by Geraldine O'Hara, Natalie Dae, Nichelle Gregory, Crissy Smith, Lisabet Sarai
Draped over her back, Jace followed her when she collapsed. “Mine,” he mumbled, and Piper just sighed.
Chapter Three
Piper watched Jace as he greeted customers and called them by name. She ducked her head when he glanced over and caught her. He’d stayed close all night. Running a hand over her arm or shoulder, just pressing up against her. It was keeping her on edge and he knew it. Just one look into his eyes and she wanted to drop down onto all fours and have him mount her.
“Well, now this is interesting,” Marcus said behind her.
Piper jumped and spun around, surprised the man had managed to sneak up on her. Her attention really was distracted if she hadn’t heard his footsteps. “What?” she asked.
Marcus grinned and tilted his head toward Jace, who had gone back to talking with the patrons. “So you and the boss man?” He lifted a brow. “’Bout damn time if you ask me.”
“Oh!” Piper shook her head. “It’s not… I mean…we…ugh!”
Marcus just chuckled as she stumbled with her words. “Like I said, about time. Closing up the kitchen,” he informed her over his shoulder.
She nodded as he went back into the kitchen whistling. Piper knew she was blushing. She hadn’t wanted anyone to know about her and Jace. Not that Jace was doing anything to help with that. They’d fallen asleep together and woken late, where Jace had once again taken her until she didn’t even know her name.
It had never been like that before. Not that she’d had a lot of experience since she’d become different, but in the past, she’d had a couple lovers. Even the night that had changed everything, the man who had caused it hadn’t been as intense as Jace.
She knew, had no doubt, that Jace was the one meant for her.
She’d only met three people like her. Fifteen years and she still didn’t have a lot of information. She hadn’t been able to stay in contact with the ones she’d met. It wasn’t safe for any of them. But she had learned from Rose and Adam—the first and only couple she’d met, whom she’d shared the secret with—that she would know her mate. She would be drawn to him, the urge to bite almost overwhelming. And the three times she’d been with Jace, she had almost given into the urge.
And that wouldn’t have been fair to him. He had absolutely no idea what could happen.
He would run in fear from her, much the way she’d reacted when she had learned what was done to her.
Adam had just been a regular guy before he’d met Rose. Rose had changed him, unable to resist the bite, and now Adam had to live with that choice. Adam had agreed beforehand, but Piper knew she couldn’t ask that of Jace. No, she couldn’t put him through that.
Jace had told her over and over during the day that he was there to stay. He wouldn’t let Piper run. Leave. Piper hadn’t admitted that she didn’t want to go, but Jace knew, and not taking any chances, hadn’t left her alone for the entire day. Now, as the time crawled nearer to closing, Piper knew she was quickly running out of options.
She wiped down the dark wood surface of the bar while thinking. Jace was only going to push her harder. It was the alpha male in him. And while she liked that about him normally, even craved it, she wasn’t sure what to do.
She’d been on her own for so very long. When she was with Jace she felt herself start to lose control. Even if she wanted to stay, sooner or later her secret would be revealed. Then what?
Would it be any easier if Jace left her then? No, because if she was already in love with him, having him run from her in fear would shatter her. So what could she do? She drummed her nails on the surface.
“Penny for your thoughts.”
Piper tried to hide her smile as she turned to Jace. “We’re almost out of Absolut,” she said. It wasn’t like she could really tell him what she had been thinking about. Although the look on his face said he wasn’t buying her lame attempt.
He grinned. “Uh-huh, well, we have a delivery scheduled for first thing in the morning, so don’t worry about it.”
Of course he had the order handled. “Oh, that’s good then.” She tried for nonchalance as he moved closer.
Jace crowded in behind her. “Now what were you really thinking about?” he whispered in her ear.
She shivered as he ran his hand slowly down her side, her body primed and ready with her mate so close by. “You,” she confessed.
