Doomsday Brethren, Book 04: Entice Me at Twilight (29 page)

“Because you’re mine.”

“Simon, you—”

“Don’t try to say otherwise. Do I make you feel safe?”

“Yes—
oh!”
she cried out as he toyed with her swollen bud again.

“Do I make you feel cared for?”

She paused, then nodded. “You’re high-handed.”

He smiled. “Part of my charm.”

Swiping his thumb across the little bundle, he settled into small circles that had her stiffening her legs and arching her back. “Simon …”

“Do I give you pleasure?” He put an exclamation point on the question by drawing her sensitive flesh into his mouth again.

“Oh. Ah … I—oh my …
Ah!”
Her body shuddered, thrashed as climax racked her.

He stayed with her to the end, easing off as she recovered. “I’ll take that as a yes.”

“Yes,” she admitted weakly.

“I’ll do everything in my power to shelter you from pain. I’ll never break your heart.” Duke gripped her hip with one hand and guided himself to her slick entrance with the other. “Someday, you’ll believe me.”

He raised himself over her, and eased inside the hot silk of her sheath, gritting his teeth. Felicia’s expressive eyes widened, darkened. He drank in her face and sank into her with every inch he had, every bit of love coursing through him to her.

She gasped, a new flush creeping up her cheeks, across her chest. Everywhere he touched her, she scalded him. Sinking in a bit more, he hissed, tensed against the astonishing rise of pleasure. Under him, Felicia moaned, clamping down on his cock. He grabbed her tighter.

Gliding down, down, into her wet perfection, he tunneled
deep in a seemingly endless stroke. Finally, he was immersed in her. God, she was incredible. Silken. The most amazing woman he’d ever touched.

“Oh, S-Simon!” Her voice fluttered. “That’s—” she gasped, tilting her hips up to him, taking him even deeper. “So good.”

Indeed. He’d never felt anything like the electric pleasure racing through his veins.

“Hang on,” he warned.

She sent him a shaky nod. And he pulled back, nearly withdrawing, before drowning in her again. Felicia cried out, clinging to him, parting her thighs more and inviting him deeper.

Bloody hell, already she was decimating his restraint. Pleasure shot up his cock, coiling heat low in his belly, curling his toes.

As he invaded her body again, he took her mouth in a desperate kiss. Felicia melted around him, parting her lips, canting her hips up to him, and ripping through his control.

Duke gritted his teeth, growling as he filled her to the hilt again. Felicia’s little pants as she tensed drove him mad. He refused to find pleasure without her.

Probing until he found the sweet spot guaranteed to hurtle her into climax, Duke worked it with slow strokes, nonstop friction. Her eyes opened wide as she writhed, trying to catch her breath. A darker flush spread across her gorgeous golden skin.

“Oh! Simon, I need …”

“I know,” he rasped in her ear. “I’ll give it to you.”

He did with languorous strokes that sank into forever. After this, there’d never be a way to untangle himself from her—and that suited him just fine.

“Yes.” Her fists gripped the headboard. “Yes!”

With another deep thrust, she came apart, jolting in his arms with a guttural cry.

His self-control followed, and white fire shot down his spine, spreading ecstasy through his body. He needed her so much. Needed to reassure her that his love and desire for her was everlasting. Duke wasn’t about to deny that need as he shouted in satisfaction.

Slowly they caught their breath. He kissed her cheeks, the tip of her pert nose, her swollen mouth. He caressed her from hip to waist, then his palm wandered up over her breast, settling around her shoulder. He held her close, their hearts galloping together.

He could stay like this, with her, forever. Being with Felicia was beyond anything he’d ever known. He wanted to tell her that he loved her again, stay in bed all evening, talk her through her fear and clear it away. Then make love to her all night.

A knock on the door reminded him they didn’t have that kind of time. He glanced quickly at the bedside clock and cursed.
Right on schedule
.

Felicia went stiff with fear. “Who is it?”

“The people to help us build our scandal,” he murmured, then called to the attendant constantly outside their suite, “Ms. Hodge, let them in!”

The door opened with a soft click. Panic raced through Felicia’s veins.

