Michel/Striker by Alexandra Ivy, Laura Wright Read Free Book Online Page B

weakness.”
    “No,” she breathed, her hand automatically lifting so she could chew her nail. “They represent your strength.”
    “Just as yours represent the miracle of life.” He grabbed her hand, pulling it to his lips. Her grandmother had made her feel as if her life represented failure. He intended to make her realize it was a triumph. “You survived, Chelsea. That should be celebrated.”
    She released a slow, shaken breath, her heart thundering loud enough for him to pick up the rapid beat.
    “You confuse me,” she whispered.
    Releasing her hand, he tugged his sweatshirt over his head and tossed it aside. “The feeling is mutual,” he assured her, a smile curving his lips as her gaze took in his bare chest, lingering on his puma tattoo.
    She licked her lips.
    Was she thinking about tasting him?
    Hell, he hoped so.
    “Then why are you doing this?” she demanded.
    “This?”
    Without warning, Michel leaned down to scoop her off her feet. He’d been achingly aware of the nearby bed from the moment they’d entered the room. Now he intended to make full use of it.
    “Michel,” she breathed in shock. But she made no effort to escape.
    Thank the Goddess. She was stronger than a normal human, but he was still far more powerful. If she even hinted that she was uncomfortable with his touch he would have to back away.
    And he didn’t want to back away.
    “Christ, I like to hear you say my name,” he murmured, his gaze locked on her face as he watched every emotion flick over her delicate features.
    Wariness. Excitement. And a hunger that matched his own.
    “Tell me why.”
    He gently laid her in the center of the mattress. “I’m doing this because if I don’t have you soon I think I’m going to combust,” he said with a simple honesty.
    Slowly her gaze swept over his body, lingering on his cock that hardened at the scent of her arousal that whispered through the air.
    Autumn spice. His mouth watered for a taste.
    “You can do more than look, Dr. Young,” he breathed, lowering himself to stretch beside her, his cat preening beneath her heated gaze. “You can touch.”
    Her lips twitched with a hint of amusement. “How generous.”
    “Well, I’m a generous kind of cat.” He shocked himself by teasing. He wasn’t a playful cat. Or at least he’d never been before tonight. But with this female… Holding her gaze, he reached for her hand to press it against his aching dick. “Feel what you do to me.”
    “Michel.”
    She hesitated, then perhaps reading the fierce need in his eyes, she gently allowed her fingers to curl around his cock. He sucked in a sharp breath as she skimmed up to trace the broad tip. Holy shit. His balls were already tight, his seed poised to explode.
    He was threatening to come just from her light touch.
    A slow smile curved her lips as she studied his rigid features and the bead of sweat that trickled down his bare chest. The beautiful tease was clearly enjoying his torment.
    He shuddered, sitting up to swiftly rid her of her clothing. If they’d been in the Wildlands he would have simply exposed his claws and shredded them away. Now he cursed every second that was wasted wiggling her out of her jeans and sweater.
    Once he had her naked, he paused long enough to admire her slender form. Christ. Her hair was a cascade of fire as it trailed over the pillow, her eyes shimmering like pale emeralds, her body drenched silver in the moonlight.
    Exquisite.
    Unable to resist temptation, he reached to trail his fingers over her wide brow and down the slender length of her nose.
    “I know I’m rushing you,” he admitted in rough tones. “But I’ve waited too long to have you.” He released a shaken sigh, his fingers moving to deliberately brush over the scars that roughened her cheek. “It’s killing me.”
    She stiffened, but thankfully didn’t pull away from his tender caress. Michel felt a fierce surge of pleasure. He was honored by her trust. He, better than anyone,