“With the look on your face, I’m not sure I want to know what you’re thinking about,” Rina teased, pulling Elise from her musings.
Rather than withdraw, which is what she would have normally done, Elise laughed. “You might be right,” she teased back. “I’m not sure you want to know.”
Rina groaned. “Just tell me it doesn’t involve my brother with no clothes.”
Elise rubbed her nose with the tip of her finger. “Best I not say anything.”
Hannah set down the small stack of plates she’d gotten out of the cupboard and hugged Elise. “I say go for it.”
“It’s not that easy,” she told her.
“I know, but maybe it could be.”
Elise looked to Corrine. Her friend closed the refrigerator door and set the lemon pie on the counter. “I think Mikhail is a very patient man. Male wolves are dominant by nature,” Corrine reminded them. “But I think he would be more than happy to see his woman take the lead.”
“You really think so?” Elise asked.
Corrine touched Elise’s hand. “I think there is nothing that wolf would not do for you.”
Chapter Twenty-Three
Elise had been acting strangely for days, ever since she’d decided to redo the paint in her bedroom. The original drapes had been returned and the new ones expedited. Her bedroom was finished and put back to rights. No more sleeping on the sofa for them. Not that he’d minded. Holding her close during the night was a pleasure. Not being able to sink his cock into her warm heat was pure torture.
He didn’t want to think how many miles he’d logged patrolling pack land in the past few weeks. He’d probably set a record while trying to outrun his constant arousal.
He padded to a stop just beyond the alpha’s home. Elise was inside, spending the evening with her family, and he didn’t want to intrude. Then there was the little niggling fact that he hadn’t been invited.
The wind ruffled his fur, but he didn’t really feel the cold. It was February now, and the light was pushing back the darkness more and more each day, but it was still dark after supper.
Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, the door opened. Elise was framed by the light spilling out from the living space. Her hair was pinned up at her nape, but several strands had fallen loose, and the wind pushed them across her face. She was wearing a hip-length icy-blue sweater over a pale gray skirt that went all the way to her ankles. She looked like a snow queen stepping out into her domain.
Jacque appeared behind her and scanned the yard. He honed right in on Mikhail’s position. Mikhail stepped forward and waited. The alpha placed his hand on his mother’s shoulder, bent down, and whispered something in her ear. The gusting wind swept the sound away from Mikhail. Elise patted her son’s hand and walked down the steps to the path that led to her home.
Mikhail joined her, brushing against her legs. She reached down and ran her hand down the length of his back. “You didn’t have to wait outside for me. You could have come in.”
Mikhail growled and trotted ahead. Elise said nothing, and the only sound was the scrunching sound of her boots against the packed snow.
He wasn’t some young pup to go and knock on the door of Elise’s family and wait to be admitted. It was a sore spot that the pack still didn’t see him and Elise as a couple. That was because she hadn’t fully accepted them as one yet.
He leapt onto the porch and growled. She hadn’t even bothered to leave a light on. Not that she needed it to be able to see, but it was cold and lonely to come back to a dark house.
She stamped her feet on the porch, opened the door, and stepped inside. “Are you coming in?”
He couldn’t tell if she wanted him to or not. He hesitated and then bolted forward when she started to shut the door.
Elise removed her boots, turned on the light over the stove, and then went to the woodstove. She stirred the embers and added a log before turning around. Mikhail hadn’t bothered to shift and paced around the room.
“What’s wrong?” She stood in front of the glass-fronted stove. The flames danced, creating a fiery pattern on her skirt.
He shouldn’t have come in. He was out of sorts tonight, his patience near breaking point. He shook his head and trotted back to the door. He had to leave before he did something stupid and undid weeks of patience.
Elise was not a woman he could demand things of. She was still very delicate when it came to a physical relationship.
When she didn’t come to open the door, he shifted and reached for the handle.
“Don’t go,” she whispered.
With his hand still on the knob, he swiveled his head to look over his shoulder. God, she was lovely. She looked as slender as a reed in her outfit, but he knew she was lean muscle and strength beneath it.
“It’s probably best I don’t stay.” His voice was low and rough, more a growl really. His wolf was not happy with him. He spent much of his waking hours fighting his own instincts.
“Why?” She walked toward him. Her cheeks were flushed a lovely rose color. Her eyes glowed almost golden in the dim light. He kept his back to her, since he was sporting an erection.
“Elise.” He turned away, unable to look at her and not touch her the way he wanted to. They might not have had sex, but he had touched her soft skin and heard her cries of passion. It had been weeks since he’d done more than kiss and hold her while they slept.
He was close to losing his mind.
Mikhail leaned his forehead against the door and prayed for guidance. He jerked away when her hand grazed his back. His balls tightened to the point of pain.
“Will you wait for me?” she asked. “I want to get changed. Will you stay?”
He wanted to howl. He wanted to run. Hell, he’d even take a good fight. Anything to help work off the tension tightening every cell in his body. He was a glutton for punishment, because there was no way he could turn Elise down.
“I’ll wait.” He knew he should say more, but that was the best he could manage. She was so close he could feel the heat from her body. He caught the scent of her soap and almost fell to his knees.
