by Haley Weir
“Hey there,” he whispered lamely, unsure why he felt the need to lower his voice.
The soft candlelight illuminated Mary Ann’s smile as she raked her fingers through the silken tresses of her hair. “Hey.” She stood up and sauntered towards him. Sam knew there was no intentional seduction in the way she walked, which made it that much more appealing to him. She was unaware of what a simple look from her could do to him. “I’m glad you decided to stay.”
Her hands caressed his chest as she pulled up onto the tips of her toes to press a kiss to his jaw. Sam’s palms slid along the soft curve of her hip and yanked her up against his body. Mary Ann gasped, but there was no fear in her eyes as she wrapped her legs around his waist. The heat that wafted from the fireplace caused droplets of sweat to bead on her skin. Sam leaned forward and trailed his tongue along her neck before he laid her on the bed. Her hands curled around the top of his shoulders with a bruising grip when he attempted to step back.
“Wait...”
Sam shook his head and untangled himself. “I ain’t goin’ nowhere.” He waited for her nod of understanding before he wandered over to the washbasin to clean away the soot and blood from his skin. He wanted no part of the darkness they fought against to touch her the first time they made love...made love...Sam’s hand paused before he brought the rag back to his chest. That was what he intended to do, wasn’t it? Sam intended to make love to Mary Ann, something he never thought would ever come to pass. He wasn’t sure he loved her in that way…
Then what the hell am I doin’ here? Sam wondered. He could not just bed her and disappear as he had done to countless others before her. The guilt and shame of his life began to creep back into his mind. Until Mary Ann placed her hand over his and took the rag from Sam. She stood with her chest pressed against his back as she washed him. Each pass of the cloth over his skin washed away the darkness that had been brewing inside. When he was finally scrubbed clean, Sam turned and pulled Mary Ann into a heated kiss.
This time, it was Sam whose back landed upon the bed.
Mary Ann crawled over him in all of her glory. His hands caressed the milky flesh of her thighs, inching towards her femininity. Her breath hitched, and those beautiful eyes flew open. She rocked her hips, and Sam’s body twitched as his erection slipped between her folds. Mary Ann threw her head back, fingers curling against his chest. “It feels…”
“Right,” Sam finished.
“Yes. It feels right.” Mary Ann’s eyes closed, and a beautiful flush covered her cheeks, neck, and chest. Her entire body shivered as Sam rolled his hips, stroking the head of his member against her pleasure pearl. “Sam! Please…”
He pushed up on his hands, bringing them chest to chest as she sat in his lap. Sam kissed her temple before nibbling her ear. “You don’t know what you’re askin’ for, Mary. I don’t want to hurt you. Let me take my time.” With a speed that boggled the mind, Sam flipped them over and slotted between her thighs, using his knees to spread her legs open.
~*~
Sam fell over her like the wolf he was. The smile on his face was absolutely treacherous, and Mary Ann felt like prey ensnared by his trap. And she loved it. She licked her suddenly dry lips and Sam’s eyes flickered down to her mouth. His jaw twitched as if he were fighting off some invisible force that kept him in control. But Mary Ann didn’t want him in control. She was tired of thinking, of both of them being trapped so deep in their thoughts that they were filled with regret. “Will it hurt?” Mary Ann asked, getting his attention once more.
She watched as he lowered his hand to her nether curls and stroked the velvet petals between her legs. Mary Ann felt her pulse quicken as he prodded her opening with a gentle finger. Sam’s eyes flashed with lust...and something much softer. “I don’t mean to boast, Mary, but I’m a very big man. You’re built much smaller than most women, so I could hurt you if I don’t take this slow—”
“How long will the pain last?”
“Usually, the worst of it is over in about a minute or so, but it’ll be uncomfortable until you adjust to my size. If we rush, I could tear you, and the last thing I want is for you to look back on your first time and think only of pain.” Sam peppered her face with kisses as his hand explored her. She tracked the rise and fall of his chest as she focused on the sensation of his touch.
