Chasing Cassie Lorna Jean Roberts Book two in the Shadowpeak Wolves series.
Cassie Callington has finally met a man who makes her insides quiver, her heartbeat race and her body sizzle. And he barely even knows she’s alive. An enforcer for the Shadowpeak pack, Jay Chance is ripped, sexy, a complete and utter hunk. He’s also out of her league and chasing after another woman. Still, there’s no rule that says she can’t look, right? Except one night she finds herself doing more than looking, she’s touching, tasting, licking…yum. But it was never meant to be. He’s a werewolf and attracted to someone else. She’s a human and on the next bus out of town. Nope, it would never work. But Jay sees things differently, and comes after her, using some very sensual techniques to persuade her to see things his way. And to taste them his way, and to touch…
Ellora’s Cave Publishing
www.ellorascave.com
Chasing Cassie ISBN 9781419934816 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED Chasing Cassie Copyright © 2011 Lorna Jean Roberts Edited by Jillian Bell Cover art by Syneca Electronic book publication August 2011 The terms Romantica® and Quickies® are registered trademarks of Ellora’s Cave Publishing. With the exception of quotes used in reviews, this book may not be reproduced or used in whole or in part by any means existing without written permission from the publisher, Ellora’s Cave Publishing, Inc.® 1056 Home Avenue, Akron OH 44310-3502. Warning: The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. No part of this book may be scanned, uploaded or distributed via the Internet or any other means, electronic or print, without the publisher’s permission. Criminal copyright infringement, including infringement without monetary gain, is investigated by the FBI and is punishable by up to 5 years in federal prison and a fine of $250,000. (http://www.fbi.gov/ipr/). Please purchase only authorized electronic or print editions and do not participate in or encourage the electronic piracy of copyrighted material. Your support of the author’s rights is appreciated. This book is a work of fiction and any resemblance to persons, living or dead, or places, events or locales is purely coincidental. The characters are productions of the author’s imagination and used fictitiously. The publisher and author(s) acknowledge the trademark status and trademark ownership of all trademarks, service marks and word marks mentioned in this book. The publisher does not have any control over, and does not assume any responsibility for, author or third-party Web sites or their content.
CHASING CASSIE Lorna Jean Roberts
Chasing Cassie
Chapter One “Oohhh, look what I’ve found.” Cassie hunched her shoulders and continued wiping down shelves, determined not to look over at Dusty. Whatever Dusty had found had her practically crowing in delight. Which Cassie was sure wouldn’t be good. For her. “Cassie,” Dusty called out in a singsong voice. “Don’t you want to know what I’ve got?” Ignore her, ignore her. If Cassie ignored her, surely—please, God—surely she’d lose interest and give up. “Come on, Cassie, I know you can hear me. You can’t ignore me forever. Answer one simple question and I’ll go away.” If only. Dusty had only arrived five minutes ago, and already Cassie had had enough of her. She’d had enough of her five minutes after meeting her, and that had been months ago. Cassie’s tolerance level for the aggravating werewolf was dropping. Fast. “So, what’s the ‘B’ stand for, Ms. B.C. Callington?” Biting back a groan, Cassie took a deep, fortifying breath before glancing over her shoulder at a gleeful Dusty. Looking like a lush pinup girl from the fifties with her flowing dark-red hair, curvy figure and strikingly beautiful face, Dusty was lounging back on a wide counter, an envelope clutched in her hand. How had she gotten hold of that? Dusty was waving the envelope around as if it were a winning lottery ticket. Instead, it was probably a bill or junk. Cassie hadn’t looked at her mail as she’d emptied her mailbox that morning, just stuffed it in her bag before running over here.
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If she’d known the annoying werewolf was going to go through her bag, she’d have left her mail at home. Of course, no one else would have searched through her property—they would respect her privacy. But not Dusty, oh no, she didn’t seem to have heard of the word. Cassie wondered how many other times the nosy enforcer had rifled through her stuff. Luckily, she didn’t keep much in her handbag—it held only her cell phone, some tissues and pens. Having been the victim of a bag-snatcher years ago, she kept her wallet in her pocket. “That envelope was in my bag, Dusty. Did you go through my private stuff?” Cassie used her sternest voice, not surprised when Dusty didn’t look the least bit intimidated. Why should she? Dusty could grow furry and develop fangs at will. Cassie could, well, she could ban people from borrowing books. Ooh, scary. Except she couldn’t even do that anymore. Having just quit her job, she was currently unemployed. But not for long. Because she was now the owner of a bookstore. Well, half a bookstore technically, as she and Laney were equal partners. And the bookstore wasn’t actually operational yet. But they’d be opening their doors within the next month, all things going to plan. When Laney had walked into the library where Cassie worked a few months ago, Cassie hadn’t known who she was. She’d have been too terrified to speak to the petite werewolf if she had. Seeing the other woman’s crestfallen expression when she’d told her they didn’t have the latest Nalini Singh romance, Cassie had taken pity and offered Laney her own copy. They’d quickly become friends, surprising Cassie, who never made friends easily.
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Over a few glasses of wine one night, the idea of opening their own bookstore had been born. For Cassie, the store had been a wish she figured she’d never fulfill. But she hadn’t counted on Laney’s determination and drive. “Oh Cassie,” Dusty called. Gritting her teeth, Cassie kept dusting. She thought she was showing commendable restraint in not strangling the other woman—mainly because she knew who’d come out second best. Her. With a great deal of relief, Cassie heard Laney enter the building. She glanced over her shoulder, aiming a smile at her new business partner. But her gaze never met her friend’s. Instead, all her attention was stolen by the werewolf walking in behind her. Cassie’s libido kicked in with a vicious intensity that had her gasping, her lungs suddenly bereft of air. Her stomach clenched and her body temperature rose as moisture pooled between her thighs. All noise faded except for the intense beating of her heart, which she swore was so loud it echoed around the room. Grateful that baggy clothes hid her hardening nipples, she shifted from side to side, hoping to mask the effect he had on her. It was always the same around him, a reaction she simply could not control. And damn it, she had tried. “You all right there, Cassie?” Dusty’s wide mouth turned up into a devilish grin. Cassie blushed, embarrassed to realize she’d been staring at Jay, the delightfully delicious, very sexy, out-of-her-reach enforcer of the Shadowpeak pack. He also happened to be Laney’s brother. “Dusty,” Laney scolded lightly, but there was a twinkle in her eyes. For some reason Cassie had yet to fathom, Laney actually liked Dusty. To Cassie it seemed that Dusty relished in causing torment, chaos and trouble. She was stubborn, argumentative, occasionally mean—and Cassie was so incredibly envious of her it made her sick. She knew she’d never have the other woman’s height or glorious dark-red hair and creamy complexion, but she wished she could have just a fraction of Dusty’s attitude. “Come on, Cassie, we’re buddies now, right? So what’s the ‘B’ stand for? It must be pretty bad if you go by another name.” 7
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“What’s all this?” The low tone of Jay’s voice sent whispers of desire through her body, making her shiver from head to toe. She’d prayed she’d get over this, that his presence would become normal, ordinary. But each time she saw him it was the same— she was like a silly schoolgirl with a crush at twenty-seven. Pathetic. Stupid. So pathetically stupid! Cassie sighed. “Dusty decided to go through my bag and she found a private letter with my initials on it.” Jay and Laney stared at her, looking confused. “My initials are B.C., and for some reason she finds that fascinating.” Laney rolled her eyes. “Cassie, Cassie,” Dusty sang as she swung her legs back and forth. Cassie took a deep breath, drawing on her restraint. She would not raise her voice. If she could deal tolerantly with groups of cheeky teenagers giggling over books with dirty words or elderly patrons asking her to find the “blue book” they’d borrowed last year, then she could deal with Dusty. “Hey, Cassie!” Dusty clapped her hands suddenly. “Yes?” She glared at Dusty, who merely grinned back at her, unperturbed. “You’re totally spacing. Focus, human. What does the ‘B’ stand for?” Don’t react, she told herself. “Why do you even care? You must have more interesting things to worry about.” She caught Dusty’s satisfied smile and realized the werewolf didn’t care, not really. What she actually wanted was to pick at Cassie until she got a reaction. “Why didn’t I legally change my name?” she muttered under her breath. She hated her first name. It was weird, unusual and attention-grabbing. It didn’t reflect who she was at all. “What was that, Baby Ruth?” Dusty called out. Damn werewolf hearing.
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Maybe she should just tell Dusty her name, get it over and done with. After all, if the werewolf asked around town, she’d find someone who knew it. On the other hand, Dusty wasn’t all that keen on interacting with Landon’s residents. She preferred snarling to smiling, so maybe Cassie could keep her secret a while longer. “Baby Ruth is a chocolate bar, not a name.” Cassie rubbed at her forehead tiredly. “And my name is Brianna.” “No it’s not, and shame on you for lying.” “Jeez, you’re like a dog with a bone.” Patience, breathe in and out. Dusty made her want to scream and yell as if she were a two-year-old. “Wrong, human. I’m a wolf, remember?” Dusty widened her smile, showing her sharp canines. Cassie gulped. “Enough, Dusty. Leave Cassie alone.” Laney spoke firmly, backing up the order with a stern look when Dusty started to speak again. The redhead closed her mouth with a sigh, then shrugged and winked at Cassie. “Now come and help me carry in some more boxes,” Laney bossed. Dusty leapt gracefully off the counter before sauntering out of the room after Laney. “Don’t let Dusty get to you.” “Eek!” An embarrassing squeal of shock escaped as Jay spoke from beside her. Man, he could move quietly. The scent of amberwood danced around her, tantalizing and teasing her senses. She breathed in deeply, slowly, thankful that the initial suckerpunch reaction to his presence had given way to a slower throb of continuous rapture. “Oh, I’m, ah, getting used to her.” She wasn’t lying—she didn’t like Dusty any better but she was getting used to her. However, she wouldn’t feel at all sad if Dusty were to move to, say, Tasmania. “She just, well, she uses the attitude as a way to keep people at arm’s length. So don’t take what she says personally.”
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Cassie nodded, studying him surreptitiously, not really trusting her tongue to form comprehensible words. He was tall, over six feet, with long, lean limbs. His face was strong, not classically handsome—it was a bit too square, his mouth a tad too wide. Deeply tanned, he had smooth, clear skin that she longed to run her hands over. Most enforcers had scars on some part of their body. Dusty had a thin one running around the base of her neck, as though someone had tried to garrote her, but Cassie had yet to find one on Jay. Of course, she hadn’t seen all of him. She sighed. She probably never would. “You like her, don’t you?” Cassie asked bravely, startled by her own daring. Luckily, he didn’t snap back at her, tell her it was none of her business. Instead he blushed a little, a pale red tingeing his tanned skin. He let out a choked laugh. “That obvious, huh?” Cassie smiled a little sadly. “I don’t think Dusty’s noticed.” He snorted. “Exactly. That’s the problem. She doesn’t notice me at all. Now if Cain was here, then she would notice.” Cassie gave an exaggerated shiver. “Well, I for one am glad you’re here and not Cain. He scares the curl out of my hair.” The quiet enforcer terrified her. She couldn’t even look him in the face, let alone speak to him. Jay’s lips quirked. “You don’t have any curl in your hair.” His bright blue gaze ran over her long, very straight hair. “I know,” she replied. “I met Cain and he scared the curl right out of it. I used to have a full head of ringlets.” She felt a surge of happiness as he chuckled. Fool, fool, fool… Did she want to end up like her mother? Falling in love with any man who paid her attention, only to be left heartbroken and alone? She had to stop doing this to herself. Even if he weren’t blatantly lusting after someone else, Jay was a werewolf and she was a human. The pack would always be a
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huge part of his life, would always come first. She couldn’t fit into his world. Her fantasy relationship was doomed on every side. “Cassie, what you thinking about? You went all serious.” “Sorry, I was, umm, thinking about how you could catch Dusty’s attention.” Fool, double fool. “You know, you could just ask her out.” Damn it, she had to stop being so helpful. She wished she were brave enough to make a play for him. But to do that she’d have to put her feelings out there, make herself vulnerable to him. Her insides gave a sickening lurch at the thought. She simply didn’t have that much courage. Perhaps if he were involved with Dusty she would finally stop fantasizing about him. Wishful thinking? Yeah, probably. Jay peered down at her curiously. She hoped he hadn’t picked up on her lie. Laney had once told her that werewolves could often sense an untruth using certain unconscious cues the speaker gave off—a widening of the pupils, a quickening of the heartbeat. But if they weren’t paying close attention, or the other person was very good at lying, then they might miss it. She hoped he hadn’t been paying close attention, because she was a terrible liar. He shook his head before he spoke. “Naw, I don’t think so.” “Whew, I think that’s the last of them. For today, anyway.” Laney laughed as she stepped inside carrying a box that was almost as big as she was. Cassie knew her friend’s size was deceptive—she was far stronger than a normal human. “Bonnie!” Laney, Jay and Cassie all looked over at Dusty in confusion. She shrugged. “Just trying to see if I got a reaction. I know, it’s Barbara, right? You kind of look like a Barb.”
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Cassie wasn’t sure whether to be insulted or not. What the heck did a Barb look like? “My name is not Bonnie or Barb.” Jay frowned over at Dusty. “Leave Cassie alone. She doesn’t have to tell us.” He peered down at her, raising one eyebrow in query. Cassie shook her head then sighed, feeling she should explain. “My mother loved to watch old movies. She used them to escape her own life. Both my first and middle names came from her favorite characters. Unfortunately, she didn’t really give much thought to practicality.” Dusty clicked her fingers. “I’ve got it, Bambi!” Cassie shook her head. “Bambi was a deer not a person.” The tall redhead shrugged, unconcerned. “Semantics. Beatrix, then.” Cassie shook her head, tempted to stomp her foot. She resisted, barely. “Where did Cassie come from?” Laney asked as she and Dusty began unpacking a box of books. Before Cassie could answer, Dusty held up a book with a half-naked man on the cover. A beautiful woman, scantily clad, sat at his feet, her arms tangled through his legs as she gazed rapturously up into his face. “Jeez, you running a porn store here, Cassie?” Cassie snatched the book from the other woman’s hand, irritated. “This is romantic fiction, which happens to be very popular.” She kept her voice calm through sheer force of will. She was not going to give Dusty the satisfaction of losing her temper. She placed the book down on a shelf before starting to unpack the box herself. “Anyway, Cassie is short for Cassidy, as in Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid.” “Good Lord, your name’s not Butch is it?” Jay stared over at her in horror and she giggled, her frustration temporarily forgotten. “No, my name is not Butch or Bambi or Bonnie or Barb. Please, can we change the topic?”
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“Hey, I was thinking of having a barbecue this weekend, a thank-you for everyone who has been helping us. Do you all want to come?” Cassie smiled at Laney gratefully as she came to her rescue. “Yeah, sounds good, kid.” Jay grinned at his sister. “Food that I don’t have to cook. I’m there,” Dusty replied. “Cassie?” Laney asked. The others stared at her silently, waiting for her reply. She stiffened her shoulders. “That would be lovely.”
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Chapter Two “What are you doing sitting over here?” Laney sat on the log beside Cassie and took a sip of her beer. Cassie smiled a little as she stared over at the werewolves currently charring meat on the grill. Jay and his brother Marcus were standing shoulder-to-shoulder in front of the grill while Cain, Dusty and some other pack members stood around them drinking. In other words, Jay was surrounded by a whole heap of, umm, cock-blockers. “Just thinking,” she answered. “How was Cooper?” Laney sighed. “He was ringing to say he won’t be home until tomorrow, he’s run into a few problems with some of the other council members.” “You mean they’re not immediately jumping to do what he wants?” Cassie was only half-joking. The Shadowpeak Alpha exuded power and authority. Cassie wouldn’t want to get on his bad side. Laney snorted. “I know. It’ll do him good. Knock down his ego a peg or two. But unfortunately for me, it means I get some housemates again tonight.” “The enforcers still haven’t found out who sent you that hate mail and slashed your tires?” Cassie asked. Laney shook her head. “Rye’s certain HAW is to blame, though.” “Oh no, really?” Humans Against Werewolves was a vocal, sometimes violent group who believed werewolves shouldn’t be allowed anywhere near humans. Many of the extremists longed to annihilate every werewolf on the planet. Cassie felt sick at the thought of them targeting Laney. Laney continued, “I can understand them sending the hate mail, but the slashed tires and the rattlesnake—”
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“Whoa, hold on,” Cassie interrupted her. “Rattlesnake? What rattlesnake?” “Oh,” Laney replied, looking a little sick. “Didn’t I tell you about that?” “You most certainly did not.” Laney sighed. “A couple of weeks ago, I was getting into my car when I heard this noise. I peered beneath the driver’s seat and, well, I was lucky the snake was under the seat and couldn’t strike out.” “Laney.” “I know, I know. I thought Cooper was going to lock me in our bedroom for a month. After what happened with Justin, these latest incidents have put him into overprotective mode.” She shook her head but her voice was full of obvious love for her mate. Cassie knew Laney still struggled over the fact that a few months ago her half brother, whom she’d had no idea even existed, had tried to kill her. “And Ryan thinks HAW is behind everything? They don’t have a group here do they?” Cassie was alarmed. Laney could have been seriously hurt or worse by a cornered rattlesnake. This was a big step up from hate mail. Laney shrugged. “Cooper has been working hard to build up good relations with the residents in town and it’s happening, slowly. He believes integration is the only way forward for the pack. Most people tolerate us, some even like us, but not everyone. There are always going to be those who detest or fear us.” She spoke matter-of-factly. “Is that why you decided to open the bookstore? To help foster ties between the pack and the residents of Landon?” Laney snorted and shook her head. “Cooper was totally against the store when I first brought the idea up. Oh, he’s all for the pack owning more businesses. But he was not impressed by the idea of me working in town. If Cooper had his way, I’d never leave the house. Believe me, I had to fight hard and long to get him to agree, and then I had to compromise by promising to always have at least two enforcers with me. Until they find who’s behind these threats, that is. I’m hoping he’ll ease up after that.”
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“Can’t blame him. Seems like someone’s always trying to kill you. They don’t know something I don’t, do they? You’re not a tiny tyrant, are you?” Cassie grinned as Laney gave her the finger. “I am not a tyrant. As far as we know there’s no HAW group here in town, but they wouldn’t necessarily live here. Rye’s got some of the pack keeping an eye out for strangers, anyone who looks suspicious or anyone known to be associated with HAW.” “Sounds a bit like looking for a needle in a haystack.” “Yeah, so for the foreseeable future I’m stuck with my guards. Cooper thinks that it’s better to be safe than sorry.” “He really loves you.” A pang of envy hit her as she gazed over at Jay, who was chatting to Dusty as he flipped meat on the grill. “You know she’s just teasing you, don’t you? About your name.” “My name, my clothes, my hair, my job… Yep she’s having real fun with me. Can’t you find her another job, get another bodyguard?” Cassie complained. “I mean, she obviously dislikes me. Why make her spend time around me?” “Actually, Dusty keeps volunteering. I think she likes you.” “Get real, Laney. She’s bored, and picking on me gives her something to do.” Laney shook her head. “I’m being serious, she likes you. If she didn’t, she’d either ignore you or be outright nasty. This is just her having fun.” “Having fun? It’s as though she’s a cat playing with her favorite toy, and her claws aren’t sheathed.” Laney winced. “Not a good analogy. Wolves don’t like being called cats.” “I still feel like she’s eyeing me up as a tasty snack.” “So bite back.” “That’s what she’s after.” Besides, Cassie had spent so long teaching herself not to bite back she wasn’t sure she’d know how.
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“Maybe. I still think you should do it. You’ll feel better and I think she’ll back off a bit.” Cassie sighed, watching Jay laugh and give Dusty a high five. “Do werewolves ever take humans as mates?” Laney was quiet for a long moment. “Ahh, yes they do.” “Are there any living on the estate?” “No, Zachary banned all humans from the estate. But Cooper’s lifted that ban now, of course.” “Oh.” “She’s no good for him, you know. Plus, she’s not interested,” Laney murmured. “Hmm?” “Dusty. Even if she were attracted to Jay, she’s not right for him.” Cassie gazed at the others joking and laughing behind her. They all belonged together. A unit. She was the outsider. “He thinks she is.” Laney snorted. “Does he? He’s an idiot. He’s convinced himself that he needs a werewolf as a mate and he’s blinded himself to everyone else around him.” Cassie forced herself to smile through her pain. “She’s gorgeous.” “Yes, she is,” Laney agreed. “She’s also argumentative, bitchy, provocative and scrappy. She requires someone a lot calmer and a lot more stubborn than Jay is. Hell, I don’t think one man would even be enough to catch Dusty.” Cassie frowned. “Jay seems pretty calm to me.” “Most of the time he is. But still, he and Dusty would be fighting within a week if they hooked up—no doubt about it. Jay would try to smother her, pamper her. Dusty would end up trying to kick his ass, and I’m not sure who would come out on top. Jay needs someone he can take care of, he always has. He’s a good listener. You can open up with him, trust him.” 17
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Cassie frowned over at her friend suspiciously. “Are you suggesting what I think you’re suggesting?” “Come on, who are you trying to fool, Cass? You’re into him. Hell, you can barely speak when he comes near you, you’re so tongue-tied. And the way you look at him… Well, it’s as if he’s a stallion and you’re in—” “Laney,” Cassie whispered, blushing. She dropped her forehead onto her upturned palm. “Oh God, does everyone know?” “Well, it’s kind of hard to miss,” Laney remarked, throwing a log on the fire. Shame held Cassie frozen until her lungs screamed for air. She forced herself to take a shuddering breath, then another. For a few endless moments she sat there and absorbed the humiliation of knowing she’d put her desire on display for the whole pack to see. She should have realized. She knew they could hear and smell things humans couldn’t. But she’d never thought about them sensing her arousal. Blinking back tears, she finally found the courage to speak. “I’ve got to go.” She jumped from the log, prepared to flee. But Laney grabbed her arm firmly and Cassie knew she wasn’t going anywhere. She might be bigger than the small blonde, but Laney was a lot stronger. “Don’t be a fool, Cassie, you’re perfect for him. Go for it.” “He doesn’t want me, he wants Dusty. Obviously he already knows how I feel about him, so if he was attracted to me he would have made a move. Let me go, please, I’m embarrassed enough. I can’t believe you all know that…that…” She took a deep breath, willing herself not to cry. “I’m sorry, Cassie, I handled this badly. I didn’t tell you to embarrass you. It’s not what you think—” “What?” she interrupted angrily. “You weren’t all talking about me, laughing at the foolish little human lusting after the sexy, gorgeous werewolf?”
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Laney let her go when she began to struggle. Once free, Cassie ran past the house to the track leading to the road. She’d have to hitch home as Laney had driven her here. Her spurt of temper didn’t last long. She slowed down, upset with herself. She’d given them something else to talk about. They’d all known. They’d all talked about her behind her back. For someone who avoided attention at all costs, it was mortifying. “Cassie! Cassie, wait up!” She groaned at the sound of Jay calling out. “Go away,” she called back. She needed to be by herself to lick her wounds. He moved up beside her, his stride immediately matching hers. Damn man wasn’t even winded, while she was definitely starting to feel the strain of keeping up this speed. “What’s wrong?” His concern was easy to see, but Cassie had decided she was ignoring him. If she didn’t acknowledge him, he’d go away. “Cassie.” He grabbed her arm, turning her to face him, easily holding her struggling body still. “Did something happen?” He peered down into her face, swearing at whatever he saw there. “Let me go, leave me alone.” So much for her plan to ignore him. “I don’t think so, not until you tell me what’s going on.” “I said let me go, y-you son of a gun!” She yanked her way free before running off again. She sprinted into the forest but she didn’t get far. Jay quickly grabbed her from behind. Locking his arms around her waist, he lifted her from the ground as she kicked and squirmed, infuriated. “Son of a gun? You need to learn some better insults.” “Fine!” she screamed, trying to kick back at him, attempting to wiggle free. But his hold never slipped. “You bastard. Jerk, wanker, asshole!” She fought for as long as she could before she was forced to stop from sheer exhaustion. “Done now?” He turned her in his arms before pushing her back against a tree. Looming over her, his eyes glowed amber and she swallowed heavily.
