Shadow Hunter (The Execution Underground)

by Kait Ballenger

  Another blush crossed her cheeks. She glanced toward the floor before she met his gaze again. Her desire was palpable. He hated himself for it, but he couldn’t hold back any longer.

  * * *

  THE FIERY LOOK in Damon’s normally icy-blue eyes sent Tiffany’s heart thumping hard against her chest. He stepped toward her. She didn’t care if she didn’t know him. He was handsome, strong, intelligent—and dangerous. Dangerous to the monsters they hunted. Dangerous to her. Her mind, her heart. And worse, he was hell-bent on protecting her. For a woman who’d been on her own for so long, been alone for so long, here, finally, was a man who knew her secrets. Understood her on a level no one else ever had. No one except B.

  And, boy, did that spark a fire inside her.

  He reached out and toyed with the edge of her towel. She wanted him, and from the look in his eyes, he wanted her, too.

  She balled up her courage and dropped the towel to the floor.

  Within seconds he was pressing her against the tiling of the shower as his lips met hers. The delicious masculine taste of him flooded her mouth as he kissed her deeply. No one else had ever kissed her, but there was no doubt that Damon’s abilities were mind-blowing. His tongue danced with hers in sensual, soft movements.

  Gently, he suckled on her lower lip. She moaned and bucked her hips against him. Heat rushed to her center. Every inch of her body longed for a man’s touch, for Damon’s touch. She ran her hands over his shoulders and onto his strong muscled chest. Her fingers crossed the hard ridges of his abs before her hand slipped into his jeans.

  A growl rumbled in his throat as she stroked the length of him, feeling the power that came from touching him, knowing she was pleasuring him. His lips trailed from her mouth, and he nestled his head beside her neck so he could kiss the sensitive skin of her collarbone. Shivers rolled down her spine.

  His hands slipped behind her back and cupped her ass, then lifted her with ease so her hips were up against him. He pulled back from her neck, taking in the view of her naked form. Supporting her with one arm, he trailed his hand along her skin and down to the juncture of her thighs. A wave of excitement rushed over her. No one had ever touched her there before. Should she tell him?

  His warm hand nestled between her legs, and he rubbed his fingers in slow circles over her most sensitive flesh. She moaned, and a fresh wave of heat flooded her. His fingers were covered with her sweetness. She was so wet. Should she be embarrassed? He met her eyes and slipped his fingers into his mouth, licking off her nectar. A deep moan escaped his lips. She nearly moaned herself, to know he liked that....

  He lowered his hand between her legs again and massaged her. Fire coursed through her body, warming her in a way she hadn’t known was possible. The last of the water drops from her shower dripped onto her skin. The coolness sizzled against her in an amazing sensation.

  He placed his cheek against hers, his mouth trailing sweet kisses up to her ear. The heat of his breath sent waves of electricity rolling through her body.

  He gently nipped at her earlobe. “You taste so sweet.”

  Still supporting her with one arm, he captured her hand in his and led her fingers down to the button of his jeans. She knew what he wanted. She inhaled a deep breath. She wanted him more than anything imaginable. She was ready for this. Leaning forward, she undid his jeans and his pants fell to his ankles, revealing the hard strong length of him.

  She fought back a gasp. He was enormous, and the thought of him plunging deep inside her sent both chills and fear racing through her body. Kissing her deeply again, he placed himself just outside the entrance to her body. Adrenaline and excitement overwhelmed her as the pressure increased.

  She pulled back from his kiss. “Damon, wait,” she whispered.

  He stopped immediately and met her eyes.

  “I...I...” she stammered. As tough as she was, she was no tigress in the bedroom—not yet.

  “It’s all right, Tiffany, we can stop. I don’t want to pressure you if you don’t want—”

  “No,” she interrupted. “I want to.” Her eyes trailed over the length of his body again. Her desire for him surged and built the courage inside her. She inhaled a deep breath, then let it out in a rush. “I’m a virgin.”

  Damon’s eyes widened.

