“What you’re trying to say is that Trey was beaten? By his father and Jake?” Rebecca’s eyes darkened as she frowned and reached out for Ben’s hand.
“You have to remember in those days and in this part of the country, parents spanked their kids. And the McCallans were no different. But because of their wolf nature they’re tougher, harder to hurt and fast to heal. A spanking to Jake and Trey would have been like a beating to a normal child.”
“You’re trying to say it was okay for that to happen.” Rebecca’s voice grew hard.
“No, Rebecca. I’m just telling you that’s how they were raised. But Michael loved his children, all of them. There were far more good times than bad. Still, I regret that I did nothing. It was the way Michael had been raised and his father before him. He believed he needed to make the boys understand what they were, how they had to behave, and how they had to be strong enough to control themselves to keep from hurting others.”
“Because hurting others would mean discovery?”
“That’s right. And once the world found out about us, it would be the end of our lives. Michael and I lived in fear of being found out, what the authorities would do to us and to our children. You’re going to face that same fear, Rebecca. How you and Jake choose to deal with it will be up to you two.”
Rebecca sat back and seemed to take all this in. After chewing her lip, she looked up, determination in her eyes. “Before we get married, Jake and I will have a talk about this and come to an agreement about discipline because that is not going to happen to my children. Not Ben and not his brothers or sisters.”
“Don’t worry. Jake isn’t his father. He’ll be open to change. In dealing with Trey, I believe Jake came to realize that the old ways didn’t work, but I’m afraid the damage to their relationship was done by then.” She stood and gave Ben a kiss on his cheek.
“Thank you for sharing this with me, Carrie. I think I understand Jake just a bit better now. And Trey.” Rebecca stood and walked her to the door.
“You’re welcome. I thought since you’re going to join the ranks of McCallan women you’ll need to understand and have all the information before you commit yourself.”
“Commit? It’s a little late for that, isn’t it? I couldn’t live without Jake, could I?”
“You could live, Rebecca. But your life wouldn’t be worth living without him.” Carrie gave her a peck on the cheek. “I’ll call you about the details of the meeting next week.” She walked to her car, got in and pulled away.
She didn’t regret telling Rebecca the truth. Most families had their secrets.
But the McCallans’ secrets were more dangerous than most.
Chapter 14
“Calm down.” Vicki’s voice was so even, so placating. So annoying.
“I tell you, I’m going to go insane. I need to get out!” Rebecca shouted into the phone. If she could have reached through the line and grabbed Vicki by the throat and shook her, she would have.
“Stop being such a drama queen. I’ll come over later this afternoon and visit. I need to get a few things done for my class, then I swear I’ll be there.”
“You better. I can’t take another day of bad daytime television. If I’d known I’d be stuck here this long, I’d have ordered cable.” Rebecca growled in frustration.
“I don’t know why you don’t have it now. I can’t live without it. I’m hooked on that deadly catch fishing show.” Vicki laughed. “Who knew fishing could be sexy?”
“For you, maybe.” Becca laughed. “I can’t afford it. Not until business picks up.”
“Look, I’ve got to run or I’ll never get there. You’re okay?”
“I’m okay.” Becca sighed. “Go. But with all haste.”
“See you later.”
“Bye.” Becca hung up the phone and sighed. Then she plopped onto the couch, put her feet up, and stared at her ankles.
Being stuck inside was a pain in the ass, but at least her feet weren’t as swollen. Without all the walking she’d been doing, she’d spent more time on the floor and lying on the couch as she played with Ben.
In fact, they’d played so long today, he’d fallen asleep as soon as she put him down. She took the rare opportunity and closed her eyes, hoping for some rest.
There was a firm knock on the door.
“Too good to be true,” she muttered as she got up and went to the door.
Another knock.
She opened the door and found a grinning Jake on the other side.
“Hi.” His smile was infectious and she smiled back.
“Hi.” She stood there, staring into her lifemate’s deep brown eyes.
“Hope you don’t mind if I didn’t call before I came over.”
“Are you kidding? I need something to break the boredom.” She reached out, grabbed his shirt, and hauled him through the doorway.
Jake laughed as she continued to pull him. “House arrest getting to you?”
“Just going insane, that’s all.” She stopped in the middle of the living room. Damn, he looked so good. So strong. And he was all hers.
How could her body go from tired and lifeless to turned-on and needy with just one look at him?
She launched herself at him like a wildcat.
*
He caught her in his arms and their mouths fused. God. Becca’s passion spilled out between her lips as she caressed his chest with her hands, setting fire to his arousal.
“I think I can keep you sane.” He growled.
“No. No sane. Drive me insane,” she whispered, then licked at his lips, teasing him, making his dick snap to life in his jeans.
“Are you my mate?” Nuzzling her neck, he blew against her skin, heating it. He smiled as he felt the shiver that ran through her body.
“Now and always. Are you my wolf?” She looked at him, her eyes glowing as if magic swirled in them.
“Now and always.” He claimed her mouth, just as his hands claimed her body, clutching her tight against him, rubbing his erection against her belly, pulling her up.
