Match Me Later (Chinese Zodiac Romance Series Book 4)

by Rachael Slate

  “Thank you,” the maiden rasped, peering up at Naya. “You gave me the courage to fight back. Even if it’s too late for me.” She moaned and her lids slid shut, unconscious.

  Poor thing. With Nat’s help, Naya lifted her away from the corpse, which, judging by the stench, had been deceased for at least a few days. This girl was lucky to be alive.

  Naya’s heart sank, panging with misery, as she searched for the female’s fox spirit, and came up empty. I can’t save her.

  Her gaze shot to the palm-sized silver box on the side table. Fingers shaking, she plucked it and cradled the box in her hands. The metal pulsed with a familiar energy. Inside, the essences of countless fox spirits fluttered. Torn from their hosts and trapped, with no way to restore them. She rocked the female in her arms, her tears falling from her lashes onto the box.

  She’s doomed.

  ***

  Ryden raised his head toward the gruesome scene. He didn’t want to look; he couldn’t tear his gaze off it. The dead dude reclined on the couch, head thrown back and flies buzzing his open mouth.

  The floors creaked behind him. He spun as a fist aimed for his face, ducking before it made contact. Countering, he punched the man’s gut. The air whooshed from his lungs and he hunched over.

  More.

  His claws sprang free, the two sharp points of his canines lengthening inside his mouth. Ryden whipped his head to shake off the bloodlust singing through his veins, but he thirsted to sink his fangs into this asshole’s neck and tear open his throat.

  He lunged for the small Asian man and, as he was about to pierce the bastard’s flesh, a force knocked him aside.

  His shoulder crashed through the drywall, but he recovered, spinning in the dust to face his new opponent. An Ox? The ghostly haze of a large beast with curved horns had cloaked over Kassian.

  Panting heavily, he judged the distance between himself and his target, and how quickly he could reach it before Kassian took him out again.

  He surged forward, Ox charging him. Ryden gritted his teeth against the brunt of the force but kept his stance, diving forward. His hands closed around the man’s neck, squeezing, while Ox barreled into him again.

  He slammed onto his back, his head thwacking against the tiles. Dammit. Wincing, he cradled his skull in his hands and peered up.

  Kassian shook off Ox’s cloaking. “Will you leave the bloody lackey alone so we can interrogate him, or do I have to tie—holy shit.” The man gaped at Ryden. “Uh, Nat?”

  “What?” She dashed to Kassian’s side.

  “What the fuck is that?” Kassian pointed at Ryden.

  “What are you all staring at?” Ryden blinked as the two fools gawked at him. If they insisted on standing in his path, he’d have to go through them both and—

  Her.

  He inhaled as she approached. His female. His…mate? Yes, this one he chose.

  “I’m coming up with nothing.” Nat shook her head as though in disbelief. “Naya? Isn’t that a…fox spirit?”

  Ryden dragged his attention back to his female.

  “Damn, she’s ugly.” Kassian whistled, but Nat shoved an elbow into his side. “What? That is a girl, right?”

  “No. Ryden?” Naya crouched and extended a hand toward him. “I think I figured out what you are.” Warmth and acceptance shone from her bright eyes.

  He seized her hand and leapt to his feet, blinking away the haze clouding his vision. Was she right? How could he be a fox spirit?

  “I thought their race didn’t have any dudes,” Kassian whispered beside Nat, who shushed him.

  “We don’t.” Naya tilted her head at him. “Or there haven’t been any, not for centuries. Carvings do exist, ancient ones that depict a male húli jīng. They look just like you, Ryden.” She squeezed his hand, awe in her voice. “The effects of the talisman must have worn off completely, because now I can see your fox spirit aura in your eyes.”

  Holy hell. He glanced down at his hands, slipping his from Naya’s. None of this made any sense. “How? Why?” His brain jammed with questions.

  “I’m not sure what to say, except maybe Daji has answers.” She beamed at him. “Let’s go home.”

  He swallowed hard. Home. Was her realm really his home? Price was going to freak when Ryden told him everything.

