What This Wolf Wants

by Jennifer Dellerman

  No more. He couldn’t hold off any longer. Even as she arched under him, letting out a silent scream, he jerked inside her, coming in almost brutal waves of ecstasy. Convulsing spasms tore through his body as hers shuddered beneath him.

  He was sapped. All his strength gone. He leaned over Jackie in a sprawling heap, pressing his face in her neck, his hand deep in her thick hair. He felt her legs move under his ribs and he managed to hunch up so she could uncross her trapped legs, but he refused to move off her. Refused to break their most intimate of connections. He couldn’t. He loved her too much.

  Squeezing his eyes against that sudden, but no less certain knowledge, he waited until her breathing grew slow and deep. Zan knew how much she needed sleep, how much they both needed a few hours of peace. When she twitched beneath him as if fighting the pull, he lifted his head.

  “Sleep,” he whispered in her ear. “You’re safe with me, angel. You’ll always be safe with me.”

  She shuddered once and then went lax. Seconds from tumbling with her, he silently groaned and eased from her body. After staggering to the bathroom and disposing of the condom, he stumbled back to bed, tucking Jackie close to his chest, his chin on her head. With his arms banded around her waist, he felt a contentment settle in his body, in his heart. In his soul. And then sleep took him under.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Unfortunately, contentment was the last feeling he woke with. Still half-asleep, he stretched out an arm, searching the bedding blindly. Though the spot Jackie had lain in was still warm, she was gone.

  Anger and fear had him shooting straight up. The sense of panic didn’t ease until he caught sight of her suitcase just as the squeak of the shower as it turned off reached his ears. He flopped back on the bed, calling himself every kind of idiot.

  Of course she hadn’t stolen away in the night while he’d been sated and deep asleep. She might be hesitant about accepting Zan’s claim—who was he kidding? She was flat out refusing—she wasn’t one to sneak out to get away from him. She would go toe-to-toe and tell him point blank how she felt. Hadn’t she already done so? Several times in fact, taking strips of his pride every time she walked away.

  Yet he still battled forth, taking a perverse pleasure in the challenge, knowing how much sweeter victory will be when he finally changed her mind. And damn. While he might have possibly-just-only-briefly thought their first time together had been an explosive fluke, last night changed that. And according to his brother, sex between mates only got better. Hotter.

  But only if affection was there.

  A crease formed between his brows as an unbidden memory surfaced. A conversation he’d had with his father back when he’d been a young and arrogant pup. Actually, not much older than Joe or Scott were right now. Zan couldn’t understand why his father would choose a desk job in the military when his shifter abilities could be such an asset in the field. Not to mention the excitement and adrenaline rush field work was. The sneaking, the hunting and finally, taking down one’s prey.

  The high was incomparable.

  His father, lounging back in his home office desk chair, had listened with quiet patience as Zan had ranted on. When Zan had finally run out of steam, Carl only appeared slightly confused. “Why would I ever want to leave when everything I’ve ever wanted, ever needed, is right in this house?”

  Zan had snorted at that, unbelieving. Thinking his father was whipped. Then his father smiled, warm, confident, and not a little smug and it had made Zan pause. “Son, when you find the one you love more than your own life, want more than your next breath, your perfect mate, sharing your life with her will be the greatest adventure you will ever have.”

  Zan had rolled his eyes with all the cocky derision of his youth. “Please. Nothing beats a good hunt. Taking a mate’s no big deal.”

  His father had laughed. A full belly laugh that had brought tears to his eyes. “Boy, where have you been for the last fifteen years? It’s not just the initial taking, it’s the keeping. Every time I upset your mother I have to use everything I have, all my skill and persuasive abilities, to bring her around. It’s a hunt almost every damn day. And the rewards,” his father’s grin turned sly. “Well. It’s an addictive fulfillment that far surpasses any adrenaline high you’ve ever experienced in your spy games. Nothing, and I mean nothing, compares to having your true mate in your life and raising a family together.”

  Zan had left shortly after, feeling a bit ragged at the edges. His father had always seemed so calm, so sure of himself. And while Zan loved his mother, he’d never understood how such a confident man could possibly be satisfied with what Zan thought was a submissive woman.

