He didn’t really give me a choice in the matter, did he?
I know what he’s offering—a life I’ve always dreamed of. One filled with hot sex, travels in New York, a successful jewelry business, and a marriage and children at the estate. I’d rule the pack with him at my side.
Thanks to Hunter’s seduction lessons, I succeeded at getting Malcolm to offer everything I’ve ever wanted.
But Malcolm is not the man I’d hoped to see behind me in that mirror.
Chapter Two
Hunter
Time crawls, each second tortured with images of Snow and Malcolm and their lips locked in that forceful kiss. I caught them in the garden. I shouldn’t have looked—should’ve turned away.
But it was like watching a train wreck. I couldn’t tear my eyes away. Couldn’t stop the air from punching out of my lungs.
Snow couldn’t have liked it.
At least, that’s what I’m telling myself.
I thought by now I would’ve had a better handle on the situation. Snow came to me with one purpose: to learn how to seduce Malcolm. I taught her how to become the physical lure, how to become the center of his universe, and now—where the hell does that leave me?
Alone and wanting her.
Five years ago, when I told Snow’s father that I’d return this weekend, I knew I’d meet up with Snow. That was part of my promise to him. Watch her become Alpha, and then give her his gift—something that had belonged to her mother, and her mother before her. Not sure why he couldn’t trust the gift with her stepmother, but I couldn’t—and would never—question my Alpha about his motives.
I knew seeing her would be difficult, after being gone for so long, but I didn’t expect it to affect me this way, making me question everything. She’s not the sweet, innocent girl I walked away from five years ago. No, now she’s a siren, calling me closer with every sultry word whispered from her lips. She’s a temptress, promising the best fucking sex of my life. She’s delivered on that promise and then some.
She’s not mine.
I’m spinning so hard, my mind plagued with memories of her fingers raking against my abs, my dick deep inside her, and I can’t think about anything that makes a damn bit of sense.
She wants someone else.
As rage tears through me, I stop on the outskirts of my property and listen to the whooping and hollering of my buddies partying inside my cabin. They’re six of my best friends in the world, but they wouldn’t understand. They wouldn’t know a damn thing about the war raging inside me now. They wouldn’t relate, or even try to. Hell, if I told them Snow had me thinking about settling down and bonding with her—as my only mate, ever—they’d get me piss-drunk in a vain attempt to drown the insanity out of me.
Maybe I am crazy.
But she’s got me questioning everything.
I want her even though I shouldn’t. Even though she’s probably with Malcolm now, fucking off into the sunset. She’s firmly rooted in the land here, in the estate. And the only way my business thrives is if I’m out in the world, buying exotic ski lodges and fixing them up.
Screw this.
Crouching below the cabin stairs, I ball the shifting energy of the moon in my gut and focus on Snow—her angelic, heart-shaped face, narrow chin, button nose, and dark brown eyes. My body pulses with power as fur covers my skin. Every muscle in my body twitches and pulses and explodes into wolf form. Clothes fall from my body in shreds. Fangs drop from my gums as my nose lengthens, and when the shift is complete, I sit back to my haunches and cry at the moon.
Then, power surging through me, I take off, charging into the night, widening my stride and letting the strength of my lupine muscles drive me deeper into the forest. This is what this weekend was designed for, the reason the White Estate closes its doors during the full moon. In the privacy of the forest, we can be ourselves, running, hunting, mating as we please.
But I’ve been so consumed by Snow I haven’t had a chance to stretch my legs. Maybe this is all I need to get my head on straight.
She’s with Malcolm now.
This was her goal all along.
He can give her what she needs.
As her friend, I should be fucking happy for her, not wishing Malcolm a slow and painful death. Okay, I wouldn’t go that far. I don’t want the fucker to keel over. But if someone punched him in the nut sack until he passed out in a pool of his own vomit, I wouldn’t complain.
Snow’s intoxicatingly sweet scent hits my nose, but I must be delirious, because once Malcolm gets his hands on her, he’s not going to let her out of his sight.
