by Nikki Winter
His mouth tipped up on one side, hazel eyes alight with a gleam that should’ve made her nervous. “Yes?” The tip of that digit prodded slightly and her thighs jumped.
“You’re getting entirely too friendly, Snuggles.”
His chuckle was quiet and rough. “Am I?” Their eyes locked as that finger slid deeper, stroked a place that had never been touched. “Because I kind of feel like friends enjoy things like this,”—his lips curled into a devilish grin—“and other friends let them.”
Maddox’s finger twisted and she felt herself sliding along the edges of the oblivion that he so effortlessly brought to the forefront whenever his hands were on her. Her eyes closed. This should’ve seemed dirtier or wrong in some sense but everything she did with this man somehow felt…perfect. It wasn’t a cheap thrill or executed simply because he wanted to test how far he could push her. No, he genuinely cared about her pleasure, about whatever twisted little fantasies she’d been too afraid to voice with anyone else.
Cree’s encounters with the opposite sex had always been brief and stilted for fear that she’d reveal entirely too much; for fear that she’d lose control. With Maddox she didn’t have that worry. He knew and accepted who and what she was without question. It seemed to spur him on when he bared witness to the absence of her composure. Whether it came in the form of a howl, a roar, a hiss or a chuff, he never stopped; he only put his full focus on what would get her off. It was quite possibly the sexiest thing about him—his attention to minute details that the average, self-absorbed male would miss. He didn’t simply believe that a big dick would be enough for his partner.
Truthfully, he’d made her come more times with his mouth and hands than his cock. And although his assets were more than likely some of the best she’d ever seen, he didn’t think it excused taking the camaraderie out of the moment. He understood how to have fun all while making her quake. Like right now. Somehow he’d managed to keep her calm and comfortable while doing something that could very well end in disaster with anyone else.
“Cree?”
“Hmm?” Her eyelids wouldn’t open. If she glanced his way she’d explode into confetti. From the way he laughed, the smarmy son of a bitch knew it.
He pulled back from her and left her tummy twisted in knots. She listened as he rummaged around in the nightstand drawer a foot away from the bed.
“I want you,” Maddox hummed over her shoulder, touching his lips to the skin there when he returned.
Weakly, she lifted a hand and waved it. “Not really in the mindset to object, man.”
The kiss he pressed to the dip in her back lit the juncture between her thighs on fire. “I want you here.” The huge, rugged palms of his hands connected with the flesh of her ass and squeezed with a firmness that set her teeth on edge. His thumbs worked their way up the fold, the right one once again encircling the tight ring of muscles he’d been manipulating just moments before.
Her mouth went dry. He rose above her, caging her in on the sides as he nuzzled her temple. “Can I?”
She couldn’t focus with the way he’d nipped the small space just below her ear, swirling his tongue around it. “Whaaa…?”
The rasp of his chuckle sent a shiver down her spine. “Can I,”—his fingers brushed up against the back of her thigh—“Have you,”—his hand came down on one half of her buttocks—“here?”
Wait, was that not the plan? Hadn’t this already been discussed and answered? There were too many questions and not enough actions!
“Maddox?”
“Yes?”
“Whatever you’re going to do had better begin within the next thirty seconds or lives will be changed and not for the better. Understood?”
There was a beat of silence. “So is that a yes or…?”
“Maddox!”
He burst into laughter and nudged her back down onto the softness of the bed. “Quiet yourself, ornery female.”
Cree grumbled under her breath but before she could get vocal about her discontent again, he grasped her hips and positioned her on her knees. Her breathing sped up at the sound of a ripping wrapper and the pop of a small cap. When his fingers returned to her starfish, cool jelly accompanied his tentative touch, steadily warming as he sank his forefinger and then his middle into the passage. His lips found the shell of her ear as his thrusts became short and sharp, causing her to bury her face into the pillow beneath her chin and inch backwards with every connection.
