by Zoe Chant
With one last look, Alison slide past him through the door. Her scent lingered in the air and he followed it without a thought.
Inside, the apartment smelled even more intensely of Alison. Her den. Gage inhaled deeply and felt something in his chest settle as a quiet place opened inside him. He hadn’t even been aware that place existed. His bear rumbled.
Alison’s apartment was much smaller than his place, but he’d expected that. It had a cozy feel, cluttered with books and records and piles of bright pillows and lap blankets. The walls were painted a pale golden color like the morning sun.
He stood in the entryway and watched Alison putter around, slinging her bag on a chair, setting her cat down on the couch and giving him a skritch about the ears. It felt domestic and intimate, and it made his heart ache with longing.
“Can I make you breakfast?” The offer was out of his mouth before he even knew he was thinking it.
Alison straightened and gave him a sweet, surprised smile. “Shouldn’t I be offering?”
Gage grinned helplessly at her. “Consider it repayment for letting me poke around.”
“Well,” Alison said, starting to yawn. “Tell you what. I’ll make us some coffee and you can do whatever you want about breakfast.”
“Sounds perfect.” Gage turned to make sure the front door was securely locked, and noted that the deadbolt had seen better days. He’d have to tighten that up before he left.
God, he didn’t want to ever leave. Except maybe to take Alison to his den. But it was much too early to think about that. Someday. Soon, maybe. He wanted her to meet the clan.
In the kitchen, Alison was running water into the coffee pot. She had taken off her shoes, and her socks were blue with pink polka dots. She leaned on one leg and crossed the other behind her to rub at the opposite calf. It was such a cute, thoughtless motion that Gage couldn’t help smiling.
He let his eyes rest on her back, on the sweet skin peeking out at the nape of her neck. He wanted her to be his, wanted to provide for her. “Is it all right if I have a look in the fridge?”
“I have some eggs, I think,” she said, frowning over her shoulder. “Um, but, it’s— let me get them.”
Gage nodded, and settled against the counter. He had to go at her pace. And above all, not forget why he was here.
From what Gage could see of the fridge, Alison ate a lot of takeout and frozen food. She obviously worked long hours, so he could guess why. Still, she deserved a home-cooked meal.
Alison glanced over at him, looking embarrassed. “I’ve got half a carton of eggs, some tomatoes, half an onion, and some spinach that looks a little wilted. I’m sorry.”
“Why? That sounds just fine. I can make a nice omelet. You got any cheese?”
“Uh, yeah. Shredded cheddar?”
“Perfect.” Gage nodded, reaching for a pan. “Sounds delicious.”
“I try to eat well, but I just don’t have much time to cook. Plus I really crave carbs after work.” Alison blushed as she deposited the ingredients on the counter.
“I get it,” Gage tried to assure her. “It’s comfort food, and you need that after a long day. You’re allowed to eat whatever makes you happy. No judgment from me. After all, shifters are big eaters. You wouldn’t believe the amount of hash browns I can put away.”
“Ooh! I think I have some in the freezer,” Alison said, grinning conspiratorially.
“Better get those out.” Gage’s stomach rumbled loudly. “You just sit tight and I’ll have a breakfast feast for us in no time.”
***
Alison moaned. “Oh my God, this is heaven.” Her voice sounded warm and full-bodied, like a satisfied woman.
It made Gage hard. He fought the urge to lick over her lips, into her mouth, and capture that sound for himself. What he would do to her if she let him...
He cleared his throat thickly and took a swig of coffee. “Good?”
Alison’s smile flirted with him over the edge of her mug. “So good. I haven’t had anything this good in months.”
He wondered if she had any idea of what she was doing to him.
Alison scraped up the last of her omelet, rounded it out with the crispy hash browns, and sat back with a sigh.
“I’m happy to make you breakfast any time.” Gage watched her with pleasure, his bear preening at their mate’s satisfaction.
“I didn’t mean to imply… Thank you. That’s very nice of you.” Alison flushed and licked her lips. “But there’s no need, I promise.” She looked up at him squarely. “Honestly, I’m still not convinced there’s even a need for you to do this investigation. How is it supposed to work, exactly?”
