Blood & Bone

by C. C. Wood

  “It isn’t yours either,” he replied quickly. “But you can help them now. And you will. We both will.”

  I nodded and Lachlan squeezed my hand tighter, but he didn’t release it.

  We sat at the kitchen table, holding hands, as the afternoon faded to evening.

  Chapter Twenty

  Lachlan

  As we ate dinner, Chloe covered her mouth several times as she yawned widely. I knew how she felt. The day had been exhausting.

  We washed the dishes together and when they were done, she mumbled, “I’m going to change and go to bed.”

  I nodded, drying my hands on a towel. She gathered up some clothes and disappeared into the bathroom, emerging ten minutes later, her face scrubbed and smelling of peaches and the minty toothpaste she used. The scent made my mouth water.

  After our meeting with Carter, we hadn’t continued our discussion of what happened following our sparring session earlier. Hell, the day had been so long it almost felt as though it had happened a week ago rather than just a few hours before. While I’d been relieved to have a reprieve from the conversation, it also meant that I couldn’t make assumptions about changes in our sleeping arrangements.

  Chloe pulled back the blankets on the bed and settled beneath them with another jaw-cracking yawn. Without a word, I went into the bathroom to brush my teeth and slipped on the loose shorts I’d worn to bed every night I’d been here. I preferred to sleep naked, but for some reason I’d felt compelled to wear them. I’d originally chalked it up to the possibility that we might be attacked in the middle of the night, but now I realized it was to hide my body’s reaction to Chloe.

  When I came out from the bathroom, I turned off the lights and moved toward the couch. While it was actually big enough to accommodate me, the cushions were old and provided no support or comfort. I was grateful for my body’s ability to heal quickly because a night on that monstrosity would cripple a human man.

  Chloe’s voice floated out of the darkness. “You don’t have to sleep on the couch.”

  I turned toward the bed, looking at the outline of her body in the shadowed room. Clouds had moved in, covering the moon, so very little light came through the windows. All I could see was her upper body propped on an elbow, her head turned toward me. Her face was still shrouded in the dark.

  Then she reached over and pulled the covers back on the opposite side of the bed. “Come sleep with me, Lach. That couch can’t be comfortable.” I saw the faint gleam of her teeth in the shadows. “And I’m too tired to pillage you, so you’re safe.”

  I smiled a little at her words, even as a slender shaft of disappointment pierced my chest. “If you’re sure…” I trailed off, giving her one more chance to change her mind.

  “Did you mean what you said earlier about spending time with me? Learning about me?”

  I nodded.

  “Then come sleep beside me,” she murmured. “I think I’d like that.”

  My feet carried me to the bed and I climbed in beside her, lying on my back and staring at the shadows of tree limbs that the dim moonlight cast on the ceiling. After a few moments I twisted my head and saw that Chloe was lying on her stomach next to me, her face turned toward me. Her arms were tucked beneath the pillow and her hair trailed down her back. Her eyes were already closed, her face peaceful. I’d never seen her so still. She looked beautiful.

  Though my brain understood there would be no sex, my body had other ideas, my cock already semi-erect. I tore my eyes away from Chloe’s tranquil face and looked back up at the ceiling. Then I closed my eyes and focused on my breathing, hoping it would help me relax.

  When I woke, I wasn’t sure how much time had passed, but the cabin was still dark. In our sleep, Chloe and I had changed positions. She was on her side, facing away from me, and my body was pressed against her back. One of my thighs lay between hers, pulled high so I could feel the heat of her pussy against my bare leg through her thin cotton shorts. My left arm was beneath her head and the other was wrapped around her waist, my hand beneath her shirt and cupping her breast.

  My cock was so hard that it hurt. My hand flexed instinctively against her breast and she moaned softly. Her hips rocked against me, grinding her pussy against my leg harder.

  I buried my face against her shoulder, running my lips against her hot, soft skin as I closed my fingers around her nipple and tugged.

  She gasped then, her body tensing, and I knew she was awake. I pulled lightly at her nipple once more and she moved against my thigh, her hips jerking. “Ian,” she breathed, her voice barely audible.

