Wild Rapture: A Chiasson Story (Book 5) Page 8

  “Here I am. In your arms,” she murmured as she lifted her face to his.

  Their lips brushed. He kissed her softly even as his body demanded he bury himself inside her. But as she moaned and sank against him, an image of her bruises popped into his mind. Marshall put his hands on her shoulders and ended the kiss.

  She blinked up at him, confusion filling her gorgeous eyes. “What?”

  “It wouldn’t be right for me to do this without knowing if someone...if....”

  “Raped me?” she finished.

  He gave a nod.

  She cupped his face. “I want you. The past doesn’t matter. The future doesn’t matter. This moment does. And I ache for you.”

  He was powerless when she pulled his head down to continue their kiss. And as soon as their tongues touched, he was lost in a sea of desire, swept beneath the tidal wave to surrender to the siren that had captured him, body and soul.

  Fire burned through him, heating his skin until he was consumed. And it was all because of Riley. Her kisses were as sweet as honey and as scorching as a desert. Yet he couldn’t get enough.

  His hands moved around to her back, holding her close as he plundered her mouth, his kiss fiery. She pressed against him, trying to mesh their bodies closer.

  Marshall knew exactly how she felt. So when she tugged at his shirt, he reached to yank it off.

  And then someone pounded on the door.

  They jerked apart, breathing heavily as they stared at the front of the house. He glanced to where the rifle was behind Riley. Pointing to it, he put his finger to his lips and motioned for her to grab it. Once it was in her hands, he palmed the pistol he had hidden near the door and put it behind his back. Then he opened the portal a crack. His gaze met bright blue ones.

  Kane lifted a dark blond brow. “You going to let me in?”

  “What are you doing here?” Marshall asked, looking over Kane’s shoulder.

  “I thought you might want some company. Actually, that’s a lie. I’m here because you were the last one to see Riley, so that means you’re the best hope of finding her.”

  Marshall glanced over his shoulder to Riley behind him, who held the rifle pointed at the door like someone who knew how to use it. He then stepped back and widened the gap.

  Kane took a step inside and came to an immediate stop. As soon as his gaze landed on Riley, he stared for a moment before glaring at Marshall.

  “What the fuck?” Kane growled.

  Riley lifted the rifle to her shoulder. “Marshall?”

  “Easy,” he told her. “Lower the gun. And look at him.”

  It took her a moment, but Riley did as he asked. She propped the weapon against the wall and stared hard at Kane for a long time.

  “Riley,” Kane said as he took another step toward her. “You know me. Search your mind.”

  She gave a shake of her head. “There’s nothing there, no memory of you.”

  Marshall closed the door. “Don’t try so hard.” Then to Kane, he said, “Try sharing a memory with her.”

  “Right,” Kane said as he glanced Marshall’s way.

  Riley watched him skeptically, as if she wasn’t sure she wanted Kane in the house with them. But she remained, waiting.

  “Around Christmastime, when the weather dropped into the thirties, you wanted ice cream at midnight. We went out in—”

  “The rain,” Riley interrupted him. “You found a place that was open, and we ate ice cream together.”

  Kane nodded, his face tight.

  A tear rolled down Riley’s face. “Kane,” she said and rushed to him.

  Marshall watched the stoic LaRue envelop his cousin in his arms and squeeze his eyes closed as he held her. The two remained that way for several minutes.

  Then Riley pulled back and turned her gaze to Marshall. “I remember.”

  “All of it?” Kane asked worriedly.

  She gave a nod. “All of it. Including what Delphine did to me.”

  “What did she do?” Kane’s voice had lowered, his eyes flashing yellow.

  Marshall kept his gaze on Riley. “And?”

  “No,” she whispered, smiling.

  He let out a sigh, glad that Riley understood what he was asking.

  Kane looked between them. “What the hell are you two talking about?”

  “He wanted to know if I had been raped.”

  Marshall winced at Riley’s words. She didn’t realize how protective her cousins were of her. By the growl rumbling in Kane’s chest, though, she got a reminder.

  “I’m fine,” Riley told him.

  Marshall fisted his hands to stop from reaching for her each time her gaze landed on him. Would it be rude if he kicked Kane out of the house so he could have Riley to himself, and they could resume their kissing?

  12

  Delphine stared down at Elin’s lifeless body. Everything she had worked years to achieve had been wiped away in seconds. Because of George.

  His obsession with Riley had clouded his mind, making him forget the goals they had set together.

  “Elin was carrying your child,” she said.

  “Riley is who I wanted to have my seed.”

  Delphine glared at him. “And now she’s gone after witnessing this.”

  “I’ll get her back,” he stated.

  “Perhaps it’s better if you remain behind. She’ll be frightened of you. It is why she ran.”

  George’s lips turned into a sneer. “You have twenty-four hours, priestess, or I go looking for her myself.”

  Delphine turned and walked from the house. The streets were lined with her followers, each awaiting orders. They ignored the rain, standing without umbrellas or coats. This was New Orleans, and the rain came as often as the heat.

  She removed her headscarf and let her hair down. Then she made her way from the porch down the steps and out into her people, walking among them.