  “We’ll clean up.” Nat jerked her chin toward the unconscious lackey. “You take these girls home.” Kassian and Nat helped them load the dazed females into their vehicle, and then drove them the few blocks to SUTOL. One by one, they carried the females into the back alley and through the portal housed at the nightclub.

  Before he followed the females, Ryden raked a hand through his hair and nodded at Nat and Kassian. Man, this day couldn’t get any crazier. “Ah, thanks.”

  “Anytime.” Nat smiled.

  Naya clasped his hand and together they stepped into the portal.

  Home.

  A male fox spirit. Although Naya had affected an air of calm on their return trip, her insides were flipping out. This was monumental for her people.

  This changes…everything.

  She couldn’t recall anything other than a mural carved into rosy sandstone. A large, masculine figure watched over several dancing húli jīng, the aura of a fox spirit reflecting in his eyes.

  Naya and Ryden led the three females braced between them to an empty bedchamber. After aiding them onto the large four-poster bed, she set the silver box with their fox spirits on the table beside the bed. Nothing could be done for the females, other than to make them comfortable, so she’d inform Daji of their presence in the morning.

  It was late, and she was…horny.

  Or maybe that was the hunger talking. Witnessing Ryden, fully embodied by the fox spirit within him, had been a tantalizing aphrodisiac. She was totally ready for the main course.

  Tomorrow, would the Queen command her to share him? Her hands clenched at her sides as she followed Ryden into their chamber.

  Never.

  Yet the power emanating from him made sense now. Being a male of her kind, he was better equipped than any human to nourish them. Not unlike how Daji had sought out a Chosen male as her Consort. Perhaps a Queen required more than a mere human to sustain her.

  That was, of course, assuming Price and Daji were actually intimate…

  Ryden whirled her around and gripped her throat, dragging her lips to his. As he thrust his tongue inside her mouth, his free hand slipped beneath the hem of her shirt to cup her breast. He pulled back, panting. “Been waiting to do this all damn day.”

  He claimed her lips again, his hand sliding to snare the back of her head. Angling her mouth against his, he demanded she match his fervent kiss.

  Gladly.

  She moaned and grabbed his belt, tugging him toward her. Already, her mouth watered at the anticipation of tasting him. The thirst made her whole body tremble as she spread her fingers across the front of his pants, palming his oh-so-ready erection.

  He groaned and wrenched his lips off hers. “Not going to be that easy, sweetheart.”

  “Oh, really?” She purred and squeezed his hard shaft. “Feels that way to me.” Through his pants, her fingertips caressed the tip of him. “What’s a girl gotta do to get fed around here?” She plucked the zipper and teased it down.

  He leaned forward, growling against her neck. “Better believe I’m going to make you work for my cum.” Pushing on her shoulders, he coaxed her to kneel.

  “Mmm, I’m counting on it.” Naya licked her lips, unbuttoning his pants and freeing his thick erection. Even if her stomach didn’t pang with hunger, she craved him in her mouth…and in her sex.

  Her core clenched, the wetness between her thighs increasing as she imagined this gorgeous male pleasuring her.

  Come what may tomorrow…

  Tonight, he’s mine.

  He shucked his shirt, massive biceps rippling with strength while he lowered his hands to grasp her head. “Suck me.”

  As he rolled his hips for
ward, he wrapped her hair around his fist and drove his rigid length into her open mouth. They both moaned. She cupped his heavy sac in one hand, her other fisting around his shaft. His potent energy pulsed on the tip of her tongue as she ran it along his slit, tasting those first succulent beads.

  She craved everything about him. How his eyes crinkled at the corners when he winked at her. The warmth that spread to her toes when he kissed her.

  The energy that he offered, no strings attached.

  Hell, there were strings. Threads binding her to this male, as though their destinies were interwoven.

  Past, present, but what about future?

  Naya sucked him deep into the back of her mouth, unable to refute that being with Ryden was about so much more than feeding.

  I’m falling for him.

  “That’s enough playtime.” Ryden jerked back his hips, making her pout in protest.

  “I wasn’t finished.”

  “Good, neither am I.” He plucked her to her feet and seized her lips, parting them in a feverish command. As though he could claim her with just his kiss.

  Maybe he can.

