“We’ll fix this dating situation soon,” she said. “After this is all over with, we’ll go out, so I can remind you that it’s okay to have a little fun outside of work. And the next time you find someone that you want to mate, human or otherwise, you’ll be ready to win her over.”
He closed his eyes and turned his face into her palm so that his lips were touching her. She traced them, admiring how perfect he was. To be able to shift from man to wolf and then back again and be this perfect was truly a gift. Once she started touching him, she couldn’t stop. Her fingers found its way down across his jaw, his neck, before finally resting near his collarbone where his birthmark was and where most of his tattoos began. Something vibrated across his skin directly to hers. The soft growling noise that he made as her fingers slipped under his collar awakened something in her. Hunger. But not hunger for food. Something deeper within.
The pads of her fingertips made contact with something on his shoulder. The thick piece of cloth felt familiar—almost like the one she wore. A bandage.
She gasped and he opened his eyes.
“Were you hurt?” she asked.
He swallowed visibly and nodded.
Without asking him, she pushed his collar back from his shoulder to reveal that he had a square bandage wrapped around his left shoulder. A round patch of blood had seeped through the white cloth. She applied a little pressure to the exposed part of his skin and he winched.
“Did he bite you too?”
He shook his head. “His Omega shot me. I’m all right. Doc got the bullet out, stopped the bleeding, and patched it up. All I have to do is take wolf form to complete the healing process.”
“Oh,” she breathed. “Here I was worried about one little bite and you were shot.”
“It’s nothing I haven’t experienced before. I’ve been shot more than I can count on two hands and I’ve been in dozens of wolf fights before.”
“Do you need to go ahead and shift or something?” she asked, anxiously. “Because I can stay here until you do what you have to.” She hated seeing him hurt.
He took her hand in his. “Don’t worry about me.”
“I know you’re a macho wolf and all that, but I don’t like seeing people in pain.”
“You know what, Autumn? You worry too much.” This time, he touched her face. “What would it take to erase all your fears, huh?”
She tried to divert her gaze, but he tilted her chin upward again and stared at her intently. A dark roving stare that took her breath away.
“That’s what I want to do for you, Autumn. I don’t want to let you go for some reason that’s really beyond me right now. But as I sit here with you right now, my number one priority is to please you. That’s crazy, isn’t it?”
She shook her head. “Not really.”
“You trust me, don’t you?” he asked, his eyes narrowing in confusion.
“Yes.”
“Then you’ll let me fix this thing, so you can live in peace.”
“I’d be grateful.”
Without warning, his mouth swooped down on hers, taking her lips in the most graceful way. A way she didn’t expect from a hardcore shifter like him. All of the tension rushed from her body. She fell into his arms and accepted what she so obviously wanted. His tongue slid across her lips and she parted them. He tasted like he smelled. Of almonds. An underlying taste also reminded her of vanilla. He branded her with his possessive lips, robbing her of her senses. His lips were soft against hers. The dusting of hair on his face and over his lips brushed against hers ever so softly.
His hands were on her. On her neck and in her hair. She placed her palms against his chest, which felt like pure granite. The contrast between hard and gentle had her wanting him in ways that went beyond an innocent kiss.
In the heat of the moment, she let out a low moan that mingled with the soft growls reverberating deep from within his throat.
Garrett drew back and broke the kiss, resting his forehead against hers. “I…”
“Please don’t stop,” she begged.
“I don’t want to hu—”
She kissed him to shut him up, sliding her fingers up the nape of his neck and pulling his mouth down on hers.
Autumn shifted on the bed, folding her legs under herself and lifting slightly so that she was almost eye-to-eye with him. His hot, calloused hand landed on her thigh. His fingertips grazed her skin just under the ends of his big oversized tee.
When was the last time she touched a man like this? When was the last time a man caressed and kissed her so perfectly? Never. She’d never met anyone like Garrett. She’d also never been in a shifter’s bed before. Had never even kissed a shifter before. She was instantly hooked. She loved it. She wanted more. His groans of satisfaction were not only making her incredibly aroused, but the sound sent goosebumps shooting up her spine.
Without breaking the kiss, he stood to his feet near the edge of the bed, gaining the upper hand on her. He couldn’t resist her any more than she could resist him and used his position to deepen the kiss.
With his big hands, he grazed the undersides of her breasts through the tee. It was the one time that she wished she weren’t wearing a bra. Not only because she wanted to feel his touch everywhere, but because her hardened nipples rubbed uncomfortably at the uneven, lace fabric of her bra.
He tilted her chin gently and started to work his mouth downward along her throat, reaching her jugular, and then the sensitive flesh behind her ears.
“You’re sweet, Autumn. I want you.”
I want you. Those three little words. That’s all she needed to hear and her body was on fire.
His hands were under the t-shirt, gripping either side of her waist with his big, strong hands. She arched into his palms when he reached her lace-covered breasts. The pads of her fingers dug into his scalp harder. She made no move to stop him when he unhooked her bra from the back. The garment fell in her lap, but she was too busy kneading his rock hard chest to care.