  “You all know Riley Chiasson. I took her from the LaRues when they attempted to best me. She is mine now. I’ve taken her memories so that she believes she’s without family. We’re her family. But she’s scared.

  “We must find her and bring her home. She has yet to fulfill her role, and until she’s back among us, she never will. Spread out, search for her all through the city. Go to the LaRues—their homes and their bar—and watch them. I want to know of any increased activity that means they might know where Riley is.”

  She stopped and turned in a circle to look at the faces that came to her for advice and help. These were the ones who would aid her in wiping the LaRues and Chiassons from this world for good.

  “We need to find her before the LaRues do. Go!” she commanded.

  As one, they all turned and spread out, doing her bidding.

  Delphine watched them until they disappeared, then she turned back to her house. George stood on the porch, watching her. He had been her greatest achievement. One of her most faithful followers, he had opened himself up to the spirit of a famed Voodoo priest who had been cut down by the LaRues before he could carry out his grand plan.

  With him by her side, Delphine knew she was unstoppable. He added to her already impressive depth of magic, and they had worked together perfectly. Until Riley.

  As soon as he had seen her, desire had ruled George. He wouldn’t listen to Delphine as she tried to explain that Riley was stronger than Elin, and it had taken Elin months to fully succumb to Delphine’s magic.

  Riley would take even longer, and to push her too soon would break her. Or return her memories. And neither option was one Delphine wanted.

  George turned on his heel and walked back into the house. Delphine sighed and blinked the rain from her eyelashes. If only he had been patient, he could’ve had a child from both Elin and Riley.

  Delphine looked over her shoulder toward the French Quarter. The LaRues continued to find ways to best her. They had come so close this last time. Minka was incredibly strong, much stronger than Delphine had ever dreamed she could be.

&
nbsp; That had nearly cost her everything. But Delphine wouldn’t underestimate Minka or the LaRues again. Because they too were growing stronger.

  At least she had stopped the Moonstone clan in their tracks. Taking Elin had brought her Griffin. The Alpha had done everything she wanted in exchange for keeping Elin alive. Griffin had been stronger than both his parents put together, but he’d let family and love rule him. Now, he was gone, having slunk away with his tail between his legs, no doubt.

  One werewolf down. And with Griffin gone, the Moonstone pack was floundering. Now, all Delphine needed to do was take care of the LaRues and Chiassons.

  She rubbed her hands together, calling up ancient magic from her African ancestors. She began humming, allowing herself to grow louder and louder.

  “Find me Riley,” she whispered.

  She turned in a circle, waiting for the magic to direct her. But nothing happened. She attempted the ritual twice more no better results. Yet she wouldn’t give up. There were many more tricks up Delphine’s sleeve. She would find Riley, and if she had to slaughter each and every person in New Orleans, she would bring the girl back into the fold.

  * * *

  Marshall carefully lifted Riley in his arms and stood. She had fallen asleep between him and Kane thirty minutes earlier. Once Kane left to do a sweep of the area, Marshall knew it was time to get her in bed.

  Her eyes opened when he laid her down. “Stay with me.”

  As if he could resist such a request—or the temptation. He climbed in beside her and smiled when she snuggled against him. It felt so good to hold her.

  “I wish I would’ve talked to you that day I first saw you,” she said.

  “Why didn’t you?”

  “I knew you were the type of man I’d fall hard for. And the kind who could break my heart.”

  He looked down at the top of her head. “Why do you think I’d hurt you?”

  “You’re very much like my brothers and cousins. You’re used to taking charge and risking your life. You think of others before yourself. It’s a great quality, but it can be hell on relationships.”

  “Your brothers seem to make it work.”

  She nodded. “Yes, they do.”

  “So do your cousins. Well, except for Kane.”

  Her head lifted, and she shot him a grin. “I have hope for Kane. He has a big heart, but it’s filled with so much hurt and regret right now. The right woman could change him.”

  “The right woman could do a lot of things,” Marshall said as he held her gaze.

  She glanced down as she came up on her elbow. “The way I feel when you kiss me is like I’m flying through the clouds.”

  “It’s like coming home.”

  “Your kiss sears me to my very soul.”

  He ran his hand up her back to tangle his fingers in her hair. “You slay me. I want nothing but you. Only you.”

  “Always you,” she murmured.

  He cupped the back of her head as their lips met. As their tongues dueled, he rolled her onto her back and settled between her legs. She moaned in contentment.

  Marshall rose up on his knees and removed the shirt. When she rose from the bed and began to strip, he quickly did the same.

  As soon as their clothes were gone, they were back in each other’s arms, kissing. He smiled when she pushed him backward onto the bed. Her blue eyes were dark with desire. With her dark hair falling haphazardly about her, he took in her slender form, and the pert breasts with their dusky nipples that he yearned to taste.

  His gaze traveled down to her smooth belly and slim hips to the trimmed patch of black curls between her long legs.

  “Keep looking,” she said huskily while rubbing her hands over his chest. “I get to look at your amazing body.”

  Marshall felt as if he had waited his entire life to have her. He wrapped an arm around her and yanked her close. Searching her eyes, he looked for...hell, he didn’t know what it was he wanted to find.

