by J. S. Scott
"No, Gavin. I don't. I haven't--"
"No man has ever pleasured you with his tongue?" he questioned harshly.
"No. Never" She had only been with one man, and it had been mildly pleasant after she lost her virginity, but never like this. And Gavin had barely touched her. "Fuck me. Please."
"I'll be the first man to pleasure you this way, make you scream with pleasure." His voice was possessive, filled with male satisfaction.
Her whole body quivering with need, Faith begged, "Please, fuck me." His face was so close to her vulnerable pussy that she could feel his hot breath wafting over her sensitive flesh, tickling the neatly cropped hairs on her mound. A little anxious about the unknown, she wasn't sure if she wanted this.
"Got to taste you. I can't wait another second. Need my tongue on you, satisfying you."
And Gavin didn't wait. His hot mouth lowered to her quivering pink flesh, the first touch of his tongue pure carnal pleasure. Faith cried out as he first lapped at her folds, growling into pussy as he sipped at her cream, before exploring the hidden pink flesh, delving deeper and deeper, before finally burying his face completely.
His hands parted her folds, exposing her vulnerable, pulsating clit. Faith forgot everything, including her hesitation to let Gavin perform this act that was somehow more intimate than her previous sexual encounters. She cried out his name as he his tongue expertly circled her tiny bud, teasing her into a state of insanity, before it finally stroked over her clit.
"Oh, God. Gavin," she moaned, her whole body quivering with sensation.
His tongue delved deep, flicking relentlessly at her clit. Faith could feel her body tensing, her channel clenching, and her need to climax becoming crucial to her sanity.
Faith rolled her head from side to side, moaning helplessly. "Gavin, I need to--"
She never finished the statement. His teeth gently latched onto her clit, securing it, holding it captive for his tongue to flick and lave, quickly, over and over, until she exploded. "Oh God" She groaned as her whole body went up in flames.
She arched her back, speared her fingers into Gavin's hair, pulling his head against her pussy as she rode out the waves of ecstasy that were crashing over her like a tidal wave.
He stretched the climax out, taking his time to lap every drop of cream from her pussy. Then he pulled her limp and pliant body up and into his arms, cradling her against his chest. Gavin was breathing rapidly, panting against her ear, his whole body shaking.
Instinctively, she cuddled closer, her arms around his neck, her head resting against his strong shoulder. Taking a deep breath, she inhaled his masculine scent, letting it flow across her senses.
Although his tongue had just given her the most incredible climax she had ever had, her body still craved him, needed him to take her, even though she was drowsy, sated.
Gavin stood with Faith in his arms, sprinted up a flight of stairs and shouldered open a door, lowering her gently onto a massive bed. The room was lit only by moonlight, but she could see the outline of the bed frame and she nearly purred as her naked skin was enveloped in soft flannel sheets.
"Sleep," he commanded, as though just saying the word should make it so.
Confused, she looked up at his shadowy face. "Don't you want to...aren't you going to--"
"Want to?...Yes. Going to?...No." His voice sounded pained.
He wasn't going to relieve himself. Why? Had he lost his desire?
"Hell, no...I haven't lost my desire. I want you so fucking bad that my balls are blue and my cock is about to explode. I just...can't." His voice was harsh, tortured. He turned and left the room, muttering another curse as he exited the door.
Faith snuggled into the warm sheets and comforter, feeling rejected, an ache in her chest. It wasn't a feeling she was unfamiliar with, but with Gavin, the pain was almost unbearable.
I'm not rejecting you, Faith. I want you more than I've ever wanted anything in my life. And I've lived on this earth for over three hundred and fifty years.
Faith was startled when she heard Gavin’s voice...inside her head. Holy crap! She looked fruitlessly around the shadowy bedroom, knowing that she was hearing him inside her mind, but looking around anyway, residual disbelief still nagging at her. She leaned back, resting her head on the pillow and sighed deeply. She could feel him stirring inside her head, his presence almost palpable, even though he had left the room. "More Changeling magic?" she whispered, letting go of scientific fact that she held as truth, opening herself to the possibility of things that couldn't be explained by biological data.
