A Hunter's Passion (5 page)

“Ryker,” she implored, her breath catching around his name. “
Please.
”

His pace quickened, his restraint shattering. She could feel him thickening within her, the blessed pleasure building within as their passion primed to drown her. How she wanted to throw her head back and ride it out, but she couldn’t look away, neither from his face nor the magic coursing through her body.

Need overcame Ryker, his pace quickening as he thrust into her, hard and hot. Unsure how much more she could take, Jenna’s eyes slipped closed for a moment, her body tightening. Unable to hold back any longer, she released the tension, pleasure scouring her body. Ecstasy burst within, tearing down her inner defenses. Brick by brick, her walls fell, and heat erupted from her. Though consumed by bliss, she felt it when Ryker shuddered through his own release, the tips of his hair brushing against her throat as he rode out his own climax.

Slowly, her magic dimmed, the light fading away as her body came down. With a labored breath, Ryker drew out of Jenna and dropped down to the chilled floor.

With the afterglow beginning to fade, Jenna’s head lolled against the floor, her teeth nibbling her lip as her gaze took him in. Tomorrow, he would hate her, and that realization made her chest tight. She’d wanted one more night with him, and while she’d been granted her wish, she now feared the repercussions. No wish came without consequence.

Refusing to think about it any further, she rose on her knees and straddled his waist, her fingers running through the soft dusting of his chest hair. Hunger curled his lips as he rested his hands against her hips, the muscles in his stomach leaping as she rocked shamelessly against him.

All that mattered was that she was here with him. It was time to put aside the future, and live for now. A wicked grin spread over her lips as she leaned down and closed her mouth over his, her tongue stroking his with renewed fervor.

“Did you think I was done with you?” she teased, possessed with insatiable lust.

“I’d hoped not.” He smirked, his head falling back against the floor.

Slanting her mouth over his, she poured everything she felt into one single kiss. Her hands swept down his arms, pausing only when they reached his wrists. Lifting them above his head, she gathered them both in one hand, her weight pressing them down. She knew how easily he could break her hold. That he submitted to her only piqued her appetite, and when his hips bucked beneath her, she dragged her mouth from his, her lips running along his jaw until she found his ear. “You’re mine tonight, hunter.”

“Work your magic,” he whispered back, a sly grin curling his lips.

Chapter Six

The feeling of her one hand clasped around his wrists while the other stroked his length was the most erotic thing he’d ever felt. He could hardly draw in a full breath, let alone control himself. Every morsel of strength was dedicated to his promise, to lie still and allow her to do as she wished.

As she straightened, he caught sight of her brown eyes, glowing with a light unlike anything he’d ever seen. In their depths, smoldering flames flickered. She was...
remarkable.
What magic he’d witnessed in his life—spells, curses, chants—were nothing compared to this. Power coursed through her veins with a life of its own, her remarkable abilities astounding him.

The moment she’d come, her entire body had ignited like a wick. Light had poured from within, heat and flame devouring them both. But all that was nothing compared to her now, straddled on top of him, her hips grinding against his cock. Skin flushed, mouth parted, eyes alight, it was all Jenna—something he’d never thought he’d have again. He’d take her any way he could get her.

“Well, you have me,” he murmured, wiggling his fingers to show how effectively trapped he was. “What will you do now?”

A devilish smirk crooked her lips. “Whatever I please.”

Shifting her weight, she poised her center above him, sliding her slick folds down the outside of his shaft. Groaning, his eyes slipped closed as he lost himself to the sensation. So warm, so wet, he wanted nothing more than to sheath himself within her again, to lose himself once more in her delectable body.

Her dark chuckle reached his ears the moment she slipped his tip within her. When he realized she had no intention of sliding down his entire length, a frustrated moan fell from his lips. What blessed torture was this? Instead, her hand worked the base of his cock while she teased just the head with her wet heat. Was she hoping to drive him mad? Every slip, every shift, he prayed that she’d take the rest of him, but his prayer went unanswered. The woman was pure evil, the sinuous motion of her hips enough to destroy him.