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“Don’t ever run from me, Cassie. I like to chase, but you might not like what happens when I catch you.” The threat stunned her even as it intrigued her. “If you hurt me, Cooper will be really unhappy,” she blurted out. He jolted back, looking at her in surprise. “I don’t want to hurt you.” “Too late.” He frowned. “I bruised you? You were fighting pretty hard.” His hands reached for the bottom of her sweater. She slapped at him to no avail. “I wasn’t talking about bruises. Will you put my sweater down, please?” She took a deep breath, attempting to calm her raging heartbeat as he let her top drop and then raised his hands, placing them on the tree behind her head. Leaning down, he stopped when his lips were a mere breath from hers. Thinking he was going to kiss her, she moved her head to the side. But he licked along her jaw, blowing lightly in her ear. Her knees weakened and, to her horror, she actually whimpered. “I can hear your heart beating.” He rested his large, rough hand against her chest. “Don’t be frightened.” Frightened? Try terrified, confused, aroused. If not for the tree behind her, she may well have collapsed from the fire racing through her veins. “I won’t bite. Much.” He grasped her chin, turning her head gently so his lips could brush hers, licking his tongue across her lips. He was coaxing her, wooing her, a direct contrast to his intimidating stance. No part of him touched her except his mouth, yet his heat surrounded her, creating a staggering swirl of sizzling sparks across her skin. He nipped at her mouth, making her groan. He tugged her bottom lip down and swept his tongue inside, exploring, stroking. This raw passion, this intense rapture—she felt so removed from her normal, reserved self that it astounded her.
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“No!” She pushed at his chest. “Y-you can’t win me over with sex. Not after you all laughed at me behind my back.” “What the hell are you talking about?” “Don’t pretend to be innocent. Own up, Jay. I know. Laney told me.” “Laney told you what?” He frowned in obvious confusion. She faltered a little at that look but she wasn’t going to stop now. “You know exactly what she told me. How everyone knew I was attracted to you. How you could smell my arousal, sense it.” He grasped her shoulders as she tried to move away, easily controlling her as she struggled to free herself. Grabbing her flailing arms, he tugged them above her head, clasping them tightly in one of his while he pressed his body against hers, effectively trapping her. “I knew you were attracted to me, yes.” He ran a finger down her cheek, making her skin tingle. “You don’t think women have been attracted to me before? I had no problem resisting them. Cassie, I am not some pup who runs around fucking anyone that wants him. You’re the first human woman I’ve been attracted to in years. Don’t turn me away.” “Everyone knew. I’m so embarrassed. Did they talk about it? Laugh at me?” “Shh,” he kissed her gently, “arousal is not something to ever be embarrassed about. And no one was laughing about you or talking about you. If they had been, I would’ve kicked their ass.” She felt a foolish little thrill at those words. She could almost believe he cared about her. But then they were just words, she shouldn’t let herself believe them. He began kissing down her neck. Her head rolled to the side, allowing him greater access. She wiggled a hand free of his hold and tugged at his t-shirt, wanting to see him, touch him.
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Releasing her other wrist, he helped her pull it up over his head. Her breath caught in her throat as she ran her hands over his hard chest. Hot, firm…yum. “I tried to fool myself into thinking that my feelings for Dusty were real. She’s a pal, a friend, nothing more. I want you. God, Cassie, when you ran, I had to chase you. It was an urge I couldn’t deny.” He rolled his body against hers, pressing his hard cock against her mound. “Just like this is an urge I simply cannot resist.” Bending down, he kissed her, his wicked tongue eliciting reactions, feelings she hadn’t known she was capable of. Fire arced through her veins, seared her skin, swept over her pussy. “What about…ohh…” Her protest died as he cupped her breast with his hand, his fingers lightly playing with her nipple. There were other reasons she should object. She should deny him. She would have—if she’d really wanted to. Her legs gave way beneath her as she lost her way in the pleasure. He caught her before she could fall at his feet. One hand held her steady against the tree as he ripped off her t-shirt and bra. “Jay!” she gasped, shocked and crazily aroused by the small show of strength. “Hush, Cassie, I won’t hurt you.” She gazed at him in astonishment. She knew he wouldn’t, well, not physically anyway. She watched in a lust-filled daze as her jeans received the same rough treatment. She realized then that his hands had turned into partial claws, sharp enough, strong enough to tear through skin and muscle easily. Her clothing was no match for his strength. Just as quickly, the claws disappeared and both hands surrounded her waist, raising her up as he slowly perused her body. A heated flush of embarrassment penetrated her lust and she squirmed. “Jay, let me down,” she protested, pushing uselessly at his hands. “Be still,” he commanded. “What the hell were you thinking?” She stilled, wondering at the amazement in his voice. “What do you mean?”
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“You deserve a spanking for this.” His gaze seemed caught by the curls between her thighs. Was he upset because she had pubic hair? Had he expected her to shave herself clean for him? “Well, excuse me. Sorry for not being better prepared,” she huffed, resuming her fight to get free, all too aware of how easily he held her up. There was no strain in his arms, he wasn’t breathless, wasn’t shaking, wasn’t sweating. Damn him, because she was sure doing enough for the both of them. “So you should be. It’s a crime to hide a body like this under those baggy rags you wear. And as soon as I’m finished fucking you, licking you—yummm—tasting you,” his gaze was still fixated on her curls, “I’ll get around to spanking you for it. “But for now,” he hauled her up higher, “I’m going to taste you. Put your legs over my shoulders, babe.” She shook her head. No way, nuh-uh, not gonna happen. Cassie let out a small whimper as his tongue licked her folds. She glanced down in wonder to find her legs were indeed lying over his shoulders, her back resting against the tree as he held her up. “Ohh,” she moaned, her hands coming to rest on his head with the full intention of pushing him away from her lower lips, a place no one had ever dared to taste. But somehow her hands ended up entangled in his hair, her lifeline in the sensual storm. “That’s right. Let me hear you cry, hear you scream, hear you beg.” She wouldn’t. She couldn’t. Could she? He raised his hands to cup her breasts, his shoulders and the tree at her back all that supported her now, but she knew he wouldn’t let her fall. Thumbs and forefingers pinched her sensitive nipples as he circled her entrance with the tip of his tongue before slipping it slightly inside her sheath. “Jay, please,” she begged, wriggling her hips. He leaned back, his face ravenous, his gaze devouring.
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“Do you like having my tongue inside you?” His voice was almost unintelligible and she let out a sob as he slowly licked her cream from his lush lips. His eyes closed, a look of rapturous ecstasy crossing his face. Without a doubt it was the most arousing, most incredibly hot thing she had ever seen. “You know I do.” He must be able to see, to feel how wet she was for him “Please, don’t stop now. If you stop, I’ll die,” she panted, certain she was near death anyway. She couldn’t be this hot without organs melting, blood boiling. He chuckled and blew on her clit, making her convulse in shocked delight. “Wait,” she demanded. He stilled, looking up at her. “Let me down? Please.” She was astounded by the wanton he’d revealed, taken aback at how easily she’d cried out for him. “Why?” He sounded only mildly curious as his gaze returned to her pussy. “Because I’m…oh God…too heavy.” She screeched as a hand landed on her bare bottom with a sharp, stinging slap. “What?” she yelled, feeling a little incensed and a lot aroused. “You are not too heavy, and since you can obviously talk I’m not doing this well enough.” Well enough? My God, he was killing her. If he got any better she would explode. His hands left her breasts and clasped under her thighs, raising her up farther. She was wide open, totally bare to his gaze as he thrust his tongue inside her passage. He took complete control of her. Gentle yet in command, indulgent but demanding. “Jay!” Intense, sharp pricks of arousal raced over her, ecstasy on the cusp of being pain. She was slowly being tortured by need. “Jay, please.” “Come for me.” He tapped her swollen clit with his thumb. Then she was crashing, throbbing, clenching. Her orgasm overwhelmed her as waves of sensation slammed through her body until she shook with the overflow. 24
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Chapter Three Letting her drop until her slick heat rested against his stomach, Jay watched with a voracious hunger as the woman before him writhed in a sensual dance, trembling with the force of her orgasm. He loved nothing more than watching a woman reach her peak, watching bliss take her over, ridding her of everything but pleasure. He suddenly found himself completely without patience, his cock throbbing incessantly, demanding, raging, needing her to bathe his singed nerves. Rebalancing her weight so he held her up with one hand, he used his free hand to reach into his pocket and grab a condom. He unzipped his jeans quickly, his shaft springing free with relief. Like an arrow sighting its target, it immediately brushed through her wet folds, making them both moan. “Hold on.” Ripping apart the foil packet with his teeth, he felt like a fumbling schoolboy as he hurriedly sheathed himself in latex. Then he was inside her, thick and deep, piercing his way through silky muscle, seating himself fully within her tight embrace. Her hands were on his back, nails digging into him as her head thrashed from side to side. Gritting his teeth, he held back his own release, determined to wait for her. Her legs tightened their hold around him, almost as though she was worried he would leave her. As if. Locking his knees, he quickened his movements, thrilling in the way she clawed at him—bit his neck, his shoulders—as incoherent demands passed her lips. Relentlessly he rammed into her. His balls tightened, sweat coated both their bodies as he shook with the need to let go. He moaned as he felt her orgasm overtake her. Nothing, nothing
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had ever felt as good as this. Her climax sent him flying and his mouth took hers, their screams mingling as their tongues met and danced in an erotic waltz. His strength nearly deserted him as they collapsed into one another. He slid from her hold reluctantly. Taking a deep breath, he drew in her sweet scent and felt the wolf’s supreme satisfaction at having this woman in their arms. He’d been shocked by the wolf’s appearance tonight. For the last few years, Jay had kept himself apart from his wolf as much as possible. But tonight the wolf had definitely made his presence known. His hold over the wolf had first slipped when he’d seen Cassie run off. He hadn’t even thought about it—one moment he was talking to Dusty, the woman he’d told himself he should want. The next he was running after Cassie, the woman he shouldn’t desire. She wiggled in his arms. “Think you could let me down now?” “Sorry, baby.” He let her drop, holding her elbow as she swayed a little. “You okay?” “I’m fine. I just want to go home.” He frowned but, feeling her stiffen, capitulated. “Okay, I’ll drive you.” Jay tugged on his t-shirt, watching as a clearly dismayed Cassie studied her clothing. He held back a grin as she slipped on her too-large t-shirt. It was ripped down the front but she drew the ragged edges together until they overlapped, covering her. She grabbed her torn jeans. Needing both hands to pull them on, she let her hold on the t-shirt go and he caught a delightful glimpse of her full breasts as she bent over. “Leave the jeans, they’re useless. Your t-shirt is so large it covers everything anyway.” Unfortunately. “It’s ripped down the middle!” She glared at him as she finished dressing. “You wrecked my clothes.”
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“I’ll buy you new ones.” Maybe. He’d just end up tearing them off her. She was far too gorgeous to cover up. She muttered under her breath as she stood, one hand holding her t-shirt together, the other clasped around the top of her jeans. He took hold of her elbow. She attempted to step back but he wasn’t about to allow that. “Do you want me to carry you?” he asked. “I don’t want you tripping and hurting yourself.” He didn’t question why he was so concerned over her well-being. She shook her head. He shortened his larger stride so she could easily keep up. When they reached Laney’s house, she tugged at his hold on her. “I’ll wait for you here if you want to tell them where you’re going.” He turned and frowned down at her. “You have nothing to be embarrassed about.” “Are you blind? Look what I’m wearing!” “I think you look delightful.” ”Just take me home. Now.” He opened the door to his car, helping her inside. When he hopped in the driver’s side she frowned at him. “Shouldn’t you tell Laney that you’re leaving?” “Nah.” He took her hand, ignoring her flinch, and held it over his thigh. As he drove to her house, he found himself tuned in to her every movement, every noise. He was amazed by the depth of his hunger for her. He enjoyed women, liked their softer side, their laughter, their gentleness, the roundness of their bodies, the smoothness of their skin. But he’d sworn to himself he’d never get close to another human woman, not after Lia. He wasn’t sure when he’d first become attracted to Cassie. She’d snuck up on him, bit by bit. She didn’t talk much about herself. But once he’d gotten to know her better, 27
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he’d discovered what an amazing person she was. She volunteered so much of her time to help others that he was surprised she had energy and time left to devote to her own business. He didn’t like seeing pain or misery on her face like he had tonight. He longed to tuck her into his arms and devote his time to pampering her, protecting her. Yet at the same time he longed to ravish her, possess her, mark her so all who saw her knew exactly who she belonged to. His feelings toward her bordered on the savage, more animal than man. Tonight, his attention had been drawn to her time and again. When she’d smiled he’d felt like smiling, when she’d looked concerned he’d been worried. He’d convinced himself that Dusty was the one for him. She was the smarter choice. She was a werewolf, an enforcer, a packmate, she’d fit into his life far easier than a fragile human. But it was a curvy brunette rather than a fiery redhead who filled his thoughts, who made his heart race. Who left him stiff and achy with desire. “That was your first, wasn’t it?” He made no apology for the heavy satisfaction in his voice. “First what?” “First orgasm.” She glared at him. “I wasn’t a virgin.” “No, but it was your first, wasn’t it?” “How do you know? I might have had hundreds. Had dozens of lovers who have satisfied me in every way possible.” He growled, jealousy surging through him. But he knew she wasn’t telling the truth, knew there hadn’t been many men, knew there wouldn’t be any more. Possessiveness held him in its grasp and he wasn’t tugging free. “Technically, you may not have been a virgin, but in every way that counts you were. I could see the truth in your eyes, a mix of trepidation and intrigue, surprise and
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shyness. You’ve never experienced anything like that before. Any lovers you had, of which I doubt there were dozens, were hopeless cretins not worthy of you.” “Oh, and you are?” He gaped at her, astonished at the angry contempt evident in the words she threw at him. “Cassie—” “Forget it. Look, what happened, it was nice and all that, but it was a mistake, okay?” He pulled up outside her house then grabbed her hand before she could open the door and run off. “It was not a mistake.” “It was an easing of needs, something we both should have resisted. You want Dusty.” “Listen to me well, because I won’t say it again. I don’t want Dusty. Do you really think tonight was about easing a hard-on? Do you truly believe that I think and act with my cock?” “Don’t most men?” “No, they don’t. I don’t. And I certainly wouldn’t have made love to you so vigorously or thoroughly if this was about scratching an itch. This wasn’t just sex, not for me. I’ve been fooling myself, telling myself I should desire Dusty. I’d told myself that for so long I’d come to believe it. But I realize now that it wasn’t real.” “What? You had an epiphany tonight? That’s a little bit convenient don’t you think?” “Not tonight. I’ve been thinking about it for a while. I just didn’t want to admit it to myself. I tried to force feelings for Dusty that weren’t there. It wasn’t right, and it wasn’t real. Ask Dusty, she’ll tell you she’s not interested in me.”
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“So that’s why you’ve given up on her, because she doesn’t desire you. You came after me because you knew I did.” Her voice was full of accusation. “No,” he bit out. He was explaining this badly. Maybe it was time to stop talking. “Does this feel like I want Dusty?” Cupping her face, he pulled her toward him, taking her mouth deeply. Grabbing her hand, he placed it over his erection. He nearly came then and there as she caressed the hard length of his cock. “I want you again. Once wasn’t enough. A lifetime could never be enough. Touch me, please.” He breathed out a sigh of relief as she shakily undid his jeans, letting his shaft spring free. Kneeling on the seat, she turned toward him and bent over, taking him into her mouth. He moaned, instinctively thrusting his hips as she sucked him. Her breasts, bared by the ripped t-shirt, taunted him. Unable to resist, he cupped one, flicking her stiff nipple. “Baby, that feels so good,” he groaned, his eyes drifting shut as she cupped his balls with one hand, surrounding the base of his dick with the other. He rubbed his hand over her head. “I’m not going to last long. I need you so much.” Her movements quickened, it seemed she was determined to push him over the edge. As the head of his cock hit the back of her throat she swallowed and he nearly lost his mind. “Cassie, pull back. I’m about to come.” He tugged at her hair, giving her one final chance to release him. The pleasure became impossible to hold back and he hit his peak, falling over the edge into oblivion. Shuddering, he came back to reality slowly. A lazy smile of satisfaction crossed his face as he pulled her up into his arms and kissed her. 30
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“God, baby. That was fantastic.” She blushed and tried to get off his lap, but he held her firm against his chest. “Ask me inside,” he murmured. She opened her mouth just as his phone went off. Her lips slammed shut. He groaned as he pulled his cell from his pocket and saw who was calling. Cassie’s expression closed up. He glanced from her to his phone. Finally he let out a frustrated noise and answered it. “What?” he barked at Dusty before she could even speak. “Okay, all right, I’ll be there soon.” He hung up and looked at Cassie, who gazed back at him from shielded eyes. He sighed at the wall she’d re-erected between them. “Cassie—” “That was Dusty, wasn’t it? You have to go.” Her voice was even, no hint of emotion. “I’ll be back.” “Don’t bother, I know where I stand.” He ran his hands through his hair before doing up his jeans hurriedly. “Look, it’s not like that. It’s not a matter of choosing between the two of you.” “Isn’t it?” He grabbed her shoulders, shaking her. “This is pack business, I have to go.” “So go. I’m not stopping you.” She stared down at where his hand held hers. “Cassie.” “Let me out. They need you, she needs you. I don’t.” He had no choice but to go, he couldn’t let the pack down. So he did, then left the car and followed her to her door. He would make sure she was safe. “Cassie.”
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“Just go. You got what you were after. Now give me what I want and leave me alone.”
***** Senses dulled, her head thumping, Cassie awoke with a heartfelt moan of discontent. Sunlight, bright and cheerful, mocked her miserable mood as she rolled over slowly. As consciousness pulled her into its evil grip, she groaned in remembrance. What the hell had she been thinking? Did she have no sense of self-worth? She’d had sex with a man who lusted after another, who left her bed to go to that other woman. To add insult to injury, his friends knew she desired him, they’d smelled her arousal. By now they probably also knew she’d given in to her urges and slept with him. Cassie didn’t know what great sin she’d committed in another life, but it must have been a doozy, because fate was a vindictive bitch and she was sticking it to Cassie. The way she’d behaved last night—that wasn’t her. She didn’t run off in a temper. She didn’t have sex in the outdoors. She certainly didn’t cry and yell and moan and beg. Maybe she could lie here forever. Someday, someone would find her mummified body. She could go down in Landon history, known forever as the mummy girl. Then again, maybe not, if the persistent knockers at her front door didn’t go away. “Go away.” She’d been trying for threatening. She managed little more than a grumble. “Cassie, open this door. Please.” Laney. Cassie grunted and tugged the pillow over her head. “Blaine, open the door before I break it down,” Dusty called out. Bloody werewolf would do it too. Cassie grumbled under her breath but got up and moved to the front door, tugging on an old, tattered dressing gown on her way. “Blaine?” she queried, squinting as the bright sunlight pierced her aching eyes. 32
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“Am I close?” Dusty was alarmingly cheerful. “No.” “Hmm.” Dusty tapped her finger against her chin. “What are you doing here?” Ridiculously she found herself looking behind them, hoping to see Jay standing there. She shook her head in self-disgust. She was acting like her mother—waiting, pining after a man. “Can we come in?” Laney’s face was pale. Cassie left the door open and turned away. “Not like you couldn’t force your way in anyway.” “Now that’s the attitude.” “Dusty!” Cassie heard Laney scold the enforcer. “Cassie, listen—” She ignored Laney as she walked back to her bedroom and hopped into bed. “Look, I’m not in the mood for company today, okay? Do whatever it is you came to do and then show yourselves out.” She needed to be alone, to wallow in self-pity for a while. “Oh goody, something around here has got to have your name on it.” Dusty immediately left the bedroom and Cassie could hear her rummaging around in the small living area. Nobody touched Cassie’s stuff. She’d had so little growing up that she practically worshipped the few possessions she now owned. But even the idea of Dusty pawing her way through her precious belongings failed to penetrate the shield she’d erected around herself. She felt nothing. “Cassie, listen to me. I’m so sorry. I didn’t tell you that stuff last night to hurt you. I told you, well, because I thought I was doing the right thing. Jay told me it was stupid, and he’s right. He’s furious with me—”
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“Where is Jay?” Cassie interrupted her. He’d left messages on her phone but she hadn’t bothered to listen to them. She’d unplugged the phone after the third message. Still, part of her had been hoping he’d come back. “Well, he’d be here right now, but Cooper has him working on the disturbance we had last night.” “Right, pack business.” And pack came first. “Someone set fires around the boundary of the estate. Cassie, no one was laughing at you or ridiculing you, really we weren’t. We hadn’t even spoken about it. Cassie, please.” “Come on, Bernice, get your butt outta bed and stop moping for Christ’s sake. The work at the store won’t get done by itself.” Obviously, Dusty had failed in her mission to find Cassie’s real name. Cassie almost smiled at thwarting the werewolf. She kept all her important documents in a watertight container in the freezer. It felt nice to get something over on the beautiful redhead. Man, she hated Dusty right now, detested the fact that Jay was attracted to her. That he’d left Cassie’s bed for this woman. “I’m not coming into the shop today. Maybe next week, maybe. Now go away, both of you.” “Wow, way to live up to a stereotype, Bethany. I guess I was right after all.” “What?” Cassie turned over to look at the smug werewolf, puzzled. “Well, this may come as a shock, but I don’t really like humans and I didn’t like you when I first met you.” Cassie snorted. “Believe me, that comes as no shock.” “I think you’re all lazy, stupid bastards with no morals, ethics or loyalty.” “Jeez, you gotta learn to speak your mind, Dusty,” Cassie replied. The werewolf blithely ignored her as she searched around Cassie’s room. Irritation stirred as she watched Dusty peer through her wardrobe.
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“I mean, look at the way you treat your elderly, you practically ignore them once you think they’ve become worthless because they can no longer work. You give your children into the care of strangers while you chase money so you can buy bigger TVs and cars. How can I respect any of you?” By the end of her tirade she’d abandoned the wardrobe and moved to the drawers beside Cassie’s bed. “But then I started to get to know you. You work hard and you seem loyal, as if you’ve got ethics. But now it turns out I was right, wasn’t I? You’re moping around, feeling sorry for yourself. Sulking.” “What right have you got to come in here and talk to me like that?” Cassie sputtered. “Do you know how humiliating it is, knowing that everyone could sense my arousal? That you all knew I was lusting after someone who wanted someone else? Do you really think this is easy on me?” Dusty peered down at her critically. “Actually, considering you look as if you’ve developed more wrinkles around your eyes and you have a big zit on your nose,” Cassie immediately slammed her hand over her nose, glaring up at the gorgeous, zitfree, wrinkle-free bitch, “I’d have to say this ain’t easy at all. So stop behaving like a twit and get over it.” “I am not behaving like a twit.” “Yeah? Coulda fooled me. No one was talking about you. Why is this so hard for you to understand? Everyone gets aroused. Everyone gets the hots for someone. The difference is that we can sense it. You think we haven’t learned to tune that out? Only time I pay attention is when I want to get laid. I certainly don’t have the time to go around yapping about everyone who gets a hard-on for me. Shrug it off and get on with life.” “Look, you don’t understand.” She doubted Dusty ever let anything upset her. “So tell me.” “It’s embarrassing, all right? I don’t know how I can face everyone knowing that they knew I…knowing that I slept with…” She trailed off, unable to finish her thoughts. 35
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“Knowing that you longed to fuck Jay and then you did? What’s so embarrassing about that?” “I told you that you wouldn’t understand.” “I know you’re a private person, Cassie,” Laney interjected gently. “I would never disrespect that. I would never talk about you behind your back, nor let anyone else do so.” She sat on the side of the bed and took Cassie’s free hand. “Please, Cassie. We’re friends, right? You’ve gotta trust me.” Cassie knew there was truth in what they were both saying. But still, facing the others… She wished she were braver. “How can I face Jay again after…after…?” “After you shagged him senseless?” Dusty’s voice was as snide as ever and Cassie glowered up at her. Dusty shrugged. Cassie rolled her eyes. “You know, I really don’t know what Jay sees in you.” She slammed her hand over her mouth, surprised that had slipped out. Dusty chuckled. “That’s it, Bev, say what you think.” “You’re not angry about me sleeping with him?” Dusty looked confused. “Why would I be?” “You’re not attracted to him?” Cassie asked. “Nah, not my type.” Her response merely reinforced what Laney and Jay had said. Dusty really wasn’t interested in him. Although that didn’t mean he wasn’t interested in her. He’d told Cassie he wasn’t, but then he’d gone running the minute the Dusty had called him. “What will everyone think of me?” Dusty sighed. “Who cares? Let them think what they like. You know, you worry far too much about what other people think. All that matters is what you want. What would you rather do, Beryl? Hide here under the covers for the rest of your life or come
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out, head held high and live life. Come on. Are you a wimp or a warrior? It’s that simple.” Cassie thought for a moment. Was it that simple? Could she simply ignore what had happened between her and Jay? After all, what else was she going to do? Hide herself away and let this get in the way of her dreams? She’d yearned to own her own bookstore for years, to be more than boring, quiet little Cassie. She wanted a life, friends, a job that challenged her. She was tired of drifting along, never taking a chance. “Make up your mind, will you? You’re not getting any younger.” “Give me twenty minutes to get ready.” “I’ll give you ten, Brenna, we ain’t got all day.” Cassie turned as she was walking toward the bathroom. “Dusty?” “Yeah?” the other woman practically snarled. “Thanks.” Dusty sniffed. “You’re welcome, Bobbie.” Ridiculously, Cassie actually felt like smiling.
