by Emma Roman
“Sure.” He rubbed his thumb over the sensitive skin between her thumb and index finger. “After.”
Her gaze was on their hands. “Okay.”
He came to his feet, drawing her up after him. Their bodies were an inch apart, close enough that he could feel her heat like a hot lick down his abdomen and thighs.
“Is that a yes?”
Her eyes met his. “Yeah.”
Thank all the gods.
He slid an arm around her shoulders. With his other hand, he gave her taut ass a good squeeze. He’d had fantasies about that ass for a good month now.
She caressed his shoulders, giving his deltoids a squeeze of her own.
“Mm.” She traced her lips over his bare upper arm. “I like the tat. It’s a dolphin, isn’t it?”
“It is—a river dolphin.” He’d had the artist outline a long-beaked dolphin in black that twisted diagonally around his biceps.
He brushed her braid out of the way and pressed a kiss to her neck. She smelled so good—a mix of lemon and something that was just Jenny. He rubbed his face against her skin, taking on her scent.
Need built in him. Need and an ache that was somehow connected to his heart. His animal awoke and urged him on.
Mine.
Bite her. Mark her.
Chico sucked on her skin and then gave into the need, closing his teeth on her neck.
She moaned and twined a leg around his hip, rubbing herself against him—her sex against his, a few thin layers of material the only thing separating them. His erection strained at his jeans. Another day, he’d bend her over the table and take her here, but their first time, he wanted to draw things out. To tease and taste her until she ached for him like he did for her.
He gave her a last kiss and said, “Blow out the candles.”
She blinked at him, her almond-shaped eyes hazy with passion. He leaned past her and did it himself, then swung her into his arms and headed for the bedroom.
7
Jenny twined an arm around Chico’s neck.
This was really happening. She touched his face wonderingly. His cheek was clean-shaven, but she could feel a hint of stubble beneath her palm like fine sandpaper.
He rubbed against her hand, soaking up the petting like Max.
Yep, this was real.
She knew damn well that he was going to sleep with her and then she’d never see him again. But that was okay. She was too busy right now for anything else. Not when she was working two jobs—the one at the coffee shop and another on Monday waiting tables—as well as trying to fit in time for her jewelry.
He stopped just inside the bedroom door to kiss her. His lips were cool and firm. They did funny things to her insides and started a slow burn in her belly.
He took the two steps to her bed and set her on the feather comforter, following her down without lifting his mouth from hers. His hands slid under her sweater, caressing her breasts through her camisole. His lips moved over hers, first tenderly, and then harder and deeper, tasting her like she was the most delicious food.
She wrapped her arms around him and kissed him back just as hard. When he raised his head, she made a small sound of protest.
“Too many clothes,” he muttered. He lifted up to remove her sweater and then stilled, his thighs straddling hers.
The camisole was a lipstick red, with a self-bra that lifted her breasts. At the heat in his eyes, her nipples prickled and tightened.
He slid a finger down the silky material and teased one hard point. “Pretty Jenny,” he said hoarsely and bent his head to nip her through the satin—and the slow burn in her belly ignited.
She moaned and fisted her hands in the comforter.
“That’s it, baby.” He moved his mouth to her other nipple. “Sing for me.”
His large hands cupped her breasts as he continued to tease her nipples with his mouth. When she thought she couldn’t stand it anymore, he came up on his knees and pulled off her camisole.
For a few seconds he looked down at her, his dark eyes smoldering, then he said, “I want to feel your skin against mine,” and dragged off his T-shirt.
Oh yeah.
The man was seriously ripped: all hard, lean muscle and broad shoulders. Coarse black hair dusted his chest and arrowed down his abdomen to disappear where his jeans hung loosely on his hips.
He sat on the chair next to the bed to remove his boots, and she dragged her gaze from him long enough to peel off her pants.
For now, she left on the camisole and the matching satin panties. She’d bought the set at an after-Christmas sale in a fit of optimism. Even on sale, they’d been way too expensive—but it was more than worth it when Chico froze, a boot in his hand, his mouth slightly ajar.
“Damn.” His lips curved in a way that had Jenny creaming her panties. “Red is your color.”
“You think?” She touched the camisole a little shyly. Her normal underwear was plain beige or black. “It’s not too much?”
“Hell, no. You’ve got the body for it. The only thing better would be you naked—but don’t take it off yet. I like it.”
He glanced at the boot in his hand and then set it on the floor, as she pulled down the comforter and knelt on the sheets.
When she looked back he was skimming off both his pants and boxers in one quick movement. He turned back toward her and she about swallowed her tongue.
She’d pictured what he’d look like if she was ever lucky enough to get him naked—but the real thing was far, far better.
His cock curved up toward his abdomen, hard and flushed. Just looking at it made her mouth water.
“Come here.” She crooked a finger at him and he obediently stepped forward.
Taking her hand, he touched his lips to the back of it in an old-fashioned, courtly gesture that made her thighs clench.
He lifted her braid, ran his hand down it. “You mind if I undo this?”
She shook her head. “Go right ahead.”
