by C. D. Gorri
“Busy, he asked me to drop this off quickly.” He twitched nervously.
I frowned. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing.” Miles left before I responded and locked the door behind him.
Not knowing what that was about, I ignored it and enjoyed breakfast.
My phone lit up with messages from Derek.
‘Did something happen?’, ‘Are you okay?’ and ‘Do you need me to bring a rescue?’
I rolled my eyes and started texting back, ‘I’m fi—’ when the door opened and Tyler stood in the doorjamb, cocked his head to the side and scowled.
“What are you doing?” His mouth twitched. I didn’t like his expression.
“What? This?” I raised my phone. “I’m just letting my boss know I’m okay?”
“Why?”
“I’m here on assignment—”
“Show me.”
I offered him my phone, which he grabbed and read.
“My people are at risk if anyone else knows about us. Please,” — he handed back my phone, — “we can’t risk it.”
“I know, let me send the message and then I’m all yours.” My cheeks heated, and I glanced up at him. “I mean… let me just put this man’s mind at ease. If I don’t calm him down, he will send someone to look for me, or he’d come himself.”
I quickly finished the text, ensuring it had sent before plugging it into my portable charger.
I ate the last morsel of meat, grabbed my camera bag, added my first aid kit and stood.
Tyler produced the blindfold from his pocket and my heart skipped a beat, thinking of yesterday and how my body reacted to his slight touch. A sly smile stretched across his face as he stared at me. He pointed to the centre of the room. I stepped toward him and glanced up. I sucked in air, breathing in his scent. Flashes of him on top of me last night heated my neck, I fidgeted with my camera bag and closed my eyes.
I felt him move behind me, curled his fingers around my neck and moved my head to one side. Soft lips touched my skin, burning the spot. I leaned back, one hand grabbed my waist and pulled me closer. He licked up my neck then behind my ear, sending a cascade of goosebumps everywhere.
“I love how your body responds to me.”
“Uh-huh.” I couldn’t concentrate on anything but his lips and hands on my body. At least it answered my question about how he’d react to me when he saw me.
A low guttural moan came from the base of his throat, I whimpered in delight. He was tender yet firm. He was everything I didn’t know I wanted. And in the back of my mind I thought that perhaps it wasn’t a onetime thing after all.
“I need to go,” he whispered near my ear. “I need to take care of a few things today. Miles will watch over you. Try not to get hurt,” he chuckled and tied the blindfold.
Chapter Seventeen
Ava
Tyler left me at a different spot. The same chair waited for me, only this time it was closer to the river. The scenery was beautiful as I snapped a few landscape shots, woodpeckers, Monarch butterflies, and a wildcat.
Tyler had left a bottle of water which I’d already finished, used the bathroom and dressed my wounds. My ankle still throbbed but the swelling had gone down, and I took two painkillers. At least I should be able to walk unaided tomorrow.
When Miles hadn’t arrived by lunch time an uneasiness settled in my bones. Tyler had said Miles would arrive shortly after I arrived, but he hadn’t.
I had no way of knowing which direction to go back and had to wait.
Twigs snapped in the distance and I spun around, narrowing my eyes at something moving near the trees. Unsure of the animal and therefore whether to be loud or remain quiet; I hid behind the chair and waited.
Whichever animal it was, it hadn’t revealed itself. It had most likely left, and the tension between my shoulders relaxed. I stood, turned around to take a picture of the river when something big caught my eye. A saber stalked. Its bright blue eyes trained on me. I froze. It had different markings on its body. And Tyler had yellow eyes in his beast. This was another saber.
“Miles?”
The saber shook its head, understanding me.
“Who are you?”
It made a rasping sound, hissed and closed the gap. I backed up, collided with the chair and climbed over it. The saber pounced, landed on the chair and hissed at me through the bars.
“I don’t like you,” it said through its large jaw but I understood the warning.
I glanced at its magnificent body and frowned.
“Are you the girl I saw with Tyler two nights ago?”
