The Mating Game: Werewolves of Montana Book 8

by Bonnie Vanak

  “Yes,” he murmured, “touch me.”

  Delighted to explore, she ran her hands over the gleaming, thick muscles in his arms and shoulders. Such strength in him, yet he touched her with astounding gentleness. Capturing her mouth with his own, he licked the bottom lip then bit gently. Ciara whimpered with aching need as his thumbs lazily swirled around her nipples.

  Xavier guided her hand to the hardness between his legs. Her fingers barely met as they curled around the steely thickness. He removed her hand from his erection and kissed her fingertips. Feverish intensity filled his stormy blue eyes before he dipped his head to take her mouth again.

  Then he slipped her breasts free of the bikini top, caressing and kneading her breasts with exquisite gentleness. He licked her hardened nipple, each stroke sending her higher and higher. As he suckled her, his tongue continuing the teasing swirls, Ciara whimpered.

  “Xavier,” she moaned.

  Panting, he tore his mouth away. “Not here. Not for what I want to do with you.”

  Before she could question what he wanted, Xavier waved a hand. Ciara stared in astonishment. They were back in his hotel room, their skin dry as if they had never been immersed in water.

  The wizard breathed deeply, fisting his hands. “Ciara, I will not lie. I want you badly. Right now. But I also need you to know whatever this is between us, what we share, it cannot last. I have duties and responsibilities. You must realize that we cannot be together in the future.”

  She cared not for the future. There was only the here and now, and the tremendous need for him, to feel him penetrate her fully, and ease the intensifying ache between her legs.

  He reached over, cupped her cheek with a hand that trembled slightly. “I want you so badly that it’s taking all my control not to tumble you onto that bed and fuck you senseless until you can barely walk and days later, all you can feel is my cock deep inside you. Make love to you and brand my scent, my very essence, damnit, into your soul. I should be damned to hell for this.”

  “Then damn us both, for I want you equally,” she said with breathless anticipation.

  Dropping his hand, Xavier watched her with fierce hunger in his eyes. She felt herself flush beneath his probing gaze, feeling as if he could see into her heart and soul.

  “Do you know what I would like to do to you right now?” he asked softly.

  At her headshake, he continued. “I’d like to stroke my tongue over the pulse in your neck, taste the beat of your heart beneath my tongue. And then put my fingers between your legs and make your pulse beat harder, faster. Slide my finger between your cleft, and feel your grow wet and ready for my cock.”

  Ciara licked her mouth. “And then what?”

  His voice dropped to a husky whisper. “I would wait until you were ready to take me, until the burning need became too much. And then I’d make you scream with pleasure, my name on those sweet lips of yours. Make you come again and again until you lay spent and exhausted. And long after we ceased making love, you would remember me deep inside you, making us one.”

  Anticipation filled her as she squeezed her thighs together, aroused to the point of losing all control. No one would ever compare to the Crystal Wizard and his burning intensity, his sheer sexuality. No matter how many lovers she took after tonight, he would always be her first, and her best.

  He waved a hand, and suddenly they were sitting on the bed.

  And they were naked.

  His gaze twinkled. “A benefit of being the Crystal Wizard. Saves time, and there’s no need to tear off your clothing.”

  He possessively hooked his hands through her hair and blew a soft breath against her mouth. Hands on her shoulders, Xavier trailed a line of soft, lingering kisses across her mouth and chin, working his way over to her throat. He paused over the throbbing pulse point and kissed the skin there.

  Then his right hand skimmed down her breasts and belly, and he slid his fingers between her legs as promised.

  Her breath caught in a startled gasp as he began stroking lightly, one finger sliding back and forth between her soaked cleft. Xavier kept kissing her pulse point, rubbing his fingers between her legs.

  He found her clit and began circling it in expert strokes. This wizard knew how to intensify her need. Soon she found herself panting, her fingers digging into his muscular shoulders as she pushed her hips upward to the rhythm of his caresses.

