Nature of the B*E*A*S*T*

by Rebecca Goings

  "Don't eat me,” she whispered, closing her eyes. She apparently didn't quite believe he was completely human inside his shifted body. He was determined to curb her fear. Having a giant cougar pinning her to the floor had to be beyond intimidating.

  Lowering his head, he took deep breaths of her perfume. As his breath puffed on her skin, he could smell the return of her desire. Without wasting another minute, Wade ran his cougar-tongue along her neck, taking care not to rake her with the sharp barbs. Ever-so-slowly, he shifted back to his human state, still holding his weight above her. Keira trembled violently but didn't stop him as his human lips captured her earlobe, sucking hungrily.

  "You sure you don't want me to eat you, lady?” he growled in her ear, lowering his weight. She gasped at his words, turning her head to look into his eyes. He did nothing more than stare at her while she decided whether or not she was going to touch him again.

  One hand tentatively lifted to caress the skin of his back while the other touched his shoulder. “Your skin feels like your fur."

  Wade brought his face down to hers. “You didn't answer my question."

  She blushed. “I ... I thought it was a rhetorical question."

  He grinned and threaded his fingers through her hair. “Nope. I'm damn serious. You have a naked man on top of you, sweetheart. What are you going to do about it?"

  She swallowed hard, but didn't break his eye contact. “Make love to him."

  Now Wade was the one trembling. With a groan, he captured her mouth in a rough kiss as moisture filled his eyes. She hadn't rejected him, and despite her fear, she still wanted him. His heart filled to near-bursting at the need to make her his right then and there.

  * * * *

  Keira was lost. Wade's weight pinned her to the floor, his mouth exploring hers voraciously. She moaned and opened her legs, allowing him to settle completely on top of her. She couldn't believe what she'd just said to him. Wade brought out the animal in her.

  Seeing him shift had been unbelievable. He'd done it fluidly, too. She didn't know what she'd expected, but images of An American Werewolf in London had popped into her head. But it was nothing like what Hollywood made shifting out to be. He hadn't seemed in pain. And he could control it—that was the amazing thing.

  It had frightened her, seeing such a big cat in the room, staring her in the eye. But he'd been good to his word. He didn't hurt her. And despite what she'd just witnessed, Keira wanted Wade desperately, holding his head to hers. He wasn't a monster. He was exquisite.

  "Keira,” he whispered, his breath hot on her skin. “Keira."

  "What?"

  Wade brought his lips to her cheek and kissed her, making his way to her other cheek. “If we do this, there's no turning back."

  She threaded her fingers through his golden hair. “I know. I want to."

  "Are you sure?"

  He was giving her the chance to leave him, to walk out that door and go back to her room. She'd be damned if she left him now.

  "Take off my shirt."

  Wade gave her a look of bewilderment.

  "Do it."

  Without a word he complied, holding her eyes with his as he gently pulled the fabric from her pants. He spread his large hand across her belly and Keira gasped at the heat of his touch. She helped him lift the shirt up and over her head. He did nothing more than stare at her lacy bra. It was front-hooking, and she unfastened it herself. Once her breasts were bare, they tightened under his passionate gaze. The hardness of him dug into her jeans and it drove her wild.

  "See what you do to me?” she asked.

  His eyes returned to hers, flashing with desire. Wade took her right hand in his, bringing it between them. He wrapped her fingers around his erection with a firm grip. “This is what you do to me."

  "Oh ... Wade...” Silk-wrapped steel, that's what he was, pressing into her palm, asking for more of her touch. Keira couldn't take anymore. Just holding him so intimately made her fall over the edge as shudders of pleasure exploded throughout her body. He brought his knee between her legs and pressed against her while engulfing her breast within the heat of his mouth. Her orgasm heightened, seeming to go on forever when he tugged her nipple with his teeth.

  "Please. Wade, please take off my pants.” Keira knew she sounded pathetic, but he didn't seem to care. There was no hesitation—he unzipped her jeans and began tugging them down her thighs. She still held his erection in her hand when she finally kicked off her wet panties. He was large and her body ached to be filled with him. She moaned at the thought.

