Even before Carson stripped Josie off her clothes, he’d already undressed her with his eyes. Josie felt the burn of his gaze throughout dinner, as if he was imagining all the dirty things he wanted to do to her body. He frightened her, excited her. Josie didn’t know why her body reacted this way to Carson, or how it was possible he played her like an instrument. By hand, he led her to the bedroom.
This entire thing might have started out as a dare. By the end of the evening, it had the potential to turn into something more dangerous. How it escaped Josie that Carson was her father’s former apprentice, she didn’t know.
They entered his room now. She didn’t expect him to be neat and tidy. Josie’s gaze lingered on the king-sized bed, which formed the center piece of the room. She could already see Carson leaning over her figure, while she spread her legs for him and begged him for more. Josie shook her head.
Focus, Josephina.
“Tell me one thing,” Josie said, before they went any further.
Carson raised his brows.
“Why did you open Howling for Bread across my bakery?” she finally asked, desperately needing to know the answer.
“What else? To get your attention, Josie. Believe it or not, I’ve been keeping tabs on you. My mother’s been sending me news clippings of you ever since you won your first regional baking award.”
She stared at him, sitting on the edge of his bed, still recovering from the shock of his words. He was waiting all this time for her?
“All this, to get my attention?” Josie couldn’t keep the skepticism out of her voice.
Carson neared her, pupils a pure beast-yellow color. The temperature in the room suddenly went up. Josie flushed, skin turning fever-hot. She was glad she was sitting otherwise she would have swayed from his smoldering gaze alone.
“Can’t you feel our beasts, Josie? They know the truth you deny.”
“What truth is that?”
Yes, Josie knew. It wouldn’t hurt for Carson to say the words out loud though, absurd as they sounded. Hard to believe a man, an arrogant Alpha like Carson would want her. Then again, she’d never found another man able to stand up to her, or was worthy of her.
“That we’re meant to be. That you’re my mate.”
Josie’s mouth went dry. Needing a reminder that this was real, she bit her lip. The pain felt real enough, so did Carson’s touch. Tilting her chin upwards, he thumbed her lower lip, thoughtfully stroking it. Opening her mouth slightly, Josie sucked on his finger, enjoying the sound of his groan.
“Show me.”
“Let’s get those clothes off you,” Carson suggested.
She rose to her feet and he reached for the hem of her shirt. Lifting up her arms, Josie let him take off her shirt. Some men didn’t like a woman with curves, but Carson looked at her as if she was something edible. Breaths hitching, Josie took off the rest of her clothes, until she stood only in her underwear.
“Very nice,” Carson said in appreciation.
“Your turn.” Josie smiled when he mimicked the gesture, lifting his arms so she could peel off his shirt. Moving downwards, she paused by the button of his jeans. She could see his raging erection, poking through the denim.
“Go ahead, baby. Unless you’re daunted?” he teased.
“Yeah right.” She unbuttoned and unzipped his jeans. His boxers, Carson took off last. For the next few seconds, Josie stared, appreciated his thick and curving member.
“So huge,” she whispered.
“We can do this another time,” Carson said. “If you changed your mind—”
“No, I know what I want.” Josie knelt between his legs, liking his sudden change of breathing as she blew against his throbbing hard-on.
Groaning, Carson said, “You’re going to be the death of me, baby.”
“Don’t die on me too soon, Alpha. You haven’t taken my virginity yet.”
That got a growl from him. Threading his fingers into her hair, he nudged his cock head between her lips. Tongue darting out, Josie licked away the pre-cum on his tip and tongued his slit. She tasted him from crown to base all the while he let out a rumble of approval. Not neglecting his balls, she sucked on each one. Carson gave her hair a tug.
“Josie, take me in your mouth.”
Opening her jaws wide, she took him inch by inch. Gagging at first by the sheer size of him, Josie recovered and tried again. She applied careful suction, liking the taste of saltiness, of Carson on her tongue. Some women might not like giving blow-jobs, but she was an exception. There was nothing quite like holding a man’s privates captive in her mouth.
“God, baby. You’re unexpectedly good at this,” he murmured.
It was a compliment coming from the Alpha Josie guessed had been with plenty of women before. She would have been jealous of those women, but not now, when Carson’s sole attention was on her.
He didn’t just want her for one night either, but called her his mate. Josie’s wolf responded to his large male beast, so that proved he wasn’t lying or simply placating her.
Could she truly make it work with Carson? She had a feeling he was telling the truth about opening the bakery in front of hers. Would a man really go to that extent, to win the heart of his fated mate?
Didn’t things like this only happen in movies or romantic novels?
She bobbed her head up and down, determined to make this powerful Alpha come. Gripping her hair tight, he let out a growl and she knew he was coming. Throwing his head back, Carson shot his load into her waiting mouth. Refusing to let go, Josie sucked on his softening prick, cleaning him up in the process.
“You’re damn amazing,” he murmured, offering her a hand up. “Now it’s my turn to make your body fly. Lie on the bed, on your back.”
