Fire Maidens: Venice Read online

  Tony stared. Since when was his gruff, tough grandfather such a romantic?

  “When you look back on your life, it’s not work you treasure most. It’s love.” Arturo prodded him. “All that fighting you’ve done, here and abroad. What is it all for?”

  Tony’s throat went dry. Sometimes, he wasn’t sure.

  His grandfather leaned closer. “That question never arises when I think about your grandmother. So don’t waste time, my boy.”

  Tony’s heart thumped, but he remained rooted in place, caged by a lifetime of suppressing his own desires.

  “Don’t waste a minute. Go.” His grandfather motioned to the fields.

  Finally, Tony stood. Or rather, shot to his feet. Within a few hurried steps, he was at the guesthouse and stripping out of his clothes. Then he executed the fastest shift of his life and trotted into the fields.

  His grandfather’s lilting laugh accompanied him, and his aged voice sounded in Tony’s mind.

  Don’t waste a minute, my boy.

  * * *

  Tony had tracked dozens — maybe even hundreds — of targets over the years. But his heart pounded like never before, and his whiskers twitched. The earth was cool under his paws, making him feel powerful and free. He crept through the undergrowth, following Cara’s scent. In human form, she smelled of fresh air and the open sea. That carried over to lion form and mixed with a decidedly feline scent.

  Feline and feminine. His lion lashed its tail.

  He ducked under a branch and sniffed at the soft, rich earth. Faint paw tracks appeared here and there, and he pictured Cara stopping to rub against a tree. He brushed up against the same tree, covering her scent with his, then sniffed the results with satisfaction.

  Our scents, mixed together, his lion growled. Forever.

  Then he shook his mane and pawed the ground. Marking a tree was one thing. Having Cara accept him as her mate, lover, life partner… That was another.

  He trotted onward, grateful for the open space. Most of Mazzorbetto was covered in fields and vineyards, and its handful of residents stuck to their homes after dark.

  Then he swung his head north. Cara was headed for one of his favorite places on the island — the ruins of a fortress built in the 1800s. Occasionally, scout groups camped on the old parade grounds, but most of the time, the abandoned fortifications and grassy lawn were his to wander. At least, they had been, a decade ago. How much had things changed?

  Picking up his pace, he leaped smoothly over a narrow canal. Cara’s scent was fresher there, and he sped up, tingling with excitement. Moments later, he barged out onto the lawn surrounding the fort and looked around.

  No scouts, and no recent visitors, as his nose informed him. But no Cara, either. Where was she?

  A long row of archways formed the inner perimeter of the fort, and he crouched when a shadow flickered in one.

  Cara, his lion breathed.

  He turned his head slowly, following the movement. She had just slipped out of sight in one archway, so she ought to appear at the next momentarily. But there was no sound, no new shadow. Only the sound of waves lapping gently at the shore, just out of sight.

  He stepped forward, keeping low. Had he been imagining things?

  He crossed the open lawn then pressed against the cool stone of the fort and sniffed.

  Cara? he wanted to call.

  The hair on the back of his neck stood. Where was she? Had it been someone else? An enemy, perhaps?

  He lashed his tail slowly, studying the shadows. Then he jerked his head up. Something — no, someone — was leaping at him from above. He rolled clear, then jumped to his feet and showed his fangs. Whoever that was would be sorry when—

  He pulled up short, staring.

  Gotcha, the lioness before him purred.

  Cara?

  Her pelt was a shade lighter than her human hair, but the two-toned eyes were the same.

  She gave her tail a saucy flick. You weren’t trying to sneak up on me, were you?

  Her words came out in lion talk — a low, grumbly series of mutters any feline could understand.

  Of course not. He started circling her, grinning. But suppose I was…

  She turned as he circled, keeping an eye on him. Then I might have to teach you a lesson about sneaking up on women at night.

  His blood rushed. I’d love to learn. Though, I have to say, I only sneak up on women who can kick ass.

  Her eyes sparkled. And are there many of those?

  His reply was a low, throaty growl. Just one.

