Devil Hills: #1 Scarlet, Lexi & Lily

by Diroll-Nichols, Karen

  “Breasts? They really are nicely shaped and perfect on you,” Lucas said when she faltered. Keeping her off balance was key. She didn’t seem to notice the lightning or thunder at the moment. “I like your nipples…been wondering for days if they’re sweet and would they pucker more with my mouth pulling and nibbling on them.”

  Scarlet closed her eyes, struggling to breathe normally. Maybe she should just kiss him. Maybe she wouldn’t panic as much since she did like his scent and his taste. Maybe she could prove to him that he really needed to find a way around the pair bonding thing and move forward with…then she felt the soft fingers on her bare shoulder. Dark lashes flew wide and if she almost jumped out of her sheet.

  Lucas traced one finger around the fang marks he’d left on her shoulder.

  “Do you remember the night they had the ceremony?” He asked while she was still gaping at him. He watched the memory flood into her in one large swoop, dark lashes blinking quickly.

  “You were very angry,” she said softly, adjusting her palms and reaching out to touch his shoulder where she’d done as she’d been told, putting her mark on him.

  She remembered that she’d almost forgotten to breathe. She’d never been that close to him, so close she could touch him. So close she could really smell scents she hadn’t quite grasped yet at fifteen.

  “Yeah…I had some idiot idea I could make my escape and I’d be in college and twenty one and have my life back without worrying about that ritual,” Lucas glimpsed the ‘I’m sorry’ on her lips and put a finger there instead. “Don’t. I’m not eighteen now, Scarlet. I’m not angry that it happened.”

  “But you could have gotten rid of it, Lucas. Once you turned twenty-one and we didn’t…hadn’t…I know how it works,” she ignored her own stammering and applied a fierce look. “You shouldn’t be forced to…it just seems wrong.”

  “I’m not sorry,” he said softly, leaning up and letting his fingers stroke gently over her neck, urging her closer until their lips touched.

  Once and once again.

  Lucas let her lead, enjoying the tentative stroke of her tongue along his lips before he parted them to fence and tease. Slowly her body relaxed, that long curved body stretching out over his as he leaned back onto the bed, taking her with him.

  Scarlet wasn’t even aware of the long sigh that eased free when his mouth trailed over her jaw and down her neck. If she’d taken time to think, she’d realize there was something soothing being in his arms.

  Something different. Her mind drifted enough to tell her it was his scent.

  His. He was special to her. Maybe it acted like a tranquilizer, she thought, frowning slightly at the thought and lifting her head to peer at him.

  Lucas had no idea what she was thinking. The cute little puzzled frown worried him only a little when she took his hands and carried them above his head.

  His concern did ratchet up a notch when she unfolded her legs and slipped one over him, straddling his waist, one blanket and her sheet between them. One brow arched when he tried moving his hands and she leaned forward to press them back to the bed. He dragged in a long, long breath, his eyes caught for a wistful moment on the two round breasts moving out of range again.

  “Stay,” she said firmly, lifting herself enough to pull the sheet free and then his blanket.

  Now the concern was shifting dangerously.

  Scarlet sat astride him for several long minutes, drinking in the lean muscles, tanned and strong beneath her hands. She leaned forward again, her head cocked to the side and one palm on each of his wrists.

  She liked the coarse pale hair teasing her palms and she stroked down his arms, fingers trailing through the thicker hair under his arms. She giggled slightly when he jumped at her touch. Scarlet placed both palms on his chest, her eyes caught on his, watching the shift from pale green to a deep, narrowed green as she slid her body over his.

  His erection was trapped between them and slid along the crease of her thigh when she straightened her body against his. She pressed kisses along his chest, using her hands to push herself lower, her tongue out and teeth nipping now and then.

  She felt so many things leaving her mind and filling the spaces with new, exciting thoughts, her attention on the deep breaths he was trying to control as she moved lower. She wasn’t afraid of him.

