by Lowe, Anna
The thought chased his smile away, replacing it with a frown. What had Connor said about Sophie?
A cloud slipped over the moon — one of many, he noted. A sign of change in the air. He stepped inside, brow furrowed in consternation. Sophie had come to the bottom of the stairs, waiting for him, and he couldn’t help brightening again.
“Is everything okay?” she asked, looking concerned.
More than okay, his wolf growled. Sophie was wearing the shirt he’d discarded not too long ago — and not much else. He breathed deeply, loving how their scents had mingled.
He stepped over for a hug. A hell of a hug, as it turned out, because the shyness between them was gone. Well, mostly gone. Sophie blushed as she always did, and his face heated too. Now he knew why his brothers and Dell always looked so dopey around their mates. They were absolutely, totally, hopelessly in love. Just like him.
“I might have to check on some things in the morning,” he said, resting his cheek against her silky hair. “But we’re good for tonight.”
“No sign of the shooter?” Her voice wavered, and her grip on his shoulders tightened.
“They’re following a few leads, but nothing right now.” Chase let a couple of heartbeats tick by, wondering if he should get to that talk now. But he was still too edgy after Connor’s warnings, and his wolf was pacing inside. “Do you want a bite?”
He meant the food basket, but his wolf shot back a lusty, Yes. A mating bite.
“Sure,” Sophie said, sounding glad for the distraction.
Together, they picked through the offerings — fancy bread, cheese, and ham — and ate at the kitchen counter. The dogs sat in an orderly row, making a show of how well-behaved they could be in hope of some morsels. Chase was torn between shooing them all away, tough alpha style, and showing a little heart. Those mutts had been Sophie’s sole comfort before he’d come along, and they’d saved her life. He owed them forever for that.
He flipped a tiny piece of sausage to Darcy. For taking good care of my mate.
You mean, my nice lady, the little dog huffed back.
Chase let that one slide. There was enough conflict in the world. No need to add more.
“Oh, look.” Sophie pulled a container out of the basket. “Strawberries. Yum.”
Chase smiled. Back in the army, guys tried to help each other forget the perils of the outside world, but it was hard. Sophie could make his mind go blissfully blank with a few words.
She held out a strawberry, and he ate it from her hand. So much for being a tough alpha.
“Good, huh?” She laughed.
He closed his eyes, masking his expression. Oh, it was good, all right. Not just for the berry flavor, but as a reminder of how he’d gotten to brush his lips over her body a short time ago. Her mouth…her neck…her nipples…
He shifted sideways to give his hardening cock more space.
“Want another one?” she asked.
He risked a glance in her direction. Was that a tease in her voice?
Sophie’s eyes were merry, her cheeks bright red. Oh, she was teasing, all right.
“Sure.” His voice was husky as hell, the way it got after he shifted out of wolf form.
Sophie held out another berry and gripped the stem while he bit down.
Definitely teasing. His wolf licked its lips.
He kept his gaze locked on Sophie the whole time, trying to keep the glow of lust out of his eyes. A losing battle because, damn. His cock was rock hard, his pulse all over the place. Before long, he had Sophie boxed in against the kitchen counter and his lips against her ear.
“You want more space?” he whispered, desperately hoping she’d say no.
She slid her hands down his ass. “I want less space.”
A zing of excitement rushed through his veins.
“How’s this?” He hoisted her onto the kitchen counter and stepped into the vee between her knees.
“Perfect,” she breathed. Her fingers splayed across his belly, and her thumb toyed with his navel.
He bit his lip then reached behind her and pushed everything aside — the food basket, the toaster, everything. The salt and pepper shakers toppled off the far end of the counter, making the dogs scatter.
“Chase!” Sophie admonished, but there was a gleam in her eye.
“Sophie,” he growled, covering her mouth with his.
That kiss was hotter and hungrier than ever before, and he nestled closer, letting her feel just how hard he was.
“How’s this?” he whispered, dragging his lips along her neck.