“Good answer,” he praised as he entwined his fingers with hers and pulled her back.
“I’m watching the bar,” she said in mock protest. Really, she had needed just a minute alone with him. Just a taste to remind herself that she couldn’t continue with the back and forth. She either left right then or she would have to give in and hope for the best. She wouldn’t play games. Jace deserved better than always wondering if she would take off on him.
Jace didn’t say anything, just led her through the empty hallway toward his office. He opened the door and took her through. The soft click behind her seemed to echo. She turned around slowly. Jace stood in front of her and she ran her eyes over his body. Inside, a part of her that she didn’t understand demanded she claim him. Mark him as her own.
She stepped close and placed her hands on his chest, pushing him back against the door. Excitement raced through her as Jace’s breathing quickened and the scent of his arousal spiked as he allowed her to manhandle him. Gaze locked with his, she slowly dropped to her knees.
“Piper?”
She shook his head. She wanted this. He did too.
She cupped his erection and massaged, drawing a deep moan from him. He was already hard and she could smell him. She rubbed her nose and mouth against him.
“Baby,” he murmured, cradling her head in his hands.
Piper reached up and unzipped Jace’s jeans and undid the button, slipped her hand inside and gripped his hard shaft.
“Yes,” Jace hissed, dropping his head back against the door.
Piper used her free hand to shove Jace’s jeans down his hips while continuing to pump his cock. Jace’s hips bucked with her. “Please.”
Granting him his wish, Piper lowered her head and tongued the tip of him. She ran her tongue under the heavy vein at the bottom, causing him to suck in his breath.
“Baby,” he encouraged and Piper knew what he wanted. She took him deep into her mouth before slowly drawing his cock back out. Just as he had tortured her the night before with his easy pace, she matched him. She wanted him to lose control.
Taking her time, she sucked him in and rolled his balls with her free hand. He pumped into her mouth gently.
She continued for several minutes until she tightened her grip. She hummed and swallowed again, picking up the pace.
“Yeah,” he murmured and thrust quicker into her mouth.
Piper took him to the edge and kept him there, enjoying the first taste of his come before he released. She wrapped her arms around his waist and opened her throat. Jace thrust into her, using her mouth and arousing her further until he stiffened and filled her with his seed.
She licked him clean before sitting back on her heels then grinned up at him as he panted.
“Come here,” he ordered, reaching for her.
“Boss! We need some help out here.” Brittany pounded on the door Jace leaned against.
Piper had to chuckle at the look on his face. “Be right there,” he hollered.
Piper accepted his help to her feet. She rubbed against him and he kissed her, totally consuming her until she was ready to forget all their responsibilities and let him mount her right there in his office.
He pulled away and sighed. “We need to get back out there.”
Piper took a deep breath to steady herself. “I know.”
“But we will be finishing this later,” he said, stroking her cheek.
Piper winked. “Oh yeah, you owe me one.”
His laughter followed her as she opened the door and returned to man the bar.
* * * *
Piper was still riding high as she finished p
utting the dirty glasses in the rack to be washed. The crowd had been great but it was almost time for last call. Jace had disappeared into his office to work on the order for the next day and the kitchen staff had already gone. Being a week night, it was only her, one other bartender and a waitress. Ian, who was helping behind the bar, was in the storeroom checking the kegs.
“A shot of tequila, please.”
Piper froze, the voice from her past immobilizing her.
“Ah, so you haven’t forgotten all about me.”
She looked up and locked gazes with eyes that were just like hers.
He looked exactly the same as he had the last time she had seen. Spiky black hair, pale skin, the familiar smirk. “Joe.” She whispered his name. Scared, terrified. It took everything in her not to search for Jace. To make sure he didn’t come into contact with this man.
“Hello, Piper,” Joe said, his smile nasty. “So who do I need to bite to get a drink?”
Disgust rolled through her. Piper gripped the edge of the bar. “Please,” she begged. “Please don’t.” Not that Joe had ever listened to her before.
