by E A Price
Deanna tugged on his hand. “Uh, where are we going?”
Casey looked back at her and beamed. “It’s a surprise.”
She worried a little more with every step they took, but Casey just seemed to get more excited. He led her to the back door of one of the houses. Letting go of her hand, he bent down and started looking at the various rocks on the ground.
Deanna shivered and rubbed her arms. “What are we doing here, Casey?”
“A-ha!” Casey appeared to have found the rock he was looking for. He stood up and gave her a quick kiss on the lips. “Don’t worry, kitten, this is gonna be great.”
Her bobcat virtually rolled over to have her tummy rubbed, but Deanna had a sinking feeling.
He retrieved the key from the rock and soon opened the door. He pulled her inside, and she really started to worry.
“Umm, Casey…”
“Ta-da!” Casey waved his arm at the indoor swimming pool. “It’s ours for the entire night. The owners are at the opera in Alexandria. Isn’t this great?”
She couldn’t have been more surprised if Casey had just confessed to being Jack the Ripper. She rubbed her hands over her face. “Are you telling me that you’re the one who has been breaking into people’s houses and using their pools?”
He shrugged. “Well, not exactly breaking in, I used the keys, and I was just borrowing their pools when they weren’t using them.”
Deanna stared at him in disbelief. Good lord, she was in love with a criminal! “Alec’s looking for you, you know. The Mayor went ape-shit when you left a Baby Ruth bar in his pool.”
Casey snickered. “That was a stroke of genius, but I can’t take the credit for that, that was…”
He stopped on seeing Deanna’s horrified expression. Perhaps bringing a Sheriff’s Deputy here wasn’t the best plan. “That was someone who will remain nameless.”
She placed her tiny hands on her slim hips, and his wolf whined in glee. She looked damn good in that pose. “Let me guess. Was it Hunter? Or Jimmy? How about Darryl Tanner?”
Casey winced. “A-ha! So was it just you and Darryl? Or was anyone else involved?”
Truthfully, as well as him, it was, Hunter, Jimmy, Darryl, Eric Tanner and Craig Tanner. They didn’t mean any harm; it was just something to do. It started out as an accident. They were running through the woods and came to Rose Hill. They saw someone’s door ajar, so they went to investigate. The owners weren’t home, so they made sure no one else had broken in; they made use of the pool, and then they made sure the door was locked on the way out. It was better that they found it unlocked than someone else who might actually steal something. Since then, they’d done it a few more times, but even when Craig did make himself a sandwich, he left money behind to cover it.
That thing with the Mayor… that was perhaps a little spiteful. But, they had heard that the Mayor was kicking up a bit of fuss about the pack opening up new businesses. The Mayor was apparently worried that the pack was trying to take over the town completely. In truth, he was just worried that Adam wanted his job. Which wasn’t a surprise, everyone preferred Adam to the Mayor, and people were more like to go to the Alpha for help. He was much more approachable. Adam could easily get the job if he wanted it.
Casey hung his head for a few moments as his mate stared at him. He considered just leaving, but his wolf objected. His mate was too tense; she needed loosening up. If their encounters at O’Neill’s had proved anything, it was that she was capable of having a lot of fun, she just need to let herself go…
With that, Casey scooped her up and threw her in the pool. She squealed and thrashed around in the water. He was almost bent over in laughter, but he soon sobered when he noticed her splashes and splutters were becoming increasingly violent.
Fuck, she can’t swim! He dove into the pool and eagerly made his way to her. He clutched her to him. “I’m sorry, kitten; I’m so sorry.”
He stilled as he heard her sniggering. As slippery as a mermaid, she wiggled out of his arms and gracefully swam to the other end of the pool. “Sucker!”
His wolf growled joyously. She was okay and apparently in the mood for another chase. He grinned at her wolfishly and swam after her. She easily avoided him and swam laps around him, splashing him. Perhaps this was a chase he wasn’t going to win…
“Damn kitten, were you a fish in your former life?”