  She bit back a groan. Did he not want her now that he knew she was so inexperienced? She could tell from his raw sexuality and strong confidence that he’d known his fair share of women. A large lump rose in her throat, and her eyes welled with tears.

  With his thumb he wiped away the tears from her eyes. Then he stroked his knuckles over her jawline, and a slight purr sounded from his throat. His sweet smile told her that he was sincere. “I’ll be gentle with you.”

  Before she could respond, he scooped her into his arms and carried her into his bedroom. He laid her out on the bed. The soft mattress engulfed her in a sea of black sheets. His eyes drank her in. She marveled at the sight of him kneeling over her.

  He ran his fingers over her thighs, and she shivered. “So, you’ve never been with anyone before?”

  She shook her head.

  For a brief moment, she worried what he thought of her. Twenty-two wasn’t too old to still be a virgin, was it? But all her nerves subsided and were replaced with excitement when she saw the ravenous hunger in his eyes.

  “I promise you, I’ll be gentle, and I’ll make certain it won’t hurt.” He slid off her and knelt near her feet. He pushed her legs open, and his lips trailed kisses and soft caresses up the insides of her thighs. Her heart quickened.

  Before she could prepare herself, he ran the length of his tongue over her lower lips. He massaged and sucked the sensitive flesh.

  Tiffany threw her head back and moaned. Electricity radiated from her center, sending waves of pleasure throughout her body. She bucked against him. Her spine arched as heat pulsed through her core.

  He teased her with his mouth until she reached the brink of ecstasy, faster than she’d ever expected. With one more hard pull from his lips, sweet release hit her hard and fast. She clasped her hands around his head, riding his face as he tasted her.

  She gasped for air when he released her. He smiled from between her legs and licked his lips. The look in his eyes was enough to make any woman want him between her bedsheets.

  White hot need crashed over her. She wanted more. She moaned. Oh, she wanted so much more.

  “Damon, can you do that a—”

  A grin crossed his face, and he chuckled. “You don’t need to ask me twice.”

  * * *

  DAMON LATCHED HIS mouth onto her and savored the moment. He could drown in the taste of her, the scent of her. She was divine. He hardened with need as he pleasured her with his mouth. He wanted to be inside her, losing himself in the softness of her.

  No, not want...need. He needed to be inside her.

  But his desire to make her first time magical and painless was more important than his own desire. He intended to make her come until she was so soft, so wet, that the width and length of him would be a welcome relief to her overwhelming desire.

  She moaned. The sound of her pleasure intoxicated him.

  How many women had he turned down over the years because they weren’t his Tiffany? It didn’t matter that he only vaguely knew what she looked like, that he’d never heard the sound of her voice, never felt her touch until now. Despite all that, he knew her, and not one of those women ever measured up to the one woman who cradled his heart in her hands. Hell, she didn’t even know what she did to him. The ache in his chest built. The ache that brutally reminded him that she was so much more than a one-night stand.

  He ran his hands over the sweet creamy skin of her thighs. No matter where or how he touched her, energy raced through every ounce of him. He increased the pull of his mouth as her muscles t
ightened in pleasure. She was so close to climax again, and he could taste it.

  She cried out. Her orgasm gripped her hard, and she bucked her hips against his face from the sweet feeling of release. But he couldn’t let her go yet; he needed to work her until she was begging for him inside her, needing every inch of him.

  Without stopping, he continued to suck her sweetness into his mouth. He angled his chin slightly upward, making enough room so he could position two fingers outside her entrance. Her wetness coated him as he rubbed her slick flesh.

  Slowly, with gently increasing pressure, he slid his fingers inside her. She moaned in pleasure. He curled his fingertips up to the top wall of her core to tickle against her G-spot. He fought back a grin as he continued sucking her. The deep throaty cry that escaped her lips as he fingered her didn’t sound like the cry of a meek virgin.

  “Damon...Damon...”

  The sound of her whispering his name sent power and adrenaline through him. Another release crashed over her, and he felt the bed beneath him rock with the force of her straining and pushing against his mouth.

