Enticed by the Gargoyle: Stone Sentries 2 (Boston)

by Lisa Carlisle

  “You feel something between us, right?” If not, it would destroy him. No, he wouldn’t let that happen.

  Her expression softened in that gentle way he’d only seen when they were alone together. “Of course, I do.” She smiled. “But, you’re killing me. I need you. Don’t make me wait.”

  That image made him moan with pleasure. He crawled on top of her and ran his hands over her body as he kissed her neck. He traced along her collarbone with his lips and tongue. When she pulled at his shirt, he leaned back and pulled it over his head.

  Her eyes darkened with desire as her gaze traveled down his body. Her hands followed that path, with fingers trailing over and in between the contours, igniting his desire. He instinctively tightened his abs and pushed out his chest, realizing he was flaunting like a peacock for his mate, but enjoying her reaction, nonetheless.

  When she reached the top of his pants, she unfastened and unzipped them. He was already achingly hard, but when she stroked his shaft, it twitched with eagerness.

  “Take these off,” she said, her voice husky, yet smooth as aged bourbon.

  While he removed his pants, she scooted to a sitting position and took off her shirt, revealing a black satin bra. With her eyes fixed on him, she slid her pants and socks over her legs and tossed them to the floor. Her black satin underwear matched the bra. An angel of seduction.

  His angel.

  She adjusted her position and moved to all fours facing him. The mounds of her breasts presented such an enticing display as their weight spilled into the cups of her bra.

  He stood ramrod straight at the side of the bed, entranced by her. She kept her gaze fixed on him as she crawled across the bed. He sucked in a breath. She was only inches from his thighs.

  She wrapped her hand around the backs of his legs and stroked with a feather-light touch to the bottom edge of his boxers. She pulled her head up before his erection. The way she gazed at him with her eyes so dark with lust and lips parted made him ache for more.

  She ran her lips over the fabric covering his stiff member. “How do you like this?”

  A low groan vibrated in his throat. “So much, it’s killing me. I need you.”

  She stirred his beast into action, and he took over, laying her on her back. He pounced on top of her and kissed and touched every part of her the way he’d been aching to do.

  She sighed with pleasure. “Oh, Roman. That feels so good.”

  As he trailed soft kisses on one breast, he said, “I want to spend the night exploring what makes you feel even better.”

  Fuck, why did he say that? He didn’t know how long they had. One of his sentries could interrupt at any moment with terrible news.

  Since their time might be limited, he’d make the most of it.

  Larissa sighed. It was amazing how quickly Roman could get her to forget all her problems for a brief respite. How could she think of anything else with his lips on her skin?

  Tremors of awareness rippled through her. She ceased to move, eager for him to continue.

  When he licked along the bottom edge of her bra, she moaned. His tongue sent hot shivers of pleasure through her. He thumbed the soft fabric covering her nipples, and they instantly responded to his touch. As he reached for the back of the band, she arched to grant him greater access. He unclasped her bra and freed her breasts. When he pulled back to appraise her, his eyes smoldered with dark desire.

  “You’re so beautiful,” he said in a reverent tone.

  He leaned forward and claimed her again with a kiss. His tongue snaked in, curling around hers, as he deepened the kiss. His hands traveled down her body, igniting a thousand fires with a feather-light touch on her skin. He moved his mouth to follow the path of his fingers. When he reached a breast, he alternated between licking and sucking each nipple.

  She ran her fingers through his hair, seeking purchase as she trembled with anticipation. He trailed his fingers along her side, dancing them down to her hip. His lips followed, between her breasts and down around her navel, setting her ablaze with desire.

  “That tickles.” She squirmed beneath him. “And it feels so good.” How he could bring out different responses from her at the same time was mind-boggling, but so was everything she’d discovered about him so far.

  He nuzzled her skin at the top seam of her panties. “I’ve been aching for you, Larissa.”

  They’d been so crazed in the aftermath of the attack that she’d had little time for fantasies. Images of their previous intimate moments flashed before her, inciting the need building within. She wanted him. Needed him. She’d never needed any man the way she craved him.

