****
Hannah blinked her eyes, disoriented by her surroundings. Where am I? Her last memory had been the inside of Adam’s truck, not a dingy motel room. Hannah glanced down at herself, relieved to find she still wore her work uniform and shoes. Movement caught her eye, and she kept still as she surreptitiously watched Adam pace back and forth. He pulled at his hair making it stick up as he muttered incoherently to himself about his wolf.
His behavior scared Hannah. She’d known Adam to be a complete asshole, but she hadn’t ever thought he was schizophrenic or delusional. She wasn’t sure how to deal with this. He suddenly stopped and slowly, almost reluctantly, turned. His blue eyes glowed yellow like they had in the truck, and Hannah began to wonder if maybe she was the delusional one. He took a step toward her, and Hannah scrambled backwards on the bed. Her head banged against the headboard, but she ignored the pain and futilely pushed herself against it. The room filled with a low inhuman growl, and Hannah swallowed hard. It was coming from Adam.
“Stop! Don’t hurt yourself. You’re going to upset him.” Adam’s voice no longer his own. “Don’t run.” He grunted out, and he bent at the waist as if in pain before he fell to his knees beside the bed. Hannah’s eyes bulged, and her heart raced. She held her breath when he reached out with claw-tipped fingers. “Please, I’m not going to hurt you, but—” He groaned. “We—I just need to touch you right now.”
Hannah had never physically been afraid of Adam. He’d hurt her with his words not his strength, and even though his eyes glowed and his fingernails were razor sharp, her fear started to dissipate. Whatever he was, she believed him when he said he wouldn’t hurt her. He’d had plenty of opportunity already. Hannah let out her pent-up breath as he reached out to touch her. His movements were jerky and tentative, and he kept his head lowered so she couldn’t see his eyes. She stayed still until his large hand covered her foot and ankle, the pad of his thumb gently rubbing circles, making it hard for her to concentrate.
“You were horrible to me,” she said quietly. One moment they’d been friends and the next he’d turned on her like a rabid dog.
“I’m not that person, Hannah. I never was. I never wanted to hurt you,” he bit out. “I didn’t have a choice.”
“Why should I believe you, Adam? You hated me. Hate me,” she corrected. He’d made his feelings crystal clear all through high school.
He shook his head. “You couldn’t be more wrong. I’m sorry, I’m so sorry for everything. Every hurt I ever caused you. I wish I could take it back, but it was all I could do to keep you safe.” He gasped. “I missed you so fucking much, Hannah.” His voice broke.
A lump formed in her throat. Hannah reached out, grabbed his t-shirt, and pulled him to her. She couldn’t bear his pain. Meeting her halfway, he dragged her sideways across his lap. He wrapped his arms around her and buried his face in her neck as he pressed himself against her.
“I missed you, too, Adam,” she whispered. “What’s going on? What happened? I thought we were friends. Why did you turn on me like that?”
“I failed you.” He growled against her neck, and he held her tight as he gently started to rock her.
“What do you mean, you failed me?” She was tired of these non-answers.
He raised his gaze to meet hers, his expression pained. “Do you remember the dirt bike accident I had your freshman year?
“Yeah, I remember. You were pretty banged up,” she said slowly, afraid of where this was going.
“I didn’t really have a dirt bike accident, Hannah. My dad found out I was hanging out with you, that we were friends.”
“So? Why would he do that, Adam?” she whispered, horrified by what he implied. She remembered he’d been black and blue all over, his arm in a sling. It had also been the day he’d started being nasty to her. At first, she’d chalked it up to him not feeling well, but when he healed and continued his verbal assaults she’d realized he wasn’t who she thought he was.
“Because he hates humans and he didn’t want me being friends with one.”
“If you’re not human, Adam, then what are you?” She frowned, confused.
“I’m a wolf shifter.” Adam took a deep breath. “There’s a wolf inside of me, and sometimes, he comes out.”
Hannah shook her head. This was crazy, but she couldn’t refute what she could see right in front of her. “Your yellow eyes?” she asked, staring into them.
