Elias sat on the back porch of the house where he was a guest. The stars blanketed the sky and the moon was a glowing crescent. The door opened behind him and Gator stepped out. Elias didn’t bother acknowledging the other man. Sage and Reece were settled in over at the alpha’s house for the night. He hated being away from them.
Gator leaned against the porch post, making it impossible for Elias to ignore him. “What?” Elias demanded.
Gator just smiled and shook his head. “You’re too tense to sleep tonight. Why don’t you go for a run?”
That surprised him. The last thing he’d expected was for the man to tell him he had free rein over their land. Of course, with his nephews here, it wasn’t like Elias was going to do anything stupid to jeopardize their safety.
“Go, mon ami,” Gator urged. “Your boys will come to no harm.”
Strangely enough, he believed the other werewolf. Gator wasn’t the type of man who said one thing and then did another.
“Just don’t do anything stupid,” Gator warned.
“Define stupid.” he shot back.
Gator laughed. “Damned if I don’t like you.” He pushed away from the post and strode closer. “You’ve got a certain look in your eye.” Gator shoved his hair out of his face. “I’ve seen it before, and it can only mean one thing. Trouble. You’ve got a woman on your mind. And since the only woman you’ve seen lately is Anny’s friend, I’m going to go out on a limb here and assume it’s Sue Walsh that’s put that look on your face.”
Shit, Gator was more perceptive than Elias had given him credit for. “It doesn’t matter.” If he said it often enough, he might eventually start to believe it.
“Because she’s human?”
Elias nodded. “Yes, because she’d human. You have a pack to protect. I have my nephews and she has her son. She knows nothing of our world.”
Gator leaned against the railing and crossed his arms over his chest. “It would take a strong woman to accept who and what we are.”
Was Gator suggesting Elias go to her? “She’s human,” he reiterated. “Her lifespan is short.”
“How old are you anyway?” Gator asked.
“Fifty.” Elias knew he looked to be in his mid-thirties, but that was the way it was with werewolves. He wouldn’t begin to show his age for another seventy plus years.
Gator whistled. “Maybe you’re too old for her.”
Elias was on his feet in a heartbeat, fists clenched and ready to fight. A low growl rolled from his chest. Gator held his hands out in front of him in mock surrender. Elias realized he was being an ass and sucked in a deep breath.
“You might as well go check on her.” Gator slapped Elias on the shoulder on his way along. “Maybe you can’t be with her, but that doesn’t mean you can’t look out for her.” With that, the other man went inside, leaving Elias with two choices—stay or go.
He was off the porch and running before he’d made a conscious decision. He didn’t shift. He didn’t want to push his luck that far. His wolf didn’t seem to mind that much, not since they were headed toward Sue’s place.
The warm night air flowed around him and the stars lit his path. Not that he needed the light, not with his preternatural vision. His breathing was deep and slow as he jumped over downed trees and across rocks. The mossy ground was soft beneath his feet and he made no sound.
He was aware of Cole off to his left, keeping pace until Elias left pack land. He wondered why the sentry hadn’t stopped or questioned him. Maybe Cole knew where Elias was going. Maybe they all sensed his attraction.
He was grateful neither Sage nor Reece seemed to have noticed it. Or if they had, they hadn’t mentioned it.
Legs pumping and arms moving to give him maximum power, Elias raced through the night. He felt alive in a way he hadn’t in many years. Being around a pack, being able to simply run through the woods was a powerful thing. His blood surged through his body and his skin itched with the need to shift.
He slowed and fought with the wolf inside him. He couldn’t afford to be seen as a wolf and start any rumors around town. That would not endear him to the pack.
Elias hit the path by the stream that ran behind Sue’s home and followed it to her backyard. The light was still on in her kitchen. He frowned and prowled closer. It was late. He’d expected Sue to be in bed.
