by Stella Night
“I’m still waiting on some background checks and other things that I can’t really go forward without.” Logan set his glass next to hers. He got up from the chair and joined her. Taking her hands in his, he kissed each one. “And I really want to get to know you better.”
Celia’s breath caught in her throat. She heard the whine of a wolf and closed her eyes. It was no longer faint, but strong and familiar. She opened her eyes to find him watching her.
“Logan—”
He cut her off with a kiss that curled her toes. His tongue swept inside, taking command. Her tongue dueled with his. She gave in, letting go of all the pent-up desire that had been burning deep inside her since the first time she saw him. As his mouth devoured hers a fire started deep in her belly, sensuous flames licking at the desire building between them.
Celia pushed him away gently. “What about dinner?”
Logan jumped up and rushed into the kitchen, then came back. Pulling her into his arms again he said, “It will be just as good later.”
She gave a soft laugh. “Later?”
He nodded then ran his hand up her arm to her shoulder. His finger toyed with her earring. It teased her skin, sending shivers down her arms to her fingers. He leaned in to kiss her again. This time it was soft, tentative.
“Celia, I don’t want to rush you. But damn, woman, I want you so much.”
She reached up and brushed the hair off his forehead. She marveled at its softness. She stared into his blue eyes, seeing her own face reflected there. His pupils dilated just before he dropped his gaze to her lips. Her wolf whined and danced in a circle.
“I want you too, Logan. Very much.”
“Would you like to take this conversation somewhere a little more comfortable?”
She bit her lip, then smiled. “I would like to go somewhere more comfortable, but I’m not sure it would be for conversation.” Her wolf yipped. Celia closed her eyes for just a moment, marveling at how natural that suddenly seemed, how natural all of this seemed. When she opened her eyes, Logan was smiling.
He held out his hand and said, “Come with me.”
Chapter 12
Logan lead her into the small bedroom. With his hands on her hips, he backed her up to the bed. She sat when she felt it behind her knees. He bent down and slid the shoes from her feet. Then he climbed on to the bed and gently pushed her into the middle beside him.
When he leaned in for a kiss this time, Celia wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him up close to her. As he wrapped his arms around her, she moved into his embrace, kissing him, nipping at his lips with her teeth, following with a swipe of her tongue. There was a rushing sound in her ears and a green, woodsy scent in her nostrils.
Her wolf sat up and howled with delight. Celia pushed it back down, determined to lose herself in the sensation that was starting to build deep in her belly.
Logan pulled back and smiled at her. He leaned in to nip at her lips, then he reached for the bottom of her blouse. Before he could pull it up, Celia whipped it off over her head and threw it across the room. She sat in a lacy red bra and her skirt. She reached behind herself for the skirt’s zipper and slid it down. Rising to her knees, she slid the skirt off revealing a thong that matched the bra. She tossed the skirt in the general direction of her blouse.
When Logan’s eyes lit up in admiration, Celia smiled, she wondered for just a moment how it would feel to see that light every day.
She moved her hand to the bottom of his shirt and slid it underneath, feeling the hard ridges of his abs. She heard Logan catch his breath when she slid her hand lower to the button on his jeans. Her smile widened and she flicked it open as she leaned in to lick his lips. She grabbed the bottom of his shirt and tugged it off him, tossing it toward a corner of the room.
Logan scrambled off the bed. Balancing on one leg, he pulled the other foot up to pull his boot off. The movement threw him off balance as he hopped and fell against the bed. Celia covered her mouth, trying to contain her laughter. She loved that he could be so serious and silly in the same moment.
He finally managed to get both boots off, as well as his socks. He finally stood before her clad only in his jeans. He took her breath away.
Celia crawled across the bed toward him. She raised up on her knees and put her hands on his shoulders, pulling him toward her. She tilted her head, waiting until the last moment to shut her eyes as his lips touched her. She pulled him hard against her until they were belly to belly. His hand slid up her cheek to bury itself in her hair as the kiss deepened.
