Rosemary & Mistletoe
By Bianca Sommerland
Copyright 2011 Bianca Sommerland
Smashwords Edition
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
Edited by Nichola Lachlan
Cover art by Miss Sommerland
Smashwords Edition, License Notes
This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be reproduced or used in whole or in part by any means existing without written permission from the author, Bianca Sommerland, at biancasommerland@gmail.com.
Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.
This book is a work of fiction and any resemblance to persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental. The characters are products of the author's imagination and used fictitiously.
Warning
This ebook contains material not suitable for readers under 18. In also contains scenes that some may find objectionable, including light BDSM, ménage sex, bondage, dubious consent, and an unfortunately brief man love scene.
Dedications
To my lovely beta reader, Riane Holt, who can be tough and make me want to tear my hair out, but is always reasonable and usually right. For keeping me sane through drunken nights and fights with real and imagined adversaries, I thank you. And to my readers, new and old. This is a Christmas present to you. I can hold my head up high and say I’m doing something great with my life. I am the words. And they would be nothing without you.
Chapter One
The dirty mirror in the grungy bathroom reflected her shaky smile. A moment to compose herself was all she needed. Felix was okay. Better than okay.
The old Felix was back.
With her eyes closed, she pictured the smile that had lit across his face, a genuine smile that reached his eyes, breaking through months of darkness like the sun rising in the south pole. His laughter had stole her breath and his teasing got her all weepy.
Gods I missed him.
Straightening her short jean skirt and her black fishnet shirt, Rosemary took a deep, bracing breath. Then she double checked her makeup to be sure no streaks remained from tears of relief meeting thick mascara. All good. Time to go back into the bar before Felix picked someone up.
Maybe she should be worried that his attention could stray, but with a nest of seven men, all devoted to feeding the hunger of her cambion blood—seriously, she couldn’t complain. Without them, the demonic leanings of her succubus ancestry would take over. Of course, most cambion queens were still possessive of their men, but Rosemary was a little different. Being an ugly child, born of a race known for deadly beauty, had something to do with it. He father had placed the curse on her to save her life since most cambions smothered their daughters at birth. Daughters meant competition. And short life spans. Rosemary’s own mother had committed matricide when she turned ten.
Rosemary hadn’t been seen as a threat because an ugly cambion couldn’t gather the men for the nest she needed to survive. She’d either turn into a creature that left bodies in her wake or starve to death. When Rosemary came into her beauty in her late teens, she suddenly had a chance at a somewhat normal life.
So long as she could avoid her mother’s frequent attempts to kill her.
The nest had barely escaped her mother’s territory with their lives. But there had been several victims—girls who’d been Felix’s lovers and friends at their old college campus. Ever since he’d come across the carnage Rosemary’s mother had left in the girl’s dorm, his joyful spirit had been snuffed out. It was like part of him had died with them.
But tonight she’d seen the man she’d come to love. Seeing Felix with another woman would be a relief. The young Djinn didn’t have it in him to be monogamous and neither did she. Up until now, he’d resisted introductions to any of the young women at their new college in San Diego, but she could give him a little nudge in the right direction. His magic responded to her wishes, though often with . . . an unexpected twist.
Some other time. Rosemary opened her small leather clutch and freshened up her red lipstick. Then she blew her reflection a kiss. Tonight I’m feeling a little selfish. If he’s not with anyone by now, I’m keeping him all to myself.
Flinging her long black, dance-tussled hair over one shoulder, she left the bathroom and crossed the short hall with heel-clicking strides. She glanced at the dance floor where bodies gyrated under cheap strobe lights, sure Felix would be out there, showing some sexy young thing all his moves. Instead he sat at the bar, chatting it up with the bartender who was in the process of mixing drinks.
“You’ve got more restraint than I do, let me tell you,” the bartender was saying. “You passed up a sure thing.”
“What if I told you I came here with a woman who’d make you want to pass up every sure thing that came along for the rest of your life?” Felix swiveled slowly on the barstool, lips curving into a half-smile. “Ah, there she is.”
Rosemary ducked her head and blushed as the bartender looked her over, nodding his accord. “You’re one lucky son of a bitch.”
The bartender set two glasses filled with a rich coffee colored liquid, in front of them. He let his gaze drift down to Rosemary’s cleavage. Her eyes widened and her nostrils flared as the sharp scent of his lust reached her. Flicking her tongue over her bottom lip, she smiled and let her hand drift up to her chest, then brushed the creamy white swell of her breasts with her fingertips. The man gaped at her, then shook his head and shuffled off to serve a group of middle-aged women who flirted outrageously and laughed loud when he joined them.
Stifling a little shudder, Rosemary moved a little closer to Felix. She’d forgotten what it felt like to have men look at her like that. They wouldn’t dare with Kurt or Largo around and she rarely went anywhere without at least one of them.
“Hey.” Felix slid a hand around her waist and drew her between his thighs. His deep blue eyes narrowed slightly as he studied her face. “Are you okay? That guy didn’t bother you, did he? He’s harmless.”
“But I’m not.” She swallowed and did her best to steady her breathing and tamp down the hunger which had risen in response to the man’s unconscious invitation. “He caught me off guard and I—”
“Should we leave?” Felix started to stand and his brow creased when she stopped him. “If you need to feed—”
“I want to dance with you, Felix.” She slid her hands over his jean clad thighs and bit her bottom lip. “I’ll need you to feed me soon, but first . . . just one more dance? It’s been so long.”
“Just a few months.” Putting his hand under her chin, he stroked her bottom lip with his thumb. “But you know very well I can’t say no to you. Have a drink with me and we’ll hit the dance floor for a slow song.”
“All right.” She giggled as he spun her around and then picked her up to perch on his lap. Thankfully he kept her facing the bar or she would have flashed her crotchless red thong at Friday night crowd. And with all those men out there the lust would—Stop. What’s the matter with you?
“Why so tense?” Felix whispered against her cheek as she took a sip of the sweet coffee liquor. His lips caught her delicate earlobe and tugged gently before moving down the column of her throat. “I can take care of you, you know.”
