“There’s no need,” Korbin assured her as he came around the sofa and took Layla’s hand in his. “We only need a few minutes. Make yourself comfortable.”
“What happened?” Layla questioned as she followed him down the hallway to his bedroom.
“I’ve taken care of it.” Entering the bedroom, he pushed the door shut and wrapped his arms around her. “I needed this.”
“Huh?”
“You, baby.” He pressed her tight against his body. “I needed to have you in my arms again. My tiger has been straining my control since I left the compound. Knowing my mate is here while I’m off dealing with shit and not having the connection complete had my beast furious.”
“You could have taken care of that last night.” Needing to feel his embrace as much as he did, she wrapped her arms around his waist.
“This needed to be taken care of so you would be sure.”
“And is it?” she pressed, needing to know what had happened with Donald.
“We delivered the message. Now it’s up to him to follow through—though we assured him if he comes anywhere near you, we’ll see he’s brought up on charges.”
“No.” She pulled back in his embrace to look up at him. “I signed a sworn testimony—”
“Not about your father, though I know a good lawyer who can make sure nothing happened to you for that since you signed it under duress. But I was talking about attempted murder charge for shooting you.” He ran his hand down her back. “We took Deputy Nora French with us. She’s Ted’s cousin and a cougar shifter. We’re handling this as shifter business for now but if he wants to make the matter public, she’s gathered the evidence to assure we can file charges.”
The thought of so many people involved, so many risking their safety to protect her made her ill. What had she done to deserve their goodwill? She’d met Nora a time or two when the woman had come into the general store but she barely knew her. She’d been brought into this because she was a shifter and a police officer—a necessary thing, but it didn’t make her feel any less guilty.
“So now what?”
“We wait.” He squeezed her tight against him. “I know it’s not what you want to hear, but it’s all we can do. We have to wait and see if Donald makes a move or if he’ll leave things be. In the meantime, you and Mella need to stay here where you’re safe.”
“What happens afterward?” She pulled her bottom lip between her teeth. “I mean with us.”
“If I have my say I want you by my side, as my mate and the Alpha Female of the Ohio Tigers.”
“I told you—”
He pressed his finger to her lips, silencing her.
“I know, but I want you to be sure.” Pulling his finger away from her lips, he watched her closely for a moment. “We stripped the place of anything belonging to you. The guards will bring the bags in when I leave. Go through it and keep what you want. Unpack what you’ll need for the next week or two. The rest I’d leave in the bags. Otherwise, you’ll have to repack. In the next week, I hope the new building will be complete.”
“When you leave?” She didn’t realize she was clinging to his shirt, holding him there, until her arm cramped.
“I’ve got to check on the progress with the new building. Then touch base with Ty, the Alpha of the Alaskan Tigers, to see how Merrie is adjusting. I won’t be long. I have to be back for a call with the website designer. He needs a name for the site.”
“What will it be? What are we planning to do here?”
“I love the sound of that.” His lips curled into a smile. “We.”
“I…”
“Accepted your place as my mate.” He ran his hand along her back. “Tonight, we’re going to have dinner together. The two of us. Knowing Luca’s mother, she’s going to whip us up something amazing. Afterward, I’ll take you over to the new building and show you around. But to answer your question, we’re going to give shifters who need to escape vindictive Alphas a new start. I’ve taken the concept of Manetka Resort which is run by the Texas Tigers and made it my own. This place will be a haven for those like Merrie who need to regain their confidence before they can move on with their lives.”
“Untamed Oasis? Untamed could show the wild side of your inner beast while oasis means a safe place. A mixture of beast and peace.”
“That’s better than anything I’ve come up with.” He pressed his lips to her forehead. “Care to join me for the call with the web designer? I think you could give him some tips on a professional but unique design. A woman’s touch is what we’ve been missing.”
“Should I suspect the new building will be needing a woman’s touch, too?” She leaned against his chest. “I’ll be there for the call and whatever else I can do.”
