Redemption (7 page)

“Got it.” Ive let go of Dji and entered the shower, holding the curtain open for him. It was a tight fit, but Ive wouldn’t have had it any other way.

She wasn’t scared of his power. It turned her on in ways she’d never imagined. He was so strong. Ive licked her lips in anticipation. Normally she liked to be in control, call it her protector instincts, but here—now, she wanted to give in to him and let him take over.

Dji pushed her against the shower tiles. They were cool against her back. Steam started to rise from the hot water. Ive spread her legs—Dji fit right in the cradle of her thighs, his cock hard against her belly. She couldn’t wait to have his dick inside her, but for now she’d relish being surrounded by him in the heated cocoon of the shower.

Ive ran her hands down his body, lightly scratching him with her nails. He didn’t stop her as she kneaded his ass and squeezed, but he did kiss her. Ive melted into that kiss and held on tighter. She was so excited her breath came out in pants. She had to calm down. Dji seemed to sense she needed a break. He nuzzled her jaw and reached for the soap. Lathering his hands up, he started at her shoulders and worked his way down. It was the best foreplay she’d ever experienced. Her body tingled with his every touch. The soapy hands were more erotic than she’d thought humanly possible and she trembled. His fingers glided over her body. The only sounds were the patter of the water against the shower curtain and their breathing as she gasped and moaned. Ive’s pussy throbbed and she wanted Dji’s cock inside her.

The smell was almost overpowering between her and Dji’s mating scent. It was as if they were back in the jungle. Ive leaned her head against the wall and closed her eyes, letting her other senses take over. Dji’s hands were squeezing her breasts and tweaking her nipples. He twisted hard, bringing her to her tiptoes.

“Oh, God,” Ive moaned.

“Too much?” Dji didn’t let up and continued to twist.

“No—more, please.” It was delicious and oh so good. She could feel the pull in her pussy.

No one had ever been rough with her and she was finding she liked the different sensations. The gentle caress followed by the pinch of pain. What she wanted most right now was for him to slam her against the tiles and fuck her against the wall. There was so much to explore with this dominant man and she wanted every second of it. Other men she’d been with were weak in comparison, totally forgettable. She’d never forget Dji and never wanted to—she growled low in her throat just thinking about it. Dji let go of her nipples and she relaxed, the pain mixing with pleasure through every inch of her body. Ive was unprepared for the bite. He didn’t break the skin, but he worried her tight bud between his teeth before soothing it with his tongue. He repeated it over and over, driving her nuts. It was even better than his fingers. She clutched at his shoulders—it was more intense than anything she’d ever felt. Ive thrust her hips, needing Dji inside her.

Ive’s orgasm racked her body, but Dji didn’t let her calm down, her body still throbbed. Coming from someone playing with her breasts had never happened before. There were so many firsts with her mate. His teeth scraped her stomach until he reached her pussy and buried his nose in her tight red curls. Dji knelt in front of her, she still had a tight hold on his shoulders. She needed it for balance. His tongue fucked her, mimicking what she wanted him to do with his cock. She was empty and only he could fill her. She spread her legs wider.

She didn’t have a chance to come down because he ramped up every nerve of her body. He bit her pussy. Again, she was on her toes. She didn’t know if she wanted to back away or lean into the feelings. Dji soothed her with kisses. Now, he was using his fingers, but it still wasn’t enough. Her body was on fire. She’d be bruised tomorrow, but didn’t care. She needed more. One finger became two, then three, faster and faster he thrust inside her. Dji slowed down and she whimpered, so turned on she was close to coming again—if she’d ever stopped from the first time. Each sensation rolled into the other.

“Ah! Oh, God, Dji—please, please—oh fuck—please…”

Dji stopped and Ive sobbed. She was so close—to what she didn’t know, but it couldn’t end now. He shut off the water and scooped her up into his arms.

“Dji, Dji, Dji—” she chanted his name.

He tossed her onto the bed and spread her legs wide. She helped him by grabbing her thighs and holding them up. She was so wet, not just from the shower, but from Dji’s manipulation of her body. Ive didn’t know what would happen next. She thought he might sink his cock into her overheated body, but he didn’t. He went back to where he’d left off, four fingers in her pussy, his thumb circling her ass, rubbing at her hole. Dji was even kissing her stomach—she was surrounded by him.

