by Katie Reus
Finn’s eyes went pure wolf as he drank her in, but he didn’t make a move to do anything else. It was driving her crazy. “Turns out Vega’s not the only hybrid born this century.”
His words managed to penetrate her lust fogged mind. “What?”
“There’s a jaguar shifter in Alabama who has—had—a vamp mother. She doesn’t drink blood though and seems to be completely a shifter, but she holds a recessive vamp gene. I’ve asked her Alpha if we could introduce Vega to her. It might help Vega to not feel so different.”
Lyra blinked at his thoughtfulness. Vega could walk in the sun and didn’t have to drink as much blood as Lyra did to survive, but she still needed to imbibe it. And she had both her parents’ abilities. She could turn vamp or shifter at will. It sounded as if she was different from the other hybrid, but Lyra was glad there was someone else out there her daughter could relate to. “Thank you. That’s very thoughtful.”
“Vega wants to start looking at colleges around here,” he murmured as he reached up and pushed at the shoulders of her robe.
She shivered at the feel of his callused fingers gliding over her skin. The material pooled at her feet on the luxurious Persian rug without making a sound.
His gaze zeroed in on her breasts and his breath hitched a notch. The only sign he was affected. Well, not the only one. The visible bulge in his pants had her lower abdomen tightening with need. Why was he insisting on talking right now? She didn’t want words. She wanted his face between her legs. “Okay,” she rasped out.
Meeting her gaze again, he cupped one of her breasts gently and flicked his thumb over her hardening nipple. But he still kept distance between them, as if he didn’t want her touching him just yet. Maybe he wanted to tease her before they got to the good stuff. That, she could handle. Even if her body was primed for him right now.
“I heard that Justus asked you to visit their coven.” There was a strange note in his voice.
She nodded as her gaze fell to Finn’s full lips. Her former coven member wanted to speak to her about joining in the peace treaty that so many shifter packs and vampire covens had signed a year ago. Since she’d been out of touch with the supernatural world she hadn’t even known about it until Justus had told her. But she knew Finn would be more than happy to include Justus’s coven now that he’d proved himself. With Claudius dead, Justus would be taking over.
Finn’s eyes glowed bright blue in the dimness. “You are not joining his coven. You. Are. Mine.” His voice turned almost guttural, hungry.
Surprised, she met his heated gaze. “I know.”
“You know what?” he demanded.
Seriously, why did he want to talk? As he increased the pressure on her nipple she had to force herself not to press her legs together. “That I’m not joining his coven. He wanted to talk…” She shuddered when he cupped her other breast. “To talk about signing that peace treaty. I told him…” Crap, what had she told him? What were they even talking about?
Closing the distance between them, Lyra slid her hands up Finn’s chest and clutched onto his shoulders. “Quit teasing me. I’ve been dying for a taste of you for three days.”
His big hands moved to settle on her hips. He tugged her closer so that his erection pressed insistently between them. “So when are you moving here permanently?”
She stilled at his question. “You haven’t asked me.”
“I told my pack I was claiming you,” he growled.
“Yeah, you told them, but you never discussed anything with me. Never talked about the future. It’s been three days, Finn. I was worried you just told them that because you wanted Vega in your life. You don’t have to take me as a mate to be a father to her. She clearly already loves you and I would never do anything to come between you two.” Though it hurt Lyra to say the words, she wanted it clear that he had no obligation to be with her.
His jaw tightened as his fingers clenched harder into her hips. He pulled her closer and even as she cursed her weakness where he was concerned, she rubbed her breasts against his chest, needing that connection. The friction sent a spiral of hunger through her. Her fangs ached to be unleashed, to sink into his neck and bond with him. She wanted forever. Had never stopped loving the sexy, dominant, and arrogant male. But she wasn’t ready to say the words yet because she wouldn’t be an obligation to anyone. Her heart couldn’t take it.
He leaned down until his lips brushed her ear. “You will move here, stay under my roof and protection, and we will have the family we both deserve.”
Though she wanted to lean into him and kiss him senseless, she pulled back. As she looked at him she could see a stark fear she’d never witnessed from him before. He might sound arrogant, but it slammed into her that he was nervous. But she still needed to hear the words. “Why should I?”
He cleared his throat, looking suddenly tense. “I love you, Lyra. I never stopped. When I thought I lost you in that cemetery, I wanted to die with you. I want you by my side forever and I refuse to live without you. If you run from me, I’ll follow.”
His words rushed over her, filling her with an intense peace she’d only ever dreamed of. This is what she’d wanted to hear for so long. “Things won’t be easy for us,” she whispered, almost too afraid to accept the truth of his words. A female vampire as an Alpha’s mate was going to cause waves no matter what they did.
“I don’t want easy. I want you. And it has nothing to do with you being Vega’s mother. You’ve always belonged to me. Time and distance didn’t change that. My feelings refused to fucking die. And what I told you before was the truth about not taking other lovers. But…I did try. I thought if I could take someone else I could move on, fill that hole in my chest. I couldn’t though. My wolf refused to let me even touch another female.” Blunt words. True words. She could scent it coming off him in potent waves.
