SavageLust (10 page)

But his fingers closed firmly over her wrist and he shook
his head.

“I want your lips around me as much as you want to take me
in your mouth.” Ravenous hunger edged his voice. “But my turn first.”

He knelt between her thighs, bending her legs back so her
feet were planted on the bed, and opened the lips of her pussy with his long
fingers.

“Jesus, Regan.” Lust thickened his tone. “You have the most
gorgeous cunt. So pink and pretty.” He touched her inner lips. “And soaking wet
for me.”

Bending forward, he ran his tongue the length of her slit,
just a teasing caress that sent shockwaves through her body. He used the tip of
his tongue to swirl around her clit, a touch so light it drove her mad. Again
and again he circled the little nub of flesh until she was shaking with need.

With the same deliberate slowness, he traced her opening
with the tip of a finger, ignoring the desperate upward push of her hips.

“More,” she cried, frantic and desperate.

He responded with a gentle nip of her throbbing clit and the
slow glide of one finger into her soaked channel. She hummed with pleasure at
his touch, the dual assault of tongue and finger making her body vibrate like a
tuning fork.

He’d said slow, and he obviously meant it, sliding his
finger in and out of her with a deliberateness that drove her crazy. Regan
wanted to squeeze her thighs together to hold his head in place, but his broad
shoulders kept her legs apart, leaving her open to whatever sensual torment he
chose.

When he added a second finger to the first, she tightened
the muscles of her pussy and tried to ride them. His laugh was almost a growl,
pulsating against her body as he sucked her clit into his mouth and tugged it
with his teeth. Deep inside her core, the genesis of an orgasm was growing,
gathering speed and force.

More!
She wanted to shout it.

But he teased and tormented, driving her slowly up to that
incredible edge before backing down then starting again. When he added a third
finger, stretching her tissues and scraping the tips of those fingers against
her sweet spot, she panted with need. A cry of protest escaped her mouth when
he withdrew his hand and traced one wet finger down the sensitive tissue to the
tight pucker of her anus. When he pushed gently, she hummed with desire.

“Yes?” he asked. “Okay?”

“Yes, yes, yes.”
Do it
, she wanted to scream.
Do
something. Anything!

Very lightly he pressed, until the finger was inside that
dark tunnel to the first knuckle. Regan’s body bowed at the touch, thrusting
her pussy harder against his mouth. Dante slid one hand up to settle her and
cupped a breast, pinching the nipple between thumb and forefinger.

That was all it took for the climax to break. She rode the
triple assault as shudders rippled over her, the walls of her cunt spasming
with the force of her release. And as she did so, she pushed down so the one finger
slid completely into the hot channel of her rectum.

Oh god! Ohmigod!

A giant fist gripped and shook her, every muscle in her body
clenched, and she spasmed over and over.

He played her and teased her until she subsided into smaller
shudders, her breath rasping from her lungs, her body covered with a thin film
of perspiration. When she sagged back against the bed, Dante removed his finger
from her ass and slid up her body, rubbing his cheek against her skin, the
slight roughness of his overnight shadow a pleasant sense of abrasion.

She opened her eyes to see his, scant inches from hers, the
black darkened to an inky color, a look of smug satisfaction on his face. His
gaze still locked with hers, he took her mouth in a devouring kiss, sharing her
taste. Others had done it before. She wasn’t, after all, a novice to sex. But
somehow this time it was completely erotic, waking up those nerve endings she
thought had taken a post-orgasm nap.

He tugged her lower lip between his teeth, nipping, his
breath lightly fanning her skin. His hands slid up to cradle her breasts,
squeezing them gently.

”Better,” he said. A statement, not a question.

“Better,” she agreed and wound her fingers in the silky
darkness of his hair. Then disappointment flooded her when he pushed himself up
and away. “What—”

“One second.”

She watched as he grabbed his jeans, fumbled in his pocket
and pulled out a condom.

Regan lifted an eyebrow. “Prepared?”

