Slowly he moved to his feet, putting a safe amount of distance between them.
“Exactly, how am I supposed be, my lord?” Sarcasm dripped from her mouth. Before he could answer, she said, “You growl and bark at me for things I don’t even know are wrong.” Her chin quivered, but she quickly gained back the steel in her voice. “You know what my nature is. I try to restrain the hunger, the temptress, but—” She turned her back on him. “Just go away.”
Cautiously, he moved up behind her, noting the empty glass that sat on her nightstand. The comforter on the big king-size bed was pulled back. She had been getting ready for bed, without him. The knowledge stung his pride. Tammy was his mate. Her place was beside him in his bed. His movements were almost hesitant as he slipped his arms around her.
She tensed, flailing her arms outward to break his hold, but he had anticipated her reaction pinning her arms to her side as he pressed his chest to her back. The rapid beat of her heart echoing against him couldn’t bode well for him.
“I’m sorry,” he whispered. She smelled heavenly, soft and feminine even if her temper reveled otherwise. Her anger was an aphrodisiac when it should have been just the opposite. Blood rushed his groin. His cock jerked against the towel pressed to her ass. She flinched and once again tried to break free of his hold, but she wasn’t going anywhere. “This is new to me too,” he tried to rationalize with her. “I’ve never had a mate, never been faced with the jealousy I felt when I sensed Stephen’s desire. He wanted you. It infuriated me.”
She harrumphed, jerking once more to escape him. He scented her arousal and knew her pussy would be hot, moist—just how he liked her. Yet the rigidity in her body said she wasn’t giving in. Not even when he felt a contraction squeeze her abdomen.
“When I saw the mountain lion, thought of the danger it posed, I lost it,” he admitted. The thought of losing her made his blood run cold. He hadn’t been gentle with her forcing her to the ground. His comments afterward where fed by his fear. Martin had been right. “I can’t lose you, baby.”
Tammy turned in his arms. “Damn you, Roark.” She thumped his chest. “I’m a city girl. By all means I’m still human. I think like one. Act like one. You can’t expect me in the mere matter of days to forget all that is normal to me. I didn’t ask for this.” She sucked in a shuddering breath. “God, I feel so alone.” Tammy slumped against him.
Roark brushed back her hair. “You’re not alone. I’m here, Donne too.”
Her burst of laughter held irony. “No one is going to accept me. We’re just kidding ourselves.”
He kissed her forehead. “You’re wrong. Martin, my guards and even Lonnie have already accepted you.”
She buried her face against his shoulder. “I just wish I’d fall asleep and wake up to find this all to be a bad dream.”
Her words cut straight to his heart like a knife. If he could turn back time, would he? How selfish was it to want her by his side even when she longed for her old life? Why the hell was he even thinking this way? What had happened could not be reversed. Like it or not she was stuck with him for eternity. A swipe of his arm beneath the bend of her knees and he whisked her into his arms. She held on to his neck as he walked out of the room into the hallway. Using one hand, he twisted the doorknob and gave it a shove with his foot. Familiar scents assailed him. He was home.
How did everything become such a mess? Tammy felt drained from the evening’s events as Roark laid her down upon his bed. The highs and lows she rode were too much for her too bear. She needed some kind of stability in her life. Someplace where she wouldn’t have to look over her shoulder and wonder who wanted her dead. Tammy had thought Roark’s village was the answer. As she gazed into his eyes, she wondered if she was just kidding herself.
Somewhere between her conversion and now, Tammy had developed real feelings for him, which only complicated things. When he was near it was hard to breathe. Her body needed him as much as air to survive. Other than today, he had always been gentle and understanding. If being around his people would cause him such jealousy there was no hope for them here. The fact that he was the lycanthrope leader only added to their dilemma. He couldn’t just run away with her. He had obligations, responsibilities to his people. So where did that leave her?
A single finger smoothed over her forehead. “You’re thinking too hard.” He leaned in and brushed a kiss across her lips. “One day at a time.”
Was that the answer? She didn’t have time to ponder the thought when he tugged on the elastic band of her pajama bottoms and pulled them down her legs. He raised her shoulders up far enough so that he could work her shirt over her head. In seconds she lay naked upon the crushed velvet of his chocolate-brown comforter. It was soft gliding against her skin.
“Roark—” He placed a finger against her lips.
“Let me make love to you.” He pulled the towel around his hips loose and tossed it aside.
Sleek, powerful muscles moved beneath his skin. His erection jutted from the curls between his thighs as he climbed on the bed and eased beside her. In circular patterns, he traced the mound of one of her breasts working his way to the nipple that puckered in anticipation of his touch.
“I love how responsive your body is to my caress.” Trapping her gaze with his, Roark leaned forward and flicked his tongue across her nipple. A gasp left her mouth when he pulled the nub between his teeth applying enough pressure to send tingles exploding through her breast. Immediately, the fire coursed down toward the pulse of her sex. A flood of desire anointed her thighs. She squirmed beneath him trying to appease the throb.
“Don’t tease me, Roark. I need you,” she whimpered, wrapping her arms around his neck and pulling him to her. She wanted him now, needed him to vanquish the insecurities that plagued her.
