by Katie Reus
Sliding her fingers down his back she grabbed his ass. “I want you in me now.”
“Foreplay,” he growled before biting her earlobe between his teeth.
She rolled her hips against his hand and he slid a finger inside her. Clenching around him, she shuddered. “I don’t need it.” Not now anyway. She nipped at his neck, sinking her teeth into his skin.
The low growl that filled the room was different than the playful one he’d just given her. It was primal and had her sex clenching around his finger.
“You’re so damn demanding.” He shifted lower, his kisses blazing a heated path down to her breasts as he slid another finger inside her.
She arched off the bed, her claws unleashing just a fraction. Immediately she went to grab the sheets but he lifted his head, pinning her with his gaze. “Don’t hold back with me. Not tonight, not ever.”
She didn’t want to hurt him, but in that moment she realized she wouldn’t. Bran wanted all of her and she wanted all of him. Still… “I’ll scratch you.”
“Good.” His head dipped back to her breast and he sucked a nipple into his mouth. Hard.
She stopped thinking or worrying in that moment. As she raked her fingers down his back, her claws dragging over his skin, the rumble that came from his chest was so damn sexy it made her sex clench.
He withdrew his fingers but before she had the chance to protest, he thrust his cock deep inside her.
No polite asking or warning. Rough and raw and exactly what she wanted. He caged her in with his big body, his forearms bracketing her head as he looked right into her eyes. Then he started thrusting.
Slowly at first, his rhythm making her crazy. Unable to stop touching him, she stroked over his chest, upper arms, then around to his back as he continued his perfect rhythm inside her. She wanted to brand every inch of him in the same way he’d done to her.
The faster he moved, the closer she raced toward that edge. She knew he was close too. The tendons in his neck pulled tight and his expression was fierce and loving as he watched her. It was so damn intimate it almost made her want to look away, yet she couldn’t.
She wanted to see him as he came, to see him right before he sank his canines into her neck. Each time he slammed into her, her inner walls tightened harder and harder around his thick length. She was so close.
Reaching between her legs, she tweaked her clit, the teasing action setting off her climax. Pleasure poured through her as her orgasm set her nerves on fire.
Just like that Bran groaned and buried his face against her neck. He didn’t question or second-guess her again and for that she was glad. She knew her mind and was thankful he trusted her enough to know that.
When his teeth struck the sensitive area of skin between her neck and shoulder she expected pain or discomfort. Instead, another heavy dose of potent pleasure filled her until she could hardly stand it. After he withdrew his teeth, he sucked and kissed where he’d bitten her, his tender action exactly what she needed.
Her nipples tingled as her breasts rubbed against his chest and it was as if every inch of her body was over-sensitized. Everywhere he touched her, she felt desire.
She wrapped her legs tighter around him and dug the heels of her feet into him, urging him to go harder, faster.
He groaned against her neck as he pulled back. When he did, she struck out with her own canines, biting him on pure instinct. She’d never heard that females did this but she didn’t care. The urge to mark him, to claim him, was too damn strong. She couldn’t fight it.
The moment she broke his skin, he cried out in pleasure, emptying himself inside her in long, hot strokes, his warmth filling her insides. She sunk her teeth in deeper, the taste of his blood sweet on her tongue, and he groaned even louder, his grip around her tight, reminding her that she belonged to him. And vice versa. Though she didn’t want to, she finally withdrew, nuzzling where she’d bitten.
After what felt like an eternity, he slowly pulled out of her, but he didn’t go far. He rolled so that he was on his back and she was splayed on top of him. Though he’d never said, she got the feeling he liked having her curled up on him like this. She loved it too. Bran made her feel safe and cherished in a way she’d never imagined possible.
“No going back now,” he murmured, stroking a possessive hand down her spine. They’d carry each other’s scent forever so that everyone supernatural would know they were mated. And she was going to ask him about exchanging rings, because she wanted that outward symbol for everyone to see.
She met his gaze. “Good. I can’t imagine my life without you and I don’t want to. I love you so much, Bran. You are the strongest, sweetest, most honorable male I’ve ever met and I’m proud to call you my mate.” At her words, she felt his cock harden once more against her hip and grinned. The male was truly insatiable.
“I love you too, Keelin.” It looked like he wanted to say more, but his jaw tightened and he swallowed hard as too many emotions for her to define filled his gaze.
She didn’t need words anyway. She just needed Bran.
Chapter 26
Bo swept an arm out, clearing everything off his desk. His laptop and papers went flying everywhere. He froze his laptop in midair, not wanting to deal with putting the thing back together. But his heavy paperweight hit the wood floor, shattering. The sound of breaking glass gave him a small sensation of pleasure. And naturally it reminded him of the last time Nyx had been here. Right now the urge to destroy was too great inside him.
It had been almost four days since he’d seen her.
Four damn days.
He’d contemplated going to the fights just to get rid of the excess energy inside him, something he’d never done, but he didn’t trust his demon half right now.
