Shifters of Grrr 2 (83 page)

"I should have known he'd find a way to save face."

"You should be glad. He might eventually forgive you. Now tell me about this female you've brought home."

He knew he had a sappy grin on his face but he couldn't help it. "She's beautiful, kind, loving, and everything I want in a woman."

"Oh, hell hounds! You are so gone, Bro. Did she cast a spell on you or something?"

"No, she didn't even seem to want me at first."

"Played hard to get. That works on some."

"No, she wasn't playing. She's human and she was leery of magic."

"You said human? Damn, Zorth what were you thinking? That will never work."

"It will if I want it to."

"Zorth?" a soft feminine voice called.

"Yes, Arabella. We've got company."

"Okay, I'll get dressed and come out," she assured.

"Sounds sweet," Bardus said with a smirk.

"Mine!" he said and it was all he had to say.

She came out a few moments later and started to sit beside him but he pulled her into his lap. "Arabella, this is my
baby
brother, Bardus."

"You'd just have to point that out," Bardus grouched.

"Yes, I would."

"It's nice to meet you, Bardus," she said looking confused.

"We don't look much alike. Different mothers," Bardus admitted.

"Are you a demon too?" she asked.

"Oh, yes. I'm a sex demon too," he replied and Arabella blushed. "We all are. Zorth has many siblings, most of them have different mothers. We have a wide selection of hair and eye colors. Father was very prolific," Bardus explained.

"Was?" she asked.

"Oh, he's still alive, he just hasn't had any more children that we know of since me. Not that he hasn't tried or at least gone through the motions," Bardus said.

"You're giving my mate too much information," he said with a growl.

"Sorry Bro but she's part of the family now, she'll need to know these things."

"She doesn't need to learn it all at once," he insisted.

"Whatever Bro. Just trying to help. I'm sure she doesn't mind someone telling her what's going on," he added.

"I'll tell her what she needs to know," he insisted with a hard look.

"Okay, so what do you want to talk about now?" Bardus asked.

"Why did you come calling when you did?" he wondered.

"I got my joining invitation and I thought I'd come early. Things have been dull around here since you've been gone. No one else ever stands up to Father or flouts the rules like you do," he admitted.

"Glad to be entertaining," he said dryly.

"It'll be great to have you back. You are back now, aren't you?" Bardus asked.

That was the big question. Was he back or was he just visiting? The answer would have a lot to do with his father and his mate. Arabella might not want to live here even though artists were valued highly by demons He might not be able to come to terms with his father. The demon had never been easy to understand or live with. It would be hard to believe that had changed except maybe for the worse.

"I don't know," he said.

"Keeping your options open, Very smart plan for you to follow." Bardus agreed. "Oh, my, how the time has flown. I'm late for a date. She's a fire demon, very hot! See you later.

In a flash Bardus was gone. Fire demon his ass! He no more believed that story than he believed their father was Santa Claus. Something had startled Bardus and he hadn't been willing to share. He leaned against Arabella's back and drew in her scent. It was calming making him feel better. He knew things would be crazy here so he shouldn't be so surprised. Bardus was probably the first of many nutty family members that would come calling before the mating wanting to see his mate and satisfy their curiosity. The worst part would be when his father made his presence known.

"Is everyone in your family like that?" Arabella asked.

"Crazy? Yes, they are. Don't worry, you'll have a chance to meet them all. For now, why don't we go back to bed?" he asked with a leer. Damn he wanted nothing more than to sink inside his woman and forget all the trouble headed his way.

They went back into the bedroom and they both started pulling clothes off and throwing them on the floor. When they were completed bare he pulled her into his embrace and just held her for a few moments thankful she was his. The desire rushing through him wouldn't allow him to just stand there. He picked her up and carried her to the bed. It was something he loved to do. It made him feel strong and masculine when he picked her up and took care of her. She didn't seem to mind it either if her grin was anything to go by.

He put her on the bed then crawled in next to her letting his gaze take in every hill and valley on her gorgeous body. A feeling of possessiveness ran through him as it always did when they were together alone. She was his and he was hers and together they were so much more than either of them alone. He ran his hand lightly down her stomach and she shivered with need. It made him feel powerful that he could elicit such a strong response from such an incredible woman. When he was younger and he'd imagined his mate, he could have never imagined someone as perfect as Arabella.

He leaned over her and pressed his lips to hers sucking in her bottom lips before spearing her mouth with his tongue. There was no hidden nook or corner that he didn't explore and claim as his and his alone. She was sweet and spicy, full of need and want. Their tongues dueled and he let hers win and moved on to lick and nip his way down her throat. She groaned in encouragement and he wanted more. He worked his way to her beautiful rosy nipples and sucked them in one at a time teasing them until they were tender.

He kissed his way down her stomach and he enjoyed making her writhe in his arms. She giggled and he was surprised he'd not noticed she was ticklish before. He wouldn't forget now. It was delicious to make her squirm. He moved on lower and lower until his face was between her thighs. She smelled ripe, like a woman at the height of passion ready to be taken over to bliss. He was the man to do it for her to. He spread her lips with his hand and explored her inner folds with his tongue. He moaned at the rich flavor that hit his tongue.

He could feast on her forever never growing tired of her salty sweet flavor. He tongue fucked her, driving into her channel over and over and she arched up against his face. Her fingers sank into his hair but she didn't pull him against her, she only hung on tight. He moved his mouth to her clit and she moaned in approval. He slid a finger in her channel and it slid in easily. His mate was wet for him. He went to work worrying her little nubbin wanting to give her a quick taste of pleasure before they came together. He nibbled on it and she blew apart, bucking and screaming his name. Oh, yeah, she was a screamer most of the time and he loved it.

