Silken Inferno Read online

  Allure resisted touching herself where she ached for him to take her. Instead she glanced to her left at the mirror across the room then touched at the corner of her eye. Again, she was startled by how she looked. Although she’d known they had changed, actually seeing her hazel-green colour with the violet streaks of Vaughn’s eye tone was still strange. It would take some getting used to but it was worth it.

  She focused on Vaughn who now stood before her. He raised her face, then kissed her tenderly. Allure rested against him enjoying the sensation of rightness filling her. Vaughn cupped her ass, pulling her firmly against him, before rubbing against her. She moaned, then reluctantly drew back.

  “Come on. Eat.” She pushed him towards the table. Vaughn went, snagging the glasses of juice she had already poured.

  Allure followed with the plates of food. She put them down, then got the syrup, slivers of almonds, strawberries and butter. Allure went back to the table. She put down what she held, frowning as she noticed Vaughn had somehow made her plate disappear.

  “Hey. Give me back my food,” Allure said.

  “Let’s share.” Vaughn tugged her into his lap.

  “You could have just asked,” Allure pointed out.

  “What fun would that be?” Vaughn poured syrup over the pancakes, then butter, strawberries and sprinkled some almonds over them.

  “You don’t like almonds,” she said.

  “I developed a fondness for them,” he replied, cutting a piece of pancake.

  He raised it to her lips. Allure took the offering, chewing, then humming. Vaughn kissed her thoroughly. Allure moaned. He licked along her lips, then smiled.

  “Yummy.” Vaughn winked.

  Allure laughed. This playful side of Vaughn was intoxicating. She hadn’t seen it in a long time. He fed her and himself the food. They quickly finished the breakfast and juice. Allure leant back against his chest in the breakfast nook, watching the sunrise. She turned to look at Vaughn. The sun cast his skin in a glow.

  “I lo—”

  Vaughn stood abruptly, setting her on her feet. Allure frowned, unbalanced.

  “I’ve got to get ready for work.” Vaughn left the room quickly.

  Allure gaped at the empty doorway. She bit her lip. Why won’t he listen to me tell him how I feel?

  “Maybe he needs some time. He gave you time, so give it to him.” She’d give Vaughn time to get used to her caring about him, then give him the words.

  She put the dishes in the dishwasher. Allure walked up the steps, then into the spacious bedroom. She paused at the door of the bathroom, watching Vaughn as he cleaned up. She stripped off his shirt she wore, then went over to the glass shower door. Opening it, she put her hands against either side of the glass.

  “Room for one more?”

  “Always, Allure.” Vaughn’s lips quirked into a grin.

  He pulled her into the shower with him, kissing her hungrily. Allure hugged him tightly.

  Later as she towelled off, Allure said, “Maybe now that damn itch between my shoulders will stop.”

  Vaughn laughed. Allure turned to face him, putting her hands on her hips.

  “I don’t think it’s funny. Ever since you came back, I’ve had this itch between my shoulder blades. It’s aggravating.”

  Vaughn strolled naked over to her. The predatory control in his gait made her pussy clench. Allure licked her lips. Vaughn turned her back to the mirror. He reached behind her. Allure inhaled the clean scent of man. Vaughn handed her a large hand mirror. Allure glanced at it, then him, confused. He held her hand moving the mirror up.

  “Look.”

  Allure did as he’d bidden. Her eyes widened as she spotted a tattoo spread from between her shoulder blades, then across her shoulders. It hadn’t been there before. It was a swirling pattern, almost like hieroglyphics.

  “Is this what you meant when you asked me to take your mark?” Allure pursed her lips.

  “Sort of. It was already there beneath the skin. You couldn’t see it, but felt it when I was near. It’s my name in my language. This is your name intertwined with it. That’s why I asked you to take my mark. So I could meld the two.” He ran his fingers along the tattoo, pointing out his name, then hers.

  Allure shivered, moaning. The tattoo lit up, violet for his name while the hazel of her name interwove with his into a beautiful pattern. Once he stopped touching it, it went back to just a swirling pattern on her skin.

