“W-would you like to go into me? With town?” Shit, talk much? He sucked at this stuff.
“Can I walk on my own, or are we doing the over-the-shoulder-and-hair-pulling stuff?” she answered with a smirk, hands on her ample hips.
“If you want me to, I’m game, baby.”
Her eyes widened, and another round of her feminine scent wafted to his nostrils. Her body was more than interested in finishing this conversation. She finally let out a little chuckle and extended her hand. “All right. Let’s go check out the town for a bit. No hair pulling.”
“But I can carry you?” He loved bantering with her. It was like they were back in the prison, just the two of them, no one else around but them, their animals, and the scent of her interest. How fucked up was that? He decided to let the thought go and try to be a normal male for the night. No monster here, he announced to the world. Just a guy and a girl going out on a date, which wasn’t a date. But he was keeping her away from the prowling cat.
“Good night.” He grabbed her hand and yanked her out the door before anyone else said a word. He finally could breathe again, and the tension dissipated. The other male had brought his bear far too close to the front. He inhaled his mate’s floral essence. Yeah, he was in heaven.
He wasn’t going to push things. She still didn’t deserve a mate like him. But maybe he could enjoy being around her. Get it out his system? Then let her go. His bear shuddered angrily at the thought, and he brushed him aside. Suck it up, buttercup. We’ll do what we have to. “So, what do you want to do?”
Her eyes lit as she nibbled on her lower lip. “I did see a movie theater on Main Street. They’re playing something we might both be interested in.”
Chapter Seven
He thinks he’s our mate.
He might be right, Izzy’s wolf replied. What’s the problem?
Izzy glanced over from beneath her eyelashes up at the large man squished into the movie theater seat next to hers. She stifled a giggle. If this was a shifter town, why didn’t they provide bigger seats? She took a deep sniff. Half the people in the theater were human and the rest shifters. So...a whole twenty viewers total in the theater.
Your math skills are improving, her wolf said wryly. Not your taste in entertainment.
Very funny. Just because you don’t appreciate my love of awesome movies doesn’t mean you have to judge me for it.
Her wolf snorted. These shows are stupid. Come on, seriously? Why are they banging two coconuts together?
Because it’s funny, and it sounds like horses clomping.
There are no horses, her wolf said grumpily. They’re doing the dance from “Oppa Gangnam Style.”
Yeah, Izzy giggled. And they’re doing it better. Now, pipe down so I can enjoy the movie.
At least get us some Jujubes and popcorn.
Okay. Gimme a second. I want to watch the Knights of the Round Table dance.
Izzy smiled when the silly scene started and all the knights kicked up their heels.
“You know you want to, big guy.” She elbowed Caleb gently in the ribs. Of course, it felt like she’d hit a slab of cement, but her elbow would heal. “Ya gonna join in?”
He snorted, and the corner of his lip tilted upward. “I don’t sing.”
“Okay, I’ll sing for both of us.” She sang quietly, and a few patrons glanced over at her. By the end of the first chorus, the whole theater was belting out the lyrics. Prama lot, tram alot. Whatever. She always screwed up the words, but it was the most fun she’d had in a while. And the big guy next to her never lost the huge grin that took over his whole face. Who was having more fun? Her, or Caleb watching her?
She eased back into her seat and kept her wolf content with the sugar fix and buttery popcorn. Who would have thought her wolf had such a sweet tooth? When her favorite scene came on, she dared a glance at her movie-watching partner. Stiff as a board—his whole body, not that part of him, she amended—he sat with his gaze glued to the screen as if he feared if he took his eyes away, she might notice he was interested in this scene. Come on, even she liked it. Yeah, she was a virgin. But each time the female named Zoot mentioned spankings and sex, she got a little feeling in her tummy that woke her up quicker than a grande white-chocolate mocha with extra whipped cream. Her body felt nice and warm right now. And her “date” was pretending to be oblivious. She chuckled and touched his arm to let him know it was okay if he got turned on by watching a movie.
