by Sedona Venez
“Shit. It’s been a long day. I’m used to skipping dinner sometimes,” he commented before getting out of the car.
“No biggie. I’ll make us something to eat and then we go,” I responded while following him out of the car.
He arched a brow. “You cook?” he asked gruffly, putting an arm around me, steering me toward the elevator and away from Bones’s more-than-interested stare.
I cast a quick glance at him, only to find he was watching me. “Of course I cook.” My breath caught when I saw something flash in his eyes.
“Well, you don’t have to worry about cooking. Rosa normally handles the cooking.”
The elevator finally arrived and I sauntered onto it. “Rosa?” I responded with a forced infusion of nonchalance. He punched in a code and the door closed. Feeling awkward about his lack of response, I turned to him and stared.
He turned toward me, watching me patiently. “Rosa’s my aunt.”
I nodded, looking away momentarily, upset I let on that I even cared.
“You do know what type of clientele Redemption caters to?” His voice jarred me from my thoughts. His full focus was still on me.
What the hell? I rolled my eyes. “Yes. Everyone knows about Redemption, Ryker. It’s the hottest sex-capade in town.”
Redemption was an upscale restaurant known for its anything-goes vibe. Vivica, a former model, who was also a vampire, owned the well-known private restaurant. It was more of a VIP restaurant frequented by the rich and famous Others and humans, with a long waiting list. The difference between Vivica’s restaurant and other celebrity-frequented restaurants was everyone who came here wanted their privacy because of the type of acts that took place there. Sexual acts orchestrated on a stage for all to see while patrons ate, watched, and, given proper motivation, had their own private show in their private booths.
“Tonight is going to be a little different. She’s throwing an intimate party for a few of her VIP vampire clients. The theme is going to be a little darker, giving her clients the opportunity to live out their fantasies.” He paused. “To be seen, watched, and played.”
I shrugged. “What’s the big deal? She throws invite-only kink parties several times a year.”
“This party is primarily for vampires to get blood, from Others and humans who want to walk on the wild side and like to be bitten and have sex,” Ryker told me matter-of-factly.
“It’s not my thing, but hey, live and let live I say.” I stared at him. “Do you normally go to her kink parties?” I asked boldly. I couldn’t imagine him ever letting a vampire bite him, but looks could be deceiving.
His nostrils flared slightly. “No. Vivica’s kink parties are way too dark for my tastes.” He ran a hand across my cheek. “I’m more into private play. What about you?” His steady gaze pinned me in place.
My stomach tightened as heat crawled through my body. I stared boldly at him. “I love to watch. But I reserve my naughty play for private.” I finished breathlessly as my heart hammered like I’d been running a marathon. I could feel my nipples poking against my silk blouse. The dampness in my panties intensified. Shit, I really needed to get off this elevator before I did something stupid like unzip his pants and wrap my lips around his surging manhood.
RYKER FOUGHT TO KEEP HIS mind off her intoxicating scent, but the honey-sweet scent of her wet sex filled the air like perfume. His wolf rattled his cage, fighting to get out. His hands fisted as he fought the beast with all his might. His beast clawed his insides and Ryker bit his lower lip from the vicious pain. His plan for a one-night stand with Light was turning into something more meaningful… deeper. He knew now she was the one he had waited for all his life. Something that his beast knew from the moment he met her… She was his… his mate. But Light wasn’t ready for him. He could tell by the way she tried to stamp down her own arousal. She wasn’t ready to give him what he needed… her trust, her heart, as well as her body. He could feel her distress from fighting her needs and emotions.
He reached forward, slamming his fist against the button, stopping the elevator.
“What the fuck—?” Light’s eyes widened in confusion.
Her words were lost as he took her wrists, putting her arms around his neck. Pushing her legs apart, he moved between them. Hand on her ass, he slid her closer until her mound rubbed against his throbbing erection. He pulled back, enjoying that her body trembled from his touch. He cupped her cheek before sucking on her lower lip, drawing it into his mouth, his tongue sliding across it, enjoying the lovely sweetness of her pouty lips. His beast rattled his cage as he grabbed her close, swallowing her sighs and moans in his mouth. He was unrelenting, taking the kiss deeper.
