Red (VonRouge Book 1)

by Jacqueline Noir

  With a wink, Tanner grabs the extra pencil on my desk. “Thanks, baby.”

  A few students laugh, like it’s an inside joke, but no one seems shocked by his behavior toward the new girl.

  My mouth opens and shuts, clueless of what to say to him.

  Slowly, I turn to face the board since I’m not even sure how to react to what just happened. Everything I thought was a vivid dream had actually happened, and I allowed Tanner to do those things to my body.

  He’s a freaking werewolf, and no one seems to know the truth but me.

  I want to run . . . I want to stay right here, close to him, and touch him again.

  Warm breath fans my neck. My eyelids flutter then lower. “Baby, you look so fucking pretty when you blush. Are you thinking of our nights together?” Tanner asks quietly; only I can hear him, although I know all eyes are on us. “I can smell you. But you have to try to control it, baby. I’m not the only one that can smell you. That’s mine. . . It drives me fucking crazy knowing that’s all for me. ” He nips my ear, then leans back in his chair.

  A shudder rolls down my spine and straight to my core. Is it possible to come just from words alone? If so, I’m pretty sure with a few more whispered words from Tanner, I’ll have an orgasm in front of everyone in this class.

  Class continues for the next forty-five minutes. The whole time, I struggle to remain calm and not bolt of the room. Tanner Snow is not only a werewolf with a preternatural hold on me, but he goes to the same college as me. Shit, this is probably not the only class we share.

  I try to focus on the class, I really do, but it’s pointless. What the professor taught this class period goes in one ear and out the other.

  I don’t risk looking over at Tanner, or at any other students for that matter. Something he said, though, nags at my mind: he isn’t the only one who can smell me? What does that mean? Are there others like him? These thoughts race through my mind, distracting me from anything else.

  The slamming of textbooks brings me out of my thoughts. Not wasting a second, I bolt out of class, shoving my notebook in my shoulder bag, racing down the walkway as quickly as I can without full on sprinting. Students separate like the Red Sea—no doubt because Tanner is following right behind me. I feel each step he’s takes deep down in my bones.

  Wandering down the stone halls, I finally find a door that looks to lead outside. He’s still following me.

  Good. Now that my fear of him and my reactions to him are starting to recede, I know this is my chance. This is my opportunity to get answers. Answers I deserve after the way he just barreled into my life and changed everything.

  Open space seems the best for the inevitable discussion we are about to have.

  Rushing through the door, I search for refuge on the side of the building. Not completely out of sight from someone who might walk by, but secluded enough that we can speak without being heard. I’m not about to admit out loud, in the vicinity of others, that I rode Tanner’s fingers, and not to just one, but multiple orgasms, all while believing I was hallucinating him.

  Nor do I want anyone overhearing that he is a damn werewolf, who chased and bite me . . . that I suspect I might be turning into a beast that likes to bite, too.

  On one hand, I’m justifiably frightened of what Tanner is, in wolf form and human form. Add in what he did that night after he chased me, and what happened the following nights, it all makes for one hot mess of emotions.

  I have no choice but to get myself together before I face Tanner and demand my answers.

  I stop, turning to face him as he approaches, all six feet of him, in those dark jeans and black button up.

  “Bad boy” does not even begin to describe what Tanner is; he defines the word monster in every box that is available to be checked. My fear is if I don’t handle this correctly, it can literally bite me in the ass; specifically Tanner could eat me alive or claw my skin off. Besides changing into a giant paranormal creature, he carries an edge that separates him from anyone I have ever known. A part of me knows that in his world he reigns; his word is law.

  On the other hand, though there is this large piece of me that trembles in sexual anticipation at his dominance, especially when I see his fists clench and his eyes flash darker as he gets near.

  I face away, trembling, but I can’t resist staring at him. Not for long.

  Glancing through my hair, I watch as Tanner leans nonchalantly against the dark, stone wall of the school. His eyes, though, tell a different story; calculating, demanding. My eyes graze down his body, taking a long look through my lowered lashes. I know he sees each tiny movement I make. I don’t know how I know, but I sense it.

