Hard as Rock

by Stephanie West

“I wouldn’t do that. Stay over there,” the second man, the one who’d been stalking her in town, insisted while waving a gun.

  Roc instantly halted, his gaze darting from her to the barrel pointed straight at him.

  “Oh God,” she screamed. Meline was in turmoil over what she just learned, but she didn’t want Roc dead.

  “Where is it?” The bald guy tightened his arm around her ribcage, making it hard to breath.

  She gripped his arm, trying to get him to loosen up as he herded her into the room.

  “We know your family had the gem and you’re here to sell it to this smuggler. So where is it?” the stalker demanded, eyeing her maliciously.

  Meline gasped and started shaking uncontrollably. She recognized those dark eyes. The stalker was the same man who’d attacked her in her hotel room.

  “It’s going to be okay, angel.” Roc’s snarl was anything but comforting.

  “Okay? Okay?!” she choked. How could he say that when things were just getting worse by the moment?

  “You are mistaken about the gem. And it was a mistake breaking into my house, threatening my female,” Roc rumbled, his voice filled with rage, the terrible sound echoing off the walls.

  His silver eyes seemed to glow, his anger making them burn. As he took measured steps, closing the distance, Meline was sure his face changed, his brow and cheek bones growing sharper.

  Sweet Jesus, these fools have no idea who they’ve pissed off.

  “Don’t be stupid.” Her stalker aimed for Roc, but he just kept coming.

  Oh God, Roc, what are you doing?

  He was suddenly a blur. The gun fired, and she screamed. Abruptly everything went dark, like when he wrapped her in his wings at the party. Roc’s bare chest was pressed against her, his arms snaked around both her and the bald bastard, pulling them off their feet. She clasped his biceps but couldn’t get a good grip, his skin had taken on a rough texture and was hard as rock.

  “What the...” the asshole at her back yelped as the world started spinning.

  “Let her go,” Roc snarled over the sound of breaking glass, gunfire, and the muffled shouts of the other assailant.

  “Fuck! I knew it. You’re one of those creatures,” the bald guy declared, rather than letting her go.

  “Suit yourself,” Roc warned.

  Meline felt something coil around her waist and then they were falling. She screamed in terror as the dark cocoon lifted to reveal they were spiraling through the sky. Why wasn’t Roc flapping his wings?

  “Fuck!” the bastard clinging to her shouted in her ear.

  Meline scrambled to lock her arms around Roc’s neck. Her terror doubled when he released the bear-hug he had on them.

  I don’t want to die. The biting wind rushing past them whipped the tears from her eyes before they could hit her cheeks.

  “Please, Roc, I’m slipping,” she shrieked as the intruder’s strangle-hold threatened to rip her away.

  But she didn’t know if Roc heard or even cared. His expression was deadly serious, his lips lifted in a snarl as he looked past her at the vile man trying to climb her back. Meline thought Roc was going to grip her arms but she wasn’t the one he was reaching for. There was a dreadful pop and the intruder’s death grip on her disappeared. He screamed a blood-curdling sound that grew further away by the second. Meline shrieked as she glanced down and saw the man falling. Roc’s arms wrapped around her and her stomach was suddenly in her throat as they instantly reversed direction, shooting toward the cloud cover.

  “I’ve got you, angel,” he rumbled as he cradled her against his chest.

  She was shaking so badly, she was certain he was going to lose his grip on her as she stared at the retreating ground far below. Each time his large warm hands shifted as he rubbed her back, she startled.

  “Please, Roc, don’t drop me,” Meline sobbed hysterically.

  “I wouldn’t let you fall. I’ve had you the whole time. My tail’s been wrapped around you and now both my arms.”

  Roc’s words were meant to be soothing and the growl in his voice had disappeared, but it was hard finding any comfort in it. Her world had turned upside down. She’d been deceived, learned humans weren’t alone, held at gunpoint, watched a man fall to his death and was now flying through the sky. Solace and comfort were a distant memory.

