by Bianca D’Arc
Cade shrugged. “Some are. And some are downright evil. Like any race, they have good and bad among them. Unfortunately, quite a few of them see shifters as inferior, and a small number want to kill us all.”
“My God!” Elaine couldn’t get over the casual way he spoke about rogue vampires plotting to destroy him and everyone like him.
“Don’t worry, baby.” Cade cupped her cheek in one hand, leaning in to place a sweet kiss on her lips. “We’ve got it covered. This has been going on for centuries, and I can’t see anything changing the balance of power at this point.”
Cade settled back on the bed, pulling her into his arms so she rested comfortably against his chest as they talked. One of his hands stroked her shoulder—one of the few places not covered in bruises and liniment.
“There haven’t been any major inter-species conflicts for a few years,” Cade reassured her. “The leaders of our respective peoples tend to frown on anything with the potential to blow up in our faces. Wildcats fighting fanged guys in the middle of the night on a city street could expose all of us to discovery and none of us want that. So the bloodletter Masters keep their people in line, as our leaders do for us.”
“I’m not going to wake up and find this is a dream, am I? You’re really serious.”
“Afraid so.” He placed a kiss on the crown of her head, soft and comforting. “Don’t worry, I’ll be here when you wake up. We have a lot to discuss and a lot to settle between us, El, but we both need to rest and recover. I, for one, lost a couple of years off one of my nine lives when I got your call,” he teased her, making her feel warm inside. She genuinely liked this man—his sense of humor, his integrity and the brave way he faced the world.
She’d fought against the attraction and lamented the fact that he hadn’t called or stopped by to check on her, but she’d understood. Now everything was changed. She was in his arms, in his bed, and in his life—as he was in hers. They might even get a shot at happily ever after this time. She’d do anything for a chance at that with him.
She put her hand on his leg, meeting his eyes.
“I think I owe you something for before.”
She saw the flare of heat in his silvery eyes before he tamped it down.
“You owe me nothing, El. What I gave you was freely given. I don’t expect payback.”
She leaned up on one elbow. “It wouldn’t be payback. Okay, well, maybe a little.” She grinned as she moved her hand higher.
Before he could speak again, she had him in her hand. Through the fabric, she could feel his arousal. She held his gaze as she slipped her hand beneath the waistband of his pants and then he was in her hand and she could tell all thoughts of objecting went completely out of his mind. Daring greatly, she moved closer, leaning over him while her other hand moved his clothing out of the way. She looked away from his face to see what she’d uncovered.
He was magnificent. Thick and long and hard as steel in her hands. She wanted a taste. She wanted to know his texture, his scent, his flavor. Her head dipped, and her tongue stroked outward. He jumped just a bit when she touched him.
As she’d suspected, he tasted good. She didn’t have a lot of experience with other men to compare him with, but she knew he liked what she was doing as she lowered her mouth over him, taking him deep. The tension in his muscles gave him away even before the low, deep groan issued from his throat. The sound had an animalistic quality to it that was unique to him. Probably because he was a shifter.
She wondered what else would be different with him than with the few other men in her past. With an inward grin, she set about finding out.
She hollowed her cheeks, sucking as she used her tongue on him. He growled again, and she redoubled her efforts. She hadn’t thought he could get any harder, but somehow he did. His balls drew upward in preparation for unloading even as she fondled them gently with her fingers.
“Oh, baby. I’m gonna come.” His voice was guttural and so intimate it made her shiver. His hands went to her head, not to imprison, but to lift her away. She resisted. She wanted to taste him, to swallow him down.
After a momentary tugging match, he got the upper hand, lifting her head away. She was disappointed, but not for long. He growled again with what sounded like satisfaction as her fingers continued to stroke him, her grip tightening in an undulating rhythm. He brought her face closer to his as she felt his body tightened in preparation.
“El, you feel so good,” he whispered in that low voice that made her insides quiver. “Damn, baby. I’m close.” His silver eyes flashed with desire as he lowered his lips to hers, crowding out all question, all hesitation.
He purred as their tongues met in a fierce, frenzied battle. And then he came in long torrents of hot release over her hands. Creamy streams of come covered them both as he grunted in satisfaction, releasing her mouth as his head dropped back and his eyes closed in ecstasy.
When he was done, she raised one hand, intending to lick the essence of him into her mouth, but he grabbed her wrist.
“No, honey. Not yet,” he whispered so low, she wasn’t sure she’d heard him right.
He used the sheet to gently wipe her hands in a gesture that seemed strange at first but oddly tender. They lay back on the bed, and he tucked the remaining bedding around them. She liked the way he moved, boneless as a well satisfied cat. She met his sleepy gaze with a mischievous grin, snuggling into his side.
“Now we can both sleep.”
“Give me a minute and I’ll make it good for you too, El.”
“You already did, Cade. Remember? Now go to sleep.”
A mix of satisfaction and fatigue caused her eyes to flutter closed as the enormity of the night’s events caught up with her. She was safe. Safe with Cade. That was all that mattered.
