“Where are we?”
“It’s a game room, a place to get away from the heat of the day. No one comes here at night. We won’t be disturbed.”
She had never imagined losing her virginity on the sofa of a billionaire card shark. She didn’t much care at this point, as long as he eased the ache within her. She reached up again, pulling him down with her. The contact of his hard body had moisture pooling between her legs. As she tried to lift a knee, she found them trapped in the yards of fabric.
“Stay still,” he hissed against her bare collarbone.
“But, I want you. I need you. I’ll explode if you don’t make love to me, now.” She had to have him. The fire within threatened to burn her where she lay. Frantic, she fought the jacket over his shoulders. In the end, he shook out of it. The fabric flew across the room to land in a pile.
“I feel your need. But I can’t take you here. Not on this sofa. You deserve better than this.” He gripped her hip, forcing her deeper into the cushions. “Be still.”
“Fuck me, then.” The pain from within grew, an ache she couldn’t quench, as if her entire being lived or died depending on whether or not they joined. Deep in the recesses of her brain, a voice protested the abnormality of the situation. Something else had to be at play, a wave of agony washed over her.
“Look at me,” he demanded and something compelled her to listen. The golden orbs searched hers, his jaw locked and his breathing was shallow. He reflected all the things she was. His kiss, gentle at first, built until she thought she would expire if she didn’t touch him. Hours could have passed as they lay in each other’s arms. His kiss both soothed and excited. Finally, he lifted his head. “I understand. Your needs are mine. But you can’t go into this relationship without knowing everything about me.”
Her thigh muscles started to shake. She fought to keep her legs together while desperate to rip the silk from her body so she could wrap herself around him. “I promise nothing you say will change my desire for you.”
“You’re in the midst of the mating fever. It came on far quicker than I expected.”
“Then, help me,” she begged. Her hands the only tool she had to work with. She worked the buttons of his tuxedo shirt, inflamed to find a T-shirt blocking her ability to touch him. Frantic she worked the shirts from his waistband and replaced them with her touch. He hissed as she gripped his ass, pushing his erection into closer contact with her. With one knee in the sofa and a foot on the floor, he made a move to sit up. She took the opening to grip his long, hard cock. He flexed his hips so she could touch him more.
He threw his head back with a moan. She worked the length of him from base to tip. With every move, she adjusted him the way she wanted. He would be putty in her hands. With her free hand, she worked the button and zipper until his pants released and his cock sprang free.
Desire to taste him, to show him she could hunt and make him her prey infused her. She brought her lips down to the red angry tip, glistening with precum, and sucked. She savored the salty flavor, taking as much of him as she could into her mouth. She didn’t have to be an expert to know it wasn’t much. His hands, which had been fisted at his sides, shot up and tangled into her golden locks, urging her to take more and creating a rhythm to follow.
She might not have experience, but she had an inner sense of what he desired. With every flex of his hips, she took a little more of him into her mouth. When she cupped his balls, he growled and pulled out of her mouth. His lips came down on hers, bruising and demanding.
“Please help me,” she whispered against his lips. She needed release only he could give.
“Boss, sorry to interrupt. You have a challenge,” a gruff voice interrupted through the double glass doors leading outside.
“Ten minutes. Give me ten fucking minutes,” he growled never taking his eyes off her. When the sound of footsteps retreated, he lifted the hem of her dress. “I would give anything to taste you right now. But, if I did, we would never get out of here.”
“Please,” she begged again. If he left her like this she would never forgive him.
His fingers worked under the legs’ elastic and down her mons. His thumb rubbed over her clit and to the apex of her desire. She lifted her hips, needing more. Then he inserted a finger deep within her and her breath caught. Eyes wide, she watched his expression change from sexual to surprise. As his finger came into contact with the proof of her innocence.
“Holy Hell, Kali?” he questioned.
Grabbing his shirt she demanded, “Eight minutes you have eight minutes.”
He lowered his head, kissing the hollow of her neck as his finger worked within her and thumb worked her clit. The fire built, stoked by his lips tongue and thumb. Then as if her body couldn’t contain the heat, she fractured into what had to have been a million pieces. Her thighs started shaking and only when he gripped them did she calm.
“Was this your first orgasm?” he asked, short of breath.
She nodded, unable to talk through her dry mouth.
“You should have told me. What if it had been my cock and not my finger? I could have hurt you.” Though he admonished her, his voice held nothing but concern.
“Now you know.”
He kissed her nose as a knock came again. “Damn it, I have to go. If I could get out of this tonight I would.”
“Can I join you?” she asked coming up on shaky shoulders.
“Not tonight.” He brushed her swollen lower lip with the pad of his thumb. “It won’t be pretty and I need to focus on the fight.”
“Are you really going to fight someone?” She couldn’t imagine this man who just brought her to her first orgasm, could leave her to fight another man. He had the physique and muscles for days. He lifted her with ease. But she couldn’t see this cool, calculating business man fighting down and dirty.
“Yes.”
“It seems archaic.”
