Authors: Selena Illyria
Tags: #Literature & Fiction, #Romance, #Paranormal, #Romantic Suspense, #Mystery & Suspense, #Suspense, #Werewolves & Shifters, #Erotica
She
panted
as sweat dotted her brow and upper lip. Cool air brushed against her overheated skin, which did nothing to cool her down. She didn’t protest as he pulled up the front and over her head but didn’t slide it down her arms. He pulled back on the cloth. Her arms followed. She felt him yanking on the hem, looping it through the neckline, pulling it up, and then repeating the process. Her arms were pinned behind her, and although the shirt binding was loose and she could pull free, she chose not to.
“No bra, good; never wear a bra around me, understand?
Never.”
Urban cupped her breasts from behind, massaging the aching mounds as he traced her spine with his tongue.
She thrust her chest out and whimpered, hoping he would take the hint, but knew how he would react.
“Say it,” Urban snarled. “You know our rules.”
She allowed her head to drop forward and said, “Please, pinch my tits.”
“Do they ache for me, honey?” He pinched both at the same time.
She jumped as pain and pleasure melded in a hot ball that jolted her clit and sent more moisture, staining her panties.
“Slip your hand into your panties and touch yourself. Work that sweet little clit. I’ll be getting to it soon enough,” he commanded.
Nadia slid her hand over her belly, past the waistband of her underwear, to delve between the plump, slickened lips of her labia. She played her fingers over the sensitive bundle of nerves. Each pass set off a shower of sparks. Her vaginal walls fluttered and clenched, aching for his thick cock to rub against them. Moans and whimpers slipped out unchecked as she pushed herself closer to the edge. “Urban.” Nadia tilted her hip upward. “Fuck me, baby, please,” she begged.
With a growl, he plumped and pinched her nipples. “Do you need me? Need my cock inside of you fucking you like no one else can?” He tugged and rolled her sensitive tips, holding them in a tight vice grip. When he released them, a rush of fire and pain flashed through her chest to arrow down to her sex,
trialed
by pleasure.
“Next time clamps,” she whispered as her body quivered. A light sheen of sweat coated her face, neck, chest, and stomach. Nadia continued to flick and rub her clit, driving her closer to orgasm. “Please—” she started to say.
“Stand up,” he ordered.
On shaky legs that felt like jelly, she stood and hissed when he hooked his thumbs into the sides of her panties and pulled until they ripped. He slipped around in front of her, bent down, and took her lips in a desperate, hungry kiss filled with tongue and teeth.
She cried out when she felt his fangs scrape along her bottom lip. Pain burned along the wounds as blood seeped up. The taste of the salt brought out her inner snow leopard. The change slammed into her; fingers became sharpened claws, fur dusted her skin in a pale white coat with black spots, and her senses sharpened. She could hear his heart pounding against his
ribcage,
feel the heat of his body seep deep past her fur and skin to meld with hers. Nadia tasted his wolf musk and desire on the air. She parted her lips and drank it all in.
He nipped down her neck and over her shoulder before kissing his way across her chest. Urban took one nipple into his mouth and sucked hard. Each tug of his lips set off shards of fire in her womb. He transferred his attention from one aching peak to the other before kissing his way down her stomach and over her bare
mons
.
Nadia reached over and cleared the dishes out of the way. He grabbed her hips and pushed her back against the edge of the table but didn’t order her onto it. Urban positioned her hips to thrust out as she leaned back on the tabletop. He parted her wet flesh and lapped at her soaked slit. He explored her sex, working up one side and down the other, teasing her clit with light flicks that had her knees shaking and bursts of fire flooding her torso. He latched on to her clit, tugging and sucking on the button, nipping the sensitive tip. Nadia cried out, clutching at the edge of the table, the wood digging into her palms as she held on for dear life. She pushed back the wave of desire that threatened to take her under.
He slipped one finger into her
sopping
channel, fucking her slowly as she squeezed her inner muscles around the digit.
“More, more, more.”
She chanted the word over and over again, praying, hoping,
wishing
he would let her come. “Please,” she begged.
Urban withdrew his finger and gave her slit one last lap before he stood up. He ran his finger over her lips and gave her a hard kiss while he gave her
ass
a slap with his free hand. Urban grabbed her hips. “Turn around, honey, and remember, don’t come unless I say you can.”
“Yes, Urban,” she responded. Her body was on fire; sweat slipped down her back and chest and over her stomach like feathered fingers, teasing her sensitive flesh. As she turned, her breasts jiggled, setting off more sparks. With a moan, she allowed him to grab a handful of hair and push her down onto the table. The press of her nipples against the cool surface of the wood brought a hiss to her lips, but no relief from the heat wave in her body. Once she was positioned, he withdrew his touch. She heard the clanging and clinking of his belt as it was unbuckled and then the sharp rasp of the zipper. She wished she could turn around and watch him uncover his cock but didn’t move. Nadia imagined the thick, ruddy stalk, the slit already slick with droplets of
precum
. She licked her lips, yearning to taste him but rested her head against the cool surface, waiting for him to finally fuck her. The rasp of his jeans slipping down his legs set her ears tingling. A soft plop followed; she could
knew
it was his shirt. Nadia whimpered in yearning, wishing she could see his bare chest.
