NocC 023 - The Ancients 05 - Bonnie Vanak - Incubus Wolf - Harlequin 2012-09 Page 4

  “Stop doing that to me.”

  “Doing what?”

  “That sexual thing. Whispering those things inside my head to mess with me.”

  “I’m not inside your head, Alexandra.”

  Her perfect, full mouth fell open. He steeled against the temptation to kiss her senseless. First, to earn her trust.

  Open to me, little warrior. Trust me. Only then will you find your true heart’s desire.

  But deep inside, he wondered if she ever could.

  *

  Alex drew the crisp, clean air deep into her lungs. So different from the smog of the cities where she mostly hunted. Alaska’s deep purple shadows, the blue skies and wildness pulled at her.

  And the sexuality of Dominic’s pack threatened her identity. He was like the state; untamed and raw, vast and overwhelming.

  All these years she’d carefully cultivated a mask, and in one day, it was torn off by a wizard’s promise of beauty. Now it was threatened by an incubus wolf’s promise of pleasure.

  Following the trail paralleling the fence, she shoved her hands into the pockets of the thick jacket, ignoring the man walking beside her. She had four days to turn him over.

  And each moment, the task seemed more difficult. When she’d taken him into her bed that first time, not only had she seen his fierce sexuality, but also his humor and tenderness.

  In the years since, Dominic had grown more powerful, yet his sense of humor and self-deprecating wit remained the same. Demon prison hadn’t embittered him. Rather, it seemed to sharpen him to a razor-fine edge.

  All these years, she thought he’d left her to face her stepfather’s cruel torture. If he told the truth, Dominic had returned to save her. But he’d been too late.

  Alex scanned the meadow, wishing she’d never taken this assignment. Wishing she’d never seen Dominic Farrell again. She’d forgotten how enticing his scent was, how deliciously sexy the incubus wolf could be….

  She stepped off the pathway.

  A crack split the air, and the rock just to her left exploded in a shower of granite. Dominic shoved her to the ground. “Stay down!”

  Alex lifted her head. On his elbows, Dominic crawled, face fierce with concentration. He took cover behind a tall tree and then shifted.

  The wolf bounded from behind the cover and zigged and zagged, presenting a tough target to shoot. Alex’s heart raced. She removed the pistol from the back of her jeans and scanned the horizon.

  There, in the distance. A small figure, raising a rifle to his shoulder.

  Alex followed the wolf’s trail as bullets continued to ring out. Right toward her. The bastard was trying to kill her.

  She took cover behind a thick pine, cupped her pistol and fired. Never had she missed her target. Not in the ten years since she’d started working as a bounty hunter.

  The shooter dropped the rifle. Before her astonished gaze, the man’s body contorted, twisting and elongating. His face became triangular.

  The man had morphed into a snake the size of a small truck. A forked tongue licked out of its mouth. It raised its head and hissed, showing two long fangs the size of butcher knives. And then it turned toward the wolf, jaws yawning open as if to swallow it whole. The wolf snarled and attacked its throat, but the python shook it off and then hovered over the wolf.

  Jaws yawning open, it was ready to swallow the wolf whole.

  Not on my watch.

  Alex loaded her pistol with her special magick bullets that could take down a legion of vampires charging at full speed. She shot the snake between the eyes. Fired, until the magazine was spent.

  The snake shrunk into the size of a man, and then morphed back into human form. Then he opened his eyes.

  Holy crap, he was still alive?

  Dominic shifted back. Naked, his expression fierce, he took the man’s neck and twisted hard.

  There was a sickening crack, then stillness.

  Dominic clothed himself by magick. Icy coldness crept over her as she stared at the dead man. Wheeler from the bar.

  “What the hell is he?” she gasped.

  Dominic said nothing. With a low growl, he swung her up into his arms and raced back.

  Carrying her as if she weighed nothing, he wasn’t even panting as they reached the path’s safety. Very gently, he set her on her feet. His expression was steely.

  “What were you doing out there?” he demanded.

  “Saving myself.” She leaned against the fence, shivering. “I don’t like getting shot.”

  White bracketed his mouth as he gripped her shoulders. “Do you know what could have happened to you?”

