It took him a minute to force out a scratchy, “No.”
Her delighted eyes crinkled and her smile went from brilliant to stellar. She tugged his arms and Rafe sat up, surprised that he could since his nerves felt like they had exploded.
The little pink tongue that parted her lips, and the hunger in her eyes as she palmed his shoulders and chest, made him curse the nights he’d said good-night at her door.
The sweet musk of her desire almost cost Rafe his control. He held onto his sanity because he really wanted Grace to get whatever she needed out of this little power play.
Rafe balled his fists into the bedcovers to keep from rolling her beneath him and driving into her wet heat.
Few male wolfans wore underwear. Most found the garment itchy and too confining. However, Rafe more than appreciated the lacy pink lingerie clinging to Grace’s curves.
She stretched along his body, and one leg nudged between his thighs. Her hand inched lower and lower across his abdomen, causing an involuntary twitch in his groin.
“Awww. Looks like something needs some attention,” Grace purred.
She squeezed his sac and Rafe saw stars. The current he felt in his feet now pulsed the length of his shaft.
Her thumb stroked the tip of his cock until he leaked from the slit.
Sweat beaded along his hairline and a pebble of water rolled down the side of his face. “Grace,” he croaked.
She licked his tip. His hips bucked and her laughter wrapped him in a sultry caress.
“Grace!” Rafe lifted on his elbows.
The delight on her face faded into uncertainty and she bit her lower lip.
“Sweetheart.” He gentled his voice. “Another time and I’ll let you suck me dry. Right now, I need to be inside you.”
He unhooked her bra and flung it across the room. With a firm grip on her waist, he positioned her so that he could suck a dusky peak into his mouth.
Grace moaned and rocked her hips. If he didn’t control her writhing, he’d never make it inside her.
“Hold on, sweetheart.” Rafe locked his arms around her and rolled her beneath him. Before he got comfortable, he dragged her thong down her thighs. She lifted her legs to help him remove the flimsy scrap.
As much as Rafe wanted to savor every inch of her golden skin, that would have to wait for another time. Kissing her furiously, he slowly parted her folds to stroke her nub.
She rocked her hips to speed the tempo. “Now, Rafe. Now!”
Aligning his body to hers, he rubbed his cock through her folds to gather her wetness before burying himself to the hilt.
“Oh, God,” she groaned, lifting her hips to absorb his thrusts.
After that, the world became a dizzying array of Grace’s mewls and moans, and every touch that made her writhe and scream in pleasure was imprinted in his brain. When the spasms along her inner walls signaled her orgasmic release, his own followed.
It took a few moments for his awareness to return. He rolled to his side, and she turned to face him.
Grace flashed an impish smile that made everything inside him turn to mush. Then, she snuggled against the curve of his body, melding her flesh into his. Her heat warmed his skin and penetrated his pores.
He was nearly asleep when he sensed the sadness well inside her.
“Knowing all this doesn’t change things,” she whispered. “I can’t—”
“Shh.” Rafe stroked his knuckles along the contour of her cheek. So soft and delicate. “The here and now is good enough.”
Despite how well Grace seemed to have taken the revelation, she’d suffered a major shock to her view of reality. She needed time to truly come to terms with what she’d experienced. Time to learn she could trust him with her heart.
Rafe was a patient man. He would give her all the time she needed.
Chapter 37
Grace knocked on the mammoth door to Gavin Walker’s office. Her heart pounded against her breastbone, fast, furious, scared.
He was the Alpha. El head honcho, the big dog. Piss him off and—
So be it.
“Come,” he called from behind the closed door.
Grace gulped a big breath, swung the door wide and stepped inside his office.
“Ah, Miss Olsen. What a lovely surprise.”
He didn’t look surprised. His sharp, assessing eyes and all-business smile suggested he was expecting her, although she’d only made the decision to confront him on her way to pack her belongings.
“I have a bone to pick with you.” She left the door open, in case she needed to run, and advanced toward the monstrous desk covered in papers.
He stood and Grace’s heart missed a beat, suspended midstrike, expectantly waiting for his next move.
“Please, have a seat.” He waved his hand toward the two captain’s chairs in front of the desk.
“Thank you. I’d rather stand.”
His gaze slid to the open door and back to her. A predator assessing his prey’s intent to flee. The tease of a smile appeared in his eyes. “As you wish.” He retook his seat.
“Aren’t you going to ask about Rafe?”
“My dear, I know how Rafe is faring. I kept in constant touch with his father last night and this morning. Reports are he’ll have no lasting effects from yesterday’s incident.”
She gripped the back of the captain’s chair she stood behind. “You have nothing else to say?”
“What would you like to hear?”
“An apology, to him, would be a nice start. You caged him like an animal and he got shot.”
“I won’t apologize for the actions I take to protect my pack. The demonstration was necessary to thwart a sheriff office’s investigation prompted by your accident.”
“So, you’re not sorry?”
