“Cold, Hanna?” he asked.
“Y-yes.”
“Better hop under the covers then, hadn’t you?” He whisked back the bedding and she wondered for one brief, insane moment whether he was naked beneath the sheets.
Surely not.
Except now she couldn’t stop thinking about him naked. Images raced through her mind, tumbling without end.
“Hanna. Hanna.” His voice finally infiltrated her thoughts. “Get into bed. I promise I’ll stay on my side like a good boy.” When she didn’t move, he frowned. “Now, Hanna. I won’t be happy if I have to get up and haul you in here.”
She quickly obeyed the command. As soon as she was under the covers he turned back to his tablet. Immediately Hanna fidgeted.
Hot and overwhelmed, sweat coated her skin. She rolled onto her side away from him. More naughty, naked images flitted through her head. She prayed he couldn’t smell her arousal.
“Hanna.”
“Hmm?” she murmured, not turning. She didn’t want to see him looking all serious and sexy as he worked. It was too much, more than one woman could be expected to resist.
“Either you take some of your bedclothes off or I will,” he ordered.
“I’m fine,” she replied. Take off her safety net? Was he mad?
“You’re overheating. You’ll make yourself sick.”
“I’m fine. This is how I always sleep.”
He sighed, the sound filled with exasperation. “I don’t know why I bother to warn you. I should just do it.”
She yelped as he flipped her and ripped the pajama top from her, buttons flying everywhere.
“Marcus!” She struggled to get free of him.
“You’re too hot and too stubborn to do anything about it. What did you think? That I was going to force you to have sex with me?” he growled.
“You wouldn’t have to force me.” She slammed her hand over her mouth. She couldn’t believe she let that slip out.
His eyes flashed amber. “Good to know,” he crooned. “Take the pants off,” he ordered.
She opened her mouth to tell him what she thought of that idea, but the words got caught in her throat, trapped as she took in the perfection of his large body.
He was deeply tanned from the top of his shaved head to his toes, his skin smooth, muscles sculpted into defined lines that she suddenly longed to run her tongue along. The covers had slipped down and she discovered the answer to her question.
He wasn’t naked.
But his boxers were molded to him, leaving little to the imagination. He was built large everywhere. He got out of bed and padded over to his chest of drawers.
“Put this on.” He handed her a black t-shirt. She took it, a little uncertain.
“Why?”
“It’s longer than the ones you have on. It will make you feel better when you strip off those ridiculous pants.”
“Oh.” She sat, clutching it, looking at him.
“Well?”
“Aren’t you going to turn away?”
With a loud huff, grumbling under his breath, he turned. His hands landed on his hips, every stiff line of his body chiseled with exasperation.
Hanna wasted no time stripping off her pajama bottoms and extra t-shirts. She slipped into his cotton shirt. It hung like a loose nightgown. Even though it was freshly laundered, she could still catch his scent.
Sexy male with a hint of mint. Delicious.
He turned back, folding his arms. “Ready to sleep now?”
“Of course. I was ready ten minutes ago.”
He said nothing, just climbed into the bed and turned off the light.
“Except, would you mind…” She trailed off, not wanting to sound as though she were an idiot, but knowing she needed that light on.
Again, he said nothing. He simply turned the lamp back on, setting it on dim.
“Okay?” His voice held no judgment.
“Yes,” she lied.
Marcus rolled to his side, his back to her.
She lay there for a moment, willing the urge to fade. It didn’t. “I’m sorry, I just have to…” She slipped from the bed and hurried through the house, checking that the windows were shut, the doors locked. When she was finished, she slid back into the bed.
“Sorry,” she whispered.
“Doesn’t bother me,” he said gruffly. “Now go to sleep.”
Chapter Five
Marcus knew it wasn’t possible to die of a hard-on. But having a stiff cock sure as hell made it impossible to be comfortable, let alone sleep. He swiped his hand down his face over her latest behavior. Didn’t she know that if he wanted her that no amount of clothing would stop him? He’d simply overwhelm her with desire until she was begging him to take her.
