by Beverly Rae
He kept his head turned away from her.
“Well, I have the claw marks on my hood to prove I’m not insane. And you, of course.” As evidence. But on the other hand, maybe he was the crazy one…
Devlin shifted to face her, an odd expression covering his features. “You’re not insane.” He smirked. “And neither am I.”
Now it was her turn to avoid a face-to-face talk. She kept her eyes on the road before them, fighting to keep from asking him questions.
“Still, I wouldn’t go spreading the story around if I were you. Those marks on your hood are just that. Scratches, not necessarily claw marks.”
Tala stretched her neck to get a better look at the long lines running half the length of her hood. “Yeah, I guess I can’t prove they came from wolf claws. Or claws of any kind.” She wouldn’t want any reporters to get wind of the story, anyway. “The media would have a field day with a large wolf that can mimic people’s gestures. Besides, I wouldn’t want anyone to panic over this. Visitors might stay away from the zoo.”
Devlin slumped down in the seat, the stress oozing out of his body in almost tangible waves. But why would he worry about this?
Tala made a mental note to call Jim once they got home. She needed to make sure the authorities kept an eye out for the animal. Not to mention the weapon-wielding men.
ƒ
They arrived at her apartment after a quiet, strained ride home. Tala stalked around her car, noting the damage to the hood as well as other scratches and dents. Devlin distanced himself from her curse-filled mutterings, deciding the best course of action was to keep his mouth shut until she finished her tirade. He didn’t blame her, of course, but he didn’t see the need to be close enough to get singed from her scorching wrath. Instead, he waited for her to finish and silently followed her up the steps into her apartment.
“I could use something to eat.”
Tala shot him a you’ve-got-some-nerve look but headed into the small kitchen anyway. In rapid-fire motion, she dove into the cupboards and refrigerator, putting a loaf of bread and sandwich meat onto the counter beside him.
“Just so you’ll understand. I’m not your waitress or your cook.” She stopped, hands on her hips, ready for action. “In fact, I’m not sure what I am. Or what we are. Or even what you are.”
Figuring silence was beneficial to his health, Devlin shoved one of the sandwiches he’d made into his mouth. Maybe if he kept his mouth full she wouldn’t expect him to answer. If he was lucky, her hurricane rant would blow itself out soon.
“I have this problem with taking in strays. Especially injured strays. Besides, I felt kind of guilty about… Well, you know what.” She eyed him, suspicion oozing from her. “But you’re better now. In fact, I still haven’t figured out how you healed so fast. So why are you still hanging around? And why am I letting you?”
Devlin lowered his head, letting his hair fall in front of his face. Next to her dropping the subject, he hoped his passive behavior would keep her talking without expecting any responses. Fortunately for him, it did.
“I’ll tell you why. Because I’m a sap, that’s why. A grade-A, prime-beef, stupid-ass sap. A sucker for a hurt soul and a helluva great—”
At her abrupt stop, Devlin glanced up and caught the expression on her face. Grinning, he finished the sentence for her. “A helluva great lover?”
She blushed. This tough, independent, liberated, sexually-free woman blushed. And he loved the color on her.
“Never mind. And don’t go finishing my sentences for me.”
She tried to move past him, but he caught her around the waist and pulled her to him. “I don’t think you want me to ‘never mind’. In fact, I think you want me to mind a lot.” He nuzzled her earlobe and she rewarded him with a shuddering sigh.
Slipping his tongue inside her ear, he ran his hand along her spine to slide under the clasps of her bra. He moved his other hand up the front, pulling her T-shirt along with him. In one smooth motion, shirt and bra fell to the floor.
“Devlin.”
“Don’t tell me to stop.”
She leaned her head to one side, letting his mouth travel from her ear to her throat. He lingered there, feathering light kisses into the hollow of her throat, and she laid her head back. Blowing his breath against her skin, he felt the tremor shudder through her.
“Devlin.”