A tiny moan escaped her lips, and she tilted her head back. “Even better.”
He would have chuckled, but he was too busy. All that hair, all that smooth skin. Where to begin?
His wolf gave a little huff. Isn’t it obvious?
He moved slowly, sliding his hands up her thighs one delicious inch at a time, rolling away the edge of the T-shirt that barely covered her.
The room was quiet, the dogs having retreated to a far corner of the barn. Sophie sighed deeply and spread her legs wider, inviting him in.
“I have a new answer,” she murmured, tilting her head back.
He glanced up. “To what?”
She gasped as his thumb touched down between her legs. Then she swallowed a few times and spoke in a shaky voice. “If I could do anything, I would do this. Exactly this.” She threaded her fingers through his hair and rocked against his hand.
Chase raked his teeth against her neck then took a deep breath. So many options. So many rewards. But if he took things too fast, would Sophie shy away?
“More,” she protested when he paused.
His wolf goaded him on. She’ll like it. I swear she will.
And fool that he was, Chase listened. He pulled her shirt a little higher and backed away from the counter without letting his lips leave her body. He dipped lower and lower, gripping her thighs, praying she wouldn’t stop him.
“Nice,” she whispered.
When he kissed the top of her thigh, Sophie guided his head to her center. She leaned back to give him more space, holding her breath.
He came down over her core gently, but as soon as her sweet flavor registered on his tongue…
“Oh, yes…” she moaned, holding him close.
He licked hard and deep, like the wild wolf he was.
He held back her soft flesh with his thumbs, determined to make her come as hard and as fast as possible. And all that time, Sophie whimpered under his tongue.
Yes, his wolf growled. Make our mate come…
A moment later, Sophie cried out. Every muscle in her body bunched, and he held her, still lapping away.
“So good…” she murmured, going limp in his arms.
He held her, and at first, it was like holding a rag doll. Gradually, Sophie straightened, and her eyes focused. He’d never seen her look so calm. Loving. Serene.
Then the color rose in her cheeks, and her eyes shone brighter.
“That was good for me. But poor you,” she cooed, sliding a seductive finger over his cock.
“Yeah, poor me.” Chase groaned. “The condoms are all the way up there.” He drooped over her shoulder as his cock ached.
Sophie cleared her throat primly. “Most of the condoms are up there. But if you look closely…”
He looked up as she patted the breast pocket of the shirt. The woman was a genius.
She guided his hand to her breast until all that soft goodness warmed his palm. And in the middle… He reached in and plucked out a foil packet.
“Good thing someone was thinking.” Sophie fluttered her eyelashes.
He ripped the packet open then paused, offering it to her. She didn’t take the condom, but she kept her hands over his while he put it on.
“And what exactly were you thinking?” he asked, barely breathing.
She pulled the shirt over her head — slowly, giving him time to drink his fill. Then she wrapped her legs around his waist and he
r arms around his shoulders, drawing him closer. Her nipples brushed his chest, and her silky hair tickled his collarbone. As if that weren’t enough, she caressed his ears, driving his inner wolf wild.
“I was thinking you deserve some fun too,” she whispered.
Chase worked his jaw back and forth a few times. Fun wasn’t the right word, not for all the emotions welling up in his chest, nor for the sheer physical need his body quivered with. But words weren’t his thing. Deeds were.
He cupped both sides of her ass and drew her toward him, gritting his teeth while she took in his straining cock. Slowly, drawing out that glorious burn.
She gasped into his ear. “Deeper.”
Her words were more command than dirty talk, and he pushed forward, suppressing a groan. She was so slick, so snug around him. Tight but yielding at the same time. He withdrew then pushed back in, making her cry out.
“Oh!”
His eyes narrowed to slits, but he kept them locked on her face, watching as her expression changed. Concentrated at first, then more rapturous. Before long, they were both panting, clutching, moaning…
Sophie, he wanted to howl. You are my mate. My one and only.
