“That’s all I need,” she said softly. “We can work the rest out. You’re not a lone wolf anymore. You have me. Always. I want us to be proper mates, Ethan. I want you to claim me. Do you want me to claim you?”
Ethan kissed her, pouring all his emotion into it. He lost himself in her. She was everything. When he broke off, they were both breathing heavily. “Yes, I want you to claim me. You’re sure that you’re well enough?”
“As long as I’m not on my feet, I’m fine,” she assured him.
“Good,” he said. He could feel the grin stretching his face. “I get to carry you a bit longer.”
“I have a feeling that I’m more likely to be on my back for a while anyway,” she added naughtily.
Ethan grinned even wider. “You sure are. Also your knees I’d imagine.” He had a hundred ways he wanted to take her and couldn’t wait to get started.
He kissed her and stood up, grabbing a fluffy towel. He helped Dana out of the bath and rubbed her down with the towel, making her squeal when he reached ticklish places. He paid a little more attention to those places, making her giggle and slap at his hands. Finally, he picked her up and carried her to the bedroom. As soon as he put her on the bed, he resumed tickling her. He loved the way she wriggled and squealed for him. Before long, she was a writhing, panting mess. Ceasing his assault, he looked down at her. She returned his gaze, her eyes full of passion as she gasped for breath.
Dipping his head, he kissed her, revelling in the feel of her body as she arched into his. Clothes. He was wearing too many damn clothes. He needed to feel her skin pressed against his own. He lifted off her to remove his t-shirt, swearing as he got stuck in it in his haste.
He heard Dana giggle and then her hands were there, helping to remove the offending garment and toss it away. Straightening up, he moved back from the bed to finish undressing. He ripped at his jeans, pulling them down and taking his boxers with them. He stalked towards the bed and promptly fell over. Dammit. He was still wearing his boots which meant that his jeans were around his ankles, tripping him. This was so not how he’d imagined his claiming night.
Dana was trying to stifle her laugh but she was failing miserably. Looking up, he saw her about to get off the bed to help and he held up a hand to stop her.
“I’m fine,” he said. “Stay off your feet, sweetheart.” He savagely pulled at his boots and freed himself from the last of his clothes. Standing, he prowled to the bed. Dana was watching him, no longer laughing. Her gaze travelled up and down his body, lingering at his cock and making him swell even more. When he reached her, he gently pushed her backwards and came down on top of her. This time, he could feel her skin, warm against his and so silky soft. As he kissed her, he could feel her hard little nipples rubbing his chest. He slid a hand up to cup one breast, enjoying the weight of it in his hand. He pinched a nipple and Dana bucked against him with a moan. He could feel the heat of her against his cock and he nearly lost it right then.
Continuing to kiss her, he slid a hand down to her heat, cupping her and then slipping a finger inside. She was already wet for him.
“Ethan, please,” Dana moaned as she rode his hand. “You teased me enough with the bath and the tickling. I need you. Now.” He would never be able to refuse her.
Groaning, he removed his hand and pressed his cock to her warm entrance. He rubbed himself there for a moment, coating himself in her juices and torturing them both a little. Dana bit gently at his shoulder, a reminder of the claiming to come. With that, he pushed forwards, sliding into her welcoming heat. Dana bucked her hips upwards, helping him to push in deeper. Before long he was fully seated within her. Nothing had ever felt as good as Dana wrapped snugly around him. She nipped him again and he started to move within her. He wasn’t going to last. Not this time. Everything was just so fucking perfect.
He built up a rhythm, thrusting firmly within her. Her legs wrapped around his waist and every thrust rubbed her silky thighs against him. She raised her chest a little and her nipples dragged along his chest. It was all just too much. Her soft thighs at his waist. Her hot, wet channel pulling at his cock. Her nipples against his chest. Her fingers clutching at his back and shoulders. The scent of his mate combined with the scent of their lovemaking, and the sound of her gasps and groans. Too damn much. He was going to come but he’d be damned if she didn’t join him. He angled his hips more to hit her clit with every thrust and was rewarded with a wail as her channel fluttered around him. A few more thrusts and she was coming, dragging him with her. He felt his fangs drop down and he struck, biting her firmly where her shoulder met her neck. His teeth broke the skin and he tasted her blood. He felt a bite at his own neck and knew that he had also been marked and claimed. His orgasm went on and on, the mating bond snapping into place and prolonging their pleasure.
