“I never stopped thinking about you. Never stopped wondering how you were. Could never resist checking to make sure you were okay.”
His expression was open, raw yet fierce. She couldn't let him go out on this limb alone, it wasn't fair.
“I've never been able to get you out of my head, either.”
Triumph flashed behind his eyes, but he didn't gloat. “I know it's hard to understand, you're human, after all. I'm a weretiger, and the beast inside of me…he recognized you. It’s why my instinct was to bite you. It’s the way we—shifters—claim our mates. It bonds us.”
She very nearly laughed. “So what are you saying? We’re fated mates or something? Soul mates?”
He shook his head ruefully. “Not exactly. More like something inside of me recognizes something inside of you, and I think, vice versa. We both know the attraction was instantaneous, but it's more than that. We’re connected, even if it's not in such a black-and-white way as destiny.”
“Then why didn't you follow me?” It was the question that had been on her mind since she walked out his door three years ago. She’d begun to suspect he'd been tracking her ever since she left. “Don't tell me my fumbling around your cabin that morning didn't wake you. You can hear my stomach growl at a hundred yards.”
His expression grew serious. “I wanted to stop you, to follow you. It took every ounce of my willpower not to chase you down when you headed back to the lodge.” Something feral passed behind his gaze. “But I couldn't trust myself yet.”
“Because you couldn’t control your tiger.”
“I've always struggled with it, even when I was a child. My shift, my abilities—as you might call them—came early and strong. Loss of control is why my father banned me from my clan. But after that night…” His gaze seemed to move somewhere far away, then he shook his head. “I don't know if it was finding you, or if it was simply the fact that I was maturing and you gave me added motivation—but I finally found the control I needed.”
She offered him an encouraging smile, but she really wanted to hug him. How awful. A young man, banned from his clan—his family, she assumed. She might not always fit the mold that her parents wanted her to, but there was never any doubt in her mind that they loved her. That there would always be a place for her with them, should she need it. Her heart broke for him, for the young Nicolas who had to grow up away from the people who were supposed to love him.
Tears pricked her eyelids.
He made a disapproving noise in his throat. “None of that, now. If I hadn't been banished, I never would've found you.” He stood and tugged her to her feet. She set down her wine, and he took her hands in his. “I wouldn't be here with you now if I wasn't confident in myself. I know it may take a while for you to trust the tiger inside of me, but I hope you can have faith the man.”
Something in her chest twisted. She wanted to have faith in him, wanted to be with him. If she was honest, she hadn't stopped wanting him for a single day since she'd lost him. “I trust you.”
Very slowly, giving her time to pull away, he lowered his mouth to hers.
She jerked, suddenly unsure. “I don’t—”
But Nicolas held her firm. “You think I can’t smell how much you want me? How wet you are already?”
She opened her mouth to object, but the lie wouldn’t come. “This is a bad idea.”
The words came out breathless and didn’t seem to fool him for a second. “You’re scared. You want to run.”
Not a question, but the answer fell from her lips anyway. “Yes.”
Rough fingers slid along her jawline, and he tipped her chin up so she would meet his gaze. “It’s time to stop running.”
Soft lips swept over hers, teasing with the barest of touches. He pressed soft butterfly kisses against her jaw, her cheek, her neck. She closed her eyes against the sensual assault, and he pressed soft kisses there, as well.
“Tell me you want me.” His voice was low, full of command.
Eyelids fluttering open, she took in his serious, almost somber, expression. As ridiculously unlikely as it sounded to her very human mind, Nicolas thought her his mate. His one and only. And that instinct had driven him to bite her, then had given him the strength he needed to gain control of his tiger so he’d never hurt her again.
Logic be damned. Her heart screamed that he was hers, just as she was his.
Going to her tiptoes, she pressed her lips firmly against his. Needing to hear the words, he stiffened and didn’t budge. A smile touched her lips. Stubborn man.
“I want you. I need you, you sexy, delicious man.”
