Predator's Claim (20 page)

Gripping Charlotte by the shoulders, she giggled with barely-restrained delight and kissed her on the cheek. “Welcome to the family, girl!” She gently moved Charlotte’s collar aside. “That mark looks good.”

Bart frowned through his laughter. “Mom, can you please stop manhandling my mate? Give Charles some room to breathe.” He turned and winked at her. “Or she might bolt on me.”

Charlotte squeezed his hand to let him know bolting was the last thing on her agenda. “Thanks, Mrs. Cairo.”

Shirley poked an admonishing finger at her nose.

“I mean, Shirley.”

Joseph approached and pulled her into a massive hug. As Charlotte let herself be practically smothered by the large man, a feeling of deep satisfaction entered her bones and settled there. This was good. She belonged with these people. In fact, she had already dreamed up ways to introduce her mom and dad to Bart’s kin. She knew the parents would get along. They were cut from the same nurturing, fun-loving cloth. She gave it a month before they were all having poker nights together.

Bart finally had to pry her out of his dad’s arms. When she looked at the older shifter’s face, tears filled his eyes. “I’m just so happy for you kids.”

“Oh, please don’t cry or you’ll get me started,” she said, laughing, as she brushed Joseph’s tears away.

Nate walked over, a big smile on his handsome face. It actually threw her for a loop. He was one good-looking younger brother. Woe to the females who fell into his keen line of sight. He gave her a noogie. “Glad to see my brother finally got his shit together.”

Shirley let out a cry. “Nathaniel! Watch your language around your new sister-in-law.”

Nate laughed. “Are you kidding?” He thumbed in Charlotte’s direction. “Hers is worse than mine.”

She nodded. “He’s got a point there.”

Bart came up behind her and snaked his arms around her waist, kissing her marked shoulder. “One of your many charms.”

She leaned into him, and her libido proceeded to light up like a gaudy Christmas tree, flashing and making whirring noises. Man, she’d always been attracted to him, but now that he’d marked her as his own, she couldn’t get enough of him. Her wolf concurred, with a desperate raised paw, scraping at her ribcage. The canine whimpered, eager to have some quiet time with Bart’s wolf. Charlotte did her best to silently calm the animal, but had a hard time making the hairs on the back of her own neck lay flat.

Bart seemed to sense her ill-timed lust. He leaned over and spoke to her with their silent form of communication.
When I get you alone again, I’m going to lick every inch of you. Your taste will be all over my tongue.

My, my. And what a big tongue you have.

The better to make you come, my pretty
.

Lena sauntered over and put up a hand. “Honestly, you two. Get a room.” She curled up her lip, as if disgusted, but then broke into the trademark Cairo huge smile. “I’m really happy for you both. I mean it.”

Charlotte grabbed her hand and whispered, “How’s it going with Rodolfo?”

Lena rolled her eyes. “Yeah, that’s over. I called him to catch up. During the conversation, he called me ‘Lindsay’.” She grimaced. “We’re officially history. His loss.”

Bart reached over and messed up Lena’s hair. “You did the right thing, Nunchuk. And not because of the piercings.”

Lena offered her big brother a smile and reached a hand around his waist. “Thanks. Oh, and I apologize for doubting you. I know I complain a lot, but you’ve always taken care of me.”

“What about me,
Nunchuk
?” Nate asked, laughing, as he picked Lena up and threw her over his broad shoulder.

Lena squealed. “Put me down, you big moron, or I’ll have your nads on a plate.”

“I’d like to see you try, sis.”

As their mom tried to usher them toward the dining room, Bart turned to Charlotte, his face lit up with happiness. “Think you can handle this crazy pack?”

“Yeah. Think they can handle me?”

He deadpanned. “Not on your life.”

She swatted his arm, but he gathered her close, picking her up so her feet dangled above the floor. Squeezing her hard, he kissed her. “Let’s go eat.” He arched a brow at her. “And then I’ll eat you.”

“Sounds like a plan.” Smiling so hard her cheek muscles tugged, she walked beside him into the dining room.

