Luke rushed to her side. “That was stupid, so stupid.”
Then she was in his arms, his hands cradling her head as her tears soaked his ruined shirt.
Chapter Thirteen
“Should I go talk to her?”
Luke tore his attention from his mate, lying still and pale on the sofa, and focused on Dominic. “Give her time. She’s been through a lot the past few days.”
Dominic’s features hardened. “She should go back to Clinton. Her father can protect her.”
“No.” Luke snapped. “I’ll take care of her.”
“You’re doing a piss poor job of it so far,” Dominic scoffed and lifted his coffee cup to his lips. Luke knocked the mug aside, his hands going for his throat.
“She’s mine. Do you understand?” He hissed. “She’s not going anywhere.”
Dominic’s eyes widened, clearly surprised by Luke’s outburst. “Chill out, man.”
Luke glanced at his hands, loosely wrapped on his friend’s throat, and pulled away as if burned. “Ah, damn. I’m sorry, Dom.”
The younger wolf shrugged. “No biggie. I know you’re concerned about her, but she needs to be with her family.”
Luke took a deep breath. It was time to come clean. Dominic needed to know Gina was his mate. That was the only way he could prevent him from trying to take her away. “There are things you need to know.”
Dominic picked up his mug and put it in the sink. He swiped at the spilled coffee on the counter and looked vaguely interested. “What things?”
Shit. How would he take knowing his little cousin was mated? It was a curious thing, the strong bond between the Morettis. Luke wasn’t used to a tight family unit. He and Laura had been virtually all alone in the world, despite their numerous relatives in Jackson.
“Uh . . . ”
Dominic lifted an eyebrow, curiously similar to an expression Gina made. One thought of his mate, and his concern fled. She was his. Nothing Dom could say would change that. “Gina is my mate.”
Dominic’s expression never changed. He sat there, unblinking, and waited. “Say what?”
“She . . . we . . . ” Damn, it was harder than he thought. “We’re mated.”
Laughter exploded from the other wolf. “You’re pulling my leg.”
“I’m completely serious.”
Dominic’s laughter faded. A mere second later, he was on his feet. This time, it was his hands wrapped around Luke’s throat. “No, you’re lying.”
Luke didn’t want to hurt him, but he would if he had to. “It’s the truth. Ask her if you want.”
“You’re not kidding?”
He shook his head. “It’s the truth.”
“How long have you known?”
“Since the moment I met her.” The memory of the meeting burned fiercely. “It’s just like they say. You know instantly.”
“But she didn’t.” Dominic’s expression grew suspicious. “She couldn’t smell you, so she didn’t know.”
“You have to believe me when I say I never meant for any of this to happen. It was hell having her right in front of me, but not able to tell her. I had to come clean.”
Fire burned in Dominic’s eyes. “If you hurt her, I’ll . . . ”
“I won’t hurt her.” Luke held up his hands. “We didn’t plan for this. Shit, Dom. You know better than anyone. You can’t control who your mate is.”
Anger made Dominic’s eyes glitter dangerously. “If this is about Laura . . . ”
He broke in quickly. “It’s not. Laura has nothing to do with this.” Dominic’s feelings for Laura were no secret. It was unfortunate they weren’t intended to be mates, although he doubted Dom felt the same. He’d loved Laura despite it all.
His voice softened. “If she were here, if you could see her once more, wouldn’t you do everything you could to protect her?”
A closed-off expression covered Dominic’s face. “You better not break her heart. I’ll have your ass.” A moment later, he smiled. “I can’t wait for you to meet Uncle Tony.”
“Amuses you, does it?”
Dominic nodded. “I’ll tell you this. I sure wouldn’t want to be in your shoes.”
Wasn’t very comforting. Disregarding his friend’s teasing, he went into the living room and squatted at Gina’s side. “Are you okay?”
Her eyes seemed overly large in her pale face. Her lips were pulled into a thin line, her tiny teeth nibbling on the bottom. “Quit asking me that. I’m fine. Sorry about your laptop.”
