Her quiet self-assurance and that sense of peace was a powerful draw for him and he found he wanted more from Char than he’d ever desired from another woman. He needed to possess all of her, the entire package, her laughter, her sexuality, her tears, every last delicious inch of her.
He rubbed the center of his forehead where a slight ache threatened. The thought terrified him to his very bones. How had a woman, a human at that, gotten beneath his defenses so quickly and so effortlessly?
She put her life on the line for mine in that alley and she didn’t back down. Instead she rose to meet the challenge and defeat it.
She’d been frightened; he’d smelled her fear, had seen it written on her face, but she hadn’t hesitated to step in. She’d handled herself well in the face of danger, she danced like a dream, looked hot in a corset and she didn’t take herself too seriously. In his opinion, Char was a rarity among human women.
And if you dare to love her, you will lose her in the end.
That thought saddened him. All humans eventually faced their own mortality; while were-cats could become sick, they couldn’t be killed very easily. The claw marks Lyn had inflicted upon him would be completely gone within two days and by then he should be long gone from Char’s life.
Thanks to his past as a Hunter, he’d be forced to look over his shoulder for the rest of his life. He’d killed hundreds of rogue preternaturals, all with the full consent of the Council. But there were those like the wolves who didn’t acknowledge the Council and they had a tendency to get a little testy when one of their own was killed, even if they were as rabid as a junkyard dog.
If what Bo had said was right and Lyn was out to start a war, he would have to be stopped at all costs. If that meant killing the wolf, then so be it. Rik knew if he were the one to do the deed, his life would forever be at risk for retaliation. The wolves wouldn’t allow the killing of their own to go unpunished, especially if it was carried out by a were-cat. No one close to him could ever hope to be safe.
Char stirred and rolled over, making a soft, sexy purr as she did so. His gut clenched. He could never ask her to join him with the threat of Lyn and possible retribution hanging over his head. He’d sworn to Trey he would protect her, and once the wolf was apprehended and he was sure she was safe, he’d leave, no matter how much pain it caused him.
Let it be soon. The longer I stay with her, the more firm a grip she’ll have on my heart.
“Rik?” Char’s sleepy, sexy voice sounded.
He approached the bed and set his cell phone on the table. He’d turned it off, as he wasn’t sure he wanted to hear any more news after the last call.
“Yeah, babe?”
“What are you doing?”
He stretched out beside her and gathered her in his arms. He buried his nose in her fragrant hair and inhaled deeply.
“I was watching you.” He cuddled close to kiss the curve of her shoulder. “You look beautiful in the moonlight.”
She gave a sleepy chuckle. “You need glasses. I’m chubby.” She sighed. “I can never seem to lose the twenty pounds I put on in college.”
“All women say that, even the ones with the stick figures.” He suckled her earlobe and was rewarded with a shiver. “Meat is for men while sticks are for dogs.” He licked the tender skin beneath her ear.
She wrapped her arms around his shoulders and tilted her head to allow better access. “I like that,” she purred.
“I borrowed that line from a friend.” He skimmed his hands up her back, enjoying the pressure of her ripe breasts against his chest. “I’ll pass your pleasure along.”
“Uh-huh.” She scraped her nails over his nipples and his breath hissed between his teeth. “You’re hard for me. I can feel you against my stomach.”
He palmed her breast and teased her nipple with his thumb. “I just look at you and I want you again.”
She smiled. “What a lovely thing to say.”
“That’s me, a regular poet.”
He bent his head and nipped at her breast before taking her nipple into his mouth. She moaned and clutched his head as he teased and tasted her, rolling her pert nipple against the roof of his mouth then releasing it to torment the other.
She moved onto her back and he kissed his way down her body, nipping at her belly button and kissing the lush curve of her lower stomach.
The soft curls covering her fragrant mound were damp with desire and he inhaled her scent. Arousal shot through his system and the need to mate with her increased. The night was dwindling and the moon hung heavy in the sky. It was far past time for the cat to play.
