by Dahlia Rose
Lettie dropped her head back. His cock thumped against the inside of her thigh and she wiggled. He groaned against her skin and she felt the reverberation through her body. Her nipples tightened into sharp peaks in the soft cups of her bra.
“I hope you’re not attached to this shirt.” The sound of tearing fabric echoed through the room and cool air curled around her shoulders.
She peered at her side. Her cotton tee had rough cuts along both arms and fell away at her elbows. “You are so going to owe me new clothing.” She started to giggle.
He tugged a bra cup down and sucked the taut tip of her breast between his lips.
Her bout of laughter turned into whimpers.
He drew her areola into deeper into his mouth, gently biting down.
Her clit throbbed, and she rolled her pelvis. The sweet ache intensified.
Jace eased a hand between them and massaged her tit. He pulled his head back and stuck out his tongue, tracing the dusky outline of her areola before pressing hard kisses to the valley between her breasts. She used her hold on his hair tresses to direct his movements, urging his face toward her neglected breast. He nipped at the inside curve of her orb and the tweak sizzled directly to her pussy. Her cream coated her folds. She ground down, rubbing her nether lips against his cock.
His muscles bunched beneath her hand. He leaned back, breaking contact. “Baby, you have too many clothes on.” He rose, heaving her up with him.
She dropped her legs and was set down. Her heart pounded. and she was sure he could hear the rapid tattoo. She squeezed her thighs together and her clitoris spasmed. “Ahhh!” She couldn’t keep the small wail from escaping through her lips. She swallowed and raised her head to stare up at him. “Will you disappear when I wake up?”
He reached out and slid his fingers under the waistband of her jeans. “You’re not dreaming. It would take a legion to tear me away from you and even then it would still be a hell of a fight.” Jace grinned. “No, sugar, you are stuck with me, and we have an eternity.” He popped the button on her jeans and slid the zipper down. Keeping eye contact, he rolled the denim material over her hips and pushed it to her knees. A quick yank at the thin elastic of her panties and they drifted down her thighs. He rolled her clothing down her calves and straightened.
“No matter where you go, I will never be far behind.” He eased behind her and gently turned her to face the seat. Jace urged her to her knees with a slight push on her shoulders, directing her over the seat of the swing. He crouched down behind her and ripped the material from her legs before slipping between them and easing them apart.
Hard wood pushed against her stiff nipples. The slight pain only enhanced the pleasure, and she placed her hands palm flat on the stone floor. He skimmed his fingers along her spine, and she arched under his touch. Warmth coated her back when he covered her with his chest, dropping openmouthed kisses along her neck. She bumped back into him. The rigid length of his shaft slid between her butt cheeks. He grasped her hips, holding her still.
She wanted to move so badly, to feel the friction of his body sliding over hers. Nervous energy flowed through her, and her breathing came in small pants. The side of the plank bit into her belly. Her mouth was dry, and her tongue felt huge. “Fuck me please.” Her tone was coarse.
He rose up behind her and locked his fingers around the back of her neck. His digits bit into the hollows at the side of her throat. Her slick labia separated as he thrust his rod through her moist crevices to the mouth of her channel.
“Mine.” He grunted as he drove his cock into her passage, filling her.
Lettie was still for a moment. His girth was larger than she was used to. She bit down on her bottom lip to keep from crying out. She curled her hands into fists and slowly exhaled. He pulled almost completely out, and she felt empty. He plunged into her sheath and the swing lunged forward, stretching her torso. When he drew back, she returned to her original position. They formed a rhythm as he rammed into her body with every drive. Chains squeaked as they spun in the eyebolts drilled into the ceiling. Tremors shook her limbs as currents danced along her nerve endings. She flexed her hips meeting his thrusts.
His groans morphed into yells.
She bowed up, and he wrapped his arms across her breasts, holding her place as he drove up. Tiny dazzling-white orbs filled her vision. She reached behind her and clawed her nails across his back. Her orgasm crashed through her, taking away her voice and making everything around her go dim. He covered the bird bite with his mouth and bellowed against her skin as heat filled her. Suddenly dark went to pitch-black and she was surrounded by thousands of feathers before she passed out.
