Temptation and Danger

by Renee Rose

  “A human, huh? Never would’ve figured.” I don’t hear a trace of judgment in Sedona’s voice, or I would’ve gone on the defensive. I’m still expecting more shit from my dad.

  “Me, neither.” I shrug. “My wolf picked her.”

  Sedona’s face clouds, sadness penetrating her gaze. “Yeah. I guess that happens.”

  Fuck. She must’ve fallen for her mate, whoever he is. Could’ve been Stockholm syndrome.

  “You sure you don’t want me to go back there and kill the entire Montelobo pack? Because I won’t hesitate if you give the word, little sis.”

  She shakes her head. “I’m sure. Don’t let Dad go back, either. I think... they’re just a really fucked-up pack.” She turns her face up to mine. “So where’s Amber, now? When can I meet her?”

  I know she’s pasting on a sunny face for me, and it kills me. We pull up in front of the hotel. “She’s in our suite. Come on. You can meet her now.”

  We pile out of the van, and I get into the elevator with Sedona, Trey, and Jared. I notice Sedona is quick to join me, just like she was quick to get in my van. She doesn’t want to deal with our dad. I don’t blame her. I drape an arm over her shoulders, and she leans against me.

  I’ve only been gone six hours, but I’m dying to see Amber. Fates, I hope her bite wound hasn’t caused her trouble. She’s probably been miserable.

  I stick my keycard in the door and swing it open. The moment I do, I know something’s wrong.

  Amber’s scent isn’t there. Well, traces are, but she’s not in the room. “Amber?” I call out, even so. There’s a note on the table, and I snatch it up.

  Garrett,

  I don’t want to bind you to something that happened while under the influence of stress and a full moon. I know that mating with a human will change your position with the pack and with your father, and I don’t want to have that weight on my shoulders. Let’s write this off as an interesting second date and be done with it.

  I caught a plane back to Tucson. Please give me some time before you stop by my apartment—I’d like some distance to heal.

  Love,

  Amber

  No.

  My roar shakes the pictures on the walls. I crumple the note and throw it to the floor.

  She can’t be gone.

  I won’t fucking accept it.

  I grab my phone and stab in her number before I remember her cell doesn’t work here. I let it ring and go to voicemail anyway.

  “Amber. I need to talk to you right away. Call me.” I want to say a million other things, but I don’t trust myself not to fuck it up and say something stupid. Trey, Jarod, and Sedona are all wide-eyed and cautious, staying out of lunging distance but pulling sympathetic faces. “Trey, get Kylie to find out what plane she’s on.”

  “I’m on it, G.”

  I stalk a tight circle around the room and slam my fist through the wall.

  “Garrett,” Sedona says sharply.

  I swivel to face her, fists clenching. My growls make it hard to hear anything.

  “If you want your mate back, you’d better have a better plan than punching holes in plaster.”

  I blink at her. It takes a full minute for her words to sink in, but then I realize she’s right.

  “Fuck.” I burrow all ten fingers through my hair and hold my head.

  I don’t have a clue how to win my mate back. Clearly, I had no clue how to court her in the first place, since she said our first two dates were epically bad.

  Trey’s phone beeps. “You’re in luck. She was booked on an early flight out of Mexico City, but she never boarded. She is now rebooked for a flight leaving in”—he looks at his phone–“one hour. Let’s go.”

  I’m relieved to let Trey lead for a moment while my brain tries to rein back my wolf’s ferocious desire to reclaim his mate. We all follow him into the elevator and take it down. My dad and some of his pack members are still in the lobby, and they speak to us, but I can’t hear for the buzzing in my ears. Somehow they end up joining, too, and we all stream back into one of the vans.

  As the vehicle shoots through traffic, my mind plays the reel of every moment I’ve spent with Amber since the day I met her.

  If I’d had any doubt as to why I picked her as a mate, it’s clear as day now. A glow pervades every interaction we had. Amber Drake is a gift. To this world. To the kids she helps. To me. She has the heart of an angel and shifter courage. She’s delicate but strong. Powerful in her own right. Her capacity to love, to forgive, to offer her time and heart to others knows no bounds.