Finally, he was spent. With the last of his energy, he grabbed his mate and rolled them before he collapsed and squashed her. They panted together for a moment, too exhausted to move. Then he said the only thing that came to mind.
“Bloody hell.”
Dana snickered and cuddled closer. Limbs entwined, they drifted off to sleep.
Chapter 32
Dana awoke curled into her mate. One leg was thrown over the top of him and one of Ethan’s hands was clasping her butt. She smiled as she pressed little kisses to his chest. They were finally mated and she couldn’t be happier. True, she still had a psycho killer after her and her mate wasn’t used to letting people close to him. No doubt they’d have a few ups and downs but she was steadily growing to love him and she was optimistic that they’d work it out. He wasn’t going anywhere, not with the mating bond, and she could be patient with him.
Ethan’s hand squeezed her butt cheek and she looked up to find him watching her.
“Mornin’, little moose,” he said, dropping a kiss on her forehead.
“Mornin’, big bad wolf,” she said with a smile.
She kissed him back and then slid down his body, kissing her way down. She hadn't really explored him yet. Not properly. No time like the present.
“Dana…” Ethan growled. She felt the rumble from his chest.
She ignored him and continued her journey. He was still fully erect, their newly formed mating bond pushing them to mate over and over. She kissed the tip of his cock and then gently nibbled her way down it. She licked her way back up, swirling her tongue around the tip as she grasped his shaft with her hands.
“Dana,” Ethan growled again but he made no move to stop her.
Smiling, she took him into her mouth and she felt Ethan’s hands grasp her hair. He held her but did not attempt to control her movements. She sucked and licked, teasing him and enjoying her power over him. She wasn’t an expert at this but she wanted to please him and she hoped her enthusiasm would make up for any lack of technique. He certainly seemed to be enjoying her efforts, his fingers tightening on her head.
“Enough,” he groaned, gently but firmly pulling her off him and up his body. He kissed her fiercely, one hand still holding her head, the other dipping between them to slide through her wet folds. Now it was her turn to moan. His fingers pumped inside her, hitting her sweet spot over and over, while his thumb pressed firmly on her clit. She could feel herself getting wetter and wetter. She needed more than his fingers. A lot more.
He broke their kiss and removed his fingers, smirking at the whimper that escaped her. Sitting up, he span them around and flipped Dana onto her stomach. The air whooshed out of her lungs as she bounced on the bed. She felt him grab her hips and pull them up so that she was now on her knees. She jumped at the first swipe of his tongue against her and then relaxed into the sensations. He lashed her clit with his tongue, driving her higher and higher. She felt his fingers slide into her again and she moaned in appreciation. She was so close. Then he sucked her clit and tipped her over the edge, making her scream as she came.
Ethan didn’t stop. He continued to pump his fingers insid
e her and sucked her clit, driving her back to the edge in record time. A sharp pain as his fangs pierced her butt had her wailing as she climaxed again.
Coming down this time, she felt Ethan’s cock press into her from behind. He grasped her hips as he thrust into her and she arched back to take him deeper. She loved this position, it felt so primal. Reducing them both to animals. Her breasts swung under her as she rocked with the movements of Ethan’s thrusts. Her arms gave out and her head rested on the bed, her ass still in the air, Ethan holding her up. His hand slid around her to where they were joined and he began to rub at her clit. She couldn't come again. She just couldn't. Yet, she was. She felt the climax building and when she felt Ethan come inside her, she whimpered, “I love you” into the mattress as she exploded in pleasure.
