Black

by Tessa Anders

  He glanced around the room. “From what I have seen, our realm is more advanced in some ways, more primitive in others.”

  “How?”

  “Our technology seems more advanced. We have cities, businesses, and yet we have a vast amount of undeveloped land. It is much the same with entertainment…” his eyes had a mysterious twinkle that made me shiver.

  “Sex clubs.” I mused.

  “Yes. Shifters are very sexual, but Amelia, Tyran’s mate explained that most humans are modest, reserved even.”

  Have you ever had that irrational moment where you wanted to claw someone’s eyes out? Like a nameless and faceless woman who had had sex with Black? That’s me at this very moment. And yet, I hadn’t even committed myself to be anything to him. This was supposed to be more of a one-night stand. Jessie had them occasionally, or so she said, but I couldn’t even seem to pull that off.

  I also couldn’t wrap my head around anything other than a place that resembled my realm. Not that it mattered. I wasn’t sure I bought into any of this.

  As I swallowed the last bite, I could feel the wine softening my reserve to leave. To come clean about my pitiful, yet complicated life.

  Not good.

  7

  _____________________

  Alex

  Sitting on the couch, I’d almost finished my second glass—or was it my third? We talked about work at the dress shop. I told him about growing up without a father, which seemed to brother him a lot. I even told him about Jessie dragging me with her so she could fill out an application.

  “I owe her my gratitude.” He said, sincerely.

  I chuckled. “Mine is yet to be determined.”

  Staring at his plump, soft lips, I couldn’t tear my gaze away. Black must have noticed. I heard his quick intake, watched his tongue dart out between slightly parted lips. Before I knew it, I had closed the distance, barely inches between us.

  Maybe I’ll make it a twice in one evening stand. What would it really matter? I’ve already had sex with him once.

  Lifting my eyes from his lips to his eyes, I gasped when I saw the cold slate color change to a glowing vibrant blue, reminding me that he was something other, not from here. Not that my libido cared.

  Unable to resist, I closed the inches until my lips pressed against his, moving tentatively. Soft like silky velvet, so moist and tender, I moaned a little in pleasure. Black opened, taking over and deepening the kiss before growling into my mouth.

  “Touch yourself.”

  It wasn’t a request, more of a command. Wetness soaked my panties.

  I wasn’t sure I could do it without dying of embarrassment. Nerves made me hesitant.

  Leaning back, his eyes held a commanding coldness wrapped in heat that dared me to defy him. And yet, I knew he wouldn’t push me if I said no.

  I could feel his burning desire to see my worship my own body. Love it as much as he did. The fact that I could feel his desire fueled me forward.

  Leaning back, I held his gaze as I cupped my breast and tweaked the nipples poking against my shirt. My hands held his attention. “Like this?”

  He swallowed hard. “I can feel how much you enjoy that. It also heightens my desires.”

  His hands circled my waist, lifting me onto his lap, my knees fell around his hips.

  As I rolled my nipples, my hips gyrated over his bulge.

  Fully clothed, rubbing against his hard cock, I was going to come right there.

  Arching my back, feeling like a sex goddess grinding on an Adonis, I let go of everything, feeling completely free for the first time in years. I didn’t worry about work, about money, Jessie taking care of Maddie. I didn’t even care about my mom-bod, or that I was humping a stranger fully clothed.

  I let go…

  With each grind of my hips, the intensity grew until I felt his cock pulse underneath me. He grunted, holding me tight against him while I—just a little more until—my body spasmed with ecstasy, tingles shooting from my clit upward. I held on for dear life, my arms now tightly wrapped around his neck. When it slowly subsided, I buried my face into the curve of his neck, so embarrassed I couldn’t even look at him.

  Twice in one evening. Hell, one orgasm in one evening with a man set a new record.

  Before I could come down from the bliss. Black sprang into action. With practiced moves, he ripped my pants off and shoved his down to his knees, spreading me wide and thrusting inside with a hard, needy pace. Every snap of his hips pushed me further down the couch until my head bumped against the armrest.

