Lure of the Fox

by Anna Lowe

Jake pushed her legs wider with a knee, positioning himself at her entrance, letting instinct take over.

  I got this, his fox assured him. But first, you have to—

  He rolled his hips, plunging deep, making Ella cry out in ecstasy.

  Yeah, he knew what came first, all right. Hot, raging sex with the woman he loved.

  I got this, he muttered. This part, he didn’t need any help with. He pulled out, aching all over, then slid back in.

  Ella gasped, clamping her legs around him, telling him how good she felt.

  Out and in, out and in. He settled into a barely controlled rhythm, watching Ella without really watching, because the sensation was so intense. The waves rolling over sand not far behind him urged him on as fiercely as Ella did with her hands and voice.

  “Harder. Please. Harder…”

  He pulled her leg higher against his side and thrust deeper still, slowing down to relish every hot, tight inch.

  There, his fox urged, pulling his attention back to her neck.

  Everything narrowed to a tunnel of vision focused entirely on the notch at the side of her throat, and he started suckling her skin.

  “Yes…” she moaned, guiding him a little higher.

  His gums grew hot and his canines extended, but somehow, that didn’t alarm him. In fact, it felt good in the same way his cock felt good pushing through the tight grip of Ella’s inner muscles. And when he scraped his teeth over her neck for a second time, his body flared with primal need.

  There. Bite deep. Mark her as yours, the voice inside him urged.

  “Jake…” Ella moaned.

  Her body tensed all over as she raced toward a powerful orgasm. He withdrew, paused, then thrust back in, giving her what she needed. Once, twice—

  “Yes!” Ella cried as her body shuddered into a high.

  The moment Jake exploded into his own orgasm, he plunged his teeth into her neck. A blinding white light erased everything but the feel of their straining bodies and the faint bump of Ella’s pulse near his teeth.

  Hold on. Keep your lips sealed, an inner voice ordered.

  Orders Jake followed very carefully because, holy shit. Was he really doing this?

  Just hang on. Bite deeper, the voice said. Let it feel good.

  He did as he was told, relishing the incredible high. Ella writhed in ecstasy, and his body felt electrified. Alive with pleasure.

  He hung on and on, barely noticing when the climax became a heady afterglow. Long after his teeth receded, he kept his lips in a tight seal.

  “Oh, yes…” Ella groaned, tensing with a final aftershock of pleasure, then going limp.

  Jake pressed his tongue over the bite marks, making sure the wounds had sealed before he let go and dropped to her chest, gasping. He had to be crushing Ella, but she didn’t seem to mind.

  Definitely don’t mind, she murmured, reading his thoughts. She ran her hands over his back and made a low, cooing sound like a bird content with its nest.

  Mine, Jake’s fox growled.

  “Mine,” he panted into her neck. His old life seemed a million miles away, and a bright future beckoned with glimpses of the kind of life he’d barely allowed himself to dream of. A lifetime spent with Ella, together. Forever.

  “Mine,” she agreed, hugging him with her arms and legs. “Forever.”

  Chapter Eighteen

  “How do I look?” Ella asked, turning to Jake three days later.

  He had that goofy, You always look great expression, which didn’t help at all — other than making her feel like a million bucks. Then his eyes flashed, showing his inner fox, who growled, You look like mine.

  And you’re mine, her fox side practically purred in reply.

  It was amazing the way a few days — even a few minutes — could change a woman’s life. Jake had survived the fight and the change that had made him a shifter. He’d recovered completely and taken quickly to shifting — into a fox, no less. Of course, she would have loved Jake regardless of his animal form, but having him be a fox was just the icing on the cake. She’d lived most of her life among other shifter species, so it felt extra special to finally have someone of her own kind. They could run together, play-hunt together, and explore together, sensing the world in the same way.

  “You look nice,” Jake said quietly.

  Good old Jake, who’d always understood her better than anyone. He knew she didn’t feel comfortable with lavish praise — or with things like pretty dresses, like the one she wore now. The yellow one Lily had insisted on during their shopping spree.