“Shh.” He couldn’t let her go now, not even if she asked him. Nipping at her collarbone, he fondled her breast, playing with the firm tip of her nipple, the heat from her radiating into his palm. She trembled under his touch again. He loved her reactions to his touch.
“Dev-lin.”
He nipped at her shoulder, making a small red mark on her skin, and smiled. Soon he’d mark her. Soon she’d be his and all the world would know it. “What, Tala?”
She took his hand, breaking his grip on her. “Bedroom. Now.”
“Whatever you say.”
He followed her to the bed, then thrust her around to face him and dove at her breast with his mouth. The hunger inside him grew stronger, driving all rational thought from him. The animal, eager to make her his, urged him on.
Take her. Make her mine. Now.
Sucking her tit into his mouth, he played his tongue over the strong softness there while he stripped her of her jeans. She smelled so sweet yet so wild. Wilder than she knew. Holding her nipple between his teeth, he ran his tongue back and forth across the taut tip.
A different kind of force surged through him. Not the power of the beast within him wanting to break through, but a strength he’d never experienced. A drive so much greater than any other. A yearning so much more consuming. An intensity he could only get from his mate, his female, his Tala.
While he fondled her bottom, she made quick work of his clothes, and soon they stood together, naked in the dimming light filtering through the curtains on the window.
He growled, lifted her, then tossed her on the bed. She laughed in delight as he fell on top of her. Supporting her breasts, he stuck his head between them. Eyes closed, he allowed the soft fullness of her to envelop him, and he soaked in the sweet aroma of her warm skin. Could a man ever tire of her smell? No. Never.
Tala laced her fingers through his hair, encouraging him to stay between her voluptuous globes. Moving his hands away, she took hold of her breasts and rubbed them across his cheeks in opposite directions. He sighed, happy to remain between them forever.
She moaned as he caressed both nubs and she spread her legs wide for him, strengthening his desire for her.
“Take me, Devlin.”
He gazed up at her. “Not yet.” With a wicked grin, he ran his tongue in the space between her breasts, lapping at her skin, wetting every inch between the luscious mounds. “I want to play first.” Pushing up, he straddled her and moved forward, placing his legs on either side of her chest. Her eyes widened as she realized what he wanted.
He placed his swollen cock between her tits and coaxed her to squeeze her breasts together with her hand, enclosing his dick between them. She pushed them against his cock, then ran her tongue over her lips, nearly driving him crazy for the want of her.
“Fuck my tits.”
Her eyes, gleaming with desire, took his breath away. Slowly, he began to move, taking his time, luxuriating in the feel of her smooth warm skin against him. Her gaze fell from his to watch the tip of his shaft poking out from between her breasts, then disappearing between their mountains. Her mouth parted, letting the end of her tongue dart out to catch the top of his oozing mushroom tip. Those slight touches whirled a hurricane of lust from his crotch into his gut. The delicious sensation tore him apart and made him ache for her to take all of him inside her mouth.
“Tala, my Tala.”
His words pleased her—he could see it on her face—and she lifted her head to try and take him into her mouth. Yes! He pushed again, putting his dick inches from her face, daring her, daring himself to take the risk.
; “Be careful. You’re liable to make me come.”
“Yum. Yum.” The sinful smile crossing her features nearly made him explode.
“No, sugar, we don’t want that. I want to fuck you both ways.” He increased his speed, all while holding back, keeping himself from letting go. The sensation of feeling his cock slide along the sides of her tits was incredible. The moist end of her tongue tantalizing him added amazing to the incredible. It was almost as good as having her hot pussy wrapped around him.
His hands gripped her tits, her rigid nipples rubbing against his palms as he slid back and forth. Her flat stomach massaged his balls, making him throb even harder.
“Are you sure?”
He laughed, looked into her expectant face and gave the idea another thought. But he knew what he really wanted. “No. But I think if I’m going to last that long, I’m going to have to switch.” She groaned and he almost reconsidered.
He struggled to keep the animal inside from showing in his eyes, on his face. But oh, how the animal wanted his mate! “Don’t worry. I’m going to make you scream, Tala.” He gently brushed a strand of hair away from her face. “I want you to scream my name.”
