She pulled up the camera, her face going hot at the thought of her parents watching her and Rasmund making out. The door opened, the bell jangling like normal. The reminder that she hadn’t heard the bell when Rasmund entered niggled at her mind.
“What the hell you are doing here?” Mick snarled.
Rasmund could smell the liquor on the other man’s breath. He’d heard his heavy boot falls of a man walk past the door several times and scented him as well. He’d memorized everything about the man from before when he’d noticed him hanging around the office. Tonight, he’d parked behind the buildings instead of in front, which obviously Mick had taken to mean Dyani was alone. Stupid move on Mick’s part. Rasmund leapt over the counter with ease, gripping Mick by the throat. “Why the fuck are you stalking Dyani?”
Mick swung at Rasmund’s head with both fists, neither hit doing anything except pissing Rasmund off even more. “I asked you a question,” he growled, pulling Mick close enough he could see Rasmund’s teeth, which had grown.
“What are you?”
“Your worst fucking enemy. You see, Dyani is mine. This family is under my protection. You fuck with them, you fuck with me. Do you understand what I’m saying?” Rasmund gave him a shake, smelling the stink of fear wafting off the shifter in his arms.
“She wasn’t claimed. I didn’t know,” Mick whispered.
“She is now. I don’t want to see you anywhere near her, or I will hunt you down. I promise, Micky, you’ll wish for death long before the Goddess finds you.” Rasmund let him drop, knowing he’d made his point. When he’d first seen Mick, he’d thought the other man was a shifter, now he knew he was. Not a big shifter like he was, rather something that was prey, not predator. But to humans, he’d be a predator. The fucking prick. It was probably why he’d come to a remote place up in the Cascades. He could shift in the woods and not be seen, and still stalk humans.
“I’m leaving.” Mick backed away, keeping his eyes down.
“See that you do,” he warned.
The bell went off again, but he waited a few more seconds before turning to face Dyani. He’d seen the cameras so knew she’d seen him leap over the counter and lift Mick off his feet.
“Are you alright?” she asked.
He dropped his head, his chin hitting his chest. “Woman, you’re seriously too damn good for me.” He held his hand out, waiting for her to come to him. Moments later, that seemed like an eternity, she was there, her tiny hand slipping into his.
“I was scared,” she whispered.
“I’m sorry.” What else could he say? He’d never meant for her to see him like that. Hell, how was he supposed to stay with her for the rest of his life without her seeing his primal side?
“Why are you apologizing?” she asked, her hand wiggling out of his as she wrapped her arms around his waist, pressing her body against his.
In that moment, his heart became hers for all time. It didn’t matter that his wolf had already decided she was theirs, that the Goddess had created her for his mate. His heart chose her too. “Dyani, I know you may think this is crazy. Shit, what am I saying? It is crazy, but you are my tum’-tum. You know what that means, yes?”
He’d called her his love many times, and while his wolf had claimed her in spirit, the man, was claiming her.
Her fingers bunched in his shirt while her head burrowed into his chest. She was so much tinier than him, younger, and human. None of those things mattered. It didn’t matter that she was four years younger, or that she was human, or that his pack wouldn’t accept her or any child they had, if he or she couldn’t shift. Rasmund was willing to give up his pack, his alpha status, to be with the woman of his heart.
“You’re saying I’m your heart. I know you’ve called me your love, but, Rasmund, we only just met.” She didn’t look up at him.
He could hear the uncertainty in her voice. Using his right hand, he gripped the back of her hair, gently giving it a tug. “Tell me you don’t feel the same, and I’ll back off.” It would kill him, but he would. Not completely back away. A little to give her time to get used to him.
Dyani blinked up at him, her milk-chocolate eyes shining with happiness. “I don’t want you to back off. I feel the same. I’ve never...felt this way about another man.”
Rasmund growled, biting off the sound before it became animalistic. “Good,” he said.
“What does that mean?”
