Collared for a Night (Crimson Romance)

by Susan Arden

  This required that he assert himself so that she could fall back upon instinct, if nothing else. The leopardess would respond to the leopard. “Come, kitten. The car waits outside.” He took hold of her elbow, drawing her next to him firmly and securely. She flinched, nearly yanking her arm from his grasp.

  He pulled her into an alcove and positioned his feet on either side of hers, his hands holding onto her squirming body. “Don’t fight me. I promise if you let this situation get away from you, from your training, I will assist you to regain control. Twenty hand prints across your ass will be nothing.” His voice had dropped down to a growl, into the range that piqued the feline within her.

  From the slight flaring of her nostrils and dilation of her pupils, her leopardess brain was reacting, even though he could see the woman was very much not letting the issue go. So he changed course, and set out to get the woman’s attention. Without warning he feathered his fingers across her jaw, over her cheeks, and then ran his fingers through her hair. His mouth came down upon hers, and he wasn’t gentle or coaxing.

  He kissed her fiercely, demonstrating that he wasn’t playing or teasing. His mouth set to work on her, first getting her to simmer down long enough for her passion to override her rage. Hell, he’d be boiling mad if the shoe were on the other foot.

  She pushed against him, using her palms on his chest, but he was having none of it. When his phone buzzed, he refused to stop kissing her. He met force with force, driving her back easily, up against the wall, and following with his body. He snarled across their lips, a heated conversation they both understood. Twisting his fingers within her hair, he yanked just once, then deepened his kiss, thrusting his tongue over and over again into her mouth. Finally, he released her lips when her body relaxed. The feel of her easing up had his hands coming out of her hair and running down over her clothing. He took her waist between his hands, exhaling, debating whether he should finish this in the car, or look for an empty office.

  “Don’t push your luck, or I swear I’ll be only too happy to show you how committed I am to you. Listen to me. I love you. Only you. No one else. Now, let’s get the hell out of here. I need to explain a few things.”

  He backed off of her slowly, taking in her reaction and watching for any sign that she was less than ready to walk out into the corridor. He didn’t trust Mia, and looked both ways down the hall in case she reappeared. Now that she’d tasted blood figuratively, she more than likely would seek another bite. He’d seen this type of move in shifters. Mia wouldn’t understand that an alpha such as Diana held back, but didn’t waste time with sparring. Mia didn’t have the good sense to take in her environment, or to comprehend that Diana was a force to be reckoned with when thwarted.

  Mia had become a wannabe-human. From what he knew, she tried to meld with them, rarely shifted, and had even gone so far as to prevent any pregnancies or hormonal rifts. That didn’t mean that shifters like Mia couldn’t shift, but they’d be more akin to tame animals who no longer relied upon instinct, became docile, and wouldn’t know an alpha leopardess from a housecat … until it was too late.

  Diana straightened her clothing. “I’m fine, really. Don’t worry that I’m going to make a spectacle of myself. I won’t and certainly not here.”

  “Sweetheart, I’m not concerned about that. You’re so far off base. Whatever you’ve got roaming around in your lovely head is all woefully wrong.”

  He had to get her out of there and set her straight. Of all the things he should have done, explaining this situation beforehand would have been a much better idea.

  Stepping back into the hall, he led her to the intersection where the check-in table was stationed. No sign of Mia. Only the other young woman remained and he waited as Diana handed back her security badge. Outside, Santo leaned against the trunk until he noticed they’d exited the building. He was wearing a Bluetooth clipped to the collar of his black shirt, and Shawn wondered what was up now.

  “Please, give me a few moments.” He opened the car door, assisting Diana into the backseat, and then turned back to Santo. “Something’s up?”

  “You’re upset?” Santo asked, his voice so low it was difficult to make out the words.

  “I asked you a question first. But, no, I’m not upset.”

  “Tristen wasn’t able to come. Is that a problem?”

  “Tell me the reason why he didn’t and I’ll let you know.”