“Open for me.” His voice was hoarse. “I want to see you.”
She slid her hands between her thighs, and parted her labia. He growled deep in his throat at the sight of her rosy, dampened flesh. He buried his face between her legs and seduced her with his tongue.
She moaned and her thighs tensed at the first swipe of his tongue over her clit. He closed his eyes and lost himself in the essence of this amazing woman. She clutched at his head as he worshipped her needy flesh with his tongue.
He lavished attention upon the hardened nub, dragging his tongue over her again and again until she was sobbing and thrusting against his mouth. It had been so long since he’d wanted to pleasure a woman as he did this one. While he’d always made sure his sexual partners reached release, he wanted more from Char. More touching, tasting, fucking, sucking—all of it.
He covered her with his mouth and stroked his roughened tongue over her clit. Holding the position he PPurrRReeddD…
Char came with a wild scream. Her back arched and her hips left the bed in a wild move that threatened to unseat him. Gripping her hips, he followed the movement and continued his sensual assault until she begged him to stop.
Desire burned hot and heavy in his bloodstream and he felt he would explode if he didn’t take her now. He rose to his knees.
It was time to unleash the beast.
* * * * *
Her heart was still pounding as Rik urged her onto her knees. He knelt close behind her; his big body cuddled close and his cock pressed into her buttocks. He put his arms around her and palmed her breasts. Still shaking from her powerful release, she tipped her head back to rest on his shoulder.
“Are you always this insatiable?” She covered his hands with hers.
“No.” He nipped at her throat. “Only with you.” He slid a hand down to cup her mound then slipped his fingers inside.
She moaned and rubbed herself against his fingers, amazed at her own stamina. She’d never considered herself a sexual Olympian before, but now she was convinced she was headed for the gold medal.
Silently, he urged her to part her legs and he entered her from behind. She swayed, stunned by the stark eroticism of the moment. The room was dark and she couldn’t see her lover, only feel him behind her, filling her, stretching her until she could take no more. The sensations were so powerful she moaned and strained against his grip as he began to gently thrust.
She tumbled forward onto her elbows and they both groaned as he sank even deeper into her. Sex in this position, with this man, gave her a pleasure richer than anything she’d ever imagined.
Rik began to thrust in earnest, his big body covering hers. The bedsprings squeaked in accompaniment to their muted groans and sighs. She arched her back, taking him just a few centimeters deeper than before while she strained to meet his thrusts. She was a woman consumed with the need for total possession. His possession.
His fingers dug into her hips and she knew she’d probably be bruised in the morning, but she didn’t care. She wanted only this man’s complete and utter domination of her body and soul.
He bent over her; his teeth grazed her shoulder as he reached between her thighs and stroked her clit. The sensation was earthy, powerful, and she teetered on the verge of release. He bit her shoulder and it was that slight flash pain that he soothed with his tongue that pushed her over the edge.
She
came with a scream and a few seconds later, Rik joined her. Together they sank on the bed in a limp, sweaty heap with their hearts pounding in near unison.
He covered her like a human blanket and Char found she quite enjoyed the experience. She snuggled into the pillows and closed her eyes, relishing the feel of his warm skin against hers.
As far as lovers went, in her opinion, she’d found the best there was in New Orleans. Rik had definitely spoiled her for any other man.
* * * * *
Char came awake slowly with the sound of heavy purring in her ear. She batted her tangled hair from her eyes only to realize it was Rik making the odd sound in his throat. She grinned. He sort-of snored—how cute was that?
Sunlight poured in through the blinds, alerting her to the fact that it was much later than when she usually got up. She glanced at the clock.
Eleven-seventeen.
Yup, much later, but she’d had good reason to sleep in a bit.
