TherianPromise (13 page)

He shifted her knees, arranging her astride his face. She
gasped and fought for balance as he slid her legs outward, not stopping until
her pussy rested against his lips. His intention was obvious, so she didn’t say
a word. She wasn’t sure why he’d waited until now to use his mouth, but she
wasn’t about to argue.

His tongue parted her folds, lazily circling her clit before
pushing into the center of her body. She was already wet and sensitive from the
demanding slide of his cock, making each subtle motion of his tongue all the
more arousing.

Don’t hold back, love. I need you to come as often as you
can.

She’d felt his presence in her mind as soon as they kissed,
but his words still surprised her.
Can you hear my thoughts too?

Yes, but don’t let it distract you. Concentrate on what my
mouth is doing.

His tongue slid in and out a few times then he caught her
clit between his lips and drew lightly on the swollen nub. Sensations spiraled
through Ava’s pussy and streamed down the inside of her thighs. She felt
weightless and dizzy as tension gathered low in her belly.

He grasped her bottom and ground her sex against his mouth
as his tongue swirled and thrust. His upper lip rubbed her clit and distinct
spasms pulsed deep inside her. Reaching back, she steadied herself against his
thighs and she cried softly as she rode out the orgasm.

Her limbs grew heavy and her eyelids drooped as he withdrew
more energy. She’d offered herself willingly, had basically known what to
expect, but it still felt odd to know he was drawing sustenance directly from
her body.

While she was still stunned and shaky, he crawled out from
under her and turned around. He urged her forward, bringing her hands to the
top of the headboard as he pressed against her back. “Are you still doing
okay?”

She nodded, but she wanted to see his face, needed to know
her surrender was strengthening him.

He positioned himself between her thighs then grabbed her
hips as he drove home in one fast thrust. She gasped, clutching the headboard
as the sudden fullness took her breath away. There was no pain, but he
definitely stretched her tighter than any of her other lovers.

A deep growl intruded on her thought. Then he pulled nearly
out. “I’m your lover now. That’s all that matters.” He accented the statement
with a possessive thrust and they moaned in unison.

He stayed deep inside her and ran his hands over her body.
She rested her head against his shoulder and relaxed beneath his touch. His
fingers skimmed over her skin, never lingering in one place for long. When her
skin tingled and her core tensed with need, he placed his hands on her hips and
he took her with long, smooth strokes.

She grasped the headboard, pushing back against him and
raising her ass. He filled her mind as he filled her body, creating a
connection far more intimate than any she’d experienced before. The past faded,
overpowered by Kyle’s savage tenderness. He caressed her breasts, teasing the
nipples as his cock slid in and out.

“Kiss me.”

Happy to obey, she turned her head and tilted her face. His
mouth sealed over hers, his tongue thrusting deep as soon as her lips parted.
Her cream mixed with his unique taste, the combination both new and evocative.

His fingers plucked her nipples then moved down and teased
her clit. Sensations followed in the wake of his nimble fingers. Her breasts
felt heavy and her pussy clenched, her orgasm hovering just out of reach.

Suddenly, he rotated to the side and pushed her head down as
he thrust fast and hard between her thighs. He collared her neck, keeping her
head low as his hips furiously pumped. Desire blazed into her mind, consuming
everything but the need for fulfillment. His cock stabbed into her, driving
deeper than ever before. She clutched the covers and pushed up into his frantic
thrusts, exhilarated by his frenzy.

He cried out sharply and shuddered against her as he
released his seed deep inside her. The hot splash of his release sent her over
the edge one last time. She felt the inescapable draw as he extracted energy.
The persistent suction kept her climax pulsing until she was breathless and
weak.

“Thank you,” he whispered as he gently separated their
bodies. He collapsed onto his side then rolled to his back, sprawling across
the bed.

She stared at him, too shocked to move. “Are you okay? I
thought this would heal you.”

“Need. Sleep.” His eyelids drooped and his breathing became
deep and regular.