As Tammy spread her legs, welcoming him into her cradle, he eased between them but didn’t enter her. Instead, he pressed his lips to hers. His kiss was gentle, everything their previous loving was not. Slow and meticulous, he traced her mouth with his tongue, nipping occasionally. His gaze was fixed on hers, so hot it simmered.
“Mine,” he breathed against her mouth. His touch, the intensity in his eyes left no doubt in her mind. She was his.
Tammy raised her hips, invitingly. “Take me, Roark. Make me yours all over again.” There was a desperate plea in her voice, but she couldn’t help it. She wanted to be this man’s woman, wanted to fit into his life, be his mate.
A million questions flooded her thoughts, as she threw up a mind block. Could she have his children? Did vampiress carry babies? Could she be the woman he needed? Would he dismiss her if she couldn’t reproduce? And, what about Marcellus? She cared for him.
His voice was sandpapery when he said, “Baby, stop thinking.”
Stop. Stop. Stop. Her mind cried. Take what you have now. Don’t think about tomorrow. Roark didn’t leave her a choice when he angled his hips and thrust.
Tammy arched her back, her mouth parting, as his cock slid between her folds and filled her completely. “Roark. Oh God, yes.” It was like hot iron meeting cool water, steamy and oh, so nice. Her inner muscles gripped him.
“Tight, baby. So fuckin’ tight,” he groaned, breaking eye contact for the first time as his eyelids slid closed.
Slow, measured strokes, he began to work in and out. Drawing far enough from her shelter that he left her feeling empty, starving for more. The moment was poignant. Each thrust meant to drive her crazy—and it was working. With each perfect stroke, he tuned her body like an instrument, drawing it so tight that if he plucked the right chord she would do anything he wanted.
The walls of her sex felt like a rubber band, shortening and thickening, growing ultra-sensitive with each rock of their bodies. Tammy was lost in a maze of sensation, not knowing which path would lead her to fulfillment and which one would make the ride go on forever. One particular thrust had her perched on the cliff, ready to soar into oblivion, and then Roark moved from atop her leaving her pantin
g and confused.
He didn’t say a word—didn’t have to. All he did was roll to his back and present himself like a feast on a platter. Tammy wanted to pleasure him. The temptress inside her knew exactly what he wanted.
“Mon prince.” Her long fingernails scored his nipples and he flinched beneath her touch. A half-smile curved his mouth. The heaviness of his eyelids as he gazed down at her heated her blood. He was so sexy, so handsome. She was so lucky.
Muscles bunched beneath her palms as she stroked a feather-light path across his chest and down his solid abdomen. He sucked in a breath. “Come on, baby. Do it,” Roark coaxed. Tammy wasn’t through playing with him, but let him think what he wanted.
Leisurely, she moved down his body, parting his legs to glide between them. The grin on his face deepened. She could feel his anticipation when he caressed his hands up her arms and pulled her forward. She went willingly, inching closer to his eager cock, which jerked, once, twice when she released a warm breath across it.
Roark raised his hips and moaned. His grip tightened, pulling her closer to force her all the way.
She turned her head just in time to have his member graze her cheek. “Nuh-uh. It’s my turn.”
In truth, Tammy didn’t know how long she could hold out. His scent was driving her insane. Low in her belly, one after another spasm was raising havoc. Just the thought of having him in her mouth made her horny as hell. She wanted him to look at her as he had Donne, with so much lust that she’d burst into flames. Just thinking of the two men together intensified the contractions.
His brows tugged together. “Baby?”
“I’m fine,” she assured him.
“I feel you.” Roark tried to pull her atop him, but she resisted him.
“You’ll feel more of me when I wrap my lips around this.” She folded her fingers around his erection, caressed her palm up and down.
He narrowed his gaze on her. “Damn, that feels good.” Pumping his hips, he slid through her fingers until a pearly drop of come squeezed from the slit. “Take me now,” he growled.
Tammy flattened her tongue, dragging it over his salty essence. He hissed, sucking a breath through clenched teeth. Around and around, she teased the sensitive crown, watching his eyes dilate, loving the almost painful expressions that played across his face. Muscles and tendons bulged beneath his control or lack of.
“Fuck me, baby.” His breath caught and a tremor shook him. “Mouth. Now.”
She took him between her lips, deeper still until she felt him at the back of her throat. The desperate sounds he made were as if she was killing him. Tammy wanted him to lose control, to let go. Closing her mouth around him, she sucked hard, skimming up his length. His fingertips buried into her shoulders as she made a downward spiral, stroking him with her tongue all the way. She let her teeth graze him gently, before pressing her tongue against the opening at the head.
Roark moved so quickly she didn’t realize what was happening, until she sat astride him, his cock buried inside her. “Can’t. Waste. It.” The groan that pushed from his diaphragm was coarse. His release was sudden and unexpected as its warmth filled her. Spilling his seed inside her set off a series of spasms, Tammy only had to adjust her hips, find the right spot, and she joined him.