“I know.” She shivered as a cool sensation followed another sip. A peppermint flavour slipped over her tongue, distracting her. “Hey, what is this?”
“A Black Santa.” Leaning around her, Felix picked up his own glass and took a few hearty gulps. He wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. “To celebrate the winter solstice.”
“Ah.” Rosemary drank a bit more, then tilted her head in thought. “It’s more a special day for Shiloh and Kurt though, right?”
Felix shrugged and his lips returned to her throat. “Probably.”
“Well, I’m looking forward to Christmas.” She dug her nails into her palms and gulped back a moan as her skin heated up in response to the soft manipulation of Felix’s mouth. “This will be our first as a complete nest.”
“Uh huh.” His hand flattened over her stomach, gliding up as he repositioned her so her butt cheeks framed his erection. He stroked the underside of her breasts with his fingers and chuckled when her breath caught. “Why are you trying to hold yourself back from me, lover? It’s not going to work.”
Why? She pressed her eyes shut as he settled his other hand on her bare knee. She found herself trying to picture Wylie, Alaire, Shiloh—any of the other men, any other man. Anyone who hadn’t just crawled out of a deep depression.
And that was it. She was still incapable of really dealing with the emotional side of their relationship. Granted, she didn’t fight the affection or tenderness anymore, but she’d been completely helpless when something reminded him of the girls who’d been his lovers and he’d broken down. What was she supposed to do—or say? Her mother had killed them!
Now that he was finished mourning, now that he wanted to spend time with her again, she desperately wanted to cross the distance between them. The passion and lust and love all caged inside confused the hunger and weakened her control. Which was unacceptable.
But she had no idea where to start.
“Talk to me, Rosy.”
“I’m sorry.”
There. She’d said it. Now the night was ruined.
“Sorry for what?” Felix set her on her feet and then stood. “You don’t have anything to be sorry for—other than confusing the hell out of me that is. I thought we were having fun.”
“We were!” She rested her forehead against his chest and hooked her fingers to the pockets of his jeans. “I just . . . I wasn’t there for you when I should have been. And now I’m using you.”
“Again with the using!” He laughed and hugged her. “Rosy, after your brother died, I wasn’t the most supportive guy in the world. I don’t know how to deal with situations like that. To be honest I’m glad you let Largo take over when I lost it. The guy’s got a big pair of shoulders and without you around I wasn’t ashamed to use them.”
“So we’re just here for each other for the good times?”
“Is that so wrong?” Felix cupped her cheeks between his hands and tipped her head back. “We’re both damaged goods. Maybe one day we’ll both learn how to handle stuff like this, but for now I’m happy leaving it to those in the nest more qualified. You don’t see me hanging around when you get all teary-eyed if there’s anyone else around to comfort you, do you?”
She blinked and giggled, recalling a few times when she’d noticed him trying to unobtrusively slip out. “Tears are like your kryptonite.”
“Exactly. And if I cried my tears would be yours, but real men don’t cry so . . . .” He winked at her when she arched a brow. “How about we ditch the serious and just have fun. That’s what I’m good at.”
“I like that idea.” She took a deep breath as the music changed. “I guess—”
Felix pressed his fingers to her lips. “Listen. It’s our song.”
The song was Everything by Michael Buble. She grinned and shook her head. “Since when?”
Spinning her towards the dance floor, Felix laughed, then dipped her over his arm. “Since right now.”
They danced, moving in the sensual way no one but Felix could make her move, their lips meeting midway through the song in a fierce, hungry kiss. His hot mouth tasted of coffee and peppermint and pure energy. As he covered her ass with his hands and drew her hard against him she found herself panting. Her fingers curled over his chest, bunching his cotton t-shirt. Moisture slicked between her thighs and she groaned, cursing her ingenious idea of teasing him with the lingerie.
Groaning, he slid his lips across her cheek. “I can smell you, all hot and wet and ready for me.”
“Yes.” She pressed herself against him and opened her mouth over his throat, tonguing and nibbling his salty flesh.
“Come on.” He grabbed her hand and towed her towards the back of the bar, straight into the stairwell that led up to the upstairs apartments.
Her back hit the cool wall. She gasped and glanced toward the glass door, all that stood between them and the street. “Someone will see.”
“Not unless you wish it.” His lips covered hers and his tongue darted in, stealing any further protests. He reached between them and slipped his hand under her skirt. Two fingers plunged into her wet heat. He made a gruff sound in his throat. “I need this.”
“Take it.” She raked her fingers into his hair and bit his bottom lip. Aroused like this, her hunger was a beast that craved all the wild passion he could give. Foreplay and sweet words be damned. She needed to be fucked.
He growled and turned her to face the wall. The sound of his zipper made her whimper and spread her thighs. He yanked her skirt up and shoved the thick head of his dick against her cunt. Her slickness had him gliding back and forth between her folds. She felt his knuckles brush her ass as he grabbed himself and guided his cock to her entrance.
As wet as she was, he could have filled her with one smooth thrust. Instead he stretched her with shallow dips, causing her core to clench and throb, desperate to have him all the way inside.
“Pleasepleaseplease.” She made a keening sound, holding herself up with one hand and reaching back with the other to latch on to his hip. “Felix.”
He slammed in and brushed her hand away. “Brace yourself, baby.”
Bracing both hands on the wall, she let out a silent scream as he pistoned in and out, speeding up until the slaps of his pelvis hitting her ass became a violent tattoo that filled the stairwell. Heat billowed up and out as the first climax tore through her. Another built up before she could recover. The pleasure overwhelmed the hunger and it gulped at the lust pouring from Felix, desperate to take all it could before it spilled over.
A door opened and shock had her tensing up. But she was too close to stop. She smothered a cry against her forearm as Felix drove in hard and she burst around him.
“You two couldn’t have waited?” Largo leaned on the wall beside her and gave her a lazy smile. “Least let us enjoy the show?”