“My robe. It’s in the bathroom and—”

“You won’t need it,” he assured softly and pressed his surprisingly hard erection deeper inside her with a groan. “I don’t want to leave you, but …”

He quietly withdrew. Her body protested. With the friction, nerve endings flared to life, and she gasped. The secretive smile he sent flipped her heart.

Felicia waited for him to get up, find his clothes, and greet his guests. He didn’t.

“Your Grace?” called a woman whose voice Felicia had never heard. “Where are you?”

“The bedroom. Follow the stunning city views.”

Her jaw dropped and she scrambled to rise. “You can’t—”

“Shh.” He held her down and eased onto the bed beside her, then drew the sheet firmly over her breasts. He smiled like she was the only woman in the world, and her heart flipped. “You look perfect.”

“I need clothes,” she whispered furiously. “My hair is mussed and … and—”

“Your lips are beautifully swollen, and oops, I left a little love bite on your shoulder.” He shrugged with a wicked smile.

The smattering of footsteps drew closer, then rounded the corner. A pixie doll blonde with a Stallone expression stood beside Caden, who had a camera looped around his neck.

Felicia drew the sheet higher and scrambled away from Duke. He brought her closer with an iron grip.

“They’ve come to take pictures?” she hissed.

“Holly, Sydney’s former editor, insisted on the pictures. A forty-eight-hour exclusive in exchange for her help with the press.” He turned to the other woman. “You didn’t specify what sort, but I assume this will be sufficient to sell newspapers?”

Spoken like a question, but Simon knew the answer. Sex always sold.

Holly smiled widely—a shark with pink lipstick. “Of course.”

“They must be released within the hour,” he warned.

Holly snorted. “Ten minutes after we’re gone, more like. Caden?”

The other wizard stepped forward, camera in hand.

Felicia whirled on Duke, clutching the sheet to her throat. “You’re going to let him take pictures of us in dishabille?”

He whispered, “This wasn’t my first choice of tactics, but to keep these vultures’ attention, we have to stay shocking, at least until we can divert Mathias’s attention from you or kill him. Staying in the public eye will keep you safe.”

That made sense, but …
“Photos?
You gave me no warning. No time to consider. No say in the matter!”

“Ruins the authenticity of the moment.” He nipped at her lobe, breathed in her ear.

Despite her better intentions and her anger, she shivered. Her body turned to putty, but she wasn’t ready to give up her anger. “Simon …”

He frowned. “You’re really distressed. Wait a moment, Caden.” The other wizard nodded and dragged Holly with him to a corner, then the gorgeous man beside her brushed the hair from her face. “I didn’t tell you because I feared the pictures would look staged or posed, and they won’t. I not only want everyone to see us together; I want them to
believe
it. Talk about us for days. Weeks. But I never meant to upset or embarrass you. If you’re too uncomfortable, I’ll call a more traditional press conference. I believe this is more effective, but I’ll leave the decision to you.”

Felicia bit her lip. Every word Simon spoke was truth. He made sense as well. He not only risked himself to keep her safe and gave up his bachelorhood. He caused scandal again and again, not caring he’d be the target of tabloids, too. Or that he would be further alienating his family. His first
thought was her safety.

While she’d been more concerned about Mason and her modesty.

“I’m sorry. You’re right. Tell them to proceed.”

The smile Simon flashed her radiated pure approval and told Felicia how much he valued her trust. She basked in its glow, warming as if she bathed in golden rays on a summer afternoon. “Excellent. Smile, Sunshine …”

A
N HOUR LATER
, F
ELICIA’S
head hadn’t stopped spinning. Holly called for extra lighting and a touch of makeup. Caden kept clicking away to “capture the moment,” and Felicia blushed.

Between shots, Simon kissed her, long, lingering, deep. Caden snapped those pictures as well, and Simon knew it. After those forever kisses, he’d send her intimate toe-curling smiles, as if they were the only two people in the room. Or on the planet. The world faded away until all she saw was him.

Felicia soaked up her time with Simon, stunned by how much she enjoyed his single-minded attention—and by how much she liked the thought that women everywhere would soon know that Simon had feelings for her. Yes, this was all part of a larger plan to keep her safe, and she normally hated pictures, but he kept her feeling both relaxed and secure.

“Your lips are deliciously swollen again. And there’s a bit of whisker burn on your cheeks.”

