Marked by the Wolf (A New Adult Urban Fantasy)

by Lee Mae

  His hands were everywhere at once, sliding beneath her skirt, fingers groping her ass, pressing her hard against his erection, moving up to cup her breasts.

  Taryn broke away from his kiss, holding his face in her hands, searching his eyes. “And I’m happy to see you too. Like I asked downstairs, are you okay?”

  “It’s been a long day, Taryn. A very long day.”

  “You want to talk about it?”

  “Later…after. Right now, I just want you.”

  He tugged at her shirt, pulling it over her head. As her hair cascaded over her shoulders, he caught a thick strand in his fingers. His voice was low, husky, as he wound it through his fingers.

  “Promise me you’ll never cut your hair. Keep it long, like this. I want to see it when the moon is full, watch the color change in the moonlight.”

  His hands cradled her head, his lips finding hers again. The urgency in his earlier kisses was replaced with something no less passionate but distinctly different, a subtle longing she’d never felt from him before.

  What could have changed since she saw him earlier? Was it something she’d said or done, her refusal of his offer of cab fare? It didn’t make sense that something so trivial would have this kind of effect on Sam.

  He stepped back briefly, his shirt over his head and on the floor. Taryn ran her hands over the smooth skin of his chest, the warmth and solid feel of his body both arousing and comforting. Any tension, any anxiety she had about his mood slipped away as her hands moved down the front of his jeans, cupping him gently, feeling the heat and hardness of his erection. He moaned softly, his eyes downcast, watching her hand against the dark material of his jeans.

  Her bra was next, as Sam deftly undid the hooks, sliding it down her arms. It dropped to the floor and his hands were on her body, gently caressing her, growing more aggressive as his lips moved down from her mouth, trailing hot kisses over her neck.

  When he took her hard nipple into his mouth she gasped. She wrapped her hands around his shoulders, his skin warm to the touch He pulled more of her into his mouth, sucking harder and she moaned, none to softly, at the corresponding jolt low in her belly, the rush of heat that flooded through her body.

  His teeth grazed her sensitive nipple and her moan turned into a cry. Sam looked up, his eyes questioning but his mouth never leaving her. She nodded, holding him tightly to her. He moved to the other breast, his lips and mouth and tongue sending another jolt through her body. This time his teeth nipped at her flesh and she tipped her head back, her cry louder, pleasure mixed with more than a hint of pain.

  When he finally stood, and pulled her against him, she gasped, her nipples puckered and wet and exquisitely sensitive. As they brushed against his chest, she sighed and closed her eyes as a shiver ran through her.

  Sam’s hands were back beneath her skirt, then tugging at the zipper. The skirt was history, as were her silky panties.

  He walked her backward until the backs of her legs bumped against the mattress. Her fingers were back at the zipper of his jeans, tugging it down over the bulge of his erection. She slipped her fingers beneath the fabric, eliciting a deep moan from Sam as she touched him, holding him gently for a moment.

  His eyes locked with hers as he pulled the jeans down his narrow hips. She reached up, winding her arms around his neck as he held her, his hands on her hips. The pressure of his erection against her stomach made her aware of just how aroused he was.

  “You’re so beautiful, Taryn.” He held her face in his hands, thumbs tracing the contours of her cheeks.

  She smiled, letting the warmth of his words wash over her. There had never been a man whose could make her feel this good, just with words. Of course, the things he was doing to her with his hands were pretty amazing as well.

  He tipped her back on the bed, climbing beside her. His mouth was on hers again and it was as if he couldn’t get enough of her.

  “I want you so badly, Taryn…I need you.”

  His eyes were silver in the muted light of his room, almost as if they were lit from the inside. Taryn caught her breath, the intensity of his gaze matching that of his words.

  “I’m all yours, Sam. No one else’s.” She ran her hand over his cheek, the stubble pleasantly rough beneath her fingers.

