Chapter Eight
~ Ivy ~
Cyan spent the whole day turning me inside out with his touch. He held my hand or smoothed his palm down my back before resting his fingers at the small of my back. He patted my ass, rubbed my arm. He seduced me with his gaze, with his wicked smile that seemed to offer endless pleasure. He bought chocolate and flowers, decadent strawberries and champagne. When I questioned his purchases, he vowed we’d need them later.
He caught my fingers after we loaded the SUV, spinning me to him and bending to kiss me. It was soft and sweet but packed no less of a punch than the passionate ones we’d shared in my bed.
By the time we’d unloaded and put away stuff, I burned with need. I shut the last cabinet with a snap and turned, launching myself at him. He caught me with a chuckle that changed to a moan as I wrapped around him just as he’d sworn I would. I’d expected him to carry me to the bedroom. Instead, he seated me on the counter and pulled at my clothes.
My hands clenched in his hair as I ate hungrily at his mouth. He broke the kiss and jerked my shirt up over my shoulders, locking my arms above my head and leaving me trapped in the fabric. While I struggled to free myself, he pushed my bra above my breasts then bent with a growl to take one nipple between his lips and suck. I didn’t try to stay quiet and wasn’t sure I could have if the need had been there. I was caught in the dark and heat, caught up in the moment. God, first the man had brought the stars; now, he’d stolen the light.
Then I remembered the fabric covering my face. I tore the material as I freed myself and flung it aside. He undid the clasp on my bra, and it followed suit. He worshipped my breasts, cupping and shaping the mounds while paying homage to my nipples. He sucked greedily, and I arched into him, pressing more of my flesh into his mouth. I caught his shirt, tearing at it as I fought to touch his flesh. He released my nipple with a groan and finished removing his shirt before jerking me to him. One big hand cupped my ass while the other fisted in my hair, pulling my head back. He left sucking kisses along my throat before reaching my mouth and devouring it.
I couldn’t get enough. I needed more. I needed us both naked and him buried inside me.
“Cyan.” His name spilled from my lips as he moved his toward my ear.
“Tell me what you want,” he demanded, nipping the lobe with his teeth.
“You,” I whispered.
“Here?” he questioned, licking my neck. “Or here?” He grazed my nipple with his teeth.
“Yes,” I moaned.
“Or here?” His palm cupped the crotch of my jeans.
I cried out, rocking into his touch. He had me off the counter and on my feet before I took another breath. I grasped his shoulders for balance as he dropped to his knees and undid my pants, jerking them to mid-thigh before leaning in to place a kiss on my vulva.
“Cyan!”
He stood, taking me with him. My ass hit the table, and my pants and panties were shoved farther down until they caught on my shoes. He growled against my skin, his hands making quick work of removing my sneakers and tossing them across the kitchen. My jeans and panties followed.
Cyan took a seat and eased me forward, lifting my knees and draping them over his shoulders. I lay back, gripping the sides of the table with my hands as his breath fanned my folds. I closed my eyes. I couldn’t see him without leaning up on my elbows, and I didn’t have the strength for that right now. Besides, without sight, every touch seemed more powerful.
His fingers glided over my sex, spreading me. His tongue followed behind, pausing at my clitoris and rubbing over it.
“Please,” I begged, lifting my hips.
He wrapped his lips around my clit, sucking as he slid two fingers deep within me. He pumped those fingers, working me into a state of frenzy then bit lightly on my clit, sending me flying into orgasm. He pulled free and moved his mouth down until he was thrusting his tongue into me, tasting my pleasure, flinging me higher.
“Oh, God! Yes! Yes! Cyan!”
I wanted to reach for him, to feel his body weighing me down. As if he sensed it or needed the same, he stood, ripping his jeans wide, freeing his erection and bringing it to where I still pulsed with pleasure. He fed the length into me, pushing hard and deep. He grabbed my legs, helping me wrap them around him then bent over me, treating each breast to a sucking kiss before zeroing in on my lips.
“You feel so fucking good,” he growled then plunged his tongue into my mouth.
He rode me hard, and I reveled in every fierce possession. He owned me in that moment, and we both knew it. My nails scored his shoulders, my heels pressing into the small of his back as he pounded my sex. I came again, shuddering under him.
“That’s it, baby. Drown my cock. Squeeze it. Let me see how good I make you feel. I can still taste you on my tongue.” He licked his lips. “Like the sweetest ambrosia I’ve ever found. Your pussy’s my favorite treat, and I’m a glutton when it comes to eating what I love.” He slammed deep, his groin pressing tightly against mine. “I’m going to come. Going to fill you up with me. I’m going to pull my dick out and coat you in my cream. Rub it in your skin.”
