Authors: Crystal Jordan
Unleashed (18 page)
Her core melted, the lips of her sex going slick and soft in moments. Whether she liked it or not, her tongue met his, twined with his. She slipped her hands into his thick, silken hair, loved the texture of it against her palms. Every micrometer of her flesh tingled from the contact with him; her nipples went hard, thrusting against her shirt.
His hands slid down her back, cupping her ass to bring her closer. The hard thrust of his cock prodded her belly and she squirmed against him. His groan was a harsh sound that made her shiver. Her pussy throbbed, clenched on an emptiness she wanted him to fill. She wanted his cock thrusting into her sex the way his tongue thrust into her mouth.
Just like it used to be.
But it would never be like that again. The truth always made it impossible to repair the bridges she'd burned. They'd played each other, fallen in love despite it, and ripped each other's hearts out in the process.
It was madness. Insanity. She couldn't do this again. Not to him, not to herself.
No.
No.
She tore herself from his arms, spun and darted away with the speed her cheetah side had blessed her with. But no matter how fast she ran, she could never escape herself.
2
H
er taste lingered on his tongue.
er taste lingered on his tongue.
Breck spread his wings wide, let the breeze carry him as he soared above a city so different from his own. The air was different here, the way the wind blew. He could see the old buildings that had survived the Third Great War; some still majestic, but some pockets of the city were no better than the slums of the Vermilion District back in New Chicago. Skyrises dominated, mercurite and polyglass towers that he winged around on his aerial tour of London.
The Royale had been very accommodating in providing him the location of Stefan's flat and making sure Breck got a penthouse suite that took up half of the top floorâon the same side of the building as Stefan's flat. Breck was three floors above where Stefan was keeping Tam.
Closer than he'd been in months, and still not close enough.
That single taste of her hadn't been enough. He craved her. Both the man who loved her and the golden eagle who wanted its mate. Every part of him needed her by his side.
He'd intended to tell her the truth the night they'd spent at Tail. Who she was to him, what they were to each other. Her kind couldn't sense it, and he'd used that to his advantage at first. She wouldn't know
why
she was so drawn to him, why they connected so deeply, so fast. But when he'd awoken the next morning, he'd been in bed alone. As alone as he'd been during the long daysâand nightsâwithout her since.
why
she was so drawn to him, why they connected so deeply, so fast. But when he'd awoken the next morning, he'd been in bed alone. As alone as he'd been during the long daysâand nightsâwithout her since.
He'd hoped to bind her to him before he'd had to reveal anything. She'd wanted a rich mark for her next scheme; he'd wanted to make her love him. They'd both been overly confident in their ability to get what they wanted from the other.
It remained to be seen who'd won their game of hearts.
Knowing he should back off for the night after he'd told her he was in town didn't stop him from swooping down to land on the railing to her balcony. There were lights on inside, and the sheer curtains revealed people moving around in the room. His stomach contracted as he realized he was looking at Stefan himself. And the man was in his mate's bedroom.
It was a question Breck hadn't allowed himself to ask until now. Was Stefan her lover? She'd made her living seducing men out of things they possessed. Now Stefan possessed something she wanted desperately. Would she try to seduce him to get it back? Breck tensed, his talons digging into the railing. He should fly away, shouldn't stay to watch this. Only
he
was bound by the mating, only he felt the need for fidelity. She was free to do whatever she wanted, and the thought of his mate with another man turned his stomach.
he
was bound by the mating, only he felt the need for fidelity. She was free to do whatever she wanted, and the thought of his mate with another man turned his stomach.
Tam's voice carried clearly through the window. “Constantine Breckenridge followed us to London.”
Breck cocked his head, suddenly intent on what they were saying, not just what they might be doing. Why would she tell Stefan about him? What game was she playing now?
Tam hated having Stefan in her room. Hated having him near her. She tightened the belt on her microsilk robe, wishing it were made of a thicker fabric.
His gaze slid down her body, but thankfully showed no sexual interest. “How was your evening? Discover anything interesting?”
The hairs rose on the back of her neck. He knew. He knew about Breck. Lying would get her nowhere. She shrugged. “Constantine Breckenridge followed us to London. He got the message we sent through Ms. Crevan and he decided to ignore it, for reasons I have yet to fathom.”