“Ah!” She inhaled, tears of ecstasy burning her eyes as Felix continued pounding into her. No more! More! Oh I can’t! But Felix hadn’t slowed and she hovered near the brink yet again. “Largo!”
“Who?” Felix slammed into her, then went still. “Did you forget who’s fucking you, Rosy?”
“No! No!” She jutted her hips back, teetering on the edge, needing just a bit more to . . .
“Be nice, Felix,” Kurt said from somewhere behind them. “Finish her off. We’ve got to talk.”
Talk? Oh that doesn’t sound good. Pleasure receded and she tried to straighten.
A hand fisted in her hair, forcing her to stay in place. Her eyes went wide as Alaire came into her line of sight. “None of that. I want to hear you scream.”
He shoved his hand into her shirt and freed her breasts. Bowing down, he latched onto a nipple and stretched it with his teeth. Then he shoved his hand between her thighs and scissored his fingers over her clit.
Her mind went blank and sparks shot from her clit to her nipple. Felix rocked his hips. And she came apart.
Lips covered her mouth, swallowing her screams. She shook as flares of pleasure went off inside her. Her core clamped down on Felix.
“Oh damn!” Felix jerked and fell onto her as he came. The hunger drank greedily, feasting on the last of his strength. Some of his cum hit her thighs as Largo dragged her away from him and Alaire held him up.
Largo slumped on the nearby steps and cradled her in his arms. He kissed her forehead and petted her hair. “Wow. You haven’t fed like that in awhile. Are you okay?”
“Yes.” She gasped and melted into him, using his big solid body to ground her own. “I’m not sure what happened.”
“You were stressed.” Kurt put a foot on the step beside them and set his elbow on his knee. “I could feel it. I came as soon as I could.”
A tremulous smile formed on her lips. Her sweet prince, the one who’d finally made her nest, made her, whole. Without him being with Felix, alone like this, might have been fatal. A cambion’s appetites could kill a human, could destroy even those with magic in their blood like Felix if it went wild. But a full nest with a strong prince tamed it.
Somewhat.
And it was like the ‘somewhat’ that brought on Kurt’s next question. “Do you want to tell me what shook your control? If we hadn’t shown up when we did it might have broken loose and—”
“We worked it out.” Felix pushed away from Alaire and stumble toward them. Wylie and Chetan, who Rosemary hadn’t even noticed until now, caught him before he tipped over. “And I mean no disrespect, my prince, but she was doing just fine. It was you all showing up that pushed her too far.”
Kurt stood and folded his arms over his chest. “Really.”
The door between them and the bar opened again and Shiloh joined them. “He’s right. I did my best to block the influx of power from affecting the humans, but it spiked when your arousal mixed with theirs. Several passed out, but things have calmed down.”
“Good.” Kurt rubbed his chin with his thumb and forefinger. “Thank you for taking care of that. Do you think it’s safe to go back in?”
Shiloh nodded. “The weak are gone. And she’s sated. But . . . .”
Kurt arched a brow. “But?”
“She’d probably like to straighten up a bit before she goes in there.” Shiloh’s cheeks reddened. “She embarrasses rather easily and—”
Rosemary flushed and hid her face under Largo’s arm. For Shiloh to remark on it, she must look . . . really slutty. Her hair was probably a mess. Her breasts were still hanging out and she had cum drying on her thighs and skirt.
Wylie whipped out a white handkerchief from his grey suit pocket and knelt in front of her, his black face tight and serious. “Thanks for pointing that out, Shiloh. I’m sure it makes her feel much better.”
He dabbed at her cheeks, then rose and held out his hand.
“Come on, sweetie.” When she gave him her hand he gave it a little squeeze. “We’ll slip into the bathroom and get you cleaned up. No one will see you.”
Grateful beyond words, Rosemary let Wylie take care of her. In the bathroom, he did his best to scrub the stains from her skirt, then finally gave up and took off his suit jacket. Wearing it made her feel properly concealed as they went into the bar and took their place with the others in a booth at the far end of the dance floor.
“Feeling better?” Kurt asked, reaching across the table to take her hands.
She nodded, her eyes fluttering shut as he ran his thumbs over her knuckles. “Much. Now do you want to tell me why you’re all here? I thought you had to work late. And this was my night with Felix. You insisted on it.”
Kurt’s lips slanted into a sly smile. “It was his job to keep you busy while we set everything up. Looks like he did a damn good job. Are you ready for your surprise?”
“Surprise?” She laughed. Sneaky bastards! “What surprise?”
“A short vacation for Christmas.” Kurt’s eyes glowed as he brought her hands to his lips. He kissed her fingers and gave her a hooded look. “Just you and me.”
The warmth of his lips on her flesh sent little tingles up her arm. Her awareness of him hadn’t lessened since he’d become her prince. Actually, it seemed to be getting stronger. They needed this, a slice of time alone for them to connect as they should have long ago. She couldn’t have asked for a better gift.
The timing could be better.
Just the thought of being away from the others, away from Felix who’d been lost to her for months because of grief, made her gut twist. She would love to be with her prince, to have the opportunity to show him how much he meant to her.
But it would have to wait.
She forced her lips into a strained smile. “That’s very sweet of you, Kurt. And I appreciate it.”
His dark brown eyes narrowed. “Why does that sound like a ‘Thanks, but no thanks.’?”
Oh, Gods. He was pissed. She withdrew her hands and jutted her chin up. Too bad. No matter how she felt about him, this was her nest and she was the queen. She would do what she thought was right.
“Don’t take it like that.” She sighed. “We can take a trip together. Later. This is our first Christmas as a complete nest. We will spend it as a whole.”
“Are you telling me you won’t go?” Kurt leaned back and let out a sharp laugh. “Just like that?”
“Just like that.” She sidled out of the booth, holding Wylie’s jacket closed as she rose. “I’m sorry to disappoint you, but I’ve made my decision. And I’m tired. Take me home, Felix.”
“No, Rosy.” Felix rubbed his face with his hands. “Sit down. Let’s talk about this.”