  The exquisite pressure low in her belly grew more and more, gathering like a summer storm. It must be released, soon, soon…. Tears streamed down her face as she moaned, desperate for relief. She would do anything for him, everything for him, if he could bring her to climax.

  And then he lifted his mouth from her pulse and whispered into her ear. “Come for me, little one.”

  Xavier lowered his head to her throat, and lightly bit down as his fingers between her legs stroked harder, right there, oh yes, that spot!

  Senses exploding in a thunderous orgasm, she screamed his name over and over.

  Shaken from the first orgasm given to her by another, she collapsed onto the mattress. Bending over her, the wizard kissed her mouth, such a sweet, tender kiss that it made her tremble with fresh desire.

  He waved a hand and she floated to the bed’s middle. He motioned downward and she lay on her back against the mattress.

  Taking her into his arms, he kissed her, his tongue thrusting past her lips. For a few minutes, they kissed as her heartbeat gradually settled and her pulse returned to normal. She became aware of everything, attuned only to him - the exotic fragrance of him, the hardness of his muscled body, the soft , thick hair on his chest rubbing against her sensitive nipples.

  Then his mouth fled her lips and he started kissing her all over.

  Ribs, belly, and the soft underside of her breasts did not escape his fevered kisses, chased by swirls of his tongue. She arched her back as he licked the edges of her navel and threatened to dip lower.

  Then she felt his hands pry her thighs wide apart.

  Xavier’s gaze burned fiercely as he lifted his head, giving her a dangerous smile. Ciara stared up at him. “I can’t. Not again.”

  “Yes, you can.”

  Xavier gazed at her sex with an intent look that exhilarated and scared her.

  “So lovely,” he murmured. “Like a wet, pink flower.”

  She drew back, a little afraid.

  His expression softened. “Do not be afraid, little one. I will not hurt you.”

  Then he lowered his head between her thighs and began kissing her there.

  Ciara’s fingers gripped the sheets tightly as scorching heat raged through her. His tugging lips filled her with the exquisite agony of molten pleasure as he rasped his tongue over her clit. Straining with need, she writhed as he loved her with his mouth. His tongue worked hot magick, creating licks of fire between her legs as she thrust her hips up in response. Ciara moaned from the sweet torment. The pleasure was so intense it felt almost painful.

  “Please, Xavier…”

  He lifted his head and chuckled. “Do not fight it. Relax. Allow me to give you this sweet pleasure again, little one.”

  As he lowered his head again, Ciara responded to his teasing touch, her juices flowing like thick, succulent honey.

  The intensity increased. Pleasure mounted, the throbbing in her loins increasing. Pleasure swept throughout her with such intensity that she didn’t know if she could bear it. If the first orgasm was intense, this one promised to strip away everything.

  She gasped, feeling the tension build higher and higher...

  “Xavier.” She writhed and fisted her hands in the sheets. “Oh, oh…”

  Ciara cried out his name, bucking and writhing as the inferno consumed her. Xavier gave one last soothing kiss then raised his head. He slid up and drew her into his arms, kissing her deeply. Ciara tasted her desire upon his mouth as he tenderly stroked a hand down her back, rubbing in soothing circles.

  Suddenly the nightstand drawer slid open. They peered
into it, and laughter gurgled in her throat as he stared at the contents.

  Dozens of extra-large condoms, all in glowing neon colors.

  He held up a foil packet, a grin touching his mouth. “Tristan’s gift.” His wicked gaze glinted with mischief.

  After he tore open the foil packet, she helped him put it on, her fingers trembling as she rolled the protective covering over his thick length. Then she lay back on the bed, and he mounted her. Bracing his weight on his elbows, Xavier’s gaze smoldered as he stared down at her.

  “Why do I feel as if I have waited a lifetime for this moment?” he asked quietly. “As if nothing else matters but the two of us? As if my heart were empty and you waited to fill it?”

  She reached up and cupped his face with trembling hands. “I feel it as well. I don’t know why.”

  Xavier closed his eyes. “This cannot last. I am beholden to my duties. Before I take you, you must understand that we cannot be together forever. Are you certain you wish to do this?”