His words painted erotic pictures. Pictures I liked. Pictures I wanted.
“Yeah, you like that,” he crooned. “I can feel how much my words excite you.”
I pulled my head up, nipping his jaw. “Do it,” I challenged.
He stood up, sliding his palms under my ass and holding me up. He took me harder, faster, growls rumbling from his chest. I lay flat, watching his face as he worked his way to orgasm. He brought his thumb to his mouth, sucked it then reached down where we were joined and pressed on my clitoris. I came again, clamping down on his pistoning cock and milking it.
He came with a roar, flooding me with his semen. True to his promise, he pulled out, gripping the shaft with his palm and jerking the rest of his release over my belly and thighs. When he was empty, he braced his palms outside my hips on the table.
“Christ, woman. The things you do to me.”
“That was all you,” I countered. He’d thoroughly ravaged me, and I’d enjoyed every moment of it. I’d gone from virgin to wanton in one fell swoop. I slid my eyelids closed, trembling in the aftermath.
Sex. I more than enjoyed it. I was already anticipating the next time he’d take me, possess me. I wanted to ride him. I wanted him to take me from behind. I wanted to take him in my mouth and suck every drop of pleasure from him as he had me. I wanted it all, and the wanting terrified me.
Cyan straightened, tucking his cock back in his jeans but leaving them unzipped and open. He picked me up, lifting me against his chest and heading back toward my bedroom.
“I need a nap,” he vowed with a groan.
“Mmm,” I agreed. I also needed a shower, but it would take me a little longer before my legs were ready to work.
He placed me gently on the bed then moved to my bathroom. I heard him running water, heard the flush of the toilet and swore I’d open my eyes any minute and head that way. The next thing I felt was a warm cloth running over my skin. I blinked my heavy eyelids open and watched Cyan clean his seed off my skin. He tossed the washcloth aside then lifted me again, jerked the covers back and slid us both underneath.
I tried to put some distance between us, rolling onto my side, facing away from him, but he followed me, pressing his bare skin against my back. One arm slid under my pillow while the other wrapped around my waist, pulling me more snugly against him. He placed a kiss against the back of head, gave a sigh and settled into the bed. I needed to think, to figure out what was happening, but exhaustion crashed over me.
When we awoke, we took a long leisurely shower together, and Cyan made love to me again against the slick tile. I was ready to crawl back in bed with him, but he insisted we were going out. I threw on my favorite pair of skinny jeans with boots and an off-the-shoulder peasant top. Cyan whistled when I joined him, and I did a doubletake at his change of clothes.
“When did you go out for those?”
“I had one of the pack drop off a bag for me,” he said, snagging my hand and pulling me to him.
“Where are you taking me?” I asked as he shepherded me out of the house toward his SUV.
“An out-of-the-way place we found when we first arrived in the area. We’ve pretty much taken it over now.”
I knew by “we” he meant the James pack. We made small talk the whole way there, with him telling me stories about everyone in his pack. I shared stories of growing up with Raina and Rowan, of when Jasmine was born, of going to school while having a newborn baby to take care of. I almost asked if he wanted children but stopped myself in time. That was a question for his mate to ask him, and as much as I craved him, as hard as I was falling for him, I still feared my inability to be the mate he deserved.
The music was loud when we stepped inside the bar, the dance floor already packed. I was practically vibrating as the bass hit me, seeming to travel from the floor into my body. A woman with long, dark hair and pale-blue eyes seemed to practically skip across the room toward us.
“You must be Ivy,” she enthused, lifting on her toes to plant a kiss on Cyan’s jaw. “I was hoping for a chance to meet you. We’re going to be the best of friends.”
I barely held back my growl. My claws wanted to come out and gouge the woman’s lips off. I glanced at Cyan then back at the other woman. Who was she? And why the hell was she acting so chummy with Cyan?
“This dynamo is Belinda James—”
“Bee,” she interrupted.
“Bas’ younger sister,” Cyan continued.
“Come dance with me,” she urged, grabbing my hand and tugging me toward the crowded floor. I glanced back at Cyan, unsure what to do. I was good with getting her away from him, though.
“Go,” Cyan urged, patting my hip. “I’ll snag drinks and a table. Beer?”
I nodded.
“Me, too,” Bee said. “And get us a bottle of tequila and some shot glasses.” She glanced at me. “You look like a tequila woman to me.”
Bee was grinning and tugging, and I quickly found myself in the middle of the crush of bodies. Something about her drew people’s attention. I watched as some of the men eyed her, but I noticed they all kept their distance. I assumed it had a lot to do with who her older brother was. She had an exotic look to her. It was the eyes, so pale a blue they appeared to glow.