  Instantly, Wade's fingers stroked her slick skin, bringing forth cries of desperation from her lips, as she was already sensitive from her first orgasm. The glide of his skin on hers almost sent her over the edge once more.

  "Don't tease me,” she begged, raining kisses on the top of his head. “God, I can't take it."

  Wade didn't say a word. Raising above her, he kissed her savagely, ravishing her mouth, his fingers still dancing upon her. Keira lifted her hips and tried to guide his erection inside her. But he pulled away just enough to torment her.

  "Wade!” She was well beyond insane with passion. He wasn't giving her what she wanted and it pissed her off. Grabbing hold of his hair, she brought his lips back to hers and bit him none too gently, getting his attention. He growled at her, holding her head still to hold his eye contact.

  "Tell me what you want."

  "You,” she said, breathless.

  He gave her a sinful grin, but repeated himself. “Tell me what you want."

  "I want you. I need you ... inside me.” She rolled her hips under his. His sharp intake of breath told her he wasn't as composed as he appeared to be.

  He removed her hand from his erection, then pressed himself just barely into her wetness. “Here?"

  "Yes!" Keira gasped. “Deeper. God, go deeper."

  Wade inched forward, continuing to stare into her eyes. “Like this?"

  She bit her lip and nodded furiously, planting her feet on the floor. “More."

  He slid in further, groaning himself as beads of sweat appeared on his brow. Keira knew the exact moment he was through teasing her. His mouth descended and he plunged forth, embedding himself within her to the hilt. Keira sighed with relief, caressing his large arms.

  "Just like that,” she murmured into his mouth.

  Wade took hold of her thighs, bending her knees and bringing her legs up to his chest. When he pulled back only to push forward once more, she cried out at the exquisite feeling. In this position, his entire length could slide into her without hindrance. Again and again he pumped, his grip on her legs tightening with each thrust. Somewhere in her befuddled brain, she knew he wanted her to come first.

  "Go faster,” she breathed, unsure if he'd heard her. But he must have. His rhythm increased in force and speed, and before she knew it, Keira screamed his name as wave upon wave of orgasms tore through her. Just when she thought she was spent, he pressed even deeper, bringing her to another pinnacle within moments. She wrapped both legs around his waist, frantic to keep him within her as he thrust once more, howling his own release into the air.

  Keira's entire body trembled as she lay beneath him. Her skin was sweaty and she could barely draw a breath, but she was utterly and thoroughly satisfied. Wade had made love to her fervently, like no other man. If she wasn't careful, she'd fall hard for him.

  Gazing into his hooded, pleasured eyes, Keira's heart leapt. She knew damned well it was too late. She'd already fallen head-over-heels for Wade McAllister.

  Fifteen

  "Good God.” Wade trembled from head to toe. The intensity of his climax left him dizzy, and he rested his head on Keira's shoulder. Her fingers ran lightly through his hair, soothing his racing heart. When she began kissing his cheek, he drew his weight onto his elbows to look down at her. “Are you all right?"

  She smiled. “I'm better than all right."

  "Did I hurt you?"

  "No."

  With tha
t one word, she pulled him down to her mouth, giving him a chaste, almost loving, kiss. He was still deep inside of her and acutely aware of it when she moved her hips underneath his. He groaned and pressed forward, wanting to feel more of her warmth surrounding him. Keira was like a balm, making him forget the monster living inside his body. With reluctance, he slowly withdrew from her heat and she gave him a playful pout.

  "You were amazing, Wade.” Her tone suddenly turned serious, and he blushed.

  "Well that's really saying something,” he said with a half grin. “I can't even remember the last time I had sex."

  Keira's eyes went wide. “Really?"

  Now Wade truly blushed. He moved to sit up, but Keira's hands caught his shoulders before he could.

  "Wait. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to embarrass you."

  He was silent for a long moment before responding. “I've been with B*E*A*S*T* for the past two years. I was lucky to catch sight of a woman, let alone make love to her."

