Isaiah's Haven

by N. J. Walters

  She bit her bottom lip. He could practically hear her mind working through the pros and cons of the situation. He held his breath and breathed a sigh of relief when she finally nodded.

  She didn’t look at him, but stared at his chest as if she found it totally fascinating. The tension gripping him eased slightly as they began to move, their bodies swaying easily as though they’d danced together a hundred times. There was none of the awkwardness usually associated with a first dance. The floor wasn’t quite full, but there were other couples taking advantage of the final song. It was slow and mellow, with an undertone of sensuality that stoked the already burning embers between them.

  He nuzzled her hair, loving the feel of the silky softness against his rough cheek, the fresh scent of her shampoo teasing his nose. It was something floral that made him think of a patch of wildflowers in a summer meadow. His palm made circles around the small of her back, urging her even closer.

  There was no way she couldn’t notice his rather large erection pressing against her belly. She swayed and her breasts rubbed against his chest. He caught his breath and gave a low growl.

  Her head came up and her lips twitched. The little she-wolf was laughing at him. She knew very well how damn aroused he was. In retaliation, he released his grip on her hand and ran his fingers down the thin silver strap at her shoulder, following it down the slope of her breast and into the deep vee of her cleavage.

  Her lips parted on a low moan and a surge of arousal hit him. He could smell the sweet cream dampening her panties and knew it was because of him.

  Isaiah danced her to the edge of the floor and beyond, tucking them into a dark corner behind a post. She tensed, but she didn’t protest. He leaned down and touched his lips to hers.

  This was crazy. Meredith had no idea what madness had led her to agree to a dance with Isaiah. Not that she’d actually agreed. It was more that he’d pulled her into his arms and started moving. Not that she’d protested.

  There was something about the tall, pushy male that drew her. She’d watched him sitting alone at his table, all the while doing her best not to let him or any of her pack know what she was doing. He, on the other hand, made no pretense that he was doing anything else but watching her.

  For hours, she’d felt his eyes on her body as she moved through the club. It had been as potent as a physical caress.

  Although she’d smiled and chatted with customers and friends, her breasts had swelled until her dress felt unbearably constricting and confining.

  And her sex. Dear heaven, she ached so bad she wanted to scream. Her underwear was soaked and every step she took was torture as it rubbed the crotch of her panties against her swollen clit.

  By the time Isaiah had put his hand on her, she’d been ready to jump him and climb on top of his rather impressive erection. It didn’t matter how many times she told herself it was simple biology. She wanted him.

  Dancing with him simply continued the foreplay they’d been indulging in all night long. Because that’s what this was, and they were both mature enough to understand that.

  She’d made sure he was able to watch her as she’d chatted and worked tonight. All but taunting him to come and get her. A male in less control of himself would have either left or made an overt play for her. He’d done neither. It was then she’d known she was dealing with a mature male, one who was a skilled tracker and hunter, able to wait patiently for his prey.

  Knowing that, she’d have been much better off leaving the floor of battle and retiring to her room for the night. But she’d never been a coward, not since the day she’d taken her sons and run, and she had no intentions of starting now.

  And, if she was being honest with herself, there was a part of her that enjoyed being chased by such a virile male. For the first time in her eighty-five years, she felt a longing for a particular male. It scared her even as it lured her.

  By the time he drew her into the darkness, she’d expected him to ravage her. He’d surprised her yet again by barely touching his lips to hers. Bastard. He knew that would make her want even more.

  Even knowing that it was a sensual trap set by a master, she went up on her toes and deepened the kiss. He made a low growl that went right to her core, making her inner muscles clench with need.

  She touched her tongue to his and he slid his along hers and into her mouth. His large hand cupped the back of her head, tilting it slightly for a better fit. Oh, he tasted fine. Hot and masculine. Relentless.

  She loved his eyes. They were the color of bittersweet dark chocolate—her favorite kind—and fringed with thick lashes that did nothing to detract from his masculinity.

  His heart was pounding beneath the hand she had pressed against his chest. He was as aroused as she was. She could feel the heat coming off his big body, the tension in his thick muscles.

  Raising her hands, she glided her palms over his heavy biceps and shoulders. His hair was down around his shoulders and she sifted her fingers through it.

  He responded by yanking her lower body more firmly into the curve of his. Her mound rubbed enticingly against his erection. Oh, that feels so good. She hooked her right thigh over his hip, grateful for the slit in her dress that allowed the motion.

  With his hand on her ass guiding her, she rubbed her mound over his hard shaft, imaging how good it would feel if they were both naked, her pussy gliding over his thick shaft.

  She sucked in a breath and started to push away, knowing she had to stop this madness, but Isaiah worked his hips against hers. The movement sent his erection sliding over her sex in such a delicious way she gasped. She tilted her head back as she tried to get enough air into her lungs to keep from passing out.

  It was too good. It wasn’t nearly enough.

  The band stopped abruptly and some of the houselights came on. Meredith gasped again, this time with dismay instead of arousal. She pushed on his chest. “We have to stop.”