  Jake was also wearing the spoils of their honeymooner gig — casual, sand-colored slacks that hinted at his perfect ass and a blue polo shirt that stretched nicely over his chest. She swore the man had been a cover model in a previous life.

  “Well, you look great,” she replied.

  Jake looked down at himself, and a glimpse of the country boy showed as he shifted from foot to foot. “Good enough for a wedding?”

  “They said casual.” She chuckled and stepped closer, fingering his collar as she whispered in his ear. “You look good enough to eat — or strip on the spot and screw.”

  And man, was she tempted, but she’d already done that earlier that day. Mating had increased their insatiable appetite for sex, and they had been indulging in long, satisfying bouts of sex at all hours of the day. A good thing they weren’t on active security duty any more.

  “Sounds good to me.” Jake’s voice was husky as he ran his fingers along her ribs, nearly tickling her breast.

  Her inner fox yowled. Sounds good to me too.

  Ella stopped short of winding her leg around Jake’s and slowly pried herself away. “Shoot. We can’t be late.”

  “Oh, right.” Jake blinked a few times, pushing back his animal side. “I can’t believe Silas and Cassandra put off their wedding for us. But I guess after all the excitement, and the babies…”

  She took his hand and led him down the stairs of the plantation house, heading for the winding path to Koa Point. “That’s how a pack works.” Then she laughed. “Or how a clan works, or a pride, or whatever you choose to call it.”

  Jake shook his head. “Someday I’ll remember which word goes with which species.”

  Ella laughed. That was the nice thing about Koa Point — the mix of shifters, each ribbing the other about what they ought to call their eclectic little bunch. “Whatever you call it, we’re closer than most families.”

  Jake nodded readily, and she could see the images running through his mind. Shifter packs had a lot in common with military units. “That, I get,” he said, then sighed. “But there’s a lot I have to learn.”

  She slid a hand around his waist and into his rear pocket. “Gonna be fun teaching you.”

  He grinned and put his arm across her shoulders. “Gonna be fun learning.”

  It was another one of those pinch me, I’m dreaming moments, and Ella looked up at the sky. So blue. So perfect. More perfect than she’d ever dared dream. She was snuggled close to her destined mate, who’d never seemed so lighthearted and relaxed as he did now. Of course, it would be a while until Jake came to terms with all his demons, but he was definitely on his way.

  We’re on our way, her fox said, and they wound down the path to help their closest friends celebrate a joyous day.

  Joyous was right — in more ways than one.

  The sound of a baby’s cries drifted through the air once Ella and Jake covered the quarter-mile distance to Koa Point and approached the meeting house. Apparently, one of the twins had just woken up. The baby stopped a moment later, soothed by a low hum.

  Ella hid a laugh as they came out into the open. “Boone the dad,” she whispered to Jake. “Who’d have figured?”

  She motioned to where Boone was pacing along the edge of the meeting house, patting a tiny pink bundle on his shoulder, humming to it. Keiki followed closely, jumping at the trailing edge of the baby blanket.

  Jake smiled. “I guess people change when
the time is right.”

  Ella looked down at her dress and then at her hand, still clasped in Jake’s. Maybe people didn’t change so much as let a little of their hidden sides show through.

  All for the better, her fox assured her.

  Kai looked up and waved. “Ah, so you two finally rolled out of bed long enough to join us, huh?”

  Tessa play-smacked her mate before Ella did and stuck her hands on her hips. “I seem to remember a certain dragon lounging around in bed this morning. What was it he said? Oh, yes.” Tessa dropped her voice to mimic Kai’s. “‘Baby, we have plenty of time.’”

  “I remember those days,” Boone pretended to sigh.

  “Right. Like you’re hating fatherhood so much,” Ella said.

  Boone grinned ear to ear and held out little Luna for Ella to admire. “Isn’t she something?”

  He’d been diapering, burping, and cuddling his twins with gusto over the past week, barely allowing the others to enjoy their new roles as uncles and aunts. Even waking up throughout the night didn’t seem to faze Boone.

  “She’s beautiful,” Ella agreed, though all she could see in that swaddle was a tiny little nose. Then she went over to Nina who was sitting on the couch with Kale, the other twin. “How are you doing?”

