by Scott, J. S.
A ball of fur launched itself onto the bed, brushing against Talia’s arm. “Pumpkin,” she cried happily, stroking her feline as the cat purred contentedly. “How did you get here?”
Continuing to purr loudly, Pumpkin looked at her like she’d asked a stupid question…which she had. How else would she have gotten here except Drew? “He brought you here, didn’t he?” she asked Pumpkin thoughtfully. “And I’ll bet he didn’t use a cage.” Drew “I-don’t-like-cats” Winston was a fraud. He’d obviously thought about Pumpkin’s welfare before she’d even had a chance to do it herself.
Moving gingerly to the side of the bed after she’d reunited with her cat, she got up and padded into the bathroom attached to the monstrous bedroom. As she moved inside and closed the door, Talia turned around to find her own clothes and toiletries littering the countertop.
“Drew,” she sighed softly, a little smile forming on her lips. The small gesture touched her heart as nothing ever had before. In addition to bringing her cat from his own home, he’d obviously fetched her things from her house and brought them here so she’d have them when she woke. What guy did that kind of thing? No man she’d ever known. Maybe she was just pathetic because those little things meant the world to her, but she knew Drew did it without thinking about it, as though it was his privilege and pleasure to take care of her. It was just one of the many things she loved about him.
I love him.
Talia wasn’t just drawn to Drew by a mating instinct. She really did love him. Maybe she had tumbled into the state soon after she met him, or after admiring his strength of character that had helped him make it through the suffering he’d gone through during the Great Famine in Ireland. She could pick one of a million reasons to love Drew, but the truth was, she did love him. Maybe he was over-the-top protective, but she loved that, too. After being alone for so long, after feeling unloved for so long, the way that Drew cared about her was like an addictive drug. And being the subject of Drew’s obsession was a habit she never wanted to kick.
He’s under the mating influence. It doesn’t mean he loves me.
Talia shook her head in denial as she quickly shed her clothing and stepped into the shower. He might not love her, but he cared. It was more than she had ever had from any other person in her life before, except her mom.
Feeling much improved after her shower, Talia stood in the hallway outside the bedroom, wondering exactly what it would take to win a piece of Drew’s heart. She already had his soul. Was it really necessary to win his heart as well?
The pang in her chest told her that it probably was, and whether it was necessary or not, she wanted Drew’s heart. She loved him enough to want the emotion returned to her. In fact, she craved it.
She looked up and down the hall with a small sigh, wondering which direction she needed to go. Dear old Dad had a gigantic house—a mansion—and she didn’t have a clue where Drew was at the moment. She headed down the stairs, following the distant sound of male voices.
Zach and Drew were sitting at the table in the kitchen, both of them devouring plates of food. She walked over to the coffee pot, finding it still half full. Opening cupboard after cupboard searching for a mug, she felt a little guilty for invading Kristoff’s things, but she was desperate for coffee.
“Good morning, beautiful.” Drew’s deep, sexy tones sounded behind her.
“It’s afternoon,” she reminded him, finding a mug and filling it with coffee. She wanted to tell him she wasn’t beautiful, but she’d given up. Her entire body flushed with pleasure from the greeting, and she knew he didn’t agree with her about her level of attractiveness, so she just enjoyed the feeling of an actual compliment.
“He’s your father, you know. You have every right to drink his coffee,” Drew remarked casually, his voice infused with humor. “How do you feel?”
She took a sip of her coffee. “Better. Are you okay?”
“As well as I can be, after spending the night together in bed with you just sleeping,” he teased, his lilting accent making the words sound sexier and naughtier than they should have sounded.
Drew dropped his fork on his plate and fetched a plate from the oven. “I kept yours warm for you.” He set it on the table with silverware and a napkin.
“You two cooked?” she asked, raising a brow at Drew.
Drew opened his mouth, but Zach answered, “I cooked.”
“Which means he went and got food at a restaurant and we put your plate in the oven to keep it warm,” Drew answered wickedly.
