by Sarah Makela
Both of those options had their faults, but he wouldn’t text or email her about it. He did have some backbone.
Chapter Two
The way Connor acted since he’d arrived at Angelique’s home was much different from when he’d left. Almost as if he was afraid to share something with her. She shouldn’t let it affect her. He’d talk to her when he was ready.
Kira paced along her back, claws out and ready to strike. Her familiar wound herself up so tightly, if Angelique didn’t calm her, she’d probably try stretching out of Angelique’s skin to attack him. No way would she allow another fight to destroy her home after she’d worked so hard to get things back in order.
Angelique sent Kira a sharp warning, but the big cat only backed off a little. If Kira wouldn’t obey, she needed to find out what was bothering Connor. Perhaps her stress was affecting Kira more than she’d realized.
A low rumbling growl trickled from Kira’s throat.
“Hush.” Angelique shifted her attention to her boyfriend. “What’s wrong, Connor?”
“Nothing.” He pushed his plate aside, then lowered his head to his hands. “Actually, I have to talk to you. The meeting with the new client went well, but I didn’t tell you everything.” He pushed his chair back, but she grabbed his hand.
“What happened? Talk to me. I’m here for you.” If his problem was with work, she could handle that. She’d feared he had heard something about the druid or Monica.
He took a deep breath, then met her gaze. “My boss wants me to fly out of town with him to meet the client. I told him it wasn’t a good time.”
She withdrew her hand. The fact he wouldn’t be there, especially when she needed him startled her. If Mahon were to attack while he was gone… She didn’t need Connor to protect her, but she wasn’t in the best shape to fight Mahon off.
“Angel, I tried to talk him out of it. I told him things aren’t going well right now, and I need to be here for you.”
She slumped in her chair. “You told him about me?”
He got to his feet and covered the distance between them. “He said I could bring you with me. He’s already talked with HR—”
“But my work. I can’t—”
“—And they’ll be covering your expenses on the trip as well.” He pulled her into his arms, his supernatural strength overpowering hers.
She pushed against his chest with all her might. Kira unsheathed her claws, but Angelique sent a firm no to her familiar. Kira may not like him, but her familiar must’ve realized how upset she was. “You can’t be serious, Connor. What did you tell your boss? Not even my boss knows exactly what happened.”
“Come on!” He tightened his grip on her a little, his hands trembling. “I told him you were attacked. That’s it. Of course, I wouldn’t go into details about the fact some psycho tried to skin you.” The temperature of his skin boiled beneath her touch. His breath came out in short, harsh bursts. When their gazes met, his eyes were wolf amber. He jerked away from her and doubled over, a pained groan on his lips.
She took a step back. Fear clenched her chest but not of him. “Are you okay?” She placed a gentle hand on his shoulder, and he tore away from her, falling to the floor in the process.
His muscles rippled beneath his skin, then stretched the dress shirt to its limits. Buttons clattered to the hardwood floor. He screamed as his body contracted back to normal size.
“I’ll…argh!” He pushed to his knees. His breathing was strained and coming out in harsh pants. “I’m s-sorry.” A burst of raw energy exploded outward from him, and she reeled from the impact, biting back a pained cry.
Kira retreated to her lower back, and the fur on her spine bristled in a Mohawk. The black panther was ready to strike. Angelique sent a calming nudge to Kira, but it didn’t work.
She knelt a few feet from him, trying to get his attention. “It’s okay. Just relax. I’m sorry too. I shouldn’t have reacted like that. I know you love me.” Of course, it didn’t change that the situation with her work bothered her. She didn’t want to head out of town right now. Her life was just coming under control again. She needed the opposite of spontaneous—a routine.
Connor glanced up at her. His eyes were still amber. The beast within him contorted his features. The shape of his eyes was wolf like, and his jaw slightly lengthened. His beast was pushing hard to shed Connor’s mortal skin.
She wanted to help, but if she got in the way, she could end up hurt.
