Serena looked at her parents. They were gazing at one another. Her father raised his eyebrow and shrugged. He stood up from the table and came over and gave her a hug. “I have a feeling you need to talk to your mother. I’ll leave you to it. Your bed is where you left it. Stay here tonight.” He kissed her cheek and left the room.
“He is very good at declarations, isn’t he?” Serena commented as she picked up dirty dishes from the table and brought them to the sink.
“It’s one of his many talents, yes,” her mother responded, and Serena studied her.
Ginger Redwolf had come to Denver to go to college and met Drew Goldwolf. She dropped out when she got pregnant shortly after they met. She’d finally gotten her degree only a few years ago. In the interim, she’d settled down in apparent happiness. Ginger was still a lovely woman with red-gold hair and amber eyes. She didn’t seem submissive, and yet she always seemed to obey him. Serena just didn’t get it.
“Doesn’t it bother you?” Serena finally burst out as she set the dishes on the counter.
“What, precisely?” Ginger asked her daughter as she took the plates and began washing them. She watched Serena pace in agitation.
“Always doing what he tells you to do! I can’t live like that. I just can’t.”
“Ah.” Ginger nodded, and waited for Serena to continue.
“I don’t want to be the submissive little Mrs. I’m not June Cleaver. I’m not going to say ‘Yes, Ward.’ I just can’t do that!”
“Is that what you think I do, Serena?”
Serena shook her head. She’d put her foot in it and didn’t know how to get rid of the muck she just tramped in. Her mother didn’t look angry or hurt or anything else, but then Serena had always had trouble reading her mother’s moods.
“I’m sorry. No, I didn’t mean it. I just…”
Ginger studied her for a few minutes and Serena began to shuffle her feet, as if she were as young as Quillen. She certainly felt as stupid.
“I think this would be best discussed in the morning. And you need your rest…especially now.”
Serena met her mother’s gaze, ignoring her mother’s comment about rest. “I love you, you know.”
“I know, honey. Go to bed. I think you’re emotions are churning and sleep will help.”
Ginger hugged her. Turning her, her mother slapped her bottom lightly and gave Serena a push to the kitchen door the way she used to when Serena was a young pup.
“Good night, Mom.”
“Good night, sweetie.”
Serena hoped a good night’s sleep really would heal whatever ailed her. She was too tired to think straight anymore.
* * * * *
Damien leaned on the balcony railing outside his bedroom and took a swig of beer as he considered the distant mountains. She was up there. Waiting for him.
No. To be fair, she wasn’t waiting. She was hiding. Avoiding him. But he could sense her. Her fear. Her uncertainty. So rather than chasing her tonight, he’d decided to wait until morning. To give her some time to process what had happened between them. After all, it wasn’t every day a wolf found his True Mate.
Every day? Hell, it didn’t seem to happen very often at all. His parents had been Chosen Mates until they were killed in a car accident when he was a kid. His older sister, who had all but reared him after they were gone, had selected a Chosen Mate too, but she’d loved Diarmid until her untimely death. Now Damien had no one. No one but that prickly, volatile female hiding in the mountains.
God, he wanted her. Needed her. Ached for her. Craved her touch. To feel her soft skin. Hear her breaths in his ear. He wandered into his bedroom and closed the balcony doors. As he stripped and climbed into bed, his gaze returned to the mountains still visible in the moonlight. He’d never been a romantic wolf. Sex was sex. Hot, intense and done. But not this time. And never again.
“We aren’t done, Serena,” he whispered, closing his eyes. “I’m coming for you, honey. I’ll always come for you. That’s what True Mates do.”
* * * * *
Fingers brushed over the curve of her breast, making her shiver in anticipation. She opened her eyes and he was there. Just as she knew he would be. His dark eyes sparkled in the moonlight from the open window.
“Damien…” she breathed. Serena lifted her hand to brush a lock of black hair off his forehead. Tracing a path along his brow. Over his cheek and jaw.
He lowered his head, taking her lips as if starved. Open. Wet. Yet surprisingly tender. When she expected him to take her deeper, he lifted his head.
