by Selena Blake
Cool wet fingertips trailed over his jaw. He’d closed his eyes at some point. Seeing the tender yet desperate look on her beautiful face was almost his undoing.
“I will not break, Shade.”
“Don’t want to hurt you, vamp.” That would be worse than coming too soon.
“You would not. Will not.” A half smile lit her face as she leaned forward. He sucked in a breath as her tight little cunt shifted over him. Hands braced on his shoulders, she kissed him. The light brush of her lips made him feel powerful, in control. While he was distracted with sensations, she began a slow lift off his cock.
He growled deep in his throat. She wasn’t supposed to move yet. He didn’t like —
The kiss deepened and she sank back down, taking him as deep as she could. He sucked on her lower lip and felt her pussy ripple around his cock.
Hell yes.
The next time she lifted, he didn’t try to stop her. Endless minutes of bliss ticked by as she fucked his cock. He liked how she used him to find her pleasure.
Super hot.
Somehow, only Lucifer knew how, he held off the orgasm roaring up from his balls. Thoughts of the beach, the forest, even her accident ran through his mind like an endless montage. When her inner muscles began to ripple around him and the sounds of her orgasm rang in his ears, he knew it was time to move. There was too much space between them. Not enough leverage.
The instant she collapsed against his chest, he wrapped one arm around her and rocked forward. Bracing his free hand against the side of the massive tub, he pushed to his feet. “Hold on.”
Her slender arms snaked around his neck. He used his free hand to heat the wall tile behind her and then leaned her against it. She made a sound of delight and her arms tightened around his neck.
“My turn, beautiful.”
She nodded, a sexy smile stretching her lips. He couldn’t resist kissing her as he started the deep thrusts that would bring him release. Body against body. Tongue against tongue. He fucked her with long, deep strokes and relished the feel of her gorgeous womanly curves pinned between him and the wall. Every time he sank home a soft little moan traveled up her throat.
“You make the best sounds,” he whispered against her mouth. “The question is can I make you come again.”
His words, or maybe it was their close quarters, set off another orgasm in her. This time, he didn’t try to stop the rush of cum speeding out of his cock. He grunted as his dick twitched inside her slippery channel.
When he came down from his extraordinary high, he dropped his forehead against hers. Their chests brushed as they tried to catch their breath.
“I want to do that again.” The words spilled from his lips before he could stop them. As much as he’d enjoyed himself, he didn’t want to rush her.
“Me too.” Her grin said more than words.
Chapter Ten
Now that they were lovers he saw no reason to put her in the guestroom. Crossing the living room, he hit the button for the shades as he entered his bedroom. The black, sun-blocking panels, slid into place as he laid her in the center of his bed.
He retrieved a towel from his bathroom and took great care in drying her off, a smile hovering on his lips as he got his first full look at her. Gorgeous all over. Cute knees. Nibble-worthy ankles. Suckable toes with midnight blue toenail polish.
Where had she been his whole life?
Once he was done drying her, he used the towel on himself.
Since he doubted that she’d suddenly give up her idea of playing in the tournament and didn’t think she would take the money from him, that left him one option. Getting her a seat at that table the old-fashioned way. Earning the money. Which meant she needed to go back down to the casino and sit her cute little ass in a chair at a poker table. With a little tutelage from him, she could double her money in no time. Especially if the men she was playing against didn’t think she was a threat.
And looking at her right now, sleeping so peacefully, she looked about as threatening as a baby bunny.
It was time to do some shopping. She couldn’t sit at the table butt naked. Although… He smiled.
The idea had appeal. But only if he was the only other person in the room. It might be the first game he’d ever lose.
Izzy found a purple T-shirt on the end of the bed. There was no sign of the handsome demon who had driven her wild earlier. She snatched up the shirt and held it in front of her. The rhinestones caught her attention and she felt mesmerized. So pretty. So sparkly. It was a wonder she’d won any money at all last night with all those distracting chandeliers hanging overhead.
Money.
Her smile fell and she leapt from the bed. What time was it? Whirling, she searched the nightstands for a clock. Oh. Thank the gods. She hadn’t slept the night away.
She glanced down at the shirt crumpled in her hands and read the words aloud. “I have fangs and know how to use them.” Her smile returned. She glanced back at the bed and saw a gorgeous set of lingerie and a new pair of jeans.
But where was Shade? Why wasn’t he lying in that bed, all sexy and naked? She rolled her shoulders. It shouldn’t matter. She was here to win the money. If his mechanic said the car was totaled… Oi. She’d need a carload of it.
After slipping into the clothes, she wandered into the living room. The demon sat at a table, a newspaper open in front of him. How old-fashioned.
She loved it.
He must have sensed her because he folded the paper and glanced over at her. A slow, sexy smile curved his lips, and desire bloomed inside of her. One time was usually enough to get a man out of her system. She had a hard time resisting a sexy smirk or a muscular physique. He had both. In spades.
“You’re up.”
She glanced at his crotch. “So are you.”
