Ice Claimed

by Marisa Chenery

  Taylor chuckled with no humor. “You can drop the act. We already met, wolf boy.”

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

  “Yes, you do. I know all about your kind.”

  “And what would that be?”

  Taylor took a step closer so he was almost up in Durlach’s face. The same height as he, that wasn’t too hard for Taylor to do. “Werewolf.”

  That single word had Durlach stiffening. “What makes you think that?”

  “As I said, I’m very well-acquainted with your kind. So you can stop acting as if I’m talking crazy. You might have fooled Meadow into thinking you’re a wolf hybrid, but I know differently. You don’t look like a typical werewolf in wolf form, though. I mean to find out why. Just let me say this, I don’t trust werewolves, and I have my reasons. I also won’t let you harm Meadow in any way or I’ll make you pay for it.”

  Durlach decided there really wasn’t any point in acting as if he didn’t understand what Taylor was talking about. He also took exception to the other man suggesting there was a chance Durlach would hurt Meadow.

  “All right, I’ll stop the act,” he said. “I’m a werewolf, and I’m not like an ordinary one. I’m a sentinel, same as all my wolf brothers. We are the very first of our kind. I’m not going to get into the story of my life with you right now. Maybe another time. As for me ever hurting Meadow, that will never happen. I would sooner rip my own heart out of my chest. She’s my mate.”

  Taylor scowled. “How can you be one of the first werewolves? Your kind only live to a maximum of three thousand years. And how is it possible Meadow is your mate? I have never heard of any werewolf having what they call a mortal as one.”

  “Well, she is and all my mated wolf brothers have taken mortals as mates. I consider this conversation over.”

  “I don’t,” Taylor said, not backing down an inch. “I have more questions, ones I want answered before I let you see Meadow.”

  Durlach growled low in the back of his throat. “Back off. And if you want to throw around questions, how about this one? Why is your scent different from a mortal’s? It smells like one but there is something that doesn’t match.”

  Taylor took a few steps back. “You shouldn’t have been able to detect that.”

  “Well, I did. The only reason why I haven’t tried to get you away from Meadow is because she seems to trust you and you want to protect her. But that will change if you want to come between us.”

  “Durlach, you’re here,” Meadow said as she approached them. “I saw you from the house. Let me take one of the bags.” She gave Taylor a meaningful look. “I’m sure Taylor has other things to do rather than holding you up.”

  The other man set his gaze on Durlach one last time before he nodded. “I guess I’ll leave you two alone, but I’ll be in my apartment if you have need of me, Meadow.” Taylor turned on his heel and headed toward the stable.

  Once Taylor disappeared into the building, Meadow turned her attention onto Durlach. “Sorry about that. Taylor has become overprotective of me all of a sudden. He’s worked and lived on the property for three years and not once has he gone out of his way to stick his nose into my dating life until now.”

  “Don’t worry. I haven’t let him get to me. In a way, it’s nice to know you have someone here to go to if you ever needed help.”

  “Enough about Taylor. Let’s go inside. I can still take a bag if you want.”

  He shook his head. “That’s not necessary. I can manage them both, no problem. Just point me in the direction of your kitchen and I’ll start cooking.”

  “Sure. Come on.”

  Durlach stayed at Meadow’s side as they walked to the house. Her scent wrapped around him with every step they took. He breathed it in deep. It would be forever imprinted on his mind, and he’d be able to pick it out of a mix of scents in an instant.

  Once they were inside, Meadow led him to the back of her home to the kitchen. It wasn’t a very large one but it had everything he needed. Durlach placed the shopping bags on the small table and took out the items they held one by one.

  Meadow came to stand beside him. “It looks as if you brought all your ingredients. You can find the pots and pans over there.” She pointed to a lower cupboard.

  He took out what he needed and placed them on the various burners of the stove. “I hope you like beef tenderloin steaks because that is what I’m going to make.”

  She pulled out one of the table chairs and took a seat. “I’m not a picky eater so that sounds delicious. I’ll sit here and keep out of your way.”