“Why did you run, love?” Lines deepened between his brows, his full lips turned down. But in his gaze she saw pain. Almost as if she’d betrayed him by leaving.
No. She didn’t want to talk. No emotions. She just wanted to feel his touch. Pulling him against her, she recaptured his mouth, trailing her tongue along his full lips. Stroking his firm body. Learning his muscles with her fingers the way she’d been denied when they’d Mated.
“It won’t go away, Serena,” he murmured, kissing her earlobe.
“But we don’t need to worry about it now. Make love to me.”
Their gazes dueled and finally he sighed and nodded. Almost resigned. And she stiffened.
“If you don’t want to, no one’s forcing you.”
“Oh, I want you. I’ll always want you, Serena.” He chuckled, some of his arrogance returning. “But we’ll talk…soon. And you’ll tell me why you ran. Just not tonight.”
She opened her mouth to argue, but he prevented it with a kiss. Just a kiss and she was lost. Lost in him. In them. Their tongues twined as they embraced each other. She sighed into his kiss as she felt the prickle of the hair on his legs tease hers.
He lifted his head, staring down at her. “Mine.”
“No, mine.” She laughed, lunging up to nip his neck while she caressed his broad shoulders. “You belong to me, Damien.”
He cupped her cheek in his palm. “We belong to each other.” Dipping his head, he dropped a soft kiss onto her mouth. “Forever.”
Serena knew his promise should scare her, but right here…right now…she could only feel her heart clench with joy. Flutter with an emotion she never thought she’d feel—love.
“Yes,” he purred as if she’d spoken aloud.
Again she opened her mouth to deny what he thought he knew, but he chuckled and kissed her silent and she let him, arching under the caress of his large hands as they blazed a path over her breasts and down to her belly. With his knee, he nudged her thighs wider and he cupped her pussy. One long finger slipped between the damp folds, finding her clit.
“More,” she moaned, spreading her legs in encouragement.
His warm, deep chuckle sent a shiver through her. His fingers dipped into her wet pussy. Sliding inside to spread her moistness. A slow glide designed to drive her out of her mind. She lifted her leg and wrapped it around his hips, reeling him in. Wanting him inside her.
“Not yet, love. Not yet,” he groaned.
She felt his breath tease her tight nipple and forced her eyes open. He flicked the tip of his tongue over and around the tip while he picked up the pace of his penetration of her cunt. His fingers took her deeper, his thumb strumming her taut quivering clit. How did she let him take control again? It was like he ruled her in bed, but she wanted to give as good as she got.
“This isn’t a war. It’s a dance, so giving yourself to me is a gift, Serena.” He sounded…worshipful. She forced her eyes open while he took her higher, thrusting onto his fingers. Their gazes met…melded. “Come for me, love. Come now.”
Just like that, she shattered. Pleasure radiating from her clit and her pussy through her entire being until she lay gasping in his arms. She met his gaze again…a gaze filled with wonder and possession.
“You’re so beautiful when you come.”
“I’m not beautiful, Damien,” she scolded, looking away.
He gently cradled her cheek in his large hand and turned her
face back to him. “You’re the most beautiful female I’ve ever seen.”
Her belly fluttered and she blinked away tears at the tender tone in his voice and the softness in his gaze. She shook her head.
“You’re just flattering me, Damien, but you don’t have to. I’m already in your bed.”
“Don’t you get it yet?” he growled, looming above her.
“Get what?”
“We’re True Mates, Serena. Destined Mates. Tied together for life.”
“No. We can’t be…”
If she belonged to him, she was already lost. She’d become some sort of Stepford bitch. One who said “Yes, dear” to whatever pronouncement he made and she’d lose her soul in her desire to please him. The female she was—Serena—would be gone forever.
“We’re Mates, love, and it’s an amazing gift.” He dropped soft kisses onto her lips…her jaw…her cheek.