Gage leaned forward, elbows on the table, fingers tented. This was business. Time to stop merely basking in Alison’s presence and start protecting her. “I’d be grateful if you could start by telling me why you think your stalker isn’t such a big deal. I admit I don’t get it. Personally, I’m very concerned for you.”
Alison’s eyes widened. “Stalker? No, I wouldn’t call him that. Did Tom say that?”
“He did, and from what I’ve heard, I think he’s right. Even if this guy hasn’t escalated to threats yet, his M.O. matches up, in my experience.”
Alison folded her hands on the table and frowned down at them, fiddling with her nails. “Here’s the thing. Maybe I’m imagining things. I mean, look at me. If this guy was following me around, you’d think he’d notice I don’t exactly look like how I sound on the radio.”
Gage’s brow wrinkled. “What do you mean?”
“You know. My radio voice is sexy. But I’m…” Her cheeks flushed and she looked away.
Gage stared. His gaze caught on Alison’s full lips, trailed down to the dark hollow between her breasts, and snapped back up to her wide gray eyes. “I’m sorry?”
Alison bit her lip. “You don’t have to do that. I know myself. I’m not hot. Maybe I have a pretty face, but that’s it.”
“Who the hell told you a lie like that?” Gage was furious suddenly. His bear growled. The idea that someone had insulted his mate— had made her feel less than gorgeous, less than the stunningly sexy woman she was— was unacceptable.
Alison stared, seemingly stunned by his vehemence. “No one. Well, some guys. And my mother. But it’s true. It’s not the end of the world. Some people have bigger problems.”
Gage shook his head, disbelieving. “Sure, some people are the kind of assholes who would insult the sexiest woman I’ve ever seen. That’s a bigger problem.”
Her jaw dropped.
Good job keeping things professional, Gage thought. He rubbed his temples. “I apologize. I crossed a line. I just don’t think you, uh, have been accurately informed.”
Alison swallowed.
He watched her pull in a deep breath. He tensed.
“Well,” she said slowly, as if feeling out the thought. “In that case. Would you like to inform me?”
Chapter Three
Alison’s face felt like it was on fire.
Did I really just ask him that? What happened to me?
She couldn’t think of the last time she’d propositioned someone. Maybe she never had. But Gage was brain-meltingly hot, as evidenced by her sudden brain meltdown. Could he really think she was hot? If she’d misunderstood him, she’d die of embarrassment.
Gage didn’t seem to mind, though. His voice was low and rumbly when he asked, “Are you sure you want me to? I can be a bit... much.”
Alison gasped, her core clenching in anticipation. It had been so long. She raised her eyes to his and saw the warmth of his dark gaze stoke into a burning heat.
“Yes,” she breathed, feeling that heat burst through her body. “I want it.”
Gage rounded the table to stand over her, eyes blazing down. Alison could see the thick hardness in his dark jeans. Her fingers itched to touch, to hold his strength and heat in her palm. She could almost feel how he would breach her, rub up against the tender, slick places inside where she longed to be filled.<
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A trickle of wetness stuck her panties to her skin, chafing in just the right way. Alison whimpered and wriggled against it. She felt like she might come before he even get those sexy hands of his on her.
She inhaled deeply. “I’m—”
Gage’s palm touched her neck, holding her pulse point as if he could sense how close she was. “Don’t worry. I plan on touching you all over. You come whenever you need. I’ll just keep going.”
Alison shook, overwhelmed by the tenderness in his rough voice. She raised her face to him, watching the sharp planes of his jaw flex as he swallowed.
His gaze traced her face. He leaned down and pressed his mouth to hers. He licked at her hotly, licked inside her, then pulled back, leaving her wet. She followed him instinctively, needing. His hand smoothed over her cheek, gently caressing.
“You’re so beautiful,” he told her, low and rumbly.
Alison gasped, tears springing to her eyes at the well of unexpected emotion in her chest. She wasn’t like this normally— she didn’t let herself feel so deeply. Somehow this was different. Gage was different. She felt small sitting beneath him, protected, but also large, heart split open wide.