No? She ran her tongue over her teeth. “There’s nothing to talk about.”
“Yes. There is.” Largo folded his arms and nodded pointedly at the booth. “Sit.”
The beat of the music changed to an upbeat, modern chart topper. A song she liked, but the melody grated on her nerves. “Largo, you do not give me commands. We’re not in the fucking bedroom and this isn’t a game.”
Chetan cleared his throat and spoke over Largo. “He didn’t mean it to sound like a command.”
“Actually, that’s exactly how I meant it to sound,” Largo said, slowly, as though to make sure he wasn’t misunderstood again. “We’re trying to have a conversation here.”
“Good for you.” She clicked her purse over and pulled out her wallet. A peek inside confirmed that she had enough money for a cab. “I’ll see you guys at home—”
Kurt swiped her wallet and tossed it to Alaire. “You’re not going anywhere.”
“You can’t stop me!”
“I just did.”
Rosemary let out a sharp laugh. “You’ve got to be kidding me!” She held her hand out to Alaire. “Give me my wallet.”
Alaire glanced from her to Kurt then back again. His teeth scraped his bottom lip as he shook his head. “Just listen, Rosemary.”
“You aren’t going to change my mind.” She ground her teeth and glared at each of her men. Their level stares aggravated her. “This isn’t a conversation. You’ve all decided that I’m going, haven’t you?”
“We’ve decided it’s for the best,” Kurt, said calmly.
“For the best?” Her tone sharpened. “I’m not a child you can make decisions for!”
“If you would stop acting like one, maybe we wouldn’t have to.”
“What’s this we shit?” Tears stung her eyes and she blinked fast to hold them off. This couldn’t be happening! “Where is your loyalty? With him?” She pointed at Kurt, so angry she lashed out without thinking. “Have you forgotten how he left us all to fend for ourselves? I did everything in my power to protect each and every one of you and this is how you repay me?”
“That’s low, Rosemary.” Largo scowled and slammed his fist on the table. “This is a gift, not a mutiny! What’s wrong with you?”
“Enough.” Shiloh’s skin took on a faint glow as he came to her side. “She said no. Drop it.” He wrapped an arm around her waist. “Come on, I’ll take you home.”
Rosemary laid her head on his shoulder, hiding the frustrated tears that spilled over her cheeks. “I hate you for this, Kurt. I never thought I could hate you this much.”
Kurt stood and leaned over the table. “You think you hate me now, love? Well just wait. This isn’t over.”
“You’re lucky I need you.” She whispered as Shiloh led her away. “Or it would be.”
Chapter Two
Locked in her room, Rosemary lay on her bed, staring at the ceiling. She hadn’t spoken to any of the men in over an hour. Shiloh had driven her home in silence and then left her in the hall with the quiet words that haunted her still.
“I wish you could trust us.”
Trust? What does that have to do with anything? She buried her face into her pillows and screamed. She finally had her nest. She wanted to make it strong and that meant solidifying the bonds with all of them, not just Kurt. His demands were selfish and unreasonable. Fine, maybe he’d been hurt that she’d spoiled his great surprise, but so what? He’d just proved that her decisions meant nothing, undermining her in the worst way.
Christmas was officially ruined. She couldn’t see any way to make this right.
Thought Kurt would probably try. She let out a harsh laugh. Let him. Then he’ll see his queen isn’t just a figurehead. And he’s no king.
But hadn’t she said once that this nest would be the first with a king?
Well, apparently that had gone to his head. The hierarchy of a cambion nest was there for a reason. The prince served beneath the queen.
A sharp knock sounded at the door. She sensed Kurt before she heard him. “Let me in, Rosemary. We need to talk.”
She lifted her head and glared at the door. “I have nothing to say to you!”
“You’re being very childish.”
“Then I’m being childish. Leave me alone.”
The door shook and she sat up as it crashed open with a Bang! “Why are you fighting me on this? At least tell me that so I will understand!”
She stared at him, at his heaving chest and his eyes gone black with rage. Suddenly he seemed like a stranger, not the man who’d brought her back from the brink of death, not the man who’d known her most of her life.
And he wanted to take her away from the others? Even if the timing wasn’t so wrong what was she supposed to do with just him? She obviously didn’t know him at all.
“Why are you doing this?” Hugging a pillow to her chest, she hid her face and spoke in a whisper. “Thing were fine until you decided you needed to prove they’d all rather take your lead than mine.”
“You’re making them choose, not me.” He approached the bed slowly, then crouched in front of her. “Rosemary you don’t have to do this alone. You’re taking on too much and it’s not good for you. If it wasn’t clear before, I would think this whole thing with Felix would make it so. That the rest of us were there for him didn’t matter. You assumed that you hadn’t done enough.”
“I hadn’t.”
“And that you believe that just proves we need this time away. You need to learn to give me some of this burden you’re carrying. That’s why I’m here.”
“I already gave you my answer, my prince.” She hissed through her teeth. “I’m not going anywhere.”
“That’s where you’re wrong, my love.” He latched on to her wrists before she had a chance to scramble away from him. “I’m not giving you a choice.”
* * * *
She let out wild laugh. “You’ve got to be kidding. You think you can make me go?”
Before he had a chance to answer she let power flow through her veins, heating her skin enough to burn him. It made her a little sick to lash out at him like this, but she had to put him in his place. Fast.
“Fuck.” He released her and stumbled back as his skin sizzled. His jaw hardened as he glared at her. “You sure you want to play that way, Rosemary?”
“Why?” She blew the smoke from her fingertips. “Not up to the game?”
“I can’t fight you without seriously hurting you.” Fists clenched at his sides, pain tightening the flesh around his eyes, he took a battle stance that belied his words. “But that doesn’t mean I’m backing down.”
As he reached for her she gathered the energy within to throw up a shield. And suddenly her power was . . . unplugged.
Largo propped himself on the doorframe and gave her a hard look. “You’ve just proved the two of you need this time alone. Don’t bother trying again,” he said just as she was about to. “Between me and Shiloh we’ve got whatever you can throw at us leashed.”