“I won’t be long.” He waited until he knew she was in her bedroom before he turned around. He bent forward, placing his hands on his knees. He took a deep breath and then another. Then he began to pace.
Control. He needed to find his before she returned. He glanced down the darkened hallway and took a step in that direction before he stopped himself. He growled and began pacing once again.
…
She was out of her mind. Elise knew that, but it didn’t stop her. Mikhail was obviously in a foul mood tonight. His wolf was close to the surface. She’d seen it ripple under his skin before he’d gotten control.
Funnily enough, it was Jacque who’d pointed out how difficult the situation was for Mikhail. Her son had stopped her on the way out the door, leaned down, and whispered in her ear, “Mama, either find a way to be with him or let him go. Neither of you can go on like this much longer. He needs to find his place in this pack.”
It would be different if they were both human. They could date and court for a lot longer. But they were wolves and ruled by more primal instincts. Her own wolf was none too happy with her for not pursuing Mikhail. She wasn’t being fair to Mikhail. He was doing all the giving, and she was still holding back.
She sat on the edge of the bed and pulled off the socks she’d worn under her skirt. She started to remove her sweater but stopped. What was she doing? She buried her face in her hands and took a deep breath.
Jacque was right. She either took their relationship to the next level, or she had to let Mikhail go. And she knew the minute she did that, he’d leave Salvation.
Panic assailed her. Her wolf howled and tried to get out. She calmed the beast, promising she wouldn’t let that happen.
She’d been afraid of her first mate. There were many nights she wished Pierre would go away and stay away forever.
She was scared to death t
hat Mikhail might leave forever. That told her everything she needed to know.
All she could do was try. As much as she was attracted to him, as much as she wanted him, she feared how she’d react.
Anticipation warred with fear.
Elise stood and yanked her sweater off. It caught in one of the pins holding up her hair. She untangled it, tossed the sweater aside, and pulled out the rest of the pins, letting her hair cascade down her back.
She shoved her skirt down and then quickly removed her underwear. Naked, she padded to her closet. She reached up onto the top shelf where she’d stored the quilt she’d finished making weeks ago, the one she wanted to give to him.
She shook it out and wrapped it around her body. The material slid over her bare skin in a sensual glide. She took a moment to toss her discarded clothing into the closet and shut the door.
It was now or never.
Elise didn’t bother turning on a light in the room. The moonlight reflecting off the snow gave more than enough light for them to see. Plus, the darkness allowed her to be bolder, even though she knew he could see her as well as she could see him.
She opened her bedroom door and made her way down the hallway. Mikhail stopped pacing but didn’t face her. She knew he was aroused and trying to hide it from her so she wouldn’t feel pressured.
“Mikhail.” The muscles in his shoulders and back bunched and rippled. She licked her lips and took a step toward him. “Mikhail, look at me. I have a gift for you.”
He straightened his shoulders and slowly turned.
Elise lost her breath. He was magnificent. The firelight made him seem even larger and more primal. More wolf than man. His shaggy hair fell to his wide shoulders. The muscles in his biceps and chest were sculpted and defined. His eyes were glowing, and he was breathing heavily, signs his wolf was close to the surface.
His large hands tightened into fists at his sides. “A gift? For me?”
She nodded and moved closer. “I made this quilt.” She turned in a slow circle so he could see it.
“It’s beautiful.” He was frowning but didn’t seem quite as unapproachable. She knew she was confusing him.
“The colors reminded me of you. Bold and masculine.” She rubbed one hand over the fabric. “The browns and greens and other fall colors work with my new room.” It hadn’t been intentional, either, but her subconscious had been telling her something. “I want you to have it.”
His eyes widened and his expression softened. “Thank you. I’ll treasure it.”
This was the hard part. She could do this. She’d lived through hell. This had the potential to be pure heaven.
“That’s only part of the gift.”
He canted his head to one side, making no move to get any closer.
Elise licked her lips and took a deep breath. “It’s only the wrapping.” She let the quilt go, and it slithered down her body and pooled at her feet. Naked, she stood before him. “Me. I’m the gift.”
…
Mikhail was too overwhelmed to speak. Elise stood proud and naked before him. Had he heard her right? “Elise.” He closed the distance between them and fell to his knees before her.
He could scent her growing arousal, along with the sharp tang of fear. He rested his head against her stomach and inhaled deeply. “You don’t have to do this.”
“I want to.” Those three soft words had every cell in his body surging to life. He growled and rubbed his head against her skin, wanting to bathe in her scent.
His. She was finally going to be his.
He closed his eyes and swallowed hard when she feathered her fingers through his hair. Slow, he reminded himself. He had to take his time. He turned his head so he could kiss her stomach. Her skin was incredibly soft. She moaned, and her fingers tightened around his head.
He ran his tongue around her belly button, enjoying the bite of her nails in his scalp.
“Mikhail.”
He looked up and knew he’d never forget this moment as long as he lived. It might not be official, but Elise was his mate. She had been since the moment they’d met all those months ago.
She’d left her hair down, and it made her appear even more ethereal in the dim lighting. He swallowed hard. She was his miracle.