Dji didn’t breach her ass. Instead he eased his fist an inch at a time into her cunt. Ive was putty in his hands. There was a sharp pain that faded to pure pleasure. She was whimpering and making sounds she’d never made before, grunting, primitive noises. Her body clenched around his fist as he pumped it in and out.

Ive tossed her head from side to side—it was so—big, the moment was bigger than anything—ever, in her life. The only thing that would make it better would be his mating bite.

“More, please—I need more. Dji!” She screamed his name when he opened his hand inside her before easing back out.

She shivered, but wanted more, it still wasn’t enough. Dji thrust his cock into her and pressed her down on the bed with his body—the weight adding another dimension. Her climax went on and on—Dji thrust a few more times and she couldn’t stop touching him. Any skin she found, she caressed. She clutched him tight to her and wrapped her legs and arms around his body—thrusting back. She was peaking again, if it were possible.

“Ive!”

“Dji!”

He twitched a few times before collapsing on her and rolling to the side. Dji cuddled her close and stroked her back. Ive couldn’t stop shaking.

“Are you okay?”

Ive couldn’t even answer him with words. She nodded against his shoulder.

“Shh—” Dji continued to keep her next to him and whispered nonsense words into her ear, bringing her slowly back down.

When she could finally speak again, she had questions.

“Dji?”

“Hmm.”

“You didn’t—um—why didn’t you bite me?”

Ive turned so she could look at him. She didn’t want to ruin the moment, but she had to know. For months, hell, closer to years she’d dreamed of having her mate bond with her.

“It’s too soon. What if I’m not whole? I don’t want to leave you marked and alone if I have to leave. You deserve better.”

“Shouldn’t I be in on that decision? It’s my life too.” Ive sat up and crossed her arms over her breast.

“Ive—if something goes wrong I might have to be put down. If we don’t mate there’s a chance you could find someone else.”

“I don’t want anyone else.” Ive glared at Dji.

“Things change. Just give me a couple weeks to adjust and if I don’t have any residual signs of Dmitri we’ll mate fully. For now—let me give you this.” Dji pulled her to him and kissed her.

She couldn’t help herself, she melted into the kiss, her mouth opening to allow Dji’s tongue entrance. Tomorrow would have to be soon enough to fight for him. She knew in her heart that Dmitri was well and truly gone. The change in Dji was visible. Maybe she’d give him the week he wanted, but they didn’t call her the Ice Queen for nothing. She was going to have her way and he would be hers. They belonged together and he deserved to be happy after the hell he’d been put through for centuries.

“I love the way you taste,” Dji murmured against her lips.

They were breathing the same air. It was just as intimate as having a part of him so deep inside her she’d feel it for days.

“This doesn’t let you off the hook.” Ive stared deep into his eyes and they continued to sit there with their foreheads pressed together, gazing at each other.

“Fair enough. I don’t know about you, but I’m tired and we have a meeting in the morning.” Dji fought with the tangled blankets, then slid beneath them.

Ive followed suit. The travel and the phenomenal sex had taken it out of her. She didn’t even really want to argue. Those who knew her would be shocked that she’d let it go, and she curled around Dji with her head on his chest, listening to the steady thump of his heart.

Chapter Nine

Dji looked around the room filled with strangers. The memories from Dmitri still resided in his head and some of these people looked familiar but he didn’t really
know
them. Zareb and his mate Joy walked into the room and all eyes seemed to be drawn to them. Joy was flushed a pretty red. She had nothing to be embarrassed about. Ive had almost made them late with her shower. She loved the water and he was finding a new respect for it.

Once Zareb and Joy had settled onto a couch with another couple, the pack leader Russ spoke.

“Now that we are all here we can begin.” Russ grinned in Zareb’s direction. “For the record I would like to state that I
am
the alpha here. I know there were some questions before the group of you went to Africa, but I’m in charge. There may be members in here stronger than I am in the magic realm, but that doesn’t make me weak.”

Dji wasn’t sure what Russ was speaking about. The leader didn’t look weak to him. He exuded power and calm. Dji would follow Russ. Zareb seemed to have much faith in the wolf.