  At the sound of my name on her lips, my dick hardened even more. I always hated my first name, but there was something about the way she said it that turned me on.

  Wrapping my arms around her, I rolled over, bringing her body with me so that she sprawled over me with her back against my front. Then I hooked my thumbs in the waistband of her shorts and panties, jerking them down her body. Chloe’s hands helped me push the material over her legs until they fell onto the bed.

  Her head fell back as I hooked my knees on the inside of her thighs and spread her legs apart, baring her pussy. When my hands went to her top, she yanked it over her head and dropped it on the pillow beside me.

  I swept her hair to the side, gripping it to pull her head back against my shoulder. She stretched out over me, her body completely naked and exposed to my hands. Though I couldn’t see her face in this position, her ass rubbed against my cock as she squirmed on top of me, telling me she liked what I was doing. Releasing her hair, I covered both of her breasts with my palms, running my fingers lightly over her flesh, trailing them over her nipples.

  I could feel her heart beating beneath my touch and her chest moved rapidly as her breath came in pants. Her body writhed against mine again as I toyed with her nipples. I pinched them lightly at first then harder, listening to her reactions to see what she liked.

  She cried out, the scent of her arousal intensifying, when I tightened my grip and tugged. Her back arched, rubbing her ass harder against my dick. I closed my mouth over the curve of her shoulder where it met her neck, scraping my teeth over skin, and she moaned louder.

  I released one of her breasts, moving my hand down her body to dip into her pussy. She was wet and tight and her clit pulsed as the tips of my fingers passed over it.

  Her hands reached back, gripping my hips, as I pushed my fingers inside her slowly. I stroked in and out, feeling her muscles clamping down on my hand.

  Suddenly, she lifted her hips and reached between us, pulling down the waistband of my shorts until my cock was free. I released her and brushed her hands aside, angling my erection so that it rested between her thighs and against her pussy, the head gliding over her clit.

  Chloe shuddered against me, her hips bearing down on my body as she squirmed on top of me. I moved my hips, gliding my cock over her clit as my hands moved back to her breasts. She groaned, her legs tightening against mine, and I used my knees to force them wider.

  Then her hand slipped down over my dick, her palm rubbing against the tip and I hissed. “Fuck.”

  “Yes,” she whispered. “Fuck me.”

  I wanted see her face and nearly turned her around but her fingers wrapped around me before I could act.

  She gripped my cock and guided it inside her, angling her pelvis so that I slid deep. When her ass rested against my stomach again, I was fully seated within her and I felt her muscles spasm around me.

  I nipped her neck with my teeth as I rubbed her nipples with my thumbs. She was so tight and wet that I wanted to flip her onto her hands and knees and pound into her as I had that afternoon, but I resisted. She deserved better than another hard, fast fuck. My wolf and I wanted her weak and begging, submitting to our every demand.

  At the sensation of my teeth on her skin, I felt her body relax against me, trembling, and I knew she’d let go of her control.

  “Touch yourself.” I whispered into her ear. “Make yourself come
,” I demanded before sucking the lobe into my mouth.

  Chloe whimpered, but her right hand moved down her body, gliding past her clit to touch my cock as it slid slowly in and out of her pussy. Her left hand covered my fingers as they tormented her breast.

  “Chloe,” I growled as her touch drove me closer to the edge. “Rub your clit for me. I want to feel you come on my dick.”

  Her fingers left my cock and began to circle her clit in slow, firm circles. Her body tightened around me, clenching my cock hard as I thrust into her. As we moved, I decided that the next time we did this, I would make sure I could see everything. While this felt better than good, being able to watch her bring herself to orgasm on my lap would probably blow my mind.

  I released her breasts and gripped her hips, bringing my knees up so I could fuck her harder. Her back arched, her head twisting toward me so that her mouth fastened on mine.

  As her tongue slid into my mouth, I groaned at the taste of her. Peaches and honey. I wondered if her pussy was as sweet as her mouth. Next time, I would find out.