“Optimistic,” he corrected.

He tore open the package and sheathed himself. Then he was
back between her thighs, lifting her legs up and bending them back so her pussy
was fully open. He stared at it for so long she wondered if he was going to
move. But then he guided the head of his shaft to her drenched opening. At the
first contact, all her nerves snapped to life again and she was instantly ready
for him.

Bracing himself on his hands, he dipped his head to pull one
stiff nipple into his mouth as he slowly eased into her wet warmth. Her muscles
tightened around him, squeezing and releasing. When he dragged his teeth over
the nipple, the sensation shot straight to her cunt.

Again his eyes sought her, the hunger so evident it consumed
her.

“This time I know what I’m doing. This time it’s
deliberate.”

Regan was sure she’d be way behind him, needing recovery
time for her body to respond again, but she hadn’t been prepared for how easily
he aroused her, how intensely he affected her. He set the pace, slow at first,
a dragging slide against her flesh as he moved in and out of her clasp. Then
faster until the force of his pistoning hips shook her. She wrapped her legs
around him, digging her heels into the small of his back to anchor herself.

Now he slammed into her, harder and harder. Her orgasm
rushed up through her body, stealing her breath until she didn’t think she
could hold on any longer. And then, beneath the grip of her legs, she felt the
tightening of his back, the tensing of his body, and they rocketed into space
together.

Regan lost all sense of time and self and place as great
spasms shook their bodies, breath left her lungs and her heart beat so hard and
so fast she expected it to explode from her chest. They shuddered together,
caught in the grasp of some intensely wild force, bodies taking and giving to
each other. Behind her closed eyelids she saw the flashing colors of fireworks.

As if from a great distance, she felt the brush of lips on
her cheek, the whisper of a breeze against her neck. Felt the thumping of her
heart and her lungs seeking air.

Only when Dante began to ease himself from her body did she
open her eyes again. His body might be satisfied for the moment but she knew
from the look in his eyes this was only a beginning.

Could they handle this, with so much disaster all around
them? With the history of his loss and the tension with which they all lived?

She lay back on the pillows, spent, as Dante disposed of the
condom in the bathroom. The sound of running water invaded the silence
momentarily. When he walked back to the bed, he stood for a long moment looking
down at her.

“I can go back to my suite tonight.” He said the words
slowly and deliberately, giving her a choice.

“No.” She patted the bed next to her. “Stay here. With me.”

“Are you sure? I don’t want to make you uncomfortable.”

“Do you think people will talk?” She rose on one elbow.
“They don’t seem like gossiping types to me.”

“They’re not. I just want them to treat you properly.”

She stared at him, puzzled. “And you think they won’t?”

“That’s not it at all. I just want to be sure you aren’t…”
He searched for a word.

“It’s okay.” She reached out and took his hand in hers.
“From what you’ve told me, there are others here who found people the same way
we found each other. And just as fast.”

“That’s true.”

“So then we’re good.” She tilted her head. “Are you worried
about what might happen if you change your mind?”

His laugh was humorless. “I’m worried about what might
happen if
you
change
your
mind.”

“Then we have no worries.” She slid over a little. “Come to
bed and hold me. I really need that right now.”

He curled his warm, hard body around hers, one hand cupping
a breast, her head leaning against his other arm.

“I think I do too,” he murmured.

They fell asleep that way, coiled together.

“So what do you think?” Logan asked.

He leaned against the counter in the kitchen and took a
healthy swallow of his first mug of coffee of the day.

Sophia, his almost-sister-in-law, was sitting at the table
with her own coffee. It was early in the morning and at the moment, they were
the only two moving around. Ric would make an appearance soon to check the
ongoing computer searches. Then, one by one, the others would drift in from
their individual quarters to get their assignments for the day.

Regan Fortune was sure to be a major topic of conversation,
and Logan wanted to get Sophia’s opinion first. During the long, cold weeks
they’d worked the case in her home state of Maine, he’d learned to respect her
intuition and instincts.

