Marie Harte - Roane

Last night played like the whispers of a dream. She’d ordered a man she’d just met to eat her. And dammit, he had. She’d never in her life come so hard or so many times. Like a drug, Roane slid through her system. Over, under, and behind her, Roane had climaxed inside her each time they’d had sex. Caitlyn couldn’t understand why it had taken her this long to realize they hadn’t used protection. It was almost as if she wanted to get pregnant.

Which she didn’t.

She could only blame her stupidity on the many surprises she’d had yesterday. She’d been tired, afraid…taken advantage of. She glared at the white walls of the shower and stood. Reaching for the shampoo, she scrubbed her hair with the floral-scented soap. Was it any wonder she barely knew her name this morning? As if in an erotic dream, she remembered her marathon sex with a seductive stranger. Hell, Roane had her believing she belonged to him.

Thankfully, in the light of day, she realized her shock at the past day’s events and her own tiredness had contributed to Roane’s odd delirium. She belonged to no one but herself.

Caitlyn Chase’s independence remained intact. Which reminded her. She only had so much time to deal with this nutty scenario. Doc would have to get her up to speed before her vacation ended. She’d deal with being a Circ, so long as she could fit it into her schedule, along with her clients.

She stilled under the water and cursed when soap ran in her eyes. Am I nuts? I have the PPA after me, and I’m still not sure what they are. I’m turning into God-knows-what, and I’m suddenly horny as hell. How is my life going to go back to normal now?

“At least I know I’m not sick anymore.” The one plus Doc had explained about this mess. All of her previous symptoms -- the weakness, the aches and nausea -- had been her body’s way of preparing to change.

Then there was the killer sex, honesty compelled her to admit. She could now die a happy woman, having achieved the ultimate orgasm, thanks to Roane. “Right. So no need to fall under his spell again,” she murmured, trying to convince herself to avoid the man.

No diseases, great. No babies…yet. She just had to keep him at a distance while she figured out what to do about being a Circ. Doc would help her. He had a trustworthy scent.

Oh, hell, now I’m judging by scent. I’m turning into an animal. Bemoaning the inanity of her life, Caitlyn finished cleaning herself, scrubbing the remnants of her steamy night away.

She couldn’t stop blushing as she dried off, amazed at how wild she’d been. The mirror had fogged over, and she wiped at it with her towel, determined to make herself presentable before she faced everyone else this morning. Caitlyn scowled. She’d remind Roane to keep what they’d done private. If he was one of those kiss-and-tell guys, she’d kick his… “Ass!” Caitlyn stared in horror at the bruises and bite marks over her throat, breasts, and belly. Even her thighs had been treated to Roane’s rough play. Oddly enough, none of the markings hurt, but they were clearly a visible reminder that “Roane had been here.” Shoving herself back into the robe, Caitlyn hightailed it out of the bathroom and down the hall to her room. As luck would have it, Roane waited for her on the bed, lounging in his shorts.

She ripped open her robe. “Look what you did to me!”

Roane stared, his jaw slack. “Holy shit. I did that?” He rose, his face blank as he reached out to touch the bite mark around her right nipple. “Does it hurt?” The minute his finger touched her flesh, heat rushed in its wake. She sucked in a breath. “No.”

“Good.” He leaned down and took her nipple in his mouth. “Damn, Caitlyn, you’re addicting.” He shook his head. “I’m going to go back to my room to clean up. I’ll see you at breakfast, honey. Oh, and Kelly dropped off a set of clothes for you on the dresser.” Another quick kiss, this one on her lips, and he left, shutting the door firmly behind him.

So much for keeping her distance.

She fell back on the bed, clutching the robe. Roane hadn’t seemed bothered by her marks at all. He’d kissed the bite mark over her breast. His touch felt both like a mark of ownership and a comforting caress. What the hell did that mean?

More to the point, why didn’t she mind the thought of having sex with him again, just as soon as she could manage it? Groaning, she covered her eyes with her forearm.

“I am so screwed.”

Roane wandered back to his room. His body felt liquid, his mind fogged under the pleasant buzz of gratification. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d felt this good. Caitlyn Chase: the cure that healed all.

He didn’t know how to explain their coming together other than to label it explosive.

Around the female, his body hardened like stone. Granted, much of what he felt was based in the physical. Her breasts, her ass, her soft, smooth belly, just waiting to grow round with his --

Roane cursed and stopped, leaning against a wall to gather his bearings. He’d have to tamp down this breeding instinct. Caitlyn was right to fear getting pregnant. He’d never before had sex with a woman without protection. With other normal women, protection was his first concern. He didn’t need children at this point in his life, and couldn’t imagine bringing a baby into such a danger-fraught existence.

Caitlyn threw his thoughts out of whack, tampering with the animal impulses he normally had only when changed. She was rare, a female Circ who hadn’t gone crazy and who seemed every bit as sexy and likeable as she’d first appeared. Hell, she’d taken him without flinching, at turns dominating and then submitting. He couldn’t predict what she’d do, and he loved her mental toughness.

Unfortunately, reminders that she would be going through another heat very soon didn’t sit well with him. Before, he’d accepted sharing her with the others. Now, he didn’t think he could handle it. The beast inside him snarled with contempt, that he would be so weak he couldn’t hold on to what was his.

This is going to be a big problem. Zack and Ace would keep their distance. The two had each other and Kelly as a distant third. Hale and Derrick would want her again; he knew it. And who could blame them? The mating heat struck hard when it hit. Sex with each other had been a necessary evil, but with Caitlyn now available, did he have the right to tell them to back off? And what about Caitlyn? When the heat struck again, would she prove insatiable, would she need three or even five of them? Or would she remain his and only his?

“Fuck, I hate relationships,” he muttered, his calm fading as the implications of his jealousy took hold. Maybe the best thing to do would be to distance himself before he grew too overbearing around her. Let her take whomever she wanted. She hadn’t committed to him yet. Who knew if she would, based on one incredible night of sex.

Just the thought had him half-changing . He swore under his breath and stalked to his room. Throwing open the door, he found the last four people he wanted a conversation with.

“Well, well.” Hale whistled.

“You were right.” Derrick rubbed his jaw in thought. “The big dog was sniffing after a tasty bone.”

“I don’t need this.” Roane pushed past Zack and Ace, who grinned from ear to ear, and flopped down on his bed.

“Come on, Roane. We all saw it coming.” Ace grinned nastily at his pun.

Zack laughed. “I’m sure he was ‘coming’ all night. For the record, we heard every damned grunt and groan. You sure the hell weren’t keeping quiet.”

“Not from Circ ears,” Ace agreed.

“Don’t tell Caitlyn.” Roane could just imagine how horrified she’d be to know four horny Circs had been listening in on their lovemaking. Sex, he reminded himself. Not lovemaking. Sex. Nothing super emotional about sex. Just two bodies humping in the night.