by Talyn Scott
Threading her fingers through his hair, out of her mind, she greedily kissed the line of his jaw, following the trail and biting his earlobe. Renee’s sharp breaths hit his ear, stinging from her bite. “Please,” she begged.
He couldn’t drive her far; after all, she liked to run away. Leaving his thumb where it was, he traveled down her body and pushed his head between her legs, replacing his pelvis. Through her white pants, he latched onto her sweetness, inhaling deeply and exhaling hotly. As his sweltering breath hit her, she screamed. Renee trembled against his face, climaxing in his arms for the first time. His. Steadying her with his palm, he sucked on her dampened pants, tasting what he could and savoring the flavor that would never leave him. Her body pliant in his arms, he thumbed the elastic at her waist, tugging her pants down, going against his word. As comatose as she’d become, he figured he could have an early supper.
She still craved him. “No, Bane.”
He stilled, trying to follow his Alpha’s orders. Softly, he released her clothes and placed her smaller hand in his larger one. “Talk to me.”
“We’re not best friends,” she whispered. “We aren’t having a chick moment.” She shoved a pillow between them. Embarrassed about everything that just happened, some type of distance was necessary, however small.
“What’s your greatest fear?”
“You.”
He spent night after night guarding her precious life. Sitting on a rain slickened roof when tropical weather poured buckets on his head, he thought of nothing but protecting her. Bane didn’t mind one single moment of it, felt privileged to do so. Of course, she was unaware of all that. She was afraid of him. “My parents fell in love at first sight,” he offered. “I always thought the story was crazy in a magnificent sort of way. For a while, I hardly believed it. I figured they were only lust-filled and attracted. Then, eventually, love happened. What are you hiding from me?” He threw in that last question to startle her. The catch in her breathing was the telltale sign.
“If I were hiding something, why would I tell you?”
“I want to help.”
“You want to help yourself.” Still, she panted from aftershocks.
“I’ve been accused of a lot of things. I’ve done most of those things. Wanting to help you, that’s in me. My nature is to serve you.”
She didn’t know what to make of that. No one had ever spoken to her that way and confusion leapt in boundless questions. Why did this man want her when he could have anyone? Well, he could have anyone if he lost the pushy attitude. When Renee looked at Bane, she felt branded. She was hungry for him. Feelings such as these were unheard of for her. Her past had stolen that necessary section of her psyche. On rarities when her libido surged, she took care of it alone. Most of those times, she still couldn’t help herself with her needs. What just happened between them had taken her by surprise.
“Only my sisters know,” she started. “If I tell you, will you leave me alone?” Did she really mean that?
He studied his mate. Long inky hair curling around her shoulders, green eyes the color of freshly mown grass, a lush figure hid under a hideous uniform, and a distrusting attitude that he couldn’t begin to infiltrate. He was so into her. “I’ll agree to some limitations. But leaving you alone? I’ll never do that.”
“I’m seeing someone else,” she reminded him.
“You had just met him at the hospital, the night you ran from me. It had nothing to do with Dru, but everything to do with your fear of me, right?” They’d never addressed it.
“I ran from you. He called the next day,” she shrugged, “and I wanted to move forward.”
“Without me.”
“You’re intense, I can’t handle you. I know I can’t.”
“I know you can.”
“I feel like a whore. I’m seeing someone and you just made me…”
“Scream the roof off?” Looking up, Bane thought that wouldn’t be a hard thing to do in this place.
She reddened, “Okay, I’m definitely a whore.”
“Problem is, my little one, virgins aren’t whores, think again.”
How did he know she was a virgin? “There’s nothing to think about, what just happened between us was a mistake.”
That cut him. He curled his fingers around her nightstand drawer, pulling the knob forward, exposing the contents, “These are the mistakes.” All her sex toys were in plain view, alongside a big tube of lube. His face was stormy, marking his need. Unspoken, he was angry with Renee for seeking her relief elsewhere.
The fierceness in his face overrode her embarrassment, somehow enthralling her. She was hot again, battling need. Renee studied him, wondering what was happening, and not knowing if she could stop it. Bane’s virility filled her bedroom. Every surface, every crack, every inch of space, belonged to him.
His hair, black like her own, skimmed his shoulders. Muscles honed over pure steel, he was a masculine machine. His body covered in the most supple, golden skin she had ever seen. She wanted to lick that skin. He was an enigma, a force, a man, without a doubt, she would run from every day.
There was no room for Bane in her life. Not if she wanted to heal. “I can’t talk anymore, not now,” she pushed off the bed and met the dresser. Sliding a drawer open, she pulled out her freshly laundered, server’s uniform. “It’s late. I’m dirty, hungry, and tired. I have a six hour shift at the bar.” He had to leave. She couldn’t do this tonight.
“Okay,” he let it slide, this time. “I’ll put your food on the table while you shower. I’ll even walk the dog,” he moved towards the doorway, snapping his fingers at Sugar Baby. Bane wanted to bathe Renee, feed her by his hand, and smother her with his scent. Breathe in her lilacs and sunshine until it coated his soul. Take her where she’d never been and keep her there until she was happy. “I’ll drive you to work.”
