Page 17 of Mortal Guardian (Shadow Shifter)

“Yes, but you seemed resigned that...”

She kissed him, not wanting to focus on a future that didn’t exist. She wanted this moment for him. Her. Them. Her father had told her that some creatures lived an entire lifetime in a few seconds. She wanted that to be true. She needed it. Prayed for it. Anaisa had warned her of the ugly truth of the infected. If that destiny came to pass, she wanted this to be the Colton she remembered. The man she loved.

Her hands caressed his abdomen, feeling the muscles beneath tighten at her touch. She wanted to explore every inch of him. As his gaze roamed her body, she was sure he felt the same. “Focus on this moment. On us.”

His lips dropped to hers, gentle and coaxing. They were at odds with the steel cords that wrapped around her body. He held her locked to him. When she feared he would never let go, his hands slid down her sides before his teeth nipped at her neck. It sent lightning through her bloodstream. He massaged her buttocks as his lips caressed her neck. She clung to his large forearms; afraid she would fall if she let go. He slid his hand between her legs, caressing her inner thigh before rubbing against her damp heat. Each stroke fanned the flames that raced through her blood. She pushed against him, needing him to extinguish the fire. Or ignite it, she wasn’t sure.

Her arms circled his neck, trusting him to catch her if she fell. She parted her lips to allow his aggressive invasion of her mouth. She returned his fervor and more, clutching his neck, attempting to bring him closer, though her breasts already ached from pressing against him.

Colton’s hands traveled up her abdomen, caressing the toned surface before he splayed his fingers across her stomach. Branding her as his. “I waited so long for you. Prayed for you. Every time I touch you, I thank God you are real.”

Before she realized what he was doing, Colton dropped to his knees and hooked her leg over one shoulder. His tongue stabbed deep into her aching pussy, forcing her to clutch his shoulders for traction. She was thankful for the wall, even though it was hard against her back. When she thought she couldn’t take anymore he grabbed her ass, delving deeper into her slick channel. He devoured her, growling his pleasure as she hovered on a scream she would never allow.

The orgasm ripped through her body like a tidal wave. Fire. Excitement. Fear. Emotions she had never experienced, all cascaded over her in a rush of heat and wind. A moan of regret escaped her lips when he let her foot slip to the floor. He hooked her legs around his waist as his hard shaft nudged her entrance. She had a moment of fear, then tamped it down. She chose this. Nothing. No one, especially her fear would take this from her.

Colton was so thick. She bit her bottom lip to stop crying out as he inched inside her. Her slick flesh stretched slowly. Pain and pleasure made her gasp as her nails bit into his shoulders. He tipped up her head. She could feel the tension in his body. He kissed her before he set a slow pace. Each steady stroke set a fire inside her. While not her first time, it felt like it. This wasn’t lust. It wasn’t sex. It was ecstasy. She began to push back, forcing Colton to speed his pace to keep up.

He growled. “Dammit, Riley.”

She tilted her hips. She was flexible and used those limber muscles to her advantage, grinding down on him as he increased his tempo.

He gripped her hips so he could thrust harder. “Riley...”

She loved her name on his lips. The exasperation. That he wasn’t in control. She wasn’t either, but she would never admit it. The tsunami slammed her body with such ferocity; she gasped for breath. She came, clamping down on him so hard his claws pierced the wall. Thick gouges marred the wood when he released it.

They stood connected until their breathing calmed, then he slipped from her, and clothed them.

She ran her fingers along his chin. “How tired are you?”

Colton arched an eyebrow. “Honestly, I feel revitalized. Would you like to continue training?”

She realized that Anaisa’s warning had affected her when she couldn’t answer this question right away. She needed that training if she was going to find a way to collect blood from Deruthel, but she didn’t want to overexert Colton. His strength would wane, and she didn’t want to be the one to do it. “Are you sure you’re up for it?”

He kissed her temple. “It’s not a real fight, Riley. It won’t sap my strength.”

“Then yes. I would like to train.”

They took a quick pathway to the field that surrounded the tree house. Just after dusk, the insects were buzzing, and a bat flew overhead, extracting its dinner from the air. The night was beautiful, and so was the man she had chosen. He moved slowly, giving her a chance to block his attack. His patience ended when she overextended her reach and lost her balance. They worked on technique for over an hour before Colton backed away from her.

“Would you like to spar? I will not use my alpha,” Colton said.

Riley’s demon was bubbling with excitement. It enjoyed fighting. Training. The thrill of pitting one’s strength against another an instinctual high. “I think it’s pretty cool you can utilize the fledgling version of your warrior.”

“I have never thought of it as such, but I suppose that’s accurate. The alpha doesn’t emerge until the warrior is strong enough to contain it,” he said as his warrior emerged.

While Colton used his fledgling warrior form, it was still larger than Riley’s. Her warrior rose to take up the fight. It emerged, assessing its opponent with smoke whispering off her shoulders. Though Colton’s shadow was smaller than his alpha, it moved with the same grace and agility. Counteracting the quick lunges she made in his direction, leaving her frustrated when she was unable to connect a single blow.

A howl from a wolf in the forest had Colton’s eyes searching the tree line. She used the opportunity to duck down and kick at his ankle. Her attack propelled her forward, so when his knee came up it connected with her jaw and sent her to the ground hard.

“Shit! Riley, I’m sorry,” he said, rushing to her side.

She allowed him to help her to her feet. “That wasn’t your fault. It was mine.”

“I should have stepped back instead of forward,” Colton said.

“We’re sparring, it’s going to happen. I can’t tell you how many times I got knocked down when training in the ring. I’m fine. Let’s continue.”

They continued to practice several moves that incorporated her boxing and Tae Kwon Do skills. Colton was slow at first, giving her time to adjust to the new moves before they were actively sparring again. Punch. Block. Kick. Block. The series continued until she attempted to elbow him in the face. His forearm shot up to block her, but connected with hers. She groaned when her wrist cracked.

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