Take Me (22 page)

Her lips twitched and a tear spilled down her cheek. “But you can now. You were always so good to me, Dane.”

Dane pulled back, his gaze searching hers. “How are you? Have you been treated awful here?”

“No!” Her head shook in rapid denial. “Truly, I have not. And I know it seems insane, but being taken prisoner was likely the best thing that could have happened to me.”

Dane's brows shot sky high. “Truly?”

She bit her lip and nodded.

“So, uh, just how attractive was this guy who abducted you?”

Talia's cheeks flamed with color and she lowered her gaze.

“Oh! Well, I see then.”

She cleared her throat and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “What of you, Dane? How did you fair with the battle? And—oh, no! The soldier you were seeing? Thomas? Did he…”

“We faired well. I did not fight in the battle, but was brought along on one of the ships as an extra servant.” He hesitated, a dark shadow crossing his face. “As a soldier of Zortou, Thomas had no choice but to fight. I was so damn worried about him. Rightfully so. He was injured, but, thank gods, not critically.”

“Oh, Dane.” She clasped his hand and squeezed, seeing the sheen of tears in his gaze. She could completely empathize with her friend. “I'm sorry.”

“We're okay, though.” Dane blinked rapidly, dispelling the tears. “I had just paid him a visit in the infirmary here, when I learned of your presence. Thomas is well. Though of course worried what will happen to him now that his army has been defeated.”

“Belton is a just planet,” she murmured confidently. “You will both be treated fairly.”

“Yes. I have gained that impression.” Dane's gaze moved around the room, past the nurse busy in the corner, before returning to Talia. “Where is this soldier of yours?”

“In a meeting. He should return shortly.”

Dane lifted one eyebrow. “And what are his intentions toward you?”

“Dane!”

He rolled his eyes. “I was your servant for how many years? Surely you can not expect me to suddenly drop my tendency to worry?”

She gave him a slight smile. “I suppose not. Ryder and I have not discussed the future as of yet, but he should be arriving soon.”

“Hmm.” Dane's gaze narrowed and glanced over her body. “Unfortunately, I must leave shortly, but I must say this battle-worn image you have going on does not work for a romantic reunion with your soldier.” He turned to the nurse. “Perhaps she could help you?”

The nurse scurried across the room, obviously having had one ear open to their conversation.

“Say nothing more,” she murmured and fluffed Talia's hair. “I'm due off work, but will stay late. We'll do something with this hair and I'll have a lovely dress sent in. We'll have you pretty as can be for his arrival.”

“Are you certain? Surely I don't—” But the nurse had already left the room, and so Talia turned to Dane with a watery smile. “Thank you, Dane. It relieves me to no end that you are well, and that you sought me out.”

“I had to.” He touched her cheek. “Be happy, Talia. For once in your life, be happy. You deserve it.”

“I will certainly try. And you, as well, deserve happiness.”

Dane's gaze warmed and he looked toward the door. “I have found my own happiness, and he is recovering in a room down the hall.”

“Then go be with him.”

“I shall. Keep in touch, my lovely Talia.” Dane drew her into another quick hug.

Talia closed her eyes. “Of course. You do the same.”

A moment later he was gone and her stomach jumped in anticipation of Ryder's return. When Jammie came back to help pretty her up, she put herself in the nurse's hands gratefully.

 

The walk over to the medical unit was agony. Each step Ryder took brought him closer to their good-bye.

A nurse was leaving her room as he entered. She dipped her head and smiled, her eyes twinkling.

Ryder took a deep breath and opened the door.

Talia sat near the window, her back to him as she stared outside. Her hair fell in a shiny red wave down the curve of her back. The globes of her buttocks were outlined through the thin dress she wore.

She turned her head suddenly and saw him, her blue eyes locking on him. Her lips were glossy and parted, her cheeks pinker than usual.

“Ryder.” The word was but a breath on her lips.

The air in his lungs stuck and he forced himself to swallow.
Gods, she was so beautiful
.

She stood from her seat near the window and walked toward him. The dress clung to her every curve in a river of gold silk. Her hips swung lightly, her unbound breasts moved with her steps.

