by Elle Thorne
“Is it safe for Valencia, for us, to be here alone?”
“I’d be more concerned for anyone who crosses her. A hybrid of her type is extremely dangerous. But we’ll be a few yards away in another cabin, keeping an eye on this one. You needn’t worry though. I’ve put protection on the cabin.”
Leandra and Theo left.
“I wonder what kind of protection.” Valencia looked at the closed door, she shook her head. “Theo and Leandra. A shifter and a witch. That’s uncommon. God, if my brother finds out.”
“He will eventually, you know,” Rory told her.
“Why do you say that?”
“It’s his territory. And whatever they have between them doesn’t seem temporary.”
“Shit. There will be hell to pay when Lézare finds out.”
“Worse than hell when he learns you’re a hybrid?”
Valencia gasped and did a double take. “I’m not telling him.”
“You can’t keep it from your family.”
“I have so far.”
Rory didn’t respond.
“What?” She paced the tiny cabin, a tigress in human form, impatient, agitated. “What are you thinking? What am I supposed to tell them?”
“What about us? You have to tell them about us.”
She whirled around. “What us?”
Rory strode to her. Took her in his arms.
The world around her melted away. An amber glow flickered in his eyes. His lips drew close to hers, his breath warm.
God, yes.
His lips danced across hers, then trailed over her jaw, her neck, then back up to her mouth. His tongue claimed hers, fiercely, decadent, heated, he pulled her into a tunnel that whirled out of control.
She pulled away, her head spinning.
“You’re not running away again. You’re mine, forever.” He nipped at her jawline.
“No argument here.” Valencia tucked her head under his chin, listening to his heartbeat. Her own pulse slowed to match his, beating in tandem.
“Prove it.” His words were a challenge, they flowed over Valencia, her tigress, and her bloodlust.
His gaze dipped, first to her lips, then to her breasts, then down her whole body.
He raised his eyes to hers. “Well?”
She could do nothing but meet the challenge head on. He was everything she wanted and he was the one thing she thought she’d lost forever when she made that difficult decision.
Swiftly, she kissed him, taking his tongue captive, then giving him her mouth as his prisoner. He moved his hand into her hair, wrapped it around his fingers, twining, drawing her head back, giving his aggression to match her aggression, his need to match her need.
He pinned her to the wall, his muscled body not giving her an option to move.
She could feel his cock, pressing against her. Hard, wonderfully so, and big. God. So much bigger than her toy. So much bigger than it had even appeared on the cam.
She slipped her hands under his shirt, running her fingers over hard muscles, a wide chest, slightly sprinkled with hair. She scored his flesh with her nails while he teased her mouth with his lips and tongue.
Before she could completely comprehend what he was doing, and with a speed that matched the urgency that beat a rhythm in her pulse, he had her pants and panties off, and his too. He planted his hands on her ass and lifted her.
She wrapped her legs around his waist. His cock a firm reminder against her throbbing core.
Rory spun a 180 and sat her on the table, leaning in and tracing her lips with his tongue.
“Mine.” His word was a growl.
He ran his hands up and down the side of her body, grazing her breasts though the fabric of her top and bra between his flesh and hers. He toured her body, exploring without apology, then he lowered one hand, teasing her pussy lightly, running feathery touches along her folds.
Swiftly, without warning he plunged two fingers deep inside her.
She gasped lightly, close to his ear.
“God, I love that. I’ve always loved that sound.”
Then Rory held his hand still, completely unmoving, while his cock rested against her thigh, reminding her of his own needs.
His thumb put pressure on her clit, then moved in slow circles while his fingers were unmoving, still deep inside her.
Her muscles clenched. She writhed, trying to get more.
His eyes grew darker, his pupils dilating, then gold flickering in the depths.
A tormented moan was ripped from her throat.
Valencia wrapped her fingers around his length, pressed his head against her folds, next to his still buried hand.
