by Grey, T. A.
Willow’s face turned dark red as mortification set in. “That’s not true!” She heard a strange noise then looked left and right to see it was his hands curling into tight, twisting fists.
Suddenly he threw back his head and roared a sound that was no longer human. In the next second, he grabbed her and threw her down onto the soft blue mat. Willow gasped and crab walked away from him. His chest moved rapidly, his eyes were wild, and he was stalking straight for her.
* * *
Willow didn’t make it far before he reached her. He grabbed the hem of his shirt and tore it from his body. In the next instant he had his shoes off and his shorts left in a heap on the floor.
Clothed the man was utterly sexy, deliciously lickable; naked he was irresistible.
“Take off your clothes,” he growled. Willow started to feel genuine fear now. This was how it would be with him. This is how he’d want her if she stayed with him. In his service to do whatever he wanted.
“No,” she said in a strong voice. He started towards her and she squealed as she scooted faster, but then a hand caught her ankle and with one hard tug, he brought her back to him.
Where had all the air gone? And why couldn’t she stop staring at the hard shape of muscles from his neck down. He was so beautiful. Not bulky like a weightlifter but not skinny either, somewhere in between with muscles as hard as his... Willow slammed her eyes shut and kicked his hand off her ankle.
“Take off your clothes,” he said between punctuated pauses. She met his eyes and glared.
“No. Fucking. Way.” His eyes twitched.
“One of those words is something that’s gonna happen here.” It took a moment for that to click in her mind but then he grabbed the collar of her t-shirt and tore it down the middle.
She sputtered and slapped his hands away as her bare breasts met the warm air of the gym. He started tugging at her jacket and the remains of her now trashed shirt.
“Will you stop that,” she said, fighting with him to keep the material on. She cursed as his strength won and soon she lay below him in only her jeans. His eyes fell to her belly button and then lower; the hard mass of his cock bobbed and Willow squeezed her eyes shut to keep from looking at it.
His hands relentlessly grabbed her jeans and slid them down her legs; he tore off her boots in the next second. Willow took the chance and kicked him solidly in the chest. Not giving him a chance to recuperate, she quickly turned around and scrambled away.
Challenge stirred inside her like a chaotic drug as she got enough distance away to stand. But she didn’t make it because hard hands latched onto her hips and pulled her back against him. The hard length of his cock slid between her legs, teasing her hunger like a hot meal.
“What are you doing?” she gasped, ashamed at how wet she was. Afraid that’d he’d rub his cock against her and learn it for himself.
“I’m showing you just how much you like it when I take control, sica tawicue.”
He fisted her hair in his hand, wrapping the long strands around his fist and pulled back until her neck arched and sparks of pleasure shot from her head to her toes.
“I’m going to show you how good things can be between us, mate.” Willow struggled to breath; she’d never known that slight pressure at her head could make her feel so amazing. Her nipples hardened into painful points and her hips naturally arched to push herself back against him. Oh, God.
“What are you doing to me?”
His free hand palmed one breast, then the other, leaving no inch of her untouched from his hot, scratchy hand. He plumped her, squeezed her. When she nearly couldn’t stand it anymore he pinched each nipple hard. Willow moaned, her body jerking in his hold. The hand in her hair kept her feeling suspended, unable to move, completely in his control. She couldn’t bring herself to care anymore, all thoughts of protest completely vanquished with that one, simple touch.
His hand trailed down her stomach, cupped the slender curve of her belly, then finally touched the wet sex that begged for him. She heard his breathing deepen, felt his cock twitch against her inner thigh as his fingers stroked through her wet lips.
A deep rumbling sound came from him, somewhere between a growl and a purr. His finger teased over her clit and her own needy sound came out.
“Very good,” he said, his voice like gravel.
Willow couldn’t speak. Her throat and tongue felt dry like the desert. All that mattered was her body, his next touch. His finger pressed against her opening, neither pushing in nor retreating. He merely rubbed circles there, blatantly feeling her cream from her excitement. When he slowly started to push his finger inside she lost it.
