“Close enough.”
Minnie cursed. “What an ass. You should give it back to him by telling him how great human guys are so he knows how it feels. Tell him you hate sharp teeth and how you think growling is low class.”
“I don’t though.”
“But he doesn’t know that. When he mounts you, you tell him you like it the human-guy way. It’s different, right? I heard they’re all romance and talk you half to death and touch you like you’re made of glass. That would drive me crazy, and our guys aren’t into that shit. They’re into hot and hard sex. He’ll think he’s shit in bed since he can’t give you what you want.”
Mika laughed. “Too late for that.”
“You let him know how good he was?”
“You’re the best,” Mika admitted.
Minnie laughed with her. “Oh, you so didn’t tell him that.”
“I so meant it too.”
Minnie chuckled. “Well, do it anyway. Try. I’ll think up something. Shit. Omar walked in so I have to go. Call me if you need some girl time with high calories.”
“I love you.”
Mika hung up. She knew she couldn’t hide out in her room all damn day. She finally stood and walked to the bedroom door. She hesitated and then opened it. She saw Grady sitting on the couch, staring right back at her. He looked angry.
“Who called? Who was that on the phone? Who do you love?”
She hesitated, frowning at him, wondering why he was pissed. “Minnie.”
He visibly relaxed and the anger on his features melted away. “Why are you mad at me?”
“I don’t want to discuss it. I’m bored and want to go do something. I need to get out of the house for a little while.”
Grady shook his head. “I think we should stay here.”
“I don’t really give a damn what you think right now, to be honest.”
His jaw clenched. “You overheard my phone conversation, didn’t you? Is that what has you so mad? I called to let my friend know I wouldn’t be joining her for the weekend. I didn’t break your rule. I broke my date with her.”
Mika hesitated. “That’s not what upset me. But I’ve had some time to think about it and I’m not mad anymore, Grady.”
“You look mad and you smell mad.”
“I smell mad? Anger has a scent?”
“Yes. Fear, arousal, and even pain give off scents.”
“That’s disturbing.”
“Why?” He stood up slowly.
“Well, feelings are private, that’s why. Now, please take me to the movies. I want out of here and you can watch me from the back of the theater while I sit in the front.” Far away from you.
“I’m not taking you anywhere until you tell me what made you mad.”
“Fine. You want to do this? I don’t point out all of your shortcomings because you’re just a werewolf. I heard you on the phone, and I got that you clearly have a low opinion of humans. Since you didn’t seem to mind that so much when you were inside me, it pissed me off that it seems a big problem for you that you can’t have sex with me with fur on.”
He frowned. “I didn’t say that and I didn’t insult you in any way. I didn’t even mention you.”
She arched her eyebrow. “Okay. How would you feel if you overheard me talking to a guy I was supposed to spend the weekend with, and heard me tell him how much I wished I was with him, doing things that I know damn well you can’t do for me.”
His mouth tensed and his eye color turned black. “I can do anything to you that a human can do.” He took a step, and then another. “I can do it better.”
“Then swear to me that you can have sex with me, without a condom on, and not be tempted to bite me. Can you fuck me without having your teeth grow out or your eyes turning black? With human guys, I don’t have to deal with any of that shit.”
Anger tightened his face.
Mika studied him, realized she was trying to piss him off and knew it was dangerous. Werewolves weren’t known for control when they were angry. “I don’t want to fight with you. You’ve already made it clear that the only reason you’re having sex with me is because you were forced into it by protecting me.”
Grady inched closer. “You think I don’t want you? Look at me. Hell, feel me. I’m hard because I want you.”
“If you hadn’t been ordered to guard me, you wouldn’t be here. I wanted you, but you wouldn’t touch me until you were forced to bite me. If my uncle told you today he was pulling you from guarding me, you’d be out that door in a snap if you hadn’t bitten me. You sure wouldn’t be cancelling your weekend plans. You’d be chasing tail in the woods.”
His jaw clenched but he didn’t say a word. His dark eyes looked away from Mika, guilt crossing his features, and pain hit her hard.
