by Ruby Dixon
“You didn’t say I couldn’t.” Chance looks even more savage with the shower plastering his wet hair to his head. He’s wilder and fiercer than anyone I’ve ever met, and just looking at him makes me shiver all over. “You need to be clear on what I can and can’t do if you’re the boss.”
“That so?” A wicked look crosses his face, and he reaches over and turns off the shower spray. Then he stalks the two steps toward me and grabs me by my slick waist and flings me over his shoulder, my ass in the air.
“What are you doing?” I don’t fight, because every inch of me is screaming yes, yes, more, more.
“Taking you to bed so I can show you I’m in charge.”
I squirm a little at that, remembering the lashes he promised. I have a safe word, though. I can always use that if things get too…intense. Of course, I like intense. Part of the excitement is anticipation, and I’m getting aroused all over again just imagining what he’ll do to me.
The first time we went through his bedroom, I barely had a chance to look around. Now, I’m upside down, but a moment later, I’m tossed onto the bed and flat on my back. My breasts jiggle, and I stare up at the magnificent carved wooden posts arching up from the enormous bed. “Wow. You really do go big with everything, don’t you?”
He grunts and tugs on my ankle, pulling me back down to the edge of the bed. “On your hands and knees, little wolf.”
I nod and do as he commands, presenting him with my ass while my elbows go down into the sheets.
The moment my butt is in the air, his hand covers my pussy, and he squeezes it. A moan rises from my throat at the possessive touch. “You’re soaked again, baby. You thinking about the spanking you’re going to get?”
I shake my head. “I-I’m not really into pain.”
“Just being owned, eh?”
I’m silent, because it’s hard to describe to a non-wolf. There’s no greater feeling than that of belonging to your alpha. But my relationship with my last alpha went sour, and the pack here isn’t home for me. Actually, letting Chance push me around and manhandle me is the closest I’ve felt to home since leaving California.
“Maybe I should give you those spanks now,” he says, as if trying to guess my mood.
“If you want to.”
“I’m not going to hurt you bad, but any…woman of mine needs to know who her master is.”
Those are magic words. I nod and push my head down on the blankets, ready to take the punishment so I can be his. All his, if only for today.
His big palm cracks against one ass cheek, the sound startling me more than the pain. “One.” I push back against each smack of his hand, accepting them as my dues. They’re not excessively hard smacks, but they’re enough to leave my skin stinging when he finally counts off, “Ten. Do you feel appropriately chastened, little wolf?”
I consider my answer. ‘Chastened’ is probably not the right word. ‘Aroused’, maybe. Not from the spanking, but from the fact that he’s in total control. I wiggle my stinging bottom against him. “I might need more proof that I’m yours.”
“Do you?” A hand knots in my wet hair, and he wraps it around his hand. I whimper, because, oh lord, I do love hair pulling. Nothing gets me submissive quite so quickly.
His cock pushes hard against my thigh, and I spread my legs wider and raise my ass in a silent invitation.
It’s one that he takes, and in the next moment, he thrusts into me. It’s not a polite or careful thrust but one of total ownership, and it stings almost as much as it feels utterly incredible. A moan of pleasure breaks from my throat, and his hand tightens on my hair.
“Like that, do you? You like being mine?”
I nod, not easy considering he’s got my head pinned. He thrusts into me again, hard.
“I want to hear you say it out loud.”
“I’m yours.”
I’m rewarded with another forceful push, one that almost drives me across the bedsheets. He’s strong, and his masterful command over me is hitting all my kinks like they’re buttons on a switchboard. He starts to rock into me with hard, rough, quick thrusts that speak of his pleasure more than mine. I’m being taken, and I’m not being asked for permission, and it’s amazing. My moans turn to small cries, to louder cries, and by the time I come again, my throat is hoarse from all the screaming I’m doing.
And I feel so good.
I feel even better a few moments later when he hisses my name between his teeth and his thrusts grow ragged as he comes. Wetness floods through me, and I feel his spend dripping down my thighs even as he pulls out of me and gives my ass one last slap.
