Wilde Rapture

by Taige Crenshaw

  * * * *

  Wrenching open the fridge, Nia grabbed the sodas, then slammed them down on the counter. The microwave dinged, and she yanked it open, retrieving the bag of popcorn. Grabbing the bowl and moving it closer, she pulled the bag open.

  “Son of a bitch,” she said, dropping it as the steam burned her.

  “No need to take out your pissy mood on the defenceless food,” Gabe said.

  She picked up the popcorn bag, upending it into the bowl. Snagging the drinks, she left. Nia followed her. Gabe set everything down on the centre table, then sat back on the couch. She curled her legs under her body. Nia sat next to her, slouching.

  “You could tell me what happened with Darius. You said you all didn’t break up, but what’s going on?”

  He isn’t human.

  Nia bit the inside of her cheek. Yes, that was an issue, but they could have discussed it if he had only told her differently, not the way he had—theatrical; scaring her.

  Would you have reacted differently if he’d told you another way?

  Nia crossed her arms over her breasts. She didn’t know. Would never know how she would have reacted. He hadn’t given her a chance.

  But you were keeping him at a distance.

  She brushed that aside. Her being hesitant to introduce him to her friends was nothing compared to his secret.

  “Nia,” Gabe said.

  “We didn’t break up,” she snapped.

  “When did you last speak to him?” Gabe asked gently.

  “Eleven days. He’s being stubborn.” She sighed.

  “I don’t know what happened, but I bet you are, too. Go to him, Nia. Knock him upside his head to get him to listen to you.”

  “It’s his turn to come to me,” she said stubbornly.

  “What?”

  “I’m not going to him,” she said firmly.

  At Gabe’s sigh, Nia knew she’d recognised her tone as the one that meant she wasn’t going to change her mind. Gabe turned her attention to the movie.

  Nia looked out at the bright mid-day Sunday. It was a beautiful day, but she couldn’t even appreciate it, or time with Gabe. All her thoughts were on the aggravating man named Darius Wilde. Focusing on the TV, she tried to get into the movie.

  “Darius, stop being stubborn and go after her,” Mia Wilde said. She smacked him on the shoulder.

  Darius ignored her and picked up his plate off the table. He should have known the invitation to lunch was a ruse. But they hadn’t said anything when he’d told them what had happened with Nia, and he had let that lull him into thinking they understood.

  For days they had walked around him on eggshells, until they had realised he was fine. Then it had been business as usual. What no one had realised was that he had locked it away inside him, refusing to think about it. If they didn’t mention it, it helped him to do that. As the days had passed it had become easier not to face it.

  Silently, Darius placed his plate in the sink. He turned, spotting Mia tapping her foot, waiting for him.

  He sank through the floor.

  “No fair,” Mia said.

  Darius smiled as he moved through the layers of concrete and building and into his own apartment.

  Sitting on his couch, he sobered. He leant back with his hands behind his head, staring into space, and thought of their confrontation again. Nia might be indignant, but he had done what he’d felt was best. And she was the one who had chosen to walk away, to leave him with the ultimatum that when he was ready to apologise he could come to her. He was not about to do such a thing. He had nothing to apologise for. He had been right to show her his true self, and her reaction had revealed that she could not accept him.

  All day, he replayed it in his mind, dissecting each moment. As he thought about it, the hurt on her face flashed into his mind. Sitting up, Darius realised that he had hurt her. If she didn’t care, he wouldn’t have been able to do that.

  With a thought, he brought her to him. Nia gaped, then frowned.

  “You were supposed to come to me, not bring me to you. You’re lucky Gabe had already left my house. I wouldn’t want to explain my vanishing to her. Well, what do you have to say to me?” Nia demanded.

  She crossed her arms over her breasts. Darius hungrily took in her sexy frame. She was even more beautiful than he remembered. Darius stood and stalked towards her. Nia backed away. He paced her. Her back hit the wall. Darius put his hand over her head. Nia narrowed her eyes.

