Wolf_A Filthy Sweet Fairy Tale Romance Read online

  In for a penny…

  I swallow. Just don't look down. My hair whips across my face. The wind this high up pretty strong. Don't look down.

  A hover vehicle flies past, the couple inside gaping at us clinging to the side of the building. Nothing to see here, folks.

  I almost hold my breath the whole time as we sidle to the elevator, my grip on Zane's hand tight enough that I know it has to be painful. But he doesn't complain.

  "Here we go," he murmurs, stepping inside the open elevator, thankfully still waiting where he left it. He wraps his hands around my waist to lift me inside. "Piece of cake."

  "Sure," I say faintly. "Cake."

  He grins at me over his shoulder as he fiddles with the elevator's control panel. I have no idea what he's doing, but figure I don't need to do anything but breathe for the moment.

  Then we're moving. Across, down, across again.

  We come to a stop. The door opens to reveal the front of the building. I step out right away, thankful to be on solid ground. I'll be happy if I live the rest of my life without having to do something like that again.

  "Have a good night!" the doorman calls out as we walk past, his face as cheerful as ever.

  "Thank you," I murmur as Zane takes my hand in his again. "I hope I do," I mutter under my breath, already having second and third thoughts. Maybe fourth ones too.

  "You will," Zane reassures me. Apparently, he has the hearing of a bat. "Trust me."

  With no other option at this point, I follow him through the streets. Not at all afraid with him by my side. Probably stupid as well. He's only one man after all. And it isn't like he has superpowers, all jokes about climbing the building aside.

  Maybe the decision making part of my brain is on hiatus permanently. Or at least taking some time off tonight during my uncontrollable spiral of reckless behavior. Guess I'll just go with the flow.

  We walk a few blocks and turn onto a side street known for its clubs and partying. I've never been here, at least not at night when it's alive like this. I try to take in all the flashing lights, the sporadic holograms beckoning into each club. A snake darting forward with an open mouth, a pretty girl winking over her shoulder, a horse running in place. They're huge and they certainly draw attention, though Zane doesn't even spare them a glance.

  Instead, he takes us directly to the one with the longest line, the music thumping out onto the street. The two large men standing at the front of the line, keeping everyone out, watch the crowd with stern faces. They're certainly intimidating, but they also add a feel of exclusivity to the place that an automated security bot wouldn't. I can see why they were hired for the job.

  Zane bypasses the line and goes straight for them.

  "Zane," I whisper, glancing at the glaring faces waiting to be let in.

  "It's okay," he says, stopping at the front. "Hey guys."

  The two bald bookends look over at him, their overly developed muscles straining their t-shirts. Probably have steroid implants. Maybe multiples. Illegal, but available to anyone who has contacts.

  "Zane!" they greet in unison as the one closest undoes the velvet rope to let us in. "How's it going?"

  "Good," Zane replies, fist bumping both of them. "Just out to have some fun."

  Their eyes turn to me and their smiles turn to smirks. Now, doesn't that just make me feel special.

  "Sure man. Have a good time."

  How much does this guy party? I don't think I'm prepared for this at all.

  But then we're walking into the club, the music loud and thumping, the people inside writhing against each other to the beat. The bar is three deep, the android bartenders working so fast their hands are blurs as they mix drinks and pass them out. I look up as Zane leads me to the dance floor, feeling a little dizzy as I see floor after floor of people dancing. The space in the center of the building is open, colored streaming holograms twisting and changing with the beat, adding to the ambiance.

  And are those…?

  I watch as two aerial dancers use small propulsion rockets on their feet and hands to paint a complicated picture, leaving behind some kind of colored smoke. That must take a lot of practice.

  I look back down as Zane's hands slide around my waist and he pulls me in tight against him, his leg slipping between mine. Like it belongs there.

  I watch as he combs my hair back from the side of my face, baring my neck and ear to the heat created by all those close bodies. He gently kisses the soft skin under my ear, a pulse of heat passing through me at even that small touch.