Mary Ann was impatient. She wanted his claim as much as she wanted his love. Her nails dug into his shoulders. With a deep breath, she shoved her hips toward his finger and felt herself stretch around the digit. Sam was aware enough to pull back before he could break through the barrier inside. Mary Ann bit her lip and breathed through her nose until the sting subsided.
“Goddamn it, Mary! Don’t you ever do somethin’ like that again.”
She moved her hand to cup his cheek. “I’m all right, Sam. It doesn’t hurt anymore. Please…” But no matter how much she begged, he took his time. Those thick fingers stretched her one by one until three were nestled within her clenching channel. Mary Ann thrust against his hand, rubbing herself against the calloused palm that cupped her. “Ssss...Sam!”
Mary Ann felt herself nearing that burst of pleasure, but he removed his fingers at the very last second. She opened her mouth to protest only to gasp in shock as he sucked his fingers into his mouth with a satisfied groan. Mary Ann had never seen anything so erotic, but she had a feeling she was about to experience many new things as Sam scrambled to his knees beside the bed. His large hands gripped her ankles and yanked her towards him.
“What are you doin’, Sam?” Mary Ann asked as he placed her legs over his shoulders. She covered her face, feeling as though she might die of embarrassment. But the hot gust of air that fluttered over her mound caused her head to shoot off of the bed. “What?”
His fingers parted her open. “I need to taste you…”
She wanted to shove him away, to maintain at least some of her innocence, but Sam had other things in mind. Mary Ann had no choice but to watch the pink of his tongue disappear from sight as he leaned in and...Mary Ann attempted to slam her legs shut, but his hold was too strong. He pressed her hips to the mattress. The obscene sound of slurping filled the room as her body convulsed beneath his ministrations. Sam moaned and growled against her flesh, causing vibrations to tickle along her nerves. “Heavens! Sam...stop...wait...no...don’t stop.”
He chuckled between her legs and traced every silken curve and fold of her womanhood with his tongue.
Mary Ann’s hands twisted into the linens. A flash of white burst behind her eyes as she flooded his mouth with a rush of wetness that slickened her thighs. Sam continued to ravish her like a beast, wringing every ounce of pleasure until her body felt numb. Uncontrollable spasms caused her arms and legs to tremble. He kissed his way up her body once more and kissed her deeply. Mary Ann was shocked and...surprised, but not as repulsed as she thought when she tasted herself upon his lips.
The blunt crown of his member nudged her folds, gliding along her sensitive skin until it dipped into the well of her essence that flowered to open to accept his claim. Sam sank deeper in her body, never once breaking the kiss. Mary Ann felt the discomfort, but something unfurled in her chest like a light reaching out for Sam as he reached the very depths of her body. Sam pulled back but pressed his forehead against hers. His body glistened with sweat as his hips pulsed slowly with each thrust. “Can you feel that?” he asked.
“I feel it.”
“That’s the bond.” Sam tilted Mary Ann’s head and stared into her eyes, dropping his weight on top of her. He smiled beautifully and brushed her bottom lip with his thumb. “I guess you are my mate, after all.”
Mary Ann swatted his shoulder and chuckled. “Sam,” she whispered as she kissed his lips between each word. “Hurry. Up. Or. Else. I’ll. Kill. You.”
He sighed dramatically and kissed her back. “Impatient.”
“I can feel every inch of you inside of me, of course, I’m impatient!”
Sam turned away to smother hi
s laughter into the crook of his arm where it rested beside her head. “I hate to shock you, darlin’, but that’s not every inch.”
Mary Ann’s eyes widened. “You jest!” Sam grabbed her hand and pushed it between their bodies until her fingers brushed the place where they were joined. “How is that possible?” she asked as she felt more of him that had yet to breach her entrance.
“You have to relax so I can fit.” Sam began to rock once more, trapping her hand where she touched him. He snarled and teased her nipple with the tip of his tongue. Mary Ann felt herself getting aroused once more, spiraling towards something quite wonderful. She could feel him sinking deeper...and deeper...and deeper until the swatch of curls brushed her mound.
“I feel so full, Samuel. I think I might burst.”
