by Belle Harper
She turned and kissed me quickly, licking my lip as she moved back to Maverick. For a while, all I could hear was breathing, moaning, and the racing of hearts, but the scent of them… The lust and love flowing from the both of them was making it hard not to want to go further.
My face was now so close to Mavericks and Lexi’s, our breaths mingled in the air between us. She kissed the side of my mouth, then Maverick’s, and waited. The tension was thick in the air. I wanted to kiss him, but I was holding off, letting him make the move if he wanted this he would have to come to me. Lexi knew what she was doing here—she was pushing Maverick out of his comfort zone. She knew he needed just a little push, but with herself as a safe barrier between us.
I pulled back slightly, wanting to give him space. This was just too fast for him, and we had a forever to work this out. I opened my mouth to tell him it was okay, but before the words came out, his mouth crashed onto mine. I let out a small gasp as he pulled me closer, his tongue finding mine, and I could taste Lexi on his mouth. She was sweet, whereas he was like earth. Fresh, new…
I thought the smell of him would make it hard to kiss him, since I couldn’t help being tense around shifters. Even sleeping with in the room with them all last night was just as hard for me as it was for Ranger. But it didn’t make this hard at all. No, this felt right.
Finally, we pulled apart, our breathing heavy, and Lexi giggled.
“Fuck, that was the hottest thing I’ve ever seen.” My eyes left Maverick’s to look at Lexi, and I caught her huge grin. She giggled again.
“Let’s go tell the others that you’ve kissed and made up.”
She jumped off the sofa, straightened herself up, and winked at me as she made her way to the door. She turned around and blew a kiss as she opened it, the sunlight streaming in.
“You coming, boys?”
The deep chuckle Maverick gave in response was a sound I’d wanted to hear for days, and I turned to see his dimples out on display, something you didn’t see much. Right now, it was perfect, and I knew this wasn’t over. But at least I knew that we could move on from here.
“Tease,” I muttered as I followed after her, Maverick right on my heels. I watched as she turned to us, her hands in the air as she spun in the sunlight, looking more like an angel than ever.
“You love it…Mr. Donovani.” I rolled my eyes, but I couldn’t deny it. I loved it…every little bit about her.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Lexi
Okay, if someone had asked me weeks ago if two guys kissing would turn me on, I wouldn’t have known. I’d never thought about it. But now that I’d seen it with Maverick and Galen…I couldn’t think of anything hotter. With me in the middle, that was even better. I wasn’t sure my ‘actions not words’ thing would work. I didn’t know what to really say, and Maverick didn’t seem to want to talk. So I did what I thought was best, and it was better than I expected.
“Grayson left this at the gate for you,” Jett said, holding a box out to me. Holy shit, Grayson worked fast. I opened it and saw a big, chocolate cake inside. It looked so, so amazing. I looked at the time and could see it was getting very late, it was almost time for dinner.
“We ordered pizza, but we weren’t sure how long you would be.” I wrapped my arms around Ranger and kissed his cheek. It was a good idea, since I didn’t know how long I was going to take with Galen and Maverick so pizza was the best idea.
“Well how long until it arrives? Is there time for cake now?” I was hungry, and I didn’t want to wait for cake. I was being a little greedy, but it smelled amazing.
“Don’t sing,” was all Raff said, his eyes pleading with me. I could see by the tick in his jaw that he really didn’t want any more attention, so I gave him a small smile and a nod.
“Cake time.” Ranger brought out some plates and a big knife. I handed it to Raff, but he shook his head.
“No, you cut it. I don’t want to ruin it.”
I didn’t need to be told twice and quickly divided it up into six equal pieces. Ranger held out plates as I placed a piece on each of them, and he handed them out to Raff and Maverick. Galen declined, but I was still going to tell him how good it tasted. Jett was still hovering around as Ranger picked up his plate and moaned as he took a bite, his lips covered in chocolate goodness. I reached up, wiped the chocolate from his lips with my thumb, and licked it off. He growled softly at that, and I winked as I turned back to see there were two extra slices.