He removed the elastic band at the bottom and stepped closer so his body was against hers. He brought both arms around her and slowly, sensually unplaited her hair. When he reached the second elastic band at the base of her neck, he removed that as well, then combed his fingers through the strands.
She set her hands on his shoulders and let her head fall back. She felt excited and free. The ends of her hair brushed the top of her ass, and Chico sucked in a breath.
“Deus. You have to be the sexiest thing ever.”
She smiled wryly. He probably said that to all his women.
But he must’ve scented her skepticism. “And I don’t say that to just anyone. Feel how hard I am.” He rubbed his cock against her. “This is for you, Jenny. Only you.”
She moistened her lips, wanting to believe him, and yet wary, too.
But fada couldn’t lie…
He gathered her hair and wound it around his hand until he reached her nape. He tugged back her head, holding her in position so he could kiss the sensitive underside of her jaw.
His lips were cool against her heated skin. He sucked on her neck—hard—and she gasped and grabbed his shoulder. She tried to pull away—it was almost too much—but he tightened his grip, making it clear he was the one in control.
And God help her, she liked it.
He caressed her bottom. “I’ve been thinking about this ever since that first day in the coffee shop,” he said against her neck. “I wanted in your pants, bad. Maybe that makes me an animal, but it’s the truth. And then I got to know you better, and I wanted you even more. But you wouldn’t give me the fucking time of day.”
She swallowed. She’d felt something too, right from the start. “I was afraid.”
He lifted his head. “Because I’m a fada?”
“No. I mean, that might have been part of it—you guys are a little scary, you know—but the main reason was that I wanted you too bad and I didn’t—” She pressed her lips together before she said too much.
Just because she
was falling fast didn’t mean Chico was. Any more, and he’d be out the door.
He still had her hair wrapped around one hand. He brought his free hand up to cup her face.
“Good,” he said as he rubbed his lips over hers. “Because like I told you, you’re safe with me. I’m a fada, and more, I’m a protector. I’d stick a knife in my own heart before I’d hurt a woman—especially my woman.”
She gulped. “But I’m not your woman…”
His dark eyes glittered. “Tonight you are. Now, enough talking.” His mouth came down on hers, his tongue sliding over hers in a luscious dance that she felt clear to her toes.
When he lifted his head, she only had time to take a deep breath and then she was on her back on the bed and he was crouching over her, a hungry, almost predatory look on his face.
He gave her another hard kiss and then released her hair. “This is pretty”—he stroked his finger down the camisole’s wide satin strap—“but I want you naked.”
Taking the hem, he pulled it over her head and tossed it onto the chair.
“That’s better.” That hot, hungry gaze was on her breasts. Her nipples tightened and peaked, and his gaze sharpened.
Jenny’s breath hitched. She was average size everywhere, including her breasts—but Chico made her feel like a freaking sex goddess.
“Beautiful,” he said in husky tones. He brought his hands to her breasts, shaping them with his big fingers, brushing his thumbs over the nipples.
She ran her hands over him in turn, starting at the round, hard muscles of his shoulders and moving down his arms to the soft hair on his forearms. His hands were strong, the fingertips a little rough. This was a man who did physical work, and she was reminded that even if he called himself a protector, he was a warrior, too.
But that was okay because she was descended from warriors herself. Her dad had been a loving, big-hearted man, but mess with his family and all bets were off.
Chico caught her wrists and pressed them to the bed on either side of her head. “That feels good, but right now, I’m touching you.”
Her sex clenched. He smiled, and she knew he scented her spike in arousal.
“You like that,” he said, and it wasn’t a question. “Stay there, then.”
She nodded her head. “Okay.” She was so aroused, she’d have agreed to anything right about then.
He kept hold of her wrists anyway as he lowered his head and sucked each of her nipples in turn until they were both wet and aching.
She moved her head restlessly side to side. “Chico…”
“What?” Releasing her wrists, he moved down her abdomen, one hot kiss at a time until her whole body was tingling.
He reached her mound and rubbed his mouth against it through the red panties, and then slid them off. For a minute he kept her there on the bed, her knees bent up so he could see every part of her. He slid a hand down her inner thigh and caressed her calf, her ankle, and then lifted her foot and pressed a kiss to the instep.
Her breath hitched.
His mouth curved. He turned to her other leg and made his leisurely way down that one as well. She writhed under his touch, but kept her hands where they were on either side of her head.
He moved between her legs, took hold of her hips and brought his mouth to her sex—and then paused, his breath hot on her clit.
She dug her heels into the sheets and she broke. “Please, Chico.” She gripped his head.
He raised a brow. “You moved your hands.”
“I know, but—”
“It’s okay. It’s just a game. You can play if you want to, but if you don’t, that’s fine too. But I think you like it, yeah? To be teased a little—told what to do?”
She blinked. She hadn’t thought about it before, but yeah, she liked it. She didn’t think she’d like anything too hardcore, but this teasing domination was getting her hotter than she’d ever been. “I do,” she admitted.
“Good girl,” he said, his lips so close to her sex that she felt the vibration in her womb. “You can hold my head, but if you want more, you’re going to have to ask for it.”