His canines ached, desperate to extend, but that was the only thing he held back. The need to pleasure her had free rein. The instinct to mark her with his scent. The urgent need to fill his woman, again and again…
Her body tensed — a signal that she was about to come, and he timed his hardest thrust for them to both come at the same time.
“Yes…” she moaned, clenching around him
Yes, his wolf hissed as he released deep inside her body.
Adrenaline blazed through his body, and he stood still as a statue, hanging on to every drop of his bliss. When Sophie cried out in an aftershock, he drove into her one more time, making her moan. And when she slumped in his arms, he forced his stiff limbs to loosen and cradle her. His chest rose and fell with every short breath. Sophie held him tightly, chin tucked over his shoulder, fingers splayed over his back. One warm tear rolled down his skin, followed by another, and he pulled away. Oh God. Had he been too rough? Too fast? Too deep?
Sophie dragged a hand across her eyes and smiled. “I’m sorry. I’m good.” She buried her head against his shoulder. “I’m more than good. In so many ways…”
He wrapped his arms around her so far they overlapped. Then he nestled up against her ear. “I know what you mean.”
“Do you? Because I’ve never, ever felt this good.” She rocked in his arms.
Chase inhaled their intermingled scents and felt pure contentment heat his bones. “Neither have I,” he whispered. “Neither have I.”
Chapter Thirteen
Sophie turned slowly, barely opening her eyes before shutting them again. It was morning — she could tell that much — but she was afraid the previous night had been a dream. What if she hadn’t just spent the best night of her life wrapped in a perfect man’s arms?
But that weight on her leg wasn’t one of the dogs cuddled up alongside, and she wasn’t imagining the tough, wiry fingers intertwined with hers. Slowly, she opened her eyes. Then she closed them again, exhaling in relief. She really was cuddled up with Chase, and she really had spent the night in that cozy loft with him.
The clock showed shortly past six. Chase was still spooned up behind her, snoozing peacefully. Was he wiped out, or would he awake all energized? She felt a little of both, though she had the sneaking suspicion the energized part might take over again and lead them into yet another round of sex.
A huge grin spread on her face as she relived what they’d done in the wee hours of the morning. When she’d stirred at the first hint of daylight, Chase had kissed her shoulder, and before long, they were shagging like bunnies all over again.
Not like bunnies. Like wolves, Chase had corrected her when she’d joked afterward.
Wolf was an apt description, because not only had they gone at it on all fours, they’d done so with a raw, animal intensity she didn’t think she was capable of. Even Chase — her sweet, tender lover — had shown his wilder side, nipping her neck and thrusting into her like never before. When they’d collapsed into a heap afterward, huffing and panting, she could have sworn she heard him whisper a single word.
Mine.
She closed her eyes, hugging his arm to her belly. She wanted to be his, and for him to be hers.
“Morning,” Chase whispered, bringing her gaze around.
She rolled to look at him, and it hit her all over again — how genuine he was. How sweet.
How built, the naughty part of her mind added after a peek at his chiseled torso.
Still, that hint of vulnerability was there, though she couldn’t quite explain why. It was endearing as anything, but it worried her at the same time. What was it that haunted his quiet, introspective soul?
“Morning,” she whispered.
“Morning,” he echoed.
A second later, they both laughed, because there they were again, all starry-eyed just from being together.
“You make me tongue-tied,” she said, pressing her body against his.
“Hmm. Tongue-tied,” he murmured, drawing her closer. “I like the sound of that.”
They kissed for a good minute then sighed and leaned back, grinning broadly. Her foot bumped Chase’s, and after he looked down, he spent a long time dragging his gaze back to her face.
She blushed, not so much from shyness, but at the realization of how comfortable she was with him looking at her. Then she looked around, trying to get her mind onto something other than his body, hers, or how good she felt. Outside the huge, west-facing windows, the sky was overcast, and a blustery wind made the trees bend and sway. It wasn’t shaping up to be a typically beautiful Maui day. But that didn’t matter, not when she had Chase and a cozy place to shelter in.