“It’s the way of my people.” He helped her to her feet. His tux lay in a heap on the floor, once retrieved, he removed a handkerchief and wiped his fingers. She should have been surprised when he opened the door to find Helena and Cosima standing on the other side, but by this point little would surprise her. She couldn’t even summon the energy to be embarrassed. “Good, you are both here, will you see to Kalista. I think her hair needs fixing up.”
“You missed dinner,” Helena said bringing a plate in, turning on the light when she entered. Kalista blinked at the sudden invasion of light into her senses. “I thought you might be hungry, Kali.”
“How long have we been in here?” She could have sworn fifteen to twenty minutes tops. But when he kissed her, she lost track of everything but him. A sudden need to have him kiss her again rushed over her, and she moved to go to him but Cosima stayed her.
He hesitated at the door.
Cosima nodded in approval before sitting down with her and placing a hand on her knee. “She is in good hands, you must go or they will consider you forfeit.”
He took one last kiss from her before leaving the hut without a backward glance.
Cosima sent Helena back to the main building for a bottle of wine. When alone, she asked without preamble, “Did you consummate your relationship?”
She blushed. “None of your business.”
“I ask because you are a virgin or were. My brother would have stayed, but he could not so I want to make sure you don’t need anything.” The other woman scanned the room.
“What are you looking for?”
“Signs of your mating.”
Mating? “I’m still a virgin.” She covered her eyes. “Not for lack of trying.”
“You wanted to lose your virginity on a sofa in the game room?”
“I didn’t much care about the wheres of it.”
“The fever comes upon us all fast and hot.” She offered Kalista a glass of water.
After downing the glass she asked, “Is that what it is, a fever?”
“It will grow hotter as the moon’
s rising tomorrow and every night after until you accept him as yours.”
“Two days, less than forty-eight hours. Is as long as he’s been in my life.” And yet in her soul they had been part of a larger something for centuries.
“And you have never wanted anyone before this.” Not a question but a statement.
Did this woman have a script of her life? Did she answer some “This is My Life” questionnaire on social media she’d forgotten about? She had checked single, but never been in a relationship. She had said “looking” but never said “I’m a virgin please help me.” And she was pretty sure she didn’t put “on the hunt for Greek tycoon billionaire who owns his own island” as a prerequisite. “No.”
“What does that tell you?”
“It tells me I’ve lost my mind.”
“If this is what the other families have to offer as far as beta challengers I worry about our species.” Gio handed Leonidas his large water bottle and a towel. “Did you even break a sweat?”
“Don’t get cocky. A few lions are worthy contenders. Tonight’s were token challenges.”
“You don’t give yourself enough credit.”
“It’s why I’m still in a position of power.” He crossed to the men who had challenged and lost. Five men, four of which were familiar choices, and the fifth a young man just coming into his own. Shaking the hands with the other men, he addressed them. “Thank you for your challenge. All five of you are welcome to remain through the month if you choose.”
“Thank you, Prime,” they replied in unison.
He didn’t have to extend the offer. It had been his right to ask them to leave immediately. But these men had all offered their challenge weeks ago, long before Kalista entered the picture. The beta from the Asian family spoke up. “I’m to offer our congratulations on the arrival of your mate.”
Leonidas detected no hostility from the other lion. “Thank you, your alpha arrived this morning, did he not?”
“He did but is in poor health, he took to bed before dinner.”
In the next few days betas would be vying for the role of alpha for the Asian family. One of the many roles Leonidas had as prime was to oversee the change in power. It was rare when an alpha stepped down, so when it happened, the lion or lioness deserved all the respect Leonidas could give him. “I’ll visit tomorrow before lunch to welcome him in person.”
“Please do, and he and Janice his mate would love to meet your mate as well.”
“I’ll ask her to come along.” He said his goodbyes and made his way to the locker room. One of the first things he had done when he took over the island had been to have the Challenge field turned into a full athletic training facility, complete with a weight room, racquetball courts, and changing rooms which included saunas and steam rooms.
The challenges weren’t exclusive to him. Other alphas had to defend their place, wanna-be betas needed to display their merits, and then those with grievances who wanted to fight it out. Rules remained strict. No fighting unless you took it to the ring on the island. So starting tomorrow, the ring would be used most of the day. One of his betas would be on hand at all times to ensure the rules of engagement were honored. The most important of all fights start in human form and can only shift into animal form when the challenger has admitted they cannot win in human form.
Taking one final glance at the mirror to ensure he played the part his people expected, he headed back to the main building. Gio waited for him outside at the now-empty ring. “She is currently with your sisters dancing.”
“Dancing?” Though his voice gave nothing away, he had assumed after their encounter two hours ago she would have retreated to her room. But she showed she could stand her ground and her backbone.
“Yes, sir, apparently she even has the elders dancing. She requested the DJ start the evening with some more classic stuff. And then somehow managed to get everyone to the floor.”
She might not understand what she did, but by bringing the multi-generations to the dance floor, a simple act, she displayed her ability to unite. Too many years had passed since a prime mate had acted as hostess to the festivities. His mother would have approved of her.
