by Wood, Vivian
Ben shook his head to clear the images away. He needed to be slow right now, and his wolf wasn’t helping in the least. He tugged at the hem of Aurelia’s shirt, then teased it up over her head and off. She peeled off his shirt, too, obviously just as curious about his body.
While her hands skimmed his abs and pecs and shoulders, Ben drank her in. The filmy scrap of lace that bound her breasts was hardly up to the task. Her breasts were taut and full, tantalizing. Ben leaned forward to nuzzle her, breathing deep of the pheromones pouring off her skin. The bra was dispatched in moments, and he was awash in her flawless, pale skin and pouty, rose-tipped nipples.
Cupping her breast, Ben grazed her nipple with the stubble on his chin. Aurelia cried out, writhing at the light touch. He gave her breast a long, languid lick from the sensitive underside up to her pebbled nipple. When she moaned in ecstasy, Ben pulled her nipple into his mouth and swirled his tongue around her sensitive flesh.
The scent of her arousal doused the air now, and Ben knew that she was wet for him. Ready for him. The images assaulted him again, of all the ways he needed to fuck her. There was a particularly good one, Aurelia sitting on his face and grinding her hips against his mouth as he sucked her clit. His cock stirred, and he needed more from her.
Ben pushed Aurelia backward off his lap, stripping her tights and panties off. She surged up but Ben pressed her to lie on her back. He lay down beside her, giving her deep, drugging kisses as he touched her breasts. Trailing his fingers down her ribcage, he was pleased at the excited gasp she gave when his fingertips brushed her mound.
He ran his fingers through the silky hairs at the juncture of her thighs, teasing downward until her thighs parted for him. He ran a questing fingertip down the length of her slit, pleased to find that she was as wet as he’d imagined.
Taking his time, he used two fingertips to rub up and down her inner lips, then traced soft circles over her clit. Aurelia’s eyes were closed, head thrown back, and she moaned for him, louder when he did something she liked. Ben followed her cues, reining in his need as he watched her squirm and bite her bottom lip. Her hips began to rock into his touch, and he knew he could make her cum just like this.
He increased the pressure, bringing her right to edge of discomfort as he played with her clit. She was close now, a fine sheen of sweat on her glorious bare skin and need plain across her face. Still, he slowed his touch.
She protested, her eyes snapping open.
“Ben,” she whispered, accusing. Ben gave her a lazy smile; he reasoned that if she wasn’t begging or screaming his name, she must not need it that badly.
“Patience,” he said, giving her another long kiss.
He shifted to kneel between her legs, dipping his fingertips lower to rim the wetness of her entrance. Aurelia stilled for a moment, unsure. Ben penetrated her in one smooth stroke, fingers sliding deep. The dense, silky heat of her sheath almost undid him right then and there. He groaned, dragging her scent into his nose.
Aurelia cried out, her inner muscles rippling against his fingers. She was already so close. Ben began to slowly fuck her with his fingers, deep and hard. He brought his other hand down to press against her mound, tightening her up more and pushing her g-spot within his reach. He fucked her faster, leaning down to run his rose over her inner thighs. She was clenching around him, crying out, mindless with pleasure.
Without stopping the thrusts of his fingers, Ben used his other hand to spread her lips wide. Leaning down, he closed his lips over her clit and sucked.
Aurelia screamed, convulsing, coming so hard against his mouth and fingers that it nearly hurt his hand. Ben mouthed her gently as she rode it out, not stopping until her hands descended to pull him away.
Aurelia panted, shivering and staring at him with wide eyes. Ben licked his lips, deliberately making eye contact with her as he wiped her wetness from his face. Her mouth opened, then closed again, and her hands flapped before settling on her ribcage. He let her rebound in her own time. Her eyes closed for almost a minute, and when her breathing began to even out he wondered if she’d fallen asleep.
“Fuck!” she said finally, her eyes opening again. She stared at him with frank admiration, making him laugh. She rolled over onto her side, reaching out to run her fingertips from his shoulder down to his wrist.
