by Marie Fraser
“Right,” Rebekah agreed. “Not to be graphic, but can you-you know-when you’re like that?”
He laughed hard, covering his mouth with the back of his hand. “I’ve never tried,” he chuckled. “But I would imagine it all works the same as it does for other dogs.”
“I still can’t believe you can do that, it’s so damn cool.”
“I like to think so,” Danny agreed. “Not that I go around advertising or anything. Do you want some desert? I made cheesecake.”
“Real cheesecake?”
“Well, the kind from the box. I haven’t perfected actual cheesecake yet.”
“Do you have any chocolate sauce or caramel?”
“I’ve got chocolate sauce and I can make fresh caramel sauce, if you’d like.”
“I would,” she smiled. “I can help.”
“Alright,” he said, holding out his hand. Danny started pulling things from the fridge, digging out the chocolate sauce and the cheesecake. Rebekah enjoyed watching him work, his competence in the kitchen a huge turn-on. She rummaged around for a pot and added two cups of sugar, turning the heat on low to let the sugar crystallize.
When Danny grabbed a wooden spoon to stir it, she held the pot still. “Not many men know there way around the kitchen so well.”
“Learned at my mother’s knee,” he grinned. “I’m the second oldest of eight. It was learn or starve in my house.”
“You have seven siblings?”
“That I do.”
“How is your mother still sane?”
That made Danny laugh. “I have no idea,” he said with a smile. “But she’s the happiest when all of us come over for dinner or stop by to visit.”
“Do you have nieces and nephews?”
“Some of both,” he said. “My oldest nephew is nearly ten now.”
“You were eighteen when your-“
“Brother,” he smiled.
“Brother, had a baby?”
“He was twenty-one and crazy over this girl in his physics class at Cal State.”
“I remember that feeling, usually revolved around sex.”
“Yeah,” he grinned. “Well, he eventually married her and now they have four children. Two boys and two girls, alternating by gender.”
“That’s great, but damn.”
“You don’t like children?”
“No, I love kids. I just…I’m not sure I’m cut out to be a mom.”
“I think sometimes you don’t know until you get there. When I held Liam, I felt like an idiot. By the time Charlotte came along, it was so easy and natural.”
“Hm,” she mused, picturing him holding a tiny baby. “Sauce is ready.”
***
Danny watched her drizzle caramel and chocolate sauce on her cheesecake and wondered how something so simple could make his mind picture her naked. Grabbing her fork out of her hand, he set it on the counter. Next he took her cheesecake and set it down too. “You okay?” she asked, one dark eyebrow quirked up in that way he loved.
Need coiled tight in his belly as he took her hand. “Come on.”
“Okay,” she said, following him. He led her down the hallway that led to his bedroom. He opened the door and then shut it again, looking curiously at her. “I…I don’t have a lot of practiced moves.”
“Okay,” she said, keeping the grin off her face with concentrated effort. He opened the door and shut it again, feeling like an idiot. He saw her smile a moment before her mouth touched his and heat overwhelmed him.
The hard punch of need was so inundating that Danny had to take a step back, but not before he slipped an arm around Rebekah’s waist and drew her with him. “That works,” she grinned. Then her mouth was on his again, her hands sliding into his hair. Surrender wasn’t an issue for her as she was practically attacking him.
Danny had a minute to think that thinking was seriously overrated when a hot woman was climbing all over you. “Rebekah,” he said, easing her back.
“Not again,” she pouted.
“No,” he chuckled. “I just, hell, I’ll show you.”
He scooped her up in his arms as she laughed. “No practiced moves, huh?”
“Just something I’ve wanted to do, forever.”
“Alright Casanova,” she grinned, pressing her lips to his cheek. “Let’s see what else you got.”
Grinning like a loon, Danny tossed her on his bed, loving the way she laughed. “Can you just keep doing that?”
“Laughing?” she asked, moving so that she sat on her knees in front of him now.
“I love the way you sound when you’re laughing.”
