Alpha Awakening

by Diana DeRicci

  She’s asleep. Leave her alone.

  He knew he was literally yelling at himself, but apparently, no part of his rational mind was paying attention. The wolf hefted up on both paws and licked at her thigh and hip, nipping impatiently at the thin lace restricting him, wanting the treasure hidden beneath it, waiting for his female to come to him.

  Well hell, Rush wanted her too, but not like this.

  The wolf paused, then with a resigned sigh, clumped to the floor. Glad Rush had control, the wolf rubbed along the bed in compromise, leaving his scent, marking the bed and the occupant. It looked like his earlier decision to let her stay with friends, let her go, had been overruled.

  He’d never experienced such an animalistic hunger in his wolf, and had never reacted like this to any female, pack or otherwise. He wondered if she would accept his wolf, and then shook himself before letting the idea become a real, aching want. Why would she accept something she’d never even known existed? This was new ground and there was no way he was going to hurry it or her.

  He understood hierarchy and survival, but mating was new to Rush. Apparently, the wolf knew without a doubt. It was up to him to catch up.

  Chapter Six

  Kay lay in bed confused. She couldn’t see, and it only took a few minutes of full awareness to remind her why.

  Running a hand over her lower face, the pain was a dull throb now, the bandage a rough reminder of how the day before had gone for her. Sitting up at the edge of the bed, she hugged her arms around her. She didn’t know what time it was, if the sun was up, anything. It was more than a little frightening to have no concept of her world aside from what she could physically touch at the end of her fingers. She kept telling herself it was temporary, half scared she’d start screaming because of the total and complete darkness swimming before her mind.

  Carefully standing, she followed the room to the bathroom, managing to navigate the space without stubbing any toes, only cracking an elbow once on something more solid than herself. Running her hands along the walls, she found towels, then the sink. Good, she was going in the right direction.

  Ah ha! She found her goal. A few moments later, she was fussing with the sink, trying to run the water when she jostled something. Running her fingers over it, she realized it was a razor. Moving cautiously, waving her fingers mid-air, she also found a can of shaving cream and a couple other things that wouldn’t likely be in the spare room. A toothbrush and toothpaste. And hadn’t he pulled a shirt out of a drawer in the bedroom?

  Standing straight, she gasped lightly. Did he let her stay in his room? Why? She would have been fine in the spare. This felt so intimate. Without even trying, he’d managed to fluster her again. She could imagine him standing right where she was, a towel around his hips after a shower. Licking her lips, she shook her head, careful to not strain herself. Not good. No lusting after the knight in shining armor.

  Too late.

  He would stand right behind her, his shower-heated chest flush to her back, the thick, course sensation of his towel sliding along the backs of her thighs. The hard ridge of his cock would imprint her with his own need along her ass. Unhurried, simply enjoying the moment, he would play.

  Imagining his hands on her body and the rough pads of his fingers caressing her, sent tingles up and down her spine. Her nipples budded into aching points beneath the t-shirt, rubbing beneath the soft cotton. Her head tipped, feeling the exploratory touch over her breasts to tweak and play with them before he cupped each to tug at the nipple with just a twist of pain. The shock sent a jolt of awareness straight down to land with a pulse between her legs. She moaned breathlessly, gripping the edge of the sink to stay standing. Her legs trembled and liquid heat dampened her pussy.

  The warmth of his breath would flow over her neck, his lips and tongue teasing her the same way his fingers would, with flicks and nips of teeth and fingertips. The trail of his hand would linger on her stomach, tracing her bellybutton, making her squirm. Laving against her pulse with a slow, torturous tongue, his fingers would delve between her legs, gliding effortlessly into the moist folds of her sex. A shudder racked her frame as desire spilled into her bloodstream.

  “Oh, God,” she moaned. Shaking, she drew a breath, collecting herself. She was in his bathroom for heaven’s sake, daydreaming. A sexual daydream! And if she’d had even another two minutes, she was sure she could have orgasmed imagining his touch alone. Another slow inhale and she released the sink, her insides still quivering and needy. She felt flushed from her cheeks to her knees, but with each breath, she trembled less with wanting.

  Washing her hands as best as she could without seeing what she was doing, she blanked out the detailed pictures her imagination had kindly given her. She was only marginally successful.

  Shaking the water off her hands, she carefully turned, reaching for the towel she knew was close by, and instead, bumped into a hard set of abs.

  “Oh!” she squealed then stumbled a step, losing her balance at being taken by surprise, right into his arms. Warm and strong, he caught her. She swore she could feel herself melting from the surge of body heat between them. It went miles deeper than even his voice had gone the day before.

  “Sorry. I wasn’t trying to sneak up on you. I heard you moving around and wanted to make sure you were okay.”

  Her heart stuttered, and she fought to reset her equilibrium. Her brain was threatening to short circuit. She was pressed into the wall of his chest and stomach, her nose inhaling his scent of pure male and warmed cotton. A low purr formed in her throat. He felt so good. Without planning to, she rubbed her cheek against his chest, her arms winding around his waist naturally.

  She’d never in her life reacted to a guy like she did to Rush. He made her feel absolutely wanton.

