Darkness Burning Read online

  Giving her ample bosom a quick, regretful glance, he stared at his wineglass. “How about we speak plainly, Gabi. About my situation, about yours?”

  “Let’s,” she said, her voice deepening again as her greedy gaze swept his body. “Why are those women jonesing for you, darling?”

  “They want me dead because I threaten their balance of power.”

  “One little vampire?” she drawled.

  He raised one dark eyebrow.

  Gabriella scooted closer on the sofa, stretching her fingers to comb through his hair. “They don’t know you as well as I do, otherwise they’d know you’re an honorable man.” Her gaze hardened as she pulled his hair.

  Unhurried, he reached up and grabbed her hand, bending back her wrist until she gasped. “Stop being a bitch.”

  Her eyes widened in mock innocence. “You mean you’re not honorable? Is there something you’re not telling me?”

  Alex fought the urge to roll his eyes. The woman wasn’t going to let him get straight to business without rehashing the past. “All right. So I wasn’t completely open about the reason I romanced you to begin with. I apologize.”

  “Please,” she said, her lips pouting, “if discovering I was only a means for you to get your hands on your precious lilum stone wasn’t bad enough, to find out you were boning that bi-sexed demon whore at the same time really cut it.”

  He lifted one brow. “Is that why you decided to do away with me? You were jealous?”

  Her masculine snort made him smile. “That and the bounty on your head. Even back then your womenfolk wanted your hide nailed to the floor in the sunshine—only that won’t work on you, will it?”

  Alex had always liked the way Gabriella talked. Like a man. If she’d been a man, they might have been great friends. “Again, I apologize. Tell me, Gabi, are you really so eager to see me dead? Aren’t you the least bit curious about why I’d bother my ass to hang around New Orleans, where I’m obviously not welcome?”

  “Oh, I don’t know,” she said airily. “The need to rule? The need to control everyone around you…” She slid her finger along the edge of her collar. “We both know how much you enjoy being in control.”

  Alex’s eyelids drifted down as he eyed the collar, then dropped his gaze to follow the flush of heat ripening her breasts. Her rose-colored nipples darkened, the tips beading.

  She snuggled closer, pressing herself against his arm, and he turned his head to let her nuzzle his neck. “Does anyone in your clan know how much you love to be dominated?” he asked.

  “Of course not. I’m very careful, usually, about whom I allow to cover me. Can’t let any of those alpha males think they can be my master.”

  When her teeth nibbled his earlobe, he shuddered and murmured, “Wouldn’t do at all to let a man be on top, hmmm?”

  “Like I said, I’m choosy…and discreet. I have my position in my clan to consider.” Her tongue trailed along the edge of his jaw. “Alex…?”

  “Yes, love?” He waited, knowing what she’d ask, knowing he couldn’t refuse, but also honest enough to admit he was so damned aroused after their tussle that he needed the explosive release she’d offer.

  “Remind me why I couldn’t get enough of you…for old time’s sake?” The amused curve of her lips was at odds with the need reflected in her intense gaze.

  “A chase, then?”

  Her breath hitched, lifting her chest. Her nipples dimpled. The musk of her honeyed arousal wafted in the air around them. “Loosen the collar?” she asked in a deepening contralto.

  The collar was only for expedience. They both knew he was powerful enough to tame her, even in her lupine form. “Have you learned any new tricks?” he asked, narrowing his eyes.

  Her chin dipped, her eyes rounding innocently. “Alex, do you really think I want to kill you here? I’d be stuck here with only your sad carcass to feed me for a day or two.” She leaned closer and nipped his chin. “And we both know I have a ravenous appetite.”

  Alex fingered the clasp on her collar, loosening it.

  Gabriella tugged it off and tossed it aside, then relaxed against the cushions as though she hadn’t been so horny that her belly and thighs quivered. “I’ll wait until you’ve stripped. I don’t want you handicapped.”