Chapter 11

After watching his woman consume a half rack of ribs and the better part of a monstrous steak, Bart grinned like a giddy loon as she sat back and rubbed her sweet belly. Currently occupied with planning her attack on a great slab of caramel-drizzled cheesecake, Charlotte eyed the table with the precision and determination of a professional assassin honing in on a hapless target. Man, he loved watching her eat. He didn’t think he’d seen anything quite so sexy as her licking barbeque sauce off her lips after finishing her rib platter. He’d been tempted to lean over and tell her to leave a spot of sauce for him to lick off as well. If his parents weren’t watching, bubbling over with joy, he would have.

But now, as she contemplated her gooey cheesecake, well, he couldn’t be held responsible for his actions.

Part animal, shifters were connected to their senses in a way humans could never understand. Perfumes smelled better. Songs sounded richer. Desserts tasted sweeter, more satisfying.

As if to prove his point, Charlotte ran a finger through the caramel sauce before her. Grinning at him, she stuck her finger in her mouth, sucking like Little Jack Horner. Her eyes rolled up a little as she savored the concoction, and he couldn’t drag his gaze from her.

So fucking sexy, sweetheart
.

She jumped when she heard his silent voice, as if not quite aware of her reaction on him.
Oh, sorry. It’s my favorite dessert. I didn’t mean to get you all hot and bothered
. And then she licked her finger again, gazing at him, this time with a deliberate flick of her dynamite tongue.

His cock stiffened to the point of pain. He needed release again, in her. And this time, he wanted to remain locked in her, solidifying their bond. With a fluttering breath, he wondered if she’d let him.

Yes
, came her quiet agreement. Her eyes sparkling, she nodded her head.
It’s what I want too, Bart
.

Gulping, he managed a nod.
Let’s get out of here
.

They pushed away from the table, and Lena laughed out loud. “Geez,” she purred. “You guys are so transparent. Could you wait until you’re out of mixed company?”

Bart cursed in his head and spoke to his mate.
I’m not making any promises
.

Charlotte giggled. She turned to the family members. “Thanks for the dinner…and everything.”

His mom shooed them away with a wave. “Go. Never let it be said we stood in the way of true love.” She turned to his dad and nuzzled his neck. “We remember what it’s like, don’t we, stud?”

His dad looked at her in amusement. “Who says it’s just a memory?”

Lena put up another preemptive hand. “Okay. Enough.” She turned to their brother. “Natey-boy, please buy me a drink at the bar before I puke.”

Before his siblings even stood, Bart whisked away his gorgeous mate. He couldn’t wait to get her in his bed.

He had plans.

* * * *

Bart had started tugging at his own outerwear before they ever reached his cabin. By the time they’d reached the small wooden building, he began to rip off his flannel buttoned shirt. As he locked up behind them, she gawked, in total awe of his presence and manly beauty. At rapid speed, pecs and biceps were revealed, flexing as he flew out of the rest of his clothes. His black motorcycle boots, a dressier replacement for his Kodiaks, went flying the same time he tore at the fastener on his jeans. Within astonishing seconds, he stood naked before her.

She hadn’t even started undressing yet. The marvel of his body had her too entranced. Slowly, she moved toward him and ran a finger over his sculpted shoulder, down over his triceps and to his hand. His manly beauty had never seemed quite so poignant to her. He grabbed her hand in a possessive clutch and pulled her closer. Before he could kiss her, she put a finger up to his lips. Her heart pumping, she ran the same finger up toward his scar and traced its ragged line. “Bart,” she whispered. “You’re so beautiful.”

He frowned, all too aware of his perceived flaws. With an almost imperceptible movement, he shook his head.

She dug both hands into his thick hair, massaging his scalp as she spoke. “You are. I’ve never known anyone like you. You dazzle me.”

“Charles,” he said in a rough voice. “I know I don’t deserve you. You’re smart and educated and so gorgeous…”

“Bartholomew. That is the last time you ever express such a ridiculous sentiment. How can you say such a thing? The next time you do, I’ll paddle that fine ass of yours. Do you hear me?”

His smile crept slowly across his devilish features, bringing the naughty back to his face. “I hear you.” His gaze dipped toward her collar. “Now let’s get you out of these clothes. I need to touch your skin.”

While he removed her coat and skinned off her top, she shucked off her boots and socks. By the time he touched her jean zipper with shaking hands, she could almost hear his wolf howling in lusty agony. There was no way she could ignore it, not with her own wolf running around in excited circles, stopping every so often to lift its tail in the other beast’s direction.

