“Need help?”
“I’ve almost got it.”
Arlo sat down next to her, straddling the bench. “Come on, I’ll show you a trick.”
Nisa was still considering it when he reached down, grabbed her foot by the heel, and spun her so she was sitting sideways on the bench too. He raised her leg and interlaced his fingers around the back of her calf. Hooking his thumb into her sock, he dragged it down toward the ankle, used the bunched fabric to cushion his interlaced fingers, and leveraged the boot off her heel. She felt the suction of the vamp release as the stiff leather was pulled free. Then Arlo placed her leg over his knee and went for the other foot. Nisa watched him, placing one hand on the bench behind her and one on the tack room wall to brace herself. He yanked down the other zipper and again interlaced his fingers around her calf. He let out a soft grunt as he pulled the second boot away.
Nisa curled and uncurled her liberated toes. The wooden bench creaked as Arlo moved an inch closer and began kneading her foot, digging his thumb into the ball. Her moan was involuntary—it just slipped out. He slid another inch. Her arch was now resting against his crotch. She thought about pulling away. But then he leaned in, massaging his way up her calf. He held her gaze as her sole pressed against his manhood, and almost without thinking she began stroking his growing bulge.
“Your uncle’s ready for his afternoon scotch.”
Nisa snapped into focus and yanked her foot away. John was standing in the doorway giving Arlo a reproachful look. Arlo on the other hand was unbothered, but quickly stood anyway to collect Nisa’s borrowed socks and boots.
Nisa turned back around on the bench, ponytail hiding her face as she shoved her sandals on her feet.
CHAPTER 9
“Come join us!”
Willa waved from a table on the patio as Callum, Nisa, and Arlo made the trek uphill. Callum again led the way, eager to get to that scotch, while Nisa and Arlo trailed slightly behind. Music floated from hidden speakers. Scents of sunblock and salt-water pool replaced the stables’ earthy aromas. A raucous group—mallets in one hand, cocktails in the other—played croquet where the grass leveled out. Most guests lounged in cabanas, swam, or sweated it out on the tennis court.
They crested the last slope to find Shane and Benny already sitting at Willa’s table. Nisa could feel Shane watching her from behind dark glasses. Yesterday she’d have begged to have his eyes on her. Today— not so much. Callum kissed his wife, briefly staring into Willa’s eyes before he took a seat and attacked his drink. Arlo chose the seat opposite of Shane, watching closely as Shane stood, pulled out the chair next to his, and offered it to Nisa.
“Willa, your horses are incredible.”
“Ah, yes!” Willa plucked a grape from the fruit platter, “I’d heard you’d gone down to the stables. How was your ride?”
Shane rubbed his thumb over Nisa’s knuckles. “If you’d waited, I’d have come along.”
Nisa gently extricated her hand. “It was perfect. The trails are breathtaking.”
Willa took a sip of her gimlet. “Which horse?”
“Hank,” Callum chuckled.
Willa chuckled too. “That Hank’s a sweetheart right up until he isn’t.”
“See,” Shane insisted, “it’s not . . .”
“She handled Hank like she was born to it.” All eyes were on Arlo as he popped a strawberry in his mouth and crushed it. “She clearly knows how to ride.”
“And who are you?”
“This is Arlo,” Willa warned. “My nephew.”
Shane tempered himself but not by much. “Well, Arlo, I’d rather my wife not run around the woods unaccompanied. She’s good at finding trouble.”
Arlo reached for another berry. “Now that I believe.”
A smile stretched Benny’s lips. “Cheers, Nees. Must have been a hell of a ride.”
“Cheers to us all then and to the great night ahead.” Barreling through conflict was Willa’s specialty.
“Here, here,” Callum chimed, then ceremoniously drained his glass.
“Nisa, I was just telling Shane that we’ve read the new script. It needs some polish but it’s really very good.”
Callum nodded in agreement. “I made a few calls this morning. There’s definitely studio interest.”
“Can I get you guys anything?” Toby had discreetly slipped Callum another scotch and was now looking around the table. His eyes skipped right over Nisa.