She felt Ethan dropping onto the bed beside her. For a moment, they lay there, silent apart from their heavy breathing. She felt the bed move as Ethan rolled over and she could feel him watching her.
“You love me?” he panted. Oh crap. She’d said it out loud. Quietly and muffled by a mattress but his damn shifter hearing would still have heard it. The last thing she wanted to do was scare him and she wasn’t sure he was ready to deal with declarations of love.
“You weren’t supposed to hear that,” she panted back, risking a peek up at him. He didn’t appear too freaked out, merely curious. Maybe even a little... hopeful?
“Did you mean it?” he asked. His hand stroked down her back.
She sighed. “I meant it but I didn’t mean to actually say it. I don’t want to freak you out.”
“I’m not freaked out,” he said, smiling at her. He brushed a lock of hair away from her face. “I love you too. I know it’s early days and I’m not good with the mushy stuff, but I love you.”
He grinned at her, a big goofy grin and she couldn’t help grinning back. Rolling over, she yelped and flipped onto to her side.
“You bit me on the ass!” she accused him, grabbing her butt and rubbing it.
He snorted. “I couldn’t resist.” He shrugged. “Besides, I didn’t hear you complaining at the time.” No, she certainly hadn't.
She swatted at him, making him laugh as he caught her hand and kissed her fingers.
“So,” Ethan said carefully, kissing her palm. “Since we’ve admitted we love each other and we’re now mated, how would you feel about me moving in?” He watched her, waiting for her answer.
She smiled at him. “I’d love it. Do you want to live here or find a new place?” She liked her home but she didn’t mind moving. She just wanted to be with her mate. Wherever.
“Here is fine,” Ethan said. “My apartment is tiny and I don’t have a lot of stuff. You tend not to accumulate much when you move around a lot.”
“Will you miss it?” she asked. Would he resent her for making him stay in one place? She wasn’t one for travelling. The occasional trip, sure, but she liked having a more permanent home to return to. She liked having somewhere she belonged, with friends and family.
“Actually, no.” He looked thoughtful. A little surprised. “It was just how things were. It’s not a life philosophy or anything. I like it here. I want to try to build a life. A normal one.”
She kissed him. “Sounds good to me.”
He rolled them over and leaned down to kiss her. A buzzing phone had them coming up for air. Dammit. Things were just getting interesting.
Ethan sighed, leaning his forehead against hers. “I’d better get it. It could be Leo with an update.”
Dana watched him as he got up to check his phone. She loved looking at him. Her mate was an attractive man. An attractive man with an awesome ass.
“It’s not mine,” Ethan said, looking at his phone.
Frowning, Dana crawled off the bed and searched out her phone. She’d actually forgotten to take it with her when she went to work. Now it was sitting beside the bed. Checking it, she found a text from an unknown number.
“What is it?” Ethan asked, walking towards her, face creased with concern.
She opened the text and froze. Fear held her immobile, unable to react.
The text simply said, “I have your brothers. Check your e-mail.”
Wordlessly, she gave the phone to Ethan and went to her laptop. She switched it on and waited for it to boot up. It had never seemed so slow. She heard Ethan curse and then he was behind her, his hand on her shoulder offering comfort. She leaned back into him, drawing on his strength.
Finally, the laptop was on and she opened up her e-mail. There was a new message. Clicking on it, she found a picture of two of her brothers, Frankie and Kyle. They were tied up and clearly unconscious. At least she hoped they were only unconscious. They couldn't be dead. They just couldn't.
The e-mail read, “You have one hour to get yourself to the location below or I kill your brothers. Come alone or I kill your brothers. Call the police and I kill your brothers. It’s your choice. How much do their lives mean to you?” Underneath was a location in the woods. Different woods from the house she’d been held in before. No doubt the police were at that place.
“Ethan…” she said helplessly. Tears filled her eyes and she could barely read the end of the message. This couldn't be happening. Why her?
His arms locked around her from behind, lending her his warmth. “I know, sweetheart. We’ll fix this. I won’t let anything happen to you or your family.”