Long before they reached the banquet hall, he could hear the rhythmic beat of disco bleed into the atmosphere. He leaned his shoulder against the doorjamb, watching the tableau. Those who couldn’t dance sat and clapped, singing along, badly. He didn’t have to see her to know Kalista danced in the center of the pack. Cosima noticed him first and crossed the crowded room to his side. “Run while you can. She’ll get you on the floor, too.”
“I’ve no doubt she will.” He caught sight of her and his breath hitched. Her joy lit up the room. She had little Augie in her arms, dancing. “A bit late for the little ones, isn’t it?”
“She made a compromise. The children could stay up for a little longer and then the dance floor would be turned over to the teens, and they could play whatever music they choose.”
“How did she get the teens to agree?” Instead of standing around the room, moping until they had their way as had been his experience, they danced, acted foolish, and enjoyed the atmosphere.
“She said she would dance with them.”
“Why?”
“I think to show them she respects their tastes. I like her— A lot.” She nudged him with her shoulder.
“I like her, too— A lot.” Over the heads of the other dancers, she noticed him and smiled. She pointed in his direction and Augie waved excitedly. With a curl of her fingers she encouraged him to join her, before turning her attention to someone much shorter than she. “I’m being summoned by my queen.”
With a determined stride he made a beeline for her, the crowd parted, and he stood at her side in less than a minute. She blinked in shock. “That was quick.”
“When you call I come.” He lifted the boy from her arms. “Sorry, Augie, this dance is mine.”
After handing the boy off to his mother, he wrapped a hand around her waist and pulled her close. Glaring at the DJ who picked up quick on his desire, changed the music to a slow dance. “This might prove to be an experience in frustration.”
“Mmm, but it feels damn good.” She pressed tighter up against him.
“You are in danger of losing your innocence here on the dance floor with everyone to witness it.”
“Are you threatening me?” she whispered against his ear. “You have spun a spell on me and if you kiss me I doubt I would waylay you anything.”
He gritted his teeth against the desires rushing through him. “Have some care for your situation.”
“I trust you to take care of me.”
“Speaking of taking care, where are your shoes?”
“They hurt my feet, so I took them off to dance. I don’t know how everyone here wears them all the time.”
He forced her head against his chest and kissed the top of her head. On the second spin around the dance floor, his hackles rose. He searched the room in time to witness three wineglasses shattering at their feet. He lifted her high in air and spun her, but with shards surrounding them he had nowhere to move her. Adjusting her in his arms, he placed her over his shoulder. “Stop squirming.”
He marched to one of his betas, Gio, waiting on the edge of the floor, who pulled a chair out. Leonidas lowered her to stand on the seat. “Your shoes?”
“In the corner.” She pointed but gripped his lapels as he moved to leave her. “The children?”
“I’ll make sure they are all okay,” Gio said. “On my way to get her shoes.”
“Are you hurt?” Leonidas found a small cut on her ankle, enough to raise his fury a few more degrees.
“I’m fine. Accidents happen.” She focused on the dance floor and the cleanup happening.
He debated contradicting her statement but thought better of it. He would discover who had tried to hurt her. The lack of concern for the cubs caught in the mix brought a new ferocity to his anger. Jaison came up behind him and he turned his he
ad to talk, unwilling to move out of touch range from his mate. “What have you discovered?”
“There is broken glass covering the patio. I think the plan was to break the glass on this end and send her running outside. Or perhaps the three glasses inside were a failed attempt to harm her.” Jaison kept his voice low enough even those with shifter hearing would struggle to hear.
“I want a second beta on her at all times.” He would take no chances.
Jaison raised a brow. “Alpha?”
“Down, boy. If I’m not with her, you’ll be my second and get her to safety. But someone else will need to follow the assailant.”
He nodded. “Do you want someone outside her door tonight?”
“No, she will be with me.” He had planned on giving her more time, but not now. “I do want someone to go over her room. We’ve never had to lock a door on the island before, but it’s no secret what room I would have put her in.”
“I’ll take care of her room now. I’m assuming you aren’t letting her out of your sight tonight.”
“You would be correct.” He took the shoes Gio had dangling from his thumb.
“The children are all safe and are being escorted back to their rooms.”
“Have dessert sent to them, I don’t want them fearful because of what happened,” Kalista put in like a true queen.
Helena pushed through the crowd. “Are you okay?”
“Fine.” Kalista rolled her eyes. “As soon as the floor is cleared, we can start dancing again.”
“Without Kalista.” Leonidas sent a meaningful glance at his sister. He didn’t need any argument now.
“I promised I would dance with them,” Kalista argued.
“You can dance tomorrow.” Once again, he lifted her into his arms, holding her sling-back heels with his pinky. He had no issues getting through the crowd. “Stop wriggling.”
“I have two perfectly good feet.”
“I can carry you.”
“I weigh too much.”
“You’re perfect.” As soon as they passed the patio and he felt safe enough to let her stand, he did. “Before you rail at me about being a mythical controlling caveman from the time of T-rex.”
Her Billionaire Lion: A Zodiac Shifters Paranormal Romance: Leo Page 6
