Maybe it was the fact Max was engaged. That he’d soon be mated. While he knew he and his twin would always be close, once one of them mated, the bond between them would break. He understood that, even accepted it. But he didn’t like it.
He took a deep breath, closed his eyes and allowed his mind to clear. He pictured the forest near Mik’s home—the trees, the lake, the wild rabbits. The wolf inside his head growled in approval and Jackson felt himself sliding into sleep.
He wasn’t surprised the dream was there to greet him.
He ran. The forest alive beneath his paws, the scents of earth and rain filling his head. The wolf brain catalogued each smell, searching for food, threats or another like him.
He raced down the pathways, a growing awareness that another creature ran beside him. His mate. His wolf growled its greeting and the creature answered back. It wasn’t a wolf’s reply.
His subconscious rose to the surface, observing the strange response and pulling him from the dream. He’d always imagined he’d end up with a female from a neighboring Pack. But this creature wasn’t a wolf. Human? No, if she were human, he would have converted her. Coming inside her would start the process and he’d finish it by sinking his teeth into her flesh.
The dream seized him and dragged him back below the surface. He was there, kneeling over the female’s body. He couldn’t see her, her shape still mist but he felt her, felt her body ease and accept his penetration—his cock in her pussy, his teeth piercing her skin.
The world shifted again and he found himself on his back, the sweet cool grass beneath his skin, the warmth of his female above him. He groaned as wet heat engulfed his cock. He scraped his hand through her long hair. Yes, he’d always imagined his mate with long hair. She lapped at the head of his cock, teasing strokes and contented murmurs against his skin.
She rose up, her hair shielding her face, the tips of her breasts teasing his skin as she whispered kisses across his chest, avoiding his nipples when he craved a hard bite.
“Hmm Max…”
The voice pierced the fog of the dream. His eyes drifted open and he stared at the beautiful woman straddling his hips. Beautiful naked woman. Her hair was black, straight and long, hanging down past her shoulders, the ends meeting her nipples. Her breasts were large and firm and Jackson’s palms tingled, imagining cupping those beautiful mounds, holding them as he sucked and bit her tight nipples. They’d cuddle his cock close as he fucked himself between those nice round breasts.
His wolf growled inside his brain, approving of the female, mentally licking his lips, trying to taste the delicious scent that floated from between her legs.
Her hand wrapped around his cock and she guided the tip into her pussy. Yes, that’s it, baby. Put me inside you.
Slick and hot, her pussy juices coated the head of his cock. Heat spiraled through his dick and converged in his balls. She moaned as she started to sink, her tight opening stretching around his cock.
So good. So real. Real.
The truth slammed into his brain. This was no dream. There was really a gorgeous woman straddling his thighs, sliding his cock in her pussy…and she thought he was Max.
“No!” He lifted her up, moaning as the heat from her pussy left his shaft, and pushed. Adrenaline gave him extra strength and she flew, tumbling off the couch, landing on the floor beside him.
Sprawled across the carpet, she flipped her hair away from her face and glared up at him, indignant and pissed. She shook her head, her mouth hanging open as she stared up at him. He blinked, trying to clear his mind. The vision before him didn’t evaporate. A beautiful woman had been seconds away from fucking him and he’d tossed her to the ground. His cock twitched, hard from the teasing caresses of her mouth and her hand and, fuck, the heat of her cunt.
As if the word controlled his gaze, he looked down. Her legs were spread and he could see the deep pink flesh of her pussy. It was almost bare, with a just narrow strip of hair, nothing to hide the beauty of her cunt. The wolf inside him growled as he inhaled, capturing the delicious perfume dripping from her pussy.
She snapped her legs shut and the movement yanked his eyes upward. She brushed a few stray hairs from her face.
“Sweet heaven, Max, I know you’re not crazy about ‘woman on top’ but this is a little extreme.”