“It means you’re mine.” There were no ifs, ands, or buts about it. She was his and he was hers.
“Well, that’s a two-way street then. If I’m yours—”
He bent, silencing her with a kiss.
After he let her up, they were both breathing heavy. Her lips were red and puffy, while his dick was hard. Although she’d agreed to be his, he would go slow, seduce her like a man would the woman who he planned to be with for the rest of his life. In that second, he realized his lifespan was a lot longer than hers, unless he changed her to one of his kind. Of course, not all humans lived through the turning. Most females didn’t. As he stared down at the utter perfection who was his mate, Rasmund became aware that he couldn’t, wouldn’t risk her life. If they only had what was her lifetime together, that was good enough for him.
“What’s the matter?” She rubbed her thumb between his brows.
“Nothing, love. I was thinking. Where did your parents go?” He’d seen Jolon’ leave earlier but hadn’t asked where he was going. Instead of answering her question, he changed the subject since he couldn’t tell her the truth.
“They had to run up to Grifford Pinchot National Forest this afternoon. They’ll be back later tonight.”
He could hear her heart racing, could smell her excitement. Both did crazy things to him. If he’d been a better man, he’d have taken her out to eat, to a movie, anything that kept them away from anywhere that had a bed. Shit, he needed to think.
“Would you like to go out to eat?” Rasmund nearly bit his own tongue off as the words left his mouth.
Dyani shook her head.
“Want to see a movie?” He didn’t know what was playing in town. It could be a Disney movie for all he knew.
“No,” she said with a sigh.
“What’s wrong?” He knew women. His mate though, was confusing the hell out of him.
“I want to be with you, Rasmund. Like, be with you, be with you.”
When she went to duck her head, he tugged on her hair again. “Be very sure, Tik-égh. Once I make you mine, there’s no going back.”
“I’m standing here offering myself to you. Well, not here, obviously.” She looked around the office, up at the camera then back at him.
“Are they going to see and hear what happened tonight?”
She shook her head. “I turned them off before coming out here. We have glitches occasionally. Before we leave, I’ll be sure and turn it back on. They don’t usually look them over unless there’s been an issue.”
“Go do that while I pull my truck around front. Lock the door when I leave. We don’t want any more unwanted visitors.” The thought of Mick, or anyone hurting Dyani, had his wolf riled.
Chapter Five
Dyani hurried back into the office she shared with her mother. One day she’d hoped to take over all the duties, but now that she’d met Rasmund, her plans shifted. Their long talks didn’t reveal a lot about his family, which didn’t alarm her much. She knew he wanted children like she did. Of course, at eighteen she hadn’t planned to start a family for several more years. Rasmund, being four years older than her, didn’t seem to be in any hurry either. That didn’t mean she didn’t want him. Good lord did she want him. Most of her classmates, if not all, had already done the deed, given up their virginity, and said it was no big deal. To her though, it was major. She wanted to be with a man she cared about, loved even. That man was Rasmund. She’d planned to try and seduce him, if a virgin could actually do such a thing with a man like him. However, when he�
��d confessed his love for her, she tossed seducing right out the window and laid her needs and wants on the proverbial table.
Her cheeks warmed at the forwardness of her actions. She stopped by her desk, waiting for guilt to surface. After a couple of seconds passed and nothing but anticipation for what was to come filled her belly, she smiled. Moving quickly, she went to the cameras and erased the last half hour, not wanting her parents to accidentally see her making out with Rasmund, or Mick’s and his interaction. Once that was done, she turned them back on in case they had a break-in.
She swept her purse out of the drawer, looked around the room to ensure she hadn’t forgotten anything, then went back out front to wait for Rasmund. As if he’d been watching for her to finish, his big truck pulled up. Like the gentleman he was, he got out and came around to get her, holding the door open, lifting her into the passenger seat with ease. Her heart did that flutter thing she was coming to recognize as love for this man.
“Goddess, you smell divine. Like honey and cinnamon. You make my mouth water and other parts of me do unspeakable things.”