He laughed. “What can I say? I have a thing for beautiful young vamps who speak with a Russian accent.”
Drawn to him, she strode across the room. She didn’t have time to waste, but she couldn’t resist the laughter in his eyes. “Have you met many?”
“There’s this one in particular that’s snared my attention.”
She trailed a finger along the back of the couch. “Anyone I know?”
He stood. “Do you like the shirt?”
She glanced down, thrown by his change in direction. “Yes.”
“Good.” He stopped an arm’s length away. “When you hit the poker tables tonight, I’m pretty sure every man at the table will be…” He glanced down at her chest and her nipples hardened. “Distracted.”
“You think?” She nibbled her lower lip.
“Honey, trust me. You look good enough to eat.”
Part of her was annoyed that he didn’t think she had the skill to win without distraction. But the other part of her, the part that felt guilty because her impulsiveness had caused her to wreck Gorgeous, said that using any means necessary was the smart move.
“Come on.” He held out a hand to her. “We need to get you signed up for a tournament.”
Lacing her fingers with his, for a moment she felt like anything was possible. Winning the money. Winning the tournament. Winning a man like him.
She could no longer deny her envy over Coco and Grayson’s closeness. And now Ceara had found her mate as well. Avery did not seem interested in finding one man to settle with, but Izzy was starting to think that perhaps the right man was better than a bunch of different men.
With one man, she could share secrets. And hopes. And fears. With the right man, she could depend on him and share with him and travel and watch movies, and one day in the distant future, he could slather her with sun-lotion.
She patted her back pocket for her cell and lucky deck of cards but they weren’t there. Stiff, new material met her fingertips. Shade was the most unexpected man. Taking care of her, pampering her, buying her new clothing.
“I will be right back,” she said, leaving him in front of the elevator. She retrieved her phone and cards,
then traced her path back to him. He held out his arm and she snuggled against his side as they stepped into the car.
Rather than ravish her, he kept her plastered to his side. She had never met anyone so strong with such carefully controlled passion. At first glance, he was incredibly handsome, but he was more than a pretty face. He was thoughtful in a way no man in her life had ever been. Where did he get that from?
Some days she regretted not being able to contact her family but she knew that Valencia and Coco spoke the truth. It would be easier for everyone involved if she just disappeared. Appearing on their doorstep after two and a half years would bring too many questions. And it would be nearly impossible to explain why she could not go outside during the daytime, not without giving away her secret.
She was so thankful that there were no secrets between her and Shade. He was a demon, she was a vamp. She had come clean about Valencia’s car from the beginning, and he had taken it in stride.
The elevator started its descent and he turned to stand in front of her.
“Remember when you asked me if I played cards.”
She nodded. He had been a little evasive, but then they were just getting to know each other. She had not told him what had happened to her. How she had become a vampiress. She did not consider it a secret. All the girls knew. Even Charles Latham knew the truth. She would tell Shade when the time was right.
“I was pretty good at it.”
He looked deep into her eyes and she got the feeling he was trying to tell her something.
“So you are here for the tournament too?”
He nodded and his silky black hair fell across his forehead. She reached up to brush it back and he caught her hand in his. “Latham wanted to draw a crowd for the charity the tournament sponsors.”
She raised an eyebrow at that.
“Orphans,” he said simply.
“Just how good are you?”
“The best.”
She heard the words, saw his lips move, but the only thought in her head was how sexy he was. So confident, but not in a cocky way as so many demons were.
“The best?” That was extra sexy. She had always been attracted to the best of the best. The smartest. The fastest. The strongest. There was something to be said for being at the top of one’s game. “So you’re the one that they were talking about.” And that’s why he’d looked distraught when she’d told him she was coming to Mystic Isle.
“Who?”
“The other players at the blackjack table yesterday.”
The elevator stopped and the doors opened. Neither of them moved for a moment.
“You’re not upset?”
“Why would I be upset?”
He took her hand and led her out of the elevator and down the hall. Just outside the casino door, an easel held a poster with his picture on it.
“Dethrone the King?” She read the bold text aloud.
His arms were crossed over his chest and there was a delicious smirk on his lips, daring anyone to try to take his crown. Oh my. A fresh wave of lust surged through her. She’d been on the receiving end of that smirk before.
In real life, it had the power to curl her toes.
“I never lose, Izzy.”
She looked from the two dimensional poster that did not do him justice up to the handsome man who still held her hand. “Never?”
“Never.”
She shrugged. “Good. That is even sexier, I think.”
Shade frowned and cocked his head. “You understand that if I play, you won’t win?”
“I did not come here to win. I came here to win enough money to fix Gorgeous. And now to buy a new Gorgeous.”
His jaw dropped just a little and he stared at her with obvious bewilderment.
“What place do you think I need to come in? Second? Third?”
“You know it’s unlikely you’ll be able to find a car exactly like Gorgeous before your friend finds out she’s missing, right?”