“No, that’s not—”
She rolled over and stood up. The movement sapped all thought from his brain. Every sense focused on the sweet sway of her breasts. She bent down and he fought to suppress a groan. God, her ass was gorgeous. Tight and round and it would fit perfectly again his groin when he fucked her from behind.
She glanced back, saw the path of his eyes and grunted as if she’d expect nothing less from a man. She grabbed a bright red lace bra, what appeared to be a blouse and maybe a skirt. Clutching the clothes to her waist, leaving her breasts bare, she looked down at him.
“I realize we’re officially on a break, but how many times have you crawled into my bed at two a.m. because you were horny? I do it once and you act like you’re being raped.” She spun away and stalked out but not before she muttered “asshole”.
He stared at the empty doorway, his mind racing to process what the hell had just happened. One thing was clear. She was leaving. Pissed and leaving. He had to explain. He rolled off the couch and dragged on his jeans, wincing as he eased his erection behind the button fly. A scrap of red caught his attention. Her panties. He snagged them, cramming the silk into his pocket as he ran down the steps.
Dark hair swung across her naked back as she juggled clothes, a purse and high-heeled shoes while trying to turn the doorknob.
He ran across the room, arriving just as she managed to open the door. He slapped his palm against the wood, slamming it shut.
“Let me out,” she said, though she barely opened her teeth when she spoke.
“No.”
“Max…” Her voice hummed with a warning that every male recognized. He swallowed and ignored the instinctive response to protect his balls. “Get out of the way.”
“No. One, you’re naked and two, I’m not Max.”
She scoffed and shook her head, flicking her hair over her shoulder, enough to glare at him. “I’m not in the mood for role-playing. I wanted a simple fuck but don’t worry, that desire’s gone. For good.” She yanked on the door and managed to open it a few inches before he slammed it shut again.
“Please don’t leave. You’re still naked and I really am not Max. I’m Jackson, his twin brother.” She rubbed her tongue across the front of her teeth as if she was physically holding back words he was pretty sure he didn’t want to hear. “Would seeing my driver’s license help?” he asked.
She tipped her head to the side as if considering the offer. “Sure.”
Relief came out as a sigh. “Okay. It’s upstairs. Please don’t leave. I’ll go get it and—” He did his best not to look down—he’d ogled her enough upstairs. “That will give you a chance to get dressed.” He slowly backed away, prepared to lunge forward if she reached for the doorknob.
Her suspicious eyes watched him and then she sighed. “Never mind. I believe you.” She shook her head and laughed softly. “I don’t think Max has ever told a woman to put her clothes on.”
He grimaced and nodded. She obviously knew his brother well. She turned her back to the door and shifted the clothes in her arms, using the mismatched bundle to cover her breasts.
Of course, now she realized she wasn’t naked with her lover but a stranger.
“Sorry.” Jackson turned away, giving her time to dress. He stuck his hand in his pockets as he listened to the rustle of her clothes, imagining them sliding across her soft skin. He rubbed the silk panties between his fingers and knew he should give them back to her. He should but he also knew he wasn’t going to. He had the vague notion that he wanted something with her scent on them. It was insane, stupid. She belonged to Max. Even if they were “on a break”. And what the hell did that mean? She obviously tho
ught it meant they could still fuck.
Is Max of the same opinion?
What am I thinking? Doesn’t matter. You can’t fuck the woman Max once planned to marry. Hell, he might still be planning to marry her. Being “on a break” didn’t mean broken up and even if it did, could he actually fuck his twin’s ex-girlfriend? And why was he having this conversation with himself?
Because he wanted to. His cock was still hard, pulsing with the need to fuck, to ride between those long sleek legs, feel her heels dig into his ass as she pulled him deeper. Stop it, he told himself, but couldn’t quite break the cycle of the fantasies.
The wolf wasn’t helping. The creature used its heightened senses to gather as much information about her as possible, returning time and again to her scent. Needing what the wolf craved, Jackson took long slow breaths, trying to ease the hunger of the animal and the human, almost wishing he’d let it go a little farther upstairs. But he couldn’t have done that—couldn’t have let her fuck him not knowing he wasn’t Max. That would have too underhanded.