He slowly pushed to his feet. He wanted to scoop her up and carry her to the bedroom, but he didn’t want to do anything that might jar her. He held out his hand.
She looked at it before reaching out and allowing him to clasp her fingers. He waited, and she finally took the first step, leading him toward her bedroom. He snagged the quilt from the floor. No way was he leaving it there. The fact that she’d made it for him with her own two hands made it extremely precious.
There were no lights on in her room, but that was okay. There was more than enough ambient light to allow him to see. Besides, he knew every curve, every dip of her body. Had committed them to memory.
“Whatever you want,” he reminded her. “You’re the one in charge.” He set the quilt on the chair in the corner. The pink bench was gone, but it hadn’t been replaced yet. “I have to bring your bench over. The one I made for you.” He wanted something he’d created in her space.
“I’d like that.” Her voice was breathy. He knew she was nervous. The fact that she was also aroused was what kept him moving forward.
He led her over to the bed and waited while she lay down. He sprawled beside her and began to run his fingers over her stomach from just below her breasts to just above her mound. She gave a low whimper and undulated under his hand.
“We have all the time in the world,” he told her. “If we make love tonight or not, it’s all good.”
“I don’t understand. Don’t you want to?” The thread of uncertainty threatened to break him.
“I want you more than life itself.” He caught her chin in his palm and ran his thumb over her bottom lip. “But only if you’re ready.”
“I am,” she assured him. “I’m just not…” She started to turn her head away, but he stopped her.
“What is it? Talk to me, Elise.”
“I’ve only ever been with one man.” He’d known that, but hearing her say it made his cock harden and his muscles tense.
“I know, baby, but this isn’t going to be anything like that,” he assured her. “This is you and me loving one another. If you don’t like something, you tell me. If you want to try something but it brings back bad memories, we’ll try something else.”
She touched her hand to his jaw. “You’re so good to me.”
“You’re good to me. Yes, you are,” he continued when he saw doubt clouding her eyes. “You still the restlessness inside me. Fill the empty place that’s ached for years. You, Elise LaForge, are home.”
He could have challenged for the alpha position of his former pack, but he hadn’t had the ambition or need to do so. But this was different. Being Elise’s mate was the driving force in his life. It was everything he’d ever needed or wanted.
He kissed her, wanting to expunge the dark memories from the past and replace them with good ones. He groaned and deepened the embrace when she slid her tongue into his mouth.
“Elise.” He peppered her face with kisses before diving back into the heat of her mouth. He whispered her name again minutes later when they were both breathless.
His cock throbbed relentlessly. He’d waited a long time for this moment, but he was going to have to wait a little longer. Elise needed to be reminded of the pleasure he could give her before they attempted to consummate their relationship.
He left her sweet lips and kissed a line down her chin, over her collarbone, and between her breasts. He knelt beside her and plumped her breasts in his hands. Her nipples grew taut when he feathered his thumbs over them.
He licked one tight bud and then the other, but he didn’t linger. There would be more time for that later. He kissed his way down her stomach. She parted her legs without him having to ask. He growled his approval as he settled himself between her s
pread thighs.
His cock was sandwiched between his body and the bed. He pressed down hard, hoping to keep from coming. His balls felt like they were in a vise.
He parted her slick folds and feasted. He kissed and lapped and teased her feminine flesh. She tasted warm and salty, with a hint of spice.
She moaned and widened her legs. Mikhail caught the little bundle of nerves at the apex of her thighs between his lips and growled, sending the vibration through it. Elise cried out his name, thrashing her head back and forth on the pillow.
He growled again and carefully inserted one finger into her channel. She was wet for him, but she was still tight. Just imagining how hard she’d squeeze his dick almost sent him over the edge.
He pulled his finger back to the edge of her entrance, and when he pushed in again, he used two.
Elise was panting heavily. Her fingers fisted in the bedding. Her entire body was pulled taut, like a bowstring ready to break.
He sucked her clit and pumped his fingers in and out of her slick passage. When he withdrew, he curled his fingers upward and found the sweet spot. Elise cried out, dug her heels into the mattress, and pressed upward. She clamped her knees around his head and shivered and shook.
He kept going, trying to draw out her orgasm, only stopping when she finally sank back into the mattress and sighed.
Mikhail couldn’t speak. Hardly dared to breathe. It wouldn’t take much for him to lose it. He slowly lifted his head and stared at the woman he loved.
Elise’s eyelids fluttered open. A vein in her neck was pulsing heavily. He knew her heart was racing as fast as his. Warmth radiated from her skin, and the scent of her release seeped into his pores.
He licked his lips, loving the taste of her.
She shuddered, slowly released the death grip she had on the blankets, and opened her arms. “Come to me.”
Chapter Twenty-Four
She had to do this now, while her body was still humming with pleasure from the orgasm Mikhail had given her. She feared she might chicken out if they waited much longer.
He surged up and over her body. She expected him to plunge inside, but he kissed her instead. She could taste herself on his lips, a reminder of what he’d just done.
Wolf of her Own_Salvation Series Page 21