A Lady's Heart (Takhini Shifters #3)(11)

She followed his pointing finger to the edge of a floor – to-ceiling window, which with the lofted ceiling meant the curtain she pushed aside revealed a massive sheet of glass. The second-floor vantage gave her an unobstructed view, and she stared down excitedly.

It was like looking at a set for an old western movie. False fronted buildings sat along a rustic wooden boardwalk. The road was snow-covered dirt, or fine gravel, and glancing along the entire length of roadway, she didn't spot a single set of street lights.

The vehicles on the street were the only giveaway that they hadn't traveled back in time. Although the first truck she spotted was circa 1920s, the next was a sleek, modern Hummer that pulled up to the curb behind it.

The grocery store behind the vehicles had rows of produce displayed on wooden racks outside the door, and a man in overalls was clearing the boardwalk of snow with a pushbroom. A woman in skirts that brushed the bare boards strolled up with a parasol over her shoulder to examine the apples.



       
         
       
        

Mandy had never heard of the town, but this was beyond anything she'd expected. "Is there a reenactment society in town-?"

Her question died off in the middle as the doors of the Hummer opened, and two humans got out followed by a huge number of what at first glance looked like dogs. Mandy examined them closer, gasping in surprise as a couple in the group shifted to human form, standing naked on the street as they pointed in different directions, obviously debating which way to go first.

"Whoa."

Justin stood beside her, amusement in his voice as he answered. "Yes, it's a shifter town."

"Only shifters?"

He leaned forward, pointing to the opposite side of the street where a pair of wolverines marched shoulder to shoulder. "The rare human shows up, but they mostly pass straight through. We're in a very remote part of Alaska right now, and at this time of year especially, the only people here are the ones who belong."

Mandy gave in to temptation, leaning against the warmth of his body. "I've never seen anything like it."

"Most countries have a few shifter towns. Chicken is unusual in that it's got all sorts of types of shifters instead of only wolves, or cats, or whatever."

"And they don't fight?"

"Of course they fight." He stroked a hand down her arm. "They just make up faster than usual, and they tend not to tear the place apart, which is helpful."

"I don't like fighting."

He twisted her, and it was the most natural thing to slip into his arms. "Princess."

"Maybe, but I don't like violence or the political games. And I don't fight."

One brow rose, but he seemed completely focused on stroking her hair behind her ear. A quiet and intimate movement.

Suddenly, he stepped his feet wider and tugged her tightly against his body. "You fight yourself." He pointed between them. "You fight what comes naturally, like the heat between us."

True-until now. "Who said anything about fighting it any longer?"

Mandy melted against him as she tilted her head back to accept the kiss he offered. She pressed her palms to his chest and let the heat of his body wrap around her.

His touch remained gentle as he enticed all her senses, and she became more alert. As if she'd woken up, not just her body, but her entire self.

It was time for this. It was time to enjoy the attraction they felt, and she slid her hands higher until she could grasp behind his neck and pull him even closer.

Justin growled his approval, hands dropping to her hips before he easily lifted her in the air, not breaking contact between their mouths. He walked blindly away from the window, and she wasn't exactly sure where they were going because she was concentrating on how good it was to have him stroke their tongues together. How light and delicate she felt in his possessive grasp on her hips. 

Heat rose in her body as he worked her over, playing. Teasing.

He settled her on a hard surface, and the next thing she knew his hands were pressing her legs farther apart.

"I want to taste you everywhere," he growled, need and desire powerfully clear in his voice.

She nipped at his lips, kissing lightly before withdrawing. Taunting him, taunting them both.

She'd have continued to play for a lot longer but he clearly had a different agenda in mind, because the next thing she knew she was naked from the waist down and Justin was on his knees before her. He dragged her hips forward to the edge of the counter and put his mouth to Ground Zero.

"Oh, yes."