  His hand tightly gripped my thigh, hitching my leg open even more. His teeth nipped at my shoulder as his grunts sent his warm breath over my neck. My orgasm built until it exploded into ecstasy as I spasmed around him. That tipped him over the edge. One last grunt, Black held himself deep inside as he pulsed inside me, filling me with heat.

  Breathing hard, I couldn’t believe I had had sex twice in one night. Mind blowing, out of this world, won’t be able to walk right for a week, sex. And half-dressed to boot.

  Black lifted off me, letting me sit up. He pulled up his pants, tucking his semi-hard dick inside before zipping and buttoning his pants. I stepped into mine and caught site of a digital clock hanging on the wall. Whipping back around for a double take, I jumped to my feet. “Oh, crap! I have to go!”

  Black

  The outside security alarm beeped, alerting us that someone was prowling around the perimeter. Checking the monitor, I couldn’t believe that she was her.

  Amelia had warned us not to push a female. That even if she felt the pull, she would run. As hard as it was to control myself, I had to give her time. And yet, here she was.

  Watching her sitting in the car, my dick hardened instantly, straining to reach and fuck her. My dragon clawed at my skin, wanting her too. His eyes blazed through mine, making my vision sharper.

  When her eyes locked with mine, I wondered if she could see the predator staring back. This was her chance to leave. Waiting on her decision, my dragon roared inside. Scales covered my arms before I forced them back inside.

  And then she stepped out of the car.

  Her soft sensual body responded immediately to my touch. Her moans of pleasure shot need straight to my dick as I cupped her large breasts. When I pinched one nipple, she arched her hips. That kind of response was not the practiced moans and movements from the other females I’ve fucked before. The ones seeking status as my mate, the wealth I could bestow upon her. Not even the sex workers who performed for money could imitate her sensual writhing body and the moans I coaxed from her lips.

  Kissing Alex, I caressed down to her pussy, dipping a finger inside. She was so tight, so moist, I knew I had to stretch her in order to accommodate my large size.

  Not that I was bragging, but a dragon shifter was superior in every way.

  Adding another finger, I played her body like a fine instrument. If this little bit of foreplay coaxed that kind of reaction, I couldn’t wait to introduce her to the pleasures of my realm.

  Sinking into her needy body, she squeezed me to the point of pain. I enjoyed the pain, but I didn’t want to cause her any. Not until she was ready.

  I fucked her hard and when I came inside her, I felt my dragon release his binding heat, encasing and tying us together forever. The heat would have seared anyone else, burned them to a crisp, but not my mate.

  I felt her desire, her lust for me. I felt her ecstasy, her worry, her insecurities as the heat bound us together as one.

  My agitation settled. So did my aggression. My dragon was happy and so was I as I released the last of my seed into her tightness. Collapsing on top, I mumbled, “it is finished.” Not that she would understand what it meant, the gravity of what we had just completed.

  And then she tried to hide her body. Feeling her embarrassment, I vowed to not only tell her how beautiful she was but let her feel it as well. And if anyone said differently, they would answer to me.

  Offering her a gla
ss of wine, the red liquid coated those luscious lips until she licked it off. I couldn’t stop staring.

  She told me about growing up without a father, working at the dress shop. She had an easy smile on her face, but I could feel that she held back. She didn’t tell me the half of it. But I would find out.

  We were having a great time bonding when she caught a glimpse of the clock and jumped to her feet. “Oh, crap! I have to go.”

  My dominance fought with Amelia’s warning. I grabbed her wrist as she tried to rush toward the door.

  Locking eyes, I come short of begging. “Stay.”

  The softness in her eyes said she wanted to. But her need to leave beat at my chest.

  “I can’t. I wish I could, but I can’t.” Giving me a quick kiss on the lips, she said, “Thanks for a wonderful evening.” And then she was gone.

  Taking a few deep breaths, I tried to let her go. She needed to work through the process on her own, learn to accept that fate threw us together and we were both helpless to fight it.

