Reach for the Sky (Wolffe Peak Book 1)

by Gwen Knight

  He climbed the stairs without preamble, noting Harley’s presence behind him. The truth was, he would have liked nothing more than to get his fuck on as Harley had put it. Sky had wormed her way under his skin with that right hook. His jaw still remembered the feel of her knuckles crashing into him, and it brought a dangerous smile to his lips. Would she be as aggressive in bed? He dared to hope so.

  He turned the corner and jerked to a stop. Harley stumbled into his back, his muttered complaint dropping off the moment he caught sight of the sheriff bent over Sky, mouth pressed against hers. A burst of white-hot fury twisted Wyatt’s gut, rousing his wolf awake.

  “Son-of-a-bitch,” Harley choked on a shocked laugh. “Someone’s dead meat.”

  “What the fuck is he doing here?” Wyatt’s voice echoed in the hallway. They had protocols in place for a reason. No one entered his house without his permission.

  Shane stiffened, his gaze flicking to Wyatt’s before he straightened. “Uh, I’ll be leaving now.”

  “I think I’ll walk you out,” Harley offered. “Make sure you get there in one piece.”

  The sheriff brushed past Wyatt, and it took every ounce of restraint not to let his wolf rip into the bastard. As it was, he kept his eyes forward and locked on Sky, whose distressed gaze spoke louder than words.

  ***

  Shane kissed me.

  She couldn’t stop the echo as her mind repeated that sentiment over and over. He’d kissed her, like full on grabbed her, dragged her close, and kissed her. And in the middle of Wyatt’s hallway.

  Wyatt.

  Sky blinked and met his bright stare. At the sight of his wolf, her own woke and stretched, intrigued by the situation. She waited for him to move toward her, or speak, or something, but he stood at the end of the hall, still as stone, fists clenched at his sides.

  “Well, I’m not going to apologize, if that’s what you’re waiting for,” she uttered before turning toward her door. Not that she had anything to apologize for. It wasn’t as though she’d asked Shane to kiss her. They’d been discussing her thesis, and then he’d swooped in. Somehow, he’d managed to keep his emotions hidden from her. But the moment his mouth brushed hers, the warm scent of desire smacked her in the face. Not for the first time, she found herself grateful he wasn’t a werewolf. Otherwise, he would have known right then that the attraction wasn’t mutual.

  “Are you two together?” Wyatt’s voice sounded odd, distant almost, as though he was struggling for control.

  “I—I…uh…” She peered around him to see if Shane was still nearby.

  “Well?” A shot of anger darkened his tone.

  Sky lifted her chin and met his piercing stare. Through the dark hall, all she could make out was his silhouette and the burn of his eyes. It was enough to elicit a shiver.

  “You know, that’s not really any of your business.” She reached for the door handle, intent on escaping.

  “You make a shitty couple.”

  She froze, her hand on the brass knob. So close. “Excuse me?” She whirled around, her hand darting to her throat when she found him only inches away.

  “I’d wager you’re not.”

  She blinked. “Not what?”

  “Together.”

  Was he still on that? “What makes you say so?”

  He stepped flush against her, and with a hitched breath, Sky darted backward, his arms caging her against the wall. Now…why was this so familiar? Ah, right…her thoughts conjured the memory of them together in the stairwell of her house, his rough hands sliding down her body as he kissed the hell out of her.

  “No connection.”

  She pushed away the memory and tipped her head up. “What?”

  Wyatt leaned in close until she could feel his breath on her face. “You and Shane,” he murmured, the sweet scent of scotch hitting her nose, “have no connection. See, there are important components needed for a successful kiss.”

  Sky’s gaze dipped to his sinful mouth, her heart lurching.

  “There needs to be passion, an unquenchable desire for one another.” His husky voice awakened something in her that Shane had failed to.

  Her tongue flicked out and dampened her lips.

  “There has to be heat and hunger.”

  Oh, God, her knees turned to jelly.

