His wolf had taken a backseat for years, but the time had come for him to fully embrace who he was.
Finally, his commanding officer had offered understanding. He was sorry to lose such a good detective, especially on such short notice. But Reece had been curt and to the point. He had to leave.
Reece prowled down the hallway and peered into the bedroom. Only the top of Hannah’s head was visible beneath the sheet. She’d covered her face and had pulled herself into a protective ball.
He wanted to promise her no one would ever hurt her again, but he knew that wasn’t realistic. But he could promise that he would protect her with his life. He needed to show her there was another way to live than what she’d been doing.
A wolf wasn’t meant to live alone and she’d been on her own for years. Her strength and courage astounded him. He wanted to join her but he had to make one final call.
He went back to the living room and sprawled on the sofa. He didn’t dial Sage or his Uncle Elias. He had to take this matter right to the top. As expected, Jacque answered on the first ring.
“I hear you have yourself a little situation.” Only the alpha of the Salvation Pack would refer to what was happening as a little situation. Of course, given what the pack had been through over the years, it wasn’t surprising. Jacque LaForge was one of the most confident men he knew. Strong and powerful, he could destroy any opponent with cunning and brute strength. He was also intelligent and thoughtful. It was a deadly combination.
“I assume Sage filled you in.”
“He did, but I want to hear it from you.”
So Reece laid everything out for the alpha, from the fire and his suspicions, to meeting Hannah.
“You think this wolf will come for her again?”
“I do.” There was no doubt in Reece’s mind. The man had already proved himself a killer. It was too much of a coincidence for there to be two solitary werewolf killers in the city at the same time. If it had been a pack hunting her, Hannah would never have escaped and the crime scene would have had multiple scents instead of just one.
“What do you plan to do about it?” Jacque asked.
He sat upright, his entire body tensing. He forced himself to loosen his grip on his phone before he accidentally crushed it. “I want to bring her home.”
Home. Just saying the word made him ache for the mountains and forests of North Carolina, for the pack, and mostly for his twin. He wanted to share all of that with Hannah.
Jacque was silent for a long moment. Reece’s wolf whined inside him, but he kept silent. “I’ve talked with the others,” the alpha finally said. The others would be the four other founding members of the pack. Jacque might be alpha, but he always consulted his brother Louis, his cousin Armand, Gator Rollins, and Cole Blanchard on any major decisions. And allowing him to bring a half-breed female, one with a murderer stalking her, certainly qualified.
Reece kept his breathing steady and stayed silent while he waited for Jacque’s decision.
“You and your brother certainly don’t do things the easy way, do you?” The humor in his voice eased some of Reece’s worry, but he didn’t relax. Not yet. Not until he had the final verdict.
“Make damn sure no one follows you. We have women and children to protect.”
“I’ll take every precaution,” he promised. “But there’s a chance the killer might discover the connection between me and Hannah and come looking.”
“Yeah, we’ve thought of that. We’re going to be upping the patrols, and your girl will have to stay close.”
His girl. It was ridiculous how much Reece liked the sound of that. “She will.”
“Have you even discussed this with her?” Jacque asked.
“I told her I wanted to take her home.”
“And how did she react?”
“Ah…” Reece wasn’t quite sure what to say.
Jacque laughed. “Not well, I take it. I like her already.”
“She’s used to having to deal with everything on her own. She doesn’t have anyone to depend on.” And that still made Reece angry.
“She does now.” Those three words were binding. Reece knew the alpha was throwing the weight of the pack behind that promise. “When can we expect you?”
“If all goes well, tomorrow. It will be late. I have to take Hannah into the station tomorrow morning. We’ll leave as soon as that’s done. And I’ll be careful.”
“See you when you get here.” Jacque ended the call.
Reece looked around the apartment where he’d spent the last decade of his life. It was an empty shell, much like his life here. He’d pack his clothes and few personal items in the morning. The rest, he’d hire a moving company to pack and store. He’d get them to do Hannah’s place too. Better to talk to her about that before he organized things. She was already feeling threatened enough without him adding to it.
He didn’t want to take over her life. He wanted her to share his life, wanted her to want to be with him.
Reece tucked his phone back into his pocket as he stood. He needed a shower and then he planned to crawl into bed beside Hannah and get a few hours sleep. It was already late, and it was going to be an early morning and a very busy day.
Hannah was still sleeping soundly when he entered the bedroom, so he emptied his pockets onto the dresser and quietly went into the bathroom, closing the door behind him. He hated that he might wake her, but he needed to wash away the day. He hadn’t showered earlier today while she’d been napping.
He stripped off his jeans and let them fall on the floor. He needed a shave but would leave that until the morning. The water was cold when he turned it on, but he didn’t wait for it to heat. It didn’t take him long to wash. Then he took a moment and simply rested his hands against the tiles and let the spray cascade over him.
He had to convince Hannah to come home with him. Any other outcome was unacceptable. His mind whirled with details of all the things that had to be accomplished tomorrow. Overriding all of them was his need to have Hannah.