Why did he have to go all mystical and romantic on her? She had no defense so she shook her head in silent denial, snaking her arms up along his shoulders, pulling him close. Kissing his neck, his muscled chest. He groaned, words cut off by the immediacy of her touch. She threw her thigh over his hip and pushed him onto his back, climbing onto his rock-hard body.
Serena looked down at him. His warm smile melted her heart. Made her feel all weak and soft. She pushed the feelings away. Later. She’d think about it later. Instead, she lowered her head to trail her long gold hair over his face then dipped lower to give him a quick kiss. Her clit was nestled at the base of his thick cock, so she began to rock above him, sliding the tight bundle of nerves along the back of his shaft to tease them both while she stared into his dark eyes.
A rumble escaped from his throat. Not quite a growl…not quite a purr. Something animal and distinctly Damien. One large hand settled at her waist, guiding her while she tortured them both with a slow, smooth glide. With his other hand, he palmed her round breast, using his fingers to pluck and pinch her tight nipple.
“Yes…” she breathed. She set her hands on his shoulders for balance to increase her speed.
“That’s it, honey.”
He tugged her nipple. She threw back her head and gasped. Damn it. He was doing it again. Even though she was on top, he was still controlling her. Playing her body like an expert. She paused as she reached the top of his cock, rising a bit higher she reached down to grasp his shaft. Then she lowered herself onto him. Just as she placed him at her entrance and he thrust his hips to get inside, she lifted off him. No…this was going to be her game. Serena in control.
She lowered again, easing the tip of his cock into her cunt before pausing to rise above him once more. Down—engulfing just the head—then up again. She tempted him with her hot wetness before stealing it away…over and over she played him, smiling as his hips lifted to give chase, but each time she escaped. He gave her a warning growl and her eyes rose from where their bodies touched in order to meet Damien’s commanding gaze. She almost dropped her eyes submissively, but held on at the last instant. Staring him down while she continued her determined torment. In…out… Then she used the top of his cock to pleasure her clit, rolling her hips to rub her clit against the head of his cock, moistening him with her juices.
“Just fuck me,” he growled.
“Not yet.”
She leaned forward to kiss his neck…his shoulder…his chest. Then she tongued his nipple. With a cry, he arched off the bed and thrust deep into her. He pulled her tight against him and rolled her to her back.
“My game now, love,” he murmured in her ear.
Serena stared up at him, shivers coursing through her body. She’d never had a male take control this way. She thought she’d hate it, but it was a total turn-on. She was wetter now than she’d been when she’d been on top. But she wasn’t going to let him have his way entirely. She might be on the bottom, but she could still exert some control of the situation.
Serena wrapped her legs around his waist, getting a good grip on him, before grasping his torso with her arms. Her fingers dug into the muscles of his back and buttocks.
“Your game?” She nipped his neck. “Are you sure?”
His scent perfumed the air around her and she breathed deep so she could memorize it while she rubbed her breasts against his chest.
“My game. And yes, I’m damn sure.”
He withdrew halfway. She expected him to surge back inside. Expected it. Yearned for it. Opened for it. But he just hung there. Half in…half out. When she tried to raise her hips, he held them on the bed. Then he withdrew completely, slipping his slick cock along the folds of her sex, trailing his length up and down her slit. The steady stroke along her trembling clit had her gasping for breath in no time. Soft little moans escaping her lips.
“That’s it, Serena. Come again.”
She fought to get him inside her with no luck. Instead, he continued to tease. Driving along her—every stroke taking her higher as he used his body to excite her. He groaned and strained, but he had iron control. She moaned when he lowered his head to her breasts, suckling a nipple into his mouth. The suction went straight to her clit…her cunt…and she sobbed. Her cunt ached with emptiness. Yearned to be full of him, but she wouldn’t beg. Not again. He’d gotten her to beg once but she wasn’t going to give him that satisfaction again.
He lifted his head, frowning at her. “I want the pleasure to be ours. To share it.”
She shook her head. He wanted to own her. To turn her into mindless mush in his arms and unfortunately, he was succeeding. She clenched her fingers into his muscles, her legs tightening around him of their own accord.
“Fuck me, Damien. No more teasing. Just take me.”