  9

  Roc

  Roc hated that he wasn’t able to take out the other intruder, but at the moment he was more concerned about Meline. She was still shaking violently when he landed on the veranda of the hotel he often frequented across the Saint Lawrence.

  “Dammit,” Roc cursed as he vigorously rubbed her ice-cold skin.

  He had leapt off the high-rise, fearing if he didn’t get Meline out of there she was going to be severely hurt, or worse, killed by a stray bullet. As it was, it took every acrobatic move he could muster to avoid the wildly firing bastard. But in his haste to get her to safety, he forgot she couldn’t withstand the elements and nearly froze her to death.

  Humans are delicate, idiot. He shook his head as he recalled his sire insisting his mother bundle every inch of herself before they went flying all those years ago.

  “I’m so damn sorry. I forgot how cold it gets up there. We’re going to get you warm.”

  Meline didn’t respond, just kept trembling. Roc used his subsonic tone to unlock the balcony door and swiftly entered the hotel suite. He glanced around the empty room. The place was tidy, bed made, and bar stocked, but of course he paid to keep it ready for whenever he needed it. Roc headed straight for the bathroom, set Meline on the counter and turned on the shower. He glanced back to find her staring at his wings and tail with the same shocked expression that hadn’t left her face since she discovered his secret.

  Losing your temper and those bastards breaking in didn’t make things any better.

  If he hadn’t been preoccupied, he might have sensed them sooner. He repressed a snarl, recalling the way they threatened her. Meline’s terrified screams still echoed in his ears. The way she begged him not to drop her twisted his gut. As if he could do such a thing.

  Of course that’s what she thinks, she watched you throw a temper tantrum then drop that bald fucker to his death. She thinks you’re a monster.

  “Ostie d’câlisse de sacrament,” he cursed under his breath.

  Roc’s shoulders dropped, and he sighed as he stared at his freakish reflection in the mirror behind Meline’s small trembling form. This was hopeless.

  “I wish things were different, but this is who I am. I’m a demon of a man. I live my life in the shadows, lying to everyone and constantly hunting for something that eludes me.”

  meline

  With all the unreal things going on and thinking she was going to die, Meline found herself caught up in a similarly surreal moment in time.

  She was sitting on her couch, staring at the picture of her parents hanging on the wall. She’d just returned from the morgue where she identified their remains. It was the worst thing she ever had to do. The wreck was so horrific, she wasn’t even sure she’d be able to have open caskets at their funeral. So, she stared at their pictures, committing to memory the way they looked, perfect and whole. Then she burst into hysterical laughter, because they weren’t perfect, not at all. The last time she’d seen her mom and dad, they were arguing in their kitchen.

  “I can’t believe you, Alan. We’ve been married close to thirty years, and in all that time you couldn’t bring yourself to mention you didn’t like my cherry pies.”

  “I wasn’t about to complain when you were making all those pies just for me,” her father replied.

  “So you just let me go on thinking you liked them. That’s as bad a lying to my face. Am I such a shrew you can’t voice your opinions?” her mother snapped.

  “Come on now, Celeste. It wasn’t a big deal and Meline likes cherry.” Her dad nodded toward her.

  “Oh no, don’t get me involved in this,” Meline snorted as she kept her distanc
e.

  “And I love your apple, your peach and meringue.” Her father snagged her mother around the waist despite Mom’s protest. “I love all your pies.” He tickled her suggestively.

  “Oh God, Dad, gross.” Meline fled the kitchen as her mother’s angry huff turned into a giggle.

  The thing was, her dad found more joy in the love Mom showed when she cooked him sweets. The pies could’ve been filled with paste and he would’ve eaten them with a smile on his face. At the end of the day it was the intent that was important, no matter how badly the follow through was botched.

  Her attention returned to Roc as he started speaking. His powerful wings were still exposed but they just sort of hung at his back, and the long tail that kept her from falling to her death dragged the floor. Sometime during the struggle Roc had lost his hat and she could easily see the raw welts where he’d cut off his horns.

  He mutilated himself to fit in, to be accepted by everyone—by me. The thought brought tears to her eyes.