“You’re gorgeous,” he continued, eyes keen on her face.
No one had ever said those words to her. She hadn’t thought she needed to hear them. She had thought that she knew who she was, understood herself— but now she wasn’t sure she’d known at all. It was shocking to feel so vulnerable, but gazing up at Gage, Alison wasn’t frightened by it. It was exhilarating. She wanted him.
Gage smiled calmingly as he met her eyes. His thumb brushed over her lower lip and stroked the sensitive skin inside. He tugged lightly on it, leaving behind the taste of salt and wood smoke.
Alison licked her lip, wanting more. She could still feel him there. She opened her lips, begging without words.
Gage paused, eyes hungry. Then, slowly, he slid his index finger into her mouth, gaze sharp as she took him inside.
Alison felt strong and excited by the look in his eyes. She sucked on him and rubbed her tongue along his thick finger. She closed her eyes and imagined how he would curse and buck when she took his cock like this. She couldn’t wait to see it, to feel his strength on her tongue, to make him hers. To prove to him that she could take it. She throbbed just thinking of it.
His finger retreated and she moaned, licking the tip as it left her empty.
Gage breathed, eyes flickering shut briefly. When they opened again, he caught her chin and pulled her face up again, a proud look in his eyes.
Alison felt his pride rise within her. She wanted to give herself to him. Her thighs opened. Her nipples ached. Instinctively, she pushed her breasts forward, liking how he tracked the motion.
Gage growled. “You’re the sexiest thing I’ve ever seen. I want to see you bare yourself for me.”
Alison trembled, heart kicking. His need thrilled her. “Yes,” she answered huskily, and for the first time she felt as sexy and powerful as her voice sounded.
Oh. It was a sudden and stunning realization. She’d waited her whole life to feel this way. Through countless miserable blind dates, through awkward hook-ups and mornings after, through radio auditions and events where she felt judgmental eyes on her figure.
And now Gage looked at her like she was everything he desired. Like she fulfilled the sensual promise of her tone, surpassed it even.
He wants me, her mind sang. She felt a brightness grow inside her and she wanted to share it with him. Slowly, she reached for the top button of her shirt. The lace edging teased against her sensitized skin as she worked the button loose. Her fingers shook.
Gage growled again as it came undone, watching her chest rise and fall. “More,” he said.
Alison closed her eyes against the electric current running through her. She breathed.
Oh, oh. She’d never felt anything more erotic than Gage’s desire.
Her fingers tripped down her blouse, yanking as much as unbuttoning, until she felt the cool air kiss her hot skin. The fabric slid away, slipping down to frame her bra. She paused, fumbling at the thrill of it, and left the last few buttons in place. It felt naughtier, somehow, and she liked it, the sensation of her breasts rising out of the tangle of cotton.
She could barely feel her fingertips for the overwhelming sense of Gage’s eyes on her. She kept her own eyes shut, unable to move.
She felt Gage’s hand tighten on the nape of her neck and shivered in his grip. Firmly, gently, he rolled her head to the side, then back to rest on the chair. Looking down on her, he would see everything.
Oh God. She felt exposed, raw and new underneath him.
The mass of Gage’s warmth moved. She could sense him over her, settling, lowering. She breathed. Then his thighs pushed between hers, making a space for himself there. Her thighs tightened instinctively, and she blushed hotly.
When she opened her eyes, dazed, she found him kneeling before her, his mouth poised just above her breasts. He let out a hot breath and she shook.
Touch me, she wanted to beg, but she couldn’t find words to speak.
His cheek brushed over her, dragging a tease of stubble, and then he breathed in, scenting her. His hands came up to frame her ribs, holding her, pulling her back out into an arch. Her body molded to his movements so naturally it sent a shock through her. Then, finally, his mouth sought out her nipple through the dark cotton of her bra.
Alison bucked at the contact, a rush slickening her below. She gasped for breath.
Gage groaned, inhaled as if he could sense her urgency. He laved at her nipple, sucking until the fabric was hot and damp.
