In Deeper (8 page)

Celeste hovered over him, her long hair hiding part of her face. “I’m tired of waiting.”

“Apparently.” He smirked.

“Shut up and kiss me,” she ordered.

He obeyed without complaint. He would never tire of kissing her. Not if he lived to do it a million and one times. Celeste swung a leg over his hip and pivoted to straddle him. He groaned into her mouth as she ground her pussy against him. With a tilt of her hips, she enveloped him with the sweet warmth of her luscious body.

Flames traveled from their joined bodies and spread along his veins, licking at his fingers and toes like an out-of-control wildfire. Spontaneous combustion had to be the closest description of being with Celeste. She slid forward, and he swore he caught a glimpse of heaven. Balls deep inside her, anticipation built for the next downward stroke.

She didn’t disappoint. Lifting up, she changed the angle and covered him again. He closed his eyes and prayed for strength. It was too good. He would come if she didn’t…

“Stop.”

He opened his eyes and focused on her. “What?”

“Don’t close your eyes. I like to watch you.”

He liked to watch her also. Too damned much. Celeste tossed her hair over her shoulders and set back to work. The grunts she made were adorable. Every expression on her face made him want her more. So sexy it fucking hurt to look at her. The bed creaked with her next downward motion, and he hoped they didn’t break it.

He gripped her hips and tried to control her movements. She slapped at his hands and shook her head. “No. I’m in control this time.”

He could deal with that. He laced his hands behind his head and winked at her. If she was willing to give him a show, he was more than willing to watch. She arched an eyebrow at him and sank even deeper on his cock. Her breasts jiggled as she swiveled her hips on the downward motion and ripped a groan from his throat. A seductive smile crossed her lips.

Uh-oh. He’d given her too much freedom. The familiar look wasn’t to be trusted. Before he realized what she was about, she’d leaned backward and trailed her hand down her belly. He watched her fingers with bated breath. Please, oh God, please. She rewarded him by delving between her legs and circling her clit with her forefinger.

Shit, he was going to come. No way would he survive this oh-so-sweet torture. He moved his hands to his sides and clenched the covers between his fists. The material ripped, and he forced himself to loosen his grip.

“Ahhh,” he moaned.

Celeste echoed his moan and continued to play with her clit. She used her free hand to pluck his nipple. Shivers rocked him from head to toe. He planted his feet on the mattress and lifted his hips from the bed. Celeste squealed and reached out a steadying hand. He’d held back as long as possible. With a fierce growl, he flipped her onto her back and moved between her legs. He entered her in one quick thrust, delighting in her gasps of surprise and pleasure. He noticed she didn’t struggle against him assuming control. An odd reaction from her but a pleasing one nonetheless.

“I can’t take it anymore,” he whispered into her ear.

“Ditto,” she replied and nipped his lobe with her perfect teeth.

He pulled out and slid back home. Each thrust brought him closer to the edge. Celeste raked her nails down his back, and he hissed. His muscles burned with the need to shift, but he held it at bay. The line between beast and man blurred during moments of extreme pain, pleasure, grief, or anger.

Celeste’s breathy sighs teased his cheek. He turned his head to kiss her lips and swallowed the sounds she made. The need to come overrode his sanity. He jumped into the abyss where nothing ruled but his lust. He pounded into Celeste, careful to not hurt her, but not attempting to be as gentle as he would with a human lover. There was something to be said about fucking another shifter. He didn’t need to worry he’d cause irreparable harm.

“More,” Celeste demanded and gripped his shoulders tight.

He moved faster, not breaking rhythm. As he’d feared, the bed frame groaned beneath them. Thank goodness it was built from sturdy hardwood.

“Oh!” Celeste moaned out the word and encircled his hips with her thighs. He was locked between her legs, which kept his strokes short and firm. The change in pacing made his orgasm build until it was right upon him.

He bared his teeth and sank them into Celeste’s shoulder. She gasped and went rigid beneath him. Her inner muscles contracted around his cock, pumping him to completion. He groaned as he spilled his seed into the condom. The taste of Celeste’s blood elevated his release to epic heights. He’d never marked a mate, never had the slightest desire. The fact that he’d done it now shocked the hell out of him.