  “Trying to intimidate me isn’t going to work,” she said.

  “I love you, Nia,” he whispered.

  Her eyes widened, then she smacked him on the chest. “You’re just saying that to get yourself out of trouble.”

  “No. I love you. I want you to know that before we talk. I need you to believe it.”

  Nia studied him, her captivating gaze cool. Then her eyes warmed, and she hugged him.

  “I believe you. And I love you, too, you big ass,” she said.

  “You could have at least told me that without that last part.” He laughed.

  “I could, but I’m still pissed at you for telling me you aren’t human the way you did,” Nia said.

  Darius nodded. “I know. I’m sorry for that. I should have told you differently.”

  “And I wasn’t keeping you from my friends. I’d already mentioned that when you got your head out of your ass I would introduce you,” Nia replied.

  “And I will be pleased to meet them.” Darius kissed the top of her head.

  “Lower,” she said.

  He inclined his head and kissed her on the lips. Nia stroked her tongue into his mouth. Darius kept the kiss light, then pulled back.

  “Let me explain about what I am,” he said.

  “Later, you can fill me in on all I need to know about you. But for now, feed my rapture for your body,” Nia said.

  Darius’ cock went rock hard at the wanton invitation in her voice. He kissed her, lifting her into his arms, taking her to bed. In his room, he laid her on his mattress. Nia smiled at him. He removed their clothing with a thought. Her eyes widened, then her lids partially lowered.

  “This could be handy,” she murmured.

  He blanketed her body with his and in one thrust he sank into her pussy. It was like coming home. He stroked into her, deep and sure. Her legs came up, cradling him inside her. The sounds of pleasure she made soothed his soul. She dug her fingernails into his shoulders. They moved in the synchronised rhythm that they enjoyed—thrust, undulate, then deep.

  “Darius… Please… Yes…You know how I need it,” she moaned.

  He did, and he gave it to her, showing no mercy as he reclaimed this woman who made his heart sing with joy, his body fill with rapture. She clenched around him, her wetness easing his glide into her slit. Nia arched her neck, legs going rigid around his hips. Her gasp echoed as she gushed, coming. Darius joined her, groaning as his cock spurted out his cum. He slumped onto her.

  Nia held him, her touch possessive, letting him know he was hers. Turning his head, he kissed her gently. Slowly, they calmed.

  Darius withdrew from her, then stood by the bed. He donned clothing with a thought and held out his hand to her.

  “Let me show you the world the way I see it.”

  Nia stood without hesitation, sliding her hand into his. He clothed her, then led her out onto the terrace. He extended his wings. Nia gasped softly, but didn’t pull away.

  “You can touch them,” he urged.

  She did, tentatively, then more firmly. She slid her hand along them.

  He locked his knees to still his trembling.

  Nia looked speculative, then said, “They are sensitive, aren’t they?”

  “Yes,” he whispered hoarsely.

  Nia continued to touch them. “I thought they would be rough, but they’re satiny. Soft.”

  “Yes…” He bit his lip, striving for control.

  Nia chuckled. Darius encircled her with his wings. She moaned softly, pressing against
him. She rubbed her cheek on the feathers.

  “Hold on,” he said. In a rush of power, he shot them into the sky, whirling them as he unfurled his wings from around her. Nia gasped, gripping him tightly.

  “I’ve got you. I’ll never let you fall,” he promised. “And I will catch you if you ever do fall.”

  She cupped his cheek and kissed him.

  Nia withdrew and looked around. “Now, show me how you see New York. Then tell me all about what you are.”

  Darius flew into the moonlit summer night, shielding them from view, and did as she bade. He shared with her the rapturous delight that was his world.

  Also available from Total-E-Bound Publishing:

  Power of Attraction

  Taige Crenshaw

  Excerpt

  Chapter One

  Fear swamped Wesley McCarty as he looked at the date on the newspaper in disbelief.

  January twelfth.