Her lover was curled against her; his big arm tossed over her stomach and his face buried in the pillows. The bandage on his arm had come loose and one end stuck up. She pulled it the rest of the way off and tossed it on the bedside table. Her eyes widened when she saw the scratches. They looked amazingly good. In fact, they looked as if they were several days old. She frowned. Maybe they hadn’t been as bad as she’d originally thought?
“What are you doing?” Rik’s sleepy voice sounded from the pillows. His arm tightened and he snuggled closer.
“Checking your wounds. They look excellent.”
“I heal fast.” He pulled her into the curve of his big body and nibbled her neck.
“And you recover pretty quickly, too,” she teased. His burgeoning erection prodded her in the hip.
“Well, it is morning.” His teeth grazed her throat. She moved her hair out of the way and he nipped her earlobe. “And you know what that means…”
She rolled onto her side and snuggled her back against his chest to enjoy the caress of his tongue. “That I do.”
He slid his arm around her neck, then secured her against his chest before he moved his hand between her thighs. She parted her legs and he entered her from behind. She sighed. They fit so well together it was frightening. His big arms encircled her, anchoring her in place, making her feel safe, cherished, as he began to thrust. Each movement was slow, easy, an unhurried dance of passion.
It was an incredible rush to be held so tightly she could barely move, only accept his inevitable possession. The tension built and he increased the pace. When she thought she could bear it no more, his fingers plunged between her thighs to stroke her clit and she reached release.
Just as she fell to the earth again she felt Rik tense and he growled out his release. They lay intimately entwined while their breathing slowed and their heartbeats gentled.
“That is the best way to wake up,” he said.
She laughed. “You’re such a guy.”
He gave her a rough hug. “No, if I was a ‘guy’, as you put it, I’d say that having my cock in your mouth was the best way to wake up.”
She shook her head and giggled. “Yeah, well, maybe next time.”
He released her abruptly and rolled away, leaving her wishing she’d never said such a thing. Regardless of how she felt, this was still a one-night stand, albeit a leisurely one.
“I’m starving.” He rose and presented her with an eye-widening view of his perfect buttocks and the strongly muscled line of his back.
She cleared her throat and thanked the gods the blinds were partially open so she could see him clearly. A vision such as Rik’s naked body was one that should never be wasted.
“I can make some breakfast. How do you feel about eggs and sausage?” she asked.
He turned and grinned, causing her heart to flop. “I say bring it on.”
Char got to her feet and grabbed her robe. “If you want to take a shower, go ahead. Just help yourself to whatever you might need.”
“Great, thanks.”
Mourning the sudden distance she felt between them, she scurried into the kitchen. She’d never been in this position before. Let’s face it; she just wasn’t that kind of girl.
She opened the fridge and pulled out the eggs and sausage.
Well, now she could be considered one of those girls but under normal circumstances she wasn’t. She was more likely to spend her evenings alone with a stack of romance novels and a bowl of carrot sticks than she was to go out and partake of the multitude of sinful pleasures New Orleans offered.
On the rare occasion she’d contemplated going out and finding a playmate, she’d come up with a hundred reasons to stay on the couch. Never, in her wildest dreams, had she imagined she’d end up with a man such as Rik.
Sheesh, the man was an animal.
She tossed the sausages into the skillet and began scrambling some eggs. He was a big guy so she’d better make at least six eggs. Her cheeks colored. He was definitely a big guy.
Now what? She’d feed him and he’d leave? Would he call her again? Should she just send him on his way with a smile and a casual “see ya” or beg him to take her phone number?
She scowled and poked the sausages with a fork. She hated this feeling of indecision. She’d been brought up to let the man make all the moves and right now that lesson seemed really dumb to her.
“Are the sausages misbehaving?”
Rik stood in the doorway dressed only in his jeans and a wide smile. His damp hair was tousled and he looked good enough to eat.
Her stomach rumbled.
“Why do you say that?” she asked.
“You’re making evil faces at them.” He walked toward the refrigerator.