“I have to go,” she said. It was the last thing she wanted to do but she wasn't leaving her brothers. She couldn't.
Ethan sighed, his breath ruffling her hair. “I know. I hate it, but I know. You are not going alone though. I won’t budge on that. I’ll stay back out of sight but I’ll be there.” He kissed the top of her head, the gesture affectionate and reassuring.
“Thank you,” she said softly. She trusted her mate. She wouldn't have to do this alone. His strength gave her a sliver of hope. Maybe they'd all live through this.
“We’ll get them back, Dana,” he said. “I promise.”
Chapter 33
Ethan stalked through the woods in wolf form, his senses on full alert. He hated this plan. He hated anything that put Dana in danger but he knew that he had to play along for now. Dana would be devastated if anything happened to her family and she'd never survive the guilt if she thought she was responsible. Now that they were mated, her family was also his family. Although they were a little crazy, he found that he actually liked them. He didn't want anything to happen to them either.
The killer had specified that Dana come alone but the man was human and Ethan was a shifter. Not only a shifter, but a wolf, a predator. He knew how to stalk his prey without being seen. The man would never know that he was there. Not until Ethan had his teeth in his throat. His wolf needed to end the threat to their mate and the man was in full agreement. Leo was waiting just outside the woods as backup. Although wolves were not native in this country, Ethan was still a damn sight less conspicuous than a whopping great lion.
He could hear Dana up ahead. Her path through the woods was quiet and careful. As they neared the designated spot, the wind shifted and Ethan caught a whiff of his mate's scent. Underlying that was another smell. One that roused the predator within him even as it worried the man. Dana's sharp intake of breath told him that she had scented it too. The scent of blood. He heard Dana's steps pick up the pace, anxious to reach her brothers.
Suppressing a growl, he followed, determined not to lose track of his mate. He heard her stop moving and then a gasp of surprise. He worked his way carefully towards her, listening for any hint of the killer. He heard movement and... was that a moose calling? It wasn't Dana, so one of her brothers perhaps. Another moose call. Both her brothers then. Why wasn't Dana moving? Why was no one saying anything?
The scent of blood grew stronger as he inched forward. He could see Dana now, her back was to him as she stared at something ahead. She turned and gestured to him.
“Ethan,” she
called softly. “You should see this.”
Abandoning stealth, he loped towards her. She was standing at the edge of a clearing and as he approached, he finally got a good look at what lay ahead. He froze with one paw in the air and turned to look at Dana who simply shrugged helplessly.
In the clearing, Dana's two brother were in moose form. They were locked, head to head, the killer's body impaled on their antlers. The man was clearly dead, one eye staring sightlessly, the other covered by a patch. The two moose were stuck, antlers locked together, the dead man trapped in the middle.
Ethan shifted back into human form and wrapped an arm around Dana.
“Should we help them?” he asked, watching as the two moose struggled to free themselves.
Dana looked at him. “Why don't they just turn back?”
Ethan shrugged. “Maybe that hasn't occurred to them yet.”
“I wonder how long they've been like that,” Dana said, wincing at a particularly vicious head wrench from Kyle which resulted in the wet sound of tearing flesh from the body and a bellow from Frankie.
“Maybe I should break that up,” Ethan suggested uncertainly. He didn't really want to get near those antlers.
“No,” Dana said. “I can handle this.”
Ethan tightened his hold on her. “You are not going near them, sweetheart. You could get hurt. Your brothers have really impressive antlers.” She wasn't risking injury to get between them.
“You should see my dad's rack,” she said and then grimaced. “That sounded all kinds of wrong.”
Ethan snorted.
“Anyway, I can sort it from right here.” Dana smirked. “Watch this.”
With that, Dana gave an impressively loud whistle and followed it up by bellowing “Frankie! Kyle! You stop that this minute or I'm telling mum!”
Both moose froze and cast a wary eye at her. Ethan stifled a laugh at the looks on their faces. This was not turning out at all the way he'd expected.
Don't Moose With Her (Bearbank Book 1) Page 14