He slid up her body impaling her on his dripping shaft but he rolled them over. "Ride me Baby!"

She looked glorious as she sat up and rode him. She rocked her hips, bumped, and ground against him. Her cheeks were flushed with passion and her eyes were closed as she concentrated on the sensations she was feeling. He arched up as she moved down, that felt incredible. He moved his hands to her hips to help her move faster and he groaned in enthusiasm. She started tensing and her muscles tightened around his cock. It was all he could do to hold off his release while waiting on hers. He arched up fast as she rocked into him driving him in deep and hard. He could feel her womb and pleasure pulsed through him as his orgasm flowed out of him. He took her along for the magical ride as she clenched and clutched at his shaft milking every drop of seed into her channel.

He held her close and listened as she fell asleep. He got up, he needed to get Lilith. He flashed back to find her asleep on the couch with the TV on. "Lilith," he whispered and she jerked awake.

"Did I fall asleep?" she asked disoriented.

"Yes, but that's okay. We have to take a trip so grab what you need and we'll go," he said.

"Where's Arabella?"

"She's already there. Come on, hurry up so you can get back to sleep."

She packed a small bag and he flashed them to his home. He took her to a room near theirs and she settled in. "I'll show you around in the morning but for now just go to bed," he said. Lilith gave him a hug before he left.

He went back to his room and joined Arabella on the bed. She moved into his warmth and he wished they could just stay like this forever. He also knew that was too much to hope for but he would fight to keep his mate.

Chapter 12

Hell

She'd been with Zorth in his world for four days. He refused to allow her out of his castle and she was getting restless. He'd fetched her art supplies and that helped, but she still chafed at the bit and wanted out. The castle was dark and gloomy except for the roof which she was only allowed on with him at her side, and a sunroom that she suspected he'd added since they'd arrived. The sun room was full of beautiful plants, mostly flowering ones that were incredibly beautiful. It was a gilded cage, but it still felt like a cage.

His father had not made an appearance although his brother, Jarnel assured him that he had contacted him. Zorth had finally confessed his troubles with his family to her.

"I was considered the sole rebel and my father was always sorely disappointed in me."

"He should have been proud of you. You knew what you wanted and went for it. You were strong enough and brave enough to pursue your dreams. It makes you a desirable man indeed," she'd said with a flirtatious smile.

"You always know how to make me feel better about myself. The truth is knowing I would find you, even if I could go back and change things, I would still have left."

She'd leaned in and given him a warm kiss, one with more affection than sexual heat. They'd been up all night making love and she was still sore. Even the delightful bath hadn't helped much but that was probably because they'd just made love again while they were taking it. She couldn't fight the smile that came to her lips. He was her perfect mate, handsome, smart, capable, and oh so loving. He'd make a wonderful father and she wondered, of course it was too soon to know.

She was in the sun room right now painting one of the exotic flowers but thoughts of Zorth kept interrupting. She finally ended up painting a picture of him with the exotic flowers behind him. His eyes shone blue, even though she knew they were changeable, and the sunlight hit the gold of his hair. So tall and broad that he seemed larger than life, which in a way he was. He was supernatural and stood out among humans. His skin was paler here than at home and she suspected it had something to do with the castle itself. Apparently, when the demons became grown, at least the royal ones like Zorth, their father gifted them with a castle and lands of their own.

"How is that possible that he can give each of nearly a hundred children their own lands and castle?" she'd asked not so much disbelieving as amazed, by the gift and that he would have so many children.

"You are judging based on human expectations which are limiting. This level is much larger than your world and my father has five. There are vast spaces of emptiness just waiting for a castle and a lord to bring them to life. The magic of the lord and those he brings to the land make it come to life," he assured.

She knew he was right about her judging based on what she was familiar with. This place was almost like a dream world. Exotic plants and animals existed everywhere and magic ruled. It was sad that she had no magic, at least no magic of her own. She was both excited and terrified at the prospect of meeting more of Zorth's family. Most of the females acted superior while the males acted interested in all the wrong ways. Zorth kept a close eye on her and had extracted her from several tense situations. He assured her once the mating took place there would be no more of those.

"Sweetheart," Zorth said calling her attention to him and a man he had with him. "This is my cousin, Douen. He wanted to meet you before he left."

"Glad to meet you, Douen," she responded.

"Charmed," he said as he stepped up grabbed her hand and kissed her palm lingering a little too long.

She looked at Zorth and saw he had noticed by the disagreeable look he sent his cousin. She was certain she'd never get used to their ways here as far as sex and what was considered acceptable. Douen didn't drop her hand until Zorth growled.

"So sorry, Cousin. I didn't notice I still held her hand. I was looking at this lovely painting and you've never looked better," he said with a grin.

"Arabella is very talented. She has a way of looking at things that makes even the ordinary spectacular," Zorth bragged.

She flushed with pleasure since he'd never said much about her art. Of course she hadn't made a point of bringing it up since past boyfriends didn't seem to care about it. It was nice that he appreciated it.

"We'll let you get back to your painting," Zorth said as he moved closer, pulling her into his embrace and kissed the stuffing out of her. She was in a daze as his cousin followed him out of the room.

It would be an adjustment to live here even part of the time but being with Zorth would make it worthwhile. Meanwhile, back in the human world, the hunt for Chief went on, without her to target, he had switched his efforts to Will. It seemed he usually went after females thinking them the weaker sex but if he ever got a hold of Will he'd think he had a tiger by the tail. Her mind was not in what she was doing as she sat there thinking and dreaming. She was caught off guard when Douen appeared beside her and grabbed her by the arm.