  Alex set aside the glass he hadn’t touched and rose from the sofa. Glancing down at his shredded shirt, he ripped it off and mopped the drying blood from his chest. When he glanced up, Gabriella’s expression showed not a hint of remorse for the damage she’d done. Her pink tongue stroked over her top lip.

  After he stripped the rest of his clothing away, she kicked out her legs and stood.

  Wearing only his amulet, Alex braced his legs, readying to lunge, but she strode slowly toward him, her hips swaying, moisture gleaming on her inner thighs. As she drew near, she reached out to trace one long, angry scratch on his chest. She tracked it down his abdomen, then slowly walked around him, scraping her nail along his shoulders, his arm, before she finished the circle and lifted her brown gaze to his. “Nice, Alex. The years have been kind to you.”

  “As they have to you, love,” he responded with a slight cant of his head.

  She knew how beautiful she was, told him so with the intensifying flex of her thighs and feminine roll of her round hips. Powerful, so sensual she made his teeth ache—her confidence was just one more thing he liked about her.

  Tossing back her head again, she paused in front of him to rake his body with her gaze, head to toe. Then she backed up to stare at his rising cock. Standing so close that her nipples grazed his chest, she held his gaze while her hand lifted and cupped his balls, hefting them softly on her palm as though assessing their weight.

  Her nose lifted and she sniffed. “You stink of human, Alex,” she said softly. “Who’d you do before me?”

  Alex gave her a steady glare. “A girl. A blood host.”

  “You dared to take a bite, right there with the coven all around you?”

  “Good thing, wasn’t it?” he growled. “I’m going to need my strength.”

  “Hmmm…The question you need to ask yourself, vampire, is do you trust me?” Her smile, feminine and challenging, stretched across her lush lips as she stepped backward, shaking out her hair again.

  Gabriella drew a deep breath and held it, her head falling back. Then she shook out her arms and legs, as though preparing for a sprint. Her shoulders lifted, her legs spread, then she sank her head toward her chest while locking with his gaze.

  Alex’s skin prickled at the wild, primal expression entering her regal features.

  Her eyes flared gold for a moment. Then her back and shoulders slumped forward, and she fell to the ground, her hands landing flat in front of her, knees resting there only a split second. Hair sprouted to cover her face and flanks, then her whole body began to tremble and contort.

  Her face jutted outward, stretching into a snout. Her back lengthened, legs and arms shortening, the joints crackling as they changed orientation.

  When her transformation ended, Alex smiled, having never grown inured to the miracle of her true nature. Her pelt was lush and thick—black at the roots, blending to brown, then golden at the tips; a reddish ruff shone beneath her chin.

  He held out his hand to the wolf, waiting with his breath held to see what she would do.

  A low growl rumbled through her, not deep or sonorous enough to give him pause. He thought she might be laughing at him, giving him a growl to remind him he should be on his toes.

  Her head sank toward the floor, her eyes never leaving him, and she crept toward him, her shoulders loose, relaxed. When she reached his outstretched fingers, she licked the tips, then scooted her head beneath his palm.

  Alex chuckled and scratched behind her ears, digging into the thick fur until her growling became a thin whine.

  She moved closer, sliding her shoulder against his thigh, leaning into him as though she only meant to rub against him.

  Alex knew better than to relax. H
e grabbed a handful of the hair at the back of her neck and shook her gently. “Remember who has to take you home,” he reminded her.

  Her jaws opened, her tongue lolling out as her mouth stretched into a lycan smile.

  He let her go. “You’ve been warned. Now, I’ll show you how much I trust you.” He let go of her and clasped his hands behind his back.

  Gabriella leaned into his thigh again, resting her considerable weight against him. Then she nuzzled his belly with her nose, sticking out her tongue to swipe him there once.

  “Ready to stop playing?”

  The wolf snorted, then stepped directly in front of him, sitting on her haunches while she looked into his face.

  Alex held her gaze, unafraid, knowing she would test him.

  She lifted her nose, rubbing her finely furred snout along the inside of his thigh, rubbing up, then down, then up again.

  “Gabi…,” he warned.

