TherianPromise (12 page)

“Are you okay?” Jake’s deep voice drew her back from her
troubled thoughts.

“Sorry. I’m just a little overwhelmed right now.”

He carefully placed his hand on her shoulder and waited
until she looked into his eyes. Kyle growled again and grew restless, but she
kept her eyes fixed on Jake. “I’m generally a big picture type of person, but
today might be an exception. Focus on one thing at a time. Kyle’s going to die
if he doesn’t get energy now and you’re the only one who can give it to him.
Once that problem is solved, we’ll move on to something else.”

She nodded and took a deep breath. “Good plan.”

Enya moved up behind her and Ava closed her eyes. Jake moved
his hands to her neck, supporting the back of her head with his fingers while
his thumbs pressed against the underside of her jaw. Enya pushed up Ava’s
sleeves and clasp her upper arms. Skin against skin, as Kyle had said, Therian
energy couldn’t pass through inorganic material. Tingling currents pulsed from
their fingertips, warming and tightening Ava’s skin. She relaxed, trying to
remain calm and open as her senses were bombarded with sensations and impulses.
Her ears buzzed and her muscles twitched. Enya gripped her more firmly.

“Almost done,” Jake whispered.

Their hands were hot against her skin, their touch starting
to burn. She drew air in through her nose and released it slowly through her
mouth, trying to control her instinctive reaction to the growing discomfort.
Kyle only needed energy because he’d healed her. She owed him this at the very
least.

Jake released her head with a groan and stepped back. Ava
quickly followed. “You have to get undressed. Energy can’t pass through—”

“I know.”

“If he’s too weak to
arouse
you—”

“Give it up already.” Enya slapped his arm then dragged him
from the room by his sleeve. Jake’s grin was utterly unrepentant.

Ava pulled off her boots and faced the bed as she shed the
rest of her clothes. Other than get naked and touch him, she had no idea what
she was supposed to do. Was Kyle aware enough to help her? He’d perked up
instantly when she touched his arm and reacted each time Jake touched her.
Hopefully Kyle would stir again. She was ready and willing, but the able part
had a long way to go.

Well, there wasn’t anything she could do to instantaneously
change her skill level. She folded her clothes and set them on a chair,
arranging her boots underneath.
You’re stalling.
Her inner voice could
be such a bitch.

She blew out a shaky breath and focused on Kyle’s haggard
face. This was medicinal. It didn’t matter that it felt a whole lot like having
sex with a stranger. He literally needed this or he would die. With that
thought fixed squarely in her mind, she crawled into bed beside him and
carefully placed her hand on his shoulder.

* * * * *

Maggie dropped her keys on the hallstand and released a
tired sigh as she turned back to the front door of her apartment and rotated
the deadbolt. Toulouse Tavern might be in one of the most beautiful locations
in the region, but that didn’t make the work any easier. Her feet ached, her
back… Alerted by something that didn’t belong, she paused and allowed her
senses to sharpen and her claws to lengthen.

Everything was quiet and calm, but the faintest hint of dog
hung in the air. Shit!

“Miss me?”

Recognizing Bruce Fitzroy’s deep voice didn’t help her
relax. He might not be a stranger, but he was equally unwanted.

She drew indignation around her like a suit of armor and
slowly turned around. He was little more than a silhouette in the darkness, but
she glared anyway, hoping he could see her angry expression. “What the fuck are
you doing here? You lost the privilege of coming and going as you please when
you—”

He spun her back around and pushed her arms up as he pinned
her against the door. His body contoured to hers and his fingers banded her
wrists, keeping her claws away from his face. “I always come when I please, but
I promise to take you with me.”

Their sexual encounters had gone on for several months
almost a year ago. She’d been turned-on by his bad-boy looks and badass
attitude, as well as the forbidden nature of sleeping with a wolf. But he liked
it fast and rough, which was fine, some of the time. She liked a good wall
banger herself—some of the time. But like a restaurant that only served one
entrée, he became tedious and she’d found somewhere else to eat.

“Get out!”

“I’d rather get
in
.” He whispered the claim in a
throaty tone that had once sent her pulse racing.

