“You are my mate,” he stated again, locking eyes with her. She swallowed at the inclination. “I’ve known since the day you walked into my office that you were the one. I’ve tortured myself for the last two years, smelled the delicious food but didn’t allow myself to eat. I’m done with that. I need you Lucy. My wolf wants you, and no one else will do.”
“But what about all those girls?”
“Not one of them got me as hard as you have without touching me.”
“Um, well, wow. I uh…. What’s a girl to say to that? I mean, don’t get me wrong; I was totally team Jacob. I don’t have a problem with the whole wolf thing, but you’ve never given me the time of day. And while yes, you’re hotter than a Houston summer and I would totally love to bonk you, truth is, I couldn’t handle the rejection I’d face come Monday.”
“Maybe I didn’t make myself clear. You’re my mate, as in the only woman I want to be with for the rest of my life.”
“Uh huh. And pigs fly.”
“You’re testing my patience,” he growled. Lucy couldn’t help but laugh when he actually growled. He ground his teeth, clenching and unclenching his jaw.
She sighed, taking in his serious demeanor. Maybe her humor was the last bit of a wall she had to protect her heart from his advances. She truthfully didn’t know how to feel. She’d dreamed of having Max in this way more times than she cared to admit, but a dream was safe; there were no emotions tied to her dream outside of lust. In reality, he was demanding she surrender to him, trust him not to hurt her.
“You said your wolf wants me, but what about you?” she asked.
“We’re one in the same,” he replied.
Lucy bit her lip; she couldn’t read him. She was pretty sure he was being sincere. Besides, what man would really go to this extent just for a one-night stand?
“Lucy.”
“Yea?”
“Are you going to keep me hanging all damn night?”
“Huh?”
“Are you going to let me claim you or what?” Max pressed himself to her warm center, his body shaking under the control it required not to ram right into her without warning.
Lucy let go of her bra, the cups falling away immediately baring her perked nipples. Max’s eyes lit up like a kid on Christmas. He licked his lips and captured a breast between them; the sensation tore through her, heating her to the core as her hips shot up on her intake of breath. It’d been so long since she’d been with a man, and the first time she’d ever been with a werewolf.
Chapter 9
Max sucked Lucy’s percolated tip, grazing his teeth along the crystal cut edges of her nipple. She was gorgeous; her ivory skin was flush, eyes half-closed and mouth slightly ajar in awe. He couldn’t wait to sink into her in more than one way.
He switched breasts, drinking in her newly startled reaction. Her fingers ran through his hair, eliciting an excited growl from him when she tugged at his roots. He needed more; he needed to taste her. He slid down her, kissing her soft stomach. He loved the fact that he had to push apart her thighs to reach her jewel; made him feel like he had to hunt for the treasure. He kissed the inside of her thighs, reveling in how soft her skin was there.
He felt her squirming, trying to scoot away from him. He extended himself higher, until she was forced to look at him. “Stop!” he ordered. She halted immediately. “You will not hide from me,” he drove out. He waited until she relaxed, her hands falling at her side. His heart melted at the uncertainty in her eyes. He longed to reassure her of his feelings towards her, but wasn’t quite sure how. He leaned down and caressed her cheeks as he captured her lips, not stopping until he’d kissed away every last one of her fears.
She smiled slowly as he pulled away. She was breathtaking in the moment; her lips swollen from his attack, her cheeks a healthy rose hue. And she was his.
***
Lucy relaxed as Max reassured her. He was so gentle with her, so concerned, despite his own incessant need nearly rocking him. She knew he was struggling not to just slam home in one lithe move. It was a testament to his feelings for her; it assured her he cared about her.
Max smiled deviously, winking as he made his ascent again. Lucy fought every bit of insecurity rearing its nasty head; it took every last ounce of strength not to try to hide from him.
Her sex was moist, anticipation coursing through her. She closed her eyes, trying not to think about what he must be thinking as he looked down there; it was oddly reminiscent of the embarrassment of an annual with her OB/GYN.
