by Faith Gibson
They both laughed. Nik wasn’t ready to share Sophia with the rest of their families, but now that she was safe, they needed to locate her parents. He asked her, “Are you ready to go out there?”
Sophia twisted her damp hair and secured it on top of her head with a clip. “Now I am.”
Sophia allowed Nik to lead her into the living area. His fingers were entwined with hers, and she never wanted to let go. He was her lifeline. He was her life, period. She was grateful he forgave her for keeping their being mates a secret. She wasn’t sure she’d be as forgiving. All talking ceased as they entered the room. She felt like a specimen under a microscope. Everyone started asking questions at the same time, so she held up her hand. “I’m hungry. I’ve eaten slop for however long I’ve been gone. How long have I been gone? What’s the date?” she asked Nik.
He let go of her hand and wrapped his arm around her shoulder. “Today is the twenty-fourth. You were gone for three weeks.”
Sophia soaked in the information. She knew it could have been a lot worse. “Who do I have to thank for getting me out of there?”
“Keene,” Xenia answered.
Keene frowned and added, “My father to be precise.”
“I am in debt to your father, then.” She looked up into the face of her mate and told him honestly, “I knew you would try to find me, but I had given up hope. I thought I would die in that place.”
“Egyptian laws suck. Their judicial system is nothing like it is in the States. But I would never have stopped until I had you back.” Nik kissed her temple. He had to be a little disappointed that he wasn’t the one to break her out of jail. As her mate, he would feel she was his responsibility. She had lived with a Gargoyle and a half-blood long enough to know how the males thought.
“I haven’t eaten anything with substance or taste for three weeks. I could really go for something with a little flavor to it. I know you all have questions. So do I. If someone will feed me, I will tell you all about what I remember. Then you can fill me in on everything that’s happened here.”
Nik led her to the table and pulled out a chair. “What would you like to eat?”
“Pizza. Tacos. A cheeseburger and fries. Make those chili cheese fries. Bacon. Lots of bacon.”
Nik smiled, “And which one do you want the most?”
“All of them.” Everyone laughed, but she was serious. “Whatever you have is fine. I doubt I can eat a lot anyway considering I was given so little these last few days.” She probably should have kept that tidbit to herself, because Nik’s claws popped out and his breathing came faster. “Stop, Nik. Calm down. It’s over. I brought it on myself. If I hadn’t have gone off alone, I wouldn’t have gotten arrested.”
Nik did retract his claws, but he didn’t immediately calm down. He retreated into the kitchen and stuck his head in the refrigerator. While he was looking for something to feed her, Tessa asked, “So, who killed the guard?”
“I did.” When everyone began speaking at the same time again, she held up her hand again. “It was self-defense.” Nik growled louder and slammed the door. He moved so fast, she gasped when he knelt in front of her. She placed her hands on his face. “Gorgeous, he didn’t hurt me. I stopped him before he could. I’m not going to tell you everything that happened if you keep this up. Can you remain calm?”
“It depends on what you tell me. If you tell me someone hurt you, I’m going to kill them.”
“I already took care of that. Now, are you going to feed me or what?”
Tessa offered, “Nikolas, I’ll find her something to eat. Why don’t you two sit on the sofa so you can be close? I have a feeling it’s the only way we’re going to get to hear her story.”
“That’s a great idea.” Sophia stood from the chair and took Nik’s hand. Instead of letting her sit beside him, he pulled her down onto his lap. She snuggled in and told them everything that happened to her from the time Beatrice kissed Nikolas on the sidewalk to being released from prison. Nik tensed up a few times during her recollection, but she squeezed his hand, and he kept quiet.
She took bites of food when someone asked her a question. Eating slowly was helping her digest the bacon and egg sandwich Tessa had fixed for her. It wasn’t as spicy as she wanted, but her stomach probably would have resisted if it had been.
Sophia needed to know exactly how close to death she’d been, so she turned to Nik. “I have to tell you something. It’s more a question, but I need to know… There were a couple of times I felt my shifter speaking to me. That’s never happened before, so I’m thinking it might have been my imagination. When I was at my weakest, I thought I heard you talking to me in my mind. Was I dreaming that?”