On silent feet, he reached the back porch and peered in the window. Sue was sitting at the kitchen table with her head buried in her hands. She looked upset about something. Before he could talk himself out of it, he was at the back door. He knocked once and waited.
“Who’s there?” she demanded. He heard the quaver of fear in her voice and damned himself for putting it there.
“Elias.”
Chair legs scraped against the floor as she pushed out of her chair. Her feet barely made a sound as she made her way to the door. “Elias?”
“Yeah, it’s me.”
Sue unlocked the door and pulled it open. “What are you doing here?”
He had a dozen excuses lined up, but what came out was the pure, unadulterated truth. “I couldn’t stay away.” He took a step forward and she moved back, inviting him into her home.
It was a big step for both of them. Elias inhaled deeply. The house smelled like Sue, sweet and womanly with a hint of vanilla. He also scented Billy, the warm air that wafted through the window screens and a hint of bacon. Whatever they’d eaten for supper had included bacon.
“You shouldn’t be here.” She started to turn away, but he put his hand on her shoulder and stopped her.
“What’s wrong?” There was definitely something bothering her. Sue was tense and her eyes were red. She’d been crying.
She shrugged. “Nothing you need to worry about.”
Ouch, that hurt worse than it should have. Not that he didn’t deserve it. As far as she was concerned, he’d gotten what he’d wanted last night and then walked away.
Sue moved away and went to the kitchen cabinet. She pulled down a glass and poured herself some water from the jug in the refrigerator. Like last night, she was wearing a thin nightgown that fell to her knees and had thin straps keeping it up. It was pale lavender in color and made her appear even more ethereal than normal. Her blond hair was tousled and she wasn’t wearing any makeup at all, but that didn’t detract one ounce from her beauty.
She set her glass down and crossed her arms over her chest, bringing his attention to her breasts, which were pushed up by the action.
He swallowed hard and willed his erection to go down. It was a lost cause. “Maybe I can help.”
Her laugh was tinged with bitterness. “You’re part of the problem.”
He frowned. “Excuse me.”
Sue waved her hand in the air and, for a brief second, he caught a glimpse of her dark nipple through her thin gown. He swallowed hard and forced himself to look only at her face.
“My ex is threatening to take Billy.” She went back to the table and sat. “He thinks there’s money from my parents’ estate.”
“Is there?” Elias wanted to find the bastard and beat the hell out of him for upsetting Sue like this.
“What’s left is in trust for Billy for when he turns eighteen. It’s for his education.”
Elias nodded. “And?” he prompted when she fell silent.
“William is remarrying and all of a sudden wants Billy. But it’s not his son he wants, it’s the money.”
Elias couldn’t imagine any man not wanting his own child. “You’re sure?”
The look she gave him was so filled with anger and disgust it would have dissolved a weaker man. “Of course I’m sure. I had to fight to make him see his son at all. I should have let him just walk away, but I thought Billy needed to know his father.” She rubbed her fingers over her forehead. “He doesn’t know his son at all. He just wants the money.”
Elias couldn’t stay away from her any longer. He went to her side, crouched down and rested one hand on her leg. “You said I was part of the problem?”
“Oh God. I didn’t mean that.” She shook her head. “It’s not your fault. Not really. If William hadn’t used that, he would have used something else.”
Elias’s brain went offline momentarily and he was unable to think or speak. “Your ex found out we were together?” he blurted. He hated the idea of anyone tainting the amazing sexual encounter they’d had on her back porch.
“What? No. No.” Sue tilted her head back and stared at the ceiling. “He was at the babysitter’s place when I went to pick up Billy. He’s not supposed to see his son unless it’s a scheduled visit. Billy wants his father’s attention so badly. He told him about meeting Reece and Sage down by the creek. Needless to say, William is using that as an example of me being an unfit mother.”
Elias was speechless. Sue loved her son more than anything in the world. Anyone who spent even five minutes in her presence would know that. What her ex was doing to her was nothing less than cruel.
