Chapter Eight
“Why is this your favorite film?”
Shoni kept her gaze locked on the television. It had been her idea to watch a movie. Chaz had taken a seat next to her after they’d eaten. She hadn’t expected him to do that. His body took up most of the space, so she was crammed between him and the arm of the little couch.
His weight was enough to dip the cushions, making her almost slide into his hip. They were pressed together enough that neither could move without brushing up against the other. It was quickly becoming a form of torture.
His masculine scent was enough to drive her mad, and he still hadn’t put on a shirt. That made her suspect he was purposely teasing her. All that exposed skin was almost irresistible to touch. It also had her constantly glancing his way. Shoni wanted to jump his bones.
“Shoni? You didn’t answer me.”
She lifted her gaze, meeting his gaze. “What?”
He grinned. “Am I distracting you from the movie?”
“You know you are.” Shoni grabbed hold of the couch arm with both hands and pulled herself up, quickly fleeing to the kitchen. “I’m going to make some popcorn.” She hoped a snack would appease one hunger for another.
It helped cool her libido down to be away from him. She put a bag into the microwave and turned to get a bowl, slamming nose first into Chaz’s bare chest. His big hands were suddenly on her hips, preventing her from bouncing backward to hit the counter.
Shoni inhaled, breathing Chaz in. He smelled like sex to her. All masculine and clean. “I came in here to get away from you,” she blurted.
Chaz instantly released her and backed away. “I apologize. I thought you might need some help.” He spun, walking away. That time, he took a seat on the chaise lounge.
Shoni waited for the popcorn to finish, dumped the bag into the bowl, and then carried it back into the living room. Guilt ate at her when she noticed that Chaz had avoided her gaze and turned his body away. It was possible she’d hurt his feelings. That was the last thing she wanted.
With sagging shoulders, she placed the popcorn on the coffee table and sucked in a deep breath. “Can we talk?”
He turned his head, his strangely beautiful silver eyes meeting hers. “I made you uncomfortable. Again, I apologize.”
“You’re too sexy shirtless,” she admitted. “You smell wonderful. Your skin is…” She swallowed hard. “…tempting to touch. That’s why I’m snippy. I’m turned on.”
“I could scent your arousal.” He paused. “I thought you might be too shy to tell me that you’ve changed your mind, so I’ve been giving you indications that I want you, too. My interactions with humans have been limited enough that I have no idea what I’m doing.”
Shoni could feel her entire face warm, pretty sure she was blushing. “I don’t do one-night stands. That’s what this would be. Don’t get me wrong, you’d be the man I’d break a personal rule for, but then I’d forget all about what happened between us. I have a problem with that. It just feels wrong, you know? And what if there was a whoops?” Her mind was going a thousand miles an hour in her head. “What if I got pregnant and then couldn’t remember who the father was? I’d feel so bad about myself or maybe believe that someone had drugged and hurt me since I’d have no memory of you.”
Chaz’s eyes had widened. He opened his mouth but didn’t say anything.
“I had a friend in high school who went to a party our senior year and got really drunk. A month later, Brenda discovered she was pregnant. I watched how badly people treated her when she had no idea who the father was, and I saw firsthand what it did to her, knowing someone had taken advantage of her while she had been that drunk. She’d cry all the time because her daughter would one day ask her who her daddy was, and she wouldn’t have an answer. I don’t want that to be me if we have sex and a whoops happens. I would hate to figure out I’m pregnant and think I haven’t had sex in almost two years. That would mean―”
“Someone must have drugged and hurt you since you had no memory,” he interrupted.
She nodded. “I’d go to the police, of course. Which would be bad since you said Lycan packs have people who work there, and they’ll probably be watching me for a while, right?”
“Yes.”
“You killed a bunch of them, so if I got pregnant, well, they might get even by taking me and that baby out.”
Chaz stood. “You’ve thought a lot about this.”
“That’s what I do because I’m a dork.”
He smiled. “I would say that makes you smart, and you thoroughly think things through. I wish my twin brother thought more like that. Fray tends to be reckless. I think it’s a good trait for you to overthink things.”
