The Bride Hunt Box Set Books 1 - 3

by Hartnady, Charlene

  Candy moaned, she widened her stance and arched her back. Torrent kissed her between her shoulders as he pulled his pants down. “Do you want your ass on that vanity and your legs around my hips?”

  She loved how he always checked with her. Where? What position? Fast? Slow? Harder?

  She moaned louder, closing her eyes and rocking her hips.

  “Choose right now or I’ll decide for you,” he groaned.

  She also liked that he could be so damned bossy. Candy giggled. It came out sounding strangled and husky. She arched and thrust some more, catching his gaze in the mirror. His eyes had lightened up. Shit, but he was turned on. The muscles on his neck popped. He looked tightly wound. She licked her lips and moaned some more.

  “You’re such a damn tease but I love it,” he chuckled. He glanced down and then gave her ass a squeeze and a hard smack.

  Candy yelped. Torrent gripped her hips and pushed himself inside of her. All the way, only stopping when his hips were flush against her.

  Candy was panting. She gripped the vanity.

  He cursed softly. “I love being inside you,” Torrent rasped. His muscles bulged. His pecs, his neck, his arms all roped and bulged. He was beautiful and masculine and just so goddamned sexy it took her breath away. He grit his teeth as he pulled back and thrust into her … hard. His fingers dug into her hips.

  It was her turn to curse.

  He didn’t wait for her to catch her breath, he thrust back into her again, and again, and again. His eyes stayed on hers. Her mouth hung open. She struggled to get enough air into her lungs. Her boobs jerked and shuddered with each hard plunge. She didn’t care.

  Felt. Too. Good.

  Candy had to brace against the counter even though Torrent held her tightly. Her pussy fluttered and he groaned while sucking in his lower lip.

  With a devilish smile, he let go of her hip with one hand and pressed it into her … oh hell … oh damn … self-combustion. Her orgasm ripped through her and she couldn’t help but to moan his name.

  She loved these heightened senses. Loved. Them. He leaned over her and grunted, his dick swelled as he began to jerk. Then he nipped her neck, just below her ear … oh god …. Oh …. Oooooh…. Her channel spasmed so hard she wasn’t sure she’d ever be the same again. This time she may or may not have screamed. She wasn’t sure. He slowed his thrusting and kissed her neck, still grunting each time his cock slid into her.

  Torrent’s chest heaved. He went from kissing her neck to sticking his tongue into her ear and nipping at her lobe. She giggled and shivered. His shaft was still hard and deep inside of her. It twitched. “You’re insatiable,” she panted.

  “Do you blame me?” He was out of breath. “You can’t blame me.” He sucked on her earlobe some more. “You feel so damned good.” His big hands slid up her hips before clasping her breasts. “So incredible.” He squeezed her flesh gently. Then he moved one of his hands down, rubbing her more rounded belly before rubbing her clit some more.

  It was crazy how he could get her off in one second and turn her on again in the next. Like her multiple orgasms had never happened.

  There was a whining sound, which quickly became two whining noises. This was followed by a scratching noise.

  “Oh flip!” Torrent pulled out of her. He opened the bathroom door. “I’m sorry, kids.” Claws clicked on the tiles and the dogs looked up at them with their big brown eyes, leashes still attached to their collars. “You poor babies,” he added, before turning to her. “Hold that thought.” He brushed a kiss on her temple and handed her a towel.

  She smiled at him. “You’re terrible. You couldn’t even take the dogs out before mauling me.”

  “You said that like you hated it. Your pussy sang a different song.” He grinned.

  “You pig.”

  “It’s part of the reason you love me so much. I’m part pig, part dragon.” He bobbed his eyebrows.

  She choked out a laugh. “You’re right.” He was about to walk back to her. “Don’t forget about the kids. You already forgot them once today.” She put her hands on her hips and tried to sound stern.

  His eyes widened. He’d totally forgotten about them … again. “I’ll make it up to them,” he looked down, “by taking you out on an extra-long walk.” His voice changed as he spoke directly to the dogs.