“My wolf,” he growled, his wolf staring back.
“Why does your dad hate humans?” she asked, bewildered.
“I honestly don’t know. But he does. With a vengeance and when he found out about you and me, he showed me how he felt about it. He told me he’d hurt you if I didn’t stop being your friend.”
“You could have told me and we could have pretended, Adam.” She recalled all of the hurtful, nasty things he’d said to her throughout the years.
“No, I couldn’t. My pack had to sense the hurt and smell the fear on you. If not, my father would have known,” he told her. “He’d have found out. He’s powerful. That’s why I had to be so fucking horrible to you. Someone else in my pack had an issue with it and ratted me out.”
“Adam, we could have gone to the police.” There had to have been a better way.
“No, Hannah, the police wouldn’t have been able to help. My dad and the pack are too strong. The only thing I could think of to keep you safe was to make it look like I hated you.”
“Well, mission accomplished,” she said flatly. Adam shut his eyes and cringed. Hannah was sorry and not sorry. She got it, but she didn’t, and that angered her. “Why are you back in my life now, Adam? Why did you come into the diner tonight? Why didn’t you just stay away? I was at the point where I was almost not thinking about you every day.”
“Almost?” He grinned.
Hannah shook her head. “Adam,” she warned. “I wasn’t exactly thinking happy thoughts.” His face fell. “You need to tell me what’s going on right now or I’m calling the police.” He nodded and swallowed.
“The police can’t help us, but I’m taking us somewhere I think we’ll be safe.”
Hannah snorted. “You think we’ll be safe?”
“Trust me when I tell you at this point we’re better off risking it.”
“Awesome. This just keeps getting better. Tell me why, Adam? Why now?” What in the world Adam had gotten in her into?
“Um, well, when shifters, wolf shifters come of age, we, ah, we become sexually active, and it’s customary to start looking for your mate.”
“Mate?” She decided to ignore his sexually active comment. She didn’t want to imagine him being with anyone else. She shouldn’t care but it irritated her, and then it irritated her because she did care. He’s scrambling my brains.
“When our wolves choose our other halves it’s for life,” he told her.
“Okay?” She shook her head. She wasn’t sure what this had to do with her. He’d never regarded her as anything more than a friend and then she’d believed for years that he’d hated her.
“When I turned eighteen my father started bringing girls home for me. Or he’d take me to them. But nothing worked. My wolf wasn’t interested.” He looked her dead in the eye. “Ever. Not one. I thought we were on our way to see another pack for my father to parade more girls in front of me when he had me pull into the diner. But now I know it wouldn’t have mattered.” Adam’s voice was matter-of-fact.
“Why wouldn’t it have mattered?” Hannah asked. The idea of women being paraded in front of him sent an irrational stab of jealousy through her. She really hated Mr. Atwood.
“Apparently, my wolf already chose his mate.” He slowly moved up her body so he lay beside her. “A long time ago.”
“How do you know?” Hannah whispered, and her heart raced. She was afraid to believe she understood what he implied.
He groaned and shook his head before he wrapped his arms around her. “Because.” Adam rolled his hips, and she gasped wh
en the evidence of his arousal pressed against her. “My cock has never been this hard, and I’ve never wanted to fuck so badly in my life.” Groaning, he rolled his hips again. “And I can feel it here,” he patted his chest, “and here.” He touched his temple. “My heart and my wolf are telling me you’re mine. You’ve always been my most favorite person, Hannah. I feel pretty stupid for not having realized why.”
Yellow eyes stared down and burned into her soul. Her stomach fluttered with excitement when he reached out to tuck a lock of hair behind her ear. His eyes lowered until he stared at her mouth, and Hannah self-consciously licked her lips. There was a low rumble in his chest when he lowered his head.
“Tell me to stop and we will,” he whispered before he pressed his lips against hers.
We? Oh God, he means his wolf. Hannah’s insides clenched and melted when he tilted his head and deepened the kiss.
Chapter Four
“I missed you so much, Hannah.” Adam didn’t want to stop kissing her, so he spoke against her lips.
