Youre really good with your hands, she nearly purred, relaxing into him.
He laughed. That laugh men do when theyre really thinking about sex. It sent a thrill through her. It wasnt that she didnt think the next stop was bed. She was lying in his tub naked, between his thighs, his cock hard at the small of her back.
But he owned his sexuality in a way that rendered her a little breathless with anticipation. And that laugh, mmm.
Restless I guess. Which was the truth on several levels.
Why do I get the feeling you mean more than just about Allie? Talk to me.
Im not ready to yet. Im mulling it all over.
When youre like this, I realize how much I missed you all these years.
That made her laugh. How so? Naked? Between your legs?
He laughed too, brushing a kiss at her temple. I have not been like this with anyone. Not since you. Did younever mind.
Did I sit in the bathtub and talk about my feelings with Mark?
I dont have a right to know. Its okay.
He was a good man. Is a good man. He loved me, and in my own way I guess I loved him too. She paused, wondering about taking the risk of stripping herself bare. But I couldnt share a big part of my life with him. Or, well I could have, but I didnt trust him with it. And I didnt trust you with it either, back then. But I can be who I am when Im with you, and that is something Ive never had with anyone but Allie, and notwell not like this.
The fingers that had been kneading stopped as he encircled her shoulders and pulled her close. Im surrounded by wolves every day. But until I looked into your eyes yesterday, I didnt realize how lonely I was. I have missed you so much. Because I have always talked to you and youve always listened. But the adult Michelle? Youre beyond alluring. I know you have a case. And I know you have a life, but when this is settled, I want you to consider theres something up here for you. Im part of it.
She wanted to accept. Wanted to spin and say yes and fall into his arms and be his. But sudden didnt begin to describe what the situation was.
This is moving so fast.
Ive known you since you were twelve and I was fourteen. You were my first. My first everything. This isnt fast. This is slow. Long and simmering. Until we were both in a different place. Enough to appreciate it maybe. I left in a dickish way and
She interrupted. I understand. I hated you for it then. I thought it was about me. That I wasnt worth it. Before I knew the why, I mean. But even at that, when I saw you yesterday none of it mattered anymore.
He squeezed her a little tighter. Im sorry again that I gave you cause to think it was about you. It was about me but it was stupid how I did it. Your saying all this means a lot. Now that youre hereif you walked out of my life Id hate it.
They were silent for some time. She was sleepy and warm, and it felt right there in his arms.
Id hate it too. I dont understand it. The way you make me feel, I mean. Im not a quick decision kind of person. It took me nearly a year to decide on what couch to buy.
He snorted. Witches are control freaks.
We are? Or I am?
Every witch Ive ever met. I should have remembered back to what you were like in high school. Is your room still brutally organized?
If you put everything where its supposed to go, you can always find it later.
I love how prim you are when you say that. Waters getting cold. Should I top us off with more hot or are you ready to get out?
I dont know. What are your plans if we get out?
He slid his hands under the water to take her breasts in his hands, flicking his thumbs over her nipples. Depends on what youll let me do to you?
Im pretty sure youve got a blank check in that department.
Hm. I have credit? Nice.
He spun her, and she went to her knees as he caged her with those powerful thighs.
Youre crazy-hot when youre clothed, but naked? Im not sure Ill survive. His grin was nearly a leer, and it filled her with a rush of emotion. Joy, lust, amusement, affection. She tipped her head back and laughed.
She wanted him. Even if it was only for a brief period of time before they both went back to their lives.
He stood, and she wrapped her legs around him to keep from falling. Not that she didnt enjoy all that strength. Good gracious.
A girl could get used to a man in her bed with werewolf strength, she murmured as he wrapped a towel around them both and carried her through an adjacent doorway and into his bedroom.
He laid her on the bed and took her in from head to toe with so much raw desire on his features her breath got caught.
So fucking beautiful.
She blushed but soaked up all the attention in any case. His cock, wow, she really couldnt seem to stop returning her attention to it. Rock hard and ready.
She licked her lips, and he groaned, tearing her attention from his cock to his face.
I want to take my time with you and you go staring and it makes me forget the slow.
You gonna use that on me? She nodded at his cock, and his grin made things south of her belly button tighten and get wetter.
You wanted me to help you forget. Its probably going to take a few hours.
She caught her bottom lip between her teeth as he bent and took her left foot in his hands. His big, strong hands.
Either you have a thing for having your feet touched or I did something else you really like. Your pussy smells so good, Michelle.
Hands, she gasped out as he nuzzled her instep and his stubble scratched that sensitive skin in all the right ways. I have a thing. She moaned as he kissed her ankle and bent her leg, his lips moving along her calf.
