Their Wild Sea, page 4
That made sense and didn’t surprise her, not really. “Is that why you guys brought me here?”
“That and we knew you love the ocean.” Storm tugged several strands of hair behind her ear. “But we are here to have fun as well.”
“I can get behind having fun.” She bent down and rolled her pants legs up over her knees, then pushed Storm before running off. Soon she had all three guys chasing her.
She would enjoy the fun for as long as it lasted, because they never knew when Xaxhin would execute his next plan.
While they settled down for lunch, she made the guys promise to bring her back to the beach often so she could train and harness her powers. Stretch her abilities to see what she could do. She would need all the power she could get for the upcoming battle with Xaxhin and his hytirians—an amphibious race of creatures that the evil bastard gained control of to add to his army.
“Since it’s too cool to go swimming, I’d still like to hang out and soak up all this energy.” She turned to face the wind blowing off the water and inhaled the fresh salty breeze. Sprays of water hit her face.
Her inner magic tingled her skin like it was flowing over her flesh.
Storm moved close to her but didn’t touch her. “I can feel your energy. It’s like it’s humming around you.”
“That’s how it feels to me, too.” She held up her hand and he pressed his palm to hers.
His lips twitched and his leopard flashed in his eyes. “Besides the beach, what do you like to do?”
She was unsure how to answer it simply. Drex was the only one of her four mates she’d opened up to about Craig. It wasn’t like she didn’t want to tell them. The time just didn’t seem right. Which she’d have to change and make time for each of them.
In truth, since the shooting, she hadn’t gone out in public much. The first couple of years, the idea of driving into a parking lot put her in a state of panic. Eventually, and with a lot of therapy, she was able to go out.
Storm cupped her chin and lifted. “What’s wrong?”
She sighed, knowing she had to tell them. No way would they just let her brush it off until later. If it was reversed, she’d demand them to tell her. Glancing over her shoulder, she met Drex’s stare. He gave her a slight nod of encouragement.
Taking a breath, she told them about Craig and the shooting. “Since then, I wasn’t a big fan of going out. So I like quiet evenings at home reading or watching movies.”
Storm and Nash looked like they were ready to track down the shooter and rip him apart. They stood in front of her for a while, then suddenly Storm gathered her into his arms, hugging her close. “I’m so sorry. No one should have to go through that.”
“But all of you did.”
Storm pulled back and framed her face. “Is that why you’re here?”
“One of the reasons. The big one is I want to help. And now that I’m here, I feel I was meant to be here.” Plus, she was learning to heal while helping them.
Telling them made her feel lighter. They didn’t look at her with pity, nor did they tell her to just get over it. Her guys understood grief.
Nash stared at her, so she raised her brows at him. Wickedness flared in his gray depths. He stepped close and giddiness bubbled inside her. Then, faster than she could track, he picked her up and walked into the ocean.
She let out a squeal. Drex yelled at him from the shore. “Don’t do it. She’ll get sick.”
Nash chuckled. “Always the father. We should call him daddy.”
“I heard that!”
Laughing, Nash said, “She’s a goddess. She can’t get sick.”
Shaylin burst out laughing, glancing at Drex, who looked like he was about to shift and fly out to steal her away. She wasn’t sure if Nash was right about not getting sick, but she didn’t care. They had three healers, plus Blake had healing powers from being a goddess of the sun.
Nash stopped when the water was to his waist. Shaylin looked down and noticed he was on the edge of a drop off. He grinned. “You ready?”
She nodded vigorously. Then he threw her.
CHAPTER FOUR
Shaylin was tired and energized at the same time. It didn’t make sense. It was like if she stopped moving, she'd fall fast asleep. On the other hand, the energy she gained from the ocean charged her inner goddess magic and she felt like she could take on the world.
Then they swam in the ocean, after Nash threw her into the water. Even Drex joined them, giving up on trying to keep her from dying from the cold water.
No wonder she was tired. As for energized, the ocean boosted her powers, made it hum in her veins.
Add in the excitement at finally getting to see the inside of Quil’s restaurant, and she was like a kid on Christmas morning. In fact, she fidgeted the whole time she was on the elevator. Drex must had gotten tired of her movement, because he wrapped an arm around her waist and drew her into his side.
She laughed and glanced at Storm and Nash behind her. They chuckled and shook their heads. Taking a deep breath and exhaling it on a rush, she asked, “Why am I so nervous?”
She wasn’t only nervous, she was excited about finally seeing what Quil had been working on. The restaurant was a new start for him just like coming to Daeria was her fresh start.
Storm leaned in from behind her, his lips brushing against her ear as he whispered, “You’re going to love it.”
She twisted and glared at him. “You’ve seen it.”
His wicked grin was her answer. Of course, he had. Storm was part of the technical team. She was betting Drex had too since he was the Night City head of security and worked closely with the tech team as well as the individual security teams for the other packs. A quick glance at Drex confirmed she was right.
Even though her dragon stood there without showing emotions, she could sense his amusement.