Chapter Four
The incessant ringing wouldn’t stop. Jace turned and reached out to drag a thick pillow over his head. Leticia curled up in a ball against his side. She murmured unintelligible words and pulled the duvet over her head. The high-pitched tones continued. He threw back the covers and lifted his head, searching for the source of the sound. When the sound ceased he settled down in the mattress and slipped an arm around his mate. A satisfied sigh passed through his lips and contentment flowed through him. His lids begun to drift shut. High-pitched tones cut through his sleep.
He grunted and sat up, spinning around to set his feet on the floor. His home was shrouded in darkness. He rolled his head and rose. Leticia twisted and the sheet moved up and down. Jace ran his fingers along his bottom lip. He was guessing she was restless now that he was no longer next to her. The claiming was complete. Jace closed his eyes and tried to sense her, but the continuous ring distracted him. It wasn’t his phone, he didn’t have the obnoxious sound of cackling laughter on his cell, so it must be hers.
Jace followed the noise to her jeans thrown in a corner on the side of swing. They vibrated in his palm as he went through her pockets. He pulled the small device free and stared at the number flashing on the screen. A hasty slide of his index finger over the surface and his eye widened in surprise when the phone unlocked. He would have to have a long talk with his mate about security. The handset icon appeared and he pressed it.
“What?” Jace listened for an answer.
“Who the fuck is this?” a deep baritone responded.
He knew that voice. It was the same one from earlier in the day, the guy who tied him up. “I don’t know who you are, and I don’t care. Call this number again—I will find you and decimate your ass.” Jace hung up.
The phone started again. Jace answered it. Some people never fucking learned. “Do you not understand English?”
“Where the hell is my sister?” The man on the other line huffed.
“Your sister?” Jace glanced over at the bed. He’d never thought about whether or not she’d had any family. “Leticia is fine. She’s sleeping.”
“Listen, asshole, I want to talk to her now or so help me I will be the one hunting.”
Jace chuckled. He liked her brother. The guy had a sense of family. “I’ll have her call you in the morning. There is no way in hell I’m waking my,” he had to think of the human term for his mating, “wife up.” He disconnected the call on the sputtering man.
He flipped the cell over in his hand and removed the battery, then pulled the card beneath it, dropping the pieces in the trash as he moved toward the bed. There would be no more disturbances. In the morning he would take his woman to the casino for breakfast and have a long chat with his dad. First he had a mate he wanted to get to know. Leticia was sprawled out, the top of her head barely visible under the thick bedspread. He sunk a knee into the mattress and pulled the covers back. Jace thought about Jerimiah and moved from the bed. He needed to connect with his dad.
Another look at the twisting mound current sleeping in his spot, a faint snort had him leaning closer. He chuckled when he realized she was snoring and straightened slowly backing away. Good thing he’d flown from the cliffs above his home that morning, or he’d have had to wait until morning to talk with his father. He strolled to the kitchen
counter and pulled his cell from the natural shelf in the wall next to the stove. After tapping the icon on his phone he waited, listening to the silence until the call made the connection.
“Where the hell have you been all day?” Jerimiah kept his tone low when he answered. “That relentless fucker Messina came by the casino again.” Jace could hear the faint giggle of a woman in the background.
“Patrolling, someone took a couple shots at me.” Jace turned around and leaned on his cabinet. He stared at the lump in his bed.
“Hold on.” Jerimiah’s voice faded. Sheets rustled and Jace could hear muffled footfalls and the whine and click of what he suspected was a door closing. “Well, you’re not dead, or you wouldn’t be calling and you’re not hurt, or that would be the first thing you mentioned. Did you disembowel the asshole?”
Jace snickered. “No I took the damn shot and fell out the sky.”
“Okay.” Jerimiah sighed. “So what are you not telling me?” he mumbled. “Why do you like to draw things out like your mother…?”