  Almost like he understands I need a moment to gather my thoughts, he stands their patiently, waiting.

  Beyond thoughts, scattered as they are, some deep part of my body, down to the blood pumping through my veins, screams for him.

  Both the wolf and the man.

  I once again start pacing, shaking my head, chewing on my bare thumbnail, and trying to make sense of what is happening to me. Is this a subconscious rebellious act? Was this that mental breaking point people talked about when someone experiences great loss? Who can have these feelings for someone they don’t know? A werewolf, to be specific.

  I feel like I’m going crazy.

  “Sadie.”

  My head jerks up. He’s watching me, his eyes hooded. Intense. Hungry. I gasp, taking a step back. My cheeks are hot as a blush rises up them; even him saying my name causes my body to go haywire.

  I stare at Tanner as he pushes off the wall, closing in on me. Instead of walking right to me though, he circles around me like an animal stalking its prey before going in for the kill. Coming up behind me, he stops, just a mere inch away from touching me. I swear I can feel his chest against my back and warmth radiates from him, blanketing me in bliss.

  Involuntarily, my eyes close, and I take a moment to enjoy the sense of peace that Tanner seems to bring me. Like shots of lighting, my skin begins humming with an energy itching to break out. It’s insane but I have never felt more alive in my life than at this moment.

  “Staying away from you has been killing me. I’ve missed you. Smelling you.” His nose runs along my hair as he breathes me in as if he is cataloging my scent to his memory. “Your scent is so fucking succulent. I could just dip my fingers in you and savor each and every drop.”

  Stuck in this tug of war between right and wrong, sane and insane, I step away from his furnace of a body, putting space between us. Leaning against the wall, I try to catch my breath and regain some control. I can’t focus on how much I want him—how much I missed him, too.

  The silence feels tangible as it lingers between us.

  “Why?” I ask. One question. Many answers.

  A smirk forms on his tragically handsome face. Walking forward, he closes the space between us, laying a hand on my cheek. Just like his chest, his hand is scorching hot on my skin, drawing the tingles to a new height on that specific area of skin. The air in my lungs feels as if it is evaporating out of my pores. Tanner’s body is something unnatural with his devastating height, strength and features that could make angels weep.

  He draws me in; mind, body and soul.

  Tanner towers over my short stature. Our past encounters all occurred while I was under a haze—or while we were both horizontal—so I never realized how much taller he is in comparison.

  Even the smallest second of recalling our nights together has that familiar shiver running down my spine, making my pussy clench in desperate need of something to fill it, something only Tanner can provide.

  That smirk of his grows into a smile, and for the first time, I realize he has dimples.

  “Don’t worry about things like ‘why’, baby. All you need to worry about is when I finally sink my dick in you, you’re going to feel what we are to each other.” Hands grip my hips, pulling me fast, connecting our bodies on all available surfaces. I gasp again at the connection, my
body igniting. His eyes grow darker, hungrier, drawing me in. “Fuck yeah, I missed you baby. I knew you would come to me. My mother always told me I would find a mate when I least expected it. But damn. There you were. Sexier than I imagined. I waited fucking forever for you.”

  His hands slipped around my hips, his tight grip lifting my body to him. I could feel every inch of him. My back drags up the rough brick wall as he pulls me up. His hands make their way from my hips to my ass, squeezing down. Thought vanishes. All I can do is feel him. My legs wrap around his waist, bringing him closer.

  Our eyes remain focused on each other. I battle between wanting him closer, as close as I can get him, or keeping enough distance between us to look into those bewitching gray eyes. Strong fingers knead my denim-clad flesh, gripping to the point that I’m sure there will be marks later.

  My skin still holds the faint black and blue imprints of his hands; the only evidence I had that he visited me in the night. Even with those marks, I still struggled with the encounters being a reality.