  I need her.

  Not just for my wolf. For me.

  And I’ll do anything in this world to make myself worthy of Amber Drake.

  ~.~

  Let the record reflect: Breaking up with a wolf causes severe headaches. I wake up on the floor of the bathroom and find out I missed my flight. I have no idea how long I lay there or if anyone tried to help me.

  Women are walking a large circle to avoid going near me, as if whatever knocked me out might be contagious. Heaven forbid someone call 9-1-1. Of course, that number might not work in Mexico.

  I drag myself to a ticket counter, rebook for the next flight to the United States, and plunk down to wait. The light from the windows slashes through my head like a physical object. Nausea makes me slightly dizzy.

  I can do this. I just need to get home, get into my bed.

  Of course that thought reminds me of the last headache I had, when Garrett carried me to my bed and put a cool washcloth on my head. How could I ever have thought of him as a ruffian? He may have a rough exterior, but he’s a gentle giant. He never meant to hurt me.

  But he has.

  Not the bite—I know that will heal. I also know I asked for it.

  It’s my heart that may never mend.

  I went my whole life without ever feeling safe. Or whole. Or loved. I never belonged, never fit in. With Garrett, all that receded. He embraced all of me—not just Lawyer Amber. He cared about me, about my safety.

  But agreeing to mate him after a single weekend together was stupid. It was the equivalent of the drunk Las Vegas wedding at midnight. With or without the Elvis-impersonating preacher. The event you wake up from and realize was a huge mistake.

  So I’ll go home. Be Lawyer Amber again. Keep helping kids. And, sooner or later, the memories from this weekend will fade.

  Right?

  I rub my pounding temples and shrink lower in the uncomfortable plastic chair.

  A commotion near the security gate forces me to crack one eye to peek, and I go still.

  Garrett’s marching toward me, flanked by a dozen huge, bad-ass looking men, including Trey, Jared, and his father. Oh, and one female, who must be his sister.

  Dark determination scores his face as he eats up the space between us, eyes glued to mine. I brace myself for my headache to increase, for the possibility of passing out again, but it doesn’t. Instead, my world goes quiet. All the noise in my head drops back.

  I resist the temptation to lean into this. Into Garrett. I left for him. He’s better off without me. So I can’t let the way my heart flip-flops in my chest, the way my body vibrates with excitement to see him, sway my decision.

  We’re over.

  Garrett comes up so fast and furious, I’m afraid he’ll tip out the entire row of chairs I’m sitting in, but he pulls up short when he reaches me. Pulls up short and crouches in front of me.

  “Garrett, don’t.”

  “Baby.”

  Oh God. I didn’t count on him speaking so softly, so tenderly. I expected him to throw his weight around with his usual dominant-wolf bullshit. I was prepared to defend my case. But this sweetness knocks me between the eyes, sends a rush of longing and pain to my chest and face that builds, like a pressure cooker.

  Garrett clears his throat, as if he’s unsure what to say. I’m not used to seeing the cocky wolf so off his game. “I made a lot of mistakes. If I had it to do over, I’d make sure our first a
nd second dates were the best of your life.”

  Tears swim in my eyes. I blink furiously, not wanting to shed them.

  Garrett’s entourage has gathered behind him, not offering us any privacy, as if they, too, are a part of this discussion.

  “I’d make sure you never doubted the way I feel about you. And I’d make sure you knew it wasn’t the full moon or my wolf that picked you for my mate. I pick you, Amber Drake. Human. Gifted psychic. Big-hearted lawyer. I need you, baby. And I don’t care what any of them think.” He finally acknowledges our audience with a jerk of his head. “I don’t care if I lose my position as alpha. Or if my family disowns me. All I care about is you. Being with you. Being for you.

  “Because nothing in my life meant anything until I met you. Now I know my purpose.”

  So much for not crying. Tears stream down my face as I try not to launch myself into Garrett’s arms. “What’s that?” I whisper.

  “Making myself worthy of you.”

