by Terry Spear
“We should wait until Nicolai’s dead, and my family approves.”
She took a deep breath. “All right. If that’s the way you want it.”
“Damn it,” he whispered against her ear, “it’s not the way I want it.” He nuzzled his wet cheek against hers. “And you know it.”
“Prove it to me then,” she said under her breath, nipping his ear.
His hands massaged her breasts, caressing the tips with a loving touch, pinching, squeezing, brushing them between his fingers and thumbs.
“Prove it to me,” she prodded him and ran her hand down his backside, pressing his erection against her.
He groaned when she purred against his lips.
“Make me yours, hunter.”
42
Once Robert realized Crystal was a huntress with her unusual gene, he figured she had never been with a hunter. She hadn’t seemed all that interested in human males either. He’d had his share of noncommittal relationships with human females who only wanted some sexual gratification, no strings attached, just like him. This was different. Taking a huntress...in particular, this huntress, well, there was no going back. He’d be responsible for her forever, and she for him…only in this case, because of her genetic differences, he imagined he’d be the one trying to protect her more than the other way around.
He wanted her, and she desired him just as much. There was no denying the physical or emotional attraction. He realized somewhere in the recesses of his mind, he’d already claimed her for his own…to keep her close forever. To love and cherish, like the humans claimed they’d do with the spouse they’d marry, only his actions would be real and permanent.
Her hands slipped over his butt, coaxing, spurring him on to take her. Her tongue licked the water dribbling down his neck.
His throat constricted. Did he have the willpower to wait? He knew deep in his heart, he had to get his uncle’s approval. Family meant everything in this business. But what if his uncle didn’t approve?
Robert kissed the hollow of her throat. She raked her nails down his back. He throbbed with need. Every bit of her touching sparked a yearning he could barely contain. In spite of her encouragement, her touch was light, not pushy, maybe a bit unsure. Was she afraid of involving him? Of alienating his family?
He slipped his hands down her backside and whispered, “It will be forever, honey. Forever. There’s no going back.”
She swallowed hard and nodded. Her blue eyes had darkened like liquid pools, deep and mysterious with unknown bounds.
Raw desire stirred his loins. He wrapped his arms around her and held her close. She buried her head against his shoulder.
The hot water had turned lukewarm, and he feared it would be cold before they finished what they’d started. He rinsed them both, then turned the water off. Grabbing a towel, he slid it over her breasts, the eloquent rosy nubs entreating him to suckle them.
A banging on the bedroom door forced him to groan.
“Your brothers are watching out for your welfare again.”
“They’ll be the death of me,” Robert said, his voice strained.
He kissed her hard against the mouth. When he pulled away, she followed his lips. He smiled and this time she moaned her displeasure. Chuckling, he grabbed another towel. “Dry yourself. I’ll be right back.”
“I liked the way you dry me better.”
He glanced down at her nipples. He grinned and shook his head, not being able to think of a good comeback with his brother beating down the door. “Let me take care of my brother, and I’ll be right back.”
He wrapped the towel around his waist and strode to the bedroom door.
When he opened it, Thomas raised his brows. “Didn’t know you took that long to shower. Pizza’s ready.”
“Throw another one on. We’ll be out in a few.”
Thomas glanced back at the bathroom.
“We need to get dressed. Put another pizza on.” Robert shut the door in his brother’s face. He didn’t need his guff about now. He clicked the lock shut, then turned to face the bathroom.
She peeked out. “Ready?” she whispered.
He chuckled, amused at her tenacity. She wasn’t giving it up. Neither was he.
In a couple of quick strides, he reached her. After lifting her towel wrapped body, he carried her to the bed. “You wouldn’t believe what I was dreaming of about you.”
“Oh?”
“You were a warrior woman wearing very little and had bound my wrists, then intended to have your way with me.”
She chuckled, the devilish sound sparking a new surge of desire racing through his body. “And then you found you were really tied up and—”
“Yeah, and you know…we had this discussion earlier about getting even.”