Palms flat on his chest, she threw back her head and let the orgasm wash over her. Her skin felt alive, tingling and throbbing. Every inch of her body was engulfed in the thrill of the man beneath her. The one who made her soul soar, her body burn, her heart ache. He was her life, her vein of existence. She was still enraptured by the moment, when he tugged her down.
His mouth moved hungrily over hers. “Love you,” he moaned between the frenzy of his actions, licking, nipping, sucking. For a moment, Tammy thought she heard wrong. “So much,” he added, before sealing their lips.
A knot formed in her throat. His hands were everywhere, sweeping across her skin, holding her tight one minute, and then caressing and stroking to set her body aflame. In the next instance, she found herself flat on her back, Roark covering her like a blanket.
“Gotta have all of you,” he murmured, hooking his arms beneath her knees and spreading her thighs wide. Lust or desire made his eyes glow like gold beneath bright light as he breathed in the sight of her. A resonating growl rumbled in his throat. A single thrust, he entered her again, driving so deep she cried out with pleasure.
Like before, things elevated quickly. He’d barely begun to move when her pussy bore down on him. He cursed, tossing back his head sending his mane to flow around his shoulders. Skimming his palms up her calves, he circled her ankles with his fingers drawing her impossibly wider. As if it was choreographed, when his hips shot forward they both exploded in unison.
Two becoming one.
Together they plummeted into heaven; their bodies locked, their souls intertwined.
Heart pounding, breathing erratic, he shifted her legs to the side and plopped down beside her the bed bouncing in the process. “Okay, that’s never happened before.’” He scooped her up in his arms and smiled so sweetly at her. “See what you do to me.” He kissed her forehead, before falling silent.
Tammy’s body still hummed. For once the temptress and beast had lain dormant and neither had her hunger risen, which had to be contributed to her feeding just before Roark came to her. She moved placing her head on his chest, fingers smoothing across the light auburn down, as she listened to the steady beat beneath her ear.
“Roark, do you think the heat is over?” When she didn’t receive an answer she raised her head. “Roark?” His eyes were closed. His breathing was shallow.
The damn man was fast asleep, snoring softly.
Chapter Fifteen
The missile cut through the night heading for its victim with such accuracy that when it struck, it exploded on impact. Stephen howled as the cold wet ball of snow plastered his eyes shut. He spat, blinked several times, snowflakes falling from his eyelashes as he searched the horizon for his assailant.
Tammy jerked Roark behind the tree that hid her. Her body shook with quiet giggles. “He deserved it,” she whispered.
“Are you ready for his retribution?” Roark brushed the hair from her face to gaze on her beauty. Last night he had admitted his love for her. Did she feel the same? Could she possibly in the short period of time? What about Donne? How did he fit into this triangle?
Laughter danced in her eyes as she peeked around the tree once more. “He wouldn’t dare. I’m his queen,” she said with confidence.
Roark liked the sound of that. He couldn’t help dragging her into his arms and kissing her soundly. She was pliable, soft and feminine, beneath his caress.
Her expression turned seductive. “Do that again.” Her voice glided over his skin like silk across glass. He answered her request with another penetrating kiss.
“Ah-ha!” Stephen startled Tammy right out of Roark’s arms. She skirted around him using Roark as a shield against the man who still had remnants of her assault hanging from his brows.
“What do you mean, ah-ha, and what the devil happened to you?” she feigned innocence. Her eyes twinkled as she fought the grin that twitched at the corner of her mouth. Stephen bent to scoop up a handful of snow. “Roark?” His name was a high-pitch cry on Tammy’s lips. “Tell him it wasn’t me.”
Roark remained silent, curiously watching the interplay between them. Loving the fact that she felt safe, guarded by his presence.
“Then who, my queen?” Stephen asked. Compacting the snow with his hands, he gazed around once more.
Just then Franc strolled into the opening. Tammy jutted a finger in his direction. “Him. It was Franc.” Stephen let go of the snowball and it smacked his unsuspecting brother square in chest.
“Umph.” Confused, Franc looked from the splattering of white on his chest to Stephen. “You crazy sonofabitch. We’re too old for these games.” Even still he retrieved enough snow that Roark worried if his friend’s aim strayed they would be struck i
nstead. He moved Tammy further behind the tree, out of the line of fire.
In just seconds all out war broke out between his guards. Roark’s little minx stood back and watched, pride glowing on her pink cheeks. She laughed, cramming her hands into the fur-lined pockets of her coat. Dressed in white, from head to toe, she looked like an angel in skintight ski leggings. Yet Roark knew the truth. There was a little bit of witch inside her.
Ducking behind the tree once more, she dodged a stray bullet. What had begun as a snow fight, turned into a wrestling match when Franc dove at Stephen’s legs knocking him to the ground. Franc was older by three minutes, but in all the time Roark knew them, he couldn’t say which of the brothers was stronger or faster. Their feuds as children had always ended in a tie. This one was no different. The question was which would give in first. They were huffing and puffing tangled in each other’s arms, mumbling.
The merriment on Tammy’s face faded. She reached out and grasped Roark’s arm. “I didn’t expect this. Make them stop. Please.”
Mackenzie McKade Page 17