  He had lost six months of time and had no idea of what he had done. Swearing viciously, he leant back against the couch. He ran his hand over his head. The last thing he remembered was going to bed early. When he woke he was so relived, hell thankful, he hadn’t dreamed.

  Wesley looked down at his hands and breathed a sigh of relief.

  “Thank God, no blood, cuts, or markings. You’re doing okay, Wes.”

  Even as he said it, he knew it was a lie. It was just the beginning of summer when he went to sleep yet when he woke there was snow on the ground. He tried to remember what had happened.

  Black waves of pain hammered in his head. He swallowed the nausea bubbling in the back of his throat. He breathed rapidly in and out. The feeling passed. After some time, the pain lessened and he could think.

  Oh God, what is happening to me? I’m losing my—

  Wesley cut off the thought before it could form. No. There is a reasonable explanation. There has to be one.

  Wesley sat up and pushed the button for the answering machine on the table next to the couch. As the many messages played, he started to shake. By the last one he knew that one of his vague explanations weren’t going to fix this. His friends who were also his business partners would want an explanation. Besides this one, there were times before that he had disappeared for a few hours, or days, and he had easily explained them away. This last disappearance of so many months would only make them question all the other times he had been gone before. He wasn’t ready to answer any questions. He had no clue himself what was going on.

  “What am I going to do?”

  He slumped deeper into the couch and closed his eyes while he thought up various explanations for his disappearance. None sounded believable enough for his partners to buy.

  With a sigh, he opened his eyes. His gaze landed on the tapestry over the fireplace. The profusion of colours of the scenic mountains, waters, and beautiful landscapes was a backdrop to a woman seemingly in the shadows. He couldn’t make out her features, but still got a sense of her happiness and sultry beauty. Her head was tilting back, and she held her body as if waiting for something. When he had received the piece from his friend Ian McIntyre, the note had said it was called Prophecy. Although it should have seemed like a weird name, it somehow seemed to fit.

  He remembered the note had also extended an invitation to come to Blackstone Haven.

  With a sense of purpose, he stood. He knew where he was going.

  You’re running away. He ignored the voice in his head and continued to look at the tapestry.

  The scene called to him.

  In a swift motion, he picked up the letter opener from the table, turned, and threw it. It quivered, embedded into the wall behind him.

  Shocked, Wesley stared at it. Slowly, he made his way over to it. A feeling of unease swept him as he saw the bug pinned to the wall with the opener. He curled his hand over the handle and tried to pull it out. He couldn’t.

  Tugging hard with both hands, he was able to release it. Wesley looked at the letter opener, then at the mark it in the wall.

  “What the hell?”

  His voice echoed in the emptiness. He glanced around the room that usually gave him comfort. The long, dark brown couches, chairs, and other items he had chosen years ago when he had bought the house seemed to not be the same. The walls were closing in on him.

  “I’ve got to get out of here.” Wesley turned quickly and made his way back upstairs.

  Three hours later, he was shifting gears in his SUV. The tension in his shoulders and the closed in feeling had eased as he put the city behind him. He patted the head resting against his thigh. A tongue licked his hand.

  “Newt, you’re not getting any steak for dinner, no matter how nice you try to act,” Wesley said.

  A bark sounded, and he glanced at his copper-red and white Siberian husky, who had sat up beside him. Newton barked again. Her parti-coloured eyes—one brown, the other blue—twinkled with mischief.

  “Don’t give me that look.” Wesley returned his attention to the road.

  He had swung by Pan’s—one of his business partners—house to get Newton on his way out of town. He was grateful that Pan was out of town, too, or he would never have got away without questions. At least this time, they would know where he was. He had sent them all emails.

  Newton barked.

  “I’m not a coward. It is better not to talk to them right now,” Wesley defended.

  Until he could figure out what was going on, it was best he went somewhere he could think and not have too many questions. He glanced at Newton.

  She whined, as if sensing his distress. She curled against his leg and put her foot on his thigh. Newton whined again.

  He glanced at her, running his hand over her thick coat. “It’s okay. We’ll figure out what’s happening.”