***** Nearly thirty minutes later, Liam turned the car into the side street beside the shop. He had to double park so the women jumped out and Liam drove off to find a parking space. They began walking down the alley, Dusty going first. “So, if Jay’s not your type, who is?” Cassie asked Dusty, following Laney into the alley. “I don’t have a type.” “Oh really?” Laney teased. “I thought your type was tall, silent and sexy.” Dusty snorted, turning as she opened the door. But whatever she’d been about to say was lost as she froze and sniffed deeply, her face going pale. Cassie caught a brief
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glimpse of her shocked face before she moved so fast she became a blur, throwing herself at the two women as the building behind them exploded into a giant fireball. Cassie felt herself flying through the air, something hot washed over her, and then she slammed to the ground and knew no more.
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Chapter Four “Turn off the lights,” Cassie mumbled grumpily. She threw an arm over her head, attempting to protect her eyes. “Wow, how much did I drink?” “Cassie?” Laney’s voice was hushed. Cassie lay still for a moment, trying to work out what Laney was doing in her bedroom. She dropped her arm onto the bed, slowly opening her eyes. Her head felt ten times its normal size and every enlarged inch throbbed mercilessly. Her vision was blurred, everything distorted, and it took her a while to focus on Laney’s concerned face. “Wh-what happened?” Her throat was scratchy and she eagerly sipped the water Laney held up to her mouth. “Where am I?” This wasn’t her bedroom. The bed was hard and small, the room stuffy and a horrible beige color. “You’re in the hospital.” “The hospital? Why?” She peered around in alarm, careful to move only her eyes. If she turned her head she was going to throw up for sure. “You don’t remember?” Laney asked hesitantly, her gaze growing more concerned. Remember? “Oh God, the shop.” She seized Laney’s hand, hissing in pain as she moved too quickly. “Are you all right? Dusty?” Laney flinched slightly. “I’m fine. Dusty pushed me out of the way. I’ve got a few scratches, some bruising, nothing major.” Cassie’s gaze roamed what she could see of her friend and saw she was speaking the truth. “Dusty?”
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Laney’s lips pressed together and Cassie noticed how pale her friend had grown. “Laney? Are you okay?” Laney nodded. “Dusty took the brunt of the explosion. It’s touch-and-go. Even if she does survive they may not be able to save her leg.” “Oh no,” Cassie gasped, horrified. “I know.” Laney was silent for a long moment, obviously deep in thought. Then her gaze focused on Cassie once again. “How do you feel? The doctor said you took a bang to the head and you’ve got some nasty bruises.” “Me? I-I’m fine. You should be worrying about Dusty, not me. Where is she? Is she here? What caused that explosion? How long have I been unconscious?” “Not long, only a few hours. And, ahh, we’re not sure what caused the explosion yet. Dusty’s been taken to the were hospital in New York,” she told Cassie. Cassie took a deep breath. “Were hospital?” “Yeah, all the staff are werewolves. She’ll get better help from them than she would in a human hospital.” “Shouldn’t you have gone with her?” Laney bit her lip then straightened her shoulders, shaking her head. “No, there was nothing I could do. Cooper, Jay and Cain have gone. She wouldn’t appreciate my pity or my worry.” “Jay went?” Laney nodded. “Yes.” Cassie expected her to say more but she merely turned to the flowers on the bedside table. “He sent these flowers to you, aren’t they nice?” Betrayal, pain, anger mingled inside her, an insidious mix. Feeling this way was senseless and stupid. He’d made his choice clear last night. He’d chosen Dusty then, so of course he’d gone with Dusty to the hospital. She had no right to expect anything from him.
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Cassie swallowed heavily, fighting back the pain. She almost wished she could cry. Shedding tears might give her some form of release, some way to rid herself of the pain beating against her insides. “You tired, Cass?” “Yeah,” she replied truthfully. “Okay, I’ll leave you alone to get some sleep. I’ve spoken to the hospital director and he’s agreed that Josiah can stay with you. He’ll be right outside the door. Call out if you need anything. I’ll come and see you tomorrow.” Cassie closed her eyes, stupidly mourning what she’d never really had.
***** The next morning she felt much stronger and, while not happier, at least she wasn’t a ball of self-pitying misery. She’d come to a decision. She had a plan, and the only thing that could upset it now was if Laney refused to help her. As if thinking about the petite werewolf had conjured her up, the door opened and she heard Laney thank Josiah before she walked inside. Cassie didn’t know why Josiah had spent the night outside her door, but she’d felt safer having him there. “Hey, how you feeling?” Laney walked over and hugged her lightly. “Good, really good, no dizziness or headaches. The doctor says I’ll be able to leave tomorrow.” “That’s great.” Laney smiled briefly. “Any news on Dusty?” Laney nodded. “She survived the night so they think she’s going to live. Although she may not want to if they take her leg.” Laney frowned before making an obvious effort to smile again. “But enough of that. I’ll be here to pick you up tomorrow. You’re coming to stay with me. You shouldn’t be alone and I could use the company.”
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Cassie narrowed her eyes suspiciously. “The doctor said I’m fine. I told him I live by myself and he didn’t see any problems with my going home alone as long as I take it easy. Laney, what aren’t you telling me? Why was Josiah standing outside my door all night? Do you know what happened to the shop?” Laney sighed and sat, looking terribly tired. “The explosion was caused by a bomb that was set to go off when the door opened. Cooper ordered his enforcers to watch us carefully while they try to figure out who attempted to hurt one of us.” “Someone actually tried to kill you?” Cassie was horrified. “I don’t know. But with those threats I’ve been getting it seems likely. The fire destroyed any evidence. Until we find out who set the bomb, I’ll be under heavy protection.” “Jeez. I’m surprised Cooper left you.” Laney shook her head. “Believe me, he didn’t want to. But he’s Dusty’s Alpha, he had to be with her while they stabilized her. A severely hurt werewolf is dangerous, they don’t think rationally. While others could subdue Dusty, they’d have to use force, whereas Cooper can use his power over her as her Alpha. He had to make her change when they thought she might die.” Laney looked as sick as Cassie suddenly felt. “Usually changing helps us heal, nobody really knows why, but Dusty’s injuries were so extensive her leg wouldn’t mend properly. Shifting probably saved her life.” “How come Cooper had to force her to change?” To Cassie that sounded horribly painful. “She was unconscious, she nearly died.” Laney took a deep breath, her hands shaking as she ran them through her silvery-blonde hair. “Anyway, he’ll probably head back soon. I’ll arrange to get some of your stuff sent over to my place.” “I’m not coming to stay with you, Laney.” Laney’s eyes narrowed. “Cassie…” she warned.
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Cassie smiled. “Come on, Laney, we both know they weren’t after me.” “We don’t know that for sure. Even so, if they find out you’re my friend, it’s possible they could hurt you to get to me.” “Which is why I’m going to head out of town for a while.” Laney frowned, shaking her head, but Cassie carried on before she could speak. “Don’t argue with me, Laney. My mind’s made up and I need your help with this. There’s nothing holding me here anymore. I really have to get away. If I’m not here, I’ll be a lot safer. Please, Laney. I really need you to support me on this.” Cassie had done a lot of thinking last night. She had to get out of this town, away from everyone who knew her, away from Jay before he returned. She needed some time by herself. The thought of seeing him again filled her with both a sick dread and a horrible longing. It was senseless, pining for someone she could never have. He’d gone with Dusty—he’d made his feelings abundantly clear. Any foolish dreams she’d harbored about him choosing her, desiring her, had disappeared. She wasn’t running, she consoled herself, when there was nothing to run from, certainly nothing to stand and fight for. Laney bit at her full lip. “I don’t know. I feel like you’re being driven out of your home because of me.” “No, no I’m not. I’m leaving because of me, for me. I’ve never even left the state, Laney. There’s nothing here for me. The store was my dream and now that’s gone.” “We’ll get a new store,” Laney protested. “Not for a while, not until this threat is found. I have to leave.” Laney let out a big breath before snorting. “I can see you do. All right, what can I do to help?”
***** Jay paced up and down the waiting room of the were hospital.
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“Stop pacing. You’re making me feel sick,” Cooper grumbled, but Jay ignored him and continued to march up and down. “Damn it, Jay.” “I need to go home. It’s been three days. I have to make sure Cassie’s all right.” Cooper glared up at him from his laptop. “Laney said she’s doing fine.” Jay growled. “I have to see for myself.” He was unsurprised by the curious stare Cooper gave him. He was stunned by how badly he had to see her, hold her. It had become imperative that he get back to her, and each day the urge got stronger. Even though he knew Laney was watching over her, she’d been injured and he couldn’t help but worry about her. He’d tried ringing her but she wouldn’t answer his calls. As soon as he got home he’d force her to talk to him, even if he had to camp outside in her yard. “You’re needed here,” Cooper growled back. Jay shook his head. “Dusty’s out of immediate danger. Cain’s here, he won’t let anything happen to her.” Both Jay and Cooper had been astonished by the normally reclusive enforcer’s dedication to the temperamental redhead. “What the hell is your thing with Cassie anyway, Jay? Last week you were lusting after Dusty, now you’re all concerned over some human? I brought you here because you seemed to be close to Dusty, or at least you wanted to be. Instead, all you can talk about is Cassie.” Jay turned, his eyes flashing as he snarled, “She is not just some human!” Cooper snarled back, his power as Alpha forcing Jay to back down. “You need to calm down. I thought you were determined to find a mate.” “There’s no rule against taking a human mate,” Jay argued. He knew they could never be true mates. That sort of bond happened only between werewolves, and even then it was rare. Most mated pairs weren’t true mates and yet they never seemed to
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wish for anything more. So why shouldn’t he take Cassie as his mate? In fact, the more he thought about it, the more right it felt. Cassie was his mate. He felt a surge of approval from the wolf, realized it had known all along what Jay was only coming to understand. Cooper’s face grew thoughtful. “No, there isn’t, but they take more care. Most human-werewolf relationships don’t last. Humans are different from us, softer, more fragile.” Jay snorted. As if he didn’t know that. “So I’ll treat her with kid gloves. She’s mine.” “You know you can’t change her.” It was a statement not a question. “I know.” Cooper was silent for a long moment. “I hope you know what you’re doing.” “I do.”
***** As the bus drove past the sign welcoming them to Addison, Nebraska, thoughts of Jay raced through Cassie’s mind. Jay smiling at her, his eyes darkening with desire, his tanned hands against her pale skin loving her… She had to put these thoughts to rest. This was a fresh start, a place where no one knew her, where she could be whoever she wished to be. A new life she intended to embrace wholeheartedly. Stepping out of the bus, she thanked the driver as he pulled out her suitcase, waving as he drove away. Glancing around, she noticed she was alone and checked her watch. The bus had arrived early. She’d wait a bit longer before she began worrying about Laney’s friend forgetting to pick her up. Thank goodness Laney had helped her arrange everything. Cassie had a place to stay in the old apartment building where Laney had lived when she’d been here. Her old neighbor had even agreed to collect Cassie from the bus stop and drive her there. 45
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“Need some help?” “Eek,” Cassie cried out, dropping the suitcase right on her toes. Jumping, tears welled in her eyes as she glowered at the man who had scared the living daylights out of her. And was struck by the absolute beauty of him. Thick, blond hair rested around his head in waves of sparkling gold and creamy white. His hair was a shocking contrast to his eyes, which were a dark blue, almost bordering on black. His face was simply perfect, with high cheekbones, an aristocratic nose and a firm, strong jaw. It almost hurt to look at him. There was something unworldly about him, his looks almost too perfect to be real. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to startle you.” Even his voice was striking—silken and scary. “N-not a problem,” she stuttered, stepping away from him a little as he bent and picked up her suitcase. “Where are you heading?” “Umm, please give me my bag.” She grasped for the case only to have the bag move up out of her reach. A small gesture that fired her temper, enabling her to break free of the spell he’d woven over her. “Listen, mister—” “Please, call me Brynn.” “I don’t need any help.” “I would be happy to escort you wherever you need to go.” Old-fashioned was the word that came to mind. Old manners, old charm…infinite danger. The look in his eyes said it all. He was smiling, but his eyes were sharp, hard. They moved constantly, searching, as though he were expecting trouble. He took her hand and she jolted back, staring up at him in shock. His skin was freezing. He touched her as though he expected her to go with him, to trust him. There was something strange in the way he looked at her, almost as though he knew her. 46
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She wasn’t about to go anywhere with this man. She glanced over her shoulder as a Jeep turned into the parking lot, watching as a man waved at her from within. “Cassie! It is Cassie, right? I’m Josh.” “Josh, hi.” Cassie let out a relieved breath. She moved toward him and shook the hand he held out, never happier to see anyone in her life. Turning back, she opened her mouth to dismiss Brynn and was startled to see he’d already left. “Josh, did you see where that guy went?” Josh frowned, looking around, his serious look at odds with his almost boyishly enthusiastic face. “What guy?” Cassie looked at him in confusion. “He was just standing here. You didn’t see him?” “I didn’t see him. Was he hassling you?” Josh seemed ready to take off after the mystery man. “No, he wasn’t hassling me. He was…well…different. Said his name was Brynn. He was tall, blond, do you know him?” she asked. Josh shook his head. “No, probably a visitor passing through. I grew up here. It’s a small town, so I pretty much know everyone. I’ll ask around, though. You let me know if you see him again, you hear?” She nodded, smiling, yet she knew she wouldn’t call him. Something told her Brynn could easily take him and she didn’t wish any harm on Josh. As he drove her to her new apartment and helped her settle in, she wondered why she couldn’t fall for a man like him—a nice guy, cute, thoughtful, with a steady, normal job. Normal would be kind of nice. She sighed… Except she wasn’t after nice. She wanted hot, riveting, mind-blowing. A shiver rocked her body as she thought about Brynn. Now there was a man who she definitely shouldn’t go near. He had trouble written all over him.
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***** “Where the hell is she?” Nearly a week after the explosion, Jay paced the living room of his sister’s house, fury rolling through his body. She’d run from him. Part of him understood why—she thought he’d chosen Dusty. He’d tried calling her to explain, but she never answered or returned his calls. “She left a few days ago, Jay. She needed a break and frankly I think she’s safer away from us right now. At least until we find out who set that bomb,” Laney replied. Jay cursed himself for not coming home earlier. He’d fully intended to, but fate had worked against him. First Dusty had taken a turn for the worse. Then once she’d stabilized, Cooper had decided to return home with him, causing more delays. “It’s got to be HAW,” Ryan theorized. Marcus nodded. “It’s odd, though. Why bomb the shop? Why make such a declaration of war against us? They have to know we’ll retaliate when we find proof that they’re behind this.” Marcus was frowning. “I want that proof, and soon,” Cooper demanded. “They tried to kill my mate, and it isn’t the first time they’ve struck at her. They’re probably behind the rattlesnake in Laney’s car, the hate letters.” “Why me?” Laney asked. “Because they’re using you to get to me,” Cooper stated. “They kill you, they hurt me and it weakens the pack.” Josiah leaned back against his seat. “If only everything hadn’t burned to ashes.” Jay tried to concentrate on the conversation around him, but found it difficult to focus. His mind was too full with thoughts of Cassie. He stalked over to where Laney sat. “Where. Is. She?” he snarled, looming over her. Immediately, he was dragged back and slammed into a wall. Laney’s yell of protest barely registered as his Alpha’s face appeared before him, Cooper’s power forcing Jay to back down.
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“Do not talk to her that way.” Cooper’s fury was a tangible, living beast in the room. Jay nodded, hardly able to breathe with Cooper’s arm slammed against his neck. Cooper let him go, backing up, turning to Laney, who was tugging on his arm. “Jay! Are you okay?” Laney peered around Cooper’s body, staring at him in concern. She attempted to get past her mate, who obviously didn’t want her anywhere near Jay. “I’m fine, squirt.” He was stunned by his behavior. “God damn it, Cooper, let me past. There was no reason to go all Alpha on him. He’s my brother.” “Stay where you are,” Cooper ordered her. “And brother or no, no one talks to you that way.” “He’s right,” Jay admitted, ashamed of himself. “This so isn’t like you.” Laney was still staring at him in concern. “I must find her, Laney. I need make sure she’s safe, to explain.” Laney frowned, glancing up at Cooper, who stared down at her. Jay knew they were communicating through their mate bond. Then Laney sighed. “She’s in Addison. She’s staying in my old apartment. Last time I talked to her, Ella had gotten her a job at Fat Eddy’s.” Jay stared at Cooper who nodded, his face still stern. “Go.” It was all the prompting Jay required.
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Chapter Five Snip. Snip. Cassie squeezed her eyes tight, afraid to look. Snip. Snip. Snip. “Oh hell. Oh hell. Oh hell.” “Stop your mumbling. If you’re going to swear, just swear out loud like everyone else.” Cassie squeezed her lips shut, unaware she’d been speaking aloud. She’d made a pact with herself to be braver, bolder, to step out of her comfort zone. This was the first step. She couldn’t back out now, even if she wanted to. “Anyway, you’ll be swearing for joy when you see what I’ve done,” Ella promised. Cassie wasn’t so sure. Snip. Snip. Snip. “There, all done, time to look. You ready?” For the past hour, Ella had been dying, plucking and cutting bits of hair off Cassie. She hadn’t peeked once, too scared of the end result. It didn’t matter what crazy hairdo Ella gave herself—and at the moment her hair was a lavender-gray color styled into a Marilyn Monroe hairdo—she always looked fantastic. With those cheekbones, her startling emerald eyes, sleek body and innate grace, she could have worn sackcloth and shaved off all her hair and she still would have been beautiful. And Cassie sooo wasn’t ready to look.
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Slowly, she opened her eyes, awed when she saw the woman sitting before her. The change wasn’t a transformation from beast to beauty. Ella wasn’t a magician. But what she had done was as close to a miracle as Cassie was ever going to get. Eyebrows arched and finely plucked framed her eyes, making them appear larger and more dramatic. Her lashes had gone from lackluster and short to long and decadent. Some lightly applied makeup had brightened her eyes and made her lips appear plump and darker. But her hair was the true delight. The cut was short, extremely short. She’d always hidden herself behind long hair and baggy clothes. Now her hair was about an inch and a half long, her bangs choppy. Blonde highlights glistened in the light. “I love it.” “Of course, I am a genius after all.” Cassie smiled. There was nothing modest about Ella. “You definitely are.” “Ready to party?” Cassie took a deep breath and stood. “You bet.”
***** Someone was watching her and it wasn’t just the guys at the table in the corner— although they were doing plenty of gawking. Cassie figured they were mainly staring at Ella, who was dressed to catch attention with a formfitting little blue dress and fourinch heels. Cassie had chosen to wear tight jeans, high boots and a small top that fit tightly over her breasts then fell loosely about her stomach. Just standing next to Ella meant she was getting plenty of looks. After years of keeping herself hidden away, it felt odd and a little frightening to put herself on display like this. But she was going to embrace her new life. She was going to put herself out there, even if that meant risking rejection.
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She’d had the eerie feeling off and on all week that someone was watching her, following her. Sighing, she peered around but couldn’t see anyone looking her way. Shrugging, she decided she was probably being silly. “Come on, Cass, let’s boogie.” Cassie barely managed to set her glass down before Ella had her on the dance floor. Determined not to worry about her two left feet or what people thought of her, she forced herself to relax and sway to the music. No one knew her. She could be whoever she made herself into. She was tired of being reserved, quiet Cassie. She had a new home and new friends, as well as a new job waitressing at Fat Eddy’s. This was a new life and she was determined to enjoy it. Someone bumped into her from behind, causing her to jump. She attempted to relax as she recognized one of the guys from the corner table. They were cute in a rough sort of way, the four of them gathering around the two girls, dancing to the beat of the music. Cassie tried to lose herself in the moment, but with the men surrounding her, she felt hemmed in, suffocated. Each time the man behind her touched her, her skin crawled. She didn’t like having strangers touching her, wasn’t used to such attention from the opposite sex and soon found herself overwhelmed. “I think I’ll go sit down,” she yelled over at Ella, trying to move away. But the guy behind her grabbed her around the waist and pulled her back against his chest.
He watched her dance. She’d changed her hair. Thankfully she’d chosen a less radical style than her companion. She’d also ditched the baggy clothes for something more fitting and flattering. He’d been following her secretly for days. He shouldn’t have spoken to her on her first day here. That had been foolish, had put her on edge. But he’d been eager to meet her. He’d longed to introduce himself, to tell her everything. But he couldn’t, not yet, not until he was sure she could handle his secrets. Their secrets. 52
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Drawing the shadows around him, he made certain he was well hidden as he felt the werewolf enter. This one was banked fire and simmering, possessive ire—and all of that emotion was focused on her. But there was no violence aimed her way. Not that he would let the wolf hurt her, anyway. He hadn’t spent weeks tracking her down to let anything happen to her now. He’d watch, he’d wait, and if she needed his protection, then he’d make himself known.
Fury overtook him—a thin, red curtain of rage filming across his eyes. He’d never felt so volatile. The only thing stopping his rage from erupting was the fact that she was slowly edging away from the other man’s touch, trying to avoid him. His leash on the wolf was wearing away and the beast had no doubts about what they should do. Take her. Claim her. She was theirs. Mate, the wolf growled, our mate. She was sweet, sinful temptation. He could understand why the men flocked to her. The short hairdo gave her a pixie-like look. With her hair off her face, everyone had a clear view of her smooth, lightly tanned skin. Without the baggy, ill-fitting clothes they could stare at and lust after the lush, full curves of his woman. Growling softly, he strode onto the dance floor, prepared to take back what was his.
She never heard him, didn’t even feel him until the man behind her let out a loud grunt and was suddenly replaced by an entirely different, hard, swaying body. When he dragged her up against him, his hips moving in time to the beat, his strong body sheltering hers, she didn’t protest. She couldn’t. The feel of him stole her breath, chasing away every thought, replacing them with throbbing, liquid desire. Cassie swayed against him as the scent of amberwood surrounded her. Closing her eyes, she felt his right arm rise, clasping her beneath her breasts, the sensitive
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undersides brushing against his muscular forearm. His free hand covered the front of her mound. She had to bite her lip to hold in a whimper as her clit throbbed in reaction. Firm lips brushed her neck and her head rolled to the side of its own accord, allowing him more access. Her body was no longer her own as he surrounded her in his erotic, sensual power. Fire. Tingling awareness. Pain. She gasped as he bit down on her neck, the very spot he’d been licking. Not even her breath was hers as she tried to protest, to cry out—he’d stolen it all. A quiet whimper was all she managed as her knees weakened. The only thing now holding her upright was his arm—an unmovable, unbreakable bond. The throbbing from his bite eased and sweet bliss melted through her bones. She fought to find herself once again, for control over her body. Pushing at his arms, she attempted to turn. But he wouldn’t let her go. Glancing back into his face, she saw he wasn’t paying her any attention. Instead, he was glaring at every other man in the bar, daring them to challenge him. Like a man possessed. Or a man in possession. The sliver of sanity she still retained urged her to protest. But the feminine, aching part simply craved him. Now. He was here, and by the feel of the hard cock nestled against her lower back, he wanted her. Why shouldn’t she take what she wanted? Use him to ease the throbbing ache? Eyes slumberous, she gazed at the other dancers, seeing them creep back steadily, intimidated by the sheer power and menace of the man behind her.
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Then she saw no one else as he picked her up and carried her from the dance floor. She dug her face into his chest, her arms resting around his shoulders. “I told you not to run from me.” She shivered at the soft growl. Suddenly he came to a stop, stiffening. She stirred, intending to tell him to let her walk. But the words never quite got past her lips. Which could have been because they were too busy kissing his solid, sleek chest. “Let me talk to her,” Ella demanded. “Get out of my way.” Anyone else would have scrambled away from that quiet menace. Not Ella. “No. That’s my friend you’re holding there. I don’t know you, but you look like you’re one scary motherfucker. I have to talk to her.” “Does it look like I’m hurting her? Stealing her away against her will?” The slight snarl she heard in his voice threw her back into a state of semi-awareness. “Jay, she’s my friend,” she protested. “Shh, Cassie.” He laid a light kiss on her forehead. “You must be Ella. I’m Jay, Laney’s brother.” “I need to hear from Cassie that she wants to leave with you.” “It’s admirable of you to try to protect her, but I would die before hurting her.” “It’s true, Ella, he wouldn’t hurt me.” “Not physically,” Ella remarked. “But I know he’s already hurt you emotionally.” “I can assure you, I feel every bit of her hurt and I’m going to make damn sure that I never hurt her again.” Cassie reached her hand out and touched Ella. “Everything’s okay, Ella, I promise.” Ella sniffed. “Well, just so you know, I won’t pick up the pieces if he hurts you.”
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Cassie smiled. “Yeah, you will.” Ella turned away with a disgruntled grunt, but Cassie still heard her as she strode away. “Yeah, I will.”