He was breathing, so his heart was beating, but she still
felt like there should be something more she could do. He looked pale and
exhausted yet peaceful. “Feel better.” As she eased her feet toward the edge of
the bed, he caught her wrist and pulled her toward him.

“Stay.” He didn’t open his eyes, but his fingers remained
firm against her wrist.

Warmth and tenderness welled within her as she settled
against his side. He wrapped his arms around her, pulling her even closer.

Her debt was paid. She’d kept her promise, so why did she
still feel drawn to him?

Were they “in sync” like Enya said? And what exactly did it
mean if they were? Sex with Kyle had been amazing, but what did that prove?

It had been less than a week since she’d seen her sister,
and Carissa had managed to adjust to Therian expectations. Carissa’s devotion
to Quinn had been obvious in Ava’s vision. Was it possible that she had
stumbled on to a similar attraction, or was Kyle simply the first Therian male
she’d met?

Jake was better looking than Kyle. Jake was also charming
and self-assured, yet she didn’t feel the same connection with the powerful
tiger-shifter that she felt with Kyle. Whatever the cause, her body had
obviously made its choice and she feared her heart wasn’t far behind.

With a weary sigh, she pressed her face against his chest
and let his scent surround her. She was safe and satisfied. The combination was
impossible to resist. Within minutes she was sound asleep.

* * * * *

Osric moved so quickly and so silently he seemed to appear
out of nowhere. His fingers tangled in the back of Carly’s hair and he jerked
her head back. “Where did they take her!”

“I don’t know.” Pressing back into his hurtful grip, she
tried to ease the pain. “Roberto showed up while you were gone and took Devon
with him when he left. No one said anything to me about why or where.”

“I don’t believe you.”

She had anticipated Osric’s outburst and made preparations
while he was gone. She hadn’t expected him to stay away all night, but that was
just as well. After a restful night’s sleep and a hearty breakfast, she was
better prepared for the challenges awaiting her.

“You’re hurting me.” She didn’t struggle or reveal her
distress. She remained passive and waited for him to release her.

With an exasperated snarl, he shoved her away and braced his
hand against the countertop. They were alone in the lab, as per usual. Her two
assistants had a way of disappearing every time Osric entered a room.

“First Milliner bags three of my kin when he’d agreed to
leave my family out of this. Now that preening Italian transfers Devon when he
knows I’m not finished with her. Can’t you see what they’re doing?” Veins of
gold burst in his dark gaze as fury contorted his features. “They’re trying to
squeeze me out.”

When the backers were finished with Osric, they’d kill him,
not annoy him. But Carly wisely kept the thought to herself. “What do they gain
by ‘squeezing you out’?”

“Control.”

She remained out of reach, unsure if his temper had played
itself out or if he would strike again. “We’ve learned a lot about your people
since this project began, but you still provide a unique perspective. Surely
the backers realize your value.”

He crossed his arms over his chest and glared at her. “How
did they learn who Devon was?”

“Her transfer could have nothing to do with—”

“Nice try.” He stalked toward her, his expression overtly
menacing. “I only told one person about my contingency plan.”

“I didn’t say anything to anyone.” She held her ground yet
lowered her gaze. Challenging an enraged predator was just plain stupid.
“Conversations in this place are never private. Who was on duty yesterday?”

He raised her chin and searched her gaze for a long, tense
moment. If he didn’t take the bait, he wouldn’t find the video files Tias had
planted. She’d used an archived file and manipulated the time-date stamp to
make it appear current. Though sound was conveniently garbled, the image was
quite clear.

Rather than debate the issue, Osric walked past Carly and
sat down behind the communal desk. He activated the workstation and brought up
the security logs. It didn’t take him long to find the planted file. He watched
Barnes enter the conference room and his scowl darkened. “This is twenty
minutes after I left the complex.”

“Was there any other reason for Barnes to contact the
backers?” She tried to sound casual but her heartbeat was racing and her mouth
was so dry she could barely form the words.

“He’s head of security. He updates them on a regular basis,
but this is no coincidence.” Osric advanced through the file, verifying that no
one else entered the conference room during his absence. “And less than an hour
after his unscheduled report, Devon is transferred to who knows where.” He
clenched his fists, clearly accepting the false evidence. “Greedy bastard.
He’ll pay for this.”

