His face twisted up in a grimace. “I guess you do have a point there. That last sentence was a bit sappy. That still doesn’t change the fact that you are so desirable that I can’t keep my hands off you.”
“You’re not completely healed. You’ll start bleeding again.”
“Ah, sweet witch, some things are worth bleeding over.”
“What you need to do is shift into cat form so your body can finish healing.”
“Not going to happen.”
His eyes continued to look at her with such longing she completely forgot she was on her back on the wet street.
Leaning down, he captured her mouth in a heated kiss.
Her body awoke when his lips touched hers. She moaned at the taste of him. It was a strange mixture of dark spices and sweetness. In all of her years, she never dreamed a simple kiss could affect her this way. He nudged her lips with his tongue and she gladly parted them so he could invade her mouth. Growing bolder, she darted her tongue into his mouth and tentatively stroked his fangs. She never kissed a shifter before and the canines were a new taboo she loved the feel of.
He broke off the kiss and nuzzled the side of her neck. His tongue, lips and fangs traveled from her ear, along her jaw line, down her neck, then ended at her collarbone.
An ache built up between her thighs as she thought about how it would feel to have those fangs teasing all of her body right before he took her in every way possible. “You’re the last one that I should be doing this with,” she protested, then grabbed him by the back of his head and pulled him closer.
His hand drifted to her bare abdomen, his touch earned her shiver of anticipation. “Do you want me to stop?” his question was strained.
She instinctively knew if she said yes, he would stop in an instant. His hand moved up and brushed the bottom of her breast. She arched her back so more of him came into contact with her. “No Markus, I don’t want you to stop.”
He shifted his mouth down to her breast and started to suck her nipple. Even though she still wore her bra and top, he was so skilled with his mouth it felt as if he touched her, skin-to-skin. He thrust his hips forward so his hard cock pressed against her core and she almost came on the spot.
Then, to her shock and dismay, he passed out and collapsed on top of her, just as things started to get good. She grunted as all of his body weight settled on her smaller frame. She wiggled a bit, trying to wake him up. She whispered, “Psst…psst…” in his ear. When that didn’t work, she thunked him on the head twice. He didn’t even twitch.
“Are you freaking kidding me?” she spat out between clenched teeth. “Hey, cat boy, you’re not supposed to go to sleep until after the sex is over.”
It took her nearly an hour, and the last reserves of her magic, to extract herself from under Markus, then get him back to her house and into her bedroom. He was over six-foot four and every bit of that was hardened muscle, so he was pretty damn heavy. She made sure she voiced that fact to him too every chance she got, all the way home.
Once she got him to her room, she dumped him on the bed and studied her new boy toy, trying to decide the best way to help him. “You ruin my new bedspread, I’m taking it out of your hide,” she threatened tall, dark and studly.
I’m so sorry, your highness. Next time I get ambushed, I’ll ask them to attack areas that bleed less. It’s damn inconsiderate of me to bleed out on your linens.
She spun around the room, looking for the source of the voice before her gaze settled back on him. When she realized what had just happened, she was so shocked she jumped a bit. She’d heard shifters were telepathic, but she’d never had one invade her mind before. But then again, she’d never had one dive down her top before making out with her in an ally either. Since she was in no way telepathic, she spoke aloud. “Nobody likes a smart ass.”
So I’ve been told. Did anyone see you take me back here?
She brushed back a stray lock of her hair and huffed in disgust. “Sure they did. I went out of my way to make sure all the humans saw me levitating a huge, half dead dude back to my car. It’s what I do for entertainment on Fridays.”
Now who’s being the smart ass? There was an undertone of amusement to his question.
“Why did your buddy leave you behind? He had to know how hurt you were. He didn’t even act broken up about it.”
That’s because he wants me to die. He found out that I was trying to find a way to make peace with you guys and it pissed him off a bit.
