Taken By Surprise Read online

  Besides, I can’t wait to play with my new hottie.

  He was definitely the strongest man she’d ever picked up.

  Zori giggled at the innuendo, grateful to finally see her building come into view. She breathed a sigh of relief as she descended. Her legs ached from carrying her heavy prize. She dropped him on her private penthouse terrace before landing. Her silvery feathers fluttered in the breeze as she stretched them wide. Carrying Greyson had taxed every muscle in her body, much to her annoyance. At least he would make it up to her. She pulled her wings in tight once more and whispered softly in the night, “Free of feather, free of claws, now a woman with none their flaws.”

  The wind seemed to echo the old magical chant as she was enveloped in a bright purple light. She kept her eyes on Greyson as her wings and talons disappeared in a cloud of shimmering violet dust. She would appear as a woman with the strength of her kind until she spoke the age old words again. Human males were much less skittish when she seduced them in a recognizable female form.

  She stepped towards him, wobbled for a second as she adjusted to the feel of walking without her heavy wings. Her bare feet made no sound as she went to Greyson still knocked out. Expending more energy than usual, she finally hoisted him over her shoulder and took him inside, grateful to be home. Every room was dark, but she required no light to see her way to the bedroom. With great care, she laid him on top of the crimson sheets and quickly secured his hands above his head with velvet rope. She left him in the dark and padded towards the delicious smells of her favourite foods wafting from the kitchen. Her sisters would scream at her if they knew the ridiculous amount of money she paid her butler to keep her home in order and prepare her meals whenever she wanted. Two tapered candles flickered on opposite ends of the marble island, casting a romantic glow over the sumptuous spread of smoked salmon, fresh bread, fruits and cheeses. There was even chocolate mousse for dessert.

  “Thank you, Robert.” Zori lifted a forkful of the seasoned fish and moaned with delight as she swallowed the flavourful bite. She tore off a piece of French bread, popped the flaky morsel in her mouth as she grabbed some red grapes. The juicy sweet fruit was a treat in itself and Zori smiled as she left the kitchen. She’d eaten enough to take the edge off, but right now…she craved sustenance of a different source.

  Chapter Two

  Ghostly shadows from the moonlight pouring in from the windows disappeared as she lit all of the candles around her bedroom. Greyson’s huge frame made her king-sized bed look so small. Zori’s eyes were drawn to the even rise and fall of Greyson’s chest in the flickering candlelight as she approached him. Her gaze moved over his strong jaw and the side of his face, checking for the bruises she expected to find from striking him. She was stunned to find nothing marring his handsome features.

  Strange.

  She didn’t dwell further on her odd discovery, unable to resist the need to get closer to him. The sound of her blood rushing through her veins filled her ears as she sat on the edge of the bed and ran one razor-sharp nail down the length of his immaculate dress shirt. The fabric gave way to reveal hard mahogany muscles beneath. She bent her head to place one kiss on his sculpted pec, but one kiss was not nearly enough for the fierce appetite fuelling her to flick her pink tongue across the taunt flesh. His body was perfection, male power and virility personified. She delighted in the feel of rock hard muscles beneath her hands as she studied his profile. “You really are gorgeous.”

  He didn’t respond as she leaned towards him and inhaled his cologne. The sexy scent intertwined with the natural essence of his skin intoxicated her senses.

  Maybe she wouldn’t have to hold back with this man. Maybe…

  She lifted her hands from his chest as he groaned. Her heart skipped a beat as his eyes flew open and his dark gaze connected with hers.

  “What the hell is this?” He never shifted his attention from her face as he yanked on the corded velvet binding his wrists.

  Zori laughed as she ripped the rest of the torn shirt from him and got up. She grinned at him as she deftly removed his shoes and pants. “Relax, now. I promise to give you much pleasure before the end.” She secured his ankles with more velvet rope on the elegant four-poster bed, enjoying the flood of adrenaline rushing through her. Desire coiled and unwound as her hungry gaze admired bulging biceps, ripped abs and huge thighs. He was in superb physical condition and she wanted him…couldn’t wait to have him.

