Alphas of Summer: A collection of shifter romances

by Lia Davis

  Just as she bent to pick up her belongings, someone knocked on the window. Rachel jerked upward to see an attractive man standing back, his hands deep in his jeans pockets. He gave her a crooked smile and shrugged as if apologizing for startling her.

  There hadn't been anyone walking on the roadside, she was sure of it. She looked in her rearview mirror but didn't see a car parked behind her. Her finger lingered over the window controller, but then she figured cracking it a bit to talk to him wouldn't hurt.

  "Sorry to scare you. I broke down and am heading to the next exit for gas. I could use a ride. My girlfriend always leaves the car almost empty."

  Rachel looked to where the next exit sign showed it was a mile further down the road. Not too bad of a walk, but it was drizzling and forty degrees. His hair was wet and his nose red from the cold.

  "Look, don't worry about it. I'll walk. I totally understand you not feeling comfortable with it." He turned and began walking, his back hunched.

  Rachel put the car in drive and pulled up alongside the poor guy. "Come on. I'll take you, it's just up the road."

  Once he settled into the seat, he turned to her and held out his hand. "I'm Ryan."

  Something about his gaze made her blink and focus on him. For an instant, she thought she saw a red rim around his irises. Probably the setting sun. Rachel looked to her side mirror to pull back onto the road when all of a sudden Ryan bent forward and groaned.

  "Are you all right?" Rachel touched his shoulder. "Please don't tell me you're going to throw up in my car."

  "No. I'm not going to do that, but you might."

  Moments later, as she faced certain death, two thoughts struck Rachel Andrews. Her mother’s warning to never pick up hitchhikers and…well I’ll be damned, monsters really do exist.

  With amazing speed, razor sharp talons slashed through her seatbelt and the hellish creature dragged her between the seats toward the back seat. Rachel struggled to grip on to something, anything. He was too strong.

  Her scream echoed in the car. She continued to yell even though she knew with the windows up and barely any traffic passing them now, no one would hear her. One thing was for certain, she didn't plan to die this day. Rachel used every strike she'd learned in self-defense class, but the monster didn't seem to feel any pain or discomfort. His red eyes remained focused on her throat. In desperation, she continued to scratch and kick at her assailant to no avail.

  As he pushed her down onto the seat, Rachel continued to fight until so exhausted she was barely able to lift her leaden arms. Forcing her body to relax for a moment, she concentrated on catching her breath and not allowing fear to cloud her mind. Maybe she could still survive.

  Red-rimmed eyes scanned over her face making every inch of her skin crawl. At the same time, his claws cut into her left shoulder, pinning her to the back seat.

  “Pl-please take my car and my purse…but don’t kill me.” Her words were a hoarse rasp working past the constriction of her throat by his other hand.

  His lips peeled back to reveal elongated fangs. With a stifled gulp, she recoiled further into the leather seat.

  “Oh, but those last drops of blood when life ebbs out of your body are the sweetest. You don’t expect me to deny myself of that would you?” Saliva dripped from his incisors. His horrifying gaze focused on her throat next and with a primal growl, he shoved her face to the side.

  When the demon’s teeth broke her skin, a desperate scream tore deep from within her chest. Survival instincts kicked in and, once again, she began to kick and punch at the demon. Her feeble attempts to shove him off didn’t seem to register and his hold remained tight. It fed with greed, each pull of her blood bringing her closer to death.

  Suddenly the creature evaporated. A thick blue mist took its place and the smell of something like rotted eggs engulfed the interior of the car.

  Through the haze of tears and smoke, a huge figure loomed over her.

  Whether real or a hallucination brought on by her brain as an escape mechanism when she neared death, Rachel wasn’t sure. Striking silver eyes met hers. Matching long hair framed the angelic man's face.

  “Can you hear me?” His deep voice resonated and his fingers pressed against her throat. Was he feeling for a pulse? “It’s going to be all right. I’m here to take you to safety.”

  Rachel couldn’t reply, but her mind was awhirl. For the first time in four years, she’d taken a vacation from the library to make it only a few miles away from home, to the outskirts of Atlanta.

