by S. K. Yule
“It’s just…I don’t know. The past few days have been strange and wonderful. They have been confusing, but yeah, I’m sure of the fact that you don’t want any harm to come to me.”
“I don’t want to ruin what we just shared with talking about things that don’t concern us right now.” He hugged her and was relieved when after a few minutes, she relaxed against him.
“Tell me more about being a, um, lycan.”
“I can’t imagine how hard it might for someone who doesn’t like nature to understand, but being a lycan isn’t a bad thing. Nature is beautiful. It’s a part of all of us whether you feel it or not.” He kissed her on the top of the head and sighed. “When I shift, I feel free of the constraints of humanity, free of all the rules of society.”
“I guess that wouldn’t be a bed feeling at all.”
“My sense of smell, sight, and hearing are enhanced. I am faster and stronger than a human.” He smiled against her shoulder.
“How much stronger?” She looked back at him.
“Much.”
“You’re so big, and you’re that much stronger, yet you’ve never once hurt me. You’ve been gentle with me.”
“I don’t know about gentle, but I try to be careful with you.” He traced a finger over the faint mark on her shoulder where he’d bitten her. “My strength is something I’m aware of at all times around you. I could hurt you with ease.”
“Is that why you want to change me?”
“No, but I won’t lie to you. It would put my mind to rest knowing you were stronger, more resistant to being hurt. I could make love to you without worrying, but that’s not the reason, not the only reason.” Not the reason that mattered most.
“You held back when we were together?” She frowned and worried her lip with her small teeth. “Was it okay for you?”
“It was more than okay for me,” he chuckled. “You know that.”
“I don’t want you to hold back with me.” She turned to face him and reached out to cup his cheek.
He sucked in a sharp breath. “Baby, you have no idea how much you draw the predator out in me. I’ve never met anyone who could do it with such ease, but I would be too rough with you if I unleashed it. I can’t risk it.”
She placed her lips against his and kissed him lazily before tracing the tip of her tongue along the seam of his mouth. Every muscle in his body tensed, primed for taking her once again.
“You won’t hurt me, Piers. I know you won’t.”
“I’ll hurt you. I can’t.” He gritted his teeth. The lycan in him demanded he do what she asked, but the human knew he couldn’t.
“Okay,” she sighed, “but you don’t have to handle me like fragile glass either. I know there were things you wanted to do that wouldn’t hurt me, but you held that back as well. I could feel it, Piers. Now, take me. Take me how you need to.”
When her lips touched his again, all reason was replaced by sheer need. His mouth slammed down on hers, and his tongue demanded entrance, which she willingly gave without hesitation. He rolled her to her back and covered her. Her fingers tangled in his hair and each tug urged him to take more. The lycan wanted his female to submit to him, give herself over solely to the pleasure he could give her.
He nipped and licked his way down her throat and when he found her breast, he bit at the peak hard enough to make her squeak and wriggle before soothing the pain with long strokes of his tongue. Her nails dug into his back, and fire shot straight to his cock. He looped his arms under her knees and splayed her wide, exposing every inch of her. His eyes fixed on the nest of tight, coppery curls and glistening pink folds that wept for him.
“Piers!”
“You are so damned beautiful.” He shook his head when she blushed. “There is no reason to be embarrassed.” He licked his lips and bent to taste her. Her breath hissed when his tongue touched the tiny bundle of nerves at her core. He growled at her sweet, honeyed flavor, and dipped his tongue between the wet folds, suckling the pink labia gently before slipping in for another taste. He inhaled her soft, womanly scent mixed with sex and groaned. He could stay here like this forever. He would never get enough of her.
She tugged harder at his hair, and he slipped his hands up her thighs and held her hips still under his mouth. He slid his tongue around her clit again, and she gasped. When he looked up at her, his breath nearly stopped. Her back was arched, pushing her full breasts toward him, the inviting pink nipples begging to be laved next. Her head thrashed back and forth as coppery hair tangled around her angelic face. Her lips, swollen from his kisses, were parted, and emitted gasps of pleasure. She was a siren. She was beautiful, and she was his.
He loved her, and the loneliness that had constantly hovered inside him for so long was gone. She healed him. She made him want things he’d been too afraid to wish for. The image of a little girl with coppery curls and face as beautiful as her mother’s jumping in his arms and calling him Daddy sent a pang of want slicing through him. He wanted everything with her—a home, loving arms to fall into when he had a bad day, and most of all, he wanted to watch her grow large with his baby.
He wanted to spend his days worshipping her and making her happy. Hell, he’d do just about anything to have her amazing smile aimed at him. His chest tightened, and his heart nearly burst with the strength of the emotions blooming inside him.
“Let go and come for me, baby.” God, how he wanted to give her such pleasure she’d scream his name.
He buried his tongue inside her, retreated, and flicked at the tiny, tight nub before she screamed out his name—the sound of it on her lips just as magical as he’d imagined—as her body shook in release.
