Taken by the Bat

by Adrian Blue

  “I see.” His lips pulled back from his teeth in a smile that made her stomach flutter. “You accept my courtship.”

  It was not a question, but she nodded anyway.

  “Very well.”

  Chapter Four

  She was not sure what she had expected, but being essentially patted on the head and sent on her way was not it. There had been a mix of hunger and fondness in the creature’s gaze, but he had still closed the door firmly behind her. She had not seen him since. It had been almost a week.

  Zoey sat at the kitchen table pretending to read while Jaime did his school work. She had intended to finish the book the monster had given her, but she could not focus on the story. Her mind kept replaying their conversation. Had he changed his mind?

  “Zoey?”

  She raised her head to look at her brother. He was watching her with a concerned frown.

  “What is it, kiddo?”

  He glanced over his shoulder, before leaning in closer. “Did you have a fight with the guy upstairs?”

  Zoey blinked in surprise. “You know about him?”

  Jaime gave her an unimpressed stare. “I’m a kid, but I’m not dumb. I know we wouldn’t have this stuff without help. Besides, I hear you talking to him at night.” His gaze turned sly. “Is he your boyfriend?”

  “Jaime!”

  Her brother smirked, before it faded into a serious look. “I don’t mind, you know.”

  Zoey studied his earnest expression and sighed. “It’s not like that. He’s not human and—”

  “Duh,” Jaime interrupted. He rolled his eyes at her. “He’s a monster. I already know.”

  “Oh.”

  Her brother giggled. “So, is he your boyfriend?”

  The question brought her back to her previous thoughts. What were they? She thought he had accepted her feelings and felt the same, but he seemed to have vanished. The house felt empty. Maybe, he had decided he did not feel the same way.

  “Zoey?” Jaime asked hesitantly. “Are you okay?”

  “Yeah,” Zoey said past the tightness in her throat. “I’m fine.”

  “Here, I found this,” her brother said.

  Zoey blinked and looked over to see him turning his laptop to face her. She leaned in to read the screen. Some kind of online support group for women mated to the Deathfall monsters. The main page had several short articles by women named, Olivia, Madison, and Lily.

  Zoey started to dismiss the website, when she saw an article called “How long will I be waiting?” The article was the shortest on the page and written by a woman named Ava. Zoey leaned in to skim the article. According to the woman, the wait could vary from a few hours to a few days.

  In the case of the article writer, she had actually gone to her mate instead of waiting for him to come to her. That was something Zoey could get behind. She looked away from the computer to see her brother gathering up his notebooks.

  “Where are you going?”

  “To listen to the radio,” he said matter-of-factly.

  Zoey reached out to lightly grasp his wrist. “Hey, are you happy here?”

  He looked at her like she had lost her mind. “Yeah. Aren’t you?”

  Zoey nodded.

  He grinned. “Then, everything’s good.” Jaime headed for the door. “We should get a TV, though,” he muttered on the way out of the room.

  Zoey stared after him with her mouth open. A TV. Her brother was obviously planning on staying permanently. Now, if only she knew what their host’s plans were. Zoey slapped her hands down on the table and stood. No time like the present.

  She raised her head resolutely and strode from the room. Her brother did not even glance in her direction when she walked past him on her way to the stairs. If the monster was not upstairs, she would just wait in his room until he returned. Being passive was not in her nature. It was time she acted like it.

  Chapter Five

  Zoey paused outside the door and pressed her palm to the cool wood. Was he inside? If she knocked would he answer her? Zoey bit her lip and glanced both ways down the hall. She leaned in to press her ear to the door. Nothing.

  She only hesitated for a moment, before she reached for the doorknob and pushed open the door. She immediately stumbled to a stop. The room was not as empty as she thought. Her monstrous host stood in the middle of the room with his back to her. As she stood staring at him, he slowly turned his head to look back at her.

  “Zoey,” he growled.

  Zoey shifted in place. It was the first time he had called her by name. On some level, she had not been completely sure he even knew her name. Which was insane. They were insane. What were they doing? It did not stop her from moving closer to him.

  “Did you change your mind?” she blurted.

  His gaze sharpened on her. “Change my mind?” he echoed.

  Zoey licked her lips, suddenly nervous under the weight of his unreadable stare. “About the courtship,” she whispered.

  He tipped his head to the side but did not answer.

  “I can, uh, come back later,” Zoey said. She took a step back.

  “Close the door.”

  Zoey sighed. Right. Leave and close the door behind her. At least he had answered her question. She would just have to live with one more disappointment.

  She started to walk through the door only to have a large hand seize her shoulder and spin her around. Zoey was vaguely aware of the door slamming shut, as her vision filled with a broad, furry chest and hands pinning her to the wall. She only had a moment to gasp in surprise, before a mouth closed over hers and a hot tongue invaded her mouth.