“Just do it already!”
His finger stopped moving. The hand in her hair tugged and she moaned as the strands pulled gently. But luckily, he did remove his finger and then he pressed his cock against her slit. Willow moaned and backed into him.
The fist with her hair tugged—a reprimand. So she stayed still as he worked himself inside. He took his time entering her, spreading her and pushing her nerves until all felt was ecstasy. When he finally filled her his free hand scoured over her body, touching everything. He trailed a hand down her spine until chills erupted over her; he cupped her bottom then squeezed the flesh as he tugged on her hair.
It was like two polarized pleasures taking place at once, all the while his cock just sat inside her, filling her up. He was teasing her now, she thought angrily. Fuck that.
Careful of the hand holding her hair, Willow rocked her hips back and forth until she created a rhythm that thrust him in and out of her. Moans broke from her dried lips. Her toes curled and the thrusts hit her perfectly—deep and hard.
His hands curled around her shoulder, fingers gently caressing her, and then his voice came over her. “Do you see how much you like it, Willow? Don’t you see how your body loves the way I make it feel?”
Willow bared her teeth and ignored him. He wasn’t going to goad her now, not when she was a few minutes away from bursting apart by the seams.
“Feel how I control you, Willow.” He tugged her hair and clamped his hand on her shoulder to hold her in place. Then his voice was at her ear, a whisper.
“Feel how wild you make me, how I’m never really in control because of you.”
Willow blinked quickly, struggling to understand his meaning. Then he started moving. There was nothing gentle about it. He pounded against her with hard, savage thrusts until only the sound of slapping flesh and moans echoed in the room.
Willow gasped trying to breathe. She couldn’t move. His simple touches kept her locked in place for him...and he was right. She could feel it now. When he saw her like this, when he took her like this, he lost control. She had the power; it soared through her veins like boiling lava, it roared through her mind like a scream.
“Willow,” he groaned.
He switched his grip, pulling her hair straight back until her neck arched. He reached down and rubbed her clit. It was no teasing a touch, but a touch with hard, driving purpose. His cock worked through her wet, tight flesh, and then she was gone.
Her scream drowned out the moans and pounding of flesh. Chills broke out over her body as her breath froze in her lungs. Endless moments of silence surrounded her like a cloud as her body jerked and shivered around him.
She slowly came back to earth and heard him talking, heard his words of encouragement, heard the raw pleasure in his voice as his hand moved to cup the back of her neck. The hand in her hair gentled for a moment and he slowed his thrusts as her body’s fresh waves of cream coated his cock like wet satin.
He groaned and lazily filled her in and out. “That’s my Willow.”
“Oh, God.”
His hands curved around her shoulders, holding her, and then he started taking her. His breaths quickened as he worked himself in and out of her tight muscles. Willow reveled in it. She did this to him, made him feel like this. She didn’t even mind the hands holding her still for him.
She could feel the pressure rising inside him as his thrusts grew harder, faster. His hips made a steady slapping rhythm against her ass and Willow panted as a fresh orgasm built inside her.
“All you need is my cock to relax you, Willow.”
Willow opened her mouth to say something but then his hand reached beneath her to pet her wet sex; he coated his fingers in her cream and then she tensed. His finger teased her unused opening.
“Lyonis,” she choked. The sensation was incredible. It felt as though she had an entire area of pleasure that she’d never, ever felt before. He circled and stroked her there, his touch light, unlike the hard hammering stroking inside her.
“So beautiful.”
His finger caressed her between her cheeks, rubbing and rubbing until she was arching back against him, panting like a dog. She’d never felt anything like it. It was as though that one spot was directly connected to her clit and deep inside her.
She cried out as his finger slowly started filling her. She had no idea how far he slid in but she felt as though two cocks were filling her. He gently rubbed her in and out, teasing her new flesh with his touch. His breathing turned harsh and heavy.
