Wilder, J. C. - Shadow Dweller 3

by Shameless(lit)

  Fayne laughed, then overbalanced, stumbling into the counter with a thud. His bleary eyes glinted. "Your turn," he purred.

  "I don't..."

  "Uh uh uh...doan say it." He stared at her, his eyes filled with longing. "You're so beautiful." He frowned, then looked around as if confused and caught sight of the sandwiches. "Mmm..." He stumbled to the table, his gait rolling as if he were on a ship. He picked up a sandwich and closed his eyes as he took a bite.

  "Heavenly," he mumbled around a mouthful.

  Before Erihn could fully comprehend what she was seeing-an almost naked man eating a grilled cheese sandwich in the middle of the kitchen-he'd finished one and picked up another.

  "These are grrrrrreat," he growled, finishing the second one. "I'm thirsty... more tea."

  He reached for his glass and Erihn lunged, removing it from his reach. He definitely needed to lie down, and the closest vertical surface other than the floor was the couch. She didn't want to risk getting him on the steps to his room and having him lose his balance.

  "How about some nice refreshing ice water?" She whisked the tea glass away and dumped it into the sink. "You've had enough tea." She turned. "Why don't we go lay on the couch?"

  Fayne leaned against the kitchen wall, a smile playing about his gorgeous mouth. "Wanna lay down with me?"

  Erihn approached him and looped an arm around his waist. An electric jolt went through her as he dropped an arm over her shoulder.

  "Well, of course, I do, Fayne. We're friends, aren't we?" She led him toward the archway into the living room.

  "We're more'n that, Erihn. Doan you see?" He pressed a kiss to the top of her head and she shivered. "You cold?" He pressed a kiss to her temple. "I can warm you."

  She stumbled as his lips grazed her ear. "Stop that."

  He rumbled a funny little laugh as he tugged her down the steps into the living room. "Gotta shay the sh-ecret word."

  She positioned him by the couch and stepped out from under his arm. He wavered on his feet as she placed her hands on his chest and pushed lightly. He collapsed on the cream-colored cushions.

  "Is the secret word, 'nighty night'?" She smiled at his startled expression. "Do you know if you're allergic to any herbs?"

  He waved his hand as if to brush her concerns aside. "Naw...nuthin'. What wuz in that tea, anyway? It wuz good."

  "Mint mostly. Some chamomile, touch of bergamot and some catnip."

  Fayne blinked, his body slowly sliding to one side. "Catnip?"

  "Yeah. It's a great relaxant, and it's very good for..."

  A bellow of laughter cut her off as he slid face first into the couch cushions.

  "What... is it the catnip?" Erihn touched his shoulder to get his attention.

  He raised his head, looked at her before dissolving into laughter again. "Catnip," he gasped. "I can't 'lieve I let y'feed...cat..." He shook his head.

  She resisted the urge to stomp her foot. "I really don't see what's so funny. Do I need to call a doctor?"

  "N-no. I fine." He calmed, a smile hovering on his lips. "Sleep..."

  He tried to get his legs onto the couch. After the second time he missed, she bent, grabbed his ankles and helped him turn onto his back and stretch out.

  He gave her a sleepy smile. "Thangs," he slurred.

  Erihn ran her hand over his forehead. He was quite a sight. Sinfully sexy and disreputable, his hair tousled and wearing only his vest and a panther tattoo on his hip. She moved beside the couch, trying to ignore his nude state and his manhood lying semi-erect against his belly. Was there a time when he wasn't hard? She should find something to cover him with.

  "Are you sure?" she asked, still worried. She'd never heard of this strong a reaction to catnip in a human being. In a cat, that was another story. Maybe she could use it in her next book. The heroine could give the hero catnip, then have her way with him...

  Erihn squeaked as Fayne grabbed her wrist and yanked her down on top of him. Plastered against him like wallpaper, she was vividly aware of the heat and scent of the man beneath her.

  "Nap with me," he purred. He wrapped his arms around her, pressing her head to his shoulder. "So pretty...might jest keep this one..." And, like that, he was asleep.