Yes. You're my mate. We can read each other, speak with our minds. Your ex-boyfriend was an asshole.
She should probably be pissed that he was invading her privacy, delving into every detail of her history. Normally, she would be angry, but as his essence floated through her brain, it felt...natural. "I know. Two years of my life wasted." She spoke audibly, still not sure how to send him messages or thoughts. She couldn't read him either.
I'm sorry about your mother. And you don't have to take another two years to write your thesis. You can study me.
Faith's mother had been a single parent, her father a loser who had never had any interest in her. Losing her mother to cancer five years ago had nearly destroyed her. "Thanks. It was a pretty tough time for me."
It was more than that and you know it. You suffered.
Faith smiled. Gavin sounded angry, as though he was personally responsible for her sorrow. "I did. But I try to remember the happy times now. What do you mean that I can study you?"
You need a large mammal to study. I'm a wolf. You can do your thesis on timber wolves. I can provide whatever data you need, any samples or blood. I'll even take you to observe the packs, although I can tell you anything you need to know about wolf behavior. I'm sort of an...expert.
She bit her lip, trying not to laugh. He was indeed an expert, probably the world's foremost authority, because he actually was a wolf.
I'm also a man. His comment was low, hoarse, and slightly vulnerable.
Yeah, and didn't she know it. She shuddered, remembering the feel of his massive erect cock pressing against her core. Gavin was all alpha male, and so damn hot that all he had to do was look at her with those intense I-want-to-fuck-you-now blue eyes and she melted. "I might take you up on that offer. To help me study timber wolves. I've always had an affinity for wolves. I guess now I know why."
He laughed, an amused sexy chuckle. I'll help you. Now sleep.
"I should go home," she muttered quietly, her eyes growing heavy.
Don't even think about it. There's no way you're going back to that crime-infested, shithole of an apartment. It's not safe. You're staying right here where I can protect you.
Okaaaay...that bossy proclamation should have really pissed her off, but instead, it made her feel safe. She'd been alone most of her adult life, except for friends, with no one to tell her what to do, not needing to seek approval from anyone else but herself. But Gavin's protective, possessive behavior blanketed itself around her, wrapping her in warmth and shelter.
Get used to it. The gruff comment was almost a growl.
"You're awfully bossy. I'm not sure I like that." Problem was, she did like it, especially the sexual dominant that she’d glimpsed briefly. She liked Gavin and all his alpha male behavior. Honestly, it turned her on completely. Luckily, his bossy behavior didn't really bother her, as long as he didn't try to get controlling in every aspect of her life. She understood male alpha characteristics. It was something he was born with, a part of his personality. She didn't yet understand Changelings, but she did understand natural born instincts.
I can compromise. But not on issues of safety. You're staying.
Somehow, Faith had a feeling that his idea of compromise was to bring the other person around to his way of thinking. She'd be fine with the safety thing, but if he thought he was going to tell her what to do all the time, he was sadly mistaken. Alpha or not, she was not going t
o let him push her around on every issue.
I don't always need to have my own way. But I want you safe.
Faith could hear the sincerity in his voice. Safety really was his issue, and she sighed. No doubt they would butt heads, but time would tell whether he could really compromise.
Sleep.
The command was abrupt and not at all subtle. Yep. He definitely needed some work on his ability to settle differences amiably instead of barking orders.
Please sleep. You need the rest.
He grumbled the request, but it was definitely an improvement. "What about you?" she asked, wondering if he was in another bed.
I'm nocturnal. It's the middle of my day. I'm working in my office downstairs.
Yawning, she answered sleepily, "What do you do?"
My last name is Lancaster. I'm one of the owners of Lancaster International.