  Her snout glided up again until her wet nose nudged his balls.

  Alex’s breath hissed between his teeth, but he didn’t un-clasp his hands.

  When her soft, warm tongue laved one testicle, Alex forced his legs farther apart. If she took a bite, he’d kill her. Even Gabriella on a tear wouldn’t be that stupid. He closed his eyes and let her lap him with her long tongue, over and over, until his toes curled into the thick carpet under his feet and his cock jutted straight up from his crotch. Her low-pitched growl vibrated against him, driving his arousal upward.

  How long he stood there with his eyes closed as she licked his balls, then ventured up along his shaft, he didn’t know. This wasn’t something he’d have permitted in their previous relationship, but back then, he’d held all the power. Now, he needed a favor.

  When the laps shortened, the tongue feeling a little less slippery, he gazed down to find the woman kneeling between his parted legs, mischief in her eyes and finely arched brows.

  Alex thrust his fingers through her hair, pulling hard until her mouth opened around a gasp. With his other hand he pushed his cock downward, between her open lips.

  Her gaze narrowed, and her bared teeth closed around his crown.

  Alex wiped all trepidation from his mind and his features. He tightened his jaws, lowering his brows and daring her to attempt a bite. For a long, charged moment they froze, gazes locked, then Gabriella slowly opened her mouth wider.

  Alex didn’t even think about pulling away. Without hesitation he stroked into her mouth, straight toward the back of her throat.

  Gabriella gurgled, then swallowed, the action giving his head a strong caress.

  He slipped both hands around her head and held her just where he wanted her, pulling her close as he stroked forward, shoving her back when he withdrew.

  Gabriella didn’t fight his hold, didn’t murmur a single protest, just groaned as he continued to fuck her generous mouth until he thrust her off him with enough force that she tumbled to the floor behind her.

  Before she got her elbows beneath her, he came over her, flipping her to her knees, clamping his teeth at the corner of her shoulder and piercing her skin as he forced her forward on her hands, then spread her thighs wide with rough nudges from his knees.

  With his cock tucked between her legs as he stroked along her lower belly, he had her wriggling, trying to scoot forward to capture him with her moist pussy.

  Instead, Alex held her trapped, his belly blanketing her back, his cock gliding along her seam while his hands raked over her breasts and belly like the marauder he’d been when they’d first met.

  As he began to suckle her skin, drawing her rich, lycan blood into his mouth, Gabriella quivered, the strength of her tremors shivering through him. She raised one arm and hooked it behind his neck, holding him there.

  Alex gentled his touches, caressing the breast stretched by her raised arm, thumbing the nipple until it spiked hard, the velvet skin around it contracting, dimpling.

  “Please, Alex,” she murmured. “God, fuck me.”

  Alex glided his hands down her belly until he reached his cock. He closed his fingers around his shaft and stroked, pushing his belly hard against her round ass.

  “My pussy’ll fuck you better than your hand. Fuck me, Alex.”

  Alex opened his jaws, disengaging his teeth.

  Gabriella moaned in protest.

  “I haven’t told you to speak,” he said, keeping his tone flat, emotionless.

  “Alex,” she sobbed, her hips wriggling to glide her lips along his shaft as he continued to stroke into his fist. “I won’t speak. Tell me what you want. I’ll do it.”

  “I don’t want anything from you, Gabi. Just a hole to stick my cock inside.”

  “Use mine, please,” she whispered.

  Alex smiled against her hair. “Perfect answer,” he replied softly. “Put your face against the carpet.”

  Gabriella dropped to her elbows and placed her forehead against the carpet.

  Alex backed away from her body, not touching her, letting her wait for a touch or a command.

  Her body trembled. Her inner thighs grew slick with her arousal.

  He crawled beside her and cupped the back of her head. “You know I only do this because I care for your pleasure.”

  Her head scraped the carpet as she nodded, afraid to reply out loud.

