Passion

by Bonnie Vanak

  Just because she could. Karlene never hesitated to remind the pack that she was wolf, as if she had to prove herself.

  Molly didn’t worry about proving herself as wolf. She hunted as needed, and showed compassion when it was needed, too.

  Jake glanced down at Molly. He’d always liked women, liked their soft skin and their curves, and enjoyed making love to them. Karlene had intoxicated him, drove him mad with lust. But Molly held his interest in a different way. A deeper way. Yeah, the way a man got when he wanted sex, but something else as well. He wanted to kiss away the sadness from her eyes when she mentioned a future with Luke. He wanted to hold her and let her know she mattered, and he cared.

  He wanted to part her plump thighs, mount her and sink into her so deeply, they’d always be part of each other.

  He longed for the connection all Lupines craved.

  Maybe he couldn’t offer her a future like Luke Silvern. But the mating drive burned fiercely in him tonight, and he felt nothing but the urge to be a selfish bastard.

  And to make her his in the flesh…

  Molly lingered on the bed, knowing she tempted the devil. This devil had warm brown eyes, a hank of dark hair spilling over his forehead, and a strong, muscled body.

  She hadn’t ever been this close to a naked man before. Even when the pack shifted, the males were all polite, making sure to cover themselves.

  She found herself staring at Jake in growing fascination. Lamplight honed his smooth, tanned skin. With his wide shoulders, muscled chest with its nest of dark hair stretching to form a triangle from nipple to nipple, and his lean hips, Jake was a perfect male Lupine. Not slovenly and blustering like Luke, but hard and confident.

  Jake slid his hand around her nape, cupping her skull. “Molly.”

  He tilted her head up and put his mouth upon hers, his tongue gently thrusting past her lips. The kiss was leisurely and gentle, as if they had all the time in the world. Then Jake pulled away and his eyes darkened. He tunneled his hands through her hair and his nostrils flared.

  “Molls.” His voice deepened. “There’s something you neglected to tell me. You’re in heat.”

  A faint flush heated her cheeks. “I know.”

  Jake dragged in a deep breath. “Damn it. I don’t need this.”

  Swinging her legs over the bed’s side, she went to stand. “Fine. I don’t need this either, or you. I’m going for a short run.”

  His hand seized her wrist. He gently pulled her down to the bed. “Not now, you’re not. It’s too dangerous out there.”

  It was more dangerous in here, with this strong, handsome male and all her instincts surging, driving her to a mating heat. She looked at him, the pulse beating hard in his throat.

  “You timed it so you wouldn’t come into your heat when you mated Luke.” He gave a crooked grin. “Good timing for you. Lousy for me.”

  “I didn’t intend for this to happen, not here and not with you. You don’t need a female in your life.” She bit her lip. “You told me the truth before.”

  “I said that because I wanted it to be true. I never wanted to become a wedge between you and your pack. But damnit, I want you like I’ve never wanted another woman. I’ve never felt like this before.”

  “Like how?”

  Jake stared, his gaze glittering with possessive intent. “I want to kiss you until you’re breathless, spread your legs and sink so deep inside you that you’ll be a permanent part of me. Press you up against the wall and thrust deep inside you, taking what I want and making you mine. Make love to you until you lie spent and dazed, and then start all over again until you beg me to stop. Or not to stop.”

  Making love with Jake would fulfill all her dreams of passion. She needed him, deserved this night.

  “My pack needs me to mate with Luke. I never had the courage to seize life with both hands and see what else lies out there in the world for me. Pack has protected me, and I’ve hidden behind them. Because it felt safe.”

  He started to speak, but she placed a finger over his warm, firm mouth. “Let me finish, while I have the courage to say what’s in my heart. In school, Jess and Alexa taught me to not be afraid, to step out of my shell. And then you came along, and you made me realize what’s most important. Give me this one night, Jake. If you can only give me an hour, I’ll take that. Because I want to know what it’s like to lie with you and feel the most intimate connection our kind can feel. Let me feel that before I resign myself to giving up control of my life.”