She grinned at him as he laid her on the bed. He yanked her towel away and tossed it to the floor. She was the most beautiful specimen of a woman he’d ever laid eyes on. Was it because she was his perfect mate? Her ivory skin was kissably soft, and her nipples were hardened nubs waiting for his close-up and very personal inspection.
His gaze shifted down to the golden patch of curly hair between her legs.
He discarded his towel, and her eyes shifted to his erection. Yeah, he was ready for her. Every bit of him, mind, body, and soul. He climbed on top of her and ran his thumbs over her erect nipples. “You’d stirred me up when we were in this position before. And I sure as hell had wanted to do something about it.” He ran his hands over her abdomen. “Strong stomach muscles.”
She smiled back at him, then reached for his hands and pulled him against her. He pressed his mouth against hers, planning to slowly build up the passion, allowing her body to ready itself for his penetration, but she quickly parted her lips for him, and spread her legs at the same time.
He shifted his body around so that he was lying between her legs, attempting to control the raging lust that instantly built up in his groin. The sweet agonizing pressure ached to be released, but he had to control the urge to mount her like some primitive beast.
Slowly, he told himself. Only she wasn’t helping him one iota. She wiggled to get higher so he could enter her. When she tried to push him lower, he grabbed her wrists and kissed her hands.
“Are you in a rush?” he whispered.
“Yes, hurry, before your brothers come banging on the door again.”
He chuckled. But he was doing it his way. Slowly. He licked her nipple, and she shivered in response. When he sucked the nub, she moaned and wriggled her hips again trying to work her way onto his erection.
He had to fight the urge to laugh. If she kept squirming underneath him, he’d never make it inside of her without spilling his seed first all over the bed. He reached down and inserted two fingers inside her. She was hot and wet, fully lubricated. She was ready to receive him.
She writhed against his fingers, and he couldn’t wait.
He kissed her mouth again and ran his fingers between her legs, rubbing, caressing, making her moan his name against his lips.
Her body was covered in a light perspiration, smelling like the peach soap, and she moved like a sexual goddess to his touch. She arched against his fingers, pushing him to finish what he’d begun.
And then her breath caught, and she seemed to be suspended for a blissful moment, before he felt the undeniable orgasmic contractions shuddering through her. He slipped his arousal between her legs and eased into her tight sheath. She gasped and he eased out.
She was so tight. She grabbed his buttocks, encouraging him to slide into her again. When he slowly inserted himself, she thrust her hips to deepen his penetration, and then he began to slide in an out of her, while she met his own movement, move for move. She bent her legs and arched her back, trying to get him as far inside her as she could. The feeling of her wanting him that much sent a new surge of burning heat through him.
With her running her fingers down his arms and back, and the movement of her soft body beneath his, he couldn’t
hold back for long. With a couple of more decisive thrusts, he spoke her name in a satiated growl, kissing her mouth with deep satisfaction, his seed filling her womb. The huntress was now his. No one could ever claim her. With heady contentment he felt at one with her…a part of him that had never been whole was now complete.
He wrapped his arms around her and held tight. She was his. No matter what, he’d protect her, now and forever.
She held him back and sighed. They were mated for life.
A pounding on the door followed. Crystal chuckled and shook her head.
He kissed her mouth. “Go ahead and get dressed, and we’ll eat. We need to contact your family next.”
“Thank you.”
He nuzzled her face. “I love you, Crystal. You have family again…even if it turns out to be only me.”
Her eyes misted.
He pressed his lips to her mouth again. “It’s a choice I made freely. Don’t fret.”
She nodded.
Reluctantly, he separated from her. He wanted to stay with her in bed the rest of the day and night, making wild and passionate love. But Nicolai was still a very real threat. Robert had to kill the bloodsucker before he got his hands on Crystal again. He seized a T-shirt and boxers out of the dresser. He yanked on his clothes, then grabbed a pair of jeans out of the closet. Taking a deep breath, he turned to smile at her, his gut churning with worry that Nicolai might still get to her. “As soon as you’re dressed, join us.”