“Shiloh?” A lump formed in her throat as Shiloh stepped into the room, his long brown hair veiling his eyes, arms crossed over his chest. “Why?”
“Because you need to go.” He bowed his head and spoke in a whisper. “Please don’t resist any longer. I hate doing this.”
“Then don’t! Show him you haven’t turned against me too!” Tears blurred her vision. “If you do he’ll have to talk to me! That’s all I want!”
“Let’s talk then,” Kurt said. “What can I say to convince you to come with me?”
“Nothing!”
“I’m glad we could discuss this.” He sighed. “Largo?”
Largo crossed the room in two strides. “Got it.”
Rosemary threw her shoulder into his gut, then dropped to the floor and scrambled out of reach. Kurt blocked her escape and Largo grabbed her from behind.
“Let me go!” She screamed as Largo dragged her to the bed. “I can’t believe you’re doing this!”
“I can’t believe you’re making me.” Largo shackled her wrists in his hands and pressed his knee against her butt to hold her still. “It’s not good for the nest to have you two butting heads like this.”
“So I’m just supposed to do whatever he wants?” She twisted her wrists in a futile attempt to free herself. “Because he’s the man?”
“No. Because he’s right.” Largo grunted as her head struck the center of his chest. “Alaire will you hurry up!”
“Coming.” Alaire called. He grinned at the scowl Rosemary tossed over her shoulder. “Aww, hon. You know how sexy you are when you’re—”
“Don’t even go there, you fucking traitor!” She watched him unravel a length of dark red rope and renewed her struggling. “I swear to the Gods this is the last time any one of you is ever touching me again!”
“Is that a fact?” Alaire’s tone turned light and playful, making her hate him even more. “Well then, I guess I’d better enjoy our last moments together.”
Taking Largo’s place, Alaire swiftly wound the rope around her wrists. When she tried to buck him off he let out a low growl and opened his mouth over the nape of her neck.
Fangs pricked her skin and she went perfectly still. As a changeling, Alaire could take on several animal forms. He’d only ever managed to shift into a hawk, but there was another beast within, dying to get out. And it had very sharp teeth.
She might be pissed, but she knew better than to push him when he got like this. Besides, if she moved it would probably be to writhe with the need he stirred within whenever he got rough. Often she taunted him just to get a taste of his fierce passion, but now was not the time.
Still, she couldn’t help the soft whimper that escaped her as heat gathered low in her belly.
“There we go,” he said as he tied the last knot. His hands slid over her hips. He nuzzled his face into the crook of her shoulder and practically purred. “Fight it all you want, kitten. Your scent holds all the truth I need.”
Kurt cleared his throat. “I appreciate you help, Alaire, but if we don’t leave now we’ll miss our flight. You can play with her some other time.”
Alaire pulled away with little more than a deep rumble in his chest. Sometimes he got territorial when the beast came out, but his control had improved. He stepped aside and let Largo help her to her feet.
Chetan approached, his olive eyes shadowed with concern. He evaded her gaze before she could find a way to use his uncertainty against him and circled her. She felt his fingers tracing the rope.
“Nice,” he said. “Kinbaku?”
“Huh?” Alaire let out a gruff laugh. “Not sure what that is, but a girl scout leader I dated taught me how to tie knots. She was one kinky broad!”
Felix laughed. “I so need details!”
Rosemary twisted away from Largo and narrowed her eyes at all her men. They’d filled the room and looking at them she could tell only Shiloh and Chetan realized how serious the situation was.
Alaire and Felix didn’t surprise her. Anything less than death was a joke to them. Largo tended to side with Kurt so . . . disappointing, but no shock.
Wylie, however . . .
“How could you let them do this?” She took a step towards him. “I thought you, more than anyone, understood how I felt.”
Wylie frowned. “Don’t expect me to feel guilty about doing everything in my power to take care of you when you obviously won’t take care of yourself. You don’t want to be a selfish queen, fine. But you’re going way too far in the other direction.”
Such reasonable bullshit. She shook her head and turned to Kurt. “Well, you win. Let’s get this over with. To tell you the truth, I’d rather deal with one pompous asshole than six spineless ones anyway.”
Every man in the room winced.
“You can be really petty, you know that love?” Kurt scowled at her. “Largo, bring her to my car.”
“Don’t have the balls to bring me yourself you self-righteous son-of-a—”
A hand came from out of nowhere and shoved something big and round in her mouth. Her eyes widened as Felix grinned and tied the straps of the gag behind her head.
He patted her cheek once before stepping aside. “And Kurt said we wouldn’t need it. I’m glad he was wrong. You look lovely all tied up and gagged. I’m gonna be fantasizing about this for awhile.”
And I’m going to be fantasizing about all the different ways I can make each of you suffer. She spared Kurt one last scathing look as Largo led her out. Starting with you.
Chapter Three
Palm trees whipped by, lining the city streets, still so green it was hard to believe it was December. Living in Tennessee most her life, she was accustomed to colder temperatures in the winter. Living in San Diego felt like an extended vacation. But this was home now—the only place where she and her men were really safe. The vard lokkur, Guardians of Secret knowledge, a race of magi dedicated to protecting the natural world from the supernatural, had offered her nest sanctuary in exchange for the chance to study them. That her mother had seduced her father from their ranks troubled them and their High Council was determined to find a way to keep any more of their members from falling under a cambion’s spell.
And Kurt, her father’s former student, made the perfect test subject. Oh, they knew they couldn’t lure him away from her, but that didn’t mean they wouldn’t try to convince him he needed to secure a position of power in the nest. More than any prince should ever have.
Try? He was probably all for it. She cast him a sidelong glare. His Christmas surprise was probably just an excuse to get me away from the others. So he can show me who’s boss.
She had a hard time believing Kurt would stoop so low. But the fact remained that he hadn’t taken what she wanted into consideration. How could he believe she’d be okay with leaving her nest so soon? Just a few months back she’d almost lost them all. It would be years before she’d feel comfortable being away from them for more than a few hours, never mind days!