  The mystery behind Roc’s life came into focus and the picture was a lonely one. All because of something that in the end was as trivial as cherry pie, when so much more made up the man than his appearance.

  “Please don’t be frightened of me, angel. I know after what I did it’s hard to believe, but I’m not a danger, not to you. I’m so sorry—so sorry for everything.” Roc reached out to touch her then stopped and let his hand drop, his expression looking lost and bereft.

  She couldn’t take any more, he was breaking her heart. Meline lunged forward and kissed his frowning lips. Yes, this new revelation was hard to process but he needed to know she saw him, the man inside, the one who’d come to her rescue more than once.

  Roc was still for a moment then started kissing her back. His arms wrapped around her, his large palms cupping her bottom. She gripped his thick biceps and locked her legs around his waist. Meline gasped when he carried her into the shower, clothes and all.

  “Meline…” Roc rasped in between kisses, sounding pained and confused.

  “I understand everything now.” She traced the spot where one of his horns had been, then caressed his stubbled cheek.

  He closed his eyes and leaned into her hand. “I’m not a demon, though the things I’ve done, I sometimes wonder.”

  “I’m sorry. I can’t imagine the life you’ve led to keep this secret.” Meline brushed her lips against his as she whispered.

  “I need you, angel.” The emotion in his voice stabbed deep.

  Roc was so different from her and they’d known each other for such a short time, but their fate had been intertwined for centuries. It was like she’d been waiting her long dreary life for him to swoop in. Despite being frightened and attacked these last few days, she never felt so alive.

  “Then I’m yours.” She gripped his broad shoulders tight.

  Roc caressed her cheek, his eyes overflowing with adoration. His lips descended and gently met hers in a kiss that was shockingly tender for a man so rough and powerful. Adept fingers traced her ear, as his mouth worshiped hers then kissed the tip of her nose and each eye. He was the one doing all the exploring, like he had last night. She’d been so overwhelmed she missed the opportunity to reciprocate, but here was her chance.

  “I think we’re wearing too many layers.” She wiggled, encouraging him to put her down.

  Reluctantly he loosened his grip, letting her slide down the length of his body. Meline shivered, a frisson of desire coursing up her spine as his erect cock rubbed against her, all the way down. A deep, sonorous groan rumbled in Roc’s chest, making her nipples stiffen, poking through her soaked shirt. His heated gaze fixated on her chest and he released the growl, reaching for her shirt. She shook her head and danced out of his reach. Roc frowned, doubt entering his gaze.

  “I want to touch you,” she insisted.

  He hesitantly nodded, his expression serious. She now understood why he was reluctant to let anyone touch him and wanted to tie her up the night before.

  The way the water sluiced over Roc’s bronze wings then down the valleys of his tan chest and washboard abs had her salivating with desire. Her gaze traced the path the water traveled. The solid vee of muscles bracketing his waist were pure temptation, and the trail of hair from his belly button disappearing beneath his jogging pants was just plain cruel. That sight alone had her breath coming out in little pants, then she glanced lower. The wet fabric clinging to his cock revealed the pronounced ridge on his crown, and her pussy cramped with need. Meline nearly stopped right there but she wanted to know Roc, all of him. Her hand grazed his stomach as she circled around his back.

  “No, please let me see them,” she encouraged when Roc swiftly retracted his wings.

  His shoulders rolled forward, exposing barely noticeable slits beneath his shoulder blades. Speechless, she watched while his wings slowly re-emerged, like a bud unfurling. She skimmed one pinion as it unfolded, noting the leathery texture. Blood pumped through his veins, filling the membranes between the bones till his wings extended to their full breadth. It was wholly unbelievable and yet there they were in all their glory, their clawed tips scraping the ceiling. Meline caressed Roc’s back, feeling the powerful muscles that worked the appendages. She glanced up to find him staring back at her, uncertainty still filled his intense liquid silver gaze. She had to show Roc she accepted him in every way.

  “They’re amazing,” Meline whispered, and meant it, as she leaned in and kissed one powerful limb.