  On instinct, or maybe he heard her leave, Arkin met me outside. The cool air touched my heated skin and I could feel my drata surfacing, wanting me to rush after my bondmate and drag her back.

  “That was some bonding. I heard you in my apartment.”

  “Yes.” I watched taillights disappear into the darkness. I tried to abide by Amelia’s warning, but I could not. I needed to go after her, make sure she was indeed okay. I also needed to watch over her until the gathering. If she didn’t go with me willingly, then I would take her by force. I had too.

  “What will you do?” Arkin asked, staring straight ahead.

  “Go after her.”

  He turned, facing me. “I offer myself as her guardian.”

  My eyes briefly slid his way. I knew he meant every word he spoke, but I needed to take care of this myself. She said she would be back for the gathering, but I could feel her hesitation. I needed to know where she dwelled, where I could find her if she did not show.

  “Thank you, brother, but not now.”

  He nodded his approval. “Make sure to conceal yourself.”

  “You forget who you are speaking to.”

  “Just reminding you. Right now, you are otherwise preoccupied.”

  I nodded, and after stepping out of my clothes, I handed them to Arkin. Holding my arms wide, I let my dragon take over. The air shimmered around me until the change was complete. Smoke poured from my nostrils as I huffed my irritation. Feeling my mate, I launched into the sky letting the mating bond guide me to her.

  I shrouded myself with invisibility, hiding from the human realm as I soared up beyond the clouds before diving back toward the earth, letting my dragon stretch his wings.

  Homing in on Alex, my vision sharpened allowing me to see as if it were daylight.

  The further I flew the more stagnant the air became. Stink clogged my nose; the ground was littered with waste.

  From the air, I spotted Alex’s vehicle pulling into a parking spot. I felt her nervousness when she shut the door and headed for the brick building. What would cause her to be nervous? Did she know I was coming for her? No, this was something entirely different.

  As she climbed up the steps, I landed at a distance. Human’s may know that we are shifters, but seeing could send people into panic mode. Even at this distance, I had exceptional hearing.

  “What are you doing here Ricky?” Alex sounded nervous which fueled my anger at the man.

  “You little bitch, thanks to you Frankie kicked me out.”

  “Not my fault.”

  “Wanna bet?”

  “What are you doing? Ricky, stop!”

  I heard a scuffle, a couple of grunts. I picked up the pace and raced toward the building.

  Now in view, I saw his hand on her chest. She shoved—he punched her.

  With my dragon vision, I could see it all. The guy shoved Alex against the door, trying to force a kiss on her as he shoved his hand down her pants. Alex struggled, but he was too strong.

  “You know you want this…”

  “Get off me Ricky…”

  “Only after I take your little pussy so hard you won’t want anyone else.”

  Something inside woke with a vengeance, making my vision hazy.

  Alex kneed him between the legs, he stumbled back and cupped himself with both hands. “You bitch! You’ll pay for that!” Closing the distance, I zeroed in on the hand reaching for her as she tried to get her key in the lock. I snatched his wrist, breaking it like a twig.

  Stumbling back, he grabbed his wrist. “My arm!” he screamed like a coward. “You bastard, you broke my fucking arm!”

  My hand circled his neck as I lifted him high in the air like a piece of disgusting garbage. He clawed at my wrist with his good hand. I vaguely heard Alex shout, “don’t kill him!” I didn’t know why. Ricky didn’t deserve to live.

  After making a mental note of the man who dared to touch my mate, I would send Arkin for him later unless I decided to take care of him myself. One last look and I flung him hard against the wall and watched as he crumpled in a dirty heap.

  “Is he dead?”

  Her eyes bounced between me and Ricky.

  “Not yet.” And then I gathered her into my arms. I felt her mixed emotions as a tremor shook her body. “It’s okay Alex. I vow not to let anything happen to you.”

  Her body shook as tears stained my shirt. Something inside me broke, making me want to wrap her in my arms and never let her go.

