Will rubbed his hand up and down Petra’s upper thighs. “I hope there’s some room for me, too.”
She remained silent and Will gently clutched her thighs. If Petra was trying to tease him, he didn’t like it.
Smiling, Petra kissed him quickly. “Of course.”
Growling, he moved his hands to her waist. “Then why take so bloody long to say so?”
She grinned. “Because it’s fun. I like making you squirm.”
At the humor dancing in her eyes, Will’s irritation eased a fraction. “It’s nice to see you opening up, Petra. I love all of you, but it’s good to see some of your humor is still intact. I think we’re going to need it in the future.”
Placing her hands over his, she answered, “Don’t be so negative. Look at everything Jaxton, Millie, and the others have accomplished since we met them. I think Neena has a chance at winning.”
“I’m not sure whether to be glad we’re on the same side or scared at relying on that woman,” Will muttered.
“Well, she’ll definitely be scary if we don’t get to work soon. Maybe I’ll find the answers we need today and then I can ask for my fantasy.”
“But your leg—”
Petra waved a hand. “There are plenty of ways to work around that. Besides, it barely hurts at all anymore.” He frowned and she added, “It’s the truth. If you won’t believe anything else, then believe this—I’m done with keeping secrets from you. I love you and don’t want to lose you again. If the pain in my leg becomes too much, I’ll tell you.”
Searching her eyes, his desire to protect battled with the honesty of her words. “I don’t want to lose you either. I guess it just means I need to find a solution first. That way I can postpone the fantasy until after the cast comes off.”
She smiled with mischief in her gaze. “If you think I’m waiting that many weeks to see you naked, I may have to jump you when you wake up in the morning. A little skin-to-skin friction should melt all of that steely resolve.”
He nipped her lip. “If you lay on the bed and let me be on top, then I might be willing to negotiate.”
Will took her mouth in a rough, quick kiss. Sooner than he liked, he pulled away. The sight of Petra’s reddened lips only reminded him of what he needed to win to have those beauties caressing every inch of his body. Just the image of her plump, warm lips around his cock made him a little hard.
Petra whispered, “Why did you stop?”
He chuckled. “What happened to staying on Neena’s good side and doing our work?”
“I’m to be the responsible one again?”
Standing up and holding out his hands, Will answered, “Come here, love.”
She took his hands and he gently pulled at the same time as Petra balanced on one foot. Picking her up at the waist, he sat her down on the desk so he could stand between her legs. With one possessive hand on her arse and the other on the nape of her neck, he murmured, “Just show how much you love me with a kiss and then we’ll get to work. I may even give you a five minute head start.”
Petra tilted her head. “I can’t imagine you giving me an advantage.”
“Why not? It just gives me the chance to memorize every line and curve of your body while I watch you.” He nibbled her lip. “I will never tire of looking at my woman.”
Petra’s breath hitched and her eyes turned wet. “I keep thinking this is all a dream and I’ll wake up alone, without you.”
He brushed the hair from her face. “I’m not going anywhere. And even if this were a dream, I’d search high and low until I found you again. You fill an emptiness in my very soul, Petra Brandt. I took you for granted once, but I’m never doing it again.”
“Kiss me, Will.”
Lowering his head, Will slipped his tongue between her warm, soft lips. He’d barely stroked inside before Petra threaded her fingers through his hair and stroked back.
Pulling her body closer to his, Will wasn’t about to screw up his second chance.
Hell, he couldn’t believe she’d given it to him. Deepening the kiss, he took his time showing Petra how much he loved her with his mouth. No matter if he had to jump out of a helicopter to save her, Will was going to fight to keep Petra Brandt.
He just needed to stop the bloody curse first or they’d never grow old together.
Epilogue
Several Months Later
Will adjusted the focus on his microscope. He was about to jot down his latest findings when his computer chirped. Lifting his head, he met Petra’s gaze. “It’s done.”
Since Petra sat at the desk, she was the first to click the mouse. Data and graphs popped up on the screen. Will moved to stand behind her. After a cursory scan, he muttered, “Bloody hell. You were right.”
Leaning her head back against his abdomen, she replied, “Glad you can admit that. It means I won.”
Placing his hands on her shoulders, he gently kneaded. “Forget about the bloody competition for a second. After months of sequencing individuals inside DEFEND and compiling the data, the computer algorithm was finally able to pinpoint the genome sequence in those with latent abilities.” He tapped the screen. “That’s it.”
The blinking line consisted of a mixture of the letters A, C, G, and T, which spelled out the unique code of instructions used inside every cell.
Petra placed one of her hands over his on her shoulder and squeezed. “I think you missed the other half of the big news on the screen. Look at the list of subjects positive for that sequence.”
Will glanced over to the right. Several of those with latent abilities, including himself, were listed. Then he spotted a specific name and frowned. “Your brother.”
“I wonder why he hasn’t displayed any sort of special power yet. Considering he’s around Kiarra and Yana often enough, the proximity to two Talents should bring it out.”