Damn.
These thoughts were not helping to lessen the pain in his cock.
He was starting to wonder if he was a masochist. He should have just slept on the couch or in her room. There was no real reason for him to insist they sleep together, other than the fact that he wanted her close. He knew it would be hard having her in his bed, but he hadn’t realized how deeply she’d gotten under his skin. Her soft, sweet scent glided over him, enveloping him, bringing him under her spell.
The glimpses he’d seen of that smooth, pale skin were like being given little tastings of rich, deep whiskey when he really wanted the whole bottle.
She rolled, pressing herself up against his body, curling against him.
Torture.
Marcus closed his eyes, found that only made things worse, and opened them again. He should push her away, should get up and get some air. Or better yet, take a cold shower, get away from her completely.
But try as he might, he couldn’t seem to move.
Yep, it was going to be a long, long night.
Hanna was deliciously warm, her head resting on something hard. She rubbed her face against the pillow, startled when it moved.
Opening her eyes, she stilled then threw herself back, climbing from the bed to stand beside it.
Marcus rolled from his back to his side to stare at her. His eyebrow rose. “Something wrong?”
Hanna flicked her hand at him, then herself, indicating the space that was now between them. “When I went to sleep we were like this, when I woke up we were…” Embarrassed, she couldn’t finish her sentence.
“Plastered up against one another?” he filled in. “Lying with limbs entangled? Cuddled in together? Stop me when I’m close.”
“Yes!” she replied, her teeth clenched. “All of those. Why would you do that?”
“I didn’t. You did. I was lying here, trying to sleep, next thing I know you’re molded against me.”
She gulped. Had she really done that? She’d never cuddled up to Dan.
“I wouldn’t.”
He shrugged, his face displaying no real interest. And she knew she must have plastered herself against him. “I’m sorry.”
“No one said you had to apologize.”
She licked her lips nervously. “I’m not used to sleeping with someone.”
He raised a brow. “You slept with Dan.”
She searched the room for something to rescue her. Ah, her pajamas.
“Hanna? You had sex with Dan so you must have slept in the same bed with him.”
Hanna nibbled her lower lip and snatched up her pajama top that had been abandoned last night, folding it neatly.
“Hanna.” Pure demand.
“We only had sex a few times. He went out at night a lot, gambling.”
“All night?” he asked. Disapproval was evident in the set of his jaw. “You didn’t go with him?”
She reached for her pajama pants. “No. He said it was too dangerous.”
His eyebrow rose. He didn’t think much of Dan. Hell, a lot of the time she didn’t think much of him either. The gambling, the fact that he’d tried to kill Laney. Granted, he’d done it to save her so she couldn’t hate him for it. Then again, if it wasn’t for his fathe
r’s gambling addiction they wouldn’t have been in that position in the first place. Those horrible men would never have kidnapped her to gain Dan’s cooperation.
And then she’d never have met Marcus.
“We didn’t really cuddle. Neither of us was very affectionate.”
Agitated, she turned away and paced.
“Hanna.” This time the command was sensuous. Hot.
She couldn’t resist. She faced him. He rested back against the headboard, staring at her, the sheets pooled around his waist. His eyes turned amber as the wolf peered out, watching her within those sizzling eyes—assessing her.
Whether he found her lacking she didn’t know. Wasn’t sure she wanted to know. She didn’t need more rejection.
“Did Dan ever bring you to orgasm?”
Shock held her immobile. “Jesus, Marcus, why are you asking me that?”
“Because I want to know. Tell me what sex with Dan was like.”
She was uncomfortable talking about her intimacy with Dan. But Marcus would persist until she did. “I don’t know, I guess we just didn’t have any spark between us. It was fine. It was sweet.”
“Fine? Sweet?” He shook his head. “Oh Hanna.”