  When her tears stopped, she stepped back and swiped at her eyes. In the moonlight, they sparkled like diamonds.

  “Sorry,” she sniffed as a wave of embarrassment washed over me. Not my emotions—hers.

  “Don’t.” I said, placing a finger under her chin a tilting her face toward mine. “Do not be embarrassed for someone else’s actions.”

  “I’m more embarrassed that I stayed out too long and let this happen.”

  “You did not let this happen. He tried to take what you were unwilling to give.”

  “Yeah.” Turning, she finally unlocked the door. “You might as well come in. I don’t need any other woman seeing you naked. Which brings me to the next question. Why are you naked?”

  “I flew here.”

  Disbelief saddened her eyes. “Of course, you did.” I knew she didn’t believe me, but one day soon, I would show her after she accepted that we were mates.

  Locking the door, I turned only to find a blond female sitting on the couch with wide eyes, staring at my dick with her mouth hanging open. I held back a grin but Alex felt my amusement. She shot me a warning look before scolding her friend.

  “Jessie! Not nice!”

  The female snapped her mouth closed as heat rushed to her cheeks. “Sorry,” she said, rising to her feet. A smile crept up her face. “Have a good time?”

  Alex said, “not now” while I said, “yes.”

  Her friend, Jessie laughed. “Okay then, I’ll leave you to it.” I tensed when she hugged Alex, whispering in her ear. “Everything is fine, and we’ll talk tomorrow. But just know, I expect details.”

  “Thanks, Jessie.”

  When the door clicked close, I heard Alex bolt the door.

  Turning, I felt her indecision about me being here. Her eyes roamed up and down my body before she spun around, heading away. A moment later, she returned holding a towel out for me to take. “I don’t have any clothes that will fit you so this towel will have to do.” I gently took it from her and secured it around my waist.

  She swallowed, I felt her insecurity, her need to be alone, but I could not leave her.

  She chewed on her lower lip, something I noticed she did when nervous. “If you don’t mind, I’m going to take a quick shower.”

  “I’ll be here waiting.”

  She reluctantly nodded and then disappeared down the narrow hallway. I knew she wanted to wash the male from her skin. If I didn’t feel her need for privacy, I would clean her myself.

&n
bsp; Looking around, I noticed her meager belongings. The living area barely held a worn brown couch and a small wooden table that stretched in front of it.

  The kitchen would barely accommodate two small people. Opening the cabinets, they were mostly empty with only a box of Mac and Cheese, whatever that was. The refrigerator was the same—mostly empty except for milk and eggs, a pack of Bologna and American cheese squares.

  My mouth tightened into a grim line. Alex didn’t have much. She lived in a bad neighborhood. Her meager apartment was tiny and she didn’t have hardly any food.

  I needed to get her away from here.

  Taking a seat, I waited for Alex.

  Crossing my ankle over my knee, I spotted a book halfway hidden under the table. I picked it up, the page fell open from repeated use.

  Reclining back, I began to read.

  Nighttime came, and as Mary sat at the diner, her meal mostly untouched, she absently stirred her tea with a spoon. She was lost in the past when the hairs on her arms stood at attention. Looking up, Salyer’s hard body filled in the doorway, his deep brown eyes locked on her. She sat up straighter, her heart pounding. She couldn’t believe that he actually came. For her. With his dark brown curls framed around his chiseled face, he looked like a model from the GQ magazine.

  “Leave us.” He commanded the room.

  All the staff scurried like rodents until they were alone.

  Like a predator, he stalked over and gripped her waist, lifting her in the air until they were face to face. Her legs circled his waist. Holding her with one arm, he raked the dishes from the table, uncaring as they shattered on the floor.

  Lowering her down to standing, he unbuttoned her pants with deft fingers, shoving them around her ankles. Her breath hitched as he spun her around, facing away. One hand pressed against the center of her back. Mary bent over, her face pressed against the table.

  “Did you think you could escape me that easily?”

  “I wasn’t trying to get away.”