Diamond Dust

by Vivian Arend

  She gasped as he lifted his gaze and looked directly into her eyes.

  Shoot.

  She couldn’t look away. He kept eye contact as he walked to the base of her hiding spot without stumbling even once on the uneven ground. The heat from her earlier exertions had morphed into slow desire as she considered what exactly she’d set up.

  He laid a hand on the smooth rock rising to her hiding spot and grinned. “You didn’t make that too difficult.”

  “I’m still out of reach,” she teased, sitting upright on the edge of her cliff.

  He examined her, the bits he could see. Heat danced on her nerve endings, sensitizing her skin. Growing desire edged toward all the pertinent girl parts that couldn’t wait to see what he’d do next.

  Tyler stepped back half a foot. “You think it’ll take me long to get up there, think again. I’m coming for you.”

  She scrambled to her feet and retreated to the back of the platform. He was right—there was no way the cliff would stop him for long. She dropped her backpack to the ground, lost her coat. The game was no longer hide-and-seek but inevitable capture.

  The sound of him climbing was unmistakable. She turned to eye the wall she leaned on, considering if she could climb any higher. She risked a glance over her shoulder. It was like glancing in a side-view mirror.

  Warning. Objects are much closer than they appear.

  She ducked to the right, trying for a narrow patch of scrub that would hold him back, but he’d closed the space between them, his strong fingers curling around her arm and halting her momentum.

  He twirled her, jerking her to his body. Air rushed from her lungs in a gasp as he backed her against the rock and crushed her lips beneath his.

  Demanding. Aggressive. She planted her hands on his chest and pushed, but she could have been attempting to move a train for all the good it did her. His tongue stabbed into her mouth and she moaned. Wriggled, attempting to break free.

  He caught her wrists and slammed her arms to her sides, jerking them behind her back so he could enclose both wrists in one enormous hand. With her arms pulled behind her like that, her chest thrust forward, driving against him.

  He never stopped kissing her. Consuming her. His free hand captured her chin and held her exactly where he wanted her.

  Over the years, Caroline had enjoyed her share of excellent lovers. Tyler took it to a new level. Took her wild fantasies and made them come true without her saying a word.

  He jammed a thigh between her legs and hauled her hips forward, dragging her clit over rock-solid muscles. She was going to come if he so much as blinked too hard.

  When he finally let her breathe, she was too busy filling her lungs to do anything else. By the time she’d gotten ready to offer him a few choice words—careful to not say no—he shocked the hell out of her. Twirled her in his arms and resettled her on that damn thigh, but this time there was also a beefy palm covering her mouth.

  She couldn’t complain if she wanted to.

  His lips brushed her ear. “If you want me to stop, stomp your foot. Otherwise, enjoy the ride.”

  The whispered words shook her. Sexual anticipation flooded her system as he rocked her over his leg. Her arms pinned behind her, his other hand dragged her T-shirt up and ripped her bra out of the way so he could fondle her breasts.

  Okay, she was officially twisted, but this was too damn hot. She made sure to keep both feet on the ground even as she struggled in his arms. The total inability to go anywhere dragged a hotter-than-I’ve-ever-been-before-in-my-life groan from her throat.

  “Makes you burn, doesn’t it? Damn, I’m dying to fuck you. Going to fuck you in a minute. Only first?”

  His hand left her breasts and shoved between her legs, fingers slipping under her panties and moving rapidly over her clit. She widened her stance and pulsed her hips, hopelessly lost. Desperate for release.

  He jerked her torso against the wall of his chest, fingers still working her clit. The hand covering her mouth slid down to grasp her throat. His grasp remained controlling, yet loose enough she could breathe, her excitement escaping in gasps as he brought her to a climax. Body shaking, shivering in near convulsions as release throbbed through her.

  There was no pause. Just rapid motion as he ripped her pants off her hips and his erection bumped her ass. His hand slid between their bodies, adjusting positions, then he was at her core, cock thrusting into her ready sex.