***** “I won’t hurt you, Cassie. I meant what I said.” “Hmm?” Cassie was too busy stripping to pay much attention to his words. Keeping her hands off Jay during the car ride home had been nearly impossible. She hadn’t realized how much she’d missed his touch, his smell… Yumm, his taste. Now she was eager to get them both naked and rub herself all over his strength and heat—to bathe herself in his scent until she didn’t know where he started and she finished. “How’d you find me?” she asked as she reached around and undid her bra. She felt a flash of embarrassment but squashed it down. She was going to take charge of her life. It had started with the makeover, now it was time she took control in the bedroom. Besides, she’d probably never see Jay after tonight. She wasn’t sure why he was here, maybe Laney sent him to check up on her. Didn’t matter, she desired him, wanted a night of hot, uncomplicated sex. “Laney told me.” “I guessed that. I mean, how’d you find me at Riley’s?” Riley’s Bar was located in the next town over. The only place to go dancing in Addison was Fat Eddy’s, and neither Ella nor Cassie had felt like going there. “One of the waitresses at Fat Eddy’s told me you were there.” There, naked at last. She looked over, surprised to find him still fully dressed. “What’s the matter, hon? Need some help?” Her confidence boosted by her new look—as well as the attention she’d gotten in the bar—Cassie sauntered her way across the small living room to where Jay still stood by the door, a serious look on his face. 56
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Reaching for the buttons of his shirt, she slowly undid them, savoring the undressing as one did a rich, decadent piece of chocolate cake. “Cassie, I’m serious about this.” He tilted her chin up with his hand. “You won’t need Ella to pick up the pieces because I’m not going to hurt you again.” “Well, of course you’re not,” Cassie agreed, watching as confusion filled his face at her matter-of-fact statement. “Because I’m not going to let you. Stop talking, stop thinking. I’m not interested in talking, I want sex.” She didn’t want to think, to reason things through. She longed to move, touch, feel. “I want a night of hot, hmm,” she licked his nipple, moving her hands to his belt, “hot sex.” “Cassie, stop.” His hand grabbed hers, halting her as she reached for the buttons on his jeans. “What?” She arched an eyebrow at him. “Are you trying to say you’re not here to fuck? Because if not, then what the hell were you doing scaring off all those other guys?” She took a step back, her hands resting on her hips. A low rumble filled the room. “No one else touches you.” She snorted, turning to where her clothes lay strewn across the living room floor. Moving as fast as she could with hands that were shaking, she pulled on her G-string. “Well if you’re not going to fuck me, I can assure you I’ll find someone who will.” Even though every cell in her body protested leaving him, she grabbed the rest of her clothes, prepared to storm out. “You’re not going anywhere.” A raw command. Moving so fast she didn’t even see him, he picked her up, throwing her over his shoulder as he stalked into the small bedroom and tossed her onto the bed. She lay there catching her breath while he stripped off what little clothing she’d managed to get on. Then he stood back, staring down at her.
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“What has gotten into you, Cassie? This isn’t you.” He waved a hand over her body. “The makeup, the clothes, throwing yourself at strange men. What’s going on?” Cassie sat up on the bed and scowled at him. “This is me! This is the new me. This is the new me who’s not afraid to live a little. Look, Jay, I’m not going to involve my feelings like last time, so don’t worry. I know exactly what this is. Sex. Hot, glorious sex.” “I am not here for sex.” Each word was nearly unrecognizable, his jaw was clenched so tight. “Yeah? What are you here for then?” “For you. I came to find you. I want you—” “And I want you,” she interrupted, reaching for him, running her hands over his chest. Right now, she didn’t much care why he was here. He was here, he desired her, and she’d been craving his touch. Why not just get on with it? “So are we doing this? Or do I have to go find someone else?” He glared at her, unmoving, and for a moment she really did think he was going to call her bluff. He opened his mouth and she moved, slipping off the mattress. She was going to have to go back out, pick up some stranger and sleep with him. Something deep inside her shuddered, remembering how the other man’s touch on the dance floor had revolted her. How much worse would the feeling be if she slept with him? Damn werewolf had ruined her for anyone else. Then he was moving, pushing her back onto the bed, stripping off his clothes, and the ferocious hunger for him shoved any lingering misgivings aside. “Do you wander around naked all the time?” she asked huskily, her gaze roaming his naked flesh. He paused, his head cocking to one side in puzzlement. “What?” “Your tan. It reaches everywhere. Do you sunbathe naked?” She’d pay to see that. She watched, fascinated as he blushed slightly. 58
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“Sometimes.” Intrigued by him, Cassie grinned. “Yum, you sexy, wicked man.” She tugged him onto the mattress, kneeling beside him as he lay on his back. She flicked a warm, delicious nipple with her tongue, satisfied as he let out a deep moan. Moving her head, she flicked her tongue over the other nipple, raising her hands to his shoulders before running them down his arms. He wasn’t as thick with muscle as Marcus or Cain, but what was there was defined, strong, and had her quivering with wanton sexual desire. “I love your arms,” she whispered, pressing kisses over them, showing her adoration. “Yeah?” he asked, his voice hoarse. His body remained still as a board, holding back. She was determined to make him bend. She hesitated for a moment, innocence knocking down her confidence. But she took a deep breath, fighting back her nerves, and let her desire to touch him, to have him, override all else. “Oh yeah,” she whispered before kissing her way over his shoulders, down his chest and over a smooth, firm stomach. She thought he trembled as she reached the thin line of dark hair running beneath his bellybutton down to his groin. But when she looked up, only the heat in his eyes betrayed his interest. Well, his eyes and the heavily aroused cock waiting, begging for her attention. She pushed his legs apart, leaning in to lay kisses on his inner thighs, deliberately not touching his cock. Reaching his balls, she enveloped them with her mouth. Inexperience had her hesitating before she began to suck them. Things had been a little too cramped for her to attempt this last time. She felt her own heartbeat quicken as she pleasured him. Her clit throbbed, her lower lips creaming in preparation for his possession.
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Turning him on was making her hot. “Suck harder, roll them around in your mouth. That’s it, don’t be afraid.” He groaned as she followed his instructions. Thank God for those erotic romances she’d read or she’d be completely lost. Her belief in her abilities grew at her obvious effect on him. Cassie felt him place his palms on either side of her head before she was drawn back. She let him go with a last lingering lick. “Enough, sweetheart, let me love you.” His voice was slightly breathless—he was letting go, losing control. But he had further yet to go. She shook her head. “No.” He glared down at her. “You’re telling me no?” Whisper soft, his voice held an edge that made her shiver. Fear strummed up against arousal in an intriguing, breath-stealing mix. “No. I’m in charge this time. And what I want is to pleasure you.” She could scarcely believe her daring, bossing him around. But tonight she felt desirable, wicked, and more confident than she could ever remember feeling before. She really did feel as though she were shedding parts of the old Cassie, letting the new one emerge free. His eyebrows rose. “And if I don’t agree?” They both knew he could easily overpower her. “You mean you’d actually turn down a blowjob? Are you trying to tell me you’re the only man in the world that doesn’t like having his cock sucked?” “Cassie,” he scolded. “What’s wrong? Don’t like dirty talk?” She winked at him. “Let me do this, Jay.” Before he could answer her, she slipped her mouth over his cock and sucked upon it lightly, swirling her tongue under the head. 60
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He lay back, his groan combined with the sudden thrust of his hips telling her that she was doing it right. “That is hot. Yes, like that. Exactly like that.” He began to thrust in farther and she obligingly widened her jaw, sucking him down. Slowly she released him, letting her mouth drop off the end of his now glistening shaft. She ignored his grumble of protest and began licking her tongue over the lines and grooves that ran around his cock. “Stop teasing me, brat,” he demanded, his voice harsh with arousal. Cassie obligingly took him deep into her mouth, pumping the base of him with her hand. “That feels incredible. Look at you, taking me in deep, making me boil. I want you, Cassie, so much.” She sped up, sucking harder, aiming to pleasure him beyond thought, beyond reason. “I’m gonna come, slow down.” She ignored him. After all, wasn’t that the point? “Cassie!” He yelled her name and she rolled her eyes up to find he’d flung his head back, the tendons on his neck tensing as though he were straining to keep himself from coming. Well, she was having none of that. Reaching one hand down, she massaged the skin directly behind his balls. She felt him stiffen. It was her only warning before he thrust deeply, finding his release, sending thick, warm cum down her throat in bursts and waves. Cassie kept him deep until he was spent. As he moved back she felt like whimpering, yet she let him go with one last swipe of her tongue over the head of his shaft. His hands were gentle as he tugged her onto on her back. “Now it’s my turn.”
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Chapter Six Jay couldn’t believe that Cassie had pushed him beyond his control. He knew she wasn’t experienced, yet her hot, eager, wet little mouth had pleasured him like no other had before. He’d thought nothing could top the last time she’d had her mouth wrapped around his dick. He’d been wrong. She’d managed to gain the upper hand, but now it was time he took charge. Before she could protest, he took her mouth with his, surrounding her with heat and promise. Eating at her lips, her tongue, he ravished her until they were both breathing rapidly. “What were you thinking?” he murmured, keeping his voice gentle. He licked at her neck with long, slick strokes. “W-what?” “Why did you leave Landon, Cassie? Why did you leave the safety of the pack’s protection to come here?” “I was never in danger.” “You don’t know that.” He had to pause and rein in the fear-fueled anger racing through him. The thought of her injured and alone… She was safe now, though, and he was going to see she stayed that way. He nibbled on her collarbone, smiling at her sigh of delight. “You could have been the target,” he chided, even knowing it was highly unlikely. She snorted. “As if. Who’d want to hurt me? I’m nobody. No one would be interested in me.” Anger returned in a heady rush and he bit down on her neck in punishment, making her yelp. “You are not nobody,” he growled.
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“Hmm, maybe not. Those guys in the bar certainly seemed to notice me.” Jay closed his eyes as he trembled with enraged possessiveness. The memory of her jean-covered hips swaying sensuously to the music, the way her top highlighted those full breasts, fueled his jealousy. Every man in the bar had watched her, lusted after her. Had desired his mate. “Did you go to that bar looking for a man, Cassie?” His hands cupped her firm breasts. “I’m allowed to have fun, to go dancing, to see other men. Like I said before, it was sex not a lifelong commitme— Oh!” She let out a noise halfway between a moan and a yelp as he pinched both nipples, biting down on her neck once more. She now had bite marks on either side of her pale neck, which made him feel ridiculously satisfied. “What we had was more than a fuck. Did you go to that bar looking for a man, Cassie?” he repeated, trying to keep his voice calm. He could tell he’d failed as she stiffened, her eyes widening. “Answer me,” he demanded, reaching down with one hand to cup her mound, sliding a finger inside her welcoming passage. “Were you there searching for another man?” His thumb rubbed her clit, watching as her hips rose. Her head rolled from side to side on the pillow. He bit down hard on her nipple, bringing her gaze back to his as she yelped. “Did you hope to find someone to satisfy the ache, Cassie? To nibble on these pretty nipples and fuck this tight sheath?” She cried out, arching up as he drove a second finger into the wet, velvety center of her. “No!” He flipped her over onto her stomach, leaving her no opportunity to catch her breath before pulling her legs apart and thrusting his fingers deep inside.
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Stilling, he lay to her side, whispering in her ear, “You won’t be swinging these hips or rubbing your luscious breasts against any man but me. Understood?” “I can dance with whoever I like,” she panted. “And why wouldn’t I? We’re not in a relationship, Jay. If we were, you wouldn’t be lusting after a certain redhead.” He moved his fingers back then drove three digits deep inside her, reveling in her loud cry. “That wasn’t just dancing. That was a mating call, and those bastards in the bar couldn’t wait to answer it.” His fingers left her as he reached over and grabbed a condom from the side table where she’d placed them. Hurriedly he sheathed his already erect cock. He thrust inside her. Harder. Deeper. Hotter. Faster. Smooth and short. Rough and deep. Over and over until she came, screaming her satisfaction, her hips jolting back, driving him even farther into her. The feel of her muscles clamping down on his shaft drove him higher, ripped at his control. He tried to hold on, but her sheath gripped him, pulsing and rippling around him until he was out of options. He succumbed to his own climax, tumbling into a whirlpool of deep pleasure. Jay collapsed, rolling onto his side before pulling her around so her back was nestled against his front. Laying tender kisses along the back of her shoulders and up her neck, he grabbed the lobe of her ear between his teeth and bit down. “Ow,” she cried, slapping a hand back at him, the impact as weak as a swat from a butterfly’s wings. “Stop biting me. What is up with you?” “Just getting your attention. Listen well, Cassie. No one else touches you. No one but me.”
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She snorted. “Get over yourself, Jay. I can sleep with whoever I like. It’s not like you’re going to stick around and declare your undying love for me. You want Dusty, remember?” “Listen to me. I do not want Dusty.” He turned her to face him, his hands cupping her cheeks as he peered into her large brown eyes. “Why are you here, Jay? What am I, your backup fuck?” He frowned. She attempted to turn away from him but he grabbed her. Rolling onto his back, he lifted her so she lay on top of him, his arms holding her close despite her struggles and curses. “You are not just a fuck. Let alone a backup fuck, whatever the hell that is. I’m not interested in Dusty. Yes, I was attracted to her, and yes, I thought I wanted her. But then I realized what I felt wasn’t real, it was imagined. You’re the one for me, Cassie. You.” “If I was the one, you wouldn’t have gone to New York to look after her. If I was the one, then how could you leave me when I was injured? You may not be able to have her, but you’d go running if she called.” “You’re begging for a spanking,” he snarled. A hint of fear entered her eyes as he scowled at her, yet he didn’t feel the least bit sorry. “You chose her over me.” “No.” He shook her gently. “I’m an enforcer. I’m a werewolf, part of a pack. I can’t always do what I like when I feel like it. I have to follow orders. Listen to me carefully, because I am deadly serious. “I’m here because I couldn’t stop thinking about you. Not Dusty. I was wrong. The reason I ‘went running’ was because of pack business, not because I chose her over you. Would I be here if it was Dusty I wanted? If all I was after was sex, do you not think I could have gotten it closer to home? I didn’t come here for sex, I came here for you. If you’ll have me.”
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Cassie bit her lip. Was this the truth? If he’d really wanted Dusty could he have fucked Cassie like he had? She wasn’t sure what to believe, everything was rolling around in her head, making her nauseous. Could she trust him? “I tried to convince myself that it was Dusty I needed, told myself she was the smart choice, the best choice. But I was fooling myself. It’s you, Cassie, you’re the one for me.” “Why? She’s prettier—” “Hush.” He placed his fingers over her mouth, frowning down at her sternly. “Do not put yourself down in front of me, I won’t have it. I’m not interested in hearing that you’re not pretty or smart or any of that shit. Got it? I hear anything self-derogatory coming from your mouth and your butt will feel the palm of my hand.” Shocked by his ferociousness, she nodded. He lay back, breathing deeply. “Christ, I’m a fool. I’m so sorry, Cassie. You’re gorgeous, you’re kind, sweet, but for years I’ve told myself that I would only ever mate with a werewolf.” “Oh.” What more could she say? She couldn’t change what she was. “Years ago I met this human girl. I thought I loved her. That she loved me. Then she betrayed me. I swore never to get involved with another human again. She almost came between me and the pack. I snuck around, kept our relationship a secret for her. So I told myself the pack would always come first and that I would only ever mate with a werewolf.” He rolled over and looked at her. “That is, until I met you. I forgot that mating isn’t something you can control. I like control, and it confounded me that I couldn’t take charge of my feelings.” Cassie rubbed her forehead, trying to think. It was all a bit much, overloading her brain. “Cassie?”
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“I’m not sure we could work, Jay. You were right. Dusty is a smarter choice. She’s a werewolf. She understands pack dynamics, pack loyalty. I think…I think I’d be the odd one out. I wouldn’t fit in.” “It will take some time for everyone to adjust. But we can make this work, Cassie. And I’m going to stay here until you believe that. This time I’m not going anywhere. We’re meant to be together. I know I can make you happy, if you’ll let me.” She stared down at him silently for a moment then shook her head. “I don’t know. This is all so much to take in. I have to think.” “Cassie—” She shook her head again. “You need to leave, I have to be alone. This night has done a complete one-eighty on me and I need some space to breathe.” When she was around him everything seemed more intense. As though she’d been sleeping, now she saw everything in color, it was brighter, sharper. She felt more, she hurt more. “But you believe me?” “Look, this was meant to be a night of fun, it wasn’t meant to get all serious and heartfelt. I have to think.” “Cassie—” “No. Look, when you’re so close I can’t think. Give me a chance to think. Please, for now, anyway.”
***** “She’s not here.” Jay’s gaze was drawn to the tall woman moving toward him. He was glad Cassie hadn’t gone for a strange haircut and color like hers. He almost shuddered at the thought. He peered around Ella, hoping to see Cassie walk into the dining area of Fat Eddy’s. The wolf prowled, making his displeasure known. He was learning to let the wolf in more. When it came to Cassie, his wolf was determined to make his opinion 67
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known anyway. Their bond wasn’t completely repaired, but it was stronger. The more powerful it grew, the more possessive Jay felt toward Cassie. He could barely stand to be away from her, found himself thinking about her constantly. Wanting to reassure himself that she was okay. Neither the wolf nor the man could believe his sister had waitressed in this dump. They definitely didn’t like the fact that their woman was working here, and as soon as he convinced her to trust in him and give their relationship a chance, he intended to whisk her out of this place and out of this town. “Do you know where she is?” he asked the other woman. The place stank of stale cigarettes and carpets damp with alcohol—and that was just the building. The residents were worse—rough, loud and odorous. He wanted his woman far, far away from them. But he knew he couldn’t storm off with her. He was trying to woo her, to build up her trust in him. It was taking all his patience not to grab her, steal her home, claim her. He had to go slowly, ease her into the idea that she was his mate. The last thing he wanted was to overwhelm her, scare her off. What he needed was to get her to open up to him, to talk to him about her feelings, her concerns. “She’s at the food bank.” Of course she is. “Thanks.” He’d turned when her hand grabbed his arm. “Listen, I was prepared to dislike you, on principle. But, well, you don’t seem that bad, I suppose.” “Thank you,” he said drily. She scowled at him. “Cassie seems to like you, so there must be some good in you. Just remember, you do anything to hurt her and I’ll kick your ass.”
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***** It didn’t take him long to find her. She was out back, sorting food into boxes. Even dressed in scruffy jeans and an old t-shirt, she was simply the most beautiful creature he’d ever seen in his life. He stood and watched, drinking in the sight of her. Then she turned and stared straight at him.
She knew he was there. It was hard to miss his presence. His gaze seemed to eat away at her, stirring her insides up, sparking arousal that never completely disappeared. Her clit tingled as he strolled closer. “Hi,” he spoke quietly. “Hi,” she replied, smiling at him. “Would you like a hand?” “Really?” He chuckled. “You don’t need to look so incredulous, you know.” “Sorry, I didn’t really think this would be your thing.” “Maybe not, but it’s yours.” Her smile grew wider. “Come on then.” She gestured to the boxes beside him and for the next hour they worked together, packing up food. Over the last few days, he’d given her some space, he hadn’t pressed her, hadn’t tried to talk to her about them. Instead, he’d simply been there for her, escorting her to and from work, bringing her flowers, chocolates. Yesterday he’d even dragged her away on a picnic. He’d never once let her down, never once promised to do something and not followed through. Even though she knew he was needed back at the estate, he hadn’t mentioned it, nor had he used it as a reason to rush her. Slowly, she realized, she’d been trusting him more and more. 69
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They worked together easily, smoothly. When they were finished, she peered up at him before taking his hand. “Come home with me.”
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Chapter Seven Cassie moved into the living room and turned to look at Jay. “I’ve gotta take a shower.” He frowned, looking confused. “Oh, okay.” She held out her hand and, putting herself out there, asked him, “Come shower with me?” His eyes lit up. “You sure?” “Uh-huh.” He grinned as she pulled his t-shirt off. She clumsily attempted to undo his belt. He brushed her hands away, stripping the rest of his clothes off himself. When they were both naked, she tugged him into the bathroom. He clasped her waist, setting her up on the counter before turning the water on. Moving back to her, he crouched before her, splitting her legs wide. Using his fingers, he opened her, blowing lightly on her clit. Cassie fell back against the wall, moaning. “You’re gorgeous. You know how attractive I find you, don’t you?” He leaned in and licked her folds delicately with the tip of his tongue, sweeping slowly up and down. He stood and dragged her off the counter, sliding her down his smooth, taut body. She stared up into his gaze, amazed at the dark, deep sensuality she saw there. She placed her arms around his neck and let him carry her into the shower. As he washed her shoulders, the sight of his chest became too tempting. Leaning in, she licked his nipples. She felt hungry, needy. “I’m trying to get us clean.” 71
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“I’m not stopping you,” she murmured, kissing her way from one shoulder to the other, across a strong chest then down his stomach. She knelt on the bottom of the shower and gazed at his erect cock. Grasping the base, she gave his shaft one long, slow lick. “Turnabout is fair play, after all.” She gazed up at him. He was leaning back against the shower wall, his hands clenched as he stared down at her, his gaze filled with wicked demand. She slapped away the hands that reached down to grab her. “Uh-uh, I’m not finished. Pass me the soap.” He handed her the soap and she began washing his legs, moving up taut calves to his strong thighs. When she reached his groin he parted his legs. She took her time washing his balls, playing with him lightly. “You’re killing me,” he protested as she moved up to his flat stomach. “What do you mean?” She stood and slid her soapy hands up his arms, over wide, broad shoulders and then down to his chest, running her thumbs over his nipples. “Babe.” He grabbed her thumbs, stilling them. “Just making sure they’re clean.” She gave him an innocent look, which he met with a glare. “Turn,” she demanded. He turned. “Spread your legs more.” He moved his feet apart. “Yum, I like it when you’re so obedient.” He growled and she grinned. She slid her hands down his powerful back as she knelt once more. Reaching around his front, she grabbed his cock, pumping it in her hand as she ran her mouth over his buttocks, biting then sucking.
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“Turn back around.” Her voice was more a husky plea than a demand. He turned and she gazed up at him. Water hit her face before he moved the showerhead, directing the flow elsewhere. “I’m about to damn well explode.” His breathing had become harsh, his voice rough with arousal. “Poor Jay, I thought that was the idea. For you to explode?” Before he could grumble at her further, she reached forward and took the head of his cock into her mouth. He slid in deep and she began to suck firmly, moving up and down his shaft with long, swift movements. His hands clasped her face but he let her set the pace. She moved harder, faster until he gave a shout and thrust deep, his essence hitting the back of her throat. When he was spent, she drew back, licking every inch of him. Jay pulled her to her feet. Grabbing her shower gel, he squirted some onto his hands before washing every inch of her body with firm strokes. He turned her around and ran his hands down her back, massaging her bottom then moving down her long legs. Working his way back up, he lifted her leg, placing her foot on the built-in bench. He soaped her stomach, running one hand down between her folds, cleaning her thoroughly, driving her mad with his soft, sweeping touches. Pressure built in her body, so strong and violent she thought she’d explode if she didn’t find some relief soon. When he pulled his hand away, she was hot and pulsing. “Jay,” she wailed. “What?” he teased. “I’m cleaning you.” He moved his hands to her breasts and dropped his mouth, sucking on first one nipple before moving to the other. Then he stepped back and directed the spray over both of them, rinsing them clean.
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He turned the water off and held out a hand. “Come.” Body trembling with desire, she took his hand, letting him tug her out of the shower. Grabbing a fluffy towel, he dried them both. Each swipe of the towel over her sensitive nipples, her needy pussy, was its own sort of erotic torture. “Jay, please.” She didn’t care that she was begging, didn’t care about anything but the pleasure. “Shh.” He placed a finger over her lips. “Lean back against the counter.” She peered behind her and braced her bottom against the edge of the vanity. “Hold onto it.” She held on tight as he stepped up close to her, gasping as her nipples brushed against his overly warm skin. “You’re so gorgeous,” she panted. “Thank you.” He grinned before leaning in and grabbing her lower lips between his teeth. He bit down. “And mean,” she wailed. “You’re torturing me.” She wasn’t sure how much more she could take. “Are you all hot and bothered?” “Yes,” she sobbed as he began to rub his body against hers. His hand slid between her legs, his thumb flicking her clit. One finger slid inside her. It wasn’t nearly enough. “Look at me,” he ordered as her eyes began to flutter shut. She opened them wide, looking up into his intense blue gaze. “I need to see your eyes when you come.” She gasped, overcome at this whole new level of intimacy. It was hard to keep her eyes open as another finger joined the one in her sheath, pulsing inside her as his thumb drove her higher. She was going to shatter, she knew she was. When she came, she kept her gaze on his, let him anchor her as she shook and spun within a storm of decadent delight.