  “In other words, darling, the kiss needs to get you hot, needs to make you wet.” He angled in close and brushed his mouth along her jaw. “Hear your heartbeat right now? Feel that craving deep in your bones? That’s lust, baby. And Shane doesn’t have what it takes to make you come.” He leaned back, her chin captured between his fingers as he caught her gaze. “But I do.”

  Sweet Lord. Heat spread through her limbs, her body reacting viscerally to his words. The memory of his lips against hers emboldened her, dared her to take the next step. Wyatt was a dick, but he didn’t pretend to be otherwise. She respected that. With all the madness in her life, would it be so bad to take something for herself?

  “Is that so?” she whispered, loosening the reins on her wolf. “Then what are you waiting for?”

  His mouth curved upward into a sexy grin that stole her breath. “It’s your turn, darling.”

  My turn? It took a second for her to realize his meaning. He’d initiated the last kiss; he wanted her to take the lead this time. And why the hell did that turn her on? With a quiet growl, she climbed the length of his body in a race to reach him, and the moment their mouths clashed, she melted into him.

  His hands were everywhere, his mouth hard and demanding. Surrendering to the emotions he inspired, she met him with equal abandon and devoured his mouth. This time she refused to stand meekly by as he licked and teased her, this time she meant to give as good as she got, and oh baby, was it good. Heat flared in her stomach as his fingers kneaded her thighs before he lifted her into the air. The hard press of the wall against her back and the heat between her legs made her heart pound.

  He tore his mouth from hers and gazed up at her. He reached up and unbound her hair, his breath sharp when it fell in a golden curtain around her face. “See? Connection. My room is down the hall.”

  “Too far,” she whispered, nipping at the shell of his ear. “My room is right here.”

  “Your room,” he grunted, “won’t have condoms.”

  “I’m on the pill.”

  He groaned and leaned his head against her chest. “You’re going to kill me.”

  “That’s the plan.”

  Cupping her ass, he wrenched her away from the wall and swept into her room, kicking the door shut behind them. He staggered to the bed and dropped her down onto the mattress, his palms sliding beneath her shirt.

  When his hand found her bare breast, he pulled back and stared down on her. “You’re not wearing a bra.”

  She grinned at him. “Nope.”

  He swallowed and glanced down her length, his brow winging up at the sight of her sparkling navel ring. “Yeehaw,” he muttered before pushing up her shirt and running his thumbs over her pert nipples. She shivered beneath him, her own hands fumbling with his belt. She’d never felt such a need to remove a man’s pants, and damn her fingers for not obeying.

  He chuckled against her. “Need some help there, darling?”

  Her eyes crossed when he bent over her and took her nipple into his hot mouth, tongue laving over the sensitive nub. “No,” she gasped and then rejoiced when his belt came apart in her hands. The button slipped open next without an issue. Her fingers fell to the zipper, her breath hitched with anticipation when a sudden beam of light spilled over them.

  “Sky, I wanted to make sure—”

  “What the fuck!” Wyatt shouted as he threw the covers over Sky’s bare chest.

  “Jesus, Shane! Don’t you knock?” Sky drew in a shuddering breath. Embarrassment flooded her cheeks as she hid beneath the thick quilt.

  “Get the fuck out,” Wyatt roared.

  “I, uh—,” Shane stuttered. “I didn’t think—”

  �
��No, you didn’t think!”

  “Wyatt,” Sky snapped, the back of her hand slapping against his arm. “Ease up.” But his wolf was unleashed, she saw it in his amber gaze, heard it in the savage rumble of his voice. “Shane, you should go,” she whispered, fear worming into her chest at the sight of Wyatt’s fractured control.

  But the sheriff didn’t budge an inch. “Sky, I thought…” His voice trailed. “I don’t know what I thought, but I didn’t expect you to fall into his bed.”

  She bristled. “I fell into my bed, thank you very much.”

  Wyatt rose from the bed, all six foot four of him. He looked demonic, standing in the dark, his eyes blazing as he glared at Shane. “She’s mine.”

  Two words, and they doused the flames within her. “Excuse me?” she demanded in a cold voice.

