A Grizzly's Justice, Miracle Book 10

by Shea Balik

  Tear shimmered in Jazz’s eyes for a moment before spilling down his cheeks. Unable to stand to see his mate cry, Wilder pulled him back into his embrace. “Oh, brown eyes, it will be okay. I’ve got you. I’ll always be here for you, my mate.”

  Sure Jazz wouldn’t want the rest of the Miracle see him falling apart, Wilder lifted him into his arms and held him close to his chest as he made his way back to Saber’s farm. Thankfully, they didn’t run into anyone, so Wilder didn’t need to explain why he was carrying Jazz, or why his mate had fallen asleep.

  That Jazz trusted him to take care of him as he slept, filled Wilder with hope. He had no doubt it would take time to break through all his mate’s defenses, especially since he’d apparently been treated like dirt as far back as his childhood. Thankfully, Wilder had learned patience, first as his den’s enforcer, then as a Council enforcer.

  He could, and would, find a way to get through to his mate that he was special. If that meant quitting his job, Wilder would do it. It wasn’t his first choice, for there were so many people out there hurting weaker shifters that needed someone to stop them. But if it was between strangers and his mate… who was he kidding, no matter who it was, his mate would always come first.

  Maybe one day, Jazz would become self-assured enough that Wilder could go back to the job he now loved. In the meantime, he’d need to tell Saber he had to quit.

  He just hoped Saber understood.

  CHAPTER 8

  A delicious warmth at Jazz’s back had him snuggling closer to the source. He couldn’t ever remember a time when he felt this damn comfortable. Usually, once he woke, Jazz quickly got dressed and got ready for his day, but right now, he wanted more time as he floated on a haze of contentment.

  Something around his waist tightened, causing his back to become flush with what was behind him. Jazz’s eyes flew open. The décor of the room wasn’t one he ever remembered seeing. It looked dated and worn, yet clean. Where was he?

  A voice behind him moaned softly. “Stop thinking so hard, brown eyes.”

  Wilder.

  The events since being asked to testify against Kingston came rushing back. He had a mate. A smile started to tug on the corners of his mouth, until he remembered that his mate planned on leaving him.

  A sigh blew heated air over the shell of his ear. “Jazz, what’s going on in that head of yours?”

  He could feel Wilder move so his arm was no longer under Jazz’s head. Wilder had moved it behind Jazz, with his elbow on the mattress and head propped up on his hand as he stared down at Jazz. It allowed Wilder to see more of Jazz’s face, but Jazz refused to make it any easier by turning to look at Wilder.

  He didn’t think he could look at his mate, knowing he didn’t want to spend a lot of time with Jazz.

  “Hey.” Before Jazz could realize what he was doing, Wilder had moved so Jazz was on his back, his mate over him, with most of his weight placed on his thick arms, that he placed on either side of Jazz. The position left Jazz with no way to escape those hickory colored eyes. “Talk to me, my mate.”

  That wasn’t happening. Jazz may be pathetic and not wanted but whining about it never helped. That was one lesson his father had taught him by locking him in a closet any time he tried. He used to tell Jazz no one wanted to hear a little bitch complaining.

  One time, it had taken a week before his father had remembered to open the door, and that was only because the weather had been cool enough that he’d needed a coat. Jazz had been curled up in a ball, barely able to move. His father hadn’t even noticed him, which was probably the only reason he’d left the door unlocked after grabbing his coat.

  It had taken Jazz thirty minutes to crawl to the kitchen in his weakened state. Another twenty to reach the sink. He hadn’t bothered with a glass as he drank right from the tap.

  When his father had come home, he’s scowled at Jazz and said, “I thought you’d finally done the right thing and left for good.”

  That had been when Jazz knew, he’d be better off finding his own way in the world. He’d been twelve.

  “Is this about my job taking me away from you?” Wilder asked.

  Jazz desperately wanted to shout, “Yes,” but he curled his lips in to stop himself. He may hate that his mate would leave him, but there was no point in driving him away any faster.

  Wilder dipped his head down until his nose was inches from his neck. He inhaled deeply. “Damn, my mate, you smell so good.” Then he swiped his tongue along his skin. A deep, rumbling moan vibrated along their bodies. “And you taste like you were made just for me.”