“That’s what I thought. The token denial would have been nice though. Let’s go. I’m leaving with or without you.”
Chapter Seven
Grady’s bar wasn’t packed during the day. The female bartender was in her early thirties, had black short hair, startling green eyes, and four face piercings. Her nose, lips, and one eyebrow sported metal. She watched Mika curiously as Grady introduced them.
“Watch her, Tina. She’s Omar’s human niece and she’s aware of what we are.”
Tina’s nose twitched and she arched an eyebrow at Grady. “I see how the wind blows. I thought you were seeing―”
“That will be all,” Grady cut her off. “I’ll be in my office for a few minutes and then I’ll be back.” Grady glared at Mika. “Your ass doesn’t leave that seat. I don’t want a repeat of the other night. If you want to dance, wait for me and I’ll dance with you. I just need to take care of a few things while we’re in town.”
He walked away, leaving Mika with the bartender, who was still eyeing her carefully and thoughtfully. The woman leaned closer, meeting Mika’s gaze.
“He doesn’t do humans. You must be something in bed since he marked you.”
Mika ignored the comment. “May I please have a rum and Coke on ice?”
The woman moved away and a minute later she placed a drink in front of Mika. “You can’t hold him.” Tina gave her a cold look. “You can’t handle him for long. He’ll get tired real fast of a fragile human. He likes it rough. He likes to partially change because he doesn’t have to hold back or keep in control.” Tina smirked at her. “He’d break your bones just gripping you, if he didn’t tear you up inside going at you that hard.”
Mika took a sip of her drink and studied the bartender, trying to hide her anger and how hurtful the words were. “I’m thinking your eyes aren’t just green because you were born that way. I know it’s mating season. Were you hopeful he’d nail you? I bet it burns that he’s in my bed instead.”
A growl tore from Tina’s throat and sharp teeth showed. Mika leaned back. “Temper, temper, Tina. I’m Omar’s niece. He’d really be pissed if you laid a…paw on me. He’s very protective of me since we both know you’re a lot stronger and a fight wouldn’t be fair between us.”
Snarling, the other woman spun away and stomped to the other end of the bar. Mika knew she’d been a bitch but she was angry. It was bad enough she had to face that she wasn’t what Grady wanted, but to have it pointed out to her in graphic detail by the rude bartender had just pushed her bitch button.
Feeling watched, Mika turned and glanced around the bar. She saw about fifteen men in the room but, other than her and Tina, there were no other women. One of the men stood, gripping his beer, and started to walk toward her. When he was about five feet away, she saw him inhale, sniff at her. He froze. He sniffed again and then frowned. His gaze locked with hers and it was obvious he was confused.
“You’re sniffing right, Joey,” Tina called out. “He marked her. She knows what we are.”
Joey’s stunned gaze shot to Tina. “But…she’s…what the hell?”
Mika sighed and turned to face the bar to take a sip of her drink. The man was shocked that Grady had marked her. It
was just one more reminder that he would never accept her as a mate, since his friends were clearly shocked that she carried his scent.
Tina snorted. “Who knows, but he did it.”
Mika was surprised the entire pack hadn’t heard of how Grady was left with no choice but to mark her. Maybe Uncle Omar had silenced that rumor, because if anyone could do it, he could. Knowing her uncle, he didn’t want people talking about her. She was actually grateful for that secret at the moment. She had a good idea that if Tina knew Grady had been left with no choice, she would have said much worse to Mika.
“What’s going on?” Grady growled.
“Nothing,” Joey said. “I just got close enough to scent you on her.”
Mika glanced at Grady. He looked grim as he frowned at Joey. “And?”
“Nothing. I just didn’t think, well…she’s not your type. It’s one thing to fuck one of them, but to mark one?”
Grady growled low. “Respect her. She’s marked by me.”
Joey chuckled. “Ah. Someone went after your little girlfriend so you had to mark her to keep them away, didn’t you? I’d have done the same in mating season. Now we all know she belongs to you. I guess this one must be pretty good, for you to not want to share her. When you get tired of her, mind if I give her my number?”