I WAS TREMBLING ALL OVER. My hands dug into his wide shoulders so tightly my fingers ached. I rocked against his muscled body, both shocked and excited at the hardness of his penis, which pushed into my stomach. His hand slipped beneath my blouse. I grabbed it while pulling my lips away. I wasn’t a prude. In fact, I loved sex, but after spending a lifetime picking and fucking all of the wrong men, I decided months ago celibacy was the only way to stop the vicious cycle. That and the fact the empath madness was getting worse with each man I slept with.
“This is not a good idea, Alpha.” I was surprised at the huskiness in my voice.
He rubbed his nose against the sensitive spot on my neck. “Why?”
“You know why. Because it will be messy and complicated, and I don’t do messy and complicated.”
He looked at me with a wolfish smile on his sexy lips, which made me take a step back with alarm. My clit thumped and before I knew what was happening, he pressed his body against mine. Ryker’s tongue darted out and caressed my neck intimately before nipping it so hard that jolts went straight down to my pussy. My body wanted to do this. Not to worry about anything long-term or the ripple effects it may have. But my mind rebelled. I tried to step away from him, but he held me tight.
“I don’t like to be touched,” I hissed at him.
He watched me with delicious intensity, which immediately made me all hot and jittery.
“Really? Because it smells like you love my touch,” he responded with a sensual swirl in his voice.
I was uncomfortable that he saw me too clearly; it was frightening how my body reacted with one look, one inflection in his voice. What was infuriating was that he was right. I loved his touch. I loved it way too much, and that was the fucking problem. No sex, I chanted over and over again. I licked my lips as I examined his dark, brooding looks and all I could think about was how badly I wanted to wrap my legs around his narrow waist and ride him like a stallion.
No, no, no. This was a fucking mistake. I knew deep in my gut that it would never be as simple as sex with Ryker. He would want more control… and wouldn’t settle for less than my submission. His phone rang, yanking me out of my near panic.
“Don’t move,” he growled low and sensually, reaching for his cell. “Yeah?” The fingers of his free hand caressed my throat and jaw as he stared at me. “I’ll be there tonight,” he drawled into the phone.
Like a coward, I jolted the button. The elevator began to ascend.
Ryker smirked. “Look, I’ll call you back in a few minutes.” He hung up, turning all his attention back to me. “I guess playtime is over,” he stated with amusement.
I moved to the other end of the elevator as if it changed the closeness of our proximity. “Playtime was a mistake. A mistake never to be repeated.” His eyes narrowed at my brutally cold detachment. I pressed the button frantically, as if it would make the elevator move faster.
“It’s like that?” he murmured.
I swallowed hard. “Don’t have a clue what you’re talking about.”
He shook his head. “I don’t play games, darling. So if you want to act like what just happened didn’t, I won’t make it fucking easy. What we felt was special, but if you want to deny it because you’re too fucking scared to explore it further, that’s all on you, darling.” The el
evator opened and he looked at me with a blank stare. “Follow me.”
I glanced down at my hands. They were shaking. Badly. Not from fear. It was the first time I regretted my inability to form normal relationship attachments.
Without another word, we stepped directly into a grand foyer leading to a magnificent living room and dining room with floor-to-ceiling windows showcasing panoramic views of Central Park and the city. We walked into the luxurious penthouse. I followed him past an impressive collection of artwork into a large living room with a small, gorgeous, raven-haired woman sitting on the sofa, sipping a glass of red wine. Her eyes lingered on me curiously. Then she turned to Ryker.
My eyes narrowed when Ryker kissed her on the cheek. “Rosa, whatever you cooked smells delicious.”
Rosa patted his cheek affectionately. “Risotto with black truffles.” Abruptly, Rosa looked over at me with a ridiculously white, beautiful smile, making her look even more gorgeous. “Ah, there she is… Lightning Credence. Get your beautiful ass over here.” She patted the spot next to her.