“I’m sorry.” Elias didn’t know what else to say.
Sue looked at him and nodded. “I know you are. I don’t know what I’m going to do. My lawyer told me not to worry.”
“You spoke with him?”
“As soon as I put Billy to bed. He says it’s nothing more than a ploy to upset me. He says William doesn’t have a leg to stand on after barely being in Billy’s life for years. A judge will rarely take a child away from the mother.” A lone tear leaked from the corner of her eye and rolled down her cheekbone. Elias reached out and wiped it away. It wasn’t right that Sue was crying. She deserved nothing but happiness.
Following his instincts, Elias stood and scooped her into his arms. The fact she didn’t object told him just how badly she was hurting. He carried her down the short hallway to her bedroom. It wasn’t hard to find as the house was small and one of the bedroom doors was closed.
Her scent was also stronger as he neared her room. He carried her over the threshold and set her down on the bed. She looked tiny curled up on the sheets, but she was so much stronger than she looked.
“I want to stay.” The urge to comfort her was stronger than he could fight. He knew he should leave but couldn’t, not when she was hurting like this. Neither man nor wolf would stand for it.
He walked to her door and closed it. When she made no protest, he toed off his sneakers, yanked off his tank top and shucked his jeans. As soon as he was naked, he crawled onto the bed beside her and curled his big body around hers.
His erection dug into her side, but he ignored his body’s needs. This was about comforting Sue and giving her what she needed. Then she rolled over so she was facing him, reached down between their bodies and wrapped her fingers around his cock.
Sue didn’t know why Elias had shown up tonight, and she honestly didn’t care. She’d been stripped bare today with pain and anger, and had been left feeling empty and alone. She wanted to feel alive and powerful. Sex with Elias could give her that.
It wouldn’t change her situation, but it would give her a respite from the worry. A naked Elias made it difficult to think about any problems. When he wrapped himself around her, she felt safe and cherished. It might be an illusion, but it was one she sorely needed at this moment.
She’d be strong again tomorrow. Right now, she needed to forget.
She turned onto her side, reached down and gripped his shaft. He was hard and full. Pulsing with life. He tensed and his cock flexed in her hand.
“Are you sure?” he asked.
“Yes.” She’d never been more sure of anything in her life. She’d spent years of her life being responsible and sensible. She’d needed to be that way for her son, and later on her parents. Elias was her wild fling, the one thing she did for no one other than herself.
Not that she regretted one second of her life. She didn’t. She loved her son and her parents and would do everything over again in a heartbeat to have them in her life.
But she wanted more. Needed more. If only for another night.
Elias rolled until he was on top of her, his weight resting on his thickly muscled forearms. “You’re an amazing woman, Sue.” He nuzzled her neck and inhaled. Was he sniffing her?
She ran her hands up his broad shoulders and thrust her fingers through his hair. She didn’t want to think or talk. She only wanted to feel.
Using her grip, she tugged until his gorgeous mouth was close enough for her to kiss. It was light at first. Her lips skimming over his. The heat from his big body surrounded her, making her hot in more ways than one.
A deep rumble vibrated in his chest and then he was kissing her back. He thrust his tongue past her lips and she opened for him. He tasted dark and dangerous, hot and masculine.
He slid one thick thigh between her legs and shoved them open, making a place for himself in the cradle of her body. His cock pressed against her stomach. She moaned as the heat of him sank through her thin nightgown.
He slanted his mouth over hers again and again until she was breathless. Only then did he sit back between her spread thighs. His eyes were practically glowing in the darkness. It had to be a trick of the light, but it was slightly unnerving.
He ran his fingers down the slender column of her neck and over her collarbone. Then he hooked them beneath the straps of her gown and eased them down. She bent her arms and helped him pull the fabric all the way down so her gown was pooled around her waist.