  “Oh, yes.” Caroline arched her back, allowing him to drive deeper on his next thrust. Dirty and wild, his hands controlling her meant there was nowhere she could go to escape. Not that she wanted to. This was what she’d asked for. A keen of excitement escaped, stretching out like a wavering bird cry.

  “So. Damn. Good,” Tyler growled, a hard thrust accompanying each word. His cock spread her wide as he took her, once again confining her wrists behind her back. He slid a hand along her spine and into her hair, pulling slightly as he brought her head up. The bite of pain made her groan louder.

  He slowed for a moment, warm lips at her neck. “You having fun?” he whispered.

  “Uh-huh,” she moaned. “Your cock is driving me crazy.”

  “Your fantasy is driving me wild. Ready for more?”

  She nodded, her mouth gone dry.

  He kissed her shoulder blade—a soft and careful caress. His cock filled her, his groin pressed tight to her ass. The stiff fabric of his jeans and zipper were crushed against her bare skin. All the wicked sensations created an oasis of unanticipated tenderness.

  Then he replaced the hand in her hair and shoved her downward until her head was level with her ass. He pulled his hips back, cock clinging to the entrance to her sex.

  When he slammed forward, a scream escaped her.

  Tyler froze in position.

  “Nooo, don’t stop,” Caroline wailed in protest. “That was hot.”

  He panted, fingers of his left hand running over her bare hip. “You’re killing me, baby.”

  “Fuck me,” she whispered.

  Another drive pushed the air from her lungs. She gasped for breath as he worked her over, the rapid motions of his hips teasing her back up to the brink in a flash. He pulled her upright again, changing the angle. He hooked his hand under her thigh and lifted. The new position opened her wider, gave him room to play with her clit even as he fucked her.

  The combination of wicked, rough, yet so careful motion flipped her final switch.

  “Tyler. Yes, oh damn, yes.” Caroline squeezed her eyes shut to stop the spinning blackness from taking her under. Her orgasm was so powerful all the blood seemed to have vanished from her brain, centered instead on her sex. On pulsing around his cock and dragging a shout from his lips as well.

  The calm, collected diplomat vanished in a rush of passion as he joined her in ecstasy.

  They were still vertical, Tyler somehow keeping them upright as their orgasms concluded. His strong hands cradled her, palms warm against her flesh. She took a deep, contented breath and sighed happily.

  Caroline opened her eyes just in time to see a flash of silvery fur leaping at them. She threw up an arm and jerked to the side, but it was too late.

  Tyler fell away from her, an enormous wolf going for his throat.

  Caroline’s shout gave Tyler enough warning to release her so she didn’t get taken to the ground with him. He hoped she’d catch herself and avoid being hurt, but the dire need to stick his arm into the wolf’s way before his throat ended up under the sharp fangs was the most pressing item on his agenda.

  While teeth dug into his forearm, he kicked off his shoes. He jerked his jeans down as best he could with one hand, the other occupied with the damn wolf using him as a chew toy. The shift to bear wasn’t as agreeable as he’d like it to be. One minute he was having the best sex of his life, the next he was getting attacked. That tended to put a damper on most of life’s little pleasures.

  Damn having to let her out of his arms when he wanted nothing more than cuddle her cl
ose and make sure what they’d done had been okay with her.

  Only he had to save Caroline from the wolf, and the best way for that was to be in bear form.

  His T-shirt stretched to the breaking point, seams giving way, jeans falling to the ground and off his lower limbs as he finished the change. Now much larger than his attacker, Tyler shook his arm, tossing the wolf like a rag doll, but the damn beast wouldn’t let go.

  “Oh no.” Caroline’s voice rang out strong and confident. “Evan? Is that you?”

  Tyler paused in his attempts to shake the wolf burr free, turning to examine Caroline instead.

  She’d pulled her clothes to rights, sadly covering the fine ass he’d been admiring as he fucked her. Her cheeks were bright red, and she smelt divine. Well fucked, well satisfied…

  His bear gloated.

  The wolf on his arm opened his jaws, releasing them from each other. The beast backed away before Tyler could get in a swing and send the stupid thing flying.