  The anger in his voice took her aback. No one ever cared what happened to her. “I can take care of myself.” Alex shook her head. “I don’t understand. Those were all head shots with special bullets. Why didn’t he die? What happened to him?”

  Dominic’s fingers loosened on her shoulders. He slid his hands up to cup her face, his gaze blue steel. Despite the cold, his palms were warm on her icy skin. “Wheeler was trying to lure me out, shooting at you to get to me. Belaramos must have cursed him.”

  Alex felt like she stepped off a cliff and was spiraling downward. Nothing in her well-ordered universe of catch the prey, bring it in and collect the bounty made sense anymore.

  “Why? Because he was a loud-mouthed ass?”

  His mouth twitched. “Always the humor, my Alexandra. Belaramos wants my blood and was using Wheeler.”

  Cold anger tightened his face as he dropped his hands. “Wheeler was trying to swallow me whole so he could bring me back to his master, who probably promised to lift the curse once he did so. But the wizard would have killed him anyway.”

  Bile rose in her throat. “Because to get you out, Belaramos would have to cut you out of the snake.”

  Alex swallowed hard, pushing past her rising gorge. “Some camp you run here, wolf. Public sex, wizards who turn humans into pythons, the crazies keep on coming. Any other fun tricks I should know about?”

  He clasped her palm and brought it to his mouth. Dominic brushed her knuckles with a lingering kiss. “Brave Alexandra. Facing such powerful magick with nothing but bullets. Your courage makes me… very hot.”

  She shivered under the sensual caress. “It’s dangerous around here. Come with me back to prison where it’s safe. No snakes, just surly demons.”

  He threw back his head and laughed, a deep-throated sound that coaxed her into a reluctant smile. “Alexandra Kostra, you’re dangerous.” He turned and ran a finger down her cheek, making her shiver. Then he cupped her face with his large, warm palms. “I could fall for you each time I look into your lovely eyes. Such shadows there. I want to chase them away.”

  This unexpected tenderness disarmed her. Alex tried to wrench away, but he held her fast. His prisoner now. Not going anywhere.

  “Let me go,” she whispered.

  Vehemently, he shook his head. “Not until you see what you came to see, Alexandra. What I see. When your eyes are opened, I will let you go.”

  Pressure eased as his fingers fell open. Alex ran for the lodge, deeply confused.

  Every moment she spent in his company drew her closer to a dangerous edge. Alex did not want to leap.

  Because once she did, she’d lie at the bottom, shattered and broken once more, and he would not pick up the pieces.

  But only walk away, as he’d done before.

  Chapter 6

  At dinnertime, Alex only wanted to avoid Dominic. But she couldn’t hide from his scent. It was stamped into her brain.

  Hunger growled in her stomach. She needed her strength. So she went downstairs to the big dining room. The pack of forty wolves greeted her warmly enough, although a few of the males gave her hard, assessing looks. They all seemed normal. No horns, no leering grins. No one was dressed in leather and chains, as rumors had hinted. Self-conscious, Alex kept her gaze lowered.

  Gradually she looked around. Each pack member was not perfect. With her full, rose
bud mouth and dimples, Carla was lovely, but seemed frail and vulnerable. Various others at the table had marks on them, as if they’d tussled with attackers and won, but at a great cost.

  She did not join in their conversation, but listened. No one treated her like either a bounty hunter come to haul their leader off to prison, or like his captive.

  Alex began to enjoy herself. Dominic’s gaze burned into hers the entire time. It was filled with heat. She found herself staring at the strong curve of his chin, the lush outline of his mouth.

  That mouth had been on hers, licking and stroking…

  Dropping her gaze, feeling heat warm her cheeks, she concentrated on dinner.

  After dinner, she asked Dominic for use of a computer. He escorted her to his study, an enormous room, with heavy wood furniture and natural lighting coming through the tall windows.

  .”Aren’t you afraid I’ll email and ask for help?” she challenged.

  “Not you, Alexandra. You’re too proud to ask.”

  She puzzled over his words as he left. Alex logged into the system and the Society’s database and began a search for Belaramos.

  The cursor winked at her as she stared at the screen. The wizard was elderly and frail but possessed great power. Known for his gentle protection of wild creatures, he’d lodged a complaint with the Society about someone hunting wolves on his land.

