Shifted Plans

by Brandy Walker

  Her strangled “yes” when he pressed in all of the way, balls resting against her, was a prayer in the wind.

  “More, Dec,” she growled out, flexing her claw-tipped fingers into his hip. His control snapped, and he reared back then slammed into her fully.

  He looked down to where their bodies were joined. Her needy, clasping cunt milking his dick. Her taut ass cushioning his hips. He felt his teeth elongate and the claws grow out of his nails, digging into her hip.

  “Please, Declan,” she whispered, need and arousal threading through her voice.

  There. That’s what he wanted.

  His lion roared. Mate!

  Hell yeah, buddy. Juvenile, insufficient to describe what he was feeling, they were also his last thoughts.

  Leaning over her, he plastered himself to her and picked up the pace.

  In. Out. In. Out. It was too much to hope he could keep a steady rhythm. Soon, he plunged into her relentlessly over and over, her grunts and moans of pleasure filling the cab of his truck. He would never sell the damn thing now.

  Tingles raced up his spine. His balls pulled in close, preparing for release. Declan had the presence of mind to slide a hand down to her clit, mindful of his claws. He placed kisses along her jaw, nipping her ear. “Come on, Avery. Give it to me.”

  He shifted the angle of his thrusts by pulling her toward him, thrusting her ass out, making her cry out. He groaned and went deeper as she arched her back, hand no longer holding him but splayed on the seat, grasping for purchase.

  It was the most beautiful thing he had ever seen. His mate submitting to his possession.

  Her pussy rippled with her impending orgasm, fisting him tighter than before. He pressed on her clit to push her over the edge, unable to hold out much longer. He would see to the needs of his mate first.

  His name came screaming out of her lips as her pussy convulsed around his cock. He would claim her now, put his mark on her so no other man came near her. He slid his hand from hip to belly then up to her silky smooth throat, pulling her to a standing position. Keeping his grip loose but with just enough pressure, he opened his mouth, sinking his lion’s teeth into the soft spot where neck and shoulder met. Her blood spilled over his tongue and down his throat, the marking of his mate beginning.

  Her pussy rippled with renewed force, triggering his release. He roared his domination, his marking of her body while cursing the condom that kept them from joining on a deeper bond.

  Declan fell against Avery as she fell against the seat, breathing heavily. Damn, it had never felt so good. The heaviness of his balls. His dick harder than it had ever been. The tingling of his impending orgasm shooting up his spine. Fucking A! It was fantastic and something he wanted to repeat as soon as possible.

  His dick twitched, ready for another round, but Avery’s grunt of displeasure told him clearly he would have to wait.

  Peeling himself off her, he grabbed the base of his dick to hold the condom on as he withdrew. With great care, he took it off and tied a knot at the end.

  How obvious would it be to walk into the bar and toss it? A grin split his lips. Pretty fucking obvious.

  With one hand, he pulled up his pants then stepped back, allowing Avery space to pull her panties and jeans up as well. She turned and looked at him, then giggled.

  The side of his mouth quirked up. “What’s so funny?” Not that he needed to ask. A guy didn’t look sexy holding a limp condom like it was the plague.

  She pointed to the offending object and giggled again. He enjoyed seeing her like that. Pleasure dazed and happy.

  Declan shook his head. “Could you get a napkin from the glove box, please?”

  “Sure, Declan.” She leaned into him, hand on his chest, and kissed him lightly on the lips.

  As she rounded the truck, he closed the door, grabbed his forgotten wallet, and opened the driver’s door. She handed him a napkin, which he carefully wrapped the condom in and shoved it in his trash bag.

  Note to self: throw the whole damn thing away.

  Declan climbed inside, unsure what needed to happen next. He still had explaining to do, but damn if he didn’t just want to take her to his place and lock her inside his home.

  “So….” He let his words trail off.

  “How about we go to my place? I would feel more comfortable talking there, plus I need to check in on the girls.”

  “Sounds good.”

