The Alpha's Choice

by Jacqueline Rhoades

  "You still don't get it," he laughed. "I played with you. You played with me. I indicated I wanted to chase. You refused to run. That's a Wolver's way of saying I don't want to play. Haven't you ever had a guy hit on you in a bar? He makes a pass. You say no. He smiles and goes away. No harm, no foul, Wolver style."

  "Does, uh, getting together always involve a chase?" she asked and hated that her curiosity got the best of her. Again.

  Charles raised his eyebrows. "No, but it sure adds to the fun."

  "So if I'd run…"

  "I would have flashed and come home and chased you up the stairs. Maybe we would have made it to the bedroom and maybe we wouldn't."

  The stairs? Her eyes strayed to the door that led to them. She caught herself and forced them back to Charles where she avoided his eyes and mouth and focused on the spot just below his chin. It was a very nice chin with just a hint of a dimpled crease in the center. Kat shook her head and cleared her throat.

  "We wouldn't," she said, purposefully misconstruing his reference, "And just so we're clear, I will never run from you." Though if he hadn't told her, she'd be running hard and fast right now. Damn, the man oozed sex appeal.

  "Never say never."

  The whole time they were talking, Charles was moving closer. Before Kat realized his plan, one hand slid about her waist pulling her close while the other hand grabbed the handle of the roller and raised her hand along with it over her head.

  "You, me, and a paint roller isn't a good idea," he said as he lifted it from her fingers and tossed it onto the plastic covering the floor. "But if you're into body painting, I'm sure we can find something sweet and edible."

  They were nose to nose, those piercing green eyes drilling into hers. Kat sucked in air and then found she couldn't release it. She swallowed hard and moistened her lips. It was all the invitation he needed.

  "It seems we're right where we left off," he whispered before he kissed her.

  Oh God, why did he have to be such a good kisser? Why couldn't he be one of those guys whose lips were so wet and sloppy you felt like you were drowning or so dry you may as well have been kissing your ancient Aunt Mildred? His kisses were perfect. His lips were warm and demanding and they perfectly covered hers. His tongue almost delicately probed its way between her lips to tango with her tongue. Why couldn't he be the kind of guy who acted like he was on a search and destroy mission for her tonsils instead of treating her to this sexy and playful dance?

  Her hand was on his chest and she should have pushed him away, but her fingers curled into his shirt and clung to him. She closed her eyes and followed his lead, not caring for the moment where this dance would take them.

  Some semblance of good sense remained for when he withdrew for a moment she opened her eyes and whispered, "I can't do this."

  Charles' head drew back another few inches, looking genuinely concerned. "Why? Are you a virgin?"

  "God, no," she answered, startled by the question.

  He chuckled deep in his throat. "Good, then there's no problem. I've never been fond of cherries and you already know how it's done." He bent her backward to reach behind her and pull the dust cover from the sofa.

  "That's not what I meant," she said not sure exactly what she did mean.

  "Tell me about it later," he said as he eased her down onto the cushions. "I can only concentrate on one thing at a time."

  There was something important she was about to say, but she forgot what it was because he was kissing her again and all thoughts of opposition fled. He slid his hands beneath her shirt, splaying his fingers over her stomach and ran them lightly up her sides, leaving a trail of fiery warmth until they reached her breasts and there they stopped. His thumbs rested along her ribs beneath the full mounds, while his fingers tested their weightiness at the sides.

  Oh God, that wasn't where those hands were supposed to be. It wasn't enough. Kat wanted more and when she arched her back and moaned a little, Charles laughed.

  "Let's see how much it takes to make this kitten purr." His hands slid back down her sides and his thumbs hooked the hem of her shirt to lift it over her head and remove it.

  The chill of the air settling over her bared breasts soon turned to warmth as his hand covered one and his mouth covered the other. This was where he was supposed to be! She moaned, lost to the sensations coursing through her body. Her sensible half made one last attempt at protest, but it was drowned out by a mewl of pleasure when he nipped at the pebbled nipple with his teeth and then laved the tiny sting away with his tongue.

