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North woke in a tangle of arms and legs. He didn’t know how she’d done it, but Skye had both draped across and wrapped herself around him. Though, he wasn’t complaining. At the moment, her firm breasts were in the perfect position to look and touch to his heart’s content. Reaching out, he circled her nipple with his thumb. The pink tip stiffened under his caress, making his cock harden.
A quiet moan slipped from her as she rolled to her back and flopped her arm over her head to rest, giving him full access to her body. Now fully awake and erect, he had no intention of letting her sleep. He scooted close and bent to run his tongue around her nipple. With a gentle pull, he sucked it between his lips, his gaze set on her face.
In the length of a heartbeat, her eyes opened, clear and focused on him. He released the tip and ran his tongue around the tight nub again. Her back arched slightly, and she threaded her fingers through his hair, guiding his mouth back down. Again, he sucked, causing her to push against his lips.
“Promise you’ll wake me up like this every morning,” she said, her voice raspy with sleep.
He lifted his head. “I promise.” Gliding over her body, he settled between her legs, so he had full access to both breasts. “Promise to always sleep naked.”
“Promise.” She watched as his tongue flicked her nipple, her lips parting slightly to release a tiny gasp.
Skye had always been a little wild, and it didn’t surprise him that she carried that trait into the bedroom. If he was being honest, he’d been a little worried. Until now, they hadn’t been able to be in the same room before they started bickering. As much as he’d hated that, he’d never been able to just step back from her challenges. Now he knew why. Their connection kept them locked together. It didn’t matter if it was in love or war.
Cupping both breasts, he gently squeezed the full mounds together and strummed his thumbs across the tips as he laid kisses across her ribcage and down to her bellybutton. Her scent surrounded him, amping up his need to bury his cock in her. Beneath him, her body shifted as if asking for more.
Trekking back up her body until they were face to face, he positioned himself snug between her thighs. The head of his cock pushed against her entrance, the slick soft folds hugging him. She wrapped her legs around his back and locked her ankles together. With the lift of her hips, he slid inside her. Moist heat squeezed his shaft as he penetrated her, almost sending him over the edge.
Her fingernails dug into his back, while her heels urged him deeper. Her short, hot pants brushed his neck with each thrust. Pleasure sparked at the base of his cock, his balls tightening as he drove into her. Inside him, his raven spread its wings, ushering and welcoming Skye and her wolf. They were one in body, mind, and soul. He captured her mouth and reached between their bodies to massage her clit. She whimpered against his mouth, her nails clawing at his skin. His tongue delved between her lips as his hips pistoned against her body. Beneath him, Skye stiffened, her moan keening into his mouth. Tremors rocked her body as the grip of her thighs tightened. Too close to hold back his orgasm, he rode the wave until it crested and sent him spiraling into erotic ecstasy. He pulled back and slammed forward one last time, spilling into her.
Shudders flowed through him as he lay collapsed on top of Skye. Instead of scratching, her nails now brushed his skin, lightly caressing his shoulders and arms. She unlocked her heels and slid one foot down his thigh and over his calf. Closing his eyes, he buried his face in her hair, breathing deeply. Her scent infused every cell of his body, filling him with a completeness he’d never experience before.
She shivered under him. Lifting his head, he looked at her. “Cold?”
“It’s freezing in here.” Her words came out in a vaporous cloud.
He slid off her, grabbed the blanket and hauled it back over them. “Sorry, I hadn’t noticed.”
“Me either.” She tucked into his body. “You thoroughly distracted me.”
“If that’s what it takes to keep you warm, I’ll do it.”
“My hero.”
He knew she was only joking, but he liked the idea of being her hero—her protector and provider. Though he didn’t comment, he still had a hard time grasping that she was his mate. If somebody had told him that two days ago, he would have laughed in their face. Now it seemed so natural—so right.
Her fingers traced a pattern across his chest. “What are you going to do about the generator?”
“I’ve think I have an extra fuel line in one of the storage buildings. Once I get that changed and refill the fuel, it should be fine. Then I can get the heater running again.”
