Part 19 (1/2)
No one would ever send her downward again. He'd make sure of it. Any person who tried, he'd strip the skin from their bones.
Damian took her mouth, a deep kiss. Over and over, his tongue stroking her inside, imitating what was to come. Nudging his hips between her legs, he braced himself on his hands.
”Look at me,” he commanded. ”Jamie, look at me.”
Slowly he pushed inside her, so slowly, gritting his teeth. Looking at her, her wide, gray eyes filled with trust. Sweet mercy, her wet, tight core felt like a hot fist clenching his c.o.c.k.
Must take it slow. She deserved tenderness and good loving. Damian strained with the effort to hold back. He withdrew, thrust again slowly.
He nuzzled her neck, blew into her ear. She s.h.i.+vered delicately, her nipples hardening into tight little cherry buds.
With a slow grace, an exquisite smoothness, he pushed into her. Damian laced his fingers through hers, pinning them to the bed, and thrust forward.
Jamie writhed a little, trying to find some ease as his thickness penetrated her fully. She sucked in a breath, and relaxed, opening to him, feeling blunt pressure filling her. Making them one. He pulled back, and began to stroke inside her, his p.e.n.i.s rubbing against her sensitive tissues, the friction creating a delicious heat that began from her center. His muscles contracted as he thrust, powerful shoulders flexing and back arching.
Damian consumed her, chased the evil darkness inside her with gentle light. Silky chest hair rubbed against her aching b.r.e.a.s.t.s, his hard six-pack sliding against her soft abdomen. She arched to meet his rhythm.
Wonder came over her face as she watched him. His mouth parted on a gasp, lips trembling. The bed beneath her felt soft as down, the male pressing her backward onto it solid muscle. It felt as if he locked her spirit in his, a closeness she'd never experienced.
His thrusts became more urgent, harder, until his flesh slapped against hers. Jamie's legs lifted as her hips pummeled upward in need. Close, so close...she writhed and reached for it, the tension growing until she felt ready to explode.
Screaming his name on her lips, she climaxed, her sheath squeezing him as she shattered, her back arching. He growled in satisfaction, gave one last thrust and threw his head back with a hoa.r.s.e shout. Hot seed jettisoned inside her, filling her with warmth. Damian collapsed atop her, his face pillowed beside her, his breathing ragged. She bore his weight, welcoming it, but then he eased out of her and rolled over, pulling her into his arms.
Jamie gasped and clutched him, feeling something else.
Magick. Good, strong, pure magick, racing through her body, pus.h.i.+ng back the drenching darkness left there by the Morphs. White light streaking along her veins, humming with power.
Frightened, she wriggled, trying to free herself of his embrace. He cupped her face in his hands.
”Let it happen, ma pet.i.te. It's my magick inside you, countering the darkness. Just relax and let go.”
Quivering, she forced herself to lie still, feeling the tinge of power filling her body. Damian stroked her hair, murmuring rea.s.surances until the last of the magick faded, leaving her tired, yet buzzed, as if she'd sipped a very strong c.o.c.ktail.
She nuzzled her cheek against his sweat-slicked shoulder. His hand stroked her hair in a tender caress. ”Don't run away from me like you did in New Mexico, Jamie. Promise not to leave me. Whatever problems you face, we can work them out together.”
Jamie listened to his heart thud as she rested her cheek on his muscular chest. A huge step, making that kind of promise. It meant tying herself to him, strengthening the bond already forged in the flesh and...
Her heart. She stirred, troubled by the idea, testing it over in her mind. He was so good to her, so gentle and tender. What woman wouldn't want this?
He caged her with the seductive lure of s.e.x. And she'd willingly walked inside. But filling this cage were wild wolves, a pack who could destroy her.
She buried her face in his shoulder. ”I promise to try.” It was all she could offer.
Silence dripped between them a minute. Then he raised himself on an elbow, his fingers brus.h.i.+ng against her cheek. ”Try hard,” he said softly. ”And I promise if you do run from me again, I will catch you.”
His eyes gleamed with that wild, frightening look, a wolf secure in knowing it had caught its prey. ”Because I won't let you go. Ever.”
Chapter 13.
T hey hunted for the next clue in antique shops the following afternoon, searching for a bust of Napoleon with the marking 111. The number was the same as the revolutions on the Natchez. Lemon polish scented the enormous antique shop. Jamie gazed upward at chandeliers dangling crystal teardrops. Oriental rugs covered the original wood floors. Heavy oak and mahogany tables and chairs arranged in discreet settings gave the interior an elegant look.
Somewhere had to be a Napoleon bust. It was the last shop they explored. Before they'd left the house, Damian agreed to her suggestion to signal the others upon finding the statue and returning later to purchase it and defray suspicion.
She had steeled herself against the temptation to remain in Damian's arms last night and let his immense strength support her. Instead, she'd slipped away, sleeping downstairs. Each day she grew dangerously close to letting him into her heart and luring her into his pack and his purpose.
Jamie turned back to the small shelf in a corner. She glanced at her hands. Damian's lovemaking had turned her hands pale white again, but the nails remained gray. All the more reason for her to find the next clue.
A small white bust caught her eye. It was chipped. She picked it up, excitement thrumming inside her. Turning it over, she saw the small mark. 111. The number of revolutions on the Natchez's paddlewheel.
Jamie set Napoleon down. If she hid the bust and returned later to purchase it, she could find the last clue and the book. Cure herself and leave Damian behind. She didn't need him anymore.
Her hands hovered over the bust. Didn't need him? Who was she fooling?
He'd protected her, shown her a tenderness she'd never experienced. Given her magick to slow the spell, and sworn to her it was the two of them together in this. Maybe it was time for her to step out in trust. Jamie went to Damian.
”There's not much here. Let's go.” She murmured the code words, signaling she'd found the statue.
Br.i.m.m.i.n.g with excitement, Jamie held his hand as they left. Later, they would return and...Damian nodded to a man lounging against a light pole. Alexandre nodded back, and headed directly for the shop.
Her heart dropped to her stomach. So much for trust. Damian studied her mutinous expression.
”He'll buy the statue and bring it back.”
”Why are you bringing your family into this? It was supposed to be just us.”
”Alex is an expert on antiques. His purchase will be less suspicious than if I bought it. My family wants to help, Jamie.” He regarded her evenly. ”Help cure you, Jamie.”
”You make so much of family, family, family. Being part of a group is way overrated. I wouldn't want someone telling me what to do, where to go, how to live.”
”Someone to be there when you need them.”
”I don't need them. I do better on my own. Even with Mark, he didn't care...”
She bit her lip, looked away, aware she'd already said too much. Jamie flinched at his soft look of dawning comprehension.
”So that's it, Jamie. The Morph wasn't your brother but it was exactly what you wanted. The Morph played the part of the big, protective brother he thought Mark was. Only Mark really didn't care what you did, no matter how you tried to please him. All he cared about was his career, and as long as you stayed out of the way, he was fine with you.”
Physical pain squeezed her chest. ”He was my only brother. I always had enough food, clothes, everything I needed.”
”Everything but someone to love you. You were living with a roommate, not a brother.”
”I don't need love or a family. And I don't need you, either,” she snapped.
”You need me more than you realize,” he said quietly. ”You're my mate and part of my family now. Tonight we're dining with them. You won't put them off any longer.”
Her stomach tangled in knots. Jamie said nothing. She walked home, not caring that he walked beside her. She'd trusted him for once, and he'd let her down.