by Kym Grosso
“Comfortable?” she asked through the darkness.
“Yeah. All good,” he lied.
“Wow, you do look so relaxed.” She grinned.
Dimitri tugged at the blanket, which looked like it belonged in a toddler crib. He blew out a breath and closed his eyes, willing his dick into submission. Shit, shit, shit.
“Something wrong?” she asked, the smile evident in the lilt of her question.
“Tell me a bedtime story.” Dimitri stared up at the ceiling. Do not look at her. Resist.
“A bedtime story?”
“Yeah, come on.”
“Once upon a time there was a very lonely girl. She wanted so badly to find love, but she was afraid.”
“What was she afraid of?”
“Shh…my story.”
“Okay, okay.”
“She was afraid of losing herself, her independence. You see she was convinced that if she met the wrong person, she’d never be the same.” Gillian stared at Dimitri, who appeared to be avoiding eye contact. “So she built herself a safe world. A bubble.”
“Bubbles aren’t very sturdy structures. I guess she wasn’t an engineer.”
“No.” Gillian laughed. “No, she wasn’t. But the bubble worked for her. It was very comfortable.”
“Doesn’t sound too exciting.”
“It wasn’t.”
Dimitri listened intently as she spoke. Why would she live a cloistered existence? Why was she so afraid of wolves when she was part wolf?
“But one day, she met someone who made her question what she was doing, even though she’d just met him.”
“Did she start living?”
“I’m afraid the story doesn’t have an ending. As it stands now, the girl leaves the boy. She’s deciding what she should do.”
“Wait a second,” he said gruffly. “I wanted you to tell me a story.”
“I told you one,” she said.
“I like happily-ever-afters. Change the ending.” He wasn’t talking about make believe.
“Yeah, I like happy endings too, but that doesn’t mean we always get one,” she teased, referring to how he’d ended their romantic interlude.
“Touché. But for the record, I would’ve been glad to oblige. Being a gentleman isn’t easy. I’m hanging by a thread here, darlin’,” he replied. Little kitten was still upset that he’d removed himself, he thought. For all the talk about avoiding wolves, it appeared she was interested after all.
“Dimitri?” Gillian wasn’t sure why, but she wondered if he was dating anyone. Of course he was dating someone…probably lots of someones, she reasoned.
“Yeah.”
“You promise to go see a witch?” She changed the subject, trying to distract herself from the fact that in the course of twenty-four hours she was wavering on her rule not to date wolves.
“Why do you ask?”
“No reason. I just want to see you well.”
“Are you saying you care about me?”
“Maybe.” She paused. “I felt him, your wolf. I haven’t healed many shifters.”
“I don’t think I want to hear about you being with other shifters if you healed them the way you healed me,” Dimitri said seriously. It bothered him to think that she’d been intimate with anyone else yet he knew that she had to have been with other men.
“I’ve only done it a few times growing up as a teen…easy things like cuts. The truth is that it’s really not a super useful skill. Shifters can heal on their own, but hybrids have more difficulty.”
“And what you did to me?”
“You were my first. What I meant to say was that you’re my first wolf.” She bit her lip, recalling how he was attacked. The bleeding wouldn’t stop. “I’ve never gone full contact before. I usually use just my hands. But with you, it wouldn’t work. That’s why I needed to get you into bed.”
“So it wasn’t my handsome face that made you take my clothes off? You wound me,” he teased.
“No. And if I was going to pick a reason to get you naked, it’d be something else,” she laughed.
“Ah…you do like the wolf.”
“Maybe,” she hedged, shifting in bed.
“You ever been to the Big Easy?” he asked innocently.
“No.” Was he inviting her? She shouldn’t encourage him no matter how much she yearned to get to know him better. If he were a tiger, hell, any other kind of shifter, he’d be safe.
“Hmm? Is that a ‘no’, but I’d love to come visit you? Or a ‘no’ as in hell, no?”
“It’s complicated.”