  “Tristen tried to phone you, but couldn’t reach you, so he called me. A group of dancers showed at the venue for tonight.”

  “Dancers?”

  “Strippers. Four of them. They told the manager that you had requested their services and were there to rehearse and change.”

  “And where are these dancers now?” Shawn gazed into the back of the car, checking to see if Diana had heard any of this.

  “Gone. Tristen didn’t think it prudent to leave the place unattended. Fin grabbed a taxi and is on his way there now.”

  “Good call. Take us back to the hotel.”

  Shawn unbuttoned and removed his jacket. After loosening his tie, he rolled up his sleeves, in preparation for whatever came his way. This was going to be a roller coaster ride. His entire focus was on enduring the next forty-eight hours and then getting the hell out of Vegas, He’d be damned if he ever came back here, even if it meant selling what area businesses he owned. He got into the backseat, tossing his jacket to the opposite side of Diana.

  “We’re going back to the hotel so we can bathe and then leave for dinner.” He wound his arm over her shoulders, waiting to see if she’d go tense. When she sat relaxed under his arm, he lowered his hand, palming her ass. “You’ve got to get control of yourself. There’s nothing going on here, outside of you and me.”

  “I don’t understand why you didn’t say something about her being in charge of this event. Was I even nominated for my design? Or is this just a reason to get you to come to Vegas?”

  He’d wondered if Diana would come up with that assessment. He had to reassure her that Mia didn’t have any power; just a big, vile mouth.

  “No, it isn’t. She’s doing PR for the design committee and this is some type of pro bono work, I imagine. Or she’s getting paid, which is worse. Either way, she and Frazier are financially in dire straits. They’re struggling and scrounging for work. I knew she was here; same as I knew Frazier was. Didn’t I already address the fact that they live and work in Vegas? This is a microscopic town for the design community and many things for that matter. Of course I expected to run into them. But if I’d imagined it was going to be catastrophic, I never would have brought you here. Or I wouldn’t have come. Mia brews trouble. Don’t let her words twist in your head. She wants to mess with your mind.”

  “I get her personality type. The timing is suspect.”

  “What timing?”

  “Asking me to marry you. That seems rather convenient. Your showing up with a fiancée.”

  “I already explained that. I acted on the spur of the moment when you gave us the green light to come out of hiding. Not because I wanted to show up with a woman on my arm. Don’t think so little of yourself, or me.”

  “I don’t know … things have a way of creeping out of the darkness and, you’re right, into the mind.”

  “Baby, I’ll fuck you mindless as soon as we get upstairs. If that’s what it takes.” He pulled her over across his lap. “Diana, I love you. I’m here to support you.”

  • • •

  Entering their hotel suite, he stripped her down, then picked her up and put her on the table in the dining area.

  He pulled her legs apart so her thighs straddled alongside his hips. “Lean back,” he said in a rough, hoarse voice. “God, I’ve wanted to do this since we departed this morning. And you’ve sorely tempted me. Brace yourself. Do you remember our first night, how you wanted me to take you up against the wall?” He leaned over Diana, the scent of her rising around him like a tide rushing over his senses.

  “You w
ouldn’t do it. You said it would exacerbate my heat.”

  “Yes. But there are times when you need to know who you belong to. Tonight is one of those times.” He trailed his mouth along her jaw toward her neck, nipping and sucking pressure points that made her flinch. Her breasts were tight against his palms. God, he wanted her more than ever. Soon, he would forego condoms and empty himself deep within her body. Her whole body would be his to do with as he pleased. And he planned on bringing her plenty of pleasure.

  Shawn pulled a condom from his pocket, which had become a practice of late. Tearing open the foil packet, he gazed down at Diana’s pussy, and groaned as he rolled the condom down his length. Entranced, he watched her rub her clit and writhe. “Oh baby, I love seeing you touch yourself. Right now, I’ve got to fuck you.”

  The head of his cock pressed against her opening, and he stared down at her glistening and pink skin abutting his crown. He swiped his dick across her pussy and then returned to her entrance, pushing forward. She was tight, and he had to force his way into her. She might act relaxed, but her body and her pussy said otherwise.

