Carnal Knowledge

CHAPTER THREE

Kaeli snatched a shirt that lay carelessly on the floor of his bedroom and slipped off her own soaked blouse before putting his on. She’d return it another time. His scent enveloped her, stifling rational thought, and she could barely punch out the numbers on the phone to the taxi company she found in the phone book.

Navarre didn’t leave the bathroom, for which she was thankful.

There’d been something inherently dangerous in his eyes that had scared her, and in that moment, the facade of the laid back Cajun had stripped away, revealing a wildness that thrilled and terrified her all at once.

She ran out of there as fast as she could, braving the empty street and the whipping wind rather than stay. Goosebumps spread over her chilled, damp skin, and she scarcely noticed when the taxi arrived and took off with her mumbled directions to the hotel. His scent engulfed her, faint as it was, reminding her of how close she’d come to ... to what? To having sex with a stranger? With a lunatic? Whatever else he was, he wasn’t crazy. But he was dangerous. And his looks with that provided a lethal combination for her sense of preservation.

It wasn’t until she was safe in her room that she realized she’d even gone through the motions of getting back. She’d moved like an automaton.

Shock. That was what affected her. It was no damn wonder. She’d gone through two attacks tonight. It was almost like being home.

The suite was empty, proving it wasn’t as late as she thought it was.

Which meant her girlfriends may or may not be coming in tonight. Which meant she had only her chaotic thoughts and the nagging ache between her legs to keep her company.

Fat lot of good it did her to get out.

* * * *

Navarre turned the hot water off, his skin jumping in shock as the cold water pummeled his hide like hail, barely stemming the flow of blood to his cock.

He could practically taste her fragile scent, a musky mix of arousal and Obsession, and his fingertips throbbed with the sense of her skin and the supple strength of her muscles.

He’d been hard ever since he’d seen her in action at the mugging, and it had only worsened when she’d pressed against him in the alley offering help. He’d not been nearly so injured as he’d led her to believe, and despite his better judgment, he’d allowed her to see him home. Strong women had always been a weakness for him.

He should have known it wouldn’t be enough. It was never enough to only touch--it was pure torture that had him salivating to lick her all over.

He wanted to ram into her, spew his cum across her naked body and mark her with his scent so that no other man would dare touch her. Could she handle being fucked by a Lycan? He’d like to think so, but he couldn’t chance it. His control was too shaky around her, and he could hurt her irreparably if he tried. What a damn fool he was.

His possessiveness toward her, the need to mark, appalled him, but not enough to deny his feelings. It had taken every ounce of his control to release her and allow her to go. He knew she wanted him. That in itself would be his downfall. Never in his life had a human woman blind-sided him this way. He could not even remember a time when his emotions ran to the coolness of a human male, so long ago had it been since he’d turned wolfen.

Promises to stay away from humans seemed like so much ash in his mouth. Despite her hard ass attitude, he sensed her vulnerability and knew he’d frightened her when his wolf flashed in his eyes. He doubted she realized what she’d beheld, for he knew she hadn’t believed him about the vampires.

All the more reason to stay away from her. Humans could not comprehend that their presence on the top of the food chain was precarious at best, held aloft only by their numbers. And that scale could tip at any time.

Eventually the cold water washed away the blood and cooled his head--both of them.

Navarre damned the creature that had made him this monster. For he could never have what he most wanted and never realized could be snatched away ... the chance to love and be loved. There would be no mate for him, human or Lycan.

Shawnda and Mina didn’t come back that night, but they were considerate enough to call and say they were spending the next few days up at Lake Ponchatrain with some hot guys they barely knew and had plans to behave as immorally as possible. Kaeli didn’t like it, but it wasn’t like she could stop them. They were big girls, and if anything, Shawnda was meaner and tougher than she was.

Kaeli spent the morning lounging in bed, fingering his shirt--which she still wore--and enjoying the smell of him on her skin. It was almost like he’d rubbed on her and left his mark, even though he technically hadn’t loaned her the shirt.

Despite all her inner warnings, she wanted to see him again. She couldn’t let it rest. It was like an itch in the middle of her back that she couldn’t quite reach, and it was driving her crazy not knowing what it’d be like to fuck him.

She could admit it. He’d filled her dreams last night, and she’d woken up wet with arousal. It was a natural, earthy response to a man she was attracted to--no matter how off-balance he was.

Kaeli ordered room service and flipped through the channels on TV, trying to take her mind off him. Finally she flipped to a music channel, but a metal band from the 80s was on, and all those tight leather pants brought her immediately back to Navarre. She turned off the TV, frustrated.