The surge of electricity shot straight into her arm, through her chest. Bam! Then down her tummy and straight into her core. Like holy Monty Python, Batman! What was that? He bolted upright and turned to her. Wide, dark, almost-black eyes scrutinizing every single inch of her aching body. Yowsers! She needed to hit the restroom quick and make sure her panties hadn’t just caught on fire.
His low rumble of laughter built into huge guffaws.
“Crap. Did I say that out loud?” she whispered.
“Yeah, lady! We heard ya!” a human male from two rows back sniggered, and she slid down her seat, hoping she could get sucked into oblivion before she died of mortification.
Her eyes were still closed, and she was curling tighter into her ball of “If I can’t see you, you can’t see me,” when strong arms pulled her to stand up. Caleb led her out the auditorium as Galahad, the Chaste said something about sampling the peril.
Her cheeks blazed as they walked out. Yeah, great movie ruined by her inner monologue.
Caleb wasn’t laughing. He towed her out the front entrance and onto the sidewalk. Had she pissed him off by being such a flake? She groaned. Maybe that’s why her parents didn’t let her out much. It had nothing to do with her royalty. Rather her lack of propriety. Ugh.
“Sorry. My filter sometimes has a mind of its own. Are you angry you missed the rest of your movie?”
He shook his head and kept pulling her toward his truck. He helped her in, shut the door, and climbed in next to her. Then he pulled out onto Main Street, headed south.
“Where are we going?”
“Back to my room.”
“Why?”
“So I can help you with that panty issue of yours,” he growled.
Oh boy.
~.~
Caleb practically tore the door off its hinges as he propelled her into his room. He slammed it shut behind them and advanced on his prey. The hot little wolf had been calling to him all night. Pressing her back against the wall, he claimed her mouth with his own. The taste of her drove him wild. She had a sweet taste of candy, mixed with the saltiness of the popcorn, along with the flavor that was all her. Sweet, spicy, sassy, wild...he had to have more of her. Her whole body, not just her plump lips. She shuddered when he reached up inside her shirt and palmed a firm breast. He tweaked her nipple, loving her soft moans as he got to know her soft curves. He leaned down and closed his mouth over her T-shirt-covered nipple, pulling it in and sucking it through the fabric. The scent of her arousal spiking as she rocked her pelvis against him.
He was hard as a rock already, from their kisses. When her hands reached around to grip his ass and pull him more snugly against her, he melted into her with a low rumble. He might come in his jeans from their dry humping while standing next to the door. She squeezed again and rocked back and forth, the scent of rose and vanilla wafting. Yeah, they were both hungry for one thing right now. And it wasn’t movie-theater popcorn. He trailed his lips down and nibbled gently in the crevice between her neck and shoulders, loving her hiccupping giggles. His princess was ticklish. Good for future reference. Inhaling deeply, he licked her sweetness then yanked her shirt up to her neck. The sight of her gorgeous breasts almost did him in right there. Her blue cotton bra hugged her perfectly. He pulled the fabric down and popped her right breast out of its confines. The puckered nipple, taut and hard, begged for his lips, and he was more than happy to oblige. He lowered his lips to suck in the hard nub, the exquisite taste of her and her tortured moans creating a wild urgency in him. He had to have
her now. Claim her. His bear demanded he take her as theirs right then. His. Forever. Claimed. Mates.
The harsh rumble tore from his lips, startling him, and he stared down at the wide-eyed female. Shit. He wrenched himself away from her and turned his back, the vision searing into his brain. He’d scared his mate. The raised eyebrows, wide-open mouth, and sharp intake of breath was too close to the way Sam had looked at him. He remembered how sweet, young, and innocent Sam had been. How he’d almost killed her because of his damn bear. Blood covering her. The bruised cheek. Tears in her eyes as Sam backed away and hunched in on herself tightly.
What the hell was wrong with him? Male shifters didn’t beat the shit out of and try to kill their family, even when in a rage. Their animal wouldn’t let them hurt a cub or a female. So what...was wrong with him?