“Fucccck.” He removed his fingers and drove his cock deep inside her
Valencia grunted from the fierceness of his entry and the width of his cock. It didn’t take long for her body to adjust to accommodate his size. He stroked in and out of her, each motion releasing a wonderfully sloppy sexy sound.
He slipped his hands under her ass, pulling her closer, each drive going deeper, striking her—everywhere.
“Oh my God, Rory,” she breathed.
Then the realization of what she’d done hit her. She could say his name. Tears of happiness welled in her eyes. She arched her back into him, taking more of him, all of him.
“Valencia,” he drove into her, quickly, swiftly, over and over. “I can’t last much longer.”
“Don’t. Let it go.”
“I’m sealing the deal.” He lowered his head, lips touching that sensitive spot between her neck and shoulder and sunk his teeth into her flesh.
“Ah.” The agony of it burst through her lips in a low groan. Then just as quickly, the agony was replaced with the pleasure of his tongue licking at the wound, sealing their couplebond.
He sunk his cock in deeply. She felt the heat of his climax striking her core and leaned forward, her lips resting against his neck.
Her tigress took over. With one swift bite, she’d marked him the same way he’d marked her. She licked at his wound.
Then it struck her. The bloodlust was at bay.
Whatever Leandra did was working.
She didn’t have a moment to think on it further as she was snatched from mid-thought by an orgasm. She was propelled into another plane, where she was spinning ‘round and ‘round, holding onto to Rory while the world whirled.
Chapter Twenty-One
Rory nuzzled Valencia’s shoulder. “Hey.”
She stretched on the small cot, laying on his body, marveling that the contraption hadn’t collapsed under their joined weight. “I could lay here forever.”
“I’d personally like a real bed,” he said in mock protest. “My muscles are cramped.”
“Complaints already? We haven’t even been bonded for a full day yet.”
She slipped her hand under his T-shirt, dug her fingernails into his chest, scoring the flesh.
“Damn, woman. You’re going to get things started all over again.”
“And that’s a bad thing?”
“Not at all, but look.” He glanced at the shutters.
Tiny slivers of sunlight slipped through.
“Dawn.” She shoved of his chest, landing on the floor, surefooted as her tigress. “Let’s get out of here.” Valencia tossed clothing on.
Leandra and Theo stepped on the ramp when Rory and Valencia walked through the cabin’s door.
Leandra let go of Theo’s hand as soon as she saw them. “How do you feel?” she asked Valencia. Then her eyes narrowed, and studied them, her gaze traveling between Rory and Valencia. “I see the deed is done.”
A pink tint colored Valencia’s cheeks, then was quickly eclipsed by her smile.
Rory took her hand and squeezed it. “Forever, right?”
“Forever,” Valencia said under her breath, nodding.
Valencia wondered if she did wrong by having bonded with Rory. Nothing felt more right than what they did last night, but what would happen to him if she lost it durin
g the bloodlust.
That was damned selfish of me. I put my desire to be with him forever over his wellbeing.
Leandra stepped forward, took Valencia’s hand and pulled her away from Rory. “Come with me.”
“Where are we going?”
“I want a moment with you,” Leandra tugged.
They walked down the ramp, toward the brush and reeds. She took her toward a path that led to the water. Mosquitos buzzed, birds sang, toads croaked.
Leandra stopped, sat on a log. “We can’t stay long, but I needed to tell you something.” She patted the spot next to her.
Leandra plucked at a weed, pulled it from the ground, tucked it between her lips, then blew on it. The tiny plant made a whistling sound.
Valencia sat, silent, waiting for Leandra’s thoughts. There was something about this witch, something Valencia liked. She felt a kinship for her, and it went beyond the help she’d offered her with the bloodlust.
“Rory is the one for you. Do not question it. What you’ve done is right. For both of you. You have a destiny to fulfill, and he’ll be there with you.”
“What do you mean?”