I collapse on the bed, trying to catch my breath as he stalks to the bathroom and gets a towel. He returns a moment later, cleaning off his still-hard cock, and then gives me a fresh, damp towel so I can clean up.
He’s silent. The spell is broken. I’m a little wistful, thinking of the wonderful time we just had. But there’s nothing about this man that says he wants a companion, and I’m better off being single. I prop up on one elbow and regard him.
“So…when do you want to come in to the spa for your makeover?”
Chapter Six
Chance
I’ve never been a man of many words, but Maddie stole what few ones I had left. She took everything I had, followed every demand, came like an angel, and tasted better than heaven.
I try to remind myself that I don’t believe in mates, but it’s hard to hold on to that mantra now.
“Spa?” I ask dumbly as she peers at me under her lashes.
“You said that after we, ah, had sex, that I could make you over.”
I frown. “I thought you wanted me to shower.”
“That, too.” She runs a hand down my bare arm. Her fingers are soft as fuck. I look at the abrasions I’ve made on her smooth skin. A red mark here, a scratch there. Bruises along her hips where I gripped her tight.
I trace a fingertip over one. “Did I hurt you?”
She smiles. “No. Did I hurt you?”
She pokes a finger against a nail mark in my shoulder. “Hell no. Felt good as fuck.” I stretch out on my back and tuck my hands under my head to keep from running them all over her body. She needs some rest. A good Dom makes sure his subbie is well fed, well rested, and well fucked. I’d done the last one but not the first two. “You hungry?”
She rubs her stomach. “I could eat. The hamburger was good but a little on the small side.”
I launch myself from the mattress and find a pair of loose sweats for me and a long-sleeved cotton T-shirt for her. The thing got shrunk in the wash, and I was going to use it for a rag.
I toss it to her. “Here. Wear this.”
She catches it but sets it beside her. “I should go. What time is it, anyway?”
She wants to go? The curtainless windows show that night has swallowed all the light. Up north, the only lights are those in the night sky. Stars, the aurora borealis, the bright moon. On a cloudy night, it’s pitch black.
Inside my bedroom, though, Maddie shines bright enough to light up every dark space. Even the ones inside of me, because the idea of her leaving generates a physical pain somewhere in the vicinity of where my heart is supposed to be.
I don’t want a mate, I remind myself.
But my heart is thumping too wildly to hear. And the bear is growling with excitement. I ease down the shield I’ve kept up all my thirty-one years and entertain the idea of a mate for the first time.
It doesn’t make me want to run. It doesn’t make me draw back. It feels…right. As if all the disjointed, jagged pieces inside me that chafed at my core, leaving small cuts and abrasions that irritated me day in and day out, click into place. Maddie sits in the middle of my big bed, wearing nothing but a flushed smile and a sheet, and I realize that I built this house for her. For the cubs we’re going to make. For the family we’re going to have.
No. She’s not going anywhere.
“It’s not time to go,” I tell her and walk out. “I
’m going downstairs to rustle up some food,” I toss over my shoulder.
Behind me I can hear her hop off the bed and then shuffle around. I frown. I should have taken her clothes so she’d have been forced to stay. But then I drove her here, and she’s not leaving unless she takes my truck. I hustle down to the kitchen to hide my keys. If she asks, I’ll tell her I lost them. Or I’ll just not tell her anything.
She shuffles down the stairs and joins me in the kitchen. I give a grunt of approval as I take in her appearance. She’s pulled her hair back and is wearing my T-shirt. The arms are rolled up several times, but the hem of the shrunken garment hits her right at the top of her thighs.
When she moves, the shirt rides up, and I see hints of her pretty pussy. The only thing better than this naughty peekaboo would be to see her naked.
“How do you like your steak?” I ask before I throw her onto the counter and have her as my late-night snack.
“Um, steak sounds good.” She sounds uncertain and looks around warily. I decide now is not the time to spring on her that I’ve suddenly changed my mind and that she’s my mate.