Cade felt it the instant Elaine fell asleep in his arms. Deep satisfaction rumbled through him at the trust that simple act implied. That she’d turned to him when she was in trouble touched him on a visceral level. Instinctively, she’d known he would come to her rescue and keep her safe from harm, if possible.
He would do anything it took to honor the trust she’d placed in him. For the first time in his life, his duty as a Royal Guard conflicted with the innate need to take care of this small human woman lying so peacefully in his arms.
He’d almost lost her, even before they’d had a chance. He’d been on the verge of denying himself—and her—the chance to be together, but tonight had brought home the need he felt deep inside for her, and only her. No other would do.
The panther paced in his soul, keeping watch over the female it insisted was his mate. As a man, Cade didn’t see how it was possible, but the beast inside knew better. Cade suspected the panther always knew better than the man, but they would both have to live with the results of their actions, so he would tread lightly.
One thing was certain, before they left this bed, he would take her. It was the first step on the path to marking her and making her his in the eyes of other shifters. This first time wouldn’t create a permanent mating bond, but when he marked her gently tonight, it would grant her some protection as she walked among his people. Not that they’d try to harm her, but there were bigots in every group and shifters were no different. They’d think twice about messing with her if she wore his love bites on her neck.
That thought firmly in mind and the knowledge that he would soon claim her luscious body, Cade finally fell into a light sleep.
It seemed like only moments later, the sun woke Cade from the most restful sleep he had ever experienced. It streamed in through the blinds, illuminating their entwined bodies with slanted golden shafts. Elaine’s towel had come loose in the night and lay discarded at the foot of the bed. Cade’s shirt was unbuttoned and her hands lay palm down against his chest, her cheek resting over his heart.
He couldn’t remember unbuttoning his shirt so Elaine must have done it in her sleep. The thought of her fingers working the small buttons jumpstarted his libido. Even unconsc
ious, she wanted him.
Her skin was the softest thing he’d ever felt. Cade slid his hand down her back, cupping her rump with satisfaction. She was curvy, round and womanly, but fit and muscular in a way that made his mouth water. She had the softness of a human female and a physical glory that matched any shifter female he knew. Add to that her courage and wit and she was perfect for him.
Elaine had thrown one leg over his, curling into his side as she slept. He liked being her pillow, but he liked the way her breasts pressed into his ribs even more. The only thing better would be if she were on top of him—or under him. He wasn’t picky. He wanted to feel her hot body pressed against every inch of him in the very near future. He could barely wait.
All he had to do was wake her up.
Cade was eager to see what she would do when she realized she was wrapped around him like colored paper on a present. Would she be shy or bold? Would she respond to him right away or would she need to be coaxed? He couldn’t wait to find out.
He squeezed her hip with one hand, stroking her soft hair with the other as he bent to place a kiss on her temple. She stirred, but didn’t wake immediately.
“Come on, kitten, wake up,” he whispered, stroking his hand lower, delving between her thighs from behind, unable to wait much longer. He was a desperate man.
Her eyes blinked open, and a smile touched her lips even before she was fully awake. He liked the way she responded to him, loved that she couldn’t hide her response to his touch.
“Cade?” She stretched a little and stroked his chest. “Mmm. If I’m dreaming, don’t wake me up.”
He chuckled at her response. Totally unexpected. That was his woman.
“We’re not dreaming, Ellie.” He slipped one finger into her folds, startling a squeak out of her as she moved to accommodate him. She certainly wasn’t pushing him away, and her headlong response sparked his own. Encouraged, he moved his fingers downward and inward, sliding through her moisture.
“Cade, please,” she gasped as he grew bolder.
“Mmm. I like that. I like the way you beg for my touch.” His fingers found that special spot that made her squirm. She rubbed against him like a cat—his very own pussy cat. Cade tried to suppress the smile that thought brought to his lips but was unsuccessful. She was satin and silk under his hands, her body responding to his lightest touch.
He moved his other hand in front to rub her clit and she went off like a rocket for him. As she had before. He loved how ready she always seemed to be for him. Dipping his head, he kissed her lips as she came off the small climax. She tasted like his own personal catnip and he suspected his touch was something special to her as well.
Cade removed his hands and rolled, flipping her onto her back in a sinuous move that put him above her, his knees between hers. Sitting back on his haunches, he held her sleepy, aroused gaze as he unbuttoned the cuffs of his shirt. He shrugged the whole thing off and threw it across the room. He liked the way her eyes flared as she saw his chest for the first time. He also liked the way her body responded, her nipples tightening into sharp points as her excitement mirrored his.
His fingers went to the closure of his pants, daring her to join him in the sensuality of the moment as he pushed the fabric away but not completely off. He’d gone too long without touching her, and he was a starving man. Starving for the feel of her skin, the taste of her kisses, the sound of her sighs.
Cade leaned over her, trailing nibbling kisses up her ribcage, pausing at her breasts, biting gently on the generous undercurves before taking the weight of them in his hands, angling for better access to the taut peaks. The gentle, sexy scent of her skin drove him wild and seeped into his pores as if it belonged with him always. He licked one hard nipple into his mouth and sucked, groaning as she gasped, loving her response to his every touch.