Her mouth curved into a smile and she lifted her hands toward him. He took them automatically, his fingers curling around her soft hands.

“You look beautiful, Natalia.”

She flinched and the smile faded. Her gaze turned wary. “Why did you do that?”

“Do what?”

“Call me Natalia?”

Gods, had he? His nerves on edge, he released her hand and fisted his hands at his side. If he kept touching her he would never get through this.

“Ryder? Is something wrong?”

“Yes.” Damn it. He hadn't meant to admit that. He shook his head and forced a smile. “No. Nothing is wrong. I come with good news for you, actually.”

“Oh?” She lifted an eyebrow and he saw a flicker of excitement in her gaze.

She wanted to leave. She wanted to hear that she would be set free.

“You are free, Talia.” He forced the initial words out, and then plunged on. “We release you as a prisoner of Belton. A pod is leaving in one hour and I have arranged a ticket for you to be on it.”

 

He may as well have plunged a dagger into her chest. Her heart twisted painfully and she could not draw in a breath. The burn of tears pricked behind her eyes.

“Talia?”

“Why?” she choked out.

Gods. If she weren't in such emotional pain, she might actually have been humiliated. She had gone through so much trouble to look pretty for him, had begged the nurse to help her. And they'd giggled, discussing how pleased he would be. Only to find out he did not even want her anymore.

“Why? Because you are free, Talia. Did you not hear me?” His words sounded harsh. “You should never have been a prisoner on Belton. I should never have taken you.”

“Should you have made love to me?” she shot back, drawing in a shaky breath.

He flinched and for a moment she saw a flash of vulnerability in his gaze, and then it was once again hard. Confusion took the edge off the pain that ate away inside her.

“I will help you pack.”

She shook her head and drew in a painful breath, her mouth tightening. “I brought nothing with me. I will take nothing when I leave.”

He stared at her for a moment and then nodded. After a moment's hesitation, he turned away and headed back toward the door.

Knowing it was a gamble, but desperate to keep him from leaving, she blurted, “What do
you
want?”

He froze, nearly to the door. He didn't answer right away, his entire body grew rigid.

“Talia…”

“Answer me, Ryder.”

“I want…you to be happy.”

Hope sparked in her heart and she swallowed the thickness in her throat. Her pulse began to pound faster. She licked her lips.

“That is not what
you
want, that is what you want for
me
.” Closing the distance that separated them, she placed a hand on his shoulder. “What do
you
want, Ryder?”

He spun around and gripped her wrist. The torment in his eyes must have mirrored her own.

“I want you to stay, Talia,” he ground out, drawing her into his arms. “I want you to stay with me and let me love you like you have always deserved to be loved.”

Her eyes filled with tears. Relief spread warmth through her. “Ryder—”

“But I will not ask that of you. I
cannot
ask that of you.” His jaw hardened and raw anguish flashed again in his gaze. “It wouldn't be fair of me to ask that you stay with me now that you finally have the freedom to do what you wish.”

“And what if I wish to stay with you?” She shook her head and pressed two fingers against his trembling lips. “Are you really such a presumptuous fool to assume that leaving you would make me happy?”

“Sweet Talia…” His voice cracked and he kissed her fingers, tilting his head and pressing his cheek into her palm. “Are you sure?”

“Leaving you would condemn me to a fate worse than being a Rosabelle,” she whispered, bringing her other hand up so she could cradle his face in both her hands. “I love you, Ryder. And I have never loved anyone. Do not make me leave the only man, the only place, that has made me feel like I am worth something—”

“You are worth
everything
, princess.” His mouth closed over hers, cutting off her choked reply.

Talia slid her arms around his neck with a sob and kissed him back, thrusting her tongue into his mouth to find his.

He lifted his head, his breathing uneven as he palmed one of her breasts. “I love you, Talia. Are you certain this is what you wish?”

“More than anything.” She drew in her own ragged breath and felt her nipple bead against his hand.

He swept her up into his arms and carried her to the couch off to the side of the small recovery room.

He laid her down against the soft cushions and her heart beat like crazy. His gaze ran over her with relief and hunger.

He untied the knot at the top of her dress and the silky fabric fell to her waist, exposing her chest to the cool air.

