God, he hated that this was forced on her. He’d be apologizing for the rest of his life, but the thought of Glory bearing even a trace of that fucker’s mark on her made him want to roar with rage.
Instead, he would try and make this the best, or at least the hottest, experience of her life. The Wolf—that’s what he’d scented before Glory called him back—wasn’t going to win.
Ryan licked his lips as he reached under Glory’s skirt, pulling her panties off and dropping them on the floor. “Lean back on your elbows, sweetheart.”
Glory whimpered, but obeyed. “Jesus, Ryan. I can’t believe we’re doing this here.”
“You’ll never be able to come into the shop again without thinking of me.” And that’s just how Ryan wanted it. Fuck the strange Wolf. Glory would remember today as the day they’d mated if it killed him.
Ryan carefully pushed the hem of her skirt up until the thin material bunched at her waist, exposing the blonde fuzz that covered her pussy. He was ready to whine like a child, desperate for a taste of candy.
Glory slowly spread her legs. “Rye?”
He stroked her legs, trying to calm her shivering. “Shh.” He brushed his tongue over her clit, smiling when she gasped and lifted her hips. “Let me taste you. I’ve been dying for you.” The mate dreams weren’t enough, never had been, and now that he had her spread out like a buffet Ryan planned on gorging himself.
Glory lay back on the table, her legs dangling over the edge. She cupped her small breasts through her shirt, her thumbs circling over the nipples.
“Are you wearing a bra?”
Glory grinned secretively and spread her legs wider.
“Shit.” Ryan pressed his mouth to her pussy and began eating his mate out. He alternated fucking her with his tongue and sucking on her clit, delighted when she began to softly moan. The knowledge that he was bringing his mate to orgasm thrilled him and soothed him at the same time. He needed to make her come, preferably more than once, before he took his own pleasure. So Ryan concentrated on the spots that made her moan the loudest, took note of the ones that made her softly sigh, and mixed it up, waiting for the moment when she’d quiver in ecstasy beneath his touch.
Her hands slipped beneath her shirt and pushed it up, revealing that his hunch was right. His mate wasn’t wearing a bra, her small breasts allowing her to get away with it. He wanted one of them in his mouth almost as badly as he wanted her to come.
Soon. Soon he’d be pounding into her, one of her breasts sucked into his mouth, listening to her scream as her pussy pulsed around him.
But first, he was going to make her shudder on his tongue.
Her breath was coming in needy gasps, her thighs quivering as he pressed her legs apart, refusing to allow her to close them. He wanted, needed, full access to her quivering hole.
With a whimpering cry Glory came, her back arching, her blue hair spilling around her. He could barely stop himself from spilling in his jeans at the sight, his gorgeous, fairy-like mate finding her satisfaction at his hands.
“More. Oh, fuck, Ryan. Give me more.”
“Tongue or cock, sweetheart?” He wiped his hand across his lips, her juices sweet on his tongue. He was willing to do either, but eventually he would sink into her warm depths.
She pressed the palm of her hand against her clit, one of her fingers sinking deep inside her.
Ryan watched, entranced, as she fucked herself, rubbing her clit at the same time. But he couldn’t stop himself from touching, stroking her soft, pale skin, tangling in the pale curls at the juncture of her thighs. Before too long his finger joined hers inside her.
Her blue eyes were glued to his face, her free hand stroking over his chest, tugging at his shirt.
He began lifting the edge of the shirt with his free hand. “You want this off?”
She whimpered and nodded.
Ryan whipped the shirt over his head, dropping it beside her panties. Her free hand immediately went to his chest, her fingers bringing his nipples to stinging life.
Ryan brushed her hand off her pussy and lifted her legs over his shoulders. He bent and once more took her clit in his mouth, sucking on it strongly. His fingers entered her, fucking her in time to the strokes of his tongue.
“Oh. Oh, Ryan. Yes, right there.” Glory’s hips rose and fell, her thighs clamping down around his head.
Ryan could feel it, the quivering wetness of her, and knew she was close. He wanted to drive her over the edge one more time before sinking into her. He’d ride her, thrust against that amazing ass, cup her breasts through her shirt and finally, finally sink his fangs into her once more.