Tension seemed to melt from him, and as if her words had released him from his last vestige of control, he took her mouth. Strong arms wrapped around her, pulling her close to his hard body. His long, hard erection pressed against her stomach, making her gasp.
“God, I missed you,” she said, tugging his shirt over his head. Then she gaped.
The man had been sexy three years ago, and she would have bet every penny in her bank that it didn’t get any sexier than that. She’d have lost it all.
Broad and chiseled, his chest was muscled from hard work and no small amount of good genes. His biceps looked like they were bigger than her thighs, and she had some good curves going on. He filled her vision, overwhelming her with his presence and his size.
“I missed you, too, city girl,” he said, a tiny smirk on his lips. “But it’s not fair that you get to ogle me and keep all your clothes on.”
“I wasn’t ogling—I was appreciating. There’s a difference.”
“If you say so.” Then he kissed her again—kissing and touching and pulling off pieces of her clothing.
Somehow, he managed to get every piece of her clothing off, while she couldn't do much other than concentrate on the amazing feel of his body against hers, his hand stroking, tugging, and siding against her skin. He stepped back, his eyes on her now naked frame. The urge to cover herself, to place a hand across her breasts, was fierce. But the look in his eyes stopped her. Wiped away her fear. Not simple lust, but reverence.
“God, you're beautiful. I thought—” He shook his head. “I thought nothing could be as beautiful as I remembered you to be. I was wrong.”
Damn. It would sound strange if she said she’d thought the same thing about him. Besides, she wasn't entirely sure he’d like to be called beautiful.
His large hands cupped her breasts, and she gasped at the sensation. Then without warning, he leaned in and licked one of her nipples, wet tongue sliding against her sensitive flesh before he pulled it into his mouth and sucked.
Her tummy clenched, and she could feel her pussy immediately dampen at his ministrations. She shifted her weight, trying to relieve the sudden pressure between her legs.
He released her nipple. “Still so goddamn sensitive. Good.” His eyes met hers, dark and serious. “I'm going to bring you to the edge of orgasm by playing with your tits, then I’m going to fuck you so hard, so deep, you won't know where I begin and you end.”
A moan escaped her at his words and the sudden presence of his mouth against her nipple again. She gripped his shoulders, and he massaged her other breast.
The sensation shot immediately to between her legs. She needed to come, she needed to come now. She tried to shift her weight again, to get some pressure against her clit, at least. She was so close, so fucking close.
As if sensing how near she was to orgasm, he stopped. She cried out, but when he reached between them and slid a long finger inside of her, she went silent.
“Fuck, Evie. Can't wait to feel your tight little pussy clenching like that around my dick.” His hands moved to around her waist. With almost with no noticeable exertion, he lifted her onto the table and stepped between her legs, spreading them. He pressed against her chest until she leaned back to brace herself on her elbows.
“My only regret—I never got to taste you that night.”
Slowly, he slipped two fingers inside her
sopping heat. She bit her lip at the sudden pleasure, but she couldn't look away from his eyes, from the way he watched her, molten heat in his gaze. The sensation in her pussy was amazing. But it wasn't enough. She needed him.
Nicolas slid his long digits out of her body, and she groaned at the sudden emptiness. He brought his fingers to his lips and closed his eyes, but she couldn't look away. He licked his fingertip then opened his eyes.
Hunger laced his expression.
“So sweet. You taste just like I imagined.”
A shiver ran through her as he slowly and deliberately lowered his mouth to her pussy. He pressed a kiss against her clit, and she almost came from the soft touch alone. He flicked the bundle of nerves with his tongue, and she clawed helplessly at the table. Then he plunged his tongue inside of her.
“Oh God,” she said, panting.
Hands gripping her hips tightly, he held her in place as he fucked her with his tongue. The invasion was intimate, and oh so good. Then he slid his mouth to take her clit between his lips. He moved one of his hands and thrust two fingers into her wetness.
Holy hell. Her body was on fire with need.