“I love what you’ve done with this barn. It’s great.”
He looked around slowly. “It is. But I have to admit, it’s not usually this nice. My friends fixed it up a little.” Then he sighed. “I guess they’ve been trying to fix us up.”
She laughed. “Looks like we owe them, then.”
Chase nodded with an expression that said, More than you could ever know.
“Were you always so close?”
He mulled that one over for a long time before answering. “I guess so. What about you? No brothers to pester you?”
She laughed. “I always wished for some brothers. Sisters. Anyone.” The old sadness seeped back into her, but she pushed it away. “I had a dog, though.”
He chuckled. “That figures.”
“Roscoe. Best dog ever. Oops.” She peeked down toward the ground floor where the dogs lay snoozing. “I mean, from my twelve-year-old point of view.”
Chase’s eyes twinkled. “What did Roscoe do?”
She shrugged, trying to pick out something concrete from her memories. “He listened.” Like you do.
Chase waited patiently for more, and yes — that was like Roscoe too. Chase even had his head cocked the way Roscoe once did. And Chase’s eyes — they were so earnest, so innocent in a way she couldn’t explain.
“We had our own book club, Roscoe and I,” she confessed. “We read James Herriot and all the Black Stallion books.”
Chase broke out in a laugh heartier than she’d ever heard from him before. “How exactly did that work?”
She smiled at the ceiling. Finally, a nice memory of her younger days. Leave it to Chase to help draw the good out from under the bad. “It worked the way tea parties with stuffed animals do. I would read aloud, and Roscoe would listen.” Then she caught Chase’s dubious look and swatted him with a pillow. “Men. You wouldn’t understand. I bet you played soldier as kids.”
Chase shook his head, so she guessed again.
“Did you build a tree house out in the woods?”
“More like a den,” he said, watching for her reaction.
She nearly laughed, but something about
his expression said he wasn’t joking.
“Hey,” he murmured. His fingers played nervously over hers, and his cheek developed a slight twitch. “There’s something I’ve been meaning to say for a long time. About me, I mean.”
And just like that, the lightness was gone from his voice. But Chase was right. They had put off the more serious stuff for too long, and she needed to get things off her chest. “I have to tell you, too. About me. Who I am. Where I come from.”
Chase shook his head. “None of that matters, Sophie. I know who you are. But I have to tell you who I am inside.”
She smiled. The poor guy had never been good with words. She knew who he was inside — her sweet, soulful Chase.
“Me first,” she insisted. “Please. Just hear me out.”
Chase pursed his lips, looking genuinely torn. But then he nodded, humoring her.
“Sophie is my real name, but ever since I came to Maui, I’ve been using a different last name. My legal name is Brenner.” She waited, studying his reaction, but Chase just shrugged. “Brenner, as in Carl Brenner. My mother made me take my stepfather’s name when they got married.”
Still no reaction. Sophie blinked. Chase had mentioned growing up in a remote area, and he had spent the past decade in the military being posted who-knew-where. Had he somehow missed the headlines that had dominated the North American press a few years ago?
“Carl Brenner. The Spirit of Seventy-Sixers. The attack on the Pentagon?”
Chase tilted his head. “Your stepfather tried to break in to the Pentagon?”
Wow. Apparently, Chase really hadn’t heard about it.
“He didn’t just try. He got as far as the door to the records rooms. Then all hell broke loose.” Her voice choked up a little. Seven people had been killed in the ensuing shootout, and it was all her stepfather’s fault. “He’s serving seven consecutive life sentences.”
Chase stroked her shoulder, mulling it over. “You think he didn’t deserve that?”
She shook her head immediately. “He should have gotten the death penalty, if you ask me. But that’s not the point, Chase. That criminal is my stepfather. I’m related to the ‘Militia Madman.’” She made air quotes as visions of the headlines ghosted through her head. “I grew up with all that. The conspiracy theories. The crazy, unfounded suspicions. The plans for Armageddon.”