| |
THIS WAS NOT the time to be thinking about filling his hands with her lush curves. Liz was out of her element, still sported bruises that made his blood boil though not from passion, and she was currently looking at him like he’d grown a second head. He groaned as that second head throbbed in anticipation. He stuck his hand out, palm forward to halt her.
“Don’t come any closer.” His throat constricted and strangled his voice. The words came out mangled and she gave him an odd look.
“But you’re hurt. I need to check your injuries.”
“I’ll be fine. Just trust me on that.” He’d forgotten about the two extra gunshot wounds he’d picked up at the cottage. They were minor and he’d been so focused on Liz, on making sure she was safe, he hadn’t paid any attention. Once they’d arrived back at his place, getting the pups home to the pack had been the important task. Now, though, the sun sank below the tree line and shadows gathered under their branches. Scents danced on the evening breeze but his nostrils were filled with the sweet essence that would forever define Liz. She still smelled of coconut but there was another fragrance—he sniffed again. Orange and ginger notes swirled beneath the sweet umbrella drink scent.
The amused clearing of a throat broke his concentration. He cut his eyes to the door of the cabin where Tala and Nakai waited. He arched a brow and took one step back from Liz, even as he shifted his body in a subtle stance that put him between the woman and the other Wolf. He didn’t appreciate the amused glances the two exchanged.
“We have a motel room down in town.”
Tala danced around him and offered a hug to Liz. “Be well, little sister, and remember what I said.” As she returned to her husband’s side, her hand brushed across Michael’s arm. He looked down into her smiling eyes. “We will see you in the morning. But not too early.” She chuckled again and winked at him.
The older couple walked to their Jeep. Nakai helped Tala into the passenger side and before he ducked into the driver’s seat, he tossed a short salute toward the house. Michael returned the gesture.
Once the Jeep was out of sight, he turned to Liz. She wore one of his old Army tees. His chest swelled with...not pride. Possession. He wanted this woman with a need as old and primal as time itself. Shadows lengthened and the night swelled with sounds as little animals ventured out, as birds settled, as insects sang to the rising moon.
“We should go inside.” His voice sounded like he’d swallowed a handful of gravel and he had to clench his hands at his sides to keep from touching her.
She tilted her head, a curious bird watching a predator but not sensing the danger. He shouldn’t lose control like this. The full moon was over a week away yet he couldn’t deal with the distraction she presented. He should hustle her out to his SUV, take her down the mountain and send her back to where she came from, but even as he considered that, his whole body tensed and quivered in anticipation. His wolf snarled and he realized he could never let her go. Not willingly. But he wouldn’t force her. Too many times, too many Wolves forced the mating. That never worked out well. He inhaled, held his breath until some of the tension released, and then exhaled.
“We need to talk.” She stepped toward him and he backed away. His nostrils flared as her scent teased his senses. He had to swallow—several times—before his voice worked again. “Liz. Don’t.”
She stopped advancing, a puzzled look on her face. “What’s wrong? I may be a biologist and my area of expertise might be genetics but I’m capable of looking at your wounds and slapping a bandage on them.” She tilted her head again, the curious bird overwhelming all sense of caution the woman might feel.
“No.” The word came out more snarl than human speech. He reached down and stuffed his wolf deep inside his soul.
Her expression changed. Slowly. A shadow of fear appeared in her eyes and he wanted to slam his fist into a wall. He didn’t want to scare her. Or hurt her. And if he didn’t control the beast, he’d do both.
Liz continued to stare at him. She inhaled and her full breasts strained against her shirt. All his blood drained to his groin and what had been a painful erection engorged to excruciating proportions. He’d had blue balls before but nothing like this. Ever. He groaned and turned away from her.
Her hand fluttered against his back, as ephemeral as the wings of a moth drawn to a candle. “Michael? What’s wrong? Let me help.”
“You. Can’t.”
Her palm flattened and she pressed closer as she tried to peer around his body to see his face. Before he realized what he was doing, he whirled and backed her up against the wall, his dick pressed against her soft tummy, his mouth on hers—taking, tasting, branding her as his. She fought him, her hands balling into fists as she beat ineffectually against his chest. A small part of his brain warned him to stop but it was too late. The wolf would claim his mate and claim her now.
With supreme effort, he gentled the kiss. His tongue teased her lips then his teeth nibbled along her jaw to find the soft spot under her chin. He stilled the frantic thrusting of his hips and managed to return his breathing to some semblance of normalcy. Her hands crept around his neck and she relaxed against him. Her lips seared his skin as she kissed his cheek and he raised his head to kiss her again, gently this time. His tongue traced the seam of her lips, asking permission rather than plunging in without invitation. She opened for him and he deepened the kiss. Her acceptance helped calm the wolf and he relaxed. He broke the kiss but pressed his forehead against hers, his breath ragged like he’d just run a marathon.
