“He’s out cold.”
Things were definitely changing and our welcome was running out. I hugged against Liam from behind, not caring if I looked afraid, because I was. Fuck trying to be tough, these were werewolves and I was unarmed.
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I could feel someone else close to me. The smell of soap mingled with aftershave drifted toward me. It was at once new and familiar, like the smell of burning leaves in the fall with a splash of leather.
I turned to see Marco Barak. I knew it was him without being introduced because clearly he was in charge. The other wolves stepped aside as he extended his hand in greeting.
“Marco Barak, pleased to meet you.”
“I’m Luna Randal and this is Liam Corrigan,” I said.
His hand was as warm as his deep brown eyes and his grip was firm. “Yes,” he said. “Your companion and I have met before.”
He was wearing black leather pants that were nearly as tight as Liam’s and I couldn’t help but notice how well he filled them out. His matching shirt looked like silk and hung completely open, showing off his nice tan and washboard abs. His dark hair was shaggy and the beginnings of stubble could be seen on his chiseled jaw.
Pheromones or not, he made my pussy ache with just one look.
However, just because the werewolves could sense my arousal didn’t mean I had to act on it. Surprisingly, I was not embarrassed by my body’s reaction. There was something very primal and raw about the way I couldn’t help being turned on in Marco’s presence. I suppose that was what I found so appealing about Liam as well.
Okay, it was one of the things I found so appealing about Liam.
“Would you care to talk upstairs, in my office?” Marco asked.
His voice was even deeper and rougher than Liam’s. He had the kind of voice that was normally acquired from chain smoking and meant to sing the blues. But Marco didn’t strike me as a chain smoker or a blues singer. Still, I loved his voice.
He walked past us and since he was a few inches shorter than Liam, paused to look up at the shaman. “Try not to electrocute any more of my wolves along the way.” We followed him to a staircase near the back of the room. When we were halfway up the music started to play again.
“I’m sorry about that,” Marco said, directing his comment to me. “It’s only a few days until the full moon and you are gorgeous.”
“Like putting chocolate in front of someone on a diet,” Luther explained as he passed us.
He kept walking back toward the main floor, followed by Marco’s and Liam’s laughter.
“Still, he will be punished,” Marco said, talking to me again. “I expect my wolves to have better control.”
“Don’t,” I said. I hoped my boldness didn’t overstep any bounds.
He paused, looking surprised. “Are you sure?”
Having the wolf king take my opinion seriously helped to calm my nerves quite a bit.
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“He’s already been electrocuted. Besides, I’m not hurt.” He nodded. “As you wish.”
He led us through a red door and into a long corridor with many different rooms off to the side. We went straight down and took a right. All the way at the end of the hall there was another red door that led to Marco’s office. Not only was I surprised at how well the size of the building was concealed from the outside, but I was impressed with his office as well.
A large mahogany desk stood near the back of the room. Behind the desk and along one wall were rows upon rows of books. To my left was a tan leather sofa with dark suede pillows nearly covering it. Against the opposite wall was a matching chair and ottoman with a deep crimson blanket flung across it that reflected in the highly polished wood of the floor. The chair was pulled alongside a black marble fireplace that crackled invitingly, adding to the atmosphere of the room.
“Nice,” I said, as my heels made clicking sounds across the shiny floor.
“I’m glad you like it. Would either of you like a drink?” We both shook our heads as Marco picked up a glass from his desk and saluted us. “Pineapple juice and rum. It’s my favorite.”
Ever since I’d vacationed in Jamaica years ago, it was mine too. If it wasn’t for Rachel I’d never have been able to afford that trip. Remembering this brought me back to the reason for my visit and took my mind off how much I liked pineapple juice and rum.
Marco took a sip of his drink and motioned for us to sit.
I chose the straight-backed red chair in front of his desk and Liam decided to remain standing. The chair was tall and Victorian in style, with ornately clawed golden feet. Yes, the sofa looked much more inviting, but I didn’t want to get too comfortable.
Especially if Marco was insulted by what I was about to say. I was afraid he might take my questions as an accusation.
Marco propped against the desk in front of me, and I watched in fascination as the muscles along his torso rippled beneath the skin.
“I’m sorry about the wait. What can I do for you?” The apology was directed to me and the question was directed to Liam.
The shaman gestured toward me as he spoke, “Something has happened to Luna’s friend. It might be best if you hear it straight from her.” I cleared my throat and realized I was so nervous I could barely swallow.
“It’s all right,” Marco said softly. “I won’t bite.” I noticed he said he wouldn’t, not that he didn’t.
“Please don’t take what I have to say the wrong way,” I began. “I believe my friend may have been hurt by a werewolf and someone said you were the man to ask.” He smiled. “You’d think, huh?” He grew serious again. “How was your friend hurt?”
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Shit. I really didn’t know how to say this to him. “She was eaten. Right in front of me.”
Marco nearly choked on his drink. “By a werewolf? If that’s so I swear you’ll have his hide as a Christmas present.”
Wow. I was really starting to like him.
