by Lauren Dane
“And we are going to start looking for a house tomorrow.” Tracy’s look dared him to argue.
He was no fool. Nodding, he agreed. “Okay. And the joining?”
“I don’t know, Nick. I can’t swear fealty to her. I can punch her, though.”
His mind raced at how he’d deal with this situation. She’d mortally offend the Pack if she refused the joining. But knowing her, she’d say exactly why and the Pack would be angry with Sarah and Nick as well. And Ben would be left holding the bag and trying to figure out how to fix it all. Plus, damn it, he wanted her in his Pack not Cascadia. He wanted to share his rank with her, wanted her in his family.
“One step at a time, baby. For now, I have a suggestion.” He raised his eyebrows at her and she laughed but didn’t stop him when his hands pushed the front of her robe open.
Chapter Three
Gabe had been awake since five, when his dreams of Tracy Warden ended and his thoughts of her began.
He loved the whole concept of the anchor. Over the years he’d had the opportunity here and there but had said no. He most definitely wanted to be someone’s anchor but he’d always felt like the woman would have to be someone very, very special to him.
Gabe readily admitted to himself that his offer to be Tracy’s anchor was self-serving. He wanted her. Had wanted her since the first time he’d clapped eyes on her in that room the morning before. Instantly, the sight and smell of her had shot to his gut.
Because she was mated to Nick, he’d certainly not have the opportunity to see her naked in any other way. And admittedly, that was frustrating. If there was no mate bond, Gabe would have no problem whatsoever doing whatever he could to grab Tracy for himself.
But he hadn’t expected to want to be anchored to a woman like Tracy. His attraction to her, the depth and intensity of it surprised him. Shocked him even. She fascinated him. Wound her way into his brain in a way no other female ever had. At first he’d surprised himself by offering to be their anchor. He’d said it without really thinking about it. The words just burst from him. He wasn’t sure why he felt as deeply as he did and now he really wasn’t sure if it was wise to be bonded to her in even an ancillary way. He was a man who valued control and his attraction to Tracy made him feel out of control.
He’d mulled it in his head, paced, and once in his bed, tossed and turned a long time. In the end, his decision was to roll with it. Because Gabe wanted to know Tracy more.
Sure, it was attractive that she came from a very powerful and revered family. As a human who’d been transformed and had been looking from the outside in for most of his adult life he had to admit that such things mattered in the world of wolves. Being anchored to a woman as powerful as Tracy Warden brought his status up as a former human. Even though he was one of the most highly ranked werewolves in the country, her coming from such a powerful family mattered in werewolf culture.
But that wasn’t it. Not even a small part. No, he liked the idea of being as special to her as she’d be to him. Having that connection to her made him warm inside. He’d been happy these last twenty years as a wolf, but he had missed that connection since his mentor had died.
He liked the Northwest and now he’d have a reason to visit more frequently. As her anchor, he’d be a part of her life forever, even after he himself bonded with his mate. As an anchor he’d be like a member of her family. He smiled as his body tightened in anticipation.
* * * * *
Over coffee several hours after Tracy and Nick had made up, they sat curled into each other on the couch, watching the morning out of the windows.
“So, uh, I hate to bring this up and all, but isn’t Gabe going to be here soon?”
“Yeah, in about an hour.” He hated the idea of her with anyone else and knowing that the scent of her sex with another male would be in the air, he really hated the idea that it would happen there. Perhaps it was a good thing he’d agreed to move.
Tracy told him about the whole tri-bond fiasco between Nina, Lex and Cade.
“Well, as a human, I’m sure it was harder for Nina at the time. I understand why it has to happen and on that level I’m okay with it. I want to protect you. I need to. But there is this sliver of unease inside me at the thought of my mate with someone else.”
“How can we make this easier for you?” She wished she could forego it entirely, seeing how he felt about it. But she also felt herself slipping a bit as the time passed. Felt the encroaching dark place. “Do you want to be in the room? In the apartment? Do you want to go for a workout and then come back afterwards?”