It was the conclusion she needed him to find, but it was
where her plans for Osric began not ended. “Would you like to grab a cup of
coffee? I’m ready for a break.”

He whipped his head around, challenge burning in his dark
eyes. “I thought you wanted to keep things professional.”

She smiled, hoping her slanted glance appeared flirtatious.
“I suggested a coffee break not a nooner.”

“Too bad.” He ran his gaze up and down her body then
shrugged. “I might make time for a nooner. Coffee breaks don’t interest me in
the least.”

“Fine by me.” She started back across the room, having
expected his reaction. He couldn’t pursue her if she didn’t run.

He grabbed her upper arm, bringing her up short. “You gave
up too easily.”

“I don’t have time for games.” She tugged against his hold,
secretly thrilled by the strength of his grip. He might look like a man nearing
middle age, but she knew from experience that his body was lean and muscular.
If only a kind person resided within that buff body, these games would be a lot
more rewarding.

“I think you enjoy games every bit as much as I do.” He
pulled her toward him with slow, steady insistence. “You pretend indifference
while your body begs for more.”

“You treat me like a sex toy.” She took a deep breath and
looked into his eyes. It was a dance, a balancing act. She had to encourage his
interest without actually giving in.

“And you enjoy every minute of it.” He reached for the top
button on her blouse, but she twisted away. “Is this where you try to convince
me you aren’t willing?”

“I’m not that big a hypocrite.” She straightened her
shoulders, giving him a better view of her cleavage. “My body responds to your
bullying, but my mind is appalled by my weakness. I have more pride than to let
it go on indefinitely.”

“So this is about assuaging your pride?” He chuckled and
released her arm. “I seldom fuck any human more than once. The fact that I’m
still interested should make you feel better.”

What an arrogant jerk. If not for the backers, she never
would have let Osric touch her in the first place. He was a means to an end.
Nothing more. But she couldn’t let him realize how she really felt. “That’s the
problem. You’re not interested in me. You’re interested in my pussy.”

A dark smile curved his lips and he leaned toward her. “Come
to my room and I’ll prove you wrong.”

“Do you really think I’m that stupid? As soon as the door
closes behind me, you’d be all over me.”

His brows shot up while lust smoldered in his gaze. “Have I
forced anything on you?”

“That’s not the point. I don’t want to sleep with you again,
so going to your room would be foolish.”

“Don’t you trust yourself?”

“No, I don’t trust myself.”

That seemed to please him. “How can I earn your trust if you
avoid being alone with me?”

“Do you want to earn my trust?”

It took him a moment to reply and he seemed almost surprised
by the answer. “I do.”

She just stared up at him, letting the tension build. He
would never follow her lead. He needed to make the next move.

“We both seem fond of games,” he said a short time later. “I
propose a challenge of sorts.”

“I’m listening.”

“I’ll go to your room and stay until you ask me to leave.”

Smoothing down her lab coat, she kept her face averted. “We
already established that I have a hard time resisting you.”

“Then what do you suggest? What will it take to make you
more comfortable with our encounters?”

Finally! An angle she could use. “I’d like to know more
about you. You’re always so secretive.”

His gaze narrowed on her face as he considered the
suggestion. “And what do you offer in return for my personal history?”

She started to reply then licked her lips instead. It had to
be his idea. “What do you want?”

“Obedience. For every question I answer, you comply with one
directive.”

“I won’t sleep with you. We need to start over, allow this
to develop gradually.”

“My clothes stay on unless you remove them.”

There was a hell of a lot he could do without removing his
clothes, but she had to keep his interest. “And you’ll still leave as soon as I
ask you to?”

“Of course.”

His triumphant smile only added to the tension gripping her
belly. Could she suppress her own desires long enough to interrogate him or
would they end up in bed together? The challenge excited her as much as the
pleasure he was likely to give her. This was as close to control as he’d
allowed her to have and she intended to use it to the fullest.