Logan’s lips never left hers as he gently pushed her back to the center of the bed. Her hands slid across his shoulders and she could feel the muscles bunching there when he pulled back to stare down at her.
The emotion shining from his eyes took her breath away. She floundered for a moment, frightened by something she was afraid to name. Her wolf was dancing again. No. No feelings, just sex. Please.
“Logan—”
He placed the tip of his finger against her lips, stopping her words. He ran his thumb across her bottom lip, the touch feather light. Celia’s eyes drifted closed as she inhaled his scent again. Not the familiar cypress and oaks of the nearby woods, but something more evergreen. Something that spoke of giant trees and cold waters.
Logan traced a ring of kisses across the base of her throat. Her earrings brushed across her collar bone as her head dropped back. She reached up and grasped the back of his head as an inferno built deep inside her. She hissed when his teeth nipped her collar bone. She could feel his lips smile against her skin.
His voice was little more than a whisper. “You are so beautiful, Celia.”
She felt her eyes fill with tears and hoped he didn’t see them. No one had ever made her feel so special, so desirable. The wolf jumped up and down again. Mate! She pushed it away and concentrated on what Logan was doing to her.
His mouth skimmed lower. Celia gasped when it closed on a taut nipple. Using the tip of his tongue, Logan traced circles around the swollen nub. She arched into the sensations. The heat in her belly began to pool lower. She could feel the dampness between her legs.
Celia clutched at Logan when he pulled away from her swollen nipple. He smiled at her just before he closed in on its neglected mate. When he pulled it into his mouth and sucked, she felt a shock that went straight to her pulsing clit. She moaned his name, and arched even more.
“Oh God, Logan! Please don’t stop!”
He chuckled as he trailed kisses down her belly until he reached the apex of her thighs. He gently nudged them apart with his shoulder and settled himself between them. His gaze took her breath away. He kept his eyes on hers as he leaned in.
When his tongue touched her swollen clit, she bucked. His palms slid up her thighs to cup her rear. Logan swept his tongue up and down the length of her. When Celia tried to bring herself closer to his mouth by raising up, he slid his hands up over her thighs. He held her prisoner there as he began a gentle suction.
Celia moaned again as Logan caught her sensitive flesh between his lips and flicked it with the tip of his tongue. She squirmed, trying to push herself into his mouth. When he chuckled against her, she thought she would lose her mind. He licked her again, stopping at her opening to swirl his tongue there. Then he nibbled his way back to the sensitive button at the top. He kept his attention there until she could no longer think.
She could feel her orgasm building and building. Logan reached up and slid his thumbs across her nipples, tweaking, pulling, pinching almost but not quite to the point of pain. He kept a steady suction on her clit, even as she bucked and twisted.
Celia felt herself falling off a cliff as her orgasm washed over her in waves. Logan had brought her hands back down to her thighs to hold her there, bringing a second climax on the heels of the first. Her hands were fluttering at his, trying to loosen his grip. She wasn’t sure if her pleas were for him to stop or continue.
When he stopped, she was breathless
and incapable of thought. He pulled himself off the bed just long enough to strip off his boxer briefs. Then he got back onto the bed, gently lying on top of her, nestled between her rubbery legs. She tasted herself on his lips when he kissed her.
He smiled down at her, gently brushing the hair from her brow. Once again, she saw the emotions swimming in his blue eyes. She didn’t know whether to stay and drown, or run and save herself. What would happen if I fell in love with him?
Making her decision, Celia smiled up at him and wrapped her arms around his neck. She pulled him down for another kiss. With one hand, she reached down and wrapped her fingers around him. He raised up slightly, bracing himself with his hands on the bed on either side of her head. She kissed him again and she guided his length to her entrance. Her head fell back again as he filled her.
