Gathering Darkness: A Paranormal Romance Collection

by Anna Zaires

  I stumbled back, shrieking, as the freezing snow smacked me in the face and slid down my coat. I wiped my face and shook the snow from my head. Damn, that’s cold!

  “What the hell, Adam!” I yelled. The wolf’s body shook as he looked at me with that wolfy grin again. Was he laughing? Oh hell, no.

  Gathering a quick snowball, I threw it as hard as I could. It hit him square in the face and I doubled over laughing as he suddenly stilled, and gave me a disbelieving look. Well, it looked disbelieving. Hard to tell with a wolf.

  I continued to laugh, my eyes closed, as tears leaked from them. Oh, he looked so stunned. A hard ball of snow smacking me in the face halted my chuckles and caused me to gasp.

  Frowning, I wiped my face and stared at my laughing, naked husband.

  Wait. Naked?

  “You shifted?” I asked, taking in his tall, muscular form. His sun kissed skin gleamed in the afternoon sun, and his broad shoulders were pulled back with confidence. His chest was freaking yummy as hell, and his waist narrowed down into a V that had me licking my lips. Damn, he was hot.

  Then I shivered and remembered where we were. He might be smoking hot, but it was freaking freezing out here. “Aren’t you cold?” I asked.

  One brown eyebrow lifted, and his lips pulled up into a teasing grin as he strolled toward me. “Do I look cold to you?”

  My eyes immediately fell to his manhood, and I sucked my bottom lip into my mouth. Long and hard, his beautiful cock jutted out proudly. I knew from experience that if if he got any harder, the tip would turn purple and tap his abdomen, just below his belly button.

  My heated gaze met his. Though desire had darkened his blue eyes, his smug smile had me planting a hand on my hip. It was my turn to raise my eyebrow. “And what do you think you’re going to do with that?”

  “What do you think?” he said, his voice dropping into a husky drawl that had my already wet panties soaked.

  “It’s too cold. I’m not taking off my clothes.”

  He raised another eyebrow and held out his hand. “Won’t you?”

  CHAPTER 15

  Damn it! He was right. I would. For him. But I didn’t have to like it.

  With an exaggerated sigh, I placed my hand in his and rolled my eyes when he gave me that smug grin.

  It is too fucking cold for this. My ass is going to freeze. And my toes. Oh, God! My toes are going to fall off. Where’s my gun when I need it?

  Wait! What if my nipples turned to ice? My lips pulled down on one side as I thought that one over. Well, he could warm them with his mouth, I suppose. My brows shot up with sudden brightness. That's promising. But my poor toes.

  My gaze slid down to my husbands gorgeous cock, bobbing as we trekked through the forest. Oh, who the hell am I kidding? I could care less about my toes.

  “Here we go.”

  My thoughts had kept me from noticing where we were going, and when I looked up, I gasped. We were heading towards a small cabin in the middle of a clearing. White smoke floated softly from its chimney, beckoning us to find comfort in its warmth inside.

  “What is this?” I asked, in awe.

  “I rented this for us. I thought you’d like the privacy,” he said, smiling down at me.

  His smile. Gah! I melted. Right there on the spot.

  “But what about our room at the lodge?” I asked.

  He shrugged and opened the door, gesturing for me to enter first. I stepped inside and breathed out a contented sigh at the heat that suddenly surrounded me. The fire crackled from a stone fireplace on the left.

  Adam tugged on my coat and I helped him remove my outerwear. “This is incredible,” I said.

  He smiled and reached for my sweater. I lifted my arms and let him pull it off. “The cabin wasn’t ready for us when we got here, so I book the room at the lodge for a few nights until it was.”

  Kneeling, he helped me with my boots, taking the thick socks with them. Setting them by the door, he came back and grabbed the hem of my long-sleeved tee. I lifted my arms again and he pulled it off, throwing it somewhere to the side.

  A dark brown couch had been pushed back, and a large fluffy blanket was placed on the floor, ready for us to cuddle up on. “I can’t believe you did this,” I said, breathlessly.

  Warm fingers traced my lower belly, making it quiver before tugging on my pants and pulling them over my hips. I stepped out of them absent-mindedly, as I caught sight of the bucket with champagne. It sat next to two glass flutes and a bowl of strawberries. I was speechless.

