Jessa was a prime target. Not only was she young and could be impregnated by the monstrosities they were creating, she was in her first heat. Because she fought it, sooner or later it would take over and she would get ill. Eventually she would shift and be unable to take her human form until the carnal needs were sated. Being stuck in wolf form would eliminate right from wrong. If she was seduced, by evil or not—she would be unable to resist.
The grass was still damp with dew, and from the way Alan had talked last night, his security detail would still be passed out and hung over. He quietly slipped the key in the door and walked in. He went through the house room by room, carefully testing all the windows and making sure nothing was out of the ordinary. With a final nod of approval, he walked back into the living room.
Damion about choked on his tongue when he caught sight of the half-naked woman sprawled out on the couch. He had never noticed Jessa for anything more than the young girl that she was, but he was definitely noticing now. One long, trim leg was slung up and resting on the back of the couch. The other was bent at the knee, and laid over, spreading her almost into a total split. The thin scrap of pink lace barely covered her mound. He could see the smooth, shaved flesh peeking through, and his dick went into an instant salute. Her t-shirt had ridden up and bunched just below her breasts, leaving her flat stomach and ribs bare. He was mesmerized by her. She was a work of perfection, complete with a bellybutton ring that sparkled in the small ray of sunshine that streamed through the curtain. He let his eyes wander over her, taking note of every hot, seductive, curve.
Fuck. I am a pervert for just standing here gawking. I should cover her up. Maybe I should wake her to take some pain relievers and eat breakfast. No, she needs to sleep. I will just head outside and scan the perimeter. Yeah, that is a better plan. About as soon as he got his last thought, she moved. This time, when she rolled onto her side, her shirt moved also. One of the most perfect tits he had ever laid eyes on plopped free, and was now available for his viewing pleasure. The pressure of his dick grinding against his tight jeans was unbearable. He reached down and adjusted himself, moaning a sigh of relief.
Jessa jumped up and stared with glossy, half-sleepy squinted eyes. Damion could tell that she wasn’t fully aware of her surroundings, but her eyes darted from his to his groin, which still had his hand covering it to his face. Fuck. He quickly pulled it away, feeling the flush of embarrassment creep over him.
“I didn’t mean to wake you. Uhh...sorry. I will be your guard for today. There are some discrepancies, and Michael, Alan, and Braden have put us on total lockdown.” He hoped the upfront bit of information would sidetrack her attention.
He watched in silence, waiting for the string of questions she was sure to ask. Jessa didn’t pummel into the instant line of inquiries he had anticipated. Instead, she rubbed her eyes tiredly before pulling her hair up in a ponytail. When she finished, her eyes went back on him in a blank stare. After what seemed like an eternity, her eyebrows drew together and her nose wrinkled up like a cute little bunny. She has the cutest little nose I have ever seen! If I didn’t know better, I would swear she was a bunny shifter and not a wolf. Heh. Looks are deceiving. I would hate for her to hear me say that, I would definitely get the brunt end of her temper, and her wolf’s. Adorable with fire. I like that.
“So, why were you standing there watching me sleep…and rubbing yourself?” the tone in her voice was curious and not angry like he had expected. She was full of surprises today.
Shit. What the hell do I say? Damion squared his shoulders and puffed up. “I wasn’t watching you. I came in and was deciding whether to make you take some pain relievers or just let you stay asleep.” The gruffness in his tone was unintentional, but hopefully left no room for further conversation about the subject.
Unfortunately, Jessa didn’t take the hint. His mean dominating tone didn’t seem to faze her. Disappointment flooded him. Damion didn’t live twenty-four/seven in the lifestyle, but he was a Dom in the bedroom. Jessa had never shown submissive qualities, so it should come to no surprise that she didn’t respond to that side of him now. For some reason, it got to him. He wanted to test her more, but the idea of her not responding at all made his heart sink. Oh for shit’s sake. This is Jessa. Of course she isn’t submissive. She is mean as hell, and would kick my ass if I even tried. I saw her half naked. That is all this is. I am here to protect her and nothing more. I just need to get freaking laid. Ugh! He growled unintentionally.