  Only the furry menace blocked the path to Caroline. Tyler growled his displeasure at the wolf who had his hackles raised, lips pulled back to reveal razor-sharp teeth.

  Come between him and his lover? Tyler didn’t think so. He lifted a paw in the air to bat the annoyance aside when Caroline darted forward and caught the wolf by the ear.

  “Evan Stone. You stop this instant.” She raised a hand toward Tyler, palm open, calming him. “It’s okay. This is…a friend.”

  Tyler lowered his paw and sat back warily.

  The wolf stopped snarling and whimpered instead as Caroline gave an extra hard twist to the ear she’d captured. “You idiot. Shift, and I hope you’ve got a damn good explanation for your actions.”

  She released Evan’s ear then stepped to Tyler’s side, laying a hand on his shoulder. Tyler grinned as the wolf stared, head lowering in frustration.

  She’d taken his side, Tyler’s. He wanted to gloat—well as much as a bear could gloat. Her fingers in his fur made him wriggle in pleasure, and he nuzzled her.

  The wolf shifted back to human, becoming a dark-haired male who glared furiously at him.

  Tyler debated stepping forward and biting Evan’s arm, just to see how the man felt about human/shifter chewing incidents when the teeth were applied in the opposite direction, but since Caroline had supported him, he didn’t need to rub it in.

  “What kind of explanation do you need for me to protect you? He was attacking. He was all over you.” Evan took a deep breath and jerked to a halt. He dragged a hand through his hair. “Oh shit. You’re turned on.”

  Tyler shifted back to human as Caroline shook her head in disgust. “Dammit, Evan. Jump to conclusions much?”

  “Well, what was I supposed to think? Shaun is picking up your special-duty detail team, so I put myself on guard watch. Took me a bit to catch up to the jeep, and when I saw you… Well, it’s not your typical place for fucking around.” Evan crossed his arms. “I can’t win this conversation, can I? No matter what I say I’m going to come off like an interfering idiot.”

  “Pretty much, yes.” Caroline sighed. “Tyler Harrison, I guess you may as well officially meet Evan Stone, head of the Takhini pack.”

  Tyler held out a hand. “I’m not pleased to meet you.”

  Evan’s grin flashed. “Likewise, asshole.”

  There was none of the stupid “attempt to squeeze each other’s hands into bloody pulps” Tyler expected. Of course, that was because he took the opportunity of having Evan’s hand to jerk the man off his feet. Only when Tyler expected to be able to drive an elbow down on his opponent’s back to finish the punishment, Evan surprised him by twisting in midair and wrapping his leg around Tyler’s, tumbling them both to the ground.

  Nice. Tyler kept the roll going and squashed Evan under him.

  “Guys?” Caroline attempted to cut in, but it really wasn’t the moment for a distraction. Not when the wolf’s grunt of pain was followed immediately by a violent punch to Tyler’s kidneys. He retaliated by spinning and catching Evan in a headlock.

  It was always enjoyable to have a sparring partner who was fairly evenly matched in skill.

  “Guys.”

  They grappled a little longer before fingers tapped his forearm three times in the universal code to be released. Tyler set Evan free and looked around for Caroline.

  She was gone.

  “Fuck.” Maybe ignoring her hadn’t been the smartest move.

  Evan chuckled. “That’s what I figured. Damn woman is probably pissed off at both of us. You might want to hurry and catch her before she decides you need to grovel for a few days.”

  They separated and brushed the dirt off. Tyler reached for his jeans then found his shoes. “Think I can make it to the jeep before she leaves me behind for good?”

  “With some luck—I’ll show you a short cut.” Evan handed over the backpack. “Sorry about the interruption.”

  Tyler grinned. “She’s a bit of a wild child, isn’t she?”

  “More than I imagined.” Evan eyed him. “You’ll take good care of her, right? I won’t need to track you down and kill you in the future?”

  Interesting. How much trouble was the wolf going to be? It was a good opportunity to sound out if Caroline and Evan truly were over, as well as possible alliances. “She’s not your concern anymore.”

  “She’s my friend, she’s pack, and she’ll always be my concern.” Evan’s pleasant expression vanished.