  Not anymore. This male is very, very real, and he’s driving me absolutely insane. I shouldn’t allow him to touch me this way—I’m going to kill him if he even thinks of stopping. Not seeing him for so long had left me desperate.

  “Where did you go?” I need to know why he stopped coming to me at night.

  A dark wave of possessiveness rolls through his eyes. A shiver of lust rushes through my body.

  Tanner moves forward, creating pressure in between my thighs. My chest arches into him. Sniffing me once more, he starts to place kisses with gentle nips along my jaw line and down my neck. The lower he goes, the higher my hips rise; the bite mark begins to heat up to the point I’m sure fire has to be rolling off my skin. Sharp teeth scrape along my skin, causing a moan to pass through my lips.

  “Don’t worry about where I went. I won't be leaving you again. Ever. I fixed our fucking pesky ass problem. Now nothing can stop us from being together. From me loving every fucking inch of you.” And with those final words, his teeth bite down into my tender skin. I can feel the blood coursing through my veins at such a fast pace, loud whooshing sounds taking over my ears.

  Opening my eyes, I’m level with Tanner’s neck as he bends down. Veins pulse in his neck, showcasing a blue pattern on his tan skin. I’m fixated on the rhythmic thump making those blue lines protrude from his skin. My mind switches off and a raw hunger takes over as every beat of his heart echoes inside my head.

  Knowing his blood is pumping brings a strange erotic sensation inside me.

  Thump. Thump. Thump.

  An inferno ignites inside of me. I can’t take my eyes off his pounding artery. Each beat torpedoes through me. My body arches toward him, my clit pulsating in rhythm.

  His blood is running, flowing and crawling through every inch of him; those exact thoughts make me want to run my tongue along each vein and artery. To take him into my mouth and feel that energy coursing through him dance along my teeth like a musician playing the drums.

  My fingers grip onto Tanners biceps as they flex with each movement his fingers make. He may be a wolf, but right now he is coiled like a viper waiting to strike.

  Before I can comprehend what I’m saying, words start tumbling out of mouth. Words that make absolutely no freaking sense. “Don't ever leave me. Take me wherever you go.”

  My words seemed to have startled him; he pulls back, studying my eyes to see if I’m telling the truth. He must see what he needs to satisfy him that I’m being honest. That I’m open to this and taking a leap of faith on fate. That, as much as I’m going to regret it—as fucking crazy as it is—this thing between us is stronger than I am.

  I can’t fight the pull—the instinct; I can’t imagine being without him anymore.

  “You don’t ever have to worry about ever being alone. You are mine. I claimed you once and I will do it again.”

  Quicker than I can process, I’m thrown over Tanner's shoulder as he takes us into the forest that surrounds the school.

  His long legs make quick work of putting enough distance between us and the prying eyes of the other students. “Your skin is mine; no one else sees you.”

  What? Is he planning on . . . on . . . Nerves break through my arousal as I realize what he’s most likely planning to do with me.

  To me.

  That heat roars to life inside me, almost destroying that little voice of sense.

  He storms forward at full speed, and all I can see from my upside position is his lower back, the curve of his muscular ass as it flexes with each step in those dark jeans, and the forest floor as he stampedes through it. I can’t help bracing my hands against his lower back, feeling the rippling of muscles beneath my fingers.

  Just as I’m about to ask him where exactly is he taking me, he lowers me from his shoulder, pinning me against a tree with his hips pressed to mine. I don’t have time to react. Warm hands roam over my entire body in search of bare skin.

  Making quick work of my coat, Tanner moves on to remove the next article of clothing. In one fell swoop, my shirt is on the ground. His eyes go dark. I gasp and arch against the trunk of the tree, my entire body reacting to the look on his face.

  He pauses for a moment. I catch my breath while goose bumps trail along the path of his finger as it slides down from my collarbone toward my bra strap.

  His eyes follow the path his finger just took. He pauses once again when he sees my bra, what looks like excitement flashing across his features. Slowly a sinful smirk pops those dimples out and I’m breathless all over again. “Red? Never would’ve thought.” Lightly, he trails his finger right above where my bra ends, caressing the swell of my breast. “It’s a fucking sexy color on you.”