Her body stretched to accept his thickness. He slowly pushed until their bodies were joined. Then he began to move slowly, in and out. Celia’s hands skimmed the bunched muscles of his back. She glanced down and watched as his abs contracted and released with every movement. She reached down between them and ran her fingers over the ridges. She heard the breath catch in his throat.
The rhythm of his thrusts increased. Her body rose to meet each one. She could feel the wave of another orgasm build. He pushed up, arms straight. He stared down at her as the speed of his thrusts increased.
Suddenly, he wrapped his arms around her and held her close. Logan’s climax broke with his harsh cry.
“Celia!”
She shattered with her own climax. He kissed her as his movements slowed. Her breathing slowly returned to normal as he rolled and pulled her with him, cradling her against his side.
Celia’s wolf danced and howled.
Mate!
Chapter 13
“Holy crap, this is good.”
Logan grinned as he watched Celia. They were sitting in the bed, eating the paella he had prepared for their dinner.
He had managed to find his boxer briefs in the pile of clothing on the floor before he headed into the kitchen. Celia had wrapped the sheet around herself and was happily devouring her food. A chorus of crickets serenaded them through the open window as they ate and sipped wine.
“So how did you get into arson investigation?” Celia took another bite as she watched him.
“It’s a boring story.” Logan dropped his gaze, concentrating on the stew in his bowl.
She dropped her spoon into her bowl and reached out to touch his hand. “No, seriously. I want to know.”
He looked up at her and took a deep breath before he spoke. “When I was young, around ten, there was a fire in our house. I was the only one who survived. I lost my mom, my dad, and my little brother Evan all in one night. The fire was ruled arson but no one was ever caught and prosecuted.”
Tears welled in Celia’s eyes. “Oh, Logan. I’m so sorry.”
He took her hand in his. “Jack Kincaid — you know him?” At her nod, he continued. “He was my best friend then. Still is. Anyway, his family took me in.”
“They’re pack.” Celia’s eyes widened. “You’re not a halfling or a shifter, are you?”
Logan chuckled. “No, I’m not - neither of those. But the Kincaid’s didn’t care. They made arrangements to foster me and made sure the pack accepted me.” He took a deep breath.
“Anyway, the arsonist was never caught. By the time I was a teenager, I made a vow to learn how to do something, anything, that would give other kids the closure I never got. So, I went to school and got a degree in criminology. Then I trained to be a fire fighter, and went to work with the fire marshal in San Antonio so I could learn how to investigate arson. When I learned all I could, I became a private arson investigator.”
“Why?” Celia picked up her wine and sipped. “I mean, why a private investigator?”
“Sometimes, fire departments are overwhelmed and they need help. Or they are ill equipped and just can’t do arson investigations. Any number of things. Most of what I do is for insurance companies. I know it sounds like they’re trying to get out of compensating people for their losses, but it goes beyond that. A lot of times the folks expecting to be compensated actually start the fires themselves.”
“Really? You don’t think that’s what happened with the Geralds, do you?”
Logan stopped breathing for a moment. Deciding to not give her all the details of the case, he simply shook his head. “No, but I’m still investigating the case.”
They ate in silence for a few more moments. Celia put her bowl on the bedside table and picked up her wine glass. Logan watched, mesmerized by her graceful movements.
“What about you?”
She gulped. “What do you mean?”
“What’s your story? Tell me about Celia Masters.”
She shook her head slightly and said, “There’s not much to tell. I’m only half shifter, a halfling. My mother, who was human, died when I was just a toddler. I don’t remember her much but Mrs. G. says I look just like her. Well, except that I’m taller. And being a halfling, I don’t have all the super wolfie things that full blood shifters have.”
“I don’t know about that.”
She twisted her glass in her hands and tilted her head. “What do you mean?”
“Well, I know that your hearing is really good.” At her nod, he continued. “But you’re also strong as hell.”
“Am not.”
“You are. The day my truck burned? You pretty much pulled me out of the house and down the sidewalk. I don’t think my feet touched the ground until we hit Main Street.”