  He framed her face with his large, strong hands. These were hands that had chopped wood, rescued helpless woodland creatures. Such strength, and yet so gentle.

  “I will have you, Molls. I will take you, but only if you’re with me on this. Tonight. If you’re feeling uncertain then go into the guest bedroom and lock the door because your scent is driving me out of my fucking mind and it’s taking all my strength not to throw you down on this bed and cover you. Say no, and leave. Now.”

  She gazed into his glittering eyes.

  “If all we have is tonight, then give me this night. I want you, Jake.”

  Her position brought her in such close contact to his body. Molly splayed a palm over his hard chest, feeling the tensile strength of his muscles. His chest was broad and covered with dark curls. So different from her body.

  Jake moved closer, and kissed her, his mouth closing over hers. Then he forced her lips to part and slipped his tongue inside, light teasing flicks that made her crave more. Molly clutched his shoulders and opened her mouth wider.

  His hand skimmed down her body, cupped her hip. Jake pulled away, panting, his expression tight.

  “I want you, Molls. I want to watch you shatter in my arms from my touch, make you come apart and scream with pleasure.” He dragged in a deep breath. “You smell so damn good. It’s taking every bit of my control not to fuck you hard and fast.” He squeezed her hip and she thrilled at his touch.

  He searched her face. “Molly, I can’t help it. I will hurt you. It’s your first time, and you’re in heat. I need you, and I’m going to lose it. All I can feel is this primitive drive to dominate and claim you.” Jake stroked a finger down her cheek. “I’ll do my best to be gentle. I don’t want to hurt you.”

  She kissed him, nibbling at his mouth. “Take me, Jake. I won’t break.”

  She wanted him so badly, craved him like she’d never craved another. She’d wanted to save herself for a man who would show her passion, not someone who wanted a one-night stand and would forget her.

  Jake’s mouth was wet from kissing her, and his gaze hard with lust. “Show me, Molls. I want to see you naked.”

  His deep voice slid over her like a caress of velvet. Shivering, she flung back the sheet. Her friend Jessica said male Lupines adored females with padding, but she’d never been this exposed before. Not even in college.

  Jake caressed her with his gaze, a pulse beating hard in his throat. Then he crooked a finger at her.

  “Come here.”

  No mercy. He’d show her no mercy, and she didn’t want any. Molly glanced down at his engorged penis and then at his face, the passion blazing in his eyes. Her entire body clenched with yearning, and she felt a gush of moisture between her legs.

  She knelt on the mattress, bracing a hand on his broad shoulder. “I may be innocent, but I know what I want. You touching me all over, making me burn, your mouth on my skin, your scent stamped all over me. Make me yours.”

  A low growl rumbled deep in his chest as he pulled her down with him.

  Jake touched her. Satisfaction etched his face as he cupped her heavy breasts and rubbed his thumbs across her erect nipples. Molly closed her eyes and moaned, her blood running thick as he pleasured her. Then he bent his head and took one nipple into his mouth, sucking her with just enough pressure, his tongue flicking over the cresting bud. With his other hand he squeezed her hip, then reached down and cupped her bottom, squeezing and kneading. Ripples of sensation rolled through her body as the
space between her legs grew damper. Her core clenched, needing more as he suckled her harder.

  As Jake released her, she fell back to the mattress. He kissed her skin, his tongue tracing every inch of her body. Molly fisted a hand in his dark hair as his mouth trailed lower. He parted her legs and settled between them.

  And then he put his mouth on her.

  Erotic bliss. Shock. Intense pleasure as his tongue delved between her soaked folds, stroking her cleft. Then he licked her clitoris and suckled her, his tongue moving faster and harder. Grabbing a fistful of sheets, she stared at the ceiling, the sharp tension and pleasure building inside her. The feeling intensified as he hummed against her soaked flesh. Jake pinned her thighs to the mattress as she wriggled, moaning, wanting and needing more.

  And then the feeling built her higher and higher, and she arched her back, screaming his name as she shattered, sensations of bliss cascading through her. Jake’s scent in her nostrils, Jake’s mouth on her most intimate flesh, Jake’s taste in her mouth.