  “Don’t feel as if you have to.” Durlach smiled. “I wouldn’t complain if you did.”

  “I’ll stay here for now and watch.” Meadow winked. “Enjoy the view.”

  Durlach smiled. “All right. While I prep the food, why don’t you pour us each a glass of wine?”

  “I can do that.”

  He found a cutting board and knife before he set to work on the fresh vegetables. Meadow went to a cupboard and took out two wineglasses. She next grabbed a corkscrew from one of the drawers. Durlach kept half an eye on her as he sliced and diced. He couldn’t stop wanting to look at his mate. She’d be the only woman for him for the rest of his immortal life, and he couldn’t wait to make her his.

  That would of course be after he told her what he was, if Taylor didn’t beat him to it. There was no mistaking the other man’s dislike when it came to werewolves. Durlach hoped Taylor wouldn’t interfere with Meadow, but there could be a good chance he would.

  “Damn thing,” Meadow grumbled.

  He turned to find her struggling to pull the cork out of the wine bottle. “Here, let me help.” He crossed over to the table.

  “No, I can get it.”

  Meadow struggled some more. Durlach stepped closer, then reached to take the bottle from her. At that moment, the cork came free with a pop and she lost her grip on the smooth glass. He quickly grabbed it to save it from hitting the floor but some of the wine shot out and splashed the front of his light-gray t-shirt and jeans.

  Meadow gasped. “I’m so sorry.”

  Durlach shook his head and chuckled. “It’s okay.”

  “No, it’s not. It’s going to stain your clothes. Quick, take them off and I’ll put them in the washer. Let me get some paper towels to mop you up a bit.”

  As Meadow walked over to the sink, Durlach did as she told him to do.

  She quickly yanked two sheets of paper towel off the roll, then turned back to Durlach. What she saw had her coming to a standstill and her brain ceasing to function on all cylinders. He stood where she’d left him, but now he was almost as good as naked. His shirt and jeans lay in a pile by his feet. The only thing that kept him covered was the pair of black boxer-briefs he wore. Everything else was bare.

  Meadow’s mouth fell open as she ran her gaze over Durlach’s well-muscled and ripped body. He was perfect. That was the best way she could describe what she looked at. His chest had a thick padding of muscle and his abs were a sculpted six-pack. She briefly glanced at his strong legs before her gaze became snagged on what was between them. Only in underwear, there was no mistaking the large hard-on that tented the front of them. A throbbing ache built inside her pussy the longer she stared in that area of what was attached to the best male body she’d seen in real life.

  She pried her gaze off Durlach’s crotch and tried to speak but only managed to make a croaking sound. Meadow swallowed, pretty sure there had to be drool running down her chin. While she’d been eating him up with her eyes she must have closed most of the space between them because Durlach was now within touching distance. She had to concentrate really hard not to stroke all the interesting bits of him, especially what he had hidden in his boxer-briefs.

  “Are you okay, Meadow? You did tell me to hurry and take my clothes off.”

  That she had, but she hadn’t expected him to do it right there in the kitchen. She figured she’d try to dab some of the wine out o
f the material before she sent him to the bathroom to undress. She was even going to give him a towel to wrap around his waist since nothing of hers would have come close to fitting him.

  Meadow nodded. “Ah…er…” She cleared her throat. “Yes,” she managed, even though it still sounded like a croak. “You’re so…big.” Her gaze landed on his crotch once more.

  “You only have yourself to blame for that,” Durlach said with a laugh.

  Heat rushed to Meadow’s cheeks as she pried her gaze upward, realizing she’d been caught staring at a spot she shouldn’t have been. And it didn’t help that wetness had pooled between her legs as well.

  “Sorry. I…oh god…I shouldn’t have…” Meadow couldn’t form a coherent thought to save her life.

  Durlach closed what little space remained between them. “Shouldn’t have what? Looked? I would have been disappointed if you hadn’t. In fact, I’m glad you did because it gives me a good excuse to do this.”

