Kissing her harder as if he was trying to crawl inside her, he rocked into her. Sparks ignited within her. She moaned and clutched at his shoulders. Lust built. This kiss they shared did nothing to quench it. She needed more. She needed Anton inside her.
She reached between their bodies. Her fingers trembled, but she managed to pull down his zipper. Silky boxers covered Anton’s penis. She stroked him through the thin layer of his boxers. His long, thick shaft would stretch her, filling her completely. She wanted that. Wanted him to be the first man to love her.
The only one.
Anton broke their kiss. Panting, he stared at her. Hunger burned in his eyes to match hers. He dragged his tongue over his lower lip. “You know what the word ‘stop’ means, don’t you?”
A small sound slipped from her throat. Almost a whimper, maybe a moan, she couldn’t decide, but the feminine noise excited her more. Anton was giving her control. Over him. The knowledge made her feel powerful.
She nodded.
“Good. Remember it.” Anton grabbed her calf and urged her to release him. “Use it if you have to.”
She unhooked her legs and leaned against the bookshelf at her back, using it to support her. Her knees felt weak. Too weak. She wanted Anton’s arms around her. She reached for him, but he pressed his palm against her chest, stopping her from getting closer to him.
A brutal glint slid into his eyes, turning the hungry look into something animalistic. “Hold up your skirt. I want you to watch me.”
Her heart beat harder. She wasn’t ready for a man like Anton. She wasn’t experienced enough. He’d destroy her. Shatter her into a million pieces. She’d never be the same.
Anton reached under her skirt and curled his fingers around the crotch of her panties. His knuckles brushed against her wet lower lips. Her inner muscles tightened. The anticipation of holding a piece of Anton inside her left her crazed.
“Are you trying to remember how to say the word, stop? Or trying to remember how to move?” Anton dragged her underwear partially down her thighs. “Decide. Because I won’t give you what you want if you don’t follow my commands.”
He was a bastard. He’d make her beg at every opportunity. She should tell him to go screw himself. She didn’t beg men for anything. Anton wasn’t simply a man, though. He was more. Power in its rawest form. Pure perfection. An addiction she never knew she had.
Her fingers shook, but Nyx managed to grip the hem of her skirt and lift it up. Cooler air hit her lower belly, leaving her feeling exposed and vulnerable. But not afraid. She trembled in anticipation of what Anton would do to her.
He held her gaze as he pulled her undies to her knees, then he skimmed his fingers up her inner thigh. His thumb found her clit. He circled the hard nub with just enough pressure to skip tingling energy through her womb.
Her breaths came faster. Nyx had touched herself enough to know she could orgasm from rubbing her clit. It didn’t take much. A few flicks while imagining what a man could do to her, and she careened into release. Needing the relief, she rocked against Anton’s hand. His thumb slid through her arousal and parted her lower lips.
Squirming, she pulled her skirt higher. She couldn’t see with the bunched fabric in her way.
Anton lifted his thumb from her achy clit and moved his hands to her thighs. She jerked her gaze to his face. Satisfaction added to the brutal glint in his eyes. He had her right where he wanted her.
“Watch me. Not what I’m doing to you.” Anton used his hold on her thighs to spread her legs wider. The waistband of her panties tightened around her knees. “Do you understand? I want you to watch me and remember what I can do to you.”
Her earlier thought returned. Anton would destroy her. Not in the way a lover could bring her pleasure. He’d shatter her expectations. No other lover would satisfy her the same way. She should stop this before it was too late. Anton had given her an out. She only had to say one little word. She couldn’t bring herself to utter it.
This might damn her. Not knowing the pleasure Anton could bring would be worse. She’d always wonder what she’d missed out on. Regret would destroy her too.
Never taking her gaze off Anton, Nyx gripped her skirt in one hand, then dipped her middle and ring fingers into her pussy, pushing against her swollen and tight inner muscles. Anton didn’t watch her finger herself. There was no misinterpreting what she was doing. The sound of her fingers moving in and out of her wet body was unmistakable.