“I stand by my decision. I do, however, regret the shooting. Should there be further interaction with law enforcement and our wolves, I’ll insist that all weapons, including tranquilizer guns, will be stored in the trunks.”
“Do you even care about Rafe?”
“I care about all of my pack members, especially Rafe. He’s my godson, my son’s best friend and a vital member of my pack.”
“I reiterate. You put him in a cage.”
“He went willingly because he understood the ripple effect of a human law enforcement agency investigating a wolfan pack.” Hands resting on his desk, Gavin laced his fingers. “You aren’t pack so I don’t expect you to understand. Pack members do as I ask because they know it’s my duty to serve and protect them.”
“Cassie said you’re the reason she didn’t tell me about Wahyas.” Chin pointed, head high, Grace held his gaze. “I can understand your caution when Cassie and I reconnected, but it’s been a year and a half. You should’ve trusted me with the truth.”
“It’s been a lifetime for the human residents of Maico and most still don’t know our secret. I prefer to err on the side of caution, Miss Olsen. I make no apologies. The manner in which you learned the nature of our existence is unfortunate. I hope you understand the devastating effects this information could have on the people you’ve met and grown close to at Walker’s Run.” His calculating blue eyes pinned her and her grip on the chair back tightened as he stood.
“A cage is the least Rafe will contend with if the human population at large suddenly discovers us. He’ll be poked, prodded, subjected to testing. His life will no longer be his own. My pack, our entire species would forfeit their freedom and, likely, their lives. All it would take would be a slip of the tongue to the wrong person at the right time.” Gavin stalked toward her.
He always seemed like a nice, polite, Southern gentleman and a doting grandfather-to-be. Now, she noticed he moved with the stealthy grace of a predator and his sharp, icy gaze made mincemeat of her previous impression.
�
��Your world must be cold, dark and frightening, Mr. Walker, to see everyone as an enemy. Doubting the intentions of those among you who deserve your trust and respect. Frankly, I don’t want to be drawn into such a narrow-minded existence. But Cassie is the sister of my heart and I will continue to be part of her life.”
“I hoped you would.” He gestured to the chair she clutched. “Please sit. I don’t want us to be enemies.”
Grace forced out the tight breath balled in her lungs and slid into the seat. Gavin sat in the second chair, the tension in his body easing.
“I have no objection to your relationship with Cassie,” he said. “I had hopes of inducting you into the pack. The easiest, most expeditious way would be for you to accept one of our single males as your mate.”
“Not interested.” Especially since once she committed, there was no way out. What if one or both changed their minds? They would be stuck. Until one of them died.
“So Rafe has repeatedly informed me.” Gavin’s mouth turned down.
Grace’s heart dropped into her stomach. “Did you order him to be nice to me? To seduce me?”
A wave of nausea hit her hard. Good thing only coffee filled her stomach or it might’ve come back up and landed at her feet.
“After your accident, I appointed him as your guardian, to look after your best interests. Although I hoped one of our males would capture your heart, I didn’t want you to become inundated with unwanted suitors during your extended stay.” Gavin leaned forward and gently patted her knee. “Rafe’s affections are truly his own. I cannot, nor would I, command those.”
The pretzel knots working their way from her stomach to her throat came undone. She hated to think what transpired between her and Rafe had been an act on his part.
“Is there a possibility—”
“No,” Grace interrupted. “I would never do anything to put Rafe at risk. Or Cassie and Brice and the baby. So kindly, butt out of our affairs.”
“I would be more inclined to believe you if you made an outward commitment to this pack.”
“I’m not doing the mate thing with Rafe or anyone else.”
“Fine, but at least consider making a permanent home in Maico, or any place within my territory. Get involved with our community, contribute to the well-being of the pack. Become more than a weekend friend with my daughter-in-law. If you do, I will officially induct you into the Walker’s Run pack.”
“Why would I want to join an organization that played me like a fool?” She kept his gaze even though the hard, cold edge sent a chill down her spine. “You tried to manipulate me, and forced my friends to keep secrets, to lie to me.”
“I never asked them to lie.”
“A lie of omission is still a lie.”
“I call it survival. Wahyas continue as a species because mankind as a whole isn’t aware of our existence. To correct that misconception would lead to genocide. I won’t risk the safety of my pack, my family, not even for you.”
“Trust has to begin somewhere, Mr. Walker. Or your granddaughter’s grandchildren will be held captive by the same fear that grips you.”
“The same applies to you. Except if you continue flitting from here to there without any permanency, you will never have a granddaughter, and likely no friends of value.” Gavin walked around his desk and leaned against the edge. Feet crossed, arms loose at his sides.
“You may not like my methods. You may not like me—”
“I don’t.”
Gavin actually laughed, then smiled. “You’re plucky. It’s one of the things I like about you. I have always believed that you would thrive among us.”
“Why is that?”
“We have the stability and consistency and sense of belonging you’ve been searching for.”
“But I don’t belong. Or you wouldn’t have ordered the people I trusted to keep secrets from me.”
“A miscalculation on my part.”