  Her mouth wobbled as she stroked her fingers down his cheeks. “Yes.”

  His eyelids flew open, and his gaze turned fierce. “Then so be it.”

  She welcomed his weight as he stretched her arms above her head and laced his fingers through hers.

  The rounded tip of his hard penis probed her wet softness. Ciara held her breath. His thick, hard shaft warned this would cause pain.

  Xavier gave an experimental push of his hips. Resisting flesh blocked him, but he gave a hard thrust.

  Pressure increased, giving way to a twinge of pain. Her shuddering flesh closed tightly around him, hugging his shaft as he slid deep inside. She gasped, holding herself still, becoming accustomed to the fullness. The feeling of Xavier joined to her.

  Tenderness shaded his eyes as he gazed at her. “Ciara. My Ciara. Are you all right?” he asked in a rough voice.

  She nodded, words escaping her.

  Then he began to move, sliding slowly out and then in. Ciara raised her hips to meet his thrusts.

  Xavier began moving faster, his smoldering gaze locked to hers. His cock pumped into her, hard and hot. Need pummeled her as she rocked back and forth, urging him onward. He angled his hips, his body sliding over hers, possessing her fully. She felt drunk with pleasure as the hairs on his thighs rasped against her limbs.

  The delicious torment continued as he stroked deep inside. He kissed her, his tongue swirling in her mouth as his hard cock pumped into her body. She caressed the hard muscles of his back, toyed with the damp strands of his hair.

  The sweet pressure built higher and higher. Ciara threw her head back, her mouth gasping. Almost there. Almost.

  Xavier fisted his hand in her hair, forcing her to look at him. “My name on your lips, Ciara. Say my name when you come. Let go and open yourself to me.”

  She shook her head wildly back and forth, nearly sobbing with the need. Her body was no longer hers. It sang and hummed. Her back taut as a bowstring, she dug her heels into the mattress.

  Shimmering on the edge of a climax, she opened all her senses. With each shudder of pleasure, it felt as if her soul were merging with his.

  She opened herself, and the tension blasted out of her core, shattering her into a million pieces. Ciara screamed his name as Xavier threw his head back, shouting her name as he bucked against her. He kept pumping until his muscles quivered and he collapsed atop her trembling body.

  She slid her trembling arms around his sweating waist. Her eyes closed as she held him close, welcoming his heavy weight.

  This was what she had waited for her entire life, perhaps even longer.

  Why, then, did it feel as if her heart was breaking?

  Because it can’t last and you’ll lose him.

  But she would not think about that now, only relish the sweet warmth of his body, the delicious lassitude spreading through her limbs, and the knowledge her first time had indeed been all she’d ever wanted.

  8

  His senses still reeled from the explosive sex they’d had.

  No, not sex. Making love. It was nothing less, for he’d felt as if he’d poured part of his heart into her as well.

  And it could not last.

  Xavier removed the condom as Ciara dozed beside him. He padded nude into the bathroom, condom in hand, intending to throw it out.

  And then he remembered. He could not dispose of his seed with such reckless abandon, for Others might take it and use it. There was immense power in the seed of all the members of the Brehon.

  Instead, he destroyed the condom with a flick of his finger.

  Xavier stepped into the shower, unable to shake the habit. He merely needed to wave a hand and he’d be clean, but the shower put necessary space between him and his sexual partner for the night.

  When he emerged, drying his hair with a towel, Ciara was gone.

  For a brief moment, he felt the same relief he’d felt when one of his lovers left before he had to quietly slip away with excuses. And then worry and concern pushed aside the relief.

  Where the hell did she go?

  He shrugged into a black wife beater shirt and gray sweatpants and shoved his feet into red flip-flops. Xavier thought about vaulting over the balcony and landing on the sand, but it would cause more chaos and he had no wish to deal with startled Skins tonight. He took the stairs.

  As he passed the bar, he saw a bright, neon-red trail of glitter leading to the beach. Ciara’s aura. It had changed now that she was no longer a virgin. He followed it to the shoreline and caught her scent. No longer sweet vanilla with a hint of almond, it was dark moss, almond, and forest.