The woman used beautiful and ass in the same sentence… I instantly liked her. “I don’t mind if I do.” In one smooth move, I sauntered over to the sofa, sitting down with a sigh.
Ryker’s cell rang. He looked at it and snapped, “I need to take this. Rosa will show you around.” He walked away without another word.
Rosa poured another glass of wine, handing it to me. “A messenger delivered your luggage. I had them placed in the room next to Ryker’s.” She looked at me warmly.
“Thank you.” I took a sip of wine, staring right back at her curiously. She couldn’t be more than thirty, with golden-tanned skin and clear green eyes that seemed to reach into my soul, reading everything.
Rosa took another sip of wine. “He’s been waiting for a long time,” she uttered. “And so have you.”
“Waiting? Waiting for what?”
“For the one to fill the emptiness,” she stated matter-of-factly.
I started at the observation but tried to play it off. “No offense, but there is no ‘emptiness’ for me, especially not for your nephew.” I took a huge swallow of wine. “I saw Sophia. So I know how he fills his emptiness,” I snapped.
Rosa smiled quickly. “There was a time when he was wild and slept around a lot. But I haven’t seen that guy since he came back to New York. Why do you think that is?”
I bit my lip. “Rosa, I can’t say. I really don’t know Ryker at all.”
“He was waiting for you.” Rosa stated this as some sort of fact.
I glared at her silently. Rosa gave me another pointed look.
“Look, Rosa, I don’t know where you’re getting your information from, but you don’t know me or why I’m here—”
She shooed me with her hand. “Ava explained everything.”
My eyes widened. “You know my aunt?”
“And your mother. I’ve know them for years. I used to work for them before I found my mate. It was a long time ago, but true friendship never ends.” She smiled.
I stared at Rosa. “Wow… just… Does Ryker know?”
She shrugged. “Of course. There was a time when my father kicked me out of the pack when I refused to accept a mating with a wolf-shifter from another pack. Your mother and aunt took me in and gave me a home without any strings attached. And I started working for them because I wanted to, and when I was financially set, I left, forging my own way. I traveled the world aimlessly and eventually found the love of my life… a human, and settled down.” Her eyes saddened. “And when he died, I drifted a little. I returned when Ryker came back to lead the pack. I still don’t want anything to do with pack life, but I’m here to take care of my nephews as much as they will allow me.” She smiled. “I always wanted children and I can’t wait to spoil theirs.”
I looked at her with a new respect. “I see.”
She looked at me pointedly. “Do you? He’s a good man.”
“Rosa… I’m dealing—”
“I know. But sometimes if you open up a little, you would be surprised at what you find.” She set her glass down, standing up. Abruptly, she pulled me up, tugging me into a big bear hug. For a few seconds, I stood there awkwardly. The woman patiently waited for me to hug her back. Only then did she let me go. She held my hands, looking at me warmly. “Now let’s get Ryker. You need to eat before you get ready for Vivica’s party.”
I looked at her sharply. “How do you know that?”
Rosa winked at me. “I know more than you think, empath.” She tried to give me an innocent look but failed.
I LOOKED AROUND THE LUXURIOUS bedroom grumpily. I was annoyed Ryker hadn’t come out of his office. Rosa and I had a hilarious dinner, where we ate too much food and drank way too much wine. And the girls’ bonding session still hadn’t ended, surprisingly, much to my enjoyment. I arched a brow, watching Rosa circle the bed, looking at the outfits I laid out as potential picks.
She pointed to the skintight short black dress. “I like this one. The more skin you show, the better.” She smiled at me saucily. “It’s what my ass of a nephew needs to see. Show him what he’s missing, no?”
I wanted to giggle at the look on her face; it combined with her annoyed voice, which mixed with an Italian accent straight out of a cinematic movie. I strolled over to her, looking closely at her choice as she swirled the wine in her glass.
I smirked at Rosa. “Woman, are you trying to get your nephew laid?”
Rosa sipped her wine with a naughty look. “Most definitely.”
