The Bond Read online

  Evernight Publishing

  www.evernightpublishing.com

  Copyright© 2013 Shyla Colt & Nikki Prince

  ISBN: 978-1-77130-471-9

  Cover Artist: Sour Cherry Designs

  Editor: Marie Medina

  ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

  WARNING: The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. No part of this book may be used or reproduced electronically or in print without written permission, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in reviews.

  This is a work of fiction. All names, characters, and places are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

  DEDICATIONS

  From Shyla Colt:

  To all of the wonderful people I’ve met along this journey, the fans who continue to support me, new readers who give me a chance, my supportive family and friends and as always the man upstairs who makes this possible.

  From Nikki Prince:

  I'd like to first thank God for blessing me with the gift to write. Secondly I'd like to thank Shyla Colt for being such a wonderful writing partner. It was so much fun to write this with you. To the readers Thank you for your continued love and support

  THE BOND

  Shyla Colt

  Nikki Prince

  Copyright © 2013

  Chapter One

  Sanura pasted a smile on her lips as she slinked down the hallways of L.T.M. Construction toward her fiancé Logan Morrissey’s office. She hated the role she was forced to play to get close to him. The blue jean skirt she wore inched up her thighs, and the black, v-neck tank top showed off more of her breasts than she liked. Her toes protested the four-inch high heels she only wore around her fiancé. Femme fatale was the antithesis of her true self, but it’s what Logan liked. So pretend she did, while gathering enough information to prove he sold the Pride’s secrets to rival tribes and had a hostile takeover planned.

  Right now she needed one more solid, incriminating fact and she could build her case against him. She’d placed a bug beneath his desk a week ago, desperate to end the charade that had gone on for far too long. A year undercover had worn down her soul, and their bonding ceremony was now just a month away. Time stopped for no one, and hers was ticking down fast.

  She came to a halt outside his door and put on her façade. Pretend it’s Rafael Contreras you’re seeing. The thought of the man who’d helped her stay undercover when she was sure she couldn’t handle one more day made her nipples stiffen and her body heat. The dark-eyed man had always been her first choice for a mate, until a horrible accident had earned him a one-way ticket to banishment, ruining her chances before they began. Please let me find what I need to put our plan into action before I slit this man’s throat and blow my cover to smithereens. One more condescending comment accompanied by a sloppy groping might prove to be the straw that breaks the camel’s back.

  It wasn’t so bad, until he touched her. She shuddered, inhaled, regained her composure, and knocked lightly on his door before she popped her head in.

  This is for the greater good.

  “Hi baby, I was shopping nearby and thought I’d stop in and say hi.”

  “Sany!”

  The nickname made her want to hurl. Her name was just fine the way it was, thank you very much. He stood from his desk and hurried over to wrap her in his arms. Her feet left the ground as he squashed her, breasts first, into his broad chest. The citrus and sandalwood scent of his cologne surrounded and suffocated, like the situation itself.

  “You smell so good, baby girl.” His nose nuzzled her ear through the auburn curls that flowed down her back, and she kept her eyes down to hide her resentment. His touch caused an almost physical pain. Paste on a smile, and bat lashes. Focusing on the mechanics of the movement she faked her way through.

  “Still so shy after all this time?” Logan lowered her to the ground. A pleased smile spread across his lips. “I like that. Just one more month until I bury myself in that sweet little pussy of yours and make you mine.” Over my dead body.

  Her cheeks filled with blood. I’m not old fashioned or timid, fool! The very thought of you and I together pisses me off and makes me sick! Even now, the fingers in her hair set her on edge, and the hand on the small of her back rolled her stomach like a wheel on a bicycle.

  “I have so much to show you, baby girl.”

  A knock sounded, saving her from more torture. He pulled away to straighten his clothes.

  “Logan, can we get you in here to look at something?”

  “Sure, I’ll be right out.”

  “Wait here for me, my sweet. I won’t be long.”

  She dashed to the opposite side of the desk, kneeling beside the desk before the door had fully clicked shut. This was her chance. Scrambling underneath the oak monstrosity she removed the micro file from its holder and reached into her bra for the tiny case that housed the new one. She reloaded with nimble fingers and escaped the confined space. Willing her breath to even she straightened her outfit and sank into the chair across from his desk. The door opened. Too close.

  “Babe, I hate to do this, but I have an impromptu meeting.”

  “It’s okay, Logan; I know how hard you work.” She trailed a finger around his collar. Trust me, I don’t mind.

  “My Sany, always so understanding.” His voice was a silken purr as he caressed her face with his knuckles.

  “I’m just lucky to have you.” She pursed her lips, flashing a coy look as she perused him through her long lashes. “I’ll let you get back to work now.”

  His fingers stroked over her face once more. He leaned in to kiss her. She spun away from him hastily, laughing as she made it to the door. Opening it she looked over her shoulder at him and gave a saucy wink.

  “None of that or you’ll never finish your work.”

  He sighed, and then chuckled. “Damn, girl, always busting my balls. Get out of here before I cancel my meeting.”