  "Come on, Red. Let's dance," he murmurs, moving me to the beat. "I promise not to bite." He leans back, guiding me with his hands on my hips. His cock is hard and thick against me. "Unless you ask nicely," he adds. "I'd never want to disappoint a lady."

  I shake my head at that line.

  But then he's grinding against me to the driving beat of the song. And I'm moving back against him. I've never danced like this, but my body seems to know what to do. Where to go. But it also wants more.

  I slide my hand down the firm muscle of Zane's arm as I move with him, the heat between my legs rising as he deliberately pushes his hard thigh against me, rubbing and pushing the seam of my jeans against me where I'm still wet from before.

  Yes.

  This is dangerous. Zane is dangerous.

  His hand slides down to cup my butt, bringing us impossibly closer together, until I feel him everywhere. My body feels alive, singing with desire, sensations bombarding me. Maybe danger is exactly what I want. What I need right now.

  I give myself over to the moment.

  I'll deal with tomorrow when it comes.

  Chapter 8

  Zane

  Ruby's eyes widen as she takes in Sinner around us.

  Oh, sweetheart. This is nothing.

  Her innocence is so rare in this place, in this city, where every pleasure is there for the taking. Where you can indulge whatever you want to whenever you want to. But it comes with a price. A lot of people are jaded early, have seen and done everything and have the scars to show for it.

  The man in me wants to hold on to Ruby's innocence, treasure it, cherish it. But the wolf in me wants to claim it, take it. Make Ruby mine.

  I don't know if I'm strong enough to hold it off in this case. She's just so perfect. All of me wants her so much.

  I pull her to the dance floor and bring her in tight against me, wanting to feel those curves, feel her move with me. She hesitates at first, a little shy. It rouses the protective instincts in me even as I want to show her more, do more with her.

  To her.

  The conflicting urges are driving me insane.

  And then she gets into the swing of things, her body starting to grind and undulate against me like she was born to do it. Like it's natural for her. Not a learned way to entice, done just for effect.

  I groan, but it's largely covered up by the sheer noise of the place. My cock throbs in my pants as I push up against her, breathing in her scent. She's so sexy, so innocent. The contradiction draws me like nothing else.

  I want her alone. Alone and naked where we can finish what we started earlier. My mouth waters at the thought.

  I'm about to suggest going to some place quieter, when I feel a pair of silicone filled double-Ds press up against my back.

  Oh no.

  "Hey Zane," a voice purrs. "Why don't you ditch the little girl and I can go show you what a real woman can do."

  Ruby steps back, her eyes locked on the woman behind me.

  Shit. I'm hoping she didn't hear that in the avalanche of sound in here.

  I extricate myself from Jen's grip and turn around with a smile. "I'm sorry, you have the wrong person," I say politely.

  I turn away at her confused look, taking Ruby's hand and pushing through the crowd once more. Time to head to a different place.

  As I guide us to the door, a couple of guys slap me on the back.

  "Hey man! Love the new bots at the Moon!"
r />   "Yeah, top notch!" the shorter one agrees. "Going to a killer party later, do you want to come?"

  "Wrong guy," I mutter, pushing past them too. Is everyone I've ever met out tonight? Ruby just started to relax with me. I don't want her to get her guard back up. And learning who I really am will most definitely do that.

  "Hi, handsome!" another woman calls out, her sheer dress doing nothing but highlighting the body underneath. "Where are you going in such a hurry?"

  I keep my head down and push out of the club. I come here too much.

  As we make it out to the sidewalk, I breathe a sigh of relief and pull Ruby along to another club, somewhere I don't go as often.

  "Did you know those people?" Ruby asks behind me.

  "They must have had the wrong guy," I say easily. "It's so dark in there, it's easy to get confused."

  "They seemed pretty sure," she says, suspicion creeping into her voice.

