by Jenika Snow
He kicked Robert hard enough that his body skidded across the pavement. Damien turned, kept to the shadows, and saw a man and woman stop to see what was going on. They couldn’t see him, and he doubted they could see the bastard on the floor either, not unless they wanted to come deeper into the shadows. He left and headed back home. He needed to shift and run this extra energy out of his body, because right now he was so fucking dangerous he even scared himself.
****
“Good, Hayden,” she said without any interest in the fact the asshole that had attacked her at the part just seven days ago was now lying in the hospital because someone had kicked his ass. “He probably deserved what he got.”
“Danika, the guy is near death lying in a hospital bed,” Hayden said through the receiver. “And you and I both know you don’t think violence solves anything.”
“I doubt he is near death.” She braced the phone between her shoulder and ear, and stuffed a change of clothes into her backpack. She was heading over to Damien’s after work, and although it had only been a week since he had told her what she was to him, and even less than that since they had told her father, things were going as smoothly as if it was always meant to go this way.
She stopped what she was doing and thought about what Hayden was telling her. “So someone beat the shit out of the asshole that attacked me at the party,” she stated without forming it as a question. “And why would I care, Hayden? The guy probably pissed off someone’s boyfriend. Serves his ass right.”
“I don’t think you’re understanding what I’m saying.”
She knew exactly what Hayden was saying, and she didn’t care one bit that the prick was lying in a hospital room beat to hell. “I understand. I just don’t care because the guy was a royal asshole.”
“A witness said it was a shifter that beat him up.”
That had everything in Danika stilling. “A shifter?”
“Yeah, a lion shifter more accurately, and one that kept talking about never putting a hand on his mate again or he’d make sure the guy was buried in the ground where no one would find him.”
She had spoken to Hayden about Damien, nothing in-depth, but enough that her friend knew Damien was her mate, pretty hardcore when it came to the mate thing, and that for the first time in her life she felt like she belonged somewhere with a man. “You think it was Damien?”
“I don’t know, because I don’t really know the guy. But I would bet it was given the fact you’re his mate, he’s a lion shifter, and the guy that just happened to get beat up was the one that fucked with you last week.”
Yeah, she knew it was Damien, even if no names had been said. He had already said he’d hurt anyone that touched her, that he’d find out who had messed with her. He’d delivered on that promise, but Hayden was right. She didn’t want violence answering violence. “I’ll talk to you later, Hayden.” She hung up the phone and stood there for a moment just thinking about what was going on. Did she care that asshole was in the hospital? No, not at all, but the fact she was the cause of it didn’t sit well with her. Maybe she contradicted herself because she had told Hayden she didn’t care that someone had kicked his ass, and now she wanted to talk to Damien about it. But she wanted him to know she wasn’t about to have a relationship where he used force to make it known she wasn’t to be messed with. Unfortunately she would have to wait until after work, and this was going to be the longest day of her life. She hoped Damien could understand where she was coming from, because it was early in their relationship, and she wanted everything out in the open for both of them.
Chapter Nine
Danika had planned on seeing Damien after work anyway. After she spoke to Hayden about that asshole that attacked her in the bathroom, and how he was now in the hospital, she had to speak to Damien herself. Just knowing that he might have been the one to hurt that prick had her this jittery mess. It wasn’t that she didn’t think the man deserved it, but that Damien had been the one to deliver that beat-down. He had told her that he was going to take care of whoever hurt her, that he’d find out one way or another who the guy was that harmed her. She hadn’t thought much about it, because she hadn’t known the man’s name. But now she stared at Damien as he stood in the doorway of his cabin. The fierceness and determination that covered his handsome, rugged face showed her he would never stop until he had delivered on that promise.
She wanted to just ask him even though she knew without a doubt he’d been the one to go after the asshole. And although she’d never been one for confrontation, she also wanted to make some things clear with Damien.
“We need to talk,” she said and walked into his home. His cabin was gorgeous, although small, but it was intimate and she knew for what Damien wanted—solitude and isolation—it fit the job.
“I can smell that you’re upset,” he said without a hint of worry or anger in his voice. He shut the door, and she turned and faced him. “What’s wrong?” He crossed his big arms over his chest, and for a second all she could do was stare at the way his shirt tightened around his biceps and chest, outlining his muscles. He was quite the male specimen, but she couldn’t allow her libido or emotions get the better of her right now.
“Did you go after that guy that attacked me back at the party last week?” She wasn’t angry in the sense she was going to bitch at him, or scold him for beating up a guy that was so much younger and weaker than he was. The truth was a part of her liked the fact someone had wanted to avenge her because she’d been hurt. She felt this warmth at the idea that he had wanted to find out who had touched her, and teach them a lesson on the repercussions of touching what was his. She’d never been in a situation like this, in a relationship that was all-consuming.
“Yes,” he said with no emotion in his voice at all. He moved away from the door and walked over to the kitchen to grab two glasses from the cupboard, and a bottle of whiskey. After he poured both shot glasses, he held one out to her.
“No, thanks.” She watched as he tossed both shots back, while staring at her the entire time.