With a twist of his wrist, she felt his thumb pressing against her ass. Her eyes flew open. She'd never had anything in there before, and the feeling was strange, even just the pressure. Before she could get a grasp on it, he sucked on her clit, hard. The orgasm crashed into her and her body shook violently. Stars flashed behind her vision, and he pulled his mouth away from her as he continued to work her with his fingers.
“That's it,” he said as she continued to shudder around his fingers. “Come hard for me. Get that pussy wet—ready for my dick.”
His dirty words intensified her orgasm, but as the last quiver shook her, she managed to find her voice. “Big talk for guy who hasn't fucked me yet.”
He pulled his fingers from her, making her gasp. With great care, he lifted her into his strong arms. Her legs wrapped automatically around his waist, and he gave her a hard kiss.
“Guess we’ll have to fix that.” Then he carried her toward his bedroom, a wicked smile on his lips.
The second her bottom hit the bed, he kissed her. Despite her orgasm, she needed him again. All of him. And she needed to make him feel the same way.
Breaking their kiss, he stepped back then pulled off his jeans, revealing the long, thick, perfect cock she remembered.
She licked her lips, suddenly needing to taste him. Needing to drive him over the edge the same way he'd driven her.
Before he could push her back and take her, she took hold of his cock. He stilled, seeming unsure if he wanted to push her back and take her or allow her to tease him. She made the choice for him.
Watching his face for his reaction, she licked the head of his cock, tasting his sweet salty flavor. He drew in a sharp breath, his eyes locked on her.
“Very slowly, she took the head of his cock into her mouth, teasing him with her tongue.
“Evie.” Her name came from his lips like a growl, and his hips moved, thrusting toward her.
She shot him a grin, and he bared his teeth at her. Stifling a laugh, she gripped him hard, then began to work him with her mouth. God, he tasted amazing. Wild like the forest he lived in, clean and masculine. Above her, he moaned, and she relished in the power she held over him. Making a man like Nicolas putty in her hands, it was heady stuff.
She worked him in and out of her mouth, deeper and deeper into her throat. Above her, he muttered a curse, and his hips started to move, pushing against her. He was close.
“Enough,” he ground out.
Ever so slowly, she released him from her mouth but continued to work him with her hand. “You've had enough?”
He pushed her back onto the bed, and she grinned.
“You'll cry wolf before I do,” he promised.
He settled between her legs, giving her a sound kiss on her lips. “Minx.”
Her amusement dissipated as he took her breasts again. One hand massaged her while his mouth sucked and bit at her other nipple. He was rough, but not too rough, sending a shot of need straight to her pussy. Her stomach tightened, and he switched to torture her other breast.
“Let's see how much you want me,” he said. One of his hands slipped between her legs, and he groaned against her chest. “So fucking wet.”
Her clit pulsed. Coming from him, the rough words made her feel sexy.
He continued to fondle her breasts, occasionally slipping a hand between her legs to tease her clit, until she was squirming beneath him. Thinking was over. She could do nothing but feel, need. She mewled at him, and he stood on his knees. His grip tight, he worked his cock.
“You want this?” he asked.
She couldn’t form words. Instead, she reached for him, kissed and licked and bit at his chest. He pushed her back, still holding his cock. Then he positioned himself at her entrance and began working his way inside of her.
She went silent. The sensations overwhelmed her, and she couldn’t do anything except concentrate on the pleasure he was giving her.
With shallow thrusts, he forced her body to take more and more of his thick cock. She cried out at the penetration, hips bucking against him, seeking more.
“Greedy girl,” he murmured, voice rough against her ear.
But he didn't rush, despite her urging. Despite what had to be a building need inside of him. Instead, he kissed her tenderly, softly as he worked his way in, giving her body time to adjust.
She could barely breathe around the need when he finally filled her completely.
He began to rock in and out of her slowly, not the hard fucking she sometimes fantasized about, but a nice, slow showing of tenderness. He kissed her—her lips, her neck, her face.