“This is my grandson, Toby. He’s here to make sure no one vomits in the rhododendrons.”
Shane reclaimed Nisa’s hand. “How’s that going so far?”
Arlo interrupted again. “I’m starving. How fast can you get a tray of sandwiches out here?”
“Pretty fast, Uncle Arlo.”
“Something besides roast beef though!” Willa called out. “It makes your grandfather gassy.”
Toby was already halfway to the house when Nisa excused herself to the bathroom. Or at least that’s what she’d told the table. She stepped inside and headed straight for the kitchen. Toby was at the counter, loading up a tray. Nisa washed her hands then went to work spreading mustard on bread.
“So,” she kept her voice low, “you brought me to my room last night.”
Toby placed chicken sandwiches in stacks. “I did.”
Nisa switched to mayo. “How did I . . .”
“Everything good here, Toby?” A woman with a pixie cut was hefting water pitchers.
“All fine, Lucinda.”
“Ma’am, I can help him with that.”
Nisa scooped tuna. “My husband has food allergies. Helps to know what he’s eating. Callum was pretty thirsty after his ride. Mind taking a pitcher out to Willa?”
Lucinda gave Toby the eye. “I’ll be right back.”
Nisa watched her go as Toby looked for more curious ears.
She forked roast beef. “How did it happen, exactly? The last thing I remember was . . . not where I woke up. Where did you find me?”
“In a cabana. Champagne sneaks up on people. They go there to lie down sometimes.”
“So you carried me through the backyard and up all those steps. Wow. And Shane didn’t ask where you’d found me? Or about my dress?”
“No.” Toby was trying to be dismissive but she could tell that it had bothered him. “He tipped me and I left.”
She wanted to press him further, but he was Willa’s grandson and that complicated things. It stung that she’d come back to the room battered and half-naked, and Shane hadn’t asked any questions. But he could be callous about things that didn’t serve his own interests—even when it involved his wife. Toby struck her as kind, though. If he wasn’t asking what happened, it was probably because he already knew. Maybe she wasn’t the first topless woman he’d found at one of these parties.
“I can take it from here, ma’am.” Lucinda had returned. “Toby get some more plates and I’ll help you bring these down.”
Lucinda frowned as Nisa pulled Toby into a tight embrace. “Thank you, Toby. Really.”
Toby wrapped his arms around her too. “My pleasure.”
CHAPTER 10
Callum and Arlo had taken two sandwiches apiece, opting for turkey and roast beef. Nisa and Willa both went for the curried chicken, while Shane dug into the tuna. Benny skipped the food, pulling out a flask from only God knows where. And Shelby, who’d arrived while Nisa was in the kitchen, picked through the fruit. Business was still the topic of conversation but Shelby didn’t have much to say under Nisa’s icy glare. Once the sandwiches were gone, Nisa went back to her room to catch a nap before dinner.
A few hours later she was standing on the balcony, finger-combing her wet hair. Shane had come back to change clothes, but quickly left for more shoptalk with Callum. This left Nisa to get dressed in peace. She couldn’t see the sun setting from there, but she could see bright colors painting the trees and sky. The back lawn had mostly cleared out, so it was easy to spot Benny and Shelby hurrying toward the hous
e. Shelby was adjusting her bikini top and Benny, for once, didn’t look so smug. Nisa giggled. Guess he finally spotted those bite marks.
She studied the forest. Arlo had warned her about mountain lions, but maybe if she went just past the edge, the Beast would find her tonight. They were dining al fresco. Workers were already converting the patio. There’d be so many guests no one would notice if one slipped off. Going back into the woods wasn’t the soundest idea, but how else would she see him again? Tomorrow she’d be on a plane, and dealing with the realities of her marriage. Tonight, her body wanted to finish what the Beast had started.
She stepped back inside and strolled to the closet, still enjoying the evening breeze. She needed to be thoughtful about what she wore tonight—something gorgeous and sensual, but definitely no heels. She reached for the red dress. She’d packed it on a whim, but now it seemed just right.
