“Why would Gargoyles attack each other?”
“Power. Territory. The same reasons all races fight.”
“Gargoyles really exist…”
“Not a lot of full-bloods remain in the local clan these days. Once there were maybe two dozen male Gargoyles. My father said they only had a few Gargoyle women.” He paused. “Gargoyles birth mostly boys. It’s a genetic tendency they have. Female Gargoyles are a rarity, probably one in twenty births.”
“That’s not good, unless they have nineteen husbands each.”
He shook his head. “Gargoyles are territorial. They wouldn’t share a woman. It meant they’d fight each other to the death to win the favor of a perspective mate. Then all of a sudden, there were a lot of single Lycan females, since most of the unmated males didn’t survive the war.”
“I think I see where this is heading.”
Red nodded. “They each needed something from the other. Lycans were looking for sanctuary and a strong alliance to help them defend their women and children from Vampires if they tracked them to this area. Gargoyles needed women to breed them children.”
“Poor Lycans. It’s like out of the frying pan and right into the fire.”
“Not quite.” Red shook his head. “They weren’t forced into anything by the Gargoyles. It was all voluntary. Unattached Gargoyle men were introduced to unmated Lycan women. If they were attracted to each other and both agreed, they’d mate. GarLycans were born of those unions.”
“But you’re partners still, right? Allies? Why don’t you trust them?”
“We’re good now but it was stressful for a long time. They resented that some of the Lycans were already pregnant or had given birth to children from the war. The VampLycans. Full Gargoyles look down on us half-breeds because of our Vampire blood, but we both still have full-blooded Vampires as a common enemy. Their prejudices have kept us on our toes.”
“If they have kids with half Lycan and Gargoyle blood, doesn’t that make their kids half-breeds too?”
“Yes.”
“That’s stupid.”
“I agree…but Gargoyles have a superiority complex. They hate everything Vampire and have taught that hatred to their children. Gargoyles had their own war with that race in Europe that lasted for thousands of years. But one GarLycan has recently mated a half human with VampLycan blood. We’re not sure how that’s going to work out with the GarLycans. They still mostly refuse to breed with anyone from our clan. They don’t want the Vampire bloodline to taint their precious Gargoyle heritage. They’re starting to have the same problem as before though, so maybe they’ll soften up on that rule. There are more men than women in their clan, but we no longer have any full-blood Lycan females for them to choose from.”
She swallowed hard. “Can you back away now? Why am I even in this position?”
“I wasn’t attempting to control your mind.”
“Your eyes were glowing. I know that power.”
“True. I’m a VampLycan, though.”
“What does that mean?”
He lowered his gaze to her breasts. “They glow when I’m horny, too.”
Oh shit. She swallowed hard, taking in that bit of information with an erratically beating heart. “You have a girlfriend. Put me down.”
Annoyance flashed across his features. “She isn’t my girlfriend.”
“You admitted to only having sex with women who don’t live in your town. I currently qualify as a resident. Thanks but no thanks. I’m not into casual sex. Put. Me. Down.”
He didn’t budge. “You’re not a resident. You’re a visitor.”
“Red…? Back off.” Fear spiked for a second. What if he didn’t? What if he wasn’t as honorable as she’d thought? She’d felt safe until he’d pinned her against the wall and did the glowing-eyes thing. “I don’t want to get hurt again.”
“I would never force you.”
“I meant heartbreak. I don’t do casual sex for a reason. My body and heart are a package deal. I can’t put it any plainer than that. You have a woman out there. You’re talking about living with her, and one day you’ll meet your mate. I don’t want to just warm your bed because the girlfriend isn’t here or until you find someone better.”
He frowned, studying her. “Is that how you see it?”
“I like keeping things real, and that’s what it boils down to. There’s a lot I don’t know about your kind but that mate thing is pretty solid. I’d be dumped instantly if you found yours, right? Nature calling and all that. Thanks, but no. I’m old enough now to know better. I like my heart in my chest and not ripped out.”
He scowled. “I wouldn’t allow anyone to hurt you.”
“I mean emotionally ripped out. But I’m glad to know you won’t let your girlfriend shred me to death if she shows up here. She’d kick my ass.”
His expression softened. “I like you, Emma.”
“I like you, too. But that doesn’t mean we can have sex.” She was tempted though. She hadn’t ever been attracted to anyone as much as she was to Red. It also made her aware she might fall in love with him if they grew intimate. “Please back off? I can’t take having my heart broken again.”
He slowly released her. She breathed easier when he put space between them by walking to the stove. She studied his broad back as he yanked open a cupboard to remove plates.
“This is going to be difficult.”
She stayed where she was. “What is?”
“Wanting you and being this close.”
“You said you had to get supplies. Maybe you should do that today. I’m sure I’ll be safe here alone for a few hours.”
“Yes. Fresh air would do me good. All I can smell is you.”
“Like bloodlust and being hungry?”
He turned his head and stared at her. “I want to fuck you. Not eat you.” His gaze lowered to the area between her thighs. “God.” He swung his head back around. “I would totally eat you—but not like a Vamp feeds off women. I’d love to bury my face between your legs and put my mouth on you.”