  When he rose up again, desire burned in his gaze. “Fate brought you into my life, my sweet mate. There isn’t anything I wouldn’t do for you.” Wilder lowered his head again until their lips met in a kiss that had the butterflies in Jazz’s stomach beating their wings wildly.

  No one had ever taken the time to make love to him with just a kiss before. Usually, whoever he was hooking up with, if they even bothered with kissing, thrust their tongue down his throat.

  But with Wilder, it was different. He started off slow. Kissing along Jazz’s bottom lip, he added in a few nips with his teeth, then soothed the sting by gently lapping the flesh with his tongue. The kiss went on and on before his hand came up, his thumb pressing ever so slightly against Jazz’s jaw, as if asking him to open up. Jazz gladly did, letting his mate in to explore.

  Zings of pleasure zipped through his body, causing his toes to curl. Jazz had no idea a kiss could make him feel so… alive and horny. Gods, but his dick ached for release and yet kissing was all they’d done. How was that possible?

  When both of them were breathless and panting for air, Wilder lifted his head to stare into Jazz’s eyes. It was as if he were peering right into Jazz’s soul. Not sure how to feel about that, Jazz tried to look away, but Wilder’s hand still held his jaw.

  “I’ve waited my whole life for you, Jazz,” Wilder whispered. “If it’s what you need, I’ll quit my job and never leave your side.”

  Tears welled up in Jazz’s eyes. “Really?” he whispered in a plea, for he truly wasn’t sure he could believe it. “No one’s ever been willing to do something like that for me.”

  “I can’t imagine why.” Wilder traced one finger along his jaw, then across his bottom lip, his gaze fixated where he touched. “You deserve to have everything.” Those deep brown eyes flicked back up to his, showing Jazz the sincerity of his words.

  This time, it was Jazz who leaned in for a kiss. That his mate was willing to sacrifice a job he clearly loved for him, meant the world to Jazz. “Claim me, my mate,” he whispered.

  Wilder grinned. “That will be my pleasure, brown eyes.”

  Their lips met in a passionate kiss, as Wilder’s fingers traced along his neck. Soon, his mouth followed the same trail, licking and nipping at his skin. Jazz arched up into the touching, loving that his mate spent so much time lavishing attention on him, instead of just flipping him over, thrusting his cock into his ass and fucking him.

  Not that he’d mind that, especially from his mate. But this? This was so much better.

  His skin tingled as little jolts of pleasure raced through his body everywhere Wilder touched. His own hands itched to touch, but he wasn’t sure his mate would want that. When it became too much to bear, Jazz reached out tentatively. The solid strength beneath his fingertips had him kneading into the flesh.

  Wilder moaned, his muscles twitching and jumping as Jazz continued his exploration. “Feels so good when you touch me,” Wilder murmured.

  Emboldened by his mate’s declaration, Jazz continued to trace every curve along his upper arms, shoulders, and back. He loved that Wilder wanted him to participate. Usually, his lovers just wanted to hold him down and fuck him. There had been many times Jazz wasn’t sure if any of his lovers had known who he was at the time, or if it even mattered.

  But not with Wilder. His mate continued to move down his body, but his eyes returned to stare at Jazz, as if gagin
g his reactions to what he was doing. It was like Wilder wanted to ensure Jazz was enjoying what he was doing, which seemed crazy because… well, it was like a fireworks show was going off throughout his body.

  Nerves were exploding with each touch, while his muscles fluttered and danced. Wilder hadn’t even put his hand on Jazz’s dick, yet it took everything he had to hold back the orgasm trying to force him over the edge.

  “Please,” he whispered softly, afraid the plea would make his mate stop for daring to ask for anything. “I need you inside of me.”

  When Wilder did stop, Jazz had barely been able to stop the cry of dismay from spilling from his lips. It had been his fault for thinking he could request more from his mate.

  Jazz knew that wasn’t the way things worked. Wilder was the dominant partner. He set the pace. He decided what they did. Not Jazz. His wants and needs didn’t matter.

  Then he heard it, the snick of a cap being opened. His gaze flew to his mate’s hands to find him pouring lube onto his fingers. Wilder hadn’t stopped because Jazz had asked for more. His mate was actually trying to give him what he wanted.

