Letting my eyes slide up, I notice the choker around her neck and the reminder of the remote leaves a bad taste in my mouth. The thing looks embedded in her skin as if it’s been there for years.
“Okay, we’re not on the meat market, buddy. Besides, she’s already yours from what I’ve heard so no returns. Oh, that reminds me. Where are we going? This is all you’re getting, by the way, because her father is an asshole and is probably halfway across town with screeching tires. No suitcase, no spare clothes, no personal shit.”
“Zipporah,” Maze growls underneath her breath. “Enough. It’ll sort itself out. I’m sure the servants will pack everything up and have it delivered. If not, I will make the arrangements myself.”
“I’ll make sure you have all your heart desires. As for you.” I direct my attention to her friend. “You’re welcome to stay for as long as you like. Our mansion is big enough for you to have your own room.”
Her grin is blinding. “Yep, I sure do like this one, Maze. You did good. We’re keeping him and I’m moving in with y’all. Hey, is the dude you just talked to…you know, bulging-muscles-horse-man living with you as well? Just curious, of course.” She shrugs as if she isn’t interested in hooking up while it’s clear she’s interested in Lucan.
“Lucan lives in the clubhouse located on the property of our mansion.” The corner of my mouth twitches before I add, “I’m sure you’re going to see a lot of him if you’re going to be staying with us.”
As if on cue, the door swings open and Lucan strolls in. “Boss? Mr. Asshole is gone and I have your limousine waiting for you around back. Your parents and sister are here to take over the gathering so you can attend to your mate.”
I take a step closer to Maze and hold my elbow slightly away from my body. “Shall we?”
She nods and the moment she slides her fingers over my arm, I can feel her heat seeping into me. It takes a lot of effort to shove the lust down that’s hitting me full force. The need to claim her with my cock–and to complete the ritual of mating for life–is overwhelming.
I can practically taste the way her heartbeat rises; that’s how aware I am of each rise and fall of her chest, every breath leaving her body and the rapid thumping of her heart reaching my extended hearing.
I’m faintly aware of Zipporah following us and Lucan leading the way. Once inside the limousine, I take Maze’s hand and lace her fingers with mine to place them on my thigh. It’s hard not to touch her in some way.
The ride to our private mansion, the one I had built for myself a few years ago, is short since it’s on the same land. We own a lot of property and land and it’s easier for all of us to have these things in one place. Of course, we have more mansions in other states but we live here most months of the year. My parents on one side, my sister in her own mansion on our big estate.
The chauffeur opened the door and I stepped out of the limousine, turning to offer Maze my hand. True to her name and upbringing she gracefully slid her fingers over my palm and stepped out like a princess.
Her purple heels click on the marble floor, same color dress sways around her ankles where the fabric opens slightly, showing off a hint of her long legs. Fucking hell, I want to devour her. Body. Soul. Mind. Pussy. Every inch, and every cell in her body. I’d continue to feast on her for days until the both of us are sated and there won’t be any question to whom she belongs.
“Lucan. See to it that our guest picks one of the spare rooms in the east wing.” I place my hand on Maze’s lower back. “She’s going to be staying here for as long as she wants.”
“Fuck,” Lucan grumbles.
Zipporah narrows her eyes. “Rude. I don’t think we’ll be friends: you have no manners.”
“My sister keeps saying the same shit and yet she keeps coming around.” Lucan crosses his arms across his chest. “She’s family so I tolerate her presence. You, on the other hand, are not. I have no need for any friends, I have my club brothers. Puss is for entertainment purposes only. You, sneaky snake, are a snatch to stay far, far, far away from. Spare rooms are to your left. Pick one and stay the fuck out of my way when I’m here to do my job.”
Zipporah looks crushed for a heartbeat or two and I’m about to reprimand Lucan for spewing shit to my guest when her nose tips into the air and she says in a condescending tone, “Puss? Too lazy to add the Y? Well, I’ll tell you why. I should have known a working horse like you would be below my standards. Thank you for providing the necessary wake up call. This mare is more than happy to stay away from a dysfunctional stallion.” Zipporah nods toward Maze and I. “I’ll see you two tomorrow.”
She gracefully strolls into the hallway Lucan mentioned the spare rooms were in.
Lucan’s nostrils flare. “What the fuck? You’re a centaur? Horse shifter? Get the fuck back here and answer me, woman.”
Zipporah keeps walking and right when she’s about to disappear around the corner, she flips him off.
“Fuck,” Lucan growls underneath his breath and swings his head my way.
“Hey.” I hold my hands palms up. “If you broke the bed, you damn well lie in the heap of shattered pieces, dude. So, don’t look at me to fix it.”
His gaze slides to Maze but she shakes her head. “She’s my friend and I think you’re a rude asshole.”
Lucan jerks his hand roughly through his hair. “Just tell me if she’s indeed a centaur or some kind of a horse shifter for that matter. I can’t get a good read on her and it fucks with my mood.”
“Some kind of,” Maze muses and releases a deep sigh. “She is but she’s unique in her kind.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Lucan snarls and I have him by the throat before he can take his next breath.
“Enough. Disrespecting her friend and my guest in my own fucking home is one thing but talking to my mate in a disrespectful way is something I won’t tolerate at all. Clear?”
“Yes, boss,” Lucan chokes. “Sorry, boss.” His eyes slide to Maze. “Sorry I disrespected you and Zipporah.”
My woman simply nods and looks indifferent. I release him and Lucan instantly backs away, excusing himself as he heads for the backdoor.
“Come on,” I grumble and step toward her to place my hand on her lower back once more as I guide her up the stairs.
Maze doesn’t seem to be phased by the massive mansion with paintings decorating the high walls, the thick red carpet on the floors, and rich interior. Why should it when she was probably living in the same, if not more excessive living arrangements? We get to my bedroom and once inside, her gaze does slide through every corner.
“You’re an artist?” she whispers in awe as she strolls toward my workspace.
I slide my hands into the pockets of my slacks because all I want to do is reach out and touch her. I want to pull her close against my body–skin to skin–or spread her out on the bed and feast on her pussy.
“Ever since I was old enough to hold a pencil in my hand,” I mutter.
She rounds the antique, rich brown drafting desk and takes in a sharp breath when she sees the sketch I was working on this morning. I step up behind her and my pulse spikes. Holy fuck, I completely forgot about it until now.