Shadow Read online

  “You don’t. There’s no comparison. You’re really good at it.”

  “I’m glad.” He grinned. “Really glad. You are good at it too. I haven’t had a complaint.”

  A load of concern lifted from her shoulders.

  “All those skills you mentioned are wonderful ones. I had to learn how to cook a little, living at the task force headquarters but I’d hate to have to live off the ten things I know how to make for the rest of my life or always need to stand in a line to find a good meal.” He nuzzled her cheek with his nose. “I’m not a big fan of sports and I’m glad you don’t work with me. I’d be too afraid you’d get hurt to be effective in my duties.”

  Her joy dimmed. “I’m weak.”

  “Never.” His tone deepened into a scary growl. “You’re stronger than you realize. It’s not just about size or muscle when it comes to strength. You have so much of it inside. You attacked a male. Did you think you’d win?”

  She shook her head. “No.”

  “But you did it anyway. That’s brave.”

  “It was because he was attacking you. Otherwise I would have fled or hid.” She paused. “Maybe completely freaked out.”

  “I’m honored.” He nuzzled her again, kissing her cheek this time. “That means a lot to me.”

  “Really?” The frail ray of hope shone inside that maybe they had a chance of a future.

  “Yes.” He suddenly stood, adjusting his hold on her. “Let me show you how much.”

  Her arms tightened. “What does that mean?”

  He chuckled, striding quickly from the kitchen and up the stairs. “You don’t believe I really want you, while I’m worried about how I’m going to keep my hands off you now that I’ve had you under me.”

  Understanding dawned. “You were hurt.”

  He chuckled. “Never that badly, love.”

  Excitement sparked inside Beauty at the idea of what awaited her. Shadow entered his bedroom and closed the door with his foot. He strode to the bed and bent, gently placing her on the mattress. It came as a surprise when he spun away, walked to the dresser and dragged it in front of the door.

  “What are you doing?”

  He smirked, reaching for the hem of his shirt. “No one is going to sneak up on us this time.” He pushed the nightstand against the bathroom door to block it.

  She understood. Someone would have to break down the door, plow through a wall, crash through the window or tear through the roof to reach them.

  Muscled, tan abs grabbed her attention as the shirt was tugged upward, revealing every glorious inch of Shadow’s torso. He had broad shoulders. The thickness of his biceps registered next when his arms lowered to drop the discarded clothing on the floor.

  “I love to look at you.” She hadn’t meant to admit it but the confession was out before she could mute it.

  “Good.” He gripped the front of the sweats, bending to tear them down his legs. His chin tilted until his gaze held hers. “The feeling is mutual. Take everything off, love. I want you bare so I can touch everywhere.”

  Her breathing increased as she shifted her body, going to her knees. She clawed at her clothing, wanting the same thing. There had been a time when she would have been horrified if someone predicted she’d be locked inside a small room with a naked man, eager for him to put his hands on her body. That had been before she’d met Shadow. He’d changed her life. She shed her clothes.

  Possibilities were suddenly endless and things she’d never dared to dream of filled her fantasies. The rest of her life didn’t have to be a lonely existence. Laughter and love were within her grasp thanks to the sexy man just feet away.

  Shadow straightened to his full height, going absolutely still. “Are you okay? We don’t have to do this.”

  Her gaze lowered down his body. He was perfect, magnificent, and aroused. The thickness of his cock as impressive as the length. “I want to.”

  He inched closer and crouched beside the bed, hiding the lower half his body from her sight. “Are you certain?”

  “Oh yeah.” She smiled. “I want you, Shadow. I love how you make me feel when we touch.”

  The tension eased out of his features. “Lie back flat.”

  So demanding. She liked that about him. It made her feel less shy since he was in charge. Her back hit the mattress.

  “Spread your thighs.”

  She parted her legs and didn’t jump when he gripped her ankles, positioning them on the curves of his shoulders. He released them to grip her inner thighs, pushing them farther apart. He growled when his heated gaze lowered to focus on her exposed pussy. His tongue swiped his lips and then he lowered his face.

  Beauty threw her head back the second Shadow attacked her senses. Her fingers dug into his hair as his tongue licked her clit, pleasure exploding with each strong flick. It was wild, completely untamed, but it didn’t frighten her. This time he wasn’t gentle as he manipulated her body—almost a frantic hunger to make her come as fast as possible. She was on board with that plan since jolts of need shot through her rapidly.

  “Yes,” she moaned, her body tensing, the muscles in her legs shaking as she used her braced feet to lift her hips higher, tighter against his mouth.

  Shadow growled low and deep, vibrations adding to the mix. Beauty closed her eyes since the ceiling blurred as the climax slammed into her. A harsh cry passed her parted lips as she jerked from the violent rapture.

  His mouth tore away from her spread thighs and she barely registered it when he gripped her legs, using them to flip her over onto her stomach. Her face rubbed across the bedspread as she was dragged closer to him until her legs were eased off the bed. Shadow curled around her bent body and she gasped when his thick cock slowly penetrated her. Nails clawed at anything they could latch on to as he began to move, fucking her with a frenzy that seemed to be born of pure desperation.

  Shadow wanted to howl as he held Beauty’s hip and managed to maneuver his hand between her and the bed. Her swollen, sensitive clit was easy to find with a fingertip as he rubbed against it. Vaginal muscles clenched, almost fisting his cock in a death grip. Her moans were driving him on, making thought difficult. She was heaven and hell, pure rapture and pure need to him.

  “Beauty,” he rasped, his lips brushing kisses on her shoulder and the side of her throat when she turned her face his way. He wanted to see her eyes. Needed to. And then her sensual dark gaze met his.

  Mine! He saw her need, her pleasure, and it was all directed at him. His heart pounded, sweat broke out over his body and he clenched his teeth to hold back his own release. He wouldn’t come without her and he could see she was close. His fingertip pressed a little tighter as his dick drove into her faster.

  “Fuck. I can’t last. Want you too much.”

  He was about to lose all control when his shaft hardened to the point that he knew he was done. A tight throb tingled at the base of his shaft when the swelling began, a sure sign. Her muscles suddenly quivered, milking him, and her second climax creamed the tip of his dick with wet warmth. She cried out his name and that was it.

  Searing pleasure tore through him as bursts of his semen released. His hips jerked from the force of it, his body seized and her pussy tightened even more. No, I’m swelling. He shook from the force of his cock pumping cum inside her, jet after jet of it making him groan and revel in sexual satisfaction. He stilled. He was locked inside her the way only a Species canine could.

  “I love sex,” she admitted, obviously content to lie there with him curved around her.

  “I love sex with you,” he panted, brushing another kiss on her throat. “Was I too rough?” He worried he might inadvertently harm her frailer body.

  “Never.”

  Even in his frenzy, he’d taken care with her. Some of his confidence returned. Perhaps I’ve really grown beyond my past.

  “It was perfect.”

  “I’m glad.” He kissed her again. His cock flexed inside her, almost with the rhythm of a heartbeat as i