She was in his bed right now, all warm and soft. He growled and his shoulders bunched. He’d never wanted a woman the way he did Hannah. Not surprising since she was the woman he’d dreamed about his entire adult life.
And she was even better in reality.
His erection was going to be a problem if he went to her. And he did want to sleep with her. He knew this wasn’t the time for sex, but he wanted his arms wrapped around her, their bodies touching while they slept.
Swearing under his breath, he reached down and gripped his dick. He gritted his teeth and began to pump his fist up and down. It wasn’t nearly the same as having her hand touching him. He could only imagine how good it would feel to actually be inside her.
His cock jerked and his balls drew up tight. He stared blindly at the tiles in front of him. The water beat down on his head like rain. He licked his lips and felt his fangs drop.
Reece shuddered and kept pumping, harder and faster. He tensed, his body bowing back as he came. Hot spurts of his release splashed his hand and belly.
Breathing heavily, he dropped his hand and grabbed the soap. When he was clean once again, he cranked off the water and reached for a towel. He rubbed the cloth over his body and then slung it over the rod to dry. Hannah’s towel from earlier was there. He wanted to bury his face in it and inhale her scent.
Damn, he had it bad.
His erection was still prominent but there wasn’t the same biting need now that he’d given himself some relief. But he knew nothing would truly satisfy him until he’d had Hannah. For that to happen, he needed time and her trust.
He thought he might have the second one. Now he just needed the first.
He turned off the bathroom light and opened the door. The thing about living in the city was that it was never truly dark. The streetlights offered more than
enough illumination for him to see as clearly as he would in the day, not that he needed the light with his enhanced vision. But it was a reminder of why he missed the pack land in Salvation. There the sky was inky dark and the stars and moon the only light in the middle of the night.
Hannah was still curled up beneath the covers. He walked toward her, ignoring the way his body tightened. He should put on some underwear. It would be all kinds of inappropriate for him to crawl into bed with her totally naked.
He detoured to the dresser long enough to dig up a pair of loose boxers. He yanked them on, wincing when the fabric brushed against his cock. That wasn’t going to help him go down anytime soon.
Of course, once he was in bed with Hannah, he expected to be hard all night. But at least he’d have the compensation of having her in his arms.
He drew back the covers and carefully slid in next to her. She stirred but didn’t wake. He inched closer, put his arm around her, and inhaled her sweet scent.
She mumbled under her breath and then snuggled her butt against his groin. Reece sucked in a breath between his clenched teeth. This was the sweetest torture imaginable.
“Reece.” The sleepy way she said his name made him feel as though she’d just stroked him.
“It’s me, baby. Go back to sleep.” She needed rest in order to heal.
She mumbled again and then drifted off. Reece felt about ten feet tall. Hannah trusted him on some level. Otherwise there was no way she would have gone back to sleep. He’d half expected her to bolt upright in bed and order him out. In which case, he would have had no choice but to go.
This was much better.
He pulled her tighter into the curve of his body. She fit perfectly, like she was made for him. He knew damn sure he’d been made for her.
He closed his eyes and for the first time in many years, the restlessness that usually plagued him at night was no longer present. He might not be with his pack, his family, or his twin, but he had Hannah.
His wolf had already settled down inside him, content that their small pack of two was safe for the night.
But how long would Hannah be safe with a killer out there?
As much as Reece wanted to stay and capture the sonofabitch, the need to protect her overrode even the urge to track the killer. Hannah’s safety was his top priority. That meant getting her to Salvation where she’d be surrounded by his pack. The women would offer her friendship and the men would give her protection.
It would all work out. All he had to do was get Hannah to see things his way.
Easy.
He barely kept from snorting out loud. He hadn’t known Hannah long, but one thing he did know was that she was going to balk at leaving with him. Good thing he’d always enjoyed a challenge.
Chapter Ten
Just like the last time she woke, Hannah was warm and cozy. It was light in the bedroom so she knew it was morning. She had a vague memory of stumbling to the bathroom in the middle of the night. She also had a faint memory of Reece waiting for her when she came back to bed.
His arm was around her now and one hairy thigh lay across her legs. She stared up at the ceiling, mystified as to how Reece Gallagher had slipped so seamlessly into her life. He’d fed her, protected her, and given her a safe place to stay. Remarkable considering they’d just met.
Then again, he wasn’t like most men. He was more than a man. She turned her head and, as she expected, he was awake and looking at her. His blue eyes were warm and tender.
“Good morning.”
His voice was as rough as the stubble that covered his chin. She reached up and ran her fingers over his jaw before she could stop herself. It prickled against her skin and goose bumps rose on her arm.
He made a sound of pleasure, turned his head, and playfully nipped at her fingers. That small gesture sent a shockwave of pleasure rolling through her body.
It might be the craziest, stupidest thing she’d ever done, but Hannah wanted him. He knew her in a way no other did and he wanted her. She’d seen his arousal yesterday and could sense his growing tension now.