She lifted the front of his shirt and hissed with displeasure at several deep knife wounds. She tugged at his jacket to get a better look and encountered something cold and wet. Pulling her hand away in disgust, she noticed that it was covered by a green slime. She brought it up to her nose and stupidly sniffed it before almost gagging as the scent of fish and seawater invaded her. “Ew! What is all over you?”
I was attacked by Tritons. They were the ones that caused all this damage that is leaking over your bed. Aaron was just the one that led them to me.
She gave a slight shake of her head, even as her stomach flipped in dread. “Tritons? As in, the guys related to mermaids, but more ugly and cranky? The ones that vowed to destroy both of our races? You must be hallucinating. They can’t survive this far from the ocean. That’s why both of our kinds live here.”
I was just as stunned as you are, but there was no mistaking them. I was wondering if maybe a witch wasn’t helping them become land bound.
“It would have to be a pretty powerful witch or warlock.” She went to the bathroom and came back, wiping her hand on a towel. “That would take an awful lot of magic. Who’s Aaron by the way?”
He was the shifter that you saw standing over me. Hurt and fury laced his statement.
She raised a brow. “Oh, you mean the one that looked like he got his hair done at Supercuts? I take it you two aren’t best friends?” Opening up her closet, she pulled out a trunk that contained all of her healing crystals, herbs and potions. “Not to change subjects, but how do I really know Garrett sent you? I mean you could have my cousin held prisoner somewhere for all I know.” No sooner had those words left her mouth, then a cell phone started ringing. Since it wasn’t playing the baby’s voice from Family Guy, she knew it wasn’t hers.
That’s Garrett. Answer it. It’s in my coat pocket.
Her mouth opened in shock. “But how did he know to call?”
I communicated with him telepathically and told him that you needed some proof. He wasn’t too surprised. He said that you’ve always been a Doubting Thomas.
Her heart leapt up into her throat. Finally, after all this time, she would know for sure her cousin was okay. She almost dove on top of Markus, frantic to get to the phone before it stopped ringing. She didn’t even care she came into contact with even more of the Triton slime. Flipping it open, she breathed out, “Please, tell me this is really you.”
“It’s me Brie,” Garrett’s voice was tight with concern, but it was still a blessing to hear. “You need to make sure you take good care of Markus and listen to him.”
She cringed at the fact she was completely sprawled on top of the shifter. So much for taking good care of him. “I’m getting ready to finish healing him. Why is he so important to you all of the sudden? You’ve never even mentioned his name before tonight.”
“He’s my brother-in-law.”
“What in the hell have they done to you?” she nearly yelled. “They must have tortured you pretty bad because you’re speaking loony.”
“There’s a lot of things I need to explain to you and I promise I will when we see each other face-to-face. Right now, I’m asking that you believe me when I tell you that you can trust Markus. I would have called you a long time ago, but I was worried your phones were tapped and couldn’t risk it.”
“Risk it? I think I have the right to know that you got married,” she nearly shrieked now. “You didn’t even invite me and you know how much I love weddings. Who’s your wife anyway?”
>
“It’s Markus’s sister, Onyx.”
That took the wind right of her sails. “Oh, I guess that would explain why I didn’t get an engraved invite in the mail.”
“Are you going to have a problem with us being together?” Garrett’s voice was hard with anger.
Was she? She honestly didn’t know how to answer that one. The shifters had been their enemies for so long the thought of her cousin being with one should have been repulsive. Until she realized she was still sprawled on top of one herself. If she was going to be truly honest with herself, it was far from unpleasant.
She wondered what it would be like to have sex with Markus. She’d had lovers in the past, but not one of them had truly rocked her world. Somehow, she was certain this shifter would leave her more than satisfied. “I’m happy as long as you’re happy,” she replied. “It’s not going to be easy for you two.”
“It hasn’t been. We’re in hiding right now because Onyx’s father put a bounty on both of us. Look, I need you to do something for me.”
