Authors: Vicki Lewis Thompson

A Werewolf in Manhattan (28 page)

BOOK: A Werewolf in Manhattan

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“She doesn’t excite me.”

Fierce joy surged through her at that admission. Nadia didn’t excite him, but
she,
Emma Gavin, did.

“I don’t excite her, either, so we’re not tempted by sex. One day, we’ll create the union that will benefit our families, but not yet.”

“It seems so cold and calculated, Aidan.”

“It’s my duty.” He cupped her cheek and gazed at her, his eyes growing more wolflike with every passing moment. “And you’re running out of time. Will you let me take you, Emma Gavin?”

She thought she’d die if he didn’t. “Will the sofa hold us?”

Standing, he scooped her up in his arms and headed for her bedroom. “Not for what I have in mind.”

Her heart beat wildly in anticipation. No man had ever made her feel like this, as if she were a prize he’d won and now intended to savor to the fullest. But Aidan wasn’t a man, she reminded herself. As he’d said, the wolf was always there.

He tumbled with her onto the bed, which was still in disarray from the night before. He rolled her onto her back, and then rolled again, pulling her on top of him. Her robe loosened, and he dispensed with the tie in one swift tug.

“There.” His white teeth gleamed as he cupped her breasts, urging her down to his waiting mouth.

But they were human teeth, not a wolf’s sharp canines. Bracing her hands on either side of his head, she leaned down so that he could suckle. He was a man, his fingers long and lean as he massaged her breasts. Straddling him, she lowered her hips until her throbbing clit brushed the hard ridge of his penis straining against the black jersey of his sweats.

He made a sound low in his throat, and it was the groan of a lusty man, not the growl of a mating wolf. But in another time and place, he would become that wolf. Nadia, his chosen companion, would be able to join with him as both wolf and woman. Emma hated knowing that she could not.

Yet she had him with her now. That would have to be enough.

Slowly she rotated her hips, rubbing against him, teasing him with what he could have if he removed that barrier of cloth that separated them. With another soft groan, he released her breasts, leaving them damp and quivering. Shoving his sweats to his knees, he put his hands around her waist.

“Ride me, Emma.” His voice was rough with desire as he started to lift her.

“Not yet.” Wiggling out of his grasp, she slid back along his powerful thighs and felt his muscles bunch. When she wrapped her hand around his thick penis, he arched toward her and his breath hissed between his teeth.

“Maybe I’m into revenge, after all,” she said. “This is payback for what you did to me while I was lying on the living room rug Friday night.” Then she lowered her mouth to his cock.

The wild, erotic taste of him nearly made her come. She tried to tell herself that in human form he was no different from any other well-endowed man. But that wasn’t true. His flavor was different, his scent was different, and as she made slow, deliberate love to that most male part of his human body, his groan became a low growl. The wolf was there.

He combed his fingers through her hair, lightly pressing them to her scalp. He trembled as if cradling her so gently took great restraint. The pressure of his fingers increased a little more as she took him deep into her mouth and massaged his balls.

His rapid breathing told her he was skating along the edge of release. As she teased and caressed him, coaxing him to let go, she wondered whether he’d allow himself that much loss of control.

Then his grip tightened. “No more.”

She decided to honor his wish, but she took her time releasing him. Her upward progress included numerous licks and nibbles that prompted him to swear softly under his breath. But he didn’t pull her away, and she loved knowing he loved every second even though he had to battle for control.

At last, with one lingering kiss on the tip of his glorious penis, she lifted her head and met his gaze. “Revenge is sweet.”

“Come here.” Continuing to cup her head in both hands, he urged her forward.

She looked into his eyes as she crawled toward him and allowed him to draw her close for a long, hot kiss. The seductive movement of his lips and tongue pulled her down, down, into a whirling vortex of sensation. She missed the moment when he transferred his grip from her head to her hips.

Without interrupting the kiss, he guided her into position, sliding his cock into her with such fluid grace that it felt like dancing. When they were locked together, he sighed against her mouth. “I could stay like this ... forever.”

The words, so sweet and sincere, pierced the armor she’d been vainly constructing around her heart. She lifted her head to gaze down at him. “Don’t you dare fall for me, Aidan.”