* * * *
The orgasm she had just had ripped her to shreds. She’d never be the same. No other man would ever be able to affect her as Piers did. He reared up over her, and the sight of his wide, muscular chest stole her breath. His eyes glowed, but this time, the eerie shine stirred something in her other than fear. She realized that his eyes only did that when he was out of control, and the fact that she was the one causing those feelings in him fired her body back to full throttle even on the cooling heels of her orgasm.
She loved him, but could they get past the huge differences between them? They’d have to somehow because she didn’t want to be without him. Instinctively, she had known he was her soul mate, and now she was ready to embrace the fact wholeheartedly.
He ran his fingers along her ribs, around to her spine and lower until he cupped her ass in his hand. He nudged between her thighs and locked eyes with her. His shaft slid along her folds, the tip nudged at her entrance, and with one hard thrust, he was seated fully inside her. She cried out at the sudden, delicious way he stretched and filled her tender flesh. He was so big inside her, so overwhelming…so perfect. She wrapped her legs around his waist and when he slid even deeper inside her, she welcomed his possession.
“I love you, Sherry.”
Her heart nearly burst with joy but before she could say anything, he took her mouth, pulled back, and plunged hard into her. He rode her hot and hard. The knowledge that he wasn’t holding back thrilled and encouraged her. She met each of his downward thrusts with an upward twist of her hips, and he grunted each time their bodies slammed together. The world seemed to tilt on its axis and throw them into a realm where only they existed.
It was as if she could feel every cell of her body melding with his. They became one, and she could no longer tell where she ended and he began. The force of his possession sent her sliding back across the seat with each thrust, and she clung to him. She dug her heels into his tight butt, her fingernails slipped in the light sheen of sweat on his shoulders before finding purchase in his skin, and something primal in her she never knew existed screamed for his domination. Her muscles tightened around him, and he growled as his cock swelled and pulsed inside her.
The next slam of his hips started a delicious quaking low in her abdomen. The next sent her careening into an abyss of p
leasure that gripped her so hard tears stung the backs of her eyes. She held him as he thrust, each slide of his shaft inside her sending another wave washing through her until she thought she might black out from the overload of ecstasy.
Just when she thought she could take no more, he tensed. He tossed his head back, his black hair shining in the moonlight, and cried out as his body jerked and he came inside her. The hot jets of his seed shot in her and caused her muscles to spasm around him, as if greedy for every last drop.
He collapsed over her, careful not to put his full weight on her, and his breaths came in hot pants against her neck, matching her own ragged breathing. His hand covered her breast and kneaded it gently as the last vestiges of their releases glided through them.
The soft light of dawn filtered through the windows, and she smiled. What a way to greet morning, in the arms of the man she loved.
“You’re beautiful, and as much as I want to stay right here inside you, I need to see if I can get us out of the ditch somehow.” He sat up on his elbow and brushed the stray tendrils of hair from her face.
“My sister must be going out of her mind with worry.” She smiled at him and trailed her fingers over his stubbly cheek.
She didn’t want to go, wanted to stay here with him forever, but she had to let Janine know she was all right. Maybe if he could get the tire changed and the car out of the ditch, she could get a signal on his phone up the road a bit and call her to let her know what had happened.
When he sat up, the cold blast of air that hit her once his body heat was gone made her shiver. He rummaged around and handed her her clothes. She pulled hers on quickly while he casually dressed as if the cold didn’t affect him in the least. He tugged her to him for a hug before he helped her into the front seat, started the car, and turned the heat on.
“Stay here. I’ll see if I can figure something out now that the snow has stopped and it’s light outside.”
“Piers.” She placed her hand on his arm to stop him. “I never got to tell you that I am sorry about your brother.”
“If what you tell me is truly what happened, I can’t fault Anthony for his death. At least some good came of it.” His jaw clenched. “It brought you to me.”
“I’m still sorry. I understand what it’s like to lose a loved one.”
“I didn’t love him, barely knew him. It was more of a wishful yearning for family. I was hoping that he hadn’t gone so far over the edge that I couldn’t save him. Apparently, I was mistaken. I lashed out without discovering all of the facts first. Anthony is an ancient like me. There aren’t many of us left. If I had killed him, my actions would have resulted in my death as well, and I would have been responsible for taking two ancients out that are willing to fight for the survival of our race.”
“I don’t think anyone will blame you for what you did once they learn your side of it.”
“Don’t be so sure,” he muttered under his breath. “Thank you for caring, though. It means a lot to me.” He gave her a quick kiss on the forehead and was out the door.
She wanted to tell him she loved him, but the moment had passed. She’d wait until they got back and cleared this whole misunderstanding up before telling him. She wished she could see him, but the heat had done little to melt the snow covering the windows.
Two minutes later, her door swung open with such force she screamed.
“Are you okay?” Raze stood beside the car.
“Y-yes.” She stepped out, but when she tried to look around him, he blocked her view with his body.
“Did he hurt you?” Raze’s fists were clenched at his sides.
“No. We had a blowout and ended up in the ditch on our way home. Piers attempted to hike to Sanctuary, but it was too far and the cell didn’t have a signal.” She tried to push around Raze, but he wouldn’t budge from her path.