  And naked, I realized, when fingers began tracing light circles over my nipples. “What in the world?”

  Looking down, I watched, lips parted and breath hitching, as Adam thumbed and pinched the peaks until they became stiff and sensitive.

  Licking my lips, I gazed up at him with heavy lidded eyes. His grin was down right wolfish. “Surprised?”

  “That I’m naked?” I teased, my voice low and sultry.

  “Hmm,” he moaned, as his hands fell away from my breasts. I almost begged for him to touch me again, but he grabbed my hand and pulled me to the blanket. “You weren’t paying attention, so I took advantage.” He shrugged. “Plus, there’s no need for clothes when I plan to ravage you in, oh, about five minutes.”

  “Five minutes?” I asked, as he pulled me down to sit beside him in front of the fire.

  “Yep,” he replied, popping the p.

  “Why five minutes and not now?”

  Lifting the champagne out of the ice bucket, he popped the cork and poured us each a glass of the bubbly liquid. Handing me a glass, he smiled at me. “Champagne first,” he answered.

  Taking a sip, I scrunched my nose as the bubbles tickled my upper lip. “Mmm.” I murmured my appreciation of the sweet drink.

  When I pulled the glass away, a strawberry was placed on my lower lip. I opened my mouth, but Adam continued to rub the fruit over my lips, making me look up into his eyes. The heat and desire that pierced right through me made my breath catch.

  With our gazes locked, I flicked my tongue over the fruit, causing his eyes to lower and his own breath to hitch. His lids lowered and his gaze darkened, as his tongue ran over his bottom lip.

  Still watching him, I leaned forward, just enough to wrap my lips around the strawberry and suck, catching one of his fingers. He narrowed his eyes on my mouth and I moaned.

  The room blurred and I found myself on my back, blinking up at the tense expression on my husband's face. He held himself above me, his strong arms on either side of my head. My palms ran over his forearms and biceps, back and forth, appreciating the rigid muscles beneath his smooth skin. God, I loved his arms.

  He growled and I grinned. “You wench!” he said.

  My hands found his back and traced the warm flesh with my fingernails. He shivered above me and burrowed his nose in my neck. Tilting my head, I offered him better access, which he didn’t hesitate taking. Teeth nipped just below my ear and I gasped.

  “Tastes so good,” he moaned.

  His lips trailed over my shoulder and down my arm, landing a soft kiss on the puckered scar, before moving to my chest. I could feel his cock sliding against my stomach as he rocked his hips. The wet trail of precum had my head falling back with a moan.

  Warm lips met mine, kissing me with a hunger that I matched wholeheartedly. Adam wiggled his hips and I opened my legs, cradling him against my wet core. He slid over the swollen flesh, causing my hips to jerk up. But he continued to tease, the blunt head of his cock hitting my clit with every slow pass, as he licked my lips until I opened. We both moaned, as our tongues tasted and played.

  Adam broke the kiss and I sucked in a lung full of air, gripping his shoulders to yank him back to me, but he easily pulled away to trail kisses down the center of my chest. Arching my back, I thrust my breast toward him. He grinned and continued down my stomach. I groaned my disappointment, but when his hands trailed behind his lips, I arched once again. The way he played my body with soft caresses,
mixed with a hard squeeze or sharp flick of his nail, made my head spin. No one could touch me the way he could.

  When he licked just above the line of my pubic air, my legs fell open wider. “Yes,” I sighed.

  Biting my lip, I watched his face nuzzle into my curls. Seeing the top of his head moving from side to side was so erotic, I almost came right then.

  “Hmm, babe,” he murmured, his hot breath searing my flesh. “Your scent drives me wild.”

  “What do I smell like?” I asked. I was panting with desire, needing him to touch me so badly.

  “Like mine,” he said, before swiping his tongue over my clit. I cried out and bumped my hips up. “Yes,” I pleaded.

  “Hmmm,” he moaned again. “And your taste... I could come just from this. I want to taste you all night. Suck your sweet cream until it runs down my chin. I want you to scream my name so loud, you scare the neighbors.”

