arms.
“You don’t have to do it by yourself anymore.” His voice was rough from his own beast. The scent of blood and violence permeated the air and her stomach soured.
Natalia hugged him tight and he winced. “Hey. Careful. I think one of my ribs might be broken.”
“Oh, Cage.”
The Ripper lay still, the only sound in the room the rasping rattle of his breathing. The door to the room opened and Holt charged inside, a unit of swat officers at his back.
He saw Natalia and scowled. “Damn, woman. Not that I don’t appreciate a g
ood show, but if you knew we were coming why didn’t you put on some clothes?”
Natalia snagged a sheet and wound it around herself. “God, Holt.” Her smile vanished as her gaze flowed over Ryder’s still form. Her submissive mate still hadn’t moved. They had yet to talk about what his true nature was and she grew afraid.
“Cage.”
“They’ll help him.”
“They have to.” Tears threatened and she brushed them away angrily. She had to be strong.
Paramedics pushed through the police barrier, quickly swarming over her and her two men. Cage held on to her fingers until one very insistent medic dragged him away. Another medic arrived, and she was sucked into the whirlwind, but her mind raced with the possibilities.
She’d lost so much only to experience bliss and have it ripped from her yet again. No more. The medic dabbed ointment on the wounds on her back and she smiled through the pain.
“This looks like it will heal.”
“It will. Just give it time.”
Epilogue
“I fucking hate hospitals.” Natalia growled. The gift shops were expensive and flowers made her think of funeral homes. She was just glad the medic had given up on trying to take her in. Now, she just had to get her men and get the hell out. If her partner didn’t strangle her with balloons first.
Holt shoved a balloon bouquet into her arms. “Can you hurry? I have to get back to the station.” He plucked another arrangement off the table and herded her toward the checkout.
“Fine.” Her men were getting out today, and her nerves were shot to hell.
“Come on.”
Balloons floating into her face, she pushed her short legs to keep up with his normal pace. “You could slow down.”
“No, I couldn’t. You want those men of yours to decide to just go on home if you’re not there waiting?”
A twinge snaked through her body. “You don’t think they’d do that?” She walked a little faster, spitting out a curly ribbon that got too close to her mouth.
“Yes.”
Shit.
The long white hallways were freaking endless, but they finally arrived at the front desk. It was two o’clock and just like clockwork, two wheelchair bound men with identical scowls on their faces were pushed down the hall. They stopped in front of the main desk, a series of signatures needed before they could be discharged.
“This is where I get off.” Holt handed her the second bouquet and stepped back. “Good luck.”
“Thanks.”
“No problem.” He leaned forward and gingerly gave her a kiss on the cheek. “Just tell them how you feel. The rest will come.”
“Sure.” It was easy when you said it like that. How did you ask two men to move in with you? Or, at least, take your key so they could work in that direction? She’d been wrestling with that one most of the night. While she’d been up thinking, a sound in the front room had her grabbing her gun and barreling down the hallway. Skidding to a halt, she found Niggles sitting in front of the door licking his paw.
“You’re okay!”
She picked him up and gave him a quick hug, setting him down again before he could claw her.
“I know you missed me. Come on boy. I have some chicken in the ice box.”
The house just hadn’t been the same without him. But even the cat wasn’t enough. She needed her mates.
She stepped outside, waiting for them to finish, her fingers twisting in the ribbons and feeling like an idiot. Two small black boxes rested in her purse. All she had to do was hand it to each of them and see what they said. It was simple. She liked simple, but it still scared the holy mother crap out of her. Even though she’d known them both for a while, recent events had just seemed to balloon up so fast.
The doors opened and nurses wheeled the men out. She rushed over to meet them, the balloons smacking her in the face as she hurried. They stood up and the nurses handed them each a bag with their belongings.
Cage blew out a breath and opened his arms. “Hi, baby.”
She tumbled into his embrace, loving the feel of his arms around her at last. He was her past and, hopefully, a very important part of her future. Now that she’d found him again, she didn’t want to let him go. A balloon wobbled against her, and she was careful not to brush against his wound.
“God. Here. Take this. It was Holt’s idea.” She thrust a balloon bouquet at him, and he chuckled.
She turned to Ryder. His expressive eyes watched her, ever hopeful, but resigned to whatever she wanted. Her heart squeezed a little, and she wanted to roll him into the nearest corner and show him just how much he meant to her.
“Natalia.” Ryder ran his fingers down her cheek, and she leaned in to kiss him.
