“Well, we do want you, but those remarks weren’t meant to get you to see that. We’re giving you time to adjust to us. As long as there is no threat to you, we’ll make this relationship as normal as possible.” Cael reached over and touched her hand. Hopefully, she didn’t get scared.
“Thank you for that. And I am attracted to you, too. It’s just this is strange to me. I always thought women who had more than one guy on their line at a time was crazy and asking for trouble.” She shook her head.
“What you’re talking about is a totally different situation. I doubt the men in that situation knew each other or would agree to it in the first place. Second, we’re not on your line. It will be a relationship between all of us, you with us, us with you, and with each other.” Cael shook his head. “No one is trying to hide anything.”
“I guess you’re right about that. Everything is out in the open.” She worried her lower lip.
“Don’t overthink the situation right now. We have time. Why don’t we eat and talk about something a little different? Were you born in this area?” Cael squeezed lightly before pulling back.
“No, my mother moved here when I was around eight. I was born in Colorado. She wanted to be closer to her family, but the town where they lived was too small for a bakery so we lived here and visited them when we could.” Moriah exhaled and relaxed back in the seat. “What about you? Are you from Stone Cliff?”
“Really, Colorado. I don’t know what part your mother lived in, but I do know there’s a pretty large group of us there. As for me, I’m from Pennsylvania. I lived there until my second round of training. That was in Florida where I met Thane.” Cael smiled. That had been one of the best things that ever happened to him.
“How did you meet him?” She tilted her head.
More curiosity. He smiled. “Well, the trainees stay in a dormitory. Theirs is next to a park. I walked out and spotted a man standing to the side where a group of children were playing on the playground. Even from that distance, I knew. I walked over and introduced myself. We talked and watched his younger brother, Coty.”
“That’s a lot of distance between you two and even more to here.” She frowned and leaned forward, whispering. “How do any of you find each other? How do the Cim expect to find the one they’re searching for?”
“Well, they’ve hit most of the known holds on the continent. So, they have calls in for any singles on other continents. Those men will have to come here, because Sin and Bram won’t leave the hold now.” He grimaced. It was horrible for Sin and Bram. They were stuck here and couldn’t find their other match until the trouble was gone.
“That sucks. So it could take a while.” She grimaced.
Warmth flowed through him. She might not understand the bond fully, but she felt enough to be sympathetic.
“Yes, it could, although they’re hoping they can find him soon. They don’t want to wait too long to claim Calista.” Cael reached over and put his hand over hers.
They talked and ate their meal. After the first glass of wine, he switched to water even though it wouldn’t make him drunk. She might not realize that she had a higher tolerance than normal humans as did he.
He walked with her out to the car. The meal had been good. Taking her back to her bakery was the last thing he wanted to do. If only he had a little more time to hold and be alone with her before he made sure she safe and in her car. Don’t put any pressure on her. He guided the car back to Sweet Things and parked.
“Would you like to come into the bakery for a cup of coffee? We can take it into my office so that no one thinks the bakery has been broken into.” She glanced over at him. Her hand rested on the handle to the door.
“I’d love to come in and have some coffee. I thought you cleaned and put everything up.” He opened the door.
She got out and looked at the store. “I did, but I have a coffee maker in my office that uses those little cups. I use it when I stay late to do the books. Man, do I need the caffeine then, because looking at those numbers is enough to put me to sleep.”
“Why don’t you have someone else do them if you’re not fond of doing the books?” Cael’s head tipped.
“I do have someone do the books, but my mom had a practice of doing the totals herself. She always said that if you put everything in someone else’s hands and never double-checked, you were just asking to be taken advantage of. I just stay with that practice.” She lifted a shoulder.
It wasn’t bad advice. Her mother’s attitude probably hadn’t been purely caution. Questions about why should probably wait. He’d dig deeper later. Now, he’d enjoy the moment. He followed her into the bakery, waiting as she keyed in a code to the alarm. Once she checked that the door was locked, she led the way to the back. Her hips swayed back and forth, almost mesmerizing. His heart raced.