Joe glanced around the bar. “Nice place. I can see why you like it here. Maybe I’ll stay around.”
The threat stole all reasoning. “Leave, please, I’ll come with you. Just don’t hurt anyone,” she pleaded.
He nodded. “I’ve been looking for you a long time.”
“I swear,” she said desperately. “Just leave them alone.”
He took a deep breath and leaned forward. He frowned, a growl escaping. “So who is he?” Joe asked, fisting his hands on the bar.
She didn’t answer—knew what he meant but she would never tell him.
“I’ll take that shot, please.”
Piper had known she would have to face him again one day. She could only run for so long but with everything that had happened in the last twenty-four hours, she had convinced herself that the danger of having him appear didn’t outweigh the chance of happiness. Now that she felt the terror of him being here, she didn’t know what to do.
She poured his shot and slid the glass over to him. He downed it quickly. “Who marked you with his scent?” Joe asked angrily.
She reached over the bar and grabbed his wrist. “Don’t make trouble here.”
“Giving me orders, pup?” he spat. “Let’s go.”
“Hang on.” Piper looked over at Brittany wiping down an empty table. There was only one couple left in the bar. “Go around to the alley. I’ll slip out.”
The look Joe sent her asked if she thought he was stupid.
“I’ll be there. Two minutes. I don’t want to worry anyone,” she promised.
He must have seen something on her face that convinced him, as he stepped back and she let go of him. “Two minutes. If you’re not there I will tear everyone here into pieces. You know I can,” he threatened.
She nodded. Yeah, she had seen that and more. “I promise.”
He winked and made his way to the door, stopping to eye the waitress who still had her back to him. He glanced back at Piper and raised his brow.
Yeah, she got his warning.
He left and Piper ran her sweaty hands over her shorts. Shit, what did she do? She couldn’t even warn Jace. Jace would go out back to confront Joe and she couldn’t let that happen. A plan forming, she grabbed the trash bag from the container and called out to Brittany she would be right back and to grab Ian if anyone came in.
Brittany waved back in acknowledgment and Piper made her way through the kitchen. The steel door that led to the alley seemed like it was miles away. She knew it was only a couple of feet further. As she traveled forward, it was both the longest and shortest walk of her life. Her hand shook as she turned the handle and pushed the door open.
The light above the back door kept the passageway from being pitch black. She stepped into the alley, the door slamming behind her, making her jump.
A hand around her throat had her dropping the trash bag she carried. Joe pressed against her and it was all Piper could do not to resist. “Good pup,” he praised. “You saved your friends. Now come with me.”
He pulled her away from the wall but Piper couldn’t get her feet to work. He looked over his shoulder at her. “Don’t be stupid,” he warned.
Piper knew he was right. To fight against him would only lead to pain or worse, but she was tired. Tired of running and hiding. She had found her place.
He yanked her forward again but Piper ripped her arm out of his grasp.
“Foolish,” he stated.
Piper shook her head and backed away. “Just leave me alone. What do you want?”
Joe laughed. An eerie sound that sent chills down her spine. “You think I was just going to let you go?” he asked. Piper was sick to her stomach. “Do you remember what I told you that night? You’re mine. Perfect. I waited a long time to find you.”
Piper shook her head in denial. She’d been so young. A night out with a couple friends. They’d gone clubbing. She’d seen Joe out of the corner of her eye and he had been breathtaking. So damn handsome and he’d been watching her.
Piper had been thrilled with his attention. He’d bought drinks all night and Piper had gladly taken advantage. When he’d led her out of door she had clung to him in intoxication and lust.
They’d walked back to her small apartment and Joe had made love to her like no one else ever had. So enthusiastic and passionate. Then everything had blurred and there was so much she didn’t remember.
It wasn’t until she had woken up several hours later that she knew something was wrong. Joe sat at the side of the bed watching her. She’d offered a smile and tried to come up with something to say to her first one-night stand.