  "I want to show you around," I say, changing the subject. "That place can be a little too much sometimes."

  I pull her into another club, one not quite as crowded or as dark. And without nearly the amount of drugs being passed around.

  "Hey guys," I greet the bouncers.

  They greet me with a smile, immediately letting me in. Most of the bouncers know me at this point.

  Ruby watches with narrowed eyes but doesn't say anything.

  "Do you want a drink?" I ask, heading to the bar.

  "Just some water, thanks," she says, looking around the place.

  It's part lounge, with big cushy booths that invite you to sit down, order more drinks. There are multiple dance floors in the multi-level, open floor plan place. Each with a different nature theme—the beach, mountains, a lake, the desert, a view of the night sky that's almost impossible to get anywhere with the light pollution these days.

  The holograms are transparent from the outside, but I know they seem very real when on the dance floor itself. The creators went all out. Even the floors themselves are programmable, able to simulate wet sand, rock, grass. With the soundtrack and the scents pumped into each area, it creates a pretty damn immersive experience, one not really available to people in real life apart from the few nature preserves that still exist.

  I grab two waters, not wanting to drink if Ruby isn't going to. We down them quickly and then I pull her to the floors.

  "What do you feel like?" I ask, wanting her to pick.

  "Oh, can we try them all?" she asks, her face excited as she takes them in.

  "Sure," I say, smiling.

  Her excitement is infectious, even though I usually feel cynical in places like this, tallying up the costs, wondering how their bottom lines are doing. But I let myself just enjoy the experience as Ruby leads us to the beach first.

  "Oh, it feels like we're on sand!" she gasps, grinning as she breathes in. "Or what I guess sand would feel like. And I can smell the ocean!"

  I nod, enjoying just watching her pleasure.

  The waves crash against the beach as she settles against me, swaying to the slow tempo of the music. She sighs against me, her body molded to mine. This is nice. Soothing, even though my erection hasn't abated.

  Ruby moves back a little to look at my face, her cheeks flushed, her breath a little fast. She's not unaffected by my closeness. But she doesn't make a move.

  "Come on, let's go to the desert next," she says, grabbing my hand and pulling me out of the beach simulation.

  I groan silently. There's something else I'd much rather be doing, nut I don't want to ruin her fun. So I go from scene to scene with her, watching her face light up as she experiences each one for the first time.

  Will she be like this when I have her naked? When I show her everything her body can do? Everything we can do together?

  My cock twitches with interest. I don't think it's ever been this hard for this long before. I'm starting to wonder if I might break something down there.

  As I'm laughing at something Ruby says, I glance up and accidentally make eye contact with a familiar woman.

  Probably a one night stand. She seems like the type I'd go for. Exaggerated curves, skimpy dress, pretty face under all that make up and hair. She smiles, starting to make her way over to me. I quickly turn away again, hoping to hide that fact. But Ruby is already frowning in her direction.

  "Does she know you?" she asks, even as I start hustling us towards the door.

  "No, she was looking at the guy behind us," I lie, feeling more than a twinge of guilt.

  I've lived fast and hard and never felt badly about it. I enjoy myself, revel in pleasure. Live life to the fullest.

  But for the first time, I feel… shame. I don't want Ruby to see that part of me. What will she think? Will she judge me? Will she not want anything to do with me? I don't want to find out.

  I take her out and to another club down the street. We get in easily once again.

  "Do you know all the bouncers?" Ruby asks with a laugh as we walk in.

  My smile is a little strained. "I've been to all of these places before," I say obliquely. "This place is one of the nicer ones."

  She looks around, her face softening as she takes in the scene. It's modeled after old school Italy, with the hologram of a cobblestone town square overlaid on the actual structure, the scent of the outdoors and the big open sky projected above us lending a sense of realness to the scene.

  The music is pretty, swaying, not the kind to grind to. But the kind to hold your lover close, which I'm completely fine with.