  He took hold of her upper arms and lowered his head until their lips met. A jolt of sharp desire surged through Meadow as Durlach kissed her. She lifted her hands and placed them on his sides. His skin was smooth and warm beneath her fingers. She returned the kiss as her body burned for his.

  Their meeting of the lips became more passionate as Durlach pushed his tongue into Meadow’s mouth, stroking hers with his. She moaned as she skimmed her hands around to his back while she got lost in his embrace.

  Durlach held her tighter, nibbled, licked and sucked, ramping up the desire that already heated her body to boiling point. His hard cock was trapped between their bodies. Meadow rubbed against it, her pussy clutching on nothing. She no longer hungered for the food Durlach was going to make. Her appetite had changed to the man who held her and kissed her as if he couldn’t take his next breath without her.

  She moaned again. That little noise was enough to have Durlach backing her up against the nearest wall. Meadow raised her arms to clutch his shoulders. He shoved his hands under her shirt, caressing her belly before lifting to cup her breasts. His thumbs grazed her taut nipples through her bra.

  Durlach left her mouth and nibbled the side of her neck. “I think you have too many clothes on compared to me. I need to take some off you to make it fair.”

  He grabbed the bottom of her shirt, then pulled it up over her head and off. His head dipped and he swiped his tongue along the top of her breasts. Meadow sucked in a breath. Durlach was moving fast, but it felt too good to stop him. Her body in no way wanted her to slow things down, giving her a resounding “hell no” just at the thought of it.

  Her bra soon landed on the kitchen floor with her shirt. Meadow could only hold on to him as Durlach once again bent his head. This time he sucked a nipple between his lips. The wetness between her legs increased, and the ache deep inside her pussy throbbed at a tempo she couldn’t ignore. He switched to her other breast, and she thrust her hips toward him.

  Durlach groaned as he released her nipple and returned to nuzzling the side of her neck before dropping his hands to the waistband of her jeans. With nimble fingers, he undid the button and zipper, then shoved a hand down the front, caressing her pussy through her panties. Meadow pressed her chest closer to his, her taut nipples rubbing against the hard planes of muscle.

  “I know I should be cooking our dinner, but I’m not going to be able to concentrate until I’ve given you pleasure,” Durlach said against her skin. “Will you let me?”

  “The food can wait,” she replied on a gasp as Durlach’s fingers stroked a particularly sensitive spot. “Pleasure first, then we can eat.”

  “Good.”

  Durlach lifted his head but kept his eyes downcast while he worked on freeing Meadow of her jeans. Once they lay in a pile on the floor, he sank to his knees in front of her. He left a trail of kisses across her lower belly and tugged her panties down her legs. After she stepped out of them, he ran his hands back up her inner thighs, nudging her to spread them open a little wider.

  Meadow almost went on tiptoe as Durlach ran a finger along her wet pussy before he replaced the digit with his mouth and tongue. He gave her long, wet strokes, taking the time to circle her clit with each pass. She moaned, her hands pressed flat on the wall at her sides. The knowledge that she stood naked in her kitchen while she allowed a man, who she was on a first date with, to eat her out flitted through her mind. But at the moment, all that mattered was that Durlach continue what he was doing. There was no room for embarrassment. Only pure pleasure.

  Her orgasm inched closer to the surface once Durlach pushed a finger and then a second into her pussy. His talented tongue continued to stimulate her clit as he plunged the two digits in and out. Meadow squeezed her inner walls around them, heightening the sensations she felt. No longer able to hold still, she thrust her hips to match the pace he set.

  Durlach worked her faster. He seemed to know exactly where to stroke and lick to have her panting with need. After that, it didn’t take much to have her whimpering his name while her body shattered into a million pieces in climax. He didn’t stop sucking on her clit until the last wave hit her, her moans increasing in volume with each contraction of her inner muscles.

  Her body weak, Meadow watched Durlach rise to his full height. He avoided looking her in the eyes as his gaze roamed her body. She peered down to see the head of his cock peeked out of the waistband of his underwear. She reached out and tugged the front of them down until she sprang his shaft. He was thick and hard. She took him into her hand and pumped it up and down.