  “I want you,” she panted.

  He released her and licked his lips. He grinned. “What was that you said?” he teased.

  “I...mmmhhh...I...” She attempted to catch her breath. She kept her eyes closed. All the muscles in her body visibly relaxed from enjoyment. “I can’t say it.”

  He chuckled. “Yes, you can.” He crawled up the bed, lingering over her body, only inches separating them.

  She opened her eyes and met his gaze.

  He leaned down and kissed her deeply, digging a hand into the damp tresses of her gorgeous hair. He pulled away, but only far enough to speak. His lips brushed against hers as he said, “I’ll do anything you want. Never be too shy to ask.”

  She lifted her hand to his face and ran her fingertips across his cheek.

  “Anything,” he repeated.

  A blush colored her cheeks, but fire filled her amber eyes. “I want you inside me.”

  He growled, nipping at the soft skin of her neck before he took her breast into his mouth. His tongue circled over one sweet hard nipple, then the other. He took care to pay equal attention to both her delicious breasts. She sighed, relaxing against him.

  When he released her nipple from his mouth, he positioned himself outside her entrance. Her eyes widened, and a mixture of emotions crossed her face.

  “Don’t be nervous.” He smiled down at her. “I’ll take good care of you.”

  He eased himself inside her, and she whimpered with pleasure. Damon moaned. She was so tight. So unbelievably tight. He’d never wanted anything more than he wanted this. He wanted to drive himself deep inside her, pounding hard into her until she pulsed against him. Being inside her, being so close to taking her hard and aggressively, was like sweet torture. The thought of her screaming his name nearly drove him over the edge.

  With slow movements he rocked into her as gently as he could, careful not to penetrate too deeply. But she caught him off guard. Her walls clenched around him, and she was already teetering on the brink of climax.

  Damn. His whole body shook as he fought to hold himself back.

  White-hot moisture flooded her tight opening. She threw back her head and moaned, eagerly meeting his every thrust as she peaked.

  He gripped the headboard with one hand to brace himself. In all his time hunting and training, nothing he’d faced could compare to the difficulty of holding back from ravishing her.

  Keep your cool. This is about her.

  He whispered against her ear. “How are you feeling?”

  “Like I’m in heaven.” She let out another moan and pushed against him. “Like I want every inch of you deep inside me. Like I want you hard and deep.”

  He clenched his teeth. Everything in him wanted the same. “If you keep teasing me, I might not be able to hold myself back, and I don’t want to hurt you.” He kissed her forehead.

  With a devious grin, she ground her hips into him.

  Damn and double damn!

  He nearly lost it right then and there. Couldn’t she see how hard he was trying to exercise restraint?

  He stroked his fingers over her cheek and pushed into her. “You’re playing with fire. I don’t think you know what you’re getting yourself into.”

  She bit her lower lip in a “come and take me” look and ground into him again.

  “Tiffany...!” All the muscles in his body strained, and he gasped for air.

  Before he could stop her, she kissed him hard and ran her hands over the muscles of his chest. When she pulled away, she smiled and shot him a seductively playful look. “I do know what I’m getting myself into, and I want you deep inside me. Hard and fast.”

  If she really wanted it, he would give it to her. He lightly bit her ear. She whimpered, and goose bumps prickled across her skin. “Anything you ask.”

  * * *

  WITHIN SECONDS, TIFFANY found herself flipped and lying on her stomach, and she marveled at Damon’s strength and power. He gripped her by the hips and pulled her up toward him. Her ass ground against his hips as he positioned himself outside her slick hot entrance he had withdrawn from only seconds before.

  He thrust into her, harder than she expected. She cried out. The pressure as he filled her was amazing. She’d been scared of her first time. She’d been scared of the pain, the bleeding and the embarrassment of lying naked beneath someone’s eyes. But Damon had destroyed all those fears with the intense hunger behind his eyes.