  "I like that sound," he chuckled against her breast, "I want to hear it again."

  She obliged when he addressed his ministrations to the other breast. From there he moved downward showering hot kisses along the center of her body.

  "Oh. O-o-oh. Oh, my god," she breathed out followed by a sharp intake of breath.

  "Not yet, but I will be," he whispered to the sensitive skin below her navel but above the metal button of her cut-off shorts.

  He looked up at her as he undid the button and zipper below it and she saw in his eyes the same blazing need and want that she felt for him. Drawn by those eyes, she tried to rise to meet him. She wanted to feel his lips against her own, but he placed one hand between her breasts and gently pushed her back.

  "No," he said in a hoarse whisper. "Stay where you are. This is for me. You'll have your chance when I'm finished."

  Kat laid back and closed her eyes on a sigh. Charles' imperious voice commanded and she felt compelled to obey. He'd done nothing to her that hadn't been done before and yet his lips ignited a fire in her she had never felt before. His hands made her body sing; every nerve and muscle in her attuned to the melody his fingers played. She wanted nothing more than to please him, to give him all he asked of her.

  "Lift your hips for me, kitten," he directed as he slid her shorts and panties from her hips. "You are the most beautiful thing I have ever seen," he told her as he took in her full length and because of the look in those beautiful, blazing eyes, she believed him.

  He ran his hands up her calves to her knees and spread them wide and smiled knowingly at what he had exposed. That smile alone sent a shiver of anticipation through her. Her breasts tightened further and tiny goosebumps appeared on her legs and arms.

  Charles pressed her knees together and with a short nod, as if he'd come to some decision, he took her hands and pulled her to her feet.

  "This isn't right," he said as much to himself as to her and laughed at her whimpered protest. "We'll have plenty of time for odd places and adventure. Our first time should be done properly in a wide, soft bed. Wrap your arms around my neck."

  Somewhere along the way Charles had lost his shirt and it was heaven to press her breasts against his bare chest, to feel the beat of his heart next to hers.

  Charles must have like it, too, because for a moment he just held her there pressed closely to him and then his hands slid along her back to her buttocks and he hoisted her to his waist. Kat didn't need to be told where to wrap her legs.

  He groaned and rolled his eyes at the sight of her breasts now bobbing conveniently in front of his mouth and Kat laughed. The sound of it was strange to her. It was deep and throaty and sexually charged and nothing like her laugh at all.

  Deftly avoiding all obstacles and pausing only briefly on the stairs to nuzzle her breasts, Charles carried her to the bed she had so recently left. He laughed when he saw the tumble of covers.

  "Restless sleeper or were you missing something?"

  "I couldn't sleep," she told him honestly, "I couldn't stop thinking of you."

  "Yeah, I'm that kind of guy."

  He bent until her back was on the mattress, but Kat didn't let him go. He laughed and kissed her and unwrapped her fingers from around his neck.

  "As much as I love to feel you close to me, this isn't close enough." He stood, kicked his shoes from his sockless feet, undid his pants and kicked those away, too.

  With his broad sho
ulders, narrow hips and well-defined muscles, he was everything she dreamed of in a man. His legs were long and lean, but there was nothing skinny about them. There was a tensile strength to their leanness. In her eyes he was a perfect specimen and he knew it. There was no embarrassment as he stood before her and let her admiring gaze wash over him.

  When she had looked her fill, Kat reached for him and he obliged, covering her body with his. She expected him to fill her, wanted him to fill her and she spread her legs in invitation, but Charles had other plans.

  When she had been thoroughly kissed, he began to explore the rest of her body with kisses, teeth, and tongue. The bend of her elbows, the backs of her knees, the soft spot where her neck met her shoulder; he searched for and discovered every spot along her body that gave her the most sensual pleasure and Kat did the same for him.

  They rolled about the bed, tangling further the sheets and blankets, kissing, licking, nipping, tasting, yet both avoiding the places most wanting of the other's caress. By the time they finished their exploration, they were each covered with a fine sheen of sweat and Kat was panting with her need for completion.