  Gentle and frail?

  Not that dark, cruelly handsome man who’d laid a trap for her. Her ankle gave a twinge of pain. And this wizard was desperate for Dominic’s blood. And surely, it wasn’t only because Belaramos wanted a little action between the sheets.

  Alex leaned back in the comfortable leather chair. It made no sense. Protecting the wildlife? And now he caged them for show?

  Maybe the wilderness had seeped into Belaramos’s brain cells, scrambling them into jelly.

  Michael, Dominic’s second in command, had led the pack in Dominic’s absence. He’d been in charge when Belaramos moved next door.

  Alex shut down the computer and went into the kitchen to search for Michael.

  Dominic stood before the stainless steel sink, hands braced on either side, as he stared out the window. Next to him were the remains of a half-eaten cherry pie. He turned and saw her. Something flickered in his gaze.

  “Still hungry?” he asked softly.

  “I’m looking for Michael.”

  “He’s busy with dessert.” Dominic’s glance slid to the dining room. A woman moaned loudly.

  Carla. A flush lit Alex’s cheeks.

  The sound of flesh slapping against flesh. Michael was driving hard and fast into Carla, his grunts peppering her excited moans.

  “Perhaps you’d like some. Dessert.”

  Dipping a finger elegantly into the pie, he brought it to the open cavern of his mouth. Dominic licked his lips. Alex’s body clenched hard as he held her gaze, the blue of his eyes searing her with heat. Then he smeared the cherry onto his wet mouth.

  “Taste me,” he whispered.

  Desire pooled, hot and fierce, in her belly as she licked sweet filling off his mouth. He remained silent and still as she deepened the kiss, sweeping her tongue into his mouth. Then he crushed her against him, and she relished his strength. Alex rubbed against him, a mewling sound torn from her throat. Gods, she was so hot, so hungry.… She squeezed his taut ass, then slid her hands up his back, relishing the feel of all those muscles beneath her exploring fingers.

  Dominic drew away, his expression masked. Flustered, she rubbed her mouth. What the hell just happened? Who exactly took it to the next level?

  “You’re very tempting. I want to take you here, right now, but for what I have in mind, we’d need privacy.” His gaze gleamed. “And the handcuffs. No, we’ll save them for later.”

  Her heart skipped a beat at that smoldering look. “I’ve a better idea. Let’s get the handcuffs and I’ll take you with me back to prison. All the privacy in the world.”

  “Spend a night in my bed. Then, if you beg me, I’ll consider,” he murmured.

  “I don’t beg,” she said through clenched teeth. “Ever. Not to anyone.”

  Not even when the pain set in and the runes had seared into her sensitive skin. “Beg for forgiveness, for my mercy,” her stepfather mocked. Alex hadn’t. Not even when the pain was so intense she’d passed out.

  Dominic followed her into the living room. Taking up all the space in the room. Her gaze landed on the wide sofa and he gave a wicked smile.

  Alex shook her head.

  “I agree. A bedroom is much better.”

  Cupping her chin between his fingers, he rubbed his stubbled cheek against hers in a gesture that spoke more of tenderness than passion. It had been so long since anyone showed such intimacy.

  “You’re so lovely, my sweet Alexandra.”

  Alex trembled, all her prickly defenses crashing down like a house of cards. If he’d backed her up against the wall and kissed her hard, she could resist him. But not this sweet embrace that tumbled down all her defenses.

  She closed her eyes, awaiting his kiss. He brushed his lips against her cheek, and it felt as gentle and refreshing as spring raindrops.

  Dominic took her hand and led her upstairs.

  At the door of his bedroom, he glanced at her. “Don’t be afraid,” he said gently, and it was a stinging reminder of their first time together.

  “I’m not afraid.” Not of this.

  Inside his bedroom, he turned on all the lights and locked the door. Every nerve pulsed with awareness of the man before her. The hank of dark hair hanging over his brow, the firmness of his wet mouth. He leaned against the door, watching her, eyes bluer than lasers.

  Need spiraled through her. It was as delicious and hot as the first time she’d met him, the arrogant, charming incubus wolf whose touch promised ecstasy. Alex felt caught in a web of her own body’s needs.