He looked as if he wanted to say something then he paused, pressing his lips together. He pulled back and eased his cock into her, pausing at the entrance. She stared into his eyes as her cunt clenched, trying to draw him deeper. The pause seemed to last for all eternity…until he began the long, slow slide into her wetness, all the while he held her captive in his gaze. His eyes held a mixture of possession, pride and adoration. All three emotions would normally have annoyed the hell out of her, instead she melted. Touched by what she saw. She mewled softly when he hit bottom—so deep inside her they almost became one.
“I love you, Serena,” he whispered as he withdrew from her just as slowly.
She covered his lips, silencing him—stopping the emotions that would be her undoing—and this time he let her. He kissed her back, his large palms caressing her hips…her waist…her shoulders. Cradling her close as he dropped soft kisses along her throat. She rose to meet his thrusts, gasps escaping her lips. Serena held him tight as their slick bodies met and forged an alliance she knew she’d be powerless to escape. They strove together for pleasure and she opened to him. Accepting him. Wanting even more.
“Oh Damien,” she moaned, her fingers pressing into the muscles of his back. “Harder. Please.”
His hips answered her request. Taking her deeper. Harder. Faster. Yet, his touch was gentle. As if she were as fragile as fine china. Serena arched. Strained toward him. Her body wound tighter and tighter. Higher and higher. God…so close.
As he groaned, a drop of his sweat fell onto her breast. She opened her eyes and their gazes met and held. He gave his hips a little roll, and that was all it took. She surrendered, giving him her orgasm. Shuddering with a release that stole through her like a thief. Taking all her sense. All her defenses against him. Her cunt and nipples clenched, drawing a strangled sob from her. On and on, she rode the wave of pleasure that he gave her.
“Come for me, Damien,” she moaned, wanting him with her. Right down in it. And he responded, as if her request was the one thing he’d been waiting for.
His hips jerked, and she felt him shoot into her hot, wet channel. Giving her his essence. His very soul. Then he collapsed on her, his breath teasing her damp neck. He lifted his head to meet her gaze, and she forced her eyes open to meet him. He smiled at her…gentle�
�tender.
“I’ll always come for you, Serena. That’s what True Mates do.”
Chapter Nine
Serena woke with a jerk, frowning as she looked out her window. Sunrise was just touching the horizon out her east window, but she stared at the ceiling, her body still vibrating from her orgasm.
It was a dream. Just a dream. It had to be.
She rubbed her forehead and groaned. It hadn’t been a dream though, and somehow she knew it. She wanted to pound on something. It wasn’t fair. She knew he’d been here. Knew it. In her bed. In her body. He’d made love to her and it had been…extraordinary. She’d never had a male who was so determined to give her pleasure. To make sure it was right for her.
True Mates do that.
It was as if his voice echoed in her mind. No. They were not True Mates. She wasn’t going to lose herself. Immerse herself in him until there was nothing of her left.
It isn’t like that.
Serena sat up holding her head, wanting him out of it, and fought his soft words. The seduction of him.
Isn’t our connection proof enough of the truth, my love?
Damn him. She wasn’t going to fall for this.
She crawled out of bed and went into the bathroom, turning on the shower full blast and climbing in, she screeched as the cold water splashed over her, but it did the trick. He was gone. Somehow, she felt it. Or rather, felt his absence. Fighting a strange wave of depression at the loss of his mental touch, she turned the hot water tap on to make the water comfortable and scrubbed herself raw.
She dried off and decided to go for a run to clear her head. Barely noticing her nudity, she opened her bedroom door and ran down the stairs and out onto the front porch.
Serena surveyed the pack compound, no one was about yet, but they wouldn’t regard her nudity either because shifting required it. Anyone running around naked out here was either going to shift into a wolf or had just returned to their human form. It was so much easier to be herself among her family…her pack…than in the city. Out here she didn’t have to hide her wolf.
Serena concentrated, forming her animal self mentally before shifting into the golden wolf form. She stretched then padded down the porch and loped west…toward the mountains. To escape everything for a little while.
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