Izzy’s good mood burst like a soap bubble. She blew out a sigh and looked around for a place to sit. An elegant wooden bench sat just on the other side of the casino entrance. She made her way over and sat down, dropping her head in her hands.
Shade rubbed her back and she leaned against him.
“You are right. Gorgeous is a rare car. She cannot be replaced easily. Every piece of a Bugatti is custom. The tires: specially made. They even have their own pe — oil. And it is not like the factory mass-produces the car.” She stood up, paced across the hall and back.
“Right.”
She sighed. “There’s a yearlong wait list from what I have heard,” she said, staring down at the polished tile.
“There is.”
“And each year, the car is different. Improved. Gorgeous was four years old. How will I find her twin?”
“I have a guy looking for her twin.”
She turned and looked up at him. “Really?”
He nodded.
“You are, what is the phrase? One in a billion?”
He smiled and nodded.
“You are one in a billion, Shade Sotenburg.”
“Joshua.”
She frowned.
“My given name is Joshua.”
She stretched up and kissed the corner of his mouth. “I think Shade suits you.”
He kissed her full-on, cupping her cheek in a warm palm.
When he pulled back, she felt thoroughly kissed. Happy. Content in a way she had not been in many years.
“How long until I must sign up for the tournament?”
He glanced down at the expensive watch on his right wrist. “Three hours.”
She nodded. “Come. I need a cocktail… and to tell you something.”
She laced her fingers with his. They started down the long, wide corridor, passing shops and restaurants.
She ordered a house cocktail from the handsome man behind the Tiki bar, then led the way to a corner love seat behind a massive potted palm tree.
“You shared with me,” she said when they were settled. “Now I will share with you.” She wanted to see his reaction to her words so she turned, tucking her knees. “I told you I am two. Valencia turned me. I was in Paris. It was late. I thought I was safe.” She tried to forget the wolf’s face. Tried and failed to forget her fear. Over time she had become numb to the story, telling it quickly and without fanfare.
But staring at Shade, watching his eyes search hers made it hard to keep the past away. His concern touched her.
“What happened?”
“A werewolf attacked me.” She kept her voice low, barely above a whisper.
His frown was immediate, but there was more to his expression. Despite his species and size, Shade was gentle in the ways that counted. But that gentleness did not stop him from cursing and then glancing around the room like he would punch the first werewolf he saw.
The waiter brought her drink and she murmured her thanks.
Shade’s jaw was tight and she could feel the tension coiling in him. Reaching out, she placed a hand on his arm.
His gaze swung to hers. “Did he rape you?”
She nodded. “Yes.”
He swore again. There was a long pause while he stared at her. What was he looking for?
“What aren’t you telling me?”
Izzy looked away, seeking courage to face the memories.
“He —” No. She couldn’t go into detail. Not now. “He left me for dead. Valencia said I should have died. I lost so much blood. But she was able to turn me,” she said brightly. “And here I am.”
“How can you stand to be around them?”
She could not deny that she watched for them everywhere she went. Constantly sniffing the air, she was on permanent alert. Even here on Mystic Isle where the rules forbade any type of violence.
Yet with Shade at her side, she felt calmer. More relaxed than she had during her previous visits.
“I should have been gentler with you, mausi. Forgive me.”
He looked her over, from the roots of her hair to her toenails. “You are that.”
When he said nothing more she took a long drink from her goblet.
“So this Valencia who found and turned you…”
“Yes.”
“Is the same Valencia who owns Gorgeous.”
Izzy was not perfect in her English. Contractions still tortured her most of the time, but she did know her tenses. “Owned.”
“Owns. She’s just a little banged up.” He covered her left knee with his hand and she smiled.
He was right, of course. But the verb tense did not change the fact that Valencia owned a pile of rubble. That thought wiped away her smile and replaced it with a wobbly frown.
“You finish your drink while I go get your chips.”
“Thank you,” she said and watched him stride across the room, confident, sexy. Maybe there was enough time to sneak back to his room for a quickie.
She smiled at the thought.
After a few more swallows she sat the goblet on the round cocktail table and made her way to the main hallway.
“Izzy!”
She glanced over her shoulder and saw Coco and Grayson. Coco grabbed Grayson’s hand and pulled the big wolf down the hall. Though Coco was not as petite as Izzy, she still reminded Izzy of a small pony pulling a large, stubborn cart. Grayson shuffled along behind the beautiful black woman in the sparkly T-shirt. The visual made Izzy smile.
“What are you doing here?” she asked as Coco pulled her in for a hug. A long, tight hug.
“We’re here for moral support, chéri. Where’s your lipstick?”
“At home. You did not have to come,” Izzy insisted, but she grinned up at her friend.
Coco was already fishing a tube of lipstick and a mirror from her purse. “Not your usual color, but it’ll have to do.”
Izzy stared down at the offering. She had not thought about her makeup today. Strange. But if she put on the lipstick and Shade kissed her, or she kissed him, she would leave her mark. She did not want to do that to him.
