Indirect Lines: Halle Shifters, Book 5 (10 page)

Chapter Sixteen

Heather convulsed against him as the spasm rocked her. She was exquisite in her pleasure, her features taut has her nails dug into his biceps, drawing blood. Barney’s eyes changed, enhancing his vision. And what a vision she was. He couldn’t take his gaze from her face as she came down from the orgasm. Her cheeks were flushed, the green of her eyes turning golden as her Fox came to the fore. Her fangs descended as she licked her lips, her gaze glued to his neck where she would mark him. He had no doubt her mark would be on him before the end of the night.

He was hoping for sooner rather than later. He wanted to experience the high of having his mate’s fangs in his flesh. For all his earlier protests, he needed that mark more than he needed to breathe.

His Bear needed her inside, in his den, naked against his sheets. She still wasn’t safe. He hadn’t caught the shooter or managed to invade the Senate archives. Having her out in the open, vulnerable, was making his Bear growly as hell.

“C’mon, sweetheart. Let’s get inside.”

She nodded, still panting from the bite. All females experienced orgasm at the bite of their mate, while males, from what he’d heard, wound up feeling the urge to make love to their mate. He was certain it was some sort of animalistic need to continue the species, but honestly he didn’t care that much. Not when Heather was hanging on his arm as he helped her out of the car, her legs too wobbly to hold her up.

He got her up the steps and held on to her waist as he dug for his keys. His hands were steady as he opened the door. “In you go,” he murmured, guiding her into his tiny, one bedroom apartment.

She sniffed, wrinkling her nose. “Smells like two-day old burritos in here.”

“Bachelor pad chic at its finest.” He kicked the door shut and led her toward the bedroom. She could get the two-dollar tour tomorrow. Tonight, she was getting a first-class view of the bedroom. “In you go.”

“Wait.” She twirled out of his hold, almost tripping over a pair of jeans he’d left on the floor. She held up her hand. “Um, can we eat first?”

He blinked, then sighed. “Have a seat, Frodo.”

She rolled her eyes, but she sat gingerly on the edge of his bed. Her hands grabbed the edge of his mattress so tightly he was sure her claws had pierced it. “Sitting.”

He knelt in front of her and put his hands on her knees, ignoring the way she twitched under his touch. “Calm down, sweetheart. We’re going to do this at your pace. There’s no rush, okay?”

She took a deep breath and blew it out. “Okay.” She unclenched her hands and placed them over his. Her nails were still claws, but she was careful not to prick him. “What do we do first?”

He smiled. “We curl up on the bed and kiss.”

She stared at him for a moment. “That’s it?”

“I like to linger over my appetizers.” Her eyes grew wide as he tipped her back. “Scoot up, little Fox. Put your head on one of the pillows.”

She did as told, kicking her shoes off in the process. “Now what?”

Heather was so pale he thought she’d pass out if she stood. “Let me get my shoes off too.” He kicked off his sneakers and sauntered over to his side of the bed. He flopped onto the bed, laughing when she yipped. Her Fox was close to the surface, drawing his Bear to her. He rolled over onto his side and rested his head on his hand. “Hi.”

“Hi.” She tentatively reached out and touched his arm. “I’m sorry I’m such a wreck.”

He wanted to sigh, not because he was frustrated, but because she was. “Would you rather I show you my video game collection?”

She smiled, thank God. “Are they anything like etchings?”

“Only if you want to murder them.”

Heather choked out a laugh. “Hello, artist here. So not killing the pretty.”

“Hmm.” He leaned forward, planting a soft kiss on her tempting lips. “That’s good to know.”

Her cheeks flamed bright red as brown bled away the green of her eyes. “Will it hurt?”

“I don’t know, but I promise I’ll do my best to make sure it doesn’t.”

She gulped. “I heard the first time hurts.”

He couldn’t shrug her fear away. Besides, he knew nothing about virgins other than there might be some blood. “It could. I’m not sure. I’ve never made love to a virgin before.”

Heather snarled. “You’ve never made love before.”

“Yes, ma’am.” Those cute little teeth she bared at him were going to bite him soon, hopefully in a good way. “I want to touch you.”