But Joe hadn’t been at a loss for words, telling her how he had searched a long time for her. How great they would be together—once her transformation was complete. Piper had tried to laugh off the uncomfortable feeling he induced, but before she could move, Joe was on her.
He’d bitten her neck deeply. She’d screamed. She still remembered the sound echoing around her. She’d grown weak as he’d bitten her over a dozen times, until she couldn’t even fight when he’d torn his wrist and shoved the cut in her mouth. The blood flowed into her and she couldn’t do anything else but swallow.
She’d passed out only to wake in the most horrendous pain she’d ever felt. The first time she’d shifted she’d been certain her body was going to tear itself apart. The first three days were pretty much a fog. All she remembered was Joe holding her down while she shifted over and over.
Five days after that night, he’d packed up a few of her possessions and taken her away, telling her that now that she was a shifter she’d need to stay away from anyone who knew her. That she wasn’t safe to be around and would end up attacking her friends and family. She knew now that had been a lie, but at the time she’d been so afraid with what was happening to her that she hadn’t fought him.
Two weeks of traveling with Joe—taking her whenever he wanted and chaining her up when he was unhappy with her—had been enough. She’d managed to finally get away when he’d left her locked in a hotel room. Piper had figured that he’d believed her fear of what she was would keep her from running.
Piper wasn’t going to become his slave. She’d run. And kept going until she had started to feel comfortable about what she now was.
“I will never be yours,” she told him firmly. She wouldn’t go back to that. He might have taken her humanity but she was no animal.
“You already are.”
Piper flexed her hands. She would make her stand. Once and for all. She would protect those who were now her family. She wouldn’t let Joe get close to Jace or the others.
Joe reached for her at the same time Piper threw herself at him. They tumbled to the ground with a teeth-rattling impact. He growled, pinning her after a short struggle. Her heart pounded and she looked up at the determination in his face. He wasn’t going to be satisfied until she was
bleeding and dead beneath him. She knew it deep in her soul, knew he wouldn’t stop. His canines lengthened above her face. Saliva dripped down to splash onto her chin. Piper closed her eyes, not wanting to see the end. Damn, that had been a stupid plan. If she lived she would blame it on being in love because she’d never stood a chance.
She was terrified as he bent toward her.
“Don’t move another muscle.”
Piper’s eyes popped open at hearing Jace’s voice close by. Joe’s hand tightened around her neck. The sound of a gun cocking reached her. Shit! Jace might be armed but a bullet wouldn’t kill Joe.
“No!” she tried to yell.
Joe looked down at her. “I take it this is lover boy?” Joe grinned and loosened his grip while still sitting on her.
“Get off her,” Jace ordered.
Joe laughed. “This will be fun.”
“Jace, run!” Piper screamed, but it was too late. Joe had already started his shift. In less than a minute, a black wolf stood in the alley with her and Jace.
“What the fuck!” Jace shouted.
This was not how she’d wanted Jace to find out. Not that she had much of a choice now. She rolled over onto her hands and knees. “I’m sorry,” she told Jace, then started her own shift.
Chapter Four
Jace couldn’t believe his eyes. He blinked, trying to clear his vision, but the large black wolf still remained where the man had been moments ago.
“I’m sorry.”
He heard Piper’s soft voice, glanced at her and almost fell on his ass. Her body contorted then before his eyes she changed.
In the place of the woman he’d fallen in love with stood a tan and white wolf. Not as large as the black one but still a pretty damn good size.
Jace actually had to reach up and rub at his eyes. Yes, yes, there were really two wolves in the alley with him where just before a man and woman had been.
“What…?” Jace didn’t understand. He couldn’t comprehend what he was seeing. His palms grew sweaty and his body was stiff with shock.
The smaller wolf was watching him. Piper, the animal was Piper! He had watched as she had transformed into a… “Christ Almighty!” he exclaimed.