A thing about hands?
He got to his knees on the bed and kept kissing her calf, pausing at her knee before switching to the other foot and leg.
Yes. A breathy gasp that meant more than just his question. Yes to whatever he wanted. However he wanted it.
Shed never wanted anyone the way she did right then. Not even back in the day when she had him. Things were different. They were different, and yet, he knew her in a way no one else on the planet did and it was enough.
He gripped her tighter, sliding the aforementioned hands up her legs to her thighs, spreading them wide and holding her that way.
She nearly choked at the way it felt.
Im not sure I truly appreciated the heightened sense of scent I have until right this moment when your pussy got even hotter and wetter when I did that.
She had to close her eyes a moment. Shed never actually had a man use dirty talk during sex. It was totally underrated.
He settled against her, lying on top of her but keeping most of his weight off. It wasgood to be held down like that.
His mouth met hers with similar strength, his teeth nipped her lip before his tongue swept inside like it was meant to be there.
His muscles bunched and relaxed as he moved against her, stroking against her skin. Her magick rose, unbidden, bringing a gasp as she knew it drifted over his body like a caress.
He opened his eyes slowly, carefully, the normal color having bled into that otherworldly green of his wolf.
Your magick is nearly as tasty as your skin. The burr of his wolf was there. Her magick liked it. She realized her magick seemed to be apart from her as well as an integral part of her existence. It wanted his magick.
Ive never been with a witch before. He tipped his head back and breathed in deep. I like it. Whatever youre doing with your magick, I mean. The rest of you is something I like too.
She tried to laugh but got lungs full of his scent, and she writhed beneath him, bringing the sharpness of his gaze back to her.
Was it him? The combo of him and her? Was it her magick and his? Whatever it was, like him, shed never experienced it before. Maybe it was because shed never had sex with another Other, and it was always like this. But given his response she didnt think it was that either.
Im not doing it on purpose. It would seem my magick really likes your wolf. Or something like that. Dont let this go to your head, but its never been like this with anyone else.
His smile though, wow. Her nipples ached when he gave her that look.
How can that not go to my head? He shimmied down her body a little, licking over her nipples until heat rolled through her, leaving her nearly boneless.
She supposed he had a point. But she couldnt think about it right then with the edge of his teeth against her nipple.
Youre really good at that. She didnt even recognize her own voice as wave after wave of pleasure rolled through her. It had to be the stress and grief of the last days. Or something. Or maybe two Others getting down? Whatever.
Youre overthinking. I can tell. He kissed the swell beneath her nipple and then licked and kissed down her ribs and the hollow at her hipbone.
She laughed, but it strangled into a moan as he breathed warm air over her pussy but didnt stop, continuing to kiss his way over to the other hip.
Im not! I cant even speak much less think in any coherent way.
Her fingers slid into his hair, and she held on and tried not to order him to get those kisses and licks to the right.
I only want you to think about this. He took a long, slow lick through her pussy and up to her clit that stole her breath.
No problem, she managed to say, though her words were barely intelligible.
He slid his tongue up into her, making her arch on a gasp.
His fingers dug into the flesh of her ass, holding her up as if to serve himself of her body. All while he continued to devastate her pussy with his mouth.
It wasnt like she was small or delicate. At just a hair under five and a half feet tall she had been shorter than most of her boyfriends. But Josh was just so big. His strength, the ease with which he held her and did what he wanted with her body made her shiver with delight.
He shifted a little, finding her clit with that tongue of his. Swirl and suck, swirl and suck until she couldnt stop the please from escaping her lips as she tugged him closer by the hair still in her hands.
Orgasm shot through her as she gasped, nearly drowning in it as it sucked her down over and over until he laid her down gently with a kiss to her thigh before settling in next to her, pulling her close.
I dont think I was very good at this the last time we were together. But I think I may have earned another chance.
She couldnt help it, she laughed. Considering that most boys didnt eat pussy at all? I dont recall thinking you sucked at it. But certainly if you had, the job you just did would have erased all red marks on your record. Once my teeth stop tingling, we can get back to it. Hopefully by then Ill have regained muscle control.
She had no idea what it meant to hear so much satisfied pleasure in her tone. His woman, satisfied. The shadow of her earlier distress had been pushed away for a time. Hed made it better. Shed allowed him to.
Her taste lived in him. On his skin, on lips and tongue. Her climax had sent a rush of magick and scent through his system, and he wanted to roll around in it. Christ, it was heady stuff. He hadnt been drunk in a very long time. Wolves werent really able to get drunk given the speed of their metabolisms, though a huge amount of alcohol or drugs could work for a brief period. That was usually something saved for emergencies though.