A howl erupts from the deepest part of me as I rush through the forest, weaving around trees and leaping over fallen logs. Ahead, a natural hot spring comes into view between the lush curtain of trees. Snow and I used to swim here when we were teens, toss each other around in the water, and bitch about how stressful our lives were, as if we had any idea. Thoughts racing, I pad around the steaming mineral spring and—
“Hunter?”
Stopping mid-stride, I crane around and get an eyeful of Snow standing on the opposite side of the spring. From the adorable pinch of her eyebrows and the frown creasing her forehead, I’d say she’s been standing there a while, watching me stare into the bubbling waters. Her hair is damp as if she just showered, long and draping over her shoulders, and her skin is fragrant with the unmistakable scent of her favorite rose and lavender lotion. I used to love the smell of that on her. It still tickles my nose. The red strapless dress covering her curves is silky and fine, a barely-there fabric that looks more like a sheet than a dress.
One glance and I long to howl at the moon in agony.
What are you doing here? I mindspeak as I turn to face her. Thought you’d still be with Malcolm.
She folds her arms over her chest and stares me down, and I realize I don’t care what happened between her and What’s-His-Fuck. I don’t need to know any more than I already do.
With one hard mental push, I shift back. Fur gives way to skin, and my body returns to its human form. I’m keenly aware of Snow’s eyes on me as I rise from the ground and approach her, muscles flexing and twitching, my naked body glistening with sweat.
“Don’t answer that.” I can feel my gaze burning into her as I run my hand along her cheek. “It doesn’t matter. You’re here now, and that’s enough for me. You are more than enough.”
“Hunter.”
“The one and only.” I curl my fingers around her wrist and draw it to my mouth. I plant a kiss on the palm of her hand, never tearing my eyes from hers. “You’re not tied to me, Snow.” Something snags in my chest as I drown in the depths of her eyes. “If you want to be with Malcolm, if you believe he’s the guy who’ll make you happy, then you should be with him. End of story. You don’t owe me a single explanation.”
“I have to tell you something.” She swallows hard as her gaze drops to my bare abs and lower, to my straining erection, which is bobbing in the space between us. “But I can’t think when you’re pointing at me.”
Just like that, any tension that had been between us before is gone. She laughs, so I kiss her quiet, taking her mouth and slipping my tongue past her lips. I tunnel my fingers through her hair and cup the back of her neck to draw her closer, tilt her head, and slant her mouth against mine. Whimpering deep in her throat, she kisses me back, coiling her arms around my neck as her tongue strokes the inside of my cheek.
As she rubs against my erection, I devour more of her mouth and relish the currents of heat radiating from her body to mine. She’s burning. Aching. The need in her kiss is desperate and primal, and I’m so ready to give her everything. All I have.
Lifting her off her feet, I press her against me until we’re so close that she’s panting into my mouth and I’m breathing her in, letting her air fill every aching part of me.
Step by slow step, I move toward the spring and lower us into the pool. Water bubbles around us, lifting her dress so that it flares around her in
a silken spill of red. She’s soft and wet and molding into my arms as I take a ragged breath and pin her against the edge of the spring. Planting my hands against the rocks on either side of her shoulders, I trap her with the cage of my body.
And now I’m never letting her go.
“Hunter…” As if she’s read my thoughts, a smirk plays at the corner of her succulent mouth. “I’m not going anywhere.”
I groan in approval, peeling the silky gown from her body and tossing it onto the bank next to us. Lowering my head to her breasts, I lick and suck and gently grate my teeth against her nipples until she’s shivering from pleasure, her hips rising out of the water. Flattening my hand against her stomach, I press her down as her chest arches higher, reaching for more.
“Your body feels so damn good sliding against me.” As I assault her nipples with flicks of my tongue, I reach down, brush my fingers over her clit, and slip a finger inside her. “So fucking tight.”