  Her hips rolled against me, her fingers moving faster on her clit, and I wished again I could see what she was doing. I nearly stopped, intent on telling her to turn to face me so I could watch her come, but her breathing was harsh and wild and her pussy fluttered around me. She was close. I slammed into her hard, yanking her hips down as my body crashed into hers.

  She cried out, a wordless sound of pleasure, and her body trembled wildly over mine. I moved inside her, fast and nearly brutal, until I came so hard that white bursts of light filled my vision.

  Chloe sprawled over me, her legs limp on either side of my knees and her hands lifted to grip my head. Our mouths barely touched as we caught our breath. I wrapped my arms around her waist, holding her, until Chloe wiggled against me.

  “I need to clean up, Lach,” she whispered.

  I released her, listening to her soft gasp when my cock slid out of her body, and watched as she walked naked into the bathroom, shutting the door behind her. I got out of the bed and removed my shorts, using them to wipe my come and her wetness from my dick.

  Naked, I crawled back into the bed, not bothering with the blankets. The tiny air conditioner in the window barely cooled the cabin and my skin was still damp with sweat.

  Chloe came out of the bathroom and moved back toward the bed. I watched as she stopped by my side and retrieved her tank top. Before she could walk away, I reached out and grabbed it.

  “What are you doing?” I asked.

  I couldn’t read her expression in the dark room, but her body tensed. “Getting dressed.”

  I snatched the shirt from her hands and shoved it under my pillow. “No.”

  Her stance changed, her hands going to her hips. “Excuse me.”

  “I want you naked.”

  “Well, you’re shit out of luck then,” she retorted, holding out her hand. “Give me back my shirt.”

  My mouth curled into a smile. This was promising to be an interesting night. “No.”

  I could feel her eyes moving over me, taking my measure. To my surprise, instead of arguing with me, she turned and walked toward her bag. When she bent to reach inside, I jumped to my feet and wrapped my arms around her, pulling her away.

  “Lachlan,” she growled. “What the hell?”

  “Why do you want to get dressed?” I asked. “I’ve known you long enough to know that you don’t usually wear clothes to bed.” I nuzzled her neck. “Besides, I’d like to be able to slide inside you if I wake up again later.”

  Chloe’s body went rigid against me and her anger was palpable.

  “Chloe?” I asked, confused by her reaction. Why was she pissed all of the sudden?

  “I’m not sure I want to have sex with you again, Lachlan,” she muttered.

  “What? Why?” I didn’t understand. Not only was she angry, she was hurt. There was a hint of it beneath the scent of her ire.

  She twisted in my arms until I loosened my grip and she faced me. A small beam of moonlight caught her face and I saw the hurt shimmering in her eyes as well. “You can’t stand to look at me when you fuck me, can you, Lach?”

  I frowned down at her. “What in the hell are you talking about?”

  She drew in a shaky breath, her voice calmer when she spoke again. “Both times you’ve fucked me, you’ve made sure I’m facing away from you. You barely even kissed me.” Her eyes shuttered, hiding the hurt that I smelled. Her anger was completely gone now, leaving only pain behind. She shook her head. “I shouldn’t have let this happen,” she whispered.

  I reached up, brushing her hair back from her face, and cupped her cheeks in my hands. Tipping her head back, I stared down at her. “That’s not how I feel,” I stated. When she opened her mouth, I growled low in my throat. “Will you stop fucking interrupting me all the damn time?”

  Her brows snapped together and she glared at me, but she didn’t speak.

  Glad to see that her usual feistiness was returning, I continued, “I want to look at you, Chloe. I want to watch your face when you come and taste your pussy and your mouth. I also like to fuck you from behind because I fucking love it. I can touch your body and make you come that way and I can fuck you hard. That’s the only reason. I’m not trying to pretend it isn’t happening.” I studied her face. “And I’m not pretending you’re someone else.”

  I knew I’d hit on what was really bothering her when her body tensed infinitesimally. If I hadn’t been watching her so closely, I would have missed it.

  I kissed her lightly then, just a brush of my lips against hers.