“Yeah?” he asked, teasing. He spread his hand over her hip, squeezing softly and enjoying the goosebumps that raised all over her skin.
“How in the hell did you learn that?” she asked, blushing at her own awkwardness.
“Like any subject, I guess. Study, and practice. It helps that I’m passionate about the topic,” he said, deliberately catching her eye as he spoke. She went an even deeper shade of pink, and Ben grinned at her.
“Nerd,” she accused softly, smiling at him. He sensed that she hadn’t smiled much in the recent past, and he was glad he could bring that out of her.
“I aim only to please you,” he replied, running his hand up and down her side and enjoying the softness of her exposed skin.
“You do. Please me, I mean,” she said, reaching out to brush her lips over his. Where he would have kept it light, she deepened the kiss, drawing at his arousal once more. When he broke the kiss and pulled back, she gave him wickedly calculating glance.
Her hand found his hipbone, a single fingertip trailing along the top of his shorts.
“Aurelia,” he said, reaching for her hand. She was too quick, the heat of her hand settling against his erection.
Ben hissed, bucking into her touch once before putting himself in check. His wolf bayed, furious at the fact that he wasn’t thrusting into a lot more than just this soft touch.
“Aurelia,” he said again, desperation tingeing his tone now. He grabbed her hand, pulling it back up to his stomach.
“You pleased me. Now I want to please you,” she said, her teasing tone making him so hard that he had to physically avert his gaze.
He hadn’t had any kind of female, much less a feisty female wolf, in months. The moment they started, Ben wouldn’t be able to stop. Hell, he was half way to coming in his pants right now. His wolf would spring free, and then all the slick moves and attempts to please her would be gone. There was also one little detail he hadn’t mentioned to her yet.
“I didn’t bring protection,” he said, squeezing her fingers when she tried to pull her hand away.
“What?” Aurelia asked, looking surprised. “You brought me on a romantic picnic, but you didn’t bring a condom?”
“I didn’t know your arrangement with Lucas,” Ben said. “I just wanted to spend some time with you.”
Aurelia’s face was blank for a moment before breaking into a big grin.
“You are a fool. You know that, right?” she asked, grinning.
“I would say that I’m just not presumptuous,” he corrected. Her grin was infectious, and he found himself smiling back.
Aurelia rolled her eyes, then reached over to where she’d thrown the hip pouch she’d been wearing. She unzipped it and produced a variety of items, the last of which was a condom.
“You…” he started, surprised.
“Yeah. I am a genius,” she said, her tone matter-of-fact.
“You’ve won me over,” he promised, drawing her close and pressing his lips to hers.
She sighed into the kiss, and Ben felt her hand plucking at the velcro closure of his shorts.
“These need to come off,” she insisted. He was only too happy to comply. The second his bare ass hit the blanket, Aurelia’s lips were pressed to his mouth as her hand encircled his cock.
She broke the kiss and looked down, raising a brow.
“Impressive,” she said, licking her lips. “Even for a wolf.”
He couldn’t handle the way she was looking at him, that devious mind planning his demise.
“Don’t even make me think about you sucking my cock,” Ben said. “I want it so bad, but I’d be done in a heartbeat.”
“Dirty talk
er,” she said, pouting a little. “You’re a wolf. Your recovery time is numbered in minutes, not hours.”
“The first time I fuck you, I’m going to do it properly,” he swore.
“I hear a lot of promises, and not enough action,” she challenged.
Giving her a sharp look, he reached for the condom and rolled it on.
“I’ll endeavor to do better,” he said.
Ben reached for her and dragged her onto his body, spreading her out so he could feel her skin pressed against his own. Spreading his hands over the perfect globes of her ass cheeks, he pressed her hot entrance against his erection and rolled his hips under her body.
Aurelia gasped, throwing her head back at the sensation. Her breasts tightened, and he pulled her down enough to pull a nipple into his mouth. She writhed against him, and he released her, only to take her mouth. He rolled his hips again and again, taunting her. The smell of her arousal, the feeling of her growing wetness drove him insane with need.
