Wicked Wind (Solsti Prophecy #1) (13 page)

“I can do a better job of protecting you if I know you’re not jumping into the fray.”

“I can stay out of trouble and protect myself at the same time.” She crossed her arms over her chest, and her stomach rumbled again.

“Actually, I don’t think you can stay out of trouble. You attract it. You’re stubborn.” He grinned at her. “And you’re hungry.” He opened the freezer, revealing a large stash of frozen entrees. “Help yourself.”

“Wow.” She scanned the items inside and took out a frozen lasagna. She popped it into the microwave and waited impatiently for it to heat up as Gunnar joined Raniero in the living room. She was glad that he didn’t seem too mad at her anymore. But staying away from the action? That would to be a challenge, especially after today. Being able to use her gift against those awful snake-headed monsters had been awesome and inspiring, and she couldn’t wait to do it again.

C
HAPTER
8

A
COUPLE
HOURS
after her meal Nicole perched on the red couch, getting an earful of demon lore. The two men conferred while she ate, sharing details of their work and tales of altercations with creatures that she hoped never to see. She wiggled her toes as she listened, glad to be free of her socks and hiking boots. Despite her tiring day, she felt restless and edgy. Her mind swam with distracting memories of the soft, newly healed skin covering the muscled slabs of Gunnar’s chest.

“Solsti.” Raniero’s voice broke into her thoughts, the word rolling off his tongue as if he was testing it out. “Simply amazing. It’s still sinking in. Tell me about your sisters.”

Raniero took a genuine interest in her talent and listened attentively when she described Brooke and Gin, hinting with a gleam in his eye that he’d enjoy meeting them. Although roguishly handsome, Nicole felt zero interest in the dark-eyed demon beyond friendly camaraderie. She was glad to have him as an ally.

Their impromptu host got up and stretched his brawny arms over his head. “I have enjoyed our conversation, but it’s time for me to get some rest. I’ll be up early tomorrow, tracking a trio of Serus demons. Bastards are robbing travelers along the western edge of the forest.”

Nicole opened her mouth to thank Raniero for his hospitality, but stopped at the mischievous twinkle in his eyes. He flicked a knowing glance from her to Gunnar and murmured, “There are two bedrooms here—I’ll take the smaller one...you two can decide about the other.” And with a wink, he disappeared into the first doorway down the hall.

Nicole and Gunnar turned to each other. In a heartbeat, the air between them grew heavy and charged with anticipation. Everything faded from the room as his blue eyes locked with hers. Sapphire embers flamed. One bedroom. They would share a room tonight, or one of them would sleep on the couch. After last night, she knew what she wanted.

“I’ll take the couch.” His voice rasped like sandpaper.

She shook her head, rising to walk toward the large armchair he sat in, not breaking contact with the turquoise glow of his eyes. Awareness coursed through her body as she remembered his muscles rippling and flexing when he fought off the Vipers, and the way his fingers stroked her into a frenzy of need the previous night. She padded slowly over to him in her bare feet.

“No, you won’t. Not after the way you teased me last night.” She wasn’t usually this bold, but Gunnar affected her senses like no man ever had. Leaning forward, she braced her hands on the arms of the chair. “You’re spending this evening right next to me.”

He stared at her, frozen. She thought he forgot to breathe. Did he need more convincing? “You’re not kissing me senseless and then walking away, not this time–”

Her breath caught as he tugged her arms, tipping her off balance and tumbling her into his lap. He pushed her legs to either side of his so she straddled him. Gently, he cupped her face in his hands. “Hell no, I’m not going anywhere. But so much has happened in the last few days. I want you to be sure.”

In response, she took one of his hands in hers and slowly brought it to her mouth. She pressed a kiss to the center of his palm, and then kissed her way down the length of one finger before drawing it between her lips. Blue flames flared in his eyes as he held her gaze. He had to hear the pounding of her heart as it crashed wildly in her chest. She had invited a demon to her bed, and every cell in her body was on edge with curiosity and aching need.

She swirled her tongue around his finger and scraped gently with her teeth. He inhaled sharply as she began to suck, his eyes riveted to her mouth. With his free hand on her lower back, he scooted her forward on his lap until her core came into contact with the impressive bulge in his jeans. Humming in pleasure as her hips cradled his, she was unable to keep from rocking against him.