“Jenna...” His hands tensed beneath hers, the muscles in his stomach contracting as he struggled not to take control and plunge within her. He ground his teeth against the overwhelming need building within him, his fingers tightening into fists.

“Tsk-tsk,” she breathed before finally spearing herself on the entire length of his cock.

Ryker sucked in a ragged breath. Pure ecstasy, to feel himself wrapped within her from base to tip.

Euphoria swept over her face, and with a gasp her free hand slapped down on his wrists, actually pinning him in place. There was little he could do except shiver beneath her.

Her inner walls tightened, delight rippling over her skin. He knew she was close to coming, that she was about to burst around him. His stomach warmed with anticipation, his own climax hovering on the brink. Unable to hold still any longer, he thrust his hips up.

A pleased cry rose from her throat, her head falling back, the tips of her hair tickling his thighs. He could feel the bite of her nails against his wrists, the tension in her body mounting. It wouldn’t be long now, and he wanted to ride it out with her.

“Ryker—”

The sound of his name was the last straw. Shuddering, he gave in to the pleasure, his pace growing erratic as bliss overcame him and stole his breath. He heard her cries, felt her quiver against him, as she rode out her own climax.

When she finally rose up, he blinked open his eyes, at a loss for words. It was her soft giggle that brought him back and he joined in with his own breathless chuckle. Looping his arm around her back, he drew her down atop his chest, covering her mouth with his. With the hope of slowing his pulse, he parted the seam of her lips and began the slow dance, reveling in the feel of her lush body against his.

“Finished with me now?” He ran his fingers through her hair, pushing the dark curtain back over her shoulder.

Jenna offered him an impish grin before draping herself over his chest. “Not in the least.”

There was so much he wanted to say but had never been given a chance to, things he wanted to promise her. But those were thoughts for a different day.

* * *

The faint buzzing of his phone woke him. Blinking his eyes open, Ryker found the bedroom bathed in the gray light of early dawn. Sometime during the night, they’d raced up the stairs, barely managing to find the bed before surrendering to each other once more. The last thing he wanted was to be jarred awake by his phone.

Sighing, he guided Jenna off his chest, settling her into the nest of pillows before sliding his legs over the edge of the bed.

Even without looking, he knew it was his brothers calling. He should have expected it. He’d been tracking Jenna for days, and not once in that time had he offered them the courtesy of a phone call. Too eclipsed by his emotions, they were the last people he wished to speak with. Now was no better either. But if he continued to evade them, he knew they’d assume the worst and set out in a search party.

Caught between his heart and his head, Ryker pushed off the bed and stalked across the chilled floor. The thought of having to choose between Jenna and his brothers burned. Family meant everything to him, but he hadn’t realized how dead he’d been without her.

Listening to the incessant vibrating, he finally stooped over and swiped up his phone. There was only one thing to do, and with a scowl, he dragged his thumb across the screen and answered the call.

“What do you want, Reid?” Ryker grunted into the phone.

One of his younger brothers chuckled into the phone. “I’d say from your tone that you either haven’t found her...or you have.”

Glancing back at Jenna, he grimaced, knowing that Reid hadn’t an ounce of discretion. “Look, can this wait?”

“Ah, so you
have
found her. Damn, Wes won the pot.”

“What pot?” Ryker demanded, a shot of anger darkening his voice.

“Not important. Have you...you know...”

Frowning, Ryker unleashed a string of curses, his fingers rubbing at his eyes. He wasn’t in the mood for this conversation after the most amazing night. He just wanted to curl up next to Jenna and disappear under the covers with her. Trust his brothers to shatter this dream.

“Listen,” Reid interrupted his tirade. “If you can’t do this, there’s no shame in that.”

For a single moment, Ryker was tempted to admit exactly that. There was absolutely no chance in hell that he would lay a finger on Jenna in any manner other than loving.