“Don’t tell Kat,” Zach said desperately. “I told her I was learning. I’m trying to be a supportive husband while she’s going to school. But I have no talent for cooking. I get impatient and burn everything.”
Talia sat, eyeing the extravagant breakfast in front of her. She looked at Zach, realizing he was completely serious. Okay…maybe there were a few other Sentinels who went out of their way to make their mates happy. Obviously poor Zach was trying desperately, but failing. “I think Kat probably already knows,” Talia told him mischievously. She had no doubt Kat knew her husband didn’t cook, but nevertheless loved Zach for trying. Talia doubted Kat gave a damn whether Zach could cook or not, but she had to love the fact that her husband tried because he wanted to please her. “If this is what you’re giving her when she comes home from class, I have no doubt she knows you didn’t go from kitchen disaster to master chef that quickly.” Talia picked up her fork and dove into her food. She was hungry and hadn’t eaten since her breakfast with Drew the day before.
Zach frowned. “You think she knows?”
Chewing her food, Talia nodded. She knew the one thing that irked the Sentinels is that they couldn’t seem to produce decent food via magic.
“I’ll try harder,” Zach vowed. “What is that?” He was eyeing the scroll she’d set beside her plate.
Talia wanted to tell Zach that his wife valued his other qualities and wouldn’t give a damn if he didn’t cook. The man was a billionaire, and could afford to buy his food wherever he wanted. But she didn’t bother. Talia was fairly certain Kat would set him straight soon enough. “They’re demon prophecies. I want to study them.”
Zach snorted. “Gibberish.”
Drew nodded his agreement. “I caught Zach up on what happened. More and more humans are dying, and it’s getting difficult to keep up with all the casualties so humans don’t learn of our existence. And we need to get Kristoff out of the demon realm. If you want to study them, Talia, we’d be grateful. We’re going to be busy trying to do what we can to lessen the damage going on right now.”
Itching to look at the scrolls, Talia grabbed the prophecies and started to jump out of her chair. She never made it. Drew reached out and grasped her upper arm gently. “Finish your meal, Talia. A few more minutes won’t matter. You haven’t eaten since yesterday.”
She glanced at Drew, sitting back down when she saw the stubborn look on his face. She wanted to tease him, tell him she could use to lose a few pounds, but she knew where that look was coming from, the look of a man who had seen so many people die during a famine. For Drew, eating wasn’t a joking matter. “If I can figure out how the prophecies are worded or were revealed from those that have already happened, I might be able to decode what the others yet to come actually mean.” She resumed eating, watching as the worried look on Drew’s face started to soften.
Zach rose from his seat and his empty plate and utensils disappeared. Talia looked up at him, a bit startled.
Zach winked at her. “I may not be able to cook, but I do clean up after myself. I have to go. I need to go meet Kat.” Zach looked at Drew. “We’ll figure all this out. I’ll be back later with Kat.”
Drew nodded and Zach disappeared.
“Do you really think we can rescue Kristoff?” Talia asked anxiously.
“We have to figure out how we can get in and use our magic in the
demon realm to help him. We also need to know what kind of deal he cut with the Evils to get us out. We can’t take him out if it will kill him. He won’t die easily because he’s a demigod, but I don’t like the thought of him suffering very long at the hands of those slimy little bastards.” Drew looked at her, tormented. “But we’ll figure things out. Zach and I are going to be busy trying to keep the Evils from revealing our presence on Earth. They aren’t exactly being subtle anymore.”
“Then Kat and I will work on a plan,” Talia replied, dropping her fork to her empty plate and taking a sip of her coffee.
“You’re my radiant, my mate,” Drew protested.
Talia shrugged. “All the more reason for us to get involved. The Sentinels are in crisis, and my father that I’ve never even gotten to know is in the demon realm being held prisoner. Do you expect me to just sit back helplessly while you and Zach kill yourselves trying to save humankind? We may be female, but we’re far from useless.” She folded her arms in front of her and glared at him.