His grin was so wicked she couldn’t help but stare down his body, gasping at the large bulge between his legs. “That is definitely unspeakable,” she agreed.
“Oh, Tik-égh, I will let you hear what it has to say in a little bit, trust me.” He gave her a hard kiss then buckled her in before she could say another word.
She pressed her fingertips to her tingling lips, wonder and worry filling her mind. No, men and women had come together in the most primal way for hundreds, thousands of years. She and Rasmund would be no different despite their size difference.
“What’s wrong, Dyani?” Rasmund turned toward her, one hand on the wheel, the other reaching for hers.
“I...I’ve never done this.” She bit her lip.
He released her hand, his thumb sliding between her lips, rubbing along her bottom one. “I know, Tik-égh. Don’t worry. We won’t do anything you don’t want.”
She laughed; he had no clue. “Rasmund, there’s nothing I don’t want to do with you.”
“Fuck. Don’t say shit like that,” he groaned.
Dyani felt powerful right then, his thumb rubbing against her lip. With her eyes locked on his, she nipped the digit, watching his flare. For a moment she thought they changed colors, but then he closed them on a moan.
“Woman, you’re playing with fire.”
He was so big and in control that she liked seeing him this way, growling and not as...controlled. “You’ll protect me.”
“Always,” he swore.
His words seemed to have more meaning, like he was making a vow. She wanted to laugh and say something witty to ease the tension. However, she honestly had no clue what would be appropriate.
“You want to grab a bite to eat before we head home?” He took his hand away, shifting into drive.
It was easier to shake her head since her mouth had gone dry.
He nodded, easing his truck onto the empty road. Friday night in McKinley Landing was usually pretty quiet with most of the town going home or off to the larger cities to party. She had never been so happy since she didn’t have to face anyone with her burning cheeks. Being Native American her natural tan didn’t show a blush easily, thankfully.
The short drive was made in silence, unlike most nights when they talked non-stop. Instead of him pulling up to the main house, he continued on to the apartment above the barn where he was staying. It was a small space they’d had remodeled not too long ago in case one of the employees needed a place. She and her mother had decorated it, so she knew it was done up nicely. However, she hadn’t been there since he’d moved in.
“You can still back out.”
She’d been lost in thought, not realizing they’d come to a stop. “I don’t want to. Back out that is.”
Rasmund pushed his door open, then stood there with his hand out. Dyani looked at him and his hand. She scooted across the bench seat, taking his proffered help. Together they walked up the stairs, side-by-side, with her hand clasped in his. Her stomach doing little flips the entire way.
He used his key to unlock the door, the familiar scent of pine hitting her mixed with the smell she associated with Rasmund. She wasn’t sure she could put a name to it like a certain cologne. It wasn’t like any she’d smelled before, but it was heavenly.
“Oh, you’re really neat.” She clapped her hand over her mouth.
A chuckle greeted her words. “Yeah, I don’t like a messy home and learned early if I make a mess and pick it up, it gets clean. If I wait too long, that mess becomes a disaster.”
“You’re a very wise man, Rasmund Masters.”
Hearing her say his full name had him wanting her to know everything there was to know. Yet, he couldn’t tell her until they were mated. His wolf snarled in agreement. Rasmund pushed the urge back. He’d take her as a man, make her fall so far in love with him she’d never want to leave him, get her father’s approval, then he’d tell her the truth of his kind. Or rather of him. He could never tell her of his people, or she’d be killed. Unless they had children who had the ability to shift. He’d cross that bridge later, much later. He’d ensure she didn’t get pregnant for now.
“Would you like something to drink?” he asked, guiding her into the living area. The entire space was one large loft. The kitchen had a bar with four barstools, while the living area had a sectional with a large square ottoman that served as a coffee table. There was a huge television mounted on the wall that could be seen from the kitchen and living room as well as the bedroom. Behind the couch was a king-sized bed on a platform on the floor. He’d piled the dozen or so pillows in the corner instead of putting them back onto the bed. They may have been pretty to look at, but they were a pain in the ass to put on and take off every day and night, so he’d opted to stack them in the corner.