Her grasped her hips lifted her slightly, and then came on the bed over her. The way he stretched his thick, long arms out to trap her beneath him reminded her of a hunting wolf who’d caught its prey. Only this time, there was no fear. Unrestrained desire to give herself completely was the only thing running through her mind.
Garrett dipped his head low and enclosed one of her nipples in his mouth through the cotton tee. The contact, despite not being skin to skin, sent waves of ecstasy through her. She arched up into him as he teased her in that manner, sucking, licking, and biting at her through the tee. The fabric became hot and damp against her sensitive nipples and he took a moment to lean back and observed his work.
He looked arresting and fuckable, standing in front of her like that. God, she wanted him.
“Please…” she begged, as her pussy clenched and pulsed.
At her request, he lifted her shirt and latched onto her nipple and sucked hard. He moved from one and then the other, studying her reactions. With every pull of his lips, she cried out. By the time he was done with her, her buds were tight, wet, and swollen. He lingered over her, pressing kisses into her skin, tracing a downward path to her belly.
“Fuck. You smell sweet.” He groaned into her stomach, licking at her navel as if it were filled with honey.
“Garrett,” she moaned.
“Your panties are soaking,” he exclaimed.
Her face heated in a blush. Christ, she wanted him where it mattered most so badly.
“I’ll take care of that, sweetheart.”
He slid his fingers under the seams of her panties. She thought he would pull them off but he only pushed the fabric aside. He mumbled another curse before grabbing both of her thighs and pulling her firmly toward him so she was spread before him. He teased her softly, tracing his fingers against her pussy lips.
He thrust two meaty fingers deep into her.
She screamed.
He set a firm, relentless pace, driving his fingers in and out of her
with purpose. The expression on his face was a look of sheer satisfaction. He bit harshly at his bottom lip as he worked her over. His forehead creased and hardened in concentration. The man was giving her the ultimate pleasure. He seemed content with just teasing her, achieving gratification from watching her tremble for him. He stroked at her clit with his exposed thumb. Pent up energy took root within her and then gathered in her loins.
He bent his head, pressing his soft lips to her knees, one and then the other. He took it further, sliding his perfect mouth along the inside of her thighs. She couldn’t hold on longer, even if she tried. Her drenching wet pussy clenched his fingers. The moment he looked up and they locked gazes, she let go. Sparks of energy came alive within her and ecstasy melted over her like warm honey.
Autumn was trembling on the bed with her eyes closed and reveling in the moment before she realized that he was standing over her with the biggest impression of a hard-on that she’d ever seen pushing against his fly.
She sat up on the bed and licked her lips. If she knew she was going to become a sex-crazed maniac the moment he kissed her, she probably would’ve stopped while they were both ahead. Or maybe not. She’d been attracted to him the moment she saw him.
She hooked her thumbs around the waistband of her panties.
“Autumn. Stop.” He shook his head. “I can’t do this to you.”
Her heart dropped in disappointment. “I…don’t understand. You’re…” She glanced at his erection.
“I’ll take care of it,” he said. “I already told you what the consequences were. I’m not taking advantage of you. Not like this. ”
She nodded and broke their gaze.
He turned away and sighed deeply. “I’m going for a run and I’ll be back in fifteen minutes. You’re safe here.”
“I know.”
“And please eat something,” he said, just before slipping through the bedroom door and closing it behind him.
“Oh, my God,” she exclaimed, once he was out of earshot.
Her breath came in labored pants as she tried to make sense of what had come over her. She didn’t need the expertise of a rocket scientist to put it into perspective. She hadn’t had sex in over a year. She was horny, needy, and aroused by a man who was obviously beyond a doubt attractive and equipped to do the job. He was there for her. She wanted him, and she took advantage of the opportunity.
She pressed her hands to her swollen lips, remembering how his kisses had driven her to the edge of insanity. Her clit pulsed in avid need. Her nipples were still beaded against his tee. And she was now fully wrapped in his scent.
Autumn spotted a bathroom inside the room. This time, when she swung her legs over the bed, she didn’t feel as nauseous. Miraculously, all the soreness was gone from her limbs. And the headache had disappeared.
Just as she entered the small bathroom on the other end of the room, she heard the long, deep timbre of a wolf howling.
“Garrett,” she whispered.
The sound sent an energetic mix of optimism and security up her spine.
14
When Garrett returned from his run in the woods, he headed straight for the second shower in the guest bedroom. Distancing himself, even just to process how he could keep his word to Autumn without putting her in another bind, annoyed the heck out of his inner wolf. She was running from a dangerous man, but he was anything but an angel. He couldn’t reason with his wolf on what he thought was best for Autumn. All the wolf wanted to do was run to her, not from her. Claim her. Possess her. Stay by her side. Love her. All of it…
“Dammit,” he muttered under his breath, sliding the shower door open and turning on the water.
Once inside the stall, chilly water cascaded down on his shoulders. He pressed his head against the cool, hard tiles and closed his eyes. The only person he saw was Autumn. Autumn smiling. Autumn with her luscious waves of dark mahogany hair. Autumn kissing him. Autumn, her pussy, ready and waiting for him. His dick throbbed uncontrollably and his nuts tightened with seed that begged to be spilled.