  My one. My only, his lion crooned to his human side.

  Cara cocked her head. And here I was thinking the military was full of women like that.

  He shook his head. Not the Foreign Legion. But there was an amazing woman in a Special Forces unit we once worked with…

  Cara’s eyes darkened, and he laughed.

  Gotcha. He stepped closer. Yes, lots of kick-ass women in the military, but none like you.

  None that had ever tempted him the way Cara did. None who’d kept him up at night, imagining a future he’d never considered before.

  Only you, he nearly whispered.

  But there was no time, because she’d chosen that off-guard moment to lunge. He reared up on his back legs, fending her off.

  Cara landed in one smooth movement and faked right, then darted toward the left, nipping at him. They tussled, claws carefully sheathed, limbs intertwined.

  You’re good, he rumbled when they broke apart and circled, looking for another opening.

  She chuckled. You’re not too bad yourself, soldier.

  Then she pounced again, and they rolled over the ground. Too bad instinct made Tony leap to his feet a moment later, because something that fun was a shame to end. He settled for butting her instead — not too hard, not too gently, but somewhere in between. A good move, because they went from tussling to winding around each other in long, lingering strokes.

  First, he brushed along her right side. Then he ducked under her tail and rubbed along the full length of her left side. Next, he raised his chin, rubbing his mane over her neck.

  Mmm, his lion rumbled in sheer pleasure.

  Nice, her higher purr agreed.

  Tony fluffed his mane, marking her more thoroughly with every pass. As he did, Cara drew the nape of her neck under his, marking him back.

  If Tony weren’t so lost in a sensual haze, he would have done a happy dance. His grandfather had been right. You like her, and she likes you.

  She likes me, he wanted to roar into the night. Finally, she’s not holding back.

  No, she didn’t — not when it came to nuzzling him or humming her pleasure aloud. Nor did she move away when their hindquarters bumped.

  She wants what we want, his lion howled. Burning for more, like us.

  The tangy scent of lust tinged the air as they continued their sensual dance. Step by step, they tangoed toward the well in the center of the lawn.

  Interesting. What’s this? Cara heaved her front quarters up and rested her paws on the upper edge of the well. Most of the well was enclosed by a sturdy wooden panel to keep young campers safe, but there was a narrow opening just big enough to peek down through.

  Tony burned to rear up behind her, align his body with hers, and let the real fun begin. Instead, he leashed his animal desires — barely — and leaned beside her.

  Make a wish, she whispered, closing her eyes.

  Tony held his breath. Did hers match his?

  He peeked out of the corner of his eye as Cara took a deep breath — the kind you drew before taking a calculated risk. Then she turned and looked at him with glowing eyes. A moment later, she dipped her head and went back to nuzzling him. The longer they nuzzled, the closer they came, until he was sure they were skin-to-skin. Which had to be an illusion, given the thickness of his mane.

  When he blinked and opened his eyes, he realized why. They’d both shifted to human form, though they continued nuzzling. As they did, he peeke
d down, marveling at her smooth, creamy skin.

  “I know what my wish is,” she whispered.

  He stood very, very still.

  “This,” she murmured, sliding her hands from his shoulders to his rear. “You.” She pressed her hips against his stiff cock. “Us.” She nuzzled his ear.

  For the briefest of moments, he stood dumbly, because how exactly did a guy react to a wish come true?

  Like this, his lion growled, spurring him into action.

  In one smooth move, he lifted Cara, placed her on the thick well cap, and nestled into place between her legs.

  Her eyes glowed with desire as she slowly lay back. “Funny, I was thinking the same thing.”

  Chapter Fifteen

  The wooden well cover was smooth and cold against Cara’s bare skin, but all she felt was heat. From the moment she’d sensed Tony prowling through the darkness, small, sensual flames had flickered through her body. Now, she was burning with desire — desire that had built up over days.

  All yours, her lioness hummed as she lay back, surrendering to him.

  And, whoa — that was a first, because surrender wasn’t her style.