The snarl went away, but her red cheeks only got brighter. She nodded once, sharply, but the hand she’d left on his arm started to tremble.

“Thank you.” He wanted her to know he appreciated the precious gift she was giving him. He would be her first, and her last. The idea that his mate came to him untouched turned him on so much he was afraid he wouldn’t be able to slow down at the proper moments.

His Bear growled low, letting him know that if Barney had issues, his Bear would be more than happy to remind him not to harm their fragile mate.

Barney kept his gaze on his mate’s face as he lifted the hem of her shirt. For now, he’d keep his hand on her stomach, waiting until she became comfortable with his caress. The feel of her soft skin under his palm tempted him to move higher to feel her breasts resting in his palm and tease her nipples until they hardened, but he held back. For one, she looked like a prisoner facing execution. For another, his Bear was already growling, reminding him to go slow.

She gasped when his fingers brushed across her side. He pulled her closer, kissing her closed mouth, waiting patiently for her to respond to his lips grazing hers.

With a shiver she opened her mouth, accepting him so easily he was awed. He kissed her, not passionately, not yet. No, he wanted to keep this sweet. Her fear was still there in her trembling lips, her shivers against his palm. This wasn’t the time to rush, but to savor everything she gave him without pushing for more. This was her time, not his, and he would follow her pace.

She kissed him, getting bolder the more he allowed her to move on her own. He’d said he wanted to touch her, but reality was he needed her to touch him. To want him. Without that, this would go no further than a petting session. He’d bitten her, claimed her, but she had yet to do the same. When it was time, when she finally claimed him, he would be ecstatic. But for now…

Her hand left his arm and caressed his stomach, carefully pushing up his T-shirt. He moaned into her mouth, careful to do no more than that, but God it felt so good. Even that tiny caress was enough to make him rock hard and eager.

He dared to move his hand, pushing her shirt slightly higher, to just under her breasts. His thumb caressed her ribs as the kiss grew hungrier, but still he restrained himself. He wanted to roll her onto her back and take control, but she wasn’t ready.

He was going to blow in his pants like a goddamn teenager, and there was nothing he could do about it.

“Barney,” she sighed against his mouth. He opened his eyes, watching with increasing hunger as she arched into his hand. The kiss was broken, her head tilted back as desperation contorted her features. He bit his lip, drawing blood. He had to touch her breasts,
had to
, like he would die if he didn’t get to taste her sweetness. He inched his hand upward, keeping her bra in place. Perhaps that would help her feel safer in his hold.

Her moan of pleasure was his reward. Her face was filled with a yearning he’d seen before, but never before had it been so glorious. He cupped her breast, caressing her nipple with his thumb. The hardness of her nipple enticed him, but until she was as desperate as he was he wouldn’t do anything more.

She lunged for him, taking his mouth, kissing him with clumsy earnestness. His mate was perfect in her demands, pushing him and tugging at him until he lay on his back. She was on top, straddling his waist, his hand still at her breast when she broke the kiss. “Now what?”

“Anything you want.” He lifted his hands from her skin, smiling when she whimpered. He put his arms behind his head. “You’re in charge.”

Her caresses were tentative, running up and down his torso with feather-light touches. The fascination in her gaze was slowly overcoming her trepidation. She kept glancing at his hands, as if he’d move them at any moment and put an end to her explorations.

As if.

The only thing he did was whip his shirt off, tossing it over the side of the bed. “You tell me what comes off next.”

She blushed so brightly he was afraid she’d faint from all the blood rushing to her head. “Um. Fair is fair, right?” She slowly lifted her own shirt off, revealing a simple, silky black bra. Her breasts looked so pale and creamy against the dark material that he couldn’t stop himself from licking them, tasting to see if they were as sweet as they looked.

Heather gasped, her head falling back. Barney grabbed her around the waist, keeping her from falling backward as she ground against him. God, she was going to kill him. He nibbled her neck, delighting in her soft cries.

She whimpered and put her head on his shoulder. “Off. Take off my bra.”

The words were so softly spoken he barely heard them. He did as she requested, unhooking her bra while he continued to pepper her neck with soft kisses and nips. His fangs were still extended, scratching at her skin. He could almost taste her blood on his tongue again, but now wasn’t the time to bite. No. He’d bite her again as he tried to enter her, to help ease some of the pain of making love for the first time.