That was all it took. He pulled his hand from her mouth and threaded it into her hair. His lips covered hers with a rough groan. Demanding and possessive, he held her in place, claiming her with his kiss. She twined her arms around his neck and slid her tongue along his, eager to taste him as he tasted her. She licked against him, savoring a bit of lingering sweetness from his drink.

Her fingertips caressed the sides of his neck, tracing the line of his massive shoulders, and moved down to explore his broad chest. His pectoral muscles were hard sinew under her curious fingers, his abs steel bands of strength. Gently hooking her fingers into his waistband, she felt his lower body clench as he growled and moved both of his hands to her hips.

The heat from his palms seared her, making her skin feel too tight. She craved his touch all over her body. He moved his hands up slowly, caressing her waist and ribs the way he had done at the club. But this time he didn’t stop there. He cupped her breasts and rubbed her nipples through her bra and T-shirt, making them bead into tight points. Every nerve ending in her body exploded with need, aching for his hands, his teeth, his tongue.

He broke their kiss and she felt his hands at the hem of her shirt. In one swift movement he tugged it up over her head. He gazed at her for a moment before lowering his head to place teasing kisses along one side of her sheer black bra. His mouth was deliciously hot, his lips soft on her skin. He caressed the side of her other breast, then the top, before flicking his thumb across her straining nipple. She couldn’t hold back a moan as her hips moved on his.

Not letting go of her, he stood, and she wrapped her legs around his waist as he walked them to the unoccupied bedroom. She vaguely registered a spacious room with walls painted a deep red, two chairs, and an enormous four-poster bed with black linens. Still holding her, he kicked the door shut and crossed the room to lay her on the coverlet. He followed her down, covering her body with his, infusing her senses with his warm skin and dark woodsy scent.

He caressed her arms, drawing them up above her head and holding them there while he lowered his head to her neck and traced teasing patterns with his tongue. She purred in pleasure when he scraped his teeth along her shoulders. Goose bumps erupted down her arms. He slid his hands under her shoulders to the center of her back, where he flicked open the clasp of her bra. She wiggled her arms out of it, loving the way he couldn’t look away from her breasts. Impatient to explore his naked chest, she tugged on his shirt. “Off.”

“Yeah?” he whispered. “And what do I get?”

A maelstrom of desire tore through her. She cupped her breasts and flicked the taut nipples, pushing them toward his mouth. “Taste.”

“Deal,” he groaned. His shirt was on the floor before she saw him touch it. Then his mouth found her breast, kissing and licking the soft underside. She couldn’t hold back a moan at the warm, rough feel of him. He moved to her nipple, flicking it with his tongue before drawing it into his mouth. He suckled her tenderly, maddeningly, and brushed his fingertips across her other breast. Back arched, she pushed into his touch.

Knowing what she needed, he moved his hand down to her waist and popped the button on her jeans.

“Yes,” she breathed, shimmying out of them. They were tight, so her damp panties came off right along with them. A tiny shiver danced up her spine when the cool air of the room hit the moist skin between her thighs. She stretched out, completely naked, watching him drink in every inch of her.

“So damn sexy,” he murmured, tracing the line of her hip. He moved his finger across her belly and lower, drawing lazy circles on her skin. She shifted her hips, pushing them closer to him.

“You’re killing me.” She gasped as he cupped her and slid his fingers between her legs. When he brought them back up and just barely touched her most sensitive spot, her entire body jerked. “Gunnar,” she breathed, “I’m really close.”

Approval rumbled deep in his chest. “That’s it,” he whispered. “Come for me, baby.” He lowered his mouth to her nipple. Pleasure short-circuited her mind, her breathing ragged. His hand continued to stroke her, once, twice, and when he circled her clit with his thumb, she couldn’t hold back. Splinters of light exploded though her body as she rocked against his hand, her hips coming up off the bed.

Still floating on waves of pleasure, she realized he had moved down on the bed to position his head between her thighs. He didn’t give her a chance to catch her breath as he licked the length of her center, lapping at the slickness that covered her. She tensed, thinking her flesh would be too sensitive, but he circled her tight bundle of nerves with his talented tongue.
Oh, yes
. She clutched the sheets as he coaxed her higher and higher, until she came again, her body convulsing with sensation.

