Phantom Warriors: Arctos (6 page)

* * * * *

Arctos watched her reach for the smal jar and unscrew the top. He could smel the changes happening in his body.

There was only one reason his aphrodisiac-like pheromones would flood his system—to ensnare his mate.

Could that mean Caitlin real y was his true-mate or was it a sign that the first bond had taken hold? Hope balanced on a fine blade of fear. Arctos wanted—no needed more than a forced connection between them.

Caitlin returned with her fingers covered in goo. “This might sting,” she said, then rubbed the thick substance onto the scratches.

Arctos flinched as she ran her hand over his bare flesh.

“Sorry.” She gently blew on his side.

Goosebumps rose on his arms, hardening his flat nipples. Blood rushed from his head straight to his shaft, fil ing it in record time. He gripped the arms of the chair until his knuckles turned white.

“It should stop hurting in a minute.” Her gaze skittered away from his blatant erection.

Arctos clenched his jaw until his teeth ached. “The pain I feel isn’t due to the treatment.”

Caitlin swal owed audibly, then picked up the bandage. She placed it over the wound and taped it to his uninjured skin. “Al done.” She started to walk away, but Arctos stopped her.

“Thank you.” Their eyes met and held. Need, fear, hunger, and uncertainty flashed between them in an instant.

It was the latter that was his downfal . He slowly pul ed her onto his lap. Arctos gave Caitlin plenty of time to get away.

She didn’t try. When their lips met, it was only long enough to exchange a breath, then he released her.

Caitlin’s smal breasts rose and fel like she’d just run a marathon. Her pupils were dilated and she practical y trembled with need. Arctos couldn’t look away. He was afraid he’d miss something vital if he did. She licked her bottom lip, seeking out his taste, but otherwise didn’t move.

“You are temptation in Goddess form,” Arctos ground out, holding onto the chair for dear life. “I want to touch you so bad that I ache for it.”

Caitlin started to speak.

“Wait! Please hear me out,” he said. “I know that your heart belongs to another and that given a choice you would not have picked me.”

Caitlin’s mouth dropped open a second before she laughed. She stared at him, then laughed again. “I can’t believe that you’re serious. You actual y think…” She shook her head, then pinned him to the chair with a look. “Let’s clear up a few things. I think you’re gorgeous. I’ve never seen a man so beautiful, so perfect in my life. You could tempt the Devil himself with that body, but I’m not the type of girl to fal for a handsome face or dive into bed with a stranger.”

“You find me attractive?” he asked.

“Oh please.” She rol ed her eyes.

“But your heart belongs to another,” he said, as some of his newfound hope diminished.

Caitlin hesitated, then said, “My heart belongs to me and only me.”

Their gazes locked. “So there is a chance…”

“A chance for what?” she asked.

Arctos hesitated, then said, “A chance that someday you’l put your heart in my hands for safe-keeping.”

* * * * *

Something melted in Caitlin’s chest. Guys like Arctos just didn’t exist in the real world. She had loads of firsthand experience to prove it. Yet something inside of her wanted desperately to believe that he was different. That he’d somehow prove her wrong. His hand slid down her arm until he grasped her fingers. The tug was so slight that she almost didn’t feel it. Caitlin found herself being drawn into his arms.

Their faces were mere inches apart. The warmth of his breath caressed her cheeks, while the musky aroma that seemed to emanate from his skin grew sweeter. He ran his free hand up her arm and over her shoulder, massaging along the way. His palm came to rest at the back of her neck. Arctos cupped it gently and closed the distance between them.

Caitlin knew she should tel him to stop. This wasn’t like her. She didn’t do things like this. Maybe staying with Al ie had somehow rubbed off on her. Or maybe, just maybe, she wanted this as much as he did. Whatever the reason, she al owed him to continue.

Arctos stopped, as their lips were about to touch.

Caitlin’s heart was hammering so hard in her chest that she couldn’t hear anything but its steady thud. His breath mingled with hers, tempting her to finish what he’d started.

What was he was waiting for? The tension rose between them, coiling tight. Caitlin could practical y taste it on her tongue, feel it crackling over her skin. He wanted her. Of that there was no doubt. His entire body felt like iron beneath her.

She had told him that she didn’t fal into bed with men.

Was that why he’d stopped? Did he want her to make the final decision on whether this went any further? Caitlin stared into his fathomless eyes. They were so dark now that they appeared ringed in red. Arctos didn’t say a word.