She hadn’t bothered with underwear tonight, knowing they’d only meet their demise when Bart ripped them to shreds. He crouched before her to slide her jeans down her legs, and his eyes widened in hunger as he exposed her pussy. Keeping his gaze riveted to her pelvic area, he helped her step out of the jeans.

For a moment, he didn’t move and just stared at her mound. She’d allowed the hairs to grow in a little, as he’d demanded earlier in the week, and a light smattering of black hairs now covered her sex. At first, she thought he’d regret the decision. However, he soon nestled his face in her pussy and breathed in and out, like a dying man sucking in much-needed oxygen. His hands crept to her ass, and he kneaded the plump globes as he drank in her scent. After a couple of heady minutes that had her wobbling with desire, he looked at her from his crouching position. “Your scent breathes life into me. I wouldn’t last a day without you.”

Tears of joy gathered behind her lids but she blinked them away, not wanting to show him weak eyes. She pulled him to his feet. As he leaned in to devour her, she stopped him and slid down the sin-inspiring length of his body. Mimicking his actions, she knelt before him and buried her face in his crotch. His delicious cock throbbed and knocked against her face, wanting in. She nuzzled the impressive organ and pressed her nose against the thatch of black hairs above it, drinking him in as he had her. Placing soft kisses all over his cock, balls, and clenching inner thighs, she discarded every sense memory in her brain and replaced them all with her mate’s woodsy scent.

Absorbing him in this way, she felt born again. Renewed and hopeful.

After what seemed the longest time, Bart pulled her to a standing position and cradled her scalp in his hand. “I love you.”

“You’re my life. I love you.”

He swept her up into his arms as if she weighed no more than a child. Licking at her lips as she opened to him, he carried her to his bed. Once he deposited her there, she sat up immediately, wanting to touch him again. He placed a hand on her shoulder. With the hint of a grin teasing his lips, he guided her back down to the mattress. “Stay there.”

“But…”

“Don’t question your Alpha.” Even though he smiled, his steady, determined gaze meant business. He licked his lips. “Tonight, you do as I say. Understand?”

She nodded, feeling drunk on want, unable to enunciate any words.

He rolled her onto her stomach and turned her head away from him. She heard him rummage in his bedside drawer, but didn’t dare look.

Look
, her wolf cried.
Maybe he’ll spank our ass for being naughty!

Maybe I will
, came his telepathic response. He chuckled softly and moisture seeped between her pussy lips. “Care to test me, baby?”

“Something tells me you want me to.” And then slowly, she angled her head toward him. Hell. She’d always been one to question authority.

Before she could aim her gaze at him, his large hand landed on the fleshy part of her ass in a hard
crack
. She cried out, but her cry eased into a moan as his fingers glided over her pussy, penetrating her and smoothing her wetness over the area.

“I keep my promises, Charlotte. I make good on my threats.”

“Bart, please.”

He nudged her back onto her stomach and walked around to the other side of the bed. He stood so close, his cock within tempting reach of her mouth. Reaching for her wrists, he dropped a soft kiss on the inside of each one, where her faded scars lay. Overwhelming emotion made her chest expand as he caressed the location of her shame. But before she could dwell on the fierce love in her core, he held her hands together and wrapped a silk scarf around her wrists, binding them. Only then did he turn her over onto her back.

She looked into his eyes, amazed at the sensual darkness she saw there. Anyone else might be afraid at the power reflected in his eyes, but she knew he’d never hurt her. And so, she stared at him as he caressed her legs, drowning in emotion matched only by the heat in his gaze.

“Are you going to bind my ankles too?”

“No. I want to be able to spread your legs.” He danced his fingers up her thigh, letting them rest near the seam connecting them to her hip, and slid them along the sensitive area.

Charlotte’s body responded to his touch and his clear desire with near fury. She spread her legs and flailed in her wrist bonds, but he’d tied them tightly enough she couldn’t dislodge them. As her nipples pebbled, her pussy sent out more of its sweet cream. She wiggled her hips in an attempt to tempt him to lick her there. God, she’d give anything to feel his mouth on her. Anything. “Bart, please touch me there.”