He reached out his misshapen hand with clawed fingers to her. Blood raced through her veins, and she accepted his hand. The moment their skin touched, she sensed his beast as if it were her own. Kira jumped at the intense reaction and bit her claws into Angelique’s skin. Droplets of blood streaked her back at the new wounds Kira created.
He flared his nostrils, and he tugged her toward him. She landed on the ground on her back with him straddling her hips, and air rushed from her lungs. His lips hovered mere inches from hers.
She widened her eyes at the sudden movement. What was he doing?
He leaned closer, his lips brushed hers, and she opened her mouth to him. Taking her invitation, he snaked his tongue into her mouth, caressing…exploring her.
Closing her eyes, she moaned at the delicious sensation, no longer worried about his beast. Her tongue slid against one the razor sharp teeth filling his mouth. She forced herself to remain calm.
While she didn’t know much about his wild side, she’d taken biology classes in school. Wolves were dangerous but beautiful creatures, especially when riled up like he was at the moment.
Connor withdrew his tongue from her mouth, and he slid his tongue over her lower lip.
Immediately, the frustration that built within her chest disappeared. She hated fighting with him. They’d first broken up after an intense argument on her birthday almost one year ago. She loved him. What they needed now was to shed the pain and hurt they’d felt and surrender themselves to the love, support, and acceptance they gave each other.
Taking those things and not giving them in return was wrong. She knew he wasn’t sleeping well. He’d had a stressful day at work, and he needed to know he could come to her when he wanted a shoulder to lean on too.
Besides, he’d done something great for his company today with getting the new client. For the past couple days, he’d talked about the opportunities this would bring. Maybe she could find out when the trip was supposed to be and rearrange her schedule with her boss. She could say she needed some extra time after all.
Although, she wasn’t looking forward to meeting Connor’s boss after him spilling about her attack. Sighing, she pulled away from him, but he closed the distance.
She wrapped her arms around his shoulders, not fighting his determination. The more intimate they were, the more it seemed he gripped the reins on his beast. He pressed his hips against hers, and his hard cock told her exactly how happy he was to be there.
When they were both breathless from the kiss, he finally pulled away. “I’m sorry, Angel. I shouldn’t have blown up at you like that.” He stared into her eyes with sincerity shining through his eyes, and he brushed his thumb over her cheek.
Kira finally curled into a ball on Angelique’s lower back to nap. Her familiar knew he was no longer a threat. She would rest now, maybe become a static tattoo, and let Angelique and Connor end their night in bliss. Hopefully.
“It’s okay. I overreacted too. I shouldn’t have gotten in your face about you talking to your boss. I guess I’m still trying to get over what happened, but it just takes time, I suppose. I’m sorry too.” She leaned in and kissed him again, a sweet peck on the lips.
He smiled, but the gesture didn’t reach his eyes. “I’d hoped I could surprise you with a weekend getaway to the coast, but I guess we’d have to settle for this trip. I promise you’ll be able to stay in the hotel room, if you want. I’d prefer if you went because I wouldn’t want you alone here. Part of me is afraid if you stay, and I’m not here to protect
you, you might die.” He sighed. “It’s not that I think you can’t handle yourself, but I’d be ruined if anything happened to you. I want you to be my mate before the Pack. That’s how much you mean. I’d lay down my life for you.”
He wasn’t the kind of guy to say stuff he didn’t mean. When he said this, he spoke from the heart. She loved him, and she wanted nothing more than to be with him. Still, part of her warred about going on his business trip with him.
She tried to smile though, and it mostly worked.
Entirely himself once more, he offered her his hand. He lifted her as if she weighed nothing, but he didn’t stop at bringing her to her feet. She made it all the way into his arms; her feet dangling off the ground.
“I love you too, Connor.” This time, her smile was genuine.
* * *
Mahon crouched behind a few bushes in the neighbor’s yard on the opposite side of the road from Angelique’s home. No lights shone through the windows, so he doubted anyone would notice him if he kept to the shadows.