It didn’t make sense that being without Nyx for such a short period made him so crazy, but it did.
He just wanted to see her, to talk to her.
She’d been texting him and Bran had thankfully kept him up to date on what was going on, but the female had just dropped out of his life. Now he couldn’t concentrate on anything. Especially since he knew she’d been in danger and could have over-exhausted herself with all that transporting she’d done.
“Hey, brother, Nyx is here. Wanted to know if you were free,” Cynara said in his earpiece, her voice wry.
Relief slammed through him at her words. He’d been such a monster to work with the past few days and Cynara was the only one who knew why. Okay, he was lying to himself. Everyone probably knew why. “Send her back.”
Less than two minutes later, there was a soft knock on his door. Since he’d been waiting by it like a pathetic excuse for a male, he opened it immediately, not caring how desperate he appeared to see her.
He drank in the sight of her. Wearing another one of those damn turtlenecks, a short plaid skirt and thigh-high black boots, he was surprised he didn’t start drooling. From her texts he’d known she was okay, but actually seeing her in the flesh went a long way to calming him. “You’re back.” Fucking genius, way to state the obvious.
She smiled almost nervously and nodded. “Yeah, I, uh, I’m sorry I haven’t called.”
He stepped back and motioned for her to come inside. “I got your texts.”
“I didn’t want you to worry. Not that I thought you would,” she added hurriedly.
“I would have.” His words were blunt, but he needed for her to understand what she meant to him. Which, okay, he wasn’t exactly sure what that was, but he knew he needed her in his life like he needed his next breath.
“Oh.” She smoothed her hands down her skirt nervously so he sat on the edge of his desk.
What he really wanted to do was touch her, but he refrained. He wasn’t sure what her reaction would be, especially after the way they’d left things between them. She’d seemed so angry at him before. At least his demon half was under control again. Just being near her made him feel different.
Wrapping her arms around herself in that way s
he did when she was unsure, she sat on one of his chairs and crossed her legs. What he wouldn’t give to pull her into his arms, to take away her uncertainty.
He held back a groan at the flash of smooth skin and forced his gaze to her face.
“I feel weird about the way I reacted the other day in the security room.”
He let out a sigh of relief that she brought it up. Moving from the desk, he sat on the chair next to her, but still didn’t touch her. “I would have been pissed if I’d seen an image of you kissing some male.” Or males. His demon rippled under his skin, angry at the imaginary males Bo was envisioning touching and kissing what he thought of as his.
Her blue eyes widened a fraction. “Really?”
He nodded. “Yeah, really. Fuck it, Nyx. I have feelings for you. I’m no good at this shit, but I care for you and for the record, I haven’t been with anyone since the moment I met you.” And he was being literal. It was like the second he’d laid eyes on her, his entire world had shifted.
Her cheeks flushed pink and he wanted to lean in and devour her pretty mouth.
“I have feelings for you too, but my life just got complicated.” Now her expression darkened.
Elation jumped inside of him that she cared about him but it was tempered by concern. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing, it’s just… I made a deal with someone I shouldn’t have.”
“Who?” The word came out dark and angry. Bran hadn’t mentioned any of this to him.
Her eyes widened again, but at least she answered. “My mother.”
The goddess? That couldn’t be good. “I don’t care about complicated. I just want you in my life. And I know I have no right to ask, but don’t leave again without telling me.”
A ghost of a smile teased her lips. “That doesn’t sound like an actual request, but…I won’t.”
Tension he hadn’t realized he’d been holding eased from him in a scorching wave. “Swear it.”
“I swear.” He started to respond, but she continued. “I can’t offer you anything right now. I’ve got too much going on with both sides of my family and I’m afraid anyone I get involved with will get caught in the crossfire. I just can’t risk that with you.”
He wasn’t worried about himself, but he nodded, not wanting to push her when it was clear she wasn’t ready. “We can be friends though.” The words were a complete lie, but he’d give her the illusion of just-friendship. Meanwhile, he was going to approach their relationship like a battle. One he didn’t plan to lose. He was going to claim her for his.
Her beautiful, ocean-blue eyes lit up. “Yes. I…your friendship has come to mean so much to me.”
He held back a wince. It sounded like she was friend-zoning him, even if that wasn’t her intent. “I feel the same about your friendship.” That was the truth, even though he wanted a lot more. “I’d still like for you to stay with me.” He forced the words to sound like a request when he wanted to order her to stay under his roof. No way was he letting her deal with her family on her own. He’d be there for backup.
She hesitated, but nodded. “For now, I will.”
His demon half practically cheered at her words. As long as she was under his roof, he could start his slow plan of seduction. She might be worried for him, but he’d been around a long time and had learned a lot of dirty tricks. Killing him wouldn’t be easy and he’d do damn near anything to stay in Nyx’s life. She was a female worth fighting for and for once in his life he was finally going to be a male worthy enough to claim her.
