by E A Price
She’d go to the bathroom and call a cab and go back to her room, don her pajamas and watch TV while eating the snack cakes she had packed in her suitcase – no way was she risking having to buy those from the minibar.
Yep, start the night as she meant to go on for the rest of her life.
*
Seriously? Not even a drink together and Susie was already lying. Barlow sensed it. She wouldn’t meet his eyes, her lips quivered, and she virtually ran away from him.
Well, if there was one thing a wolf liked, it was a good chase. His wolf was practically salivating.
Her big quivering lips didn’t hurt either. He wanted to suck on that bottom lip. Well, he wanted to suckle some other things more, but the lip would be a start.
Jeez, how long had it been since he felt such strong lust for a woman? Even Roxanne hadn’t elicited such a response. His wolf sneered and Barlow hushed him.
Well, his little lady was certainly cute. The big eyes and upturned nose made her look like a doll. A sexy doll – not one of those creepy china ones his Gram-Gram used to collect.
He’d have to be careful he didn’t hurt her. He usually went for other wolves and on occasion she-bears. Ones who were rougher in the sack than he was. Most of them came after him, pursued him, and the smug wolf in him enjoyed that.
This little creature approached him first, and for a moment, he thought her to be confident and eager to be with him, but that clearly wasn’t true. Made him wonder why she bothered in the first place.
She was still in the bathroom. His wolf could smell that magnolia blossom scent that almost made him weak in the knees. He was hovering outside the bathroom like a loon.
He had always laughed at his brother for the way he pandered to his mate. Running to and fro to do her bidding, holding her purse while she tried on dresses - acting like a lovesick idiot. Yet, what was he doing? Following a woman who had barely even said a handful of words to him.
He should walk away and leave her – he did not want to lose his head over a female. He had no intention of anything lasting longer than the night, so why waste his time chasing after a female who wasn’t interested? Yep, he should just walk away. Barlow started to move, and his wolf let out a loud howl. Fine. Maybe he could see where this led. A night of fun with her sounded mighty good, and it would be just one night – it didn’t need to be anything more.
Susie ran out of the bathroom, crashing into him. Thankfully, her small frame barely made him wobble. She sure was small. Perfect handful he thought appreciatively as he looked her up and down.
“What are you doing here?” she gasped as he steadied her.
His beast growled in pleasure as he took a strong hit of her scent. Divine.
“You ran away so quickly; I was concerned,” he said. His hand slipped to her waist, and yep, it fit there just nicely. “You okay?”
“Ah, I’m feeling a little sick.”
Another lie. His wolf snorted in disapproval, but he would let her have it.
“I’m sorry to hear that,” he said, playing along.
“I better just go back to my hotel.”
“I agree.” First good idea he’d heard all night.
Susie smiled wanly. “Sorry.”
“That’s fine, which hotel?”
“Ah…”
Barlow maneuvered her towards the door, his hand not leaving her waist.
“What are you doing?” she asked.
“Escorting you to your hotel.”
Her cheeks flushed. “There’s no need.”
He grinned at her. “I insist.” He could be a gentleman for once, even if his thoughts of what he wanted to do to her were as far removed from a gentleman’s as could be imagined.
“Well, my friends…”
“They left five minutes ago.”
Susie’s brow creased. “How do you…”
“Where are you staying?”
“The Eiffel Tower – it’s the…”
“Paris themed hotel – I know, let’s go.”
Rawr.
Chapter Three
Susie led him into her hotel room. She should have said goodbye in the lobby. Should have told him she could make it the rest of the way on her own, but no, she allowed him to escort her all the way, and now she had a wolf shifter in her bedroom.
Admittedly, it wasn’t the first time that had been true, what with Allen and all. But having Barlow in her bedroom was quite different to Allen. With Allen it was all quick fumblings under the covers and then snuggling while they watched TV – their routine was as comfortable as an old pair of slippers. Barlow, on the other hand, looked like he wanted to devour her, and definitely in a good way.
Susie groaned and flitted around the room trying to retrieve the discarded panties that had been tossed around – she tried on a few pairs before she found some that didn’t show through her dress. The panties she chose were white with a pink ribbon and were feeling mighty uncomfortable at that moment.
“So this is my room,” she murmured.
Barlow grinned as he plucked a pair of purple lacy panties off the TV. “It’s nice.”
Susie blushed as she grabbed them and stuffed them into her suitcase.
“Do you want a drink or something?”
“You have any drinks?” he asked while sitting on the bed. He tossed his jacket on the floor. He didn’t seem to mind the chaotic mess in which Susie had left the room.
“There’s the minibar if you want something.” She could probably scrape together some pennies to cover that – her couch was due a good search for lost money.
“What are you having?”
“Actually, I brought some cans of ice tea with me – this place is kind of pricy.” Great, now she sounded cheap.
“Sounds good.”
“Oh, really? Um, okay.”
Susie rummaged in her suitcase and found a couple. She passed him one and gingerly sat down next to him, nursing her own.
“You feeling better?”
“Hmmm? Oh yes, yes I am.”
“Good,” he purred.