Willow struggled to speak words but the only sound that came out was gasps and moans. He rocked his finger in time with his cock, squeezing through her tight flesh in unison. Willow couldn’t take it, her body was on fire. An orgasm rushed through her like a lit fuse and she convulsed as screams tore from her throat for the second time.
Lyonis lost it. He worked his finger faster inside her tight hole, felt her quivering, tight muscles stroking him, and finally slammed deep inside. He roared as her body tightened over him, ripping his release from his body.
He came in hard, long jets inside her, filling her again and again, as his shout finally faded.
Willow fell back down to earth like a leaf floating in the wind. Her arms gave out and she flattened her sweaty cheek against the mat. She felt his cock soften inside her, could feel his hot seed seep out of her as he withdrew himself. But still his finger lingered inside her, stroking softly until she moaned. He gave her one last lingering touch before he pulled away and laid down beside her.
Willow met his satisfied gaze and smiled. He leaned close and pulled her into her arms; she had no energy to protest let alone move a muscle, so she let him. He was warm and smelled delicious.
He kissed her on the mouth then simply held her.
Chapter 17
“Where is she?”
The young bartender recognized him immediately and nodded towards the back of the room. Thane followed his gaze until he found the one he was looking for.
He didn’t bother to say thanks, but set after her. What the hell was she thinking? They had a job to do and here he was pulling her drunken ass out of a club. Fucking woman.
Thane stopped some distance away. He told himself it was so he could judge her condition, but he knew it was more than that. Ever since they were young, he and Jackie had something different between them. He didn’t know what to call it or even knew if it had a name, but every time he was around the strong redhead she pushed something inside him.
He’d never been quick to anger with anyone before, unless it was an enemy. Yet the moment she opened her mouth he wanted to shake her, push her away, and kiss the hell out of her all at the same time. Yeah, not a good idea. He’d lose his position in the pack faster than Jackie could slap him. And that would be the least of his problems.
Thane growled and pushed himself away from the wall. What the fuck was she doing here alone and drinking anyways? He went to her table and slid into the seat across from her.
Judging by the empty beer bottles, shot glasses, and mugs on the table, she was deep into her cups. Yup, he thought, as she slowly dragged her hazy gaze up to meet his. She squinted at him as if she’d forgotten her glasses—which she didn’t wear—then gave a nasty sigh.
“What are you doing here?”
“Someone had to come get your drunken ass. What the fuck are you doing here, Jackie?” She reached for a shot glass filled with amber liquid and downed it like water; she didn’t even cringe. In fact she sighed as if it was soothing.
“What does it look like I’m doing, genius?” She let out an unfeminine burp and Thane covered his laughter with his hand. Her eyes were lined with red from the alcohol, cheeks flushed, eyes glossy, lips wet.... Thane’s thoughts derailed instantly.
“Quit staring at my lips!”
Thane sat up straight, jerked his gaze away. “I wasn’t. You’re just drunk.” She waved a finger at him over the table like she was casting a spell.
“Ha! I saw that look. You give that hungry look to all the free bitches in the pack. Don’t think I haven’t seen it before.” In a high-pitched, girly voice she said, “Oh Thane, you’re sooo strong. Oh Thane, you’re soo hooot!” She shoved a finger down her throat and made a gagging noise. Thane couldn’t help it, he grinned.
“Spying on me now or just jealous of the tail I get?” Her eyes flashed with anger, her beast lurking at the edge. Damn that alcohol, if she wasn’t careful she’d end up shifting right here in the club—a club half-filled with humans. Wouldn’t that just make this night even better?
“It’s hardly spying when I go to the gym to get a little workout and you’re boning some princess behind the door.” Thane gritted his teeth. God this always pissed him off. He shouldn’t give a fuck what she thought, but he cared. Why? Because she was his partner, dammit.
“Yeah, well she was a little hands-on if you know what I mean. Besides I didn’t fuck her.”