“Part of me wants to be far, far away but another part of me knows I’d imagine all sorts of things if I wasn’t here. I do think I need to not be in the room though. It’s going to be an issue that he’s not related to me and that he outranks me. I’ll work in my office. When it’s over, we have to talk about the joining.”
Tracy stiffened. “What is that all about? You’re pissed because of the tri-bond and you bring that up to get back at me?”
He turned and looked her in the eyes. “No. Tracy, I am not passive-aggressive. If I have an issue you’ll know it. But we do have to talk about it and I’d like to see if perhaps you’ll be more…adjusted after you have an anchor.”
She narrowed her eyes at him. “Are you suggesting that I’m overreacting to my mate sneaking out of bed at four a.m. to call another woman who he professed to have deep feelings for?”
“I’m not saying you’re wrong for being upset. It was a mistake, I admit that and I’ve apologized for it. But I do think your reaction was rather severe and I’m hoping that after the tri-bond you’re more centered and we can pick it up again. In any case, we’ll have to because the joining is tonight.”
“Scheduled for tonight, that is. And I’d like to know how you’d react if our positions were reversed.”
He got quiet as he thought about it.
She got up and kissed him on the top of his head. “I’m going to take a shower and, uh, prepare for Gabe.”
He stood and trailed after her into the bathroom.
She laughed as she slipped out of her robe. His hands found their way to her body again. “Don’t start anything right now. You’re the reason I have to shower again as it is.”
He hopped up on the counter and watched as she got into the glass enclosure. “Tracy, I’ve been thinking, and I want you to let go and enjoy yourself with Gabe. I mean, it’s the last time you’ll ever have sex with someone other than me and I want you to get off.”
She wiped her hand through the steam and looked out at him.
“I’m serious. I want you to have this. I don’t want it to be clinical and uncomfortable.” What he didn’t say was that Ben had said the same thing to Sarah and had gone to another part of the house, leaving her with Nick. And it had been even more special because of that. He wanted Tracy and Gabe to have that connection. And it was easy enough to say because Gabe didn’t live in the same city, much less the same state. Yes, Gabe would be a part of their lives forever, but it was easier with some distance.
“Well, we’ll see.” She sounded dubious.
After she got out of the shower she stayed in a robe and changed the sheets in the guest bedroom and tried not to show how nervous she was as Nick watched her.
She brewed some coffee and he helped her make a nice breakfast and set the table as she bustled around.
They both jumped when a knock sounded on the door and Nick squeezed her hand before going to answer it.
Gabe was there in jeans and a black cashmere sweater, looking suave and effortlessly, classically handsome and Nick only barely stopped himself from narrowing an eye at him.
Instead he stood back and motioned Gabe inside with a sweep of his hand. “Gabe, good morning. Please come in. Tracy is just finishing up the crêpes.”
Gabe’s eyes widened a bit as he came into the apartment. “Crêpes? I do believe you’re even luckier than I’d thought.”
Tracy laughed a
s she heard that comment, putting the crêpes on the table with a tea towel covering them to keep them warm.
“Hi, Gabe. Please sit down.”
He went to her and kissed her cheek and it sent a shiver down her spine. He smelled good and he was warm against her body.
“Thank you, Tracy. This all looks marvelous.” He pulled out a chair, careful to avoid the one at the head of the table, and sat down.
“Please, help yourself to coffee. The different fillings are all here in reach.” She blinked quickly, nervous beyond belief.
He reached out and grabbed her hand. “Tracy, this is going to be all right. We’ll just take it slow and step-by-step. The three of us will work this through.”
“Thank you.” A blush crept up her neck and Nick smiled at her, relaxing her a bit.
Gabe filled his plate and tried not to look at her too much. She was alluring there in her robe. Her hair curled softly about her face and shoulders and unless he was wrong, there was not a stitch beneath the silk of the robe.