Stalking about pissed him off. If only the girl had giving him her power, he wouldn’t have to deal with this wolf in the first place. Monica had said he’d be doing her a favor by getting rid of Angelique, but she hadn’t said anything about this wolf.
Now he questioned whether he could trust the wolves around here. Would he be willing to take that risk again, especially with his primary contact now out of the area?
Pain shot through his side as he shifted his weight, and he held his palm over the healing wound. If he didn’t have this unfinished business, he would’ve used magic to help him heal faster, but he wasn’t going to do anything to hurt his chances in gaining his prize. Soon enough, he’d get his revenge. While he mostly wanted Angelique’s black panther, he would kill the wolf for the harm he’d caused.
Since the last time they’d met, he had worked on a plan to secure his prize. Once he found the moment to strike, he would. Preferably without the wolf getting in his way again. When the girl and the panther was his, he’d take care of the wolf. But not until then. He needed to recover his strength.
Through the open blinds, she and wolf embraced. The wolf carried her in his arms, and they stared into one another’s eyes. Their lips met again, and the wolf stumbled a little on a chair as he headed toward another room, which Mahon could only guess was the living room.
She tugged at the wolf’s shirt, shoving it off his shoulders to get it out of the way. The wolf held still for her, waiting until she’d pushed the shirt aside for her hungry hands to caress his bare skin.
He wasn’t one for voyeurism, but something about those two fascinated him. The raw power they possessed together was something he craved. Perhaps, he would find a use for the wolf’s power before his time was through in this city.
He grinned, the pain in his side dimmed at the thought of power and finally getting what he wanted. For the first time in years, he would finally feel whole. The other druids never understood him. Most of them played along with the tree hugging neopagans, but now, he would show them exactly what they were missing. The raw unharnessed power one could feel from having a tattooed pet.
He wasn’t a malevolent man, but he desired obtaining the power meant to be his. This time, he would make it happen. Even if he needed help. If it came to that, he knew just the man to assist him, someone who shared his goals and mindset.
The wolf began to pull the girl’s shirt over her head, but the shirt only made it to her stomach before the wolf stopped. He looked at the window as if his instincts sensed Mahon watching them.
Mahon froze, not wanting to draw any more attention to himself.
But the wolf must not have seen him. He stood at the blinds, closing them without staring too deeply into the dark night. His gaze was all for the girl who inched her shirt up her stomach teasingly.
Mahon hadn’t felt desire for her when she’d been almost naked beneath him, yet something about that gesture stirred emotion in him.
He couldn’t tear his gaze from her flesh, especially the neat row of stitches on her torso where he’d sliced into her. That made her more interesting for some reason. He kept watching as the blinds closed until he couldn’t see her anymore. He cursed the wolf for closing the blinds. The thought frazzled him that he’d want to watch them fornicate, but perhaps it was a part of nature. Bloody hell, that’s what’d he tell himself at least.
He walked to his car. He wouldn’t stick around now. He’d seen enough. Trouble brewed between the girl and her wolf, and if anyone could use it to their benefit, he would.
Chapter Three
Connor knelt between Angelique’s knees, pressing kisses to her legs. He slid his hands over her boardshorts, tugging them up to expose more flesh. The fury raging in his beast since the conversation with John weren’t as important as this moment.
The last thing he needed was to snap at his mate. He’d damn near come close to hurting her, something he refused to do. That wasn’t the kind of man he was. Even with Monica, he never sought to harm her. She, on the other hand, liked pushing his buttons.
What the hell?
Monica was not the person to think of when he was about to make love to his girlfriend.
He rested his head in Angel’s lap, smelling the scent of her arousal. His cock was needy with the desire to please her. Yet the thoughts streaming through his head beat back the sexual emotions coursing inside him making him feel drained.