A raw rumble rolled in his throat and he moved to lie on top of her again, to rub against her and luxuriate in the feel of her. The heat in her expression drove the animal inside him wild and he thrust his hands into her long hair, securing her head in place. His tongue attacked her mouth, wanting to possess all her tastes, all her essence. As he rubbed, she whimpered, a whimper of need and urgency, pushing him to the edge of reason.
“Are you ready to scream, Tala?”
Her eyes narrowed, but she nodded, her panted breaths making her breasts bounce to their rhythm. “We’ll see who screams first.”
Ah, a challenge. And just the type of challenge I love. Grabbing her hands, he pulled her arms above her head and held them with one hand. She paused, motionless, as a flicker of alarm crossed her face.
He ignored the hurt her look gave him. “Tala. You know you can trust me. Still, if you want me to stop…” Don’t make me stop.
“Yeah, I know. But can you trust me?” An answering determination sparkled in her eyes and she bucked, trying to break free of his hold. The harder she fought, the tighter he held her, the brighter the shine in her eyes became.
An amused delight pumped his blood faster. “So you want to play rough, huh?”
She gritted her teeth and bucked, trying to throw him from her, a grin spreading over her beautiful face. At the sight of her sweating and fighting against him, the power of the animal within him rose, threatening his tenuous hold. Fangs grew and he battled to keep from shifting. “Damn, woman, you’re strong.”
“Not sure you can handle me? Come on, Devlin. Show me what you’ve got.”
He renewed his hold on her and, using his other hand, guided his shaft between her folds, just far enough to torment her. “Do you want me, Tala?”
She giggled. “Do you want me, Devlin?”
They laughed together this time and he knew he’d met his match in more than one way. His lips came down on hers and he tasted the muskiness of his pre-come. His abdomen tightened with the taste and the smell, and the wolf inside roared his need. Holding himself, he moved his cock against her clit, working it around her, over her.
She tensed, the passion showing on her face.
“Scream for me, Tala.”
“No.” She panted the word, adding evidence to what he already knew. The corners of her mouth tipped upward, beckoning him to kiss them. “Make—” pant, “—me.”
He dragged his tongue over those taunting lips, nibbling and sucking. He rubbed his dick against her, harder, enjoying the wetness spreading between her legs and onto him. “Don’t mind if I do.”
Pushing her legs farther apart with his own, he moved onto his knees and braced against her. Her face lit up with anticipation. God, how he loved her expressions. He lifted her legs, positioned his dick and slammed into her. She grunted from the impact and wrapped her legs around him.
“Oh, damn, Devlin. Fuck me.” Wild eyes met his, demanding more from him.
He found her nipple and sucked, matching his sucks to the pounding he gave her, his hips lunging faster with each thrust. She arched to meet him, urging him to take her, possess her. Her pussy enclosed him, wrapping her hot wetness around him, tightening every time he drove into her, releasing when he slid back out.
She’s so tight. So wet. She feels so good, so hot, so…mine. He closed his eyes, fighting against the inevitable, trying to make the sweet ecstasy last.
At least until he won the challenge. “Scream my name, Tala. Scream it so everyone will hear you.”
She squirmed, trying to break free of his hand holding hers. Soft mews of lust murmured from her, thrilling him more than he could have imagined.
“Scream my name.”
Just as he was sure he couldn’t hold on much longer, he heard her whisper.
“Devlin.”
He opened his eyes and almost lost his grip on what little control he had left. The look of desire, want, need…of love…in her eyes stirred him to the core. He couldn’t imagine his life without her. “Louder. Don’t just say my name. Shout it like you mean it.”
She panted, gasping with each lunge as they rocked together on the bed. “Devlin.” She said it louder, with meaning.
“More.” He let go of her arms and parted her folds to pinch her clit. She jerked, another orgasm racking her body. “Scream.”
Throwing her head back, she flattened her hands on his chest and cried his name. “Devlin!”
