She thrust back to meet him, her body moving in time with his as she lay under him, and his hand dipped into her warmth, just one finger, then another, testing, stretching, listening to the sounds she made, the beautiful scent in the air. He was fully in control of the situation and he loved it. He was throbbing and hard but he didn’t care. All he cared about was the rising pleasure in her body, the movements becoming more frantic with the rising heat. He could feel her muscles starting to tense and relax as he kissed her back and rubbed in circles with his fingers over the wet nub where her pleasure was centered.
She called his name, she called for mercy, and she bit down against the onslaught of pleasure that he was bringing her to, but none of it made any difference. He knew the moment the release hit her by the frozen position of her body, and then the long, low scream as she arched against him, pulsing against his hand and calling his name. It was the most beautiful thing he’d ever seen, smelled or felt.
She was his.
Or she would be. But for this kind of ecstasy he could be patient. As long as no one else ever touched her. He could feel how overwhelmed she was, the shock at what she’d been missing. Damn, he could kill her father for what they had done to her.
He let her relax slightly beneath him, listening to her murmurs of amazement. Then he started again, rocking his hips as he moved his hand against her, stroking, teasing, letting her feel him as she adjusted to the sensation. He was rock hard, and wanted badly to be able to come inside her, so he was glad he had pants on and could resist. He wanted this to be about her. Wanted her to see just how much he could do for her body. What a good mate he would be.
He wanted to win her, simply by showing her pleasure. And then he wanted to pleasure her for the rest of his life.
It was so odd but so right, and he was done fighting it. So was she. She dug her hands into the sheets and arched up as his fingers explored. He circled her with one finger and then plunged it deep inside and she mewled.
“That’s it sweetheart, and when I’m inside you, you’ll feel a thousand times better.”
She simply growled slightly at that, probably because he had stopped moving, and so he gave her what she wanted and resumed stroking gently with his finger inside her. He removed it from her wetness and swirled around her clit again.
“How does it feel?”
She whimpered in response and he grinned.
“Good.”
He let his body come more in contact with her, enjoying the feel of his bare chest where his robe had come open against her soft back. He kept his hand wrapped around in front of her to reach her and keep pleasing her, and let himself imagine that their bodies were one at this moment.
She cried out and threw her head back and he caught her in a rough kiss from the side, stifling her cries as she came, giving her an anchor in an uncertain universe.
They weren’t Matt and Thor anymore, they were just two wolves, two humans, lost in something cosmic and amazing and incomprehensible. And it was amazing.
He kissed her until her screams turned to gentle whimpers as she relaxed down in front of him. He nipped at her ear and she gasped, rearing back sensitively. He wanted to go further but could hear from her labored breath that she was exhausted. He turned her over, desperate to look into her eyes.
They were so blue, glowing from the pleasure he’d given her. Gratitude shone in her eyes, and he felt triumphant. Alpha. He planted his hands on both sides of her head and kissed her again. Roughly. Harshly. Letting her know who was master. She simply wrapped her hands around his neck and let him know she was just as much his master as he was hers.
He growled, liking it.
And then a knock sounded on the door. He raised his head and she froze, the moment broken. Both of them held their breath. The last thing he wanted was someone coming in right at that moment, with the scent of her heady in the air. He’d likely have an alpha challenge on his hands.
He put a gentle hand on her shoulder to reassure her, and then quietly got off the bed, wrapping his robe tight against him as he went. He peeked out of the room to look at the door. With his advanced hearing and scent, he knew who it was. His Beta, Ernie.
Well, that was good because he had needed to get in touch with him anyway about the situation. Not that he planned to tell him everything, but he would need him to go pick some supplies up for him.
He looked over at Matt, Lacey, who was rolling languidly in the covers to pull the sheets over herself. She was flushed, glowing, beautiful. And yes, a little pissed off.
So his little she-wolf had wanted more pleasure? The thought pleased him. He rubbed his chin and looked back at the front door.
“I’ll be right back,” he said. He would need to go to the kitchen to get his phone, which was on the counter.
“Don’t leave me,” she said. “Don’t let him in.” She looked with wide eyes in the direction of the door. “He’ll—”
“Scent you,” he said. “I know. And I damn well don’t want anyone else near you right now.”
She nodded hesitantly.
“Trust me,” he said.
“Okay,” she said warily. He loved the way her cheeks were flushed with color, the way her eyes were almost too blue.
“I’ll be right back,” he said. He waited for her to nod and then went out to get his phone. He’d get rid of Ernie without letting him inside, and then he’d be back to talk with his she-wolf.
They had things to discuss.
* * *
So that was sex, she thought in amazement as she leaned back against the soft, comfy pillows with the slightly rough covers. No high thread-count Egyptian cotton here. But she thought that there were other things here to make up for it. She blushed deeply, and that’s when he walked back into the room, sliding his phone into the pocket of his robe.
It was still deliciously open, showing a wide expanse of chiseled chest, and she licked her lips. Alpha males were something to behold.
“Like what you see?” he asked.
She nodded. “Well enough.”
“Good,” he said, walking forward. “Because I’d like to mate you.”
