Obsession (8 page)

He said this with such a deadpan face she wondered if he was joking.

“Sex should be wonderful, a commitment between two people, even if it’s only for a night of mutual pleasure,” she told him.

“With pristine, clean sheets, glowing candles and crystal vases filled with roses?” Raphael looked equally cynical as he wiped his mouth with the back of one hand. No linen napkin, as he’d used at dinner. She suspected this was the real Lupine, beneath the urbane sophisticate.

“Sex is sweat and panting and sounds.” He leaned close. “Good sex is wet sheets, sweat glistening on a woman’s body, and pleasure. Great sex is like burnt cookies…crisp and biting and sharp. And incredible.”

Okay. This was getting a little too intense for her. Jessica picked up another burnt cookie and nibbled the edges. Raphael studied her with his hooded gaze.

She licked her lips, then frowned. “What’s the deal? You like watching me eat a cookie?”

“Not as much as I enjoy watching you eat a peach. So wet and juicy.”

Jessica felt her cheeks burn. She set down the cookie on the plate. “It’s getting late. Been a long day, travel and all.”

“Of course. I imagine the airplane ride was hard on your wolf.”

“She doesn’t like being caged.”

“Because she is wild, and yearns to release her inner self.”

Raphael gave her an intent look, making her flush. Everything he said had sexual overtones. Lupines were sensual creatures, driven to mate, but she’d never paid much attention to that side of her life. Until now.

Jessica’s gaze dropped to his groin. She flushed, realizing he watched her. “Um, good night.”

His soft laughter followed her back into the house. Jessica fled for her room. Inside, she closed the door and leaned against it.

Whew.

After undressing and donning a pair of purple pajamas with cows on them, she settled into bed with a sigh of pleasure. Her own room. No one screaming at her for diaper changes, or to read them a story. Jessica cracked open her book and read by the night stand lamp, but her mind wandered.

Raphael. Sexy, handsome, sophisticated and seductive.

Dangerous.
Why did he wish to help her? She needed answers.

Jessica picked up her cell phone and surfed through emails and messages. Molly had sent a text, wishing she were there.

She texted back
Me, too
, and added a smiley face. Jessica made a note to swipe Raphael’s phone and take a peek. He was too damn mysterious.

But he’d probably be terrific in bed.

A shiver of desire skated down her spine. Setting down the book, she switched off the lamp.

Jessica closed her eyes and dreamed. Clad in a silk tuxedo and smelling of citrus, his scent strong and powerful and very alpha, Raphael entered the bedroom, and closed the door behind him.

“I can’t stop thinking about you,” he said in his husky voice.

He tore off the covers and bared her. Dressed only in panties, she stared up at him. Raphael ripped away her underwear and examined it.

“It’s Wednesday.” His sensual, almost cruel smile widened. “Hump Day. Time to claim what is mine. Sit on the bed’s edge.”

She didn’t want to do as he’d ordered, hated being pushed around, but the wolf inside her urged her to obey. So Jessica sat.

With a gentle hand upon her belly, he pushed her down on the mattress.

Raphael loomed over her, his mouth full and sensual, framed by the black beard. She saw only him, smelled only the fragrant aroma of his spicy, musky scent. His gaze heated as he leaned close, and then spread her legs open wide. His dark gaze studied her wet slit, the small nub at her core that ached to be touched.

Embarrassed, feeling vulnerable and exposed, she tried to close her legs.

“Please,” she whispered.

“Oh, you will beg. Soon enough.”

Slowly he sank to the floor and then he put his mouth on her. Raphael’s tongue delved between the hot folds of her sex. He made slow, steady strokes as he hummed deep in his throat.

Open, vulnerable, helpless to resist the tidal wave of erotic pleasure with each slow stroke of his tongue, she writhed and moaned. Gone was all her dignity, her control. He’d brought out the wild wolf restless and eager to mate and released her. The sensations spiraled higher and higher until she finally begged and panted for release.

Then he lifted his head and his eyes glowed amber.

“I will have you tonight, be inside you so deep you will remember me when you leave this bed, when you wash yourself of my seed, when the nights grow dark and cold, you will remember me claiming you. You will be mine.”

Then he gave one last lick, sending her over the edge, screaming.

Gasping, she wrenched awake, her sweat dampening the sheets, the space between her legs wet. She’d climaxed in her sleep.

Shivering, she clutched the sheets and tried to slow her rapid heartbeat. She had seen deep inside to the heart of him, the untamed wolf determined to claim what was his.

And she doubted that he would cease until he had her, naked and begging, beneath him.

Raphael awakened from a dream, his body damp with sweat. He’d dreamed of making love to Jessica, his tongue slowly licking the juices from her hot, wet slit. Enjoying her little cries of pleasure, how she writhed and moaned with each slow stroke.

He’d wanted her with a burning desire he’d never before felt. After so many years of celibacy, he’d expected to feel passion. But not this feral obsession where the redheaded minx haunted his very dreams.

Raphael sat up, threw back the sheets and studied his engorged cock. He could take himself in hand, give himself release.

But a small part of him resisted. He wanted the real thing.

Lying back down, he stared at the ceiling, thinking of the lovely, rebellious Jessica. He would not rest easy until he claimed her in the flesh.

And they both shouted and screamed their release, giving into the passion claiming them both.

Chapter 6

Jessica was groggy when she awoke the next day. Shadowy figures clad in purple had danced in her sleep. Each time she reached out for them, they darted away like dragonflies. Deep inside, she felt they were an important connection to her past, but when she awoke, the memories turned to mist.

Maybe it was better she didn’t remember. Not remembering was much better than the nightmares.

Voices sounded in the kitchen. Flinging back the covers, she examined the bedside clock.
After nine already?