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They stumbled into the bedroom. Cassie peered over her shoulder as she fell on the bed and realized he wasn’t beside her. “What’s wrong?” He stood at the doorway, looking unusually indecisive. “I wasn’t sure if you wanted me to stay. Don’t get me wrong, I loved what we just did, I could do it over and over. But if you need some space then I can leave.” “I’m tired of thinking. I don’t need space tonight. I need you to hold me. Come to bed.” “You’re sure?” “I’m sure.” A purely male, self-satisfied grin crossed his face before he moved to the bed and tenderly, lovingly kissed her. Slowly, so slowly that it almost pained her, he drank from her lips, caressed them with his tongue, swirled over them, around them as she opened, inviting him inside. Taking his time, he explored her mouth, playing with her, touching nothing but her lips. Shrouded in heat, she moved restlessly on the bed, wishing she could feel his body against hers. As if he heard her wish, he lay beside her. Cassie’s nipples stiffened, thrusting upward as if begging for attention, and it was attention they got. His heated, liquid mouth surrounded one sensitive bud, sucking upon it as her hands grasped his shoulders, holding on, not daring to let go for fear she’d float away. She whimpered in loss as he pulled back, sitting up. “Easy, baby,” he spoke huskily. “Easy, now, I’m not going anywhere and neither are you.” Leaning against the headboard, he patted his lap. Dazed with desire, she straddled him. His thick shaft brushed against her core, sending her nerve endings into a tailspin.
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“Oh please.” She wasn’t above pleading, but he wasn’t to be rushed. His hands cupped her breasts as if weighing them, his thumbs rubbed her nipples. Back and forth, side to side, round and round. Hips tilting, she begged for more and he obliged, moving one hand down her stomach until a single finger circled her entrance, slipping easily inside. One long, slow glide then fast and hard, he thrust his finger in and out as his thumb flicked her clit. Cassie cried and crumbled, her muscles clamping down hard as orgasm rocked her hard and fast. Crashing, she fell against his chest sobbing.
Fascinated by her, enchanted by his woman, he watched with supreme satisfaction as she succumbed to a hard orgasm. He maneuvered her until she lay on her back between his outstretched legs, facing him, her thighs clasped around his hips. Smoothing his hands over her soft stomach, he ran them down over her hips before massaging her strong, lean thighs. He kept his movements slow and sensual, watching as her chest rose and dropped, her pulse beating rapidly. “Jay.” Just his name caressing the air was enough to have him snapping. Reaching underneath her, he claimed the firm globes of her bottom with his eager hands. Using the added strength of the wolf, he easily lifted her, spreading her open, drawing her sweet entrance up to his mouth. “Jay.” This groan was louder, slightly alarmed, although in no way a protest. “Shh, my love, you’re all right. You’re safe, lie back and feel. No talking, no moving, just enjoy.” Drinking his fill with his gaze, he watched as her puffy, pink lips opened for him, allowing him to view her glistening inner essence. Unwilling to curb the impulse, he leaned in and inhaled, savoring her scent, drawing it in until it became a part of him. One leisurely, long lick of her had him closing his eyes in total rapture as the taste of her slid along his tongue. 76
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Her cream called to him, a thick, smooth slice of bliss. For a moment he teetered on the verge of sensual madness, the urge to take her so strong he had to pull back and grit his teeth as he searched for some restraint. Unable to stay away from her for long, he circled her clit with his tongue as he tugged her even closer, forcing her hips up and resting her legs over his shoulders. Thighs quivered beside his cheeks as he heard her breath quicken, felt the muscles of her bottom tighten. Firming his tongue, he tapped harder, faster as her hands clasped at the sheet beneath her. Laying her back, Jay moved until he knelt between her spread thighs and captured her mouth in a blistering, melting kiss. Slipping inside her silken warmth, he rocked back and forth. She tilted her hips up, meeting each of his powerful strokes, letting him fill her to the hilt. He fought for each breath as his vision blurred around the edges. He stared down at her where she lay beneath him, looking like sensual sin, her eyes dazed, slumberous, her breathing rapid. When she came, he felt every clenching pulse. It pushed him over the edge and he immediately lost himself in her arms, slamming into satisfaction with a force that both titillated and thrilled.
Cassie snuggled in close to Jay, resting her head on his chest. “You know, I can’t seem to keep my hands off you,” he muttered. “I’m not complaining.” She nuzzled the tempting chest in front of her, licking and nibbling. Moving back, she ran her hands over his strong upper body, her thumbs brushing his nipples, smiling at his shuddering sigh. “Your body makes me think wicked thoughts, you know.” She confided this in a hushed whisper, a trembling secret shared between the two of them. “Since the first
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time I met you, I fantasized about touching you like this, of being allowed to run my hands over your skin, to stroke and savor. “To kiss.” She kissed his way down the middle of his chest until she encountered his bellybutton. “To lick.” Her tongue followed the track her lips had forged, licking over slightly salty skin, enjoying the taste, the textures of him. “To caress.” She worshipped his arms and shoulders, caressing his arms and down the strong muscle of his back before cupping and squeezing firm, rounded buttocks. “Do you know how much time I spent checking out this ass?” she asked. His eyebrow rose arrogantly and she hid a secret grin. “Oh, the way I drooled, the way I yearned…I’m pretty sure my thoughts are illegal in some states.” “Maybe you should demonstrate,” he suggested. His face was calm but she could hear the strain in his voice. “Well, there was this one fantasy, but it would require some cooperation from you.” She peered up at him through her lashes, hoping she appeared seductive rather than simpering. “Tell me.” Pure order. “I think I’ll show you instead.”
***** He couldn’t believe it. Was amazed he’d let her do this to him. His arms and legs were spread-eagled over the bed and tied with scarves, his eyes encased in darkness
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with a sleeping mask covering them. This was not quite what he’d had in mind when he’d encouraged her to act out a fantasy. Of course, he could easily free himself, tear the scarves she’d used to try to hold him. But that was where his cooperation came in. Besides, turnabout was fair play. And he had a few desires of his own he longed to act out later. He figured he’d been lying here for at least five minutes now while she bustled around in the kitchen. His sweet wee innocent could act out any and all fantasies that she had—he was pretty sure he would have done them all before. But never with her. And that made all the difference to him. He heard her light footsteps, slightly hesitant. Her heart was beating fast, was she nervous or turned-on? Maybe a bit of both. Then her breath tickled his ear as she leaned in and whispered, “I long to give you as much pleasure as you give me. To make you crazed, to make you beg, to make you scream. And you will.” Hmm, maybe his sweet innocent had another side. Warmth covered his chest as something hot was swirled around his nipples. He gasped in shock. Cold followed as her chilled mouth covered first his right nipple then his left. Just as her mouth was warming, she withdrew. He heard the clinking of ice before she took his mouth in a kiss that started cool but soon morphed into a sweltering inferno. Lips and tongues dueling together, she drove him wild with her teasing. She pulled back when he tried instinctively to take over. “Uh, uh, uh, I’m in charge, remember?” She spoke huskily, her breath teasing his lips. Then the heat of her body left him and he had to draw on his reserves not to rip his way out of his bonds, grab her and plunder her as his body begged him to do.
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Frosty ice. Heated touch. Her mouth surrounded his balls in cold while fiery hands move up and down his shaft. He bit his lip to hold back his groan but his hips nevertheless rose instinctively, pushing him through those wicked hands even as his balls tightened painfully, shying away from the frozen encasement of her mouth. Then the coolness of her mouth eased, warming as she teased him lightly with her tongue. Hands rolled up and down his shaft, which quivered in undisguised joy. “Cassie, my love, you keep that up and I’m gonna come.” She didn’t answer, merely continued the gloriously slow, steady pumping of his cock. As orgasm was about to steal him away, she drew back, squeezing hard on the base of his shaft, preventing him from coming. “Feels good?” Her voice was a little unsure. “Baby, it feels like fucking heaven on earth.” She gave a little laugh. “I’ve dreamed of having you like this, you know. Tied up, at my mercy. It turns me on.” A sound close to a whimper escaped him. Pulse galloping, breath sawing, he reined in his reaction, only to find he’d ripped one of the scarves. His right hand was now free. Cassie clicked her tongue disapprovingly. Her small hand circled his wrist and he allowed her to guide his hand back over his head. “Keep your arm there.” Her voice would have done a sergeant major proud. Her slight weight shifted to the bottom of the bed and she began rubbing the arches of his feet, drawing forth a groan of joy. Relaxed, tension easing, he was caught by surprise as she suddenly moved, taking his cock into her mouth. Attention diverted, he failed to anticipate her next move. When an ice cube was pushed into his ass he yelped, snapping the other scarf as he rose. “Down, boy.” He could hear the grin in her voice as her finger followed the ice cube, entering his ass, massaging him. 80
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“Do you like that?” she whispered. All he could do was nod and groan. Lying back, he started to count backward from one hundred as her talented mouth returned to his dick. But it was no use. The combination of her mouth sucking on him, her finger in his ass—he couldn’t hold back. “Would you like to come?” All movement stopped with her voice. “God, yes.” “Hmm, I don’t know, I don’t think you’re ready yet.” Her voice was pure devil. “Cassie.” He made her name a warning. A warm chuckle filled the air. Then she slid herself over his shaft, drawing him inside. He couldn’t stand it any longer. Pulling the face mask from his eyes, he thrilled at the sight of her undulating above him—breasts bobbing delightfully, curves that filled his senses with joy, strong legs that could keep this up for hours. There was no way he could last. “Cassie, I’m gonna come.” She quickened her pace. “Let me bring you with me.” He didn’t want to take over. This was her show, all for her. “Yes,” she hissed, the word pure ambrosia to his raging body. Moving fast in case she changed her mind, he used his thumb to circle her clit. Round, then up and down, he manipulated the sensitive nub until she was making those beautiful whimpers in the back of her throat indicating she was close. Watching her, he waited for that moment—and when he saw her eyes flutter closed, heard her breath hitch as her muscles clamped down upon him—he knew he could let go.
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Chapter Eight How did I get here? Naked, feeling a little anxious and embarrassed, she sat in the passenger seat of Jay’s car with no idea what they were doing or where they were going. This was a huge step for a girl who only a few weeks ago used to hide herself beneath piles of clothes and long hair. Once she’d untied him from her hold, he’d turned to her, asking if she was willing to act out a little fantasy of his. Nervously she’d agreed. He’d then tied her hands with one of the scarves and wrapped a sheet around her before he’d placed the sleeping mask over her eyes and carried her outside. A scarf in her mouth stopped any complaints she may have voiced as he threw away the sheet, leaving her naked in the front seat of his car. She had no idea whether anyone had seen her, could see her now, but she knew he would take care of her. About ten minutes had passed when he slowed down and then stopped. Hearing his door open, she sat impatiently as he came around to her and undid her belt. Silently, his hands slid around her waist—but instead of helping her down as she’d expected, she was turned around in the seat, her legs resting off the side, her thighs widening as he stepped between them. He’d dressed in jeans, and rough denim rubbed against her thighs and tender inner core as he moved back and forth. For a moment she worried about being seen. But the only sound she could hear was the wind coughing and soughing, along with her own breath moving in and out of her lungs.
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“You are so incredibly sexy. Sitting here naked, bound, willing.” He ran firm hands over her curves, holding them over her stomach, making her blush. Her stomach was not her favorite body part. “Uh-uh, no sucking in, Cassie. I want every part of you on display, every dip, every curve, I love them all. You’re everything I could have hoped for, my love. Curvy, feminine, sweet.” She felt him lean in, the heat of his body covering hers. He always ran so hot, scorching. His cheek brushed hers, his breath bathing her ear. “Will you trust me to look after you?” She wouldn’t be here if she didn’t. She nodded. She knew he wouldn’t do anything to harm her deliberately. The scarf was removed from her mouth and her reward was a mind-mushing kiss. He lowered his hands to her bottom, lifting her up against him. “Put your legs around my waist.” He sounded impatient, curt, eager. She obeyed the order as he carried her, setting her down on the ground. Then he moved away and she heard him open then shut the car door. “Jay?” she queried. “It’s okay, just getting a blanket. Don’t want you sitting on the hood when it’s hot.” He picked her up and set her on the blanket-covered hood. Then he was kissing his way down her jaw and neck. No longer teasing or wooing, this was all heat and passion, rough and raw. A bite to her nipple had her screeching, but the slight pain was soon soothed with a lapping tongue while he pinched her other nipple softly. Feet dangling, her thighs wide apart and hands still tied, Cassie relied on him to keep her balanced. She could do nothing but lie there—trust, feel and enjoy.
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He circled his finger around her entrance, sliding inside her, smoothly thrusting— then his finger was gone, leaving her gasping and she found herself lifted and turned. Now standing, she was pushed forward until her bound hands rested on the still warm hood, her bottom protruding. He didn’t touch her. She couldn’t tell if he was moving, all she could hear was his harsh breathing behind her. “Dear Lord, that’s a beautiful sight.” His hands skimmed her buttocks as she trembled. “If you only knew how I’ve longed to have you like this, mine to do with as I like. This isn’t going to be slow. It’s not going to be easy or tender. It’ll be hard and fast. Are you with me?” “I’m with you.” A sharp, stinging slap to her ass was her only reply before her legs were spread, her forearms balancing her against the hood of the car. “Don’t move.” With no further warning, he slid inside her. She barely had time to savor the feel of him before he pulled out, leaving only the head of his cock inside. Plunging within her once more, he tormented her, driving her higher, making her crazy with each full, firm possession. “Come for me, baby. I love to watch you come, love to hear you scream as you find heaven in my arms. Come for me now.” Unable to hold back, even to think about muffling her reaction, she screamed as she clamped down on him, coming in a shivering rush. He bit down on her shoulder, his orgasm barely registering in her lust-soaked mind. Exhausted, she collapsed. Despite the fact she was sandwiched between the hood and a hard male body—tied, blindfolded and naked—she felt completely content. A grin crossed her face as she basked in the aftermath.
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Jay moved. “Better get you home. Much as I’d love to keep you this way, I don’t want you catching cold.” No, that would totally go against those protective instincts of his. She found herself turned and carried until she was sitting once again on the front seat. When the ties and blindfold were removed, she discovered they were in the middle of the forest on what seemed to be an old four-wheel-drive track. “Ahh,” she sighed as he started the car and turned the heat on. “I did hope we weren’t in the town square.” He grinned over at her. “Maybe another day, huh? Perhaps when it’s summer, though. I didn’t realize it would get cold so quickly.” “I’m not fragile, Jay.” She smiled. “A little cold won’t hurt me.” He continued to frown, his hands tightening around the steering wheel. “You’re fragile to me. Colds, viruses, disease—you’re so vulnerable, and I must remember that.” She could hear the self-flagellation in his voice. “Jay.” Reaching over, she grabbed his hand, staying him as he started to put the car into gear. “You can’t worry over me constantly. Yes, I’m human. And yes, I’m weaker than you, but that doesn’t make me fragile. I’ve managed to survive on my own until now. Stop it, okay?” He smiled in acknowledgment. “I’ll try. No promises, though.”
***** Cassie shut the cupboard door and smiled as it slid smoothly into place. It had been stuck since she got here, but Jay said he’d fix it. And he had. He hadn’t once promised to do something and not followed through. She had called in some favors at work and they’d spent the last four days together, most of it in bed. “You fixed the cupboard.” She plopped down on the couch beside Jay. He immediately pulled her under his arm. 85
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“Of course, I said I would, didn’t I?” “Yes, yes you did.” She stared silently at the TV screen for a long moment. “What you thinking about?” She wasn’t surprised he’d picked up on her disquiet— at times he seemed to be so tuned into her that it was almost scary. “Umm, well,” she hesitated, cursing herself for a coward. Why couldn’t she simply talk to him? He hadn’t said anything in the last two days about a relationship, hadn’t pressured her for any sort of commitment. But she knew it was what he wanted, she just wasn’t entirely sure she knew why. “Hey, Cassie.” He turned them so they were facing each other and, tucking a finger under her chin, raised her face so she was forced to stare up at him. “You can talk to me about anything.” “It’s just, umm, I was wondering, why me? I mean, you could have anyone. Why me?” He didn’t even hesitate, didn’t take time to think. “Because you make my blood boil, you’re what I think of when I first wake up, you’re who I go to sleep dreaming of. You make me feel complete. After sleeping with you that first night, I knew I desired you, but even then I didn’t fully realize how much I needed you. When you were injured and I had to leave you…” He took a deep breath. “It was terrifying, and I realized then that I didn’t ever want to be without you. When I got back to Landon and you were gone, I went a little crazy, I even yelled at Laney.” “What?” “Yeah. Cooper had every right to reprimand me. But he let me come after you. I’m not letting go of what we could have together, Cassie. The wolf has always known that you were the one for me. My mate.” “Y-your what?” she stuttered. “You’re my mate, Cassie.”
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She frowned. “But how? I’m human.” The longing was deep. She found herself wishing with every fiber of her being that she was his mate. “Werewolves take human mates.” “I know that,” she replied. “But not many and none in your pack.” He shrugged. “Zachary hated humans, no one would dare bring one back to live with us when he was Alpha. But that’s all changed now.” “Isn’t this all a little fast? You barely know me.” “Cassie, some things a werewolf knows. It took me longer than I liked to work out you were my mate, because I was being a fool. Because I didn’t listen to what my wolf was trying to tell me. I have great control over my wolf, which is why I’ve been able to ignore what he’s been telling me all along. We’re meant to be together. You may not believe it yet, but I know it.” There was such a wealth of certainty, of pure belief in his voice that she found herself melting. She longed for what he was promising. But she had to look after herself. “You’re my mate, Cassie. That doesn’t just go away. I won’t leave you, and I won’t abandon you. I’m not like your father.” “My father?” She stared at him in confusion. “What has my father got to do with us?” “I know he left your mother when you were young. You must have felt abandoned—” She snorted, interrupting him with a shake of her head. “I never knew him. Sure, it kind of hurts that I never had a dad, but lots of other kids were in the same situation.” “They why do you have such trouble opening up? Trusting me?” “Well, it could have something to do with the fact that two weeks ago I was helping you set up a date with someone else.” “I’ve explained that. I can’t say any more. You either trust I’m telling the truth or you don’t.” 87
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He was right. It came down to believing what he said or not. If not, she should send him on his way. If she did, though… Something settled in her chest, easing her anxiety. Hope unfolded within her. She knew that werewolves took mating seriously, far more seriously than humans did marriage. A mating could only be broken through death. “I’d like to give this a real relationship a try. Give us a chance. That is, if you’d still like to have a relationship with me.” He grasped her face with his hands and took her mouth in a deep, sweeping kiss. Leaning back, he stared down at her sternly. “Cassie.” His voice was firm. “Of course I do.” “I’m not very experienced with relationships. Actually, I’m not experienced at all. But I’d like to learn. I’d like to try.” He swept his arms around her. The lips that possessed hers were hot, hungry and filled with sensual promise. When he let her go, she swayed, shaken by the intense longing that had rushed through her. “You’re sure?” The vulnerable note she heard in his voice amazed her. She nodded. “Yes, I’m sure.” “Thank you. You won’t regret this, I promise.” He kissed her again, a sweet little peck that soon turned sizzling. He drew back, his gaze sizzling as it roamed over her body. “Strip me, baby.” She moved frantically, desperate now to touch his bare skin. When he stood before her, her breath caught in her throat at how truly gorgeous he was. He winked at her, not in the least bit self-conscious as her gaze roamed over his smooth, muscular chest down to his tapered waist. His shaft was fully aroused and she became fixated, unable to look away as the urge to taste him overrode every other thought in her head.
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“Uh-uh,” he said and she looked up at him, startled. “I know what you’re thinking and not yet. You take me into that sweet mouth of yours and I’m a goner.” She smiled and licked her lips, watching as his cock twitched. “Brat,” he growled as he reached for her, quickly stripping her before he picked her up in his arms. Carrying her into the bedroom, he tossed her on the bed. Lying beside her, he brushed his hand over her forehead, down her cheek, tracing her features as though he were trying to memorize her by touch. He laid light kisses on her cheeks, her nose, her lips. His mouth lingered on hers. Feverish bliss overtook her. She thrust her hips against him, inviting him to touch her elsewhere, to ease the delicious pain that came with wanting him so much. “Don’t make me wait,” she ordered as his mouth left hers to kiss along her collarbone, eliciting sensual waves of pleasure that rolled straight to her clit as she whimpered in delight. “But what if I want to play?” he asked huskily. “Jay,” she cried. Suddenly he rolled onto his back, drawing her on top of him. “Take me then, my impatient love.” She reached down, circling his shaft, pumping firmly, enjoying his groan as he drove his hips up. But she was too starved, too desperate to tease him. Kneeling, she held the base of his shaft and directed him toward her pussy. They both moaned as the tip of him came into contact with her warm, moist folds. Instead of immediately directing him to her entrance, she guided his cock to her clit, rubbing the head over the swollen bundle of nerves, watching him as he watched her, each feeding off the other’s joy. “Jesus, Cassie, you’re so hot. Look at you, a goddess. How did I ever get you?” She whimpered as he cupped her breasts, his thumbs grazing her nipples. It was too much. She had to have him, now. Moving the head of his shaft to her entrance, she
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drove herself on him in one smooth, clean thrust. Then she dropped forward, placing her palms flat on his chest, staring down at him once more. Passion was etched into every line of his face while his eyes seemed to glitter with burning need. Thighs quivering, she couldn’t seem to move fast enough, to take as much of him in as she needed. “Easy,” he moaned, resting his hands on her hips as he slowed her down. “I want,” she panted, “I want—” “Shh, baby, I know.” He rolled onto his side, taking her with him, his cock still lodged firmly inside her. Clasping her thigh, he raised one leg up so it rested over his hip before dipping his hand down between them, his finger homing in on her clit, giving her exactly what she longed for. “Oh, oh, ohhh,” she cried as she came, her orgasm rolling through her. He drove into her harder, this position making him feel even bigger, filling her even more. Cassie clasped his shoulders, clamping her muscles around his shaft until he gave one final deep plunge and exploded. Relaxing, he pulled out of her and rolled onto his back, gathering her against his side. “Wow, who knew it could get better?” she marveled as he chuckled. He ran his hand down her back, slapping her bottom lightly. “We’ll have to start packing,” Jay murmured as she snuggled into his chest. “Although we’ll wait for the morning.” “Packing?” She stiffened. “I take it you want to bring some of this stuff with you?” “Ahh, well, most of my gear is still in Landon, this is the landlord’s furniture.” “That’ll make it quicker then.” “Jay?” “Yeah?” 90
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“Are you asking me to move in with you?” He leaned up on one elbow. “Of course you’ll move in with me.” “Onto the estate?” “Yes.” He was looking at her a little quizzically. “I’m not sure I’m ready for that. Not quite yet. Moving in with you, moving onto the estate. Those are big steps.” “Cassie.” He took her hand, squeezing it gently. “You’re my mate. These last few days, keeping my distance, it was incredibly, horrendously hard. I don’t want to waste any more time apart from you.” She chewed her lip. She’d known this was coming, she just hadn’t expected him to broach the subject so soon. But then, what had she thought? That they’d live apart? That wasn’t what she wanted at all. “Can I have a little more time? I have to work out a week’s notice anyway. Jimmy took me on with no experience. He took a chance on me. I can’t leave him hanging.” Jay snorted. “Oh yeah, he took a real chance. Come on, Cassie, the guy snapped you up because he knew how lucky he was that someone as classy and hardworking as you wanted to work in that dump.” “It’s not a dump.” “Yeah it is, and you owe that guy no loyalty. I bet he works you long hours for crap pay and with little thanks.” Well, she couldn’t really argue with that, but still… “I’m not walking out, Jay,” she replied, crossing her arms. “I do have some work ethic, you know. I need some time to get used to the two of us before I have to get used to living with the pack, to sharing you with them. I know it’s selfish when you need to go back—”
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“You’re not being selfish,” he interrupted her. He ran his hand through his hair, ruffling it even more. “Okay, another week it is. You can get used to living with me before you have to live on the estate. I must admit, I like having you all to myself.” “Are you sure? I’ll understand if you have to go, I can follow…” He shook his head. “They’ll manage without me.” But she saw the frown flutter across his face and she wondered how long he could, and would, stay away.
***** “That was one hot kiss.” Ella fanned her hand in front of her face as she stepped into the kitchen of Fat Eddy’s. “So I take it you and Jay are together now?” Cassie blushed. Jay had walked her into the bar, kissing her lingeringly before he’d taken a seat in her section. She’d tried to convince him to stay at home but he’d told her he could make his calls as easily from the bar as he could from her apartment, and here he could keep an eye on her. She wasn’t quite sure how she felt about that, but didn’t feel it was something to argue with him over. Yet. “Yeah, we are.” “About time, any fool can see he loves you.” “He hasn’t said it,” Cassie replied, surprised by how much she longed to hear the words from him. “I didn’t think you liked him.” Ella shrugged. “I was prepared to hate him after he hurt you. But he’s not so bad.” “He wants me to move back with him. But I don’t know if I’m ready for that just yet.” “You love him, don’t you?” Cassie shook her head. Do I?