Grady’s jaw clenched and he growled at the man.
“I take it that means I’ll just have to wait until you’ve moved on to the next one before giving her my number. I enjoy variety sometimes too.” Joey smiled and walked back to his table.
Grady’s dark gaze moved to Mika. He looked angry. “Let’s go.”
“I’m not done with my drink.”
Grady grabbed her drink off the bar and downed it in a few swallows. He slammed the empty glass on the bar and glared at her with black eyes. “It’s gone now.”
Mika took a deep breath and fought her anger. She figured he was embarrassed to be seen with her, and since his friends were giving him shit, he wanted to hustle her out of there fast.
“What about that dance?”
He growled low at her. “If you want to feel me holding you, we’ll do that at home. We’re leaving.” His hand clamped down on her arm.
Mika glared at his hand. “Let go.”
Grady growled deep and she saw his teeth growing a little longer as his lips parted. He was really pissed off now. His hold on her wasn’t bruising but it was damn firm. “I said let’s go, Mika. Now.”
“Fuck you!”
“You’re going to.” His other hand reached out and grabbed her around her waist. He yanked her off the barstool.
“Easy,” Tina mocked from somewhere close behind Grady. “You’re going to hurt the little human. Let her go and we’ll go into your office. You won’t hurt me, Grady. I like it rough.”
Grady’s head snapped around and he growled at the bartender. “Get your damn hands off my ass.”
“Want them somewhere else?” Tina softly growled back at him.
Grady released Mika and spun.
Mika heard a thump, a chair scraping, and then a whimper sounded. Grady growled and moved enough so Mika could see Tina. The woman was against the bar about six feet down and leaning on a barstool that was holding her up. Tina rubbed her side and growled at Grady. It was obvious that he had shoved the woman hard.
“Don’t ever do that again,” Grady warned Tina. “If I wanted your hands on me, I’d let you know.”
Tina glared at him. “You wanted me last week just fine against the Jeep out back. It’s mating season and I hurt for you! Smell me. I’m so fucking hot, I’m soaked from wanting you.”
Grady snarled. He spun and grabbed Mika by her arms and forced her toward the back door. He took a deep breath when they got outside and headed toward his Jeep.
“Get in and don’t piss me off more. You don’t want to see me lose my temper.”
She shut her mouth, more than a little shocked at the scene inside. Grady started the Jeep and punched the gas. He didn’t talk to her at all as he drove back to her house. When they got there, he shut off the engine, jumped out, and rounded the Jeep. Mika had barely released the seat belt before Grady grabbed her.
She gasped as she was tossed over his wide shoulder. He stomped toward her front door. “Keys, now.”
She had nearly lost her purse when he’d literally made her world go upside down. Her hands were shaking while she unclipped her keys from her purse and Grady jerked them from her fingers. He unlocked the door, stepped inside, and slammed it. He spun again, fast enough to make Mika a little dizzy, and then she squealed as he tore her from his shoulder. She landed hard on her feet. Grady’s eyes were black as he glared down at her.
He was on her in a heartbeat, grabbing her shirt with both hands. The material tore apart as he shredded it from her body and then spun her around. One hand came down on her back and the other went around her as he forced her over the back of the couch so she was bent over it.
He tore open the front of her jeans and both hands gripped the waist before he jerked them down her hips, hard. Her panties went with her jeans. She heard a zipper and then his knee pushed between her thighs. All she could do was gasp as Grady entered her from behind.
One of his hands gripped her shoulder while the other gripped her hip. He started to move inside her, hard and fast. She clawed at the couch cushions under her. Pain and pleasure slammed into her as hard as Grady did from behind. She heard sounds coming them both. His weren’t human, but hers weren’t entirely either. Grady pounded her body as he fucked her.
She felt him tense, his hips stilling, and then he jerked inside her, his hips bucking. He snarled when he came. She felt his cock throb inside her and he came hard enough that she could feel it as he shot streams of his cum into her. He stilled and then he withdrew from her body just as quickly as he’d entered her.