Suddenly, his arms snaked below her thighs and captured her hips. He lifted her rear off the ground and pulled her cunt straight to his mouth. His tongue darted out, tasting her inner walls. She moaned as he slid up and teased her clit, running around it, but never actually hitting home plate. He continued his reverie, devouring her slowly, tasting every centimeter of her most private area except where she was dying for him to. He wound her so tight, both frustrating and exciting her. She knew he was just building her climax, but she didn’t have the patience.
“Will you just lick it already?!” she burst out, too worked up to be embarrassed. Max laughed and growled before he sucked her clit into his mouth and flicked his tongue directly over her bud.
Lucy cried out his name as she shook with the most intense orgasm of her life. Her nerve endings split as she gasped and moaned, barely able to catch her breath as a gush of warmth filled her sex. Max continued his direct assault until the last shutter. He dipped his tongue inside her, drinking up her juices.
“Oh God,” Lucy panted. “That was…” She struggled to talk and catch her breath, let alone think. “That was wow.”
“You haven’t even begun to experience wow.” Something in the set of Max’s jaw sent a shiver down her spine. Somehow, she knew he was telling her the truth.
Chapter 10
Lucy coming was the most beautiful sight he’d ever seen. It wrapped right around his wolf heart and tugged. He wanted to see her in that sort of bliss as often as he could for the rest of his life.
With one swift spring, he landed on his feet. He bent down and swept her into his arms, carrying her over to the bed. He refused to make love to her for the first time on the floor, and he couldn’t hold out any longer. At merely the sight of her coming, his balls tightened and gums ached to bite her.
She captured his lips, rolling her tongue along their inner edge. Damn she knew just how to tease him. His fingers pinched and rolled her nipples while her hands traveled over his body. He groaned when she gripped him, rolling her thumb over the tip as she gently squeezed, sliding her hand up and down. His muscles coiled as he fought every instinct he had not to move.
Max leaned his head against her forehead, his eyes closing as he drowned in the pleasurable sensations she was delivering; their heavy breaths intermingled, like soft music. His eyes flew open when she slid the tip of him along her slit. The last of his rifled control broke. He growled, gripping her wrists and throwing her arms above her head. With one quick move he seated the length of him inside her. She cried out, slapping a bit of reality at him.
“Did I hurt you?” Concern wrinkled his brow. He couldn’t believe he lost control like that. He never just slammed into a woman, even the two-bit whores who begged him to.
She shook her head. He waited until she moved beneath him before he took over again.
Max struggled not to get lost in her. She fit him so perfectly. He didn’t feel like he would squish her; he didn’t feel like she would snap in half if his wolf got a little rough. He felt like he could finally revel in who he was and what he was with a woman for the first time.
Her hands still secure, he captured her nipple between his teeth; he lightly bit down before soothing it with his tongue. She whimpered, thrusting her hips to meet his. He slid up to kiss her lips, growling when she bit his lower lip, chasing his wounds with her tongue.
Max had always prided himself on being in control; he always was, up until he met Lucy. She took t
he reins right from him every day she flitted around oblivious of his desire for her. She yanked them from him yet again when she raked her nails along his back and kissed a trail to his shoulder, where she nipped him.
It was the straw that broke the camel’s back. He lost consciousness to his wolf.
***
The second Lucy bit Max’s shoulders, something snapped within him. A look so utterly intense it brought tears to her eyes passed between them. His movements sped up; he built the tension within her quickly. His eyes never left hers despite growing darker, nearly glowing, with each gasp, each moan that escaped her. He was driving her higher and higher to an invisible peak that felt so fragile.
His breath became ragged when she wrapped her legs around him, allowing him to drive deeper. He released her hands, one hand gripping her bulging hip while the other weaved its fingers through the base of her head, pulling the hair away from her neck.
She was so close to the edge; the pleasure beyond what her conscious body could handle. Her skin was alive, tingling beneath him. The way he gripped her, the way he controlled her, excited her to her core. She’d never felt so lubricated, so unhinged.