  He wanted her, but he was man enough to take his time with her, preparing her for his possession. As she’d expected, there had been a flash of pain, but she’d been prepared for it. What she hadn’t anticipated was so much pleasure.

  “How deep do you want me, Tiffany?”

  She shivered. The sound of him saying her name sent every nerve in her body into spasms of arousal.

  “However deep you want me.”

  The pressure of his fingers on her hips tightened, exciting her.

  He ran a hand down the length of her spine. “Don’t tempt me. I might not be able to hold back.”

  She inhaled a deep breath. She wanted to hear his pleasure. Wanted him to cry out her name. She was ready. She turned her head to look at him, narrowed her eyes and challenged him. “Try me.”

  The fire in Damon’s eyes blazed, gorgeous and intimidating in its intensity. He let out a dark chuckle. The grin that crossed his face was devious, and sexy as hell. “You asked for it.”

  He thrust into her so deeply that her whole body lurched forward. She cried out and moaned, bracing her hands against the headboard as he pounded into her. His strength was incredible. Her core stretched wide to take the full length of him. Wave after wave of white-hot need pulsed through her.

  “Damon!” she screamed. Her legs shook, and she fought not to collapse beneath him. Her core slickened with wetness and heat. Holy smokes. The man was a sex god—she was sure of it.

  Damon palmed her breasts as he continued to thrust deep inside her. Her walls pulsed against him, clenching. The pressure inside her built until she teetered on the brink of ecstasy, the pleasure so intense it was almost too much.

  Damon rolled her right nipple between his fingers. The tips of both breasts tightened into taut peaks, tingling beneath his touch. “Tell me what you want,” he demanded.

  “You,” she said. “I want you.” The words came out as a breathless whisper.

  “Louder.”

  She raised her voice. “I want you.”

  Pulling harder, he thrust into her with every ounce of his strength. Her whole body shook as he brought her to the brink.

  “Louder,” he growled.

  “I want you!”

  She screamed and Damon let out a harsh groan. W
ith another massive thrust, she clenched against him as wave after wave of ecstasy crushed her. He pumped into her. There was nothing but Damon. His touch, his scent, the feeling of him buried deep within her. She wanted to drown in him and never resurface. She fell onto the bed, unable to hold herself up against the weight of him any longer. He collapsed next to her and pulled her into his arms. She snuggled into his chest and he kissed her forehead, before stroking his fingers through her hair.

  She’d never known such sweet bliss.

  Her body relaxed into his and within moments she was drifting into sleep.

  CHAPTER 7

  DAMON LAY ON his bed wide-awake as Tiffany slept peacefully with her head nestled against his chest. She was the most beautiful thing he’d ever laid eyes on.

  And his best friend’s baby sister.... God help him.

  What had he done? He’d told himself he wasn’t going to get emotionally involved in this mission, but sleeping with a woman under your protection was one hell of a way to keep work separate from pleasure. He’d told himself he wouldn’t touch Mark’s baby sister. Well, he’d done a lot more than touch her.

  He let out a long sigh. What was wrong with him?

  He glanced down again at the beautiful woman lying against him. He knew what was wrong with him. She was everything he wanted in a woman. She was strong, fierce, intelligent, passionate and beautiful. Any man would be lucky to have her, yet here she was in bed with him—a killer. He made his living off destroying things. Granted, he fought monsters and sometimes that saved lives, but it didn’t change the fact that being successful at his job meant being ruthless, cold and bloodthirsty. When emotions entered the mix, that was when missteps crept in and innocents died. That was when good men like Mark died.

  What kind of a lowlife was he that he’d gone to bed with Mark’s sister? Mark had trusted him to write to her with no idea of the consequences. No matter which way he looked at it, there was no justification for what he’d done. Even as they’d made love he’d tried to convince himself that Mark would have wanted Tiffany to be protected. That he would have wanted her to find a man who could defend her and care for her to stand at her side. Maybe at one point that man could have been him. But after all he’d done, everything that had happened, it certainly wasn’t him now.