Nik grinned. “It wasn’t me.”
“So, I was going crazy.”
“No, I didn’t say that. I said it wasn’t me. Somehow our shifters were connected. If it hadn’t been for yours talking to mine, I’d never have known for sure you were in prison. Xenia and Zeke had a feeling that’s where you were, but we couldn’t get anyone to give us any information. Even the American Embassy was helpless in finding out anything. In all my years, I’ve never heard of the shifter being separate from the body; I always assumed we were one and the same. I could hear what was being said, but it wasn’t me talking. That doesn’t mean we’re the only ones, I just haven’t heard of it before now.
“Dante found Isabelle’s son through their minds. They aren’t related by blood, and he and the boy had never met one another. Dante and Isabelle hadn’t completed the bond either, but somehow Connor and Dante communicated with each other.”
“What are you talking about? Isabelle doesn’t have a son.” Sophia knew she’d been out of the loop for a few weeks, but that was something she would have known before now.
“I told you a lot has happened while you were gone. I think it’s our turn to fill you in. Yes, Isabelle has a son. Alexi was his biological father. Also, Alexi didn’t die when he went overboard. He hid out until after Isabelle returned to the States.”
“Where is Alexi now?”
“At the bottom of the sea,” Tessa answered. “It’s an interesting story, but one that can be told over beer and pizza once we find Sam and Monica.”
“Agreed. Have you learned anything new that will help us find them?”
They filled her in on the photos that were sent to Rafael, and Nik set her on the sofa while he retrieved his stack. “We aren’t sure when these were taken, but Julian has done an excellent job of cleaning them up and enlarging them. With the glyphs visible in the background, we’re hoping they will lead us to the location.”
Xenia stood. “Keene has to get back to work. I’m going to have him drop me at home so I will have access to my father’s journals and manuscripts. If only he’d have documented his findings electronically, I could share them with you. I will not stop until I have searched every last shred of information.”
Everyone stood and said their goodbyes. Sophia held out her hands to Keene. Nik, who had his front to her back, growled low, but she elbowed him in the stomach. She took Keene’s hands and said, “I will never be able to thank you for the debt, whatever it may be.” She squeezed his hands then released them. Her aunt’s mate inclined his head to her before ushering Xenia out the door. When they were gone, Sophia asked, “What exactly does Brock Tyson do for a living that he was able to get me out of an Egyptian prison?”
“He’s an arms dealer,” Nik said.
“Oh, shit.” Sophia had a bad feeling about the conversation she’d overheard between the elder Tyson and Keene. “I heard Keene and his father talking. He owes his father for his help, and I doubt it’s something as simple as mowing the lawn.”
“He acted freely. Keene knew what he was doing.” Tessa said.
“Doesn’t mean I have to like it. But it’s done, so let’s get busy.”
Chapter Twenty-Three
Nik kept an eye on Sophia while everyone worked on their own computers researching the hieroglyphs in the p
hotos. She drank lots of water, and when it came time for supper, she cleaned her plate. Her mood was positive, and her spirits were high considering what she’d been through. Nik was proud of his mate for the way she was handling what happened to her. He kept waiting for the reality to sink in and for her to come crashing down. So far, it hadn’t happened.
When she couldn’t stop yawning, he told the others he was putting her to bed. They said goodnight, and Nik carried his mate to their bedroom.
“I can walk, Nikolas Stone.”
“And I can carry you, Sophia Brooks.” He placed her on her feet when they passed over the threshold and closed the door. Nik pulled the covers back on the bed and removed his clothes. He left his boxer briefs on so Sophia wouldn’t get the wrong idea. Not that making love to his mate would be wrong. He was ready. No, he was beyond ready to make her his in every way, but he wasn’t going to push it. She would let him know when she was ready.