“Just let us know, and one of us will come to finish it.”

To finish it.

Bile churned in Ryker’s stomach. No, he couldn’t allow that. But neither was he willing to go against his family. His brothers were all he had in the world. They were all in this war together, and it wasn’t as though they were the ones rending families.

“Reid,” Ryker groaned.

“Look, we understand—”

“No you don’t,” Ryker snapped.

“Fair enough,” Reid conceded after a moment’s pause. “For what it’s worth, none of us are particularly excited about this job, but you know how it works, Ryker. We get the name, we put them down. Doesn’t matter who it is.”

“And if it was me? Could you put a silver blade through my heart as easily as you’re suggesting?”

Silence fell over the line.

“Not as easy as it sounds, is it?”

“Doesn’t stop it from having to be done,” Mason spoke in the background. Cursing quietly, Ryker closed his eyes and took a deep breath. He should’ve known Reid would have him on speakerphone.

Determined now, Ryker straightened, his next words forced through his teeth. “Then come get her, if you can. But know that I’m not letting any of you near her.”

He hadn’t meant to choose between them, but it seemed the inevitable had happened. He’d partly hoped that having her one last time would help clear his mind. How wrong he’d been. The image of her alight with fire would forever be burned into his mind; there would be no ridding himself of it. He’d always believed magic to be a sin, but how could anything so beautiful be evil? If he could see it, perhaps his brothers could as well.

“Ryker...” Reid sighed. “Don’t do this. Don’t pit us against you.”

“No one is making you do anything.”

“Listen, just listen...”

Ryker went quiet, offering his brothers a moment to collect their thoughts. Never had the Bennett brothers been divided in their duty. From the very beginning, they’d stood together.

A soft thump sounded in the background before a soft click told him he’d been taken off speaker. “Ryker,” Reid groaned. “Just...be safe, all right? Mason told us about this other hunter. Don’t...get caught in the middle, all right? Can you at least promise me that?”

Blood chilled, Ryker stood in the center of Jenna’s bedroom, afraid to so much as glance back at her. In all the excitement, he’d forgotten about his brother’s warning. “Do we know who it is, yet?”

“No idea. But they’ve put out the word that Jenna is theirs. Please, don’t do anything stupid—”

“I have to go—”

“—like that,” Reid objected. “Wait, at least tell me—”

Ryker lowered the phone from his ear, disconnecting the call before he could hear his brother’s final request. He never should have answered. It was the worst ending to what had been a perfect night.

Finally brave enough to look back, his mouth went dry at the sight of her stretched bare on the bed, her long fingers resting across her taut stomach. She was stunning, her ivory skin pale in comparison to her dark hair. She looked so innocent in repose. All he wanted was to hide her away from the rest of the world.

Why couldn’t life ever be simple? While his brothers cared for him, they wouldn’t offer Jenna the same courtesy. A silver blade would be driven through her chest, used to cut out her heart before burning it. Perhaps it would have been better if he’d fulfilled his job the moment he’d found her in the alley, but it was too late for such thoughts now.

Seeing her now, there was no doubt in his mind that he would fight for her. It seemed his decision had been made for him. They wouldn’t take her from him. He would die first.

Chapter Seven

Jenna stirred the moment the bed dipped beneath her. She awoke with the smallest of smiles, her body lax in a way that came only after a night of passion. A purr rose from her throat as she stretched from head to toe, feeling out every sore muscle.

Reaching over her head, she slipped her hands beneath the pillows and finally opened her eyes. The euphoric feeling was short-lived, however, the moment she saw Ryker. It was clear that something was wrong. Writhen lines furrowed his brow, his slate eyes caught in the throes of a silent storm.

She pushed up from the pillows, a thread of fear sewing through her. From the look on his face, it seemed reality had returned, and with a vengeance. She didn’t want this—one night wasn’t even close to enough. Being with him had stirred emotions she’d thought long dead. She’d come to believe love was an illusion, too fickle and fragile to survive something as tenacious as time. But the world had proved her wrong yet again. All that time apart only to learn that she’d never stopped loving him.