Fucking hell! He ran his hands through his hair, frustrated and pissed off, but mostly scared shitless. His bear had tried to take over again. He’d almost lost control and claimed his mate—without her consent.
“Are you okay?” Izzy’s soft voice came from behind, and he flinched when she touched his shoulder. He pulled farther away and held up a hand to stop her advance. He might still be a danger. What if his bear came forward and killed her? “We have to stop. Right now.”
“Why? I thought…”
Because if I keep going, I’m not going to stop after giving you the best orgasms of your life. I’ll claim you as mine forever. I’ll fuck you hard and fast. Then again, and again. I won’t stop until we are both sore and exhausted. Say the words out loud, dammit! My bite mark in your shoulder will throb from the pain and the desire to quench your aching need again. I’ll take you again. And then I’ll never let you go. You’ll be mine forever.”
Tell her all of this. How you really feel. If I take you, I won’t be able to stop myself with one time. I need you more than anything in my life. Like the air I breathe. Like food, water. You consume every part me, and I’ll die if I can’t have you.
“We both know this isn’t what you want right now. You want your freedom, and I can’t force you into this. Besides, you deserve a good male. One who’s not so damaged.” He winced as he towered over her. “You deserve better than me.” He grabbed his room key and threw it into his back pocket. “I’m going to go out for a run, and I need you to be gone when I get back.” He turned away from her, hating himself for his harsh words. “Go back to your room and get some sleep. Sorry.”
He sprinted out the door. But what was he running from? The female who had him more fucked up and confused than anything he’d ever faced? Or the guilt chasing him for being such a dick? He tore his clothes off and raced past the tree line. He needed to run. Now. If he even scented her, he would tackle her to the floor, bed, whatever surface was around them, and fuck her. Right there. He’d claim her. And then they’d both be damned to a long life of misery. Caleb and his bear knew they shared the link with her. It brought their chemistry out, made them want to be together, wanted to fill her round tummy with cubs. But the Mother Goddess would never forgive him for what he’d done. And he didn’t deserve the happiness he felt with Izzy. His bear took over, and he raced on all fours, through the wooded trails. After a few miles, he stopped and tried to capture his breath. Then he roared. A heartbreaking goodbye to his mate.
Chapter Eight
“I’m out of here.” Izzy had said it twice since getting back to her room. She scowled one last time at the rumpled bed, set the thank-you note on the table, and turned off the light. She reached into her back pocket and fished a twenty out for a tip for the cleaning crew. Caleb had put her up in this nice little bed-and-breakfast and paid for it before she could take care of it herself. It was nice, caring, like he wanted to provide for her. Like a mate does, her wolf reasoned.
She shoved the thought aside. He wasn’t truly her mate, not since he rejected her four hours and twenty-five minutes ago. Yeah, not like she was counting, or holding her breath. Acting like a silly school girl, or D.I.D./damsel in distress, princess who was quite pitifully waiting for her knight in shining armor to come rescue her. It was stupid, right? She didn’t need a knight. She wasn’t a D.I.D. And she most definitely did not need a mate. Yeah, so her body felt alive when with him. So, one kiss from her mate—who her wolf had finally recognized—weakened her resistance, but Caleb’s rejection had broken her into a million tiny shards. Yeah, maybe it scared her. A lot. She’d never had feelings like this before. What was she supposed to do with them?
She continued out into the street as the sun peeked through the trees to the east. Normally, a glorious sunrise would beckon to her. Make her stop everything she was doing, to embrace the beauty. Be thankful. Love and be loved. She scowled, turned her back on the golden rays, and headed out of town. Izzy had seen a bus stop a few miles south, outside the town limits. She would buy a bus ticket and get the heck out of Dodge.
We’re running again, aren’t we? her wolf asked.
Izzy hiked the backpack onto her shoulder and started walking faster. “We’re walking, see?”
Not what I meant, and you know it. Scaredy-cat.
She continued for a few more minutes, ignoring her wolf who was still trying to get her attention. It finally whined. Why don’t you want to accept our mate?