He rammed into her stronger than ever before and she cried out at the force of his thrust. They scooted to the headboard, bumping her head against the wood. But she didn’t complain.
He bent over her and took a breast in his hand, still inside her, never wanting to leave her. “God, that’s a beautiful sound. Do it again, Tala.”
“Devlin!” She screamed his name louder, longer, digging her nails into his back, fixing his body to hers. “Devlin!”
The exhilaration flowing through him found its way to his heart and he couldn’t resist any longer. His physical control was no match for the emotions bursting inside him. At last he gave in and climaxed with a howl ripping from his throat. Fighting the animal within him no longer, he lowered his head, opened his jaws and sank his fangs into her shoulder.
Chapter Six
“Ow! Shit!”
The strength she’d shown earlier was nothing in comparison to the strength she now used to toss him off her. Scrambling from the bed, she stumbled backwards until she struck the dresser. She sank to the floor and leaned her throbbing shoulder against the solid oak. “Ow! Damn it all to hell and back. You bit me!”
Devlin rose up on one elbow, blinked at her as if trying to focus, and swung off the bed. “Tala, let me explain.” His amber eyes slowly gained more brown.
Tala gripped her shoulder, blood oozing onto her hand. “Are you nuts? What do you think you are? Some kind of animal? You bit me!” She grabbed an old T-shirt from the dresser and stuck it on top of the wound.
“You said that twice already.”
She scowled at him, his remark stoking the volcano threatening to erupt from within her. If he thinks I’m angry now…
He winced. “I know. I’m sorry. I should’ve prepared—”
“Get away from me.” She attempted to calm the mix of pain, shock and—God help her—lust trying to overwhelm her brain, but couldn’t. “Why the hell did you bite me?” Does it really matter? She gave the question a moment’s thought. Yeah, the why does matter.
“I didn’t mean to. I just got carried away in the moment.” Pushing his hair away from his remorseful face, he beseeched her. “Tala, please, listen to me.”
He inched nearer until she stuck out a hand to stop him. “Please listen? What next? ‘Please let me go for the jugular this time?’ Would you like me to lie still while you finish the job?” Keeping her e
yes glued on him, she grasped the furniture and hauled herself to her feet. I can’t believe it. This guy bit me! Gritting at the pain, she snatched up her robe in the process, and headed for the bathroom.
Devlin started to follow her but she would have none of it. “Oh, no you don’t. You stay where you are. Or get the hell out. But don’t you dare follow me.” She thrust her finger at him in a threatening jab and stalked into the bathroom, slamming the door behind her.
Tala fell against the door and tried to catch both her breath and her sanity. What the hell just happened? One minute I’m getting laid and laid good. Okay, laid great. And in the next, I’ve got teeth in me. Had their rough play gotten out of hand? She crossed over to the sink to stare into the small oval mirror above the basin and frowned at her white complexion. Sure, I’ve had rough sex before and even a little biting, but this is wild. Too wild. With two fingers, she gently removed the robe and blood-reddened shirt to examine the injured area. Two major holes flanked a row of smaller indentations with similar marks in another semi-circle below. Looks like an animal bit me.
Reaching for a washcloth, she wet the soft cotton under the faucet and gingerly dabbed at the gashes. The sting shot down her shoulder and into her arm. I will not cry. I will not cry.
“Tala? Are you all right? Do you need my help?”
Is he kidding? “Never mind. I’ll take care of myself.”
Tala continued cleaning the area until the bleeding finally slowed down. She fumbled through her medicine cabinet, located the rubbing alcohol and poured some onto the cloth. Inhaling a long one, she held her breath and placed the alcohol-soaked material on her shoulder. A quick yelp escaped her before she could stop it.
“Tala, please. Let me help you.”
She ignored Devlin’s knock on the door as well as his words. Tears came to her eyes, and she stuffed the bathrobe’s collar into her mouth to stifle her cry. Gripping her robe with all her strength, she waited for the pain to lessen.
“Tala, are you all right? Answer me or I’m going to break down the door.”