Celia sat staring at him, mouth open. She closed it and narrowed her eyes at him. “Are you sure about that?”
Logan nodded. “Oh yeah, I’m sure. I was afraid you might dislocate my shoulder before you let go.”
“You were not.” She grinned and playfully punched him on the arm. Then she glanced down, “Huh. I didn’t know I could do that.”
“You move fast, too.” He set his bowl aside and drained his glass. “What else about you? What do you want to do?”
“You mean, what do I want to be when I grow up?” He nodded. She paused before she continued. “I don’t know. I hadn’t really thought about it until just recently. I think the day care center might be a big step.” She paused while Logan refilled their glasses. “Speaking of that, I need to put finishing touches on things at the baby house. Do you have time to help me?”
He nodded as he put the bottle of wine on the bedside table. “Sure.” He scooted next to her, pulling her close to his side. “I’ve been thinking about the full moon run.”
“Oh? Do you want to run with the wolves?” Celia’s eyes sparkled and her dimples deepened with her smile.
Logan grinned and kissed the top of her head. “As much as I would love to be able to do that, I find that I cannot keep up.” He sat back against the pillows. “No, I was thinking that the full moon might be more than our arsonist can resist. Firebugs and full moons go together like peanut butter and jelly. Unfortunately, it’s not just an urban myth.”
Celia leaned back against his chest, then tilted her head up to look at him. “Do you really think he’ll set another fire?”
“I hope not, but I wouldn’t play the odds on that one.”
Chapter 14
Celia and Logan spent the day putting the finishing touches on the baby house. The full moon run was just two nights away, following the monthly pack meeting. She wanted everything ready and in place.
Since they had finished at the house late in the day, Logan offered to make dinner for her again. So now she stood at his doorstep, red sweatshirt and jeans, scuffed boots. Freshly showered but tired in a good way. And still nervous as hell. She felt like she was on a runaway train but the ride was exhilarating.
She heard him call “come in” when she knocked. Opening the door, she was immediately blown away by the delectable odors of something earthy and vaguely Italian. She prayed he couldn’t hear her stomach growl.
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“Can I help?” she asked as she walked into the kitchen.
Logan grabbed her hand and pulled her to him. The kiss was sweet, gentle, and spoke of things to come. He pulled away slowly, gazing into her eyes. Then he smiled and gave her another quick peck.
“I hope you brought your appetite.”
Celia snorted. “Hello? A bit of shifter metabolism here.”
Logan chuckled as he stirred the pot. “Yeah, I totally forgot.” He put the lid on the pot and wiped his hands on a towel.
He took her hand and led her to the sofa, then pulled her onto his lap. Celia turned to face him, her thighs sliding down on either side of his. She took his face in her hands. When their lips met, she felt a fire start low in her belly.
Her hips began to move instinctively as the kiss deepened. She growled softly, frustration growing, when his hands grabbed her hips and slowed her movements. She could feel the bulge in his jeans. Felt it hit her clit as she rocked back and forth. Their jeans became an impediment so she reached for the button on his.
Celia snarled when Logan muttered something about dinner and pulled her hand away.
Worried that she might have frightened him, she sat back. It was not fear she saw in his crystal blue eyes, but lust. And something else that frightened her. She was unprepared for the emotion she saw there again. It was exactly the same way Josh looked at Ella — eyes full of love and hope.
Why couldn’t it just be good sex? Why did he have to fuck it all up by caring so much she could read it on his face?
Her wolf yipped and whined. Celia gave herself a mental shake. When will I get used to that?
Logan cleared his throat. “Um, I think dinner is probably ready.”
Celia nodded, incapable of speech. Moving off his lap, she followed him into the kitchen and watched as he heaped pasta into bowls then topped it with a rich, red sauce. Celia busied herself with a corkscrew and the bottle of wine on the counter. She was unaware of her lack of progress until Logan gently took them from her and opened the wine himself.