  She shifted on the bed, his body settling between her legs. There was a moment of almost giddy anticipation and then he was sliding into her. She closed her eyes, drawing a deep breath in answer to his exhalation against her skin.

  Sam wrapped his arms arm her, holding her against him as he began to more. She was carried along on the strength of his passion, his lust. There was urgency to his movements, and she let him set the pace, take the lead.

  Her own pleasure didn’t seem quite so important at the moment. She was wrapped up in giving herself over to him, letting him use her, take from her what he needed. She’d never felt like this before; never put her needs second to any man. But this was different. This was Sam.

  When he came, she held his head against her shoulder, his open mouth pressed against her skin, his cries muffled. He shook briefly and she felt him pulsing inside her as he took his release.

  He stayed inside her for a long time after that, his body curved around hers, arms still holding her against him. When he finally looked up at her, his face was relaxed, his eyes dreamy and far away. He sighed, his lips curved into a contented smile.

  “Thank you, Taryn. You’re the best thing that’s happened to me today…” He nuzzled her neck briefly before rolling away from her.

  “I owe you one…I didn’t mean to be so self-centered.”

  Taryn turned on her side, resting her head up on her hand. “No worries. I know you’re good for it. Do you want to talk about your day? What was so bad?”

  Sam hesitated. Taryn watched him closely. He seemed torn, wanting to say something but not finding the words. Or not wanting to tell her what was really going on.

  “Let’s say it’s been a complicated day.” The tone of his voice told her there was more but he wasn’t ready to share it all.

  “Was it something I did or said?”

  “You?” He sounded surprised. “No, baby, nothing you did at all. You’ve been the least complicated thing in my life today.”

  “I thought maybe the thing with the cab money…that I wouldn’t take it. Maybe that made you angry.”

  Sam turned to look at her. “No. I understand why you didn’t want it. You don’t take handouts, you take care of yourself. You didn’t make me mad though…it would take a lot more than that for you to ever upset me.” His lips curved into a rueful smile.

  “Well, maybe you wounded my male ego and pride, but I’ll live.”

  He reached out, stroking her hair. “I worry about you…where you live isn’t the safest neighborhood. I don’t like the guy you work for. He’s no good. The murders…all of that.”

  “But I’m fine.”

  “Yeah, I know. But I still worry.”

  He leaned over, kissing her gently. “I love you, Taryn. I guess I just want to protect you from all the bad stuff out there. I know I can’t, but I want to try.”

  Taryn sat up, hugging her knees to her chest. She rested her cheek on her knees, looking back at him, trying to phrase her words as gently as possible. “You can’t lock me up in a tower, you know. I’m not as fragile as you think I am or as in need of protection as you assume.”

  Sam drew his brows together as she continued. “I really do appreciate you caring so much Sam, and it means more to me than you can imagine, knowing that you love me. I get the sense you don’t fall in love easily, or often. I feel special beyond all distraction, knowing how you feel.”

  She leaned over, kissing him on the cheek and looking into his eyes. Her voice was just the slightest bit shaky, just above a whisper, when she spoke, the words not quite catching in her throat. “I love you too, Sam, in my own way. I do.”

  27

  Her words took him by surprise. He hadn’t expected her…
didn’t need her…to tell him she loved him. But hearing her say the words made his heart soar. He pulled her on top of him, wrapping his arms around her as she squirmed against his body. The warm scent of their lovemaking wrapped around them and he looked into her eyes.

  “You didn’t need to say that, if you’re not ready.”

  She nodded, ducking her head against his shoulder, suddenly shy. “I know. I wanted to.” He felt her mouth curving into a smile.

  “I haven’t said those words to anyone in a long time. Not sure I ever said them to my parents. Probably the last guy was Stevie Smith, in grade school.”

  She lifted her head, meeting his eyes. “It felt right…feels right. I wanted to say it.”

  He kissed her, her lips soft beneath his. The warmth of her body against his, the pressure of her breasts against his chest, her hips against his cock lit a fire inside him. He ran his hands down her sides, over her lush hips. She wiggled again and his hips flexed upward against her, pressing his erection against her stomach.

