“Maybe, but do they have their own personal entourage like me? No one can get to me, but I bet they could get to other people.” She folded her arms across her chest.
“Sunshine, you’re a little more vulnerable than some of the others who leave the community. Right now, you need the entourage.” Dante shook his head. She would have guards when she left the community. Hell, even inside it, she had a couple people with her because of the break-ins and the Appari attacks. She’d barely started training and didn’t have the basic skills yet to draw energy from one of those creatures. Maybe she had the instinctive abilities, but they needed to be honed and tuned before she faced that type of danger.
“Meaning that you think I can’t take care of myself.” She tapped her foot.
“You don’t have the claws or strength that a Gargoyle does. That is all I’m saying. On that note, how about I take you up to see my office.” Dante curved his arm around her. And once there, the next stop would be his couch.
“I’ve seen your office.” She stood looking at him.
Smart woman. Or maybe she was getting to know him. Both were good things. “Yes, I’d love to give you a tour and show you around.”
She shook her head. “You’re far from a subtle man. Weren’t you preparing to leave?”
“Yes, I was, but since I was called down here, I have to go back up there to get my briefcase and make sure I’m not leaving anything here.” He raised his eyebrows.
“And won’t your driving buddies be waiting on you?” She strolled over to him.
“Some of them might not even be ready. Chase can get on that.” He waved his hand and grabbed hers.
“Chase can get on that? Shouldn’t you be the one to contact them?” She glanced up, but paced easily at his side.
“I’m delegating, sunshine. I have something better to do than spend time on the phone.” He leaned down and kissed her before he led her out of the conference room. “Chase, call Sam and Bryant, please. Tell them I’ll be a little while.”
“Will do.” Chase nodded.
Dante towed her along toward the elevator. When the door opened, he ushered her inside. He pulled her close and swept his hand down her back.
“Maybe it’s better I didn’t know you were in the building. I don’t know if I’d have had the restraint to leave you down in the conference room.” He molded his hand over her firm ass.
“You’d have let me finish my meeting. I noticed you didn’t leave your cupcakes behind and that you still have them even though you’re holding me.” She grinned up at him and tapped her foot.
“I couldn’t leave these behind. The vultures in the conference room and the outer offices would have picked the box clean before we came back.” He laughed.
“You know I can always make you more.” She poked him in the chest.
“I told you in your shop that when it comes to apple and cinnamon desserts that I don’t share. And these are mine.” He leaned down and nipped her lips. And no one else was getting these.
“Well, you better learn how. If we ever get around to having a child or children, I will expect you to share if they come up to you and say, ‘Daddy, can I have a bite?’” She pinched his side.
“My children are a different matter. And by ‘my,’ I mean any child you have, regardless of whether Cael, Thane, or I fathered him or her.” He tipped her head back. The children could eat all the cupcakes they wanted.
“Better be the truth or I’m coming after you.” She narrowed her eyes at him.
The doors opened on the top floor. He tugged her out before she could get any more worked up. Making her angry didn’t factor into his plans. Some quality time on his couch did.
She followed him. He led her straight to his office. She paused at the door.
“This is a big office.” She strolled into the room.
He closed the door behind her. Her hips swayed side to side as she meandered over to his desk. His briefcase still rested on top of it.
“That goes with the job of running the company.” He walked over to the couch. His lips twitched, and he fought to keep them in a straight line. Such a gorgeous woman. “Come on over here.”
“Yeah, but even for an executive’s office, this is big.” She shook her head.
She ambled over and stopped beside him. He sat down and drew her into his lap. She put an arm around him. Maybe she was as interested in this as he was.
“You know people might be waiting for you?” She leaned down and pressed her lips to his.
“If they were, Chase would call. He might suspect that we’re doing something up here, but he would call.” Dante stroked her shoulder. By now, the others knew that Moriah was here, so they’d probably find something to do.
“Well, do you intend to sit here with me in your lap or do you have something else on your mind?” She flicked at one of the buttons on his shirt as she straddled him.