“If you’re looking for a late wedding gift, you can forget it. I didn’t get any cake so you don’t get any pressie.”
“Word in the underground is your father knows you’ve been working with the freedom fighters. I sent Markus to protect you.”
She pulled the phone away long enough to give it a disbelieving look. “Since when do I need any male to protect me? I’ve handled myself in countless battles.”
“Damn it,” Garrett snapped. “This isn’t some game. Tritons attacked Markus tonight and they are stronger than anything that any of us encountered before. I happen to think our king is working with them.”
“My father would never hurt me. He cares about me too much.”
“Oh really? When was the last time you talked to him?” Garrett asked coldly.
She felt as if he just bitched slapped her. A lump built up in the back of her throat and her eyes stung a bit. “Low blow, Garrett.”
“I’m sorry, Brie,” Garrett replied in a softer tone. “I didn’t mean to hurt you. I’m just worried about you. I’m afraid you’re going to let your love for your father make you blind to the truth until it’s too late.”
“I’ve got to go finish healing Markus now,” she said dully. The hurt disappeared under a blessed numbness. If she could just focus on making the shifter better, then she wouldn’t have to think about it being possible everything Garrett said might be true.
“Please,” Garrett urged. “Just think about what I said.”
She didn’t reply. Instead, she snapped the phone closed and muttered to the comatose Markus. “So my cousin finds true love and now I’m supposed to throw everything away?”
He doesn’t want to see you hurt. Neither of us do.
“You would take his side,” she growled and slid off him. She sat on the edge of the bed. An ache built up in her body as she left his comforting warmth and she had to resist the ridiculous urge to go back to him.
If you come back and snuggle with me, I’ll side with you, kitten.
Her heart galloped at his purring tone. “You wish.” She stood and headed for her bathroom. “I’m going to go wash this slime off me. When I get back you better be in cat form.”
Oh, kinky.
A giggle slipped past her lips. “Be good and shift, or I’ll put a leash and collar on you.”
That’s even kinkier. I think you’re a bad witch.
She paused. If she didn’t know better, she would have sworn he was ashamed or afraid of letting her see him in his animal form. But she needed him to. Shifters healed at a much faster rate when they were in their feline state and, if half of what Garrett had said was true, she needed to get Markus in fighting form fast.
“How about I show you how bad I can be,” she teased, hoping to goad him into complying. “You shift so your body heals and I’ll let you join me in the shower next time. I might even let you wash my back.”
She left the room before she could see if he took her up on her offer, but when she got done with her shower and came back, there was a black panther on the bed where Markus had been. She tightened the sash of her white silk robe while she took in the magnificent animal. “Oh my Goddess,” she breathed out. “I never knew a cat could be so beautiful. Now why would you be ashamed to show me this side of you?”
He didn’t answer and she realized he’d put his body into a healing trance. She crawled up on the bed and raised a shaky hand to touch his fur. It was silky soft and she ran her splayed her fingers through it. A soft purr came from the cat and she smiled in return. Even though being this close to a shifter in cat form should have revolted her, it didn’t. If anything, it made her feel even closer to Markus because he had allowed her to see him like this even though he was at his most vulnerable.
She placed her crystals in a protective circle around him, then went into the kitchen, mixed the herbs and potions into a poultice and returned to Markus. She gently applied it to the worst of his wounds. Even in his feline state, the cuts still looked vicious and she hoped to hell she didn’t hurt him too badly when she smeared on the thick green substance. The scent of seaweed and algae wafted through the room.
Once she was done, she set the bowl of poultice on her nightstand, washed her hands and stretched out on her side as she continued to stroke her…mate? The thought of Markus being hers didn’t scare her like it should have. No, it actually made her happy to have someone. She’d been lonely for so long. Her parents never had time for her and the only one she’d ever really had was Garrett. The thought of having someone to share her life with was rather nice. She gave a slight shake of her head. Who was she kidding? There was no way Markus was her lifemate. He was just delirious from blood loss. No doubt he would wake up in the morning and want to take every word back.