“I do want you,” she admitted. “But I’m not a risk taker. Especially when I think about possible consequences. It’s why I’ve only slept with really serious boyfriends in the past. I know five women who got pregnant with their partners because their methods of birth control failed. It happens. Thankfully, they were happy accidents that worked out for them, but you’re not human. I’d have a baby like you and have no idea how to keep him or her safe. I wouldn’t remember the warehouse or those Lycans who’d want revenge. So having sex with you seems selfish and horrible of me.”
He took a step closer. “You are so fucking adorable.”
She knew she gaped at him, taken aback by his words.
“What if I promise to check up on you, and if I get you pregnant, I’ll keep you and our youngling safe? Memories can be returned.”
“You’d do that?”
“Yes.” He stepped closer, almost touching her. “I want you bad enough to take that risk. We’ll be careful, and I’ll check in on you many times afterward to make certain the condoms worked. If they don’t, I’ll have your memories returned. You’ll know who the father of that youngling is, and I’ll make certain no one harms either of you.” He lifted his fist to his chest, placing it over his heart. “You have my word.”
Even that was sexy. He’d said condoms. Plural. Shoni figured that meant he wanted her more than once. She found herself nodding. “That could work.”
“There’s one more thing I should warn you about.” He cleared his throat. “My kind give off strong sexual pheromones when we’re turned on. That would be me now. I’ve tried to keep myself in check, but I’ll lose control once we start kissing.”
“You mean you’ll smell even better than you already do?”
“Yes.” Chaz opened his fist and reached for her.
Shoni lifted her head, her gaze dropping to his lips. She really wanted him to kiss her. It was like he could read her mind. He lowered his head. One of his hands wrapped around the back of her neck, his other arm around her waist.
Shoni gasped when he just lifted her right off her feet, almost yanking her against his body. She clutched at his broad shoulders to hold onto him as his mouth covered hers. Then, he kissed her. His tongue delved into her mouth, exploring and taking over her ability to think.
He tasted like heaven, and desire tore through her like wildfire, spreading heat throughout her entire body. Her nipples stiffened, and her clit throbbed. She moaned against his tongue, knowing her fingernails were digging into his skin as she tried to pull him even closer. She wanted him so much that it physically hurt.
He broke the kiss at some point, and Shoni forced her eyes open. His were doing wonderous things. The liquid silver had what appeared to be bright blue lightning flashing in his irises.
“Bedroom,” he rasped, his voice coming out husky. “Condoms are upstairs. Hold onto me.”
Then, they were moving. Chaz kept her pressed to his chest, but he released the back of her neck to grip one of her thighs, pulling it up. It was the hint she needed to wrap her legs around his hips. She found it extra hot that he so easily walked upstairs with her in his arms. She’d never had a guy do that before. He turned toward the guest bedroom.
“My bed is bigger,” she remembered. “We might want to go in there.”
“I want you too much, Shoni. We’ll move into your bedroom later. Release me.”
She didn’t want to let him go, but he dropped her onto the queen-sized mattress. She bounced once, watching Chaz as he bent over, digging inside his duffle bag. He straightened up, holding a black box. She saw XL printed on the front of it and knew her eyebrows arched upward.
Her gaze ran up and down Chaz as he tore open the box and separated one of the condom packages off the roll. Shoni figured it shouldn’t surprise her that he’d be big all over. Their gazes met again until he looked her over from head to toe.
“Strip,” he demanded.
Shoni liked how his voice had deepened. His eyes were still doing that blue lightning streaks thing. It reminded her he wasn’t human, but she didn’t care. She struggled to sit up and began to undress. A little self-doubt surfaced since she didn’t have a lingerie-model body. Chaz’s previous lovers had probably been porn-star material.
“Don’t,” Chaz suddenly ordered.
She froze, meeting his gaze.
“You’re hesitating. I think you’re beautiful and perfect, Shoni. You are the one I want. Stop thinking and just feel, okay?”
“For someone who says they don’t know humans well, you’re very observant.”
“I’m good at reading body language, no matter the species.”
“I don’t see you dropping those sweats yet.”
