A Love For Lera (Haikon) (12 page)

“Watch it, pup,” he growled. “And just so you
know, Dane looks on Rissa as his own.”

Kori didn’t know that for sure, but he assumed so
given Rissa knew the ex-Enforcer was a shifter. It’s not information that Dane
would give out. His brother’s panicked expression made him smile. A slight one,
but a smile nonetheless.

“So what happens now?” Cairenn asked.

“I go after her,” he paused, “again.” He clenched
his fists. Something flashed in his sister’s eyes, and he knew she didn’t think
Lera was good enough for him. “And this time, she won’t be running away again.”

Cavan crossed his arms. “I’ll go with you.”

Cairenn shook her head. “Men. Before you two go
off after your women, I have to tell you, I smelled that wolf around here
earlier again.”

Kori snapped his jaws together and met his
sister’s gaze. “I smelled him last night, but…I can’t get a bead on him.”

“Me either.”

“I smelled him when I was checking the area after
the battle with the bears, too,” Cavan said.

“He’s hunting. And I don’t like it.” The urge to
lay eyes on Lera and ensure her safety rose swiftly.

A shared look with Cavan had them both running
for his Humvee.
‘Thanks for everything, Cairenn.’

‘Stay safe, my brothers.’

In the rearview mirror, he watched as his sister
melted into a brown wolf and sprung away with a powerful jump. Heading off in
the direction of the forest, she soon disappeared from his sight. He gunned the
powerful motor, and they tore off through Savoy, hot on the trail of Lera and
Rissa.

“How will you find her?” Cavan asked.

“I’m connected to her.”

“But not mated?”

“No, not mated.”
Not yet.

“I don’t understand.”

“Cavan, I’ve been connected with Lera since the
day her screams of terror tore through my head. She doesn’t know it’s me, but
thinks it was one she calls an angel.”

The landscape flew by as he chased after her.

“Tell me about Rissa.”

“I can’t. I don’t know her. The first time I met
her was when Lera traded herself for her.”

“They are very loyal to one another,” Cavan
observed. “I’ve almost never seen that in humans. Especially ones so young
before.”

Kori could feel the electrical buzz he got being
near Lera and slowed down. Cavan looked at him across the interior of the
vehicle.

“What’s up?”

“She’s close.” He gestured. “There’s a rest area
ahead.” Kori pulled off and parked at the top of the hill. Engine running, he
stood on the foot rail and scanned the area. Senses alert for Lera. “There.”
They were down toward the bottom. He noticed her bike, another beside it, and
saw Lera and Rissa laughing and joking.

“Let’s go,” Cavan said.

He drove them down and parked beside her
motorcycle. Slipping from the driver’s seat, Kori walked with Cavan toward the
women who sat at a picnic table. There were some men looking at them but they
backed off upon seeing Kori and his brother approach.

“
Mo ghrá
.” Kori watched her and Rissa both
turn to look at them. Lera’s eyes widened slightly before she gave him her
cool, collected nod.

“Kori. Hello again, Cavan. Am I to assume you
figured we needed an escort back?”

“Yes. Rissa is important to you, therefore
important to me and under my protection.”

He watched Rissa duck her head and a faint blush
stole up her cheeks. Kori sat beside Lera and reached for one of her chips,
popping it in his mouth.

“You just going to stand there, Cavan?” Lera
asked. “Or were you planning sitting down?”

Cavan sat on the same side as Rissa. Not as close
as Kori had sat to Lera but still beside her. Swiping another chip, Kori gave
Rissa a smile when she lifted her head.

‘Why is your brother staring at my friend like
he wants to eat her?’

‘He likes her, Lera.’

‘I don’t care if he’s your brother or not,
Kori. He hurts her, I’ll kill him.’

He chuckled slightly.
‘Your warning is noted,
mo
ghrá
, and I will pass it along. Where did you get the other bike?’

‘It’s Rissa’s old one. We had it stored near
the airport in Savoy, since she came occasionally to visit. Why did you come
here?’

‘We have unfinished business you and I, Lera.’

‘I don’t need you to babysit me, Kori. I’m
seeing her home and then I’m going home myself.’

He narrowed his eyes at her in warning. She met
his gaze briefly then turned away.

Cavan got up and headed to the vending machines,
bringing back a bunch of items and dumping them on the table. “Help
yourselves,” he said, his gaze once again fixated upon Rissa.

If she noticed, she gave no clue. They ate, and
Kori listened as Lera and his brother talked about her bike. Once she and Rissa
were finished, though, Lera got to her feet.