Her body began to tighten, a knot forming low in her stomach. His brows creased with focus; he was entirely focused on her every move, her every whimper.
Their breathing was ragged. She knew he was just as close as she was because his moves morphed from deliberate to erratic.
“Damn Lucy you feel so good,” he ground.
She could only gasp as he sped up yet again, his thumb flying over her clit, sending her over the edge and down the waterfall of unadulterated bliss. Subconsciously she felt a sting of pain, but it was drowned by the pleasure rolling through every limb. Her body shattered beneath the intensity of it; her mind became putty. She’d never been so completely overwhelmed, yet sated at the same time.
Chapter 11
Max was lost in Lucy as he watched her come down off her high. Her face glowed, surrounded by disheveled hair that made her all the more attractive in the moment. Her lips were pursed as her eyelids fluttered. He smiled as she stretched her limbs like a cat while catching her breath.
His eyes zoned in on her love bite. His cock was already hardening just looking at his bite mark, the scar that would forever mark her as his. He smiled knowing no other man could touch her now, and if they did, his entire pack would hunt them down and tear them apart limb by limb.
He rolled over and pulled her to him. She had to be exhausted. Hell, if he wasn’t gloating so much, he’d be tired too. The knowledge that she was finally his sent the adrenaline pumping through him. She yawned, grinning up at him like the Chestshire cat. She kissed his chest and shoulder, before settling into his protective arms.
***
Lucy stretched as she slowly awoke. Her body was sore, muscles aching in places she’d never felt before. She rolled over and nearly jumped at the sight of Max sleeping beside her, arm stretched out above her.
“Oh God. What the hell have I done?” she thought.
She quietly inched away from him seeking the edge of the bed, pulling the blanket up as high as it would go. Panic began to etch its way into her. She’d slept with her boss, her incredibly sexy boss; her boss the werewolf.
She looked around the room, quickly spotting her dress. She frowned at the sight of her ruined bra followed by mere scraps of her panties scattered around it. She would have to brave the weather in just her dress and pray it wasn’t windy and snowing. Thinking back, she didn’t even grab her coat on her way out with Max. That certainly showed where her mind had been, or perhaps hadn’t been.
Lucy was just about to slide off the bed when an arm reached out and grabbed her. She was startled, looking over to find Max wide awake; his dark eyes studying her.
“Where do you think you’re going?” he bit out.
“Uh, wow. Someone’s not a morning person,” she chuckled nervously, heat touching her cheeks. She glanced around the room, everywhere but at him, silently cursing herself for ever following him up here last night. This was definitely a mistake.
“Why are you trying to sneak away?” His voice softened. He released her. Sitting up, the blanket slid down his washboard abs, revealing a six pack that had Lucy’s flush spreading as her mouth watered. Damn, she hated the way she reacted to him, especially now when all she wanted to do was escape his scrutiny.
Swallowing hard before she took a breath, Lucy struggled to find the gumption to walk away. Max was everything she’d dreamed of and more; satisfied her so much better than her vibrator, Vinny, but they just wouldn’t work; couldn’t work. “Um, listen Max. Last night was great. I’ll never forget it, but I-“
“Don’t you dare say it.”
Her brows shot up. “Say what?”
“Don’t you dare brush me off.” Lucy stared at him, unsure of what to do or how to respond. All she kept thinking about was how to get away with her dignity still intact.
***
When she didn’t move or respond after a couple minutes, Max sighed, sinking back into the pillows. Eyes focused on the ceiling, he did the only thing he knew to do. “You can go if you want.” He wasn’t about to hold a woman against her will. It was breaking him to do it, especially when the bond was newly created, but it wasn’t as strong on humans and he understood that. She affected him far more than he affected her. He tried not to let that bruise his pride the same way it broke his heart. Looked like he was right after all; she was running.
Lucy slowly slid off the bed, taking the comforter with her and quickly tucking it around herself. Max closed his eyes, listening as she gathered her clothes. His body stiffened at the click of the bathroom door. Fists balling, he had to fight to keep himself pinned to the bed; the urge to shift, to allow his wolf to take over, overwhelmed him. He wouldn’t scare her into submission though; she wasn’t one of them.