She rarely cried, but tears sprung up at his words. They still had a lot to discuss and she had so much to figure out, like whether she wanted to sell her bookstores or run them from a distance after she moved here. None of that mattered right now though. “I never stopped loving you, Finn. Even when I wanted to hate you, I just couldn’t. Not truly. You stole part of my heart, damn you. And I don’t want it back. I don’t care what we have to face as long as we have each other’s backs. I want to move in with you, create a family together, mate with you, and—”
Her words were lost as he crushed his mouth over hers on a low moan. Giving in to her hunger, she let her fangs descend as their tongues and bodies meshed. Arching into him, she reached between their bodies and tried to unbutton his pants. When she couldn’t get the button free, she just ripped the material apart.
Finn chuckled, the deep sound spreading to all her nerve endings as he reached around her body and grabbed her ass. Hoisting her up, he moved them until they reached his massive bed.
Not quite gently, he tossed her onto it before stripping off his pants and shoes. By the time his cock sprung free she was on her knees, lunging for him. She felt consumed with the need to be filled by him. She forced her fangs back.
Grasping his hard length in her hand, she bent down and took him into her mouth. He sucked in a deep breath and slid his fingers through her hair as he cupped her head. She savored the way he shuddered each time she took him deep in her mouth. She loved that she could always get this reaction from him. That she could literally bring him to his knees.
It was the same for her. Finn completely owned her.
“Lyra,” he groaned, his voice trembling.
She ignored him until he tugged on her shoulders, forcing her to look at him. The love and hunger in his eyes floored her. When she saw his canines peeking out from his lips she realized what he wanted.
To mate. Now.
Releasing her own fangs, she went with her instinct and kissed him. She knew how wolves traditionally mated, with the male taking the female from behind in a submissive gesture while the male pierced her skin with his canines. But that didn’t feel
right for them.
As she pressed her chest to his, sliding her fingers together behind his neck, he moved with incredible speed and repositioned them so that she was on her back and he was on top of her. She didn’t have a chance to miss the feel of his body on hers.
With supernatural speed he covered her once again, his hand cupping her mound as their tongues danced together. When he slid two fingers inside her, she arched into him, loving the feel of his thick digits inside her.
But it wasn’t enough. She needed everything. And she didn’t want foreplay. Not with mating on the line. She wanted to be bonded to him, to be linked until one of them died. Her most primal side cried out for it.
Letting her head fall back against the soft sheets, she bared her neck to him. “Mark me, Finn. Make me yours.”
Her words unleashed something inside him. Growling, he’d barely removed his fingers before he thrust inside her in one long stroke. She sucked in a deep breath as she adjusted to his size, her fingers curling around his shoulders. Her inner walls molded around him. He cupped her breasts, strumming her nipples in a way he knew drove her crazy with pleasure.
When he started slowly thrusting, she clutched onto him, pulling him closer to her. Each time he drove into her, she felt it all the way to her core, her inner walls growing slicker. His spicy scent wrapped around her, embracing her, making her lightheaded with primitive need. Feathering kisses over his chest, then shoulders, she stopped when she reached his neck. She raked her teeth over his skin, savoring the salty, earthy taste of him. Hers. He was all hers.
She was going to claim him in the same way he claimed her. Without pause she sunk her teeth into him. He shuddered in pleasure as she bit him, his body jerking against hers with no restraint. The instant his blood coated her tongue, she surged into orgasm. It took her completely off guard, the intense sensation of pleasure shooting to all her nerve endings like a shot of pure adrenaline.
“Lyra!” The way he shouted her name was so primal, she felt it all the way to her core.
As she drew his blood into her mouth, she felt his canines piercing her in the sensitive area right where her shoulder and neck met. There was no pain. Just pleasure as he sank deep in her neck, marking her for the world to see. His big body trembled against her, all those beautiful muscles rippling under the onslaught of pleasure. As quickly as she’d climaxed, he did too. His entire body jerked with the intensity of his orgasm, his thrusts wild and unsteady as he released himself inside her.
Though she hated to pull away from him, she licked the wounds she’d made, watching as they started healing, and let her head fall back. Her body was still humming, a delicious lassitude stealing through her. She cupped the back of his head. “I love you, Finn.” The words didn’t seem like enough to convey just how much.
He nuzzled her neck gently and let out a satisfied rumble. “Good because you’re never getting rid of me.”
She wasn’t sure how much time passed, but eventually he pulled back and rolled off her. Instantly she missed the heavy weight of his body covering hers.
“I’ll be right back,” he murmured before sliding off the bed. As he turned his back to her, she frowned.
“Wait. What’s on your back?” Lyra pushed up on her knees, shoving the sheets and comforter out of the way.
He stopped and turned toward her. “What is it?”
“A tattoo or something.” And it hadn’t been there before. She knew because she’d seen and kissed every inch of his delicious body.