  His eyes moved back to her. “I’ll be back. Get into our bed and make sure you’re naked.” He made a growling noise in the back of his throat. “I’ll try and be gentle this time.”

  “Maybe I can ride you?” She had to talk him into it the first time. Something about shifters needing to be in control at all times.

  His eyes lit up. “Oh god … that would be awesome. Will you wear your cowboy hat and boots?” His expression was pinched.

  She laughed. That was something else she’d had to talk him into, bedroom props. It only took one time and he was hooked on all counts. “Um …” She reached up and kissed him on the side of his mouth. “More like a sports bra. The girls are getting too big. It’s all the burgers, pizza—”

  He kissed her to shut her up. “You love eating those things.”

  “Yeah, I do.”

  “I love your curves, fucking love them.” He leaned down and sucked on a nipple. “I’ll take you any way I can get you. A few pounds heavier or lighter, it makes no difference.” It warmed her heart ‒ all of her organs ‒ that he meant it.

  One of the dogs whined again.

  “Shit! Stop distracting me.” He looked down at Siggie who had jumped up on his leg. “It’s your mommy’s fault, guys. Blame her.” Her heart squeezed as he said it. Mommy. Maybe her scent would change tomorrow.

  “Hey!” She pretended to be mad. “It’s your daddy’s fault, guys. All him.” Another clench. Her mate would make such a good father.

  Torrent cupped her cheek. “No sports bra. I’ll hold them. I have two hands and a mouth.”

  Candy laughed, forgetting about her heat, or lack thereof.

  Chapter 25

  Three days later …

  Candy lay in Torrent’s arms. She felt the rise and fall of his chest with each deep breath. It was early yet. She looked toward the big, bay window; the sky was turning. Dark becoming light. Night turning to day. A new start, new beginnings and possibilities.

  The sun was still hiding below the horizon, but not for long. The sky slowly bleeding with shades of pink and yellow. The black starting to hint at blue. One or two stars were still visible.

  “Hey,” Torrent’s voice was still thick with sleep. He kissed the top of her head. “You’re awake early.”

  She shrugged. “I couldn’t sleep anymore. Look at that sunrise. It’s almost a waste to sleep.”

  “Yeah. It’s amazing.” His head was higher on the pillow behind hers. He pulled her more firmly against him, her back to his chest. His cock nestled more firmly against her ass. Torrent inhaled deeply, his hips giving a tiny, circling thrust. She didn’t think he even knew he had done it.

  He buried his head into the back of her neck. “Mmmmm, you scent of heaven.”

  Was she in heat?

  Is that why she smelled differently?

  Could it be?

  Torrent released his hold on her slightly. “Why did you just tense up?”

  Oh shit! What did she say to that? She wasn’t completely sure she wanted a baby, and she didn’t want him to get his hopes up. She was still young. There was time. She would only be really sure when the time came, when her body finally decided to pop an egg. Arghhh! What was wrong with her?

  “Is everything okay?” His voice was laced with concern.

  “Yeah,” she tried to sound relaxed ‒ because she was relaxed. Why was she even over-thinking this? “Great,” she added.

  “Mmmmmm,” another deep rumble. “Why don’t I believe you?” He pulled away, making space so that she could turn.

  He raised his brows as she turned to face him. “Out with it. What’s up?”

  She shook her head. “It�
�s nothing.” Less than nothing.

  “I can see that something is going on inside that head of yours. I would like it very much if you told me what it was. Even if it is nothing.”

  She huffed out a breath. “Fine, but it’s not a big deal, just something that jumped into my head.”

  “Okay.” He smiled but quickly turned serious.

  “I was just wondering just now … you know …” she paused for a second to gather her thoughts.

  “Yeah?” he prompted.

  Okay, maybe she paused for longer than one second but who was counting. “I was just wondering when you told me that I scented of heaven if, well, if …” Another pause.

  “If,” his jaw clenched, “you were in heat,” he said. His eyes dipped down and his lashes fanned his cheeks.