  Tyler nodded. “Good. I hoped you’d say that, because things are moving faster than I thought. Not with me and Caroline—that’s just starting, even though the relationship looks promising. No, you will not need to kill me, but I’d appreciate knowing you have my back. There’s potential trouble in the next few days. Will Takhini stand with me?”

  Evan stared him over, analyzing. Judging.

  Then the wolf shrugged. “Damn it all, I want to hate your guts. But if Caroline likes you and trusts you enough to play fucked-up games in the great outdoors, who am I to say otherwise? Takhini has your back.”

  Tyler adjusted his load. “Thank you.”

  The wolf flicked a hand down the trail. “Take the steep cut to the right and you half your distance to the bridge. You might want to go get her before you have major begging to do.”

  The idea of being on his knees in front of Caroline wasn’t a hardship to imagine. Not if that meant feasting on her delectable body.

  Evan flicked a finger in a mock salute then shifted back to wolf, trotting easily long the narrow ledge, ignoring the mind-boggling cliff to his left.

  Strange helpmates Tyler had acquired. A pack of wolves, and one very intriguing human.

  Tyler caught up before the bridge, wrapping an arm around her waist and twirling her toward him. She laughed, cupping his face with her palms and moving in for a kiss that made his head spin. She clung to him, legs around his hips, mouths connected as he caressed her back and hips.

  When she finally slipped to the ground, he kept hold of her fingers, rubbing his thumb over the back of her hand. “Didn’t want to stick around for the fight?”

  Caroline shook her head. “You boys seemed pretty involved in each other. I didn’t want to interrupt a tender moment.”

  He laughed as he caught her hand to his lips. “Forget Evan. We’re good. Now back to more important things. Like the fact that bit of sightseeing was fairly spectacular. Thank you.”

  Her pupils were wide and dark in her blue eyes. “I found it rather invigorating as well.”

  “Any other must-see things in the area?” He caressed the line of skin visible long the edge of her T-shirt neckline. “I’m ready for anything you suggest.”

  Her breathing picked up, chest rising and falling rapidly. “All kinds of suggestions come to mind, but first let’s show you an actual sight. You want to see the city from the mountaintop? Great views.”

  He tugged her forward, their bodies barely brushing. A soft kiss on her cheek, tender as he could. He spoke against her lips. “Th
at sounds marvelous. This afternoon we have to spend in town, hobnobbing with any bears we come across. And then I’ll take you back to your apartment, and we can work on the plan for tomorrow.”

  She smiled, lips curving against his. “My sister will be back by tonight, so we’d better make that your hotel room. Because somehow I think you mean something dirtier than planning.”

  Tyler tugged her toward the bridge, keeping her hand trapped in his. “I do my best planning while naked.”

  Caroline nodded. “That would explain the anticipation in your eyes.”

  “Deal?”

  She grinned. “Oh, you have yourself a deal.”

  Chapter Fifteen

  He held her hand whenever possible.

  For the next six hours, as she took him all over the mountainside, ate their picnic lunch and explored town, Tyler listened and made the appropriate responses. His company was lovely and enjoyable, but it was the sweet caress of his thumb over her knuckles at unexpected moments that made Caroline’s heart keep up a constant flutter.

  Out of the public eye, like when they’d been admiring the city from the high lookout, he’d stood close and wrapped an arm around her. Sat beside her and uncapped her water bottle when it got stuck. Nuzzled his lips against her hair and basically acted swoon-worthy.

  Once they hit town he’d become a little more distant, putting on what she was beginning to recognize as his “formal face”. She could understand the need—they weren’t alone. They weren’t in a vacuum, and he had an image to uphold that he’d probably set on fire just being with her. They met bears in the museum, in the bookstore. Everywhere they wandered men in formal suits and ladies in expensive clothing stopped Tyler to chat for a few minutes.

  She joined in when necessary, but otherwise watched. Listened. Admired Tyler working magic on his peers. He had a way with them, making each clan feel as if he knew their specific needs and how he could help them move to the next step.

  Caroline wondered if appreciating his politicking skills made her twisted.