Glory grabbed hold of his head and Ryan stilled everything but his tongue. Within seconds she was crying out, her legs tightening around his head as the orgasm tore through her.
Ryan kept up a gentle sucking until her legs relaxed. “Think you can stand?”
“Uh-huh.”
“Good.” Because Ryan had a fantasy that involved her lying against the break table, her ass in the air, his cock in her pussy, and damn it if he wasn’t going to make it come true.
He helped her off the table and pulled off her shirt, revealing her pretty pink nipples. He sucked one into his mouth, enjoying her soft moans as he brought it to a stiff peak. “Bend over the table, sweetheart. Let me have you.”
Glory complied. “Make it good, Ryan.”
He chuckled, aware how raspy it sounded. God, even now she was pushy. “Yes, ma’am.”
“Damn straight.” But her ass went up, her legs spread, and Ryan was completely lost.
Grabbing her hips, Ryan slid inside her, groaning at the feel of her tight, wet heat. Slowly he began to move inside her. “This good?”
“Faster.”
Ryan refused to go any faster until he knew for certain her knees would hold her. “No.”
Glory growled and reached behind her, slapping his hip as hard as she could. “Faster.”
Ryan laughed. “Yes, ma’am.”
Glory started to laugh, but it was abruptly cut off as Ryan gave her what she’d been demanding. He began pounding into her, the sound of their flesh slapping together filling the room.
“Oh, yes, fuck yes.” Glory began to thrust back, meeting him move for move. “Do it, Ryan. Fuck me hard.”
She was going to be the death of him. Ryan grabbed her hips and began to really fuck his mate, thrusting so hard she was moving jerkily against the table. He could see her breasts bouncing, the hard tips rubbing the table top. Her hair, that mass of wild blue curls he loved so much, brushed against him with every thrust. She felt so good, so tight, Ryan never wanted to leave. He wanted to stay buried inside her for the rest of his days.
She grabbed hold of the edge of the break table, steadying herself against his thrusts. “Yes, yes, yes,” she chanted, inflaming him further. His mate was a talker, and he loved it.
“Tell me. Tell me it’s good.”
“Fuck, so good.” Glory moaned, going on her tiptoes. “I need it. I need, Ryan.”
“Bare your neck, sweetheart.”
She lifted her hair away from her neck. Her blue eyes were glazed, the red mark left by his teeth stark against her pale skin. He’d healed the Wolf’s bite as he’d claimed her, leaving nothing but his own mark behind.
She was so beautiful, so fierce, his tiny mate. He could feel himself near to coming, ready to spill inside her.
Lightning fast he struck, sinking his fangs into her neck.
Glory shrieked, spasming around him so hard he thought his dick would be ripped off. The tight spasms of her orgasm forced his own, and Ryan spilled inside his mate, blind with ecstasy. It felt like it went on and on, the pleasure wringing him dry as Glory cried out his name.
When it was over Ryan tried to hold himself up, tried to keep from collapsing on his tiny mate. “Fuck.”
Glory giggled, the sound breathless. “Let’s go again.”
Ryan lost the battle, collapsing on top of her with a laugh. “G
ive me a minute, SG.”
She patted his hip. “Take your time, son. Take your time. I’m just gonna rest here with a pole up my—”
“You couldn’t wait, could you?” Julian’s amused voice floated over him, startling them both to silence. “You just had to do it on the table where I eat my lunch.” Julian tsk’d. “There’s not enough antibacterial cleaner in the world.”
Ryan froze, aware his bare ass was facing the curtain that separated the main part of Cynful Tattoos from the break room. He was giving Julian one hell of a view, his jeans barely to his knees, his cock still sunk in his mate’s pretty pussy. “What can I say? I was hungry.”
This time, when Glory smacked him, he just laughed.
Chapter Nine
Glory could not believe she’d had sex in the break room. What the hell had she been thinking?
She shot a glance toward Ryan, who was filling his parents in on the attack against her. He winked at her when he caught her staring, his expression unbearably happy.
Oh, right. I was thinking of getting me a piece of that.