He growled and bent forward. The rasp of his hot, wet tongue on her nipple set her body on fire with need. She’d forgotten she had sexual needs of any kind until she’d met Elias. He seemed to bring out that more basic side, reminding her she was a sexual woman with wants and desires.
This time, she wasn’t going to stop until she had him inside her.
He plumped her breasts with his big hands and then teased each straining nipple with his tongue and teeth. He flicked and lapped at the bud before lightly scraping his teeth over the surrounding area. Sue arched into his touch, unable to get enough. Her pussy ached and she was on the edge of coming.
She dug her nails into his shoulders and ran her hands over his back. “I want you.” The plea escaped her, and Elias froze with his tongue curled around her nipple.
He shuddered and then raised his head. “Are you sure?”
She nodded. She’d always regret if she let this opportunity slip away from her. She’d been married and had a child but she’d never felt sexual passion like she did when she was with Elias. She was old enough now to realize just how special and rare it was.
“I don’t have any condoms,” he warned. “I didn’t come here expecting this.”
She believed him and that only reinforced her belief that Elias was special. “It’s okay. I’m safe. I mean, I don’t have any diseases, and it’s not the right time of the month for me to get pregnant.”
“I’m clean too,” he told her. He yanked her nightgown down and tossed it on the floor. When she was naked, he inserted his hand between her legs and slowly sank one thick finger inside her. “Fuck, you’re so wet.”
She loved the rawness of his words. The honesty of his need for her was a complete turn-on. She reached down and gripped his shaft. She pumped her hand up and down, gathering some of the moisture from the tip to make it easier to slide her palm over his length. “You’re so hard.”
His growl sounded like that of a wild animal. She shuddered and he stilled his hand with his finger buried deep inside her. “Sue?”
She was past speaking and simply nodded.
Elias removed his hand from between her legs and shoved her thighs wide. He leaned forward until the thick head of his cock was pressed against her opening. Then he pushed inward. Sue sucked in a deep breath at the overwhelming pressure. It had been a long time for her.
Every muscle in Elias’s body tensed, and he paused.
“Don’t stop,” she gasped. She wanted this. She wanted him.
But Elias wouldn’t be rushed. He flexed his hips forward and his cock sank past the initial resistance. His shaft stretched her inner walls. The pressure was almost overwhelming and overpowering. Her body softened and accommodated his large presence.
“You okay?” His entire body was rigid and a bead of sweat rolled down his broad chest and over his defined abs.
Sue nodded. She felt stretched to the limits, but it didn’t hurt. The feeling of fullness threatened to send her careening over the edge.
“Almost there.”
He wasn’t all the way inside her? She didn’t think she could take any more. But Elias was relentless and patient. He flexed his hips back and forth, pushing deeper with each inward stroke until he was buried to the hilt.
“Fuck. You feel amazing. Like a hot, wet vise squeezing my cock.”
Her inner muscles spasmed at his words, and they both groaned. Her body was poised on the edge of orgasm, but she needed more. She wrapped her legs around his waist and urged him to move.
He needed no second invitation.
He began to thrust slow and deep, pulling all the way to the edge before driving back again. She found the rhythm with him. Delicious was too tame a word. It was wildly exhilarating. Primal.
Elias shoved his arms under her and raised her off the bed just far enough so he could close his warm lips over one taut nipple. His strength astounded her. He didn’t even seem to notice he was holding most of her weight off the bed.
She circled her hips, grinding her pelvis against his. His thick cock hit all the sweet spots inside her. She clung to his strong shoulders and threw her head back as she came. She cried out her release.
His cock seemed to swell even more inside her. The hot flood of his release filled her even as his growl of pleasure echoed in the room.
She’d thought he’d collapse after he came. Instead, he pulled her upright so he was sitting on the mattress with her in his arms. She fell forward, resting her head on his shoulder. His cock pulsed hard and deep, sending another round of spasms through her.
She closed her eyes and savored the sensations.
It was even better than she’d imagined.