She grinned. “Don’t worry, I know what to do with my meat.”
He laughed and pleasure flooded her system at the warm sound. “Yes, you do. Do you want this fruit salad set out on the table?”
“Please. There’s milk and juice in there, too. Just grab whatever you want. Glasses are over the sink.”
He pulled the carton of milk out then made a face when he saw the label. “It’s skim, what’s the point?”
She gave his flat stomach a pointed look. “Some of us have to watch our weight.”
He set the carton on the table then stepped behind her. He placed his hands on her hips before he dropped a kiss on her neck. “You do not need to watch your weight.”
She grinned and reached for a plate to put the meat on before it burned. “Yes, I do. The women in my family run to chubbiness the second we hit thirty. I swear, at the stroke of midnight on my birthday, I put on four pounds.”
He took the plate from her and sat at the table. “Trust me, after last night you burned enough calories to have a milkshake with your breakfast.” He gave her a pointed look.
Her cheeks warmed and she placed a pile of scrambled eggs in front of him. “You too. Eat up.”
She made some toast and listened to him grunt and groan over how fabulous the food was. She took a small portion of eggs and a sausage then sat down.
“It’s just toast,” she laughed as he snagged two pieces off the plate. “Don’t you ever cook?”
“Not if I can help it. I’m a firm believer in take-out and it helps the local economy.” He glanced at her plate. “Is that all you’re having?”
“Well, I usually have cereal and fruit so this is a splurge for me.”
He picked up an orange slice from the bowl of mixed fruit. “Like this?” He held it out to her, his eyes daring her to take it. “Would you like a bite?”
She leaned forward and took the proffered fruit from his fingertips. Heat ignited low in her belly when his fingers brushed her lower lip. She chewed and swallowed the sweet fruit.
“Well, not exactly like that.” She reached for the bowl and pulled out a chunk of pineapple and offered it to him.
He caught her wrist and took the fruit before licking her fingers clean. When he was done, her skin burned where he’d touched her.
&n
bsp; “I’m not sure, but some of this looks like it might be going bad.” He fished out a plump strawberry. “We might need to check more of it to be sure.” He bit the fruit in half then offered her the other half.
She mimicked him, taking his wrist and pulling him closer. She didn’t miss how his gaze dropped to her mouth when she took the bite.
“I think you’re right and I have something to help the situation. We wouldn’t want to waste food.” She rose and retrieved a container of whipped cream from the refrigerator. “This should cover up that slightly sour flavor.”
She started to sit but he stopped her. Pushing back from the table he guided her to straddle his lap. His jeans felt decadent against her bare inner thighs.
“This is much better.” His big hands landed on her hips.
“Mmm.” She picked up a slice of peach and dipped it into the cream. “I think so, too.”
Their gazes locked and he opened his mouth to take the morsel from her fingertips. As he chewed she picked up his plate and continued feeding him, taking bites for herself as well. When the plate was empty, Rik reached for the fruit.
“I think we need some more of this.” He tipped the bowl ever so slightly and the cold juice splashed her chest and soaked her thin robe. She gasped as the icy liquid ran down her belly. Looking unrepentant, he put down the bowl and opened her robe fully.
“Sorry about that.” His eyes gleamed. “Allow me to clean it up.”
He tipped his head and began lapping at the sweet juice and her skin. Char leaned against the table and moaned as he suckled her sticky nipples. By the time he’d licked every inch of her chest, she was wet and ready for him. Rather than reach for her, he picked up the fruit.
“These peaches are really good.” He pulled out a fat slice. “Would you like another one?” The juice ran down his fingers and dripped onto her breasts.
“I don’t think one can ever have enough…fruit.”
She took the sweet morsel from his fingers, taking time to clean his sticky fingertips. Rik licked his lips and she felt a near-delirious rush of power in the face of his obvious arousal.
Things That Go Bump In the Night 2004 Page 13