God, the man knew what he was doing. She hadn’t taken so much pleasure from another person in… In…
Ever.
Glory huffed out a sigh. He was going to be insufferable now. No doubt his couch surfing days were over too. He’d crawl into bed with her tonight, and from the way her body tingled she wouldn’t exactly be kicking him out again. Hell, she probably wouldn’t complain too much if he left entire sandwiches in the bed, let alone crumbs.
No way in hell would she admit to him how good he was. He had a fat enough head already.
“Hey.” Glory turned as Cyn put an arm around her shoulders. “You okay?”
“I’m fine.” When Cyn’s eyes narrowed suspiciously, Glory laughed. “No, seriously. I’m okay.”
“You think Ryan managed to overcome the mark the other shifter put on you?”
“You tell me, oh Sniff Master. What do I smell like?”
Cyn took a deep whiff of Glory’s neck, tickling her. “You smell like Glory.” She stared at Glory for a moment before bellowing for Julian. “Super Bear? Come sniff Glory and see if she’s going to be Bear or Wolf, will ya?”
Glory felt her cheeks flaming with embarrassment as Julian sauntered toward them and took a deep whiff. “I can’t tell. Right now I smell Ryan more than anything.” He smirked, but there was a hint of silver in his eyes and hair. The Kermode was either healing her, or had recently done some healing, the mark of his power plain to see. “I can’t imagine why.”
Glory rolled her eyes. “Can I help it if Ryan went all cave-Bear on me?”
Julian patted her head. “Don’t worry. It won’t be long before we know which one will win out. Your scent should change soon.” He smiled. “But I’m willing to bet Ryan’s bite will overcome the other, simply because it’s a mating bite as well as a changing one. It will be stronger than any other bite you could receive.”
“So you’re pretty sure I’ll be a Bear.” Glory was strangely relieved. As much as she loved Tabby, the thought of becoming just like her attacker had made her feel sick.
“I do, but we’ll know for sure by the end of tomorrow. Either way, it should be a few days before you change for the first time.”
“And when that time comes you’ll listen to what we have to say. The last thing you want to do is change in the middle of the shop.” Ryan tugged her close, kissing her with a possession he hadn’t shown before. “I have to go to work.”
He sounded so cute and pouty. “Then go already.”
“Listen to what my parents say. They’ll keep you safe.”
“We need to call Gabe and let him know what happened.” Julian was already dialing the phone. “We should have done that while you were, um, making sure Glory wasn’t hurt too badly.”
“Yup. He checked my tonsils with his tongue.” Among other things, the thought of which made her blush furiously.
The man was seriously talented. Just the thought of a repeat performance had her squirming in her seat.
Ryan laughed. “What can I say? I like playing doctor.” He cuddled Glory close. “Want me to take your temperature?”
He grunted when she jammed her elbow into his stomach. “Go to work.”
“Yes, SG.” He cupped her chin, his expression serious. “Listen to my parents.”
“I will.” The last thing she wanted was to be attacked again by the psycho. “Ryan?”
“Hmm?”
“Should I go get a rabies shot?”
“No.”
She used her best puppy eyes on him. “But I don’t know where that guy’s been.” Honestly, she didn’t want Ryan to go. She felt safer when he was hovering over her. It didn’t matter how nice, how fiercely protective his parents were.
They weren’t him, and already the beginnings of panic began to fill her. She took a deep breath, trying to get her raging emotions under control.
Ryan growled. “Maybe Bunny can work without me today.”
“Ryan?” His father, Steve, came over and studied them both. “If you’re going, you need to head out.”
Glory continued her deep breathing. She’d be okay. She really didn’t need Ryan. Cyn would keep her safe.
“Is Glory all right, son?”
“Panic attack.” Ryan picked her up, cradling her close. “Calm down, sweetheart. I telecommute, remember?”
“Going to use your amazing psychic powers to dig holes?” Glory closed her eyes and breathed deep. Was it her imagination, or did Ryan smell really good?
“Damn. You figured out my super power.”
Glory giggled.
