Chapter Two

Raine stood outside Sanjay’s hotel room door, her heart pounding with anticipation of seeing the handsome weretiger again. She had spent close to an hour on the phone with her grandmother and no sooner had she hung up than Kesi and Saloni arrived along with Bo, the third member of their unit. If convincing her grandmother of allowing Sanjay to meet with the First Wraths had been difficult, it was nothing compared to breaking the news to Kesi and the others. . .

* * * *

Before opening the door to Kesi’s agitated pounding, Raine closed her eyes and counted to ten.

She hadn’t been looking forward to this meeting with Kesi, Bo, and Saloni, even if the three vampires were her friends. No doubt Kesi would be angry, Saloni emotional, and Bo trying too hard to keep everyone in good humor.

“Girl, what the hell took you so long?” Kesi strode into the foyer, Saloni and Bo behind her.

“She’s wicked pissed,” Bo said.

“You bet I’m pissed. Do you know how long it’s been since somebody knocked me out cold?

When I get my hands on whoever it was who stole our target I’m going to skin him alive and give Saloni the coat.”

Both Saloni and Bo glanced at Raine and wrinkled their noses in disgust.

“That’s okay, Kesi,” Saloni held up a long, slender hand, her dark, almond-shaped eyes narrowing. “All I want is Rahul.”

“You’ll get his ass. Don’t worry about it.”

“Ladies, we need to talk,” Raine said.

Kesi froze, giving Raine the stare that meant trouble. “Ladies? Whenever you start out with “ladies” it means you’re going to say something we’re not going to like.”

“No. It’s not something you won’t like,” Raine said. “It’s something you’re going to hate. Come and sit down.”

“Sit down?” Bo said. “What does she mean sit down.”

“Forget the sit down, Raine, and tell me what you found out,” Kesi said.

“Well, the good news is I know who attacked you the other night.”

“Who?”

“Rahul’s father.”

“So it was a weretiger.” Kesi struck her fist into her palm. Her brow furrowed and she glanced at Raine. “And the bad news?”

“The First Wraths have delayed the order for vengeance on Rahul.”

“What?” three voices demanded and three pairs of eyes glared so hard at Raine she thought she might go up in flames.

“That cannot be,” Saloni said, her chest rising and falling with each agitated breath. “After what he did to me. . .this cannot be!”

“Sanjay – Rahul’s father – was here earlier.”

“I knew I smelled something familiar,” Kesi said. “Damn. I thought it was psychological because I’ve been obsessing about that fucking black tiger since the attack. Where is he now? You got him chained up somewhere?”

“No.”

“Why not?” Bo asked in her calmest voice.

Somehow the lovely Chinese woman’s soft yet accusing tone got to Raine more than Kesi’s ranting. Whenever Bo used that unnaturally calm voice, she was at her most dangerous. Still, Raine was in charge and she needed to let these women know that while at the same time showing them the respect they deserved. Sometimes she really hated her job.

“Everybody come in and have a seat,” Raine said. Before anyone protested, she led the way to the kitchen. “Coffee? Tea?”

“Forget the damn coffee and tea. Tell us exactly what’s going on with these weretigers,” Kesi snapped.

Raine could practically see the flames shooting out of the vampiress’ nostrils. Tall with smooth ebony skin and a body an Olympic athlete would envy, Kesi easily took charge of just about any situation. She and Raine had been close friends for almost a millennia. They had both been up for leadership of the northeast US units, but Kesi had decided she preferred fieldwork and training recruits to paperwork and direct dealing with the First Wraths. She was the one person in the Veils who was Raine’s perfect balance, but at times like this Raine disliked working with her.

Sometimes Kesi hurled herself so forcefully into the kill that she lost sight of justice.

Sighing, Raine carried a tray of refreshments to the table and sat.

“Sanjay asked for a meeting with the First Wraths because he feels Rahul has been unjustly accused.”

“What does he know?” Saloni snapped. “He wasn’t even in India during the time Rahul and I were together.”

