Hot Moon Rising Read online

  An Ellora’s Cave Romantica Publication

  www.ellorascave.com

  Hot Moon Rising

  ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

  Hot Moon Rising Copyright © 2009 Desiree Holt

  Edited by Helen Woodall.

  Cover art by Syneca.

  Electronic book Publication February 2009

  The terms Romantica® and Quickies® are registered trademarks of Ellora’s Cave Publishing.

  With the exception of quotes used in reviews, this book may not be reproduced or used in whole or in part by any means existing without written permission from the publisher, Ellora’s Cave Publishing, Inc.® 1056 Home Avenue, Akron OH 44310-3502.

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  This book is a work of fiction and any resemblance to persons, living or dead, or places, events or locales is purely coincidental. The characters are productions of the authors’ imagination and used fictitiously.

  Hot Moon Rising

  Desiree Holt

  Dedication

  To Karen, who introduced me to the wolf.

  Chapter One

  Charlie Aquino glided his car slowly to the curb, cut the engine and headlights, and rolled down his window. It was quiet in this little cul de sac where Derek and the rest of his group—er, pack—lived. He scanned the house that he drove by every night on his way home, after a long shift for the sheriff’s department. Just looking at the house, hoping for a glimpse of her, calmed him. Soothed all those frayed and jangled nerves.

  Sometimes a light would be on. Other times, like now, the little house would be completely dark.

  Was she outside, running? Alone or with her “friends”? He closed his eyes and Liane Cosa’s face swam before his eyes. High cheekbones, amber eyes and a silken waterfall of ash blonde hair. When she smiled at him, the bottom fell out of his heart.

  Jesus, Aquino. You’ve really lost your mind.

  But a year had made a lot of difference in his life. Twelve months ago he and Jesse Farrell had been working the gang task force for the sheriff. The most exotic things in their lives were the devious gang leaders who always lay in wait. And he’d never heard of a shapeshifter. Now his partner was married to one and he, for his sins, was falling helplessly in love with another one.

  The group of cottages lining the cul de sac were where Liane and her friends lived. Her pack, for they were all shifters like Liane. Alexa Farrell, Jesse’s wife, had worked out a deal with a developer she did graphic designs for. Derek and his group would provide security at the developer’s construction sites in return for nominal pay and free rent at cottages he hadn’t been able to sell anyway.

  At first the shifter thing had really freaked him out but now, a year later, it had become part of his life. Especially after he met Liane. And how weird was that, falling for a wolf? But like Alexa, Liane had an exotic quality about her that pulled at him and made his cock so hard every time he looked at her he was afraid it would break off.

  From the moment he met her at Jesse and Alexa’s place, he wanted her more than any other woman he’d ever met. He made it a point to run into her whenever he could. Buy her coffee. A drink, if he could coax her into it. Twice he’d actually talked her into dinner.

  But she was wary of him and he could understand why. Humans were suspect. Jesse and Alexa had worked out fine but Alexa had landed in Florida because of a disastrous experience with her previous human love. Charlie was sure Liane always had that in the back of her mind.

  Sometimes when he drove by she’d be outside in the warmth of a Florida evening, sitting on her porch swing. He’d stop, make his way to the porch and coax her into offering him a cold drink. Sitting next to her, the scent of her teasing his nostrils, her thigh so soft next to his, the fabric of her t-shirt outlining her full breasts, he had all he could do to keep from throwing her to the porch floor and taking her there.

  But Charlie Aquino had more class than that, he reminded himself. Except that lust was steadily winning out over class. He only knew if he didn’t get to fuck her pretty soon he’d self destruct.

  If the house was dark, like tonight, he always waited a while, staring at the copse of trees behind the cottages, hoping for a glimpse of her in wolf form. The first time he saw her it took his breath away—gorgeous, magnificent, silver coat shimmering. And the more he saw her as a wolf, the more he fell in love with her. Go figure.

  He slouched against the back of the seat, wondering where she’d gone to tonight. Was she out with one of the males in the pack? Shit. He never thought he’d be jealous of a wolf. Unconsciously he fingered the condom he’d been carrying in his pocket for weeks. Hoping for a chance—not just for sex because he’d come to realize that what he felt for her was a lot more than that. He wanted the chance to explore those feelings.

  And then he saw her, right at the edge of her yard, a magnificent silver wolf gleaming in the bright, full moonlight. And alone.

  She’d never let him get close to her when she was in her wolf form, no matter how many times he’d hinted at it. If she spotted his car cruising by, she raced into the trees behind the cottages. No matter how long he waited, she wouldn’t emerge. Yet here she was tonight, knowing full well he was sitting there hoping to catch a glimpse of her. And she hadn’t moved. Hadn’t cut and run.

  Very quietly he opened the car door, closing it behind him and walking toward her with slow, careful steps.

  Please don’t run. Please, please, stay where you are.

  As if she heard his silent prayer, she remained motionless, watching him. As he drew closer he could see the moon reflected in her warm amber eyes and he could have sworn she was smiling at him.