You’re powerless. What more could the vard lokkur want?
But was that what Kurt wanted?
He turned the nest against you.
No matter how she looked at it, she couldn’t justify what he’d done. And she didn’t even know why she bothered trying, except . . . damn it, she loved him. Which made hating him difficult.
Then again, forcing the image of her men betraying her to play through her mind over and over again helped. Because she loved them too and if the vard lokkur planned to play games with them, they’d have to go through her.
Soon as I get home, we’re all gonna have a little chat.
Kurt pulled into the airport parking lot, parked the car, then turned to her. He reached over to remove the gag, then paused. “I’d hate to have to explain all this to security, but I’m fairly confident I have the power to get us past them if you plan to be difficult.”
She bowed her head to show she’d behave. After he’d taken out the gag, she worked her jaw to get rid of the soreness and spoke quietly through her teeth. “I won’t be difficult. I’m well aware of what a power hungry prince can do to me and my nest when I refuse to cooperate.”
Lips parted, he stared at her. Letting out a soft, bitter laugh, he used a knife to cut the ropes binding her. Then he threw his door open. “Get out. I’ll get the bags.”
For a moment, she couldn’t move. She knew that was a ball-sack-low blow. No matter how upset she was, reminding him of what the nest had suffered while he’d stepped aside, allowing what had turned out to be a false prince to claim her, was going too far.
“I’m—” She cut herself off before she could add ‘sorry’ even though she’d spoked low enough that there was no way he’d hear her. She wasn’t ready to apologize to him, not really. Her cruel words were nothing compared to what he was forcing her to do.
She climbed out of the car and glanced over at the luggage he’d piled at his side. His large black rucksack, her sleek red suitcase, and the matching carryon. Enough for anywhere from a few days to a couple of weeks.
“How long are we going for?”
Kurt slung the rucksack over his shoulder and tossed her the carryon. He clicked the handle on the suitcase and started walking with it rolling behind him.
She hurried to catch up. “You’re giving me the silent treatment? And you call me childish?”
“I have nothing to say, my lady.”
Her gut clenched. She blinked and stopped in her tracks.
He sighed and turned around. “Damn it! I didn’t mean it like that!”
Didn’t mean it like that? She pursed her lips and strode past him. As if he didn’t know it would hurt her to have him addressing her by the same title he’d used with his former queen. Her mother. The woman who’d done her best to kill her and those she loved.
“Oh, I’ll try not to take it too much to heart.” She tossed over her shoulder in an icy tone. “I really shouldn’t expect more from a cast-off stud.”
“I’m a little more than that, sweetheart.” He gritted out through his teeth. “I’m your prince.”
“You’re a convenience.”
“Am I?” He let out a dark laugh that made goose bumps rise on her flesh. “We’ll see about that.”
The parking lot suddenly seemed way too empty. Inside the airport, light beckoned. And there were plenty of people to make Kurt reconsider whatever cruel repayment his black eyes promised. She made haste to join them, but even inside knew the onlookers were no more than a brief buffer from his anger.
You’ll be alone with him soon, dread told her as she stood in line and waited to board the flight to Aspen, Colorado. And then no one can keep you safe.
Studying Kurt’s face through the corner of her eyes, she realized that as nervous as she was, she couldn’t honestly claim real fear. He’d always done everything in his power to protect her. That wouldn’t change no matter what she said.
He might find some way to punish her, though.
How? He can’t very well put me over his knee. I’m his queen!
But what if he did? She shivered and bit her bottom lip. Damn hunger, rising already. And it liked the idea of him putting his hands on her very much.
Not happening.
She could almost see the glint of fangs as the hunger smiled.
* * * *
Pure whiteness spilled over the world, untouched by night’s darkness, glowing beneath stark streetlights and multicoloured Christmas bulbs. In the distance mountains rose into the black horizon. The plane landed and Rosemary opened her overstuffed carry on and pulled out the thick, cream colored wool jacket crammed inside. Matching gloves and a knitted hat fell onto her seat as she pulled on the jacket.
How predictable, Kurt. She buttoned the jacket, then donned everything else she’d been provided. Assumed you thought of everything, didn’t you? It’s gonna be real fun walking through the snow in sandals.
He watched her wiggle her toes as he unbuckled his seatbelt. “I’ll get the luggage so you can get changed into something warmer. There’s boots and—”
“Don’t worry about it.”
“Don’t be stupid.”
“Stupid?” She smirked and shook her head. “Oh you’re on a roll.”
Elbowing past him, she made her way into the crowd exiting the plane and plodding through the jetway.
“Rosemary!” Kurt shouted over the din. “Will you wait?”
She pretended not to hear him. Inside she waited off to the side while he fetched their luggage, then headed outside before he could join her. The curb side dropoff had been cleared, but enough freshly fallen snow remained to cover her feet. The first step felt like tentatively dipping her foot into ice water. With the next she slipped.
An older man with a thick grey beard caught her arm. She grabbed onto the lapels of his suit as her heels scraped the asphalt.
“Whoa there, honey.” He braced his boots by her feet and tipped up his felt hat with his free hand. “I got you.”
She gave him a grateful smile. “Thank—”
“I’ve got her.” Kurt jerked her away from the man, trapping her arms by her sides and pre-empting her struggles. “We appreciate your help.”
“Well I don’t want yours.” She shoved at Kurt’s chest. “Let me go.”
The man frowned. “Sir, perhaps you should—”
“Honey, I told you we could go see your grandmother. I’m sorry if I acted like I wasn’t crazy about the idea. I love the old bat!” Kurt grinned at the other man. “Don’t mind her. She’s being a little dramatic. Women get that way around that time of month, you know.”
“Don’t I know it!” Laughing, the man touched the brim of his hat. “You young’uns’ have yourselves some fun. I’ve got an old bat of my own to visit.”
Once the man was out of hearing, Rosemary arched her head up and let her eyes flings razors at Kurt. “Fucking clever. Now if you don’t mind, I’m freezing.”