“Where is Piers?” She called to him. “Piers? Piers!” Raze ushered her backwards, and when she struggled to get by him, he picked her up and sat her in the passenger seat of a truck that sat behind the Jeep. “What have you done?”
Her heart beat like thunder. Something had happened. It was the only logical reason why Raze was acting like he was.
“Get in and buckle up. I’m taking you back to Sanctuary.”
“Not until I see him.” She clenched her teeth in anger.
“Don’t argue with me. You can see him later.”
She swung her legs inside and acted like she was buckling her seatbelt. When Raze shut the door and started walking toward the front of the truck, she slung the door open and jumped out. She ran past the truck and skidded to a stop when she reached the front of the Jeep. Piers lay on the ground, facedown, and crimson pooled on the white snow around his head. Anthony and Brent squatted beside his motionless body.
She cried out and ran to him. Anthony and Brent stood and before she could reach Piers, Raze grabbed her from behind.
“Get her the hell out of here!” Brent yelled at Raze.
“What the fuck do you think I was trying to do?” Raze answered.
“What did you do to him?” she screamed. “He didn’t do anything wrong. He didn’t hurt me.”
Tears streamed down her cheeks, and she fought against Raze with all her might while he dragged her to the truck. He put her in the driver side and pushed her toward the middle of the seat until he could climb in beside her. The entire time, he held her wrist in an iron grip that she could not break no matter how hard she tried. She kicked and slapped at him until her body went limp with exhaustion.
“You killed him.” Sobs wracked her body.
“He’s not dead.”
“But all of the blood. He has to be.” She choked out the words as the horrible images played through her mind. “You have to take him to a hospital! He could die.”
“He won’t die from his injuries. When he wakes up, he’ll be able to change and, once he does, he’ll be healed.”
“Yeah, but are they going to kill him after he wakes up? It was all a mistake. He didn’t know all the facts about what happened to his brother.”
“It’s out of my hands.”
“Don’t be an ass, Raze. It isn’t out of your hands. You are involved in this since his brother came looking for you to begin with. I swear, if you let them hurt him, I’ll hate you for the rest of my life. And while that on its own may not bother you that much, I guarantee that it will bother my sister.”
“Of course I care about your feelings. I love you like a sister, Sherry. I would protect you with my life just like I would Janine.”
“Then don’t let them hurt him.”
Those were the last words spoken until they made it back to Sanctuary.
Chapter Twelve
Sherry felt much better after she showered and changed her clothes. She sat in the cabin at Sanctuary that had marked the beginning of her journey with Piers. Janine sat across from her. Both had a steaming cup of cocoa nestled between their hands.
“I want to see him.” Sherry didn’t like the way her sister didn’t meet her gaze. That always meant she was hiding something from her.
“You can’t.”
“Why not?”
“He left.”
“What?” Her heart sank. Piers wouldn’t leave her. He loved her. But you never told him you loved him.
“I’m sorry.”
“Is he coming back?”
“I don’t think so. He told Raze he was sorry for all the trouble he caused. He said to tell you goodbye.”
“No. I don’t believe you.”
“When have I ever lied to you?” Janine’s eyes snapped up to her face.
“Never. Until now.” She gritted her teeth, but knew without a doubt that it was the truth.
“He’s no good for you.” Janine sighed and sipped at her cocoa.
“You can’t make that decision for me. It’s my choice whether he’s right for me or not.”
“You can’t stand the woods or nature. He’s all about everything you d
espise.”
“After what you and Raze went through, you are seriously trying to convince me that Piers and I can’t compromise and be happy?”
“It’s different with Raze and me.”
“How?”
“I like nature. He didn’t kidnap me. He didn’t take me from my family.”
“Neither did Piers. Well, he did at first, but he brought me back.”
“No. He didn’t.”
“We had a flat and got caught in a snowstorm. It was beyond our control, Janine.” Sherry was becoming angry. Her sister had never acted like this with her. She wasn’t ten years old. She was a grown woman and didn’t need Janine to act like her mother. “I’ve had enough. This isn’t your, or Raze’s, or anyone else’s decision. It’s mine, and whatever I decide, I expect you to stand by my side.”
“But—”
“Don’t drive a wedge between us where there is no need for one. I love you more than anything. You know that.” She reached and took her sister’s hand in hers. “But I love Piers too. I want to be with him, and no one will stand in my way.”
“You really do love him, don’t you?”
Sherry nodded.
“I’m sorry. The men told him you didn’t want to have anything to do with him. He left.”
“He’s okay though?” Sherry breathed a sigh of relief.
“Yes.”
“Why would they do that?”
“He’s too rough around the edges for you.”
“He loves me, and somehow, I doubt that Raze is a kitten.”
“No, he isn’t, but it’s different. I’m not as delicate as you are.” Janine sighed.
“Why, because of my anxiety? Do you know, I didn’t have one anxiety attack the whole time I was with him? That should tell you something.”
“Yes. It does.”
“I’m his mate.”
“Raze thought so too the first day he took you.”
“So now that he thinks I don’t want him any more, how do I get him back?” Sherry’s heart ached. She couldn’t believe that he’d actually think she didn’t want to see him again after what they’d shared in the Jeep.