If she saw him like this…
He shook his head.
She couldn’t see him like this.
Garrett moved directly under the spray of the cold water and grabbed his rock hard cock. As he pumped up and down, he squeezed his wood firmly, sliding and pivoting his wrist to get the right amount of pressure where he needed it. With each downward thrust, his fist slapped against his swollen testicles. Her name was on the tip of his tongue, but he pressed his lips together so he wouldn’t call out too loudly.
He focused more on the visions of her. Thick mahogany stresses. Long, graceful legs. A flawless complexion that was the shade of cinnamon. Soft, smooth skin. Dear God, he was going to explode.
He braced himself, holding steady by pressing the palm of his free hand against the tiles. He pumped harder and faster. Twisting his wrist on the down stroke and squeezing firmly on the up stroke just under the head of his cock.
Another vision of Autumn filled his mind. Only this time, the image was more vivid and erotic. A memory of her on his bed, her legs wide, and her pussy soaking wet and ready for his dick. He wanted to fuck her hard and rough until she was crying his name over and over again. He wanted to fuck her so thoroughly that not only would she be carrying his essence, she’d never forget him or his name. He wanted to make Autumn his.
Mine.
Garrett came forcefully, hot cum shooting out in spurts on the tiles in front of him. All of his pent up sexual urges were now unbound. He released loads of tension into the shower, letting the water wash the evidence down the drain.
When he closed his eyes again and breathed steadily to catch his breath, he still saw Autumn. But at least now, he could face her without looking like he wanted to fuck her brains out. Because he did…
He slammed his fists against the stall. Get a grip!
He turned the dial on the shower in the opposite direction, making the water hotter. He squeezed some shower gel onto a sponge and began cleaning his body. He tried to think of something else other than burying his dick into the sweet, soft folds of Autumn’s pussy. Anything else. So he thought of killing a rat bastard. The same bastard who’d bitten her.
15
After her shower, Autumn ate the food Garrett brought for her and then brought the empty tray out of the room. She had never been the type to lie around in bed all day. The whole day had gone by while she was recovering. In another hour or so, the sun would go down again.
Something else was cooking in the kitchen. When she walked down the hall in search of Garrett, the savory smell of a home cooked meal brought comfort to her. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d enjoyed a home cooked meal. Most of the time, she grabbed something to eat from the tavern before and after her shifts. She missed all the times she spent together as a family over the dinner table. With Dad gone and Hope pursuing her dreams of going to college, there wasn’t anyone left to prepare meals for. Except herself. One of the plans she’d had for the tavern was to revamp the menu with some of her signature dishes, but that plan and many other expansion plans had been put on hold.
When she turned the corner, she wasn’t surprised to find Garrett in the small den near the fireplace. He stood there quietly, arms crossed, looking down at the hearth. No fire was lit. No wood was burning. He was deep in thought, so she felt hesitant about interrupting him. But then he turned around just before she could make a quick left turn in the direction of the kitchen area. His eyes lit up and his lips turned upward into a smile.
He came to her immediately and then took the tray from her hands. “Feeling any better?”
She nodded. “The aspirin and food helped.”
Still a little embarrassed by her actions in his bedroom, she tried to divert her attention away from his body. The memory of his arousal straining against his pants would not leave her.
“You didn’t have to get up,” he said. “I’ll bring you whatever you need.”
“�
�I’m fine, really,” she replied, following him into the kitchen. “Besides, I was getting bored in there by myself.”
He cleared his throat. “About that…I needed to shift.”
“I know. You don’t have to explain.”
Her gaze fell on his shoulder where the bloodied bandage once was. The wound had almost healed completely.
She followed Garrett to the kitchen. He put the dirty dishes into the sink and began to wash them. She observed him as his strong, solid hands gripped the sponge, moving it back and forth over the plate. Hands that had just been all over her body.
She turned away from him, took a deep breath, and then released it slowly. “Is this your main home?” She walked about the kitchen, taking a look at everything from the various magnets and notes stuck on his refrigerator to the variety of canned goods in his pantry.
“Yep sure is. I haven’t been here in about three weeks.”
“And your family? Where are they?”
“My brothers? We’re all spread out over the place in Aspen Valley. Brock’s the closest to me. He lives about ten miles up the road. Dane has property on the other side of Tellevue County, and Raoulf just lays his head wherever. I can’t keep track of them.”
She smiled. “Sounds like you’re all really close and get along.”
“Close, yes.” He laughed. “Get along…only when we want to.”
She chuckled. “With four of you, I can only imagine the fights you get into. Dane’s the Alpha, right?”
“Right. He’s the calm one of the bunch, but we don’t let that fool us anymore. We keep our distance if he ever gets mad as hell. Brock’s outgoing and just about everyone around town know him. Raoulf’s a little reserved and keeps to himself.”
“And you?”
He paused for a minute as if in deep thought. “I’m just me. Nothing really stands out.”
“Give yourself a little credit, huh?” she told him. “You know what I think about you?”
He finished the dishes, turned around, and leaned against the counter. “I’m all ears.”
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