  It wasn’t until then he realized he didn’t know as much as he thought he did about his adoptive parents. Evidently a lot more happened behind closed doors, and not just of the sexual kind, which he so didn’t want to even think about.

  Over the years he’d become more restless. He’d taken more, harder missions, thinking the more dangerous the hunt, the more his beast would be soothed. Only it had proved the opposite. Both man and wolf had craved more, until Zan had been forced to lie to his leader about what he could and couldn’t handle. And controlling his wolf had become harder to handle.

  Until he’d scented Jackie. And damn if the snarly creature hadn’t rolled over on it’s back in ecstatic joy. The man hadn’t been too far behind.

  It had taken over ten years for Zan to understand what his father spoke about. Wooing Jackie was taking everything he had. Her moods were mercurial, her temper quick. She was so smart, so passionate in everything she did, and so damn sexy that just thinking about her made his blood heat. Yeah. He wanted her bad. Loving the temperamental, sexy doc was going to be the death of him.

  Jackie chose that moment to exit the bathroom. Her long hair was down and still damp from her shower. But glory be, she was wearing a dress. In a cherry red with little white designs throughout. Zan felt his mouth dry up. Far from risqué, the dress had cap sleeves, a scooped neckline and fitted waist that flared to her knees. Despite taking her one more time just before dawn, she now appeared demur and untouched, while he was hard enough to pound spikes.

  Sweet enough to eat. Again. And he wanted to. Desperately. In three greedy bites.

  “Good morning,” he said, his voice thick with sleep and lust.

  “We don’t have much time, Zan.” She crouched next to her suitcase, not looking at him. “If you’re going to shower, you need to hurry.”

  Shower? Hell. He didn’t know if he could stand. He dragged his eyes away to look at the bedside clock. Not enough time for what he wanted. Maybe.

  She straightened and then moved stiffly to the coffee maker. Her shoulders were back, her body tense. She still refused to meet his eyes. And he didn’t like that. Not one damn bit.

  Silently he rose and padded, naked, to her. When he lightly touched her arms she jolted as from an electric shock. “We don’t have time for this.”

  Now he was getting pissed. “Time for what? I just wanted to say good morning.”

  “Good morning.”

  When she didn’t move, didn’t so much as glance back at him, he felt a snarl rip through his chest. He’d be damned if she was going to pretend last night hadn’t happen. Knowing he was being a little rough, he swung he around, forcing her face up with two fingers under her chin.

  The blush staining her cheeks had him feeling like a heel. Damn. She was embarrassed. But why? “I was hoping for a good morning kiss.” He gentled his tone.

  “Oh. Um. Well.” She was so sweetly flustered that his anger drained away.

  Women and their zany mood swings. He’d never understand it. Taking control, he leaned down, brushing a soft kiss to one corner of her mouth then the other. Hers eyes fluttered closed and he cupped her face, pressing his lips full on hers. She softened and he swiped his tongue over the seam of her lips. When she opened to him, he took full advantage, thrusting in deep, and possessive. Her hands wrapped around his neck an
d she edged up, crushing her breasts to his chest. One hand tangled in her damp hair, the other snaked around to cup her ass, pulling her tighter against him, trapping his erection between them. A groan of need escaped. He’d only wanted Jackie to look at him, kiss him. But at her touch, that need for affection had quickly raged into a blazing inferno.

  He’d just pulled the hem of her dress up to her ass when a heavy fist pounded on the room door. “Hey,” Scott yelled. “You ready yet?”

  Jackie jerked out of his arms and Zan cursed a blue streak.

  “We gotta take the rentals back and eat, man. The plane won’t be serving a seven course meal you know.”

  Zan strode over to the door and yanked it open, not at all concerned that his cock was hard and angry. It matched his mood at that moment. “You’re dead.”

  “Jesus. Watch where you’re pointing that thing.”

  “I’m going to point it in your ass in a minute.”

  At Scott’s raised brow Zan did a mental rewind. “Wait. That came out wrong.”