She gazed at him through sated eyes as he moved next to her. He propped his head on one hand and splayed the other across her abdomen, leaning down to nuzzle her neck. She dimly realized that he still had his jeans on. She reached for his waistband. “Too many clothes.”

“You’re a demanding little piece.” He grinned at her, standing up to shuck his jeans and boxer briefs. She watched, rapt, as he pushed them down, freeing his straining cock. Kneeling on the bed in front of him, she couldn’t take her eyes from his heavy arousal. Huge and thick and proud, he made her mouth water.

She reached for him, wrapping her hand around his granite-hard length covered in velvety smooth skin. With slow strokes, she explored every ridge along his shaft. Looking up at him, she blinked at his clenched teeth and the corded muscles in his neck

“Gunnar?”

He grunted in response.

“I want to taste you.”

Gunnar’s head was going to explode. His body would be next, if Nicole kept her soft, slender hand on his dick for another second. And her mouth? He gritted his teeth at the thought. “Next time,” he growled.

She pretended to pout as he nudged her back down on the bed. “Promise?”

He ignored her question, turning his attention to her dusky pink nipples. He had ached to taste her last night. How he held himself back, he didn’t know, because the sweetness of her skin was as peachy and intoxicating as her scent. He laved one nipple while he brushed his thumb across the other one. She sighed and wriggled against him, running her hands across his shoulders and upper back.

He wanted to taste, touch, and explore every inch of her delectable body, but his cock throbbed with need. The feel of her exploring hands only pushed him closer to the edge.

“Gunnar,” she husked. “Promise me I get to suck you.”

“Or what?” How could she still be talking right now?

“Or I’ll start describing, in great detail, exactly how I plan to use my tongue when I finally get your big, thick cock into my mouth.”

He cursed long and loud, then muttered, “You can’t be a Solsti.” Her questioning gaze found his. “You must be a witch. Or a sorceress. Or something very wicked.”

Her naughty streak entranced him. He flipped her to her stomach, deciding he needed to spend some time on her luscious ass. For the gods’ sakes, he’d had his eyes glued to it
all day
. He brought his palm down against her bottom with a light smack, then followed it with kisses. She wiggled and purred like a contented cat.

He moved up her body, kissing the deliciously smooth skin of her back, until he reached her neck. With his flesh on fire everywhere that they touched, he let some of his weight settle on her as their bodies aligned. His cock rubbed against her butt, and she tried to wiggle beneath him. He didn’t let her. Keeping her in place, he moved his mouth to the sensitive spot where her shoulder flowed into her neck, and he bit down.

She let out a small cry, and he kissed and licked the red mark.
His
mark. Something primal roared inside him. He nibbled his way up the dewy side of her neck, one of his hands holding both of hers tightly above her head. Then he rolled her to her back and gripped her hip firmly, meeting her gaze. Any trace of mischief was gone from her eyes, replaced by anticipation tinged with a hint of sensual nervousness. He traced one finger along the insides of her thighs, still wet from her release.

Letting go of her hands, he moved over her willowy, sated body. He took himself in hand, teasing her entrance with the blunt head of his cock. She let out a very feminine grunt and tried to lift her hips toward him, but he held her right where he wanted her. He continued to tease her until she whispered, “Gunnar, please.”

Hearing his name on her lips as she lay hot and writhing beneath him was a drug to his senses. “Please, what?”

“I need you inside me. Now.”

He meant to push inside her slowly. He groaned as his first inch slipped into her damp, delicious heat. But when she rocked her hips against him, his ragged control faltered and he plunged deep inside her. Gods, she was hot, tight, and so very wet. His mind fuzzed over until he was only aware of his desire to possess her. He drowned in the sensation of her soft body locked intimately with his. Her eyes, which had squeezed shut when he entered her, flew open to meet his.

“Hurt?” he rasped, a thread of concern weaving through the heat in his brain.

She shook her head. “Feels so good. So full.”

He pulled out almost all the way, then plunged back in. He was close to losing it. He had never met a more sensuous woman in his long life. Her curves, her skin, and her mouth all wreaked havoc on his senses, building his need to an unbearable level. Her peachy scent wafted up to him, and he started a pounding rhythm. She eagerly met each of his thrusts, and when he leaned down to tug one perfect pink bud into his mouth, she shattered.