Gina frowned. “So it was to mask her scent to an At Will shifter?”
“Exactly.” He nodded. “It wasn’t a full moon that night. She had no way to defend herself. If she’d had L-12, the other wolf probably would’ve left her alone.”
“You can’t know that.”
“Recently, the murders of lunar wolves have been growing all over the country. It’s always been a problem, but now it’s much worse. I have to suspect that Laura fell victim too. After she died, Dominic continued her research at my request.”
“Are you a lunar as well?”
“No. In my family, about thirty percent of offspring are At Wills.”
“Okay, I’ll buy Laura’s reason for wanting to mask her scent.” Sparks of irritation lit her brilliant eyes. She lifted her hand and poked a finger against his chest. “But why did you not smell like a wolf?”
“I was my own company’s guinea pig.” He shrugged. “Dominic had a fit when he found out I’d taken L-12, but I had to know if it worked. It did. You’re beginning to smell me now because I didn’t have my daily dose. The effect is only temporary.”
“You must’ve thought I was so stupid. The country wolf who was tricked by the big bad city wolf.” She slapped her hand against his chest. “You should’ve told me. I would’ve understood.”
He encircled her wrist to keep her from hitting him again. “I had to keep L-12 secret. If I’d told you I was a wolf and you didn’t smell me, it would lead to more questions. I wasn’t prepared to answer them yet.”
Did she know he was her mate? She didn’t seem to. Or perhaps the mating urge wasn’t as strong for her, like he’d feared. “How well can you . . . smell me?”
She shrugged and broke free of his grip. “Not very. It’s almost as if you brushed against a wolf.”
Was that why she couldn’t tell he was her mate? How would she react when the scent intensified? He debated coming completely clean, but he kept his mouth shut. He wanted her full-blown reaction when she finally realized it.
She reached up to tighten her ponytail. He tried to pretend the sight of her breasts straining against her sweater wasn’t turning him completely on.
“I guess now I know why you were so familiar with wolf-related stuff.” She dropped her arms to her sides, and her hands made a slapping sound as they met her thighs.
“I’m really sorry for misleading you.” He reclaimed her hand. He threaded his fingers through hers and pulled her closer. “When you appeared at the office, I was too shell-shocked to think straight.”
Her cheeks turned pink. Incredibly long lashes fluttered down to cover her eyes before sweeping up and granting him the full view of the beautiful blue orbs. She didn’t beat around the bush, pretending she didn’t know the reason for his claim. “You’re lying.”
“No. I’ve never been more honest in my entire life.”
She sucked in a breath, as if realizing he hadn’t been teasing her. “You can’t be serious.”
He turned her hand over, exposing the delicate skin of her wrist to his gaze. He bent his head and whispered a breath across it. “Why can’t I?”
A visible shiver went down her body. “Because . . . because . . . ”
His lips remained close to her wrist, but he cut his gaze to her face. “Because why?”
Her words stuttered to a stop and she just stared at him. The moment drew out, neither looking away, until the tension got too thick to ignore. He straightened and wrapped his arm around her waist. “I can think of a million reasons why I should let you go, but for the life of me I can’t seem to.”
Chapter Nine
He was a shifter.
It made sense, yet her mind refused to accept it. She’d categorically placed him in the safe zone. Knowing he was her equal heightened her awareness of him. And her lust.
Although she’d wanted him before, it was nothing like the bone-jarring need ricocheting through her body. One whiff of his faint scent and she was panting like . . . well, a wolf in heat. If such a reaction could be caused by the slight strain, what would it be like when his full scent returned?
He still held her hand, his other arm wrapped tight around her waist. With every breath she took, her breasts brushed his firm chest. It seemed natural to lean into him, so she did. A full, honest-to-goodness growl escaped him. Suddenly, his hands were tangled in her hair, angling her face for his kiss.
Fire scorched her veins as his tongue surged into her mouth. Passion flared to life, no gentleness evident in the way he kissed her now. Despite her lack of her experience, she recognized the difference in this kiss. There would be no pulling back tonight . . . for either of them.
