by Lisa Sanchez
Ty looked to the ceiling and rolled his eyes. “Thanks a lot, boss. Way to put the poor girl at ease.” Drawing the top sheet over his lap in an effort to make her a little more comfortable in his presence, he ran a hand through his hair and sighed.
“We teleported from the alleyway to my apartment. Yes.”
Danika paled, her breath coming in short, shallow pants. Eyes narrowed, she shook her head. “Impossible…” She turned her gaze from him. Mouth agape, she quickly scanned the room from his flat screen TV, to his mirrored ceiling, and finally to the wall of glass overlooking the city.
He barked a quick laugh. If he had a dollar for every time someone had uttered the word “impossible” to him, he’d have more money than Oprah. As it stood, though he lived a comfortable life, TV’s daytime guru kicked his ass in the money department.
“I’m afraid not, babe. I’ve got a whole bag of tricks up my sleeve.” He held up his arm and cast her what he felt was his best cheeky grin. “Oh, wait. I’m not wearing any sleeves.”
He had hoped a little levity would help to ease her tension, but so far it wasn’t working. It was just as well. The situation wasn’t funny, and he was definitely not a funny man. Cold-blooded, underworld mercenary was more like it.
Unusually still, Danika seemed every bit as freaked out as she had been in the alley. And could he blame her? Hell no. Not only had she been attacked by a flesh-eating, soul-sucking demon, she’d witnessed his transformation into a raging lion, and found herself teleported to his apartment moments later. Frankly, he was surprised she was still conscious.
Fucking Athena. The last time his beast came out she’d claimed she was busy and left him to walk the streets of the city with no clothing for over an hour. Awkward! The ladies sure didn’t mind, but the police? Yeah, they weren’t too happy about his state of undress.
As much as he despised Athena, Ty was thankful the goddess had seen fit to teleport them to his place. He needed privacy, as well as the comforting familiarity of home, to help him when it came time to expose the truth of his relationship to Danika. Just because she hadn’t fled up to this point, didn’t mean she wouldn’t. Hell, it wasn’t every day you found out you were a shifter’s mate.
Danika fidgeted atop the black satin coverlet, her voice shaking as she spoke. “So, uh…what are you? Some sort of wizard?”
“Pshh.” Ty swiped his thumb over his mouth and bit back a laugh. “Nope. Sorry to disappoint. The name’s Ty, not Harvey. And that Dumblepuke character? Yeah, he’s a work of fiction.” He jabbed a thumb to his chest and gave her a nod. “I’m the real deal.”
With her brows knit together, she shook her head in disbelief. “Okay, then. So, there wasn’t any abracadabra, presto change-o, one minute you’re a man, the next you’re a lion thing going on?”
Seemed someone either watched too much TV, or read one too many of those paranormal romance type novels. “Shit, no. Trust me; I wouldn’t willingly shift if I didn’t have to. I’m cursed.”
Her brow shot up again, marking her obvious disbelief. “Cursed,” she said with a slight nod. “Uh-huh…”
The issue of whether or not Danika believed him didn’t seem to dampen her physical attraction to him in the least. She eyed him with frank curiosity, openly ogling his naked form from the chest down. Electricity arced between them, a heady, palpable feeling that hardened his cock, creating a tent out of the sheet covering his lap.
She quickly looked away, a deep flush crawling across her ivory flesh as her gaze darted to the wall, then the floor, anywhere but him.
It took everything he had to hide the smile wanting to emerge. Danika was attracted to him in spite of her fear, and it was evident in her rosy cheeks as well as the scent of her sweet arousal permeating the air. Sweet, Blessed Aphrodite! He wanted her—badly.
There was really no point in holding back, so he continued on with the truth about himself. “Brace yourself, sweetness, because what I’m about to tell you is going to sound really out of this world.”
Danika’s head shot back as she gaped at him, eyebrows raised, full of skepticism. “Uh…more out of this world than a crazy man with black smoke oozing out of his mouth? Crazier than you morphing into the King of the Jungle and devouring my attacker? More bizarre than being poofed from an alleyway into your apartment?” She stared at him as though he were a lunatic and barked out a sarcastic laugh. “I don’t know…after tonight, I’m not sure things can get any crazier.”