  He sucked on my clit and I dug my nails into his shoulders. “Ah!” I gasped. “We don’t have any neighbors. Or at least none close by.”

  “Exactly,” he said, lapping at my slit. My hips thrust against his mouth, begging him to go faster. “Damn, but you taste like heaven.”

  “What do I taste like?” My voice was so breathy, I wondered if he could hear me.

  “Like mine,” he growled, before thrusting his tongue into my aching center, eating me out like he meant it.

  “Oh God! Yes! Don’t stop.”

  He only groaned and continued his voracious kisses; sucking, licking, driving me higher and higher. With my feet planted flat on the floor, I speared my fingers into his hair, pulling hard as I ground my pussy into his face, coming so hard I saw stars.

  Screaming his name, my eyes squeezed shut with the exquisite mixture of pain and pleasure the intense orgasms afforded me. My hips continued to thrust to the rhythm of the throbbing of my clit, riding out the release until the last ripple of pleasure drifted away.

  My hands dropped from Adam’s head and my legs fell lax, as he gave one more lick before looking up at me. His darkened gaze stared at me with hunger, as if he hadn’t just eaten me alive. Oh my.

  A deep groan rumbled from his chest, as he crawled up my limp form, causing my heart to start pounding once again. His cock nestled between my legs, rubbing against the too-sensitive flesh and I whimpered. Adam silenced me with a kiss, prying my lips apart and pushing his tongue past my teeth to claim my mouth. Holding him close, I kissed him back, tasting myself on his lips and loving it.

  When I pulled back, sucking on his bottom lip, he growled and forced his tongue back inside my mouth, while thrusting against me. Answering his plea, I lifted my hips at the right angle for him to press against my opening. He pressed the tip inside, teasing me to insanity. I wiggled and moaned into his mouth, the ache inside growing in intensity until I couldn’t take it any longer. I pushed at his shoulders and broke away from his kiss with a gasp of air.

  Taking the hint, he rolled onto his back, taking me with him until I sat astride him. My palms pressed against his chest, my fingers threading through his chest hair as our gazes connected.

  “God, you are so beautiful,” he said. His dark blue eyes devoured me and I smiled. I loved him so much.

  Squeezing my breasts, his thumbs brushed my nipples and I began to rock. My wet slit slid over his cock, teasing him until he gripped my hips in frustration. His eyes narrowed, letting me know he didn’t appreciate my teasing.

  I grinned. “Only fair,” I said.

  “You think so?” He raised a brow. But before I could answer, his grip tightened as he pulled me down, thrusting his hips up at the same time, spearing me with his thick cock.

  “Oh, Adam!” I cried out, as I stretched around him, taking him deep inside me. I couldn’t hold still. It was almost too much and I had to move.

  “That’s it, baby, ride my cock.” Adam’s fingers dug into my hips and as I lifted up, he helped slam me back down hard, getting faster with each stroke. Neither of us had the patience to take things slow. “That’s it,” he groaned. “Lean down here so I can suck on those pretty little nipples.”

  With a greedy whimper, I gripped the blankets next to Adam’s head, as I pressed my breasts into his face, my backside maintaining its rhythm. The slide of his cock thrusting in and out, combined with his talented mouth teasing and sucking on my breast, sent heat coiling through my belly. My rhythm faltered as I ground my clit against him, crying out as another strong orgasm burst from within. My mouth opened wide as a keening wail left my lips.

  Adam flipped me over, claiming my mouth and my cries as he drove into me over and over. I wrapped my legs around his waist and lifted my hips to match his strokes. His cock swelled with his impending climax, sending sparks of pleasure through every nerve ending, and I gritted my teeth. It was too fast, too soon. I was too sensitive. I shook my head, overwhelmed by the pleasure.

  “Yes,” Adam gritted out. “Come on, Nikki. Give it to me.”

  I shook my head. “I can’t.”

  “Yes you can, baby.” Though his words were tender, his tone had a harsh edge, letting me know just how close he was.

  I started to shake my head no, when he slammed into me so hard, I screamed as his cock tapped my cervix.

  “Look at me,” he said, and I opened my eyes to find a mixture of love and determination staring down at me.

  He drove into me again and I bucked beneath him. “Adam!”

  “That’s it.”