  She pulled her leg down and her dress settled around her. Isaiah’s grip tightened briefly and she held her breath. Would he release her or would he try to hold her? After what seemed like an eternity but was probably only a few seconds, he dropped his hand by his side. Immediately, she felt cold without his touch, even though it was what she’d wanted.

  Flustered, she brushed a hand over her hair and straightened her dress straps. Anything but look at Isaiah. His hair was slightly rumpled where she’d run her fingers through it and his eyes were slumberous and inviting. There was no mistaking the hard-on pressing against the front of his jeans.

  “You have to go.” It seemed as though she was a broken record when it came to Isaiah. Not that he ever listened to her. But she had to get him out of here before she did something stupid like invite him up to her apartment. That would not go over well with the rest of the pack.

  He frowned and raised his hand to touch her face. She took a step back.

  “I was hoping we could continue this at your place.” His voice was thick with arousal and steeped with sensual promise.

  She pressed her thighs together to ease the ache that never seemed to leave her these days. Being around him seemed to heighten it. But that was no surprise. Mother Nature did her best to make certain the male and female of the species wanted to mate.

  But she had to be smart. She had a pack, mostly filled with half-breeds. Would he still want her if he knew? Worse, would he attack her and her children? She couldn’t risk it.

  Dragging her tattered composure around her, she faced him. “You had your dance. The club is now closed.”

  While she’d been standing there dealing with Isaiah and the aftermath of what had happened between them, her family had cleared out the last of the patrons and staff. She sensed concern emanating from all of them and knew Isaiah’s continued presence here was undermining her authority with the pack.

  “It’s past time for you to go.” She put on her haughtiest voice and manner as she waved toward the door.

  Instead of getting angry, Isaiah ga
ve her a look filled with understanding and a touch of pity. That fired her anger. “And don’t come back. We’re done.”

  He started past her, pausing long enough to whisper in her ear. Not that it mattered. With their preternatural hearing and the deathly quiet in the club, the others could hear him as easily as if they were standing next to them. “I’ve told you before. We’re far from done.”

  She didn’t turn to watch him leave, but she knew the minute the door closed behind him. The atmosphere was different. The room felt…empty.

  Taking a deep breath, she turned to face her family. They were all watching her with varying degrees of concern. There was also a tinge of fear and anger.

  She held up her hand. “I’m not talking about this tonight. We’ll take watches again like last night. Michael, you’re first. Work out a schedule amongst yourself and call me if you sense anything suspicious.”

  No one spoke as she strode past, but she could feel their gazes on her as she left the room. Isaiah had created this tension in her pack. No, that wasn’t exactly true. She had. She’d allowed this male, this stranger, to disrupt their lives. And it had to stop.

  Now if only she could make her body and her emotions listen.

  She let herself into her apartment and shut the door firmly behind her.

  Chapter Six

  Meredith tilted back her head and enjoyed the autumn sunshine beaming down on her face as she meandered down the street. She’d needed to get away from the club, away from the constant tension that seemed to permeate the place these days.

  True to his word, Isaiah had come back to the club last night and the night before that. And she had no doubt that he’d be there again tonight. It was enough to drive a woman stark raving mad. And considering how her hormones were jumping around these days, she didn’t have far to go.

  So she’d done what any sensible woman in her situation would do. She’d gone shopping. Other than sex, that was the one surefire way to work off some stress.

  She’d hit her favorite vintage store and found a gorgeous black dress that shimmered with threads of silver. It was from the twenties and fit her like a dream. The boutique had also had a sexy pair of sling backs in silver. And what do you know? They’d been just her size. Surely a sign that she was meant to buy them.

  The walk around her neighborhood relaxed her. It reminded her of why she’d bought property and settled here in the first place. It had been a rough area of the city back in the mid-eighties when she’d purchased the building. Many of the surrounding buildings had been derelict or close to it. But even then she’d seen the changes happening to the area. The artists had been moving in, bringing with them a creative, eclectic vibe that still existed today. She’d hated to leave and had missed the place all the years she’d been away. Coming back twelve years ago had been like coming home.

  “Good morning, Miss Meredith.” Ivan Prentski, who owned a local deli, greeted her as she passed. In spite of the fact he’d lived in America for forty years, he still had the accent from the land of his birth. She liked that. He was out sweeping in front of his shop, which he usually did several times a day. Meredith figured it was a way for him to get out of the shop and check what was going on around the neighborhood.

  “It certainly is, Ivan.”

  He leaned on the handle of his broom. “We have fresh salami and pastrami, perfect for sandwiches.” He paused for effect. “And Mama made fresh pastries.”

  Damn him, he knew her weakness. “You’re an evil man,” she groused. His mother might be nearly seventy, but she baked like a dream.

  He threw back his head and gave a booming laugh as he held the door open for her. His sheer joy made her smile, pushing her worries aside. What the hell. She’d treat herself to a half-dozen pastries. Maybe even a dozen. Maybe she could eat away the sexual tension that was her constant companion.

  Before she hit the counter, she’d been stopped by a local musician trying to book a gig. She’d said hello to a woman she knew and chatted with a local artist whose work she hung in the club. It was something she did with several artists. She liked to support local talent.

