“Try it and you’ll be mounted over the fireplace by morning,” he growled too low for any ears but animal.
He was about to threaten more, but his nose was filled with the most delicious scent: his mate.
Her eyes sparkled like black diamonds and her mouth, oh the things he could do with that mouth. Oh, the things that mouth could do to him. Thank you, Creator. So involved with his visual gorge fest, he almost missed her question.
“Do you have a problem reading, seeing, or hearing?” Arkham asked with all kinds of tone as she stepped into his line of sight. Perhaps if a bra had been part of her outfit, he might’ve paid more attention to the warning in her voice, but he doubted it, as Arkham simply had the kind of breasts that didn’t need an excuse to be looked at. As it was, all he could think about was backing Arkham against the wall and mapping the terrain of her body…with his tongue.
“Hey, my eyes are up here,” Arkham said all agitated like as she stood, which showed off the curve of her holding-onto-while-loving-hard hips.
“I’ll get to those presently,” he promised while lingering on her chest.
“You’re an asshole—”
“Yep,” he said without argument, because indeed he was.
“And you’re out of milk—”
“There was a whole gallon in the fridge,” he interrupted without taking his eyes off of those glorious breasts, which jiggled in time to her accusations.
“It was needed for my animal hot toddy concoction. You’re also out of hot water, clean towels and—”
“The hell?” he asked, finally making his way up to her eyes, which were lit up like the Aurora Borealis.
“Is where I’m about to send you if you keep staring at my bits.”
“Stop displaying your ‘bits’ so beautifully,” he countered. “Want to tell me why you didn’t heed my words?”
“Because you’re not my grandmomma, which I told you before. I was just being neighborly and giving you a heads up, but I see manners, like reading, was wasted on you.”
“I don’t know how I’m out of everything when I’ve been gone less than a day.”
“You probably don’t understand a lot of things, like the fact that two plus two is four.”
“I understand everything that’s important, Arkham, like the fact that you aren’t packed and ready to go.”
“Nope, because I’m not going anywhere. And like I said, I dibsed the bed.”
Ah, his female was so damn feisty—just like he preferred. He wondered if she preferred her sex hot and dirty or wet and hot.
“You’re free to dibs the bed, darlin’, as long as you know that by extension you dibs the male who owns it.” And with that statement, he made himself at home in Arkham’s personal space.
Just as he suspected, Arkham didn’t back up an inch. Instead, she got closer. Oh, yesssss.
“So,” Arkham began in a voice that seemed to have dropped an octave. “That means I get to do whatever I want with you?”
Overcome with an urge to take her hard and fast, he grunted out a reply. “Damn right.”
Arkham’s full lips pulled back in a smile just as her fist connected with his throat. “Good. Since I already took your breath and most of your dignity, maybe I’ll take your organs next and give them to somebody who knows how to fucking act,” she said a moment before sashaying her fine ass away from him and flopping onto the couch.
Whatever he was about to say was drowned out by the unmistakable sounds of a dog, puma and cobra laughing their motherfucking asses off. Thinking that he could make outerwear out of all of them later, after Arkham lay in a love-induced coma, he rambled off to the shower. He wasn’t dirty, but he wanted to be spanking clean when he loved her…and spanked her for being so mouthy to him…and loved her some more because damn if it didn’t turn him on.
The shower was ice cold, as there wasn’t even the semblance of hot water, just as his mate had promised. Good thing he was a wolf, especially as he’d had to dry off with a shirt since Arkham had used everything with terrycloth to bathe the traveling zoo, which collectively smelled like the inside of a shampoo bottle. Instead of focusing his energies on the critters, he considered all the ways to get Ms. Arkham all good and worked up.
If Arkham wanted to use up all of his towels, fine. He’d simply walk around his cabin nude while he put in a load of laundry. Arkham’s gasp was music to his ears and a boost to his ego. Putting on all of the “hey, look at me” he could, he strutted to the kitchen and made a sandwich that the character Dagwood would’ve envied to go with the rest of the stew. Not one to normally eat a big meal before bed, MountDenali figured he’d need strength for all of the lovin’ he was going to give Arkham. After all, it was more than clear that she wanted him, despite the insults she mumbled under her breath and the teeth sucking.