Anton’s nostrils flared. His lips parted on a deep breath. He was tasting her arousal on his tongue. The primitive response belonged to the big cats who shared his body and soul. She’d triggered his primal side. The knowledge gave her power. She could make him remember her too.
For eternity.
Nyx pulled her fingers from her body and held them in front of Anton’s lips. Holding her gaze, he leaned closer and licked her fingers before drawing them into his mouth and sucking. The tug connected to her womb. The emptiness inside her had her squirming as Anton curled his tongue around each finger. She wanted his cock inside her body. Or her mouth.
“Anton.” She sucked on her lower lip, wishing it was his. “Please.”
A small smile curved his mouth. Then he tugged on her underwear, pulling her body forward. She squeaked and gripped the shelf behind her, but she was in no danger of falling. Anton’s other hand moved to her ass. He held her still while he buried his face against her pussy.
Anton licked her, swiping his tongue from her opening to her clit, but not lingering anywhere. His slow lapping wasn’t meant to bring her pleasure. At least not intentionally. This was for him. He was savoring the taste of her arousal. She didn’t need him to tell her that. His low groans did it for him.
More of her arousal flowed for him. She couldn’t stop it. She wanted him to crave her.
“Anton.” She moved her free hand to his hair and gripped the strands. “Please.”
His low moan answered her. He tilted her bottom, giving himself better access to her body and forcing her to tighten her hold on his hair. He growled against her cleft. Shivers raced through her. Then he thrust his tongue inside her.
Nyx gasped. Her eyelids lowered as Anton curled his tongue, stroking her inner walls and teasing her body. She didn’t dare close her eyes. Anton had ordered her to watch him. She couldn’t see his mouth working her body, but the muscles in his forearms bulged as he flexed his fingers over her bottom. His cheeks drew in as he sucked on her pussy. His throat worked as he ate her out. And the sounds he made as he took his pleasure from her let her see what her eyes couldn’t.
Her body tightened, and her clit thumped. She lifted her bottom, pushing her swollen cleft against the stubble on his face. Shivers raced over her skin and settled deep inside her. She was going to come.
His fingers replaced his tongue. He curled them, teasing and stroking her as he had done with his tongue. His fingers touched her deeper than his tongue could, though. They brushed over a spot that tightened her muscles. She moaned as he stroked that spot over and over. Her body coiled, leaving her tight. Edgy.
Anton licked her clit while his fingers kept moving inside her. His eyes closed. The sight of the dark swoop of his eyelashes against his tanned skin did crazy things to her heart. Waves spread from her womb, outward. Her body trembled as she orgasmed, but she couldn’t tear her gaze from the sweeping arc of his lashes. They were beautiful.
He was beautiful.
“Nyx.” Anton stood and took her mouth in another fierce kiss.
Her desire flavored the kiss. She didn’t shy away from it. Maybe she should. Good girls shouldn’t enjoy such things, but she’d never pretended to be good. She argued with men, held on to her convictions, fought for what she wanted, and believed in herself. She could make a difference. She deserved to sit among the most powerful leaders in their species.
She’d never expected to meet one like Anton, though.
“Free my cock.” Anton spoke the words against her lips. “Now,
Nyx. I want your pussy strangling my dick, fighting to pull my seed free.”
“Yes.” The word didn’t come close to expressing what she wanted. Or how she needed to feel the hot splash of his release inside her body. How she craved it. Craved him.
Nyx shoved at Anton’s boxers until his length bumped her hand. She fisted his penis, then stroked him. His erection grew in her hand, thickening into a powerful cock she’d have to work at getting inside her. She whimpered. “Please, Anton.”
He angled his body so his cock slid along her cleft. Then froze with the head of his penis at her opening. He smacked his hand against the bookshelf at her back, shaking the books and knocking something off the shelf a couple of feet to her left.
She froze. Had she done something wrong?
“Anton?”
He shook his head and pulled up her panties before he set her away from him. With his back to her, he zipped his pants, then ran a hand through his hair.
