He growled again and tackled her mouth. “You’re too damned enticing for your own good.” He rubbed his fingers over the satin fabric covering her breasts, let out his breath in exasperation, then reached lower to lift her skirt.
“What are you doing?” she squealed, holding her gown down, startled, but loving how much he wanted her, his wolfish possessiveness, his urgent craving. “I want Chester on the case.”
For a minute, he stared at her, his expression stormy. “Lelandi, this is something I have to do as a leader, and I don’t want investigators from outside our pack. As for you...” He took a ragged breath. “You are mine. I will remind you of this. I don’t want any lupus hitting on you.” He looked down at the cage around her legs. “I have never done this before when a woman was wearing this metal contraption. How do I remove it?”
She seized his hands. “We have to discuss Chester.”
As focused as he was on wanting to ravish her, she realized after his hearing rumors that other lupus were “hitting” on her, he was giving into his more primitive wolf instincts. Compelled to show her he was hers and she was his, that no one else had any right to her, he seemed determined to satisfy this basic need.
She sighed. “We talk about Chester when we get home, or else.”
He gave a sharp nod, although his eyes were so smoky with desire, she wasn’t sure he was listening. But she meant what she said. Either they talked when they got home, or she took the case into her own hands.
He yanked off the lightweight steel crinoline, tossed it aside, then slipped her bodice down, exposing her breasts. Her body heating with the compulsion to mate. the frustration over his leader stubbornness melted. She cherished the sensation of his hands on her breasts, the way he massaged and lifted, bent his head over one and kissed the nipple, making it pucker and tingle. She slipped her fingers through his hair, felt a tinge of icy dampness. Snow.
He slid his hand down her waist and pulled the long skirt up again. He had a one-track mind. But her fingertips chased away the frown across his temple, and she kissed his mouth, stopping him momentarily.
A shudder shook him and he quickly pressed his hand between her legs, finding the opening in her crotchless drawers and gave her a lusty smile. “Hmm, Lelandi, you’re hot and wet for me.”
Always, whenever he observed her with that lascivious look in his eyes. He slipped his arms under her and laid her down on the wooden floor. “Just think, September 19th is Talk Like a Pirate Day. You’ll be my sea wench and I’ll plunder your treasures.”
She slid her hand down to his trousers and rubbed the bulge already hard and readied for her. “I’ll be the Pirate Captain, sir, not the treasure.”
He laughed.
“You laugh, but I’m serious. I could be the Viking pirate Princess Sela or Princess Rusla.”
His eyes sparkling, he kissed her again. “You’ve already stolen my heart, princess. Now I’ll steal yours.”
Lelandi tugged at his trousers. Fine. Hurry, Darien.”
His fingers parted her feminine core as his tongue touched hers. “Heaven on earth, love. That’s what you are.”
“It’s not fair that my breasts are bare and my skirts are tugged up to my waist so you can have your fill of me while you’re dressed to the teeth.”
“Complaints, complaints, woman.” He moved her hand from his waist to the crotch of his pants. “Release me and end my pain.”
She unbuttoned his pants and reached inside and touched his rock-hard erection.
“It’s all yours, madam.”
“Then send me to the moon, sir. Make me climb the peak.” She stroked his member, long, hard, faster, soliciting a groan from deep within his throat, his eyes glazed over with lust.
“Enough, you vixen.”
He centered himself between her legs, then entered her, easing in at first, then thrusting hard.
His hand closed on her breast, massaging the mound as his mouth sought her free breast, his lips suckling at the nipple.
She arched against him, reveling in the feel of his hard thrusts, her pelvis meeting his with as much enthusiasm, her eyes closed so she could concentrate on the feel of his penetration, and of his tongue licking at her sensitive nipple. His heartbeat thundered in her ear, mixed with the sound of her own heart pounding. He gripped her bare shoulders as she slipped her hands underneath his waistcoat and yanked his shirttail out of his trousers. His eyes fluttered opened and he grinned, wicked, amative.
She traced his abs, the muscles flexing beneath her fingertips. Closing her eyes again, she breathed in the wild, spicy scent of him, of the piney woods and spruce, and felt suspended in time between now and the past, the centuries bridged.
“My princess, he mouthed against her lips, “my goddess.”
His chest rubbed against hers, the satin fabric of his vest, teasing her nippies, and then the power of Niagara Falls washed over her in a rush of heated passion, carrying her over the edge, sweeping her toward... toward...
She moaned as a second wave stole her thoughts, his hot seed filling her womb. “Adonis.” she gasped. “In the flesh, she breathed in his ear.
He nipped her chin and squeezed her breast with one final thrust. “My... dreams... have… come... true... love.” His head sank next to her face, his hand cupping her breast. “I have died and gone to Valhalla.”
Her fingers caressing locks of his damp hair, she gave a contented sigh. “I never want to move from here.”
He chuckled. “Next time we’ll do it with fewer clothes. I would never have lasted with you in the earlier time. In truth, I’m glad the days of long gowns and the like are gone. He swirled his tongue around her nippie as if he was licking the ice cream on a sugar cone. “Though I like the cut of this gown on you.” His gaze shot up to hers. “But not for everyone in town to see. Silva is absolutely the devil.”
He rolled off her, adjusted his pants, and tucked his shirt back into his trousers. He helped her stand. Pulling her bodice up. he covered her nipples, his thumbs rubbing the sensitive nubs underneath the lace-trimmed satin. Focusing on them, he let out a low growl. “Wear a shirt over them until they settle down.”
Lelandi laughed. “It’s all your fault. Darien.”
He kissed her lips, his tongue penetrating her mouth, his hands wrapped securely around her waist. “I love it when you call me by name. Lelandi, for all the times we made love together, and you didn’t know who I was.” He kissed her forehead and brushed his hand down her waist until his fingers reached the apex of her thighs. He cupped her mound through her skirts and rubbed and let out a husky breath. “Hurry home and I’ll join you.”
“Hmm,” she moaned in response, then smiled and pressed her lips against his, nipping his lower one. “Don’t make me wait long.”
I won’t,” he said with lustful promise and escorted her out of the storeroom.
Sam stopped filling a mug and looked from Darien to Lelandi and gave a knowing smile.
Some difference from the first time she’d been here, sitting at the table in the corner, an outsider in disguise.
Darien kissed her cheek and left her behind the counter. “No more serving drinks to the tables.” He glanced at the table where the grays had been trying to get her attention. “I’ll have to keep you under lock and key,” he muttered under his breath.
“Right.” she said. “As if that’s ever happening.”
Trevor walked back into the place, but Tom and Jake took seats at an empty table also.
“Killjoy,” she said to Darien.
He gave her a smug look. “It’s for your protection, Lelandi. I’ve got some business I have to take care of. Let Jake know when you want to return home.”