by J. D. Tyler
What should she do with herself until lunch? Dr. Mallory had made it crystal clear she wanted to speak with Kira before she took on any more of her duties. And really, she wasn’t officially an employee until Nick said so. She wasn’t worried about the background check as it was a simple formality. Not even an unpaid parking ticket marred her record.
Until last night, her life had been critically boring to the point it needed CPR.
In the rec room she froze. Jax was sitting on the sofa, arms crossed over his chest, shit-kickers parked on the coffee table. He was watching a talk show on TV, but from his glazed expression, she had her doubts that he even knew what the topic was.
God, he was so wickedly sexy, her heart beat faster simply being near him. Short black hair sort of stuck out in that messy, spiky style that wasn’t as easy as it looked to pull off. Did he use gel? She’d love to offer to do the job for him, run her fingers through the black silk and mess it up real good.
While he kissed and licked his merry way down her body, making places tingle that hadn’t in ages and desperately needed to—
“You going to come in or stand there all day?”
She hated when people threw out challenges like that. It was tempting to turn around and leave, but then she’d look like an ass. “Coming in, I guess. I’ve done my good deed for the morning and I don’t dare do any more without Dr. Mallory’s blessing.”
His eyes met hers as she moved to the sofa and plopped down. “Why? What’s going on?”
She shrugged. “Sariel is out. Zander and Hammer helped me.”
He frowned. “Who’s Sariel?”
“Oh, that’s right.” She snapped her fingers and glared at him. “You don’t know because you weren’t here to help me in Block R like you said you would!”
“Wait. You went there alone?”
“I just said your friends helped me. And Sariel is the name of the winged guy. He’s a Fae prince who was outcast from the Seelie Court. The lousy asswipes tossed him through the gate, and only because his daddy is some Unseelie guy with nasty eating habits.”
“You found out all of this while I was gone?” He eyed her in disbelief.
“Yep. All I did was talk to him, and I guess he was ready to get out of there.” She was pretty proud of herself for that one.
“He’s out?” Jax sat straight up in alarm. “Where is he?”
“Relax. He’s fine. He’s staying in the living quarters two doors down from me and across the hall from you. We got him settled in after he promised not to try and harm himself again. Said he couldn’t really do much damage, anyway, because the Fae aren’t easy to kill.”
“And you all believed him? Kira, he’s despondent,” he said in concern. “If he wants to die, he’ll find a way.”
That led to a horrible thought. “You don’t think he’d give himself up to his father, do you?”
“Hell, how should I know? He’s never said a word until you came.”
She worried her bottom lip with her teeth. “He promised to give life here a try. I believe him and so do the others.”
“Well, if he goes back on his word, there’s nothing we can do.”
“That’s what Zan said.”
“You and Zan are getting awfully chummy, aren’t you?” Leaning close, he sniffed her neck and shoulder. “He touched you.” A growl started low in his throat and only stopped because she smacked him in the arm. He blinked in surprise, the noise ceasing.
“Don’t you start that crap with me. He gave me a brotherly hug—that’s all—and it’s not any of your biz, anyway!” Leaning over, she sniffed his neck in return . . . and her blood started on a slow boil. “Seems I smell a woman on you, and it’s not me.”
Oh, that deer-in-the-headlights expression. Priceless. “What are you talking about? You’re not a shifter, and I highly doubt you can discern scents like we can.”
Seething with righteous anger, she stood, fists balled at her sides. “You arrogant jackass, I don’t need a wolf’s nose to know cheap drugstore perfume when it hits me like a ton of bricks. I don’t have on any, and if I did I wouldn’t choose something that makes me gag.”
“Shit.” He rose to face her and held out his hands. “It’s not what you think.”
“Oh? You were attacked by a drive-by perfume spritzer at the mall?”
“No. It’s not—I didn’t . . .”
“You know what? It’s none of my business what you did or didn’t do. I don’t care.” Okay, that was a teensy lie. She did care, but she wasn’t about to let some womanizing jerk know it. “What is my business is who I decide to kiss or touch. You don’t have any right to demand that other men stay away from me and then come back smelling like a skank.”
