by C. E. Black
As I rolled with laughter, Bram laughed with me, and the sound made me all warm and tingling inside. Which was good because my naked skin was beginning to produce goosebumps.
Noticing my condition, Bram pulled off his suit jacket and shook the glitter out, which caused another round of uncontrollable giggles on my part, before placing it around my shoulders. I beamed up at him as he pulled the lapels closed.
“Thank you,” I told him. The smile he gave back to me had my knees trembling.
“I should be thanking you,” he said.
From the tone of his voice, I wasn’t sure if he meant for taking care of Denise or for giving him a show. Either way, I was happy to oblige.
Wiggling my eyebrows, I replied, “Anytime.”
A soft chuckle spilled from his lips as he gave me a too-quick kiss. I sighed, but from the look in his dark gaze, I wasn’t the only one wanting more.
“Let’s handle Denise, then…”
His voice trailed off as his gaze fell to my lips for some reason. I might have licked them. Slowly. Deliberately… Okay, yeah, I had.
“Then?” I asked breathlessly, biting the corner of my bottom lip with purpose.
His gaze heated to the point where I swore flames flickered in his eyes. Two words. Kate. Puddle.
I gasped, then squeaked when he suddenly swept me off my feet, literally. Then he bent to retrieve my dress before taking off at a sprint. I wrapped my arms around his neck and chuckled.
“What about Denise?” I glanced over his shoulder to see the woman scowling down at her garbage-covered clothes.
“She’s not my concern,” Bram replied, his voice deep and growly, causing my toes to curl.
His eyes flickered to mine, his nostril flaring at the scent of my arousal. Then with a groan, he turned down an ally before picking up speed.
“Where are we going?” I asked, knowing full well where. I just wanted to hear him say it.
Bram’s jaw tightened, causing the muscles in his neck to jump as he stared down at me. “Your bed,” he answered darkly.
After recovering from a shiver of excitement, I placed my lips next to his ear and whispered, “Hurry.”
Suffice it to say, he got us back to my house in a flash.
What I loved most about sex was the kissing. I loved the feel of a man’s breath hot against my skin. The intimacy of it, the closeness. It didn’t matter if the pressure of his lips was hard and punishing or soft and sweet. Urgent or languid. I wanted it all.
As Bram’s hungry mouth devoured mine, all I could think about was wanting more.
We tripped through the front door, stumbled down the hallway, and fell onto my bed, all without unlocking our lips. However, as we landed, a puff of glitter caused us to break apart with a laugh.
“Shower?” Was that my voice? It was so deep and husky, like I smoked a pack of cigarettes a day. Embarrassed, I was going to clear the frog out of my throat, but held off when I caught sight of Bram’s heated expression. He was totally digging it.
He pulled me to my feet and into the bathroom, where we both stripped naked. Then our mouths fused once again. We kissed, tasted, and touched our way into the shower, where somehow the water was already raining down. Bram must have turned it on, but I’d been too absorbed in him to notice.
Under the warm spray, Bram’s teeth grazed over my jaw. I tipped my head back, giving him better access to my neck. He kissed and nibbled his way down, causing my breath to catch. My fingernails dug into his shoulders, pulling him closer, until his hard length pressed against me. With a groan, his mouth found mine once more.
I was so lost in the kiss that when Bram pulled away from me suddenly I gasped, his name a plea on my lips. But he wasn’t leaving me. He dropped to his knees, his gaze watchful as he slid his hands up my calves and over my hips. I trembled under his touch.
“You’re exquisite,” he murmured, leaning in to place soft kisses on my stomach. “Perfect,” he said, his tongue darting into my belly button, sending spasms rippling across my stomach.
Who knew a belly button could be so sensitive? Not me, that’s for sure.
“Bram,” I moaned, digging my fingers into his hair and tugging.
“I’m not finished,” he said, his grin wicked. So, so wicked.
Then he drew a single fang down the center of my lower stomach, below my belly button. Down, down… Biting my bottom lip, I shivered, goosebumps multiplying over my skin even though steam from the hot water billowed all around us. When he finally reached his destination, I cursed, my head falling back against the shower wall with a thump.
Oral sex had never been something I’d particularly enjoyed. Not that it wasn’t one of my secret fantasies. However, no man had ever made love to me with his mouth as thoroughly as Bram did. His skills were masterful. He had to be a god. In fact, I think that’s exactly what I called him as my climax swept over me.
“Oh, God!” I shouted, my hips undulating against his mouth. Bram had lifted one of my legs over his shoulder at some point, opening me more fully. His hands cupped my ass, his fingers unforgiving as he pressed me against his face. The sight of his head between my legs, his dark eyes looking up at me wickedly from beneath his lashes and his fingers, digging into my flesh… A second orgasm crashed over me and this time, there were no words. Only my screams.
As my body relaxed, I became boneless, but Bram was there. He held me in his arms as his lips traced my jaw, neck, and collarbone. Then when my legs were steady again, he stepped away long enough to grab the soap.
I wanted to say something witty, maybe tell him how effing amazing he was. But for the first time in my life, I was thunderstruck. So, I told him just that.