Her bobcat yowled in disapproval, so she slowed down and allowed him to catch her; it wasn’t like she really wanted to get away.
He pressed her against the edge of the pool, and she wrapped her arms round his shoulders. He took her mouth in a toe-curling kiss, eagerly tasting her sweetness. She moaned into his mouth. Who knew being with your mate would be so perfect?
When they finally drew apart, she licked her tongue over his cheek. “Mmmm you taste like, well, chlorine, but also pumpkin pie.”
He rubbed a thumb over her jaw. “So, how are you enjoying the pool?”
Deanna pursed her lips. Part of her, the responsible part, was annoyed at how much she was actually enjoying it. She always loved swimming as a child. The thought that they really shouldn’t be there, and that they had broken into someone else’s house niggled her. Yet, she was sort of enjoying being naughty. The way she had at O’Neill’s. It felt deliciously wicked…
“Welllll… it is kind of nice, but we really shouldn’t be here, we’re violating people’s privacy.”
Casey began flourishing kisses over her neck. “You’re right,” he murmured in between kisses, “I’ve been very bad…”
“Maybe we should go…” she breathed.
His hands made their way to her ass, and gently kneaded her willing flesh. She moaned into his ear, and he pushed his throbbing manhood against her stomach. She clutched at the edge of the pool, enjoying the added undulations of the water.
Her bobcat was almost purring. Even if Deanna did want to leave, she doubted her bobcat would let her. The animal was having far too much fun. “Or, maybe we could stay for a little while…”
Casey nipped her neck, enjoying her body writhing beneath him. “That’s my girl.”
“But I’m still mad about this,” she whispered, without much conviction.
“That’s alright; you can punish me later.”
They froze as they heard a siren blazing. Deanna closed her eyes. Shit, they had probably triggered a silent alarm. The siren became louder and louder.
“We have to go.”
They hurled themselves out of the pool and ran for the door. Before they went through, Casey grabbed her and pulled her to him, cradling her head in his hands.
“Listen carefully, you are going to run back to your car, grab all our stuff, and go home. Take a shower, go to bed, and I will call you in the morning. Then, you should go and collect my car, and pick me up from the Sheriff’s station.”
“What?!” Did he really think she was just going to leave him behind? “No, Casey, I…”
He growled at her forcefully; his wolf was just as anxious for her to be out of danger as he was. “We’re not going to get away from them, they’ll chase us. No arguments; just do it. I will handle this.” He said the words with as much dominance as he could muster, forcing her beast to submit to his.
She hesitated for a second before kissing him soundly. “I love you.”
With that, she turned and ran, squeaking as Casey patted one of her butt cheeks for good measure.
Casey grinned like an idiot as she shifted to her adorable bobcat and sprinted away. He was naked, and about to get arrested for breaking into someone’s house and using their pool, while the evidence dripped off his body. But he couldn’t give a crap.
His wolf roared ecstatically. His mate just told him she loved him, and that was all he cared about. Whatever came next, it was worth it.
Chapter Fourteen
20th January
Deanna burst into the Sheriff’s station. Everyone looked at her in surprise. Casey was sat chatting to his pack mates. D
eanna was surprised to see so many people at work.
Alec and Jake were standing over Casey with their arms folded and matching grim looks, while Casey was talking to Mac and Gabe, who were trying not to guffaw.
Casey’s face lit up when he saw her. “Kitten!”
He bounded toward her and pulled her into a devastating kiss. When he finally let her go, she blushed to see her work colleagues watching them with interest.
Deanna looked between everyone in confusion. “What’s happening?”
She had spent a restless night fretting over Casey. She was assailed by guilt over leaving him, and fear over what was going to happen. She had done exactly as he told her, and she desperately wished she hadn’t. How could she have been so selfish? Okay, if she had stayed, she probably would have lost her job, but she would have gotten over it… eventually.
