Jax (Immortals of New Orleans Book 7) (28 page)

Pressing his wrists over his head, she bent forward and deliberately slid her ripened tips across his face. His lips caught her nipple, and she sucked a breath. Although his hands were restrained, he’d taken control, teasing her peak into a sensitive bundle of nerves. Desire jolted through her body and she writhed her hips, not yet touching him. Aching with need, she tugged her breast from his mouth and slithered down his abdomen.

Torturing him had evolved into a painful exercise for her as well. Denying her own orgasm, she seated herself between his legs, letting her warm breath wash over his shaft. Her lips parted, and she gently lapped at his crown, his salty-tasting essence coating her tongue. His thighs tensed around her torso as she swallowed him down her throat. As she sucked, his head teased her palate, his hips lifting to meet her rhythm.

Katrina studied the contours of his beautiful cock as it disappeared, his smooth skin on her lips. Withdrawing his magnificent erection, she stroked it with her hand and set her attention on his balls. Taking his velvety sac into her mouth, she extended her hand underneath his ass. Her fingers traveled down his cleft, teasing his puckered flesh.

His breath grew ragged as she released his testicle with a pop. Taking him deep into her mouth, she pressed a finger into his back hole.

“Ah, Christ,” he cried, but made no protest.

Delving deeper, she touched over his sensitive area of nerves. He jolted his hips upward as she discovered his hidden spot.

“Kat. Oh fuck.” Jax pounded his hands into the headboard. “I’m going to…”

He was close, she knew, but once again, she’d deny him his orgasm. She withdrew her hand, ceasing her delightful assault. Grazing her teeth ever so slightly down his shaft, she removed it and laved her tongue over its head.

“Please…Jesus, don’t stop.”

Like a phoenix, she rose up on her forearms, and crawled her way up his body. She brushed her clit over his balls, still stroking his dick. Katrina took in the sight of her virile mate. A fine sheen coated his skin, his heavy eyes lifting to meet hers.

“No more games, Alpha.”

“Holy shit, Kat. You’re killin’ me here. I can’t take much more. I need to be inside you. Like fucking now.”

“Is this what you need?” she asked, swiping his head through her swollen labia. As his hardness brushed over her clitoris, she moaned. Blood rushed through her veins, arousal thrashing through every pore of her body. His hungry eyes devoured her as she directed his crown into her wet entrance. Unable to wait one second longer, she impaled herself on his ridged flesh.

“Fuck yes,” he grunted.

“Jax. Oh my God…” A slight twinge passed quickly as her readied core accommodated her mate, his cock stretching her open.

Katrina rocked forward, her hips against his. The release she’d held at bay crashed over her as she leaned forward, her fingers crushing into his pecs. Her palm went to his cheek and she held his chin in place. Her mouth descended on his, biting and sucking at his lips.

The honeyed taste of her mate drove her wild.
Claim him.
The words resounded in her head. The gorgeous male beneath her body belonged to her and her alone. Commanding and compassionate, the New York Alpha was the only person in the world who could complete her wolf.

He slammed his cock up into her, his dominance rearing. Within seconds, he’d brand her, reminding her of who was really in control. But first her beast would have its due, seeking the unbreakable bond. As she tore her lips from his, she knew marking him would never be enough.

Her fangs distended, and like lightning she struck, her teeth slicing into his shoulder. She heard a faint cry as his powerful blood rushed down her throat. Before she knew what was happening, he’d broken free of his leather bonds and flipped her onto her back.

“Forever,” he repeated as he pounded into her. “You’re mine. Fovever.”

Jax pinned her arms to the bed, demanding her submission. Releasing his flesh, her glistening lips parted. She tilted her head, baring her throat to her Alpha, acquiescing to his command. As his canines punctured her skin, magick ruptured, her essence absorbed by her mate. Her wolf danced in the abyss of her mind, finally sated.

“My Alpha,” she breathed as he ground his pelvis against hers. The friction to her clit pushed her over the edge and she screamed his name as the hardest orgasm of her life seized her body.

“Say it again,” he ordered, punishing her with his rough thrusts.

“My Alpha. I’m yours…” was all she could manage. Tiny specks of light danced before her eyes, her release filtering through her every nerve.