“What are you doing, Lera?” he asked.

“Taking her home.”

“We’re coming with you.”

“It’s a free country. Rissa, let’s go.” Lera
looked at his brother. “Thanks again for everything.”

‘We’ll be right behind you, Lera,’
Kori
said in her head.

She didn’t acknowledge him, just talked to Rissa
more as they headed for their bikes. At her bike, Lera lifted her head and
stared off toward the woods nearby, a look of confusion and concentration upon
her dark face. Deep in her mind, he could feel her pulling from him to
something else and he snarled, low and proprietary. Her brown eyes met his
before she slipped on her mirrored shades. She and Rissa soon were on the
bikes, and the powerful engines took them back toward the interstate.

“Let’s go,” he muttered.

“How can you let her go off on that bike?”

Kori laughed. “Lera’s not a child, pup. And I
highly doubt Rissa will respond if you treat her as such.”

“It’s dangerous. They’re human.”

He was beginning to wonder if Lera truly was.
“Well, if you think you can tell her not to ride, be my guest. I’d love to see
how that works out for you.”

The men climbed in the Humvee and got back on the
interstate as well. As the miles passed, Kori grew crankier when they didn’t
catch sight of the women. He could feel Cavan’s mounting frustration as well.

‘Lera, where are you?’

‘Riding my bike, Kori. Why?’

‘We’re on the interstate and can’t see you.
Where are you?’

‘You’re starting to sound an awful lot like my
father.’

‘I am definitely
not
your father,
mo
ghrá.
’

‘We just passed exit 245.’

He sighed. She was a good ten miles ahead of him.
‘You are driving again without concern for your safety.’

‘No, I’m not. Since I know you’re going to
follow us the rest of the way, no matter what I say, let me make it easy for
you. We’re stopping for the night in Banyanville. We can even do dinner
together if that makes you happy. So I’ll see you then.’

Kori ran a hand through his hair as he drove. He
stopped his brother’s laughter with a look. “We’ll have dinner with them
tonight.”

“She wouldn’t slow down, huh?”

“Nope.” He shook his head. “Not even a little.”

By the time they reached Banyanville, Kori was
anxious. He sent Cavan to secure a room, and he headed for the one he knew Lera
had taken. He knocked on the door and held his breath when it swung open. Rissa
met his gaze and stepped back, waving him in.

“How are you doing, Rissa?”

“I’m surviving, Mr. MacLochlainne.”

“Kori. Call me Kori.”

“Kori. Lera will be out in a moment. I’m going
out for a bit.”

‘Cavan. Rissa is leaving. Keep an eye on her.’

‘Will do, brother.’

“Okay. Be careful. Cavan will be near if you need
him.”

She almost said something but instead walked out
the door.

Kori leaned against the dresser and crossed his
arms. The bathroom door cracked opened, and Lera’s voice filtered out.

“Rissa, come help me with this bandage.”

He licked his lips and strode to the door. “I’m
not Rissa but I’m more than willing to help,” Kori said.

“Kori?” Her question was high-pitched.

“Expecting someone else?”

“No…I just…oh fine,” she huffed. “Get in here.”

He pulled the door open the rest of the way and
promptly lost all the air in his lungs. Lera waited in black leather pants,
heeled boots, and a white bra that split the enticing brownness of her skin.
Not even the faded scars could detract from her beauty. His cock hardened and
pressed insistently against his jeans. He could feel the call her figure gave
to him, and it wasn’t easy to ignore.

“Well, don’t just stand there. I’m already
self-conscious enough with you looking at me. Can you just fix the bandage?”

Kori stepped to her side, and the fresh scent of
Lera swarmed him. Her breathing became shallow and fast, her nose flared, and
her pupils dilated. “Never feel self-conscious about your body, Lera.” He
reached for the bandage and quickly tied it along her upper arm. Finished, Kori
didn’t move; he just held her gaze.

“Thank you,” she said.

“By the gods, you are beautiful,” he murmured,
skimming her cheek with his knuckles.

Immediately, he saw the walls go up around her,
and he could feel her retreating from him.
Oh, Lera. I wish I could take
away all your painful memories and replace them with nothing but good.
He
dropped his hand, reached behind him for her shirt and gave it to her.

Lera tugged it on over her head, hiding her
succulent body from him. Not that it stopped the desire he had for her. Instead
of backing up and giving her more space, Kori closed the distance between them.

“Lera,” he uttered. Her eyes, haunted, met his. “
Anáil
de mo anam.
” Kori kissed her. Allowed his touch to tell her things he
wasn’t sure how to voice.

