Prince of Flight (6 page)

He growled, his gaze finding her.

Claim her. She is yours.

He knew it deep down, but denial won out. He had spent so long believing he’d live a life of solitude, a life without a mate, without the chance of a family, that to accept it at a moment’s notice was simply too much. And there was Lark to think about. She deserved more than him. On top of that, even, he was not human. How did he go about telling her that he wanted to make her his mate and that he had wings?

That was not an easy topic to approach with anyone, let alone the woman who stirred things in him he’d assumed long dead.

Her thumb traced over the bottom portion of the scars on his face. It was strange to have someone touching them. Most people shied away from them. The women he’d bedded over the years never made any attempt to make contact with his face. He put them on their hands and knees and fucked them from behind—nice and impersonal. The way he preferred it.

Maybe he’d put too long between sexual escapades. Perhaps that was why he was so drawn to Lark. Maybe if he found another human woman who held little appeal to him, he could fuck her and gain some semblance of control around Lark.

Pfft. Doubtful.

Lark was different. When she’d first caught a glimpse of what he’d done his best to hide, he’d assumed she was repulsed. The strange look of lust and wonder that came over her beautiful face still took him by surprise. Besides, the idea of touching another woman turned his stomach.

Mayhap his mind was broken.

His body certainly seemed to be.

Her body was pressed against his and his cock hardened to the point he worried it might actually work its way out of the top of his jeans. Lark rubbed against him and stilled, her mouth forming an “O”. She blushed and he knew then she felt his erection, felt what she did to him.

Grinning, he managed to find his voice, thankful it hadn’t up and totally abandoned him. His friends and brother would never let him live it down if he clammed up around a woman. “Can I please beat the tiny men to a bloody pulp?”

“No,” she responded evenly.

“I would very much like to ask you out.”

“Ask her out?” Sachin questioned. “He sounds so very local. Does he not?”
 

“Sachin, don’t make me add you to the list of ass-kickings I’ll be delivering,” Keonae stated, a slight teasing note to his voice.

The next thing Keonae knew, Lark was pressing a chaste kiss to his lips and pinching his chin between her forefinger and thumb before giggling as she hurried off into the main portion of the bar. He stood rooted in place, watching her rush away. Every ounce of him demanded he go to her, toss her down, say the words his people said during a claiming ritual and mark her as his own.

His wife.

His chosen one.

“Is it me or does that beautiful woman seem to be totally taken with Keonae?” Sachin asked. “I am unsure why any woman would find him appealing. His personality leaves much to be desired.”

Keonae glanced at his friend, grinning like a fledgling. His chest felt fluttery as if butterflies had taken up occupancy within it.
 

“If he begins skipping about the bar, can we tell everyone?” Rossi smiled.

It was good to see his brother coming on board with the jovial mood.

Keonae pointed at Rossi, leveling a menacing stare at him. “You have been most unpleasant on this night, little brother. You will tell my woman you are sorry or I will skin you alive. Understood?”

“Your woman?” asked Rossi.

“You should go with
yes
,” Sachin said to Rossi before coming to Keonae and giving him a manly version of a hug. Large scale showing of affection wasn’t common practice among their kind, and while it was appreciated, it was slightly awkward. “It is good to see you take a real interest in a woman again. If you have need of Paige or Rayna to assist in helping you to better understand human females, say the word and I will arrange for them to pay you a visit. You should be warned, Rayna’s mood is most foul now that Kabril has impregnated her again. I believe the triplets were more than enough for her, but you know your brother, he wishes for a castle full of little ones.”

“Speaking of little ones,” Rossi said, a question hanging in the air. “Will Paige threaten my manhood if I get you home late tonight? She mentioned something about the girls being difficult.”

“They are going through a rough stage,” Sachin said with pride.

Keonae laughed. “Never did I think I’d be standing in a room with you all talking about kid stuff. Where are the fierce warriors I remember?”

“One too many diaper changes later and they are nearly nursemaids,” Lazar said with a grin. He was to be a father before too long and looked to be longing for the very thing he just jested with the others about. “I hope none of you think to start trying to coddle me as a mother would. Your nurturing is leaking off you in waves.”

“Rossi is the hugger of the group,” added Sachin.

“Said the man who just hugged my brother,” reminded Rossi.

 
“Watch how much you drink,” Lazar noted as he nodded in Rossi’s direction. “I’ve no wish to assist you while you are trying to fly drunk again. Your woman will skin me alive if I bring you home in that condition.”

 
“Gentlemen,” Sachin said. “I believe we can adjourn this meeting. Keonae has much more pressing matters at hand.” The man’s attention went toward the doorway that led to the front of the bar.

“Like bedding that beautiful woman who can see past his rather bad temper,” Lazar stressed.

“A game of pool before we call it a night?” Rossi asked. “I love my woman to death, but she is scary as can be right now. I’d like to postpone my demise.”

“Sure.”

Chapter Six

Lark put away the last of the glasses and nodded to the bartender who notified everyone it was last call. Some patrons grumbled, but all knew the bar was closing soon enough. “Lenny, I can finish up with closing,” she said.

The bartender faced her. “You sure you don’t mind?”

“I know you have a big job interview in the morning. Go on. I’ve got this.”

He left and she continued on with what needed done to finish out the night. She headed into the back room to find Keonae and his friends at a pool table, still drinking. The men seemed to be able to put the beer away without noticing or showing the effects.

Keonae looked up and scratched his shot as she entered.

Laughing, Lazar raised his beer to her. “My thanks. He was going to wipe the floor with me until the sight of you threw him off his game.”

She blushed and bit at her lower lip. “I do what I can to help out.”