Sophia removed her clothes with the exception of her panties. They stood facing each other, neither one moving, both drinking in the other’s body. She had lost weight while in prison, and she hadn’t had any extra to lose. Still, she was the sexiest female he’d ever laid eyes on, and that had been a lot of females. He prayed her experience in the sex department was lacking. He couldn’t stand thinking of her with other men. Yeah, that might be hypocritical, but he didn’t care. He was over five hundred years old. Sophia wasn’t even thirty. He wanted to be the one to teach her what a male wants, likes. Needs.
She closed the distance and traced over his pecs with her fingers. Nik wasn’t as muscled as most of the other Gargoyles, but he was no slouch. He spent most of his time in the archives or behind a computer, not in the gym. Sophia’s breasts weren’t large, but they were more than enough for his liking. Her hands were long and slender, perfect for circling his cock that was coming to life with each inch of skin she skimmed across. She circled behind him and traced the area where his wings were hidden beneath the surface. With Sophia being a half-blood, he didn’t have to hide what he was with her. Her fingers dipped lower finding their way beneath the band of his briefs. She slid her hands along his hips, pushing the cotton down, exposing his ass. She continued until they were pooled around his ankles. Instead of speaking, she tapped at his feet, and he stepped out of his underwear.
Sophia was still behind him, but he could feel her breath on his skin. She ran her hands up his calves, past his knees, up his thighs. She placed her palms on the globes of his ass as she kissed each cheek. Her thumbs traced the crease, and he held his breath. He’d been with some adventurous women over the years, so he knew what it felt like to have his pucker breached. It felt good having his prostate massaged, but it wasn’t something he expected Sophia to do. She didn’t explore the area further. Instead, she stood and pressed her small breasts to his back.
His dick was now hard as stone, and his beast was roaring inside his head. She is our mate. Take her.
Nik wanted sex to be Sophia’s idea. Her choice. He didn’t sense turmoil from her spirit. He was pretty sure her body had not been abused while she was in prison. She placed open-mouth kisses on his back as she snaked her arms around his waist. Her left hand fondled his nipple while her right hand continued its journey south. Once she reached the hair below his navel, she didn’t stop until she had his hard-on in her hand. Her quick intake of breath meant he was smaller than she was used to, or he was larger than she expected. Hopefully she wasn’t disappointed. Nik’s cock wouldn’t win any awards, but it wasn’t anything to be ashamed of either.
Sophia explored his length, her hand sliding up and down with little friction. She was going to kill him. He could see it now… death by cock torture. “Sophia…” He needed more.
“Am I doing it wrong?” she asked.
Nik froze. Had his bunny never stroked a cock before? “No, not wrong at all. Just squeeze a little tighter.” She did as instructed, and the pressure was perfect. Nik moaned.
Sophia increased her speed as she said, “It’s so soft, yet hard at the same time.”
Even though most of his blood was in Nik’s small head, he had just enough in the big one to realize his mate had never touched a dick. There’s no way his beautiful female could still be a virgin. Could she?
“Baby, if you don’t stop, I’m going to come. Not that that’s a bad thing, but the first time I get off, I want to be inside you. I’m not pressuring you. We’ll wait until you’re ready.”
Sophia stopped stroking and stepped around to face him. “I’m ready. I’ve been ready for three years, Nik. If you want to wait because I’m on my period, I understand. But I want you. I’ve dreamed of this moment so many times.”
“Are you sure? Because I’m afraid I won’t be able to keep my beast at bay, not until we’re fully mated. He’s already pushing me to be with you.”
“I’m sure. I think they’re talking to each other again. Mine’s telling me to hurry the hell up,” she said and scrunched her nose.
That was all Nik needed to hear. When he took a step closer she placed a hand on his chest. “Give me a second.” She went into the bathroom and closed the door. Less than a minute later, the toilet flushed and the sink turned on. When she returned her hair was down and her panties were gone.
