Raphael: Bayou Bites (Bayou Heat Book 1)

you.”
He returned the smile. He truly adored this female. And there was nothing he wanted more than her happiness. “It’s not that I fear your new passion, ma cher,” he assured her, taking her hand in his. “It’s that I didn’t see that you needed one. I’m sorry. I’ll do better.”
Her smiled warmed. “Thank you for that. It’s all about balance, Raph.”
Balance. That was always a difficult one for him. How many nights had he been determined to leave HQ early to surprise Ashe and Soyala, or to spend a weekend doing nothing but lazing at home, enjoying the company of his family, only to have some emergency force him to take command of the situation? “It’s hard to find that balance when your people have faced near extinction.”
She squeezed his hand. “I know, but you have dozens of competent Pantera eager to help ease the burden.”
It was the same thing he’d heard from Parish, and Talon, and Hiss.
“You trust your people, right?” she asked.
“Of course I do.”
“Then maybe share the load with them.” Stopping, Ashe reached out to carefully part the thick reeds that circled a small cat on the mossy ground. “It will make everyone happier.”
Raph’s heart twisted, then splintered into a thousand pieces at the sight. With a soft growl he fell to his knees next to his sleeping daughter. Bathed in the warm purple light of the moon, Soyala was in her cat form, her tawny fur coated in a layer of dew.
With gentle care he scooped her into his arms and held her tight against his chest. Then, pressing his nose to her tiny body, he breathed deeply of her sweet, innocent musk.
“Balance.” He whispered the word as a pledge.
And a promise.
“Did you tell them?” Ashe asked her mate as he strode into their bedroom later that night. She’d just come from a quick shower while Raph was putting Soyala to bed.
Well, putting her back to bed.
Little rebel cub.
“Just Talon,” he said, his gaze taking in her thin white robe and still-damp skin with those predatory eyes. “I didn’t want to wake everyone up. I’ll speak to the other two in the morning.”
“Good.” She rounded the bed and pulled back the covers.
“And by morning, I mean eleven o’clock.”
She glanced up. “Excuse me?”
He shrugged lazily, grinned. “I told T I’m taking the morning off.”
“Again…I don’t think I heard you correctly.”
His grin widened and he gave her one low growl before heading into the attached bathroom. “I’m going to sleep in,” he called out, turning the water on in the sink. “And by sleep, I mean make you come at least a dozen times before breakfast.”
Ashe’s skin tightened at his words, and a low hum began to vibrate between her thighs. Raph’s sexual promises were always gloriously graphic. Yes, please. Laughing softly, she stripped off her robe, climbed into their large bed and settled back against the cool pillows. She didn’t bother covering herself. Because…why?
Let the cat see its prey before it strikes.
“Just so you know,” she called back with a teasing air, “I work at nine.”
The water shut off instantly. “No problem, ma cher,” he drawled, appearing in the doorway.
Looking confident, sexy…relaxed.
That is, until he spotted her, lying on their bed, naked.
His canines descended.
The cat flashed in his eyes.
“We’ll start now,” he growled, pushing away from the door. “I can’t wait to taste that sweet, plump clit one more—”
The buzz of his phone cut off his words. His very delicious words.
Cursing, he reached into his front jeans pocket and yanked the thing out, irritated. With one glance at the screen, he muttered a terse, “Parish.”
“If you need to take it—” she began.
Raph let the phone drop to the rug. “It can wait.”
“You sure? Maybe it’s important.”
He headed for the bed, for her. “Nothing is more important than you.”
His words were a tonic, what she needed so badly to hear. She was his priority.
Tonight.
Now.
Her body was on edge, every inch of her skin anticipating his touch. Their encounter in the bayou—her back pressed against the tree, Raph’s tongue playing between her legs—was just the beginning. An appetizer.
She wanted more.
She wanted Raph inside her. So deep she couldn’t think or breathe.
Ashe let her gaze move over him as he stripped bare. This glorious male who belonged to her. From foot to forehead, Raphael was golden flesh over waves of hard muscle, full lips and piercing eyes. A true work of art.
Her gaze dropped.
His thick cock was kissing his lean abdomen.
The tip glistening.
Her mouth watered.
She sat up, moved to sit on the edge of the bed. Licking her lips, she reached for him, wrapping her hand around his cock and squeezing. The heavy length pulsed against her palm. It wanted her. Wanted in. Wanted wet heat.
She inhaled sharply, the muscles in her pussy contracting. Every inch of her cried out to have him inside her. It would always be this way. She was his mate. She belonged to him as he belonged to her. He owned her flesh, every inch…to do with whatever he wished.
Just like his long, thick, pulsating cock was all hers.
To taste.
To suck.
She dropped her head then and took him in deep. Nearly to the back of her throat. The feeling was so intense, so primitive. Up and down she sucked him, getting him wet, pushing him to the edge. Forcing a raw groan from his throat. Feeling her heart swell when the sound met her ears.
Gripping the base of him, she squeezed, then lapped at the pre-come that appeared on the tip. Oh yes… She groaned at the salty taste that was all Raph. Her favorite cocktail. Always got her good and drunk. Then drew him deep into her mouth once again.
He cursed, then growled. “Goddess, Ashe…fuck…”
She drew back and smiled. Mine. All mine. Taking her hand from his now pulsing erection, she reached around and gripped his ass, tight, her fingers digging into the hard muscle as her mouth claimed his length again.
Up and down, drawing him in and out—until