He strained his ears, aware of the soft sobs she figured he couldn’t hear from behind the wall. A few seconds later she dropped the blanket on the bed, folded neatly, and scurried out. Anxiety flooded him at the sound of the hotel door closing. She’d left him; he’d finally surrendered, but was left with nothing.
Chapter 12
Lucy nearly ran to the elevators, pounding the down arrow button in a frenzy. She was uncomfortable and barely clothed; she felt naked and exposed as she stood there, heels in her hand, slinky dress flapping in the wind. Ok, so it was only the A/C vent, but still. Her heart was pounding in her chest; her eyes were blurry from crying and she couldn’t sniff a pile of dog poo even if she stepped in it.
With nerves as sharp as a surgeon’s blade, she glanced back at the door, fearing he’d walk out any second. Part of her wanted him to chase her; the other half wanted time to collect herself. She was waffling more than a waffle-iron. Her heart said one thing, yet her mind said another. Her insecurities screamed one thing while her body argued its claim. She was a hot mess.
She never should have let down her wall, surrendered to her lust filled fantasy, because after all she surrendered, she had nothing to show for it but a broken heart and possibly no job. How could she face Max day after day? Book reservations for him and ‘insert bimbo’s name here’ week after week? She couldn’t. That was the ugly truth of it. She couldn’t survive that sort of long term torture.
Lucy pounded the call button again, shifting her weight back and forth. Every second that ticked by only wound her tighter. Her heart skipped a beat when the elevator finally dinged its arrival. She took a few steps to the right so she could enter the elevator the second the doors opened. She stopped short, God-smacked when she caught sight of Gretta kissing some hunky stranger.
“Sorry G, but I’ve gotta get on,” she said, holding her purse to her upper stomach. She pressed the first floor button as the doors closed.
Gretta broke away from the stud, a man with roguish good looks and a smile that could melt the fuzz off of Elmo. “Hello,” he smiled, waving his hand.
“Uh, h
i.” Lucy looked to Gretta, who was slightly sweaty but beaming. “Have a good night?” she asked, brow raised.
“Great,” she choked out. “You?” Lucy frowned at the reminder, but nodded her head yes.
Gretta’s eyes narrowed, taking in Lucy’s attire, Rudolph nose and puffy eyes. “What the hell did the bastard do?!”
“Nothing Gretta. He was great, really. We just don’t want the same things.”
She crossed her arms over her chest. “Explain.”
Lucy’s eyes passed warily to Gretta’s companion. She didn’t know if he was a werewolf too, if he belonged to Max’s pack. She bit her lower lip, contemplating whether or not she wanted to discuss this here and now.
“Sorry Brian, but best friend duty calls. Give me a call sometime if you’re looking to have some fun.” Gretta slipped him her phone number before linking her arm through Lucy’s right as the elevator arrived on the bottom floor. “Let’s go get your coat. We’ll pick up Starbucks and chocolate on the way home.” Lucy nodded, trying to hold back the tears long enough to get outside.
***
It’d been six long, unbearable days since Max had seen Lucy and he was going stir crazy. He’d snapped at everyone, including his dear, elderly mother. All the temps they’d sent over in her ‘absence’ irritated the hell out of him. He knew he was just in a foul mood because he missed his mate. He’d gone through an entire tube of lube trying to jerk off the steam, but felt no less frustrated or satisfied. He shifted and ran through the forest, but returned hours later wishing she lived in the country so he could spy on her. He broke three punching bags in the gym trying to grit through his desperation. He missed Lucy like he missed air. He didn’t realize biting her, bonding with her, would shift his world so drastically. Everything revolved around her; she was the center of his universe. If she was happy, he knew for certain he would be too. But he knew she wasn’t. She didn’t even bother calling him to tell him she wouldn’t be in; she sent him an e-mail every morning.
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