by Jaci Burton
She pushed back and more of his shaft slid inside.
“Fuck!” he cried, shoving in deeper until he was fully sheathed inside her anus.
The pain had gone, replaced by intense waves unlike anything she’d ever known. Each time with Conner was a new experience in arousal. He filled her, this thick cock stroking the sensitive nerve endings of her anus while her pussy spasmed in response to the pleasure.
She’d waited her entire life for someone like him. She’d waited to give her virginity for a reason.
She’d been waiting for him.
“Touch yourself for me, Katya. Make yourself come.”
She reached for her clit, sliding her fingers between the folds of her sex and caressing the erect bud. Conner continued to stroke slowly while she built her arousal to near bursting with her own hand.
“Harder,” she moaned, sliding two fingers inside her wet cunt. She felt him there, the thin membrane separating her pussy from her ass allowing her to feel his thrusts within her. Her thumb found her clit and she fucked her own pussy, timing her strokes to coincide with his.
“I feel your fingers inside your cunt, baby. God, that’s hot. Come for me, Katya. I want you to squeeze the juice right out of me.”
She could tell he was close, and then she was lost in the feelings he evoked. Her strumming thumb drew the first sparks of orgasm, her driving fingers adding to the building tension. When Conner reared back and tunneled deeper and faster, she toppled over the edge, screaming his name as her pussy contracted and flooded her fingers with creamy cum. Spasms quaked in her ass, tightening around Conner’s shaft, squeezing him.
Conner growled and came hard, shuddering against her as he filled her with hot spurts of fluid.
She collapsed over the top of the sofa, desperately trying to breathe, her legs no longer able to hold her up.
Conner withdrew slowly, swooped her into his arms and carried her upstairs, depositing her in the shower with him.
He soaped her all over, carefully washing between her legs.
Now that it was over the silence returned. Awkwardness settled between them. It was almost as if she balanced on a precipice, torn between craving him and hating him. Which way would she topple?
“Sore?” he asked, soaping her buttocks and thighs.
“A little.” But she didn’t care. It had been glorious, a little bit naughty and more sensual than any act she’d ever dreamed of. The intimacies she’d shared with Conner amazed her, and yet seemed as natural as breathing. She was going to have a difficult time keeping her heart out of this relationship.
Despite the way they’d come together and how he treated her outside the bedroom, there was a loneliness, a vulnerability in him that called to her heart.
As they lay in bed and he kissed her deeply before pulling her against him, she feared it was already too late.
She was in love with Conner.
Chapter Ten
Conner stared down at a sleeping Katya, his heart clenching with a need to protect her.
She lay on her stomach, the blanket covering her legs and buttocks but baring her perfectly shaped back to the early morning sun.
Just past dawn, the pale light cast a golden glow directly onto his woman.
His woman. His mate. The woman he—
The woman he what? Loved?
A cold dread replaced the warmth that had settled over him.
Here he was, mooning over a woman like she was the beginning and end of his existence.
What a crock.
Just because he’d mated with her didn’t mean he had to love her. Mates were chosen based on urges, a primal recognition of best match.
It didn’t mean love.
Hell, what would he do with a woman he loved? He already acted like half an idiot around her anyway. He’d allowed himself to get too close too fast, and let others tell him how he should treat her. She probably thought all she had to do was bitch about something he’d said or done and he’d lie down and beg forgiveness.
Weakness wasn’t in his biological makeup. He’d never surrendered to a living soul before Katya.
She’d have him eating out of her hand before long. And that he couldn’t allow. The alpha of the pack apologized to no one, accepted nothing less than blind loyalty.
What would her people think if they saw the way he behaved yesterday?
He’d waffled. Goddamit, he’d bent backward to let her have her way.
That wasn’t going to happen again. He had things to do, and with or without her he’d see them done. If she didn’t like the way he went about it, then tough shit.
She’d just have to learn to accept the fact that he made all the decisions now.
Today’s agenda was a big one. He planned to march into the land and game ministry’s office and demand better protection for the Carpathian wolves.
To think he’d actually thought about discussing the situation with Katya.
He was pussy-whipped, all right.
But not for long. He stepped into the bathroom and dressed quickly, then tiptoed out of the room so he wouldn’t wake her.
With a new determination in mind, he went in search of Noah, finding him and Elena sharing coffee in the kitchen.
He turned and grinned. “Have a good evening?”
That question didn’t deserve an answer. “We’re going to the ministry this morning.”
Noah looked to Elena, then back at Conner. “Taking Katya with you?”
“Nope.” He downed the hot brew in two gulps, then poured himself another. Christ they made strong coffee here. “I’m taking you with me.”
When Noah didn’t answer, Conner asked, “You got a problem with that?”
Noah shrugged and set down his cup. “I don’t have a problem with anything. I’ll go get ready.”
But as he walked past, Noah shook his head and clapped him on the shoulder. “You’re the one who’s going to have a problem, bro. From the frying pan into the fire, as Mom always says.”
