Wild Desire (The Protectors Book 1) Read online

  “Let’s take a walk,” he suggested.

  “I’d like that.”

  * * *

  Mila was grateful for a break from the heavy conversation. It now dawned on her that her life would never be the same again. Part of her still wanted to fight against it, but deep down inside her, she knew this was always where her life was destined to go. Whilst they strolled hand-in-hand through the dense forest, she had the sense of being watched.

  “Are we safe here? I feel like we’re being stalked.”

  “Perfectly safe. Just people curious to see the hot woman by my side. You’ll have to get used to this while you’re working. Unless I can talk you out of your job.”

  “No way! I’ve trained hard at college for this role. Drake would only get suspicious too. It’s going to be bad enough not living in my home.”

  “We can stay there from time to time. But I will always be with you. It’s too risky to leave you there on your own,” he said out loud.

  A frustrated breath left her. “Okay.”

  Rustling to the left caught her attention. A small girl appeared, about seven years old, with long dark hair and big blue eyes. She had a bunch of pretty flowers in her hand.

  “Hello, sweetie.” Mila smiled and approached her.

  “These are for you,” the girl said in a shy voice.

  “Oh, that’s lovely.” She took them from the small girl. “Thank you. What’s your name? Are you lost?”

  “I’m Maddie. These are to say thank you.”

  Mila frowned. “What for?”

  She felt Elias’s hand on her shoulder. “This is the young lady you saved on the forest road.”

  “You’re very welcome, Maddie. Be more careful next time.”

  “I’ve already warned her.”

  Mila saw a woman behind Maddie; an older version of the girl.

  “Hello, Sarah,” Elias spoke. “This is Maddie’s mum. Ladies, I’d like to introduce you to Mila, my mate,” he said proudly.

  Sarah enveloped her in a hug. “It’s good to meet you. Thank you will never be enough for saving my daughter.”

  “Anytime. Thank you for the flowers, too. They’re lovely,” Mila responded.

  “Will you be at the party tomorrow night, Mila?” Maddie asked.

  “Yes, I will.”

  “We’ll leave you two in peace now. See you both tomorrow. Everyone is excited to meet you, Mila.”

  Sarah waved along with Maddie and they disappeared into the undergrowth.

  “Oh, no,” Mila groaned and rubbed her hands over her face.

  “What?”

  “I hate being the centre of attention. This is going to be a nightmare for me.”

  Elias laughed and kissed her forehead. “I can’t wait to show everyone what a gorgeous mate I have. And you won’t be alone. I’ll be with you.”

  “Enough, or I may well run away.”

  * * *

  Spending time with Mila was heavenly. Elias felt so comfortable and happy around her. His stag demanded he claim her physically. If only. She’d gone through way too much and still had a lot to discover about her new life. As much as he wanted her body, he also understood he couldn’t force this issue. In order for her to remain safe, though, they had to join physically… sooner rather than later.

  The rest of the day was spent working in the garden. Mila helped him. He loved her enthusiasm for everything she saw, and she was a quick learner. What had tormented him was all the silky underwear hanging on his washing line. The breeze blew the wisps of silk around, as though tempting him. Fantasies abounded in his mind about taking the items from her body. Before it drove him insane, he’d suggested they work on the front garden. The torture of looking at the sexy garments was way too much.

  Early evening, they prepared dinner together, consisting of a hearty vegetable soup and home baked bread, followed by winter fruit pie and custard. The fruit had been picked from his garden and frozen a few months before.

  “I’m in love,” Mila announced to Elias after they’d cleared away.

  “But we’ve only just met,” he joked.

  “Nah, not you. Your cooking.”

  He looked at her with mock horror. “I’ve heard about women like you before. You’ll eat my food and then leave.”

  Mila laughed loudly as they sat next to each other on the sofa. “We’ll see. Um…”

  Her cheeks were pink, and he wondered what she was about to say.

  “What, Mila?”

  “I… I think I owe you a kiss as gratitude for your hospitality.”