Jackie’s mouth dropped open in mock surprise and then she rolled her eyes in the back of her head. “Riiiiiight. Listen Thane-o, why don’t you do me a favor and, oh, I dunno, leave. I don’t need you here. I came here to be alone.” Jackie lifted a slender beer bottle and chugged the contents in big gulps.
Dammit, he couldn’t watch this. It was bad enough knowing she was doing this, but seeing it was another torture entirely. Thane snatched the bottle from her and slammed it on his side of the table. Her eyes and mouth slowly widened at him. He would have laughed if seeing her like this didn’t bother him so much.
“Listen, I’m your partner. I’m the one you come to when you’re troubled.”
She tossed back her head and laughed so loud that people turned to stare. Thane tossed them a glare that sent them back around, and damn if the lights didn’t catch her red hair in golden streams. He wasn’t lying when he told her he liked it. Hell, if only she knew what he dreamt of at night.
“What are you my mom? You’re not a shoulder for me to cry on and you’re not someone I’d ever go to to talk.” She squirmed across the table, reaching for the bottle he’d stolen so Thane snatched it up and downed the contents.
“If I was troubled and came to you to talk would you listen?” he said.
She rolled her eyes. “Oh, please, Thane. As if that would ever happen. You’re too fabulously controlled to let that happen.”
Thane didn’t like that. Didn’t like that at all. “Just answer the question, Jackie. Would you?”
She rocked left and right in her seat as she thought about it. “Umm, yeah, I guess. Don’t matter though, 'cause it’d never happen.”
Thane grew serious and leaned forward in his seat. “Talk to me, Jackie. Tell me what’s going on so I can help.” Her mouth flattened into a disbelieving line then slowly pulled down into a disgusted frown.
“Fine I’ll tell you but after you’re outta here,” she said flinging her arm out in the opposite direction of the exit. Thane nodded though he had no intention of leaving her here.
She let out a long dramatic sigh then slumped back in her seat, her chin falling to her chest. She mumbled something.
“Huh?” Thane said loudly, a grin spreading across his face. She looked up at him and narrowed her eyes into points.
“I said I’m jealous.”
Oh.
Thane closed his gaping jaw. Well, if that didn
’t surprise the shit out of him, and poof up his ego like a peacock.
“Of what?” God, he must be a sick bastard because he hoped like hell it was about him.
“The Alpha and his mate.” She looked away like she was ashamed. Thane’s mood deflated fast. Was he a selfish bastard to want to be in her thoughts like that—yes?
“What about them? And since when do you start referring to her as his mate. I recall the term future mate being prevalent in the situation.” She scoffed noisily and slammed her forehead into the table. When she came back up, misery was in her eyes. She looked haggard, alone. Thane wanted to crawl across the table, ask her what he could do to fix it, and solve all her problems. Course if she knew that, she’d skin his balls and wear it as a hat.
“Yesterday, she went to him. The way they held each other...I could just feel that something between them. I don’t doubt it now. She’ll be his, and they’ll be happy together.”
She looked far to the side and Thane saw her blinking fast, eyelashes wet. God dammit. With a low growl, he crossed to her and pulled her into his arms. She fought it but with her unhappy drunken state, she eventually gave in and let him hold her.
Thane hated the silence that followed. He’d never comforted a woman before that wasn’t his mom or sister. What the hell did he do? So he kept her close and rubbed her arms and back, while her head tucked up under his chin in a way that felt...nice.
“They will make a fine couple,” he said eventually.
“Yup, they sure will.” Bitterness coated her voice. She pulled back from him sharply and scooted to the other end of the booth. It only separated them a foot but to him it felt much further. He scooted up against her and she shot him a dirty look. Now she was backed up against the wall and had nowhere to go. His beast purred his approval.
“Why does that make you jealous?”
She looked surprised. “Why do you think, Thane? Do you think I like being unmated? Alone. No one chases my tail as you’ve crudely put it before.”