“We need to be naked,” he growled.
He pulled away, ripping himself out of his suit until he stood in front of her in his boxer briefs. Juliet shook as she unzipped her dress, looking up at him. The planes of his muscles were like chiseled marble. She wanted to lick every inch of his taut skin. He knelt in front of her and pulled her dress down over her hips and off her feet.
She sat on the bed in only her panties. Her round breasts exposed, her pink nipples tight. She felt self-conscious, but the look in Levi’s eyes told her she had no reason to be. He wasn’t looking at her soft, round belly, full breasts, and wide hips in disgust. He was looking at her like he’d found the holy grail. It made Juliet quiver. Levi’s eyes left a hot trail over her body until they met her gaze.
“You are so fucking gorgeous, Juliet.”
“No one has ever told me that before,” she whispered.
“You’ve never been with a man before?”
“I have.”
“And those men didn’t worship you?”
Juliet snorted, knowing it was extremely unsexy. She just couldn’t help it.
“No. They didn’t worship me.”
“They were morons then. This body, this soul,” he said, running his hand over the spot between her breasts, “needs to be worshiped like the goddess you are.”
“Levi. You don’t have to say that. I’m already here.”
He looked up at her, shocked.
“You think I’m playing you?”
“No. I just…”
He hooked his fingers in her panties and began to tug them down over her hips and away from her damp pussy.
“Let’s get this straight. You are a goddess. You are my goddess. I want to worship every inch of your honey skin. Taste every ounce of your sweet cream. And I want to see the pleasure in your eyes when I make you come, over and over again.”
Juliet shuddered, letting out a shaky moan. He threw her panties away and gazed down at the space between her legs, pushing her knees apart with his hands.
Juliet was panting, confused, turned on like never before. The things he said to her made her mind reel. No one had ever said anything even remotely close to what Levi said to her now. Sure, she’d had boyfriends before, but none of them had told her she was a goddess to be worshiped. The last man she’d been with had told her the exact opposite.
Levi gripped her legs and leaned into her pussy, licking up her slit with a growl.
“You taste like heaven,” he groaned.
Juliet’s legs shook as he continued to feast on her pussy. Her breasts were so swollen and her nipples so taut she wanted to grab them and squeeze them herself. She reached up and grasped her breasts. Levi’s tongue dove against her clit.
Juliet rolled her nipples through her fingers, not even fully aware of what she was doing. She arched her back further, the flood of pleasure rising around her so high she thought she might drown. Levi pushed her legs wider and dipped his tongue into her entrance before licking back up to her clit. She was so wet, so open when he pushed two fingers inside her.
His mouth sucked up her swollen bud as he dove in and out of her, driving her to the brink. She groaned out loud as she came, her mind shattering with pleasure. But she had no time to recover before he crawled over her, taking her mouth in his.
The taste of her sex on his lips made her pussy throb harder. Levi reached behind her and pulled a condom out of the nightstand before sliding it over his massive, swollen cock. He looked into her eyes as he held himself over her and guided his cock to her slick opening. He didn’t wait, didn’t ask. He slipped inside, looking deep into her eyes.
Juliet reached up to him as he filled her, stretching her body wide with his girth. She squeezed her eyes closed and moaned, panting, opening to him. Pleasure shot through her as he sank to the base of his shaft inside her. Levi ran his hands over her body, leaning down to suck her nipples into his mouth.
He growled into her neck and kissed the pulse point, drawing back his hips to thrust again. Juliet let go. She let go of everything that had ever worried her or held her down. All that was left was her and Levi. Making love. Making the world over in their image. It was a perfect moment of surrender. He met her sensitivity head on and he adored it. He loved her curves. He loved who she was inside. His body worked hers toward unexplored heights of pleasure.
He grasped her breast and dove his tongue into her mouth, shutting out any thought or perception of the outside world. She felt herself merging with him, ready to spill over for him. That’s when her climax slapped her like a lightening clap.
She took a startled breath and let out a long moan as it pulsed through her whole body.
“That’s my little goddess,” he growled into her neck, licking her ear.
He moved into her in waves, flicking his tongue into her mouth as she came over and over again. Time and space stood still in that eternal moment. Levi stiffened and groaned, thrusting hard several more times. Juliet held him close.
His seed shot hard into the condom and Juliet could feel the heat of it, even through the latex. They held each other tight, their bodies throbbing, as one. He held himself over her, not wanting to crush her. But he was panting, sweaty, and spent. Slowly, he rolled away, taking her with him to lie on his chest. Levi pulled a blanket over them and kissed the top of her head.
“Fuck, baby. I’m not going to be able to let you go now.”
In the mushy haze of her mind, Juliet didn’t quite know what to do with those words. Had she committed to him somehow? Was this what she really wanted? Her body still sang from his mind-shattering love making. It had been the best of her life, without question.
She closed her eyes and started to drift off to sleep, but Quinn’s apprehension about mating with a shifter wouldn’t leave her alone.