Jessa propped her chin on her fist, looking like she was finding the whole situation entertaining. “And that led to your hand being on your dick because…?”
Damion’s temper flared. Instead of thinking about what he should say, the words blurted out before he could stop them. “I walked in to find you half naked and sprawled out with your legs in a damn split, with nothing more than a lace Band-Aid for panties! Then you rolled over and your boob popped out of your shirt! My damn dick was grinding against my zipper and I was readjusting it before it became hamburger! Now, get up and get some fucking clothes on!” Shock struck him after his less than noble confession exploded from his mouth. She sat with her mouth hanging open and speechless. Instead of unleashing her usual hot temper and firing back, she stared wide-eyed and slowly uncovered to stand. When the covers flipped back and her feet hit the floor, so did a bright purple toy with a loud ‘plunk’.
****
Waking up to find Damion standing with his hand on his cock and staring at her had been a weird way to start the day. When his tone had shifted into something deep and commanding, it awakened something inside of her she didn’t know existed. She went from confusion and sleepiness, to wet panties and horny. Damion Shaddow was a massive man with the broadest shoulders she had ever laid eyes on. Every boulderous muscle stretched his shirt tight, leaving valleys and mountains as far as the eye could see through the thin material barrier. The brown wisps of hair that fell over his forehead made her itch to swish it out of his eyes. Oh shit, and his eyes…were perfect ovals of the clearest sapphires she had ever seen. They hid mystery and a story untold. Well-defined chiseled high cheekbones and features made this Beta wolf a girl’s deep, dark fantasy. Having a dildo fall at your feet in front of the cause of your mind-blowing discoveries only sent the day into a tornado of ‘what the hell’s’.
She stood, in nothing more than a ratty night top and her underwear, watching it roll across the floor slowly and stop against his boot. Jessa was rendered motionless. Usually, nothing shocked or embarrassed her. There was something in his heated stare that grated her mind to melt into soup. She had no recollection of where the purple pussy pleaser had come from or what it was doing on the couch with her, but her normal temper or sense of humor evaded her. Fuckity fuck. What the hell do I do?
After being frozen there, staring for what seemed like an eternity, she slowly raised her gaze to meet his. Expecting him to make fun or say something rude, she readied herself for the blow. Instead, an intense, hot fire licked and danced in the depths of his deep, dark blue eyes. It was like a hurricane building and spinning out of control, ready to hit at any minute. He didn’t look angry, yet there was a ferociousness so wild and strong radiating in her direction her knees weakened and she almost went to the floor. Unable to understand or control her body’s reactions, she instantly darted her gaze to the ground and slowly walked over and knelt in front of him to fetch the toy.
Once she grabbed it in her now shaking hand, she stood and started to make a clean getaway until his hand wrapped around the fisted bullet, rendering her motionless. She tried to pull away, but his grip didn’t budge. The harder she pulled, the tighter it got. Frustration swarmed her brain like a hive of angry bees. With her teeth now gritted, she jerked back with all of her might. To her dismay, ‘all of her might’ did absolutely nothing against the ironclad giant, besides get her body pulled flush against his. The huge bulge of his hard tool ground into her belly throwing fuel on the flame he had ignited just moments earl
ier.
Her breath caught in her throat in a loud gasp. She could feel the outlines of each ripped abdominal muscle against her chest, making her fingers itch to explore. The heat that had taken over her life for the past couple months began to burn deep inside. It laced over her like fingers, coaxing and taunting, encouraging her to touch and taste. Her heart thudded like a bongo drum in her ears. The light around them dimmed to a low glow, creating a space in time where only they existed. She relaxed against him, fading farther and farther into the shadows of lust with every ticking second. Her small hand went slack inside his bear paw, allowing him to remove the forgotten item out of her palm.