“Careful, Mom might decide to fly back this way and annoy your ass.”
“That woman is in some region of hell, happily spending my money. May the Great Spirit Goddess bless the man that created divorce proceedings,” Jerimiah grumbled
“Uh-huh, is that why Teka is constantly calling and complaining about your bed buddies?” Jace cleared his throat.
“Teka is my daughter, not my mother, and certainly not my woman. The next time your sister makes a comment tell her to take it up with me. You two act like a man can’t search for his female. I’m simply enjoying the hunt for my mate.”
“You have a mate, her name is Twyla and she is my mother. You two just can’t seem to get along for more than a few hours.” Jace snorted. “How you two managed to have me and Teka is mind-boggling. But I’m not calling to discuss the dysfunction of my parents. I’m calling because I met mine.” Jace crossed his feet at his ankles.
“Met what? Come on, it’s three in the morning, son, spit it out. Talking in riddles is another trait I swear you picked up from your mom’s side of the branch.”
“My mate, Jerimiah,” Jace responded quietly.
Well, aren’t you the lucky one. Which tribe is she from? Who is she? The elders will be happy.” Excitement colored Jerimiah’s tone and quickly turned somber. “What about the asshole running around the res shooting birds out the sky? Do I need to gather a few warriors together to go hunting?”
“No, I want the bastard all to myself. However, I do need someone to watch over Leticia. She’s the one that found me and well…I’ve been a little busy since we met.”
“Your woman will be safe here, bring her to the casino. If we’re finished with this titillating conversation, I would like to go back to bed. The twins are waiting.”
Jace shook his head and stared at the striations of color in the floor. No way was he going to inquire about his dad’s sex life. “One more thing.”
“Make it quick, boy.”
“Leticia is a human.” Jace hung up to his father stammering.
“Not that I plan on sticking around, but what does my species have to do with anything?” There was a touch of annoyance in Leticia’s tone.
Jace glanced up. “You’re beautiful.”
Leticia sat up with the sheet secured under her arms and the duvet swaddled around her hips. She hugged her knees to her and her hair was a half-braided, tangled mass of riotous curls. “You didn’t answer my question.” She blinked a few times and rubbed her eyes.
He ignored the statement. “In the morning, I’m taking you to the casino. I need to take care of some business and I know you’ll be safe there.”
She twisted toward the windows and grimaced. “In the morning I’m carrying my happy-yet-sore ass home.”
“Whoever shot me may still be out there and I will not have you put in danger. Around the scarcity I know you’ll be safe.” He checked the time on his phone. “It’s a quarter past three.” Jace straightened.
“Woo, I must have been tired. ’Cause I think you just tried to dictate to me what I will and will not do.” She faced him and yawned. “Dream lover or not, no one tells me what to do or how to live, ask my twin.”
“I spoke to him earlier. He asked that you call him in the morning.” Jace stalked toward the bed. “As your man, I decide what’s in our best interest, and keeping you safe is my priority.” He placed a knee on the mattress. “Anything else you want to talk about before we see how long it takes to put you back to sleep?”
Leticia lowered her legs and leaned back on her palms. “Think you can control me, keep dreaming, my feathered friend.”
“You and I both know I am more than your buddy.” He lunged for her.
* * * *
Lettie carefully eased out the old truck, her thigh muscles aching in response to her movements. Jace stood at the vehicle’s door with a huge grin on his face. She straightened and stretched without groaning. Damn if she would give him the satisfaction of knowing he wore her out. Hell, she stopped counting after round five in their sexual marathon.
Large charter buses took up slanted spots in the parking lot. She looked up at the glass-and-chrome building that seemed to have risen from the sand-covered plains. The entrance was flanked by two large totem poles topped by huge black birds. They resembled the condor she’d rescued the day before. Blue Waters Hotel and Casino was etched in elegant lettering on the glass sheet between them. Jace helped her up the short flight of stairs, and they crossed the concrete expanse to enter the building.