  “It was your kiss,” she told me. “You began to unravel all that Delphine had done. And you took me down a road I’d never been on before. Take me again.”

  “Yes,” he whispered before he kissed her slowly, thoroughly.

  He ran his hands up her back, learning the feel of her warm skin. Her hips rocked against him. God, she felt so good. Like she had been made just for him. Or maybe it was the other way around. Maybe he’d been made for her. Marshall didn’t care.

  As long as he got to have her.

  “If I don’t have you inside me right this instant, I might die,” she said between kisses.

  All thoughts he had of going slow and kissing every inch of her went right out the window. The need in her words, and the way her voice turned raspy from desire sent him careening into a haze of hunger only she could quench.

  * * *

  She had never ached so in her life. It went bone deep. Riley didn’t fight it, she accepted it, reached for it. Grabbed it.

  Whatever it was, it was amazing. Surprising.

  Mind-blowing.

  With every kiss, every touch and sigh, she could actually feel herself growing closer to Marshall. It defied logic, but she came from a world with the supernatural. Who was she to question such things? Which was why she marveled at her fortune and ate up every millisecond.

  Because it could all end in the next minute.

  But she wasn’t going to think about Delphine or the epic battle she knew was coming. Instead, she would glory in the magnificent man beneath her.

  She ran her hands over the thick sinew of his chest and the dark hair that covered him. The quick glance she’d gotten of his chiseled abs and corded arms and legs was forgotten when she saw his thick arousal.

  There would come a time—really soon—when she paid that particular member a lot of attention.

  Her breathing quickened, and her mind went blank when his hands moved over her ass and held her as he ground himself against her.

  She gasped, her sex clenching as desire spun wildly through her. Her inhale turned into a moan when his fingers found her. He slipped two inside, pumping slowly.

  “There are so many things I want to do to you,” he said in her ear before he nipped at her lobe.

  She shivered from his words, his bite, and the way his fingers played her. Riley wanted to reply, to tell him that she wanted him to do all of them and more, but the words were lost as he pushed his fingers deeper.

  “Is this what you want?”

  She nodded, her throat refusing to form the words.

  “Or is it this?”

  His fingers left her. In the next instant, she felt the head of his cock rubbing against her swollen clit before he slipped inside her. As their bodies merged, it was like a key fitting into a lock.

  She braced her hands on his chest and sat up. Their gazes clashed, held. With his hands on her hips, she began to slowly rock back and forth.

  There was nothing that could stop their passion now. It hadn’t just taken them. It consumed them. And through it all, though every tingle of pleasure, each quiver of need—she rushed toward it eagerly.

  As her tempo increased, Marshall sat up. His silvery gaze raked her face as if he couldn’t believe she was there. She understood how he felt because she feared this was all a dream. That she would wake up back in Delphine’s house with her chest hollow from where her heart used to be.

  His hand slid around her neck and held her head as their bodies moved together, the friction building their desires and bringing them closer and closer to the peak.

  “Come with me,” he urged.

  She nodded, already more than halfway there. But at his words, it propelled her past the point of no return. All that was, all that mattered, was Marshall and how she felt in his arms.

  And that’s all she needed.

  His grip tightened, and his face pinched as they both held back their pleasure as long as they could. Riley’s breaths were loud, her body moving on its own as it careened toward the climax.

 
“Now,” Marshall rasped.

  Her head fell back as she gave in to the ecstasy. The pleasure slammed into her, cocooning her in light and decadence. The tremors ran through her body as she felt him shudder in her arms.

  13

  Utter contentment. That’s what Marshall felt after making love to Riley. Their bodies were still joined, their breathing loud, when he realized for the first time in his life, he’d forgotten all about a condom.

  As if Riley needed something else to worry about.

  He watched as she lifted her face. He’d never seen anything so stunningly beautiful in his life. In every way, she was gorgeous, but now, with her face flushed and her lips swollen, she was exquisite.

  They stared at each other, no words needed. Their bodies had said it all, and it was glorious.

  She leaned forward and pressed her lips against his. Marshall hungrily kissed her, desire surging through him again. And he knew with the same certainty that the sun would rise in the east in the morning that he was falling for Riley.

  Or perhaps he already had.

  Hell, he didn’t know. And honestly, he didn’t care. At one time, he would’ve been afraid of loving someone, but it was different with Riley. She was different, unique. A woman all her own, and he loved everything about her.

  From the living room through the closed door, Kane cleared his throat loudly, breaking their kiss. Riley’s eyes widened as she smiled. Marshall couldn’t believe he hadn’t heard Kane walk back inside the house.

  “Um...just thought I should let you two know that you might want to get dressed. Now,” Kane said.

  Riley rolled her eyes. “My cousins are on their way.”

  Marshall nodded. “Appears so.”

  “I’m not ready for this moment to end,” she said softly.

  He ran his hands down her face. “There will be others.”

  “Promise?”

  “Promise.”

  It was the look in his eyes, the look that said he would move Heaven and Earth to be with her again that made her smile. She reluctantly rose and dressed.