While I don’t have much experience in the one-night stand category, it’s not hard to figure out that springing a life-long commitment on a girl who only really wanted to shave my beard off is the wrong way to procure a second date.
I pull out the cast-iron pan, turn up the flame to high, and set out the meat to warm. Maddie wanders around. “You’ve a really nice place here. It‘s big and open. “She peers out the sliding glass doors.
“I built it.“ My brag slips out, and I shut up before I can say anything more. I sound like a douchebag, boasting about my bank account.
“I’m not surprised.” She gives me an appraising head-to-toe inspection. “Is that what you do for a living, or did you put this together in your spare time?”
“Yes and yes.” I rummage around and find potatoes. “I run a couple of construction crews in Pine Falls, but I did this on the nights and weekends mostly. Took a year.”
“Well, it’s gorgeous. All these windows in the back here almost make you feel like you are outdoors.”
“The whole wall is a bunch of doors that open up and can be pushed to the side.”
“Oh!” Her eyes grow wide. “I bet that’s awesome in the spring.”
“You can come and see for yourself,” I offer. Or stay here and watch the seasons change and experience it all.
She lights up in anticipation, but it doesn’t last long. And the scent of the meat on the verge of going from just right to overdone prevents me from exploring her swift mood change.
“You’ll have to drive me home,” she says pensively.
“Why?” I ask bluntly. “You got shit to do tonight?”
“Noooo.” She draws out the word. “I don’t want to overstay my welcome. And I do have to be at work tomorrow to do Mrs. Carter’s hair. She likes to get her blue rinse done in the morning.”
“You’re not overstaying anything.” My tone’s a little harsh, but I don’t want her leaving. Can’t deal with that, really. “Your steak’s done.”
“If you’re sure…” She trails off.
I can’t read her entirely. Does she want to leave? “Are you saying ‘Albuquerque’?”
“Oh.” She perks up. “Are we still scening?”
Meaning, are we still playing our Dom and subbie roles? Not really. Inwardly, I curse in frustration that I have to take these baby steps with her. Can’t I just keep her here? I’d take good care of her. She could shave me all over if that’s what it took. For now, I’ll be the Dom that she needs. “Anytime we’re inside these walls, yes.”
Her face softens, and whatever worry she had before is chased off. “Sounds good. And no, I‘m not using my safe word.“
“Good. “I flip the steak onto the plate. “Come over here and eat some food.“
She peels herself away from the glass doors to come over and set the table. I point out the silverware drawer and we settle in to eat.
“What kind of makeover are we talking about?“ I ask, curious about her work and what brought her to Pine Falls.
“I‘m not sure. “She rubs her lips together. “Originally, I thought we‘d cut your hair and shave your beard, but now I don’t know if that is the best decision.” A hint of pink appears on her cheeks.
I stroke my heavy beard and look at her knowingly. She blushes even harder and reapplies herself to the meal. She liked my scruff rubbing against the tender skin between her legs. Liked it so much that she’s thinking it would be a crime to shave me. That means she’s thinking about having my face lapping at her pussy even after the makeover.
That’s good. Real good. I take a moment to admire her wolf appetite. She’s got half the sixteen ounce T-bone in her belly.
“You like venison?” I ask abruptly. The few wolves I know enjoy a gamey meat.
“Who doesn’t?” she asks between bites.
Yeah, I’ll have to stock some. “Cage Armstrong hunts a lot of game. We can get some from him.”
“We?” she asks.
“Yes,” I reply firmly. I shove my chair back away from the table. “Now it’s time for dessert. Come over here.” I pat my knee.
She leisurely forks another piece of steak into her mouth and then takes a huge, long gulp of water. I snort inwardly. This girl likes being spanked because those are bratty sub actions if I’ve ever seen them. I inject more authority into my tone.
“Maddie. Get your sweet ass over here,” I order.