“It is how it should be. As I have stated before, the alpha should not have a guardian’s power. Too much, and it could corrupt the best of us.” Zareb spoke and Dji couldn’t agree more.

There was no way he’d want to be the leader. Look what had happened to him—a strong alpha wouldn’t have let himself be possessed. Just another of his failures.

“Well put, Zareb. I also want to reassure everyone on Djimon’s presence. The man here in this room is
not
the one who was against us. That soul was named Dmitri and is no longer a threat. Most of you know this, but I wanted to reinforce it. Zareb, please fill us in on what happened.” Russ gave Zareb the floor.

Dji watched Zareb bow his head towards the alpha in respect before speaking. “Our trip was not as uneventful as we had hoped. The plane crashed in the middle of the jungle, killing our pilot. We had to leave him and the plane. We should inform his family.” Zareb looked towards Russ and at the alpha’s nod he continued. “Once on the ground we moved as fast as we could, but were ambushed. They separated Joy and me from Dji and Ive. I believe that is because they thought Djimon was still Dmitri and they wanted to rescue him from us—he had followers in Africa. Ive and Dji will have to fill you in on that part of the journey. Joy and I managed to keep the Vessel with us.”

“So nothing escaped from the vase?” The woman next to Joy spoke. Dji believed it was Joy’s sister Valerie, but he wasn’t a hundred per cent sure of everyone’s name.

“Unfortunately that is not the case. Dmitri’s soul tried to escape, but it was unsuccessful. We ran into an old tribe mate who managed to survive the carnage when Dmitri first emerged, Baakir. He came back with us.”

“Yeah, we should keep an eye on him,” Joy interrupted.

“Why is that?” Russ looked between Zareb and Joy.

Dji could understand the hesitation to completely trust Kir, but he should fall into that category too. After all—not too long ago Dmitri had tried to kill everyone in the room.

“He was influenced by Dmitri and the Vessel, but in the end he helped us. But Joy is correct, we should keep an eye on him. He might need help as well, getting used to a new life,” Zareb answered.

“Then we’ll see what we can do. I am assuming that the Vessel has been disposed of?” Russ questioned.

“Yes, Joy and I made sure it was sealed and Djimon added some extra power to the ground. We both think it would be good to send someone to the burial spot periodically to check the barrier.” Zareb confirmed.

“I concur. I’ll send pairs starting next month.” Russ agreed.

It relieved Dji that Russ took the situation seriously. No one should go through the hell he had and, if they could prevent such a happening, the world would be a better place.

“I think that would be wise, Russ. It might be nice to have the shifters here see where they came from.” Zareb sounded excited.

Dji would need time to come to terms with his homeland and its magic before he would return. If he could help it, he never wanted to go back to the spot where the Vessel was buried. Not that he’d be tempted to dig the thing up, but he still worried he could be possessed again.

“Africa is very rich in magic. I wouldn’t mind going back, as long as I had access to a decent bathroom, or a car. I don’t think I want to ever walk again,” Joy piped up.

Valerie laughed.

“Zareb, you can help me with a rotation schedule. It might be nice for the magic users to go first.” Russ looked over towards the couple on the couch next to Joy and Zareb.

“Oh, hell, no. Aren’t Max and I the only magic users who
haven’t
been?” Valerie looked horrified.

Now it was Joy’s turn to laugh. “You’ll be fine, V.”

“Says you, the person who probably won’t have to go back.” Valerie crossed her arms across her chest.

“Is there anything else we should discuss?” Russ’ gaze touched everyone in the room.

“I think we are safe for now. The Ancients have not spoken to me since our return. I am unsure if that is a good sign or a bad one. I will try to commune with them and let you know what they have said. There was a hint that our world could be exposed to humans, but I think we took care of that when the Vessel was destroyed.”

Dji sure hoped so. The only thing worse, to him, than being possessed was having the humans exposed to shifter life. Being a science project wasn’t on any of their agendas.

“Then this meeting is adjourned.”

They all began filing out of the room. Dji followed Ive.

“Dinner isn’t for a while, I don’t think. We could go for a walk around the grounds.”

“I think I’d like to think for a bit. Maybe you could talk to your friend—Vivian.”