  Meredith hurried the conversation, not committing to seeing the artist’s new pieces. She knew her body and she was very close to having to shut herself in her room for a day or two. It was dangerous for her to be out on her own with her body emitting such powerful pheromones, but she hadn’t been able to bear being inside. Not this morning.

  Ivan stared at her from the other side of the counter, worry in his gaze. “You okay? You look a little flushed.”

  Heat rolled over her skin and sweat popped out on her brow. Damn she needed to get home. Now. “I’m fine. I’ve got to go.”

  “What about your pastries?” Ivan called as she turned to leave.

  “Another time.” She burst out of the store and hurried toward home, ignoring the calls of her name behind her.

  Damn. What had possessed her to leave her apartment this morning?

  She ignored the trembling in her limbs as her long legs closed the distance to her home. She knew darn well what had made her leave her apartment. Isaiah. Memories of his eyes watching her, his fingers caressing her. That’s what. She’d known she was close, but she hadn’t been able to bear being alone in her bedroom with her fantasies.

  She heaved a sigh of relief as the club came into view. She was practically running now, chest heaving, muscles aching.

  Hank was outside and saw her. He started toward her, but she waved him back. His eyes widened when she got within ten feet from him.

  “Oh, shit.” He might be her adopted son, but he was also a male and this was a difficult time for him as well, as it was for all her adopted sons. Only her biological sons were immune.

  Meredith would have laughed at the look on his face, only it wasn’t funny. Her clothing was torture against her skin. She wanted to claw it all off and run naked through the streets. Which would get her arrested and charged with public indecency. And wouldn’t that be fun.

  Instead, she raced past him, shoving her bags at him as she went by. She didn’t pause as she hurried through the club and up the back stairs. Michael called out to her, but she ignored him.

  She was panting hard and yanking at her shirt by the time she shoved open the door to her apartment. She slammed and locked the door behind her.

  “Oh, God,” she moaned as a wave of desire hit her like a bolt of lightning, knocking her to the floor.

  Moaning, she waited for it to pass. She pressed her thighs together and wrapped her arms around her body. There was nothing she could do but ride out the ripples of pure, unadulterated lust. It was worse than it had been in years. Yet something else she could blame on Isaiah. Having him around, being attracted to him, made the situation much harder for her to bear.

  When the episode finally eased, she dragged herself to her feet, almost clunking herself with her purse, which miraculously was still hooked over her shoulder. She staggered into her room, dumped her purse in the chair and kicked off her shoes.

  She tore her shirt off, ignoring the ripping sound. Her bra came next. She heaved a sigh of relief as the cooler air hit her nipples. Jeans and panties quickly followed.

  Naked, she climbed onto the bed and sank into the mattress. She wedged one pillow between her thighs and held the other in a death grip. When the next ripple of arousal shot through her, she buried her face in the pillow and moaned.

  It was going to be a hell of a long day.

  Isaiah strode into Haven. Once again, Hank had been on the door. The bouncer had growled, but allowed him to pass. The young male knew trying to stop him would only bring trouble and attention and that was exactly what they didn’t want.

  Tammy, the human waitress, waved at him as he settled at a table. This was the third night since his dance with Meredith. Heck, he was almost a regular at this point.

  He glanced around but didn’t see the object of his desire anywhere, but that wasn’t unusual. She might be in the office or check
ing on something in the kitchen. He knew from his past visits that she wouldn’t be away from the club floor for long.

  His phone rang and he reached into his pocket, knowing who it was even before he answered. Only one person ever called him. “What?” The band chose that moment to begin playing a song, but thankfully it was an acoustic folk group tonight so he could hear his brother on the other end.

  “Where the hell are you?”

  “A club. I’m getting something to eat.” He hadn’t told his brother about Meredith. He hadn’t told anyone.

  “Should I be worried?” Joshua asked. “It’s not like you to voluntarily go into a crowded bar. Takeout is more your speed. And why are you still in Chicago? I figured you’d have been home two days ago.”

  “I’m not ready to leave yet.”

  The silence on the other end was deafening. After a long minute, Joshua finally spoke. “Should I send someone else?”

  Those few words sent him reeling, but Isaiah absorbed the blow. It was the first time in his life his brother had ever questioned his ability to carry out any task. And damn it, it hurt worse than he’d thought.

  “I need a few more days. Is that too much to ask? Alex will get her stuff.”

  “Are you sure you don’t need me to come to Chicago?”

  Isaiah released a low growl of warning. “If you don’t trust me to do the job, send whoever the hell you want.” He almost ended the call. Almost. But habit and instinct were too entrenched to be denied, so he waited.

  “I’m worried about you, not the damn job,” Joshua snarled.

  The anger flowed out of him as quickly as it had arisen. He’d been tense the past few days. Arousal was riding him hard.

  He spent all his days watching for rogue werewolves and bounty hunters and his nights with a raging hard-on with no relief in sight. Meredith had been giving him the cold shoulder since the night of their dance. Still, he’d managed to steal several hot kisses. The woman wanted him no matter how she tried to ignore it.