Untamed Shifter Love

by C. L. Scholey

  Mary’s eyes fluttered open for a moment before they closed again. Joslyn managed to get some more water into her friend. “Kane said not to take her to the hospital, but are you sure he’s right?”

  “Very sure.” Barbara gave her a sad smile. “Kane also told me he gave you his protection, but you haven’t accepted.”

  Heat rushed into Joslyn’s cheeks. She kept her gaze on Mary to avoid looking at Barbara. “He did, and I haven’t.”

  “Is it because we’ve fostered you? There’s no blood tie, sweetheart.”

  That almost sounds like she’d be all right with Kane and I. Joslyn looked up. There was no anger or judgment on Barbara’s face, only love.

  “I love you. I do.” Barbara reached in the truck and touched Joslyn’s shoulder gently. “I also love my son. I’ve known for a long time he’s had his heart set on you and you for him. When I saw the ring, I thought maybe you’d changed your feelings. Do you love my son?”

  “I—” Awkward, so awkward. “I do. But I love and respect you and Michael. I don’t want to destroy the bloodline or the succession. The pack would never accept a bitten as alpha.”

  “Whatever you decide, just know I love the both of you, no matter what.”

  Barbara stepped away from the truck as Kane came running out, fully clothed. Damn it! His butt is amazing. He opened the driver’s door and hopped in, then turned on the ignition and backed the truck up so he could speed down the driveway.

  “Father needs me. I’m taking you and Mary to her house. I want you to stay there until I come back. I don’t want you walking alone. I’ll be back, I promise.”

  “I can help.”

  He glanced at her, grinning. “I know you could. You’re a tough woman, but Mary needs you more. I hate leaving you, but I need to help my father get this under control. I need to make the town safe again, for you. Have you decided yet, to accept?”

  She looked away. “No.”

  “Joslyn—”

  “Give me time. I don’t want you making any lifetime commitments under duress.”

  Kane growled. He parked in front of Mary’s house and took the ill woman from Joslyn and carried her inside. Mary’s mother looked at Joslyn as if she’d been the one to poison her daughter. Kane gave the woman a single dark look, and Mary’s mother backed down. Kane left without another word, and Joslyn stood there with her heart breaking.

  Chapter 8

  The breeze blew through Joslyn’s hair, and the overcast sky threatened rain. Kane’s message said to go to the meadow behind the old Connor barn, and she’d been waiting for over an hour. Three weeks had passed since Michael’s cleanup crew erased all traces of drama from the property.

  Joslyn sat with her copy of The Gazette. Her first story, spinning the pack war into illegal dog fighting, ran on the front page. Her byline made her smile every time she saw it.

  A pop and flash startled a gasp from Joslyn. She looked up from the paper to find Kane standing in front of her with his camera. He took another photo. “Beautiful.”

  She blinked because the square flashbulb blinded her. “How do you know? That’s not developed yet.”

  “Because it’s you, and you are the most beautiful woman I know.”

  “You should get out more.” She chuckled. “You’re crazy.”

  The smile slid off his face. “I am,” he said seriously. “You’re driving me crazy. Do you accept my protection?”

  A warm summer rain started to fall. Kane took her hand and pulled her to her feet, and they ran across the field. When he pulled her into the Connor barn she gasped. Candles sat in jars all over the space. At least a dozen bouquets of wildflowers decorated the decaying barn. A big, checkered tablecloth was spread over the floor and in the middle was a vase with a single red rose and a picnic lunch.

  Joslyn turned in a circle to take in the entire effect of Kane’s efforts. “Wow, this is amazing.”

  He grinned. “Thank you.”

  Kane pulled her close. Joslyn closed her eyes as he kissed her until she was breathless. When he pulled back his eyes were glowing.

  “Have you told Archer no?”

  She shook her head. “He’s overseas with his family. I’ll tell him when he gets back. He sent me a letter, but I haven’t written him back. This is something I want to tell him in person.”

  Kane nodded. “I understand. I have one more question.” He got down on one knee. “Joslyn Jamison, will you accept my protection? I promise to care for you and keep you safe until the day I die. I promise to provide for you. I will allow our children to choose if they want to be human or werewolves and accept what they decide. Do you accept me?”