Silence fell over the room. She felt her heart thump in her chest as shock moved through her.
“What?” she asked.
“Mate you,” he said. “You’re alpha, I’m alpha. We’re obviously compatible. You come alive under my hands. Yes, I’ve decided you’ll do.”
Pride rose up in her in an unwelcome wave. “Excuse me?” She sat up, pulling the covers over her. “You’ve decided I’ll do? Who said I wanted you, mongrel?”
He smirked. “Are we going to play that game, then?” He gave her body a long, appraising look, and she felt her treacherous blood heat up as he did it.
He was right. She wanted him. But mating? That was serious. He’d kissed her and she’d wanted to experience more of what he’d promised. But mating? That would be permanent, irrevocable. And could have lasting consequences for everyone involved. Far more than simply her and Thor, but also his pack, her pack, and neighboring packs.
They barely knew each other. They’d spent more time fighting in the short moments they’d been together in the past, than they’d just spent wrapped in pleasure together on the bed.
“Why?” she asked. “Why now? You barely know me.”
He shrugged. “I’m a wolf. I know when to follow my instincts.”
“What about my instincts?” she said. “What if I still want to sow wild oats? I’ve only just started living.”
He growled and a dark, possessive expression moved over his face like storm clouds over water. “Sow wild oats? I don’t think so.”
She shook her head. “It’s not your choice.”
“What do you want from me?” he asked. “You’ve only been here a day and you’re already driving me crazy with mixed messages.”
“My life is a mixed message. I’m powerful, I’m not. I’m valuable, I’m worthless. I need to let everyone see me, and then I need to disap
pear. And I’m not going to cow to you now, no matter how good you make me feel, because this is the first time in my life I’m making my own decisions and I’m not going to hand that over to anyone until I’m good and ready.”
She scrambled off the bed, grabbing her shirt and putting it on as she went. She rummaged in her backpack for another pair of pajama pants and pulled them on.
Thor watched.
When she felt covered, protected, she sat back on the chair by the bed, willing her body to calm down, for the heat he’d created in her to subside. She felt itchy under her skin. Every instinct in her urged her back toward the bed. But she’d been ignoring her instincts for a long time.
“What is it?” he asked, keenly attuned to any show of distress from her.
She rubbed her hands over her face and exhaled roughly. “Everything. Gosh, things changed overnight. And I came here expecting begrudging protection. Not for you to discover I was a female and possibly want to mate me. We used to fight…”
“I know. Maybe it was because our wolves knew something we didn’t, and it stirred us up inside. I don’t know. But as to me possibly wanting to mate you, there’s no possibly about it, sweetheart.” He stood and walked over to her chair. He sat on the edge of the bed, facing her with folded arms. “I want you. Now. And why shouldn’t we? We’re both alphas. We’d have strong young. I think you’re more than attracted to me. It’s kind of a funny story, if you think about it. Perfect to tell cubs.”
“Hmph.” She bit her lip.
“Give me one reason why we shouldn’t. It would ensure my pack line, protect you from your family, and feel damn good. I think we’d even grow to love each other.”
She bit back a sardonic grin. That she wasn’t so sure of. But she didn’t need that in a relationship. Hot sex would be fine. Commitment and freedom would be fine. Having her own life would be fine. But with Thor, would she have her own life, or would she just be living under his power, subject to his whims?
She realized now that she was a powerful prize, one any alpha wolf in the area would try to win if they knew she was female. Perhaps Thor was just taking advantage of her obvious attraction to take a prize he wouldn’t have had otherwise.
She didn’t even know much about his pack.
“How did your parents die?” she asked.
His expression tightened, his bronzed skin went slightly paler and he turned away from her with a dark look on his face. He ran a hand through his short hair and looked out the window. When he looked back at her, he was the cold Thor she’d known before.
“Ah, so that’s what it is?” he asked, folding his arms tight. “Worried I’m too mongrel for you?”
She sucked in her cheeks. That hadn’t been where she was going at all, but she had a feeling that now that she’d pushed this particular button, there was no going back even if she did try to explain. “That’s not—”
“Got it,” he said, interrupting her. She couldn’t blame him for being upset, not after what they’d just shared. But she also couldn’t just go along with whatever he wanted. “So I’m good enough to pleasure you, but not good enough to be your mate?” He waved a hand as he stood. “Got it. So got it. Fine. Shower. Clean up. Make sure you aren’t a liability, because others may be visiting soon. Pack members.”
“Am I going as a boy or as a girl?” she asked.
He frowned. “A boy. Clearly, you do crazy things to male minds as a girl. I don’t need a daily alpha challenge just because you’re here.”
She tightened her lips into a frown but nodded. “Fine.”
He narrowed his eyes, looking her over. “We can talk about options for keeping you disguised when we’ve both had a chance to regroup.” He shook his head with an exasperated sigh. “Heaven knows I need it.”
“Fine,” she said.
He shrugged and closed the door behind him, and she let out a long breath of relief.
She’d hurt his feelings, that was for sure, and she hadn’t meant to. But she couldn’t just go on taking any plan any male got it into his mind to suggest. She needed to think clearly, which she couldn’t after multiple orgasms from a super hot male.