  All mine, Tony’s glowing eyes said as he pressed closer.

  She half expected him to dive in and feast. And frankly, that would have been fine with her. But he leaned in, turned his cheek, and picked up where he’d left off nuzzling, like it was absolutely, positively critical that he finish the job and finish it well.

  And, whew. That boded well for anything else they decided to get up to that night.

  His mane had disappeared with his shift to human form, but his jaw was still coarse and stubbly, scrubbing her belly pink.

  Her breath turned to pants as he inched higher, teasing the sensitive skin of her breasts. Then he rolled his lips around her nipple, making her arch. The motion brought them closer, and his cock pressed against her core.

  Her lips moved, though she held back the words. Love you… Need you… Want you. Desperately.

  But it was too early for that, right?

  Her lioness snorted. It was like her older relatives said. When you know, you know.

  Except her sister had said that, too, and instead of a lifetime of love and happiness, she’d sunken into a quagmire of pain and despair. If it weren’t for the brothers and cousins who’d finally chased that jerk off, who knew where Ellen would be now?

  Tony isn’t that guy. You know he isn’t, her lioness chided.

  The proof was in his eyes — the way they checked in with her, making sure she was okay with his touch.

  Plus, she wasn’t her sister, who’d been blinded by love. Cara had been cautious about Tony — and her own feelings — from day one. Now, she was ready to trust.

  “Let me guess,” she joked as he nibbled his way along her collarbone. “This is where you bring all the girls.”

  “You’re the one who brought me here,” he pointed out.

  She chuckled. Well, yes. Yes, she had.

  “Besides, there aren’t ‘all the girls.’ Never were, never will be.”

  He didn’t actually finish with, Just you, but his blazing eyes made that part clear.

  Her heart skipped. The man was so honest, so sincere.

  And just like that, she was ready to go for it all. Lying back again, she bent her knees and rested her heels on the edge of the well. That lined up her core with Tony’s waist.

  Purrfect, her lioness hummed.

  She drew his face to hers for a deep kiss. His lips were pillow-soft, his hands strong and firm. Before she realized it, she’d dropped her knees wide, opening herself fully to his touch.

  When Tony glanced down, his eyes flared with heat. Then they bounced back to hers, checking in with a last, Are you sure? look.

  Her laugh came out a cackle. How much surer could she be?

  Tony’s cheeky grin was enough to give her an orgasm, but when he dipped down and put his tongue to work…

  “Oh!” Cara writhed, swinging her head from side to side. How was it possible to lose control so quickly? And when had losing control ever felt so good?

  She threaded her fingers through his dark, thick hair, moaning like a cat in heat.

  “More…”

  Tony put his fingers to work, circling around gently.

  “Yes…” she panted. “Deeper…”

  The words were barely out of her mouth when he responded, driving her wild.

  Somehow, she hung on for another minute, determined not to come too soon. Then Tony paused, muttered something, and reared back. She looked up in protest, then realized there was no need. Not with him pulling her closer, gripping her hips hard, and—

  When he slid in, she rolled her head back. And when he started pumping inside her, she gripped the edge of the wooden platform for support. Because, wow. All that power, moving over her. With her. In her…

  So good, her lioness hummed.

  After a few moments of sheer, burning bliss, she pulled herself together — at least, as much as a woman in the throes of ecstasy could. Was Tony enjoying it as much as she?

  Her inner lion grinned. He feels it too. Believe me.

  The proof lay in the slight tilt of his head, the hazy sheen of his eyes, and the hard thrusts of his hips.

  Still, a girl could get greedy, even at times like that. She raised one leg, then the other. Having her knees clamped around his sides helped. But if she got her legs up on his shoulders, the angle would be—

  Her vision went white, and she cried out on his next thrust.

  Perfect, her lion filled in.

  Perfect wasn’t the word because, hell. She hadn’t even known that G-spot existed until now. She soared through his next few thrusts, then locked her eyes on his.

  Tony gripped her hips even more tightly, and his intent expression asked, Ready?

