TherianPrey (23 page)

Erin snatched a box of tissues off the end table and handed
it to Ian. “The past is past,” Erin said as the silence lengthened. Ian cleaned
his face as best he could and pressed a wad of tissues to his nose. “You both
need to let it go,” she persisted.

It wasn’t easy to let go of four and a half years of
bitterness, but Quinn knew he had to try. Carissa had to be accepted by the
clans or Erin’s plans would topple like a house of cards. But it wasn’t just
Carissa. He was tired of being angry, tired of resentment eating away at his
sanity. He was ready for something different, something more.

“It’s gone.” Quinn watched for Ian’s reaction to the
opening.

Erin punched him in the arm and Ian fought back a smile.
“Fine. I’ll get over it, starting now.”

Quinn stuck out his hand and Ian shook it.

The anger gradually cleared from Ian’s eyes, but Quinn knew
this was only the beginning. Every cat in the network felt much as Ian did.
Quinn would have to prove himself over and over again. He released Ian’s hand
and looked at Carissa, determination cutting through the gloom. She was the key
to his future, his only hope at happiness. But she would be harder than hell to
win until she knew her sister was safe.

“We’re all tired and irritable,” Erin said. “Maybe it’s best
if we wait until morning to attempt the meld.”

Ian quickly agreed while Carissa seemed disappointed.

“I’ll see you in the morning.” Ian kissed Erin on the cheek,
inclined his head toward Carissa and headed off through the kitchen.

“The guestroom is ready or I can set up the pullout if you’d
rather have separate beds.” Erin looked to Carissa for the answer.

“The guestroom is fine.” Carissa glanced at him as color
spread across her cheeks. Desire trickled across their link and her gaze
smoldered. “I’ll feel safer if Quinn’s in the same room with me.”

“Of course you will,” Erin said with a knowing smile. “It’s
this way.” She led them to a charming bedroom off the main hallway. “That door
leads to the bathroom, which is also accessible from the hall, so make sure you
lock the door when you use it. Two of Kyle’s men are using his room while he’s
out hunting.”

Wanting to shift Carissa’s attention from Ava’s peril, Quinn
asked, “Have you made any progress with Devon? Has she agreed to come home?”

“She still sends me texts at least once a day. Today I
demanded that she call me, told her anyone could send a text and I wanted to
hear her voice. She called a few minutes later, but she sounded really odd.”

“Odd in what way?”

“Like she was drunk or high or something.” Erin crossed her
arms over her chest and sadness tinged her smile. “Her father died eight months
ago. I thought she was just working through her grief and rebelling against
authority in general, but she’s scaring me to death.”

“I understand the feeling,” Carissa crossed the room and
gave Erin a hug. “As soon as we find Ava, Kyle can focus entirely on finding
Devon.”

“That’s the plan.” She paused with her hand on the door
knob. “You two get some sleep tonight. We need you both rested and alert in the
morning.” With a final wave, she stepped into the hall and closed the door.

Carissa’s heartbeat tripped as Erin left her alone with
Quinn. He’d insisted she stop using the nasal spray and her desire for him had
gradually rekindled in the hours that followed. She no longer felt the
consuming urgency that had erupted after her first contact with a Therian male.
This was slower, deeper heat, one that sank into the marrow of her bones. She
longed for the intimate connection and the emotional exchange she’d experienced
each time they touched.

Quinn placed his hands on her shoulders and drew her closer.
“You okay?”

“I don’t know.” A nervous laugh escaped and she lowered her
gaze. “This is all so overwhelming.”

“Then we’ll wait.” One of his hands moved to her neck,
fingers curving around the back while his thumb caressed her skin. “I won’t add
to your confusion.”

She shook her head and looked into his eyes. “You’re the
only part of this that doesn’t confuse me. Erin insists I’m a player in some
ancient drama, but I feel completely displaced.” She raised her hands to his
chest and unfastened the first few buttons on his flannel shirt. He’d donned
the long-sleeved garment before they left his cabin, and the rustic style
perfectly matched his rugged good looks. “When you touch me, I feel connected
to all the things Erin describes. Without you, I’m not sure I can deal with all
of this.”