The flavor of Luke had subtly changed. She could taste the animal inside him. How could she have missed it before? Yet in the back of her mind, she’d known. Her body had responded to his long before she’d ever gotten a whiff. Call it a sixth sense, a premonition, something different about him had always been present.
He backed her toward the bed. She buckled when her knees hit the edge of the mattress and toppled onto it. He followed her down, his hand cradling the back of her head as they collided. The kiss remained unbroken. His tongue traced her lips, his teeth lightly nipping the sensitive tissue inside.
An undercurrent of raw power was present in the kiss. Although he didn’t force it, there was no doubt he was the one in control. Gina, used to being dominated by the males in her family, thought she would’ve rebelled against a man controlling her. But not in this arena. She was happy to let Luke lead her wherever they may go.
Cool air brushed her belly as Luke pushed up the hem of her sweater. He didn’t bare much of her skin, but the thought of him doing so made her shiver. They hadn’t been able to stop for a change of clothes that morning, but thank goodness she’d worn a decent bra.
His fingers tickled the area around her navel. An imaginary line was traced up and down her lower belly, never creeping farther than the waistband of her jeans. Knowing that a few more inches and he could touch her there sent another thrill through Gina. Her innocence was no hindrance. She wanted this. She wanted Luke.
He lifted his head. His eyes blazed in the semi-darkness of the hotel room. “Tell me if I do anything you don’t like.”
She didn’t think it was possible for her to not like anything he did. Moistening her lips with her tongue, she nodded. “I’m not scared.”
His lips curled into a crooked grin. “I didn’t think you would be.” He laid his palm against her bare belly and slid it upward. “You’re much too feisty for that.”
Her breath stilled. He was so close to touching her breasts. Her nipples were hard, pressing against the satin of her bra and begging for him. Beneath the cover of her sweater, his hand moved and cupped one breast. Warmth exploded inside her at the brief contact. She wanted more of the deliciousness of his caress.
He plucked at her nipple through the bra’s material. Biting back a moan, she arched against him. No man had ever touched her there. Lightning-quick bolts shot through her. Her skin tingled with need. It closely resembled the need to shift, yet was ten times more intense. In an instant, the tenor of their interaction changed. Suddenly his hands were everywhere, removing her sweater and unsnapping her bra so quickly her brain whirled.
Bare from the waist up, she lifted her upper body and reached for his T-shirt. He brushed aside her hands and ripped the shirt over his head and tossed it to the floor. Her mouth went dry at the sight of his chest. Rippling arm muscles and a broad chest, sprinkled with dark blond hair, tapered down to a tight abdomen. A six-pack so perfect it could rival any of Hollywood’s airbrushed creations held her attention.
She resolutely kept her gaze from straying lower, but the bulge in the crotch of his jeans was clearly evident on the edges of her vision. Was she really going to do this? Lose her virginity to a man she’d known a week? But in her heart, the short span didn’t matter. The little time they’d spent together cemented the knowledge Luke was the one. All he confesse
d to her about his family, her problems with her own, even the overwhelming fear of what they’d face in Boston faded in the face of her desire. Even had he not proven to be a wolf, he was perfect. No matter what happened later, this night with him would be one she’d never forget.
She placed a hand on his chest. Tiny hairs tickled the pad of her fingers as she stroked his warm skin. “When I was a girl, I always imagined my mate would be the first. Silly of me, huh?”
An odd light entered his glittering gaze. “Not at all. All wolves dream of meeting their mate.”
Shy, she glanced away from the probing intensity of his stare. “Have you ever met her? Your mate?”
“Does it matter?” He touched her cheek and turned her face back to meet his gaze. “Tonight is about us. Just us. Okay?”
Jealousy filled her. She didn’t like the thought of another woman, another wolf, lying like this with Luke. It was an unfamiliar emotion. Knowing she couldn’t be with him forever, it was ridiculous she would envy the woman who’d finally snare his love.