“I’m not sure. I guess I was too afraid to pay close attention.” I took a steadying breath and decided to be as honest with him as I knew how. “I’ve never seen a werewolf transform before, so I apologize if my assumptions sound ignorant. All I can remember clearly is that it was big, had lots of dark fur and glowing red eyes. I remember hearing her scream, saw her knocked to the ground. She was looking up at it.
There were teeth right in front of her face, jaws opening. And then I turned. I had no choice but to run.”
Marco looked upset by my story. “Were you hurt? Did it chase you?”
“It chased me and ripped off my jacket. But after that it was like it gave up. I ran two blocks before I stopped.”
“I’m so sorry,” he said. “Did you go back and look around? I’m guessing by you coming here that you didn’t file a police report.”
“I went back to look,” Liam said.
We both turned to him. “You did?” I asked.
“I didn’t want to tell you about it until after you’d taken the potion. I thought talking more about what happened would only make your pain worse. I would have mentioned it earlier but I got distracted.” I blushed with the memory of what had distracted him.
“What did you find?” Marco asked.
“Claw marks on the ground and Luna’s jacket. But not one trace of blood.”
“Hmm.” The werewolf ran a hand through his hair as he seemed to consider what Liam had said.
“We didn’t file a police report,” I said. “We didn’t want the werewolf hunters turned loose unnecessarily. Especially if this proves not to be a werewolf.” Marco’s smile showed how genuinely pleased he was. “That’s kind of you. Most people don’t think past their own situation. You say the eyes were red?”
“They glowed in the dark.”
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Chapter Nine
Marco watched me for a moment, like he was consi
dering his next move. Finally, he knelt in front of me and took my hands. His leather pants creaked with the movement and my heart fluttered. There was something so erotic about the sound of creaking leather.
“I’m psychic,” I said. “You might not want to do that.”
“I have nothing to hide,” he said softly. “That’s why I want you to touch me. I want you to know I’m telling you the truth.”
“Did you know I was psychic?”
“You’re not the first empath I’ve met. I could sense it.” He licked his lips and leaned closer. Marco looked down at the floor and when he looked back to me his eyes had turned amber. I gasped.
“Don’t be afraid,” he said. “This is the normal color of a werewolf’s eyes. The only exception I’ve ever encountered is a close friend of mine. His eyes are always blue, even when he takes on the beast.”
I thought about the man with ice blue eyes I’d seen downstairs and somehow I knew that was who Marco was talking about.
“If the creature you saw had red eyes, it was either demonically possessed or it wasn’t a werewolf. To my knowledge there are no rogue wolves in my territory at this time. But I will continue to look until you let me know this situation has been resolved.” He withdrew from me and moved back to prop against the desk. Without the warmth of his body so close to me, I felt the cold return. When he looked at me again his eyes were normal.
There was another question I wanted to ask, but hesitated. After a brief pause I decided I didn’t care if I sounded stupid. After all, these were the first werewolves I’d ever met.
“Are you the king of all werewolves?” I asked.
He laughed softly. “No. I’m the head alpha in the tri-state area. My pack is the largest in the country. Plus, I represent werewolves in their movement for equal rights.”
“He’s become the ‘face’ of werewolves everywhere,” Liam said.
“They should be so lucky.”
Marco smiled at my comment.
“I’m sorry to say I haven’t paid closer attention to the news.” I meant it. I’d read a few headlines, but somehow missed Marco’s handsome face.
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“Don’t worry about it. Most people don’t unless it directly affects them,” Marco said.
Of course werewolves and vampires going public had affected everyone in one way or another. But I knew what he meant. Other than reading tabloid headlines or seeing the occasional broadcast on the news, it had not directly impacted my life until a few nights ago.
“Thank you for your help, Marco,” I said, reaching to shake his hand again. “This has been an unexpected pleasure.”
He smiled again. “How so?”
I shrugged, unsure of how to word my feelings. “You’re so nice.” He laughed as Liam said, “Tell that to the former king.” When I gave him a questioning look Marco explained, “I keep the pelt of my predecessor in my apartment.” He paused. “It makes a lovely throw.” I had no doubt Marco was telling the truth. Now the question was, if I didn’t see a werewolf, what the hell did I see? We got our coats and as we walked out of the club it started to rain again. This reminded me of the hoofprints I’d seen earlier. When I turned to Liam that was what I meant to talk about. There he stood, gorgeous beyond words and being soaked through by the rain, one of his elements. He had no time to block the effect and I could no longer hold back.
Between the werewolf pheromones and my hunger for Liam I was at the end of my ability to resist.
“I need you now,” I panted, grabbing him by the wrist.
I pulled him into an alley beside the club and pushed him back against the brick wall.
“I could block the effect,” he offered.
I ignored him and started unbuckling his belt.
“Cold doesn’t affect me the same way, but you’ll freeze,” he said.
I pressed myself against him, pulling him down for a kiss. “Not if you keep me this hot.”
It was true. Liam opened his shirt and the instant I touched his bare skin I no longer felt the cold. I’d never been an exhibitionist and had no plans to start. However, I didn’t care if anyone saw us or not. The alley was clean and narrow. Most of the cars parked in front of Red covered the entrance fairly well. The odds of us being seen were slim anyway.