“Ryker, what’s wrong?”

Clearing his throat, he unclenched his fist before cupping the back of his neck, his head dropping forward with a heavy sigh. “Nothing,” he mumbled, his bold-faced lie all too obvious.

Canting her head, Jenna lifted her brows in silent challenge. He’d never been a good liar. In fact, it was something his entire family failed miserably at.

“Ryker...” She inched closer, her fingers falling lightly on the crook of his knee. Emotion swelled within her, an unrelenting need to reassure him, to soothe away whatever it was that tormented him.

He turned away from her, the morning sunlight banding along the strong edge of his jaw. Something softened in her chest, her lips curving as she took him in. The night she’d spent with him was a dream come true, there was no denying that. She’d forgotten how loving and devoted he could be, how strong and passionate. That he’d come to kill her meant nothing now. He could do it at the drop of a hat, but she knew he wouldn’t.

Trapped at a crossroads, there seemed only one possible outcome, one that filled her heart with hope.

“Let’s run away together,” she whispered, her fingers gripping his knee. “We can leave right now—”

Ryker’s throaty chuckle silenced her plea. Shaking his head, he rubbed his brow. “I would love nothing more than to do just that,” he admitted, turning back to her. “Believe me when I say that. The thought of just taking you away...” His voice trailed off, his eyes slipping shut as he drew in a troubled breath.

“Then let’s go,” she pushed.

For one hopeful moment, she believed he would say yes. In her mind, she was already preparing, making imaginary lists of everything they would need and planning where they would go. Happiness surged through her, her soul crying out for this. To spend every waking moment in his arms, to sate their urges with one another until they were spent. She couldn’t think of anything better.

But when his eyes opened, the bleak resignation within reminded her that fantasy was exactly that.

“No.” She slid closer. “We can do this, Ryker. If we want—”

“We can’t.

“Why?” Her hands rose to frame his face. “Why can’t we? Who’s going to stop us? No one can dictate our lives but us.”

Brushing her hands away, his chin dipped as he shook his head. A cold hand closed around her heart, reminding her that life was a double-edged sword.

“Your brothers won’t come after you,” she tried once more. “You’re family. They wouldn’t—”

“Jenna, my brothers aren’t the only ones hunting you,” he bit out, his gaze flicking to hers momentarily before he crossed the length of the room and threw on his clothes.

Stunned, Jenna sat frozen in the center of the bed, his words ringing in her ears. “What do you mean?”

Stealing a glance back over his shoulder, his mouth pressed into a hard line. “Exactly that. We don’t know who it is, but there’s someone out there...someone who has put out word that you are theirs for the taking.”

“For the taking,” she whispered. “You mean...”

“For the kill,” Ryker stated in a grim voice.

“And your brothers,” she murmured, attempting to piece everything together. “I take it they’re hunting me as well?”

A sharp exhale escaped Ryker’s lips, his tense fingers snatching up his weapons. That was all the answer she needed. Her mother had always told her that happiness was fleeting, that all a girl could count on was family. How right she’d been.

Ryker’s brothers alone were terrifying enough. As a whole, they were the five most ferocious men she’d ever met. Their prey wasn’t something as common as wildlife. What they hunted, hunted them back. Creatures far more vicious than anything Jenna could conjure. Vampires, demons, werewolves, shape-shifters...she’d heard all the stories.

The Salem witch trials had opened the Church’s eyes to all the evil within the world. And since then, the Bennett lineage had done all they could to eradicate it. Jenna knew their history nearly as well as they did, as fascinated by them as she’d been. She knew exactly how screwed she was.

If the Bennetts alone weren’t enough to contend with, now there was this new hunter. Had she not been so concerned with his brothers, she might have wondered how many more were out there.