“I want you,” he gritted out, his wolf slipping the reins.
“You have me,” Aurelia promised. “Now fuck me.”
Aurelia lifted up and reached between them, positioning his cock at her entrance. She pressed down onto the tip, and he cursed aloud.
“Gods be damned,” he hissed. “I can’t go slow for you.”
“I don’t want you to,” she said, sinking down to sheathe him completely.
Ben leaned back, gripping her hips, and began to pump into her body. She was so perfect, warm and hot and wet, and so tight that he worried his size was going to hurt her. He strained for control, but Aurelia was too good. She rode him, matching every thrust with a flick of her hips. Her full, perky tits bounced as he fucked her, and the sounds that came out of her mouth were absolute sin.
She cried out again and again as she fucked him, her sheath clenching tighter and tighter as she came to her peak. Ben’s control broke, and he growled as he held her hips and thrust wildly. He desperately needed to finish, but not until she did.
Reaching down between them, he pressed his thumb against her clit.
“Cum for me,” he ordered, rubbing her clit as he thrust up into her again and again.
Whether it was his words or his touch, it worked. Aurelia howled and shattered, clenching and gushing as she came on his cock. It was so good that it hurt, and in seconds Ben felt himself releasing.
He lost his breath, his rhythm, his thoughts. Each hot jet was a painful, desperate spasm that pulled at his soul. He was cursing, he was dying… the world went white for a long moment before Ben came hurtling back down to earth.
He realized he was gripping Aurelia in a bear hug, pressing her down on his cock so hard that it hurt.
“Shit,” he muttered, loosening his grip. Aurelia was completely limp against him, head tucked against his neck, and he knew a moment of panic.
“Shit, shit! Are you okay?” he asked, pulling her back to see her face.
Aurelia’s big eyes were luminous, tears glinting, but she was definitely awake and aware.
“Did I hurt you?” he asked, starting to pull out of her.
“No, no,” she said, shaking her head. Pushing his hands away, she burrowed against his chest once more.
Releasing a pent-up breath, Ben laid back on the grass and took her down with him. Despite the tears in her eyes, her breathing evened out and she laid quietly against his chest. They were quiet for a long while, each recuperating.
The sun started to set as they lay together, dusk settling around them. Ben had lost track of the time, and it felt like aeons had passed since he’d first touched Aurelia’s lips with his own.
Finally, she spoke first.
“What the hell was that?” she asked, her voice thick with exhaustion. Ben ran his hand up and down her back in a soothing gesture, trying to bolster her with confidence he didn’t feel.
“I don’t know,” he said.
“That was more than just… it wasn’t just sex,” Aurelia said, raising her head to look at him. Her eyes, twin pools of dazzling sapphire light, were more than Ben could stand just now.
“I know,” he said. He closed his eyes, dropping his head back onto the ground.
“Ben,” Aurelia prompted. When he didn’t respond, her small hand smacked his chest.
“Ben. Look at me, damn it!” she cried. Her distress made him sit up, gathering her in his arms.
“I don’t know what to tell you,” he said.
“I think we’ve started the mating bond-“ she began, but Ben cut her off.
“No!” he said, gently pushing her off his lap. “We haven’t started anything. It’s not possible.”
“We have to tell Lucas,” she insisted, reaching for his hands.
Ben reached out and grabbed her chin, stilling her movements.
“We’re not telling him anything. There’s nothing to tell,” he said, his words slow and heavy.
“He’s going to know. He’s not stupid. And we shouldn’t hide this from him,” Aurelia said, panic in her eyes.
“I said no!” Ben snapped, releasing her. Standing up, he grabbed his shorts and tugged them on.
“I don’t understand,” Aurelia said, tears gathering in her voice. “This isn’t our fault. Mating isn’t a choice, everyone knows that. Lucas can’t hold it against us. I’ll tell him, if you want. Explain to him.”
Ben’s whole body went rigid. He turned to Aurelia, rage welling in his chest.
“This is not happening. You’re not telling Lucas anything. I forbid it.”