  Wyatt spared her a quick glance, his lips curled back over newly-sprouted fangs.

  Yanking her shirt down, she shoved the blankets back and rose from the bed, indifferent to her current state. “Let’s get something clear, buddy. And this goes for the both of you. I’m not anybody’s. Least of all yours, Wyatt Turner. I’m not some possession for you to claim, mark, and then lead around on your arm like some trophy wife.”

  “You’re my mate.”

  “I haven’t agreed to that!”

  Part of her feared his reaction. Alpha that he was, he clearly wasn’t used to being denied what he wanted. But Sky had sworn that she would never allow any man to do what her former alpha had done to his pack. The women there were little more than docile puppies. Straightening her back, she squared her shoulders and jabbed a finger toward the door. “Out, both of you.”

  “Sky—”

  “Get. Out. Right now, Wyatt, or so help me—”

  “What?” He pushed into her space. “What are you going to do if I don’t leave?”

  She couldn’t force him physically, but there was one tool she had in her arsenal that she knew would frighten Wyatt off. With her next breath, she summoned a fresh batch of tears, watching as he stiffened in front of her.

  “Aw, hell, woman. I didn’t mean…I—”

  “Leave, Wyatt.” She added a slight shiver to her voice.

  “Sky…” he groaned, his eyes dimming as his wolf receded, “you’re killing me, don’t cry.”

  She turned away and buried her face in her hands before he sensed that she was forcing them. It wasn’t entirely difficult to do so, a lot had happened in the past few days, and her emotions were unstable as it was. “Get out!”

  She felt the light graze of his hand against her hair before he vacated, bellowing for Harley to get his ass up the stairs. And when the door clicked shut, she sucked back the tears and dropped down onto the bed.

  “I’m not his fucking keeper!” she heard Harley grumble in the hallway. “I thought he left!”

  Sky rolled her eyes and buried her head into her pillow. Unfortunately, her body was still wound up, and with no outlet…she grunted in frustration and stared at her small bag. There was absolutely nothing in there that would help.

  Cold shower, it was.

  Chapter 11

  Sky stirred when gentle fingers caressed the side of her neck. Half-asleep, she moaned and sank into the pillows, drawing out the comforting touch. A low purr slipped from her lips, and her exhausted body unwound after a fitful night’s sleep.

  Last night.

  Her eyes snapped open, her heart skipping a beat at the sight of Wyatt crouched next to her bed, his thumb lazing across her collarbone. “Morning.”

  She swallowed her greeting, afraid to speak lest he get a whiff of morning breath. Horrified, she covered her mouth and jerked up. The corners of his mouth tugged, and his gaze drifted over her.

  Oh, God, my hair!

  She wasn’t in any state to see anyone. “Wyatt…”

  A damn grin stretched over his face, stopping her heart dead. “I wanted to show you what you could have woken up next to this morning.”

  And didn’t she know it? There he crouched, groomed and kempt, and finer than all hell, while she looked—and felt—like a nightmare. She quickly palmed away any drool and then smoothed her hands down her hair.

  “I’m touched that you want to look your best for me. But I must say…” he leaned forward and brushed a stray hair behind her ear, “you’re sexy no matter what you look like, Sky.”

  Her brows deepened. What was he playing at? Before last night, he hadn’t given her the time of day since the meeting in the office. So, what? Now he wanted her? Still hiding behind her hand, she flicked a glance to the door, noting that it stood open. “Do you need something?”

  “You.” He said it so assuredly that she turned and blinked at him.

  “Me? Why?” She didn’t care what her wolf thought—she’d spent years suppressing her baser instincts. Just because her wolf cried mate didn’t mean she would succumb.

  With another smile, he pushed off his thighs and stood. Her gaze climbed his length, cheeks burning when she lingered over his blasted belt buckle.

  “I didn’t want to wake you, but this couldn’t wait any longer. We have to go.”

  “Go?” She lowered her hands to the blanket and fiddled with the edge. “Go where?”

  His mouth twisted. “You’re not going to like it.”

  “Go where?” she demanded.

  “To Hidden Creek.”