“What do you mean?”
He raised his head. His lips curved wickedly. “I mean, beg me.”
Jenny giggled. She couldn’t help it. She was happy and aroused and enjoying playing with this big warrior of a man.
“Beg you?”
He nodded, that wicked grin still on his face. “Beg me, minha querida. You know you want to.”
And he was right, she did.
He was teasing her, and the serious, dependable, boring Jenny loved it.
Her mouth opened and closed. “Chico—”
He brushed his lips over her needy little nub. “I’m waiting,” he said in a dark voice that had everything female in her vibrating in response. Like she was a tuning fork and his voice the trigger.
She threaded her fingers through his cropped curls. “Please,” she said.
“Please who? Say my name.”
“Please, Chico.”
“Mm.” He swiped his tongue through her moist cleft. “I like the sound of you begging.”
Her stomach tensed. “Please,” she whispered.
“Since you asked…” He gripped her hips and settled into pleasuring her. Sucking and licking and even nipping—tiny, stinging bites that made her moan.
She dropped her hands back to the mattress and rocked her hips up toward his mouth. He tightened his grip and pressed her back down, forcing her to lie still for his sensual teasing. She turned her head from side to side against the sheets. “I can’t. I—”
“You can.” He slid two fingers inside her while his tongue kept up its dance over her hot, swollen clit.
Her whole body went taut. From far away, she heard herself make a high, keening sound. Sparks exploded behind her eyes and she came in a rush of heat and light.
Chico stayed with her, bringing her down slowly with soft licks and caresses. Then he touched his lips to her lower stomach before leaning off the bed to snag a condom from his jeans. He ripped it open and took himself in one hand.
She watched, anticipation tightening her inner thighs, as he worked it over his cock before kneeling between her legs.
For a few seconds, they simply smiled at each other. Chico wrapped his hand around his erection, fisting himself in a way that was incredibly erotic.
Jenny traced her hands down his abdomen, learning the shape and feel of him: smooth skin, hard muscles, that dusting of black hair teasing her fingertips.
“I love your body,” she murmured.
He watched her through heavy-lidded eyes. She cupped his balls and he let go of himself to put his hands on his calves. She moved her hand up to his cock and wrapped her fingers around him. She gave an experimental squeeze that had him sucking in his breath.
“That’s it,” he said hoarsely, dropping his head back as he unashamedly reveled in her touch. “Touch me—just like that.”
She moved her hand up and down, working him slowly, until with an animal growl, he removed her hand and came down on top of her, his forearms on either side of her head.
“Jenny,” he rasped in a guttural voice. He nuzzled her neck.
“What?”
“Nothing. Just Jenny. Pretty. Perfect. Jenny.” He reached between their bodies and guided himself inside her.
She caught her breath and pressed her feet to the bed. He was so hard and hot. He thrust slowly in until she was completely filled with him.
Something in her sighed, At last…
Chico lifted his head. His eyes had changed color to a glowing jade-green.
She was still taking that in when he speared his fingers in her hair and began to move, deep, measured strokes. “Ah, baby.” He brushed his lips over hers. “You feel so good.”
She wrapped herself around him and kissed his throat in turn. He smelled a little salty and all male. She nipped him at the sensitive place beneath his jaw and he groaned.
“Do it again.�
�
So she did.
His grip on her hair tightened. Not hurting her, but keeping her in place as he stroked into her, hard and fast now.
She moaned and rocked her hips up to meet his thrusts. They moved together for long minutes. She’d come so hard the first time, she was surprised to find herself spiraling upwards again.
Chico slowed down and reached between their bodies to swirl his fingers over her. “Come for me.” He stroked slowly in and out. His free hand tightened on her hair. He muttered some dark, sexy words against her neck—and then thrust into her hard.
Her whole body clenched and she came in another hot burst of pleasure.
“Deus,” he said against her neck. “You’re so fucking tight…” He gave another few hard thrusts and then his breath sighed out and she felt him pulsing inside her.
He rested his cheek against hers, his chest heaving.
She smoothed her hands down his back. His skin was moist from exertion.
I did that, she thought with satisfaction.
When they’d both caught their breath, he rolled onto his side and pulled her against his chest, his arms wrapped around her.
“Mm.” She clasped his hand in hers. “That was nice.”
“It was.” He gave her a hard hug.
She must have dozed then, because when she awoke, Chico was stroking her body. Slow, luscious caresses—down her breasts and over her stomach.
She twisted her head to kiss him on the lips and then lay still, enjoying the petting.
“Your eyes,” she said. “They changed color when we—”
He stilled. “That was my animal. I was still there, but he was with me.”
“Yeah? But since when do dolphins have green eyes?”
He relaxed and chuckled. “Fada dolphins do. We’re not just our animals—we’re shapeshifters. We’re actually a mix of fae, animal and human genes.”
“I guess I’m still trying to wrap my mind around the fact that I’m in bed with a shifter.”
“A hard shifter.” His hips moved against her bottom. “A hard, ready shifter.”
Her mouth curved. “So I noticed.”
“What are you going to do about it?” His voice was low against her neck.