  Chapter Nine

  Avery sneaked a peek at the man sitting next to her. Good looking might be an understatement…now that he wasn’t scowling at her. Even then he had the nerve to be handsome, but she would never admit that out loud. He seemed content and happy. Sex could do that for a guy, though. As much as she wanted to look at all of the bright, shiny, happy things his showing up might mean, she needed to keep a cool head and not read too much into it.

  The whole situation came across as crazy, but a good kind of crazy. At least, she hoped so. Right when she’d felt her worst, he finally showed up, and it hadn’t been to tell her good-bye.

  She had been shocked to see him in the bar and even more so at how easily she’d let him comfort her. Being in his arms and feeling the blanket of protection only a mate could provide, damn that was intoxicating. She had to wonder though—what made him change his mind about her?

  Questions jockeyed for position, but she didn’t know where to start. She glanced out the window at the bar before he started backing up. Maybe it would be best to stay there where people could intervene if needed.

  “Your place will be perfect. I want you comfortable, so you can ask me anything and everything. I don’t think we’ll get the privacy we want in there.”

  So, he was a mind reader, too. He must have sensed her hesitation at leaving with him.

  Taking a deep breath, she let his musk inundate her. It seeped into her lungs, swirled throughout, and calmed her. His scent smelled like home. “Okay.” She sighed dreamily.

  “You live in a townhouse barely off campus, right?”

  “Yeah, how did you know?” He gave her a pointed look. Her brows furrowed as she tried to figure out what he tried to tell her without words. It dawned on her a few seconds later, filling in all the blanks. “You’re a police officer. Did you look me up or something?”

  He shrugged, a sheepish look on his face. “It’s not what you think. I was curious about you.”

  Avery studied his profile. “I wouldn’t have minded you talking to me. Maybe take me out for some coffee and a scone. Those are acceptable practices when people find their mates or hell, even someone they are generally interested in.”

  “Yeah, I know I should have approached it differently. I’m an ass.”

  His words mollified her. “Apology accepted. Don’t think we’re done talking about this, though.”

  “Of course not, dear,” he said, holding his hand out for her to take. With the barest of hesitation, she threaded her fingers through his. The heat from his hand slid throughout her, hitting every erogenous spot she knew of and more she didn’t. Damn, the mate connection, even a tentative one, was powerful. She couldn’t help the shiver skating down her spine. Her nipples puckered, and her panties grew damp.

  His nostrils flared, and he looked at her quickly. “Fuck, you smell good. You need to wear my scent every day.”

  Avery blushed before focusing straight ahead, not sure she would be able to stay in her spot if she looked at him again. He smelled good to her, too. Intoxicating. A treat she wanted to lick from head to toe then do it all over again.

  As they got closer to her townhouse, she pointed to a road that went to the back alley. “Pull around back. We have parking spots for visitors there.”

  Declan followed her directions, parking in the designated spot, and stood next to her door before she could get unbuckled. He laced their fingers together and let her lead the way through the backyard and into the house.

  Walking through the door Avery saw Blaire dancing around the kitchen making something
to eat.

  “Hey, Avery,” her bubbly little roommate greeted her when she spun around. “I wondered where you went off to.” Blaire twisted back to the counter a split second later.

  “I stopped by your room before I took off. You seemed a bit distracted, so I left a note by the door. Was there something you needed?”

  Blaire turned toward them, mouth open, getting ready to say something when Declan pushed in behind Avery. “Oh! Um, you’re busy. No problem. I’ll talk to you later.” She giggled and started to walk off.

  “No, what a minute,” Avery called out.

  The five-foot-two blonde pixie whirled with a bounce and a brilliant smile pasted on her face. Avery knew the actions were ingrained in the girl from years of cheerleading.

  “Blaire Archer, this is Declan Weller. Declan, this is one of my new roommates, Blaire.” She studied his face quickly. “Or do you know already?”

  “Nope. I assumed as much, though. Nice to meet you, Blaire.”