  Later perhaps, it would strike her as interesting what her last thoughts were. She should have stopped by to see her mother, the only person she hated leaving. Why had she not made plans to spend the holiday with her, instead? Or stopped by to see her one last time? Her mom would be desolate and alone without her.

  Rachel's vision began to fade, if only the searing pain at her throat would fade, too. The burning at the spot where the demon fed brought a shudder. God make it stop.

  The male before her had to be Death; he’d come for her. She was dying—the sooner the better. Then the agony would stop.

  The large angel of death began to blur. It was her time and she prepared herself. Would he take her away immediately? Who would notify her mother? Oh God, would it hurt? She opened her mouth to ask him questions but, instead, a fog fell.

  The tunnel was long and dark. Mist swirled around like the inside of a tornado, and in the far distance was a shining beacon of light. Rachel struggled to float toward it, but the opening got further away when she moved forward. Battling with all her might, she was finally able to reach the entrance and emerge.

  Prying heavy eyelids open, the surroundings came into focus. She lay in the middle of an enormous four-poster bed in an unfamiliar bedroom. Rachel scanned the area from under her lashes. The brightness from outside the cracked doorway provided just enough light for her to see. At movement, she looked to find she was not alone.

  The angel from inside her car moved about the space. Barely able to contain the instinctual gasp, she watched him. The massive death angel was in the room with her.

  A towel wrapped low around his hips, he swore and dug through a drawer. “Where the hell are my damn shorts?”

  He had to be well over six feet tall, closer to seven feet if she were to guess. His broad, muscular back bunched and his biceps bulged with each motion. He closed the drawer slowly and opened another. Letting out a breath, he pulled out a pair of gray gym shorts. When his towel slipped he didn’t bother to tighten it. Instead, he let it fall to the floor. Her eyes widened at the sight of his bare bottom. This was one hell of a good-looking guy.

  In nude splendor, he padded toward what she assumed was a bathroom, only to freeze mid-step. A muscle on the side of his face twitched and he turned toward her. This time, the sharp inhale did come. To her horror, Rachel’s fascinated gaze plummeted to the spot between his legs.

  “Wow.” Crap did I just say that out loud?

  In one quick motion, he put the shorts over his private area, covering what had to be the most alluring male part she’d ever seen. A frown formed and he pinned her with an annoyed look. “How long have you been awake?”

  Just long enough. “I’m not sure,” Rachel croaked out and averted her eyes to a spot past his shoulder.

  “Give me a minute.” He continued into the next room.

  Rachel sat up and, immediately, everything began to spin. “Oh, God.” She fell back against the pillows and closed her eyes.

  “What’s wrong?” Just that quick, he was back beside her. With one hand, he cupped her face and with the other, he peeled back each eyelid and peered into her eyes. Could his eyes be real? They were so light, almost white, with a luminescent, surreal sheen. Silver would be the closest she could come to describing the color. He held up a finger. “Follow my movement.”

  “Are you a d-doctor?” she stuttered, discomfited by his nearness.

  “Something like that,” he replied and then took her by the
shoulders. “This time move slower.” He helped her to a sitting position with unexpected gentleness.

  “What happened to me?” She feared his answer.

  “You were attacked by a dark Fae. A demon would be more understandable to you,” he responded without hesitation.

  Damn it, why had she asked? “Did you kill it?”

  He nodded and his eyes shifted down, but then continued. “I’m a slayer.”

  Of course he was. What the hell, demons existed, so why not slayers? Unable to stop it, she giggled. The demon slayer cocked an eyebrow and pinned her with a questioning gaze.

  The man was gorgeous. Concentrate Rachel. “Err…so what is your name?”

  “Roderick.”

  Under his scrutiny, she fumbled with the blankets. “How long have I been out of it?”

  “Three days.” He stood back up to his impressive height. “You lost a lot of blood; I had to give you a transfusion. I’m afraid you’ll have to remain in bed another couple of days. The demon took too much blood and I wasn’t able to give you as much as you need.”