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“You’re lying to yourself if you think you don’t, Cassie. Even my jaded, disillusioned eyes can see he makes you happy. Maybe, maybe that’s worth a shot. Life is what you make it.” The taller woman turned her face away abruptly as Cassie gaped, taken aback. Ella always seemed so tough, yet Cassie was sure she’d seen her eyes glitter with tears. “Of course, it could be that he enjoys the chase. Some guys are like that, they like to chase and when they catch you they dump you like last week’s rubbish.” The words were bitter but the pain was real. “Ella—” Cassie reached up with a tentative hand but Ella shrugged it off, walking to the door. “I guess you’ve got to decide if he’s worth the risk to your heart.”
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Chapter Nine “Who was that?” she asked as Jay walked into the bedroom, shutting his cell phone. It had been a long shift and she felt exhausted. It didn’t help that she’d spent half the time worrying about moving back to the estate and the other half trying to get Jay to stop growling at all her patrons. He’d taken exception to every customer she had, glaring at them until she’d stepped away. Tomorrow, she was going to insist he stay at home. “Rye,” he answered, his face serious. “What is it? Is it Dusty?” “Dusty’s okay, not great, but she’s alive. They’re releasing her soon. Cain’s still with her. We thought it was HAW who bombed the shop, but Dusty reckons she caught a scent before the bomb went off. She’s certain she smelled a werewolf.” “What? Not one of the Shadowpeak pack?” “No.” He shook his head. “She doesn’t know who, but she’s certain it was a werewolf.” “Why would another werewolf bomb the shop? And how are you all going to find him?” “Good questions,” he replied seriously. “The enforcers are meeting tonight to discuss possibilities. I’ll ring Rye tomorrow for a briefing.” “Wow, that’s awful. I mean, it’s awful to think HAW would do something like that, but for it to be another werewolf? That’s horrid.” Jay nodded, obviously deep in thought. “They need you to go back,” she guessed. He gazed over at her pensively. “Yeah, they do.” 94
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“When?” “Now, apparently. I told Rye that was impossible, that I’d be back next week. He wasn’t happy.” She swallowed. Cassie felt awful, she knew he needed to go home. She was worried about fitting in with the pack. Jay seemed confident they’d accept her but she wasn’t so sure. She’d be the odd one out again, the only human. But she couldn’t keep him with her, not when they needed him. “I have some questions,” Cassie began, sitting up on the bed. Maybe she’d feel better if she armed herself with some information. “Yeah?” Jay glanced up at her, his fingers moving in long sweeps over her thigh. “Will the pack always come first? If Ryan were to order you home, would you have to go? Leave me?” Jay shook his head. “It doesn’t work that way. Not really. The pack is an integral part of a werewolf’s life. Werewolves have to live with a pack.” “Laney lived away from the pack for a year.” “Which was remarkable. Lone werewolves can go feral, can start killing for fun, and I don’t mean just targeting animals.” She gulped. “What happens then?” “Each pack takes care of its own, so the tracker for that pack would have to hunt the feral wolf down.” “And kill them?” she asked. He nodded. “Who’s the tracker in your pack?” “Marcus. But it isn’t simply a fear of going feral that keeps a werewolf in a pack. We’re a family. We’re a community. We help and protect one another. So if Cooper ordered me back, yes, I’d probably have to go. But I know he’d only do it if it was
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absolutely necessary, because he knows my being here is extremely important to me. I’m an enforcer. It’s not just a job. It’s who I am. I can’t turn my back on that.” “I know.” She grabbed his hand. “I wouldn’t ask you to. I guess I’m trying to understand where I fit in, that’s all.” “You’re my mate.” He sat up and lifted her into his lap. “You mean everything. It’s all about balance and respect. The pack respects the bond between mates, and wouldn’t come between them. In turn, mated werewolves work for the good of the pack. At least, that’s the way a healthy pack should work. Zachary ruled more by fear than respect.” She patted his chest, trying to ease the tension. “Does that make sense?” “I guess so. I suppose I’ll understand better once I’m there.” He kissed her tenderly. “It means so much that you’re willing to try to live with the pack, to learn our ways. I promise to help as much as I can.” “You know, this is the most I’ve heard you talk about the pack. You don’t talk much about being a werewolf.” He stiffened and she noticed his eyes darken. “That’s not bad or anything,” she said hastily. “You don’t have to tell me anything that you don’t want to. But I would like to see your wolf one day, if it’s okay with you.” He remained silent for so long she wondered if he was ever going to speak to her again. Then he spoke quietly. “It’s not that I don’t want to show you, it’s just…” He sighed. “Remember that girl I told you about? The human one I got involved with?” She nodded. “The one you said betrayed you?” She’d been wondering about her, had been waiting for a good time to ask. “I used to go to the market each week in Sefton. Lia worked there for her dad. I thought it was love at first sight. We had to date in secret. Zachary hated humans. Hell, he hated most everyone. So I went against my Alpha, against pack rules at the time, and got involved with her.”
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Cassie gulped at the word love, achingly aware he’d never said the words to her. She knew Ella was right. She loved him. They were mated. Surely that meant he loved her. Or was it possible for a werewolf to mate without love? Could it be purely about the wolf’s wants and not the man’s? No, that was stupid, he loved her. And she didn’t need to hear the words. She didn’t. “Zachary would never have allowed me to marry her. No one in the pack would have dared bring a human back, not unless they wished them harm. But I thought I was in love and didn’t care what the pack thought, what her father thought. She still lived with her folks, and they were kind of old-fashioned. “She didn’t want to tell them she was dating. I think both of us were hooked on the thrill of sneaking around. When I worked up the courage to tell her I was a werewolf she acted a little weird, but I didn’t really think anything of it.” He laughed, the sound distinctly unhappy. “Weird?” “Oh, she became sort of jumpy, anxious. She asked a lot of questions about the pack. I thought she was nervous. Then she asked me to show her the wolf.” “Did you?” she asked when he paused. “Not at first. But she kept asking and I eventually gave in. Normally when we were going to meet up, she would tell her family that she was going to a friend’s house, and we’d meet in the park a street over. The night I agreed to change, though, she asked me to meet her in the garden of her parents’ place.” He paused, shrugging. “I thought it was kind of odd. Changing in populated areas is against the law. Not only is it dangerous for us, but the government doesn’t want us scaring anyone. But I was young and stupid, and when she told me she was a little frightened and that it would be easier on her to do this someplace familiar, I gave in.” “What happened?”
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“I changed. But her father must have been watching, because he came at me with a shotgun. She was screaming, he was shooting—it was a mess. He got me in the flank and I ran. I had to. Next day the cops turned up at the estate and arrested me.” “Oh my God.” No wonder he doesn’t talk much about the pack. “Yeah. Rye got me a good lawyer and I was merely charged with trespassing and changing in an urban area. I was confined to the estate for a year, had to pay a large fine. Luckily, there was no evidence to support Lia and her father’s accusations that I’d attacked them. I wasn’t supposed to have any contact with Lia again.” “Except you did,” she guessed. “I had to. I had to see her.” “And?” she asked, knowing she wasn’t going to like what he said next. “And she told me to stay away from her, that I disgusted her. That I was nothing but a filthy animal and she wished her father had gotten me in the heart.” “Oh Jay.” He shrugged. “She was young, still under her parents’ influence. Turns out they were fanatics. They were using her to pump me for information about the pack. Thankfully, I never said anything they could use.” “You were young too, and you took it to heart, didn’t you?” “For about a year I didn’t change. I felt, well, ashamed, I guess. She said some pretty vile, racist things, screwed me up for a while. It kind of broke something between the wolf and me. Instead of working together, we fought for dominance and I won. I swore after that incident that I would put the pack first. They’d always been there for me when I needed them most.” “Why do you suppose she asked to see your wolf?” He sighed. “Rye did some investigating. It turned out her father was a member of HAW. He must have been waiting for me. For proof I was a werewolf before he took me out.”
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“Oh God.” She swallowed heavily at the betrayal he must have felt. It was a wonder he wanted anything to do with a human woman again. “Jay?” “Hmm?” “Do you still love her?” Rolling her onto her back, he rested up on one elbow, leaning over her, his eyes dark and serious. “No, I don’t. I never really did.” She nodded, glancing away. For some reason she had the ridiculous urge to cry. “I love you, though,” he declared. She gasped, afraid she’d heard him wrong. “W-what?” “I love you, Cassidy Callington. I love you so much I can barely breathe without thinking about you, craving you, desiring you. When I’m apart from you, all I think about is seeing you again, when I’m with you, all I can think about is touching you, making you smile, hearing you laugh, holding you close.” “Y-you do?” She could scarcely believe what she was hearing. His eyebrows rose. “What did you think it meant when I told you that you were my mate?” “I-I don’t know. I mean, I hoped. But then I wasn’t sure, I thought perhaps a mating might just be about biology.” “Biology, huh? Believe me, a mating is about much more than biology. Although that helps.” He waggled his eyebrows and she giggled. “Don’t think that you need to say it back. There’s no rush, no pressure.” Tears filled her eyes as she kissed him, hard. The kiss turned sweeter and he leaned back to smile down at her, his eyes gentle and warm. “I’m so lucky to have you. I love you too,” she said. 99
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“You do?” he repeated her words. “Uh-huh.” He drew her against him, holding her tight. “I’m the lucky one. I can’t believe it. I thought it would be too soon.” He kissed her again before sitting up, then stared down at her seriously. “There’s something I’d like you to answer for me though, okay? I need you to open up with me, Cassie. I need you to trust me enough with all of you. Can you do that?” She chewed at her lower lip. Opening herself up, risking hurt—it was hard for her. But this wouldn’t work without communication or trust. “Okay, I’ll try.” “You used baggy clothes and the long hair to help hide yourself, didn’t you? Why?” She took a deep, steadying breath and pondered how best to explain this. Finally she just started talking. “I’ve always been quite shy, I’ve never really liked confrontation or upsetting people. Growing up, I always kind of felt like an outsider. I didn’t have many friends at school. Their parents didn’t approve of my mom and kids pick up on that sort of stuff. It just became easier to hide, to keep to myself, you know? If I didn’t try to make friends or to have a relationship…well, then, I couldn’t get hurt.” He frowned. “Why didn’t they approve of your mom?” “Mom was very pretty, a romantic. She believed that one day her soul mate would come, her knight in shining armor who would sweep her off her feet and take her away from the drudgery of real life, where she had to clean other people’s houses to pay the rent on a dingy trailer. There were a lot of men, which was what everyone disapproved of. “Each time a new man came along in her life she’d be so happy, she’d laugh, have fun. She’d say that this was the one, the one she would marry. But none of the men ever stayed. When they left she grew really depressed. Until the next one came along. I gave up listening after a while.”
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“That must have been hard on you.” Cassie shrugged. “No one ever hurt me or abused me. They never really noticed me, I guess.” “Oh baby.” He drew her close and kissed the top of her head. “How could she do that to you? Abandon you like that?” She would not cry. She refused to shed any more tears for a past that could not be changed. “That’s a bit dramatic, it wasn’t so bad.” “She was selfish. You should have come first in her life, instead she pushed you aside. You shouldn’t have had to fight to get her attention, her love, it should have just been a given. You must have felt rejected.” She shrugged, but he’d hit the nail on the head. “She wasn’t a bad person. I always had a roof over my head, food in my belly. I think she tried as best she could. Perhaps I gave up on her too easily.” “I’m not so sure about that.” He clasped her face in his hands. “Thank you for sharing that with me.” She was a little self-conscious now that she’d bared herself to him. He gathered her into his arms. “You don’t ever have to hold back with me, Cassie. I’d love to know everything about you, the good and the bad. There’s stuff in my life that I’d rather not have anyone else know, but if you leave it inside it festers, it ends up hurting you. And I would do anything to keep from you from hurting. Which is why I’m going to do my best to never let you down.” She kissed him, smiling. “I know. I’m not used to being in a relationship, not used to sharing everything about myself with someone. But I do trust you not to hurt me.” She fell silent, thinking. “You’re worrying too much,” he murmured. She shook her head. “Hey now, what were we just talking about? No holding back. Talk to me.” 101
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“You’re needed back with your pack. I’m being selfish. I think we should go back tomorrow.” “It’s not selfish. I know you’re worried about living on the estate. I understand that you’re scared you won’t fit in. I promise you that given time you will. The pack will be fine without me for a couple more days. If things change we may have to move suddenly. But you’ve only got a few more days of work. The pack can wait that long.” “Thank you for being so patient with me. I know it hasn’t been easy for you.” “I always want to do what’s best for you, Cassie, always.” She hugged him, aware of how lucky she was to have found such a wonderful man.
***** He was impossible. For the last two nights, he’d sat in Fat Eddy’s and scowled menacingly at every male customer who’d come in. Didn’t matter how old, young, fat, smart or dumb, he seemed to take exception to every one of them. She was getting the worst tips ever. She’d attempted to get him to stay at home, but he’d refused, insisting on coming with her. Each night she hoped he’d get better. That he’d see she wasn’t in any danger. But if anything, he was getting worse. “Stop growling.” Her hands found their way to her hips as she glowered at him. He was sitting at his usual table, his back to the wall, facing the door so he could see everyone who entered. “What?” he snapped back. His previously rare displays of temper had become more common of late. She knew he was feeling the strain of being away from the pack, but each time she tried to broach the subject he brushed her aside. Yep, he was impossible. “You’re scaring all my customers. I’ve made a measly thirty bucks in tips tonight. If you can’t be nice, stay at home.” 102
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“They’re flirting with you and you’re encouraging it.” Anger had brightened his eyes so they seemed to shimmer, even in the dim light of the bar. “That’s the way it works, Jay. If I want tips, I give my customers what they want. If they want to flirt, I flirt.” “You give them what they want?” His voice was ominously soft as he frowned up at her. Cassie sighed. “I didn’t mean it like that, you fool. You’re being absolutely ridiculous. Women the world over go to work without a guard dog. I don’t need your protection, Jay.” “Too bad,” he rumbled, his tone telling her that he didn’t give a hoot what she thought. “You’ve got it, and I’m staying where I am. Stop the flirting, or I’ll stop it for you.” His gaze roamed the room once more, dismissing her. Holding back the impulse to stomp her foot and screech like a banshee, she turned away. Gripping the dirty plates tightly in her hands, tempted to smash them over his stubborn head, she walked into the kitchen. She knew male werewolves were protective of their mates, but this was over the top. The gloves had come off. She’d given her commitment to a relationship with him and he’d dropped all pretense of normality and had become a possessive, overprotective lunatic. “You have got to do something about your damn guard dog out there.” Ella slammed her way into the kitchen and dropped the pile of plates she held onto the bench. The bottom one smashed, which sent her off cursing loudly. “Bad enough that he growls at any male customers you have. But now he’s scaring away mine as well! Even my tits aren’t getting tips, and we both know the girls never strike out.” Cassie had to smile at that, even though Ella wasn’t joking. “I’m serious, Cass. At this rate I’m not going to be able to buy any groceries let alone this cute pair of heels I saw online.” Ella was addicted to online shopping. A pang of guilt hit Cassie. Ella was right. Jay was acting like a pit bull guarding his bone. It had to stop. 103
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“I know, I’m sorry, but he insists on coming with me to work each day. I’ve tried talking, pleading, yelling—he ignores me. Maybe I should go back to Landon with him now instead of working out my notice.” Ella suddenly grabbed her by the shoulders, spinning her around before shaking her hard. “If you want to work out your notice, work out your notice. Although, believe me, you don’t owe that sleaze Jimmy anything. Stand up to Jay.” “Do you know how hard it is to argue with a brick wall?” Irritated, Cassie shrugged off Ella’s hands. “Then do what I do. Use sex to get your way.” A snort of laughter escaped her. “Yeah, I don’t think I can do that.” I don’t have the gumption, do I? “You’ve gotta do something, Cass. We’re dying out there. I know you’ve got a brain, get creative.” Cassie spent the rest of her shift thinking. As the last patrons were leaving at closing time, she grabbed Ella, drawing her aside. “You know, I do have an idea. I’m going to need some help, though.” She quietly outlined her plan to Ella. When she was finished, Ella let out a small whoop. “And here I thought you were such a nice girl.”
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Chapter Ten Two days later, her plan was ready to go. Her nerves were wound so tight she felt a little lightheaded and ill. She could do this, though. She had to do this. It was time to show Jay that she wasn’t a pushover. If she let him continue bossing her around then she’d never break him of the habit. It wasn’t that she didn’t want his protection, she did. But he was overwhelming her with his hovering. Guilt gnawed at her. She’d heard so many women complain about how little attention they received from their husbands and boyfriends. Their men went to work, they came home, ate, drank, watched TV, went to bed, and that was it. She didn’t want that, to be ignored. But she needed to have her views heard and taken seriously. To do that, though, she had to first get his attention. Boy was she going to get his attention. Looking at herself in the mirror one last time, she took a fortifying breath, almost pitching her breasts out of the cups of the miniscule gown Ella had given her. Cassie had never owned anything so provocative, so revealing and so incredibly sexy in her life. Pinching her cheeks to add color, she winked at herself. She felt attractive. The crimson-colored nightie stretched tightly over her breasts then flowed out from her body in a wave of sheer, soft lace. She was bare beneath the lace, which ended midway down her thighs. Red high heels were an added touch she would never have thought of, but Ella had insisted she borrow them. Moving toward the closed bedroom door, Cassie looked back at the bed, making certain everything was ready. Taking a deep breath, she opened the door, her gaze drawn to where Jay sat on the sofa, flicking through the TV channels.
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She knew it was tough on him, being here when the pack needed him at home. They hadn’t figured out who had bombed the shop yet, but Jay said Cooper was waiting for Dusty to come home to organize a pack gathering. Hopefully, the werewolf who bombed the shop belonged to one of the packs nearby and Dusty would be able to pinpoint who he or she was. She’d tried to convince Jay to go back to the estate. That she would follow. But he refused every time, and each day he got grouchier and more overprotective. She knew he liked to be in control. As an enforcer, he was used to taking care of others, taking charge. It was instinct, second nature. But Ella was right, if she let him get away with this behavior now, it would send him the wrong message. He would think that he could act this way all the time. No way was she going to have that. “Jay,” she whispered huskily. His gaze rose, his eyes widening with astonishment. His mouth dropped open slightly as he stared over at her. “Umm,” he murmured. Hunger was clearly etched on his face and she felt her body stir in reply. Their sex life had suffered since he’d started behaving like an overprotective idiot. But her attempt to punish him by withholding herself was backfiring on her. She was suffering just as badly as he was, if not more. “Come here.” She beckoned at him with a finger, feeling a bit foolish—after all, what did she know about seduction? He rose suddenly and walked toward her, his gaze roaming her body. His reaction was everything she could have hoped for and more. As he walked toward her, she quickly took a step back, avoiding his reaching hands. She had to remain in complete control. Which was much, much harder than it sounded. “What? I’m not allowed to touch?” He followed her to the bed, his gaze hungry. She dangled the eye mask from her fingers and waved toward the bed where two fluffy sets of handcuffs were already attached and dangling from the iron rungs of the headboard. 106
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“No, you’re not. Now lie down like a good boy.” His eyes narrowed, the arousal in them clearing for a second. She forced herself not to panic, knowing he’d be able to hear her heart race. “Don’t you have to go to work soon?” “Let me worry about that,” she purred, her hands moving to undo his belt, deliberately not answering. She didn’t want to be forced into a lie, knowing he’d sense it. Surprisingly, he let her strip him without another word, his gaze, piercing in its intensity, locked on her face. When he lay back and let her cuff him to the bed, she almost sighed in relief. Instead, she covered her reaction with a long, searching kiss that left them both panting like racehorses after a heat. Barely holding back a grin, Cassie covered his eyes with the mask. “Remember, love, what happened to you the last time you tied me up.” Cassie shivered, remembering all too well, knowing this time wouldn’t result in anything close to that pleasurable experience. He was going to be furious with her, she knew. But he’d get over it, and hopefully he’d realize his behavior was out of order. She might be fragile in comparison to him, but she wasn’t weak and she wouldn’t be smothered. It was a fine balance, she realized. She loved having his attention, loved knowing that he cared so much about her. She loved him. She did. Even if he had been driving her nuts lately. Believing it was unfair to tie him up and leave him hungering, Cassie began kissing her way down his smooth chest. She straddled his head and shoulders, facing away from him, then licked her way down his stomach. She yelped, startled as his hot tongue swiped through her folds. Turning sharply, she almost fell onto the bed. “I haven’t lost all my senses, love. I can still smell and, yum, taste.” She didn’t know whether to laugh or scold.
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“Now get back over here so I can continue,” he ordered, obviously expecting to be obeyed. “Oh no,” she replied, straddling his stomach this time so she could easily reach his quivering, thick rod. “You’re not distracting me from my prize.” “What pr—? Ahh.” He let out a loud moan as she licked up his shaft before twirling her tongue around the thick head. “Far be it for me to deny you,” he panted as she continued to bathe him until he glistened. Drawing back, she clasped his cock between her hands, running them up and down, loving the feel of him—warm, heavy, satisfyingly aroused. Then, clasping the base of his erection, she took as much of him as she could into her mouth until his tip touched the back of her throat. Swallowing, her own need grew with his appreciative moan. “Ride me, Cassie. God, ride me.” She moved back and shook her head before realizing he couldn’t see her. “No.” “Yes. Bring that luscious pussy up to my mouth so I can make sure you’re ready, then ride me.” Sighing in irritation, she shook her head yet again. “Have you forgotten who is in charge here, mister?” “My sweet little dictator, you can make all the moves.” “Really?” she asked in disbelief. “Really, and I know you’re longing to move that sweet pussy up here so I can lick those plump lips and suck on your little clit. Come here, love.” “No,” she replied. But when he tensed she realized he was going to try to break the bonds. She moved. “Stay still,” she ordered. 108
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Quickly shimmying her way down his body, she grabbed his cock, slipping a condom over him before she slowly impaled herself. “Oh, Cassie, love, that’s the way. Now ride me, baby, ride me.” “I should have gagged you,” she panted, indeed riding that thick, sexy cock. Orgasm took her by surprise. Intense and furious, her shout of satisfaction filled the room. Still driving herself down onto his shaft, she leaned over so she could take his mouth with hers. She kissed him hungrily, madly until his own cry of joy erupted. She fell against him, exhausted. Shaken by her reaction—she hadn’t meant to find orgasm herself—it took a moment for Cassie to gather the energy and wits to move off Jay’s delectable body. “Stay still, I’m not finished with you yet,” she ordered huskily. Stumbling slightly, her legs shaking, she moved to the bathroom. Stripping naked, she tugged on the work clothes she’d set out earlier. “Cassie?” Jay called. “I’m coming back,” she answered him. “What you doing?” “Tidying myself up,” she replied, close to tears as the zipper of her shorts became stuck. Betrayal, nerves and a little excitement shimmied through her body, leaving her feeling breathless. Jay must have picked up on her clash of emotions as she noticed him stir. At last the zipper moved and she threw on her t-shirt as she raced back to the bed. Cassie leaned over and kissed Jay on the forehead. “Don’t be too mad, okay?” She walked swiftly toward the door. “I’ll bring you back some dinner.” “Cassie.” His voice was a low rumble. “What’s going on, what do you mean ‘don’t be mad’? What have you done?” “I’ll see you later. Don’t strain against the handcuffs,” she ordered, wincing as she noticed him trying to break free. “You’ll hurt yourself. I had silver cuffs covered in
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fluffy material. They won’t hurt you, just weaken you a little so you won’t be able to break free or shift.” “What? Why?” he yelled. “Because I have to go to work. Without you. Bye,” she yelled at him before slamming the apartment door shut. “You sure about this?” Josh’s voice startled her. His face was as serious as she’d ever seen it as he leaned against the wall outside her apartment. “No,” she sniffled, wiping under her eyes to catch any stray tears. Lord, she felt terrible about locking Jay to the bed. “But I had to do it.” She’d told Josh her plans, to stop him from storming into her apartment when he heard Jay crying out—if Jay decided to yell out. She wasn’t certain his pride would allow him to ask for help. It wasn’t necessary to tell her other neighbor. Mr. Rawson was as deaf as a post and nearly as blind. “Go on then, get to work. I’m leaving in an hour for Chicago. See you when I get back.” Leaning down, he gave her a hug and she smiled. “Thanks for everything, Josh,” she whispered. “Hey.” He wiped his thumbs over her cheeks. “I’ll be back in a few days, I’ll see you then.” “If Jay hasn’t killed me.” Josh’s eyes darkened as he frowned. “You think he’ll hurt you?” “No.” She shook her head, smiling. “He’d never hurt me. He might lock me up for a year, but he’d never hurt me.” Josh snorted. “If you were mine, I’d spank your ass for a stunt like this.” “I’ve got to go.” She began walking, unable to stand outside her door any longer when Jay was naked and bound inside. She was tempted to turn tail, run back inside the apartment and resume the position she’d just left. 110
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“Tempting, very, very tempting,” she muttered to herself, still shaking as she began to walk briskly down the block. She glanced at her watch. “Drat, I’m going to be late.” “Do you always talk to yourself?” A smooth voice spoke behind her. Gasping, she stopped and turned. Her hand came up to clasp at her chest, as though trying to prevent her heart from jackhammering its way free. “Brynn.” She cleared her throat, gathering her nerves and her voice. “What are you, umm, doing here?” Her gaze darted around the street. Alarmed to find they were alone, she pulled away slowly. His lips twitched as though he were amused by her nervousness. He was as beautiful as she’d remembered. And her libido didn’t stir one bit. Probably due to the hunk tied to her bed. “I’m sorry, I wish I could stay and chat, but I’ve got to go to work.” “Didn’t your mama teach you that it’s not nice to lie, little doe?” Her eyes narrowed at him as once again she wondered who he was. “Don’t call me little doe. And I wasn’t lying. I do need to go to work.” He grinned down at her. “Oh, I know that, it was the sorry part that was a lie. So where’s the guard dog?” “He’s not my guard dog.” “Hmm, isn’t he?” “What does that mean?” “Didn’t you say you had to get to work?” Abruptly he turned and walked away, leaving her gaping after him. “Hey, wait—” “You’re going to be late,” was all he said as he disappeared around the corner of a building. “Urgh. Weirdo.” She pondered the strange man for a moment. She wasn’t scared of him, simply cautious. She made a mental note to tell Jay about him. 111
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That was, if he didn’t kill her before she could explain.