  Greyson groaned and the deep guttural noise reminded her of a growl. She untied her halter top and let it fall to the ground as he watched. A natural exhibitionist, she delighted in his glowering appraisal and the feel of her nipples hardening as she came to his side. She climbed on the bed, straddled his legs and placed one hand on the bulging vee of his designer underwear. With a teasing touch, she stroked his thickening cock through the soft material.

  “Your wings were real.” He lifted his knees, testing her flawless knots of velvet rope again as she ripped his underwear free with her nails.

  “Yes, they were.” Zori moved between his legs, never taking her eyes off his impressive erection. She encircled the rigid length and smiled as he sucked in a breath.

  “What are you?” He lifted his head from the pillow to watch her fondle him.

  With a saucy wink, she leant down to place a lingering kiss on the thick ridged crown of flesh in her hand.

  “Tell me!” He yanked the binding velvet ropes with enough effort to shake the entire bed and the candles on her nightstand.

  His frustration and anger was better than any foreplay. Zori didn’t bother to answer as she took him into her mouth as far as her throat would permit. She barely noticed him falling back on the pillow as she tasted him. His cock filled her mouth as she stretched her lips to take more. It didn’t seem possible, but Zori was sure his erection swelled even more. Moisture pooled between her thighs as she imagined the feel of his warm hard length taking her. She couldn’t wait to ride him hard and fast. Bringing him to orgasm now would ensure her ultimate pleasure later. Her body heated in anticipation and she choked more than once as he began ramming his hips upwards in a steady rhythm. She squeezed her thighs together, teasing the slick flesh waiting to be filled and satisfied. The sound of his rapid breathing filled her sensitive ears as his fluid hip movements became erratic.

  “Vixen!” His gruff voice echoed within the bedroom as he climaxed.

  Zori moaned as she swallowed, looking up at him as each rhythmic jerk of his cock filled her mouth. She pulled away from him and slowly licked her lips. “You taste delicious.” She giggled as she stood up in the bed and shimmied out of her panties.

  Greyson’s fevered gaze dropped from her mouth to the bare cleft between her legs as she placed her feet on the outside of his hips. Zori knew he could see just how wet she was from his vantage point. Her pulse quickened under his slow appraisal of her entire body. Beauty was hers and she gloried in its effect on males and females. She was accustomed to men ignoring their strange precarious predicament as she disrobed and advanced on them. It amused her how easily the male ego could adjust to any scenario if sex was involved.

  She searched Greyson’s face for a hint of fear and found none. He knew she was something other than human and yet he studied her as she studied him beneath hooded eyelids with a surprising calm. For a split second, Zori felt uncomfortable. There was something in his posture, something lingering in his dark gaze, never seen on all of the bound lovers she’d enjoyed before.

  Confidence?

  Despite being taken against his will, tied up for her own pleasures, Greyson appeared unfazed…even slightly amused.

  Why?

  Her gaze travelled down the strong column of his neck and chest to the rising evidence of his arousal. “My, my, my…” Zori whispered in delighted wonder, her own body temperature spiked as she struggled to control her hunger for him. Most men needed at least half an hour for round two, unless they were taking something, which she always appreciated. She
considered asking him his secret as a million tiny flames leapt across her skin in reaction to his extraordinary display of male stamina.

  He wanted her as much as she wanted him.

  How could he not? she thought, her niggling concerns forgotten as she sank to her knees and slowly positioned herself until the tip of his cock was right at her wet entrance. “May I?” She always asked her bound lovers permission. Not one had ever denied her, but then again they didn’t really know what they were getting themselves into. This was her way of appeasing her guilt when one of them ended up injured or worse during sex.

  “Don’t stop now.”