  She broke away, giggling. “I take it you’re ready for me to have my fun?”

  Sam lay back, extending his arms to the side. “I’m all yours, use me anyway you like.”

  Taryn moved over him, straddling his hips. She sat up, her hands resting on his chest.

  “I really don’t think you’re going to be able to just lay there and not join in.”

  He laughed. “Probably not. No fun in that at all.”

  Taryn wiggled against him again, moving down his body. Her inner thighs were softer than anything he’d ever encountered and as they brushed against his cock he closed his eyes, groaning softly. He opened them again at Taryn’s soft laugh.

  “See? Told you that you wouldn’t be able to just lay there.”

  Sam grinned, sliding his hands up her thighs. “You were right. You’re irresistible.”

  “No need to resist me at all…ever. I’m all yours, as you said.”

  She sat up, holding herself above him, beautiful in the soft light of the room, almost more beautiful than he thought possible.

  Then she lowered herself slowly, his cock sliding against her body and then deep inside of her. She was hot and wet and he was immediately consumed by her as she settled her body against his.

  “Taryn…god, you’re amazing...”

  She smiled at him, taking his hands in hers and pulling them up to her breasts. She covered his hands as he gently caressed her, tipping her head back, a soft moan escaping her lips. Taryn flexed her hips, rocking back and forth, as he slid against her wet heat.

  They stayed like this for a long time, Taryn circling her hips over him, moving to some inner rhythm. Sam was mesmerized by the rapturous expression on her face, the total bliss he saw.

  The speed of her movements gradually increased, her body rising and falling with more force. He slid his hands down over her curvy waist and back out over the flare of her hips, his fingers flexing against her skin. The fire inside him was growing, building to a crescendo, his hips flexing upward now, forcing himself further into her.

  “I’m so close, Sam…just a little more…touch me, please. Take me over the edge.” Her eyes were locked with his as she spoke, heavy-lidded and sultry.

  He slid one hand between her legs, finding the spot she wanted touched, rubbing and circling with his fingers. She gasped, her hips jerking, body twisting above him, one hand clutching her breast.

  Suddenly she arched her back, her body shaking above him. There was warmth and wetness over his hand and then the contractions of her body around his cock, squeezing him, pulling him deeper inside.

  He came then, pulling her down to his chest, holding her as she shook, his body echoing her movements. His thrusts were hard, the heat in his balls flooding up the shaft of his cock, filling her as he took his release.

  Taryn lay in his arms, her breathing slowing, her heart beating wildly against his chest. He cradled her, brushing her hair away from her face.

  “Okay. We’re equal now.” She smiled up at him. “That one pretty much made up for before.”

  “It was pretty intense.” He closed his eyes, resting his head against hers.

  “Do you want to tell me what was so bad about your day?”

  She was lying in his arms, staring dreamily at the ceiling, warm and relaxed and calm. He took a deep breath. Maybe this was the time, the right time, to tell her what he was. But he had no idea where to start.

  “I will; in a bit. But first…tell me why you quit the club.”

  She shifted in his arms. “It was all that stuff that’d happened in the alley. The murders, the guy with the knife. The wolves. I couldn’t make myself walk down that alley again. So, I went in through the front door. Mack’s got rules, and one is that no strippers come through the front. He said I had to go through the alley or not to come back.” She sighed.

  “So, I kept walking.”

  Sam was quiet for a minute. “You never said anything about wolves.”

  She’d never mentioned the night in the alley, the night the wolf-thing had attacked her and Lori. The night he and Bec had been there. Sam had wanted to tell her he was there, but there was no easy way into that conversation. But now that she’d opened that door, he needed to step through it.

  “Something happened, the night before you found me at Lori’s. I think I was just…drunk, I don’t know. But we were attacked in the alley.”

  “By wolves?” Sam tried to keep his voice steady, waiting for her reply.