  She raised her head and looked into his sleeping face. He was so beautiful, he was almost painful to look at. She shifted into a more comfortable position. His arms warm around her, she settled her head on his chest, his heart and a very odd purr reminiscent of his cat against her ear. Maybe he had a heart murmur?

  Erihn closed her eyes and tried to think of any other place she'd rather be.

  She couldn't think of one.

  "We need to go home."

  Bliss started as Max's softly spoken words derailed her train of thought. She looked up from her journal to her young charge standing in the bedroom door. Instead of the light cotton pajamas he'd gone to bed in, he was fully dressed in jeans and a black T-shirt. She hid a smile, noting he had the shirt wrong side out.

  "What's the matter, Max? Did you have a bad dream?"

  "No." His voice was low. "We must go."

  A trickle of foreboding ran down her back. "Why do we have to return to Colorado, Maxie? We still have three weeks left here."

  "He's coming."

  She froze. She didn't have to ask who he was. "Did you have a bad dream, Max?" she asked, striving for a calm tone.

  "I saw him. He's waiting for me."

  Bliss swallowed. "Where is he waiting for you?" she whispered.

  "Home. He'll kill Fayne and the marked woman." Max took a few steps into the room. His eyes were black, flat. "We must go."

  She shut the journal and dropped it beside her on the bed. "Maxie, I can't take you back there. If he is waiting for you, your father would want me to keep you safe."

  "I go, then." Woodenly, he turned and walked back to his room.

  She bit her lip, unable to decide what to do. If there was a problem in Colorado, returning Max was the worst thing she could do. But, if she didn't take him back, she knew he'd look for a way to escape on his own, and he wouldn't give up until he succeeded. Max might only be six, but he was going on forty.

  Bliss rose from the bed and reached for the clothing she'd discarded only an hour before. She needed to contact her pilot if they were going to return to America.

  She braced herself for the long night to come.

  * * *

  Chapter 7

  Erihn had never experienced such an erotic dream.

  Her nipples, still damp from his mouth, tingled as a soft breeze caressed them. She sighed as hot lips pressed open-mouthed kisses down her stomach. Teeth grazed the edge of her belly button and she smiled at the sensation.

  Strong hands stroked her hips before coaxing her to lift them. Callused fingers hooked the top of her panties and slid the cotton down her thighs, caressing each inch as they traveled south. Even her ankles received warm, lingering kisses.

  Magical hands massaged her calves, teeth nibbled at her inner knee, nipping at the sensitive flesh. A purr slipped from her lips. She grew damp as delicious fingers teased their way up her legs. She ached for him to touch her.

  Warm fingers curled around her left ankle. She followed their lead and lifted her leg, placing it on the back of the couch. She let the other foot slide to the floor.

  Her forehead pleated. Couch? Why wasn't she in bed? Why was she on the couch?

  Bewildered, she opened her eyes and directly in her line of sight was Fayne's flower arrangement on the coffee table. The events of the past few hours came rushing back in a dizzying blur. Where was... She looked around the room, stopping when she found him.

  Crouched between her spread legs, Fayne's gaze locked on hers as he pressed a kiss to her upper thigh, his eyes clear and bright. He was going to... She was nude! Her dress was partially unbuttoned and gaped open while the skirt was pushed up around her waist.

  She reached for his hand. "Fayne?"

  He sank forward, his arms snaking
under her thighs and up the sides of her body. Skimming his hands over her skin, he laced his fingers with hers as he lowered his head.

  Erihn bit back a scream as his tongue breached her defenses and went for the prize. Warm sensations overwhelmed her as his tongue stroked her aroused flesh. Erihn closed her eyes; her fingers tightening on his as waves of rapture flooded her system. She trembled beneath his touch, straining for more as he settled into a rhythm that had her panting and straining against his mouth.

  She clung to him, glorying in his touch, his mastery of her body. He knew exactly how to touch her, how to overwhelm her senses. She raced toward the peak and dangled on the edge, her body taut. He pulled away, forcing a moan of protest from Erihn.

  "Look at me," he rasped.

  Erihn opened her eyes. Looking down her body, she met his gaze. He licked his lips and lowered his head to cover her once more and he purrrrred...

  "Fayne..."