“Because I’m a wolf?” Dimitri rolled his eyes, hoping she couldn’t see him. Someone had daddy issues. Her father was an Alpha. He didn’t understand what her problem was with being around wolves.
“I told you, it’s…”
“I heard ya. Just trying to figure this out…Your father’s a wolf.”
“My father’s not alive.”
“I’m sorry to hear about your dad. But still, he was a wolf. It’s your heritage. Yet you don’t want to be around wolves.”
“My tiger…it’s important she stays away from wolves. That’s all I’m gonna say.”
“Date number four,” Dimitri drawled, noting her evasive answer. If she thought this was the end of the conversation, she was sorely mistaken.
“What?”
“I said, date number four, that’s how long I’ll give you to come clean about your wolf hang up.”
“I don’t have a hang up.”
“If we’re gonna date, you can’t lie to me, cher. You’ve got a free pass for tonight. After that, all bets are off.”
“But there’s not going to be a date number four,” she said, shaking her head.
“See now, that’s where you’re wrong. There will be another date. And it’ll be a proper date. Dinner. Dancing.”
“Are you sure you’re not an Alpha? Because you’re awful bossy.”
“You say bossy, I say persuasive.”
“You’re relentless.”
“Ah, perhaps, but I always get what I want.” And I want you.
“I’m not sure that we should see each other again. My tiger…”
“Date number four. I expect answers before we make love.”
“So we’ve gone straight from a date to sex?”
“Not yet…but I will have you, darlin’,” he promised. His cock thickened as he said the words.
Dimitri hoped they’d continue their flirtatious banter, but she’d gone quiet at his statement. He’d purposefully riled her, sensing that she was reconsidering her decision not to be with him. It was only a matter of time before they made love, and the thought made his blood thick with desire.
Sleeping on the sofa might just kill him before the night was through. How stupid could he have been to suggest it? He was regretting his chivalrous gesture. Shifting once again, he pounded the pillow, attempting to get comfortable. Taking his painful erection into his hand, he slowly stroked it in an attempt to assuage the pulsing need.
Gillian squeezed her eyes shut, tucking the covers against her chest. Did Dimitri seriously tell her that they were going to make love? He simply had no idea how impossible that would be. Consequences, her mother’s voice played in her mind. Her tiger purred, refusing the logical argument. She wanted to cuddle against the delicious beta. Gillian bit her lip and stared up at the ceiling as she wavered. It would be impossible for her to sleep, knowing that Dimitri lay sleeping two feet away from her. Rationalizing her next move, she told herself that it would be best for both of them, a temporary comfort to get them through the night.
“Dimitri,” she whispered.
“Hmm?”
“Come to bed with me.”
“I’m not sure that’s such a good idea,” he growled, his wolf urging him to go.
“You’re never going to get any sleep on that tiny sofa,” she warned. Scooting over a few inches, she threw open the cover, revealing not only the inviting sheets but her bare thigh.
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Dimitri caught sight of her silky skin and groaned.
“I promise to behave,” she told him, unsure if she could really keep her hands to herself.
No longer able to keep away from her, Dimitri shoved off the cushions and slipped into the bed. He curled onto his side to face her, their foreheads touching. He deliberately bent at his waist so that his hardened shaft wouldn’t accidentally poke her. If he made any kind of contact, it’d be even more difficult not to take her right then.
“Ah, thank you. I can actually feel my legs,” he groaned.
“Better?” she asked.
“Better,” he confirmed.
Locked in a gaze, Dimitri smiled at Gillian.
“When I get done with the witch, I’m coming to see you,” he told her.
Gillian closed her eyes and took a deep breath, but didn’t respond.
“Tell me yes.”
“To what?” she breathed.
“Date number four. Telling me your secrets.”
“I can’t…”
“You can,” Dimitri countered.
“I…I…” Gillian stammered, mesmerized by his eyes, his voice.
“One date. A real date.” Dimitri slid his hand out from under his pillow and cupped her cheek.
“But I live in New York…it’s not like we can date,” she protested. With her mouth mere inches from his, her heart thumped a hard beat in her chest.