“I can’t.” But the truth was there to see in his golden eyes. He was going down for the count, just as she was.

“I can’t fall for you, either.”

He kneaded her bottom with his talented fingers. “So, don’t.”

“I definitely won’t.” She closed her eyes because it was the only way she could lie to him. “I’m only here for the sex.”

“Yeah.” His voice was husky. “Me, too.”

She opened her eyes and smiled at him. “And the research.” Then she began to move, showing him with her body how she felt, even if she couldn’t say the words. Her gaze locked with his as she began a steady rhythm. The glow in his golden eyes reflected the same emotion she felt, the one neither of them could name.

Gradually she increased the pace and watched the fire build in his eyes. He held her hips loosely, allowing her to be in control. Even as his jaw clenched and his breathing grew labored, his touch remained gentle.

Surely that took effort. Her trust grew as she began to understand how deeply his protective instincts ran. Man or wolf, he would go to great lengths to keep her from harm. And her trust was returned. In this moment of intimacy, he’d surrendered completely, allowing her to be in command.

She shifted the angle slightly and felt him begin to tremble beneath her. “Let go, Aidan,” she murmured.

He struggled to breathe. “Will you?”

“Yes ... soon.” She pumped faster. “Come with me.”

“Emma ...” He rose to meet her, his movements in perfect cadence with hers.

“I’m here.” She began to pant as her womb tightened. “Now, Aidan.
Now.
”

With a groan, he held her still and surged upward. She climaxed at the moment of impact, and his name fell from her lips in a cry of pure joy as his orgasm flowed into hers.

They rode the wave together, freed for that brief moment from the forces that conspired to keep them apart. Despite those forces, she knew they’d forged a bond ... and it was growing stronger.

He had to know it, too. Quivering in the aftermath, she looked once more into his beautiful eyes. The emotion she’d glimpsed before was still there. Vibrant and strong, it said more than words ever could.

And it would have to be enough.

Chapter 22

We’re in big trouble.
Aidan had suspected it from the moment he’d realized his attraction to Emma, but as she smiled and tucked herself into his arms with a contented sigh, he began to understand the full extent of the problem.

This petite blond woman—with a mind that had intrigued him from the beginning and a body he desired beyond all reason—could be his downfall. Or he would be hers, depending on how this all played out.

Roarke had warned him, but Aidan hadn’t listened. Worst of all, he didn’t regret a single minute he’d spent with Emma. As he stroked her silky hair and wondered how the hell he’d ever dig himself out of this mess, the bedside phone rang.

“I’ve got it.” Emma propped herself on his chest and reached for the receiver.

“Maybe I should—”

“Never mind. I have it.” Resuming her snuggle position, she put the phone to her ear. “Hello? Oh, hello, Nadia.”

Aidan squeezed his eyes shut. Not the person he needed to be talking to right now.

“Sure, he’s right here.” Emma shifted her position slightly so she could hand him the receiver, but otherwise she continued to nestle close.

If Aidan didn’t know better, he’d think Emma was guarding her territory. But she wouldn’t stake a claim to him ... would she?

He put the phone to his ear. “Hi, Nadia.”

“Hi, yourself. When Emma said you were right there, she wasn’t kidding. I take it she doesn’t scare easily.”

“Guess not.”

“Are you two in bed?”

“Sorry. I didn’t catch that. Must be some static on the line. What can I do for you this morning?” He grabbed Emma’s hand as she began tickling him.

“There’s static on the line,” Nadia said. “And it’s you trying to blow smoke. I tried your cell phone, and you didn’t answer, so that’s when I called your room. I’m downstairs in the lobby.”

“Oh! Um, I’ll be right down.”

Emma scooted up and began nibbling his earlobe.

“Don’t come down,” Nadia said. “I’ll be glad to come to you. In fact, I’d prefer that. Because we already have a Henderson bodyguard stationed outside your door, the hotel gave me a key to access the elevator, but I thought providing you with some advance warning would be a classy gesture.”

“Thanks, Nadia. You’re welcome to come up here, but could you give me ten minutes?”