He released her and backed away, snarling a curse word.
She lay there panting, confused and sexually frustrated. Her legs were shaking. Her jeans bunched at her knees. She finally reached down to tug on them when she got a hold on her raging emotions. Mika straightened and looked down at her destroyed shirt. Her bra was intact. She turned her head to find Grady standing in the corner, facing it, and his pants were up. She stared at his back. She shook as she gripped the torn jeans to hold them up on her hips.
“I’m sorry,” he whispered.
Sorry?
Tears filled her eyes. She ached from how hard he’d fucked her, but worse, he’d left her high and dry sexually. It had hurt a little when he’d taken her that way but it had felt really good too. If he’d just touched her clit she would have come with him, or if he’d just lasted a little longer she would have come on her own.
She turned without saying a word and walked on wobbly legs to her bedroom. She closed the door softly and then made it to her bed, where she collapsed. Hot tears seeped out. She felt used…and it hurt.
The bedroom door opened but Mika kept her eyes shut. She was curled up on the bed in a ball on her side. The bed dipped from his weight and then his large body curled around her back. She tensed but then relaxed as Grady pulled her tightly into his arms, holding her.
“I’m so sorry I hurt you,” he whispered. His lips brushed her neck. “I’m a total bastard.”
She sniffed. “I’m fine.”
“You’re crying and I can smell your pain.”
“I don’t like being used. That’s what hurts.”
His hold on her tensed and then he pulled her firmer against his body, curling his more tightly around her. “I didn’t use you. I just wanted you too bad to have much control.”
“You used me. You fucked me and then couldn’t get away from me fast enough. You didn’t even care if I got off or not.”
“I’m sorry. I lost control and took you as though you were a wolf. When I realized what I’d done I was horrified. That’s why I pulled back and why I stopped touching you. I’m so sorry, Mika. Did I hurt you inside? I was so rough. Do y
ou need a doctor? I know I’m too much for you when I’m like that.”
She sighed. “Get over yourself, Grady. You didn’t break me. It was pretty great until you stopped.”
She heard him suck in air in surprise. His hands on her moved, massaging her hip and her arm. “Really?”
Mika opened her eyes and turned her head to meet his shocked gaze. “Really.”
He softly growled and his eyes darkened as she stared into them. The brown turned to black. “Take off your clothes. I’ll let you use me this time.”
She studied his eyes. “I don’t want to use you, Grady. I want to be with you. Be with you,” she repeated. “Share it all. Every touch. Every sensation. I want us to enjoy each other.”
His breathing increased. Mika wiggled away from him and got off the bed. She opened her torn shirt and let it drop. Her bra went next. She kicked off her shoes and shoved down her destroyed jeans and panties, stepping out of them.
Grady sat up and discarded his shirt and jeans. Naked, he sat on the bed, watching her.
“Did I make you sore?”
“A little,” she admitted.
Grady held out his hand to her. She didn’t hesitate putting her hand in his and letting him tug her back on the bed. He rolled her onto her back and stared at her. His long hair brushed her shoulder and tickled slightly.
“I can kiss it better.”
She grinned. “You didn’t use a condom. You’d taste yourself.”
“I don’t give a damn.” He reached for her knee. “I crave the taste and scent of us together.”
Mika gaze met his, as Grady shifted his body between her thighs. She spread wider for him. He slowly took in her body stretched out under him. Another growl came from his throat. He kissed her shoulder and then started to brush kisses down her body. He spent a lot of time at her breasts, his mouth hot and wet. He teased her nipples into hard nubs. His mouth kissed lower, over her rib cage.
By the time he pushed her thighs wide and fit his shoulders between them, Mika was hurting with need.
“I wish you were totally shaved,” he rasped. “Would you do that for me? I think you’d enjoy my tongue tracing over bare skin here.” He rubbed his jaw against the soft, short hair of her mons. “Now I’m going to lick you to within an inch of your life.”
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