He leaned down and brushed her lips with his. The gesture
was more of a comforting caress than an arousing kiss. “I’m not going anywhere.
I’ll be right here every step of the way.”

She quickly worked the rest of the buttons then wrapped her
arms around him, inside his open shirt. His chest was warm and the muscular
contours of his back felt amazing beneath her curious fingers. “I’m not ready
to be defined. Can you control yourself well enough to just make love to me?”

“As long as your body is responding the way it was meant to
respond, I’ll be fine.”

“I haven’t used the mist since this morning. Or I guess that
would be yesterday morning by now.”

“Then we have nothing to worry about.”

Feminine power rolled through her, making her crave what
little control he’d allow. All too soon he’d take over, command her body and
guide her spirit one step closer to her Therian destiny. She needed to touch
him and watch him surrender part of himself to her.

“I want to be sure.” She pulled his shirt down his arms and
tossed it aside then reached for the metal button on the waistband of his
jeans. “Besides, I think it will help with your control if we take the edge off
your hunger.”

His body tensed as she lowered his zipper, but he made no
move to stop her. He watched her closely, eyes passion bright and narrowed. She
helped him remove his boots then tugged off his socks. The air around them
seemed to crackle with heat and energy. She reached for his jeans and he caught
her wrists then shook his head.

“You don’t touch me until you’re naked too.”

Rather than reply, she kicked off her shoes and pulled her
shirt off over her head. He had her pants unzipped by the time she tossed her
shirt aside and his warm breath teased her heated skin as he leaned in to help
her take them off. Her socks and underwear followed then she returned her
attention to his jeans. He wore nothing beneath the sturdy denim, and soon they
faced each other naked and trembling with anticipation.

Her gaze slowly traveled the length of his body. She’d grown
accustomed to his handsome features, but the strength so apparent in his corded
muscles and lean hips made her mouth water and her fingers itch. She moved
closer and rested her hands on his chest. His gaze bore into hers, yet his arms
remained at his sides.

“Go on,” he urged. “I’m here for you, hellion. Do whatever
you like.”

Desire curled through her, stirring sensations as it flowed
from her chest to her groin. She wanted to touch him, press against him and
taste him. She wanted to feel him slide against her tongue and shake with his
need to come. But most of all, she wanted to watch him abandon himself to her,
to trust her with his pleasure.

She ran her hands up to his shoulders and squeezed. He was
broad and powerfully built, obviously capable of coping with anything that fate
sent their way. His arms were long and stacked with muscle, perfect to wrap
around her and keep her safe. She explored him from shoulder to fingertip
before returning to his chest. Flattening one hand over his heart, she moved
the other across his side and down his spine.

Purposely ignoring her destination, she pressed against him
and cupped his ass with both hands. “The way you look in jeans is sinful, but
this should be against the law.”

He chuckled, his hands still at his sides. “I’m glad you
approve.”

She ran her hands down the backs of his thighs, sinking to
her knees as her fingers descended. His erection blazed a trail from her belly
to the valley between her breasts. Then she moved back and his potent length
arched toward her, more than ready for a more intimate exploration.

“You don’t have to do this,” he assured, his tone soft yet
needful.

“I know.” She slid one hand around and eased it between his
thighs, gently cradling his balls. “I want to watch you lose control.” Her
other hand closed around his shaft, stroking from base to tip with firm
pressure.

He groaned, features tense, jaw clenched against the
pleasure.

She watched his face as she closed her lips around his tip,
fascinated by the heat and the hardness. It wasn’t as if she’d never done this
before, but Quinn was so much more…manly than anyone she’d ever touched. Her
other lovers shrank in his shadow until only Quinn remained.

She took him deeper, savoring the velvet-soft skin as he
slid against her lips and across her tongue. His scent filled her nose and his
taste gradually spread through her mouth. She sucked and swirled her tongue,
moving her mouth slowly up and down his length.

His hand tangled in her hair then released, coming to rest
on her shoulder instead. “Faster.” Half plea, half demand, the word burst from
his lips.