  Zoey moaned and pressed herself against him. He skimmed his claws down her arms and grabbed the waistband of her jeans. With a sharp jerk, the fabric ripped. Zoey’s gasp was muffled by the tongue stroking her own. Her head spun, her heart pounding in excitement, as she tried to draw in a deep breath.

  The first graze of his hands on her bare thighs made her cry out and reach for him. Her fingers slid through the thick fur on his chest and grabbed handfuls. A ferocious growl rose from him, before he tore his mouth away from hers to place biting kisses down the length of her pale throat.

  Sharp claws teasingly tickled at her damp folds. At the attention, more wetness dripped from her pussy to slick his thick fingers. Zoey hooked one of her ankles behind his knee to pull him closer. She barely recognized her own voice, as she whined like a desperate, needy thing.

  “Yes,” he growled against her shoulder. “Let me hear you.”

  Zoey’s thighs trembled when his thick finger finally slipped inside her. The fur was like wet velvet on her inner walls. The sensation made her toes curl. It was more than she had expected. More passionate, more out of control. Almost too soon, one thick finger was replaced by two.

  She could feel the hint of sharp teeth on her skin, dragging along her soft skin where the mating bite would go. The thought made her hips jerk and the fingers slid all the way into her. Zoey gasped. Something hard and burning hot pressed to her inner thigh, and she moaned against his neck.

  He pumped his fingers in and out of her until the fur was soaked with her arousal, and his growl was so deep it sounded like a purr. After a long lick from her collarbone to her chin, he pulled his fingers out of her clenching heat and grabbed her thighs. She only had time blink open her eyes, before something hot and thicker was slipping inside her.

  Zoey dug her nails into his chest, as he eased deeper with several slow rolls of his hips. The stretch was just short of painful. Every nerve ending felt like it was firing at once, as her entire world narrowed down to where they were joined.

  “Perfect,” he panted. “My sweet, little mate.”

  Zoey moaned at the praise. She shifted her hips slightly and gasped at the shock of pleasure.

  “There!” she pleaded.

  He leaned down to rake his teeth over her bottom lip, before he set up a slow, deep rhythm. Zoey arched, writhing between his broad chest and the wall. Her body
jolted with each thrust, pleasure making her toes curl. A low, needy burn throbbed deep inside her.

  His fingers tightened around her thighs, pulling her into each lunging thrust. The soaking wet sounds of their bodies moving together almost drowned out her desperate, half-formed pleas, as she clung to him. Zoey tried to focus on the rumble of his voice, vaguely aware of the sweet words he was growling in her ear, but she felt on fire and out of control with pleasure.

  “Mark me!” she begged.

  He pulled back enough for their eyes to meet. Whatever he saw in her gaze seemed to assure him, because he immediately bowed his head to nuzzle where her neck met her shoulder. Zoey’s soft sigh ended in a wail, as the pleasure peaked and he sank his teeth into her deep enough to leave a mating mark.

  She clung to his shoulders, as the tremors wracked her body. Her thighs trembled where they were clamped around his hips, and Zoey moaned weakly when he thrust one last time and went still. They clung to each other breathing raggedly for several minutes, before Zoey giggled.

  Her mate raised his head to look at her. The confused expression on his face only made her laugh harder.

  “May I ask what has amused you so?” he asked, voice rougher than usual.

  Zoey grinned up at his curious face. “That was amazing.”

  “It was,” he agreed. He stroked her cheek with the back of his hand. “And this makes you laugh?”

  Zoey wiggled in his grasp. He growled at the same time that she gasped, her movements making him slide out of the warmth of her body.

  “Just happy,” she answered breathlessly.

  “I see.” His gaze dropped to her mating mark. “I find I am feeling happy, as well.”

  Zoey considered climbing off him, but he seemed more than capable of holding her. And she did not want to put any space between them. As if he heard her thoughts, her mate’s hands tightened on her thighs to hold her flush against him. Zoey licked her lips when his cock began to harden again.

  “So, we’re mated,” she murmured, tipping her head back to offer her lips.

  He ducked his head to lick at her mouth. “So, we are,” he purred.

  Somehow, despite everything she and and her brother had been through, they had ended up with a home again. Zoey nuzzled the underside of her mate’s jaw. And she had ended up with a mate. It was strange to think her mother had been right all those years ago. Her fascination had led her to a monster.

  Thank you for reading! I hope you enjoyed this little tale. If you have a moment, I would greatly appreciate a review . Thanks!

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  Other Titles by Adrian Blue

  The Monster’s Mate Series

  Courted by Darkness (The Monster’s Mate #1)

  In the city of Deathfall, cold weather only means one thing. Mating season.

  Olivia, a grad student, knows the odds of being chosen by one of the city's monster residents. It's a large city and there are hundreds of thousands of other women just like her. Despite her fascination with the fearsome creatures, she has to put the whole idea of being chosen out of her mind and focus on actual possibilities. That is, until she is face to face with one of the city's more monstrous citizens. Suddenly, the odds don't seem to be so against her.