  She thought she was, but his next few pumps had her searching for a new definition of ecstasy. When his rhythm grew jerky and his breaths short, she braced herself. And when he came with one last, powerful thrust, then groaned, holding her close…

  She cried out, coming hard.

  They spent a long time locked in that position, hanging on to an indescribable high. Heat oozed through her veins, and her body tingled in glee.

  Eventually, Tony slumped over her, and she lowered her legs. A pity, really, because there was something wickedly satisfying about striking such a brazen pose.

  She grinned to herself. Maybe she should do that more often.

  Her lioness growled. Definitely need to do this more often.

  The sparkle in Tony’s eyes said he agreed.

  He placed his elbows on either side of her body, lowered his head to her chest, and rested there, panting.

  She threaded her fingers through his sweat-dampened hair, holding him close. Stars sparkled in the sky, and crickets chirped all around. Had they done that all along, or were they just chiming in now that she wasn’t making so much noise? And the stars — was it her imagination, or were they brighter than usual?

  Brighter, she decided. And more sparkly than she’d ever noticed before.

  Then again, that might have had something to do with Tony kissing her. Or with the fact that the longer they kissed, the harder Tony became. Her grip on his shoulders grew tighter, and she ran a leg along his side, growing hungry all over again.

  “Hang on,” she whispered, sitting up.

  Tony went still, his expression confused.

  She laughed. “Not ‘hang on,’ as in stop. ‘Hang on,’ as in…” She slid to her feet, letting her body brush against his. Then she guided him in a half circle and nudged him back, putting his rear against the cover of the well. “Your turn.”

  His lips curled. “You think this thing will hold me?”

  She rapped her knuckles against the thick wood and grinned. “It will. Or is there somewhere else you have to be right now?”

  “Nowhere in the world I’d rather be.”

  She shuffled closer, kissing him lo
ng and hard enough to make her nipples peak. Then she nudged him back. “Ready or not, here I come.”

  Slowly, he lay back the way she had before. With one important difference, given that unmistakable erection waiting for her.

  She licked her lips, then slid her hands over his legs, toying with him the way he’d played with her. Not for long, though. Moments later, she rolled her lips over him and puffed.

  Every muscle in Tony’s body hardened — a hell of a lot of muscle, each hard as steel. Her blood rushed with a sense of power as she slid slowly up and down, making him groan.

  “Don’t stop,” he rasped when she came up for a breath.

  She grinned. No way was she stopping. Just wetting her lips. Oh, and letting her hair tickle his thighs a little. After all, anticipation was half the fun.

  Not that she held out long. Soon, she was rolling her lips around the velvety tip… Drawing her tongue along his full length… Pumping with one hand, then using her mouth again.

  Sounds of muffled ecstasy escaped Tony’s lips, and his hands trembled as they cupped her head. He was close. Very close.

  He’s not the only one, her lioness panted.

  Without releasing her hold on him, she turned and peeked up at the wrought-iron frame that arched over the well like a crown. Once upon a time, that structure had supported a pulley that helped soldiers draw buckets of water from the well. Now…

  She grinned, picturing a new way to make good use of it.

  First, though, she pleasured her lover a little longer, taking him even deeper than before. Then she bobbed, moving over him in sensual little thrusts that echoed his earlier movements. Then she slid back, releasing him with a wet pop.

  Tony’s hands were tightly fisted, and his breath came in staccato pants. His eyes burned with a sensual glow that begged for more.

  Oh, more was coming, she promised with a sultry smile.

  When she reached up to grip the iron frame overhead, Tony blinked in confusion. And when she climbed up over him, his eyes went wide. But when she sank down, straddling him…

  He grinned, gripped her hips, and thrust up.

  Cara gasped, sliding her hips until she found the perfect spot. Within seconds, she was riding him hard and fast. Cowgirl position wasn’t new to her, but damn — doing it four feet off the ground on a platform barely big enough to hold them both felt like…like doing it on an altar. A little precarious, a lot naughty. But this was an outdoor well and not a church, so why be shy?