He smoothed a hand across her soft hair. “Don’t worry about it. I can buy another. I was quite fond of that letter opener though.”
As he’d hoped, a small chuckle escaped her. “I’ll get you a new one.” She swung her feet to the floor and sat up. “What was that thing?”
“I don’t know.” He’d talked about it with Dominic, but he claimed hybrids weren’t possible. Yet the vampire had smelled very wolf-like. “But I intend to find out.”
She grabbed his hand. “Promise me you won’t do anything stupid.”
“By stupid, do you mean something like you calling a huge vamp ugly?” Although he could laugh now, it hadn’t been funny when she’d done it. His heart nearly stopped when she’d attacked the vamp.
“I’m serious, Luke. Promise.”
He stroked a strand of her hair. He liked it like that, loose and hanging past her shoulders. “What do you care? You’d be free of me. You’d like that, wouldn’t you?”
Her gaze turned searing. “I may not have asked for this, but I’m not willing to sit by and watch you get killed.”
“Of course not.” He gave her a brief kiss. “I’m sorry.”
She curled her fingers into his shirt and pulled him closer. “Are you trying to get rid of me now? After all you’d done to keep me?”
He sighed. “I just wonder if it would be better if you went back to Clinton.”
She stiffened. “Do you want me to go?”
“Hell, no. I want you here.”
She brushed another kiss to his lips. “Then I’ll stay.”
A dramatic cough sounded. “Excuse me, but I am in the room.”
Dominic came into the room and dropped his lanky body into a chair. With reluctance, Luke let go of Gina and stood. “I didn’t send the email to Meredith.”
Dominic nodded. “I figured as much. Are you thinking we should halt the trial?”
“It’s ridiculous. Why after all we’ve been through would I experience hesitation now?”
Gina drew his attention back to her. “Can you trust Meredith? How well do you know her?”
“What are you saying?”
Gina shrugged. “It’s just odd that you talk to her on the phone and a few minutes later that thing showed up.”
“Why would she do that? She knew I was sending L-12 to her. There is no need to steal it.”
“Maybe she’s not trying to steal it. Maybe she wants to make sure it doesn’t go to trial.”
Dominic stroked his bottom lip. “She does have a point, Luke. Maybe we need some face time with her first? Can you set up a meeting?”
“I don’t see why not.” Luke wanted to kick himself. Why hadn’t he thought to suspect Meredith? But why would she want to halt L-12? “I’ll call her and set up the meeting.”
•●•
It was odd sleeping in Luke’s bed. Although she’d done so before, this time it was different. She wasn’t dead tired from driving across the northeast. Tonight, she was fully awake, aware he was taking a shower in the next room.
Dominic had brought her a bag of clothes. She wore a nightshirt, the long sleeves and cartoon figures the complete opposite of sexy. She wouldn’t have put it past her cousin to pack the most unattractive night clothes he could find although Dominic had seemed to accept Luke as her mate. Of course, he hadn’t known about it at the time. He would’ve packed the bag before Luke told him.
Oh, she’d heard their conversation about her. Dominic’s wannabe alpha routine wou
ld be annoying if he hadn’t done it out of love for her. Somehow that made it easier to bear. But like her cousin, she was concerned about her father’s reaction. Tony Moretti was overprotective and gruff. Not many males could stand up to the alpha of their family. If he didn’t approve of Luke, there would be hell to pay.
Thinking of her father made thoughts of home, her family, hit her hard. She missed Clinton, as amazing as it seemed. She missed her mom, her cousins. She even missed her father. Briefly, she thought about calling him, but chickened out. She was scared her father would know from her voice something was going on. It was too risky. Best to wait and inform him when the time was right.
The bathroom door opened and Luke appeared. His hair was damp and brushed back from his forehead, but an errant lock fell across his brow. The scent of sandalwood drifted to her, along with the hint of his wolf, the intoxicating whiff that only grew stronger with every passing hour. It was amazing that L-12 had prevented her from smelling her own mate. But she’d known. Somehow, even without his scent, she’d known they were linked.