Her nipples puckered and stretched toward his lips, which were already descending toward them. When his mouth closed hot and wet over one tip she cried out, her legs scissoring on the couch and heat gathered heavy at her center.

The weight of Ryder's body covered hers, delicious and heavy. She moaned softly as his mouth nuzzled the bandage that covered the top curve of her breast.

“I am so sorry she hurt you,” he muttered.

“It is nothing.” She caught his chin, pulling his head up and seeking his lips with her own. Brushing a fervent kiss against them. “Nothing, Ryder. The only pain I feel is when I think of losing you.”

“Never, my love.” He gathered her gown in his fists, tugging it up to her waist and positioning himself between her thighs. “You are mine.” His cock nudged the damp folds between her legs. “And I am yours.”

He plunged into her fast and hard, with no preliminaries. But she didn't need them; she was more than ready, gripping his shoulders as her body welcomed the man who held her heart.

Always when he was inside her, when he held her, she felt so complete. Everything inside of her was at peace. And now, the weight of his body on hers was a tangible reminder that they both had survived today. Survived to love each other.

Tears of relief flooded her eyes and her throat tightened with emotion as Ryder began to move steadily inside her.

She kissed his shoulder, lifting her hips to meet each full thrust. “Ryder…you were the unknown hope in my heart that kept me sane these past few years.”

He paused, drawing in an unsteady breath as his gaze sought hers. “And now you will always be mine.”

He plunged deeper into her still, stretching her, filling her.

Her heart swelled with love and the tears in her eyes spilled hot down her cheek.

“Always,” she whispered.

“Always.” He kissed each tear away, before he took her mouth once again.

Turn the page for a sneak peek of “His to Reclaim,”
Shelli Stevens's novella in SEXY BEAST VII,
available September 2009!

“G
emma!”
The shrill scream pierced through the woods, filtering past the aged walls of the log cabin. “Oh my God! I can't believe this.
Gemma!”

The sound of feet pounding down the path mingled with the alarmed whimpers and short breaths of the approaching woman.

Gemma's fingers clenched around the brush in her hand, her pulse quickening as she turned to face the door.
Was it too much to hope that it was nothing more than the caterer having encountered a problem?

The door flung open, smashing into the wall. Her younger cousin Megan stepped into the room, eyes wild with panic.

“He's really coming.”

They were just three words, but they were enough. The brush dropped from Gemma's hand and her body went numb with shock.

This was really happening…. No! The room spun, and she gripped the vanity table to keep from falling to her knees.
No
. Was he
insane
?

“There's no time.” Megan closed the door, hands shaking. “Shift and then run. Run fast. It's the only way you can possibly escape him.”

“How far away is he?” Gemma's voice came out remarkably calm as she fumbled to undo the buttons on her wedding dress.

The cold fear began to subside, and a hot burn of rage blazed through her. How dare he? After five years, how
dare
he?

Megan grabbed her arm and tugged her toward the door. “A mile. Maybe. And he's not alone, Gemma. He's brought friends. You must hurry! There's no time to change out of your dress. Run, and I'll find Jeffrey and tell him what's happened.”

“My dress will ruin during transition—”

Crash!

The door broke in half and splinters of wood shot into the interior of the cabin like tiny missiles.

Heart in her throat, Gemma retreated, her body trembling as she stared at the man who now filled the doorway. The man who'd just made good on the appallingly dark promise he'd made just days ago in an e-mail. She'd been half-convinced it was a joke—someone toying with her heart—and had told Megan as much.

But it wasn't a joke. The proof was standing in front of her eyes. Maybe a couple of years ago she would have wished for this, but not now. Dammit, not now!

Sweat clung to the hard muscles of Hunter's nude body—it was clear he'd just shifted back to human form. A familiar heat crept through her body and she hardened her jaw, refusing to acknowledge it. The same way she'd refused to acknowledge it for the last five years.

It was hard not to, though. With his dark hair and tan body; he was tall and broad, a mass of muscles and ridges. Her gaze dropped and her cheeks burned hot. She swallowed hard, unable to tear her gaze from his hard thighs and the thick cock that rested between them.