“Good, and Rachel has helped with the designs but I’m sure she could use your help. Maybe you can get Mella involved in it, too.”
Her body froze at the mention of Mella. “What are we going to do with her? She seems in a better mood today but she’s going to want to go back to class. College has been her escape. She might give us the week but by Friday she’s going to be a nightmare. She likes the nightlife she has.”
“I’ll handle her,” he assured her. “I think she likes being alive more than attending a party. At least, I hope so.”
“Thanks.” She rested her head on his chest. “I’ve known you less than a day but I feel like it’s been so much longer.”
“I know.” His fingers tangled in her hair. “We’ve got the rest of our lives.”
The rest of our lives. The sweet statement sent butterflies through her stomach. In his arms, she felt as though she belonged. This was where she was supposed to be, where she could feel safe. More than anything, she felt loved. If someone would have asked her a few days ago if she believed in fairy tales or love at first sight, she would have told them ‘not a chance’. Now, she knew all of it existed. She was falling in love with him.
No, I’m already in love with him.
Chapter Fourteen
Two days passed without a word from Donald, yet Layla couldn’t relax. Every ounce of her being told her it wasn’t over. Donald was patient, likely waiting for his opening and then he’d make his move. Every loud noise she heard, she expected it to be him. Every time darkness fell, she waited for him to creep into the compound and find her. It was nerve-wracking to live with this constant fear but it wasn’t worse than living with him.
“There you are.” Korbin came up behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist. “I’ve been looking for you.”
“Rachel asked me to help her with the new living quarters and once we were done, I wanted to come back here.” She twisted around in his arms until she could look at him. “Your living quarters are complete. Why haven’t you moved in?”
“I was waiting until completion, but tomorrow the clan members will begin the moving process. By next week, it will be ready for guests.”
“Why so quick? Before, you said it would be a few weeks. What changed?”
“Everyone came together to get it finished earlier. The clan wants to put the past behind them and destroy the old building. Sparks wants to blow it up, but we’re going to demolish it properly. Anything anyone wants to burn, we’ll have a bonfire for. It’s time for it to be over once and for all. We’re beginning a new era.”
“Fresh starts for everyone.” It wasn’t just the clan that was getting a new beginning, but so was she. At least as long as Donald stayed away.
“One with an Alpha Female for the clan, I hope.”
“Then why haven’t you claimed me?” She hadn’t meant to ask the question but before she could stop herself, it was out in the open.
“You’ve been dealing with a lot. I wanted to make sure this was what you wanted.” His arms tightened around her, pressing her tight against him. “And I wanted to do it here. That place wasn’t where I wanted our lives to begin together. It’s too full of darkness.”
“We’re standing in our new place, alone,
so…” She sucked her bottom lip between her teeth. “I mean we’ve got the place to ourselves, so why not?”
“Are you sure you know what you’re getting into?”
“I understand as much as any human in this situation.” She looped her arms around his neck. “I’ve spent the last two days with Rachel. She’s shown me the ropes and explained more to me than I thought was possible. The clan is like a family, your family, and you’re the head of the household. I know the clan suffered under their last Alpha and you’re still trying to put the pieces back together, but you’re doing an amazing job. I’m still not sure where I fit into all of this but I want to help. I’ll do what I can to assist you and everyone here.”
“Compassion. That’s one of the things I love about you.” He leaned forward, his warm breath caressing across her face a second before he pressed his lips to hers.
With her arms around his neck, she drew him down closer to her, a soft moan escaping her throat. Eager, she tangled her fingers in his hair and allowed her tongue to slip between his lips. Before she could deepen the kiss, he pulled back, breaking the physical connection.
“Layla…”
“Don’t stop. Make me your mate.”
“Are you sure about this?”
“Yes.” She slid her fingers along his chest, slowly undoing the shirt buttons as she worked her way down. “I want this. Don’t you?”