Unlike his brothers, he didn’t put much stock in the myth of a marked mate, but Celeste was sure to think he was ready for more. She was more traditional, much like Max in that respect. He moved his mouth away and buried his face in her breast. “I’m sorry.”

She gripped the back of his hair and lifted his head to stare into his eyes. “Why did you do that?”

“I wasn’t thinking,” he admitted with a grimace. “Are you mad?”

Her golden gaze held his. “Surprised actually. Does this mean…”

He shook his head. “I’m sorry. I’m not prepared to give you more. Not yet.”

“But someday maybe?” she prodded.

What would it hurt? He shocked the hell out of himself a second time by opening his mouth and saying, “Maybe.”

CHAPTER SIX

Celeste slid on a pair of designer sunglasses and held her head high as she exited the elevator and met the Randolphs, who waited for her in the hotel’s lobby. Micah stood with Emma and Drake, her bodyguards for the ride back to Savannah. The newlyweds held hands and sent each other nauseatingly sweet glances.

Her gaze went back to Micah. The damned son of a bitch appeared none the worse for the late night they’d had. He wore dark glasses too. Most likely to remain incognito from the masses of adoring fans who crowded the front of the hotel, rather than hiding the shadows beneath his eyes. His hair was damp as if he’d just taken a shower, and he wore a faded pair of jeans and a T-shirt that clung oh-so-seductively to his ridged abdomen. Scuffed cowboy boots completed his ensemble.

Damn, how did he manage to look sexy twenty-four seven?

“Good morning, Celeste.” Drake spoke first. He took his eyes off his wife long enough to smile at her. “Would you like me to drive?”

Typically she would refuse, but exhaustion changed her mind. She gave Drake a quick nod and did her best not to meet Micah’s knowing stare. The burn of his gaze heated her cheeks. She pointedly ignored him. What the hell had he been thinking when he’d marked her? There was no way for her to cover the bite. Not with the low-cut corset she wore. Thankfully Drake and Emma were too well-bred to comment.

She hoped for the latter although the bite would be hard to miss during the long drive back home. Micah extended his hand toward her. The tantalizing scent of bacon reached her nostrils. With a cocky grin, he wafted the bag. “Grilled cheese with bacon.”

Jeez, how did he know bacon was her another of her weaknesses? She took the bag with mumbled thanks. His fingers brushed hers, and memories of the night before flooded her mind.

Damn him. Mental transferences were frowned upon. The Society had outlawed them ten years ago, citing privacy concerns for its members. She hadn’t expected him to use the little-known shifter trick and hadn’t blocked her mind from any forced projections.

“Quit it,” she whispered.

“Quit what?” He seemed genuinely confused.

“You know what.” She opened the bag and inhaled bacon and cheddar cheese. Instant salivation. “Oh my. Heaven.”

Micah gave her a cocky grin. “You’re welcome.”

“Thank you,” she belatedly added and turned her attention to Drake. “Should we go?”

The alpha motioned toward the elevator. “We’re waiting on Max. He got sidetracked writing a new song and forgot to set his alarm.”

She chuckled. It sounded like the workaholic member of the family. Max had always been a loner, much too quiet to be Micah’s twin. The twins couldn’t be more different despite their similar features.

Micah sidled next to her. “Forward any more messages you receive.”

“Why?” Celeste folded the bag with regret, impatient to get to the car and enjoy the sandwich.

“I’ll have a friend examine them. He’s an IT pro. Maybe he can find a way to trace the sender.”

Celeste felt like a fool for not thinking about it sooner. “My team can look at it.”

“Celeste.” Micah’s eyes flashed. “Send the e-mails. I’ll handle it.”

An argument leaped to her lips, but she bit her tongue. She’d asked for his help. No sense getting angry when he attempted to provide it. But it was hard to erase several years’ worth of independence. Since her father’s death, she’d dealt with her business as she’d seen fit. Drake had been a sage advisor, but in the business world, she was her own woman. She’d follow him to the ends of the world and back as his beta, but not if it sacrificed her family’s legacy.

Emma sipped from a bottle of green tea. “I wonder what’s taking Max so long. Should I go check?”

“I’ll go with you.” Drake took his wife’s hand. “We’ll be right back.”