“I’m speechless,” I said, my voice cracking after all the screaming I’d done.
Bram’s perfectly formed lips tilted, showing a hint of those stunning fangs. I shivered, thinking about them sinking into my flesh.
“I’m flattered,” he replied. Then he let his voice drop as he moved toward me, soap in hand. “I hope to keep you that way the rest of the night.”
Yowza! The Kate puddle evaporated.
While I’d been staring at him with what had to be an expression as glazed over as my favorite brand of donuts, Bram had been actually productive, washing the glitter from my body with those skillful hands of his. The slide of those soapy caresses over my wet skin wasn’t helping my vaporized state. However, when he began on his own torso, I quickly came out of my trancelike state and took the soap from his hands. That was my job. And from the way his jaw slackened and his eyelids drooped, I’d say my own skills weren’t half bad either.
A rumble built in his chest, then suddenly Bram shut off the water and lifted me into his arms, carrying me out of the bathroom.
“Wait, the glitter,” I said before he could sit me on the bed. I didn’t even mention that we were soaked. I really didn’t give a damn.
Holding my weight with only one arm, he flipped the comforter and top sheet off my bed before placing me gently on the mattress. The show of strength and dexterity only heightened my arousal.
Purring like a kitten, I reached for him. “Come here,” I demanded. “I want to feel you inside me.” The light sound of Bram’s breath hitching made me smile.
He covered my body with his and I wrapped my legs around his hips, gasping as the heat of his sex met mine.
“You are so beautiful,” he said in my ear, kissing the edge of my jaw.
He pulled back, his glowing gaze meeting mine as he aligned himself at my opening. I had no words for how he made me feel. So, I showed him.
I slid my hands down his sides, lifting my shoulders to reach that perfect ass of his. With a grin, I gripped his flesh and pulled him closer. Enough that he slipped inside. He groaned into my neck and I jerked my hips. He moved in another centimeter or more, but not enough. As he swiveled his hips, he lowered his head to my breasts, sucking one nipple then the other, making me quiver with desire. But still, he didn’t fill me complete
ly. I realized then that he was playing with me.
With a growl of frustration, I tightened my grip on the tease and flipped him over easily. Maybe a little too easily. From the grin on his face as I straddled his hips, he must have been hoping for this reaction.
Two could play at this game. I rubbed myself against him, the tip of his erection coming close, yet no home run. It was enough, though. Bottom lip firmly between my teeth, I threw my head back, my hands finding my breasts, tweaking my own nipples as I came closer and closer to climax.
I suddenly found myself on my back with Bram hovering over me. His expression tight, he gazed intently at my throat. He wanted to bite me, I realized. My immediate response was, Oh, hell yes!
Lightheaded with the thought of his fangs piercing my skin, I turned my head and lifted my chin. My bare throat gave him all the permission he needed. With a low growl, he pushed my thighs apart and settled his hips between them. He wasted no more of our time. His fangs pierced my fluttering vein as he thrust into me with a powerful stroke that had us both hissing with pleasure.
From that moment forward, we were lost. Both of us consumed by the passion that had bloomed and then exploded between us. The man was flawless in his lovemaking. Seductive, intense, and to my utter delight, exceedingly thorough. And I was a goner. He was mine now. For now, and forever.
Epilogue
Bram
A grin stretched across my face as I strode into Kate’s and my newly-rented office. It wasn’t anything fancy, but it suited our needs perfectly. Upon entering, the client would spot our massive advertisement above the front desk, complete with our specific branding. And to the left, they’d find Joni, our newly-hired travel advisor to help with booking the cruises.
When I’d first approached the cruise lines and pitched our idea, it’d quickly turned into a bidding war. Apparently, we were the first to suggest a cruise line for vampires, and the majority of the companies had salivated over our idea. An untouched market. Kate and I hadn’t even launched our site yet, and we already had bookings.
I rounded the desk and followed Kate’s scent to the back room. We’d agreed to share the space, at least for the time being. It made things a bit cramped, but I didn’t mind. Eventually, the day would come when we would need to find a larger space, but for now, I enjoyed working closely with Kate. She constantly astonished me with her quick wit and intelligence. She knew more about marketing and branding than I could ever hope to understand, and what she didn’t know, she quickly learned.
“Oh, good! Bram is here.”
The door swung open, revealing my Kate and another woman, someone I’d never met. I eyed her up and subtly inhaled her cinnamon scent.
“Bram, meet Isabelle Vitale. She’s the CEO of Vitale Global.”
I extended a hand. “Nice to meet you. I’m afraid I don’t know much about Vitale?”
“It’s her security company,” Kate told me. “We were talking about installing a security system for the office, remember?”
Ah. That I did recall.
Isabella brushed her blonde bangs away from her face and unleashed her most professional smile on me. “Very nice to meet you. Kate was just showing me around the office so I could give her an estimate.”
I lifted a brow. “A visit from the CEO herself. Do you often do your own house calls?”
She gave a light laugh. “Not at all, in fact. But since I’m about to become one of your clients, I thought it might be best to take a look around myself.”
With a smile, Kate gestured toward the office. “Why don’t you have another look for yourself. Feel free to talk to Joni. She’s here somewhere. She can show you all the office equipment.”