Becca climbed him as if he was made of stone, solid and sure and he felt invincible. Wrapping her legs around his waist, she pressed herself to him. The wet and heat from her core soaked through his t-shirt. Her heady scent told him she was aroused and ready for him, clouded his mind, pushing all rational thought out, and leaving only animal need.
He carried her to the sofa and sat, holding her on his lap. She wiggled against his erection, goading it, driving him closer to the place where nothing would exist but their desire for each other.
She leaned back and her quick fingers unbuttoned his shirt. Flinging it open, she lowered her mouth to his chest and took his nipple in with a hard, urgent suck.
“God, Becca.” Jake moaned as she laved it, her fingers plucking at the other hard point.
Her hands traveled down to his belt, and before he knew what had happened, she’d unfastened it and jerked it free. She dropped it on the floor behind her and went to work on the button of his jeans. His cock strained against the zipper, eager to greet her.
“This is what I want.” Jake leaned his head back and closed his eyes. He heard the zipper’s metallic plit plit plit as it lowered, then her warm, strong hand wrapped around his shaft.
Jake groaned. “Oh yeah, baby. That’s it.” He looked down at her working his flesh, and couldn’t resist thrusting into her palm.
Becca made little noises of pleasure and discovery, then she got off his lap and fell to her knees. She pulled at his jeans, he lifted his hips, and his cock and balls came free of their restraints.
“This is what I need.” Leaning forward, she ran her tongue over the full, engorged head, driving Jake up the wall.
“Me too.” He gasped, as her tongue teased at his slit. All he wanted was her mouth on him, to feel her heat as she swallowed him, to watch as she pleasured him.
She claimed his cock, taking it into her mouth, her tongue doing incredible things to him. Jake watched, even
more turned-on, as she moved up and down his shaft, her long hair swaying, brushing the skin of his belly. He reached out and buried his hand in her soft tresses, letting them wrap like silken tendrils around his fingers.
He wasn’t going to last long. That much he knew. Unable to say anything more than the smallest words or animal noises, he lost himself in the pure pleasure she gave him. That familiar tingling began in his loins, his balls tightened and he knew he was close. He could hold off, make this last, take it until he couldn’t.
Becca fondled his balls and he lost what little control he had.
She took him deep in her throat, hummed, and the vibrations against his flesh sent him right over the edge.
“Sweet Jesus!”
He came. She swallowed, her throat massaging his cock, dragging each spurt from him, demanding he give her everything.
Jake collapsed back against the sofa, panting and spent.
Becca released him with a soft pop, gave him a last lick, and then laughed.
“Is this what you came over for?” She grinned up at him.
He snorted. “No, but I’m glad I did. Must remember to keep you locked up more often.” He reached out and cupped her cheek.
“I don’t know what happened. One minute I was lying on the couch, trying to rest, then you were at the door, and I lost it.” She shrugged.
“Glad. So very very glad.” He sat up, grabbed her by the waist, and lifted her up. “Your turn.” With a quick twist, he had her on the couch, and he kneeled over her.
“Oh yes. I could use a turn.” Her eyes glittered and her sweet lips turned up in a sexy as hell smile.
He pulled her t-shirt up and pushed down her bra to expose her breasts. “These are mine.” Cupping them, he lowered his mouth to one erect pink peak and licked it.
“Yours and Ben’s.” She gasped as he pulled the nub into his mouth and suckled.
“Uh huh.” He gave the barest nod. They might be Ben’s at feeding time, but they were his right now.
He left the nipple and tongued his way down her stomach, pushing her soft jersey sweats down around her hips, taking a very sexy pair of satin panties with it.
Her scent, now fully released, flooded his nostrils and went straight to his cock. Laying kisses along the line of her soft curls, he kissed his way closer to the prize.
*
Becca whimpered and thrust her hips up at Jake. She was shameless in her need for him.
“Do it.”
“Do what?” He grinned up at her, that wild forelock of hair falling over his brow, making him look just a little dangerous. Jake was dangerous and she was a good girl who loved danger.
And nothing could be more dangerous than having sex with a werewolf, right?
“Lick me.”
He obeyed, dragging his tongue over her mound. “Like this?”
“Oh yes.”
He parted her nether lips with his fingers and ran his tongue between them.
“Yes. More.” Her body demanded more, and her hips rose to meet his questing tongue.
Jake dipped his head, and his tongue dragged upward, pushing deeper this time, parting her folds, until he reached her button. Then, he worked it, licking, sucking, torturing her.
Becca’s core throbbed with need.
“God, baby, you taste so good. So delicious. I can’t get enough.”
“Less talk. More tongue,” she ordered. She needed more of her wolf. Needed more of his touch, his tongue, his fingers exploring her most private places. “Touch me. Make me come.”
“Hell, yeah.”
She spread her legs wider, offering her body to him. Head back, breasts pushed up and nipples so hard they hurt, she gave herself to her lover, her lifemate, her wolf.
Jakes slipped a finger inside her and she clamped down on it.
“Damn, woman!” He growled.