  Lucas was gritting his teeth. Dark silken curls dragged over his chest and onto the flat of his stomach. Tiny, sharp bites shot through his body when she continued lower, higher brain functions almost gone when he felt the warmth of her mouth teasing him. Her scent filled his senses, drowning him with a need he’d never known before.

  Scarlet had needed to prove to herself it wasn’t her imagination.

  He wanted her.

  More importantly to her, she wasn’t afraid of him. She wasn’t afraid of being sensual with him. She pushed herself to sit astride his thighs before reaching into the drawer and pulling out a condom.

  And still he hadn’t moved. This brought a tiny little smile to her lips.

  There was definitely something incredibly erotic about teasing the wolf in him. She put the condom between her teeth and ripped one side, giggling and falling to the side when he groaned.

  “Scarlet, I swear to god…” Lucas growled, taking the packet and her mouth in a long, deep kiss. By the time they broke apart he’d rolled the condom on and lifted her back onto his waist.

  “You have amazing patience,” she whispered against his mouth, rotating her hips and feeling the pressure against the swollen nub. Moisture had coated the equally swollen peach sides guarding her opening and her breath stopped when her body trapped his. The blunt, thick tip of him easing along the slick path. “Lucas…” She breathed his name, her throat arched and hands holding to his shoulders.

  His hands finally moved, stroking over her shoulders to her hips in a tight grip to keep her from moving too fast and hurting herself. The last thing he wanted was to have her afraid of sex with him.

  He watched her eyes close and her body sway, a soft dusty shade of color flushing her skin. One palm moved from her hips, his thumb grazing over the pert nipple of one breast. Her gasp was soft and sharp, pulling a deep gulp of air in at the same time her hips changed direction, pulling him deep and hard.

  She’d caught him by surprise, so focused on her expressions that he lost track of how she’d been taking him in and retreating. He didn’t know where she learned to play with her muscles that way but damn, it was insanely good! Her body rocked slowly, her hips tilted forward.

  The swollen sensitive nub thrust down against him, hard. That was what she wanted! She felt the spark, felt the sharp sensations snap from nerve to nerve.

  He felt the small ripples beginning at the same time the edges of her claws bit into his arms. She held on, her body stopped moving on the outside and the inner muscles clamped down on him like a vise that convulsed over and over again. Before he could catch her, those long legs opened wider and she sunk fully over him.

  “Scarlet,” Lucas groaned, the sweetly erotic scene locked forever inside his mind while the soft walls of her body convulsed around his cock, trapping him without mercy.

  Scarlet knew it would be good with him. There was just something about him that filled a spot she’d never thought could be filled. She lifted her head from his chest and surprised him by taking his mouth, her palms framing his face at the same time she moved her hips, rotated her pelvis and teased him until he was gasping for breath and exploding with the same passion and need she’d felt.

  Only this time she tore her mouth from his and bit his shoulder as the orgasm ripped through them both.

  Strong hands gripped her hips, holding her in place while he let his body reign, thrusting hard into her again and again until the power edged. Until the hard pounding pulse of his cock fell to nothing and let his heart rate slowly return to normal.

  Lucas really wanted to just pull the blankets over them and not move until the sun came up. But he knew that woul
dn’t be safe and gripped her waist, tilted her to the side and listened to them both groan at the effort. He stopped moving long enough to meet the peaceful smile she gave him.

  “Be right back,” he drew one finger along her jaw as her eyes closed and she moved toward his touch, her face pressed against his palm for a quiet few seconds.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Lucas was too busy trying to figure out how what happened happened. He was positive he’d wake up any minute face down somewhere that didn’t smell good. Instead, he walked back into his bedroom to find Scarlet sitting on her knees, head slightly tilted, just watching him.

  “What are you doing?”

  She lifted one shoulder and let it fall. “Just watching you. I like the way you’re put together.”