She released her bottom lip as a hissing sound streamed from her throat. Maddox moved her hair from her shoulder and wound it around his free hand, tugging in order to get her to turn her head. The eyes watching her expression now were devoid of laughter and completely ruthless. She caught the glint of his canines as they peeked out in a slight snarl. Then his mouth was on hers, sucking the breath from her lungs as he conquered her lips, his tongue sweeping between them mercilessly.
He bit and pulled, grunting when she whimpered. His hand moved faster, less coordinated. Suddenly he turned it and managed to flick against her clit. The minute long contact was all that Cree needed before she pulled away from his mouth and panted through a climax that left her heart beating unevenly.
Maddox kissed her again and she felt the fine tremor in his hands as he elevated her waist once more, placing one of them between her legs and the other at her spine. He smoothed his cockhead over her rosette lightly and then nudged. She moved back against him without hesitation while he rotated his hips and pushed in with slow, easy strokes.
His hand vacated the space between her thighs and slid upwards. Thumb skimming over her nipple teasingly, he waited as he fully seated himself, clearly not moving out of fear that he’d cause her discomfort. The new sensation she was currently experiencing wasn’t what was causing her distress; it was the fact that he’d stopped and she needed movement now.
Cree rolled her ass against his groin and his forehead dropped to her shoulder as he groaned. What felt like little sparks of electricity danced over her and she pulled up a bit just to sink down on the hard length of him again. She felt claws against her torso and smiled wickedly. Her grizzly was beginning to lose his ease and she intended to take full advantage of that.
He let go of her and chose to put both hands on either side of her waist instead. “Cree…”
His growl made her eyes slam shut momentarily. The gravelly sound of his voice provoked her womb into constricting. She could feel his bear dancing just underneath his skin and she wanted it. She wanted him to shed his calm and that annoying ability to be so fucking coolheaded all the time. Cree wanted all those untamed parts of him and she had no desire to wait all morning. This was why she did the one thing that she knew would bring it all pouring out—she angled her face towards his, allowed the gaze of one of her beast’s to take over, bit down on her lip and begged, “Maddox, please fuck me.”
That was all that was needed before a rumble started low in his throat and worked its way up to a full blown roar. His arm came around her torso like a steel band, pulling her into his chest as he reared back and thrust in again. Cree’s nails raked across his forearm. She fervently pumped against the punches of his hips that alternated between gentility and recklessness. Every jolt elicited a different response but each one of them was pleasurable.
His teeth found her shoulder and gripped. He didn’t pierce the skin but she felt the strength in the dominant gesture none the less. She undulated and he bit down harder, growling. Her pussy clenched, pleading to be touched. Cree ran her hand over her midsection and buried two digits into her waiting core, drumming along with the rhythm of Maddox’s jabs.
Her moans started off quietly and then slowly transformed into screams that hit the walls and most assuredly spread outwards, leaving the cabin and reaching anyone within a five mile radius. Maddox flattened her against the bed, fisting her hair and putting his canines to her throat. He scraped them lightly over her jugular and Cree lost it.
“Yes,” she cried, shuddering as she c
ame.
Maddox gasped and then his voice thundered again. He speared her with his cock several more times as the spasms in her core came to a halt, freeing her from the sweet agony that he’d manifested.
They collapsed, mutually wheezing.
The moment he caught his breath, Maddox softly withdrew and rolled over to the side of Cree. “Still uh…still wanna go into work?”
She waved a hand and muttered, “Quiet yourself. I need sleep.”
He chuffed. “I feel like I’ve just been used for your amusement.”
“You have now,”—she shooed him—“go away.”
“Cree, exactly how is your lower half feeling?”
Eyes narrowed, she turned to face him. “It had a lovely afterglow buzz happening that is now being obstructed by the sound of your voice.”
His blink was slow and innocent. “Oh good.”
She should’ve known then what was about to happen but the haze of her previous climax managed to scramble any rational thought. This explained why she didn’t move fast enough when he reached over. Maddox yanked her across his lap and used one of his ham hands to hold her down as the other slapped her ass repeatedly.