Did nothing to influence her decision in any way. In the end, that’s what tipped her over the edge.

Caitlin’s mouth found his. Arctos groaned and his grip on her neck tightened as he joined her in the embrace.

She’d been kissed before. Lots of times. The kisses had varied between chaste to slobbery. Caitlin considered herself a pretty good kisser, but she didn’t have anything on Arctos.

He ran his tongue along her bottom lip, then dipped inside as she gasped for air. Their tongues touched, then tangled, a control ed dance that ratcheted up her need.

Arctos deepened the kiss, his strokes, flicks, and nibbles seemed aimed at building desire. Fueled by lust, Caitlin slipped her arms around his neck and al owed her body to free-fal . His taste fil ed her mouth, spicy and bitter from the coffee and chili-mac, yet utterly addictive. She clung to him, trying to get closer, wanting more.

Arctos growled, the sound rumbled out of his chest. He pul ed back, his lungs heaving. “I need you,” he said, taking a shaky breath. The confession came from the depths of his soul. His forehead dropped forward until it rested against hers. “I know you do not give yourself to men easily.

For that I am truly grateful. But if you could do so this one time, I swear that I would consider it a gift beyond measure.”

Caitlin brushed a stray hair away from his face. “You are too good to be true,” she murmured more to herself than to him.

“I’m not,” he said, emphatical y. “I am selfish.” Red slashed his cheeks and pain flashed in his eyes.

Arctos may be many things, but selfish wasn’t one of them. Caitlin kissed him again in order to banish the thought from his mind. His taste and his smel continued to overwhelm her. Even now, she found herself craving more.

She thought about her friend, Al ie. She knew what she’d do in this situation. Al ie wore her heart on her sleeve for everyone to see…and crush, but it never stopped her from trying to find love. If Caitlin were being perfectly honest, she’d admit that she envied Al ie’s ability to pick herself up, dust herself off, and start over. Unfortunately, she’d lost her rose-colored glasses long ago.

She looked at Arctos. His lips were slightly swol en from their kisses and his brown eyes were glazed with passion. Caitlin had no doubt that she looked the same.

Could she let go of her rigid self-control for
one
night of passion? Their gazes met once more. His heated to inferno as she watched.

Allie would be proud
, she thought as she hopped off his lap and grabbed him by the hand.

Caitlin led Arctos back to the bedroom. His eyes widened when he saw the bed, then dropped to slumberous once more. She backed into the room until her shoulders hit the half wal that separated the bedroom from the bathroom. Caitlin watched as Arctos slipped off his boots, then slowly grasped the edges of his snowsuit and pul ed it down.

Holy mother of Adonis.

Her breath caught in her throat, as he stood naked before her. For a moment, al she could do was stare. He was
impressive
in every way imaginable. She was almost afraid to remove her own clothes, since there was no way she could live up to that body.

Arctos took the decision out of her hands by pul ing her into his arms and kissing her senseless. He’d obviously been holding back earlier. Caitlin’s toes curled and skin grew taut. His chest brushed her nipples and she gasped as they went rigid. Arctos didn’t stop kissing her. His hands slipped down to her sides and under her long underwear.

The second his fingers touched her bare flesh, heat flooded her.

He bunched the material in his fists and yanked it over her head, dropping it down beside them. His dark eyes drank in the lacy cups of her padded bra. “Remove it,” he said, his voice a rough rasp.

“I real y hope you’re not a boob man,” she said.

“I’m not.” His gaze dropped to her butt.

Caitlin’s fingers trembled as she unhooked the front latch and her bra fel open. Her hands automatical y rose to cover herself.

“No,” he said, stopping her. Arctos stared at her smal breasts like he’d never seen nipples before. His hands slowly released hers, then glided over her skin until he reached her smal mounds. He cupped them, squeezing them gently at first, then rol ed the hard peaks between his thumbs and forefingers. “Must taste,” he ground out a second before lowering his head and latching onto one nipple.

Caitlin’s knees wobbled and she gasped. Her back arched with each pul of his mouth. His tongue swirled around her rigid flesh, teasing it with experienced strokes.

She slid her fingers into his white hair, the strands like silk beneath her palms. Caitlin yanked him closer, urging him to take more.

Arctos obliged. His teeth scraped her, then he bit down hard enough to send a zing of pain to her brain. He fol owed the move with a gentle swipe of his rough tongue, soothing the sting, then began sucking her again.