  A blush creeps up my chest to my cheeks. This isn’t the first time I’m naked in front of Tanner, but it’s the first time in the daylight. The first time it’s happening and I’m fully aware.

  There’s no second guessing. No wondering if this is real. An odd sense of relief mixes in with everything else I’m feeling.

  He leans back into me, holding my stare until the very last second. Teeth drag down my skin to the valley between my breasts as his hands squeeze them together. Pain and pleasure shoot through every nerve in my chest, tearing a whimper out of me.

  Thinking about him marking my body again—leaving behind those bruises of his fingerprints I’d woken up with—sends a violent flutter through me. Excitement. Hunger. I need more. I need his marks all over me.

  Cupping the back of his head, I arch forward, offering him more of my skin, He growls low in his throat, biting down on the bottom my neck.

  I moan, almost coming right here. My head lolls back against the tree while my breasts push forward, straining for more of his rough touch. I drop my hands, fisting the front of his shirt and trying to pull him closer.

  He rolls his hips into me, sucking on my skin softly.

  I cry out, feeling like I’m going mad.

  Every move he makes is precise and effortless; unlike my trembling hands, which make unbuttoning his shirt difficult. Here I am topless while Tanner is still fully dressed.

  A desperate sound escapes me as my fingers keep fumbling the buttons on his shirt. I need him naked. Now—my trembling hands tear his shirt apart. His skin is comes into view—firm, muscled. Smooth. My mouth waters instantly; I ache for a taste of him. My hands still trembling, I ease his leather jacket off his shoulders, taking the remnants of his torn shirt with it.

  He pulls away, watching me, waiting for my next move.

  Those damn dimples popping out at my impatience.

  I begin exploring the smooth, hard surface. His muscles contract under my touch, rolling like a wave. A giggle escapes me at the sight of my hands causing this reaction from him. The tips of my fingers run up and down his biceps, over across his chest.

  This can definitely become an addiction.

  Tanner’s patience snaps. With a growl, he lowers his head, and heads straight for my breast
s again. His hands squeezing my breasts harder. The moment I feel his warm, wet lips wrapping around my skin, I drag my fingers across his chest again. His pectorals flex under my touch.

  He jerks against me, his mouth hovering open right over my breast, and it sends a cold sensation along the wet skin as he sucks in a deep breath.

  Mentally, I’m on cloud nine knowing I’m affecting him as much as he is me, but Tanner isn’t about to be showed up. Reaching up, he cups my cheek. I lean my head into his touch, seeking more—suddenly sharp points press into the skin of my chest. Glancing down, I see that his finger nails have extended into claws.

  My heart beats frantically. Fear hits me immediately. Part of me wants more, while another wants to run away.

  But yet another part inside me refuses to give in to his obvious show of dominance.

  Looking up into his eyes, I narrow my own and push my chin up in an act of bravery.

  He smirks at my reaction. “There is the feisty side I find so fucking hot. You, my sweet, are the total package: beauty and personality. How much more can an alpha ask for from his mate?”

  Chapter 6

  Slowly, applying enough pressure to ensure I feel the sharpness, his claws wander down my chest to the red lace bra that contrasts against the paleness of my skin.

  The sight of the red mixed with the golden colors of his skin and claws sends a jolt through me. All of my senses are locked on him, on the sight of his claws poised over my breasts.

  My breath is erratic as I wait in anticipation for what he is going to do next. Deep in his chest a low growl rumbles. Agonizingly slow, Tanner outlines the edge of the bra, leaving goose bumps in his wake. Swiftly, his claws swipe down, nicking my skin and completely splitting the bra in half.

  My breasts spill out into his hands. They feel heavier as he massages them, his thumbs brushing against my pink, pebbled nipples. My head falls back against the tree and I groan at the sensation. “Oh Tanner . . .” Words are only coming in spurts as everything blends, sights, sounds, and taste all morphing into one.