Faith's eyes widened and her jaw dropped. Good Lord, one of the Lancaster brothers? She'd lived in this area all her life even though she had spent time away for her studies, and she'd have to be a hermit not to know about the Lancasters. "You're filthy rich." The statement popped out of her mouth before she could censor it.
You have a problem with that?
Faith could almost visualize him raising a brow in question, his handsome face scowling. "No. Not particularly. I'm just surprised to learn that the Lancasters are actually werewolves. You don't learn something like that every day."
I'm a Changeling. Not a werewolf. I'm not particularly thrilled to be associated with an urban myth from bad horror movies.
Faith snickered, amused by Gavin’s arrogance about his species. "Okay. I'll attempt to refrain from using that moniker."
She rolled over in the enormous bed, cocooning herself in the warmth of the covers. Eyes heavy, she snuggled with her pillow, wishing she had Gavin there to keep her warm. She felt his mind brush against hers, a gentle touch of comfort, of warmth. She didn't even really know him, but she missed him.
I miss you too, Faith. Sleep. I'll always keep you safe.
His words filtered through her mind, spreading a pleasant heat throughout her body, lulling her into a place of security, and peace.
With a small smile on her lips, she slept.
*****
Three weeks later, Gavin woke at twilight, his cock hard and his heart aching, barely able to contain his urge to seek out his mate, to see Faith. He knew she was awake. He could sense her alertness with his mind, her happiness. She was obviously doing something that brought her joy, which was not an uncommon occurrence. Over the last few weeks, he had learned that his mate had a stubborn will to make the best out of any situation, an inner strength that never ceased to amaze him.
Smiling, he stretched and jumped out of bed, anxious to be with her, wondering how he had ever lived without her laughter, her softness, her very presence.
I still haven't asked her to bond with me, to be my mate.
Truth was, he wasn't sure what would happen if she didn't agree. He couldn't get close to her without the severe agitation of the mating instinct, and the frustration got harder to bear every moment he spent in her company. However he couldn't, not be in her company, not be close to her. It hurt either way, and he had decided that if he was going to fucking hurt, he would do it surrounded in her essence, hearing her sexy voice, her laughter.
Feeling her need nearly drove Gavin over the edge, his pounding desire to sate her nearly killing him. But he knew if he crossed that line again, as he had the first night, there would be no turning back, no second chances. If he scared the shit out of her with the intensity of his desire, took her like a rabid animal, he might lose his chance to have her as his mate for all eternity.
Can't risk it. It would kill me.
He knew that this time, he was doubly-screwed. Not only were his mating instincts so strong that they made him doubt that Lena had ever truly been the right mate for him, but he was fighting his emotions, a love for Faith so strong that it turned him inside out, upside down and slightly sideways.
Shaking his head slightly, he sent a silent apology to his two brothers for every time he had laughed at them for being mated, for having to cater to their mates' every desire. Now, he knew exactly why they did it, and did it with a smile on their faces. If Faith would allow him the privilege of being her mate, he would let her lead him around by his cock quite happily, loving every moment of doing things that pleased her, that made her happy. Her happiness was also his, making it his pleasure, literally, to see to her every need.
That's how it should be, how mating should be. Finally, he understood Rafe and Noah. He understood the complete ecstasy of having a mate. He could only imagine what it would be like if Faith actually bonded with him. He'd feel like the luckiest bastard in the world.
Gavin showered and dressed casually in a pair of jeans and a t-shirt. He passed Faith's room, his room, on his way downstairs. At least he had the comfort of knowing she was sleeping in his bedroom, his bed. His cock throbbed painfully, thinking about her rolling around naked in his bed. Okay, maybe it wasn't such a comfort, but it did give him a certain male satisfaction.
He heard her before he saw her. There was music playing in the living room and she was singing off-key along with the music. Really, it was pretty adorable, and Gavin's smile broadened, until he realized exactly what she was singing.
Christmas music! Fuck! No! Deck The Halls!
His stomach rolled and his face turned to stone as he smelled the scent of pine.
Fa la la la la la la la la.