  Keira's palm stroked his cheek as she said, “Then I guess that makes you all mine."

  Wade's breath caught in his throat. Closing his eyes, he brought his forehead to hers and sighed. “I guess so."

  Once again, her lips were on his as she gave him a deep kiss. He couldn't come up for air—he didn't want to. All he could think about was losing himself within her, keeping her with him forever, making love to her day after day ... But how could he ask that of her? How could he ask her to be his mate after only a day? She'd laugh at him. True, she wanted him, but it was nothing more than lust. Keira Covington didn't want to settle down with a man she hardly knew, least of all a shape-shifter on the run from her own father.

  With a heave, he stood from the floor and offered Keira his hand. If she was willing to sleep with him for now, he'd take what he could get. God only knew when another woman would let him get this close to her.

  "Better take a shower,” he said, dropping his voice an octave. She gave him a quizzical look. “I promised I'd eat you, lady, and my belly's growling. Don't make me wait."

  Keira hesitated only a moment before she raced into the bathroom, slamming the door behind her. Wade couldn't help but chuckle at her obvious eagerness of what he meant to do.

  Lying on the bed, he stared up at the ceiling, growing hard once more at his own imagination. The shower turned on and it was all he could do not to join Keira in the tub if only to lick every drop of water from her perfect skin. But knowing the pleasure they were both in for when she emerged made him stay put on the bed, his head on the pillows, his hands behind his head, waiting for her in sweet, sweet agony.

  * * * *

  Keira had never showered so fast in her entire life. Despite making love to Wade not more than a few minutes ago, her body was already hot and ready to go again at the thought of his mouth between her legs. The man wasn't subtle, that much was true. She had no doubt what he meant when he said he'd wanted to eat her, and damn her if she wouldn't let him.

  Once her hair was clean, she turned off the shower and snatched one of the towels from the shelf above the toilet, hastily drying herself. Shivering at the cold air, she couldn't help but bite her lip as her nipples pebbled. Placing her hand on the doorknob, she took a deep breath and opened it, gasping at the sight that greeted her.

  Wade was spread-eagled on the bed, gloriously naked, his erection stiff and long. He wasn't ashamed of his nakedness, but rather, seemed to revel in it, looking her up and down with a predatory hunger in his eyes.

  "Come here.” His voice was gritty and Keira realized her throat was dry as she tried to swallow. He crooked his finger at her and she was powerless to resist. Crossing the room, she stood next to the bed, gazing into his stormy eyes.

  Without a word, he grasped her hand in his and yanked her down until she was lying across his chest. Keira blushed at the yelp that escaped her.

  "Sit up."

  She did as he said, but only because she wasn't sure what he planned to do. His next words shot bolts of lightning throughout her blood.

  "Straddle me."

  Her body ached, and a fresh wetness rushed to slick her skin as she did as she was told, straddling his hips with hers. The tip of him ground onto her sensitive skin and she moaned in ecstasy.

  "Oh, honey, you're not getting off that easy."

  She smiled at his words, but only had a moment to be confused when he began scooting out from underneath her. Keira tried to lift off him, but his strong hands stopped her.

  "Stay right where you are."

  She couldn't say a word at the intense look in his eyes. All she could do was nod. Before she knew it, she was kneeling on the bed—with Wade's head nestled within her thighs.

  "Oh God,” she whispered. He teased her by blowing his hot breath on her already-heated skin and she thought she'd fly apart from that alone.

  "You smell so damn good,” he growled right before he claimed her with his tongue. Keira cried out as he attacked her, not letting up for even a moment as his fingers worked to spread her folds, giving his mouth more access to her swollen flesh. Around and around he circled, forcing her to the beat of his rhythm, making her writhe above him.

  Keira almost couldn't hold her position until Wade urged her to rest her backside on his chest while he plundered her depths. It didn't take long before she was soaring upward, straining against him for the pleasure she knew would come. Wade lapped at her again and again until she rode his face, crying out again and again.