  Something moved within Jazz. It wasn’t butterflies or knots. Instead of fear, or disappointment, it held a sense of wonder, as if he were experiencing a miraculous gift. The terrified little boy, who’d never known any kindness, begged Jazz not to trust this feeling.

  Even the adult side of him was leery to believe. But that’s the thing with miracles, one didn’t necessarily have to believe for them to happen. Since the moment he’d laid eyes on Wilder Frost, the barest flicker of hope had ignited within him. It might be scary, hell, it was downright terrifying, but Jazz refused to let it blow out.

  He was going to hold onto it with everything he had and never let go, no matter how forbidding the idea of Jazz finding someone to love him might be.

  CHAPTER 9

  There was nothing more breathtaking than watching his mate in the throes of pleasure. His sweet cries set fire to his blood. But it was the trust that Jazz gave him, when all others had let him down over the years, that Wilder cherished the most.

  It hadn’t been easy for Jazz, that much had been obvious by the tension that seized his body a moment before. But the moment Wilder had opened the lube, that anxiety had melted away, replaced by hope in those pretty brown eyes. It was a good look on his mate.

  Determined to make this as good for his mate as possible, Wilder reached down between Jazz’s legs. He ran his fingers from just beyond his balls, along his crack until he came to his pucker. Lightly rubbing over it, he worked it until he felt Jazz’s muscles relax.

  Then he licked a path down his mate’s long, lean neck to his right nipple. Jazz let out a gasp when Wilder’s tongue ran over the tight bud. Smiling at how responsive Jazz was to his touch, Wilder sealed his lips over the nub and sucked.

  Jazz’s body rolled, his back arching up into his mouth, while his ass pushed down onto his fingers. Using his mate’s movements, Wilder pushed two digits into his mate’s channel. When he heard Jazz hiss, he scraped his teeth over that nipple, earning him a deep moan of pleasure.

  Slowly he worked his mate’s hole open, making sure to find his pleasure spot often as he stretched the tight muscles. He loved the way his mate rocked into him, as if he just couldn’t help himself.

  Knowing he was pleasing his mate, taking him out of his mind, was the greatest aphrodisiac Wilder had ever known. Desperate to speed things along, he kissed his way over to Jazz’s other nipple. Just as he slid a third finger inside his mate, he bit down on the sweet bud.

  The scent of Jazz’s arousal had Wilder’s cock throbbing. He wanted in his mate badly, to claim him, making Jazz his for eternity. But he refused to rush things, too. It was more important for him to please his mate than anything else.

  Pegging his prostate again, Wilder closed his eyes and reveled in the sound of his mate’s cries of bliss. He was sure there was no better sound on the planet.

  “Please,” Jazz whimpered.

  Fuck, I’d been wrong. That was the greatest sound ever.

  Eyes nearly black, as his pupils were blown, stared up at him, silently pleading. “I need you.” Jazz’s tongue peeked out from his mouth, licking along his bottom lip.

  Wilder growled as he swooped in and grabbed that pink appendage between his teeth and sucked on it. Damn, but his mate tasted so damn good. Wilder was sure he’d never have enough of this man gifted to him from the gods.

  He moved his head to Jazz’s neck, swiping his tongue along the spot he planned to place his mating mark. Then he kissed the shell of his mate’s ear. “You ready for me, brown eyes?”

  “Yes!” Jazz cried, his body writhing beneath him as he tried to push Wilder’s fingers deeper into his body as well as rub his dick along Wilder’s abdomen. “Please.”

  Taking his mate at his word, Wilder tugged free of Jazz’s tight channel. Wiping the excess lube onto his shaft, Wilder placed the head against Jazz’s channel. As he pushed in, Jazz pushed out and Wilder sank in deep in one thrust.

  “Oh, fuucck,” Wilder groaned with his head thrown back. He had to grind his teeth together to stop himself from rutting into his mate like his grizzly wanted.

  The tightness of Jazz’s body wrapped around his cock was like pure ecstasy and torture all at the same time. He’d never known this kind of bliss, yet, his refusal to hurt his mate forced Wilder to stop and wait for Jazz’s muscles to relax.