  “Same here.” Blaire beamed a genuine smile at them this time. Her eyes twinkled with a look that said she thought they were going upstairs to have sex.

  As much as Avery agreed it would be a brilliant idea, she and Declan had a lot of talking to do, and she still had a responsibility to the girls in the house. “What was it you needed? It’ll probably be a bit before I’m free.”

  Blaire looked Declan over from head to toe and back again. “I would expect nothing less with a man like that,” she said cheekily.

  Declan cleared his throat on a chuckle. “We recently found out we’re mates. We have a lot to discuss.”

  Blaire’s saucy grin turned to radiant joy as she jumped in place and clapped her hands. “Holy crow, that is so amazing! I’m so happy for you.” She rushed forward enveloping Avery in a hug. For as tiny as the girl was, she had arms like steel bands.

  “Thanks,” Avery wheezed out once Blaire let go. “So, did you need to ask me something?”

  “Yes! Would it be okay if some of the girls from the squad came over and we practiced in the backyard? Usually, we would do it somewhere else, but our yard here is fenced in, and we want to keep prying eyes out.” She whispered the last bit. Avery had no idea who would be in the house to overhear but whatever.

  “Sure. It’s no problem. I only request you be mindful of the noise if all of you come inside.”

  “Thanks! You’re the best. Losing my old room has turned out to be the best thing ever. Congrats, you guys. You two must be over the moon, finding each other.”

  Avery’s grin felt stiff on her face, but she didn’t want Blaire to get the idea all was not hunky-dory. The girl had such an innocent view of life, and Avery didn’t want to be the one to pop that bubble of happiness. Blaire felt how Avery used to feel. Everyone was great. Everything perfect. Everything happens just how you hope. “Thanks. If you need me, I’ll be up in my room.”

  Blaire winked at them both. “No worries. I’ll give you guys the privacy you need. When my older brother found his mate, he still lived at home. He couldn’t be apart from Divine for more than an hour. She had to move in with us and, let me tell you, I saw a whole lot of him I hoped to never see.”

  Blaire bounded out of the room, and Avery chuckled. The girl had more energy than anyone she knew. More than her youngest sister hopped-up on sugar, even.

  Declan followed Avery upstairs past the second floor and up a third set of steps. His lion rode him hard, moving restlessly beneath his skin. The beast wanted to stake his claim on Avery again. It thought Declan had wasted enough time over the last week denying what they both knew to be true. It would be all he could do not to fall on her and rut like an animal—again—the second they were alone.

  Memories of taking her in the truck flashed though his mind. She looked so good, lips wet and ready for his kiss, her scent infusing every cell of his body.

  Declan clenched his hand to keep from touching her; too much needed to be said before they could land in bed.

  Once they emerged onto her floor of the townhouse, he closed the door behind them and locked it out of habit. Or maybe unintentionally making it harder for her to escape in a hurry.

  “Did you just lock the door?” Avery licked her lips and backed away from him with a sense of wariness.

  Moving farther into the room, his lion protested every step she took away from him. He could smell her nervousness and wanted to soothe her, wanted to rub his face against her in a sign of affection.

  “Sorry, a habit of mine. I can unlock it if that would make you more comfortable.” His hand hovered over the lock, waiting for her decision.

  They really didn’t teach how to avoid those first few awkward meetings with a mate. Everyone stumbled through it and generally mucked it up somehow. At least, that’s what his parents told him. He had done plenty of fucking things up to last him a lifetime, and he was damn tired of it.

  Nervousness. Excitement. Arousal. Each emotion crossed her face as he waited for her answer. She nibbled her bottom lip. Damn, he wanted her lips on his. Hell, anywhere on him would be good.

  “No. It’s fine. Give me a second, though. I’m going to change and put my phone on the charger.”

  She walked away, through the living room and an open doorway into what he assumed would be her bedroom. Fuck, her bed. He groaned softly at the vision playing. She would be next to her bed. The place she slept each and every night, filled with her scent. Would it be big enough for the both of them? Would she let him claim a piece of it as he claimed her? Damn, he wanted to tumble her onto it and discover all of her soft, feminine places meant only for him. All of the places he barely got a glimpse of before.