“He's a problem.”
“Perhaps.” Her brows drew together, her heart thumping hard as she scrambled to come up with a way to turn Stefan against his normal inclination toward violence. He kept it leashed for his work, but he wasn't trying to con Breck, which made him fair game. “But doing something to a person that high profile is bound to be noticed. I've always found it's better to use the situation to one's advantage rather than try to force a more permanent solution.”
That caught his attention. “What do you suggest?”
“We use him.” She dipped one shoulder in a shrug. “You want me to watch Lord Abernathy, for whatever reason. He's not the type to let me seduce him. He's not truly interested in the women he already has. He has them because a man like him
should
have women like them. If you want me to get close to him, it won't be through my usual methods.”
should
have women like them. If you want me to get close to him, it won't be through my usual methods.”
Stefan's eyes narrowed. “And Breckenridge comes into the equation how?”
“He's a man like Abernathy. Rich and well-bred. Unlike us.” So true. Breck was so far removed from the type of people Stefan and she were, they might as well be from different galaxies. She spread her hands in an expressive gesture. “He can get in to the kinds of functions where Abernathy will be. Clubhouses, charity events and the like. Abernathy is attending the races this weekend. Breck can take me with him, and I can circulate with the people who know your mark best. His friends. I can speak to him directly. But I'll need an in. Breck can be that in.”
“Why would he do that for you?”
She snorted. “Because, like all my marks, he's madly in love with me.”
“Yet he knows you betrayed him.” He crossed his arms over his chest, his gaze calculating as he searched her face.
“The perversity of men is what makes them so malleable, Stefan.” She arched her eyebrows, widening her eyes innocently. “You're the one who taught me that.”
“So I did.” He slid his hands in his pockets; then he nodded. “We'll play it your way. For now. If Breckenridge continues to be a problem . . .”
He didn't bother finishing the sentence, just closed her bedroom door behind him as he left.
A breath whooshed out of her. One small hurdle overcome, but so many more in her path to trip her up. She pushed away the despair that threatened to overwhelm her.
“He seems like such a nice man. I can see why you'd want to spend time with him.”
The words were muffled, but clear. All the blood fled her face and she strode forward to wrench open the door to her balcony. Breck stood there naked, obviously having just shifted from his eagle form.
“What are you doing here?” she hissed.
He arched an incredulous brow and pushed past her into the room. “Eavesdropping.”
“You shouldn't be here.” Deus, if Stefan caught him here, they'd both be dead. She scurried over to her door and flicked the lock shut. It wouldn't keep Stefan out, but he wouldn't be able to just walk right in either.
“Really, Tam. You're starting to sound like a vid on the fritz. Repeating yourself endlessly.” Breck walked around the room, touching her hairbrush, the back of her desk chair, the microsilk cover on her bed. “So, you're going to use me. Again. That's your plan?”
She gave him the sweetest smile in her arsenal, stepping away from the door and into the middle of the room. “The other option was to have him kill you for being a birdbrained idiot who doesn't know how to take no for an answer. Which would you prefer?”
His other eyebrow rose to join its twin, a grin curving his lips. “You're protecting me, are you?”
“Someone has to,” she muttered, annoyed that a simple smile from him could make her insides quiver. Really, she hadn't had such a schoolgirl crush even when she'd been a schoolgirl. “Your self-preservation is somewhat lacking at the moment. Stefan is not a man to be toyed with. He will hurt you. And me. And anyone who gets in his way.”
“Has he hurt you before?” Breck's expression went murderous.
“Yes.” Many times. So many times, she'd lost count. She still had a scar or two to remind her of his brand of affection.
The eagle-shifter's hands fisted and unfisted at his sides. “How do you know him?”
Such a simple question, with such a complicated answer. She gave him the shortest response possible, one that was only half-truth. “He got me into the game, many years ago. Taught me most of what I know about getting people to do what I want.”
“
He
was your mentor?” His nostrils flared in disgust. “You have terrible taste.”
He
was your mentor?” His nostrils flared in disgust. “You have terrible taste.”
“He chose me. I didn't choose him.” More honest words had never left her mouth.