The blood raged through her veins, and she closed her eyes to count to ten. When she opened them again, her gaze was firmly back on his face, unwilling to let her eyes shift any lower than his shoulders this time. That would be a guaranteed diversion from finding a way out of this situation.

Unfortunately, five years had done nothing but enhance Hunter's raw sex appeal.

His eyes, burning like dark blue crystals, met hers. And, like the devil come to collect his due, he advanced into the room, his face a mask of fierce determination.

Oh, God
. She needed to act. Now. Swallowing the thickness in her throat, Gemma glanced around the room, looking for anything that might be used as a weapon. She grabbed the chair from her vanity table and lifted it above her head with a grunt.

Hunter lunged forward and knocked it from her grasp, sending it crashing to the ground behind her. Before she could draw in a startled breath, he'd circled her wrists with one of his massive hands and pulled her body firmly against the rock-hard wall of his chest.

“No!”
She growled and lifted her knee to tag him in the groin, but he blocked the shot.

Instead he pulled her tighter against him and forced his thigh between hers. His thick cock brushed her hip and she stilled, barely able to breathe as her heart slammed against her rib cage.

His soft laugh feathered warm against her cheek. “You should have listened to your cousin, angel,” he leaned forward and said softly against her ear. “You should have run.”

The blood drained from Gemma's face and she heard Megan whimper from the corner of the room.

Megan
. Hope flared.

“Megan, go find Jeffrey!”

Her cousin lurched away from the wall and toward the doorway, but fell back with a shrill yell.

Two more men—though these ones were clothed—filed through the broken entrance.

“It appears we will have to take the younger one with us as well,” Hunter ordered with a sigh.

“Me?” Megan squeaked in alarm. “No! You can't—”

Her words were cut off by the hand that slid over her mouth; then the burly man slid another arm around her waist to lift her off the ground.

Panic resumed in her gut and Gemma tugged at her imprisoned wrists, her mouth in a tight line. “Let her go, Hunter. She has nothing to do with this.”

“We will, angel. Tomorrow. We don't want her running off to tell Jeffrey the minute we leave, now do we?”

“Bastard.”

His smile came slow. “Now, you know my mother well enough to know that's not true.”

Of course he would throw that at her. She bit her lip, trying to hold her temper. It wasn't easy as she watched helplessly as the two men carried her cousin kicking and screaming out the door. Megan's muffled sounds were ineffective at bringing them the help they desperately needed.

Gemma drew in a slow breath. “You know, Hunter, I always suspected you were a bit certifiable. Congratulations, you've just confirmed it.”

He caught her chin with rough fingers, lifting her face so she had to look at him. A shiver ran down her spine. Unfortunately, it may not have all been because of fear. His eyes narrowed, until the blue irises were just slits of blue. They burned hot as his gaze scoured her face.

“Am I? You were the one about to marry a human.” His gaze darkened. “I gave you fair warning. Call off the wedding or I will do it for you.”

“I'll
still
marry him.”

“I wouldn't count on it.”

“Oh! I'll say it again, Hunter. You're certifiable,” she repeated. As she tried to twist her chin from his grasp, his hold just tightened. “In fact, I'm sure you won't mind if I just call you Certi from now on.”

“Angel, I don't care what the hell you call me.” His head lowered, until his mouth was just a breath above hers. “I'll just look forward to hearing you call it when I'm riding you in bed.”

Shock ripped through her, widening her eyes and snatching her breath away. Heat rushed through her body, curling thick down through her blood before gathering heavy in her pussy.

His nostrils flared, and she knew his were side meant that he could smell the dampness between her legs that his image had created. Heat flooded her cheeks.

“Like hell that will happen, Hunter.”

“You want me, angel.” It wasn't a question. And there was no asking when his lips crushed down on hers a second later.

Gemma went rigid in his arms, letting out an outraged feline growl that was all jaguar.

He answered with a deeper growl, plunging his tongue past her compressed lips to take control of her mouth.

There was no fighting him. With each bold stroke of his tongue against hers, a little more common sense got swept away. He plundered her mouth, leaving no inch unexplored, controlling her tongue and mind with ease.

The heat built in her body; her breasts swelled, the nipples tightening to scrape against the lace bustier beneath her dress. Five years dropped away and once again it was Hunter holding her, kissing her. Making her forget everything but his touch and the way it made her feel.