  He stopped about two feet away, not sure what to do next. Forcing himself to stay completely still, he breathed slowly even as his heartbeat ratcheted up. The next move was up to her.

  Finally, when the tension was thick enough to cut, she ambled slowly toward him, stopping directly in front of him and nudging his hand with her head. He slid his fingers through the magnificent silver coat that felt as soft as the finest silk. Electric thrills speared the length of his arm and shot through his body.

  She nudged at him again, then lowered her head and pressed her nose to his crotch. Her long, pink tongue snaked out and licked the length of his fly. Sweat broke out on his body as his cock leaped to life in response.

  He threaded both hands through her coat, holding her head, lifting it slightly so he could lock his gaze with hers.

  “I want you,” he said hoarsely. “You have no idea how badly I want to make love to you, Liane. Right now.”

  She shook her head and slipped from his grasp, backing up two steps.

  “No.” He reached out a hand. “Don’t run away from me. I know who and what you are and it’s fine with me. Look at Jesse and Alexa. They made it work.”

  Jesse and Alexa? Was his mind telling him he wanted the same kind of relationship with Liane? Holy shit! Was this what he’d been building up to? Could she handle that? Could he?

  “Stop,” he commanded, when she took another step backwards. “Please. You’ll never know what we could have if you don’t give it a chance.”

  He held his breath for what seem
ed an eternity. Then streaks of light shimmered in front of him, exploding into a cloud of stars. When they faded away Liane stood before him, completely naked, completely glorious. And thoroughly tempting.

  His cock was so hard it threatened to rip through the fabric of his jeans. He took a deep breath to steady himself, gain some measure of control and held out a hand to her.

  “You are so beautiful,” he breathed. “I have to touch you. Please.”

  One step at a time, her eyes reading his, she walked forward until she could touch his hand. He closed his fingers around hers and tugged her closer.

  “I see you every night,” she told him. “I thought for sure you’d get tired of it. Give up.”

  “You’re worth waiting for.” He looked down at her. “I’ve waited a long time for this, Liane. I want to kiss you. Is that all right?”

  He wanted to yank her into his arms but he didn’t want to frighten her, either.

  She tilted her head. “You don’t mind kissing a wolf?”

  “I’m kissing Liane,” he told her. “Whatever form you’re in.”

  She breathed a soft sigh and moved into the circle of his arms. Her skin was so soft beneath his hands it felt like spun silk, her lips the same. He tried to make the kiss gentle but one touch and heat consumed him like a flash fire. His tongue traced the seam of her lips and when she opened for him he thrust inside, ready to devour her.

  Who’s the wolf here?

  He tasted the inside of her lips, the edge of her teeth, the warm, wet cavern of her mouth. Sucking at her tongue, he pulled it into his own mouth, tangling with it, sure he’d never get enough of it. His hands came up to cup her cheeks, tilting her head this way and that to give him a better angle. The heat from the kiss lit up every nerve in his body, clear to his toes and his cock throbbed with anticipation.

  When he lifted his head to look at her, he lost himself in her eyes. Every shade of amber reflected in the moonlight but it was the mixture of hope and fear that really got to him.

  “I won’t hurt you,” he promised. “Ever.”

  “I’m afraid,” she said. “But I want you.”

  “You never have to be afraid of me. Not for any reason.”

  “There’s a heavy quilt on the back porch,” she said in a hesitant voice.

  Charlie cocked an eyebrow at her. “You don’t want to go inside?”

  She gave him a hesitant smile, watching him, judging him. “Wolves like to mate outdoors.”

  He knew she was testing him. Could he take her in human form knowing she was wolf? Okay, fine. Whatever she wanted. In seconds he had the quilt spread out on the grass, the moon lighting up the yard like a spotlight.

  Holding her gaze, watching her reactions, Charlie stripped off his t-shirt, then unzipped his jeans and kicked away both pants and boxers in one movement. His cock sprang free, throbbing with such intensity he was afraid things would be over before he got started.

  He took her hand again and knelt on the quilt, tugging her down with him. With his fingertips he caressed the line of her cheekbones and jaw, touched the pulse beating so hard at the hollow of her throat. When he lowered his hands to brush his fingers across her dark nipples she gasped and arched toward him. The nipples hardened beneath his touch like diamonds.

  Bending his head, he licked at them then briefly took each one into his mouth, sucked it and released it, flicking the tip with his tongue. He hated letting go of them but he wanted to explore every bit of her body. Then he’d go back and do her nipples justice.

  His hand continued its journey between the valley of her high, firm breasts, tracing the line of her rib cage, one fingertip twirling in the indentation of her navel. When he slid his hand lower and felt the softness of her public curls he couldn’t stop himself. He bent his head and trailed the tip of his tongue through them, tugging at them with his teeth.

  As his tongue foraged in the curls his hand caressed her inner thighs, his fingers tracing the line where hip and thigh joined, reveling in the silken feel of her, the pleasure of touching her. When he could hold back no longer, he nudged her thighs apart and traced the line of her slit with one shaking finger, terrified that at any moment he’d do something to turn her off and she’d leap away.