Gavin strode immediately to the stereo, hitting the button to stop the annoying song, slamming the off button much harder than necessary.
"Gavin? Are you okay? Did I wake you?" Her voice was soft, comforting.
He glared at his mate, taking in her festive holiday sweater and Santa hat. And then, he saw the tree. It was a monster, at least eight feet, half decorated with colorful balls, almost all of them a ghastly red and green.
"I wanted to surprise you. I love Christmas and I noticed you haven't had the time to decorate." Her voice was hesitant, obviously not sure what to make of his behavior.
He couldn't help himself. "I fucking hate Christmas. I hate red and green. I hate the smell of pine, Christmas trees and Christmas music. I despise gingerbread and Christmas cookies." He took a deep breath, his face red with fury. "I don't like the way malicious people act jolly for one month out of the year, and then go back to being assholes after the first of January." He hesitated before adding vehemently, "And I loathe Santa Claus."
Gavin was breathing hard, his chest heaving with emotion. He lifted his head, his gaze raking over his mate. He could feel her horror, see it on her face, the look in her eyes.
Just like Lena. Just like Lena. It was the same expression he had seen twenty years ago from his selected mate, only this time, instead of the twinge of disappointment he had experienced when Lena had rejected him, he was utterly destroyed by seeing that same look on Faith's beloved face. He jerked his head away, unable to look at her.
She fucking hates me now!
Gavin was catapulted back in time, twenty years in the past, to Lena's room, where he had painfully broken the mating connection while Lena slept. Her room had been decorated with every imaginable Christmas decoration and he had fought through the fires of hell, the scent of pine surrounding him. Every so often he would hear the sound of tinkling bells and Christmas music chiming the hour on her Christmas clock. He didn't know how often he had heard the music, how many hours had passed, losing track of time as fire devoured his body and soul, burning him alive.
When it was over, he had stumbled through the house, knowing he had to escape before his presence was discovered and the sun began to rise. But leaving had not been easy; he’d been unable to use his magic due to the precarious hour close to dawn and his depleted condition. His only option had been to drag himself out of the home on foot, every step agony, every movement torture.
Christmas w
as torment and he hated every single thing that reminded him of that night twenty years ago.
"Gavin. Are you all right?" Faith's voice was concerned. Agitated.
No! He wasn't fucking all right. He would never be all right. After seeing the look on Faith's face, knowing what he would have to go through to break the mating connection with her, he'd never survive.
"Gavin, you're scaring me. Please talk to me."
He couldn't look at her, couldn’t speak to her. Gavin felt like his heart had been cut from his chest and ripped forcefully from his body, leaving him raw and bleeding. His legs gave way, forcing him to sit on the sofa. He closed his eyes and allowed his head to rest against the back of the couch. The scent of pine, the tree, the music had triggered so many painful memories. But reliving the most excruciating hours of his life was nothing compared to seeing the look on Faith's face, the realization that he was going to lose her. Hell, breaking the connection with Lena would seem like a little bitch slap compared to losing Faith.
Faith is my true mate, the woman who should have been chosen for me. Lena was a mistake, Changeling magic gone wrong.
His wolf howled in agreement, a horrible jarring yowl of despair that echoed in Gavin's soul.
*****
Faith kneeled at Gavin's feet, feeling helpless. His face looked ravaged, and the pain she saw clawed at her.
Placing her hand softly on his thigh, she closed her eyes, concentrating on penetrating his thoughts. Gavin had worked on helping her to connect, to share thoughts with her. Maybe it was intrusive when he was obviously upset, but she was desperate to help him, to ease his discomfort. She wasn't sure if it was caused by the mating instinct or the fact that she had fallen head over heels in love with the handsome werewolf, but she didn't give a shit. Something was wrong and she needed to help him.
She flinched as she broke through the barrier, delving into his thoughts and memories. Bombarded, she focused, filtering through over three hundred years of memories, concentrating on only the last several minutes.