Charisma

by Wendy Stone

  Her answer was to roll, letting her head rest against his chest. He pulled her tight, holding her against him.

  She lay speechless, concentrating on the sound of the waves hitting the shore and Kadian’s heart in her ear.

  Chapter Eight

  Charisma woke early, Kadian’s arms around her in the early light that came in through the window. The bed felt soft as a cloud under her body and his arms around her made her feel safe and wanted, more than she’d ever felt before.

  She could still hear him telling her he loved her. The words terrified her. Loving meant commitment. It meant caring and giving a shit when something happened. Loving made you weak, unable to think. You couldn’t live on the streets and love. She’d learned that early.

  Her parents had loved her and look what happened. They’d been taken from her, lost to her before her mother could even explain the trouble using her gifts could cause.

  She scooted out of Kadian’s arms, carefully putting his hand on the bed. Her eyes went to his face as he muttered something, rolling to his back and letting his arm cover his eyes. He was beautiful in the early morning light. His face was relaxed, looking younger, even with that devilish stubble that covered his cheeks and chin. His hair was mussed and she found it difficult to keep from reaching out to play with the cowlick just above his forehead.

  He sighed and she moved away from the bed, knowing that if he woke now, she would be unable to resist him again. She made her way to the window, finding his shirt and pulling it on over her cold limbs. His heat had surrounded her in bed and she’d been toasty warm and more comfortable then she could ever remember being.

  The window looked out over the back of the property and she found what had disturbed her sleep. A truck was unloading a huge tent. Another truck stood waiting, Abstracts written across the side.

  People were moving, setting up tables and erecting the tent. She became so lost in watching that she jumped when she felt his arms close around her, pulling her into his embrace. “You left me,” he whispered against her ear, his tongue running around it and sending shivers of goose flesh across her skin.

  “Is this for the mating?” she asked, her hands coming to rest against his as he looked up and out the window for a second before going back to nibbling.

  “I guess,” he said softly, his lips finding the skin where her neck met her shoulder. She dropped her head to the side, resting it against his arm and giving him better access. “Do you know that it should be a sin for you to wear my shirts?”

  “Why?” she asked breathlessly, giving up the very short internal struggle to resist him. How could any woman resist a man like Kadian?

  “Because it makes me want to take it off you,” he growled, turning her and lifting so that she hit the wall next to the window. He yanked both sides of the shirt, tearing off the three buttons she’d done up. They popped and plinked on the floor. He lifted her higher, bringing her nipples to his mouth, holding her easily in his strong arms.

  Her hands went to his hair as he nibbled and chewed, sending her pulse racing and a familiar wetness to her loins. “God,” she hissed as he suckled upon her skin, leaving a love bite that made her squirm for more.

  “I can’t get enough of you,” he growled against her throat. “Your flavor, your scent, they’re so addictive baby.”

  Her legs wrapped around him, helping him hold her, but he needed no help. She was light as a bird in his arms. He lifted her higher, his hands holding her bottom, her thighs going to his shoulders. He inhaled greedily, scenting her musk. The scent was hers alone and he’d never grow tired of it. Holding her open to him, he turned, letting her drop to the bed, his mouth locked upon her clit, his tongue a firebrand of sensation as he flicked and lapped at her.

  Charisma moved under him, unable to stop or to slow the meteoric rise of her pleasure. She couldn’t breathe when he held her down, when he made love to her. She didn’t want to breathe. Ecstasy claimed her and her hands clawed at his shoulders, her juices bathing his face in her lust.

  His name keened from her lips until he moved forward, his cock finding its home between her thighs. His lips closed over hers and she could taste herself upon them as he began to thrust inside of her, moaning his own need as her core caressed his hardened flesh. The spasms of her orgasms crested over and over.

  He rose up, holding himself at arm’s length. The only place they touched was where they were joined between her thighs. He watched himself enter her, his glistening cock covered by her wetness, slowly disappearing inside of her.

  “Give me your hand,” he growled.