Just once, Conner would love to knock that smirk right off Noah’s face.
* * * * *
“Gone? What do you mean he’s gone?”
Elena winced at the rising tone of Katya’s voice. “He left with Noah. Something about going to the ministry this morning.”
He’d done it to her again. Unbelievable. Had she dreamed last night? His apology, the way he’d said he would involve her in everything from now on?
She must have, because this morning he was back to the way he’d been yesterday. Doing things on his own, without once seeking her counsel.
“Fucking asshole dog. I hope he slips in shit and has to eat it. I hope his dick rots and falls off from disease.”
Elena winced. “I’m sorry, cousin. I thought things would improve.”
“Yes, well, we were both wrong, then.” Unable to face the people milling about the castle, she headed up to her room, content to pace in front of the window by herself, plotting ways to do away with Conner.
No that she could, or even would, but visualizing his gruesome demise made her feel somewhat better. And she did need an outlet for her profound anger.
Better mental than physical. She might not be his match, strength-wise, but she could do some serious damage to his nearly perfect body before he could take her down.
She’d just about mentally bled him to death when she saw him and Noah approach through the gates. Determined not to seek him out, she waited, fuming and pacing. It didn’t take him long to open the bedroom door, slamming it hard behind him.
She refused to turn around and look at him, instead focusing on the mocking bright sunlight of the beautiful day.
But as soon as he started spouting off his pompous, arrogant statements about how he was in charge of things, she was going to kick his ass.
“Your government is run by the most provincial, backward, unyielding sons of bitches I’ve ever had the displeasure to meet.”
Tell her something she didn’t know. Oh, wait, if h
e’d bothered to consult her, she would have told him that. So he wasted his time this morning.
Good. She didn’t even try to hide her smirk, but she refused to speak to him.
“I went to talk to them about the laws, about beefing up protection for the wolves in the Carpathians. I quoted statistics, realties versus fallacies, every bit of logical, documented information I had. You know what they said?”
“Yes.”
“Huh?”
She turned then. “I said yes. I know what they said. They said they were sorry, but the laws would remain as they always had. After all, one does not change something as important as environment and ecology overnight. These things take time. Study. More facts are needed before they can proceed with more security for the Carpathian wolves.”
His jaw dropped. “You just quoted the man verbatim.”
“Yes.” Disgusted, she turned and faced the window again.
“How did you know?”
She squeezed her eyes shut, forcing herself to remain calm. Don’t even answer him, Katya. He is not worth your anger.
“Katya. What’s wrong?”
She bit her lip until it bled. She would not answer him.
When he reached for her, wrapping his fingers around her upper arms, she tensed, partially shifted, growling and clawing at him.
Conner jumped back, his eyes wide. “What the fuck is wrong with you?”
She shifted back to fully human, refusing to feel guilty for the blood seeping from the wound on the back of his hand.
He was lucky he still had two balls.
“Katya, why did you attack?”
“Get out, Conner. Before I do something I won’t regret.”
He went silent for a moment, and she’d actually thought he might leave. But he didn’t.
“Oh, I get it. You’re pissed because I went to the ministry without you.”
“And they said you were stupid.”
“Huh? Who said I was stupid?”
She rolled her eyes and turned to face him. “You promised me last night that you would consult me.”
He looked past her, out the window, then met her gaze. “I did what I needed to do. I won’t apologize for it again.”
“So you decided that maybe last night’s apology was premature. That maybe you showed weakness by allowing the female alpha to bend you to her will. You suffered some kind of testosterone meltdown and decided to teach me a lesson. Let me know when I’m getting close to the truth.”
Close? Fuck, she’d hit the nail right on the head. Her insight was uncanny. And the woman was one vicious lupine when she was pissed off.
“So how did it work for you, Conner? Oh, that’s right, it didn’t.”
“You need to understand the way it’s supposed to work, Katya. I’m the alpha. I’m supposed to make all the decisions, and you’re supposed to follow along.”
“Supposed to? I don’t think so. The Braslieu pack has had a female alpha leading them since my father died. So much for tradition. They may hold onto some of the old ways, but they can bend in others. Perhaps you should consider the same.”
“I won’t bend in this.”
“Then you’ll be truly alone, because I won’t yield to you and become some simpering, empty-headed mate that you only keep around to fuck. If that’s what you want, go find someone else, because our association will end right now.”
“There can’t be two alphas.”
She laughed. “There already are. And with you and me at odds, how long do you think it will take before my people realize that they gain nothing by having you as their leader, and everything by having me?”
His eyes narrowed, his body stance taut with tension. “Don’t threaten me, Katya.”
“Then don’t insult me by expecting me to be something I’m not, Conner.”
She heard the growl, low and menacing, but refused to budge. Yes, he could harm her physically, but she didn’t fear him. He’d never hurt her, no matter how angry she made him.
Though she wasn’t the type to lash out physically, either, and she had.
Conner obviously brought out the worst in her.
“I’d say we’ve reached an impasse,” she offered. “Please leave my room and don’t come back.”