His tongue returned to teasing her as his finger explored her. He changed the position each time he entered her and pulled out, pushing and rubbing against the edges of her opening. God, the friction was so achingly good.
Becca’s body tensed as she began the slow climb to orgasm.
Jake took her clit in his teeth and flicked his tongue on the small tip he’d captured.
“Oh God. Jake.” Now she was soaring, rushing towards climax, as his tongue, his teeth and his fingers drove her there, like a demon with a wicked whip.
Jake was wicked. Wickedly good. And he was hers. All hers. Forever.
A second finger entered her, stretching her wider, and he sucked harder on her clit.
She buried both hands in his hair, pushing him down, controlling the pressure on her body, as her hips rhythmically bumped and ground against him.
“So close.” She gasped, flung her head back, and let go.
Spinning out of control, she hung on the edge, then dropped. Her core spasmed as she came, over and over, as if it would never stop.
After what seemed forever, it ended. She fell back, chest heaving, sweat damp on her face, strands of her hair plastered to her neck.
“Amazing.” She sighed. “Now, that was what I needed.”
“Just call next time. I’ll be glad to come over and take care of your every need.” Jake chuckled as he sat back.
She opened her eyes and looked at him just in time to catch him licking his lips as if to catch every drop of her juices. She shuddered. Damn, she’d just come and her body was ready for more.
But Vicki was coming over and Ben would be awake soon.
“So, why did you come over?”
“Two things. First, to invite you to church and to lunch afterwards. All the usual people will be there.”
“Sure. Right up to the time I ran away, I really did enjoy the visit.”
“Good.” He stood, zipped up, and buttoned his shirt. She righted her clothing also and they sat on the couch, her tucked under his arm, her legs folded under her.
“And the second thing?”
“I found where Trey is staying.”
“You found him?” She sat up.
“No, but I know where he’s been hiding out. I’m still looking for him.” He didn’t look at her.
“I know this is hard for you, Jake.” She took his hand and meshed her fingers with his.
“Yeah. I just can’t believe Trey would try to kill you.” He sighed. “He’s a lot of things, but he’s not a murderer. At least, I don’t want to believe it.”
She didn’t know what to say. She wasn’t sure it was Trey, but she was sure he knew something about the attempts to kill her and Ben.
“Well, you know your brother, Jake. I only met him once.”
“Obviously not as well as I thought.”
“When you do find him, I think you two should have a long talk.” She gave his hand a squeeze of support.
“Yeah. We need to talk.” Jake nodded.
“Without fists.”
Jake sat up and stared at her. “What did you say?”
“Your mom came to visit the other day. We had a long talk. She told me about how your father raised you. About how you tried to use those…methods on Trey. And how they didn’t work.” She petted the back of his hand as she looked into his eyes.
“Oh.” He cleared his throat. Jake’s lips turned down and his brows furrowed. “I’m not proud of that. I was wrong to try to dominate Trey. I realize now how badly it damaged our relationship.” He ran a hand through his hair.
“I know you do. I can see how torn you’ve been about this whole thing.”
“Thanks for understanding.” He caressed her cheek with his knuckles.
“And I just want you to know, up front, before we go any farther, that I won’t tolerate that with my children. A spank is one thing, but there is no way I’ll stand by and let you or anyone else beat my children, werewolves or not.” She stared into his eyes, determined to make him understand she could be just as strong as he and that she meant every word.
“I agree.” He licked his lips. “It hurt Trey a
nd it hurt me. I can’t tell you how upset I was each and every time I hit him. He was my little brother, for Christ sake. And I didn’t know what to do. How to make him behave. How to save him from himself.” Jake’s eyes filled with tears and Becca’s heart ached for him. He had let her see his pain, and that meant so much to her.
“You were just a kid too. And it’s all you knew.”
“Dad was strict. And he had to be. We had to learn control. I didn’t get half the licks Trey did, guess I learned quick how to toe the line. Be a good wolf.” Jake snorted. “But Trey? He fought it every step of the way. Fought Dad, then he fought me.”
“Looking for himself, that’s all. Both you and your father were strong, knew what and who you were. Sounds like Trey’s been lost for a long time.”
“Lost. That’s it in a nutshell. And I don’t know how to help him.”
Becca snuggled against him. “Maybe you don’t have to. Maybe you just need to respect him, let him live his life and make the mistakes he has to make.”
Jake leaned back and sighed. “You’re right. And I will, but after I find out who’s behind all this. We’ll talk, I promise.”
“Good.” She brought Jake’s hand to her lips and kissed it. “Are you staying longer? Vicki’s going to come by and keep me company.”
“No, I need to go, baby.” He let her go and stood.
Becca stood too. “Well, I’ll see you tomorrow at church.”
“Want me to come by and pick you up?”
“No, thanks. I’ve got too much baby stuff. The car seat is a pain to take out and put back in. I’ll just meet you there.” They walked to the front door and she opened it.
“Okay. See you at ten on the front steps.” Jake stepped out and turned back to her. “I love you, Becca.” His love shone in his eyes, surrounded her, keeping her safe.
She rose up on her toes and gave him a kiss. “I love you too, Jake. Tomorrow.”
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