Will grunted. “It’s more likely he’s hiding it from us. I know he’s your brother, but there’s a reason Jaxton hasn’t let him out of the training sessions yet to help Millie gather information on the Collector—Dom hasn’t earned anyone’s trust yet.”
Petra sighed. “Can we discuss Dom and his issues later? After all, we just made a pretty damn big discovery, even if we haven’t managed to complete our research on the first-borns and their elemental magic.” She slid from the chair and moved to lean against Will’s chest. “But before we share the news and Neena makes us test every known member of DEFEND, I think you need to pay up.”
Will wrapped his arms around Petra’s waist. “I’m not so sure about that. After all, you only discovered part of what’s needed to win the bet. Not only do we still need to identify the exact sequence for first-borns, we also need to figure out what to do with the identified sequences. Waving around a piece of paper at the Collector’s coerced army isn’t going to stop them or suspend their abilities.”
“Give it some time. Neena has provided us with resources beyond our wildest dreams.”
“Only because she uses her foresight on the stock market,” Will grumbled.
She lightly slapped his chest. “Can you stop being grumpy and just humor me? We’ve earned the right to celebrate this discovery before being bogged down with even more work.”
He hugged Petra tighter against him. “I’m just being honest.”
Her gaze turned mischievous as she moved a hand to the back of his neck and lightly brushed his nape with her fingers. The light touch sent a rush of heat through his body, straight to his cock. It took everything he had not to clear the desk of the computer equipment with one swoop and take Petra right then and there.
Her warm breath tickled his chin as she murmured, “I love your honesty.” She kissed his jaw. “But right now, I still say I won the bet and want to collect.” She nibbled his earlobe. “What do you say?”
“We can debate whether you’ve won or not later.”
“Will, I won—”
“We can play out your fantasy later. Right now, I need you.”
; Will lowered his head and kissed her.
~~~
Petra barely had time to open her mouth before Will claimed her lips. At his heady taste, she moaned and Will possessively gripped her ass cheeks. As he rocked her body against his erection, Petra pushed against his chest and gasped. “Take off your clothes. Now.”
He nipped her neck and licked the sting with his tongue. “Such a demanding creature.”
Not waiting for permission, she ripped open his shirt, the buttons flying every which way. At Will’s sound of protest, she said, “That’s why we have spares in the closet.”
Shrugging out of his shirt, Will moved his hands to his pants. “Unless you want me to rip your clothes off, because I will, then get undressed.”
Petra didn’t waste time tearing off her shirt and wiggling out of her skirt.
Stepping out of the skirt, she couldn’t help but smile. She had started wearing them most of the time because of easy access.
Will’s warm hands at her shoulders, slipping off her bra straps, brought her back to the present. After sliding them off, he reached around and unhooked her bra without trouble. The bra fell to the ground and Will waggled his eyebrows. Petra laughed. “You’re so proud of that skill.”
Cupping her breasts with his hands, he gently squeezed. “Because it gives me access to your beautiful breasts.”
He rubbed his palms against her nipples and a gentle warmth transferred from his skin to hers. The dull green glow told her the reason. “Again, Will.” The light flared and a jolt travelled through her body. Will’s primary power was healing, but he also had the ability to warm up a body. “I love your hands.”
Releasing one breast, he lowered his head and murmured, “Good. I plan to do it often.”
He took her taut nipple between his lips and sucked her deep. Fisting her hand in his hair, Petra arched her back.
God, her man had a talented tongue.
Releasing her nipple with a pop, Will stood up. Brushing his warm hands down her body and to her arse, he lifted. Petra wrapped her legs around his waist, his hard cock nestled between her thighs. She asked, “So if not the fantasy, then what?”
Will walked toward a raised table in the center of the room. Knocking the file folders on the floor, he sat her down. “I have yet to take you on this table.”
Smiling, Petra wiggled against Will’s hardness. He sucked in a breath and she did it again as she purred, “It’s a good thing we always lock the doors now because I’m not about to let you go until you give me an orgasm.”
Will cupped her face and gave a rough kiss. “I think you need more than one. After all, I need to reward you for your discovery.”
She opened her lips to reply, when Will ran his hand down her thighs and put pressure on them until she released her grip. Once he was free, he sunk down.
She half-expected him to lick between her legs, but he kissed down her leg until he reached the large, gnarled scar on the front of her shin; a stark reminder of the break that had left her with a limp.
Pressing his lips to the scar, he lingered for a few seconds before raising his head. He whispered, “You are beautiful just the way you are.”
Emotion choked her throat. “Will.”
“I’m just being honest.” Running his hands slowly up her thighs, he was soon eye level with her core.
One second passed and then another. All Will did was stare, which sent a rush of wetness between her legs.
Impatient, Petra was about to lower her hand to her clit when Will moved forward and licked her slit. Moving her hands behind her, Petra arched to the ministrations of his tongue. Each lap caused her skin to tighten and warm.
With a flick against her bundle of nerves, Petra moaned.
Sucking her tight bud hard, Petra closed her eyes. The pressure was building. Just a few more licks...
Will pulled away.
