King of Rock (Lions of Pride Island Book 1) Read online

  And the lingering sense of uneasiness, like being around him was pushing something from her memories forward. Something she wanted to keep back at all costs.

  “I’ll eat in my room,” she said.

  He got out and opened the door for her, then took her by the hand as they started up the long front walk into the mansion. She looked down at his hand in question, and he grinned but cast his eyes around the grounds.

  “Here’s the thing,” he said. “I know my estate is safe with the security system, but when we’re outside, I still want to keep a close eye on you.”

  “It’s not just that you want to hold my hand?” she asked, her uneasiness melting away as they walked together, touching.

  He gave her a crooked smile. “Maybe that, too.” When they reached the front door, he opened it for her and let her in and then followed her to the bottom of the stairs.

  The look he gave her as she started up them made her mouth dry. She could see just how badly he wanted to follow but knew he wouldn’t.

  “You have a good night, then,” he said. “But if you change your mind and want some company, come see me. I’m always around if you need me, Stacy. You’re welcome anytime.”

  The lion in her let out a little purr at that, and she inwardly groaned as she took the stairs two at a time to her room.

  She would resist. She had self-control.

  Sure, Stacy.

  8

  A few hours later, Beau was reading in his room when he heard a knock on the door. He set aside his Kindle and looked up curiously. It was already dark outside, and he wasn’t expecting anyone.

  Not Stacy, for sure. She’d avoided him since they got home from the hospital. He suspected he’d stirred up some stuff for her and she needed to deal with it without him around. A part of him was wary of being with her, knowing it pulled out painful things.

  The other felt like being without her would be akin to not breathing.

  So he was trying to give her space. Especially because the looks she gave him were increasingly warm, even caring, when she thought he wasn’t looking. He thought maybe this really was going to work; maybe they had a chance. If he didn’t rush her. The thing was it was hard not to feel rushed when they only had a week together, and three days were already up.

  He hoped he didn’t have to give an update to his brother anytime soon.

  He stood and walked over to open the door just as it swung open. He raised an eyebrow as he saw Stacy standing there in a robe, wearing those adorable pajamas she’d had on the previous night when they’d made out.

  He was glad he hadn’t locked his door.

  His curvy mate was just standing there, her hair waving loose from her ponytail, her dark eyes fierce, like she was still at war with herself about coming here. But he could scent the air, scent her need for him.

  Her lion wanted him, and if he wasn’t incorrect, the woman in her wanted him, too.

  She bit her lip. “Can I come in?”

  He silently gestured for her to come inside and then pulled the door shut behind them so they’d have privacy.

  His dick twitched at the thought of her being in his room, alone with him, but he told himself to calm down until he knew why she’d come. Maybe she wanted simple comfort. To be held. That thought was amazing, too. It didn’t do anything to stop his growing arousal. He turned away from her to sit on his bed and grabbed a pillow over his lap, trying not to look obvious.

  Damn, his mate turned him into a schoolboy.

  “I want you,” she said solemnly, and his whole body went on red alert. He was too aware of his spot on the bed, her nearness to him. How easy it would be to pull her down and—

  “I’ve fought it because I logically just don’t see how we’re meant to be together.”

  “There’s nothing logical about attraction,” he said, grabbing her hands as she stepped between his legs, which were hanging over the end of the bed. He rubbed his thumbs softly over her knuckles. “It’s just chemistry. Or maybe fate?”

  She nodded softly, a sigh of resignation escaping her lips. “I can’t resist you. I’m not saying this is me saying yes to mating you. But I want to be with you tonight. I need to.”

  “I need you to be sure,” he said. “I won’t go any further than you want, but you have to let me know.”

  She nodded. “I know. But I need to explore with you. I can’t wait any longer.” She tucked hair behind her ears. “And I guess if I’m going to consider being with you, I should see how compatible we are. In the bedroom I mean.”

  “We can take it slow,” he said. “I promise to be gentle.”

  Her dark eyes gleamed as she pushed him back, climbing forward to be on top of him. “What makes you think I’ll be gentle?”

  He grinned, loving the feel of her soft, curvy thighs on top of him. “That’s your prerogative. But until you’re sure, I’m going to be careful.”

  “I appreciate that,” she said. “There hasn’t been a lot of care in my life.”

  “Let me fix that.” He leaned forward to kiss her exposed shoulder as her tee slid over one to shoulder, her robe hanging loose at her elbows. “I want to care for you always.”

  “Because of the oracle,” she said.

  “No,” he replied. “Because of you. I like you. Your sassiness. The way you don’t let me get away with anything. The way you see me as someone other than Beau Hunt.”

  She nodded. “I guess so.”

  “Because of your beautiful, soft curves,” he said, tracing her soft, generous waist and hips.

  “I’m fat,” she said, pouting. But she squirmed in pleasure as he caressed her soft skin.

  “You’re perfect,” he argued. “When I heard you were my mate, I hoped you’d have curves. I mean, I’d have accepted you however you were, but I do like a little something to hold on to. Or a lot of something.”

  “I gathered that,” she said with a laugh. “Well, I guess I’m not going to complain. I certainly like that you like it.”