After a leisurely breakfast, where the three of them got on quite nicely, he put his napkin on the table and looked at Nick.
“How shall we proceed?”
“I’m going to finish up some work in my office. If I need to, I’ll duck out. I’ve discussed with Tracy that I want this to be a pleasurable experience for her so take it for what that’s worth.”
“Hello? Does anyone want to, oh, I don’t know, address me? Or shall I stand over here and look pretty while you divvy up my pussy?”
Both men looked to her, shocked momentarily. Gabe fought back a laugh at her impertinence and bold words.
“I do apologize, Tracy. Is there anything you’d like to add or say?”
“Well, I do want to make it known that I am not on board with the way wolves think females are just there to sit in the background and look vacant and breed on. I have a degree in economics, you know. And if we’re all going to be bonded, it’s good to get this all straight from the beginning.”
Gabe nodded. “I agree, actually. I wasn’t born a wolf. There are many human conventions that I still hold. And lucky for me, I happen to like strong females. I did not mean for my addressing Nick to seem that I was ignoring your input on this issue.”
“Tracy has such trouble expressing herself.” Nick’s voice was dry but his eyes were full of amused adoration and Gabe and Tracy both relaxed at the sight.
“Hmpf!” Tracy smirked at them both.
“And on that very articulate note, I will take this coffee into my office to work. And my headphones.” Nick stood and went to Tracy, who stood up and went into his arms. “I love you,” he murmured into her hair, breathing her scent in and letting it calm him.
“I love you too. Are you sure you’re okay with this?” She tipped her head back and looked into his eyes.
He nodded. “The tri-bond is an old thing with us. Without it, you’d be lost to me and to yourself. I’m all right.” He turned to Gabe and they shook hands. “Take care of her. I am indebted to you for being our anchor.”
Gabe nodded. “It is my honor to do so.”
Nick grabbed the carafe of coffee, headed down the opposite hallway to his office and firmly shut his door.
Tracy turned to Gabe, suddenly shy. She held out her hand. “Shall we?”
He took it and the connection arced up their arms, bringing a gasp from both their lips.
She led him into the room and closed the door behind her, looking at him. God he was beautiful. He was taller than Nick but not hard-bodied. A long torso and legs. The jeans he wore highlighted the power in the thighs that most werewolves had and it had always been one of the most appealing features on a man’s body to Tracy.
Salt-and-pepper sprinkled just a bit at the temples of his caramel-colored hair. It was short, professional, but not too short. Enough to run her fingers through. His eyes were deep brown, nearly black and he had the smallest hint of wrinkles around the outer corners. They were serious eyes but she’d noticed a twinkle of amusement in them from time to time. A streak of whimsy was a wonderful quality in a man with such a serious position.
He had a neatly trimmed mustache and beard that seemed to frame his lips. His lips were the only utterly soft thing about his face. She licked her own lips in response as her body reacted to the fleshy curve of his bottom lip.
She watched as he reached down and pulled his sweater up and over his head. His chest was impressive. Again, not hard muscle like Nick’s, Nick was a man whose body was a weapon, a tool in his job. Nick’s body was a killing machine. Gabe’s chest belonged to a man who kept himself well. It was nicely defined and more of that sexy salt-and-pepper spread over the chest hair and the arrow of hair around his navel and disappeared beneath his waistband.
“I’m incredibly flattered,” he murmured.
She couldn’t help but grin. “You should be. Because I’m beginning to entertain some really naughty thoughts about you.”
“How old are you?”
“Twenty-five. And you?”
“Forty-one. I’m a lot older than you are. I feel slightly perverted.”
She dropped the robe, letting it pool around her feet, the spill of royal blue silk like an expanse of sea.