Once the alpha and his wife disappeared upstairs, Micah took her elbow and led her to an alcove shaded by a large potted palm. “I need to talk to you.”

She followed him, curious if he regretted their time together. “If this is about last night—”

He turned toward her. The serious expression on his face gave her pause. He lifted his hand and traced the bite marks with his forefinger. “Did I hurt you?”

“Of course not.” Not even close. The memory of his fangs sinking into her skin still gave her shivers when she thought about it. “It’s a bitch to hide though.”

“Hmm,” he murmured. “You wanted to appear to be mated. I would say the job’s done.”

“Is that the only reason you did it?”

It pained her to know it had all been an act. Being marked didn’t carry half the weight it used to. The scars eventually faded, just like many passionate matings did. Some marked couples made it. Others didn’t. Although she longed to be mated for real, she wouldn’t hold Micah to an act he’d committed in a moment of lust.

He didn’t answer. He studied her face, searching for something, but she had no clue what. “We’re heading to Alabama. I’ll call you after the concert and make sure you got home.”

Home. A glass-and-steel structure in the best neighborhood in Savannah, but it stopped being home a long time ago. She spent more time in hotels and airplanes than she spent in her childhood home. Since her father’s death, it had been too lonely anyway.

She pulled her arm free. “What do I tell Drake if he asks about the mark?”

“The truth.” Micah spoke with confidence. “He knows what we’re trying to accomplish.”

“What exactly is that?” After the night before she had her doubts where previously there had been none.

Micah touched her cheek. “Let’s find out who’s threatening your company. And then we’ll see.”

“But Drake doesn’t know about last night.”

Micah’s expression cooled. “No. Should he?”

She suspected he’d taken it the wrong way the moment she said it. “I’m not ashamed of being with you. Stop acting like I am.”

“Well, stop acting like you don’t want Drake to know.”

She opened her mouth to respond, but the words died in her throat. She was scared of what Drake would think. Not because she thought Micah beneath her but the reverse. What if the alpha didn’t condone a relationship between his brother and his beta? She hadn’t considered it before. She’d never thought they would get to this point. If not for the threats she’d received, she’d be crushing on Micah from afar still.

“What is it?” He leaned in and focused on her. “You seem confused.”

She waved her hand and took a step backward. “I’m trying to process all of this. You’re helping me. I get that. But what else is going on?”

He crowded her against the marble-lined wall. He placed a hand next to her head and leaned into her body, pinning her to the cold stone. “If he asks you about the mark, tell him it’s for show. Let him know that we’re showing our solidarity with you in more than business matters. If your threat is coming from another wolf, we need him to know the Randolphs will fight tooth and claw to protect you.” He broke off to caress her right nipple. “Beyond that, we’ll see when I get back.”

Breath caught in her lungs. It would take zero effort for him to seduce her. Her panties were damp with longing. Since she’d surprised him in his dressing room, she’d done practically nothing but get wet over him. “You are so wrong for that.”

He circled her aureole with his thumb. “For what?”

“That.” She nodded her chin toward his hand. “The twenty-second is a long time away.”

“Believe me, I know.” He pressed his erection against her lower belly. She wanted to wrap a leg around his hip and have him fuck her senseless against the wall.

Micah dipped his head and nipped her bottom lip. “Good-bye, Celeste.”

He broke away from her and left the alcove. She followed on shaky legs to see that Drake, Emma, and Max had just stepped out of the elevator. Damn the man. He’d made her all hot and bothered at the worst possible time. It made the walk toward his family even more stressful, knowing they could smell the lust and sex.

Max saw her and gave a crooked half grin, similar to Micah’s but missing the familiar cockiness. “Morning, Celeste.”

She smiled at him. Micah’s twin was the easygoing member of the Randolph clan. She’d always been fond of him, sharing many of the same classes in high school. “Nice to see you, Max. Good luck on the tour.”

Max nodded. “Thanks.”

The heat of Micah’s regard singed her while she spoke to his brother. The flame of heat on her skin caused her to glance his way, and at once she wished she hadn’t. So damned sexy standing there in his well-fitting jeans and tight shirt he nearly made her drool. He didn’t speak. Instead he watched with those arresting blue eyes of his and twisted his lips into a knowing smile. She wished they were alone so she could find out what it was he thought he knew about her.