Her whimper tore at his heart. It didn’t take
long and she kissed him back. He could feel the desperation in her kiss. The
need for a memory of something other than pain.

Back and forth along her tongue his stroked. Kori
slid his hands down to cup her ass and pull her tight against him. Lera mewled
in the back of her throat and rubbed along his hard shaft. The flames grew to
raging within him. She reached up and around his neck, intertwining her fingers
into his hair and pressing their mouths together even more.

With a growl, he backed her up to the wall and
increased the intensity of the kiss. He nipped at her invading tongue and
shuddered when she returned the favor. Moving his hand to the hem of her shirt,
he’d just slid beneath it when he heard the door to the room open behind him.
This time, his growl was one of frustration. Tamping back his craving for the
woman in his arms, Kori removed his hand and ended the kiss. Her gaze met his,
a mixture of frustration and need within the brown eyes.

“Rissa’s back,” he whispered.

She licked her lips and nodded. “Tha…thank you
for fixing my bandage.”

He raked her with his gaze. “My pleasure.” Kori
allowed his fingers to trail over her full lips briefly before he stepped away
and walked out to where both Rissa and Cavan were.

Chapter Nine

Lera hugged Rissa goodbye and did her best to
smile. She’d already said goodbye to her friend’s parents. They were like
another set of her own. She had remained here for two nights after returning
with Rissa. They’d insisted, and she’d been unable to refuse them.

He’s a good man for you, Lera. Give him a
chance,
Rissa signed.
You actually look happy when you’re around him. A
look I haven’t seen on you in a while. He looks at you like you are his entire
world.

Lera swallowed and slid her eyes to the left.
Sure enough, Kori’s hard gaze was upon her. When their stares met, she swore
his softened. Looking away from him, she focused back upon Rissa.

I don’t know if I’ll ever find a man who can
get past what I have around me, Rissa,
she signed back.
Take care of
yourself, my friend. Call me if you need anything. I have to go home.

“Goodbye, Lera,” Rissa murmured. “Thank you for
saving me.”

“There’s nothing I wouldn’t do for you, Rissa.
You know that. I’ll call you when I get home.”

They hugged again, and Lera waved as Rissa walked
inside with her parents. She didn’t move until the door closed behind them.
Goodbye,
my friend.
Spinning on her heel, Lera strode to her bike and swung her leg
over. She saw Kori step toward her, and she started the motor and sped off.

Instead of taking the interstate to the nearest
airport, she took it but pointed her bike toward a small lake about thirty
miles from Rissa’s house. Once there, she dismounted and walked to the edge of
the water. Her gaze lingered on the reeds waving in the slight breeze. There
was a great blue heron that stood there like a statue, and a small smile filled
her face.

She needed to go home, but still, she hesitated.
The direction of the slight wind changed, and Lera turned her head toward the
trees behind her. A ripple of energy and awareness skated up and down her
spine. Her hairs stood on end as from the trees stepped a large wolf. Solid
black, eyes included. He moved noiselessly toward her. The rumble of an engine
brought his head up, and he turned and vanished into the protection of the
forest.

Seconds later, Kori’s Humvee came into view. He
jumped out, and she could see the anger in his face as he stomped toward her.
His eyes snapped from her to the woods and back again, his wolf in plain view,
and she knew he scented the black wolf who had just vanished upon his arrival.

“Enough of this running off, Lera,” he said in a
growl.

Silent, she looked past him to see Cavan standing
by the vehicle. “Why are you here, Kori? I’m on my way home.”

“Cavan, leave us.”

There was no argument from the younger
MacLochlainne. He simply moved to the driver’s side and drove away.

“I hope he’s coming back for you, Kori. I have to
get going.”

“No.”

She peered up at him. “I’m sorry?”

“I said, no, Lera. No more running.”

“Who’s running? Daddy told me to come home.” She
moved to step past him. His hand curled around her arm and stopped her
progress. “What, Kori?”

“Do you remember what I told you in the bar?” he
asked, pulling her close.

She licked her lips and shook her head. “You said
a lot of things.”

“It was in Dutch.”

Her belly flipped and tightened. “Yes.” There
were strange feelings slipping through her body.

“What’d I say?” He stared at her, his gaze
intense.

Lera swallowed twice. “
U bent van mij
.”

He never blinked, just continued to hold her
gaze. “I meant it.”

Warmth exploded throughout her but she quickly
tamped it back. “Don’t say things like that, Kori.”

“Why not, Lera?
U bent van mij
. You are
mine.”