If this was the same woman I’d seen having sex with Tyler, then she had reason to be pissed. But Tyler had said she wasn’t his girlfriend, and I wondered whether they had an open relationship—if so, why was she stalking me?
She roared and jumped over the chair, landing softly on her paws.
“Why are you doing this?” I put my camera bag between us; doubtful it would protect me from her, but I had to try something. As much as I didn’t want to hurt her, if she attacked, I would do everything to protect myself.
“What’s going on?” Miles nursed a head wound. “Get back, Darla. I won’t tell Ash what happened if you back away. Now!”
My eyes flitted from Miles to Darla, but she kept her dark gaze on me.
“Darla! If you attack her, it forces Tyler to fight Ash. You know that would be bad.”
Darla hissed and retreated. She bared her sharp teeth, another warning, and dashed into the forest behind her.
“I think I wet myself.” I laughed nervously and glanced down. My pants felt wet, but I didn’t piss myself completely.
“Are you okay?”
“No… yes… I don’t know. She scared the bejeezus out of me. Are you okay?” I placed my camera bag on the chair and picked up my first aid kit. “You’re bleeding.”
“Don’t worry about me, I’ll heal just fine.” He lowered my hand when I wanted to touch the gash in his forehead.
“Did she do this to you?”
He nodded and glanced over his shoulder in the direction Darla had gone.
“Is she the one I saw having sex with Tyler?”
“No.”
“Why then? I don’t even know her.”
Miles cleared his throat. “She’s our chieftain’s lover.”
“Okay, but that doesn’t explain why she wanted to rip out my throat.”
“It’s not my place to tell you. Tyler can.”
“I’ll do what?” Boomed his voice from somewhere in the forest. Tyler emerged, chest heaving as if he sprinted here. “What’s going on?”
Miles shot me a warning glance before turning around. “There was a misunderstanding—”
“Did she do that to you?”
Miles glanced over his shoulder with pleading eyes. I didn’t know what was going on, who Ash and Darla were, or why she attacked me. What puzzled me the most was why Tyler would fight Ash. What I knew, I wouldn’t say anything, especially after the look I got from Miles.
“It was an accident.” I raised my camera bag. “He gave me a fright.”
Tyler smirked and slapped Mile’s shoulder. “You can head back so long,” Tyler said to Miles while he stared at me.
Miles nodded and headed back.
Tyler’s glare sent a shiver down my spine, striking my core. His hungry eyes stared at me as if I alone made everything worthwhile. He literally took my breath away as I struggled for air. Heat rose within me and if I hadn’t injured my ankle, I’d run to him, wrap my legs around him and have my way with him; Miles or no Miles.
“What are you thinking about?” He took my camera bag and placed it gently on the ground. “And I’ll know if you lie,” he said with a twinkle in his eye.
His warning spoke of carnal promises; if I told him what I wanted to do to him would he allow it, but if I lied, he’d have his way with me. I guessed either way he’d be leaving me breathless and wanting more.
I smiled up at him, his heat beating
against my chest. From the expression he wore I surmised he enjoyed last night as much as I did.
My breathing labored as our eyes met, the connection sealed.
“What I wanted to do if I wasn’t in pain.” I glanced at my swollen ankle.
He pressed his index finger under my chin and raised my face so I looked in his eyes.
“You don’t need to catch me, Ava, I’ll lie right here for you to do as you please,” he whispered gruffly, pressed his lips against my cheek. He moved down to my neck, his lips hovering there, waiting. I felt his hot breath against my chilled skin, leaving me shivering.
I wrapped my arms around his neck, rocked onto my toes and winced when pain shot up my leg. He picked me up, and I wrapped my legs around his waist. He sat on the chair while I straddled him. His jeans buckle pressed against me, I undid it and zipped him free.
Ripe with excitement, I knew I wouldn’t last long. I climbed off and slowly slipped out of my shorts and panties; giving him a twirl. Once naked, I stalked him without hurting myself, which made him smile. His dark gaze caressed my body as if his hands were on me and I knew then that’s all I wanted; him.