  “Ya, think?” Jackie came up behind him, a sparkle of amusement in her brown eyes. Her lips were wet and red from his. She had a touch of beard rash that had him scraping a hand over his rough whiskers. While he liked the idea of marking her, especially since she no longer bore his claim on her neck, he’d never desire to hurt her. “Will we be eating breakfast then?”

  Scott grinned. “It’s the most important meal of the day. The hotel restaurant serves a breakfast buffet and I’m ready to graze.”

  “Great.” Zan turned to Jackie. “You hungry?”

  “Hmmm. I could eat.” Her eyes dropped briefly to his cock, making it twitch back to fullness after his stupid comment to Scott.

  He forced blood back to his brain and glared at the other man. “Take Jackie and don’t let her out of your sight. I’ll be down in ten minutes.”

  Scott held out an arm. “My lady,” he said, complete with a charming smile that made Zan want to smack the younger shifter.

  Her smile was warm and bright as she accepted Scott’s arm, making Zan want to snarl and retract his command. “Might as well take her case.” That way he’d have to keep his grubby paws off her.

  “I’ll get it.” Joe appeared out of a door three rooms down, a duffel bag over each shoulder. He tossed one to Scott who expertly caught it, without ever letting go of Jackie. Damn show-off. He growled.

  “Easy there, big boy. I think you need a cold shower.” Scott snickered.

  “And I think you need to be dropped on your head. Maybe then you’ll gain some sense.” With that Zan wrapped a hand around Jackie’s neck and kissed her quick, hard, and thoroughly. When he pulled back, he was pleased and somewhat comforted at the glazed look in her eyes. “I’ll be down shortly.”

  “Okay.”

  He smiled at Scott. Well, it was more a baring of his teeth. “With your life.”

  Scott sent him a smart salute before turning his attention to Jackie. When Joe passed by him the young soldier sent him a half-shrug. “You know how he is.”

  Zan slammed the door. Yeah. Zan knew how Scott was. He was a charmer. Loved women. And was loyal to a fault. Zan could trust Jackie with Scott, or Joe for that matter, and never worry that either one would trespass. But knowing that didn’t make either man or wolf happy. Because their relationship was still too fragile, and his emotions too raw to allow anything or anyone to come between them.

  Even if the man loved Jackie, would his wolf fall in line or would it still need the excitement of the hunt. The kill. All the man knew was that his beast roared whenever she was near and when she was too far away.

  It made Zan think that his father had been right after all. Living and loving his one true mate would be the greatest adventure of all.

  Chapter Sixteen

  Jackie was feeling confused. Again. Last night had been amazing and a bit frightening. She’d lost herself, totally, irrevocably. Again. Sex had always been pleasant, but nothing like the earth-shattering experiences she’d shared with Zan. She couldn’t help wonder if it was due to the mating heat or not. But if all mates had this kind of wild and wanton physical attraction to one another, how could her uncle ever leave her aunt for such long periods of time? Jackie knew sex wasn’t everything, but dang. Going six months without that? It was like going half a year without chocolate, or ice cream, or a big bowl of ripe fruit mixed with thick, decadent whipping cream.

  Totally obscene.

  She let out a small sigh and stared out yet another car window as the four of them made the last leg of their journey. The sun was starting to set, sending out a dazzling display of reds, oranges, and golds, mixing with the greens and browns of the large trees in full foliage. She liked Virginia, but she loved her mountain. While she could live here pleasantly enough, and had, she would always miss the clean, crisp air thick with the scent of pine that surrounded Woodcliff.

  Zan pressed a button on his sun visor and slowed the SUV down to pass through a large wrought iron gate and onto a long driveway. According to Scott, one of their team members, a shifter named Todd, had dropped the vehicle off at the airport this afternoon for their convenience before taking off in the opposite direction for his week of required R&R. No other reason. Just...being nice. It was all starting to mess up her preconceived notions about Zan and his crew of tough, hardened soldiers. They weren’t hardened at all. They were tough, strong, and stubborn with a kindness and sense of humor that surprised her. They were becoming real, with all the real-life emotions of any human. Or shifter.