“That’s right, baby. That’s right…” His lips crushed over hers, and she surrendered to his will, relinquishing her body, soul and mind to her mate.

Jax grazed his hips over her sensitized flesh, milking every last spasm. With a final thrust, he groaned and erupted deep inside her. As he slowed his pace, he delicately sucked at her lips, making love to her mouth as he’d done to her body.

Connected with her mate, the fiery culmination of their bond enveloped Katrina. All fears vanished within Jax’s embrace. For the first time in two hundred years, Katrina’s wolf slept calmly, peace filtering throughout her consciousness.

“Jax.” As their lips separated, air rushed into her lungs. A whisper of his name escaped. Emotion coiled in her chest and Katrina struggled to articulate her thoughts.

“Kat, ah baby, I’m sorry,” he began, giving a ragged sigh.

“Sorry for…are you okay?” Panic set in and she pushed at his chest with her palms.

“Easy, little wolf.” Jax shifted onto his back, bringing her with him.

Strong arms surrounded her, his warmth radiating through her skin. Despite the comfort, she grew concerned that their mating had harmed him like she’d been told
. Selfish, selfish, selfish.
The temptation of seeing him with the witch had spurred her frenzy. Guilt for initiating the mating took hold.

“Hey, stop.” Jax’s lips touched her forehead and he spoke softly against her brow. “I’m fine. I only said I was sorry because, well, look where we are.”

Desperate for her Alpha, obscured in passion, she’d forgotten they’d made love inside the coven. She sighed at the realization that probably every witch within a mile had heard their antics.

“I’m the one who should be sorry, Jax. I just lost it out there.”

“Don’t you dare go there. Ever since I marked you, I’ve wanted this so bad. It’s not the most romantic setting, but I don’t regret it for a second.”

“This place is crazy.” Katrina’s eyes went to the peace sign that hung on the wall. It struck her as funny and she began to laugh.

“You do know who you’re mated to, right?” Jax asked as he glanced to the brightly colored plaid sofa in the corner.

“You mean
the
Mr. Jax Chandler? Devastatingly handsome. Sophisticated.” She drew circles on his muscular chest with the pad of her finger. “Or do you mean the powerful Alpha? I heard he’s lethal.”

“Is that how you see me?” he asked.

“The Alpha I’m mated to is caring.” Katrina pressed upward so she could look into his eyes. Carefully constructing her thoughts, her voice softened. “He’s also vulnerable. Knows what it’s like to be hurt. He’s protective of those he cares about. Willing to put his own life on the line for his wolves, for his mate. He’s…amazing. He’s mine.”

Katrina resisted expressing the feelings that grew exponentially every second she spent in his presence. Love wasn’t something that always occurred between mates. Chemistry drew mates together in a juncture of destiny, a formidable force to deny. Only through a serendipitous occurrence would two wolves grow to truly love each other. Despite rationalizing away the feelings that brewed inside her, Katrina had to admit her thoughts bordered on obsession.

“I…you have no idea how much this meant. I can feel you all around me,” he responded. “It’s like nothing I’ve ever experienced.”

“I feel it too.” She paused. “Jax, I want you to know that even though the witch may have pushed my wolf, I’ve wanted this since the second I met you. I feel like such an idiot for believing their lies. I’m sorry I waited so long. Being with you is everything to me.”

As Katrina disclosed her confession, she buried her face in Jax’s chest, unable to reveal how deeply their mating had affected her, how much he meant to her. So many years, she’d lived a cold, lonely existence. She’d closed her heart, a deliberate effort to thwart feelings for other men. Everything she’d ever known had been destroyed, replaced by the realization that she cared more for Jax than she’d ever thought possible. The altruistic effort to save him by denying their connection had morphed into a desperate mission to claim their life together.

The gentle brush of his lips on her skin relaxed her mind and she suspected he’d read her emotion. The strength of the bond would keep them in sync, but her magick would continue to weaken, replaced by a perversion of the true spirit of the wolf. Mick’s warning played in her mind. More determined than ever, she’d trust her mate to keep her safe as they continued to search for a way to destroy the demons.

“Why the hell is it that we always have to look for this shit at night?” Jake picked up a rock and threw it into the Mississippi. “Nope. Can’t be the day. Witchy, spooky-ass message has to be found at night. Of course it does. Nothing is ever easy.”