  “Adam!” I cried again, and let loose a howl that could rival a werewolf. It almost hurt, how good it felt.

  I shook and screamed, tearing at Adam’s back with my fingernails as the powerful orgasm flashed through my body, curling my toes and stiffening every joint and muscle. Adam continued his pounding, grunting and cursing above me, before giving me one final, forceful thrust and stilling, as his cum shot deep into my womb.

  It was the best damn sex of my life. Reason number... oh, forget it. There were too many reasons why I married this man to keep track, and I damn sure wasn’t about to let him go.

  “I think I’ll keep you,” I said, huffing from exertion.

  Adam’s chuckle sounded tired, as he rolled us onto our sides. “That’s good, baby. Because I’m not letting you go.”

  Laying next to the fire and letting its warmth caress my cooling skin felt so nice, but it was being in Adam’s arms that made it heaven. Snuggling against his chest, I licked at his sweaty skin and laid a gentle kiss right under his chin. His chest rumbled with contentment, and he kissed the top of my head.

  My fingers traced circles around his nipple, as I contemplated how to the deliver the news I’d been keeping from him for weeks now. I hoped he was okay with my decision. I really didn’t want to fight. Especially today. It had been perfect so far, and I didn’t want to be the one to ruin it.

  Groaning, Adam stilled my fingers as he shifted his hips, pressing his hot arousal against my thigh. “What’s on your mind, Nikki?”

  Glancing up into his inquisitive eyes, I sighed. How did he know?

  “I can tell something’s bothering you, so spit it out woman,” he grumbled. “I’ve got plans for you.” He punctuated his words by bumping his cock against my thigh again.

  Too worried about what he would say, I couldn’t even muster a smile at his teasing. I decided it was best to just blurt it out. “I quit my job.” There. Nice and painless. Like pulling off a bandaid real quick. Yeah, right.

  Adam blinked down at me for a moment before his brows furrowed. “What do you mean, you quit? Why? You loved your job.”

  I shrugged and looked back down at his chest, as my fingers went back to drawing circles through the short, dark hairs. “Not really. It was okay, I guess,” I confessed, catching the surprised look on his face. “But I don’t like spending so much time away from you, so I applied for another job.”

  “I’ll still have to go away sometimes,” he reminded me.

  “I know,” I nodded, “but at least our schedu
les won’t mash so much.”

  He went silent, no doubt thinking about what I said and what it could mean. I was actually getting kind of excited about revealing my secret now.

  “Where did you say you applied again?” he asked, rubbing my back in a soft, up and down motion that pulled me closer to him

  “I didn’t,” I told him. “And I already got the job.” His lips twitched as he stared down at me, and I couldn’t keep my wide smile from forming. “Meet the new member of the Delta Division.”

  “We’re going to work together?” His eyebrows shot up to his hairline. “You’re human. It’s not safe,” he growled.

  “I won’t be involved in any hand to hand combat with shifters, if that’s what you’re worried about. More like office work.”

  A deep V formed between his eyes, and I rubbed it away with one finger. “And you’re fine with this?”

  “Yes,” I said truthfully. “I’m feeling the need for something a little less dangerous.” I kept the part about preparing to start a family a secret. At least for now. We’d discussed it, and we both agreed we wanted more time together, just the two of us, first.

  “How did they swing this?” He asked.

  I shrugged one shoulder and pressed a kiss to his strong chin. “I can be pretty convincing when I want to be.” I wiggled closer and wrapped my leg around his waist, rubbing myself against him wantonly.

  “Hmm.” Rocking his hips along with me, he hit the perfect spot to send my back arching. “Yes, I know this all too well, my love.” He pressed his lips to mine, ending our last conversation and beginning a whole new one with our bodies.

  “I love you, Nikki,” Adam said, as he settled his large frame above me.

  I kissed him, letting my lips show how very much his words meant to me. “I love you, too, Adam.”

  Of course, that was my most vital motive for marrying him. He had my heart.

  THE END

  About the Author

  Bestselling author of the Paranormal/Fantasy Romance, Shifted Temptations. C.E. Black lives in the hot south with her husband and two children. When she is not writing, she enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, reading as much as possible and having girl-talk, while drinking ridiculous amounts of coffee.