“Do you like that?” he asked, watching her. Elaine’s head thrashed lightly from side to side as she moaned. “I’ll take that as a yes.” Joy followed him as he treated her other breast to the same and more, sucking harder, licking longer, driving her as wild as he felt.
“Cade!” She sounded desperate and Cade felt like a million bucks, having driven her passion upward again with a few simple touches.
She had no idea what she was in for, but he’d show her what to expect from his lovemaking. She’d match him stroke for stroke by the time he was through with her. But he had to take it slow. She was human. He couldn’t forget that. He had to rein in the beast that wanted to mark its woman in the most feral way. Time enough for that later—if he didn’t scare her off first.
Cade continued to play with her nipples even as he moved upward, claiming her mouth with his. The kiss was tempestuous, hotter than anything that had come before, and he found he needed it like he needed his next breath. She was everything to him in those moments, his air, his pulse, his very life.
He couldn’t wait much longer. Desperation was setting in. Cade pushed his pants down far enough to free himself. He positioned himself between her splayed legs and took a moment to touch her, stroking her clit until she writhed under him again. He loved the feel of her slick heat against his fingers and the way she moaned his name. She was ready, but was he? Could he be gentle enough to take a human when his heat was so high?
He’d give anything not to hurt her. Not now. Not ever. But he couldn’t wait.
Cade slid forward, touching the tip of his aching cock to her wet opening. At the very last moment, he met her gaze, trying to calm himself enough to be careful.
“I’m coming in, baby. Are you ready for me?”
“It’s okay,” she gasped. “I’m on the pill.”
Those words were so unexpected, he almost laughed, but her worries brought home to him as nothing else would, the glaring fact that she wasn’t a shifter. He wanted to reassure her, and himself as well, but nothing could change the facts. She didn’t know much about his people. It would be up to him to teach her if he wanted a shot at keeping her for any length of time.
“Don’t worry. Shifters don’t carry human diseases, and you’re not in heat. I’d know.”
“How?”
“Your scent, baby. Women are the most alluring to my kind when they smell ripe and ready for conception. You smell fantastic, don’t get me wrong, but the pheromones you’d be releasing if you were in heat would drive me even crazier.”
“You can smell that?” She seemed both fascinated and outraged. He loved to tease her, but he was treading a knife’s edge. He needed her, and he needed her now. This was no time to talk.
“I can’t take much more, sweetheart. Do you want me?” He dared her to say no, enticed her to say yes. He’d do whatever she wanted—even if it killed him.
“Come inside, Cade. I need you.” Her words were music to his ears. Not only was she accepting him. She was spurring him on. Her legs wrapped around his hips, her heels digging into his ass, pressing him forward in an emphatic demand.
“I can’t go slow, Ellie.” He gasped as he pressed inward just a short way. He pushed into her by slow degrees to ease his way. She was tight, and he was bigger than the average human male, so he had to be careful.
It was sheer heaven, even though Cade was definitely no saint. He slid into her delicious warmth inch by inch. A feeling of homecoming came over him as he joined with her. It was both ecstatic bliss and insatiable hunger rolled into one¾like nothing he’d ever experienced before and suspected he never would again with any other woman.
Cat's Cradle: String of Fate, Book 1
Chapter Seven
Cade joined with her in one long, slow, gliding sweep that drove all conscious thought from her mind. He was so overwhelming, so…big…all over. So masculine and so perfect in almost every way. His height complimented her shorter lines, his muscular physique made her mouth water and his masterful possession made her want to surrender, body and soul.
“Cade, please!” She didn’t know what she begged for, but she needed it. Whatever it was. And she knew he c
ould give it to her. It didn’t make any sense, but then, nothing she’d experienced since leaving the dojo had made sense. Her world had been turned upside down, but if the result was having Cade in her life, she knew it was worth every last terrifying minute.
She thought it couldn’t get much better, then Cade started to move. Slow at first, he moved with feline grace over her and inside her. His hips undulated in a way few men could match, driving her higher with every last motion. He couldn’t make a wrong move.
Elaine had never experienced sex like this before. It was as if Cade had been made specifically to her requirements. She hadn’t known what she’d been missing all these years, but the point was driven home tight, hot and hard within her, never to be forgotten.
Cade was an imposing figure of a man. His height and the muscular width of his shoulders should have intimidated her, but she could only find desire in her heart to be possessed by this male animal. She couldn’t even think about his pantera side, although the idea of his ability to change into a giant predator was as tantalizing as it was terrifying. It was almost more than she could handle having the man side of Cade in her bed and in her body.
“Are you with me, baby?” His voice was rough and growly above her as his pace increased.
“Yes,” she moaned. “Oh God, Cade.” She was barely coherent as he drove her higher than she’d ever flown before.
“Then come with me, El. Come with me now!” The command in his voice did things to her she never would have believed. He buried his face in her neck and Elaine thought she felt the harsh sting of his teeth against her skin, but was too far gone to worry about it.
Cade’s hips slammed into hers, but there was no pain—only pleasure. The greatest pleasure she’d ever known as he came deep, hard and fast within her body. His explosion ignited her own, sending her into a stratosphere of bliss she’d never seen before and knew she would never experience again with any other man.
