He reached up to tangle a hand in my long hair. With a bruising kiss, he increased his speed until I was moaning into his mouth. The sweat rolled off each of us to create a slippery layer on our skin. The orgasmic sensations were even better with him joined to me than it had been before. As he kissed me with a heightened fervor, the pleasure became too much to take. When the orgasm crashed over me, I threw my head back and howled.
My body automatically tightened around his shaft, holding him deep. He joined in my howl, causing a shiver to race down my spine. Every pulsing climactic wave wracked my body as he filled me with the warmth of his seed. We remained joined together; savoring the moment until at last, he rolled off me, curling his body around mine.
We rarely needed words in these moments. Everything that needed to be exchanged already was. Both the wolf as well as the woman in me was comfortably sated. Snuggling up against Shaz was easily at the top of my list of favorite things. I sighed and allowed the magic of the afterglow to sweep me away. Resting my head against his chest, I closed my eyes and allowed the steady beat of his heart to lull me.
* * * *
Arys scowled down at me from his tall, lean frame. He stood in the doorway to his house, glaring out at Shaz and me. I’d known he wouldn’t be pleased to see the white wolf at my side, but he had insisted on coming with me. Looking over my shoulder to Shaz, Arys said, “What are you doing here, wolf? This doesn’t concern you.”
“Like hell it doesn’t. My mate has been threatened because of you.” Shaz shoved past me, daring to shoulder his way past the vampire that was shooting daggers at him with his eyes. “Don’t worry, Arys. I won’t be here long. I have to work in an hour. But, I want some answers.”
I shrugged meekly and followed Shaz into the house. Arys gave me a dark look that promised things to come that I may not enjoy. I just wanted to get this over with. Shaz was in a real territorial fit since the incident with Julian. Harley’s visit to my office greatly disturbed him, more than he was really letting on.
“I don’t need you getting up in my face about Harley. I’m going to deal with him.”
Arys followed us into the kitchen, his arms crossed over his chest. He leaned against the counter and fixed his ocean-blue eyes on Shaz, then me. “I promise you, Alexa, I will not allow any harm to come to you.”
Shaz scoffed but said nothing, instead waiting for me to speak. I shuffled uneasily from one foot to the other. Arys seemed to be waiting for me to either show my trust in him or outright admit that I had none. I didn’t feel this was a matter of trust. It was a matter of me wanting to stay alive and knowing that would take more than trust. With a ruthless bastard like Harley, staying alive might just be the beginning of my troubles, what with the way he liked to play.
I hugged myself tightly as fear stole through me. “I know you mean that, Arys, but this is a big deal. He could have killed me last night if he’d wanted to.”
“He doesn’t want you dead.” Arys nodded knowingly. “And for now, that means you’re safe.”
“He tasted my power, Arys.” My voice rose to a pitch that was almost shrill. “He drew me in, physically pressed his lips to mine and tasted me. I can’t remember the last time I was that terrified.” Ok, that was a lie. I could remember it. But, I didn’t want to. It had been when Raoul attacked me, before I’d known it was him.
A pained expression crossed Arys’ face. Shaz stood motionless, patient but irritated.
The dark vampire eyed me, a questioning stare on his handsome face.
“Did he bite you?”
“No. He left because he was afraid he would go too far.” I swallowed hard and watched the pain flicker through Arys. “He doesn’t want to do that … yet. He clearly has other plans for me. But, his biggest concern was you. He doesn’t want to share.”
The rage that filled Arys then oozed throughout the room as his energy burned hot with anger. “That infuriating mother f**ker,” he swore, pacing the length of the kitchen.
“How dare he think that I belong to him after all of these years?” A sound not so far off from a growl rumbled in his throat, and my eyes widened.
The look on Shaz’ face said everything that he was thinking. When Arys’ back was turned to him, he made a dramatic show of rolling his eyes. I frowned and shook my head once.
“Look, I won’t be letting him catch me alone like that again. Let’s all just relax and think this through coherently.” I went to Arys, grasping his forearm, forcing him to look at me. I went stone cold when he shrugged me off. I took a step back, slightly hurt but incredibly confused.
Shaz cleared his throat from behind me. His tone was firm when he spoke. “You clearly have issues of your own with Harley, and I think that needs to be addressed.” He didn’t flinch when Arys turned his icy stare on him. “I’m just saying that this isn’t personal, this is about doing what it takes to keep Lex safe. And, if that means never leaving her side, I will do it. You have to do your part.”