“Jett,” I called out, and he was at my side before I got a chance to finish what I was about to say.
“Yes, dear?” I laughed and rolled my eyes at him. I held up a plate and spun to him, then he reached out and grabbed it.
“Cake?” I asked, I could see his eyes light up playfully as Ranger’s growl turned from sexy to downright scary.
“No cake,” Ranger said, snatching the plate away, and it landed with a loud clang on the dark granite countertop. Oh my god, not again. “You cannot have cake. Lexi has no more slices left to give, and she has all the cake she needs.”
Galen was between them fast, and I could tell Ranger was getting close to shifting. Jett just shook his head, his hands in the air as he backed away from us. Lyell had entered the kitchen just at that moment and looked at the scene in front of him. I wasn’t too sure if he would step in and help, or run back to his room. He was…different from his brothers, and I didn’t know what he was thinking ever. He probably regretted coming in the kitchen right now.
“Fucking hell, Ranger. It’s just cake,” I yelled. It was…wasn’t it? What did I do? I just didn’t get it. There was plenty of cake to go around, and Jett was here, so I offered some to him. Honestly, I didn’t think it would set Ranger off like this.
I thought we’d had this talk about jealousy and that Ranger understood that I wasn’t doing anything with Jett. Fuck, he was still in love with Clare. That much was obvious when I was with Jett last week, since he spoke about her non-stop.
“Ranger. You know I wouldn’t take your slice. I love Lexi, as a sister. That’s it. Seriously, brother. It was just cake, nothing more. I promise you that. You’re working shit up in your mind that’s not there. Fuck, do you have zero faith in me? In Lexi?”
I could see Ranger’s eyes flicking between us all. Maverick went to him and held his shoulder, then Rafferty did the same. I just stood there, confused, upset, while he looked at me, his eyes now glassy. He was breathing heavy, his shoulders slumped, and I watched the tension leave him.
“I trust you, I do. My wolf just gets territorial, but I was okay with it all. Okay?” He shrugged the guys off and took a step to me. “It was the cake… Lexi wanted to have her cake and eat it too…and I just…I took it the wrong way when you gave a slice to Jett. I’m sorry. I’m trying so hard here, and I keep fucking it up, but my wolf… it’s so hard.”
Ranger was a bag of strong emotions that he couldn’t hide from, and he really had a different way of showing it. It was just cake. I liked Jett, he was fun, but I was in love with Ranger. What I had with him was never going to change, just like my feelings for Jett were never going to change.
“I love you. I’ve taken all the slices of cake I need, okay? I have a whole cake now.” His forehead gently nudged mine as he took a deep breath.
“I love you to the moon and back, Lex. I keep fucking this up, and I want to say this will be the last time, I do. But even I know that would be a lie. My wolf is hard to control, and I react without thinking. But I will try. For you.”
I stood up on my toes and kissed him, wrapping my arms around his neck and pulling him down. I could taste the chocolate on his lips and tongue as his hands skated down my back to cup my ass. He pulled me closer to him, and it felt like he was trying to tell me through actions how much I meant to him and how sorry he was for snapping at his brother. He tugged me up, and I smiled as I jumped, wrapping my legs around him.
I pulled away slightly and looked down at him now. It was nice to be high up, s
ince I seemed to always be the shortest around here.
“No more, okay? Mr. big bad Wolfy needs to behave, or I won’t stroke him anymore.” There were groans and some chuckles around us.
Jett came up and put his hand on Ranger’s shoulder. He tensed slightly under me, but he seemed to be more relaxed now.
“So, we good?” Jett asked, and Ranger nodded, squeezing my ass. I let out a squeak and felt his deep chuckle though his chest. Then he turned to Jett.
“Have some cake, it’s really good…. Happy birthday, Rafferty.”
And everyone called out happy birthday to Raff, he was all shy and bashful looking at the attention. I loved it.