“I had a wonderful dinner. I didn’t expect it to feel so natural to be with you.” She glanced back at him.
He relaxed a little. The attraction of the bond was working. A little too slowly for comfort. The strangeness of the situation seemed to raise a little caution in her. Hopefully, the natural draw would push past that quickly.
“It’s supposed to feel that way. I know that sounds strange.” He grinned.
“It does. Calista said something about pheromones and a natural attraction to your mates. That I’d want to be with you, but I wasn’t really sure what she meant beyond the sexual thing with the pheromones.” She gestured to the chair in front of her desk. “I’ll be back with water for our coffee.”
She pulled the rolling chair out in front of the desk and left it there as she went to get the water. He sat down, but would rather just talk to her. If she was set on drinking coffee, he’d drink coffee.
“All right, this won’t take long.” She poured water into the machine.
He rose and strolled over to join her at the carousel of containers. She turned to him and plucked one of the little cups off the rack. He glanced at the array and picked one of the bold flavors.
She started the first and turned to him. Her hands clenched at her side. Maybe she was having second thoughts.
“I don’t know why I’m brewing the coffee.” She clenched her hands at her side.
“Because you wanted to drink it.” He grinned.
“No, I didn’t invite you here for coffee. If I didn’t have half a suspicion that my cousin would show up, I would have told you to take me home so I could invite you in there.” She shook her head. “I don’t even want coffee.”
“Then what do you want?” Cael tipped his head to the side. His breath lodged in his throat as blood raced south. No doubt about the direction of his thoughts.
“You. Sitting across the table from you was hell. I wanted to go around and slide right into your lap. Damn, if there hadn’t been so many people around, I don’t know if I would stop at sitting with you.” She reached over and brushed her fingers over his shoulder.
“Are you sure? This won’t change anything irrevocably and I won’t bite you, but it’s not going to make things easier either.” He stepped closer and slipped an arm around her. Maybe not the smartest move when she could say she wasn’t sure. No way could he resist getting close.
“I don’t think there’s going to be much easy between us, Cael. Three men, Gargoyles, and everything else I’m learning. It’s enough to make my head spin. The strength of the desire for you isn’t something I’m going to ignore.” She took the final step forward and wrapped her arms around him.
“Well, if you’re sure, I’m holding on to my self-control by a thread.” He slipped a hand under her buttocks and lifted her. He glanced at her desk. “Do you mind if we use that?”
“I’d be disappointed if you didn’t.” She threaded her fingers through his hair and drew him close.
He settled her on the desk. A blue shirt molded to her sweet breasts. He licked his lips. That had to go. He ran his hand over the waistband of her black denim jeans. More fabric to peel her out of. Maybe next
time, he’d ask in advance so she could change.
“I want you out of your clothes.” She pushed at the first button on his shirt.
He went to work on hers, unfastening the buttons. So many tiny fastenings. Ripping the shirt right off would be faster, but would leave her exposed on the way home. He wouldn’t leave her vulnerable.
As soon as she flicked open the last button, she smoothed her hand over the skin of his chest. Her fingers flexed. Heat flared from her palms. He drew in a slow breath. So good.
“You’re so warm.” She glanced up at him even as her hands glided down his ribs.
“I’m supposed to be warm. I’m a Gargoyle. We’re fire and stone, and as a Branal, you’ll be drawn to it as I’m drawn to the fire in you.” Cael pushed her shirt wide, revealing a light blue bra.
The material molded over the generous swell. He couldn’t resist sliding his hands up and cupping the mounds. More than a generous handful. All that white skin and those delicious nipples. His mouth watered, but first, those pants. If he waited too long, he’d be rushed and might tear them.
“We haven’t gotten to pushing fire yet in my lessons at the Branal schools. Between my hours and theirs, getting the training in is difficult. Once I’m a little more advanced, it won’t be so hard because those classes are suited to adult or near adult hours. Since I missed some of the basic stuff though, I’m dealing with teachers who are teaching after school and then needing to squeeze me in after that.” She glanced up at him through her lashes.