She needed to return his shirt anyway. And while she was there ... she’d just see what would happen. She didn’t think it would take too much effort on her part to drive him over the edge. Afterwards, she could analyze her disgraceful behavior all she wanted--right now, she aimed to have some fun. Hell or high water.

She chuckled and spiffed up, shampooing her black braids and making sure none had raveled loose. She took her time shaving her legs and under her arms, even her bikini area ... not that she should expect anything to happen, but it never hurt to be prepared.

Getting out of the shower, Kaeli dried off and buffed her skin and nails, and smoothed unscented lotion on her skin until it was velvet soft and glowing with health. She left the bathroom and pulled her underthings out of her suitcase, sitting on the bed as she rolled her hose up her legs. She stood and slipped a garter belt on and, with great difficulty, snapped the garters on her thigh high hose. Her legs were short enough the hose rode up nearly to her crotch, but she thought it was still a sexy look.

The bra she fastened pushed her breasts together, creating an illusion of deep cleavage--the small breasted girl’s best friend. Kaeli donned a skin tight, black mini dress that barely covered the lacy edge her hose and the tops of her breasts. She couldn’t take a deep breath, but she was as sexed as she could get.

She picked up his discarded shirt, folding it as she headed out. It was still early enough in the year that the days were short. The sun was fast dwindling as night approached, and she wondered how she could have spent so much time getting prepared, but then, she’d had a lot to do.

The doorman hailed a taxi for her and she directed the driver to Navarre’s. Within half an hour she was there, standing at a blank metal door and an intercom unit. A camera watched with its unblinking, glass eye. She’d left the cab driver a big tip to wait until she was inside.

Kaeli pushed her thumb on the buzzer, then awaited a response.

“Why you back, chere?” his voice came through the speaker, sounding distant and slightly irritated.

“I just came by to drop your shirt off.” She waved it in front of the camera as proof.

“Keep it. Or leave it outside. I don’ care.”

It was a button down Dolce and Gabbana stretch silk shirt--easily six large ones. He’d want it back, no matter how much damn money he had, and the thrifty shrew in her couldn’t stand to just leave it on the street for anyone to pick up. “Let me in, Navarre! I’m not leaving until I return this to you.”

There was a long pause, and then the door buzzed. Kaeli turned the handle and pushed the door open, and she waved the taxi on. She could always call another one ... later.

Her confidence started dwindling as she walked through the lower floor to the elevator, listening to the hollow echo of her heels on the concrete. By the time she reached the elevator, she’d determined she’d only return his shirt and go back to the hotel. Maybe if she kept this up, at this rate in a week or two she’d be ready to make the first move. She never had a problem unless she was attracted to a man, and then her tongue got tied and her belly clenched with nervousness.

He was out of her league anyway. She didn’t know why she thought he’d be interested in her. Her ass was too big, and her breasts were too small. And she was a few inches shy of average height--short.

Hell. It was no damned wonder she hadn’t had a man in so long, the way she down-rated herself. Kaeli squared her shoulders on the ride, determined to show him what a good thing he was missing out on.

His apartment came into view, and Navarre faced the elevator as it groaned to a halt. He was half naked, and all thought of confidence and nobility and whatever other crap she’d fed herself incinerated as her libido kicked into overdrive. Her throat went dry looking at the bulge of his muscles, the flex of them as he bent and lifted the gate and stepped inside.

The elevator shifted slightly with his weight, balancing. Any other time she might be unnerved. Now, her mind was blank.

Kaeli dumbly held the shirt out to him, not really aware of what she was doing.

The irritated look he’d assumed vanished as his gaze stroked slowly down her body and back up to her face. All that time she’d spent preparing suddenly seemed worth it. The smoldering eyes that met hers burned away the last of her reservations in a flash of heat.

He was upon her in an instant. His hard male body crushed hers against the elevator wall, his fingers dug into her hair. She moaned at the near bruising pressure, the feel of her body melding to his.

“Damn you,” he mumbled, a harsh breath against her lips. He kissed her, unyielding, forcing her open to his invasion. His tongue thrust inside her mouth, and hot need welled instantly between her legs. She could taste the anger in his kiss, reveled in the rough thorough slide of his tongue as he explored the moist crevice of her mouth. Her scalp burned under the grip that tilted her face up as he kissed her greedily.

She felt wet arousal trickle down her thighs, and then he ground his erection into her apex, sparking a primal reaction deep in her core.

Kaeli dug her nails into his biceps as he thrust against her, her hem riding up her thighs until only a thin scrap of panties and his own jeans kept him from ramming inside her. Her clit felt like it would explode under his pleasurable abrasion. She closed her legs around him convulsively, moaning into his mouth.