  But as he probed the dampness of her pussy lips a small sigh escaped her lips and her hips arched toward him. As his mouth continued to travel over the soft curls on her mound, his thumb found her clit and brushed back and forth. Immediately her cream bathed his fingers where they touched her cunt.

  Jesus! She was so responsive!

  Emboldened by her reaction, he moved his head until his lips closed over the peak of her clit and he slid one finger into the hot well of her vagina. He thought for sure her heat would burn his fingers. The harder he sucked on her clit, the wetter her cunt grew. She was tight, her inner muscles flexing against him as he added a second finger, then a third. When he began to move them rhythmically in and out of her, some part of her unlocked and she forced her hips higher, her head thrashing back and forth on the quilt.

  Impatient for the full taste of her, he pulled his fingers free, knelt between her thighs and opened the lips of her pussy. Inhaling her scent, he thrust his tongue inside, fucking her with it in the same motion he would soon use with his cock. With thumb and forefinger he lightly pinched her clit, tugging on it in cadence with the thrusts of his tongue in and out of her drenched cunt. When the walls of her cunt began to flutter and flex, he stabbed his tongue harder and further into her.

  She was moaning now, choppy little whimpers, her hands fisted in the quilt as her body urged him not to stop.

  Her climax crashed through her without warning, shaking her from head to toe. She cried out with her release and Charlie rode her through it, his tongue never leaving its place inside her, his thumb and forefinger never relinquishing the steady massage of her clit. He held on until the last tiny spasm died away and he felt the tension leave her body. Then he crawled up to cradle her in his arms, his hand stroking her face, his lips pressing lightly on hers.

  “Taste yourself on me,” he urged, licking her lips to make them open. “Do you like that? Does it arouse you?”

  She looked at him, her amber eyes glittering. “Yes.”

  Her own tongue came out, traced a path over his lips, then her mouth opened for his exploration. She hummed against him as their flavors blended and her hips rolled back and forth. One of her hands came up to stroke his back and a slim leg curled itself over one of his, pulling him closer against her.

  When he drew his head back, they were both panting for air. “You taste like every sweet treat in the world, Liane. I could drink from that little pussy of yours until there wasn’t a drop left, then I’d make you come again and start all over.”

  And lord knew, he wanted just that. None of the intense, highly erotic dreams he’d had of her had even come close to the reality and he hadn’t even fucked her yet. He was in danger of losing himself, falling into love as well as lust and he knew it. But somehow the difference between them no longer mattered. He was entranced by her in wolf form as he was in her human shape.

  “But I want to taste you too,” she protested, her hand drifting toward his groin and his aching erection.

  “If you do I’ll come too soon,” he argued. “I’m so hot for you I’m surprised I can still hold it together.”

  “Just let me put my lips around your cock for a minute,” she pleaded. “Let me touch your balls.”

  Holy shit! I’m gonna need every bit of self control I can find here.

  But he obligingly rolled onto his back and Liane sat up and looked at him. From timid and tentative she’d suddenly become bold and inquisitive. Without preamble she wrapped her small fingers around his cock, barely able to completely take the width. Bending her head, she swiped her tongue across the flared head, then prodded the slit with the tip of her tongue.

  Holy hell!

  His hips nearly came off the quilt and he threaded his fingers through the sil
ken fall of her hair to anchor himself. The lash of her tongue on his shaft was a feathery caress that sent hot and cold shivers racing up and down his spine. When the tip of her small tongue probed into the slit at the center of the head, he clutched harder at her head, more aroused than he’d ever been in his life.

  Finally, after her tongue teased and her fingers cradled his balls, working him into a frenzy, she opened her lips wide and took the length of him into her mouth.

  Chapter Two

  Liane had been so afraid at first. From the moment she met Charlie Aquino she felt a magnetic pull that she fought and resisted. She knew enough about the disastrous mating of human and wolf. Even though Alexa had found happiness with Jesse, Liane‘s first human relationship had nearly destroyed her.

  But just being near Charlie, talking to him, aroused her to the point where her nipples were always hard and her panties always wet. What frightened her the most wasn’t just the sex thing. She genuinely liked Charlie. Could see the two of them together. And when he’d peeled off his clothes tonight—oh, lordy. He’d taken her breath away.

  He was magnificent in his naked glory. Tall and rugged, with muscles as hard as her oak trees and thick hair on his chest as dark as the heavy mane on his head. He wore it long, just past his shoulders, as much because of personal preference as a need to blend in with the gangs he and Jesse were working to bring down. His cock looked enormous in the moonlight, rising majestically from the thick, dark nest of curls at his groin. She could drink in the sight of him forever.

  She’d thought long and hard before revealing herself to him in wolf form. Letting him see her shift had been a much bigger step. But he hadn’t run screaming back to his car. Now here they were, engaged in what promised to be the best sex she’d ever experienced in her life. What would happen after this? Once he thought about it in the light of day, would he be repulsed? Would he shun her?