“It has nothing to do with you being useless. I don’t want to see you hurt,” Drew rumbled, bolting from his chair in frustration. “It’s bad enough that I’ll have to be away from you, leaving your protection to guardian Sentinels. I know Zach feels the same way about Kat.”
“Get over it,” Talia told him shortly, rising from her chair to stand in front of Drew. “You need help, and I’ll do whatever I can. I want to be your partner. I don’t have magical powers, but I have a brain.”
“Believe me, I’m well aware of that. I have one, too, but it doesn’t seem to function around you.” His breathing was heavy, and he took a deep breath, letting it out before replying. “I want to be partners. I want you to be my mate forever. I want you to bind with me, Talia. Fuck! I need you to mate with me. I have to make sure you’re mine right now. And safe.”
Talia chewed on her lower lip, thinking. What the hell could she say to that? Drew was obsessed with her protection, and she knew it was a trait that was inbred because she was his radiant and because he was…well…Drew. Everything Sentinel inside him demanded he protect his mate.
“It’s not just the demon in me,” Drew said in a husky voice, his eyes glowing a light amber.
“What?” Talia questioned, knowing he’d picked up on her thoughts.
He moved forward and grabbed her by her upper arms, pulling her closer. “The man in me wants you protected, too. It’s not just my mating instinct driving me, Talia. I want you out of harm’s way.”
Talia sighed. “But I’m not like most women, Drew. I sense evil. Or, at least, I generally do. I know I failed to recognize the Evils before they could take us to the demon realm, but I’m ready and aware of their ability to distract now—”
“And what about their next trick? Will you be ready for that? They’re more powerful than before, Talia. Very little can protect you against them now.” His nostrils flared and his expression was one of pure, male stubbornness mixed with carnal need.
“Then bind us together, Drew. There’s never going to be anyone else for me except you.” She reached up and stroked his hard jawline, her insides twisting with need. “I think I’ve been waiting for you.” Maybe everything that had happened in her life had led up to this moment, this man. Nothing and no one else mattered at that moment. Only Drew.
“I need you to be sure, Talia. There won’t be any going back after it’s done. You can leave me, but I’ll find you. Once we’re bound together, I’ll never let you go.” His voice was rough and ragged, his gaze intense. “More than likely, I wouldn’t be able to let you go now, but I can guarantee that once you’re mine, nothing will keep me from you.”
Drew was more fierce and feral than she’d ever seen him, but she wasn’t afraid. In fact, every word he spoke did nothing but arouse her. This fiery, animalistic part of Drew actually beckoned her, made her body burn like blue flame. “I want to be yours. Take me as your mate.” The fire he’d stoked in her wouldn’t be denied. It went from her belly to her sensitive nipples and landed between her thighs, flooding her core with molten heat. “Please,” she added softly, spearing her fingers through his hair and yanking his mouth toward hers, desperate to feel them connected.
“I plan on it,” he whispered fiercely, demandingly, wickedly, his eyes now radiating golden flames. “And after that, you’ll take me.” His mouth descended, giving her no quarter, and swept her away in his dominant embrace.
Talia’s whole body was quivering as she stood in front of Drew in the bedroom she’d just left a short time ago. Not that she was afraid of what was going to happen, but her whole being was trembling with the desire to be united with Drew. He’d transported them right after he’d thoroughly ravaged her mouth, and she hadn’t even noticed until she opened her eyes to see his beloved face in front of her.
“You understand how the ceremony works?” Drew rasped, sounding like he was having a tough time holding himself together.
Yes. She knew. Drew had explained it during some of his revelations about the Sentinels and demon history. And she knew what was about to happen would be a hell of a lot more pleasurable for her than it was for him. Drew would be restrained, confined, and it would be difficult for him until she marked him. “Yes. Let’s do it fast.” She didn’t want to draw out his torment any longer than she needed to.
Drew barked out a laugh. “So eager, are you?” he asked in a low, graveled baritone. “This won’t be painful for me, mo grha. It will be a pleasure like no other. It will bind me to you.” He slowly started to release the buttons on her shirt, his eyes never leaving hers.