She looked at him, one eyebrow cocked. “About?”

“You know about what. Regan Fortune. And Dante.”

Sophia chuckled. “Are you asking if I think she’s
trustworthy? That she’s telling the truth about her brother? Or if I think a
woman has finally come along who can crack that concrete shell around Dante?”

Logan took another sip of coffee. “Yes. That. All of that.”

“All of what?” Rebecca shuffled into the kitchen, dressed in
jeans and a sweatshirt but with sleep still clouding her face. She glanced at
Logan. “You ran off and left me.”

He laughed and poured her a cup of coffee. “You were
sleeping so peacefully I hated to disturb you.”

She gave him a sleepy grin. “And whose fault is it that I
was so tired?”

“Okay, more than I want to know.” Sophia waved a hand at
them. “Let’s get back to the topic of the moment.”

“Which is?” Rebecca asked.

“Regan Fortune.”

Rebecca grinned. “I think Dante’s got the hots for her. Isn’t
it great?”

“That was my question,” Logan broke in. “Do you think he
really does? And do you get a feeling she’s good for him or is she leading him
on for her own purposes?” He caught the look the two women exchanged. “What? I’m
just asking a question?”

“You guys are all so protective of each other and suspicious
of us females.” Rebecca punched his arm.

“What?” Logan frowned. “I’m just concerned for a friend.”

“Everyone else slid into relationships,” Sophia reminded
him. “Nobody said boo about anything. What’s so different about this?”

Logan shrugged. “Maybe nothing. But you know what he’s been
like since the team came together. And Craig said he was like that for a long
time before. A loner, buried in grief and anger. He’s never gotten over Felicia’s
death.”

They had all come to the ranch damaged in some manner. It
was impossible not to be when you were immersed in a living nightmare. But for
Dante, survival had come in the form of emotional disconnection in which the
only things he embraced were rage and pain. Rebecca had learned from her sister
that the man kept a large picture of Felicia in his bedroom. Not unusual under
the circumstances. They all kept photos of the loved ones destroyed by the Chupacabra.
But more than once, when Sophia had needed to fetch him for something, she’d
found him sitting on the patio outside his bedroom, holding the picture to his
heart and crying silently.

And Dante was
not
a man given to breaking down
easily.

His pain had touched all of them, but somehow Logan more
than the others. So was he concerned about him? Protective of him? Damn
straight.

He saw Rebecca study him over the rim of her coffee mug.
“And you think because Regan is so intent on finding the devil beast, because
it’s also part of her brother’s research, that she’s playing Dante? Jeez,
Logan. I didn’t realize you had such a low opinion of women.”

Realizing he was digging himself into a hole, Logan wrapped
his arm around her and tugged her close, kissing the top of her head. “Not at
all. Don’t you think that for a minute. I’m just concerned for a friend.”

“As we all are.” Ric had come into the kitchen while they
were talking. “But I don’t sense that about her, Logan. And while that’s just
my gut reaction, I’ve also run every check on her possible.”

Logan dipped his head in acknowledgment. “I figured you
would. You must have been up before the chickens. If we had any, that is.”

“Too much pent-up energy. My brain won’t shut off.”

Sophia snorted. “No kidding. Do you ever sleep?”

“I’m still pissed about the cold shoulder from the Rangers
too. The least they could do is listen to us.” He sweetened his coffee. “I
texted Craig. I’d like to take a run at them on my own. See if I can get
somewhere. Show them we can help.”

“Yeah, well.” Logan took a sip of hot liquid. “Good luck
with that. But back to Dante.”

“I think she’s the real deal,” Ric answered. He looked at
Sophia and Rebecca. “You two are sharp. What’s your opinions?”

Logan saw a look pass between the sisters.

Then Sophia spoke. “I like her. I think she’s truly
frightened. I don’t think either she or her brother, despite all his research,
were prepared for the reality of the Chupacabra. And I think she and Dante are
a little stunned by their connection.”

“Same here,” Rebecca agreed.