  Lucas blinked and stretched out on the bed, propped up on one elbow. “I like the way you’re put together, too.” He kept himself from moving as she leaned closer. She let her nose trail along his throat before repeating the trail with her tongue. “Scarlet…”

  “Hmmm…it’s you…something about you…” She clapped her hand over his mouth. “And don’t mention the bonding thing.” But she giggled when his tongue came out and swiped the center of her palm. “Hey…I’m trying to explain something here.”

  “Exactly what are you trying to explain to me, Scarlet? And for your own reference, you want your mate focused, don’t sniff or lick on him, okay?”

  “Where’s the fun in that?” She ignored him and continued tasting him, nipping now and then. She pressed forward until he was flat on his back. One palm rested at her hip, the other speared the thick curls and pulled her mouth to his.

  “It’s about giving pleasure as well as accepting it, mate,” he whispered hungrily.

  She heard the low growl, a tingle spreading through her body when his tongue surged forward, stroking and hotly taking her along for the ride. “Lucas…”

  “What were you trying to explain?” He asked gruffly, both hands free to caress along the woman lying atop him.

  “I didn’t panic,” she whispered, shivering when his teeth nipped at her shoulder, his tongue swirling over the bite he’d placed there years before. “Because it’s you…your scent was inside me long before…oh, god…that feels so good…”

  “When did you panic, Scarlet?” He stopped when she slid against his body, her head on his chest with a long sigh.

  “Anytime a guy came close to me…tried to kiss me…there was always this look in their eyes…like…like I’d seen before,” she yawned and snuggled closer when he pulled the blankets over them, a soft mew of contentment breaking free when his palm stroked over her head and down her back. “But it isn’t there with you. I was afraid it would be…afraid it would ruin…” she yawned and sighed softly.

  He lay still a long time just listening to her breathe.

  Thinking. Did this mean she’d stay?

  Somehow he knew she wasn’t ready to hear him tell her he wanted her with him. He slipped into sleep, a low growl breaking from him several hours later when he felt her ass pressing against him.

  Wiggling and waking up the male in him before he realized what was happening. She had her back to him, his palm gliding over her side and surrounding one breast possessively. He liked the soft demanding little moves she made, not to mention the growls deep in her throat when his hand slid between her thighs to stroke and arouse.

  Lucas wondered if she dreamt of him, of them as he slid one finger along the syrup and inside her. It didn’t take much urging, her hips rubbing back into the aroused length of him. He raised her leg and stroked over her clit, the low groan from her lips sending his mouth to her shoulder, licking and biting lightly over the mark he’d placed there years before.

  It was sensitive and her body reacted, full lips parted as she gasped.

  Lucas reached behind him, quickly sheathing his cock and pulled her hips back. He found her opening, angling his hips lower while his palm caressed along her ribs to cup a swollen breast. Ready for him, his cock slid along her hot moisture while his fingers continued to stroke and pull at the puckered nipple.

  “Lucas,” Scarlet turned her head, her body arching and seeking more of him. His mouth found hers, their tongues playing and arousing one another. She liked the wild sex earlier but this seemed so much more erotic. His chest was pressed hard against her back, his cock sinking inside her and pulling back, making her thrust back to stop his retreat.

  Lucas laughed into their kiss at her demands.

  “Hungry little she-wolf,” he growled, his mouth moving to her throat, teeth nipping as her body thrust back again at what he was holding just outside her reach.

  “You’re a tease,” she hissed back, arching her back and pushing hotly against him, the heat of his cock searing her, teasing just the swollen opening and promising so much more. His palm slid down her ribs to toy in the dark coils, pressing and stroking heavily along the swollen clit. “Lucas!”

  “I think I’m just as hungry, mate,” he whispered and thrust his hips forward, sinking himself in her heat and pulling groans from deep within them both.

  He continued stroking, moving hard and deep while his thumb and palm pressed against her clit, the sweet panting driving his body higher and higher until her arm rose, her fingers finding the thick strands of hair at the side of his head and pulling his mouth to hers.

  Scarlet thrust her tongue into his mouth at the same time the silken walls caressing his cock began to strum; slow and deep. Then the convulsing feminine part of her grabbed him and refused to allow him to move.