  Tearing his gaze away from the entryway she had disappeared into, he adjusted the tight fit of his jeans.

  A quick stroll through her place would curb the need to follow her. He could do a little recon and get a look into her life. To his left a short hallway lead to a bathroom and some closets. At the end tucked into a small alcove sat a cushioned window seat, perfect for lounging in human or lion form. To his right, the direction Avery had walked, were the living room and bedroom area.

  Declan stepped into her small kitchen directly in front of the stairs. On the left side were a skinny but tall fridge, cabinets and a workspace. On the left, a stove and oven combo, a sink, and bar with two stools. All in all, it was perfect. Not too small and it had all of the essentials

  Cool, neutral colors throughout—a comfy-looking couch and chair surrounding a quaint coffee table, which all faced a flat-screen television.

  It would be perfect for the two of them, at least for a little while.

  The seconds ticked by as he waited for her to emerge from the bedroom. His lion paced within, unhappy to be separated even though she stood not ten feet away. He needed something to occupy his mind, which had begun to spin out of control.

  Need. Claim. Mine. The mantra repeated again and again. Opening the fridge, he stuck his head inside, hoping to cool it and him down.

  There was so much he wanted to say, so much he wanted to reassure her about. He knew he’d blown it the first time he met her. Ignoring every instinct to claim and make her bend to his will, then glaring at her for an hour might have been one of the worst first impressions a guy could make. No, that honor would go to vomiting on her shoes. A buddy of his did it to his mate the first time he met her. That was way worse than anything Declan had done, in his opinion.

  Now that he had come to grips with his ten-year plan changing, he felt ready for everything. Moving in together. Finishing up school together. Setting up a home. Sharing a bed. The first time they would make love, not fuck. Start the mating process in earnest, imprinting her with his scent. Just thinking about exploring— He forced himself to stop his train of thought. All it did was torture his already-on-edge lion and him, making it damn uncomfortable in his jeans—again.

  He stared into the near-empty fridge, letting the cool air wash over his face. It began to work when a sound behind him pulled him t
o the present. He slammed the fridge door and turned toward the noise.

  Avery wore tiny shorts and a tight tank top. He wiped his mouth, hoping like hell he wasn’t drooling. Fuck, his mate stole his breath. Everything he liked about a woman she embodied—subtle, feminine curves, which gave him a hard-on that wouldn’t quit, honesty in words and actions, and intelligence reflecting in her eyes when she flashed a knowing smile.

  He guessed she figured she needed to be comfortable for what she thought would be an uncomfortable conversation. It wouldn’t be nearly as bad as it would be for him to try and sit right now.

  Her lavender scent with the subtle hint of vanilla wrapped around him and went straight to his dick, making him harder than stone. The remembered sensation of her heated skin and the way it singed him on a deeper level, pushed him to the edge. He held on by a thread, an inch closer to not being able to control his lion.

  He needed to break the silence growing between them and get his mind off all the things he wanted to do to her. Still, his gaze trailed down her body, snagging on four angry marks on her right leg. “What the hell happened?”

  He rushed toward her, picked her up and carried her to the couch to sit down with her thighs draped over his legs.

  One-by-one, he traced the marks, swearing he would kill the bastard who put them there.

  Avery blushed and pushed his hand away, covering the blemishes with her own. “It’s nothing, my fault actually.”

  “What? Why would you willingly claw at your leg?” He studied her, allowing his police training to kick in. He didn’t think she would lie to him, but he couldn’t imagine her marring her skin. Her honey-brown hair was down around her shoulders, free and ready for his fingers to tangle in it. Her brown eyes twinkled as the edges glowed, and she nibbled on that damn lush bottom lip.

  She told the truth.

  He needed to find out why, but her lips riveted him. “You really need to stop doing that.”