  She was a woman now.

  Guilt flickered inside him. He’d chosen to put distance between them. Because it was safer, more comfortable, and better for them both.

  Spotting her sitting at the water’s edge, he dropped beside her. She wore one of his T-shirts. It draped down to her knees like a dress, and he recalled when he first dressed her in one of his shirts.

  He liked her wearing his clothing, his scent stamped upon her sweet skin.

  For a moment they remained in silence. Finally he turned to her. “Are you all right?”

  Ciara rested her head on her bent knees. “Just thinking.”

  “About what?”

  The full moon shone upon the still waters of the Gulf of Mexico. A few couples, taking advantage of the moonlight, strolled along the shoreline. He waited. He had patience. He could wait for a very long time.

  Finally, she sighed, a sound so pitiful and tearing it would threaten to break his heart, if he had one left.

  “About what happened between us. I always wanted my first time to be special, with a man who showed me true affection. And it was.”

  Then what’s the problem? But he held his tongue.

  “I wish it could always be so. I wish that we could stay like this forever.”

  He knew her next words.

  I wish you could stay with me.

  “We can wish, but reality comes with the dawn. It must be so,” he said as gently as he could, for he did not want to hurt her.

  With others, he had not really cared.

  He did with Ciara.

  She made him laugh, made him frustrated, made him feel something for the first time in centuries.

  But she could not be his.

  Ciara glanced at him. “I wasn’t certain if you would be in the room when I returned. I thought I’d give you a way out.”

  Xavier held out his hand. “I am here now. Come back to bed.”

  She looked at him with huge eyes. “We have the night. There is always going to be an ending to everything in life. But why waste time dwelling on the future when you can enjoy the present? The present is all we have.”

  He drew in a shaky breath, stricken with a nagging feeling he’d heard those same words before from someone he’d cared about. But when he searched his memory, all he encountered was a blank, except for an Elvis song. Truly odd.

  It mattered not.
They had the night, and it must suffice.

  When they returned to his room, Ciara went to the refrigerator and opened a bottle of water. She drank deeply and handed the bottle to him. Xavier sipped, running his tongue along the rim, tasting her as he’d tasted her sweetness when he’d spread her legs open earlier.

  Ciara leaned against the wall. “Tell me something about being a wizard. Do you ever use a magick wand?”

  The question made him pause. He screwed the bottle cap back on the water and replaced it in the fridge. “We have no need of them, but I use them sometimes for show. It can be fun.”

  “I saw a magick wand once. It was not used for anything fun but something terrible. Something that caused tremendous suffering.”

  Her voice had a dreamy tone, and her gaze went unfocused, as if she sleepwalked. Xavier lightly clasped her arms.

  “Ciara?” He shook her gently. “Ciara?”

  She blinked. “What? Did I phase out?”

  He nodded.

  Ciara ran a hand through her long hair. “I’m sorry. I’ve never done that before. Maybe it’s something I’m doing now that I’m a sexually mature nymph.”

  She looked so troubled. He wished to cheer her. Xavier tugged her over to the bed, and she sat.

  “We were discussing magick wands and how powerful my wand is. My big, long magick wand.” He hoped his teasing tone would coax a smile back to her face, and it did.

  “So that’s what you call it when you play with it?”

  He grinned. “I have two I like to play with.”

  Ciara’s gaze widened.

  He waved a hand, and the pounding, upbeat tune of Paul Simon’s “Late in the Evening” filled the air. He sat cross-legged on the bed and conjured two black magick wands and used them like drumsticks, beating at the air in rhythm to the music. She laughed and clapped her hands.

  “They’re very useful when you’re with friends who play air guitar,” he said, enjoying her delighted smile.

  Waving a hand, he made one wand vanish and the music turn off. Xavier took the other wand and balanced it on the tip of his nose. “There are many useful things one can do with a magick wand. Entertainment is one. Tristan calls this my seal trick.”