  “I think so. Something big and ugly and gray that smelled really, really bad. And two other wolves, beautiful wolves. But they didn’t attack us. Lori said they did. One grabbed her purse, I think.” She shook her head.

  “Like I said, I was drunk. I tried to touch one of them, the black one. It didn’t bite me. As crazy as it sounds it…it actually seemed friendly.”

  Taryn shifted suddenly, looking up at him. There was a frown on her face and her eyes weren’t dreamy anymore. She looked confused and a little frightened.

  “Sam. Why aren’t you saying anything? I mean, how many times do wolves in this city actually attack people? You should be freaking out right about now, telling me this is what you want to protect me from? Why are you so quiet?”

  She was sitting up next to him now, her eyes narrowed. “Do you know something about this? You look like you have something to say.”

  Sam sat up against the head of the bed. “Taryn, if I tell you something and it doesn’t make any sense at first, will you let me try to explain? Will you promise me you’ll listen and not panic? Can you do that for me?”

  She’d sat back, pulling the blanket around her shoulders. “I can’t promise if I don’t know what it is. But I’ll listen. Or I’ll try.”

  Sam took a deep breath. This was what he’d wanted…needed to do. But it was like diving into murky water and not knowing how deep it was or what lay below the surface. He was going to risk everything with Taryn but he had to, if they were ever going to be together.

  “Taryn, the wolf in the alley, the black one. Did it remind you of anyone, in any way?”

  Her frown deepened. “Of someone I know? How can a wolf look like…” And then she froze, her eyes going wide.

  “Oh my god... You?” Her hand flew to her mouth, her face going pale. “It was…you?”

  Sam could only nod slowly, his throat suddenly dry. He swallowed, tried to speak and then tried again.

  “Yeah, Taryn. Me.” He wanted to touch her, hold her, but her body was humming with tension and he thought she’d bolt if he tried. He gripped his hands in his lap, knuckles turning white.

  “How?” Her voice was just above a whisper but the confusion and pain was clear.

  “It was a full moon. I have no choice.” He shrugged. “I was the wolf in the alley, the one you touched.”

  “You have no choice? What does that mean? Sam? Like you’re a…a…um…oh, what the hell. I can’t even say it.” She was clearly upset and it drove a knife through his hea
rt to think he was hurting her. But she had to know the truth.

  “I’m a werewolf, Taryn. And I was there, in the alley, trying to protect you.”

  He’d seen enough prey to sense she was running on pure adrenaline right now. He could smell it on her. She was tense, edging away from him, almost on the edge of the bed.

  She stared at him long enough for him to think she was going to run. But gradually the tension started to fade, her muscles relaxing, her posture softening.

  “So, when the moon is full, you change? Into that wolf I saw?” She was looking at him curiously now, the fear in her eyes receding.

  “Yes. Pretty much. And I was there that night. Trying to protect you.”

  Taryn leaned forward, hands on the bed. She slowly crawled toward Sam. He sat perfectly still as she came to rest in front of him. He was breathing shallow, his heart racing, waiting for her to say something…anything.

  “I’ve seen some pretty fucked up things in my life, Sam. But this is by far the hardest to understand.” She sat back, her hands on her thighs.

  “But I want to try, if I can.” Her fingers were warm on his face as she traced the contours of his cheek, searching his eyes. He reached for her hand, and she let him take it. He held it against his face for a moment before kissing her fingers.

  “That’s all I ask, Taryn. Just give me a chance…give us a chance.”

  She smiled and shrugged. “I guess I don’t have much of a choice.”

  It was Sam’s turn to frown. “How so?”

  “I love you. You love me. I don’t want to give up how good that feels just yet.”

  Sam pulled her to him, and she curled up next to him on the bed.

  “Besides, I’ve got a month, almost, to try to figure this out, before whatever it is happens to you happens again.”

  She looked up at him. “I think that gives you some time to help me understand, right?”

  Sam slid down in the bed. “You’re an incredible woman, you know that? I’m lucky to have found you.”