“I find it difficult to believe the First Wraths agreed to a meeting with him,” Bo said. “It is against our laws to allow a man to speak in defense of another.”

“That still holds true,” Raine said. “I have agreed to speak for him.”

“What?” Kesi glared. “I can’t believe you’d do this, Raine.”

“You didn’t speak to him, Kesi. I believe he is sincere in his beliefs and in his desire to find a peaceful solution to the problem.”

“Peaceful? He knocked me out for an hour.”

“And me for two,” Bo added.

“I want my revenge,” Saloni said, her face taut.

“Most likely you will get it.” Raine held each woman’s gaze in turn. “The First Wraths have only agreed to meet with him if he brings Rahul with him. They will be at our mercy and killed immediately, if the First Wraths wish it.”

“Why are you doing this?” Kesi demanded. “Are you hot for him? Is that it, Succubus? Have you fed lately?”

“You’re out of line, Kesi,” Raine stared hard at her friend.

“No I’m right, aren’t I?”

“The First Wraths have agreed to this. I merely brought the man’s proposal before them. I understand that you don’t like this decision, but as members of the Veils learn to live with it.”

“Maybe she’s right.” Bo held Raine’s gaze. “Our first law is to seek justice. I’m sure the men will get exactly what they deserve.”

* * * *

Sanjay’s door opened and Raine’s breath caught at the sight of him, barefoot and shirtless, wearing faded jeans that clung to his long, muscular legs. His shoulders were broad, his chest lean and arms powerful. She had the sudden urge to lick every inch of his six pack abs. A few sparse dark hairs dusted his chest and the flesh around his navel.

“Raine,” he said in that deep sexy voice. His obsidian gaze captured hers and refused to let go.

“Please come in.”

She stepped inside and he closed the door behind her.

“I’m surprised to see you here.”

“I wanted to bring the news in person.”

In truth that was only part of the reason. Because of him she had wasted a night of hunting and as Kesi suggested she was growing quite desperate. It was only fitting that if she suffered because of him, he should repay her efforts. After she informed him of the First Wraths’ rules for their meeting, she intended to give in to her urge for this man’s sinfully gorgeous body.

“Well?” he asked.

“Aren’t you going to offer me a seat?” She stared at him with her most seductive look.

He lifted his chin toward the breakfast table standing in front of glass doors that led to a balcony.

Raine sat and crossed her legs. Her little black dress hiked up, exposing a good deal of her shapely thighs. After placing her small black purse on the table, she folded her hands on her lap.

She tilted her face in his direction as he approached and loomed above her, radiating the energy of a great cat even in his human form.

Folding his arms across his chest and fixing his dark gaze on her he said, “This is not a joke.”

“Tell me about it. You have no idea the hoops I had to jump through to convince the First Wraths, not to mention the unit assigned to your son, to hear your side of the story.”

“But they will listen?”

“Under certain conditions, yes.”

“What conditions?” Though his voice remained calm she detected annoyance in his eyes.

This was not a man accustomed to taking orders from anyone. She could tell he was the one who usually established conditions rather than bow to someone else’s. Since he was also quite old she didn’t doubt it galled him even more that women were in control of circumstances so important to him. She couldn’t help feeling a perverse satisfaction knowing this. She’d met too many men like him throughout her life. Her own father had been such a controlling swine that the Veils had eventually staked him. She couldn’t even say she missed him.

“First, both you and Rahul must be present at the trial.”

“To ensure an easy kill if he is still found guilty.”

“You did attack three of our women, Sanjay, and also admitted that if Rahul isn’t set free there will be further bloodshed. We must take steps to ensure our own safety.”

“How can I be ensured of a fair trial?”

“You can’t. But you are the one who came to us. Of course you’re free to leave right now, but don’t doubt that we’ll follow you. I know several members of the sisterhood who would love a black tiger coat.”

His lip curled slightly and she heard a low rumble in his chest. A thrill of fear and arousal darted through her. This SOB was more virile than any man had a right to be, and deep inside she had to admit the beast in him turned her on. Watching him shift to a half man-half beast earlier that night made her long to see him in complete tiger form. She didn’t doubt he’d be magnificent.