“You’re right. Completely right.” She lifted her chin and smiled. “It’s just us.”
•●•
Guilt tore at him. He was a fucking bastard. How could he make love to his mate without her knowing? Although it wouldn’t matter, because as far as he was concerned, he was never letting her go, but taking Gina’s virginity without knowing they would be mated made him feel like he was betraying her. Yet he couldn’t bring himself to tell her. She’d made it quite clear she wasn’t ready to settle down with her mate. She’d gone to Boston to find a life of her own. What right did he have her to steal that from her?
She would be angry when she found out. He wasn’t stupid enough to believe otherwise. In a few hours, his scent would intensify. By morning, or perhaps a day or two later, she would smell him and know. Just like he had. But nothing short of dying would keep him from burying his cock deep inside the female body beneath him.
He lowered his body to hers, their chests brushing until he rested fully on her. Pebble hard nipples poked his chest, while her thighs cradled his waist. An audible gasp escaped Gina as he flexed his hips, wanting her to feel the strength of his arousal. Her eyes lit with blue flame, then softened as her eyelids appeared heavy. Thankfully, she wouldn’t be a squeamish virgin. Female wolves were designed for breeding, for sex. There would be no pain when he claimed her, but he would have to take pains not to impregnate her. Although they were mates, he wouldn’t have the choice taken from her. When he created a child with her, he wanted it to be done with her consent, with the full knowledge she would never know any other man but him.
Animal instincts clawed to the surface. Thoughts of mating, fantasies of how wet she would be, how her soft tissue would tighten about his cock, forced a growl from his throat. Fisting his hands in her hair, he jerked her lips to his. The kiss was hard, but not punishing. He suckled on her bottom lip, teeth lightly scraping her skin. He nibbled his way to her chin, tasting the vanilla essence of her.
Gina turned her head to grant him access to her throat. He latched onto the pale skin above her jugular and sucked, tonguing the delicate area until she moaned beneath him. When he was inside her, right before he made her come, he would mark her here. No wolf would ever possess her but him.
Gina touched him, but timidity was apparent in her feather-soft caress. She touched his chest, his arms, but not with the boldness he’d expected. Lifting his head, he grinned at her. “Don’t be afraid to touch me. I want you to.”
“I want that too,” she whispered.
“Then do it.” He cupped her breast, the weight full and heavy in his palm. He adored her curves, every delectable inch of them. Bending his head, he took a pale nipple into his mouth. He suckled her, his tongue teasing the peak until she tangled her fingers in his hair and pulled. The bite of pain was enough to remind him that although she wasn’t ready for rough play yet, it would soon come. His cock jerked in anticipation. Jesus Fucking Christ. He couldn’t wait much longer. He tried to ignore the pull, the thread connecting him to his mate, but the urge was one he couldn’t deny.
It was torture to ease her out of her jeans. He wanted to shred the material from her body, but he forced himself to move slowly. The long golden limbs he exposed as he pulled down the denim were without comparison. A tiny freckle on her knee received a kiss. Her slim calves were given a quick massage, the muscles firm yet lean beneath his palms.
Lying on the bed, clad in nothing but a skimpy pair of white lace panties, she was a wet dream come to life. Her red hair was done up in a messy ponytail. Long strands escaped and clung to the orange duvet. He parted her thighs, rubbing his hand along the sides of her knees and higher. A damp spot on the crotch of her panties told him she was turned on. Her scent was tantalizing, calling to him to lower his head and feast on the feminine flesh before him.
He hooked his fingers in the hem of her panties and tugged them aside, baring her to his gaze. Dewy drops of moisture between her inner lips coated the finger he used to prepare her for what was to come. One touch of the warm wetness between her legs and he was ready to explode. His cock pulsed against the unforgiving metal of his zipper, begging to be released. But not yet. First, he had to taste her.
He lifted his hand to his mouth. The scent and taste of his mate was unforgettable. Vanilla musk coated his tongue as he licked her moisture from his finger. “Hmmm,” he murmured.