  Erihn screamed as her climax consumed her, and still he didn't stop. Vibrations raced from the tip of her toes to the top of her head as wave after wave of delight inundated her. The contractions seemed to last forever, and her awareness of time dwindled to the slightest thread. Just when it seemed she couldn't last another second, his tongue brushed her sensitive flesh, setting off another wave of reality- altering tremors.

  Erihn sagged against the couch, gasping for air as he pulled away. Her eyes half-closed, her body slick with sweat; she was limp, drained. Her breath raged in her throat as she drifted back to reality. Her body fairly hummed with satiation as aftershocks seized her limbs. She couldn't stir to cover herself as Fayne released her and moved from between her legs.

  Through half-closed eyes, she watched as he rose from his cramped position, muscles moving in complete harmony. He stretched, his manhood jutted proudly from a thatch of springy ginger-colored hair. The panther tattoo on his hip undulated as he crouched beside her, his expression tender as he outlined her lower lip with a finger.

  Erihn blinked, her tongue feeling thick and uncoordinated. "Was that retribution for making you sick?"

  Fayne slid his finger to the corner of her mouth, where the scar began. "And what would you do if it was?"

  Erihn moved her head; snaking her tongue out, she licked his finger. He pulled back, his expression startled. She stretched, delighting in the way his gaze heated as he watched her. She fairly purred satisfaction. "I think I need to brew some more tea."

  "I don't think we need any more of that right now," he licked his lips, his voice strained.

  "I know what we need," she whispered.

  Her gaze dropped to his jutting manhood. Under her scrutiny, it leapt, lengthening and thickening. A drop of fluid pearled at the very tip. A rush of lust unfurled through her body, shocking her with its intensity. After their activities of the past few minutes, she hadn't expected such an intense craving so quickly.

  She wanted him.

  Now.

  Erihn sat up and swung her legs off the couch. Rising to her feet, she held out her hand and said nothing. His gaze sharpened, questioning. She didn't know what he saw in her expression, but whatever it was, it was enough. His fingers curled around hers as he got to his feet.

  Leading the way, Erihn turned and led him from the room, her gentle giant trailing behind her, docile as a lamb. She only hoped he didn't stay that way for long. She climbed the first step leading to the hallway and stopped. Turning, she noted they were now very close to the same height. With her free hand, she touched the silk of his hair. Unbound, it fell just below his shoulders in dark reddish brown waves.

  She slid her fingers into the soft strands, her nails scraping lightly at his scalp. His eyes were half-closed as he tipped his head back and encouraged her attentions by stepping closer. She released his hand and plunged her fingers into his hair, massaging his scalp and eliciting a groan.

  She brushed her lips over his. This was the second time she'd initiated a kiss; only this time, she knew how to do it properly. His lips parted beneath hers and she invaded. Her tongue tangled with his, alternating between flirting and seduction. His arms slid around her waist and she leaned into him. She stroked beneath his left ear, and he jerked against her, breaking the kiss.

  His chest heaved, brushing hers, and their gazes met. His violet eyes were dilated almost completely black. He was near the edge and she'd put him there. A shimmy of satisfaction raced through her. He lifted her, bracing her against his chest, and Erihn wrapped her legs around his trim waist. She laid her head on his shoulder, then closed her eyes. His erection bounced against her backside as he moved toward the main stairway.

  She felt delicate and desired in his arms. He carried her up the staircase, and she marveled at his strength. His breathing was labored, but she wasn't sure if it was from her kiss or carrying her up the long flight of stairs.

  He entered the bedroom and stopped beside the bed. Erihn raised her head and looked into his dark eyes.

  "Are you sure?" He rumbled.

  Erihn tangled her fingers in his hair once more, pulling his lips to hers. She put everything she didn't dare say aloud into the kiss. Their tongues dueled as he lowered her to the bed. Erihn arched her body into his as she felt the press of his erection against her damp opening.

  She tensed.

  He broke the kiss. "It's okay, angel," he whispered.

  "You're too big," she whispered.

  "You can take me," he whispered.

  Erihn smiled tremulously. Please, dear God, don't let him be too big. I couldn't stand it.