Alison keened, pushing into his mouth. “Please,” she begged, gripping his shoulders.
“Please what?” Gage growled, licking little darts along the inside edge of her bra.
Alison’s hips pulsed. “Please— just—”
Gage’s hands tightened on her sides, fingertips inching her bra down until her breasts swelled free of the fabric. Alison gasped. The air was chilly on her hot, wet skin. Gage held her steady and let his eyes wander over her body. Her nipples tightened unbearably under his gaze.
“Look at you,” he murmured.
She ached to be touched, but he only rubbed her sides comfortingly, eyes heavy on her.
“So perfect. My perfect—” He stopped himself, his grip tightening. He looked up into her eyes.
Alison shivered as some deep emotion passed between them. She didn’t understand it, but it made her want to cry with its intensity, its need. “Please,” she begged again.
Gage kissed her skin gently. “Please let you come?”
Alison tangled her hands in his hair and breathed in his strong, comforting smell. He bent to suck her nipple and she cried out. Gage traced callused fingertips over her other nipple, then caught it between two fingers. He played, stroking and rolling— then he squeezed snugly.
“Oh— oh—” A rush of sweet pain swept through her. She had never thought she could come from something so simple, but with his words burning inside her, she felt her core draw up in anticipation.
“I told you,” Gage’s words reverberated against her skin. He licked at her hotly, then twisted her wet nipple firmly. “You come whenever you—”
The rest was lost to her as her body seized. She bit down on her lip, whimpering through the wild sensation. She could feel him watching. Her heart thumped and she felt it everywhere.
“There, that’s it.” Gage’s raw voice held a drop of honey in it and he stroked her nipples tenderly with his thumbs. “You’re gorgeous like this.”
Alison gasped and melted into the chair.
“That’s it,” he murmured, gently pinching one, then the other. She shivered and shook. “Let’s just see about another one of those, hmm?” Gage’s fingers slipped down to her waistband, thumbing inside. “How about that?”
Alison moaned, eyes closed.
Gage chuckled. “Yeah, I think so.”
She could feel him unfastening her buttons and she raised her hips for him. She felt indolent and fluid, out of her head. He tugged, slowly pulling her tight jeans down past her bare feet. His warm hands came back to massage firmly over her toes, her soles, then smoothed up the insides of her calves. Alison tensed slightly as he reached her knees and began gently pushing her legs wider.
Oh God, what panties am I wearing? They’re soaked. Suddenly self-conscious, her eyes flew open.
Gage knelt in between her legs, surveying her with dark, possessive eyes. “It’s all right,” he rumbled, coaxing her hips forward. “You look amazing. Let me taste you, sweetheart.”
Alison’s breath stopped. Gage held her gaze until she breathed out slowly, shaking. “Yes,” she whispered. In that moment, she would have let Gage do anything to her. The thought of him wanting to taste her was intoxicating.
He groaned at her permission, and bent to her. He slid his nose along the heat of her inner thigh, gently coaxing her to open up to him with nuzzles and touches of his mouth. As he neared her core, his hands became like iron bands on her knees, holding her wide.
Alison watched through half-closed eyes, breath coming in sharp little puffs. Her legs trembled against his hard grip. I can’t take this, she thought. I’ll die. But then his mouth met her core, scalding like a brand, and she sobbed.
He sucked at her, scenting the soaked fabric, and groaned. He slid strong fingers up her thigh to tug her panties down just enough, and she twitched at the sensation. She felt totally exposed, nearly naked in front of a powerful, fully dressed man, but Gage’s eyes reassured her. He knelt between her trembling thighs and stroked her gently. She sighed and let him in. His thumb tugged upward, exposing her clit, and he pressed a sweet kiss into her tender skin.
Alison’s eyes clenched shut as she felt herself tighten under his mouth. Sudden tears broke free, streaking down her cheeks, and a wild sound rose in her throat. She’d never felt so attuned to a man before. Never wanted so deeply to fly apart for him. But Gage— she craved to feel him lose control inside her, to give him her most intimate offering.