Logan nodded. “I’m taking a leap but I’m going to assume he’ll
want her to stay at the ranch while this situation is active. Maybe work on it
with us.” He looked at Ric. “That’s really your call. Yours and Craig’s.”

“I’ll check with him in a little while. I’d like to hear
what
they
have to say first but I think he’ll be good with it. For
Dante, of all people, to bring someone into this environment, she has to be
someone who’ll fit.” He looked around at the others. “There’s something else we
need to address, though.”

Logan slid him a glance. “Like what?”

“I’m surprised you didn’t sense it, Logan. I think Dante’s
lady love is a shifter.”

Everyone stared at him.

Finally Logan found his voice. “Are you fucking kidding me?
What makes you think that? I didn’t catch a scent from her at all.”

“I think she’s trying to hide it. From all of us, including
Dante.”

Sophia frowned. “So what’s going to happen when he finds
out?”

“I’m hoping the same thing that happened with the rest of
you. After the initial shock—nothing. Dante’s been here from the beginning. He
learned about us when Craig brought us all together. He’s shown us total
acceptance.” He gave Logan a long look. “You and Rebecca are good to go. Sophia
and Clint are married. Why should this be any different?”

Logan stared thoughtfully into his mug. “I guess because he’s
always been so disconnected. So withdrawn, except for his single-minded drive
to destroy the Chupacabra.”

Rebecca smiled up at him. “I think it’s great that you’re
concerned about him and he knows we’re here if he needs us. Let’s just see what
happens.”

“And about Regan being a shifter?”

“We leave it up to her to tell us. But my guess is, if you’re
right, and she and Dante have gotten close this fast, she won’t keep him in the
dark. Then it’s up to them.”

“What’s up to who?”

Everyone turned at the sound of Dante’s voice as he and
Regan walked into the kitchen.

Logan noticed everyone else suddenly busy with their coffee.
He schooled his features to show nothing of what he’d been thinking. But even a
blind man couldn’t miss the electricity crackling between the couple. Or the
possessive way Dante was holding Regan’s hand, tugging her close to him as if
she needed protection from them.

“Just discussing how everyone makes their own decisions
about things,” he answered in a careful voice. The last thing he wanted was for
his friend to think they’d been gossiping about him.

Dante looked suspiciously at each person. “Does that apply
to anyone in particular?”

“Not at the moment,” Ric told him. He glanced at Regan. “I
hope we were able to make you comfortable last night, Miss Fortune.”

“Very much so. Thank you. And please. It’s Regan. I don’t
think we need to be so formal.” She looked at Dante then at the others. “I want
to thank you again for letting Dante bring me here. I’m a stranger, someone you
know nothing about—”

“You’ve suffered the same kind of loss as the rest of us,”
Logan interrupted. “And we trust Dante’s judgment. He wouldn’t bring you here
if he had any misgivings.”

Dante cleared his throat. “On that note, I’m sure all of you
can guess that I’m proposing to include Regan on this hunt. Her knowledge of
her brother’s research is very valuable and she has a stake in finding this
particular devil beast.” He turned to Ric. “Your call, I know, but I’m hoping
to get everyone’s agreement.”

“If it’s a problem…” Regan began.

Dante shook his head, his gaze on Ric. “Is it, Ric? A
problem? She’s not the only new addition to our team recently.”

“You make a valid point,” he acknowledged. “And Regan, I
agree you’d be a great addition as well as a needed resource. You all know I
need to run it by Craig first, but I can do that as soon as I get myself
organized. And I don’t foresee any objections popping up. You all agree?”

“I’m in.” Logan looked at the others. “You guys are, right?
And I’m sure everyone else will be too.”

“Thank you.” Regan’s words were so soft they were almost a
whisper.