  She eyed the IV bag attached to her arm. “Where did you get blood?”

  “I gave you mine.” He placed a large hand on her shoulder. “Get some rest, we’ll talk later.”

  “No, I can’t stay. I have to go. I’m better…I promise.” The last words slurred and her eyes began to droop. “On second thought, maybe I will take a short nap.”

  Chapter 3

  Two days later, the knife fell from his hand, clattering onto the kitchen counter. Roderick held on to the edge of the counter as the latest dizzy spell struck.

  Cyn, his roommate and fellow slayer, entered the house through the side door eyeing the sandwich he’d made for Rachel. “Hey man, you okay?”

  “She’s up,” Roderick replied and looked at his friend. “How the hell do I know that?”

  Cyn leaned against the counter, picked up half the sandwich and took a bite, ignoring Roderick’s scowl. “You are the local genius, so I shouldn’t have to explain this. But since your brain seems to be on vacay, I’ll break the obvious to you.” Cyn took another bite and lifted an eyebrow at him. “You and beauty in there are probably bonded now since you shared your immortal blood with her. Congratulations man, you’ve got a mate.” The lilt of his Scottish accent didn’t soften the blow.

  “Oh shit.”

  “Ah, from your sudden lack of color, I’m going to guess the possibility of it happening flew out the window at the presence of the long-legged-super-model-looking chick.” His roommate picked up the rest of the sandwich and swaggered toward his own room on the opposite side of the house. He stopped walking. “Uh, you better talk to her. It seems like the bond is already in place. Oh, and she’s gonna want to ravish all of your body. Mating call and all that,” he called over his shoulder. Laughter followed by a slamming door made it obvious Cyn was not going to be of any help. Loud music booming from inside the room a moment later confirmed it.

  Roderick made another sandwich, filled a glass with juice and went to his bedroom. Time to face the consequences of his actions.

  Upon entering his bedroom, Rachel emerged from the steamy bathroom wearing one of his t-shirts that barely fell to mid-thigh. He almost dropped the plate when her gaze slammed into him. At the same time, her tongue darted out and wet her upper lip. Roderick froze, his eyes locked on her mouth. Did she have any idea what that did to him?

  “I feel strange. What’s happening to me?” Her voice was husky. Gaze not leaving his, she neared. Her blue eyes searched his face for answers while tentative fingers reached up to his face, the soft touch on his jaw made his breath hitch. “You feel it, too, don’t you?”

  Unable to look away, a wave of heat hit him and Roderick opened his mouth to warn her to step away. No words came so he simply nodded.

  Instead of moving away, she wrapped her arms around his waist and placed her head on his chest. “I need…you to touch me, be with me.” Her slender body trembled against his.

  “I made a sandwich.” He was embarrassed by the huskiness in his own voice.

  “Mmmm?” She stood on her tiptoes and began to nibble at his throat.

  “Uh, okay, so you're not hungry...let me put this down.” He started to turn away only to remain rooted to the spot and letting out a groan when she bit into his sensitive skin.

  Her hot tongue licked the spot where she’d nipped and Roderick swallowed. “Oh yeah…I mean…no…we need to talk.” He gritted out the last word as her hips jutted forward and gyrated into him, her hands firmly grasping his butt.

  While he stood there like the damn statue in Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, with a plate in one hand and a glass of juice in the other; the woman took full advantage to explore his body.

  Her hands swept up from his buttocks to his back and around his neck. She pulled his face down to bring his mouth against hers. At her soft whimper, he responded by kissing her back, the strength of their bond proving greater than his will.

  He had to warn her. Rachel needed to know what had happened. Sex between them would, in all probability, cement their bond. Her tongue pushed into his mouth and he was powerless to stop her. The blood bond’s tie dragged him into waters too deep to survive.

  When her hand wandered between his legs and firm fingers curved over his hardness, the dishes clattered to the carpet. With a growl of surrender, he scooped her up and raced to the bed falling onto it with her. He had to have her. Nothing else mattered. His blood rushing to the one spot between his legs gave him no option.