  She was wetter than she’d ever been, the pulsing between her thighs nearly unbearable. “I need you, Ryden,” she purred against his lips, hands grasping for his length.

  “Not more than I need you.” His chest rose and fell in deep waves. “Whatever is inside of me, Naya, it demands you. Only you.” He nipped at her throat and lifted his gaze to hers. “It’s going to fucking explode if I don’t take you.” As though strengthening his claim, his pupils shuttered into slits and a shimmering aura flashed over his eyes, reflecting the fox spirit within him.

  Her fox spirit surged inside her, clawing toward his.

  “Oh, Naya.” His thumb rubbed across her throat. “I see you, all of you, and you are so bloody beautiful.” Backing her against the wall, he shoved a hand up her skirt and groaned. “Seriously? Now you decide to wear panties?” His fingers closed around the lace and wrenching, he tore it off her. His large hand heated her sensitive skin while he brushed his fingers across her sex. Swallowing thickly, he stared into her eyes, his fingers thrusting inside her. She gasped at the warm, full, stroke of his hand. His darkened eyes burned into hers, holding her captive as he explored her with those broad, strong fingers. After a few measured strokes, he grunted and slipped his hand from her, raising his fingers to his lips. He popped them into his mouth, eyes shuttering and a rumble echoing within his chest. “Damn, Naya, you taste even better than I remember.”

  His thick lashes lifted and wicked promises flashed in those glinting depths. “You’ve had your pretty lips all over my cock. Now, it’s my turn.”

  Sinking to his knees, he dove under her skirt and swept his tongue across her clit. Her knees buckled as a whimper escaped her. Nothing in the fox spirit handbook required this kind of intimate act, but damn, Ryden tossed every rule out the window. His tongue penetrated her core, and her knees melted to putty. He sank his hand into her ass, lifting her to his mouth while he lapped at her sex, relentless stroke after stroke. As his claws dug into her flesh, she shattered.

  His teeth grazed her nub and his fingers entered her, thrusting and making the cresting wave threaten to never release its hold on her.

  Just as strongly, his claws had latched onto her heart, claiming her as his.

  ***

  Fuck. Naya was so beautiful, whimpering in his arms. He couldn’t get enough. Not of her honey taste, or her silky soft skin. Certainly not of her lyrical cries filling his ears. At last, the spasms eased and, stepping out of his pants, he rose, shifting her into his arms. Her limbs were heavy as she wrapped them around him and purred drunkenly into his ear.

  He’d never desired anyone like he craved Naya.

  Never cared for anyone as much either.

  Damn, he’d fallen hard.

  With one teasing flutter of her lashes, she’d wrapped him around her finger. He didn’t ever intend to break free. With Naya was precisely where he’d sought to be his entire life. No more hiding behind that bloody talisman. She’d accepted him for what he was. The hows and whys didn’t matter.

  She’s mine. A rumble vibrated deep inside his chest. She shone a light across his dull life. One he refused to ever extinguish. Whatever it took, he was going to be by Naya’s side.

  As he carried her, his hands lowered to grip her curvy ass, digging into that supple flesh. She raised her legs to wrap around his waist, her core resting above his eager erection.

  “Fuck.” He couldn’t wait. Even the ten steps to the bed were too far. Ryden fisted himself and, lifting her, guided the tip of his length into her. Just an inch. Enough to make her gasp and the growl in his chest deepen. Damn, she was still tight. He’d have to be a hell of a lot gentler with her than he’d intended, but there’d be time for rougher play. Later.

  She raised her head, pushing back from his chest to peer at him. Her pointy little fang drew her bottom lip into her mouth. “More.”

  He’d braced her weight so he didn’t impale her, but at her sexy plea, he lifted her off, then lowered her a bit farther, sinking her deeper onto him.

  “I said, more. Don’t you dare be gentle.” Her fangs pierced his neck, and damn, he lost it, shoving her onto him. Seated deep within her, he roared and kneaded her ass, undulating so her nub rubbed against him. She hung on, her claws biting into his shoulders while she sucked on his neck.

  Tiny sparks of spasms clenched around him like aftershocks from her first orgasm. Or perhaps the beginning of her next one. Hell, one thing was certain. Before this night was done, they’d both lose track. Rolling her hips, she rocked against him, demanding his thrusting.