“I’m hoping you’ll like the way I sound when I moan too.”
“There’s one way to find out.” He snatched her wrist and yanked her up, molding his mouth hotly to hers. He ran his tongue over her full bottom lip as he slid his hands over the ample curves of her breasts. Needing the test, he flicked his thumbs across her nipples, grinning when she moaned, a low purr in her throat. “Oh you’re right. I like that a lot.”
“Bet you can’t make me do it again.”
“You’re on.”
“Terms?”
“I make you weep with pleasure, you stay.”
“Spend the night? That’s it?”
“Alright,” he grinned, liking this sort of fun foreplay. “If I get you to scream, you stay and make breakfast. You call off work and spend the day with me.”
“Deal,” she smiled, holding out her hand. He took it in his, pulling her arm out to run feather light kisses over her flesh. Arousal burst through him when he saw her nipples press against the fabric of her shirt and need clawed at him when bent over and took one hard tip in his mouth, pressing his tongue against her shirt until she whimpered.
“God I wish I’d known it could be like this.”
“Lily was an idiot,” Rebekah decided.
“Major,” Danny breathed. Gripping the edge of her shirt, he lifted it over her head and nearly wept with gratitude at the sight of her breasts, sitting beautifully in a teal bra that sported black lace on the edging. He was so grateful that he bent over and kissed them each in turn, making her laugh. Then her hands were in his hair, pulling him up so she could seal her mouth to his.
“Take me,” she said and it wasn’t a request, but a quiet demand. “You’re driving me crazy.”
Chapter Four: Longing
Rebekah had never been consumed with arousal, it just wasn’t her way. But Danny was so soft, so wonderfully sweet that he was forcing her to wait as need filled her to bursting. She tugged at his shirt, grinning when he started to laugh as she pulled it off. Still, the need was scratching its way to the surface and she couldn’t stop herself.
“I’m sorry,” she said, a moment before her teeth clamped down on his shoulder. She pressed her hands into his back as she came forward, knocking Danny back a step. His arms came around her waist, pulling her too close to the edge and her weight dragged him down as they fell on the carpet next to his bed.
“Don’t be,” he growled, taking her mouth in a kiss that whipped through her, creating a nice, wet heat between her thighs. Then his hands were streaking over her, fighting with her jeans. She wiggled her hips, hoping it helped. She felt his hand tug at her panties and when he finally sank his fingers into that heat, she crested that first hard edge of orgasm. Her scream echoed in her ears as she came down.
“Danny,” she breathed, stunned into quiet acquiescence.
“Not yet,” he said, his mouth hot as it clamped over her breast. This time he used his teeth to excite her, nipping at her flesh in little bites that only amplified her earlier climax. She sat up and watched as he stripped, loving the trail of dark hair that led down to his even more impressive erection. She felt her body clench when he brushed against her thigh. “Give yourself to me.”
Rebekah sank into him as his mouth teased her. Her hands splayed over the muscles in his back and shoulders, when he touched her, her nails dug into him eliciting a groan of p
leasure that made her hot all over again. She could feel him holding back, waiting on her. Lifting her hips, she felt his cock press against her and nearly wept with the desire that spiked through her. Had she ever wanted a man like this?
He looked down at her, his eyes darkly arousing. She saw now the interchange of man and wolf as his eyes flickered from greenish blue to tan and when she opened to him, he sank into her; melding their bodies as his eyes watched her. Still, she saw the animal inside and wondered at the man she was mated with.
He moved now, slowly and she enjoyed the way he built her up, his mouth and hands roaming over her as he filled her again and again. Rebekah pondered that she could feel the hard ridge of his cock as it slid over her clit. It sent sparks of arousal through her belly that extended out along her arms and seemed to tingle in her brain. She swore she could feel it in her hair. Then Danny changed the angle of his thrusts and shoved her hard over that crest, throwing her so high, so fast that she couldn’t anticipate the fall. Clawing at him, she raked her nails down his back and felt that last hard thrust before he poured into her, following her into oblivion.