  Not a man, exactly, but gargoyle shifter. It was hardly the time to think of the difference, not when he distracted her with such delicious pleasure.

  When Roman slid her panties down her hips, the air met her hot, naked sex. She raised her hips, and he removed the last article of clothing, sliding them off her legs and tossing them to the floor.

  Damn, she had to touch him. She ran her fingers over the hard planes and muscles of his chest, fascinated by his body. How he managed to transform into different forms was utterly perplexing. She wouldn’t have believed it had she not seen him shift. Unreal.

  A pleasurable moan emanated from deep within his chest. “I like how you touch me, my mate.”

  It was still so foreign and strange that he called her that. He believed they were meant to be together, like some sort of fate or something. One of the many fascinating things about his kind.

  “You still have clothes on. We should fix that problem.” She tugged at his boxers.

  He obliged by removing them the rest of the way, and his cock sprang free.

  “You must need me as much as I need you.”

  As he stood before her, naked and fully erect, she raised her eyes to his. “Desperately.”

  He lowered his large frame over hers and captured her mouth in a deep kiss. He kissed along her jawline, nuzzling her neck, and renewing his efforts to slowly worship her body.

  When he reached her sex, he let out a deep growl. The animalistic sound both frightened and excited her and her heartbeat quickened.

  “I have to taste you first.”

  No objection from her. He had a way of entrancing her with such pleasurable sensations.

  He explored her with a languid stroke, quickly seizing control of all her senses.

  “Oh, Roman,” she murmured.

  Her muscles relaxed and the earlier tension drifted out of her. As he increased the pressure, she tensed in a more pleasurable way. Sounds of pleasure escaped in between her moans. When he added his fingers, slipping in and out of her channel, she writhed on the bed and grasped at the sheets.

  She clutched them tighter as he pushed her closer. Damn, she was quivering, completely under his spell. He pushed her forward, relentless, until she crashed over the edge.

  “Oh my God–Roman….”

  Her climax went on as she exploded like a burst of stars on a silent night. Roman kept his mouth on her as her body quaked. Waves of intensity rippled through her, slowly subsiding as the pieces of her shattered body floated back to her and rejoined, making her whole once again.

  When he pulled away, she clutched his muscular biceps. “I need you inside me. Now.”

  He slid his body against hers and teased her with his erection. She reached for him with impatience and let out a small cry of protest. He slipped the tip in and paused. She eased back onto the bed, bracing for the intense penetration. He pushed into her slowly, allowing her body to adjust to his presence. Once she’d adjusted to the delicious way he stretched her, she held onto his lower back and pulled him deeper still.

  “Oh, fuck,” he murmured. “You feel so good.”

  “Yes,” she cried.

  It felt phenomenal. Why hadn’t they found some more time alone in the craziness? It made the world seem less insane when they found their sliver of paradise. Like they could somehow handle all the problems the world thr
ew at them if they were together—a more powerful force joined than they could ever be alone. It connected them on some deeper level; something beyond what she understood.

  “You’re exquisite, my mate.”

  Mate. The skeptic within reminded her it was too much, too soon. Sure, he was the best lover she’d had. And yes, she believed they were meant to be together, despite all the rational arguments reminding her otherwise, scoffing that it wasn’t logical to fall for someone so quickly.

  She had four words for rational thought at the moment–shut the fuck up.

  When he drove into her, it silenced her thoughts. She abandoned herself into the sensations and forgot all the complications that existed outside their embrace. He was her sanctuary from the world. Her shelter. One who’d vowed to protect her. For someone so independent and closed off from feeling too much, yes, it was a bit much. But he was freakin’ worth it.

  He’d started off by pumping into her with slow, even thrusts, but as the intensity increased, he pounded into her with wild abandon. When he let out a feral growl, it excited her on some primal level.

  “Yes, Roman. More.” She clutched at him, rushing into that secret wilderness where only the two of them existed.