  “When you said mark, I didn’t know you meant literally. I don’t know how I feel about that,” Allure teased, studying it.

  “If you don’t want it, there are ways to get rid of it,” Vaughn said abruptly.

  He stepped back then strode out of the room. Allure frowned, setting the mirror on the counter, and followed him.

  “Hey, I didn’t mean it like that,” she said.

  Vaughn continued to dress, his back to her. Allure walked up to him and touched the tattoo, identical to her own, between his shoulder blades. Vaughn shivered, then jerked away. Allure grabbed his arm, turning him to her.

  “I was serious last night. If you would only believe me…” Allure said.

  She cupped his cheek. Vaughn studied her silently.

  “I do believe you,” he said.

  “I l—”

  He kissed her, cutting her off. Allure clenched his shoulders, moaning. Vaughn released her, smiling.

  “Let’s go. Don’t want to be late.” He slapped her on the butt.

  “Hey. None of that now.” Allure glared, rubbing the sting.

  “But you have such a hittable ass.” Vaughn squeezed it.

  Allure snuggled against his chest. She kissed him lazily, then stepped back.

  “And so do you.” She swatted him on the ass.

  “Do it like you mean it.” Vaughn pushed back into her hand.

  “You’re the one who said we’re going to be late.” Allure laughed, then clothed herself.

  “I wanted to see you put it on.” Vaughn pouted.

  “I don’t have clothes here.” Allure shrugged.

  “You can keep something here,” he offered.

  “Maybe I will. Are we going in together?” she asked.

  He nodded.

  “Meet you in the car.” Allure ran her hand over his arm, then went out of the door.

  As she descended the steps, she frowned. Vaughn’s reaction to her innocent statement in the bathroom had disturbed her. Something was eating him. She hoped he would eventually talk to her and tell her what was wrong.

  * * * *

  The smile faded from Vaughn’s face as Allure left. He finished dressing. Making love to her was more than he could have ever imagined. He knew she thought when he called her mate it was just a word, but it wasn’t. By all accounts, they were married now by the laws of their race.

  You should tell her. Then let her tell you what she’s trying to. He pushed the idea of either one away. He didn’t want to tell her they were mated for life. What they had was too fragile and new. She wouldn’t understand. In a lot of ways, Allure still thought as a human. He’d let her believe they were dating.

  He could now understand why Claude hadn’t told her everything before marrying her. At the thought of his best friend, Vaughn wondered why Allure hadn’t asked the other question she wanted to. She’d never said it out loud, but it stood between them like a brick wall. He walked out of his house. Allure was waiting for him, leaning against his Chevy Avalanche.

  He opened the door, before helping her in. He touched the side of her breast, running his hand down the plump flesh. Allure moaned softly. Being able to touch her like this was such a turn-on. He hoped he could control himself at work. Withdrawing his touch, he closed the door and went to the driver’s side.

  Later at work, he tapped his pen on his lip. He had got a lot done. Allure had to work on some of her cases, so they’d split up when they had got in earlier. Vaughn re-read the file on the interrogation of Jared’s cronies. He circled a word. Pulling another fi
le to him, he read through it and circled the same word in it. Then the other files, one by one. They all had the same words in them. Vaughn sat back, putting down his pen.

  “What the hell does Seven Double S mean?”

  He slid out of his chair and onto the floor, crossing his legs under him. Closing his eyes, he mulled over the words.

  “We’ve got the ta…” Allure’s voice trailed off then she said, “Megara, you said he was in his office. He’s not.”

  “Did you check behind the desk?” Megara called.

  Allure’s footsteps came towards the desk. Vaughn opened his eyes. She strolled into view. Her pale yellow, open-toed, high-heeled sandals showcased her peach toenails. He followed the view up the bare expanse of her honey-toned skin. He stifled a moan. Her pale miniskirt rode up her leg as she sat on the edge of his desk. Allure swung one leg, making the muscles under that gorgeous skin move.

  “Is there a reason you’re on the floor?” Allure asked curiously.

  Thinking of licking up your leg and going for treasure. Vaughn jerked his gaze up to hers at the thought.