“Hannah.”
She put her fingers over his lips before he could say anything else. She was going to be on the run by the end of the day. She wanted these next few minutes for herself. She needed a good memory to pull out and hold on to when the going got tough.
Yes, Reece had mentioned that whole mate thing, but she wasn’t sure she bought it. Sexual attraction she could understand, but to make a commitment to someone so quickly wasn’t something she could trust.
You do trust him, a little voice in her head reminded her. She’d slept all night in his arms, something she’d never done in her entire life. Even when she’d had lovers, she’d never stayed with them or, if they’d been at her place, they’d always left. There was something so intimate about actually sleeping with a man, being together when you both had your guard down.
Hannah slowly removed her fingers and raised herself up until their lips met. He gave a deep groan and ran his tongue over her bottom lip. When she moaned, he slipped it inside.
Heat and pleasure combined and Hannah sank into it, allowed the kiss to pull her deeper into the desire that bubbled between them. Reece levered himself up, and she fell back against the pillow. He followed her, never letting their lips part.
The heat from his body warmed her. She stroked her hands over his broad shoulders and thick chest. He was so big and strong and, for the moment, hers.
She knew she was going to have sex with him. Her nipples tightened at the mere thought. She dug her nails into his biceps when he started to pull away. She wanted to keep him exactly where he was, but she was no match for his strength.
He stared down at her. He was fierce-looking with his morning stubble and his hard jaw. She ran a finger down the line of his chin. He grabbed her finger and held it. “Be very sure, Hannah. If we do this, there’s no going back.”
She had no idea what he meant, and she didn’t care. The heat burning inside her demanded that she take him. Nothing less would satisfy her. Using her free hand, she reached down and cupped the front of his boxers. He was hard and hot. More than ready to fulfill every single desire she had.
“I want you,” she told him. His eyes darkened and he groaned when she curled her fingers around his erection.
“I’m trying to be noble,” he complained.
He seemed so put upon she almost laughed. “Be noble later,” she told him as she reached lower and cuddled his balls. She’d never been so brazen in her life, but it felt right with Reece. And if his reaction was any indication, he didn’t mind at all.
He growled and then he was on top of her. He planted his hands on either side of her head and levered most of his weight off her. She wanted his weight crushing her into the mattress, covering her like a blanket, but knew he was very aware of her injuries.
He kissed her then, and there was nothing sweet and gentle about it. It was a claiming. He thrust his tongue deep, daring her to take him.
A primal wildness bubbled up inside her. It grew until it filled her, became her. She rose to his challenge. Their tongues dueled, and she shoved her hands inside the waistband of his boxers and cupped his hard butt.
Reece pulled back and reached for the hem of the sweater she wore. He paused and waited. Hannah knew this was the pivotal moment. If she went forward from here they would make love.
She raised her arms and a heartbeat later the covering was gone. Reece tossed the garment on the floor and stared at her. She was wearing only a thin pair of panties.
“You are so fucking gorgeous.” His compliment was all the more special because it was so raw and honest. He really thought she was gorgeous.
She tugged on the waistband of his boxers. “I want to see you.”
Reece shoved his boxers down his thick thighs, pushing them until he was able to kic
k them away. Hannah practically purred. Reece was the most perfect male specimen she’d ever laid eyes on. And for this moment in time, he was all hers.
The thought that this was temporary almost put a damper on things, but she was determined to have this time for herself. Reality would intrude soon enough.
She reached for him, but he caught her hands and raised them over her head. “You do much more of that and I’ll come before you’re ready.”
His blunt sexuality added to her excitement. She forced herself to relax, to let him lead…for now. “Well, what do you plan to do to me?”
His pupils dilated and a muscle pulsed in his jaw. “Don’t you know I’m the big bad wolf?” he teased. He trailed hot openmouthed kisses down her neck. “I plan to eat you up.”
She shivered as he licked her collarbone and nuzzled between her breasts. Her nipples were taut and aching for his touch. He curled his fingers around one plump mound and then lapped at the tight nipple. The stubble from his chin added an extra layer of sensation that had her squeezing her thighs together against the ache growing deep inside her.
Hannah made a sound somewhere between agony and pleasure. His slightest touch aroused her more than having sex with any of her former lovers ever had. The thought should have scared her. Instead, it left her wanting even more.
He used his mouth on her then, the warmth of his breath skating across her skin just before he sucked on her nipple. She cried out at the sensual sensation and dug her fingers into his scalp. She pulled him closer, not wanting him to ever stop.
He laughed, and the sound skated down her spine. He ignored her attempts to keep him where he was and worked his way over to her other breast. She didn’t mind that in the least and lightened up on her hold.
Her breasts had never been so sensitive before. Each stroke, each lick and touch, sent the flames of passion flaring higher. She moved her legs restlessly on the bed. Reece let her feel a little more of his weight. His erection dug into her thigh.
Wolf in her Soul: Salvation Pack, Book 8 Page 11