See me, p.27
See Me, page 27
He nodded slowly in agreement. His odd-colored eyes had gone a shade darker. It was mesmerizing. I would’ve preferred that he use his words, but I’d take whatever he gave.
“I tried to ignore it. I fought it, but I guess this,” I pointed between the two of us, “was inevitable.”
He moved so quickly I didn’t see his hand until it had captured mine, and he was lifting it to his lips. He pressed a kiss over the ring I wore, his gift.
My eyes started to burn as tears gathered at his sweet demonstration. “This is going to cause us problems. I’m going to cause you problems because I’m not worthy. I’m human.” I had to bite down to stop my quivering lip.
“I want you.” His voice was rough.
I put my other hand on his chest over his heart. “This is going to turn out bad in the end.”
“Have you seen that?” he asked, his voice roughening even further.
I gave him a teary smile. “I don’t have to. You’re promised to another, I’m either going to die of old age when you’re still like this,” I dropped my gaze to take in his body, “or I’ll get killed by your intended or her people when word spreads to her.” I tried to smile. I wouldn’t like me either if I was the Dolan princess. “Or, option three, I go insane.” Of those three options, the last one caused me the most fear.
“We control a great deal of our destiny, Theo,” he said, his voice steady now.
God, I hoped so. I cupped his cheek as he leaned forward to kiss me.
I tried to pull away. I had more to say, but he shifted his hand around the back of my head, cradling my skull, communicating he wasn’t done. I pushed against his chest to no avail. So, I spoke against his lips. “Raid, hey, give me a minute.” I pressed harder, and he finally released me. Okay, message received, the kiss ends when he decides.
“What?” He didn’t look pleased, but he immediately replaced that expression with one of interest, his eyes narrowed.
“We have to talk about a few things before things get so…” Dammit, I blushed.
He did the one-eyebrow lift.
My cheeks were hot and I hated my body’s reaction that was so telling. “I’m sore from earlier. So, we can’t tonight.”
Luckily, he understood right away. “Did you talk to Solle?”
“No,” I said swiftly, and I blushed even harder. “We’re trying to find a balance, regarding what we discuss and what we don’t.”
“She’s your doctor.”
“Earlier was not the time,” I said with finality.
“If you’re hurting, I will talk to her.” He started to reach for his phone.
I made a grab for his hand. “You aren’t going to talk about my, uh… Just don’t ever have that conversation, okay?”
He studied me. I could see that he was trying to figure out why I was so uncomfortable. “I don’t understand. Solle is a healer; she would help.”
“And she would want to know every dirty detail,” I mumbled and wished I could hide. Damn these wolves and their open ways with their bodies.
One side of his mouth lifted in a smirk. “You liked what we did.”
Now, my entire body was one huge melty mess. “Well, yeah.” I could barely get the words out. I wasn’t used to talking about this with my partner.
He did two obvious sniffs of the air. “But you are upset.”
“This is new,” I told him simply, but I could see he wasn’t getting the full meaning of my words, so I began again. “This,” I pointed to him and back at me, “I never expected, and I mean, I don’t know stuff, and I have questions. I feel overwhelmed, so can you give me a little time to get used to all of this?”
“What questions?” I think he grasped onto what he thought would be the easiest option. “Because if they are about sex, I’d rather show you.”
That was worthy of an eye-roll and a mini-glare.
He gave me a teasing grin and a shrug. Then he tilted his head in that very Lycan way, which was my signal to continue.
Jesus, where to start? I combed my fingers through my hair as I tried to rank the importance of my queries. “Well, I guess number one for me is, other partners.”
“There will be none.” He used what I’d come to think of as his royal tone.
“You mean, for me?” I loved Solle, but what we’d shared was more about comfort.
His eyebrows drew together as he answered. “Unless it is for my entertainment.”
I wanted to argue, but I remembered that my lover was also the Laird. He could order me to do anything that he wished. Solle was right; I’d never really explored this concept. I swallowed hard. I needed to mull that over later. “What about you?”
He gave me a look that was befitting the Pack Leader.
I wanted to get my say, so that it was on the record. I needed to make it clear I wasn’t challenging his authority. “I’m not good at sharing.” I tried to do my own version of a royal stare. Basically, that was me tilting my head a little to the right and hoping he didn’t decapitate me.
Finally, the one side of his mouth lifted. “Oh yeah?” he said, his voice huskier now.
I tried not to smile in return because I was melting on the inside. “I really suck at it.”
“Possessive?” He made the word sound like it was foreign to him, but I could see his eyes sparkle.
“I probably will be,” I answered slowly. I felt both strong and vulnerable at this moment.
He chuckled. The sound was low, and there was an answering quiver deep in my belly. “I might have to try something in order to see what you would do.”
I narrowed my eyes in mock consternation. “You’ve never seen me angry.”
“I’m trying to picture it.” He continued looking at me.
His eyes were so dark I wanted to lick him all over.