  Once again, I wrap my arms around Ruby and she sinks in against me. And we sway to the music, every inch of her pressed up against me.

  I know she can feel my erection against her stomach, because I can feel the hardened tips of her breasts even through all the layers between us.

  I lay my head against the top of hers, letting the music and the closeness of our bodies seduce her. I know it's working on me. I feel drunk with the feel of her, with the scent of her. I've never spent this much time trying to seduce someone before. Usually, the fact that I'm a Singarti and that I have power and money does the work for me.

  It doesn't hurt that I'm not ugly.

  But I find that I don't mind the extra time and effort. I like that she's not throwing herself at me. There's just something about her. She's special. Clean and real when I've almost forgotten what that really is.

  I want her. I ache with it.

  I slide my hand into her silky hair and tilt her head back, scanning her soft face. She's relaxed. The music, the surroundings, the warmth of our bodies have all done their work. Leaning down, I press my mouth against hers in a slow, thorough kiss.

  "Hmmm."

  She wraps her arms around my neck, kissing me back just as slowly, just as thoroughly. Our bodies continue to sway together. My hands clench on the small of her back as the heat between us intensifies.

  I want more of her.

  All of her.

  Chapter 9

  Ruby

  I kiss Zane, my body pressed up against the heat and hardness of his. The night has been amazing so far, almost like I've had permission to be someone else. Someone freer, someone who doesn't have to think two, three, four times before every action she takes. Someone without a care in the world, open to living in the moment.

  It almost feels like I'm in a dream. And here's the perfect guy to guide me through the fantasy.

  I hum in the back of my throat as I try to get even closer to him, my fingers sinking into his hair, my heart beating faster. My body feels so ready. Everything we did before, the hours we've spent with our bodies moving against each other, rubbing and grinding…

  This kiss.

  I feel a throbbing heat between my legs, a desire to reach for more. Greedy in a way I didn't expect.

  Zane breaks the kiss and steps back, my hand in his. "Let's go to the back," he says in a low voice, his eyes intense, his cheeks flushed.

  It's clear what he wants. It's exactly what I was just thinking I
wanted.

  But I hesitate for a moment. I feel on the edge of a decision here, an important one. Is this really what I want? I'll never get this decision back. There are no do overs.

  Still, even as I think it, I'm following him through the simulated historic Italian square.

  I want him. Badly.

  Badly enough to follow my body's desire. I'm already throwing caution to the wind. I don't want to hold back now.

  He goes right for a door in the corner that I didn't even notice, opening it and leading us into a dimly lit hallway. There are doors on either side. He leads us straight to one on the right and opens it, leading us into what looks to be a small office. A desk and chair are on one side, a long, plush couch on the other.

  "Should we be back here?" I ask, a twinge of worry breaking through.

  "I know the owner," Zane reassures me, drawing me over to the couch. "And I don't want to wait anymore."

  He makes a convincing argument. And the kiss he lays on me then is carnal. Passionate, no holds barred, deep and dominant, it reignites the flame even hotter.

  He'd been holding back. That had been him holding back on the dance floor.

  I moan, feeling myself being swept back up into the whirlwind of desire, of want. Zane is a dangerous man. And I can't deny being drawn to that danger.

  We kiss for long moments, the feel of his mouth on mine, his body pressed up so close, his taste, his scent… I feel like I'm surrounded by him, all encompassed by him.

  And it's delicious.

  He finally breaks the kiss, his eyes meeting mine as he lifts the bottom of my shirt, the lust in them clear. I raise my arms, wanting him to be able to touch all of me. But I want to be able to touch him too. As soon as my shirt is off, I move to slide his jacket off his shoulders. It drops on the floor behind him.

  He helps me take off his shirt.

  Oh.

  Oh, man.

  My hands immediately go to touch his ripped torso, the muscles defined and hard, his chest hair narrowing as it goes down to his chiseled abs. "You don't even look real," I murmur as my hands move up to shape his broad shoulders and muscled arms.