by Delta James
“You think it’s our chef?”
“I haven’t a clue, but it would make some sense. I’ll bring her back to the ranch and will get to the bottom of this.”
“Most likely with the aid of a man’s hard hand being applied to said bottom.”
Chapter Five
Riley slept fitfully when she first closed her eyes. She’d made the decision that tonight had been far too close. She was quite certain that Cameron Nichols would make inquiries and come looking for her. She’d written an email to her executive chef giving him instructions for running the restaurant as well as authorizing an increase in his salary and the account numbers to which he was to send her share of the profits.
She’d also sent an email to her attorney with instructions as to how to dispose of her assets here in Galveston and where the proceeds should be sent. Included in that email had been a power of attorney that would allow him to close her local bank accounts and transfer the money to her overseas ones.
The last thing Riley did before climbing into her bed for the last time was to pack her bags. She planned to be gone from this place she had made her home as the first rays of light crept over the horizon.
Riley’s natural, internal alarm clock caused her sleep to start to abate. The scent of him assailed her nostrils as she became fully awake.
The alpha of Galveston growled low. It wasn’t an angry or menacing sound, more a deep rumble to alert her that she was in the presence of an alpha male. What bothered her was that not only could she hear him call to her, but she could feel him. This was not possible.
“Good morning, little wolf.”
Riley sat up in bed. “Don’t call me that. I don’t like it.”
The sound that came from the muscular male sounded more like a rumbling laughter than any kind of growl, and yet it still skittered across her skin, leaving goosebumps in its wake.
“I rather imagine you’re in for a lot of things you aren’t going to like, but that you will learn to accept.”
Riley growled a warning.
Cameron smiled. “That’s an interesting feeling, isn’t it? I thought perhaps I was never to hear my fated mate. Yet here you are.”
“I’m no one’s mate—fated or not. And sure as hell not the alpha of Galveston’s,” said Riley angrily, the last remnants of her brogue coming through.
“So, you know who I am, little wolf. Good. Hopefully this will be easier. I didn’t go through your things so why don’t you tell me your name?”
“Get out of my bedroom. In fact, get out of my loft.”
“No,” he said in an amused tone, leaning back against her antique dresser crossing one leg in front of the other and his arms across his well-developed chest. He called to her again quietly but with deliberate intent; he saw her shudder.
“I said get out.”
“And I said no. You’ve been a naughty little wolf. You do not move into a pack’s territory without seeking the permission and protection of its alpha.”
“I do what I like. I wasn’t bothering you or yours but as you seem to have an issue with it, I’ll just move along.”
“I saw your packed bag,” he said, nodding to the large blanket satchel with the sterling silver concho. “I’m glad you’re pretty much ready to go. Get dressed and we’ll head out to the ranch.”
“I’m not going anywhere with you,” she grumbled at him.
“Do not growl at me, little one. You have more than enough to answer for when we get home. Get dressed now.”
“Or what?”
Cameron slowly uncrossed his leg and stood away from the dresser. He took a step toward her as he unfolded his arms.
“Or you’ll ride home to the ranch on what I’m sure will be the first of many well-spanked bottoms. Do you want to get dressed and show me you can be a good girl or would you like me to come over there and put you over my knee?”
“You wouldn’t dare.”
Cameron surprised her by chuckling before rumbling at her again. Riley could swear every time he called to her, the sound crept deeper within her. This had to be fate’s twisted idea of a bad joke.
“You’d be surprised at what I will dare to do in my own territory... or anywhere else for that matter. Do you want to get dressed now so we can head for home? Or do I need to spank you before you get dressed and we go home?”
“My home is not with you, Nichols.”
“At this point we both know better. Gabe, that’s my beta—you met him last night—is going to be so disappointed.”
“Why would he be disappointed?”
“I think he was rather looking forward to tanning your hide for that blow you delivered to his balls. But as you’re my mate, I will be the one to take you to task for that. And I will. You will learn, little wolf, that you do not strike out at those who are of our pack and will show respect to its ranking members.”
“Not happening, Nichols. I’m not going anywhere with you.”
“Naughty little wolf,” he said, shaking his head. “I am laying claim to you, mate. You are mine and we both know it. If you are truly a lone she-wolf, I will inform the Council that I have claimed you.”
“What if I’m not?”
“Then we will contact the alpha of your pack, you will apologize for worrying him, and I will lay claim to you with the promise to give you a spanking for the misbehavior that led you to be here in Galveston.”
“You try to spank me, asshole, and I’ll cut you gizzard to groin.”
Cameron laughed out loud and then sobered. “You will learn not to threaten me mate. And you growl or swear at me again and I’ll wash your mouth out with soap when we get home.”
“We are not going anywhere. If you leave my place now, I will clear out of Galveston and you’ll never see me again.”
Cameron called to her low and seductively. Riley shuddered as the sound reverberated throughout her entire being.