“I’m ready for a drink,” I called to Bee as one song ended and the next began.
“Oh, I’m sorry!” she cried, grabbing my hand and tugging me along with her again. “I didn’t mean to keep you from your mate for so long.”
I shook my head. “We’re not mates.”
She laughed. “Of course, you are. Everyone can see that.”
“No, we’re not,” I emphasized.
She stopped and gave me a curious look. I swear it was as if she were trying to see inside my head.
“What is it?” she asked, but I wasn’t sure if she was questioning me or herself. “It’s not the old alpha. Despite what some think, you weren’t in love with him.”
“Rowan was family, just as Raina is.”
She grinned. “I’ve met Raina. She’s going to keep my brother on his toes. He couldn’t have found a woman more perfect for him.”
“She’s a hell of a woman,” I agreed.
“So are you. What is it you’re so afraid of?”
“Nothing,” I snapped. This woman was all over the place. I glanced to where I knew Cyan was. I was hyperaware of him, as if an invisible cord linked us. He was talking with a couple of other guys. My pulse immediately accelerated as I took him in. The man was eye candy. Big, buff, and bronzed. I wanted his hands on me, his lips trailing across my skin, his sex deep and heavy in mine.
“Anthony is looking incredibly sexy tonight,” Bee commented.
“Who?” I asked, not really caring as I caressed Cyan with my gaze.
“Ah, then, you must be staring at Donovan with that lusty look in your eyes. I hear he’s a fantastic lover.”
That snapped my attention back to her. “Why would I care what kind of lover he is?”
She shrugged. “You said you weren’t Cyan’s mate. I thought you might be interested in one of the others. Honestly, you could pick any guy here to take you home tonight.”
“I came here with Cyan. I’ll be leaving with him.” I knew anger had darkened my eyes and didn’t care. “What are you playing at, Bee?” Then it hit me. “Are you interested in Cyan?”
“I adore Cyan, but he’s not meant to belong to me. That honor is reserved for another. I’m just waiting for him to find me.”
“I…” I paused. I had no clue what to say to that. Once again, she’d managed to jumble my thoughts.
“Nothing against your family, but I’m glad to see you’re not like your mother.”
“What? How do you know about my mother?” I threw a glare toward Cyan.
“Cyan hasn’t said anything,” Bee offered. “I know because I made it my business to know. My brother hasn’t had an easy life, and some of that is my fault.”
Her brother. The new alpha, Bastion James.
“When your elders first contacted us about the Rigton wolves joining our pack, I began learning everything I could about all your members. I was worried when Simon said Cyan was with you. Cyan deserves better than a woman who would flit from male to male. But you’re not like her.”
“You don’t know me,” I growled and noticed several males staring our way. I didn’t care. She’d zeroed in on my biggest fear and poked at it.
“I know you better than you think,” Bee countered. “It’s my blessing and my curse.”
There she went with those ambiguous statements again.
“You enjoy pleasure, but you’re not ruled by it. I pointed out two of the pack’s sexiest males, and I bet you still have no clue who they are…because you don’t see them. You only see Cyan.”
I quickly looked around, trying to place the men she’d mentioned earlier. Anthony and Donovan? But no matter how hard I tried, my gaze always pulled back to Cyan. Bee was right. I hadn’t noticed anyone else in the room other than in a cursory way.
“I also noted that every time one of the guys on the dance floor got a little too close to you, you moved away. Not exactly the actions of a woman on the prowl for another lover.”
I blinked with surprise. I hadn’t realized I’d done that, but now that she’d pointed it out… I had. I took a closer look at the other people in the bar, forcing my gaze away from Cyan. I immediately zoned in on the two men with him. Anthony and Donavan? Had to be. They were attractive, but neither held a candle to Cyan.
I looked back toward the dance floor and the men there and felt…nothing. No interest. Normally, I’d still be out there gyrating to the music amidst the crowd, ignoring the crush of male bodies around me, into me. That had all changed.
I glanced back at Cyan, enthralled as he threw back his head and laughed at something being said to him. I wasn’t interested in anyone else in the room. Only Cyan. Holy shit!
“Plus, I’m pretty sure there was jealousy in your voice when you thought I might be interested in Cyan for myself. Which I’m not,” Bee added when my gaze flipped back to her. She grinned at me. “Don’t panic, Ivy, but I’m pretty confident you and Cyan are mates. And I’m never wrong.”
Bee would take some getting used to, but I felt the truth of her words settle inside me. I wasn’t my mother. I. Wasn’t. My. Mother.
Cyan was mine. My gaze slid back to center on him.
Mate.