Heat bloomed in her body. He was talking about oral sex. She bet he’d be good at it, too. He had enough rough edges that she doubted he’d do anything half-assed. That warmth spread lower to her belly and a slight throbbing began at her clit.
“You really should get supplies today.”
He faced the kitchen. “I’ll do that right after we have breakfast.”
“Good.”
She watched him move, noticing those big arms, the way his muscles bunched and flexed, and she stared at his beefy ass encased in faded denim. It was safe to study him when he wasn’t aware of it. She imagined what it would be like to rake her fingernails down his back, and an image of having him against her again flashed in her mind. The urge to touch him became almost overwhelming.
Red dished out food onto plates resting on the small counter and turned around. She jerked her attention to his face, staring into his eyes. His nostrils flared, drawing her gaze lower as he inhaled.
Then he moved fast enough to remind her of a Vamp, suddenly invading her space. He didn’t touch her, but was so close, only a few inches separated them.
“Fuck.” He growled.
His deep tone only made the warmth worse.
It surprised her when he took a step back and just dropped to his knees. He used his big hands to clasp her hips then lowered his head, staring intently at the vee of her pants.
He pressed his face there, and she gasped, not expecting that.
He buried his nose right where her clit was, rubbing it through the material. “You’re so hot, baby. I can smell you…” He moved his head, continuing to torment her with that slight brush of his nose.
Emma closed her eyes. Desire rolled through her like never before. She had to lock her knees to keep from sliding to the floor. Red growled, creating vibrations. Emma moaned and blindly reached out, grabbing ahold of his shoulders.
Red moved his hands, sliding his fingers into the waist of
her pants. He fisted the material and pulled hard. The zipper of her jeans broke under his strength. He jerked her pants down as he inched his face away.
Emma opened her eyes, staring down at him.
He reached up again, gripped her underwear, and slid them down in one rough tug. He hooked her pants where they’d been shoved down her thighs and tore both garments lower.
“Step out.”
“Red…I…” She wanted him so bad it hurt. Was she going into heat? It had never happened before but she couldn’t ignore the painful need to have him touch her.
His head snapped up and his eyes were golden again. She didn’t look away this time, trusting that he wasn’t going to take over her mind. He was just turned on, too. “This was bound to happen between us, Emma. Don’t say no,” he rasped. “Let me, baby.”
She was forty years old. It had been ten years since she’d taken a chance on a man. “I don’t want to get hurt.”
“Don’t you want to find out what’s between us? I’ve felt drawn to you since the moment we met.”
He’d appeared pretty irritated to have her thrust into his life, but staring into his beautiful golden eyes, she found herself nodding.
He shoved her pants lower and she lifted one leg, helping him take them off. Her panties were tangled with the jeans material now. He tugged them free and she raised the other leg, freeing it.
She expected them to move toward the bed but Red had other ideas. He just hooked one of her knees with his hand and lifted, placing it over his shoulder.
Emma gasped when he buried his face again.
Nothing was between them anymore. His hot mouth nestled in and he used his tongue against her clit. Emma slid her fingers into his hair. Moans tore from her as Red licked and sucked on the sensitive bundle of nerves. He growled, adding the vibrations again.
No one had ever touched her with that much enthusiasm. It was too intense, and Red didn’t hold back. Emma bit her lip, attempting to muffle some of the sounds she made. Her belly clenched and she started to buck her hips, unable to hold still. Red grabbed her ass, his fingers digging into her skin to keep her in place.
“I can’t take it!” she cried out. She fisted his hair, trying to pull him off.
He snarled and became rougher, his tongue moving faster. Emma threw back her head against the wall and closed her eyes again. Ecstasy tore through her and she forgot how to breathe. The one leg she stood on would have collapsed except Red kept her pinned against the wall with his body.
He jerked his mouth away as she rode the climax through.
Emma was aware of Red releasing her ass and sliding his palms upward. He suddenly shifted his shoulder, forcing her leg to drop. She fell forward, off balance. Red rose up, lifting her right off her feet. Once again, Emma found herself draped over his shoulder.
He strode to the bedroom area and dropped to his knees. The mattress cushioned their fall when he bent forward, gently dumping her onto the bed. She opened her eyes, staring up at him.
He reached down, unfastening his pants.
“You’re so beautiful.”
Emma loved his raspy voice and the way he lowered his gaze, taking her in. It made her feel desirable, and he sounded sincere. She arched her back and struggled with her shirt. She didn’t want it in the way. It also helped distract her when Red shoved his pants down his hips. She didn’t want to gawk.
She tugged the material over her head and twisted her arms, undoing her bra. She flung it out of the way. Red dropped down over her, using his arms to brace his upper body to prevent him from crushing her with his weight. He lowered until their chests were touching, staring deeply into her eyes.
“I’ll be gentle.”
It was a reminder to them both that she was mostly human. It also made her wonder how he usually had sex. It was probably not slow and easy. He was big and super strong. He’d proven that last part many times.