“What are the other conditions?”

“The meeting must be held at my grandmother’s home in Cascais, Portugal. I have already arranged for plane tickets.” At his nod, she continued, “Last, you will not be allowed to speak without a sponsor from the sisterhood. Needless to say, you haven’t done much to win any popularity contests among us.”

“The meeting is a farce. No member of your sisterhood will speak for our benefit.”

Raine drew a deep breath and released it slowly. “I will. I’m your sponsor.”

“You believed what I told you?”

“I believe in your feelings for your son and will see that he gets a fair trial.”

For a long moment he held her gaze, as if deciding whether to believe her. Something told her he didn’t trust any easier than she did. Finally he nodded.

“Good,” she said. “You and Rahul will meet us at the airport tomorrow evening at five and we’ll travel together. My friend Kesi will be accompanying us. She is one of the warriors you attacked.

Just a warning, she’s not happy with you.”

“I don’t imagine she would be. I put a stop to their amusement.”

Raine’s brow furrowed. “You think our work amuses us?”

“Doesn’t it?” He bent and placed his hands on the chair arms, caging her with his sinewy arms and broad chest, his face so close she detected the faint silver rings surrounding his obsidian irises. His lips were near enough to hers that she need only lean forward and they would touch.

“Tell me the truth, Succubus, you’re all so twisted by hatred that you enjoy causing others to suffer.”

“Only those who deserve it.”

“When was the last time you sought out a man for pleasure, not simply to quicken you with his energy, but for companionship. Love.”

“Love?” She smirked. “I’ll tell you what I know of men’s love. My grandmother and the other founders of the Veils were slaves to men. She tried to warn my mother not to trust them, but she wouldn’t listen. My mother fell in love with a Roman vampire who made her life and mine hell.

He was an evil, torturing bastard, my father, as are my brothers. Mother was so ashamed of her decision to love that it took her literally ages before she confided in the Veils who avenged her by staking my father during his daylight sleep. I had to content myself with spitting on his cremated remains, but to tell you the truth, I would have gladly killed him myself. Unfortunately I was locked away at the time as punishment for my nature. Can you believe a bloodsucking vampire would condemn me for draining a little energy?”

She wasn’t certain if it was a buildup of hunger that caused such weakness, but as she spoke long buried emotions rose within her – rage, fear, sadness. The urge to hit something or cry almost overcame her, but she knew a better way to pacify herself. Besides, Sanjay owed her not only for complicating her life but for representing him to the First Wraths.

His gaze held hers with sympathy she both craved and despised.

“I’m sorry,” he said, his deep voice shockingly gentle.

In reply she grasped the back of his head, loving the sensation of his silky hair running through her fingers, and covered his mouth in a harsh kiss. Her lips pressed hard against his. For a moment he didn’t move, but allowed he to vent her emotions. Her tongue plunged into his mouth and swept against his, savoring his warmth and taste. Clasping the back of his strong neck she pulled herself closer to him. His hands remained braced on the chair arms, rock-hard and immovable.

Then his tongue met her strokes, engaging in a hot, sensual battle. He explored every inch of her mouth and gently bit her lower lip before licking it. Damn, this man could kiss!

Hunger, both for energy and pleasure, almost overwhelmed her. She resisted the urge to moan for a whole two seconds before the raw, passionate sound escaped her throat. Running her hand over his broad back, she relished the sensation of hard muscle beneath smooth, warm flesh.

Her nipples tightened and tingled, desperate for his touch. The flesh between her legs ached to feel him buried deep inside her. She wanted – no needed – his energy flowing through her. Not wishing to succumb to her mother’s fate, Raine had always avoided bedding magical men.

Human males were far easier to control, but too delicate for her to drain enough energy from one to truly satisfy her hunger, unless she wanted to kill them. Execution was one thing, but out and out murder was another.