He cupped her bared breast in his hand, stroking over the hardening nipple, taking it between his fingers and pinching it until she was gasping again. Their jeans were beginning to irritate him, keeping him from the warm paradise he knew awaited him if he could just get her to undress completely.

Patience, Bear. We’ll get there.
But first he had to get her consent. If she told him to stop here, his dick might fall off in protest but he’d obey. She was his mate, his most precious person, the only one born for him. He could wait.

“What now, sweetheart?”

She clenched her hands on his shoulders. “I…I don’t know.”

He smiled. “Want me to show you something?”

She nodded shyly. “Please?”

He’d figured she wouldn’t be able to go too far. It would be a while before his innocent mate began making demands of him in bed. So instead of doing what he really wanted to do, which was push her down and devour her, he spoke, telling her what was about to happen. “Sit back a bit.”

She did as asked, pulling away until only the tips of her breasts touched the hair on his chest. “Now what?”

He bent and took one of those hard tips into his mouth.

Heather cried out, arching her back and pushing herself farther into his mouth. He sucked on her, barely able to keep himself in check as she began riding his jeans-clad cock. The friction wasn’t enough to do anything more than torture him, but Heather’s reaction was spectacular.

She writhed in his lap, almost pulling her breast from his mouth more than once. He switched, desperate to see if her right breast was as sensitive as her left.

It was.

“Jeans off?” he whispered against her skin.

Again she nodded, but didn’t move. So Barney unbuttoned and unzipped her jeans for her. “You have to do the rest, sweetheart.”

He kept his hands on her as she struggled to remove her jeans, eventually laying her back down on the comforter as she shoved the pants and her underwear off.

“Holy fuck,” he breathed. This was his mate, this pale, ethereal creature who gazed at him with trust and longing.

“Barney?”

That wouldn’t do. She was starting to get nervous again. “I have something else to show you.”

“Oh?”

He nodded. He’d leave his jeans on for the moment. First, he was going to taste his mate, explore every nook and cranny until she came for him again.

Chapter Seventeen

She was naked, exposed, vulnerable to whatever he planned on doing. And from the look on his face, the pirate planned on looting her booty.

“Barney?” she asked again. She was getting more and more nervous as he stared at her, licking his lips like he was deciding what to do first.

God, she hoped he’d suck on her breasts again. That had felt…wow.

He bent down and did exactly what she’d hoped he would, taking her nipple into his mouth. His fang drew blood, sending chills down her spine and right to her clit.

Her hips arched, her pussy reacting to the sensation, desperate for a touch or something that would ignite the inferno she could feel building inside her.

His hand drifted down her body, cupping her, giving her that needed edge to start the tumble. When his fingers began to stroke her clit she cried out, clutching at his hair, his arm, his shoulders, anything that would make him hurry up and make her come.

His response was to suck more strongly. His fingers moved more insistently, as if demanding she come for him, and she obliged, crying out with pleasure as her body was racked with shudders.

She’d barely finished when she realized his fingers had been replaced with his tongue. Moist, hot heat enveloped her clit, sucking on her with a fierce intensity. Instinctively she cupped her breasts, toying with them, doing the same things to them that he had. It ramped up the pleasure.

Dear God, why hadn’t she done this before? She should have jumped his bones the moment she saw him rather than being afraid. Her gentle giant was keeping to his word, asking her what she wanted and then giving it to her with an enthusiasm that couldn’t be faked.

She cried out as something entered her. A finger? His tongue? She didn’t care. All she wanted was more. The slight burning sensation meant nothing to her, only the way he continued to eat her with a hunger that had her riding whatever it was that had invaded her.

It had to be a finger, because Barney lifted away from her pussy with one final lick. His gaze turned to her breasts, and she noticed that his eyes had gone completely brown. His Bear was in charge now, both of them seeking to give her ecstasy beyond her wildest dreams.

He licked his lips and zeroed in on her breasts as he continued to fuck her with his finger. Just his eyes on her was enough to make her want to do more, to make him hungrier, so she called to him. “Barney.”