  “Keep touching yourself.” He pushed, driving his cock inside her body. “That’s it. Help yourself to relax, kitten. Let your fingers work to make you feel good,” he said in a voice pulled taut.

  He held onto her fingers, guiding her to play with her clit. Slowly, she opened up to him. Thrusting forward, she felt like heaven; a velvet-lined nirvana. “Oh baby, you’re so tight and so wet.”

  He pressed into her, stopping to gauge if she could take more.

  “Shawn, please, babe, I need you.”

  Now, with her moan, she was on fire and he eased himself forward, forcing himself to go slowly, nudging the rest of the way inside her. He pulled on her legs and she nearly came up off the table. A groan lodged in his throat. He’d not last more than a couple of strokes at this rate. There wasn’t anything left to do here but fuck her like she’d wanted the first time they’d made love.

  Christ. That’s what they’d done that first night. And many nights after. But tonight wasn’t about making love; it was about control and branding Diana. It was about making certain she understood they were together and soon would be bonded. No more doing whatever the hell crossed her pretty little mind. No way. He’d not let her wild instincts get away from her. He’d promised he would train her and he’d neglected this part for too long. Down, dirty, hard, and fast.

  “This is exactly what you need. Isn’t it?” He fucked her, riding Diana hard, moving into and out of her in a sex-sprint, pounding a rhythm into her body. With every slam of his hips, she moaned. He was riding her in a relentless, forceful rhythm that had her gasping with every breath.

  “Just like that. Shawn, you feel incredible,” she whispered, her eyelids fluttering. Diana looked overwhelmed as if caught on a tide of ecstasy that he delivered. This was their bliss.

  His balls tightened in the familiar way that sent a tingling slither up his spine. “Baby, I’m going to come. Are you near?”

  “Close. Very close.” She pressed back onto the table, thrumming her finger in a pattern around her clit, then she opened her mouth and his name spilled from her lips. “Shawn, that’s it. Oh, God … ”

  “Baby, come all around me. You feel fucking fantastic.”

  His back arched, and the spray of semen leaving his body made him shudder. At the same time he clutched her waist, slamming into her, delivering his cock as far as he could go. Her pussy clenched around him, holding him tight, and he continued to pound into her. Another jet of semen left him, and his mind blanked.

  Forget the gym. This had been an aerobic workout. Sweat droplets ran down his face and splattered on the table. Her skin had the faint speckling pattern and glowed golden. Leopardess eyes stared back at him for several moments, until she blinked. He picked her up and took her to the sofa, her legs still straddled around his waist. For a long moment he held onto her, not bothering to say a word. They sat there, silent and suffused in pleasure. She pressed her cheek against his shoulder, sighing softly.

  “I love you,” he growled, wanting to forget the dinner and make love to her all night. He wanted to see his cum running out of her, down her pussy, after he’d finally mated with her. Then she’d be his, without question.

  “God, I can’t wait until I can fill you so full of my semen that it will run down your legs. Possess you and release inside you.”

  “Are you certain your bonds with Mia are truly severed?” She stared at him with unblinking, human eyes.

  “Absolutely. No question as to that part of my life being over. Thank God.”

  He and Mia had had sex, but nothing like this. With Diana, there was a deep, unwavering hunger that until now, he’d never understood or even known existed. With other women and shifters, sex was an orchestrated event. Controlled. A physical release.

  With Mia it had been destined for failure. He could see how far off the mark he’d been in selecting a mate without this connection. What the hell had he been thinking? Mia was anything but a true leopardess. Back then, Mia been adamant in her refusal to shift. She abhorred being part leopard. Everything had to be structured, purposeful, and he’d only witnessed her shift a couple of times. She wasn’t anything like Diana.

  “Kitten, that woman isn’t proud of her heritage. I love how you own your leopardess nature. It’s one of the reasons why I love you. All of you.”