“What, are you afraid of him?” Aurelia hissed.
“You don’t understand,” Ben said. “I can’t do this. I owe Lucas everything, and I would never take someone that he cares for. Never.”
Aurelia crossed her arms, incensed.
“So Lucas gives you a job and makes you a bunch of money, and you owe him? You’d break a mating bond over that?” she accused.
Ben picked up her clothes, tossing them to her. He couldn’t stand to look at her body another second, not without reaching for her again. He had to shut this down, right now.
“Aurelia,” he said, his eyes and voice pleading. “You’ve been here just a few days. I’ve known Lucas for half a lifetime, and I’ve owed him everything since the first moment.”
“I don’t see how that’s possible.”
“I’m not a born wolf,” he said, dropping his eyes. Shame, his old friend, filled his gut.
“What do you mean?” she asked, looking confused.
“Lucas made me,” he said.
“Made you… a wolf? Like a werewolf? What the hell are you talking about, Ben?”
“Lucas is ancient. He has the magic of the first wolves. He found me dying in a field. He looked at me, and I at him, and he saw something in me. We’re bonded by magic. His blood runs in my veins.”
Aurelia gaped, staring.
“You’re crazy,” she whispered after a moment.
“Why would I lie? Why would I deny myself-“ he stopped himself mid-sentence.
“I don’t know,” Aurelia said. “I don’t know what you’re doing, but you can go to hell.”
She pulled on her clothes and snatched up the bag she’d brought, then stomped off into the woods.
“You’re going the wrong way!” Ben called, sickened at the loss of her.
“Fuck off!” she retorted, footsteps receding.
Ben sank to his knees, shaking.
No. No, this could not be happening. Ben would make certain of it.
10
Chapter 5
Aurelia stormed into the house, stopping dead in the kitchen. Ben was in the far corner of the room, his expression livid. Two other figures dominated the space, drawing Aurelia’s attention.
Walker stood in the living room, arms crossed as he towered over a tiny blonde woman. His dark hair had recently been buzzed, and his sable eyes were bright with anger. Walker’s massive, tightly muscled body seemed tensed to spring, utterly frightening as
far as Aurelia was concerned.
The blonde didn’t seem to notice, or she didn’t care. The woman’s back was ramrod straight, and she was staring up at Walker with evident malice. Her lip lifted, showing just a hint of fang. Her fury was made all the more impressive when held up to Walker’s bulk and obvious ire.
“Third floor, first room on the right,” Walker bit out. For a second, Aurelia thought that the woman was going to spit in his face. When the blonde just sneered and stormed off to the stairs, Aurelia nearly sagged with relief.
Walker’s gaze snapped to Aurelia, then to Ben.
“I don’t know what the fuck you two think you’re doing, but you need to figure it out quick. Lucas will be back in the morning,” Walker growled. With that, he turned on his heel and headed out the back door.
Aurelia looked at Ben, but he just shook his head and turned to pick up his laptop. Aurelia watched his retreating form as he headed upstairs, anger roiling in her stomach.
They’d met. They’d laughed, enjoyed one another’s company. Then they’d started to hook up, and suddenly… the connection had been instant, and undeniable. The pleasure of it had been so great, she’d nearly cried.
At least until Ben had pushed her away.
How was Aurelia supposed to go from finding a soul-deep connection to lying in bed with Lucas, who was wonderful, but not her true mate. The male that she now… missed? Longed to touch? Hungered for?
She’d had no idea that the mating bond could be so deep, so fast. What were they going to do? She’d just arrived here, just accepted Lucas’s offer of safety and money. She didn’t want to jeopardize her life here before it had even started.
She thought, too, of the look on Ben’s face when he’d told her the story about Lucas ‘making’ him. His sincerity in refusing to betray Lucas was apparent, and the pain of his choice as well.
What would she do: lie to the man who’d saved her and given her a fresh start, or hurt the male who was now center stage in her heart?
Aurelia sighed and sank down on one of the couches, uncertain what the future would hold.