She pulled her head away and caught his gaze. “I missed you, too, Adam, but this is different, isn’t it?” Her voice trembled.
“Yes,” he told her and breathed in deep. He shuddered when her scent filled his lungs and pleasure coursed through him, straight to his cock. His feelings for her were very different now, and she was about to find out how much. “You smell so fucking good right now.”
She smiled and snorted. “I was working a double shift when you kidnapped me, so I doubt that.”
“You have no idea, woman, you have no idea what your scent is doing to me.” She still wore her waitress uniform. It was a little blue polyester number that did nothing to hide her curves. He moved his palm up her thigh and pushed her skirt up as he went. “The things I want to do.” He shook his head. “The things I’m going to do.” He fisted the edges of her panties.
“Adam? I…”
“Fuck, I want to taste you. I need to taste you, Hannah.”
Hannah’s breath caught in her throat, and her eyes widened at his words. Her breath quickened, and though she didn’t respond, her eyes pleaded for him to continue. That wasn’t good enough for Adam. He needed her consent and wanted to hear her submission.
“Will you let me?” he growled out, his voice growing deeper as his wolf clawed at him to claim her. He ignored the throbbing in his cock. “Will you let me taste this pussy?” He didn’t move a muscle as he waited for her response. He wouldn’t go any further without her okay, no matter how much it hurt him.
“I—I’ve never done this before,” she confessed quietly.
He’d suspected as much and lowered his head so they were eye to eye. “Hannah, I’ve never done this before either. This is the first time I’ve ever wanted to be with another.” He cringed when memories flashed through his mind, so he pushed them away and focused on the now. He hoped Hannah never found out the level of depravity his father had stooped to, to try to breed his only son. Forcing young girls to strip and present themselves to him and his wolf. It had been the most disturbing, degrading thing he’d ever experienced, and it still made him sick to his stomach. “I wasn’t lying when I said I’ve never been hard for a girl before,” he told her quietly. He wasn’t embarrassed, but he knew this was serious. “But I am now, and it’s because of you.”
“Because I’m your mate?” she asked, and he nodded.
“Yes, but, Hannah, you have to know I’ve always loved you. It might not have been this kind of love.” He ground his erection against her. “But I’ve always loved you. You’re mine. You’re my mate, and if you accept me you will be my wife and the mother of my children.”
She squealed when he stood up with her in his arms. He spun and laid her down on the bed so he could see her properly. He reached down and grasped her panties again on either side of her hips.
“Will you let me taste this pussy?” he asked her one more time and waited for her answer.
****
This was crazy and fast, but she’d known Adam forever. He was hers as much as she was his. The knowledge was soul deep. She wasn’t sure what was going to happen, but she was certain she wanted to be with him.
“Yes, but shower first, please. I wasn’t joking about working a double shift.” Her voice was husky and breathless to her own ears, and her insides fluttered when he growled.
His growl should frighten her. Instead, it sent pleasure pulsing through her. His fingers were warm against her and tickled her thighs as he dragged her panties down and off. Embarrassment flooded her when he gently pried her legs apart, but her pussy pulsed and gushed at his wrecked expression.
“Gods, you smelled wet, but, baby, fuck. Is this for me?” His face was intense when he finally looked up from her pussy, and she could only nod.
“I don’t want to wash away your scent. Do you see what you’re doing to me?” Her mouth grew dry when he palmed the bulge in his jeans. “But if that’s what you want, I’d love to soap you up.” He squeezed his cock and groaned before he reached back and pulled his t-shirt over his head with one hand.
“Jesus, Adam.” Hannah wasn’t sure if he worked out a lot or if his body was this big because he was a shifter person. He just grinned as he unbuttoned his jeans and pulled them down, boxer briefs and all. He kicked them aside, and she couldn’t tear her eyes away. Oh.
He held out his hand for her, and she hesitantly took it. He pulled her to her feet, and she allowed him to unzip her uniform. He reached around and undid her bra clasp, his eyes glued to her chest as her bra fell to the ground.
“You’re sure you want to shower?”