The fool she’d been, to think someone like her could amount to anything, could find even a shred of happiness.

“Don’t.” His gruff voice came from the window.

Slowly, Jenna lifted her head, her face slack as she met his stare. “Don’t what?”

Ryker crossed the distance between them and swept her into his arms, his fingers sliding through her hair. His touch was so gentle and his palms warm against her cheeks. Tears sprung forth, her lower lip trembling as the two gazed into one another’s eyes.

“Don’t give up,” he whispered. “We can’t run, but there’s something we can do.”

Her brow dropped, eyes narrowing. “What?”

“Fight,” he declared.

His fingers grew rigid against her face, his jaw setting. Inch by inch, the warrior he was returned to him, from the hard set of his eyes, to the determination burning within. Jenna should have expected such a response. It was who he was.

“Fight,” she repeated, her head shaking as she studied him. “Fight what? Your
brothers?
”

A grimace twisted his lips. “If I must.”

“Ryker,
no
,” she groaned. “I know what they mean to you. What
family
means to you. I won’t let you do this.”

All emotion slipped from his face, the hard mask he wore when hunting sliding into place. “This isn’t your choice, sweetheart.”

A flurry of panic whipped through her, tightening her stomach when he pulled away from her and reached for his weapons. The soft click of them being sheathed was the only sound in her house, apart from her hurried breath. She couldn’t let him do this, couldn’t let him come against his brothers. It would destroy something in him if they were harmed.

“Ryker, no.” She tried once more, her steps light against the floor as she came up behind him. “Please, promise me you won’t do this.”

“What?” he demanded, shouldering out of her grasp. “Should I just let them kill you?”

Part of her wanted to say
yes.
If that would put an end to all this...but her desire to live was now greater than ever. Her heart beat with purpose once again; she’d long forgotten how that could feel.

“No. I’ll leave.”

Ryker froze, his fingers resting on the pommel of his dagger. An unnatural silence came between them, the very air chilling. He turned, his muscles tense as though he expected her to run that very moment.

“No.”

“Ryker—”

“No!” he shouted, slamming his dagger into the sheath. “Jenna, I just got you back. I won’t lose you again.”

“This isn’t your choice, sweetheart,” she ground out, mimicking his phrase.

“You damn well better believe it is.”

Jenna exhaled, pinching the space between her brows as she struggled to make him understand. “Ryker—”

Before she could say anything more, firm arms wound around her waist and a searing mouth captured hers, silencing her argument. She melted into the kiss, her knees trembling when his tongue swept through her mouth, quick with fervent passion, as though this was the only way to make her see reason.

Only when a small moan crawled from her throat did he slow the kiss to a tender movement of lips. A haze settled over her thoughts, her arms slipping around his neck.

“We stay together,” he murmured.

“How?” she questioned. “There will always be something—
someone
—in our way. You’re a hunter and I’m a witch. They’ll never let us be together.”

He smiled that crooked, dimpled smile that always managed to steal her breath. “I don’t care.”

But Jenna wasn’t so naive. His brothers would find them. Even if she ran, they would find her. Distance meant little with the support of the Church. There was no such thing as jurisdiction. Death meant death, and with that sobering thought, Jenna lifted her gaze to Ryker’s.

Now there was another, one without any ties to Ryker, and that one might be responsible for murdering her family. The suggestion brightened her dark mood. At least one good thing might come from this—coming face-to-face with the bastard who had ruined everything. She might not be willing to go against Ryker’s brothers, but this hunter...if he were the one, may heaven have mercy on him, because she wouldn’t.

“Stay,” Ryker requested. “I’ll make my brothers understand.”

“And if you can’t?” She hated to ask such a thing, but she had to know.

Ryker offered no words. Instead, he hooked his finger beneath her chin and lifted it. His eyes burned with the need for her to understand and to have faith in him.

She nodded. “You got dressed too quickly,” she murmured before slanting her mouth over his.

Who knew how much time they had left together, but she would make every moment count.