  A slow smile curled Allure’s lips. She shifted, sitting fully on the desk, spreading her legs.

  “Come and get it,” she whispered in a sultry invitation.

  Chapter Five

  Vaughn was startled she had heard him. He’d shielded his thoughts from their mate link, not wanting her to know about it yet.

  “Not reading your mind. It’s the look on your face. Like you want a taste of me,” Allure said.

  She scooted forward off the desk, then stood with each leg on either side of his hips. Allure leant back against the surface widening her stance. Her short skirt raised, giving him more than a glimpse of skin.

  “You want a taste, Vaughn?” Allure’s voice tempted and taunted.

  Giving in to his instincts, he shielded the room from anyone else outside while simultaneously licking up her inner leg. Allure moaned, leg trembling. He inhaled the increase in her need. It rubbed against his senses almost like a physical touch. He continued his path up her leg to the hem of her pale yellow skirt. He licked the inner thigh there, then went to the other, licking down it to her ankle. Vaughn took off her shoe, kissing her toes before placing her foot back on the floor. He repeated the same with the other one.

  He placed his hands on the front of each of her legs, then moved his hands upwards. Allure’s wanton moan flowed over his head. Her satiny skin felt wonderful against his calloused palms. He moved up under her skirt, sliding his hands under the edge of her panties. Vaughn pulled, ripping them off. Allure moved, and they fell to the floor. Pushing up her skirt, he bared her to his gaze. Allure opened her thighs. Vaughn licked his lips as her naked mound came into view.

  He buried his face in between her legs, inhaling the scent of her. His mate. Allure’s fingers gripped his hair. Vaughn shifted his head against her mound, growling as her scent coated him. Moving down, he delved in between those succulent lips. The first taste of her wetness burst over his tongue. It was a sweet aphrodisiac he would never get his fill of. With long licks, he played with his treasure as she moaned incoherently.

  “Rig…th. There… Og…ple…as…es. Eat it. Lick me harder.”

  Allure tugged his hair, pulling him against her. He kept up the slow, steady licks, knowing it would drive her crazy. She gushed over his tongue, filling his mouth. Going deep as she had demanded, Vaughn speared her with his tongue, swirling inside her clenching pussy. He raked his teeth on her clit. Allure shuddered, her body pressing against his head. He gripped her hips, pulling her forward against his mouth. Taking his unspoken demand, she rocked against his tongue. Whimpers fell from her as he suckled, relishing that sweet treasure of her. Rolling his tongue inside her, he purred.

  Allure stiffened, then gasped, gushing against his tongue as she went over. Her cream flowed, coating his lips, then into his mouth and down his throat.

  Vaughn stood, and, with a thought, bared himself, then her. He pushed her back, then hitched her leg over his hip before thrusting into her wetness. Allure’s nails bit into his shoulders, and he thrust into her uncontrollably. Bracing himself on the desk, he felt the papers under his hand. Sweeping them away, he pressed against solid wood, jerking back and forth in her clutching cunt.

  Allure arched, raising her leg higher on his back, gripping his shoulder, then running her hands down his back. Vaughn groaned. The desk made a screeching sound as it moved forward with each of his thrusts. He pounded into her, his cock rock hard. Allure clamped her pussy around him, her hands gripping his ass. She pulled him into her. She arched back, her neck stretched taut.

  Leaning in, he licked the centre of her neck, moaning at her taste. He jerking her up against him, then buried his hands in her hair, pulling her head back. He lowered his head burying his face against her breast, then rubbed his forehead against her nipple. Moving, he suckled her nipple urgently. Allure moaned, clenching around his cock buried inside her.

  Piercing her skin, he drank her blood as he stroked into her pussy. Allure’s fingers gripped his ass, pulling him harder and harder into her. Vaughn gave her what she demanded and more. She met him thrust for thrust.

  “Vaughn… Pleas…e.”

  Vaughn thrust harder. He licked along his bite, closing it, then straightened. He pulled Allure’s head to his chest.

  “Drink,” he said hoarsely.