I shrugged. “I try to pick my battles, but when I do get worked up…well, it’s not pretty.” I think I was puffing out my chest a little. I giggled at myself. “I’m an ender. I don’t mess around. I just put an end to it.”
He laughed. “I’m sure you are.” Clearly, he didn’t believe me.
“You’ll see,” I warned.
He nodded respectfully. “What else is on your mind?”
“Do we have to tell everybody?” It sounded wrong once I’d said it.
“You want this,” he repeated my finger pointing between the two of us, “to be a secret.”
I could read his tone. He didn’t like that one bit. “I didn’t word that the right way. What I meant is, there’s no public announcement or anything, is there? You know how you all like to make a big deal out of things.”
“You mean you don’t want the parade and three-day party?”
I think I stopped breathing. “What?”
He pulled me closer to him. “No, baby, I was teasing you.”
I closed my eyes and let out a long breath. I returned my hands to rest on his chest. “I want us to figure this out, work through the basics before others get involved.”
He started to speak.
I cut him off by pressing a finger over his mouth. “Raider, you know they’ll try to interfere.” I paused, and hopefully, what I said sunk in. “Some won’t approve.”
“Who do you mean?” he asked slowly. “I can tell you already have a list.”
I carefully considered my answer. I’d learned that criticizing a member of the Board wasn’t acceptable. “I’m human and weak. Some will think you could do better, that I’m not enough.” Was I? Could I be?
He gave a dismissive shake of his head. “Some may have concerns, but they don’t know you.”
That gave me hope. He respected me. I’d tried not to preen the times when he’d asked and then listened for my opinion. Plus, he had presented my idea to investigate the escorts to the Board based upon my reasoning, not a vision.
“Are you speaking of Onyx?”
Damn tricky wolf. I thought about changing the subject or running my hand over the bulge in his jeans so he’d drop this, but I needed to be smart. We were having a serious and pretty damn open talk, I needed to speak. “I didn’t want to single him out.” I smoothed his T-shirt over his strong chest. “He’s made no secret that he’s disappointed in my abilities.”
“He’s the only one, Theodora,” he said with some heat.
“He has high expectations, and I, well, I questioned his plans. He, of course, didn’t like that, and now…” I shook my head once and tried to look like this wasn’t a big deal. “Don’t worry, I can handle it.” I had to, because I couldn’t use this new relationship to ask for a major change. It would be wrong, but more importantly, it would look wrong to the Pack and the rest of the Board. I could never let them think I was influencing the Laird for personal gain.
He made a low growly sound. “I will not have you upset. I am Laird, and I picked you. They will respect my decision,” he said with finality ringing in voice.
* * *
We returned to Conal’s and Black followed me to my room. When we were naked and in bed, I asked, “How may I serve you, Laird?”
He was lying on his back, while I was leaning on his chest. His eyes glinted. “Perhaps, I should serve you. Show you my appreciation for you agreeing to be mine.”
My gift flared to life. I knew he was speaking the truth. He was happy. “Well, if my Laird wishes…” I slid off of his chest and rolled to my back with a giggle.
Thirty
Raider Black
It was still dark outside when I heard the messenger’s bike pull into Conal’s driveway. My Second woke and left his bed. I glanced at the clock; it was ten after four. Theo was sound asleep as I slid my arms from around her. I donned my jeans and went downstairs.
Conal was in the process of closing the door. He held the locked messenger bag and motioned with his head for me to follow him to the kitchen.
Once there, he unlocked the bag and pulled out several pieces of paper and handed them to me.
I scanned the message. “Lore is bringing someone in.”
“Interesting.” Conal rocked back on his heels.
Lorenzo Barducci was considered a problem wolf by most. When he’d applied to join Novus, I’d received no less than three calls from Edinburgh, warning me about the rebellious wolf. However, I’d found that he fit in nicely with our group. I gave him space, and he gave Novus, and me, his allegiance. He was the wolf I sent out when I needed answers and didn’t particularly care how he came by them. The Lore, as he was known, could be like a ghost, or he could be very messy when I needed everyone to know he’d completed the job. I grew tense, it was unheard of that he would bring in someone without me stating that particular request. “Round up the Board,” I told Conal. It was time for a meeting.
Conal pulled out his phone and began typing. “What about the Seer?”
It was his blasé tone that caught my attention. “Who’s outside?”
“Wale is on duty.” Conal didn’t look up from his typing.
“When she wakes, he can tell her I was called away.”
“Or,” Conal lifted his head, “you could tell her yourself.” His phone buzzed with an incoming text. “Human women like that kind of thing—checking in, they call it.”
I gave him a mock-glare. “Are you going to give me advice now?”
He didn’t raise his head, but I saw him grin. “Only when you need it.”
“Shit.” I ran my hand through my hair and turned to head upstairs to the sleeping woman.
Theo had shifted during my absence. Now, she sprawled diagonally across the bed. Her naked back was exposed to me as I entered the room. I wanted to run my hand down that soft skin and over her well-rounded ass. Instead, I circled the bed to the side she faced. I sat down and smoothed back her hair from her face. “Babe,” I said softly. I didn’t want to frighten her.