  Charisma arched, trying to force him to a faster pace, but he wouldn’t relent. “Give me your hand,” he said again, reaching out and taking it. He laid her palm against her skin, just above her breast. His hand moved hers, stroking her palm over the softness of her breast, down the slight ridges of her ribs and over her small belly. When she felt the crinkly softness of her pubic hair, she balked, but he wouldn’t be swayed.

  “Feel this,” he said, his breath catching as her small hand touched the spot where they were joined. He could feel her fingers exploring, cupping his balls. He watched as she played with her own clit. Nothing any other woman had ever done gave him half the thrill of watching that small hand explore their bodies.

  His thrusts became short stabs as her palm rested around him, her fingers sliding over every vein of his cock. When he pulled out, stopping to let her feel just the head of his cock lodged inside, he knew he wouldn’t last much longer. He could feel her eyes on his face, watching him. He let every emotion show, opening his eyes to stare into hers. He reached down then, unable to handle more. Tearing her hand away from his flesh and burying himself deep inside of her.

  Rolling, he sat her astride him. “Please God, Charisma, if you care for me at all, ride me hard and fast,” he begged, “Take me as I’ve taken you.”

  Her hands rested against his chest, hair falling around her shoulders and sticking to her skin. Her nipples played peek-a-

  boo between the thick silky strands. His hands ran up her thighs, his fingers tracing the line that separated her thigh from her body, feeling her shiver as he touched her. Resting his hand against her flat tummy, he slid his thumb through her pubic hair and into the heat of her slit, finding the hard nub of her clit. She began to move.

  She ground against him, moving as she liked, riding his thumb and his cock until her body exploded in sensation. Her back arched and she cried out his name, falling forward on his chest to gasp out the last of the spasms. Her head rested on his chest, rising and falling with his deep breaths, Lifting her head, her dazed eyes went to his face. “You haven’t…”

  He shook his head. “No, not yet,” he said. He lay still under her, as if waiting for her next action.

  She surprised him, sitting up and pulling herself away from his hardness. She went to her knees on the floor next to the bed. “What are you doing?” he started to ask, but the words came out as a groan when she licked the head of his cock. Her mouth opened and she took in the sensitive tip of his cock, her tongue teasing and playing with it. She heard a choked sound and looked up. He was on his elbow, eyes watching her, his hands digging into the comforter. His body was tight and she watched as she let her mouth travel down the shaft of his cock, sucking upon him. His head fell back and he groaned, his hand going to the back of her head.

  “God, Charisma,” he groaned, his eyes trying to roll up inside his head at the pleasure her mouth was bringing him. It took everything he had not to push down her head, force more of him into her mouth. But until a few hours ago, she’d been virginal in every way. He didn’t want her to lose her enjoyment in any of this.

  Her head started moving, her mouth tight around his shaft. She sucked and licked, sending shards of aching pleasure up his spine until he knew he wouldn’t last much longer. Pulling her up and off him, he held her above him again, thrusting inside of her quickly. She was soaking wet, as if pleasuring him had excited her and h
e pushed in easily.

  “Grind against me,” he begged, his voice husky and sharp.

  She did, her clit mashed against the top of his cock. She could feel him moving, sliding, causing sweet friction that had her ready to come again. She could feel him growing larger, his movements becoming jerky and hard as he fought to make her come once more before he did.

  She cried out as his hands grabbed her hips, yanking her down as his body shook under hers. He thrust again and she was there, prickly heat rushing up her spine to her brain as she fell against him.

  Her name left his mouth as he cried out his own orgasm, shaking with the intensity of it.

  When it was over, his hands softly caressed her back, running from her soft bottom to her shoulders and returning. He could feel her breathing even and then grow slow as she fell asleep still joined to him. The warmth of her breath blew across his chest and he let his eyes close, savoring this incredible moment and holding onto it as he wanted to hold on to her.