Logan noticed Dante had kept her practically glued to his
side during the short conversation. “We’re good,” he told her. “How about some
coffee?” Logan indicated the restaurant-size urn sitting on the counter. “Just
so you know, mugs are in the cupboard directly over it and Dante can show you
where the grounds are kept. First one alive and breathing in the morning gets
it started. Then we just keep it going all day.” He hoped his smile was as
welcoming as he intended it to be. “It’s the fuel that keeps us functioning.”

Logan watched Dante take down two mugs, handing one to
Regan. Yeah, there was definitely something going on there. It was evident in
the glances they exchanged, in the way Dante adopted a protective posture next
to her. Holy shit, they’d just met yesterday. Of course, it had been like that
with the Greys and the Guitrons. And probably would have been for him and
Rebecca, if Logan hadn’t been so concerned with professionalism and with Sophia’s
reaction. Sometimes it was just meant to be. He truly hoped this woman could
help Dante heal. His emotional wounds had been open and raw for a very long
time.

“How about we grab muffins or something,” Ric suggested,
“and then head to the war room and see if the computer has spit out anything
overnight?”

Sophia and Rebecca had just risen from the table when the
back door opened to admit Jonah and Dakota.

“Muffin?” Dakota rubbed her stomach. “Did I hear muffin? I
need two.”

Jonah grinned and hugged her. “That’s because you’re eating
for two.”

Regan smiled. “You’re pregnant? How terrific for you.”

“Yeah.” Jonah touched his lips to his wife’s cheek. “We’re
pretty psyched about it. So, any news overnight?”

“I’m just about to check the computers and see if anything’s
popped up,” Ric told him. “Then I want to address the issue of the Rangers
again. I think I need to talk to them myself, regardless of what Craig said,
and I may need everyone’s support to get him to agree. Although he did text me
that he was going to make one more pitch, going over the commander’s head to
the governor to see if that would get results.”

“Too bad we have to resort to that.” Logan refilled his mug
and opened the container with the muffins. “It always gets everyone’s back up.”

“True,” Sophia agreed. “But we hardly have a choice. You
have to admit, if we hadn’t all experienced this firsthand, we’d be
hard-pressed to buy into it.”

“I’ll wait until I hear back from him.” Ric refilled his own
mug and grabbed a couple of muffins. “Then we’ll take it from there.”

“Good idea,” Dante agreed.

“Ric, unless you need me, I have some work to do in the
garden first thing.” Dakota was busy making her tea.

Logan saw the interest on Regan’s face. “You have a garden
here?”

Dakota looked at Dante then Regan. “Yes. It’s, um, kind of a
special garden.” She exchanged a look with her husband. “Dante can tell you
about it.”

And Logan wondered just how
that
conversation would
go. Most of the garden was taken up with the herbs he and the other shifters
needed on a regular basis to keep their inner wolf under control.

“We’re good,” Ric told her.

“One more thing before we get started,” Dante said. “After a
while, I want to go to Regan’s to get some of her things.” He took her hand. “I
don’t think it’s a good idea for her to leave here until this is all resolved.”

“I should go with you,” she protested.

“I have to agree with Dante,” Ric told her. “You don’t know
if the media is still lying in wait—or whatever else is out there.” The smile
he gave her was filled with understanding and compassion. “Trust us on this
one. Okay, guys. Let’s grab our stuff and get to work.”

* * * * *

“That damn hound is back again, Dan.” Harley Shaw, one of
his senior hands, let himself into the house through the rear door after his
usual knock.

“You’re kidding?” Dan looked up from the table where he was
just finishing his breakfast. “Damn. The sun’s barely up. It must be from
around here somewhere.”

“Not from any of the ranches near us.” Harley helped himself
to coffee. “Anyway, I got close enough to see it must have been hunting its
food. It had blood on its jowls.”

“No shit? Well, we don’t need that around here.”

“I told the men to keep an eye out for any small animal
carcasses or see if them damn buzzards are flying around anywhere. And to be
sure to chase it away from the cattle.”

Dan pushed back from the table. “Yesterday it didn’t seem
like the cattle attracted it at all. Almost as if the thing was afraid of the
beasts.”