“You mean skunk?”
“Read my lips—skank.” She gave him a hard shove in the center of his chest, and he took a step back. “And if I want to screw my happy way through the whole Alpha Pack team, there’s not a frigging thing you can do about it!”
“All right!” Ryon enthused from the doorway. “I’ve got the welcome banner right here for ya!”
Kira realized she’d pushed a Jax a bit too far about a half second before he grabbed her wrists and bared his canines. Yanked her flush against his hard body.
And crushed his mouth to hers.
Seven
He was pushing her, too much too soon. She’d had too much to deal with and he wasn’t giving her time to process everything that was happening.
But goddamn, she was driving him bat-shit crazy. Jax devoured her mouth like a starving man at his last meal, hand around her waist, crushing her small frame to his much larger one. No way could she miss the erection nestled into her belly, seeking relief.
That’s all it was, right? A physical need that would be satisfied when he buried his cock inside her, and afterward, when they were both drenched in sweat, whatever hold she had on him would be broken and they could go their separate ways.
Breaking the kiss, he took her hand and pulled her in his wake, shoving past a smirking Ryon. He’d break the dipstick’s face later. Right now, he needed to get her alone.
“Hey!” she squeaked. “Where are we going?”
He glanced down. Took in her flushed cheeks, eyes alight with desire, as she jogged to keep up with his long strides. He slowed a bit but kept on toward his destination. “Anywhere my interfering brothers aren’t. At the moment, the closest place is my quarters.”
“But—but . . .”
She didn’t finish the protest and that was fine by him. If she couldn’t dredge up a reason why this was a bad idea, he wasn’t going to give her one. When they reached his room, he keyed in his personal code and ushered her inside. Blessedly alone with her at last, he surrendered to the animal that wanted nothing more than to mate with his female.
Pushing her against the inside of the door, he set about overwhelming her senses while divesting her of the baggy clothing that hid way too much. He nuzzled her neck, kissing and flicking the vulnerable skin with his tongue, puzzled as to why he felt the nearly overwhelming need to bite her. And why denying that need seemed to make the burning itch even worse. Perhaps he would give in, but not today. He wouldn’t risk it without talking to Melina about the possible ramifications.
His hands found the edge of her shirt, and his palms slid over her flat tummy. Moved upward to her small breasts, so different from his usual busty type. Hers were barely a handful and yet they were perfect. His thumbs grazed the nipples, pleased when they pouted and hardened. A little whimper escaped her throat and she arched into him, begging without words.
“You like that, angel?” he murmured.
“It’s been so long.” Her voice was breathless, husky with arousal.
“Do you want me to stop?” He plucked the peaks, pinching just enough to give a tiny jolt, make her want more.
“This isn’t a good idea.”
Scraping the tip of one fang along the spot where her neck and shoulder met, he nibbled, careful not to scr
atch her pretty skin. “That’s not an answer. Do you want me to stop?” he enunciated, putting more force into the question.
“No.”
“Tell me what you want,” he coaxed. Moving one palm downward, he had no problem sliding his hand inside the front of the too-big jeans. Slowly, he brushed his fingers through neat curls, giving her time to protest. Instead, she widened her stance with a moan, inviting him to touch, thrilling him. But he had to hear it. “Tell me, baby.”
“Touch me,” she whispered, burying her face in his chest. “Give me everything.”
Yes. “I can do that. Trust me?” She had no reason to, not to this degree, and her acquiescence was a gift.
“O-okay.”
Her borrowed T-shirt went first. He pulled it over her head and tossed it in the general direction of his sofa. Then he reached around and unclasped the bra, slipping it off her shoulders. She let it drop but then raised her arms, trying to cross them in front of herself protectively. He was having none of that, and pushed her arms down, baring her to his hungry gaze.