  Wesley glanced back at the road.

  A man stepped in front of the car.

  Wesley hit the brake. The seatbelt jerked him. The car hit the man and he went flying, landing a distance away.

  “Oh, God.” Shaking, Wesley unhooked his seatbelt.

  He glanced at Newton. She barked. His hands pulled open the door and he quickly got out. He ran to the man.

  “Are you okay?” Wesley asked as he skidded to a stop beside him. He leaned over to help him, and the man’s hand flashed out.

  The man turned to him, mirrored glasses hiding his eyes. His strong jaw and features seemed familiar, as did the long raven hair that shifted around his face as he turned his head and tightened his hold on Wesley’s arm.

  Wesley brought up his other hand, but the man blocked it effortlessly. A small, cruel grin curved his lips.

  An image of eyes almost translucent grey flashed in Wesley’s mind, and a sting on his arm made him jerk back. The man released his hold. Wesley’s head swam. A growl sounded behind him. He turned. Newton flew across the road towards them. He saw her stumble and fall.

  “No!” Wesley screamed.

  It came out instead as a weak murmur. He stumbled to Newton, but his knees buckled. Nausea swamped him. Blackness clouded his vision.

  The man walked into his line of sight and knelt next to Newton. He ran his hand, seemingly gently, across her fur then looked at Wesley, a malevolent smile on his face. Then darkness swallowed Wesley, and everything went black.

  Wesley jerked awake and looked around frantically, his heart pounding. The room he was in was unfamiliar. He swung his legs out of bed, and his foot touched fur. He looked down and saw Newton by the bed. She barked weakly and tried to stand, but couldn’t. Shifting his legs, he got down by her side and searched her for marks. He felt none. She licked his hand then laid her head back on her paws.

  Cautiously, he got up and walked to the windows by the door. He stood to one side and looked out. His dark red SUV was parked in front of the door. He tested the door and it opened. Quickly, he stepped outside onto the porch and glanced around.

  A little distance away he saw a house. He continued to glance around and realised there were a bunch of them
. Confused, he turned and went back inside. A paper on the table caught his attention. Going over to it, he picked it up.

  Blackstone Bungalows. Check in February first at 8:15 p.m.

  His legs wobbled as he saw the date and his signature on the bottom. Wesley reached for a chair, pulled it out, and sat.

  “Three weeks. I’ve lost almost three weeks.” Wesley stopped, considering. “Or have I? What is real? What’s happening to me? I was in my house, and I went for Newton to get out of town. We were driving, then—”

  He stopped, trying to remember how he had got here, but couldn’t.

  Fear coated his skin, and he breathed rapidly. “Did any of it happen? Is any of this real? It has to be. I’m here. Newton is with me. How did we get here?”

  A weak bark grabbed his attention. Newton was dragging herself on the floor towards him. Getting up, he ran to her.

  “Newton, what’s wrong with you?” He leaned over her and felt her pulse. It was weak and thready. Her eyes were unfocused. Quickly, he stood, lifting her in his arms. Frantic, he looked around the room for his keys. Spotting them on the table by the bed, he went and grabbed them. Slipping his feet into his loafers, he ran out the door to his car. He put her on the passenger seat, then ran around to the driver’s side and got in.

  “Hold on, Newt.” Wesley turned on the car and drove down the road.

  He tapped a key in his dash, and his computer slid out from its compartment. Silently, he thanked Pan for insisting they all have their cars outfitted with the special computers so they could work from anywhere. He rapidly punched in a request for the nearest veterinarian. Within seconds, the screen displayed the address with directions.

  “We’ll be there in ten minutes, Newt. Hold on.” He touched Newton.

  Her breathing was laboured. Wesley pressed down on the gas and roared past the office where a sign read Blackstone Bungalows. In minutes, he spotted what he was looking for. He screeched to a halt and jumped out of the car, going to the passenger side. Picking up Newton, he ran to the door, pushing it open with his hip and continuing inside.