“Ah, fuck, Mara.”
She thrilled to hear the growl in his voice, the way it caused her pussy to tighten around him. When he leaned back and thrust harder, she dropped her head back and rolled her pelvis.
Goddess, she could do this forever. Wanted to hold on to this sharp edge of pleasure while she watched Race. Felt his barely leashed lust as he watched her.
But she knew Race wouldn’t let her hang. Wrapping his arms around her waist, he pulled her closer, worked his way deeper inside her. Then he fucked her, hard and fast, and made her feel as if she couldn’t catch her breath. Or ever live without him.
Her orgasm hit without warning, dragging her under. She wrapped her arms around his shoulders and hung on as he sank deep and followed her down.
Chapter Eight
“Race, Lark’s missing. We need you to come home.”
Sitting up in bed with a start, Race took two seconds to process what his dad had said then turned to put his feet on the floor and switched the phone to his other ear.
“How long’s he been gone?”
His dad sighed and Race had a mental image of the man running a hand through his short brown hair then clenching it into a fist as he took a deep breath. “It’s only been a few hours but he was supposed to come for dinner and he never showed. He never called and he’s not answering his cell. There’s something wrong.”
Yep, that wasn’t at all like his brother, Mr. Responsible. “It’s gonna take me about an hour to get there. And…I’m bringing someone with me.”
“Just get here as soon as you can.”
His dad hung up abruptly and Race knew he was totally freaked. His father never would’ve let Race get away with saying he was bringing someone with him without giving him the third degree as to who it was.
Fear wanted to immobilize him but he was a soldier. He didn’t have the luxury of freezing. Or doing nothing. His family needed him.
Mara was awake when he turned, staring at him with wide eyes. “What’s wrong?”
“My brother’s missing. My parents need me to find him. Pack a bag for you and Arin. I want you to come with me. I don’t want to leave you behind.”
For several seconds, she looked like a deer in the headlights. “What are your parents going to say about me?”
“My mom’s gonna take one look at Arin and fall in love. Then she’s gonna take one look at you and want to feed you.”
“But…don’t they know who I am?’
He hated that hitch in her voice. “Yeah, they know.”
And yeah, they’d been worried about his “association” with Mara. But he had no doubt when they met her, they’d do exactly what he’d just said and see exactly what he saw in her. A sweet woman with a huge heart and a tender soul. A woman he wanted to love and protect and whose son he wanted to make his own.
He didn’t want to spring that on her now. He wasn’t sure she was ready to hear it. But the time was coming when he’d need to tell her because he’d be tired of waiting. When he’d want her to know exactly how he felt and what he wanted.
Her. And Arin.
She continued to stare at him and that insecurity had him reaching for her, wrapping his hand around her neck and pulling her in for a kiss. She didn’t fight him. She gave him what he wanted. And then she began to take what she wanted.
Desire flowed like lava through his veins and he wanted to press her back into the bed and show her just how much he cared for her. He knew they didn’t have time.
But he did have just enough time to show just how much he appreciated her.
When his tongue demanded entrance, she let him in. She gave him what he wanted, asked for nothing in return. They had time to work on that. He wanted an equal partnership. Didn’t want her to ever feel she wasn’t on the same footing as he.
With a tiny growl, she wrapped a hand around his neck and kissed him harder. Yes, this was the Mara she was meant to be. And would be.
What he wouldn’t give for a few more minutes, to let her kiss him, let her hands move over his body as if she were worshipping him. He certainly wanted to worship her.
With a groan, he finally pulled away but not without a final hard kiss to seal what he was silently telling her.
When she opened her eyes and looked into his, he made sure she held his gaze for several seconds before he nodded and stood.
A little over an hour later, he and his father stood in the study of his parents’ Main Line house. His mother had already taken Mara and Arin to the kitchen and he and his dad were getting ready to go check out Lark’s apartment in the city when Race’s phone rang.
The number was blocked. Race exchanged a look with his dad and hit the answer button.
“I’m sure you’re wondering who this is but that would be giving away too much of the game too soon. Let’s just say I have something you want and you have something I want.”
The man’s voice raised Race’s hackles. There was something about it, a darkness that came through loud and clear, even through the phone line. And a slight accent that Race would swear was Italian.
“How do I know you have anything I want?”
A second later, Race’s phone dinged to announce a message. The attached photo showed Lark with an extremely pissed-off expression, no visible bruising, and a copy of today’s Philadelphia Inquirer. Must have been fresh off the press.
“He’s unharmed and will stay that way. I have no desire to start a war. That said, I want the girl and the child. Meet me at the address I’ll text you in half an hour and you’ll get your brother back.”
“And if I don’t want to make the trade?”
“Then I’m sure I can find a use for your brother. One I’m sure he’ll grow accustomed to. In time.”
Race bit back a curse. He understood the implication just fine. And so did his dad, if the look on his face was any indication. At one time, the Mal had made slaves of the lucani. At least, those they could catch.
How they’d caught Lark, he didn’t know. But he would get his brother back and he wouldn’t sacrifice Mara and Arin to do it.
Another ding and he received the address. “There’s no way I can get there in time. Not with the baby.”
“I’ll give you an extra five minutes then. See you soon.”
Race lowered the phone as his father closed his eyes, his face, so like Lark’s, tight with fear. “Vaffanculo, Race. Your brother—”
“Will be fine.” He refused to believe otherwise. But Race couldn’t do this on his own. He was already dialing another number. “Tell Mom to take Mara and Arin—”
“I’m going with you.”
Mara stood in the doorway, fear and determination warring in her expression.
He opened his mouth to flat-out deny her but the phone call connected.
“What’s up?”
“Quinn, are you in Philly?”
“Yeah, just for the—”
“I need backup. The Mal took Lark and they want to trade him for someone I’m not giving up.”
“Ah, your girl.” Quinn Kennett didn’t seem surprised. Then again, nothing much surprised Quinn. He was one of Cole’s highest-ranking legion officers for a reason, despite the fact that he was still under thirty. The guy was pretty damn unflappable. “You’re in luck. I’ve got a couple friends staying with me tonight. We’ll be more than happy to watch your back and kick a little Mal ass. Where’s the meet?”
After he gave Quinn the address, Race hung up and turned to Mara.
“You’re staying here.”