Her voice was breathless, her body shuddering under his touch.

His name seemed to spur him on, because with a low growl he practically attacked her mouth, kissing her and moving his hand until somehow he was stroking her clit as well as fucking her. His tongue invaded her mouth, and she could taste herself in a way she never had before.

Close. She was so close to coming again, but she needed something more, something…she couldn’t define it, didn’t want to. All she knew was she needed it.

She pulled free of the kiss and struck, digging her fangs into Barney’s neck with a fierceness that surprised even her. His blood entered her mouth, the mating enzyme she released through her fangs causing her to ache even more.

“Fuck.” Barney’s groan was low and almost mean-sounding. His body left hers, leaving her reeling in surprise until the sound of ripping cloth filled her ears. She got on her elbows to see what he’d done.

He’d ripped off his jeans with his bare hands.

She tilted her head, curious even as her body continued to throb with need. “How do you not have the biggest wedgie in the history of underwear?”

He stared at her for a moment before tilting his head to the side. “Bad jeans?”

“Ouch.” She lay back down, crossing her legs, making the delicious throb even worse.

“Sorry.” He licked her mating spot, the one he’d made on her skin, making her moan. “I’ve got this sudden need to feel you writhing on my cock.”

“Oh,” she breathed. She arched up against him and felt the hard flesh of his cock slip across her stomach. “Soon?”

“Soon,” he crooned. “How many times do you want to come before I do?”

She whimpered, unsure if she should uncross her legs or not. He was going to kill her with orgasms before he finally took her. “Can you do that finger thing again?” Maybe if he stretched her out a little more, it would ease the way.

“Of course.” His tone had softened, her gentle giant back in control once more. At least she thought so until he was nose to nose with her, those huge brown eyes staring right at her. “And then I’m going to fuck you.”

She nodded slowly, spreading her legs for him. “I trust you.”

Barney shuddered. “You have no idea how much that turns me on.”

“Now?”

“Now.” His hand moved, brushing her hip, sliding along her stomach until he was once more caressing her clit. He kissed her again as he slipped his finger inside her, but the burn was a bit brighter this time, the sting a little bit sharper.

“Hurts,” she muttered, clinging to his biceps.

“I know.” Barney lapped at her mating mark, and the sting practically vanished under a wash of sensation. “I’m sorry it’s hurting you.”

“No no no, don’t you dare stop,” she breathed. He’d started to withdraw his hand, but she managed to grab his wrist before he could pull away completely. “Keep doing that thing with my neck. It makes the sting stop.”

“Then hold on. I’m going to try three fingers now.”

She gasped as she was stretched, but once again he licked her mating mark, sending pain and pleasure tumbling together through her body. “Oh God.” Her hand clenched around his wrist. “Coming.”

“Go,” he muttered, sinking his fangs into her skin.

Heather screamed, clamping down on his hand as she shuddered in an ecstasy so fierce her vision blanked out.

“Yes, baby, come for me.” Barney’s hand was still moving, still fucking her. She could hear the sounds of him moving in and out of her, the wetness and the stretch driving her insane. His lips continued to caress her mating mark, stretching out the pleasure he wrung from her, almost bringing her to the point of exhaustion. She was panting as she came down from the high, sweating and still throbbing.

“I’ve never had a lover so sensitive before.” He kissed her cheek.

Her claws came out and he hissed. She still had hold of his wrist, which meant she must have drawn blood. Good. Her Fox didn’t like hearing about any other lovers but herself.

“Right. You’re the only one for me. Now let go of my wrist, baby, so I can fuck you properly.”

She did as asked, removing her claws from his flesh. He held up his wrist and showed her the damage, but she didn’t care. She licked the wounds she’d caused. He’d remember not to say something like that to her again.

“Shit. You’re a possessive little vixen, aren’t you?” The pride in his tone didn’t stop her from lapping at the wounds. “How do you want this?”

“Want what?” She stared up at him, the blood forgotten.

“Fucking, sweetheart.” His brows rose. “There’s more than one way to do this, so what’s your preference?”

“Tell me what you like.” She found she liked it when he spoke to her. It fired her imagination and made the desire that much stronger.

