An invisible protector, she hadn’t felt constricted—unlike what she’d experienced with Carrick’s latest finds.
She reached for him again, pressing her lips hungrily against his. “I want this.”
“I know you do. As so I.” He groaned, crushing her against him. “My cock is about to burst for wanting to sink into your heat.” He scraped his teeth along her collarbone and she quivered, her nipples tightening to hard nubs of desire.
“Mark me.”
He forced her back against the pillows, positioning his cock between her legs. Sliding the length along her slick folds, he teased her with his fangs through the thin cotton gown, nipping and nibbling at her flesh.
“I want to fuck you till you scream,” he breathed against the swell of her belly.
“Then do it.”
Instead he kissed her above her mound and moved down, flipping the gown upward, baring her pussy to his gaze.
“So lush.”
“Oh God…” She strained against him and as his tongue delved into her sex, she let out a shrill cry, arching upward from the mattress.
He sucked and bit, fucking her with his tongue. She wiggled, thrashing beneath him. He swore and his talons gripped her hips.
“Be still.”
“I can’t,” she moaned as he slid first one finger inside of her hot channel and then a second. Thorne licked her swollen clit in time with his fingers, stretching and fucking her pussy until at last she felt the first orgasm build. Stars burst behind her eyes and she bucked against him as he bit down on her nub, sending her immediately into a second spiral.
“Thorne!” She cried out as her body spasmed, needing him against her as she came apart. He held her, pressing his lips to her hair and held her as she shuddered.
“I’ve got you.”
The tremors passed and a languid, weighted sensation infused her.
“Stay,” she murmured, slumber reaching for her once more. Only this time, sleep was a welcome friend.
“I will be at the ready.” Thorne eased her back against the pillows and pulled the covers around her. “Rest now.” He pressed a kiss against her forehead and padded across the floor. Moonlight streamed through the window, the chill wind filling the room as he slipped through the opening and positioned himself in front of it on the roof.
He really was there to safeguard her.
Incredulous, she felt the sleepy contentment thrumming through her veins and realized her wolf might just be onto something. Weary, her lids fell shut and she allowed herself to fall asleep with the knowledge that he watched over her and not even the past could harm her.
Chapter Five
“Put the tree over there.” Jess rounded the corner in the great hall in time to witness Sage, her brother’s new wife, directing placement of the large twenty-foot balsam pine. Stylish in her Rockabilly looks and the colorful floral tattoo snaking down her arm, Sage was the perfect new sister. And a good friend. They shared a lot in common, including their unfortunate past, but that didn’t stop the stab of annoyance that jolted through her at the sight.
The household had been turned upside down as the preparations for the Yule Gathering were underway and, unlike the fiasco with the last Gathering, Jess didn’t have to even lift a finger. Hotels were booked and holiday decorations were draped all over the stately home in glittering detail. That was all fine and good. But she would have liked to put up the tree.
Or even just her favorite velveteen horse ornament.
She opened her mouth to shoot off a smart response but promptly snapped her lips shut. Sage was the alpha female in charge of the pack and she needed to remember that. It wasn’t her job to keep the household running anymore and, while most days it was a welcome sigh of relief, some things just rubbed her wrong.
She was still discombobulated from last night. Broken glass littered the floor of her room and she needed to talk to Sage about repairs and cleanup. Now that she was in charge, a fleet of women had cleaned the house from top to bottom and all Jess needed to do was stay out of the way. Not that she minded. It was nice to have the break. It was nice to hand over the duty to someone else for once.
Thorne was nowhere to be seen and she could only surmise he’d either gone off to shower or finally gotten some rest that didn’t involve clinging to a roof.
She’d kissed him, pure and simple, and he’d taken her on a journey to a place she’d never been. Hell, she melted in his arms like ice cream in July.
He was at least a gentleman and removed himself before she could make an even bigger fool out of herself. No matter that her animal wanted to mate with him right then and there and he didn’t seem entirely opposed to the idea.
Mr. Tall, Dark, and Handsome was her mate.
Even the thought of him made her insides heat up and her animal prickle against her skin. Even still. She’d thrown herself at him. It was embarrassing and she needed to fix it. But part of her wasn’t sure she even wanted to.
The scent of freshly cut pine wafted through the air and Jess pushed down the lingering irritation as she watched Sage direct the men. She and her brother Carrick had forged a tradition of picking out the tree every year, even before they moved into pack headquarters. But not this year, apparently. Sage, it seemed, had taken over that, too.
The brightly lit tree had always been in the front windows where you could see it from the drive coming toward the house. It was one of her favorite sights when she came home from her volunteer work at the shelter, but now it appeared that, like everything else, was about to change.
Christmas music bopped through a set of mini speakers set up on the fireplace mantle, the modern strains of a jazzy new holiday album filling the space with cheer. Already decked with stockings and silver candles, the place was looking great.
Damn it.
She couldn’t handle this. Not without coffee. And then she remembered how nasty the stuff had been the day before and shuddered. Sage had obviously been too busy to make it and she hoped that wouldn’t be the case much longer. If there was one thing about the woman that rocked her world, it was the fresh baked goods steadily coming out of the kitchen and the stellar coffee that made her toes curl.