And it was really was good cake. Grayson was a genius.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Lexi
Galen walked me to my room, and it brought back memories of him and I after my first night at the Lovell’s house and the terrible dinner guest I was. Well…they did ask for it by basically kidnapping me. Except this time, there was nothing stopping him from kissing me…or from coming in and staying with me.
I smiled as held onto the brass handle. I could feel him, inches from me, his breath heating my neck.
I wasn’t sure what was going on or why we weren’t all coming in here. We’d spent the evening watching movies, ones that I made sure Raff had a choice in picking. He really liked superheroes, but they all did. At least the actors they choose for these roles were hot, which was the only thing that kept my eyes open.
I opened the door, expecting him to follow, but then the click of the door and the cold in the room told me I was alone. The white walls seemed to get closer the longer I was in here with my thoughts. I shook off the feeling and used this chance to have a shower and get comfy.
When I got out of the shower, towel wrapped around me, I bounced out into my room, hoping to find a bed full of guys. But it was empty. I was so confused now, and my heart sank a little. Did I do something wrong? I thought we were all having a great night celebrating Raff’s birthday.
In my closet, I picked out a tank to wear. I hesitated at first, but then decided to wear my new lace thong. I had plans to show a little cheek. I pulled up a pair of sleep shorts to keep it tame, in case I saw someone else, and returned my towel to the bathroom. I didn’t know what to do with myself, so I flopped onto the bed and rolled over to the side table. I picked up my Kindle and started looking for a book to read, but I couldn’t concentrate.
I had told Raff he was sleeping with me tonight and always. I wasn’t ever going to sleep alone again. But instead…I was here in my room, alone, and it was just…quiet. Too quiet.
Shit, I’d forgotten about his uncle. Were Raff’s uncles here, trying to take him away? Was that why I was in here alone? Before I could work myself up any more, there was two knocks at the door. I jumped and spun on the bed, watching as it opened.
My hand went to my chest, and I let out a deep breath.
“Oh, Maverick. You scared me.”
He looked around the room, his face worrying me more.
“Shit, Lexi, are you okay?”
I looked around the room too. Did someone break in? I didn’t like the space between us, so I crossed the room faster than I ever had. I held onto him, and he wrapped his arms around me.
“What happened?” I asked him. He looked down at me as he pushed some hair that had fallen across my face behind my ear.
“Nothing. We were just giving Raff some Kiba birthday love is all. Turning eighteen is a huge deal here. So we just…you know…welcomed him to the pack.” He smiled, his dimples flashing for a brief moment. Dimples…they were my thing! He chuckled and hugged me tighter to his chest, and I breathed in his fresh pine scent.
“As much as I want to stay here, just you and me, I’m here to take you over to Galen’s.” I tilted my head up at him.
“Why? Is everything okay?” I was worried, but when he skated his foot along the carpet, I swear he was blushing.
“Just, you know. More private there.” I felt relieved. That was why, and I guessed it made sense. Alaric wasn’t happy with me spending the night with them. That was why he had Jett follow me around so much last week. So at least at Galen’s, it was his house. His rules. Right? And he had the thing where people couldn’t hear us, so we could… Oh.
“Oh, yes. I’ll just grab a few things.”
It was a fast trip over, and Maverick gave me a piggyback ride so I didn’t have to put on shoes. He didn’t even need to open the door, since the guys were already there and waiting. Maverick let go of my legs and I lowered myself to the floor, but not before dragging my body down his muscular back and feeling it in the best way. I clenched my thighs together. They were all there and watching me, taking me in. I wanted a special birthday someone to touch me…now.
“Hey, Lex, you smell good.” Ranger purred. I knew what he was talking about, and I shoved him playfully. He grabbed my arm, spun me to him, and growled “Mine” into the nape of my neck, he rubbed against my neck… marking me after my shower. I kissed him quickly before I ran over and jumped into Raff’s lap. I think I surprised him at the move. He grabbed my ass and squeezed, and I couldn’t help but rub myself against him. I needed the friction and I needed Rafferty King.