  “Stop it,” I choke.

  “I’ll shine my shoes and sell the motorcycle, if you want. I’ll turn the nightclub over to the guys. I’ll help your foster kids. Whatever you need from me, I’m going to be that for you, Amber. Because you’re mine. I told you once I marked you, I’d never let you go. And I meant it. But I’m going to work hard for your happiness. I’m going to make you proud to call me your mate.

  So much for not launching.

  I fly at Garrett, and he catches me. My arms wrap so tight around his neck, I’m strangling him.

  “Baby,” he croaks. “Is that a yes?”

  “Yes,” I whisper.

  The pack gathers around us, into a tight circle. Jared puts a hand on my back, Trey touches Garrett.

  Garrett’s father clears his throat. “Sounds like Amber’s given you the inspiration I never could.”

  Garrett refuses to release me, whispering unintelligible words into my hair.

  “Welcome to the family, Amber,” Mr. Green rumbles. “I appreciate what you did to save both my children this weekend.”

  “Welcome to the pack,” Trey and Jarod and many other voices murmur.

  Garrett finally releases me, and his sister picks up both my hands and squeezes them. “Thank you for helping them find me,” she says. “And welcome to the family.”

  I remove my hands from her to embrace the beautiful brunette. I sense her own heartbreak as a resonance of what I’d just let go and I want to fix it for her.

  “If you’ll excuse us.” Garrett takes my hand and shoves through the circle. “I need to get my mate back to the hotel.” He looks down at me, his eyes soft with affection. “We’ll fly home tomorrow. Together. Okay?”

  I nod, mutely. I’ll have to call work and let them know I’m not coming, but it’s fine. I don’t have any court appointments.

  Garrett sweeps me up in his arms and strides out of the airport, despite my protests.

  “Don’t worry, Amber. We’ll get your luggage,” Trey calls after us.

  I tuck my face against Garrett’s neck. “How did you get past security without a plane ticket?” I ask.

  “I don’t know. Trey handled it.”

  Right. He has a pack. My pack, now, too.

  ~.~

  Garrett

  I check into a private suite back at the hotel and Jared brings our bags over.

  Amber’s blushing like a virginal bride, which is the cutest thing I’ve ever seen. She’ll blush even harder when she realizes what I have in store for that hot little body of hers.

  “Clothes off.” My voice comes out deeper than I expect.

  She looks over with lifted brows, probably surprised by the rough command, considering I’ve been treating her like a delicate flower.

  Whatever she sees on my face—must be bald hunger—makes her eyelids droop and nipples peak. She strips out of her clothing.

  I rummage through my bag for the duct tape. When I pull it out, she flushes, but her hands go to cup her own breasts, as if I’ve started an ache there that needs to be relieved.

  “Wh-what are you doing?”

  I hold up the tape, stalking toward her like a predator sure of his prey. My cock is painfully hard for my new mate. “Since you’re having a hard time staying put for me, I thought I’d better secure you.”

  She licks her pouty lips. “That won’t be necessary.” Damn, her voice is husky. I fucking love those notes on her. Can’t wait to see what else I can coax out of her. I haven’t had the time to spend getting to know my mate’s body and responses—what makes her quiver, what makes her scream. I sure as hell am going to make up for it now.

  I drag a piece of tape out and tear it off. “Oh, I think it’s very necessary. You’re going to spend all day and night bound to my bed, baby, and maybe then you’ll learn to stop running.” I rip off a second piece the same length and put them together, sticky side to sticky side. I don’t want to hurt my mate’s skin tonight. I may like to dominate, but this is definitely all about pleasure.

  She lets out a choked laugh. “I’m not run—”

  I cut her protest off with a hard kiss at the same time I catch her wrists between us and wrap the tape around them, using a fresh piece to secure it. I slip my finger under the makeshift cuffs to be sure they’re snug but not too tight. “That should do.” I fold a long piece of tape in half lengthwise and loop it through the cuffs then tug my mate to the bed like a slave with shackles. “On your back to start.” I lift my chin toward the mattress.