“No thank you. Unless you’re thirsty, that is?”
He moved in front of her, sweeping his hand down her back, pulling her body flush with his. “The only thing I’m thirsty for is you. I don’t want to rush you. I don’t want to fuck this up or scare you.” He lifted her up, settling her onto the countertop. “There, now you’re at my height.”
She smiled down at him. “Actually, I’m an inch higher now.”
He eased between her legs, placing his palms on either side of her hips. “Hmm, so you are. Tell me if anything I do scares you or you don’t like it.”
When she sat there looking way too gorgeous and innocent without moving, for the things he planned to do to her, he leaned in, giving her lower lip a suck. The satisfying gasp had him smiling. “I want to hear you agree or not.”
“What was the question again?”
“Hmm, I guess I’ll have to be a little more specific. Do you like when I do this?” he asked, trailing his hand across her chest, sweeping the light sweater she had on off one shoulder.
Dyani nodded, then murmured, “Yes”.
“Good girl. How about this?” He tugged on the strap to the sundress, watching her face as one side fell off, exposing the tip of her dusky nipple. Shit, he swore his dick couldn’t have gotten any harder and until that very moment, he was wrong.
She shivered; the action made the other strap fall.
“Son-of-a-bitch. Your breasts are perfect.” He kept his eyes locked on hers while moving slowly, his mouth literally watering for the taste of her skin. At the first touch of his tongue, she gasped, her body arched forward.
He’d known she would be perfect for him. Her other breast begged for attention as he cupped it in his palm. He caressed the tip with his tongue, loving the sighs she made. “You like this?” he asked between nips and licks, the soft, firm flesh pebbling between his lips.
Dyani yelped when he gave a little nip on one tip, her thighs clamping around his hips like she wanted to hold him to her. He could smell her need, like a sweet, barely contained aphrodisiac that was fast spiraling out
of control.
He moved back to the other nipple, lavishing the same attention on it, giving it little bites that would leave his mark on her for days.
“Oh my, Rasmund,” she cried out. Her eyes slammed shut. Her hands reached for his hair, holding on to him as she pressed him to her even as her head fell back. “Please,” she begged.
The husky words accompanied by her nails digging into his scalp spurred him on. “You’re so responsive, my Tik-égh. I’ll please you so well.” He ran his tongue over one tip then the other, moving between her breasts. “Lift up,” he instructed.
The dress was around her waist as she sat on the counter, her face flushed with need.
She gripped his hair harder, swallowing audibly. Slowly, she released his hair, shifting her arms to the countertop and lifted herself up, allowing him to pull the dress downward. He had to move backward, letting her legs to come together. He nearly groaned as the dress slid down her thighs, leaving her in a pair of pink cotton panties.
“The dress has a bra built in, so I didn’t need to wear one,” she explained, bringing her arms up over her breasts.
He shook his head, sliding his palms up her thighs until he was cupping her hips. “I’m speechless, Dyani. You’re the most beautiful female I’ve ever laid eyes on.” He was almost lost for words, taking in her nearly naked form for the first time.
“My breasts aren’t big, not like a lot of girls.”
Rasmund glided his palms back down her thighs easing her legs back apart. Her tight grip as she pressed them together made him raise his brow. He tapped her inner thighs once, happy when she relented without him having to ask. “I love your breasts. Look at them, so responsive.”
To prove his point, he blew a puff of air over one little tip then licked it, repeating the action with the other. Her hands went back around him as if she needed an anchor. Her sighs got louder the longer he sucked her breasts, her sweet honey and cinnamon scent more potent. Fuck, he was ready to come, and he was fully dressed. As if she was reading his mind, her hands left his hair to tug on his shirt.
The Glittering World Anthology: Native American Romance Paranormal Fantasy Page 6