  Rachel began tearing at his clothes and jerked the t-shirt off over his head, the entire time managing to keep her legs wrapped around his waist.

  Working past his shaking hands and her limbs draped about him, Roderick was somehow able to yank his jeans off and remove the t-shirt she wore.

  A combination of urge and passion fell over them, sending them down a spiral of no return.

  "Please!" Rachel screamed and tugged at his hips.

  If his life depended on it, there was no way he could deny her. He pushed into her hard and fast while she arched, pressing him to delve even deeper. The urgency of their need was all-consuming. Nothing mattered more than joining as one.

  Blood pounded through his veins, his cock so hard it throbbed. From somewhere inside himself, Roderick drew the strength and pulled out. Although the woman was more than ready, he didn't want to go all beast on her. She was special, not just beautiful.

  Running his hands down her silken skin, he would call her flawless. With perfectly shaped breasts high on her chest, a slender waist and long, well-formed legs, Rachel could easily enthrall a man. Her lips were parted and her eyes glazed over as he ran his hand between her legs. Using his thumb pad, he circled her center while pushing his finger into her. She was more than ready, her hand covered his and she pushed her hips up to take more.

  Once again, he dove into her hard and fast.

  Her moans turned into cries when he continued to thrust into her body full and deep.

  Lips parted, her mouth was irresistible. He covered it with his and Rachel sucked hard on his tongue when he pushed it into her delicious mouth.

  "Holy shit," he couldn't stop the words, his entire body shook so hard, it took all his energy to straighten his arms and push his hips forward. She wrapped her legs around his waist, the position taking him into her entirely.

  "Ah!" Rachel raked her nails down his back and threw her head back, extending her neck. The fast pulse at her throat took his attention but he turned away and, once again, took her mouth.

  When she grabbed his ass and urged him to move faster, Roderick slid his hands under her and lifted her hips off the bed. He rose to his knees and thrust harder and faster. The sounds of skin slapping against skin became almost as loud as her cries.

  "Oh God!" Rachel called out and her sex quivered around his hardness sending him to lose his breath. She went still.

  He thrust in twice more, barely able to keep from p
assing out. When he came, it was so hard he let out a cross between a howl and a moan.

  Then he did what he'd been afraid off. He blacked out.

  Roderick's eyes popped open. He looked around the familiar room. Had he dreamed the entire thing? It was then he realized there was someone under him. He rolled off and cradled her against him. Lying on his side, he studied the sleeping beauty. She was still out, but from the soft sigh, not in distress.

  “Oh my God, what just happened? Did I black out?” she purred a few minutes later. Her fingers danced up and down his chest. “That was the most incredible sex I've ever had.”

  Oh yeah, it had been incredible. It had also been incredibly, utterly, unbelievably stupid.

  Roderick rolled onto his back and pulled Rachel over onto his chest. He had to talk to her. What would he say? How to tell her life as she'd known it was completely gone. Everything she'd known was changed forever.

  Beautiful blue eyes met his, her lips pressed tight and her brow crinkled. “We just had unprotected sex.”

  “You don’t have anything to worry about.” He pressed a kiss to her creased brow. “Are you sorry this happened?” Somehow he had to work the conversation into telling her they were now bonded for life.

  Her lips curved into a mischievous smirk. “In truth, although I'm not a one night stand kind of woman, I would have kicked myself if I wouldn’t have been with you before I left. I don’t think I’ve ever met a hotter guy.” She shrugged and snuggled closer. "Are you?"

  He let out a breath he wasn’t aware he was holding. “You think I’m hot?”

  She rolled her eyes at him. “Ah yeah, and I’m sure I’m not the first woman to tell you that.” Rachel kissed his jaw, her lips lingering. “The hottest guy I've ever seen.” She drew a circle on his chest with her forefinger. "Unforgettably hot."

  Crap he was hard again. Not now. Talk first. Tell her everything. Not that they had any choice of remaining together. Separation from a bonded mate was not an option. It was not only physically painful, but the need to connect would become all-consuming if they were separated for too long, especially when the connection was new.