Her whiskers twitch and she changes directions, getting slightly closer. Ryder holds perfectly still. Never in all his travels has he seen anything as magnificent as her.
He wants to show off for her, but not frighten her. He wants to look strong but not threatening. His wolf is going wild and he’s using every bit of self-control to restrain him.
He remains still, moving only his eyes as she makes her way back and forth in her study of him. Growing closer with each pass.
She stops a few feet in front of him, staring him directly in the eye. Her bright green eyes glow in the darkness of the night. She takes a few tentative steps toward him and lowers herself to the ground in front of him, never breaking eye contact.
Ryder also submits, laying down in front of her. He stretches his neck forward, touching her nose lightly.
She jerks back with a sneeze, rises to her feet and leaps over him playfully. Ryder pops up and spins around. There’s a playful streak in her that speaks to his own. She stops at the edge of the clearing and flashes him an inviting glance before speeding off in the darkness.
The chase is on, Ryder thinks to himself as he pursues her through the trees. The sound of a soft giggle wafts through his mind, heady like the sweet scent.
“Is that you?” He reaches out in his head using the pack link. He only hears faint laughter in return. The melody sends a fiery lust through his being on a cellular level, he wants her but he has to catch her.
She easily matches him in speed and he can only imagine how powerful she is.
A streak of panic shocks him as he realizes he’s lost sight of her. He follows her scent, trying to gain visual contact with her again.
He runs faster toward the succulent aroma to find himself in middle of the clearing where they met. He stops and looks around realizing she led him in a circle, masking her scent and making it almost impossible for him to use it to follow her.
He’s blinded by it. The light laugh dances through his mind again and he turns around to see her standing at the edge of the clearing.
“Catch me if you can.” Her exotic accent drives him crazy, he’s trying to keep his wits about him, but she’s making it hard.
He lunges toward her and with a powerful thrust she leaps out of the way and disappears into the woods, leaving only the sound of her mischievous laughter in his mind.
Ryder pushes forward, darting through the trees following the sound of her paws striking the ground. Her black coat serves as a perfect camouflage against night.
He runs to the center of the clearing again, coming to a skidding halt in the middle. Her scent is strong here, she’s here, he just can’t see her. Is she invisible?
Riley lets out a disinterested sigh and Ryder snaps his eyes upward to find her perched in a tree. Her tail hangs down, swinging back and forth.
She leaps down from the tree gracefully and approaches him, he remains still for fear that she’ll take off again. She walks straight for him and rubs her head along the length of his body. He nestles into her.
Riley’s scent is driving him wild with lust. He has to have her. He’s allowing her to set the pace, be in charge. The next move is hers.
She circles back around, stopping in front of him. She lowers her head before shifting into human form. Ryder shifts and his eyes drag across her body, coming to a stop at her enchanting green eyes.
Her lips part to speak. “Hello,” she whispers.
“Ryder,” he says, taking a step closer to her. “I’ve never…” He’s at a loss for words.
Riley looks into his eyes expectantly, waiting for him to finish what he’s saying.
He reaches down slowly, running his fingers down the inside of her arms, intertwining their fingers together. “I’ve never felt this kind of need to be near anyone before in my life.”
Riley looks down and away coyly, unfurling one of her hands and cupping his scruffy cheek. She cuts a wry grin into the side of her cheek. She can’t hide the scent of heat pooling between her thighs. He knows she wants him.
Fire dances in their gaze. She tries to tear her eyes away but can’t.
A ragged breath rides out as Ryder asks, “Who are you?”
She puts her finger over his lips, “Shhh.”
Ryder puts his hand in the small of her back and pulls her close to him, her scent is driving him insane and he needs to be closer to her.
She shows no resistance as she trails her fingers around the back of his neck. She lets out a low purr, pulling his lips down to meet hers.
He complies with her unspoken demand and takes charge. Ryder nibbles on her full lower lip, teasing her, feeling her squirm in his grasp.
She presses into him, parting her lips, but Ryder doesn’t give in. “I want to know who you are.”
She looks up at him, wrestling with the desire to be with him, have him inside her and the desire to remain anonymous. She shakes her head slowly and threads her fingers through his short dark hair. “The woman that’s going fuck you. That’s all you need to know.”
She spears him with a serious look that rattles him, he wants her and wants to know her. He presses his forehead against hers, “Why won’t you tell me your name?”
Ryder’s hands find her hips and he sways them back and forth slightly, “That’s all I want is your name.”
“Is that really all you want?” she says, reaching down and taking his rock hard cock in her hand, stroking it lightly.
A breath hitches in Ryder’s throat. He throws his head back, swimming in the pleasure of her touch. His wolf paces and howls in his mind, his skin ripples from the beast trying to take over, telling him to take her.
Riley rakes her lips across his chest, kissing his neck and sucking his lobe between her teeth. He lets out a groan and intensifies his grip on her back.
He lowers his head to her ear, “Do you want me?”
She nods and says in a low growl, “Yes.”
His wolf howls in his mind, urging him on. Ryder slides his hands under her ass and she wraps her legs around him, sliding her slick core against his length.