She slowly counted to three then scrambled for the quickest
way to get rid of him. The last thing she needed right now was a yappy dog.
“Bruce, I am not playing here. I’m really not in the mood.” He rubbed his
erection against her ass and ran his hands up and down her arms. If she jerked
out of his grasp, he’d take it as a challenge. She had to remain calm and
unaffected by his touch. “I smell like a sweaty hamburger and I’m exhausted.
Your timing couldn’t be worse.” A moment passed as he humped her back. She just
closed her eyes and tried to ignore him.

Finally, he pushed off the door and growled, “What the hell
is wrong with you?”

She turned around but kept the door at her back, not sure
the battle was won. “I just worked a double shift. I’m dead on my feet.”

“So sit down and kick off your shoes. I’ll rub your feet.”

Tension spiraled through her belly and the hairs on the back
of her neck bristled. Bruce was anything but romantic. In all the months they’d
been together, he’d never once held a door or brought her a gift. “I’d rather
take a shower and collapse into bed—alone. Besides, if Jake finds out you’re in
Aspen, he’ll kill you.”

“I’m not afraid of Jake,” he sneered.

“I wasn’t inferring that you are. This is just a really bad
time for you to come nosing around. Something big was going on tonight.
Everyone’s on edge.”

His gaze narrowed with calculated interest and she
recognized her mistake. He already knew or at least he’d suspected and she’d
just confirmed his suspicions. Damn it. This is why he was in Aspen, why he was
coming on to her. She forced her tired brain to focus. She couldn’t tell him
any more. Even if she had to fuck him to get rid of him, she would not endanger
Ava.

He stalked forward and pressed one hand against the door.
“Battle plans? Should I be summoning our fighters?” She wasn’t fooled by his
casual tone. His cold hazel eyes revealed his determination. “What’s Jake up to
now?”

“Our clan has no interest in expansion. You know that.”

“Then what had everyone ‘on edge’?”

She couldn’t un-spill the beer, but she could minimize the
damage. Hoping her performance was more convincing than his, she shrugged and
shook her head. “No clue. All I know is the tavern was seriously busy and
everyone seemed sort of jumpy.”

He looked her up and down as she did her best not to squirm.
Then his gaze iced over and he stepped back. “You’re right. You need a shower.”

Rather than reacting to the slur, she ushered him out then
closed and locked the door. After offering a hurried prayer of thanks to any
deity willing to listen, she dug her phone out of her pocket and called the
tavern. The restaurant was closed, but the bar was still open for another few
minutes anyway.

“Toulouse Tavern, good morning.”

Enya’s sarcasm made Maggie smile. “Hey, it’s Maggie. Tell
Jake that Bruce Fitzroy is back in town and looking for trouble.”

Chapter Five

Hunger tore through Kyle, the sudden, tight spasm trapping
his breath in his lungs. He shook, muscles twitching as his body burned. He
prayed for a moment of relief, a random blast of numbness so he could gather
energy or catch his breath. The blessed oblivion never came. Each cramp, each
creeping urge drove the need deeper and made his pain more excruciating. The
spasm released and he exhaled, the whoosh of air ending in a moan.

Warm fingers brushed his forehead, his temple, his jaw.
“Kyle?”

Ava. If he was dreaming again, why was the pain still so
intense?

She repeated the hesitant caress on the other side of his
face. Then her soft body slid against his as she settled against his side.

He trembled, holding back the urge to attack, to take what
he wanted, what he needed with every cell of his starving body.

“I don’t know what to do,” she whispered. “I want to feed
you, but I—”

With an instinctive surge of strength, he swept her beneath
him and pinned her arms against the bed. “Say it again.” His voice sounded
gravelly and…desperate.

“Say what?”

He still hadn’t opened his eyes. Part of him was terrified
this wasn’t real. He wasn’t afraid to die. Anything would be better than this
endless, burning hunger. But he knew madness would claim him if he opened his
eyes and her image disintegrated.

Slowly lifting his lids, he blinked until her face came into
focus. So damn beautiful. And so afraid. He eased his grip without letting go
and tried to relax his muscles. “Are you really willing?”

“That’s why I’m here.”

“A kiss won’t cut it this time. You understand what I need?”