  Her shudders hadn't even ceased before he lifted her down his body, helping her to straddle his hips once more. Keira's head spun when his erection entered her, swift and deep, bringing another cry from her lips. His hands held her waist while he drove into her heat, touching her soul.

  "Keira,” he ground out, “tell me what you want. Christ, I need to hear it. Tell me, baby."

  "You. I want you, Wade. Just ... you...” She couldn't say another word as an orgasm rippled through her, stealing her breath as her muscles clenched around his length. Wade groaned, his face twisting in pleasure, but he didn't stop.

  With one swift move, he flipped her onto her back and plunged into her once more, kissing her into oblivion. “Say you're mine. Please. Keira..."

  His heated words touched her and tears sprang into her eyes as he continued to possess her, stealing her sanity with every stroke. She could barely think, much less form words to speak. But speak them she did.

  "I'm yours, Wade."

  His mouth returned to hers, his tongue stabbing hers without mercy. Keira kissed him back just as savagely, pulling his hair, lifting her legs, demanding more of him. He did not deny her. His hands burned her skin and his rhythm increased, becoming more frantic. She finally exploded once more, screaming into his mouth while her fingernails dug into the skin of his shoulders.

  Wade released her lips only to groan his own climax loudly into the air. When he laid on her, spent, his weight felt like a thousand tons, but Keira wouldn't have moved him for anything. Her own limbs were like water. What they'd just shared was much more than plain old sex, and she had a feeling Wade knew it.

  When he sniffled, her heart burst with tenderness. He was crying.

  "Wade?” she whispered in his ear. “What's wrong?"

  When he drew back to look at her, his eyes were indeed filled with tears, but a wide grin spread upon his face. “Nothing's wrong. For once, everything is right."

  After a long, silent minute, Keira smiled back at him and nodded. Wade held her heart. In his eyes, she could tell she held his as well. It was crazy, she knew, but Keira was through trying to figure things out. For once, she wanted to go with the flow.

  And loving Wade came as naturally to her as breathing.

  Sixteen

  Brett sat in the driver's seat of the Texas Highway Patrol cruiser, rubbing his throbbing leg as he drove down the interstate. Despite the fact every shifter healed unbelievably fast, he was still in pain. He could walk with a limp now, but that didn't stop him from ripping out the
throat of the trooper who'd pulled over to investigate the wreck of the Jaguar in the median.

  Brett had thrown the body of the man in the trunk, but not before he'd stripped him of his uniform. It didn't quite fit, but it was better than being naked, and Brett was too pissed off to care.

  That bastard Wade had gotten away, despite his best effort to run him off the road. He wasn't looking forward to telling the old man he'd failed. Clive Covington wasn't exactly a forgiving man.

  A monotone feminine voice came over the radio at that moment, and Brett's ears perked. Apparently, a stolen car had been found parked outside a motel in a town up north—a car matching the one Wade and Keira had sped away in. Could he be that lucky?

  Turning on his lights and sirens, Brett spun the cruiser around and raced down the highway. He could be there within an hour or two if he stepped on it. He rubbed his leg once more and snarled. Wade was in for some pain as well.

  * * * *

  Wade sighed, holding Keira close, his arm draped across her belly. She wasn't sleeping. Her back warmed his skin and he couldn't resist placing soft kisses on her tender neck. She gave him a sexy shiver every time, making him grin.

  Under the covers, Keira found his hand and threaded her fingers through his. Without a word, he squeezed her tight, reveling in the feel of her against him. How many times had he wished for this? How many times had he hoped a woman would let him into her heart, allowing him total surrender? Wade couldn't remember. And she'd confessed to being his. Wade's heart lightened at the memory. Granted, he'd begged her for that admission, but she'd seemed most eager to humor him.

  As rough as he'd been with her, Keira had met him stroke for stroke, giving as good as she got. He was sure he even had a few bruises to prove it.

  "What are you thinking about?” he asked, whispering into her ear.

  She shuddered once again and he couldn't resist another kiss on her neck. She swallowed hard before answering him. “I was wondering how you got those scars on your belly."