Ryder runs his lips along her neck, wanting to bite into her, make her his, but never without permission.
He lays her down on a soft patch of grass and leans back to take in her beauty. She looks at him hungrily, “I want you inside me.”
Ryder’s getting his head back in the game, he’s never been so blindsided by a woman before, “In good time.”
He leans down, taking her hard nipple between his teeth as he flicks his tongue with precision. He’s rewarded by her gasp, she lightly runs her fingers across his broad shoulders.
He looks up at her with a gleam in his eyes, “You like that?”
She bites her lower lip and nods, “Yeah, I do.”
“Good.” He cups her other breast in his hand, rolling her hard bud between his finger and thumb. He can feel the heat at her core surging as she raises her hips to meet him.
Ryder drags his lips across the valley between her breasts, making his way to her other nipple. She throws her head back in pleasure, arching into him.
He looks into her eyes and says on a breath, “Who are you?”
Riley closes her eyes with a spirited smile and shakes her head no.
Ryder tangles his hand in her long dark hair and presses his lips against hers, his tongue sweeping inside her mouth, exploring the taste of her. He can’t wait to taste more of her.
He feels her body writhing beneath him, growing hotter. “What’s your name?” he growls playfully.
She lets out a giggle and shakes her head no.
“Come on, or I’ll just have to call you kitty,” he says, kissing her neck.
“Call me what you like,” she says, reaching between them, positioning him outside of her soft opening.
“Bad kitty,” Ryder says, lifting his hips away from her.
“But I’m a good kitty.” Riley feigns innocence, trying desperately not to beg, but she needs him inside her. She has never burne
d so hot to be with a man before and never a wolf. She thought she would be safe here.
Ryder can’t resist her one more moment, he positions himself above her and slowly lowers himself inside her.
Her eyes open wide at his size and he can feel her trying to relax around him. He stops, “Are you okay?”
She bites her lower lip and says on a ragged breath, “Yes, but go slow.”
“As you wish.” His deep timbre flares her passion hotter than she thought possible.
He can feel her contracting around him, her soft walls conforming and opening up to all of him. He presses deeper inside her with careful measure.
Riley pants, trying to catch her breath as ecstasy streams through her like nothing she’s ever felt before.
Ryder leans down to feel closer to her whole body and her nipples press against his chest. She purrs in his ear, “So fucking big.”
“For you, kitty.” His words ride out on a breath as his rhythm increases.
He’s being driven over the edge by her subtle movements, positioning herself at the perfect angle to take all of him in.
He reaches down between them running his fingers across her clit, pinching lightly. He watches with satisfaction as her expression twists with pleasure. She throws her head back, letting out a long, throaty moan.
He struggles to maintain his own control, he’s losing himself in her eyes, her body, everything. The world around them stops as their very souls mingle.
Riley’s eyes spring open in shock, feeling herself becoming one with him. Her heart beats in time with his.
“Ryder,” she whispers. “What are you?”
“Yours,” he growls, feeling her pulsing around him.
Electricity flows between, illuminating the clearing around them. Ryder smiles seeing the warm light on her golden brown skin. He caresses her cheek with the back of his hand.
Riley closes her eyes from the intensity of the orgasm building in the pit of her belly. Ryder cups her cheek and whispers softly, “Open your eyes, I want you to look at me when you come.”
His voice, his words, his rhythm pushes her over the edge of pleasure. Her walls squeeze and contract around him, bringing him to his climax.
With a roar he releases all that he has inside her as they reach the pinnacle of pleasure together.
Their bodies writhe and twitch uncontrollably. Riley’s nails are still digging deep into his broad shoulders, holding on for dear life as the orgasm pulses through her for what seems an eternity.
Ryder’s arms tremble as he holds himself over her tiny frame. His body and soul are satiated for the moment, but knows he has to have more of her, know everything about her.
He gazes upon her, “You are so beautiful.”
Riley giggles, pumping her brow, still basking in the glow. “You’re not so bad yourself.”
Ryder leans down, playfully nibbling at her ear, “Are you going to tell me your name now?”
“Nope,” she says with a ghost of smile dancing on her lips.
It’s driving him crazy, “When then?”
“When I’m ready,” she answers, knowing that she’ll never be ready.
He lays on his side beside her, pulling her close. “I’ll wait.”
She nuzzles into his strong chest, feeling safe and content.
He revels in the feeling of holding her, knowing that he’s found something special, something he never thought possible.
The sound of her rhythmic breathing lulls him to sleep beside her.
Chapter Five
Euphoria wraps Riley in warmth and happiness. She hasn’t felt this since, well, ever really, if she’s honest with herself. She rolls over looking at Ryder, his body solid and warm. She releases a sigh of relief knowing that she’s safe.
Safe, she thinks to herself, I haven’t felt safe… Reality tugs at her insides, but I’m not safe.
She glances at Ryder, he’s not safe now, either. Fuck.
I have to get out of here, far away. She carefully unfurls his arm from around her, shifts to panther form and makes her way toward her camp.
She’s got to get her last paycheck and move on. She beats herself up the whole way. How could I have let this happen? How could I let my guard down like this? You are such a fool, Riley.