The word sent trembles through her. She inhaled as she felt Barlow’s hand come to rest on her back, just above her waist. His thumb was making a slight rubbing motion.
Susie remained staring at the wall as she felt Barlow lean over to her, and his lips brushed over her jaw. She shivered at his nearness.
“If you want me to go, say.”
She should. She didn’t want to tangle herself with another wolf only to have her heart broken again. But this would be okay, right? It was just a one-night fling in Vegas, after this night they would never see each other again. She ignored the painful feeling in her stomach at that thought.
“I want you to stay.”
Barlow let out a chuckling rumble before withdrawing from her. He jumped to his feet, and for a brief, disappointing moment, she thought he was leaving. But no, he simply swiped the can out of her hand and placed it on the dresser along with his.
He stood over her grinning in all his six-foot-six muscled glory. She never thought women like her got men like him. She was cute, not gorgeous, and he was a damn god.
His body twitched in anticipation, and her sex gave an answering shudder. She could see the outline of his impressive arousal, pressing against his jeans. That was for her - that was because of her she thought giddily.
But why shouldn’t she get a guy like this? Didn’t she deserve to have her world thoroughly rocked by a guy like this? And given the wild look in his amber eyes, that was definitely what was about to happen.
“I always think the only drawback to sex is the getting naked part,” she burbled self-consciously. With Allen she used to change into a t-shirt and then get under the covers and remove it – it was something she’d done since their first time, and he didn’t seem to care much whether he saw her naked or not.
Barlow’s face flashed with amusement. “I wouldn’t say that was a drawback. But how about we get that out of the way now, then.”
He tore off his shirt and Susie couldn’t help the feeling of appreciation at seeing so much bare flesh. His jeans, socks, and shoes soon followed. She giggled at the fact that he wasn’t wearing underwear. But her amusement died as she took in all of him. His body was like a work of art. She could spend days studying the intricate lines of his muscles, the details of his tattoos and the network of small scars that adorned his body. She found him beautiful, from the wolf ink on his chest to the hard length quivering for attention. Okay, so the scars and abrasions maybe wouldn’t be considered beautiful by others, but Susie immediately adored every inch of him. To Susie, he was perfect.
He chuckled at her openmouthed response. “Your turn, little darling.”
Barlow grasped one of her hands and pulled her to her feet. She was about to suggest she go to the bathroom with one of her trusty t-shirts, but Barlow didn’t give her the opportunity. He stepped forward and reached around her, pulling her zipper down. His hardness pressed against her stomach and her fingers itched to touch it. She was about to reach out and do so when Barlow hauled the dress over her head.
Susie folded her arms in front of her, wishing she had chosen some sexier underwear, or at least some matching underwear.
“None of that, little darling,” he crooned, prying her arms apart.
She took a shuddering breath and allowed him to pull her underwear off.
“Hell,” he murmured, and she looked up sharply to find him grinning. “You are gorgeous.”
Susie smiled in pleasure as her body flushed.
He sat down on the bed again and maneuvered her to stand in front of him. He ran his hands up her arms, and then down her body, taking his time when he reached her breasts, and stopping when he came to her sex. Gently, he nudged her legs apart, and Susie held her breath as he oh so gently pushed a finger through her folds. Her weeping channel wept even more at his touch.
“Oh, little darling,” he rumbled, “you feel beautiful. So tight, so wet.”
“Oh,” she breathed as his finger curled inside her. “Yes.”
Her hips twitched of their own accord, trying to move against that questing finger, trying to reach that pleasure that was dangling just out of reach.
“Oh, not yet, little darling,” he chuckled.
He withdrew his finger, and she all but growled at him, making him laugh even harder.
“You almost sounded like a wolf.”
He pulled her a little closer and cupped one of her breasts. He held the fleshy orb in his hand and brought it to his lips, kissing and sucking at it. His free hand moved up and down her thigh, occasionally making its way to her ass, kneading and rubbing her.
Susie whimpered at the gentle sensations. She loved feeling his hands on her body, but she wanted more. Her hands moved to his thickness. She grasped his steely member in her hands, feeling it quiver in her grip.
Barlow growled as she started stroking up and down his length, reveling in the way he twitched and seemed to grow ever more.
He dragged her onto the bed, having her kneel over him, steadying her with his hands while she hovered above him.
“Come on now,” he crooned encouragingly, “take me inside you. You’re more than ready.”
Tell me something I don’t know she thought.
Still grasping him, she shuffled herself over him, poised to plunge down his length. She trembled in anticipation, anxious to be with him, desperate to reach that satisfying pleasure, and she knew he would get her there. She didn’t always orgasm during sex, but if there was ever something she was certain about, it was that this man could give her what she needed.
Susie bit her lip as she pushed down, taking him inch by inch. He was large; there was no denying that, but as he spread her open, there was no pain, only exquisite bliss as he touched every nerve ending and caressed sensitive spots she never even knew existed.
She took her time, and he was patient with her, but as she finally took him all, he let out a small roar on contentment.
“There we go,” he grunted. “Damn you feel good, little darling.”