Jess schooled her expression and tried to be happy for her friend. Sage hadn’t had an easy time of it being the only cat in a household of wolves. And Carrick loved her. How could she be mad at that? And that made her feel even more like a jerk.
She had to get out of there. Fast. Picking up her pace, she gave the men a nod and waved at Sage on her way toward the front entryway. She would just pick up some coffee in town.
Sage spotted Jess and her lips twisted upward into a bright smile of welcome. “Hi! Want to help?” She bent down and started opening plastic tubs of ornaments and cardboard boxes filled with all the family knickknacks Jess had trucked in from their life before the big house.
“I’m due at the shelter in an hour.”
That didn’t sound like sour grapes.
“Oh.”
Sage’s crestfallen expression made her feel like three shades of dog poop.
“Well, I guess I can stay for a few minutes.”
“Good.” Sage’s face brightened. “Then you can tell me where you’ve stored everything. I want to have the tree up in time for the first group of guests arriving tonight.”
“But the ball isn’t for another few days.”
“I know.” Sage shrugged. “But you try arguing with a werewolf on a mission to conquer the Nutcracker craft market.”
Jess snorted. “Yep. That would be Mrs. Fleisher. She loves those crochet doilies and toilet paper cozies. Last year she gave us one that looked like a pink nightmare.”
“Oh man. I think I found that in the attic.”
Jess winced. “Just burn it. I couldn’t tell if she was going for the dipped in Pepto-Bismol look or if she just really thought we should decorate the guest bath that color.”
“God, no.”
“Exactly.”
Thorn
e came into the room, a cup of something in his hands. Hair wet from a shower, he looked none the worse for wear after last night’s festivities. Heat crept up her neck and she looked down at the carpet, her lip catching on her bottom teeth. If anything, the man looked even more kissable in the daylight. His tats were showing with the tight black tee he wore over his jeans and she had to resist the urge to trace the lines on his flesh.
Shit.
“Um…”
“Good morning,” Thorne interrupted her. “You must be Sage.” He set his cup down and took the alpha female’s hand, bringing it to his lips with a flourish.
Jess’s eyes snapped and she had to force her lips shut to keep the growl from escaping. Her wolf bristled and she took a step forward, putting a hand on Thorne’s arm. Her animal had spoken long and loud, and this man was hers.
Thorne’s gaze flickered to hers with an amused expression, his lips tilted up in a half smile.
“I am. It’s nice to meet you. Carrick mentioned you started last night.” Sage beamed, her eyes taking in Jess’s proprietary handling with a surprised grin. “It seems you two have hit if off well. Or at least you’re still here…”
Jess wanted to crawl under the carpet and just die. So what if she’d chased off every single babysitter Carrick had had the nerve to stick her with? They deserved it and so did he. But when she looked at Thorne, all she could think about was how he’d comforted her last night. And the nightmares hadn’t come back.
“Umm. Yeah.” Jess dropped her hand to her side. “There’s a broken window in my room that needs to be called in.”
“Oh no. What happened?” Sage’s eyes narrowed with concern.
Thorne cleared his throat. “All is well. She cried out and I mistakenly thought she was in danger. I feared the being who tracked her last night had infiltrated her chamber but I was wrong. My only concern was her safety. Please forgive my haste. You are welcome to take the cost of the repairs from my wages.”
Jess watched Sage sink into her own memories for a moment and she snapped back. They shared a common history, and being kidnapped again had left hidden scars that only someone all too familiar with the experience of being held captive against their will could understand. Someone like Jess. Concern for her friend outweighed any of her own fears.
“It’s okay, Sage. Thorne is truly good at his job.”
The two women locked eyes and Jess gave her an almost imperceptible nod. No one else would get it, but she did. Thorne wasn’t just another foot soldier. He had done something that no other male ever had—breech her defenses and win her over. And all in the space of a few hours.
“Wow.”
For a moment, Jess could see the cat in Sage’s eyes until she blinked it away, a tight smile slipping back across her face. “Where was it?”
“Outside the coffee shop. But as I reached her, it retreated into the shadows.”
Sage nodded, her brow furrowing. “I know I should have expected it, but that doesn’t make it less horrible. Please stay with her today. And you…” She pointed at Jess. “You behave for once. Shelter, then home. We have guests coming tonight. Nothing is allowed to happen to you. Got it?”
“Yes, ma’am.” Jess gave her a hug.
Thorne cleared his throat. “She will be well protected. You have my word.”
“Good. Stick to her like glue.”
Jess bristled. “Hey. I don’t need a babysitter.” Despite everything, she was her own person. He made her feel safer, but he couldn’t be around all the time and, as it was, he would only be here two weeks. What happened when he moved on?
The thought of him leaving made her physically ill. How had she grown so attached to a man in such a short period of time boggled her mind.
Thorne had done things to her with his tongue that curled her toes, but that was beside the point.
“Yes. You do.” Sage rolled her eyes.
Thorne watched her, saying nothing.
“I’m going.” Jess grabbed her purse from next to the door and dug around for her car keys. “If you’re coming you better come on.”