Sanjay was not a mortal man. His weretiger strength beckoned her. Most likely even he wouldn’t be able to completely satisfy her, but he would certainly come closer than anyone she’d ever been with. Even more, the woman as well as the Succubus in her wanted to enjoy him. This emotional attachment to him that she was developing annoyed her, yet she was unable to resist it.

Perhaps if she gave in and got it out of her system. . .

“Umm,” she purred as his large hands stroked her ribs. His fingers lightly traced the sides of her breasts before he took her face in his hands and thrust his tongue possessively into her mouth.

When he slipped an arm under her legs and his other around her back, she clung to his neck, allowing him to lift her. His mouth still locked with hers, he carried her to the bed, only breaking the kiss when he placed her on the mattress.

She opened her eyes and gazed at him through her lashes, pouring her energy into a passionate look that never failed to draw men to her. The soft expression had left his beautiful eyes, replaced by a look of raw lust that sent her heart racing out of control. A slight smile touched her lips. Apparently this powerful weretiger was no more immune to her charms than mortal men, even if he had managed to resist her earlier that night.

Actually, from the moment he’d pushed her away after pinning her to the wall in her house she’d wanted to conquer him.

“Unzip me,” she said in a breathy whisper and rolled onto her back.

He brushed aside her hair and placed a firm hand to her bared neck. A shiver darted through her.

Weretigers were known to kill by snapping the neck or strangling their victims. Did he get a thrill from seeing her in a vulnerable position? What had she been thinking? Slowly he unzipped her tight black dress. His hand slipped inside it, caressing her back. He unfastened her bra, completely exposing her back to his touch. His hand moved from her neck, replaced by his warm lips. He pressed kisses down the length of her spine, then ran his tongue up it, making her quiver with pleasure.

After he slipped the dress and bra down her shoulders, she turned to him with a sultry smile, removed the garments, and tossed them onto the floor.

His eyes seemed to burn into her as he straightened and unzipped his jeans. Raine drew a long, slow breath of anticipation. Her heart thrummed at the sight of his thick, dark skinned shaft, the bulbous head flushed with desire. She moistened her lips and imagined taking him in her mouth, running her tongue over his ultra sensitive flesh and drawing his energy, his very essence, into her. He tugged off his jeans, exposing long, steely legs lightly dusted with black hair. Raine’s hands flexed with the need to touch them.

Placing a knee on the bed, he grasped the sides of her satin panties and pulled them over her hips and down the length of her legs. After casting aside her shoes and panties, he grasped one of her feet and kissed the arch. He kissed and caressed his way up one leg. Reaching her inner thigh, he licked with slow sensual motions.

Raine’s eyelids fluttered. She floated on a sea of passion, calm on the surface yet with a killer undercurrent. He moved to her other leg and gave it the same attention. By the time he’d licked and kissed every part of it, her eyes were closed and her breathing deep while she stroked her breasts. She rolled her thumbs over her taut nipples, then pinched them gently.

Sanjay placed a hand on either side of her waist and kissed her belly. The tip of his tongue dipped into her navel before he licked a sensual trail up her stomach and between her breasts. He took a nipple into his warm, wet mouth and laved it before sucking it hard.

“Ah!” she cried, instinctively clutching his head nearer and arching against him. “Yes, oh, yes.”

He purred, a deep rumble in his chest that she felt as well as heard. While he sucked and licked one nipple, his hand caressed her other. The pad of his thumb teased its tip then circled the areola. Raine ran her hands through his long, silky hair and wrapped her legs around him. Their bodies moved sensually against each other. He felt so good – big, hard, warm. His scent, that of musky male and woodsy cologne, filled her.

She tightened her grip on him and felt some of his energy pour into her. Crying out, she grasped his head and tugged it toward her face, starving for his kiss.

With a growl he covered her lips with his and plunged his tongue into her mouth, thrusting while he pressed her deeper into the mattress, his hard staff trapped between them. He reached down and gently used a finger to prod her sheath.