“The only place you are going is home with me. Now get dressed. I’m going to count to three and if you aren’t getting ready to leave, you’re going over my knee.”
“Bastard,” she hissed and got out of the bed on the other side from him.
Cameron smiled appreciatively. “Well, mate, you may have a nasty disposition that I need to cure you of, but you certainly have a body that will make taming you a pleasure. And when we get home, you’ll get your first taste of soap.”
Riley never took her eyes off of him and yet in years to come she would say she never saw him make a move toward her. All she knew was that one moment he was on one side of the bed while she was on the other. And in the next instant he was standing next to her fisting her hair and deflecting the blow she meant to deliver to his groin.
“At least I don’t have to strip you before you get your first spanking.”
“You will not spank me. I will not submit.”
“Oh, you’ll submit, little wolf. Maybe not at first, but once that pretty ass of yours is showing enough color, you’ll decide that submitting to me is a better and far less painful option.”
Cameron sat down on the bed and pulled her over his knee. He pinned the upper half of her body on the bed itself with one hand and trapped her kicking legs between his. That left her upturned bottom at the perfect angle for him to teach her some respect.
He raised his hand and brought it crashing down on her backside.
“I’ll kill you!”
“You’ll do no such thing. But threaten or try to do it again, mate, and when we get home, I’ll take my belt to your ass.”
Riley recognized immediately that Cameron had far more strength in his hand and arm than Liam had ever had. She felt the hard wallop as it made impact.
“Stop it. You are not going to spank me.”
“Apparently, you missed the part where I already am. And given what I’ve seen of your disposition thus far combined with the red hair, I suspect I’ll have to spank you often and hard to get you to behave.”
The blows he started laying across her
butt were not meant to be anything but punishing. Riley knew he meant to ensure that she didn’t forget this spanking any time soon. Hard swat after hard swat rained down on her bottom. She could feel each blow individually and as it compounded with the ones before it to ignite a fire on her backside, she feared it would consume everything in its wake.
“Nichols, stop. Please.”
“Not yet.”
He landed another five hard strikes on her bottom, on each of her sit spots and on the top of each thigh. Riley couldn’t suppress the yowl that came out as he laid the last one on her upper leg.
“Let’s start with basics. Name.”
“Let me up!” she cried.
“Wrong answer, little wolf.”
Once again, he laid down five hard blows, reversing the order from the previous set so that the last one was a harsh swat to her now reddened ass.
“Please?” she cried, unable to stop her tears.
He rubbed her bottom soothingly before saying calmly, “Name.”
She hesitated and another round of five stinging smacks connected.
“Name,” he said in a quiet, even tone.
“Riley.”
“Good girl. The rest can wait until we get home. Do you think you can get dressed and walk out with me to the truck, or do we need to continue this here?”
“I don’t want to go with you,” she wailed.
Another stinging blow was dealt to her rump.
“Not what I asked. Are you ready to behave yourself and come home with me?”
“Yes,” she sobbed, losing all control of her ability not to cry.
Cameron helped her up and folded her into his comforting embrace.
“There now; that’s better. Get dressed, Riley. Let’s go home.”
She was aware that he watched every move she made. The one time she even thought about trying to get away, he growled a low, quiet warning that needed no words. She hated the way the sound moved across her skin as though it was an electric current that ran along her skin, seeped into her bones, and danced inside her pussy.
When she shoved her feet into slip-on boot clogs, Cameron picked up her bag and extended his hand to her. She shook her head and slapped it away.
“I have no intention of having to run you down once we go through the door, Riley. Either you take my hand or I’ll grab a fistful of that silky red mane of yours and take you to the truck that way. I had thought holding my hand might be less embarrassing for you if anyone saw us.”
He offered her his hand a second time. This time Riley took it and felt the warmth of his hand enclose hers.
“Good girl. Let’s go home. Do you want to take a pillow?”
“I hate you.”
“Your choice, sweetheart. I just thought it might make the trip home more comfortable for you.”
He led her out to the car, stowing her bag behind the seat and grinning when she grimaced as she sat down.
“I think I want that pillow,” she said morosely.
“Too bad. Next time I offer, don’t be so quick to turn me down.”
“You are a sadistic prick.”
“Maybe. But I’m your sadistic prick and said prick would love nothing more than to have you on your knees with your legs spread, claiming what I suspect is a very wet pussy.”
“You jackass!”
Cameron laughed again. “Sweetheart, I’m a wolf... your mate. I can smell your arousal and the shirt you chose doesn’t do a lot to hide the fact that your nipples are ready for some heavy-duty play.”
He buckled her seatbelt and locked the truck door so that he had time to open the door on his side and get in. He engaged both the lock windows and doors so that she couldn’t open them, turned over the motor, and headed back to Wolf Meadow.
They rode in silence. Cameron tried to engage her in conversation, but Riley refused to respond and simply stared out the window.
He dialed the house phone. Amy answered.
“How fares my little sister this morning?”
“I’d be a whole lot better if you wouldn’t interfere between Sam and me.”