Josie obeyed, watching him from the corner of her eye. Carson headed towards the drawer by the bed, pulling out a box of condoms. After sheathing one over his straining shaft, he returned by her side. He gave her a light kiss on the cheek, before positioning himself once more between her legs. By now, her pussy was soaking wet and her tits were hyper sensitive.
“Thank you for this gift, baby. You don’t know how much this means to me,” Carson said.
If he was indeed her mate, Carson would be the first man in her and the last. The thought gave her shivers, but the good kind.
Blanketing his body over hers, Carson took her lips again, creating a line of kisses down her throat, her collarbone. Reaching her breasts, Carson took her left nipple into his mouth. The Alpha sucked on the bud until it peaked, before moving on to her right. Groaning, Josie clawed at the sheets, needing something to hold on to. Carson placed kisses down her belly, her inner thighs, before going down on her.
Sinking her fingers into his hair, Josie moaned when he flicked his tongue across her clit.
“So wet for me, baby?” Carson teased, blowing against her pussy. “Look at that pretty cunt.”
Josie vainly closed her legs, or tried to, but Carson kept them firmly apart with his hands. She never had anyone compliment her intimate parts before.
“Relax, babe. I’m going to prep you first by using my hand and mouth before sinking my dick inside you.”
Relieved, she nodded.
Nipping and licking at the lips of her labia, Carson stuck a tongue into the pink folds of her wet heat.
Pausing, Carson said, “I fucking love how you taste, Josie.”
Her hips buckled when he dragged his tongue back to her clit, circling it. Thrusting two fingers in her pussy, Carson finger-banged her while he fastened his mouth over her clit. The pressure was too much for Josie.
“Ready, babe?” he asked.
“Yes,” Josie murmured, aware how slick she was for him.
“We’ll take it slow, until you’re used to the size of me,” he said.
He pushed his cock head into her waiting hole. Pain flared, but only for a moment. Josie felt Carson break the thin barrier of her virginity, before slowly pushing his way inside her. He was so huge she wondered how her pussy managed to accommodate him. Josie could feel her inner muscles, clenching around his shaft.
“Breathe, baby. In and out. That’s good.” Carson’s voice was soothing, comforting and she liked how he eased her into this. “You feel so good, so tight. Ready for me to move?”
She nodded, trusting him completely.
* * * *
Carson couldn’t explain in so many words how proud he was of Josie for taking the leap with him, that out of all the men in the world, she chose him. Gripping the flesh of her hips, Carson began pistoning in and out of her. Slow strokes at first, Carson soon found a rhythm. Taking her lips again, they shared the same breath and their hearts beat the same rhythm.
“Faster, Carson,” she whispered after he released her lips.
Happy to comply, Carson increased the pace of his thrusts. God. Her pussy felt amazing around his shaft. She was mind-blowing. Carson didn’t simply want her body. He craved to know every single detail about his sassy little she-wolf, like what made her tick, what her favorite dessert was, and her other passions aside from baking.
Carson didn’t think he could last, not with Josie’s pussy muscles clamping on his dick. Switching the angle of his thrusts, Carson held her tight and entered her. Josie’s eyes flew wide open and her back arched. Smiling, Carson hit her g-spot again, loving the music of her moans.
She clutched at his shoulders, nails leaving behind half-crescent marks, but Carson didn’t mind seeing her souvenirs on him and his on her sexy body. Knowing they were both close to bursting, he reached for her clit and gave it a pinch.
“Come for me, Josie. Do it now,” he commanded.
With his permission, she came, gasping and panting. He pushed into her several times, before the pressure building inside him finally broke. Head reeling, seeing stars, Carson let out a triumphant growl and exploded into the condom. He could sense their two beasts, coiling around each other, recognizing each one as the missing halves of one whole.
Carson pressed his mouth against the side of Josie’s neck. She grew still, knowing the implication of that bite. He began to pull away, surprised when she pressed the back of his neck, encouraging him. Carson looked her in the eye.
“Josie, I need you to be sure,” he said.
“I’m sure. Being with you makes me feel alive, Carson. You’re the answer to the question I’ve been searching for all my life. My mate.”
“Mine,” he agreed, unsheathing his canines.
He bit into the tender side of her neck, teeth sinking deep into her skin. Their wolves connected on a singular level, becoming one. Breathing hard, he pulled away, licking his lips to clear away the remaining droplets of blood.
“Yours,” she agreed with a smile that went though his heart.
He rolled to his side, bringing her close. Josie nestled against his shoulder. They stayed like that for a few moments. Soon, Carson knew they needed to tend to the wound on her neck, but he was certain the bite was clean. With her strength, Josie would heal quickly.
He gave her a nudge. “Come on, babe. Let’s tend to that bite mark on your neck.”
“Then we can snuggle?” she asked suggestively, making him laugh.
“I love cuddles,” he said.
Carson couldn’t tell her those three little words yet. Not because he wasn’t ready, but because he was certain they would drive her away. They might have taken the easy mating route, but Carson knew there were plenty of challenges ahead. With Josie by his side though, Carson felt like he could conquer the world.