Gasping, she lifts up, her smooth legs spreading wide as I pound into her heat and curl my fingers inside her. “Hunter,” she says, her voice thick with pleasure. “Please, I need—”
“Wrap your legs around me.”
Sliding my hands beneath her undulating hips, I clutch her thighs, tug her against me, and sheath myself inside her in one viciously slow stroke. On contact, a growling sound rises in my chest, and as I move her hips up and down over my straining shaft, the slick swell of her breasts smashes against my chest, sending chills scattering to the base of my spine.
She moans, throwing her head back, rocking her hips over me as her hands slide over my bulging chest muscles and down the grooves of my abs. Bursting to drive deeper—so fucking deep inside her—I spread her legs wider, gripping her thighs, squeezing hard.
“You’re unbelievable,” she says, her words darkened by hunger. “Amazing. How am I ever going to be able to…”
But her words die off on a gasp as she rests her shoulders against the wall and lifts her hips up, shivering with the force of my dick as it stretches the walls of her sex. Her inner muscles milk my cock, and as I flex my hips against her, she stills.
“I can feel every pulse of your tight little pussy,” I force out between clenched teeth. My whole body trembles wildly with need. “Feels so fucking good.”
I draw back, sliding my cock out before ramming it into her heat again. We groan in unison, our hips pounding against one another beneath the water until waves are sloshing against her breasts, wetting her nipples, stoking the blazing fire that’s roaring inside me.
Thought evaporates like steam as each deep thrust drives me closer to a violent peak. There is nothing but this moment, the warmth of her pussy as it clutches my cock, the heavy-lidded look of desire in her coal-black eyes, and her luscious lips as they part, whimpering my name over and over again.
I can’t look away, so I brand this moment on my mind to remember on nights when she’s in another’s arms.
But not tonight.
Not now.
Releasing my grip on her backside, I caress her clit with my thumb, around and around, swirling over her pleasure spot, drawing out gasps and moans and primal sounds that echo through the night.
She arches up, stiffening, crying out, her most sensitive flesh squeezing my dick as the orgasm roars through her. I fuck her harder, deeper, until she’s screaming and writhing against me, clawing at my sides for release.
“I’m not finished with you yet.” My voice has gone hoarse as I ram into her again and again. “I want to see those big tits bouncing in my face.”
Grinning coyly, she slides out from underneath me and waits for me to sit on the edge of stone before swimming over my lap, one bent leg on either side. I grip her ass tight, lift her up, and then lower her over my cock with a hiss. She’s so wet, so tight, a perfect glove.
“Fuck, Snow.” I groan.
Her eyes roll back as I move inside her, the tempo rising faster and faster. And as she leans over the top of me, bouncing as I thrust deep, I bury my face between her breasts and lose myself.
She’s soft and so fucking hot, and my heart is pounding like a drum in my chest. As the crescendo rises, I can’t breathe. Can’t move. I still beneath her, but she takes over, rolling her hips, rising up and crashing down over me. Her nipples are in my mouth, the perfect peaks wet and sweet. I’m buried so blissfully deep inside, my climax closing in.
“Look at me,” I say, raking my hands up her back to cup her neck. I tilt her head so she’s staring at me, through me, with those dark, piercing eyes. “Snow…you’re mine.”
Her lips part on a breathy moan. “Yours.”
The climax hits with the force of a battering ram, rocking, slamming, shattering me completely as I empty myself into her. I sweep my fingers through her folds one more time, and her cry joins mine as a second orgasm rolls through her body.
“Don’t move.” I clutch her against me tightly, her chest against mine, her chin resting on my shoulder. I don’t want her to leave, not ever. I realize that now, as I’m buried deep inside. “Just stay here.”
Now. Forever.
“I don’t know how you do this to me,” she murmurs, planting a kiss on my neck. “You really are a master.”
“Only for you.”
From this day forward.
This isn’t supposed to happen. I’m not supposed to be thinking about making her mine for more than a night. I shouldn’t be contemplating whether she would move to the lodge with me, or if she’d want us to live at the estate. It’d probably be the estate—she loves it there. And that’d be fine with me.