“What?”
“Sex should never be sweet or fine. It should be hot, heavy and mind-blowing.”
“Can we not talk about this?” She couldn’t stand his pity. “I’m going to make some breakfast.”
She turned but didn’t move quickly enough. Marcus nabbed her wrist, tugging her back to the bed. She fell against him. She tried to shove away but he held her tight, pulling her to sit on his lap.
“Let me go,” she demanded.
He simply held her, laying kisses on her forehead. Gradually she calmed, leaning against him as he swayed.
“Talk to me,” he urged her.
“I don’t want you to pity me. It wasn’t that bad. Okay, so it was kind of awkward and strange, like being with my brother.”
Over far too soon, leaving her with no satisfaction.
“I tried, but I couldn’t make myself feel anything more for Dan than gratitude.”
“Ahh, Jesus,” he muttered.
“I used him to get away from my pack and I couldn’t even work up any interest in him.”
“Tink, you have to let go of this guilt. Yes, Dan helped you out. But he also used you. He knew you had no choice and he went for what he wanted with no thought as to your needs, your wants. He could have helped you without insisting that you mate him. He took advantage of your vulnerability. You shouldn’t feel guilty over your lack of attraction for him, over the fact that you didn’t really love him. You can’t force feelings where there are none. He should have taken care of you without conditions.”
She patted his arm. “Not everyone is as good a person as you are, Marcus.”
She was looking at him as if she thought he could conquer the world.
He should do something to wipe that look of worship off her face. Except he liked how she looked to him to protect her. He was a dominant wolf. And in any relationship, however short, he had to be in charge. Maybe it was an ego boost, maybe it made him feel more in control, but when Hanna stared at him that way, he wanted to be all those things for her. Lover. Protector. Warrior.
Mate.
Lust surged through him, almost blinding him.
Rye was right. He needed to focus on his job. He couldn’t do that if he became too involved with Hanna. But his lust grew stronger with each passing minute. She wanted him, he could scent her arousal. Perhaps they could just slake their need, maybe one night was all it would take and then he could go back to doing his job with his mind clear and his cock under control.
Christ, what an asshole he was. She wasn’t a one-night sort of girl.
“Marcus?” The vulnerability in her voice brought him crashing back.
“I want you, Hanna,” he drawled, riding the edge of his control. “I want to throw you onto your back and push my way inside you. I want to fuck you until you scream, until we both reach satisfaction. Don’t ever mistake me for a good guy, because give me half a chance and I will use you.”
Her fingers tapped against her arm, her eyes wide, breath coming in heavy pants. “And if I wanted the same thing?” she asked.
Marcus peered down into her too-innocent eyes. “You don’t want what I’m offering, sweetheart. You need a man who can give you kindness, who can help you grow, a man who will give you all of him. All I can give you is sex.”
She swallowed. Pain flashed through her eyes, gone as quickly as it appeared. “I understand.”
With a nod at her decision, a decision that made his wolf howl in anger even though the man approved, Marcus put her on her feet beside the bed. But she grabbed his hands, refusing to let him go.
“I understand you can’t promise a relationship. But I still want to have sex with you. Please. I… I need you.”
Hanna took a deep breath to still her nerves. She knew this could never be more than sex. But she wanted him, even if it was just for one night.
“But maybe you don’t want me. I’m not attractive. I look like a boy. I’m weird. I’m probably frigid.”
Marcus narrowed his eyes. “Let’s make something clear right now. You are a gorgeous, sexy women. There is no way you are frigid and if I didn’t want you, my dick wouldn’t be rock hard and throbbing.”
“Then why couldn’t I feel anything when Dan touched me?” she wailed. “I’m a fucking joke.”
Suddenly she found herself spinning, lying facedown, her stomach landing over Marcus’ lap.
Smack!
She squealed in surprise as Marcus spanked her. Again and again, his hand landed a stinging slap on her poor bottom.