She noticed Gavin didn’t say he was sorry, nor did he appear to be.
Several tense moments passed.
“My offer to join us has no expiration date. It will always be available to you.” His fixed expression gave no indication of his actual thoughts. “So will your suite.”
“I appreciate your generous hospitality. However, considering the circumstances, I’m not comfortable remaining here, for now. I need time to get my bearings straight.”
Gavin’s brow furrowed and his lips puckered as if words were swirling in his mouth. “Are you returning to Knoxville?”
“Yes. My brother and his partner will pick me up on Wednesday. Until then, Doc has invited me to stay in his home.”
Gavin’s head tilted slightly and a sly smile played on his lips.
“Rafe won’t be there,” Grace said. “I asked him to give me some space.”
“What about Cassie? And Alex? They’ve come to rely on you.”
“I’ll continue to visit Cassie and plan to be with her when the baby arrives.” Grace’s heart began to race and she reminded herself to breathe slowly. For the baby’s sake, she wanted to be more than a weekend visitor who popped by every now and again. She simply didn’t know how to manage her life any other way. “Alex and I can video chat for as long as he needs a tutor.”
Resignation settled over Gavin’s features. He pushed away from the desk. “Wherever you go, know we will always have a place for you here.”
Chapter 38
Rafe smiled at the tangled sheets on the bed, and his body heated from the memory of what had twisted them into such a state. Despite their agreement that he would not spend the night, when the time came for him to leave, Grace didn’t let him go.
Good thing Doc had gone to the hospital after their late supper. The racket Rafe and Grace made in the bedroom might’ve driven him from the house.
Rafe made the bed, snapping the sheet over the mattress. His scent combined with Grace’s swirled in the room. He liked how their scents melded into one, just as they had several times during the night.
God, he would miss her.
Today and tonight was all the time that remained. She would leave tomorrow. The uncertainty of their future gnawed and burned like an ulcer on his soul.
Every instinct within Rafe demanded he convince her not to leave, to claim her and make her his, now and for always. An irritating grain of truth in his conscience kept him from doing so.
As long as Grace’s eyes, her bright green beautiful eyes, held a flicker of the panic he’d felt when locked in the cage, he wouldn’t claim her.
Until it faded, he’d have to be more patient than he’d ever been. Master the wolf, master the man. Master his heart. Because she needed time to come to terms with her reality shift, the bond growing between them and her skewed view of relationships.
He thought she-wolves were complicated. Human females had an entirely different level of complexity, over rationalizing and overthinking basic things. Things wolfans took for granted, such as knowing when they’d met their match.
At first, he’d resisted the truth. If not for the accident, the likelihood of a mateship with Grace would’ve been negligible because he would’ve continued to ignore her. Fate had a funny way of re-orienting destiny so that everything worked out in the end. If he told himself that enough times, maybe he’d start to believe it.
He finished making the bed, nearly stepping on the laptop discarded on the floor. Grace tended to drop things right where she changed directions in thought or action, to pick them up again later when she resumed the task. He’d found the trait annoying in the beginning, but quickly realized it was because she lived so fully in the present that when something new came up, she let go of what was in her hands to fully embrace the moment.
He wished she’d learn to do the same with her heart. The hurts she’d endured had caused calluses to develop on her tender heart. He look
ed at his hands and fingers, still functional despite the scars and toughened skin. He had hope for Grace. For them.
Even if she didn’t.
He zipped the laptop into the nylon case he found slung in the corner and tucked the thong dangling from the nightstand lamp into his pocket.
Straightening the rest of the room, he felt a tweak in his heart. He didn’t mind the mess. Going around behind her, picking up whatever she’d discarded, was his way of taking care of the little things. Of taking care of her.
Wahyan males were driven to provide for, protect and pleasure their mates.
He’d sorta skipped straight to the third one. Of course he knew he would give his life to protect her. He’d start working on the provide part.
Financially, Grace could stand on her own. He wanted to give her something she’d always wanted—a home. He smiled, knowing exactly what he’d do to give it to her.
His phone pinged and he checked Grace’s text.
Back early. W/ Cassie. Headed 2 Doc’s 2 p/u laptop b4 R&L.
Rafe answered.
Already have it. Enroute to p/u Alex.
A thumbs-up icon appeared on his screen, then, a second later, C U soon! followed by a smiley face with big, red kissy lips.
Sliding his thumb over the bubbles of conversation, he thought he much preferred to hear her voice over reading her words.
He also preferred to be the one she spent her last day with, shopping, having lunch, whatever she desired. Well, he didn’t care too much about the shopping, but he liked spending time with her. Everything interested her and she had a way of transforming ordinary days into something amazing.
He dropped the phone into his pocket and tucked the laptop case beneath his arm. Nearly to the door, he sensed a presence in the house.
“Dad?” It was nearly two-thirty in the afternoon. If Doc had come home, something was wrong. Today was clinic day; he should be out until after six.
Standing at the top of the staircase, Rafe listened for his father’s footsteps. Nothing.
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