  Horny, her mind supplied. Yeah, that too.

  The weight of his fingers sweeping across her back sizzled against already sparking nerves, recreating the delicious desire she’d imagined only a few short minutes before. Molding herself against him, her blood raged. Good God! Was that his…? She licked her lips unconsciously. It wasn’t small by any means, long and thick and… She knew she was drooling, drowning as her imagination and body left her restraint in the dust.

  “Kay?” Her name sounded strained. The racing of his heart thundered beneath her ear.

  Solid muscled thighs brushed against hers and her body went liquid. The urge to climb him like a tree and hang on blazed like a living need within her center.

  A low groan vibrated his ribs and his arms tightened, encircling her. “Kay, you’re killing me.” She felt him move as he bent practically in half to bury his face against her neck. “Sweet hell. You feel good.”

  The ridge beneath his jeans pulsed against her stomach, and she swore her knees turned to water. Hot and panting, she clung tighter, swept up in the desire he created. She was so wet; she ached with the need to be filled.

  Firm but gentle, his hands slid down her back and palmed her ass, squeezing lightly. A hummed sound of appreciation rose from him. “Damn, you’re perfect. Freaking tiny, but so perfect.”

  “Gymnastics,” she managed, nuzzling against him any way she could without causing herself pain.

  A slow hiss was his answer. His next groan turned into a low growl and his hands braced her, lifted her and she naturally hooked her legs around his waist. He took two steps and sat on the bed, holding her over him, the movement pressing her pussy flush to the ridge of his cock. She couldn’t hold back the whimpering moan. Sliding against him, she arched. The friction of his jeans to her underwear was sending her right out of her mind.

  Stiff fingers slid upward into her hair, his other hand on her waist. “Do you want to come, baby?”

  Did she! Her lips quivered and her pussy clenched, the hoarse words bitten off with his hunger right in front of her. She moaned low, wishing she could see, wishing she could kiss him. Instead, she simply nodded her head, rocking her hips over his pelvis in determined, obvious answer.

/>   Rough as sandpaper, his voice filled her ears. “Then do it, Kaisha. Let me feel your pleasure.”

  Riding her hips against his body, she arched, her spine tightening like a crossbow being pulled to fire. The fingers gently massaging her scalp held her steady, holding her weight as she felt the slide of his other hand, caressing and learning. Fire spread in his wake. She almost screamed out loud when he inched fingers beneath the edge of her damp panties.

  “Shit, you’re soaked.”

  She trembled violently, a storm breaking over her when he found her hardened clit. Her world shrank to the ecstasy of his hand teasing her, the burning desire launching through her system as he stroked her.

  “Oh, yeah, you like that. Ride it, baby. I want to taste you so bad,” he told her gruffly.

  Sensitive nipples stroked against his hard chest through the two shirts, sending a flurry of sparks into her brain. Sweeping across her nub with swift strokes, shocks stole her sanity. She couldn’t help herself. Grinding against his cock, his fingers sliding up and down her slick pussy, the orgasm she craved came barreling down on her. The rise and fall of his hips urged her, pushed her closer and closer.

  The pleasure of his fingers filling her channel sent her careening out of control. His groan became buried when he pressed his face into the crook of her neck. She snapped her arms around his shoulders, clutching at him. Sliding and pumping into her pussy, she milked the stiff digits, tightening around him with each stroke. Fireworks erupted behind her closed eyes at the pressure, the rough of his knuckles streaking fire through her veins. He was going to make her fly right out of his arms with the intense pleasure. The heat of his tongue sliding beneath her ear sent her to another level. Teeth, lips and tongue. It was too much.

  Without warning, her entire body flared like a roman candle, hot, achy and hungry. The heated essence of her cream coated his hand in ecstasy. The liquid sensation against her own sensitive skin sent her plummeting over the edge again in a blast of euphoric light.

  He panted her name, scissoring his fingers, demanding every last ounce of satisfaction from her body until he finally let them slide free of her sheath. He felt so good, his solid body holding her steady. Arms and chest cradling her protectively. She felt utterly relaxed within his embrace. Then he surprised her by pressing tender kisses to the side of her neck, as though relishing her. Kay almost sighed in contentment.

  “I want to kiss you so bad right now,” he told her. “I didn’t hurt you, did I?”

  Concern stilled his body until she was able to answer him. Gasping for breath, she shook her head. His solid frame supported her noodle-limp length beneath her unmoving hold. A pleased murmur was joined with a tightening of his arms. The warmth of his body aligned with hers felt so good, so right.

  “Rush?”

  If he was relaxed beneath her, the call of his name from somewhere in the house hardened him into a wall of concrete. A deep breath stretched his chest. Standing carefully, he placed Kay on her feet, readjusted her shirt, making sure her hair was in place.

  “Just a minute, Sheridan.”

  Shit! His sister! Flames crawled up Kay’s face. She’d completely forgotten they weren’t alone. And she’d practically jumped his bones! Was the door even closed? The heat in her cheeks spread.