“I have some ideas, but how about we get this shirt out of the way?” He freed two of the buttons in quick succession. Unbuttoning those tiny little buttons, he bared one of her gorgeous breasts. He leaned in and licked her skin. “You smell of chocolate, lemon, and apple. A veritable smorgasbord.”
“I was baking this morning. I took a pie to Phoenix before I came here.” She worked at two of the fastenings on his shirt.
“I think we need a rule. If you’re bringing presents and you have one for me, you don’t stop by another man’s office first.” He pushed her red shirt open.
“Sounds kind of selfish when all I did was stop by, give him his pie, and say goodbye.” She lifted a shoulder. “And you know there was nothing more than that happened.”
“I know that nothing more happened. But with goodies like these, I want the first delivery to come here.” Dante looked down at her. That shirt was still in the way. He pushed it off her shoulders and let it drop to the floor.
“So simple greed is motivating you.” She lifted a brow and narrowed her eyes on him.
“Greed and a desire to see my sweet sunshine.” He drew his hand up her side. “Even if you’re just coming to see me with nothing in your hands, I’d want you to stop here first.”
“Well, maybe I’ll see if I can do that.” She tilted her head.
Teasing wench. He leaned down and nipped at her shoulder. Her caramel flavor burst in his mouth. Pink flared on the spot. He couldn’t get enough of her and lapped at the darkened area. She hummed. Before he let her go, he would hear more than a hum.
“I’m going to taste these dark little nipples here. But maybe, we can make it taste even better than you normally do. Though, it’s hard to top the perfection that is you.” He reached over and grabbed the box.
He flipped it open and pulled out one of the cupcakes. He glanced at the darkened tips and licked his lips. This was going to be delicious.
“Are you sure you don’t want something? You sure are kissing up.” She ran her hand over his chest. “Maybe I should get to touch you, too.”
“You’ll get to touch when we get home. And, sunshine, the only thing I want is right here in my arms.” He dabbed the whipped topping onto the tips of her breasts. White frosting coated the gorgeous mounds. His mouth watered, and a rush of heat washed through him.
He lowered his mouth to the stiffened peaks. The scent of apple mixed with her caramel and five spice essence. His mouth watered, and his body hardened. He hooked an arm around her waist.
“Lean back, sunshine. I’m going to enjoy my treat.” He pressed a kiss to her shoulder and put the cupcakes on a nearby side table.
She gripped his shirt. “You’re a little bossy.”
“That’s because I’m the boss here.” He reached up and touched her chin. And giving her orders now was the highlight of his day.
“Maybe of most everyone in this building, but you’re not the boss of me.” She leaned in and nipped his lip.
“Sunshine, we’ll get into whether I’m the boss of you later. And I am, by the way. Now, are you being diffic
ult simply because you can be, or aren’t you in the mood right now?” He reached up to tug at her hair.
“I’m playing with you, but I am definitely in the mood. But you better not leave me hanging too long or I’ll have to show you how difficult I can be.” She reclined against his arm. For a moment, she wriggled, but settled.
“You don’t have to worry about that.” He eyed the coated tips as they jiggled.
He bent over her. His tongue lapped at the distended peak. Apple exploded over his tongue and combined with her caramel taste. He gathered the smooth white frosting, lapping until he’d cleaned it all off her skin. Delicious. He picked up the cupcake and smeared more of the frosting on the tip.
Her legs tightened on his thighs. He flicked his tongue, swirling his tongue over her skin, deliberately avoiding the tightening flesh. She moaned. He could make a meal out of her. Feast on her for hours. Unfortunately, he couldn’t take that much time with her today.
“I’m going to enjoy licking all of this sweet topping off your body.” He opened and took the stiffened nub deep. Salty sweetness filled his mouth. He sucked lightly and nibbled on the tip.
“It already feels so good.” Her fingers stroked through his hair.
“It’s going to feel so much better.” He lifted his head and cupped the full mound.