Damion pulled the toy up to his nose and inhaled a deep sniff. A deep, low growl vibrated out of his chest, sending chills cascading down her entire body. Her mind fought to hold on to the shreds of reality it still held against the lust that began to fog her. Everything faded into the gray background of her subconscious the moment he grabbed a handful of her hair and pulled back, making her eyes meet his. She didn’t recognize the moans that escaped her. Heaviness settled in her sex, making every heartbeat throb against her most intimate parts. Both of her nipples poked through the thin shirt, begging for attention. Her body’s reaction didn’t go unnoticed. His mouth crushed violently down on hers, branding and conquering her soul. He didn’t wait politely for an invitation, but instead he forced his tongue between her lips and sunk them both into the depths of desire. Jessa surrendered to him, allowing him to take her to a place that was unfamiliar and exhilarating.
Then, it was over. He pulled away, releasing her hair. His blue eyes were hard and heated, showing sparks of desire as he glared down at her. The ferocity in his voice made her jump, “Go get dressed. There will be someone here at all times with you so keep your toys put up from now on.” He dropped the fun stick in her hand, never breaking eye contact. She stood paralyzed, unable to jerk away from the gravitational pull he had on her. Damion turned and walked out the door without another word.
Jessa slowly gained her bearings and walked into the bedroom, lost in thought. What the hell just happened? Oh my God. How have I never realized how freakin’ hot Damion is? He took total control, and I just let him. Why didn’t I run or fight? Why the fuck am I so turned on by it? Her mind took notice of the purple friend in her hand. Shit! Most of all, where the hell did this come from? Visions of the man in her dreams swamped her, sending moisture down her thighs from her swollen, needy pussy. It had seemed so real. Note to self—shifter heat plus alcohol equals lifelike fantasy sleep masturbation and embarrassing morning afters. So much had happened in the past few days. One thing was certain, her body had responded to Logan, dream man, and Damion in ways she never had felt before. Something needed to happen fast before she lost total control.
****
After she had showered, dressed, and consumed a plate of eggs, sausage, and toast big enough to feed a small army, Jessa busied herself tidying up the house, keeping her mind off the latest slew of events that had taken place. When there wasn’t anything left to dust or scrub, she decided to make her way outside. Damion still hadn’t come back, and with every growing minute, a slow ache drifted deeper and deeper into the bottom of her heart. It was only a kiss. Any man would have responded the same way if they walked in on a half-naked woman and a dildo rolling across the floor. It was just a heated moment, and will never happen again. If I run into him, it will be just a coincidence. Yep, just an accidental cross of paths. I don’t care if I ever see him again. Nope, I don’t need any pushy man like that. Ever.
She stepped off the porch and walked around to the back, admiring all of the lush flowers and trees that decorated the yard. Allowing her mind to rest and just enjoy the beautiful day, she became engrossed in picking a bouquet for the kitchen table.
****
Damion watched her from the shadows of the shed. He had been busy wiring extra security alarms when he heard the door shut and Jessa’s footsteps on the porch. He couldn’t shake the feelings that rumbled through him when he had tasted her sweet mouth. His wolf had gone wild, and still hadn’t settled. This little, sweet, fragile, firecracker package of contradictions was his mate. He knew she had felt it too the way she had surrendered all control over to him so easily. She might not recognize what the pull was, but she would figure it out soon enough.
Jessa had always been full of piss and vinegar, keeping everyone around her in check. With a simple kiss, he had melted her shell and molded her into a hot mess. Now as she roamed through the yard, he observed her picking colorful flowers with a gentleness so delicate he was taken aback. The bright sun glistened off her golden hair. She was beautiful, and she was his. There are so many sides to her. Who would have known the tough-as-nails Jessa Meadows had a soft bone in her body? Damion couldn’t peel his eyes off her. After staring for way too long, his mind flashed back to the scene from morning. Here he was, frozen by her beauty again. I can now be classified as a peeping Tom. With a shake of the head, he walked out and began placing the silent alarms.