“It’s not that clear for me. I’m not psychic. I see things, but not clearly. More in a vague way.”
“So you can’t tell me more?”
“You need to stop second-guessing your bond with the wolf.”
“What about you and Theo? Why haven’t you bonded? It’s clear you have feelings.”
“That’s a complicated situation.”
“Because of Lézare?”
Leandra nodded. “And he’s a shifter. I’m a witch. You know the taboos on that sort of thing. And some sects and covens are more restrictive.” She tore the little plant into shreds. “And now we have to go.”
Leandra stood, and without waiting for Valencia began the walk back to the cabin.
I’m not sure what I was supposed to get out of that talk. I guess that Rory and I should be together.
Rory and Theo sat on the porch, watching them approach.
Rory raised his brows, gave a little shrug, like ‘What’s up?’
Valencia shrugged back, shook her head slightly, as if to say, ‘Nothing.’
“I have to head out for New Orleans,” Theo said. “I’ll drop you two off at Arceneaux Point, at a cabin, so you can get cleaned up and get your stories straight. As far as I’m concerned, I simply brought Valencia home. Your cars are already there, in the garage, being detailed.”
Theo was nothing if not thorough.
“Thank you,” Valencia said.
“For everything,” Rory added.
“I’ll call Alexa. I’m going to New Orleans to help them find Evie. To keep Lézare from killing her for being so impetuous and irresponsible.”
“I doubt Lézare or Alexa are in a position to judge anyone,” Leandra said.
Theo nodded. “It’s been an interesting Escape Weekend, this year.”
What did I miss, Valencia wondered.
“Let’s hope that finding Evie doesn’t prove anywhere near as interesting,” Leandra said with a mysterious smile. “But knowing the Arceneaux clan, I’m not holding out any hope.”
“Bite your tongue, witch.” Theo tugged on one of her braids gently.
“I’ll need a moment to pack.” Leandra slapped his hand away.
Theo frowned. “Where are you going?”
“With you.” She slipped inside.
“Oh, hell to the no,” Theo exclaimed.
Rory fought to keep the smile from creeping to his face.
The lion shifter has his hands full with that witch, that’s for damned sure.
“Typical. She makes a decision, then she’s gone. As if that’s that.” Theo released a growl. A golden glow flickered in his dark eyes. He opened the door. Followed Leandra inside.
Rory and Valencia fought to keep straight faces while the two inside exchanged terse words.
“I said, I’m going with you.”
“Lézare won’t like it.”
“I’ll handle Lézare,” Leandra said. She popped her head outside, caught Rory and Valencia mid laugh. She glowered at them. “Shifters. Pffft.” She blew out an exasperated breath. “So hardheaded.”
“And witches aren’t?” Theo appeared behind her, asking softly, close to her ear.
Rory glanced at Valencia, admiring the strong jaw, the firm set to her lips. She wasn’t going to be an easy woman either. Just like the witch, this hybrid shifter he’d fallen in love with and taken for a mate was bound to keep his life full of excitement.
Epilogue
“I’m glad you’re going with me,” Valencia reached across the car seat, placed her hand on Rory’s.
“Can’t imagine anywhere else I’d rather be.” He glanced at her. “I packed your blanket. Just in case.”
“Leandra texted; they’re ahead of us by an hour.”
“Texted?” He pulled his gaze back to the road. “You two became close.”
“I like her. A lot. I think what she did worked. I mean when we couplebonded… when I bit you, I didn’t feel the bloodlust trying to take over like it can when blood’s involved.”
A grin spread over Rory’s face. “That’s cause for celebration!” He took her hand. “You’re right, Leandra seems a decent sort,” Rory admitted. “For a witch. And if she’s been successful with your matter, then hell, she’s a miracle worker.”
“Hey, let me call Alexa and let her know we’re on the way.”
Valencia reached for her phone, pressed Alexa’s picture in the contacts section. It rang twice, then she heard her sister’s voice. “Where are you guys? What’s up with Evie?”