Keonae approached her, discarding his pool stick in an ungraceful fashion. It missed the other table and landed with a sharp crack on the floor. Keonae paid little mind to it.

Rossi snorted. “I believe he wishes to take you to his home and bed you.”

Keonae snarled and Lark grabbed his wrist.

“Okay.” It was stupid to offer herself up and she knew it. Taking him home with her wouldn’t end with one night. Deep down she was aware of as much, but she couldn’t seem to stop herself. She wanted him desperately. Normally, she spent at least a few months in one location, but she hadn’t planned on Keonae, on how much she’d want him. She’d bed him and then cut out of town come morning. It was the only safe thing to do. She would bring nothing but death and destruction into his life. He didn’t need that, and she couldn’t live with herself if anything happened to him because of her.

His head whipped around. “What?”

She smiled. “I said okay. I’m game if you are.”

He blinked in disbelief.
 

“Old friend,” Sachin said, clasping onto Keonae’s shoulder. “The woman agreed to go home with you and permit you to pleasure her. What are you doing standing here with us? Change your mind on the coddling?”

Impudently, Lark slipped her hand into Keonae’s. “Yes, what are you doing standing here with them?”

“Lark?” He caressed her inner wrist.

Awareness prickled along her skin with each swipe of his finger. His palm was callused, yet she very much wanted it running all over her body. Everything about the man turned her on.

He leaned in, putting his mouth to her ear. “Teasing me would be a bad thing, Lark. I’m not a man who can pull back once I start something.”

“Funny,” she commented. “I’ve been wondering if you’re the type of guy who ever starts anything.”

“Oh, I will start something, all right.” His lips brushed her ear and she sank against him. The man could make her melt with just the hint of more to come. “Are you done for the night?”
 

“Almost. Last call was just issued. Are we still going to breakfast together?” She enjoyed their morning ritual, but had to admit she was all for skipping it and getting straight to the fucking-like-bunnies part of the night. She raked her gaze over his form. There wasn’t an ounce of fat on him. Sheer perfection, and he would be in her soon enough. Her panties moistened.

“It would be wise,” he said, nibbling on her earlobe. “You’ll need all the energy you can get for when I take you home with me.”

“We’re really doing this then?”

He nodded and drew her closer, rubbing against her like a cat, his body hard all over. She moaned softly and he laughed, the sound deep and full of manly pride. “Oh, we are most certainly doing this.”

She cupped his face, loving touching him. “I really love this new you. Your friends and brother bring out a side of you that I can’t wait to
explore.”

“My sweet, you will see every side of me soon enough.”

“Promise?” she asked, liking the way he spoke.

He dragged a hand through the back of her hair as he kissed her neck. “You have my word.”

A languorous smile moved across her face. Realizing she was practically fawning over the man while they had an audience, she composed herself. His friends returned to their table with beers in hand. Keonae swatted her backside playfully before joining them.

Lark took her time cleaning up the back room, enjoying being near Keonae and his friends. She hadn’t been able to have anyone close to her for long, so friends weren’t an option for her and she had no family left to speak of. She filled her tray full of empty bottles, and Keonae turned and tried to take it from her.

“I’ve got it,” she said.

He scowled. “I dislike how hard you have to work.”

Sachin approached, pool stick in hand, the men having started another game at some point. “Hmm, if only a prince would come along and sweep her off her feet.”

Keonae lifted a middle finger and held it up, never moving from her side.

“I have a wife who does that for me,” said Sachin. “She is far better looking than you, old friend.”

Lark laughed. “Keon, let him be. I’m not into princes and fairy tales anyway. I’m more based in reality. You know, where you’re hard-pressed to get a guy to phone you back come the next morning.”

Sachin paused. “I suspect you will have no issues getting him to return your calls.”

Lazar stepped closer. “The problem may be getting him to leave you alone.”

Rossi snorted.

Keonae groaned. “See why I rarely allow them around people?”

She winked. “I think they’re great.”

“The more you get to know them, the more your attitude will change. They are like boils on the asses of all around them.”

She broke into a fit of laughter and pressed tighter to him. She knew he had a funny side. He’d shown it to her on occasion. It was rare but there. “Boils on the butts, huh?”

“Most certainly.”

His brother shook his head. “Keeping it sophisticated, I see.”

Keonae flipped him off as well.

Lark hadn’t felt this happy, this light and free from her worries, in years. She twisted against Keonae, unable to hide her joy any longer. She wrapped her arms around his neck and went to her tiptoes, her lips meeting his. The kiss wasn’t chaste but remained this side of too dirty. That didn’t stop need from slamming into her. She wanted him fiercely.

She drew back, her gaze moving over a shocked Keonae. She touched his lower lip. “I have a few things left to do to help close up and then we can blow this Popsicle stand.”

His brows met. “They sell frozen treats on a stick here? It seems an odd choice for such an establishment.”

She paused and then laughed at his odd sense of humor. “Sometimes I’d swear you were born on another planet.”

“No. Not another planet.” His expression turned guarded as he caressed her cheek. “Hurry with whatever you must do.”

“I will.” She darted away, knowing if she didn’t make a clean break from him right then and there, she might never. Her common sense told her to keep going, run right out the front door of the bar and don’t look back. That she’d bring a mountain of trouble to him—the kind he wouldn’t walk away from, no matter what kind of badass biker dude he was.

The things of nightmares sought her out. They weren’t human. They didn’t leave witnesses, and they were ruthless. She’d managed to dodge them for the past few months, staying on the move, but deep down she got the sense they were close on her heels. And she knew if she dared to stay on much longer, she’d fall for Keonae and might never leave.