“But the restraints—”
“Won’t matter,” Drew interrupted, placing a finger over her lips. “Being mated to you is something I want more than I’ve ever wanted anything in my entire existence. And doing it fast is not in the plan.”
Drew finished with the buttons and slipped her shirt over her shoulders, letting it fall in a pool of silk to her feet. “What’s the plan?” she asked softly, already shivering with arousal as the cool air hit her skin and Drew’s palm stroked from the waistband of her jeans to her breasts. He traced each hard nipple through the silk of her bra. “I make sure you’re ready for me.”
Talia wanted to protest, to tell him she was beyond ready, but she only squeaked as Drew ripped the flimsy bra in half and her naked breasts spilled into his hands. He drew the tattered bra from her body impatiently and pushed her back against the large, wooden bedpost.
“Mine!” he declared possessively, his hands palming her breasts, teasing the nipples into agonizingly sensitive peaks. “You’ll be ready to ride me, Talia. You’ll want this mating as desperately as I do,” Drew growled, one hand moving to the button of her jeans. His mouth licked and sucked each tender nipple, making her cry out in a sound that was both pleasure and pain. He placed her hands over her head, curling her fingers around the bedpost. “Hold on. Don’t move,” he commanded, his mouth barely taking a break from his assault on her breasts.
Talia gripped the post, actually glad for the support. “Please. Drew.”
She watched as he dropped to his knees and grasped the waistband of her jeans, jerking down the zipper and yanking them over her hips. “Step out of them,” he said abruptly.
Talia kicked out of the denim, and gripped the wood harder as Drew moved his hands up and down her bare thighs. Knowing she couldn’t take much more teasing, she pleaded, “Please stop. I can’t take anymore.”
“You smell needy and intoxicating, Talia,” Drew drawled, ignoring her plea and running his tongue over the outside of her saturated panties, tracing her folds with his tongue. “Do you know what it does to me knowing that only I can make you this way? That I can arouse you until the only thing you can think about is me fucking you until you come apart?”
Talia closed her eyes, leaning her head back against the post. She was needy. And downright desperate. “Then make me
come before I lose my mind,” she pleaded, both loving and hating Drew’s dominance at the moment. Her pussy and clit were throbbing almost painfully, and as he stroked his tongue along the soaked material of her panties again, she let out an anguished moan.
Drew’s control seemed to snap as he heard her sensual agony, and he ripped the lingerie from her hips with one firm, brutal tug. His hands curled over the back of her thighs, urging her legs farther apart and delving between her folds with so much aggression that it was nothing less than a claiming.
“Yes,” Talia hissed, gasping as Drew’s tongue sought and found her clit, rolling the bundle of nerves between his teeth and laving it with his tongue. Her hips thrust forward, begging for more. And Drew gave it to her. He feasted on her pussy possessively as his fingers moved up the inside of her thigh and sought her wetness. There was no hesitation as he thrust two fingers into her empty channel, filling it and claiming it completely. Her hips rocked forward again, her whole body igniting as he relentlessly thrust with his fingers and assaulted her clit with his tongue. An arm wrapped around her hips and his hand splayed over her ass, grasping it to hold her steady for the sensual assault he was lavishing on her.
Talia’s head dropped down with a moan, her eyes focusing on the top of Drew’s head, and she watched as he plundered her pussy with such unyielding, carnal, and erotic determination that just seeing him like that between her thighs was her undoing. She ripped her eyes away as pleasure rippled through her entire being, making her whole body shudder. “Oh, God.” Talia wasn’t sure she was going to live through this climax. It took her body over, and she had to grip the post to keep her legs from giving way beneath her.
Drew was unstoppable as she came, his mouth catching every drop of her liquid pleasure as if drawing nectar from her, prolonging her orgasm until it was almost too much.
He caught her as she fell, her grip on the bedpost weakening as her body pulsated violently. Scooping her up, he kissed her, his tongue thrusting into her mouth, her taste still on his lips. Wrapping her arms around his neck, she returned the pressure of his tongue, trying to tell him without words what this passionate encounter was doing to her.