  Her tongue flicked out from between her plump lips, wetting the bottom one slowly. Fuck. That caused his boxers to feel tight, his cock throbbing in his jeans. She was so tempting.

  “Hmm, I’m more than ready to accept your payment.”

  He moved closer until their lips touched lightly. The slight sigh coming from her mouth was his undoing. Elias seized her lips and kissed her. Hard. She became pliant under his touch and he gently lowered her onto the sofa, his body covering hers.

  He waited for her to make a protest, but it never came. A rumble emanated from his chest. There was a roaring sound in his ears whilst his stag urged him to take her. Elias pulled her tank top from her sweatpants and touched her belly for the first time. Soft. So fucking soft. She moaned while they still kissed, and he ground his cock against her. His hands moved to the underside of her breasts. One more inch and he’d cup the soft globes in his hands.

  Mila stilled beneath him. He sensed her panic. Heard her whimper, unsure whether it was desire or concern. Elias moved from her, helping her to sit upright. Their breathing was loud, and their combined musky scents of arousal hung heavily in the air surrounding them. She stood up, and he went to follow her.

  “No. Sorry. I shouldn’t have let this happen. I’m not ready.”

  She walked swiftly to the stairs. He heard her run up them and then the loud slam of her door. Her emotions and his lust flooded his brain until there were so many different feelings he thought his head would explode. After a good night’s sleep, perhaps they could talk this through. Elias headed for his bedroom, his cock still rock-hard, and he wondered how much sleep he’d actually get.

  Chapter Nine

  Mila crashed out on her bed, her breathing erratic. Her emotions swarmed inside her mind like a whirlwind. She’d felt the time was right for her to let Elias have her body. It was like an unspoken agreement. Their bodies belonged to each other just like their souls. And then she’d panicked; the feel of his heavy erection against her body had scared her. The man was massive. How would he ever fit inside her? Tears of sexual frustration and anger at herself poured from her eyes. How could they become mates when she pushed him away like that?

  She realised Elias would never force her, even though she felt his frustration as though it was her own. Her body was ready, but it appeared her mind wasn’t and kept planting the seeds of doubt. How long would he allow her to treat him like this? Would he find someone else to mate with? Was that even possible? Deep down, she knew they were meant to be. If only she could let go and allow him to love her. Heading for the shower, she let the hot water take the tension away. Afterwards, she hopped into bed, praying for a peaceful sleep.

  Mila was running through the forest, the sound of hounds baying followed her. Men’s loud and excited voices rang out, getting closer until they were almost upon her. The dogs snapped at her heels. But they weren’t dogs. Not really. They were some sort of sick experiment gone wrong. And now these obscenities were being used to hunt people down. People like her. Something pierced her skin at her shoulder. Things started to become hazy and her vision blurred.

  Drugged. She’d been drugged.

  And as her body collapsed onto the forest floor, the ‘dogs’ patrolled around her, growling and slavering over her. Just as her eyes closed, she saw a man standing over her. A vile demented grin split his lips.

  “Got you, bitch. You’re mine now. My property.” Drake laughed darkly
at her.

  “NO. Elias, help me!”

  She sat up in bed, panting and sweating profusely. The door to her room flew open, almost coming off its hinges. Elias stood on the threshold, his eyes wild as he looked around her room. A whimper came from her.

  It was a dream. Only a dream.

  “Honey, what’s wrong?” he asked as he sat down beside her.

  He appeared apprehensive about touching her. No wonder after her behaviour from earlier that evening.

  “Hold me, Elias. I had a dream. An awful dream,” she sobbed.

  * * *

  Elias had only just managed to drift off into a fitful slumber seconds before, when a blood-curdling scream tore through the house. Mila. He grabbed a pair of boxers to cover his nakedness and ran for her room. She sat up in bed, an expression of absolute terror on her face. He was relieved when she allowed him to hold her. She trembled. He trembled. Her terror was palpable.

  “It’s okay. I’ve got you. I’ve always got you, Mila.” He whispered the words into her hair.