  He grinned and felt over her ass, so soft, so round. “I love it.”

  “You’re turning me on,” she said. “Just your talking, your touching is turning me on.” She shook her head, her full lips pursed. “I don’t know how you have this effect on me.”

  He cupped her cheek, grazing her ear with his fingers. “Because I’m your mate. I’m made for you and you for me.”

  “I don’t believe in that stuff,” she admitted, biting her lip as he stroked her ear with one deft finger.

  “Do you believe in this?” he asked, dropping one hand to trace over her breast, lightly touching her nipple and sending lightning through her body.

  She shuddered. “I don’t know what to believe.”

  “Believe in me,” he said. “I don’t know what’s holding you back, but I’m not going to let you down, Stacy.”

  She traced a finger over his chest. She looked like she wanted to believe him. “I don’t know what to say to that. Except I want you. I want you to touch me. I want to touch you. That’s all I want to deal with tonight.”

  Fair enough. Just being with her was enough to fill up his soul. He could leave everything else—the thoughts of the future, the things troubling her, the worries about how this would work out—for later.

  For now, it was just him and his mate.

  Every touch sent a chill of excitement down her spine, making it hard for Stacy to think, even as she resolved to not get too involved too quickly.

  Resisting anything Beau had to offer was hard, though, like the world’s most delicious food put right in front of you to have as much as you wanted.

  His hands wrapped around her sides gently, and she let her robe slide off as he pulled her closer to him, blue eyes glowing in the slightest hint of moonlight coming through the vaulted windows at the far end of the room.

  He kissed her more passionately than he ever had before, his hand cupping the back of her neck as his tongue slid inside her mouth, setting her entire body on fire and fillin
g her with want. With incredible deftness, he stroked inside, causing her to moan against him and hold on to him as her body went limp over him.

  But even as she went weak in the knees, Beau was there supporting her even as he pleasured her.

  He continued to kiss her ravenously, still showing restraint while he did. Even the slightest flick of his tongue made her shiver with anticipation.

  Once he ended the kiss, Stacy sat up, straddling Beau’s never-ending abs, the firmness of the muscles pressing against her in a pleasing way.

  He removed his soft, fitted tee shirt, and she gaped at the perfection in front of her. Then she helped herself to his hot body that had been put on display for her to see too many times without being able to touch it. Underneath her, Beau just smiled as his hands ran along her thighs and up her sides, catching on her nightshirt momentarily and caressing her skin directly, making her yearn to take off her shirt so he could touch her already wanting breasts.

  But she held back, instead letting the lioness in her purr as she surveyed the bounty that was Beau Hunt. So much muscle, so much man. Yet so giving, so caring. Somehow the combination almost seemed too good to be fair.

  Then she felt Beau’s hand cup the small of her back, and with one swift, smooth motion, he reversed their positions on the bed, straddling her. She could see the raw lust behind the careful control he had in his eyes, could see the animal in him ready to burst out, yet she didn’t feel scared he would ever do anything she didn’t want.

  “Hey, I was on top,” she said. But she liked her position. It felt vulnerable but safe.

  “You’ll have to get used to me switching things up if we’re going to keep doing this,” he said, the slightest quirk in his smile as he looked down at her, his taut legs at her sides and his hands planted on the bed.

  “Who said this wasn’t a one-time thing?” she protested even as her body melted beneath his touch. His scent was so delicious, fresh like endless grasslands mixed with something musky and heady and masculine.

  “I’ll leave that up to you. But after we’re done, I dare you to say this is only one time,” he replied, leaning closer to her, so close she could feel the heat of his breath over her skin as he whispered.

  She tried to come up with some retort but could only focus on the sensation of his tongue running up the side of her neck, followed by hot kisses that felt like fire on ice as he touched the cooling wet skin with his warm lips.

  Once again, his hands found her sides, this time lifting her shirt a little higher than before, making the skin spark with sensation. For a second, he stopped and came up a little, looking at her with waiting in his eyes, asking an unspoken question.

  Hell yes, her body screamed, her head nodding in response.

  He effortlessly pulled off her shirt, leaving her chest bare to him, and he growled in satisfaction as his mouth immediately came over one wanting breast. As he suckled over her nipple, making incredible heat pool lower in her body with each passing second, his other hand found the other breast. Without even looking, his thumb lazily trailed a soft circle around the outer edge, torturing it until it became a hard peak. Then in time with his mouth, he pressed into both nipples at the same time, his thumb on one and his tongue on the other. The sensation was so incredible her body arched against the plush sheets of his oversized bed, a ragged moan pulled from her lips.

  It was unlike anything she’d ever felt before. So electric, so beyond description. The logical part of her wanted to say it was just chemistry, just the fact that he was good-looking and an unstoppable pleaser.

  If nothing else, it was a good thing she was getting this out of her system.

  Even if what Beau had said earlier might have run a little bit true in terms of not being able to resist him.

  Beau switched, suckling on the other as he began to run his hand over her breast, still wet from his tongue. After a firm squeeze that sent another ache of desire lower in her, his hand trailed down her stomach, stopping for a second to caress her belly and then playing with the hem of her pants. A single finger slid beneath her panties along the line of her hips, making her more desperate for release with each passing moment.