  Vaughn shuddered at the lance of her fangs sinking into him. He rocked urgently as she fed. His balls went tight, and he came. Allure undulated around him, coming with him. She closed the bite, nuzzling into his chest. Vaughn held her connected to him as he stepped back. He brought his chair to them, then collapsed into it. Allure cuddled in his lap.

  “Whose power should we use to fix the floor?” Allure chuckled.

  Vaughn glanced down at the deep grooves in it, then at the mirrored wall his desk was now pressed against. He put his head back against the chair, closing his eyes.

  “You do it. And right my office too while you’re at it. I’m drained.”

  “Just like a man. Tired after sex.”

  “Hey. I did all the work,” he said tiredly.

  “You’re the one who tempted.”

  Vaughn opened an eye, looking at her. Allure’s hazel gaze was mischievous.

  “I tempted you?”

  “The look on your face.” She straightened, cupping his cheeks. “I l—”

  Vaughn cut her off, kissing her hungrily. He rocked into her. Allure gasped.

  Why won’t he let me tell him? Her thought came clearly in his mind.

  Vaughn refused to answer the question, even to himself.

  * * * *

  Days later, he watched the interview tapes again. His thoughts were not fully on them. As usual they were on Allure. Every time she opened her mouth to say it, he distracted her. He didn’t know why he did. Vaughn shook his head, pushing the thought away and focusing on the tapes.

  “You’re watching those again?” Ryne asked.

  “There’s something that’s bugging me about them. I can’t figure it out,” Vaughn said.

  He heard Ryne sit next to him. They watched the tape Vaughn was in the middle of, then all the others.

  “There’s a commonality in there of Seven Double S in each. It’s in the reports too,” Vaughn stated.

  “What the hell does Seven Double S mean?”

  “I don’t know. But it has to mean something. We just have to figure out what.” Vaughn stared off into space.

  “Are you and Allure coming by tonight for the cookout?” Ryne asked.

  “Yeah. Unless one of the leads we have takes us somewhere.” Vaughn checked the time. “Got to meet Allure in an hour.”

  “I’ll be going out with Kalina. Unless something comes up, we’ll expect to see you two later then.”

  “Okay,” Vaughn said absently.

  He studied the Seven Double S he had written. There had to be something there.

  * * * *

  V
aughn rolled the beer bottle between his hands.

  “Stop thinking about what Seven Double S means.” Allure pushed at his shoulder.

  Vaughn smiled. “You know me. It’ll bug me until I figure it out.”

  “You will. But maybe not thinking about it will make it come to you,” Allure suggested.

  “Maybe you’re right.” Vaughn nodded.

  He shifted, tugging her between his spread thighs. Allure rested against him. The conversation of the others at the cookout was mere background noise. He took a drag of his beer. Allure took it from him and drank the rest.

  “I’ll get us another one.” She went to the cooler.

  Kalina joined her, and they chatted.

  “Figured you could use this,” Lennox said, handing Vaughn a new bottle.

  “Thanks.” Vaughn took a sip.

  Lennox relaxed next to him where he leaned against the patio wall.

  “I see you and Harmony are coming to terms as partners.” Vaughn stifled a smile.

  “Smart ass. I know Allure told you Harmony thinks my silence is agreement to what she wants to do.”

  “Wonder how long it’ll take her to figure out it’s a front.”

  “At least she’s not talkative like Storm. God, I don’t know how Killian puts up with it. At least she’s accepted him being her partner. I think her plan is to talk him to death.”

  “Maybe. What makes you think Storm has accepted Killian as her partner?” Vaughn asked.

  His lips twitched as Storm glared at Killian. Killian ignored her, continuing his conversation with Christos, Niya and Kaitya.

  “She hasn’t tried for two days to leave the building without him. You’d think she would give it up. He catches her every time.”

  “It’s a matter of principle.”

  “You’re siding with her?” Lennox asked in disbelief.

  “Just repeating what she said.” Vaughn shrugged.

  “Hey, Unc,” Ebony said.

  Vaughn smiled at Harmony’s daughter. She looked just like her mother and aunt. Her kinky hair had come loose from its braid.