  Chapter 9

  Roman didn’t want to leave Larissa’s bed.

  With her finally in his arms, how could he? She slept peacefully curled against him, all the tension gone from her body, as her chest rose and fell in slow, rhythmic beats. Her scent wrapped around him, lulling him into tranquility.

  He wanted to spend days on end drifting in and out of sleep with her, waking up to lose themselves in sensual delirium that he could only find with her. But, he’d lingered here too long. He couldn’t stay all night, not unless they were sure the threats were gone.

  Perhaps he could coax her to stay in his room at the compound. It was protected by gargoyle magic, and she’d be safer there. It would take some careful wordsmithing, though, to convince her to go there.

  He pulled himself from her arms, trying not to wake her. When she stirred and murmured his name, he knew he’d failed.

  “Where are you going?” she asked, with sleep keeping her eyes at half-mast.

  “I need to head back out.”

  “But, I thought everything was okay.”

  He gritted his teeth. Yes, he’d avoided telling her about the possibility of a demon still in the city when they met up, but he couldn’t keep it from her any longer. And he had to do whatever he could to protect her.

  “Larissa, what would you say about staying in my room at the compound?”

  “With strangers, Roman?” She shook her head. “I know our relationship has been rather rushed, but I’m not ready for what sounds like moving in with you yet.”

  He knew she wouldn’t go for his suggestion, especially without a good reason why. “It’s not that. You’ll be safer there.”

  She peered at him through narrowed eyes. “Safer from what?”

  He raised his hands. “Anything. Not only do Stone Sentries live there, but it’s protected by gargoyle magic.”

  “I’m a police officer, Roman. I’m used to being one of those who protects others.”

  As he dressed, he measured how to put it, without terrifying her. He sat on the edge of the bed. “Larissa, the suspicious person my sentries reported on yesterday—we’re not exactly sure it is a person.”

  She pulled herself upright and propped the pillows behind her head. When she yanked the blanket to cover her breasts, he regretted dampening their reunion with potential bad news.

  “What is it?” she asked in a measured voice.

  He swallowed hard. “We tracked the scent of a demon but aren’t sure how old it was.”

  “Are you shitting me?” She climbed out of bed and pulled on her clothes.

  “What are you doing?”

  “Getting dressed. Obviously,” she snapped.

  “I haven’t even finished telling you what we found.”

  She waved a hand. “Oh, go ahead.”

  He ignored her defensiveness. In the short time he’d known her he’d discovered how she used sarcasm as a shield, especially when she was feeling vulnerable. “It could be a lingering scent from the other night. With so many different odors, it was difficult to discern. But, we have to be on alert.”

  She closed her eyes and reopened them. “What do you think it means?”

  He rubbed the back of his neck. “I don’t know for sure.”

  “Roman, you’re looking at me like I’m a freakin’ wildcat you’re careful of setting off.” She struggled to keep her voice steady. “Please. The truth. What do you think is going on?”

  She was right. He couldn’t keep it from her no matter how much he wanted to shield her from any more pain. “It’s possible that a demon is still out there. That’s why we’re investigating.”

  She threw her arms up into the air with exacerbation and paced before her bed. “I thought we knocked them back through the portal. What the fuck?”

  “If one is out there, and we’re not even sure of that yet,” Roman said, “That’s one possibility. There’s another.”

  “What?” Larissa snapped, her impatience etched on her face.

  “Somehow, it might have regenerated. Different types of demons exist as do different shifters. We know incubi were among those that attacked, but we don’t know all their capabilities.”

  She covered her mouth and then dropped her hand, letting out a mirthless laugh. “Motherfucking piece of shit–”

  “Do you always swear this much?”

  “Only when fucking demons are threatening the goddamn city and the people I love.” She grunted. “Again.”

  “That hasn’t been confirmed.” He raised his index finger. “You could be overreacting for nothing.”

  She planted her hands on her hips and scrunched her face. “Overreacting? What if the vision I had was a premonition?”