Susie smiled; her desire blossomed a little more with each compliment. She wasn’t used to them – her only other partner had only ever growled the word ‘yes’ during sex, or weirdly sometimes he would shout his own name – never hers, just his own.
Barlow’s hands loosened their grips slightly, and he started rubbing her skin again, massaging her flesh. He was not rushing to drive himself inside her, to reach his end and explode before she was ready. No, he was holding still – well, not entirely still, she could feel him quivering. But he was allowing her to take her time – he was waiting for her.
With tantalizing slowness, she started moving.
“That’s it, little darling,” he murmured.
Deliberately, she rolled her hips, delighting in each ripple of pleasure every tiny move afforded her. Barlow growled and sucked one of her breasts into his mouth. With every second she grew more confident, surer of what she wanted, what she needed.
She started moving against him with more force as Barlow’s own movements became more fervent. His hands were firmer on her body, his fangs scraped against her nipple, and his hips started thrusting into her with short, sharp stabs. She cried out with joy every time he pressed inside her, and she answered him with a buck of her own hips, delighting in the growl she tore from him.
The feel of his length, hard and scorching inside her was driving her wild. His hands gripped her so hard she was sure she would have finger marks for days. Not to mention the bite marks on her breasts, but it was heaven. A loud, hot, growly, dirty heaven – but heaven nonetheless and oh how she wished it would never end. But it would; she could feel her own release drawing near, clawing to be free. She could sense his urgency growing in his near-erratic strokes, and when it did end, she realized she would never see him again. This was it – this one wonderful night was it.
Barlow freed her breast and gazed at her with fiery amber eyes, his face laced with joy. No, no, she didn’t want that - she didn’t want to lose this perfect man. She wanted this to last as long as possible – forever even. But even as she tried to stave off her completion, her body wound tighter and tighter, grasping at that wonderful feeling that had always been so elusive to her, and just as she prayed it would never come, her body erupted.
Susie wrapped herself around him, holding him to her, clutching at him as she screamed in bittersweet joy.
Barlow gripped her hips, pulling her down his length as his own climax thundered through him. He roared and snarled and trembled along with her as he fell back on the bed, dragging her with him.
“That was wonderful, little darling,” he crooned, as he stroked her back.
“Yes, it was,” she breathed.
He cupped her face and raised her lips to his. After what they had just done, their first kiss was surprisingly tender, and dare she even think it – romantic? His lips were soft, and his tongue hesitant, and it was just the sweetness she needed after their energetic coupling. She moaned into his mouth, settling into his embrace.
He really is perfect she thought with a sigh.
Chapter Four
Barlow’s wolf woke him with an agitated howl. Not the greatest morning person – even after all his years in the army – he growled and snarled his way to wakefulness.
His eyes still half-closed, he swung himself out of bed and stretched his long body, reaching towards to the ceiling.
“Eep!”
Barlow’s eyes snapped open to find a hotel maid staring openmouthed at his man parts – at his considerably large man parts, hence the open mouth.
“I’m sorry,” she murmured, though her eyes didn’t move. She wasn’t even blinking.
Barlow inhaled, and on finding a lack of magnolia blossom, he glanced around the room to have his suspicions confirmed. No suitcase, no makeup, no wayward panties – yep, his little human was gone.
“Where’s the female who was registered to this room?” he
asked the sheepish looking maid.
“Oh, ah, she, um, checked out. She warned us you’d be here, but I need to get the room ready for the next occupant. I’ll give you some privacy.”
She moved into the bathroom, though she didn’t close the door, and he could see that she was still staring at him in the reflection of the bathroom mirror. Meh. He had nothing to be ashamed of, and besides, he had more pressing matters. Namely, where the frak was Susie?
On closer inspection, he discovered a note on his bedside table.
Thank you for a wonderful night. I had a great time. You should be really proud of your skills. I know I will never forget them. All the best, Susie.
A thank you note for sex?!
He didn’t know whether to laugh or growl.
*
Susie stared at the calendar on her desk.
Three days until she was supposed to go to Jules’ wedding.
Three days until she would have to see Allen again, along with his new mate and mother of his cub, Helen aka Skankarella.
Three days to come down with some kind of contagious disease.
Four days since her Vegas hookup had rocked her bed and her world.
Susie automatically blushed, and her hand instinctively went to her phone. No, bad girl, she chastised herself. She would not look at that photo again – she would only do it as a treat, a pat on the back for sticking to her diet and losing those last few niggling pounds before the wedding. But maybe one little peek could not hurt.
Barlow had just looked so sexy while sleeping. Before she ran out on him, she couldn’t resist a quick pic, something to remember him by, because she couldn’t imagine hooking a guy hotter than him. She was convinced men hotter than him did not exist. If she really concentrated, she could still feel his lips on her stomach. One little peek…
No. Ignore the urge she told herself in a firm voice. She forced her hand away from her pocket and considered less desirable topics – like Jules’ wedding.
She wanted to be there, she really did. She loved Jules; her family had always been there for Susie since she moved to town. Susie moved there to live with her grandparents when she was five. Her grandmother was lovely, but while dealing with her own diabetes and partial sight, she not quite up to mothering a child, never mind a grieving child.