“If you want me to feel sorry about beating that punk’s ass I won’t, Danika.” He placed his hands on the counter, and this rough note in his voice told her that he felt no remorse over his actions. “And I’d do it again with anyone that thought they could put their hands on you.”
She shook her head, set her purse on the couch, and breathed out. “Listen, Damien, this is all so new to me. I’m still trying to get my head wrapped around the idea that I’m your mate, and that this is a lifelong journey we are going to be on together.”
He didn’t move, didn’t speak, but his amber colored gaze held hers as if he had his arms wrapped tightly around her, causing her to be immobile.
“I understand that shifters are more animal than human, and that you want to protect me. I’ve never had anyone, besides my father, want to make sure I’m safe like you do—”
“I don’t think you truly understand how much I am more animal than human, Danika.” He moved around the counter and walked up to her. She had to crane her neck back slightly just to see into his face. He was upset, but she could tell, could feel, that it wasn’t directed at her. “I know you’re angry with me for being physical and hurting that asshole, but he put his hands on you, and thought he could take something from you that wasn’t offered.” That last part came out of him on a growl.
“I don’t want anyone getting hurt because you want to exact vengeance for me, Damien.” She lifted her hand and placed it on his chest. The steady beat of his heart was right below her palm. “I don’t want violence because of violence, Damien, and I’m sure you have seen enough of that in your life.” She spoke softer this time. “I want to be here with you, to work this relationship out and experience it all with you.”
He stared in her eyes, lifted his hand and cupped her cheek, and she felt this zing go through her entire body. “I don’t want you upset with me, Danika, and I understand what you’re saying. I want you to be happy.”
Rising on her toes she pressed her lips to his, knowing that although he said he understood, that his animal genetics might make it very difficult for him to refrain from using his strength. He lifted his other arm and wrapped it around her waist, pulling her close to him. The feel of his erection prodding her belly had a flash of wetness leaving her pussy. God, even when she meant to come over here just to talk this out with him all she could think about right now was taking their clothes off and letting him control her body.
“I’d do anything for you, Danika,” he said against her lips. “I’d do anything for you, and if you want me to try and refrain from going after someone that hurt you,” he pulled back slightly and stared into her eyes for several seconds. “I’ll try, baby, but you have to know that you’re my mate, and when it concerns your safety my animal is the one that is taking control.” He went back to kissing her, harder this time, and slid his hand that cupped her cheek to the back of her head. He held her face close to his as he fucked her with his lips and tongue.
“Damien?” Her eyes fluttered closed when he moved his mouth to her neck, and his warm breath teased the skin right below her ear.
“Yeah, baby?” His voice was low, husky, and she swore she smelled his lion pheromones.
“I…” She breathed out on a moan when he ran his slightly elongated canines on her throat.
“You’re mine,” he growled, and she heard the lion in his voice right then. The feel of his tongue on her throat had a small mewl leaving her. “I won’t ever take anything you’re not willing to give.”
Her head was suddenly too heavy for her to hold up, and so she let it fall back, baring her throat for her mate even more.
“That’s it, surrender to me willingly, and I swear to fucking God, baby, I’ll make you never regret it.”
She didn’t regret it, would never think twice about giving herself to Damien. Danika wanted to let go, so she brought her hands up, gripped his massive biceps and nodded her desire for him to continue. “I want you, want this, but…” He lifted his head and looked down at her.
“Tell me what you want, and it’s yours.”
She licked her lips, knowing that she really did want this, but for this first time it had to be her way.
“Will you let me lead?” She didn’t need to elaborate, because by the sound he let out she knew he understood.
“Anything, baby. Anything and everything I have is yours.” He brushed his lips against hers, like he was ready to let her take the reins. She knew it was probably for this one time, because Damien was a very dominating man, and she liked that he took control. It made her feel like a woman, and that he knew how to make her feel good because he knew her so well. He took a step back, and for a moment all they did was stare at each other. The shirt he wore was a button-down, and so she lifted her hands to his chest, and rested her open palm right over his pectoral muscles. Her hands shook slightly, but it wasn’t from apprehension, but liquid arousal. Danika slipped the buttons out one at a time, and when the material was hanging open she smoothed her hands along the hard, smooth ridges that were clear through his white undershirt. His chest rose and fell, his breathing increasing with each passing moment.
Pushing the shirt off his shoulders, she started to lift the hem of his tee, seeing the ripped six-pack that was revealed, and the dark blond hair that started right below his belly button and disappeared beneath his jeans. How had she gone from wanting to have an in-depth conversation with him to being wet and ready for him to take her? In one swift move he lifted his arms over his head, gripped the back of his shirt, and pulled it over his head and tossed it aside.
All other thoughts left Danika’s mind, and she breathed out roughly when she saw his hard chest. It was wide, golden in color, and so muscular she felt like a small, insignificant female beside him. Even though she had seen him naked before, her emotions had been so raw at the time that a lot of it was just sensations and feelings inside of her. He growled low in his throat. She knew it must be hard for him to just stand there, not taking control when she knew he wanted to. Nervousness was a living entity inside of her, but she pushed it aside and reached for the belt at his waist. His erection was already tenting his jeans, and it was enormous. After getting the button undone and his zipper down, she took a deep breath, gripped the edges of the denim, and pushed them down. He wore no underwear, a fact that turned her on even more. His shaft sprang forth like another limb, and all she could do was stare at it.