She rocked against him. “We’re both a little overdressed. We’re going to have to stop and rip out of these clothes.”
“No ripping, sunshine. We don’t have anything else to wear, and if I have to call Cael for clothing, he’d never let me live it down.” Dante lapped at the tip of her breast before taking it into his mouth.
Soon, he’d move to the other, but the sounds she made shot through him. She rocked slightly, pressing down against the ridge of his cock. The shaft hardened. He clenched his teeth. Much more of that and he’d lose control fast, but with any luck, he could hold out a little more.
He licked and kissed his way over to her other breast. So sweet. He slid his free hand down to the snap of her jeans. She wriggled. He flicked them open. The material restricted his movement, but he slid his hand beneath her panties down to the folds of her pussy. He curled his fingers up, stroking over her clit. Slick juices coated his fingers. Hot and wet. Perfect. Her scent rose up, tantalizing and tempting. Sweet and spicy, just how he liked it.
“Does that feel good?” He nipped at the curve of her breast.
She tensed and shoved down against his hand. A broken moan rolled from her. He turned his mouth and pressed a kiss between the mounds. She rocked against his hand.
“Yes, it feels so good.” She threaded her fingers through his hair and pulled him tighter to her.
“You respond so beautifully and you send me out of my mind with the slightest touch.” He pressed his fingers to the little nub and held them there as she rolled her hips forward.
“I hope so.” She drew in a shuddering breath and shivered. “You’ve done the same to me since our first kiss.”
“Believe it, sunshine. Watching you walk is enough to send my thoughts straight to the bedroom.” He curled his finger, flicking at her clit.
Her hips jolted forward. She dug her nails into his skin. A small sting shot through him.
He rose from the couch and lowered her to her feet. “Push down your pants, sunshine.”
She slid her fingers under the waistband and urged them over her hips. He flicked open his pants and shoved them down. Now, he needed her now. He kicked his shoes toward the couch, uncaring of where they landed.
A throbbing ache echoed the rapid beat of his heart. He lay back and lifted his hand to her. She straddled him, her knees pressing into the cushions. His breath locked in his throat. Her hands pressed against his chest, warmth branding his skin.
His cock brushed against the slick folds. She reached between them and guided his cock into her. Her inner muscles clenched around him. A spike of heat lanced through him. He drew in a harsh breath. So damn good. He clasped her hips and guided her down onto him.
“No long, slow ride.” He tightened his fingers.
“I don’t think I could handle that.” Her nails sank into his shoulders.
She braced her hands against his chest. Her hips ground against him. She levered back up. Too damn slow. He pulled her back down on him. Her pussy tightened around him. Sizzling current rocketed over his skin. He groaned. Her breath hitched. She moaned as he thrust his hips upward. He dragged her down on him. Too much more and he’d lose it.
“Faster.” He nipped at her shoulder.
Her thighs tightened around his. She circled her hips as she lowered onto him. Urgent need pounded through him. Her breathing roughened, and her fingers gripped into his shoulders.
He thrust upward. She cried out. Her inner muscles rippled around his shaft as she came. The clenching pull of her inner muscles ripped away the last of his control. He arched upward. Lightning slashed through him, and pleasure washed over his body. He groaned. His hands stroked over her back, smoothing over her sweat-slick skin.
“Damn, sunshine, you give me so much pleasure.” He spread kisses over her cheeks and down her neck.
Chapter Twenty Three
Buzz! Cael blinked. This better be important. He rolled over and reached out, slapping his hand on the headboard. His fingers touched the cool glass and plastic of the phone. He grabbed it as he sat up, sliding his finger across it without glancing at it. Probably an emergency, but damn it, it was two.
“Hello?” He rubbed at his eyes.
The bed shook a little. He glanced over. Dante sat on the edge of the bed, and Thane stared at him with his arm around Moriah. She didn’t seem to be awake. Good, hopefully, she’d sleep through this. She’d get enough exposure to them leaving her when there was an emergency. He wouldn’t give up being beta, but damn, chucking this phone across the room grew more tempting every moment.