With one hand, he peeled back the neckline of her dress, exposing a wanting nipple from the cage of her bra. He broke from her mouth, breathing heavily as he cupped her breast and flicked a thumb across her nipple. It hardened beneath his callused pad, and piercing ecstasy lanced her breast. He made a rough noise of excitement, deep in his chest, scored her throat with his teeth as he bent and took her nipple into his mouth.

He cupped her ass cheeks, kneading them, grinding her into his cock as he tugged her nipple with his lips. A strangled moan tore from her throat.

So long ... it had been so long since any man had wanted to touch her this way. She raked her nails up the taut line of his shoulders, holding him closer. He sucked her flesh until the bud was harder than she ever thought possible, and then dragged the covering fabric away from her other breast with his teeth.

Kaeli lifted her body from the wall with a moan, arching her back as he suckled her breast, tightening the inner cord that pulled at the nerves of her pussy. He shuddered, breaking from her nipple to cover her chest with small, sucking kisses, traveling up her throat. He scored the fine tendon of her shoulder and neck, nipping her earlobe. His teeth were exquisitely sharp, his lips and tongue like brands. Her blood raged, making her dizzy and mindless with need.

“Please,” she begged, unable to stand this torment any more. Her legs felt like they would give out at any moment, and only the press of his body kept her from falling.

He freed one cheek of her ass, pushing back from her enough to free his cock from its confinement.

With one tug, he ripped her panties away, stinging her hips, but she didn’t care. All she cared about was getting him inside her to soothe the savage ache. He grabbed her ass roughly, his fingers digging into her muscles, hauling her legs wide apart as he lifted her against the wall, shoving her towards the corner.

Cool air tickled the thin line of hair on her pussy, brisk on her saturated labia and the tops of her thighs. The musky scent of her arousal drifted to her nostrils, spurring her desire. He buried his face against her neck, breathing deeply. He halted suddenly--his muscles jumped. Kaeli squirmed, wondering at the interruption. Navarre made an anguished sound deep in his throat, muffled against her shoulder, his arms shaking as though he waged war himself.

“What is it? What are you doing?” she breathed hoarsely, tightening her legs around his hips, needing him so badly.

“Making ... a ... mistake.”

He jerked as a shudder ran through him, and his cock pressed against her pussy, so close to where she wanted it. Kaeli wiggled, trying to raise herself so he could impale her, biting her lip with the pain of need.

“Oh god. Oh god ... oh god. Don’t move, petite,” he ground out, shaking hard, panting with the effort. His breath came harsh and fast against her neck, fanning the flames that threatened to burn her alive.

Her pussy throbbed with his teasing nearness. She groaned in frustration, arching against him.

He growled suddenly, sinking his teeth into her neck as he ground against her swollen lips, sliding through her juices past her clit. Pleasure sliced through her, her throat closed on a soft sound of excitement, whimpering as he drove up past that bright center of exquisite torture.

He sucked in a sharp breath, chest heaving, fingers bruising her ass as he pulled back and thrust again. He rocked his hips, stroking the hard underside of his cock against her clit, building her toward release with excruciating slowness.

“I want you inside me,” she gasped, digging her nails into his back, urging him to take her.

He shook his head against her, breathing raggedly, faster and faster.

“No ... god ... no ... oh Jesus....” He kept repeating it again and again, driving against her, harder and harder, moving in a rough frantic motion.

He drew little twitches from her, sliding in her wetness, not giving enough ... too much. Kaeli panted, her heart racing in her chest, climbing to that high that was so addictive, fighting for release. His scent engulfed her, his breath, his sweat dampened hair. Kaeli tightened her thighs around him, rolling her body with his, getting so close. And then the orgasm burst upon her with a shocking suddenness. Ecstasy rolled over her like a tidal wave, obliterating everything but the sweet agony traveling through her limbs.

Kaeli cried out, feeling as though her entire body whirled apart. His breathing came faster, and he convulsed against her like he was dying, jerking his hips in a maddening rhythm that kept the orgasm flooding her.

He made a hoarse, anguished cry as he shuddered, and a burst of hot liquid struck her pelvis as he came.

His chest pressed tight to her breast as he released her ass and her feet dropped to the floor. She could feel the rapid flutter of his heart on her chest, his shaky, hot breath on her neck.

He’d only managed to contain the fire a brief moment. Already she felt like she could go again--her body wasn’t nearly sated enough for him.

She wanted all of him.

Navarre pulled away from her, his hair falling over his face. Kaeli itched to push it back, to run her fingers through it, but she restrained herself, sensing he was torn.

He faced away from her and left the elevator, his hand on the gate.

He did not look at her, as though he was ashamed of losing control, of what they’d done.

“Leave. Leave, ma petite, or you will die.”