“Say yes,” he whispered.
Dimitri knew he shouldn’t kiss her, but he was too far gone. Capturing her lips, he gave in to his wolf’s inner desire. His tongue swirled against hers and before he knew it, he’d pulled her flush against him. The tip of his cock brushed her stomach and he contemplated how easy it’d be to slide home into her tight heat. The kiss deepened, and he tore his mouth away. Quickly stopping, he flipped her around so that her back was against his abdomen.
One hand reached around her waist, grazing up over her breasts until it was around her neck. He licked her shoulder, biting as he moved toward her ear. His right hand rested on her abdomen, slowly teasing its way downward. Like a predator, he held his prey tightly within his arms, effectively immobilizing her.
“Dimitri,” she breathed, brushing her backside against him, seeking his rock-hard shaft.
“Say yes,” Dimitri spoke softly into her ear; his hand slid to her mound. As she wiggled her hips in an effort to get him to touch her, he gently bit down onto her lobe as if to warn her. “Say it.”
“You weaken me.”
“Tell me, kitten. Say it.” His fingers flitted lightly between her legs.
“Yes,” Gillian cried.
“Yes,” Dimitri repeated, gliding his forefinger though her wet lips. He lingered for only a second, pressing a thick digit into her pussy. His hips rocked into her ass as he did so. “Our date is going to be spectacular. How ‘bout a little preview?”
“Dimitri…my tiger…”
“Your tiger wants this. And so does my wolf.” Dimitri yearned to make love to her, but for tonight, he’d only give her pleasure. Soon enough, he’d have her with no boundaries or secrets.
He plunged two fingers inside of her channel, pumping her slowly. As she began to move her hips in rhythm to his thrusts, he noted the hum of energy over his own skin as if she were magically infusing him with her power. His cock slipped between her legs, and he groaned. Loosening his hold about her neck, he slipped his thumb into her mouth. She sucked and swirled her tongue around it.
“Ah,” she managed. “Please.”
“Oh darlin’, you don’t even know how hard I’m gonna fuck you one day. But tonight…” He withdrew from her core, taking her clitoris between his fingers, pinching slightly. She gyrated her hips into his hand, and he applied pressure to her nub, circling it. “You’re gonna come so hard you’ll see stars.”
“Oh Goddess, yes. Harder,” she demanded, biting the thumb she’d been sucking.
Increasing the pressure, he circled her taut pearl. His cock pumped between her thighs. He grunted as the urge to come mounted.
“Fuck me, yes, like that. Oh…please. I’m coming.” Reaching behind her, Gillian clutched his neck, bringing him closer to her throat. Mark me, her tiger roared. Her eyes flew open at the demand. Had it not been for the magic of Dimitri flowing through her veins, she’d have stopped the pleasure right then and there.
“Fuck,” he cursed. His orgasm was too far gone to hold back. Plunging three fingers inside her, he sought to drive her over the edge.
Gillian splintered as her climax rolled through her. Breathlessly, she repeated Dimitri’s name as she felt the hot spurt of his seed between her legs. He’d come on her skin and she fought the urge to reach for it, to taste and touch it. Like an animal, she’d gone feral in her own lust.
The knowledge that she’d physically solidified her connection with a wolf rocked her. In her soul, she knew things would never be the same. She’d never get enough of Dimitri. She’d let him make love to her, mark her. What they’d done wasn’t merely fooling around. This man would make her submit, and she feared she’d gladly do it. Sucking a breath, it was of no use to stifle the tears that began to flow.
Goddess, how she wanted to hide all the conflicting emotions that churned inside her. Never had she let a man restrain her, touch her until she came so hard she thought she’d need resuscitation. Her beast wanted this man to claim her. It terrified and thrilled her, yet reason would win out, she knew. In the morning, she’d leave him, go to New York. Maybe if she put distance between them, the craving for his touch would subside. He’d be better off without her, able to travel directly to the witch to heal himself. By the time he’d rolled her on her side to face him, she’d recommitted to the heart-wrenching decision to leave first thing in the morning.