Who was he? She’s pretty sure she’s met everyone in town, there aren’t really that many. Maybe he’s in town for that big gathering everyone’s talking about? Maybe I can lay low for a little while, she thinks, trying to rationalize not having to move on again.
The only way for her to survive is to keep moving, not have any entanglements. Her mother told her before she died, “Run, go and don’t form any bonds, they’ll slow you down, make you vulnerable. Run, Riley, run until you can’t run anymore and then stand your ground and fight, but not until you know you can win.”
Pain flickers in her soul remembering the moments before her mother took her last breath. I can’t stay here. The thought of something happening to Ryder because of her makes her sick to her stomach.
She gets back to her camp and goes to the lake to wash up. She gets dressed, runs a brush through her hair before putting it up in a high ponytail and packs up what few belongings she has. She rationalizes leaving without her last paycheck, but she needs the money.
She heads for Jake’s, hoping he’s there this early. She usually doesn’t go into work until later at night.
Jake’s truck is in the parking lot and bonus, it’s the only one there. She inhales a deep breath with her hand on the door, working out in her mind what she’s going to say.
She walks in and lets her eyes adjust to coming into the dark bar.
“Hey, Riley, you’re early,” Jake says with a smile.
“Yeah, actually.” She hikes herself up on the barstool.
“Uh oh,” Jake says, turning and giving her his full attention.
“I thought I could deal with the whole shifter thing, but honestly, this just isn’t for me. I was wondering if I could pick up my last paycheck,” she says, not looking him in the eye.
Jake studies her for a moment, “Is this about Brent yesterday?”
She shakes her head vehemently, “No, not at all.”
“Are you sure, because we set them straight, they aren’t going to give you any more problems.” Jake’s voice has a pleading edge to it.
“It’s really all of it, you’re all so different and I’d like to move on,” she says simply.
“So, no notice?” He pulls his lips to the side, “I really needed you this week with the scenting ceremony.”
Guilt runs through her. Jake has been very kind to her, not asking any questions and giving her a job without any ID. “I’m really sorry, it’s just that--”
“How about this.” He interrupts her. “You work tonight and tomorrow and I’ll pay you double. Then you can be on your way.”
She stills thinking about how nice it might be to have a good chunk of change in her pocket when she gets to her next spot. Riley rationalizes that she’s not seen Ryder in here and his scent was unfamiliar to her. There’s a good chance he won’t even come into the bar. She runs her fingers along the amulet, she can disappear if he does come in.
“I can see you’re on the fence.” Jake props his hands on the bar, “Triple.”
“Okay, done,” she agrees and throws her bag behind the bar. “I’m here, I might as well help get things ready.”
“Or if you want you can go into the apartment upstairs and get some rest.” He glances at her with concern.
Riley presses out a sad smile, the thought of a real shower sounds good right now, “Deal.”
Jake nods, “Hey, Riley?”
She stops at the head of the corridor, “Yeah?”
“Whatever it is you’re running from, we can help you,” he offers.
“Who said I was running from anything?” Her tone has an edge to it.
“Your eyes,” he says, lifting a brow. “You can’t run forever.”
“No, but I
can run until I’m ready to fight.” She leaves without giving him time to answer.
Shit. She thinks to herself, am I so transparent? She makes her way up the stairs and opens the door to the empty apartment she’s snuck into many rainy nights. She knows she could’ve asked Jake to stay here, but she’s too proud for a handout.
She flops down on the bed and raises her protective charm. No one can see or break through the barrier without magic of their own.
Chapter Six
The light of the sun stirs him awake. Feeling content and satisfied, he opens his eyes to gaze upon his woman but she’s not there. He shoots up in a panic, looking around for her. He can still smell her scent, but she’s gone.
He paces around the clearing trying to pick up on her scent, “Kitty?”
“Dammit!” He drags his fingers through his hair. How could I not get her name? He laments his mistake. How didn’t I wake up when she left?
He shifts into wolf form and tries to follow the strongest trail of her scent. He runs about four miles through the woods and loses the trail.
He heads back to his parents’ house, shifts when he gets up on the porch, picks up his clothes and heads inside.
“All night run?” his father asks with a smile.
“I needed it,” Ryder says, heading for the bathroom to shower.
“Come on, Ryder, it’s not that bad,” he says with a chuckle. “It’s nothing we haven’t all been through, some of us more reluctant than others.”
Ryder can only think of his panther, he barely knows what his father is talking about. “Reluctant?”
“Yeah, the scenting ceremony. Your mother only wants you to be happy,” he explains.
“I know,” Ryder concedes, not up for the fight, but then it dawns on him, “Hey, Dad?”
“Yeah?” His father sits in the living room chair sipping his coffee.
“When did panthers come into the area?” he asks.
“Panthers?” His father ticks his head back, “We don’t have any panthers here.”
“Are you sure?” Ryder asks.
“I’ve never seen one.” Brennan thinks about it for a moment, “We’ve had a few incidents with bear shifters recently, but nothing that wasn’t negotiated quickly.”
Sassy Ever After: Sass Got Your Tongue (Kindle Worlds Novella) Page 3