  She could see by his reaction that he hadn’t said it for that reason. “Don’t worry about it though. It’s not important. It just popped into my mind. You asked why I tensed up.” She was talking too much. Talking too quickly. “You asked and I told you, but …”

  His gaze lifted and her words dried up.

  His beautiful pale gaze held hers. “Don’t try and pretend it’s not important. I can see it is.” He cupped her cheek in his big hand. “Don’t pretend with me.”

  “Okay.” She pulled a face. “I guess I do care. I don’t know why though. We talked about this. I don’t even want kids yet … I want them,” she quickly added, “just not right now.”

  His eyes glinted and the corners of his mouth gave a momentary lift. “You’re still worried?”

  She nodded. “Yes, I guess I am. I can ovulate. I must have or I wouldn’t be here, so what’s wrong with me? I want children, more so now that I met you. I want us to be a family one day.”

  “Firstly, we’re already a family and secondly,” he kissed her, “I want kids too. Lots of them.”

  “Hey …” She gave his chest a small shove. “Don’t get ahead of yourself.”

  He smiled for a beat. “I don’t like that this is bugging you. Don’t think I haven’t noticed.” He paused, clearly in thought. “I initially thought that you had dropped it, but then you kept asking me, in different ways, if you were in heat. I’ve heard you ask Sky as well. You do know that it’s considered foreplay if a person sniffs another person, don’t you? You keep making her sniff you,” he grinned.

  “Oh no, really?” No wonder Sky had looked so uncomfortable, every single time.

  “Yup,” he smiled but it didn’t last long. “You do realize that if you were with a human male …” His eyes darkened and narrowed. She could see that he hated the thought. “You wouldn’t have known whether you were in heat or not. This whole thing wouldn’t be an issue.”

  “I’m not with a human.”

  “Thank Claw.” He kissed the tip of her nose. “I did a bit of research on the subject. I googled a human female’s cycle to—”

  “You did?” Oh wow! That was so sweet. Then something occurred to her. “Wait a minute. Are you worried? Is that it?” She sucked in a breath and covered her mouth. “Have you changed your mind about being okay with me if … if …”

  “No,” a rasp. “I will never change my mind about anything that doesn’t include being with you. We belong together. If giving up my crown in order to keep you makes me selfish then so be it.” He looked more deeply into her eyes. “Don’t ever worry about my wanting to be with you or our relationship. You don’t have to.”

  She nodded. “Okay. I’m glad.”

  “The reason I Googled it was because it still bugged you and I knew this conversation was coming.” He ran a hand through his hair. “A human female ovulates once a month on average. We know this already. There are things that can prevent a female from ovulating. Stress is a big factor. You were abducted and hunted. You and I had a bit of a rocky start. This whole life,” he lifted his eyes for a moment, “here with me is new to you.”

  “I’m not really that stressed. Maybe I was initially, but not anymore. I’m so happy it’s ridiculous. I don’t think that’s it.”

  “It could be,” he paused. “It could also be,” he sighed, “based on what I researched, that your body is taking a while to get back to its regular cycle after being on those pills that stop pregnancy.”

  Candy nodded. She hadn’t taken her birth control since coming here.

  “I read that it can take months to have an ovulation after stopping.” He frowned. “One thing that I found puzzling. You should not have gone into heat in the first place. Not if you were taking the pills.”

  Candy frowned as she tried to digest what he was saying.

  “You were monitored for several months before being chosen to come to us. In that time you had to have gone into heat at least once.”

  “Mmmmm …” Then it occurred to her what it might have been. “I had an ear infection a few months before coming here. My doctor prescribed antibiotics … medicine,” she added when she realized he didn’t know what antibiotics were. “I was warned to take extra precautions during that time because the medicine affected the effectiveness of the pill. I may have ovulated …in fact …” She racked her brain. “I can’t think of anything else. I always took my pills religiously. I always insisted on extra precautions anyway.” She stopped what she was saying when Torrent’s jaw tightened. “Um … yeah.” Awkward!

  “I’m sorry.” He brushed a kiss on her lips. “Ignore me, I’m a jealous idiot.”