He wore boxers, his chest bare to her avid gaze. Would he want to sleep with her? Would she let him? The one time she’d been with him had far surpassed her fantasies. How would it be now that she knew he was her mate? Would it be different?
Luke walked over to the bed, a grin tugging at the edges of his lips. “Why are you bundled under the covers like someone’s grandma? Stop looking at me like I’m the big, bad wolf coming to eat you.”
She loosened her grip on the blanket, but remained beneath it. “Aren’t you?”
“Oh, I could. Believe me.” He slid under the covers beside her. Their bodies didn’t touch, but the few inches separating them seemed to heat ten degrees.
He turned on his side to face her. “I meant what I said earlier. It’s your choice. I won’t force you into choosing me.”
Unexpectedly tears prickled her eyes. All her life, she’d thought independence was what she wanted. But now, faced with admitting what was truly in her heart made her clench with fear. She wanted him to make the first move, not the other way around. Was she brave enough to chase what she wanted?
He moved his hand beneath the covers. His fingers closed around hers. “Don’t be frightened of me. I won’t bite.”
The tenderness in his eyes and the crooked smile melted her heart. It would be so easy to love him. “I’m not afraid.”
His voice lowered to whisper. “What do you want? Tell me.”
She swallowed past the lump in her throat. “I want you.”
He slid closer. His knees bumped against hers as he lifted the covers and slid his arm around her waist. “You have me.”
“You don’t understand.” It was difficult to find the strength to say what she wanted. “It’s more than just lust. I want . . . I want more of you.”
“That’s normal.” He toyed with a strand of her hair. “Mates experience overwhelming urges for each other.”
“No.” She didn’t know much about being mated, but she knew her own mind. It wasn’t just desire making her feel this way. “Even before I could detect your scent.”
“What are you saying?” His eyebrows drew together, and his face became a mask of confusion.
“When the thief held the gun on you in the alley, you can’t imagine how furious it made me. I literally wanted to tear him limb from limb.” She took a deep breath. “I hadn’t shifted in months, a year almost. Fear for you made me disregard my own well-being. I revealed myself to a human, a stranger, to protect you.”
A gentle smile appeared right before he leaned over to kiss her. “Thank you for caring.”
“I don’t want to lose you. I know we’re practically strangers, but it feels right to be with you. Am I completely crazy?”
“Not crazy.” His lips hovered near hers, their breath intermingling. “Can I kiss you properly now?”
“Yes.” Relieved at the diversion, she tilted her chin and granted him access.
Warm, soft lips slid over hers. Liquid heat moved through her veins like melted butter. Even through the thickness of her cotton gown, she felt him. His erection lay like a thick rope against her belly. The kiss would’ve made all her doubts slip away, had she had any. And she didn’t. There was nothing to prevent her from being with Luke. All her life she’d dreamed of her mate, wondered what he would be like. And here he was, surpassing any of her imaginations.
Luke nibbled on her bottom lip, his teeth scraping it as he sucked it into his mouth. It released with a soft pop as he moved his mouth lower. He licked down her neck, stopping at the high neckline of her nightshirt. “May I?”
She sat up and allowed him to pull it off. She wore nothing beneath. A sexy grin appeared as he studied it. “Pepe Le Pew?”
“Hey, don’t knock my favorite character.” She grabbed the gown from him and tossed it aside. Scrambling quickly, she pushed him onto his back and climbed atop him. The courage came out of nowhere. She pinned his hands to the bed and leaned over him.
Luke’s beautiful eyes lit up. “You are so sexy.”
Her hair was down, falling loosely over her shoulders, the ends resting on his chest. She moved her head and tickled him with the curls. “Bet you say that to all the girls,” she teased.
“No.” His eyes glowed. “Only you.”
She shivered at the hot look he gave her. His gaze traveled from her face to her breasts, which were right before him. Although he didn’t physically touch them, her nipples tightened into hard nubs. She wanted his hands there. More than that, she wanted him everywhere. Tonight, she wouldn’t be a scared little virgin. She was a strong female wolf with the mate of her choice.