  She stiffened, the tension hiking in her body. “Sometimes, when I’m unable to control that side of me, it feels anything other than attractive. Especially when you’re not only head of Matrix, but working on a council that expects shifters to restrain themselves. I just wish I wasn’t always on edge … feeling as though any second I was about to shift without warning. I know I’ve changed, but I still feel out of control.”

  “You’re utterly intoxicating to me.”

  How could she not know her charm? An alpha leopardess such as Diana was a rare specimen of utter beauty from nose to tail. Her power, grace, and stamina combined into a relentless effervescence and had gotten under his skin with one taste. No healer would bring him back if something happened between Diana and him. She may feel the pressure of being in a relationship at this second, with his ex breathing down her neck. But this was temporary, and he’d make damned certain this situation was never repeated.

  Exhaling the oxygen from his lungs, he contemplated his own state as he caressed Diana’s silky skin, and was assured more than ever that he’d burn, incinerate, if she left him. There’d be nothing left to save.

  Chapter 17

  Seeing Shawn’s ex-girlfriend or ex-fiancée or ex-whatever hadn’t been the worst; not by a long shot. It was the expression on his face that had nearly broken her heart in two. Wasn’t that what she had feared all along? Pasteurized milk would have lasted longer than this relationship.

  The novel weight of the beautiful ring on her finger kept stabbing her memory, so cutting that she wanted to remove it and give it back to Shawn. The irony of having started out with a band of metal and now, again, caught tightly by another band, imprisoned by her own desire, wasn’t lost on her. No matter what Shawn said, the fact that she continued to feel less than in control of herself had her reeling.

  She rotated her engagement ring around her finger as her stomach continued to clench. If only she could be the perfect mate for someone such as Shawn. He was so in control of himself with his iron will. He deserved a stately mate, a woman to be by his side in the world of business and politics who wouldn’t go over the edge at the snap of a twig … or appearance of an old lover.

  She gazed at her reflection in the mirror, wishing she’d listened to her own argument that Shawn was temporary. He was too caught by his own lust to see her clearly, as he admitted. He wasn’t thinking straight. How long it would last, she didn’t know. Her options were to stay or return to Denver; to break it off or … what? Leave Matrix, move, and do what she’d done before, which amounted to the primal reaction of running a
nd hiding.

  She struggled to keep the tears at bay, taking a slow breath. Her heart whispered hope. If this were a choice, why couldn’t she choose another option? She wasn’t the same leopardess as when she left home. Not the same as when Cole had died. Not even the same shifter as a month ago. To leave Shawn and never experience the pleasure of him … Her claws threatened to spring free of her fingertips.

  That option didn’t dampen her desire, though, or diminish what the leopardess inside her craved. A silent roar reverberated inside her mind, aching for the chance to seize this opportunity. Ever since she’d stayed her ground with the bear, the idea of backing down and walking away tasted bitter. Too bitter to swallow. Not when it was Shawn’s well-being at stake.

  Diana’s mind and heart raced, recalling Mia’s scent and demeanor. The woman gave good face, but that was it. At first, the scent of Shawn on her skin tore at Diana, prickling a sense of jealousy. Well, if Cole was here and they’d somehow broken up, her scent would be on him, as his would be on her. Shawn never mentioned if she still carried a tinge of another male’s mark. Her mate’s death would have changed her own scent when she licked his broken body. Perhaps that’s why it was her instinct to bathe him, clean his fur, and why she’d felt an insane need driving her to find another mate so soon. Nature’s way wasn’t always kind or generous; the fittest survived. It was the only law of the jungle — concrete or vegetative. Right now, that’s what this matter boiled down to: who was most fit.

  She inhaled, gazing into the mirror, and refrained from acting on the desire to gauge her surroundings. Another deep breath and her heartbeat didn’t seem as wild.

  Was she willing to stand and fight for what was hers, or give in to a woman who, by her very nature, would destroy whatever she touched? The flaming heat and ensuing color rising along her cheekbones, her neck, and over her chest would betray her.