“I’m off to bed,” she spat before tromping off to his bedroom.
MountDenali didn’t say anything, he simply smiled to himself. Knowing that he was going to have all day to get to know Arkham, he went about assembling the stuff for another stew before throwing it into a clean crockpot. Having already showed off his awesome body, he wanted to show off more of his cooking skills. He might never have a show, but when Arkham was savoring his food and homemade breads, she wouldn’t be thinking about anything else except how to get more of everything he had—in the kitchen and the bedroom.
The cooking seen to, MountDenali tossed the towels in the dryer, brushed his teeth and made his way to the master bedroom…and was assailed with the scent of Arkham’s arousal.
Just as he’d thought, Arkham wasn’t asleep—though even if she had been, he would’ve woken her up with his tongue in her sex. “Are you going to put some clothes on?”
Settling himself under the sheets, he spoke. “Hadn’t thought about it. Are you going to slide over here and snuggle up to me or continue to hug the side of the bed?”
“Hmm, let me think. Snuggle up to your arrogant, naked behind or the edge of the bed. I’m taking the edge of the bed, thank you very much.”
“It’s okay, just don’t be surprised when you wake up in my arms. If it’ll make you feel better, you can always blame your body’s desire to be snuggled up to me on sleep.”
“Could you be any more arrogant?”
“Yes,” he said as he scooted over and draped himself around her lush form. “This isn’t even the tip of the iceberg,” he whispered directly in Arkham’s ear.
“I would say that I’ve never met anyone more arrogant, but I’m a Kennesaw Jones. But at least the men in my family have a reason to be arrogant. You, not so much.”
Arkham spat the words, but she didn’t shrug him off.
“I have many reasons to be arrogant, Arkham,” he said as he cupped a breast. “First and foremost, I am a Mann. Second, I have you in my arms,” he said as he gently bit down on her lobe.
“Hey, watch your hands…and teeth…and that thing,” she warned even as she snuggled closer.
“I can’t wait to watch my hands, Arkham, as they’re mapping your body. Watching the bronze on the dark chocolate of your skin will no doubt be a visual feast. I can’t wait to watch my teeth…as they mark you as mine.” Pulling Arkham impossibly closer, MountDenali rubbed his cock against her. “I can’t wait to watch my cock disappear into your heat.”
“Just like most males, you’ll fuck anything.”
Threading his hands with Arkham’s, MountDenali took a moment to enjoy the contrasting textures before responding. “I’m nothing like most males. And you, my voluptuous, feisty Arkham, are definitely not ‘anything.’ You are my female. I most definitely will fuck you, but only after making slow, sweet love to you. Being benevolent and all that, I won’t even make you beg.”
Arkham would’ve slapped him if he wasn’t holding her so close. That didn’t stop her from calling him names, though. Instead of being insulted by her response, he was turned on. Since he’d already stoked Arkham’s anger, he piled on. In for a penny and all
that.
“I can’t wait to see how you mark up my body with your teeth and nails,” he said as he nipped the back of her neck. “I really can’t wait to see what you use that tempting mouth for besides telling me off.”
“Let me go and I’ll show you,” she gritted out.
Using his wolf speed, he extended a claw and ripped her shirt evenly down the middle, exposing her back before recapturing her hand. “I’m never letting you go, Arkham,” he said a moment before tasting her smooth, chocolate skin.
“Hey, I was wearing that!” Arkham protested.
“And now you’re wearing me,” he rasped a moment before trailing his tongue down her spine.
Arkham’s protest was lost in her gasp. Grasping his hands tighter, she pushed her ass against him and bowed her back, giving him greater access to all of her lovely curves.
Damn, Arkham smelled and tasted good…and she was giving him the “all go.” Being a Mann, he could do nothing less than comply.