Her toes had gone numb. Her nose was running. She was miserable and it was all Kurt’s fault.
“So sorry.” Kurt said, dryly. He swooped her into his arms. His brow furrowed. “Actually, I really am. I should have considered this sooner. When we get to the lodge, how about I give you a foot rub?”
She smiled, slid her hand into his hair, then gave a sharp tug, forcing him close so she could hiss in his face. “How about you get me to the hotel so we can get this farce of a vacation over as quickly as possible.”
His jaw ticked, but he simply jerked his hair from her grasp and gave her a sharp nod.
Shortly after they both sat in the rented car with the radio blaring, almost loud enough to drown out her troubled thoughts. Almost. Maybe she should make an effort to make the best of things now that they were here, but her anger just wouldn’t let go. No matter how she looked at it, Kurt was wrong. The beautiful scenery around them matched the cold and remoteness she felt inside.
Part of her was still mad at the other men of her nest too, but missing them diluted it. She hugged herself and pressed her forehead against the cool glass of the passenger side window. Swallowing back her tears she swore to herself that she’d find a way to take control when they returned so nothing like this would ever happen again.
When they reached the lodge she headed straight inside and waited while Kurt fetched the bags. The insulated leather boots and white snow pants had warmed her up, but she still felt a chill in her bones. All she wanted to do was go to the room and change into the brand new flannel pjs she’d seen in her suitcase when she’d been hunting for socks, bury herself under a mountain of blankets, and escape into sleep.
But how could she escape with Kurt sleeping next to her? She approached him as he spoke to the receptionist and touched his arm. Being calm and reasonable would get her further with him than spitting any more venom. “Can you see if they have an empty lodge for the night? I promise we can talk in the morning, but tonight I need a bed to myself.”
He took the keys from the diminutive blond receptionist and motioned for Rosemary to follow him. “There’s no vacancies. I had to reserve the lodge months ago. Aspen is full this time of year.” He held up his hand before she could speak. “But don’t worry. I’ll sleep on the sofa.”
Nothing in his tone implied any intention of making her feel guilty, but she did. And she shouldn’t. And she resented him for it.
“Good.” She snatched her carry on and hugged it to her chest. Her bottom lip trembled so she bit it hard. Then she met his eyes. “I know the point of all this is for us to spend time together, but I really can’t deal with you right now. I need some time alone.”
“You have it.” His jaw clenched, then he swivelled away and left her to follow.
She choked back a sob as she watched him step out into the snow.
Finally, he was giving her exactly what she wanted. She’d get the alone time she’d asked for.
But she’d lied when she’d said it was what she needed.
So what do you need?
Truth was, she had no clue.
Chapter Four
“Don’t move. Don’t forget who’s in control.”
Rosemary thrashed when she saw Brandon’s face, but then forced herself to hold still. He was her prince. She had to submit to him—to protect her nest. They were hurt . . .
Somewhere deep inside, she saw this as the past. Perhaps a vision or a dream? Her men were fine.
“Are you sure about that?” Brandon asked in his familiar ‘Professor’ tone. The tone that made you feel like you’d have to be stupid to give the wrong answer. A cruel teacher and downright sadistic when he’d claimed the position of her prince. She’d thought she’d gotten away from him, but she could feel him teasing, toying with her, bringing her to the brink before withdrawing his hand. “No matter what I do, I want you to keep one thing in mind.” She heard the metallic rip of a zipper and felt the thick head of him prodding at her. “Your body is mine. You don’t come until I say so.”
If she couldn’t come, she couldn’t feed—not properly anyway. A full feeding came from complete surrender to pleasure. Which would never happen with him, but if she pleased him she could take enough to heal Shiloh. She pictured her quiet lover, in pain, burnt because he’d held her—her body ached with the tiny tendrils of power that struggled for freedom to feed, but she leashed it with all her strength and waited, knowing that letting it loose would anger Brandon, knowing his anger would have consequences that would make them all suffer.
He fucked her harder and harder, reaching around to stimulate her clit with his free hand. Climax thrashed at her, begging for release. She could feel him getting closer to his own release. She clenched to drive him over the edge.
“Now,” he grunted, holding back. “Do it now.”
The power roared and burst into her. She gathered as much as she could and tossed it out with Shiloh in mind, hoping it would reach him. Completely drained, she felt the hunger rise, gnashing its teeth in her mind, clawing as thought it could escape her flesh. She screamed as it frayed the edges of her control.
It was starving. It needed somebody to feed it.
Anybody.
She sprang off the bed, sensing warm bodies outside, warm bodies she could use. Something hard rammed into her and she was dropped hard onto the mattress. Her nails hooked into flesh, drawing a grunt of pain. They raked a bloody path down muscular arms as her hand were pried loose.
“What have you done, Rosemary?” Kurt held her wrists over her head and used his weight to pin her down. “Come on, breathe with me.”
“Get off me! I hate you!” She sobbed, the image of Shiloh’s wounds still so fresh in her mind she couldn’t believe it had happened months ago. “Shiloh needs me.” And Felix, who’d suffered broken ribs and a fractured jaw. Then Largo who Brandon had beaten because she’d disobeyed. “They need me!”
“They need us!” Kurt used his elbows at either side of her head to make her look at him. “But we can argue about that later. You’ve burned yourself out. Let me—”
“I want you to leave! I’ll be fine!”
“We both know that’s not true.” Clamping onto her wrists with one hand, he reached down with the other. “And I’m not going anywhere, ever again.”
Her eyes widened and she laughed wildly as he held up the wrist cuffs Largo had bought for her weeks before. “What are you going to do, tie me up and rape me?”
“As if I’d have to.” He forced her arms up and clipped her cuffs together around the metal bedpost. “You’ll let me know when you’re ready to take what you need. Until then, I’d rather not have to fight to make sure you stay put.”
“I’m not an animal! You can’t just tie me up and—”
“You’re more dangerous than any animal, Rosemary, and you know it. If you weren’t so determined to be pissed you’d thank me.”
