His hand closed on her breast, massaging the mound as his mouth sought her free breast, his lips suckling at the nipple.
She arched against him, reveling in the feel of his hard thrusts, her pelvis meeting his with as much enthusiasm, her eyes closed so she could concentrate on the feel of his penetration, and of his tongue licking at her sensitive nipple. His heartbeat thundered in her ear, mixed with the sound of her own heart pounding.
He gripped her bare shoulders as she slipped her hands underneath his waistcoat and yanked his shirttail out of his trousers. His eyes fluttered opened and he grinned, wicked, amative.
She traced his abs, the muscles flexing beneath her fingertips. Closing her eyes again, she breathed in the wild, spicy scent of him, of the piney woods and spruce, and felt suspended in time between now and the past, the centuries bridged.
“My princess,” he mouthed against her lips, “my goddess.”
His chest rubbed against hers, the satin fabric of his vest, teasing her nipples, and then the power of Niagara Falls washed over her in a rush of heated passion, carrying her over the edge, sweeping her toward… toward…
She moaned as a second wave stole her thoughts, his hot seed filling her womb. “Adonis,” she gasped. “In the flesh,” she breathed in his ear.
He nipped her chin and squeezed her breast with one final thrust. “My… dreams… have… come… true…, love.” His head sank next to her face, his hand cupping her breast. “I have died and gone to Valhalla.”
Her fingers caressing locks of his damp hair, she gave a contented sigh. “I never want to move from here.”
He chuckled. “Next time we’ll do it with fewer clothes. I would never have lasted with you in the earlier time. In truth, I’m glad the days of long gowns and the like are gone.” He swirled his tongue around her nipple as if he was licking the ice cream on a sugar cone. “Though I like the cut of this gown on you.” His gaze shot up to hers. “But not for everyone in town to see. Silva is absolutely the devil.”
He rolled off her, adjusted his pants, and tucked his shirt back into his trousers. He helped her stand. Pulling her bodice up, he covered her nipples, his thumbs rubbing the sensitive nubs underneath the lace-trimmed satin. Focusing on them, he let out a low growl. “Wear a shirt over them until they settle down.”
Lelandi laughed. “It’s all your fault, Darien.”
He kissed her lips, his tongue penetrating her mouth, his hands wrapped securely around her waist.“I love it when you call me by name, Lelandi, for all the times we made love together, and you didn’t know who I was.” He kissed her forehead and brushed his hand down her waist until his fingers reached the apex of her thighs. He cupped her mound through her skirts and rubbed and let out a husky breath. “Hurry home and I’ll join you.”
“Hmm,” she moaned in response, then smiled and pressed her lips against his, nipping his lower one.
“Don’t make me wait long.”
“I won’t,” he said with lustful promise and escorted her out of the storeroom.
Sam stopped filling a mug and looked from Darien to Lelandi and gave a knowing smile.
Some difference from the first time she’d been here, sitting at the table in the corner, an outsider in disguise.
Darien kissed her cheek and left her behind the counter. “No more serving drinks to the tables.” He glanced at the table where the grays had been trying to get her attention. “I’ll have to keep you under lock and key,” he muttered under his breath.
“Right,” she said. “As if that’s ever happening.”
Trevor walked back into the place, but Tom and Jake took seats at an empty table also.
“Killjoy,” she said to Darien.
He gave her a smug look. “It’s for your protection, Lelandi. I’ve got some business I have to take care of.
Let Jake know when you want to return home.”
The humans talked like nothing had gone on. But every gray in the house watched Darien, and when he left, Tom and Jake would observe them next.
Silva gave her a big smile. Lelandi tried to fill a glass, but it dropped from her grasp and Sam caught it.
“You can put out some chips.” He gave her one of his wolfish grins.
Silva joined her behind the bar and tsked. “Boy, you sure have a stranglehold on that man. I keep trying to learn from your example, but I’m not sure what it is you’re doing to garner his attention. Just when I think he’s going to confine you at home, he takes you in the back room and ravishes you.” She sighed. “Now half the grays in the tavern had their eyes on that door, just waiting to see what the two of you looked like when you came out.”
Feeling sated, Lelandi poured chips into a bowl.
“Darien’s chest was so puffed out, he looked like a peacock strutting out of there. And you, well,” Silva glanced down at Lelandi’s bodice and sighed heavily again. “A fresh bloom to your cheeks and lips, your hair tousled in the throes of passionate lovemaking, and you’ve even lost your hat. In the olden days, that would have been utterly scandalous.” She laughed.