  A very light finger pressed to her lips. “Don’t. I’m a big boy, and she’s going to have to learn to deal with me being grown up.”

  She gulped, mortified. How could she do that? She almost lost total control. Almost, nothing! she scolded herself. Once he’d wrapped his arms around her, the entire world had disappeared. The heat of his body had stolen into her, and she’d been swept up into the moment. That wasn’t like her at all. She’d never reacted like that to any other man. She’d had one long term relationship that fell apart and she didn’t care to repeat it. That was before she met Steven, and being cautious hadn’t pushed for more with him. She wasn’t the kind to risk her heart. After yesterday, she was grateful for her own reticence. Then what the hell just happened? she inwardly shrieked at herself.

  “Kaisha,” he murmured. The petal soft press of his lips to hers froze her thoughts, reminding her where she stood, and with whom. “I can’t wait to kiss you senseless, woman.” It was a growled promise that totally belied the gentleness of his lips.

  Kay knew she’d be anticipating that moment with barely controlled impatience now. She wanted his kiss and so much more, more that she shouldn’t be wanting at all. No, it wasn’t fair, and she knew it wasn’t right.

  Drawing a steadying breath, she didn’t fight when he twined his fingers through hers. This was temporary. She would be going home soon or Stacee would get her. Kay didn’t have a heart to offer him, and somehow letting things go further felt wrong because she couldn’t love him.

  Being wrong or right had little leeway though. She couldn’t remember the last time her body had felt so satisfied, so complete. It was a dangerous lure. What she refused to admit fully was how much she did want Rush. How much she wanted the gentle man who made her feel whole and wanted. It was a temptation she couldn’t succumb to, either the man or the feelings he generated.

  Chapter Seven

  Rush held her hand in his, guiding her to the living room where he knew Sheridan waited. One glance at his sister and her frown deepened, her nostrils flaring at the scent he knew she’d find. He hadn’t bothered to try to hide it. Rush didn’t want to. For the longest time, Sheridan had acted the older sister to him, but from here on out, it stopped. He had no idea how to deal with Kay, but she was his. The wolf knew and now, without a doubt, he knew it. The remainder of the equation had no room for his sister's condescension. He was going to have a hard enough time from here on forward without his sister pressuring him.

  Sheridan was six years younger than him and had taken a lot of the personal responsibility between them as he learned how to be alpha. Some were born, some were made. He was the latter. He was quieter, a thinker, and only aggressive when needed. Alphas he’d known had all been ‘king of the mountain’ men. The old alpha had been for decades. Rush had never asked for the position and hadn’t seen himself as one, but his wolf was one hundred percent alpha and a bad ass in a fight. He was growing into the leadership and honestly hadn’t ever planned on mating. It disturbed the balance he’d worked so hard to find and maintain.

  He owed his sister a lot for that. It hit him hard suddenly. She didn’t like Kay; not because she was another woman in his life, though that was huge, but because she feared Kay would take her place.

  Damn. This was why Rush liked things a little more planned out. He could deal with upheavals, if he could prepare.

  Unfortunately, nothing on this planet could have prepared him for Kay.

  She halted at his side when he stopped walking. No sense in putting off the inevitable. “Sheridan, this is Kay Noelles.”

  His sister gave Rush a glacial stare, speaking to him. “It’s nice to meet you, Kay.”

  And you lie like a rug, he thought, meeting her gaze without flinching. A shallow heat flickered to life in his gut when she refused to speak directly to Kay. He narrowed his gaze at his sister. If Kay was his mate, his sister would have to learn to respect her. Rush wasn’t even aware of the bristling of his spine while he locked gazes with his sister.

  “Hi,” Kay replied, then a little stronger, added, “Thank you for letting me stay with you.” Kay tipped her head as though in contemplation, her body relaxed at his side, but alert. “You don’t want me here, do you?”

  Sheridan blinked, apparently unprepared for her candor. “It’s not my place to disagree with my brother.” Sheridan crossed her arms, a cool dismissal on her face, telling him she didn’t have to do anything—speak to or respect the woman at his side—if she didn’t want to.

  “Bullpuckey,” Kay muttered. “If it’s your house, you have a right, too.” She tipped to essentially be looking at him. It was weird with the bandage over her eyes, but he was willing to bet she knew perfectly well
where he was. Sadly, she let her hand slip from his. He wanted her warmth back. “I told you if it was a problem, I could go somewhere else, or even stay at home.”

  Sheridan rolled her eyes. Rush recognized her impatience. “Bullpuckey back at you. You’re blinder than a bat.”

  Kay turned toward Sheridan’s voice, a frown daring to twist those lips he’d barely tasted. They’d lost the puffy look and he swore he was counting the minutes to really taste them. Was it fair that after the pleasure he’d shared with her in his room, she made him feel like the horniest of teenagers? He sincerely didn’t think so. He wanted her, too much, but keeping his sister from disrespecting her in front of him was keeping his attention divided.

  “Worse. They at least can squeak at walls before splatting on them.”

  This was said with such a disgusted deadpan note that Rush had to hold his breath to not laugh out loud.

  “That bad, huh?” Sheridan asked with a silent sneer.