Hannah nodded and, hand in his, nervously followed him to the bathroom. He turned away to adjust the temperature, and she was instantly chilled when his heated gaze left hers. She glanced down at her naked body and couldn’t help but notice how the hard planes of his body were in sharp contrast to her softer one, and doubt filled her. He turned back around and reached for her.
“Hannah, what’s wrong?”
“You’re … you’re really big.”
He took himself in hand. “Yes, I guess I am, but, Hannah we’re mates.” He stepped closer and cupped her cheek. “We’ll fit together, and I’ll go very, very slowly. I can’t promise it won’t hurt, especially not your first time, but I’ll be gentle.” He leaned down and kissed her. “Hannah, if this is too much, just tell me. We don’t have to do anything you don’t want to. For now, let’s just take a shower, okay?”
“Okay.” Hannah swallowed and followed him under the hot spray. She gasped and shivered when he pulled her wet body flush against his. He leaned down and kissed her doubts away before he grabbed the soap and lathered her up. His hands were warm and calloused, and her breasts bounced and swayed under his ministrations, any shyness dissipating with every loving caress. “My breasts must be filthy.”
He gave her a devilish grin. “That’s right. You’re my dirty girl.” He set the soap aside and pressed his chest against hers, and he hugged her tight as the spray washed the suds away.
Her nipples were hard and engorged as they slid back and forth against his slickened skin. Hannah held on to him as he rubbed his body against hers. His erection pressed against her stomach, and she reached down between them, wrapping her fingers around his cock. She was fascinated when he tensed and pulsed in her hand. He was so much different than she was.
“Fuck, Hannah.” He grabbed her wrist, stopping her mid-stroke, but she wasn’t to be deterred.
She needed to taste him like he said he was going to taste her. His eyes widened when she lowered to her knees in front of him. His fangs bit into his lower lip, his expression pained. Emboldened by his reaction, Hannah leaned forward and licked the slit of his cock before taking him fully into her mouth. Adam hissed and growled before he jerked his hips back and out of her mouth. Hannah would have laughed except the scorching yellow eyes staring down at her stole her breath.
“I can’t. I can’t wait any longer. I…” He shook his
head and gently gripped her forearms, helping her up. He opened and closed his mouth and swallowed hard. “You’re mine.” He growled and shut off the water, then reached out of the shower and grabbed two towels and handed her one. Hannah couldn’t help but squeal when he lifted her out of the tub and carried her into the bedroom. He laid her down and followed her, his broad shoulders holding her thighs open for him. His growl became louder until it was a constant rumble deep his chest.
Without warning he leaned down between her thighs and nuzzled his way to her clit, pulling it between his lips and sucking hard, and she cried out. Hannah fisted the sheets and writhed against his mouth. He wrapped his arms around her thighs, holding her still as he buried his face in her pussy. The sensation that built was so foreign and so intense it overwhelmed her as he licked and sucked and licked and sucked. Pleasure pulsed inside of her, and Hannah worried something was wrong.
“Wait! Something is happening,” she gasped out.
“Let it go,” he mumbled against her flesh, and she shook her head.
“I—” She couldn’t. This was too much.
He finally stopped and looked up at her.
“It’s okay, Hannah, let it go.”
“How do you know?” she asked, worried she would do something wrong.
“I haven’t ever been with a woman, Hannah, but I’ve watched a lot of porn.” He shrugged. “Just let your body do what if feels like it needs to. I have you. Don’t hold back. I want all of you, Hannah,” he told her before he leaned back down and sucked her clit back into his mouth.
Hannah couldn’t help but cry out and gasp for air as he licked her over and over. She could feel her orgasm build once again, deep in her middle, but this time he slowly slid two fingers into her and he stretched her. Her inner muscles convulsed around his fingers like she’d been starved for them, and she could feel herself grow even slicker. He thrust his fingers gently but rapidly inside of her, and she could hear how wet she was. The sweet ache pulsed and grew, starting to overwhelm her again, but she did as he asked and closed her eyes.
His Forbidden Mate Page 2