  Her stomach shot up into her throat. “Uh, no.”

  “Uh, yes.”

  Skylar shoved down the blankets and kneeled in the middle of the bed. “Wyatt, I swore I would never go back there. There’s absolutely no reason—”

  He bowed over the bed, the heady scent of werewolf overwhelming her. “Ah, but there are reasons.” He held up a single finger. “This all began with your mother’s funeral. Your pack is likely the origin.” He flicked up a second finger. “It gets you out of town for a few days while Shane and my men investigate the murders.” A third finger rose as did the corner of his mouth. “Gives us a chance to get to know each other.”

  She swallowed. “I thought you didn’t want to get to know me.”

  He shot her a droll stare. “I never said that, and after last night—”

  “Last night was a mistake!” she stammered. “Things got out of hand.”

  Gold rimmed his irises.

  “Can’t we phone them?” she asked, grasping at any straw she could find.

  He gave a dark and edgy laugh. “Sure, I bet your pack will be more than accommodating.”

  “I don’t have any say in this, do I?”

  “Sky…” He grasped her chin and lifted it until she blinked at him. “I know this is hard for you, but there have been three murders in the past six months. I refuse to sit back and wait for the next attack. If this jackass is from your old pack, we need to find out.”

  She grimaced. “Why are you being nice to me, now?”

  “Maybe I want to show you there’s more to me than an asshole.”

  Her watery chuckle broke the tension. “Well, stop it, it’s freaking me out.”

  Wyatt laughed—truly laughed—for the first time since they’d met. “Don’t forget that you were the one who put a stop to it.”

  Unnerved, she crawled off the bed and reached for her bag. “Yeah, yeah. Can I at least shower before we leave?”

  He gave a playful wink, and with a grunt, pointed toward the door down the hall. Then with a true growl, he nodded toward her bare legs. “But put on some damn pants before you leave the room. It would be tragic if I had to kill someone for checking you out before we leave.”

  She gazed down her length, her cheeks burning when she realized she stood in the middle of the room in nothing more than a thin T-shirt and a thong.

  ***

  “You can’t expect her to ride bitch for eight hundred miles,” Bale grumbled as the stepped in the garage. “The woman is positively green around motorcycles.”

  Wyatt snapped an irritated glare at his second. Bale had latched onto him the momen
t Sky stepped into the shower, needlessly voicing his concerns about the plan. He had yet to let up, and it was driving Wyatt insane. “I expect her to do as she’s told. Same goes for the rest of you. Harley will be working closely with Shane and the fed, while you and Axel are to increase security here.”

  Maybe he was an asshole, but it made him a good alpha—strong and unwilling to compromise. With a pack of sixty-eight, he refused to sacrifice that trait. At the first hint of weakness, those waiting in the wings would pounce and rip him to shreds. Nice wasn’t something he could afford. The fact that Sky understood that turned him on like nothing else. Somehow he knew there would be no need to compromise anything with her.

  “Alpha—”

  Wyatt growled, his lips curled back. “Enough. I’ve allowed you to speak your mind. You’ve been overruled.”

  His second snapped to attention and gave a sharp nod, though fire still burned in his eyes.

  Soft footsteps drew his attention to the doorway where Sky entered. Her gaze flicked to his bike. “No, oh, no, no, no…”

  She’d responded much the same way the first time she’d laid eyes on Monster, the bike he’d owned since he’d become the alpha. When he’d taken the position, he’d needed something to distract him from the politics and squabbles. So, he’d purchased a rundown bike from a scrapyard and slowly rebuilt it. The time it’d taken had reminded him how good it felt to work with his hands.

  “Don’t you have a car or something?”

  The panic in her voice furrowed his brows. What was she so frightened of? She’d ridden it before. But when she stomped past him, the sharp scent of desire and dread clouded his nose. With a wicked grin, he leaned over and whispered in her ear, “Don’t worry, you can hold onto me the entire way.”

  Her faint whimper encouraged him.

  He handed her a pair of leather chaps, the closest in size he could find. “Put these on.”