***** “Jeez, Cass, will you chill out? Break one more plate and you’ll be owing this place money rather than making any. Bad enough that pit bull of yours has all our regulars wetting their pants, now you’re so nervous they’re wondering when the tsunami’s going to hit.” Cassie attempted a smile, but her nerves were too jumpy for anything more than a meager offering. “Sorry.” She blew out a breath. “I feel bad, you know? Leaving him there like that. I mean, I only have another few days of working, I should have—” “Cassie!” Ella took her by the shoulders and shook her. “Stop worrying. He’s perfectly safe. You’ll get home and find him a bit pissed and embarrassed, but he’ll get over it. I mean, what’s he going to do when you both go back to Landon? He can’t go to work with you then, can he? He’s turned into a lunatic. Now he’ll get the message that we don’t need him here, scaring all our customers.” “Oh, he’s gotten the message all right.” The dark, lethally quiet voice came from the kitchen doorway. Letting out impressively theatrical gasps, both women turned to find Jay standing in the doorway. “Oh fuck,” Cassie swore, feeling her heart sink as she gazed into Jay’s livid eyes. His face remained expressionless, aloof, but his eyes betrayed his fury. “I think there’s been quite enough of that today, Cassie, don’t you?” he spoke quietly. She gulped. “You’re really mad, aren’t you?” she whispered back, feeling herself pale as her stomach tied itself into knots. She detested confrontations, hated disappointing others. Especially him. With her brain screaming at her to run away from the big mad wolf standing before her, it took all of her strength to stand her ground and face him. 112
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“We’ll talk when I’ve finished work?” “I’ll be waiting in my usual place,” he replied before he turned and left the kitchen. Both women let out sighs of relief that would have been funny in any other circumstances. As it was, Cassie had to lean against the kitchen counter to stay upright. She felt weak with shock. “Shit. You want to sneak out the back? You can hide out at my place,” Ella offered. Cassie shook her head. “Thanks, but he’d find me.” “How the hell did he get free? Did Josh let him go?” Cassie groaned, exhausted. “I don’t know.” “Well, come on, we better get to work or else you’ll be fired before you can even work out your notice.” Confidence fully restored, Ella smoothed down her skintight t-shirt before striding out into the bar. Moving at a much slower, far less confident pace, Cassie followed her, and soon learned exactly how Jay had escaped. He’d been set free by his stern, disapproving older brother. “Who’s the hunk?” Ella whispered. “Jay’s older brother, Ryan.” “What’s he doing here?” “I don’t know.” Why would Ryan be here when the pack is already down three enforcers? She had a bad feeling about this. “Hmm, I tell you what. I’ll do you a favor and take their table for you.” Without a backward glance, Ella strode toward the table where Jay and Ryan sat. Cassie couldn’t help but watch. Much as she’d like to turn away, she couldn’t. She looked on as Ella rocked up, all sexy allure and confidence. She stared as Ella leaned right over into Ryan’s face, giving him a good view of her breasts.
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She gaped as Ella rocked back on her heels, standing straight and stiff. Then she turned quickly to wipe at the table beside her, as Ella turned on her heel and stormed her way across the room. “Forget it, you take care of them.” “Oh yay,” Cassie muttered, procrastinating. She continued to wipe the table even though it was as clean as it was going to get. When she noticed Jay walking toward the restroom, she breathed a sigh of relief. As soon as he was out of sight, she stalked over to where Ryan was sitting. “What can I get you, Ryan?” she asked. “My brother back home where he belongs, without you,” he replied harshly. Air left her lungs in a huge whoosh at his cold, disdainful tone. “I-I’ll see what I c-can do,” she stuttered before turning tail and practically running out the front door of the bar. Leaning against the wall, she concentrated on breathing. She held a trembling hand over her eyes. “What’s wrong, Cassie?” She dropped her hand, startled to find Jay standing before her. “Don’t sneak up on me,” she snapped. Taking a step forward, she attempted to move around him. But Jay merely shifted so he was standing in her way. He continued to do this for the next thirty seconds, as she lost what dignity she had left and attempted to dodge her way around his irritatingly quick, wide body. “Let me past, Jay.” “We need to talk.” “I have to finish my shift,” she replied as calmly as she could. “Don’t try to shut me out, Cassie. We’ll talk now. Ella can handle it all for a bit.” “Jay—”
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“You’ve got a lot of explaining to do. I can’t believe you cuffed me in silver and then took off on your own. What did you think you were doing, Cassie? What possessed you? Was this Ella’s idea?” “No, this was not Ella’s idea.” She glared at him. “I can think for myself. This was all my idea and it’s all your fault.” “My fault?” He put a hand to his chest. “It’s my fault I was handcuffed naked to the bed? It’s my fault that I had to yell for help? Which no one responded to until Rye arrived and picked the lock on the handcuffs. Is it my fault that I spent three of the worst hours of my life wondering if you were safe? You left me, Cassie. Why?” Her anger deflated at the hurt she heard in his voice. The very real concern she saw clouding his eyes was her undoing. “I didn’t leave you, Jay. I had to have some room to breathe. It’s just—” “You think I smother you. You don’t want my protection, my attention?” He started to turn away but she grabbed his arm, stalling him. Hugging him from behind, she whispered against his back, knowing he could easily hear her. “No, it’s not that.” She bit at her lower lip. “Tell me then, Cassie. What is this about?” “I love the attention you give me. That you protect me. Nobody has ever loved me or noticed me the way you do.” “Then why?” “I guess it’s like being freezing cold and then stifling hot. Going from one extreme to the other is hard for me to deal with. I didn’t quite expect it. I mean, I’ve seen Cooper with Laney, I’ve seen how attentive he is, but I didn’t think you’d act that way toward me. Look, we’ve been together for such a short time. It’s going to take us a while to get used to each other, to iron out all the kinks. We need to get some better communication happening. I tried to talk to you, but you blew me off.” She tried not to make it into an accusation.
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He turned and clasped her cheeks in his hands, raising her face up to his. “I love you. And the thought of someone hurting you, of you being unhappy or in pain… I want to prevent that. I’m sorry that I didn’t listen to you.” “I know you do. But you were growling at every customer who even looked at me. Poor Mr. Jensen drops his gaze to his feet every time I come near. He went to take a sip of beer yesterday and completely missed his mouth.” Jay grinned. “Okay, point taken, maybe I could ease off a little. But it’s mainly because I’m in unknown territory. Once we get back to the estate, I’ll ease up and you’ll have much more freedom.” “Are you sure the pack will accept me?” Old insecurities were hard to let go of, and she still didn’t have his confidence about the pack accepting her. Particularly after Ryan was so cold to her just now. “Of course they will, why wouldn’t they? You’re wonderful.” “Ryan doesn’t seem to think so. I don’t think you’ve thought this through, Jay.” Jay grabbed her arm suddenly, startling her. “What did Rye say?” “It doesn’t matter. I better get back to work,” she said quickly, not wanting him to question her further. “Ella will be tearing her hair out.” “No great loss there,” he muttered. “Hey,” she punched him lightly in the arm as she passed, “I think her hair’s funky.” “Cassie.” She stopped at the door, turning toward him. “Look, ignore Rye. He doesn’t speak for the pack. Everything is going to be all right. Okay?” “Okay,” she replied, still feeling uncertain. Leaning down, he gave her a hard, bruising kiss. “Good, now get your butt back to work before you get fired.” “Urgh.” She glared up at him in mock anger before turning and walking away, smiling as she heard him chuckle behind her.
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Chapter Eleven “Ahh, the person I was looking for.” Cassie gasped, dropping the rubbish bag she’d been carrying. “Drat. Were you trying to sneak up on me? Couldn’t you have made some noise or something?” Ryan appeared mildly surprised as he peered down at her. Then he picked up the bag of rubbish and threw it into the dumpster. “We need to talk.” She frowned. “Why? What about?” He leaned back against the wall of Fat Eddy’s. “Don’t act dense. You know what I’m talking about. You need to leave him.” “Excuse me?” “You need to leave Jay, break things off with him. Tell him you don’t want to be with him, that it was all a lie, whatever. But you need to ensure that he comes back to the pack, and that you don’t come with him.” Pain lashed her insides but she kept her face impassive. She was not going to give him the satisfaction of knowing he’d wounded her. “What gives you the right to decide Jay’s life for him?” “Look, it’s nothing personal, I’m sure you’ll make someone a good wife, partner, whatever, one day. But you’re not right for Jay. And seeing as how he won’t listen to me, you’ve got to see sense or you’re both doomed.” “What are you talking about?” “Werewolves and humans aren’t supposed to mix. He knows that, he’s experienced it before and he doesn’t deserve a repeat heartache. Do you know he swore never to be 117
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with a human woman again after that bitch Lia hurt him? I won’t let you fuck him over. You’re not his true mate, you can’t be. What if he finds her? What do you think will happen then? I’m trying to save you both some heartache in the long run. I’ll give you the money to set yourself up somewhere else.” Her jaw dropped. “You’re going to pay me to leave your brother.” This was bizarre, unbelievable. “The pack needs Jay home. What he doesn’t need is for you to tag along. All I’m asking is that you do the right thing. Give him a chance to find his true mate. If you loved him, you’d do that for him.” “Is that the only reason you came here? To convince me to let him go?” “Actually, I came to convince him to come home. Without you. But he won’t listen. You should.” With that said he turned away, leaving a spluttering Cassie staring after him in shock. “Are you going to let him get away with that?” The low voice came from behind her and she turned, placing her hand against her chest. “Why does everyone have to sneak up on me?” she gasped, glaring up at Brynn. “You can’t let him talk to you that way,” he commented mildly, staring down at her. He looked completely out of place in the grubby alley, dressed in an expensive white shirt, dark pants and blazer. “You roll over and he’s going walk all over you. You have to get in there and tell him what you think of his suggestion.” “I can’t. I can’t go in there and make a scene.” “Why not?” “B-because I c-can’t,” she stuttered. “Anyway, why should I take your advice? Who are you? How did you even hear what we were talking about?” He smiled. “I have my ways. It doesn’t matter why I’m giving you advice, only that you should take it.”
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“But he’s Jay’s brother, I should try to get along with him.” “Why? Is he trying to get along with you? No. Or is it that you don’t think your relationship is worth fighting for? If that’s the case then shrug off what he said, let your werewolf leave and find a relationship you would fight to protect, to keep.” She swallowed, feeling sick, knowing he was right. Bloody hell. “Do you want to be with Jay?” “Of course I do.” She wasn’t quite sure why she was standing here, still talking to him. He was a stranger, he was weird. Yet she needed some advice, and for some reason he was trying to give her some. “But you don’t care if his pack regards you as beneath him? As inferior?” “Of course I care. I want them to accept me.” “Then you have to fight back. You have to earn their respect.” He turned away. “Wait. Who are you?” She ran after him, reaching out to grab his arm, confused when she found herself grasping at air. She hadn’t even seen him move, yet now he stood two yards away. “How did you do that?” He grinned at her. “Oh, I’m full of hidden talents.” She narrowed her eyes at him. “You’re not human, are you? What are you?” “Ahh, I’m something you’ve probably never met before. But enough about me. Now are you going to walk inside and teach that werewolf not to mess with you? Are you going to fight for what you want?” “I still don’t understand why you’re trying to help me. I don’t know you.” “Don’t you? Don’t you recognize me?” She tried to think. Had she met him before? “I’m told I look a lot like my father.”
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Again, nothing clicked. “Your mother never told you what your father looked like? No, I guess not. I’m here because of you, Cassie. I can’t tell you everything right now, but trust me in this. If you plan on living with werewolves, you have to take a stand. Stick up for yourself.” “What? No. Hey wait,” she called out, moving after him as he started walking away. “Are you saying that you know my father?” “I knew him. Because he was my father too.” With that he simply disappeared. Cassie chased after him, racing around the corner of the building, certain he’d be there. But there was no one in sight. She took a deep breath, trying to still her shaking. “What the hell? What the hell?” she whispered to herself. “Cassie? Cassie, where are you? Oh, there you are. What on earth are you doing? I thought you were taking the trash out but you’ve been gone twenty minutes.” Cassie turned and gazed at Ella. The look of annoyance faded from the other woman’s face as she stepped forward and grasped Cassie’s arm. “Hey, are you all right? You look as if you’ve seen a ghost.” “Yeah, or a figment of my imagination.” “What?” “Nothing, umm, I’m fine.” “Yeah? You don’t look fine, you’re pale and shaking.” Cassie shook herself. “I, umm, had a run-in with Ryan. It shook me up a bit.” Ella snorted. “I’m not surprised, that guy is a jerk. I hope you told him where to go.” “No.” Cassie shook her head, building up her courage. She wasn’t going to let Ryan push her away from Jay. She wasn’t going to settle for living on the outside looking in. Jay was hers and if she had to fight for him she would. “But I’m about to.”
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“Oh, goody. Wait, let me go and get into a good position. I don’t want to miss a second of this.” Ella turned and practically ran through the back entrance of Fat Eddy’s. Cassie moved at a slower pace, trying to push her thoughts about Brynn to the side. She couldn’t do anything about some mysterious half brother at the moment, but she could show an arrogant, cold werewolf that she wasn’t going to roll over and play dead. Taking a deep, bolstering breath, she stepped into Fat Eddy’s and walked over to where Ryan and Jay sat. Cassie came to a stop beside them and slammed her palm down on the table. Both men looked up at her—Jay with surprise, Ryan with a cool, dismissive glance. She leaned down and stared into Ryan’s face. His eyes widened before he narrowed them, glaring at her. Cassie forced herself to stay still, not dropping her gaze. She wasn’t going to show any submission to this werewolf. Something that may have been surprise flickered across his face. It passed so fast she wasn’t sure whether she’d imagined it or not. “No.” “No?” Jay’s hand covered hers. “No, what? What’s going on?” “Nothing,” Ryan snapped. “Your brother told me to leave you. He doesn’t think I’m good enough for you. I disagree.” She didn’t take her eyes off Ryan, determined not to give in. “I’m not easily scared off. I love Jay. I deserve him. And I’m not going to let anyone, including you, scare me away. Got it?” Ryan glared back until she figured they were going to be stuck there forever, staring at each other. Either that or he’d growl at her. Her insides quivered. “What, exactly, did he say to you?” Jay asked quietly. “It was a private conversation,” Ryan interjected, his voice a low growl. She stood her ground. She knew Jay wouldn’t let him hurt her.
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“That if I loved you, I’d leave you, let you find someone who deserved you. He even offered to set me up somewhere else.” “Boy, what a jerk,” Ella remarked, her voice scornful. “You should be thankful Jay found someone as kind, generous and lovely as Cassie.” Ryan glared at Ella until she paled slightly and turned away. “I was simply trying to convince her to do what’s best for both of you.” Jay let out a low, lethal growl and she saw both men tense, ready to fight. “Jay!” she exclaimed sharply, relieved when his eyes turned her way. They were shining, glittering—the wolf was close to the surface. He visibly shook himself before turning back to his brother. Cassie took a deep breath. “I’m not going, no matter what you do, I won’t leave him.” “Let’s go somewhere private for this, shall we?” Ryan looked over at Jay. “Alone.” Cassie swallowed. “I’ll just—” “Lead us to somewhere private,” Jay interrupted her. He glared at Ryan. “This concerns Cassie as well. I’m not having this conversation without her.” Cassie sent him a small smile before turning and walking through the kitchen into the large storeroom. Ryan closed the door and leaned back against it, scowling at them. “Do you want me to come back to the pack, Rye?” Jay asked. “Of course I do, it’s your home, where you belong. Why? Is she trying to convince you not to come back?” “Stop assigning her the role of the bad guy, Rye. I love Cassie. I intend to spend the rest of my life with her.” “What about what Cassie wants?” Ryan turned to her. “You’ll be an outsider. There are no other humans living on the estate. You’ll be different from everyone else. The majority of the pack have never lived with a human. They won’t like it, they won’t like 122
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you. At best, you’ll be treated as a guest. At worst, you’ll be ostracized. Is that really what you want?” Actually, it sounded awful, to be excluded, ignored…that wasn’t how she wanted to live her life anymore. But this was Jay’s home they were talking about and she would try to live there, for him. Besides, she was determined to make an effort, not to hide herself away. They’d just have to accept her. She held her shoulders straight and stared Ryan right in the eyes. “They’ll have to get used to living with a human, won’t they? We’re actually not that bad, once you get to know us. We’re toilet-trained, we don’t smell and most of us have good manners. Can you say the same?” Jay stepped slightly in front of her as Ryan’s eyes flashed amber. “There’s no way I would allow Cassie to be treated so poorly.” Ryan’s gaze moved off her to focus in on Jay, and Cassie shivered with relief. Ryan was truly scary. “So you won’t be bringing her back?” “No, I will be. But we won’t be staying if the pack treats her so badly. I won’t live with a pack who would treat my mate like that.” Cassie stared at Jay’s back, tears welling up at his words. “They won’t know how to treat her. She has no place in the pack. Even if they make the effort to be polite, to be respectful, she’ll have no role, no contribution. Is that what you want for her?” “No, not at all, which is why I spoke to Cooper. He’s agreed to let us petition the advisors, asking for Cassie to be accepted as an honorary packmate.” Ryan gaped at him, stunned. Cassie had to resist asking him what the hell he was talking about. She’d wait until later, when they were alone. “You’ll never win the vote.”
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Jay shrugged. “If we don’t, then we’ll see how things go. But if Cassie dislikes living in the pack, brother, if she’s treated with anything less than the respect and warmth she deserves, then we will leave. Cassie is willing to try to live with the pack to make me happy, how can I do anything less?” “You owe your loyalty to the pack,” Ryan rumbled. “Yes, and other than one lapse in judgment years ago, I have always done my best, given my all. But Cassie is my mate, she comes first.” “But she’s not your true mate, she isn’t a werewolf. I thought you would have learned your lesson after Lia.” “Cassie isn’t Lia.” “You’d leave your pack, your family for her?” “In a heartbeat.” Jay sighed. “Enough. You won’t ever understand. I think it’s best we say our goodbyes now, you’re needed back home.” Ryan shook his head and left, closing the door behind him. Cassie immediately jumped into Jay’s arms. “Thank you,” she murmured. He ran his hands down her back. “For what?” “For sticking up for me like that.” “I will always have your back.” He grinned. “I can’t believe you told Rye off. You know, he’s not used to people speaking to him that way, especially not a human.” She gulped. “Is he really mad?” “Yeah, but don’t worry. He knows where I stand now.” “But wouldn’t he have sensed your lie? About leaving the pack?” He began kissing down her neck and she clasped his shoulders, leaning into him. “No, because it wasn’t a lie.” He cupped her face. “If you don’t like living with my pack then we’ll leave.”
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He kissed her deeply—long, slow and sweet. When he drew back, she gazed up at him, astounded. “Y-you mean that? You’d give up living with the pack, your family, for me?” “Yes. I love you. You’re willing to live with the pack, even though you’re afraid and unsure, how could I be willing to sacrifice anything less?” “But what about you? They’re your family, you wouldn’t be happy living apart from them.” “Yes, I would. Because I’d be with you. I will not have you treated as anything less than the wonderful person you are. Yes, they’re my family and I will miss them. But I cannot live without you. If you wish it, we’ll go somewhere else. You come first, baby, and you always will.” Her insides melted and she took his mouth in a rough, scorching kiss. “God, I love you. So much.” He clasped her face, staring intently into her eyes. Reaching into his front pocket, he withdrew a small ring box. “Cassidy Callington, I love you. Will you marry me?” He flicked open the lid and she gasped. Inside was the hugest, ugliest ring she’d ever seen. “It looks like something out of a Cracker Jack box,” she blurted out, slamming a hand over her mouth as she realized how rude that sounded. He merely chuckled. “Not quite, it’s from a junk shop. There’s no jewelry store here. The ring box, Ella provided and, well, I hope you’re not too disappointed. I’ll get you a real one when I can. But if you agree to marry me, I want everyone to know you’re mine. I don’t want to wait.” “Even though Ryan was right and I can never be your true mate? Never have that bond?” Laney had once explained the true mate bond to her as a linking of souls. Cooper and Laney could communicate through their link. Sense one another’s feelings and thoughts. It sounded…magical.
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He clasped her face firmly. “You are my life. We have a tie just as strong, just as real and special. And I know that both of us will fight to keep what we have. Marry me, Cassie. I’ll love you for eternity. No matter where we are or what we do, you’ll always be in my mind and filling my heart.” Tears welled in her eyes, blurring his face, but the intensity of his feelings still shone through. She reached for his hand. “That’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever heard. Sometimes I can’t quite believe that you really love me. I get this shock when I realize this is all real, not a dream.” She held out her left hand. “I would love to marry you.” “Thank God,” he whispered before leaning down to kiss her lovingly. Then he placed the garish ring on her finger as tears escaped down her cheeks. “Hey, no crying. The big, bad wolf is gone now. He can’t hurt you anymore.” He wiped her cheeks with his thumbs. “It’s not that, I wouldn’t waste tears on him. These are happy tears.” “Ahh.” He grinned. “Well, good.” He took her mouth with his, his hands almost shaking as he began stripping her shirt off. “Jay,” she whispered, trying to sound stern. She grabbed his hands. “What do you think you’re doing?” He grinned, devilish glee filling his face. “I’ve always longed to have sex in a storeroom, haven’t you?” She blushed. “Someone will hear us,” she protested, but didn’t stop him as he undid her jeans, pushing them and her panties down her legs, tugging them completely off her. “Then you’ll have to be very quiet, won’t you?” he whispered as he cupped her breasts. His thumbs circled her nipples until they strained against the lacy bra confining them.
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She whimpered. “Shh now, baby.” She watched as he tugged his jeans and boxers down. Yum. It didn’t matter how often she saw him naked, he still had the power to leave her breathless and aching. “Hmm, aching?” She blushed, realizing she’d spoken aloud. “Poor baby, shall I kiss it and make it all better?” He began kissing down her jaw. “Uh-huh.” “Does it hurt here?” He kissed the sensitive crease between her neck and shoulder. “Umm,” she moaned as he reached down and cupped her mound, teasing her. “What about here?” His mouth moved to her collarbone. “Y-yes.” “What about here? Are these hurting, my love?” His free hand cupped her left breast, holding it up so he could kiss her nipple through her bra. She whimpered as her other nipple received the same treatment. “Hmm, these seem very sore, my love, let me kiss them all better.” “Oh yes.” He showered her breasts with attention as she bit her lip to hold in her cries. Suddenly, she found herself turned, facing the wall. Jay pushed on her shoulders. “Bend over. Place your hands on that crate.” She did as he ordered, reaching down to rest her hands on the wooden crate before her. Jay moved her feet apart, splitting her legs wide. “Hurry up, before someone comes in to get something.” “Yes ma’am.” His legs brushed up against the back of her thighs before he entered her slowly, pushing inside her, filling her bit by delicious bit.