  The road curved and a large, two-story brick house came into view just behind a circular driveway. It would have reminded her of the Kolter house if not for the black security bars that lined each window. While Jackie understood the necessity for safety for these men, it made her think of the building as more of a prison rather than a home.

  “What’s the general doing here?” Zan asked.

  At his words, Jackie’s gaze flew from the house to an immaculate dark blue 1962 Chevy Impala SS. The sight of the restored classic made all the spit in her mouth dry up.

  “I called to inform Russell we were bringing home a new friend.” Jackie swiveled around in her seat at Scott’s response. But the kid wasn’t looking at Zan, he was staring right at Jackie. “Russell must have told him.”

  Her eyes narrowed in suspicion, and the idiot shifter had the nerve to wink. The silent laughter in his eyes only confirmed her fear. Scott knew. Oh God. Had he told Zan?

  Oh God.

  There went any hope of sneaking into town, getting the bad guy, and sneaking back out again. She thought she’d be home free and clear so to speak, especially after calling her mom yesterday and finding out that her parents were going to the lake for a long weekend.

  Jackie flipped back in her seat as Zan parked. He must have felt her nervousness, or heard her racing heart because he laid a hand on her thigh and squeezed encouragingly. “Don’t worry about the general. He might come across tough as nails, but he’d never hurt you.”

  Oh. Hell. Zan was going to kill her.

  Left with no other option, Jackie reluctantly climbed from the SUV. Someone was dancing a jig in her belly, and they were having a grand time. When Zan reached for her hand she grabbed it, pulling him to a stop when he would have marched her to her doom.

  “Zan, wait. I have to tell you something.”

  His brows drew together and he tilted his head, those eyes so clear and focused on hers that she gulped. “It’s okay, angel. The general’s not going to eat you.”

  “The general’s not who I’m afraid of,” she muttered.

  He was steadily dragging her closer to the front door, unaware of her inner turmoil. “What?” His confusion only made her feel more guilty.

  There were three steps to the stoop and she dug in her heels on the first step. “No. Wait.”

  Before she could say anything else, the front door opened to reveal a distinguished gentleman, completely human, in his early seventies. His thi
ck gray hair that was once as blond as to be white, was cut short, his back and shoulders ramrod straight. Not one whisker showed on his weathered face and his ice blue eyes were clear and bright, and focused directly on her.

  Jackie gulped again.

  The imposing man spoke before anyone else could. “So this is the little doctor that caught our Zan’s eye.” He harrumphed. “Good looking tidbit. Must be smart if she’s a doctor.”

  Jackie felt a familiar smirk curve her lips.

  “Sir,” Zan began on her behalf.

  “Quiet boy. So, you speak tidbit?”

  She felt Zan stiffen with annoyance at her side, knowing he didn’t understand the old man’s odd comments. But Jackie did. After all, he’d always called her tidbit. “I do indeed, General, sir.”

  He harrumphed again. “General is it?” He sent her that one-eyed stare that she loved so much.

  And she lost it. She grinned from ear to ear. “Oh, I do miss you grandpa.” And she ran the rest of the way up the stairs and into his open arms.

  “Grandpa?” She heard Zan’s shocked whisper behind her, a grunt of surprise and someone whistling. Then a flash of shear power that caused her skin to prickle. Oh, yeah. Zan was so not pleased.

  “What’s this I hear about you tangling with that nasty Shider character?” The general released her after a huge bear hug.

  “I’m not tangled with him, Grandpa. He’s tangled with Zan and, well. Um.”

  He touched the tip of her nose with a finger. “And you’re tangled with Zan.”

  It wasn’t a question. “Um. Maybe.”

  “Hmmm.” She could practically see the wheels turning in his head. “You could do worse and God knows that boy couldn’t do better.”

  Jackie blushed, feeling the love this man never hesitated to show his family. “You’re prejudiced.”

  “I’m right.” He looked over her shoulder at the sound of fist meeting flesh. “What’s this?”

  Jackie turned, half afraid at what she would see. What she didn’t expect was Zan and Scott grappling. It only took the general a second to understand what was going on. “I figured you hadn’t told Zan about our relationship, but I certainly didn’t expect him to take it out on Scott.”