  She craved closeness with the man standing quietly, watching for her to make the first move. She shouldn’t touch him, but she wanted to. The tiny bristles shadowing his jaw, the hard curve of his shoulder, the hollowed cheeks and the soft, firm lips.

  For ten long years, she’d held herself back from growing close to anyone. She wanted this man, and wanted him badly.

  You have a job to do.

  And what about my needs? she thought.

  Fused with passion and heat, and pent-up yearning, Alex kissed him. She’d been cold before, but now delicious warmth raced through her veins.

  He drew back, expression solemn, but fire smoldered in his caressing gaze. “Will you allow me to touch you?”

  “Yes.” A whisper, laced with hope.

  A slight nod. “Then you show me what you wish of me.”

  Alex stepped back and tugged at his shirt, impatient to see him. Dominic gave an amused grin and shed his clothing. Naked, he stood before her.

  Breath caught in her throat. He was a magnificent male. A triangle of dark hair covered the sculpted muscles on his chest. His body was hard, layered with thick muscle. From a nest of dark hair at his groin, his thick penis jutted upward, its tip purple.

  Unfamiliar pride filled her. Dominic wanted her just as much as she wanted him.

  “Undress for me,” he said softly.

  When she removed her shirt, a wide grin split his face. It made him playful and boyish and younger. Alex felt her heart lurch painfully, for this was the same man who’d first made love to her.

  “Pink,” he murmured, studying the silk camisole she wore beneath the plain shirt. “Very sexy. Shining and slick, the color of arousal in a woman’s…”

  Alex slapped a hand over his mouth and felt him lick her palm as he laughed.

  Then heat flared in his gaze. “Finish, Alexandra. I wish to see what other surprises await me.”

  When she did, the cool air slid over her skin. Fearful, Alex glanced down. Her skin was still flawless.

  Dominic slid a hand over her waist, beneath her right breast. Then he teased the tight nipple,
slowly circling it with his thumb.

  “You’re so beautiful,” he murmured.

  Slowly, he kissed her, lips trailing heat over her shivering skin. Dominic dropped to his knees, feathering kisses over her belly, his palms warm as he slid them over her bottom. Slowly he explored, his fingers teasing as one trailed between her legs. Alex threw back her head, moaning, bracing her hands on his broad shoulders.

  Dominic slid a finger back and forth between her cleft, then deftly slid inside her. The sensation was startling and intense. His touch was light and expert, all the while thoughts slid into her mind with the intimate caress below.

  Whispers of how lovely she was, how enticing, how very much he wanted to touch her all over, fuck her hard until she screamed…

  Alex squeezed his shoulders, feeling the gathering tension.

  Spread your legs for me.

  When she did, he cupped her bottom and then put his mouth on her. Each rough slide of his tongue between her legs stroked fire. Faster and faster. And then, very lightly, he bit.

  Alex screamed his name, feeling moisture gush from her.

  Dominic looked up. Their gazes met, his intense and fierce. Trembling, she stood back as he stood, wiping his mouth with the back of one hand.

  “Grip the dresser and look into the mirror.”

  She did as he asked. Dominic positioned himself behind her, gripping her hips. She felt the head of his penis nudge her wet, soft opening. Then he surged forward. She felt the fullness of him slowly fill her, stretch her almost unbearably.

  “Look in the mirror,” he commanded. “See yourself, Alexandra. See how lovely you are.”

  Alex glanced up. She saw a woman flushed with sexual arousal, her kiss-swollen lips parted. Her breasts gently swayed, their tips taut and darkened.

  Dominic slowly pushed into her, filling her completely. She felt stretched to the limit. Then he remained still, letting her feel every inch of his length. She moaned, fingers curling on the slick cherrywood. He began to thrust, deep and even.

  “Look at yourself,” he commanded, his voice thick and deep.

  Mesmerized she could only obey, staring into the mirror, seeing the flush of passion tint her flawless cheeks, her wet mouth trembling. He played with her clit, teasing with his fingers as he thrust deep inside her. Alex threw her head back, her back arched as their flesh slapped together. The dresser shook wildly.