Hearing you say pussy makes me really hard. He moved his weight, getting close enough to kiss her shoulder and then her mouth, which shed turned to him.
She wrapped her arms around him, snuggling in, her body pressed to his as he kissed her lazily, taking his fill of her.
Ha. He wanted to gorge. To claim her until she was boneless and totally his. But that wasnt to be. Not for the time being. So hed take his fill within limits.
She broke from his mouth and kissed down his throat, her teeth grazing the tendons where shoulder met neck and sending a shiver through his system. His wolf clutched her tighter, urging her to bite harder.
She licked over the tender skin, humming her satisfaction.
I promise not to leave a mark, she murmured, moving to the hollow of his throat.
Feel free to mark me all you like. His wolf would love it even more than he would.
Youre so hot I just want to take a bite.
He flipped her to her back, looming over her. She grinned up at him.
It makes me hot when you bite me. He nipped her shoulder for emphasis. Its he paused to taste the words hed never said before, a flattering, sexy thing for a Were to be marked by his partner. Love bites, bite marks, whatever. And that its you, makes it even better. So if you want to take a bite, go ahead on because Ive got no complaints.
Oh. Her grin slid into a nearly shy smile, and it tightened things low in his belly. She caught her bottom lip between her teeth for a moment. Id like to get back to work. I want to taste a lot more of you.
She did some fancy cop moves, and he was on his back again as she scrambled to all fours over his body.
She laid a trail of kisses over his chest, nipping here and there.
Harder, he whispered.
Her pupils swallowed more color in her eyes. She liked that. The scent of her desire rose, underlining the point.
She bit him again on his biceps and he pushed into her teeth. She gave him more pressure until his hips jutted forward without him thinking about it.
Her gaze locked with his as she licked over the place shed just bitten.
Goddamn, he snarled. Dont want to wait. Want to be in you.
Did you use to be this impatient? She ignored his orders and kissed her way to the other nipple and then scooted down his body to his cock. Her gaze locked on his, she angled him and swirled her tongue around the head.
He strangled a reply and cleared his throat to repeat himself. Was I, a teenage boy, impatient about sex? He laughed. Im just grateful I wasnt so bad at it that you laughed in my face tonight.
She did something with her fingers just behind his balls, and his laugh died on what was probably a beg. And he was okay with that.
He couldnt tear his eyes away from the sight of her mouth taking the length of his cock in and pulling back, leaving it dark and slick.
He let it go on nearly too long, nearly too close to losing it and blowing down that pretty throat. But he hadnt lied, he wanted to fuck her so with a gasp and a draw on all his control, he took her shoulders and pushed her back.
So good. Too good. He rolled over and grabbed a condom. He hadnt used one since college, but it wasnt like it was complicated. A quick tear of the top and it was on.
She had a smile on her mouth and he had to kiss it a bit. Which was good as he was able to wrest his need back a little. The last thing he wanted was to come five seconds after he got inside her.
In fact
You on top, gorgeous. Or Ill find it a lot harder to go slow.
She straddled his waist, her hair a tumble around her face and shoulders, her skin dusted with her magick like glitter.
But when she slid down his cock with her cunt, squeezing, so hot that he had to bite back a curse, he had to suck in a breath before clenching his jaw. So good it dug into his gut, sending a burst of pleasure so intense through him that he broke out in a sweat.
Michelles groan made it even better. And that was before she gripped his sides, her nails digging in as she began to move. Not up and down, but back and forth, rubbing herself against him as she kept him deep.
He wasnt the only one whod learned a few things since those earlier, less-finessed days when theyd been together before. On one hand, he was clearly the beneficiary of that. Shed grown into a confident woman, and they had plenty of good times in bed ahead of them. That was a positive.
On the other, it meant shed been with people whod taught her this. Wolves were incredibly possessive of their mates. The thought of another mans hands on her made him want to yank the condom off and fill her full of his seed, marking her in as many ways as he could.
His wolf didnt care that the times had changed. That a modern man worth having wouldnt ever do such a thing. That part of his existence was all about urges and passion, deep, sweeping emotion, and it didnt care that humans didnt act that way.
And in the years since hed been a wolf, the man had never had to struggle to control those urges the way he did right then, her pussy rippling around his cock as she rode him.
Her gaze had gone blurry and he arched to get her attention. She moaned and swallowed hard, her gaze sharpening and landing on his face.
Hey there. You with me?
She nodded, licking her lips.
Good. You feel so amazing.
One corner of her mouth rose.