“Your tone is unappreciated! As is your failure to acknowledge my sexual prowess!”
Cree reared upwards, attempting to scramble away. “You son of a bitch!”
“Still not appreciating the attitude!” Maddox bellowed.
“I’m going to use your eyeballs for mini golf!”
He popped her again.
“Goddammit!”
“Apologize!”
“No!”
Slap!
“I’m sorry!” Cree shouted. “I’m sorry!”
She could hear the satisfaction in his voice when he said, “Excellent. Do you know what I’d love?”
Pouting really was inevitable when her ass felt as though she’d sat on hot cement. “No, what?”
Maddox lifted her into his arms and stood from the bed, strolling towards the bathroom. “A soak and then a nap with cuddling. And then food followed by more cuddling. Also, a massage that leads to a happy ending because really, what’s a massage without a happy ending?”
Cree smiled against his throat. “Er…legal?”
He chuckled. “Oh baby I’m not paying you so technically no offenses shall be made against the law; just your morals and virtue.”
She’d admit later how okay she was with that.
Eleven
There were some days that a man simply felt like well, a man. For Maddox that very thing started the moment he went down on Cree in the shower and listened to her holler in three part harmony before going lax just to ask him what he wanted for lunch. A grin split his face as he ambled away from his cabin and towards the main offices. He was slowly but surely wearing her down. Something had changed in her the moment she stopped questioning every minute detail surrounding them and instead chose to trust him; instead she chose to give him that small corner of herself that so few had access to. Somehow, the adoration he’d developed had only deepened. She’d shed the bravado and chose to be vulnerable for him. He loved her more than ever for that and despite the fact that she hadn’t said it as of yet, Maddox knew she loved him too. It was because of that love that he didn’t fatally maul the three male wolves who’d decided to ambush him in the middle of his trek.
“Could someone please explain to me why I have a soon-to-be-dead canine’s foot on my neck?” Maddox questioned from his position on the ground.
Makya grunted, arms folded across his chest as he glared down at him. “Enjoy yourself with Cree, Nibbs?”
Anoki pushed that foot down harder. “Because it sure as fuck sounded like you did.”
“And we’re not so sure we’re particularly okay with said enjoyment,” Cade finished, rolling a toothpick between his lips like some greasy, backstreet goon.
Maddox relaxed. “Ah, you’re doing the routine where the three of you become overprotective assholes who I have to resist the urge to slap around while giggling and removing bits of skin from your faces with my claws.”
“Here’s the thing, Tickles, we’re currently debating whether or not we should string your entrails about like party ribbons or if we should go at this a lot less drastically and simply break a few of your precious limbs,” Makya stated. “The less you talk, the more likely we are to be merciful.”
“Right,” Maddox drew out. “And if I decide to go full blown boar-rage and fuck up everything you’ve ever valued in life, your future progeny’s dreams and your dignity, how will that weigh against your mercy?”
Loud whispering commenced above him.
“Future progeny?” Cade demanded. “No one said anything about future progeny! That was not a part of the plan!”
“I’d also like to voice my concerns over the ‘everything you’ve ever valued in life’ comment,” Anoki added. “Not too sure I’m fine with that.”
There was silence and then two slaps rang out.
“Son of a bitch!”
“Goddammit!”
“Get ahold of yourselves!” Makya bellowed.
“Alright! I’m out!” Cade yelled back. “You told me that after the last time you slapped me under duress you’d hit Anoki twice instead. You lied. I can’t trust you anymore.” The younger wolf walked away.
“And I am personally sick of taking your abuse!” Anoki followed up, removing his foot from Maddox’s person. “Threaten the large, virile male all on your own!”
Listening as the footsteps got further and further away, Maddox rolled onto his back and stared up at Makya with the same expression that often had Cree going for his eyes with her claws.
The wolf’s lip curled in disgusted. He shifted from one foot to another. “What?” Makya barked.