I hadn’t wanted to be with anyone as much as I did with Tyler. We’d only known each other a few days, yet I felt at peace and at home. I wanted to make him happy, as I knew he’d make me happy.
Tyler pulled his jeans down to his ankles, and his cock stood at attention, waiting. I placed my left knee beside his thigh first, then my right knee next to his other thigh while my hand rubbed up and down his steel shaft. He slid down slightly in the chair to get comfortable and his rock hard cock throbbed in my hand.
He reached for the apex of my legs, rubbed my moist folds, and hummed when he licked his fingers.
“I can’t get enough of your taste.”
I blushed. Then slowly, teasingly, I lowered myself onto him. He grunted when I sat up and right before he slipped out, I slowly sat down again. I gave him some of his own medicine and did this a few times, slowly, riding his cock up and down, coating his shaft with my juices.
He gripped my hips, controlled my movements and using my body pumped hard, deep thrusts.
I clutched his neck while my legs strained, hovering over him. His lips twitched into a smile. Sweat peppered his face, and he pulled me to his body. He kissed down my neck, and all I thought of was his hands on my body while riding his cock. He stretched me wide and deep as he drove into me, filling me.
Tyler grunted in animal-like fervor when I pushed my palms into his chest and shifted my hips, grinding my pussy in a circular motion, maintaining a delicious rhythm. My core tightened and contracted around him. I screamed his name. He threw his head back, letting out a low groan. I continued rocking in slow movements when his cock throbbed, filling me with his hot seed. In a wave of paradox sensations, chills shot up my spine as my fiery heat engulfed him.
I collapsed against his chest, spent and hot.
His heart thundered in his chest, beating against my own. He wrapped his arms around me, gently kissed the top of my head.
His cock twitched within me, sending another flurry of electricity through my core.
“Feel like going for a dip in the river?”
Chapter Eighteen
Tyler
I dived under the water and came up behind Ava, forcing a scream from her lips.
“You gave me a fright,” she said, slapping my shoulder. She couldn’t stay angry for long and burst out laughing as she clung to my neck. “Tell me about yourself.” She leaned forward, her sensual lips locking onto mine. Her face was so much smaller than mine, delicate and beautiful. Her lips were just the right plumpness and soft. I could kiss her all day.
“What do you want to know?”
“Duh! Everything. When did you get here? Do you work or live off the land? I want to know it all.”
I told her someone had sold our land, the new owner had even showed us the title deed he’d purchased, and they transferred the money to an untraceable offshore bank account. My father hadn’t known this happened until they showed up chasing us away from the land. He was the only one who knew where the title deed was kept. He claimed they had stolen it, had changed the information and sold the land as if it were theirs. When the developer brought bulldozers to our land, we had to leave or risk arrest and exposure of our kind.
This was another reason Ash hated humans, but I didn’t tell her this. I didn’t want her fearing him, or the clan.
I explained how we travelled aimlessly in search of a place to live and remain hidden, but it was difficult since most of the land had humans occupying them. We eventually came across this forest and stayed. We’d been here for over two years and hadn’t crossed paths with other were-animals, or humans. Until Friday.
Ava smiled sheepishly and pulled me closer.
“I’m sorry, I really am. But not sorry at the same time. I’m glad I met you.” Her honey-colored eyes shone golden in the sunlight. Her pale skin glowed and her smile was contagious.
“To be honest, I’ve been thinking about that,” — I squeezed her waist, — “and I’m glad you watched me have sex with another woman. Did you enjoy it?”
She slapped me playfully. “Pig!” Her cheeks glowed a healthy shade of pink.
She may have said I was a pig, but I saw the twinkle in her mischievous eyes when I asked if she enjoyed watching. I saw in her expression remembering and brushed my thumb against her cheek.
“You still haven’t told me what you do.”