Chapter Eight
Sam could hardly breathe as he finally seated himself in her body entirely. Mary Ann was tight but, as she relaxed, she fit like a glove. The slick, rippling muscles hugged his throbbing length until he feared losing control and setting upon her like an animal. Sam felt the spirit of the wolf inside of him as if it were clawing its way to the surface. He didn’t want to give in just yet. He could never hurt her like that, not when she had given herself to him.
The slow rocking of his hips became long, languid thrusts. Sam pulled out slowly and then slammed back, causing Mary Ann to release a hiccup of surprise each time he touched that place deep inside of her that made her toes curl. When Sam sensed her getting closer to her release, he picked up speed and began thrusting vigorously. Mary Ann’s nails scraped down his back, summoning a roar that caused the walls to shake.
Sam felt himself losing the war that raged within him.
Mary Ann kissed his neck and whispered, “Let go, Samuel. I’m not afraid. I love you.”
Color burst in his vision. Sam pulled out of Mary Ann and flipped her onto her belly. He lifted her hips and pushed back inside of her dripping core. She screamed, clenching around him as he set a brutal pace. Sam forced her shoulders to the bed, and Mary Ann arched her back. He hit her pleasure spots over and over until they reached that glorious peak.
“Sam!...Oh god...I...nnngggg…”
“So beautiful,” he snarled. “No one else will ever know you like this, Mary. You’re mine.”
He reared his head back before sinking his teeth into the nape of her neck. His member swelled, throbbing as seed splashed against the walls of her womb. Mary Ann collapsed into a fit of shivers. Sam pressed her into the bed, pressing inside as far as her body would allow. The wolf spirit howled within him. When their senses finally returned, Sam rolled off to the side to keep from crushing his mate. Mary Ann curled up against him.
“I think you’ve broken me.”
Panic stole the glow of satisfaction that had begun to sprout in his chest. He crowded Mary Ann and spread her legs. “Did I hurt you?” he snapped. “Why didn’t you tell me to stop—”
When her hand brushed his cheek, Sam stopped his rant like a well-trained mutt. “I’m all right, Samuel. I’ve just never felt like this before. I’m still unsure of what exactly is happenin’ to my body.” She brushed the hair out of his face and pulled him back to the spot beside her. Sam wrapped his arms around Mary Ann, enjoying the rare moment of peace that settled in his mind.
“I can see color.”
“How is that possible?” she asked.
“If I broke you, I think you fixed me.” He kissed her forehead and shrugged. “I don’t know. I’m the only shifter Itsá has come across that was colorblind. There wasn’t even a word for it around here until a doctor from England rode through town.”
"When did you realize you were different?"
Sam snorted. "I've always been different."
“You know what I mean.”
“I already told you that I used to only see the colors that were you. Everythin’ else was washed in crimson. But now, it’s like whatever made me see you that day is now everywhere. My senses are sharper, and I feel at peace even at the heart of a war.” Sam kissed the corner of her mouth. “What about you? Do you feel any different?”
“I’m a bit sore, but other than that...no. I feel like our connection is stronger, but I didn’t need to sleep with you to realize that we belong together.”
Sam felt his mouth quirk upward into a smile. “Boone told me to either claim you or let you go. He said I was hurtin’ you, and I think he was right. When I thought about a life without you, I just saw the same old empty existence, but there was no more light to push the darkness away. So, I chose you, Mary.”
She sat up and frowned. “Did he really say that?”
“More or less. But he got his point across,” Sam replied. “I kept pullin’ you closer only to push you away when I got scared or felt guilty. I should have made that choice a long time ago, but I let you down. He said if I choose to be with you, then he and I would have to deal with it...and my brother’s way of dealin’ with anythin’ is with his fist or his rifle.”
“Boone should stay out of it. I’m tired of him thinkin’ he can push us around.”
“He was right.”
“Maybe we should wait to tell everybody,” Mary Ann suggested. “We should help fix things after the witches attacked but keep this between us for now. I want some time with you all to myself before they start buttin’ their noses into our business.”
“If that’s what you want.”
“What I want is for us to make love again—”
“Absolutely not!” Sam protested. “You just said you were sore!”
“I promise to see Abigail if it hurts too bad—”
Sam rolled his eyes and quieted her with a kiss.