“And what are you going to do about the attack?”
What was he going to do about that? “I don’t know. Accusing the vampires outright probably wouldn’t be smart. Even though Sabina seems reasonable, I think she’s dangerous and would protect her clan members before serving justice.”
“I think you’re right. There’s something off about that Vlad guy.”
“And Oliver.”
Her fingers stopped movement. “Oh, I like Oliver. He’s seems friendly and helpful.”
A thread of jealousy wound through North. “And handsome?”
“Super hot. Those braids and his cool vibe. Mmmm, he’s one fine looking man.”
“Vampire,” he bit out.
“Yeah, whatever, when you look like that—”
Cutting off the rest of her sentence, he flipped her onto her back and pinned her to the bed. “Keep your eyes, and your hands, and your thoughts off of him.”
“What?” Her eyes rounded with mock innocence. “I was just commenting that despite being a vampire, Oliver was good looking.” Her smile needled him. “Jealous much?”
He smirked. “Okay, I see how it is.”
“How what is?” She continued to grin at him.
“Careful, Skye, or you might bite off more than you can chew.”
“You’d be surprised by how much I can fit in my mouth.” Sliding her arms around his neck and her legs around his waist, she settled him between her thighs and pushed against him. “Want to find out?”
“More than anything.” The thought of her lips wrapped around his hard cock nearly undid him, but it would have to wait. Before she took him up on her offer, he threw back the covers and rolled out of bed. “But I need to get the generator fixed.”
“Jeez!” She grabbed the covers and yanked them back up. “Party pooper.”
“We will revisit this.” The cold wooden floor bit into the soles of his feet as he slid on a pair of long johns. “But I need to get the heat back on before everything freezes up for good.”
Walking to the closet, he pulled out a long-sleeved T-shirt.
“Wait,” Skye said, “Come back here.”
He turned, eyeing her. “Why?”
“Because, I want to see your tattoo.” She patted the bed. “I promise I won’t lure you back into the sack.” Still holding the shirt, he walked to the bed and sat. Most of the time, he forgot about the raven wings inked across his back. Her fingers traced the right wing, following the lines across his shoulder and down his spine. “It’s so beautiful.”
“Thanks.” Turning his head, he looked at her. “I’m glad you like it.”
Continuing to trace the tattoo, she smiled. “I’ve always loved it.” Her gaze shifted to his face. “Even when I didn’t like you much.”
A laugh snickered from him. “And I always liked your ass...even when I didn’t like you much.”
“You used to look at my ass?”
“All the time.” He stood and slid the shirt over his head. “And those long ass legs of yours.”
She laid back and lifted her leg to press her foot against his stomach. “You mean these legs?”
“Yeah.” It took all of his willpower not to drop to his knees and bury his face between those amazing thighs. Instead, he grasped her foot and settled it back on the bed. “Nice try.” Bending, he scooped up her clothes. “Here.” With a quick toss, he threw them at her, hitting her in the face. “Get dressed.”
“You really know how to romance a girl.”
“I’ll romance the shit out of you once we have heat.” He finished dressing and then walked to the door. “If you need me, I’ll be in the generator house. Make sure you’re not alone with anybody.”
She levered onto her elbows. “Don’t worry, I can take care of myself.”
“Really?” He scowled at her. “Do I need to remind you about your plane that’s now laying tits up somewhere out there?”
“There it is, the lecture.” With a hard yank, she jerked the covers back over her. “You couldn’t just let that go, could you?”
“Nope.” Maybe he should feel guilty for playing dirty, but he didn’t. Keeping Skye safe was his number one priority. That meant making sure his attacker didn’t have a chance to strike again. “Just because we’re mates doesn’t mean our personalities completely change.”
“Okay.” As she turned to her side, she rested her chin on her bent arm and pinned him with a stare. “I’m going to remind you of that when I do something you don’t like.”
“Fair enough.” Stepping into the hall, he let his gaze travel over her. It would be so easy to crawl back in bed and make love to her. His heart swelled. Whatever she asked for, he’d give it to her. Not that he’d tell her that. He was in love, not stupid. “See you downstairs.”