“Yes, oh, yes,” she panted and opened her legs to his exploring hand. Two fingers slipped inside where she was so wet and yearning. He withdrew them and rubbed one digit, now slick with her lust, over her engorged nub. Circling the sensitive flesh with his finger, he continued plunging his tongue into her mouth.

Raine moaned and rocked her hips to the rhythm of his finger and tongue. Though she had been touched by men before – what Succubus hadn’t? – none had ever stirred her like this. She wanted more than just his energy. Never had she imagined there could be more.

“You’re so beautiful,” he whispered close to her ear before tickling it with his tongue. He took the lobe, nibbled it gently, and tugged on it.

“So are you,” she breathed, her eyes closed and feet sliding up and down his hair dusted calves.

Damn, she wanted him so badly! “Sanjay, I want you to take me. Fill me.”

He paused in kissing her, a hand braced on either side of her head, and commanded, “Look at me, Raine.”

She opened her eyes and met his gaze, thrilled by the desire in his expression.

Grasping his face in her hands, she whispered against his lips, “Do it. Take me.”

His eyes half closed, he rubbed his nose against hers in gesture that reminded her of the cat in him. One long arm reached across to the night stand where he opened the drawer and removed a condom. Instantly her respect for him rose several notches. Though she regularly used a pregnancy protection potion supplied by a member of the Veils who was a skilled witch, she was impressed by a man with enough intelligence to take responsibility for his actions. That was rare among humans, let alone immortal beings who had little chance of being infected by disease.

He broke contact with her for a brief moment to roll on the condom. Raine watched, fascinated by the sight of him handling his cock.

“Stroke it,” she asked, sitting up.

He glanced at her sharply, his brow furrowed.

“Please,” she continued, surprised to plead with a man in this situation. Usually she was the one who took the lead and made the demands in bed, without question from her partners. Even in his aroused state this man remained in full control of himself. This both irritated and aroused her.

She’d deal with that later. Right now the woman in her wanted to be appeased. The Succubus could wait. “Please, let me watch you stroke yourself.”

He tilted his head to one side for a moment, as if in question, then slowly ran his hand up and down his staff. She fixed her gaze on it, her breasts rising and falling in breathless desire. His engorged flesh swelled even more beneath his caress.

Without warning he pushed her onto her back and used one hand to pin both of hers above her head. The tip of his staff prodded her. Inch by inch he filled her with a slow, controlled thrust.

By the time he reached the hilt she was almost crazy with desire. She wriggled beneath the marvelous weight of his hot, sinewy body. It had been so long since she’d lain beneath a man.

Usually she preferred to be on top, taking complete control as she drained their essence. He must have bewitched her because at the moment this was exactly where she wanted to be, trapped beneath him as he thrust into her in a steady rhythm that pushed her closer and closer to ecstasy.

Wrapping her legs around him she met him thrust for thrust. She tugged against his grip, but he was far stronger than she was and refused to let her go. When she tried to cover his mouth in a kiss powerful enough to draw his energy into her, he avoided her lips.

With a wicked smile, he panted, “Not yet, Succubus. Neither of us are ready for that.”

“I’m ready,” she stated. Good lord, she was far beyond ready. Her entire body burned with desire for him. All she needed was one more thrust and— He stopped moving and lowered more of his weight onto her, not allowing her to so much as wiggle.

“In a hurry, are you?” he teased, though she knew by the gleam in his obsidian eyes and the cadence of his breathing he was just as aroused as she was. “Haven’t you heard that patience is a virtue?”

“Not one of my virtues.” She lifted her head in an attempt to kiss him, but again he eluded her.

She wrapped her legs around him in a fierce hold. His eyes slipped shut and he groaned, a sound of pleasure-pain. In spite of his resilience, he wasn’t immune to her power.

Again he thrust into her with that frustrating rhythm that stirred her yet never allowed her to reach that frenzied place she so desired. He paused, burying his face between her neck and shoulder.

She writhed beneath him, using her internal muscles to squeeze his rigid staff. He was completely possessing her, turning her into the desperate mass of out of control hormones rather than the other way around. She was supposed to be driving him crazy, yet here she was on the verge of begging him to release her from this unendurable tension.