“Jesus,” he cussed, his face buried in her hair. “My god, woman.”
***
Lifting his head, Danny looked down at the woman under him and felt his heart simply fall. Swamped, overwhelmed he bent and took her mouth in a tender kiss that let some of the newly found love leak out so he could breathe. He’d had to bite his tongue to keep the words from pouring out with it. Neither of them were ready for that yet. “Thank you.”
“For?” she said.
“For being wonderful. Not a lot of women I know would stick around if I told them I was practically a virgin.”
“There’s a huge difference between being a virgin and you. You’re not naïve, just because you want sex to mean something other than just a quick release. Honestly and I’m not just saying this for your ego, no one’s ever put me first. Never before you has a man sought to pleasure me before himself. I’m always an afterthought.”
“What a shame,” Danny said, meaning it. “Not a lot of men I know can understand the value of cherishing the woman they take to their bed. Maybe being able to shift into an animal allows me to understand that a little better.”
“Whatever it is, the sex was phenomenal and damn if I don’t get to spend the night.”
“And cook me breakfast in the morning.”
“Yeah, yeah. There’s no need to brag.”
“Hey bro!” Danny heard Cade call from the front room.
“Hey Cade,” he grinned. “Give me just a sec.”
Before Danny could block the door, Cade stepped in, taking just a second to assess the situation. “Hi,” he smiled. “Can I just say, before I leave, thank you.”
“Shut up and get out. She’d like a little courtesy.”
“She should after shagging you.”
Danny threw a pillow at him, shoving him out the door. “Seriously! Now Danny doesn’t have to be such an ass all the time.”
“Give us five,” Danny said, smacking his brother on the back of the head.
“Two and I’m coming back in there. She’s smoking hot.”
“Do and I’ll punch you in that smug face.”
“Deal,” Cade grinned. A moment later Danny felt a sting on his ass and looked down to see a rubber band on the floor.
“Asshole.”
“Jerk,” Cade laughed.
***
After getting dressed and taking just a minute to laugh and breathe, Rebekah stepped out to finally greet Cade formally. “You’re a gem,” Cade smiled. “Seriously.”
“I’m just a girl.”
“Oh no you’re not,” he argued. “You’re the woman. The one who dragged my brother out of the sex-deprived funk he’s been in since Lily the Libido Killer got hold of my brother in a tool shed on the ninth hole.”
“Cade,” Danny growled, but he couldn’t keep the laugh in. “Lily the Libido Killer?”
“Well that’s what that slut did,” Cade said, shrugging his shoulders. “And it’s about damn time someone fixed you. I say you keep her. Give her a stipend every month and do whatever it takes to make her happy.”
“Well?”
“Well what?” Rebekah laughed.
“You wanna stay for more than the night?”
“Um-“
“Cade, you don’t actually ask her that, you idiot.”
“Why not? She’s got a bright mind in there doesn’t she? She can decide for herself.”
“Yeah, after a year or two of dating, maybe. Not after one afternoon.”
“Look, you like my brother, right?”
“Sure.”
“And the sex was livable right?”
“Um,” Rebekah blushed. “Definitely.”
“Good. What more is there to know?”
“Maybe he snores too loud or farts incessantly.”
This made both men laugh. “Maybe you have warts on your ass.”
“Don’t go telling anyone about those!”
Cade burst out laughing. “Jesus, Danny. You have to keep her. She’s sweet, gorgeous, is willing to sleep with you and she’s hilarious!”
“Shut up, you idiot.”
“Can’t even admit it’s the truth,” Cade teased.
“Your brother’s not half bad you know?”
“He’s an affable sort,” Danny grinned. “My mother said she found him that way.”
“Hey!” Cade said, feigning offense.
Rebekah could honestly say she’d never had a better night. She’d laughed, hard, ate really good homemade food, enjoyed brotherly banter and sated her body with really, really good sex. Could a woman ask for more than that?
