She drove her hands into my hair, and I held on tight as she kissed the top of my head. Her soft caresses sent warmth through me. “Come here.” I beckoned her forward, pulling her down to sit sideways in my lap. I hadn’t gotten to fully kiss her yet, the small peck the other morning not nearly enough to sate my need for her. I groaned as she leaned down and pressed her lips softly against mine, holding still and letting her lead. I didn’t want to trigger her as I had earlier in the day.
Slowly, I deepened the kiss, tilting my head to the side and sliding my lips over hers. When she let out a small contented noise, I slipped my tongue past my lips to taste hers. She was naturally sweet, only enhanced by the sugary vanilla chapstick she must have donned this morning. I was addicted and devoured her mouth one sweet kiss at a time until she finally parted her lips, and I swept inside, thrusting into her mouth to tangle our tongues together in a rhythmic dance. The fruity aroma that washed over me was tinged with the pleasurable smell of campfires, that hint of smoke and fire reminding me of her alternate form. Wiggling on my lap, I groaned as she pressed against my arousal, and I tightened my grip on her hips, holding her in place to still her movements. When I was sure she’d try to remain still, I moved a hand up and slid it into the ebony hair at the nape of her neck—still damp from bathing—angling her just right as I stroked into her mouth. Pulling back, I flicked the tip of my tongue quickly against hers, hoping she’d catch the naughty innuendo alluding to other things I’d like to do to her with my mouth. Cooling down with a few small kisses, I leaned back, looking up into her flushed face as she slowly opened her eyes. The heat I found in them took my breath away.
“Now that was a kiss.” Her grin was infectious, and I smiled back. Leaning forward, her lips grazed my ear as she whispered, “I’ve been waiting for that.”
“Me too. It was worth the wait.”
She claimed my lips once more before she shifted back. Tracing a finger along the top frame of my glasses, her eyes darted around my face. “I like you in glasses.”
“I hated when I had to start wearing them to read, but they’re necessary to lessen the strain on my eyes from the hours of computer work I do all the time.”
Without warning, she pulled them off my face and slid them up her nose, trying to get a feel for my prescription which I was sure would make her eyes cross. The second she looked at me with my frames on her face, I felt myself pulse against her bottom. She looked like a sexy librarian, and that was a fantasy I could get behind. I threw the image through the link, grinning in the knowledge that the image would tease the guys. It was what we all needed to lighten the mood that hung heavy in the house.
Damn, she looks good. Killian was the first to respond, followed closely by Ryder.
That’s it! I’m buying her glasses. Do you think the ones without lenses would have the same effect? Or should I buy… like… pseudo glasses?
Non-prescription glasses all the way. Damien answered, and I felt his distraction over the picture.
I want to see her look down at me through some sexy glasses while I bury my head between her thighs. Hiro shot through the link.
You’ll have to beat me to her, and right now she’s sitting on my lap. I couldn’t help the taunt, knowing full well the Kitsune wouldn’t let a little good-natured teasing get between us. I had a certain affinity for going down on a woman, although it had been a long time since I had, and now my desire was all directed toward wanting to please Nix. She was special in a way no other woman had ever been before.
Shaking my head, I watched as she scanned my desk. “Is this your dad?” She reached for the most important image of them all. My favorite one from before he had passed, all four of us together in front of the ocean. The trip to the beach had been impromptu, but it had been the best vacation I could remember.
“Yeah. That’s dad, mom, Molly, and me.”
“You look like him.” She ran a finger over the faces with care. My heart squeezed.
“Someday I’ll tell you about him. He would have loved you. I know the rest of my family will.”
“I get to meet your family?” Her voice had rung out a full octave higher.
“I hope, someday, if you want to.” I stumbled over myself, wondering if I’d made a blunder by bringing it up. I knew when you brought a girl home to meet mom it usually meant that the relationship was getting serious. Things within the shifter world tended to move at a faster pace, the males looking to claim and be claimed by a female. Mating wasn’t uncommon among shifters our age. Distracting us, I turned and tried to gather the papers she wanted, printing off extra copies of the online documents that may be helpful.
“I’d like that.” She put the photo down and my heart soared at her agreement. The idea of introducing her to mom and Molly made me smile. They’d love her sass and ability to keep us all in line. Bloody hell but this woman was an excellent fit for our group. She balanced each and every one of us.
Suddenly, she reached out, pulling some papers off of the golden cuff bracelet I had honestly forgotten about until now. Bloody hell. I was supposed to have run tests on the metal! “Hey, have you tested this yet?” She asked reaching for the jewelry.
I winced. “I haven’t. With everything going on, it slipped my mind. I’ll get it in testing first thing tomorrow.” I grabbed a yellow sticky note to make myself a reminder, sticking it to the monitor of my computer.
Nix’s hiss drew my attention and she laughed nervously. “I guess my Phoenix still hates my fashion sense.” She tried to joke, but I could tell that she was legitimately concerned about her other half’s reaction to something that meant so much to her. With her convoluted past, though, it was possible that anything could be going on with the bracelet. Hopefully, I’d be able to provide some answers soon.
Handing her the stack of papers, she gave me a hug and sauntered her way out of my room on a thank you. I watched her as she walked into her bedroom and realized, not for the first time, how well she fit here with us. There was no way we would lose her tomorrow; I wouldn’t allow it. Roars, growls, and hisses of accord joined mine in solidarity.
Nineteen
Hiro
The moment that Nix settled into the car, tiredness overtook her. I had claimed the seat next to her, choosing to stay close to try to keep her calm. I knew she hadn’t slept much last night despite her brave face as she bid us goodnight. She’d pressed her head against the chilled window and tried to take in the scenery during the drive. We’d barely made it ten minutes before her eyes closed. Gently I cradled her head, pulling her into me and repositioning her onto my shoulder and chest. Wrapping an arm around her, I effectively became her pillow. I knew she had been thoroughly fascinated that we were driving over two hours to get to the marina where our boat was, but even though Anchorage sat on Cook Inlet, it wasn’t the easiest waterway to manage given the changing water levels that went with the tides. The boat we owned was docked at a marina in Seward, Alaska. It was also the most direct place to launch from to get to the island we were headed for; home.
The scent of Nix filled my lungs as I bent my head and nuzzled her hair. The city flew by, and soon we were on the scenic road headed toward our destination. The mountains rose on the left side of the two-lane road. Since Nix had come into my life, I’d begun to see things from her perspective. What had become commonplace in my life was all new for Nix, and the wonder in her eyes was contagious. I tried not to take my surroundings for granted anymore. She was good for me.
“Hey, pull over at that lookout just up ahead,” I quietly instructed Killian, who was driving.
“Are you sure we have time for this?” Theo checked his watch.
“We’ll keep it brief. She’s never seen this before. You know she’ll be upset if we let her miss this view.”