“I’ve wanted you since the moment I stepped into the gatehouse and saw you.” Grabbing hold of the hem of her sundress, he slid the thin material upwards, his fingers teasing along her flesh as he did. “I want you naked.”
“Keep lifting and you’ll get your wish.” With his shirt unbuttoned, she pulled it from his jeans before sliding it off his shoulder. Before she could explore his chest like she wanted, he finished removing her dress.
“Fucking beautiful.” Exploring hands went over her curves, working toward her breasts. “You’ve been naked under your dress all day.”
Biting the corner of her lip, she nodded. “After Mella and I took a swim earlier, I was hoping to find you and well…seduce you.”
“Lie down on the bed.” He unhooked his jeans, tugging them down his powerful legs.
“I could feel the irritability. Rachel said it was from your tiger growing impatient.” She leaned back against the pillows, her gaze focused on him. “There was no reason to torture yourself. I’ve been waiting for this.”
Now naked, he climbed onto the bed and pressed his body along her side, slightly hovering over her. “I can taste the truth of your words and my tiger has known you were ready but the human side of me insisted you needed more time.”
“Just kiss me.” She dragged her fingers along his chest, working her way down.
He watched her for a moment, as if taking her in, and then claimed her lips. Timidly at first, but the first taste was enough to urge him forward. Exploring the contours of her mouth with his tongue, he trailed his hands up her thighs.
“I need you.” She rolled toward him so the front of their bodies nearly touched, her hand wrapped around his shaft. Gently working her way down his length, she let her nails tease along the underside. “Lie on your back.”
“Layla—”
“Shh.” With her other hand, she pressed against his chest, forcing him onto his back. When he was as she wanted him, she scooted down the bed, stroking him, her gaze on his.
“Baby.” Wrapping a hand around her bicep, he tugged her upwards lightly.
“Let me.” She leaned forward, kissing the tip of him before taking him into her mouth. With her hand, she worked at the base, slowly at first, gradually speeding her pace with every move she made.
His hips jerked upward, which sent him deeper into her mouth until she could feel him in the back of her throat, cutting off her air. His fingers tangled in the strands of her hair, holding her close. As his hips dropped back onto the bed, she worked her mouth up and down the length of him, milking the life out of him.
He moaned her name as his fingers dug into her flesh. “Not like this. I want to claim you as my mate and that won’t happen this way.”
She let him slip from her mouth and he pulled her up to lie beside him. He kissed her neck, nibbling down her jawline to her shoulder. She let him have a few more minutes of exploration, since he’d finally made it to her breasts. Wrapping his mouth around her nipple, he flicked his tongue over the bud, drawing it to full hardness. He teased over the other one, tweaking it until it stood at attention. Her nipples had always been extra sensitive, the slightest touch bringing her pleasure. She moaned in ecstasy when his tongue flicked over the hardened tip.
“Korbin,” she rasped, her voice hoarse with desire rushing through her.
He let her nipple slip from between his lips and hooked her gaze. “What? It’s fair for you to tease me but not the other way around?” His eyes gleamed and his lips curved up into the cocky smile she had fast come to adore.
“I feel like I’ve waited so long for this night. I want this.”
“You need to understand the mating connection established during sex is not one that can be broken. We will be joined together for the rest of our lives.”
“There’s no one else I’d rather spend the rest of my days with.” A crazy thought, but then, there was nothing normal about what had happened in the last few days. She ran her hand along his arm, teasing her fingers along the hard muscles.
A smile pulled his lips upward but instead of the cocky grin he’d shot her moments earlier, this was a true smile. The rarity of it made her reach out and cup the side of his face. The rough stubble teased her flesh, reminding her of him. When she’d first met him, he seemed hard and closed off. Now she could see the soft, nurturing side that lay underneath.
A soft, rumbling purr vibrated through his body as she caressed his cheek. “My tiger.”
“I love it when you say things like that.”
“My tiger,” she whispered again. “Kiss me.”