Her head tipped back, exposing the line of her body, gleaming with magick and sweat, the scent of all that mingling into a perfumed vise around him as he took her in. The points of her nipples on breasts that swayed slightly as she moved. The swell of her hips beneath his hands. The play of her muscles there, against his palms. He caught peeks of his cock as she undulated.
It was impossible that he could feel so much at once without simply exploding from it.
More.
She moved to look into his face again.
Im here. Youre inside me. Take what you need.
She had no idea what that statement did to him.
He rolled, staying buried in her pussy. She wrapped her legs around his waist and held on as he sped up his thrusts. Deeper. God. Harder.
She arched into him, her nails in his back, urging him on, rolling her hips to meet him each time he slid back into her cunt.
She made a noise in the back of her throat each time he got all the way in. He kissed her, hard, swallowing that sound.
Make yourself come, he whispered into her mouth.
She sucked at his tongue and then let go of his shoulder with one hand.
Being with him felt so daring.
Shed never, ever made herself come in front of another person. Even when she was having sex with them.
He made her bold. Sexy. Like no matter what she said or wanted, hed give to her without judging. Or even better, like it that way.
With him so deep inside, the moment she stroked her clit with her middle finger she was already halfway there. It was sooo good as he fucked into her body in such a raw way.
Yes. God, youre hot. He brushed his mouth over her jaw and down her neck. Tight. Wet. Im close. Dont let me go first.
She sped her fingers, firmed her touch. His groan told her he felt the way she clamped down around his cock.
So full.
He angled, still thrusting, and sucked the skin on the side of her breast. Hard enough to make it nearly hurt. Hard enough and long enough to leave a mark.
That excited her more than shed ever imagined such a thing could. And the edge shed been walking dropped away and she plunged into climax with a snarl that matched his as he licked against her skin.
Thrusting several more times before he stopped, he remained buried deep with a long groan of her name.
He nuzzled the spot hed given her a hickey for a moment. Ill be right back.
Which is when she realized hed used a condom. Dimly she remembered that Weres didnt transmit or catch STDs and that they had some sort of super smell that could tell when the female was fertile.
She shrugged to herself as she relaxed back into the bed. Maybe shed dodged a bullet and her cycle was off. No matter. The sex was just the thing she needed to burn off some of the anxiety that had drowned her for the last days.
He strolled back in looking delicious and wearing nothing but a smile. Stay over?
I dont know. All my things are at the hotel.
I have an extra toothbrush. Ill take you back first thing. Youre tired and Im tired and its safe here. We can watch a movie if you like. Chill out. Everyone has your cell anyway. If something comes up, theyll call you.
She wanted to. More than she should have, and it sort of alarmed her how not alarmed she was.
It had been a long time since shed slept with anyone. It appealed to her on several levels. She would be safe, yes. But not alone.
He climbed into bed and pulled her into his arms. I can see the battle youre waging with yourself on your face. Its not weakness to want comfort. To let me help you. If it helps, it makes me feel better to comfort you. So theres that.
Youre irresistible, you know that?
Good. Because you are too. So? Youll stay? I have T-shirts you can wear. In the morning, I mean, because you should most definitely sleep naked. You dont need any panties though.
Pushing it now, she said without any real heat.
He laughed and she snuggled closer, breathing him in.
Chapter Seven
She woke up with a start at the sound of hushed voices. It took a few moments, and a few breaths, to remember she was at Joshs place. The bedding smelled like him. Like them.
Smiling, she stretched and rolled from bed. Hed taken her twice more before shed pretty much passed out, totally exhausted and relaxed.
But also a little sore. She needed a shower to help that, but for the moment she pulled herself together. She had her clothes from the day before, and hed helpfully left a new toothbrush on the counter in his bathroom.
Before she got back into her bra, she looked at the love bites hed left on the side of her breast. She brushed her fingers over them, a phantom tingle warming her even as her nipples hardened at the memory of the pull of his mouth, the scrape of his teeth. Who knew shed find such a thing hot?
She washed her face and brushed her teeth before rooting through her purse to find a ponytail holder and enough makeup to do a passable job.
And okay, so she did peek a little. She had to find the brush after all, so she looked in a few drawers and his medicine cabinet. There were no girly anythings in the room. No hair gizmos. When she did locate his brush, it was one of those wooden man brushes. No tampons. Nothing to indicate a woman was a regular guest here.
She had no right, frankly no business even thinking about such a thing. But it pleased her nonetheless. Something had clicked between them and there wasnt any unringing that bell. She liked him. Liked the grown-up Josh.
A lot.