“I don’t want to frighten you.”
Shoni finished removing her clothing and sat back, drawing up her knees to hide as much of her bare body as possible. “Oh. Is your penis different because you’re not human? It’s okay. I can handle a little weird.”
He threw back his head and laughed. His grin was wide when he met her gaze as he lowered his head. “My dick is very human-like. It’s just big. I don’t want you to be frightened by it. I swear it will fit.”
“I’m no coward. Show me.”
His grin faded as he reached down, hooked his thumbs in the sides of his sweats, and revealed that he wasn’t wearing underwear. Her gaze lingered on his abs and those V muscles buff guys had. The sight below had her staring. Chaz hadn’t been lying. He was long and thick.
“You shave,” she blurted.
He chuckled again. “That’s all you’ve got to say? Yes, I shave. I don’t like being hairy down there. It can pull in bad ways when I’m going commando while wearing jeans. I do that often when I’m not working.”
“I think that’s the least of your worries with all you’re packing down there.”
Chaz laughed and stepped out of his sweatpants. “I like how I never know what you’re going to say. Lay back and spread out for me, Shoni. Time for talking is over.”
“Okay.” She laid down and did as he’d asked.
Chaz climbed on the bed with her, standing on his knees at the end of the mattress, and used his mouth to tear open the condom. “I’m putting this on now since I’m rock hard, but I’m going to get you ready for me.”
“I’m really wet,” she admitted. “I have been for a good hour.”
“I smelled that.”
She blushed. “Sorry.”
“I love arousal on you. I’ve wanted a taste since I picked up the scent coming off you.”
“That’s weird, but I’m fine with that.”
He flashed a smile as he put on the condom. She watched. He did it with skill and ease. Then, he dropped forward, his hands landing on each side of her hips. She realized he even looked sexy when he was over her on his hands and knees. Chaz lifted one arm and tapped her inner thigh.
“Open for me.”
“We’re just going for it, huh?”
He met her gaze. “I told you that I want to taste you. Don’t tease me right now, Shoni.”
That husky tone was back. She spread her legs and watched as Chaz adjusted his arms to give her the room to bend her knees up, exposing her sex to him. Her face flushed since he was looking at her down there. Any uncomfortableness faded fast as he suddenly leaned down, his breath fanning over her sex. She felt something odd pressing against her folds but didn’t comment.
He's not human. Some weirdness is bound to happen , she reminded herself. The first flick of his tongue against her clit had all thoughts leaving her mind. It was just pleasure. He made a snarling sound and then attacked. That’s how it felt.
Shoni cried out and reached up, clawing at the pillow above her. Chaz lashed at her clit with strong, fast licks. His hands grabbed hold of her thighs, forcing them farther apart. It was too intense and overwhelming as she drowned in ecstasy. The climax was brutal when it hit.
Her brain felt fried. She seemed to forget how to breathe until Chaz was on top of her. She struggled to remember how to even open her eyes as she did it, finding him staring at her inches away. That’s when she felt the press of his cock against her pussy. He slowly entered her.
She let go of the pillow to clutch at him, instead grabbing hold of his upper arms. He felt as big as he looked when her body tried to take the thickness of his shaft. He slowly pushed deeper inside her. It was almost too much, but then he withdrew a little before slowly pushing forward again to make her take more.
“Fuck,” he snarled. “You’re so damn tight and wet.”
“You’re just huge.”
A quick grin curved his lips, and his eyes mesmerized her. They were sparking so many flashes in the silvery parts that they turned almost completely blue. Some black flooded into the outer edges. They were utterly amazing.
“You’re taking me fine. Is there any pain?”
“I feel stretched to the limit, but no pain. It helps that you’re going slow. It feels good.”
“It’s going to feel better soon. I don’t usually talk during sex. How am I doing?”
She moaned as he went deeper, hitting a wonderful spot inside her that felt amazing. Chaz adjusted his hips a little and started to move inside her at a new angle. That caused her to moan again and dig her nails into his skin.
“That. Whatever you’re doing, don’t stop!”