**
Damn, MountDenali was an asshole. Arkham had kept saying that to herself all the way until she heard his noisy entrance. How dare he pull her out of her fantasy? She meant, how dare he ignore the posted sign and come in making all kinds of noise? The only noise he should be making was the sound of her name when he released. Asshole. While she might be close-mouthed about him screaming out her name, she sure as shit wasn’t about to be quiet about him being an asshole…especially when the scent of him had her nipples standing at attention and her pussy thumping out a beat that sounded like the entire percussion section at the philharmonic. Asshole. Did she mention that?
After getting MountDenali good and told, which was more like letting him know what she’d done and seeing what he was going to do about it, which apparently was stand there and look fine as hell all hot and naked, Arkham flounced off to bed, ignoring the fact that it was in his room. Yeah, she could’ve done the polite thing and made herself at home on his sumptuous, oversized couch, but she’d never been polite in her life, so there was no reason to start now. Plus, she’d been exceptionally polite when she hadn’t thrown him to the floor and ridden his face to glory. How could one man possess so much fine? Damn if he wasn’t even finer than his cardboard cutout. How was that possible?
Despite his fineness and all that, MountDenali deserved to have his shit commandeered since he’d had the gall to stroll out naked and unconcerned that she was eyeing his bits like she’d just discovered light.
Whatever she did was his fault, since he’d just given her a year’s worth of masturbation material. And she was most definitely going to masturbate to images of MountDenali. She had to…it was against the law not to when you had such beautiful inspiration and the perfect background with a roaring fire in the fireplace, a big-assed bed and the scent of your fantasy come to life.
Arkham didn’t waste any time, instead settling herself on MountDenali’s bed. That unmade bed had that “come test me out” look about it. While the bed looked enticing, what she most wanted to test out was the man who lay in it each night. Wrapping herself in the sheets, she got a big old whiff of hot-to-death man, and her pussy went from calm to chaotic like it was trying to break a land speed record. She wondered how long it’d take that fine motherfucker to come claim his bed. There was no doubt in her mind that he’d come to claim it, because nothing about MountDenali said “pushover.” Hopefully, she’d be able to stop herself from masturbating until he got around to joining her.
It seemed not even ten seconds went by before she got her wish. Sliding into bed, MountDenali didn’t even pretend like he wasn’t going to have her…and she liked that. Ignoring the fact that he possessed shifter senses, and thus could smell her desire, Arkham acted all casual. Until he touched her…and he touched her so damn good, so damn right, so damn just like she wanted and needed.
MountDenali was the perfect mix of asshole, arrogant bastard and fine motherfucker. The wolf shifter gave as good as he got, and she’d been giving it to him since the moment they met. She gave him no quarter, and MountDenali simply proved that he didn’t need any. Instead, he took all the Southern she dished out and silently challenged her to give him more.
“Is that all you possess?” Those deep emerald eyes mocked even as MountDenali countered the direct hits of diva with a dose of som’bitch…and dammit if it didn’t make her want him that much more. Asshole.
No clothes, big-dicked, muscles-like-granite, tanned-even-in-the-dead-of-winter-who-made-her-pussy-gush asshole who slid all up on her and talked shit directly in her ear. The sound of that deep voice in her ear, the feel of those full lips on her skin, the mix of pleasure-pain as he cupped her breast and nipped her with those sharp, sharp canines pushed her to the edge. It took everything she had not to moan out her pleasure and fix her mouth to beg MountDenali to ride her like gator hunters rode swamp boats. While her mouth may have contained her moans, her traitorous body mutinied and snuggled closer.
Look, bitch, you’re the one with issues…stop fucking up our shit.
Fuck you, get closer, she demanded.
To say that she put up a token protest would necessitate an apology to tokens everywhere, because the truth was MountDenali had her the moment she heard his voice. Claiming her with his body and his words was just the period at the end of the sentence. Arkham was a sucker for moxie…and a man who knew how to use it. And damn, if MountDenali didn’t know how to use it. About to tell him off good and proper, she was halted by the sound of ripping fabric and the feel of his tongue on her spine.
She didn’t say a word…couldn’t say a word, but her body went all Keith Sweat and begged for everything he could do to her. In return, MountDenali went all pizza restaurant…and delivered.
