Her finger jabbed at the close door button, and he was probably too shocked to even try and stop it. Or he was too occupied with that blonde bimbo. An ugly, hot feeling coiled in her chest making it hard to breathe. Her wolf had come so close to the surface, and she didn’t need a mirror to know her eyes were probably still glowing.
A sharp ding startled her, and the doors opened to the garage. While she didn’t have her car, she didn’t care. She’d walk all the way out on foot if she had to.
“Mika!”
Fuck! She turned toward the door to the stairwell just as it swung open, Delacroix bursting from behind. He actually took six flights of stairs? The determined look on his face as he charged toward her made her flight-or-fight response kick in, and she chose to flee. It didn’t matter where she was going, she just ran in the opposite direction as fast as she could. She had a good head start, or so she thought. As a hand grasped her arm, her vision suddenly went dark. She blinked and instantly realized where she was.
“You bastard!” Her eyes adjusted quickly to the shadows as she attempted to get free of his grip. But he was too strong, like his strength was amplified here. He flipped her around so she faced him, his arm snaking around her waist.
“Cher, stop. Stop. Mika.” He backed her up until she felt something solid behind her, then pinned her arms over her head as he loomed over her. “Please.”
“Why are you doing this? Just let me go.”
“Oh, cher.” He traced a finger down her cheek. “I can’t. You know I can’t.”
“What do you mean …” No, she did not want to know what he meant. “Why don’t you just go back to her? Seems like she doesn’t mind having you close by.”
He let out a chuckle. “Don’t be jealous, cher.”
“I’m not.”
“Of course you’re not.”
She let out an indignant squeak. “Why do you have to do that?”
“Do what?” Even in the dark she could sense his smile.
“Agree with me like that.”
“You’re mad because I’m agreeing with you?” he said, his tone amused. When she didn’t say anything, he continued. “Mika, there’s nothing going on between me and Shelby. She asked me to show her how to get out of a sleeper hold, and I said I’d think about it to be polite, but I don’t plan on teaching her anything. Or even being near her if it upsets you.”
“You can do whatever you want with anyone you want. I don’t care. I’m not jealous.”
“I don’t want to do anything to anyone,” he said. “Except you.”
Desire sizzled through her veins. “Shut up. What are you—” She gasped when his other hand came down to cup her belly. Normally, she hated it when people even attempted to touch her pregnant belly, but now … the warmth from his hand seeped in through all the layers of clothing she wore, and spread through her entire body.
“Mika,” he gasped, his eyes wide as he stared down at her. “I …”
She didn’t know how such a simple thing could make sexual energy explode inside her, but it did.
“You want me,” he said. “I can smell it.”
“Hormones,” she spat. “It’s just hormones. And you’re the closest male available to me.”
In the darkness of the shadows, his eyes glowed like twin bright stars. “Oh? And you’ve made use of other available males?”
She wanted to tell him yes, but bit her lip instead.
“I didn’t think so.”
Cocky bastard.
“Let me help you with those hormones, cher.”
“How? By taking me to the laundromat?”
“Non.”
Goddammit, the way he said that one word made her brain short circuit.
She shouldn’t.
No, it was a bad idea.
The worst idea.
But he was offering.
“This is just sex,” she said, her voice trembling. “Nothing else.”
“Mm-hmm.”
“And no kissing.”
“Mm-hmm.”
“I—” Her words died in her throat as he bent down to press his lips to her neck. The scent of damp grass, smoke, and dark sex was even more intense in the shadows, and a low growl of need escaped her mouth. “Marc, we should go back to—”
As if reading her mind, he pulled them back into the light. Her eyes shut briefly, and when she opened them again, she realized they were already by her car. “How did you do that?”
“Should I explain or drive back to The Enclave?”
“Drive.”
They scrambled into the car, and she’d barely clicked her seatbelt on when the engine roared to life. Sexual tension crackled in the air, even as they sat inches apart. Stealing a quick glance at him, she saw the look of concentration on his face as he drove, brows drawn together, lips pursed tight.