  Sitting up was easy, for she weighed next to nothing. He turned, letting her sleeping form rest against the pillows and drawing the blankets over her. His hand moved, pulling the hair out of her face and spreading it around her head. “I love you, Char,” he said softly, wishing for a moment that she would say it back, but knowing it was too soon for her. If she said it now, she’d be saying it because he wanted her to and not because she meant it. “Soon,” he said, getting up before he climbed back into bed and just held her.

  More clothes had been moved to the drawers and the closet in this room, he grinned. Marissa was always doing things like that, unselfish things that showed just how much she cared. He’d have to remember to thank her later. Now, he reached into the closet and pulled out the mating costume. Black pants and a white shirt. He’d wear the shirt untucked and no shoes on his feet, keeping it as natural as they could without embarrassing the ones to be mated.

  There was even a dress for Charisma. He studied the thin white silk of the gown and the beautiful beading that had been done to the bodice. She would be lovely in this dress. He glanced once more at the bed, smiling as he found her curled into a ball under the blankets. He picked up his clothes and headed into the bathroom.

  A quick shower and then he would wake her. There would be people all over the house and gardens today, servers and workmen, not to mention the guests invited to the two matings. He wouldn’t leave her alone.

  He turned at the sound of the bathroom door and smiled widely when she pushed open the glass door. Holding out his arms, he held her close for a moment as she burrowed into him. “You got up,” she said softly.

  “Well, one of us had to leave that bed so we’d get something done today,” he replied, lifting her chin and kissing her with affection that made her blink. “You are so cute asleep.”

  “Cute?” she asked, acting offended. “I’m cute?”

  “Did I say cute? I meant beautiful and ... and sexy. I can’t keep my hands off you.” That was the truth. Even now, his big soapy hands were roaming over her, exploring every inch of her in the guise of getting her clean.

  She smiled and moaned as he rubbed at her shoulders, massaging her skin. “Will you wash my hair?” she asked, letting her head fall back against his chest.

  He drew her into the spray of the water, rinsing her body and wetting her hair. Gathering the mass into his hands, he carefully massaged the soap through it. She hummed her contentment, the sexy little sound going right to his groin. He could feel himself becoming aroused again.

  “Are you sore?” he asked.

  “Hmm,” she moaned.

  Turning her around, he carefully rinsed her hair, making sure to get every bit of the shampoo out. Her little hand wrapped around his arousal, startling him. “Is this why you were asking?” she asked, staring at him with bright green eyes. She stroked him, listening as he moaned. It made her smile.

  “Yes,” he groaned, leaning back against the wall. His hand came up, his fingers finding her nipple and pinching lightly. “I can’t seem to get enough of you.”

  “Good,” she said defiantly. “I’m glad. But I’m not sure of the mechanics,” she teased. “This way?” she said, turning and slowly shaking her bottom at him.

  “Oh, God, no,” he said, though his hands went to her hips and he pushed his erection into the crease of her bottom. “We can’t do it that way, baby. I…Weres can change their mates that way.

  “What, you mean if we were to have sex this way,” she pushed her bottom against him, moaning softly, “I could change into a dragon?”

  “Not quite,” he groaned. “I’d have to take your blood and share mine with you.”

  “Maybe it wouldn’t work with me,” she said. “I’m already a mythological being. I’m a siren. I can kill with my voice.” Even as she spoke, she found him with her hand, lining him up. Slowly, she pushed her body back against his. Flesh still somewhat sore from all the lovemaking they’d done the night before stretched with a mixture of pleasure and pain. The thought of being a dragon, of being strong and big, something she wasn’t, was intriguing. “Do you eat people?” she asked as his hand spread over her belly, pulling her further back on him.

  “I have, but not in years.” He growled his pleasure. She was tight and wet, drawing him deeper and deeper inside of her. “Do you want to be my mate?” he asked, feeling his face beginning to change, his teeth growing sharper and long fangs sliding out of his gums.

  “You love me?”