He licked and stroked, fingertips sinking into her butt cheeks as he shifted her ever so slightly, changing pressure to direct the torment perfectly. Softer now as he eased up one side of her folds then down the other before gently tugging her clit. Small motions that increased in tempo and pressure until she was one second away from exploding.

And-he pulled back.

Her body stuttered to a stop.

"Justin," she complained.

He glanced up, a glint of amusement mixed with the fire in his eyes. "I'm not done. That was the appetizer. Now I'm ready to enjoy myself."

He slid a hand over her belly and upward, pressing on her torso until she was forced to lie flat on the countertop. Feet on the edge, her head resting on solid granite. She stared at the ceiling above her where a delicate chandelier of sparkling glass hung. Some of the jewel-like pieces were made of stained glass …

That's about when her vision began to blur, because now that he had her in the position he wanted, Justin went back to work, driving his tongue deep and sending her senses reeling.

Pressure increased as he slipped a finger into her sex, her aching flesh welcoming him as a shiver shot over her skin. He eased back then thrust again, over and over until she reached out and buried her fingers in his hair.

"You're not going anywhere," she ordered, desperately hoping he'd obey her, because if he didn't want to, there wasn't much she could do to stop him from moving.

Justin answered by licking more firmly, a second finger easing in with the first.

It'd been so long since she'd felt anyone's touch except her own, it was no wonder she was seconds away from climax. A few more strokes, a few more caresses and she'd be there.

But he didn't play fair, easing off the pressure just enough to make her complain vehemently.

He lifted over her, leaning one elbow on the island beside her as he gazed into her eyes, his fingers buried in her body. "I hate to rush, but sometimes we just need to get the job done. I bet you're pretty when you come."

It had to be his thumb circling over and over with slowly increasing pressure to her clit as he rubbed his fingertips inside her sex. The tension timed perfectly to drive her anticipation to the edge and then beyond, welcoming the orgasm as it shook her entire body. Her sex clamped down on his fingers, and she fought desperately to keep her eyes open, staring back as he hummed in approval as she lost control.

Justin truly was good at everything he put his hand to.

Every time she thought her body was done, he adjusted his fingers and drove her on. Waves struck like the ocean during a storm, each one breaking and crashing into the next until she collapsed bonelessly, unable to take anymore.

Justin eased his hand free as he leaned over her, the hard length of his erection pressing against her leg. He didn't seem unhappy, though. Quite the contrary. He smiled before lifting his hand to his mouth and licking his fingers clean.



       
         
       
        

Mandy opened her mouth to say something, although she wasn't sure quite what was appropriate. A simple thank you seemed inadequate, but then the timer on the stove went off, and Justin pulled her to a sitting position before pressing a brief kiss to her lips.

"Stay right there," he ordered.

She was dazed enough to not care she was bare-assed naked, legs wide as she watched him be all-domestic and pull their breakfast from the oven.

There was no shame in what they'd done, although she really hoped she'd be able to do something for him in return soon.





Justin didn't consider himself good martyr material. He knew exactly what he liked, and he mostly managed to live in a way that pleased him. Comfortable surroundings were the norm, his time in the wolf pack house not withstanding. He rarely had to forgo creature comforts even in his role as bodyguard for Tyler.

But when it came down to it, he was willing to make whatever sacrifices were needed to meet his goals and complete the challenges of his day.

Only current and ongoing goal: keep Mandy safe and make her happy. In that order. If he could do both at the same time, all the better. The fact making her happy would involve sex as well as excursions?

Justin Cullinan was one contented bear.

Point in case-that morning bringing her pleasure had been the highlight of his past few days. He had no intention of rushing her, and if she needed more time, he'd give it to her. Yup, he was willing to provide all the oral sex she could handle.

Meanwhile he was focusing on the first part of the task, keeping her safe as she wandered town checking everything out, her fingers tangled in his. All talk of her to-do list had seemingly been forgotten, which was fine. Although he hoped she'd come back to it eventually, because he was looking forward to the more physical requirements, like when she decided it was time to move forward and finally put her hands on him intimately.