The smell of frying bacon teased her senses. Having been denied the steak for dinner, her wolf howled for food. Jessica showered quickly and dressed in her nicest jeans, the ones without the spit-up stains and the rips from chasing the little ones, and a long-sleeved purple and white checked shirt. She stuffed her feet into warm socks and sneakers and then glanced at herself in the mirror, remembering Alexa’s pretty floral dress last night at dinner. The capped sleeve dress with its flowing skirt hinted of money.

Alexa had pretty things, and a mate who could buy her an entire country if she desired it. The crystal belt was the only lovely accessory Jessica owned.

Screw it. She removed the belt from its hiding place and slipped it on. Confidence filled her, and an arrogant sense of self.

Why hadn’t she done this before? Why hide something so lovely? She stroked the crystal stones, feeling them grow warmth beneath her caress.

Jessica flung open the door and headed down the hallway to the kitchen. Jane, the housekeeper, stood at the stove cooking bacon and eggs. Warmth filled her expression. “Good morning. It’s such a lovely day, I’m serving breakfast on the lanai.”

The lanai. Jessica thought of her small house with its tiny porch crowded with childish bicycles, toys and two sagging lawn chairs.

“Thanks.” She automatically went to snag a plate and silverware, and then remembered. Here, the table was already set. Jessica headed for the breakfast nook, where a set of French doors led to the outside.

She stood for a moment at the opened doors.

Warm bamboo covered the outdoor seating space, accented by white ceiling fans. A polished oak table and chairs covered with blue and yellow cushions sat to one side, while a seating area of dark wicker was grouped around a river rock fireplace. There was a wet bar, and a stainless steel grill big enough to roast one of J.J.’s cows.

Alexa, her family, and J.J. sat at the table, laughing and talking. Alexa wore a cranberry cashmere sweater with a cowl neck and her long hair was swept back, displaying her teardrop diamond earrings.

Jessica’s heart twisted. Such a happy family scene. Why couldn’t she experience the same? All she’d ever wanted was family, acceptance, no one staring at her as if she were Medusa with snakes wriggling out of her hair.

Power is better.

The words flickered through her mind. Power. Real magick, not the weak magick she possessed. She had real power now.

Enough to destroy
, a little voice whispered inside her head.

Disturbed by the thought, she walked outside and joined them at the table with a forced smile and greeting. J.J. and Francis, Alexa’s father, stood politely. Alexa greeted her with a wide smile.

“Morning, Jess.”

She took the seat J.J. pulled out for her next to Daniel, the only person at the table who didn’t make her feel like an outsider. Maybe because he was also different.

“Where’s Raphael?” she asked.

“He had a breakfast meeting in town. Should be back any moment.” J.J. glanced at his watch.

After helping herself to bacon and eggs, Jessica cleared her throat. She needed access to J.J.’s computer.

“Is it okay if I borrow a laptop? I need a fast machine.”

Shame crept through her. She hated taking charity. Her gaze dropped to the plate.

J.J. smiled. “Sure. I have an extra. I’ll give you the password to the wifi, too.”

“Is this for the family research project you’re doing, Jess?” Alexa asked.

Sweat sprang out on her temples. Tread carefully. Don’t let them suspect. Don’t tell a lie that can be quickly uncovered with a phone call.

“Sort of. I’m working on a big project to record the history of my adopted parents’ pack.”

Alexa looked unconvinced. “Why? You never cared about your adopted family.”

Bitch. Shut the hell up.
Jessica startled at the thoughts, and shrugged, salting her food to avoid looking at her best friend.

“It’s a surprise for my foster monster’s anniversary. Maybe if I get the research done, she’ll give me less chores.”

Good reasoning.
Alexa seemed to relax with the lie.

“And I’m sure with your computer skills, you’ll find what you’re looking for in record time,” her friend told her.

“Thanks for the laptop loaner,” Jessica told J.J.

He nodded. “It’s not a big deal.”

Sure it was no big deal, to
him
. J.J. had enough money to buy expensive laptops for the whole damn state.

Jessica remained quiet as she ate, listening to the conversation around her. Alexa’s little brothers and sisters seemed animated and happy. She smiled at them.

Little bastards. Monsters. Pains in the ass.

Startled by the nasty thoughts, Jessica stood up and reached for the pitcher of orange juice. Sipping her coffee, Alexa studied her belt. “That’s pretty. Very shiny. Where did you get it?”

“Oh, it was a gift from a friend.”

“It looks expensive,” J.J. observed.

Jessica’s smile slipped. “A good friend.”

She stared at him, daring him to speculate.

“It pulses in the light. Almost as if it were filled with power,” Patricia murmured. “I remember when…that
thing
, that Gnome named Thall that possessed Daniel—it used to have that air about it. Dark.” The petite Lupine shivered.

Alexa set her coffee mug down. “You okay, Mom?”

“I don’t like it,” little Duncan announced. “It smells bad.”

Heat flushed Jessica’s face. She fingered the pretty crystal belt. “Maybe it’s not the belt. It’s cow poop from the fields.”

J.J. sputtered. “I doubt it.”

Because you’re so fucking perfect, you with your money and your mate and her family, you stupid Lupine. I wish you’d fucking die.

Dear goddess, where did that horrid thought come from? The food soured in her stomach. She sipped orange juice, wishing she’d eaten breakfast in the kitchen by herself.

The silent Daniel stared down at her belt.

“That is not yours. It belongs to him.” Daniel’s gaze went distant. “He who walks in darkness.”

J.J. cleared his throat. “Maybe we should…”

“You will die if you continue on this path toward evil,” Daniel droned.

“Sweetie!” Alexa choked out. “Don’t say that!”

She gave Jessica an apologetic glance. “Daniel’s had such a rough time of it. I’m sorry.”