“Say yes.”
It was more a demand than a request but Emma didn’t mind. She wanted him. The damage was done and there was no going back. She didn’t want to call a stop to it.
“Yes.”
She spread her legs wider apart and lifted them, wrapping her thighs around his hips. Red shifted his position a little and she felt the broad tip of his cock nudge against her pussy. She stilled, holding her breath. He kept staring at her, not looking away. She liked that.
He slowly pressed against her, and she realized how wet she had become, her body more than prepared to accept Red. His cock felt big as he started to enter. She could feel her body stretching to accept the thickness of his girth. She bit her lip and grabbed hold of his shoulders.
His eyes narrowed and low growl emanated from him when he froze. “You’re going to be the death of me yet, Emma.”
It was a seriously bad idea to have sex with Red. Everything she’d said had been true. She wasn’t the type to have casual sex. The last thing she needed was to fall for yet another man who would break her heart.
She raised her legs a little, gripping him tighter to urge him on.
Red sank in deeper—and it felt amazing. There was no pain or discomfort. She just ached for more, wanting all of him. He lowered his mouth but didn’t go for her lips. He tilted his head slightly and she closed her eyes.
He kissed her neck. A shiver ran down her spine, the good kind, when she felt fangs lightly brush her skin. She’d never wanted a man to bite her before but Red was changing everything. She even twisted her head to give him better access.
She’d never felt as close to a person as she did at that moment. He was all around her, on top of her, pinning her under him. Their bodies were intimately joined. He froze again when she was pretty sure his cock was completely inside her. He was incredible hard. Another growl rumbled from him, and she liked the way his chest vibrated against hers…his lips too.
“Oh, fuck,” he groaned.
“What?” She opened her eyes.
“You feel so right.” He paused, then licked her skin. “Taste so right. Smell so damn good…”
She could relate. He smelled good too, and sex had never felt better. She slid one hand down his back, lightly raking her fingernails over his hot skin. His fangs gently nipped her throat in response. He didn’t break skin but it felt incredible. Her entire body responded and she bucked under him, wanting him to move.
He wiggled his hips, easing away a little. It felt amazing but it made her ache. The desire for sex had never been stronger. It became a physical pain. “Please!” She wasn’t sure exactly what she was asking for but hoped he would know. It was her first time in heat, if being around someone like him had caused this reaction.
“Do you want me to stop?” He sounded tormented.
“No! Not that.”
“I don’t want to hurt you.”
“You won’t. Please, Red. I want more…”
He drove back in, not as gently. Emma cried out as rapture jolted her entire body with surge of passion. Red snarled and tucked his head, nibbling kisses down the top of her shoulder where her neck ended. He spread his legs a little wider, pinning her tighter to the bed. Her nails dug into him, probably leaving marks.
Then he thrust fast and deep, pounding in and out of her.
Emma cried out and squeezed her eyes closed. She could only cling to Red. He fucked her too fast for her to attempt to meet his tempo. The world fell away. There was just Red and the pleasure pouring between them. Sweat slicked their bodies and her nipples rubbing against his chest just amplified the raw sensations swamping her senses.
It built until she couldn’t think. Her body tensed, every muscle seeming to spasm. The climax struck and she cried out. Red tore his mouth away from her neck and snarled again, right against her ear.
It barely registered to Emma, too lost as her mind was blown.
Chapter Five
Red managed to keep enough weight off Emma to make certain she could breathe. Her ragged pants were a match to his own. He fought to regain some sanity
. It was tough to do. He’d just come so hard inside her that his nuts ached. Small tremors racked his body as he shifted his head a little to unhook his fangs from the bedding he’d ravaged when he’d bitten into it, rather than her.
Sweat coated his body and probably hers. He always pulled out before he came, to avoid a woman carrying his scent for longer than a quick shower to wash him off her skin. It was a sobering realization to know he hadn’t. His dick softened slightly but he was still snuggly nestled inside the warm confines of her pussy.
He didn’t want to separate their bodies. He just remained still, keeping her exactly where he wanted her. Under him. Her arms were wound around his neck and her calves rested over his ass. Even the sides of her knees planted near his ribs, trapped between his torso and arms, seemed nice. She felt so damn right and had been extremely responsive to him.
This is not good. She’s never been around another VampLycan. What if my hormones affected her and that’s why she agreed to let me bed her?
Her body wouldn’t have been tested by a human. They didn’t have the right chemistry to tempt her Lycan side to appear. That had to be it—because otherwise they were both in deep shit if she was as drawn to him as he was to her.
He opened his eyes as he lifted his head a little, staring at the pale column of her exposed throat and the top of her shoulder. There were slight red marks from his mouth but no blood. It was tempting to bite. Too damn tempting. He tore his gaze off that area and studied her face.
Her eyes were closed and her skin rosy. Her lips looked so incredibly kissable, parted as she tried to catch her breath. That was another urge he fought. He couldn’t pull back his fangs at that moment to save his life. He hadn’t meant to sprout them at all. Emma brought out the animal inside of him.