  Her heart beat fast. It’s time to put him out of his misery. She drew in a deep breath. “Yes, I love you and I accept your protection. I just hope Michael will forgive us.”

  “He will.” Kane shrugged. “I’ve loved you for a long time, and I’m sick of pretending I can live without you. I don’t care that you’re human, and we can have a traditional wedding ceremony if that’s what you need to know that you’re mine.”

  “I am yours. My heart has always known it. I don’t need anything more than this moment to be your mate. It’s so weird. Mate. Weird.”

  “If it feels more natural to say ‘husband’, I don’t mind. That’s what I am. We’re united for the rest of our lives. The vow I made is forever.”

  Her heart melted. “You do romance well.”

  He laughed. “If you like this, just wait until our clothes come off.”

  She rolled her eyes. “Typical male.”

  Kane laughed, sounding more carefree than she’d ever heard him. He swept her up in his arms. The afternoon darkened and thunder cracked in the distance. The pitter-patter of rain grew from gentle to squall. Water dripped through the leaky ceiling, but miraculously the picnic was set in the perfect spot. A few of the candles sputtered and died as the rain found them, but most stayed lit. The storm was the perfect backdrop to her turbulent emotions. Everything about her wolf was wild and unpredictable, and the excitement—danger—turned her on.

  “I’m going to make love to you, claim you completely. You have no idea how hard it’s been for me. We’re different than humans, and there is a struggle between animal and man that some find harder to win than others. You’re married to both my natures.”

  She shivered, his words adding fuel to her desire. “I can’t believe we’re doing this. I feel like I’ve waited my whole life.” Joslyn reached up and touched his stubbled cheek.

  “I know exactly what you mean.”

  Kane pulled the pins from her hair, carelessly dropping them on the rustic boards at their feet. She gazed up at him, mute with surprised. The French twist came free as her hair fell around her shoulders. He looked at her with something deeper than lust and hotter than love. Her insides convulsed with the prickling desire as arrows of electricity darted through her core.

  Kane ran his thumb over her lower lip. “I never imagined I’d claim a pretty, blonde human as my mate.”

  When Kane’s lips came down to meet hers she melted in his arms. All she wanted to do was please him and make him happy. His subtle, spicy scent infused the moment, and she moaned against his lips. Nothing mattered but his kiss. Joslyn’s lips parted, and she didn’t pull away when Kane’s tongue explored her mouth. Instinct roared to life, and she twined her tongue with his as his arms tightened around her. It was pure bliss.

  She slid her hands up and wrapped them around his neck. Primitive sensation stirred something deep inside her, and she relished his taste. She didn’t know what it felt like to be a wolf, but human lust made her an animal too. She groaned deep in her throat and her heart pounded. Joslyn ran her hands up his biceps until they rested on the top of his shoulders.

  Kane pulled back and gazed down at her. She saw a spark of something terrifying and wonderful in his eyes. Desire made her aware of the wet heat dampening her panties. Heat crept up her neck to warm her cheeks. In her entire life, she could ne
ver remember being this turned on. His hands cupped her lower back, and she felt delicate in his grasp. He kissed her with a demanding savagery that stole her breath. She’d never responded so completely to a kiss. This was primal, hot. She wanted him. Bad.

  He growled low in his throat. Instead of scaring her, the sound intensified her response. Whimpering against his mouth, she pressed her body closer. Her pussy ached and convulsed. Emptiness. The kiss was so much. She felt him through her entire body. She peered at him in the candlelight. His features looked rugged and fierce in the shadows.

  “What are you doing to me?” Joslyn moaned.

  Her breathing became uneven panting. Something hard pressed against her hip. Kane was as affected as she was. The proof of his desire marveled her. He was the hottest guy she’d ever seen, and he wanted her.

  He pulled back. “You’re beautiful,” he raggedly breathed the words against her cheek. “Joslyn Jamison, you are my mate.”

