RICHIE: New Orleans Wolf Shifters with plus sized BBW for mates (Le Beau Series Book 6) (4 page)

When she wasn’t on a job, she tried very hard to see the world in a positive light. Too long with the nasty dregs of society, where most of her bounties hid, and a person’s attitude could become skewed. And not for the better.

Shortly after she started bounty hunting, a mentor taught her to look for the inner radiance people possess. The unique inner energy or soul, whatever you chose to call it, that made a person good and shone from the inside. She once was told it was an aura, but she didn’t care what label was attached to the phenomenon.

Some people were modest, others assertive, a few were compassionate. Her favorites were the people who honestly loved everyone. Somehow those people found a little bit of good everywhere.

Lately she struggled to see a person’s inner light. That scared her more than any bounty could. She was losing herself piece by piece. She shouldn’t even be on this job. She needed to end this chase quickly and find a soothing, peaceful place to live before she was completely lost.

A smile tugged at her lips. Richie was one of her favorite kind of people.
I could really like this guy. This wedding may not be a bust after all.

She’d never dated a man who so completely ignored other women, especially when said women threw themselves at him. This one definitely deserved a closer look. She wasn’t in a position to date today, but that didn’t mean she couldn’t have a little fun. If Qball showed up, she would gently let Richie know she needed to take care of a few things and she would call him when it was finished. And then once her tag was in police custody where he belonged, she would be more than ready to put everything she had into the kind of relationship a man like him would offer.

She looked at him with new interest, really looked at him. Yeah, she wanted to get to know this guy in more ways than one.
He’s not a Don Juan at all.
I wonder what he would do if I invited him to spend the night?

The two of them spent a few more hours, talking and laughing. As time passed, she found herself flirting outrageously. She couldn’t believe how at ease she was with him. But tomorrow was the wedding, and she needed to head to her room. It was now or never.

“I have really enjoyed meeting you and getting to know you, Richie.”

“And I as well. We seem to be the only ones left in the bar, perhaps we should relocate before the bartender tosses us out?”

“I would like that. We could go to my room. I have a little time yet before I have to get to bed. If I don’t get enough sleep, I wake up with the most unattractive bags under my eyes,” she laughed.

“I can’t imagine you ever looking less than beautiful. Come on, I’ll keep you company until you turn into a pumpkin.”

Piper smiled and nodded. “All right.”

Richie was on his feet and at her side before she could stand. She looked at him speculatively for a moment before taking his outstretched hand. How had he moved so fast?

He retained his hold once she was standing and they rode the elevator hand in hand. The exhilarating calm that descended over her during the short trip to her room with Richie felt – right. “This is me.” She pulled her keycard from her purse, then glanced up to see him gazing into her eyes.

Slowly, he bent until his lips were a breath from hers and waited. There was only a moment’s hesitation before she closed the gap and kissed him. The kiss was only a light graze of lips across lips.

Before she could open the door, he wrapped one arm around her waist and tunneled the fingers of his other hand into her hair. Tipping her head just right, he coaxed her lips to open to him and deepened the kiss.

A fire was about to ignite in the hallway from the heat they were creating when a wolf whistle broke them apart. Whoever had seen them was already slipping into their room.

With a gleam in his eyes, Richie lifted her hand to his lips and kissed her knuckles gently. “I guess we better take this someplace more private.”

Shaky fingers and fumbling hands made the simple task of unlocking her door a nightmare. On the third try the light blessedly turned green.
Thank God for small favors
, she thought.

She was thankful that Richie stood quietly behind her and didn’t try to commandeer the key. That would have been more embarrassment than she could have handled.

“Finally.” she breathed, and cracked the door open. Then she looked at him over her shoulder.

Richie gazed back at her. Something flittered across his expression closely resembling possessiveness, but was quickly replaced by a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. With a gentle hand, he smoothed her hair back from her face and tucked it behind her ear. His fingers slipped from the delicate shell and traced across her cheek, then paused to cup her face.

Piper closed her eyes and sighed. Then she turned her lips into his palm. “Would you like to come in for a few minutes?”

“I’d love to, mon amour.”

Richie followed her and locked the door behind them. Then threw the security bar to ensure no one disturbed them again. When he turned, Piper was there.

Licking her lips, she reached up and brushed her fingers through his hair. “I’ve been wanting to do that all night.” Her gaze fell to his mouth and she pulled him down to her lips for a long, deep kiss.

Richie was all in. Whatever his mate wanted to do he was game.

Scooping her up as if she weighed nothing, he walked to the bed.

“Hey!” Piper squeaked. “I weigh a ton. You’re going to hurt yourself.”

“Hush. You’re as light as a feather.”

“That’s not what my bathroom scale tells me. I swear it groans in pain every time I step on it.”

“That’s how little technology knows about a woman’s figure. You’re perfect, and I wouldn’t change a thing about you.”

His comment seemed to silence her.