Ty chuckled. “Trust me, babe. Crazy knows no bounds. I’m an immortal, and you’re my mate.”
His apartment building probably could have exploded all around her, and she still wouldn’t have moved. Danika sat frozen in place, her face void of expression for several long seconds.
Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, her brows knit together and she squeaked out a breathless reply. “Imm-Immortal? As in you never die? And mate? As in, we have hot, crazy monkey sex, and love each other forever mate?”
Ty chuckled, despite the seriousness of the conversation. Danika was precious. “That would be a yes on both accounts.” He cleared his throat. Time to get down to the nitty-gritty. “Have you read any of the Greek tragedies?”
She mashed her lips together and let out a nervous, high-pitched whine, but remained still. “Um…” She blew out a breath and shook her head, confusion marring her features. “Not since I was in school. Why?”
Ty wasn’t surprised. Most people found the ancient stories boring as shit. He shrugged. “Yeah, well, the thing is…I’m in one.”
Danika’s eyebrows shot up, a look of incredulity twisting her gentle features. “Seriously? You really expect me to believe you’re a living, breathing fictional character?”
Ignoring her blatant skepticism, and too deep in it to stop, Ty pressed on with a shake of his head. “Not fictional. Real. I was one of the seven warriors to attack Thebes and a favorite of the Goddess Athena. She not only blessed me with my boyish good looks,” he waggled his eyebrows and smiled, “but with the gifts of strength, agility, and a propensity for war.” His jaw tensed and he squared his shoulders, pride filling his chest. “I fought and won many a battle for the Goddess. There were none that could best me.”
He knew he sounded boastful, but he spoke the truth. His skill and valor on the battlefield earned him his position as leader of The Order of Seven.
Several moments passed before Danika responded, and when she did, her voice was quiet, reticent. “So, that’s how you ended up immortal, then? Athena blessed you for being her killing machine?”
Ty winced at her words. Killing machine… Danika didn’t know that half of it. If she knew the man, the monster he’d once been, she’d run screaming for the hills. But that was a thousand lifetimes ago. Times had changed. He’d changed, and was a better man.
He breathed in deep and shifted atop the bed. “Not exactly. Athena promised me immortality, but amended her vow after I was mortally wounded.”
Danika raised a brow, skepticism temporarily overcoming the fear and confusion marring her features. “I thought none could best you?”
Ty chuckled, impressed with her tenacity. “Touché, my sweet. You’re right to call me out,” he said with a nod. “Had I won my battle, things would be very different.” Ty breathed in deep through his nose, then blew the air forcefully out of his mouth with a groan. He pressed his lips together and shook his head. “I was stubborn, stupid and refused to lose. My desire to conquer, coupled with a love of war and bloodshed remained, even as I lingered at death’s door. This angered the Goddess.”
“Love of…bloodshed?” She paled even further and began inching toward the edge of the bed. “What…what exactly did you do?”
Ty hesitated for a brief moment before sharing the bloody truth of his past. If they were to be together, united in every way, she needed to hear the truth from him—the whole truth. “I tore my enemy apart.” He paused for a brief moment, hesitant. “Literally.”
“Okay, then…” Dan
ika jumped off the bed, fear and uncertainty rolling off her in waves. She kicked off her heels, and clutching a shoe in each hand, slowly backed away from him toward the bedroom door.
It was just as he’d feared. The truth of his bloody past was too much for her to accept.
She held her arms out in front of her as if to ward him off. “I’m, uh…sorry to run out on you since I’m your—” she swallowed back a groan, “—since I’m your mate and all. It’s just…well…this has all been a bit too weird for me. I mean…seriously? Monsters? Greek goddesses? I think…” She quickly glanced over her shoulder, no doubt judging the distance between her and the door. “I think I’ll just be going now.”
“Danika, wait!” Gripping a fistful of sheet, Ty shot forward off the bed and placed himself between her and the door. The idea she might walk out of his life, never to be seen again, sent him reeling. He couldn’t let her go. He had to help her understand what they were to each other. He had to make her see. They were fated lovers, destined for one another.
