TherianPrey (14 page)

Quinn didn’t react to Mr. Scruffy’s intrusion, so Carissa
tried to relax.

“Is this what all the fuss is about?”

Sweeping his hand toward her, Quinn introduced, “Carissa
Seymour, one half of the Seymour twins.”

“The smart half, apparently,” the newcomer grumbled then
looked at her for the first time. His eyes weren’t brown as she’d first
thought. They were a dark yet vibrant green. “Your sister can’t figure out
friend from foe.”

“She has no reason to trust any of you.” She sat up a little
straighter, not at all sure she liked this man.

“Jake’s just pissed because he’s been bested by a girl.”
Quinn slapped him on the back and smiled.

“Two of my men have been bested. I haven’t joined the hunt.
Yet.”

“I think it’s better if Kyle finds her.”

Jake threw back his head and laughed.

Even Quinn found her comment amusing. “Don’t worry, hellion.
He’s one of the good guys.”

Quinn might have earned the distinction, but she wasn’t at
all sure about Jake. “Did you need something, or did you just hop up here to
see what all the fuss was about?”

Jake looked at Quinn, amusement shimmering in his eyes. “Is
she always this prickly?”

“I don’t think she likes you.”

Completely unconcerned with her displeasure, Jake settled
his forest-green gaze on her face. He studied her for a long, silent moment,
making her feel like a butterfly helplessly pinned and on display. “I’m glad to
see you’ve got spirit. You’re going to need it.” Without explaining his
comment, he turned to Quinn and went on. “Fitzroy’s team is going to relieve us
in about half an hour. Do you want them here or up at your place?”

“Isn’t there anyone else? I don’t want to put Landon in that
position.”

“It’s gonna happen sooner or later. It’s been brewing for
years.”

“I suppose.” Quinn crossed his arms over his chest, looking
none too pleased with the conclusion. “You know his team better than I do. Can
I trust them?”

“I have no reason to doubt them, other than the fact that
they’re wolves. I’ve fought with Landon at my back more than once. If he trusts
his team, that’s good enough for me.”

Quinn nodded, but his eyes remained narrowed, his expression
tense. “Then tell Landon to head out to my place. We should be along shortly.
And Jake, thanks for responding to Kyle’s call. I know your people are spread
thin as it is.”

“I might not acknowledge my clan alpha, but Kyle’s my
Prime.” Jake offered Carissa an unexpected smile then he moved closer to Quinn
and continued in a low, rumbling tone. “You haven’t even marked her. What the
hell’s wrong with you? This isn’t a game. We’re all so damn restless we can
hardly think and we’re ready to tear into each other just to taste blood.
Someone is going to claim her, probably tonight. If it’s going to be you, get
on with it!”

“It’s none of your business. You’re here to—”

“She seems partial to you, so I’ll give you tonight. But
this is your only warning. Solidify the bond. Get her hormones under control or
the next time you see me I won’t be so agreeable.” Then he took off across the
deck and hurtled the rail with preternatural agility.

She was pretty sure Jake hadn’t meant for her to hear what
he’d just said. If Quinn’s thunderous expression was any indication, she’d be
wise to change the subject. “What does Jake shift into? I’ve never seen a biker
move like that.”

Quinn ambled toward her, dark gaze shuttered. The tension
around his lips was the only hint to his inward conflict. Jake had wound him up
but good. He slipped off his jacket and placed it over the back of a patio
chair. What was he doing?

“Jake manifests as a tiger, just like Osric.”

A chill dropped down her spine. Osric was the shadowy figure
who haunted her childhood. He was the name her mother had whispered when she
was especially afraid. Knowing he was real, and imbued with Therian abilities,
knotted Carissa’s stomach and made her feel helpless.

Without explanation, Quinn pulled off his boots and his
t-shirt then unzipped his jeans.

Understanding jolted Carissa and she scooted to the far
corner of the hot tub. “You’re…coming in?”

“Jake’s right. Patience makes me look weak and that’s not
safe for anyone right now.” He dropped his jeans and climbed into the spa
without another word.