Panic shot through Damion’s chest when he heard Jessa’s yelp cut through the air. He responded instantly, setting out in a dead run to find her. Just as he rounded the corner of the house, Jessa hurdled against him. The impact was so strong and fast he didn’t have time to catch her. She bounced off, catapulting backwards and landed on her ass. His first instinct was to pick her up and hold her to keep her safe, but instead shook the newfound feelings and offered his hand. “Are you okay? Why did you scream?”
“No, I just broke my rump! I yelled because there is a huge ass spider in the garden!” He had pulled her vertical and she now stood, rubbing her butt with a grumpy look.
“Damn it, Jessa! You yelled like you were about to be shot because of a tiny freaking spider? Your ass already had a crack, so I think you will survive,” his voice roared a little louder than he had intended, but irritation had taken over.
“No, asshole! I said it was a big freakin’ spider! Like, huge! I have never seen one ginormous and fugly in my life! It was staring at me with all of its beady little eyes, and its legs were all furry...and it’s web! Oh my gosh, its web was bigger than I am! I swear it is the one from Harry Potter!” She seemed genuinely afraid, and now pissed. Well, there is the Jessa I know. I went from protecting our pack, to babysitting, and now killing spiders. Shoot me now. Alan is going to hear about this.
Damion wiped his hand over his face, trying to rub the frustration away. When it didn’t work, he huffed a sigh of defeat and looked at her again. “Okay. Take me to the spider so I can squash it. If you ever yell like that again and you aren’t dying, I will personally kill you myself. Understood?” his condescending tone earned him a lethal stare down.
After a few seconds longer than necessary, she answered, “Fine. Come on,” and stomped away with her fists doubled at her sides. When she rounded the corner, she stopped and let him proceed before her. When he came to a stop, she hid behind his back with her hand on his arm and her head peeking out around him. He had to bite his lip not to laugh. She was acting like a scared bunny over a garden weaver spider. He walked over and grabbed the shovel that leaned against the house and whacked it, taking web and all in one swipe. Once he confirmed it was dead, he snickered. “How in the hell have you lived here your whole life and never seen a garden spider? They are everywhere. They won’t kill you, I promise.”
“You mean there are more of those things?” He could hear the quiver in her voice, and felt a tinge of sympathy for the poor girl. Realizing she obviously had a fear of spiders, he decided it best not to share the numerous jokes and teases he had piling up in his mind and tried to look serious.
“Yep, but like I said, they won’t hurt you.” The pouty face she gave was almost more than he could handle. Torn between finding the situation both irritating and hilarious, and wanting to pull her tight and reassure her, his vision dropped to the grass. The awkward silence lingered longer than he would have liked before he turned and walked o
ff without another word.
****
Jessa stared at the backside of Damion as he walked away. What an asshole! The nerve! I don’t know what the hell I was thinking letting that man kiss me. I must have still been drunk this morning! “Ughhh!” Jessa turned and made a beeline back into the house. With an overly exaggerated slam of the door, she went straight into the guest bedroom and locked herself in. Both shoes went flying across the room to hit the wall and slide down with a loud ‘thud’. Face first, she fell onto her stomach atop the black silk comforter like a rebellious teenager. Her fists punched the bed a few times as she released a string of curse words vulgar enough to make a soldier blush. When her little fit ceased, she flipped over and stared at the ceiling. The past twenty-four hours had been more chaotic and confusing than she had ever dealt with in her life. Her head ached, her wolf paced, and she was still freaking horny! She growled in defeat.
After her temper calmed down, a wave of emotions crashed into her. Three faces kept popping in her head, and in spite of what she did she couldn’t make it stop. Logan, Damion, and the guy she fantasized about while she was drunk and masturbated to last night invaded every thought. Before she could stop it, they had become her only thoughts. Her body heated to a sheer sweat from the inferno that blasted inside her. The heat was attacking with a vengeance, and fighting for control seemed almost helpless. Her wolf howled and urged her to go to Damion to get what she needed, but the tiny string of human thoughts that remained kept her in place. She remembered the purple dildo in the dresser, and jumped to her feet to grab it.
Rush Against Time Page 7