  His gruff acquiescence was all the incentive she needed to sink down further. She moaned as the wide crown slipped into her silky slick heat. A tiny gasp of joy escaped from her lips as she slowly took him inch by glorious inch. She placed her hands on his chest and her hair brushed against his taunt stomach as she held his gaze. The heat in his eyes was as intense and warm as his thick shaft filling her. Zori shuddered, breathing deeply as ripples of pleasure swirled from her core throughout her body. It was almost too much to take in, especially with Greyson watching her every move. She broke eye contact, letting her head fall back as she settled fully on his cock. For a moment, she didn’t move, revelling in the erotic sensation of being completely and utterly filled. The sound of her little breathy pants filled the candlelit room.

  “What are you?” Greyson asked again.

  Zori lifted her head and blinked in surprise as she forced herself to focus on his question and not the exquisite feel of him deep inside her. Most guys were lost in their own satisfaction by now. She raised her chin and met his gaze through strands of raven hair. “I am a harpy.”

  Greyson lifted one eyebrow. “Harpies are supposed to be hideous.” He pulled against his restraints and her gaze shifted to his huge biceps as he studied her.

  Zori laughed as she moved her hips. “Some are.” Her taunting giggle turned into a soft sigh of ecstasy as she bounced on his lap a little faster. She wanted to savour every single stroke, every sensation of pleasure. A tiny cry escaped from her lips as he thrust his hips up to meet her downward slide and she was pleased to see his sharp appraisal wane. Zori rubbed her hands across the dark curls of his chest hair and down over the ridges of muscles in his abdomen. She loved the feel of his strong body beneath her palms as she undulated on top of him. Her fingers brushed across a circle of raised flesh beneath his nipple and she explored the ring of skin beneath her fingertips.

  A tattoo?

  Her rhythmic movements slowed to a stop. She had to see the ink. Tattoos among supernatural beings often revealed personal secrets, triumphs or tragedy. Humans had copied the art form with little appreciation of the history involved. She leant forward for a better look at the black ink in the soft candlelight as Greyson thrust his hips upwards again. Zori moaned as she rubbed his tattoo, almost distracted by the fissions of pleasure ricocheting through her body.

  “Do you like tattoos, Zori?” He grinned at her as she trembled.

  His voice seemed deeper now than when they’d first spoken at the nightclub.

  “Depends.” She tore her eyes away from his to study the tat, trying to ignore the sinfully sweet friction steadily building as he subtly thrust his cock within her.

  The moon.

  It was a tattoo of the full moon…and…and in the centre was a huge paw print. A wolf print!

  Zori froze, gasping in horror as Greyson began to laugh. She stared in shock as he broke free of the knotted velvet ropes binding his wrists as if they were made of paper. “You’re a were!”

  “Beautiful and smart,” he said as he grabbed her by the waist.

  She yelped, flinching at the sound of the velvet ropes ripping free around his ankles.

  He gave her no time to react, rolling them over so she was beneath him. Real fear curled through her belly at the hungry look now directed at her. Of all the supernatural creatures to encounter it was the weres she feared the most. They were known for their ruthlessness, insatiable appetites and the ability to change at will.

  “When’s the last time you were taken by surprise?”

  Zori was speechless, stunned into momentary silence as she stared up at him. Her heart raced at the hard, predatory glint now in his beautiful brown eyes. She heard a wild shriek piercing through her fog of disbelief and realised it was her own voice as all the glass in her French doors shattered.

  How could this be happening?

  Pure instinct took over. Zori raised her hands to cut him with her nails, but he caught her wrists easily and pinned them above her head with one hand.

  “Relax, now. I promise to give you much pleasure before the end,” he whispered in her ear as he began thrusting into her.

  She let out another cry as he rammed into her over and over again without mercy. The force of his strokes shook the bed as the cold wind coming in through the shattered doors whipped around their sweaty bodies. Despite her terror, she welcomed his savage lust and lifted her legs higher. Her wanton whimpers echoed the skin slapping on skin sound filling her ears. She had no control. There was only the crescendo of bliss Greyson was orchestrating with each punishing stroke as he took her faster and faster. The sturdy bed creaked in protest to his passion, slamming into the wall in a rapid staccato beat. His rough groans seemed to change to hoarse grunts against her ear as she came closer to the edge. No man had ever taken her this way. This was the first time she’d ever lost control.

