by Gina Kincade
"Back away."
The firemen rushed the car and Griffin gave them room to work.
"I'll get the board." Griffin ran to the ambulance and grabbed the straight board from inside. He took a deep breath and calmed himself. It wasn't her, but he still needed to do what he could for the girl.
He reached the car as the firemen got the door open. Jose undid the seatbelt and eased her out with help. They strapped her down as a second ambulance showed up. Griffin pulled out a bag of fluids and then ripped her sleeve and started and IV drip. He took all of her vitals and tried again to wake her to no avail.
"We gotta get this one out quick," Griffin called to the other paramedics.
Jose got the driver into a collar and strapped onto a board and the second set of paramedics wheeled the boy out, peppering him with questions.
Jose and Griffin picked up the girl and carried her to the ambulance. Griffin rattled off her stats and Jose began hooking her up to monitors.
Griffin ran to the front, hopped in the driver's seat and called dispatch. He pulled out of the scene and flipped on the sirens. Sweat trickled down his hairline as he drove toward St. Luke's. A hundred emotions raced through him in quick succession before settling on relief. Dakota was okay. Or at least, she hadn't been in the crash.
He pulled into the emergency room bay and they rolled Gina into the emergency room. Jose stayed with her telling the doctors and nurses what they needed to know as Griffin pulled out his phone and punched in Dakota's number. He just needed to hear her voice. To know that she was really okay. Never before, not even when he'd been away, had he been so worried about her safety. The phone rang and rang and finally went to voicemail.
Damn. He banged his head on the ambulance hood. He needed to see her.
After the paperwork had been filled out and all of the supplies and ambulance had been cleaned up, Jose tossed his gloves in the biohazard container and turned to Griffin.
"We're clear," said Jose.
Griffin looked up. "I gotta go man."
"Go?"
"I need to do something. I know I'm not supposed to clock out for another thirty but I have to go."
"Not a problem. I'll take you back to the station."
"Thanks." Griffin ran around the front of the vehicle and got in. He needed to get home.
Griffin's hand shook as he tried to get the key in the lock to open the front door. Finally getting inside, he closed it and ran straight to his bedroom. Dakota lay curled up in a ball, in the middle of the bed, with Bowgie at her side. He walked over, sat on the edge, and blew out a heavy breath.
Dakota's eyes fluttered open. "Griff?"
"Hey." His heart thundered.
She sat up, pulling the comforter with her. "What's wrong?"
"I just… there was an accident and the call came through and they said it was a woman and a man in a Trans Am and I got there and…"
"You thought it was me?"
He reached out and cupped her face. "I freaked."
She pushed her cheek into his palm.
He couldn't think straight. This was dangerous. He was opening himself back up to the pain. The betrayal. The anger. There was no way round about it.
"I thought I'd lost you," he whispered.
She scooted closer and ran her knuckles over his cheek. "You're not that lucky."
"Don't say that."
"It's okay, Griff. I bring you pain. I understand that. That's why I'm going away. For good. To give you a fresh start with Cassie. You deserve it."
"I don't want Cassie." The words tumbled out before he could hold them back.
He swooped down and kissed her soft lips. She stiffened and then draped her arm around his neck and climbed out from under the covers onto his lap. He grabbed her rear and she moaned in his mouth.
She ripped off his shirt and he kneaded her flesh as she kissed down his neck, nipping his skin.
"Dakota. I've missed you."
She pushed him back on the bed and unzipped his pants.
"Bowgie, out." She pointed to the door and the dog jumped from the bed and left.
She lifted herself off Griffin and shimmied his pants to his ankles, along with his boxers.
Then she ran her tongue from the inside of his thigh up to his stomach. She'd never been this dominant before. The feel of her taking charge had him hard and ready for her in no time. He wondered who had taught her to be that way and then pushed the thought from his mind. He didn't care. She was his.
He wrapped his hands in her hair and pulled her lips to his. He plunged his tongue into her mouth claiming her again.