Isabelle nodded and slipped out of the office.
“Well?” Kate asked. “What do you think?”
I leaned down and brushed my lips against Kate’s brow. “You did your research into the companies and liked her best. I’m sure her company will be perfect for us.”
“Plus, it got us a new client.”
Laughter rolled past my lips. It was hard not to get excited when Kate was practically vibrating in my arms.
“How about you? Any news?”
“You bet.” I moved into our shared office and shrugged out of my jacket. “We closed the deal with Imperial Cruise Lines today.”
Kate squealed and bounced on her toes, excitement dancing in her eyes. “So, it’s finalized?”
“It is. We launch our first cruise in four months. They figure that should be enough time to hire the appropriate staff and arrange the locations.”
“Okay, but what about passengers?”
“I wouldn’t worry about that. We already have a waiting list for our first embarkment. So many people want to partake in our maiden voyage.”
“What about location? Did they settle on one?”
I chuckled under my breath. “They did. They’ve chosen Alaska for our first trip.”
“In four months…” Kate snickered and shook her head. “During their winter.”
“Of course. We vampires tend not to feel the cold, and there won’t be much sunlight that time of year.”
She crossed the room and slid her arms around my waist. “Brilliant, I must say.”
I dipped my head and stole a chaste kiss. “Why, thank you. And how’s the website coming?”
“It’s ready to launch. I can’t wait!”
“I can’t believe how far we’ve come in such little time.”
“Are you kidding? It feels like it’s taken forever.” She tucked her head under my chin. “Who would have thought when I walked into that bar two months ago that our lives would lead us here?”
I chuckled under my breath and brushed another kiss across the top of her head. “There you were, reeking of shrimp and frustration.”
“Me! What about you? I saw the desperation in your eyes.”
“Maybe I was just hungry,” I teased.
Kate leaned back and scoffed. “Hungry for me.”
I choked back a laugh. “Fair enough.”
I glanced around the office and took in the simple paintings on the wall and our wooden desk, complete with leather chair. Some nights, I couldn’t believe what we’d accomplished together, or what I’d finally found in Kate. I didn’t doubt Meet Your Alpha would be a successful business. After all, it’d already brought together its first two clients.
I leaned down and claimed another kiss, this one heated. I savored her taste and reveled in the feel of her against me. With a light growl, I pulled her against me and deepened the angle. Her heart stuttered in response, and her fingers dug into my arms. I loved how she responded to me, how my kiss could rev her engines.
Once we parted, I brushed my thumb along her jaw and stared into her eyes. “I love you.”
“I know,” she whispered, her lips swollen from my kiss. “I love you, too.”
For me…Kate was my happily ever after.
And with a little luck, we’d bring this happiness to many, many more.
* * *
Welcome to Meet Your Alpha.
We put the Alpha in Happily Ever Alpha.
Note from the Authors
Thank you so much for reading How To Meet Your Alpha! We hope you enjoyed the story as much as we loved writing it. If you did, you’ll be happy to know that this is only the beginning! Keep your eyes out for two brand new series in the Meet Your Alpha world, Alpha Singles by C.E. Black and Cruising with Alphas by Gwen Knight. Turn the page to read previews from both stories, releasing January 2018.
To learn more, go to www.MeetYourAlpha.com
Because at Meet Your Alpha, everyone gets their Happily Ever After.
* * *
Happy Reading!
Xoxo,
C.E. Black and Gwen Knight
Makeshift Mate Preview
by C.E. Black
Chapter One
Locke
* * *
“Dad.”
“If this land deal doesn’t go t
hrough, then we’re going to have a serious problem on our hands. Have you heard back from the realtor?”
Theo, my Beta, grunted on the other end of the line. “Yes, but he doesn’t have an answer for us. The owner is still thinking about it.”
I rocked back in my chair and shoved my free hand through my hair. “What’s there to think about? There’s no way he can get more money for that lot. We’re offering twice the asking price.”
“Dad. Can you take me to school?”
“The impression Dan gave me was that he’s thinking about not selling,” Theo replied.
A growl slipped through my lips and I threw the pen I’d been fiddling with onto my desk. “You have got to be kidding me! The Pack’s population has exploded over the last six years. We have to expand.”
“I agree.”
“Dad!”
My head snapped up, surprised to see my daughter, Sara, standing in the doorway. She wore her school uniform, khaki pants and a burgundy sweater, and her book bag hung off her back. I checked the clock.
“Hold on a sec, Theo. Why aren’t you in school?” I asked Sara.
“I’m late,” she replied.
I ground my teeth together when she offered up no more information. “Yes, I can see that you’re late.” I glanced at the calendar on my desk. “Where’s Tess?”
Sara shrugged her small shoulders. However, they didn’t look as slight as I remembered them.
“I don’t know,” she mumbled.
Sighing, I reached for my phone before remembering I was still holding it next to my ear. “Theo?”
“Alpha.”
“Tess didn’t show up to take Sara to school today. Find her,” I told him. “Make sure she’s okay, then send her over here. And call Jake for me. He can take her place today until we find out what happened.”