“Can’t find her. She’s gone.” Alexa’s tone was panicked.
“We’re coming. Be there soon.”
Alexa released a sob. “She’s disappeared. She and Mason came on the tour bus. Now they’re both gone. It’s all my fault. I should have…” Another sob. “I don’t know what I could have done.”
“Maybe they’re together,” Valencia offered.
“She hates him. But even if they were together, why aren’t they answering their phones?”
Valencia looked at Rory and thought of the attraction she had for the wolf shifter. How the very sound of his voice made her body react. “I can think of a million reasons why they wouldn’t answer their phones.”
“I’m glad you’re coming. Call me when you hit New Orleans. I’ll tell you where we are. Hopefully by then we’ll have found both of them.” Alexa ended the connection.
“I guess we’ll see what Evie and Mason are up to. Probably find them at a hotel. Evie’s the temperamental one. She’s kept us on our toes most our lives.”
“And you’re not prone to keeping anyone on their toes, are you?”
Rory shook his head, but deep within his eyes, a glimmer of his wolf told her everything she needed to know.
Rory was in it for good. He wouldn’t let her down.
“Ouch.”
He glanced at her. “What?”
She held up her palm. There was a tiny cut on it. “The damned vampire.”
“Did that happen a lot after you were turned?”
“Yeah, but I thought I was having accidents and not noticing them. Like maybe I was clumsy. Some of them happened during my sleep, but with my shifter healing, suddenly, there’d be a new scar when I woke up.”
“That must have been confusing.”
“Rory?”
“Yeah?”
“What if he is killed? What if he dies? I don’t want to die too.”
“I’ve been thinking of that. We’ll have to make sure no one we know kills him.”
“Now I have to keep a damned vampire safe?”
“If it means keeping you alive, you bet.”
“Great. Just great,” Valencia grumbled. “Do you think he feels the same compulsion?”
“I’m not even sure vampires have feelings,” Rory said.
“It kind of sucks, thinking tha
t anything could happen to him, and then suddenly—Poof!—I’m dead.”
“Yeah, but you could say the same thing about anyone at any time. A car crash, plane crash…” He gave her a sideways glance. “That reminds me, seems I heard someone say you had an issue with flying in airplanes?”
“Only because of the bloodlust. I couldn’t afford to be caught in a situation I couldn’t control. Like a layover or a delay or anything like that.” She traced a pattern on her leg absentmindedly. “Imagine half-shifting on a plane.”
“That could get ugly.” Rory laughed. “Do you feel any different since Leandra did her thing? Whatever that thing is.”
“Not really. Maybe we can test it this evening. Just a little.”
“Sure. Right after we find your sister. And right after we get some privacy.” He gave her a slow wink.
A bolt of lightning composed of pure desire flooded through her veins, pooled in her midsection. Her breathing became labored and her pulse raced. Just the way it always did around this man.
She released a slow sigh. Whatever obstacles they had, they’d work through them together.
Rory Nielsen wouldn’t let her down. Ever. She knew that with every fiber of her being, both the inherent shifter, and the semi-recently acquired vampire.
“I’m yours, you know. There won’t ever be another.”
“Likewise.” Rory covered her hand with his, making her yearning burn deeper. “Ever.”
Unknown as it was, Valencia anticipated the future with Rory. Always with Rory.
Undeniable
Lion shifter Mason Martinez has history with Evangeline, the curvy sexy tigress sister of Lézare Arceneaux.
For Mason, it’s not history. Except that Evie hates him. She’s hated him since college, when they split up.
Evie has no problem burying things—usually. So why can’t she bury her feelings for Mason Martinez?
Permanently.
Now the two of them are missing. Find out what happens when an Arceneaux goes missing!
Chapter One
Evie shoved her sunglasses into her purse and stepped onto the bus in the driveway of Arceneaux Point. She bit back a curse word.