His cock pressed hard into her belly, a tangible reminder of his promise to fuck her.

With a groan, he released her chin to plunge his hand into her bodice. He cupped her breast in the palm of his hand, squeezing just enough to send another rush of moisture straight to her panties.

Her head fell back, a gasp ripping from her lips. The calloused pad of his thumb swept across one tight nipple, and her knees wobbled.

His mouth lifted from hers, and he pulled her breast above the bodice. His head swooped down and he wrapped his lips around the hard tip. Hot breath and a moist tongue teased her, before his teeth raked against her flesh.

“Oh God.” She trembled, minutes away from hiking up her wedding dress and begging him to fuck her.

Wedding dress? Jeffrey!
The name of the man she was supposed to marry in two hours resounded in her head.
Who's certifiable now, Gemma?

Hunter reached for the hem of her dress, lifting it over her legs to cup her ass.

Now, Gemma. Act now!
Knowing she had an advantage—just barely—she grabbed his hair and stepped back enough to slam her knee into his chest.

He stumbled back with a curse, eyes flashing with dismay and rage. It was only a second, but it was the break she needed.

Gemma moved past him and sprinted out the door to the cabin that she'd been using to get ready for her wedding. She leapt off the porch and landed on the dirt path.

Her heart slammed in her chest, her body trembling with adrenaline. Increasing her pace, she growled and willed the change to speed up. It didn't take long. Her twenty-thousand-dollar designer dress exploded into a mass of pearl buttons and lace as her body shifted into its jaguar form.

Seconds later she was on all fours, charging through the resort in a desperate attempt to escape Hunter. The thrashing of branches and trees behind her signaled that it was going to be one hell of a challenge.

 

Dammit. How could he have been so stupid to get distracted by Gemma's sweet body?

Hunter snarled and dodged between two trees that appeared on one section of the trail.

He shouldn't have lost focus. As an ESA agent, he was better than that by nature. Their job was to protect and defend all shifter species from threats of corruption, danger, and violence. The Elite Shifter Agency only hired the best of the best. You had to be tough, intelligent, sharp, quick-minded…
and definitely not lose your focus over a nice set of tits, you idiot.

His fellow agents would laugh their asses off if they knew he'd gotten completely muddleheaded by a woman.

He hadn't been able to stop himself from touching her. But it had been a costly delay. He should have had her in the vehicle by now and they could've been halfway to White River. As it was, Joaquin and Brad were probably wondering where the hell he was.

Hunter paused and breathed in the air, careful not to lose Gemma's scent.

She wasn't even following the human-made trail anymore. His gaze darted around the lush forest. His ears listening for the sound of her escape. The sudden flash of yellow and brown between the trees was a dead giveaway to her location. Unlike him, Gemma's jaguar form didn't have the luxury of dark brown fur that hid his spots. Though she was desperate in her attempt to escape, she didn't stand a chance.

His resistance softened a bit with pity before he hardened it again. He couldn't afford such a weakness. He gave a low growl and took off after her. Not that he could blame her for running. Not after what he'd done to her so many years ago. But what Gemma didn't seem to quite understand was the cloud of danger lingering over her life right now. And at the center of that vortex was none other than her husband-to-be.

Jealousy, like a hot brand iron, stabbed sudden and deep, twisting inside him. His paws hit the ground hard as he quickened his pace, jumping over bushes as he gained on her.

She shouldn't have been marrying Jeffrey Delmore in the first place. She was his. She'd sworn it. It didn't matter that she'd been barely twenty at the time. It was one promise he intended to see she kept. Gemma belonged to
him
.

Guilt twisted his gut, that he was completely out of line, but he refused to acknowledge it. Not now. Right now his primal side was in dominance and the chase was on to reclaim his woman.

He was only about twenty feet behind her now and she must have realized she couldn't outrun him much longer. He could hear the agitation in the growls she emitted while continuing to dodge through trees and beneath low brushes.

And then she blew it, giving him the final advantage he needed. Her back legs caught on a tree root protruding from the ground and she stumbled, losing her balance before falling onto her side.