After hastily wrapping the bedding around his waist, he held up both hands and eased forward slowly. “Please. Please, Danika. Do not fear me. I’m not going to hurt you. I could never hurt you.”
The sight of her trembling body tore at his gut, eviscerated his heart. The last thing he wanted was for her to fear him, though he understood why she did. If he were mortal and had witnessed the strange happenings she did this evening, he’d be freaked out as well. Somehow, some way, he needed to put her at ease, help her see she was safe with him.
“Please believe me when I tell you, I’m not the man I used to be. Athena has seen to that, I promise you.”
Danika stared up at him, a tremor of fear rippling through her body, confusion twisting her features. “I don’t know what to believe. I…” She paused, regarding him with uncertainty. “I can’t help thinking my mind is playing tricks on me. That maybe James finally got his way and I’m lying unconscious somewhere back at the club.”
Ty wanted to strip away her fears, to comfort and ease her with his body. But first, he needed her to trust him.
He shifted, holding his hands palms up, willing her to relax, and wanting desperately to devour every inch of her delicate skin with his mouth. Gods, she was beautiful—wholesome and good. She was everything he wasn’t, everything he craved in a woman, in a mate. Dammit! He didn’t want her to leave, but he wouldn’t force her to stay either. If she were truly afraid of him, if she truly wanted to leave, he’d let her go, no matter how much it pained him to do so.
His beast roared, the animal in him desperate to claim its mate, to sate its need.
Ty groaned. He wanted her to stay as much as his beast did. Maybe if he tried a new tack.
Ty dropped to one knee, releasing his position of power in the situation. He hoped this new stance would assure her he meant her no harm, and that she could once again trust him.
He placed one hand over his heart, the other he lifted toward her. “The curse. Because of my disobedience and bloodlust, Athena saw fit to saddle me with an inner beast and a life-long mission. I’ve spent the last few millennia hunting down bloodthirsty predators, doling out the justice of the Gods.”
When he saw that she hadn’t bolted, he continued. “The punishment for my rampage was harsh, but fitting. I’ll spend the rest of eternity morphing into a savage beast, forever reminding me of the monster I once was, the man I refuse to be any longer.”
He looked away for a moment before meeting her eyes once more. “That’s why I was at the club tonight. I’ve been tracking a demon, a killer I’m sure you’ve been reading about in the papers.”
“I knew it,” she said on a shaky breath. She crossed her arms over her chest, as if holding herself together. “I knew there was something wrong with Alexei. His eyes…” Her voice shook as she spoke. “They were completely black—inhuman. And that smoky trail coming out of his mouth—”
“Was the demon,” he said, cutting her off. “I’ve been tracking a Hirudo the past two weeks.”
“I’m sorry.” She stared down at him, confusion evident in her voice. “A Hirudo?”
“A parasite. A body-hopping leech that feeds off human flesh and souls.” His blood boiled at the thought of the bloody trail the now deceased demon had left in its wake.
His gut rolled, a sick, twisting sensation knotting his insides. Had he not shown up when he did, Danika would be on the Hirudo’s list of casualties.
He shook his head, refusing to think of what might have been. Danika was alive and safe, and that was all that mattered. “The smoky trail you saw crawling out of Karpos’ mouth was the demon preparing to invade your body.”
Danika’s jaw dropped and she inhaled a ragged breath. “It…it didn’t…”
She didn’t have to finish her sentence for him to know what she was thinking. “Rest easy, sweetness. I killed the Hirudo before it was able to leave its host completely. You’re safe. Everyone’s safe now.”
Slowly, taking great care to make sure he didn’t spook her, he stood from where he knelt, never once taking his eyes off her. “I’m not a monster anymore, Danika. I take out the monsters now.” He sucked in a deep breath and took a small step forward. “I don’t know how to say this other than to just put it out there.” He paused and pressed his hand to his heart once more. “From the moment I first saw you at the club, I knew you were the one for me. There will never be another. You’ve tamed my beast, Danika— and captured my heart. You’ve calmed the monster within me. I sensed you were my fated from the start, but when I morphed from man to lion and you remained alive and whole, I knew, without a doubt, you were mine.”