“I know how things go, Kori. I can’t be yours up
until you find your mate.”

“
Mo ghrá
, listen to me. You
are
my
mate.”

Had his reflexes not been so quick, she would
have hit the ground. Instead, she found herself in his arms again.

“Don’t say things like that to me, Kori,” she
said again.

“Look at me, Lera. I’m not lying. You
are
my mate.”

Words escaped her. All she could do was shake her
head. Kori captured her chin in his fingers and held her immobile. His gaze
softened even more while he stared at her.

“I can’t be your mate, Kori. A mate implies
mating, and you know I don’t do that.” Even if her body seemed to gravitate
toward his and make her think of things like that.

“Lera, you told me if it was in your ability to
repay me all I had to do was ask. I’m asking for something now.”

Something clenched around her heart, and she
stiffened. “What do you want?”

Lera knew he could hear the suspicion in her
tone. His expression didn’t change.

“I want you to trust I won’t hurt you.” His
brogue curled her toes inside her boots.

That was easy. “I know you won’t hurt me, Kori.”

He covered her mouth and skimmed his tongue along
her lower lip before sinking into her mouth. Fireworks erupted within her. Lera
growled and grabbed his shirt, holding him tight. She knew this would be the
only man she’d willingly allow to touch her. And, no matter for how brief a
time, he was hers.

He can’t be serious about the mate thing.

“I want to love you, Lera.” He stared into her
eyes while he spoke.

Suddenly, she was desperate to know a touch that
didn’t make her cower in fear or feel revulsion. She knew deep down this was
the only man who could do that. There would be ample time later to address his
claim they were mates. But, for once, for this moment, she could let herself
feel
.

“Yes.” Her response was soft.

“Let’s go,
mo anam
.”

“No, Kori. Here.” She tightened her hold on him.

“There’s no bed, Lera.”

“Every bad experience I’ve had was in one.” She
worried her lower lip. “I love the outdoors, Kori.”

“And I love you, Valera Grace,” he whispered
without blinking.

She wondered then if it wasn’t true. Releasing
his shirt, Lera said, “There’s a blanket on my bike.”

“I’ve got it covered.”

Lera glanced at the ground and saw a thick
blanket there. Her breaths came shorter when he lowered them to it and
stretched out beside her. She lay on her back, staring up at him while he gazed
down upon her face.

“So beautiful, Lera,” he murmured, his brogue all
thick and sexy.

She watched his gray eyes which smoldered with passion.
He kissed her again. In seconds, she doubted she could recall her own name.
Flames flickered and grew within her body, running though her veins with each
beat of her heart.

Kori’s hand skimmed up along her side, sending
shivers through her, up under the shirt she wore, his callused skin teasing
her. Lera gripped his wrist, halting his movement the closer it came to her
breast. His gaze hadn’t wavered from hers, and in the depths of his eyes, Lera
saw endless patience and love.

He lowered his head and kissed her lightly. A
gentle caress of his lips upon hers. Her eyes fluttered shut, and she dropped
her hand when he moved his up again. There was a tightness in her belly she’d
only felt around Kori.

“Ohh,” she moaned when he cupped a breast. The
heat from his palm seared her through her bra. Spikes shot through her when his
thumb swiped across the pebbled tip. “Kori?” Emotions she didn’t understand
poured over her. She’d never experienced anything like this before. Ever.

“Let it go, Lera,” he said in a voice she almost
couldn’t understand it was so deep and the brogue so thick. “Trust me,
mo
ghrá
. Let go.”

He kissed his way down her neck, and Lera
screamed to the air when his mouth covered the breast his hand held and sucked
hard on the point. She wedged one hand into his thick hair and pressed him
against her. Heart pounding, she writhed beneath him, her body telling her it
wanted something. Needed something. His hand moved away from her breast, and
soon, he lifted her shirt, removing it from her body.

“Beautiful,
mo ghrá
, you’re absolutely
beautiful.”

Lera couldn’t speak. The knot in her belly grew
tighter as he stared at her longer and longer. Would he be repulsed by her
scarring? The heat in his gaze told her no.

“Kori, please,” she whimpered, needing him to
take care of the craving she felt.

He rose up over her and moved to remove her
boots. Then, his hand unzipped the side of her pants and he said, “Lift up,
Lera.”

In the back of her mind, she could sense the
ingrained fear rising but it didn’t overtake her. Lera kept her gaze upon the
black-haired man with the most amazing gray eyes in the world. And, believed
beyond all, he would never hurt her. While he pulled down her pants, Lera moved
her hands to cover herself, only to find them in his grasp, halting her.