“You see what you do it me, baby.” His voice was so low, so rough, that her nipples instantly hardened and her pussy swelled with her arousal. “You have total control over me, Danika. You’ll always have this control over me.” His gaze was lowered to her chest that was rising and falling from her rapid breathing. “Touch me, Danika, before I lose my control and just take you right here and now without giving you the chance to take the lead, baby.”
Keeping hold of his gaze with hers, she reached out and smoothed her hands over his chest again. Slowly moving her hands down the granite-like, hairless, and hard expanse of flesh, she gripped his shaft without waiting for her nerves to come back to reality. He was so thick and long that she couldn’t even wrap her fingers fully around his girth.
“Yeah, Danika, that’s it.”
She wanted him, wanted to feel Damien touch every part of her. Power surged through her when she started stroking him and he couldn’t hold his eyes open any longer. The fact she couldn’t seem to get enough oxygen into her lungs had her feeling lightheaded. She wanted it all, and she wanted it with this lion shifter. Letting go of his erection and taking a step back, she watched the different emotions pass across his face.
“Take me, Damien—” She didn’t finish that sentence, because this low, animalistic growl left him, and then he had her in his arms. He kissed her like he couldn’t get enough. He moved her so her back met the hard wood of the living room wall. Damien ran his teeth up and down her neck, and had his hands on her upper arms, holding her in place for him.
“I could devour you right now, Danika.”
She breathed out at his erotic words.
He moved his other hand down her waist, over her outer thigh, and snaked it around until he could grip her behind the knee. “You own me, Danika, own every part of my body and soul.” He licked at her pulse. “You are the only one that can bring me to my knees.” When he lifted her leg and brought it flush with his hip, it put her pussy in direct contact with his erection. Damien thrust his hips forward, and she groaned as his cock pressed against her clit. The skirt she wore had him in direct contact with her panty covered pussy. Sparks of pleasure went straight through her body. He did it again and again until she started grinding herself on him, seeking more pressure. If he kept it up she would get off from this alone.
He kept moving against her, bringing her pleasure higher and higher until she was gasping for air. “Fuck, baby.”
“God, Damien.” Curling her hands further into his arms she started moving her hips in time with his, but harder this time, bringing herself closer to her climax. She wished her panties weren’t in the way, and that she could feel how smooth and hot he was against her bare flesh.
Her head fell against the wall, and a moan spilled from her right when he thrust especially hard against her. He cupped her breast with one hand while still holding her leg with the other. “I could come in my jeans from doing this alone.” He ran his palm up and down her nipple, causing the little bud to tighten further. She wanted the damn shirt and bra off, wanted the offending material that blocked her from fully feeling his skin against hers to be torn away.
Yes, she had said she wanted to take control, but right now she wanted Damien to be the one to dominate her. “I want nothing between us.”
In the next instant he had her shirt off, and reached behind her and unlatched her bra. The material slid down her arms, and he tossed it aside. When he pulled back and looked at her bare breasts it was like he was reaching out and touching her.
It penetrated her, seeped into her body, and had her only thinking about being with this lion. He stepped closer, pulled her into the hardness of his body, and claimed her mouth. His groan vibrated against her lips. He moved his mouth down her neck. The lower he went, the deeper the sounds he made.
His hot, humid breath teased the peak of one of her breasts, causing the turgid tip to stiffen further. Biting her bottom lip until she tasted the tangy flavor of blood, Danika waited for Damien to suck the nipple into his mouth. For several long, agonizing seconds all she felt was his warm breath teasing over her.
“You’re torturing me.” Spearing her fingers into his hair, she tried to pull him closer to her chest, pleading with her actions as well that she wanted this. But trying to move Damien when he wasn’t ready to do so was like moving a stone wall.
“That’s the last thing I want to do,” he said in this husky, arousal-laced voice, and he believed him. God did she believe everything he said, but her insides turned to mush around him, and her instincts told her that this man would always be there for her. It scared her, but most of all it had her melting against him for more.
Chapter Ten
Danika tightened her fingers in Damien’s hair. He gave one last groan before covering her left nipple with his hot, wet mouth and sucking long and hard. The blood rushed to the surface and swelled under his ministrations. For several agonizingly pleasure-filled seconds all he did was suck on her breasts. He alternated between them, drawing the tissue out with his teeth, and then dragging his tongue over the slight sting he caused.
Danika was vaguely aware of the sounds coming from her, ones that should have made her embarrassed, but she couldn’t comprehend anything because the ecstasy was far too intense. Her panties were soaked, and her pulse beat in her clit. She knew he smelled her arousal, and he proved as much when he slid his palm down her belly, pushed her skirt up over her hips, and pushed his hand down her underwear. At the first touch of his fingers in her slick cleft, Danika cried out.