Cameron heard a growl on the other end of the phone before Amy continued. “Well, he asked.”
Cam could hear the phone being taken away from her before Sam’s voice came on the line.
“My apologies, Alpha. Apparently, the lesson I thought she learned last night was not taken to heart. I will remedy that before you return.”
“Just let Gabe know I have Riley with me and he’ll have to forego the pleasure of giving her the spanking she deserves for kneeing him in the balls.”
“Why’s that?” asked Sam. “Has her alpha already claimed dominion and said he’ll take her in hand?”
“In a manner of speaking. It would seem that our naughty little she-wolf is to be my mate.”
Sam started to laugh. “You’re joking.”
“Nope. Fiery redhead with a bad temper and an attitude to match, but a body to die for and legs that go on forever.”
“Seriously? You’re called to her?”
Cameron chortled, “It would appear so. It’s rather interesting calling to her and watching her try to resist. Even more fun when she growls at me. Curious feeling.”
“It is indeed, Cam. Well, let me be the first to congratulate you. Shall we try to throw together a celebration?”
“Not at the moment. I fear my mate is not inclined to accept that I am her fated mate. I’m going to take her upstairs to get the remainder of the answers I need including the pack to which she was born. We haven’t eaten so have Cook make us something we can eat when we get home.”
“Will do. And I’ll let everyone know you’re coming home... and with your fated mate.”
Chapter Six
Riley sat smoldering in silence. She couldn’t decide which was worse—the heat and pain radiating off her backside or the wildfire running through her blood. She’d heard about fated mates and the effect they had on one another, but she never thought it would feel like this or that she would ever feel it.
She had become accustomed to living free and told herself that sex with human males was as good as with male shifters. She’d heard about alpha male shifters and the knot that would form unless they suppressed it. Some said it was the most sensual, erotic experience of one’s life. Others said it was a painful thing that had to be endured at least monthly. For what it was worth, Riley had no intention of finding out.
“Tell me, Nichols, how do you justify beating a woman you just met and dragging her off to your ranch? How do you see that as any different than what that Euro trash is doing?”
“Don’t try to pick a fight with me, Riley. For one thing, it normally won’t work. And for the second, if it does, all you’ll get is a worse spanking for your trouble. I didn’t beat you; I spanked you and given what I’m pretty sure you’ve been up to, it was more than deserved. Hell, it was deserved by you being in my territory without informing me of your presence.”
“You do realize, asshole, I’ve been here for a while. I’ve done business with you and yours and you only figured out I was here in the past twenty-four hours.”
“Yes, which just proves you are extraordinarily good at lying and keeping secrets. I have to tell you that came to a screeching halt back at your loft. Nice place by the way. I like your eclectic style.”
“How did you get in?” she asked.
“Not much of a security system. And when I want something, I get it. Part and parcel of being the alpha in these parts. As I was saying, you’re also in need of being punished for kneeing our beta in the nuts, although I have to give you props for that. Gabe isn’t easy to catch off guard. And last, but certainly not least, you need to make amends for worrying your former alpha.”
“What makes you so sure I haven’t always been on my own?”
He laughed. “No, you’re shifter born and shifter raised. My guess is your father was alpha and if he’s gone then your brother took over and was never quite sure what to do with you
. When my father died...”
“Were you laboring under the assumption I give a shit about your past?”
“Riley, that’s enough. As it is, I plan to wash your mouth out with soap when we get home. I have to tell you, whether you agree with the idea or not, I’m a big believer that some females do best when they are given regular maintenance spankings as a preventative measure. And while I’m pretty damn sure they’re going to do you a world of good, you may be the only female who ever got her mouth soaped every morning to remind her to speak like a lady.”
“Fuck you.”
“I imagine we’ll do a lot of that as well, little wolf. I have to tell you, the thought of getting between your legs and plowing that sweet pussy of yours has given me a raging hard-on and I’m having a helluva time suppressing the knot that wants to form.”
“You rape me and I’ll find a way to kill you.”
Cameron pulled the truck onto the shoulder and stopped.
“Look, Riley. I know we got off to a bad start...”
“Ya think?”
Cameron growled at her and grinned as he watched her body respond to his call.
“Yes, little wolf, I think. You and I both know we are fated mates. I wasn’t looking for you and you damn sure weren’t looking for me.”
“So why don’t you just drop me off, I’ll hitch back to the city, get my things, and leave your territory never to return.”
“We may not have been looking for each other, but now that we’ve found each other, I don’t intend for us to turn our backs on it. You settle down and behave yourself and I’m willing to give you some time to get used to the idea and get to know me. I’m really not a bad guy...”
“Oh, no, all the good guys I know break into my home, beat me, kidnap me, and calmly inform me they intend to rape me.”
“I’ll never rape you. In fact, by the time I mount you, you’ll be begging me to ride you hard until I pump my seed into you.”
“Never happen, cowboy. Never.”