“Thank you? None of this would have happened if you hadn’t dragged me away from my nest.” She panted as the hunger sizzled through her veins, a starving thing grasping for whatever she had left for it to absorb. Her body felt like she’d gone days without sustenance and had pushed it past endurance. “Take me home!”
“I couldn’t even if I wanted to.” He undid the buttons of her flannel, pale blue pyjama shirt and then flipped it open, baring her breasts. “And I don’t.”
Gasping in air, she tasted his arousal, thick and dark, with a salty sweetness that reminded her of taking his hot, throbbing dick in her mouth just as he came. The hunger purred. Not exactly what it wanted, but it would take what it could get.
No. Rosemary stabbed her nails into her palms. You don’t control me anymore. I’ll feed you when I’m good and ready.
“You’re getting better at this, my stubborn little queen.” Kurt reclined beside her, holding her legs between his thighs to keep her knees from hitting him as she renewed her struggles. He trailed his fingers between her breasts, then over her ribs. “But you know very well that caging it will only piss it off. When the hunger breaks free it will be twice as fierce.”
“I can handle it.”
His brow shot up. He traced a figure eight over her belly and her muscles tensed. “Can you?”
She ran her tongue over her teeth. “Try me.”
“Try you?” Head bowed, he nodded slowly and walked his fingers down to the waistband of her pyjamas. “Yes. I think I will.”
Certain he’d dive right in, she clamped her thighs and did her best to calm her body. The hunger made her wet and ready, but she’d been working with Chetan on finding her center and separating her mind from her lust. Having a full nest helped a lot, but she’d still need to feed constantly if she didn’t tame her baser urges.
Her breathing leveled out. She became still and composed. Even her pulse steadied to a languorous tattoo.
Kurt chuckled and brought his lips to the shallow along her hip bone. “Giving me a challenge, are you? I like that.”
His breath warmed her flesh as he opened his mouth. He sucked lightly on her skin and her heart beat a little faster. Then he bit down hard.
Pain flared and her hips jutted up. “Ow!”
“Now we’re even.” He rolled over, letting her see the claw deep marks on his shoulder. Dried blood marred his tanned flesh, red and swollen over the hard curve of muscle. “Largo tells me you like being spanked. Is it the pain or is it because you like being treated like a naughty girl?”
She stared at him. “You are not going to spank me.”
“You can’t stop me.” He gave her a heavy lidded look. “But don’t worry, I’ll leave that to the big guy. He sent me some toys to use if you get out of hand though.”
Toys? She went over all the things Largo had used on her. Mostly vibrating dildos and butt plugs. A soft paddle once, but nothing that Kurt could use to punish her.
“He says you get off on the pain, but he’s not comfortable with giving much.” He skimmed his teeth along her stomach. “I’ve been curious to see if I can.”
He bit her again and her grip on control slipped. The sharp sensation rippled down to her clit causing it to harden and throb. The hunger slammed against the bars of its cage.
Another nip brought a moan to her lips. She tugged at her wrists and twisted her hips. “Stop!”
“I don’t think so.” He kissed where he’d bit, then licked over the teeth marks. “This is only going to end one way, Rosemary.”
“You think so?” Digging her heels into the mattress she fought the urge to buck up against his mouth. “Prepare to be disappointed.”
Letting out a heavy sigh, Kurt pushed off the bed. “He was right. I’m gonna have to play dirty.”
After shucking his black t-shirt, Kurt reached into the pocket of his black jogging pants and pulled out a small package. He took out two tiny silver metal things that looked like miniature clothespins.
Nipple clamps. You’ve got to be kidding me. Largo had mentioned trying them, but they’d never gotten around to it. She gave Kurt a hard look. “Don’t.”
“No. Don’t. Stop.” He clucked his tongue. “When did you get the impression that I was willing to discuss this?”
“Kurt!” She gasped when he bent over her and flicked her nipple with his tongue. “Please!”
He lifted his head while pinching the erect nipple between his finger and thumb. “Please what?”
“Please—” The clamp snapping onto sensitive flesh cut off her objections. “Ah!”
Pure agony, lessening slightly as he adjusted the clamp, but still enough to make her eyes water. His teeth tugged at her other nipple and she arched off the bed. The pain blossomed and heat burst from deep inside her core. So intense, so fierce—she lost her hold on the hunger and it roared in cruel satisfaction as it took over.
Kurt cupped her face in his palms and forced her to meet his eyes. “Hate me all you want, but don’t do this to yourself. Let it go!”
“I can’t!” Tears spilled from her eyes as she pressed them shut. “Take them off! It’s too much!”
“Too much what, Rosemary?” He kissed away her tears then brought his salty lips to her mouth. “Too much pain or too much pleasure?”
She desperately wanted to say pain, but what she was feeling was so much more. She needed . . . No! Don’t tell him! Have some fucking pride! “Too much! It’s just too much!”
“We can’t lie to one another, love. Not if we want this to work.” He crawled to the bottom of the bed and her eyes shot open as his fingers hooked into the waistband of her pyjama bottoms. He rolled them down then worked them easily past her locked knees. After tossing them aside he climbed between her legs and forced her thighs apart. “I enjoy giving you pleasure. Maybe feeding from that will be enough. Once you’re sated, if you still want me to leave you alone I will.”
Before she could respond, he covered her pussy with his mouth and dipped his tongue inside her. She thrust against his mouth and the hunger drank from him, taking little sips of his energy, snarling in frustration at the mere trickle of satisfaction it received. Her flesh heated up to a fever pitch and sweat covered every inch. Even the painful pinch making her aware of her nipples and her swaying breasts couldn’t quite break through the searing agony that tore through her.
Kurt’s head shot up and he scowled. “How far are you willing to go? Let me help you!”
He rose, using his hips to hold her thighs apart as he shoved his jogging pants down. His dick jutted out, hard and long, the swollen tip slick with precum.
Yes! The hunger screamed. And part of her agreed. But another part held back, scrambling to take charge even though she knew there was no use.
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