When they pulled into The Enclave, she said, “Your place.”
He didn’t argue, but instead, quickly turned the wheel to head toward the group of buildings that comprised the Center Cluster, maneuvering the car into the garage of one of the smaller buildings and pulled into one of the empty spots.
She followed him out to the elevators, neither speaking or touching as if doing so would break the tenuous agreement between them. When the car stopped on the fifteenth floor, he motioned for her to get out first, then led her to the apartment at the end, opening it quickly with the keys he fished out from his pocket.
When she stepped inside, she wasn’t really sure what to expect. It was spacious, that’s for sure, bigger than her own apartment. It was decorated comfortably in neutral colors, neither masculine or feminine, but surprisingly both at the same time. The space opened to a large living and dining area and an open kitchen. While apartments in The Enclave were subsidized, units like these were usually reserved for senior, higher-up clan members or families who need the space. She guessed there were probably two or three bedrooms in the place. How did he score this?
“I need to take care of something,” he said. “Make yourself comfortable.”
Before she could say anything, he disappeared down the hallway on the other side of the room. Unsure what to do, she took off her coat and scarf, then walked toward the living area and sat on the couch. She looked around; her eyes drawn to a stack of books on the coffee table.
“Huh.” She picked up the heavy volume on top and read the title aloud. “Guide to Pregnancy and Childbirth?” Glancing back at the other books, she read the titles carefully, one by one.
What to Expect When She’s Expecting
Pregnancy 101
Baby and Me
So You’re Gonna Be A Dad
Her grip loosened on the book in her hand, and it landed on the carpet with a soft thud. The books looked well-thumbed through, and several pages had been dog-eared. Did Delacroix—
“Cher, is everything all right?”
Her heart jumped to her throat.
Chapter Twelve
“Cher, is everything all right?”
Delacroix had waited for this moment to happen for what seemed like forever that when it finally did come, he realized how woefully unprepared he was. Of course, he had no idea that tonight would be the night she finally gave in, and if he had, he would have cleaned up his bedroom this morning. He had only moved into this new apartment a few days ago, and what little possessions he did have were still in boxes scattered around. He quickly tossed them into the walk-in closet and straightened out the sheets on his bed.
His question made her start, and she all but leapt off the couch. “I’m fine.”
He took a step forward, watching her carefully. Had she changed her mind? Hopefully not. She clearly wanted his body; he just needed a chance to show her she also wanted the rest of him. His resolve to have her only strengthened when his hand touched her belly rounded with their pup. She and their baby were now the twin stars in his universe, shining so brightly nothing else mattered. He would kill for them, die for them. His wolf wholeheartedly agreed.
The realization made him freeze. He couldn’t move, shock gripping him. So, she came to him, raising a hand to cup his cheek.
Turning his head, he nuzzled at her palm, moving lower to the pulse at her wrist, breathing in her scent. He traced his lips up her elbow to her shoulder and along her collarbone. As he moved to the soft skin of her neck, he thought to steal just one kiss from those plush lips. But no, he didn’t want to scare her away, not when he was close. Besides, he knew he would have to earn that privilege, and it would be all the sweeter a victory.
“Bedroom,” she gasped, and he didn’t need more of an invitation than that.
He dragged her down the hallway as he continued to kiss every bit of skin he could, his fingers deftly unbuttoning the front of her blouse. As they entered his bedroom, he pushed the fabric off her shoulders and let it fall to the ground, then reached for the hook on her bra.
“Wait.” She crossed her arms over her chest. “Turn off the lights first.”
“But why?”
“They … my body’s changed so much.” She cast her gaze downward. “You won’t … you’ll find it weird.”
“Cher,” he said gently. “Please … don’t say that.”
She swallowed audibly. “Don’t say I didn’t warn you.”