Stopping next to the bed, he continued to cradle her in his arms. He wasn’t ready to release his hold, not yet, not now when he finally had her where he wanted her.

Piper threaded her fingers more tightly in his hair. Waiting for him to make a move. Heavy lidded with their coming passion, his eyes held hers, strangely glowing. They burned with his intense assessment of her face, pausing at her parted lips. Slowly, they closed, stealing their hypnotic trance, as his mouth descended to hers.

Her heart thundered in her ears, she refused to admit she was falling in love with Richie. She’d always scoffed at her friends and family when they spouted nonsense about love at first sight. She wasn’t scoffing now. And truth be told, it scared the crap out of her.

But she would be sensible. If all she got was one night with this incredible man, she would happily take it. The memories would have to sustain her if this night was all she ever received. Even one night was preferable to a lifetime of regret. The chance she was taking with Qball on her trail were non-existent. It wasn’t like he was going to crash through the door. Right now there was just the two of them, and this moment.

Their tongues danced and caressed, teeth nibbled, as they tasted and explored one another, pouring all their pent up attraction from hours in the bar into the kiss.

It was odd, she felt like she was coming home, which confused her. Normally it took time for her to feel comfortable with a man. Not that she’d been with a lot of men. The few she’d known had never responded to her touch and kisses the way Richie was. She felt exhilarated and powerful. Every quiver, every moan, every sound of pleasure pouring from him spurred her on. Made her more bold and assertive than she ever dared be. The way he trembled under her fingertips, she’d swear he struggled for control. She’d never made a man tremble before. Richie really brought out her inner vixen. She liked it.

His pleasure was an intense aphrodisiac. Piper couldn’t get close enough, even though they were chest to chest. Her boldness shocked her and aroused Richie. When she abandoned his lips to trail kisses across his chin to his throat, he tipped his head aside and obliged her exploration.

Richie was in heaven and hell. He was bound and determined to make their first time together unforgettable for both of them. That meant letting Piper set the pace and lead the way. The wolf wanted to toss her on the bed and tear the clothes from her body. The man wanted to let her do whatever made her comfortable and pleased her. So he let her explore at her leisure and prayed for strength.

The hands Piper slipped under the collar of his shirt kneaded his skin like a contented cat. His wolf pressed closer, wanting to rub his scent all over her body. He rumbled and shifted her weight, sliding her feet to the floor. The motion raked her hardened buds down his chest and wedged his throbbing cock in the crevice of her thighs. The erotic contact ripped a groan from his lips.

When they finally came up for air and allowed a breath of space between them, he urged her backwards until her legs met the edge of the bed.

Holding her gaze, he slid his hands to the hem of her blouse and pulled it free from her skirt. One by one, he undid the pearly buttons. As each slipped through its buttonhole he widened the gap in the material and placed a kiss to the exposed flesh. Trailing hot licks and nibbles across her breasts, down her rib cage, to flick the tiny gold hoop at her navel. He hadn’t realized navel piercings could be such a turn on. Slowly he rose from his knees and stood again. Then he eased the silky fabric from her shoulders and reclaimed her lips. Her moan of pleasure satisfied his wolf.

Devouring her with his eyes, he skimmed a finger over the satin trim of her bra. “So beautiful.” His voice was rough and husky.

He felt delicate fingers working at the buttons of his shirt as he reached behind her to caress the soft skin of her back and release the clasp of her bra. Shockwaves of desire shot through his body when her chestnut hair brushed against his skin.

Slowly he eased back to slide the straps down her arms, freeing her full breasts. His breath hitched at the first sight of her bared from the waist up.

Piper worked to unbutton his shirt as he lowered his head, and flicked one puckered dusky nub with the tip of his tongue. She growled in frustration when she couldn’t get the sleeves from his arms. With a low chuckle, he accommodatingly adjusted his position. Thankfully, he never took his mouth from her inflamed body.

His shirt fell free and she rewarded him with a throaty moan as she arched further into his hungry mouth, needing more. He switched his attentions to her other nipple, and felt his hands skim down her body to lower the zipper of her skirt.

He paused his adoration to slip her skirt from her legs and toss it uncaringly across the room. With that, she was left in nothing but barely there panties. In a flash his arms were wrapped around her again. His muscular naked body felt amazing against her exposed skin. Piper pressed closer, molding her soft curves to his hard form. Damn, now here was a real man.

“Mmm.” She arched invitingly into him, then realized she couldn’t move.

She squirmed, needing to touch him, but was held to tightly to get at him. Richie relented and gave into her demands.

Piper stood on tiptoes and kissed his neck again, then she nibbled her way down his chest. Her hands were just as busy, caressing and loving his body. Her fingertips followed and traced every line and curve of his muscular arms. Compared to her pale skin tone, his skin was a smooth, taut, perfectly golden bronzed. It felt incredible to run her hands over his hard, muscular chest and shoulders.