She sucked harder and moved faster, thrilled by his obvious
delight. He rocked his hips, matching her movements without taking over. His
taste grew stronger, proof of his rising desire. She paused to enjoy the
evocative taste, swiping her tongue across his sensitive tip until he groaned
with each lick.

“If you don’t stop I’ll…” Tension rolled down his thighs as
he fought back his orgasm. “I’m almost there.”

She grasped his hips and took him deeper, her lips sucking
stubbornly. He arched his neck, eyes tightly closed as his control finally
snapped. He pushed to the back of her mouth and came in shuddering waves. She
swallowed and swallowed again, tingling heat marking the path of his seed as it
slid down her throat.

“So good,” he muttered as he drew her to her feet. His arms
enfolded her and he tilted her head back as his mouth sealed over hers. The
kiss was deep yet tender as his tongue delved between her parted lips. He had
to taste himself in her mouth, but he seemed unconcerned, perhaps even pleased.
“Thank you.”

He whispered the words against her lips and Carissa smiled.
“I was just returning the favor,” she reminded him.

“I’m not keeping score.” He pulled back the covers and urged
her down on the side of the bed. Then he knelt on the floor and eased her legs
apart. “It will take my body a minute or two to recover. I know how I intend to
spend the time.”

She leaned back on her elbows and raised her heels to the
edge of the mattress, boldly spreading her thighs. He made her feel desirable
and sexy, unashamed of her need.

He brushed his hands down the insides of her thighs then
slipped his fingers under her while his thumbs gently parted her folds. “You’re
already wet.” He grinned. “Did you enjoy having my cock in your mouth?”

“I enjoyed the way you trembled and moaned.” She returned
his smile.

“Let’s see how long it takes you to tremble.” With his gaze
still locked with hers, he leaned down and traced her slit with the tip of his
tongue.

The soft stroke sent desire spiraling through her core. Her
toes curled over the edge of the mattress and her hips pushed up into his kiss.
He was so damn good at this, and knowing he wouldn’t stop this time made each
touch even sweeter.

His tongue circled her clit, his thumbs caressing as well as
parting. Tension gathered low in her belly and her inner muscles clenched,
accenting the emptiness he would soon fill. She rocked against his mouth, too
restless to remain passive.

He pulled one hand out from under her and looked into her
eyes as he pushed two fingers deep into her passage. The fullness felt
wonderful, but it was just a teasing hint of what she really needed. She
squeezed his fingers and the tension inside her mounted.

“Your turn.” He moved his other hand as well, covering her
clit with his thumb. “I want to watch you come.”

Unable to resist such a delightful suggestion, she abandoned
herself to his touch. He pumped his fingers in and out as his thumb passed over
her clit. She was so wet his fingers slid smoothly and the pleasure rapidly
built.

Her orgasm hit suddenly, clamping her core down around his
fingers. He kept them deep inside and prolonged the spasms with his thumb. She
cried out and her thighs shook as the sensations radiated through her body.

Before the last tingle passed, he draped her legs over his
arms and pulled her hips to the edge of the bed. She felt him press against her
entrance, but he didn’t thrust inside.

“Open for me, hellion.”

She wasn’t sure what he meant until she felt his presence
nudge against her mind. Unlike when Ian tried to push inside her, she didn’t
feel intimidated or afraid. This was Quinn. He would never hurt her, had had
many opportunities to take advantage of her, and yet he had protected her at
every turn.

Grasping the backs of her knees, she opened herself wider,
inviting him into her mind and her body. He drove inward, penetrating her
slowly as his cock filled her core. She accepted him without hesitation,
welcoming him with a rush of affection as well as the wet grip of her sheath.

He pulled back then surged forward, secure in her surrender.
His energy blazed through her mind, intense and powerful. She absorbed the
emotions he offered so freely and shared her feelings just as readily. She let
go of her knees and grasped his shoulders, drawing him down for a passionate
kiss.

His body slid against her and into her as their mouths met
and meshed. He tasted of her pleasure and each thrust of her tongue mingled his
taste with hers. He ran his hands up her sides, pausing to cup her breasts
before drawing her arms above her head. He held her wrists tightly as his
thrusts became more demanding.