  Burning need scalded her soul, and she clung to Kane as he pulled her into his embrace. He kissed her throat, and she arched her back.

  “Mine.” His voice rumbled with a timbre so deep she shivered.

  Mate. His mate.

  “Too much fabric.” She yanked his black t-shirt out of his waistband. Her hands ran up his tight, muscular abs.

  Kane shrugged out of his shirt. She heard the zipper, and then he worked his jeans off his hips and kicked them into the darkness. Her hands still caressed his chest. Touching him was the most fun she’d had in far too long. His body was like her private amusement park where she didn’t have to wait in line to ride.

  Best. Day. Ever.

  A thin patch of wiry hair between his nipples trailed down to his belly button. The ab muscles under her hands rippled. She traced the path. He growled, and she couldn’t stop the quiet laugh that bubbled up.

  He grinned, chuckling. “Why don’t I scare you?” Then the smile slid off Kane’s face. “I vow to be careful with you, woman.” He kissed the crook of her neck.

  Joslyn sighed with pleasure. “This terrifies me, but you don’t. I know you won’t hurt me. You’ve always been my protector, long before I was ready to accept it.”

  Kane made a sound that was a cross between a laugh and a growl. His hands reached around to her back, and he held her close. He kissed slow and tentative before devouring her. She pictured Little Red Riding Hood being swallowed by the wolf as they kissed, and the image made her smile against his mouth. She could press her lips to his forever.

  When Kane looked at her she couldn’t stop the fleeting moment of doubt and self-consciousness. He grinned and reached out to cup her cheek with his palm.

  “Why do you look so serious?” he whispered.

  “Because you’re way too amazing for me, and I’m scared you’ll wake up tomorrow and regret picking me. I’m all wrong for you.”

  “You’re perfect,” he insisted, tilting her face up to look at him. “You smell like everything I need. I’ll never stop wanting you, I swear.”

  A loud crack of thunder shook the barn. He brushed her lower lip with the pad of his thumb. Joslyn closed her eyes and inhaled the spicy scent of his aftershave. “Is this really happening?”

  “Hell yes,” he replied in a tone strained with need. “Now who has too much fabric?” Kane asked as he slowly unzipped the back of her wrinkled floral dress.

  The cotton slipped from her shoulders with nothing but a shrug. The cloth pooled around her ankles on the ancient, dusty boards. He looped his fingers in her yellow lace panties and yanked. She moaned as the fabric brushed against her labia. He undressed her with passionate violence. She was too turned on to scold him for his expensive display of lust.

  His hands cupped her ass cheeks before sliding up her back. Kane unhooked her matching bra with a few quick tugs, and the fabric floated down to join the rest of her clothing as she stood as naked as Eve. Something primitive inside of her relished the breeze against her nude flesh. Hedonistic, this moment was sensual perfection as a few drops of warm rain dripped on her and rolled down her back.

  The pads of his fingers brushed her nipples as he took her breasts in his hands. He stroked them until she groaned and arched into his touch. Then his fingers moved to skim her sides before his palms rubbed against her back. He pulled her close, and his erection pressed against her belly.

  Joslyn reached out and took his length in her hand. He was hard, and the velvet sensation of his skin in her palm was silken steel. He was hot; even his dick was beautiful. She stroked him in a slow rhythm, and he growled deep in his chest. Grinning, she enjoyed her newfound power as she watched his eyes half-close and darkened with lust.

  Kane pulled her close, fast, as he groaned with pleasure. One of his large hands cupped the back of her head. His mouth savaged hers, and images of him pumping into her with animalistic passion played like a porno in her brain. She moaned into his mouth as he controlled the kiss. His fingers tangled in her loose hair as he clutched her head to his.

  Joslyn trailed her right hand down his shoulder and chest and traced the defined muscles of his abdomen. His mouth went to her breast, and he kissed her nipple reverently before drawing it in and sucking hard.

  When her fingers found the length of his cock, she tightened her grip with careful precision. He sucked in a breath and let it out with a groan that was almost a sigh. She explored his erection and sac with her fingers. Pleasure made her shiver as he ran his teeth over her nipple. She closed her eyes and rubbed her hand faster up and down his length.