  “Yes,” he growled, pulling her closer. He bent, his teeth skimming across her shoulder, pushing her hair away from the tender nape of her neck. She was so small. His mouth opened over her. “Answer me, Charisma. Do you want to be my mate?”

  He was thrusting inside of her, driving her to madness with the feel of his hands and the small bites of her flesh. Kadian would take care of her, she knew that as truly as she knew that he loved her. But did she love him?

  Closing her eyes, she tried to picture her life without him in it.

  * * * *

  Sam jumped out of the van, the smell of the food making her feel somewhat ill. Morning sickness and being a chef just didn’t always sit right. She’d yet to tell Nashe she was pregnant, knowing that he counted on her, now more than he ever had since he’d bought into Abstracts and become owner.

  “Are you all right?”

  She looked up just in time to stop herself from running into one of the numerous gorgeous men that were always around this estate. How Marissa coped with these delectable men around all the time, she didn’t know. Of course, she’d found the most handsome one, with Lukah.

  “I’m sorry. That’s what I get for not looking where I was going.”

  “You’re pale,” he said slowly. “You should sit for a moment.”

  “Thank you, ahhh…”

  “Dimitri Alexandros,” he said. “I’m Lukah’s cousin.”

  “There must be a hundred of you cousins,” Sam said, putting her hand out suddenly when the ground beneath her feet tried to flop upside down. Dimitri grabbed her hand, putting his arm around her, lifting her carefully and taking her under the newly erected tent. There was a cool breeze coming in through the flaps and the shade felt marvelous.

  “God, I feel like a fool,” she said as he sat her on one of the chairs that were slowly being set up around tables.

  “Is your husband excited that you are expecting?” Dimitri asked softly, snapping his fingers and getting her some juice.

  “I’m not married. How did you know I was pregnant?”

  He tapped the side of his aristocratic nose. “Pregnancy hormones,” he said softly. “Besides, there is nothing sexier than a pregnant woman.”

  Sam tried to smile but she felt the hurt well up, remembering what her boyfriend had said. He’d accused her of getting pregnant to keep him and then told her that he wasn’t the father of that thing in her stomach. She’d kicked him out of her life. Now she faced a whole new and terrifying world on her own. Single parenthood. She’d hear
d so many nightmares from her friends that were doing it. Could she handle it?

  “Yeah, I’d like to hear you say that at six a.m. when I’m throwing up.”

  Dimitri smiled. “Is that an invitation? Because, while I would love to accept, I do have one small rule.”

  “What’s your rule?” she asked, unable to stop herself. He was different than any man she’d ever dated and that alone was intriguing.

  “I never hold back the hair of a pregnant lady whose name I don’t know.”

  Sam laughed, sipping at the juice he’d gotten her. She felt much better already and didn’t know if it was the cooler air, the juice or the company that was doing it.

  “I’m sorry. My name is Samantha Church. I’m head chef of Abstracts.” She held her hand out, feeling it engulfed by his.

  “Such little hands make the delicacies that come from Abstracts kitchens?” he asked, bringing her fingers to his lips. He glanced into her bright blue eyes.

  “Nice try,” she said, laughing at his flattery. She took one last sip of the juice and rose, waiting to see if the world would stay right side up this time. “Thank you for your help, Dimitri.” He rose and she had to bend her neck back quite a bit to look into his face.

  “It was my pleasure, Samantha,” he said, bringing her hand to his chest and letting it rest there, his hand over it. “I will keep your secret as well.”

  “Secret?” she asked, confused by the feelings that were sending her emotions hopping. He held her hand and she wanted to swoon at his feet. It had to be something in the water out here that made these Alexandros men so damn sexy.

  “Your baby,” he whispered, bending down to her and speaking softly into her ear. The heat of his breath sent a shiver of lust through her. Her panties grew damp.

  “Oh,” she said, her eyes closing for a moment before she got a hold of herself and stepped back. Pulling her hand free, almost reluctantly, she stood for a minute longer, staring up at him. “Thanks again,” she said finally, this time managing to turn and walk away, though she felt his eyes on her back.