Anton glanced over his shoulder. Lust hazed his eyes. For the briefest of moments, no white was visible. He blinked, and the desire warming them receded. “This shouldn’t have happened.”
She touched a finger to her swollen mouth. Her lips tingled. “Did I do something wrong?”
“No. We have company.”
“Who?”
The door to the library opened. A man wearing jeans and a T-shirt with a black widow spider on the front stepped into the room. His short honey-blond hair, golden-brown eyes, and tan skin gave him the appearance of an easygoing, relaxed man. At least at first glance. Power and anger radiated from him. Where Anton came off as miserable, this man looked pissed at the world.
“My pride leader, Kade Alexander.” Anton motioned to the other shifter with a small tilt of his head. “And a man who obviously has nothing better to do with his life than meddle in mine.”
Chapter 13
Knowing full well she smelled like sex, despite not getting the chance to hold Anton inside her, Nyx approached Kade and held out a hand. Anything else would be rude. “It’s nice to meet you. I’m Nyx Mercer, Anton’s secretary.”
Instead of responding, Kade glanced from her outstretched hand to Anton. “Nothing better to do than meddle in your life?”
“There was no reason for you to come here…hours after I called.”
“More like half a day.”
“What did you do? Leave as soon as I hung up?”
Nostrils flaring, Kade tilted his head. “You asked for someone to pick—”
“I assumed you’d send someone else.” Anton cut his pride leader off. “My twin, maybe. Not you. Aron hasn’t seen me in ages anyway.”
“Aron is busy. So are the rest of our pride mates. They have women or jobs. I have nothing, so I came.”
Anton worked his jaw. “Who’s protecting you? As pride leader, you shouldn’t be outside our pride lands without protection.”
“For a man who hasn’t visited his pride in centuries, you have no right to talk about protection or what should be happening in the pride.” Flexing his hands, Kade stepped forward. “Start acting like a pride member, and then you can offer your opinions on how I lead our pride.”
Oh no, she wasn’t going to stand here and let these two men ignore her. Or fight. They’d both regret it. Men usually did once their emotions cooled.
Nyx stepped between Anton and Kade and held out her hand. “You must not have heard me. I’m Nyx Mercer, Anton’s secretary. It’s nice to meet you.”
Kade studied her, then narrowed his eyes. “Didn’t anyone ever tell you not to get between fighting men?”
“Didn’t anyone ever tell you it’s rude to ignore someone who’s talking to you?”
“Yes, a woman did once. Maybe I should’ve listened to her.” Kade wrapped his fingers around hers and drew her close. His other hand settled at her lower back. A deep, low growl echoed from behind them.
She tensed, waiting for Anton to yank her away. Instead, Kade bent close and rubbed his cheek against hers.
He was scent-marking her. Like a cat.
Nyx tensed, but Kade’s firm hold on her didn’t allow her the chance to pull away. He pressed his lips to her forehead. “Welcome, Nyx. I’ve waited a long time to meet you.”
“What do you mean?” She jerked back, breaking Kade’s grip on her. “I haven’t worked for Anton long.”
Kade straightened and met Anton’s eyes. They stared at each other for a long moment as if they were having some secret conversation. Finally, Kade inclined his head, then looked at her. “No, but my pride members and I had a little bet going on. I won it.”
“What kind of bet?” Her eyes narrowed on Kade.
“That eventually a shifter would be brave enough to apply for Anton’s open position.” Kade smiled, looking pleased with himself.
“Enough small talk.” Anton settled his hands on her hips and drew her away from Kade. “Let me get a room set up for you tonight, then I’ll arrange for some guards to escort you and Kade tomorrow morning.”
“Perfect. I’m sure Nyx will appreciate the rest before we head out.”
“Head out where?” She had no idea what they were talking about. She needed to spend the morning with Anton, learning every detail about the night Bianca disappeared.
“West Virginia, of course.” Kade grinned. “On Anton’s order.”
She spun and glared at Anton. “What? Why are you sending me to West Virginia?”