She was stunning standing before him completely bare. He would take his time fulfilling her needs after they were mated, but right now he was going to seal the deal. He closed the distance and grabbed her around the waist. She gasped, but then she grabbed his head and pulled him in for a kiss. For her to be a sexual novice, his mate knew what she was doing with her mouth. Nik couldn’t wait until it was sucking his cock down her throat. He picked her up by her hips and tossed her backwards onto the bed. She scooted up until her head was at the pillows.
Nik climbed on top of her and licked his way up her stomach, pausing to kiss her scar. He took a hard nipple in his mouth and sucked. Sophia moaned, wiggling her hips against his. The friction of her mound against his cock had him ready to lose his load. He gave equal attention to the other nipple before clamping his mouth down on hers. After he ravished her tongue with his own, he said, “Tell me one thing, Baby. Are you a virgin?” He pushed her thighs apart and slid his cock down between her legs. He could smell her arousal mixed with her monthly blood.
“Yes. I know it’s going to hurt, but I’m ready, Nik. I want you to bite me when you penetrate me the first time. Please?”
“You’re ready to be my mate then?” Nik continued sliding his erection through her slickness. “Ready to spend the rest of our lives together? For better and even better than that? In health and wealth? Giving me lots of beautiful little adventurous daughters and rowdy sons?”
“I’m ready,” she husked as she pushed her hips into his, grabbing onto his shoulders. Her fangs were front and center, ready to give as well as receive the bond.
Nik moved his cockhead over her clit several times. Sophia groaned and closed her eyes. Her back arched and she begged, “Nikolas, please. Take me. Make me yours.”
He placed the tip at her entrance. “Look at me.” When she opened her eyes, he kissed her. Hard. He released her lips and dropped his fangs. When she nodded, he thrust into her wet core and latched onto her neck. She screamed his name right before she sank her own fangs into his shoulder. Her claws were scraping down his back, spurring him on. They released their fangs at the same time, but Nik didn’t stop moving. Once he was balls deep in her pussy, he took up a steady rhythm, in and out. Her core was so tight, yet so slick. It was unlike anything he’d ever felt before.
“Baby, you are so godsdamn tight. You feel so fucking good.” He searched her eyes for pain. He’d never been with a virgin before, but she was meeting him thrust for thrust. Her eyes were hazy with lust, and she was pulling at her nipples.
“And you’re so big. I feel so full. Is it always this good?” she asked running her hands all over her chest, down to her pussy where she placed her fingers so she could feel him as he pistoned
in and out.
“I imagine it will only get better for you. Me, however? I don’t think it could ever be better than it is right now.” And he was telling her the truth. He felt her core getting tighter. His mate was ready to get off, and he was going to be right there with her. “You ready to come for me, Baby?”
“Yes. Oh gods, Nik, harder. I’m… so… close…”
Nik kept his eyes on Sophia’s face. He wanted to see what she looked like when she came apart. He whipped his hips faster, his cock deeper, hitting that spot that was going to do it for her. Her breathing became jagged, and she grabbed his biceps. Sophia hissed his name as her pussy shuddered around his cock. He let the orgasm flow through him as his lover squirmed beneath him. She was vocal and loud, and she was his. His bunny. His life. His love.
Sophia had died and gone to heaven. She was in bed with Nikolas Stone. He had not only taken her virginity, but he’d taken her blood. In more ways than one. She was now mated to the most gorgeous Gargoyle ever created. She closed her eyes and thanked the gods for creating him and the fates for choosing her to be his. She had waited for this moment for three long years. It had been worth the wait. Then again, if she hadn’t listened to her grandfather, she could have been having wild monkey sex with this amazing creature all this time.
In the last few minutes, her future had taken a whole new direction. She had a life partner, and she was now part of the Stone Society. Having a Gargoyle family was one thing. Being part of the most powerful Clan in the States, possibly the world, was something totally different. Her family had just grown exponentially.
“Baby, are you okay?” Nik asked as he hovered over her, propped on his forearms. He kissed her nose, her cheeks, her eyelids.
“More than okay. I’m perfect,” she purred.
“You sure are. Did I hurt you? I’m sure it had to hurt, being your first time, but I couldn’t stop. You felt so fucking good, Baby.”