“You might not know how to do it consciously, but you do it without thinking in certain situations. I can feel the heat in your hands.” He pressed a kiss to her forehead. And that warmth radiated through him, a beacon he wouldn’t ignore.
He flicked open the button on her pants and drew down the zipper. Beneath the black jeans, silky blue panties hugged her hips. A lacy flower pattern swirled across the fabric. One day, he’d take the time to trace that down between her legs and tease her until she was writhing and moaning his name.
“Lift your hips, Moriah. I need your pants off.” He gripped the fabric.
She put her hands on the desk and raised up. He hooked his fingers under the silky scrap of lace and drew them down along with the jeans. Finally, he could explore, taste, and learn what she liked. He tossed her jeans and panties onto a chair. She settled back onto the desk.
“Now, you’re wearing more clothes than me.” She pushed his shirt wide and it slid down his arms.
“Yes, I am.” He smiled. “Leave the pants on for a while. I want to taste you, and I don’t think I could hold out long enough if your hands begin wandering over my cock. The heat feels too good.”
“It excites you as it does me?” She hooked her fingers in his belt loops and tugged.
“Well, I don’t know exactly what you feel, but the warmth makes me want to feel more and stoke the heat higher.” He leaned down and brushed a soft kiss over her lips. With a sigh, he straightened. One more piece of clothing in his way. He reached down and unhooked her bra.
The fabric fell away from the lush globes. Irresistible. He lowered his head and licked the swell, drawing in the sweet, slightly salty bite of caramel. The essence called to him. Someday, he’d take his time and taste every inch of her, learning the spots that made her wild.
The sweetness of caramel filled his nostrils, but as he trailed his tongue lower to the dark circle of areola, the bite of lemon rose. Damn, she’d been made for him.
He licked at the hardened tip. The reddened peak tightened even more. Perfect. He smoothed one hand down her hip. Have to go slowly. Let her get accustomed. She might want him, but pushing too hard could frighten her.
He drew the nipple into his mouth. A moan rolled from her, and fingers speared through his hair. He cupped the generous mound with his free hand.
“What do you like better, scrapes or sucking?” He scraped his teeth over the taut bud before he closed his lips around it.
She groaned. “They both feel great. I want to feel your hands everywhere.”
“That will be my pleasure.” He lapped at the peak.
His hand swept over her stomach. The muscles beneath his fingers flexed, tightening. She gasped. The scent of her arousal strengthened. Damn. So enticing.
He trailed across her rounded hip to the smooth skin of her thigh. Her warmth rose up against his palm, a temptation to explore more. Soft fingers glided over his arms and shoulders.
He traced a path inward. Her thighs widened. His breath caught at the invitation. No way could he resist that. He skimmed around the triangle of trimmed hair. Sexy. Maybe later, he’d see how sensitive she was by teasing and touching just her mound. Would anticipation drive her wild for more?
He drew a line down the divide of her sex. Her hips rocked upward. She definitely liked that. Slick wetness coated his fingertips. Good, but she had to be ready.
He pushed between the plump lips. She inhaled sharply, and her hips lifted. He flicked at the sensitive bundle.
She moaned. Her hips rolled up against his hand. He knelt and moved between her thighs. He gripped her thighs, drawing her closer to the edge. He swiped his tongue across the glistening lips. She shivered.
“That’s it. Don’t hold back.” He scraped his teeth. He’d hear more soon. He had to.
He pressed closer, and his tongue swept over the hooded bundle. Her hips bucked up against him. He stroked his hands up and down her thighs. The faintly salty caramel taste filled him. He hummed. Delicious. He pressed closer and licked. She lifted into him. Her fingers speared through his hair.
Her thighs tightened on his shoulders. “More.”
A thrill raced through him. She’d have that. He opened his mouth over the bundle. He puffed a breath across it, deliberately tormenting. She moaned and twisted. He swirled his tongue, striking the bundle again. Her hand tightened in his hair.