  He moved to devour her other nipple, drawing it into his mouth.

  She cupped his sac, and Kane inhaled in a quick breath.

  “You deserve better than this,” he whispered in her ear before kissing her neck. “I should have taken you someplace nice in the city. I don’t want to fuck you. I want to make love to you. Wolves mate for life.”

  “Nothing could be better than this.” Images of luxury beds and sunny beaches teased the edges of Joslyn’s thoughts, but she’d melt into a puddle if he didn’t quench her need. She didn’t want to wait to consummate the bond. “I want you right here and right now.” Her voice was strained with raw need.

  He growled, and the sound was almost menacing. He pulled away just long enough to pick her up.

  Kane looked deeply into her eyes. “Is this really what you want? I want this to be perfect for you. I’ve waited a long time, and I can wait a little more. When we’re old and gray I want you to remember our first time together as the moment I showed you how much I love you.”

  Joslyn nodded fiercely and bit her lip. “You’ve already shown me. This is us. This is better than a five-star honeymoon suite.”

  Kane pushed the picnic away carelessly as he laid her down on the cloth. They never broke gazes. He was so gentle with her, and she felt cherished. She didn’t know what to do with the emotions bubbling up inside her. Tears prickled behind her eyelids.

  She didn’t resist as he parted her thighs and dropped a kiss just under her navel before his head dipped between her legs. His rough tongue slowly loved her clit. Joslyn’s hips jerked, but he held her steady and continued. His hands clasped onto her sides, and he held her still as his strokes became a rapid assault of sensation. She closed her eyes and let her body respond to him in a mindless joy. She squirmed, but he held her firmly.

  He leaned on his arm and looked down at the apex of her legs. “I can smell how much you want me.” He uttered the words with a veneration that stole her breath and made her hotter before nibbling on her clit in a rhythmic pain-pleasure that forced a long moan from her.

  “Kane,” she wailed. “More.”

  He worshiped her with his tongue. Each stroke pushed her farther than she’d ever gone before. In the past something had always kept her from achieving release, but that indefinable thing wasn’t standing in her way this time. She shattered against his mouth, and the whimpers turned into cries. She turned her head to the side and pressed the back of her hand against her m
outh to stop the escalating volume.

  Joslyn panted as Kane rolled her on top of him. He took both her breasts into his hands and rolled her nipples gently between his fingers while gazing up at her face. Her fingers tangled in his dark, silky hair.

  I’m his!

  Kane’s eyes glowed brighter as she lowered herself slowly and worked herself onto him. He groaned as she began to ride him. His left hand stayed at her breast, but his right hand snaked down to find her clit. He rubbed her pleasure point as her tight heat slid up and down on his length. As she moved faster, he rubbed her harder. Kane’s hips matched the rhythm she set, and he thrust deeply inside her core as she moved on him.

  They united with hedonistic perfection, and when she came this time, it was so blindingly intense she sobbed his name like a prayer. Instead of quenching her need, the orgasm only whetted her hunger for more of him. She wanted his cock and moved so that her pussy hovered just over his erection.

  She rolled onto her hands and knees. He thrust back inside of her, and to her delight, the pleasure rekindled. He held her hips and roughly took her. Every thrust hit her at the perfect angle. His body fit hers perfectly, and his stamina brought unshed tears that blurred her vision.

  “I’m so close,” Joslyn wailed, thrashing under Kane.

  Kane pumped into her harder. Joslyn had no complaints as the pleasure built until another orgasm had her crying out. He wrapped her hair around his hand and pulled her head back. She was pliable and submissive as he kissed her neck, and she wailed with the force of her release. Joslyn reveled in the tumultuous gratification of a true orgasm. Pleasure possessed her mind, and nothing mattered but sensation.

  Behind her closed eyelids, she saw sparks and was lost to Kane as her body responded completely to his mastery. Her pussy clenched, and she bucked. Everything felt so good. His passionate attention almost hurt as he kept going with relentless vigor. Joslyn wailed as the indescribable power of the carnal thrill assaulted her senses.