“Seriously. I think Bunny will understand if you need me to stay here. I’m pretty sure I can keep the books from your shop.” Ryan kissed her forehead. “Say the word and I’m on your Internet, not checking out porn at all.”
She laughed again. God. She really didn’t want to force him to stay, but the thought of being in the shop without him? Chills raced up and down her spine. Her arms were quickly covered in goose bumps. She was pretty sure her hair was standing on end. “I’ll be all right.”
“Bullshit.” Julian was crouching in front of her, his eyes totally gray. A thick strand of silver appeared right over his temple. “You are very far from okay.” She felt a tingling sensation as Julian used his Kermode powers to calm her racing heart. “I think you need to stay, Ryan.”
“Why is this happening? I thought I was over this.” Glory leaned back against Ryan, his strength becoming her own. “I hadn’t had a panic attack in years, and now I’m getting them all the time.”
Julian shared a concerned look with Ryan. “When you stopped having them, you went into ‘remission’.” Julian took hold of her hand. “Have you ever seen a psychologist for your panic attacks?”
She shook her head. “No.”
“That’s why. For some reason, the fear of the panic attacks receded, sending the disorder into remission. The recent attacks on Tabby, Cyn and yourself, plus the stress of moving the business and finding out there are shifters, plus the stress of finding your mate, have all combined to bring them back. It isn’t your fear of being left that’s causing all this. It’s your fear of change.”
Glory blinked. “What? That makes no sense.”
“It started when Hope disappeared, continued through your family’s abandonment of you. No one has truly left you this time. You’re not alone, not ever. And part of you knows that, but the panic disorder doesn’t distinguish between true changes and what’s happening now.”
“I know that.” She clutched Julian’s hand. “Ryan won’t leave me. I know nothing’s really changed.”
“But your heart and your head are at odds. Tabby mated Alex and moved out of your apartment.” Ryan placed his finger over her lip when she tried to speak. “Then Cyn moved in with Julian. Then the shop got moved.”
“And last night I moved in with you. So it’s all about change, good or bad.” It made sense, in a twisted sort
of way.
“Mm-hm.” Ryan stroked her hair. “No one’s saying that what you’re feeling isn’t legitimate. You’ve been through a hell of a lot, sweetheart. It’s a testament to how strong you are that you haven’t lost your mind for real.”
“And the panic attacks can be controlled, just like any phobic reaction.” Julian was smiling, but his eyes were still silver.
She glared at them equally. “So you guys are saying I’m crazy.”
“No. You’re coping with crazy. There’s a difference.” Ryan tugged her hand out of Julian’s, stroking her fingers soothingly. The sensation of Ryan’s power washing over her was different, more jagged and not as strong as Julian’s. “This is something you may overcome with time, or something that will occasionally hit you for the rest of your life. The important thing is knowing what causes it and trying to overcome the fear that triggers it.”
“That’s it?”
“That’s it.” Ryan kissed the top of her head. “And for now, at least, I telecommute from here. If it keeps the panic attacks at bay, it will be worth it.”
“But we still need to address the phobia, and for that we need an expert.”
“Then we find one. But for now?” Glory smiled as Ryan’s arms tightened around her. “I’m not going anywhere.”
And he didn’t, not for the whole day. He stayed out of the way, peeking in on them every now and then to make sure the asshole who’d bitten her hadn’t returned.
Ryan claimed he had a whiff of the guy now, and if he caught even a smidgeon of his scent anywhere near Glory the asshole was going to suffer a Bear mauling.
He also told her it was the same scent that had been on the gifts she’d found outside her apartment.
That didn’t creep her out the tiniest bit.
Nope. Not at all.
Deep breaths, Glory. Deep breaths.
Ryan sauntered out to the front of the shop, stopping to check out the piercing jewelry. Ryan was pleased with the dark earring she’d picked for him. Maybe he was considering getting something else done as well.
Some people loved getting piercings, while others simply did their ears and nothing else. She was beginning to think Ryan might be in that first category. Maybe he would let her pick his next piercing again. Maybe she’d do one of his nipples? She didn’t think he was ready for a Prince Albert or a guiche, but a pretty gold ring in his nipple for her to play with?
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