Her bobcat had been surprisingly quiet all night. The beast had been waiting patiently to hear from their mate. As Casey predicted, he had called her from the station, and then Deanna had retrieved his jeep. At the moment he was wearing a pair of sweat pants and a too-tight t-shirt that proclaimed, ‘I’m with stupid.’ She guessed they were dregs from the lost and found.
She was pretty confused about why Casey hadn’t been arrested.
He wrapped his arms around her. “Let’s get out of here,” he whispered.
Deanna nodded and said a strained goodbye to everyone, before allowing Casey to pull her outside. She opened her mouth to ask him a question, but he shushed her, bundled her into his jeep and started driving.
“I’m so sorry,” she croaked.
“What for?”
Deanna held up her hands. “For just leaving you there to get arrested, I was such a coward.”
Casey raised an eyebrow. “You didn’t leave me, I told you to go. It was my responsibility to take the blame – I’m the man.”
“Uh, well, I’m the woman, so I should take half the blame.”
He pouted. “No, I have to take care of you.”
Deanna rolled her eyes. “Seriously? How’s the weather back there in 1954?”
He ignored her. “You did the right thing; I deserved to get caught – you didn’t.”
She rubbed her temples. “Yes I did, I broke in there with you…”
“No,” he told her, firmly. “I made you do it, and besides, I’d done it a dozen times before. I told them it was just me who broke in. It wasn’t worth you losing your job over.” His wolf rumbled in agreement; he would do anything to protect her.
“I feel so guilty.”
Casey smirked. “Well, I guess we’ll just have to find a way for you to make it up to me…”
Deanna harrumphed. “I meant I feel guilty about not telling Alec. It’s a lie by omission. And I take it, that means that none of the other boys who did with you are going to get in trouble?”
“No way, I’m not a snitch.” Alec had asked him over and over who else had been a part of it, but Casey was adamant that it was only him. He didn’t want to get his friends in trouble, but more importantly, his mate had to be kept out of it at all costs.
He looked to her, she was biting her fingernails. “You shouldn’t feel guilty, think of it as making up for lost time. I’m guessing you weren’t wild when you were kid.”
“I’ve only started acting wild since I met you…”
“You’re welcome.” He flashed her a cocky grin.
“Why weren’t you arrested, by the way?”
Casey snickered. “Are you sure you want to know?”
“Yes!” she exclaimed.
“It was the Mayor; he persuaded the other homeowners not to press charges. He smoothed the whole thing over with Alec.”
“Why the hell would he do that?”
“Well, the second time we went to the Mayor’s house…”
Deanna frowned. “Second time? No, the Mayor’s house was only broken into once.”
Casey flashed her a patient smile. “No, he only reported it, once. The second time, he was supposed to be out of town with his wife, but he came home early.”
“And…” God, he was loving this.
“He was taking a little naked swim with his secretary.”
Deanna’s jaw dropped. “You’re joking!”
“No, hand on heart, I am telling the truth. Of course, the Mayor didn’t want his wife to find out, so we reached a little agreement. He said he promised to get us out of trouble if we ever got caught, and we promised not to tell his wife.”
“Gee, I feel sorry for his wife.”
Casey harrumphed. “Don’t waste your time; a year ago she was sneaking around town with one of my pack mates, Bryce. Besides, the secretary’s moved away, and Jolene has her job now.”
She watched him through narrowed eyes. “So let me see, breaking and entering, unlawful use of another person’s property and now blackmail. I had no idea my mate would turn out to be a criminal mastermind.”
His wolf roared in delight. “You just admitted I’m your mate.”
She flushed as her bobcat howled joyously. “Yeah, I guess I did.”
“Hang on, we’re almost there.”
Deanna dug her claws into the seat as the road turned into makeshift tracks, and Casey pulled up in front of a quaint cabin.
“Where are we?”
“My place.”
He jumped out of the jeep and ran around to open her door, carefully lifting her to the ground. He took her hand and led her inside. She smiled at how charming and homey it was. Although, she could have done without the Scarlett Johansson poster.
She suddenly felt very shy. “Not that I’m complaining, but what are we doing here?”