She gripped him and he ground out her name between clenched teeth. His head fell back as she poised herself over him.
He grabbed her hips as she circled him with her warmth.
"Dakota," he panted. "I want you."
His muscles bunched with tension and need. He bucked his hips to meet her but she slid out of reach.
Groaning he clutched the sheets. She swirled around him again bringing him to the edge of sanity.
He dug his fingers deep into her hipbones and looked up at her. The intensity of her gaze had him completely under her control.
"Dakota." He was barely able to keep from grabbing her and taking her.
She swooped in and kissed him hard, sliding down fully at the same moment.
A shudder passed through him and she bit his lip. He grabbed her by the hair and thrust inside her. She mewled into his mouth and trembled. His wolf howled at their union and she moved her hips with his. Hard and fast. Pleasure rolled up his thighs making his body tingle.
She kissed him harder as her body melted with his.
"Griffin." She threw her head back and her body arched.
The erotic sight threatened to send him over the edge but he held back and rocked her against him. She bit her bottom lip and her breathing quickened. When her breath hitched he knew she was close. He spread her legs wider. Her nails dug into his shoulders and her body arched harder. He held on, continuing to rock her, forgetting about his own pleasure, focusing solely on her. She gulped in air and then her muscles clenched around him.
He held off until the need inside could no longer be contained and then he exploded and yelled her name. His entire body tensed with release. He pulled her mouth to his and kissed her as she held onto his shoulders, continuing to climax. A musky scent floated off her, heightening his own climax. He too released his restraint and their bonding re-cemented as they marked each other. Kissing, caressing, loving. Entwined, she fell on top of him. Everything floated away and it was as if they'd never been apart.
He rolled on his side and kissed her neck, just below her earlobe, where she loved it most. Even in wolf form, if he nipped her there, she’d shiver.
She continued to hold onto him, like she was afraid he might disappear. He ran his tongue down her throat and over her collarbone then down between her breasts to her stomach. Raking her fingers through his hair she bucked beneath him as he kissed down to her right hipbone and swirled his tongue over it. She moaned and he sat up, kicked off his shoes and pants and then licked up her silky thigh. Pulling her hips to meet his mouth she swirled his tongue over her sensitive nub. Her hands wound tight in the sheets and she pushed herself against him.
His arousal grew again at the scent that was so perfectly her. He licked and sucked her sensitive folds until she grabbed his hair and yanked his mouth to hers again. He lifted her leg over his shoulder and entered her in one solid thrust.
***
Dakota hung onto Griffin's broad shoulders, taking in every inch of him. The pain, mixed with pleasure, sent shockwaves through her.
"Harder," she panted. She wanted him. Needed him to fill her. Needed him to erase the badness, the loneliness, the pain, and replace it with his love and tenderness. To rewrite their story. To bring them back together.
With every thrust he pushed her closer to the headboard until he grabbed onto it for leverage. A tingling started in the small of her back and tra
velled over her thighs, as she grew closer to the edge. His body slapped against hers and she couldn't do anything more than hold onto the headboard behind her. He shifted positions and rolled his hips up on top of hers. She grabbed his firm buttocks with one hand and he thrust harder, his hips rolling down hers.
The tidal wave built inside her like, an ocean getting ready to break. He tensed and he slid his hand between their bodies. She cried out as the wave crested and broke free. Her body tightened and she fought for breath as she climaxed again.
As the aftershocks died down, he dropped her leg, brushed the hair from her face and kissed her softly.
He rolled off her, pushed the cover down, and they climbed into bed. He pulled her into the crook of his shoulder and covered them with the sheet as she swirled her fingers through his soft chest hair.
No words were spoken as he wrapped her in his arms and kissed her forehead. She wanted to ask him what it all meant. Them being together. Was everything forgiven? Was she going to stay now? Anxiety washed over her. Feelings of guilt and shame buried deep inside. No. This was Griffin, her husband, her mate. This was right. She refused to let her fears wash away what had happened between them– in case it didn't last.