More than she should. She took forever to decide on what to order for dessert but there she stood in Joshs bathroom, and even though everything else in her life was upside down and speeding toward horror, she was sure of one thing and that was Josh.
She rolled her eyes at her reflection and went out to see who Josh was talking to.
A pert blonde stood in the living room with her hand on Joshs arm, and Michelles jaw hurt from clenching it so hard. Did I interrupt something? She totally failed at sounding perky.
The womans gaze slid to Josh, whod turned, smiling at the sight of her.
He held out a hand, and she took it without thinking, letting him draw her closer. I wanted to let you sleep as long as possible. Come meet Tracy Warden. Shes one of my Alphas.
The stunning blonde turned a smile her way, moving away from Josh and holding her hand out to shake. Josh has told us about you. Its nice to meet you.
So this Alpha had two mates. Probably no time to bone Josh. Which was stupid anyway, its not like she owned him or anything.
Michelle shook Tracys hand and smiled back. It was impossible not to really, Tracy Warden had the sort of manner youd need to be a dick not to respond to in kind.
Im Michelle. I want to thank you for the help your pack has given me in this investigation. It would have taken me a lot longer, maybe it would have been impossible altogether for me to have gotten this far without it.
Which was totally true.
Of course. We have to stick together. Especially now. These mages are a danger to us all. I was down the street at our offices, and I admit I wanted to stop by to check in and meet you in person. I spoke to my sister, shes the Enforcer for Cascadia, theyve had some missing wolves. Weve had I guess. Im still Cascadia in my heart, even though I run my own pack now. She shrugged, concern on her face.
Im sorry to hear that.
Owen has been a big help. They think theres something else at play. Something bigger.
A shiver roiled through her. Worse than these mages working with turned witches? That was hard to imagine, and truth be told, she sort of dreaded the thought of what could be worse than that.
Theyre working on it. Whatever it is. But weve put out an order that all our wolves travel in twos or more. Safer to stick together.
If it scared things that turned into giant wolves who were fast and vicious, what the hell chance did witches stand?
Michelle blew out a breath. I need to check in at work and then with Pam. Shes been a big help, by the way. Josh, I know you have work to do with your pack, Im fine on my own.
Tracy and Josh rolled their eyes in unison.
Did you both just tag-team eye-roll me?
Tracy looked to Josh and they both laughed. But a bit of tension threaded the sound. Something wasnt being said.
Use my office. He pointed toward a door to the right of the living room. Im not going anywhere. I have a right hand. Damon is perfectly capable of holding down the fort when Im out with you. If Im ordering my wolves to travel in twos, do you really think Id let you go out alone?
He had a point. But.
They dont even know Im here.
Of course they do. Josh cleared his throat. Go, make your calls and check in. Im going to do the same. Tracy and I need to talk about a few things. Well talk when you have an idea of what you need to do today.
She gave him side eye, but let it go. For the time being.
It was nice to meet you, Tracy.
Tracy smiled at her. Me too. Im sure well see each other again soon. I was just telling Josh we were having a pack dinner tomorrow night. Were a raucous bunch, but though Im biased, were all pretty fun. And, Gabe, hes one of my mates, hes an amazing cook so its worth it.
Oh. Um. Maybe. Thanks for the invite. I appreciate it.
Gina will be there. The other Owen witches who live in the area tend to come to our events. Safety in numbers and theyre hours away from Seattle. I know theyre all excited to meet you. I hear you met Gina yesterday. Shes awesome, isnt she?
Michelle was nearing her whoa too much point. So much stuff flying at her at once. She knew her magick began to rise, which was odd because she rarely had this problem at home. Then again, at home she wasnt really around any Others aside from Allie and her mom. Even Michelles mom wasnt much for working her Craft.
Josh reached out and took her hand, squeezing, and her panic ebbed some. Go. I know its a lot. Well talk more later. Ill bring you some coffee in a bit.
She nodded and smiled at Tracy as she headed into Joshs office, closing the door behind herself. She leaned there for a few long moments, getting herself together.
Over ninety-six hours had passed. Four days since Kathys call had turned Michelles life inside out. Every minute now was a little bit of luck in finding Allie slipping away.
She chose the desk in the room that looked like it was used less and sat, grabbing a nearby pad and pen, and called Roseburg.
She spoke to her boss.
Anything new?
No. Other than the canvass of the apartment complex. Which she knew about because Michelle had been the one who organized it after all.
Dexter continued on, shuffling papers at his desk as he spoke. No further sightings. The plates are still on watch, but since the last sighting in Portland theres been nothing. She hasnt been seen. Her ATM card hasnt been used. What about you?