Epilogue
Two months later
Keelin nudged open the front door of her home with her hip, not surprised to hear multiple male voices coming from Bran’s office. As the Alpha of their clan, he was always busy.
She’d lived all over the world, but never Oregon before. She found she liked it, but something told her she’d like anywhere her mate was. After slipping off her sandals, she hooked her purse on the giant coatrack by the door. Clan members were always stopping by so she’d invested in a custom-made oak rack that would stand the test of time.
She’d made a lot of little changes like that over the past couple months. At first she’d been worried Bran wouldn’t like the changes, but he’d made it clear that this was their home and she could do whatever she wanted.
The Devlin—now her clan—had a huge spread of acreage in northern Oregon on the outskirts of a small coastal town. It was different, yet the same as where she’d come from. Clans all figured out how to live in harmony with each other and their human counterparts. The big difference was the homes. Instead of chalet-type houses, they all had huge log homes. She liked the change.
Needing to see her mate, she headed down the hallway and stepped into the cluttered office. Bran was sitting on the front edge of the desk, his arms crossed over his chest as he scowled at his brother Gavin and another warrior.
When he saw her his expression softened just a fraction, but he still looked annoyed. She knew it wasn’t directed at her though. “Hey, sweetheart,” he murmured before turning his gaze back on the other two males. “Get the fuck out and lock the front door on your way out,” he growled at Gavin.
“Bran!” she admonished as Gavin and the other male just started laughing.
“Who’s pussy-whipped now?” Gavin muttered under his breath as the two headed for the door.
“Damn right I am, now get out.” He shoved up from the desk and stalked toward her, all beautiful predator sleekness.
Rolling her eyes, she gave both males an apologetic half-smile as they left. The door shut behind them with a click and she knew they would do as Bran ordered and lock the front door. Normally it was left unlocked during the daytime so if it was locked the clan knew not to disturb them.
“You didn’t need to be so rude,” she murmured, crossing the distance between them.
He just grunted and pulled her into his arms, his lips skating over hers in a far too chaste kiss. She started to protest when he deepened it, his tongue teasing against hers in a familiar dance that made her entire body flare to life with hunger.
“I missed you today,” he said against her lips as he collapsed onto one of the chairs in front of his desk, pulling her with him.
She curled up into his lap, setting her head on his shoulder. “I missed you too. Today was long, but good.”
“You should have let me come with you.” The tension in his voice was hard to miss.
She snorted. “No way.” Since moving to Oregon she’d started working with half a dozen clan members to get an organization for supernatural women who needed help in one way or another. Whether they were in abusive situations or simply needed shelter, she had big plans for the place. But for now she was taking things one step at a time. Last time Bran had come with her to the construction site he’d shouted at pretty much the entire crew and she wasn’t dealing with the fallout of bruised egos again.
“I don’t like the way any of those males looked at you,” he muttered, practically sulking like an adolescent.
“You don’t like the way any males look at me. And most of that crew is mated so don’t play that game with me. You’re being a big baby for no reason.”
He pulled her tighter against him and nuzzled her neck. His masculine scent that reminded her of dark winter nights wrapped around her. “I know, I just miss you when you’re not here.”
She wasn’t sure if it was because of what had happened with that demigod or if it was just the way all mated males were, but he got edgy when they weren’t together. She missed and loved him more than anything when they were apart, but she liked having a purpose in life and still cherished her independence. And Bran, true to his word, hadn’t once tried to keep her sheltered or take away any of her freedoms. She could put up with a little overprotectiveness.
Twisting in his lap, she straddled him. Her spring dress pushed up to her thighs. His gaze roved over her body hungrily. Without pause she grabbed the hem and pulled it up and over her head. Co
ol air rushed over her body, but the way her nipples hardened had little to do with that and everything to do with her mate’s heated stare.
He sucked in a sharp breath, his eyes zeroing in on her breasts. “You’re not wearing a bra?” he asked accusingly.
She started to tell him that it had a built-in one so she didn’t need it, but her words were lost forever as his mouth descended on one of her nipples, his hands encircling her tight as he began teasing her into oblivion.
“I love you, Bran Devlin,” she murmured with a smile, letting her head fall back as she clutched onto his shoulders. Some days she was afraid she’d wake up and find out this was all a dream, but she knew it wasn’t.
Now that she’d found this beautiful, wonderful male, she was never letting go.
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Excerpt from
Hunter Reborn
Moon Shifter Series
by Katie Reus
Copyright © Katie Reus 2015
As she tried to decide where to go a blur of fur hurtled through the air at her. Before she could move, the all-white wolf slammed into her, tackling her to the ground. He rolled their bodies so he took the brunt of the fall.
Surprise ricocheted through her. When he shifted to human form and she found herself pinned underneath the Adonis-looking shifter with blond hair and dark eyes she immediately struck out at him. Weak or not, if this male had killed her parents she’d gut him.