Within minutes Griffin's breathing evened and he began to snore. She tucked her head against his side and kissed his chest.
"I still love you, Griff." She licked her lips at having said the words out loud. Oh man she was so screwed.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Griffin awoke to the sight of a bright sun, burning through the sheer curtains. He went to roll over and found Dakota still in his arms. Her warm leg was draped over his, her head curled beautifully in the crook of his arm. He stayed perfectly still for a minute, his mind racing. What about Cassie? Had he forgiven Dakota? Was he ready to open himself to the possibility of her hurting him again? Too many questions plagued him. He sighed and pushed them away.
He rolled on his side and she yawned. He pulled her close again and their bodies met hips to hips and chest to chest.
She smiled up at him. "Morning."
"I'm sure we're way past morning." He chuckled.
She snuggled closer, her breasts smashed against him and her tan buds grew hard.
He tipped her chin and kissed her pouty lips.
Lifting her leg over his hip she slid her hand between them to cup his length, which hardened instantly.
Damn she knew exactly what he liked. Rubbing him against her core she made him shuddered with desire. She guided him toward her and he kissed her hard as she slid him inside her.
He lifted her leg higher and kissed her throat.
"Griffin." She called and grabbed his rear. The sound of his name on her lips made him shiver.
Like newlyweds that couldn't get enough of each other, he made love to her hard and fast and when they'd finished she refused to give him a moment to waste. It was as if she was trying to erase their time apart.
They made love over half a dozen times throughout the course of the day. Leaving the bed only for water, which lead to sex on the counter. The couch. The floor. Against the wall and finally in the shower. It was just like when he came home from deployment.
By five o'clock they were back in bed and sleeping in each other's arms when the doorbell rang.
Griffin looked at the clock. "Are you expecting someone?"
She shook her head. "No. You?"
"I don't think so." The doorbell rang again and then there was a knock. Finally, he heard a key turn in the lock. He jumped from the bed. "Crap!"
He'd given Cassie a key.
"Griffin?" Cassie called from the front door. "Hello?"
Bowgie barked repeatedly. Cassie squeaked and slammed the front door.
Griffin looked between Dakota and the door, unsure of what to do. She cocked her head to the side and lifted an eyebrow.
He grabbed his jeans and threw them on before raking his hand through his hair, walking out the door and pulling it closed.
***
"Bowgie, stop," Griffin said.
But Bowgie didn't stop barking.
"Bowgie, come!" Dakota called.
The barking ceased and Bowgie pushed through the door, which hadn’t caught.
"Bowgie, down." His body slumped to the floor.
The front door opened. "Cassie!"
Dakota's stomach clenched and guilt swept over her. What did she have to feel guilty about? She was his wife after all.
"I called you a dozen times. I thought we were going to have a movie night."
"Right. Movie. I'm sorry I uh… had to take another shift and I've just been so exhausted with everything going on."
"Dakota?"
"Yeah. It's been really…"
"Trying? I understand. You're such a good man to take her in after what she did."
Cassie's words slapped Dakota in the face. Her wolf growled. She wanted to storm out there and tell Cassie exactly what she thought.
"Yeah… well anyway, I was just going to grab a shower–"
"I can wait."
"Sure. Okay… I'll be like, five minutes."
"I'll just run down the street and grab a few things from the store."
Dakota's body trembled with anger. He hadn't told her. He'd acted like nothing had happened. She stormed out of the room and down the hallway just as the front door closed.
"Hey. Whoa!"
"You didn't tell her anything." She reached for the door handle and he pulled her away.
"Dakota, you're naked."
She pushed him off. "Yeah, I'm naked because we just had sex a dozen times over the last twenty-four hours."
"And you think running after her naked, to let her know is going to what? Win me back? Chase her off?"