He was beside her in moments.
“Look,” she paused, unlocking the car. “I’m sorry about last night.”
“Do not apologize.”
“I shouldn’t have kissed you. That was wrong.”
He leaned against the car, his arms resting on the roof. “I seem to recall kissing you back.”
“Well…” Jess glanced away, unsure how to respond. Heat slid up her cheeks and she remembered the way she’d cried out his name and how safe he’d made her feel.
“My beast wants you as mate. Your animal feels the same. I will not, however, succumb to blind lust without knowing you first.”
“So that’s what this is? A getting to know you party?” Jess frowned, not at all sure why she was being so contrary. She wanted him with her but she wasn’t used to having someone tag along everywhere she went.
He’d already had his tongue inside of her, for goodness sake. And she really, really wanted to explore some more of that. Right after she got done being mad at him.
“In a manner of speaking. But I did also promise your brother I would let no harm come to you.”
Her eyes snapped back to his and she opened her mouth, but no words came out.
“You can’t want me. I can’t even shift.”
“That does not matter in the slightest.” He ducked down and slid into the passenger side of the car and slammed the door, leaving her standing against the driver’s side door digesting his ridiculous comments. Of course it mattered. It had all her life.
“Now look…” She opened the door and slid behind the wheel.
“You’re going to be late.” He tapped the glowing numbers on the dash and leaned forward to give her a peck on the lips.
Well, fuck.
She wanted to kiss him. Or slap him. Or mount him. The heat in her belly wouldn’t let her think and that just made her madder. Starting the car with a growl, she backed out of the driveway and headed for the shelter. The next week and a half was going to be interesting, there was no doubt about it. She just didn’t want to think about after.
Chapter Six
Morningside Shelter wasn’t what Thorne had expected. Run down on the outside, with peeling paint and dingy windows that could have used a good scrubbing, the building looked abandoned. He entered, not entirely surprised to see what appeared to be an old warehouse converted into a makeshift shelter.
The office space was cordoned off at the front with a desk and some filing cabinets, but the remainder of it the large building was filled with fences shaped into animal enclosures. One side of the cavernous room held a couple of cats, the other two large German Shepherds and one small and shivering mixed breed.
“Hey, Dawn.” Jess walked ahead of him, leading the way. The gentle sway of her hips called to his animal and he had to remind himself to give things time. Something had scared her the previous night and he was damned well going to find out exactly what before he inflicted his beast upon her, despite what her animal wanted.
The older woman waved at them from the desk, furiously scribbling down notes as she spoke to someone on the phone.
“Yes, I got the two dogs. Thank you for catching them for us, Maribelle. We’ll see if they’re chipped and work on getting them back to their owners today. Okay. My next appointment just walked in. Thanks, hon.” Dawn swished her finger across the phone with a sigh.
“Wow.” Jess surveyed the cages and shook her head. “We just had them cleared out last night, too.”
“For about ten minutes. I found that little guy on the way home last night and the cats were in a box in front of the door when I got here this morning.”
“Oh boy. I bet that was fun.”
Dawn rolled her eyes and tucked a strand of chin length salt and pepper hair behind one ear. “Yeah. Especially when Maribelle showed up with the German Shepherds. Now, Jess. Where are your manners?”
“Oh. Sorry.” J
ess flushed a delightful shade of red. “Dawn, this is Thorne. He’ll be staying with us at the house for the next couple of weeks.”
The older woman smiled. “Carrick found you a new bodyguard.”
Jess shook her head and offered her friend a ghost of a smile. “He did.”
“Nice to meet you.”
Dawn turned to him and offered her hand. “Likewise. I hope you’ll have an uneventful time.”
“Dawn….” Jess frowned.
“What? We don’t need any more drama. But what we do need is someone to pick up a couple of pugs from a ranch down in Martinsville. Do you think you both could drive out there and collect them for me?”
“Um. Sure.”
Thorne cleared his throat and wandered toward the pens. “How many do you keep here at once?”
“As many as we need to,” Dawn replied. “We have a YouTube channel and donations trickling in a few dollars at a time, so it helps to keep the place afloat. The local paper gives us a column and we ship dogs all over the country in the hopes we can give them a forever home.”
He thought that a good investment of time. The misfortunate animals could not help that their owners were not able to care for them adequately. Only people like Dawn and his Jess came in and brought them new hope and the chance for a life.
The more he watched this woman, the more he came to know and respect her. He spent his days with her at the shelter and his nights guarding her window. Not touching her was the hardest thing he had ever done, but he’d given his word to Carrick that no harm would befall her. Making her his mate? What woman would want to tie herself to a creature such as he? Making a living by protecting others was noble, but to bring a mate all over the world while he supported them? How would that give her a better life? No. It was better that he finish his tenure here and leave her.
But he watched her observe him and wondered at the possibility. He held her in the night when her demons came and smoothed her hair when she cried.
“Hush now. Nothing will harm you.”
“You’re here.” She would snuggle against him until she fell asleep and he would leave her, bundled in her warm bed as he sought the solitude of the roof.
Westmore Wolves Series: Shapesifter Collection Bks 1-5 Page 32