Leo loaded her gear into her SUV and climbed inside.
“Do you know the couple personally, or are they just clients?”
“They’re just clients. I’ve met them a couple of times to go over what they want, but they found me online.”
“That’s good for business.”
“It is. Who butchers the animals when you’re away?”
“I caught everything up last night.”
“Do you ever get tired of handling dead animals all day? You’re like a mortician for animals, it has to get old.”
“No. For me it’s a way to soothe my addiction. My lion wants to hunt, but he can’t, at least not the way he wants too. Breathing in that scent and hearing the sound of tearing flesh helps.”
Aislinn probably should have found his truth a bit offsetting but she didn’t. In truth she saw the appeal as a hunter.
“Were you ever part of a pack?”
“Been doing your research, I see, huntress?”
She blushed and shrugged.
“Yes, it was a long, long time ago.”
“Why leave?”
“I don’t care to have other people telling me what to do. I also don’t have any desire to tell others what to do.”
“Still, it must be hard to not ever come across any one of your kind?”
“I wouldn’t say I never come across other kindred spirits, shifters or not.”
Aislinn’s heart raced at Leo’s comment. The fact that he saw her as a kindred spirit gave her hope that he felt the same connection to her as she felt for him.
“Will it be all work this evening, or will there be time to play?”
“Play?” she asked, choking on the word.
“I meant dancing, but if you have another idea of playing in mind, I’m all ears.”
Leo winked at her and let out a small chuckle when she shook her head in response.
9
Leo
Being separated from Aislinn, even though the time was short, made Leo think of her and their situation in a different perspective. Leo had chosen a life of solitude in a small town far away from other shifters, so maybe Aislinn was a gift from his Goddess. He knew it was a stretch, but it helped him justify the fact that he couldn’t stay away from her.
On the drive to pick her up, Leo had battled back and forth with his decision to seduce her. As soon as she had opened the door and her scent captured him, he knew he was a goner. The summer dress she had on showed more of her skin then he had yet to see, causing his fingers to ache with the desire to touch it.
He let the attraction he felt for her roll off him in waves, where before he had held it back in an attempt to ward off the feelings. Aislinn could feel the strength behind it too. Her sex practically hummed with desire. Leo had no idea how long human weddings normally took, but he sent up a prayer to his Goddess that this one would be the fastest one ever completed.
Two hours later, the endless picture taking, and ceremony were finally complete. It had been complete torture watching Aislinn move about, her dress barely touching her knees, showing off the sexy muscles that stretched up her thighs. She was meticulous in what she did. That part didn’t surprise Leo, though. Anyone who hunted with as much precision and passion as Aislinn would no doubt be as thorough in all aspects of her life. Leo planned on putting that thoroughness to use later in the bedroom.
His dick twitched at the thought of seeing her naked beneath him. It was as if once he had made the decision to seduce her, that was all he could think about. Where he and his lion had once craved flesh and blood, it now simply craved her.
“We won’t have to stay long at the reception,” Aislinn said, jarring him from his thoughts.
“Take as much time as you need,” he said, hoping he sounded more sincere than he felt.
Aislinn’s smirk told him he hadn’t.
“They’re paying me by the hour, so once the reception is in full swing and they feel they have enough candid’s, they’ll send me packing. At least that’s how most couples are.”
“Human weddings seem to last longer than their marriages.”
“I’ll agree to that. People get married now a day more for the wedding than the commitment to another person.”
“Have you ever been with someone you thought you’d marry?” Leo had to restrain a growl from his lion as he waited for her response.
“Nope.” Her response was so immediate that Leo actually flinched. “You look taken back by my response. To be completely honest, before now there’s never really been a man that’s held my interest for more than a minute or so.”
Leo’s eyes locked in on hers as his mind zoned in on the one word in her statement that called to him; before. It wasn’t lost on her either. She stepped closer to him, her hand finding its way to his chest. His thumb lifted her chin, but before he could capture her lips, someone said her name, reluctantly drawing her attention away from him.
He studied the man that was speaking to Aislinn. Leo recognized him as the best man of the wedding. The man’s eyes roamed a bit too much for Leo’s liking, but he knew it wasn’t his place to say anything. All the wondering eyes hadn’t been lost on Leo. He was a good foot taller than even the tallest human male in attendance. The man nodded to Leo before walking away.
“Well, I suppose duty calls. They want to get the first dance over with and then I’m free to go.”
Her hand slid back up his shirt, but once again before he could react, she was gone again. This time her camera was back in front of her face and she was furiously snapping off pictures. An hour later, they were finally free and Leo couldn’t get her alone fast enough.
“What is it with men and not letting women drive even when it’s their vehicle.”
“I just prefer my driving, is all.”
“Are you in a rush?” she asked, a devilish smirk teasing him from across the vehicle.
Leo didn’t respond, but instead he punched the gas even more. When they pulled into her driveway, he grabbed her arm to stop her from getting out of the car.
“I want you, huntress. I have to be honest though, the mate bond still has yet to bind you to me. If you don’t want to do this, I will honor your wishes, but you must speak now.”
Aislinn’s big blue eyes bore into his, a flash of surprise quickly followed by a look of desire.