Shock coated the back of Ty’s tongue when Danika stepped forward and gently cupped his cheek. Electricity arced between their flesh, a powerful bolt of energy warming him from her fingertips straight down to his gut.
Great Zeus above! After learning his history, he’d fully expected her to run for the hills and never look back. Instead, she’d reached out to him with compassion and feeling. Danika was so much stronger than he’d given her credit for, a mistake he wouldn’t make again.
Teary eyes held his gaze. “You’re not a monster, Ty.” She shook her head and pressed her lips together as she fought to find her words. “You could have taken advantage of me at the club, but you didn’t. In fact, I suspect you knew you had a job to do and that’s why you blew me off. Am I right?”
“Yes,” he said, closing the space between them in one step. He grasped her wrist, and when he was certain she was comfortable, he pulled her to him, crushing her soft, gentle frame against his chest. He snaked his arms around her and squeezed, reveling in her feminine scent, unwilling to let her go.
Ty pressed a kiss to the top of her head and reveled in the sweet, floral scent of her hair. “I sensed you the moment you stepped foot into the bar. You’re unlike any woman I’ve ever come across. You’re a ray of light, so innocent, so unbelievably beautiful.” He pulled back just enough to meet her gaze. “I wanted you from the start. You have to know that.”
“I…I do.” She stared up at him, darkened eyes filled with desire and longing. “I feel it too—the connection. The moment I first sensed your eyes on me, I knew I wanted you.”
That was all it took. One minute Ty was holding Danika in his arms, the next his mouth was devouring hers, unleashing all of his passion into a kiss so fiery, so hot, he was sure they would both perish from the heat. Her soft lips moved sensually with his own, parting to make way for his tongue to explore her sweetness. And by the Gods, did she taste good! He couldn’t wait to savor every delectable inch of her body.
CHAPTER 10
The sensation of Ty’s soft lips moving with her own nearly brought Danika to her knees. If it wasn’t for the large pair of arms wrapped around her, she was sure she’d end up a molten puddle of goo on the floor. She’d done her fair share of kissing in the past, but whoa, baby! Never had she experienced anything even remotely close to the way Ty was kissing her
now. It was as though he’d enveloped each of her senses and all she could see, feel, and smell was Ty. He was everywhere all at once, and the sensation was pure ecstasy.
He pulled back momentarily, his eyes dark with hunger as they raked her over from head to toe. “Sweetness…” He groaned. “You have way too many clothes on.” Grasping onto the thin white fabric, Ty ripped her blouse open with a quick jerk of his hand. Buttons clattered to the floor. Her skirt left her body in similar fashion shortly after, leaving her naked save for her white lace panties and bra.
Exposed.
Vulnerable.
Wanton.
It had been ages since she’d been with a man, and Good Lord Almighty, she wanted this one badly.
Danika took a moment to appreciate Ty in all his splendid, muscled up glory. Truly, he had been gifted by the Gods. Every tanned inch of him was covered in bulging, sinewy perfection. Ty’s ripped body made Michelangelo’s statue of David look like a pipsqueak, and looking at him now stole her breath away.
A savage groan emanated from deep within his chest. “Thanks be to Zeus!” He held her by the waist and warmed her with his heated gaze. “You are so fucking beautiful.”
Warm, rough fingers ghosted up either side of her torso, his thumbs grazing the sides of her lace-covered breasts. Please, she thought. Take it off. Touch me…skin to skin.
As if he’d read her mind, he followed her silent cue and unclasped her bra with ease, the cool air brushing across her already stiff peaks. Ty swiftly picked her up and carried her to his enormous bed, carefully laying her atop the silken sheets.
A low moan blew past her lips as his mouth latched onto her aching nipple. His tongue flicked and teased the tightened bud, driving her mad with desire.
Her hands, acting as though they had a will of their own, took hold of his head and fisted large chunks of his gorgeous blond hair, pulling him closer as he continued to suckle her. “More,” she groaned. “Please…more.”