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Once he was fully seated within her, he paused, letting them both get used to the heavenly delight. Then he moved. Hard. Fast. Explosive. He held her hips, keeping her still as he drove her higher with each deep plunge. She clenched her teeth, fighting back orgasm, trying to hold on to some semblance of control. But it was useless. He was never going to let her hold back from him. Ripples of release slammed through her, stealing her breath, robbing her mind. Jay lifted her so her feet were completely off the ground. She forgot where she was, forgot about remaining quiet as he drove into her again and again. Then Jay slammed into her, stiffening, letting out a low groan of satisfaction. Breathless, Cassie would have collapsed if he weren’t still holding her up. “Wow,” she panted. “Yeah,” he replied, equally as breathless. She wiggled in his hold until he set her down. Turning, she sat on the crate, yelping as the rough wood scraped the tender skin of her bottom. She jumped back up and tugged on her jeans. “How loud were we?” she asked, blushing. Jay chuckled. “I wasn’t loud at all. You were the one screaming.” “Oh Lord.” She covered her face with her hands. “I can’t go back out there.” He tugged her hands from her face before leaning in and kissing her. A leisurely, tender kiss that had her toes curling. She swayed as he let her go. “You’re braver than you give yourself credit for. Not many would stand up to my brother. If you can do that, then you can easily go back out there and finish your shift.” She smiled at him. “I guess you’re right.” “I know I am.” He turned and gave her a small push. “Get moving, wench.”
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Chapter Twelve “Oh man, that was the longest shift ever,” Cassie complained as they climbed into bed that night. “Was it my imagination or was everyone staring at us?” “Your imagination. Well, mostly.” He winked at her and she blushed. “Jay, what were you talking about when you told Ryan about petitioning advisors?” “I’d like to petition the pack advisors for you to be accepted as a full packmate. It means you’d truly be part of the pack, included in everything, be allowed a voice, be able to contribute.” “So who are these advisors? And why did you never mention this to me?” “Well, we have a temporary setup at the moment, with the enforcers acting as the advisors, Laney too. When Cooper took over the pack, he got rid of any advisors Zachary used. They were corrupt, evil.” “So Cooper doesn’t vote?” “Well, yeah, he can have the final vote if necessary, but he generally only votes if there’s a tie.” “Great, that’s great.” “Don’t worry, everything will be all right. We’ll win, I know we will. I didn’t tell you because I had to check with Cooper first. I didn’t want to get your hopes up in case he said no. It’s up to you, though. We don’t have to go back to the pack at all. We can join another pack.” When he’d declared that he was willing to leave the pack for her, she’d felt a weight shift from her. Despite his reassurances, she’d still been worried about living with the
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pack. That she wouldn’t measure up, that she wouldn’t fit in. She’d never have let on, of course, would never have made him choose. But to know he’d choose her—it was everything. He rolled onto his side, resting his head on his hand as he peered down at her. “You have a family, Jay, a family who love you. I’d kill to have that. I’m not going to let you simply throw that away. I trust you. I trust that you’ll always be there for me. If I’m miserable or unhappy, I know that we can work together to fix it. I haven’t changed my mind. I’d still like to try to live with your pack. Let’s petition the advisors and see where things go from there.” “God, you’re amazing.” She sighed. “If only there was some way you could change me into a werewolf, I’d do it in a heartbeat.” He gazed at her silently before leaning down and taking her mouth in a kiss so intense he almost swallowed her whole. When he pulled back, she leaned forward, trying to recapture the oblivion of that kiss. It took her a while to realize he was talking. “That is…the most selfless thing anyone has ever offered to do for me. You amaze me, Cassie. Thank you.” “I was serious. If I could, I would.” She stared at him, wondering why he couldn’t meet her eyes. “But there’s no way, is there? Werewolves can’t change humans.” “Baby, even if I was allowed to change you, I would never put you through that.” She frowned. “Wait, what do you mean, allowed? It’s impossible, isn’t it?” “Not impossible, just dangerous and forbidden. See, when the packs came out, the Alphas all had to swear that they would never allow a human to be changed. It’s a law that is policed by the packs, and it means instant death for the werewolf who breaks it.” He swept his hand over her hair.
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“Apparently it’s very traumatic, with few successes. I wouldn’t risk your life to change you. There’s no reason for it. We can still do anything we desire with you as a human.” He placed a hand on her stomach. “Including having children.” She took a deep breath. “I never thought about having children.” “I’ve thought of it,” he said huskily. “I’ve dreamed of you pregnant with our child. And none of our children will ever feel alone or abandoned or rejected or worried that they don’t have their parents’ love.” “How many kids are we talking about here?” “Oh, dozens.” He grinned. “Much as my brothers annoyed me growing up, I wouldn’t have had it any other way.” Cassie bit at her lower lip. “Hmm, speaking of siblings, it turns out I may not be an only child.” “What do you mean?” “Are there other, umm, beings like you?” “There’s no one like me.” He smacked a kiss against her lips, laughing as she took a fake swing at his head. “I don’t mean that. I mean, are there other beings besides werewolves?” He stilled. “Why would you ask that?” “There’s something I haven’t told you.” He didn’t speak, but his eyebrows rose. “After my talk with Ryan, this guy sort of, well, appeared. I’ve met him twice before. His name’s Brynn. He introduced himself when I first got here, but when Josh arrived he disappeared. Josh never saw him and I didn’t think I would see him again. Then he appeared again this afternoon after I left you tied to the bed. Anyway, he turned up again after Ryan had given me his little spiel about how I should leave you. It
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was really weird. He was giving me advice on what to do. He told me I had to stand up to Ryan or your brother would walk all over me.” “What did he look like?” Jay demanded. She described him. “What makes you think he’s your brother?” “He told me so. Weird huh?” “What makes you think he’s not human?” “He’s always just appearing and well, disappearing. And the way he moves, it doesn’t look right. It’s like he doesn’t walk, he glides. He was beside me one moment then two yards away the next and I never saw him move. And he knew that you and Ryan are werewolves, in fact he seemed to know quite a bit about werewolves.” “Really?” Jay’s voice was serious. “If he was a werewolf I would have caught his scent on you.” “Yeah, I don’t think he’s a werewolf either. His touch is really cold, I’m pretty sure if I was that cold I’d be dead. If anything, you guys tend to run hot not cold.” “Can you think of anything else?” She shook her head. “Not really, but sometimes I’ve had this feeling of being watched.” “Why didn’t you tell me about him earlier?” he scolded. “There was a lot going on,” she replied defensively. He reached for his phone. Cassie sat up beside him, listening as he had a curt conversation with his brother. “Rye doesn’t have any idea who or what he is,” Jay explained as he closed his phone. “But he said he’ll be on his guard.” He ran his hands through his hair, sending it into disarray. “We have to leave soon and we’ll need to be careful he doesn’t follow us.” “I don’t think he’s a threat to me. Why would he help me if he meant me any harm? And why would he claim to be my brother and then try to hurt me?” 132
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“I don’t know. But I don’t like the fact that he’s been watching you. I can’t take any chances with your safety. Is there anyone who would remember your father? Is he listed on your birth certificate?” She shook her head. “I’m not sure my mother knew his name, she’d never answer any questions about him. Someone else in Landon might remember him. Mom lived there her whole life. It’s not exactly a large place. Everyone knows everyone else’s business.” “Wouldn’t someone have told you about him, then? Spoke about him?” She frowned. “You’re right, they would have. Still, I’ll ask around anyway. It’ll give the gossipers something to talk about, me trying to find my dad.” She sighed. “How come you never left Landon? Moved somewhere bigger, where no one knew you?” She shrugged. “I always wanted to. But then mom got sick in my last year of high school. I’d always worked in the school library, it seemed logical to move into a job at the public library. The money wasn’t great but it was enough to take care of mom and myself. Then when she died, well, I guess I was too scared. I had nobody, at least in Landon I knew everyone. There are nice people who live there too.” She tugged him down until he lay next to her, then wiped the frown lines from his forehead. “Let’s worry about figuring this all out later, okay?” She dragged his hand to her breast, her nipple stiffening instantly. His gaze was immediately drawn to her naked body. “You’ll tell me straightaway if you feel as though you’re being watched, or if you see him again.” It was more an order than a question, but she replied anyway. “Uh-huh.” She thrust her chest up, pushing her breast against his hand. “Insatiable little thing, aren’t you?” he murmured, his voice thick. She reached down and lightly stroked his half-erect cock. “Is that a complaint?”
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“Hell, no,” he gasped as she ran her thumb over the head of his cock, dipping slightly into his slit. She started to slide down his body but he halted her, his hands holding her shoulders. “Don’t you want me to?” She licked her lips. “Oh yeah, I want. Roll onto your back, though.” She rolled over and he knelt over her, his cock above her mouth. She leaned up and licked his balls. He moved back with a shout. “Don’t move.” He stared at her sternly. She giggled unrepentantly. “You let me do the moving, Cass, you just—” “Lie here with my mouth and legs open? I think I can manage that.” He grumbled and she laughed again. He guided his shaft down to her mouth, running the head over her lips until she opened them. He slid into her mouth. She let him set the pace. Her hands cupped his balls, squeezing. Her thighs rubbed against one another, trying to alleviate some of her own arousal. “Shit, shit, shit. That feels so good, Cassie, you wouldn’t believe.” She used both hands to grab his ass, cupping, massaging. He let out a guttural groan. “I’m gonna come.” She pulled him in closer as he came with a shout. She smiled and as he withdrew, she grabbed the base of his shaft, holding him still so she could have a last, lingering lick of his half-erect cock. He rolled back onto the bed, breathing heavily, a light sheen of sweat covering his body. She rolled over and played her fingers over his nipples. He laid his large hand over hers, stilling her movements. “Ahh, babe, I could die a happy man.” Leaning up, he took her mouth in a sweeping kiss. “You’ve worn me out.” He closed his eyes and lay back. “I think I need a nap to recover.” 134
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She whacked his shoulder. “Tease.” His face remained expressionless, eyes still shut as he spoke. “You know how to take care of yourself, don’t you?” She let out a startled bark of laughter. “Jerk.” He rolled onto his side, moving her onto her back. “In fact,” he teased, grinning. “Why don’t you give me a little show?” He lifted her hips and placed two pillows beneath them, spreading her thighs. Then he lay on his side across the bottom of the bed, his head positioned for prime viewing between her legs. “Don’t you want to come?” he asked her innocently when she didn’t move.
Jay lay there gazing at his gorgeous mate. Her skin gleamed. He ran his hand over her leg, loving the smooth feel of her against his calloused palm. In his world, he was frequently surrounded by danger, darkness and intrigue. As an enforcer he often saw the worst in others. But Cassie was sweet and good. She had fast become his shelter. When he was with her, he could relax and be himself. She didn’t see herself as he did, didn’t see herself as attractive. He was determined to work on that, though. Bit by bit he’d build up her self-esteem until she had no choice but to realize how much she meant to him. He knew she thought herself lucky to have him, but he was the lucky one. She brought light, laughter, happiness. He simply could not live without her. She was hesitating, and he thought she wasn’t going to comply. But she moved her hand slowly down to her slit and slipped two fingers inside her passage, coating the two digits before she held them up to him. “Oh baby,” he murmured huskily, leaning in to lick her fingers clean of every drop of dew. He then dragged her fingers into his mouth and sucked them. He let them go reluctantly, riveted as she returned those same fingers to flick at her clit.
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He could barely decide what he desired more, to watch her bring herself to orgasm or to replace her hand with his tongue, to lick up more of that delicious dew, to suck on that sensitive little nub. He decided to hold back…this time. “So beautiful. Keep going, that’s right, make yourself come.” He kept up his praise, letting her know how much he appreciated what she was doing, that she was letting him watch her reach fulfillment. Her fingers sped up, her thighs quivered and she let out a sharp cry as she came. He immediately moved, pushing her hand aside to suck hard on her clit, prolonging her orgasm. He couldn’t resist one long, sweet lick of her slick lips before he rose, pulling her into his arms to kiss her deep and long.
***** The next morning, they lazed in bed. She sat between his legs, her back resting against his chest. He was leaning back against the headboard, his magical hands massaging her shoulders. She felt lazy and content. “Can I see you change?” she asked. His hands stilled on her shoulders. “You sure?” “Yes,” she replied firmly, knowing the reason behind his hesitation. “I’m not like Lia. Trust me.” He moved, slipping out from behind her. He stood beside the bed, staring down at her until she thought he was going to change his mind. But then he sighed, running his thumb across her lips. Slipping her tongue out, she licked him. “Don’t be afraid.” “I won’t be,” she replied. She knew Lia’s reaction, her betrayal, had hurt him. She was determined to show him how amazing he was, wolf and all. The change happened quicker than she’d imagined—a smooth movement of muscle and skin under a shimmering glow that disguised most of the transformation. 136
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Then he stood before her, a magnificent creature. He was long, taller than she’d thought he would be, with beautiful light-brown fur thickly covering his body. He shook his head and snuffled, making her smile. When she looked into his eyes she saw Jay staring back at her. Walking over to the bed, he laid his massive head on the mattress and watched her, waiting for her to move to him. Crawling over, she lay on her stomach and rested her head beside his. This left her neck in a vulnerable position, easily in reach of those massive jaws. It was a show of trust and of love. “You’re gorgeous,” she whispered in his ear, reaching up with one hand to scratch the fur around his neck, surprised by how soft it felt. “I love you.” A lick on her throat was her only answer, and it was more than enough.
“You weren’t frightened.” He shouldn’t have been amazed, but he was. He lay beside her, his head resting on her stomach, more at peace than he could remember feeling in years. “No, I wasn’t.” Her acceptance soothed him and he felt the wolf purr, settle within him more fully. The bond between man and wolf had mended a great deal since he’d been with Cassie. He yawned, tired after his rapid change between human and wolf then back again. She ran her fingers through his hair. “You’re beautiful. Powerful and deadly, sure, but I wasn’t afraid. I felt as though I knew your wolf.” “The wolf always knew you. I wished I’d listened to him earlier. After Lia, I spent a long time in human form. I contained the wolf as much as I could. I completely dominated him. It got to the point that I could barely feel him in human form. We were like two separate parts. But around you, he started to test me. Once I started to listen, I discovered that he’d always known you were ours.”
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His mouth met hers in a sweet kiss. “Love you.” “I love you too.”
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Epilogue Cassie was so nervous her stomach rumbled. This was it, the day of reckoning, the day her future would be voted on by a bunch of egotistical bigots. Well, okay, that wasn’t fair. Not all of them were bad. Since she’d moved to the estate she’d spent a bit of time with each enforcer. Some of them were actually really nice. Like calm, tranquil Josiah. Then there were others, like Ryan, who seemed to hate her. But then she’d known spending time with him was going to be difficult. She understood he was simply trying to look out for his brother. She hoped, given time, he’d see they both wanted what was best for Jay. Cooper had decreed that this vote take place after she’d lived with the pack for a fortnight, both to give the enforcers a chance to get to know her and to give Cassie an idea of what living with the pack was like. Cooper had put out feelers to some of the other packs about Brynn. He had the whole pack on high alert, keeping watch for him. Of course, they were already on high alert. They still hadn’t found the werewolf who had bombed the shop or put the rattler in Laney’s car. There had been no other attacks or threats, but everyone was tense, on edge, waiting for what would come next. So far, Cassie hadn’t been able to find anyone who remembered her father. She shouldn’t be surprised, really. He’d probably been a one-night stand of her mother’s. But if that was the case, she wondered how Brynn had found her. It made her wonder if he’d made it all up, if he’d been messing with her for some reason she had yet to figure out. Most of the pack treated her civilly, but it was a distant sort of politeness. She certainly didn’t feel as if she were part of their community. Laney told her that 139
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everyone was waiting for the outcome of the vote, that things would be better once she’d won her petition to become an honorary packmate. It was funny, she’d spent so much time being scared about moving here, but now she was here she found she didn’t want to have to leave. Because she knew this was where Jay was meant to be. As soon as he’d gotten back to the estate he’d relaxed. This was his place. Cassie prayed the vote would go in their favor. Standing here on display while others voted on her future was a nightmare for her. Trying hard not to shake, she attempted to concentrate on Cooper, on his calm, deep voice as he spoke to those in the room. Everyone remained silent, giving him the respect he was due. Jay pulled her close, tucking her under his arm as Cooper got to the point. “So now you will all cast a vote on whether to accept Cassidy Callington as an honorary member of the pack. Jay will abstain. When I call your name, tell me your decision.” Cassie already knew how this would go. Jay wasn’t happy, but he’d agreed that he couldn’t vote. Each enforcer got a vote. Cooper wouldn’t vote unless there was a tie. “Laney?” Cooper asked. “Yes,” she spoke firmly, winking at Cassie who managed a small smile back. “Marcus?” “No.” Laney turned to glare at her middle brother, but Cassie had expected nothing else. She knew the bald, grouchy enforcer didn’t like her. It was the first thing he’d said to her when she’d moved onto the estate. “Tina?” Cooper asked the tall, dark-haired enforcer. “I vote no.” No surprises there either. “Jesse?” “I vote no.” His green eyes couldn’t meet hers and she knew who was really casting the vote. His bitchy wife, Samantha. 140
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“Josiah?” “I vote yes.” Cassie stared at him, startled, and he smiled at her. “That’s three nos, two yes. Cain?” The quiet enforcer turned to look at her. “I vote yes.” Well that was a shock. She didn’t think he’d said more than three words to her. “Even votes. Rye?” “I vote no.” “Dusty?” Cassie held herself still. Don’t cry, don’t cry, she told herself. She had no idea how Dusty would vote. Dusty’s grin was full of trouble. Very slowly she spoke. “I vote…” There was a dramatic pause. “Yes.” “Oh dear God,” Cassie whispered, her knees weakening to the point of collapse. Luckily, she was held upright by Jay’s possessive arm. “A tie. Well, it looks like I have the deciding vote,” Cooper spoke calmly. Cassie didn’t dare look up. “Welcome to the pack, Cassie.”
***** “That went well, didn’t it?” Cassie jumped as Dusty drove her wheelchair out onto the small deck of the cabin. Cassie had wandered out here, needing some fresh air and space from the celebration— commiseration for some—going on inside. “How on earth do you manage to be so quiet in that contraption?” she snapped. Dusty grinned. “You owe me.” 141
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“What?” Cassie narrowed her eyes down at the other woman suspiciously. “I voted for you, now you have to do something for me. I need to know what the ‘B’ stands for.” “Man, you’re persistent, aren’t you? Why do you have to know?” “Because it’s my job to know.” “What does that mean?” “It means just that. It’s my job. I’m the pack interrogator. I ferret out the truth.” Interrogator? Cassie guessed it made sense. People probably told her things to get her to leave them alone. “Does Jay have a job?” The werewolf grinned, showing off pristine white canines. “How badly do you want to know?” Cassie folded her arms. “I could just ask him.” “You could.” Dusty held out an arm to prevent her from leaving the deck. “But you don’t want to go back in there. Stay here until Jay comes out.” “What? Why?” Cassie asked, alarmed. “Nothing major, Cooper’s giving a lecture about treating you well, as one of us but gentler. You know, because you’re such a fragile, breakable little thing and all.” “Bet that’s going down well,” Cassie grumbled. “Like a cat choking on a fur ball,” Dusty replied cheerfully. “Why aren’t you in there?” Dusty’s grin wiped clean off her face. “Well, I’m not an enforcer at the moment, am I?” “Yes you are. You got a vote.” Dusty shrugged. “Jay’s now third in command.” “Really? Wow. Who used to be third?”
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“Justin,” Dusty snarled. “Cassie!” Cassie looked over as Laney appeared on the porch, Cooper close behind her. “I can’t believe you’re going to live here. I’m so happy.” Laney threw her arms around Cassie, squeezing tight. Cassie felt her insides melt a little. The rejection from some of the enforcers had hurt, even though she’d known it was coming. But Laney’s pure joy soothed some of that wound. Cooper came forward and Laney moved aside so he could take Cassie’s hands in his. He squeezed lightly as she held her breath. “Cassie, let me offer you a more personal welcome to the Shadowpeak pack. There will be a ceremony in a week, welcoming you more formally into the fold. It’s a good excuse to invite the other packs here, and I hope that bastard who bombed your shop is arrogant enough to come. But for now,” he leaned down and kissed her on each cheek, “please know that my mate and I are pleased you are part of our pack and our family.” He let her go. “Thank you.” She bit her lip. “I hope I haven’t caused too many problems.” He drew Laney under the shelter of his large arm, dwarfing her tiny frame. “Actually, I think having you join the pack is an extremely positive move,” he replied, surprising her. “You wouldn’t know it from the miserable faces in there.” She slammed a hand over her mouth. But he merely chuckled. “Zachary liked us to keep to ourselves as much as possible,” Dusty explained. “We never had much to do with humans until Cooper came along and pushed us out into the real world. It’s ignorance, not hate.” “So you see, Cassie. Their reactions showed me who I need to concentrate on and watch. Who requires a bit more exposure to the outside world. Having you around will be a good thing for us. For you, I’m not so sure. You sure you can handle this?” Cooper asked seriously. Cassie gazed up at him. Straightening her shoulders, she nodded.
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He smiled approvingly. “Good. We’re leaving early, I’m afraid. Laney is tired. So we’ll bid you both good night.” Laney glared up at Cooper, whacking him lightly on the chest. “I’m fine, Coop,” she complained. “You’re being overprotective.” Cassie peered closely at Laney for the first time. She’d been too focused on herself to see it before, but Laney was looking exhausted. She was pale and had large, dark circles under her eyes. “Laney?” she asked in concern. Laney waved a hand at her in dismissal. “I’m fine. Come on, then.” She pulled at Cooper’s hand, trying to tug him along. Instead he swooped her up against his chest, carrying her as he walked toward their house. Cassie turned to Dusty, frowning. “Is Laney unwell?” Dusty grinned. “Yep, apparently morning sickness is a real bitch.” “She’s pregnant?” Cassie turned to take off after her friend, wishing to congratulate her, but Dusty grabbed her hand. “Yes, she is. But you’ve got to act surprised when she tells you,” Dusty warned her. Cassie relaxed, nodding. “Now, back to you owing me.” Cassie let out a breath of impatience. “Come on, Dusty, aren’t you sick of this?” “Nope.” The other woman gazed up at her, looking as gorgeous as always, even injured and in a wheelchair. “I have to know. I’ve been wondering for weeks now, all through my operations. Tell me.” “Fine,” Cassie glared down at her. “But swear you won’t tell anyone else.” “I swear.” “Ahem.” Cassie spun as someone cleared their throat behind her. She noticed Dusty didn’t even flinch. Rotten werewolf had known someone was behind them all along. 144
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“Perhaps this is a good time to let you know we’re here.” She smiled as Jay stepped out and hugged her, his chin coming to rest on the top of her head. “Although I must admit, I’d like to know the answer.” “I’ll go back inside,” Cain spoke up from the doorway. “No, stay.” She was pretty sure he wouldn’t go blabbing to others. She stepped back, out of Jay’s arms. “I’ll tell you, but none of you can laugh, okay?” “Yeah, yeah,” Dusty said impatiently. “Just spill.” “It’s Buttercup.” They went silent and still, as if waiting for her to laugh. She sighed. “It’s no joke. My full name is Buttercup Cassidy Callington.” “But why would your mother do that?” Dusty asked. “The Princess Bride.” Surprisingly, it was Cain who spoke up. He grinned at her, the first smile she’d seen from him. “She named you after a feisty, unique and beautiful heroine.” Cassie gaped at him in disbelief. “Really?” Dusty said doubtfully. “You’ve seen it?” she asked Cain suspiciously as he wheeled her off the deck. Cain was the only person Cassie had ever seen wheeling Dusty around. “Yep. Maybe we could watch it together some time.” “Hmm, maybe.” Jay was grinning as he turned Cassie. “Is it my imagination, or did those two really make a date to watch The Princess Bride?” he asked her. She laughed. “Well, you know what they say.” “No? What’s that?”
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“For every obnoxious, irritating person there’s a patient, stoic man just waiting to sweep her off her feet.” “Ahh, so that’s what they say, is it?” “Yeah, that, or she wants to watch it so she can find something else to tease me about.” He laughed before stealing her mouth for a kiss. “Let’s get out of here, aye?” She arched an eyebrow. “You wouldn’t be running away from your own party, would you?” He swept her up in his arms. “Not so much running from, but running to. You’re all I need to celebrate, because you are the reason I’m celebrating.” “Well then, let’s go home and have a party for two.” “As you wish.”
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About the Author Lorna Jean lives in beautiful New Zealand with her partner. Reading has always been her favorite pastime, and when she’s not reading stories filled with passion and romance she finds herself dreaming up new ones. When she’s not in front of the computer screen or curled up with a book, she can usually be found drinking coffee, or shopping, or watching re-runs of Kath and Kim on DVD.
Lorna welcomes comments from readers. You can find her website and email address on her author bio page at www.ellorascave.com.
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