Gina’s eyes widened. The darkness of her pupils overtook the irises, the small ring of blue glowing with the force of her arousal. “Now.”
“Impatient?” he teased as he slid her panties down her legs. He tossed the scrap of fabric over his shoulder.
Her hands moved to his belt. She fumbled to unfasten it. “No, just tired of waiting.”
Chuckling, he assisted her in popping open the button to his jeans and undoing the zipper. He stood to shuck his jeans and then fell back upon her. He’d seen the look in her eyes when she’d caught sight of his massive erection. He felt as if the come of a thousand years had taken up residence in his balls. He needed relief now.
He settled between her thighs, taking pains to keep his cock away from the temptation of paradise between her legs. Although she appeared ready, he had to be sure. He explored the damp depths of her body with his fingers. He teased her, easing one finger inside her and carefully stretching her. She was tight, guaranteed to make him want to come with one thrust. He had no clue how he would make it last. Already, his balls were drawn tight against his body.
She wriggled, forcing his finger deeper inside. “Luke,” she begged with a breathy moan. “Please.”
It was enough. It had to be enough. Although he wanted to pleasure her with his hands and mouth, the hardness between his legs couldn’t be denied. He’d found his mate. No longer could he put off the inevitable.
He shifted and took his cock in one hand. He positioned himself at her entrance, carefully wiping away the bead of pre-come from the head. A condom would be nice, but he didn’t have the patience to go in search of one. If he were careful and pulled out, it would be okay. For a female werewolf to get pregnant there had to be an extended climax on the part of the male. There definitely would be one, but he would make sure it took place outside of her body.
Gina’s face was flushed, her breath coming in ragged spurts. The scent of their musk and her nervousness filled the air. Despite her bravado, she was a virgin. It was natural for her to experience trepidation.
Pulse galloping with the need to plunge inside her, he reined in his desire. Balancing on his elbows, he cupped her shoulders. “Have you changed your mind?”
“No!” Her eyes widened and her hands gripped his waist as if she were scared he would leave. “I want to do this.”
He leaned down and nudged the tip of her nose with his own. That close, he could see a tiny spattering of freckles on her cheeks. It made him want her even more. “I promise I won’t hurt you.”
She tilted her head, offering her lips
to him. He took her mouth in a sweetly stirring kiss. Leisurely kissing her, he waited until the tenseness left her body. Once she was lying pliant against him, he moved and slowly entered her. It felt so fucking good. None of his other lovers could compare. It went beyond being mated. The secret was Gina herself. She was everything he could ever want.
Gina’s lips moved as if she were talking, but no sound escaped. He focused on her face, delighting in the emotions she revealed. He withdrew and plunged into her again. No wince or expression of pain. Good. The effort to hold back made him clench his fingers into the duvet until his knuckles turned white.
“Please tell me you like this,” he whispered.
She rubbed his hip and arched against him. “Do you even have to ask?”
Just like that, his control broke. Anchoring her lower body to his, his pace increased. Her moans and loud sighs mingled with his harsh groans. They strained toward each other, both striving for climax. He was unprepared when it happened. She fell first, her hips lifting from the bed and a muffled scream escaping her as she buried her face in his neck. He’d planned to mark her, never expecting she would beat him to the punch.
Her small teeth pierced the flesh of his shoulders. It was painless, but the purely erotic motive behind her bite pushed him over the edge. He jerked from her body even as her muscles tightened in release around him and spilled his seed on the sheets.
Never had sex been so good. He couldn’t wait to do it again. With an exhausted smile, he gathered her in a fierce embrace and rolled until she was half-lying atop him. Her hair was a tangled mess, sweaty strands clinging to her cheek and neck. She’d never looked more beautiful to him. No matter what happened when they returned to Boston, he would find a way to keep her by his side.
Chapter Ten
She didn’t look any different. A little exhausted perhaps, but still the same old Gina. She swiped a hand against the moisture forming on the glass and stared hard at her steamy reflection in the mirror.
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