  Lucas growled into her kiss, the hard convulsions twisting and sucking at him, forcing his body to thrust faster, harder several times before he erupted fiercely, his palm flattened out against her stomach to pull her roughly against him, burying him a little deeper with each last pulsing eruption of his cock.

  Scarlet felt his teeth on the mark he’d placed at the hollow of her throat so many years ago, breaking the skin and embedding their bond anew. Wild, flashing sensations flooded into her, her breath coming in low, soft pants and head back against his. She knew she drifted blissfully. A small smile touched her lips when his tongue soothed the broken skin, tasting her and whispering softly against her skin.

  “Beautiful, sweet mate…” Lucas shuddered against her when her muscles closed around him, slowly, very slowly relaxing and letting him pull free. He dropped a kiss to the bow of her lips before going into the bathroom, returning to pull her against him. The gentle protest soothed as he tucked her against him, letting sleep claim them both in the remaining darkness.

  The bedroom was warm but she still wasn’t sure how she ended up with her arms around his waist and head on his stomach. It was after six but the sun wasn’t up yet as she stretched and rolled to her back, the blankets falling to the side. Part of her brain was still asleep because she wasn’t sure why she grabbed for the blanket when she realized he was watching her, hands behind his head.

  Scarlet sat up slowly, swallowed and looked around her. Behind her. Was she missing something? She lifted the blanket and peeked. Nothing new there.

  “Why are you staring at me?” She finally asked with a glare.

  “Do you remember last night?” He hadn’t thought about the wine she drank until later in the night when she stroked his body awake.

  “Yes. Of course I do,” was the instant, if slightly uncertain, response. “Excuse me, I’m going to shower and see about some breakfast.” Long, bare legs slid to the side and off the bottom of the bed. She felt the heat in her cheeks.

  Oh, she definitely remembered their night together. She had no idea where her sense had gone. Her fingers absently rose to rub the mark he’d reinforced and felt the tingle just from a light touch.

  “Scarlet, would you stop a minute and look at me,” Lucas waited until she faced him. There was a soft flush in her cheeks, very disheveled and sexy looking dark curls surrounding her face. Mostly from his hands being caught in them. A lot. He lifted one ha
nd and crooked a finger at her, his grin crooked when she frowned but moved hesitantly closer to the side of the bed, her arms crossed over her chest. “Do you remember the middle of the night? When you woke me? Twice?”

  “Are you going to make a big deal out of this?” She remained just out of his reach. At least she thought she had. Then the sheet was pooled at her feet and she was sprawled against his chest. Large. Muscled. Warm…and god, he smelled so good.

  “A big deal…” Lucas repeated her words slowly, one brow arched. “Sex isn’t a big deal for you?”

  “Well…I…”

  “Since I know I’m your mate now,” he watched the information sink in, a new round of color flooding her cheeks. “We’ll have to discuss this more when our guests leave.”

  “I…discuss what?”

  “Scarlet, do you remember talking to me last night? After the sex?” He paused and added. “The first time.”

  “I told you, I remember fine.”

  “Then you recall telling me that I was the only one you didn’t panic with,” he liked when she chewed on the side of her cheek. It meant he had her and she was frantically trying to think of a way out.

  “So?” And that’s the best you can come up with? So she fell back on the stare. “Look, I said I would help you with your little girl problem, which, by the way, you neglected to mention that they really were little girls!”

  “Girls my ass. Those she-wolves are over twenty-five and hunting. Most of the ones my age are wed and bred by now,” he liked the color when anger flared in her eyes, even if it was at him.

  “Wed and bred?” Scarlet was sure that low, gruff voice filled with disbelief was hers. “You actually said that. Out loud.”

  “We agreed to be honest, Scarlet, remember? They actually had some crazy idea that an older woman would be easy to step around for top position in the pack,” Lucas shrugged. “Kids,” his nose twitched. “Coffee. Probably Lily.” Now he saw panic in her eyes, her body squirming.