She let out a gasp at the first slap of his palm against her ass. First one cheek, then the other, never in the same place, until her flesh burned. The heat penetrated deep into her sex, increasing her desire. Her cream slipped down her inner thigh. The sharp edge of pain and pleasure merged once again. “Urban,” she whispered. Again and again, she was pushed closer to the precipice. Holding on by her fingernails, she dragged her claws across the wood surface as she bit her lip until more blood was drawn. Her mind was white noise and her body moved on instinct, thrashing and jumping against the tabletop. Tears leaked from the corners of her eyes as her cat screamed for him to fuck them, take them,
own
them. She gasped and moaned with each slap. Nadia wasn’t sure how much more she could take from him. Each spank was punctuated with a growled
mine
from Urban.
“Yours always,” she replied breathlessly. “Please,” she demanded.
“Goddess, you’re beautiful; I love you so much.” He let out a deep grunt.
She felt his cockhead at her dripping entrance.
The pressure within her increased as he pushed it in, slipping inside of her tight channel easily.
His pace started up slow, stoking her pleasure higher. He held her down against the tabletop with one hand while he held on to her hip with the other. His fingers dug into her flesh as he fucked her hard. She lifted up onto her toes, allowing him deeper penetration.
“Come for me, baby,” Urban commanded.
Nadia stopped, holding the wave of pressure inside of her and letting go. Her pussy clamped down on his dick as the pleasure took her under until it became almost painful. Her body stilled as he continued to fuck her, pulling more orgasms out of her until she couldn’t keep standing on her toes anymore. She sank back down to her feet as Urban pulled out once more.
“Not done with you yet, love,” he said as he helped her stand up and turned her around. Urban helped her sit on the tabletop. He buried his hand into her hair and wedged his legs between hers, spreading them wide and positioning himself back at her channel. Urban pushed into her, slowly at first. He took her lips in a kiss that started off soft and sweet and turned hard and possessive. She lost herself in the taste of him. With each thrust, the fire built back up. Nadia moaned. Need filled her as her snow leopard pushed her. Her body continued to fluctuate between feline and human form. The urge to mark him began.
“Ours, need, mark, bite, ours.”
The snow leopard’s husky voice rolled around her head. She couldn’t deny the call. Nadia wanted to know where he was at all times, to know that he was safe. Urban was hers, theirs; she needed him to belong to her, to them. Unable to stop
herself
, she opened her jaws wide; her teeth had become sharpened. Fire wicked through her blood. The call to mate filled her.
She bit down on his shoulder. His blood filled her mouth, tasting of spice, wine, and the coolness of the moon. Nadia lapped at his wound but held on as he continued to thrust into her. The pressure began to build once again until she couldn’t hold it back anymore.
“Come for me, love, come for me again,” Urban ordered.
On his command, she let go and allowed the orgasm to consume her. Her world became the night sky filled with fireworks. A sense of calm filled her body as she released his shoulder. He belonged to her now. She would never be alone again and would always feel safe, protected, and loved.
Chapter Seven
Urban woke up sore. His shoulder throbbed with each beat of his heart. The wound still burned, even though it was partially healed. As he moved the bite marks pulled, threatening to rip open again. He groaned and sat up. Nadia grumbled and moved away to her side of the bed. Somewhere around three in the morning, he’d carried up to bed after another round of sex. He’d told her he’d loved her and didn’t regret it, not one word. Urban had meant it. His heart filled with so much emotion, he ached with it. His chest felt like bursting with all the sentiments running around his body. Never in his life had he felt so stable, grounded, and calm. His wolf felt right at home with Nadia; there was nowhere else he’d rather be. As he rested against the pillows, he took in her bedroom in the bright light of morning. It was a simple room: taupe walls, warm browns, reds, oranges, and
golds
with dashes of purple. She had a large armoire, a chest of drawers, and a wall of bookshelves. There were double doors that he assumed led to a walk-in closet and a door near the bed that opened to an opulent bathroom. Her taste was simple, elegant yet easy to move.