That brought her back to reality. “Very naughty, advertising to everyone that we’re …”

“An intimate couple, yes. It’s shocking, I understand.” He nuzzled her neck and whispered, “That reaction, there on your face … so perfect and genuine.”

As if on cue, the camera clicked several times. Simon added more fuel to the fire by grazing the side of her breast beneath the sheet. No one could see it, but she gasped into his kiss, mesmerized by his touch. A flush crept up her body to her face.

“Ah, you look gorgeous and rosy,” he whispered for her
alone.

Felicia gulped in a deep breath, trying to keep her wits about her. “Where will these pictures be displayed?”

“Out of This Realm
’s website for forty-eight hours. They’ll create a huge buzz, and everyone will be trying to verify their authenticity. In two days, after we’ve admitted our relationship, Holly and the paper will make a handsome fortune by selling them to everyone. We’ll have another huge crowd around us, and you’ll be safe a bit longer.”

True, and safety was more important than any embarrassment she might feel or any desire she might have to stake her claim on him. But … “Everyone will think I’m your … mistress.”

Immediately, he shook his head. “Soon, everyone will know differently. I have a plan.”

“Announcing our engagement will crush Mason.”

Simon’s smile fell. “I know. I don’t wish to hurt him, but I cannot risk you.”

A few minutes later, Holly and the lighting guy left. Caden lingered. “I’ve spoken to Bram. The Doomsday Brethren will be shadowing you two as closely as we dare while you’re in London.”

“You have first watch?”

“Ronan and I, yes. As soon as I get these pictures out.”

“Any news on Tynan? Have we heard anything from Shock?”

Regret weighed down the other wizard’s blue gaze. “Nothing.”

Worry slithered through her belly. Tynan had been with Mathias for nearly twenty-four hours. That couldn’t be good news.

“Keep me posted,” Simon asked. “Make sure these pictures look as if you spied on us without our knowledge and are suitable for most audiences. Evocative, not indecent. Affectionate,
not lewd.”

The wizards shook hands as Caden left. She was alone with Simon again.

“About the photos …” Her voice shook. “I don’t want to be a doubting Thomas, and you’ve done so much—”

“Please, trust me. I know that’s hard for you. Others have let you down. Have I?”

What could she say? So far, he’d kept her alive—and surprisingly happier than she’d been in months, years … maybe ever. Perhaps she
should
trust him. What were her alternatives?

“No. It’s just … this isn’t easy for me.”

His expression softened. “You’re accustomed to calling the shots. Mason always let you. Your parents left you to your own devices. Only Deirdre ever dragged you out of your comfort zone. You didn’t like it, but I’m betting you realized you needed it. And her.”

Surprise washed over Felicia. Simon was right. How had he figured that out so quickly?

She bit her lip to suppress tears. “Stop prying.”

He caressed a gentle hand down the fall of her tangled hair. “Sunshine, I’m not trying to pry. I’m trying to help.”

Fear followed as she realized that with every moment, he grew closer and closer to finding a permanent place in her heart. “If you want to help, give me time and space.”

He shook his head. “Too dangerous. Besides, all you’ll do with time and space is refortify your defenses. I’m sure Mason has finally figured that out. What you need is to see us and the love you’re hiding from. You need to take a leap of faith and believe.”

God, he confronted her over and over. Pushing, shoving, being so damn right. In her head, she knew he would do anything to keep her safe. She knew every word he’d said about
mating was true. He couldn’t leave her, couldn’t make love to anyone else, couldn’t fall out of love. She
knew
it. She also suspected she was
this
close to falling in love with him … yet didn’t know how to make her heart trust.

She whispered, “It sounds too good to be true. I keep waiting for the catch.”

“The only catch is that I need your love, too.”

Another knock sounded on the door, and he dropped a kiss on her nose. “I also love punctuality, but I should have pushed this appointment later. Coming …”

Appointment?

He rose, striding naked across the dusk-shadowed room. She blinked, her gaze glued to his incredible backside. She’d known the man was beyond beautiful, but every sculpted inch of him wowed her. Wide, yet elegant shoulders tapered to a narrow waist and hips. Hard buttocks and thighs, bulging calves …
mmm
. She’d never been one to ogle a man, but it was impossible not to stare at Simon.