Still, it wouldn’t hurt to pretend he really meant it, if only for tonight. She stoked him in slow lazy paths as her eyelids grew heavier and heavier. Before she drifted off to sleep, her last thought was of him.
Brianna opened her eyes and blinked against the bright sunlight that streamed through her window. She sat up and rubbed them before looking around for Markus. He wasn’t in sight, but the sound of the running shower told her he hadn’t wondered off too far. The thought of him naked and just feet away from her, made her bite her bottom lip in desire as a hot flush burned her cheeks.
She wondered how Mr. Puddy Tat would react if she joined him in the shower. She moistened her mouth with her tongue and imagined herself lapping the water off his spine, right before he turned around, pinned her to the shower stall wall and made love to her.
She hadn’t even realized she’d gotten up and walked toward the bathroom until she faced the closed door. She pressed her palm to it as she tried to overcome the crazy feeling of fear that ripped through her body. What if she went in there and he rebuked her?
She almost jumped a mile when his voice called out, “Are you going to stand out there all day or are you going come in and join me?”
She fisted the lapels of her robe tightly as she became wet at the thought of being with him. “I don’t want to disturb you.”
A chuckle drifted to her. It was so warm and sensual sounding, her knees buckled a bit. “Trust me. You being in here with me would be the least disturbing thing in my life.”
She took in a deep, steadying breath and pushed open the door. The room was hot and full of steam, mirroring the emotions coursing through her body. All she could see of him through her milky glass shower doors was a silhouette, but even that was damn fine. Trim, lean, muscular and not an ounce of fat.
He slid open the door and poked his head out. His dark hair was wet and slicked back. Now that he was healthy, his face was more tan and that accentuated his high cheekbones and chiseled jaw.
He grinned, showing off white teeth and, too-cute-to-be-true, dimples. “Are you coming in or not? I specifically recall you promising me a shower last night.” When she still hesitated, he cocked a brow. “Scared?”<
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She let out an outraged yelp. “Scared? Of one little shifter? You wish.”
He held out his hand toward her.
She looked at it as doubt went through her. Somehow, she knew if she took it, she would be agreeing to more than a shower. Her whole life hinged on these next few seconds. Steeling herself, she opened the ties of her robe and let it slide from her shoulders. The silky garment slipped to the ground and pooled around her feet as shivers danced across her naked body.
He sucked in a breath as his gaze traveled over her delightful figure.
She waited with baited breath for his reaction. How did she rate compared to the female shifters he’d been with? What if he found her lacking or weak looking? His lips parted slightly and his eyes darkened with desire.
“You’re the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen,” he declared in a hoarse voice.
She smiled and put her hand in his. His fingers curled around hers and he gave a gentle tug. With a surrender of control, she let him pull her into the shower, all the while putting on a brave face despite the fact her heart fluttered nervously.
He was so much better looking on this side of the shower door and there were no signs of the wounds he suffered from the night before. A droplet of water traveled down his body and she followed its path, almost as if hypnotized by it. The droplet traveled down his perfectly formed chest, to his stomach that was so tight that it looked like she could bounce a quarter off it, until it ended at his erection. Her eyes almost popped out of their sockets at the size of him. “Oh my Goddess, you’re huge,” she blurted out. “I don’t think you’re going to fit.”
He took her hand and placed it on his cock. “We’ll fit,” he reassured. “We were made for each other.”
She wrapped her fingers around him and gave a slight squeeze. He closed his eyes and a low groan rumbled from deep within his chest. She took that to mean she’d done a good thing. He braced his hands on either side of her and leaned forward. Water cascaded over both of them and, even though it was hot, it in no way compared to the heat building inside her. The smell of her floral soap mixed with his spicy scent, made for an exotic mix.
Atlantis Allure Page 4