Behind her metal groaned. Nisa looked over her shoulder, then turned. Heat flushed her cheeks. The Beast was crouching on the balcony railing. He was as she remembered—an overbearing body and a dangerous, wolflike head. By moonlight he was shocking. In the twilight he was beautiful and wild.
Her lips parted as he lowered one leg to the platform and then the other, slowly skulking forward. Nisa was aware of his claws scraping wood as he moved from balcony to bedchamber. Once indoors, the size of him left her breathless. She’d wanted this. Wanted him to seek her out. To do to her again what he’d done last night. But now that he was here, was she ready? She’d thought she’d had a few more hours, and by then she’d have had at least a few drinks. Apparently that wouldn’t be the case.
The Beast paused, looming in the center of the room as Nisa summoned her courage. Even before last night, life in Shane’s passenger seat had been losing its shine. She’d tried living in the shadows and being the good wife. The only thing she hadn’t tried was being fearless. The ache in her core told her now was the time.
Nisa moved forward, taking one step, then another, and another. She hadn’t quite worked up the nerve to meet his eyes, but could feel his merciless gaze as she studied his body, and timidly reached out to touch. The Beast held still as if luring quarry, but exhaled sharply as her fingers moved through fur and over flesh. Nisa took her time, and the Beast let her, tracing unyielding abs, a powerful chest, and stalwart, swoon-worthy arms.
She took his hands then, raising them to either side of her face and rubbed her cheeks against the softness of his palms. There was no fur here, just dark skin and the usual creases. But they were huge, with fingers and claws able to wrap around the back of her head. Her eyes drifted closed as her fingers swept along his muzzle to the fur behind his ears. In turn, his tongue darted out to sample the flesh on her neck. She waited for her senses to return, to tell her this was wrong—but the more she touched him, the more it felt right. She again opened her eyes, and with a voice husky and low, murmured, “Do again what you did last night.”
The Beast moved decisively, silk whispering as he loosed the sash on Nisa’s robe and the unsecured panels fluttered in the breeze. His eyes were keen, slipping from her breasts to her belly, to the down between her legs, and he huffed in pleasure as she lowered herself to floor.
Nisa lay back, shyness ebbing away as she bent her knees and positioned her legs akimbo. The Beast dropped to all fours, meeting her gaze as he accepted her invitation. He’d moved slowly so far, offering every opportunity for Nisa to change her mind. But now she wanted him to put the car in drive.
His claws wrapped around her ankles, her tits shaking as he yanked her body closer, then pushed her knees toward either of her shoulders. Her pussy was fully exposed now. Before she’d offered a glimpse, but he now demanded an unobstructed view. He licked his chops as Nisa struggled to raise her hips, his hot breath teasing her clit.
“Please,” she whispered.
The Beast loosed a snarl, forcing her knees even closer to her shoulders until her body couldn’t move. Nisa whimpered, desperate for satisfaction. Their eyes were still locked as his tongue grazed her clit. He was toying with her. She was at his mercy and they both knew it. Where last night he’d compelled her pleasure, tonight she’d gladly beg for it. He flicked her clit again. A sob escaped her lips. Finally the Beast dove in.
Nisa opened her mouth, gasping for breath. He was gorging himself, his tongue sweeping through again and again. She’d tried to maintain eye contact but it’d been too much. Now her eyes were closed, and colors flashed and swirled inside her lids. Her body began to quake. This was not what he’d done last night. This was infinitely better. He was working her clit now, his strokes sometimes gentle, sometimes rough. She struggled against his grip, the pleasure becoming too much, but he held firm, demanding she endure.
Her soul burst as her body gushed orgasm. He’d broken her down. Stripped everything away until her emotions were raw and rocked with sensation. He released her legs, but stayed close as her thighs slowly stopped shaking.
Nisa pushed to sitting. The Beast was crouched a foot or so away. Watching. Waiting. Erect penis throbbing. She’d seen it last night, his fist wrapped around it as he pleasured himself, but not like this—not in the light. It was big, massive even, and it was hard not to be intimidated. But it was her turn to give pleasure, her turn to stake a claim.