  “Move,” Jazz bit out, his hips jerking underneath Wilder.

  That was all Wilder needed to hear. He pulled back until just the flared head of his cock tugged at the Jazz’s opening. Then he reversed course and pushed back in until he was seated as deep as possible.

  With each thrust, he altered his position as he tried to find Jazz’s prostate.

  “Wilder,” Jazz shouted, his fingernails digging into Wilder’s biceps where he held on tightly.

  Happy that he’d found his mate’s sweet spot, Wilder set up a rhythm, ensuring he hit that spot every time. “So damn tight,” he mumbled as he tried to hold back his orgasm until he pushed Jazz over the edge.

  “You fit me perfectly, my sweet mate,” Wilder said as he leaned down for a sloppy kiss.

  Their movements started to become erratic. Wilder prayed his mate was as close to coming as he was. He enveloped Jazz’s prick in his hand and jacked him in time with his thrusts. It only took six strokes before his mate was shouting his name and fluid covered his hand.

  Already on edge, Wilder lowered his head and sank his teeth into Jazz’s skin. Copper tinged blood spilled into his mouth. His eyes rolled back in his head as he drank his mate’s essence while Wilder’s dick erupted, spilling his seed within Jazz’s body, connecting them as one.

  A sting of pain at his shoulder morphed quickly into pleasure as Jazz bit him, sending a shudder through his body as more cum erupted from his cock. Damn. Forcing his arms to brace his body at Jazz’s sides, Wilder lay there panting as endorphins zipped through his body.

  If this was what sex was like with a mate, he could understand why so many mated pairs found reasons to be alone several times a day. Wilder had to admit, he looked forward to doing the same.

  “Did you mean it?” Jazz’s mouth was pressed against Wilder’s shoulder muffling his words, but Wilder had heard him.

  “I guarantee you, I would never lie to you,” Wilder told him truthfully. “But what are you specifically talking about?”

  He lifted up a little more so he could see his mate’s face. A flush had spread out along his shoulders and face that caused Wilder’s dick to twitch. Gods, but he loved seeing that color on his mate’s body. Well, only when he was the reason it was there.

  “Are you really going to quit your job?” Jazz had averted his eyes as he asked the question.

  Gently, Wilder placed his hand on Jazz’s chin and forced him to meet his gaze. “Yes. For you, Jazz, there isn’t anything I wouldn’t do.”

  Then Wilder rolled to his side, but made sur
e to pull Jazz with him so they were facing each other. “But I also need you to understand that though my job might have taken me away for short periods of time, I would have always come back to you, Jazz. You’re my mate. Nothing could ever keep me from you.”

  There was something in his mate’s expression that left Wilder feeling as if he had more questions but wasn’t sure if he should ask them. Deciding to give his mate the space to find the courage to trust that Wilder would answer anything he asked, he just held onto Jazz, with one hand holding his hip and the other stroking along his spine.

  He guessed about five minutes had passed before he heard Jazz let out a long breath, as if steeling himself to speak. “Can I ask you another question?” It was better than Jazz chickening out completely, but Wilder hoped, with time, he would be able to ask him anything that was on his mind.

  “Of course, you can, Jazz.” Wilder assured him. “You’re my mate. You can ask me anything and I swear to never hold anything back from you.”

  The corner of Jazz’s lips lifted just a smidge at that. “Thank you,” he said.

  Wilder pressed a brief, yet sweet kiss to those luscious lips. “You’re more than welcome, my mate.”

  “What is it about your job you like?” Jazz asked him after he took another minute to gather the nerve to speak.

  Wilder grinned. “To be honest, when Refugio Costa was in charge, I kind of hated it.”

  Jazz’s brows created a furrow between his eyes. “Then why did you stay?”

  That wasn’t so easy to answer, but Wilder had promised to be honest. “There were times when I wanted nothing more than to quit. Refugio was a mean and vindictive son of a bitch. He often sent out the Council enforces to kill someone. More often than not, that person’s only crime had been to speak out against Refugio and the other Council members.”

  Wilder had really hated those assignments. “But there were times when he sent us to help. Those like myself and Trygg rarely did it how Refugio wanted, but we also didn’t care. We knew what was right and we followed our gut.”