Maddox only smiled. “Don’t envy our love.”
“We’ve already got one overweight mammal barging into the family,” the other male growled. “Trying to fulfill some sordid little fetish?”
His smile melted as he slowly stood. “Excuse me?”
Makya angled towards him. “I’m not stupid. None of us are. We clearly know that whatever is going on between the two of you has escalated to something physical. The entire pack has been listening to it for the last two days. I could smell her on you before you even stepped foot outside of her cabin—which means she’s told you about her differences.” He looked Maddox over. “Cree wouldn’t let anyone touch her otherwise. I know my sister. Genetics aside, that’s who she is to me. She’s a lot softer than she tries to appear and unlike Fallon, her core is delicate. Hear me when I say that hurting her because you wanted a quick fuck means you’ll be dismembered and scattered around. Is a dose of seemingly forbidden pussy worth your life, bear?”
Sucking in a deep breath, Maddox closed his eyes, waited a beat and then pushed out between clenched teeth, “If you ever refer to Cree as ‘seemingly forbidden pussy’ again I will make sure every generation following yours knows of how I shoved my fist down your throat and beat the fuck out of you from the inside.”
Makya went silent.
He leaned forward, opening his eyes, knowing that his bear had taken the reins of all logic. Maddox was thoroughly fucking sick of everyone challenging how he felt about Cree. “With all due respect, Makya, if Cree was simply a fascination, I would’ve moved on by now. Different or not, delicate or not, what I feel when she’s within reach is hardly a fetish; it’s an obsession. An obsession with her happiness. An obsession with her health. An obsession with her getting her to admit that I’m not the only one between the two of us who rushes to wake in the morning just to see the other’s face.” He took a step backwards. “She’s the only reason I didn’t simply rip your tongue out, put it on a sandwich and have a meal in front of your goddamn face. I love and respect her too much to permanently maim someone who means so much to her. Up until this point, I’ve found myself rather fond of our traditional male bonding and the moose tacos but don’t test my fucking patience because ne
xt time, the only thing that’ll stop me from breaking you into travel sized pieces will be a mountain falling on me. And even then you should be cautious.” He cocked his head and stared at the wolf with blatant challenge. “Understood?”
Makya gazed back for a bit and then he grinned. “I like you, Horace. Don’t make me regret that because as threatening as you are, I can make sure you end up in several cans of tuna being lugged to construction sites for the lunch bell. ”
Their eyes locked and held.
Maddox finally, simply, nodded. The family camaraderie was strong among the pack. Momentary anger caused him to forget that their loyalty to Cree’s well-being was just as overwhelming as his own. They loved her just as much. If he’d had someone in his life whom he saw in the same light, Maddox probably wouldn’t have even had this lovely little chat. It would’ve went straight to organ ravaging.
The wolf reached out and pushed him in the shoulder. “Take care of her.”
He waggled his brows. “Oh I have been.”
Making a face, Makya turned and walked away. “Too far.”
Maddox laughed and turned back towards his goal, the main office.
***
“You fucked Maddox!”
Cree jumped about three feet in the air at the loud, obnoxious, entirely too excited shout. Turning to face the one who’d delivered it, she glared. “Jesus Christ, Fal! What is wrong with you?”
The she-wolf only grinned. “Was it as good as it sounded?”
“Go. Away.” After two full days of solitude, Cree had finally decided it was time to brave the rest of the pack. Being alone with Maddox had enlightened her to the fact that she couldn’t continue to stew in fear. It had restricted her, confined her, to this existence where she hovered just outside of happiness. Her tribe’s betrayal, the death of her allegiance to them—all of it. Each minute that passed, she handed more and more of herself over to Maddox and felt the gentle way he molded it into something stronger, something that was worth fighting for. In little to no time, he’d managed to make her see the beauty in a piece of her that had once been horrifying. How could she not love him? How could she not appreciate his quick smiles, ridiculous wit and surprising eloquence?