  Roc released a deep sighing breath, his shoulders easing. His wings extended back, flanking her in their immenseness, like a backwards hug.

  “You’re amazing.” She rubbed her cheek against one leathery wing while stroking the other.

  The muscles in his back trembled beneath her wandering palm. It broke her heart seeing what such a simple gesture did to the man. He deserved so much more than mere acceptance. He deserved love and affection.

  Her hand skimmed along his spine, to where his tail hung over the waistband of his pants. She ran her finger down the length of it and watched his tail flick in response. Meline smiled when the long appendage coiled around her calf.

  Hooking her thumb in his waistband, she lowered his pants, revealing the muscular cheeks of his ass. She’d never seen one as nice as his. Meline knelt to worship the sight. The pair of dimples at the top of each cheek was irresistible. She traced them before moving to caress his firm globes. Her hands cupped both magnificent swells, reveling as they flexed. Meline leaned in. For some reason she felt the burning desire to sink her teeth into his tempting flesh. Roc jumped as her teeth closed, even though she barely nipped him. His flesh hardened with her teeth marks still embedded in his flesh. Roc spun around and looked down at her, surprise etched on his face.

  “Maybe I was wrong about how sweet you are, angel.”

  She couldn’t help but grin up at him. Her smile faltered as her focus shifted to the thing staring her in the face. It had been too dark last night for her to note more than his daunting size. Meline swallowed hard. That certainly hadn’t changed. Roc was so engorged, the veins stood out on his thick shaft. There were several unusual ridges along the frenulum beneath his flared crown that complimented the more familiar crest on top. She must’ve been too incensed to notice it before. Roc drew in a sharp breath, his cock jerking when she reached out to explore his foreign anatomy. A shocking realization occurred to her.

  He’s never had his cock sucked!

  roc

  He couldn’t move a muscle with Meline’s delicate fingers wrapped around his arousal, her breath ghosting over his heated flesh. He thought he was going to come out of his skin and inadvertently shelled when the vixen dared to bite his ass, but this, he was ashamed to admit, this had him ready to bolt. It didn’t help that she looked up at him with that half-lidded gaze, her pupils dilated with desire. She saw everything he was and still wanted him. He dreamt his whole life of being known like this, touched like this.

  Roc choked on his
next breath when she engulfed the head of his cock. The sight of her pink lips stretched around him was the most erotic thing he’d ever seen. His hand shot out to steady himself against the shower wall when her tongue rolled around his sensitive tip. He threw his head back as the pleasure assailed him. In his wildest fantasies he never imagined this would feel this good.

  His breath came out in chuffing growls as he tried to hold onto his sanity. Meline started sucking with long strong pulls, then her hand joined in. She stroked him as she pulled back, her tongue teasing his slit, only to swallow him again.

  “Fuck,” he groaned as his cock bumped into the back of her throat and she swallowed around him.

  Roc punched the wall, cracking the tile. He was losing it. He could feel his features shifting. Meline might accept him but the last thing she wanted to see was him all beastly. He needed to hold on to his composure. She wasn’t making it easy, though. Her sweet, musky perfume laced with her unique, addictive scent that drove him wild filled his nostrils with each breath.

  “Mmm,” she moaned around his length.

  Roc glanced down to find Meline had one hand shoved down the borrowed pair of boxers, furiously working her clit. That was the last straw. He reached out to pull her off the floor but had to pause to retract his claws before tangling his hand in her hair. He got distracted as she again sucked him in deep, her tongue flicking the ridges on his cock. Instead, he found himself cupping the back of her head, guiding her movements as she blessed and tormented him. His legs quaked as his balls drew up tight.

  No. Roc adamantly shook his head. He refused to find his pleasure before she had hers.

  meline

  The way Roc growled and jerked each time she sucked him in deep turned her on. He was unbelievably sexy as she stared up the length of his body. The sight of his flexing washboard abs, impressive pecs, broad shoulders and powerful wings splayed wide fueled her passion, ratcheting it higher. But it was the heat in his silver gaze that gripped her the most. She couldn’t resist playing with herself as she pleasured him.