He smiled at her reassuringly, then reached behind to remove her bra. Gently, he pulled it away from her, careful not to graze at her skin, then tossed it aside. Her breasts, which had already been a handful before she got pregnant, were now fuller and heavier. And her nipples now took on a darker color, and the areola had grown much bigger.
“I told you,” she said, her voice barely a whisper.
“You’re right, you have changed.” He lowered his head to kiss each breast. “You’re even more beautiful now.”
She gasped as he took a nipple into his mouth. While he was tempted to tease and bite her, instead he licked and sucked gently, increasing the pressure in increments to make sure she wasn’t uncomfortable. When her breath came in short pants, he knew he’d found the sweet spot and continued the ministrations, giving each nipple equal attention.
“Marc,” she moaned, digging her nails into his scalp. “I can’t …”
He lifted his head, then led her closer to the bed, just by the edge of the mattress. Kneeling down in front of her, he hooked his fingers into the waistband of her leggings and panties and pulled them all the way down, assisting her by lifting her ankles as he took them off, along with her shoes.
“So gorgeous,” he murmured as he gazed up to admire her body. How could she even think he wouldn’t find her attractive? Yes, her body was changing, but that didn’t mean he didn’t desire her. Taking one ankle in his hand, he lifted it and placed it on top of the mattress.
“What are—oh!” She braced herself on his shoulders as he moved his head between her thighs.
Her delicate pussy lips were slick with her juices, and her scent intensified, filling his nostrils and making his cock harden until it ached. He moved forward, touching his mouth to her slick cunt, gently at first to test how sensitive she was. Her flavor was subtly different than he remembered—better, more womanly—and it was driving him insane. She thrust her hips forward, and he licked and sucked at her, driving his tongue between her folds, her gasps and moans telling him what she liked. As her fingers tightened in his hair, he worked his tongue deeper, feeling her clasp around him. She mewled in disappointment when he removed his mouth, but let out a gasp when he replaced it with his fingers. His mouth closed around her clit and sucked at the delicate bud until she was screaming with her orgasm and pulling at his hair.
Before she came down from her pleasure, he maneuvered her onto the bed, making her lie back. He moved between her legs, spreading them to make room for him. “Tell me if I’m hurting you.”
“You can’t,” she said, looking up at him with those emerald green eyes. “I just … I need you.”
Many of the pregnancy books he’d been reading in the last couple of days had sections on sex, so he tried to recall what they said. He wanted to look at her while he made love to her, so hopefully she wouldn’t be uncomfortable lying on her back. Spreading her knees wider, he bent her legs and planted her feet on top of the mattress, then eased his hands under her hips to lift her up.
He took his aching cock and pressed the tip to her entrance. Slowly, he pushed in, watching her face for signs of discomfort as he filled her, and finding none, continued until he was fully in her. Watching her like this, her body so ripe and her pussy tight and hot, was making him crazy. Not yet. He gritted his teeth and moved tentatively.
She threw her head back and closed her eyes, lip catching in her teeth as she bit down. He moved his hands up her hips, steadying her as he gave her short thrusts, enjoying the feel of the slick and soft heat of her pussy around his cock.
“More,” she urged, moving her hips up. “I’m not going to break.”
Nodding, he shifted positions, and began to rock into her, working up his thrusts to a steady rhythm. “Look at me, Mika,” he said through gritted teeth. “I want to see your face when you come.”
She obeyed without question, staring up at him, and damn if that didn’t make him want to come right then and there. He reached over to the top of her pussy, playing with the bundle of nerves until she squeezed around him, her face twisting in pleasure.
He went faster, deeper, thrusting into her with all his might. She loved it, it seemed as she met his thrusts, her eyes locking onto his as if daring him to go harder. “You want it, cher?”
“I—oh—yes!” Her cunt squeezed around him tighter, and he pinched her clit. “Fuck!”
He thrust all the way in. “Come, cher. Do it.”