At her words he went impossibly still. Then he went to a mirror on the wall. Turning, he looked at his back over his shoulder before facing her again, his expression unreadable. “Turn around,” he ordered.
Unsure what he wanted, she did as he said. When she shook her butt at him, he chuckled and swatted it as he returned to the bed. She looked over her shoulder, watching him as he knelt on the edge of the mattress, his expression one of awe. He reached out and traced his finger over the middle of her back.
“What is it?” she whispered, though she wasn’t sure why she was.
“You know werewolves mate for life?” When she nodded, he continued. “With true mates, destined mates, a tattoo-like symbol appears somewhere on their bodies after the first mating.” His voice was thick with emotion as he spoke and she realized she had one too.
Turning, she plastered herself to him and wrapped her arms around him. “Does mine match yours?”
He nodded and gripped her tight. “Yes, it’s Celtic knot work. The symbol for bonding.”
Bonding. She loved the thought of being permanently linked with Finn forever in an outward display. “Is this normal for shifter mates?” When vampires mated, there wasn’t an outwardly physical representation of it. The mates were just covered in their significant other’s scent and other supernaturals knew they were off limits.
He shook his head. “No, it’s very rare.” His voice was thick with emotion, the truth of his words finally piercing through her.
They were a different species yet against all odds they’d created life together and now they had a symbol to show the world they were meant to be together, true destined mates. Not that she needed it, but she loved that it was there. It filled her with pride to know they each bore the physical mark of that bond. Things might not always be easy or perfect for them down the road, but she knew without a doubt he was perfect for her and their daughter, and that was all that mattered. “Ready to take on the world with me?”
His smile flashed in the dimness, those eyes turning pure wolf once again as he bent to whisper against her lips. “Always.”
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Excerpt from
Breaking Her Rules
by Katie Reus
Copyright © 2013 Katie Reus
Iris Tarango slipped her hand into the crook of Gene Berr’s arm as they bypassed the extra security outside the already packed house party. She had more than one weapon strapped on her, as did all of the security team. The only difference between her and the rest of the team was that she was wearing a long, black formfitting dress. But strapping a blade to her thigh and a small gun to her calf was the perfect way to conceal her weapons.
She hadn’t been inside yet, but the line of cars along the winding driveway was a giveaway of the growing crowd and the security team inside had already let her know how busy it was getting. Which would just make her job that much harder.
With her two-inch heels she stood even with Berr at five foot eleven. He was a handsome, broad-shouldered, middle-aged man in good shape and for the most part she had no doubt that he could take care of himself in a one-on-one fight. There was a lot of muscle underneath the custom-made suit he was wearing and she could tell his nose had been broken more than once. She’d also read his detailed file and the man had been a boxer all through his college years.
Even if he could take care of himself, he’d hired Red Stone Security because someone had made it clear they wanted him dead. The threats had been escalating and last week his assistant had taken a bullet meant for him. Luckily the woman was going to be okay, though she was still recovering. Berr had paid for the best care, letting her heal at home instead of a sterile hospital. Berr was insistent that after his meeting tonight he be taken immediately to the woman’s home. Iris was pretty sure he felt guilty that someone close to him had been injured, but she could also tell Berr cared for his assistant way more than a boss should.
Not her business though. Tonight Iris was his shadow. Everyone but the security surrounding them would assume that she was his date for the evening. In reali
ty she was the lead for his protective detail. If it was up to her he’d wouldn’t be at this party after such a blatant—if sloppy—attempt on his life, but apparently he couldn’t miss talking with someone important. She didn’t know the details of the meeting, just who he had the appointment with.
“No one’s going to believe you’re my date,” Berr murmured as a man wearing a tuxedo opened a large, heavy wood door into the main room of the palatial home and motioned for them to enter.
“You’re rich, of course they’ll believe it,” she said as she kept an eye on their immediate surroundings. Wealthy people could afford whatever they wanted. Sometimes whoever they wanted. Just because she was younger than him wouldn’t make most people at this party look twice. She actually wasn’t that much younger than him, maybe fifteen years, but she looked young for her age. Great genes was the only thing her mother had given her.
To their left Kell Malone and Vincent Hansen, two men she’d worked with on multiple occasions, were alert and prepared for any threats. Wearing dark suits, they blended in with the rest of this crowd. Well, sort of. She could see them for what they were. Dangerous men with a certain set of skills that would terrify most of the guests here. To their right were more men and women she trusted with her life and more importantly, the principal’s life. Protecting Berr was top priority tonight. They might be blending in, but every one of the team was on guard. As they stepped farther into the room, the team spread out into a circle surrounding her and Berr, but Iris doubted anyone else would notice the fluid movements of the team.
Berr chuckled next to her. “It’s refreshing being with someone so blunt.”
She blinked, then turned to look at him, realizing what she’d said. Sometimes she spoke without thinking. When she’d been in the Marines that hadn’t been much of a problem. Now that she was in the civilized world, she had to remember certain things. “Ah…I didn’t mean it like that. You’re handsome too…” She trailed off, realizing how lame she sounded.