He moved toward her and she backed away, her heart skipping a beat as the scent of him hit her. Drugging. The sight of his naked body made her insides clench with need. She wanted her hands on his skin again, wanted to feel that blissful abandon that she always experienced with him. He was the only man she'd ever lost herself in, lost control with. It was forbidden for someone like her, which had made it so exhilarating.
“But you did choose
me,
didn't you, Tam? You want me with you now, while you try to outmaneuver Stefan. You
want
me.” Breck's voice was a deep rumble that did nothing to ease her needs. He used that tone on her in bed, when he whispered wicked nothings in her ear and made her pant and moan and scream his name.
me,
didn't you, Tam? You want me with you now, while you try to outmaneuver Stefan. You
want
me.” Breck's voice was a deep rumble that did nothing to ease her needs. He used that tone on her in bed, when he whispered wicked nothings in her ear and made her pant and moan and scream his name.
His gaze searched her face, demanded an answer. Her back hit the wall, and she couldn't escape him. When had she ever been able to? “Yes, I want you. With me. But that doesn't mean you should be here. You can still leave, Breck. You can still save yourself from this mess and walk away.”
“No, I really can't.” His heavy weight pinned her to the wall, all those delicious muscles plastered against her softer curves. He jerked at the tie on her robe, parting the microsilk. She shivered as it slithered against her flesh. Her pussy went hot and wet, her channel clenching with the unstoppable craving that never seemed to ease its hold on her.
This. This was what her dreams couldn't capture. The overwhelming feeling of him. His presence, the way he seemed to draw all the oxygen out of the room and leave her gasping for breath. She loved it and hated it all at once. And she couldn't resist it.
Then he kissed her.
Her tongue twined with his, the taste of him heady and masculine and exactly what a man should be. He was hot against her, his cock pressed to her lower belly. Their kiss earlier had only primed her for this; she was all but ready to explode from her skin. His hands coasted down her sides to curve over her hips, pulling her tighter to him. Gooseflesh rippled in the wake of his touch, and her nipples jutted against his hard, unyielding chest.
He groaned, and she pulled her mouth from his. “Be quiet. We can't get caught.”
“Talking less is a good idea, then.” He lifted her and she wrapped her thighs around him, arching herself in offering. He didn't hesitate, thrusting into her. The thickness of him was a shock after all these weeks without him, would have been painful if she hadn't been so wet.
As it was, it just excited her more.
He dipped his head and sipped kisses up the side of her neck, then sucked her earlobe into his mouth. She purred, writhing against him, which only increased her agony as she rubbed every micrometer of their bodies together. His cock seemed to expand, growing longer and harder inside of her. Deus, it felt good. He bit down on her earlobe, sending a shock of pleasured-pain streaking through her. A gasp ripped out of her and she clutched at his shoulders, barely holding back a scream.
His chuckle was a rich sound of satisfaction, knowing exactly how he affected her. For revenge, she squeezed her inner muscles around him, clamping down tight on his dick. His breathing stopped and a shudder went through him. His hands curled under her thighs, hitching her higher against the wall. Then he slid his cock out until the head caught on the edge of her channel, only to shove back into her. Hard.
Closing her eyes, she held on tight for the amazing ride. The blood rushed hot and wild through her veins, pounding loudly in her ears. The feel of him filling her pussy was exquisiteâso full, so good. The fit was perfection. Gravity made certain he sank deep with each thrust, and she arched her body to meet his upward movements. The rough wall abraded her back, but she was beyond caring about anything as trivial as comfort. The drive for orgasm was all that mattered now.
No one had ever been able to get to her this fast, make her struggle for control. A smile curved her lips, and she let the sensations rush over her. The rasp of his chest hair against her nipples, the scent of him and her and sex mingling in the air, the sound of their ragged breathing. Lust coiled tightly within her, and her sex clenched, a precursor to the orgasm that gathered deep inside her.
Other books
The Shaman's Knife by Scott Young
Illusion: Book Four of the Grimoire Saga by S.M. Boyce
Clanless by Jennifer Jenkins
Overruled by Damon Root
Unscripted by Jayne Denker
A Most Novel Revenge by Ashley Weaver
The iCongressman by Mikael Carlson
Throne of Oak (Maggie's Grove) by Bell, Dana Marie