  Entwining his fingers with hers, Charles brought her hands to her side and raised himself above her.

  "What is it you want?" He asked huskily.

  "You," she breathed and it was true. She felt as if he was the one she had been waiting for, had been wanting her whole life.

  He freed one hand from hers to snake it down between them, lower and lower until he found her throbbing clit.

  She was so wet and swollen with need that she thought she might explode with that first touch and Charles gave a satisfied chuckle when she gasped as he ran his finger over it. Kat moaned softly and arched her pelvis up to meet his dancing fingers.

  "That's it. Purr for me, kitten. Come for me, my beautiful Katarina."

  She wanted to save it until he was inside her. She wanted to share and savor that shining moment with him, but Charles had taken the lead, made his demand, and his dancing fingers insisted she obey. She exploded and cried out with the sensation.

  Charles plunged his fingers within and she rode the crest of the wave on his hand, but it was not enough for him. Before she had fully recovered he took her to the heights again and this time she closed her eyes and begged.

  "Please, please," she whimpered.

  She gasped out her pleasure when he entered her, stretching her and filling her with his heat. Over and over he plunged into her, deeper and deeper until she felt consumed by him. Legs wrapped tightly around his hips, she met him thrust for thrust, rising higher and higher until another orgasm shattered conscious thought. She felt his body stiffen and heard his groan of release. She could feel his warmth mix with hers and she had never felt so complete.

  Chapter 12

  Kat awoke feeling cold and alone; abandoned. Bereft of his presence, her eyes snapped open. "Charles?"

  "Miss me already?" Charles poked his head out the door of the walk-in closet, winked and walked back to the bed. He tugged the zipper of his jeans into place but left the button undone.

  With the bright light of morning, Kat's doubts returned and she became self-conscious of her nakedness particularly in the presence of the man who stood before her. There was no denying the animal grace that was an intrinsic part of his being. Even the simple act of getting dressed was so smooth and sensual it took her breath away. He was the Alpha.

  She looked around at the room at her luxurious surroundings, her employer's room. This was wrong on so many levels. She didn't belong here in this fairytale. Charles didn't know her and heaven only knew she didn't know him. Who was this man/beast who drove all rational thought from her head and made her feel things she never thought possible? The Alpha.

  Kat turned away to shield herself from his view and reached for the tangled sheet to cover herself.

  Charles went down on one knee beside the bed. She thought he would reach for the sheet to take it from her and she clutched it to her chest, but he didn't reach for her covers. Instead, his hand cupped her cheek and insisted she turn to face him.

  "Tell me," he said and as before, the compulsion was there to follow his command.

  "I don't know what I'm doing here. I don't know what you want from me," she whispered. "I don't know if what you make me feel is real. I don't even know if you are real. Wolvers? Alphas? You? It's all beyond belief and for all I know, the last two days are some kind of bizarre hallucination."

  "Is this the 'later' where you fall apart?" he asked gently.

  Kat pressed her lips together and nodded her head. She'd spoken all she could without an overflow of tears. Why was this happening now? Yesterday… Was it only yesterday? …had been filled with rejection and brutality; wolves, leghold traps, cruel men and death. She'd held up through it all as Grams had taught her to do, facing down her fears and doing what must be done. So why now, after experiencing the most beautiful thing she had ever felt, did she feel like the world might be coming apart?

  Charles slid his palms beneath her knees and shoulders and lifted her into his arms. He held her close to his chest and whispered into her hair as he rose to his full height.

  "I'm real and so are you and the connection between us is real. I wasn't looking for this. When I first realized who you were and how fast this can happen, it scared the hell out of me. I don't know if I'm ready for this. I don't know that I'm even worthy of this." He turned and carried her across the room to the bath.