The orgasm built, not like the raging storm of the one before, but a subtle, slow tightening in her stomach. He slipped a hand between them, never slowing his rocking motion, and rubbed her clit gently. The orgasm unfurled from between her legs, blossoming to touch every corner of her body.
She murmured his name, beyond any other words, beyond almost any thought. But one thought lingered as he tenderly worked every aftershock from her body and held her close.
She'd come home.
Her long, slow orgasm was as satisfying as her dramatic shattering had been on his kitchen table. He was so enamored with her lovely body finding release, he forgot, for the briefest moment, his own needs. But as the last aftershocks faded, his hunger rose.
A wild, almost violent need to claim her again hit him. Without thinking, he pulled out of her and flipped her over onto her hands and knees. Then he gripped her hips and thrust into her hard.
Relentless, his own need to come was the only thing he could think, the only thing he could see. Holding her hips in place with an iron grip, he plunged in and out of her like the animal inside of him demanded. Like he'd needed to since she slipped out of his bed years before.
Her tight, hot pussy accepted the hard fucking without protest. Beneath him, she moaned, not in pain, but in need. As if his animal instinct touched her, as well. She arched against him, her hands clawing at the bed, allowing him to thrust in and out of her with abandon.
The orgasm built at the edge of his senses, and he could feel himself ready to come. Inside his mouth, his teeth began to lengthen, grow, sharpen.
Had to claim her.
Mine.
He growled, the noise all tiger. He ground his teeth, fighting the urge to bite her.
Deep inside her pussy, his dick jerked, shooting his cum inside of her. He held her in place, swept away in the wave of the orgasm, even as he tried to focus his will.
Need to bite. To claim.
Inside of him, his tiger screamed in protest. Demanding they claim his mate.
He jerked away from her, pulling out of her body. He turned so she couldn't see his teeth.
Was it too late? He couldn’t be sure. He made an excuse about cleaning up. On the bed, Evie collapsed into a satisfied heap w
hile he headed for the bathroom. Once inside, he shut the door and leaned against it.
Foul desolation hit him like a brick to the chest. He'd been lying to himself. A painful thought echoed in his mind.
I'm not safe for her to be around. There's no bigger threat to her than me.
Chapter Six
Damn. Getting laid was good for her. Evie stretched. Her body was pleasantly sore and so relaxed she wasn’t sure she’d be able to slither out of bed before noon, foxes be damned.
Her eyes opened.
Nope. Amazing, relationship-altering sex wasn’t going to keep her from getting her photos. She sat up, groaning as her muscles protested.
Next to her, the bed was empty. Nicolas was gone.
Her stomach dropped, then she mentally laughed at herself. Of course he was gone. The man was probably already in the kitchen making her a fantabulous breakfast. She closed her eyes. Maybe he’d be wearing only an apron. That was a sight she’d pay to see.
She pulled on a T-shirt he had slung over a chair, then tiptoed to her room and grabbed underwear. Hers had been ripped the night before, and she wasn’t keen to go through his drawers in search of something else to wear. And while she might be brave around him, given what they’d experienced together the night before, she wasn’t quite walking-around-without-undies brave.
But he wasn't in the kitchen cooking. Instead, he was sitting on the couch.
How good was his hearing? With the sunlight just starting to peek over the mountains and the fire burning next to him, there wasn't a whole lot of noise to cover her approach. But she tried to sneak up on him anyway. Before she got too close, he looked over his shoulder. His eyes widened, and he jumped up off the couch.
“Evie,” he said, voice strangled. “Meet my neighbor, Dirk.”
He gestured with a swift motion of his head, and she halted.
Sure enough, a man sat on one of the chairs in the corner away from the fire. He gave her an awkward wave, and she bolted.
Five minutes later, a tap came on her door. “It's safe, promise. Dirk’s gone.”
Amusement laced his voice, but he looked tired when she opened the door. Of course, the man would be tired. She was tired. They'd kept each other up half the night.
Prime Series Collection: (Broken Prime, Prime Desire, Mated Prime) Page 7