  She relaxed against him. Her tremors lessened, and her breathing returned to normal. He moved from her so he could see her expression. With the palm of one hand, he smoothed her hair back over her shoulder.

  “Do you want to talk about it?”

  “It seems silly now, but at the time it was so real.” Mila shuddered.

  “Tell me,” he urged.

  “I was being chased in the forest by some sort of mutant dogs. Something hit my shoulder. A tranquiliser dart, I think. Just before I blacked out, a man stood over me…”

  She shook her head, her body trembling again.

  “Who was it? Did you see his face?”

  More tremors shook her body. “It… it was Drake. He said…” She ran a hand over her eyes.

  “What did he say?” He couldn’t help the edge to his voice.

  Even the thought of him stalking her in her dreams brought out the need to rip the bastard to shreds.

  “He… he told me I was his property now. I know it was only a dream but… God, it was terrifying.”

  “You’re safe, Mila. He can’t touch you here.”

  What he didn’t want to discuss with her now was the fact she could have experienced a vision. A scenario which could come to pass in the future. This needed to be discussed with the rest of the Protectors, especially the seers. That could be left until they attended the gathering in the evening. For now, he needed to bring as much comfort as he could to his mate.

  “Do you want something to drink? I could fix an herbal remedy which aids sleep,” he offered.

  “No. I’m okay, thanks.”

  “I’ll leave you to sleep then.”

  Reluctantly, he got off the bed. Mila pulled on his hand and he looked at her in question.

  “Don’t go, please. Will… will you stay with me tonight?”

  His heart warmed at her words, even though it almost broke him to see the fear in her eyes. He’d make Drake pay for this.

  “Sure. Whatever you want. I can sleep in the chair.”

  “No!”

  He glanced at her with surprise.

  “Sorry,” she said, softer this time. “I need you to hold me.”

  “Of course. Anything for you.”

  * * *

  Mila noted the pained expression which crossed his face, even though he agreed to her request. Were her actions cruel, allowing him into her bed, knowing how being close to her would affect his body? She looked at him standing by her bed. The man’s body was a work of art. A perfect sculpture designed by one of the masters. Perfection. Total, utter perfection. His muscles were well-defined. Not the sort of physique a man would get from working out in the gym. These muscles were borne of honest labour and hard work. Years, centuries, of hard work.

  His hair was wild. Untamed like the man himself. His eyes shone at her in the half-light. Desire, lust, and a little concern. Mila’s eyes trailed down his stomach and on to his black clingy boxers. Even though he wasn’t hard, she could see the outline of his impressive cock. His thighs were rock hard, bulging with muscle. What would it feel like to have his cock piston in and out of her? She swallowed, the noise loud in the silence. Heat flashed through her body, and liquid trickled from her sex. A very low, almost imperceptible growl left his lips. Nostrils flaring. Eyes wild.

  “I just need the bathroom.” She excused herself.

  She rested her hands on the sink and studied her expression in the bathroom mirror. Her eyes were wild, brighter than usual. Her face was flushed. Her nipples were clearly visible beneath her silky dark-green tank top. When she looked at the small matching shorts, she was horrified to see a large wet patch. Testament to her arousal.

  “Oh, God. What am I going to do?” she mumbled to herself. “I want him. I really want him.”

  “Then let me have you. Let me make love to you. It’s just your mind preventing you from going any further. Please, honey. Can I at least try?”

  Mila jumped and squeaked. Elias was at the door, hovering almost nervously. She observed him in the mirror. His cock was now almost fully erect. Mila whimpered as more liquid trickled down her legs. Clamping her thighs together to prevent any more escaping, her eyes locked to his. He knew exactly what she was doing and why.

  Elias walked over to her. His hands rested on the top of her arms. One hand moved her hair away from her face and over her shoulder. Lips tormented the side of her neck and she craned her neck further so he could tease her some more. It was like heaven. The rough chafe of his whiskers as opposed to his soft, firm lips. Up and down the column of her neck, his mouth continued to caress her.