There I go again, picturing a future together when I should be thinking about my next move, and the developers awaiting my arrival in Iceland on Tuesday. I need to be there to close this deal. I fly out first thing tomorrow morning and can’t turn back now. I’m charging full steam ahead.
I wasn’t supposed to find my mate in Snow. She’s my friend—the very best—but now, coupled with the soul-shattering sex we’ve had this weekend, I’m thinking…things.
Mind-fuck type things of the forever variety.
Most surprising of all? I’m not freaked. Not anymore. Not when I’m picturing a future with her tucked safely in my arms.
Just now, in the heat of the spring, something shifted deep inside me.
I want her, damn it. I can take care of her better than Fuck-Off can. I know her desires and fantasies without her having to tell me. I understand her loves and fears and hesitations. I see her for who she really is. And she’s the most beautiful woman, inside and out, I’ve met in my whole life.
I simply didn’t think she was my woman.
Until now.
“Snow,” I say, my dick twitching inside her. “The final rule of seduction is all about pleasure.” I can barely breathe as my heart races, slamming against my ribs. “It’s about getting down to who you really are and what you truly want.”
She rakes her fingers over my scalp and turns my head to stamp a soft kiss on my lips. “What I truly want?” she parrots as if she’s thinking aloud.
“If you understand who you are, what you stand for, and what you want in a partner, you will exude confidence.” I brush my fingers along her narrow jawline and pause on a tiny freckle I’ve never noticed before. “That poise will draw people in. So you have to search deep.” Out of my control, my hips rise and my dick swells, eager for round two. “And when you determine what you want, you shouldn’t waver in your search to find the right person to give it to you.”
And if she’ll let me, I’ll give it to her every single day for the rest of our lives.
Gripping my shoulders for balance, she rolls her hips over mine in a slow rhythm, kissing my shoulder, neck, and nipping at my ear. “What if I already know what I want?”
“You take it.”
For the next seconds, minutes, hours—who can be sure?—the space between us is filled with nothing but the sound of desperate panting, moans of pleasure, and water sloshing between our bo
dies as we pound against one another.
When we’re completely spent and unable to move, I cradle her in my arms, resting her head against my chest, and replay mental images of our sexcapade in the spring.
I’d almost forgotten she wanted to tell me something earlier, when she first approached me.
“What was that thing you wanted to tell me?” I ask.
She swallows hard against me but doesn’t look up into my eyes. “Are you planning on going to the ceremony tonight?”
Her voice is tight, as if she’s suddenly nervous about something.
“I wouldn’t miss it.”
I can’t. Because immediately after, I’m fulfilling my duty to her father. I’d offer the gift to her now, but I’ve already waited this long, and I swore to her father I’d do it at the right time, after she was sworn in.
“Are you sure you want to go?” she asks, sliding up to sit. And her voice goes dark again. “You could stay. There’s really no reason for you to be there.”
“Are you kidding?” I pick up her hand and kiss the wrinkly pads of her fingers. “This is the day you’ve been waiting for your whole life. Why wouldn’t I go?” As I wait for her to respond, searching her face for something, anything, a strange feeling creeps up my spine. “Do you not want me there?”
“It’s not that, but—”
“But?” Gripping her hips, I bring her closer. I don’t like the distance she’s suddenly put between us. “What, Snow?”
She kisses me, slow and open-mouthed, and when she pulls back, fear darkens her eyes. “Malcolm says he wants to declare me as his mate tonight.”
I didn’t hear right. Couldn’t have.
Shaking my head, I replay her words. But I don’t let the anger flare in me. Not yet.
“What did you tell him?” I ask, keeping my jealousy on a tight leash.
God, what I wouldn’t give to hear Snow say she told Malcolm to go fuck himself. But she wouldn’t do that. It’s not in her to be that cold and calloused. And that soft side is one of the things I love about her.
Fuck.
I love her.
Snow's Surrender (A Snow White Werewolf Tale) Page 2