He began to thrust faster. Shoni did her own adjusting, wrapping her legs higher so she was hugging his waist with her thighs. The sensations were extreme, and sex had never felt so good. That feeling built until another climax struck, tearing through her. She cried out his name.
He snarled and buried his face next to hers, his hot breath fanning her neck and the top of her shoulder. His body tensed before he shuddered over her with enough force that the entire bed shook. Then he groaned loudly in her ear as his body started to relax.
He didn’t collapse on top of her but instead braced his arms to hold his weight off her chest. His lower half was another story. He had her hips pinned down tight to the bed. Seconds passed, making it clear he had no intention of moving as they both caught their breath.
That was a new experience for Shoni. She’d had a few boyfriends in the past. All of them tended to roll off her after sex right away to dispose of the condom. It was possible, she realized, that Chaz might not know that. He had said he didn’t have many sexual encounters with humans.
“The condom might leak if you don’t take it off before you soften,” she informed him.
That made Chaz chuckle as he lifted his head. His eyes were back to liquid silver. There were a few lightning flashes going on in there, but they were a very pale blue, almost white. They really did fascinate her.
“I’m still hard.”
Shoni gasped as he flexed his penis inside her. Her eyes widened as he laughed, watching her face.
“I’m a GarLycan, remember? My dick won’t soften while the scent of your arousal is all I can smell. It probably is a good idea if I get rid of this condom since I know I filled it. I just don’t want to leave you yet. I like being inside you.” He paused, cocking his head a little as he seemed to study her eyes. “You’re not going to flee if I let you up, are you? I’m not done with you, Shoni. I plan to use that entire box tonight and go shopping for more in the morning.”
“Really?”
“Yes.”
“So we’re going to test if that saying about how a guy can make a woman unable to walk after a lot of sex is true?”
Chaz’s eyes suddenly bled black. “Is that possible? I don’t want to hurt you, Shoni.”
It was her turn to laugh. It felt strange to do it while they were intimately joined. “I was teasing. Although, I’m intrigued with your eyes. Did I just make you mad? Your eyes are black with silver mixed in them right now.”
“No, I’m not angry. It alarmed me thinking I might inadvertently hurt you.” He blinked a few times, the black going away. “It happens with my moods. Anger and worry cause them to darken.”
“Okay. That’s good to know. I don’t want to piss you off.”
“I don’t think you ever could.”
She felt relief. “I hope that’s true.”
He suddenly began to withdraw from her body as he lifted his hips off hers. “I will remove that condom now and replace it with a new one.”
“Okay.” Shoni released his arms, seeing small marks on his skin from her fingernails. “I’m sorry.”
He lifted completely off her and glanced at them as he sat on the edge of the bed next to her. He chuckled. “Those aren’t scratches. They are just indents that will fade within minutes. I heal fast. I doubt you could draw blood from me even if you tried.” He got off the bed and walked out of the bedroom.
Shoni watched him go, admiring his bare ass. He had a great one. It was muscular, just like the rest of him. His thighs were impressive, too. She sat up and felt a small stinging sensation on the top of her shoulder. She twisted her head, reaching for that area. There were two indents in her skin but no blood. She frowned, staring at them. It sank in what they looked like, and her mouth fell open.
They looked like Vampire fang marks. That wasn’t possible since Chaz wasn’t one. Her memory flashed back to that warehouse. It wasn’t like she could easily forget what she’d seen. The strangers had turned into big-ass wolves.
A few of them had remained in human form but had claws coming from their fingertips. The alpha of the pack had reminded her of a Vampire since two of his teeth had been longer than the rest of the sharp-looking ones.
Chaz returned but halted at the door, staring at her as she did the same to him. “What’s wrong?”
“Did you try to bite me? Let me see your mouth.”
Chaz softly cursed and approached the bed. He took a seat next to her on the edge and reached for her, moving her hair to study the top of that shoulder. “I didn’t break the skin.”
“I know that. But those marks…”
“I resisted the urge.”
Their gazes locked. Some black had bled into his eyes again, along with something new. The lightning flashes had a reddish tint. “What emotion are you feeling right now?”