“I’m sorry.” His voice sighed across her skin. Unable to face her, he kept his eyes closed. He was such a coward.
“Wow.” She sounded awed and breathless and not afraid at all. “Just...wow. No idea what you have to be sorry for.”
He wanted to laugh as his wolf preened. Michael suppressed the wry grin threatening his mouth. What an ego his wolf had. “Yeah. My thoughts exactly.” He inhaled and exhaled, then had to do it all again. “I’m sorry.”
“Again, for what?” She sounded puzzled now and not quite so breathless.
He backed up a step. Retreating was the hardest thing he’d ever done. He cupped her cheek in his calloused hand and marveled at the difference in textures, unable to move for fear of abrading her skin. “For a lot of things. We still need to talk.”
She shook her head. “No. Not unless you’re going to let your body talk.” She blinked and a crooked grin skewed her expression. “Isn’t that an old song or something?” She cut off his reply by placing her finger across his lips. “I’m not a complete novice at this sex thing, but I can honestly say that I have never wanted sex with any man the way I want it with you. Like, right now want it.” She sucked in a deep breath, her nostrils flaring, then blew the air out as her lips formed a little “O”. “Maybe it’s adrenaline. Maybe it’s just rampaging hormones. I don’t care. It’s...it’s crazy. Like romance novel crazy. My breasts...my...uhm... Well, down there...” She dropped her chin and her eyes followed but stopped when her gaze collided with his groin. Her irises dilated, her mouth dropped, and her nostrils flared again. He smiled as her skin flushed. “Did I do that?” She squeaked. Like a little mouse.
“Yes.”
She opened her mouth to speak but nothing came out save for a breathy sigh.
“I want you, Liz. Like I’ve wanted no other woman in my life. And yeah, that’s a cliché but in this case, it’s also the truth. But you need to go into this with your eyes open. You need to understand what is happening.”
She giggled, a sound he never expected to hear from her. Her nerves were showing. “Informed consent, right? I’m an adult, Michael. I know all about the birds and the bees, probably better than most people. We don’t know each other. This is purely physical. I get that. And it’s okay. I’m using protection—”
The growl escaped before he could control it but she ignored it and continued.
“Not because I’m promiscuous but... Well, just write it off as TMI, okay? Sex is—”
“This isn’t about sex, Liz.” He forced his fingers to relax where they gripped her biceps. “This is about so much more. Until we talk—”
Her lips plastered against his and her fingers pressed against his back. After a long moment, she broke the kiss. “Shut up, Michael. You talk too much. I want you. You want me. That’s all that matters.”
His resolve shattered. The wolf roared to the surface. He wrapped his arms around her and lifted. By reflex, her legs circled his waist and her ankles hooked behind his back. He groaned as his dick pressed against the damp heat at her core. He took the stairs two at a time and all but fell onto his bed, still cradling her. He wanted to rip off her clothes but controlled his fingers so they fumbled with buttons on the skirt instead of tearing the material.
“Too slow!” She slapped his hand away. “Let me.”
He grinned at her husky voice and watched as she stripped. Moments later, he followed her lead and they were both naked. This time, he was the one left stunned. She might be short but her lush body looked perfect to him. “Wow...” She blushed, her skin turning rosy from her toes to the top of her head. “I’m going to eat you up.”
She managed a short laugh before he spread her knees and dipped his head between her thighs. He inhaled deeply, her scent filling him with a peace he’d never known before. The wolf wanted to roll in the scent, to wear it in his fur. The man wanted to taste her, and did. He lapped at her, the tip of his tongue teasing her clit and places even more intimate. She squirmed beneath his tender assault so he gripped her hips to hold her still. He would eat her until he was full and she was screaming his name. He nipped and suckled. His tongue tasted her deep inside and his heart thundered with each of her moans.
“Yes.” The word sighed from deep within her. “Oh, Michael, yes.”
He grinned. Close but no cigar. He found the spot he’d been searching for and dragged the tip of his tongue across it. She stiffened. A finger replaced his tongue which then found her quivering clit. He stroked her, curling his fingertip across that spot as he nibbled her. She gasped. Closer. He added a second finger and her inner muscles clenched around him, milking him as he stroked inside her. His dick was so hard he felt like it might shatter if he didn’t bury it deep within her. But not yet.
She arched her hips, despite his grip on them. Her fingers scrabbled into the patchwork quilt that covered his bed, fisting the thick material. “Please,” she begged.