Snapping her eyes open, Petra met his gaze. “I was close, Will.”
He took his erection into his hand and stroked slowly up and down. Petra’s gaze zeroed in on the action. She couldn’t help but notice the tip glistening.
Will’s husky voice filled the room. “I want your first orgasm on that table to come because of my cock.”
Licking her lips, Petra met his eyes again. “Then what are you waiting for?”
Will rushed forward, encircled her wrists and held her hands behind her back with one hand. With the other, he slapped his dick against her swollen flesh. “I know you like both gentle and rough. But right now, I want to take you hard.”
Petra placed her feet on the table. With her knees up, she widened her legs. “Then take me, Will.”
Will lowered his head and kissed the corner of her mouth. “I love you, Petra Brandt, for so many reasons.” He kissed the other side. “But I think I love you most for accepting me, faults and all.”
Before she could do more than open her mouth, Will thrust into her core and she cried out in pleasure.
Will took her lips in a rough kiss and swiped his tongue between hers. With her arms trapped behind her, she was at the mercy of Will’s kiss, his light caress of her breast, and his cock between her thighs.
Yet he didn’t move his hips, so Petra wiggled hers. Growling in her mouth, Will pulled out and pounded back in. He repeated the action, each thrust increasing his pace.
He broke the kiss to command, “Keep your hands behind your back,” before releasing them and taking a better grip on her waist.
Never breaking eye contact, Petra’s breasts bounced in time with Will’s hips. The love, heat, and intelligence in his eyes caused warmth to flood her body and touch her heart.
If she had any say in the matter, Petra was going to keep him for the rest of her life. How she’d nearly given him up, she couldn’t understand.
Will growled. “I love your brain, but stop thinking right now.”
“Maybe I just want to make you work for it.”
Keeping one hand on her hips, he moved the other to her clit and flicked. Still sensitive from his mouth earlier, Petra sucked in a breath. As he stroked again, Will murmured, “Now I have your attention.”
She opened her mouth to reply, but Will pinched her tight bud and Petra moaned. The dual stimulation on her clit and between her thighs felt delicious, causing heat and pressure to fill her body.
Will pressed his thumb hard and it sent her over the edge. Lights flickered behind her eyes at the same time she grabbed and released Will’s cock.
A few second later, Will stilled and roared as he came, the sound echoing in the room.
When he finally slumped forward and drew her body close, Petra wrapped her arms around him. Snuggling against his chest, she was content to listen to the rhythm of his breathing and his heartbeat. The sounds reminding her she was loved.
Sometime later, Will kissed the top of her head and broke the silence. “Petra Brandt, will you marry me?”
Her heart skipped a beat. After a second of shock, she pulled back to meet Will’s eyes. “Yes.”
He grinned. “Maybe I should add a caveat—will you marry me and promise not to fake your death to run from a drug lord?”
She grunted. “That’s hardly romantic, William.”
Laughing, he cupped her cheek. “But it’s the truth. Never hide things from me again, Petra.”
She softened at the fierceness in his eyes. “Never.”
“Then kiss me, woman, to seal the deal.”
She brought his lips down to hers. As they kissed slowly, savoring each flick and swipe, Petra could barely believe she had found her happy ending after all. Despite years of heartbreak, fear, and anger, she and Will had found one another again. It was as if they were meant to be together, no matter what happened.
*~*~*~*
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The next book in the AMT series should be longer than this one and will be about one of the Talents (either the Earth Talent or the Wind Talent). We’ll also learn a
lot more about the Collector. My goal is to get it out sometime in 2017, but I don’t have any more details than that right now. (The AMT books take me a lot longer to write than my other series!) You can join my newsletter on my website to keep up-to-date on all of my newest releases. Turn the page for an excerpt from one of my other series.
Sacrificed to the Dragon
(Stonefire Dragons #1)
In exchange for a vial of dragon’s blood to save her brother’s life, Melanie Hall offers herself up as a sacrifice to one of the British dragon-shifter clans. Being a sacrifice means signing a contract to live with the dragon-shifters for six months to try to conceive a child. Her assigned dragonman, however, is anything but easy. He’s tall, broody, and alpha to the core. There’s only one problem—he hates humans.
Due to human dragon hunters killing his mother, Tristan MacLeod despises humans. Unfortunately, his clan is in desperate need of offspring to repopulate their numbers and it’s his turn to service a human female. Despite his plans to have sex with her and walk away, his inner dragon has other ideas. The curvy human female tempts his inner beast like no other.
———————
Sacrificed to the Dragon: Complete Edition is now available on all major online retailers.
———————————
Excerpt:
Chapter One
Melanie Hall sat in the reception area of the Manchester Dragon Affairs office, tapping her finger against her arm, and wishing they’d hurry the hell up. She’d been sitting for nearly an hour, and with each minute that ticked by, she started to doubt her eligibility. If she didn’t qualify to sacrifice herself to one of the British dragon-shifter clans, her younger brother would die; only the blood of a dragon could cure her brother’s antibiotic-resistant CRE infection.
Flare of Promise (AMT #4) Page 13