“You don’t actually have to cook for me,” Danny said, pouring a cup of coffee. Rebekah turned and looked him over. His chest was bare, the way she liked it. Pajama pants were slung low on narrow hips that felt so good when he pressed them against her. His hair was still rumpled from sleep and his eyes were just a little sleepy. Her system was already turned on.
“Oh, I do. I’m a woman of my word and I made a bet. I lost, so I intend to keep my end.”
She grinned when he stepped closer to nuzzle her neck. “Can we neck afterward, before I regretfully let you go?”
“I think we can manage something fun,” she purred, turning to let him plunder.
***
An hour and a half later, Danny did let her go, with much regret. Still, he knew a little distance would help him put things in perspective. Rebekah was gorgeous, smart, and funny; all those things his brother had said. It was only natural to confuse really charged sex and a mutual attraction, for love but danged if his wolf wasn't telling him that she was the “one”.
Sighing, he showered, dressed and headed to his office. He still had several months left on his contract sabbatical, but now he was itching to work to keep his mind occupied and give Rebekah some space. He didn't want to freak her out with an “instant” relationship.
If things went the way he hoped, he’d be back with his crew before the week was out. “Hey Jackson,” Danny said into his receiver.
“Hey yourself slacker,” Jackson teased. As leader of the Lobo hotshot crew, Jackson Pike was the only one who could reschedule Danny’s contract to reflect that he was once again working. “What’s up vacation boy?”
“Not much,” Danny said. “In fact, I’m bored out of my mind. You got any room for a grunt?”
Jackson laughed. “You’re always welcome Danny,” Jackson said. “Actually, our central site is full-up, but dispatch just radioed that they need a guy out in Longforks. You up for it?”
“Sure,” Danny said. “Can you fax me the information, I’ll get in touch with Alex and Ava out that way.”
“Awesome,” Jackson agreed. “I’ll get that to you pronto.”
“Thanks J.”
“No problem. Talk to you later.”
“Bye,” Danny said, hanging up the phone and reheating leftovers
from dinner the night before.
* * *
By Wednesday of that week, Danny was all set to fly out to Longforks. It was a jog from his usual headquarters, but he was cool knowing he’d be working with Alex Hernandez and Ava Schoenguard. They were two great fire fighters who were on the same Lobo crew and he couldn’t have asked for better teammates.
“About time you stopped slacking off,” Alex said, grinning. He shook Danny’s hand and both men felt the kinship that called them to be hotshots. Not to mention both shared a kindred spirit in their shifter animal. Ava too for that matter.
“We need a swamper,” Ava smiled, giving Danny a hug. “You up for it?”
“Hell ya,” Danny grinned. He hadn’t really expected it to feel so good, getting back to work. He’d missed this, his crew. He might not be in charge, but he was their brother and they were family.
“Ya get laid while on vacay?”
“Alex Michael-“
“Calm down,” Alex said to his fiancé. “It’s just something men ask, an interest we have.”
“Oh really?” Ava said, her voice smooth as glass. “Well if you’re so interested, maybe Danny can service you for the foreseeable future.”
“It’s alright, Ava,” Danny said, winking at her. “There was a woman.”
“Do tell,” Ava said, suddenly interested herself.
“Well I’m not going into details, but let’s just say that Jesus H. Christ she was gorgeous. Smart, funny, likes to help in the kitchen, I nearly asked her to marry me on the spot.”
Ava laughed and Alex grinned. “She must be terrible in bed if you didn’t.”
“She’s like a man’s wet dream,” Danny said, blushing a little.
“Well then you need medical attention because you’ve lost your mind.”
Danny laughed, walking along with his friends to their campsite. “So this is a change, huh?”
“Compared to HQ it’s Motel 6 instead of the Ritz.”
“Bet,” Danny said, unrolling his own pack. “What are we looking at?”
“We were called out to a brush fire that was getting out of hand. Two nights later it flared into a full-on forest fire. We’re set to relieve the current crew in about two hours. Just enough time for you to get settled in here and eat before we start our twelve hour.”