Sue had no idea how much time had passed before Elias moved. He lifted her off his still semi-erect cock and placed her on the bed. She shivered without his warmth. He flicked the sheet over her.
She didn’t open her eyes when the door opened. She heard running water seconds later and knew he was in the bathroom. She must have dozed, because the next thing she knew Elias was sitting on the edge of the bed beside her. He was fully dressed and pressing a wet facecloth between her legs.
It was embarrassing, but it was too late to protest as he tossed the cloth onto her nightstand. She knew he had to leave but she didn’t want him to go. She gathered her strength and sat up. “Where’s my nightgown?”
Elias reached down and plucked the garment off the floor. She held out her hand to take it but he wouldn’t release it. He slipped it over her head and helped her pull it down until she was fully covered.
“I don’t want to leave you,” he began.
She covered his mouth with her fingers. “You have to. Sage is alone and you’re only passing through.”
He frowned, not liking the reminder. Too bad. It was only the truth.
“I’ll come see you again,” he promised.
She should deny him, should tell him no. “All right,” she whispered.
Elias hesitated and then swore before he placed a hard kiss on her lips. “I’ll lock up,” he promised. “And don’t worry. I’ll help you figure something out with your ex.”
Sue nodded even though she really didn’t see what, if anything, Elias could do. He had the bedroom door open when she remembered what had happened at work.
“Elias.”
He stopped and turned back.
“Keep Reece close. Some local men were having lunch at the diner today and one of them said he saw a wolf. I figured he might have seen Reece. I mentioned that there was a family with a dog camping nearby and that was probably what they saw.”
Elias swore under his breath. The light from the kitchen outlined him and she could see the stiff way he held his body.
“Did I do something wrong?” Maybe she shouldn’t have said anything.
“No. No, you did nothing wrong. Thanks for the warning.” She sensed he wanted to say more, but he left without another word. The kitchen light went out and then the back door closed.
Sue wished he were still here with her. She hugged the sheet closer and caught a whiff of his masculine scent. He was coming back. He’d said he would. It was probably a mistake. No, scratch that. It was definitely a mistake.
He wouldn’t stay indefinitely. He had Sage to think about. And she had the rest of her life to have regrets. While Elias was still here, she planned to enjoy herself and worry about the consequences later.
She turned onto her side and closed her eyes. She could still feel his hands and mouth on her body and his thick cock inside her. She sighed and prayed for sleep.
Elias’s entire body was humming with satisfaction, but his wolf wasn’t happy. The animal wanted Sue marked and claimed. Elias didn’t blame the wolf. She belonged to them. That she was under attack by her ex only made matters worse.
He’d come so damn close to sinking his fangs into the soft skin of her neck and placing his mark on her. It was the main reason he’d focused his attention on her breasts instead of burying his face in the curve of her neck as he’d so dearly wanted to.
Thankfully, she’d been too out of it to realize just how long he’d stayed inside her after he’d come. The base of his shaft had swelled, locking him inside her welcoming heat. He hadn’t been able to withdraw for quite some time.
He’d wanted to fuck her again and again, but that wasn’t wise. She was human and would question his ability to come again so quickly. Then there was the little matter that his nephews were alone with strangers. He should never have left them, but the call of a mate was too strong to be denied.
Shit, he was in big trouble. If he remained in Salvation, he wasn’t sure he could stay away from Sue. And there was no way a woman like her would carry on a clandestine affair for an unlimited time. It was okay now when she thought he was leaving. If he settled here, it would only hurt her, make her feel like he was ashamed of being her with, hiding their relationship.
He growled and started running. He needed to get back to pack land. There was no time to savor how Sue had felt coming apart in his arms. He hated leaving her. Felt as though he was leaving a piece of himself behind. It went against every instinct he possessed not to either stay with her or take her with him.
One thing he did know for sure was he was going to see her again tomorrow night. No one and nothing would stop him.