She turned her cheek so that it filled my palm, “Hmmm.” She didn’t open her eyes.
“Babe,” I repeated. Being human, she wouldn’t sense me invading her space.
She made another sleepy sound and her eyelids fluttered then opened. “Wha?”
“Something’s come up, and I need to go into the office.”
She pushed up her upper half on her arm. “Do you need me to come, too?”
“No, I just wanted to tell you, so that you knew why I wasn’t here when you woke.”
Her smile was happy. “That’s nice of you. Thank you.” She reached for me.
I kissed her. Conal had been right.
“Check in with me when you get to the office.”
“Okay.”
The smile she flashed was full of promise.
“Go back to sleep.” I pressed my palm against her shoulder, and she lay down and closed her eyes.
“Stay safe.” Her eyes were already closed.
So sweet, how was I ever going to let her go?
* * *
I swear my wolf sensed Theodora’s nearness before I caught her scent. I was on what seemed to be a never-ending conference call with the Pack Leader in Seattle. I’d instructed Basil to allow her entrance to my office at any time. She opened my door slowly and walked in.
I motioned her to come to me.
She looked relieved that I welcomed her. She approached my desk as I pushed back my chair. She presented her brand.
After I acknowledged her offering with a nod, I held out my hand, and when she gave me hers, I pulled her onto my lap.
She made a small surprised sound but settled easily against me.
I wrapped my arm around her back and pulled her into my chest. “I get what you’re saying Wen, but I look at it differently. The Pack’s businesses support the Pack, and the members support the businesses.” I winked at Theo. I knew she could hear Wen’s reply.
I listened patiently for four more minutes, then I told my caller, “I’ll consider your points, but honestly, I can’t support a mandatory tax on each member and Article.” I listened to the man’s outraged screech in my ear. “You are correct. I’m different, and as long as I’m the Leader of Novus, I won’t see my people ground down.” I clicked off and removed my headset.
“That didn’t sound fun.” She rubbed her hand over my T-shirt, tracing the outline of my pec.
“Some don’t want to change.”
“Some of you do or have had to.” A line appeared between her brows. “They have to do it in order to survive and to fit in.”
“I want to live with the human world. With camera phones and surveillance technology taking over, I know that one day we’ll have to make our race known.”
She looked away, and I could feel her thinking. From our tutoring sessions, I’d learned that Theo was very good at seeing the big picture. Her intelligence made her easy to talk to. I looked forward to hearing her opinions.
She let out a breath. “I wish I could say that’ll go smoothly, but I know history. It doesn’t bode well for either side.”
I agreed with her, and I had plans in place. However, I didn’t want to discuss that now, so I changed the topic. “What do you have planned for today?”
She wrinkled her nose. “Class with Onyx. After lunch, I’ll go see Issa. Then at three, a session with Glass.”
“And dinner with me?” I added to her list.
She circled a finger on my chest. “Would you like for me to make you dinner?”
“I would, but not tonight, let’s eat here in my dining room, and then go to your home.”
“I changed the sheets before I left this morning,” she said shyly.
“I’ve been staying with you because I thought it would make you more comfortable, but would you like to stay with me one night?”
“Does your bedroom have a door?”
Her chuckle was deep, I knew she was thinking about how she’d held back last night while I’d gone down on her.
“My bedroom and my living quarters,” I said, “so you can be as loud as you like.”
“Or you could.”
“You think you could make me scream, little girl?” I asked as I dropped a kiss on her neck.
“I could try.” She flashed me a challenging look. “Like right now.”
“What do you have in mind?” I was more than willing to offer a few suggestions.
“I want to taste you.” She threaded her hand in my hair and pulled it to guide my lips to hers.
I liked that idea very much. I let her take the lead, curious to see what she would do.
“Can you take off your shirt?” She leaned away from me to give me room.
I grasped the back of my T-shirt and pulled it over my head.
She kissed the indentation at the base of my throat, then wasted no time in traveling lower down my chest. She made a line of kisses to my sternum and traced that path upward with her tongue. Each time she went a little lower, toying with me.
“Enough.” I grasped her hair at the back of her head, pulling her away from my body.
She climbed from my lap as I unbuttoned and unzipped my fly. Her hands joined mine to pull down my jeans.
As my hard cock sprang free, she made a sound deep in her throat and dropped to her knees.
Jesus, she was beautiful like that, her eyes huge, and her lips wet. “Suck me.”
She smiled as she dropped her face to my groin. Using her hand at my root, she took me into her hot mouth.
I’d expected her to start slowly with tentative kisses, but she sucked me with cheek-hollowing pressure. I slid my ass to the edge of my chair so that she could have easier access.
She took me deep and then pulled back until just the head was between her tight lips. The hand that had been holding me was now lightly stroking my balls.
I wanted to tell her she needn’t be so cautious, but I found I didn’t have the air to speak. I wrapped my hand again in her hair. I loved that she never fought this. She accepted my dominance and I don’t think she even realized it.