“I don’t ever—” Smack! “ever—” Smack! Smack! “want to hear you talk about yourself in such a way again.”
He raised the shirt up over her back. Grabbing her panties, he completely stripped them off before she could take another breath.
“Marcus!” she yelled. “Have you gone mad?”
“I’m spanking you. You’ve been asking for this a while, my girl.” He rubbed her warm butt cheeks.
Smack!
She tried to throw herself off his lap. “Stop it!” He held her easily. Grasping her flailing hands with one of his, he brought them to the small of her back.
“You do not put yourself down like that, understand me?” Pain flashed over her, burning her. Tears pricked her eyes. She kicked her feet, disbelief and shock washing over her, along with something else, something she didn’t want to acknowledge.
Pleasure.
Each spank made her clit throb harder, made her folds slicker as her pussy rejoiced in his punishment.
This was crazy, it was embarrassing, wrong.
And so hot she could explode.
“You are not frigid,” Marcus paused to brush his hand over her heated cheeks. “Maybe what Dan offered wasn’t anything you were interested in, ever think of that? I bet he was soft, that he asked you for direction, didn’t he?”
She shivered as he moved his hand lower, brushing it against her shaved mound.
“Uhh-hmm, bet he never spanked this little bottom, did he?” Marcus pressed one finger through her folds.
“And I bet you never got this wet for him, did you, Hanna? You liked your spanking, didn’t you?”
“No,” she cried out, squirming, humiliated.
Smack!
“No lying or I’ll keep going.”
She froze. Surely not. No way could she handle any more, could she?
He returned his finger to her pussy, pushing in deep. Just one digit, but it was enough to make her arch and cry out.
“Oh yes, you like your pleasure with a bit of pain, don’t you, Hanna? And I reckon Dan never realized that about you. I bet he never took the time to truly figure out what you wanted, what you needed.”
He moved his finger in and out, pressing deep. Hanna couldn’t catch her breath.
“So tight. So warm and snug. Been a while, hasn’t it? My poor girl, you need this so bad.”
Marcus slipped his finger out and Hanna whimpered, pushing her hips up, wanting more.
“No moving. You move without my permission and I start spanking again, understand? Hanna?”
“Yes,” Hanna groaned. She was willing to do anything to get him to touch her pussy again. She knew she was on the cusp of something great.
“Good girl.” His praise emboldened her. “Now part your legs. Wider. Excellent.”
Hanna blushed at how exposed she was. She could only guess how she looked, lying on his lap—her legs spread wide, her butt pink and glowing.
“I reckon this luscious little pussy is just crying out for the attention it deserves.” He skimmed his fingertips over her mound and rolled one finger over her clit, pushing down on the swollen nub.
Hanna gritted her teeth, holding back the urge to grind against him.
“Very good, sugar. I know how hard it must be to stay still. You’re doing so well. Don’t worry, I reward good behavior.”
She liked the sound of that.
He circled her clit, drawing out from her a whimper. “Have you ever played with this sweet little nub? Did you think dream about someone flicking it with their tongue, sucking on it while thrusting their fingers into your pussy?”
Did he really expect her to talk? While pleasure coursed through her? Of course she’d dreamed about it, about having him do all of those things to her.
“Hanna, I don’t like waiting.”
“Y-yes.”
Marcus stilled and Hanna grew tense, wondering what she’d done wrong.
“Yes, what?” he asked. “Tell me. Who did you dream about while you touched yourself?”
She took a deep breath. Be brave. “You.”
“Good,” he told her as his finger slowly circled her clit. It was all she could do not to yell at him to finish it already. Every nerve in her body was smoldering, waiting, wanting to explode into flames.
“I can’t wait to eat you out. I want to get my tongue deep inside you, lick up all your sweet juices. Then I’m going to explore you, eat at you leisurely until I’m full.”
Hanna quivered, more aroused than she’d ever been in her life. Her pussy clenched, released.
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