“All done.”
Jackson turned around. His cock twitched and he fought the urge to moan. Dani dressed was almost as potent as Dani naked. Maybe because he knew her pussy was bare beneath that short skirt and her nipples made tiny dents on her silky shirt. Because he couldn’t stop himself, he licked his lips and forced his gaze down her body. He had to get used to seeing her. Showing up at Max’s wedding with a hard-on was bad on so many levels.
Chapter Two
Dani tried to hold still while he scanned her body. She was used to men looking at her. Hell, that was part of her job.
Jackson was faster than most and the high lines of his cheeks turned red. She didn’t think she’d ever seen Max blush.
And she knew he wouldn’t have stopped her storming out of the house naked. He’d have watched and laughed. Wouldn’t that have given Max’s neighbors a thrill?
Fury mutated into embarrassment and her cheeks heated up. What must Jackson think of her?
“I’m Danika,” she said, realizing she hadn’t introduced herself. Had Max spoken to his family about her? Awkwardly, she offered Jackson her hand. “Everyone calls me Dani.”
“I’ve heard a lot about you.”
“Really?” she asked, unable to keep the surprise from her voice. Or maybe that was her guilt talking. She hadn’t mentioned Max or their brief engagement to her family. After three failed engagements, she’d wanted to avoid the uncomfortable platitudes from her sisters.
“Well, not a lot—you know Max. Basically I got a description.” He grinned.
“Description?” The hair on the back of her neck stood.
“He was light on details…”
The adorable blush returned to his cheeks.
“But he did mention you were tall, with black hair and absolutely gorgeous.” The last words were spoken low, almost under his breath. She sank down into one hip. This was something she could handle. Men admiring her. Lusting after her. Jackson would be no different. A little tease, a little flirtation—and she could blow him off. Just like she had his brother.
“Thanks.” She snagged a strand of hair and twirled it around her finger, wondering if Jackson’s gaze would follow the slow circular movement. His eyes stayed locked on hers.
“I know you must think I’m a total slut.” She dropped her voice, making it husky and teasing, and waited for him to flirt in return.
“I don’t, no.” The serious reply sapped the laughter from her chest and the truth came tumbling from her mouth.
“It was just…I was out with some friends and we were dancing and drinking and a couple of them hooked up with some guys at the club and after a few more drinks, coming here seemed like a good idea.” She winced. “Great, now I’m not just a slut, I’m a drunk slut. I’m sorry. I—” She braved a look at Jackson, stunned by how much he resembled his twin. Until she got to the eyes. Same shape, different color. But the deep green staring back at her was a minor difference compared to the light inside. The serious glint in his stare reflected divergent personalities.
Jackson shook his head and stepped closer. “I don’t think any of those things,” he said, his voice low and strong. Commanding without intimidation. Unexpected tears formed in her eyes.
“I think you’re a beautiful, sexual woman who came here tonight expecting a welcome from her lover.” Jackson looked into her eyes—a straightforward stare that tugged something in her chest, made her want to believe. “And under any other circumstances, I’d love to be the one you crawled into bed with.”
His tone reverberated power, subtly convincing her she could trust every word. That he would never betray her. The wave of lust that had driven her here returned with a surge, a light flicker in her pussy. The memory of his response as she’d licked him distracted her for a moment. He’d been asleep for most of it, true, but damn, his cock had been ready, hard. Thick. Heat flooded her pussy. The fact she’d forgotten her panties upstairs made the sensations more intense.
Hunger flared in his eyes, as if he knew what was happening between her legs.
She pressed her knees together and tried to think good-girl thoughts. She’d climbed into one bed naked already tonight and wasn’t going to risk it again.
No matter how her body responded to the man before her.