“It’s so good to see you.” She inhaled his scent, and the girly parts inside of her shivered. She stepped back and handed him the other balloon bouquet.
“Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. But look out. They go for the eyes.”
Ryder smiled. “I’ll keep that in mind.”
Natalia grinned, stumbling over her words. Fuck, this was awkward. “Now that you’re free, what do you guys want to do first?”
“Eat.” Ryder’s tone was deadpan.
“I second that. Hospital food. Disgusting.”
Natalia grinned and pressed a kiss to both their cheeks. God, how she’d worried. “I take it you guys are hungry for some real food?”
“Damn straight.”
“Good. I know this quiet little restaurant where we can talk.” She bent down and picked up their small bags.
“We can get that,” Ryder protested.
“Nope.” She shook her head and fished out the two boxes from her purse, handing them each one. “I think you’d better carry these instead.”
“What?” Cage opened his first and blinked. “Natalia?” He glanced at Ryder. He opened his, a light dawning behind his eyes.
“The future. If you want to give it a chance.”
Ryder met her gaze, unwavering. “Hmmm.”
She sat the bags down and held out her hands to each of them, afraid of what they might say. “I… So… Ugh, I’m not good at this.”
“You don’t have to be.” Ryder snapped the box shut and pushed it into his jeans pocket. He turned to Cage, a quirky smile tugging at his lips. “Does she?”
“No, but I think we can help her with that.” He gave Natalia a naughty wink.
“Does this mean you want to give it a try?” A well of emotion swelled inside her.
“I get to cook.” Ryder leaned forward and took the bags. “And I’m doing the grocery shopping. I’ve seen the moldy cheese and three-week-old leftover takeout in your fridge. No wonder you eat out all the time.”
“Fine, but I get to design the playroom,” Cage responded, his eyebrows moving in a suggestive wiggle.
Natalia’s tummy did a little flutter.
“Let’s go home.” She stared out at the mass and sighed. That is if we can find my car.”
Thank you for reading Craving Her Mates: My Wicked Mates Series #1. If you enjoyed the book, please consider leaving a review on the retailer website where you made your purchase.
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Erzabet Bishop
Turn the page to read a taste of Surrendering to Her Mate: My Wicked Mates, Book Two...
A Taste of Surrendering to Her Mate
A new beginning…
Fleeing from a relationship gone horribly wrong, bunny shifter Clover Frazier makes the choice to start a new life. If only her car had gotten the memo. Stranded in the parking lot of what seemed to be a nightclub, she walks into a world she never knew existed. A new job with room and board are the answer to her prayers, but can she really
outrun the ghosts of her past or will they come back to claim her?
A cat with a broken heart might just learn to love again.
Master Richard has just come out of a five-year Master/sub arrangement after a bitter breakup. He spies the new barmaid instantly, dismissing her as just another pretty face. When circumstances put them in close proximity, his resolve to stay at a distance is put to the test when his prickly panther responds to the luscious bunny shifter. Finding himself enamored by the curvaceous blonde, the teacher becomes the student and this alpha male learns that the gift of trust might just be the greatest surrender of all.
Chapter One
Clover Frazier narrowed her eyes at the engine light glowing up at her from the dashboard and wanted to scream until her throat turned raw or her head exploded. Only twenty-five more miles and she would have been in the clear, but as the old Honda began to sputter and choke, she veered off the highway. If her piece of crap car was going to die, she didn’t want it to be in the middle of fast-moving traffic.
Her rabbit heart in her throat, she didn’t like surprises and there had been enough of those today to last her a lifetime.
Plus, it was dark. In an unfamiliar town, her anxiety was rising by the second. She had to keep it together. It wouldn’t do any good to fall apart, despite the fact events in the last six hours made her want to do just that.
Her cheek hurt. The shiner hidden under the makeup was hard to spot unless you were looking for it or if she turned her face at a certain angle. Lord knew she’d had enough practice covering up Ellis’s conversational ice breakers over the last year and a half. Her relationship with her abusive, now ex-boyfriend, was dust in her rearview mirror. It had to be after this afternoon. There was no more denying what her life had become. It was all a carefully crafted lie and she’d stepped right into the middle of it like a fly to honey.
Her mother had warned her away from Ellis, stating coyote shifters weren’t to be trusted. She hadn’t listened, so now she had to feel. At least, that’s how it felt right about now.
Craving Her Mates (My Wicked Mates Book 1) Page 9