She ran her hands through his hair in soothing strokes. “Are you okay?” Worry filled her gaze, and he regretted the thoughts of Monica. Thousands of miles away, and she still managed to screw up his life.
“We don’t have to do this if you don’t want to.” Angelique smiled down at him, trying to be encouraging. “I’m okay either way.”
“No, it’s not that I don’t want to. I do want to make love to you. Maybe I have more going on in my mind than I realized. Sorry.” He slid his hand up her thigh, but she placed her hand over his, stopping him.
“I don’t want you to feel like you have to.”
“God, no.” He lowered his head to her lap again. “Why would you think that?”
She shrugged. “I don’t know. I’m confused about what happened. We were enjoying ourselves, and then you just stopped.”
He averted his gaze, shame rippling down his spine.
“Geez, Connor. Are you thinking about her? Why?”
“I’m supposed to hear more information later this week or early next week. I hope they’ll keep her in Alaska.” He sighed. “I’ve really screwed this evening up, haven’t I?” He grimaced and leaned back from her. “Part of me wonders if I should leave…if that might make things better, but I don’t want to risk your safety.”
“Stop worrying. You can’t control whether or not she stays banished. If you’re not up for sex, we can always watch a movie or something. If you’re still feeling horrible afterward, you can sleep on the couch.” He jerked his head up at that comment, but she curved her lips in a grin. “Ah ha. That got your attention.”
“You’re a naughty, naughty girl. Maybe you should be spanked.”
“Oh, really? Who says I wouldn’t like it?” She laughed.
Behind Angelique, Kira gave a low rumbling feline growl. Sounded like her familiar had a reaction as well, but he wasn’t used to the big cat enough to know whether the growl was good or bad.
“Hush, Kira.” Angel rolled her eyes. “Guess I’m the only one interested. Kira doesn’t like the idea of a canine dishing out some pain.”
“Maybe she hasn’t had the right canine dish it out yet.” He smirked, keeping up with the humorous moment. After earlier, he wanted some fun. While he wasn’t sure about spanking, who knew? If Angel wanted to try it, who was he to say no to a new adventure in the bedroom? Fifty Shades of Grey and BDSM were all the rage these days.
“That’s very true.” She winked. “So what movie do you want to watch?”
He glanced at the entertainment stand with her stack of D
VDs. “Hmm…action. I don’t think I feel like drama at the moment.”
She pressed a kiss against the top of his head. “I know what you mean. No more drama. Although, what kind of action?” she said with a wink, her voice sultry and erotic.
Oh, boy. His sexy little vixen wanted to play like that. He cared even less about a movie now. Seeing the spark in her eye, he wanted her like no one’s business. Monica be damned.
* * *
Connor laid Angelique onto her back. Seemed they weren’t watching a movie after all, which she definitely didn’t mind. What she wanted was to feel him inside her with his arms wrapped around her. She loved that playful look in his eyes.
Arguing wasn’t what she’d planned for the night. This was more like it. She wanted nothing more than to be squirming with pleasure under his naked body.
He dipped his head. At first a brush of lips, a slip of tongue, and then he probed her mouth, taking her with increasing intensity. For a moment, she could almost taste his wildness and the beast beneath his skin.
Kira huffed, sliding her tail over the skin of Angelique’s lower back.
Angelique sent a warning nudge to either sleep or behave. She wasn’t above forcing the matter this time, especially with her and him finally settling in. Her familiar didn’t like being put on notice, but maybe she’d developed a degree of thoughtfulness since she curled up on Angelique’s lower back as if the big cat wasn’t even there. The hum of her magic still thrumming through her veins remained the one constant.
“I think we’re going with action-action tonight,” he said. He trailed his lips down her cheek to her neck then to her shoulders. His hot hands caressed her bare waist beneath her tank top.
She loved the feel of his hot skin on hers. “Mmm… I can’t wait to feel how this action unfolds. What flavor of action shall we be getting ourselves into? Hmm?” Wow, she couldn’t believe how dirty she was talking tonight.