Chapter 10
Levi’s eyes cracked open. He turned to find Juliet’s long black hair swept over his shoulder. She had her back to him, and her head rested on his arm. Early morning light streamed through the windows of his bedroom. He and Juliet were nestled together in bed. The night before had been mind-blowing. Amazing. Unforgettable.
Making love to Juliet was like coming home after the war. It was as if he finally knew what life meant. But he also knew the consequences of dating a human. He looked down at her beautiful, curvy form under the blanket. She groaned at his movement and turned away.
It was dangerous to get involved with a human woman on so many levels. Last night, he hadn’t been able to contain his bear any longer. When Juliet had suggested they leave the party, he was all too willing to oblige. Leaving the party meant one thing to his bear: mate. Translated into human speak, that meant fuck Juliet’s brains out.
He’d been able to contain the bear enough to give her the pleasure she deserved. He wanted nothing more than to see the light of climax in her eyes as he took her. It had been so unbelievably hot, he’d come the second she did, her pussy clenching on his rod like a warm glove. The thought of it made him hard again. He wanted to take her now, in the light of day.
Levi knew last night had been in the realm of a mistake. They hadn’t decided to take things further. He’d hadn’t even asked her if she really wanted him. He’d just gone by the look in her eyes. Now, anything could happen. Juliet could decide it had been wrong and run away from his love.
He leaned over and put his hand on her shoulder, whispering softly in her ear.
“I’m going to get us some coffee and breakfast,” he said.
She groaned and flipped her hand in the air dismissively. He smiled and stood from the bed, pulling a robe over his shoulders. It was still so early in the morning. He made his way through the living room and into his kitchen. He trudged across the tiled floor and stopped at the counter in front of his coffee pot. A few moments later, dark liquid percolated into the pot. He fixed himself a cup and leaned against the counter, contemplating the view.
There was one thing he knew for certain now. He needed Juliet. He would do
anything to make her his. If that meant keeping his distance a while longer, he would have to do that. As he was wresting with his bear, trying to convince the beast it wasn’t prudent to go slide inside her again, Juliet entered the kitchen wearing his extra robe.
“I never do this kind of thing,” Juliet said with a groan.
“Do what?” he asked.
Did she regret last night? He couldn’t take it if she did. It had been by far the best night of his life.
“Get drunk and sleep with someone on a second date,” she said, walking across the kitchen to pour herself a cup of coffee.
“Do you regret it?” he asked, his voice almost breaking.
She looked up at him, a little hurt showing in her eyes.
“Regret? No.”
Levi watched her stir sugar and cream into her cup.
“What then? You enjoyed yourself,” he said.
“I did. I enjoyed it a lot. I just. You said…”
“Did I say something wrong last night?”
He searched his mind, trying to remember what he could have said to upset her. He’d been so overwhelmed by his need for her, he could have said any number of inappropriate things.
“Nothing. It’s fine.”
He knew she was lying. It wasn’t fine. He’d scared her off. Fuck. Dating a human had serious repercussions, and he was already screwing it up. What if she decided he’d manipulated her and then told everyone she knew that a dirty shifter had taken advantage of her.
He put his hand on her shoulder and looked into her eyes. She deserved to be at peace. It was important to him that she feel safe.
“I want you to know, whatever you want is what I want.”
“That’s sweet,” she said. Her tone was suspicious.
Crap.
Levi decided to change the subject.
“Let me make you breakfast.”
“You cook? I thought you had people for that,” she said.
“Shane is an excellent chef but my bacon and eggs over easy are legendary.”
Levi invited Juliet to sit on a stool in front of his granite counter while he began to make breakfast. His story of his legendary breakfast had not been exaggerated. He’d been making it for the gang ever since their days in the military.
He began frying bacon, home fries, and eggs over easy. Juliet watched him with hooded eyes, her chin resting on her hand. He plated the food and slid one in front of her before carrying his own around the other side of the counter and joining her on his own stool.
They ate without talking, and when Juliet had cleaned her plate, she moaned with pleasure and pushed it away.
“You were right, that was delicious,” she said.
“I aim to please,” he said.
“Thank you so much for breakfast, but I think I need to get back to check on the bride.”
“If you aren’t busy this evening, I would like to take you out again for another date,” he said.
“I’m not sure. There’s still so much to organize before the wedding,” she said, going back to his room to throw on the clothes she’d been wearing the night before.
Levi felt like he was losing her. He had to think fast. All he could conclude was that she needed space and he had to respect that.
He walked her toward the front door of his suite and leaned down to kiss her softly on the cheek. She was pulling away, but he couldn’t resist showing her some affection.
He watched Juliet walk away, still in her pretty red dress and black high-heeled shoes. She had looked so damn sexy the night before. And even this morning, disheveled and slightly hung over, there was something so sweet and pretty about her.
Juliet hadn’t been ready to make love to him. He had told her that she was his fated mate while they were at the gazebo. That didn’t mean that Juliet was ready for it. His bear could smell her arousal every time she looked into his eyes. That was all the bear needed.