  He remained with her as she climaxed, and then gave her a last, gentle kiss and sat back. Languid with pleasure, she lay against the mattress, her heart thumping hard, sweat dampening the sheets beneath her. Jake climbed between her splayed thighs and mounted her, his dark gaze intent.

  Jake guided his thick penis past her swollen folds, to the small, wet opening of her vagina. Enraptured by the sensual bliss he’d delivered, she didn’t register the slight pressure at first as he worked the head of his shaft inside. Then the pressure increased as he pushed harder, and became pain.

  Jake laced his fingers through hers. “Hold onto me,” he said hoarsely.

  He pushed gently against her, and then again. Molly wrapped her legs around him and thrust against him, the move driving him deep inside her and breaking the slender membrane marking her untouched state. Shock and pain rippled through her at his penetration and tears trickled down her cheeks. He felt so thick and intrusive, stretching her fully. Her vaginal walls tightened around him as she instinctively writhed, pushing at him to lessen the burning sting. Jake kissed her, then licked away a tear.

  “It gets better, sweetheart.”

  She trusted him and waited for the pain to lessen as he kissed her again, the slow strokes of his tongue arousing her all over again. The stinging faded, replaced by wonder and a newfound sensuality. Molly undulated her hips and Jake groaned.

  “Don’t move or I’ll come inside you right now.”

  With an impish grin, she wriggled again. Jake pinned her hands against the mattress. “Tease,” he grunted, and then slowly withdrew.

  He pushed inside again, slowly, driving deeper.

  “Put your legs around my hips,” he ordered.

  Molly obeyed, and began to move with him as he thrust hard, and retreated. Jake’s chest hairs tickled her sensitive nipples. Her vagina clenched around his thick shaft, caressing the intruder with her arousal. Jake groaned and then grunted as he increased the pace. Then he sat back and watched his penis push inside her, his dark thatch meeting hers, and his expression grew savage.

  “Gods, you feel so fucking good. So damn tight. Ah, I’m going to explode.”

  His ragged breaths mingled with her pants. Sweat slicked their bodies together as they moved as one. One body, one heart. Molly’s emotions tumbled together. Wonder. Pleasure. And a deep feeling of belonging, joining her body to his. She’d always felt part of something, felt connected with her pack, but this was far different, more heartfelt and meaningful, as if Jake claimed her heart, not just her body.

  Heat spiraled through her, the pleasure starting all over as his penis touched a sensitive part of her soaked core. Molly cried out and clung to him, and dug her nails into his back.

  Growling, Jake slammed into her harder, and then throwing back his head, he groaned, her name on his lips, as his seed jettisoned deep inside her.

  He collapsed atop her, his heavy weight pinning her to the mattress. Molly stroked his damp hair, toying with the strands, listening to their pounding hearts, their panting breaths. Finally he braced himself on his elbows and looked down at her, his gaze filled with tenderness.

  The hum of pleasure slowly faded, replaced with awe. She had done more than make love with this strong, brave Lupine and surrendered her virginity.

  She’d handed him her heart.

  Making love with Molly had driven him wild, and left him sated and content.

  Finally, he had the emotional connection he’d craved. Never had it been there with Karlene. Oh the sex had been wild and amazing, but empty. They hadn’t bonded. Not like he had with Molly.

  Jake rolled over and curled his arm protectively around Molly, cupping her breast. One passionate bout of sex with Molly and she’d engaged his heart. He felt complete in a way he’d never been.

  But he couldn’t have her for a lifetime. What the hell did he have to offer a mate? This trailer? A life more in Skin than as wolf.

  The thought left him empty and aching. Now that he’d finally connected with Molly, his wolf howled to never let her go. The man knew it was complicated and she didn’t belong to him.

  Wolf only knew he’d found his true mate, and the right thing to do was keep her safe and protected and anchor her to him for life.

  Molly shared her heart with him and didn’t hold back. She didn’t guard her emotions, knowing he could walk away and never look back. She’d opened herself up, giving him everything.