Looking over her other shoulder, she met Nash’s stare. He shook his head while trying to hide a smile, which he was failing miserably. “I don’t have special privileges like they do. I haven’t seen it.”
A few minutes later, they stood outside the restaurant. The exterior was beautiful and the only part she’d seen before that moment. She watched it go up from her apartment at the complex. It was oddly shaped with curves and twists to the exterior that climbed to a point. From earlier construction of the building, she knew it was three stories.
But the newest addition to the building was the name—The Winged Claw. Warmth spread through her. Quil named it so it included the dragons, wolves, and cats. It belonged to all of them. Another step to align the three houses.
With a hand on the door handle, Drex arched a brow at her. “You ready?”
Focusing on him, she nodded. “Yes.”
He swung the door open and she stepped inside. A calm, warm, and family feel came over her as soon as she crossed the threshold. She wondered if there was a spell in place to keep the peace while everyone was inside. Or maybe it kept out those who wished to harm them. She was guessing it was a little of both.
Turning to Storm, she asked, “Magic?”
He nodded. “Wards to protect those inside and to keep the customers happy. There are still wolves who don’t believe the cats and dragons can play nice. It’s the same with some cats as well.”
“It takes time to rebuild the trust the war ripped away.” Drex placed a hand on her lower back and nudged her farther inside.
She quickly realized that Winged Claw was so much more than a restaurant. It was a like a nightclub with a formal dinning area. The walls of the club section were burgundy with silver glyph-like symbols etched into them. Upon closer inspection, she realized the symbols were Daerian runes—the spell Storm mentioned.
The floor was made from that material that looked like glass in its natural state and could be molded into anything the dragons, wolves, and cats needed it to be. She wouldn’t be surprise if the whole building and all the fixtures were made from it. The glossy black floors reflected the neon lights that ran along the perimeter of the interior and along the S-shaped bar in the center of the room.
Nash tapped her arm and pointed up. The second floor was open in the middle like it was a large loft looking down onto the ground floor. The ceiling of the balcony of the second floor as well as the third floor past the opening was lined with mirrors. It gave the illusion of the space being bigger than it was.
“This place is incredible!” She turned in a circle, laughing.
Suddenly large, strong arms circled her and Quil’s spicy scent enveloped her. He kissed her temple and said, “I’m so pleased you love it.”
Twisting around in his embrace, she wrapped her arms around his neck. “It’s amazing and beautiful.”
Each of her guys touched her in some way as they moved away from her and Quil to mingle among the growing crowd. She watched them disappear.
Quil stepped back and took her hand. “Come on, I’ll give you a tour.”
They made their way through the downstairs, stopping to chat with friends and others that Shaylin didn’t know. Quil had introduced her to everyone and she knew there was no way she’d remember anyone’s names.
When they reached the dining area, it was like walking into another world. Where the nightclub was dark and mysterious, the dinner area was elegant and bright. And even more breathtaking than the club. The floor changed from black glass to rich red wood. The tables were covered in black and white tablecloths. The back wall was glass that opened to an outside eating area.
“This is all overwhelming. I could be here every day for a year and still find things I didn’t know were here.” She slid an arm around his waist and hugged him close.
He chuckled and kissed her forehead. “Want to see my office?”
Desire flooded her and all kinds of wicked thoughts entered her mind. “Do we get to break it in properly?”
A soft moan rumbled from him as his eyes flashed with his wolf. “I like the way you think.”
Just as Quil linked their fingers together, Nash stepped out of the growing crowd. “I’m stealing her for a dance.”
Dancing sounded fun. So did spending some alone time with Quil. As if sensing her internal debate, Quil kissed her temple and whispered, “The office isn’t going anywhere.”
Nash took her hand and tugged her out of the restaurant side of the club and onto the dance floor. A slow song was playing, so he enveloped her in his arms and swayed to the music.
Relief went through her when she noticed they weren’t the only couple on the dance floor. Adrienne and her wolf/dragon hybrid were a few feet away tangled together in a seductive slow dance.
Kindle and the leopard alpha, Micha, were on the other side. Beyond those two couples were a few others from Nightflame.
“Were you trying to escape?”
Nash’s teasing tone stole her attention away from the other couples. “I was.”
It was true. She also wanted to be alone with Quil. It’d been almost twenty-four hours since she’d seen him.
Nash slid his thumb over her bottom lip. “Are you okay? With being here, I mean. The crowd.”
“Yes, I am.” She threaded her fingers through his silky dark hair. “I don’t know how to explain it, but there is something in the air. No, not the spell, but something everywhere that makes me feel safe. Then again I may just be crazy.”
He chuckled. “We’re all a little crazy. But I get what you mean. I think. You’re in a different place, away from…what took Craig from you. People like the one who killed him can’t touch you here.”
She stilled and studied him for a long while. When he hugged her close and started swaying again, she realized she stopped moving all together. “That is so creepily accurate.”
Kissing her neck, he let out a breath. “I’ve had to escape myself.”
She was about to ask him why when the music stopped, and her other three mates surrounded them. Storm locked an arm around her shoulder and directed her toward a table where Gianna and her two mates, Voss and Azar, sat.