“Come for me, Liz. Just let go. I’ll catch you.”
He thrust with his fingers, hard and fast now. Her muscles contracted around him as she panted. Her areolas puckered and her nipples turned to little buds without a touch from him. She gasped, her shoulders coming off the bed. “MICHAEL!”
She shattered around him. And he “caught” her, just as he’d promised. The frenzy his fingers had built up deep inside her eased as her climax retreated to little quivers and shudders. He didn’t stop. Oh, thank god, he didn’t stop. His fingers continued to stroke her even as he kissed his way up her tummy, pausing to suckle both breasts, before his mouth found hers.
“That’s my girl,” he whispered and she smiled in spite of herself.
“Am I?” She couldn’t help but ask.
“Are you what?”
“Your girl?”
She felt his smile. “Always.”
One word. One word zinging straight to her heart. Something in his voice made her breath hitch in her chest again. He meant it. She was his. For always. She didn’t know how or why, but she was absolutely positive of that. Warmth spread through her that had nothing to do with the rush of blood pounding in her veins. For the first time in ages, she felt like she belonged. And it felt right—felt perfect, in fact—right down to her bones. Before she could voice her next thought, Michael shifted so that he lay on top of her, his hips cushioned by her thighs. The head of his erection pressed against her entrance and while her brain insisted it was too soon for more stimulation, her body opened in welcome. He slid inside her with infinite care. This was no invasion like before. This was sweet and...she blinked. And pushed at the hard wall of his chest.
“Michael, you didn’t put on a condom.”
He pushed up to stare down at her. “You said you were on birth control.”
“I’m on the pill but...but...”
He dipped his head to kiss her. “I’m clean, honey. And so are you.”
Something in his tone convinced her. She suspected he’d been celibate for a long time. A man didn’t get that huge and hard and...needy if he got regular sex. His penis throbbed inside her and she gasped as her muscles fluttered over and around him like a flock of butterflies. His hips lifted and he slid out of her. In a frantic bid to keep him buried, she clenched around him. He chuckled in her ear as he pressed back inside. Only to pull out again. Oh goodness but he filled her and felt so good as the smooth head of his erection rubbed inside her. He kept his thrusts slow and easy even though she felt his muscles tense. His teeth grated as he clamped his jaw tight. He walked on the very edge of losing control trying to make this good for her. But she wanted him out of control. She wanted him pounding into her, wanted him to take her on some primeval level that she’d have to think about later. Right now, though, she wanted to find that place he’d taken her with his mouth and fingers.
She arched her hips, rolled them to take him deeper inside. He gritted his teeth and choked back a groan. Liz felt powerful. She pushed against him again, speeding up the pace of her thrusts. He responded, his hips lifting and rising in a tempo as old as time. Yes, this felt primeval. And perfect. As she had when he picked her up to carry her to his bed, she wrapped her legs around him, tilting her hips. The change in angle made her gasp. And him growl. He sounded so...fierce when he growled. And wild. Untamed. Like the wolves. Her hands stroked along his back and she reveled in the strength of his muscles as they bunched under her caress. He panted now and throbbed, triggering an answering pulse deep inside her. Something behind her belly button twisted and she felt like there were wings in her stomach, flailing and battering at some unseen cage as her emotions tried to soar. Forget fireworks. Forget stars. She wanted to fly.
“Liz?” Her name sounded more like a snarl...or a prayer on his lips.
“Yes,” she urged. “Oh, yes, Michael.” Her breath caught in her lungs and she sped up the rhythm, her body open and accepting all of him as he thrust inside her. Her nails dug into the skin on his back and he hissed.
She felt him grow harder and thicker if that was even possible. She didn’t know. Didn’t care. The first hot jets of his climax filled her, washing against her cervix which triggered her climax. She came hard, clamping around him like a vise. She felt...free, like her soul soared above the earth, dancing among the stars. Her body went boneless. This was how a cat must feel. She wanted to rub against Michael, wallow in his maleness, and purr her contentment.
He collapsed on top of her, his breath raspy in her ear. In a few moments, he made a move to roll away but she tightened her embrace.
“I’ll squash you.” He rolled to his side, but stayed connected inside and out.
His heart thudded against her breast. Her heart probably felt the same to him. She’d never been loved like this. Ever. A little aftershock rocketed through her body and she shivered. His penis throbbed inside her as her muscles clenched around him. “Mmmm.”
He chuckled. She loved the way the sound echoed in his chest. “Mmmm, yes.”
Warm and drowsy, she was ready to forget about everything but this moment in this man’s arms. She nestled against him and his arms tightened around her. This. This was how a woman should feel after being well and truly loved by her mate.