“Uh-uh. No hiding from me,” he scolded gently, cupping the creamy globes. “You’re perfect.”
Her cheeks turned rosy. “I wish they were bigger.”
An unwanted image of Jacee’s breasts, full and pendulous, came to the fore. A few days ago, he’d been happy lusting after them—and the rest of her as well—whenever the mood struck. Studying Kira now, he couldn’t imagine what he’d ever found attractive about women like Jacee or Alexa. They were nowhere near Kira’s class of lady in his mind—smart, spunky, and adorable.
“Does this make you feel good?” Bending low, he captured a nipple with his teeth, grazing the peak.
“Oh, yes. It does.” Her hands buried themselves in his hair.
“And this?” He sucked the pebble, laved it.
“Yes! Jax . . .”
“Feel how you affect me.” Taking one of her hands, he guided it to the bulge between his legs. Cupped her fingers around his tight balls through the denim and moved it upward, rubbing along the rod that reached damn near to his belly button. Her touch was like fire even through his clothing. When he got naked, she’d probably roast him alive. “Does that prove I find you incredibly desirable?”
She smiled, lifted her chin to gaze at him. “Well, it does make a pretty strong case.”
God, he couldn’t wait anymore. “Hang on. Wrap your legs around me.”
With little effort, he hoisted her up and she did as he asked. Wrapping his arms around her, he cupped her bottom and strode for his bedroom, enjoying how she fit in his arms. He liked carrying her and the action did weird things not only to his libido, but to this protective side that continued to plague him. The one that shouted Mine! in his brain and confused the hell out of him.
Beside his king-sized bed, he let her slip to the floor and wasted no time shoving the offending jeans down and off her slim hips. She toed off her shoes, held on to him as she got rid of her socks, and stood before him in nothing but a pair of peach-toned panties. He drank in the sight of her.
She was a pretty, petite package with slender legs that seemed to go on forever despite her short stature. Delicate toes sported a dark hue of red polish. Her shoulder-length blond hair was mussed some from taking off her shirt and if he had his way, it would soon be tousled beyond repair.
“No fair,” she protested, blue eyes wide. “I want to see some skin.”
Another wave of citrus and vanilla teased his nose, this time darkened with the unmistakable aroma of pure want. Something about her called to him in a way no other female ever had and he was too weak to resist.
He made short work of his clothes, ripping off his shirt and kicking aside his shoes, socks, and jeans. His turgid cock pointed straight at her, begging to be stroked. She stepped closer and reached out to smooth a hand over his right shoulder, admiring the tribal tattoos. He let her explore, loving her curious touch. Gradually, she inched around, examining how the scrollwork spilled down his back.
“This is beautiful. Do all of your friends have one?” With one finger, she outlined the design on his right shoulder blade. The silhouette that symbolized his inner beast, ears flat, jaws open, canines ready to shred his enemy.
“Yes. We had them done as sort of a memorial.” He thought of how to explain. “When we were attacked by rogue wolf shifters in Afghanistan, most of our squad was killed. We thought the tattoos made a fitting tribute to them, to what we’d become, and how we’d never let our enemies get the best of us again. A ward against evil, I guess.”
“Did it work?”
“No,” he said softly. Now was not the time to get into the ambush that had wiped out half of the Alpha Pack team and left him crippled. The massacre he was partly responsible for because he’d let the wrong woman past his defenses.
Beryl. Treacherous whore.
The team refused to believe Jax was just as much at fault as Terry. But Jax knew better. Not only had he trusted Beryl, which had led to disaster, but he had a chance to use his gift as a Timebender when he realized who’d betrayed them, and squandered it.
My fault. I own that failure, no one else.
Ruthlessly, he shoved down the horrible guilt and focused on Kira. Her scent, her warmth pressed to his side. He’d never let another woman hold his heart, but his body was another matter. And his burned for the angelic blonde with the innocent blue eyes.
But maybe she wasn’t as “innocent” as she appeared.