Three more teasing thrusts and she moaned, “Please, oh, please, Sanjay. I can’t wait any longer.”

He made an incredibly seductive sound, a cross between a deep chuckle and a growl of passion.

Releasing his hold on her wrists, he drove into her fast and rough, exactly how she liked it.

“Yes, yes! Oh damn, you fucking gorgeous beast, yes!” she cried and buried her fingers in his hair. She dragged his head closer and kissed him.

Sanjay’s mouth opened to her probing tongue. His tongue met it with demanding strokes. Filled by his energy and pleasured beyond her wildest fantasies, she came. The force of her release shook her from head to toe. Her eyes tightly closed, she clung to him and felt him come long and hard. He groaned, his body straining against hers until he finally collapsed atop her.

She rested there, her legs still wrapped around him, and felt their hearts pounding in unison while she languidly stroked his hair. Then the reality struck her. This man had fucked her, a Succubus!

He had taken control and— “Umm,” he purred against her throat and licked it with long, tender strokes. “That was remarkably pleasant.”

“Pleasant?” She curled her lip and tried to shove him away. “Get off me you big—“ “Fucking gorgeous beast?” He grinned, his dark eyes glistening with humor and far too much male pride.

“More like you arrogant asshole.”

“What upsets you more, Succubus? That I am the one in control or that you enjoy it?”

“Control?” she snorted. “I let you think you were in control.”

A patronizing smile touched his sensual mouth. “Of course. Come here. It’s nearly daylight and we both need to get some sleep. We have a full schedule ahead of us.”

“What do you mean come here?”

“I mean come here.” He wrapped an arm around her and held her close to his side.

“Uh, if you’re asking me to spend the day, this isn’t the most polite way to do it.”

“Forgive me,” he said, brushing a stray lock of hair from her face. “If you would like to spend the day here, I will not object.”

God, this man irritated her! Why in the world did she find him attractive?

Her teeth clenched, she slipped from his embrace and went to leave the bed, but he caught her hand and squeezed it gently.

“Raine, I would like you to stay.”

“Why?” she demanded, meeting his gaze. The tone of his voice made her heart flutter. Raine made a point never to sleep with men she had sex with. Sanjay should be no exception. On the other hand, she had never had such a desire to sleep with anyone – until now. The bastard was obviously a master of manipulation. First he got her to plead his case to the First Wraths. Next he took control of their lovemaking. Now he was probably trying to butter her up so she’d fall for him and somehow ensure his son’s safety. “In case you think I can pull some strings because my grandmother is a First Wrath, you’re wrong. There is no favoritism among the veils.”

“You think I would use lovemaking for that, especially after what you told me about your past experiences with men?”

“I think you’d do anything to help your kid. Don’t get me wrong, in a way I admire that.”

“Then I change my mind. I do not want you in my bed after all. You may go.”

Raine stared at him, stunned. “My god, you are the most arrogant, obnoxious—“ “Let me see, I am a rude, manipulating sex maniac with an overblown ego. Why, then, are you here with me now?”

“Good question.” She reached for her clothes and started to pull them on, but he sat up and wrapped his arms around her.

“Let me go.”

He growled softly and licked her ear then murmured in it, “Come back to bed. I bedded you because I desire you, Raine. No other reason. I think you are the one manipulating me, using your Succubus powers, because it has been a long time since I’ve wanted a woman this badly.”

He tugged the dress from her and tossed it aside. Then he covered her neck and shoulder with soft kisses.

Raine’s eyes closed halfway and she smiled. A little quiver ran through her as his jaw, with its five o’clock shadow, ticked her tender flesh. “Damn, you have a hell of a good line.”

“I don’t used lines.”

“Yeah. Right.” She grinned and turned in his arms, allowing him to tug her back into the bed. He pulled the sheet over them and held her close. Her cheek pressed to his chest and his chin rested against the top of her head as they drifted to sleep.