She wipes her mouth with the napkin and then rises and strolls over to me as if I didn’t just give her a direct order. I don’t even wait for her to bend herself over my knees. Eli, the de facto head of the shifters in Pine Falls, is a Dom and he would tell us that in a new relationship, subs are constantly testing the boundaries to see if you, the Dom, care enough about them to keep them in line.
Maddie’s tiny acts of defiance don’t really bother me, but in this context, particularly because she thinks we’re still scening, she’s testing to see if I’m going to follow through. If I’m Dom enough for her.
In one swift motion, my plate, glass, and silverware are swept onto the floor where the pottery shatters on impact. I place a firm hand between her shoulder blades and shackle her wrists behind her back.
She yelps in protest. “What are you doing?”
“You waited too long and now you’re being punished.” I hardly have to pull up the T-shirt at all to bare her round, perky ass. “Your ass will look so much better with my handprint on it.”
I spank her on the underside of one cheek and watch with satisfaction as it bounces from the blow. “In this house, you’re mine and you’ll do what I say, hear me?”
I swat her again, this time on the other cheek. I can hear her panting lightly. I don’t have a doubt in the world that if I shoved my fingers between her legs, she’d be soaked. She’s so fucking responsive it makes me weak-kneed.
“You hear me?” I repeat with another blow.
“Yes, I hear you.” She moans with delight when I spank her again, this time low enough to ‘accidentally’ graze her pussy lips.
“This one is for trying to run off earlier.”
“I told you I didn’t want to overstay my welcome.”
I give her two additional smacks on the tops of her cheeks. She’s turning rosy red. “I’ll tell you when I’m tired of you.”
“Oh, I bet you will.”
My hand hangs in midair. “What the hell does that mean?”
I pull her upright. Now’s not the time to be shoving my fingers up her cunt, no matter how badly I want my dessert. She’s got something on her mind, and I need to hear it.
She’s flushed, but I’m not sure if it’s from anger or arousal. She brushes a shaky hand across her forehead. “I mean that I’m not going to wait around until anyone gets tired of me.”
Chapter Seven
Maddie
His big brows wrinkle as he gazes at me. “You wanna e
xplain that to me?”
“No.” I really don’t. I’m still smarting from the last guy pushing me aside. That he was my alpha just made things uglier. That he’d wanted me to crawl into bed with him and his new woman? An entirely new layer of ugly.
“Let me put it this way, Maddie.” He leans in, that glorious beard making me shiver with anticipation again. “I’m not asking you to tell me what you mean. I’m telling you that you need to spit it out.”
I lick my lips, nervous and stiff. I notice his roaming hands are no longer roaming, and I suspect that will continue until I speak up and tell him all about how my last alpha rejected me.
Fuck that. I straighten and tug the shirt down a little. “Albuquerque.”
Chance growls, but he backs off. “Fine. You want me to take you home, then?”
I nod stiffly. This man’s pressing too hard, and I feel the need to retreat and process for a bit. He’s hitting me with too much, too soon. This was supposed to just be a fling to scratch an itch and get him a makeover. I don’t want feelings involved.
“Fine,” Chance says, and his voice is flat. I get the impression I’ve disappointed him. “I’ll take you back home.”
“Thank you.” My voice is small, and I fight against the urge to please him, to show belly and throat and beg for attention the way a subservient wolf does. It’s difficult, but I remind myself that I belong to no one anymore. I’m a lone wolf, and it’ll be better in the long run.
“Sooo,” Adelaide says at work the next day, refilling the jug of lemon-and-cucumber water we keep for clients. “You and Chance, huh?”
She’s about as subtle as a spraying skunk. She’s been hovering all day, just dying to gossip about things, but I haven’t exactly been offering up information. I think it’s driving her crazy, because she keeps finding reasons to show up on my end of the salon.
“It’s not what you think, really. It’s a wolf thing to have casual hookups.” That’s a lie, but maybe that’ll get her away from me, because I don’t feel like talking about Chance. I’m unsettled about the man, mostly because he seemed to know me far too well. It should have been just a freewheeling round of sex, but I kept getting the feeling he wanted more.