I shook my head. Rosa was absolutely crazy, and I loved it.
I took another sip of wine. “You know that’s not going to happen, right?”
She looked at me smugly. “That’s what Storm said and now she’s mated to my nephew Knox.” Her eyes narrowed. “You and Ryker will require more hard work, but I’m willing to put in all of the hard work required to make it happen.”
I rolled my eyes. “Okay, um… good to know.” I plopped down onto the chair tiredly. “Why don’t you come with us tonight? You can party.” I wiggled my brows. “And maybe get your kink on.”
Rosa pursed her lips with distaste. “I’m open to a lot of things, but getting bit and fucked by a vampire is not on my to-do list.”
I laughed. “It’s not on my list either, but I’m going.” I wiggled my brows. “I love to watch kinky fuckery.”
“What a naughty girl! It’s going to be fun watching you take down Ryker like a deer.” She pushed me toward the bathroom. “Go take a shower. We need to get you all hot and bothered. It’s time to show my Ryker what he’s missing.”
“I’m surrounded by people as crazy as me. This is not a good thing,” I mumbled.
RYKER SAT IN THE BACKSEAT, waiting impatiently for Light to come down. Jackal and Rip sat up front, displeased about attending Vivica’s party. They both hated vampires. Ryker wasn’t partial to vampires himself, but Oskar Orlov agreed to meet him at the party. And he needed to get the peace treaty talks back on track, plus find out what the cold bastard knew about the Shadows.
Jackal glanced at his watch. “It’s eleven o’clock. Where is she?”
“What’s up with the time thing?” Rip replied calmly.
“It’s late. It’s bad enough I have to go to this damn party.”
Rip glanced at Ryker. “He’s so fucking uptight.”
“Shut the fuck up, Rip,” Jackal snapped.
Ryker shook his head as he texted Soar the leads he wanted him to follow up on. He didn’t want to talk about Light right now. She was starting to be a damn pain in the ass. In fact, he wouldn’t even be taking her to the party if she hadn’t stubbornly pushed to go. She was right. If he left her here with Bones, she would only figure out a way to manipulate him and escape to the party anyway. The last thing he needed right now was for her to be roaming around Manhattan, open game for whoever had a contract on her and her family. He knew what the real problem was. For the first time in his life, he met a woman who d
idn’t even want to give him a chance. When he touched her, she yielded beautifully, even when her reaction confused the shit out of her. Everything about Light intrigued him, her stubbornness, her intelligence, and her curvy body. But the choice to let him in, to trust him, had to be hers, up until she handed the right to him.
The elevator opened and Light strutted out into the garage. Ryker stared. How could he not? Light was a visual stunner. She wore her jet-black hair loose and straight with a hint of curl around the ends. Her skintight black mini-dress slid over her curves like it was designed solely for her. Its hemline stopped several inches above her knees and allowed glimpses of skin. Part smolder, part fury—she walked over to the vehicle. Light exuded a hip-thrusting sensuality that would intimidate most men… but he wasn’t most men. A curvy five-foot-nine, she stepped lively in a pair of thigh-high, peep-toe boots, which made his fingers clench, wanting her unabashedly curvaceous body. Rip scrambled out with a look of admiration stuck on his face before opening the door.
Ryker frowned when he realized it had been hours since he’d last seen her. His jaw tightened. He actually missed her annoying ass.
“Let’s get this party started, shifters,” she yelled while sliding into the back seat. She smiled at him, locking eyes with him.
Everyone was silent until Jackal cleared his throat. “Um… are we ready to go?”
Light gave Ryker a sexy smile. “Get that look off your face, Wolfie.”
“What look?”
“The one telling me you wouldn’t mind bending me over your knees and spanking my ass like I’ve been a bad girl.” She crossed her legs slowly.
An image of those sexy legs wrapped around his waist while he pumped her hard and fast flashed through his head. He was seconds from coming in his pants like an uncontrolled teenager.
He was starting to love this woman. “And are you a bad girl?”
She winked at him. “The baddest girl you’ll ever know, Wolfie.”