Anton worked his jaw, then ran a hand over his hair, but didn’t speak.
She poked a finger into his chest. “Answer me. Why were you planning on sending me to West Virginia? I don’t know anyone there. I’ve never even been there.”
“You’ll be safer there.”
“Safer?” She studied Anton, trying to discern the meaning behind his words from his expression and failing miserably. His stoic look didn’t give anything away. “Safe from who? Or what?”
Anton moved to the desk. Nothing of significance lay there. She’d gone through everything out in the open in this room. He flipped over the papers anyway. “In less than a week, I’ll officially become eldest on the Council. There are those who wish to stop me. I worry they’ll use you to make sure I never step into my rightful role.”
Nyx bit the lip Anton had sucked on not long ago. Here was the perfect opening to uncover Anton’s motives and plans for the Council. If he took her bait. “Why do you think so? I’m just a secretary.”
“You’re my secretary.” Anton glanced over his shoulder. “And the last time some members of the Council feared my actions, my previous secretary went missing, and people started whispering behind my back about how I’d murdered her. Their accusations were baseless and nobody had the guts to officially accuse me of the crime, but the damage was done. The Council voted against the motion I was lobbying to get approved.”
Nyx debated how to proceed. She wanted to ask more about Bianca and the murder accusation. The rest of Anton’s statement sparked her curiosity, however. “What motion were you trying to get passed?”
Anton moved to the liquor cabinet on the other side of the library. He set three shot glasses on the table, poured two, then glanced at her, raising the bottle in silent question. She shook her head, and he put the decanter back before carrying the drink to his pride leader. “Under our current law, any shifter deemed feral is either put down or locked away immediately.”
Her uncle had often talked about feral shifters and what to do about them. Boris always came back to one conclusion. “It’s horrible to talk about, but isn’t it the best for everyone if they’re restrained or eliminated? Feral shifters are a danger.”
Never breaking her gaze, Anton sipped his drink. “Even six-year-old little girls?”
Nyx inhaled sharply. “Molly.”
“Yes, Molly.” Kade stepped into view. “The only reason that Molly is still alive is because she’s a damn good actor.”
Nyx looked between the two Royal shifters. Both wore grim expressions. “Molly…the chi
ld whose picture I saw… She’s feral?”
Kade downed his drink, then poured another. “Technically, I’d say no. She can control her instincts and actions, but she can come across as…”
“Not quite sane.” Anton finished Kade’s statement. “And because of her history, labeling her feral is the easier choice.”
The image of Molly’s cold eyes returned. Nyx hugged herself. “What happened to her?”
“She was experimented on by a group who wants to extend a Royal’s immortality and strength to the single shifters,” Anton responded, finally giving her the answer she’d sought the other day.
Part of her wished he hadn’t. Nyx rubbed her hands over her cold arms. If Kade wasn’t here, she could have gone to Anton. Even if he didn’t touch her, she felt warmer near him. Generally better. As if being close to him was enough to soothe her soul. “She’s just a little girl.”
“Who is trying to adjust to her new life outside the facility where she was born.” Anton set his drink down and walked close to her. He squeezed her forearm in a comforting gesture. “And my motion was meant to impose the minimum age for shifters to be labeled as feral at maturity. Right now, there’s no age limit.”
“She’s just a little girl.” Nyx was repeating herself. She couldn’t help it. The anger growing inside her needed an outlet. She didn’t have one. All she had was the suffocating sense of helplessness.
Anton wrapped his arms around her and rested his cheek on the top of her head. “And once I become eldest on the Council, I’ll make sure she’s safe from anyone who might think to hurt her.”
He wouldn’t have the chance if Boris had his way. A hollow sensation spread though her chest.
“And once you assume your role as eldest, Nyx can come back. Until then, she’ll be safer with me.” Kade poured himself another drink.
Nyx pushed out of Anton’s arms and faced his pride leader. “No. I am not leaving.”
“It’s only a few days. We can—”
Forbidden Mate_Shifter World Page 12