“Alright, that’s our cue to leave.” Galen twirled his finger around, and I watched the three of them get up to leave. “You look so fucking sexy… I can tell you’re wearing that lace thong, and it is taking every ounce of willpower to walk out this door right now.” I glanced back at Galen, and heat flooded my body, going straight to my core. I was wet, but now… Fuck. Cheeky asshole nodded at us, a crooked smile on his face.
Ranger winked and blew me a kiss, but it was Raff who surprised me when he reached up and caught it. I could hear the laughter as Ranger closed the door behind them.
I grabbed his closed fist and opened his hand. “I think you took something from me.” I watched as a grin slowly formed on his lips.
“Ranger blew me a birthday kiss. This one is mine.” This was perfect. After the horrible moment after lunch, I’d worried he would regress a little, but he was being playful and cute. I liked this Raff, he had really come out of his shell here.
I wrapped my arms around his neck, leaned down, and kissed him. I swept my tongue inside his mouth, and he tasted like peppermint. I pulled back and eyed him for a moment. He just lay his head back on the couch and palmed my ass through my sleep shorts.
“What?” he asked, but I could sense a hint of nerves in his voice. His hands ran up the back of my tank and flared on my lower back. They were warm on my cooler skin. I had an idea of what was happening here. Why they’d had left and we were here, with soundproof walls surrounding us.
“Did you want to take this to the bedroom?” I asked, and his blue eyes swirled. He closed them briefly, and when his eyes opened, he glanced to the bedroom door. It was open, and I was sure we were allowed to us it.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Rafferty
Fuck, I was so nervous. I didn’t want to fuck this up, and the guys had spent almost an hour telling me things, like what to do, what not to do. I was so confused, until Galen stepped up and told me that every woman was different and not to listen just to Ranger. He said to ask Lexi what she likes, and if she liked something, I would know. She would make sure I did.
Then again, this was only wishful thinking, since I wasn’t expecting to have sex tonight. Only if she wanted to. I’d wanted to make love to Lexi since the day I first saw her and those huge amber eyes looked onto mine. I was reckless, and I’d marked her and got beat up over and over. But it was worth it, for this moment alone.
I’d known since that day, when my hands were cuffed behind my back, sitting there waiting for Shelly to take us to this foster house she had always talked about. That was when I had this overwhelming need to protect Lexi, it washed through me to hard. She needed someone, even though she didn’t know it. I didn’t know it at the time either, but my wolf knew it. He knew sh
e was mine, and that I would die for her.
Even now, my wolf wanted her to accept him, to bond with him. I knew that couldn’t happen, and I knew he sensed that too. It was instinct, something driven in me that would never go away. Over time, my wolf would understand that you don’t need a bond to be in love.
I had her on the soft bed. Galen had changed the sheets and lit a candle to try and help with his smell. It wasn’t so bad, but the scent of Lexi’s lust was stronger. Her hand snaked down between us as she took the hem of my T-shirt and pulled it up. I stood back and took it off, baring my chest to her, hoping she would see the fresh ink I had done last week. It was hard with the guys always wanting to shift, but I held it off just in time. I had to get it done fast, before I turned eighteen.
I took her hand and ran it down over my chest and stopped. Her smile was lazy as I took her finger and ran it over the words.
“Lexi my heart,” I whispered to her, and she reached her other hand up and pulled herself up. She looked down to my chest, and I could tell the moment she saw it. She gasped, her finger running over the words so lightly, it tickled.
“Holy shit, when…?” I could hear her voice crack. Shit, I didn’t want to make her cry. Her face was a little flushed, but I could see the tears forming in her eyes.
“Shhh…don’t cry, Lexi. You have my heart, and it beats every day. For you.” She choked out a small sob and wiped some tears away. Fuck, was I fucking this up? I had no idea what to do.
“Rafferty, I love you. You have my heart, always…forever.” Her voice cracked again, but before I spoke a word, she took my mouth, her hunger for me just as deep as mine. My cock strained in my shorts, as I laid her back down on the bed and pushed her up into the middle. She giggled as I crawled on the bed and stalked her, her legs opening for me to fit between them.