The Beast stood as Nisa came to her knees and scooted forward the last few feet. He knew what was next and wouldn’t deny himself, nor did she want him to. She reached out to rub his thighs, letting his penis brush against her mouth, and she could feel his quads tense as her tongue greeted the tip of his cock. Her hand encircled his manhood, his skin like velvet as she began to stroke and her mouth moved down the shaft. The Beast quietly whined, and encouraged, she cupped his ball sack for a gentle massage. She moved back toward the head, again flicking the tip with her tongue, then smiling, took him into her mouth.
He tasted of musky sage and salt. She bobbed her head, pulling him to the back of her throat then sliding him out again. Satiating that much cock was no easy task—but she was determined, both of her hands working in time with her tongue and lips. Claws tangled in her hair, gently rocking hips urging her to work faster. She braced her hands against his thighs, moving her head in and out, wanting him to fuck her mouth.
She inched closer to him, running her hands around to the back of his thighs and up to his bottom. She wasn’t as adept at teasing as he was, but she knew he was enjoying himself and that pleasing him wouldn’t take long. His ass tensed in her hands and she knew he was about to come. But she was ready for him. Ready to take whatever his release offered.
He shuddered, dragging himself from her mouth to spill ejaculate down her breasts. She leaned back, letting her robe gape farther as evidence of his pleasure painted her tits. She rested on her elbows, displaying his handiwork. Then lightly rubbed his seed onto her nipples and smiled as she sucked the rest from her fingers. He couldn’t look away, his freshly sated cock twitching back to life. Nisa’s heart skipped a beat as he dropped to one knee. She leaned forward, ready to take him in her mouth again, but he cradled her, scooping her up instead.
He carried her to the bed, setting her down near the edge, and pushed her onto her belly. He held her shoulders to the mattress, the tip of his penis sampling her wetness and running along her slit. She looked back, daring him with her eyes. Less than ten minutes ago she’d have sworn she couldn’t take anymore, now she could think of nothing else but being penetrated by his big, black cock.
He didn’t hesitate, his patience at an end. Her feet gripped the floor as he thrust himself inside her. Nisa cried out and squirmed, her walls stretching to accommodate his girth. The Beast wedged his hand behind her left knee and pushed her bent leg onto the bed. He huffed, inching farther into her, and began to pump. Nisa came to her elbows, trying to move her hips, but he growled and shoved her shoulders back down. This was again his show. He’d do all the work.
And he did, gliding in and out of her with fiery resolve. His strokes were long and
unrepentant, and she shook with each thrust. His balls swung up to slap her clit. Her pussy clutched desperately at his cock. Heat spread. Orgasm roiled through her. She bucked against his impalement until she’d lost all strength. She was drained. Totally spent. But he was still going. Still thrusting and snarling, even as her body grew heavy and warm.
His fist was in her hair again. She threw her hands out, arching her body as he pulled her head back. Message received. They weren’t done yet. She could see herself in the closet mirror. The Beast riding her. Her body glistening. Her tits undulating. She couldn’t take her eyes off herself. He watched, too, as he fucked and fucked and fucked. Something feral crackled through her spine. Her pussy began to clench. She blasted all over his cock. Again. She went to pieces, gasping for breath. The Beast pulled out of her and howled, letting his own powerful orgasm rampage across the curve of her ass.
She quivered, her body limp from the onslaught. She willed her legs to work as she crawled to the middle of the bed and surrendered. He crawled too, hovering over her in a protective stance. She closed her eyes, slipping to a dream state as he licked her back, her shoulders, the sides of her breasts . . . She giggled, burying her face as he went for an ear and then a cheek.
“Better hurry,” lips kissed her neck, “dinner’s at eight.” His weight disappeared from the bed. The words had been gentle. Just a whisper but he was right. She had to get going.
Then it hit her. He’d spoken. He’d kissed her with human lips. She rolled over but the door to her room was already clicking shut. She peeled herself off the sheets and scrambled to secure her robe, but the sash wouldn’t cooperate. She dashed to the hallway with only her hand holding it closed.
She looked left, right, left again, the corridor empty except for Benny. Her mind was reeling. He’d gotten away.
Night Creatures: Book 1 Page 4