  A tiny smile curls her lips as she climbs up on her knees then settles on her back. I pull her wrists above her head and secure the long piece to the headboard with more duct tape. It wouldn’t hold if she really pulled, but this is more about the illusion of capture than the real deal.

  I have to stop for a moment and just drink in the sight.

  Fucking perfection.

  Amber’s sweet little body is spread out naked, like an offering, her perky tits falling open to the sides, belly shuddering in when she breathes.

  “Open your legs wider, baby.”

  She inches her thighs apart, a blush creeping up her neck.

  I squeeze my cock through my jeans, and groan. “You’re so beautiful, Counselor, I can hardly stand it. Even with the full moon behind us.”

  “Take off your clothes,” she orders, eyes dilated, lashes fluttering.

  I shake my head. “Nope.”

  Confusion flits over her face. “Why not?”

  “First of all, angel, I call the shots in the bedroom, not you. And you and I both know that’s the way you like it, so don’t even pretend it’s not. Secondly, this is punishment. You left me. I haven’t forgotten that. So, you’ll lie back and receive whatever I choose to give you, when I choose to give it to you. Understand?”

  “N-not really.” Her voice wobbles, but I smell her arousal, and the way her chest rises and falls rapidly tells me she’s totally turned on by my dictate.

  I climb slowly over her, still fully dressed. “Let me explain.” I grip her knees and push them up to her shoulders, spreading her wide. I stare down at the pink heart between her thighs, a growl of excitement rumbling from my throat. “I’m going to lick this pretty pussy until I’ve had my fill. If that takes eighteen hours, and you’ve screamed yourself hoarse, then maybe you’ll learn your lesson.”

  She laughs that husky laugh that drives me fucking wild.

  I let out a snarl and fill my hands with her ass, lift it until her delectable core meets my mouth, and lick into her.

  She shudders, knees clamping around my ears. I lick the length of it, part her labia and trace around the insides with the tip of my tongue. Her thighs flex, and she lets out an unsteady moan.

  “That’s it, beautiful, let me taste what’s mine.”

  I suck her labia, nibble them before applying my tongue to her clit.

  Her cries take on a higher pitch—the sound of desperation. I flatten my tongue and lap her from anus to clit, and she starts to pant and moan. I return to her
clit and suck while I screw one finger, then two, inside her. The moment I stroke her inner wall, she shatters, her muscles contracting around my fingers, ass squeezing tight, pussy thrusting against my face.

  I’m in heaven. Pleasing my female is clearly my purpose in life because I’ve never felt so powerful.

  As soon as she finishes, I start all over again.

  I bring her to climax once more. Then go in for a third kill.

  She pulls at her bonds. “I can’t, Garrett,” she moans. “Too much. It’s so intense.”

  “I know, baby. This is punishment. Who do you belong to?” I rim her, licking around her little starfish.

  She squeals, clenching her ass, her whole pelvic floor lifting. “You! To Garrett, the most possessive, stubborn, domineering…”

  “Uh oh.” I laugh. “Someone needs a spanking.”

  Her pelvic floor contracts again so I know she loves the idea.

  I roll her over, adjusting the tape on her wrists to accommodate the new position.

  She waggles her ass, inviting my punishment.

  I deliver a few swift spanks then rub away the sting. “You know what happens to naughty mates who try to leave the male who marked them?” I reach for one of the pillows and lift her hips, sliding it under.

  “Wh-what?”

  “They get fucked hard.” I spank her again, one smack on each side. “Are you ready for your punishment fuck?”

  Her adorable bottom squeezes up tight. “God no.” There’s a giggle in her voice.

  “Too bad, baby. You’re going to find out what happens when you displease your mate.”

  I stretch her ankles wide and use duct tape to fasten each one to the bedposts, again using the method of doubled-up tape so I’m not using the sticky side on her skin.

  Her arousal leaks between her thighs, back moves with her panting breath. My female is so excited.

  I climb over her and put my lips to her ear. “You know what happens if you’re really naughty, baby?”

  “What?” Fates, that husky voice. She kills me.