  How the hell could he let her go?

  I won’t.

  Maybe they could run away together. Then Jake realized that’s all he had been doing. He’d run from his pack, the brothers who loved him, instead of staying to work out things out. He’d run from the searing guilt.

  But no matter where he ran, he could not run from himself. Tightening his grip around Molly, Jake wanted to laugh at the irony. Despite his best intentions of never getting involved, here he was, dragging two packs into his private, personal mess.

  Jake leaned over the sleeping Molly, brushed back a lock of her red hair. “No matter what I must do, you won’t suffer the consequences.”

  Her eyes flickered open. “You’re wrong, Jake. It’s not just you in this. It’s us, working together.”

  “I may have made you pregnant.” He rested a possessive hand on her belly, warming to the thought of his baby growing inside her.

  Molly’s mouth wobbled. “Maybe. Or maybe not. I went on birth control, knowing I might mate with Luke. I didn’t want to get pregnant right away. But it takes a while for them to work. So I don’t know if I’m fertile or not.”

  Every male instinct surged. A possessive growl rumbled deep in his throat. “Luke won’t have you. You’re mine and you’ll stay here, where he can’t hurt you anymore.”

  She leaned against the pillows with a solemn look. “And do you understand you’re pulling the same stunt others have my entire life? My parents. Luke. Everyone else dictating to me how I’m to live my life, never asking me what I want or for my opinion. You didn’t make love to a wax doll, Jake.”

  She caught his hand and brought it to her warm, soft chest. He felt the steady beating of her heart beneath his palm. “This is me, alive and breathing and able to make decisions with you, for us. I refuse to be a doormat any longer. We’re together in this and I am willing to accept the consequences of my actions.”

  They made love again, and Molly fell asleep in his arms.

  For a long time, he lay staring at the ceiling, hand flung over his forehead as Molly slept beside him.

  The dream flickered out of reach, teasing him. Molly, at his side always, as his mate. But he was packless. He’d abandoned Aiden’s pack and wasn’t sure if the alpha would welcome him back.

  Even if Luke Silvern didn’t stand between them, he had nothing to offer a mate. What could he offer her? A life mostly in Skin, alone, without the backing of other Lupines?

  Jake hated feeling helpless. It grated at his spirit. He’d thought to carve out a new life for himself, l
eave the pain behind and start again.

  Despite his best attempts to remain emotionless, he’d done it.

  A humorless laugh rumbled from his throat. Done it, all right. Not only had he entrenched himself in the complicated politics of local packs, he’d fallen for one of their most coveted beauties. And if he pursued his feelings and consummated the bond by giving her his mating mark, the mark all male Lupines gave to their mates, he risked starting a bloody pack war.

  When all he’d wanted was solitude and peace.

  Yeah, he’d fallen hard for Molly, the sweet shifter with the long tangle of red hair and the shy smile.

  But how could they make it work, when everything seemed to be against them?

  Chapter 10

  The next morning after they’d retrieved the other ATV, Molly explored the park with Jake in wolf form. At the area where she’d been trapped, he stuck by her side, but they failed to pick up the same malevolent scent she’d detected yesterday.

  But for the trampled grass and a lingering, faint stench of malevolence in the area, it was as if the heavy darkness had been a dream.

  She wondered about it as they returned to his trailer. “It’s as if the evil comes and goes in spurts. Like a red tide of algae.”

  Jake paused as he took a pull of ice water. “And now it’s gone. It could return.”

  “Or not. It’s not here now. I’d have picked up the stench, and you would have, too.” Molly sat at the table and buried her face into her hands. “What are we facing, Jake? Shadows that can cast nets over shifters and then vanish? Evil that kills wildlife and then drifts on? How can we defeat this?”

  He pulled her into his arms. “I don’t know, Molls. It’s almost like a fungus taking over certain areas of the park.”

  She thought about it. “And it seems to attack certain things. Animals that are vulnerable, like wildlife nursing young. Or males that feel they need to assert themselves and mark their territory.”