  Charles continued, his voice a deep rumble in his chest. "My brother told me that when I found the one, I'd know it in my soul. I laughed when he said it, but I'm not laughing now. When I saw you stand for Buddy against those two men, I knew it. You were so strong and fierce and beautiful. You could be the one and if I don't pursue this, I may regret it for the rest of my life. What I want from you Katarina Bennett is to give this a chance and see where it takes us."

  Kat wrapped her arms around his neck and buried her face in the hollow of his throat. Here in his arms, she was reassured that anything was possible. His magic made it real and if his magic was her insanity, she would gladly spend the rest of her life in such a delusion.

  The tub was full and steaming. Charles was careful as he set her into it, waiting for her assurance that it was not too hot. He knelt beside the tub and began soaping a cloth.

  "You don't have to do this," she protested as she settled into a more comfortable position. "I'm perfectly capable of taking care of myself."

  "I'm sure you are," he said as he rubbed the soft cloth over her back, "But I gave you a rough time of it last night and I reckon I owe you."

  "It wasn't rough. It was wonderful."

  They'd made love several times throughout the night and yes, in his ardor he had at times used her rather roughly, but she reveled in the power of it and gloried in her ability to make him feel such passion. She'd expected to be sore this morning, but felt only the burn of unused muscles.

  "No regrets?" He ran the cloth across her shoulders and down over her breasts.

  "For what we did? No, never for that. But why? What is it that draws us together? I want to understand it."

  Charles rinsed and added soap to the cloth again, washed her arms with it and ran it down her belly. "Spread your knees, Kitten, and let me clean you up." He ran a cloth between her legs and gently sponged her private parts. It was all done efficiently and impersonally and yet it made her feel cared for and pampered.

  "What's to understand? You're special. And me? Well…" He shrugged and gave her a look that said, "What's not to like?" and moved on to her legs.

  Kat laughed. "Were you born conceited or did it develop over time?"

  Charles laughed with her. "Hey, if I don't blow my own horn, no one else will."

  A sharp knock had them turning toward the bedroom door and Kat felt a moment's panic. Would he reject her again, pretend last night didn't happen in the face of Mrs. Martin's scrutiny? One panic was replaced with another when, with the door wide
open and the tub in full view, Charles called out.

  "Come in, Mrs. Martin. It's not locked."

  Eyes averted but clearly unembarrassed, Mrs. Martin entered with a breakfast tray with the dishes covered by metal lids and on top of that Kat's neatly folded clothing from the night before, pink panties on top.

  "Well, shit," Kat muttered as she sank down in the tub.

  Charles wasn't bothered at all. "Thank you, Mrs. Martin, just leave it on the dresser. We'll be down shortly."

  "You might want to hurry it up," Mrs. Martin said, clearly unimpressed with his more formal tone. "Your friends just turned in the Lane. Buddy's been keeping watch from the upper window. He's been up there all morning."

  All morning? "What time is it?" Kat asked, peeking up over Charles' shoulder and forgetting for a moment she was supposed to be hiding.

  "A little past ten. Neither of you said what time you wanted to be called and I figured you had a busy night…" she paused, "Paintin' that room 'n all."

  It was said in Mrs. Martin's typical straight-faced manner, but Kat was sure she heard a little snicker in the housekeeper's voice.

  "You're sure it's the pack and not the children," Charles and asked.

  "Lessin them kids is driving fancy cars, I'd say it's pack."

  Charles ruffled Kat's curls. "You'll have to wash your own hair, kitten. Duty calls. I have to go."

  "Not until you've had something to eat," Kat and Mrs. Martin said at the same time. Mrs. Martin gave Kat sharp nod of approval.

  * * *

  "I'll take my hundred in twenties if you have them. I knew you couldn't get it done."

  Kat heard the voice from the school room as she came down the stairs and hesitated. By the time she'd finished her bath, Charles had finished his breakfast. He told her he would meet her downstairs when she was finished dressing. There was no hurry.

  But of course there was. She was both frightened and eager to see how Charles would treat her in front of his friends. His pack? She had a whole new vocabulary to learn. And how would his pack react to her, a human? There were so many things she needed to learn.