Stepping into the narrow hall, Bane shut the door behind him. A conversation was in order. Dru and Bane had to further their efforts. Trying to get along for the sake of his girl, he palmed his cell phone and placed a call. Calling Sugar Baby along, he met the humid dusk air, listening to the phone ring on the other end.
Staring at the Sugar Baby, he thought what a pain the mutt was. Bane loved dogs, just not this demon in disguise. He directed Sugar Baby to the neighbor’s yard, turning away when she took an instant dump. No, he shouldn’t have let her crap in the grass without picking it up. Damned if he, a Beta, was picking up a dog’s load. The leash? That dog knew not to run from him. He turned, baring his canines, and watched Sugar Baby have second thoughts about biting the neighbor’s geriatric Golden Retriever. “Get going, shit eater.”
“You know, a little effort would speed things along. Especially, if we’re going to be lifelong mates or whatever you call it,” Dru let out a pissy rant on the other end.
Bane sighed, “Not you, leech, Renee’s canine.”
“I hate that dog.” Dru hated werewolves, too.
“Well, that’s two things we have in common. Let’s discuss the first.”
Running. She couldn’t run fast enough. Unable to get away, she backed beneath a tree. Three breaths in, one long push out. Then doubled. Three breaths in, one long push out. Then tripled. Three breaths in, one long push out.
“Renee, why?” Cold rain met the heated ground; steam erupted from the marsh.
“You’re dead.” She yelled and turned to run, thought twice, and then faced a monster. “Why’d you do it?”
“You.”
“That’s not an answer.”
“You,” he pressed his body to hers. He was inside her. She was inside of him. But, he faded back into the mist, and she screamed. Not due to fear, but coldness, she was glacial without a true answer. “Come back!”
“Tatum, love,” Bren caressed her face, “another nightmare?”
Tatum pushed the sweat-slicked hair from her face. “Yeah, it was that same deal about Renee. Did I wake you?”
“No, hellcat,” Jayce brought a
glass of water to her lips, “it’s early. We brought you home an hour ago.”
“Did you put me to sleep?” She shot Jayce a disgusted look.
“No, you were tired from our lovemaking, or have you forgotten?” Jayce let the attitude slide. Her nightmares were ruling their nights and grouchiness came with the territory.
“Why won’t you tell us about your dreams?” Bren brought his lips to her temple, frustrated that Jayce couldn’t pick up the mental pathways and translate without her knowledge. “Is the wedding planning too much for you? Madeline wants to help.” Bren cringed with his suggestion; Madeline was the mix-up queen when it came to weddings. Then again, it was better than paring Tatum with her mother.
“I have a better idea. Even though we discussed a small family affair at the resort, I’m beginning to favor the other option you two put on the table, earlier. In all our eyes, we were married weeks ago during the full moon. If this human ceremony is just for legalities and it doesn’t mean anything to us as the full moon mating does, then let’s just meet the justice of the peace and skip to the best part…the honeymoon. I have to say ‘I do’ to one of you during a civil ceremony, but I’m already wedded to two. Why celebrate a lie? In my heart, I’m married now.”
“I agree,” Jayce kissed the ring he and Bren had placed on her hand.
“Sure, love, I don’t want to be the one to stand aside in front of a large group and pretend I’m the best man. Thank you, and you’re right. The honeymoon will be the best part. Although, something greatly concerns me, the dreams you’re having are growing in intensity and frequency. Won’t you divulge what’s troubling you, since we are mated?”
“It’s just long ago stuff, you know, the Renee history you’re both aware of,” she clutched her arms, feeling a chill.
“This love we share should bring us together. If you can’t part with your burdens, what good are we as mates?” Jayce placed a robe over her shivering shoulders and settled next to her, bestowing his elevated body heat upon her. His Alpha was territorial, sexually aggressive, and often frustrating. However, he provided everything, which included warmth for his chilled mate. A growl left his lips.
“Don’t get snippy,” Tatum didn’t appreciate the growl.
“It’s not me, well it is me.” Settle down. “The Alpha wants to protect you.” Jayce couldn’t acknowledge the true meaning of the growl. And since things weren’t going anywhere with her dream confessional, he figured it was as good a time as any to let her know their secret. The Alpha’s heat was relaxing her body, she had quieted, and her head languidly rested on his chest. Bren dissolved his clothes, slid into bed, and covered them all with a silken sheet. As usual, he was hugely erect.
“We need to have a discussion, Tatum.” Bren rubbed the underside of his cock against the seam of her lovely bottom. How he wanted to be back in there.
“I’ll try. I think I’m falling asleep, again.” She stifled a yawn.
“The conception we planned is coming up soon,” Bren started, “and you need to know what to expect.” He hated this. Not being included on this full moon was shredding to his beast. He wanted what was his, and he wanted to impregnate what was his.