  Insatiable, she was. Good thing I am too.

  Ryden seized her hips and slammed her up and down along his length, giving them the ride of a lifetime. Balancing her with his left hand, he bounced her along his shaft, while tearing her top open with his claws. Her full breasts perked before him, demanding he sample them too. He dipped forward to claim one rosy, pebbled peak, teasing it with his teeth. She moaned and dug her claws through his hair, scraping his scalp. Hell, yeah.

  He sank to his knees, keeping them connected while he suckled her. Her legs fell on either side of him, straddling him. Clasping her hips, he coached her to roll against him in a slow, tender rocking.

  “Damn, Naya.” He nuzzled her neck. “I’m falling for you, and it feels so good, I don’t ever want to come up for air.”

  She drew her mouth to his, smiling. “Me neither.” Nipping at his lips, she rubbed against him. “I’m falling for you too, Ryden.”

  His heart thumped inside his chest. He was eager to take that final plunge and vow to love Naya. Forever.

  Sliding his hands across her sweet ass, he encouraged her to accept every inch of him. He’d taken her hard and fast, and now he’d have her like this. Before this night was over, he’d possess her every other fucking way too.

  Warm sunlight streaming in from the stained glass windows slashed across her eyelids, and Naya grimaced. It could not be morning. Mostly, because she’d just fallen asleep.

  Ryden had made good on his promise to pleasure her all night long. Well, most of the night. After he’d blown her mind a dozen times, they’d stayed up, chatting about their childhoods, favorite colors, and even hopes and fears for the future. Her toes had curled a little when Ryden had made it clear he wasn’t going anywhere. That the fox spirit realm was his home now.

  But what did that mean for them? The morning had come too soon, and the future confronted her. Clouded and uncertain. Even Ryden’s declaration of falling in love with her didn’t clarify her vision of the future. What she craved was to keep Ryden by her side…forever. She was a fox spirit, soon to be their Queen, and a mate was not part of the deal.

  Daji took one.

  Ugh. She shoved off the dark musing. Daji had mated Price as a last resort, a means to salvage what remained of their race’s stability.

  The fox spirit insi
de Ryden, whether for good or evil, would cause an upheaval.

  Right. She pried off the thick arm curled around her waist and slipped from the bed.

  Ryden groaned, rolling over, his hands grasping for her. Peeling one eyelid open, he peered at her. “Where are you going?”

  She rummaged in the wardrobe, pulling out a cute, blue and pink flower-printed dress. “To talk to my Queen.”

  “Not without me, you’re not.” Grunting, he jerked upright and swung his legs over the side of the bed. The brawny muscles of his back flexed while he rolled his shoulders, teasing her with his virile strength. Just gazing at him made her mouth water.

  “I have to do this in private, please.” A nagging sensation pricked the back of her brain. Something about Ryden being a male fox spirit wasn’t sitting right with her, but she couldn’t place exactly what. If it was bad news, she’d rather talk to Daji first and determine how to break it to him.

  There was the other thing… The questions she had about how a Queen could claim a Consort, and what exactly that would entail. She simply wasn’t ready to relinquish Ryden, and wasn’t sure whether she ever would be. Yet she refused to choose between him and her duty to her people, either. There had to be a compromise.

  “Fine, but I expect you back here. Soon.” He plopped down, stretching out that long, muscular frame, and gripped his rigid erection, tempting her.

  She swallowed against the dryness in her mouth and forced her legs to pace toward the door. One last glimpse of that sexy male, and she glided from the room. After peeking into the kitchen and the gym, she located Daji alone in one of the sitting rooms, reading a book.

  The Queen lowered her book onto her lap and arched one brow. “Well, you certainly appear refreshed.” No mistaking the twinkle in her copper eyes.

  Naya fanned her cheeks and plopped onto the antique sofa beside Daji. “Yes, very. Thank you.” She tilted her head. For a dying woman, Daji’s skin practically glowed. Had she been feeding off Price? “So do you.”

  “Ah, well.” A nervous laugh chimed from her lips. Confirmation of her intimacy with Price? “They are brothers.”