  I’ve been missing out.

  The inane thought popped into her head as she surrendered to the first wave of orgasmic tremors rippling through her. She cried out as her eyelids fluttered closed, unable to stop her head from thrashing from side to side against her raised arms. Her wild cry seemed to spur his furious pace and Zori screamed as the pinnacle of her climax took her to new unimagined heights. She opened her eyes as Greyson let loose a ferocious howl and the wind seemed to carry the sound into the night as he came.

  The heat of his release pulsed inside her body as his movements slowed. She watched him beneath hooded eyelids as she wet her lips and tried to slow her ragged breathing.

  “So perfect…” Greyson muttered as he released her wrists. “Didn’t I promise you pleasure before the end?”

  Zori shivered as he sucked on her earlobe.

  Was this the end?

  Her heart pounded in her chest as she looked up at him, not even attempting to flee or fight. “Please.” The soft plea went against her nature and sounded foreign in her ears. She trembled as a drop of sweat from his brow fell between her breasts. Her thigh muscles burned in the submissive position so unfamiliar to her as she waited for him to make his next move.

  His face lowered to hers and she held her breath. She never imagined the end would come by accidently bringing a werewolf into her bed. He lowered his dark head and Zori opened her mouth to scream, but he covered her mouth with his own. His kiss was so soft, so sensual, so full of tenderness her heart skipped a beat. She was breathless when it ended and confused.

  A kiss between lovers.

  Except they weren’t really lovers, they weren’t even friends.

  Zori watched as Greyson licked his lips, dumbstruck by her untenable position.

  “You taste delicious.”

  She stared into the mesmerising depths of his eyes and wondered how she could still think her killer was handsome as he pulled from her wet warmth. Zori released a shaky breath as he hovered over her.

  “In fact you taste like more.”

  She blinked at the flash of brilliant sharp white teeth as his sensual mouth curved into a wicked smile. His head descended once more and Zori briefly thought of her sisters as she braced herself for pain. They would never know what happened to her. Frozen in shock, she remained still as his warm tongue traced a line up the column of her neck. His teeth grazed her skin and she expelled a deep breath she hadn’t realised she was holding as he nipped the base of her throat. She bit the inside o
f her cheek as his teeth grazed the sensitive skin with stinging pressure, but not real pain.

  Why hadn’t he killed her?

  “Do you always play with your food?” Her voice was stronger than she felt with his warm lips pressed against her rapidly beating pulse. She frowned as Greyson lifted his mouth from her neck and laughed. This was the moment to escape…except she was still pinned beneath his massive weight with her legs entangled with his. Her nails tore through the silky sheets and she wondered why she didn’t just rip his face to shreds with her free hands as the deep rumbling tones of his laughter seeped into her bones.

  “Food?”

  She glared at him. “Yes.”

  “Weres don’t consume human flesh…not usually. We must be provoked to kill and devour.”

  Zori wondered if slugging him twice and kicking him in the balls counted as provocation for murder.

  He shifted his body to the side of her and Zori trembled. The soaked tender flesh between her legs throbbed as his still hard cock slipped from her body. Moving away was an impossibility with his heavy leg cast over hers. She forced herself to remain still as he lifted up on his forearm, rested his head on his shoulder and looked down at her.

  A nanosecond bled into thirty seconds…one minute—

  “I’m not going to hurt you.”

  “No?”

  “Do you think I would’ve allowed you to bring me here just to harm you? I could’ve done that back in the alley…easily.”

  Zori swallowed hard, her cheeks burning at his galling arrogance.

  “No, Zori, I don’t want to kill you. I want to love you like this over and over again.”

  His gruff words struck her with the force of a lightning bolt. She’d never stayed with any man longer than a few hours. The very idea was unnerving. Harpies lived alone and loved only the thrill of the hunt. That was the way it was…the way it was supposed to be.