The fire escape was lowered near where we stood and Liam tossed his coat over one rung of the ladder. When he looked down at me I knew I was seeing him as he truly was. He didn’t use a glamour to hide the obvious difference in his appearance. But he did block the full effect of his beauty when he stood in the rain. Until now. For the first time I felt the extent of his power as I ran my hands over his body in reverence.
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I pulled off my coat and sweater, tossing them over the ladder as I turned back to him. His eyes flashed bright and I realized then it was his elemental powers that caused them to do so. It was as if the lightning he used before was barely contained beneath the surface.
I pushed him playfully and he hit the wall again. Rain cascaded down his body, completely saturating his shirt, making it cling to him.
“How are you going to get out of those pants?” he teased.
I took a step back, smiling at his challenge. “Watch me.” I unzipped my pants and pulled the wet vinyl down to my hips. Next, I turned so that Liam could see and bent over, reaching for the backs of my knees, giving him a good view of my ass. Simultaneously I slid down the zippers at the backs of my legs.
“Clever,” he said.
I turned back to him. “This way I don’t have to take off my boots.” I peeled the wet vinyl from my legs and Liam let out a growl worthy of a werewolf.
“You like?” I ran a finger underneath the string of my red lace thong. Besides my bra and stiletto boots, that’s all I was wearing.
“I love it.”
“I let Nym pick it out.”
He gave me a slow, side-of-the-mouth grin. “He’s so bad.” As I moved back to where Liam stood, I put my boot flat against the wall beside him. It was a deliberately provocative move and I felt powerful as I watched his reaction. He licked his lips, bringing my attention back to that full, perfect pout of his.
When I reached my hand inside his pants his sharp intake of breath was almost as exciting as the swell of his cock.
“You’re so big,” I moaned.
I felt his smile as he pressed a kiss against my face. “You say that like you haven’t seen it before.”
My laugh was throaty and full of desire as I continued to stroke him. “I don’t know that I’ll ever get used to it.”
I finished unzipping his pants and pulled them down to mid-thigh. “I don’t have any protection,” he said.
“Is there anything contagious about you besides your sex appeal?”
“No.”
I knelt in front of him as I continued to stroke the length of his shaft. “Then when you’re about to come, I want you to pull out.”
My words seemed to make his eyes burn brighter and when I took him in my mouth I thought sparks might fly from his gaze. He held onto the wall, his cries barely audible above the rain as I sucked him.
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I enjoyed watching him and reveled in the way his eyes rolled back when I licked the rain from his shaft. My lips stretched tight around him as I moved. Liam ran his fingers through my wet hair and guided his cock in and out of my mouth.
“Please,” he begged. “I can’t take any more.”
I liked hearing him beg for me, but I liked the feel of his thick cock even more. I used the ladder for leverage, putting one leg on the second rung as I wrapped my other leg around Liam’s waist. He pulled me to him and as I wrapped both legs around him, he turned so that my back was against the wall.
He pulled the thin panties aside and when he thrust into me I screamed. He paused and I could read the question in his eyes.
“I’m fine. Don’t stop.”
He moved slowly in and out. The rain splashed our bodies and thunder rumbled as he pumped my soaking pussy. Just the feel of his thick cock spreading me open was enough to almost make me come. I ached with the need for release. It seemed I’d needed him so long and now that I had him I was incapable of taking my time. When Liam reached between us, he barely touched my clit and I came.
I cried out as he thrust into me again and my muscles clamped tight around him.
“It’s too much,” he said, his voice strained. “I’ve got to pull out.” He withdrew from me and I clung to him as he held his cock between our bodies, turning slightly to the side, and came amid the downpour of rain. His cries of release were lost in another clap of thunder. He lowered me to the ground and we stood there for a few seconds, gasping for breath.
“I’d be so flattered if you told me that performance was for my benefit.” I jumped at the sound of Nym’s voice. We both turned to see him standing at the entrance to the alley just a few feet away. Liam stepped in front of me and passed me his coat.
“How sweet,” Nym teased. “It doesn’t bother you that your dick is hanging out, but you try to protect her modesty.” He laughed and gave his leopard print umbrella a twirl. “No need really. I’ve already seen the show. Nice dick though.” Liam sighed as he pulled up his pants. “You know, I don’t even care why you’re here at this point. Let’s just get Luna out of this freezing rain before she catches pneumonia.”
The rain didn’t feel freezing yet, but I knew it soon would. I guessed the delay was somehow connected to Liam’s magic. The situation was too comical for me to be offended at Nym’s remarks. Not that I would’ve been otherwise. It takes a lot to offend me.
“I do actually have something important to share,” Nym said. “I looked for you in the club and when Luther said you’d already left I figured you couldn’t have gone far without your car.”
“So you looked down the first dark alley?” I said, laughing.
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Nym shrugged. “It’s where I’d take a hot fae with all these werewolf pheromones in the air. The orgasm would be amazing.”
Nym wasn’t wrong in his assumption.
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