Casey pulled the tight t-shirt off, and Deanna sucked in a breath at the acreage of yummy muscle. “I figured we could spend the day together. I think it’s the least you can do for me, all things considered…”
He gave her a puppy dog pout while she gave him a sour smile. “Actually, that would be nice, and it is my day off.”
“I’m just gonna have a wash, why don’t you make yourself at home and then we can decide what we want to do today.”
She nodded, and he tweaked her ass. Lord he had trouble keeping his hands off her. He divested himself of the sweat pants; her eyes almost bugged out to see how aroused he already was. He winked, before sauntering to the bathroom. She watched the bobbing of his taut ass with something akin to worshipping adoration.
Deanna but her lip as her bobcat rolled over, yipping excitedly. She felt a twinge of apprehension at what she was about to do, but she smothered it was lust. She’d wanted this since the words ‘I love you’ tumbled from her lips the previous night. And it wasn't like they hadn't done this before. There was no point in being coy now.
She slipped out of her clothes and followed Casey into the bathroom.
She stood at the door, leaning against the frame, her violet eyes twinkled. “Maybe we could start what we finished last night,” she drawled huskily.
Casey felt blood surging to his manhood and his wolf howled to the sky.
Deanna walked over to him, hips swinging, and she ran her hands over his chest before planting small kisses over him. He gripped her arms and let out a guttural groan.
She let out a tinkling laugh, before sliding out of his grasp. She bent over and turned the faucet on to fill the bathtub, squirting some bubble bath in there. She was amazed he had any. “We may not have a pool, but we have the next best thing.”
“Oh, kitten.”
He buried his head in her shoulder and inhaled deeply. He shuddered at the violet scent. He wanted nothing more than just to throw her down and take her and bond with her, but... “Will you bond with me?”
She tensed slightly. “I want to, but I just…”
He pulled her flush against his body. His chest hair tickled her back; one hand snaked round her and sought out her mound while the other caressed her breasts. She sighed as his fingers sank into her wet channel. “That’s okay; I can wait.”
>
Her breathing started to hitch as his fingers twirled within her, and his other hand kneaded her breasts. “We will… and soon… I just…”
His wolf growled contentedly. He had his mate, she acknowledged he was her mate, and she agreed they would bond, soon. He was pacified and prepared to allow the man total control. For now. “Shhhh, let’s just enjoy ourselves.”
She gasped, and her body started trembling. He quickly removed his fingers, and she mewled in protest.
He chuckled and turned off the faucet. “Another minute and we’d be underwater.”
Casey climbed into the tub and lifted her in, so she was straddling him. She picked up a sponge and began smoothing it over his body, all the while delighting in the feel of his hard cock underneath her.
He ran his hands all over her body as he kissed and nibbled on her shoulders and collarbone. She swiped the sponge down his torso and teased it over his straining arousal. He groaned and gripped her hips. His eyes flashed to amber, and he bit down on her flesh with surprising strength, making her squeal in surprise.
“Fuck, kitten, I can’t wait…”
He lifted her hips and swiftly impaled her on his thick length. Deanna cried out at the sudden feeling of fullness and grasped his shoulders to steady herself.
Casey held still for a few moments, enjoying being joined so intimately with his mate. He smiled as her violet eyes shimmered to the yellow of her beast, and he caught her mouth in a kiss as he began thrusting inside her.
Her body rippled around him, and she pushed herself down on him as he plunged inside her again and again. He growled as she contracted her muscles around him, and his claws flexed, piercing her skin and pushing him to take her with more force.
He marveled as Deanna let out the most exquisite little moans every time he took her to the hilt. Pleasure burned within him as his wolf howled at him, urging him on. Her own claws lengthened, pushing their way into his shoulders as her body began its own trembling ascent to release.
Casey, fearing he couldn’t last much longer, reached a hand between them and pressed his thumb against her tender nub, lightly massaging it. She moaned and lifted herself up and down feverishly, eagerly seeking completion. The water splashed around them with their frenzied motions.