“Hey, cher. Did I hurt you?” Dimitri asked. He thumbed away a tear from her cheek.
“No, baby,” she whispered, cuddling up to lay her head on his chest. Her thigh draped across his. “What you did…we just did…it felt so good. I wish we could stay like this forever.” And she meant it, even though she knew they could never be.
“Shhh…get some sleep. We’ll talk in the morning,” he said, with a kiss to her head.
“In the morning,” she repeated. I’ll be gone.
Chapter Six
“Where the hell is she?” Dimitri asked, flinging open the door of his bedroom. He took sight of Jake, who was busy making out with a pair of long legs that ended in fuck-me shoes.
Dimitri huffed, ignoring the hand that silenced him. Tearing into Jake’s room, he found no sign of Gillian and returned to the living area. He coughed in an effort to get Jake to remove his tongue from the blonde’s mouth long enough that he could get an answer. When Jake finally released the girl, he shot him a glare.
“What the fuck, Jake?”
“What? Oh, sorry. Jenny, meet Dimitri,” he offered with a slick smile.
“Hi-ya,” his perky date greeted Dimitri. She gave him the once over from his wet hair down to his toes, settling her eyes on the small towel wrapped around his waist. “Didn’t know you had a friend? If I didn’t have to get to work, a threesome might’ve been fun.”
“Yeah, not happening,” Dimitri barked, irritated that Gillian was missing.
“He’s a grumpy one, huh?” she asked with a giggle as Jake kissed her neck.
“Somethin’ like that. He’s got a tiger in his panties. Sorry, babe, but I gotta help my friend out.”
She raised an eyebrow at him.
“No, not like that. He’s, uh, looking for a girl.”
“Well, I got a friend if you wanna meet at six.”
“Sorry, we’re outta here today. Maybe next time I’m in Vegas.”
“Or I’m in NOLA?”
“You bet,” Jake promised, opening the door.
“Thanks for last night, sweetie. See ya round. And you too, big guy,” she added with a wave, stopping to whisper in Jake’s ear. “Maybe next time. I love tattoos.”
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nbsp; “Yeah, maybe,” he lied, knowing that Dimitri was out of sorts.
Dimitri paced while Jake said his goodbyes. Where the hell had she gone? When he’d left to go take a shower, she’d been sleeping soundly in bed. She’d given no warning that she was getting ready to fly the coop. Rubbing his scruffy beard, he blew out a breath.
The familiar cadence of his cell phone sounded. Running back into his bedroom, he picked it up off the bed stand and read the message: Thanks for last night. Sorry to kiss & run. Gotta get back home. Go see the witch.
Dimitri threw the phone down on the bed and tore off his towel. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. She did not just leave me without saying goodbye. Yeah, that’s exactly what just happened. Rummaging through a dresser drawer, he pulled out the same pants and shirt he’d worn the day before, and sniffed. They smelled like blood and wolf…Chaz. He shook his head in disgust.
“Here,” Jake said, tossing him a new pair of jeans.
“Where the hell were you?” Dimitri growled, snatching them. He shrugged into the stiff denim, wincing as the rough material nicked his dick.
“Thank you so much, Jake, for getting me new clothes. I feel so much better not stinking like the Alpha pig that I almost killed last night,” Jake taunted.
“Fuck you,” Dimitri said as a t-shirt hit him in the head. He shot his friend a nasty grimace before slipping the garment over his head. Dimitri glanced down to the slogan printed boldly across his chest in bright gold letters. He shook his head.
“For real?”
“Elvis has Left the Building!” Jake joked, reading it aloud. “The king’s the bomb, bro.”
“Where the fuck were you? How did you not hear Gilly leave?”
“Uh, for the same reason you didn’t.”
“I was in the shower.”
“Yeah, my guess is that you were strokin’ off a case of blue balls in there. I, on the other hand, was making love to my sweet lil’ Jenny.”
“Showgirl?”
“Too cliché. Travel agent. We met at home. We were busy, making up for lost time and all that.”