  Candy smiled at him. “At least you realize it nowadays.”

  “If it makes you feel better, maybe we can arrange to go and see a human doctor. They can run some tests.”

  Candy shook her head. “I’m being silly. It must be the whole stopping the pill thing. It doesn’t matter, I’m sure it’ll happen soon. If I don’t ovulate in the next few months maybe, just to put my mind at rest, we can go and see someone. It wouldn’t be because I’m ready to start trying or anything.”

  He grinned. “Okay, if you say so.” She could see that he wasn’t buying it.

  “I mean it. I’m not ready to have a baby yet.”

  “Sure thing.” His grin only got bigger.

  “I’m serious.” She gave him another shove.

  “So am I.” He pulled her towards him. “About making love to you, that is, and right now.”

  As if on cue, one of the dogs whined. There was a scratching on the side of the bed.

  Torrent slumped back down and made a groaning noise. He was still smiling so she could tell that he didn’t really mean it.

  Using an elbow, she lifted herself so that she could look him in the eyes. “See, even animals are hard work, can you imagine what a small baby would be like?”

  His eyes sparkled in the morning light. “Yes, I can,” his voice was a tad on the husky side. Was he a little emotional talking about this? “It would be amazing and wonderful and,” he gave a big sigh, “we already have to get up early and sometimes even during the night, so we may as well have a little one while we’re at it.” That moment of tension, of emotion passed. “A mini you would be amazing.”

  “Yeah, except I can’t have a girl.”

  He shrugged. “That’s okay.” He tweaked her nose.

  “I’ll get up for the dogs.” She leaned in and kissed his cheek. “You sleep in a little.”

  Torrent shook his head. “Nah … but I wouldn’t mind some company if you feel like coming along?”

  “What, and miss out on a morning stroll on a day like this? Sure.”

  * * *

  Ten days later …

  They were grouped on the large balcony that jutted from the main hall. Fifteen males, excluding himself, packed tightly on the landing. They were all big. And powerful. The best fighting males in the water kingdom. Torrent oversaw this team himself. The pinnacle warriors. Their places on the team were all hard-earned.

  Torrent looked from one warrior to the next, making sure that he locked eyes with each of them. “Today’s practice will be about testing stamina. Not strength, or stea
lth or speed, but stamina. Peak too soon and you will fail. On the other hand,” he paused, “not pushing hard enough could also result in failure. It’s finding the balance that will be most important.”

  One of his top warriors looked uncomfortable. His whole stance was tense and he shifted his weight from one foot to the other and back again.

  “Is there something that you wish to say, Surge?”

  The male returned his gaze, unfazed that he had been singled out. He gave a deep nod. “I am questioning how a long, arduous flight would help in battle. Strength, speed and stealth are what counts. Stamina …” he shook his head. “You are training us to flee. To succeed at being able to get away even when pursued.”

  Nonsense. Utter bullshit! It was the first thing that came into his mind. He pursed his lips to keep from saying it. He had always welcomed questions, encouraged his team to speak up. His way was not always necessarily the right way. Well, it was mostly the right way but not every time. “What if our enemy were to flee?”

  “That would be different. However …” Surge cocked his head. “If we were strong enough, we would defeat them before they could even think of fleeing, there would be no need for stamina.”

  Torrent had to suppress a laugh. “It would take huge amounts of strength to achieve a feat like that. Unless the opponent was greatly outnumbered, I can’t see that being the case though.”

  “Strength, brute force ‒ that is where our focus should lie.”

  He could feel Surge’s frustration. The male was most often the victor when it came to battles that tested strength. Not so much when it came to stamina. Surge hated to lose. It was important that he make the male understand why stamina was important. He was sure that deep down this warrior knew it already. He just needed a bit of extra convincing.

  “It should be both in equal measure. Let me explain it another way,” he spread his hands. “Battle, in many ways, is like rutting.”

  This earned him a few sniggers from the males. It certainly got all of their attention. “A big cock will go a long way in ensuring a positive outcome …”