He’d moved so fast, her dazed mind barely had time to
comprehend the sleek symmetry of his muscular body. She looked around in sudden
panic, but she’d literally backed herself into a corner. The latticework
privacy panels didn’t appear that sturdy, but there was no way she could break
through one before he reached her. And she’d doubtlessly shred her hands and
feet in the process.

As if to prove that escape was futile, his fingers closed
around her arms and he pulled her up off the bench. Then one of his arms banded
her waist and his other hand tangled in her damp hair. Half afraid of what
she’d find, she looked into his eyes. Specks of light glimmered in a field of
black, like golden stars twinkling in the darkest night. She opened her mouth,
meaning to challenge his sudden strategy change, but he bent and captured her
words with his parted lips.

Always before, his kisses had started out gentle, almost
hesitant, as if he were afraid he would hurt her. No such caution tempered his
kiss this time. His lips commanded and his arms clasped her half-naked body
with obvious intent. She remained stiff and unresponsive for several seconds,
but his breath stirred her senses and his rich, spicy taste drew her deeper
into the madness of Therian hunger.

He tugged her t-shirt up and her breasts flattened against
his chest. The contact sent darts of sensation deep into her belly and she
gasped into his mouth. Of their own volition, her arms circled his neck and she
returned his kiss with equal ferocity. Each time they touched, the heat seemed
to flare even hotter than it had been the time before. If they kept playing
with fire, sooner or later they’d be devoured by the flames.

His fingers released her hair and he slid his hand down,
over the bunched material and along the indentation of her spine. Both his
hands cupped her ass, drawing her up until her feet left the bottom of the spa.
She wrapped her legs around his waist and clung to him, matching each stroke
and swirl of his tongue with one of hers.

Sinking to the bench, he steadied her as she moved into a
more comfortable position. She folded her legs to either side of his hips,
allowing them to slide slowly outward until her sex pressed against the
distinct ridge of his erection.

Automatically, she started to rock, rubbing herself against
him. Her panties still separated their bodies, but it didn’t seem to matter.
Heat and a sensual current flowed into her body with each long stroke.

Their mouths separated as they both gasped for air. Quinn
tore off her t-shirt and threw it to the deck. Then he bent to her breasts, his
hands supporting her back as she moved faster and pressed harder, building the
tension and accenting the heat. Water splashed his face, but he seemed
oblivious as his mouth latched on to one side and then the other.

A sudden movement drew Carissa’s attention to the sliding
glass door in time to see Ian turn and walk away. Her hips halted and her hands
grasped Quinn’s shoulders. What were they doing? It was the middle of the day
and they weren’t really alone.

“What’s wrong?” He looked up, his mouth hovering over one
puckered nipple.

“Ian was watching us.”

“That’s the point, hellion.” He nipped her just hard enough
to make her gasp. “They all need to understand that you’ve been claimed.”

Suddenly she felt other eyes upon her, hot with lust and
aggression. She looked around and saw nothing to support the sensation, but she
couldn’t rid her mind of the feeling.

“I don’t want to do this. Not like this.” She tried to climb
off his lap, but he spun around and pressed her back into the corner of the
spa. Shoving against his chest was pointless. He was solidly wedged between her
legs.

“I will never hurt you.” He whispered the words against her
trembling lips. “Can’t you trust me by now?”

She searched his eyes, confused by his actions yet soothed
by his words. Every time she’d been unsure, he’d pulled back, controlling his
own need through sheer force of will. But it couldn’t go on forever. One of
these times his control was going to snap, despite his good intentions.

He kissed her gently as his hand pushed back into her hair.
Then he pulled her head to the side and his mouth fastened onto her neck. His
lips moved against her skin for a moment then his tongue painted warm, wet
patterns within the circle of his lips. Tingles danced down her arms and across
her chest as his mouth began to pull. Pressure built beneath his mouth as if he
were sucking all the blood in her body toward that one spot.

“It hurts!” She tried to push him away, but his fingers only
tightened in her hair.

Suddenly he released her flesh and sensations shot down her
spine and lodged between her legs. She yelped in surprise and pleasure as the
intensity rippled out in tingling waves. It hadn’t been an orgasm, exactly, but
so damn close it made her crave the real thing.