“I love you, too, Robert.”
He grinned at her, then crossed the floor and kissed her mouth again. “I could kind of tell. I’m still thinking the rabbit fur bikini on you will be awfully enticing.”
“Rabbit fur?”
“Yeah, that’s what you were wearing in my dream this morning when you bound me up tight.”
She laughed. “Okay, go on. I’ll get dressed and be right out.” The feelings he’d stirred up in her still lingered deep inside her, and she wanted him again.
When he closed the door, she hurried to dress in an aqua spandex shirt and pair of denims. She took a deep breath trying to think of something other than the wonderful way Robert made her feel. He didn’t understand how her family truly felt about her. What had he and his brothers planned to discuss with her uncle? Robert’s new relationship with her? They would think him misguided or insane.
43
After Crystal dressed, she walked down the hall toward the living room. Robert’s brothers scrutinized her. Had she and Robert made love after all? That’s what they wondered. Nobody spoke a word. She took a deep breath and strode to the kitchen. Robert pulled the pizza from the oven, then winked at her as she joined him. He sliced off a piece of pizza for her.
Crystal leaned against the counter and rubbed her shoulder. A dull ache radiated from the bullet wound she’d suffered from, undoubtedly from exercising her arm too much.
Mark entered the kitchen and walked over to her. “You ought to rest a bit if your shoulder’s bothering you.”
Robert crossed the kitchen, handed her the piece of pizza, and forced Mark to step aside. “Mark’s right. You do need to rest.” He took her hands in his and squeezed lightly. “Did you want to lie down in bed and watch something while you eat?”
“What about you, Robert?”
“I need to find out what the game plan is with your family.” He grabbed a slice of pizza, then attempted to lead her down the hall to his bedroom, but she shook loose from him.
“I’m interested in finding out what happens also.”
She joined Robert’s brothers in the living room. Mark sat on the loveseat, then patted it. “There’s room here.”
Robert took her arm and steered her toward an oversized chair. He sat, then pulled her between his legs. His brothers considered them, smirks lighting up their faces.
Thomas held up his cell phone. “Have you got a number I can call?”
Crystal shook her head. “The phone numbers have been changed since I left.” She took a bite of her pizza.
Robert rubbed her back with one hand. “No numbers at all?”
She stared at the floor. Only Boniface’s number, but if she let them know that, her family would suspect she’d given it to them. Boniface would be in trouble for giving his new number to her in the first place.
Thomas made a call. “I need the number for…”
He paused, waiting for Crystal to give him a name.
“Max Anderson.”
Thomas said, “Max Anderson, head of the family in Killeen.” After a few seconds, he smiled. “Thanks, Mildred. I owe you for another.”
Crystal took another bite of her pizza. She was surprised she’d worked up such an appetite, despite the sickening notion her disagreeable uncle would soon be meeting with Robert and his family.
Thomas punched in the number. “Hello, this is Thomas Parker.” He paused and raised his brows, undoubtedly stopped in his conversation. “Yes, older brother of Robert. We’re from…oh, you know that already.” He glanced over at Robert. “My brothers…I see, yes, Mark and Samuel.” He leaned back on the sofa. “We came to kill Yorovitch, only one of your family members killed him first. Who?” He smiled at Crystal. “Crystal Anderson.”
She paused to take another bite. What did her uncle think of that?
He nodded. “Yes, well, apparently she had no trouble taking care of him and several others recently as well. I wish to meet with you though, about another concern.” His gaze focused on Crystal.
She swallowed hard. Thomas and his brothers couldn’t think of interfering in her family’s decision to ostracize her. It just wasn’t done.