A cry ripped from her mouth as her body lifted off the mattress, and her thighs squeezed around him. He watched her beautiful face, her skin flushing as her orgasm spread through her, emerald eyes on him. Her pussy pulsed around him, and when she was done, he lost all control. He clutched her hips, rutting hard into her, murmuring all sorts of words in French and English that he couldn’t even recall later. All he remembered was how hard he came and how drained he felt as he emptied into her.
Spent, he rolled over, staring up at the ceiling for what seemed like a long time. When the feeling returned in his legs and arms, he glanced over at her. She turned on her side, her eyes shut as her heavy breaths became slow pants. A sheen of sweat covered her gorgeous flushed skin, and his eyes immediately tracked down to her naked, swollen belly. God, he’d never seen anything more beautiful in his life. He just stared at her in wonder, a whirlwind of emotions growing inside him.
Time seemed to stretch on, but it was only minutes later when she opened her eyes. Gone was the passion-fueled look on her face. A line of worry furrowed between her brows, and her lips pursed together. “I should go,” she said, rolling away from him.
I don’t think so, he said to himself, but he recognized the skittish expression and body language. Even now, she was turned away from him as she scrambled around for her clothes. So instead, he climbed off the bed, picking up her discarded panties as he stood up. “Here,” he said.
“Thanks.” She took them from him, unwilling to meet his eyes.
“You should take a shower first,” he suggested casually. “Get refreshed.” His wolf protested, not wanting her to wash away their scent.
“I … thanks.” She scampered off like a rabbit, disappearing into the bathroom.
Using his keen hearing, he waited until he heard the shower turn on. After counting to five, he went in. Steam had barely fogged the enclosed shower, so he could see her curvy silhouette through the glass. His cock twitched in anticipation, ready to take her again. Moving quickly, he opened the door and slipped in.
“I—shit!” She whipped around, hand over her chest. “You scared the hell out of me. What are you—”
He reached behind her to grab the shower gel, but also trapped her between his body and the wall. “I needed a shower too, cher
.” His eyes greedily devoured the sight of water sluicing down between her heavy breasts and over her bump.
“You could have waited,” she grumbled.
“It’s my shower,” he pointed out. “Besides, we should conserve water, non?” He squirted some shower gel over her chest. “Oops, sorry.”
She glared at him. “Accident?”
“Mm-hmm.” His hands cupped her slick breasts, fingers teasing the sensitive nipples, making her moan aloud. Backing her against the tiled wall, he pressed his hips against her so she could feel the hardness of his cock.
“Marc, please …” She ground up against him.
He hooked his hand under her knee and positioned between her thighs. “Yes?”
“Yes … oh. Yes!”
As his senses awakened, Delacroix was immediately aware of Mika’s presence all around him. The warmth of her body. The sound of the gentle rise and fall of her breath. The smell of her lavender and spice scent. The lingering taste of her skin on his tongue. And, as he opened one eye, saw her naked curves pressed up against him, the hard bump lodged against his side.
His breath caught just looking at her. Reaching down, he lay a hand on her belly, marveling at it. He could see and touch it over and over again and he would never not be amazed at the thought that life was growing inside her.
“Hmmm …” She began to stir, her long lashes fluttering open. “What time—fuck!”
In a flurry of limbs, she scampered away from him and hopped out of bed. “What time is it?”
Glancing at the clock on his side, he said. “Eight thirty.”
“Eight—Goddammit! We’re already late!”
He leaned back on the headboard, watching her scramble around the room as she searched for her discarded clothes. “I think your bra’s by the door, cher,” he offered cheerfully.
That sent a death glare his way. “I should have gone back to my place last night.”
He waved at the door. “No one was stopping you.”
Her face turned red, then she turned her back to him to continue the hunt for her clothing. “Ha!” She raised a hand triumphantly as she found her leggings. “What are you doing still lying there like a lump? Go jump in the shower and get ready.”
Shadow Wolf Page 13