To her credit, she didn’t ask any more questions about the tattoo and from what evil it had failed to protect them. Nor did she ask about the scars marring the flesh on his right leg, though her eyes briefly drifted over them. She continued her journey, mapping his body with those soft hands as though memorizing every hill and valley. Her warm palms skimmed his pecs, teased his nipples. They poked out for her and he shivered involuntarily, gooseflesh breaking out on his chest and arms.
Laughing quietly, delighted, she ventured lower, fixing her gaze on his straining erection. From the hum of approval as she trailed one finger over its length, she was indeed no blushing innocent in the bedroom. Why did thinking of her with another male make him want to rip something apart? Clamping his mind down on that train of thought, he concentrated on soaking up her attentions.
When she wrapped her fingers around his cock and gave a couple of strokes, he nearly came like a fifteenyear-old getting his first diddle under the bleachers. “God, Kira,” he rasped. “On the bed, before I lose control.”
She smirked, appearing very pleased with herself. “What if I want you to?”
“I will, when I’m buried inside you.”
The unmistakable scent of lust rolled off her, inciting his wolf to near-mindless excitement. His beast was clawing his gut, howling at him to claim her, and he held the urge at bay with a superhuman effort as he flung back the covers.
She climbed onto the bed and he pounced, flipping her onto her back. Her merry squeal, that inner light radiating from her, did something funny to his insides, but he chose to ignore the feeling. Because if he didn’t, he might be forced to acknowledge that she was too good to be here, rolling around with him. And his conscience wasn’t welcome at this party.
He suckled and laved her breasts as she ran her hands over his shoulders and squirmed. Then he headed south, kissing his way down her flat belly, dipped his tongue into her navel and made her giggle. And then lower until he crouched between her thighs, hooked his fingers in her panties, and began to work them down.
She lifted for him a bit and he pulled the peach silk down her legs and off, tossing it away. All humor fled her expression and she spread wide for him, granting him a tantalizing view that made his mouth water.
“Oh, yeah,” he murmured.
Crouching low, he nuzzled her mound. Gave her pretty slit a long, slow lick. Damn, she tasted good, sort of sweet, just like her scent. Her flavor was like ambrosia exploding on his tongue and he laved her greedily, his selfish desire to lap up as mu
ch of her essence as possible almost equal to his desire to please her.
She squirmed, burying her fingers in his hair and clutching his scalp. He licked every inch and then parted the tender folds, stabbed his tongue into her entrance, fucking the slick channel as her hips began to move, grinding her into his face. God, he loved it!
“Oh! Oh, Jax, yes!”
“Taste so fine, angel.” Lick. “So fuckin’ sweet, like candy.”
Jesus, she was so damned responsive, opening like a flower after the rain. He never knew a woman could be both sweet and sexy, vulnerable and yet a firecracker when treated right.
Latching on to her clit, he suckled until she trembled, started to unravel, and then moved to crouch on his knees between her legs, poised and ready. “You want this?” He wouldn’t take any woman for granted. She’d have to let him know what she wanted, with no chance for misunderstanding.
“I do, but . . .” She hesitated, uncertainty clouding her gaze.
“I can’t get any sexually transmitted diseases, nor pass any to you,” he said. “And I couldn’t make you pregnant unless we were mated. We’re still learning about our kind, but the doctors have confirmed that much. I would never risk a lover by not being sure.”
Kira nodded, looking relieved. “All right, then. Yes, please.”
“Please what? Say it.”
She flushed but didn’t look away. Her voice was thick with desire. “I want you inside me. Now.”
“My pleasure.”
Giving her a wicked grin, he rubbed his fingers along her folds, spreading the moisture. “You’re nice and wet. So hot and ready for me.” His cock throbbed.
She arched her hips. “Yes.”
Ignoring the twist of pain in his bad leg, he remained on his knees, and brought the head of his cock to her slit. Parted the slick flesh and began to guide himself into her heat. Cupping his hands under her bottom, he lifted her, shifted forward and drove his rod deep with a throaty growl of sheer bliss.