  “Oh, that’s so good,” she sighed.

  “If I do anything you don’t like. Tell me to stop, Mila.”

  “Don’t stop, Elias.”

  She closed her eyes. His hands stroked up and down her arms then touched her belly through her top. It burned her.

  “Under my top. I want your hands on my skin.”

  His hands touched her stomach, stroking her skin softly. She murmured her appreciation. Mila gasped when he pulled her flush against him. The iron-hard length of his cock burned and throbbed against her back. His passion-darkened eyes watched her in the mirror.

  “Can you feel what you do to my body, Mila? Only you have this power over me. Only you.”

  Elias’s hands went higher until they reached her breasts. Then his palms were on them, cupping them. The roughness of his skin as he massaged her sent jolts of desire straight to her clit. He rubbed her nipples with his thumbs, causing the ache and wetness between her legs to spiral out of control. Whimpers and moans tumbled from her lips. He pulled alternately on her nipples until they throbbed.

  “You react so beautifully to my touch, Mila. I want to suckle your nipples. Will you let me?” He breathed his request against the sensitive shell of her ear, his hands still fondling her breasts.

  “Yes. Please… please.”

  “Turn around,” he demanded.

  Her legs trembled, and she squealed when he picked her up and sat her on a chest of drawers in the bathroom. For long moments, he looked at her with adoration in his eyes.

  “Take your top off for me.”

  Her fingers trembled, but she did as he asked. His eyes went wide, a greedy, hungry expression in their chocolate-brown depths. And then he cupped her full breasts in his hands. His mouth gently kissed one nipple. Kissing. Blowing. Licking until she was going out of her mind. She guided his head to the other one, holding on tightly to him to intensify the sensation.

  Elias stood back, and his eyes went to her silky shorts which were saturated at the crotch with her essence. With the flat of his palms, he glided his hands up the apex of her thighs, spreading her legs as wide as they would go while she rested her elbows back on the drawers. One finger strayed over her clit and she yelped. He took his hand away and helped her down. Her legs wobbled under the weight of her lust and need.

  “Let’s get you more comfortable.” He led
her back to the bed. “Lie down for me.”

  When she complied, he knelt between her legs. He pulled her shorts away and actually roared like a wild animal. Mila whimpered.

  “Fuck, you’re so wet. I’m going to lick you dry.”

  He pounced on her without warning. His mouth covered her sex and he lapped and sucked at her. One of his fingers penetrated her. It felt good. So bloody good. Her body clutched at it, hungry for more. He pulsed it in and out whilst he continued to lap at her swollen, sensitive clit. Growls and grunts came from him, turning her on even more.

  “Too much. Oh, God. It’s too much,” she wailed.

  “Come. Fall over the edge for me. It’ll feel so much better.”

  His words unravelled her; her fears fell away. Her body tingled, her heart pumped crazily, and then she screamed as Elias took her right over. Heat. Light. Satisfaction. So many feelings. So many emotions. Mila closed her eyes, trying to calm her heart. Strong arms gathered her to him, and she held on tightly.

  “Honey?”

  Gazing up at him, she reached out to touch his face. He murmured his appreciation at her caresses. “What did you just do to me?”

  He chuckled and kissed her lips. She loved the taste of her muskiness on his mouth.

  “I made you come. Fuck, it was such a turn on. You’re incredibly vocal.”

  She couldn’t say the next words out loud, but he needed to know what she wanted.

  “Make love to me. I want to feel you inside me.” Her face flushed even more.

  “Are you sure? I know your body’s ready.” He touched her between her legs where wetness had started to gather again. “You’re saturated down there. But is your mind ready?”

  “Yes. Love me.”

  He kissed her passionately, his lips, teeth, and tongue mating with hers. Then he spread her legs once more and took off his boxers. She gasped. Not in shock but appreciation of the magnificent cock standing proud. Elias guided it to her entrance and she whimpered. He paused.