Her legs quaked, threatening to give out. “Arctos, please,” Caitlin begged, not sure what she was asking him to do.

He laughed around her nipple, then slowly released her a second before he popped the other one into his greedy mouth and began to devour it. Caitlin’s knees gave out, but Arctos caught her before she fel . He lifted her without breaking contact with her aching nipple, then careful y placed her on the bed.

Caitlin felt an odd pressure building in her womb. It wasn’t possible. He hadn’t touched her anywhere, but her breasts. Yet, there was no mistaking the familiar sensation.

Arctos teased her nipple, sucking hard, then releasing her.

Only to return once more. The pressure continued to grow until Caitlin could no longer lie stil .

As if sensing her impending release, Arctos began to worry her sensitive flesh with his teeth. He didn’t let up or al ow her to catch her breath. It can’t be, she thought. A flick of his clever tongue sent her sailing over the edge. Caitlin cried out. Blood roared in her ears and her body trembled as her release swept through her.

For a second, the world around her faded, then came back into sharp relief. Arctos continued to lazily lap at her flesh, his big hands holding her firmly against the mattress.

“That was incredible,” she gasped. “I didn’t even think that was possible. I mean I’ve read that some women have super sensitive breasts, but I’m not one of them.” Arctos stopped what he was doing and glanced at her.

A second later his lips canted. “You have been with the wrong males,” he said with an over-abundance of confidence.

Caitlin opened her mouth to cal him on it, but realized after what had just occurred he’d earned a bit of cockiness.

He smoothed his hand over her abdomen, frowning when he reached the scratch.

“It doesn’t hurt,” she said.

Arctos didn’t respond. Instead, he ran his palm down her thigh, barely skimming her skin. Her legs quivered.

“You have no idea how long I have waited to have you beneath me,” he said, his voice harsh.

She arched a brow. “It couldn’t have been too long, since we only met today.”

A wry smile was his only answer.

Arctos slid his hand to the bottom of her heel and rubbed. Caitlin’s head dropped back onto the pil ow and she groaned. He planted his thumb at the center of her foot and kneaded.

“You’re not playing fair,” she said, curling her toes under in delight.

“When it comes to lovemaking and war,” he said, rubbing even harder, “there is no such thing as fair play.”

* * * * *

Arctos switched to Caitlin’s other foot, watching her writhe in pleasure. It was a chal enge to keep his gaze focused on her face, when the moisture between her thighs teased his senses.

He shook at the thought of burying his nose in her sex, tasting her honey with his lips, teasing her with his tongue.

Arctos had no doubt that Caitlin would taste as good as she smel ed. He worked his way up to her calves, massaging them with just the right amount of applied pressure.

She wiggled on the bed, her swol en breasts bobbing with each jerk. He’d gotten a little carried away when he’d bit her the last time. Her perfect flesh now held the faint outline of teeth. Sharp teeth. Beast teeth. If she looked too closely, she’d notice that they didn’t match a human bite-mark.

Arctos decided he’d just have to keep her busy, until she forgot everything including her name. He worked his hands up to her thighs. Caitlin’s legs dropped open. Even in human form, his beast recognized the invitation. He swal owed hard and kept working her sore muscles.

“Turn over, Caitlin.” He needed to get the temptation of her moist opening out of view until he could get himself under control.

She didn’t argue. She immediately rol ed onto her stomach and moved her hair out of the way so he could reach her shoulders. Arctos grinned now that she couldn’t see him. Her skin was soft as silk that had been warmed upon a flame. Everywhere he touched, heated. The round globes of her bottom were now bare and more beautiful than he’d imagined. Arctos had the overwhelming urge to lean over and take a bite out of one.

Instead, he focused on working her stiff muscles. He wanted her relaxed before he mounted her. His hard shaft continued to dig into his abdomen. Arctos did his best to ignore the pain. One hand manipulated the flesh on her back, while his other smoothed over her waist. He paused there for a minute, letting Caitlin’s reactions be his guide.

Her honeyed scent fil ed the room stronger as he lightly stroked her bottom.

She twitched, but didn’t brush him away.

His grip firmed and he cupped her. Caitlin whimpered a second before her butt rose in the air like an offering to the Goddess. Arctos prayed for the strength to take things slow. “You smel like the heavens,” he said, licking one globe, then the other. “Your body tempts my control.”