She hadn’t yet even thought of who she would want to mate. She needed time to feel safe, to adjust, to see just how far her father and the Tribunal would go to reclaim her.
In the meantime, she would just have to resist Thor and his sexy wiles. No matter how hard that was.
She threw a towel over her shoulder and strode into the bathroom to take that shower he’d suggested. The rest could wait.
6
Thor paced in his bedroom. The cold shower he’d taken hadn’t done anything to calm the anger or ardor racing in his veins.
She’d asked about his parents. His parents! As if she had any room to speak, as the daughter of a complete psychopath.
It was true in the world of wolves that survival of the fittest meant that more respect tended to be given to families with more surviving members, but his parents hadn’t just died due to illness.
They’d been murdered. In cold blood. By someone they trusted, according to Lock. Someone they hadn’t expected. They hadn’t been weak, unless you called trusting others weak. No, whoever had ambushed and stabbed them in the back, literally, was the weak one.
Them, or whoever had arranged it. He cracked his knuckles and paced more frantically, his long strides eating up the floor space in the small bedroom.
The shower noises from the direction of her room stopped. Thank goodness. Now he could stop picturing what she looked like naked.
Maybe.
He tried to remind himself of pack business he had to take care of. He needed to meet with Ted, who’d had a piece of equipment in his office break and couldn’t ship things for his business.
Then he had to check in with a few families whose males were working abroad, make sure the females were happy and that no one was misbehaving. And that their needs were being met.
He’d have to try to avoid Lilac, a wolf he’d grown up with who had a long-time crush on him. She’d never been anything but a friend to him, but he just couldn’t seem to communicate that to her no matter how much he tried.
And he needed to figure out how to hide Matt, Lacey, whoever she was, from anyone who tried to hurt her. She’d awoken the protector instinct in him, big time, and he couldn’t turn it off just because of a few offensive words or an ugly question.
The longer he paced in his room, the more he knew what destiny must have been trying to tell him all along in his fascination with her. She was his fated mate.
Oh, who could have guessed that the brat he’d bullied and hated for being part of the Tribunal was destined to end up in his bed as his mate? It was almost too much to imagine. Lock would laugh…
His heart clenched as he realized Lock might never know. Was he even okay? He hadn’t taken the time to check in in so long, Thor was beginning to give up hope. It was especially humiliating after how he’d humbled himself on the ground in front of people he’d hated to save his life.
He’d gone to Fifi and Fifi had brought him to Matt, and he’d known as he looked into the little brat’s eyes that he didn’t want him to hold his brother’s future in his hands.
But he’d been surprised by Matt’s mercy. By the way he didn’t even expect Thor to grovel, seemed almost horrified by it. He (she) had taken care of things with barely a word, certainly with no guilt leveled at Thor, and Thor had been surprised by his equanimity. He’d looked back at Matt as he left and wondered just who is this person?
Well, the question hadn’t been answered because the question was wrong in its very principle.
It should have been, “What is this person?”
A quiet knock on the door sounded and he opened it to see Matt waiting there. Her chest was flat again, bound underneath a thin tee shirt that was under a zipped jacket. No one would question the layers here. It was cold in the spring, wet and rainy often times. If Matt wore jackets every day, no one would notice.
That is, if Thor even let him out of the house.
Matt blinked nervously, arms folded defensively over her chest. Lacey, he reminded himself. I need to stop calling her Matt. Except there was something affectionate about a girl called Matt. It was just so her.
He ran his tongue over his lips as he looked at the area where her breasts were bound beneath her shirt. How he longed free them, watch them spring forth into his hands, petal pink nipples begging for his touch. She reddened and looked up at him like she could read his thoughts.
“That’s not going to happen again, in case you were wondering,” she said. “At least not for a good while.”
“Oh really?” he asked, leaning against the doorway with one arm. “Think so?”
She gulped and took a long look up and down his body. He laughed and she froze and gave him a cold glare, her eyes glacial. “Think so? I know so.”
He chuckled and moved past her into the kitchen. He’d heard her stomach growl and knew she hadn’t eaten. Brat or not, she should be fed. All females should be.
“Don’t walk away when I’m talking to you,” she grumbled, hands clenched.
He shrugged and started pulling pans out from under the counter. Then he paused and pulled his phone from his pocket. He swiped it open and checked for texts from Ernie. He should be here soon. Ernie was his second in command, his beta and his half cousin. He’d been born to his uncle and another female in the pack that he’d potentially forced.
Ernie’s mom had escaped the pack and Ernie had been allowed to stay after Thor’s uncle and cousins had been chased off, mostly because Ernie had been as wronged by Thor’s uncle as Thor had.
All Thor wanted to do right now was cook breakfast for the sexy, aggravating alpha female in his kitchen. To keep showing her that them mating wouldn’t be something controlling and rushed, but simply something right.
She stared at him expectantly as he pulled ingredients from the fridge. It was like she thought she could read his mind if she just glared long enough.
“Making scrambled eggs, is that okay with you?”
Alpha Defender Page 4