"Win you back?" Dakota blinked several times. "Is that what you think this is? I'm having sex with you to what? Apologize for the past? Orgasm you into forgiving me?"
His mouth opened and closed like a fish.
No way. There was no way she was going to let him walk all over her. Not this time.
"Choose, Griff. Choose right now. Either it's me or her."
His brows furrowed. "Dakota it's not that easy–"
"Yes, it is. Either you want to work things out with me, or you want a simple life with her, or the next girl, or the next one, anyone, but not me."
The silence stretched between them as emotions ran all over his face.
"She's gonna be back any minute."
Dakota nodded. This was it. The moment she'd dreaded for over a year and a half. The moment where she opened up to him and he rejected her a second time. Tears built behind her eyelids but she wouldn’t let him see her weakness. She wouldn't be a doormat again.
"You need to get ready. She'll be back in a minute."
"Dakota–"
"Go." She pointed to the bedroom. "Just go. I want to be alone."
He chewed his lip and then his shoulders slumped and he headed down the hall.
"Griff?"
He turned.
"When did you give her a key to the house?"
He swallowed hard. "A few days ago."
Since she'd come back into the picture. That said it all. He'd always planned on moving forward with Cassie.
She waited until the bathroom door closed and the water began running before she went to the bedroom and got dressed. She picked up her phone and checked her messages. There were five calls from Scott. She messaged him that she was fine and that she'd call him in a bit.
Tate had left a message too. The Night Shift found her a place in Portland to stay. There was a ticket waiting for her at the station; she was booked on the ten o'clock bus.
Griffin came out of the bathroom and spotted her. He looked like he wanted to speak, but she turned her head and looked out the window.
She waited until their front door closed before bursting into tears. Well, that was is it then.
She made the bed, gathered her things into her suitcase and looked around the room. She was going to
miss her little old house.
***
Griffin stared at the television screen but saw nothing. Characters opened and closed their mouths, cars moved through streets, and guns fired. But he had no idea what was happening.
Cassie snuggled closer to him, resting her head on his chest. He put his arm around her thin frame– too thin. There was not enough curve to it. Not like Dakota, who was hard and soft at the same time.
Damn Dakota. Things had been going well till just the night before. He'd opened up, let her in. They'd made love, bonded– even though he hadn't meant to. But what had he expected? They were mates. But then she'd gone all crazy on him. Storming out naked to tell Cassie. It was the same thing he would have expected her to do when she was high, not sober. She'd never have done something like that before. Then she'd practically ordered him out of the house.
Cassie's hand slid into his lap and every nerve in his body awakened. She looked up at him with her soft hazel eyes and pulled him down for a kiss. She tasted of the red wine they'd had with dinner. Her slow, lazy kiss lingered on his mouth. A churning sensation started in his gut and traipsed up his spine. This wasn't right.
She sat up and crawled into his lap, kissing him harder. His mind went into overdrive and he broke the kiss.
"I'm ready," she said.
"I… I thought we wanted to wait till the paperwork went through," he managed.
"I know but that doesn't matter now. I want to be with you and a piece of paper doesn't change that."
"Cassie–"
"Don't talk. I've made up my mind. I want to be with you, Griffin." She kissed him again and ran her hands down his chest to his pants. She undid the first button and he pulled away again.
"Cassie. We can't. I… I can't."
Her brow furrowed. "I don't understand. I thought you wanted me too."
"I do. I did. I…" He ran his hands into his hair. Damn. Something had changed in the last twenty-four hours. He'd re-bonded with Dakota. Whether or not he'd meant for it to happen– it had. He’d let her in and now… Trying to break away from that would be beyond difficult. It had been easier before, because they'd been apart for six months already when he'd been overseas. If he said yes to now, he was saying yes to opening up his heart. The heart he'd sworn to close off. The heart he'd sworn to protect at all costs. The heart that, if broken again, would kill him just like his Nana. Alone and paralyzed by his grief.