The barrier slid open for her and she stopped. “Before I leave this building, you will tell me what the hell happened to the bird that was in the back on my Jeep.” She whispered so only he would hear.
He cocked a brow. “I thought you figured it out, sugar, the bird and I are one and the same, but don’t worry, I’ll explain everything as many times as you need to hear it.” Jace winked.
She hung her head. “It is criminal that you can be so good in bed and absolutely bat-shit crazy in the head. Just point toward a phone so I can call a cab and get the hell out of here since you wouldn’t let me drive my Jeep.” Leticia sighed.
“You aren’t hearing me…” Jace started.
He was interrupted by the older man clearing his throat behind them. “Can you two continue your love spat on the inside? There is a slot machine with my name on it in there ready to spew coins into my palms and you are blocking my way.”
Lettie shuffled across the threshold, followed by the senior citizen that slipped in front of Jace. She moved to the side. A giant mural caught her eye and she walked toward it. It was a desert scene depicted in a canyon, reflecting different moments in the Supai history. The clouds above the Indians where shaped like large birds and outlined in gray, and warriors lined the bottom of the picture in full headdress of black feathers, carrying various weapons. Above them was a white outline, barely visible, of an Indian woman with her arms extended. Lettie lifted her hand. The images were so vibrant, they appeared as if they would jump right off the wall, and she felt a sudden need to touch them.
“Stunning, isn’t it?” The rumbling voice stopped her.
She turned to the side about to speak and snapped her jaws shut. If she wasn’t mistaken, the guy next to her was an older version of Jace. She took a step back. Leticia wasn’t sure how it happened but she was now absolutely positive she was in an alternate universe.
“I apologize I didn’t mean to scare you. I’m Jerimiah, Jace’s father. He called last night and told me to expect you.” Deep indentations appeared in his cheeks as his lips lifted at the corners.
Lettie found herself smiling back. “I’m sorry, you just startled me.” She narrowed her eyes. “I’m Leticia. Expect me?”
“That was not my intention. Your name suits you.” He held out his arm. “I know Jace is probably looking for you. How about we go find him and while we’re at it you can tell me a little about yourself. Seems my son is qui
te taken with you.”
Her gaze darted between his arm and his face. “Don’t take this the wrong way, but things have been a little freaky around your son.” She widened the space between them by taking a few more steps back. “And no offense, but I think I’m going to find a phone and make a call. I bet I can catch the shuttle out of here.”
“The charter buses won’t be leaving until this evening.” Jerimiah placed his hands in the pockets of his slacks. “There is a bank of phones by the ladies’ room. Of course if you come with me I’ll be happy to let you use the phone in my office.” He held out his hand.
This was her chance to get escape. And the way Jerimiah stared at her through whiskey-colored eyes made her nervous. “Seriously, do I look like the star of my own horror movie? Tell Jace thanks for the hospitality but this chick is gone.”
Jerimiah burst out laughing.
She took the opportunity to slip into the middle of a group of elderly folks walking through the area. First she would find the phones, and then she would call her brother. There was no way Leo would catch a flight home without knowing where she was. After that she would get the hell out of the Blue Waters Casino and Hotel and hopefully back to a reality she was familiar with.
Chapter Five
Jace watched Leticia hurry through the casino doors on the closed-circuit television. He leaned back, rested his hips on the chair, and crossed his arms. The three security guards in the room with him slowly inched away from him. He could smell their trepidation and rubbed his jaw. On a whim, he twisted his torso. “Boo!” The men jumped and he chuckled.
Teka walked through the open door to the office and scowled. “Stop screwing with my guards.” She handed them each a clipboard and sent them to do their tasks
“Hire harder men.” Jace glanced over his shoulder and responded after they left.
“Not all Supai men are shifters. Only the warriors received the gift of the Thunderbird.” Teka dropped into a chair and rolled up to the desk. “Why are you here anyway? Don’t you have lands to protect or women to chase…something?” She pulled the clip from her hair and scratched her scalp.