“Who knows. Maybe it’s because it glows, or, as you put it, something witchy is about to go down,” Jax replied. “It’s easier this way anyway. Less people around.”

“Don’t be a baby. Besides, look at the city all lit up. It’s gorgeous.” Katrina leaned back onto the metal railing, admiring the lights flickering over the cityscape. A trumpet played in the distance, its rich tones resonating up to the river walk.

“You two…seriously. I love you both, but you’re more annoying than ever,” Jake huffed. “I’m going to check over there.” He pointed to a set of wide boardwalk stairs that led down to the river’s edge. Two young homeless men shared a cigarette, their dog lay at their feet.

“We’ll be down in a minute,” Jax replied, giving it his best effort to concentrate on their task.

He wrapped his arm around Katrina’s waist and tugged her close. Her giggling was music to his ears, happiness evident in her laughter. His nose brushed into her hair, the delicious scent of his mate consuming his thoughts.

It had been over twenty-four hours since they’d mated and with every glance, every touch of their skin, the bond deepened. Making love to her at the coven, letting her dominate and fuck him, had been impulsive. Although he’d suspected Katrina’s wolf wouldn’t be deterred much longer, he hadn’t anticipated the witch’s advances. Jax speculated that perhaps she’d deliberately incited Katrina over the edge, but her motives for doing so remained a mystery. Regardless, Jax celebrated the glorious outcome.

After a short respite, they’d dressed and managed to find Jake dancing with a set of twins. Thankfully, the rain had let up and they were able to drive home without incident. Before they returned, the warlock had wished them well, and gave them a final instruction to search at dusk. However, they still had no idea exactly what they were looking for, besides a promise of another clue.

It concerned Jax that Katrina’s magick continued to be compromised. Although Mick had advised him to use another Alpha to strengthen her wolf, he struggled with the idea of sharing his mate. He’d never made love to a woman with another Alpha. Both his touch and raging power were to be wielded with caution. He recalled a time when he and Nick indulged, taking a woman together. The experiences had been pleasurable, but his beta had always submitted and neither had claimed the chosen female.

With his wolf sated, Jax considered he’d be less likely to attack another male. On a visceral level, however, the idea of letting another Alpha touch her provoked possessive emotions.
Mine
, he told Katrina and he’d meant it. No other male would command his mate.

As he observed Jake’s agile run down the stairs, he knew what needed to be done. An Alpha, the young wolf still hadn’t suspected his true nature. But Jax suspected he’d be the one to help him heal Katrina. They’d already successfully experimented. Their sexual interlude in the kitchen had been primal, and Jake had willingly deferred to him, careful not to cross the line. He couldn’t be sure if either of them would agree, but the discussion needed to happen sooner rather than later if they were going to help Katrina seal her magick.

“Kat,” Jax began, hoping his mate would be open to his proposal. She swiveled her body, facing the river, and snuggled into his side. “How’re you feeling?”

“I’m feeling amazing,” she breathed.

“I mean your power. Has it changed since we mated?”

“I’m not going to lie to you. After everything,” she sighed and tilted her head up toward him, “it feels about the same. I don’t feel weak, if that’s what you mean. But it still feels like if I’m not around you for any amount of time, I get drained. Like this morning, for example. You were downstairs, and just that hour or whatever when you were away, I could feel it slipping. Then I start to panic. I’m thinking, ‘what if I can’t shift? What if I turn into something else?’ Ugh, I hate this.” She shook her head and stared out to the Mississippi, city lights reflecting on its surface. “It’s like a bathtub. You know, you fill it up but you can’t get the stopper just right. So you lie back and just when you think you are about to relax, half the water is gone and you’re freezing cold.”

As serious as the situation was, the image of Katrina lying wet and naked in his bath caused his cock to stir. He shoved the picture to the back of his mind, admonishing the thought.
Focus, Jax.

“Whatever we find tonight, I have a feeling it will be because of your magick.” Jax hated that they’d hurt his mate. She curled against his body, reminding him that she was as much a part of him as the arm that held her.

“It’s not my magick. I don’t know why Ilsbeth chose me,” she pondered, her lips tight. “But I guess it doesn’t matter. I just want to find this thing…the spell or whatever it is and get it over with. I want to be free.”