“Because.” She stopped on the side of the road and slammed her pack onto the ground. “He didn’t want us!” she fumed, pacing back and forth in the dirt as the feeling escalated in her. “They always leave.” Another heaving breath. In. Out. Trying to catch a shred of calm that wouldn’t come. The tear scorched her cheek as she peered down the long, isolated road. “We’re leaving before he leaves us. Okay?” She picked up her pack and started walking again. “Okay?”
Her wolf remained silent.
A mile down the road, she still hadn’t calmed her anxiety and racing thoughts. Zach was the warrior son who could do no wrong. Even though he got into trouble, Isabella and Alexis had received the lectures and demands about proper actions. She’d loved her twin more than anything, and, when Lexi died, she’d left a huge, gaping hole in her heart. Then her parents had practically locked Izzy up, confining her even more than the walls surrounding their compound.
“No, Isabella, you can’t go to the movies with those kids. We’ll buy it and watch it at home. Isabella, a young woman needs to embrace her duties. You’re a princess. Act like one. Isabella, royal women don’t play battle games like your brother or the rest of them. Why don’t you go read?” And the final straw. “No, young lady, you cannot leave this compound to go to college. Your place is here, preparing for your mating with the Scarlet Rock Pack heir. This is your duty and honor. To merge our packs. Your mother agrees.”
Lost in thought, one foot in front of the other, the memories came flooding back. Lexi’s death. Zach’s dangerous activities and blood lust taking him away more and more often. Her parents locking her up like some Disney princess. They all left. Maybe not physically. But, one by one, each member of her family had shunned her. Left her. Alone with no one but her wolf, until Mikayla, anyway. And Mikayla had only been using her to get closer to Zach. Yeah, that’s why Izzy had left. Maybe it wasn’t the adventure and freedom calling to her after all. Maybe it was because she finally wanted to be the one who did the leaving—before anyone else left her.
But your mate won’t leave you, her wolf finally piped up again.
He pushed away from us last night.
Yeah, dummy, because you had the “I don’t want to be tied down” flag raised nice and high. He was trying to let you set the pace and keep some control. Your reasoning is a cop-out, and you know it.
You’re right. Izzy slowed and released a tired breath. Not from the brisk morning walk, but from her mind racing. So what do we do now?
Her wolf snorted. Hell if I know. Go back and club him over the head, tie him up...and maybe talk to him?
Izzy giggled. That’s a good plan. Thanks. Sorry.
It’s okay. Now, let’s go see our mate.
“I know you,” she growled and dropped her backpack, gauging the distance to the tree line. She might have to make a run for it and then shift once she got into the trees.
Bossman. Even before she fully saw him, she could tell him by his scent. He had this disgusting stench of sweat and pure evil emanating from him. Yeah, weird, but she could scent energy. Especially now the foul drugs were out of her system. And his reeked of malevolence. He wore a baseball cap and wire-rimmed glasses, the quintessential geek next door.
“You have something I need, wolf.” He pulled out the gun and trained it on her.
Crap. Could she get out of the way before he riddled her with too many bullets? Plus, a bullet to the head would kill her right away. Then again, if he wanted her dead, he would have shot her by now.
“What do you want? How’d you find me?” She scoped the area for a way to escape. She didn’t smell any other thugs in the area. Weird. He was alone. Cocky bastard knew he could take her down all by himself. His pride would be his downfall.
“We implanted you with a tracking device while you were out during your first session.”
Her breath lodged in her throat. Oh my God. If he’d done that to all the prisoners, it would lead these guys right to them. Their homes, their families would be destroyed.
Bossman laughed and leaned against the car, affecting a casual stance while the gun still trained on her. “I see I have your attention. Yeah, I injected all the shifters. And in a matter of days, I will have the locations of all of them. New test subjects. Females. Alphas. Half-breeds. Their homes burned to the ground. Can’t leave any witnesses.”
Bearly Rescued_A Howls Romance Page 8