  The Lake (The Monster’s Mate #2)

  In the city of Deathfall, cold weather only means one thing. Mating season.

  Madison met her monstrous friend on her first day in Deathfall. He saved her from drowning in the very lake he calls home. But what started out as innocent gratitude grew into friendship and something far more complicated. Now that it is time for him to choose a mate, Madison is determined to be the one. She wants it all and she wants it forever.

  Taken by the Scorpion (The Monster’s Mate #3)

  In the city of Deathfall, cold weather only means one thing. Mating season.

  Lily is both fascinated and terrified by the monster that stalks the halls of her office building. The shape-shifter, known only as Mr. Black, is a silent, but constant presence, and his eyes always seem to be focused on her. Despite the opinions of her coworkers and good sense, Lily cannot help but be drawn to the enigmatic Mr. Black. Unknown to her, she has been taking part in a cat and mouse game with the dark creature. And the game is finally coming to an end. Will Lily fight her attraction or give in to the beast?

  The Alley (The Monster’s Mate #4)

  In the city of Deathfall, cold weather only means one thing. Mating season.

  Ava is a hunter with a very specific kind of prey. Monsters. Luckily, the City of Deathfall is full of them. She plans to breeze into town, slay one of the beasts, and take its head back to her father. Unfortunately, her father left a lot out of the intel he gave her. The monsters in Deathfall are not as domesticated as she was led to believe, and some of them still have their killer instinct. Her best laid plans are about to be derailed by a hunter far more deadly than herself. The hunt is on, and the beast is hungry.

  The Obsidian Series

  The Demon’s Desire

  Lexi has been travelling for months with no one but the demon, Rameal, for company. He is seductive and obsessive, but Lexi has no idea how far he will go to get what he wants. The stranger she has chosen for the night seems oddly familiar. Almost as if there is someone or something else looking out through his eyes. Someone who is not content to just possess her body. He wants every bit of her. Can she resist the promise of otherworldy pleasure? Or will she let the demon fulfill her every dark desire?

  The Demon’s Lust

  Lexi is having a hard time resisting her demon, Rameal. Ever since their first encounter, he has been hungry for more. His obsession grows by the day. He has no problem taking her in public, so why would she think she was safe in her dreams? Lexi is about to find out Rameal has complete dominion over her dreams. And he is going to take what he wants.

  The Demon’s Obsession

  All is fair in love and war. For weeks, Lexi has been fighting her attraction to the demon possessing her. His determination to own every piece of her is only matched by her refusal to give in. But can she continue to resist when he is offering her things she has only ever dreamed of? Fantasies that include the touch of many under the power of her demon? Things are changing in their relationship. Is Lexi ready to give in to her demon's obsession?

  Taken by the Werewolf

  Ella is looking forward to a long weekend in the country. Nothing but peace and quiet for three whole days. But she arrived at a bad time. The locals say it’s the coyotes taking the livestock, that’s what they warn her to watch out for. But coyotes are not the problem. The moon is full and a far more dangerous predator is hunting. And it is hungry for something other than her blood.

  Taken by the Werewolf II

  A Tale of Wolf and Man. Ella's life changed on the first night of the full moon. She lost her innocence, but gained so much more. But that does not mean the morning after will be easy. Not for her or the man inside the beast. He wants to protect her from the monster inside him, but it is difficult when both man and beast desire the same thing. Ella is a craving they cannot sate. A temptation they cannot resist. Especially, when she is doing everything in her power to bring out the beast.

  Taken by the Thunderbird

  When Ayasha's village is under attack, she must go to the only one who can save them. The Thunderbird who watches over their forest. The great bird does not usually involve himself in the affairs of men, but Ayasha came prepared. She is willing to give everything to the powerful god, and if his heated stare is any indication, he is more than willing to accept her offering.

  The Mating Hunt Trilogy

  * Taken by the Alpha Bears

  Shy Janet has avoided putting herself out there for years, but when the invitation to the annual mating hunt arrives, she has no choice but to attend. She doesn't expect to find her Alpha mates before the hunt even starts. Or rathe
r they find her, and they are determined to have her right away.

  * Taken by the Alpha Wolves

  Susan and her friends came to The Hunt to find their Alpha mates. She hoped to be mated and marked at the Hunt Lodge, like her friend Janet, but she finds herself running through the dark forest instead. As the howls rise around her and two Alphas close in, will she keep running? Or let them catch her and show her what Alphas are made of?

  * Taken by the Alpha Tigers

  Outgoing Lauren has always secretly longed for what her parents have: a long, happy mating. When the annual Hunt comes around, she sees it as her chance to finally find her happily ever after. What she doesn't plan, is the hours of wandering through the woods in little more than an over-sized t-shirt. Will the year be a bust? Maybe not, if the Alphas she's spying on have their way.

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