“I didn’t break the skin, and even if I had, we wouldn’t have mated. The condom didn’t break. I double-checked.”
Too many thoughts ran through Shoni’s mind, most of them questions. She just wasn’t sure if he’d answer any of them.
Chaz leaned in closer, his hand leaving her shoulder to slide into her hair, cupping the back of her head. Inches separated their faces as they gazed at each other. The red faded from his eyes, showing more blue flashes.
“My kind bite when we take a mate. The taste of your blood during sex will trigger my body into doing some Gargoyle things. My skin would have changed color, too, and my wings probably would have ripped out of my back. It’s a common occurrence that happens to males during mating. We lose control of our bodies as instincts take over. I didn’t bite you. I won’t. You’re safe with me.”
“Does that happen often? Getting the urge to bite?”
He blinked but didn’t look away from her. “No.”
“Oh.”
“I like you a hell of a lot, Shoni. I’ve never met anyone like you, but I’m not ready for a mate yet. I’m still reeling from my twin bonding with Lenore. A few days ago, she wasn’t even on his radar. I mean, I knew he was drawn to her when we visited the pack in the past. I’d catch him watching her a little bit too intensely. I even believed that he’d have pursued her if our uncle hadn’t adopted her into his pack when Moe mated to her human mother. She was off-limits to him since they’d decided not to tell her about Lycans or anything else not human.” He paused, blinking again. “Then, shit went down, Lenore learned the truth, and Fray mated her. Bam. That fast. Everything changed. He’s going to have to move to the cliffs full-time since that’s what mated couples do. It’s safest that way. No one would dare attack our clan.”
Shoni took all that information in, thinking. “You look upset. More black has bled into your eyes. Why? Aren’t you happy for him?”
“I am, but Fray’s decision means my life changes, too. It wasn’t expected, and I’m still reeling from that. I have a lot of adjustments to make. He was my work partner as well as my twin. We did everything together.”
She understood that to a certain degree. “Ember and I were like sisters growing up. I told you how our grandma watched us both. My aunt, Ember’s mom, wasn’t around much after her divorce. She went man-crazy, dating a bunch of different ones and taking trips with them. Ember’s dad took off with a woman half his age, and they moved to another country. He’s a total deadbeat and doesn’t even remember to send her birthday or Christmas cards.”
“Deadbeat?”
“He never sent a penny to help raise Ember. Kids are expensive.”
“I understand.”
“Anyway, it meant Ember spent more time with us than at home. One of the hardest things for me was when she went off to school to become a veterinary assistant. We always talked about her enrolling in a local program, but then she found one in another state that offered hands-on training with a large animal rescue. She immediately signed on for that since it was kind of a scholarship deal.”
“I don’t know what that means.”
“Ember always loved animals and volunteered at the local animal shelter when we were teenagers. One of the people there hooked her up with that program because the animal rescue offered to pay for her schooling if she gave them a year of working there. She not only got a free education but also got to work with all kinds of animals that excited her. The rescue had everything from turtles, domestic pets, farm animals, and two lions. I was happy because that was a dream come true for her, but I cried so hard after she left. I went from seeing Ember every day to her being so busy I was lucky if she remembered to call me twice a week.”
Chaz massaged the back of her head with his hand, looking sympathetic.
“She almost decided to permanently live there. I remember thinking I’d just have to move to Arizona once our grandma died. Grandma had already bought a place and made good friends there that she wouldn’t have wanted to leave. Thankfully, and this is shitty to admit, Ember had a bad breakup with the boyfriend she met there. It turned out he was cheating with some of their coworkers at the rescue. She ended up quitting her job. I was devastated for her that he broke her heart, but I was so happy when she came home to get a job here. Grandma and I felt torn up over the entire thing because of our mixed emotions. It was our guilty secret.”
“I feel torn about my twin getting mated,” Chaz softly admitted. “You get it.”
“I do.”
“I’m going to kiss you now. I want you again.”
Shoni licked her lips and leaned in closer, closing her eyes. She was totally up for another round of amazing sex with Chaz. The second their lips met, she forgot about everything but wanting him inside her.