“Gladly.” He turned on his heel and in two long strides was gone.
Katya exhaled and sat on the bed, her limbs trembling.
Whether from fear, misery or outright anger, she couldn’t tell.
But one thing was certain.
Neither of them had won that skirmish.
And she feared a war was coming.
* * * * *
“You did it again? Holy Christ, Conner, are you a glutton for punishment?”
Conner did his best to ignore Noah. Instead, he kept his focus on the paperwork on Katya’s desk, determined to figure out an angle that would work on the ministry.
“Elena told me what happened yesterday.”
“Remind me to have Elena sent to the far border of Braslieu land. She talks too much.”
“She’s Katya’s cousin, for God’s sake. Don’t you think the two of them speak? She’s also Katya’s beta and you know that gives her certain rights.”
Conner looked up at his brother. “Just whose side are you on here, bro? Mine, or Katya’s?”
“Yours, of course, except you’re doing it all wrong.”
“I took advice from you once. Unsolicited. Notice how I’m not soliciting it now?”
“I really think you should—”
“Look,” Conner said, rising from the chair and sliding the file folder shut. “I’ve taken all the “you shoulds” that I can handle. I’m not going to play meek puppy dog to placate the princess. She’s going to have to learn to adapt to change, just like everyone else around here.”
“You’re going to lose her, Con.”
Conner refused to be swayed by his brother’s statement. “If I do, I do. There’s plenty of pussy around here.” But even that statement left him feeling hollow and empty.
Noah shook his head. “Now you sound like me. And that’s not a good thing. Because you aren’t anything like me.”
“Thank God.”
“Keep it up, Con,” Noah said, heading for the door. “In record time, just about everyone here will be wishing you’d never set foot on Braslieu land. Including me.”
Conner winced at the slam of the heavy door.
The silence wasn’t as comforting as he’d hoped. The sun had long since departed, leaving the nearly full moon tormenting him through the window.
The pull grew stronger, as did his need.
For Katya.
He dropped his head into his heads and wished he was anywhere but here. It sure as hell seemed like he couldn’t win, no matter what he did.
“What the fuck is wrong with wanting to be an alpha?”
The moon offered no response.
A silvery cloud sailed across the three quarter moon, obliterating its light. Hell, even the moon had turned its back on him.
He’d never felt more alone in his life. Or more like a failure. He’d always been taught to handle those around him who wanted to dominate him. There was only room for one alpha in a pack, and he was alpha of this one. Not a very good one, though.
And for the life of him, he didn’t know what to do now. Nor did he have anyone to talk to about it. Not even Noah. Noah and he didn’t think the same way about things. They’d always been sun and moon, night and day. Opposites in so many ways, especially their philosophies. Funny, though, he’d expected Noah to stand behind him in this.
“I guess I’m just goddamned wrong about everything.”
“About goddamned time you figured that out, brother dear.”
He lifted his head, shocked at the voice he hadn’t expected to hear, especially in person.
Chantal.
“What are you doing here?”
She waltzed in looking fresh and beautiful as usual, her hair pulled back in a ponytail and looking
like she just walked off the pages of a glossy fashion magazine.
“Thanks so much for the welcome.” She set her briefcase down and came over to the desk to kiss his cheek. “You’re in deep trouble.”
“Who says?”
“Noah, for one. And he’s not one to call for help. And he sure as hell would never think to call me in unless it was a dire emergency.”
“There’s no emergency.”
Chantal crossed her arms. “Really? And how’s Katya? How much progress have you made with her and your current situation?”
He groaned. “Shit.”
“Going that well, huh?”
“The last thing I need is another pain in the ass alpha female in the mix.”
“Oh, but there’s a difference. I’m not the pain in the ass alpha female you’re in love with.”
He glared at her. “Who said I was in love with Katya?”
“I did.”
“You don’t even know her.”
“I don’t have to. I know you. The fact you’ve completely alienated her can mean only one thing. She’s gotten under your skin and you have no idea how to handle her. Because she isn’t your usual piece of fluff that you fuck, and she isn’t a part of the business that you can just deal with as you see fit.”
Sometimes he really hated Chantal’s insights. “So?”
Her grin brightened up the gloom in the office. “So I’m here to rescue you. Aren’t you just the luckiest sonofabitch on the face of the Earth?”
* * * * *
Katya may loathe Conner Devlin right now, but she was absolutely crazy in love with his sister, Chantal.
What complete opposites. Yes, Chantal was definitely an alpha female, but she had emotions. And she understood Katya’s plight.
What was even better, she agreed with her complaints about Conner.
“Yes, my brother is a huge pain in the ass. You’re very wise to discover that so quickly in the game. That says a lot about your intellect, Katya. Most people don’t figure that out until after he’s been around a while.”
They sat at the kitchen table drinking coffee and trading stories about Conner.
Thought Katya’s experience with him had been limited, she’d learned a lot about him in a short period of time. Though she hadn’t shared quite everything with Chantal. Namely, the passion that she’d experienced with Conner.