He nipped at her chin. “Missionary. On your back, me on top, my cock inside you.” He bit at her shoulder. “Doggie. You on hands and knees, I’m behind you, fucking you.” Heather shivered as he continued to describe positions. “You, draped over the bed, your ass in the air.”

She could feel his cock nudging at her pussy and had the feeling she didn’t have long to decide before he decided for her.

“You, riding me as I touch you all over.”

Oh. That one. “Me on top.” She could just picture him touching her breasts as they fucked.

He rolled over, taking her with him. She wound up draped over him, her legs on either side of his. His cock was almost where she needed it to be, but not quite. “This is your show, sweetheart. Sitting up, laying down, either way I can fuck you like this.”

She sat up, straddling him like she’d done earlier. “How?”

He smiled. “Lift up on your knees.”

She did as instructed.

“Now, take me in your hand and guide me where you want me. If…” He shuddered as she gripped him. “If you need to, scoot back.”

Before too long she’d maneuvered and wiggled until she had him at her entrance. She took a deep breath—

“Slowly.” His hands landed on her hips, stopping her from plunging down. “Take your time.”

She felt the tip of him slip inside her, stretching her. This time he wasn’t licking her mark, so the sting was fierce. She stopped, letting herself adjust to the pressure.

“Good girl. I won’t break. Do what you need to.”

She nodded, biting her lip and sliding a little farther down. She whimpered, needing him to do something, make the sting go away.

Barney’s fingers stroked over her mark. Over and over he caressed it, watching her with those intense brown eyes, his gaze glued to her face rather than where they were joined.

Heather smiled sweetly and plunged down on him, gasping at the strain.

Barney groaned, but it wasn’t in pain. “Why did you do that?”

She could feel her clit touching the thick curls at the base of his cock. Curious, she rotated her hips.

Oh.

Oh.

Mama likey.

Heather continued to move, dragging her clit over his curls over and over again, tantalizing herself with what was coming.

“Oh, fuck.” Barney’s hands were on her hips, guiding her. “Just like that, baby.”

She put her hands on his stomach. The stretch and burn were fading in the throbbing of her body, the need rolling through her once more. Experimentally she lifted up, plopping down on him again.

Barney’s claws extended, his teeth elongating even further. Her Bear liked that.

She did it again, and again, her mind on one thing only. She needed to come in the worst possible way, and having him inside her made that need an all-consuming flame. She whimpered as she rode him, digging her fingers into his sides, scratching him with her claws.

True to his word his hands glided over her skin. He palmed her breasts, squeezing them, toying with her nipples over and over again, driving her insane. He stroked her mating mark, making her shiver. He spread his palm over her stomach and caressed her clit with his thumb, sometimes brushing just the curls hiding it, sometimes rubbing it with fierce intent.

But it still wasn’t quite enough to send her over the edge.

Barney planted his feet on the mattress, forcing her to bend a little closer to him. Now he was doing the fucking, plunging in and out of her with fierce intent. “What do you need?”

She could see the strain on his face. He was holding back, waiting for her to come first before he tumbled over the edge. So she told him what she thought would end both their torment. “Bite me.”

“With pleasure.” He reared up, sinking his fangs into her mark once more.

Heather couldn’t even cry out. Her whole body began shuddering in the best orgasm she’d ever had. She could feel herself clenching his cock as the spasms rocked her body. She was certain she was going to die here, and she wasn’t sure she cared. If this was bliss, she god-damn needed more of it. His muffled cry against her neck told her he’d found his release as well.

The shudders began to subside, leaving her limp in his arms, tired beyond belief. She rested her head on his shoulder. “So. That’s sex, huh?”

Barney chuckled. “Pretty much.”

She bit her lip. “That wasn’t so bad.”

He tilted her chin up so her gaze met his. His expression was full of warmth and affection and something she couldn’t quite put a name to. “No. Not bad at all.”

She bit her lip, wondering if she was about to be too forward, but hell. This was her mate. “Round two after pizza?”

“Mmm. A girl after my own heart.”

As he lay back down and pulled her tightly to him she thought he had no idea how very accurate that statement was. She just hoped she’d manage to steal his heart before too much longer, because hers was already in his large, capable hands.