Her smile didn’t quite reach her eyes, but she nodded. She
was trying to be brave. “I’m not a virgin, Kyle. I’ve actually seen a penis
before.”

The fact that she still called it a penis proved her minimal
exposure to them. “If I lose control and try to claim you, scream for Jake.
He’s probably listening outside the door anyway.”

Her gaze darted toward the door, but she whispered, “I trust
you.”

“Don’t.” He treaded his fingers through hers and gave her
hands a squeeze. “I don’t trust myself right now. Do not, for any reason, drink
my blood.”

“That would seal my definition and ruin any hope I have of
becoming an Omni Prime.” Her eyes twinkled as she smiled this time. “I
understand the situation. Now shut up and kiss me.”

On an ordinary day it would have been hard as hell to resist
that invitation, today it was impossible. Kyle released one of her hands and
slipped his arm beneath her neck as he lowered his mouth to hers. Her lips
parted and her tongue greeted his with a silken swirl. Warmth and affection
flowed into him, sweetening the kiss and driving back the urgency degree by
degree.

The fiber-thin link he’d formed on the mountain vibrated,
urging him on, guiding him deeper into her mind. He fit his mouth more tightly
over hers and parted her legs with his knees. She opened for him, offering her
body and her energy.

Humbled by her selflessness yet unable to go slowly, he
found the opening to her body and eased inside. Slick, hot softness surrounded
him, caressing the head of his cock as he drove steadily inward. She tensed and
tore her mouth away from his.

He stopped, panting harshly. “Am I hurting you?”

“No.” She drew her legs up along his sides and tilted her
hips. “It’s just been a long time.”

He released her other hand and stroked the side of her face.
“I need…”

“I know.” She squeezed him with her inner muscles and
smiled. “It’s all right.”

A fresh wave of hunger crashed over him and he gritted his
teeth. He didn’t want to take her roughly, selfishly feeding as she endured the
ordeal, but his ravenous body was leaving him little choice. “I’ll…make it up
to you. I promise.” He pulled back slowly then thrust hard. Pleasure burst through
the pain, driving back the hunger.

Her hands moved over his arms and down his back as he rocked
between her thighs. His chest grazed her breasts, keeping her nipples
pebble-hard. He eased into her mind, sinking deeper with each firm thrust.
Their link expanded, creating a stronger connection. He flowed through her
consciousness, carefully siphoning energy as her thoughts and sensations
trickled into his mind.

She wasn’t afraid anymore, yet she felt overwhelmed and
uncertain. He refused to allow their first joining to be traumatic, so he
rolled to his back, taking her with him. Then he urged her up so she straddled
his hips, his shaft still buried deep inside her.

“Ride me.” His voice cracked, making the directive sound
more like a plea. It didn’t matter. He’d worry about his pride once his
cravings were under control.

He grasped her hips and showed her the motion he needed,
hoping she would feel less vulnerable if she controlled their movements.

She didn’t need help for long. Bracing her hands against his
chest, she found a rhythm that sent pulses of pleasure surging through them
both. She arched her back, drawing his attention to her breasts. High and
round, the mounds quivered each time she brought her hips down and took him
deep.

He covered her breasts with his hands, enjoying the rasp of
her hard little nipples against his palms. Even with their lack of foreplay,
her skin was flushed and the sporadic tightening of her inner muscles assured
him she was nearing orgasm.

Her energy seeped into him, stabilizing his need without
assuaging the hunger. He craved the dazzling surge of energy released each time
she came. This steady dribble would never ease the ache consuming him.

Easing his hand between their bodies, he found her clit with
his middle finger and caressed the sensitive nub. She gasped and started then
energy rushed into him, saturating his emaciated cells. Her hips moved faster
and she squeezed him tighter, rubbing against his finger as she took his cock
deep into her wet core.

Coherent thoughts slid from her mind as pleasure overtook
her. She cried out and slammed her body down over his. Kyle fought back the
need burning in his balls. It felt so damn good! But he knew he’d slip into
unconsciousness as soon as he let himself come and he was far from sated.

Dazed and tingling, Ava murmured a breathless protest as
Kyle lifted her off his cock and dragged her forward. One glance over her
shoulder proved that he was still hard, so why had he stopped and separated
their bodies?