  He rocked against her, slow and easy, each movement bringing him further inside her body. A sound of distress escaped her, causing him to pause. Panic raced through her system at the thought of what she was going to allow him, nay, asked him to do.

  "I..." Her face heated.

  "Sssh," he pressed a kiss to her forehead. "Just relax." Another kiss graced her right temple.

  Tears threatened as he continued his gentle assault. Touching her as if she were a treasure of great value, she relaxed under his ministrations. He began pressing forward again and, this time, she delighted in the sensation of his invasion. Stretching and filling, his movements were slow, methodical. Coupled with a kiss here, a caress there, it seemed he was touching every inch of her at once. It was exquisite torture. Finally, he was buried in her, his breath harsh against her hair as he held himself still, fighting for control.

  A wave of tenderness washed over her as she stroked the rigid muscles of his back. He was trying to take it slow to avoid scaring her. She smiled. Now that he was inside her, she was perfectly happy to keep him for a while longer.

  She rolled her hips, eliciting a hiss and an abbreviated thrust from Fayne.

  "Stop," he growled.

  "Why?" She tensed her thighs, drawing her knees to align them on either side of his rib cage. An inarticulate sound emerged from him, as he was forced inside even further by her position.

  "I can't..." He moaned as she arched.

  "I can," she purred in his ear.

  She rolled her hips again, this time receiving a hesitant, answering thrust from him. She repeated the motion and received a more powerful response. Fayne raised his head, his gaze capturing hers.

  His skin was damp with sweat, his expression tense as he fought to maintain control, but Erihn didn't want him to maintain. She wanted him as wild as he'd had her on the couch. She wanted him sobbing her name as she had his. She wanted to drive him over the edge. She slipped her hands down to his buttocks and cupped them, urging him to move.

  "I hope you know what you're asking for," he panted.

  Erihn smiled, "Why don't you show me, lover?"

  Fayne took it from there. Strong hands positioned her hips just so and he began with a slow thrust that made her scream. Wave after delicious wave of sensation poured over her body as he increased his thrusts, each one brushing that magical nubbin of flesh, nudging her ever higher toward the peak.

  His gaze never left hers as he
moved inside her. Some strokes were short and quick while others were long and sensual, dragging across her nerves, eliciting screams and sighs in equal measure. Tension mounted in her body; straining beneath him, she erupted into orgasm, her nails digging into his backside. His movements slowed but didn't stop. Wave after wave of ecstasy raced through her, leaving her mindless with pleasure.

  As she calmed, he renewed his sensual assault. Erihn clung to his shoulders as he took her over the edge again. This time he didn't pause to let her catch her breath. Increasing his thrusts, Erihn screamed as another orgasm came almost immediately upon the last.

  His movements slowed.

  Erihn panted as he dropped his head, brushed his lips over her forehead. Pressing kisses down the side of her face, he trailed them down her throat. At the base of her neck, his teeth nipped at her skin as he resumed thrusting, this time his body lower and tighter to hers. His movements more urgent as he gripped her by the hips and he thrust once, twice before he took his pleasure. Erihn clung to his big body as he came deep inside her.

  Trembling, he rolled to his side, tucking her against him. Erihn wrapped her arms around his shoulders as he gasped for air. With his arms around her, his body filling the emptiness in her life with warmth and light, she'd never felt more content in her life.

  Fayne curled his toes as Erihn nibbled on his neck. Just as he'd suspected, once she'd gotten over her inhibitions, she'd turned into a wanton in his arms. Making love with her had exceeded his wildest expectations. His body replete for the moment, he lazily stroked her back as she lay on top him.

  "Fayne?"

  "Mmm?" He shivered and closed his eyes as she nipped a particularly sensitive area of his neck, just below his ear. A rush of pleasure filled his groin and his cock answered the call. Maybe he wasn't down for the count after all.

  "How do you..." She paused as if considering her words. "Do...what you do as many times as you can."

  "Practice." He fairly purred as she teased his earlobe between her teeth.

  "I'm serious."

  "So am I." He laughed as she licked his Adam's apple. The laugh turned to a hum of pleasure as she bit his chin. Inquisitive fingers plucked his right nipple and he slid his hands down to cup her buttocks. Gently he thrust against her as his erection increased.