Taking a seat next to Gianna, Shaylin leaned in for a one-armed hug. “How are the babies?”
“Growing like weeds.” Gianna's smile widen and her features brightened.
Shaylin’s heart filled. “I’ll have to stop by and get my baby fix. Plus, I wanted to see if I can do some research in the library.”
“Of course. You can come by tomorrow.”
“Great!”
Quil sat in the seat next to Shaylin, moving so close their legs touched. “You two planning world domination?”
Gianna winked. “Plan is already executed.”
“It’s been her plan all along,” Azar teased.
Soon a large crowd had gathered around the table, bringing chairs from nearby. Drinks flowed and conversation was playful.
Not once had Shaylin felt the urge to run. Well, at least not for the sake of avoiding people. To be alone with a certain wolf was another story.
The whole time they sat at the table, Quil played with her hair or caressed her neck with one hand. The other rubbed her inner thigh, driving her crazy with lust. So when he whispered, “Want to see my office?” she almost sprang out of the chair and ran toward the stairs.
But she refrained from embarrassing herself. Barely.
Quil stood and held out his hand. She took it and Nash lifted a brow at her. She smiled and shook her head.
Noticing the exchange, Quil said, “It’s my turn to steal her for a little while.”
Then he led her through the sea of people, across the dining area, and into the kitchen. The workers glanced at them and she waved as Quil ushered her into a service elevator.
Once the doors closed, he pressed her back against the wall, putting one of his thick thighs between her legs. Wild sensations raced inside her, leaving a trail of sparkling desire that settled low in her belly. His mouth claimed hers at the same time. Instantly, she opened for him and moved her mouth against his.
When the elevator doors opened, he gripped her ass and carried her out. Shaylin wrapped her legs around him and kissed him as she tightened her arms around his neck.
Moments later, he kicked open his office door, and slammed it shut. Turning, he flattened her back against the door and rocked his hips into her. She groaned and tore her mouth from his.
Breaking the kiss, he drew back just enough to study her features. “If I do anything you don’t like, tell me to back off.”
Framing his face, she kissed his nose. “I will. I’m not the type to let people push me around. Besides, breaking-in the office was my idea.”
She stared into his ice blue depths. It’d been a long time since she let anyone control her. That was another life long ago. Since then, she learned to live the way she wanted and enjoy every waking minute she had.
A chuckle escaped him, followed by a low rumble of a growl. Leaning forward, he gently bit her lower lip. Pleasure rolled inside her and she let out a growl of her own while fisting a handful of his hair. “Are you going to fuck me or not?”
His features darkened in a good way. A way that made her pussy pulse and skin tingle wanting to feel his touch. “Quil.”
He chuckled again. “Patience, my little goddess.”
Shaylin had never been little. Well, maybe when she was a baby. But when Quil called her that, she felt beautiful. The goddess part she was still getting used to.
Quil lowered her to her feet and removed her pants, leaving her panties on. Then he pulled her shirt over her head. The hunger in his depths as she roamed his gaze stirred her own need.
“Beautiful.”
She unhooked her bra, and he slid the straps off her shoulders. After lowering her arms so the undergarment could drop to the floor, she kicked it aside. She was about to say something witty, but Quil stopped her by dipping his head and taking one erect nipple in his mouth.
Raw desire flooded her. She fisted her hand in his hair. He lifted her off the ground and she instantly wound her legs around his waist, hooking her ankles behind him again.
Their tongues danced and twined around one another. She rolled her hips, grinding against him. She could feel his hard length through his pants pressing into her. Each step he took rubbed it against her. Desire was lava in her veins.
Heated desire filled his ice blue depths, adding to her own growing pleasure.
“So beautiful and mine.”
His words were spoken on a growl that vibrated through to her soul. He skimmed his hand down her side and over her hip. Then he ripped her panties from her.
“Hey!” she protested.
Her annoyance at losing one of her favorite pair of sexy panties vanished when he thrust his fingers inside her.
“So wet.”
Her response was a groan as she undid his jeans and pushed them over his hips, freeing his cock. After kicking off his shoes and pants, he pushed them out of the way with a foot. Then he removed his fingers, replacing them with his cock.
Slowly he rocked his hips forward, entering her, stretching her. Pleasure shuddered inside her and made her skin tingle. He pounded in and out, going deeper with each forward thrust. Wave after wave crashed over her. Her climax tore through her and she screamed out in pleasure as she tumbled over the edge. Moments later, he joined her in his own release.
After the last shudder left their bodies, Quil pulled out and carried her to the sofa. She snuggled into him and scanned the room, now that she had time to admire it. His office looked a little like a studio apartment. The sofa they sat on faced a stone wall with a large flat-screen TV. The floor was covered in beige carpet softer than she’d ever felt. His large wood desk sat in the far corner of the room.
“This is nice. You could almost live here.” She meant it as a joke.
“I had it designed that way so I can be closer to you.” She lifted her head and he kissed her forehead.
“Really? What about your pack?” She assumed shifters needed their pack. After all, the pack was their family, their support system.