I wanted to curl my lips in disdain, not for her but the question. I hated explaining what I did for a living. I always got mixed comments ranging from ‘that’s outstanding’ to ‘you’re a pig’. I ripped off the proverbial bandaid and told her.
“I’m a financial consultant and trader.”
“Oh, okay, that’s not so bad. Do you have many clients?”
Ava may have said it wasn’t so bad, but I saw the flicker of contempt cross her face before she asked her next question. Everyone had their own opinion on financial traders. Some were unscrupulous and deserved to be strung up by their necks, but I wasn’t like them.
“I have my own business, and my clients are well off. My client lists consist mostly of vampires and they have old money and I help them build their businesses in today’s markets. And I do everything online.”
She stared with glazed over eyes, blinked, then asked. “This is going to sound terrible and sorry for asking, but are you rich?”
I grinned. The question was bound to come up, eventually.
“Let’s just say my great grandchildren will want for nothing. And if invested wisely, neither would their kids.”
“Just so you know, I’m not a gold digger.” She started letting go, but I pulled her closer. It was as if she thought by just holding on to me, I’d think those were her intentions. “So does that mean you could buy any land you want?”
I nodded. “I could and I looked. But there wasn’t anything big enough at the time, and it would mean revealing ourselves; and right now, under Ash’s leadership, we’re staying put. But when things change, who knows what would happen.” I smiled reassuringly and nipped at her jawline. I meant what I said. If I became chieftain things would change and I might move us out of the shadows. There was an entire world to discover and nothing to be afraid of anymore.
Ava told me about herself. She grew up on a farm in Illinois, named all their farm animals to keep her dad from slaughtering or selling them. How she loved animals and wanted to work for National Geographic. She had a wonderful childhood even though they were not wealthy, but her parents loved her and that’s what counted most. When she told me her parents had died in a car accident, her eyes misted. I asked whether she’d had any serious boyfriends, and she replied only one. When she relayed how he’d almost killed her, my blood boiled. I wanted to know everything about this useless piece of shit to rid the earth of his corpse.
“Calm down, Tyler, please.” She planted soft kisses over my
cheek. “He is worthless and doesn’t deserve another thought. Please, forget I said anything.”
An overwhelming sense came over me; that I wanted to protect her and harm those who had hurt her. My feelings for Ava were different to what I felt for Cheryl. I didn’t understand them, but I liked how it made me feel. I liked to have purpose, and she gave that to me.
“You know I can’t, Ava—”
“But you must. Only if he comes after me again, do you have my permission to do with him as you please. He deserves no more of my attention. Until that day happens, can we forget about him and only concentrate on us?” Her words slipped out, and she gasped, realizing her mistake. I smiled at her, which made her smile, and it brightened her face. She recovered quickly by adding. “I really don’t want to waste time speaking about him. I want to know more about you.”
“You can’t possibly know everything about me in an hour.”
“I know that,” — she bit her lip, — “I like you, Tyler. At first I wasn’t expecting much, didn’t want to, but… I want to see more of you, you know? If you want to see more of me?” she shrugged; the genuine question hung silently on her lips. She struggled to get the words out, and I thought I’d help.
“Are you asking me to be your boyfriend?” I smirked.
“We’re not in grade school.”
I laughed, which prompted her to join me.
Did I want this? Did I really want this human female? I enjoyed her company, the way she spoke about animals and how she preferred to sit among nature.
Since I found her Friday night, she had been all I thought about. She clouded my mind and filled me with hope. My stomach ached when I wasn’t near her, and my chest fluttered when I was. The confusion of it all only settled once she was in my arms.
It left me frustrated, irritated, and confused; she was human. Other shifters had human mates before, and this would be no different. But did she want me as her mate? It was meant to be forever and not something I could just blurt out and ask; I needed to wait until the chance presented itself. It may be too soon and I didn’t want to scare her away. Besides, I wanted to know more about her. And if we were to spend more time together, I couldn’t have her blindfolded. She needed to see my world to decide for herself. To decide whether she wanted to be with me, here.