  “I meant what I said, Chloe. I want to know you. I want to talk to you. And I want to fuck you.” I smiled a little, hoping my next words would lighten the mood. “And let you kick my ass then chase you through the woods too.”

  Her mouth quirked at my statement and the tension in her body leeched away.

  “Now, you wore me out and I’d like to go back to sleep. Preferably with you naked.”

  The heaviness left the air and she pinched my waist. “I wore you out? You’re the one who attacked me while I was asleep.”

  “You still started it,” I teased, guiding her back toward the bed. “What’s a wolf supposed to do when he wakes up to find a she-wolf’s ass rubbing on his dick?”

  Her only reply was to smack me in the head with her pillow.

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Chloe

  The next morning, I woke up with my face smashed against Lachlan’s chest. We were both lying on our sides, face to face. His arms were tight around me, one beneath my head and the other circling my ribs. His right leg was between mine, his thigh nudging my center.

  Though my body stirred, I rolled away, moving to the edge of the bed. Despite his words the night before, Lachlan hadn’t woken me up again. Getting to my feet, I lifted my arms above my head, arching my back, and stretched my muscles.

  I heard a low growl behind me and glanced over my shoulder to find Lach lying back on the pillow, his eyes roving over my body.

  “Good morning,” he rumbled, his voice rough. He sounded sleepy and extremely sexy.

  “Good morning,” I replied, turning to face him. Once again, when his eyes moved over me, I was intensely aware of the fact that I was naked. However, this time I liked that he was looking. I wanted him to see what his attention did to my body.

  Another growl sounded, but this one came from my stomach. Lachlan laughed and bounded to his feet. “I guess you worked up an appetite last night,” he teased, his eyes sparkling with humor in the morning light.

  My breath caught in my chest at the sight of him. He looked younger and carefree. I’d never seen him smile like that or laugh with such openness.

  I covered my reaction by teasing him back. “Since it’s your fault I’m in this state, I think you should do the cooking.”

  His grin widened. “In the mood for pancakes?” he asked.

  “I’m always in the mood for pancakes,” I retorte
d.

  Lach’s smile grew positively wicked. “Good. Then you can eat them naked.”

  I rolled my eyes. “You’ve seen me naked plenty of times, Lach,” I scoffed.

  “Yeah, but I didn’t have all these ideas about syrup then.”

  Unbelievably, I blushed, which only made him laugh again. “Maybe I should go take a shower,” I mumbled.

  He shook his head. “No, no. You’ll just have to take another one later.”

  For a moment, I was confused then I remembered what he said about syrup and shivered. A playful Lachlan definitely had some interesting ideas.

  “Fine, I’ll make coffee,” I conceded, ignoring the way his eyes locked onto my tight nipples.

  When he went to his bag and pulled out a pair of loose shorts like the ones he’d worn to bed last night, I sputtered, “Hey! If I can’t wear anything, neither can you.”

  He lifted his brows at me. “That’s different. I’m going to be cooking bacon and pancakes. My delicate areas need to be protected.”

  I laughed at his comment, but didn’t say anything else. I wouldn’t want to fry bacon in the nude either. Shifter or not, grease splatters hurt, even if they healed within seconds.

  While Lachlan put the bacon in a pan and mixed the pancake batter, I brewed a pot of coffee. Once I’d made us each a cup, he grabbed me around my waist and sat me on top of the counter, far enough away from the stove that I wouldn’t get hit with grease as the bacon spat and sizzled. I inhaled sharply at the coolness of the laminate under my butt.

  “Ian, seriously. I’m bare-assed naked, sitting on this counter, and we prepare food in this kitchen. It’s not sanitary,” I protested.

  He roared with laughter then. “Just stay there. I’ll let you disinfect the kitchen later.” He winked at me. “But you should know I have plans for the table too.”

  Unwilling to ruin his good mood, I stopped arguing and sat on the cool countertop, drinking my coffee as I watched him make me breakfast. He was done quickly, flipping bacon and pancakes with skill that spoke of experience in the kitchen.