  Shutting his door she made her way out of the office building to her car before he could change his mind. The heavy weight of his stare followed her as he burned a hole through his office window, which faced the parking lot. She gave the expected wave when she reached her car and got inside and drove off.

  Too eager to wait any longer, she pulled out the equipment in her driveway and pressed play. The whispered conversation made her heart soar along with her anger. I can’t believe it! I did it! I have the evidence I need to get Logan out of my life forever.

  Dazed, she settled back in her seat and pressed the micro file into the small laptop she’d brought with her so she could replay Logan’s voice as he spoke with the rival Pride that lived just across the river. Swallowing the bile that rose in her throat, she listened intently.

  “The Pride’s assets are tied up in the gold market. When I become Chief I’ll allow some of those resources to discreetly bleed over into your Pride. In exchange, I want you to kill the Chief so I can take his place. I need clean hands, or I won’t deal. Schedule the attack for the night of the bonding ceremony. Once I’ve staked my claim on Sanura, no one can usurp my claim as Chief, as the new son-in-law who is bonded by Pride law.”

  There was a rough chuckle heard over the line. It sounded sadistic, sarcastic, and full with greed. “And why should we help you? We can just take what we want, since you’ve been feeding us all their secrets.”

  Sanura heard Logan give an exasperated sound, and then there was silence. At first she thought he had hung up, but then he spoke.

  “You must think you’re dealing with an amateur. If you could do this without me it’d already be done. If you fail to deliver everything I’ve requested, you will get nothing. Zilch. I’m the one who
has the keys to the land and the gold. You feel me? Your Pride’s been on the outside looking in for how long? Centuries, right? Our people migrated from Africa for a chance at a better life, but from where I’m standing, you’ve yet to fulfill that goal. Are you really gonna pussy out now and remain in the shadows? Final offer, you do every fucking thing I say or the deal’s off the table. We clear, Chief Contee?”

  “It is clear, yes. But it is also apparent you’ve forgotten how to speak to your elders. We will keep to our end of the bargain. I have some hired rogues who will do anything I ask as long as they get a little of the action. They will not be traceable to either of us.”

  “Good. Make whatever arrangements you need to make and keep in touch. Just continue to use that cell phone I got you. It’s cloned.”

  “You’ve thought of everything, haven’t you?” Chief Contee growled, his cat creeping through.

  “Of course I have. I’ve known I was meant to be the next Chief since I was a cub of fifteen. Everything I’ve done my entire life since then has brought me here. Ridding the Pride of that pest Rafael and having Sanura come to me as a result was just the icing on the cake. That little bitch has been playing hard to get for years. Soon I’ll show her what a real man is like.”

  Rage made her hiss. Her teeth lengthened, and her inner cat swam close to the surface. She knew that bastard had something to do with Rafael’s banishing! How dare he move them all around like pieces on a chessboard? Plotting her father’s demise like he was simply writing a grocery list. She swallowed back hard, trying to calm herself before she changed in public. If she failed, she’d be trapped and her people would be doomed. Tears fell from her eyes at the impossibility of it all. She wiped the moisture away and straightened her shoulders. She could do this. For her father, for the Pride and for herself, she had to do this.

  Chapter Two

  Sanura was pleased as she entered the room. For a last minute reservation, they did an amazing job. The spacious suite had several candles placed around its darkened interior. Shadows flickered on the walls, giving off just enough light to allow her to maneuver around with ease and it would help with getting through what was happening to her body with all the changes. Her senses were starting to go haywire and being able to see him fully would add fuel to the fire. The bed in the center of the room was topped with plush bedding, but appeared sturdy with its thick wooden posts. Continuing through the room she entered the bathroom. Her overnight bag sat out on a counter in the large bathroom, as requested during check in.

  She took a moment to take in her surroundings as she forced her tense muscles to relax. The bathroom was beautiful, with large double sinks encased in black marble with gold faucets. A standalone shower sat in one corner opposite a sunken tub that could fit at least six people. This was luxury and decadence at its finest. More sage candles littered the ledges and flat surfaces in the room, lending to the air of mystery.

  Sanura studied herself in the mirror, immediately recognizing the hunger that lurked in the dilated depths of her hazel eyes. She freed her hair from its elastic prison, pleased by the golden highlights brought out in the auburn tresses that fell to her shoulders. A lady wanted to look good for her gentleman, no matter what the circumstances. Blood filled her face. Desire stirred once more at the thought of an able-bodied male. There was no use denying she’d reached the pinnacle of her cycle.

  The circumstances that had brought her to this point were daunting, but the meeting she’d set up for the evening would hopefully end all that. It angered her that the archaic tradition of the Pride choosing mates was still in place. If she hadn’t been engaged they would’ve forced her to bond with him. There was a big difference between mating and bonding, sort of like comparing fucking to marriage.

  If only she could solve all of this by riding out her cycle, literally if she had anything to say about it, and go back to her Pride a single woman once more in control of her destiny. A soft groan escaped parted lips as her need increased. The intense arousal moved through her body, as if to mock her train of thought.