“Is there anything that we haven’t done yet?” Tatum looked from Jayce to Bren. “I mean, seriously,” she gave up a smile, “what else is there?”
“Witnesses,” Jayce graveled.
“Excuse me?” Tatum lost her smile.
“Witnesses,” Bren confirmed.
“So, what you’re saying is…,” she gave Jayce the ‘you better be lying’ look.
“We’ve established that I’m Alpha.”
“Old news, get to the new stuff.”
“It’s not new. Tradition dictates in our society. You are the queen. Birthing an Alpha’s pup, or child, is monumental.” He stopped and met Bren’s eyes. “Every birth is monumental. I didn’t make the laws, but have to uphold them.” He brought his attention back to Tatum. “As you know, this first child has to be mine. Therefore, Bren takes a backseat the next full moon. I don’t know how were going to accomplish that, seeing as his werewolf is one tough…well, anyway, I have to fill your womb with my seed.”
“I still don’t understand the witnesses.” She rubbed a tired hand across the back of her neck. Bren moved it and began a massage. “That’ll make me horny.” Every time Bren massaged her, she grew wet.
“I’m trying to understand the problem with that,” he tasted the flesh hidden under her hair. Bren loved the taste of Tatum’s neck, inside where the blood pulsed as well as outside where the skin delicately stretched.
Jayce hardened at the sight and continued rather hoarsely, “Anyway, selected pack-members witness this particular union to declare the child mine. It’s always a male, the first-born, and always the next Alpha. A prestigious moment, it’s a time of formal celebration for our kind.”
“No.”
“No to this?” Bren released the wolf’s tongue, erotically long and sand paper naughty. Down her neck, over her shoulder and under her armpit he traveled, lingering on the underside of her breast. The scent drove him mad. “I have a plan,” he looked over her large nipple, canines elongating, let’s have a fuck-o-thon while Jayce watches. I’ll even tie him with lined silver.”
“You’re not distracting me. I said no.” Tatum gave Bren the push off. He didn’t budge.
“Only two are required, witnesses that is.” Jayce felt bad. She hadn’t been brought up in their world. A privilege to all was degradation to her. It saddened him. “Please, tell me it’s just embarrassment that bothers you.”
“Hell yeah, isn’t that enough?” Tatum knew that Bren’s fantasy tongue was headed between her legs, and if he got there, she would lose another argument. “I can’t. Let me rephrase that; I won’t do it.”
Jayce relinquished his hold and pulled up from the bed. “I’m going to be in the den catching up on paperwork. Everything has to be squared away before our honeymoon.” He stepped out, quietly closing the door behind him.
“Where were we? Perhaps, it was here.” Bren nuzzled her left thigh and slowly spread her open. Taking a deep breath, his eyes closed with satisfaction.
“Bren?”
“Yes, my love.”
“You aren’t one of the two witnesses, are you?”
“No.”
5
Six Feet Under thrived with Goth wannabes. If you could dye it an unnatural color, cover it in white powder, and squeeze it into black leather, you were in. It had taken Renee a year to get this job. It might take her one night to lose it. Bane hadn’t left. He paid the exorbitant cover charge and planted himself to the right of the bar. She hadn’t missed the fact that several women had saddled up next to him and attempted to press their breasts in his face. Another fact, it had only been twenty minutes and he was refusing the twentieth bitch, um woman. Not that she was counting. No, Renee wasn’t jealous, not one bit.
She caught her tray before it hit the floor. Staring into the mirror above the bar, Bane’s reflection bore his eyes into hers. A look passed between them. Honestly, she didn’t know what that look was all about. Maybe it said ‘others want me, what if you wait too long?’, or something such as ‘we have some seriously unfinished business, you and I’. She wasn’t sure. What was she sure of? She couldn’t lose this job. Any night of the week, Six Feet Under was packed. For the most part, she could chunk up major tips on all shifts. And the way her animals, housing expenses, nursing school necessities, expensive coffee runs, and car payments absorbed her cash, she was grateful for the blisters and sore legs at the end of the day.
Pulling her head out of Bane’s ass, she headed for table forty-two to take their first drink order. It was a busy night, and a note pad and pen were a necessity. Trying to appear epic by memorizing everyone’s drink order wasn’t on the top of Renee’s to-do list. Without looking up, she greeted the table. “Hi, I’m Renee. What will you have?”
“Oh, I don’t know, maybe the time of day given
to me by ungrateful daughter.”
Renee had to have a firm sit down with that bouncer. “Mom?”
“Do you hear that Molly? She recognized me. Praise the Saints and all their amorous blessings.” One hand pumped the side of her sleek hair while the other picked imaginary lint from her white linen suit. It was a practiced move similar to chewing gum and dribbling a basketball. Don’t try this at home.
Tatum had taken a bit of the heat from her the past couple of weeks. Obviously, Renee’s reprieve was over. “Why would you be at a Goth…,” she blinked once, twice and a third time. “Is that Granny and Betsy?”