Desire made her voice husky. “Touch me.”
“Gladly.” Luke surged upward and took a nipple into his mouth. He sucked on it, gently biting before laving it with his tongue.
Her body’s response was instantaneous. Each pull of her nipple caused an unfolding deep inside her. Liquid heat moved through her veins. She shifted against him, her damp center rubbing against his boxer-clad erection. She wanted him inside her, deep inside. It was a physical ache that grew stronger.
She moaned and shifted again. It felt so good to rub against him. The friction of his boxers between her thighs provided small relief. Bare skin was what she craved.
“Do you want me?” Luke’s wicked voice slipped into the night. His hands were still pinned to the bed, but he arched his hips. “Tell me.”
God, he had to know she wanted him. She put her head to his chest, hiding her face from him. Tiny hair tickled her cheeks. Letting go of his arms, she moved her hands to his shoulders and clung to him. At once, he grasped her hips and held her tight to his cock.
He held her in place as his hips moved, sliding his lower body against hers again and again. Moments later, he groaned. “I can’t wait.”
She lifted her head, pinning his gaze with her own. “Then don’t.”
“Undress me.” The command was softly voiced, yet no less demanding.
She felt the blush stain her cheeks, but she did as he asked. Grasping the elastic waistband, she slid the boxers off. She was crouched near his knees, his erection right before her. It was tempting to taste him, so she did. Opening her mouth, she leaned up and took him inside.
His hips jerked. “Holy fuck!”
She put her hand on his lower belly and urged him to lay still. His taste was intriguing, almost as if she could taste his wolf, deep and dark with a hint of salt. Opening her mouth wider, she took more of him inside. She licked the thick shaft with her tongue and ran it around the head. As a novice, she had no clue what to do. She let instinct guide her, her lips circling the shaft up and down as her tongue teased him.
Luke curled a fist into her hair and pulled her away. “No more. I’m going to come.”
She looked down at her handiwork, the head purply-red and damp from her mouth. Luke still held her hair, the small twinge of pain on her scalp increasing her desire. She wanted more, wanted
him so bad it hurt.
“If you keep looking at me like that, I’m going to explode,” Luke warned.
She moved her gaze to his face. His lean cheeks were flushed, his eyes glittering with lust. This unbelievably sexy man was hers, all hers. The things she wanted to do flashed before her eyes. A vivid montage of all the ways she wanted to come. Heat laced between them the longer they stared.
As if he’d realized the direction of her thoughts, he crooked a finger at her. “Come here.”
She shook her head, a tiny devil inside making her want to play. “Come get me.”
Luke’s growl dissolved into a chuckle as he lunged for her. Within seconds, she lay flat on her back. He hovered over her, his head blocking her view of all but him. This time, it was her hands pinned to the bed. “Vixen.”
She arched her lower body against his and wrapped a leg around his hip. “Tease.”
“No, never that.” He settled between her thighs, the damp head of his cock sliding close, so unbearably close, to her core.
She moved her hips, attempting to take him inside, but he remained just out of reach. “Luke,” she whined. “I want you!”
He winked. “Finally.”
He slid inside, his motion unhurried. Every single inch of him was felt all the way to her toes. She was more than ready for him, her passage damp with need. It was different than she’d thought, not a wild, passionate grappling she’d expected of most matings. Luke was firm and forceful in his movements, yet controlled. Perhaps too gentle. Though she thought she would like a fierce bout of sex, this pleased her too. He was such a good man, determined and loyal. She was lucky to have found him.
He nudged his forehead against hers. “Stop thinking so much.”
“I can’t help it.” She locked gazes with him. “I’m thinking of you.”
His lips quirked into a smile and he paused. “And?”
Her heart stilled. The moment was perfect. It was on the tip of her tongue to say more, but shyness attacked. “I’m just thinking how sexy you are.”
“That’s all?” He didn’t seem to believe her. He kissed her softly. “You seemed serious there for a moment.”
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