~*~
A light snow fell from the sky as yet another wagon pulled a dozen or so people out of town. Boone had warned them that it wasn't safe on the roads, but the people were frightened. Those who had been living in Wolf Valley their whole lives were well aware of the magic and danger that surrounded the town long before witches and wendigo showed up. Mary Ann stared down at the road that led to Silver Fox Ranch and let out a curse. It had been nearly a week since Sam crawled out of her bed to deal with the witches.
He stopped in from time to time to steal a brief moment with her on his way through town—only to leave an hour or so later. Mary Ann knew it wasn't Sam's fault. Boone and the others needed his help hunting down the witches and folks were reporting strange happenings all over Wolf Valley. Charlotte running off with Itsá hadn’t helped matters. Wesley was nearly out of his mind with worry, though he tried to disguise it behind his anger.
Sam, Wesley, Jesse, and Beth searched the wilderness for any signs of the Wendigo Spirit or the other dark creatures meant to rise any day now. Mary Ann was restless. She missed Sam, but every time she asked to accompany Abigail or Boone on their search, she was denied. So, she stared aimlessly out of the widow of her shop each day, trying to focus on something other than Sam. It proved quite the challenge.
Mary Ann huffed and stormed into the back room to grab fresh buns from the oven.
She heard the door chime and hurried back to greet a potential customer. Instead, Sam stood just inside the shop, covered in snow. Mary Ann grew concerned when his usual smile failed to reach his eyes. “Hey there, Mary...I wish I were here to stay, but—”
“I understand, Samuel.” Mary Ann swallowed down her disappointment and scurried around to finish up her work. “What you’re doin’ is important. This town is in danger, and you’re doin’ all you can to keep everyone safe.”
Sam was at her side before Mary Ann could set down the basket of buns. He took it from her hand and placed them on the shelf with the rest of the goods she had baked since that morning. He was so close that she could smell the crisp scent of winter air and pine clinging to his clothing. The streaks of dirt that darkened his skin didn’t distract from the beauty of his sculpted features. Mary Ann felt herself drawing closer to him with each breath.
“It ain’t like that this time,”
Sam sighed. “This time, we need you to come along.”
“Go with you?”
“We know the Wendigo Spirit is inside of an outlaw named Ethan Tate. I knew him back when I was runnin’ with my old gang. There’s a train comin’ through Wolf Valley that’s carryin’ a lot of money in the express car, and it’s full of passengers.”
Mary Ann cocked her head to the side. “Why would the Wendigo Spirit be there?”
“Tate and his crew used to raid trains,” Sam explained. “All that money can motivate a lot of outlaws if the Wendigo Spirit is lookin’ to get those tainted weapons into the hands of criminals. Not to mention, it’s full of unsuspectin’ passengers that I’m sure he’d love to pick his teeth with when he’s done robbin’ them blind.”
“Did you try to talk to Ace? I’m sure the coyote shifters might be interested in stoppin’ them weapons from gettin’ into the hands of bandits.” Mary Ann untied her apron and hung it on the hook beside the door before turning over the sign that marked the shop as being closed. She led him out the back door and through the narrow passage that led to her home.
“Wesley and Jesse ain’t too keen on trustin’ Ace. He did help us the last time we needed it, but there ain’t no way to gauge his motives.”
“Who else is comin’?”
“Me, you, Abigail, Beth, Wesley, and Boone,” he said. “Beth and Jesse need to be kept separate so Jesse will join Boone in the express car. Wesley will hang on the rear of the train to keep an eye on things in case somethin’ goes wrong. Abigail and Beth will be amongst the passengers. You and I will be in the baggage car.”
“Where do you think Ethan will be?”
“I’d reckon that if he does show up, he’ll ride alongside with some hired guns and board the train after it departs from the station.” Sam pulled Mary Ann back before she tried to step into her house. “Listen to me; we ain’t got a lot of time. Don’t do anythin’ foolish when we’re on the train. I mean it, Mary. If you see me gettin’ pinned down or somebody else gets hurt, I want you to run. We’re already missin’ Charlotte. Don’t make me have to hunt you down too.”