Chapter Eight
MountDenali couldn’t keep his eyes off of Arkham, despite the fact that it was barely five a.m. His mate looked absolutely ravished, and she’d never looked so beautiful…except for the first time he met her…and the first time he made love to her…and five seconds ago…and right this instant. Now that she was wearing his shirt, his mark, and his scent, every motherfucker around would know that Arkham Kennesaw was exclusively his.
Over the course of the last two days, MountDenali had discovered a lot about himself. First and foremost, he was quickly developing an Arkham addiction. Okay, he was already addicted, and he wasn’t ashamed to admit that. Of course, he wouldn’t have to admit it because she’d probably be too busy demanding her pleasure. Though he’d had Arkham multiple times, in multiple ways, it didn’t come close to satisfying his craving for her. Instead of being frightened at that prospect, all he could do was grin while imagining a lifetime of pleasing his mate. His mate.
He’d also learned a lot about Arkham during that time. Chiefly, that Arkham was in no way, fashion or form a morning person. Wishing her a good morning had gotten him a look that promised all manner of retribution, the middle finger, and a hearty “fuck you.” Second, none of that bothered him. He simply swallowed the rest of Arkham’s telling off, slid two fingers into her and sucked a nipple into his mouth. When she came screaming, he ate her honey off of his fingers.
“Now, I will fuck you,” he promised as he pulled her atop his person.
**
Arkham couldn’t remember a better two days. MountDenali had turned out to be everything she needed not just in fantasy, but also in reality. The shifter cooked a mean pot of chili, he kept the fire roaring despite the fact that a light sheen of sweat covered his skin, he brought it like nobody’s business, and he could hold his own in Scrabble. Oh, she still whipped his ass, but it wasn’t by triple digits. More than that, MountDenali looked at her like she was the only woman in all of the world. Arkham simply didn’t have any words to describe how that made her feel, so she let her body do the talking instead. They made entire operas together with their bodies. The earth moved, thunder rolled, and lightning struck.
MountDenali was the kind of man who made it easy to give him everything. Never had she let go
with a lover like she had with him. Then again, never had a man earned all of her. Unlike others, MountDenali wouldn’t settle for some of her; he demanded everything. And she gave it without reservation…and it scared her shitless.
The wolf shifter was simply too damn fine, too damn arrogant, and too damn everything for his own good…and hers. Plus, he was an asshole of the highest proportions. There could only be one asshole in any relationship, and she’d dibsed that. All her life, she’d been the asshole Kennesaw chick. Her sister Shazam! had even made a webpage chronicling her exploits. The cherry on top was the asshole status bar that alerted others to her mood. That’d kept many a man away, but just as that fine-ass MountDenali had said, he wasn’t “any” man. He was a Mann. And damn if he hadn’t proven it many times over. Bastard. But damn, if she didn’t want him.
After she came to that conclusion, what did he go off and do? Fucked it up. That bastard fucked her into a stupor, showered, dressed and rolled off to work whistling a ditty. What the fuck?!
**
Lest he keep Arkham in his bed for the rest of the winter, MountDenali forced himself to go to work. Anyplace where he wasn’t touching some part of Arkham’s body was a place he didn’t want to be. And judging from the looks that everyone gave him, they didn’t want him to be there. Accused of being more assholish than usual, he finally dragged his ass home to his beautiful mate who’d had all day to miss him…with a sharp object, a “fuck you” or a “come hither.” He got all hard wondering which it’d be. If he was lucky, it’d be all three.
He got none of those. After coming in from a damn hard day at the office—most of it spent with a hard dick—he got an undiluted dose of ignore. Arkham didn’t acknowledge him when he entered, nor did she even blink when he stripped down to his skin. Nope, she simply kept on pecking away at her laptop, looking for all the world like an evil genius bent on world domination. And damn if that didn’t send his need off the charts. If he was a normal wolf, he might’ve taken a hint and stayed clear, but he wasn’t a normal wolf, and Arkham wasn’t some random female. She was his and he was determined to remind her of that, despite her valiant effort to pretend he didn’t exist.
In Search of the Fountain of Couth Page 4