  “Have you seen anything since?”

  “No, but if there’s another demon terrorizing the city, I’m not reacting enough!” She raised her hands to her temples.

  “But, getting this upset can lead to rash decisions. And that won’t help anyone. Including Janie.”

  She stared at him, fire and pain flashing in her eyes, as she panted.

  He placed his hand on her shoulder and gave it a comforting squeeze. “Larissa, breathe.”

  She raised her hand and started to speak, but then stopped. She rolled her shoulders back, as if tectonic plates were grinding against each other, ready to explode. Tension radiated through every line in her body. She closed her eyes, counted to five, whispering, and then reopened them.

  “You’re right, Roman. My grandmother warned me about getting too anxious like this. It won’t help anyone, least of all, Janie. You have this–I don’t know–this calmness about you that I envy.”

  “I struggle, just like you. It’s easy to fall prey to the bloodlust, seeking revenge. But, I know it won’t help me achieve my goal.” He stepped closer to her and caressed her cheek. “I’m much more relaxed after spending time with you.”

  She turned her cheek toward his fingers. Damn, he loved how she responded to his touch.

  “What I’d recommend is the same as what your grandmother suggested. Get some sleep. Relax. Take care of yourself.” He lowered his hand. “I’m headed back out with my sentries.”

  She raised a clenched fist and then dropped it. “But, I can’t sit around and not do anything. I should do something. Notify someone.”

  “No,” he insisted. “Nothing has been confirmed yet. My sentries are on watch. And, we are the most equipped to search for and handle a crisis like this.”

  She let out a sigh. “What am I supposed to do then? I can’t sleep. Not with my mind going crazy imagining the worse. I have to do something productive.”

  He nodded. “Yes. And you are. Follow what your grandmother said and work on developing your magic. We’ll head over to see Janie in the morning. If you thin
k you’re ready, you can try to transfer your energy into her then.”

  When Larissa’s eyes widened with purpose, he sensed he reached her. With a way to channel her nervous energy, she’d be calmer. And maybe she’d even be able to help wake Janie in the process.

  “Yes. I’ll practice this morning. Otherwise, I’d go mad pacing holes through the floor to my downstairs neighbors. I don’t think they’d be pleased to see me crashing into their apartment.”

  “I’d be delighted to find you in my place.” He used a light tone, which hinted at what he’d already proposed.

  She appraised him with a long look. “I can’t stay at Gargoyle Central.”

  “Compound,” he clarified. The Stone Sentries owned the top two floors of a building in the Seaport District.

  She cocked a brow. “Clever. But, I can’t hide out while Janie is in the hospital.”

  “You’re determined to help. That’s one of the things I love about you.”

  She gave him a half-smile. “We haven’t known each other a week, Roman. You can’t love many things about me, yet.”

  Roman stepped up to her and cupped her chin. “Oh, but I do. Big things. Little things.” He lowered his head and kissed her. “I’ll be back around nine, or I’ll get in touch with you if something comes up.”

  Damn, he hated leaving her. He kissed her once more before he walked out.

  Her blue eyes darkened with worry as she furrowed her brows. “Be careful out there.”

  Larissa didn’t get much sleep after Roman left her apartment. How could she after what he’d revealed? Demons might still be in Boston, lurking for the perfect moment to strike. She couldn’t deal with another catastrophe. Not again, not while still facing one crisis after another.

  She hadn’t even learned to work productively with her magic, yet. Practicing how to center herself and tap into her magic was one thing. Successfully using it to help Janie or prevent a demon attack was another. She hadn’t been able to project energy from her hands since the night of the eclipse, so what made her think she’d be able to accomplish anything? Maybe it had been a fluke after all.

  As she tossed and turned in her bed, now cold without Roman’s body warming her, dark thoughts slithered in. She might be making a mistake getting into a relationship. She was too messed up, which had already led to a broken engagement. Why bother getting involved with someone again, especially when her lover wasn’t even human? That compounded the situation, leading to complications of epic proportions.