He raised his head and their gazes fused. His blazed with
Therian light. She shrank away, knowing he was struggling for control of his
cat. “Trust me.” He mouthed the words as his fingers slipped free of her hair.

If he were in control, why didn’t he let her go?

He guided her arms to the rim of the tub then draped her
legs over his thighs. His legs were bent, knees resting against the bench
without actually climbing up onto it. Even in the churning water, she could see
his massive erection.

Torn between excitement and dread, she glanced beyond him
and caught the telltale gleam of Therian eyes scattered among the trees. His
fingers brushed against her crotch and she gasped, shivering despite the warm
water bubbling all around her.

He eased her panties aside and slowly pushed two fingers
into her cream-slick passage. His eyelids drooped and he growled low in his
throat.

She closed her eyes and let the pleasure wash over her
ragged nerves. His thumb found her clit, sending heat spiraling through her
abdomen. Then he pulled her closer, his fingers pushing deeper into her core.

“Make it look good,” he urged, his voice barely a whisper.
“I’ve got no leverage unless I move my hand.”

Understanding flowed through her like warm honey. She drew
her hips back and his fingers slid nearly out. Then she pushed forward and he
rewarded her with his thumb. She opened her eyes and pressed her lips together
to keep from crying out. No, she shouldn’t hold back. The others needed to know
she had a protector, that she’d been “claimed”. The word sent a thrill through
her body and she moved a little faster, savoring the slide of his fingers and
the careful brush of his thumb.

His gaze flared suddenly and his arm wrapped around her
hips, driving his fingers deep as he turned around. She folded her legs as
she’d done before and settled across his lap, his hand still situated between
her thighs.

“Ride me, hellion. I want to feel you come.”

She moved her knees closer to his hips, so she could slide
up and down. He guided one of her hands between them and pressed her fingers
around his thick shaft, his need more than obvious.

Desire blasted through her as she matched the demanding
movements of her hips with her firmly clasped hand. His fingers felt good deep
inside her, but his cock would feel so much better! “Should I just—”

“No.” His free hand wrapped around the back of her neck and
brought her mouth toward his. “I will not share our first time with anyone.”

She wasn’t sure this was much different, but the sentiment
was sweet. Their mouths pressed, tongues boldly sliding, as she tuned out the
rest of the world. His fingers filled her, thumb skillfully propelling her
toward the looming peak. She squeezed his fingers with her inner muscles as she
imagined the thickness of his shaft deep inside.

With a sharp cry, she came, body trembling, mind lost to
everything but the pulsing pleasure. He kept the spasms going with his thumb,
but gradually she realized he was still hard within the circle of her fingers.

“You didn’t—”

“Doesn’t matter. Let’s get the hell out of here.” He eased
her back and drew his hand out of the water, his smile full of secrets. “Guess
Ian was right. He will need to drain this thing before anyone else uses it.”

A particularly cold wind gusted across her torso. She
shivered then crossed her arms over her breasts. “Damn, that wind is cold.”

“No, you’re just unbelievably hot.”

Before she could respond to the compliment, he set her on
her feet and climbed out of the tub. His movements were slower now, and her
hungry gaze drank in every bulge and ripple of his magnificent body.

With the help of the chilly wind, he managed to look semi-hard
as if he’d just spilled his seed inside her. Guilt panged within her as she
realized how badly his body must ache. This was the third time he’d brought her
to climax without a similar release. She couldn’t let him do it again. Either
they made love or he had to stop touching her.

He dried off with one of the beach towels and quickly pulled
on his jeans. Then he turned back to Carissa. “Come on. It won’t get any
easier.”

She looked at the trees, but Jake’s men—or was that Jake and
his men?—were nowhere in sight. Everyone present had already seen her breasts
and the wind was turning her blue.

She climbed out of the tub and Quinn wrapped one of the
towels around her, then hurried her toward the sliding glass door. He went back
for the rest of the clothes as she slid the door open and retreated into the
waiting warmth.

By the time he joined her inside the house, her teeth were
chattering. “Hot tubbing is almost not worth it when you have to go through
that to get out.”