  “Great.” Nina beamed. “I’m still sorry about the timing, but I’m doing great. And so is this little guy.” She shifted the edge of the blue blanket to reveal her son.

  Ella’s heart melted all over again. “So cute.”

  When Ella put her pinkie in his little fist, it looked giant compared to those tiny digits.

  “Too bad about the Ferrari, man,” Kai teased. “No space for the babies. You’re Mr. Minivan now.”

  Boone shrugged. “We got the Ferrari of minivans.”

  Ella laughed. Boone’s new minivan was red, but that was about all it had in common with the Ferrari.

  Baby Kale cried out, and Boone instantly trotted over to swap his daughter for his son.

  “I swear you’re going to spoil them,” Nina said, not managing to sound stern.

  “Not possible,” Boone insisted. “Not with my babies.”

  “Well, Auntie Tessa is planning to spoil them the second Boone gives me a chance,” Tessa announced. She stayed close to Kai, giving her mate a quick, secret glance that Ella caught. The kind of glance that said, Watch out, honey. We’re next.

  Kai ran his hand over Tessa’s back and winked at her, his eyes shining in agreement.

  Ella looked around. In some ways, her rough, tough Special Forces comrades hadn’t changed a bit. They still ribbed each other mercilessly, made wisecracks, and had their moments of puffing out their chests. In other ways, though, they’d grown up — a lot. They cherished their mates and let tender comments slip — in public, no less. They spoiled Keiki rotten and vied for a chance to hold the babies as much as the women of Koa Point did. But there was more to their subtle transformation than that, though she struggled to find a term for it.

  They’re settled. Happy. Calm, her fox chipped in. Civilian, almost.

  That was it. They’d learned to switch on and off their ever-alert soldier sides and enjoy life.

  She took Jake’s hand and held it close. Jake had come a long way as well. So, someday… Well, who knew? Maybe he would achieve that inner calm too.

  Jake brushed his lips over her cheek, and a voice murmured in the back of her mind. The voice of destiny, ancient and wise.

  Both of you will.

  Me? She wanted to protest. She wasn’t the one who’d been casting around for something to do or a place to call home.

  Her fox made a tut-tut sound, and a slew of images ran through her mind. All those nights running through the Arizona desert alone. All the times she’d turned down offers to join social occasions at Twin Moon Ranch and stared out at the mesas from the porch of her empty house. All the tossing and turning in bed, trying to get to sleep.

  Okay, so Jake wasn’t the only one with some ghosts rattling around in his head. But now that she had her mate, the world seemed to have slowed down to a more comfortable pace with a much friendlier vibe.

  She looked over and found Jake tipping his head back, testing the sea breeze. Relishing the peace, inside and out. When Jake opened his eyes, he smiled at her — a huge, from-the-heart smile — and pulled her to his side. Those possessive shifter instincts were taking over again, and honestly? Ella didn’t mind in the least.

  Boone murmured something to Kale and rocked him in his arms as he walked around.

  “And you guys said my pacing was bad,” Cruz muttered, coming up with Jody.

  “Pacing has no purpose. This does. Now be quiet and let my baby sleep.”

  “Can it be that Boone has finally grown up?” Kai said.

  Boone shook his head. “Matured, like a good wine. Now, hand me that rattle, dumbass.”

  Matured. That was the right word, Ella decided. They weren’t much older or much different at the core. They’d all just grown into new roles.

  Silas and Cassandra appeared at the edge of the lawn and walked over, hand in hand, further proof of how far the shifters of Koa Point had come. Silas, who’d always been the definition of reserved, broody dragon, wore a huge smile. He looked ten years younger and a hundred times more relaxed than she’d ever seen him. Which was amazing because Silas and relax were two words that rarely appeared in one sentence unless it was, Hey, Silas, when are you finally going to relax?

  Well, finally had come. Ella took a deep breath. For her and Jake too.

  “What?” Jake whispered as everyone called their greetings to the happy couple.

  Ella tried gulping away the lump in her throat, but it refused to budge. “I just can’t believe it all worked out.”

  Jake pulled her closer and cupped her face, running his coarse thumbs over her cheeks. “I can.”