“Don’t hide yourself from me, Lera. Never hide
yourself from me. You’re so beautiful.”

Kori lay beside her again and trailed one hand
along her side as his other hand slipped behind her head. Shockwaves
accompanied his touch, and she felt herself nearing an edge of a cliff. He
kissed along the shell of her ear and whispered words she couldn’t understand.
His touch was gentle. It drifted over her pussy, and she shuddered, hips rising
to meet his exploring fingers. His rumbling growl filled her, and he slipped
two fingers under the panties then ran them up the lips of her core before
sinking them into her. One first then the other joined.

“Kori!” she gasped as pleasure exploded up from
within to consume her.

His body, tense against hers, only added to the
feeling of completion she began to experience.

“Fuck!” he uttered. “So blessed tight.”

Her eyes flew to his face and saw it in a grim
line. His jaw set, and sweat beaded upon his brow. He swallowed and looked at
her as his fingers began to move within her. Lera didn’t know how much more she
could take. The blaze flared almost out of control within her. Her hand, deep
in his hair, tightened as she opened her legs wider.

“Please, Kori. I…I…” Her words fell away. Lera
couldn’t express what she needed.

He removed his fingers and she jumped a bit when
her panties snapped under his swift jerk. Kori moved over her, and Lera mewled
in the back of her throat when his bare skin touched hers. With her other hand,
she grabbed his shoulder and dug her nails in. She stiffened at the feel of his
shaft at her entrance. He opened his eyes and stared into her eyes.

“Lera?” he asked, his voice all graveled and
strained.

She knew in that second he struggled to hold onto
his control. Just like that, her fear vanished. Behind the gray of his eyes,
she could see the wolf lingering. Sliding her hand from his hair to his cheek,
Lera murmured, “I trust you, Kori. Show me what this is supposed to be like.”

He didn’t know what to say. He couldn’t say
anything. Those words from her mouth meant so much. Slow and smooth, Kori
pushed into her. Her hot, slick channel gripped him in a way unlike anything
he’d ever experienced before. The snug fit was almost too much, yet somehow, he
managed not to explode immediately within her. He held her gaze as he remained
still, allowing her to get acclimated to his size. While she wasn’t a virgin,
she was extremely tight, and hurting her was the last thing he ever wanted to
do.

Her body quivered around him, and he growled at
the sensation. His wolf pushed hard but Kori kept him back. Instead, he focused
on the big brown eyes staring up at him. Passion hazed and trusting.

“Lera,” he rasped.

“More, Kori.” She moved against him, and swells
of electricity ran up his spine.

He withdrew a bit and watched her eyes darken.
She captured her lower lip in her teeth as a soft gasp left her. And back in
again. He got a rhythm going, a nice slow one. Lera’s mewls grew louder, and he
could feel the walls of her pussy ripple against his cock. Dropping his head to
hers, he whispered words of love to her in Gaelic as he continued to move.

Back and forth.

In and out.

Her strong fingers gripped his shoulders, and he
could feel the bite of her nails in his skin. Lera undulated against him,
taking him in deeper, and he bit back a curse as his need nearly overwhelmed
him.

“Ohh yeah,” she purred against him.

Increasing his pace, he nipped her carotid and
reveled in her explosive reaction. She came all around his thrusting length.
But he wanted more, so he ground his back teeth and continued to increase speed
and depth.

“K…K…Kori,” she gasped, moving with him as he
drove into her.

“Lera.”

“I…need…want…please…Kori!” Lera’s voice pierced
the air around him, and he lost it.

A rumble of possessiveness and lust roared up
from his chest. Kori buried his face into her neck and powered hard and fast
into her. His wolf driving him, Kori took what he needed. What he craved. A
haze covered his eyes, and he snarled with ownership as he bit down upon her
shoulder blade.

Her tight slit gripped him and milked him. He
erupted deep within her, and his roar filled the air, ripped from his chest.
Tremors ruled his body as he lowered it carefully to the woman below him. Her
hooded eyes stared at him, full of satisfaction and contentment.

“Lera?” he asked, beginning to pull out of her.

She immediately locked her legs around him and
brought him totally back in her. “Stay. I like the feel of you inside me.”

“Did I hurt you?” His gaze picked up on the bite
mark on her shoulder.

“No.” A siren’s smile lifted her full lips. “Now,
I know why people do this all the time. Is it always like this?”

“No.” Her mouth turned down, and a furrow
appeared in her brow. “I’ve never experienced anything like this before, Lera.”