Emma pushed herself to a sitting position and frowned at him.

Nadia chuckled. “Yeah, sure, lover boy.”

“See you in ten.”

Emma scrambled out of bed. “You should have asked for twenty,” she said over her shoulder as she headed for the bathroom.

“It wouldn’t matter,” he called after her. “She’s figured out we’re involved. And you weren’t helping, by the way, by tickling me and nibbling on my ear.”

Emma paused and turned back to him. She looked like a wood sprite—naked, rosy, and ready for more of what they’d just enjoyed. “Aidan, I have to say this, and then I’ll shut up about it. It’s a crime against nature for someone as passionate as you to spend a lifetime with someone you’re not excited about.”

“It’s my—”

“Your duty. I know. You said that. And if you’re hell-bent on doing your duty, I guess there’s nothing more to discuss. But if your parents truly care about you, I can’t imagine them wanting you to make such a sacrifice. In fact, I can’t imagine Nadia making that sacrifice, either, or expecting you to.”

“But—”

“And just so you know, this isn’t about you and me. Being the crown prince and all, you probably still have to hook up with a female werewolf, and that’s cool. But at least pick someone you have some chemistry with.”

He opened his mouth to argue the point, but she’d already disappeared into the bathroom and turned on the shower. He’d do well to follow her example and make himself presentable before Nadia showed up. He headed toward his own bathroom.

Nine minutes later, he walked into the penthouse living room dressed in slacks and a white dress shirt open at the collar. He’d chosen typical work clothes because he needed to stop the fun and games and get down to business. His hair was slightly damp, and he’d nicked himself while shaving, but other than that, he looked reasonably respectable.

The door to Emma’s bedroom was closed, and he could hear the hair dryer. Apparently coming in contact with Theo’s head the night before hadn’t broken it. Aidan wondered whether Nadia believed the hammer story. Probably not, but he was very curious as to why she’d come here today.

Right on time, she rapped on the door, and he hurried to open it. Having a chance to talk to her before Emma came into the room would be a good thing. No telling what would come out of Emma’s mouth.

Nadia smiled as she entered the room with her usual graceful stride. Under a black goose-down jacket, she wore a metallic gold running suit.

He helped her off with her coat. “You’re looking great, as always.”

“Thanks. You’re looking happier.”

“Happier than what?” He’d never given much thought as to whether he looked happy or sad.

“Happier than you usually do. I think Emma must be good for you.” She stopped him as he started to put her coat in the closet by the foyer. “Don’t bother. I’ll keep it with me. I won’t stay long.” Her gaze swept the room and lingered on the coffee table where the remains of Emma’s breakfast sat on one side and his untouched plate sat on the other.

Aidan figured she’d have no trouble reconstructing the scene—obviously they’d started out eating breakfast and ended up abandoning the meal to jump into bed. He hadn’t given himself time to clear away the evidence, but then again, so what if Nadia saw this? It wasn’t as if she hadn’t suspected.

“Please, have a seat.” He gestured toward the two sofas. “I’ll order up some fresh coffee.”

She walked over and sat down on the right-hand sofa, the one he’d chosen for eating the breakfast he’d never touched. “No coffee for me. Thanks.” She glanced up at him. “I came to warn you that my father’s swallowed Theo’s ridiculous story—hook, line, and hammer.”

“That’s what my dad said.”

“I know Theo’s lying, but it’s too bad both of you ended up shifting in front of Emma.”

“It was the only way I could effectively fight him, but you’re right. It’s not good.” Aidan thought about the benefit he’d derived—being able to have sex with Emma without a condom—and realized he wasn’t as sorry as he should be.

“How did she take it?”

“She ...” He hadn’t really thought about that, either. “She’s fascinated—which, now that you bring it up, is remarkable. You’d expect her to run screaming into the night, but she didn’t. She wants to learn more.”

“But the more she learns, the more she could reveal about us.”

“Yeah.” Aidan paced in front of the fireplace. “I’m not sure how that’s going to be resolved.”

“Obviously, my father’s frantic, which is why he posted that guard. What steps have you taken so far?”

BOOK: A Werewolf in Manhattan

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