  Alex remembered his amazement all those years ago, when he’d discovered the secret cravings of this proud were. He’d lay money she’d never let a single member of her pack know what really got her off. Likely she played with humans, visiting anonymous lovers who wielded whips and bound her with ropes, never realizing they teased a powerful predator.

  Alex almost pitied her. To be naturally submissive, yet never able to seek a mate among her own kind for fear of losing status—she had an eternity of loneliness ahead of her.

  Maybe he was the answer to her dilemma. A marriage between the Wolfen Nation and the Vampires—the political marriage he needed. He’d satisfy every yearning she ever had, and she would never demand his love.

  Something to mull over in the coming days.

  The thought sent a chill through him and his thoughts went back to Sarah. Sweet Sarah. She too had presented her ass to him, and he’d breached it and her trust. At least she’d be safe now.

  Then because it was expected, and because he needed to lose the edgy anger he’d accumulated since bundling “Sarah” into the limo, he bent below Gabriella’s upraised bottom and lapped at her cunt, then rubbed his nose, chin, and mouth in the wetness trickling from inside her.

  Her back sank lower, tilting her ass higher, giving him access and permission to do whatever he wanted.

  Alex placed kisses on each fleshy globe, then lifted the top off a woven basket beside the sofa. He pulled out a knife and a length of silk rope. He cut the knot from one end of the rope and frayed the edges with his fingers. He wound the rope around both fists and pulled it taut with a snap.

  Gabriella didn’t make a sound, but her pussy clenched, then opened.

  Although he knew he shouldn’t touch a woman when anger and frustration rode him, he let the passions warring inside him guide his actions.

  He trailed the soft frayed end between her buttocks and along her slit, wetting it. Then feeding two feet of the rope’s length through his fist, he raised it high and flicked it at her ass.

  The snap made a thin, but satisfying, crack and left a reddened mark on her pale skin. “You can tell me to stop at any time, Gabi, but know that if you do, I’ll dress and we’ll be finished here.”

  Her breaths rasped, but she stayed silent.

  He flicked the rope again, hitting the opposite cheek. Then he popped her in a different spot. He worked the fringed tip faster and faster, until small red welts rose on her skin and her bottom trembled.

  When he flicked her clit with one precise strike, she whimpered.

  Again he bent over her. He tongued the reddened clit, peeking from beneath its thin, stretched hood. “Sweet, sweet Gabi,” he groaned, pressing
her lips apart to lap at her creamy folds.

  Soft, rasping sobs shook her body.

  Alex marveled over how such a powerful woman could be made into a mass of quivering nerves by simple, empty commands and a little physical punishment. How the hell had she managed to remain unchallenged by any of the alphas in her widespread clan?

  He knelt behind her, cupping her pussy in his palm, toggling her clit with just one finger. “I want to hear you now, love. Tell me what you want.”

  A long, human howl erupted from her.

  How long had she needed his brand of loving that she could be brought in minutes to this peak—trembling, incoherent—her pussy clasping on his hand? “Tell me, sweetheart. Want more?” he asked, swatting her pussy with his palm, then rubbing it, then swatting again.

  “Uhnnn…Alex…fuck me hard,” she gritted out, gasping when he slapped her wet cunt particularly hard. Her thighs tightened. Fresh, heated pre-cum gushed to soak his palm, and he knew she was close.

  “Like this?” he asked, thrusting three fingers into her passage, purposely dragging out her agony.

  “Fuck no! Your cock, you goddamn bastard.”

  Alex tsked, pulled out his fingers, and sat back on his haunches.

  Gabriella’s head jerked up, swiveling to stab him with a lethal glare.

  “You didn’t say please,” he said.

  A furious cry ripping from her, Gabriella launched herself at him, slamming him against the ground, her thighs straddling his hips and grinding on his cock.

  Alex slid a hand between their bodies, covering her cunt. Another slid around her hip to anchor her there, unable to take him inside, unable to even rut her way to orgasm.

  Her breasts heaved; her belly jumped. She leaned forward and clasped his shoulders, then bent closer and ground her lips against his until both their mouths were bloodied.