So different from his brother. She’d rejected Max for a month before agreeing to go out with him. Then she’d waited another thirty days before she’d slept with him.
Yet she wanted to throw Jackson down and mount him right there in the living room.
Fighting that urge, she folded her arms over her chest to hide the fact her nipples were still hard.
“And I guess this answers one question.” Jackson stepped back, his chuckle deliberate, diffusing the sexual atmosphere.
“What’s that?”
“Max isn’t with you.”
“Did you think he was?” Her mind snapped to the most logical explanation—Max was using her as an alibi?
Jackson laughed. “No. He wasn’t expecting me. I just showed up. He’s not answering his phone.”
“Ahh.” She knew what that meant. The only time he didn’t answer—even if it was just to say he’d call back—was during sex.
“He’s probably on a date or—sorry. I guess he wouldn’t be on a date if you’re here…” He winced as his words trailed.
“Don’t worry. Max and I are ‘on a break’, whatever that means, so if he wants to go on a date, he’s allowed. But he usually takes his car when he goes out.” She rolled her eyes upward and couldn’t resist flashing Jackson a teasing smile. “Gives him a chance to make a clean getaway in the middle of the night. Oh, sorry,” she said, realizing it had come out bitchier than she’d intended.
Jackson laughed. “Don’t be. I love my brother, but I also know my brother.”
“Well, it was nice meeting you. I’ll just catch a cab and get myself home.” She opened her cell phone and hit the first number. Working on the Strip, she tended to take cabs to work and knew one could be there in moments to get her.
“Why don’t I drive you?”
“Oh, that’s not necessary.”
But it would be cheaper. Max lived on the opposite side of Vegas. And then you’d get to spend more time with the sexy brother. The thought jolted her subconscious. It made no sense. Max dripped sex appeal. That had been one of the reasons she’d resisted him for as long as she had, knowing he would be too tempting. But something about Jackson made her think his appeal went deeper than just sex. Though at this point, that’s really all her body was interested in.
She gave herself a mental shake.
“It’s the least I can do,” Jackson said. The exaggerated grimace made her smile. “After all, I did throw you on the floor.”
She sank down into her hip and tilted her head to the side, offering him a considering look. “Yes, and I can honestly say I’ve never been thrown out of a man’s bed before.”
“I don’t
doubt that,” he muttered.
Another wicked shiver ran through her pussy and she grinned. Sweet, sweet heaven. What the man could do with a few words. “Well, when I was six, my sister kicked me out of bed because I wouldn’t stop talking and she was trying to sleep.”
“What happened?”
“I climbed back in bed and bit her.” She sighed dramatically. “Yeah, that didn’t go over well with the parents.”
“Or your sister, I should think.”
“Oh, her too.”
The corner of his mouth kicked up in an endearing half smile and she had to remind herself there were really good reasons why she shouldn’t throw herself at this man. Like—he looked just like her ex and wouldn’t that be creepy?
Except when he gave her that sweet smile, he looked nothing like Max.
“Well, since you didn’t bite me in retaliation, let me give you a ride home.” He cocked his thumb toward the stairs. “I’ll grab my wallet. And a shirt.”
“Yeah, probably best not to go outside half naked.”
The smile got a little wider. “Probably best,” he agreed. He turned around and jogged up the stairs, too fast for her to get a good look at his ass. Drat. He came back down moments later—with no indication that he’d taken time to brush his teeth or slip condoms in his pocket. Was it possible he wasn’t even related to Max?
He grabbed Max’s keys off the ring by the door and led her into the hall.
“Just tell me where I need to go and don’t let me leave without directions to get back here.”
“You’ll just do the reverse of how we go there,” she said. Kind of obvious, she thought.
“Won’t work. I’ll get lost.” He opened the passenger door and helped her in. It seemed old-fashioned, almost chivalrous. Something she’d never expected from Max, except maybe for a chance to look up her skirt. Jackson kept his eyes trained above her neck.
Jackson's Rise Page 2