Unlike shifters, a human woman needed a great deal more time and romance to come to the kind of commitment Levi wanted, the kind of commitment his bear wanted. To satisfy the will of his wild bear, he’d let himself take her last night. It very well could have been a fatal mistake for their relationship, no matter how much she seemed to want it at the time.
Chapter 11
Juliet closed her bedroom door behind her and groaned. Levi’s breakfast had taken the edge off her hangover, but Juliet still felt disgusting, exhausted, and ashamed of herself. Under normal circumstances, she never would have lost control and slept with a man on the second date.
As much as she wanted to feel Levi’s hands on her body, when he’d told her he’d never let her go, it terrified her. Quinn’s fears about shifters wanting a lifelong commitment came back to haunt her. Juliet had wanted Levi. Oh yes, she’d wanted him.
Juliet remembered the feeling of Levi’s arms around her, his warm chest against her breasts, and the feel of his erection pressed against her wetness. Her body quivered in remembrance. Last night had been the hottest, most erotic night of her life. Levi was a prince among peasants when it came to taking care of a woman in the bedroom. So why was she so confused?
She stripped off her clothes and stepped into the warm stream of the shower, thinking of Levi’s kiss and the feeling of his strong arms around her petite frame. He was everything she had always wanted. He was a man, responsible, intelligent, kind. There was a quiet strength inside him that Juliet knew was the natural alpha within him.
Juliet knew that each group of shifter males had a central leader who they called their alpha. It didn’t matter what kind of shifter it was. It could be a wolf or a mountain lion or a fox, for that matter, but each type of shifter formed clans or packs and each clan had an alpha who led them.
Usually the alpha was the strongest male among the group. And strength could mean almost anything, but usually it meant the virility of the shifter animal inside. Juliet hadn’t met Levi’s grizzly yet, and she wasn’t sure if she wanted to.
As much as she liked Levi, she still wasn’t sure about the whole shifter thing. She was far from being a racist against shifters, but she had to admit that the idea of committing to a man who was part animal scared her. The idea of committing to any man scared her. She knew that it was possible for a shifter to turn a human into a shifter, which was even more terrifying. There was so much about shifter culture that Juliet could never understand.
She finished her shower, trying to push the thoughts of Levi aside for now. She seriously needed to get some things sorted before the wedding. But first, she wanted to get a short nap in to finish recovering from her beer hangover.
As she laid in her bed, staring at the ceiling, she contemplated what it meant to her that she was a shifter’s fated mate. As much as she didn’t want to think about it, she couldn’t help it. It was a big deal, really. To be someone’s perfect match was a lot to live up to. But at the same time, there was a strange comfort in it. She envied shifters that they knew beyond a shadow of a doubt who was perfect for them. She was perfect for Levi, but did that that mean Levi was perfect for her? If her body’s reaction last night was any indication, then he definitely must be. But she couldn’t make her human consciousness and hesitation completely agree. As wonderful as Levi might be, she had just met the man.
She closed her eyes with a heavy sigh and tried to relax. She felt much better after a shower and changing into her pajamas, but the swirling emotions inside her body would not let her rest easily. She knew she desired Levi. That was a plain and simple fact.
This morning, in those brief moments in his arms before she had become fully conscious, there had been a deep sense of satisfaction that she and Levi had been together. There was something so right about it that now, as she lay in bed trying to sleep, that feeling deeply confused her.
Juliet had had plenty of boyfriends in her life. She was in her early thirties, and even a woman as introverted and sensitive as her didn’t get through life without having couple of long-term relationships by her ag
e. But never before had she felt as complete as she had in those brief moments before waking up in Levi’s arms.
Her body finally let her drift off to sleep. Juliet had only napped for a few hours when her cell phone began to ring. It took her a moment to wake up and find it. But it stopped ringing and quickly started ringing again. She found the cell phone in her bag under a chair and flicked the screen to answer the call from Charlotte.
“What is it?” she asked.
“Harry’s gone,” Charlotte said frantically on the other end of the line.
“What do you mean he’s gone?”
Harry wasn’t the kind of groom who would just disappear the day before his wedding. He and Charlotte had been together for a long time. They lived together. They were best friends. He wasn’t about to get cold feet and disappear.
“The groomsmen said that they’d been drinking and a few of them drove up into the mountains and hiked out into the woods. Harry was the only one who didn’t make it back to the car.”
“Where did he go?” Juliet asked, rifling through her suitcase to find something to wear.
“I don’t know exactly. But his friends said they took a rental car and drove up into the mountains.”
“Have you informed anyone?”
“We’ve already informed the lodge, and I know that a search party is being formed. It looks like your boyfriend, Levi, is the head of a search and rescue crew,” Charlotte said, her humorous tone belying the panic underneath it.
“Don’t worry, Charlotte, I know that Levi and his crew will find Harry. He probably just got drunk and got lost somewhere.”
“I know, you’re right,” Charlotte said.
Juliet told Charlotte she would meet her down in the dining room where the rest of the bridesmaids were having brunch. Juliet put on a warm, comfortable outfit and scurried down to the dining room. Everyone looked slightly hung over and Charlotte looked like she was about to lose it.