The little pout she gave him almost broke his resolve. Before he could change his mind about ravishing her, he closed the door, turned, and forced his feet forward. Life with that woman was sure to be a rollercoaster ride. Good thing he liked amusement parks.
There were still five hours until sunrise. He walked to the front window and peered outside. Though the wind had died down slightly, it seemed the snowfall had gotten heavier. Giant flakes swirled and danced on the Arctic breeze, accumulating quickly. At this rate, it would be days before his brothers could get home. He glowered, his mood turning sour. If his brothers couldn’t get home that meant the vampires and eagle shifters wouldn’t be able to leave.
“It appears Mother Nature continues to vex us,” Vladimir said from behind him.
North hadn’t heard him approach, which both surprised him and put him on high alert. As a raven shifter, it was damn near impossible to sneak up on him, but Vlad had been able to do it. That put him at the top of his list of suspects for the attack. North schooled his expression and turned to face the vamp. “Yeah, she’s being a real bitch.”
The right corner of the vampire’s upper lip pulled into...a smile? North couldn’t be sure. “Yes, she’s the one female who can’t be controlled.”
“The one female?” North smirked. “So, every other woman is meant to be dominated?”
“Dominated is such a crass word.” The vamp lifted his chin an inch and gave a dismissive wave of his hand. “It implies a heavy hand.”
“What does controlled imply?”
“A gentle loving touch that guides the fairer sex in the direction that is best for all concerned.”
No doubt, all concerned meant him. “Does that include your leader?”
Vladimir’s sneering grin softened to a full smile. “Sabina, more than any woman alive, needs... How should I put this? Delicate management.”
“I doubt she’d agree with you.”
“Of course, she wouldn’t. What woman would?”
What a tool. By nature, vampires were vain, but this guy took the dick prize. “Which is exactly the point.”
“Come now, you can’t honestly say you don’t wish your woman was a bit more cooperative to your wishes.”
“No, I don’t. I like her just the way she is, not pandering to me like a submissive slave.”
Trying to control Skye would be like trying to slay a dragon with a fly swatter. Besides, he liked her fiery personality. Whether it was passion or anger, he didn’t want to control her reactions and opinions. The fact that Vlad seemed to get off on manipulating women spoke volumes about the guy’s character.
“That, my friend, is a lie. Every man likes his ego stroked.” He leaned in a fraction, lowering his voice. “Among other things.”
“Jesus.” Shaking his head, North stepped away from him and grabbed his coat off the hook. “I should have the generator running soon if I can find the spare fuel line.”
“Do you need help? I’m quite good with machines.”
“No,” he snapped. “Stay inside.”
Vladimir’s pupils dilated, his gaze holding North’s. “Really, I don’t mind.”
A low throbbing pulsed from the injury on the right side of North’s neck. The urge to rub the spot pushed at him, but instead, he yanked on his jacket and zipped it. “No,” he repeated. “Stay inside.”
The vamp shifted, as if to step closer.
“Vladimir.” Oliver’s voice boomed from the doorway near the stairs. “He doesn’t want your help.”
Tension flowed from Vlad, his smile tightening. ‘Of course. I was just being friendly.”
Oliver strolled into the room. “He will let us know if he needs anything. Isn’t that right, Mr. Johnson.”
North’s stare darted between the two vampires. Whatever power-struggle was going on here, he didn’t want to get in the middle of it. “Yeah, I’ll let you know.”
Leaving the discussion there, he marched through the kitchen and into the storage room. He grabbed a hat and gloves off the counter and slid them on before stepping into the morning storm. As far as he was concerned, this blizzard couldn’t end soon enough. The gathered group inside was like a bomb ticking down to an epic explosion. If that happened, things were bound to get bloody.
Tipping his head into the wind, he pushed forward. The sooner he got the generator fixed, the sooner he’d get back to Skye and make sure she stayed away from the vamps. Maybe Vlad was right, just a little control over her actions would make him feel a hell of a lot better. But he knew too well, if trouble reared its ugly head, she’d be right in the middle of it.