A Hunter's Passion (7 page)

Epilogue

Ryker pulled Jenna up the winding staircase, his heart pounding against his ribs. For a short while, he’d been positive that he’d imagined his brother lowering his gun on Jenna. Blood loss did strange things to a person’s mind. But Mason had done just that. Had Ryker not seen it with his own eyes, he never would have believed it. The man was an unforgiving bastard at times, though they all loved him nonetheless, and he them.

“Think your brothers will keep their word?” Jenna’s voice cut into his thoughts.

Ryker was positive he would. If there was one thing his brothers were renowned for, it was holding true to their promises. That wasn’t to say that they weren’t pleased with the idea of a witch joining the family, but at least Ryker knew she would be safe with them now.

Ryker’s mouth crooked as he followed after her. “Let’s not give him the chance to change his mind.”

A light frown creased her brow. “I don’t understand.”

With a deep breath, Ryker squared his shoulders and met her gaze. What he wanted to ask would only take two words, and yet his entire life seemed to hang in the balance. Jenna was all he wanted in this world. Their time apart had been hell—his thoughts muddled, his emotions scattered. What time they’d had together in the last couple days had been perfect, ignoring the inferno that had nearly burned them alive. The thought of being without her wrenched his stomach. No, he wouldn’t go back to the way he’d been before,
ever.

“Marry me.”

Wide eyes snapped to his, blinking as though she couldn’t believe what he’d just asked. Finally, with an arched brow and a playful smile, she asked, “Is that a request or an order?”

Heat shot to his cheeks, and with a low groan, he pinched the space between his brows. Of course, she wouldn’t make this easy on him. “Can’t it be both?”

“Don’t you think we’ve pushed your brother enough for one day?”

A rough laugh rose from his throat. “Please. He knew this was coming. Why do you think he was so against it? Everyone in my family knows that I’m not letting you go this time.”

“Mmm,” she hummed as she crossed toward him with a saucy sway to her hips. “In that case, maybe you should ask me properly?”

The look in her eye captured his attention and heated his blood. He knew exactly what she meant by
properly
, and it wasn’t with him down on one knee.

His hand instinctively caught hers and he guided her to the shower. He turned on the faucets before returning to Jenna and sliding her charred sundress down her smooth body. His fingers trailed down the tapered length of her waist, his gaze devouring every inch of her. It didn’t matter that she was covered in splotches of ash, she was more beautiful than ever, now that he knew she was his.

Pain lit within his shoulder the moment the spray soaked through his new bandage. But that was to be expected, and he refused to let it come between them. Wounds healed, and right now he needed to be with her. To prove to himself that this was real.

Easing her against the tile, he claimed her mouth in a long, slow kiss. Fingers laced through her wet hair, his hands capturing her head as he deepened the angle. The smell of soot and ash trickled down the drain, but the adrenaline from earlier returned with a renewed fervor.

He didn’t want to wait another moment. Yearning sank into his bones, his hands grazing down the length of her body. He’d intended to go slow, make her cry for his touch and scream his name as he brought her to the brink of ecstasy.

But Jenna had other plans.

“Well?” she teased as her hand wrapped around his throbbing length. “Are you going to ask me properly?”

The heat in his loins made it difficult to think. Her touch running down his shaft, her feathered kisses brushing against his jaw, her supple curves pressed against him... He’d wanted to do this right, but the moment her fingers guided him into her velvet warmth, he knew the battle was lost. A groan rumbled deep in his chest, his hands collapsing against the wall for balance as he began to move within her.
Thank goodness for endorphins
, he thought when a sharp pang strummed through his shoulder.

He felt her breath caressing the side of his neck, her tongue tracing the edge of his tattoo without reproach. Hell, he could get used to this. She let out a pleased moan, her head tipping against the wall. The sight of her flushed cheeks and fluttering lashes shattered his last vestige of control.

“Well?” she repeated.

Her mouth was so inviting, and he found himself riveted as her tongue swept over her plump bottom lip. It just begged to be kissed and nibbled. “Now?”

“Can you think of a better time?” she murmured, gasping when his hips shifted.

Oh, he loved this woman. Only she would get off from being proposed to during sex. She’d keep things interesting, that was for sure.

“Jenna Sinclair,” He forced out her name, knowing he had to slow himself if he was to get the words out. There were so many things he wanted to tell her. How he’d always loved her, even when he’d believed he hated her. But the smile lighting up the little minx’s face told him she already knew. And somehow he didn’t think he’d be able to get all the words out. It didn’t matter—they’d have the rest of their lives to talk. Right now, he just needed an answer. “Will you marry me?”

Without waiting for an answer, he fell feverishly against her, finally claiming that kiss. His hips continued to rock against hers, his wild pace resuming, burying himself as deep as their position allowed.

Breaking from the kiss, her head fell back against the wall and her eyes fluttered shut. “Oh God, Ryker, yes!” she cried, her fingers digging into his shoulders.

He’d no idea if that was an answer to his question or to the fact that she was about to climax. Both worked for him. He knew she was close—her mouth lost rhythm, her stuttered breath racing against his as her body quivered. He wanted her to shatter around him, to feel her entire body tense and shiver with rapture. Balancing his weight on his good arm, he traced his fingertips down her sides, caressing her wet nipples with his thumb. When he gave a gentle pinch, she moaned and latched her fingers into his hair. He dragged his mouth from hers and trailed down her neck, stopping only when his mouth closed around the pebbled jewel. She gave a hapless moan, her back arching as his hands wandered, sweeping down between her legs until he found his mark. So swollen with need, the moment he teased her clit, she cried out.

He felt it the moment she came, her body clamping down around his. His gasp was drowned out by her, even as she squirmed against the wall. It was exactly what he’d craved to hear—his name rising from her lips as she begged him not to stop. He would never tire of this, never stop loving her. If he spent every night listening to her hitched gasps and watching her cheeks flush, he’d die a grateful man. He would do whatever it took to keep her happy.

Satisfaction strummed through him, his muscles fluttering. His jaw tensed as he fought back the mounting pleasure, hoping to stem his climax. He wasn’t ready, but his body wouldn’t listen. His only consolation was that he could have her every night, and with that thought, he stopped holding back. Giving in, his head fell back as pleasure crested within him.

When his strength returned, he bowed over her and pressed his mouth against the length of her neck, nuzzling her as he waited for their hearts to slow. The chords in her throat vibrated with a pleased hum, purring contentedly.

“You know, I don’t have any clothes or anything anymore. It all burned up,” she laughed breathlessly.

Ryker smiled against her, his tongue slowly laving away the beads of water sliding over her collarbone. “That’s fine. I happen to enjoy you naked.”

And to prove it, he fell to his knees and brushed his lips against her damp folds. The taste of her on his tongue was exquisite, and even more so when he slid a finger within her. Blessed heat welcomed him, her flavor sweetening as he took possession of her sex. His passion wouldn’t be so easily sated; her body held him enchanted. Somehow, his little witch had bespelled him, and he couldn’t have been happier.

* * * * *

About the Author

Canadian girl Gwen Knight first began to delve into the realm of the paranormal at the age of ten, when she wrote her first horror, starring a clawed monster that hid beneath her bed. Since then, her tastes have expanded into many genres. Though addicted to reading and writing, she managed to achieve a degree in archaeology, geography and mapping. Currently, she lives in the Great White North with her husband, two collies and a black cat.

ISBN-13: 9781460326398

A HUNTER’S PASSION

Copyright © 2014 by Heather Fuller

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