“Are you trying to rush me?” He didn’t give her a chance to answer as his lips came down on hers. This kiss was deeper, more passionate, as if he was trying to claim her with only his mouth.
Exploring his nakedness, she found his hips. She wanted to wrap her hand around his shaft, to feel the hardness in her palm and know she caused it. “Mmmm,” she moaned softly, unable to form any words as he kissed a path down her neck. Sensations collided and threatened to overwhelm her.
“Mine.” He nuzzled her neck. “Always.”
Before she could agree, he nipped her neck, applying enough pressure that her breath escaped her lungs in a deep exhale. She grabbed hold of his hips, pulling him tighter to her.
“You like that, baby?” He dragged his tongue in lazy circles around her nipples and watched her intently. Teasing her nipples gently, pulling them between his teeth until they stood to attention, he rested his weight on an elbow and used the other hand to explore the length of her body. He traced every curve as if he was trying to memorize her.
He blazed a trail of kisses across her stomach, stroking her thighs with his fingertips. With every touch, she arched her hips into him, demanding more. Desire coursed through her and her thoughts got lost within the sexual haze. With each move he made, she urged him further, speeding the pace.
Unable to wait any longer, she spread her legs farther, giving him the access he needed, and hooked her ankles along the back of his thighs, pressing him toward her. “Now, Korbin.” She wasn’t sure what made the need rise within her, but her control had reached its limits and she needed him inside of her.
Understanding what she needed, he slid his shaft into her core, his girth stretching her as he worked deeper into her. He slowly pushed and pulled back out before thrusting in again, until he filled her completely with his manhood. As he pushed into her completely for the first time, a warmth filled within her and she could feel his tiger. She stared up at him in disbelief. She swore she could feel the soft fur brushing against her skin, but how wa
s it possible?
“We’re joined as one. My tiger is making his presence known.”
“What? You said—”
“I’m not shifting.” He let out a light chuckle, sending his shaft twitching inside her. “Metaphorically speaking, he wants you to feel him. The power within me, the tickling of the soft fur along your skin, and the growls as I make you mine. There’s nothing to be afraid of,” he reassured her.
“I’m not afraid of you.” She smiled. “Make me yours.”
The first few strokes were slow, giving her a chance to adjust to him, but with every thrust, his pace increased, intensifying with every jerk of his hips until she was arching into him and they slammed their hips off each other. The thrusts became deeper and faster, falling into a perfect rhythm. Their bodies rocked back and forth, tension straining his muscles as she fought for the release she longed for. The desire hit her stronger than anything she’d felt before, urging her forward, demanding she find her release.
“Korbin!” Screaming his name, she arched her body into his as her climax coursed through her, her nails digging into his hips and leaving deep welts and angry red scratches.
He pumped twice more before he growled her name and his release followed. “Mine.” He stayed perched over her with his shaft buried deep inside of her, watching her.
“My tiger,” she said breathlessly, rising up to press her lips against his. The kiss was soft and barely more than a peck before the mating connection overwhelmed her. “I can feel them…your clan. How do you handle all the emotion, all the chatter within your mind?”
“In a few moments, it will get better. I promise.” He slipped out of her to lie beside her, cuddling her against the side of his body.
It didn’t feel like it was getting any better. Rather, the sensations became more overwhelming. The clan was small, with fewer than two dozen members, but with all of them rushing through her thoughts, the end result was crushing. Just when she thought their fears were the worst, she got hit with the devastation their former Alpha had delivered to them. Visions of pain, torture, and death stole her breath and tightened her chest. Merrie wasn’t the only one suffering. Merrie’s pain might have been the worst but she realized now why Korbin had decided to send her to Alaska to get her the help she needed. She was slowly draining the whole clan of their life, reminding them of the horrors they’d witnessed. She needed more help than he could give her, while still trying to focus on everyone.
Alaskan Tigers Box Set 3 Page 39