She glanced up and saw him close his eyes and let his head lull back. He seemed to really enjoy her kisses and caresses. She grinned when she licked his nipple and he rumbled loudly.

Richie’s legs threatened to give way from quivering. His breath hitched and teeth clenched as he wrestled his wolf for control. He shook with the effort to go slow and pushed his wolf into submission with an inner snarl.

Just when he thought he had himself under control, her hands drifted below his navel, and a growl hissed through his teeth. He moved so fast her head spun. One second she was standing, and the next she was flat on her back in the middle of the bed.

“Piper.” Richie’s chest heaved as he worked to calm himself enough to continue without taking her like a rutting buck. “Mon amour, please, I need a moment.”

She frowned. “Why? Did I do something wrong?”

“No, cher, just the opposite. I want to make love to you slow and easy, but you have me so worked up I’m about to explode.”

He stood with his hands on his hips, dragging long, deep breaths into his lungs, drinking her in, and then quickly shed his clothes. Piper lay propped on the pillows watching him with an expression of appreciation. He eased onto the bed and knelt before her, then reached for her panties.

Slowly he eased them from her hips and down her legs until they disappeared to the floor with the rest of their clothes. Now that she was gloriously naked before him, he had to take a breath and admire the magnificent woman laid out like a personal feast.

The way he devoured Piper with his gaze was intense. The stark desire written in his expression made her stomach flutter. His eyes lowered, taking in every bit of her, and then rose again, leaving a trail of heat in their wake. His look was ravenous. Passionate. Needful.

Her entire body burned with heat that pooled low, making her achy and needy. She’d never been brought close to orgasm by a look before. Richie made her so hot, she was going to burst into flame. 

Like a prowling animal, he crawled up her body, kissing and licking as he went. Then he glanced at her face and frowned. She felt the heat of her blush rush over her face when he reached for the fist she’d jammed in her mouth to muffle her cries. She sure as heck didn’t need the people on the other side of the wall to hear her. Ever so gently, he removed it. Then one by one, he uncurled her fingers, kissing and sucking each into his warm, wet mouth.

“Oh God!” Her toes curled tighter with each digit.

“Please don’t deny me your passion, I crave the sounds of your pleasure.” His whispered in her ear, and her heart was lost, truly and completely lost to this man.

Piper blushed hotter, but nodded in agreement.

His lips claimed hers in a long panty wetting kiss that made her head spin. He skimmed her cheek with the tip of his nose and buried his face against her neck.

“Mmm, you smell so good.”

He lay beside her propped on one arm, kissing and caressing his way from her breasts to her heated core. God, his hands felt good roaming her body. Then he slipped one large palm between her thighs and she almost came off the mattress. Her need was so strong, her body felt like it was vibrating. One finger traced the line of her sex, and slipped in and she was in heaven. Finally, some relief from the ache he’d built in her center.

Piper moaned and ran her fingers through his hair as he nuzzled and adored her body. He was magnificently put together. Muscular back, wide shoulders, lean hips, and the sexiest ass she’d ever laid eyes on. Mix that body with the man she was coming to know and she was about to spontaneously combust. She might turn into a pile of ash right there on the bed.

“I have to taste you.”

She watched him reposition, easing her legs further apart to accommodate his wide shoulders. His eyes locked with hers, glowing more brightly than humanly possible. Then he lowered his head and the glow was gone.

Warm, wet lips, softly kissed her inner thigh. She shivered with anticipation when he blew a gentle, warm breath across her inflamed core before he began a slow delicious torture of unhurried licks.

His soft hair felt like silk brushing her thighs as he slowly drew his tongue through the slickness of her folds and swirled it over her throbbing nub.

Piper shuddered and moaned, “So good.”

Richie’s deep rumble vibrated in his throat, creating a stimulating friction like she’d never experienced before. Not even with her favorite vibrator.

Her hands automatically reached for her breasts, to roll and stimulate her nipples.

Richie lifted his head slightly. She hesitated when she saw him watching her with much too intent eyes and began to place her hands at her sides.
There must be really strange lighting in here.
His eyes are glowing like hot embers.

“Please, mon amour. Touch yourself, enjoy your passion. A confident woman is sexy as hell.”

Bolstered by his words, her inhibitions evaporated. Piper brought her hands back to her breasts as he growled and lowered his head.

Richie was some kind of master with his mouth and tongue, her mind felt like it had seized. Then he plunged inside, and flicked her clit with his thumb. She shattered.

She was panting so hard she couldn’t form words, even if her brain decided to reengage. Before she could recover, he slipped one finger in. Holy hell, he was going to kill her with pleasure. And when he added a second, she knew her life was going to end right there in that bed.

“I want to see you cum for me again. You’re beautiful in the throes of passion.”

He stroked faster, and the pressure rose.

“Please, Richie. I can’t take any more.”

“Let go for me, mon amour. I’ve got you.”