Soft moans ripped from her. A thrill rippled through him. Yes, she had to give him more. He slipped his hand between her thighs and pushed two fingers into her. Her inner muscles tightened as if trying to pull them deeper.
He lapped at her clit. She bucked up, driving his fingers into her. A shiver ran over her body. She moaned and tugged at him. Her excitement built his. His balls drew tight to his body. Not yet, not until she screamed his name.
He drew her clit between his lips, sucking. She gasped, and her fingers tugged at his hair. Sharp stings radiated through his scalp. She lifted against him. He flicked his tongue over that bundle.
“Cael!” She hooked her leg around him, the heel digging into his back as if to urge him closer to her.
She trembled and grasped at him. He lashed at her sensitive flesh as the tremors shook her. Her fingers clenched in his hair. His scalp prickled. Her juices spilled from her, and he eased lower, sipping at the essence. The best thing he’d ever tasted.
He swirled his tongue, gathering the fluid before he moved back up to torment her clit. An ache pulsed through him. He took a deep breath. Soon. Soon, he’d slide into her, feel her heat wrap around him.
Her fingers flexed on his scalp. “Cael.”
“Moriah.” He glanced up. “You’re delicious.”
“I want you in me.” Her fingers trailed across his temple.
“In a bit. You’re not ready yet, even if you are still basking in the afterglow.” He guided her hand back to his hair. “Now, relax and let me work.”
“I’d be ready fast, if you’d fuck me.” Her fingers slid back into his hair.
He chuckled. “Not fast enough and if you think that I’m going to leave you wanting the first time, you’re out of your mind. Have to make a good impression so that you’ll want to do it again.”
“You’ve already made a fabulous impression.” Her fingers pulled. “I’m not sure your tongue is even legal. It might be addictive and highly dangerous.”
He drew his fingers out before plunging them back into her. The muscles tightened. Good. This was going to make him crazy. Her hips can
ted, and a small moan rolled from her. Oh, yeah, not too much more.
He leaned in and swirled his tongue around her clit. Her hips bucked up. He lashed the little bud. Her breath hitched, and her fingers clenched in his hair. A pang stung his scalp. He tensed. Her slick walls clutched at his fingers, and tremors shook her. Finally. He rose.
Her hand slid down to his shoulder and arm. She urged him closer. He couldn’t stay away any longer. Blood raced through his veins, and a steady ache throbbed in his cock with every pulse. He stepped between her legs. Her thighs tightened on his before she wrapped those long limbs around him.
Warmth radiated off of her. He leaned closer and inhaled. A sweet hint of caramel drifted up to him, underscored with her delicious arousal. Damn, he wouldn’t ever get enough of her. He licked the dip of her shoulder.
His cock brushed her thigh. Searing heat lanced up his spine. He drew in a hissing breath. Fuck. Get control. He eased closer to her. Slowly. He wouldn’t fall on her like a starving man onto a seven-course feast.
He pressed forward. The head nudged her slick opening. Hot juices coated the tip. Sharp, clawing need dug into him, tearing at the last vestiges of his control. She trembled and wriggled closer. He rolled his hips forward. Her heat enveloped his dick. He groaned. So good.
“Move.” Her nails pricked his shoulder.
“Moriah, you don’t have to worry about that.” He drew back and rolled his hips forward. Not too fast.
He pressed kisses to her cheek and down her neck. Her touch, her scent, the heat, it all enflamed him. He thrust into her. She lifted her hips and drew him closer. Fire pulsed across his skin. He nibbled at her neck and slid his hands beneath her, drawing her closer.
He rocked forward, setting a lazy rhythm. Hot slickness surrounded his cock. He clenched his teeth. So good. Have to hold on. Her inner muscles tightened. She moaned and her nails sank into his shoulders.
His hips punched forward. Her cunt tightened around him. He breathed deep. If he didn’t watch it, he’d lose control. She tugged at him.
He nibbled along her shoulder. Shivers shook her body. His gums ached as his teeth grew. Not yet. No claiming until we’re all together and she knew more about us.
Finding Their Flame [Stone Passions 2] Page 5