“Okay, now I’m feeling a lot perverted.” He wondered if he’d ever actually been as hard as he was at that precise moment. How long had it been since a woman’s body had affected him so deeply? She was a whole lot of contradictions all rolled up into one really appealing package. The freckles gave her an almost pixieish look combined with that nose with the tiny upturn at the end. Her eyes were wide and bright and definitely filled with mischief. The green reminded him of moss.
Her breasts were not large. He usually preferred large-breasted women, but her perky little barely B-cups made his mouth water. Those strawberry-pink nipples with silver—platinum, he guessed, given their resistance to silver—rings dangling from them made him hot. No innocent miss there. No, those rings made him want to unleash the things he’d kept deep inside him for a very long time. He raked his eyes over the series of tattoos—words from the old language—down her body, over those long legs to the petite feet with those red-hot painted nails. She was a lot of things in one woman and that was incredibly beguiling.
“You’re so beautiful,” he said in the quietest of voices and she stood, rapt, as his hands went to the buttons of his jeans and popped each one open. She wasn’t even sure she could blush, she was so spellbound by the sound as each button popped free and a tiny bit more of his body showed.
My! No underwear. Who’d have thought that a man like Gabe, who seemed all business, would be going commando? A shiver ran through her. He shoved the pants off and got rid of them and his shoes and socks.
They stood there facing each other, both naked and intensely aroused. Somewhere in the back of her mind she felt guilty for being this turned on by another male and it seemed odd to her that with the mate bond she could be so utterly devastated by his presence. She chalked it up to the whole anchor thing. She couldn’t explain it any other way.
“I really have to touch you, Tracy.”
She nodded and stepped out of the robe at her feet, toward him. And when their bodies touched, Tracy felt faint. The intensity of desire and connection between them was overwhelming.
“What is this?” he murmured just as his hand went into her hair and angled her head to receive his kiss. And it wasn’t just a kiss, it was a ten-car pileup. A collision of two people meshing into one. His mouth was insistent and he devoured her, took from her and delivered back in spades. His lips were hot against hers, tongue sure and steady as it slid into her mouth and stroked against hers.
His taste was intoxicating and consumed her. Took over her brain and her body and sucked her under like a siren’s song.
“Oh, god. Please, fuck me, Gabe,” she all but sobbed when he broke the kiss to move his mouth—his hot, carnal mouth—to the spot just under her ear. Her legs nearly buckled.
“I will, little rebel, I will. Don’t rush me.” The words were murmured, his lips against her skin, and all she could do was writhe. “I have plans for every inch of your body. If I can only have you once, I’m going to burn my name into your skin.”
He wasn’t even sure where the hell the words came from but once he’d touched her, it was like instinct had taken over. He certainly meant what he’d said. He wanted her to think of his lips just there, at the place where her jaw met her neck, before she fell asleep each night. Wanted his fingers splayed over her hips to brand into her memory forever because damn it, if he couldn’t have her, he’d damn well have part of her memory.
A sense of desperation crept into him as the thought of only having her once registered. How could he live for the rest of his life only being able to make love to her one time? Knowing that another man had her every night and day? He knew it was madness to feel that way, knew she belonged to another. But he felt it nonetheless.
Dropping to his knees before her, he caught the scent of her desire in full force and it rocked his very foundations. He growled as his wolf agitated against his human skin, wanting to claim her.
Tracy looked down at him, her hands shaking at the intensity of her response. She slid them into his hair and it felt cool and soft against her skin. His mouth was like a brand against the tattoo at her inner hip. The growl that issued from deep inside him wrapped around her and called her own wolf into a state of tension and need. It frightened her, the way he made her feel. It was wrong! She shouldn’t feel so intensely attracted to anyone but Nick. But she couldn’t help it. Her need of him took over every cell in her body. Did Nina feel this way with Cade? No wonder she looked at him the way she did sometimes. Still, Nina seemed to manage it and be loving and totally devoted to Lex. All Tracy could do was hope that it would lessen after the anchor bond was fully in place.