Sadness crept into his mood. He pushed it away. She had a home, that was a start, and at least he knew she trusted him, not completely, but that would build over time. They had made strides last night, which he was proud of. He decided to give her some space. Besides that, he had to do some exercise. Exhaustion pulled at his body, something he’d never truly experienced before until coming to
Draven’s
Crossing and staying with
Torger
. Besides that, he had to think about what happened last night, as well as about what she’d told him and about the case of the dead alpha. In his gut, he knew something was wrong with the case but couldn’t put his finger on it. He also felt as if it was connected to Nadia’s
Katnip
mission. First things first, he had to clear his mind and get a grasp on all the elements, as well as
kickstart
his workout schedule. He’d been lax before and being with Nadia, he was sure that he’d need the extra energy. There was no doubt in his mind that they would be making a lot of love until he had to leave.
He wanted to bring him with her back to Virginia, show her his home, introduce her to his friends,
get
her integrated into his life. There was also an urge to introduce her to his family and get their approval; he wanted his family to love her as much as he did. She may not have said the words, but that wasn’t important to him; what was important was that she wanted to be with him, always.
Now to build on that.
He leaned over and placed a kiss on her temple before he threw back the covers and got out of bed. Urban winced as his shoulder protested any action. He figured that he’d need a day or so to recover completely, but some exercise would help him heal faster. With a quick shower, he dressed in some sweats and grabbed a banana on the way out the door with his workout bag.
As he drove to the gym, his thoughts traveled back to last night. She was now covered in his scent. There would be no repeat of what he’d gone through with the betas.
Torger
would know as soon as she came into contact with him, and there would be some questions. He also wasn’t sure how they’d handle their careers. His bosses weren’t fans of
Zerik
, and the feeling was mutual. Plus, he’d never met the current head of the Feline Quorum. He couldn’t stop the twinge of jealousy he felt when he thought of all that
Zerik
had done for Nadia and possibly her sister. He didn’t have the whole story, but he was sure that Nadia would tell him if he asked.
His mind traveled back to seeing Nadia in bed surrounded by white. Her nude form looked so tempting.
Seeing her so relaxed and at ease, feeling so safe, tugged at his heart.
As he turned into the gym parking lot, he pulled his mind away from her and sex. It wouldn’t do to walk in half hard and distracted. He had to concentrate; otherwise he could get seriously hurt. Urban didn’t want to push himself too hard, especially in the shoulder area. He lifted his right shoulder and winced as the muscles screamed and the wound heated up.
Nope, not
gonna
try it,
he thought. Instead, he turned his mind toward the problem he had: the death of an alpha, which was a bad thing. He was surprised that
Torger
hadn’t called him to scream his ear off. Urban hoped that was a signal his brother was
trusting
him. If not, he’d hear about it when and if he went back to the cabin.
He parked, grabbed his bag, and headed in. Urban showed his temporary membership pass at the front desk and headed into the changing area. His mind went into work mode. The death of Stan didn’t strike him as odd. The witness statements had told him that he’d said he was alone that night and making his famous mushroom soup. A look into the guy’s background had told him that the man was in deep shit with the FCC and IRS as well as managing the finances of all the major packs, although there wasn’t anything
hinky
in his business dealings.
If anyone wanted him dead, as Nadia suggested, then it would be the wife. They found a million-dollar life insurance policy. Caroline would benefit big time. She’d been notified of her husband’s death, but, Poppy, the woman they’d helped at the campgrounds, had run interference. She assured the detectives that Caroline would be able to talk today. So, there was that. He had to make a report to
Torger
and talk to the other alphas, see if they had anything to say. His gut told him something was there, but they weren’t seeing it. He couldn’t help but feel it had to do with what happened to Poppy that day; why or how, he didn’t know. That fight was so out of place. So unlike the pack to stand by when there were police a few steps away. As if they’d wanted Michael to be arrested for assault and domestic violence.
Urban shook his head. Thinking too much wouldn’t help him. He had to clear his mind. Once he’d changed, he grabbed his tablet and logged into Skype. There was one person to call who could help him clear his head and give him a workout that would leave his muscles screaming and his body primed for the pain. This would not only give his brain a break, but also he’d be able to say he was almost ready to get back to work. A pang of sadness hit him. He didn’t want to leave
Draven’s
Crossing or Nadia yet. As much as he didn’t want to admit it, the place was growing on him. Knowing Nadia had a home here only added to its appeal.
Home.
It was foreign concept to him, having traveled so much. What would it be like to come home to Nadia or to be able to not jet off so much? He loved his job, loved that he could help his country and help foreign countries as well. It wasn’t all James Bond shit, but it had its moments, and it was fun. He enjoyed some of the sneakier aspects of his job and enjoyed the travel.
Urban could feel something inside of him shift. He’d never really thought about his career in relation to his real life. Now that Nadia was truly in it, he had to rethink some things. They wouldn’t let him work with her, but perhaps he could act as a Feline Quorum liaison?
Maybe.