“I want you too, Leo, for however long I can have you.”
She threw open the door and rushed to her apartment. Leo was right behind her, reaching around her to unlock her door. Neither of them opened the door as they stood there, her back to his front. Leo rested his hands on the door on either side of her. When Aislinn finally turned around, her eyes were such a deep shade of blue, Leo felt as if he was going to get lost in them. He leaned down and captured her lips. The kiss was simple at first, his lips against hers. Aislinn opened her mouth to him though and it all changed.
The sexual charge between them exploded as his mouth slanted over hers again and again. He finally brought his hands down to roam her body, starting at her shoulders and gliding down her curves. Her arms wrapped around his neck. His body felt like it was going to explode every time she let out a small whimper at the back of her throat. Aislinn molded to him perfectly as her body wilted against his.
Leo lifted gripped her ass hard, drawling a growl from deep inside of his chest and a moan from Aislinn. He lifted her up, her legs instantly wrapping around his waist. Leo tore his lips from hers, shock registering at their contact.
“Huntress, what do you have on under this dress?” His voice was thick and gravely as the heat and wetness from her core seared through his slacks.
10
Aislinn
Aislinn hadn’t worn a single thing under her dress to the wedding. She knew it had been presumptuous, as well as unprofessional, but she didn’t care. Hearing Leo’s voice thick with lust when he realized she didn’t have anything on underneath her dress had been worth it. She was soaring on cloud nine having a man like him want
her so much.
“Right now, I suppose your slacks are about as close to underwear as I have.”
He dropped his forehead to hers, his eyes closed.
“You’re going to be the death of me, huntress.”
Hearing him call her that never got old. Each and every time it got to her. She pulled his face up so that she could devour his lips again. They were so in tune, it was intoxicating. Aislinn had kissed her fair share of men, but none of them had made her feel so dizzy with lust like Leo.
Leo shoved them through her front door and straight back through her apartment to her bedroom.
“How did you know which one my bedroom was?”
“Your scents strongest there.”
“Again with my scent.”
“It’s fucking breathtaking right now because it’s laced with your arousal. I can’t wait to taste you.”
Aislinn’s mind swam at Leo’s statement. The man could dirty talk. He finally released her but kept her body close. His lips had moved to her neck as feasted on her neck. She was throbbing with her need to release and they hadn’t even gotten their clothes off. Desperate to feel his skin against hers, Aislinn stepped back so that she could rid herself of the dress that was blocking her from him.
When she stood in front of him naked, Leo carefully studied her body. His gaze was like a caress causing her to shudder.
“You’re exquisite,” he whispered, reaching out to delicately trace his finger down her chest, over one of her pert nipples and then her stomach.
“Now you,” she replied, stepping forward to unbutton his shirt.
She had seen him naked before, but she was anxious to see him now, erect and wanting her. Leo let her take his shirt off, but when she slipped her hands into his pant line, he stopped her. He slowly undid the fastening and zipper. His bulge was looked desperate for room, causing Aislinn to lick her lips. When he finally freed himself of the rest of his clothes, Aislinn greedily looked him over.
Her hand reached out to stroke his impressive cock, but he intercepted it and brought it up to his chest. Leo tugged her against him. Aislinn gasped at the shock that ripped through her body. She was so sensitive to everything he did, she felt like she was going to orgasm on the spot.
Leo placed her on the bed and covered her with his body, his mouth once again taking hers. She willingly gave him access to her tongue, loving the fierce strokes he made against hers. His hands roamed her body, not stopping, always moving and exploring. He was a hunter, thorough with his inspection of the land. The analogy coupled with her nerves made her giggle.
“If you’re giggling, I’m not sure I’m doing this right.”
“You’re doing it perfect. I sometimes giggle when I’m nervous.”
“Don’t be nervous my huntress, I’ve got you.”
Aislinn basked in his statement as his mouth kissed a path down to her breasts. His coarse hands and warm breath set her body on fire, and when his mouth claimed her nipple sucking and licking, Aislinn arched her back off the bed and moaned Leo’s name. Leo continued to ministrations, making love to both of her breasts until she was afraid she wouldn’t be able to take anymore. Aislinn slipped her hand down to stroke herself, the push to release was so strong she thought she was going to burst.
Leo sat back on his knees and watched her. Aislinn stopped, embarrassed at first to have his total attention on her while she stroked herself, but one domineering look from Leo and she continued. His eyes bore into hers, full of a powerful lust that sucked the air from her lungs. Aislinn was about to find her release, but Leo yanked her hand away and slowly slid his finger through her soaked folds. He was careful to not touch her where she wanted it most. Aislinn moved her hips and whimpered, begging him but he simply stroked her leisurely.
“You are perfection,” he said before he slipped his fingers, soaked with her essence, into his mouth.
Aislinn gawked at him, utterly enthralled by this man’s ability to completely own her body. She saw a faint sheen of sweat on her brow line and realized he was struggling as much as she was.
“Leo, take me,” she demanded, not sure why they were punishing themselves.