  The sound of the back door crashing open just before Taylor came barreling into the room, looking as if he was ready to do battle with someone, had Meadow’s head jerking toward the noise.

  “Meadow, I heard your cries and…” Taylor’s words trailed away as his gaze landed on her.

  She let out a squawk and tried to cover her nakedness with her arms. Durlach let out an animalistic-sounding growl and shifted to stand in front of her with his back to her, shielding her from Taylor’s view.

  “Get out,” Durlach said in a voice that still held a hint of a growl.

  Taylor didn’t seem intimidated in the least. “Back down, wolf boy.” He then looked around Durlach at Meadow. “Are you okay? I know you’re…you know, but if he did something you didn’t want I have no problem throwing him out.”

  Meadow pressed herself against Durlach’s back and leaned out a little to see Taylor. “Ah no, I don’t need you to throw Durlach out. The only person I want that happening to is you. Durlach did everything I wanted. Sorry if I got too loud. I didn’t think I was, though.”

  Taylor’s face reddened. “I would never have barged in here if you’d been with anyone else but him.” He glared at Durlach. “I don’t trust his kind.”

  She’d had about enough of Taylor’s he-man, beating-his-chest antics. His interruption couldn’t have come at a worse time. She’d had her hand on the object she’d craved the most at that moment in time. Now the mood had been broken thanks to the man who stood a short distance away.

  “I have no idea what you mean by ‘his kind’, but I’m only going to tell you once nicely before I’ll let Durlach handle you. Please leave, Taylor. I’m fine.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “Yes.”

  “I can stay just outside.”

  “Taylor!” she snapped. “Out. And go do something away from the house.”

  He nodded, then walked through the still-open back door. Once he closed it behind him, Meadow let out a sigh of relief and leaned her forehead against Durlach’s back. “Sorry about that,” she said. “I never expected Taylor to do anything like that.”

  Durlach turned to face her. “It’s okay.” He smiled. “Next time we’ll have to remember to lock the doors.”

  She chuckled. “I guess so. He was a good mood wrecker.”

  “At least I got to make you come first,” Durlach said with a smile. “I should start cooking. And I should probably call someone at my place to bring me
over some more clothes.”

  “Oh god, I forgot about your clothes. They’re probably stained for sure now.”

  “It’s all right. You get dressed and I’ll make my phone call.”

  Meadow watched Durlach pull up the front of his boxer-briefs before he went to his jeans and fished out his cell phone. As he made his call, she quickly dressed. She and Taylor were going to have a little chat tomorrow. She would obviously have to set some boundaries when it came to Durlach, and Taylor would have to abide by them.

  Chapter Five

  Durlach ended up calling Ryder since the shaman would know where to find Durlach’s clothes in their room. Ryder also wouldn’t ask a bunch of questions as to why Durlach needed to change. As predicted, the shaman told him he’d be over in a little while, then ended their conversation.

  He turned his gaze on to Meadow and saw she was already dressed. Durlach sighed inside. Taylor had ruined a perfectly good moment. If the other man kept doing that, Durlach would end up with blue balls. Not that having Meadow give him a hand job until he came would have done much about his mating urge riding him. It wouldn’t stop until he’d claimed her fully as his mate, but even though it would have made it ride him harder, he had wanted Meadow to bring him to release.

  “Is one of your friends going to bring you some clothes?” she asked.

  “Yeah. Ryder will be over shortly. We share a room so he knows where to find what I need.”

  “Good. I have to apologize for Taylor again. Because of him you didn’t,” she glanced pointedly at his crotch, “get to finish.”

  Durlach had basically lost his erection after Taylor had come running into the room. “It’s okay. There’s always another time.”

  “I’m glad you can be so calm about it. If it had been me, I would have been really pissed.”

  He closed the distance between them and put his arms around her waist. “I would have been if there would never be another opportunity to have your hands on me again. I intend to have you naked and in my arms in the very near future. If you’ll let me, that is.”