  Bracing her weight against the sink, she gripped the edge of the counter as she fought to tamp down an orgasm. She’d waited as late as she could to get to the hotel, because she was afraid of being trailed. Now the fire that burned inside her needed to be extinguished. Her nipples peaked beneath the comfy black track suit, and her panties grew damp from the abundance of cream she produced. A small moan escaped, and she willed him to arrive and soon.

  This was what the Pride’s shaman had warned her about. Unlike the other females in her Pride, her breeding cycle was very unique. As the daughter of their Chief, she was the only alpha female in her Pride. When her cycle came Sanura had to mate with an alpha male to end her heat. This was fine, until the Pride had decided it was time for her to bond and determine the next in line for Chief. Bonding for her people was different from most. For them it was a choice, not a biological response. The sharing of souls was a deeply spiritual experience she refused to have soiled by Pride politics. Her father would be upset. But he loved her. Eventually he’d get over the fact that she’d thwarted his plans to choose her path for her. Especially, when he found out about all of Logan’s lies.

  Another wave of desire threatened to buckle her knees, shattering her thought process. I can’t even be out in public like this. Thank God, she was in her room right now. Sanura attempted to redirect her thoughts and failed, biting back a scream as her body shuddered and the wave began to build once more.

  Her gaze was drawn to the bed where a night of passion would provide her with freedom she craved. No one else seemed to understand her urgency. Her sensitive nipples rubbed against the fabric of her bra. She gasped, and she sprang into action. Kicking off the black sneakers and socks, she slipped out of the track pants and white tank top, leaving the pieces where they fell. She had to come, even if it was by her own hand. The door opened with a soft click, and her breathing quickened. He was here, moving toward the bathroom by the sound of it. Fuck! There’s no time to get dressed again.

  His scent ensnared her, musk and forest pines blended, throwing her heat into overdrive as it tickled her nostrils. Her gaze was drawn to the doorway like a magnet, and she watched him approach, his broad body shrouded in shadows. Anticipation ran rampant. He was about six two with long silky black hair, copper-toned skin, and eyes that mirrored a dark abyss. Rafael looked like his Native American ancestors. An unusual blend of Latin and Native American the man turned heads wherever he went. As he entered the bathroom he held up his hand to show her a red blindfold.

  “What’s that for?” she whispered.

  “For you, of course. I can see that you almost started the party without me.”

  “No, you need to go back into the room. Let me dress so we can talk.”

  “We’re not going anywhere until I claim you as I should’ve a long time ago.”

  He moved forward, and she could see the intent in his eyes, the blindfold still dangling from his fingers.

  “Rafael.”

  “No, no excuses. I’m going to show you what it’s been like to wait.”

  Pleased she offered him her back, turning away from the mirror. He pressed his body against her. The feel of cloth covering her eyes was so sensual it made her shudder. The red cloth stole away her vision, and her heart thudded in her chest. Her ears twitched, and her nostrils flared as her other senses heightened.

  His body was firm and tight beneath his layer of clothing. The bulge in his pants nudged her back, making her wonder if he’d planned this all along. His teeth grazed her neck, and all thoughts fled. A low mewl of pleasure released from her throat. She reveled in the relief from the burning heat that swamped her body.

  He continued to nip her skin, licking with his tongue to soothe the sting. He wrapped his fingers around her waist, anchoring her to the spot, grinding his hardness against her ass. Her cat craved his. Powerful pheromones pouring off him had her cat pawing to be free.

  His callou
sed hands moved up her body and cupped her breasts through the sheer black lace bra. She whimpered as he kneaded and squeezed her sensitive mounds, drawing a rumbling purr from her throat. Tonight was supposed to be about them capturing Logan in his lies. We shouldn’t be doing this! A blast of need shot through her and weakened her knees. The time for staving off her biological need ended. Unable to resist she thrust her back into him, rubbing her ass against the thickness of his cock. Chills of pleasure raced through her.

  He turned her back to the sink, bending her body over the cool marble as he placed her hands on the counter, one in front of the other, spreading her legs apart with his knees.

  “Do you like that?” His voice was imported dark chocolate, deep and rich. Oh how she had a soft spot for accents. He sounded sexy as sin, her Latin lover who heated her blood. Lost in her thought and the dark magic he was performing, she was frightened by the intensity of the emotions swarming her.

  What am I doing? This will change everything. Her confidant and best friend through the trying times deserved better than to be saddled, deserved to know how she felt. He wasn’t just some convenient lay; he’d owned her heart from the time she was woman enough to know what it meant.

  “Shh, querida. No need to be scared. This is a night for pleasure. Talk will come later.”

  His words encouraged her, and she uttered a sigh. She nodded her head and swallowed. Her legs trembled as her breath stuttered in her lungs. He kneeled to bite her right hip hard. His deft fingers hooked into the straps of her bikini underwear, and she gasped. Sliding the thong down, he ordered her to step out of it with a firm command that made her body tingle. Alpha recognized alpha.