Leo crawled back up her body, spreading her hips wider with his hands, the tip of his erection playing at her opening. He captured her mouth in another Earth-shaking kiss and then slowly penetrated her. Aislinn felt a wave of nerves just before he came to her virginity. Leo froze, his eyes wide with shock as he looked down at her. After a few seconds, he started to pull out, but Aislinn wrapped her legs around his waist and held him still.
“Please, Leo. I want it to be you.”
“My huntress, as much as I want you, it won’t be forever since you are not my true mate. It would be dishonorable to take such a precious gift and give you nothing in return,” he purred as he stroked her cheek.
“I’ve never met anyone who understands me like you do. Nobody has turned me on like you or kept me up at night. I understand that you won’t be with me forever, and I’m not asking for that. I just want my first time to be with a kindred spirit.”
“You’re sure, huntress?”
She nodded and then he sunk himself deep inside of her. The pain subsided quickly as Aislinn stretched to accommodate him, loving every second of feeling like she belonged to him. He didn’t waste any time as he set their rhythm. His grabbed a handful of Aislinn’s ass and lifted her up off the bed, giving them extra friction. Her world exploded with her orgasm after two thrusts in the position. Leo increased the pace as he slammed inside of her, his eyes were locked on her’s and there was a frenzy of passion echoed in them. Aislinn couldn’t get enough, she was addicted.
He let her ass fall back down to the bed, and he dipped his head to suckle on one of her nipples. Aislinn dug her fingers through his hair as she held him against her breast. Her hips were meeting his every thrust, greedily climbing back up towards another release. She reached down between them and rubbed her swollen clit. Leo released her breast and sat up on his knees, never stopping as he watched her.
“You feel amazing, huntress.”
Aislinn was so close to climaxing again she didn’t respond. The heat in his gaze was enough to burn her apartment down. Leo pulled out suddenly and moved down the bed, putting himself level with her womanhood. She tried to wiggle away, embarrassed to have him down there, but he locked his hands on her hips and dipped his head to feast on her. Aislinn cried out in pleasure, and her hips rocked against his tongue. She reached her second climax with ease. Leo flipped her over onto her hands and knees and was once again inside of her.
He wasn’t gentle on her, one hand fisted in her hair, and the other was like a vice on her hip, pulling her back into his thrusts. She felt him swell inside of her seconds before a roar ripped through her small bedroom, and she felt him pour himself inside of her.
They both collapsed on the bed, out of breath and sweaty, but completely satisfied. Aislinn knew the bargain she had struck with Leo, but she never dreamed having sex with him would have been so amazing. Aislinn was afraid she’d never survive if he left.
11
Leo
Leo hadn’t expected Aislinn to have been a virgin. He’d liked to think that had he known he wouldn’t have gone to the wedding with her, planning on seducing her. Just remembering how tight and perfect she had felt made him groan and want to be inside of her again. She was the perfect woman in his eyes and even though the mate bond hadn’t claimed her, Leo felt as though she belonged to him. He had no idea how he was going to walk out the door and leave her behind.
He kept telling himself instead of watching her sleep, he should slip out of bed and leave. It was a coward’s way out, but Leo wasn’t sure he’d survive saying goodbye to her. She roused in her sleep, rolling towards him and throwing a leg over his. Her breast brushed against his arm, taunting him. He knew he couldn’t take her again, though. She would be tender, and he needed to make sure she was clear that she wasn’t his mate.
Unable to stay in th
e bed any longer, he slid out of it and gathered his clothes. Her apartment was small which made it easy to find the bathroom. He took a quick shower, hoping if he washed away her scent it would help him with the conversation he knew he had to have. Once he was cleaned up and dressed, he found her coffee maker and started a pot. Though the stuff didn’t do much for him, he had adapted the habit from the humans over the years.
Leo went back over the pictures he had noticed the night before in her living room. Most of them were of her and her father. There were a few of her with other females, smiling and laughing. What caught his attention most of all was the gigantic blown up canvas picture of the Rocky Mountains she had hanging over her couch. The image was stunning. Leo had been to the Rocky Mountains several times over his centuries of life. They were great to visit, but much too cold for his taste. Leo couldn’t seem to wrap his head around why if Aislinn was as good a photographer as the photograph in front of him showed, why she was taking pictures of weddings? The woman should have been a National Geographic photographer.
“Good morning,” she chirped from behind him, startling him.
“Good morning, huntress. It’s not often someone startles me,” he said with a sheepish grin.
“What can I say, I’m light on my feet.”
She looked at the canvas behind him and her eyes turned sad. Without a word, she headed towards the kitchen. Leo followed her, watching her, sensing her roller coaster of emotions as if they were his own.
“Did you take that picture?” he finally asked, because the curiosity was killing him.
“Yes,” her curt response wasn’t lost on him.
“It’s breath taking. You truly have a gift.”
“Thanks.”
“Can I ask why it brings you such sadness?”
She took a sip of her coffee and looked anywhere but at Leo. He waited silently, not sure why it mattered to him so much.
“That was the last trip my dad and I ever took. He loved that picture. I had it blown up for him.”
“I’m sorry, huntress. I saw your pictures with him. You two seemed to have lots of adventures.”
Summer Shifter Nights Page 43