“For humans,” Lelandi reminded her, speaking low so only Silva could hear, although she imagined Sam was eavesdropping as well. “Not lupus garous.”
“Ah, but most of these yahoos didn’t know you and Darien were mated yet. Besides, he’s the pack leader. Whatever happens in regards to him is important to them. When he’s happy…” Silva shrugged. “Makes him easier to live with.”
Lelandi glanced in the mirror on the back wall. Most of her hair hung to her shoulders in curls, no longer bound.
Silva gave her a hug. “I want to know all your secrets. Julia Wildthorn has nothing on you.”
Lelandi smiled, brushed a curl of hair away from her cheek and returned to the counter. Conversation renewed and she could just bet the topic of conversation. Red wolf strikes again!
Silva ran her hand over Lelandi’s arm. “Everyone’s glad for the two of you. Darien’s come out of his dark mood, except for the other deadly business. Soon you’ll be carrying his babies and the pack will be well on it’s way to mend.”
“Triplets.” Carol raised her nearly empty container of bottled water, eyes glittering, but her expression was deadly serious.
Lelandi stared at her, her heart nearly stopping.What had the woman overheard? Could she really see the future? More importantly, did she know about the lupus garous?
Chapter 16
WAS THE WINE TALKING OR DID CAROL WOOD REALLY SEE things that others couldn’t? Lelandi wanted to question her further—alone, but Silva stuck close to her at the bar.
Lelandi gave a disgruntled sigh and handed her two bowls of chips. “Darien won’t let me serve anything to the tables or I’d help you out more.”
Silva gave her a smirk. “I’m used to the crowds.
Think nothing of it.”
As soon as Silva skirted around the bar, Lelandi leaned over the counter and asked Carol, “Do you… see this for real?”
“What?”
Lelandi pursed her lips. “Do you see that I have triplets?”
Carol waved her hand at the tavern. “Multiple births abound in Silver Town. Darien’s a triplet. You’re a triplet. So sure, you’ll have triplets, too.”
“How did you know I was a triplet?”
Carol looked cross-eyed, then her blue eyes straightened. “Don’t you have a brother, too? I thought someone said you did.” She shrugged and rested her elbow on the counter, then leaned her head against her hand. “I think.”
Lelandi poured chips into another bowl.
“Your sister was pregnant with triplets. But you’ll be feeding yours at your breasts, juggling one after another when the time is right.”
Sam had moved closer and although he hadn’t looked in their direction, Lelandi was certain he’d heard. “You’re probably right, statistically speaking,” she said, not wanting anyone to know if Carol truly had psychic powers. But could she know anything about the tragedy that had befallen her sister? She had to find out when the woman was sober, and without big ears listening in on their conversation.
Silva came behind the bar and cast a glance in Trevor’s direction. He was looking their way, but Lelandi was certain he was watching her, not Silva. But Silva coyly smiled, then made her move on Sam. She kissed him on the cheek. Nothing too risqué or noteworthy, but Sam seized her arm, pulled her into a bear hug and started kissing her like they were in bed, getting ready for the big bang.
At first, Silva seemed taken aback, stiff, but when Sam kept working on her lips, Silva melted in the big guy’s arms, giving him as much as she was getting.
Lelandi glanced around at the now quiet tavern, saw Trevor watching, but no scowl marred his expression. Everyone else was rabidly entranced. Some amused.
Jake shook his head and slugged down some beer.
Tom took his eyes off Silva and Sam and smiled at Lelandi. Her body warmed with chagrin.
“Man,” Silva said, her voice low but because Lelandi was close enough she heard her words. “You never told me you knew how to melt a lady’s core.”
“Just needed the right woman to do the kiss justice.”
Sam patted her rump. “Now get back to work.”
With a grin stretching across her face, she grabbed up another tray. “Hmm-hmm.”
Belatedly, several of the guys in the tavern whooped and cheered.
Silva’s face turned crimson.
“Wow,” Carol said. “Now, I wouldn’t mind a hunk like that kissing me either.”
Then her head sank to the counter.
Lelandi shook her head and motioned to Jake, who hurried to the bar. “You want to go home now?”
“Carol Wood needs a ride home.”
Jake waved at one of the grays at a table. “Take Ms. Wood to her place.”
The guy looked pissed, but nodded and carried Carol out of the tavern.
Right after that, a husky human male walked up to the bar and handed Lelandi a note. “Guy outside asked me to give this to you.”