“A few Gobel and humans have been spotted within the community. We’re going with the plan we worked out, but we need more hands to make it convincing,” Sawyer said.
“We’ll be there, and we’ll roust a few more people out of bed on the way. Where are they?” Cael got to his feet and strode toward the closet. He pulled out a black pair of pants and shrugged on a black shirt.
“One human and one Gobel are at the front and one pair at the back of the complex. We’ve got a car and a motorcycle in place to follow, but won’t move until the Gobel runs. We were going to let the one at the front of the community go.” Sawyer’s voice was quiet. “We might have another car follow just in case the Gobel catch sight of one of the others.”
A flash of movement caught his attention. Dante pulled on a shirt.
“Good. We’ll inform those we send. I’m going to get on the phone right now.” Cael disconnected and speed dialed Isaac.
Isaac answered and agreed. Cael dialed again, recruiting two more people before he even left the house. A third and fourth agreed by the time they neared the back of the community.
Cael and Dante moved into position. He didn’t see the Gobel. Signals from Sawyer, who was across the street, guided them. Cael stared into the darkness. No movement gave the man’s position away. A shrill ringing blared through the night, and lights came on in the houses near the Gobel’s position. Every house’s security had been ramped up in the last few months. It was so touchy there were a few false alarms.
A dark form rushed away as outside lights flicked on. Cael and Dante ran after the shadowy shape. He gained on it. That bastard wasn’t getting away. His heart raced, and his muscles tightened. He jumped the curb and took three steps on the sidewalk before he leapt, tackling the Gobel. A startled yelp emerged from the creature. It wriggled, trying to turn so that it could get its claws on him. Cael pinned him to the ground and grabbed at one of its hands when it brushed against his leg.
“Sawyer is coming with the bindings. The human has been caught.” Dante patted him on the shoulder.
Cael dragged in a breath and nodded. He didn’t r
elax his hold. Only one of the two Gobel would be leaving the community today. They had to know where the Gobel went. Perhaps, they could discover who was behind the attacks. This had to end. The who might lead to more information on why or what exactly he was after.
Sawyer arrived with the bonds. He tied the creature up, and they both dragged him to his feet.
“Sawyer, do you know what’s happening?” Cael turned to him.
“The other Gobel is still hiding and creeping around in the shadows. They’re tracking him at the moment.” Sawyer glanced at his phone. “No move from him, but we’re ready when he does.”
“I’m going to go over there and join the search.” Cael allowed Sawyer to take the Gobel.
Dante nodded. “Don’t let him get away.”
Without someone following him. Not said, but clear enough. They would trail that Gobel, and if possible, Cael would get in the third car. More eyes would make following easier.
“I won’t. When you see Mor, tell him I’ll see him soon.” Cael spun on his heel and ran off. He wouldn’t give that Gobel any information. Until they had him secured in a room and he’d been dealt with, he’d be a danger. If he got away, he might decide to try to hurt anyone connected to them.
If he hurried, he might make it to the other side. They hadn’t brought cars, because any sound might spook the Gobel into going straight over the wall.
Cael raced along the streets toward the front of the community. As he turned onto the road that led to the gate, shadowy shapes moved from tree to tree, concealing themselves. It was much closer to the gate than he’d guessed.
The motorcycle and its rider were already outside of the community, waiting and ready to go. The car was hidden at the entrance to the other community. It wouldn’t leave until the Gobel and its car were out of sight. The motorcycle would take primary role.
As he drew close, a Gobel burst from hiding. A dark form raced after it. It dodged to the right. The other man chased, rushing to get close and make this convincing. He grabbed at it, but the Gobel slipped away and poured on a burst of speed. Cael’s heart leapt. It jumped the wall. Tension rolled off of him. The creature was out. Now, they had to follow and discover where he’d go.
Finding Their Flame [Stone Passions 2] Page 19