  She took a deep breath. Good old Jake, hanging on to hope even when she had given up. The man was a born shifter with his unshakable faith in love.

  Destiny, her fox whispered.

  She hugged him then turned to the hubbub behind her. Everyone was laughing, joking, and talking at the same time. Hunter slapped Silas on the back. Dawn admired Cassandra’s dress. Boone held up little Kale, and Tessa straightened Kai’s thin black tie while Silas and Cassandra made their rounds.

  “Looking good, McBride,” Silas said, shaking his hand warmly.

  Ella’s smile stretched. Yeah, her mate looked good, all right.

  “Feeling good,” Jake said, glancing at Ella. Thanks to my mate.

  Silas started giving Ella his usual gruff smack on the shoulder. But then he paused, muttered, “Oh, what the heck,” and gave her a peck on the cheek. “Am I allowed to do this now?”

  Ella laughed, and that lump in her throat finally eased. “Maybe on special occasions.”

  Everyone chuckled and beamed — Ella, most of all. Could it really be this easy to settle into her own skin? All her life, she’d fought to prove herself. She was proud of that too, but it felt good just to be herself and loosen up a bit.

  “Sorry to have delayed the big day,” Jake said.

  Cassandra just shrugged. “No big deal.”

  “No big deal? It’s your wedding!” Ella sputtered.

  Cassandra laughed. “Our very small, friends-and-family-only wedding, just the way we wanted it. The date is easy to change when it’s just us.”

  “We really wanted you to be here for it,” Silas added.

  “Like I said.” Cassandra nodded. “Friends and family.” She stressed the last word and winked at Jake.

  “And speaking of wanting you to be here—” Silas started.

  Cassandra shook her head and rolled her eyes. “There he goes, talking business again.”

  Silas put his hands up. “Only part business. I wanted to ask you two to stay. I mean, really stay. To join our clan.”

  “Pack,” Boone murmured, correcting Silas as he always did.

  Silas ignored him, as he alw
ays did, and everyone gathered around to hear his words.

  “Ella has always been part of our clan. Jake fits right in too, and we’d love for you to join us. You can live at the plantation house. Maybe fix it up. Go on helping us with security. That need hasn’t changed. Of course, you don’t have to pretend to be honeymooners anymore.”

  “Ha. The pretending part stopped a while ago.” Kai laughed.

  Boone grinned. “I have to say, that was pretty fun.”

  Ella shook her finger at the wolf. “I’d deck you if you weren’t holding a baby, Hawthorne.”

  She was only joking, of course. And honestly, she did feel like a honeymooner. She was that giddy, that overwhelmed by love.

  “Hey, we were right about you two being perfect together, weren’t we?” Boone said.

  That, she had to give him.

  “You mean…” Jake said, looking from Boone to Kai and then Hunter.

  “Yeah,” she sighed. “Seems like the boys were playing matchmaker more than we thought. I’m not sure whether to deck them or let them off easy this time.”

  Jake mulled it over for a minute then shrugged. “Maybe we’ll let them off easy — just this one time.” He did give the others a firm look that managed to say thanks and never mess with my mate at the same time.

  Tessa nodded eagerly. “It would be great to have you here.”

  “Yeah,” Jody chimed in. “You could help us keep these guys in line.”

  Ella’s chest expanded in a huge sigh. God, it felt good to be asked. Her first instinct was to jump at the opportunity, but when she really thought it through…

  She looked at Jake, whose eyes said it all. Living on Maui with the group of people who understood them best would be great, but the desert Southwest called to them both.

  “It’s a great offer…” Jake started.

  “A really great offer,” she rushed to add.

  Silas tilted his head. “But?”

  Ella bit her lip. How to explain? “We’d love it. Really love it. But there’s this little house way out on the edge of a ranch… Thousands of acres of open country…”

  Silas chuckled. “Enough space for a couple of freshly mated foxes to roam, huh?”

  She nodded quickly. She loved Koa Point, but she loved Twin Moon Ranch as well. Jake would love the ranch too. The peace. The solitude. They would have steady jobs patrolling the vast ranch in a landscape that had been in their blood since birth, and they’d have time together.