“At Robert’s house? Yes, that would be fine. But before dark. The vampires get restless around here after that.” He hung up the phone. “Have any more pizzas, Robert? Five members of the Anderson family are arriving in a few minutes. They said they’re just around the corner.”
“What did they say about me?” Crystal asked.
“You’re dangerous.”
Robert leaned over and kissed Crystal’s cheek. “We already knew that.”
Mark grinned. “But what I want to know is can she cook?”
She hmpfd. “Is that all you guys ever think of? Your stomachs?”
Robert chuckled under his breath and squeezed her hand.
Samuel whistled. “Won’t touch that one or it’s bound to get me into trouble.”
The brothers all laughed.
Crystal’s cheeks burned with embarrassment. Walked right into that one.
Robert nudged Crystal to stand. “I’ll throw another pizza on. You want to help me?”
“To see if I can cook?”
He wrapped his arm around her good shoulder. “To keep me company.”
She glanced back at his brothers who watched her with smiles still plastered on their faces. “Or to make sure I don’t hear what’s being said in my absence.”
“You sure are suspicious.” Robert kissed her cheek and steered her into the kitchen.
She slipped her arms around his waist. “Why shouldn’t I be? You pretended to be a daylight vampire.”
He laughed out loud.
Thomas called out from the living room, “No telling jokes that we don’t get to hear.”
Robert opened the freezer door and pulled out another pizza. Then he set it on the counter while she grabbed another cooked slice.
“I thought you were a vampire because you had no food in your fridge.”
He shoved the frozen pizza into the oven. “Mostly just frozen food or canned. Anything else seems to grow penicillin.”
“But you had wine.” She tugged at his belt.
“Yeah, well it keeps longer.” He pulled her close and kissed her forehead. “Do you want to lie down for a bit until...”
The doorbell rang.
She dropped her hands to the side. He quickly grasped her fingers and gave her a reassuring squeeze. “They must have been really close by.”
Thomas greeted the Andersons at the
door while Crystal froze with Robert in the kitchen. “Come on in. We hoped you’d share some pizza and wine with us,” Thomas offered.
“We’d like that.”
“Uncle Max,” Crystal said under her breath. Her eyes misted.
Robert wrapped his arm around her shoulder. “Shall we join them?”
“I won’t be welcome, Robert.” She looked up at him. “Don’t you understand? They’ve rejected me.”
“We’ve taken you in. You’re part of my family now.”
“Not exactly.” Her voice had elevated slightly and though for a few seconds the men in the other room had exchanged names, all of a sudden the conversation died to silence.
“We need to get this over with.” He threaded his fingers through hers, then locked on tight. When he tugged her into the living room, all eyes shifted to them.
Crystal lifted her chin up and stared her uncle down. She might not be part of the family, and she certainly wasn’t part of Robert’s, not without the head of his family’s permission, but she wouldn’t be intimidated by anyone. Older than the rest of the family, her uncle glared at her with hatred. His dark hair was mostly streaked with varying shades of gray. His blues eyes were dark with irritation.
The men all sat on the couches and chairs. The silence seemed graveyard quiet with not even a whisper of a breeze to stir the dead.
Uncle Max’s gaze shifted from Robert’s hand possessively holding hers to Thomas. Robert led Crystal to his oversized chair and again sat down, then pulled her between his legs.
She avoided her brothers’ eyes. Boniface and Victor undoubtedly would dislike Robert’s family treating her like their own, just as much as the rest of her family did.
Then she looked at Boniface. His face wasn’t harsh like she expected it to be. In fact, he seemed almost pleased a hunter wanted her. To her annoyance, her eyes burned with unshed tears. He quickly turned away. She caught Victor’s eye, who did the same. They never could bear to see her cry, despite maintaining a lack of emotion most of the time.
Uncle Max’s expression remained stony, his eyes stormy. He wasn’t happy about the proceedings at all. Two of her male cousins, the only ones who had red hair in the family, ignored her completely.