  Again, he gazed at her with caution, not going further or faster than she wanted. But at this point, she couldn’t stop. She needed whatever he could give, would do anything for it now.

  Stacy nodded once more, and at her command, both pants and underwear were gently pulled off, baring her completely to Beau Hunt, international rock star.

  For a split second, she felt self-conscious about her generous body, despite his size. But the look in Beau’s eyes instantly quieted any worries. For a prolonged moment, his stare was fixed on her, surveying every inch of her body with a heated lust that made her squirm slightly in anticipation.

  Never before in her life had she been looked at like that. Like she was literally the most beautiful woman in the world. Wanted in a primal, protective way that made her feel safe and secure with him.

  “Damn, you’re more beautiful than the sun setting over the ocean. Or the first flower in spring. There’s nothing that could ever compare to you, Stacy,” Beau said, wonderment in his voice as he continued to take in the sight of her, even while his hands roved possessively over her curves.

  “Oh, that’s painfully cheesy. You say that to all the women you’ve been with?” she tested, feeling jealous over the possibility anyone else could have seen Beau like this, awestruck and overcome.

  “No, it’s the first time I’ve ever thought it, let alone said it,” he said, leaning over her and placing a soft kiss on her lips, his long hair hanging around his face like a golden mane.

  Somehow, seeing the cheesy romantic in him made her jealousy and worry instantly fade away. This truly was the real Beau Hunt. And in spite of what the news and tabloids and the entire world had to say, it was even better than the façade he put on for everyone else.

  “I’ve hoped for this moment since the first time I laid eyes on you back at the concert,” he whispered into her ear, making her sensitive skin tingle.

  “So what next?” she asked coyly, eager to see more of his possessive, wild side.

  “Stacy, you better hang on to something. You’re in for the ride of your life.”

  9

  Beau could feel his lion roar inside him, could feel the overwhelming need to protect and pleasure his mate surging through him like a bolt of lightning at the sight of this beautiful, naked woman.

  He didn’t care if it was fate or destiny or just sheer luck that had brought Stacy to him. But there was no mountain he wouldn’t climb or ocean he wouldn’t cross to be by her side.

  All he could do was show her just how much she meant to him and hope her own feelings caught up.

  In the meantime, he’d relish every second he could spend with his mate like this.

  For a minute, he explored her with his touch, his kisses. Anywhere that looked like it wanted his mouth. Which was everywhere. And each time he did, her body would respond to him. Curling into the sheets, writhing slightly, perhaps sighing or moaning.

  But as impossibly beautiful as she was, there was only one thing on his mind now.

  Gently, he spread her legs on the bed beneath him, her scent permeating the air. Desert wildflowers and spring blossoms, so intoxicating it was euphoric. As he lowered his mouth to the apex of her thighs, he could see his mate flush slightly in embarrassment. But behind that, he could feel her need, could sense her want and his own body’s overpowering desire to fulfill that need.

  With one long, slow motion, he licked up over her center, running his tongue directly over her clit. Immediately, Stacy writhed beneath him, her fingers grasping the sheets at her sides desperately.

  Her reaction was so strong he paused for a moment.

  “Don’t stop,” she begged, her dark hair splayed out on the sheets around her, her ponytail long ago freed from the band holding it.

  So perfect.

  This time, he held her hips with hi
s hands as he lowered himself once more to her center. He focused directly on her clit, using the tip of his tongue to draw small circles around it, then flicking upward against it with small motions that made her entire body rock with pleasure.

  No song or written word could describe how amazing it was experiencing it all with her.

  Stacy’s breathing quickly sped up, becoming hurried gasps as he moved into a metered rhythm with his tongue, licking against her, then waiting just long enough for her body to relax slightly, then moving again.

  In no time at all, Beau could feel her body near its limit. He knew they shouldn’t have sex tonight, even if she wanted it at this point. But that didn’t keep him from wanting to make sure he gave her something she’d never forget.

  He paused, keeping his head positioned directly over her, but not licking. Her hands ran through his thick hair, holding him, begging him for release, her body tightening more with each passing second. But he just waited, breathing warm air over her and sending her nearly into a frenzy with want.

  Then with one slow, long delicious lick, he sent her body over the edge. All at once, her hands gripped his hair more tightly, the pulling sensation arousing him more with the strength of her release. She screamed out his name loudly over and over as she convulsed with all-consuming pleasure. His hands held on to her hips as she came, riding out every second with her, cherishing it, remembering it forever.

  Even as she started to relax, Beau could still barely believe how incredible it was. But given how long everything had lasted, he figured it was probably a good time to turn in, before either of them did things that were out of bounds for the time being.

  But as he moved to get off of her and pull the sheets around them so they could spend the rest of the night cuddling, he felt Stacy’s hands rapidly dip behind his pajama pants and boxer shorts to hold his painfully hard dick.

  Before he could say a word, he looked down and saw her grinning deviously up at him, hunger still in her eyes as she began to touch and lightly stroke over his sensitive skin.