As the phone rang on his tablet, he hoped he wasn’t pulling his friend away from anything sexy. They got little down time as it was, and budget cuts weren’t helping matters with overworked agents who were being left in the lurch as to the status of their missions. He and Cooper were some of the first group to get
vacations
; that was really the only way to keep them on payroll without firing them. More and more people were being put on furlough to keep major operations in play. Nothing they could do about it but do their jobs and keep busy on their off times. Besides, he would know soon enough if he would be getting more vacation time.
“Talk to me, you rat bastard. Long time no see. How are you? Wow, you look bad.” Cooper’s tone was heavy with mocking. There was a grin on his deeply tanned face.
Urban winced; he was pretty sure he didn’t look that bad, or did he? Nadia certainly hadn’t complained.
“Fast food and too much coffee and beer.
You ready?” Urban cringed and tried not to let it show. He and Cooper already had a workout routine established from their college days.
“I’m ready; let’s get to work. You’re going to warm up with yoga, and then we’ll head into cardio,” Cooper dictated. “Don’t want to break your ass too early.”
Urban didn’t argue; he chuckled and set the tablet down on the floor next to his mat. He started to go through the Sun Salutation routine. As he began to do his yoga breaths and stretched his muscles, he found any tension and pain he had fading as his body became grounded. Cooper went through the count, his voice droning on about useless crap that Urban was able to tune out. By the time Urban was done, his body felt loose and warmed.
“Good job; you didn’t fall over. Now for your cardio: we’re going to do the treadmill,” Cooper said. “We’re going to baby your sorry ass with only an hour run; is that okay with you? Never mind, get your ass on that machine. I want to see sweat.”
Urban shook his head and got on an empty machine. “I can do an hour, no problem. And yeah, I’m real proud of myself. What’s all this bullshit you’re spewing? You met someone? You dog; does she know you’re a hound?” Urban asked. It felt good to joke with his friend again. He’d missed it.
Cooper snorted. “Like you should talk; I know all about that woman you’re hiding.”
Urban paused and stared at the tablet. “What?” Had he been that careless with his friends?
Cooper shrugged. “You see her; you’re less stressed. We started calling her your masseuse. Not going to pry. Not my business.” Cooper held up his hands. “We’re not
gonna
ask, okay? Just busting your balls; now give me sixty minutes.”
Urban shook his head and began his run. Rather than think about his relationship with Nadia, he decided to talk to Cooper about the case.
“Sounds like black widow shit to me. Check to see if there are more victims connected to the woman, her or that Poppy woman.
Torger
may shit cubs, but at least you’re covering your bases. Also, ask the coroner to treat the body like a foul play case. You know the drill,” Cooper said.
Urban thought it over; it made sense. “How do I make sure this doesn’t turn into a shit storm? The alphas will act like a bunch of assholes, but at least I’ll have done my job as
Torger’s
substitute alpha.”
Cooper agreed. “Exactly, although I’m surprised you didn’t think of it yourself. Now stop gabbing and give me more speed, you slow-ass bastard.”
Urban couldn’t argue with that, so he kept running until his sixty minutes were up.
“Okay, take a breather; grab some Gatorade and then we’ll do it all over again, since we’re easing your sorry ass back into shape.” Cooper disappeared from the screen.
All Urban could do was laugh. He deserved that verbal abuse, since he’d been so lax over the past few weeks. Once his drink break was over, he stretched and went back to the grind, this time working on his legs with the weight machines. Cooper continued to give him more grief, but he took it without complaint. By the time he was done, Urban was breathing hard and exhausted. He lay down on the floor, trying to get his bearings.
“Jesus, you’re really out of shape. We made need to up the ante and do another round,” Cooper said. “Shit, I have to go. We’ll hit it harder tomorrow.”
He signed off, leaving an empty screen. Urban laid there allowing his body to adjust to the two hours they’d done. It still wasn’t enough, but it was a start.
Nadia leaned over him and stared down at him. “Tired of being punished yet? You’ve been running around here like an idiot for two hours.” She took a sip of coffee, looking so calm, cool, and collected. Not a hair out of place or any pain from last night. Urban felt the urge to rectify that, but couldn’t get up.
“Needed.
Exercise,” he panted.
“And you needed to come to a sweaty-balls, jockstrap-scented, all-male-membership gym? There’s something wrong with you. I’ll be at the diner, eating a real breakfast.” She turned and left before he could sit up.
“Wait, how’d you find me?” he shouted after her. His brain was a complete blank. Nothing made sense or allowed him to connect the dots. He was too damn tired.
“Marked you, you moron,” she called over her shoulder.
“Figures,” he muttered and got up off the floor.
Urban couldn’t fight the grin, so he let it stay. He took a shower and walked over to the Nightshade Garden Diner for some breakfast. His body ached in a few places and the throb was back in his shoulder, but he felt better, more like himself.
Nadia sat at the back, with an excellent view of the entrance and dining room, and had a cover on the door leading to the kitchen. She had a plate of pancakes in front of her and a large cup of coffee with sides of bacon and hash browns.